Pyramid Rebar Support

Abstract

A support chair structure for use in supporting and spacing concrete reinforcement members, having a solid, integrally formed body, that is substantially shaped as a flat topped pyramid. The body includes an upper receiving area for receiving a concrete reinforcement member and a lower base that is adapted to rest on a planar support surface.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to chairs and spacers that are used for the support of reinforcement members within concrete structures. More particularly, the present invention relates to chairs of concrete construction, which are consistently stable, and reliably support and retain reinforcement members, such as post-tension cables, rebar, or mesh, while concrete is poured in construction activities.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Chairs are commonly used in the construction industry for the support and positioning of steel reinforcement members such as mesh, post-tension cables and/or reinforcement bars (“rebar”) a proper distance above a surface, in order to form a concrete slab. In normal use, a receiving area formed on the chair will contact and support the rebar while the base of the chair rests on a deck or on a grade. Reinforcing members are usually arranged in rows or grids within an area into which concrete is to be poured, and are held loosely in place while concrete is placed around them, such that both the reinforcing members and the chairs become embedded in the slab.

Proper spacing and arrangement of steel reinforcement members in concrete slabs according to known engineering and architectural specifications impacts the structural strength and integrity of the concrete structure. Such steel reinforcement requires sufficient cover to avoid exposing the steel to the effects of moisture-penetrating corrosion. Once the steel is exposed to the effects of chemical-laden moisture, corrosion starts taking effect. As such, the chairs must not retain moisture which would be trapped in the concrete, causing the steel members to corrode.

Known prior art chairs have features which provide support of rebar or post-tension cables safely within a concrete structure. For example, U.S. Pat. Pub. No. US 2007/0193189, U.S. Pat. No. 4,682,461, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,555,693 each disclose chairs that have a hollow, plastic body, composed of a plurality of legs, and a receiving area. Each of these chairs is composed of a lightweight plastic that can easily be knocked over or displaced, when concrete, a very dense, viscous composition, is poured around them during construction. As such, construction often comes to a halt, wherein workers are required to reset the chairs and any reinforcement members that were being supported by the chair. Furthermore, because all of these chairs have a hollow, inner cavity, both air and water can become trapped during the pouring process. Water can lead to corrosion, and air pockets can lead to instability in the final slab. As such, these chairs have been generally ineffective for meeting the needs of the construction industry. In the past, similar plastic chairs have been unable to withstand the loads placed upon them. As such, breakage and insufficient rebar support have occured. While the prior art chairs described above may be useful for their respective, particular objectives, a need exists for an economical chair that meets all of the requirements of the of the construction industry.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide a chair that has a solid construction, so as to prevent trapping any air or moisture during the concrete pouring process. Not only does the solid body of chair ensure that there will be no inconsistencies within the slab, but because the body is formed from concrete, this chair ensures that the slab will have a uniform strength throughout.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a chair that has a sufficient mass to provide reliable stability during the concrete pouring process. The area of the base of the chair is larger than that of the receiving area, thereby creating a low center of gravity, which helps to maintain the chairs stability.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a chair, with a pyramid shaped body, such that the expansive surface area of the base of the chair, in contrast to that of the receiving area, will provide dependable stability.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a chair that has a simple but reliably effective means for retaining concrete reinforcement members during the concrete pouring process.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a chair that is non-conductive and corrosion-proof.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a chair with sufficient strength to withstand the forces imparted on it.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a chair that is easy to manufacture and easy to use. Since there are no interior structures on the chair, it is a relatively easy process to manufacture the chairs.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a chair that is relatively inexpensive.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a chair that has parallel top and bottom planar surfaces, allowing a plurality of chairs to be stacked on top of each other for storage and shipment.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a chair that requires no assembly on site.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the attached specification and appended claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

