Coupler system for masonry reinforcement bars

Abstract

A coupler system is disclosed which secures ends of masonry reinforcement bars together. The coupler secures the ends of the bars in a variety of means, so as to strengthen the structural integrity of a building. The coupler system includes masonry reinforcement bars with holes in the ends which allow pins to pass through the coupler to secure the bar.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Climate changes in the latter part of the 20^th century and in the first decade of the 21^st century have necessitated a change in construction techniques. Buildings methods that once allowed houses, schools, and commercial buildings to last at least 100 to 200 years have been found to be inadequate in the increasingly powerful storms that have brought the world more powerful and more frequent tsunamis, hurricanes, and tornadoes. Additionally, as the population in the coastal areas around the Pacific Rim has increased almost exponentially, buildings must be built that can withstand not just storms, but earthquakes.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,297,021 (Quinones)(herein incorporated by reference in its entirety) discloses the use of rebar for constructing and reinforcing modular block construction comprising placing on one top or more modular blocks a plurality of separators (masonry reinforcement bar). These masonry reinforcement bars placed between blocks give the wall or structure a greater ability to withstand weather forces that would otherwise destroy the structure.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure teaches a coupler that provides a strong linkage between two masonry reinforcement bars, thereby greatly increasing the strength and resilience of the reinforced structure. More specifically, the masonry reinforcement bars are placed on top of a layer of blocks or bricks such that each row of blocks has a layer of reinforcement bars before any cement or any cement or mortar is added. This acts as a reinforcement for the structure to withstand stressful conditions. To further strengthen the structure, the ends of the masonry reinforcement bars are connected by couplers, and secured in place by a few different devices, including the use of pins. The couplers are fitted to the masonry reinforcement bars over a well of the brick or block, which is where the ends of the masonry reinforcement bars meet, and the well is filled with cement. This further increases the strength of the wall or the building.

In one embodiment, the ends of two masonry reinforcement bars are fitted into a coupler.

In one embodiment the ends of the two masonry reinforcement bars are held within the coupler by pins.

In another embodiment, each of the ends of the masonry reinforcement bars within the coupler by pins.

In another embodiment of the disclosure, one end of the coupler is welded to a masonry reinforcement bar, and the other masonry reinforcement bars fits in and is held by a pin.

In another embodiment of the disclosure each end of the coupler is beveled.

In different embodiment of the disclosure, one end of the coupler is threaded, the complementary masonry reinforcement bar is threaded, and at the other end of the coupler the coupler is reverse threaded, and the complementary masonry reinforcement bar is reverse threaded.

In yet another embodiment of the disclosure, the coupler is hexagonal.

In another embodiment of the disclosure the ends of the coupler are each attached to the coupler by the use of separate pins.

Another embodiment of the disclosure allows for notches near or at the ends of the masonry reinforcement bar to be complementary notched, such that one projection fits into the complementary notch on the other masonry reinforcement bar, and the coupler fits over the couple notches.

In another variation of an embodiment, the ends the notches are not rectangular but are in fact rounded

In yet another embodiment of the disclosure the coupler has two parts, with one section having a top notch, and the other section having a bottom section with a swivel pin connecting said two sections.

In another embodiment, the rebar is distressed. In another embodiment, the rebar is a grooved steel bar. In yet another embodiment, cold roll steel bars are used for the rebars.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon reading the following detailed description of the disclosure in view of the drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and form a part of the specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. The drawings are only for the purpose of illustrating one or more preferred embodiments of the disclosure and are not to be construed as limiting the disclosure. The dimensions, materials, and specifications described in the drawings illustrate only certain embodiments and may be different for different embodiments. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top view of a single coupler;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a single coupler;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the single coupler hole;

FIG. 4 is an end wire with a single coupler hole;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a small single coupler pin;

FIG. 6 is a side view of a large single coupler pin;

FIG. 7 is a top view of a masonry reinforcement bar welded to a coupler;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the masonry reinforcement bar welded to a coupler;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a single couple and the positioning of both masonry reinforcement bars in position with each other;

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of the coupler with the masonry reinforcement bar inserted;

FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view of two couplers inserted into a coupler;

FIG. 12 is a view of a large single coupler pin prior to passing through the coupler and the two masonry reinforcement bars;

