REBAR CLIP

Abstract

A rebar clip is provided. The rebar clip includes a body, a rebar saddle extending from the body, an upper restraining clamp extending from the body, and a lower restraining clamp also extending from the body. The upper restraining clamp and the lower restraining clamp are configured to rotate the rebar clip to clamp the upper restraining clamp and the lower restraining clamp onto a piece of rebar.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to construction equipment and, more specifically, to rebar clips.

BACKGROUND OF CERTAIN ASPECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE

Rebar is typically used to reinforce concrete. Specifically, rebar is typically erected or laid out on the ground and liquid concrete is poured over or around the rebar. The liquid concrete then hardens with the rebar inside such that the rebar strengthens the hardened concrete. Typically, the rebar is laid out or erected in a grid pattern and the individual bars of rebar are tied together with wire. However, at least some rebar is very heavy and it is difficult for workers to position and maintain in place while the rebar is tied together. Additionally, holding the rebar in place while tying the rebar together with wire is labor intensive and time consuming, increasing construction costs.

Accordingly, there is a need for a rebar clip that maintains individual bars of rebar in place while the rebar is tied together to construction time, labor, and costs.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME ASPECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE

One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a rebar clip including a body, a rebar saddle extending from the body, an upper restraining clamp extending from the body, and a lower restraining clamp also extending from the body. The upper restraining clamp and the lower restraining clamp are configured to rotate the rebar clip to clamp the upper restraining clamp and the lower restraining clamp onto a piece of rebar.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a rebar clip system including a plurality of rebar clips. Each of the rebar clips of the plurality of rebar clips includes a body, a rebar saddle extending from the body, an upper restraining clamp extending from the body, and a lower restraining clamp also extending from the body. The upper restraining clamp and the lower restraining clamp are configured to rotate the rebar clip to clamp the upper restraining clamp and the lower restraining clamp onto a piece of rebar.

Yet another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method of securing pieces of rebar using at least one rebar clip. The method includes attaching the at least one rebar clip to a first piece of rebar. The method also includes placing a second piece of rebar on the rebar clip. The method further includes securing the first piece of rebar to the second piece of rebar with wire or a similar material.

There are other novel aspects and features of this disclosure. They will become apparent as this specification proceeds. Accordingly, this brief summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. The summary and the background are not intended to identify key concepts or essential aspects of the disclosed subject matter, nor should they be used to constrict or limit the scope of the claims. For example, the scope of the claims should not be limited based on whether the recited subject matter includes any or all aspects noted in the summary and/or addresses any of the issues noted in the background.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the embodiments may be realized by reference to the following drawings. In the appended figures, similar components or features may have the same reference label.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an example rebar clip attached to a segment of rebar in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the rebar clip illustrated in FIG. 1 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates another side view of the rebar clip illustrated in FIG. 1 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates another perspective view of the rebar clip attached to a segment of rebar illustrated in FIG. 1 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates another perspective view of the rebar clip attached to a segment of rebar illustrated in FIG. 1 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of a rebar clip system in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a method of securing pieces of rebar using at least one rebar clip in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

While the embodiments described herein are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. However, the exemplary embodiments described herein are not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the instant disclosure covers all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The systems and methods disclosed herein relate to, among other things a rebar clip for maintaining rebar in position while individual bars of rebar are tied together. The rebar clips described herein include a body, a rebar saddle extending from the body, an upper restraining clamp extending from the body, and a lower restraining clamp also extending from the body. The rebar clip is sized and shaped such that the rebar clip may be quickly attached to a first individual piece of rebar and can separately hold another piece of rebar without tools. Specifically, the rebar clip is sized and shaped such that the upper and lower restraining clamps defining an opening to receive the first piece of rebar. Once the first piece of rebar is positioned between the upper and lower restraining clamps, the rebar clip is configured to rotate such that the upper and lower restraining clamps each clamp onto the first piece of rebar. More specifically, the upper and lower restraining clamps are configured to rotate in different directions such that the upper and lower restraining clamps each rotate into the piece of rebar, creating a loose friction fit on the first piece of rebar and maintaining the rebar clip in place on the first piece of rebar. Additionally, the rebar saddle extends from the body such that when another piece of rebar is positioned in the rebar saddle, the rebar saddle acts as a lever that creates a torque. However, because the upper and lower restraining clamps are already clamped to the first piece of rebar, the torque does not cause actual rotation of the rebar clip. Rather, the torque strengthens the friction fit between the rebar clip and the first piece of rebar.

