U.S. patent application number 10/578471 was filed with the patent office on 2007-05-03 for reinforcing bar coupling.
Invention is credited to Colleen M. Kerkay.
Application Number | 20070095013 10/578471 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37994502 |
Filed Date | 2007-05-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070095013 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kerkay; Colleen M. |
May 3, 2007 |
Reinforcing bar coupling
Abstract
A reinforcing bar coupling includes a sleeve segment having a
deformable interior section weaker than the balance of the segment.
The deformable interior section, for example including deformable
ribs, is configured to be pressed onto ends of reinforcing bars to
be spliced together. The ribs deform onto and around deformations
on exterior surfaces on the ends of the reinforcing bars. Thus
locked to the ends of the reinforcing bars under pressure, the
sleeve segment secures the ends of the reinforcing bars together.
The sleeve segment may take any of a variety of forms, such as an
insert placed inside a sleeve, or a portion of a sleeve, between
the sleeve or portion, and the reinforcing bar. The clamp used to
press the sleeve segment onto the reinforcing bar ends may also
have a variety of forms, such as including bolts, tapered collars,
or fingered collars.
Inventors: |
Kerkay; Colleen M.; (Olmsted
Township, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Jonathan A Platt;Renner Otto Boisselle & Sklar
1621Euclid Avenue
19th Floor
Cleveland
OH
44115
US
|
Family ID: |
37994502 |
Appl. No.: |
10/578471 |
Filed: |
October 27, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
October 27, 2004 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US04/35710 |
371 Date: |
May 30, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/750 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04C 5/165 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/750 |
International
Class: |
E04B 1/00 20060101
E04B001/00 |
Claims
1. A reinforcing bar splice for joining reinforcing bars, the
splice comprising: a sleeve segment having longitudinal integral
ribs deforming to conform to deformations on the reinforcing bars
when the sleeve segment and the bars are relatively pressed
together; and a clamp operatively configured to relatively press
the sleeve segment and the bars together.
2. The splice of claim 1, wherein the clamp is also configured to
press relatively smooth portions of the bars into the ribs.
3. The splice of claim 1, wherein the ribs have rounded distal
corners.
4. The splice of claim 1, wherein troughs between the ribs have
proximal rounded corners.
5. The splice of claim 1, wherein the ribs are of substantially
uniform width.
6. The splice of claim 1, wherein the ribs are enlarged at their
distal ends.
7. The splice of claim 1, wherein the ribs are softer than the
reinforcing bars.
8-11. (canceled)
12. The splice of claim 1, wherein the clamp includes a sleeve
surrounding the bars; and wherein the sleeve segment is placed
between the sleeve and the bar ends.
13. The splice of claim 12, wherein the sleeve segment has a
tapered outer surface; and wherein the sleeve is a tapered collar
having a tapered inner surface for engaging the tapered outer
surface of the sleeve segment.
14. The splice of claim 13, wherein the sleeve segment includes
multiple sleeve segment sections hingedly coupled together.
15. (canceled)
16. The splice of claim 13, wherein the clamp includes an
additional tapered collar.
17. (canceled)
18. The splice of claim 12, wherein the clamp also includes plural
bolts that pass through threaded bolt holes in the sleeve to press
the ribs into the deformations.
19 and 20. (canceled)
21. The splice of claim 18, wherein the bolts are driven into the
bars.
22. The splice of claim 21, wherein the bolt holes are
substantially diametrically opposed to the insert, on opposite
sides of the bars.
23. The splice of claim 18, wherein the bolts are driven into an
insert between the fasteners and the bars; and wherein the insert
is a toothed insert having circumferential teeth for biting into
the bars.
24. (canceled)
25. The splice of claim 18, wherein the bolts pull together
generally parallel flanges of the sleeve, tightening the sleeve
segment around the joined bars.
26. The splice of claim 18, wherein the sleeve includes a pair of
sleeve halves; and wherein the bolts pass through one of the sleeve
halves and into the other of the sleeve halves, thereby pulling the
sleeve halves together and tightening the sleeve segment around the
joined bars.
27. The splice of claim 12, wherein the sleeve includes a pair of
sleeve portions that each have axially protruding fingers; and
wherein, when the sleeve portions are forced axially toward one
another, at least some of the fingers press inward when the fingers
of one of the sleeve portions are interdigitated with the fingers
of the other of the sleeve portions.
