# US 10,480,191 B2 · Method and apparatus for setting concrete reinforcement > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,480,191 B2 - Document ID: US10480191B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/651,008 - Filed: 2017-07-17 - Published: 2018-01-25 - Granted: 2019-11-19 - Earliest claimed: 2016-07-19 - Applicants: James Thomas Edwards - Inventors: James Thomas Edwards - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10480191B2 ## CPC - E04C 5/18: {Spacers} of metal or substantially of metal {(E04C5/168 takes precedence)} - E04C 3/00: Structural elongated elements designed for load-supporting (as building aids E04G) - E04C 5/03: with indentations, projections, ribs, or the like, for augmenting the adherence to the concrete - E04C 5/04: Mats ({combined with reinforcing elements protruding out of the plane of the mat E04C5/0627; three-dimensional mats E04C5/0636}; bases for plaster E04F13/04) - E04C 5/163: {the reinforcements running in one single direction} - E04C 5/168: {Spacers connecting parts for reinforcements and spacing the reinforcements from the form} - E04C 5/206: {Spacers having means to adapt the spacing distance} - E04G 21/185: {for anchoring elements or elements to be incorporated in the structure} - E04B 1/34823: {the supporting structure consisting of concrete} - E04B 2002/0254: {Tie rods} - E04H 4/0081: {with walls and floor cast in situ} - E04C: STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS; BUILDING MATERIALS (for bridges E01D; specially designed for insulation or other protection E04B; elements used as building aids E04G; for mining E21; for tunnels E21D; structural elements with broader range of application than for building engineering F16, particularly F16S) - E04G: SCAFFOLDING; FORMS; SHUTTERING; BUILDING IMPLEMENTS OR AIDS, OR THEIR USE; HANDLING BUILDING MATERIALS ON THE SITE; REPAIRING, BREAKING-UP OR OTHER WORK ON EXISTING BUILDINGS - E04B: GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS (border constructions of opening in walls, floors or ceilings E06B1/00; {electromagnetic shielding H05K9/0001}) - E04H: BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL (foundations E02D) ## Abstract A fixture for setting rebar at a predetermined distance from the rim of an excavated pit includes elongated first and second legs each having a proximal end and a distal end, the first and second legs rigidly joined at their mutual proximal ends to form an L-shape; an angle adjustment device carried by the first leg, comprising a foot movable towards or away from the first leg along an axis generally parallel to the second leg; a support bracket carried by the first leg at a predetermined offset distance from the proximal end thereof; and a hook extending from the distal end of the second leg, generally parallel to the first leg. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A fixture for setting rebar at a predetermined distance from the rim of an excavated pit, comprising: elongated first and second legs each having a proximal end and a distal end, the first and second legs rigidly joined at their mutual proximal ends to form an L-shape; an angle adjustment device carried by the first leg, comprising a foot movable towards or away from the first leg along an axis generally parallel to the second leg, wherein a first threaded element is fixedly joined to the first leg, and a second threaded element is engaged with the first threaded element, and wherein the second threaded element carries the foot and is arranged such that rotation of the second threaded element relative to the first threaded element will cause linear movement of the foot; a support bracket carried by the first leg at a predetermined offset distance from the proximal end thereof, the support bracket has an L-shape defining an upward-facing hook shape; and a fixed hook extending from the distal end of the second leg, generally parallel to the first leg; wherein the fixture is removed after the rebar is set in place. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The fixture of claim 1 further comprising a level attached to one of the legs. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The fixture of claim 1 wherein a plurality of spaced-apart support brackets are carried by the first leg. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The fixture of claim 1 further comprising an integral clamping mechanism carried by the first leg, comprising a jaw positioned opposite to the hook and movable towards or away from the hook. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The fixture of claim 4 wherein the integral clamping mechanism comprises a first threaded element fixedly joined to the first leg, and a second threaded element engaged with the first threaded element, the second threaded element carrying the jaw and arranged such that rotation of the second threaded element relative to the first threaded element will cause linear movement of the jaw. ### Claim 6 A method for setting rebar at a predetermined distance from the rim of an excavated pit, comprising: placing a plurality of fixtures at spaced-apart locations around the rim of a pit excavated into the earth, the pit defined by a recessed floor bounded by a generally vertical perimeter wall and being surrounded by a rim, and wherein an upstanding form is disposed around the perimeter of the rim laterally offset from the perimeter wall, each fixture including: elongated first and second legs each having a proximal end and a distal end, the first and second legs rigidly joined at their mutual proximal ends to form an L-shape; an angle adjustment device carried by the first leg, comprising a foot movable towards or away from the first leg along an axis generally parallel to the second leg, wherein the angle adjustment device comprises a first threaded element fixedly joined to the first leg, and a second threaded element engaged with the first threaded element, the second threaded element carrying the foot; a support bracket joined to the first leg at a predetermined offset distance from the proximal end thereof, wherein each of the support brackets has an L-shape defining an upward-facing hook; and a fixed hook extending from the distal end of the second leg, generally parallel to the first leg; positioning the hook of each of the fixtures in engagement with the form; adjusting each of the fixtures using the angle adjustment device so that the first leg is plumb by rotating the second threaded element so as to move the foot into a position in which it bears against the perimeter wall and hold the respective fixture in the plumb orientation; and placing a length of rebar into the pit, engaged with the support brackets of the plurality of fixtures, such that the rebar is positioned at a substantially uniform vertical offset distance from the rim. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6 further comprising clamping each of the fixtures to the form. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7 wherein a separate clamp is used to clamp at least some of the fixtures to the form. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7 wherein at least some of the fixtures include an integral clamping mechanism carried by the first leg, comprising a jaw positioned opposite to the hook and movable towards or away from the hook, the method further comprising using the integral clamping mechanisms to clamp the corresponding fixtures to the form. ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6 wherein at least some of the fixtures include an integral level attached to one of the legs, and those fixtures are adjusted to the plumb orientation by referencing the integral levels. ### Claim 11 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6 wherein the first leg of each fixture includes a plurality of spaced-apart support brackets carried by the first leg at multiple predetermined positions, the method further comprising placing a plurality of lengths of rebar into the pit, each length engaged with the support brackets of the plurality of fixtures, at one of the predetermined positions, thus defining a plurality of rails supported at different vertical offset distances from the rim.