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  Device for tying and centering reinforcing barUSPTO Application #: 20070186504Title: Device for tying and centering reinforcing bar Abstract: A device for tying and centering reinforcing bars within a cell of a concrete block. A housing adapted to be positioned adjacent the cell contains a tie, which extends from the housing. The tie includes a loop, a free end, at least one centering portion that engages the housing at one end and the loop at an opposite end, and teeth. The at least once centering portion is adapted to position the loop substantially within the center of the cell when the loop is closed around the reinforcing bars. When the free end is pulled, the loop is closed and substantially centered within the cell. Either the housing or the loop itself include a ratchet portion having teeth, which engage the teeth of the tie and hold the loop in a closed position after the free end of the tie is pulled. (end of abstract)
Agent: Wiggin And Dana LLP Attention: Patent Docketing - New Haven, CT, US Inventor: Peter W. Gavin USPTO Applicaton #: 20070186504 - Class: 052677000 (USPTO) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070186504. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] (1) Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention generally relates to a device for tying and centering reinforcing bar. In particular, the present invention is directed to a device for tying and centering reinforcing bar in a cell of a concrete block. [0003] (2) Description of the Related Art [0004] Concrete block construction is a common method for building walls in both residential and commercial structures. The typical block is a rectangular concrete block, which includes two openings or cells formed through the block. The concrete blocks are stacked on one another. A thin layer of mortar is positioned between the blocks to join them together. [0005] After construction of the wall is completed, the cells of the blocks develop a matrix, which can be filled with concrete to increase the strength of the wall. Typically, steel reinforcing bar is positioned in the cells and extended vertically through the cells prior to filling the cells with concrete. [0006] Generally, a foundation is laid prior to construction the concrete block wall. The foundation includes reinforcing bars that extend vertically upwardly from the foundation. The wall is then built on top of the foundation with the foundation reinforcing bars extending upwardly into cells of the concrete blocks. After stacking of the concrete blocks is completed, a second reinforcing bar is inserted from the top of the wall and through the various interconnecting cells. That bar is then tied to a foundation reinforcing bar before filling the cells with concrete to ensure that the inserted bar is vertical and maximize the final strength of the wall. [0007] Because it is desirable to build the wall to its final height prior to inserting the reinforcing bar, a problem arises regarding how to tie the reinforcing bars together inside the wall cell. One common solution is for a worker to either punch holes in the wall or cut the concrete block adjacent where the reinforcing bars need to be tied together prior. Such a solution is undesirable because it requires subsequent repair of the wall. Another common solution is to tie a plurality of reinforcing bars together and to fabricate the wall in lifts. After tying each subsequent length of reinforcing bar to the lower length of reinforcing bar already installed, concreted block is lowered over the bar. This method is labor intensive and therefore slower than other methods. [0008] U.S. Pat. No. 4,968,176 discloses parallel, side by side, sockets formed in metal strip or expanded metal for restraining the second reinforcing bar adjacent to foundation reinforcing bar while U.S. Pat. No. 6,141,937 discloses a spring clip for the same purpose. [0009] U.S. Pat. No. 4,936,062 discloses a carrier that spans a cell and is held in place by mortar. The carrier has a downward facing groove extending around the periphery of the cell. A tie is threaded through the groove and held in place by restraining clips. When the second reinforcing bar is aligned adjacent to the foundation reinforcing bar, the ends of the tie are pulled taught. The tie disengages from the restraining clips and forms a tight loop holding the two reinforcing bars together. However, this system lacks a mechanism to insure the tied bars in centered in the cell. The U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,968,176; 6,141,937 and 4,936,062 are incorporated by reference in their entireties herein. [0010] There remains, however, a need for an enhanced method for joining together adjacent reinforcing bars. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0011] One aspect of the present invention is a device for tying and centering reinforcing bars within a cell of a concrete block. The device includes a housing adapted to be positioned adjacent the cell and a tie including a loop and a free end that extends from the housing. The loop is adapted to be positioned substantially within the center of the cell when the loop is closed around the reinforcing bars. When the free end is pulled, the loop is closed and substantially centered within the cell. [0012] Another aspect of the invention is a device for tying and centering reinforcing bars within a cell of a concrete block. The device includes a housing adapted to be positioned adjacent the cell and a tie including a loop and a free end that extends from the housing. The tie includes at least one centering portion that engages the housing at one end and the loop at an opposite end. The at least once centering portion is adapted to position the loop substantially within the center of the cell when the loop is closed around the reinforcing bars. When the free end is pulled, the loop is closed and substantially centered within the cell. [0013] Still another aspect of the invention is a device for tying and centering reinforcing bars within a cell of a concrete block. The device includes a housing adapted to be positioned adjacent the cell and a tie including a loop and a free end that extends from the housing. The loop includes means for positioning the loop substantially within the center of the cell when the loop is closed around the reinforcing bars. When the free end is pulled, the loop is closed and substantially centered within the cell. [0014] Yet another aspect of the present invention is a device for centering reinforcing bars within a cell of a concrete block. The device includes a housing adapted to be positioned adjacent the cell and at least one centering portion that engages the housing at one end and includes a ring at an opposite end. The at least once centering portion is adapted to extend to substantially a center of the cell so that the ring is adjacent substantially the center of the cell. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0015] For the purpose of illustrating the invention, the drawings show a form of the invention that is presently preferred. However, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown in the drawings, wherein: [0016] FIG. 1 is a left-front isometric view of a device according to one embodiment of the present invention; [0017] FIG. 2 is a right-back isometric view of a device according to one embodiment of the present invention; [0018] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the device illustrated in FIG. 2; [0019] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the device illustrated in FIG. 2, without reinforcing bars; [0020] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the device illustrated in FIG. 4; and [0021] FIG. 6 is a left-front isometric view of a tie and centering portions according to one embodiment of the present invention. Continue reading... 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