Patent Publication Number: US-10329768-B2

Title: Slab bolster upper and method of using the same

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/602,221 filed on Apr. 18, 2017. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to slab bolster uppers and to methods of using the same. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to interconnectable slab bolster uppers that can easily be connected one to another for their applications in concrete construction. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In reinforced concrete construction, it is necessary to support the reinforcing bars (“rebars”) in their designated locations during placement of the concrete and thereafter as it cures. This was accomplished, in its most rudimentary form, by simply resting the rebars on pieces of concrete placed on the surface. Obviously, this approach was unsatisfactory for many reasons, such as the lack of any means for fixing the rebars at their designed positions, as a result of which the rebars were displaced as the concrete was poured. 
     In response to the shortcomings of this method of supporting rebars, welded wire supports were developed and are used extensively in the reinforced concrete construction industry. With metal supports, however, there is a potential problem of corrosion. Coating the wire with epoxy is a method of dealing with this problem, but coating is expensive, and if the coating is damaged, corrosion may still occur. Such devices further take time to accurately be installed on site, as necessitating external connection means to securely connect reinforcing bars to the welded wire supports, resulting in high concrete construction costs. 
     However, plastic supports are generally non-corrodible and therefore overcome the problems noted above with welded wire supports, but they usually lack the open construction provided by wire supports that permits full flow of concrete through and around the support during concrete placement. While some patent documents disclose supports that may be formed of plastic and have openings formed in them to facilitate concrete placement, most supports are individual units as opposed to supports that may extend for several spans. Some others provide interconnectable features, however, there is still a need for improved slab bolster uppers that can easily, strongly and securely be connected one to another for their applications in concrete construction. 
     SUMMARY 
     It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a slab bolster upper that overcomes or mitigates one or more disadvantages of known slab bolster uppers or at least provides a useful alternative. 
     According to an embodiment, there is provided a slab bolster upper for supporting a rebar in a reinforced concrete structure, the slab bolster upper comprising:
         an elongated base defining a lower surface, an upper surface for supporting the rebar, a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge;   voids formed through the elongated base to facilitate free flow of concrete therethrough and around the elongated base;   a first connexion integrally formed about the first edge of the elongated base; and   a second connexion integrally formed about the second edge of the elongated base; wherein the first connexion is configured to securely engage with a corresponding second connexion of another slab bolster upper and the second connexion is configured to securely engage with a corresponding first connexion of another slab bolster upper for interconnecting a plurality of slab bolster uppers together.       

     According to another embodiment, there is provided the slab bolster upper defined above, wherein the first connexion comprises a first connexion female connector member outwardly extending from the first edge about the lower surface for engaging with the corresponding second connexion of the other slab bolster upper. 
     According to a further embodiment, there is provided the slab bolster upper defined above, wherein the first connexion further comprises a first connexion male connector member outwardly extending from the first edge about the upper surface for securely engaging with the corresponding second connexion of the other slab bolster upper. 
     According to yet another embodiment, there is provided the slab bolster upper defined above, wherein the second connexion comprises a second connexion male connector member outwardly extending from the second edge about the lower surface for securely engaging with a corresponding first connexion female connector member of the corresponding first connexion of the other slab bolster upper. 
     According to another embodiment, there is provided the slab bolster upper defined above, wherein the second connexion further comprises a second connexion female connector member about the second edge and the upper surface for securely engaging with a corresponding first connexion male connector member of the corresponding first connexion of the other slab bolster upper. 
     According to a further embodiment, there is provided the slab bolster upper defined above, wherein the first connexion female connector member comprises a lower main portion outwardly extending from the first edge and a longitudinal opening defined within the lower main portion. 
     According to yet another embodiment, there is provided the slab bolster upper defined above, wherein the elongated base defines a base longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the upper surface and further wherein the longitudinal opening defines an opening plane substantially perpendicular to the base longitudinal axis. 
     According to another embodiment, there is provided the slab bolster upper defined above, wherein the second connexion male connector member comprises:
         a lower structural portion outwardly extending from the second edge; and   a lower engaging member upwardly extending from the lower structural portion towards the upper surface of the elongated base when the elongated base is supported by its lower surface for securely engaging the first connexion female connector member while interfacing the longitudinal opening defined within the lower main portion.       

