Rod positioner and associated method
AssigneeHickory Springs Manufacturing Company
InventorsRonald Manware, Jeremy D. Reinhardt
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A positioner is provided for maintaining a reinforcing rod in a certain position within a void of a building unit. The positioner is sized and shaped to be attached to a reinforcing rod before the rod is inserted into the void of one or more concrete blocks or other building units. The positioner has a slot portion that fits onto the rod as well as two biased support portions that extend from the slot portion to engage the rod in a clip-like manner. The support portions are designed to engage the sidewalls of the void and may be compressible towards the rod while maintaining engagement with the rod to allow the rod and positioner to be inserted into voids that have narrower widths due to excess grout or other restrictions within the void.
Claims30
A positioner for maintaining a reinforcing rod in a particular position within a void of a building unit defined by one or more sidewalls, the positioner comprising:
- a centrally-located slot portion configured to engage the rod and prevent movement of the positioner in the axial direction with respect to the rod;
- a first support portion extending from the slot portion and being configured to engage a first portion of a sidewall defining the void;
- and
- a second support portion extending from the slot portion and being configured to engage a second portion of a sidewall defining the void;
- wherein the first and second support portions define first and second ends that are biased towards the rod and help secure the positioner to the rod so as to maintain the position of the rod within the void.
A positioner for maintaining a reinforcing rod in a particular position within a void of a building unit defined by one or more sidewalls, the positioner comprising:
- a centrally-located slot portion configured to engage the rod and prevent movement of the positioner in the axial direction with respect to the rod;
- a first support portion extending from the slot portion and being configured to engage a first portion of a sidewall defining the void;
- and
- a second support portion extending from the slot portion and being configured to engage a second portion of a sidewall defining the void;
- wherein the first and second support portions define first and second ends and at least one of the first and second support portions is moveable towards the rod while maintaining engagement of the first and second ends with the rod.
A method of positioning a reinforcing rod within a void of a building unit defined by one or more sidewalls, the method comprising:
- moving the rod into a slot portion of a positioner;
- moving a first end of the positioner into biased engagement with the rod;
- moving a second end of the positioner past the first end and past the rod into biased engagement with the rod;
- and
- inserting the rod and positioner into the void.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.