SYSTEM AND METHOD OF ATTACHING PRECAST PANELS

Abstract

A system and method for attaching precast panels and for coupling a plurality of reinforcing bars together. The system and method have a plurality of reinforcing bar coupler assemblies as shown to mechanically splice reinforcing bars of two precast panels or a plurality of reinforcing bars together to provide a permanent means of connecting the panels. Each of the reinforcing bar coupler assemblies have a first component, clamp ring, insert and second component and spring that are assembled and used to couple a plurality of reinforcing bars together. The reinforcing bar coupler assembly is precast into precast panels that are then adapted to be mounted and coupled together using the reinforcing bar coupler assemblies.

Claims

1. A reinforcing bar coupler assembly for coupling a plurality of reinforcing bars together, the reinforcing bar coupler assembly comprising: a first component comprising an internal receiving area; a clamp ring for situating in said internal receiving area, said clamp ring comprising an insert receiving area and defining a clamp ring passageway in communication with said insert receiving area and a clamp ring passageway axis, said clamp ring comprising a clamp ring tapered or frusto-conical inner surface; an insert comprising an insert reinforcing bar receiving area defined by an insert interior wall that is adapted and sized to receive a first one of said plurality of reinforcing bars in said insert receiving area, said insert having an insert axis that becomes generally aligned with or generally coaxial with said clamp ring passageway axis so that after said first one of said plurality of reinforcing bars is received in said insert reinforcing bar receiving area, said insert comprising an insert tapered outer surface that engages and cooperates with said clamp ring tapered or frusto-conical inner surface to cause said insert interior wall to apply a compressive force against a portion of said first one of said plurality of reinforcing bars in response to said insert being urged into said clamp ring; and a second component for mounting onto said first component traveling along said clamp ring tapered or frusto-conical inner surface to travel along said clamp ring tapered or frusto-conical inner surface thereby causing said insert to engage and clamp against said portion of said first one of said plurality of reinforcing bars; said second component being adapted to be mounted to a threaded first end of a second one of said plurality of reinforcing bars so that after said reinforcing bar coupler assembly is mounted on said second one of said plurality of reinforcing bars and said first one of said plurality of reinforcing bars is secured or clamped to said second one of said plurality of reinforcing bars, said first one and said second one of plurality of reinforcing bars become coupled and secured together.

2. The reinforcing bar coupler assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said insert is a split ring assembly that cooperates to secure or clamp against a portion of said first one of said plurality of reinforcing bars in response to said insert being urged axially in said clamp ring.

3. The reinforcing bar coupler assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said insert is split, said reinforcing bar coupler assembly comprising a spring that engages and said spring urges said insert until it engages and clamps against said portion of said first one of said plurality of reinforcing bars.

4. The reinforcing bar coupler assembly as recited in claim 3 wherein said insert is split, said spring being situated between said second component and said insert so that when second component is mounted to said first component, said second component engages said spring and urges said insert tapered outer surface to travel along said clamp ring tapered or frusto-conical inner surface to engage and force said insert to clamp onto said portion of said first one of said plurality of reinforcing bars, thereby securing said first one of said plurality of reinforcing bars to said second one of said plurality of reinforcing bars.

5. The reinforcing bar coupler assembly as recited in claim 3 wherein said insert is received in said clamp ring and said spring applying an axial force to said insert when said second component is mounted onto said first component.

6. The reinforcing bar coupler assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said second component comprises a threaded aperture adapted to receive a threaded end of said second one of said plurality of reinforcing bars.

7. The reinforcing bar coupler assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said insert comprising a first insert and a second insert, said first and second inserts cooperating to define said insert, each of said first and second insert portions comprising a generally curved inner wall or surface for engaging and applying a clamping force against said portion of said first one of said plurality of reinforcing bars, each of said first and second inserts also having a tapered wall portion that cooperate to define said insert tapered outer surface.

8. The reinforcing bar coupler assembly as recited in claim 7 wherein first and second inserts further comprise a shoulder adapted to receive and support a spring, thereby enabling said insert to be received in said clamp ring so that said spring may apply an axial driving force to said first and second inserts when said second component is mounted onto said first component.

