Abstract: In a first aspect, a plurality of slab bolster elements, each including a bolster frame member having a male connector disposed on a first end and a female connector disposed on an opposite end, with the male connector including first and second outer prongs for engaging a complementary female connector and the female connector including first and second opposing side walls with first and second transverse slats extending between the side walls so as to form a socket, the male connector further including a flexible prong extending inwardly between the outer prongs, with the flexible prong including a free inward end and a wedge element configured to resiliently contact and lockingly engage the first transverse slat of another of the plurality of slab bolster elements. In a second aspect, a continuous slab bolster assembly.

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: 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 locking system 24 for securing adjacent concrete form panels 20a, 20b together during assembly of a concrete form 22 is disclosed. The locking system 24 includes a mounting block 50 which is removably attachable to one of the adjacent panels 20a, 20b. A slide member 52 is mounted for sliding movement relative to the mounting block 50 between a first position retracted from aligned apertures 48 in side members 30 of the adjacent panels 20a, 20b and a second position extending through the aligned apertures 48. The slide member 30 includes a bolt member 92 mounted to rotate within the mounting block 50 in its extended position between locked and unlocked positions to secure the adjacent panels 20a, 20b together. Alternatively, the bolt member 206 is configured to receive a wedge member 204 at its projecting end or has a clamping member 304 mounted to rotate on the bolt member 306 for securing the adjacent panels 20a, 20b together.

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 chair for supporting and spacing concrete reinforcement members having an integrally formed body including an upper receiving area and a lower base, where the receiving area includes a vertical fin defining an open notch for receiving a concrete reinforcement member. The receiving area may further include a gusset projecting from the vertical fin and extending upward to define a medial, lowest portion of the associated open notch. The vertical fin and gusset are adaptable such that chairs having different heights can be manufactured using a single molding apparatus.

Abstract: A lifting fixture for a concrete structure having reinforcing wires embedded therein and an outer surface with a recess. The lifting fixture generally comprises an anchor having a first end adapted to be operatively coupled to the lifting hardware of a hoist and a second end configured to be securely embedded within the concrete structure. At least one clip member is coupled to the second end of the anchor for securing the lifting fixture to the reinforcing wires and positioning the first end of the anchor within the recess during the formation of the concrete structure.

Abstract: A cover for a concrete construction has a pair of anchor-engaging members extending from a disk-shaped body. The anchor-engaging members include fins which are configured to engage an anchor formed into a recess of a concrete block or wall to cover the recess. The cover is easily installed to the anchor by positioning the cover over the recess and urging the anchor-engaging member into engagement with the anchor.

Abstract: A brace for securing concrete form members to a casting surface. First and second leg members are spaced to form an angle. A bridging member extends between opposing ends of the leg members and a strut extends between the joined ends of the leg members and the bridging member. The bridging member and strut form a truss, together with raised ribs along the legs and bridging member. The brace may be molded from plastic as a one-piece structure.

Abstract: A chair for supporting wire mesh while pouring concrete slabs. The chair has a generally tapered, hollow body with a receiving area for fixedly retaining the wire mesh. The receiving area includes walls extending upwardly between notches, with the walls defining passageways for guiding the mesh into the notches. Detents project inwardly from the tops of the walls to fixedly retain the mesh within the passageways. The body has inner and outer surfaces that are substantially complementary to one another to allow a plurality of chairs to be stacked together. One or more foot members are preferably attached to the lower base portion to provide for secure support of the chair on a variety of surfaces.

Abstract: A method of forming anchors at the ends of rebars includes providing an anchor plate, forming an opening through the anchor plate that is larger than the diameter of the rebar, heating the end of a rebar, inserting it into the anchor plate opening and then forging it to upsize the rebar end into engagement with the wall of the anchor plate opening. Preferably, the wall of the opening through the anchor plate is irregular to enhance the interlock between the upsized rebar end and the anchor plate. The resulting rebar end anchor then finds particular utility in reinforced concrete structure at joint intersections of for example, a beam and column or wall.

