Formwork Restraint

Abstract

In one arrangement, shown in FIG. 1, there is provided a formwork restraint for a reinforcement bar. The formwork restraint includes a restraint portion for receiving the reinforcement bar. The formwork restraint further includes a support portion adapted to connect the restraint portion to a reinforcing formwork arrangement to maintain a desirable relationship between the reinforcement bar and the reinforcing formwork arrangement.

1 . A formwork restraint for a reinforcement bar comprising:
 a restraint portion for receiving the reinforcement bar; and a support portion adapted to connect the restraint portion to a reinforcing formwork arrangement to maintain a desirable relationship between the reinforcement bar and the reinforcing formwork arrangement when the reinforcement bar is received by the restraint.   
     
     
         2 . A formwork restraint as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the support portion comprises a spacer for spacing the restraint portion at least a predetermined distance laterally away from the reinforcing formwork arrangement. 
     
     
         3 . A formwork restraint as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the support portion comprises a releasable connector for connecting the restraint portion to the reinforcing formwork arrangement. 
     
     
         4 . A formwork restraint as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the reinforcement bar comprises a starter bar and the reinforcing formwork arrangement comprises a substantially planar mesh. 
     
     
         5 . A formwork restraint as claimed  4  wherein the support portion comprises three elongate arms each having a clip for clipping the corresponding arm to a bar of the reinforcing formwork arrangement. 
     
     
         6 . A formwork restraint as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the support portion comprises a securing portion having a first slot adapted to receive and hold at least two substantially parallel bars of the reinforcing formwork arrangement in the first slot. 
     
     
         7 . A formwork restraint as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the securing portion comprises a second slot spaced apart from the first slot such that the first and second slots are both adapted for receiving and holding the at least two substantially parallel bars of the formwork arrangement either side of the reinforcement bar when the reinforcement bar is received by the restraint. 
     
     
         8 . A formwork restraint as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the securing portion is biased toward maintaining the or each slot in a closed condition for preventing movement of the at least two substantially parallel bars of the reinforcing formwork out of the slot. 
     
     
         9 . A formwork restraint as claimed in of  claims 6  wherein the securing portion includes a closure that is moveable between a first condition and a second condition, at an open end of the or each slot. 
     
     
         10 . A formwork system for maintaining the position of a plurality of starter bars relative to a reinforcing mesh structure, the system comprising:
 a plurality of starter bar holders each having a first portion for receiving a respective starter bar and a second portion extending therefrom for connecting the respective starter bar to the reinforcing mesh structure;   wherein the first portions and the second portions of the starter bar holders are adapted to maintain the starter bars and reinforcing mesh structure in a desirable relative position.   
     
     
         11 . A formwork system as claimed in  claim 10  including spacer elements for spacing base portions of the starter bars from the ground such that in use the base portions of the starter bar holders restrain movement of the starter bars relative to the reinforcing mesh structure at positions spaced away from the reinforcing mesh structure. 
     
     
         12 . A formwork holder comprising:
 a first portion for receiving an elongate formwork element; and   a second portion extending from the first portion for engaging a planar formwork arrangement to hold the elongate formwork element and planar formwork arrangement in relative position when the formwork element is received, by the first portion.   
     
     
         13 . A formwork restraint for a plurality of starter bars comprising: a body having a plurality of connection elements spaced therealong; the connection elements each defining an opening for receiving a corresponding starter bar. 
     
     
         14 . A formwork restraint as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the connection elements are equally spaced along the body. 
     
     
         15 . A method of providing a reinforced concrete structure, the method comprising:
 providing a plurality of starter bars; a reinforcing mesh structure and a plurality of formwork restraints; and   coupling first portions and second portions of the formwork restraints with the starter bars and reinforcing mesh structure respectively;   wherein the first portions are positioned to restrain relative movement of the starter bars and the reinforcing mesh structure.   
     
     
         16 . A method as claimed in  claim 15  including:
 pouring concrete over the reinforcing mesh structure; and 
 curing the concrete to provide a reinforced concrete structure with the starter bars extending therefrom. 
 
     
     
         17 . A method as claimed in  claim 15  wherein coupling the first portions of the plurality of the formwork restraints comprises passing ends of the starter bars through the first portions. 
     
     
         18 . A method as claimed in  claim 16  or where coupling the second portions of the formwork restraints to the reinforcing mesh structure comprises using clips of the second portions to clip each second portion to the reinforcing mesh structure. 
     
     
         19 . A method as claimed in of  claim 16  wherein the reinforcing mesh structure comprises reinforcing mesh and the method includes positioning bent portions of the starter bars underneath the reinforcing mesh on spacers. 
     
     
         20 . A support for a starter bar system comprising: a first member and a second member, with a third member therebetween; wherein the first and second members are adapted to support a mesh above the ground and the third member is adapted to support a starter bar. 
     
     
         21 . A support as claimed in  claim 20  wherein the third member is arranged to support the starter bar from below the mesh. 
     
     
         22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . (canceled)