Polymeric Rebar Support with Snap-Fit Clamping for Corrosion Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rebar spacer systems face challenges in accommodating various rebar diameters, securing rebars efficiently, preventing corrosion, and allowing easy stacking and connection of chairs for maintaining rebars in parallel or perpendicular relationships during concrete construction.

Innovation Solution

A polymeric bar support apparatus with snap-fit clamping structures and channels that allow rebars to be securely held in various orientations, enabling easy stacking and connection of chairs, while being resistant to corrosion and adaptable to different rebar diameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple different sizes of spacers are used to accommodate different concrete thicknesses, then the adaptability to various construction requirements is improved, but the inventory complexity and number of different sizes required to be maintained increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to various concrete thicknessesVSAvoidnumber of different sizes required to be maintained

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spacer incorporates an adjustable height mechanism that allows a single spacer design to accommodate multiple concrete thicknesses by changing its vertical dimension parameter. This eliminates the need to maintain multiple different sized spacers in inventory while maintaining adaptability to various construction requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The spacer is designed as a multi-functional device that can serve multiple thickness requirements through its adjustable features. A single universal spacer design replaces the need for multiple specialized spacer sizes, reducing inventory complexity while maintaining versatility across different concrete thickness applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Strength

If twisted wire is used to secure the rebar to the chair, then the rebar can be firmly attached, but the risk of rusting or corrosion of the wire or metal components increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment strength of rebar to chairVSAvoidrusting or corrosion of wire or metal components

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the traditional twisted wire mechanical fastening system with an integrated polymeric clamp mechanism. This substitution eliminates the metal wire that is prone to corrosion while maintaining secure attachment through the polymeric material's mechanical clamping action, thus resolving the corrosion issue without sacrificing attachment strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The spacer integrates polymeric materials for both the chair body and clamping mechanisms, creating a composite construction that eliminates metal components susceptible to rust. The polymeric material provides both structural support and corrosion resistance, replacing the traditional metal wire attachment method.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of operation

If separate wire strips are used to secure mutually perpendicular layers of rebar, then each layer can be independently attached, but the complexity of wire connections and corrosion risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent attachment of each rebar layerVSAvoidcomplexity of wire connections

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the attachment mechanisms for mutually perpendicular rebar layers into a single integrated polymeric chair structure. Instead of using separate wire strips for each layer, the chair provides unified polymeric clamps that can secure multiple rebar layers simultaneously, reducing connection complexity while maintaining independent attachment capability for each layer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS7810298B1Paving riser assembly for supporting rebars in stacked and/or intersection relationship

Publication Date: 2010.10.12 SORKIN FELIX L

AI summary

A bar support apparatus has a first body with a first clamping structure and a second clamping structure extending from a top thereof, and a second body having a first clamping structure and a second clamping structure extending downwardly from a bottom thereof. The clamping structures of the second body engage the clamping structures of the first body. The second body also has a third clamping structure and a fourth clamping structure extending upwardly from a top thereof. A rebar is received within first and second clamping structures of the first and second bodies.