PRIORITY

The present application is related to, and claims the priority benefit of, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62/361,710, filed July 13, 2016, the contents of which are incorporated herein directly and by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

Commercial structures, such as buildings, parking garages, and the like, frequently use concrete or other poured materials on top of decking, in forms, etc., so to generate various floors or levels or beams of the same. Structural cables, metal meshes, and the like are frequently placed within the concrete or other poured materials so to reinforce the same once they have hardened.

Drilling into said concrete flooring or beams, for example, has its risks, including but not limited to drilling into a structural reinforcement cable. Should such a cable be cut during the process, the structural integrity of the flooring or beams could be compromised, causing potential risks of damage/collapse and potentially incurring significant cost to remedy the same.

In view of the foregoing, devices useful to identify "safe zones" within concrete floors and beams for drilling would be well received in the marketplace.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a device, comprising a first perimeter structure defining an opening therein, a plurality of legs extending from the first perimeter structure, a tab at a distal end of each of the plurality of legs, each tab having a tab aperture defined therein and configured to receive a fastener therethrough. The present disclosure includes disclosure of a device, wherein the perimeter structure is configured as a circle. The present disclosure includes disclosure of a device, wherein the perimeter structure comprises a configuration shape selected from the group consisting of a square shape, a pentagonal shape, a hexagonal shape, an octagonal shape, an ovular shape, and a triangular shape.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a device, wherein the plurality of legs comprises five legs. The present disclosure includes disclosure of a device, wherein the plurality of legs comprises three or more legs. The present disclosure includes disclosure of a device, wherein the plurality of legs comprises at least three legs. The present disclosure includes disclosure of a device, configured to stand upon a substrate such that the plurality of legs contact the substrate. The present disclosure includes disclosure of a device, wherein each leg of the plurality of legs comprises a T-shaped cross-section along at least a portion of each leg of the plurality of legs. The present disclosure includes disclosure of a device, wherein each leg of the plurality of legs comprises a first leg portion and a second leg portion generally perpendicular to the first leg portion.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a device, wherein each tab extends relatively outward from the device. The present disclosure includes disclosure of a device, wherein each tab extends relatively sideways from each leg of the plurality of legs. The present disclosure includes disclosure of a device, wherein each tab has a second tab aperture defined therein. The present disclosure includes disclosure of a device, wherein each leg of the plurality of legs extends perpendicularly from the first perimeter structure. The present disclosure includes disclosure of a device, wherein each leg of the plurality of legs extends relatively downward and relatively outward from the first perimeter structure. The present disclosure includes disclosure of a device, wherein each leg of the plurality of legs extends from the first perimeter structure at an angle greater than a perpendicular axis relative to a horizontal axis of the first perimeter structure.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a device, wherein the first perimeter structure comprises a first structure portion aligning with a horizontal axis of the device and defining a flat surface and a second structure portion extending from the first structure portion. The present disclosure includes disclosure of a device, wherein a curvature exists as a transition from the first structure portion to the second structure portion. The present disclosure includes disclosure of a device, further comprising a second perimeter structure defining an opening therein, the second perimeter structure located between the first perimeter structure and each tab. The present disclosure includes disclosure of a device, wherein each tab is formed as part of each leg of the plurality of legs.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a device, wherein the tab aperture of each tab is defined within an indention defined at a location adjacent to each tab and each leg of the plurality of legs. The present disclosure includes disclosure of a device, wherein each leg has an arcuate cross-section. The present disclosure includes disclosure of a device, wherein each leg of the plurality of legs is permanently coupled to the first perimeter structure. The present disclosure includes disclosure of a device, wherein each leg of the plurality of legs is removably coupled to the first perimeter structure. The present disclosure includes disclosure of a device, wherein the first perimeter structure has a perimeter groove defined therein, the perimeter groove configured to receive a leg receiver extending from each leg of the plurality of legs.