Patent Publication Number: US-2019177977-A1

Title: Sleeve for coupling reinforcing bar and a method of using the same

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 62/597,553, filed 12 Dec. 2017, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to structural building components and, more particularly, to a sleeve for coupling reinforcing bars used in reinforcing concrete. 
     Reinforcing bar (or “rebar”) is a steel bar or mesh of steel wires used as a tension device in reinforced concrete and reinforced masonry structures to strengthen and aid the concrete under tension. The spacing and thus positioning of the rebars is critical in providing the specified reinforcement and so tensile strength that a given project demands. When using rebar to reinforce concrete, many times it is necessary to connect overlapping rebars together in order to provide enough steel coverage throughout the concrete structure. Rebars are typically tied together at the intersection of overlapping rebars in order that the rebars maintain their position during work performed by other trades as well as in order to avoid displacement during concrete placement. Many times, contractors will connect rebar pieces by tying them together with wire to secure them to one another. As a result, tying rebars requires a tool and wire that must be tied in a certain way, and so is both time and labor intensive. Furthermore, rebar may be needed to be tied in areas which may be difficult to reach, and if done improperly may result in rebar displacement that can undermine the structural integrity of the resulting reinforced concrete. 
     As can be seen, there is a need for a sleeve for coupling reinforcing bars without the use of tools. The coupling sleeve may be two spaced apart tubular elements joined along a spine. Each tubular element slidably receives a portion of one of two side by side, overlapping rebars for a given length so as to couple the two overlapping rebars without the need to tie them together at multiple locations. The coupling sleeve may be made from a variety of material amendable to both concrete work and convenient forms of manufacture, such as extrusion or additive manufacture. The coupling sleeve may have a predetermined length and diameter according to the various diameters of rebars. The couple sleeve may also be coated to be used with coated reinforcing bars. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect of the present invention a rebar coupling sleeve includes the following: an elongated first tubular member; an elongated second tubular member; a spine member interconnecting said tubular members along a common longitudinal length of each tubular member; and each tubular member providing an interior spaced dimensioned to slidably receive a distal end of a reinforcing bar. 
     In another aspect of the present invention the rebar coupling sleeve includes the following: an elongated first tubular member; an elongated second tubular member; a spine member interconnecting said tubular members along a common longitudinal length of each tubular member; each tubular member extending between a closed end and an open end communicating to an interior space, the interior spaced dimensioned to slidably receive a reinforcing bar, and wherein the first open end is facing in an opposite direction as the second open end; a first reinforcing bar disposed in the first tubular member; a second reinforcing bar disposed in the second tubular member, wherein the first and second reinforcing bars are secured relative to each other in an overlapping condition; and a predetermined color for indicating the size of the rebar coupling sleeve, the predetermined color disposed along the rebar coupling sleeve. 
     In yet another aspect of the present invention, method of securing two side by side reinforcing bars relative to each other in an overlapping condition without using tying includes the following: providing the rebar coupling sleeve mentioned above; sliding a distal end of a first of the two side by side reinforcing bars through the first open end until is abuts the first closed end; and sliding a distal end of a second of the two side by side reinforcing bars through the second open end until is abuts the second closed end. 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, shown in use; 
         FIG. 2  is an elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a detailed perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 4  is an elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
     Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a rebar coupling sleeve having a first tubular member and a second tubular member interconnected by a reinforced spine member disposed along a common longitudinal length of each elongated tubular member. Each tubular member provides an interior space dimensioned to slidably receive a portion of rebar therein, the interior space extending between a closed end and an opposing open end, defining an entry point for a rebar. The open end of the first tubular member opposes the open end of the second tubular member such that they are positioned on opposing sides of the rebar coupling sleeve. The rebar coupling sleeve receives a pair of rebar therein via opposing ends thereof such that distal ends of two rebars are now secured in an overlapping condition relative to each other, removing any need to tie them together via traditional means. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 4 , the present invention may include a rebar coupling sleeve  100  having a first tubular member  10  and a second tubular member  20  interconnected by a reinforced spine member  30  disposed along a common longitudinal length of each of the first and second tubular members  10  and  20 . The longitudinal length (‘A’) of a tubular member  10  or  20  may range from twelve to approximately forty-eight inches. Each of the first and second tubular members  10  and  20  may include an interior volume sized to receive a piece of rebar  40  therein, an open end  50  including an opening for providing access to the interior volume, and a closed or capped end  60  for stopping progression of the rebar received in the interior volume. In certain embodiments, the first and second tubular members  10  and  20  may not have capped ends  60 . The open end  51  of the first tubular member  10  opposes the open end  52  of the second tubular member  20  such that they are positioned on opposing sides of the rebar coupling sleeve  100  and define entry points for a rebar  40  on opposing ends of the rebar coupling sleeve  100 . In this way, the rebar coupling sleeve  100  is adapted to receive a pair of side by side, overlapping rebar  40  therein via opposing ends thereof such that the rebars  40  are now secured relative to each other in an overlapping condition, removing any need to tie them together via traditional approaches. The rebar coupling sleeve  100  may comprise various lengths and diameters based on intended use. The thickness of the rebar coupling sleeve  100  may be determined by the rebar  40  diameter, such that a bigger diameter rebar  40  may require thicker tubular members  10  and  20  for stability purposes. The diameters of the interior volume or space may be sized to snugly accommodate the received rebar  40 , so that the interior walls of a tubular member generally abuts the outer diameter of the received rebar  40 —and so, the interior diameter ranges from approximately ⅜ inch to 2.25 inches, ranging therebetween by ⅛-inch increments. 
     The rebar coupling sleeve  100  is constructed from a durable material, such as various plasticized or metallic materials, such that it can sustain the weight of the rebar pieces  40 . The rebar coupling sleeve  100  may also comprise various colors, slotted features or identification patterns for indicating a predetermined size of the sleeve related to the rebar. The rebar coupling sleeve  100  may be molded as two separate pieces with a weld in between, amounting to the spine  30 , or as one continuous piece. 
     A method of using the present invention may include the following. The rebar coupling sleeve  100  disclosed above may be provided. A person that is in the construction industry, such as a construction worker, will use the rebar coupling sleeve  100  to secure two overlapping rebars  40  maintain their relative position in the field during work performed by other trades and during concrete placement without conventional rebar ties. 
     It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.