This invention relates to apparatus used in connection with various industrial settings, in particular (but not exclusively) the construction trade. With more particularity, the present invention relates to apparatus for covering exposed ends of steel reinforcing bar, commonly known as “rebar,” used in connection with concrete work.
As is well known in the relevant field, steel rebar is used to reinforce poured concrete structures, such as floors and walls. Frequently, the rebar is positioned within a form, and wet concrete is poured into the form, thus embedding the rebar.
It is common that at certain stages of construction, one or both ends of a piece of rebar will protrude from the concrete. Rebar is typically a round-in-cross section steel bar, by way of example ⅜″ or ½″ in diameter. It is readily appreciated that should a worker fall onto an exposed rebar end, grave injury or death could occur.
In an effort to reduce the injurious effect of such a fall, pieces known as “rebar safety caps,” referred to at times herein as “safety caps,” are known. While different embodiments exist, commonly the commercially available rebar caps have an outer body in a shape similar to a mushroom, when viewed from one side. An elongated stem has a hole therein to receive a rebar end. Some prior art rebar safety caps have flexible fins within the hole, which are bent back by the rebar end when the safety cap is put in place; the intent of the fins is to hold the rebar safety cap in place by virtue of a friction fit, the fins tending to permit some variation in the rebar diameter, etc.
However, in practice the prior art rebar safety caps, particularly those with the finned mounting holes, do not reliably stay affixed to the rebar end and tend to fall off of their own accord or are easily dislodged. As can be readily understood, the unsafe situation resumes should any rebar end be exposed.
The known prior art rebar safety caps share a common issue with maintaining the caps in place on the ends of the rebar.
The secured rebar safety cap embodying the principles of the present invention comprises an outer body, which may be made of molded plastic or similar materials, having an enlarged cap and an elongated stem attached to the cap. The stem comprises a hole suitably sized to fit over the end of a section of rebar, for example 2″ long. A steel (or other metal, or similar strong material) insert or reinforcing plate is preferably embedded in the plastic at the upper end of the hole, to prevent the rebar from punching through the plastic safety cap. In a first embodiment of the secured rebar safety cap, one or more, typically two, set screws are threadably positioned in holes in the stem and may be tightened against the rebar to secure it in place. In a second embodiment, one or more magnets disposed in or proximal the stem hole, for example at the end of the stem hole, secure the safety cap in place when placed on the end of the rebar. It is to be understood that the magnetic force of the magnets in attraction to the steel/metal/ferrous material of the rebar holds the safety cap in place.
While various secured rebar safety caps can embody the principles of the present invention, with reference to the drawings some of the presently preferred embodiments can be described.
Referring to
A key aspect of secured safety cap 10 is a means for securing same to the rebar end, in this embodiment comprising one or more, typically two, set screws 70 which may be inserted through and threadably disposed in threaded holes in plastic outer body 20, for example stem 30, or some other part of safety cap 10. As can be readily understood by known set screws in other settings, set screws 70 may be advanced by turning them and tightening them against rebar 50. Once tightened (by hand, a screwdriver, a wrench, etc. as appropriate), set screws 70 hold rebar safety cap 10 securely in place, yet can be loosened and rebar safety cap 10 removed and re-used.
A key aspect of this embodiment of secured safety cap 100 is a means for securing same to the rebar end, in this embodiment comprising one or more magnets within the body of the rebar cap, in
While the preceding description contains many specificities, it is to be understood that same are presented only to describe some of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, and not by way of limitation. Changes can be made to various aspects of the invention, without departing from the scope thereof. For example, dimensions may be varied to suit different rebar sizes; different materials may be used; the rebar safety cap may be used to cover any exposed piece, whether rebar, steel stakes, wooden stakes for the set screw embodiment, etc.
Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be determined not by the illustrative examples set forth above, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.
This United States non-provisional patent application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. 62/486,627, filed Apr. 18, 2017, for all purposes. The disclosure of that provisional patent application is incorporated herein by reference, to the extent not inconsistent with this disclosure.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62486627 | Apr 2017 | US |