Abstract: A construction system definable in terms of an X, Y, and Z coordinate axes which provides a first part having a hollow four-walled web elongate in the Z axis, having a securement flange on the upper XZ base of the elongate Z axis member; and a second part having at least one open end for complemental engagement of the first part wherein the second part may fit over distal ends of said first part in which a cross-section of the second part is generally that of the first part, but wide and tall enough to allow the first part to slip within the second part, and said second part having an opposite end of said opening, wherein said second part securing the first part to a structural support.

Abstract: Concrete which is used in structural support of freeways, bridges, and large buildings, must be tested for anomalies. The testing equipment consists of probes which are inserted into testing tubes. The tubes are placed within rebar cages before concrete is poured. The prior art involved ad hoc methods of tying the tubes to the rebar. The improvement is pre-fabricated, mass produced cylindrical devices which can be axially snapped onto the testing tube. A first cylindrical device also has a perpendicular receptacle which facilitates connection to a second cylindrical device, where the second device can be axially snapped onto a piece of longitudinal rebar on the edge of the rebar cage. The combined first and second devices safely, accurately, and quickly affix the testing tubes to the rebar.

Abstract: A rebar construction and transportation system includes a plurality of rebar members. A jig is provided. Each of the rebar members is positioned in the jig to retain each of the rebar members in a selected pattern. A plurality of first couplers is each removably coupled to an associated one of the rebar members. Each of the first couplers may be selectively coupled to a crane to transport the rebar members. A plurality of second couplers is provided. Each of the second couplers is selectively positioned in an open position and a closed position. Each of the second couplers is positioned around an associated one of the rebar members when the second couplers are positioned in the closed position. Each of the second couplers engages the jig such the jig is retained at the selected point on the rebar members.

Abstract: A spacer for spacing the reinforcing cage from the forms used in making concrete products. The spacer of the invention is made from plastic in the shape of a wheel with spokes that join an outer ring with an inner ring that engages a horizontal wire on the wire cage. The rings have gaps to provide for installation of the spacer on a cage wire. The gap in the outer ring is closed by a latch that when properly engaged, will lock the spacer in place on the wire, thus positively holding the spacer on the wire once it is locked in place.

Abstract: A support chair for bracing objects, such as rebar, cable, or the like. The support chair is preferably configured to support rebar at any one of multiple different heights.

Abstract: A support chair for bracing objects, such as rebar, cable, or the like. The support chair is preferably configured to support rebar at any one of multiple different heights.

Abstract: A lath securing system is provided that is configured to durably retain wire lath in a spaced position from a wall that is to be coated, the system comprising a retaining member for retaining a section of wire lath therein to restrain the wire lath in a secure position; and a fastening member comprising rigid means for securing the retaining member to the wall so that when the retaining member is fastened to the wall, the section of wire lath within the retaining means is secured in a spaced position away from the wall so as to permit application of wall coating without significant movement of the wire lath.

Abstract: A structural element for constructing an auxiliary means for the manufacture of a reinforcement includes at least one coupling point for coupling the structural element to another structural element. The structural element is formed from a basic element. The structural element may further include a holding means for holding a reinforcement rod. A method for constructing an auxiliary means and a method for manufacturing a reinforcement are also provided.

Abstract: A reinforcement bar positioning device may comprise an elongated main member having a longitudinal axis, with the main member defining a pair of apertures spaced from each other along the longitudinal axis. The positioning device may also comprise at least one securing member mounted on the main member and configured to secure a reinforcement bar in one of the apertures of the main member.

Abstract: Concrete lumber replacement can be made to exact measurements and cuts. Once placed in the structure, it would make the structure more durable under severe weather conditions. It also deters insects that can destroy the structure over time. Concrete is a fire retardant. If a fire happens, the foundation and frame will still be intact. To date, concrete has never been used in framing. In return, it will conserve trees and lower the overall cost to build the structure.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a steel joist assembly for use in association with a concrete slab and being adapted to form a composite steel joist including a steel joist and a pair of end connectors. The steel joist has a top portion with a generally planar top surface and a planar web generally orthogonal to the generally planar top surface. An end connector is attached at each end of the steel joist. Each end connector has a strut and a diagonal member. The strut has a generally planar bottom surface which is attached to a portion of the generally planar top surface of the steel joist and the diagonal member is attached at one end thereof to the strut and at the other end thereof to a portion of the planar web of the steel joist.

