Rebar Chair

Abstract

A rebar chair having rebar seats in the top, bottom, left side, right side, first end, and second end. The rebar chair has a first distance between the sides, a second distance between the top and bottom, and a third distance between the ends. The rebar seat in the top has a first height, the rebar seat in the left side has a second height, and the rebar seat in the first end has a third height so that the rebar chair can provide at least three different support heights depending on the orientation. The bottom rebar seat may have the first height, the right side rebar seat may have the second height, and the second end rebar seat may have the third height. Each side includes at least one an engagement feature that enables the rebar chair to be stacked with and/or connected to an adjacent rebar chair.

Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0001] The embodiments described herein relate to concrete reinforcement bars ("rebar") supports, or rebar chairs, and methods of providing rebar chairs that provide rebar seats having different heights depending on the orientation of the rebar chair. The rebar chair is also stackable with additional rebar chairs. Variations in the heights of the rebar seats may be obtained by stacking rebar chairs in different orientations.

BACKGROUND

Description of the Related Art

[0002] Steel bars, known as rebar, are used as tension devices in reinforced concrete as concrete is strong under compression, but has weak tensile strength. The rebar significantly increases the tensile strength of the structure. Positioning the rebar in the right position and keeping the rebar properly positioned while the concrete is poured, and while the concrete sets, is critical to the structure's performance. Rebar chairs or rebar supports may be used to position the rebar off the ground or surface onto which the concrete will be poured. However, the height and spacing of the rebar depends on the application. Thus, a concrete worker may need to keep a large number of differently sized rebar chairs or supports on hand to accommodate supporting rebar at a specific height. In some instances, a rebar chair or support may need to be specially fabricated to provide a specific height of an application, which increase the cost and time for the job.

[0003] It may be necessary to place rebar at different levels at the same axial location or place rebar at different vertical levels that are transverse or perpendicular to each other. Present rebar chairs do not permit rebar to be placed at different levels above each other whether aligned or transverse to each other.

[0004] Other disadvantages may exist.

SUMMARY

[0005] The present disclosure is directed to a rebar support, or rebar chair, that provides rebar seats having different heights depending on the orientation of the rebar chair. The rebar chair is also stackable with additional rebar chairs. Variations in the heights of the rebar seats may be obtained by stacking rebar chairs in different orientations.

[0006] One embodiment is a rebar chair comprising a body having a top, a bottom opposite the top, a left side, a right side opposite the left side, a first end, and a second end opposite the first end. The body has a first distance between the left and right sides, a second distance between the top and bottom, and a third distance between the first and second ends. The rebar chair comprises a first recessed rebar seat along a centerline of the top, a second recessed rebar seat along a centerline of the left side, and a third recessed rebar seat along a centerline of the first end. The first distance may be less than the second distance, which may be less than the third distance.

[0007] The first recessed rebar seat may have a first height from the bottom, the second recessed rebar seat may have a second height from the right side, and the third recessed rebar seat may have a third height from the second end. The second height may be less than the first height, which may be less than the third height. The rebar chair may include at least one first engagement feature on the top configured to engage an engagement feature on an adjacent rebar chair. The rebar chair may include at least one second engagement feature on the bottom configured to engage an engagement feature on an adjacent rebar chair. The rebar chair may include at least one third engagement feature on the left side configured to engage an engagement feature on an adjacent rebar chair. The rebar chair may include at least one fourth engagement feature on the right side configured to engage an engagement feature on an adjacent rebar chair. The rebar chair may include at least one fifth engagement feature on the first end configured to engage an engagement feature on an adjacent rebar chair. The rebar chair may include at least one sixth engagement feature on the second end configured to engage an engagement feature on an adjacent rebar chair.

[0008] The first, third, and fifth engagement features may comprise a protrusion and the second, fourth, and sixth engagement features may comprise a recess. The rebar chair may include a fourth recessed rebar seat aligned with a centerline of the bottom, a fifth recessed rebar seat aligned with a centerline of the right side, and a sixth recessed rebar seat aligned with a centerline of the second end. The fourth recessed rebar seat may have a fourth height from the top. The fifth recessed rebar seat may have a fifth height from the left side. The sixth recessed rebar seat may have a sixth height from the first. In one embodiment, the fourth height is the same as the first height, the fifth height is the same as the second height, and the sixth height is the same as the third height. In another embodiment, the fourth height differs from the first height, the fifth height differs from the second height, and the sixth height differs from the third height.

[0009] One embodiment is a rebar support system comprising a first rebar support and a second rebar support. The first rebar support has a first orientation that positons a first rebar seat a first height off a surface, a second orientation that positions a second rebar seat a second height off the surface, and a third orientation that positions a third rebar seat a third height off the surface. The second rebar support has a first orientation that corresponds to the first orientation of the first rebar support, a second orientation that corresponds to the second orientation of the first rebar support, and a third orientation that corresponds to the third orientation of the first rebar support.

