Patent ID: 7082802

Claim:
A method for creating an integral spacer in a metallic frame for reinforced concrete pipe, comprising the steps of: providing a substantially cylindrical shaped metallic frame comprising a plurality of longitudinally oriented reinforcing members and a plurality of transversely oriented reinforcing members to define a first length and a first diameter; providing a deforming apparatus comprising a pulling arm interconnected to a drive mechanism that is interconnected to a housing, which is selectively interconnected to a support; positioning at least one of said longitudinally oriented reinforcing members proximate to said pulling arm; securing said at least one longitudinally oriented reinforcing member to said pulling arm; and pulling said longitudinally oriented reinforcing member in a direction substantially away from said cylindrical shaped metal frame with sufficient force to permanently deform said at least one of said longitudinally oriented reinforcing member, wherein said substantially cylindrical shaped metal frame has a greater diameter at the location where said longitudinally oriented reinforcing member has been deformed.