US-12624549-B2 - Reinforcing bar cage connectors and methods of constructing reinforcing bar cages

US12624549B2US 12624549 B2US12624549 B2US 12624549B2US-12624549-B2

Abstract

Reinforcing bar cage connectors and methods of constructing reinforcing bar cages are provided. A reinforcing bar cage includes a reinforcing bar guide, a reinforcing bar rod, and a reinforcing bar cage connector. The reinforcing bar cage connector includes a first clamp portion facing a first direction and configured to receive one of the reinforcing bar guide or the reinforcing bar rod in a first opening. The reinforcing bar cage connector includes a second clamp portion facing a second direction, opposite the first direction, and configured to receive an other one of the reinforcing bar guide or the reinforcing bar rod in a second opening. The first opening is perpendicular to the second opening. The reinforcing bar cage connector includes a metal tie wire is operable to be twisted to compress the first clamp portion and the second clamp portion.

Inventors

Gloria M. Buley
Travis C. Buley

Assignees

Gloria M. Buley
Travis C. Buley

Dates

Publication Date: 20260512
Application Date: 20230203

Claims (20)

1 . A reinforcing bar cage connector comprising: a first clamp portion comprising: a first base comprising first two opposite ends, a first front surface facing a first direction and extending between the first two opposite ends, and a first rear surface opposite the first front surface and extending between the first two opposite ends; first sides extending in the first direction from the first two opposite ends of the first base, wherein the first sides comprise first inward facing side surfaces and first outward facing side surfaces; and a first opening formed by the first front surface of the first base and the first inward facing side surfaces of the first sides; a second clamp portion comprising: a second base comprising second two opposite ends, a second front surface, and a second rear surface opposite the second front surface, wherein the second front surface of the second base faces a second direction opposite the first direction, and wherein the second rear surface of the second base contacts the first rear surface of the first base; second sides extending in the second direction from the second two opposite ends of the second base, wherein the second sides comprise second inward facing side surfaces and second outward facing side surfaces; and a second opening formed by the second front surface of the second base and the inward facing side surfaces of the first sides, wherein the first opening is perpendicular to the second opening, and a metal tie wire operable to be twisted to compress the first sides of the first clamp portion towards the first opening and the second sides of the second clamp portion towards the second opening.
2 . The reinforcing bar cage connector of claim 1 , wherein the first rear surface of the first base is fixedly attached to the second rear surface of the second base.
3 . The reinforcing bar cage connector of claim 1 , wherein the first clamp is oriented perpendicular to the second clamp.
4 . The reinforcing bar cage connector of claim 1 , wherein the first clamp portion comprises an alignment tab extending from a lateral edge of one of the first outward facing side surfaces, the alignment tab operable to guide the metal tie wire along the first outward facing side surfaces.
5 . The reinforcing bar cage connector of claim 1 , wherein the first sides extending from the first base curl inwards to define the first inward facing side surfaces of the first clamp portion.
6 . The reinforcing bar cage connector of claim 1 , wherein ends of the second sides are flared outward and comprise tie wire guide slots, the metal tie wire extending through the tie wire guide slots.
7 . The reinforcing bar cage connector of claim 1 , wherein: one or both of the first base and the first inward facing side surfaces comprises a first at least one punch grip configured to engage with a first deformation pattern on a first reinforcing bar received within the first opening of the first clamp, and one or both of the second base and the second inward facing side surfaces comprises a second at least one punch grip configured to engage with a second deformation pattern on a second reinforcing bar received within the second opening of the second clamp portion.
8 . The reinforcing bar cage connector of claim 1 , wherein the metal tie wire comprises a first wire end and a second wire end, and wherein each of the first wire end and the second wire end comprises a metal tie wire loop.
9 . The reinforcing bar cage connector of claim 1 , wherein the first clamp portion and the second clamp portion are made of high carbon steel and coated with rust-resistant material.
