Patent Description:
<CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> (see also https://www. com/catalog/categories/R767?pdf=<NUM>&language=en&country=US), <CIT> (see also https://www. com/push-rod-hanger. php), <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT> disclose various quick lock mechanisms for threaded rods.

It is an object of the invention to provide rod connectors that provide particularly good performance at particularly low effort, in particular in connection with being intended for used with different diameter rods.

This object is achieved by a device according to claim <NUM>.

According to the invention, the rod connector further comprises a pin, which projects from the closure into the cavity, wherein the pin is hollow so as to define a receptacle for receiving a smaller diameter rod, and wherein the pin comprises a collar which provides an abutment for a larger diameter rod.

Accordingly, particularly good lateral guidance for different diameter rods can be achieved, which can provide particularly good performance at particularly low effort.

The collar defines a mouth of the receptacle of the pin. The closure is preferably a plug. The respective rods can in particular be threaded rods. The front end and the rear end, respectively, are opposite ends of the housing.

The pin and the closure are, preferentially, integral parts, i.e. formed as a unit. This can be advantageous in view of ease of assembly and/or durability. However, the pin and the closure could also be separate parts. Preferentially, the pin and/or the closure can be a metal part each, in particular a steel part.

Advantageously, the collar is a closed ring, more preferentially a circular ring. This can provide a particularly large contact area with the rod, which can in term be advantageous in view of performance and manufacturing. However, other collar forms could also be envisaged, such as crown shapes. In any case, the collar is preferentially circular.

The rod connector can, advantageously, comprise a coil spring for biasing the at least one rod engagement body against the tapered surface. This can reduce slack and/or further increase reliability of the rod locking mechanism. At its rear end, the coil spring may rest on the plug. The coil spring might be a single part but might also consist of a plurality of separate components.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, an annular gap is formed between the pin and the housing. Accordingly, there is a radial spacing between the radially outside surface of the pin and the radially inside surface of the housing. The annular gap can be of use for guiding other elements, thereby improving functionality and versatility.

Preferably, the coil spring is arranged, at least partly, more preferably completely, within the annular gap. Accordingly, at least a section of the coil spring is located within the annual gap. This can allow for a particular long overall length of the coil spring and/or particular good guidance, which can further improve functionality.

In an alternative embodiment, the pin can comprise an extension sleeve, which projects from the collar towards the front end of the housing, wherein the coil spring (in particular at the rear end of the coil spring) abuts against the extension sleeve (in particular against a forward face of the extension sleeve). This can provide for a particularly robust setup and/or particularly short spring lengths. The forward face of the extension sleeve can be preferably ring shaped, more preferably closed ring shaped, but can also have other shapes, such as crown shapes.

The pin, including or excluding the extension sleeve, might be externally threaded for a threaded connection to the housing. The closure might e.g. be threadedly connected to the housing, connected by caulking, welding, or by other connection methods.

The coil spring and the rod engagement body could be integral parts, i.e. formed as a unit. Accordingly, the rod engagement body can be a section of the coil spring, in particular a front section of the coil spring. This can provide a particularly easy to manufacture embodiment.

In an alternative embodiment, the rod connector can comprise an insert that comprises a ring and a plurality (e.g. three, four or five) of engagement fingers projecting from the ring, wherein each of the engagement fingers provides a rod engagement body. This can provide a particular robust embodiment. The coil spring may abut against the ring, in particular at the front end of the coil spring. The ring and the fingers of the insert may allow passage of a rod so as to reach to the pin or into the pin. In particular, the insert can consist of a metal material. The insert may be designed as described in <CIT>, <CIT> or/and <CIT>.

Preferably, the pin extends into the ring, so as to guide the insert on the ring. Accordingly, the pin provides an axial guide for the ring and thus for the insert. This can provide particularly reliable operation at low effort.

The rod connector is preferably a cast in place anchor, i.e. an anchor intended to be cast into concrete. Preferably, the rod connector comprises an anchor flange, which projects from the housing. This can provide particularly robust anchorage at particularly low effort.

Alternatively, the rod connector could be a screw, preferably a concrete screw. Preferably, the rod connector comprises a threaded shank, which projects from the closure. This can provide particularly robust screw connection at particularly low effort.

