Adjustable concrete reinforcement hanger assembly

Abstract

An adjustable concrete reinforcement assembly includes a base member having a pair of open ends and an upper axial cavity defined along the length of the base member. A pair of frame members each include a horizontal extending portion and a vertical extending portion in which the horizontal extending portions are sized to engage the upper axial cavity of the base member. A hanger member is disposed at an upper end of the vertical extending portions of each frame member; wherein the frame members are axially movable within the base member to enable a horizontal dimension of the assembly to be selectively adjusted. At least one support is further provided to receive at least one concrete reinforcement member, such as rebar. In at least one version, adjustments can be to the horizontal dimension of the frame and optionally the vertical and horizontal positioning of the hanger members relative to a concrete form.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . An adjustable concrete reinforcement assembly comprising:
 a frame including a first frame member and a second frame member, each of the first and second frame members including a horizontal extending portion and a vertical extending portion defining a substantial L-shape;   a hanger member extending from the upper end of the vertical extending portions of each of the first and second frame members, each hanger member being shaped and configured to engage a top part of a concrete form; and   at least one concrete reinforcement support, wherein at least one of a horizontal dimension of the frame or the vertical position of the hanger members is selectively adjustable.   
     
     
         7 . The adjustable assembly according to  claim 6 , wherein the horizontal extending portion of the first frame member is adjustably fitted within an elongated axial cavity defined in the horizontal extending portion of the second frame member, enabling the horizontal dimension of the frame to be selectively varied. 
     
     
         8 . The adjustable assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein the horizontal extending portion of one of the first and second frame members comprises a plurality of vertically disposed slots and the horizontal extending portion of the other of the first and second frame members comprises at least one engagement feature sized for engaging any of the plurality of vertically disposed slots to define a plurality of predetermined horizontal positions. 
     
     
         9 . The adjustable assembly according to  claim 8 , wherein the first and second frame members include a plurality of demarcations for indicating a horizontal dimension based on the position of the at least one engagement feature relative to the plurality of vertically disposed slots. 
     
     
         10 . The adjustable assembly according to  claim 6 , further comprising at least one intermediary linking member attachable to the horizontal extending portions of the first and second frame members. 
     
     
         11 . The adjustable assembly according to  claim 6 , wherein at least one of said intermediary linking member or the first and second frame members include at least one concrete reinforcement support. 
     
     
         12 . The adjustable assembly according to  claim 6 , wherein each hanger member includes an upper transverse portion and a downwardly depending portion at an outer end and in which the vertically extending portion, upper transverse portion and downwardly depending portion combine to define a spacing, each hanger member including at least one feature for varying the spacing. 
     
     
         13 . The adjustable assembly according to  claim 12 , wherein each hanger member includes a plurality of spaced openings and a flexible member disposed in relation to each said opening, the flexible member having an engagement feature extending into said opening and engageable with a slot in the vertically extending portions. 
     
     
         14 . A method of fabricating an adjustable concrete reinforcement assembly, said method comprising:
 providing a frame including a pair of frame members, each of the frame members including a horizontal extending portion and a vertical extending portion;   providing hanger members extending transversely from the vertical extending portion of the pair of frame members, the hanger members being configured to engage a top part of a concrete form; and   providing engagement features to permit at least one of a horizontal dimension of the frame or the vertical position of the hanger members to be selectively adjusted.   
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , further comprising the additional steps of:
 providing a base member with an upper axial cavity and open ends;   fitting the horizontal extending portions of each of the pair of frame members within the upper axial cavity; and   providing the engagement features in the base member and the pair of frame members to define a plurality of predetermined horizontal positions.   
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , further comprising the additional step of:
 providing one of the horizontal extending portions or the base member with a plurality of axially spaced locking tabs and the other of the horizontal extending portions or the base member with a plurality of axially spaced openings, each opening being sized to receive a locking tab.   
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , further comprising the additional step of:
 providing one of the horizontal extending portions or the base member with a plurality of axially spaced vertical protrusions and the other of the horizontal extending portions or the base member with a plurality of axially spaced notches sized to engage any of the vertical protrusions to define the plurality of predetermined horizontal positions.   
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the horizontal extending portion of one of the pair of frame members includes an elongated axial enclosure sized for receiving the other horizontal extending portion of the other of said frame members and further including at least one feature for fixing the horizontal dimension. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein each hanger member includes at least two spaced openings in a transverse upper portion thereof and a flexible member disposed in relation to each opening, wherein each opening is sized to be fitted within the vertically frame members in order to vary the spacing between the vertically extending portion and the downwardly depending portion of each hanger member. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 15 , further comprising the additional step of:
 providing at least one of the pair of frame members or the base member with at least one concrete reinforcement support.   
     
     
         21 . The adjustable assembly according to  claim 6 , further comprising
 a base member having a pair of open ends and an upper axial cavity defined along a length of the base member in which the horizontal extending portions of the first and second frame members are sized to engage the upper axial cavity of the base member.   
     
     
         22 . The adjustable assembly according to  claim 21 , in which the base member and the horizontal extending portions of the first and second frame member include a plurality of axially spaced engagement features to assume a plurality of predetermined horizontal positions and in which one of the horizontal extending portions of the first and second frame members or the base member include a plurality of axially spaced locking tabs and the other of the horizontal extending portions of the first and second frame members or the base member include a plurality of axially spaced openings sized to receive a locking tab. 
     
     
         23 . The adjustable assembly according to  claim 21 , in which one of the horizontal extending portions of each frame member or the base member include a plurality of axially spaced vertical protrusions and the other of the horizontal extending portions or the base member include a plurality of axially spaced notches sized to engage any of the vertical protrusions to define the plurality of predetermined horizontal positions. 
     
     
         24 . The adjustable assembly according to  claim 21 , in which at least one of the base member or the pair of frame members include at least one said concrete reinforcement support. 
     
     
         25 . The adjustable assembly according to  claim 24 , in which each frame member includes a corner brace having an angled surface between the vertically extending portion and horizontal extending portion.