AU2018222984B2

AU2018222984B2 - Apparatus and method for manufacturing a helical stirrup

Info

Publication number: AU2018222984B2
Application number: AU2018222984A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Po-Chuan Huang; Samuel Yin
Original assignee: Ruentex Engineering and Construction Co Ltd
Current assignee: Ruentex Engineering and Construction Co Ltd
Priority date: 2018-01-04
Filing date: 2018-08-30
Publication date: 2020-03-26
Anticipated expiration: 2038-08-30
Also published as: TWI660798B; TW201929975A; NZ745883A; AU2018222984A1

Abstract

An apparatus for manufacturing a helical stirrup includes a machine, a threaded rod, a holding wheel, a bending wheel and a support stand. The machine has a side defining a vertical surface. The threaded rod protrudes from the vertical surface of the machine. The threaded rod defines an axis perpendicular to the vertical surface and includes a thread surrounding the axis and a distal end. When driven by the machine to rotate, the threaded rod drives the helical stirrup to move away from the vertical surface along the axis. The holding wheel is disposed on the vertical surface for holding a bar with the threaded rod, and is configured to drive the bar. The bending wheel is disposed on a predetermined position of the vertical surface. The predetermined position is lower than a position of the holding wheel. The support stand supports the distal end. 1/18 / 0- Cr)

Description

1/18

0-

/

Cr)

TITLE OF THE INVENTION APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A HELICAL STIRRUP TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The disclosure relates to an apparatus and a method for manufacturing a

reinforcement stirrup of a reinforcement cage, and more particularly to, an apparatus and a

method for manufacturing a reinforcement stirrup of a reinforcement cage for a pile.

BACKGROUND

[0002] With regard to construction, a reinforcement cage which is composed of

reinforcement bars, such as main reinforcement bars, stirrups and tie bars, is used for resisting

tension and bending in construction structures. Taking a conventional reinforcement cage for

a pile as an example, the shapes of its stirrups are generally annular. The stirrups surround and

are secured to a plurality of longitudinally-arranged main reinforcement bars. The stirrups

are spaced in intervals. However, in a method of making such conventional reinforcement

cage, the step of fixing a large number of stirrups to the reinforcement cage is time-consuming

and requires much labor.

[0003] In recent years, helical stirrups have been adopted in construction to replace

conventional annular stirrups. A single helical stirrup can replace a large number of annular

stirrups and provide the same or similar structural strength, thereby saving labor costs and time

when fixing a large number of stirrups to main reinforcement bars. Thus, the efficient

manufacture of helical stirrups for construction structures is needed.

[0003a] Any discussion of documents, devices, acts or knowledge in this specification

is included to explain the context of the invention. It should not be taken as an admission that

any of the material formed part of the prior art base or the common general knowledge in the

relevant art on or before the priority date of the claims herein.

[0003b] Comprises/comprising and grammatical variations thereof when used in this

specification are to be taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components or groups thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] It would be desirable to provide an apparatus and a method for efficiently

manufacturing a helical stirrup.

[0005] In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an

apparatus for manufacturing a helical stirrup, comprising:

a machine with a side defining a vertical surface;

a trailer, the machine being fixed to the trailer;

a threaded rod detachably disposed through the vertical surface of the machine and

protruding from the vertical surface, the threaded rod defining an axis substantially

perpendicular to the vertical surface and including a thread surrounding the axis and a distal

end apart from the vertical surface, the thread being configured so that when the threaded rod

is driven by the machine to rotate, the threaded rod drives the helical stirrup to move away

from the vertical surface along the axis;

a holding wheel disposed on the vertical surface for holding a reinforcement bar

together with the threaded rod, the holding wheel being configured to be driven by the

machine to drive the reinforcement bar;

a bending wheel disposed at a predetermined position on the vertical surface, the

predetermined position being lower than a position of the holding wheel, the reinforcement

bar passing between the holding wheel and the threaded rod before being bent by the bending

wheel, thereby forming the helical stirrup;

a support base disposed under the helical stirrup for supporting the helical stirrup;

and

a support stand comprising a support part for supporting the distal end of the

threaded rod,

wherein when in a transportion mode, the detached threaded rod, the detached support stand and the detached support base are configured to be disposed on the trailer, wherein when in an operation mode, the threaded rod is detachably disposed through the vertical surface of the machine on the trailer, the support base and the support stand are configured to be disposed on a surface and correspond to the threaded rod, and the support base is detachably fixed to a lateral side of the trailer.