28. The splice of claim 1, wherein the sleeve segment is a part of
a single-piece sleeve for surrounding the bar ends.
29. The splice of claim 28, wherein the clamp includes bolts that
pass through threaded bolt holes in the sleeve.
30-42. (canceled)
43. A method of splicing reinforcing bars having deformations
thereupon, the method comprising: placing longitudinal ribs of a
sleeve section against ends of the bars; and pressing the
longitudinal ribs onto the bars, causing them to conform to the bar
deformations.
44. The method of claim 43, wherein the ribs are softer than the
reinforcing bars.
45 and 46. (canceled)
47. The method of claim 43, wherein the pressing includes placing
notches the ribs conforming to the deformations on the bar
ends.
48. The method of claim 43, wherein the pressing includes
flattening top portions of the ribs.
49. The method of claim 48, wherein the flattening includes causing
the top portions of adjacent of the ribs to contact one
another.
50. (canceled)
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field Of The Invention
[0002] The invention is related to the field of devices and methods
for coupling reinforcing bars.
[0003] 2. Description Of The Related Art
[0004] In steel reinforced concrete construction, there are
generally three types of splices or connections; namely lap
splices; mechanical splices; and welding. Probably the most common
is the lap splice where two bar ends are lapped side-by-side and
wire tied together. The bar ends are of course axially offset which
creates design problems, and eccentric loading whether compressive
or tensile from bar-to-bar. Welding is suitable for some bar steels
but not for others and the heat may actually weaken some bars. Done
correctly, it requires great skill and is expensive Mechanical
splices normally require a bar end preparation or treatment such as
threading, upsetting or both. They also may require careful
torquing.
[0005] Improvements are continually being sought in mechanical
splices and splicing methods, for instance to improve performance,
cost, and/or ease of installation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] According to an aspect of the invention, a reinforcing bar
splice for joining reinforcing bars, includes: a sleeve segment
having longitudinal integral ribs deforming to conform to
deformations on the reinforcing bars when the sleeve segment and
the bars are relatively pressed together; and a clamp operatively
configured to relatively press the sleeve segment and the bars
together.
[0007] According to another aspect of the invention, a splice for
deformed reinforcing bar includes a sleeve segment having
longitudinal ribs on an inner surface; and means to clamp the
sleeve segment against an end of the deformed bar to cause the ribs
to deform to conform to and lock the deformed bar.
[0008] According to yet another aspect of the invention, a splice
for deformed reinforcing bar includes: a sleeve segment having a
deformable interior section weaker than the balance of the segment;
and means to press the weaker interior section against the bar to
cause it to conform to and lock with the deformed bar.
[0009] According to still another aspect of the invention, a method
of splicing reinforcing bars having deformations thereupon,
includes the steps of: placing longitudinal ribs of a sleeve
section against ends of the bars; and pressing the longitudinal
ribs onto the bars, causing them to conform to the bar
deformations.
[0010] To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the
invention comprises the features hereinafter fully described and
particularly pointed out in the claims. The following description
and the annexed drawings set forth in detail certain illustrative
embodiments of the invention. These embodiments are indicative,
however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles
of the invention may be employed. Other objects, advantages and
novel features of the invention will become apparent from the
following detailed description of the invention when considered in
conjunction with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0011] In the annexed drawings, which are not necessarily to
scale:
[0012] FIG. 1 is an oblique view of a splice of the present
invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of some parts of the splice of
FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 3 is an enlarged cutaway side view partly in section,
of part of the splice of FIG. 1, illustrating the locking between
ribs and a reinforcing bar;
[0015] FIG. 4 is an end view showing a sleeve section of the splice
of FIG. 1, with undeformed ribs;
[0016] FIG. 5 is an end view showing a sleeve section of the splice
of FIG. 1, with partially-deformed ribs;
[0017] FIG. 6 is an end view showing a sleeve section of the splice
of FIG. 1, with fully-deformed ribs;
[0018] FIG. 7 is an oblique view of a sleeve section according to
one embodiment of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 8 is an enlarged end view of the sleeve section of FIG.
