AU725449B2 - Supports for reinforcement materials - Google Patents

Description

S F Ref: 371509

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFCATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

S. S Name and Address of Applicant: Robert John Baird 7 Curnuck Close Middle Boambee NSW 2450

AUSTRALIA

Rodney Lee Floyd Bonnie Street Coffs Harbour NSW 2450

AUSTRALIA

Actual Inventor(s): Address for Service: Invention Title: Robert John Baird and Rodney Lee Floyd.

Spruson Ferguson, Patent Attorneys Level 33 St Martins Tower, 31 Market Street Sydney, New South Wales, 2000, Australia Supports for Reinforcement Materials ASSOCIATED PROVISIONAL APPLICATION DETAILS [31] Application No(s) [33] Country PN8499 [32] Application Date 6 March 1996 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- 5815 1+ -1- SUPPORTS FOR REINFORCEMENT MATERIALS The present invention relates to reinforcement of concrete and like materials and, in particular, discloses a support for positioning and supporting at least two layers of horizontal reinforcement materials.

Concrete operations invariably require the provision of reinforcing materials to any concrete to be poured. The purpose of the reinforcing materials is to increase the tensile strength of the concrete, thus increase its load bearing capacity. A single layer of reinforcement mesh is often used for flat concrete slabs, such as those used to form floors and the like. The mesh isoften supported above ground level within the concrete usually by a plurality of wire chairs or combination chairs, both of which are well ~known in the art. The wire chairs are formed from two interconnected inverted Ui shaped wires, the connection between which is used to support the mesh. Wire chairs of different heights can be provided. A combination chair is a plastic moulded product which performs the same function of the wire chair in supporting the mesh above i" •15 ground level. Specific examples of combination chairs include an array of slots into which the reinforcement mesh can be located, the slots being arranged to provide different elevations at which a single sheet of mesh can be positioned above ground level.

However, there are instances where multiple layers of reinforcement are required and this often occurs in concrete beams, such as those formed in trenches that may skirt the periphery of a concrete slab, or alternatively in footing beams used to support load bearing walls. In such instances "trench mesh" is traditionally used as reinforcing material. Trench mesh comprises a number of bars, typically between three and seven bars, arranged in side-by-side relationship which are each joined by a plurality of smaller gauge cross wires welded to the bars. The bars and wires thus form an elongate sheet of reinforcement that can be placed in the trench. Multiple layers of reinforcement are provided by configuring at least two layers of trench mesh together using square-looped ligatures, or vertically arranged spacers, each made of metal, between the adjacent layers of the trench mesh. The ligatures and spacers [N:\LIBoo]00771:LDP -2provide a snap-lock interconnection between the two layers of trench mesh and thus form an elongate cage which can be assembled and lowered into the trench prior to pouring concrete. The cage is supported above the base of the trench typically by a trench mesh support, which is similar to the chairs described above but configured to span the width of, and contact, the lower level of trench mesh. Alternatively, the trench mesh support can be omitted and either one of the chairs can be used to support the trench mesh cage above ground level.

Such an arrangement is not without its difficulties. Firstly, only the elongate horizontally arranged bars of the trench mesh act to contribute to the tensile strength of the concrete beam formed thereabouts. The cross wires are provided only to equally space each of the bars of the mesh, and the ligatures or spacers provide only a predetermined separation between the two layers of mesh. As a result, the costs associated with providing the additional metal required to form these structures is not inexpensive. Further, substantial time is often required to assemble the trench mesh cage is prior to it being placed into a position within the trench.

It is therefore desirous to reduce the costs of horizontal concrete beam reinforcement through addressing any one or more of the cost incurring features identified above.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a 2o unitary support configured to support a plurality of substantially horizontally arranged reinforcement rods, said support comprising at least two beams each vertically spaced apart by a predetermined distance, each said beam comprising a plurality of receptacles each for receiving and retaining therein one of said reinforcement rods, surface contact means configured to contact the surface upon which said support is placed, said contact means, said beams and said receptacles being integrally formed.

Preferably, the receptacles each provide a resilient snap-fit-type connection with the corresponding reinforcement rod. Typically the support is moulded preferably from plastics materials, such as polypropylene.

a.