The invention also relates to a system comprising a rod connector as described here and a rod that is arranged within the cavity of the housing of the rod connector. Accordingly, the rod connector is used to engage a rod as intended.

The invention is explained in greater detail below with reference to preferred exemplary embodiments, which are depicted schematically in the accompanying drawings. Individual features of the exemplary embodiments presented below can be implemented either individually or in any combination within the scope of the present invention.

The rod connector shown in <FIG> comprises a housing <NUM>, in particular a metal housing <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the housing <NUM> has a generally circular cylindrical outline, but this is an example only, and other outline shapes could be used, such as conical shapes. The housing <NUM> has a cavity <NUM> for receiving a rod <NUM> therein, wherein the cavity <NUM> forms a through hole in the housing <NUM>, which extends from a front end <NUM> of the housing to a rear end <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. The front end <NUM> and the rear end <NUM>, respectively, are opposite ends of the housing <NUM>. The cavity <NUM> opens to the front end <NUM>, i.e. at the front end <NUM>, the cavity <NUM> is accessible from outside of the housing <NUM>. Accordingly, a mouth for inserting a rod <NUM>, in particular a threaded rod, into the cavity <NUM> is formed at the front end <NUM>.

By way of example, the rod connector provides a cast in place anchor. As such, it comprises an anchor flange <NUM>, which radially projects from the housing <NUM>, in particular near its rear end <NUM>. The anchor flange <NUM> and the housing <NUM> can be integral parts or separate parts.

At the rear end <NUM> of the housing <NUM>, which is located opposite its first end <NUM>, the cavity <NUM> is closed by means of a closure <NUM>. The closure <NUM> and the housing <NUM> are separate parts. The closure <NUM> and the housing could e.g. be connected by caulking or gluing,.

An insert <NUM>, in particular a metal insert <NUM>, is arranged within the cavity <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. The insert <NUM> comprises a rearward ring <NUM> and a plurality (four in the present embodiment, by way of example) of engagement fingers <NUM>. Each of the engagement fingers <NUM> projects forwardly from the ring <NUM>. Each of the engagement fingers <NUM> forms, at its respective forward end, a rod engagement body <NUM> for clamping a rod <NUM> inserted into the housing <NUM>. The rod engagement bodies <NUM> might have inwardly facing threaded and/or roughened surfaces for engaging the rod <NUM>.

The housing <NUM> has a tapered surface <NUM>, which is an inner surface that surrounds the cavity <NUM>. The tapered surface <NUM> tapers towards the front end <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the tapered surface <NUM> is by way of example conical, with an opening angle α of <NUM>° or more (about <NUM>° in the present embodiment), but other tapered forms could also be envisaged. For example, ridges might be provided, that divide the tapered surface <NUM> into segments. The tapered surface <NUM> provides a wedge for wedging the rod engagement bodies <NUM> radially inwardly, towards a rod <NUM> arranged between rod engagement bodies <NUM>, so as to lock the rod <NUM> within the rod engagement bodies <NUM> as the rod <NUM> is pulled out of the housing <NUM> via the front end <NUM>.

The rod connector further comprises a coil spring <NUM>, which is arranged within the cavity <NUM>, and which pushes the rod engagement bodies <NUM> against the tapered surface <NUM> and biases them towards the front end <NUM>. On its front end, the coil spring <NUM> bears directly against the ring <NUM> and thus indirectly against the rod engagement bodies <NUM> integrally connected to the ring <NUM>. On its rear end, the coil spring <NUM> bears directly against the closure <NUM>.

When the rod connector is used as intended, a rod <NUM> is inserted via the front end <NUM> into the cavity <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. During this operation, the rod engagement bodies <NUM> are pushed upwardly away from the front end <NUM>, towards the rear end <NUM> of the housing <NUM>, thereby biasing the coil spring <NUM>, and the rod engagement bodies <NUM> enter a wide region of the tapered surface <NUM> that allows the rod engagement bodies <NUM> to be radially displaced such that the rod <NUM> can pass.

The rod <NUM> is subsequently released, and the coil spring <NUM> thus pushes the rod engagement bodies <NUM> axially towards the front end <NUM>. This in term causes the tapered surface <NUM> to wedge the rod engagement bodies <NUM> against the rod <NUM>, thereby engaging the rod <NUM>. The resulting configuration is shown in <FIG>. If the rod <NUM> is subsequently loaded in the pull-out direction out of the cavity <NUM>, wedging action between the tapered surface <NUM> and the rod engagement bodies <NUM> will wedge-lock the rod <NUM>.

