BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Reinforcement wire enhances the strength and integrity of a concrete structure. In some cases, reinforcement wire is configured into a grid or mesh that is placed within a concrete form. In such cases, the intersections of wires of the mesh may be welded together. If the concrete form is in the shape of a cylinder, the mesh may have a continuous horizontal member wound in a helical configuration and welded to vertical members.
It is important to keep the reinforcement wire in a selected position relative to the form. A variety of spacer devices have been used to hold reinforcement wire meshes in place. Some spacers hold the reinforcement wire mesh a specified distance above the ground; these typically have a large ground contact area to form a stable base for holding the reinforcement wire mesh. Other spacers are used for horizontally positioning a reinforcement wire mesh away from form walls. In this case, a large contact area with the form wall will undesirably leave a large area of the spacer exposed when the mold is removed. The concrete is thereby prevented from filling in the volume against the mold wall in the space occupied by the spacer. Thus, a small footprint of the spacers at the mold is desirable so that the edge of the poured concrete has more concrete on the outer surface for greater strength and a better appearance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A spacer that connects to a reinforcement wire mesh at an intersection of a first wire and a second wire includes a first triangular body portion and a second triangular body portion, wherein the second triangular body portion is orthogonal to and bisects the first triangular body portion. The first triangular body portion includes a first apex, a first base, and a notch on each side of the first triangular body portion proximate each end of the first base, each notch allowing a respective end of the first base to flex toward the first apex. The second triangular body portion includes a second apex, a second base, and a clip extending from each end of the second base, each clip configured to surround the second wire.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a two-piece cylindrical concrete form with a reinforcement mesh positioned between the two pieces and a plurality of spacers in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a spacer of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the spacer of FIG. 2, viewed from the opposite side of the reinforcement mesh.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the spacer of FIG. 2, detached from the reinforcement mesh.
FIG. 5 is an elevational view of the spacer of FIG. 4, showing a flexing capability of the spacer.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of a second exemplary embodiment of a spacer.
FIG. 7 is an elevational view of the spacer of FIG. 6.
FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of a third exemplary embodiment of a spacer.
FIG. 9 is an elevational view of the spacer of FIG. 8.
The drawing figures may not be drawn to scale. Moreover, where directional terms such as above, below, left, right, top, bottom, etc. are used, the terms are supplied for descriptive purposes only. It is to be understood that the described components may be oriented otherwise.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
As shown in FIGS. 1-3, pyramid-shaped spacers 16 are attached to a cylinder of reinforcement wire mesh 14 to space the mesh cylinder from a wall of exterior form 18. A notch (shown as notch 44 in FIG. 5) is disposed on each side of spacer 16 to allow pads 32 to flex toward tip 36 so that spacer 16 can accommodate reinforcement wire mesh cylinders of different, particularly larger, diameters. Notches 44 may be integrally molded into spacer 16 or cut out of spacer 16 by a tool such as a rotating cutting tool.
FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a two-piece cylindrical concrete form with a reinforcement mesh positioned between the two pieces and a plurality of spacers in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. For pouring a cylindrical concrete structure, a concrete form 10 with two parts is generally used. Interior form 12 is shown in broken lines so as to not obstruct the view of reinforcement mesh 14 and spacers 16. Reinforcement mesh 14 and exterior form 18 are shown in partial views for clarity.
Before pouring concrete into space 20 between interior form 12 and exterior form 18, reinforcement mesh 14 is placed into space 20 and remains encased within the cured concrete. It is desirable to prevent shifting of reinforcement mesh 14 within space 20 so that reinforcement mesh 14 will remain in the proper position within the formed cylindrical concrete structure. A plurality of spacers 16 is used in an exemplary method to maintain the spacing between reinforcement mesh and exterior form 18. In an exemplary embodiment, an effective height of spacer 16 results in a uniform spacing 22 between reinforcement mesh 14 and exterior form 18. In one embodiment, distance 22 is from about 0.75 inch to about 2.0 inches, although other spacer sizes may also be used.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a spacer 16 attached to an intersection of reinforcement mesh 14. Intersection 24 is formed at the joints of vertical wire 26 and horizontal wire 28. In an exemplary embodiment, spacer 16 is attached by clips 30 onto vertical wire 26. In an exemplary embodiment, each clip 30 is “C”-shaped and attaches to surround vertical wire 26. In an exemplary embodiment, spacer 16 is formed of a lightweight, non-corrosive, resilient and durable material such as a plastic. The resilient characteristics of the material and the C-shaped configuration allow each clip 30 to securely attach to vertical wire 26. Thus, clips 30 prevent spacer 16 from becoming dislodged from reinforcement wire mesh 14 during impacts received during the concrete pouring process.