10 . A reinforcing bar cage comprising: a reinforcing bar guide; a reinforcing bar rod; and a reinforcing bar cage connector comprising: a first clamp portion comprising: a first base comprising first two opposite ends, a first front surface facing a first direction and extending between the first two opposite ends, and a first rear surface opposite the first front surface and extending between the first two opposite ends; first sides extending in the first direction from the first two opposite ends of the first base, wherein the first sides comprise first inward facing side surfaces and first outward facing side surfaces; and a first opening formed by the first front surface of the first base and the first inward facing side surfaces of the first sides, wherein the first opening is configured to receive one of the reinforcing bar guide or the reinforcing bar rod; a second clamp portion comprising: a second base comprising second two opposite ends, a second front surface, and a second rear surface opposite the second front surface, wherein the second front surface of the second base faces a second direction opposite the first direction, and wherein the second rear surface of the second base contacts the first rear surface of the first base; second sides extending in the second direction from the second two opposite ends of the second base, wherein the second sides comprise second inward facing side surfaces and second outward facing side surfaces; and a second opening formed by the second front surface of the second base and the inward facing side surfaces of the first sides, wherein the second opening is configured to receive an other one of the reinforcing bar guide or the reinforcing bar rod, and wherein the first opening is perpendicular to the second opening; and a metal tie wire operable to be twisted to compress the first sides of the first clamp portion towards the first opening and the second sides of the second clamp portion towards the second opening.
11 . The reinforcing bar cage of claim 10 , wherein the first clamp portion and the second clamp portion are made of high carbon steel and coated with rust-resistant material.
12 . The reinforcing bar cage of claim 10 , wherein the first rear surface of the first base is fixedly attached to the second rear surface of the second base.
13 . The reinforcing bar cage of claim 10 , wherein the first clamp is oriented perpendicular to the second clamp.
14 . The reinforcing bar cage of claim 10 , wherein the first clamp portion comprises an alignment tab extending from a lateral edge of one of the first outward facing side surfaces, the alignment tab operable to guide the metal tie wire along the first outward facing side surfaces.
15 . The reinforcing bar cage of claim 10 , wherein the first sides extending from the first base curl inwards to define the first inward facing side surfaces of the first clamp portion.
16 . The reinforcing bar cage of claim 10 , wherein ends of the second sides are flared outward and comprise tie wire guide slots, the metal tie wire extending through the tie wire guide slots.
17 . The reinforcing bar cage of claim 10 , wherein the reinforcing bar guide and the reinforcing bar rod comprises a deformation pattern.
18 . The reinforcing bar cage of claim 17 , wherein: one or both of the first base and the first inward facing side surfaces comprises a first at least one punch grip configured to engage with the deformation pattern, and one or both of the second base and the second inward facing side surfaces comprises a second at least one punch grip configured to engage with the deformation pattern.
19 . The reinforcing bar cage of claim 10 , wherein the metal tie wire comprises a first wire end and a second wire end, and wherein each of the first wire end and the second wire end comprises a metal tie wire loop.
20 . A method of constructing a reinforcing bar cage, the method comprising: inserting a reinforcing bar guide in a first opening of a first clamp portion of a reinforcing bar cage connector, wherein the reinforcing bar cage connector comprises: the first clamp portion comprising: a first base comprising first two opposite ends, a first front surface facing a first direction and extending between the first two opposite ends, and a first rear surface opposite the first front surface and extending between the first two opposite ends; first sides extending in the first direction from the first two opposite ends of the first base, wherein the first sides comprise first inward facing side surfaces and first outward facing side surfaces; and the first opening formed by the first front surface of the first base and the first inward facing side surfaces of the first sides; a second clamp portion comprising: a second base comprising second two opposite ends, a second front surface, and a second rear surface opposite the second front surface, wherein the second front surface of the second base faces a second direction opposite the first direction, and wherein the second rear surface of the second base contacts the first rear surface of the first base; second sides extending in the second direction from the second two opposite ends of the second base, wherein the second sides comprise second inward facing side surfaces and second outward facing side surfaces, and wherein a distal end of each of the second sides are flared outward and comprise a tie wire guide slot configured to receive a metal tie wire; and a second opening formed by the second front surface of the second base and the inward facing side surfaces of the first sides, and the metal tie wire operable to be twisted to compress the first sides of the first clamp portion towards the first opening and the second sides of the second clamp portion towards the second opening; inserting a reinforcing bar rod in the second opening of the second clamp portion of the reinforcing bar cage connector, wherein the first opening is perpendicular to the second opening; manipulating the metal tie wire around the first outward facing side surfaces of the first clamp portion and through the tie wire guide slot in the distal end of each of the second sides of the second clamp portion; and twisting ends of the metal tie wire together to compress the first sides of the first clamp portion on the reinforcing bar guide and the second sides of the second clamp portion on the reinforcing bar rod.

