FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[Para 1 ] The present invention relates to rigid spacer devices for use in construction. The present invention relates to rigid support devices for securely holding concrete reinforcing steel rods and wire in a fixed position. The present invention relates to clip-on rigid spacers for rebars or welded fabric used in structures to embed the rebars or welded fabric a specified depth within concrete constructions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART

In reinforced concrete construction applications, such as floors, walls, piers, piles, pillars, pipes, utility poles, bridges, highways, decks, ramps, pre-stressed concrete elements, post-stressed concrete elements, trenches, prefabricated components etc., spacer devices, are required for supporting and maintaining reinforcing rods or bars which are positioned in the area where concrete is to be poured.

[Para 2] The reinforcing bars may be positioned in spaced layers due to the thickness of the concrete. In some installations, a first layer of rebar is provided, with the reinforcing rods or rebars in spaced parallel relationship, and generally parallel to the surface on which or into which the concrete is to be poured. [Para 3] Various models of spacers were developed to ensu re proper embedding of rebar in concrete. Two types of spacers were evolved: flexible spacers and rigid spacers.

[Para 4] The flexible spacers, or spacers comprising flexible parts, some of which are made of plastic material or any other flexible material, have the advantages of being cheap and easily attached to rebar, but weak and incompatible with concrete. Meaning that when used, it leaves crevices for water/environment ingress thus weakens the construction in the long ru n.

[Para 5] The rigid spacers, some of which are made of foam, concrete, metal or the like, have the advantages of being strong and compatible with concrete but, cumbersome, expensive to manufacture and complicated in attachment to rebar.

[Para 6] For a concrete floor on a prepared surface, spacers are utilized for providing the vertical separation of the rebar grid from the su rface on which the concrete is to be poured. Spacers are then positioned on the prepared surface for supporting the rebars in a plane generally parallel to the prepared surface. Typically, with modern building codes, a spacer is needed for every linear foot of the rebar. The most common method to secure concrete rebar to spacer is with twisted wire, which is cumbersome and time consuming, dependent on the professionalism of the worker, and which may leave wire ends close to or extending from the concrete, which may practically decrease the spacing and create a problem with rusting or decomposing of the wire or any other metal components. US Pat. No 6,61 2,083 to Richards, is an example of the use of twisted wire with rigid spacer.

[Para 7] A common problem with rebar spacers has been encountered where different sizes of spacers are required to be maintained by a supplier to accommodate different thicknesses of pou red concrete.

[Para 8] Various types of spacers were developed to ensu re proper embedding of rebar in concrete.

[Para 9] In the past, various patents have been issued relating to flexible spacers. To name but a few: U.S. Pat. No. 7,328, 538, to Trangsrud, describes a lightweight, durable plastic rebar spacer having a clip for securely holding a rebar centered in the clip such that the rebar cannot be dislodged from the clip once the clip engages the rebar. The clip is held at a desired height by a base, which will not easily tip over due to a wide stance of the base of the rebar spacer. The rebar spacer can be molded as one inexpensive piece. The rebar spacer can have a variety of heights and accept a variety of rebar sizes.

[Para 1 0] U.S. Pat. No. 7,322 , 1 58, to Sorkin, teaches a concrete reinforcing bar support having a base, a support structure extending upwardly from the base with a channel formed at an upper surface thereof, a first clamping structu re affixed to the support structure on one side of the channel, and a second clamping structure affixed to the support structure on an opposite side of the channel. A first rebar extends through the channel. A second rebar is retained by the first and second clamping structu res in a direction transverse to the first rebar. Each of the first and second clamping structu res has generally C-shaped configuration made of flexible material.

[Para 1 1 ] U.S. Pat. No. 6,91 0,309, to Trangsrud, teaches a cage spacer made of flexible material for spacing reinforcing rods or welded fabric a specified distance from mold walls for pouring concrete during construction projects.

[Para 1 2] There is a need for an inventive leap enabling rigid spacers to be efficiently manufactu red and easily applied to rebar before pou ring of concrete.

[Para 1 3] It is an object of the present invention to provide a concrete spacer having a unique design which enables easy hook-u p to rebar avoiding the need to tie spacer to rebar.

