Abstract:
An improved connector for joining wire mesh and or concrete reinforcement bars and for joining them to other structures comprised of a channel shaped part and wedge. Also connectors constructed from one part having the same function. All connectors preferable made from sheet metal.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to securing wire mesh panels to each other, securing wire mesh to other materials and or structures and joining concrete reinforcement bars. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Wire mesh panels and rods are presently joined by the use of wire, cable ties or staples, all of which are destroyed when disconnected. Furthermore none of these connectors are strong and if panels are joined end to end they allow the panels to hinge in respect to each other. 
         [0003]    Wire structures are expensive to transport and it would be better if such structures could be readily assembled on site using reusable connectors that are easily assembled and disassembled. 
         [0004]    Welding is another means that is presently used to connect mesh panels and rods however this requires that the person doing the assembly is skilled in this art and the act of welding also destroys the coating on galvanized wire mesh. 
         [0005]    For joining bars end to end in concrete reinforcement a number of techniques are used and all have inadequacies. 
         [0006]    It would be advantageous if there was a means of joining mesh panels and rods using connectors that resolved the said issues and were also cost effective. Methods currently available are represented by reference to prior art and inadequacies of each is noted: 
         [0007]    Burbidge. U.S. Pat. No. 3,840,947 discloses an open metal ring which is clamped around strands of wire to hold the said wires together. This allows the wire mesh panels to hinge and does not prevent lateral movement of the wires. 
         [0008]    Baker. U.S. Pat. No. 4,982,932 discloses a fence clip assembly to hold and guide wire however these clips do not prevent lateral movement of the wire furthermore these clips need to be nailed to posts or a supporting structure. 
         [0009]    Tetzlaff. U.S. Pat. No. 2,515,615 discloses a fence post which addresses the said issue of lateral movement by distorting the wire at the connection point by use of a nail however the invention is limited to fenced posts. 
         [0010]    Burk. U.S. Pat. No. 5,350,155 discloses a wire holding fence post attachment assembly requiring connection to a fence post however the assembly does not address the said issue of lateral movement. 
         [0011]    Svend. U.S. Pat. No. 2,238,523 discloses a highway guard which uses a wedge to secure the wire and in doing so prevents lateral movement however this device is specific for connection to a post. 
         [0012]    McFarland. U.S. Pat. No. 1,117,214 discloses a fence post which has a plurality of connectors built in however the design does not prevent the issue of lateral movement. 
         [0013]    Bartlett. U.S. Pat. No. 3,776,522 discloses a fence post construction method which does not prevent the issue of lateral movement. 
         [0014]    Holdsworth U.S. Pat. No. 5,664,902 discloses a tubular coupler for concrete reinforcing bars. This connector is expensive to produce, and difficult to apply as the rods need to be inserted in the connector from each end and when used in concrete for reinforcement, the sealed connector prevents concrete from entering the connector to further strengthen the connection. 
         [0015]    Young. U.S. Pat. No. 5,046,878 discloses a reinforcing bar coupling system which is similar to the Holdsworth invention and just as difficult to use. The hole in the connector is cylindrical and easier to produce however there is added a second part to prevent the metal rods from sliding in the connector and furthermore similar to the Holdsworth invention, it is an enclosed unit and does not permit concrete to enter the connector to further strengthen the connection. 
         [0016]    Lancelot. U.S. Pat. No. 5,152,118 discloses a couplings for concrete reinforcement bars which has similar shortcomings to the Holsworth invention and furthermore the metal rods need to be shredded and carefully lined up before the coupling can be screwed on. 
         [0017]    Lancelot. U.S. Pat. No. 5,383,740 discloses a combination mechanical/grout sleeve coupling for concrete reinforcement bars which is expensive to produce and has all the disadvantage of the aforementioned end to end metal rod connections. 
         [0018]    Antosh. U.S. Pat. No. 4,143,986 discloses a rebar splice connector which allows the metal rod to be introduced side ways as it is made in two parts, however, it is impossible to make the inner surface conform to different manufactures rods requiring that different connectors be made to suit each manufactures rod sizes. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]    An object of the present invention is to provide a connector for slender metal components which is strong. 
         [0020]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a connector which is reusable. 
         [0021]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a connector which will prevent lateral movement of slender metal components. 
         [0022]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a connector which provides a means of joining slender metal components without welding. 
         [0023]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a connector which can be simply produced from sheet metal. 
         [0024]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a connector which can be quickly assembled and disassembled with a standard tool by an unskilled person. 
         [0025]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a connector which can be produced to suit various sizes of slender metal components. 
         [0026]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a connector which can connect slender metal components at right angles. 
         [0027]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a connector for joining wire structure at a set distance apart. 
         [0028]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a connector for wire meshes. 
         [0029]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a connector for joining wire mesh to other structures. 
         [0030]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a connector which can be welded to other structures. 
         [0031]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a connector for joining wire mesh to fence posts. 
         [0032]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a connector for joining wire mesh to scaffolding. 
         [0033]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a connector for concrete reinforcement bars. 
         [0034]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improved connector for joining concrete reinforcement bars end to end. 
         [0035]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a connector which can be used for on-site erection. 
