WO2006135133A1

WO2006135133A1 - Reinforcing bar coupler

Info

Publication number: WO2006135133A1
Application number: PCT/KR2005/003427
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jae-Hyuk Song; Won-Jung Choi
Original assignee: Win Win Development Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2005-06-17
Filing date: 2005-10-13
Publication date: 2006-12-21
Also published as: KR100725584B1; KR20060132314A

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a coupler for coupling reinforcing bars to each other, when a reinforced concrete structure is built. The present invention is to provide a reinforcing bar coupler, which is constructed so that locking parts are provided on ends of two reinforcing bars to be coupled to each other, and a coupling unit is movably coupled to the ends of the reinforcing bars having the locking parts, thus allowing the reinforcing bars to be easily and conveniently coupled to each other. Further, unlike a conventional reinforcing bar coupler, it is unnecessary to form a thread on an end of a reinforcing bar.

Description

Description REINFORCING BAR COUPLER

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates, in general, to a coupler for coupling reinforcing bars to each other when a reinforced concrete structure is built and, more particularly, to a reinforcing bar coupler which is intended to allow a user to easily and conveniently couple and fasten reinforcing bars to each other. Background Art

[2] Generally, a reinforced concrete structure is built by embedding reinforcing bars in concrete to increase its strength. Since the reinforced concrete structure affords easy construction and high durability, it has been widely used in various types of construction and civil-engineering work.

[3] The reinforcing bar is usually manufactured to have the shape of a long rod having a circular cross-section. Due to the restrictions of manufacture and shipping, the reinf orcing bar is cut to a certain unit length and then supplied.

[4] Thus, when the reinforcing bar cut to a predetermined length is used for a large- scale structure, such as a pier or a high-rise building, a plurality of reinforcing bars must be coupled in a horizontal or vertical direction. Hence, a reinforcing bar coupler is required to integrally couple reinforcing bars to each other, when a reinforced concrete structure is built.

[5] In order to couple reinforcing bars, the following methods are usually used. That is, opposing ends of two reinforcing bars are overlapped to a certain length thereof, and the overlapped ends are bound with binding wire made of metal. According to another coupling method, opposing ends of two reinforcing bars are coupled through welding.

[6] However, the coupling method using the metal wire is poor in workability, thus delaying a construction period. Particularly, the mechanical strength of a coupled part is much weaker than the strength of a reinforcing bar, so that reinforcing bars may easily become disconnected from each other, thus causing defective construction. The coupling method using welding is problematic in that it is poor in workability, and causes thermal deformation upon welding, thus reducing the strength of reinforcing bars.

[7] In order to solve the problems, recently, various types of couplers for mechanically coupling two reinforcing bars to each other have been proposed. According to a representative coupling method, an external thread is provided on an outer end of each reinforcing bar to be coupled. Further, a cap having on both sides thereof internal threads is manufactured. Thereby, the reinforcing bars are coupled to each other using the cap. [8] However, the conventional reinforcing bar coupler is problematic in that the coupling of the reinforcing bars with the cap may be loosened, due to a gap between the external threads of the reinforcing bars and the internal threads of the cap, when the reinforcing bar coupler is used for a lengthy period of time. Further, when the reinforcing bars are coupled using the cap at first, it is difficult to provide an angle to the reinforcing bars and the cap, so that usability is low.

[9] In order to solve the problems, an additional gap removal means is proposed.

However, it has a disadvantage in that the number of components is increased, thus increasing manufacturing costs.

[10] Further, when a thread formed on an end of a reinforcing bar is defective, the coupling strength of reinforcing bars to a cap is poor. For this reason, a precise process is required. However, the precise process undesirably requires a long working period. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[11] Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a reinforcing bar coupler, which is constructed so that locking parts are provided on ends of two reinforcing bars to be coupled to each other, and a coupling unit is movably coupled to the ends of the reinforcing bars having the locking parts, thus allowing the reinforcing bars to be easily and conveniently coupled to each other. Further, unlike a conventional reinforcing bar coupler, it is unnecessary to form a thread on an end of a reinforcing bar. Technical Solution

[12] In order to accomplish the object, the present invention provides a reinforcing bar coupler, including a locking part provided on an end of each of two reinforcing bars to be coupled to each other, and a coupling unit coupled to the end of each of the reinforcing bars having the locking part, the coupling unit being movable while a removal of the coupling unit being prevented by the locking part.

