Key information

Title
Chair and Method for Fixing Chair to a Supporting Surface
Application number
20150716
Case type
National
Status
19.02.2018 Patent meddelt (B1)
Filed
03.06.2015
Effective date
03.06.2015
Publicly available
05.12.2016
Next annual fee due
30.06.2027
Applicant
JOHN OLDROYD CHEETHAM (NO)
Owner
JOHN OLDROYD CHEETHAM (NO)
Inventor
John Oldroyd Cheetham (NO)
Agent
ACAPO ONSAGERS AS (NO)
Granted
19.02.2018
Patent number
341919
Expiry date
03.06.2035

Abstract and drawing

Disclaimer: This text has been machine-scanned and may contain errors – please refer to "Publications" for legally binding content.
Th is publication relates to chair for supporting a reinforcement memberfor concrete on a supporting surface, for example arranged on a tunnel wall or roof surface, comprising a base member configured to be attached to the supporting surface; preferably an intermediate part fixed to and extending out from one side of the base and a reinforcement bar locking device fixed to an opposite end of the intermediate part, the locking device being provided with memberfor receiving the reinforcement member. The chair is made of a plastic material that may be fixed by welding to the supporting surface and that both the supporting surface and at least the base part of the chair are made of compatible plastic materials that allow welding by hot air. The publication relates also to a method for affixing such chair to a supporting surface.

Publications

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Documents

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Date
 Date Doc. No. Process Case number In/Out Journal description To/from
 22.02.2018 15-01 Saksbehandling 20150716 UT PT Registreringsbrev Nasjonal Patent (15)
20.11.2017 14-01 Saksbehandling 20150716 UT Intention to grant Acapo AS
 10.11.2017 13-05 Saksbehandling 20150716 INN Hovedbrev Acapo AS
 10.11.2017 13-04 Saksbehandling 20150716 INN Beskrivelse ren Acapo AS
 10.11.2017 13-03 Saksbehandling 20150716 INN Krav Acapo AS
 10.11.2017 13-02 Saksbehandling 20150716 INN Beskrivelse merket Acapo AS
 10.11.2017 13-01 Saksbehandling 20150716 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) Acapo AS
 10.08.2017 12-01 Saksbehandling 20150716 UT Realitet patent Acapo AS
 08.05.2017 11-04 Saksbehandling 20150716 INN Hovedbrev Acapo AS
 08.05.2017 11-03 Saksbehandling 20150716 INN Krav ren Acapo AS
 08.05.2017 11-02 Saksbehandling 20150716 INN Krav merket Acapo AS
 08.05.2017 11-01 Saksbehandling 20150716 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) Acapo AS
 13.03.2017 10-02 Saksbehandling 20150716 INN Hovedbrev Acapo AS
 13.03.2017 10-01 Saksbehandling 20150716 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) Acapo AS
 03.01.2017 09-02 Saksbehandling 20150716 INN Krav Acapo AS
 03.01.2017 09-01 Saksbehandling 20150716 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) Acapo AS
 12.11.2016 08-02 Saksbehandling 20150716 UT PT report 11:21:09
12.11.2016 08-01 Saksbehandling 20150716 UT Realitet patent Acapo AS
 17.06.2016 07-04 Saksbehandling 20150716 INN Hovedbrev Acapo AS
 17.06.2016 07-03 Saksbehandling 20150716 INN Krav ren Acapo AS
 17.06.2016 07-02 Saksbehandling 20150716 INN Krav merket Acapo AS
 17.06.2016 07-01 Saksbehandling 20150716 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) Acapo AS
 01.06.2016 06-01 Saksbehandling 20150716 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) Acapo AS
 01.06.2016 05-01 Saksbehandling 20150716 UT Bekreftelse på patentsøknad Acapo AS
 18.12.2015 04-02 Saksbehandling 20150716 UT PT report 02:14:02
18.12.2015 04-01 Saksbehandling 20150716 UT Realitet patent Acapo AS
 11.06.2015 03-02 Saksbehandling 20150716 INN Fullmakt Acapo AS
 11.06.2015 03-01 Saksbehandling 20150716 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) Acapo AS
 10.06.2015 02-01 Saksbehandling 20150716 UT Formalia 1 Acapo AS
 03.06.2015 01-03 Saksbehandling 20150716 INN Beskrivelse
03.06.2015 01-02 Saksbehandling 20150716 INN P16437NO00-figs
03.06.2015 01-01 Saksbehandling 20150716 INN Søknadsskjema Patent