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a device, further comprising a plurality of leg receivers extending from the first perimeter structure, the plurality of leg receivers configured to receive and engage the plurality of legs. The present disclosure includes disclosure of a device, wherein the plurality of leg receivers are configured to be coupled to the first perimeter structure. The present disclosure includes disclosure of a device, wherein each leg of the plurality of legs comprises a connector, the connector configured to be received within a leg receiver of the plurality of leg receivers. The present disclosure includes disclosure of a device, configured so that when the device is fastened to a horizontal substrate and embedded in a poured material, the first perimeter structure of the device exposed within the poured material identifies a safe zone for drilling, wherein the safe zone comprises the opening defined by the first perimeter structure.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a device, comprising a first perimeter structure configured as a circle and defining an opening therein, a plurality of legs extending from the first perimeter structure, a plurality of leg receivers extending from the first perimeter structure, the plurality of leg receivers configured to receive and engage the plurality of legs, and a tab at a distal end of each of the plurality of legs, each tab having a tab aperture defined therein and configured to receive a fastener therethrough, wherein the tab aperture of each tab is defined within an indention defined at a location adjacent to each tab and each leg of the plurality of legs. The present disclosure includes disclosure of a device, wherein each leg of the plurality of legs comprises a connector, the connector configured to be received within a leg receiver of the plurality of leg receivers. The present disclosure includes disclosure of a device, configured so that when the device is fastened to a horizontal substrate and embedded in a poured material, the first perimeter structure of the device exposed within the poured material identifies a safe zone for drilling, wherein the safe zone comprises the opening defined by the first perimeter structure.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a method of using a device, the method comprising the steps of positioning a device upon a substrate, the device comprising a first perimeter structure defining an opening therein, a plurality of legs extending from the first perimeter structure, and a tab at a distal end of each of the plurality of legs, each tab having a tab aperture defined therein and configured to receive a fastener therethrough; and applying a material onto the substrate at the device so that the material is positioned within the device and so that at least part of the first perimeter structure is not embedded within the material.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a method of using a device, further comprising the step of positioning at least one fastener within at least one of the tab apertures to secure the device to the substrate prior to the step of applying the material. The present disclosure includes disclosure of a method of using a device, wherein the substrate comprises a floor or a beam, and wherein the material comprises concrete. The present disclosure includes disclosure of a method of using a device, wherein the step of positioning is performed to position the device upon the substrate such that no cables are visible within the opening. The present disclosure includes disclosure of a method of using a device, further comprising the step of drilling a first opening into the material within the opening of the first perimeter structure after the material has hardened. The present disclosure includes disclosure of a method of using a device, further comprising the step of inserting one or more cables through the first opening.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a method of using a device, the method comprising the steps of positioning a device upon a substrate, the device comprising a first perimeter structure defining an opening therein, a plurality of legs extending from the first perimeter structure, and a tab at a distal end of each of the plurality of legs, each tab having a tab aperture defined therein and configured to receive a fastener therethrough; positioning at least one fastener within at least one of the tab apertures to secure the device to the substrate prior to the step of applying the material; applying a material onto the substrate at the device so that the material is positioned within the device and so that at least part of the first perimeter structure is not embedded within the material; and inserting one or more cables through the first opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosed embodiments and other features, advantages, and disclosures contained herein, and the matter of attaining them, will become apparent and the present disclosure will be better understood by reference to the following description of various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 2 shows a top view of a device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 shows a side view of a device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of two devices stacked upon one another, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 shows a side view of a device embedded in a concrete slab, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 shows a top view of a device embedded in a concrete slab, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 shows a side view a device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 shows a side view of a device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 10 shows a front view of a device embedded in a concrete beam, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of a device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 shows a side view of a device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 13 shows a bottom view of a device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 shows a side view of a leg, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 15 shows a perspective view of a leg, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