Description

FIELD The present disclosure relates to fabrication of concrete elements that include reinforcing bar cages. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to reinforcing bar cage connectors operable to secure reinforcing bar cages used in fabrication of concrete elements, and methods of constructing reinforcing bar cages used in fabrication of concrete elements. BACKGROUND Concrete is a building material made from the combination of aggregate and a cement binder. A common form of concrete consists of Portland cement, mineral aggregates (for example, gravel and sand) and water. After mixing, the water reacts with the cement in a chemical process known as hydration, during which the water is absorbed by the cement, which hardens, binding the aggregates together and eventually creating a stone-like material. Concrete is used, for example, in pavement, building structures, foundations, roads, and bases for gates, fences and poles. Concrete is also used, for example, in concrete columns used in construction known as footings. Concrete has high compressive strength, but low tensile strength. In other words, concrete can withstand axially directed pushing forces, but cannot withstand axially directed pulling forces. As a result, concrete elements subjected to tensile stresses are often reinforced with steel bars, known as reinforcing bar or rebar, which can aid in carrying tensile loads. Rebar is often formed from mild steel, and given ridges for better frictional adhesion to the concrete. In practice, a reinforcing cage can be constructed out of rebar. A reinforcing cage can be constructed out of multiple pieces of rebar that are maintained relative to each other in conjunction with specific design requirements. Some examples of items that can influence the design requirements of a reinforcing cage include: the type of structure that is being fabricated, the size and weight of the structure, and the bearing capacity of the soil upon which the structure will rest. Once a reinforcing cage is constructed, it can be inserted into a mold that can receive concrete. In one example, a mold can be a tube made of cardboard or other fibrous material. Examples of such tubes are the Sonotube® made by Sonoco Products Company and the Quik-Tube® made by the QUIKRETE® Companies. Once a reinforcing cage is constructed and inserted into a mold, mixed concrete can be poured into the tube and allowed to harden. The result is a concrete element that includes a reinforcing cage that, as described above, can aid in carrying tensile loads. Unfortunately, constructing a reinforcing cage can be time-consuming and cumbersome. For example, one method used to construct reinforcing cages utilizes pieces of wire to connect pieces of rebar in a desired configuration. However, one problem with such a method is that the resulting reinforcing cage is not very durable and can fall apart or lose desired dimensions when being moved or inserted into a mold. In another example, pieces of rebar that make up a reinforcing guide can be welded together. Such reinforcing guides are more durable than the ones held together by wires, however, they can be costly in terms of materials and labor. Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, through comparison of such systems with some aspects of the present disclosure as set forth in the remainder of the present application. SUMMARY Certain embodiments of the present technology provide reinforcing bar cage connectors and methods of constructing reinforcing bar cages, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures. These and other advantages, aspects and novel features of the present disclosure, as well as details of an illustrated embodiment thereof, will be more fully understood from the following description and drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 depicts a front, top perspective view of an exemplary reinforcing bar cage having a reinforcing bar guide securely coupled to a reinforcing bar rod by a reinforcing bar cage connector, in accordance with various embodiments. FIG. 2 depicts an enlarged view of the identified portion of FIG. 1, in accordance with various embodiments. FIG. 3 depicts a rear, top perspective view of an exemplary reinforcing bar cage having a reinforcing bar guide securely coupled to a reinforcing bar rod by a reinforcing bar cage connector, in accordance with various embodiments. FIG. 4 depicts an enlarged view of the identified portion of FIG. 3, in accordance with various embodiments. FIG. 5 depicts a rear, top perspective view of an exemplary reinforcing bar cage connector, in accordance with various embodiments. FIG. 6 depicts a front, bottom perspective view of an exemplary reinforcing bar cage connector, in accordance with various embodiments. FIG. 7 depicts a front, top perspective view of exemplary first and second clamp portions of a re