AU2018222984A1

AU2018222984A1 - Apparatus and method for manufacturing a helical stirrup

Info

Publication number: AU2018222984A1
Application number: AU2018222984A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Po-Chuan Huang; Samuel Yin
Original assignee: Ruentex Engineering and Construction Co Ltd
Current assignee: Ruentex Engineering and Construction Co Ltd
Priority date: 2018-01-04
Filing date: 2018-08-30
Publication date: 2019-07-18
Anticipated expiration: 2038-08-30
Also published as: TW201929975A; AU2018222984B2; NZ745883A; TWI660798B

Abstract

An apparatus for manufacturing a helical stirrup includes a machine, a threaded rod, a holding wheel, a bending wheel and a support stand. The machine has a side defining a vertical surface. The threaded rod protrudes from the vertical surface of the machine. The threaded rod defines an axis perpendicular to the vertical surface and includes a thread surrounding the axis and a distal end. When driven by the machine to rotate, the threaded rod drives the helical stirrup to move away from the vertical surface along the axis. The holding wheel is disposed on the vertical surface for holding a bar with the threaded rod, and is configured to drive the bar. The bending wheel is disposed on a predetermined position of the vertical surface. The predetermined position is lower than a position of the holding wheel. The support stand supports the distal end. 0- Cr)

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTION

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A HELICAL STIRRUP

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The disclosure relates to an apparatus and a method for manufacturing a reinforcement stirrup of a reinforcement cage, and more particularly to, an apparatus and a method for manufacturing a reinforcement stirrup of a reinforcement cage for a pile.

BACKGROUND [0002] With regard to construction, a reinforcement cage which is composed of reinforcement bars, such as main reinforcement bars, stirrups and tie bars, is used for resisting tension and bending in construction structures. Taking a conventional reinforcement cage for a pile as an example, the shapes of its stirrups are generally annular. The stirrups surround and are secured to a plurality of longitudinally-arranged main reinforcement bars. The stirrups are spaced in intervals. However, in a method of making such conventional reinforcement cage, the step of fixing a large number of stirrups to the reinforcement cage is time-consuming and requires much labor.

[0003 ] In recent years, helical stirrups have been adopted in construction to replace conventional annular stirrups. A single helical stirrup can replace a large number of annular stirrups and provide the same or similar structural strength, thereby saving labor costs and time when fixing a large number of stirrups to main reinforcement bars. Thus, the efficient manufacture of helical stirrups for construction structures is needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0004] One object of the disclosure is to provide an apparatus and a method for efficiently manufacturing a helical stirrup.

[ 0005 ] An embodiment of the disclosure provides an apparatus for manufacturing a helical stirrup. The apparatus includes a machine, a threaded rod, a holding wheel, a

2018222984 30 Aug 2018 bending wheel and a support stand. The machine has a side defining a vertical surface. The threaded rod is disposed through the vertical surface of the machine and protrudes from the vertical surface. The threaded rod defines an axis substantially perpendicular to the vertical surface, and includes a thread surrounding the axis and a distal end apart from the vertical surface. The thread is configured so that when the threaded rod is driven by the machine to rotate, the threaded rod drives the helical stirrup to move away from the vertical surface along the axis. The holding wheel is disposed on the vertical surface for holding a reinforcement bar with the threaded rod, and the holding wheel is configured to be driven by the machine to drive the reinforcement bar. The bending wheel is disposed at a predetermined position on the vertical surface. The predetermined position is lower than the position of the holding wheel. The reinforcement bar passes between the holding wheel and the threaded rod before being bent by the bending wheel, thereby forming the helical stirrup. The support stand includes a support part for supporting the distal end of the threaded rod.

[0006] An embodiment of the disclosure provides a method for manufacturing a helical stirrup including the following steps: providing a reinforcement bar winding holder and a reinforcement bar wound around the reinforcement bar winding holder; providing the foregoing apparatus; pulling the reinforcement bar to pass through a plurality of vertical alignment wheels, a plurality of horizontal alignment wheels and between the holding wheel and the threaded rod of the machine; adjusting the bending wheel to the predetermined position along an adjusting groove; actuating the machine to drive the holding wheel and the threaded rod to rotate; adjusting the position of a pair of idler wheels to hold and guide the reinforcement bar after the reinforcement bar is bent by the bending wheel; and adjusting a pitch adjusting mechanism to adjust the pitch of the helical stirrup along the threaded rod.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0007] A more complete appreciation of the present invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the

2018222984 30 Aug 2018 accompanying drawings.