9. The reinforcing bar coupler assembly as recited in claim 7 wherein said generally curved inner wall or surface comprises teeth or projections for engaging said first one of said plurality of reinforcing bars.

10. The reinforcing bar coupler assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said insert and said clamp ring are dimensioned and adapted to permit said insert to move within said clamp ring to accommodate and allow for variability in placing of said first one of said plurality of reinforcing bars into said reinforcing bar coupler assembly.

11. The reinforcing bar coupler assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein a first precast panel is precast with a plurality of protruding ends of reinforcing bars that are threadably mounted to a first reinforcing bar coupler assembly; a second precast panel also having a plurality of protruding ends of reinforcing bars extending therefrom; said second precast panel adapted to be aligned with said first reinforcing bar coupler assembly of said first precast panel so that when said second precast panel is mounted in said first precast panel, said plurality of protruding ends of reinforcing bars become received in said first reinforcing bar coupler assembly of said first precast panel to which it is aligned.

12. A method of making a coupler adapted to rigidly connect end portions of a first reinforcing bar and a second reinforcing bar, said first and second reinforcing bars being adapted to be used with concrete, said method comprising the steps of: providing a first component comprising an internal receiving area; situating a clamp ring into said internal receiving area, said clamp ring comprising a clamp ring receiving area defined by a clamp ring tapered inner surface; situating insert into said clamp ring receiving area, said insert comprising an insert receiving area defined by an insert interior wall that is adapted and sized to receive an end portion of the first reinforcing bar in said insert receiving area, said insert further comprising an insert tapered outer surface that engages and cooperates with said clamp ring tapered inner surface to cause said insert interior wall to wedge against and engage said clamp ring tapered inner surface against said insert tapered outer surface thereby causing said insert to clamp against and be secured to said first reinforcing bar; mounting a second component onto said an end portion of the second reinforcing bar; mounting said second component to said first component; and wherein when said insert is driven axially into said clamp ring, said insert tapered outer surface travels and wedges against said clamp ring tapered inner surface to cause said first component to edge against and clamp against said end portion of said first reinforcing bar.

13. The method as recited in claim 12 wherein said insert is a split ring assembly that cooperates to secure or clamp against said end portion of said first reinforcing bar in response to said insert being urged axially in said clamp ring.

14. The method as recited in claim 12 wherein said insert is split, said method comprising the step of: situating a spring into engagement with said insert for engaging and urging said insert axially in said first component until it engages and clamps against said end portion of said first one of said plurality of reinforcing bar members.

15. The method as recited in claim 12 wherein said insert is split, said method further comprising the step of: situating a spring between said second component and said insert so that when second component is mounted to said first component, said second component engages said spring and urges said insert tapered outer surface to travel along said clamp ring tapered inner surface to engage and force said insert to clamp onto said portion of said first reinforcing bar, thereby securing said first reinforcing bar to said second reinforcing bar.

16. The method as recited in claim 12 wherein said method further comprises the steps of: situating said insert, said clamp ring and a spring into said first component; mounting said second component onto said first component so that said spring drives said insert axially to couple said first component to said end portion of said first reinforcing bar.

17. The method as recited in claim 16 wherein said second reinforcing bar comprises a threaded end; said method further comprising the steps of: providing a female threaded aperture in said second component; threadably mounting said end portion of said second reinforcing bar into said female threaded aperture; mounting said second component to said first component, thereby coupling said first reinforcing bar to said second reinforcing bar.

18. The method as recited in claim 12 wherein said method further comprises the step of: providing insert comprising a first insert portion and a second insert portion, said first and second insert portions cooperating to define said insert, each of said first and second insert portions comprising a generally curved inner wall for engaging and applying a clamping force against said portion of said first one of said plurality of reinforcing bars when said insert is forced to move axially thereby causing said first and second insert portions to move toward each other and clamp against said first reinforcing bar; each of said first and second inserts also having a tapered wall portion that cooperates to define said insert tapered outer surface.

19. The method as recited in claim 18 wherein first and second inserts further comprise a shoulder adapted to receive and support a spring, thereby enabling said insert to be received in said clamp ring so that said spring may apply an axial driving force to said insert when said second component is mounted onto said first component to clamp said method to said first reinforcing bar.