[ 13] The locking part comprises one locking part.

[14] The locking part comprises a multi-stage locking part.

[15] The locking part is selected from among a square shape and a circular shape.

[16] The coupling unit includes a first coupling part coupled to an end of one reinforcing bar, and a second coupling part coupled to an end of the other reinforcing bar.

[17] The first coupling part includes a first locking step which is provided on an inner part of a first end of the first coupling part and engages with the locking part, and a firs t thread provided on an outer part of a second end of the first coupling part.

[18] The second coupling part includes a second locking step which is provided on an inner part of a first end of the second coupling part and engages with the locking part, and a second thread provided on an inner part of a second end of the second coupling part, and engaging with the first thread.

[19] Further, the present invention provides a reinforcing bar coupler, including a multistage locking part provided on an end of each of two reinforcing bars to be coupled to each other, and a cover-type coupling unit to cover outer circumferences of the two reinforcing bars each having the multi-stage locking part, the cover-type coupling unit engaging with the locking part so that the coupling unit is not removed from the locking part, and adjusting an angle of an upper reinforcing bar.

[20] The coupling unit includes first and second covers each having a shape of a semicircular bellows pipe having a plurality of steps, wherein first ends of the first and second covers are joined to each other by a hinge, and second ends of the first and second covers include first and second multi-stage compression flanges to compress the outer circumferences of the two reinforcing bars when the reinforcing bars are covered by the first and second covers.

[21] In this case, the locking part is selected from among a square shape and a circular shape.

[22] Each of the first and second covers has a square shape.

[23] Each of the first and second compression flanges includes a fastening hole, and a fastening member comprising a bolt and a nut is fitted into the fastening hole.

[24] Further, each of the first and second covers includes an inclined surface having a third thread on an end thereof, and a tightening cap mounted to the inclined surface to compress each of the first and second covers. Brief Description of the Drawings

[25] FIG. 1 is a perspective view to show the construction of a reinforcing bar coupler, according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[26] FTG. 2 is a sectional view to show the construction of the reinforcing bar coupler, according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[27] FIG. 3 is an exploded sectional view to show the construction of the reinforcing bar coupler, according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[28] FTG. 4 is a view to show a circular locking part of the reinforcing bar coupler, according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[29] FTG. 5 is a view to show a square-shaped locking part of the reinforcing bar coupler, according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[30] FTG. 6 is a view to show a multi-stage locking part of the reinforcing bar coupler, according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[31] FTG. 7 is a view to show a cover-type coupling unit adapted to a reinforcing bar coupler, according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

[32] FlG. 8 is a sectional view to show the state where reinforcing bars are coupled to each other, using the cover-type coupling unit of the reinforcing bar coupler, according to the second embodiment of the present invention; and

[33] FlG. 9 is a sectional view to show the state where reinforcing bars are coupled to each other using caps and a cover-type coupling unit of a reinforcing bar coupler, according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[34] Hereinafter, the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[35] FlG. 1 is a perspective view to show the construction of a reinforcing bar coupler, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FlG. 2 is a sectional view to show the construction of the reinforcing bar coupler, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FlG. 3 is an exploded sectional view to show the construction of the reinforcing bar coupler, according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[36] FlG. 4 is a view to show a circular locking part of the reinforcing bar coupler, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FlG. 5 is a view to show a square-shaped locking part of the reinforcing bar coupler, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FlG. 6 is a view to show a multi-stage locking part of the reinforcing bar coupler, according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[37] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 6, a reinforcing bar coupler, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, includes reinforcing bars 10 and 10', a locking part 20, and a coupling unit 30.

[38] The locking part 20 is provided on an end of each of the two reinforcing bars 10 and

10' that are to be coupled to each other. The shape of the locking part 20 is selected from the circular shape of FlG. 4 or the square shape of FlG. 5.

[39] A circle- or square-shaped locking part 20 is formed on an end of each reinforcing bar 10, 10' by process metallurgy using a hydraulic press. The process metallurgy uses a forming process, such as rolling, forging, or extrusion, a heat treatment process, a compressing process or a sintering process. The process temperature is selected from among a hot process performed at high temperature, a cold process performed at low temperature, or a warm process performed at middle temperature.

