Patent ID: 11939769
Assignee: T. J. HARRIS COMPANY
Field: Civil engineering (Other fields)
Classification: CPC E | IPC E

Claim 11:
12. An apparatus for supporting reinforcement bars in a concrete structure, the apparatus comprising:
a base having a lower surface, an opposing upper surface, and a central opening;
a first of pair of opposing first legs extending upwardly from the upper surface of the base, each of the first legs having:
a lower portion connected to the base;
an upper portion disposed distally from the lower portion; and
a first shoulder extending horizontally from either side of the upper portion;

a second of pair of opposing first legs extending upwardly from the upper surface of the base, each of the first legs having:
a lower portion connected to the base;
an upper portion disposed distally from the lower portion; and
a second shoulder extending horizontally form either side of the upper portion;

a first base support member connected to the base and spanning the central opening, the first base support member disposed between the first and second pairs of opposing first legs, the first base support member and having a lower surface and an opposing upper surface;
a first pair of second legs extending upwardly from the upper surface of the first base support member, each of the second legs of the first pair having:
a lower portion connected to the first base support member;
an upper portion disposed distally from the lower portion; and
a first neck member extending horizontally from the upper portion;

a first cradle forming a first channel for receiving and holding a first reinforcement bar, the first cradle comprising:
a first pair of opposing sidewalls connected to the first shoulder of a first one of the first legs of the first pair, the first channel being disposed between the first pair of opposing sidewalls;
a second pair of opposing sidewalls connected to the first shoulder of a second of the of the first legs of the first pair, the first channel being disposed between the second pair of opposing sidewalls; and
a first central bar-support member connecting the first pair of opposing sidewalls to the second pair of opposing sidewalls, the first central bar-support member being connected to a first one of the first neck members; and

a second cradle forming a second channel for receiving and holding a second reinforcement bar substantially in parallel with the first reinforcement bar, the second cradle comprising:
a third pair of opposing sidewalls connected to the second shoulder of a first one of the first legs of the second pair, the second channel being disposed between the third pair of opposing sidewalls;
a fourth pair of opposing sidewalls connected to the second shoulder of a second one of the first legs of the second pair, the second channel being disposed between the fourth pair of opposing sidewalls; and
a second central bar-support member connecting the third pair of opposing sidewalls to the fourth pair of opposing sidewalls, the second central bar-support member being connected to a second one of the first neck members.