[0008] FIG. 1A is a schematic perspective view of an apparatus for manufacturing a helical stirrup according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0009] FIG. IB is a schematic perspective view of a trailer according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0010] FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of a machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0011] FIG. 3 A is a schematic perspective view of a support base according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0012] FIG. 3B is a schematic perspective view of a synchronous mechanism according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0013] FIG. 3C is a schematic perspective view showing another synchronous mechanism according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0014] FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a connecting structure according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0015] FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of another connecting structure according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0016] FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a pitch adjusting mechanism according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0017] FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing a helical stirrup hoist according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0018] FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view of a moveable carrier that carries a helical stirrup manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure; and [0019] FIGS. 9A-9G are schematic perspective views illustrating different steps in a method for manufacturing a helical stirrup using an apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

2018222984 30 Aug 2018 [0020] Selected embodiments of the present invention will now be explained with reference to the drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that the following descriptions of the embodiments of the present invention are provided for illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting the present invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0021] Please refer to FIG. IA. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, an apparatus 3 for manufacturing a helical stirrup 9 includes a machine 31, a threaded rod 33, a holding wheel 351, a bending wheel 353 and a support stand 37. A side of the machine 31 defines a vertical surface 310. The threaded rod 33 is disposed through the vertical surface 310 of the machine 31 and protrudes from the vertical surface 310. The threaded rod 33 defines an axis A substantially perpendicular to the vertical surface 310, and includes a thread 331 surrounding the axis A and a distal end 33A apart from the vertical surface 310. The thread 331 is configured so that when the threaded rod 33 is driven by the machine 31, the thread 331 drives the helical stirrup 9 to move apart from the vertical surface 310 along the axis A. The holding wheel 351 is disposed on the vertical surface 310. The holding wheel 351 and the threaded rod 33 together hold a reinforcement bar 8 such that the holding wheel 351 is driven by the driving of the machine 31 to drive the reinforcement bar 8 to move along a rotational direction of the threaded rod 33. The bending wheel 353 is disposed on a predetermined position on the vertical surface 310 that is lower than the position of the holding wheel 351. The reinforcement bar 8 passes between the holding wheel 351 and the threaded rod 33 before the reinforcement bar 8 is bent by the bending wheel 353 in order to form the helical stirrup 9. The support stand 37 includes a support part 379 for supporting the distal end 33 A of the threaded rod 33 and is configured to bear the weight of the threaded rod 33 and the helical stirrup 9 hung on the threaded rod 33. Thus, the support stand 37 can sustain a portion of the weight of the helical stirrup 9 that the threaded rod 33 bears, thereby preventing the threaded rod 33 from bending and deformation. Hence, the apparatus 3 according to the disclosure is capable of efficiently manufacturing the helical stirrups 9 with different sizes. Taking the helical stirrup 9 having a large size for a pile that has a diameter

2018222984 30 Aug 2018 ranging from 1.6 to 2.6 m (meter) as an example: the weight of the helical stirrup 9 is large enough to bend and deform the threaded rod 33 after a long period of time of operation. Accordingly, the support provided by the support stand 37 is particularly important.

