Reinforcing bar connection and method

A reinforcing bar splice comprising:

• at least two jaw element sections configured to engage ends of generally axially aligned reinforcing bars, wherein the jaw element sections include multiple jaw elements physically coupled together;
• and
• tapered collars for engaging tapered outer surfaces of the jaw element sections to force the jaw elements inward to grip ends of the reinforcing bars;
• wherein each of the jaw element sections is a multi-part jaw element section including:
• a tapered shell having the tapered outer surfaces;
• and
• at least one of the jaw elements radially inward of the tapered shell, and in contact with the tapered shell, for contacting and gripping at least one of the reinforcing bars;
• and
• wherein the jaw elements are parallelepiped-shape jaw elements.

A reinforcing bar splice comprising:

• a jaw element section configured to engage ends of generally axially aligned reinforcing bars, wherein the jaw element section includes multiple jaw elements;
• and
• tapered collars for engaging tapered outer surfaces of the jaw element section to force the jaw elements inward to and ends of the reinforcing bars;
• wherein the tapered collars include wound carbon thread;
• and
• wherein the tapered collars further include a steel inner sleeve portion between the carbon thread and the outer surfaces of the jaw elements.