[Para 1 4] It is another object of the present invention to provide a concrete spacer that is adaptable to receive various diameters of rebar therein.

[Para 1 5] It is another object of the present invention to provide a concrete spacer having a unique design which allows production by use of standard concrete equipment such as, but not limited to, Interlocking bricks, extrusion or molds.

[Para 1 6] It is another object of the present invention to provide a concrete spacer, which may be adjusted to several rebar cover thickness.

[Para 1 7] It is another object of the present invention to provide a concrete spacer that can be placed on various flat surfaces.

[Para 1 8] It is another object of the present invention to provide a concrete spacer which allows a free flow of concrete there through. [Para 1 9] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a concrete spacer with a load-resistant stable support structure.

[Para 20] It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a reinforcing concrete spacer that is compatible with concrete.

[Para 21 ] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a concrete spacer which is easy to use, easy to manufacture and relatively inexpensive.

[Para 22] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the attached specification and appended claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[Para 23] The present invention relates to clip-on concrete spacers for rebars or welded fabric used in structu res to space the rebars or welded fabric a specified distance from concrete walls.

[Para 24] One of the embodiments of the present invention is a wet concrete, semi-Dry concrete, dry concrete, polymer modified concrete, fiber reinforced concrete (FRC), autoclave aerated concrete (AAC) spacer, shown in detail in Fig.

1 , a cuboid spacer (1 0) comprises: empty hollow (1 1 ) perpendicu lars to its base

(1 9), groove (1 6) diagonal to base ( 1 9) and to front face (20) of the spacer.

Groove 1 6 connects front face (20) and empty hollow (1 1 ). Empty hollow (1 1 ) may be centered, allowing fixed gap between empty hollow (1 1 ) and each of sides (20), (2 1 ), (22), (23), or may be ex-centered, allowing gaps (1 2), (1 3), (1 4), and (1 5) to be of up to four different values, such as but not limited to, 20mm, 30mm, 40mm, 50 mm at any given order, allowing spacer (1 0) to facilitate up to 4 different gaps, (as shown in Fig. 2). Placement spacer (1 0) on a vertical rebar portion is done by threading the rebar through groove (1 6) to empty hollow (1 1 ), and sliding it downwards u ntil stopped by the next horizontal rebar. Gravity aligns base (1 9) with the horizontal rebar, thus locking spacer (1 0) on the vertical rebar. Spacer (1 0) may be rotated so that the desired face will be towards the mold wall. Controlling correct stationing of spacer is easy as all grooves shou ld face the same direction. Using spacer (1 0) to space floorings, when all the rebar are horizontal, is done similarly. Spacer (1 0) may be threaded on any floor rebar; however it is usually threaded on the bottommost rebar.

[Para 25] Empty hollow (1 1 ) and groove (1 6) are generally of similar diameter, allowing the use of spacer (1 0) on a variety of rebar smaller than said diameter. As non-committing example, diameter of 1 1 mm facilitates the use of spacer (1 0) on rebar of diameters 6mm, 8mm, 1 0mm, or any intermediate size.

[Para 26] As another non-committing example, diameter of 1 5 mm facilitates the use of spacer (1 0) on rebar of diameters 1 0mm, 1 2mm, 1 4mm, or any intermediate size.

[Para 27] As yet another non-committing example, diameter of 2 1 mm facilitates the use of spacer (1 0) on rebar of diameters 1 4mm, 1 6mm, 1 8mm, 20mm, or any intermediate size. [Para 28] As yet another non-committing example, diameter of 32 mm facilitates the use of spacer 1 0 on rebar of diameters 20mm, 22mm, 25 mm, 28mm, 31 mm, or any intermediate size.

[Para 29] Another embodiment of spacer (1 0), shown on Fig 1 , is referred to in Figs. 4, where empty hollow (1 1 ) is perpendicular to base (1 9). Groove 1 6 is diagonal to base (1 9) and to empty hollow (1 1 ), and generally align with the bottom or top of empty hollow (1 1 ).