[0022] Please refer to FIGS. 1A and 2. As for the machine 31, the holding wheel

351 may be an active roller for holding the reinforcement bar 8 together with the threaded rod 33 and driving the reinforcement bar 8 to move forward. The bending wheel 353 may be a passive roller for following the movement of the reinforcement bar 8 to rotate accordingly. The machine 31 further includes a plurality of vertical alignment wheels 357 and a plurality of horizontal alignment wheels 359. The vertical alignment wheels 357 and the horizontal alignment wheels 359 are configured to align (i.e., straighten) the reinforcement bar 8 before the reinforcement bar 8 enters between the holding wheel 351 and the threaded rod 33. Please refer to FIG. 2. The machine 31 includes an adjusting groove 3IS formed on the vertical surface 310. The bending wheel 353 is configured to move back and forth along the adjusting groove 3IS and is installed within the adjusting groove 3IS for adjusting the predetermined position of the bending wheel 353. The bending wheel 353 is also configured to form a curvature on the helical stirrup 9 according to the adjustment of the predetermined position through the bending wheel 353 bending the reinforcement bar 8 and adjust the diameter of the helical stirrup 9.

[0023] There are different variations of the support part 379 of the support stand 37 that can connect and support the distal end 33 A of the threaded rod 33. For example, please refer to FIG. 1 A, the distal end 33 A of the threaded rod 33 is a smooth end without the thread 331, and the support part 379 of the support stand 37 includes at least two rollers 371. The smooth distal end 33 A of the threaded rod 33 abuts against the two rollers 371 such that the two rollers 371 may slidably support the smooth distal end 33A of the threaded rod 33. According to another embodiment of the disclosure, the number of the rollers 371 is greater than two. The support stand 37 may also be pivoted to the threaded rod 33 at the distal end 33 A through a bearing or the like.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 1A, in an embodiment, the support stand 37 preferably

2018222984 30 Aug 2018 includes an extension adjusting mechanism 373 for adjusting the height of the support stand 37. During operation, firstly, the support stand 37 with a height is moved to be under the distal end 33 A of the threaded rod 33. Then, the support stand 37 is pulled (i.e., extended) upwardly such that the rollers 371 abut against a lower side of the distal end 33A of the threaded rod 33. And after the helical stirrup 9 is manufactured, the support stand 37 is lowered again such that a gap between the support stand 37 and the threaded rod 33 is provided for removing the helical stirrup 9 from the threaded rod 33 through the gap.

[0025] The apparatus 3 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may further include a support base 39, as shown in FIG. 1A. The support base 39 is disposed beneath the helical stirrup 9 for supporting the helical stirrup 9 so as to sustain a portion of the weight of the helical stirrup 9 that the threaded rod 33 bears.

[0026] The detailed structure of the support base 39 is shown in FIG. 3A and is described as follows. In this embodiment, the support base 39 includes a base 391, a plurality of rolls 393, at least one scissor-like structure 395 and a bottom plate 397. The plurality of rolls 393 is parallel to the axis A of the threaded rod 33 and is pivotally disposed on two ends of the base 391. An upper end of the at least one scissor-like structure 395 is fixed to a lower side of the base 391. The bottom plate 397 is fixed to a lower end of the at least one scissor-like structure 395. The plurality of rolls 393 is parallel to the extension direction of the helical stirrup 9 for supporting a portion of the weight of the helical stirrup 9 and following the rotation of the helical stirrup 9 to rotate. The at least one scissor-like structure 395 is configured to adjust heights of the plurality of rolls 393 such that the plurality of rolls 393 may appropriately contact and support the helical stirrup 9 during manufacturing of the helical stirrup 9. In one embodiment, the support base 39 further includes a plurality of adjustable supporting legs 397A connected to a lower side of the bottom plate 397 for adjusting a level of the support base 397 particularly when the support base 39 is placed on uneven surfaces in a construction site or factory.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 3A, the support base 39 further includes a synchronous mechanism 399. The synchronous mechanism 399 is configured to follow the rotation of

