Spacer for concrete reinforcement wire
A spacer that connects to a reinforcement wire mesh at an intersection of a first wire and a second wire includes a first triangular body portion and a second triangular body portion, wherein the second triangular body portion is orthogonal to and bisects the first triangular body portion. The first triangular body portion includes a first apex, a first base, and a notch on each side of the first triangular body portion proximate each end of the first base, each notch allowing a respective end of the first base to flex toward the first apex. The second triangular body portion includes a second apex, a second base, and a clip extending from each end of the second base, each clip configured to surround the second wire.
Reinforcement wire enhances the strength and integrity of a concrete structure. In some cases, reinforcement wire is configured into a grid or mesh that is placed within a concrete form. In such cases, the intersections of wires of the mesh may be welded together. If the concrete form is in the shape of a cylinder, the mesh may have a continuous horizontal member wound in a helical configuration and welded to vertical members.
It is important to keep the reinforcement wire in a selected position relative to the form. A variety of spacer devices have been used to hold reinforcement wire meshes in place. Some spacers hold the reinforcement wire mesh a specified distance above the ground; these typically have a large ground contact area to form a stable base for holding the reinforcement wire mesh. Other spacers are used for horizontally positioning a reinforcement wire mesh away from form walls. In this case, a large contact area with the form wall will undesirably leave a large area of the spacer exposed when the mold is removed. The concrete is thereby prevented from filling in the volume against the mold wall in the space occupied by the spacer. Thus, a small footprint of the spacers at the mold is desirable so that the edge of the poured concrete has more concrete on the outer surface for greater strength and a better appearance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA spacer that connects to a reinforcement wire mesh at an intersection of a first wire and a second wire includes a first triangular body portion and a second triangular body portion, wherein the second triangular body portion is orthogonal to and bisects the first triangular body portion. The first triangular body portion includes a first apex, a first base, and a notch on each side of the first triangular body portion proximate each end of the first base, each notch allowing a respective end of the first base to flex toward the first apex. The second triangular body portion includes a second apex, a second base, and a clip extending from each end of the second base, each clip configured to surround the second wire.
The drawing figures may not be drawn to scale. Moreover, where directional terms such as above, below, left, right, top, bottom, etc. are used, the terms are supplied for descriptive purposes only. It is to be understood that the described components may be oriented otherwise.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTSAs shown in
Before pouring concrete into space 20 between interior form 12 and exterior form 18, reinforcement mesh 14 is placed into space 20 and remains encased within the cured concrete. It is desirable to prevent shifting of reinforcement mesh 14 within space 20 so that reinforcement mesh 14 will remain in the proper position within the formed cylindrical concrete structure. A plurality of spacers 16 is used in an exemplary method to maintain the spacing between reinforcement mesh and exterior form 18. In an exemplary embodiment, an effective height of spacer 16 results in a uniform spacing 22 between reinforcement mesh 14 and exterior form 18. In one embodiment, distance 22 is from about 0.75 inch to about 2.0 inches, although other spacer sizes may also be used.
A pad 32 extends from each end of first base 52 (shown in
In an exemplary embodiment, each spacer 16 has a wide base 38 with the clips 30 for engaging reinforcement wire mesh 14 spaced at the ends of the base 38 and extending therefrom. This configuration provides stability against twisting forces encountered by spacer 16 when concrete is poured into form 10. Spacer 16 also has a pair of pads 32 for engaging a perpendicularly crossing reinforcement wire 28 to stably hold the spacer 16 on reinforcement wire mesh 14. While a contemplated design may include additional clips 30 in place of pads 32, having only one pair of clips 30 makes it easier and faster to install spacers 16 onto reinforcement wire mesh 14.
In an exemplary embodiment, spacer 16 has four anti-sliding pins 34. This prevents spacer 16 from twisting or turning on the reinforcement wire mesh 14. Because spacers 16 remain consistently aligned, variations in spacing distance 22 between reinforcement wire mesh 14 and exterior form 18 are prevented.
A notch (shown as notch 44 in
The notch acts as a flex point. Although a notch is shown, other configurations that include a flex point are within the scope of this invention. For example, instead of a notch the flex point could be a narrower section sufficiently narrow to permit flexing between the body 46 and the pads 32.
A notch 44 is disposed on each side of the first triangular body 46 proximate each end of first base 52. Notches 44 may be integrally molded into spacer 16 or cut out of spacer 16 by a tool such as a rotating cutting tool. Each notch 44 allows a respective end of first base 52 to flex toward first apex 50, as shown in
Although the disclosure refers to exemplary embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims
1. A spacer that connects to a reinforcement wire mesh at an intersection of a first wire and a second wire, the spacer comprising:
- a first triangular body portion comprising: a first apex; a first base; and a flex point positioned on each side of the first triangular body portion proximate each end of the first base, each flex point allowing a respective end of the first base to flex; and
- a second triangular body portion comprising: a second apex; a second base; and a clip extending from each end of the second base, each clip configured to surround the second wire; wherein the second triangular body portion is orthogonal to and bisects the first triangular body portion.
2. The spacer of claim 1 further comprising a pad extending from each end of the first base, each pad configured to contact the first wire.
3. The spacer of claim 2 further comprising a pin extending from each end of each pad, wherein the two pins on each pad are positioned to surround the first wire.
4. The spacer of claim 1 wherein each clip is “C”-shaped.
5. The spacer of claim 1 wherein the second base comprises a recess through which the first wire passes.
6. The spacer of claim 1 comprising a plastic material.
7. The spacer of claim 1 wherein a surface of the second base contacts the second wire when each clip surrounds the second wire.
8. The spacer of claim 1 wherein the flex point is a notch.
9. The spacer of claim 3 and further comprising a recess through which the first wire passes wherein the recess is aligned with a space defined by the two pins on each pad.
10. A spacer that connects to a reinforcement wire mesh at an intersection of a first wire and a second wire, the spacer comprising:
- a first plastic triangular body portion comprising: a first apex; a first base; a flex point on each side of the first triangular body portion proximate each end of the first base, each flex point allowing a respective end of the first base to flex toward the first apex; a pad extending from each end of the first base, each pad configured to contact the first wire; and a pin extending from each end of each pad, wherein the two pins on each pad are positioned to surround the first wire; and
- a second plastic triangular body portion comprising: a second apex; a second base comprising a recess through which the first wire passes; and a “C”-shaped clip extending from each end of the second base, each clip configured to surround the second wire, wherein a surface of the second base contacts the second wire when each clip surrounds the second wire; wherein the second triangular body portion is orthogonal to and bisects the first triangular body portion.
11. The spacer of claim 10 wherein the flex point is a notch.
12. The spacer of claim 10 wherein the recess is aligned along a common access with a passageways defined by the two pins on each pad, the two pins being spaced apart.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 21, 2008
Publication Date: Feb 25, 2010
Applicant: Stike Tool, Inc. (Cannon Falls, MN)
Inventor: Robert S. Banks (Cannon Falls, MN)
Application Number: 12/195,595
International Classification: E04H 12/00 (20060101);