Abstract: Adjacent precast reinforced concrete modules or members are secured together by a plurality of coupler systems each including a cast metal coupler body embedded in an edge portion of the first concrete member and connected by a coupling member to a reinforcing bar within the first concrete member. The coupler body has an internal cavity with a side opening and an end opening extending to the cavity, and reinforcing wings border the side opening. The second concrete member has another coupling member rigidly connected to an axially aligned reinforcing bar and includes an end portion with a threaded bore. A bolt is inserted into the cavity through the side opening, aligned with the end opening and then threaded into the bore where the bolt is tightened with a wrench extending into the cavity through the side opening. A reusable locating pin may be used to align the concrete members.

Abstract: A section of heat treated solid steel rod receives a phosphate solution treatment and is inserted into a blind cavity of a first die member within a cold forging press. A punch is forced axially into the rod section in successive steps to cold-forge a first bore and a tubular first end portion of a coupler body. A second end portion of the coupler body is also cold-forged in successive steps after treatments and is either reduced in diameter to receive external threads or is formed with a second bore. Each of the first and second bores receives an end portion of a concrete reinforcing bar after which the tubular end portion of body is compressed or swaged inwardly to secure the body to the reinforcing bar. The second bore may also be machined with internal threads for receiving the external threads on another coupler.

Abstract: A section of heat treated solid steel rod receives a phosphate solution treatment and is inserted into a blind cavity of a first die member within a cold forging press. A punch is forced axially into the rod section in successive steps to cold-forge a first bore and a tubular first end portion of a coupler body. A second end portion of the coupler body is also cold-forged in successive steps after treatments and is either reduced in diameter to receive external threads or is formed with a second bore. Each of the first and second bores receives an end portion of a concrete reinforcing bar after which the tubular end portion of body is compressed or swaged inwardly to secure the body to the reinforcing bar. The second bore may also be machined with internal threads for receiving the external threads on another coupler.

Abstract: A section of heat treated solid steel rod receives a phosphate solution treatment and is inserted into a blind cavity of a first die member within a cold forging press. A punch is forced axially into the rod section in successive steps to cold-forge a first bore and a tubular first end portion of a coupler body. A second end portion of the coupler body is also cold-forged in successive steps after treatments and is either reduced in diameter to receive external threads or is formed with a second bore. Each of the first and second bores receives an end portion of a concrete reinforcing bar after which the tubular end portion of body is compressed or swaged inwardly to secure the body to the reinforcing bar. The second bore may also be machined with internal threads for receiving the external threads on another coupler.

Abstract: An elongated tubular metal body includes a longitudinally extending wedge portion having converging inner wedging surfaces defining an included angle of less than seventy degrees for receiving the end portions of concrete reinforcing bars. A series of longitudinally spaced threaded holes are formed within the tubular body in opposing relation to the wedge portion, and a socket head set screw or a shear head screw is threaded into each hole. The screws have conical pointed tips for penetrating a bar when the screws are tightened to a predetermined torque, and the screws force the outer ribs on the bar into the tubular body. In one embodiment, a section of cylindrical seamless tubing of ductile steel is cold-forged or deformed within a die set to form the tubular body with a generally diamond-shaped cross-sectional configuration.

Abstract: An elongated tubular metal body includes a longitudinally extending wedge portion having converging inner wedging surfaces defining an included angle of less than seventy degrees for receiving the end portions of concrete reinforcing bars. A series of longitudinally spaced threaded holes are formed within the tubular body in opposing relation to the wedge portion, and a socket head set screw or a shear head screw is threaded into each hole. The screws have conical pointed tips for penetrating a bar when the screws are tightened to a predetermined torque, and the screws force the outer ribs on the bar into the tubular body. In one embodiment, a section of cylindrical seamless tubing of ductile steel is cold-forged or deformed within a die set to form the tubular body with a generally diamond-shaped cross-sectional configuration.

Abstract: An elongated tubular metal body includes a longitudinally extending wedge portion having converging inner surfaces defining an included angle of about sixty degrees for receiving the end portions of concrete reinforcing bars. A series of longitudinally spaced holes are formed within the tubular body in opposing relation to the wedge portion, and a socket head set screw is threaded into each hole. The screws have conical pointed tips for penetrating a bar when the screws are tightened with a preset torque, and the screws force the outer ribs on the bar into the tubular body. A section of cylindrical seamless tubing of ductile steel is cold forged or deformed within a die set to form the tubular body with a generally diamond-shaped cross-sectional configuration, and longitudinally spaced and outwardly projecting ribs may be formed on the body.