2018222984 30 Aug 2018 the helical stirrup 9 around the threaded rod 33 to synchronously rotate the plurality of rolls 393. The synchronous mechanism 399 in this disclosure has different embodiments. For example, the synchronous mechanism 399, as shown in FIG. 3A, may include a chain 399A for driving the plurality of rolls 393 to rotate. The synchronous mechanism 399 may also control the rotation of the plurality of rolls 393 in response to a control signal transmitted from the machine 31. Or, the plurality of rolls 393 may be set with a fixed speed for following the rotation of the helical stirrup 9 around the threaded rod 33 ° [0028] Please refer to FIG. 3B, which shows a synchronous mechanism 399 according to another embodiment of the disclosure. The synchronous mechanism 399 may further include a transmission shaft 399B, a first chain 399C and a second chain 399F that are rotatably installed on the base 391 of the support base 39. The first chain 399C meshes with a driving wheel on a driving motor 31M driving the threaded rod 33, a gear on the threaded rod 33 and a first gear 399D on the transmission shaft 399B, for synchronizing the rotational speeds of the driving motor 31M, the threaded rod 33 and the transmission shaft 399B of the machine 3. The torque generated by the transmission shaft 399B is transmitted to one of the plurality of rolls 393 through a second gear 399E of the transmission shaft 399B. The second chain 399F of the synchronous mechanism 399 synchronously rotates with the plurality of rolls 393. The tension of the above-mentioned first chain 399C may be adjusted by a tension adjusting mechanism 31T of the machine 31. When the machine 31 is disposed on a trailer 3C1 (referring to FIGS. 7 and 8), a platform 3S of the trailer 3C1 has a preset hole 3SH for the first chain 399C to pass through (referring to FIG. 3B).

[0029] Please refer to FIG. 3C, as for a synchronous mechanism 399 according to another embodiment of the disclosure, the synchronous mechanism 399 may further include a synchronous motor 399M for directly driving one of the plurality of rolls 393 to rotate, and driving the any other one of the plurality of rolls 393 to rotate synchronously through the chain 3 99A. The rotational speed of the synchronous motor 399M may be set as fixed based on the rotational speed of the threaded rod 33 after calculation have been performed. Alternatively, the rotational speed of the threaded rod 33 (referring to FIG. IA) may be

2018222984 30 Aug 2018 detected by a sensor and based on the detection result, a controller may be used for controlling the rotational speed of the synchronous motor 399M.

[0030] Please refer to FIG. 2. The apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure may further include a pair of idler wheel devices 355. The pair of idler wheel devices 355 may be rotatably disposed on the machine 31 and include a pair of idler wheels 355A disposed on ends of the pairs of idler wheel devices 355. The pair of idler wheels 355A holds and guides the reinforcement bar 8 bent by the bending wheel 353 at an appropriate position so as to smoothly form the helical stirrup 9. As shown in FIG. 2, the positions of the idler wheel devices 355 may be adjusted according to the size of the helical stirrup 9 such that the idler wheel devices 355 can accommodate any size of the helical stirrup 9 to smoothly guide the helical stirrup 9.

[0031] Please refer to FIG. 4. The apparatus 3 for manufacturing the helical stirrup 9 includes a connecting structure 100 for connecting the machine 31 and the support base 39 so as to fix the position of the support base 39 with respect to the threaded rod 33. The connecting structure 100 includes two L-shaped linkage bars 39L. Each of the L-shaped linkage bars 39L includes a first arm 101 fixed to the machine 31, and a second arm 102 fixed to the support base 39. The first arms 101 of the L-shaped linkage bars 39L include a plurality of troughs 39LS that extend vertically for fixing and adjusting a relative vertical position of the support base 39 through a plurality of fixing pins 39P. The second arms 102 of the L-shaped linkage bars 39L include a plurality of fixing holes 39LH that are formed along the longitudinal directions of the second arms 102. By fixing a plurality of fixing screws into the different fixing holes 39LH, the relative horizontal position of the support base 39 with respect to the machine 31 may be adjusted. According to another embodiment of the disclosure, as shown in FIG. 5, in order to further enhance the strengths of the L-shaped linkage bars 39L, each of the L-shaped linkage bars 39L may further include an inclined support linkage bar 39LT. A first end 39FE of the inclined support linkage bar 39LT is fixed to the machine 31, and a second end 39SE of the inclined support linkage bar 39LT is connected to respective connecting parts of the first arm 101 and the second arm 102

2018222984 30 Aug 2018 of the L-shaped linkage bars 39L. Hence, the structural strength of each of the L-shaped linkage bars 39L can be enhanced. Although the structural strength of the connecting structure 100 as shown in FIG. 4 is less than that of the connecting structure 100 shown in FIG. 5, the connecting structure 100 shown in FIG. 4 may transmit less vibration generated by the machine 31 to the support base 39. Users can choose either one of the connecting structures 100 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 according to their needs and/or requirements.

