Reinforcing bar clip

Abstract

A crack control assembly for concrete and method installing. The assembly includes rebar that bonds to the concrete and extends along a rebar axis. A clip extends substantially parallel to the rebar axis. The clip includes a first end connected to the rebar at a first location along the rebar axis and a second end coupled to the rebar at a second location along the rebar axis, spaced from the first location. The clip extends generally parallel to the rebar and above the rebar to enhance the effective interlock of the concrete proximate the clip.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A crack control assembly for concrete, the assembly including:
 rebar configured to bond to the concrete, the rebar extending along a rebar axis; and   a clip extending substantially parallel to the rebar axis, the clip including a first end coupled to the rebar at a first location along the rebar axis and a second end coupled to the rebar at a second location along the rebar axis, spaced from the first location, the clip extending generally parallel to the rebar and above the rebar, the clip configured to enhance an effective interlock of the concrete proximate the clip.   
     
     
         2 . The crack control assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a bolster positioned on a ground surface and extending along an elongate axis, the bolster configured to position the rebar at a desired height above the ground surface, the bolster configured to weaken interlock in the concrete adjacent the bolster to thereby induce cracks to form in the concrete above the bolster. 
     
     
         3 . The crack control assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the first end of the clip includes a first flexible portion, and the second end of the clip includes a second flexible portion, the first and second flexible portions are configured to deform to permit the clip to be coupled to the rebar. 
     
     
         4 . The crack control assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the clip is configured to be coupled to the rebar without the use of tools. 
     
     
         5 . The crack control assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first end of the clip includes a first flexible portion, and the second end of the clip includes a second flexible portion, the first and second flexible portions are configured to deform to permit the clip to be coupled to the rebar. 
     
     
         6 . The crack control assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the clip is configured to be coupled to the rebar without using tools. 
     
     
         7 . The crack control assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the clip is configured to be coupled to the rebar without using tools. 
     
     
         8 . A method of enhancing effective interlock strength of concrete in a concrete slab, the method comprising:
 positioning rebar at a height above a ground surface, such that the rebar extends along a rebar axis;   positioning a clip against the rebar, such that a first end of the clip is positioned at a first location along the rebar axis and a second end of the clip is positioned at a second location along the rebar axis spaced from the first location;   moving the clip with respect to the rebar to thereby cause deformation of a portion of the clip;   at least partially surround the rebar with the clip to thereby couple the clip to the rebar; and   pouring concrete over the rebar and the clip.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein positioning the rebar at a height above the ground surface includes coupling the rebar to a bolster on a ground surface. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , after the concrete has at least partially hardened, further comprising forming a vertical cut in the concrete slab above the bolster. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising inducing a crack proximate the clip and the bolster with the bolster and the vertical cut. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising weakening the concrete slab proximate the vertical cut and the bolster, thereby inducing a crack proximate the vertical cut and the bolster. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , after the concrete has fully hardened, further comprising forming a vertical cut in the concrete slab above the bolster. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising inducing a crack proximate the clip and the bolster with the bolster and the vertical cut. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising weakening the concrete slab proximate the vertical cut and the bolster, thereby inducing a crack proximate the vertical cut and the bolster. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 8 , after the concrete has at least partially hardened, further comprising forming a vertical cut in the concrete slab above the rebar. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising weakening the concrete slab proximate the vertical cut to thereby inducing a crack proximate the vertical cut. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 8 , after the concrete has fully hardened, further comprising forming a vertical cut in the concrete slab above the rebar. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising weakening the concrete slab proximate the vertical cut and thereby inducing a crack proximate the vertical cut.