REBAR SYSTEM FOR USE WITH CONCRETE REINFORCING BARS

Abstract

A rebar system having a sleeve, a clamp that has at least one or a plurality of clamp members and a threaded member which engages the clamp members and urges them in the sleeve in a manner that causes a radial dimension between the clamp members to be reduced until the clamp engages a concrete reinforcing bar and clamps thereagainst.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a rebar system for use with concrete reinforcing bars and, more particularly, to a rebar system for mounting on an end of concrete reinforcing bar prior to use in a structure.

2. Description of the Related Art

As is well known, concrete structures with one or more concrete reinforcing bars are typically cast with a plurality of reinforcing bars, commonly referred to as “rebars”, for example, of the general type disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,975,444; D 583,224 and D 588,445, which are issued to the same Assignee as the present invention, each of which are incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof. Other related prior art includes U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,383,740; 5,606,839; 5,974,761; 6,192,647; 8,413,396; 9,091,064 and 11,732,479.

In some environments, it is necessary to form a head on a concrete reinforcing bar. Accordingly, a rebar system is oftentimes mounted on an end of the concrete reinforcing bar. The rebar system facilitates the transfer of forces from concrete reinforcing bar to concrete through the bearing face of the rebar system. The rebar system alleviates congestion in the concrete member, thus improving placement of concrete reinforcing bars, devices and concrete and providing for a more efficient transfer of forces.

In the field of construction of structures, it is sometimes necessary to provide a termination or manufactured end on an end of the reinforcing bar, depending on the application. In heavily congested walls, for example, it can be difficult to fit hooked concrete reinforcing bars in with the longitudinal bars. A termination device on the end of the concrete reinforcing bar in lieu of a hooked bar can alleviate the issue with congestion in the walls.

What is needed, therefore, is a rebar system that overcomes one or more problems of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an improved method and system for making or providing a rebar system for use with or on a concrete reinforcing bar.

One object of the invention is to provide a sleeve that is adapted to receive a clamp having a plurality of clamping members and a threaded member which forces and drives the clamping members axially along a frusto-conical or tapered wall of the sleeve that in turn forces the clamping members towards each other and into clamping engagement with a concrete reinforcing bar.

Another object of the invention provides a rebar system that is mounted toward or on an end of the concrete reinforcing bar.

Another object of the invention is to provide a convenient system and means for assembling a rebar system on an end of a concrete reinforcing bar.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a preferred rebar system terminating an end of a concrete reinforcing bar.

Another object of the invention is to provide a multi-piece clamp that has a plurality of clamping members and an interior wall that is serrated to facilitate gripping the concrete reinforcing bar.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a sleeve that comprises a bore that is adapted to loosely receive the clamping members and to align them generally axially therein, the threaded member can be threadably mounted thereon until the threaded member engages and forces the clamp members to move axially within the sleeve and ultimately radially into engagement with the concrete reinforcing bar.

Still another embodiment of the rebar system may be used at a job site or prefabrication facility where the device may be mounted on the concrete reinforcing bar and then subsequently shipped to a construction site. Alternatively, the rebar system may be mounted on the concrete reinforcing bar at a job site.

In one aspect, one embodiment of the invention comprises a rebar system for mounting on a concrete reinforcement bar, the rebar system comprising a sleeve having a first end, a second end and an intermediate portion joining the first end and the second end, the sleeve having a bore therethrough and a tapered wall defining at least one engaging surface, at least one of the first end or second end having a sleeve threaded surface; a clamp disposed within the sleeve, the clamp being adapted to receive the concrete reinforcing bar and to be driven axially in the bore and against the tapered wall of the sleeve to cause a radial dimension of the clamp to be reduced until the clamp engages the concrete reinforcement bar and clamps thereagainst; and a threaded member for threadably engaging the sleeve threaded surface and for engaging the clamp upon relative rotation of the sleeve and the threaded member in order to force the clamp to move axially within the bore and against the tapered wall of the sleeve to force a radial dimension of the clamp to be reduced, thereby causing the clamp to engage the concrete reinforcement bar and securing the rebar system to the concrete reinforcement bar.

In another aspect, another embodiment of the invention comprises a rebar system, comprising a plurality of sleeves having a first end, an opposite second end and a bore extending therethrough sized to allow several rebar members to extend into the plurality of sleeves, the first end having an internal frusto-conical surface and the opposite second end having an internal threaded surface; at least two coupling members disposed within the plurality of sleeves, each of the at least two coupling members having an outer frusto-conical surface that is complimentary to the internal frusto-conical surface of the plurality of sleeves; and a threaded body having outer threaded surfaces configured to threadably engage the internal threaded surface of the plurality of sleeves and an annular opening sized to receive the rebar members; wherein rotation of at least one of the plurality of sleeves and the threaded body relative to each other in a predetermined direction causes the threaded body to urge the at least two coupling members in a direction toward the first end to reduce a radial spacing between the at least two coupling members and into secure engagement with the rebar members.