[40] Preferably, each of the reinforcing bars has one locking part 20, as shown in FIG. 2.

However, the locking part may comprise a multi-stage locking part, as shown in FlG. 6. When the locking part comprises a multi-stage locking part, as shown in FlG. 6, the length of first and second threads 31b and 32b of first and second coupling parts 31 and 32 is increased. Thus, the two reinforcing bars 10 and 10' are more firmly coupled to each other, because of the larger fastening area of the first and second threads 31b and 32b.

[41] The coupling unit 30 includes the first and second coupling parts 31 and 32 which are coupled to the two reinforcing bars 10 and 10', respectively. The removal of the first and second coupling parts 31 and 32 is prevented by the locking part 20 of each reinforcing bar 10, 10'.

[42] That is, a first locking step 3 Ia is provided on an inner part of a first end of the first coupling part 31, and engages with the locking part 20. Further, the first thread 31b is provided on an outer part of a second end of the first coupling part 31. The first coupling part 31 is coupled to one reinforcing bar 10 in such a way as to be movable in a horizontal (or vertical) direction. Even though the first coupling part 31 moves in a horizontal direction, the removal of the first coupling part 31 is prevented by the locking part 20.

[43] Further, a second locking step 32a is provided on an inner part of a first end of the second coupling part 32, and engages with the locking part 20. Further, the second thread 32b is provided on an inner part of a second end of the second coupling part 32, and engages with the first thread 31b. The second coupling part 32 is coupled to the other reinforcing bar 10 in such a way as to be movable in a horizontal (or vertical) direction. Even though the second coupling part 32 moves in a horizontal direction, the removal of the second coupling part 32 is prevented by the locking part 20.

[44] The sequence of assembling the reinforcing bar coupler constructed as described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 through 6.

[45] First, two reinforcing bars 10 and 10', each having a circle- or square-shaped locking part 20 on an end thereof, are arranged to abut each other. The first and second coupling parts 31 and 32 of the coupling unit 30 move in a horizontal direction to a position where the two reinforcing bars 10 and 10' abut each other, while the removal of the first and second coupling parts 31 and 32 is prevented by the locking part 20 of each reinforcing bar 10, 10'.

[46] At this time, the first thread 31b provided on the outer part of the second end of the first coupling part 31 is inserted into the second end of the second coupling part 32, thus engaging with the second thread 32b which is provided on the outer part of the second end of the second coupling part 32.

[47] Thereafter, the first coupling part 31 or the second coupling part 32 is rotated so that the first and second threads 31b and 32b deeply engage with each other. Thereby, the coupling of the two reinforcing bars 10 and 10' is firmly maintained by the first and second coupling parts 31 and 32.

[48] FIGS. 7 and 8 show a reinforcing bar coupler, according to the second embodiment of the present invention. According to this embodiment, a cover-type coupling unit 40 is coupled to outer portions of two reinforcing bars 10 and 10' such that the angle of the upper reinforcing bar 10 is adjustable. Those elements common to both the first embodiment and the second embodiment will carry the same reference numerals.

[49] In a detailed description, according to the second embodiment, a circle- or square- shaped multi-stage locking part 20 is provided on an end of each of the reinforcing bars 10 and 10' to be coupled to each other. The coupling unit 40 covers the two reinforcing bars 10 and 10', each having the multi-stage locking part 20, and provides an angle adjusting range to the upper reinforcing bar 10. In this case, the locking part 20, provided on each of the reinforcing bars 10 and 10', prevents the coupling unit 40 from being undesirably removed from the reinforcing bars 10 and 10'.

[50] The coupling unit 40 includes first and second covers 42 and 43. Each of the first and second covers 42 and 43 has the shape of a semicircular bellows pipe having a plurality of steps 41. Ends of the first and second covers 42 and 43 are joined together by a hinge 44. Opposite ends of the first and second covers 42 and 43 include first and second multi-stage compression flanges 46 and 47 each having fastening holes 45.

[51] In this case, bolts 51 serving as fastening members pass through the fastening holes

45 of the first and second compression flanges 46 and 47, and nuts 53 are secured to the bolts 51. Thereby, the first and second covers 42 and 43 maintain the engagement of the steps 41 with the locking parts 20, and compress the outer circumferential surfaces of the reinforcing bars 10 and 10' by tightening the bolts 51 and the nuts 52 which are fastening members, thus firmly maintaining the coupling of the reinforcing bars 10 and 10'.

