CONCRETE REINFORCMENT SUPPORT

Abstract: A support device (1), for locating elongate reinforcement pieces (R1, R2), in spaced relation to a pour foundation (F), for concrete. A support part (2), outstands from the pour foundation (F), in device used and has at least one support recess (7), in which a reinforcement piece (R1), extends for location relative to the pour foundation (F). The recess (7), has a gape (10), through which the reinforcement piece (R1), passes for receipt in the recess (7). A locking part (12), is movably connected to the support part (2), and biased into a position extending passed the gape (10). The support part (2), and locking part (12), together capture the reinforcement piece (R1), within the recess (7), thereby retaining the piece (R1), in the recess (7). The locking part (12), is movable against the bias away from the gape (10), to allow the reinforcement piece (R1), to move through the gape (10), into and out of the recess (7).

Description: CONCRETE REINFORCEMENT SUPPORT This invention relates generally to the support of reinforcement in concrete, and in particular to a support device or bar chair for locating elongate reinforcement pieces in spaced relation to a prepared pour foundation for the concrete. The support device is applicable for reinforcement rod, which may be in a mesh configuration, extending horizontally, vertically, or otherwise, within a concrete pour formwork and it will be convenient to hereinafter disclose the invention in relation to that exemplary application. It is to be appreciated, however, that the support device is not limited to that application. A wide variety of support devices or bar chairs have been developed for correctly locating reinforcement rod relative t.o a pour foundation, such as ground or .built-up pour formwork, prior to being encased ' in concrete. One range of such devices broadly includes a spacing part which outstands from the foundation and on which the reinforcement bears to attain a desired spacing from that foundation, and a locking part which cooperates with the spacing part to retain the reinforcement on the spacing part. The spacing part may be a single spacing stem, or a plurality of interconnected spacing legs, which provide an outer support seat on which the reinforcement actually bears. The locking part might be integral with the spacing part and may be at least one pair of bifurcated arms between which the reinforcement is received, the arms either gripping the reinforcement adjacent the spacing part or pressing that reinforcement against the spacing part. Alternatively, the locking part might be separate from the spacing part and be connectable to that part once the reinforcement is in position so as to capture the reinforcement between the spacing and locking parts . Whilst this range of prior devices can satisfactorily support reinforcement, sometimes if disturbed as might occur during concrete pouring, the device tips over or the reinforcement disengages from the support device. As a result, the reinforcement can move out of a desired location as previously set by the device. In addition, some of these prior devices are of a complicated configuration necessitating high cost manufacturing equipment and materials, leading to commensurate high costs in providing the devices. It is an object of the present invention to alleviate these disadvantages through the provision of a relatively simple support device for locating reinforcement in spaced relation to a prepared foundation. With that object in mind, the present invention provides a support device for locating elongate reinforcement pieces in spaced relation to a pour foundation for concrete, including: a support part for outstanding from the pour foundation, the support part having at least one support recess therein which a reinforcement piece extends to seat on the support part for location relative to the pour foundation, the recess having a gape through which the reinforcement piece passes for receipt in the recess; and, a locking part movably connected to the support part and biased into a position extending passed the gape so that a reinforcement piece within the recess is captured between the support part and locking part and thereby retained in the recess, the locking part being movable against the bias away from the gape to allow the reinforcement piece to move through the gape into and out of the recess. This invention is disclosed herein with reference to the support device in a normal use orientation on a horizontally extending foundation, and terms such as "downwardly" and "upwardly" should be construed in the light of this orientation. However, it is to be appreciated that other orientations may be equally possible and that consequential changes in terms such as those above may be required in the light of those other orientations for a proper and complete understanding of the invention. The or each support recess is preferably a support notch. Preferably, each notch has a pair of edge faces between which a reinforcement piece seats in device use. One of the notch edge faces may extend at least substantially parallel to the pour foundation and the other notch edge face outwardly from that foundation in device use, the gape then preferably extends obliquely relative to the pour foundation. Preferably, the support part includes a pair of spaced apart support legs each having a respective support recess therein. The legs preferably stand outwardly from the pour foundation in device use with the two recesses being spaced apart and aligned on an axis extending parallel to the foundation. In this way, the recesses jointly receive a reinforcement piece during device use. Preferably, the support part includes at least one support web extending between and interconnecting