The torque is sufficient to hold the second piece of rebar in place relative to the first piece of rebar while the two pieces of rebar are tied together. Once the two pieces of rebar have been secured together, such as with wire, the rebar clip may be removed by rotating the rebar clip such that the upper and lower restraining clamps each rotate away from the first piece of rebar, releasing the clip. The rebar clip may then be reused. In some embodiments, the rebar clip remains in place and the wire maintains the rebar and the rebar clip in place. Concrete may then be poured into a mold and over the rebar to cure. As such, the rebar clips described herein enable a single laborer to build reinforcing rebar structures in place and enable the laborer to attach segments of rebar to each other without assistance from others, reducing construction time, labor, and costs.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an example rebar clip 100 attached to a segment of rebar 150, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the rebar clip 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 illustrates another side view of the rebar clip 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 illustrates another perspective view of the rebar clip 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 attached to a segment of rebar 150, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 illustrates another perspective view of the rebar clip 100 attached to a segment of rebar 150, illustrated in FIG. 1 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

The rebar clip 100 includes a body 102, a rebar saddle 104 extending from the body 102, an upper restraining clamp 106 extending from the body 102, and a lower restraining clamp 108 also extending from the body 102.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the upper restraining clamp 106 and the lower restraining clamp 108 are sized and shaped to clamp onto a piece of rebar 150 without tools. Specifically, the upper restraining clamp 106 and the lower restraining clamp 108 each extend from the body 102 such that the upper restraining clamp 106 and the lower restraining clamp 108 define an opening 110 sized to receive a piece of rebar. Additionally, the upper restraining clamp 106 and the lower restraining clamp 108 each have a tip 112, each of which is bent in an opposite direction from the other tip 112. Moreover, a space 114 is provided between the upper restraining clamp 106 and the lower restraining clamp 108, the space 114 having an oval shape. The combination of the oval shape of the space 114 and the opposing bent tips 112 of the upper and lower restraining clamps 106, 108 enable the rebar clip 100 to rotate 45° such that the upper restraining clamp 106 and the lower restraining clamp 108 clamp onto the piece of rebar. That is, the upper restraining clamp 106 and the lower restraining clamp 108 form a friction fit on the piece of rebar such that the rebar clip 100 maintains a position on the piece of rebar.

In the illustrated embodiment, the upper restraining clamp 106 and the lower restraining clamp 108 extend from the body 102 in a first direction and the rebar saddle 104 extends from the body 102 in a second direction. The first direction is approximately orthogonal to the second direction. Specifically, an angle α between the first and second directions is approximately 90°. In alternative embodiments, the angle α may be any angle that enables the rebar clip to operate as described herein.

In the illustrated embodiment, the bent tips 112 are angled away from each other to enable the rebar clip 100 to grip a first piece of rebar. In the illustrated embodiments, the bent tips 112 are each bent in an opposite direction. In alternative embodiments, the bent tips 112 may not be bent, meaning that they have the same planar orientation as the restraining clamp 106, 108 from which they stem, or may be bent in any direction that enables the rebar clip to operate as described herein. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, a first bent tip 112 is bent in a first direction and a second bent tip 112 is bent in a second direction opposite the first direction.

More specifically, the first bent tip 112 is bent in the first direction such that the first bent tip 112 forms an angle β relative to the upper restraining clamp 106 and the second bent tip 112 is bent in the second direction such that the second bent tip 112 forms an angle γ relative to the lower restraining clamp 108. In the illustrated embodiment, the angle β and the angle γ are approximately equal and are approximately 25° to approximately 55°. In another embodiment, the angle β and the angle γ are approximately equal and are approximately 45°. In alternative embodiments, the angle β and the angle γ are not equal and may be any angle that enables the rebar clip 100 to operate as described herein.

The rebar saddle 104 has a rebar saddle length 118, the upper restraining clamp 106 has an upper restraining clamp length 120, the lower restraining clamp 108 has a lower restraining clamp length 122, and the bent tips 112 each have a bent tip length 124. The rebar saddle length 118, the upper restraining clamp length 120, the lower restraining clamp length 122, and the bent tip lengths 124 vary depending on the size of the rebar the rebar clip 100 is intended to clamp onto. Larger rebar clips intended for larger gauge rebar will have longer lengths than smaller clips intended for smaller rebar. In the illustrated embodiments, the rebar saddle length 118, the upper restraining clamp length 120, the lower restraining clamp length 122, and the bent tip lengths 124 may each be from approximately 0.375 inches to approximately 2.5 inches, depending on the size of the clip and the size of the rebar the rebar clip is intended to clamp onto. In alternative embodiments, the rebar saddle length 118, the upper restraining clamp length 120, the lower restraining clamp length 122, and the bent tip lengths 124 may each be any length that enables the rebar clips described herein to operate as described herein.