7;
[0020] FIG. 9 is a side view of the sleeve section of FIG. 7;
[0021] FIG. 10 is a view of the sleeve section seen from the bottom
of FIG. 9;
[0022] FIG. 11 is an oblique view illustrating sleeve sections of
FIG. 7 as part of a splice;
[0023] FIG. 12 is an oblique view of another embodiment of a splice
in accordance with the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 13 is an end view of the splice of FIG. 12;
[0025] FIG. 14 is a cutaway side view of the splice of FIG. 12;
[0026] FIG. 15 is an exploded view illustrating details of some of
the parts of the splice of FIG. 12;
[0027] FIG. 16 is an end view illustrating one variation of the
splice of FIGS. 12-15;
[0028] FIG. 17 is an end view illustrating another variation of the
splice of FIGS. 12-15;
[0029] FIG. 18 is an oblique view of an embodiment of a sleeve of
the present invention, having an integral sleeve segment with
integral longitudinal ribs;
[0030] FIG. 19 is an end view of the sleeve of FIG. 18;
[0031] FIG. 20 is an oblique view of yet another embodiment of a
splice in accordance with the present invention:
[0032] FIG. 21 is an end view of the splice of FIG. 20;
[0033] FIG. 22 is a cutaway side view of the splice of FIG. 20;
[0034] FIG. 23 is an oblique view of still another embodiment of a
splice in accordance with the present invention;
[0035] FIG. 24 is a cutaway side view of the splice of FIG. 23;
[0036] FIG. 25 is an end view of the splice of FIG. 23;
[0037] FIG. 26 is a side view of a further embodiment of a splice
in accordance with the present invention;
[0038] FIG. 27 is an oblique view of a sleeve segment for use in
the splice of FIG. 26;
[0039] FIG. 28 is an end view of the sleeve segment of FIG. 27;
[0040] FIG. 29 is a side view if the splice of FIG. 26, showing the
splice prior to engagement of the fingers of the sleeve
portions;
[0041] FIG. 30 is an oblique view of a still further embodiment of
a splice in accordance with the present invention; and
[0042] FIG. 31 is an end view of a sleeve that is part of the
splice of FIG. 30.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0043] A reinforcing bar coupling includes a sleeve segment having
a deformable interior section weaker than the balance of the
segment. The deformable interior section, for example including
deformable ribs, is configured to be pressed onto ends of
reinforcing bars to be spliced together. The ribs deform onto and
around deformations on exterior surfaces on the ends of the
reinforcing bars. Thus secured to the ends of the reinforcing bars
under pressure, the sleeve segment secures the ends of the
reinforcing bars together. The sleeve segment may take any of a
variety of forms, such as an insert placed inside a sleeve, or a
portion of a sleeve, between the sleeve or portion, and the
reinforcing bar. The clamp used to press the sleeve segment onto
the reinforcing bar ends may also have a variety of forms, such as
bolts contacting the reinforcing bar ends or an insert, bolts
arranged to squeeze ends of a sleeve together, tapered collars that
engage outer surfaces of one or more sleeve segment, or fingered
collars that press inward against the sleeve segment.
[0044] FIG. 1 shows the generalized configuration of a reinforcing
bar splice 10, for splicing together reinforcing bars 12 and 14
(also referred to herein as "bar ends"). The splice 10 includes a
sleeve segment 16 and a clamp 18. The term "sleeve segment," as
used herein, refers to at least a portion of a curved sleeve, such
as would partially or wholly circumferentially engage and surround
a cylindrical object, such as an annulet may engage and surround a
column. A sleeve segment, as the term is used herein, may
completely circumferentially surround a cylindrical object, such as
a reinforcing bar. Alternatively, a sleeve segment may be along
only a circumferential portion of the cylindrical object. A sleeve
segment has a curved inner surface for engaging the cylindrical
object. The outer surface of a sleeve section may also be curved,
but does not need to be curved. A sleeve segment may be a separate
item, or may be a unitary and integral part of a sleeve that fully
circumferentially surrounds the object.
[0045] The sleeve segment 16 includes a deformable inner section,
which for instance, includes a plurality of longitudinal (axial)
ribs 24. The clamp 18, which may include a sleeve 26, presses the
sleeve segment 16 against the bar ends 12 and 14. The deformable
inner section 20 of the sleeve segment 16 deforms to conform to the
shape of the bar ends, and in particular to deformations 32 and 34
on the respective bar ends 12 and 14.