The rod connector further comprises a pin <NUM>, which projects from the closure <NUM> into the cavity <NUM>. By way of example, the closure <NUM> and the pin <NUM> are shown to be integral parts, but they could also be separate parts. Preferably, however, they are fixedly connected to one another. In particular, the closure <NUM> and/or the pin <NUM> are metal parts. The pin <NUM> projects from the closure <NUM> towards the front end <NUM> of the housing <NUM>.

The pin <NUM> is hollow and thus defines, in its inside, a receptacle <NUM>. The receptacle <NUM> is open towards the front end <NUM> and can receive a small diameter rod <NUM> inserted into the cavity <NUM>. In particular, the receptacle <NUM> is cylindrical, in particular circular cylindrical. The receptacle <NUM> is a blind hole and is closed at its rear end by closure <NUM>.

At the front end of the pin <NUM>, which faces the front end <NUM> of the housing <NUM>, a collar <NUM> is provided. This collar <NUM> is the forward face of the pin <NUM> and/or it surrounds an entrance to the receptacle <NUM>. The collar <NUM>, which is arranged within the cavity <NUM> of the housing <NUM>, provides an abutment for a larger diameter rod <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the collar <NUM> is by way of example a circular ring, but other forms, such as crown shapes or broken rings, could be also envisaged.

The outside of the pin <NUM> has some radial distance to the inside of the housing <NUM>, so as to define an annular gap <NUM> between the pin <NUM> and the housing <NUM>, wherein the annular gap <NUM> surrounds the pin <NUM>. The coil spring <NUM> is arranged within the annular gap <NUM>, so that the pin <NUM> provides a guide for the coil spring <NUM>. The ring <NUM> of the insert <NUM> is also, at least partly, arranged within the annular gap <NUM>, and the pin <NUM> is plugged, at least partly, into the ring <NUM>, so that the pin <NUM> provides an axial guide for the ring and thus for the insert <NUM>.

<FIG> show a second embodiment of a rod connector. Same reference numerals as above are used for alike or analogous elements.

In contrast to the rod connector of <FIG>, which is by way of example a cast in place anchor, the rod connector of <FIG> is a screw, in particular a concrete screw.

The rod connector of <FIG> comprises a housing <NUM>, in particular a metal housing <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the housing <NUM> has a generally polygonal cylindrical outline, so as to provide a screw drive, but this is an example only, and other outline shapes could be used. The housing <NUM> has a cavity <NUM> for receiving a rod <NUM> therein, wherein the cavity <NUM> forms a through hole in the housing <NUM>, which extends from a front end <NUM> of the housing to a rear end <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. The front end <NUM> and the rear end <NUM>, respectively, are opposite ends of the housing <NUM>. The cavity <NUM> opens to the front end <NUM>, i.e. at the front end <NUM>, the cavity <NUM> is accessible from outside of the housing <NUM>. Accordingly, a mouth for inserting a rod <NUM>, in particular a threaded rod, into the cavity <NUM> is formed at the front end <NUM>.

At the rear end <NUM> of the housing <NUM>, which is located opposite its first end <NUM>, the cavity <NUM> is closed by means of a closure <NUM>. The closure <NUM> and the housing <NUM> are separate parts.

By way of example, the rod connector is a screw. As such, it comprises a threaded shank <NUM>, which projects axially from the closure <NUM>. The threaded shank <NUM> and the closure <NUM> can be preferably integral parts, but also separate parts.

The housing <NUM> has a tapered surface <NUM>, which is an inner surface that surrounds the cavity <NUM>. The tapered surface <NUM> tapers towards the front end <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the tapered surface <NUM> is by way of example conical, with an opening angle α of <NUM>° or more (about <NUM>° in the present embodiment), but other tapered forms could also be envisaged.