In the illustrated embodiment and as shown in FIG. 3, the oval shape of the space 114 defines a substantially circular shape when the rebar clip 100 rotates 45° such that the upper restraining clamp 106 and the lower restraining clamp 108 clamp onto the piece of rebar. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the space 114 is oval shaped when the rebar clip 100 is applied to the rebar and is circular when the rebar clip 100 is rotated 45° such that the upper restraining clamp 106 and the lower restraining clamp 108 clamp onto the rebar. The rebar saddle 104, the upper restraining clamp 106, and the lower restraining clamp 108 each include a curved portion with a radius that corresponds to a radius of the rebar which the rebar clip 100 is intended to clamp onto.

Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the rebar saddle 104 defines a rebar saddle radius 126, the upper restraining clamp 106 defines an upper restraining clamp radius 128, and the lower restraining clamp 108 defines a lower restraining clamp radius 130. In the illustrated embodiments, the rebar saddle radius 126, the upper restraining clamp radius 128, and the lower restraining clamp radius 130 may each be from approximately 0.1875 inches to approximately 1.25 inches depending on the size of the clip and the size of the rebar the rebar clip is intended to clamp onto. In alternative embodiments, the rebar saddle radius 126, the upper restraining clamp radius 128, and the lower restraining clamp radius 130 may each be any length that enables the rebar clips described herein to operate as described herein.

Once the rebar clip 100 is clamped on the piece of rebar, another piece of rebar may be positioned in the rebar saddle 104. The rebar saddle 104 is sized and shaped to receive the other piece of rebar. Specifically, the rebar saddle 104 is curved to correspond to the round shape of the other piece of rebar. The rebar saddle 104 acts like a lever and the weight of the other piece of rebar generates a torque that strengthens the friction fit of the rebar clip 100 on the first piece of rebar.

The rebar clip 100 may further define at least one notch 116 configured to receive a wire. The wire may be tied around the pieces of rebar and the rebar clip 100 to maintain the pieces of rebar and the rebar clip 100 in place when liquid concrete is poured over the pieces of rebar and the rebar clip 100. The rebar clip 100 may include a plurality of notches 116. In the illustrated embodiment, the rebar clip 100 includes three notches 116. In some embodiments, the body 102 may include additional notches 116 as well.

A lever tool (not shown) may assist a worker lifting the other/second piece of rebar after the other piece of rebar has been placed in the rebar saddle 104. The lever tool may include a forked head including at least two prongs that extend under the other piece of rebar and a handle extending away from the forked head. The prongs are positioned under the other piece of rebar and the handle acts as a lever to lift the other piece of rebar approximately an inch or so to enable positioning of the other piece of rebar.

FIG. 6 illustrates a rebar clip system 200 including a plurality of rebar clips 202 and 204 that are configured to attach a first piece of rebar 206 to at least one second piece of rebar 208 and 210. In the illustrated embodiment, the rebar clips 202 and 204 are each clamped onto one of the second pieces of rebar 208 and 210 that are oriented vertically. The first piece of rebar 206 is placed on the rebar clips 202 and 204 to maintain the first piece of rebar 206 in position relative to the second pieces of rebar 208 and 210 while the first piece of rebar 206 is secured to the second pieces of rebar 208 and 210 with wire.

FIG. 7 illustrates a method 700 of securing pieces of rebar using at least one rebar clip. The method includes attaching 702 the at least one rebar clip to a first piece of rebar. The method also includes placing 704 a second piece of rebar on the rebar clip. The method further includes securing 706 the first piece of rebar to the second piece of rebar with wire.

