Rebar positioner

Abstract

An apparatus for aiding in the positioning of a reinforcing bar or “rebar” within a core of a masonry block unit includes a mid-section defining at least one substantially confined area for receiving the reinforcing bar therein, and first and second opposed arms extending outward from the midsection. Each of the arms includes a first section extending outward from substantially opposite ends of the mid-section. The first sections of the first and second arms are substantially co-linear and define a center axis of the apparatus. A second section extends at an angle from the first section, and a third section extends at an angle from the second section. A fourth section extends at a substantially acute angle relative to the third section. The third and fourth sections of each of the first and second arms are substantially co-planar relative to each other, and are substantially non-planar relative to the first sections of the arms. The fourth sections of the first and second arms reside on opposite sides of the center axis, so that the third and fourth sections of the arms can rest on a top surface of the masonry block unit proximate opposed diagonal corners of the core of the masonry block unit and support the mid-section, which resides in substantially diagonal orientation within the masonry block core.

1 . An apparatus for aiding in the positioning of a reinforcing bar within a core of a masonry block unit comprising:
 (a) a mid-section defining at least one substantially confined area for receiving the reinforcing bar therein;   (b) first and second opposed arms extending outward from the midsection, each of the first and second opposed arms comprising:
 (i) an inner section extending outward from substantially opposite ends of the mid-section, and wherein the inner sections of the first and second arms are substantially co-linear and define a center axis of the apparatus, and 
 (ii) an outer section extending at an acute angle relative to the inner section, and wherein the outer sections of the first and second arms reside on opposite sides of the center axis, whereby the outer sections of the first and second arms can rest on a top surface of the masonry block unit proximate opposed diagonal corners of the core of the masonry block unit. 
   
   
   
       2 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is adapted for use with a masonry block unit having a substantially square core. 
   
   
       3 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises a single metal wire, and the mid-section and the first and second arms are integrally formed from the metal wire. 
   
   
       4 . An apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the metal wire has a circular cross-section. 
   
   
       5 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the mid-section has a substantially reversed “S” shape defining first and second substantially confined areas for receiving the reinforcing bar therein. 
   
   
       6 . An apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the first and second substantially confined areas reside on opposite sides of the center axis. 
   
   
       7 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the mid-section is substantially “S” shaped, and defines first and second substantially confined areas for receiving the reinforcing bar therein residing on opposite sides of the center axis. 
   
   
       8 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the mid-section comprises:
 (a) a first substantially reversed “S” shape section defining first and second substantially confined areas for receiving the reinforcing bar therein; and   (b) a second substantially reversed “S” shape section defining third and fourth substantially confined areas for receiving the reinforcing bar therein.   
   
   
       9 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the outer section extends at an angle of about forty-five degrees relative to the inner section. 
   
   
       10 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the mid-section comprises a substantially circular loop defining an enclosed area for receiving the reinforcing bar therein. 
   
   
       11 . An apparatus for aiding in the positioning of a reinforcing bar within a core of a masonry block unit comprising:
 (a) a mid-section defining at least one substantially confined area for receiving the reinforcing bar therein;   (b) first and second opposed arms extending outward from the midsection, each of the first and second opposed arms comprising:
 (i) a first section extending outward from substantially opposite ends of the mid-section, and wherein the first sections of the first and second arms are substantially co-linear and define a center axis of the apparatus, 
 (ii) a second section extending at an angle from the first section, 
 (iii) a third section extending at an angle from the second section, and 
 (iv) a fourth section extending at a substantially acute angle relative to the third section, and wherein the third and fourth sections of each of the first and second arms are substantially co-planar relative to each other and are substantially non-planar relative to the first sections of the first and second arms, and further wherein the fourth sections of the first and second arms reside on opposite sides of the center axis, whereby the third and fourth sections of the first and second arms can rest on a top surface of the masonry block unit proximate opposed diagonal corners of the core of the masonry block unit to support the mid-section residing within the masonry block core. 
   
   
   
       12 . An apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the apparatus is adapted for use with a masonry block unit having a substantially square core. 
   
   
       13 . An apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the apparatus comprises a single metal wire, and the mid-section and the first and second arms are integrally formed from the metal wire. 
   
   
       14 . An apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein the metal wire has a circular cross-section. 
   
   
       15 . An apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the mid-section has a substantially reversed “S” shape defining first and second substantially confined areas for receiving the reinforcing bar therein. 
   
   
       16 . An apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein the first and second substantially confined areas reside on opposite sides of the center axis. 
   
   
       17 . An apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the mid-section is substantially “S” shaped, and defines first and second substantially confined areas for receiving the reinforcing bar therein residing on opposite sides of the center axis. 
   
   
       18 . An apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the mid-section comprises:
 (a) a first substantially reversed “S” shape section defining first and second substantially confined areas for receiving the reinforcing bar therein; and   (b) a second substantially reversed “S” shape section defining third and fourth substantially confined areas for receiving the reinforcing bar therein.   
   
   
       19 . An apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the fourth section extends at an angle of about forty-five degrees relative to the third section of each of the first and second arms. 
   
   
       20 . An apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein when the apparatus is used in conjunction with the masonry block unit, the second section extends upwardly from the first section of the first and second arms, whereby the first sections of the first and second arms and the center section reside within the core of the masonry block unit below the top surface of the masonry block unit, and the third and fourth sections rest on the top surface of the masonry block unit. 
   
   
       21 . An apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the second section extends substantially perpendicularly from the first section of the first and second arms, and the third section extends substantially perpendicularly from the second section, and further wherein the first and third sections of the first and second arms are substantially parallel to each other. 
   
   
       22 . An apparatus according to  claim 22 , wherein the fourth section extends from the third section at an angle of about forty-five degrees.