Grout tube holder and spacer

Abstract

A spacer for securing a grout tube to a frame prior to the pouring of concrete to form a concrete structure. The spacer comprises a central portion and two free ends extending from the central portion. The central portion surrounds at least a portion of the grout tube and the free ends are fastened in some fashion to the frame. A plurality of spacers can be utilized for securing the grout tube in place. The central portion is preferably circular and the manipulation of the free ends can expand or contract the diameter of the central portion.

What is claimed is as follows: 
     
         1 . A preformed spacer for holding a grout tube and securing it to a frame within a concrete form, the spacer comprising:
 a central portion of sufficient size to surround the grout tube;   free ends that extend outwardly from the central portion;   the free ends comprising a fastener;   the fastener capable of engaging the frame;   whereby the grout tube can be held in a predetermined position.   
     
     
         2 . The spacer of  claim 1 , wherein:
 at least one of the fasteners is a hook.   
     
     
         3 . The spacer of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the spacer is a length of spring steel wire.   
     
     
         4 . The spacer of  claim 3 , wherein:
 the length of spring steel wire is continuous.   
     
     
         5 . The spacer of  claim 4 , wherein:
 the central portion having a secondary structure that allows the central portion to be temporarily expanded by grasping the free ends and applying force to expand the central portion's size.   
     
     
         6 . The spacer of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the central portion comprises the secondary structure.   
     
     
         7 . The spacer of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the secondary structure is a loop.   
     
     
         8 . The spacer of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the loop is a circle.   
     
     
         9 . The spacer of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the circle has a certain diameter at a first position of the spacer;   the certain diameter is greater at a second position of the spacer.   
     
     
         10 . The spacer of  claim 9 , wherein:
 at least one the free ends comprises a handle;   the handle allows a user of the spacer to easily grasp the at least one free end and apply a pressure to expand the diameter of the center portion.   
     
     
         11 . The spacer of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the secondary structure overlaps with a first portion of the center portion.   
     
     
         12 . A preformed spacer for holding a grout tube and securing it to a frame within a concrete form, the spacer comprising:
 a central portion of a sufficient size to substantially surround the grout tube;   free ends that extend outwardly from the central portion;   the free ends comprising a fastener;   the fastener capable of engaging the frame;   whereby the grout tube can be held in a predetermined position.   
     
     
         13 . The spacer of  claim 12 , wherein:
 at least one of the fasteners is a hook.   
     
     
         14 . The spacer of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the spacer is a length of spring steel wire.   
     
     
         15 . The spacer of  claim 3 , wherein:
 the length of spring, steel wire is continuous.   
     
     
         16 . A preformed spacer for holding a grout tube and securing it to a frame within a concrete form, the spacer comprising:
 a central portion of sufficient size to surround the grout tube;   free ends that extend outwardly from the central portion;   the free ends comprising a fastener;   the fastener capable of engaging the frame;   whereby the grout tube can be held in a predetermined position; and   at least one of the fasteners is a hook;   the central portion having a secondary structure that allows the central portion to be temporarily expanded by grasping the free ends and applying force to expand the central portion's size.   
     
     
         17 . The spacer of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the spacer is a length of spring steel wire.   
     
     
         18 . The spacer of  claim 17 , wherein:
 the length of spring steel wire is continuous.   
     
     
         19 . The spacer of  claim 18 , wherein:
 the secondary structure is a loop;   the loop is a circle.   
     
     
         20 . The spacer of  claim 19 , wherein:
 the circle has a certain diameter at a first position of the spacer;   the certain diameter is greater at a second position of the spacer.   at least one the free ends comprises a handle;   the handle allows a user of the spacer to easily grasp the at least one free end and apply a pressure to expand the diameter.