The systems and methods disclosed herein relate to, among other things a rebar clip for maintaining rebar in position while the individual rebar bars are tied together. The rebar clips described herein include a body, a rebar saddle extending from the body, an upper restraining clamp extending from the body, and a lower restraining clamp also extending from the body. The rebar clip is sized and shaped such that the rebar clip may be quickly attached to an individual piece of rebar and can hold another piece of rebar without tools. Specifically, the rebar clip is sized and shaped such that the upper and lower restraining clamps defining an opening to receive the piece of rebar. Once the piece of rebar is positioned between the upper and lower restraining clamps, the rebar clip is configured to rotate such that the upper and lower restraining clamps each clamp onto the piece of rebar. More specifically, the upper and lower restraining clamps are configured to rotate in different directions such that the upper and lower restraining clamps each rotate into the piece of rebar, creating a loose friction fit on the piece of rebar and maintain the rebar clip in place on the piece of rebar. Additionally, the rebar saddle extends from the body such that when another piece of rebar is positioned in the rebar saddle, the rebar saddle acts as a lever that creates a torque. However, because the upper and lower restraining clamps are already clamped to the piece of rebar, the torque does not cause actual rotation of the rebar clip. Rather, the torque strengthens the friction fit between the rebar clip and the piece of rebar.

The torques is sufficient to hold the second piece of rebar in place relative to the first piece of rebar while the two pieces of rebar may be tied together. Once the two pieces of rebar have been secured together with wire, the rebar clip may be removed by rotating the rebar clip such that the upper and lower restraining clamps each rotate away from the first piece of rebar and the rebar clip may be reused. In some embodiments, the rebar clip remains in place and the wire maintains the rebar and the rebar clip in place. Concrete may then be poured into a mold and over the rebar to cure. As such, the rebar clips described herein enable a single laborer to maintain rebar in place and enable the laborer to attach the rebar without assistance from others, reducing construction time, labor, and costs.

The description set forth herein, in connection with the appended drawings, describes example configurations and does not represent all the examples that may be implemented or that are within the scope of the claims. The term “exemplary” used herein means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration,” and not “preferred” or “advantageous over other examples.” The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing an understanding of the described techniques. These techniques, however, may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the described examples.

In the appended figures, similar components or features may have the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label by a dash and a second label that distinguishes among the similar components. If just the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference label.

The description herein is provided to enable a person skilled in the art to make or use the disclosure. Various modifications to the disclosure will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Thus, the disclosure is not limited to the examples and designs described herein, but is to be accorded the broadest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Terminology and Interpretative Conventions

Any methods described in the claims or specification should not be interpreted to require the steps to be performed in a specific order unless stated otherwise. Also, the methods should be interpreted to provide support to perform the recited steps in any order unless stated otherwise.

Spatial or directional terms, such as “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” and the like, relate to the subject matter as it is shown in the drawings. However, it is to be understood that the described subject matter may assume various alternative orientations and, accordingly, such terms are not to be considered as limiting.

Articles such as “the,” “a,” and “an” can connote the singular or plural. Also, the word “or” when used without a preceding “either” (or other similar language indicating that “or” is unequivocally meant to be exclusive—e.g., only one of x or y, etc.) shall be interpreted to be inclusive (e.g., “x or y” means one or both x or y).

The term “and/or” shall also be interpreted to be inclusive (e.g., “x and/or y” means one or both x or y). In situations where “and/or” or “or” are used as a conjunction for a group of three or more items, the group should be interpreted to include one item alone, all the items together, or any combination or number of the items.

The terms have, having, include, and including should be interpreted to be synonymous with the terms comprise and comprising. The use of these terms should also be understood as disclosing and providing support for narrower alternative embodiments where these terms are replaced by “consisting” or “consisting essentially of.”

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers or expressions, such as those expressing dimensions, physical characteristics, and the like, used in the specification (other than the claims) are understood to be modified in all instances by the term “approximately.” At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the claims, each numerical parameter recited in the specification or claims which is modified by the term “approximately” should be construed in light of the number of recited significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.

All disclosed ranges are to be understood to encompass and provide support for claims that recite any and all subranges or any and all individual values subsumed by each range. For example, a stated range of 1 to 10 should be considered to include and provide support for claims that recite any and all subranges or individual values that are between and/or inclusive of the minimum value of 1 and the maximum value of 10; that is, all subranges beginning with a minimum value of 1 or more and ending with a maximum value of 10 or less (e.g., 5.5 to 10, 2.34 to 3.56, and so forth) or any values from 1 to 10 (e.g., 3, 5.8, 9.9994, and so forth).

All disclosed numerical values are to be understood as being variable from 0-100% in either direction and thus provide support for claims that recite such values or any and all ranges or subranges that can be formed by such values. For example, a stated numerical value of 8 should be understood to vary from 0 to 16 (100% in either direction) and provide support for claims that recite the range itself (e.g., 0 to 16), any subrange within the range (e.g., 2 to 12.5) or any individual value within that range (e.g., 15.2).