[0010] The second rebar support may be stacked on the first rebar support with both rebar supports being in the first orientation so that a first rebar seat of the second rebar support is aligned and above the first rebar seat of the first rebar support. The second rebar support may be stacked on the first rebar support with both rebar supports being in the second orientation so that a second rebar seat of the second rebar support is aligned and above the second rebar seat of the first rebar support. The second rebar support may be stacked on the first rebar support with both rebar supports being in the third orientation so that a third rebar seat of the second rebar support is aligned and above the third rebar seat of the first rebar support.

[0011] A plurality of engagement features on the second rebar support may engage a plurality of engagement features on the first rebar support when the second rebar support is stacked on the first rebar support. The second rebar support positioned in the second or third orientations may be stacked on the first rebar support in the first orientation. The second rebar support positioned in the first or third orientations may be stacked on the first rebar support in the second orientation. The second rebar support positioned in the first or second orientations may be stacked on the first rebar support in the third orientation. The system may include a tray having at least one engagement feature, the first rebar support having at least one engagement feature, wherein the first rebar support is configured to be positioned on the tray so that the at least one engagement feature of the first rebar support mates with the at least one engagement feature of the tray.

[0012] One embodiment is a method of providing a rebar support or rebar chair. The method comprises providing a body having a top, a bottom, a left side, a right side, a first end, and a second end. The method includes providing a recessed rebar seat in the top that is a first distance from the bottom, providing a recessed rebar seat in the left side that is a second distance from the right side, and providing a recessed rebar seat in the first end that is a third distance from the second end with the three distances being different.

[0013] The method may include providing at least one first engagement feature on the top that is configured to engage an engagement feature of an adjacent rebar chair. The method may include providing at least one second engagement feature on the bottom that is configured to engage an engagement feature of an adjacent rebar chair. The method may include providing at least one third engagement feature on the left side that is configured to engage an engagement feature of an adjacent rebar chair. The method may include providing at least one fourth engagement feature on the right side that is configured to engage an engagement feature of an adjacent rebar chair. The method may include providing at least one fifth engagement feature on the first end that is configured to engage an engagement feature of an adjacent rebar chair. The method may include providing at least one sixth engagement feature on the second end that is configured to engage an engagement feature of an adjacent rebar chair. Any one of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, or sixth engagement features may be configured to engage a first, second, third, fourth, fifth, or sixth engagement feature on an adjacent rebar chair.

[0014] The method may include providing a recessed rebar seat in the bottom. The recessed rebar seat in the bottom may be the same distance from the top that the recessed rebar seat in the top is from the bottom. Alternatively, the two distances may be different. The method may include providing a recessed rebar seat in the right side. The recessed rebar seat in the right side may be the same distance from the left side that the recessed rebar seat in the left side is from the right side. Alternatively, the two distances may be different. The method may include providing a recessed rebar seat in the second end. The recessed rebar seat in the second end may be the same distance from the first end that the recessed rebar seat in the first end is from the second end. Alternatively, the two distances may be different.

[0015] One embodiment is a rebar support system comprising a tray having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, the first surface having at least one engagement feature. The system includes a rebar support having a first recessed rebar seat in a top, a second recessed rebar seat in a left side, and a third recessed rebar seat in a first end. The at least one engagement feature on the first surface of the tray is configured to mate with at least one engagement feature on the rebar support.

[0016] The first recessed rebar seat has a first height from a bottom opposite the top, the second recessed rebar seat may has a second height from a right side opposite the left side, and the third recessed rebar seat has a third height from a second end opposite the first end. The first, second, and third heights may be different. The rebar support may include a recessed rebar seat in the bottom, a recessed rebar seat in the right side, and a recessed rebar seat in the second end. The at least one engagement feature of the first surface of the tray may further comprises a plurality of engagement features configured to mate with a plurality of engagement features on the bottom, the right side, or the second end of the rebar support.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a rebar chair.

[0018] FIG. 2 shows a top view of an embodiment of a rebar chair.

[0019] FIG. 3 shows a side view of an embodiment of a rebar chair.

[0020] FIG. 4 shows an end view of an embodiment of a rebar chair.

[0021] FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of a second rebar chair stacked on a first rebar chair, the rebar chairs both being in a first orientation.

[0022] FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of a second rebar chair stacked on a first rebar chair, the rebar chairs both being in a second orientation.

[0023] FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of a second rebar chair stacked on a first rebar chair, the rebar chairs both being in a third orientation.

[0024] FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of a second rebar chair stacked on a first rebar chair, the first rebar chair being in a second orientation and the second rebar chair being in a third orientation.

[0025] FIG. 9 shows an embodiment with the second rebar chair stacked on a first rebar chair, the first chair being in a second orientation and the third chair being in a third orientation, but rotated ninety (90) degrees clockwise with respect to the orientation of the second rebar chair in FIG. 8.

