Mesh spacer for reinforced concrete

Abstract

A mesh spacer has vertical members extending outward with an X-shaped cross-section and horizontal dimensions that allow insertion of the spacer into an opening in a lower layer of reinforcing mesh in a first orientation. Notches in the lateral edges of the vertical members engage the reinforcing strands of the lower layer of mesh in a second rotational orientation of the spacer. An upper layer of mesh can be placed on the top surfaces of the vertical members and secured with ties that pass through openings in the vertical members.

1 . A spacer for positioning a layer of reinforcing mesh in concrete, wherein said reinforcing mesh has a grid of reinforcing strands defining an array of openings through the mesh, said spacer comprising:
 outwardly extending vertical members having bottom surfaces, top surfaces and lateral edges; said vertical members having horizontal dimensions allowing vertical insertion of the spacer into an opening in a layer of reinforcing mesh in a first rotational orientation; and   notches in the lateral edges of the vertical members for engaging the reinforcing strands of the layer of reinforcing mesh in a second rotational orientation of the spacer.   
     
     
         2 . The spacer of  claim 1  wherein the vertical members are not parallel to the reinforcing strands of the layer of reinforcing mesh in the first rotational orientation. 
     
     
         3 . The spacer of  claim 1  wherein the vertical members are substantially parallel to the reinforcing strands of the layer of reinforcing mesh in the second rotational orientation. 
     
     
         4 . The spacer of  claim 1  wherein the vertical members are orthogonal. 
     
     
         5 . The spacer of  claim 1  further comprising openings in the vertical members for engaging ties to secure an upper layer of reinforcing mesh support on the top surfaces of the vertical members. 
     
     
         6 . The spacer of  claim 1  wherein the vertical members further comprise complementary slots to assemble a spacer having an X-shaped cross-section. 
     
     
         7 . The spacer of  claim 1  wherein the vertical members are substantially planar. 
     
     
         8 . A spacer for positioning an upper layer and a lower layer of reinforcing mesh in concrete, wherein said reinforcing mesh has a grid of reinforcing strands defining an array of openings through the mesh, said spacer comprising:
 vertical members extending outward with a substantially X-shaped cross-section in a horizontal plane; said vertical members having bottom surfaces, top surfaces and lateral edges, and further having horizontal dimensions allowing vertical insertion of the spacer into an opening in a lower layer of reinforcing mesh in a first rotational orientation;   notches in the lateral edges of the vertical members for engaging the reinforcing strands of the lower layer of reinforcing mesh in a second rotational orientation of the spacer; and   openings in the vertical members for engaging ties to secure an upper layer of reinforcing mesh supported on the top surfaces of the vertical members.   
     
     
         9 . The spacer of  claim 8  wherein the vertical members are orthogonal. 
     
     
         10 . The spacer of  claim 8  wherein the vertical members are not parallel to the reinforcing strands of the layer of reinforcing mesh in the first rotational orientation. 
     
     
         11 . The spacer of  claim 8  wherein the vertical members are parallel to the reinforcing strands of the layer of reinforcing mesh in the second rotational orientation. 
     
     
         12 . The spacer of  claim 8  wherein the vertical members further comprise complementary slots for sliding engagement between the vertical members. 
     
     
         13 . The spacer of  claim 8  wherein the vertical members are substantially planar. 
     
     
         14 . A spacer for positioning an upper layer and a lower layer of reinforcing mesh in concrete, wherein said reinforcing mesh has a rectangular grid of reinforcing strands defining an array of rectangular openings through the mesh, said spacer comprising:
 two vertical members intersecting orthogonally to form a substantially X-shaped cross-section in a horizontal plane; said vertical members having bottom surfaces, top surfaces and lateral edges, and further having horizontal dimensions allowing vertical insertion of the spacer into an opening in a lower layer of reinforcing mesh in a first rotational orientation in which the vertical members are not parallel to the reinforcing strands of the reinforcing mesh;   notches in the lateral edges of the vertical members for engaging the reinforcing strands of the lower layer of reinforcing mesh in a second rotational orientation of the spacer in which the vertical members are substantially parallel to the reinforcing strands of the reinforcing mesh; and   openings in the vertical members for engaging ties to secure an upper layer of reinforcing mesh support on the top surfaces of the vertical members.   
     
     
         15 . The spacer of  claim 14  wherein the vertical members further comprise complementary slots for sliding engagement between the vertical members. 
     
     
         16 . The spacer of  claim 14  wherein the vertical members are substantially planar.