Device for tying and centering reinforcing bar

Abstract

A device for tying and centering reinforcing bars within a cell of a concrete block. A housing adapted to be positioned adjacent the cell contains a tie, which extends from the housing. The tie includes a loop, a free end, at least one centering portion that engages the housing at one end and the loop at an opposite end, and teeth. The at least once centering portion is adapted to position the loop substantially within the center of the cell when the loop is closed around the reinforcing bars. When the free end is pulled, the loop is closed and substantially centered within the cell. Either the housing or the loop itself include a ratchet portion having teeth, which engage the teeth of the tie and hold the loop in a closed position after the free end of the tie is pulled.

1 . A device for tying and centering reinforcing bars within a cell of a concrete block, said device comprising: 
 a housing adapted to be positioned adjacent the cell; and    a tie including a loop and a free end that extends from said housing, said loop adapted to be positioned substantially within a center of the cell when said loop is closed around the reinforcing bars, wherein when said free end is pulled, said loop is closed and substantially centered within the cell.    
   
   
       2 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein said house further comprises: 
 a base portion;    a skirt portion adapted to fit within said base portion; and    a cover portion adapted to cover both said skirt portion and said base portion.    
   
   
       3 . A device according to  claim 2 , wherein said base portion includes a ratchet portion having teeth.  
   
   
       4 . A device according to  claim 2 , wherein said base and skirt portions substantially contain said tie when said loop is in a fully opened position.  
   
   
       5 . A device according to  claim 3 , wherein said tie includes teeth that are adapted to engage said teeth of said ratchet portion thereby holding said loop in a closed position after said free end is pulled.  
   
   
       6 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein said tie includes teeth and a ratchet portion for holding said loop in a closed position after said free end is pulled.  
   
   
       7 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein said tie includes at least one centering portion that engages said housing at one end and said loop at an opposite end.  
   
   
       8 . A device according to  claim 7 , wherein said at least one centering portion engages said loop via a ring portion.  
   
   
       9 . A device according to  claim 8 , wherein a first centering portion engages a first corner of said housing and a second centering portion engages a second corner of said housing.  
   
   
       10 . A device for tying and centering reinforcing bars within a cell of a concrete block, said device comprising: 
 a housing adapted to be positioned adjacent the cell; and    a tie including a loop and a free end that extends from said housing, said tie including at least one centering portion that engages said housing at one end and said loop at an opposite end, said at least once centering portion adapted to position said loop substantially within a center of the cell when said loop is closed around the reinforcing bars, wherein when said free end is pulled, said loop is closed and substantially centered within the cell.    
   
   
       11 . A device according to  claim 10 , wherein said tie includes teeth and a ratchet portion for holding said loop in a closed position after said free end is pulled.  
   
   
       12 . A device according to  claim 10 , wherein said at least one centering portion engages said loop via a ring portion.  
   
   
       13 . A device according to  claim 10 , wherein a first centering portion engages a first corner of said housing and a second centering portion engages a second corner of said housing.  
   
   
       14 . A device for tying and centering reinforcing bars within a cell of a concrete block, said device comprising: 
 a housing adapted to be positioned adjacent the cell; and    a tie including a loop and a free end that extends from said housing, said loop including means for positioning said loop substantially within a center of the cell when said loop is closed around the reinforcing bars, wherein when said free end is pulled, said loop is closed and substantially centered within the cell.    
   
   
       15 . A device according to  claim 14 , wherein said means for positioning include at least one centering portion that engages said housing at one end and said loop at an opposite end.  
   
   
       16 . A device according to  claim 15 , wherein said at least one centering portion engages said loop via a ring portion.  
   
   
       17 . A device according to  claim 15 , wherein a first centering portion engages a first corner of said housing and a second centering portion engages a second corner of said housing.  
   
   
       18 . A device for centering reinforcing bars within a cell of a concrete block, said device comprising: 
 a housing adapted to be positioned adjacent the cell; and    at least one centering portion that engages said housing at one end and includes a ring at an opposite end, said at least once centering portion adapted to extend to substantially a center of the cell so that said ring is adjacent substantially the center of the cell.    
   
   
       19 . A device according to  claim 18 , further comprising: 
 a tie including a loop and a free end that extends from said housing, said tie including teeth and a ratchet portion for holding said loop in a closed position after said free end is pulled, said loop adapted to be inserted through said rings of said at least one centering portion, wherein when said free end is pulled, said loop is closed around the reinforcing bars and substantially centered within the cell.    
   
   
       20 . A device for tying and centering reinforcing bars within a cell of a concrete block, said device comprising: 
 a housing adapted to be positioned adjacent said cell, said housing including a track for receiving a cord,    said cord looped around said track with on end of said cord terminating within said housing and a second end extending outward from said housing; and    a plurality of pivot arms rotatably mounted to said housing at a post support end and receiving said loop through a cord guiding loop and an opposing end.    
   
   
       21 . The device of  claim 20  wherein said track is defined by a sidewall of said housing and a plurality of breakaway pins projecting perpendicularly from a flange of said housing.  
   
   
       22 . The device of  claim 21  further including a cord locking wheel engaging said cord at a point where said cord extend outward from said housing.  
   
   
       23 . The device of  claim 22  wherein said cord locking wheel is effective to require a force of at least 25 foot pounds to activate said device.  
   
   
       24 . The device of  claim 22  wherein an angled ramp is effective to cause said cord locking wheel to apply a pressure on said cord.  
   
   
       25 . The device of  claim 22  wherein said pivot arms are effective to keep said cord out of a central aperture circumscribed by said housing prior to rotation and center a loop formed by said cord within said central aperture subsequent to rotation.