Einlage zum Verstärken eines Betonelementes

A unitary reinforcing mat for reinforcing the top portion of a self-supporting, substantially horizontal concrete slab which includes a plurality of elongated, longitudinally-extending reinforcing bars arranged in spaced, parallel relation to one another and having their free ends bent downwardly to form support legs which are substantially shorter than the remaining longitudinal portion of the bars; at least two connecting bars extending transversely across the longitudinal bars and fixedly attached thereto at points spaced from the tips of the support legs but immediately adjacent the bends in the longitudinal bars so as to rigidly support the support legs and plastic coverings on the tips of the support legs to prevent rusting of any exposed portion thereof. The mats may be formed as a plurality of joined, single longitudinal bars or as pairs of parallel, longitudinal bars and such pairs and multiple single units may be combined with their longitudinal portions parallel to one another or transversely crossing one another.