FIG. 13 is a side cutaway view of a large single coupler pin inserted through the pinholes in the masonry reinforcement bars and the coupler;

FIG. 14 is a side cutaway view of a large single coupler pin secured through the pinholes in the masonry reinforcement bars and the coupler;

FIG. 15a is a side cutaway view of a masonry reinforcement bar welded to a coupler;

FIG. 15b is a side cutaway view of the a masonry reinforcement bar to be inserted into the other side of the coupler of FIG. 15a;

FIG. 16 is a side cutaway view of a masonry reinforcement bar showing the insertion of the non-welded masonry reinforcement bar in relation to the coupler holes in the coupler;

FIG. 17A is a side view of a coupler pin;

FIG. 17B is a cutaway side view of another embodiment of the coupler;

FIG. 17C is a cut away side view of the is a side cut away view of a masonry reinforcement bar showing the insertion of the non-welded masonry reinforcement bar in relation to the coupler holes in the coupler with the insertion of the small coupler pin;

FIG. 18 is a side cutaway view showing the bent legs of the small coupler pin after insertion through the holes of the non-welded masonry reinforcement bar and the coupler;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of an end rod seat of a non-welded masonry reinforcement bar;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the end rod seat of a non-welded masonry reinforcement bar;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the coupler;

FIG. 22 is a perspective cutaway view of a notched non-welded masonry reinforcement bar;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of complementary notched non-welded masonry reinforcement bars;

FIG. 24 discloses a cutaway perspective view of the complementary notched non-welded masonry reinforcement bars inside a coupler;

FIG. 25 is a perspective cutaway view of a rounded notched non-welded masonry reinforcement bar;

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of complementary rounded notched non-welded masonry reinforcement bars;

FIG. 27 is a cutaway perspective view of the complementary rounded notched non-welded masonry reinforcement bars inside a coupler; and

FIG. 28A is a cutaway perspective view of one arm of a swivel coupler and a masonry reinforcement bar;

FIG. 28B is a cutaway perspective view of a masonry reinforcement bar within one arm of a swivel coupler;

FIG. 28C is a cutaway perspective view of a masonry reinforcement bar within the one arm of a swivel coupler with the securing pin positioned through its hole;

FIG. 29 is a cutaway view of the swivel coupler with the masonry reinforcement bars inserted therein;

FIG. 30 is a cutaway perspective view of another embodiment of dual coupler pins in a coupler for securing reinforcement bars;

FIG. 31 is a side cross view of another embodiment of dual coupler pins;

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of a threaded coupler showing the positioning of the threaded reinforcement bars;

FIG. 33A is an overhead view of an end of one of the arms of the swivel coupler;

FIG. 33B is a cross sectional side view showing the distal end of one of the arms of the swivel coupler;

FIG. 33C is an end view of one of the swivel arms; and

FIG. 34 is a perspective cutaway side view of another embodiment for a coupler.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-28, the coupler system comprises a coupler 1, which is hollow, ranges in length from about 1.5 to about 6 inches, and has openings 30 and 31 at each end. In another embodiment, the length of the coupler is from about 2 to about 4 inches in length and in another embodiment, the coupler 1 is about ½″ tall or wide; put another way, the coupler has a diameter of its outer circumference of about ½″, measured from the outer circumference 2. Under some circumstances, the diameter of the coupler may be larger or smaller than that illustrated in the figures. In one embodiment of the disclosure, the coupler is made of cold roll steel. The coupler 1 could also be made of copper, aluminum, magnesium, palladium, platinum, or any other metal, as well as fiberglass, a hard plastic, or ceramic.

The coupler 1 has four holes 3, 4, 5, 6 passing through the wall of the coupler. Hole 3 in the top 7 of the coupler 1 is aligned with hole 5 in the bottom 8 of the coupler 1. Similarly, hole 4, which is positioned about ½″ to about 1½″ from the other hole, is aligned with hole 6 in the bottom 8 of the coupler 1.

