Abstract: The invention relates to a system for erecting a building structure, the system comprising a foundation for receiving the building structure, and a plurality of inner and outer walls, roof and floor panels, the panels being adapted to engage each other for defining at least one story of the building structure, wherein the foundation comprises a first section and a second section, the first section being adapted to bear the load of the building structure and the second section being adapted to provide access to the interiors of the building structure.

Abstract: A plurality of seismic foundation frames are utilized to secure rebar in a fixed location to produce a cementitious supporting form that is embedded in the poured concrete and reinforces the concrete. The frame has an open construction with a plurality of openings to allow the concrete to flow therethrough and to provide increased surface area for reinforcement. The frame has pin openings and rebar openings for receiving and retaining pins or rebar respectively, such as when the frames are stacked. A frame has rebar retainers for retaining rebar that extends perpendicularly to the surface of the frame to a second frame at an offset distance. A flexible containment sleeve is configured around the frames and may be fastened to the frame to create a sleeved form for receiving a cementitious mix. The containment sleeve has apertures for controlled permeation to control the rate of cure of the cementitious mix.

Abstract: A continuous length of material comprising a central straight portion. An arcuate bend is formed at the first end by a downward bend relative to the central straight portion. An eye extends from the arcuate bend with a first end extending from the arcuate bend and a second end formed from an upward bend in the continuous length of material to elevate the second end of the eye above the central straight portion. A locking leg extends from the second end of the eye downward forming a locking hook.

Abstract: A fixture for setting rebar at a predetermined distance from the rim of an excavated pit includes elongated first and second legs each having a proximal end and a distal end, the first and second legs rigidly joined at their mutual proximal ends to form an L-shape; an angle adjustment device carried by the first leg, comprising a foot movable towards or away from the first leg along an axis generally parallel to the second leg; a support bracket carried by the first leg at a predetermined offset distance from the proximal end thereof; and a hook extending from the distal end of the second leg, generally parallel to the first leg.

Abstract: A field-assembly dowel basket for concrete construction configured for in-the-field assembly from a small number of component parts, including dowels, dowel sleeves that loosely house the dowels, “W” shaped frame wires that support the dowel sleeves, straight shipping wires that connect dowel basket sections together, and “T” connectors that join the frame sections to the shipping wires. Various embodiments of the field-assembly dowel basket may use different types of dowel sleeves, such as open-channel sleeves, closed-channel sleeves, and sealed-channel sleeves in which tape or another suitable cover is used to seal open-channel sleeves. The dowel sleeves may house different types of dowels, such as rectangular plate dowels and round rod dowels.

Abstract: A field-assembly dowel basket for concrete construction configured for in-the-field assembly from standardized components. This allows a number of standard components, including clips, connectors and wire frame components, to be conveniently transported and stored on construction sites to facilitate on-site assembly of dowel baskets on an as-needed, where-needed basis. Since the dowel basket components are much smaller than assembled baskets, they can be shipped and stored much more cost effectively. Standardization of components allows mass production, consolidates inventory management, and avoids the need for ad hoc fabrication for each construction site. On-site fabrication largely eliminates welding from the dowel basket fabrication process (wire frame clips may involve welding), avoids shipping of fabricated dowel baskets, and allows assembly of dowel basket by construction workers as opposed to highly skilled welding shops.

Abstract: A conduit for the formation of pervious pavement includes a first portion and a second portion joinable to the first portion. The first portion includes a pair of first receiving notches and a pair of third receiving notches oriented perpendicular to the first receiving notches. The second portion includes a pair of second receiving notches and a pair of fourth receiving notches oriented perpendicular to the first receiving notches. When the first and second portions are joined to one another, the pair of first receiving notches cooperates with the pair of second receiving notches to define a pair of first attachment openings for receiving a first structural member of a reinforcing mesh, and the pair of third receiving notches cooperates with the pair of fourth receiving notches to define a pair of second attachment openings for receiving a second structural member of the reinforcing mesh.

Abstract: A conduit for the formation of pervious pavement includes a first connector and a second connector joinable to the first connector. The first connector includes a pair of first receiving notches. The second connector includes a pair of second receiving notches oriented perpendicular to the first receiving notches. When the first and second connector are joined to one another, the pair of first receiving notches cooperates with the second connector to define a pair of first attachment openings for receiving a first structural member of a reinforcing mesh, and the pair of second receiving notches cooperates with the first connector to define a pair of second attachment openings for receiving a second structural member of the reinforcing mesh. First and second tubes are inserted into the first and second connectors to complete the conduit assembly.