20. The method as recited in claim 12 wherein said method further comprising the step of: providing insert comprising teeth on said insert interior wall for engaging said end portion of said first reinforcing bar so that when said first component and a spring apply an axial force to said insert when said second component is mounted onto said first component.

21. The method as recited in claim 12 wherein said insert and said clamp ring are dimensioned and adapted to permit at least one of said insert to move within said clamp ring or permits said claim ring to move within said first component to allow for horizontal (as viewed in the figures) variability in placement of said first reinforcing bar and to accommodate allow for variability in placing of said first reinforcing bar into said insert.

22. The method as recited in claim 12 wherein said method further comprises the steps of: providing a first precast channel having said second reinforcing bar therein and a second precast panel having said first reinforcing bar therein; situating said insert and clamp ring into a first component; situating a spring into said first component into engagement with said insert; mounting said second component onto said first component to provide a coupler assembly; mounting said end portion of said second reinforcing bar to said second component; inserting said end portion of said first reinforcing bar into said insert receiving area of said insert to mount said end portion of first reinforcing bar to said coupler assembly to thereby coupled said first precast channel to said second precast channel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

[0056] FIG. 1A is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a reinforcing bar coupler assembly;

[0057] FIG. 1B is also an exploded view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A;

[0058] FIG. 2 is another exploded view, similar to FIG. 1B, but in sections showing various details of the components of the reinforcing bar coupler assembly;

[0059] FIG. 3 is a sectional view illustrating various details of the reinforcing bar coupler assembly and the insert that cooperates with a clamp ring to clamp against an end of a reinforcing bar;

[0060] FIGS. 4A-4C are sectional views illustrating a second reinforcing bar threadably mounted to a second component of the reinforcing bar coupler assembly and then a first reinforcing bar secured to the second reinforcing bar and the reinforcing bar coupler assembly by a clamping force;

[0061] FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate a plurality of precast panels and a methodology for mounting the precast panels together and a second reinforcing bar coupled to a reinforcing bar coupler assembly and precast into a first precast panel such that the reinforcing bar coupler assembly is positioned in the first precast panel so that it can receive an end of the first reinforcing bar from a precast panel as illustrated; and

[0062] FIG. 6 is a methodology or process of the invention for manufacturing and installing the precast panels.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0063] Referring now to FIGS. 1A-6, a reinforcing bar coupler assembly 10 and method for coupling a first one of a plurality of reinforcing bars 12a and a second one of the plurality of reinforcing bars 12b together will now be described. The reinforcing bar coupler assembly 10 is shown in an assembled form in FIGS. 3 and 4A-4C, which will be described later herein. Each of the plurality of reinforcing bars 12a and 12b comprise a non-threaded end 12a1 and 12b1, and a threaded end 12a2, 12b2, respectively. As will be described later herein, this reinforcing bar coupler assembly 10 is precast with the first one and the second one of the plurality of reinforcing bars 12a and 12b that are mounted into a cement precast panel 50 and 52 of the type shown in FIGS. 5A-5B.

[0064] Referring now to FIGS. 1A-2, note that the reinforcing bar coupler assembly 10 comprises a generally cylindrical first component 14 that has a first end 14a and a second end 14b. The first end 14a has an interior circular wall 14c that defines an aperture 16 through which an end 12a1, which is not threaded, of the first one of the plurality of the reinforcing bars 12a may be inserted as described herein. Notice that the aperture 16 is larger than a diameter of the first one of the plurality of reinforcing bars 12a to allow for offset or varying of tolerances for reinforcing bars that are not exactly aligned as will be described later herein.

[0065] A threaded wall 14d in the second end 14b defines a threaded female aperture 18 that is in communication with an internal receiving area 20 that is sized and adapted to receive various components as described herein. The threaded wall 14d is in communication with an interior wall 14e and the receiving area 20 inside the first component 14 for housing the various components of the reinforcing bar coupler assembly 10. The threaded female aperture 18 is sized and adapted to threadably receive a second component 22 as described later.

