Patent Abstract:
A clip for securing a prestressed cable along a dovetail slot within a cement cast for masonry work. The clip contains a cup receiving the prestressed cable and legs for a fixed attachment to the outside of a dovetail bar. A method of installing the clip includes inserting the clip between the dovetail slot and the prestressed cable and rotating the clip such that the prestressed cable is received within the cup and the legs capture the dovetail slot.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/074,300, filed Nov. 3, 2014. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This invention relates to clips for securing prestressed cables along a dovetail slot in a cement cast or masonry. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Dovetail slots are generally cast within and along concrete panels used in masonry. The dovetail slots cast within the concrete panels are generally used to attach clips or inserts for supporting masonry such as brick to be attached to the concrete panels. Dovetail slots are usually comprised of galvanized metal, stainless steel, iron, or any other strong fabricated high-strength metal or composite. 
         [0006]    Prior to cementing operations, tensioned cables such as prestressed cables are cemented within the casts to increase strength and support. The prestressed cables cemented within the casts tend to sag or shift due to gravity or forces from a cement mixture while being poured into the cast. Additionally, during cementing operations, the dovetail slot tends to slide or move from forces applied while pouring the liquid cement. Preferably, the cables are cemented with little or no deviation from their intended position to promote accurate cutting and strength of the cement casts. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    In one aspect, a strand clip for supporting a prestressed cable above a dovetail slot in a cement casting comprising a bar having a first end and a second end, a first plate fixed horizontally to the bar at the first end, a second plate fixed vertically to the body at the second end and having a plate extension in the same plane as the second plate extending to the first plate, a cup in the plate extension sized to receive a prestressed cable, and at least two legs, with one leg extending from the bar adjacent the second plate and another extending from the first plate, wherein the bar is sized to be received between the prestressed cable and the dovetail slot with the second plate disposed horizontally. When the second plate is rotated vertically, the prestressed cable is received in the cup. 
         [0008]    In another aspect, a cement casting prepared to receive cement comprising at least one dovetail slot, a prestressed cable above the dovetail slot, and a plurality of strand clips for positioning the prestressed cable above the dovetail slot. The strand clips each comprise a bar having a first end and a second end, a first plate fixed horizontally to the body at the first end, a second plate fixed vertically to the body at the second end and having a plate extension in the same plate as the second plate extending to the first plate. The strand clips further comprise a cup in the plate extension sized to receive a prestressed cable and at least two legs, one extending from the bar adjacent the second plate and another extending from the first plate wherein the bar is sized to be received between the prestressed cable and the dovetail slot. 
         [0009]    In another aspect, a method of supporting a prestressed cable above a dovetail slot in a cement casting comprising providing a strand clip. The strand clip comprises a bar having a first end and a second end, a first plate fixed horizontally to the body at the first end, a second plate fixed vertically to the body at the second end and having a plate extension in the same plate as the second plate extending to the first plate, a cup in the plate extension sized to receive a prestressed cable, and at least two legs, one extending from the bar adjacent the second plate an another extending from the first plate wherein the bar is sized to be received between the prestressed cable and the dovetail slot. The method further comprises positioning the strand chair so the vertical plate is horizontal, sliding the vertical plate between the prestressed cable and the dovetail slot until the dovetail slot is between the at least two legs, and rotating the vertical plate until the prestressed cable is received in the cup and the legs capture the dovetail slot. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    In the drawings: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a prestressed cable mounted to a dovetail slot with a dovetail clip. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a bottom view of the dovetail clip of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the dovetail clip of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a top view of the dovetail clip of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a bottom perspective view of the dovetail clip of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a top perspective view of the dovetail clip of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a view illustrating inserting the dovetail clip according to a method of installing the dovetail clip. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a view illustrating rotating the dovetail clip after insertion. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0019]    As used herein, the term ‘prestressing’ or ‘prestressed’ when used in combination with cable refers to cable, which can be or has been tensioned by a force such that the cable can become taut. It should be appreciated that the terms ‘prestressing’ and ‘prestressed’ can be used interchangeably and should not be understood as limiting the invention to either of a cable which has been tensioned or can be or will be tensioned. It is further contemplated that the invention can be utilized with a non-tensioned cable, which can be capable of tensioning. 
