GB2216562A

GB2216562A - Reinforcement spacer

Info

Publication number: GB2216562A
Application number: GB8904891A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Stratton Crosby; Denis John Mcgloughlin
Original assignee: GODBEHERE DAVID ERNEST
Current assignee: GODBEHERE DAVID ERNEST
Priority date: 1988-03-09
Filing date: 1989-03-03
Publication date: 1989-10-11
Also published as: GB8904891D0; GB8805547D0

Abstract

An insert 1 intended to be embedded at least partially in a concrete structure 2 during pouring/casting of the latter, comprises a first portion 3 adapted, in use, to lie flush with, or beneath, an outer surface 6 of the structure 2, and a second portion 7 comprising a pair of arms 8 that are spaced apart by a distance D slightly exceeding the lateral dimension d of a first reinforcing rod 9 to be incorporated in the structure 2, whereby a portion of the first reinforcing rod, which rod extends in a first direction, is, in use, accommodated between the arms 8 with each arm 8 having a recess 12 to accommodate, in use, a portion of a second reinforcing rod 13 extending in a second direction which is orthogonal to the first direction at a cross-over point between the two rods (9, 13) <IMAGE>

Description

INSERT FOR CONCRETE STRUCTURES This invention relates to an insert intended to be embedded at least partially in a concrete structure during pouring/casting of the latter.

Conventionally, concrete structures (such as building panels) incorporate steel reinforcing rods, frequently arranged in a square mesh array. Alternatively the rods may be welded into wire mesh. Such rods or mesh - which are normally of circular section material but could be of other sections e.g., hexagonal, and irrespective of basic section could be provided with patterns of external deformations or ribs to assist keying of the reinforcement in the concrete require the use of inserts to effect spacings and positioning of the rods, particularly at cross-over points, and such spacers and positioners may be of synthetic plastics or wire.

Another requirement is for an insert to serve as an attachment point for another component e.g., an eye, such as would be advantageous for lifting the concrete structure; or an attachment for further reinforcing for a further layer of concrete. This type of insert requires splayed legs etc., to provide an anchoring base in the concrete of the structure, to ensure that the insert has adequate resistance against being inadvertently pulled out of the structure.

According to the present invention, there is provided an insert intended to be embedded at least partially in a concrete structure during pouring/casting of the latter, comprising a first portion adapted, in use, to lie flush with, or beneath, an outer surface of the structure and a second portion comprising a pair of arms that are spaced apart by a distance slightly exceeding the lateral dimension of a first reinforcing rod to be incorporated in the structure, whereby a portion of the first reinforcing rod, which rod, extends in a first direction, is, in use, accommodated between the arms, with each arm having a recess to accommodate, in use, a portion of a second reinforcing rod extending in a second direction which is orthogonal to the first direction at a cross-over point between the two rods.

The invention thus provides a single insert that can be used not only for spacing and positioning the reinforcing rods, which are assembled into a reinforcing cage, but also for attachment of an eye for example. Thus, the need for conventional spacers and positioners is eliminated. The insert positively locates the reinforcement bars/cage within the mould or shutter, thus preventing movement of the reinforcement bars/cage during the usual vibration process, such that on completion of casting, the reinforcement bars/cage remains in the designed location accurately within the mould or shutter whereby conventional spacers and positioners are not required.Furthermore, due to the engagement of the arms with the reinforcing rods much more positive anchorage of the insert, is afforded hence reducing the possibility of an insert being inadvertently torn from a structure, compared with prior art inserts.

If the rods are of circular section steel, then the lateral dimension embraced by the spaced-apart arms is of course the diameter, while the recess in this instance is preferably arcuate or cupped to correspond with the curvature of the external periphery of the rods and to provide a seating or restraining flange to assist in maintaining the rod(s) in engagement with the insert. If the rods are of non-circular section then the recess may have a flat or other surface and a terminal restraining flange.

In a first embodiment, both arms may extend to the same side of a diametral plane of the insert, whilst in a second embodiment, both arms may extend to opposite sides of a diametral plane so that the insert may be inserted through a gap and twisted through 1800 to effect rod engagement.

Although the outer and inner portions of the insert could be formed from two separate components, they are preferably formed integrally, preferably from a relatively short length of metallic tubing, with the inner portion simply pressed to shape in a single or multi-stage operation.

Alternatively, the insert can be manufactured from a synthetic plastics material.

With this tubular embodiment, attachment to the insert of another component e.g., an eye, may readily be achieved by providing the first portion internally with a screw thread, to receive a screw-in spigot of the eye etc.

The invention will now be described in greater detail, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an axial sectional view through an insert in situ in a concrete structure; and Figure 2 is a view of the insert of Figure 1 in the direction of arrow A.

In the drawings, an insert 1 is shown embedded in a concrete structure 2 during pouring of casting of the concrete.

The insert 1 is formed from metallic tubing and comprises a first tubular portion 3 having an internal screw thread 4 and a terminal end 5 which lies flush with outer surface 6 of the concrete structure 2. The first portion 3 is integral with a second portion 7 comprising a pair of arms 8 that both extend to the same side of a diametral plane P of the insert 1 and that are spaced apart by a distance D slightly exceeding the diameter d of a first reinforcing rod 9, so that the latter may be manoeuvered along the gap 1 between the arms 8 until it abuts an arcuate interconnecting surface 11 between the arms, as best seen in Figure 2. Each arm 8 has an arcuate or cup shaped recess 12 to cradle a second reinforcing rod 13 extending orthogonally to the first reinforcing rod D, at a cross-over point between the rods 9 and 13.

Claims

1. An insert intended to be embedded at least partially in a concrete structure during pouring/casting of the latter, comprising a first portion adapted, in use, to lie flush with, or beneath, an outer surface of the structure and a second portion comprising a pair of arms that are spaced apart by a distance slightly exceeding the lateral dimension of a first reinforcing rod to be incorporated in the structure, whereby a portion of the first reinforcing rod, which, in use, extends in a first direction, is accommodated between the arms, with each arm having a recess to accommodate, in use, a portion of a second reinforcing rod extending in a second direction which is orthogonal to the first direction at a cross-over point between the two rods.

2. An insert as claimed in Claim 1. wherein the recess is arcuate or cupped.

3. An insert as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the recess has a flat or other surface and a terminal restraining flange.

4. An insert as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein both arms extend to the same side of a diametral plane of the insert.

5. An insert as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein both arms extend to opposite sides of a diametral plane.

6. An insert as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the outer and inner portions of the insert are formed from two separate components.

7. An insert as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the outer and inner portions of the insert are formed integrally.

8. An insert as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the outer and inner portions of the insert are formed from a relatively short length of metallic tubing, with the inner portion simply pressed to shape in a single or multi-stage operation.

9. An insert as claimed in Claim 7, manufactured from a syhthetic plastics material.

An An insert as claimed in any preceding Claim, having a tubular first portion, which is provided internally with a screw thread.

11. An insert intended to be embedded at least partially in a concrete structure during pouring/casting of the latter substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.