[Para 30] Another embodiment of spacer (1 0), shown on Fig 1 , is referred to in Fig. 5. Ditch (1 7) is made in base (1 9), aligned with spacer's sides, accommodating the horizontal rebar, stabilizing spacer (1 0) against unintentional rotating once aligned on a vertical rebar. Ditch (1 7) may be made to accommodate horizontal rebar separately, or may accommodate 2 -4 possible placements of rebar adjacent sides of empty hollow 1 1 .

[Para 31 ] Yet another embodiment of spacer (1 0) shown on Fig 1 is referred to in Fig. 6, where sides 20, 2 1 , 22 , 23 may be bowl shaped, reducing the area touching the frame.

[Para 32] Yet another embodiment of spacer (1 0) shown on Fig 1 is referred to in Fig. 7, where corners between sides 20, 21 , 22, 23 may be cut in straight or curved manner, reducing the area touching the frame.

[Para 33] Another embodiment of the present invention as shown in Fig. 8, is a tubular spacer (24), comprises: empty hollow (25) perpendiculars to its base (27), Groove (26) diagonal to base (27) and to the circular side (28) of spacer (24), connecting side (28) and empty hollow (25). Empty hollow (25) may be centered, allowing fixed gap (30) between the empty hollow and spacers' sides. Gap (30) may be of any desired value, such as but not limited to, 25mm, 30mm, 35 mm, 40mm, 50mm, 60mm, 70mm.

[Para 34] Spacer (24) may comprise a ditch (31 ) at its base (27), which may be used for horizontal rebar, stabilizing spacer (24) against un-intentional rotating, once aligned on a vertical rebar. Spacer (24) has a small touch area with the frame, and may be best suitable for constructing tu bular concrete members, such as, but not limited to, columns, poles, stilts, foundations, etc.

[Para 35] Yet another embodiment of the present invention shown in Figs. 9 & 1 0 & 1 1 a & l i b, illustrates a cuboid spacer (32) comprising a bent groove (33) perpendiculars to its top (34) and generally parallel to sides, front (35), right (36), back (37), and left (38).

Bent-groove (33) connects to front side (35), top side (34), and base side (39). Base (39) is diagonal to groove (33) and to sides (35 , 36, 37, 38). When Aligning spacer 32 on base (39) iron wire mesh locks into the angle of groove (33), between bend base (46) and inner end (40).

Inner end of bent groove (40) may be centered, allowing gaps (41 ), (42), (43), (44) between inner end (40) and each of spacers' sides (35 , 36, 37, 38), to be of same value, such as but not limited to, 25mm, 30mm, 40mm, 50 mm, 60mm, 70mm. Alternatively, Inner end of groove (40) may be ex-centered, allowing gaps (41 , 42, 43, 44) between Inner end of groove (40) and each of the spacers sides (35 , 36, 37, 38), to be of up to four different values, such as, but not limited to, 20mm, 30mm, 40mm, 50 mm at any given order, allowing spacer (32) to facilitate up to 4 different gaps. Bent groove (33) may be of any diameter/width, allowing the use of spacer (32) on a variety of rebar smaller than said diameter.

[Para 36] As non-committing example, diameter/width of 1 1 mm facilitates the use of spacer (32) on rebar of diameters 6mm, 8mm, 1 0mm, or any intermediate size.

[Para 37] As another non-committing example, diameter/width of 1 5 mm facilitates the use of spacer (32) on rebar of diameters 1 0mm, 1 2 mm, 1 4mm, or any intermediate size.

[Para 38] As yet another non-committing example, diameter/width of 2 1 mm facilitates the use of spacer (32) on rebar of diameters 1 4mm, 1 6mm, 1 8mm, 20mm, or any intermediate size.

[Para 39] As yet another non-committing example, diameter/width of 32 mm facilitates the use of spacer 32 on rebar of diameters 20mm, 22mm, 25 mm, 28mm, 31 mm, or any intermediate size.

[Para 40] Placement spacer (32) on a vertical rebar portion is done by threading the rebar through bent groove (33) to inner end groove (40) and sliding it downwards until stopped by the next horizontal rebar. Gravity aligns base (39) with the horizontal rebar, thus locking spacer (32) on the vertical rebar. Spacer (32) may then be rotated so that the desired face will be towards the mold wall. [Para 41 ] Using spacer (32) to space floorings, when all the rebar are horizontal, is done similarly. Spacer (32) may be threaded on any floor rebar, however it is usually threaded on the bottommost rebar.