[0066] As will be described later, the second component 22 defines an end cap that has a threaded male end 22a and an engaging and camming surface 22c which will be described later herein. Note that the second component 22 has an interior threaded wall or surface 22b that defines a female threaded aperture 24 that is sized and adapted to threadably receive a threaded male end 12b2 of the second one of the plurality of reinforcing bars 12b. During use, the second component 22 threadably receives and is threadably mounted to the second one of the plurality of reinforcing bars 12b to secure the second one of the plurality of reinforcing bars 12b thereto.

[0067] The reinforcing bar coupler assembly 10 further comprises at least one generally cylindrical clamp ring 26 that is adapted and sized to be received in the internal receiving area 20. The clamp ring 26 comprises a first internal tapered wall 26a and a second internal tapered wall 26b. The first internal tapered wall 26a is frustoconical in shape and defines a camming surface 26a1 whose function will be described later herein. The second internal tapered wall 26b is also frustoconical in shape and defines a camming surface 26b1 whose function will be described later herein. The clamp ring 26 comprises an insert receiving area 28 for receiving insert 30 in the insert receiving area 28. In the illustration being described, the insert 30 comprises a generally curved first insert member 32 and a second insert member 34 that cooperates to clamp a non-threaded end 12a1 of the first one of the plurality of reinforcing bars 12a. It should be appreciated that a first end 12a1 of the second one of the plurality of reinforcing bars 12a is not threaded yet is retained in the reinforcing bar coupler assembly 10 by the clamping action described herein. In contrast, notice that the second end 12a2 of the first one of the plurality of reinforcing bars 12a is threaded as described later is mounted to another second component 22 as shown in FIGS. 5A-5B.

[0068] Note that the first and second insert members 32 and 34 of the insert 30 each comprise a tapered wall 32a and 34a that engage the tapered wall 26b. When the insert 30 is urged downward (as viewed in FIG. 2) by a spring 36, which is forced downward by the second component 22, this forces the insert 30 into the clamp ring 26. As it is inserted into the clamp ring 26, the walls 32a and 34a engage the surfaces 26a1 and 26b1 so that the first and second insert members 32 and 34 are urged toward each other in order to clamp the end 12a2 of the first one of the plurality of reinforcing bars 12a. Notice that the insert 30 is defined by the first and second insert members 32 and 34 having an interior tapered engaging wall 32b and 34b. The walls 32b and 34b have raised projections or serrations 32b1 and 34b1 as mentioned earlier that engage the unthreaded end 12a2 of the first one of the plurality of reinforcing bars 12a. To facilitate such clamping, the inner surfaces or walls 32b and 34b may be serrated or comprise raised surfaces, teeth, barbs or projections 32b1 and 34b1 to facilitate such clamping as shown in FIG. 3.

[0069] During use, the second one of the plurality of reinforcing bars 12b is threadably mounted to the second component 22 by threading the threaded end 12b1 of the second one of the plurality of reinforcing bars 12b into the threaded aperture 24 defined by the threaded wall or surface 22b.

[0070] Although not shown, other means for securing the second end 12b2 or second end 12a2 may be used to secure them to the second component 22, such as swaging, a weld or other means for securing the second component 22 to the second end 12b2 of the second one of the plurality of reinforcing bars 12b as described herein. Notice that when the reinforcing bar coupler assembly 10 is assembled as shown in FIGS. 3-4C, for example, the tapered walls 32a and 34a of the insert 30 engage the circular frustoconical wall or surfaces 26a1 and 26b1 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. After the second component 22 is threadably mounted to the first component 14, as illustrated in FIG. 3, it urges the spring 36 to apply the compressive clamping force and urging force downward (as viewed in the figure) which in turn causes the insert 30 to not only move downward (as viewed in the figure), but also move laterally toward each other as indicated by the arrows A in FIG. 3. This lateral movement of the insert members 32 and 34 to cause their walls 32b and 34b and serrations 32b1 and 34b1 to be urged together and into direct engagement with the end 12a1 of the first one of the plurality of reinforcing bars 12a, thereby securing the first one of the plurality of reinforcing bars 12a to the second one of the plurality of reinforcing bars 12b and to cause their associated precast panels 50 and 52 (FIGS. 5A-5B) to be secured and coupled together as described later.