[0006] In another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for

manufacturing a helical stirrup, comprising:

providing a reinforcement bar winding holder and a reinforcement bar winding

around the reinforcement bar winding holder;

providing the apparatus of the first aspect of the invention described above;

pulling the reinforcement bar to pass through the plurality of vertical alignment

wheels, the plurality of horizontal alignment wheels and between the holding wheel and the

threaded rod of the machine;

adjusting the bending wheel to the predetermined position along the adjusting

groove;

actuating the machine to drive the holding wheel and the threaded rod to rotate;

adjusting a position of the pair of the idler wheels to hold and guide the

reinforcement bar after the reinforcement bar is bent by the bending wheel; and

adjusting the pitch adjusting mechanism to adjust the pitch of the helical stirrup

along the threaded rod.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] A more complete appreciation of the present invention and many of the

attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood

by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the

2a accompanying drawings.

[0008] FIG. 1A is a schematic perspective view of an apparatus for manufacturing

a helical stirrup according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0009] FIG. 1B is a schematic perspective view of a trailer according to an

embodiment of the disclosure;

[0010] FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of a machine according to an embodiment

of the disclosure;

[0011] FIG. 3A is a schematic perspective view of a support base according to an

embodiment of the disclosure;

[0012] FIG. 3B is a schematic perspective view of a synchronous mechanism

according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0013] FIG. 3C is a schematic perspective view showing another synchronous

mechanism according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0014] FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a connecting structure according

to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0015] FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of another connecting structure

according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0016] FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a pitch adjusting mechanism

according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0017] FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing a helical stirrup hoist

according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0018] FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view of a moveable carrier that carries a

helical stirrup manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure; and

[0019] FIGS. 9A-9G are schematic perspective views illustrating different steps in

a method for manufacturing a helical stirrup using an apparatus according to an embodiment

of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0020] Selected embodiments of the present invention will now be explained with

reference to the drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure

that the following descriptions of the embodiments of the present invention are provided for

illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting the present invention as defined by the

appended claims and their equivalents.

[0021] Please refer to FIG. 1A. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, an

apparatus 3 for manufacturing a helical stirrup 9 includes a machine 31, a threaded rod 33, a

holding wheel 351, a bending wheel 353 and a support stand 37. A side of the machine 31

defines a vertical surface 310. The threaded rod 33 is disposed through the vertical surface

310 of the machine 31 and protrudes from the vertical surface 310. The threaded rod 33

defines an axis A substantially perpendicular to the vertical surface 310, and includes a thread

331 surrounding the axis A and a distal end 33A apart from the vertical surface 310. The

thread 331 is configured so that when the threaded rod 33 is driven by the machine 31, the

thread 331 drives the helical stirrup 9 to move apart from the vertical surface 310 along the

axis A. The holding wheel 351 is disposed on the vertical surface 310. The holding wheel

351 and the threaded rod 33 together hold a reinforcement bar 8 such that the holding wheel

351 is driven by the driving of the machine 31 to drive the reinforcement bar 8 to move along

a rotational direction of the threaded rod 33. The bending wheel 353 is disposed on a

predetermined position on the vertical surface 310 that is lower than the position of the

holding wheel 351. The reinforcement bar 8 passes between the holding wheel 351 and the

threaded rod 33 before the reinforcement bar 8 is bent by the bending wheel 353 in order to

form the helical stirrup 9. The support stand 37 includes a support part 379 for supporting

the distal end 33A of the threaded rod 33 and is configured to bear the weight of the threaded

rod 33 and the helical stirrup 9 hung on the threaded rod 33. Thus, the support stand 37 can

sustain a portion of the weight of the helical stirrup 9 that the threaded rod 33 bears, thereby

preventing the threaded rod 33 from bending and deformation. Hence, the apparatus 3

according to the disclosure is capable of efficiently manufacturing the helical stirrups 9 with

different sizes. Taking the helical stirrup 9 having a large size for a pile that has a diameter ranging from 1.6 to 2.6 m (meter) as an example: the weight of the helical stirrup 9 is large enough to bend and deform the threaded rod 33 after a long period of time of operation.