This invention, including all embodiments shown and described herein, could be used alone or together and/or in combination with one or more of the features covered by one or more of the following list of features:

• • The rebar system wherein the clamp has a plurality of clamping members, each having an external clamp tapered wall that cooperates with the tapered wall of the sleeve to force the plurality of clamp members together upon the relative rotation of the sleeve and the threaded member.
  • The rebar system wherein the tapered wall of the sleeve and the external clamp tapered wall are at least partially frusto-conical.
  • The rebar system wherein the plurality of clamping members define a first clamping member and a second clamping member that are spaced from each other after receiving the concrete reinforcement bar therebetween.
  • The rebar system wherein each of the first clamping member and the second clamping member have an internal wall having serrations thereon.
  • The rebar system wherein the sleeve threaded surface defines a threaded area in the sleeve, and the tapered wall of the sleeve defines a clamp receiving area for receiving the clamp before the concrete reinforcing bar is inserted into the clamp.
  • The rebar system wherein the clamp has a plurality of clamping members, each having an external clamp tapered wall that cooperates with the tapered wall of the sleeve to force the plurality of clamp members together upon the relative rotation of the sleeve and the threaded member.
  • The rebar system wherein the tapered wall of the sleeve and the external clamp tapered wall are at least partially frusto-conical.
  • The rebar system wherein the plurality of clamping members defines a first clamping member and a second clamping member that are spaced from each other after receiving the concrete reinforcement bar therebetween.
  • The rebar system wherein each of the first clamping member and the second clamping member have an internal wall having serrations thereon.
  • The rebar system wherein the sleeve of the rebar system is mounted on a terminating end of the concrete reinforcing bar.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a rebar system for a concrete reinforcing bar in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the components shown in FIG. 1, illustrating a concrete reinforcing bar received in the components and prior to clamping;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 in FIG. 2 showing further details of the rebar system including a threaded sleeve, a clamp and a threaded member;

FIG. 4 is an assembled view of the components shown in FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is another sectional view of the assembly shown in FIG. 4 and taken along the line 5-5 in FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIGS. 1-5, a rebar system 10 is shown. The rebar system 10 is adapted for mounting on a concrete reinforcing bar 12 (FIG. 2), such as toward an end 12a of the concrete reinforcing bar 12, and provides a termination head for an end 12b of the concrete reinforcing bar 12. The rebar system 10 comprises a generally cylindrical sleeve 14. The sleeve 14 comprises a first end 14a, a second end 14b and an intermediate portion 14c which joins the first and second ends 14a and 14b as illustrated. The sleeve 14 comprises a bore 16 therethrough and comprises an internal wall 18 that is threaded as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the threads of the internal wall 18 terminate to a generally tapered or frusto-conical shaped wall 20. The wall 20 has a first portion 20a, a second portion 20b and a tapered or frusto-conical joining portion 20c, which joins the first and second portions 20a and 20b. The first and second portions 20a and 20b of the wall 20 are generally cylindrical as shown and not tapered.

The bore 16 is dimensioned, sized and adapted to receive at least one of the concrete reinforcing bars 12. Accordingly, note that a dimension or circumference of the first portion 20a is generally greater than a dimension or circumference of the second portion 20b and the tapered portion 20c of the wall 20 defines or provides a frusto-conical or tapered engaging camming surface. A clamp 22 is provided in the sleeve 14 and is forced into clamping into engagement with the concrete reinforcing bar 12 when the clamp 22 is driven axially (downward as viewed in FIGS. 2 and 3). This will now be described.

Notice in FIGS. 1 and 2, the clamp 22 comprises a plurality of clamp members 22a and 22b that are generally opposing and are adapted to move towards and away from each other as the clamp 22 is driven in the sleeve 14. The clamp 22 could have more or fewer members, like members 22a and 22b, if desired. For ease of illustration, the clamp 22 is illustrated with just two members, namely, clamp members 22a and 22b. Notice that each clamp member 22a and 22b has a plurality of serrations 24 (FIG. 5) for facilitating gripping or clamping against the concrete reinforcing bar 12. Notice that the plurality of clamp members 22a and 22b each comprise a tapered or frusto-conical surface or wall 22a1 and 22b1, respectively, that engage and ride along the camming surface or portion 20c when the clamp 22 is driven axially (downward in the view shown in FIGS. 1 and 2). The frusto-conical surfaces or walls 22a1 and 22b1 cooperate with the tapered or frusto-conically shaped portion 20c to drive the clamp members 22a and 22b radially towards each other into clamping engagement with the concrete reinforcing bar 12 as illustrated. This movement, in turn, causes a radial dimension between the clamp members 22a and 22b to become reduced until the clamp engages the concrete reinforcing bar 12 as shown in FIGS. 3-5.

