US2375361A - Combined bar support and spacer - Google Patents

Description

May 8, 1945,. B. HILLBERG SUPPORT AND SPACER COMBINED BAR Filed June 17, '1944 2 Sheets-Shee't l jmsnr May 8, 1945 B. HlLLlar-:RGv

COMBINED BAR SUPPORT AND SPACER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 17, 1944 ris Patented May 8, 1945 l Brork Hillberg, Chicago, Ill., assigner to Superior -Concrete Accessories, Chicago, Ill;, a partneryship y Application June 17, 1944, Serial No.7540,80

12 Claims.

The present invention relates generally to combined supports and spacers for bars. `More parn ticularly the invention relates toA that type of combined support and spacer which is primarily designed for use in connection with the formation of a concrete structure, such as roadway, and comprises a horizontal rectilinear series of upstanding chairs which are spaced equidistantly apart, embody at their upper portions pocket forming means for receiving and rsupporting a series of parallel horizontally extending longitudinally disposed bars; suchA as dowel or reenforcing bars, and also embody at their upper portions and directly .beneath saidpocket forming means, means for supporting a horizontally extending transversely disposed rod for maintaining or holding the bars in horizontal alignment.

As evidenced by United StatesLetters Patent No. 2,291,157, granted to me on July 28, 1942, it has heretofore lbeen proposed to utilize in connectionwith a combined support and spacer of the aforementioned type wire formed U-shaped chairs and to weld `the bottom pieces of the chairs to a horizontally extending transversely disposed spacer rod in order to -maintain thel chairs in a truly rectilinear series and hence cause them to support the dowel or'reenforcing bars in parallel relation. In practice it has been found Vthat although a combined support and spacer of the character disclosed in the aforementioned patent fulfills its purpose or' function as amedium'for supporting and spacing dowel or reenforcing vbars it is, however, subject to the objection that it is bullyj and diicult to transport and handle because of ,the horizontally extending transversely disposed spacer rod to which the bottom pieces of the wire formed U-shaped chairs arer welded.

One object of the invention is to `provide a combined bar support and spacerwhich is van improvement upon, and eliminates the disadvantages or detections of, previously designed combined bar supports and spacers of the same general character by reason of the factfthat the t pocket forming means at the upper portions of the chairs for receiving and supporting the dowel or reenforcing bars are so designed and constructed that they hold the bars truly normal or at right angles to the subjacent bar aligning rod and hence eliminate the necessity of emlploying or utilizing a horizontally extending transversely disposed spacer rod for maintaining the chairs in a truly rectilinear series. n

Another object of the invention is to provide a combined bar support and spacer of the last mentioned character in which the pocket forming means for receiving and supporting the dowel or reeniorcing are in the form of elongatedA aligning rod and serve to receive andsupport `the dowel or reenforcing bars. i

A further object of theinvention is' to prolvide a combined bar supportand spacer of the last mentioned character in which the side'pieces that are at one side ofthe upstanding wire formed U-shaped chairs have the upper ends thereof xedly connected to the plate metal stampings and the other side pieces atl the other side of theV chairs have the upper ends thereof 'so arranged and formed that they serve to retain the dowel or reenforcing bars'in their respective pockets in the stampings with a spring action.

A still further object of the invention `is to provide a, combined bar support and spacer which is generally of new and improved construction,`

'may be manufactured at a low and reasonable cost and is characterized by simplicity of design Y and quick mounting of the bar aligning rod and,

the dowel or reenforcing bars.

Other objects of the invention and the various advantages and characteristics oi'the present combined support and spacer bar will be apparentfrom a consideration of thel following de- `more particularly defined tailed description.

The invention consists in the s everalnovelv features which are hereinafter setv forth and are by claims at the conclusion hereof.

In the drawings which accompany and form a part of this specification or disclosure and in which like letters and numerals of reference denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

' port and spacerA and forming therewith a unit Figure 1 is a perspective View showing a combined bar support and spacer embodying the invention in connection with a like combined supfor supporting a concrete roadway joint'of the compressible filler strip and dowel bar type;

shown in Figurez; and

Figure 3 is an enlarged plan view vof the chairv Figures 4, andv 6 are sections taken respe`c" ytively on the lines 4 4, 5--5 and 6--6 of Figure 3. f i

