Patent Publication Number: US-7908723-B1

Title: Bar clip applicator

Description:
The present invention relates generally to a system and method of attaching and aligning reinforcing bars in a framework for supporting a concrete matrix. More particularly, this invention pertains to an apparatus and method of attaching bar clips to reinforcing bars so as to join the bars in a framework. Even more particularly, this invention pertains to a clip applicator system for applying bar clips for joining pairs of reinforcing bars in a parallel orientation. 
     It has been long known in the art of reinforced concrete structures to provide fastening means for aligning and attaching reinforcing bars in a framework prior to encasing such bars in a concrete matrix. One well known fastening means used in forming a framework of reinforcing bars is to wrap adjacent bars with wire ties, or other similar binding materials. Another well known fastening means is to attach such reinforcing bars by welding instead of wrapping. Both of these fastening means provide for attaching bars arranged in either transverse or parallel orientations. However, both means are labor intensive and, thus, more expensive when compared to the use of more recently developed reinforcing bar clips. 
     Plastic clips have been developed to provide a means of rapidly attaching adjacent reinforcing bars that are arranged in transverse orientations. For example, Padrum, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,110,951, teaches a plastic U-shaped clip formed by two opposing flanges extending from a base. Each of the flanges is split to form opposing and aligned openings within each flange. The clip is positioned and aligned above two reinforcement bars that are in a transverse orientation to each other. Pressure is applied by the user to the base of the clip. This pressure causes the first reinforcing bar to be forced between the flanges and held in an upper position. Continued application of pressure upon the base causes the second reinforcing bar to be forced between the opposing split openings in the flanges and held in a lower position independent of the first bar. Padrum does not teach an apparatus or method of applying the clip to the reinforcing bars and it is expected that the clips are applied by hand operations with the user in close proximity to the reinforcing bars. 
     A second example of prior art plastic clips is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,626,436 to Dragone. The Dragone clip is a U-shaped assembly comprising two parallel longitudinal members connecting two opposed hook assemblies. Each hook assembly comprises two connecting members, each extending from one of the longitudinal members, and a fulcrum section. A hook is formed by two opposing fingers, each attached at an opposite end of the fulcrum section and extending from the fulcrum section in a direction away from the longitudinal members. A gap is formed between each pair of opposing fingers. To install the Dragone clip, a first reinforcing bar is forced between the two opposed hook assemblies and held in an upper position against the parallel longitudinal members. The parallel longitudinal members are squeezed together by the user, causing each pair of opposing fingers to spread apart. The user slips the spread fingers of the opposing hooks over a second reinforcing bar that is positioned transverse to the first bar. The user then releases the parallel longitudinal members. As the parallel longitudinal members separate, each pair of opposing fingers close around the second bar and hold it in a lower position. The Dragone clip is sized so as to hold the second bar against the first bar. Dragone does not teach an apparatus or method of applying the clip to the reinforcing bars and it is expected that the clips are also applied by hand operations with the user in close proximity to the reinforcing bars. 
     One shortcoming of these two current art plastic clips is the necessity of hand manipulation of a clip and a bar during the application of a clip to a bar by the user. This disadvantage of the current art can contribute to prolonged construction times, higher labor costs and user fatigue. Another shortcoming is the necessity of the user being in very close physical proximity to the application site on a bar in order to apply a clip. This is a disadvantage in complex frameworks where there is typically little room for a user to maneuver himself within the framework of reinforcement bars to reach the application site. This second disadvantage of the current art can also contribute to prolonged construction times, higher labor costs and user fatigue. 
