In the accompanying drawings:
Referring now to the drawings,
In one embodiment, the invention 10 comprises a generally U-shaped bracket member 12 having two legs 12a, 12c and an intermediate segment 12b therebetween, the bracket member 12 being configured to slide over a form member 20a used to form a structure (not shown as a whole) into which concrete is to be poured. The bracket member 12 has its legs 12a, 12c depend along the form member 20a a predetermined distance. Each leg 12a, 12c of the bracket member 12 has two spaced-part J-shaped members 12d aligned vertically with each other, and each J-shaped member 12d is configured to support a rebar member 22 to be used in forming the structure.
In a preferred embodiment, a distal end of each J-shaped member 12d includes an inward directed appendage or nipple 12e for preventing the rebar member 22 from readily floating out from its engagement with the J-shaped member 12d during the cement pour or lifting out during handling by the workers.
For circumstances when only half of a bracket is needed, for example on the left side of
When the poured concrete structure has been poured and cured, removal of the intermediate segment 12b will leave no evidence of the bracket 10 buried in the concrete. This can be done by providing with each leg 12a, 12c with means for breaking off and separating the intermediate segment 12b from each of said legs 12a, 12c. Again, the preferred method is the providing of a scored V-shaped groove 12g located on a portion of each leg 12a, 12c near the intermediate segment 12b.
It is preferred that the bracket be made from material such as metal base material or polymeric or plastic material.
In another embodiment of the invention and as alluded to above, as well as shown in
As described above, for the saddle configuration bracket member, a distal end of each J-shaped member 14c includes an inward directed appendage 14d for preventing the rebar member 22 from readily floating out from its engagement with the J-shaped member 14d.
This embodiment optionally includes means for breaking off and separating the first leg 14a from the second leg 14b and again preferably, this can be a scored V-shaped groove 14e located on a portion of said second leg 14b near the first leg 14a.
By way of example only, if the form is constructed out of 2×8 standard lumber, the bottom of the lower J-shaped member will be about one inch from the bottom edge of the 2×8 form lumber, while the top J-shaped member is located so that the top of the rebar resting within the J-shaped member is about one inch from the top edge of the 2×8 form lumber. Both J-shaped members are also typically configured so that the rebar is about 1½ inches from the side of the 2×8 form lumber.
Also shown in the drawings are chamber molding (not numbered) made from wood. These chamfer moldings typically provide for a 45 degree reveal on the structure being made after the form 20a is removed from the cured concrete.
It should be understood that the preceding is merely a detailed description of one or more embodiments of this invention and that numerous changes to the disclosed embodiments can be made in accordance with the disclosure herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The preceding description, therefore, is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be determined only by the appended claims and their equivalents.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/816,405 filed Jun. 26, 2006.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60816405 | Jun 2006 | US |