[0046] This conforming is illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, which show
deformation of the ribs 24 at various locations 36 along an inner
surface 38 of the sleeve segment 16. The locations 36 correspond to
the deformations 32 and 34 in the bar ends 12 and 14. The ribs 24
may also be somewhat flattened and pressed onto the bar ends 12 and
14 at other locations along the bar ends 12 and 14, i.e., locations
where the bar ends 12 and 14 do not have deformations 32 and
34.
[0047] It will be appreciated that by deforming the deformable
inner section 20 (and the ribs 24) of the sleeve segment 16, and by
maintaining pressure to keep the sleeve segment 16 in contact with
the bar ends 12 and 14, a strong splice may be made between the bar
ends 12 and 14. The ribs 24, for example, provide great strength
and a great deal of resistance to pulling out of the bar ends 12
and 14 from the splice 10. With the ribs 24 deformed and the sleeve
segment 16 pressed against and onto the bar ends 12 and 14 by the
clamp 18, the sleeve segment is locked onto the bar ends 12 and 14,
thereby splicing the bars together.
[0048] The deformable inner section 20 of the sleeve segment 16 may
be made of a material that is softer, more malleable, and/or has a
greater ductility than the material of the bar ends 12 and 14.
Examples of suitable materials for the sleeve segments 16 are 1117
steel and 1020 steel. It will be appreciated that other suitable
materials may be utilized which have a hardness which is less than
the hardness of the reinforcing bar ends 12 and 14. Standard
reinforcing bars have a hardness of about 12-15 HRC (about 210
Brinnell-mm ball).
[0049] The sleeve segment 16 may have uniform material properties,
such as a uniform hardness, malleability, and ductility throughout.
Alternatively, it will be appreciated that some portions of the
sleeve segment 16 may have different properties than other
portions. For example, the deformable inner section 20 may be
softer than an outer section 40 of the sleeve segment 16. This may
be accomplished, for instance, by flame treating or otherwise
treating the outer sections 40 to increase the hardness of the
outer section 40.
[0050] The splice 10 shown in FIG. 1 is only a generalized
illustration. As will be described in greater detail below, the
sleeve segment 16 and the clamp 18 may have a wide variety of
various forms. For example, the sleeve segment 16 may be a separate
insert placed within one or more sleeves or collars, placed between
the rebar ends 12 and 14 and inner surfaces of the sleeves or
collars. Alternatively, the sleeve segment 16 with the ribs 24 or
other deformable inner section 20 may itself be a part of a sleeve
that surrounds the bar ends 12 and 14. There may be one sleeve
segment 16 or multiple such segments.
[0051] The clamp 18 may be one or more sleeves or collars that
press inward on the sleeve segment 16. Alternatively or in addition
the clamp 18 may include one or more bolts that press against the
sleeve segment 16, the bar ends 12 and 14, or an additional insert.
As a further alternative, the clamp 18 may include deformed
sections of the sleeve segment 16 utilizing methods such as
crimping to permanently deform entire sections of the sleeve
segment 16, thereby deforming the ribs 24 or other deformable inner
section 20 of the sleeve 16, and maintaining pressure of the sleeve
section 16 after the crimping operation is completed.
[0052] FIG. 4 shows details of one embodiment of the ribs 24. As
shown, the ribs 24 have a crenellated shape, although it will be
appreciated that the ribs 24 may have a different shape. The ribs
24 each have distal top portions 44, farther from a sleeve segment
body 46 than proximate bottom portions 48 of the ribs 24. There are
troughs 50 between adjacent of the ribs 24. The top portion 44 of a
rib 24 has radiused corners 52 and 54. Similarly, the bottom
portion 48 has radiused corners 56 and 58 where the rib 24 joins to
the sleeve segment body 46, on either side of the rib 24. The
radiused corners 52, 54, 56 and 58 may prevent or inhibit cracking
of the ribs 24, such as by reducing stress concentration points or
stress risers in the ribs 24.