     According to a further embodiment, there is provided the slab bolster upper defined above, wherein the lower engaging member comprises a lower locking portion at its upper end for locking the second connexion male connector member with the corresponding first connexion female connector member in place once the lower engaging member is passed through the longitudinal opening. 
     According to yet another embodiment, there is provided the slab bolster upper defined above, wherein the lower locking portion defines:
         a concave surface adapted to interface with a lower main portion upper surface for locking the lower engaging member with the corresponding first connexion female connector member; and   a convex surface adapted to interface with a longitudinal opening internal surface for facilitating passage of the lower engaging member within the longitudinal opening.       

     According to another embodiment, there is provided the slab bolster upper defined above, wherein the second connexion female connector member comprises an upper main portion about the second edge and an opening defined within the upper main portion. 
     According to a further embodiment, there is provided the slab bolster upper defined above, wherein the first connexion male connector member comprises:
         an upper structural portion outwardly extending from the first edge; and   an upper engaging member outwardly and downwardly extending from the upper structural portion towards the lower surface of the elongated base when the elongated base is supported by its lower surface for engaging within a corresponding opening defined within a corresponding upper main portion.       

     According to yet another embodiment, there is provided the slab bolster upper defined above, wherein the upper engaging member comprises an upper locking system at its lower end for locking the first connexion male connector member with a corresponding second connexion female connector member in place once the upper engaging member is passed through the opening. 
     According to another embodiment, there is provided the slab bolster upper defined above, wherein the upper locking system defines a plurality of convex surfaces adapted to interface with an upper main portion lower surface for locking the upper engaging member with the corresponding second connexion female connector member and further adapted to interface with an opening internal surface for facilitating passage of the upper engaging member within the opening. 
     According to a further embodiment, there is provided the slab bolster upper defined above, wherein the upper structural portion of the first connexion male connector member defines an interfacing surface about the upper engaging member and the upper main portion of the second connexion female connector member defines a supporting surface about the opening for interfacing with and supporting the interfacing surface when the first connexion is fully and securely engaged with the corresponding second connexion of the other slab bolster upper. 
     According to yet another embodiment, there is provided the slab bolster upper defined above, wherein the upper surface defines an upper longitudinal first side and an upper longitudinal second side opposite the upper longitudinal first side, wherein the lower surface defines a lower longitudinal first side and a lower longitudinal second side opposite the lower longitudinal first side, and further wherein;
         the first connexion male connector member extends from the first edge about the upper longitudinal first side for engaging with the corresponding second connexion of the other slab bolster upper;   the first connexion female connector member extends from the first edge about the lower longitudinal second side for engaging with the corresponding second connexion of the other slab bolster upper;   the second connexion male connector member extends from the second edge about the lower longitudinal second side for engaging with the corresponding first connexion of the other slab bolster upper; and   the second connexion female connector member is about the second edge and the upper longitudinal first side for engaging with the corresponding first connexion of the other slab bolster upper.       

     According to another embodiment, there is provided the slab bolster upper defined above, wherein the elongated base comprises:
         an elongated member defining a longitudinal surface substantially perpendicular to the upper surface, the elongated member defining the voids; and   a plurality of spaced apart transversal members for supporting the elongated member.       

     According to a further embodiment, there is provided the slab bolster upper defined above, wherein the elongated base further comprises a first longitudinal support member and a second longitudinal support member distant from and parallel to the first longitudinal support member, both the first and second longitudinal support members configured to support the plurality of spaced apart transversal members. 
     According to yet another embodiment, there is provided the slab bolster upper defined above, wherein each section of the elongated member defined by two adjacent spaced apart transversal members defines two main vertically aligned voids. 