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the machine 31 may further include a pitch adjusting mechanism 3 IP for adjusting a pitch of the helical stirrup 9 along the threaded rod 33, e.g., a pitch P as shown in FIG. IA. The pitch adjusting mechanism 3IP includes an F-shaped linkage bar 311 and a pitch adjusting structure. A long arm of the F-shaped linkage bar 311 is vertically adjustably disposed on the vertical surface 310 of the machine 31. A short arm of the F-shaped linkage bar 311 protrudes outwardly with respect to the vertical surface 310. The pitch adjusting structure includes a receiving seat 313 moveably surrounding the short arm of the F-shaped linkage bar 311, and an adjusting bar 315 extending upwardly from the receiving seat 313. The adjusting bar 315 is configured to be in contact with the helical stirrup 9. By sliding the receiving seat 313 along the short arm of the F-shaped linkage bar 311, the position of the adjusting bar 315 can be adjusted. The adjusting bar 315 is adapted to contact the helical stirrup 9 during the manufacturing operation such that the pitch P of the helical stirrup 9 along the threaded rod 33 can be adjusted.

[0033 ] Please refer to FIG. 7. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus 3 for manufacturing the helical stirrup 9 further includes a helical stirrup hoist 3H moveably disposed near a distal end of the support base 39 with respect to the machine 31. The helical stirrup hoist 3H includes a plurality of wheels 3H1 disposed on a lower part thereof and a cantilever arm 3H3. The helical stirrup hoist 3H is configured to hoist the helical stirrup 9 upwardly or downwardly and move the helical stirrup 9 to another location after the helical stirrup 9 has been manufactured, collected and compacted.

[0034] According an embodiment as shown in FIG. 8, the apparatus 3 for

2018222984 30 Aug 2018 manufacturing the helical stirrup 9 further includes a moveable carrier 3C and a reinforcement bar winding holder 3R. The moveable carrier 3C includes a trailer 3C1 and a tractor 3C2 detachably assembled with the trailer 3C1. The machine 31 is fixed to the trailer 3C1 and is located at a position near the tractor 3C2. As shown in FIG. 8, the reinforcement bar winding holder 3R, the detached threaded rod 33, the detached support stand 37 and the detached support base 39 may be positioned on a platform 3S of the trailer 3C1 for enhancing the mobility of the manufacturing apparatus 3. After positioning the machine 31, the detached threaded rod 33, the detached support stand 37 and the detached support base 39 on the trailer 3C1, the tractor 3C2 may haul the trailer 3C1 such that the trailer 3C1 can be quickly and conveniently moved to a designated place. After the trailer 3C1 arrives at the designated place, such as a construction site, the machine 31, the detached threaded rod 33, the detached support stand 37 and the support base 39 are assembled together for manufacturing the helical stirrup 9 at the construction site. During the manufacturing of the helical stirrup 9, the tractor 3C2 may be detached from the trailer 3C1 and moved to another place for providing more space for operation of the apparatus 3. In one embodiment, the trailer 3C1 includes a plurality of adjustable supporting legs 3C3, as shown in FIG. IA. The adjustable supporting legs 3C3 are configured to adjust a level of the moveable trailer 3C1 and further strengthen the support to the trailer 3C1. In this embodiment, one of the adjustable supporting legs 3C3 is located right beneath the machine 31 for directly supporting the weight of the machine 31. As shown in FIG. IA, in the apparatus 3 according to one embodiment of the disclosure, the machine 31 is disposed on the trailer 3C1 such that the threaded rod 33 defines a height from a ground for manufacturing the helical stirrup 9 with a comparatively large size.

[0035] Please refer to FIG. IB. The trailer 3C1 includes a plurality of supporting frames 3F disposed thereunder. Some of the supporting frames 3F are densely disposed on the location corresponding to the machine 31 for supporting the machine 31. Furthermore, some of the adjustable supporting legs 3C3 may be further densely disposed on positions near the machine 31. For example, as shown in FIG. IB, four of the adjustable supporting legs

2018222984 30 Aug 2018

3C3 are disposed on the area of the trailer 3C1 near the machine 31, and two of the adjustable supporting legs 3C3 are disposed on the rear end of the platform 3S of the trailer 3C1.