         [0036]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a connector which singularly can be used to join wire structures. 
         [0037]    Yet another object of the present invention to provide a connector which singularly can be used to join wire structures positively at right angles. 
         [0038]    In the further description of the workings and functions of the invention, wire mesh and reinforcement bars will be referred to as wire. 
         [0039]    With these objectives in mind is provided a channel shaped body which has an aperture in the bottom of said channel for accommodating the wire to be connected and a means to secure said wire and or wires in said aperture, which could be in the form of a parallel or tapered pin, wedge and or screw. There is further provided a device for joining metal reinforcement rods end to end and also provided is a simple singular connector for joining wires. 
         [0040]    Further benefits and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description given with reference to the accompanying drawings, which specify and show preferred embodiments of the invention: 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0041]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a connector device ( 30 ) comprising a channel shaped part ( 31 ) with a tapered aperture ( 32 ) having edges ( 29 ) in the bottom of said channel shaped part ( 31 ). 
           [0042]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a wedge ( 33 ) made from sheet metal for securing wire and or wires in said tapered aperture ( 32 ) of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0043]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing connector device ( 30 ) of  FIG. 1  with wires ( 34   a ) and ( 34   b ) secured in the said tapered aperture ( 32 ) and prevented from lateral movement by said wedge ( 33 ) of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0044]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a connector device for securing wire to other structures designated ( 40 ). 
           [0045]      FIG. 5  is a plan view of connector device ( 40 ) of  FIG. 4  screwed to a piece of wood ( 46 ). 
           [0046]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a right angle connector device ( 50 ). 
           [0047]      FIG. 7  is a plan view of right angle connector device ( 50 ) of  FIG. 6  with wires ( 54   a ) and ( 54   b ) secured at right angles to each other. 
           [0048]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a one part right angle connector device ( 60 ). 
           [0049]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a connector device ( 100 ) for joining wire structures parallel to each other at a set distance apart. 
           [0050]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a one part right angle wire connector device ( 70 ). 
           [0051]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of connector device ( 80 ) designed for welding to other components. 
           [0052]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of connector device ( 90 ) designed for connecting wire to a round post. 
           [0053]      FIG. 13  is a plan view of connector device ( 90 ) of  FIG. 12  showing a wire ( 95 ) secured to a post ( 94 ). 
           [0054]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a connector device ( 110 ) designed for joining wires end to end. 
           [0055]      FIG. 15  is a plan view of connector device ( 110 ) of  FIG. 14  with wire ( 113   a ) clamped in the neck of said channel shaped part ( 111 ) by a wedge ( 33 ). 
           [0056]      FIG. 16  is a plan view of connector device ( 110 ) of  FIG. 14 ) with wire ( 113   a ) clamped in the neck of said channel shaped part ( 111 ) by a self tapping screw ( 115 ). 
           [0057]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view of a one part connector device ( 120 ) for joining wire structures parallel to each other and a set distant apart. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION 
       [0058]    In more detail, referring to  FIG. 1 , is shown a connector device ( 30 ) which is designed to join two or more wires and is made of sheet metal bent to form a channel shaped part ( 31 ) comprising a tapered cavity ( 32 ) in the bottom of the said channel shaped part of a size determined by the number and diameter of wires it is made to accommodate. The cavity comprises two edges ( 29 ) (only one shown) at an angle to the said channel shaped part ( 31 ) to correspond with the tapered sheet metal wedge ( 33 ) of  FIG. 2 . The purpose for the angle of the said cavity ( 32 ) is so that when two or more wires are clamped into the said cavity ( 32 ) with the aid of the said wedge ( 33 ) all said wires ( 34   a ) and ( 34   b ) are clamped simultaneous. 
         [0059]      FIG. 3  shows the said connector device ( 30 ) with wires ( 34   a ) and ( 34   b ) clamped in the said angled cavity ( 32 ) by the said wedge ( 33 ) forced in to the neck of the said channel shaped part ( 31 ) with the aid of either a pair of pliers or hammer thereby securely and strongly joining the said wires ( 34   a ) and ( 34   b ). 
         [0060]    A second embodiment is shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5  of the connector device ( 40 ) made from sheet metal comprising of two channel shaped parts ( 41   a ) and ( 41   b ) and apertures ( 42   a ) and ( 42   b ) in the bottom of the said channel shaped parts. These said channel shaped parts are joined together by a flange ( 43 ). Each said channel shaped part ( 41   a ) and ( 41   b ) are clamps for securing wire and or wires in the same manner and using the same principles as in the aforementioned. This said connector device ( 40 ) is designed for connecting wire and or wires to other materials or structures by riveting or screwing using mounting aperture ( 44 ) in the said flange ( 43 ). 
         [0061]      FIG. 5  shows the said connector device ( 40 ) screwed to a piece of wood ( 46 ) with the aid of a wood screw ( 47 ) and a wire ( 48 ) is clamped in the said cavities ( 42   a ) and ( 42   b ) and secured by wedges ( 33 ). 