[0071] Notice in FIG. 3 that after the reinforcing bar coupler assembly 10 is assembled, the tapered wall 26a of the clamp ring 26 becomes aligned with the generally circular wall 14c as illustrated. Conveniently, as the first end 12a1 of the first one of the plurality of reinforcing bars 12a is inserted into the aperture 16 of the first component 14, and the end 12a1 is guided into the insert 30 by the tapered wall 26a. As will be described later herein, this facilitates mounting the second end 12a2 of the first one of the plurality of reinforcing bars 12a to the reinforcing bar coupler assembly 10 and to the second one of the plurality of reinforcing bars 12b which is threadably mounted to the second component 22.

[0072] It should be noted that the insert 30 comprises an insert axis IA (FIG. 2) that becomes generally aligned with or generally co-axial to a clamp ring passageway axis CRA after first one of the plurality of reinforcing bars 12a is received in the receiving area 20. It should also be appreciated that the clamp ring 26 and the insert 30 can float or move horizontally (as viewed in FIG. 3) to accommodate variation in tolerances in the positioning and coupling of the plurality of reinforcing bars 12a and 12b.

[0073] Thus, it should be understood that the insert 30 comprises the insert tapered outer surface or walls 32a and 34a that engage and cooperate with the clamp ring tapered inner walls or surfaces 26a and 26b to cause the interior walls 32b and 34b to travel along the insert tapered outer surface so that walls 32a and 34a to travel along the clamp ring tapered inner walls or surfaces 26a and 26b, thereby causing the insert 30 to engage and clamp against the end 12a1 of the first one of the plurality of reinforcing bars 12a. As shown, the second component 22 is threadably mounted on the second end 12b2 of the second one of the plurality of reinforcing bars 12b so that after the second component 22 is mounted on the second one of the plurality of reinforcing bars 12b, the second component 22 becomes rigidly secured and coupled thereto. It also becomes rigidly secured and coupled to the first one of the plurality of reinforcing bars 12a which is received and mounted to the second component 22 using the clamp ring 26 and insert 30 in cooperation with the spring 36 and second component 22.

[0074] Notice that a wall or camming surface 22c of the second component 22 is arcuately shaped for engaging with the spring 36, which can move along the surface 22c to accommodate different positions or movement and offset the clamp ring 26 and the insert 30. Again, it should be understood that the clamp ring 26, the insert 30 and the spring 36 are loosely received in the internal receiving area 20 and are permitted to move or float in the internal receiving area 20. Until all the components are assembled and mounted together in the final environment, which will be described later herein, they are sized and adapted to move and float in the internal receiving area 20 of the first component 14. This has been found to be extremely beneficial in order to facilitate mounting the first one of the plurality of reinforcing bars 12a to the second one of the plurality of reinforcing bars 12b especially when the second one of the plurality of reinforcing bars 12b in the precast panels 50, 52 are not perfectly aligned with the reinforcing bar coupler assembly 10 and the reinforcing bar receiving area 31 located between the insert members 32 and 34.

[0075] As will be described later herein, the primary intended uses of the reinforcing bar coupler assembly 10 are in precast panels, such as precast concrete panels 50 and 52 of the type shown in FIGS. 5A-5B. Advantageously, the insert 30 and the members 32 and 34 can move radially or horizontally (as viewed in FIG. 2) to allow for variability in placing of the end 12a1 of the first one of the plurality of reinforcing bars 12a to the first component 14. It should also be understood that second end 12a2 of the first one of the plurality of reinforcing bars 12 and the second end 12b2 of the second one of the plurality of reinforcing bars 12b, respectively, are threaded and adapted to be threadably mounted in the threaded aperture 24 of the second component 22 to which it is mounted. One key feature of this design is that the threaded coupling allows for adjustment of the position of the second component 22 and the entire reinforcing bar coupler assembly 10 in a vertical plane (as viewed in FIGS. 5A-5B) to provide for variability in overall vertical placement and dimension of the precast panels 50 and 52 during the casting of precast panels 50 and 52.

