Fastener to secure rebar rods and associated methods

A fastener to secure rebar rods comprising:

• a substantially planar elongate and metallic main body having a first end portion, a second end portion, a third portion extending between the first end portion and the second end portion to define a medial portion, and a centerline substantially parallel to a length of the elongated main body;
• an opening having an opening length and an opening width and being formed through the first end portion so that the first end portion and the opening collectively define a head end;
• a first aligning tab that is substantially flat and a second aligning tab that is substantially flat, each of the first and second aligning tabs also having a proximal end adjacent and connected to the medial portion of the main body and a distal end being distal from the medial portion of the main body, the first aligning tab extending outwardly in a lateral direction opposite a lateral direction than the second aligning tab, so that the first and second aligning tabs and an integrally formed section of the medial portion together define a guide member, the guide member being spaced axially away from the first end portion and the second end portion;
• and
• at least two pairs of barbs, each pair of the at least two pairs of barbs depending from opposing lateral edges of the second end portion, each of the barbs of the at least two pairs of barbs having a lagging surface oriented oblique to the centerline and generally facing the head end, and each of the barbs of the at least two pairs positionally staggered along a length of the lateral edges as compared to another barb of the at least two pairs of barbs.