         [0062]    A third embodiment is shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7  of the connector device ( 50 ) made from sheet metal and is designed to join wires at right angles comprising channel shaped parts ( 52   a ) and ( 52   b ) and apertures ( 53   a ) and ( 53   b ) in the bottom of the said channel shaped parts. Note that the said apertures ( 53   a ) and ( 53   b ) are rounded at each end as they are designed to accommodate only one wire. It will be appreciated that the said apertures ( 53   a ) and  53   b ) could be of the same configuration as those in  FIGS. 1 ,  3 ,  4 , and  5 . Further included are flanges ( 55 ) (only one shown) to strengthen the said connector device. It should be understood that flanges may be added to all connector devices described herein. 
         [0063]      FIG. 7  is a plan view of the connector device ( 50 ) of  FIG. 6  with wires ( 54   a ) and ( 54   b ) clamped in the said apertures ( 53   a ) and ( 53   b ) at right angles to each other and secured by wedges ( 33 ). 
         [0064]      FIG. 8  shows a fourth embodiment of a connector device made from sheet metal ( 60 ) which has the same function as the said connector device ( 50 ) of  FIGS. 6 and 7  and is comprised of two channel shaped parts ( 61   a ) and ( 61   b ) each having an aperture ( 62   a ) and ( 62   b ) respectively in the bottom of the said channel shaped parts. These said apertures also form lips ( 63   a ) and ( 63   b ) for securing wires. As an example, a wire ( 64 ) is secured in the said cavity ( 62   a ) by deforming lip ( 63   a ). 
         [0065]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a connector device ( 100 ) made from sheet metal comprised of one channel shaped part ( 101 ) having two apertures ( 102   a ) and ( 102   b ) for accommodating wires parallel to each other and a set distance apart. As an example wire ( 103 ) is secured in the said aperture ( 102   a ) by a wedge ( 33 ). 
         [0066]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of a connector device made from sheet metal ( 70 ) comprised of a channel shaped part ( 71 ) which is similar to the channel shaped part in  FIG. 9  except for having apertures ( 72   a ) at 45 degree angles to the said channel shaped part and aperture ( 72   b ) at a reversed 45 degrees angle to the said channel shaped part for accommodating wire at right angles to each other and thereby forming a right angled connector device. 
         [0067]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a seventh embodiment of a connector device ( 80 ) made from sheet metal comprised of a channel shaped part ( 81 ) and aperture ( 82 ) in the bottom of the said channel shaped part with the addition of extension ( 83 ) for welding the said connector device ( 80 ) to other components and or posts. 
         [0068]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view showing a eighth embodiment of a connector device made from sheet metal ( 90 ) designed for connecting wire to posts comprised of a channel shaped parts ( 91   a ) and ( 91   b ) joined together by a semi circular part ( 93 ) and each having an aperture in the bottom of the said channel shaped parts ( 92   a ) and ( 92   b ) respectively. Note the said apertures are larger towards the inside of the said semicircular part ( 93 ). The reason for this will become clearer when describing the function of the said connector device ( 90 ) in  FIG. 13 . 
         [0069]      FIG. 13  is a plan view showing the connector device ( 90 ) of  FIG. 12  securing wire ( 95 ) to a round post ( 94 ) with the aid of wedges ( 33 ). Because the said apertures ( 92   a ) and ( 92   b ) are larger adjacent to the post ( 94 ), the said wedges when inserted both clamp the said wire ( 95 ) and tighten the said semi circular part ( 93 ) around the said post ( 94 ). It will be readily understood the said connector device ( 90 ) can be made to fit any shaped post. 
         [0070]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view showing a ninth embodiment of a connector device ( 110 ) made from sheet metal comprised of one channel shaped part ( 111 ) and a plurality of apertures ( 112 ) along the top and extending through both sides of the said channel shaped part ( 111 ) for inserting the said wedges ( 33 ) to prevent lateral movement of the metal rods ( 113   a ) and ( 133   b ) in the bottom of said channel shaped part. Also shown by way of example are two said wedges ( 33 ) inserted into the said apertures ( 112 ). The said channel shaped part may also include serrations in the base of the said channel shaped part to further help prevent the said metal rods ( 113   a ) and ( 113   b ) from sliding out of the said connector device ( 110 ). When this connector device is assembled and embedded in concrete, the concrete will flow around and into the assembled connector device and after setting further strengthen the joint. 
         [0071]      FIG. 15  is plan view of the connector device ( 110 ) of  FIG. 14  with metal rod ( 113   a ) secured in the said channel shaped part ( 111 ) by a wedge ( 33 ). 
         [0072]      FIG. 16  is a plan view of the connector device ( 110 ) of  FIG. 14  with a metal rod ( 113   a ) secured in the said channel shaped part ( 111 ) by a self tapping screw ( 115 ). 
         [0073]      FIG. 17  a perspective view of a tenth embodiment of a connector device made from sheet metal ( 120 ) comprised of a channel shaped part ( 121 ) and lips ( 122   a ) and ( 122   b ) at each end of the said channel part for folding around and securing wires to said channel shaped part at a set distance from each other. By way of example wire ( 123 ) is secured to said channel shaped part by folded lip ( 122   a ). 
         [0074]    These embodiments have been described by way of example only and modifications are possible within the scope of the invention.