The combinedsupport and spacer which :is

shown in the foreground of Figure 1 of the draw- -ings constitutes the preferred form or embodiment of the invention. It is designated or identined by the-reference numeral 1 'and' isadapted in conjunction with a like 'combined'bar support and spacer 8 to be used in connection with a concrete roadway joint J consisting of a compress'ic.'

ble ller strip y' and a series of parallel horizontally extending dowel bars jl. The joint is adapted for disposition between a' pair of adjoin-y ing roadway forming slabsHS andl S1 on a sub-y grade S2 and, as wellunderstood in the art, permits the slabs to expand and'contract in response vto changes or variations in the temperature of the surrounding atmosphere. The strip y' is formed of compositionymaterial and fits in an upstanding position between the two concrete slabs. 'I'hedowel bars :i1 extend through circular holes in the central portion of the filler strip fand constitute load transfer membersl whereby the 'load on one of the slabs is transferred to the other slab. They are spaced 'e(midistaiit'ly l apart and extend lengthwise of thevslabs and subgrade. In addition they are located -in a horizontal plane and are `'covered with grease or graphite so rthat durin'gpouring ofthe concreteA for the slabs the concrete will not adhere thereto.

' ,The joint also comprises in addition tothe ller lstripand dowell bars, a setof sheet metal sleeves l i2. lThese sleeves. are slidably mounted'I on the ends vof the. dowel barsthat are at one side of the strip V:i and; form air pockets outwardly of such ends whereby slidingmovementof the dowel bars permitted in response to expansion of the slabs. As the result of the grease or graphitel which is applied tothe bars the .'bars, after setting of theslabs, are free to slide longitudinally and permit the slabs to move to andfromo'nje another in response to expansion and contraction thereof.

The'combined bar supportsand spacersll and@ constitute vaunit Afo'rl'holc'ling the joint J in place during pouring of the concrete in connectionwith rectly, the subgrade. vareupwardly.convergent and have the lower ends thereof formed integrally with the ends of the when in place underlies and directly engages the adjacent ends of the dowel bars.

The chairs 9 arey Ueshaped indesign orvcontour and are formed of comparatively stiff wire. They are adapted to rest upon, and extend upwards from, the subgrade S2 and consist kof straight horizontally extending bottom pieces I2 and upstanding side piecesI3' and I4. The bottom pieces I2y extend vobliquely or angularly toV the horizontally extending transversely disposed lbar aligning rod I0, as shown in Figure 3. Theyl are adapted tairest flatly upon, and engage di- The side pieces I3 and I4 bottom pieces and -joined thereto by substantially right angle bends I5. y The side pieces I3 are straight and, due to the angular arrangement of the bottom pieces, have the upper ends thereof disposed adjacent the inner side portion ofthe 'rod m,` i. e., tneside portion Vtna'cms nearer the compressible filler strip'g. The side pieces I 4. of

` the wire formed U-shapedchairs are straight eX- cept for the upper ends thereof andsuch ends project above the upper ends of, the side pieces I3 and functionas hereinafter described. Be-` l cause of the angular arrangement of the bottom pieces I2 `with respect to thev rod I0 the upper portions of the side pieces I4 are disposed.Y adjacent the outer side portion of the. bar aligning rod. III, i. e., the side portion that isA farther from the fllerstrip y'. y Y' j The-brackets II arer in the form :of one-'piece plate metal stampings.- Theyyarel located at the upper portions of the chairs 9 and consist of central parts I6, inner end parts I'l and outerend parts I8. The central parts I6 of the brackets are shaped to define transversely extending semicircular open top pockets I6El for the bar aligning f y rod I0 and consist of bottoms I9 of semi-,circular l cross section, inner sides 2 and4 outer sidesr 2I.

The inner and outer sides 2 `and2l are joinedto,

` and extend upwards from, thev inner and fouter formation of the slabs S and S1.. l They are adaptedto become permanently lbonded tothe concrete and serve to reenforce the slabs S and S1, respectively. Trhe combined support and spacer is located at one side of the compressible llerstrip fof the joint and serves tosupport y the adjacent ends ofthe dowel bars f1.. The other combined support and spacer, i. e.,v the combined support l and vspacer 8is located on` the other side of the l strip;l and is` associatedwith, and serves to Asupv y port, the other ends of the dowel bars.`

, The combined bar supportv and spacer 1 isjdis-` posed inrsubstantially parallel relationwith the compressible filler strip y' of the roadwayjoint j and' compriseska horizontal rectilinear series of separately formed and independent upstanding vezgluidistantly spaced chairs 9 and a horizontally extending rodI0,. The chairs correspond in numf Y berV to, and are associated respectively with, the

dowel bars 'jl and embody brackets II at their y upper ends. The rod `Il) lextends transversely of theslab vSv andv is disposed i-nparallelrelation with the compressible llervstrip 7'.; It -is carried I byy the brackets I I as 4hereinafter described more f in detail and serves horizontally to align the adjacent ends. of `the dowel,bars;71.` Asshown in Figure 1 the rod "I0 is supported by thechairs 9 in kelevated relation with :the 'subgrademS'2 and side' margins of the bottoms I9.

