# US 2014/0190116 A1 · Reinforcement Retainer > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0190116 A1 - Document ID: US20140190116A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/138,547 - Filed: 2013-12-23 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-04 - Inventors: Robin Holthusen - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140190116A1 ## CPC - E04C 5/167: {Connection by means of clips or other resilient elements} - E04C 5/168: {Spacers connecting parts for reinforcements and spacing the reinforcements from the form} - 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) ## Abstract A reinforcement retainer in the form of a resilient insert for maintaining at least one construction reinforcement member within an aperture in a construction component such as a building block or a brick. The insert is an elongate body with distal ends and is proportioned to be received within the opening. Flexible feet are located at the distal ends and are capable of deformation to press on inner faces of the aperture to adjust the location of one or more reinforcement members prior to setting in concrete slurry. The insert defines at least one stay arranged in use to support one of the reinforcement members. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A reinforcement retainer in the form of a resilient insert proportioned to fit within an aperture in a construction component and defining a stay shaped to receive and support a reinforcement member in an adjusted position within the aperture, said insert having flexible feet at its distal ends to press on inner faces of the aperture with sufficient friction to locate the reinforcement member in its adjusted position whilst being capable of being flexed to accommodate apertures of different sizes. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A reinforcement retainer, according to claim 1, in which the insert comprises a relatively stiff body between the feet whereby the feet are relatively easily flexed compared to the body. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A reinforcement retainer, according to claim 1, in which the insert has a flexible arch-like form between the feet. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) A reinforcement retainer, according to claim 2, in which each foot comprises a plurality of flexible toes extending to the tips of said distal ends. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A reinforcement retainer, according to claim 4, in which the toes are of differing length. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) A reinforcement retainer, according to claim 4, in which on each foot the toes are arranged side by side from shortest to longest so that toes with equal lengths are at diagonally opposite distal ends of the insert. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A reinforcement retainer, according to claim 1, wherein the stay defines an edge having a lateral entrance to a vertical hole through the insert whereby a vertical reinforcement member may be received sideways through the lateral entrance to be supported by the first stay. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) A reinforcement retainer, according to claim 7 in which the edge is C shaped. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A reinforcement retainer, according to claim 1, comprising a second stay wherein the first stay is arranged to receive sideways a vertical reinforcement member passing longitudinally though the aperture in the construction component and the second stay is arranged to receive sideways a transverse reinforcement member passing laterally across the aperture . ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) A reinforcement retainer, according to claim 9, wherein at least one of the first and second stays comprises a pair of fork prongs forming a fork entrance for receiving the corresponding reinforcement member and thereby supporting the corresponding reinforcement member between the fork prongs. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) A reinforcement retainer, according to claim 9, in which the first and second stays, are arranged to engage with substantially orthogonal reinforcement members. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) A reinforcement retainer, according to claim 9, in which the first and second stays are arranged to hold the first reinforcement member against the second reinforcement member. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) A reinforcement retainer, according to claim 9 wherein the second stay comprises a resiliently deformable C or D shaped protrusion. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) A reinforcement retainer, according to claim 9 in which at least one of the stays acts as a clip fitting to receive and support one of the reinforcement members. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) A reinforcement retainer, according to claim 1, which is perforated to allow through-passage of concrete slurry. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) An assembly of construction components including one or more reinforcement retainers in accordance with claim 9, wherein each insert is supports at least one reinforcement member positioned within an aperture containing set concrete slurry.