Spring-Steel Spacer for Concrete Pipe Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for an improved lift hole forming device that can securely position a pipe between inner and outer concrete reinforcement cages during the forming process of large concrete products, such as box sections and pipes, to facilitate handling and transportation after curing.
Innovation Solution
A spacer made of spring-steel material is attachable to both the inner and outer reinforcement cages, featuring a central section bent to match the pipe's radius, with legs and formed sections that hook onto the cage wires to securely hold the pipe in place, resisting twisting and other forces during the concrete formation process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pipe is used to form a lift hole in concrete products, then the pipe can be secured to reinforcement cages for lifting and transportation, but the pipe may become loose or fall off during the forming process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces spacers as intermediary components that mediate between the pipe and the reinforcement cages. These spacers provide a reliable mechanical connection that prevents the pipe from becoming loose or falling off during the concrete forming process, while maintaining relatively simple device complexity through straightforward attachment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacers are designed to be self-attaching to the reinforcement cages through hooks that engage with the cage wires. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for additional fastening operations or complex attachment systems, achieving reliable pipe positioning while keeping the device simple.
2Manufacturing precision
If spacers are used to hold the pipe in position between reinforcement cages, then the pipe remains securely oriented, but the spacers must resist twisting and other forces during concrete formation
Solution Approach 1:
The spacers are constructed from heavy-gauge wire or rod material, representing a composite structural approach that combines sufficient strength to resist twisting and formation forces with the precision geometry needed to maintain accurate pipe positioning throughout the concrete forming process.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacers feature a curved or arched configuration that matches the cylindrical shape of the pipe. This curved geometry distributes mechanical forces more effectively along the spacer structure, enhancing its ability to resist twisting and lateral forces while maintaining precise pipe orientation.
3Strength
If the spacer is made of heavy-gauge wire or rod material, then it can resist forces during concrete formation, but the spacer must be attachable to the reinforcement cages
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer is segmented into distinct functional portions: attachment portions with hooks for securing to the reinforcement cages, and a central curved portion for supporting the pipe. This segmentation allows the heavy-gauge material to be manufactured with integrated attachment features that simplify the assembly process while maintaining the strength needed to resist formation forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The hooks are pre-formed as integral parts of the spacer during manufacturing. This preliminary action of creating attachment features before assembly eliminates the need for separate fastening operations, making it easier to attach the strong heavy-gauge spacer to the reinforcement cages while maintaining its load-bearing capacity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The spacer effectively locks the pipe between the cages, ensuring it remains oriented correctly and securely in place throughout the manufacturing process, allowing for easy lifting and transportation of the concrete product without falling off or becoming loose.
Implementation Method 1
A continuous length of spring-steel material can further comprise a first straight section extending from the bent section and the lateral leg. The lateral leg is bent forward by an angle β with respect to the straight section.
Data Source
AI summary
A continuous length of spring-steel material of a substantially round cross-section formed with a bent section comprising a radius corresponding to an outer diameter of the pipe. A hook section is combined at one end of the continuous length of spring-steel material where the hook is formed to grab one of the wires of the cage to hold the pipe in position. A lateral leg is positioned at the other end of the continuous length of spring-steel material and is formed to grab another one of the wires of the cage to the hold the pipe in position.