Description, claims and drawings

Disclaimer: This text has been machine-scanned and may contain errors – please refer to "Publications" for legally binding content. Description
The Technical Field of the InventionThe invention relates to a chair and a method for fixing a chair to a supporting surface for supporting a reinforcement member for concrete on a supporting surface such as defined in the preamble of claim 1 and 4.Thus, the present invention relates to a chair for supporting a reinforcement element for concrete on a supporting surface, for example arranged on a tunnel wall or roof surface, said supporting surface and chair being made of a plastic material and said chair comprising a base member configured to be attached to the supporting surface; preferably an intermediate part fixed to and extending out from one side of the base member and a reinforcement bar locking device fixed to an opposite end of the intermediate part, the locking device being provided with a member for receiving the reinforcement element, wherein the locking device is in a form of at least one outwardly deflectable surface, enabling the reinforcement element to be snapped into an aperture of the locking device and wherein the chair is fixed by welding to the supporting surface.Furthermore, the invention also relates to said method for fixing a reinforcement element for concrete on a supporting surface in a predetermined distance from said supporting surface, where a chair for supporting the reinforcement element is connected to the supporting surface, the supporting surface and the chair being made of plastic and the chair having a base configured to be attached to the supporting surface and a reinforcement bar locking device being in a form of at least one outwardly deflectable surface for receiving and locking the reinforcement element. The method comprises the following steps:(i) heating of the bottom surface of the chairs base and/or of the supporting surface by hot air from a heat generating device,(ii) welding the base of the chair onto the supporting surface,(iii) inserting and snapping a reinforcement element into an aperture in the reinforcement bar locking device.Background for the InventionIn many cases, there is a need for a waterproof and/or fire proof lining of a wall or a roof, such as for example the walls and/or roof of a tunnel, and at the same time there is a requirement that such linings or membranes are covered by concrete. The lining is affixed to the wall /roof by means of rock anchors fixed to the rock, the lining being arranged as a continuous lining across the tunnel in lengthwise sections, forming a water tight barrier. In addition reinforcement is fixed to the same rock anchors whereupon a layer of concrete is shot on to the concrete, the lining serving as formwork for such shotcrete.In order to reinforce the concrete, reinforcement is required, either as reinforcement rebars extending both in a longitudinal direction of the tunnel and also in transverse direction, following the contour of the lining, or as reinforcement nets. Such reinforcement is affixed to the lining, prior to shotcreting in order to prevent parts of the flexible lining from being displaced during concreting and in order to secure the required minimum distance from the lining to the reinforcement and to secure the require coverage of the reinforcement. Hence, it has previously been proposed to use a number of chairs, either fixed to rock behind the lining, or to the lining itself, if possible. Such fixing operation is both tedious and time consuming. At the same time the lining may excessively be punctured, establishing points or areas prone to leakage of water through the lining or membrane.There exist several prior art solutions for fixing reinforcement to a lining or an insulating liner for walls or tunnels. Typical methods may be to screw the chair into the supporting wall; or to glue the chair to the supporting surface or to allow the chair to rest due to its own weight and the reinforcement on a more or less horizontally oriented supporting surface.In order to be able to attach the chair by a screwing method, the supporting wall must be of a character allowing a screw end of a chair to be screwed into the supporting wall.The most pertinent method for attachment closest to the method according to the present invention, and the method with most similar features with the method and chair according to the present invention, is to use glue for attaching and fixing the chair to the supporting surface. Use of glue incorporates a number of inherent drawbacks. Firstly, the glue itself must be of a two-component type, preferably mixed in the outlet of a glue pistol or melt glue pistol. Such glue is expensive, requiring a clean surface in order to secure sufficient and adequate gluing effect. Moreover, such method also requires a period of time for enable the glue to cure. Hence the method is both expensive due to time taken and the cost of the glue. Moreover, experience has shown that the quality of the gluing effect may vary substantially, both due to lack of or varying proper distribution of a uniform layer of glue over the entire contact area of the chair. As a consequence, it is experienced that some of the chairs drop off during placing of the reinforcement and/or during concreting, the shotcrete being applied at a high impact on the supporting surface, reinforcement and chair. In areas where one or more chairs have dropped off, the supporting surface will yield during the shotcreting operation, forcing the supporting surface outwards towards the tunnel wall behind. In such regions the layer of shotcrete will as a consequence be thicker, thus consuming more concrete than necessary due to the yielding outwards, thus increasing time taken for the concreting process and the added