Spacer (32) may be economically produced by industrial equipment used for manufacturing interlocking bricks, pavers, extrusion molding, wet casting, etc. Ditch (45) may be made in base (39), aligned with spacer's sides, accommodating the horizontal rebar, stabilizing spacer (32) against unintentional rotating once aligned on a vertical rebar. Ditch (45) may be made to accommodate horizontal rebar separately, or may accommodate 2 -4 possible placements of rebar adjacent bottom sides of inner end groove (40).

[Para 42] Yet another embodiment of the present invention is shown in Fig. 1 2. Illustrating cuboid spacer (61 ) comprising a bent groove (47) perpendicular to its top (48) and generally parallel to sides, front (49), right (50), back (5 1 ) and left (52).

[Para 43] Bent groove (47) connects to front side (49), top side (48), and base side (53). Base (53) is diagonal to bent groove (47) and to generally parallel sides, (front 49, right 50, back 5 l and left 52). Aligning spacer 61 to base (53) with horizontal rebar facilitates a hollow, perpendicular to base (53), between bend base (60) and inner end (54). Inner end (54) of bent groove (47) may be ex-centered, allowing gaps (55) and (57) to differ by rebar diameter, allowing spacer (61 ) to maintain predetermined gap between welded vertical rebar mesh and mold side. [Para 44] In non-committing example, spacer (61 ) has bent groove (47) diameter of 1 1 mm, gap 55 of 30mm, gap (57) of 40mm, and may be designed to maintain 30 mm concrete coverage at a vertical wall using 1 0mm diameter welded mesh.

If said mesh is fixed with the vertical rebar towards the mold wall, spacer (61 ) is threaded on the vertical rebar so that front side (49) is towards the mold, keeping the vertical rebar 30 mm from the mold. If said mesh is fixed with the horizontal rebar towards the mold wall, spacer (61 ) is threaded on the vertical rebar so that rear side (51 ) is towards the mold, keeping the horizontal rebar 30 mm from the mold.

[Para 45] Placement spacer (61 ) on a vertical rebar portion is done by threading the rebar through bent groove (47) to inner end groove (54) and sliding it downwards until stopped by the next horizontal rebar. Gravity aligns base (53) with the horizontal rebar, thus locking spacer (46) on the vertical rebar. Spacer ( 61 ) may then be rotated so that the desired face will be towards the mold wall.

Spacer (61 ) may be economically produced by industrial equipment used for manufacturing interlocking bricks, pavers, extrusion molding, wet casting, etc. Ditch (59) may be made in base (53), aligned with spacer's sides, accommodating the horizontal rebar, stabilizing spacer (61 ) against unintentional rotating once aligned on a vertical rebar. Ditch (59) may be made to accommodate horizontal rebar separately, or may accommodate 2 possible placements of rebar adjacent bottom sides of inner end groove (54). Corners between sides (49, 50, 5 1 , 52) may be cut in straight or curved manner or may be bowl shaped, reducing the area touching the frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[Para 46] The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawing in which:

[Para 47] FIG. 1 is a simplified perspective view of a spacer according to a preferred embodiment of the invention

[Para 48] FIG. 2 is a top view of the spacer shown on Fig 1

[Para 49] FIG. 3 is a front view of the spacer shown on Fig 1

[Para 50] FIG. 4 is a front view of another embodiment of the spacer shown on Fig 1

[Para 51 ] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the spacer shown on Fig 1

[Para 52] FIG. 6 is a top view of another embodiment of the spacer shown on Fig 1

[Para 53] FIG. 7 is a top view of another embodiment of the spacer shown on Fig 1

[Para 54] FIG. 8 is a simplified perspective view of a spacer according to a preferred embodiment of the invention [Para 55] FIG. 9 is a simplified perspective view of a spacer according to a preferred embodiment of the invention