The terms recited in the claims should be given their ordinary and customary meaning as determined by reference to relevant entries in widely used general dictionaries and/or relevant technical dictionaries, commonly understood meanings by those in the art, etc., with the understanding that the broadest meaning imparted by any one or combination of these sources should be given to the claim terms (e.g., two or more relevant dictionary entries should be combined to provide the broadest meaning of the combination of entries, etc.) subject only to the following exceptions: (a) if a term is used in a manner that is more expansive than its ordinary and customary meaning, the term should be given its ordinary and customary meaning plus the additional expansive meaning, or (b) if a term has been explicitly defined to have a different meaning by reciting the term followed by the phrase “as used in this document shall mean” or similar language (e.g., “this term means,” “this term is defined as,” “for the purposes of this disclosure this term shall mean,” etc.). References to specific examples, use of “i.e.,” use of the word “invention,” etc., are not meant to invoke exception (b) or otherwise restrict the scope of the recited claim terms. Other than situations where exception (b) applies, nothing contained in this document should be considered a disclaimer or disavowal of claim scope.

The subject matter recited in the claims is not coextensive with and should not be interpreted to be coextensive with any embodiment, feature, or combination of features described or illustrated in this document. This is true even if only a single embodiment of the feature or combination of features is illustrated and described in this document.

Claims

1. A rebar clip comprising: a body;a rebar saddle extending from the body;an upper restraining clamp extending from the body; anda lower restraining clamp also extending from the body, wherein the upper restraining clamp and the lower restraining clamp are configured to rotate the rebar clip to clamp the upper restraining clamp and the lower restraining clamp onto a piece of rebar.

2. The rebar clip of claim 1, wherein the rebar clip may be rotated approximately 45° when the rebar clip is clamped onto the piece of rebar.

3. The rebar clip of claim 1, wherein the upper restraining clamp and the lower restraining clamp extend from the body in a first direction and the rebar saddle extends from the body in a second direction.

4. The rebar clip of claim 3, wherein the first direction is approximately orthogonal to the second direction.

5. The rebar clip of claim 1, wherein the upper restraining clamp comprises a bent tip.

6. The rebar clip of claim 1, wherein the lower restraining clamp comprises a bent tip.

7. The rebar clip of claim 1, wherein the rebar saddle, the upper restraining clamp, and the lower restraining clamp each includes a curved portion that has a radius that corresponds to a radius of the piece of rebar the rebar clip is intended to clamp onto.

8. The rebar clip of claim 1, further comprising at least one notch configured to receive a wire.

9. The rebar clip of claim 8, wherein the at least one notch is defined in at least one of the rebar saddle, the upper restraining clamp, and the lower restraining clamp.

10. The rebar clip of claim 8, wherein the at least one notch comprises a plurality of notches that are defined in the rebar saddle, the upper restraining clamp, and the lower restraining clamp.

11. A rebar clip system comprising: a plurality of rebar clips, each of the rebar clips of the plurality of rebar clips comprising: a body;a rebar saddle extending from the body;an upper restraining clamp extending from the body; anda lower restraining clamp also extending from the body, wherein the upper restraining clamp and the lower restraining clamp are configured to rotate the rebar clip to clamp the upper restraining clamp and the lower restraining clamp onto a piece of rebar.

12. The rebar clip system of claim 11, wherein each of the rebar clips are rotated approximately 45° when the rebar clips are clamped onto the piece of rebar.

13. The rebar clip system of claim 11, wherein the upper restraining clamp and the lower restraining clamp extend from the body in a first direction and the rebar saddle extends from the body in a second direction.

14. The rebar clip system of claim 13, wherein the first direction is approximately orthogonal to the second direction.

15. The rebar clip system of claim 11, wherein the upper restraining clamp comprises a bent tip.

16. The rebar clip system of claim 11, wherein the lower restraining clamp comprises a bent tip.

17. The rebar clip system of claim 11, wherein the rebar saddle, the upper restraining clamp, and the lower restraining clamp each includes a curved portion that has a radius that corresponds to a radius of the piece of rebar the rebar clip is intended to clamp onto.

18. The rebar clip system of claim 11, further comprising at least one notch configured to receive a wire.

19. The rebar clip system of claim 18, wherein the at least one notch is defined in at least one of the rebar saddle, the upper restraining clamp, and the lower restraining clamp.

20. A method of securing pieces of rebar using at least one rebar clip, the method comprising: attaching the at least one rebar clip to a first piece of rebar;placing a second piece of rebar on the rebar clip; andsecuring the first piece of rebar to the second piece of rebar with wire.