Accordingly, the support provided by the support stand 37 is particularly important.

[0022] Please refer to FIGS. 1A and 2. As for the machine 31, the holding wheel

351 may be an active roller for holding the reinforcement bar 8 together with the threaded rod

33 and driving the reinforcement bar 8 to move forward. The bending wheel 353 may be a

passive roller for following the movement of the reinforcement bar 8 to rotate accordingly.

The machine 31 further includes a plurality of vertical alignment wheels 357 and a plurality

of horizontal alignment wheels 359. The vertical alignment wheels 357 and the horizontal

alignment wheels 359 are configured to align (i.e., straighten) the reinforcement bar 8 before

the reinforcement bar 8 enters between the holding wheel 351 and the threaded rod 33.

Please refer to FIG. 2. The machine 31 includes an adjusting groove 31S formed on the

vertical surface 310. The bending wheel 353 is configured to move back and forth along the

adjusting groove 31S and is installed within the adjusting groove 31S for adjusting the

predetermined position of the bending wheel 353. The bending wheel 353 is also

configured to form a curvature on the helical stirrup 9 according to the adjustment of the

predetermined position through the bending wheel 353 bending the reinforcement bar 8 and

adjust the diameter of the helical stirrup 9.

[0023] There are different variations of the support part 379 of the support stand 37

that can connect and support the distal end 33Aof the threaded rod 33. For example, please

refer to FIG. 1A, the distal end 33A of the threaded rod 33 is a smooth end without the thread

331, and the support part 379 of the support stand 37 includes at least two rollers 371. The

smooth distal end 33A of the threaded rod 33 abuts against the two rollers 371 such that the

two rollers 371 may slidably support the smooth distal end 33A of the threaded rod 33.

According to another embodiment of the disclosure, the number of the rollers 371 is greater

than two. The support stand 37 may also be pivoted to the threaded rod 33 at the distal end

33A through a bearing or the like.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 1A, in an embodiment, the support stand 37 preferably includes an extension adjusting mechanism 373 for adjusting the height of the support stand

37. During operation, firstly, the support stand 37 with a height is moved to be under the

distal end 33A of the threaded rod 33. Then, the support stand 37 is pulled (i.e., extended)

upwardly such that the rollers 371 abut against a lower side of the distal end 33A of the

threaded rod 33. And after the helical stirrup 9 is manufactured, the support stand 37 is

lowered again such that a gap between the support stand 37 and the threaded rod 33 is

provided for removing the helical stirrup 9 from the threaded rod 33 through the gap.

[0025] The apparatus 3 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may further

include a support base 39, as shown in FIG. 1A. The support base 39 is disposed beneath

the helical stirrup 9 for supporting the helical stirrup 9 so as to sustain a portion of the weight

of the helical stirrup 9 that the threaded rod 33 bears.

[0026] The detailed structure of the support base 39 is shown in FIG. 3A and is

described as follows. In this embodiment, the support base 39 includes a base 391, a

plurality of rolls 393, at least one scissor-like structure 395 and a bottom plate 397. The

plurality of rolls 393 is parallel to the axis A of the threaded rod 33 and is pivotally disposed

on two ends of the base 391. An upper end of the at least one scissor-like structure 395 is

fixed to a lower side of the base 391. The bottom plate 397 is fixed to a lower end of the at

least one scissor-like structure 395. The plurality of rolls 393 is parallel to the extension

direction of the helical stirrup 9 for supporting a portion of the weight of the helical stirrup 9

and following the rotation of the helical stirrup 9 to rotate. The at least one scissor-like

structure 395 is configured to adjust heights of the plurality of rolls 393 such that the plurality

of rolls 393 may appropriately contact and support the helical stirrup 9 during manufacturing

of the helical stirrup 9. In one embodiment, the support base 39 further includes a plurality

of adjustable supporting legs 397A connected to a lower side of the bottom plate 397 for

adjusting a level of the support base 397 particularly when the support base 39 is placed on

uneven surfaces in a construction site or factory.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 3A, the support base 39 further includes a synchronous

mechanism 399. The synchronous mechanism 399 is configured to follow the rotation of the helical stirrup 9 around the threaded rod 33 to synchronously rotate the plurality of rolls