volume of concrete necessary.From NO 333588 it is known a chair for fixing reinforcement nets or bar at a predetermined distance from an insulated tunnel wall. The chair comprises a threaded section intended to be screwed into the insulating material until a stop surface enters into engagement with the surface of the insulation. A part of the chair is configured to project outwards from the insulation with two parallel discs arranged at a predefined distance from the insulation, securing adequate position for the reinforcement with respect to the insulation. The chair is also provided with a spy, i.e. a devise to enable the concreting operator to identify whether an adequate concrete coverage is obtained in the shotcreting process or not.US 3,673,753 describes a concrete reinforcing bar support devise which includes a base supporting an upright pedestal, configured to rest more or less firmly on a more or less horizontal surface. A lower clamping portion is supported by the pedestal which has a first rod-receiving open passageway there through. Resilient detents extend from the lower clamping portion to retain a reinforcing rod disposed through the first passageway. An upper clamping portion is provided which includes a pair of hook members extending from the lower clamping portion. Each of the hook members has a mouth opening in the same direction to define a second rodreceiving passageway which is normally disposed to the first passageway. The chair disclosed is of a type intended to rest on a more or less horizontal surface without any fixing means to the supporting surface.US 2008/0178554 discloses a chair for supporting one or more reinforcement bars in a concrete structure. The chair includes a base member having a centered opening, a pair of opposing first leg members extending upwards from the base member at a first angle, a pair of opposing second leg member extending upwards from the base element at a second angle, and a strap-shaped locking cradle. The strap-shaped locking cradle includes an arc-shaped receiving portion attached to the first and second leg members, a flexible portion suitable for wrapping over the bars and a fastener to affix the flexible portion to the arc-shaped receiving portion or one of the first leg members such that transverse and vertical movement of the bars are limited and longitudinal movement of bars is allowed. The chair is also provided with a centrally arranged spike extending downwards from the cradle and downwards past the base, intended to be forced into the ground. AU 564990 B, WO 2010/049691 as well as DE 3823898 disclose different types of chairs for supporting a reinforcement member whereby the disclosed chairs are suitable to hold the reinforcement in a distance from the supporting surface during addition of concrete.There is a need for a robust chair that may be affixed to a water tight membrane or lining without puncturing the lining and which in a quick and efficient manner may be fixed to the lining. Moreover there is a need for a chair that allows quick and efficient mounting of the reinforcement and where the reinforcement is maintained in the intended position subsequent to fixing and during the shotcreting process where both the chair, the lining, and the fixation of the chair to the lining are subjected to large forces and rough impact.It should be appreciated that the lining on the one hand, although fixed to the tunnel wall by means of the rock anchors, is flexible and pliable, so that the distance between the lining and the established or mounted reinforcement may vary due to said flexibility. On the other hand the reinforcement fixed to the rock anchors forms a quite rigid frame structure. Because of the varying distance between the fixed reinforcement and the flexible lining, and in order to secure an even distance between these two elements, chairs are used. Said chairs are fixed subsequent to mounting of the lining and reinforcement on the rock anchors, the chairs being used to obtain the correct distance between the lining and the fixed reinforcement. As a consequence some times the lining must be pushed away from the reinforcement and in other instances the chairs are used to pull the lining towards the fixed reinforcement. It is therefor a need for a chair and a fixing method that secures adequate fixing very quickly, enabling pulling or pushing the lining into required position rapidly after fixing of the chair.Summary of the InventionAn object of the present invention is to provide a method and a chair suitable for affixing reinforcement bars or net to a membrane covering the roof and walls for example in tunnels, forming reinforcement for shotcrete shot onto the wall/roof.Another object of the present invention is to provide a chair which quickly can be fixed to a supporting surface by thermal air welding, either vertical; curved or downwards hanging from a roof surface and at the same time being easy to manufacture, leaving the casting mold easily; and also being configured to easily receiving the reinforcement bars or net to be supported.Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a chair and a method for affixing the chair and also the reinforcement to be supported in an attractive manner for the operator to establish the reinforcement for subsequent concreting or shotcreting.A further object of the present invention is to provide a chair and a method for fixing the chair to a membrane or a lining that may resist the forces and impact imposed by concrete shot onto the lining and reinforcement during the shotcreting process.A still further object of the present invention is to provide a chair and a method for fixing the chair to the membrane that provide a robust and rigid connection between the chair and the membrane or lining without puncturing the lining during the fixing stage or during shotcreting.The objects are achieved by a chair and a method for affixing such chair to a supporting surface as further defined by the independent claims, while embodiments, alternatives, modifications and variants are defined by the dependent claims.In a first aspect the present invention relates to a chair for fixing a reinforcement element for concrete on a supporting surface, for example arranged on a tunnel wall or roof surface, said supporting surface and chair being made of a plastic material and said chair comprising a base member configured to be attached to the supporting surface; preferably an intermediate part fixed to and extending out from one side of the base member and a reinforcement bar locking device fixed to an opposite end of the intermediate part, the locking device being provided with a member for receiving the reinforcement element, wherein the locking device is in a form of at least one outwardly deflectable surface, enabling the reinforcement element to be snapped into an aperture of the locking device and wherein the chair is fixed by welding to the supporting surface. The chair is characterized in that the at least one outwards deflecting surface can upon completed receipt of the reinforcement element be bent and welded to an adjacent surface, thereby closing the snapping part of the locking device.The surface of the base, configured to face towards the supporting surface, may preferably, but not necessarily be provided with outwards projecting fins, ridges, points or protrusions or unevenness and/or is given a thickness and/or flexibility and/or thickness that enables the base to be bent at a rim point or portion during an initial stage of installation. Such outwards projections may enhance the welding process and the end result.According to an optional embodiment, the intermediate part may be in the form of a single stem projecting outwards from the base and forming an integrated part with the base. According to another embodiment, the bar locking device may be in a form of at least one outwardly deflectable surfaces, enabling the reinforcement member to be snapped into a locking space of the locking device. Moreover, the at least one outwards deflecting surface may upon completed receipt of a reinforcement element be bent and welded to an adjacent surface, thereby closing the snapping part of the locking device.In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a method for fixing a reinforcement element for concrete on a supporting surface in a predetermined distance from said supporting surface, where a chair for supporting the reinforcement element is connected to the supporting surface, the supporting surface and the chair being made of plastic and the chair having a base configured to be attached to the supporting surface and a reinforcement bar locking device being in a form of at least one outwardly deflectable surface for receiving and locking the reinforcement element. The method comprises the following steps:(i) heating of the bottom surface of the chairs base and/or of the supporting surface by hot air from a heat generating device,(ii) welding the base of the chair onto the supporting surface,(iii) inserting and snapping a reinforcement element into an aperture in the reinforcement bar locking device and is characterized in the further step of (iv) bending and welding the at least one outwards deflecting surface to an adjacent surface, thereby closing the snapping part of the locking device.Preferably, the air temperature of the hot air supplied is in the region of 500 °C; the surfaces being heated for 2 to 5 seconds; and then the surface of the chair to be attached is pressed onto the heated supporting surface.The opening in the locking device can be closed upon completed insert of reinforcement element.Furthermore, the opening can be closed by means of welding using hot air from a heat generating device.The chair can be oriented in such way on a more or less vertical surface that the opening is oriented upwards. In order to secure fixing of the chair to the supporting surface, hot air can be blown along the supporting surface in under the lower surface of the chair. Moreover, a slot can be provided during the initial stage of the heating into which hot air is blown, enabling at least the contact surface of the base and possibly also the supporting surface to be exposed to the heat, whereupon the heated base is pressed down into contact with the preferably heated surface of the support. According to one embodiment the chair is preferably tilted, forming for example an initial angle in the order of 45 degree between the supporting surface and the bottom surface of the chair. During this stage the portion of the base is in contact, the contact being on the opposite side of the heating source, the base surface portion being pressed down onto the supporting surface. During at least this initial stage, the surface of the base surface receives a curved surface, the base being pressed down towards the supporting surface.According to an embodiment, the temperature of the hot air supplied can be in the region of 500 °C; the surfaces being heated for 2 to 5 seconds; and then the surface of the chair to be attached is pressed toward the heated supported surface for establishing the required welding effect.Moreover, the opening in the receiving and locking device can be closed upon completed insert of the reinforcement element, for example by means of welding using hot air from a heat generating device.For additional measure securing that the assembled reinforcement bars do not unintentionally dropping out of the locking element, the chair may be oriented in such way on a more or less vertical surface that its opening is oriented upwards.The material used for fabricating the chair may preferably, not