Extensible reinforcing bar assembly and clip

Claim 1

An extensible reinforcing bar assembly for use in reinforcing concrete comprising first and second cylindrical reinforcing bars, a plurality of clips retaining said bars in parallel relation, one end portion of said first bar lying alongside a length of the other said bar intermediate the ends thereof so as to combine the overall length of both bars in extensible relation therebetween, said clips including a U-shaped plastic unit formed to be forced onto said first and second said bars, said unit including a force-receiving web at one end, said web carrying elongate confronting spaced apart side panels, said panels having first and second pairs of relieved surface portions disposed in confronting relation to form first and second seats for holding said bars tightly and independently therebetween, the confronting surfaces of each of said seats including portions disposed to underlie an associated one of said bars seated therein, said confronting surfaces being disposed to substantially meet at the free end of said panels when no bar is seated in said clip, said side panels having limited resilience serving to tightly engage the sides of said bars therebetween while permitting said bars to be longitudinally adjusted to provide the desired combined length of said assembly, the exterior region laterally to the sides of said clips being free of protuberances therefrom.