Protective cover for reinforcing bar

Abstract

A protective cover for an exposed end of a rebar has a collar with a closed end and an open end and a cap disposed within the collar. The cap has a closed end and an open end that is exposed to the open end of the collar such that an end of a rebar that is introduced into the open end of the collar will extend into the open end of the cap.

1 .- 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A method for manufacturing a protective cap, the method comprising:
 placing a seat having a closed end and an open end within a mold configured to form at least a collar having a closed end and an open end around a portion of the seat within the mold such that the open end of the seat is exposed to the open end of the collar; and   injecting a material into the mold thereby forming the collar about a portion of the seat.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein injecting a material comprises injecting a plastic into the mold. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the mold is configured to form a cap and a collar as an integral unit, wherein the cap is attached to the closed end of the collar and separated from the seat. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 placing a shock-absorbing element proximate to the closed end of the seat within the mold.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein injecting a material comprises forming the collar around a portion of the shock-absorbing element. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 forming a piece of steel into a seat having a closed end and a cylindrical side wall with an open end.   
     
     
         21 . A method for manufacturing a protective cap, the method comprising:
 injecting a material into a mold configured to form at least a collar having a cavity with a closed end and an open end; and   placing a seat having a closed end and an open end within the cavity such that the open end of the seat is exposed to the open end of the collar.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein injecting a material comprises injecting a plastic into the mold. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the mold is configured to form a cap and a collar as an integral unit, wherein the cap is attached to the closed end of the collar. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 placing a shock-absorbing element within the cavity proximate to the closed end of the cavity.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 coupling a shock-absorbing element to the closed end of the seat prior to placing the seat in the cavity.   
     
     
         26 . A protective cover comprising:
 a seat having a closed end and an open end; and   a collar having a closed end, an open end, a wall, a ledge, and a cavity, the cavity extending from the open end of the collar toward the closed end of the collar, the seat disposed in the cavity with the open end of the seat exposed to the open end of the collar such that an end of a rebar introduced into the open end of the collar will extend into the open end of the seat and directly engage the seat, the wall extending between the closed end and the open end, the ledge disposed on the wall and in the cavity and configured to retain the seat within the cavity.   
     
     
         27 . The protective cover of  claim 26 , wherein the ledge abuts the open end of the seat. 
     
     
         28 . The protective cover of  claim 26 , wherein the closed end of the seat is flat. 
     
     
         29 . The protective cover of  claim 28 , wherein the seat comprises a sidewall that is generally cylindrical in form. 
     
     
         30 . The protective cover of  claim 28 , wherein the seat comprises a sidewall that generally tapers inward from the closed end of the seat toward the open end of the seat. 
     
     
         31 . The protective cover of  claim 30 , wherein the sidewall comprises an outward flare proximate to the open end of the seat. 
     
     
         32 . The protective cover of  claim 30 , wherein the sidewall comprises one or more slits that connect to the open end of the seat. 
     
     
         33 . The protective cover of  claim 26 , further comprising a cap having a bottom surface, wherein the closed end of the collar is coupled to the bottom surface of the cap. 
     
     
         34 . The protective cover of  claim 26 , wherein the collar comprises a center axis, and the cavity is symmetric around the center axis. 
     
     
         35 . The protective cover of  claim 26 , wherein the collar comprises a plurality of fins extending inwardly in the cavity and configured to engage an outer surface of the rebar. 
     
     
         36 . The protective cover of  claim 35 , wherein the fins are positioned off-center.