     What is needed, then, is a bar clip applicator system that applies a reinforcement bar clip onto a reinforcing bar without the need of manipulating the clip onto the bar by hand. To make the task of attaching reinforcement bars in a framework as quick and easy as possible, it would be advantageous if the bar clip applicator system also provided for application of a bar clip to a reinforcement bar from a stand-off distance. It would also be advantageous if the bar clip applicator system provided for easily recognizable coding means for matching the size of the bar clip, the bar clip applicator and the reinforcement bars. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed toward a bar clip applicator including an applicator body having detachable a handle and a detachable receiver tip, the receiver tip having a selected tip width and a width marking. The selected receiver tip is adapted to receive color-coded molded plastic reinforcement bar clips made of two opposing clasp assemblies of a size corresponding to the receiver tip width marking. With the second clasp assembly of the bar clip removably affixed to the receiver tip, the assembly forms a bar clip system adapted to allow the user to remotely attach the first clasp assembly of the bar clip to a reinforcement bar. In preferred embodiments, the applicator body further includes a capture means by which the user can capture a second reinforcement bar and insert it into the second clasp assembly so as to attach the first and second reinforcement bars together by means of the bar clip. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the applicator body includes a receiver channel adapted to retain a receiver tip sized in its tip width to be inserted in the upper clasp of a bar clip and to hold the bar clip in place by friction fit. The detachable handle is selected for such length that allows the user to efficiently position the bar clip upon a reinforcement bar and to withdraw the applicator from the bar clip once it is attached, the first clasp assembly holding a first reinforcement bar. 
     Advantageously, the bar clip applicator system is formed of selectable and replaceable components that provide the user the ability to rapidly determine, select and install: a bar clip of the required gauge, a receiver tip of the corresponding gauge and a applicator handle the desired length so as to allow the user to remotely apply a bar clip to a reinforcement bar. 
     Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to provide a bar clip applicator having a detachable receiver tip that is selected from a plurality of numerically coded receiver tips, each having a gauge corresponding to the selected reinforcement bar clip. 
     It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a bar clip applicator having a detachable applicator handle that is selected from a plurality of applicator handles having various lengths. 
     It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a reinforcement bar clip that is removably attachable to a receiver tip of a bar clip applicator and that can be used to attach adjacent reinforcing bars arranged in a framework. 
     Finally, it is an object of the present invention to provide a means of guiding a reinforcement bar into a clasp during installation of the clip. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is side view of the reinforcement bar clip applicator system of the present invention including a bar clip rigidly affixed to a bar clip applicator. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the applicator body of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the bar clip of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is oblique view of the bar clip of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  side view of the bar clip of  FIG. 1  positioned for installation upon the receiver tip of the bar clip applicator of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is side view of the bar clip applicator system of  FIG. 1  positioned for installation of the first claps of the bar clip upon a reinforcement bar. 
         FIGS. 7 and 8  are detail side and transverse views of the applicator body shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of the applicator handle of the bar clip applicator of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIGS. 10-12  are overhead, side and transverse views of the receiver tip of the bar clip applicator of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     One preferred embodiment of the bar clip applicator system  100  of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 1 . The bar clip applicator system  100  includes a novel reinforcement bar clip  10  friction fitted upon the receiver tip  110  of a bar clip applicator  101 . The novel reinforcement bar clip  10  includes a plurality of clasp assemblies. The embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  3  and  4  comprises a pair of opposing first and second clasp assemblies  20 ,  21 . Each first and second clasp assembly  20 ,  21  is attached to parallel first and second longitudinal supports  16 ,  18  and extends downward from the longitudinal supports  16 ,  18 . The opposing first and second clasp assemblies  20 ,  21 , together with the first and second longitudinal supports  16 ,  18 , form a U-shaped profile, as is shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 1 ,  3  and  4 , the first and second clasp assemblies  20 ,  21  each comprise an upper clasp  22  for holding a first reinforcement bar and a lower clasp  24  for holding a second reinforcement bars in a parallel orientation to the first reinforcement bar. For each first and second clasp assembly  20 ,  21 , opposing, convexly curved fingers  34  extend upward from either end of a transverse support  26  so as to form the upper clasp  22 . One finger  34   a  is shown attached to the first longitudinal support  16  and the opposing finger  34   b  is shown attached to the second longitudinal support  18 . Together with the transverse support  26 , the opposing fingers  34   a ,  34   b  form an upper seat  32 . Referring now to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  4 , an upper clasp gap  42  is disposed between the first and second longitudinal supports  16 ,  18  so as to provide a means of inserting the first reinforcement bar into the upper clasp  22 . The upper clasp gap  42  is selected so as to be narrower than the diameter of the first reinforcement bar, while the upper seat  32  is adapted in size and shape to compressively engage the first reinforcement bar when such bar is placed within the upper clasp  22 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 1 ,  3  and  4 , for each first and second clasp assembly  20 ,  21 , opposing, convexly curved fingers  34   c ,  34   d  extend downward from either end of the transverse support  26  so as to form the lower clasp  24 . Together with the transverse support  26 , the pair of opposing fingers  34   c ,  34   d  form a lower seat  30 . Referring now to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  4 , a lower clasp gap  40  is disposed between the opposing fingers  34   c ,  34   d  so as to provide a means of inserting a reinforcement bar into the lower clasp  24 . The lower clasp gap  40  is selected so as to be narrower than the diameter of the second reinforcement bar, while the lower seat  30  is adapted in size and shape to compressively engage the second reinforcement bar when such bar is placed within the lower clasp  24 . 