[0036] In order to manufacture the helical stirrup 9 with an even larger size, as shown in FIG. 2, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the apparatus 3 for manufacturing the helical stirrup 9 further includes at least one height adjusting block 3P (three height adjusting blocks or pads 3P in this embodiment) for adjusting or enhancing the height of the machine 31. The height adjusting blocks 3P may be directly disposed on a ground and fixed to the machine 31. The height adjusting blocks 3P may also be fixed to the trailer 3C1 as shown in FIG. 1A, and the machine 31 may be fixedly disposed on the height adjusting block 3P for further raising the height of the machine 31.

[0037] A method for manufacturing a helical stirrup 9 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may be referred to in FIGS. 9Ato 9G and the following description.

[0038] Firstly, a reinforcement bar winding holder 3R and a roll of reinforcement bar 8 that is wound around the reinforcement bar winding holder 3R are provided, and an apparatus 3 for manufacturing the helical stirrup 9 is provided and disposed. According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 9A, a machine 31, a detached threaded rod 33, a detached support stand 37, and a detached support base 39 are disposed on a trailer 3C1, and a tractor 3C2 is used to carry the trailer 3C1 to quickly and conveniently move the apparatus 3 to a designated location. After the trailer 3C1 has arrived at the designated place, such as a construction site, adjustable supporting legs 3C3 are adjusted to adjust a level of the trailer 3C1 and enhance support to the trailer 3C1. Then, the machine 31, the detached threaded rod 33, the detached support stand 37 and the detached support base 39 are assembled together, as shown in FIG. 9B. At this time, the tractor 3C2 may be detached from the trailer 3C1 and moved to another place.

[0039] Next, as shown in FIG. 9C, the reinforcement bar 8 is pulled to pass through a plurality of vertical alignment wheels 357, a plurality of horizontal alignment wheels 359 and between a holding wheel 351 and the threaded rod 33 of the machine 31. Along an adjusting groove 3IS as shown in FIG. 2, a bending wheel 353 is adjusted to move to a

2018222984 30 Aug 2018 predetermined position. Next, the machine 31 is actuated to drive the holding wheel 31 and the threaded rod 33 to rotate, and positions of a pair of the idler wheels 355A are adjusted, as shown in FIG. 2, in order to hold and guide the reinforcement bar 8 after the reinforcement bar 8 is bent by the bending wheel 355. A pitch adjusting mechanism 3 IP, as shown in FIG. 6, is adjusted to adjust a pitch P of the helical stirrup 9 along the threaded rod 33. Before or after manufacturing the helical stirrup 9, a plurality of adjustable supporting legs 397A (see Fig. 3 A) of the support base 39 is adjusted to adjust a level of the support base 39. The height of the support base 39 is adjusted to provide the helical stirrup 9 with sufficient support. In addition, according to a predetermined size of the helical stirrup 9, connecting structures 100 of L-shaped linkage bars 39L, as shown in FIG. 4, are adjusted to adjust a relative vertical position of the support base 39 with respect to the machine 31 and a relative horizontal position of the support base 39 with respect to the machine 31.

[0040] Then, the helical stirrups 9 are continuously manufactured by the apparatus

3, as shown in FIG. 9D. After one helical stirrup 9 is manufactured, the finished helical stirrup 9 on the threaded rod 33 is collected, compacted and bound, as shown in FIG. 9E. As shown in FIG. 9F, a helical stirrup hoist 3H is used to hoist the bound helical stirrup 9. As shown in FIG. 9G, an extension adjusting mechanism 373 of the support stand 37 is adjusted to lower the height of the support stand 37 such that a gap is defined and provided between the support stand 37 and the threaded rod 33. Lastly, the helical stirrup hoist 3H may be moved to carry the bound helical stirrup 9 to pass through the gap and move to another predetermined location for storage or use.