necessarily be polyolefin. It should be appreciated that tests have shown that the welded chair in fixed, welded position may withstand loads exceeding 500 Newton, in fact up to 1000 Newton.According to the present invention the time taken for fixing the chair to the supporting surface or wall is in the order of up to five to six seconds and sufficient fixing force is instantaneously achieved. This means that the time taken for establishing a completely reinforced wall or surface may be substantially reduced, resulting in considerate construction time and cost saving and a more efficient construction process.It should also be appreciated that the fixation force, i.e. the binding force between the base of the chair and the supporting liner or membrane is enhanced. The chair according to the present invention may also be welded to insulation linings with the same degree of success.According to the present invention a method and a chair that is endurably fixed to the lining, being immediately or at least within a timeframe of maximum 10 seconds able to resist the pushing or pulling forces on the joint between the base of the chair and the lining without breaking, are obtained.Brief Description of the Drawings In the following embodiments of the invention shall be described in closer details, referring to the accompanying drawings, wherein:Figure 1 shows schematically a cross section through a tunnel, prior to shotcreting, indicating a lining, a plurality of chairs and affixed reinforcement;Figure 2 shows schematically a section of a wall surface, indication horizontal and vertical reinforcement, supported by chairs;Figure 3 shows schematically a side view of one embodiment of a chair according to the present invention;Figure 4 shows schematically a view of the chair disclosed in Figure 3, rotated 90 degrees;Figure 5 shows in enlarged scale a section of the entrance for reinforcement bars in the reinforcement bar locking device, marked by A in Figure 3;Figure 6 shows in enlarged scale a section of the base of the chair, marked with B in Figure 3;Figure 7 shows schematically a view of the chair disclosed in Figures 3 and 4, seen from above;Figure 8 shows schematically a bottom view of the chair, indicating the bottom surface intended to be faced towards the lining;Figure 9 shows schematically a first stage in the process of affixing a chair to a supporting surface, where only a rear part of the base is in contact with the supporting surface, the rear part being pressed downwards towards the supporting surface;Figure 10 shows schematically a second step in the affixing process, where a thermal heat source adds heat to the contact surface of the base and the corresponding supporting surface;Figure 11 shows schematically a third stage where the heat source is in the process of being retracted from the slot between supporting surface and the corresponding bottom surface of the base, while increasing areas of the heated base surface is in the process of coming into contact with the corresponding heated surface of the supporting surface;Figure 12 shows schematically the stage where the chair is fixed to the supporting surface, ready to receive the reinforcement element(s);Figure 13 shows schematically a possible next stage in the process of affixing reinforcement to the supporting surface, where a reinforcement bar is in the process of being inserted in the bar locking device;Figure 14 shows schematically a stage where the reinforcement bar has been inserted into a centrally arranged aperture of the chair; Figure 15 shows schematically a stage where guiding lips forming the entrance to the aperture of the bar locking device are in the process of being heated as a preparation for closing the entrance; andFigure 16 shows schematically the stage where the thermal heat source is in the process of being retracted and the guiding lips are welded together.Detailed Description of Embodiments disclosed in the DrawingsThe following description of the exemplary embodiments refers to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers in different drawings identify the same or similar elements. The following detailed description does not limit the invention. Instead, the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims. The following embodiments are discussed, for simplicity, with regard to a method for welding a chair to a lining or to insulation, creating a proper and adequate fixing of the chair to the supporting surface.Reference throughout the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the subject matter disclosed. Thus, the appearance of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout the specification is not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.Figure 1 shows schematically a cross section through a tunnel 10, prior to shotcreting, indicating a lining 11, a plurality of chairs 12 and affixed reinforcement bars 20. As indicated the lining 11 is fixed to the rock by means of bolts 14 drilled into the surrounding rock and penetrating the lining 11. In order to secure water tightness the penetration is sealed and conventional sealing material with load distributing discs (not shown) are used. The lining 11 may be of flexible and bendable sheets extending for example as a unit following the entire profile shape of the tunnel 10. In the longitudinal direction of the tunnel 10, sections of transversely extending lining sheets 11 are arranged in an overlapping pattern.As indicated on the right side of Figure 1 with a shaded area concrete has been casted showing both the filling between the supporting wall 11 the reinforcement 20 and in addition the required outer layer of concrete for coverage of the reinforcement 20, covering the spies 18.Figure 2 shows schematically a section of a wall surface, indication horizontal and vertical reinforcement