the support legs. The locking part is preferably connected to the or one support web. The locking part may be positioned in side-by-side relation with the support recesses and biased so as to pass by the recesses adjacent to the gapes. Preferably, the locking part is hingedly connected to the support part through a live stiff hinge. This provides a resilient bias to the locking part to bias the locking part into the position passing the gapes, and the locking part swings away from the gapes against the bias to allow the reinforcement piece to move transversely therethrough. The locking part may hinge about an axis that extends parallel to a central axis extending through the support recesses. The support part and locking part may together define a lead-in adjacent to the support recesses when the locking part is biased into the position passing the gapes in order to assist positioning of a reinforcement piece in the recesses. In that regard, a reinforcement piece received at the lead-in engages the support part and locking part with subsequent transverse pressure applied to the reinforcement piece moving the locking part against its bias away from the gapes to enable the reinforcement piece to move through the gapes into the recesses. The support part may have at least one further support recess offset from the support recesses and through which a further crossing reinforcement piece can extend. The locking part may also have a recess therein in alignment with the further support recess in the support part so that a crossing reinforcement piece can be jointly received therein. The following description refers in more detail to a preferred embodiment of the support device of the present invention. To facilitate an understanding of the invention, reference is made in the description to the accompanying drawings where the device is illustrated. It is to be understood that the device is not limited to the embodiment as hereinafter described and as illustrated. In the drawings: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the support device during use; FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the device of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the device of FIG. 1; and FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a moulded blank for forming the device of FIG. 1. Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, there is generally illustrated support device 1, locating crossed reinforcement rods R- , R~, in spaced relation to pour foundation F, for concrete (not illustrated). Reinforcement rods R, , R~, may form part of reinforcement mesh, whilst foundation F, may be patt of a built-up pour formwork. Support device 1, has support part 2, which includes a pair of spaced apart support legs 3, and support web 4, extending between and interconnecting those legs 3, at respective front edges thereof. Legs 3, are generally planar and extend parallel to one another, whilst support web 4, is also generally planar and extends perpendicular between legs 3. Support part 2, may be left open between corresponding rear edges of legs 3, or further support web 5, may extend therebetween (as illustrated). Thus, in plan, support part 2, is generally open square shaped. Each support leg 3, provides at least one foot portion 6, at a lower region intended to bear on foundation F, during device use. A pair of discrete foot portions 6, may be provided one each adjacent a respective front and rear edge of related leg 3. Each support leg 3, has open recess 7, at an upper region, recesses 7, being aligned for jointly receiving reinforcement rod R, , therethrough. Each recess 7, is a generally U or V-shaped notch defined between a pair of edge faces 8,9, of legs 3, between and against which reinforcement rod R, - seats. Each recess 7, has opening gape 10, extending between edge faces 8,9, and through which rod R, , can trans¬ versely pass to enter and leave recess 7, as will be explained further hereinafter. One edge face 8, of each recess 7, extends generally parallel to foundation F, in use of device 1, so that rod R, , will generally bear thereon at least where foundation F, is horizontal. To facilitate that support each edge face 8, is provided by flange portion 11, extending transversely of the plane of respective support leg 3. Other edge face 9, of each recess 7, extends outwardly from edge face 8, away from foundation F, in device use, so that gape 10, extends obliquely therebetween. Overall, recesses 7, are angled so that, in use, device 1, may bear against a variety of angled foundations F, yet still seat reinforcement rod R-,, in the recesses 7. To that end, recesses 7, may have a common transverse plane, passing through gapes 10, which will be inclined at about 45 to foundation F. Recesses 7, may be at least substantially symmetrical about that central plane and, moreover, the gapes 10, may extend at least substantially perpendicular to that common plane. Support device 1, also has locking part 12, for capturing reinforcement rod R, , in recesses 7. To that end, locking part 12, includes locking plate 13, having opposed end regions 14,15, Locking plate 13, is located within the open support part 2, between support legs 3, so as to be side-by-side with recesses 7. End region 14, of locking plate 13, is connected to support web 4, for pivoting of plate 13, about axis 16, as shown by arrows 17. Plate 13, is pivotable between positions extending passed gapes 10, (as illustrated in full line in FIG. 3) to generally capture reinforcement rod R, , and lying outwardly of gapes 10, (as illustrated in chain dot line in FIG. 3) where reinforcement rod R, , can be moved therethrough. It will be appreciated by those skilled in this art that plate 13, may lie between these positions, during device use, where