393. The synchronous mechanism 399 in this disclosure has different embodiments. For

example, the synchronous mechanism 399, as shown in FIG. 3A, may include a chain 399A

for driving the plurality of rolls 393 to rotate. The synchronous mechanism 399 may also

control the rotation of the plurality of rolls 393 in response to a control signal transmitted

from the machine 31. Or, the plurality of rolls 393 may be set with a fixed speed for

following the rotation of the helical stirrup 9 around the threaded rod 33 e

[0028] Please refer to FIG. 3B, which shows a synchronous mechanism 399

according to another embodiment of the disclosure. The synchronous mechanism 399 may

further include a transmission shaft 399B, a first chain 399C and a second chain 399F that are

rotatably installed on the base 391 of the support base 39. The first chain 399C meshes with

a driving wheel on a driving motor 31M driving the threaded rod 33, a gear on the threaded

rod 33 and a first gear 399D on the transmission shaft 399B, for synchronizing the rotational

speeds of the driving motor 31M, the threaded rod 33 and the transmission shaft 399B of the

machine 3. The torque generated by the transmission shaft 399B is transmitted to one of the

plurality of rolls 393 through a second gear 399E of the transmission shaft 399B. The

second chain 399F of the synchronous mechanism 399 synchronously rotates with the

plurality of rolls 393. The tension of the above-mentioned first chain 399C may be adjusted

by a tension adjusting mechanism 31T of the machine 31. When the machine 31 is disposed

on a trailer 3C1 (referring to FIGS. 7 and 8), a platform 3S of the trailer 3C1 has a preset hole

3SH for the first chain 399C to pass through (referring to FIG. 3B).

[0029] Please refer to FIG. 3C, as for a synchronous mechanism 399 according to

another embodiment of the disclosure, the synchronous mechanism 399 may further include a

synchronous motor 399M for directly driving one of the plurality of rolls 393 to rotate, and

driving the any other one of the plurality of rolls 393 to rotate synchronously through the

chain 399A. The rotational speed of the synchronous motor 399M may be set as fixed

based on the rotational speed of the threaded rod 33 after calculation have been performed.

Alternatively, the rotational speed of the threaded rod 33 (referring to FIG. 1A) may be detected by a sensor and based on the detection result, a controller may be used for controlling the rotational speed of the synchronous motor 399M.

[0030] Please refer to FIG. 2. The apparatus according to an embodiment of the

disclosure may further include a pair of idler wheel devices 355. The pair of idler wheel

devices 355 may be rotatably disposed on the machine 31 and include a pair of idler wheels

355A disposed on ends of the pairs of idler wheel devices 355. The pair of idler wheels

355A holds and guides the reinforcement bar 8 bent by the bending wheel 353 at an

appropriate position so as to smoothly form the helical stirrup 9. As shown in FIG. 2, the

positions of the idler wheel devices 355 may be adjusted according to the size of the helical

stirrup 9 such that the idler wheel devices 355 can accommodate any size of the helical

stirrup 9 to smoothly guide the helical stirrup 9.

[0031] Please refer to FIG. 4. The apparatus 3 for manufacturing the helical

stirrup 9 includes a connecting structure 100 for connecting the machine 31 and the support

base 39 so as to fix the position of the support base 39 with respect to the threaded rod 33.

The connecting structure 100 includes two L-shaped linkage bars 39L. Each of the

L-shaped linkage bars 39L includes a first arm 101 fixed to the machine 31, and a second arm

102 fixed to the support base 39. The first arms 101 of the L-shaped linkage bars 39L

include a plurality of troughs 39LS that extend vertically for fixing and adjusting a relative

vertical position of the support base 39 through a plurality of fixing pins 39P. The second

arms 102 of the L-shaped linkage bars 39L include a plurality of fixing holes 39LH that are

formed along the longitudinal directions of the second arms 102. By fixing a plurality of

fixing screws into the different fixing holes 39LH, the relative horizontal position of the

support base 39 with respect to the machine 31 may be adjusted. According to another

embodiment of the disclosure, as shown in FIG. 5, in order to further enhance the strengths of

the L-shaped linkage bars 39L, each of the L-shaped linkage bars 39L may further include an

inclined support linkage bar 39LT. A first end 39FE of the inclined support linkage bar