     The reinforcement bar clip  10  of the bar clip applicator system  100  of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 1  installed upon the bar clip applicator  101 . In this configuration, the bar clip applicator system  100  is ready for installation of the reinforcement bar clip  10  upon a reinforcement bar. 
     In a particularly preferred embodiment, the reinforcement bar clip  10  is made of a resilient molded plastic having a color selected to indicate the appropriate gauge of the bar clip, the term ‘gauge’ is used herein to indicate the size of bar that the bar clip can attach and hold. For example, a bar clip  10  having a red color may have a gauge of 0.425 inches and a bar clip  10  having a white color may have a gauge of 0.525 inches. Other color coding schemes would be obvious to one skilled in the skilled in the art. Optionally, the gauge of the clip is cast, printed or otherwise numerically indicated on the surface of the clip  10 . Preferably, the gauge of the clip is indicated by both color of the bar clip  10  and by a numerical indication embossed on the surface of the bar clip  10 . Advantageously, color coding of reinforcement bar clips provides a simple method of allowing the user to rapidly identify and select the appropriate reinforcement bar clip  10  from a mixed selection of clips. Also, where the reinforcement bars of a single gauge are used to form a framework, use of color-coded reinforcement bar clips allows for easy identification of errors caused by inadvertent use of the wrong size of reinforcement bar clips in forming the framework. 
     The bar clip applicator  101  of the present invention also includes a receiver tip  110 , an applicator block  130  and an applicator handle  150  attached by a connecting rod  148  to the block  130 . Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the applicator block  130  of the preferred embodiment of the applicator includes a block body  131  having a receiver channel  132  machined into one surface. The machined channel  132  it adapted to receive and retain a selected receiver tip  110  by means of a first and second overhanging lip  134  and  136 . A detent assembly  140  engages the receiver tip  110  so as to retain the receiver tip  110  within the receiver channel  132 . The detent assembly shown in  FIG. 2  further includes a detent body  142  and detent spring  144  housed within a detent cavity  146 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 ,  10 ,  11 , and  12 , a selectable and replaceable receiver tip  110  of the present invention is shown. The receiver tip  110  includes a tip block  112  for receiving the upper clasp  22  of the novel reinforcement bar clip  10 . Referring to  FIGS. 10-12 , the receiver tip  110  has a tip width  111  sized to receive a correspondingly selected reinforcement bar clip  10 , as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . The receiver tip  110  of the preferred embodiment further includes a tip retaining plate  120  and a connecting body  122  joining the tip retaining plate  120  and the tip block  112 , as shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 . The connecting body  122  joins the retaining plate  120  and tip block  112  so as to form first and second side channels  124  and  126 . A detent receiving cavity is disposed on a face of the tip retaining plate  120  opposite the tip block  112 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 10-12 , the receiver tip  110  of the preferred embodiment of the applicator  101  is designed to be removable and selectable, with the selected receiver tip  110  having a tip width  111  corresponding to the gauge of reinforcement bar clip  10  required for the joining of the reinforcement bars. The selected receiver tip  110  has a tip face  114  and tip engagement surfaces  116  and  118  which are separated by tip width  111 . As stated above, the tip width  111  is determined by the gauge size of the bar clip  10  to be installed and is selected such that the upper clasp  22  fingers  34   a  and  34   b  slide over the tip block  112  and engage the first and second engagement surfaces  116  and  118 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , a tip label surface  115  is disposed upon tip face  114  so as to indicate to a user the gauge or tip width  111  of the particular embodiment of the receiver tip  110 . For example, a selected receiver tip  110  may have a tip label surface  115  that indicates the gauge numeral “5” and, as such, corresponds to a selected bar clip  10  having a red color and a gauge of 0.425 inches. Other color-numerical gauge coding schemes would be obvious to one skilled in the skilled in the art. Optionally, the gauge of the receiver tip  110  is cast, printed or otherwise numerically indicated on a surface of the tip receiver  10 . Advantageously, numerically coding the receiver tips  110  provides a simple method of allowing the user to rapidly identify and select the appropriate receiver tip  110  from a mixed selection of receiver tips  110  based on the gauge of the color-coded reinforcement bar clip  10  selected. 
