Apparatus and method for joining adjacent concrete panels

A combination, comprising:

• a first panel having a plurality of slots formed therein;
• a plurality of connecting rods slidable through said first panel;
• a second panel;
• a plurality of mating channels formed in said second panel and axially aligned with respective ones of said plurality of connecting rods of said first panel;
• and
• a tool by which a force is applied to at least some of said plurality of connecting rods to cause said connecting rods to slide through said first panel so that said connecting rods extend outwardly from said first panel for receipt inwardly of said second panel within respective ones of said plurality of mating channels formed therein, whereby said first and second panels are joined to one another, said tool comprising an elongated bar that is sized to be inserted downwardly through one of said plurality of slots and pushed into contact with a corresponding one of the at least some of said plurality of connecting rods for applying a pushing force to said one connecting rod and thereby causing said one connecting rod to slide through said first panel for receipt by an axially-aligned one of said plurality of mating channels formed in said second panel.

A method for joining a first panel to an adjacent panel to establish a continuous path of travel over the first and adjacent panels, said method comprising the steps of:

• forming at least one slot in said first panel;
• locating at least one connecting rod within said first panel, and forming a pocket in said connecting rod which is accessible by way of said one slot;
• forming at least one mating channel within said adjacent panel such that said one connecting rod is axially aligned with said one mating channel;
• and
• exerting a pushing force on said one connecting rod at the pocket formed therein by way of said one slot for causing said one connecting rod to slide through the first panel such that said connecting rod extends outwardly from said first panel and inwardly of the adjacent panel for receipt at said one mating channel formed therein, whereby said first and adjacent panels are joined to one another.