39LT is fixed to the machine 31, and a second end 39SE of the inclined support linkage bar

39LT is connected to respective connecting parts of the first arm 101 and the second arm 102 of the L-shaped linkage bars 39L. Hence, the structural strength of each of the L-shaped linkage bars 39L can be enhanced. Although the structural strength of the connecting structure 100 as shown in FIG. 4 is less than that of the connecting structure 100 shown in

FIG. 5, the connecting structure 100 shown in FIG. 4 may transmit less vibration generated

by the machine 31 to the support base 39. Users can choose either one of the connecting

structures 100 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 according to their needs and/or requirements.

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the machine 31 may further include a pitch

adjusting mechanism 31P for adjusting a pitch of the helical stirrup 9 along the threaded rod

33, e.g., a pitch P as shown in FIG. 1A. The pitch adjusting mechanism 31P includes an

L-shaped linkage bar 311 and a pitch adjusting structure. A long arm of the L-shaped

linkage bar 311 is vertically adjustably disposed on the vertical surface 310 of the machine 31.

A short arm of the L-shaped linkage bar 311 protrudes outwardly with respect to the vertical

surface 310. The pitch adjusting structure includes a receiving seat 313 moveably

surrounding the short arm of the L-shaped linkage bar 311, and an adjusting bar 315

extending upwardly from the receiving seat 313. The adjusting bar 315 is configured to be

in contact with the helical stirrup 9. By sliding the receiving seat 313 along the short arm of

the L-shaped linkage bar 311, the position of the adjusting bar 315 can be adjusted. The

adjusting bar 315 is adapted to contact the helical stirrup 9 during the manufacturing

operation such that the pitch P of the helical stirrup 9 along the threaded rod 33 can be

adjusted.

[0033] Please refer to FIG. 7. According to an embodiment of the present invention,

the apparatus 3 for manufacturing the helical stirrup 9 further includes a helical stirrup hoist

3H moveably disposed near a distal end of the support base 39 with respect to the machine 31.

The helical stirrup hoist 3H includes a plurality of wheels 3H1 disposed on a lower part

thereof and a cantilever arm 3H3. The helical stirrup hoist 3H is configured to hoist the

helical stirrup 9 upwardly or downwardly and move the helical stirrup 9 to another location

after the helical stirrup 9 has been manufactured, collected and compacted.

[0034] According an embodiment as shown in FIG. 8, the apparatus 3 for manufacturing the helical stirrup 9 further includes a moveable carrier 3C and a reinforcement bar winding holder 3R. The moveable carrier 3C includes a trailer 3C1 and a tractor 3C2 detachably assembled with the trailer 3C1. The machine 31 is fixed to the trailer 3C1 and is located at a position near the tractor 3C2. As shown in FIG. 8, the reinforcement bar winding holder 3R, the detached threaded rod 33, the detached support stand 37 and the detached support base 39 may be positioned on a platform 3S of the trailer

3C1 for enhancing the mobility of the manufacturing apparatus 3. After positioning the

machine 31, the detached threaded rod 33, the detached support stand 37 and the detached

support base 39 on the trailer 3C1, the tractor 3C2 may haul the trailer 3C1 such that the

trailer 3C1 can be quickly and conveniently moved to a designated place. After the trailer

3C1 arrives at the designated place, such as a construction site, the machine 31, the detached

threaded rod 33, the detached support stand 37 and the support base 39 are assembled

together for manufacturing the helical stirrup 9 at the construction site. During the

manufacturing of the helical stirrup 9, the tractor 3C2 may be detached from the trailer 3C1

and moved to another place for providing more space for operation of the apparatus 3. In

one embodiment, the trailer 3C1 includes a plurality of adjustable supporting legs 3C3, as

shown in FIG. 1A. The adjustable supporting legs 3C3 are configured to adjust a level of

the moveable trailer 3C1 and further strengthen the support to the trailer 3C1. In this

embodiment, one of the adjustable supporting legs 3C3 is located right beneath the machine

31 for directly supporting the weight of the machine 31. As shown in FIG. 1A, in the

apparatus 3 according to one embodiment of the disclosure, the machine 31 is disposed on the

trailer 3C1 such that the threaded rod 33 defines a height from a ground for manufacturing

the helical stirrup 9 with a comparatively large size.