As lshownY in Figure 2,',V thek intermediatev parts I6r of the brackets are positioned `between. thel upper ends of the sidepieces I3 and Il4 ofthe chairs and are transversely elongated 'in order` that. ythe semi-'cylindrical lpockets I`Iif=l Aare comparatively long and hence adequately support theV rod I0 when it is in place in thepockets.. The inner and outer sides 20 and 2| of. the .brackets are disposed apart a distance slightly less, than `the diameter "'ofpthe rod I0 in orderfthat the rod is snugly grippedl or confined when it is inserted intothe pockets. The ends' ofl the side'pieces I3 of the chairs are positioned against, andare weldedto,

.`the"adjacent ends of the innersfdes 20 ofl the brackets. I I with the result that the bracketsk are -in xed'or rigid relation withV said (chair side pieces I3.; The inner endparts I'I ofthe brackets are shaped to define horizontal longitudinally extendingv semi-circular 'open topy pocketsy 22' for the adjacent ends ofthe dowel bars 7'1 of the joint J They 'are centrally positioned with respect to the central parts I"6 of the brackets and. consist of bottoms'f23 of semi-cylindrical cross', section and upstanding sides `24 and 25. The. innerendsv ofv thebottoms 23' are 'joined to,l and formed',` integrally wth',the central portions of the upper margins of the inner sides `20 of the'br'acketcentral parte fit'.v The pockets 22V are soV positioned with respect to vtlieI-pfocketsy Ill1l .that when. the. adjacent ends. ofthedwel .bars gfljarerinplace l in the pockets 22' and the bar aligning rod' is in y `2=,e`75`,se1

` place in the pockets Ita the portions lof thedowel ends are in placev in the semi-circular pockets'22.

The inner end partsV I1of the brackets are of such length that the pocketsl 22 securely support the dowel'bars'and holdthem truly normal or-at right angles to the `b`araligning rod I0. v The outer end parts I8 of the brackets consist of substantially Viiat` horizontally disposed bottoms 26 and upstanding` sides'c21 and `together with the upper extremitieslof the side pieces -I4"of the wire formed U-shaped 'chairs L9 rdei-lne auxiliary open top pockets 28 for the adjacent ends of the dowel bars il. lThe bottomsv 26 are joined'to, and

formed integrally with, the upper marginal portions of the outer sidesfZI ofA the central parts I6 of the brackets and are horizontallyY aligned with the bottoms 23 of the inner end partsy I1 of the brackets. The sides 21 of the outer end parts .I8 are longitudinally aligned 'with Vthe sides 24 ofl l the inner end parts I1 and rare joined to, and formed integrally with what maybe termed, the inner side margins of the bottoms 26. vThe outer side margins of said bottoms 26projectoutwards beyond the sides 25 of the innerend parts I1 of the brackets and are provided with holes 29 through which extend the upper ends r extremities of the side pieces I4 of thev chairs 9. The holes 29 are 'of greater diameter than the `side pieces I4 in order that such pieces are free `to flex to and from theside pieces I3. `The portions `of the upper ends of the chair side pieces I4 that are directly above the bottoms-26 of the outer end parts I8 ofthe brackets are bent inwards so that the pockets 28 are ofthe restricted entrance variety and the upper extremities of said upper shown in Figures 4 and 5' of. the drawings in order toiguide the adjacent endsof `the `dowel l bars 9'1 into the pockets 28 when the dowel rods areV shifted downwards, in connection with mounting thereof with respect to the brackets I I.