[0026] FIG. 10 shows a top view of an embodiment of a rebar chair.

[0027] FIG. 11 shows a side view of an embodiment of a rebar chair.

[0028] FIG. 12 shows a flow chart of one embodiment of a method of providing a rebar chair.

[0029] FIG. 13 shows an embodiment of a tray that may be used with a rebar chair.

[0030] FIG. 14 shows a rebar chair seat within the tray of FIG. 13.

[0031] While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a rebar support, referred to herein as a rebar chair, 100. The rebar chair 100 includes a top 110, a bottom 120 opposite the top 110, a left side 130, a right side 140 opposite the left side, a first end 150, and a second end 160 opposite the first end 150. Each side (i.e. top, bottom, side, or end) or the rebar chair 100 includes a recessed rebar seat 112, 122, 132, 142, 152, 162 (best shown in FIGS. 2-4) configured to support rebar, as discussed herein. Rebar may be positioned along a major centerline of a rebar seat or, alternatively, may be positioned along a minor centerline that is transverse to the major centerline of the rebar seat, as discussed herein.

[0033] The rebar chair 100 may be orientated in at least three different orientations to provide three different heights of a rebar seat 112, 122, 132, 142, 152, 162 from the ground or supporting surface, as discussed herein. Each side (i.e. top, bottom, side, or end) or the rebar chair 100 includes at least one engagement feature 111, 121, 131, 141, 151, 161 that permits the rebar chair 100 to be stacked on and/or connected to an adjacent rebar chair 100, as discussed herein. For example, the top 110 may include at least one first engagement feature 111, the bottom 120 may include at least one second engagement feature 121, the left side 130 may include at least one third engagement feature 131, the right side 140 may include at least one fourth engagement feature 141, the first end 150 may include at least one fifth engagement feature 151, and the second end 160 may include at least one sixth engagement feature 161.

[0034] The at least one engagement features 111, 121, 131, 141, 151, 161 may be various features that permit the rebar chairs 100 to be stacked and/or connected together as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. For example, engagement features 111, 131, 151 may be, but are not limited to, a protrusion or knob and engagements features 121, 141, 161 may be, but are not limited to, a corresponding recess.

[0035] The number, shape, location, and/or size of the engagement features 111, 121, 131, 141, 151, 161 and rebar seats 112, 122, 132, 142, 152, 162 are shown for illustrative purposed only and may be varied depending on the application as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. For example, each side (i.e. top, bottom, side, or end) or the rebar chair 100 may include a single engagement feature 111, 121, 131, 141, 151, 161. Additionally, in an embodiment the engagement features 111, 121, 131, 141, 151, 161 for a rebar chair 100 may all be identical. For example, the engagement features 111, 121, 131, 141, 151, 161 of a first or base rebar chair 100 may all be comprised of recesses configured to mate with a corresponding protrusion or knob. This may enable any side of the first or base rebar chair 100 to be placed on a flat surface with the engagement features 111, 121, 131, 141, 151, 161 of a second rebar chair 100 each comprising a corresponding protrusion or knob. Thus, the second rebar chair 100 may be stacked onto the first rebar chair 100 regardless of the orientation of the first rebar chair 100. The engagement features 111, 121, 131, 141, 151, 161 of a third rebar chair 100 intended to be stacked on the second rebar chair 100 may each comprise a corresponding recess.

[0036] FIG. 2 shows a top view of an embodiment of a rebar chair 100. The top 110 of the rebar chair 100 includes at least one engagement feature 111 configured to mate with a corresponding engagement feature on an adjacent rebar chair 100. Each side (i.e. top, bottom, side, or end) of the rebar chair 100 may include a plurality of engagement features 111, 121, 131, 141, 151, 161 that enables the rebar chair 100 to be stacked with and/or connected to an adjacent rebar chair 100. The engagement features 111, 121, 131, 141, 151, 161 may be uniformly spaced on each side of the rebar chair 100 to permit a rebar chair 100 in one orientation to be stacked with and/or connected to an adjacent chair 100 in a different orientation, as discussed herein.

[0037] The rebar chair 100 includes a first rebar seat 112 along a major centerline 113 of the top 110. With the bottom 120 of the rebar chair 100 positioned on the ground or a support surface, rebar may be positioned within the seat 112 aligned with the centerline 113. Alternatively, rebar may be positioned within the seat 112 aligned with a minor centerline 114 that is transverse to the major centerline 113. The rebar chair 100 includes a second recessed rebar seat 132 on the left side 130 and a third recessed rebar seat 152 on the first end 150. The rebar chair 100 includes a fourth recessed rebar seat 122 (shown in FIG. 3) on the bottom 120, a fifth recessed rebar seat 142 on the right side 140, and a sixth recess rebar seat 162 on the second end 160.