[0053] FIGS. 5 and 6 show examples of deformation of the ribs 24
when the sleeve segment 16 is pressed onto the bar ends 12 and 14
by the clamp 18. FIG. 5 shows a relatively modest level of
deformation, such as may occur in an area corresponding to an area
of one of the bars 12 and 14 that does not include deformations 32
and 34. In the configuration shown in FIG. 5 the top portions 44 of
the ribs 24 are somewhat flattened, reducing the distance between
adjacent of the top portions 44 in the troughs 50. The spacing in
the troughs 50 between the bottom portions 48 of adjacent of the
ribs 24 may be substantially unchanged by the deforming process, or
alternatively may be reduced somewhat, but by less than the spacing
reduction between the top portions 44.
[0054] FIG. 6 illustrates a more pronounced deformation of the ribs
24. The configuration shown in FIG. 6 may occur in an area of the
inner surface of the sleeve segment 16 corresponding to the
deformations 32 and 34. The top portions 44 of the ribs 24 are
sufficiently flattened so as to substantially close off the tops of
the troughs 50. The top portions 44 may thereby come into contact
with one another. Again, as with the configuration shown in FIG. 5,
the distance between the bottom portions 48 of the ribs 24 may be
substantially unchanged, or may be reduced somewhat without causing
contact between the bottom portions 48 of adjacent of the ribs
24.
[0055] What follows now are descriptions of various particular
embodiments of the splice 10. These various illustrative
embodiments provide some idea of the great range of configurations
that may utilize the deformable longitudinal (axial) ribs 24 or
other deformable inner section 20.
[0056] FIGS. 7-10 illustrate a sleeve section 116 that has a sleeve
section body 118 having tapered outer surfaces 120 and 122. The
sleeve section wall or body 118 has notches 126, 128, and 130
therein. Troughs 132 between adjacent of the ribs 124 provide
thinned hinged points 136, 138, and 140, at which elements or
sections 142, 144, 146, and 148, can pivot relative to one another.
It should be noted that a trough 132 between adjacent of the ribs
124 does not necessarily correspond in location to each of the
notches 126, 128, and 130.
[0057] The taper of the tapered outer surfaces 120 and 122 may be
between about 1 and about 5 degrees. The sleeve segments 116 may
have an overall extent of about 125 to about 150 degrees.
[0058] With reference now in addition to FIG. 11, a clamp 168 is
used to clamp the sleeve section 116 and an additional sleeve
section 176 to reinforcing bar ends 182 and 184, to form a splice
185. The clamp 168 includes a pair of tapered collars 186 and 188.
The tapered collars 186 and 188 have tapered inner surfaces, such
as the inner surface 190 of the collar 186. The tapered inner
surfaces correspond to and interact with the tapered outer surfaces
120 and 122 of the sleeve sections 116 and 176. The tapered collars
186 and 188 may be driven onto the sleeve sections 116 and 176 with
an appropriate tool. Axial force from the collars 186 and 188
result in a radial inward force on the sleeve sections 116 and 176,
driving the sleeve sections 116 and 176 toward and onto the
reinforcing bar ends 182 and 184. This may deform the ribs 124,
especially conforming them to deformations on the reinforcing bar
ends 182 and 184. Further details regarding suitable collars and
tools may be found in U.S. application Ser. No. 10/155,551, filed
Jan. 23, 2002; in U.S. application Ser. No. 10/055,399, filed Jan.
23, 2002; and in a concurrently-filed application, Attorney Docket
No. ERICP0326USB, titled "Reinforcing Bar Connection and Method."
All of these applications are hereby incorporated by reference in
their entirety.
[0059] Turning now to FIGS. 12-14 a splice 210 for coupling
together reinforcing bar ends 212 and 214 is shown. The splice 210
includes a clamp 218 for clamping a pair of sleeve segments 220 and
222 into and/or onto the bar ends 212 and 214. The clamp 218
includes a sleeve 226 into which the sleeve segments 220 and 222
are inserted. The sleeve 226 has a plurality of radially-oriented
protrusions 230, each of which has a threaded hole therein for
receiving one of a plurality of bolts or jack screws 232. The bolts
232 may be shear bolts, which have heads that shear off when a
certain level of torque is reached. The bolts 232 press down onto
the upper sleeve segment 220, pressing the upper sleeve segment 220
into or onto the bar ends 212 and 214, and pressing the bar ends
212 and 214 into or onto the lower sleeve segment 222. The use of
shear bolts as the bolts 232 controls the amount of force that is
used in pressing the sleeve segments 220 and 222 onto the bar ends
212 and 214. In addition, the use of shear bolts as the bolts 232
reduces the level by which the bolts 232 protrude from the
protrusions 230 of the sleeve 226, after installation is
complete.