Abstract: Tactile detection embedment plates used in pedestrian walkways releasably aligned by a bracket on at least one of the embedment plates. The bracket can be mated with a bracket on another plate to define a receiver yoke in which a wedge is disposed for a releasable plate assembly connection.

Abstract: A pavement dowel bar assembly is reinforced to maintain the alignment of dowel bars during the paving process. An exemplary dowel bar assembly includes a side frame having at least one bracing member. The bracing member is convertible between a first, stored position and a second, deployed position. When in the first, stored position, the bracing member is generally parallel to a plane defined by the side frame. In the second, deployed position, the bracing member is at an angle relative to the plane of the side frame. The dowel bar assembly may further include a plurality of dowel bars and a second side frame. Also described herein are methods of reinforcing a pavement dowel bar assembly with a convertible bracing member.

Abstract: A spacer is provided for attachment to a pair of intersecting reinforcement wires to space them from a form. The spacer has a base member having a generally planar shape and two opposite sides, one of the sides having two continuous grooves that extend completely across the base member and that intersect one another for receiving therein a pair of intersecting reinforcement wires, and the other of the sides having a projection that projects outwardly therefrom a preselected distance to space the intersecting reinforcement wires a specified distance from a form. A cover member covers the one side of the base member. The cover member has fastening portions that coact with complementary fastening portions on the base member to fasten the cover member to the base member with the intersecting reinforcement wires sandwiched therebetween to thereby attach the spacer to the intersecting reinforcement wires.

Abstract: A support leg for a dowel sleeve, the dowel sleeve having a hollow open body at a second end spaced from one end of the body connectable to a construction plate. The support leg has a spigot engagable in the body, the exterior of which is engaged by an abutment face. The effective length of the support leg is adjustable by selectively detaching one or more leg member segments, each provided with a disc-like base member.

Abstract: This invention is related to a device to separate or out a distance apart structural metallic elements for concrete, between them or in relation to a surface on which concrete is going to be poured, in order to obtain coatings or layers of concrete with specified widths. The chair proposed it is made preferably of propylene and it is made by two vertical walls opposite each other and joined by a third wall orthogonal to the first two (load axis); the vertical opposite walls show on its upper end a semi-circular cavity to support an structural metallic element to be supported, and in its lower part, each one of the walls is divided in three legs, being defined the two on the ends by the vertical edges and a cavity preferably in form of arch between them, and the third being a projection of the transversal wall. All the walls show hollow arches in their lower ends and in some embodiments, preferably for pieces with heights above 2.

Abstract: A rebar safety protective cover for use on the projecting free end of concrete reinforcing bar to prevent impact injuries comprising: (a) a hollow cylindrical body closed at one end and open at the other, (b) a flat overhanging impact head of substantial extent projecting laterally outwardly beyond said closed end of the body, said body and impact head being of a thickness and integrally formed of a plastic material to provide a protective cover which passes the Cal OSHA drop test when the rebar is positioned within said protective cover at an angle such that the free end of the rebar abuts the inside lateral extremity of said closed end.

Abstract: A protection system comprises a body section and optional ramps for facilitating travel over the body section. The protection system may comprise base and arm members, which have bottom surfaces at different elevations to fit over an elevation change. In use, the protection system is installed over a surface to be protected, which may be a portion of an infrastructure improvement, such as a sidewalk, curb, gutter, or other structure. Traffic crossing the surface of the infrastructure improvement is then directed over the protection system, where the topical load from the traffic is distributed across the surface. When the use is complete, the protection system may be removed from the surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for combining adjacent concrete slabs including a dowel, an end cap, and a side frame. The end cap has a hood defining a curved channel extending at least partially around a dowel receiving end. The side frame has at least one wire received in the curved channel. Also, an end cap having an integrally formed supporting portion including first and second wire supports for supporting substantially parallel side frame cross wires. Also, an end cap including first and second sleeves positioned along opposing tangents of the outer peripheral surface of the end cap for receiving differing portions of a side frame, and further including a resilient protrusion for receiving a further differing portion of the side frame.

