High tensile grid module for use in concrete construction and method of use

Abstract

A plurality of concrete reinforcing grid modules each comprising a plurality of spaced longitudinal wires and a plurality of spaced transverse wires may be nestably stacked together and sold as a package. The transverse wires are secured to the longitudinal wires at intersections. Each grid module may be secured to other like grid modules without the use of tools or additional material because least some of the grid module wires have tail portions at the ends thereof which interlock with the wires of other grid modules.

1 . A nestably stackable concrete reinforcing grid module comprising: 
 a plurality of spaced longitudinal wires, some of said longitudinal wires being generally corrugated along their lengths including flattened peaks and valleys;    a plurality of spaced transverse wires secured to said longitudinal wires at intersections;    wherein at least some of said wires have tail portions at the ends thereof for locking together multiple grid modules.    
   
   
       2 . The concrete reinforcing grid module of  claim 1 , wherein said wires are made of high tensile strength steel.  
   
   
       3 . The concrete reinforcing grid module of  claim 1  wherein said tail portions are bent down relative to adjacent portions of each of said wires.  
   
   
       4 . The concrete reinforcing grid module of  claim 3  wherein said end portions are bent down 30-45 degrees relative to said adjacent portions of said wires.  
   
   
       5 . The concrete reinforcing grid module of  claim 1  wherein each of said transverse wires has a linear middle portion between the tail portions.  
   
   
       6 . The concrete reinforcing grid module of  claim 1  wherein said transverse wires are secured to said flattened peaks of said longitudinal wires.  
   
   
       7 . The concrete reinforcing grid module of  claim 1  wherein wires of said grid module have a tensile strength greater than 75,000 psi.  
   
   
       8 . The concrete reinforcing grid module of  claim 1  wherein each of said wires of said grid module have a tensile strength of approximately 100,000 psi.  
   
   
       9 . The concrete reinforcing grid module of  claim 1  wherein each of said wires of said grid module are welded together.  
   
   
       10 . A nestably stackable concrete reinforcing grid module comprising: 
 a plurality of spaced longitudinal wires;    a plurality of spaced transverse wires welded to said longitudinal wires at intersections;    wherein at least some of said wires are made of high tensile strength wire having a tensile strength of greater than 75,000 psi.    
   
   
       11 . The concrete reinforcing grid module of  claim 10  wherein at least some of said wires have tail portions at the ends thereof for locking together multiple grid modules.  
   
   
       12 . The concrete reinforcing grid module of  claim 10  wherein at least some of said longitudinal wires are generally corrugated along their lengths and have flattened peaks and valleys.  
   
   
       13 . The concrete reinforcing grid module of  claim 12  wherein said transverse wires are welded to said flattened peaks of said longitudinal wires.  
   
   
       14 . The concrete reinforcing grid module of  claim 10  wherein all of said wires have a tensile strength of greater than 75,000 psi.  
   
   
       15 . The concrete reinforcing grid module of  claim 10  wherein all of said wires have tail portions at the ends thereof for locking together multiple grid modules.  
   
   
       16 . A package of nestably stacked concrete reinforcing grid modules, said package comprising: 
 a stack of welded concrete reinforcing grid modules, each of said concrete reinforcing grid modules comprising:    spaced longitudinal wires;    a plurality of spaced transverse wires welded to said longitudinal wires at intersections;    wherein at least some of said wires have tail portions at the ends thereof for locking together multiple grid modules; and    a collar surrounding said stack of welded concrete reinforcing grid modules.    
   
   
       17 . The package of  claim 16  further comprising collars surrounding said stack of welded concrete reinforcing grid modules and said collar.  
   
   
       18 . The package of  claim 16  wherein said collar is made of cardboard and has information printed thereon.  
   
   
       19 . The package of  claim 16  wherein each of said concrete reinforcing grid modules is made of wire having a tensile strength greater than 75,000 psi.  
   
   
       20 . The package of  claim 16  wherein each of said concrete reinforcing grid modules is made of wire having a tensile strength of approximately 100,000 psi.  
   
   
       21 . A method of making a concrete reinforcing grid comprising: 
 providing first and second nestably stackable concrete reinforcing grid modules, each of said modules comprising:    a plurality of spaced longitudinal wires, some of said longitudinal wires being generally corrugated along their lengths including flattened peaks and valleys;    a plurality of spaced transverse wires secured to said longitudinal wires at intersections;    wherein at least some of said wires have tail portions at the ends thereof for locking together multiple grid modules;    placing said first grid module on a substrate such that said flattened valleys of said first grid module contact the substrate;    placing said second grid module on the substrate such that said flattened valleys of said second grid module contact the substrate and said tail portions of said second grid module overlie an outermost wire of said first grid module.