Abstract: A reinforcement retainer in the form of a resilient insert for maintaining at least one construction reinforcement member within an aperture in a construction component such as a building block or a brick. The insert is an elongate body with distal ends and is proportioned to be received within the opening. Flexible feet are located at the distal ends and are capable of deformation to press on inner faces of the aperture to adjust the location of one or more reinforcement members prior to setting in concrete slurry. The insert defines at least one stay arranged in use to support one of the reinforcement members.

Abstract: This disclosure describes an attachment apparatus for securing position and elevation of dowels above a vapor barrier without compromising the ability of the vapor barrier to impede vapor seepage. Various embodiments of the attachment apparatus include, but are not limited to, a ring-shaped force-fit attachment apparatus, magnetically coupled plates, a saddle attachment apparatus, a stake with a flange, a self-sealing stake, and a retainer clip attachment apparatus.

Abstract: A spacer for retaining a cladding element on a building element in a spaced apart relationship has a constant cross-section in its longitudinal direction. The spacer is an at least substantially hollow structure having at least one external wall enclosing an interior space. At least one fastener insertion path extends through the interior space. The fastener insertion path is capable of holding a fastener disposed therein prior to mounting the spacer and cladding element on the building element. The spacer preferably comprises planar surfaces on opposite sides thereof that are configured to abut the cladding element and the building element, respectively.

Abstract: An embodiment of a rebar securing device includes a first platform and a second platform. A frame is coupled to the first platform and the second platform. A first clamp is coupled to the frame, wherein a first rebar oriented along a first axis is receivable in the first clamp. A second clamp is coupled to the frame, wherein a second rebar oriented in a direction that is substantially parallel to the first axis is receivable the second clamp. A third clamp is located in the second platform, wherein a third rebar oriented along a second axis is receivable in the third clamp. A fourth clamp is located in the first platform, wherein a fourth rebar oriented along a third axis is receivable in the fourth clamp.

Abstract: A composite panel comprises an outer skins and an inner core. The inner core includes a frame, an elastomeric material disposed between at least a portion of the frame and the outer skin, and a foamed polymer filler. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing the same.

Abstract: Crack inducer apparatus including: a support body and a cracking strip fixable to the support body, the support body having: two or more mounting formations formed for mounting to separate reinforcing bar, each mounting formation being spaced from another or the other mounting formation by a predetermined spacing and being formed to prevent rotation about an axis orthogonal to the separate reinforcing bar when mounted thereto; and one or more strip fixing formations formed to accommodate fixing of the cracking strip to the support body; a trunk assembly from which the mounting formations and the or each strip fixing formations extend, each formation having a spatial disposition with respect to the other formations; the cracking strip having two opposed faces substantially parallel to one another, a straight edge along an edge of each face and one or more complementary fixing formations formed for fixing to the or each fixing formation of one or more of the support bodies, and wherein: the spatial disposition

Abstract: A structural element for constructing an auxiliary means for the manufacture of a reinforcement includes at least one coupling point for coupling the structural element to another structural element. The structural element is formed from a basic element. The structural element may further include a holding means for holding a reinforcement rod. A method for constructing an auxiliary means and a method for manufacturing a reinforcement are also provided.

Abstract: Multifunction device for positioning reinforcing materials within poured concrete comprising: an octagon-shaped base, with alternative alignment guides, for supporting the device on a supporting surface, an I-beam, or alternatively back-to-back E-beam, construction post with struts extending to the base, and a multifunction clip comprised of a saddle having a plurality of uprights extending therefrom and defining orthogonally-oriented sockets of differing dimensions adapted for clipping onto and positioning reinforcing materials a pre determined distance above the supporting surface.

Abstract: A support member for supporting a reinforcement material in a composite structure comprises a base member and first and second vertical leg members on opposing sides of the base member. The first and second vertical leg members have a first height relative to the base member. The first and second vertical leg members each have an opening configured to receive at least one strand of the at least one layer of reinforcement material. Third and fourth vertical leg members are on opposing sides of the base member and have a second height relative to the base member different from the first height of the first and second vertical leg members. The third and fourth vertical leg members each have an opening configured to receive at least one strand of the at least one layer of reinforcement material.

Abstract: A dowel bracket is used for concrete wall or masonry wall construction. A rebar support bracket includes an elongated vertical member. The elongated vertical member has a first edge and an opposing second edge, where the first edge defines recesses. The rebar support bracket further includes a horizontal member projecting perpendicularly at a lower end of the elongated vertical member making an angled portion. The horizontal member has a planar surface that defines at least one mounting aperture provided to mount the rebar support bracket.