     According to another embodiment, there is provided the slab bolster upper defined above, wherein the each section of the elongated member defined by two adjacent spaced apart transversal members further defines secondary voids. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in combination with the appended drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1 a    is a perspective view of a slab bolster upper in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 1 b    is another perspective view of the slab bolster upper of  FIG. 1   a;    
         FIG. 2  is a closed-up perspective view of two slab bolster uppers of  FIGS. 1 a   / 1   b  to be connected together; 
         FIG. 3  is a closed-up perspective view of two slab bolster uppers of  FIGS. 1 a   / 1   b  securely connected one to another via their respective connexions; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates slab bolster uppers of  FIGS. 1 a   / 1   b  that support reinforcing bars (rebars) in a reinforced concrete structure, positioned according to two layers of concrete; and 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of slab bolster uppers in accordance with another embodiment to be connected together via their respective connexions. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to  FIGS. 1 a , 1 b   ,  2 ,  3  and  4 , there is shown a slab bolster upper  10  for supporting reinforcing bars  11 , the rebars shown in  FIG. 4 , in a reinforced concrete structure. The slab bolster upper  10  comprises an elongated base  12 , which defines a lower surface  16  and an upper surface  14 , opposite the lower surface  16 , for supporting the rebars  11 , as better shown in  FIG. 4 . The slab bolster upper  10  further defines a first edge  22  and a second edge  24 , which is found opposite the first edge  22 . It is further shown that elongated base  12  defines a base longitudinal axis  44 , which is substantially parallel to upper surface  14 . The slab bolster upper  10  further includes a plurality of voids  26  that are formed through the elongated base  12  such as to facilitate free flow of concrete therethrough and around the elongated base  12 . Slab bolster upper  10  further includes a first connexion  28 , which is integrally formed about the first edge  22  of the elongated base  12  and a second connexion  30 , which is also integrally formed about the second edge  24  of the elongated base  12 . It is however to be noted that a different construction could include parts that are not integrally formed but that accurately connect two adjacent slab bolster uppers  10  together via their respective first and second connexions  28 ,  30 . Indeed, the first connexion  28  is configured to securely engage with second connexion  30  of an adjacent slab bolster upper  10 . Similarly, second connexion  30  is configured to securely engage with first connexion  28  of an adjacent slab bolster upper  10 , in a way to securely, easily, quickly and strongly interconnect a plurality of slab bolster uppers  10  together. 
     As better shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the first connexion  28  of slab bolster upper  10  comprises a first connexion female connector member  32  which outwardly extends from the first edge  22  (at first end  18 ) about the lower surface  16  for engaging with second connexion  30  of corresponding/adjacent slab bolster upper  10 . The first connexion  28  further comprises a first connexion male connector member  34 , which outwardly extends from the first edge  22  about the upper surface  14  for securely engaging with second connexion  30  of corresponding/adjacent slab bolster upper  10 . 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , there is shown that second connexion  30  of slab bolster upper  10 , on the other hand, comprises a second connexion male connector member  36 , which outwardly extends from the second edge  24  about the lower surface  16  for securely engaging with first connexion female connector member  32  of first connexion  28  of the corresponding/adjacent slab bolster upper  10 . Second connexion  30  further comprises a second connexion female connector member  38  about the second edge  24  and the upper surface  14  for securely engaging with first connexion male connector member  34  of first connexion  28  of corresponding/adjacent slab bolster upper  10 . 