a reinforcement rod R, , received in recesses 7, is larger than can be totally accommodated therein so that rod R, , projects through gapes 10. Plate 13, is biased into the position extending, passed gapes 10. Although not illustrated that may be achieved by separate means such as a biasing spring acting between plate 13, and support web 4. Conveniently, however, as illustrated, that bias may be provided through selection of suitable locking plate material having an inherent resilience, plate 13, being stiffly and integrally connected to support web 4, through live hinge portion 18, and deflecting against this resilience to move into the position outwardly of gapes 9. To facilitate movement of locking plate 13, against the bias to its position outwardly of gapes 10, and ultimately seating of reinforcement rod R, , durding device use, locking plate 13, and/or support legs 3, adjacent recesses 7, may be conveniently shaped to provide a recess lead-in 19, for rod R, . Lead-in 19, may be such that reinforcement rod R, , received thereat engages support legs 3, and locking plate 13, subsequent pressure applied to rod R- , deflecting plate 13, outwardly from gapes 10, and moving rod R, , between legs 3, and plate 13, into recesses 7, prior to return of plate 13, toward its position extending passed gapes 10. That movement of reinforcement rod R- , and plate 13, may typically be of a snap action nature. Lead-in 19, may be provided by a divergence between locking plate 13, and support legs 3, adjacent end region 15, of plate 13. In this way, rod R, , can be cradled between diverging plate 13, and legs 3, to positively present rod R, , for subsequent seating in recesses 7. Lead-in 19, may be defined between edge faces 20, of support legs 3, and one broad face 21, of plate 13. Divergence of plate 13, and legs 3, may be away from gapes 10, in a manner such that movement of rod R, , toward recesses 7, is along the plane containing gapes 10.. Thus, pressure applied to rod R- ,- in lead-in 19, is generally along the gape plane, causing rod R- , to approach recesses 7, along that plane, deflecting locking plate 13, as it moves, until it reaches and drops into recesses 7. Support device 1, can support crossed reinforcement rod R„, by positioning so as to extend generally between support legs 3, parallel therewith. Thus, the generally open nature of support part 2, between legs 3, provides an opening through which rod R_, can pass. In addition, locking plate 13, is provided with recess 22, arranged so that rod R_, can pass therethrough without inter¬ fering with locking plate 13, or its movement. To that end, locking plate 13, at least at end region 15, comprises a pair of bifurcated arm portions 23, between which is defined recess 22. Recess 22, may be a generally U or V-shaped notch. To inhibit pivoting of support device 1, about reinforcement rod R, , and thus possible device dislocation, support part 2, also has further recess 24, through which rod R_ > , extends and may seat on support part 2 . This recess 24, is aligned with recess 22, in locking plate 13, and to that end may be provided in web 4. Web 4, may comprise a pair of bifurcated arm portions 25, between which is defined further recess 24. Thus, rod R 2 , is cradled between these arm portions 25, during device use. Recess 24, may be a generally U or V- shaped notch. Support device 1, may be composed from any suitable material using any suitable manufacturing process. In that regard, as illustrated in FIG. 4, device 1, may be formed by moulding a one piece blank in plastics material and then folding to the final shape. Juxtaposed terminal ends of one support leg 3, and web 5, may be joined together such as by suitable clip 26, (as illustrated) or welded, or adhered together (not illustrated) . Alternatively, device 1, may be cut and bent from a piece of resilient metal or plastic sheet material (not illustrated) . In using support device 1, as outlined above, device 1, is initially presented to reinforcement so that reinforcement rod R, , is cradled in recess lead-in 19. Where the reinforcement has crossed rod R-, then it will extend generally through locking plate recess 22, and overlie further recess 24. Device 1, and the reinforcement are then pressed together causing rod R, , to move along the gape plane and coact with support legs 3, to deflect locking plate 13, away from gapes 10. Continued movement of the reinforcement causes rod R, , to approach and eventually drop into recesses 7. At the same time, that movement causes rod R 2 , to move into recess 24, and seat therein on web 4. Once the reinforcement rod R, , is seated in recesses 7, locking plate 13, return moves under its bias toward recesses 7. Depending on the size of rod R, , plate 13, may completely return to its original position passing recesses 7, or may only partially return and abut against rod R, , urging it into recesses 7. In either event, plate 13, acts to retain rod R, , in recesses 7, and device 1, secured to the reinforcement. A support device according to the present invention is positively secured to reinforcement in such a manner as to inhibit accidental disturbance of the device or inadvertent disengagement between that device and the reinforcement. As such, the device may act to positively locate reinforcement relative to a foundation. A support device according to the present invention is relatively simple to manufacture. In that regard, that manufacture can_ be achieved using inexpensive machinery and materials. As such, production and purchase costs of the device may be minimised. Finally, it is to be appreciated that various modifications and/or alterations may be made to the support device without departing from the ambit of the present invention as defined in the claims appended hereto.