Abstract: Reinforced concrete component with at least one upper and at least one lower longitudinal reinforcement layer, and one transverse force reinforcement. Transverse force reinforcement being passed to the upper and lower longitudinal reinforcement in its extension. The transverse force reinforcement is formed by at least 20 L-shaped sheet metal components made from structural steel with stirrups attached thereto. Each sheet metal component thereby comprises a chamfer.

Abstract: A rebar clip is provided for joining a larger diameter rebar to a smaller diameter rebar transverse to the larger diameter rebar. In a first embodiment the clip includes diameter reducing tabs extending into upper arches of the clip for engagement with smaller diameter bars crossed on top of larger diameter bars. In a second embodiment the clip includes diameter reducing tabs extending into lower arches of the clip so that the clip may hold larger diameter bars on top of smaller diameter bars. A guide track for a clip applying gun is provided which allows for use with either version of clips and with clips of the same nominal diameter for joining equal size bars.

Abstract: Masonry (1) comprising layers (2) of bricks and mortar joints (3), whereby at least one mortar joint (3) is reinforced by a reinforcement strip (4), whereby said strip (4) comprises at least two straight, continuous, substantially parallel, steel reinforcement wires (5), which are welded or glued to each other by means of a steel wire connecting structure (6), characterized in that the wire connecting structure (6) is provided with protuberances (7) protruding from the plane comprising said at least two straight reinforcement wires (5) and forming spacing elements (7) which keep the at least two straight reinforcement wires (5) at a specific distance from the layer (2) of bricks below and/or the layer (2) of bricks above said reinforcement strip (4).

Abstract: A structural element for constructing an auxiliary means for the manufacture of a reinforcement includes at least one coupling point for coupling the structural element to another structural element. The structural element is formed from a basic element. The structural element may further include a holding means for holding a reinforcement rod. A method for constructing an auxiliary means and a method for manufacturing a reinforcement are also provided.

Abstract: A reinforced concrete component with at least one upper and at least one lower longitudinal reinforcement layer, and one transverse force reinforcement, wherein the latter is passed above an uppermost and a lowermost longitudinal reinforcement in its extension. The transverse force reinforcement is formed by at least 20 trapezoidal or triangular sheet metal components made from structural steel. Each sheet metal component has at its two ends one splay/chamfer. The chamfer is passed to the uppermost or lowermost longitudinal reinforcement, respectively.

Abstract: An anchor bolt locator is provided that is inexpensively manufactured on automatic die-press machines from sheet steel and a structural nut that does not require any welding, while also being easy to use and install with current, commonly-used building practices and anchor designs. The anchor bolt locator is made from a galvanized sheet metal chair and a structural nut attached to the chair by way of a friction fit.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a masonry spacer has (i) an elongated and substantially planar body, and (ii) first and second elongated support members. The planar body has one or more bendable tabs formed therein and defines a first plane of the masonry spacer. The first and second support members each (i) have at least one corresponding channel formed therein, (ii) have one or more openings formed therein, and (iii) extend laterally from a different elongated side of the planar body. Further, the first and second support members define a second plane of the masonry spacer offset from the first plane. An outer edge of each of the first and second elongated support members defines a third plane of the masonry spacer that is intermediate to the first and second planes.

Abstract: A cost-effective and energy-efficient system and method for building construction, such as for residential dwellings and the like, uses dual-wall building envelope system having outer walls and corresponding partition walls spaced outwardly from the outer walls. The envelope system provides ample space for insulation to enhance the thermal efficiently of the house or building, while permitting construction at reduced cost using pre-fabrication methods.

Abstract: The slab edge forming and insulating system includes edge members and support braces. The edge members include an elongated shell having an upright portion with an insulated inside surface, an upper portion and a lower portion. Each of the upper and lower portions has formed edges. Open cross sectioned support braces having upper and lower formed edges for engaging the formed edges of the elongated shell are fixed to a footing and connected to the edge members. The edge members form and insulate the edges of the poured concrete of the slab while the open cross sectioned support braces receive the poured concrete of the slab and thus anchor the edge members to the edge of the slab.

Abstract: A dowel bracket is used for concrete wall or masonry wall construction. A rebar support bracket includes an elongated vertical member. The elongated vertical member has a first edge and an opposing second edge, where the first edge defines recesses. The rebar support bracket further includes a horizontal member projecting perpendicularly at a lower end of the elongated vertical member making an angled portion. The horizontal member has a planar surface that defines at least one mounting aperture provided to mount the rebar support bracket.