     First connexion female connector member  32  comprises a lower main portion  40 , which outwardly extends from the first edge  22  and a longitudinal opening  42  defined within the lower main portion  40 . The longitudinal opening  42  defines an opening plane  46  substantially perpendicular to the base longitudinal axis  44 . Second connexion male connector member  36  comprises a lower structural portion  48 , which outwardly extends from the second edge  24 . Second connexion male connector member  36  further comprises a lower engaging member  50 , which upwardly extends from the lower structural portion  48  towards the upper surface  14  of the elongated base  12  when the elongated base  12  is supported by its lower surface  16 . Lower engaging member  50  is adapted to securely engage the first connexion female connector member  32  while interfacing the longitudinal opening  42  defined within the lower main portion  40 . Lower engaging member  50  comprises a lower locking portion  52  at its upper end  54  for locking the second connexion male connector member  36  with the corresponding first connexion female connector member  32  in place once the lower engaging member  50  is passed through the longitudinal opening  42 . Lower locking portion  52  defines a concave surface  56  adapted to interface with a lower main portion upper surface  58  for locking the lower engaging member  50  with the corresponding first connexion female connector member  32  and a convex surface  60  adapted to interface with a longitudinal opening internal surface  62  for facilitating passage of the lower engaging member  50  within the longitudinal opening  42 . 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , there is shown that second connexion female connector member  38  comprises an upper main portion  64  about the second edge  24  and an opening  66  defined within the upper main portion  64 . First connexion male connector member  34  comprises an upper structural portion  68 , which outwardly extends from the first edge  22  and an upper engaging member  70 . Upper engaging member  70  outwardly and downwardly extends from the upper structural portion  68  towards the lower surface  16  of the elongated base  12  when the elongated base  12  is supported by its lower surface  16 . Upper engaging member  70  is adapted to engage within opening  66  defined within upper main portion  64  of a corresponding/adjacent upper engaging member  70 . Upper engaging member  70  comprises an upper locking system  72  at its lower end  74  for locking the first connexion male connector member  34  with second connexion female connector member  38  in place once the upper engaging member  70  is passed through the opening  66 . Upper locking system  72  defines a plurality of convex surfaces  76  that are adapted to interface with upper main portion lower surface  78  for locking the upper engaging member  70  with the corresponding second connexion female connector member  38  and further adapted to interface with an opening internal surface  80  for facilitating passage of the upper engaging member  70  within the opening  66 . 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , there is shown that upper structural portion  68  of the first connexion male connector member  34  defines an interfacing surface  82  about the upper engaging member  70 , while upper main portion  64  of the second connexion female connector member  38  defines a supporting surface  84  about the opening  66 . Such supporting surface  84  is adapted for interfacing with and supporting the interfacing surface  82  when the first connexion  28  is fully and securely engaged with the corresponding second connexion  30  of an adjacent slab bolster upper  10 . 
     It is further shown that upper surface  14  defines an upper longitudinal first side  86  and an upper longitudinal second side  88  opposite the upper longitudinal first side  86 , while the lower surface  16  defines a lower longitudinal first side  90  and a lower longitudinal second side  92  opposite the lower longitudinal first side  90 . Thus, in a way to provide strong and secure connection between to adjacent slab bolster uppers  10  while pouring the concrete, the first connexion male connector member  34  extends from the first edge  22  about the upper longitudinal first side  86  for engaging with second connexion  30 , the first connexion female connector member  32  extends from the first edge  22  about the lower longitudinal second side  92  for engaging with the second connexion  30 , the second connexion male connector member  36  extends from the second edge  24  about the lower longitudinal second  92  side for engaging with the first connexion  28  and the second connexion female connector member  38  is about the second edge  24  and the upper longitudinal first side  86  for engaging with first connexion  28 . Such configuration of the device avoids the first connection  28  to be released from the second connexion  30  when concrete is poured thereon and within the voids  26 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 a , 1 b   ,  2  and  3 , there is shown that the elongated base  12  comprises an elongated member  94  which defines a longitudinal surface  95  substantially, perpendicular to the upper surface  14 . The elongated member  94  defines the voids  26 . Elongated member  94  further comprises a plurality of spaced apart transversal members  96  which are adapted to support the elongated member  94 . Elongated base  12  further comprises a first longitudinal support member  98  and a second longitudinal support member  100  distant from and parallel to the first longitudinal support member  98 . Both the first and second longitudinal support members  98 ,  100  are configured to support the plurality of spaced apart transversal members  96 . According to such embodiment, each section of the elongated member  94  defined by two adjacent spaced apart transversal members  96  defines two main vertically aligned voids  26 , while each section of the elongated member  94  defined by two adjacent spaced apart transversal members  96  further defines secondary voids  102  that are positioned to facilitate free flow of concrete therethrough and around the elongated base  12 . It is therefore to be noted that positioning of voids  26  and/or secondary voids  102  may differ from the illustrated positioning as long at it provides accurate flow of concrete once poured over the device  10  or the devices  10  itself/themselves. 
