Square tie wire for securing rebar

Abstract

Tie wire with a square cross section is provided which has a 30% increase in tensile strength and at least a 100% increase in surface contact with rebar which it is used to secure. The generally square configuration includes four convex portions at the corners, each pair of convex portions being interconnected by a concave portion. The concave portions may achieve an even larger increase in surface contact as they contact the surface of the rebar.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A tie wire for use in securing rebar at crossover points in concrete construction, the rebar having surface discontinuities, said tie wire comprising 
 a strand of wire having a generally square cross section to increase surface contact between said tie wire and the rebar for enhanced securement.    
     
     
         2 . The tie wire of  claim 1  wherein said tie wire has four convex portions, one said convex portion at each corner, adjacent corner convex portions forming a pair of convex corner portions, each said pair of convex corner portions being interconnected by an intermediate concave portion, said concave portions providing enhanced contact between said tie wire and the surface discontinuities of the rebar.  
     
     
         3 . The tie wire of  claim 1  wherein said tie wire has 30% higher tensile strength than a similar gauge round tie wire resulting from its increased density.  
     
     
         4 . The tie wire of  claim 1  further comprising a coating on a surface portion of said tie wire.