         [0020]    Additionally, as used herein, the term ‘horizontal’ refers to a surface, plane, or axis extending parallel to the concrete cast surface along which a dovetail slot can rest. Similarly, as used herein, the term ‘vertical’ refers to a surface, plane, or axis extending orthogonal to the horizontal plane as previously defined. 
         [0021]    Turning now to the drawings and to  FIG. 1  in particular, a dovetail clip  10  is shown in its installed, final position, attached to a dovetail slot  12  and supporting a prestressed cable  14 . The dovetail clip  10 , dovetail slot  12 , and prestressed cable  14  are ultimately cemented within a concrete casting usually used for masonry. The dovetail slot  12  is typically used for retaining supporting parts and for supporting additional masonry attachments which are mounted along the concrete cast. The prestressed cable  14  is positioned above and parallel to the dovetail slot  12 . The dovetail clip  10  supports the prestressed cable  14  at a consistent distance from the dovetail slot  12  and maintains alignment of the prestressed cable  14  along the dovetail slot  12 , and vice versa. The dovetail clip  10  facilitates accurate placement of the prestressed cable  14  and prevents unwanted movement of the prestressed cable  14  or dovetail slot  12  relative to one another during cementing operations. The tension of the prestressed cable  14  provides a downward force to the dovetail clip  10 . The downward force, utilizing the dovetail clip  10 , holds the dovetail slot  12  in position, aligned with the prestressed cable  14 , facilitating accurate and optimal position of the dovetail slot  12  in the concrete casting. 
         [0022]    In the concrete casting, multiple dovetail clips  10  can mount along the length of the dovetail slot  12  to ensure that the prestressed cable  14  secures the dovetail slot  12  in place along the length of the concrete casting. The use of dovetail clips  10  will additionally mitigate any unwanted sagging or moving of a prestressed cable  14  as uncured cement is poured into a casting. The dovetail clip  10  is preferably made of high strength plastic, carbon fibers, or polyethylene, while stronger, heavier materials such as steel, iron, stainless steel, or any other materials are contemplated. The dovetail clip  10  can be machined, cast as a single unit, or injection molded during manufacture. 
         [0023]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2-6 , the dovetail clip  10  comprises a body disposed as a bar  20  having a first end  22  and a second end  24 . The bar  20  further comprises a bottom surface  26  (see  FIGS. 3 and 5 ) defining a horizontal plane. A first plate  30  is fixed to the bar  20  at the first end  22  and a second plate  32  is fixed to the bar at the second end  24 . The first plate  30  is fixed horizontally, being parallel to the horizontal plane defined by the bottom surface  26 . The second plate  32  is fixed vertically, relative to the horizontal plane of the bottom surface  26 , being oriented normal to the first plate  30 . The second plate  32  can define a vertical plane disposed parallel to the vertical disposition of the vertical plate  32 . The first and second plates  30 ,  32 , as illustrated, comprise a semi-circular shape extending from the bar  20 , however, additional shapes for the plates  30 ,  32  are contemplated. 
         [0024]    The second plate  32  has an extension  34  being in the vertical plane and extending from the second plate  32  over the bar  20 . The extension  34  extends over the bar  20  opposite the bottom surface  26  of the bar  20 , terminating in the horizontal surface of the first plate  30 . The extension  34  comprises a cup  36  being sized to receive a prestressed cable  14 . The cup  36  can be disposed between a set of ears  38  extending from the extension  34  opposite of the bar  20 . Best seen in  FIG. 2 , the cup  36  is disposed within the extension  34  such that a height  40  is defined between the innermost portion of the cup  36  and the bottom surface  26 . The bar  20  and the cup  36  can be sized such that the height  40  is adapted to space an inserted prestressed cable  14  from the dovetail slot  12  at a desired distance. 