     Slab bolster upper  10  is therefore used for supporting the reinforcing bars, the rebars  10 , in a reinforced concrete structure. Indeed, in a scenario where more than one slab bolster uppers  10  are needed, the scenario shown in  FIG. 4  for example, a first slab bolster upper  10  is placed on the surface (directly on ground services). About its second connexion  30 , the first connexion  28  of a second slab bolster upper  10  is brought closer. For securely connecting the first connexion  28  with the second connexion  30 , the first connexion male connector member  34  together with the first connexion female connector member  32  are vertically aligned above their respective second connexion female connector member  38  and second connexion male connector member  36  and downwardly pushed until first connexion male connector member  34  and first connexion female connector member  32  are locked with second connexion female connector member  38  and second connexion male connector member  36 . Lower locking portion  52  will provide locking of the lower engaging member  50  with lower main portion  40  once passed through longitudinal opening  42 , while upper locking system  72  will provide locking of the upper engaging member  70  with upper main portion  64  once passed through opening  66 . Additional slab bolster uppers  10  may be interconnected adjacent the newly formed structure consisting of two connected slab bolster uppers  10 . Once all needed slab bolster uppers  10  are positioned on the surface (by their own or connected with adjacent slab bolster uppers  10  as shown in  FIG. 4 ), rebars  11  may be positioned, supported by the slab bolster uppers  10 , and concrete may be poured. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 4 , there is shown that a first line of slab bolster uppers  10  is positioned directly on the ground services (line of slab bolster uppers  10  shown at bottom of  FIG. 4 ). A third line of slab bolster uppers  10  is further positioned directly on the ground services, distant from first line (3rd line of slab bolster uppers  10  shown from bottom of  FIG. 4 ). Once first and third lines of slab bolster uppers  10  are positioned and well aligned, rebars  11  are placed on devices  10 , such as to be supported by upper surfaces  14 . Once positioned, rebars  11  are found to be perpendicular to longitudinal axis  44  defined by the slab bolster uppers  10 . A first layer of concrete (not shown) is therefore poured onto first and third lines of slab bolster uppers  10  as well as onto rebars  11  that are supported thereon. Where a second layer of concrete is needed, a second line of slab bolster uppers  10  and a fourth line of slab bolster uppers are positioned over the first layer of concrete, sitting on the steel mat (not shown) (see second and fourth lines of slab bolster uppers  10  starting from bottom of  FIG. 4 ). Once second and fourth lines of slab bolster uppers  10  are positioned and well aligned, additional rebars  11  are placed on devices  10 , such as to be supported by upper surfaces  14 . Once positioned, rebars  11  are also found to be perpendicular to longitudinal axis  44  defined by the slab bolster uppers  10 . A second layer of concrete (not shown) is therefore poured onto second and fourth lines of slab bolster uppers  10  as well as onto rebars  11  that are supported thereon. 
     Referring now more particularly to  FIG. 5 , there is shown another embodiment of a slab bolster upper  110  that is also for supporting/receiving reinforcing bars  111 , the rebars, in a reinforced concrete structure. The slab bolster upper  110  comprises an elongated base  112 , which defines a lower surface  116  and an upper surface  114 , opposite the lower surface  116 , for supporting the rebars. The slab bolster upper  110  further defines a first edge  122  and a second edge  124 , which is found opposite the first edge  122 . It is further shown that elongated base  112  defines a base longitudinal axis  144 , which is substantially parallel to upper surface  114 . The slab bolster upper  110  further includes a plurality of voids  126  that are formed through the elongated base  112  such as to facilitate free flow of concrete therethrough and around the elongated base  112 . Slab bolster upper  110  further includes a first connexion  128 , which is integrally formed about the first edge  122  of the elongated base  112  and a second connexion  130 , which is also integrally formed about the second edge  124  of the elongated base  112 . It is however to be noted that a different construction could include parts that are not integrally formed but that accurately connect two adjacent slab bolster uppers  110  together via their respective first and second connexions  128 ,  130 . Indeed, the first connexion  128  is configured to securely engage with second connexion  130  of an adjacent slab bolster upper  110 . Similarly, second connexion  130  is configured to securely engage with first connexion  128  of an adjacent slab bolster upper  110 , in a way to securely, easily and strongly interconnect a plurality of slab bolster uppers  110  together. 