An overview of the features, functions and/or configurations of the components depicted in the various figures will now be presented. It should be appreciated that not all of the features of the components of the figures are necessarily described. Some of these non-discussed features, such as various couplers, etc., as well as discussed features are inherent from the figures themselves. Other non-discussed features may be inherent in component geometry and/or configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of this disclosure is thereby intended.

An exemplary device of the present disclosure is shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1, and in at least one exemplary embodiment, device 100 comprises a first perimeter structure 102, which can be configured as any number of shapes including, but not limited to, a circular shape, a square shape, a pentagonal shape, a hexagonal shape, an octagonal shape, an ovular shape, a triangular shape, or another shape, including an irregular shape. In various embodiments, first perimeter structure 102 is configured as a circle, so to maximize the area within said first perimeter structure 102. First perimeter structure 102, as shown in FIG. 1, defines an opening 140, which as described in further detail herein comprises a "safe zone" for drilling into a concrete floor or beam when a device 100 is positioned therein.

A plurality of legs 104 are configured/positioned to extend from first perimeter structure 102, as shown in FIG. 1. Various device 100 embodiments can comprise two, three, four, five, six, or more legs 104, depending on the desired use. In several device 100 embodiments, devices comprise at least three legs 104 so that they may stand, for example, upon a substrate 175 without the use of a fastener or an adhesive. Fasteners 150, as referenced below and shown in FIG. 5, can be used so to secure device 100 to substrate 175 prior to placing a poured material 180 (such as concrete or another poured material, such as an epoxy or other resin) upon substrate 175.

A perspective view of an exemplary device 100 of the present disclosure is shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1, device 100 comprises a first perimeter structure 102, configured as a circle, and a plurality of legs 104 (namely five legs 104 in this exemplary embodiment) extending therefrom. Legs 104, in exemplary embodiments, can have/comprise a "T" shaped cross-section along at least a portion of a length of legs 104, such as shown in FIG. 1, whereby the "T" is formed by a first leg portion 106 and a second leg portion 108 generally perpendicular to first leg portion 106. First leg portion 106 can extend from first perimeter structure 102, such that at a relatively small arc portion of first perimeter structure 102 may appear to be relatively flat, and whereby first leg portion 106 is flat or relatively flat, such as being planar as shown in FIG. 1. Second leg portion 108, extending perpendicularly from first leg portion 106, would appear on a relative outside of device 100, as shown in FIG. 1, and in various other embodiments. Second leg portion 108 can instead or also extend perpendicularly from first leg portion 106 on a relative inside of device 100, such as shown in FIG. 7, as may be desired.

In various device 100 embodiments of the present disclosure, one or more tabs 120, such as shown in FIG. 1, are positioned at or near a relative end 105 (such as a distal end) of one or more legs 104. In various embodiments, such as shown in FIG. 1, a tab 120 is positioned at or near end 105 of each leg 104 of device 100. Tabs 120, such as shown in FIG. 1, have one or more tab apertures 122 defined therethrough, with tab apertures 122 sized and shaped to receive at least part of a fastener 150 therethrough, such as a screw, a nail, or another fastener 150 configured to attach an exemplary device 100 to a substrate 175.

Tabs 120, as shown in FIGS. 1-4, 7, and 8, can extend relatively outward from legs 104. Tabs 120 can alternatively/also extend relatively sideways from legs 104, such as shown in FIG. 9. Each tab 120 can have one tab aperture 122, such as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, or more than one tab aperture 122, such as two tab apertures 122, shown in FIG. 9.

Devices 100 of the present disclosure can have legs 104 that extend perpendicularly from first perimeter structure 102, such as shown in FIG. 7. In other device 100 embodiments, such as shown in FIG. 1 and 3, legs 104 can extend at an angle that is not perpendicular relative to first perimeter structure 102, such as at an angle a shown in FIG. 3. Angle a, as shown in FIG. 3, is defined by a perpendicular axis y— y' to horizontal axis x— x' and an exemplary leg 104. Angle a can be, for example, an angle greater than zero but less than 90°, and in various embodiments, angle a is between zero and 60°, such as 5°, 10°, 15°, 20°, 25°, 30°, or larger or smaller, depending on the desired device 100 configuration.

First perimeter structures 102 of the present disclosure, such as shown in FIG. 1, can comprise a first structure portion 110 and a second structure portion 112, whereby first structure portion 110 is configured so to align with a horizontal axis x— x' at a relative top or bottom of device 100, such as shown in FIG. 3. First structure portion 110 is therefore relatively flat (defining a flat surface 114, for example), in various embodiments, so that when device 100 is embedded in poured material 180, for example and as shown in the birds-eye view (top view) shown in FIG. 6, a flat or relatively flat surface 330 of poured material 180 would form or be part of a generally consistent flat surface 114 of first structure portion 110. Second structure portion 112 can extend perpendicularly from first structure portion 110, such as shown in FIG. 8, or can extend at an angle that is not perpendicular relative to first structure portion 110, such as at an angle a shown in FIG. 3. Angle a, as shown in FIG. 3, can also be defined by a perpendicular axis y— y' to horizontal axis x— x' and an exemplary second structure 112. Angle a can be, for example, an angle greater than zero but less than 90°, and in various embodiments, angle a is between zero and 60°, such as 5°, 10°, 15°, 20°, 25°, 30°, or larger or smaller, depending on the desired device 100 configuration.

