Method and apparatus for positioning reinforcing members within hardened material structures

Abstract

A positioning device for accurately positioning a reinforcing member in a hardening material (e.g., concrete). The positioning device is made from a plastic material and includes a base and a support member extending from the base. The base includes at least one receiving member supported on the support member. The receiving member is in the form of a flexible clip or spring clip. The clips are C-shaped and include arms with an opening between the arms which leads to a holding area. Each clip is capable of receiving reinforcing members of varying sizes within the opening. The clips flex outward to accommodate a reinforcing member and subsequently return inward toward a rest mode to contact and secure the reinforcing member within the holding area. The clips may be positioned at various heights and orientations.

1 . A support device operable to position a reinforcing member in a hardening material comprising:
 a base;   a support member connected to and extending from said base, the support member comprising:
 a plurality of supports, and 
 a bridge member disposed between said supports; and 
   a plurality of receiving members each including a plurality of arms to engage a portion of a reinforcing member, wherein said arms of said receiving members are resilient to engage reinforcing members of varying dimensions,   wherein at least one said receiving member is disposed on said bridge member to position a corresponding reinforcing member at a first elevation relative to said base and in a first orientation, and at least two said receiving members are each disposed on a corresponding support and collectively position a corresponding reinforcing member at a second different elevation relative to said base and in a second different orientation.   
   
   
       2 . The support device of  claim 1 , wherein said bridge member includes at least one recess disposed between said bridge member and said base to enable flow of hardening material therethrough. 
   
   
       3 . The support device of  claim 3 , wherein:
 said bridge member comprises a top edge and a bottom edge;   at least one recess is formed into the top edge; and   at least one recess is formed into the bottom edge disposed between said bridge member and said base member.   
   
   
       4 . The positioning device of  claim 1 , wherein said bridge member includes a series of ribs disposed on an exterior surface. 
   
   
       5 . The positioning device of  claim 1 , wherein said bridge member includes indicia providing information pertaining to use of said positioning device. 
   
   
       6 . The positioning device of  claim 5 , wherein said indicia includes information indicating a distance between said receiving member disposed on said bridge member and said base. 
   
   
       7 . The positioning device of  claim 1 , wherein said receiving member arms include a series of serrations to engage said reinforcing member. 
   
   
       8 . The positioning device of  claim 1 , wherein said base includes a series of ribs disposed on an exterior surface. 
   
   
       9 . The positioning device of  claim 1 , wherein said supports each include a plurality of braces attached to said base and to opposing surfaces of said bridge member. 
   
   
       10 . The positioning device of  claim 1 , wherein said supports each include an indicia portion including indicia providing information pertaining to use of said positioning device. 
   
   
       11 . The positioning device of  claim 10 , wherein said indicia includes information indicating a distance between said corresponding receiving member disposed on said support and said base. 
   
   
       12 . The positioning device of  claim 1 , further including at least one stiffener to reinforce said positioning device, wherein said at least one stiffener is positioned in at least one of a location between said support member and said supports, a location between said supports and said base member, and a location between said receiving member and said bridge member. 
   
   
       13 . The positioning device of  claim 1 , wherein said positioning device is formed from engineering grade resins and is constructed by at least one of thermoplastic injection and/or bi-injection, gas assist, and sandwich or insert molding. 
   
   
       14 . The positioning device of  claim 1 , wherein said positioning device accommodates a maximum temperature of 200° F. 
   
   
       15 . A method of positioning a reinforcing member in a hardening material comprising:
 (a) engaging a first reinforcing member via a first receiving member of a positioning device to support said reinforcing member at a first elevation and in a first orientation, wherein said positioning device includes a base, a support member connected to and extending from said base and including a plurality of supports and a bridge member disposed between said supports, and a plurality of receiving members each including a plurality of arms to engage a portion of a reinforcing member, wherein said arms of said receiving members are resilient to engage reinforcing members of varying dimensions, and wherein said first receiving member is disposed on said bridge member and said first elevation is relative to said base;   (b) engaging a second reinforcing member via at least two receiving members each disposed on a corresponding support to collectively position said second reinforcing member at a second different elevation relative to said base and in a second different orientation.   
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein:
 said bridge member includes at least one recess disposed between said bridge member and said base; and   said method further includes (c) enabling flow of hardening material through said bridge member via said recess.   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein:
 said bridge member includes a series of ribs disposed on an exterior surface; and   said method further includes (c) providing areas for said hardening material to bond to said bridge member and preventing gaps via said ribs.   
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein:
 said bridge member includes indicia; and   (a) comprises (a.1) providing information pertaining to use of said positioning device via said indicia.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said indicia includes information indicating a distance between said first receiving member disposed on said bridge member and said base. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein:
 said first and second receiving members include spring clips;   (a) includes (a.1) engaging said first reinforcing member via said spring clip of said first receiving member; and   (b) further includes (b.1) engaging said second reinforcing member via said spring clips of said second receiving members.   
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein:
 said first and second receiving members each include a series of serrations;   (a) comprises (a.1) engaging said first reinforcing member via said serrations of said first receiving member; and   (b) further comprises (b.1) engaging said second reinforcing member via said serrations of said second receiving members.   
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein:
 said base includes a series of ribs disposed on an exterior surface;   and said method further includes (c) providing areas for said hardening material to bond to said base and preventing gaps via said ribs.   
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein:
 said supports each include an indicia portion including indicia; and   (b) further includes (b.1) providing information pertaining to use of said positioning device via said indicia.