Enhanced alignment-affixing device

Abstract

An alignment-affixing device for affixing a projecting member through a support structure substantially at a right angle, including at least a first cylindrical collar, the first collar dimensioned to receive a projecting member of varying sizes. The alignment-affixing device further includes a bridging section affixed orthogonally to the first collar, and a pair of arm flexures affixed orthogonally to obverse ends of the bridging section and parallel to the first collar, for releasably securing the alignment-affixing device to the support structure. When a projecting member is placed through the first collar and when the pair of arm flexures is engaged with the support structure and the bridging section is placed against the support structure, the projecting member is oriented substantially at a right angle with respect to the support structure.

1 . An alignment-affixing device for affixing a steel reinforcing bar through a concrete masonry unit substantially at a right angle, comprising: 
 at least a first cylindrical collar, said first collar dimensioned to receive a steel reinforcing bar of varying sizes;    a bridging section affixed orthogonally to said first collar; and    a pair of arm flexures affixed orthogonally to obverse ends of said bridging section and parallel to said first collar, for releasably securing the alignment-affixing device to the concrete masonry unit;    wherein, when the steel reinforcing bar is placed through said first collar and when said pair of arm flexures is engaged with the concrete masonry unit and said bridging section is placed against the concrete masonry unit, the steel reinforcing bar is oriented substantially at a right angle with respect to the concrete masonry unit.    
   
   
       2 . The alignment-affixing device according to  claim 1 , 
 wherein each arm flexure of said pair of arm flexures further comprise a distal catch, and    wherein each catch temporarily fastens said pair of arm flexures to the concrete masonry unit and prevents the alignment-affixing device from inadvertently disengaging the concrete masonry unit.    
   
   
       3 . The alignment-affixing device according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least a first handle for facilitating removal of the alignment-affixing device from the concrete masonry unit.  
   
   
       4 . The alignment-affixing device according to  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of said first collar has inward extending fins for releasably securing the steel reinforcing bar to the alignment-affixing device.  
   
   
       5 . The alignment-affixing device according to  claim 1 , wherein said bridging section is approximately 8″ long.  
   
   
       6 . The alignment-affixing device according to  claim 1 , wherein each arm flexure of said pair of arm flexures is approximately 8″ long.  
   
   
       7 . The alignment-affixing device according to  claim 1 , wherein said first cylindrical collar intersects said bridging section at a midpoint of said bridging section.  
   
   
       8 . The alignment-affixing device according to  claim 1 , further comprising second and third cylindrical collars substantially adjacent to said first cylindrical collar, said second and third collars dimensioned to receive the steel reinforcing bar.  
   
   
       9 . The alignment-affixing device according to  claim 1 , wherein the alignment-affixing device is comprised of plastic.  
   
   
       10 . A method for affixing a steel reinforcing bar through a concrete masonry unit substantially at a right angle using an alignment-affixing device, comprising the steps of: 
 mounting the steel reinforcing bar through a first cylindrical collar of the alignment-affixing device; and    mounting the alignment-affixing device over an opening on the concrete masonry unit, such that the alignment-affixing device affixes the steel reinforcing bar substantially at a right angle to the concrete masonry unit.    
   
   
       11 . A method according to  claim 10 , further comprising the steps of: 
 securing the steel reinforcing bar to the concrete masonry unit, and    removing the alignment-affixing device from the concrete masonry unit and the steel reinforcing bar.    
   
   
       12 . An alignment-affixing device for affixing a projecting member through a support structure substantially at a right angle, comprising: 
 at least a first cylindrical collar, said first collar dimensioned to receive a projecting member of varying sizes;    a bridging section affixed orthogonally to said first collar; and    a pair of arm flexures affixed orthogonally to obverse ends of said bridging section and parallel to said first collar, for releasably securing the alignment-affixing device to the support structure;    wherein, when the projecting member is placed through said first collar and when said pair of arm flexures is engaged with the support structure and said bridging section is placed against the support structure, the projecting member is oriented substantially at a right angle with respect to the support structure.    
   
   
       13 . The alignment-affixing device according to  claim 12 , 
 wherein each arm flexure of said pair of arm flexures further comprise a distal catch, and    wherein each catch temporarily fastens said pair of arm flexures to the support structure and prevents the alignment-affixing device from inadvertently disengaging the support structure.    
   
   
       14 . The alignment-affixing device according to  claim 12 , further comprising at least a first handle for facilitating removal of the alignment-affixing device from the support structure.  
   
   
       15 . The alignment-affixing device according to  claim 12 , wherein at least a portion of said first collar has inward extending fins for releasably securing the projecting member to the alignment-affixing device.  
   
   
       16 . The alignment-affixing device according to  claim 12 , wherein said bridging section is approximately 8″ long.  
   
   
       17 . The alignment-affixing device according to  claim 12 , wherein each arm flexure of said pair of arm flexures is approximately 8″ long.  
   
   
       18 . The alignment-affixing device according to  claim 12 , wherein said first cylindrical collar intersects said bridging section at a midpoint of said bridging section.  
   
   
       19 . The alignment-affixing device according to  claim 12 , further comprising second and third cylindrical collars substantially adjacent to said first cylindrical collar, said second and third collars dimensioned to receive a projecting member of varying sizes.  
   
   
       20 . The alignment-affixing device according to  claim 12 , wherein the alignment-affixing device is comprised of plastic.  
   
   
       21 . The alignment-affixing device according to  claim 12 , wherein the projecting member is a steel reinforcing bar, and wherein the support structure is a concrete masonry unit.  
   
   
       22 . A method for affixing a projecting member through a support structure substantially at a right angle using an alignment-affixing device, comprising the steps of: 
 mounting the projecting member through a first cylindrical collar of the alignment-affixing device; and    mounting the alignment-affixing device over an opening on the support structure, such that the alignment-affixing device affixes the projecting member substantially at a right angle to the support structure.    
   
   
       23 . A method according to  claim 22 , further comprising the steps of: 
 securing the projecting member to the support structure, and    removing the alignment-affixing device from the support structure and the projecting member.