[0038] Each rebar seat 112, 122, 132, 142, 152, 162 has a height, which is the distance from the opposite side. For example, the second recessed rebar seat 132 on the left side 130 has a height, H2, which is the distance from the rebar seat 132 to the right side 140. Thus, when the rebar chair 100 is oriented such that the right side 140 is on the ground or a support surface, rebar positioned within second recessed rebar seat 132 will be supported at the distance, H2, from the ground or supporting surface. In one embodiment, the fifth recessed rebar seat 142 in the right side 140 will be symmetrical with the second recessed rebar seat 132 on the left side 130. Thus, the fifth recessed rebar seat 142 has a height, H2, from the left side 130.

[0039] The rebar chair 100 has a first dimension, D1, that is the distance between the left side 130 and the right side 140, a second dimension, D2 (shown in FIG. 3), that is the distance between the top 110 and the bottom 120, and a third dimension, D3, that is the distance between the first end 150 and the second end 160. In an embodiment, the three dimensions D1, D2, and D3 all differ from one another. In an embodiment, D1 is less than D2 and D2 is less than D3.

[0040] FIG. 3 shows a side view of an embodiment of a rebar chair 100. The top 110 includes at least one engagement feature 111 configured to mate with a corresponding engagement feature on an adjacent rebar chair 100. Likewise, the right side 140 of the rebar chair 100 includes at least one engagement feature 141 configured to mate with a corresponding engagement feature on an adjacent rebar chair 100. As discussed above, each side (i.e. top, bottom, side, or end) of the rebar chair 100 may include a plurality of engagement features 111, 121, 131, 141, 151, 161 that enables the rebar chair 100 to be stacked with and/or connected to an adjacent rebar chair 100.

[0041] The rebar chair 100 includes a rebar seat 142 along a major centerline 143 of the right side 140 of the rebar chair 100. With the left side 130 of the rebar chair 100 placed on the ground or a support surface, rebar may be positioned within the seat 142 aligned with the centerline 143. Alternatively, rebar may be positioned within the seat 142 aligned with a minor centerline 144 that is transverse to the major centerline 143. FIG. 3 shows the first recessed rebar seat 112 in the top 110, the third recessed rebar seat 152 in the first end 150, the fourth recessed rebar seat 122 in the bottom 120, the fifth recessed rebar seat 142 in the right side 140, and the sixth recessed rebar seat 162 in the second end 160.

[0042] As discussed herein, each rebar seat 112, 122, 132, 142, 152, 162 has a height, which is the distance from the opposite side. For example, the first recessed rebar seat 112 on the top 110 has a height, H1, which is the distance from the rebar seat 112 to the bottom 120 of the rebar chair 100. Thus, when the rebar chair 100 is oriented such that the bottom 120 is on the ground or a support surface, rebar positioned within first recessed rebar seat 112 will be supported at the distance, H1, from the ground or supporting surface. In one embodiment, the fourth recessed rebar seat 122 in the bottom 120 will be symmetrical with the first recessed rebar seat 112 on the top 110. Thus, the fourth recessed rebar seat 122 has a height, H1, from the top 110.

[0043] Likewise, the third recessed rebar seat 152 on the first end 150 has a height, H3, which is the distance from the rebar seat 152 to the second end 160 of the rebar chair 100. Thus, when the rebar chair 100 is oriented such that the second end 160 is on the ground or a support surface, rebar positioned within third recessed rebar seat 152 will be supported at the distance, H3, from the ground or supporting surface. In one embodiment, the sixth recessed rebar seat 162 in the second end 160 will be symmetrical with the third recessed rebar seat 152 on the first end 150. Thus, the sixth recessed rebar seat 162 has a height, H3, from the first end 160.

[0044] As discussed herein, the rebar chair 100 may have a first dimension, D1 (shown in FIG. 2), between the left side 130 and the right side 140, a second dimension, D2 between the top 110 and the bottom 120, and a third dimension, D3, between the first end 150 and the second end 160. In an embodiment, H2 is less than H1 and H1 is less than H3. The different dimensions (D1, D2, D3) and different heights (H1, H2, H3) of the rebar chair 100 enable same rebar chair 100 to provide a number of different heights for supporting rebar depending on the orientation of the rebar chair 100 as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

[0045] FIG. 4 shows an end view of an embodiment of a rebar chair 100. The left side 130 of the rebar chair 100 includes at least one engagement feature 131 configured to mate with a corresponding engagement feature on an adjacent rebar chair 100. Likewise, the second end 160 of the rebar chair 100 includes at least one engagement feature 161 configured to mate with a corresponding engagement feature on an adjacent rebar chair 100. As discussed herein, each side (i.e. top, bottom, side, or end) of the rebar chair 100 may include a plurality of engagement features 111, 121, 131, 141, 151, 161 that enables the rebar chair 100 to be stacked with and/or connected to an adjacent rebar chair 100.