[0060] As best shown in FIG. 13, the lower sleeve segment 222 may
have a greater circumferential extent than the upper sleeve segment
220. However, it will be appreciated that alternatively the sleeve
segments 220 and 222 may have substantially identical
circumferential extent, or that the upper sleeve segment 220 may
have a greater circumferential extent than the lower sleeve segment
222.
[0061] With reference now to FIG. 15 the lower sleeve segment 222
has longitudinal ribs 234 thereupon. The ribs 234 are designed to
be deformed when pressed onto the bar ends 212 and 214, in a manner
similar to that described with regard to other embodiments. The
upper sleeve segment 220 has circumferential teeth 238 thereupon.
The teeth 238 are designed to bite into the bar ends 212 and 214,
thus securing the tops of the bar ends 212 and 214.
[0062] In addition, the lower sleeve segment 222 may have axial
teeth 240 on an outer surface 242 thereof. The axial teeth 240 may
bite into a bottom part of the sleeve 226, thus preventing sliding
of the lower sleeve segment 222 relative to the sleeve 226. The
outer surface axial teeth 240 of the lower sleeve segment 222, and
the inner surface axial teeth 238 of the upper sleeve segment 220,
will in general be harder than the portions of the splice 210 which
they contact. That is, the axial teeth 238 of the upper sleeve
segment 220 will in general be harder than the material of the bar
ends 212 and 214. The outer axial teeth 240 of the lower sleeve
segment 222 may be harder than the bottom portion of the sleeve
226. This facilitates biting of the axial teeth 238 and 240 in the
respective surfaces that they contact.
[0063] Many variations are possible regarding the securement of the
upper sleeve segment 220 to the bar ends 212 and 214, and the
securement of the lower sleeve segment 222 to the sleeve 226. For
either or both securements, it will be appreciated that the axial
teeth shown may be omitted.
[0064] Other variations are illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17.
Referring to FIG. 16, according to one variation, an upper sleeve
segment 250 has longitudinal (axial) ribs thereupon, and a lower
sleeve segment 256 has axial teeth on an inner surface thereof. In
another variation, illustrated in FIG. 17, both an upper sleeve
segment 260 and a lower sleeve segment 262 may have respective sets
of longitudinal ribs thereupon.
[0065] It will further be appreciated that it may be possible to
omit the upper sleeve segment 220 entirely, with the bolts 232
directly engaging the bar ends 212 and 214.
[0066] As shown in the FIG. 12, the bolts 232 are substantially in
a single line along the axis of the bar ends 212 and 214. It will
be appreciated that alternatively, the protrusions 230 and the
bolts 232 may be other than in a single line, for example, being in
a zigzag configuration, perhaps used in conjunction with a wider
(larger circumferential extent) upper sleeve segment 220. Such
arrangement may allow for a shorter sleeve 226, while still
providing sufficient force to maintain the bar ends 212 and 214
engaged in the splice 210.
[0067] As another alternative, it will be appreciated that three or
more sleeve segments may be utilized. Some or all of the sleeve
segments may have a longitudinal ribs or other deformable elements
for being pressed onto and engaging the bar ends 212 and 214.
[0068] FIGS. 18 and 19 show an alternative sleeve 320 that
includes, as an integral part, a sleeve segment 322 having ribs 324
formed thereupon. The sleeve 320 includes a protrusion 330 having a
number of bolt holes 332 for receiving suitable bolts, such as the
shear bolts discussed above. The sleeve 320 may be formed for
example by extrusion. It will be appreciated that the sleeve 320
may be incorporated into splice 210 described above, with for
example, the sleeve 320 replacing the sleeve 226 and the lower
sleeve segment 222. External parts of the sleeve 320 may be flame
treated or otherwise hardened, leaving the longitudinal ribs 324
softer than other parts of the sleeve 320.