[0035] Please refer to FIG. 1B. The trailer 3C1 includes a plurality of supporting

frames 3F disposed thereunder. Some of the supporting frames 3F are densely disposed on

the location corresponding to the machine 31 for supporting the machine 31. Furthermore,

some of the adjustable supporting legs 3C3 may be further densely disposed on positions near

the machine 31. For example, as shown in FIG. IB, four of the adjustable supporting legs

3C3 are disposed on the area of the trailer 3C1 near the machine 31, and two of the adjustable

supporting legs 3C3 are disposed on the rear end of the platform 3S of the trailer 3C1.

[0036] In order to manufacture the helical stirrup 9 with an even larger size, as

shown in FIG. 2, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the apparatus 3 for

manufacturing the helical stirrup 9 further includes at least one height adjusting block 3P

(three height adjusting blocks or pads 3P in this embodiment) for adjusting or enhancing the

height of the machine 31. The height adjusting blocks 3P may be directly disposed on a

ground and fixed to the machine 31. The height adjusting blocks 3P may also be fixed to

the trailer 3C1 as shown in FIG. 1A, and the machine 31 may be fixedly disposed on the

height adjusting block 3P for further raising the height of the machine 31.

[0037] A method for manufacturing a helical stirrup 9 according to an embodiment

of the disclosure may be referred to in FIGS. 9A to 9G and the following description.

[0038] Firstly, a reinforcement bar winding holder 3R and a roll of reinforcement

bar 8 that is wound around the reinforcement bar winding holder 3R are provided, and an

apparatus 3 for manufacturing the helical stirrup 9 is provided and disposed. According to

the embodiment shown in FIG. 9A, a machine 31, a detached threaded rod 33, a detached

support stand 37, and a detached support base 39 are disposed on a trailer 3C1, and a tractor

3C2 is used to carry the trailer 3C1 to quickly and conveniently move the apparatus 3 to a

designated location. After the trailer 3C1 has arrived at the designated place, such as a

construction site, adjustable supporting legs 3C3 are adjusted to adjust a level of the trailer

3C1 and enhance support to the trailer 3C1. Then, the machine 31, the detached threaded

rod 33, the detached support stand 37 and the detached support base 39 are assembled

together, as shown in FIG. 9B. At this time, the tractor 3C2 may be detached from the

trailer 3C1 and moved to another place.

[0039] Next, as shown in FIG. 9C, the reinforcement bar 8 is pulled to pass through

a plurality of vertical alignment wheels 357, a plurality of horizontal alignment wheels 359

and between a holding wheel 351 and the threaded rod 33 of the machine 31. Along an

adjusting groove 31S as shown in FIG. 2, a bending wheel 353 is adjusted to move to a predetermined position. Next, the machine 31 is actuated to drive the holding wheel 31 and the threaded rod 33 to rotate, and positions of a pair of the idler wheels 355A are adjusted, as shown in FIG. 2, in order to hold and guide the reinforcement bar 8 after the reinforcement bar 8 is bentbythe bending wheel 355. A pitch adjusting mechanism 3IP, as shown in FIG.

6, is adjusted to adjust a pitch P of the helical stirrup 9 along the threaded rod 33. Before or

after manufacturing the helical stirrup 9, a plurality of adjustable supporting legs 397A (see

Fig. 3A) of the support base 39 is adjusted to adjust a level of the support base 39. The

height of the support base 39 is adjusted to provide the helical stirrup 9 with sufficient

support. In addition, according to a predetermined size of the helical stirrup 9, connecting

structures 100 of L-shaped linkage bars 39L, as shown in FIG. 4, are adjusted to adjust a

relative vertical position of the support base 39 with respect to the machine 31 and a relative

horizontal position of the support base 39 with respect to the machine 31.

[0040] Then, the helical stirrups 9 are continuously manufactured by the apparatus

3, as shown in FIG. 9D. After one helical stirrup 9 is manufactured, the finished helical

stirrup 9 on the threaded rod 33 is collected, compacted and bound, as shown in FIG. 9E.