Abstract: A bolster for use in construction has a beam, a first plurality of leg members on one side of the beam, a second plurality of leg members on an opposite side of the beam, and a plate having a first receptacle on one side and a second receptacle on the opposite side. The first receptacle receives a portion of the first plurality of leg members therein. The second receptacle receives a portion of the second plurality of leg members therein. The plate is integrally formed of an extruded polymeric material.

Abstract: A bolster for use in construction has a beam, a first plurality of leg members on one side of the beam, a second plurality of leg members on an opposite side of the beam, a first plate having a receptacle on one side thereof and a second plate having a receptacle on one side thereof. The receptacle of the first plate receives a portion of the first plurality of leg members therein. The receptacle of the second plate receives a portion of the second plurality of leg members therein. The receptacles having a generally C-shaped cross section for resiliently contacting surfaces of the respective leg members. The plate is integrally formed of an extruded polymeric material.

Abstract: A structure is described for supporting concrete reinforcement bars in a concrete structure, such as a footer or foundation. The structure includes a base member having a lower surface and an opposing upper surface. A plurality of pairs of opposing first leg members extend upward from the upper surface of the base member. Each of the first leg members have a lower end connected to the base member and an upper end distally disposed from the lower end. The structure includes a plurality of cradles for receiving the reinforcement bars, where each cradle is attached to the upper ends of a corresponding pair of the opposing first leg members. In a preferred embodiment, the structure includes horizontal support members disposed between and connecting the cradles. To retain the reinforcement bars within the cradles, preferred embodiments of the structure include retaining members that protrude inward from the inner surfaces of the opposing sidewalls.

Abstract: A support apparatus (10) for providing a robust load bearing support for screed rails (12) during the laying of concrete in which the height of the screed rails can be accurately adjusted and supported so as to allow the screed rails to be used for carrying concrete levelling devices such as a roller beam levelling device consists of a ground engaging base block (14), a first member (22) releasably connected at its lower end to the base block and a support member (28) releasably connected to the upper end of the first member for supporting the screed rails (12) at a desired height above the ground (16) where the first member and support member combination is of adjustable length to permit adjustment of the height of the screed rails carried thereby.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for constructing large, continuous, concrete slabs without using conventional shrinkage joints. The system comprises a grid of closely-spaced crack inducers (2) arranged relative to a concrete-pouring surface and adapted to be covered by concrete. The crack inducers (2) may be connected to one another with connectors (10). The crack inducers (2) are of a size, shape and spacing to promote formation of fine cracks in the vicinity of the inducers (2) throughout the slab when the concrete sets.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for suspending and positioning structural reinforcement elements such as rebar within a framework for a slab-on-grade foundation or other type of concrete structure. Each rebar support of the present invention comprises a plurality of rebar support arms that, in concert with the other components of the foundation or concrete structure, supports one or more pieces of rebar in a desired orientation.

Abstract: A quick-connector for terminal fastening of a penetrating rebar (7) to a perpendicularly oriented concrete dowel (2), the connector comprising a wire clip (1) having a deflected segment of wire of the length (L) at least partially made of resilient-elastic metal, wherein the wire clip (1) includes, with respect to a primary turning arc (3), arms (5, 5′) that are mirror-symmetrical to an angle-bisecting plane (4), wherein each arm (5, 5′) forms a deflected secondary turning arc (6, 6′) transverse to the primary turning arc (3) and a clippable hook (8, 8′) that rests force-lockingly into a radial external surface zone (9), of a terminal radial expansion (1), of the concrete dowel (2).

Abstract: A method and system are provided for constructing large, continuous, concrete slabs without using conventional shrinkage joints. The system comprises a grid of closely-spaced crack inducers (2) arranged relative to a concrete-pouring surface and adapted to be covered by concrete. The crack inducers (2) may be connected to one another with connectors (10). The crack inducers (2) are of a size, shape and spacing to promote formation of fine cracks in the vicinity of the inducers (2) throughout the slab when the concrete sets.

Abstract: A concrete reinforcing bar support including a base, a support structure extending upwardly from the base, a first clamping member affixed to the support structure and extending upwardly above a top surface of the support structure, a second clamping member affixed to the support structure and extending upwardly above a top surface of the support structure, and a third clamping member affixed to the support structure and extending upwardly above the top surface of the support structure. The second clamping member has an interior surface generally facing the interior surfaces of the first and third clamping members. The first clamping member is separated by a space from the third clamping member. Ribs extend inwardly from the interior surfaces of each of the clamping members so as to compressively contact a reinforcing bar placed interior of the clamping members. The support structure has a generally H-shaped cross-section in a plane parallel to said base.