[R:\L1B001O]4871 .doc:GMM -3- Advantageously each of the receptacles on each beam are spaced-apart by a predetermined desired separation. The beams are preferably horizontally arranged and spaced apart by at least one, and generally two, members extending therebetween. In some embodiments, the members are substantially upright or upstanding and create a rectangular frame defined by the beams and the members. In other embodiments the members are inclined to extend from a location substantially central of the lower beam to locations at or near the peripheries of the upper beam.

A number of embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings: Fig. 1A is a perspective view of a first embodiment; Fig. 1B is a plan view of the first embodiment; **fee: Fig. 1C is a front/rear view of the first embodiment; Fig. 1D is a inverted plan view of the first embodiment; Fig. 1E is a side view of the first embodiment; o 15 Figs. 2A to 2E are similar views (respectively) of a second embodiment; Figs. 3A to 3E are similar views (respectively) of the third embodiment; •Figs. 3A to 3E are similar views (respectively) of fouthe thd embodiment; Figs. 4A to 4E are similar views (respectively) of a fifourth embodiment; and Figs. 6A to 6E are similar views (respectively) of a sixth embodiment.

Figs. 6A to 6E are similar views (respectively) of a sixth embodiment.

Turning to Figs. 1A to 1E, a support 101 is shown which includes two horizontally arranged rectangular feet 102, arranged to rest upon a lower surface of a trench or beam, each interconnecting via a respective web support 104 to a transversely arranged lower horizontal beam 103. Extending from each of the feet 102 and connected to the respective end of the beam 103 are two upstanding members 105. The members 105 are interconnected at their periphery by, means of an upper horizontal beam 106, there being a pair of webs 107 arranged to add strength between the connection between the upper beam 106 and each of the upstanding members 105.

Arranged on each of the beams 103 and 106 are a number of clip-type receptacles 120 to 125, each configured to receive a reinforcement rod (not illustrated) [N:\LIBoo]00771:LDP used in concrete reinforcement and to retain the rod during that period between when the concrete is poured until such time as the concrete has hardened. The receptacles 120, 121 and 122 and also the receptacles 123, 124 and 125 are each spaced apart horizontally to provide a predetermined desired separation between the reinforcement rods. Further, each of the beams 103 and 106 are spaced apart by a predetermined distance to achieve a desired vertical separation between each layer of the reinforcement rods.

The support 101 is integrally formed by moulded plastics materials such as polypropylene and the like such that each of the clip-type receptacles 120 to 125 is resiliently flexible thus permitting a snap fit of the reinforcement rods therewithin. As illustrated, the receptacles 120, 121, 122 and 124 each include two portions 118 and 119 (as labelled in Fig. 1C, for the receptacle 121) which are curved so as to be resiliently spread apart upon insertion of the rod therebetween and to snap fit around the rod once the rod is positioned within the space confined between the two portions V 118 and 119.

The receptacles 123 and 125 include only one of the portions 118 or 119, the other part of the corresponding receptacle being defined by the respective upstanding oo o member 105.

As shown, each of the lower beams 103 and 106 and the upstanding members 105 are formed with a T-shaped transverse cross-section that provides strength to the support 101 sufficient to withstand the weight of the reinforcement rods so as to retain the rods in the predetermined position during concrete pouring and hardening. The Tshaped cross-section of the support 101 is seen best in the drawings in Figs. 1C and 1D where the lower beam 103 includes an integrally formed arrangement of a upper cross bar 108 and a perpendicular bar 109 centrally located thereupon.

Those familiar with the art will appreciate that the support 101 provides a number of advantages over the prior art arrangements described above. In particular, a single article is able to support both levels of reinforcement in a trench, and the support 101 also eliminates the need to pre-assemble a trench mesh cage prior to insertion into [N:\LIBoo]00771:LDP the trench. In particular, the provision of the clip-type receptacles 120 to 125 eliminate the need for the cross wires used in traditional trench mesh and the frame provided by the beams 103 and 106 and the upstanding members 105 replaces the previously used spacers and ligatures. The provision of the feet 102 and the upstanding members 105 in combination with the lower beam 103 provide a replacement for the previously used trench mesh support, or the alternatives of a pair of combination chairs or wire chairs.

Accordingly, the support 101 provides for the replacement of three previously used items required to erect and appropriately position a trench mesh cage.