Curvature 200, as shown in FIG. 3, can be at a transition from first structure portion 110 to second structure portion 112, so not to have a relatively "sharp" transition, such as shown in FIG. 8. Curvature 200 would therefore extend and/or be present at a perimeter of first perimeter structure 102 where first structure portion 110 meets second structure portion.

The exemplary device 100 embodiments shown in FIG. 7 and 8 comprise a first perimeter structure 102, a second perimeter structure 400, and a plurality of legs 104 comprising four legs 104 (three legs 104, with the fourth leg behind and obscured by the leg 104 in the middle of the figure). First perimeter structure 102 is positioned at or near a relative top of said device 100, and second perimeter structure 400 is positioned below first perimeter structure 102 when device 100 is standing upright, such as when one or more tabs 120 are positioned upon or near substrate 175. Legs 104, in such an embodiment, extend from first perimeter structure 102, and are coupled to second perimeter structure 400, such that second perimeter structure 400, for example, provides additional structural stability to device 100.

Poured material 180, such as concrete, is readily permitted to surround device 100, both on a relative outside and on a relative inside, as described below.

FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of an exemplary device 100 of the present disclosure. As shown therein, device 100 comprises a first perimeter structure 102 defining an opening 140 therein, and a plurality of legs 104 extending from first perimeter structure 102. As shown in FIG. 11, for example, each tab 120 present at a distal end (relative end 105) of each leg 104, and a tab aperture 122 is defined therein. Tab apertures 122, as shown in FIG. 11, are defined within tabs 120, and in such an exemplary embodiment, each tab 120 is formed as part of each leg 104 of the plurality of legs. In such an embodiment, for example, each tab aperture 122 of each tab 120 is defined within an inward indention 135 defined at a location adjacent to each tab 120 and each leg permits a fastener 150 to be readily positioned through tab aperture 120 to secure device 100 to a substrate 175, as generally referenced herein.

As shown in the exemplary device 100 embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 and 15, each leg 104 can comprise an arcuate cross-section, such that each leg is straight but also has a generally partially curved cross-section, namely an arc.

FIG. 12 shows a side view, and FIG. 13 shows a bottom view, of the exemplary device 100 shown in FIG. 11. As shown in FIG. 12, first perimeter structure 102 can comprise a plurality of leg receivers 145, which can be part of first perimeter structure 102 itself or coupled to first perimeter structure 102, whereby a leg receiver 145 can receive a portion of a leg 104. Any number of leg receivers 145 can be present, allowing for any desired number of legs 104 to be positioned at any desired location along first perimeter structure 102. Each leg 104, in such an embodiment and as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 for example, would comprise a connector 136 extending from leg 104 or otherwise adapted within leg 104, whereby connector 136 is configured to be positioned within leg receiver 145, which is configured to receive and engage connector 136 of leg 104. In an embodiment where leg receivers 145 can be later coupled to first perimeter structure 102, first perimeter structure 102 may have a perimeter groove 148 defined therein, the perimeter groove 148 configured to receive and engage a plurality of leg receivers 145.