         [0025]    A portion  42  can extend from each ear  38  within the cup  36 . The portions  42  are sized to permit the insertion of a prestressed cable  14  into the cup  36  while providing a retaining force to secure the dovetail clip  10  to the prestressed cable  14 , preventing the prestressed cable  14  from lifting out of the cup  36  during installation, tensioning, or cementing operations. 
         [0026]    On the opposite side of the dovetail clip  10  of the extension  34 , the dovetail clip  10  can have at least two legs  50 , exemplarily illustrated as three legs  50  with each leg  50  having a foot  52 . Best seen in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , a first leg  54  extends from the second end  24  of the bar  20  adjacent to the second plate  32 . Second and third legs  56 ,  58 , extend from the first plate  30 , being disposed on corners of the first plate  30  defined by the semi-circular shape of the first plate  30 . In an alternative embodiment, the dovetail clip  10  can have only a second leg without the third leg, with the second leg being disposed adjacent the first end  22  of the bar  20 . The legs  50  are spaced such that they capture the dovetail slot  12  when having the dovetail slot  12  inserted between the legs  50 . The legs  50  capture the dovetail slot  12  utilizing a frictional force, and further prevent lateral movement of the dovetail clip  10 , prestressed cable  14 , or the dovetail slot  12  relative to one another. 
         [0027]    Turning now to  FIG. 7 , the method of inserting the dovetail clip  10  between the prestressed cable  14  and the dovetail slot  12  can be described. The dovetail clip  10  is positioned such that the first plate  30  is disposed vertically and that the second plate  32  is disposed horizontally, relative to a horizontal plane defined by the top surface  62  of the dovetail slot  12  on which the dovetail clip  10  can rest. As can be appreciated, the disposition of the dovetail clip  10  can be accomplished by rotation of the dovetail clip  10  about an axis extending longitudinally through the bar  20 . The width of the first leg  54 , the bar  20 , the second plate  32 , and the extension  34  can be of a thickness such that a gap  60  between the dovetail slot  12  and the prestressed cable  14  is wider than the thickness, facilitating sliding insertion of the dovetail clip  10  into the gap  60 . The dovetail clip  10  is inserted until the end of the first plate  30  and the second leg  56  abut the dovetail slot  12 . 
         [0028]    In  FIG. 8 , after the sliding insertion as shown in  FIG. 7 , the dovetail clip  10  can be rotated about the longitudinal axis defined by the bar  20 . During rotation, the horizontal orientation of the second plate becomes vertical, and the vertical orientation of the first plate becomes horizontal. Thus, from the position upon insertion, the dovetail clip  10  is rotated 90-degrees such that the prestressed cable  14  is received in the cup  36 , and the flat bottom surface  26  rests flat upon the top surface  62  of the dovetail slot  12 . After properly rotating the dovetail clip  10  as shown in  FIG. 8 , the final installed position is reflected in  FIG. 1 . This process can be repeated for multiple dovetail clips  10  being installed within a concrete casting, being installed along the same dovetail slot  12  or multiple separate dovetail slots  12 . 
         [0029]    In the final installed position, the legs  50  capture the dovetail slot  12 , preventing lateral movement of the prestressed cable  14  relative to the dovetail slot  12 . Furthermore, the portions  42  extending into the cup  36  grip the inserted prestressed cable  14 . The portions  42  hold the dovetail clip  10  to the prestressed cable  14  if the prestressed cable  14  moves away from the dovetail slot  12 , with the legs  50  having a sufficient length to capture the dovetail slot  12  when the prestressed cable  14  returns to its initial position. 
         [0030]    The method as described is preferably accomplished by human force by inserting and twisting each dovetail clip  10  by hand. This is accomplished by gripping the first plate  30 , inserting the dovetail clip  10  between the prestressed cable  14  and the dovetail slot  12 , and rotating the dovetail clip  10  in a until the prestressed cable  14  is received in the cup  36 . This method provides for easy installation, saving time and money while effectively securing the dovetail slot  12  in a cement cast, utilizing the force from stressing the prestressed cables  14 . 
         [0031]    While the invention has been specifically described in connection with certain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that this is by way of illustration and not of limitation. Reasonable variation and modification are possible within the scope of the forgoing disclosure and drawings without departing from the spirit of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4