[0046] The rebar chair 100 includes a rebar seat 162 along a major centerline 163 of the second end 160 of the rebar chair 100. With the first end 150 of the rebar chair 100 placed on the ground or a support surface, rebar may be positioned within the seat 162 aligned with the centerline 163. Alternatively, rebar may be positioned within the seat 162 aligned with a minor centerline 164 that is transverse to the major centerline 163. FIG. 4 shows the first recessed rebar seat 112 in the top 110, the second recessed rebar seat 132 in the left side 130, the fourth recessed rebar seat 122 in the bottom 120, the fifth recessed rebar seat 142 in the right side 140, and the sixth recessed rebar seat 162 in the second end 160.

[0047] FIG. 5 shows a rebar support, or rebar chair, system that includes a second rebar chair 100B stacked on a first rebar chair 100A. The rebar chairs 100A, 100B may both be in a first orientation that orients the bottom 120 of the rebar chair 100A, 100B towards the ground or support surface. The first rebar chair 100A may be positioned on the ground or support surface and rebar (not shown) may be positioned within the rebar seat 112 in the top 110 of the rebar chair 100A. The first rebar chair 100A in the first orientation holds the rebar in the rebar seat 112 a first height, H1 (shown in FIG. 3), from the ground or support surface. The second rebar chair 100B may then be stacked onto the first rebar chair 100A with the engagement features 111 on the top 110 of the first rebar chair 100A mating with the corresponding engagement features 121 on the bottom 120 of the second rebar chair 110B. Rebar may then be positioned within the rebar seat 112 of the second rebar chair 100B, which supports the rebar a first height, H1, from the top 110 of the first rebar chair 100A. A third rebar chair (not shown) may then be stacked onto the second rebar chair 100B as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

[0048] FIG. 6 shows a rebar support, or rebar chair, system that includes a second rebar chair 100B stacked on a first rebar chair 100A. The rebar chairs 100A, 100B may both be in a second orientation that orients the right side 140 of the rebar chair 100A, 100B towards the ground or support surface. The first rebar chair 100A may be positioned on the ground or support surface and rebar (not shown) may be positioned within the rebar seat 132 in the left side 130 of the rebar chair 100A. The first rebar chair 100A in the second orientation holds the rebar in the rebar seat 132 a second height, H2 (shown in FIG. 2), from the ground or support surface. The second rebar chair 100B may then be stacked onto the first rebar chair 100A with the engagement features 131 on the left side 130 of the first rebar chair 100A mating with the corresponding engagement features 141 on the right side 140 of the second rebar chair 110B. Rebar may then be positioned within the rebar seat 132 of the second rebar chair 100B, which supports the rebar the first height, H2, from the left side 130 of the first rebar chair 100A. As discussed herein, additional rebar chairs may be stacked onto rebar support system as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

[0049] FIG. 7 shows a rebar support, or rebar chair, system that includes a second rebar chair 100B stacked on a first rebar chair 100A. The rebar chairs 100A, 100B may both be in a third orientation that orients the second end 160 of the rebar chair 100A, 100B towards the ground or support surface. The first rebar chair 100A may be positioned on the ground or support surface and rebar (not shown) may be positioned within the rebar seat 152 in the first end 150 of the rebar chair 100A. The first rebar chair 100A in the third orientation holds the rebar in the rebar seat 152 a third height, H3 (shown in FIG. 3), from the ground or support surface. The second rebar chair 100B may then be stacked onto the first rebar chair 100A with the engagement features 151 on the first end 150 of the first rebar chair 100A mating with the corresponding engagement features 161 on the second end 160 of the second rebar chair 110B. Rebar may then be positioned within the rebar seat 152 of the second rebar chair 100B, which supports the rebar the third height, H3, from the first end 150 of the first rebar chair 100A. As discussed herein, additional rebar chairs may be stacked onto rebar support system as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. As shown in FIGS. 5-7, the same rebar chair 100 may be used to supported rebar at different heights depending on the orientation of the rebar chair 100.

[0050] FIG. 8 shows a rebar support, or rebar chair, system that includes a second rebar chair 100B stacked on a first rebar chair 100A. If the engagement features 111, 121, 131, 141, 151, 161 of the rebar chairs are uniformly spaced, then the rebar chairs 100A, 100B may be stacked together in different orientations. FIG. 8 shows the first rebar chair 100A in the second configuration (i.e. the right side 140 down) and the second rebar chair 100B in the third orientation (i.e. the second end 160 down). Stacking rebar chairs 100A, 100B in different orientations permits additional variations in the rebar seat heights. For example, the first rebar chair 100A may be used to support rebar in the rebar seat 132 at the second height, H2, (shown in FIG. 2), from the ground or support surface. The second rebar chair 100A may be used to support rebar in the rebar seat 152 at the third height, H3, (shown in FIG. 3), from the first side 130 of the first rebar chair 100A. Rebar chairs in various orientations may be stacked and/or connected together to form a rebar support system that supports rebar at various heights as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. For example, FIG. 9 shows a second rebar chair 100B in the third orientation stacked on a first rebar chair 100A in the second orientation similar to FIG. 8. However, the second rebar chair 100B has been rotated ninety (90) degrees clockwise with respect to the second rebar chair 100B in FIG. 8.