bars 20,20’, supported by chairs 12 configured in a predetermined pattern. Figure 3 shows schematically a side view of one embodiment of a chair 12 according to the present invention. As indicated the disclosed embodiment of the chair 12 comprises a base 15 having a circular foot print; a stem 16 projecting upwards from the base 15; a reinforcement bar locking device 17; and a spy 18. The purpose of the spy 18 is to serve as an indicator for required concrete thickness during the shotcreting process. Concrete is shot on to the supporting element so as to achieve an even thickness of concrete over the entire surface of the supporting surface. The length of the spy 18 is chosen so as to secure sufficient concrete coverage for the reinforcement.Moreover, it should be appreciated that the distance from the base 15 to the reinforcement bar locking device 17 is configured such that sufficient concrete also may be placed between the supporting surface 11 and the reinforcement 20.The reinforcement bar locking device comprises a ventrally arranged aperture 19 with an area somewhat larger than the cross sectional area of the reinforcement bar 20 to be inserted into the aperture 19. In order to enable reinforcement bars 20 to be inserted into the aperture 19, the reinforcement bar locking device 17 is provided with a throat 21 through the sidewall to enable the reinforcement bar 20 to be inserted sideways into the aperture 19. In order to ease such insertion the throat 21 is associated with centering devices in the form of two lips 22 extending sideways out from the throat 21. The cross sectional area between the lips 22 is increasing outwards and at the outer end, the cross sectional area of said opening is equal to or larger than the cross sectional area of the reinforcement bare to be sideways inserted between the lips 22, through the throat 21 into the aperture 19.Figure 4 shows schematically a view of the chair 12 disclosed in Figure 3, rotated 90 degrees.Figure 5 shows in enlarged scale a section of the entrance for reinforcement bars 20 in the reinforcement bar locking device, marked by A in Figure 3. As shown the entrance is formed of two lips 22 establishing an opening extending inwards to the central aperture 19 through a throat 21. The dimensions and the material used in the lips 22 are configured such that the throat 21 may be forced more open when introducing a reinforcement bar 20 sideways into the aperture 19. Moreover, the lips 22 are also configured such that the lips 22 may be pressed or forced together when closing the throat subsequent to insertion of the reinforcement bar 20 by means of welding. The inner surfaces of the lips 22 are for the welding purpose preferably provided with a slightly uneven surface, for example formed by beans or bulbs or fins 23. Figure 6 shows in enlarged scale a section of the base of the chair, marked with B in Figure 3. As indicated, the surface 24 intended to face the supporting surface or lining 11 is preferably provided with a slightly uneven surface, for example formed by beans or bulbs or fins 23.Figure 7 shows schematically a view of the chair disclosed in figures 3 and 4, seen from above. The Figure indicates the base 15, the reinforcement bar locking device 17 and the spy 18. As indicated the lips 22 projects more or less sideways out from the reinforcement bar locking device 17, while the spy 18 projects more or less perpendicular up from the reinforcement bar locking device 17.Figure 8 shows schematically a bottom view of the chair 12, indicating the bottom surface 24 intended to be faced towards the lining 11. In order to secure adequate welded contact fixing the chair securely to the lining, the bottom surface is preferably provided with a slightly uneven surface, for example formed by beans or bulbs or fins 23. Moreover, parallel beads 23 are disclosed.Figure 9 shows schematically a first stage in the process of affixing a chair 12 to a supporting surface 11, where only a rear part of the base 15 is in contact with the supporting surface 11, the rear part being pressed downwards towards the supporting surface 11. As a consequence, a gap 26 is formed and the half of the base in the region of its contact point with the supporting surface 11 will be bent while the remaining part, i.e. the fore part of the base 15 will remain more or less plane.Figure 10 shows schematically a second step in the affixing process, where a thermal heat source 25, such as a heat pistol, adds heat to the contact surface of the base 15 and the corresponding supporting surface 11. Preferably, the thermal fluid used may be air, and the temperature may for example be around 500 °C. As the surfaces are heated, for example for 2 to 6 seconds the outer layer, the boundary layer, on both surfaces 15,11 is softened or partly melted, whereupon the heat source 25 is retracted and the a tilting force (ref. the arrow), is applied to the chair, thereby increasing gradually the contact area between the bottom surface of the base and the upper surface of the supporting surface 11. Such retracting movement of the heat source 25 is indicated by the arrow in Figure 10.Figure 11 shows schematically a third stage where the heat source 25 is completely retracted and the front end of the base 15 is pressed downwards towards the supporting surface 11.Figure 12 shows schematically the stage where the thermal heat source 25 is completely retracted, the entire base15 area of the chair 12 is in complete contact with the supporting surface 11 and the chair 12 is fixed to the supporting surface 11, ready to receive the reinforcement element(s).Figure 13 shows schematically a possible next stage in the process of affixing reinforcement 20 to the supporting surface 11, where a reinforcement bar 20 is in the process of being inserted through the lips 22 and