[0076] FIGS. 4A-4C, 5A-5B and 6 illustrate a method for mounting the second one of the plurality of reinforcing bars 12b to the first one of the plurality of reinforcing bars 12a. Notice in FIG. 4A that the components 14, 22, 26, 30 and 36 are loosely received in the receiving area 20 and the second end 12b2 of the second one of the plurality of reinforcing bars 12b has not been threadably mounted to the second component 22 yet, and the first end 12a1 has not been inserted into the first component 14 yet. FIG. 4A illustrates the first end 12a1 of the first one of the plurality of reinforcing bars 12a before it is received or inserted into the first component 14. FIG. 4B illustrates the first end 12a1 of the first one of the plurality of reinforcing bars 12a being partially inserted into the first component 14 and the reinforcing bar coupler assembly 10. Lastly, FIG. 4C illustrates the assembled reinforcing bar coupler assembly 10 after the end 12b1 has been threadably mounted and clamped to the reinforcing bar coupler assembly 10 in the second component 22. Notice that the first end 12a1 of the first one of the plurality of reinforcing bars 12a has been fully inserted into the insert reinforcing bar receiving area 31 (FIG. 4C), thereby causing the first one of the plurality of reinforcing bars 12a to be fully secured and mounted to the first component 14 as shown. Notice in FIGS. 4A-4C that as the end 12a1 is inserted, it works against the force of the spring 36 which enables the end 12a1 to be fully inserted upward (as viewed in the figure). As the first end 12a1 of the first one of the plurality of reinforcing bars 12a is mounted, inserted or guided between the members 32 and 34 as illustrated in FIG. 4C. The tapered walls 26a1 and 26b1 facilitate guiding the first end 12a1 of the first one of the plurality of reinforcing bars 12a into the insert 30 and between the members 32 and 34. The spring 36 provides resistance to this movement but as the precast panels 50 and 52 are stacked, the end 12a1 is urged upward (as viewed in FIGS. 4A) and between the members 32 and 34. The force by the spring 36 provides a clamping force to cause the members 32 and 34 to clamp to the end 12a1 with enough force so that it cannot withdraw and couples the reinforcing bars 12a and 12b together as well as their associated precast panels 50 and 52 (FIG. 5A).

[0077] Advantageously, and because the various components can float inside the internal receiving area 20, these components 26 and 30 may move both radially and horizontally and vertically to allow for variability in placing of the first end 12a1 of the first one of the plurality of reinforcing bars 12a into the insert 30 and the reinforcing bar coupler assembly 10.

[0078] Notice that the aperture 16 defined by the wall 14c is dimensioned to be larger than a diameter of the first end 12a1 as mentioned earlier. The clamp ring 26 can move in a radial or horizontal (as viewed in FIG. 2) direction, and it becomes aligned with the first end 12a1. It should be noted that it does not have to be perfectly co-axially aligned with either the axis IA of the reinforcing bar receiving area 31 between the members 32 and 34 or the insert 30. In general, the clamp ring 26 will always be aligned with the insert 30 in one embodiment. The clamp ring 26 does not have to be aligned with the second one of the plurality of reinforcing bars 12b or the second component 22. Again, the spring 36 cooperates with the arcuate surface 22b and is permitted to move or float along that surface 22b so that it will maintain engagement with the insert 30 and provide the urging force necessary to cause the members 32 and 34 to clamp against the first end 12a1 of the first one of the plurality of reinforcing bars 12a. Thus, the clamp ring 26, the insert 30 and the spring 36 provide for flexibility and accommodating the plurality of reinforcing bars 12 that are not perfectly aligned. Note that the curved surface 22b also permits the spring 36 and components 26 and 30 to float horizontally within the first component. This enables the reinforcing bar coupler assembly 10 to be adaptable and usable with the first one of the plurality of reinforcing bars 12a and the second one of the plurality of reinforcing bars 12b in the precast panels 50, 52 that are not perfectly aligned.

[0079] Once the second one of the plurality of reinforcing bars 12b becomes permanently coupled to the first one of the plurality of reinforcing bars 12a in the reinforcing bar coupler assembly 10, they and their associated precast panels 50 and 52 become coupled together.

[0080] During use, the second one of the plurality of reinforcing bars 12b is threadably mounted to the second component 22 as described herein and both the second one of the plurality of reinforcing bars 12b and the first and second components 14 and 22 are precast in a precast panel, such as precast panels 50, 52 in FIGS. 5A-5B. Thereafter, the first end 12a1 of the first one of the plurality of reinforcing bars 12a is inserted through the aperture 16 and guided into the internal receiving area 20 whereupon the beveled surfaces or walls 26a1 and 26b1 of the clamp ring 26 guides the first end 12a1 of the first one of the plurality of reinforcing bars 12a into the insert 30 securing the end 12a1 in the first component 14.