A threaded member 26 comprises a threaded portion 26a and a non-threaded portion 26b. The threaded member 26 comprises a bore 28 sized and adapted to receive the concrete reinforcing bar 12 as illustrated in FIG. 3. The threaded member 26 comprises an end 26c that is generally cylindrical and planar and that engages top surfaces 22a2 and 22b2 of the clamp members 22a and 22b, respectively. The threaded member 26 comprises the threaded portion 26a which mate with the threads 14a1 (FIG. 3) of the sleeve 14 and upon relative rotation of the threaded member 26, the cylindrical and generally planar end 26c engages the surfaces 22a2 and 22b2 (FIG. 1) to urge or drive them axially in the sleeve 14 rotation upon the threaded engagement and the rotation of the threaded member 26 relative to the sleeve 14.

During use, the components of the sleeve 14, the clamp 22 and the clamp members 22a and 22b are loosely inserted into the sleeve 14 and the threaded member 26 is loosely threaded thereon. The assembly of the rebar system 10 is placed or mounted on the end 12a of the concrete reinforcing bar 12 such that the concrete reinforcing bar 12 is inserted between the clamp members 22a and 22b through the bore 28 of the threaded member 26 and positioned as shown in FIGS. 1-3. The threaded member 26 and sleeve 14 are caused to rotate relative to each other, as illustrated in FIG. 4, such that the threaded member 26 engages the surfaces 22a2 and 22b2 of the clamp 22 and drives the clamp members 22a and 22b axially (downward as viewed in FIGS. 2 and 3). This axial movement forces the surfaces or walls 22a1 and 22b1 to engage and ride along the portion 20c (FIG. 3) which, in turn, forces the clamp members 22a and 22b to cause their associated serrated surfaces 24a, 24b to engage the end 12a of the concrete reinforcing bar 12, as illustrated in FIGS. 3-5. This relative rotation can be performed with assistance of a tool (not shown) engaging the cylindrical surface or intermediate portion 14c to rotate the sleeve 14 and/or the threaded member 26.

It should be understood that while the rebar system 10 is shown mounted on an end 12a of the concrete reinforcing bar 12, the rebar system 10 could be mounted elsewhere along a length of the concrete reinforcing bar 12.

FIGS. 1-3 show an exploded view of the various components before the threaded member 26 is threadably mounted in the sleeve 14. FIG. 4 illustrates the assembled view of the components, loosely arranged on the concrete reinforcing bar 12. In general, during assembly, the sleeve 14, the clamp 22 and threaded member 26 are arranged as illustrated in FIG. 2. The clamp 22 is received in the sleeve 14 and the threaded member 26 and sleeve 14 are threadably mounted together and the end 12a of the concrete reinforcing bar 12 is inserted into the assembled components as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, and the threaded member 26 and the sleeve 14 are rotated relative to each other. This drives the clamp members 22a and 22b radially toward each other in the sleeve 14 as their walls 22a1 and 22b1 are driven along the wall portion 20c. The axial movement of the clamp 22 forces the radius between the clamp members 22a and 22b to be reduced until the serrations 24 engage and become clamped to the concrete reinforcing bar 12.

In short, the sleeve 14 comprises the bore 16 that is adapted to loosely receive the clamping members 22a, 22b and to generally axially align them within the sleeve 14 after they are received in the sleeve 14. The threaded member 26 is then threadably mounted on the sleeve 14 and captures the clamp members 22a, 22b therein such that they become generally aligned as shown in FIGS. 1-4. Thereafter, the threaded member 26 engages and forces the clamp members 22a, 22b to move axially within the sleeve 14 and ultimately into engagement with the concrete reinforcing bar 12.