     First connexion  128  of slab bolster upper  110  comprises a first connexion female connector member  132  which outwardly extends from the first edge  122  (at first end  118 ) about the lower surface  116  for engaging with second connexion  30  of corresponding/adjacent slab bolster upper  110 . The first connexion  128  further comprises a first connexion male connector member  134 , which outwardly extends from the first edge  122  about the upper surface  114  for securely engaging with second connexion  130  of corresponding/adjacent slab bolster upper  110 . 
     Second connexion  130  of slab bolster upper  110 , on the other hand, comprises a second connexion male connector member  136 , which outwardly extends from the second edge  124  about the lower surface  116  for securely engaging with first connexion female connector member  132  of first connexion  128  of the corresponding/adjacent slab bolster upper  110 . Second connexion  130  further comprises a second connexion female connector member  138  about the second edge  124  and the upper surface  114  for securely engaging with first connexion male connector member  134  of first connexion  128  of corresponding/adjacent slab bolster upper  110 . 
     First connexion female connector member  132  comprises a lower main portion  140 , which outwardly extends from the first edge  122  and a longitudinal opening  142  defined within the lower main portion  140 . The longitudinal opening  142  defines an opening plane  146  substantially perpendicular to the base longitudinal axis  144 . Second connexion male connector member  136  comprises a lower structural portion  148 , which outwardly extends from the second edge  124 . Second connexion male connector member  136  further comprises a lower engaging member  150 , which upwardly extends from the lower structural portion  148  towards the upper surface  114  of the elongated base  112  when the elongated base  112  is supported by its lower surface  116 . Lower engaging member  150  is adapted to securely engage the first connexion female connector member  132  while interfacing the longitudinal opening  142  defined within the lower main portion  140 . Lower engaging member  150  comprises a lower locking portion  152  at its upper end  154  for locking the second connexion male connector member  136  with the corresponding first connexion female connector member  132  in place once the lower engaging member  150  is passed through the longitudinal opening  142 . Lower locking portion  152  defines a concave surface  156  adapted to interface with a lower main portion upper surface  158  for locking the lower engaging member  150  with the corresponding first connexion female connector member  132  and a convex surface  160  adapted to interface with a longitudinal opening internal surface  162  for facilitating passage of the lower engaging member  150  within the longitudinal opening  142 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 5 , there is shown that second connexion female connector member  138  comprises an upper main receiving portion  164  about the second edge  124  and a receiving area  166  defined within the upper main receiving portion  164 . A retaining post  169  is further shown. First connexion male connector member  134  comprises an upper structural portion  168 , which outwardly extends from the first edge  122  and an upper engaging member  170 . Upper engaging member  170  generally outwardly and downwardly extends from the upper structural portion  168  towards the lower surface  116  of the elongated base  112  when the elongated base  112  is supported by its lower surface  116 . Upper engaging member  170  is adapted to engage underneath upper surface  114 , where a longitudinal lip  167  is formed therein, and defined within upper main receiving portion  164  of a corresponding/adjacent upper engaging member  170 . On the other hand, upper structural portion  168  is adapted to be supported by retaining post  169  once upper engaging member  170  is connected with second connexion  130 . Indeed, upper engaging member  170  comprises an upwardly extending upper locking system  172 , extending from lower end  174 , for locking the first connexion male connector member  134  with second connexion female connector member  138  in place once the upper engaging member  170  is pushed underneath longitudinal lip  167 . Upwardly extending upper locking system  172  defines an upper convex surface  176  that is adapted to interface with longitudinal lip lower surface  178  for locking the upper engaging member  170  with the corresponding second connexion female connector member  138 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 5 , there is shown that upper structural portion  168  of the first connexion male connector member  134  defines an interfacing surface (not shown) about the upper engaging member  170 , while upper main receiving portion  164  of the second connexion female connector member  138  defines a supporting surface  184 . Such supporting surface  184  is adapted for interfacing with and supporting the interfacing surface (not shown) when the first connexion  128  is fully and securely engaged with the corresponding second connexion  130  of an adjacent slab bolster upper  110 . Such configuration of the device avoids the first connection  128  to be released from the second connexion  130  when concrete is poured thereon and within the voids  126 . 