[52] When the two reinforcing bars 10 and 10' are coupled to each other by the first and second covers 42 and 43, the angle of installing the upper reinforcing bar 10 is freely adjustable thanks to the first and second covers 42 and 43, each of which has the shape of a semi-circular bellows pipe.

[53] When the locking part 20 has the square shape, each of the first and second covers

42 and 43 has the shape corresponding to that of the locking part 20, that is, a square shape.

[54] FIG. 9 shows a reinforcing bar coupler, according to the third embodiment of the present invention. According to this embodiment, when first and second covers 42 and

43 are coupled to outer portions of two reinforcing bars 10 and 10' in such a way as to adjust the angle of the upper reinforcing bar 10, the first and second covers 42 and 43 are compressed.

[55] That is, according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the reinforcing bar coupler is provided with an inclined surface having a third thread 62 on an end of each of the first and second covers 42 and 43. When a tightening cap 61 having on an inner surface thereof a thread (not shown in the drawing) corresponding to the third thread 62 of the inclined surface is rotated along the inclined surface to be tightened, the first and second covers 42 and 43 are more firmly compressed by the tightening cap 61.

[56] As described above, the present invention provides a reinforcing bar coupler, which is constructed so that locking parts are provided on ends of two reinforcing bars to be coupled to each other, and a coupling unit is movably coupled to the ends of the reinforcing bars having the locking parts, thus allowing the reinforcing bars to be easily and conveniently coupled to each other. Further, unlike a conventional reinforcing bar coupler, it is unnecessary to form a thread on an end of a reinforcing bar.

[57] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Claims

[1] A reinforcing bar coupler, comprising: a locking part provided on an end of each of two reinforcing bars to be coupled to each other; and a coupling unit coupled to the end of each of the reinforcing bars having the locking part, the coupling unit being movable while a removal of the coupling unit being prevented by the locking part.

[2] The reinforcing bar coupler according to claim 1, wherein the locking part comprises one locking part.

[3] The reinforcing bar coupler according to claim 1, wherein the locking part comprises a multi-stage locking part.

[4] The reinforcing bar coupler according to claim 1, wherein the coupling unit comprises: a first coupling part coupled to an end of one reinforcing bar; and a second coupling part coupled to an end of the other reinforcing bar.

[5] The reinforcing bar coupler according to claim 4, wherein the first coupling part comprises: a first locking step provided on an inner part of a first end of the first coupling part, and engaging with the locking part; and a first thread provided on an outer part of a second end of the first coupling part.

[6] The reinforcing bar coupler according to claim 4, wherein the second coupling part comprises: a second locking step provided on an inner part of a first end of the second coupling part, and engaging with the locking part; and a second thread provided on an inner part of a second end of the second coupling part, and engaging with the first thread.

[7] A reinforcing bar coupler, comprising: a multi-stage locking part provided on an end of each of two reinforcing bars to be coupled to each other; and a cover-type coupling unit to cover outer circumferences of the two reinforcing bars each having the multi-stage locking part, the cover-type coupling unit engaging with the locking part so that the coupling unit is not removed from the locking part, and adjusting an angle of an upper reinforcing bar.

[8] The reinforcing bar coupler according to claim 7, wherein the coupling unit comprises: first and second covers each having a shape of a semicircular bellows pipe having a plurality of steps, wherein first ends of the first and second covers are joined to each other by a hinge, and second ends of the first and second covers comprise first and second multi-stage compression flanges to compress the outer circumferences of the two reinforcing bars when the reinforcing bars are covered by the first and second covers.

[9] The reinforcing bar coupler according to claim 8, wherein each of the first and second covers has a square shape.

[10] The reinforcing bar coupler according to claim 8, wherein each of the first and second compression flanges comprises a fastening hole, and a fastening member comprising a bolt and a nut is fitted into the fastening hole.

[11] The reinforcing bar coupler according to claim 1 or 8, wherein the locking part is selected from among a square shape and a circular shape.

[12] The reinforcing bar coupler according to claim 8, wherein each of the first and second covers comprises: an inclined surface having a third thread on an end thereof; and a tightening cap mounted to the inclined surface to compress each of the first and second covers.