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS

• • 1. The rebar system 10 provides a convenient means, and apparatus and system 10 for mounting the rebar system 10 on the end 12a of the concrete reinforcing bar 12, thereby providing the rebar system 10 for the concrete reinforcing bar 12.
  • 2. The rebar system 10 provides means and apparatus for terminating the concrete reinforcing bar 12 in a manner that will provide a greater working surface and structure for the concrete that is poured around it.
  • 3. The rebar system 10 may be used in lieu of a hooked concrete reinforcing bar to minimize congestion in reinforced concrete joints, to aid in constructability of concrete members and to improve concrete flow and consolidation in the region of the joint during placement of concrete.
  • 4. The rebar system 10 aids to anchor concrete reinforcing bars 12 extending from a concrete structure to secondary structure, such as floor to wall or column.
  • 5. The rebar system 10 aids in minimizing congestion in a wall or column by eliminating the need for hooked bars.
  • 6. The rebar system 10 can be a field installed termination device to provide a solution for situations where hooked bars have to be removed at the job site.
  • 7. The rebar system 10 may ease constructability at the job site to aid in the placement and consolidation of concrete in the joining regions of concrete reinforcing bars 12.

This invention, including all embodiments shown and described herein, could be used alone or together and/or in combination with one or more of the features covered by one or more of the claims set forth herein, including but not limited to one or more of the features or steps mentioned in the Summary of the Invention and the claims.

While the system, apparatus and method herein described constitute preferred embodiments of this invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this precise system, apparatus and method, and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A rebar system for mounting on a concrete reinforcement bar, said rebar system comprising: a sleeve having a first end, a second end and an intermediate portion joining said first end and said second end, said sleeve having a bore therethrough and a tapered wall defining at least one engaging surface, at least one of said first end or second end having a sleeve threaded surface;a clamp disposed within the sleeve, said clamp being adapted to receive said concrete reinforcing bar and to be driven axially in the bore and against said tapered wall of said sleeve to cause a radial dimension of said clamp to be reduced until said clamp engages the concrete reinforcement bar and clamps thereagainst; anda threaded member for threadably engaging said sleeve threaded surface and for engaging said clamp upon relative rotation of said sleeve and said threaded member in order to force said clamp to move axially within said bore and against said tapered wall of said sleeve to force a radial dimension of said clamp to be reduced, thereby causing said clamp to engage said concrete reinforcement bar and securing said rebar system to said concrete reinforcement bar.

2. The rebar system as recited in claim 1 wherein said clamp has a plurality of clamping members, each having an external clamp tapered wall that cooperates with said tapered wall of said sleeve to force said plurality of clamp members together upon said relative rotation of said sleeve and said threaded member.

3. The rebar system as recited in claim 2 wherein said tapered wall of said sleeve and said external clamp tapered wall are at least partially frusto-conical.

4. The rebar system as recited in claim 2 wherein said plurality of clamping members define a first clamping member and a second clamping member that are spaced from each other after receiving said concrete reinforcement bar therebetween.

5. The rebar system as recited in claim 4 wherein each of said first clamping member and said second clamping member have an internal wall having serrations thereon.

6. The rebar system as recited in claim 1 wherein said sleeve threaded surface defines a threaded area in said sleeve, and said tapered wall of said sleeve defines a clamp receiving area for receiving said clamp before said concrete reinforcing bar is inserted into said clamp.

7. The rebar system as recited in claim 6 wherein said clamp has a plurality of clamping members, each having an external clamp tapered wall that cooperates with said tapered wall of said sleeve to force said plurality of clamp members together upon said relative rotation of said sleeve and said threaded member.

8. The rebar system as recited in claim 7 wherein said tapered wall of said sleeve and said external clamp tapered wall are at least partially frusto-conical.

9. The rebar system as recited in claim 8 wherein said plurality of clamping members define a first clamping member and a second clamping member that are spaced from each other after receiving said concrete reinforcement bar therebetween.

10. The rebar system as recited in claim 9 wherein each of said first clamping member and said second clamping member have an internal wall having serrations thereon.

11. The rebar system as recited in claim 1 wherein said sleeve of the rebar system is mounted on a terminating end of the concrete reinforcing bar.

12. A rebar system, comprising: a plurality of sleeves having a first end, an opposite second end and a bore extending therethrough sized to allow several rebar members to extend into said plurality of sleeves, said first end having an internal frusto-conical surface and said opposite second end having an internal threaded surface;at least two coupling members disposed within said plurality of sleeves, each of said at least two coupling members having an outer frusto-conical surface that is complimentary to said internal frusto-conical surface of said plurality of sleeves; anda threaded body having outer threaded surfaces configured to threadably engage said internal threaded surface of said plurality of sleeves and an annular opening sized to receive said rebar members;wherein rotation of at least one of said plurality of sleeves and said threaded body relative to each other in a predetermined direction causes said threaded body to urge said at least two coupling members in a direction toward said first end to reduce a radial spacing between said at least two coupling members and into secure engagement with said rebar members.