As shown in FIG. 9F, a helical stirrup hoist 3H is used to hoist the bound helical stirrup 9.

As shown in FIG. 9G, an extension adjusting mechanism 373 of the support stand 37 is

adjusted to lower the height of the support stand 37 such that a gap is defined and provided

between the support stand 37 and the threaded rod 33. Lastly, the helical stirrup hoist 3H

may be moved to carry the bound helical stirrup 9 to pass through the gap and move to

another predetermined location for storage or use.

[0041] The term "comprising" and its derivatives, as used herein, are intended to be

open ended terms that specify the presence of the stated features, elements, components,

groups, integers, and/or steps, but do not exclude the presence of other unstated features,

elements, components, groups, integers and/or steps. This concept also applies to words of

similar meaning, for example, the terms "have," "include" and their derivatives.

[0042] The terms "member," "section," "portion," "part," "element," "body" and

"structure" when used in the singular can have the dual meaning of a single part or a plurality of parts.

[0043] The ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" recited in the present

application are merely identifiers, but do not have any other meaning, for example, a

particular order or the like. Moreover, for example, the term "first element" itself does not

imply an existence of a "second element," and the term "second element" itself does not

imply an existence of a "first element."

[0044] The term "pair of," as used herein, can encompass the configuration in

which the pair of elements has different shapes or structures from each other in addition to

the configuration in which the pair of elements have the same shapes or structures as each

other.

[0045] The terms "a" (or "an"), "one or more" and "at least one" can be used

interchangeably herein.

[0046] Finally, terms of degree such as "substantially," "about" and "approximately"

as used herein mean a reasonable amount of deviation of the modified term such that the end

result is not significantly changed. All numerical values described in the present application

can be construed as including the terms such as "substantially," "about" and "approximately."

[0047] Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the present invention

are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the

scope of the appended claims, the present invention may be practiced otherwise than as

specifically described herein.

Claims

1. An apparatus for manufacturing a helical stirrup, comprising:

a machine with a side defining a vertical surface;

a trailer, the machine being fixed to the trailer;

from the vertical surface along the axis;

machine to drive the reinforcement bar;

wheel, thereby forming the helical stirrup;

and

a support stand comprising a support part for supporting the distal end of the

threaded rod,

wherein when in a transportion mode, the detached threaded rod, the detached

support stand and the detached support base are configured to be disposed on the trailer,

wherein when in an operation mode, the threaded rod is detachably disposed through

the vertical surface of the machine on the trailer, the support base and the support stand are

configured to be disposed on a surface and correspond to the threaded rod, and the support

base is detachably fixed to a lateral side of the trailer.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising

a pair of idler wheel devices, the pair of idler wheel devices being pivotally disposed

on the machine and comprising a pair of idler wheels disposed on ends of the idler wheel

devices, the pair of idler wheels holding and guiding the reinforcement bar bent by the

bending wheel.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein

the distal end of the threaded rod is a smooth end, and the support part of the support

stand includes at least two rollers for smoothly supporting the smooth distal end of the

threaded rod.

4. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the support stand includes an extension adjusting mechanism for adjusting the height of the support stand.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the support base includes:

a base;

a plurality of rolls, being parallel to the axis and pivotally disposed on the base; and

at least one scissor-like structure with an upper end fixed to a lower side of the base;

and

a bottom plate fixed to a lower end of the at least one scissor-like structure;

wherein the plurality of rolls is configured to support the helical stirrup, and the

scissor-like structure is configured to adjust the height of the plurality of rolls.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the trailer has a platform having a preset hole, wherein the support base further comprises a synchronous mechanism for synchronously rotating the plurality of rolls, the synchronous mechanism comprising:

a driving motor;

a first chain engaged with the driving motor and the threaded rod, and the first chain

passing throgh the preset hole; and a transmission shaft engaged with the first chain and one of the plurality of rolls.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the support base further comprises a plurality of adjustable supporting legs connected to a lower side of the bottom plate for adjusting a level of the support base.