Abstract: A concrete casting method uses a vacuum to remove air from the concrete material, and further involves pouring the cement material over three-dimensional interlocking inclusions before curing. The inclusions may be generally polyhedral structures formed by an annular or disc-shaped central structure that defines a parting plane for an injection mold, and various structures extending transversely to the central annular or disc-shaped structure to form the generally polyhedral shape. Alternatively, the inclusions may be formed by a hub and radial structures, from which extend circumferential structures that define the polyhedral shape. Other inclusion structures take the form of wires or tubes with multiple coils. The inclusions may be used in a variety of concrete structures, including earthquake or tornado proof housing structures, cylindrical supports structures, and armored structure including ships and submarines.

Abstract: A holder to be placed in floating floor slabs and the installation system thereof, the holder comprising a cubic holder having a pair of tubes on each side thereof, parallel with the supporting base, with facing sides in identical position; within said sides a section designed for placing rods on which the different layers of the rebar mesh are supported and a system for fitting the mesh on the rods, and also the securing of the corners of the different levels of the rebar mesh by means of linking of the holder s using the rods.

Abstract: An adjustable rebar connector for joining rebar rods is disclosed. In some embodiments, the connector includes the following: a first portion including one or more arms, each of the one or more arms including a male portion extending therefrom and a first notch having a first longitudinal axis, the first notch being configured to releasably retain a first rebar rod; a second portion including a second notch formed therein and one or more female portions for receiving and retaining the male portion extending from a corresponding one of the one or more arms, the second notch having a second longitudinal axis that is not parallel to the first longitudinal axis, the second notch being configured to releasably retain a second rebar rod; a chair portion extending outwardly from one or more of the first and second portions; and a hinge portion joining the first and second portions.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a masonry spacer has (i) an elongated and substantially planar body, and (ii) first and second elongated support members. The planar body has one or more bendable tabs formed therein and defines a first plane of the masonry spacer. The first and second support members each (i) have at least one corresponding channel formed therein, (ii) have one or more openings formed therein, and (iii) extend laterally from a different elongated side of the planar body. Further, the first and second support members define a second plane of the masonry spacer offset from the first plane. An outer edge of each of the first and second elongated support members defines a third plane of the masonry spacer that is intermediate to the first and second planes.

Abstract: A bond beam rebar positioner including a center segment having an undulating form positioned between first and second legs, each of the legs including a first segment arranged perpendicular to a notional straight line longitudinally bisecting the curves of the center segment, a second segment perpendicular to the first segment, parallel to the straight line, and in a direction away from the center segment, and a third segment perpendicular to the second segment, coplanar with the second segment, and perpendicular to a common plane of the center, first and second segments.

Abstract: A chair for supporting a rebar grid formed from intersecting lower and upper rebar members at a predetermined height above a bearing surface is constructed having a base member, a support structure having three or more equally spaced apart legs affixed to the base member, and a retention member constructed whose walls have four equally spaced apart slots extending downward from the walls upper edges, a first and second opposing pairs of the slots each having an upper receiving section formed by inwardly sloped wall edges to form a gap less than the diameter of the rebar members and having a retention section formed below the gap of sufficient size to permit one of the rebar members to extend through the retention section, wherein the retention section of the second opposing pair is formed below the retention section of the first opposing pair.

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 composite panel comprises an outer skins and an inner core. The inner core includes a frame, an elastomeric material disposed between at least a portion of the frame and the outer skin, and a foamed polymer filler. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing the same.

Abstract: A stiffener ring, and associated method and program product. A stiffener ring is provided having a generally annular shape for supporting a rebar cage, including: a plurality of primary cutouts spaced about an exterior edge of the stiffener ring, wherein each primary cutout is configured to receive a transversely mounted steel bar; a plurality of secondary cutouts spaced about an edge of the stiffener ring, wherein each of the secondary cutouts is configured to received an instrumentation pipe; and a set of flow holes cut into the stiffener ring to facilitate a flow of concrete through the stiffener ring.

Abstract: An anchor bolt locator is provided that is inexpensively manufactured on automatic die-press machines from sheet steel and a structural nut that does not require any welding, while also being easy to use and install with current, commonly-used building practices and anchor designs. The anchor bolt locator is made from a galvanized sheet metal chair and a structural nut attached to the chair by way of a friction fit.