[0051] FIGS. 10 and 11 shows an embodiment of a rebar support, referred to herein as a rebar chair, 200. The rebar chair 200 includes a top 210, a bottom 220 opposite the top 210, a left side 230, a right side 240 opposite the left side 230, a first end 250, and a second end 260 opposite the first end 250. Each side (i.e. top, bottom, side, or end) or the rebar chair 200 includes a recessed rebar seat 212, 222, 232, 242, 252, 262 configured to support rebar, as discussed herein.

[0052] The top 210 and bottom 220 of the rebar chair 200 are not symmetrical. Likewise, the left side 230 and right side 240 are not symmetrical and the first end 250 is not symmetrical with the second end 260. In other words, the rebar seat 212 in the top 210 has a different depth than the rebar seat 222 in the bottom 220. Likewise, the rebar seat 232 in the left side 230 has a different depth than the rebar seat 242 in the right side and the rebar seat 252 in the first end 250 has a different depth than the rebar seat 262 in the second end 260. Thus, the rebar chair 200 may be orientated in six different orientations to provide six different heights of a rebar seat 212, 222, 232, 242, 252, 262 from the ground or supporting surface.

[0053] For example, the rebar chair 200 may be oriented in a first orientation so that the bottom 220 is on the ground or supporting surface, which positions the rebar seat 212 in the top 210 at a first height, H1. In another orientation, the rebar chair 200 may be oriented so that the top 210 is on the ground or supporting surface, which positions the rebar seat 222 in the bottom 210 at a fourth height, H4, which differs from the first height, H1. The rebar chair 200 may be oriented in a second orientation so that the right side 240 is on the ground or supporting surface, which positions the rebar seat 232 in the left side 230 at a second height, H2. In another orientation, the rebar chair 200 may be oriented so that the left side 230 is on the ground or supporting surface, which positions the rebar seat 242 in the right side 240 at a fifth height, H5, which differs from the second height, H2. The rebar chair 200 may be oriented in a third orientation so that the second end 260 is on the ground or supporting surface, which positions the rebar seat 252 in the first end 250 at a third height, H3. In another orientation, the rebar chair 200 may be oriented so that the first end 250 is on the ground or supporting surface, which positions the rebar seat 262 in the second end 260 at a sixth height, H6, which differs from the third height, H3.

[0054] Each side (i.e. top, bottom, side, or end) or the rebar chair 200 includes at least one engagement feature 211, 221, 231, 241, 251, 261 that permits the rebar chair 200 to be stacked on and/or connected to an adjacent rebar chair 200, as discussed herein. For example, the top 210 may include at least one first engagement feature 211, the bottom 220 may include at least one second engagement feature 221, the left side 230 may include at least one third engagement feature 231, the right side 240 may include at least one fourth engagement feature 241, the first end 250 may include at least one fifth engagement feature 251, and the second end 260 may include at least one sixth engagement feature 261.

[0055] The engagement features 211, 221, 231, 241, 251, 261 may be uniformly spaced on each side (i.e. top, bottom, side, or end) or the rebar chair 200 permitting rebar chairs 200 to be stacked together regardless of the orientation of each rebar chair 200. As discussed herein, the engagement features 211, 221, 231, 241, 251, 261 of a first or base rebar chair 100 may all be comprised of recesses configured to mate with a corresponding protrusion or knob. This may enable any side of the first or base rebar chair 200 to be placed on a flat surface. A second rebar chair 200 having engagement features 211, 221, 231, 241, 251, 261 each comprising a corresponding protrusion or knob may then be stacked on the first rebar chair 200. The rebar chair 200 having six rebar seats 212, 222, 232, 242, 252, 262 with six different heights H1-H6 permits the rebar chair to be used in a wide range of applications requiring rebar.

[0056] FIG. 12 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method 300 of providing a rebar support or rebar chair. The method 300 includes providing a body having a top, a bottom, a left side, a right side, a first end, and a second end, at 310. At 320, the method 300 includes providing a recessed rebar seat in the top that is a first distance from the bottom. The method 300 includes providing a recessed rebar seat in the left side that is a second distance from the right side, at 330, and providing a recessed rebar seat in the first end that is a third distance from the second end, at 340.

[0057] The method 300 may include providing at least one first engagement feature on the top that is configured to engage an engagement feature of an adjacent rebar chair, at 350. The method 300 may include providing at least one second engagement feature on the bottom that is configured to engage an engagement feature of an adjacent rebar chair, at 355. The method 300 may include providing at least one third engagement feature on the left side that is configured to engage an engagement feature of an adjacent rebar chair, at 360. The method 300 may include providing at least one fourth engagement feature on the right side that is configured to engage an engagement feature of an adjacent rebar chair, at 365. The method 300 may include providing at least one fifth engagement feature on the first end that is configured to engage an engagement feature of an adjacent rebar chair, at 370. The method 300 may include providing at least one sixth engagement feature on the second end that is configured to engage an engagement feature of an adjacent rebar chair, at 375.