[0069] Turning now to FIGS. 20-22, a splice 410 is illustrated
coupling together bar ends 412 and 414. The splice 410 has a clamp
418 for pressing sleeve segments 420 and 422 onto and/or into the
bar ends 412. The clamp 418 includes a C-shaped sleeve 426, and
bolts 432 that pass through bolt holes 434 in flanges 436 and 438
of the sleeve 426. The upper flange 436 has smooth holes, and the
lower flange 438 has threaded holes. As one of the bolts 432 is
screwed into the threads of the holes 434, the flanges 436 and 438
are subject to an increasing tightening force. This constricts the
cylindrical portion of the sleeve 426, providing a pressing force
on the sleeve segments 420 and 422 against the bar ends 412 and
414. One or both of the sleeve segments 420 and 422 may have
deformable longitudinal ribs thereupon, the operation of which has
been described above with regard to other embodiments. The sleeve
426 may be made of a variety of suitable materials, such as
suitable steels, that have sufficient flexibility for pressing
against the sleeve sections 420 and 422.
[0070] Turning now to FIGS. 23-25, a splice 510 is shown that
includes a clamp 518 for pressing sleeve segments 520 and 522 onto
and/or into reinforcing bar ends 512 and 514. The sleeve segments
520 and 522 may be similar to the sleeve segments discussed above.
The sleeve 526 includes an upper sleeve half 528 and a lower sleeve
half 530. The upper sleeve half 528 has a pair of rows of
through-holes 532 on opposite diametric sides of the bar ends 512
and 514. The lower sleeve half 530 includes a corresponding array
of threaded holes 534. The holes 532 and 534 are aligned, and are
configured to receive a plurality of bolts 536 to securely clamp
the sleeve halves 528 and 530 together, thereby pressing the sleeve
segments 520 and 522 inward to engage the bar ends 512 and 514.
[0071] With reference now to FIGS. 26-29, a splice 610 includes a
clamp 618 that has a pair of fingered sleeves 620 and 622 that
press inward against a ribbed sleeve section 626. This inward
pressing of the sleeve section 626 engages the sleeve section 626
with reinforcing bar ends 612 and 614. With particular reference to
FIGS. 27 and 28; the sleeve segment 626 has multiple hinged section
640, with outer wall notches 642 between the sections. Along an
inner surface of the sleeve segment 626 are a series of
longitudinal (axial) deformable ribs 644.
[0072] The sleeves 620 and 622 have respective sets of fingers 650
and 652, as is best shown in FIG. 29. The fingers 650 and 652 have
angled surfaces. When the sleeves 620 and 622 are slid toward one
another from opposite sides of the splice 610, the fingers 650 and
652 interlace or interdigitate, as shown in FIG. 26. The fingers of
each of the sleeves slide under the unfingered portion of the other
sleeve, and are pressed inward as the sleeves 620 and 622 are
pushed together. The inward pressure is transmitted to the sleeve
segment 626, which presses in upon the bar ends 612 and 614,
thereby deforming portions of the longitudinal ribs 644.
[0073] FIG. 30 shows the splice 710 that involves cold-swaging or
crimping portions of an internally ribbed sleeve 720 to couple
together reinforcing bars 712 and 714. With reference to FIG. 31,
sleeve 720 has ribs 724 along its internal surface. The cold-swaged
or crimped portions, which are indicated in FIG. 30 by reference
number 730, are portions that are pressed inward by use of a
suitable tool, such as a portable hydraulic press with special
dies. It will be appreciated that the cold-swaging operation may be
accomplished with less tool force than in previous cold-swaged
couplers, due to the relatively soft material of the sleeve 720
that is employed. Rather than needing to cold-swage or crimp a hard
steel sleeve, the relatively soft steel of the sleeve 720 and in
particular the ribs 724, need only be deformed. It will be
appreciated that the configuration and placement of the swaged
areas 730 may take any of a wide variety of suitable shapes and
configurations.
[0074] Although the invention has been shown and described with
respect to a certain preferred embodiment or embodiments, it is
obvious that equivalent alterations and modifications will occur to
others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of
this specification and the annexed drawings. In particular regard
to the various functions performed by the above described elements
(components, assemblies, devices, compositions, etc.), the terms
(including a reference to a "means") used to describe such elements
are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, to any
element which performs the specified function of the described
element (i.e., that is functionally equivalent), even though not
structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs
the function in the herein illustrated exemplary embodiment or
embodiments of the invention. In addition, while a particular
feature of the invention may have been described above with respect
to only one or more of several illustrated embodiments, such
feature may be combined with one or more other features of the
other embodiments, as may be desired and advantageous for any given
or particular application.
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