A pad 32 extends from each end of first base 52 (shown in FIG. 4) and is configured to contact horizontal wire 28. In the illustrated embodiment, each pad 32 includes two pins 34. Pins 34 surround horizontal wire 28, thereby preventing excess vertical movement of spacer 16. In an exemplary embodiment, spacer 16 is symmetrical so that it can also be used upside-down compared to the illustrated view.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the spacer 16 of FIG. 2, viewed from the opposite side of reinforcement mesh 14. In an exemplary embodiment, each spacer 16 has a pyramid shape with a pointed tip 36 for contacting the exterior form wall 18, thus leaving a small footprint on the outer portion of the poured concrete. In an exemplary embodiment, tip 36 is slightly rounded or blunted so as to prevent damage or injury from contact therewith.
In an exemplary embodiment, each spacer 16 has a wide base 38 with the clips 30 for engaging reinforcement wire mesh 14 spaced at the ends of the base 38 and extending therefrom. This configuration provides stability against twisting forces encountered by spacer 16 when concrete is poured into form 10. Spacer 16 also has a pair of pads 32 for engaging a perpendicularly crossing reinforcement wire 28 to stably hold the spacer 16 on reinforcement wire mesh 14. While a contemplated design may include additional clips 30 in place of pads 32, having only one pair of clips 30 makes it easier and faster to install spacers 16 onto reinforcement wire mesh 14.
In an exemplary embodiment, spacer 16 has four anti-sliding pins 34. This prevents spacer 16 from twisting or turning on the reinforcement wire mesh 14. Because spacers 16 remain consistently aligned, variations in spacing distance 22 between reinforcement wire mesh 14 and exterior form 18 are prevented.
A notch (shown as notch 44 in FIG. 5) is disposed on each side of spacer 16 to allow pads 32 to flex toward tip 36 so that spacer 16 can accommodate reinforcement wire mesh cylinders of different, particularly larger, diameters. Notches 44 may be integrally molded into spacer 16 or cut out of spacer 16 by a tool such as a rotating cutting tool.
The notch acts as a flex point. Although a notch is shown, other configurations that include a flex point are within the scope of this invention. For example, instead of a notch the flex point could be a narrower section sufficiently narrow to permit flexing between the body 46 and the pads 32.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the spacer 16 of FIG. 2, detached from reinforcement mesh 14. When spacer 16 is attached to reinforcement mesh 14 at intersection 24, surfaces 40 of base 38 contact vertical wire 26. Base 38 includes recess 42, which allows horizontal wire 28 to pass through a bottom portion of base 38. As best illustrated in FIG. 4, the anti-sliding pins form passages 33 which are aligned with recess 42 as indicated by common axis 35.
FIG. 5 is an elevation view of the spacer 16 of FIG. 4. Spacer 16 is formed from first triangular body portion 46 and second triangular body portion 48. Second triangular body portion 48 is orthogonal to and bisects first triangular body portion 46. First triangular body portion 46 includes first apex 50 and first base 52. Second triangular body portion 48 includes second apex 54 and base 38.
A notch 44 is disposed on each side of the first triangular body 46 proximate each end of first base 52. Notches 44 may be integrally molded into spacer 16 or cut out of spacer 16 by a tool such as a rotating cutting tool. Each notch 44 allows a respective end of first base 52 to flex toward first apex 50, as shown in FIG. 5. This flexing allows spacer 16 to accommodate reinforcement wire mesh cylinders of different, particularly larger, diameters. Moreover, different embodiments of spacer 16 may be provided for different gauges of vertical and horizontal wires 26, 28. These embodiments may have clips 30 and pads 32/anti-sliding pins 34 of different sizes or configurations to accommodate different wire thicknesses.
FIGS. 6 and 7 show perspective and elevational views, respectively, of a second exemplary spacer 116, having parts similarly numbered. Notches 144 allow pads 132 to flex, thereby accommodating reinforcement mesh cylinders of different diameters. Compared to notches 44 (in FIG. 5, for example), notches 144 have a more linear shape. This can be achieved by using a rotating cutting tool with a smaller bit, for example.
FIGS. 8 and 9 show perspective and elevational views, respectively, of a third exemplary spacer 216, having parts similarly numbered. Notches 244 allow pads 232 to flex, thereby accommodating reinforcement mesh cylinders of different diameters. Compared to notches 44 (in FIG. 5, for example) and notches 144 (in FIG. 7, for example), notches 244 are formed as indentations rather than as cut-out regions. In an exemplary embodiment, notches 244 are integrally molded into spacer 216, thereby eliminating the need for a step of cutting out notch 244 from body portion 246.
Although the disclosure refers to exemplary embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Patent Application
20100043337