Coupler pin 9 (FIG. 5, 6) is comprised of a material that the does not chemically react with the coupler 1. The coupler pin 9 comprises a bridge 10 and two legs 11 and 12. The distance between the two legs can be about a half inch, with ranges from about ¼″ to about ¾″. In another embodiment for a large coupler pin 13, the bridge is longer, being about 1½″ in length, although the length may vary from about 1″ to about 2″. The length of the legs 14, 15 of the larger coupler 13 or the legs of the small depends on the width of the coupler, although the legs can be from about ¾″ to about 1½″ long, with 1″ also being acceptable. The pins themselves range in width from about 0.100 inches to about 0.25 inches. The pins are also a standard 0.125″ in diameter. The pins are made of a material that will not react with either the masonry reinforcement bar or the coupler 1. It should be noted that the bridge of the pin should be the same length as the distance between the holes of the coupler into which the legs of the pin are fitting.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 4, and 9-14, the ends 16, 17 of the masonry reinforcement bars 18, 19 have holes 23, 24 drilled through the top section 21 22 of the masonry reinforcement bars 18, 19 all the way through the bottoms 25, 26 of the masonry reinforcement bars. These hole 23, 24 should be drilled approximately from ½″ to 1″ from the end of the bar , and in one embodiment is drilled ¾″ from the end of the masonry reinforcement bar. The bar itself is ¼″ in diameter, but the range of the bar can vary. The dimensions should be such that when two masonry reinforcement bars are each inserted into the opposing openings 30, 31 of the coupler 1, the holes of the coupler and the masonry reinforcement bar align and that legs of the coupler pin can fit through holes 3 and 4.

Referring to FIGS. 9-14, each of the masonry reinforcement bars is inserted into an opposing opening 30, 31 of the coupler, and the holes in the masonry reinforcement bars are aligned with the holes in the coupler. A large coupler pin 13 is then inserted such that one leg 14 of the coupler pin fits through one of the masonry reinforcement bars and the other coupler leg 15 fits through the other masonry reinforcement bar. The legs 14, 15 are long enough that they extend past the bottom 8 of the coupler 1. The legs are bent parallel with the bottom 8 of the coupler. This secures the masonry reinforcement bars in the coupler.

It should be noted that the mortar used between the layers of block is usually ⅜″ thick. In fact, the separators are no more than ⅝″ in height and therefore it is advisable that the coupler be no wider than ⅝″ in height, and, in another embodiment, ½″ in height. The ends of the masonry reinforcement bars are connected by the couplers over a well of the block, into which the cement is poured, thereby giving the connection an even greater strength.

In another embodiment (shown in FIGS. 7, 8, 15-18), one of the ends of the mason reinforcement bars 40 is welded with and inside of the coupler 41. The coupler 41, for illustration and practical purposes is 3″ long and ½″ high, and the welded rebar takes up 1½″ of the coupler. The unwelded section of the coupler 41 has two ⅛″ holes 42, 43 passing through the coupler 41 from the top 44 through the bottom 45. These two holes may be from about ¼″ to about an inch apart. In the figures, the holes are about ½″ apart.

A small pin 9 having a bridge of ½″ or the length between holes 42 and 43 is fitted in through holes 46, 47 that pass through the second masonry reinforcement bar 48. The legs 11, 12 of the pin 9 are then bent to secure the masonry reinforcement bar within and to the coupler.

In another embodiment (FIG. 30), the coupler 50 can have two sets of two pass through holes (51, 52 and 53, 54), and each of the two masonry reinforcement bars 55, 56 can each have two pass through holes (57, 58 and 59, 60) positioned appropriately so pin 61 can pass through holes 51, 52, 57, 58 with enough clearance so that legs 62 63 have enough clearance to be bent to secure masonry reinforcement bar 55, and so pin 64 can pass through 53, 54, 59, 60, with enough clearance so that legs 59, 60 can be bent to secure masonry reinforcement bar 56.

In another embodiment (FIG. 31) of the disclosure the coupler 70 comprises two single pass through hole 71, 72, (one at each end) and with masonry reinforcement bars 73, 74 each having a single pass through hole 75, 76. Two single pins 77, 78 fit through the respective holes to secure the masonry reinforcement bars 73 and 74 within the coupler 70, whereupon the pins are bent in the section that passes through the coupler, as shown in the coupler pin described supra.

Because the width of the coupler is by necessity wider than the width of the masonry reinforcement bars, a coupler 80 (FIG. 21) comprises a sleeve 81 to allow for a tight fit of the masonry reinforcement bars. For example, if the masonry reinforcement bars are the standard 0.250 inches in diameter, and the outer diameter of the coupler is ½″. The sleeve 81 within the coupler 80 narrows the diameter of the inside 82 of the coupler 80 to 0.251 inches. In another embodiment, the sleeve is beveled 83, 84, 85, 86 near the openings 87, 88 of coupler 80.