In use, the support 101 tan be configured by threading the lower reinforcement rods through the frame defined by the beams 103 and 106 and the upstanding members 105. When the desired number of supports 101 are threaded onto the three lower reinforcement rods, the combination can be placed within the trench whereupon the supports 101 can be stood upright and the rods inserted into the respective receptacles o..

123, 124 and 125. Once in position, the upper layer of rods can be inserted into the 15 receptacles 120, 121 and 122. Alternatively, and in many instances preferably, the combination of supports 101 and reinforcement rods can be assembled alongside the trench and placed into position in the trench when assembled.

One significant advantage of the support 101 is that it eliminates the need for substantial quantities of metal traditionally used to obtain the appropriate spacing between the sections of trench mesh, such metal usually comprising ligatures and spacers. The reduction in metal content of the assembly provides a net reduction in metal used in the reinforcement and the space occupied in transportation, and hence a reduction in transportation costs required for the provision of supplies to building sites.

Further, the ease with which reinforcement can be prepared using the supports 101 and reinforcements rods permits significant time savings compared with that time taken to assemble prior art trench mesh cage-type reinforcement.

Figs. 2A to 2E illustrate an arrangement similar to that of Figs. 1A to 1E in which like components have been indicated by like numerals elevated by the number 100. As shown, a support 201 includes eight clip-type receptacles 220 to 227 thus [N:\LIBoo]00771:LDP -6accommodating four reinforcement bars in each layer of the reinforcement to be formed. In this embodiment, in view of the extended horizontal span of the upper and lower beams 203 and 206, a stanchion 210 is provided that extends from the perpendicular bar 209 of the upper beam 206 to the cross-bar 208 of the lower beam 203. The stanchion 210 includes a web 211 at the interconnection with the lower beam 203. Although the stanchion 210 as illustrated includes a rectangular transverse crosssection, other more rigid structures can also be used, such as the T-shaped cross-section or an I-shaped cross-section. The support 201 can be used and assembled in substantially the same manner as-that of the support 101.

Turning now to Figs. 3A to 3E, a support 301 is shown similar to that of the supports 101 and 201 in which similar components are provided with similar reference numbers increased by the value of 200 and 100 respectively. In this particular 00 too embodiment, the support 301 is able to receive and retain up to ten reinforcement rods in the plurality of clip-type receptacles 320 to 329. In this embodiment, two stanchions °o 15 312 and 313 are provided and interconnect between the upper beam 306 and the lower beam 303.

Like the previous embodiments, in use it is necessary to pre-thread a number of reinforcement rods through the support 301 prior to erection within or alongside the trench. Generally, a first rod would be threaded between the stanchions 312 and 313 prior to being clipped into the receptacle 327. A pair of rods would each then be inserted between stanchion 312 and the adjacent upstanding member 315 and another pair between the stanchion 313 and the adjacent upstanding member 305. Erection could then take place in the manner previously described.

The need to thread one or more reinforcement rods through each of the supports 101, 201 and 301 to some extent limits the ease with which a reinforcement arrangement can be assembled.

The arrangements of Figs. 4A to 4E, 5A to 5E and 6A to 6E provide alternatives which attempt to ameliorate this limitation.

[N:\LIBoo]00771:LDP -7- Turning to Fig. 4A, a support 401 is shown which is not unlike the arrangements of Figs. 1A to 1E in which like components are indicated by like numerals increased by the value of 300. In this embodiment, six clip-type receptacles 430 to 435 are provided each of which comprises two opposing resiliently flexible arcuate arrow heads. In this embodiment, rather than having two upstanding members, such as the members 105, a pair of inclined supports 414 are provided which extend from the lower beam 403, adjacent either side of the clip-type receptacle 434, to the periphery of each end of the upper beam 406. With this configuration, it is only necessary to pre-thread one reinforcement rod through the triangular space formed between the inclined supports 414 and the upper beam 406, prior to interconnection .with the receptacle 434. This permits a single reinforcement rod and a plurality of s.ee.i supports 401 to then be located in the trench, and the remaining reinforcement rods can ,o *oo then be placed into the trench and connected individually into the appropriate receptacles. Assembly alongside the trench can also be performed. Accordingly, by 15 comparison with the arrangement of Figs. 1A to 1E, the need to pre-thread two connect reinforcing rods has been eliminated. All other aspects of assembly and construction of the support 401 correspond with that of the previous embodiments.