Abstract: The invention relates to supports for apparatus for transferring weight loads from one concrete structure to another. The devices are particularly suited for concrete highway construction. The support apparatus is used to position joint dowels that extend across paving joints between adjoining concrete slabs. The support apparatus comprises a first and a second support, each positioned on opposing sides of the paving joint. Each of the first and second supports comprise at least one longitudinally extending member having at least two cross members attached thereto such that one end of the cross member extends outwardly beyond the member. At least one clip comprising a body having a cavity therein, a gripper connected to the body and a cylindrical sleeve connected to the body is attached to each support. The clip is mounted to the end of a cross member so that the first end of the cross member is received into the cavity of the body and the attached gripper grasps the adjacent portion of the member.

Abstract: A support device for use in tilt-wall construction including a support body having at least two support legs and a bottom extending between the support legs, and a base formed of a polymeric material. The base is affixed to the bottom of the support body. The base has a plurality of legs extending outwardly therefrom. The support body is of a generally U-shaped or L-shaped cross-section. The support body is formed of a single piece of a metal material. The support legs each have a slot formed adjacent an edge opposite the bottom. These slots open on opposite sides of the support legs.

Abstract: A reinforced-concrete floor slab thickness indicator/reinforcement rod spacer combination consists of a base, a spacer and an indicator erected from the base, and a bracket integrally and laterally extended from the spacer. The indicator is releasably attached to the bracket by a U-shaped clamping member cooperating with a cam member. The spacer consisted of a seat fixedly mounted on the base, a medial portion threadedly connected with the seat and a supporting portion slideably mounted on the medial portion.

Abstract: A method of using a support unit for providing a plurality of sub-units, each of the sub-units adapted to hold construction structures such as reinforcing mats off of the ground or form is comprised of a body member having at least one set of at least one slit along the body for providing a weakened area on the body. An opening is located one either side of each of the at least one slit. Sub-units are broken off from the body member and the sub-unit is used to hold the construction structures. Each sub-unit can be secured to the construction structure via the openings.

Abstract: A chair having a receiving area with a horizontal section and a generally parabolic section extending transverse to the horizontal section, and a plurality of separate legs extending downwardly from the receiving area. Each of the legs has a foot extending horizontally outwardly therefrom. The receiving area and the plurality of legs are integrally formed together of a polymeric material. The horizontal section and the generally parabolic section have a cruciform configuration. Each of the legs has a rectangular cross-section in a horizontal plane. The horizontal section of the receiving area has a numerical indicia molded thereon which is indicative of a distance between a top of the horizontal section and a bottom of the foot. The foot of one of the plurality of separate legs has a top surface with a numerical indicia molded thereon. The numerical indicia on the horizontal section of the receiving area is oriented in a different direction than the numerical indicia on the foot.

Abstract: A chair for use in construction including a receiving area and a plurality of legs extending downwardly from the receiving area. Each of the plurality of legs has a foot extending horizontally outwardly therefrom. The foot of one of the legs is separate from the foot of an adjacent leg. The receiving area and the plurality of legs are integrally formed together of a polymeric material. The receiving area has a generally parabolic indentation. A first pair of the plurality of legs extends in a plane transverse to a second pair of the legs. Each of the feet has a planar bottom surface with a projection extending downwardly therefrom. A projection is integrally formed with the feet.

Abstract: A screed bar support saddle is carried by vertically adjustable legs mounted on the ends of support arms swingable in a horizontal plane so as to vary the spacing between the legs, between the legs and the screed bar, and to adjustably position the legs relative to the screed bar. The adjustable positioning and spacing of the legs enables the screed bar support assembly to be placed to avoid interference with reinforcing steel or wire, pipes, and the like, and to accommodate concrete pouring upon corrugated surfaces having different spacing ofcorrugating grooves. The screed bar is held against torsional and pivotal motion within a support saddle and precisely adjusted in elevation by rotation of an adjustment tool formed on the end of a sight rod that is used with a transit, level, or the like, for precision elevation control.

Abstract: A screed bar support stake and method are uniquely adapted to concrete screeding operations utilizing a vibratory-type screed. The stake is formed with means which allow it to be located after the concrete has been poured and is also adapted with means enabling the stake to be removed for reuse before the concrete hardens thus saving the cost of the stake. A mating drive member facilitates easy placement of the stake.