the throat 21, into the centrally arranged aperture 19 of the bar locking device 17. Figure 14 shows schematically the stage where the reinforcement bar 20 has been inserted into the centrally arranged aperture 19 of the reinforcement bar locking device 17. Figure 14 shows schematically the stage where the thermal heat source is in the process of being retracted.Figure 15 shows schematically the stage where guiding lips 22 are heated by a thermal heating device 25 as a preparation for closing the lips 22 and the throat 21, ref, the arrows in Figure 15, indicating the closing force applied to the lips 22, and Figure 15 shows schematically the completed stage where the lips are closed and the thermal heating device 25 is in the process of being removed, the reinforcement bar 20 being in locked position.It should be appreciated that even though all Figures show the supporting surface 11 to be in a horizontal position, the supporting surface 11 may be vertical or forming part of an arced ceiling, for example in a tunnel, without deviating from the inventive concept.Moreover, the chair may have any suitable shape as long as it may be possible to weld the chair in an appropriate, predetermined manner to the supporting surface and keeping the reinforcement in a stable, fixed position with respect to the supporting surface, and as long as the installed reinforcement and the chairs for fixing the reinforcements to the supporting surface also function as a stiffening or reinforcing element also for the supporting surface during shotcreting, where the supporting surface is subjected to large and heavy impact from the concrete shot on to the surface. Patent Claims1. Chair (12) for fixing a reinforcement element (20) for concrete on a supporting surface (11), for example arranged on a tunnel wall or roof surface, said supporting surface (11) and chair (12) being made of a plastic material and said chair (12) comprising a base member (15) configured to be attached to the supporting surface (11); preferably an intermediate part (16) fixed to and extending out from one side of the base member (15) and a reinforcement bar locking device (17) fixed to an opposite end of the intermediate part (16), the locking device (17) being provided with a member for receiving the reinforcement element (20), wherein the locking device (17) is in a form of at least one outwardly deflectable surface (22), enabling the reinforcement element (20) to be snapped into an aperture (19) of the locking device (17) and wherein the chair (12) is fixed by welding to the supporting surface (11)c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the at least one outwards deflecting surface (22) can upon completed receipt of the reinforcement element (20) be bent and welded to an adjacent surface (22), thereby closing the snapping part of the locking device (17).2. Chair (12) according to claim 1, wherein the bottom surface (24) of the base (15), configured to face towards the supporting surface (11), is provided with fins, ridges, points or protrusions or unevenness (23) and/or has a thickness and/or flexibility/thickness that enables the base (15) to be bent at a rim point or portion (B) during an initial stage of installation.3. Chair (12) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the intermediate part (16) is in the form of a single stem projecting outwards from the base (15) and forming an integrated part with the base (15).4. Method for fixing a reinforcement element (20) for concrete on a supporting surface (11) in a predetermined distance from said supporting surface (11), where a chair (12) for supporting the reinforcement element (20) is connected to the supporting surface (11), the supporting surface (11) and the chair (12) being made of plastic and the chair (12) having a base (15) configured to be attached to the supporting surface (11) and a reinforcement bar locking device (17) being in a form of at least one outwardly deflectable surface (22) for receiving and locking the reinforcement element (20), wherein the method comprises the following steps: (i) heating of the bottom surface (24) of the chairs (12) base (15) and/or of the supporting surface (11) by hot air from a heat generating device (25)(ii) welding the base (15) of the chair (12) onto the supporting surface (11), (iii) inserting and snapping a reinforcement element (20) into an aperture (19) in the reinforcement bar locking device (17)c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n the further step of(iv) bending and welding the at least one outwards deflecting surface (22) to an adjacent surface (22), thereby closing the snapping part of the locking device (17).5. Method according to claim 4, wherein hot air is blown in along the supporting surface (11) under the bottom surface (24) of the chair (12), and that a slot is provided during the initial stage of the heating into which hot air is blown, enabling at least the bottom surface (24) of the base (15) and possibly also the supporting surface (11) to be exposed to the heat, whereupon the heated base (15) is pressed down into contact with the preferably heated supporting surface (11).6. Method according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the chair (12) preferably is tilted slightly, forming for example an initial angle in the order of 45 degree between the supporting surface (11) and the bottom surface (24) of the chair (12), the portion of the base (15) in contact being on opposite side of the heating source, and the initial surface forming a curved surface, the base (15) being pressed down towards the supporting surface (11).7. Method according to one of the claims 4 to 6, wherein the air temperature of the hot air supplied is in the region of 500 °C; the surfaces (11, 24) being heated for 2 to 5 seconds; and then the surface (24) of the chair (12) to be attached is pressed onto the heated supporting surface (11).8. Method according to one of the claims 4 to 7, wherein the opening (21) in the locking device (17) is closed upon completed insert of reinforcement element (20).9. Method according to claim 8, wherein the opening (21) is closed by means of welding using hot air from a heat generating device (25). 10. Method according to one of the claims 4 to 9, wherein the chair (12) is oriented in such way on a more or less vertical surface that the opening (21) is oriented upwards.