The rod connector further comprises a coil spring <NUM>, which is arranged within the cavity <NUM>. On its rear end <NUM>, the coil spring <NUM> bears (indirectly, as described in more detail below) against the closure <NUM>. On its front end, the coil spring <NUM> forms a helical rod engagement body <NUM> for clamping a rod <NUM> inserted into the housing <NUM>. In particular, the front end of the coil spring <NUM> might bear against the tapered surface <NUM>. The tapered surface <NUM> provides a wedge for wedging the front end of the coil spring <NUM>, i.e. the rod engagement body <NUM>, radially inwardly, towards a rod <NUM> arranged inside the coil spring <NUM>, so as to lock the rod <NUM> within coil spring <NUM>, as the rod <NUM> is pulled out of the housing <NUM> via the front end <NUM> of the housing <NUM>.

When the rod connector is used as intended, a rod <NUM> is inserted via the front end <NUM> into the cavity <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. During this operation, the front end of the coil spring <NUM> is pushed upwardly away from the front end <NUM> of the housing <NUM>, towards the rear end <NUM> of the housing <NUM>, thereby biasing the coil spring <NUM>, and the front end of the coil spring <NUM> enters a wide region of the tapered surface <NUM> that allows the front end of the coil spring <NUM> to be radially widened such that the rod <NUM> can pass.

The rod <NUM> is subsequently released, and the coil spring <NUM> pushes its front end axially towards the front end <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. This in term causes the tapered surface <NUM> to wedge the front end of the coil spring <NUM> (which provides the rod engagement body <NUM>) against the rod <NUM>, thereby engaging the rod <NUM>. If the rod <NUM> is subsequently loaded in the pull-out direction out of the cavity <NUM>, wedging action between the tapered surface <NUM> and the rod engagement body <NUM> will wedge-lock the rod <NUM>.

The rod connector further comprises a pin <NUM>, which projects from the closure <NUM> into the cavity <NUM>. The pin <NUM> and the threaded shank <NUM>, respectively, project from different sides of the closure <NUM>. By way of example, the closure <NUM> and the pin <NUM> are shown to be integral parts, but they could also be separate parts. Preferably, however, they are fixedly connected to one another. In particular, the closure <NUM> and/or the pin <NUM> are metal parts. The pin <NUM> projects from the closure <NUM> towards the front end <NUM> of the housing <NUM>.

The pin <NUM> has an external thread, which is screwingly connected with an internal thread of the housing <NUM>. By means of this screw connection, the closure <NUM> (and the threaded shank <NUM>) are connected to the housing <NUM>.

The pin <NUM> is hollow and thus defines, in its inside, a receptacle <NUM>. The receptacle <NUM> is open towards the front end <NUM> and can receive a small diameter rod <NUM> (e.g. a ½ inch rod) inserted into the cavity <NUM>. In particular, the receptacle <NUM> is cylindrical, in particular circular cylindrical.

The pin <NUM> has a collar <NUM>, which faces the front end <NUM> of the housing <NUM> and/or it surrounds an entrance to the receptacle <NUM>. The collar <NUM>, which is arranged within the cavity <NUM> of the housing <NUM>, provides an abutment for a larger diameter rod <NUM> (e.g. a ¾ inch rod). In the present embodiment, the collar <NUM> is by way of example a circular ring, but other forms, such as crown shapes or broken rings, could be also envisaged.

Claim 1:
Rod connector comprising
- a housing (<NUM>) having a cavity (<NUM>) for receiving a rod (<NUM>) therein, wherein the cavity (<NUM>) extends through the housing (<NUM>), from an open front end (<NUM>) of the housing to a rear end (<NUM>) of the housing (<NUM>),
- at least one rod engagement body (<NUM>), which is arranged within the cavity (<NUM>),
- wherein the housing (<NUM>) has a tapered surface (<NUM>), which delimits the cavity (<NUM>), and which tapers towards the front end (<NUM>) of the housing (<NUM>), for wedging the at least one rod engagement body (<NUM>) against the rod (<NUM>) when the rod (<NUM>) is arranged within the cavity (<NUM>), and
- a closure (<NUM>), which closes the cavity (<NUM>) at the rear end (<NUM>) of the housing (<NUM>),
characterized in that
- the rod connector further comprises a pin (<NUM>), which projects from the closure (<NUM>) into the cavity (<NUM>), wherein the pin (<NUM>) is hollow so as to define a receptacle (<NUM>) for receiving a smaller diameter rod (<NUM>), and wherein the pin (<NUM>) comprises a collar (<NUM>) which provides an abutment for a larger diameter rod (<NUM>).