[0041] Lhe term “comprising” and its derivatives, as used herein, are intended to be open ended terms that specify the presence of the stated features, elements, components, groups, integers, and/or steps, but do not exclude the presence of other unstated features, elements, components, groups, integers and/or steps. Lhis concept also applies to words of similar meaning, for example, the terms “have,” “include” and their derivatives.

[0042] Lhe terms “member,” “section,” “portion,” “part,” “element,” “body” and “structure” when used in the singular can have the dual meaning of a single part or a plurality

2018222984 30 Aug 2018 of parts.

[0043] The ordinal numbers such as “first” and “second” recited in the present application are merely identifiers, but do not have any other meaning, for example, a particular order or the like. Moreover, for example, the term “first element” itself does not imply an existence of a “second element,” and the term “second element” itself does not imply an existence of a “first element.” [0044] The term “pair of,” as used herein, can encompass the configuration in which the pair of elements has different shapes or structures from each other in addition to the configuration in which the pair of elements have the same shapes or structures as each other.

[0045] The terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more” and “at least one” can be used interchangeably herein.

[0046] Finally, terms of degree such as “substantially,” “about” and “approximately” as used herein mean a reasonable amount of deviation of the modified term such that the end result is not significantly changed. All numerical values described in the present application can be construed as including the terms such as “substantially,” “about” and “approximately.” [0047] Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings, ft is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the present invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An apparatus for manufacturing a helical stirrup, comprising:

a machine with a side defining a vertical surface;

a threaded rod disposed through the vertical surface of the machine and protruding from the vertical surface, the threaded rod defining an axis substantially perpendicular to the vertical surface and including a thread surrounding the axis and a distal end apart from the vertical surface, the thread being configured so that when the threaded rod is driven by the machine to rotate, the threaded rod drives the helical stirrup to move away from the vertical surface along the axis;

a holding wheel disposed on the vertical surface for holding a reinforcement bar together with the threaded rod, the holding wheel being configured to be driven by the machine to drive the reinforcement bar;

a bending wheel disposed at a predetermined position on the vertical surface, the predetermined position being lower than a position of the holding wheel, the reinforcement bar passing between the holding wheel and the threaded rod before being bent by the bending wheel, thereby forming the helical stirrup; and a support stand comprising a support part for supporting the distal end of the threaded rod.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a support base disposed under the helical stirrup for supporting the helical stirrup.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a pair of idler wheel devices, the pair of idler wheel devices being pivotally disposed on the machine and comprising a pair of idler wheels disposed on ends of the idler wheel devices, the pair of idler wheels holding and guiding the reinforcement bar bent by the bending wheel.

2018222984 30 Aug 2018
4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the distal end of the threaded rod is a smooth end, and the support part of the support stand includes at least two rollers for smoothly supporting the smooth distal end of the threaded rod.
5. The apparatus of any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the support stand includes an extension adjusting mechanism for adjusting the height of the support stand.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the support base includes:

a base;

a plurality of rolls, being parallel to the axis and pivotally disposed on the base; and at least one scissor-like structure with an upper end fixed to a lower side of the base;

and a bottom plate fixed to a lower end of the at least one scissor-like structure;

wherein the plurality of rolls is configured to support the helical stirrup, and the scissor-like structure is configured to adjust the height of the plurality of rolls.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the support base further comprises a synchronous mechanism for synchronously rotating the plurality of rolls.
8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the support base further comprises a plurality of adjustable supporting legs connected to a lower side of the bottom plate for adjusting a level of the support base.
9. The apparatus of any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the machine comprises a pitch adjusting mechanism, the pitch adjusting mechanism comprising an L-shaped linkage bar and a pitch adjusting structure, wherein a long arm of the L-shaped linkage bar is vertically adjustably disposed on the vertical surface of the machine, a short arm of the L-shaped linkage bar protrudes outwardly with respect to the vertical surface, the pitch adjusting structure comprises a receiving seat slidably surrounding the short arm of the L-shaped linkage bar and an adjusting bar extending upwardly from the receiving seat, wherein the