Claims
Patentkrav1. Stol (12) for å fiksere et armeringselement (20) i en forhåndsbestemt avstand fra en bærende flate, som for eksempel kan anordnes på en tunnelvegg eller takflate, der nevnte bærende flate (11) og stol (12) er laget av plastmateriale, og der nevnte stol (12) omfatter en fot (15) konfigurert til å festes til den bærende flaten (11); fortrinnsvis en mellomliggende del (16) festet til og som rager ut fra én side av foten (15), og en låseinnretning (17) for armering festet til motsatt side av den mellomliggende delen (16), der låseinnretningen (17) er utstyrt med en komponent for å ta imot armeringselementet (20), hvori låseinnretningen (17) er i form av minst én utadrettet bøyelig flate (22), som muliggjør at armeringsselementet (20) kan smettes inn gjennom en åpning (19) på låseinnretningen (17), og der stolen (12) er festet ved å sveise den til den bærende flaten (11),k a r a k t e r i s e r t v e d at nevnte minst én utadrettet bøyelig flate (22) kan, ved fullført mottak av armeringselementet (20), bli bøyd og sveiset med en tilstøtende flate (22), for derved å lukke den delen av låseinnretningen (17).2. Stol (12) ifølge krav 1, der bunnflaten (24) av foten (15), som er konfigurert for å vende mot den bærende flaten (11), er utstyrt med finner, kanter, punkter eller fremspring eller ujevnhet (23) og/eller har en tykkelse og/eller fleksibilitet/tykkelse som muliggjør at foten (15) kan bli bøyd ved et kantpunkt eller del (B) i en innledende fase av installasjon.3. Stol (12) ifølge krav 1 eller 2, der den mellomliggende delen (16) er i form av et enkelt skaft som rager ut fra foten (15), og danner en integrert del med foten (15).4. Fremgangsmåte for fiksere et armeringselement (20) for betong på en bærende flate (11) i en forutbestemt avstand fra nevnte bærende flate (11), der en stol (12) for å motta armeringselementet (20) er festet til den bærende flate (11), idet den bærende flaten (11) og stolen (12) er produsert av plast og der stolen (12) har en fot (15) konfigurert til å festes til den bærende flaten (11) og en låseinnretning (17) for armering er i form av minst én utadrettet bøyelig flate (22) for å motta og låse armeringselementet (20), der metoden omfatter følgende trinn:(i) oppvarming av bunnflaten (24) av stolens (12) fot (15) og/eller av den bærende flaten (11) ved bruk av varm luft fra et varmegenererende apparat (25),(ii) sveise stolens (12) fot (15) til den bærende flaten (11),(iii) sette og smette inn et armeringselement (20) i en åpning (19) i låseinnretningen (17) for armering,k a r a k t e r i s e r t v e d ...at metoden har det ytterligere trinn(iv) bøye og sveise denne minst én utadrettet bøyelig flate (22) til en tilgrensende flate (22), som fører til at delen som kan smettes på låseinnretningen (17), kan lukkes.5. Fremgangsmåte ifølge krav 4, der varm luft blåses inn langs den bærende flaten (11) under stolens (12) bunnflate (24), og at en spalte blir tilveiebragt i den innledende oppvarmingsfasen, der varm luft blir blåst inn, noe som gjør det mulig at minst bunnflaten (24) på foten (15) og eventuelt også den bærende flaten (11) blir eksponert for varmen, hvorpå det oppvarmede foten (15) blir trykt ned for å oppnå kontakt med en fortrinnsvis oppvarmet bærende flate (11).6. Fremgangsmåte ifølge krav 4 eller krav 5, der stolen (12) fortrinnsvis har en viss skråstilling noe som for eksempel vil danne en innledende 45-graders vinkel mellom den bærende flaten (11) og stolens (12) bunnflate (24), idet delen av foten (15) som er i kontakt på motsatt side av oppvarmingskilden og den innledende overflaten danner en kurvet overflate, der foten (15) blir trykt ned mot den bærende flate (11).7. Fremgangsmåte ifølge et av kravene 4 til 6, der lufttemperaturen på den varme lufttilførselen er rundt 500 ºC; der flatene (11, 24) blir varmet opp i 2 til 5 sekunder, og deretter at stolens (12) flate (24) som skal festes, blir trykt mot den oppvarmede bærende flaten (11).8. Fremgangsmåte ifølge et av kravene 4 til 7, der åpningen (21) på låseinnretningen (17) er lukket etter fullført innsetting av armeringselementet (20).9. Fremgangsmåte ifølge krav 8, der åpningen (21) er lukket gjennom sveising ved bruk av varm luft fra et varmegenererende apparat (25).10. Fremgangsmåte ifølge et av kravene 4 til 9, der stolen (12) er orientert på en slik måte på en mer eller mindre vertikal overflate at åpningen (21) er orientert oppover.
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No priority

Patent classes

IPC classesE04C 5/16E21D 11/12CPC classesE04C 5/16E04C 5/168E21D 11/12

Citations

AU 564990 B (B)WO 2010/049691 A1 (A1)DE 3404573 A1 (A1)US 2011/159224 A1 (A1)DE 3823898 A1 (A1)

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Owners
JOHN OLDROYD CHEETHAM
Hasselstien 2 3924 PORSGRUNN NO (PORSGRUNN Municipality, Telemark county)Org. number: 995349078Inventors
John Oldroyd Cheetham
Hasselstien 2 3924 PORSGRUNN NO (PORSGRUNN Municipality, Telemark county)

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ACAPO ONSAGERS AS
ACAPO ONSAGERS AS

Org. number: 932214636

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Edvard Griegs vei 1 5059 BERGEN NO (BERGEN Municipality, Vestland county)
Org. number: 932214636
Reference: P16437NO00

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