Support for concrete reinforcing members

Abstract

A structure is described for supporting concrete reinforcement bars in a concrete structure, such as a footer or foundation. The structure includes a base member having a lower surface and an opposing upper surface. A plurality of pairs of opposing first leg members extend upward from the upper surface of the base member. Each of the first leg members have a lower end connected to the base member and an upper end distally disposed from the lower end. The structure includes a plurality of cradles for receiving the reinforcement bars, where each cradle is attached to the upper ends of a corresponding pair of the opposing first leg members. In a preferred embodiment, the structure includes horizontal support members disposed between and connecting the cradles. To retain the reinforcement bars within the cradles, preferred embodiments of the structure include retaining members that protrude inward from the inner surfaces of the opposing sidewalls. These retaining members offer interference to any upward movement of the reinforcement bars. Preferably, the base member, opposing leg members, cradles, retaining members, and horizontal support members comprise a unitary structural element, such as a continuous piece of thermoplastic material formed by injection molding.

1 . An apparatus for supporting reinforcement bars in a concrete structure, the apparatus comprising: 
 a base member having a lower surface and an opposing upper surface;    a plurality of pairs of opposing first leg members extending upward from the upper surface of the base member, each of the first leg members having a lower end connected to the base member and an upper end distally disposed from the lower end;    a plurality of cradles, each cradle attached to the upper ends of a corresponding pair of the plurality of pairs of opposing first leg members, each cradle for receiving a reinforcement bar.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of cradles comprises a pair of opposing sidewalls separated by a channel.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the base member has a central opening disposed between the opposing first leg members.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the lower ends of the opposing first leg members within each of the plurality of pairs are spaced farther apart than are the upper ends.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 the base member having a first end and a second end;    a first pair of the plurality of pairs of opposing first leg members disposed adjacent the first end of the base member;    a second pair of the plurality of pairs of opposing first leg members disposed adjacent the second end of the base member;    a first cradle of the plurality of cradles, the first cradle attached to the upper ends of the first pair of opposing first leg members;    a second cradle of the plurality of cradles, the second cradle attached to the upper ends of the second pair of opposing first leg members;    a second leg member extending upward from the upper surface of the first end of the base member, the second leg member having a lower end connected to the base member and an upper end connected to the first cradle; and    a third leg member extending upward from the upper surface of the second end of the base member, the third leg member having a lower end connected to the base member and an upper end connected to the second cradle.    
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the base member has a central opening disposed between the first pair of opposing first leg members, between the second pair of opposing first leg members, and between the second and third leg members.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the lower ends of the opposing first leg members within each ofthe plurality of pairs are spaced farther apart than are the upper ends of the opposing first leg members, and the lower ends of the second and third leg members are spaced farther apart than are the upper ends of the second and third leg members.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising horizontal support members disposed between the cradles.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising retaining members protruding inwardly from the opposing sidewalls to retain a reinforcement bar within the channel.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the base member, first leg members, and cradles comprise a unitary structural element.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the base member, first leg members, and cradles are formed from a continuous piece of thermoplastic material.  
   
   
       12 . An apparatus for supporting reinforcement bars in a concrete structure, the apparatus comprising: 
 a base member having a lower surface and an opposing upper surface;    a plurality of pairs of opposing first leg members extending upward from the upper surface of the base member, each of the first leg members having a lower end connected to the base member and an upper end distally disposed from the lower end, the lower ends of the opposing first leg members within each of the plurality of pairs spaced farther apart than are the upper ends;    a plurality of cradles, each cradle attached to the upper ends of a corresponding pair of the plurality of pairs of opposing first leg members, each cradle for receiving a reinforcement bar, wherein each of the plurality of cradles comprises a pair of opposing sidewalls separated by a channel;    retaining members protruding inwardly from the opposing sidewalls of the cradles to retain a reinforcement bar within the channel;    horizontal support members disposed between the cradles;    the base member having a central opening disposed between the opposing first leg members; and    the base member, first leg members, cradles, retaining members, and horizontal support members comprising a unitary structural element.