Claims: CLAIMS : 1. A support device for locating elongate reinforcement pieces in spaced relation to a pour foundation for concrete, including: a support part for outstanding from the pour foundation, the support part having at least one support recess therein which a reinforcement piece extends ' to seat on the support part for location relative to the pour foundation, the recess having a gape through which the reinforcement piece passes for receipt in the recess; and, a locking part movably connected to the support part and biased into a position extending passed the gape so that a reinforcement piece within the recess is captured between the support part and locking part and thereby retained in the recess, the locking part being movable against the bias away from the gape to allow the reinforcement piece to move through the gape into and out of the recess. 2. A support device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one support recess is a support notch having a pair of edge faces between which a reinforcement piece seats, the gape lying between those edge faces. 3. A support device as claimed in claim 2, wherein one of the notch edge faces extends at least substantially parallel to the pour foundation and the other notch edge face extends outwardly from the pour foundation, the gape extending obliquely relative to the pour foundation when the support device is in use. 4. A support device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support part includes a pair of spaced apart support legs each having a respective support recess therein, the legs standing outwardly from the pour foundation in device use with the recesses being aligned on an axis extending parallel to the foundation. 5. A support device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the support part includes at least one support web extending between and interconnecting the support legs, the locking part being connected to the or one support web. 6. A support device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the locking part is positioned in side-by-side relation with the or each support recess and is biased so as to pass by the recess adjacent to the gape. 7. A support device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support part includes a pair of * spaced apart support recesses, the recesses being in alignment for jointly receiving a reinforcement piece so as to extend therethrough, the locking part being positioned between the recesses to pass by the gapes thereof. 8. A support device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the locking part is hingedly connected to the support part through a live stiff hinge providing a resilient bias to the locking part to bias the locking part into the position passing the gape, the locking part swinging away from the gape against the bias to allow the reinforcement piece to move transversely therethrough. 9. A support device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the locking part hinges about an axis that extends parallel to a central axis extending through the at least one support recess. 10. A support device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the locking part includes a locking plate which extends in a plane containing the gape and perpendicular to the at least one support recess, when biased into the position passed the gape. 11. A support device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support part and locking part together define a lead-in adjacent to the support recess when the locking part is biased into the position passing the gape, a reinforcement piece received at the lead-in engaging the support part and locking part with subsequent transverse pressure applied to the reinforcement piece moving the locking part against its bias away from the gape to enable the reinforcement piece to move through the gape into the recess. 12. A support device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the lead-in is provided between opposing faces on the support part and locking part, those surfaces converging- relative to one another toward the gape. 13. A support device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support part has at least one further support recess offset from the at least one support recess and through which a further crossing reinforcement piece can extend. 14. A support device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the locking part has a recess therein in alignment with the further support recess in the support part so that a crossing reinforcement piece can be jointly received therein. 15. A support device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the further support recess and recess in the locking part being aligned on an axis extending transverse to an axis of the at least one support recess, the further support recess and locking part recess each having an open gape, those recesses generally extending outwardly of the at least one support recess with the open gapes thereof being outwardly of the gape of the at least one support recess relative to a pour foundation during device use. 16. A support device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device is of a one piece construction folded from a moulded plastics material blank.

Inventors: BREEN RICHARD CHRISTOPHER, LAUGHTON GREGORY ERIC, BREEN, RICHARD, CHRISTOPHER, LAUGHTON, GREGORY, ERIC
Applicants: MODFIX CONCRETE SYSTEMS, MODFIX CONCRETE SYSTEMS PTY. LTD.
Application year: 1986
Main classification: E04C5
IPC codes: E04C5