Rod clip stand

Abstract

A rod clip stand is disclosed which is configured to releasably secure and retain a pair of rods in a perpendicular orientation. The rod clip stand has a cradle portion supporting a first rod and an arched portion supporting a second rod. The rod clip stand is particularly well suited for fabricating a rebar grid used to reinforce concrete flatwork.

1 . A rod clip stand for assembling a pair of cylindrical elements comprising:
 a cradle portion having a first cradle with a first concaved surface formed therein and a second cradle laterally spaced from the first cradle with a second concaved surface formed therein, wherein the cradle portion is configured to receive a first cylindrical element; and   an arched portion interconnecting the first and second cradles in a spaced relationship, the arched portion having a third concaved surface formed at a crown of the arched portion and configured to receive a second cylindrical element, wherein the third concave surface is generally perpendicular to the first and second concave surface.   
     
     
         2 . The rod clip stand of  claim 1  wherein the centroids of the first, second and third concave portions lie in a common plane. 
     
     
         3 . The rod clip stand according to  claim 1  further comprising a leg portion extending from at least one of the arched portion and the cradle portion. 
     
     
         4 . The rod clip stand of  claim 3  wherein the leg portion comprises a first leg extending from the first cradle and a second leg extending from the second cradle. 
     
     
         5 . The rod clip stand of  claim 3  wherein a centerline of the leg portion and the centroids of the first, second and third concave surfaces lie in a common plane. 
     
     
         6 . The rod clip stand according to  claim 1  wherein the third concave surface comprises at least two points of contact configured to engage the second cylindrical element. 
     
     
         7 . The rod clip stand of  claim 6  wherein each of the at least two points of contact comprises a protrusion extending from the third concave surface. 
     
     
         8 . The rod clip stand according to  claim 1  further comprising a retaining element formed on at least one of the first and second cradles opposite the arched portion configured to capture the first cylindrical element within the cradle portion. 
     
     
         9 . The rod clip stand according to  claim 1  wherein the first and second concave surfaces are spaced apart from the third contact surface by a distance which is less than a sum of the heights of the first and second cylindrical elements to provide an interference fit. 
     
     
         10 . A rebar assembly comprising:
 a rod clip stand comprising:
 a cradle portion having a first cradle with a first concaved surface formed therein and a second cradle laterally spaced from the first cradle with a second concaved surface formed therein; 
 an arched portion interconnecting the first and second cradles in a spaced relationship, the arched portion having a third concaved surface formed at a crown of the arched portion, wherein the third concave surface is generally perpendicular to the first and second concave surface; and 
 a leg portion extending from the cradle portion opposite the arched portion, the leg portion including a first leg extending from the first cradle and a second leg extending from the second cradle; 
   a first rebar element received in the arched portion and supported by the third concave surface; and   a second rebar element received in the cradle portion and supported by the first and second concave surfaces such that the first rebar element is general perpendicular to the second rebar element.   
     
     
         11 . The rebar assembly of  claim 10  wherein a centerline of the leg portion and the centroids of the first, second and third concave surfaces lie in a common plane. 
     
     
         12 . The rebar assembly according to  claim 10  wherein the third concave surface comprises at least two points of contact on the first rebar element. 
     
     
         13 . The rebar assembly according to  claim 10  wherein each of the at least two points of contact comprises a protrusion extending from the third concave surface. 
     
     
         14 . The rebar assembly according to  claim 10  further comprising a retaining element formed on at least one of the first and second cradles opposite the arched portion to capture the second rebar element within the cradle portion. 
     
     
         15 . The rebar assembly according to  claim 10  wherein the first and second concave surfaces are spaced apart from the third contact surface by a distance, which is less than a sum of the heights of the first and second rebar elements to provide interference fit. 
     
     
         16 . A rebar assembly comprising:
 a plurality of rebar elements arranged in a grid and defining a node at each location where a pair of rebar elements intersect;   a plurality of rod clip stands including a rod clip stand disposed at each node and operable for coupling first and second rebar elements, each rod clip standing including:   a cradle portion supporting the first rebar element and having a first cradle with a first concaved surface formed therein and a second cradle laterally spaced from the first cradle with a second concaved surface formed therein;   an arched portion interconnecting the first and second cradles in a spaced relationship, the arched portion having a third concaved surface formed at a crown of the arched portion, wherein the third concave surface is generally perpendicular to the first and second concave surface and supports the second rebar element; and   a leg portion extending from the cradle portion opposite the arched portion, the leg portion including a first leg extending from the first cradle and a second leg extending from the second cradle.   
     
     
         17 . The rebar assembly of  claim 16  wherein a centerline of the leg portion and the centroids of the first, second and third concave surfaces lie in a common plane. 
     
     
         18 . The rebar assembly according to  claim 16  wherein the third concave surface comprises at least two points of contact on the first rebar element. 
     
     
         19 . The rebar assembly according to  claim 16  further comprising a retaining element formed on at least one of the first and second cradles opposite the arched portion to capture the second rebar element within the cradle portion. 
     
     
         20 . The rebar assembly according to  claim 16  wherein the first and second concave surfaces are spaced apart from the third contact surface by a distance, which is less than a sum of the heights of the first, and second rebar elements to provide interference fit.