2018222984 30 Aug 2018 adjusting bar is configured to be in contact with the helical stirrup for adjusting a pitch of the helical stirrup along the threaded rod.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the helical stirrup manufacturing apparatus comprises a connecting structure connecting the machine and the support base for fixing a position of the support base with respect to the threaded rod, wherein the connecting structure comprises two L-shaped linkage bars, each of the L-shaped linkage bars including a first arm fixed to the machine and a second arm fixed to the support base, the first arms including a plurality of troughs extending vertically for fixing and adjusting a relative vertical position of the support base with respect to the machine through a plurality of fixing pins, the second arms including a plurality of fixing holes disposed on longitudinal directions of the second arms, wherein the relative horizontal position of the support base with respect to the machine is adjusted through a plurality of fixing screws selectively screwed into the plurality of fixing holes.
11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein each of the L-shaped linkage bars further includes an inclined support linkage bar, a first end of the inclined support linkage bar being fixed to the machine, a second end of the inclined support linkage bar being fixed to a joint of the first arm and the second arm of each of the L-shaped linkage bars for reinforcing each of the L-shaped linkage bars.
12. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a helical stirrup hoist moveably disposed near a distal end of the support base with respect to the machine, the helical stirrup hoist including a plurality of wheels disposed on a bottom part thereof and a cantilever arm for hoisting vertically and moving the helical stirrup after the helical stirrup is manufactured and compacted.
13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the machine includes an adjusting groove disposed on the vertical surface for adjusting the predetermined position such that the bending wheel is configured to move along and be installed in the adjusting groove and is configured to form a curvature on the helical stirrup according to the adjustment of the predetermined position through the bending wheel bending the reinforcement bar.

2018222984 30 Aug 2018
14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the machine includes a plurality of vertical alignment wheels and a plurality of horizontal alignment wheels for aligning the reinforcement bar before the reinforcement bar enters between the holding wheel and the threaded rod.
15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the helical stirrup manufacturing apparatus further comprises a moveable carrier and a reinforcement bar winding holder, the moveable carrier comprising a trailer and a tractor detachably assembled with the trailer, wherein the machine is fixed to the trailer and is located on a position near the tractor, wherein the reinforcement bar winding holder and the detached threaded rod, the detached support stand and the detached support base are configured to be disposed on the trailer.
16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the trailer comprises a plurality of adjustable supporting legs thereon for adjusting a level of the moveable trailer and enforcing support of the trailer, wherein at least one of the plurality of adjustable supporting legs are located right beneath the machine.
17. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the helical stirrup manufacturing apparatus comprises at least one height adjusting block disposed beneath the machine for adjusting a height of the machine.
18. A method for manufacturing a helical stirrup, comprising:

providing a reinforcement bar winding holder and a reinforcement bar winding around the reinforcement bar winding holder;

providing the apparatus of claim 14;

pulling the reinforcement bar to pass through the plurality of vertical alignment wheels, the plurality of horizontal alignment wheels and between the holding wheel and the threaded rod of the machine;

adjusting the bending wheel to the predetermined position along the adjusting groove;

2018222984 30 Aug 2018 actuating the machine to drive the holding wheel and the threaded rod to rotate;

adjusting a position of the pair of the idler wheels to hold and guide the reinforcement bar after the reinforcement bar is bent by the bending wheel; and adjusting the pitch adjusting mechanism to adjust the pitch of the helical stirrup along the threaded rod.
19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

adjusting a height of the support base to provide the helical stirrup with sufficient support; and according to a predetermined size of the helical stirrup, adjusting the connecting structure to adjust a relative vertical position of the support base with respect to the machine and a relative horizontal position of the support base with respect to the machine.
20. The method of claim 18 or 19, further comprising:

adjusting a plurality of adjustable supporting legs of the support base to adjust a level of the support base;

compacting and binding the helical stirrup on the threaded rod;

hoisting the bound helical stirrup by the helical stirrup hoist;

adjusting the extension adjusting mechanism of the support stand to lower the height of the support stand to provide a gap between the support stand and the threaded rod; and moving the helical stirrup hoist such that the bound helical stirrup passes through the gap to be moved to a predetermined location.