Figs. 5A to 5E illustrate a fifth embodiment developed on the principles of the support 401, but substituting for the support 201. In this embodiment, each of the inclined supports 514 connect via a common web 515 to the lower beam 503 at a position between the receptacles 535 and 536. In this manner, the configuration of Figs. 5A to 5E eliminates the need to pre-thread any of the reinforcing rods through the support 501. As such, the reinforcement arrangement can be assembled in situ within the trench and without the previous difficulties associated with the above mentioned arrangements. This can be particularly advantageous in underpinning applications where space limitations may permit or encourage assembly alongside the trench.

Turning finally to Figs. 6A to 6E, a support 601 is shown which is developed along the lines of the arrangements of the supports 401 and 501 but intended to replace the arrangement of the support 301. Like the support 401, a pair of inclined supports [N:\LIBoo]00771:LDP -8- 614 extend either side of a receptacle 637 centrally located on the lower beam 603. As before, it is necessary to pre-thread a single reinforcing rod onto a number of the supports 601 prior to substantive assembly or positioning within the trench.

In view of the foregoing disclosure, those skilled in the art will appreciate the utility of the variety of the embodiments described in this specification and their advantages over the prior art arrangements. Further, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the separation between the upper and lower beams and the separation between adjacent receptacles can be varied to suit appropriate requirements and building standards.

10 Further, although the preferred embodiments are manufactured from moulded oo plastics materials, other materials, such as metals can also be used where appropriate.

Further, whilst most the embodiments include T-shaped cross sections for structural members, other cross sections can be used. Such cross sections depend upon the weight of the rods to be supported and their size. Alternative clip arrangements can 15 also be used where appropriate.

A further modification of the described embodiments can be obtained by arranging some or all clip-type receptacles on the upstanding members (eg. 105) or inclined supports (eg. 414).

Not shown in the drawings, the feet (eg. 102) of any of the embodiments can be altered in size and shape to suit specific requirements. For example, the feet can be extended in width beyond the lower beam (eg. 103) to be such, that when inserted into the trench, the edges of the feet contact the respective adjacent wall of the trench. This can restrict sideways movement of the reinforcement cage whilst pouring concrete.

The foregoing describes only a number of embodiments of the present invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[N:\LIBoo]00771 :LDP

Claims (12)

1. A unitary support configured to support a plurality of substantially horizontally arranged reinforcement rods, said support comprising at least two beams each vertically spaced apart by a predetermined distance, each said beam comprising a plurality of receptacles each for receiving and retaining therein one of said reinforcement rods, surface contact means configured to contact the surface upon which said support is placed, said contact means, said beams and said receptacles being integrally formed.

2. A support as claimed in claim 1 wherein the receptacles each provide a resilient snap-fit-type connection with the corresponding reinforcement rod.

3. A support as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein each of the receptacles on each said beam are spaced-apart by a predetermined desired separation.

4. A support as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said beams spaced apart by at least one member extending therebetween.

A support as claimed in claim 4, wherein said members are substantially upstanding and create a rectangular frame defined by the beams and the members. oooo•

6. A support as claimed in claim 4, wherein said members are inclined and extend from a location substantially central of a first one of said beams to locations at or near the peripheries of a second one of said beams.

7. A support as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said beams are substantially horizontally arranged and said receptacles are arranged on an upper surface of each said beam. 30

8. A support as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each said receptacle comprises at least a curved portion arranged to be resiliently moved relative from a remainder of said receptacle upon insertion of a reinforcement rod between the portion and the remainder. :\LIB0014871 .doc:GMM

9. A support as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said surface contact means comprises a pair of feet that extend from beneath one of said beams.

A support as claimed in claim 9, wherein said feet extend beyond said one beam to substantially contact adjacent walls of a trench into which said support can be placed.

11. A support as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said support is moulded from plastics materials.

12. A unitary support substantially as described herein with reference to Figs. 1A to IE, or Figs. 2A to 2E, or Figs. 3A to 3E, or Figs. 4A to 4E, or Figs. 5A to 5E, or Figs. 6A to 6E of the drawings. DATED this Twentieth Day of July, 2000 Robert John Baird Rodney Lee Floyd Patent Attorneys for the Applicant SPRUSON FERGUSON *e