Abstract: An interconnecting alignment and support system for supporting and maintaining alignment of at least one conduit or pipe is disclosed. The system may be used, for example, during a concrete pour operation or other construction operation. The system comprises a base spacer and, optionally, one or more of an intermediate spacer and/or another base spacer. The base spacer is constructed to be capable of interlocking with another spacer on each side and the top. The intermediate spacer is constructed to be capable of interlocking with another spacer on each side and both the top and bottom. The interlocks on the spacers may be releasably latched when fully interlocked. By interlocking the spacers, a matrix structure for aligning and supporting conduit or pipe may be created. The base spacer is attachable to a surface, so that the alignment and support system may be fixed in place.

Abstract: A spacer for positioning rods and wire in concrete is disclosed. In some embodiments, the spacer includes first and second saddle portions joined together via a connection mechanism. Spacing members are joined with the first and second saddle portions and first and second outer edges are joined with the spacing members opposite the first and second saddle portions. A conforming fixed centering tab having a centering groove is joined with the first saddle portion at first and second ends. An adjustable and conforming centering flap is joined with the second saddle portion at a first end via a hinge connection and includes a free second end opposite the first end. The centering flap has a length greater than a width of an opening of the second saddle portion. The connection mechanism is joined with the spacing members adjacent the outer edges for pivoting the first and second saddle portions.

Abstract: A bond beam rebar positioner including a center segment having an undulating form positioned between first and second legs, each of the legs including a first segment arranged perpendicular to a notional straight line longitudinally bisecting the curves of the center segment, a second segment perpendicular to the first segment, parallel to the straight line, and in a direction away from the center segment, and a third segment perpendicular to the second segment, coplanar with the second segment, and perpendicular to a common plane of the center, first and second segments.

Abstract: A chair for supporting and spacing post-tension cables having a generally tapered body with an upper receiving area for securing the cables and a planar base adapted to rest on a flat support surface. The body has inner and outer surfaces that are substantially complementary to one another to allow a plurality of chairs to be stacked together. The receiving area includes posts extending upwardly between notches. The posts define passageways for guiding the cables into the notches. Detents project inwardly from the tops of the posts and fixedly retain the bars within the passageways. The chair may be formed from a resilient polymeric material.

Abstract: Structures for supporting and aligning a reinforcing bar (“rebar”) during the construction of a column, beam or other structure in which the rebar is laid out in parallel to an axis. One such structure includes a support structure having a square ring, where the corners of the square ring include a rebar receptacle configured to receive a reinforcing bar. The rebar receptacle includes an opening through which the reinforcing bar can be inserted, where the opening is configured to allow the reinforcing bar to enter the rebar receptacle and further configured to retain the reinforcing bar after the reinforcing bar has been seated due to the width of the opening being less than a diameter of the reinforcing bar.

Abstract: Distance piece, preferably for the manufacture of hollow or laminated walls, with at least three rods that are connected to each other, and where each rod has at least one supporting section, and the supporting sections of the three rods are spaced apart from each other to thus form a supporting plane.

Abstract: Improved grips for retaining plural concrete reinforcing bars in a selected association are disclosed. The grips include a base portion and a retention portion including engageable structures establishing first and second spaced opposing pairs of clamping formations. Each of the plural reinforcing bars in the association is positively gripped along a length thereof between the clamping formations. Grip embodiments for parallel and right angle reinforcing bar associations are disclosed.

Abstract: A rebar attachment device includes a vertical attachment device having a base member that includes a bottom surface for making contact with a piling, and a top surface for positioning a sleeve and a pair of flexible chairs. Each of the chairs acts to removably engage and position a rebar rod at a predetermined separation distance from the base member. A rebar attachment system includes at least one vertical rebar attachment device, at least one horizontal rebar attachment device, a tether for positioning the at least one vertical device onto a piling, and a tether connector for securing the tether to the piling.

Abstract: This invention refers to a weight-lightening disc for making light reinforced concrete structures such as slabs, prefabricated slabs, foundation slabs, partition walls and beams; to a mesh, specifically designed for this invention and to the construction method to make such structures. The method allows manufacturing the components that make it possible to construct buildings with light reinforced concrete structures. The field of application of the invention is construction in general, such as houses, buildings and bridges. The invention provides a solution to the problem of lightening of the structures, including a construction method that comprises a set of weight-lightening discs in combination with electro-welded meshes (specially designed for the each specific thickness of the slab) and the hooks that hold together the meshes. The compound of elements and the method allow lightening minimum-thickness slabs.