The inwardly bent portions of the upper ends of the side pieces I4 are adapted when the adjacent ends of the dowel bars are in placein the pockets V28 to grip the dowelobars withiinward` spring v2. When the dowelbars are shifted downwards into the pockets 22 and 28 theside pieces I4 of the chairs flex outwards due to the factthat the v ends of said sidev parts I4 are bent outwards, as

, `seated in such pockets they are maintained vby 7 l y place-in the pockets'are rigidly held attrue -right angles to the bar aligning rod I0. The combined bar supportl and spacer 8 vonz the opposite side of the compressible filler strip i is exactlythe same in designand construction as the combined bar support and spacer 1..-It operates as hereinbefore described'to support, the adjacent ends of thedowel bars 7'1 and 'consists of a `horizontal rectilinear series lof separately formed' and independent upstanding equidistantyly spaced chairs 30 and a horizontally. extending rod 3|. The chairs 30 arealigned with the chairs y like the brackets -II and have'transversely ex f tending semi-cylindrical pockets 3?r for the rod. 3|, longitudinally extending semi-.cylindrical pockets 34 for the `adjacent ends ofthe'dowel bars il and -auxiliary pockets 35 in longitudinal alignment with the pockets 34. The 'rod 3|v is horizontally aligned withv the rod It? and serves horizontally to align the dowel bars. i

In assembling the joint and unit of` 'Figure kl the 'chairs 9 of the combined support and spacer 1 are arranged in arectilinear series on'v the subgrade S2. Thereafter` the rod v"IIJ iS shifted downwards into the pockets IIia in the central parts `I6 ofthe brackets I'I. rAfter positioning of the rod in the pockets ,IEa the rod is positioned so that it' extends truly crosswise of the sub- 'grade After assembly ofthe combined bar sup'- port and spacer 1v, the combined barA support and fspacer 8 is assembled by arrangingfthe chairs 310. After assembly of the combined bar support and spacer :8 the latter is arranged so that the, rod 3| extends truly crosswise of thesubgrade and is spaced `from the rodk I0 al distance less than the length of the dowel bars. After the combined bar support and spacers 1 and 8 are properly arranged with respect to the subgrade ythe dowel bars i1 are inserted through the holes in the central portion of the compressible iiller 'strip a and the filler strip and bars are manipulated so `as to bring the lower margin of the strip into abutment `with the subgrade and the ends of the dowel bars into seated relation with the pockets in the inner and outer end parts of the brackets II and 32. When thedowel bars are the combined supports and spacers 1 and 8 in a truly horizontal position andy also at true right aigles to the compressible filler strip j. After `assembly of the joint and unit concrete is poured at the sides of the strip y' to form the slabs'y S holes 29 are over-sized andlhence the inwardly bent portions of the upper ends of the side pieces I4 engage the adjacent portions of the dowel bars with -the desired spring action and -hold the bars in place in the pockets 22` and 28. As hereinbe-fr fore pointed out, the outwardly bent extremities;

of the upper ends of the chair side pieces I4 serve to guide the dowel bars Vinto the pockets 28` when they are shiftedY downwards in connection with mounting of theV bars relativelyto the brackets n. By reason of, the fact matan@ bracketsrll and S1.` After setting of the'concrete the dowel bars form load transfer members as hereinbefore pointed out. By reason of the fact that each of the brackets is provided withtwo pockets for `the'dowel bar with ywhich it is associated there is-no likelihood of either of the combined bar supports and spacers moving lengthwise with respect to the other bar support and spacer in connection with either assembly of the unit or pouring of thefconcrete at the-sides of the compressi ble filler strip and the bars are maintained in true l parallel relation.

- They herein described combined `bar support' its intended purpose andlisf characterizedjby thev l `fact that the double pocketarrangementgat.the

co'mbined-bar support'and spacer having other :capabilities of use; I It is yalso to be understood that the invention comprehendsa single bar sup-Iy Aporting chair like. that shown in Figure 2, and .is'notto be restricted tothe; details set forth since-.these may be modified within the scopeot the appended claimswithout departing frornthe spirit and scope of the invention.

y f Having thus described the invention, what-rfA claim as `new n and desire to vsecure by Letters Pat-1 ent is:

Q 21. A combined support'and spacer for laterally l spaced horizontally disposed parallel bars, vcomf prising a barpaligning rod adapted to vbe posi-1 the; rod,corresponding` inl number to, and adapt` ed tobekassociated respectively with, the bars,

-andj eachincluding a pair o f A upwardly convergto the vupper; end of oneof thejsidepieces and shaped to-form an elongated transversely disposed .semifcylindrical'open top pocket Vfor rev Y istood'that the *invention contemplates a single'l' ceiving andsupporting the rod,one of `itsend parts shapedto form alongitudinally extending Isemi-*cylindrical Aopen topfpocket disposed diconsistingyof la bottomv adjacent the upper por-y tion of said rst mentioned pocketzandan uptioned ldirectly under and at right angles to the- "f bars, and a rrectilinear series of separately formed and independent upstanding laterally spacedjyvire formed U-,shaped chairs positioned along the rod,`

