Wireworking – Joining wire – Electric welding
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-10
2001-05-01
Larson, Lowell A. (Department: 3725)
Wireworking
Joining wire
Electric welding
Reexamination Certificate
active
06223785
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an apparatus for making reinforcing cages for reinforcing concrete.
Reinforcing cages have a plurality of longitudinally extending reinforcing rods defining a square, circular or other configuration when viewed in transverse section. The rods are maintained in their configuration by bands extending about the rods and at locations along the length of the rods. These bands typically are circular and are welded to the rods. Sometimes a continuous spiral band is employed.
The manufacture of such cages is particularly labour intensive and typically is achieved with the aid of a stationary jig which maintains the longitudinally extending rods at a desired spacing and configuration relative to one another. A series of bands are placed at intervals along the length of the rods and progressively welded to the rods to complete the cage. Partial disassembly of the jig was necessary to remove the finished cage from the jig. Alternatively a band was secured in place and the rods were withdrawn slightly from the jig and further bands were secured in place.
This method of manufacturing reinforcing cages was particularly labour intensive and as a consequence the resultant cages were expensive to manufacture.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for making reinforcing cages which at least minimises the disadvantages referred to above.
According to one aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus for making reinforcing cages, the apparatus having a frame, a former for receiving a plurality of longitudinally extending reinforcing rods, a bed on which the former may rest for rotation relative to the bed, a drive for rotating the former, a loading module located adjacent the former and having a shuttle mounted for longitudinal reciprocal movement towards and away from the former, a feed for feeding a reinforcing rod in a spiral fashion as the cage is made, whereby the shuttle may feed reinforcing rods into the former as it moves towards the former and may withdraw reinforcing rods from the former as a reinforcing rod is wound in a spiral fashion about the withdrawn reinforcing rods.
The former may include a plurality of rod supporting members. The rod supporting members may be located at discrete locations along the rods. Alternatively, the supporting members may extend along the rods for a predetermined distance.
In an alternative embodiment, the former may consist of a plurality of spaced interconnected plates with each of the plates having supports for reinforcing rods. The supports may be arranged in any desired pattern relative to the plates. For example the pattern may be square, rectangular, triangular or any other shape dictated by the shape of the reinforcing cage required. The supports may comprise apertures in the plates.
Preferably, the supporting members are tubes. The tubes may be parallel to one another and arranged to form any desired shape when viewed in transverse section or end on. Preferably, the supporting tubes are arranged to define a circular shape when viewed end on.
Preferably the tubes are secured relative to one another by bands located at intervals along the length of the tubes.
The tubes each have a bore which freely receives a reinforcing rod and which allows the rods to be easily drawn through the tubes.
The bed may include one or more drive members for engaging the former so that the former may be rotated. The drive members may comprise drive rollers.
The drive may continuously rotate the former or may rotate the former in a stepwise fashion. Stepwise drive is preferred. The drive may include a drive motor coupled either directly or indirectly to the drive member or members. Preferably, the drive motor indirectly drives the drive members via a gear box.
The former is preferably biased towards the drive members. One or more press wheels may be used for this purpose.
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Larson Lowell A.
Renner , Otto, Boisselle & Sklar, LLP
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