In one embodiment shown in FIG. 32, the coupler can have pass through holes through which pins can pass through, as discussed, supra. In another embodiment for a coupler 90, there are no pass through holes. Instead one end 91 of the sleeve 92 having opening 94 is threaded 93. The masonry reinforcement bar 96 is threaded 95 at the end of the masonry reinforcement bar 96 that passes through the opening 94, so that the coupler 90 and the masonry reinforcement bar can be secured together. At the other end 97 of the coupler 90, the coupler sleeve is reverse threaded 98. At the end 99 of the masonry reinforcement bar 100 that is to be inserted into the coupler 90 through opening 101, there is a reverse thread 100. Hence when the coupler 90 is turned rotated and both reinforcement bars 96 and 100 are positioned through the respective openings 94 and 101, the ends of the masonry reinforcement bars 96, 100 are firmly secured to and in the coupler 90. In one embodiment the flat surfaces, hexagonal

Referring to FIGS. 19-20 and 22-27, another method of securing the masonry reinforcement bars involves the coupling of the ends of the bars to one another by means of complementary notches 200 in the masonry reinforcement bars themselves. These notches 200, 201 are designed such that one notch is positioned to be complementary either vertically or horizontally. In one embodiment, the notches are square or rectangular in shape. In another embodiment, shown in FIGS. 25-27, the notches are curved, resembling semi-circles.

The coupler 202 is slipped over one of the two masonry reinforcement bars(203, 204). The end of one of the masonry reinforcement bars 203 having notch 200 projects from the end of the coupler 202. The rectangular end 206 of masonry reinforcement bar 204 fits into notch 200 and the rectangular end 205 of masonry reinforcement bar 203 fits into the notch 201 of masonry reinforcement bar 204. The coupler is then slipped over the two masonry bars 203, 204 securing the interfitting bars together. In another embodiment (not shown), there are two holes going through the coupler 202 and each of the two masonry reinforcement bars 203, 204 has a hole so that the legs 14, 15 of pin 13 pass through the couplers 203, 204, whereupon the ends of the legs 14, 15 are bent.

The couplers so far described are for rectangular structures such that the couplers and the masonry reinforcement bars are relatively all in a straight line. However, there are situations during construction of some buildings where there are angular walls and hence the masonry reinforcement bars are not in a straight line alignment. To use the reinforcement masonry bars in such a situation, FIGS. 28a-29 a swivel coupler 300. The swivel coupler 300 has two half couplers 301 and 302. Both half couplers 301, 302 are identical and have a tubular structure, with a lead opening 303, 304 for the masonry reinforcement bars running lengthwise through the tube 304, 305 and a hole 306, 307 perpendicular to the length of the half coupler 301, 302 the hole being from about ¼″ to about 1″ from the proximal end of the tube where the lead opening 303, 304 is. At the distal end of the half coupler is a rectangular cutout 308, 309 which allows the two half couplers to mate. Above or below the rectangular cutout 308, 309 (depending whether the half coupler is held with the rectangular cutout 308, 309 is facing up or down) is a pivot pin hole 310, 311 through which an pivot pin 312 is inserted when the rectangular cutouts 308, 309 are positioned facing each other and wherein the pivot pin holes 310, 311 are positioned to line up with one another.

Each of the two masonry reinforcement bars 320, 321 have a hole 322, 323 positioned from about ½″ to about ¾″ from their end. These holes are aligned with the holes 306, 307 in the half couplers 301, 302. A pin 330 is inserted through hole 306, whereupon the pin is bent as it exits the bottom side of the half coupler, such that the pin cannot fall out. If there no head on the pin, the top part of the pin is also bent. Similarly, pin 311 is inserted through hole 307. In another embodiment, the hole in the masonry reinforcement bar does not penetrate through the width of the bar. The pin can be secured by the snugness of the hole, or by the cement that will be poured over the coupler.

