Concrete form clip

Abstract

A concrete form spacer 100 to retain concrete forms in spaced relationship to each other includes an elongate flat web 112 with end flanges 114 projecting upwardly from the ends of the elongate flat web 112. Tabs 116 project laterally from the elongate flat web 112 at a location spaced inwardly along the elongate flat web 112 from the end flanges 114. Each corresponding pair of tabs 116 and end flanges 114 form an upwardly open pocket 118 configured to closely receive a concrete form panel P therebetween. Each end flange 114 includes a distal flange tip portion 124 that is flared away from form pocket 118 and is configured to guide concrete form panel P down into pocket 118.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 
     
         1 . A spacer to retain concrete forms in spaced relationship to each other, comprising:
 (a) an elongate web having an intermediate hole configured to accept the insertion of a fastener to couple the spacer to a mounting surface;   (b) a first flange including a tip portion, the first flange projecting laterally from a first end of the web;   (c) a first tab projecting laterally from an intermediate location along the web;   (d) wherein the web, the first flange, and the first tab together form a first pocket configured to closely receive a concrete form; and   (e) wherein the tip portion of the first flange is configured to flare away from the first pocket.   
     
     
         2 . The concrete form spacer of  claim 1 , wherein the flared portion of the first flange is arcuate. 
     
     
         3 . The concrete form spacer of  claim 1 , wherein the flared portion of the first flange is disposed at an angle in the range of about 20 degrees to 70 degrees relative to the first flange. 
     
     
         4 . The concrete form spacer of  claim 1 , wherein the first tab is disposed at an angle in the range of about 90 degrees to 70 degrees relative to the web in a direction away from the first pocket. 
     
     
         5 . The concrete form spacer of  claim 1 , wherein the first tab comprises a tip portion configured to flare away from the first pocket. 
     
     
         6 . The concrete form spacer of  claim 5 , wherein the tip portion of the first tab is arcuate. 
     
     
         7 . The concrete form spacer of  claim 5 , wherein the tip portion of the first tab is disposed at an angle in the range of about 20 degrees to 70 degrees relative to the first tab. 
     
     
         8 . The concrete form spacer of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second flange including a tip portion, the second flange projecting laterally from a second end of the web;   a second tab including a tip portion, the second tab projecting laterally from an intermediate location along the web between the first tab and the second flange; and   wherein the web, the second flange, and the second tab together form a second pocket configured to closely receive the concrete form, wherein the tip portion of the second flange and the tip portion of the second tab are configured to flare away from the second pocket.   
     
     
         9 . The concrete form spacer of  claim 1 , wherein the web further comprises:
 a slot configured to create a predisposed bend location; and   a through hole between the slot and a second end of the web configured to accept the insertion of a fastener to couple the spacing bracket to the concrete form.   
     
     
         10 . The concrete form spacer of  claim 1 , wherein the material of the spacer is selected from the group consisting of metallic, polymeric, and composite. 
     
     
         11 . A molded spacer to retain concrete forms in a spaced relationship to each other, comprising:
 (a) an elongate strap portion including an upper surface;   (b) a first protrusion near a first end of the strap portion projecting laterally from the upper surface, the first protrusion including a first wall and a first ramp surface;   (c) a second protrusion projecting laterally from the upper surface at an intermediate location along the strap portion, the second protrusion including a second wall and a second ramp surface;   (d) wherein the strap portion, the first wall, and the second wall together form a first pocket configured to closely receive a concrete form; and   (e) wherein the first ramp surface and the second ramp surface are sloped such that the concrete form is centered in the first pocket during insertion.   
     
     
         12 . The molded concrete form spacer of  claim 11 , wherein the first ramp surface is arcuate. 
     
     
         13 . The molded concrete form spacer of  claim 11 , wherein the first ramp surface is disposed at an angle in the range of about 20 degrees to 70 degrees relative to the first wall in a direction away from the first pocket. 
     
     
         14 . The molded concrete form spacer of  claim 11 , wherein the second ramp surface is arcuate. 
     
     
         15 . The molded concrete form spacer of  claim 11 , wherein the second ramp surface is disposed at an angle in the range of about 20 degrees to 70 degrees relative to the second wall in a direction away from the first pocket. 
     
     
         16 . The molded concrete form spacer of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a third protrusion near the second end of the strap portion projecting laterally from the upper surface, the third protrusion including a third wall and a third ramp surface;   a fourth protrusion projecting laterally from the upper surface at an intermediate location along the strap portion between the second protrusion and the third protrusion, the fourth protrusion including a fourth wall and a fourth ramp surface;   wherein the strap portion, the third wall, and the fourth wall together form a second pocket configured to closely receive the concrete form; and   wherein the third ramp surface and the fourth ramp surface are sloped such that the concrete form is centered in the second pocket during insertion.   
     
     
         17 . The molded concrete form spacer of  claim 11 , wherein the strap portion includes a through hole sized to accept the insertion of a fastener configured to couple the molded concrete form spacer to a mounting surface. 
     
     
         18 . The molded concrete form spacer of  claim 11 , wherein the first protrusion includes a through hole sized to accept the insertion of a fastener configured to couple the concrete form to the molded concrete form spacer. 
     
     
         19 . The molded concrete form spacer of  claim 16 , wherein the third protrusion includes a through hole sized to accept the insertion of the fastener configured to couple the concrete form to the molded concrete form spacer. 
     
     
         20 . The molded concrete form spacer of  claim 11 , wherein the molded concrete form spacer is formed from a polymeric material.