' corresponding in number, to, yand adapted to be 'l shapedto 'form an .elongated semi-cylindrical open top pocket forreceiving and supporting the rod, and'another part thereof consisting ofrfa; bottom adjacentand to one side of they upper portion of thebottom and an-upstanding side,` arranged so thatitjforms with the vupper end of trancepocket vfor receiving and supporting'the associated bar@ 2. A'coin'bined support and spacer for laterally i spaced vhorizontally disposed parallel bars, corn- Aprising a vbar aligning rodadaptedqto be pos'i.;

tioned.y directly under. and at right angles to the r n a ectilinea `serie 'of se aratel formed,` ba s a d r r s p y 5 which the -upper end of the,l other side piece ex'- y and independent upstanding laterally spacedwire formed U-shaped chairspositioned along the rod,1 correspondingin number to; andadaptedto be' associated respectively with, the bars, and veaclr including a pair of. upwardly convergent side pieces, and embodying a one-,piecestamped mtal` bracket connected. fixedly tothe upper Yend sofi Yone of the side pieces and having a part thereof` shaped to formv an elongated semi-cylindrical. open top pocket for receiving and supporting the rod, v*and another part thereof consisting of ay substantially lat bottomy adjacent and toene K side of the pocket together Withan ,upstanding Aside; providedin its bottom With-an oversized hole in opposed relation. with said side andf throughfwhich theupper end of the yother side; piece extends, land forming with `said upperendthe other side piece an open top restrictedl en '.v

' `videdn its bottomwith an over-sized holeyin'v standing side and `forming withfthe upper end v Aof the other side piece Ian openA top restrictedvv entrance :auxiliary pocket positioned iny alignment with the second mentioned vpocket and Vals adaptedto receivesaid associated bar.

wire formed U-'shaped chairs' positioned along the rod; corresponding in number to,` and adapted to be associated respectively vv'itlfiy the bars, Y and Veach including a pair of `upwardly convergent side pieces and embodyinga horizontally elongated one-pice ,stamped metal bracket havceiving yand supportingthe rod, .one of its end parts shaped-to form a longitudinally extending semi-cylindrical opentop pocketdisposed directly above and v*at right angles tothe first mentioned pocketand adaptedtoreceive andvsup-v portthe associated bar, and its other end part f consisting of a Asubstantially ilatbottom adjacent Sand outwards of 'the upper portion of said iirst mentioned pocket and-an upstanding'side, proopposed .relation 'with V'said side and? through iliary pocketin'alignment with the second menvsupport saidassociated ban tioned pocket and adapted also to receive-and 5. As `a new article of manufacturea chair adaptedto supporti a horizontally disposed reen' of the other side piece an open tcp restricted entrance pocketfor the associated bar.

3. A combined support and spacer 'for laterally spaced horizontally disposed parallel bar`s, co m` prising abar aligning yrod adapted tpjb'e posi-1- tioned directly under and at righty angles to'thei l l bars, anda rectilinear series of separately form-@F1a andfindependent l upstanding laterally SPaCEdL Wire formed lll-shaped chairs positioned" along lforcing-bar andfcoinprising an upstandingwire formed U-shaped member'having the side pieces thereof upwardly convergent and radapted to ex yto andffrorn` one anotheri-andfa stamped metal bracket connected viixedly tothe upper 'end of one of the' fside piecesv of the member and V`in-x cludinfgda part embodying a'y substantially flat 'lioriz'ontal bottom and anupstanding side,'and forming with the upper end lof the'otherside pieces'off saidjmember an. operi top restricted entrance pocket for receiving the bar. v

6 As 4a new article of manufacture, a vcl'iair adapted tof supporta horizontally disposed reenf y forcing barv and comprising anj upstandingv Wire formed -U- shaped memberhaving the side pieces' `thereof upwardly convergent 'and adaptedto ex to andffrornoneanother; andjastamped metal bracket Vccmn'ecte-d xedlyftothe upper end of zontally disposed one of the side pieces of the member and includ,- ing a part embodying a substantially flat horizontal bottom and an upstanding side, provided in the bottom thereof with a hole in opposed relation with said side and through which the upper end of the other side piece extends, and forming with said upper end of the, side piece` an open top restricted entrance pocket for receiving and supporting the bar.`