[0058] The method 300 may include providing a recessed rebar seat in the bottom, at 380. The recessed rebar seat in the bottom may be the same distance from the top that the recessed rebar seat in the top is from the bottom. Alternatively, the two distances may be different. The method 300 may include providing a recessed rebar seat in the right side, at 385. The recessed rebar seat in the right side may be the same distance from the left side that the recessed rebar seat in the left side is from the right side. Alternatively, the two distances may be different. The method 300 may include providing a recessed rebar seat in the second end, at 390. The recessed rebar seat in the second end may be the same distance from the first end that the recessed rebar seat in the first end is from the second end. Alternatively, the two distances may be different.

[0059] FIG. 13 shows an embodiment of a plate or tray 190 that may be used with rebar chairs 100, 200 of the present disclosure. The tray 190 includes a first surface 191 and a second surface 192 opposite of the first surface 191. The tray 190 may include a wall or raised edge 194 around the perimeter of the first surface 191. The second surface 192 is configured to be placed on the ground or supporting surface. The first surface 191 includes at least one engagement feature 193 that is configured to mate with a corresponding engagement feature 111, 121, 131, 141, 151, 161, 211, 221, 231, 241, 251, 261 on a rebar chair or support 100, 200. The engagement feature 193 may be a protrusion configured to mate within a recess on a rebar chair or support 100, 200. Likewise, the engagement feature 193 may be a recess configured to receive a protrusion on a rebar chair or support 100, 200.

[0060] FIG. 13 shows four engagement features 193 on the first surface 191 for illustrative purposes. However, the number, size, configuration, and/or shape of the engagement features 193 may be varied depending on the application as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. The tray 190 may provide that a rebar chair 100, 200 is positioned level on a support surface. The engagement features 193 may provide that during the cementing process the rebar chair 100, 200 is held in a proper positon and/or adequately supported. FIG. 14 shows a rebar chair 100 in a second orientation positioned on a tray 190 positioned on the ground 1. The rebar chair 100 is positioned entirely within the raised edge 194 of the tray 190. The mating engagement between the engagement features 141 (not shown in FIG. 14) and the engagement features 193 of the tray 190 secure the rebar chair 100 in place. The tray 190 may be used with a rebar chair in the first, second, and third orientations, discussed herein, as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

[0061] Although this disclosure has been described in terms of certain preferred embodiments, other embodiments that are apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, including embodiments that do not provide all of the features and advantages set forth herein, are also within the scope of this disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is defined only by reference to the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A rebar chair comprising: a body having a top, a bottom opposite the top, a left side, a right side opposite the left side, a first end, and a second end opposite the first end, the body has a first distance between the left and right sides, a second distance between top and bottom, and a third distance between the first and second ends; a first recessed rebar seat along a centerline of the top; a second recessed rebar seat along a centerline of the left side; and a third recessed rebar seat along a centerline of the first end.

2. The rebar chair of claim 1, wherein the first distance is less than the second distance and the second distance is less than the third distance.

3. The rebar chair of claim 2, wherein the first recessed rebar seat has a first height from the bottom, wherein the second recessed rebar seat has a second height from the right side, and wherein the third recessed rebar seat has a third height from the second end.

4. The rebar chair of claim 3, wherein second height is less than the first height and wherein the first height is less than the third height.

5. The rebar chair of claim 4, further comprising: at least one first engagement feature on the top configured to engage an engagement feature of an adjacent rebar chair; at least one second engagement feature on the bottom configured to engage an engagement feature of an adjacent rebar chair; and at least one third engagement feature on the left side configured to engage an engagement feature of an adjacent rebar chair.

6. The rebar chair of claim 5, further comprising at least one fourth engagement feature on the right side configured to engage an engagement feature of an adjacent rebar chair; at least one fifth engagement feature on the first end configured to engage an engagement feature of an adjacent rebar chair; and at least one sixth engagement feature on the second end configured to engage an engagement feature of an adjacent rebar chair.

7. The rebar chair of claim 6, wherein the at least one first engagement feature, the at least one third engagement feature, and the at least one fifth engagement feature further comprise a protrusion and wherein the at least one second engagement feature, the at least one fourth engagement feature, and the at least one sixth engagement feature further comprise a recess.

8. The rebar chair of claim 6, further comprising: a fourth recessed rebar seat aligned with a centerline of the bottom; a fifth recessed rebar seat aligned with a centerline of the right side; and a sixth recessed rebar seat aligned with a centerline of the second end.

