Abstract: An apparatus for gripping smooth and/or deformed cylindrical or multiple stranded tendons (rods) commonly used in the Art of Construction, the apparatus comprising a housing (barrel), a plurality of jaws (wedges) within the housing, a tightening device to align the jaws (wedges) and to cause engagement of the jaws (wedges) to the tendon (rod), a tensioning device to properly position the apparatus. The tendon (rod) gripping apparatus includes a first aperture and a second aperture that facilitate passage of a tendon (rod) through the apparatus. The jaw (wedge) cluster comprises a plurality of elongated members, that surround the tendon (rod), are generally wedge shaped and complementary to an inner tapered wall of the housing (barrel).

Abstract: A dowel support for use in concrete joint restraint system as is typically used for slabs in highway construction is provided, as is a concrete reinforcing system employing the dowel supports. The dowel support is used to support dowels of different diameters and, in a preferred embodiment, is made of a noncorrosive material to reduce corrosion at the dowel-support interface. The support of the present invention is especially suited for fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) dowels which are resistant to corrosion, and the combination of the fiberglass dowel with the support of the present invention provides an improved alternative to the steel basket supports presently in use. The supports use a wedge-shaped vertical mouth to receive the dowels, which are supported between the sides of the mouth at the width corresponding to the diameter of the dowel.