While various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A coupler system for masonry reinforcement bars for strengthening buildings, said system comprising: said first masonry reinforcement bar and said second masonry reinforcement bar having a hole near their proximal end and a hole near their distal end, each of said holes passing through the top section through the bottom section of each of said first masonry reinforcement bar and said second masonry reinforcement bar; each of said holes having the ability to align with any of said holes in said coupler; such that when said distal end of said first masonry reinforcement bar is inserted into said proximal end of said hollow tube, and said holes of said proximal end of said hollow tube align with said holes of said distal end of said first masonry reinforcement bar, and when said proximal end of said second masonry reinforcement bar is inserted into said distal end of said hollow tube, and said holes of said distal end of said hollow tube align with said holes of said proximal end of said first masonry reinforcement bar, said bars are secured by the insertion of said coupler pin into said aligned holes.

a) A coupler, said coupler comprising: i) a hollow tube comprising: A) an outer diameter; B) an inner diameter; C) a proximal end; D) a distal end; E) a top section, F) a bottom section; G) an opening ii) a hole near the proximal end of said hollow tube, said hole positioned from about ½ inch to 1 inch from said proximal end, said hole aligning with and passing through said top section continuing through said bottom section; iii) a hole near the distal end of said hollow tube, said hole positioned about ½ inch to 1 inch from said first proximal end, said hole aligning and with and passing through the top section continuing through said bottom section;

b) two masonry reinforcement bars comprising i) a first masonry reinforcement bar, said masonry reinforcement bar comprising: A) a proximal end; and B) a distal end; C) a top section; and D) a bottom section; ii) a second masonry reinforcement bar, said second masonry reinforcement bar comprising: A) a proximal end; B) a distal end; C) a top section; and D) a bottom section,

c) a coupler pin, said coupler pin comprising: i) a first leg, said first leg having a top section and a bottom section, said first leg long enough to extend beyond an outside diameter of said coupler; ii) a second leg, said second leg having a top section and a bottom section, said first leg long enough to extend beyond an outside diameter of said coupler; iii) a bridge integral and positioned between said top section of said first leg and said top section of said second leg, said bridge being the length of the mid-point of said long enough such that said first leg connected to said bridge can fit into said proximal hole of said coupler and said second leg connected to said bridge can fit into said distal hole of said coupler at the same time;

2. The coupler system of claim 1, wherein said coupler ranges in length from about 1.5 to about 6 inches.

3. The coupler system of claim 2, wherein said coupler is from about 2 to about 4 inches in length.

4. The coupler system of claim 3, wherein said coupler is 3 inches in length.

5. The coupler system of claim 1, wherein the outer diameter of the coupler is about ½ inch.

6. The coupler system of claim 1, wherein the inner diameter of the opening of the coupler extending a length of the coupler is large enough to accommodate insertion of said masonry reinforcement bars.

7. The coupler system of claim 6, wherein the inner diameter of the opening of the coupler is 0.251 inches.

8. The coupler system of claim 1, wherein said coupler is made of a material selected from the group consisting of cold rolled steel, copper, aluminum, magnesium, palladium, platinum, fiberglass, a hard plastic, and ceramic.

9. The coupler system of claim 8, wherein said coupler is made of said cold rolled steel.

10. A coupler system for masonry reinforcement bars for strengthening buildings, said system comprising: said first masonry reinforcement bar and said second masonry reinforcement bar having a hole near their proximal end and a hole near their distal end, each of said holes passing through the top section through the bottom section of each of said first masonry reinforcement bar and said second masonry reinforcement bar; each of said holes having the ability to align with any of said holes in said coupler; and when said proximal end of said second masonry reinforcement bar is inserted into said distal end of said hollow tube, and said holes of said distal end of said hollow tube align with said holes of said proximal end of said first masonry reinforcement bar, said second masonry reinforcement bar is secured by the insertion of said coupler pin into said aligned holes.