     Elongated base  112  comprises an elongated member  194 , which defines a longitudinal surface  195  substantially perpendicular to the upper surface  114 . The elongated member  194  defines the voids  126 . Elongated member  194  further comprises a plurality of spaced apart transversal members  196  which are adapted to support the elongated member  194 . Elongated base  112  further comprises a first longitudinal support member  198  and a second longitudinal support member  200  distant from and parallel to the first longitudinal support member  198 . Both the first and second longitudinal support members  198 ,  200  are configured to support the plurality of spaced apart transversal members  196 . According to such embodiment, each section of the elongated member  194  defined by two adjacent spaced apart transversal members  196  defines two main horizontally aligned voids  126 . 
     Slab bolster upper  110  is therefore also used for supporting the reinforcing bars  11  shown in  FIG. 4 , the rebars  11 , in a reinforced concrete structure. Indeed, in a scenario where more than one slab bolster uppers  110  are needed, a first slab bolster upper  110  is placed on the surface (or alternatively on the first layer of concrete as described above). About its second connexion  130 , the first connexion  128  of a second slab bolster upper  110  is brought closer. For securely connecting the first connexion  128  with the second connexion  130 , the first connexion male connector member  134  together with the first connexion female connector member  132  are vertically aligned above their respective second connexion female connector member  138  and second connexion male connector member  136  and downwardly pushed until first connexion male connector member  134  and first connexion female connector member  132  are locked with second connexion female connector member  138  and second connexion male connector member  136 . Lower locking portion  152  will provide locking of the lower engaging member  150  with lower main portion  140  once passed through longitudinal opening  142 , while upwardly extending upper locking system  172  will provide locking of the upper engaging member  170  with upper main receiving portion  164  once upwardly extending upper locking system  172  is pushed underneath longitudinal lip  167 . Additional slab bolster uppers  110  may be interconnected adjacent the newly formed structure consisting of two connected slab bolster uppers  110 . Once all needed slab bolster uppers  110  are positioned on the surface or over the first layer of concrete as shown in  FIG. 4  (by their own or connected with adjacent slab bolster uppers  110 ), rebars  11  may be positioned, supported by the slab bolster uppers  110  on their upper surfaces  114 , and concrete may be poured. Designs of slab bolster uppers  10  or  110  and rebars  11  that are different than the one shown in  FIG. 4  may also be provided prior pouring first or alternatively second layer of concrete. 
     The above described slab bolster uppers  10 ,  110  may be injection molded (or extruded) from a suitable plastic such as polyethylene (i.e., High Density Polyethylene), polycarbonate, polypropylene, and nylon and may be reinforced from various fibers, such as fiberglass, carbon fiber, and metal fibers. The slab bolster uppers  10 ,  110  may further be constructed in many sizes, shapes and/or configurations, as long as each slab bolster upper  10 ,  110  provides easy, quick, strong and secure connection with an adjacent one. 
     It is also to be mentioned that the configuration of the above described slab bolster uppers  10 ,  110  may facilitate shipment. Indeed, the inverted T or V shape of the slab bolster upper  10  permits it. 
     In all embodiments described, it is to be noted that voids  26 ,  126  or secondary voids  102  break up shear planes that would be created in the structure in which the bolster is embedded and contribute to cracking and weakness. 
     Slab bolster uppers  10 ,  110  as defined above are therefore, according to their respective configurations, stable and well aligned once interconnected, and further easy to interconnect and to install, thanks to their integrated first and second connexions, their elongated base with voids and their spaced apart transversal members providing structural strength and dimensional stability to the module. 
     While preferred embodiments have been described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made therein without departing from the essence of this disclosure. Such modifications are considered as possible variants comprised in the scope of the disclosure.