[0081] Referring now to FIGS. 5A and 5B, an embodiment is shown illustrating a precast panel system 100 for building a wall or structure 102 (FIGS. 5A-5B). For illustration purposes, the top precast panel 50 and the bottom precast panel 52 are shown. It should be understood that a plurality of precast panels 50 and 52 may be used to construct a precast wall or structure 102. The assembled top and bottom precast panels 50 and 52 form the wall or structure 102 (FIG. 5B). The precast panels 50 and 52 are assembled and mounted together using the reinforcing bar coupler assembly 10 described herein. It should be understood that a plurality of precast panels 50 and 52 may be mounted together to define the planar or non-planar wall or structure 102.

[0082] For ease of illustration, the reinforcing bar coupler assembly 10 with the second one of the plurality of reinforcing bars 12b threadably mounted thereto are shown housed or precast into the precast panels 50 and 52. Conveniently, note that the first component 14 and second component 22 are assembled together and define a housing for the various internal components, namely the clamp ring 26, insert 30 and spring 36. In general, each precast panel 50 and 52 is precast with a plurality of the reinforcing bar coupler assemblies 10, which are typically spaced and aligned vertically so that one precast panel 50 or 52 can be dropped onto the next precast panel 52, 50, respectively. For ease of illustration and description, each of the precast panels 50 and 52 have four reinforcing bar coupler assemblies 10, which are labeled 10i, 10ii, 10iii and 10iv, with the second one of the plurality of reinforcing bars 12b already mounted thereto and cast into the precast panels 50 and 52. With each of the reinforcing bar coupler assemblies 10i, 10ii, 10iii and 10iv have the male threaded first end 12b1 of the second one of the plurality of reinforcing bars 12b mounted to the second component 22 as shown. The second component 22 is threadably mounted on the first component 14 with its internal components as shown. For ease of illustration and description, the second reinforcing bar coupler assembly 10ii shown in FIG. 5A is shown in section so that its components and assembly may be easily understood.

[0083] It is important to understand that the precast panels 50 and 52 are precast with the reinforcing bar coupler assembly 10 and the second one of the plurality of reinforcing bars 12b being mounted thereto and precast directly into the precast panels 50, 52 such that the end 12a1 of the first one of the plurality of reinforcing bars 12a protrudes therefrom and becomes generally aligned or flush with a bottom surface 50a of the top precast panel 50. Notice that the precast panel 52 has the reinforcing bar coupler assemblies 10v, 10vi and 10vii and 10viii and first one of the plurality of reinforcing bars 12a integral in the precast panel 52 and secured thereto. Again, each reinforcing bar coupler assembly, such as reinforcing bar coupler assembly 10v, is precast with the first one of the plurality of reinforcing bars 12a secured thereto as described earlier herein. Like the reinforcing bar coupler assembly 10ii, notice that each coupler assembly 10i-10viii, such as the reinforcing bar coupler assembly 10v in the precast panel 52, has the end 14a of the first component 14 generally aligned with and co-planar with a bottom edge or surface 52a of the precast panel 52. Likewise, the end 14a of the first component 14 is generally aligned or flush with the edge 50a.

[0084] In general, the precast panels 50 and 52 are cast with the threaded reinforcing or second one of the plurality of reinforcing bars 12b and the reinforcing bar coupler assembly 10 placed in the precast panel 50 at the precast yard where the precast panels 50 and 52 are made. The precast panels 50 and 52 are then transported or shipped to a job site (not shown) with a bottom precast panel, such as precast panel 52 in FIGS. 5A and 5B, and then the top precast panel 50 is aligned with and then lowered onto or over the bottom precast panel 52 as illustrated in FIG. 5B. The end 12a1 of the first one of the plurality of reinforcing bars 12a becomes generally aligned with an associated aperture, such as aperture 16. As illustrated earlier herein, the frustoconical or tapered wall 26a1 facilitates guiding the end 12a1 toward and into the insert reinforcing bar receiving area 31. Thus, notice during assembly, the precast panels 50 and 52 are aligned such that the protruding ends 12a1 of the precast panel 52 are aligned with the corresponding apertures 16 of the mating reinforcing bar coupler assemblies 10i-10iv of the precast panel 50 as shown.