In use, for example, devices 100 of the present disclosure can be positioned upon a substrate 150 that will receive poured material 180. During various construction projects, such as buildings having multiple floors, metal cables 300 are used to reinforce concrete slabs 310 (or other floors prepared using poured material 180), with tension applied to metal cables 300 in various instances. Beams used to support said floors, for example, can also have various metal cables 300 therein for reinforcement. After poured material 180 is poured to form a concrete slab 310 or a concrete beam 312, referenced in further detail herein, having metal cables 300 embedded therein, there are instances where various holes, slots, or other openings 320 need to be drilled into concrete slab 310 or concrete beam 312 and/or instances where fasteners 150 need to be inserted into concrete slab. Use of various tools to generate the holes, slots, or other openings would cut into the concrete slab 310 or concrete beam 312, either directly or by way of a fastener 150, for example, and could potentially nick, cut, or completely sever one or more metal cables 300 embedded within said concrete slab 310 or concrete beam 312. Severing a metal cable 300 after a concrete slab 310 or concrete beam 312 is set can not only reduce required structural integrity of the same, and potentially the building itself, but also result in an expensive repair effort to remove the severed metal cable 300 and the surrounding concrete, set and secure a new metal cable 300, and re-pour additional poured material 180 as a patch. In instances where the concrete slab 310 or concrete beam 312 is to be exposed, and where patches would not be acceptable, the entire concrete slab 310 or concrete beam 312 would need to be replaced, resulting in a significant cost to do so.

FIG. 6 shows a top view of a concrete slab 310, as referenced above, having a first perimeter structure 102 of an exemplary device 100 exposed. Procedurally, device 100 can be positioned upon a substrate 175 in a location where any metal cables 300 or other items upon substrate 175 are not located, fastened to said substrate 175 using one or more fasteners 150 as desired, and a poured material 180 (such as concrete) can be poured upon substrate 175 so that poured material 180 is positioned inside and outside of device 100, and so that a surface 330 of poured material 180 (such as a surface of a concrete slab 310) is generally even or level with an upper portion of device 100, such as first perimeter structure 102. Once the poured material 180 has hardened/cured, for example, a contractor or other construction worker will know that the area within first perimeter structure 102 is a safe location to drill one or more openings 320 and that no metal cables 300, for example, will be in the location within first perimeter structure 102. As shown in FIG. 6, for example, metal cables 300 are positioned away from device 100, and openings 320, such as for plumbing, electrical, or networking conduit, for example, can be safely drilled or otherwise defined within concrete slab 310. Use of multiple devices 100 upon a single substrate 175 can provide several safe options for drilling into the floor (concrete slab 310) or beam, as noted below, as may be desired.

FIG. 10 shows a front view of a concrete beam 312, as referenced herein, having a first perimeter structure 102 of an exemplary device 100 exposed. Procedurally, device 100 can be positioned upon a substrate 175 (not shown in this figure but shown in other figures) in a location where any metal cables 300 or other items upon substrate 175 are not located, fastened to said substrate 175 using one or more fasteners 150 as desired, and a poured material 180 (such as concrete) can be poured upon substrate 175 (such as within a concrete sleeve or other shell to receive poured material 180) so that poured material 180 is positioned inside and outside of device 100, and so that a surface 330 of poured material 180 (such as a surface of a concrete slab 310) is generally even or level with an upper portion of device 100, such as first perimeter structure 102. Once the poured material 180 has hardened/cured, for example, a contractor or other construction worker will know that the area within first perimeter structure 102 is a safe location to drill one or more openings 320 and that no metal cables 300, for example, will be in the location within first perimeter structure 102. As shown in FIG. 10, for example, metal cables 300 are positioned away from device 100, and openings 320, such as for plumbing, electrical, or networking conduit, for example, can be safely drilled or otherwise defined within concrete beam 312. Use of multiple devices 100 upon a single substrate 175 can provide several safe options for drilling into the concrete beam 312 as may be desired.

Devices 100 of the present disclosure can be three-dimensional (3D) printed, injection molded, and or generated using other methods known in the art to generate devices/parts in three dimensions.

While various embodiments of devices for and methods to use and generate the same have been described in considerable detail herein, the embodiments are merely offered as non-limiting examples of the disclosure described herein. It will therefore be understood that various changes and modifications may be made, and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting with respect to the content thereof.

Further, in describing representative embodiments, the present disclosure may have presented a method and/or a process as a particular sequence of steps. However, to the extent that the method or process does not rely on the particular order of steps set forth therein, the method or process should not be limited to the particular sequence of steps described, as other sequences of steps may be possible. Therefore, the particular order of the steps disclosed herein should not be construed as limitations of the present disclosure. In addition, disclosure directed to a method and/or process should not be limited to the performance of their steps in the order written. Such sequences may be varied and still remain within the scope of the present disclosure.