Chair for supporting reinforcing bars and method of using the same

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a chair for supporting rebars above a surface in a reinforced concrete structure. The chair comprises a support structure which includes a rebar supporting area for receiving the rebars, a first leg and a second leg. The chair further comprises first and second base members which are adapted to engage with the first and the second leg ends. Therefore, when the first leg end and the second leg end are securely engaged with respectively the first base member and the second base member, the support structure is supported above the surface by the first base member and the second base member such as to receive rebars. Accordingly, concrete may be poured around the chairs positioned on the surface and further around the rebars that are supported by them.

1 . A chair for supporting a rebar above a surface in a reinforced concrete structure, the chair comprising:
 a support structure comprising:
 a rebar supporting area for receiving the rebar; 
 a first leg extending from the rebar supporting area and defining a first leg end; and 
 a second leg extending from the rebar supporting area opposite the first leg and defining a second leg end; 
   a first base member adapted to engage with the first leg end; and   a second base member adapted to engage with the second leg end, the first leg downwardly extending from the rebar supporting area when the support structure is supported above the surface by the first base member and the second base member;   
       wherein when the first leg end and the second leg end securely engage with respectively the first base member and the second base member, the support structure is supported above the surface by the first base member and the second base member; and 
       wherein each one of the first and second base members comprises:
 a main body for interfacing with the surface when the support structure is supported above the surface by the first base member and the second base member; and 
 a hollow longitudinal member extending from the main body for releasably receiving the support structure. 
 
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The chair of  claim 2 , wherein the second leg downwardly extends from the rebar supporting area when the support structure is supported above the surface by the first base member and the second base member. 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . The chair of  claim 4 , wherein the hollow longitudinal member of the first base member is adapted to releasably receive the first leg end. 
     
     
         6 . The chair of  claim 5 , wherein the hollow longitudinal member of the second base member is adapted to releasably receive the second leg end. 
     
     
         7 . The chair of  claim 6 , wherein the hollow longitudinal member of the first base member and the hollow longitudinal member of the second base member each defines a circular cross-sectional surface for respectively receiving the first leg end and the second leg end, the first and the second leg ends each defining a corresponding circular cross-sectional surface. 
     
     
         8 . The chair of  claim 4 , wherein each one of the first and second base members comprises concrete receiving areas formed through the main body to facilitate free flow of concrete therethrough and around the main body when the support structure is supported above the surface by the first base member and the second base member. 
     
     
         9 . The chair of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure is a wire defining the rebar supporting area, the first leg and the second leg. 
     
     
         10 . The chair of  claim 9 , wherein the wire defines a first fold between the rebar supporting area and the first leg and a second fold between the rebar supporting area and the second leg. 
     
     
         11 . The chair of  claim 10 , wherein the wire further defines a third fold in the rebar supporting area, between the first fold and the second fold for receiving the rebar. 
     
     
         12 . The chair of  claim 11 , wherein diameter of the wire is between about 0.2 inch and about 0.4 inch. 
     
     
         13 . The chair of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure is made of steel. 
     
     
         14 . The chair of  claim 1 , wherein the first base member and the second base member are made of a plastic material. 
     
     
         15 . The chair of  claim 14 , wherein the plastic material comprises polyethylene. 
     
     
         16 . The chair of  claim 4 , wherein the main body and the hollow longitudinal member are integrally formed. 
     
     
         17 . The chair of  claim 4 , wherein the first leg end and the second leg end each defines a threaded surface. 
     
     
         18 . The chair of  claim 17 , wherein the hollow longitudinal member defines a longitudinal opening, the longitudinal opening defining a corresponding internal threaded surface. 
     
     
         19 . The chair of  claim 18 , wherein the threaded surface defined by each one of the first and second leg ends is adapted to engage with the corresponding internal threaded surface defined by the longitudinal opening. 
     
     
         20 . The chair of  claim 1 , further comprising a locking mechanism for locking the first leg end and the second leg end with respectively the first and second base members.