System and method of attaching precast panels
AssigneeBarsplic Products, Inc.
InventorTimothy L. Cartwright
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method for attaching precast panels and for coupling a plurality of reinforcing bars together. The system and method have a plurality of reinforcing bar coupler assemblies as shown to mechanically splice reinforcing bars of two precast panels or a plurality of reinforcing bars together to provide a permanent means of connecting the panels. Each of the reinforcing bar coupler assemblies have a first component, clamp ring, insert and second component and spring that are assembled and used to couple a plurality of reinforcing bars together. The reinforcing bar coupler assembly is precast into precast panels that are then adapted to be mounted and coupled together using the reinforcing bar coupler assemblies.
Claims20
A reinforcing bar coupler assembly for coupling a plurality of reinforcing bars together, the reinforcing bar coupler assembly comprising:
- a first component comprising an internal receiving area;
- a clamp ring for situating in said internal receiving area, said clamp ring comprising an insert receiving area and defining a clamp ring passageway in communication with said insert receiving area and a clamp ring passageway axis, said clamp ring comprising a clamp ring tapered or frusto-conical inner surface;
- an insert comprising an insert reinforcing bar receiving area defined by an insert interior wall that is adapted and sized to receive a first one of said plurality of reinforcing bars in said insert receiving area, said insert having an insert axis that becomes generally aligned with or generally coaxial with said clamp ring passageway axis so that after said first one of said plurality of reinforcing bars is received in said insert reinforcing bar receiving area, said insert comprising an insert tapered outer surface that engages and cooperates with said clamp ring tapered or frusto-conical inner surface to cause said insert interior wall to apply a compressive force against a portion of said first one of said plurality of reinforcing bars in response to said insert being urged into said clamp ring;
- and
- a second component for mounting onto said first component, said second component being adapted to urge a spring into engagement with said insert to drive said insert into said insert receiving area when said second component is mounted onto said first component, said engaging and clamping against said portion of said first one of said plurality of reinforcing bars in response thereto;
- said second component being adapted to be mounted to a threaded first end of a second one of said plurality of reinforcing bars so that after said reinforcing bar coupler assembly is mounted on said second one of said plurality of reinforcing bars and said first one of said plurality of reinforcing bars is secured or clamped to said second one of said plurality of reinforcing bars, said first one and said second one of plurality of reinforcing bars become coupled and secured together;
- wherein said insert and said clamp ring are dimensioned and adapted to permit said clamp ring to be received in said internal receiving area of said first component said clamp ring being adapted to float or move within said internal receiving area of said first component after said insert is received in said clamp ring to accommodate and allow for variability in placing of said portion of said first one of said plurality of reinforcing bars into said reinforcing bar coupler assembly and also allow for at least one of radial, horizontal and vertical movement of said clamp ring in said internal receiving area of said first component.
A method of making a coupler adapted to rigidly connect end portions of a first reinforcing bar and a second reinforcing bar, said first and second reinforcing bars being adapted to be used with concrete, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing a first component comprising an internal receiving area;
- situating a clamp ring into said internal receiving area, said clamp ring comprising a clamp ring receiving area defined by a clamp ring tapered inner surface;
- situating an insert into said clamp ring receiving area, said insert comprising an insert receiving area defined by an insert interior wall that is adapted and sized to receive an end portion of the first reinforcing bar in said insert receiving area, said insert further comprising an insert tapered outer surface that engages and cooperates with said clamp ring tapered inner surface to cause said insert interior wall to wedge against and engage said clamp ring tapered inner surface against said insert tapered outer surface thereby causing said insert to clamp against and be secured to said first reinforcing bar;
- mounting a second component onto said an end portion of the second reinforcing bar;
- mounting said second component to said first component;
- and
- wherein when said insert is driven axially into said clamp ring, said second component being adapted to urge a spring into engagement with said insert to drive said insert into said insert receiving area when said second component is mounted onto said first component to edge against and clamp against said end portion of said first reinforcing bar;
- wherein said insert and said clamp ring are dimensioned and adapted to permit said clamp ring to be received in said internal in a of said first component aid clamp ring being adapted to float or move within said internal receiving area of said first component after said insert is received in said clamp ring to accommodate and allow for variability in placing of said end portions of said first and second reinforcing bars and also allow for at least one of radial, horizontal and vertical movement of said clamp ring in said internal receiving area of said first component.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.