Rebar spacer and method

Abstract

A device for supporting reinforcing bars within a form for a concrete wall having transverse form ties includes a non-metal body, configured to attach to a form tie in a fixed orientation. At least one aperture is disposed in the body, and is configured to receive an elongate reinforcing bar, so as to substantially fix the position of the reinforcing bar with respect to the form tie.

1 . A device for supporting reinforcing bars within a form for a concrete wall having transverse form ties, comprising: 
 a non-metal body, configured to attach to a form tie in a fixed orientation; and    at least one aperture, disposed in the body, configured to receive an elongate reinforcing bar, so as to substantially fix the position of the reinforcing bar with respect to the form tie.    
   
   
       2 . A device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the body is of a polymer material.  
   
   
       3 . A device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the at least one aperture comprises a plurality of apertures.  
   
   
       4 . A device in accordance with  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of apertures have varying diameters, so that the body is able to receive and hold rebar of varying diameters.  
   
   
       5 . A device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the at least one aperture includes a resilient lip, configured to receive and hold rebar therein in a press fit.  
   
   
       6 . A device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the body includes at least one aperture for allowing a flow of wet concrete therethrough.  
   
   
       7 . A device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the body includes an aperture disposed above the form tie.  
   
   
       8 . A device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the body has a branched configuration, providing apertures for receiving reinforcing bars on more than one branch.  
   
   
       9 . A device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the body includes an aperture disposed below the form tie.  
   
   
       10 . A device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the body is configured to attach to a form tie selected from the group consisting of bar-type form ties and wire-type form ties.  
   
   
       11 . A device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the at least one aperture is configured to support rebar that is oriented substantially transverse to the body.  
   
   
       12 . A concrete form system, comprising: 
 a wall form having opposing form walls;    a transverse form tie, interconnecting the form walls; and    a non-metal rebar spacer, attached to a form tie in a fixed orientation, the rebar spacer having at least one aperture, configured to receive an elongate reinforcing bar, and to substantially fix the position of the reinforcing bar with respect to the form tie.    
   
   
       13 . A system in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein the form tie is selected from the group consisting of a bar-type form tie and a wire-type form tie.  
   
   
       14 . A system in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein the rebar spacer includes a plurality of apertures.  
   
   
       15 . A system in accordance with  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of apertures have varying diameters, so as to be able to receive and hold rebar of varying diameters.  
   
   
       16 . A system in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein the at least one aperture includes a resilient lip, configured to receive and hold rebar therein in a press fit.  
   
   
       17 . A system in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein the rebar spacer is of a polymer material.  
   
   
       18 . A method for supporting horizontal reinforcement within a concrete wall form, comprising the steps of: 
 connecting a form tie between opposing vertical walls of the wall form;    attaching a non-metal rebar spacer to the form tie between the form walls in a fixed orientation; and    transversely inserting an elongate reinforcing bar into at least one aperture disposed in the rebar spacer, so as to substantially fix the position of the reinforcing bar with respect to the form tie.    
   
   
       19 . A method in accordance with  claim 18 , wherein the step of transversely inserting the elongate reinforcing bar into the at least one aperture comprises inserting the reinforcing bar past a resilient lip of the at least one aperture, so as to place the bar therein in a press fit.  
   
   
       20 . A method in accordance with  claim 18 , wherein the step of transversely inserting the elongate reinforcing bar into the at least one aperture comprises inserting the reinforcing bar into an aperture that is disposed below the form tie.