Patent Application
20180044919
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The disclosure and prior art relates to construction devices and more particularly pertains to a new construction device for constructing and transporting rebar structures.
An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a plurality of rebar members. A jig is provided. Each of the rebar members is positioned in the jig to retain each of the rebar members in a selected pattern. A plurality of first couplers is each removably coupled to an associated one of the rebar members. Each of the first couplers may be selectively coupled to a crane to transport the rebar members. A plurality of second couplers is provided. Each of the second couplers is selectively positioned in an open position and a closed position. Each of the second couplers is positioned around an associated one of the rebar members when the second couplers are positioned in the closed position. Each of the second couplers engages the jig such the jig is retained at the selected point on the rebar members.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the disclosure in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the disclosure that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
The objects of the disclosure, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.
The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:
With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to
As best illustrated in
A jig 18 is provided. The jig 18 has a plurality of grooves 20. Each of the rebar members 12 is positioned in an associated one of the grooves 20. Thus, each of the rebar members 12 is retained in a selected pattern.
The jig 18 comprises a frame 22 has a pair of first members 24 extending between each of a pair of second members 26. The second members 26 are spaced apart from each other such that the frame 22 has a rectangular shape. The frame 22 has a first surface 28, a second surface 30 and a peripheral edge 32 extending therebetween. The peripheral edge 32 has an outwardly facing side 34. Each of the grooves 20 corresponding to the frame 22 extends inwardly on the outwardly facing side 34.
The grooves 20 corresponding to the frame 22 are spaced apart from each other and are distributed around the frame 22. The plurality of grooves 20 corresponding to the frame 22 includes a set of corner grooves 36 and a set of member grooves 38. Each of the rebar members 12 is positioned in an associated one of the grooves 20 of the frame 22. Each of the grooves 20 has a bounding surface 40. The outer surface 14 of each of the rebar members 12 abuts the bounding surface 40 of the associated groove 20.
The jig 18 includes a plurality of first plates 42. Each of the first plates 42 has a primary surface 44 and an exterior edge 46. The exterior edge 46 has a first side 48 and each of the first plates 42 includes one of the grooves 20. The groove corresponding to each of the first plates 42 extends inwardly on the first side 48 on an associated one of the first plates 42. The primary surface 44 of each of the first plates 42 is positioned to abut the first surface 28 of corresponding to an associated one of the first members 24 and an associated one of the second members 26. The groove 20 corresponding to each of the first plates 42 is aligned with an associated one of the member grooves 38. Thus, the rebar members 12 corresponding to the member grooves 38 are retained in the frame 22.
The jig 18 includes a plurality of second plates 50. Each of the second plates 50 has a principle surface 52 and each of the second plates 50 has a pair of wings 54. The wings 54 corresponding to each of the second plates 50 is spaced apart from each. Thus, the groove corresponding to each of the second plates 50 is defined. The principle surface 52 of each of the second plates 50 is positioned to abut the first surface 28 of the frame 22. The groove corresponding to each of the second plates 50 is aligned with an associated one of the corner grooves 36. Thus, the rebar members 12 corresponding to the corner grooves 36 are retained in the frame 22.
A plurality of first fasteners 56 is provided. Each of the first fasteners 56 extends through an associated one of the first plates 42 and engaging the frame 22. Thus, each of the first plates 42 is removably retained on the frame 22. Each of the first fasteners 56 may comprise a nut and a bolt or the like.
A plurality of second fasteners 58 is provided. Each of the second fasteners 58 extends through an associated one of the second plates 50 and engaging the frame 22. Thus, each of the second plates 50 is removably retained on the frame 22. Each of the second fasteners 58 may comprise a nut and a bolt or the like.
A plurality of first couplers 60 is provided. Each of the first couplers 60 is removably coupled to an associated one of the rebar members 12. Each of the first couplers 60 may be selectively coupled to a crane or the like. Thus, the rebar members 12 may be transported when the rebar members 12 are positioned in the jig 18. The crane may lift the rebar members 12 onto a high rise construction site. The jig 18 orients the rebar members 12 to form a rebar structure for a vertical column or the like. Additionally, the rebar members 12 may be vertically oriented on the high rise construction site.
Each of the first couplers 60 comprises a cup 62 that has a first end 64, a second end 66 and an outer wall 68 extending therebetween. The first end 64 of the cup 62 is open and the cup 62 is substantially hollow. The second end 66 of the cup 62 has an opening 70 extending into the cup 62. The outer wall 68 has an exterior surface 72 and an inner surface 74.
The inner surface 74 is threaded. The exterior surface 72 has a plurality of intersecting sides 76. Thus, the exterior surface 72 may be engaged by a wrench. The inner surface 74 threadably engages the outer surface 14 of an associated one of the rebar members 12. The first end 16 of the associated rebar member 12 is positioned in the cup 62.
A lifting unit 77 is provided. The lifting unit 77 is slidably coupled to the cup 62. The lifting unit 77 is coupled to the crane. The, the lifting unit 77 facilitates the crane to life the rebar members 12.
