Reinforcing assembly having working members with non-planar tips

Abstract

A reinforcing assembly includes multiple spaced-apart, longitudinally-extending support bars. The reinforcing assembly also includes multiple working members each independently connected to the support bars. The working members are oriented diagonally with respect to a longitudinal axis extending along the support bars. Each working member includes (i) upwardly-extending sides defining a plane and (ii) an end portion spaced apart from the support bars. At least part of the end portion is non-planar with the upwardly-extending sides. For example, the end portion of each working member could extend away from the support bars and be substantially perpendicular to the support bars.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A reinforcing assembly comprising:
 multiple spaced-apart, longitudinally-extending support bars; and   multiple working members each independently connected to the support bars, the working members oriented diagonally with respect to a longitudinal axis extending along the support bars;   wherein each working member comprises (i) upwardly-extending sides defining a plane and (ii) an end portion spaced apart from the support bars, at least part of the end portion being non-planar with the upwardly-extending sides.   
     
     
         2 . The reinforcing assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the end portion of each working member comprises one of: an upwardly-extending hook portion and a downwardly-extending hook portion. 
     
     
         3 . The reinforcing assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the end portion of each working member is substantially planar. 
     
     
         4 . The reinforcing assembly of  claim 3 , wherein, for each working member, the plane defined by the upwardly-extending sides is angled with respect to a plane defined by the end portion. 
     
     
         5 . The reinforcing assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the end portion of each working member extends away from the support bars and is substantially perpendicular to the support bars. 
     
     
         6 . The reinforcing assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each upwardly-extending side includes a connecting portion that is substantially parallel to one of the support bars and that connects the upwardly-extending side to that support bar. 
     
     
         7 . The reinforcing assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the support bars and the working members comprise #3 rebar. 
     
     
         8 . The reinforcing assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the upwardly-extending sides of all working members are substantially parallel with each other when the reinforcing assembly is viewed from a side. 
     
     
         9 . The reinforcing assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each support bar comprises a section that is bent upward and that is configured to be anchored within a supporting structure. 
     
     
         10 . The reinforcing assembly of  claim 1 , wherein at least some of the working members are spaced a variable distance apart. 
     
     
         11 . A reinforced structure comprising:
 a supported structure; and   a reinforcing assembly embedded within the supported structure, wherein the reinforcing assembly comprises:
 multiple spaced-apart, longitudinally-extending support bars; and 
 multiple working members each independently connected to the support bars, the working members oriented diagonally with respect to a longitudinal axis extending along the support bars; 
   wherein each working member comprises (i) upwardly-extending sides defining a plane and (ii) an end portion spaced apart from the support bars, at least part of the end portion being non-planar with the upwardly-extending sides.   
     
     
         12 . The reinforced structure of  claim 11 , wherein the end portion of each working member comprises one of: an upwardly-extending hook portion and a downwardly-extending hook portion. 
     
     
         13 . The reinforced structure of  claim 11 , wherein the end portion of each working member is substantially planar. 
     
     
         14 . The reinforced structure of  claim 13 , wherein, for each working member, the plane defined by the upwardly-extending sides is angled with respect to a plane defined by the end portion. 
     
     
         15 . The reinforced structure of  claim 11 , wherein the end portion of each working member extends away from the support bars and is substantially perpendicular to the support bars. 
     
     
         16 . The reinforced structure of  claim 11 , wherein each upwardly-extending side includes a connecting portion that is substantially parallel to one of the support bars and that connects the upwardly-extending side to that support bar. 
     
     
         17 . The reinforced structure of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the supported structure comprises a concrete slab; and   the concrete slab is supported by at least one concrete column.   
     
     
         18 . The reinforced structure of  claim 11 , wherein the reinforcing assembly is located in a beam stirrup within the supported structure. 
     
     
         19 . A method comprising:
 forming a supported structure having a reinforcing assembly positioned within the supported structure, the reinforcing assembly comprising:
 multiple spaced-apart, longitudinally-extending support bars; and 
 multiple working members each independently connected to the support bars, the working members oriented diagonally with respect to a longitudinal axis extending along the support bars; 
   wherein each working member comprises (i) upwardly-extending sides defining a plane and (ii) an end portion spaced apart from the support bars, at least part of the end portion being non-planar with the upwardly-extending sides.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the end portion of each working member extends away from the support bars and is substantially perpendicular to the support bars.