Abstract: A void former comprises a core assembly having at least two body members. The body members are removably coupled together to define the desired shape of a void to be formed in a concrete slab. After the void has been formed in the concrete slab, the body members may be selectively removed from the void.

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: A building member forming apparatus having panels and a conversion corner bracket. The panels are typically dimensioned in metric units. The conversion corner bracket can include a leg having a predetermined width and a body configured to chamfer a building member. The conversion corner bracket is securable to the panels to form an orifice. When the orifice receives a construction material, the building member can be formed. By using the panels and the conversion corner bracket, the building member that has been formed within the orifice is chamfered and possesses standard U.S. customary units. The conversion corner creates a chamfer upon the building member and permits dimensioned panels with one set of units to form a building member with another set of units. The leg and the body are not symmetrical and include bores or apertures that align with bores or apertures in the building member forming apparatus.

Abstract: A protective cover for a reinforcing bar including a collar structure defining a perimeter portion and having an open end for receiving the end of a rebar. A cap portion is connected to the collar structure oriented substantially perpendicularly to the collar structure and including a support portion formed integrally with the collar structure. The cap portion further includes a barrier plate supported on the support portion and defining an exposed upper surface of the cover. In one embodiment, a reinforcing plate is disposed beneath the barrier cover and defines an lower surface lower surface within an area defined by the perimeter portion of the collar structure.

Abstract: A structural tie shear connector for use with a concrete and insulation composite panel. The panel has a first concrete wythe, a second concrete wythe, and an insulation layer interposed between the first and second concrete wythes. The connector has two sides extending in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal centerline of the connector and two sides extending across the longitudinal centerline of the connector. First and second pairs of angular links are connected to the sides, and a pair of legs are connected to, and extend outward from, one side of the connector. The connector is extendable through the insulation layer and into the first and second concrete wythes to hold the panel together.

Abstract: An anchor positioning assembly for use in casting a concrete panel. The anchor positioning assembly includes a void former, a cooperating cover and an anchor. The assembly may further include an adaptor insert for receiving anchors of variable shapes and sizes. The void former includes a body having first and second portions pivotally connected by a pair of hinge webs. A peripheral lip extends outwardly from the periphery of the void former. A cover includes a top plate having a reentrant edge defining a locking groove for releasably engaging the peripheral lip of the void former, thereby providing a seal between the void former and the cover. The cover includes a plurality of mounting apertures to facilitate securing of the cover to concrete formwork.

Abstract: One preferred embodiment of an improved concrete anchor designed in accordance with the present invention for embedment in a concrete panel or the like includes an elongated bar having substantially flat parallel faces, an inner end disposed within the panel, an outer end disposed within a recess in the surface of the concrete panel and side edges extending between the faces. The side edges extend in continuously diverging relationship from adjacent the outer end to adjacent the inner end. In accordance with another embodiment, the preferred concrete anchor includes an elongated bar having substantially flat parallel faces; an inner end disposed within the panel; an outer end disposed within a recess in the surface of the concrete panel; and side edges, preferably substantially straight, which extend in a substantially parallel relationship between the faces. The outer end includes spaced, outwardly-projecting extensions disposed adjacent the side edges of the bar and, preferably, an elongated opening.

Abstract: A cover for a concrete construction has a pair of anchor-engaging members extending from a disk-shaped body. The anchor-engaging members include fins which are configured to engage an anchor formed into a recess of a concrete block or wall to cover the recess. The cover is easily installed to the anchor by positioning the cover over the recess and urging the anchor-engaging member into engagement with the anchor.

Abstract: An erection anchor having a forged unitary body that includes a substantially cylindrical shank with one end embedable in a concrete panel and an opposite end extending into a recess in an end of the concrete panel. The forged unitary body also has a substantially cylindrical foot integrally formed with the one end of the shank and a shackle-engageable, planar head integrally formed with the opposite end of the shank. The planar head has first and second opposed substantially planar surfaces and a boss integrally formed with the planar head and extending outward from the first planar surface. The boss provides bearing surfaces that interlock the erection anchor with the concrete panel.