[Para 56] FIG. 1 0 is a top view of the spacer shown on Fig 9

[Para 57] FIG. 1 1 a and Fig l i b are a front view of the spacer shown on Fig 9 [Para 58] FIG. 1 2 is a simplified perspective view of a spacer according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [Para 59] Reference is now made to Fig. 1 , which illustrates a spacer in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

A cuboid spacer 1 0 comprises, empty hollow 1 1 perpendicu lars to its base 1 9, groove 1 6 diagonal to base 1 9 and to front face 20 of the spacer. Groove 1 6 connects front face 20 and empty hollow 1 1 . Empty hollow 1 1 may be centered, allowing fixed gap between empty hollow 1 1 and each of sides 20, 2 1 , 22, 23, or may be ex-centered, allowing gaps 1 2 , 1 3, 1 4, 1 5 to be of up to four different values. Placement spacer 1 0 on a vertical rebar portion is done by threading the rebar through groove 1 6 to empty hollow 1 1 , and sliding it downwards until stopped by the next horizontal rebar. Gravity aligns base 1 9 with the horizontal rebar, thus locking spacer 1 0 on the vertical rebar. Spacer 1 0 may be rotated so the desired face will be towards the mold wall. Using spacer 1 0 to space floorings, when all the rebar are horizontal, is done similarly. Spacer 1 0 may be threaded on any floor rebar, however it is usually threaded on the bottommost rebar.

[Para 60] Reference is now made to Fig. 2, which illustrates a top view of the spacer 1 0 shown on Fig 1 . Empty hollow 1 1 may be centered, allowing gaps 1 2 , 1 3, 1 4, 1 5 between the empty hollow and each of the spacers sides 20, 2 1 , 22 , 23, to be of the same value, such as but not limited to, 25 mm, 30mm, 40mm, 50 mm, 60mm, 70mm. Alternatively, empty hollow 1 1 may be ex-centered, allowing gaps 1 2 , 1 3, 1 4, 1 5 between empty hollow 1 1 and each of spacers sides 20, 21 , 22 , 23, to be of up to four different value, such as but not limited to, 20mm, 30mm, 40mm, 50 mm at any given order, allowing spacer 1 0 to facilitate up to 4 different gaps. Empty hollow 1 1 and groove 1 6 are generally of similar diameter, allowing the use of spacer 1 0 on a variety of rebar smaller than said diameter.

[Para 61 ] Reference is now made to Fig. 3, which illustrates a front view of spacer 1 0 shown on Fig 1 . Empty hollow 1 1 is perpendicu lar to base 1 9. Groove 1 6 is diagonal to base 1 9 and to empty hollow 1 1 , and generally centered relative to empty hollow 1 1 .

[Para 62] Reference is now made to Fig. 4, a front view of spacer 1 0 shown on Fig 1 , which illustrates yet another embodiment. Empty hollow 1 1 is perpendicular to base 1 9. Groove 1 6 is diagonal to base 1 9 and to empty hollow

1 1 , and generally align with the bottom or top of empty hollow 1 1 .

[Para 63] Reference is now made to Fig. 5, which illustrates a perspective view of spacer 1 0 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Ditch 1 7 is made in base 1 9, aligned with spacer's sides, accommodating the horizontal rebar, stabilizing spacer 1 0 from un-intentional rotating once aligned on a vertical rebar. Ditch 1 7 may be made to accommodate horizontal rebar separately, or may accommodate 2 -4 possible placements of rebar adjacent sides of empty hollow 1 1 .

[Para 64] Reference is now made to Fig. 6, which illustrates a top view of yet another embodiment of spacer 1 0 shown on Fig 1 . Sides 20, 21 , 22 , 23 may be bowl shaped, reducing the area touching the frame.

[Para 65] Reference is now made to Fig. 7, which illustrates a top view of yet another embodiment spacer 1 0 shown on Fig 1 . Corners between sides 20, 2 1 , 22 , 23 may be cut in straight or curved manner, reducing the area touching the frame.