8. The apparatus of any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the machine comprises a pitch adjusting mechanism, the pitch adjusting mechanism comprising an L-shaped linkage bar and a pitch adjusting structure, wherein a long arm of the L-shaped linkage bar is vertically adjustably disposed on the vertical surface of the machine, a short arm of the L-shaped linkage bar protrudes outwardly with respect to the vertical surface, the pitch adjusting structure comprises a receiving seat slidably surrounding the short arm of the L-shaped linkage bar and an adjusting bar extending upwardly from the receiving seat, wherein the adjusting bar is configured to be in contact with the helical stirrup for adjusting a pitch of the helical stirrup along the threaded rod.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the helical stirrup manufacturing apparatus comprises a connecting structure connecting the machine and the support base for fixing a position of the support base with respect to the threaded rod, wherein the connecting structure comprises two L-shaped linkage bars, each of the L-shaped linkage bars including a first arm fixed to the trailer supporting the machine and a second arm fixed to the support base, the first arms including a plurality of troughs extending vertically for fixing and adjusting a relative vertical position of the support base with respect to the trailer through a plurality offixing pins, the second arms including a plurality of fixing holes disposed on longitudinal directions of the second arms, wherein the relative horizontal position of the support base with respect to the trailer is adjusted through a plurality of fixing screws selectively screwed into the plurality of fixing holes.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein each of the L-shaped linkage bars further includes an inclined support linkage bar, a first end of the inclined support linkage bar being fixed to the machine, a second end of the inclined support linkage bar being fixed to a joint of the first arm and the second arm of each of the L-shaped linkage bars for reinforcing each of the L shaped linkage bars.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a helical stirrup hoist moveably disposed near a distal end of the support base with respect to the machine, the helical stirrup hoist including a plurality of wheels disposed on a bottom part thereof and a cantilever arm for hoisting vertically and moving the helical stirrup after the helical stirrup is manufactured and compacted.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the machine includes an adjusting groove disposed on the vertical surface for adjusting the predetermined position such that the bending wheel is configured to move along and be installed in the adjusting groove and is configured to form a curvature on the helical stirrup according to the adjustment of the predetermined position through the bending wheel bending the reinforcement bar.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the machine includes a plurality of vertical alignment wheels and a plurality of horizontal alignment wheels for aligning the reinforcement bar before the reinforcement bar enters between the holding wheel and the threaded rod.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the helical stirrup manufacturing apparatus further comprises a moveable carrier and a reinforcement bar winding holder, the moveable carrier comprising a tractor detachably assembled with the trailer, wherein the machine is located on a position near the tractor, wherein in the transportion mode, the reinforcement bar winding holder is configured to be disposed on the trailer.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the trailer comprises a plurality of adjustable supporting legs thereon for adjusting a level of the moveable trailer and enforcing support of the trailer, wherein at least one of the plurality of adjustable supporting legs are located right beneath the machine.

16. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the helical stirrup manufacturing apparatus comprises at least one height adjusting block disposed beneath the machine for adjusting a height of the machine.

17. A method for manufacturing a helical stirrup, comprising:

providing a reinforcement bar winding holder and a reinforcement bar winding

around the reinforcement bar winding holder;

providing the apparatus of claim 13;

threaded rod of the machine;

adjusting the bending wheel to the predetermined position along the adjusting

groove;

adjusting a position of the pair of the idler wheels to hold and guide the

reinforcement bar after the reinforcement bar is bent by the bending wheel; and

along the threaded rod.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

adjusting a height of the support base to provide the helical stirrup with sufficient

support; and

according to a predetermined size of the helical stirrup, adjusting the connecting

structure to adjust a relative vertical position of the support base with respect to the machine

and a relative horizontal position of the support base with respect to the machine.

19. The method of claim 17 or 18, further comprising:

adjusting a plurality of adjustable supporting legs of the support base to adjust a

level of the support base;

compacting and binding the helical stirrup on the threaded rod;

hoisting the bound helical stirrup by the helical stirrup hoist;

adjusting the extension adjusting mechanism of the support stand to lower the height

of the support stand to provide a gap between the support stand and the threaded rod; and moving the helical stirrup hoist such that the bound helical stirrup passes through the gap to be moved to a predetermined location.

RUENIX ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION CO., LTD

WATERMARK INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY PTY LTD

P44210AUOO