7. `rAs a new article of manufacture, a chair adapted to support a horizontally disposed reenforcing bar and comprising an upstanding wire formed U-shaped member having the sides thereof upwardly convergent and adapted to flex to and from one another, and a horizontal elongated stamped metalbracket connected xedly to the upper end of one of the side pieces and having one of the end parts thereof shaped to form a longitudinal semi-cylindrical open top pocket for the bar and its other end part embodying a` substantially at horizontal bottom and an upstanding side, and forming with the upper end of the other side piece an open top restricted entrance auxiliary pocket disposed inA alignment with the flrst mentioned pocket and also adapted to receive the bar.

8. As a new article of manufacture, a chair adapted to support a horizontally disposed reenforcing bar and comprising an upstanding wire formed U-shaped member having the sides thereof upwardly convergent and adapted to flex to and from .one another, and a horizontal elongated stamped metal bracket connected xedly to the upper end of one of the side pieces vand having one of the end parts thereofshaped to form a longitudinal semi-cylindrical open top pocket'for the bar and its other end part embodying a 'substantially flat horizontal bottom and an upstand ing side, provided in its bottom with an oversized hole in opposed relation with said side and through which the upper end` of the other side piec'e extends, and forming with said upper end of the other side piece an auxiliary open top restricted entrance pocket disposed in alignment with the first mentioned pocket and also adapted to receive and support the bar. l 9. As a new article of manufacture, a chair adapted to support a pair of horizontally disposed crossed bars and comprising an upstanding wire formed U-shaped member having the side pieces thereof upwardly convergent and adapted to` flex to and from one another, and a stamped metal bracket connected i'lxedly to the upper end of one of the side pieces and having a part thereof shaped to form an elongated horisemi-cylindrical open top pocket for receiving and "supporting the lower bar, and another 'part thereof embodying a substantially at horizontal bottom adjacent and projecting outwards fromthe upper portion of said pocket and in addition an upstanding side, and forming with the upper end of the other side piece an open top restricted entrance pocketA` ing wire formed U-shaped member having the side pieces thereof upwardly convergent and adapted to flex to and from onejanother, and a stampedmetal bracket connected fixedly to the upper end of one of the side pieces' and having a part thereof shaped to form an elongated horii i zontally disposed semi-cylindrical open top pocket for receiving and supporting the lower bar,

and another part thereof embodying a substantially flat horizontal bottom adjacent and projecting outwards from the upper portion of said pocket and in addition an upstanding side, provided in said bottom thereof with an oversized hole in opposed relation with said side and through which the upper end of the other side piece extendsand forming with said upper end of the other side piece an open restricted exi-- trance pocket for receiving` the upper bar.

1.1. As a new article of manufacture, a chair adapted to support a pair of horizontal bars arranged one directly above the .other and at right angles to one another, and comprising an upstanding wire formed U-shaped member having the side pieces thereof upwardly convergent and f adapted `to ex to and from oneanother, and a horizontally elongated one-piece stamped metal bracket connected xedly to the upper end of` one of the side piecesy and having the central portion thereof shaped to form an elongated transversely extending semi-cylindrical open top pocket for receiving and supporting the lower bar, one of its end parts shaped to form a horizontally extending semi-cylindrical open ,top pocket disposed directly above and at right angles to the first mentioned pocket and adapted to receive and support the upper bar, and its other end `part,

upstanding wire formed U-shaped member havv ing the side pieces thereof upwardly convergent and adapted to flex to and from one another, and a horizontally elongated one-piece stamped metal bracket connected fixedly to the upper end of one of the side pieces and having the central portion thereof shaped to form an elongated transversely extending semi-cylindrical'open top pocket for receiving and supporting the lower bar,.one of its end parts shaped to form a horizontally extending semi-cylindrical open top pocket'disposed directly above and at right angles to the rst mentioned pocket and adapted to receive and support the upper bar, and its other end part embodying a substantially flat horizontal bottom adjacent the upper portion of said rst mentioned pocket and in addition an upstanding side, provided in the bottom thereof with an over-sized hole in opposed relation with said side and through which the upper end of theother side piece extends,

and forming with said upper end of :the other l side piece an open top restricted entrance pocket disposed in alignment with the second mentioned pocket and also adapted to receive and support` the upper bar.

' BROR HILLBERG. l

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