Support for embedding object in concrete

Abstract

A system for supporting and holding in place an object (for example and not by way of limitation, anchor bolts, steel plates and the like) to be embedded in concrete. A device having a shaft and a tower can be used to support the object, by inserting the shaft into an opening in the tower and rotatably locking the shaft in place at the desired height, an embed can be supported in the desired position. Concrete can be poured around the support to embed the object at the desired position within the concrete.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A support device comprising:
 a shaft, the shaft comprising:
 a rod; 
 a platform attached to a first end of the rod; 
 a first engagement mechanism disposed along at least a portion of the rod; and 
   a tower having an interior surface, the interior surface surrounding an opening in a first end of the tower, the opening configured to receive the rod, wherein the interior surface comprises a second engagement mechanism formed on at least a portion of the interior surface and adapted to engage the first engagement mechanism.   
     
     
         2 . The support device of  claim 1 , wherein the tower further comprises:
 a securing element configured to releasably secure the rod within the tower.   
     
     
         3 . The support device of  claim 1 , wherein the first engagement mechanism is formed radially around an outer surface of the rod. 
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the platform has a pilot hole formed therein. 
     
     
         5 . The support device of  claim 1 , wherein the first engagement mechanism is discontinuous around an external surface of the shaft. 
     
     
         6 . The support device of  claim 1 , wherein the tower comprises a retention element disposed on an exterior of the tower. 
     
     
         7 . The support device of  claim 1 , wherein the first engagement mechanism is configured to rotatably engage the second engagement mechanism. 
     
     
         8 . The support device of  claim 1 , wherein the shaft further comprises a plurality of measurement indicators thereon, the measurement indicators indicating the distance from a second end of the tower to a top surface of the platform. 
     
     
         9 . The support device of  claim 1 , wherein the tower further comprises:
 a base connected to a second end of the tower, the base comprising a plurality of legs extending radially from a central axis of the tower, the legs being formed having throughholes therein.   
     
     
         10 . The support device of  claim 9  further comprising an attachment plate, the attachment plate configured to attach to the base, the attachment plate comprising attachment holes. 
     
     
         11 . The support device of  claim 10 , wherein the attachment holes are larger than the throughholes in the legs of the base. 
     
     
         12 . A method of supporting an object comprising:
 placing a support device within a form, the support device comprising:
 a shaft, the shaft comprising:
 a rod; 
 a platform attached to a first end of the rod; 
 a first engagement mechanism disposed along at least a portion of the rod; 
 a tower having an interior surface, the interior surface surrounding an opening in a first end of the tower, the opening configured to receive the rod, wherein the interior surface comprises a second engagement mechanism formed on at least a portion of the interior surface and adapted to engage the first engagement mechanism; 
 
   inserting the shaft into the opening in the first end of the tower; and   rotating the shaft to engage the first engagement mechanism with the second engagement mechanism.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising adjusting the support device to a desired height using a plurality of measurement indicators located on the shaft, the measurement indicators indicating the distance from a second end of the tower to a top surface of the platform. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising attaching an object to the platform. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising pouring concrete into the form around the support device, thereby embedding the object in the concrete at the predetermined height. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising retaining the tower in the concrete using a retention element, the retention element disposed on an exterior of the tower. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the tower further comprises a base connected to a second end of the tower, the base comprising a plurality of legs extending radially from a central axis of the tower, the legs being formed having throughholes therein. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising attaching the base to an attachment plate, the attachment plate comprising attachment holes that are larger than the throughholes, the attachment plate configured to be attached to a substrate by inserting an attachment mechanism through the attachment holes and into the substrate. 
     
     
         19 . A support device comprising:
 a shaft, the shaft comprising:
 a rod having a first diameter; 
 a platform attached to a first end of the rod, the platform having a pilot hole formed therein; 
 at least one locking groove disposed along at least a portion of the rod, wherein the at least one locking groove has a second diameter, which is larger than the first diameter; and 
   a tower comprising:
 a tower portion having a first end and a second end, the tower portion having an interior surface forming an opening in the first end, the opening configured to receive the shaft, wherein the interior surface comprises at least one locking member disposed on the interior surface, the at least one locking member configured to engage the at least one locking groove, respectively; 
 a base connected to the second end of the tower portion, the base comprising a plurality of legs extending radially from a center of the tower portion; and 
 a plurality of feet disposed on the plurality of legs. 
   
     
     
         20 . The support device of  claim 19 , wherein the at least one locking groove is configured to rotatably receive the at least one locking member, respectively, to releasably lock the shaft in position within the opening.