Reference is now made to Fig. 8, which illustrates a perspective view of a spacer in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention. A tubular spacer 24, comprises empty hollow 25 perpendicular to its base 27. A groove 26, diagonal to base 27 and to the circu lar side 28 of spacer 24, connects the side 28 and empty hollow 25. Empty hollow 25 may be centered, allowing fixed gap 30 between the empty hollow and each of spacers' sides. Gap 30 may be of any desired value, such as but not limited to, 25 mm, 30mm, 35mm, 40mm, 50mm, 60mm, 70mm. Spacer 24 may comprise a ditch 31 at its base 27, which may be used for horizontal rebar, stabilizing spacer 24 against un-intentional rotating once aligned on a vertical rebar. Spacer 24 has a small touch area with the frame, and is suitable for constructing tu bular concrete members, such as ,but not limited to, columns, poles, stilts, foundations, etc.

[Para 66] Reference is now made to Fig. 9, which illustrates a spacer in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention. Cuboid spacer 32 comprises a bent groove 33 perpendiculars to its top 34 and generally parallel to sides, front 35, right 36, back 37, and left 38. Bent-groove 33 connects to front side 35, top side 34, and base side 39. Base 39 is diagonal to groove 33 and to sides 35 , 36, 37, 38, making right side 36 shorter than left side 38.

Inner end 40 of bent groove 33 may be centered, allowing gaps 41 , 42 , 43, 44 between inner end 40 and each of the spacers' sides 35 , 36, 37, 38, to be of same value, such as but not limited to, 25mm, 30mm, 40mm, 50 mm, 60mm, 70mm. Alternatively, Inner end 40 of bent groove 33 may be ex-centered, allowing gaps 41 , 42 , 43, 44 between Inner end 40 of bent groove 33 and each of the spacers sides 35 , 36, 37, 38, to be of up to four different values, such as, but not limited to, 20mm, 30mm, 40mm, 50 mm at any given order, allowing spacer 32 to facilitate up to 4 different gaps. Bent groove 33 may be of any diameter/width, allowing the use of spacer 32 on a variety of rebar smaller than said diameter.

[Para 67] Reference is now made to Fig. 1 0, which illustrates a top view of the spacer of FIG 9. Inner end 40 of bent groove 33 may be centered, allowing gaps

41 , 42 , 43, 44 between the inner end 40 and each of the spacers sides 35 , 36, 37, 38, to be of the same value, such as but not limited to, 25mm, 30mm, 40mm, 50 mm, 60mm, 70mm. Alternatively, Inner end 40 of bent groove 33 may be ex-centered, allowing gaps 41 , 42 , 43, 44 between Inner end 40 of bent groove 33 and each of the spacers sides 35, 36, 37, 38, to be of up to four different values, such as but not limited to, 20mm, 30mm, 40mm, 50 mm at any given order, allowing spacer 32 to facilitate u p to 4 different gaps.

[Para 68] Reference is now made to Fig. 1 l a and Fig. 1 l b, which illustrates a front view of spacer 32. Fig 1 1 a is aligned as when spacer 32 is threaded on a vertical rebar. Fig l i b is aligned as when spacer 32 is leaning on a horizontal rebar following thread on a vertical rebar.

Aligning spacer 32 to base with horizontal rebar facilitates a hollow, perpendicular to base 39, between bend base (46) and inner end (40).

[Para 69] Reference is now made to Fig. 1 2 , which illustrates a perspective view of a spacer in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Cuboid spacer 61 comprises a bent groove 47 perpendicular to its top 48 and generally parallel to sides, front 49, right 50, back 5 1 and left 52. Bent groove 47 connects to front side 49, top side 48, and base side 53. Base 53 is diagonal to the bent groove 47 and generally parallel to sides, front 49, right 50, back 5 l and left 52 making right side 50 shorter than left side 52. Inner end 54 of bent groove 47 may be ex-centered, allowing gaps 55 and 57 to differ by rebar diameter, allowing spacer 61 to maintain predetermined gap between welded vertical rebar mesh and mold side. Aligning spacer 61 base with horizontal rebar facilitates a hollow, perpendicular to base 53, between bend base 60 and inner end 54.

The corners between sides 49, 50, 51, 52 may be cut in straight or curved manner, reducing the area touching the frame. Sides 49, 50, 51, 52 may be bowl shaped, reducing the area touching the frame.