     Another aspect of this novel applicator system  100  is the applicator handle  150 . In the preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the applicator handle  150  is detachable from the applicator block  130  and is held in place by a keeper pin  156 . Referring now to  FIG. 9 , the applicator handle  150  of the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a shaft  151  attached to a handle  152 . The shaft  151  has a shaft receiving cavity  153  which is fitted over the connecting rod  148  of the applicator block body  131 . 
     A preferred method of installing the bar clip  10  upon one or more reinforcement bars is shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  5  and  6 . The gauge of the first reinforcement bar is determined and the appropriate gauge of bar clip  10  is selected. The receiver tip  110 , in the preferred embodiment of the application tool  100 , is interchangeable and is selected by the numerically indicated gauge appropriate for installation into the first clasp  22  of the selected bar clip  10 . As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the bar clip  10  is removably installed upon the bar clip applicator  101  by sliding the receiver tip  110  into the upper clasp gap  42  so as to form a rigid assembly held together by a friction fit between the receiver tip  110  and the first and second longitudinal supports  16 ,  18 . 
     One novel aspect of the present invention is the flared guide  35  attached to the lower ends of each opposing finger  34   c ,  34   d  of the lower clasp  24 . During installation of the lower clasp  24  of the clip  10  upon a reinforcement bar  52 , each pair of flared guides  35  engage the bar  52  and guide it to the lower clasp gap  40  for insertion into the lower clasp  24  of each clasp assembly  20 ,  21 . As the lower clasp  24  is pressed against the reinforcement bar  52 , the flaring of guides  35  cause the opposing fingers  34   c ,  34   d  to spread open so as to enlarge the lower clasp gap  40  sufficiently for the insertion of the bar  52 . After the bar  52  is inserted into the lower clasp  24 , the opposing fingers  34   c ,  34   d  close so as to hold the bar in the lower seat  30 . Once the reinforcing bar  52 , is inserted into the lower clasp  24 , the receiver tip  110  of the application tool  100  is removed from the upper clasp gap  42 . 
     With the upper clasp gap  42  clear, a second reinforcement bar, is positioned above the upper clasp gap  42 . In one embodiment of the present invention, the user must manually grasp the second reinforcement bar and position it above the upper clasp gap  42 . In alternate embodiments of the present invention, the bar clip applicator  101  further included a means of capturing a second reinforcement bar. This invention contemplates various means of capturing the second reinforcement bar, including a crook or hook attached to the bar clip applicator  101  and adapted to receive a reinforcement bar. Alternately, a crook cavity may be disposed in the tip face  114  of the receiver tip  110 . In the method of this invention using such a capture means allows the user to remotely position the second reinforcement bar above the second clasp gap. The second reinforcement bar and the clip  10  are forced together so as to cause the opposing fingers  34   a ,  34   b  to spread open so as to enlarge the upper clasp gap  42  sufficiently for the insertion of the bar. After the bar is inserted into the upper clasp  22 , the opposing fingers  34   a ,  34   b  close so as to hold the bar in the upper seat  32 . 
     Thus, although there have been described particular embodiments of the present invention of a new and useful Bar Clip Applicator, it is not intended that such references be construed as limitations upon the scope of this invention except as set forth in the following claims.