While exemplary embodiments will be described below, these objectives are accomplished by a generally pyramid-shaped support chair having a solid, concrete, body with four sloped walls, a receiving area, and a base. The base is adapted to rest on a planar support surface. The outer walls slope centrally as they rise to form the receiving area. The receiving area is adapted to retain and support reinforcement members. The top of the receiving area is flat, and parallel to the planar base. In one aspect of the disclosure, the receiving area includes a pair of diametrically opposed, flat topped surfaces. Located between these raised surfaces is a curved channel that runs the length of the receiving area. The channel is used to retain and support the reinforcement member. In another aspect of the disclosure, the receiving area has a centrally placed hole. The hole is adapted for retaining and supporting the end of a concrete reinforcement member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one aspect of a chair having a channel for retaining and supporting the reinforcement member in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another aspect of a chair having a centrally placed hole for retaining and supporting a reinforcement member in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of four chairs having channeled receiving areas, retaining and supporting a grid of reinforcement members in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of four chairs having centrally located hole in the receiving area, retaining and supporting a lattice work of reinforcement members in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings, the novel reinforcement member support chair of this invention can be better understood by reference to FIG. 1. Illustrated in FIG. 1, a chair indicated generally at 10. The chair 10 includes a body consisting of four sloping walls 25, a flat, rectangular base 30, and a receiving area 50.

The base 30 is generally rectangular. The four walls 25 extend upwardly and inwardly from the base towards the receiving area 50. The walls 25 taper in width as they rise, resulting in a roughly pyramidal shape, until they terminate at the chairs top 26. The top 26 of the four sloping walls are joined along the four corner edges 27. In FIG. 1, the receiving area 50 has a flat top surface, which contains a pair of diametrically opposed, raised flat topped surfaces 51 and 52, which define a curved, open, central channel 60. Central channel 60 runs the length of receiving area and is sized for the receipt and retention of a reinforcement member, such as a post-tension cable or a rebar, therein. In FIG. 3, a plurality of chairs 10 can be seen retaining a grid of reinforcement members 100 in the channel 60 of their receiving area 50.

In FIG. 2, the receiving area 50 has a flat top surface, which contains a centrally placed hole 70. Hole 70 is sized for the receipt and retention of the end of a reinforcement member, such as a post-tension cable or a rebar, therein. In FIG. 4, a plurality of chairs 10 can be seen retaining a lattice work of reinforcement members 200 in the central hole 70 of their receiving area 50.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention is illustrative and explanatory thereof. Various changes in the details of the illustrated configuration may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the true spirit of the invention. The present invention should only be limited by the following claims and their legal equivalents.

Claims

1. A support chair structure for use in supporting and spacing concrete reinforcement members during a concrete pouring procedure, comprising:

a solid, integrally formed, concrete body, that is substantially shaped as a flat topped pyramid;

a receiving area;

a lower base, said base is adapted to rest on a planar support surface;

2. The chair of claim 1, wherein said receiving area includes a pair of diametrically opposed, flat topped surfaces, defining a curved, open, central channel, said channel runs the length of the receiving area, for retaining and supporting a concrete reinforcement member.

3. The chair of claim 1, wherein said receiving area has a centrally placed hole, adapted for retaining and supporting the end of a concrete reinforcement member.

4. The chair of claim 1, wherein the height of said body is 2 inches.

5. The chair of claim 1, wherein the height of said body is 3 inches.

6. The chair of claim 1, wherein the height of said body is 4 inches.

7. A support chair structure for use in supporting and spacing concrete reinforcement members during a concrete pouring procedure, comprising:

a solid, integrally formed, concrete body, that is substantially shaped as a flat topped pyramid;

a receiving area; said receiving area includes a pair of diametrically opposed, perpendicularly raised, flat topped surfaces, defining a curved, open, central channel, said channel runs the length of the receiving area, for retaining and supporting a concrete reinforcement member.

a lower base, said base is adapted to rest on a planar support surface.

8. A support chair structure for use in supporting and spacing concrete reinforcement members during a concrete pouring procedure, comprising:

a solid, integrally formed, concrete body, that is substantially shaped as a flat topped pyramid;

a receiving area; said receiving area has a centrally placed hole, adapted for retaining and supporting the end of a concrete reinforcement member a lower base, said base is adapted to rest on a planar support surface;