The lifting unit 77 comprises a shaft 78 that has a first end 80 and a second end 82. The shaft 78 extends through the opening 70 in the cup 62. The second end 82 of the shaft 78 is exposed with respect to the cup 62. A ring 84 is coupled to the second end 82 of the shaft 78 and the crane may be coupled to the ring 84.
The lifting unit 77 includes a disk 86 that has a first surface 88. The first surface 88 of the disk 86 is coupled to the first end of the shaft 78. The disk 86 is movably positioned within the cup 62. The disk 86 abuts the second end 62 of the cup 62 when the crane lifts the lifting unit 77. Thus, the shaft 78 supports a weight of the rebar members 12.
A plurality of second couplers 90 is provided. Each of the second couplers 90 is selectively positioned in an open position and a closed position. Each of the second couplers 90 is positioned around an associated one of the rebar members 12 when the second couplers 90 are positioned in the closed position. Each of the second couplers 90 is positioned at a selected point on the associated rebar members 12. Each of the second couplers 90 engages the jig 18 such the jig 18 is retained at the selected point on the rebar members 12.
Each of the second couplers 90 comprises a nut 92. The nut 92 is threaded to threadably engages the outer surface 14 of the associated rebar member 12. The nut 92 has an outermost surface 94 and the outermost surface 94 has a plurality of intersecting sides 96. The nut 92 has a cut extending therethrough to define a first half 98 of the nut 92 and a second half 100 of the nut 92.
A pair of arms 102 is provided. Each of the arms 102 is hingedly coupled together to define a hinge point 104 and a free end 106 of each of the arms 102. Each of the arms 102 is curved between the hinge point 104 and the free end 106. The free end 106 corresponding to each of the arms 102 are spaced apart from each other. Each of the arms 102 has an inwardly facing surface 108 and an outwardly facing surface 110. The inwardly facing surface 108 has a plurality of intersecting sides 112.
The pair of arms 102 includes a first arm 114 and a second arm 116. The outermost surface 94 of the first half 98 of the nut 92 is positioned to abut the inwardly facing surface 108 of the first arm 114. The outermost surface 94 of the second half 100 of the nut 92 is positioned to abut the inwardly facing surface 108 of the second arm 116. The free end 106 of the second arm 116 has a slot 118 extending toward the hinge point 104. The outwardly facing surface 108 of the second arm 116 has a recess 128. The recess 128 is positioned adjacent to the free end of the second arm 116.
A rod 120 extends through the free end 106 of the first arm 114. The rod 120 has a distal end 122 with respect to the first arm 114. A stop 124 is coupled around the rod 120. The stop 124 is spaced from the distal end 122 of the rod 120. The slot 118 in the second arm 116 receives the rod 120 and the stop 124 is positioned in the recess 128. Thus, the stop 124 is frictionally retained on the second arm 116.
A lever 126 is hingedly coupled to the rod 120 and the lever 126 may be manipulated. The lever 126 frictionally engages the outwardly facing surface 110 of the first arm 114. The lever 126 is urged into a closing position. Thus, the stop 124 is urged toward the first arm 114 and the nut 92 is compressed around the associated rebar member 12. The lever 126 is urged into an opening 70 position. Thus, the stop 124 is urged away from the first arm 114 and the nut 92 is released from the associated rebar. The lever 126 facilitates the second couplers 90 to accommodate a variety of rebar member 12 diameters.
In use, each of the rebar members 12 is positioned in the associated grooves 20 in the frame 22. Each of the first plates 42 is positioned on the frame 22 to retain associated rebar members 12 in the associated member grooves 38. Each of the second plates 50 is positioned on the frame 22 to retain associated rebar members 12 in the associated corner grooves 36. Thus, the rebar members 12 are oriented to form a rebar structure of a vertical column. The first fasteners 56 and the second fasteners 58 couple the first plates 42 and the second plates 50 to the frame 22.
Each of the second couplers 90 is coupled around associated rebar members 12. Selected ones of the second couplers 90 are positioned on the associated rebar members 12 to abut the frame 22. Selected ones of the second couplers 90 are positioned on the associated rebar member 12 to abut the first plates 42 and the second plates 50. Thus, the jig 18 is retained at a selected point along the rebar members 12.
Each of the first couplers 60 is threadably coupled to associated rebar members 12. Moreover, each of the first couplers 60 is positioned on the first end of the associated rebar member 12. The crane is attached to the ring 84 corresponding to each of the first couplers 60. Thus, each of the rebar members 12 is lifted onto a high rise construction project. The crane positions the rebar members 12 to be vertically oriented on the high rise construction project. The crane is uncoupled from each of the first couplers 60.
Each of the first couplers 60 is removed from the rebar members 12. Concrete is poured around the rebar members 12 to define a vertical support column. Each of the second couplers 90 and the jig 18 are removed from the rebar members 12 when the concrete has dried and cured. The frame 22 may be partially submerged in the concrete. Each of the first plates 42 and the second plates 50 are removed from the frame 22 when the concrete has dried and cured.
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodiment enabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, system and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by an embodiment of the disclosure.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure. In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be only one of the elements.