[0085] As described earlier herein, the clamp ring 26, insert 30 and the at least one spring 36 can float inside the receiving area 20 to accommodate misaligned ends 12a1 that are not exactly co-axial with either the axis of the second one of the plurality of reinforcing bars 12b or the insert axis IA. In any event, this floating design permits these components to move inside the receiving area 20 yet still permit the spring 36 and the insert 30 to engage and clamp against the end 12a1 of the first one of the plurality of reinforcing bars 12a. Notice that after the top precast panel 50 is mounted onto the bottom precast panel 52, the first one of the plurality of reinforcing bars 12a and the second one of the plurality of reinforcing bars 12b become secured together, thereby securing the precast panels 50, 52 together. Other precast panels may then be mounted on top of precast panel 50 as the wall construction continues.

[0086] It should be appreciated that the precast panels 50 and 52 are typically planar, but could have other shapes and dimensions, such as generally cylindrical, square, polygonal, rectangular as shown or the like. Thus, the precast panels 50 and 52 could comprise other configurations if desired. Thus, although the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B show two precast panels 50 and 52 assembled, it should be appreciated that a plurality of precast panels could be assembled and stacked to define the wall or structure 102 (FIG. 5B).

[0087] Referring now to FIG. 6, a process or routine for coupling a plurality of precast panels 50, 52 utilizing the reinforcing bar coupler assembly 10 will now be described. The process or routine begins at block 60 when a first end 12b1 of the second one of a plurality of reinforcing bars 12b is threadably mounted to the second component 22 of the reinforcing bar coupler assembly 10 to provide a reinforcing bar with the reinforcing bar coupler assembly 10 as illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5B. The routine continues to block 62 wherein the top precast panel 50 is manufactured or cast with the second one of a plurality of reinforcing bars 12b and reinforcing bar coupler assembly 10 cast therein. The precast panel 52 is similarly constructed such that the first ends 12a1 of the first one of a plurality of reinforcing bars 12a protrude from each of the top and bottom precast panels 50, 52.

[0088] Once the precast panels 50, 52 are precast, they are shipped to a job site where the structure 102 can be constructed (block 64). In this regard, the bottom precast panel 52 is situated at a desired location at the job site (block 66). The routine continues to block 68 where the precast panel 50 is placed into alignment with the precast panel 52 such that the end 12a1 of the first one of a plurality of reinforcing bars 12a that protrude from the precast panel 52 become generally or substantially aligned with the insert 30 and aperture 16 of the reinforcing bar coupler assembly 10 to which it is aligned in the precast panel 50.

[0089] At block 70, the precast panels 50 and 52 are mounted together such that the end 12a1 of the first one of a plurality of reinforcing bars 12a is received in the aperture 16 and the insert 30, thereby splicing and coupling the first one of a plurality of reinforcing bars 12a and the second one of a plurality of reinforcing bars 12b and the precast panels 50, 52 together.

[0090] The routine proceeds for each precast panel 50, 52 that must be mounted to define the structure 102.

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS

[0091] 1. It should be understood that the insert 30 may be comprised of multiple insert members 32 and 34 (for example, three or more, not shown). The important thing is that the insert 30 engages and clamps against the end 12a1 once the first one of the plurality of reinforcing bars 12a is inserted in the reinforcing bar coupler assembly 10. Alternatively, the insert 30 could be a one-piece construction that is adapted and sized to receive the first end 12a1 of the first one of the plurality of reinforcing bars 12a in the receiving area 31. In such an embodiment, the insert 30 is deformable as the insert 30 is urged into the receiving area 28 and its wall is forced downward, the insert 30 deforms and clamps against the end 12a1.

[0092] This invention, including all embodiments shown and described herein, could be used alone or together and/or in combination with one or more of the features covered by one or more of the claims set forth herein, including but not limited to one or more of the features or steps mentioned in the Summary of the Invention and the claims.

[0093] While the system, apparatus and method herein described constitute preferred embodiments of this invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this precise system, apparatus and method, and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.