Support structure for cast in place conduit, junction boxes and similar structures

Abstract

Poured concrete floors and ceilings in buildings contain electrical conduit, air conditioning conduit, plumbing and junction boxes, for example. These conduits must withstand the rigorous activity of a construction floor and the concrete poured on them during the construction phase. Rod support structures made out of steel rod stock are used to hold the conduit and junction boxes in place on a temporary plywood floor in between rebar. The support structures have feet. The poured concrete floor covers the conduit, junction boxes and support structures. The footprint of each of the support structures is designed to be as small as possible by having minimum contact with a temporary plywood floor. When the plywood floor is removed, the support structures are substantially buried in the concrete. The concrete floor is underneath the feet, providing minimum exposure of the feet to the surface of the concrete next to the plywood floor.

1 . A support structure for holding structures in place on a temporary floor, comprising:
 a single rod having a first and second end formed to have an upright portion at the first end, a bend of less than 90° along its length to form a first foot contacting the floor, a leg portion extending from the first foot to an angle bent into a U-shape to form a second foot contacting the floor, the leg having a downward bend before the second foot, the leg portion extending beyond the second foot and ending in a third foot, contacting the floor, the leg having a downward bend before the third foot.   
     
     
         2 . The support structure of  claim 1  further comprising a loop formed at the third foot contacting the floor at an outer portion of the loop. 
     
     
         3 . The support structure of  claim 1  further comprising a loop formed at the first end of the rod in the upright portion. 
     
     
         4 . A support structure for holding structure in place on a temporary floor, comprising:
 a rod having a first end and three second ends formed to have an upright portion at the first end bent at an angle greater than 90° along its length for each of the three second end portions, each second end portion ending in a loop that contacts the floor at an outer portion of the loop, the loops forming three feet.   
     
     
         5 . The support structure of  claim 3  wherein the rod comprises three separate rods joined together at the upright portion at the first end and separating from each other at the greater than 90° bend. 
     
     
         6 . The support structure of  claim 4  further comprising one of the separate rods having a loop formed at the first end of the rod at the upright portion for holding conduit. 
     
     
         7 . The support structure of  claim 4  further comprising two of the separate rods having a loop formed at the first end of each rod at the upright portion for holding conduit. 
     
     
         8 . The support structure of  claim 4  further comprising three of the separate rods having a loop formed at the first end of each rod at the upright portion for holding conduit. 
     
     
         9 . A support structure for holding tubing in place on a temporary floor, comprising:
 a single rod having a first and second end, a loop at the first end to form a first foot, with the loop contacting the floor at an outer portion of the loop, a greater than 90° bend along the rod extending into a first U-shaped bend forming a second foot, a support portion of the rod extending from the U-shaped bend parallel to floor for a predetermined distance ending in a second U-shaped bend forming a third foot.   
     
     
         10 . A support structure for holding tubing in place on a temporary floor, comprising:
 a single rod having a first end and a second end, a loop at the first end to form a first foot, with the loop contacting the floor at an outer portion of the loop, a less than 90° downward bend along the rod extending into another less than 90° bend to form a second foot, extending into a first upright portion, a 90° bend providing a support portion of the rod parallel to the floor for a predetermined distance, a 90° bend ending the support portion extending into a second upright portion with a less than 90° bend to form a third foot, a less than 90° downward bend along the rod past the third foot, with a loop at the second end forming a fourth foot.   
     
     
         11 . The support structure of  claim 9  further comprising a saddle mounted on the rod along the support portion. 
     
     
         12 . The support structure of  claim 10  wherein the saddle extends beyond the support portion of the rod into the first and second upright portions. 
     
     
         13 . A support structure for holding tubing in place on a soft surface, comprising:
 a rod having a first end and three second ends formed to have an upright portion at the first end bent at an angle greater than 90° along its length for each of the three second end portions, the three second ends forming three feet.   
     
     
         14 . The support structure of  claim 12  further comprising a less than 90° bend in each of the three second end portions placing the three second end portions perpendicular to the surface. 
     
     
         15 . A support structure for holding tubing in place on a soft surface, comprising:
 a flat surface of predetermined size parallel to the soft surface;   a plurality of legs extending from an edge of the flat surface towards the soft surface.   
     
     
         16 . The support structure of  claim 14  further comprising support struts between a pair of legs.