a) A coupler, said coupler comprising: i) a hollow tube comprising: A) an outer diameter; B) an inner diameter; C) a proximal end; D) a distal end; E) a top section, F) a bottom section; G) an opening ii) a hole near the proximal end of said hollow tube, said hole positioned from about ½ inch to 1 inch from said proximal end, said hole aligning with and passing through said top section continuing through said bottom section; iii) a hole near the distal end of said hollow tube, said hole positioned about ½ inch to 1 inch from said first proximal end, said hole aligning and with and passing through the top section continuing through said bottom section;

b) two masonry reinforcement bars comprising i) a first masonry reinforcement bar, said masonry bar comprising: A) a proximal end; B) a distal end; C) a top section; and D) a bottom section; ii) a second masonry reinforcement bar, said second masonry reinforcement bar comprising: A) a proximal end; B) a distal end; C) a top section; and D) a bottom section,

c) a coupler pin, said coupler pin comprising: i) a first leg, said first leg having a top section and a bottom section, said first leg long enough to extend beyond an outside diameter of said coupler; ii) a second leg, said second leg having a top section and a bottom section, said first leg long enough to extend beyond an outside diameter of said coupler;; iii) a bridge integral and positioned between between said top section of said first leg and said top section of said second leg, said bridge being the length of the mid-point of said long enough such that said first leg connected to said bridge can fit into said proximal hole of said coupler and said second leg connected to said bridge can fit into said distal hole of said coupler at the same time;

11. The coupler system of claim 10, wherein said coupler ranges in length from about 1.5 to about 6 inches.

12. The coupler system of claim 11, wherein said coupler is from about 2 to about 4 inches in length.

13. The coupler system of claim 12, wherein said coupler is 3 inches in length.

14. The coupler system of claim 10, wherein the outer diameter of the coupler is about ½ inch.

15. The coupler system of claim 10, wherein the inner diameter of the opening of the coupler extending a length of the coupler is large enough to accommodate insertion of said masonry reinforcement bars.

16. The coupler system of claim 15, wherein the inner diameter of the opening of the coupler is 0.251 inches.

17. A coupler system for masonry reinforcement bars for strengthening buildings, said system comprising: such that said coupler slips over either said first masonry reinforcement bar or said second reinforcement bar, said first reinforcement bar and said second reinforcement bar are mated, and the coupler is slid over the area of coupling.

a) A coupler, said coupler comprising: i) a hollow tube comprising: a) an outer diameter; b) an inner diameter; c) a proximal end; d) a distal end; e) a top section, f) a bottom section; g) an opening;

d) two masonry reinforcement bars comprising i) a first masonry reinforcement bar, said masonry bar having A) a proximal end; and B) a distal end, said distal section having a grooved section; C) a top section; and D) a bottom section; ii) a second masonry reinforcement bar, said second masonry reinforcement bar having A) a proximal end, said proximal section having a grooved section, positioned such that the grooved section is complementary to the grooved section of the distal end of the first masonry reinforcement bar; B) a distal end; C) a top section; and D) a bottom section,

18. A coupler system for masonry reinforcement bars for strengthening buildings, said system comprising:

a) First masonry reinforcement bar, said first masonry reinforcement bar comprising: i) At least one hole near and through a distal end of said first masonry reinforcement bar; ii) a second masonry reinforcement bar; said second masonry reinforcement bar comprising: iii) at least one hole near and through a proximal end of said second masonry bar;

b) Second masonry reinforcement bar, said first masonry reinforcement bar comprising: i) at least one hole near and through a distal end of said first masonry reinforcement bar; ii) a second masonry reinforcement bar; said second masonry reinforcement bar comprising at least one hole near and through a proximal end of said second masonry bar;

c) a swivel coupler, said swivel coupler comprising: i) a first section of the swivel coupler, having a tubular structure with a lead opening extending lengthwise through said first section of the swivel coupler, said first section of the swivel coupler comprising a vertical hole through a proximal end of said first section of the swivel coupler, an extension of a top longitudinal half of said distal end of said first section of said coupler at, and a vertical set hole through said top longitudinal half; ii) a second section of the swivel coupler comprising a tubular structure with a lead opening extending lengthwise through said second section of the swivel coupler, said second section of the swivel coupler comprising a vertical hole through a proximal end of said second section of the swivel coupler, an extension of a bottom longitudinal half of said distal end of said first section of said coupler at, and a vertical set hole through said bottom longitudinal half; iii) a swivel pivot pin which is secured through said vertical set hole of said top longitudinal half of said first section of said swivel coupler and the vertical set holes of said bottom longitudinal half of said second section of said swivel coupler; and

d) at least two anchor pins wherein said at least one of two said anchor pins are used to secure one of said masonry reinforcement bars into a first section of said swivel coupler, and the other one of at least one of two said anchor pins secures the second section of said swivel coupler.