9. The rebar chair of claim 8, wherein the fourth recessed rebar seat has a fourth height from the top, wherein the fifth recessed rebar seat has a fifth height from the left side, and wherein the sixth recessed rebar seat has a sixth height from the first end.

10. The rebar chair of claim 8, wherein the fourth height differs from the first height, wherein fifth height differ from the second height, and wherein the sixth height differs from the third height.

11. A rebar support system comprising: a first rebar support, wherein the first rebar support has a first orientation that positions a first rebar seat a first height off a surface, a second orientation that positions a second rebar seat a second height off the surface, and a third orientation that positions a third rebar seat a third height off the surface; and a second rebar support, wherein the second rebar support has a first orientation that corresponds to the first orientation of the first rebar support, a second orientation that corresponds to the second orientation of the first rebar support, and a third orientation that corresponds to the third orientation of the first rebar support; wherein the second rebar support may be stacked on the first rebar support both being in the first orientation so that a first rebar seat of the second rebar support is aligned and above the first rebar seat of the first rebar support; wherein the second rebar support may be stacked on the first rebar support both being in the second orientation so that a second rebar seat of the second rebar support is aligned and above the second rebar seat of the first rebar support; wherein the second rebar support may be stacked on the first rebar support both being in the third orientation so that a third rebar seat of the second rebar support is aligned and above the third rebar seat of the first rebar support.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein a plurality of engagement features on the second rebar support engage a plurality of engagement features on the first rebar support when the second rebar support is stacked on the first rebar support.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the second rebar support in the second orientation may be stacked on the first rebar support being in the first orientation and wherein the second rebar support in the third orientation may be stacked on the first rebar support being in the first orientation.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the second rebar support in the first orientation may be stacked on the first rebar support being in the second orientation and wherein the second rebar support in the third orientation may be stacked on the first rebar support being in the second orientation.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the second rebar support in the first orientation may be stacked on the first rebar support being in the third orientation and wherein the second rebar support in the second orientation may be stacked on the first rebar support being in the third orientation.

16. The system of claim 11, further comprising a tray having at least one engagement feature, the first rebar support having at least one engagement feature, wherein first rebar support is configured to be positioned on the tray so that the at least one engagement feature of the first rebar support mates with the at least one engagement feature of the tray.

17. A method of providing a rebar chair comprising: providing a body having a top, a bottom opposite the top, a left side, a right side opposite the left side, a first end, and a second end opposite the first end; providing a recessed rebar seat in the top that is a first distance from the bottom; providing a recessed rebar seat in the left side that is a second distance from the right side; and providing a recessed rebar seat in the first end that is a third distance from the second end, wherein the first distance, the second distance, and the third distance are all different.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising: providing at least one first engagement feature on the top configured to engage an engagement feature of an adjacent rebar chair; providing at least one second engagement feature on the bottom configured to engage an engagement feature of an adjacent chair; providing at least one third engagement feature on the left side configured to engage an engagement feature of an adjacent rebar chair; providing at least one fourth engagement feature on the right side configured to engage an engagement feature of an adjacent rebar chair; providing at least one fifth engagement feature on the first end configured to engage an engagement feature of an adjacent rebar chair; and providing at least one sixth engagement feature on the second end configured to engage an engagement feature of an adjacent rebar chair.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein any of one of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, or sixth engagement features are configured to engage a first, second, third, fourth, fifth, or sixth engagement feature on the adjacent rebar chair.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising: providing a recessed rebar seat in the bottom that is the first distance from the top; providing a recessed rebar seat in the right side that is the second distance from the left side; and providing a recessed rebar seat in the second end that is the third distance from the first end.

21. The method of claim 17, further comprising: providing a recessed rebar seat in the bottom that is a fourth distance from the top, wherein the fourth distance differs from the first distance; providing a recessed rebar seat in the right side that is a fifth distance from the left side, wherein the fifth distance differs from the second distance; and providing a recessed rebar seat in the second end that is a sixth distance from the first end, wherein the sixth distance differs from the third distance.

22. A rebar support system comprising: a tray having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, the first surface having at least one engagement feature; a rebar support having first a recessed rebar seat in a top, a second recessed rebar seat in a left side, and a third recessed rebar seat in a first end; wherein the at least one engagement feature on the first surface of the tray is configured to mate with at least one engagement feature on the rebar support.

23. The system of claim 22, the first recessed rebar seat has a first height from a bottom opposite the top, the second recessed rebar seat has a second height from a right side opposite the left side, and the third recessed rebar seat has a third height from a second end opposite the first end, wherein the first, second, and third heights are different.

24. The system of claim 23, further comprising a recessed rebar seat in the bottom, a recessed rebar seat in the right side, and a recessed rebar seat in the second end.

25. The system of claim 24, the at least one engagement feature of the first surface of the tray further comprising a plurality of engagement features configured to mate with a plurality of engagement features on the bottom, the right side, or the second end of the rebar support.