Adjustable rod holder for concrete construction

Abstract

A rod holder for being embedded in concrete includes a body including a first opening for holding an end portion of a threaded rod, the first opening including an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion including threads for threaded connection with the threaded rod; and the body including a vertical slot in a sidewall of the lower portion of the first opening, the slot for making visible an end portion of the threaded rod to ensure minimum threaded connection of the threaded rod in the upper portion while the threaded rod is adjusted vertically.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A rod holder for being embedded in concrete, comprising:
 a) a body including a first opening for holding an end portion of a threaded rod, the first opening including an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion including threads for threaded connection with the threaded rod; and   b) the body including a vertical slot in a sidewall of the lower portion of the first opening, the slot for making visible an end portion of the threaded rod to ensure minimum threaded connection of the threaded rod in the upper portion while the threaded rod is adjusted vertically.   
     
     
         2 . The rod holder as in  claim 1 , wherein the first opening is offset from a vertical central axis of the body. 
     
     
         3 . The rod holder as in  claim 1 , wherein the body includes leg portions to elevate the body above a formboard. 
     
     
         4 . The rod holder as in  claim 1 , wherein the threads are segmented. 
     
     
         5 . The rod holder as in  claim 1 , wherein shoulder portion extends into the first opening to provide a stop for a bottom of the threaded rod. 
     
     
         6 . The rod holder as in  claim 3 , wherein the body includes a center post with a second opening, the center post extends to the formboard. 
     
     
         7 . The rod holder as in  claim 6 , wherein:
 a) the second opening includes a bottom wall with a third opening for receiving a screw for attaching the holder to the formboard; and   b) the bottom wall is breakable from the center post with the screw when the formboard is removed.   
     
     
         8 . The rod holder as in  claim 3 , wherein:
 a) the leg portions each includes a second opening with a bottom wall with a third opening for attaching the holder to the formboard with a screw; and   b) the bottom wall is breakable from the center post with the screw when the formboard is removed.   
     
     
         9 . The rod holder as in  claim 1 , wherein:
 a) the slot includes a top end below the upper portion of the first opening; and   b) vertical ribs are disposed inside the lower portion of the first opening to engage the threaded rod.   
     
     
         10 . The rod holder as in  claim 1 , wherein 1, wherein:
 a) the body includes a top wall; and   b) the first opening includes a sidewall extending upwardly from the top wall.   
     
     
         11 . The rod holder as in  claim 10 , wherein the slot extends above the top wall. 
     
     
         12 . The rod holder as in  claim 1 , wherein:
 a) the body includes a second opening for holding an end portion of another threaded rod; and   b) the second opening includes a diameter different from the first opening.   
     
     
         13 . The rod holder as in  claim 1 , wherein the body includes openings for nails for attaching the body to the formboard. 
     
     
         14 . The holder as in  claim 3 , wherein the leg portions include openings for screws for attaching the body to the formboard. 
     
     
         15 . The holder as in  claim 1 , wherein the upper portion of the first opening includes nut molded into the body. 
     
     
         16 . A rod holder for being embedded in concrete, comprising:
 a) a body including a first opening with a first diameter and a second opening with a second diameter for holding an end portion of a first threaded rod with the first diameter in the first opening or a second threaded rod with the second diameter in the second opening; and   b) the first diameter being smaller than the second diameter.   
     
     
         17 . The rod holder as in  claim 16 , wherein:
 a) the first opening includes a first upper portion and a first lower portion, the first lower portion includes a vertical first slot in a sidewall of the first lower portion to make visible an end portion of the first threaded rod to ensure minimum threaded connection of the threaded rod in the first upper portion while the first threaded rod is adjusted vertically;   b) the second opening includes a second upper portion and a second lower portion, the second lower portion includes a vertical second slot in a sidewall of the second lower portion to make visible an end portion of the second threaded rod to ensure minimum threaded connection of the second threaded rod in the second upper portion while the second threaded rod is adjusted vertically.   
     
     
         18 . The rod holder as in  claim 16 , wherein the body includes leg portions to elevate the body above a formboard. 
     
     
         19 . The rod holder as in  claim 16 , wherein the first upper opening the second upper portion are threaded. 
     
     
         20 . The rod holder as in  claim 16 , wherein a first nut and a second nut are molded in the first upper portion and the second upper portion, respectively. 
     
     
         21 . The rod holder as in  claim 17 , wherein the first lower portion and the second lower portion include respective vertical ribs to engage the respective first threaded rod and the second threaded rod. 
     
     
         22 . The rod holder as in  claim 16 , wherein the body includes a center post with a third opening, the center post extends to the formboard. 
     
     
         23 . The rod holder as in  claim 22 , wherein:
 a) the third opening includes a bottom wall with a fourth opening for receiving a screw for attaching the holder to the formboard; and   b) the bottom wall is breakable from the center post with the screw when the formboard is removed.   
     
     
         24 . The rod holder as in  claim 18 , wherein:
 a) the leg portions each includes a third opening with a bottom wall with a fourth opening for attaching the holder to the formboard with a screw; and   b) the bottom wall is breakable from the center post with the screw when the formboard is removed.   
     
     
         25 . A rod holder for being embedded in concrete, comprising:
 a) a plastic body including leg portions to elevate the body above a formboard, and a center post with a first opening, the center post extending to the formboard;   b) a first nut and a second nut disposed in the first opening, the first nut being above the second nut;   c) the first opening including a bottom wall with a second opening for receiving a screw for attaching the holder to the formboard, the bottom wall being breakable from the center post with the screw when the formboard is removed; and   d) the first nut for holding an end portion of a first threaded rod, the second nut for holding an end portion of a second threaded nut inserted into the first opening from below when the formboard is removed.   
     
     
         26 . The rod holder as in  claim 25 , wherein a third nut is disposed in the first opening between the first nut and the second nut. 
     
     
         27 . The rod holder as in  claim 25 , wherein the first nut has a larger diameter than the second nut.