Device for connecting bars end-to-end

Abstract

A device for connecting bars end-to-end includes a hollow body having an internal cavity with at least one bar insertion opening and a longitudinal axis extending through the at least one insertion opening, and a plurality of radially adjustable clamping elements. The device further includes at least one locking element movably arranged inside the hollow body. The internal cavity of the hollow body has at least one slope inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the hollow body. The at least one locking element has an inclined face that matches the profile of the at least one slope and a gripping face with at least one protrusion.

1 . A device for connecting bars end-to-end, said device comprising:
 a hollow body having an internal cavity with at least one bar insertion opening and a longitudinal axis extending through said at least one insertion opening, said internal cavity having at least one slope inclined relative to a longitudinal axis of said hollow body;   a plurality of radially-adjustable clamping elements mounted on said hollow body; and   at least one locking element movably arranged inside said hollow body, said at least one locking element having an inclined face matching said at least one slope of said internal cavity and a gripping face having at least one protrusion.   
   
   
       2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said internal cavity of said hollow body has at least two slopes inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of said hollow body, said at least two slopes being inclined in opposite directions. 
   
   
       3 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said gripping face is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of said hollow body. 
   
   
       4 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said internal cavity of said hollow body has a cross-section area increasing from a minimum at one end of said internal cavity to a maximum at a middle of said internal cavity and decreasing from said maximum at said middle of said internal cavity to a minimum at an opposite end of said internal cavity. 
   
   
       5 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said internal cavity of said hollow body has a cross-section area decreasing from a maximum at one end of said internal cavity to a minimum at a middle of said internal cavity and increasing from said minimum at said middle of said internal cavity to a maximum at an opposite end of said internal cavity. 
   
   
       6 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said radially-adjustable clamping elements have a designated preferential location of failure. 
   
   
       7 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 stop means provided in said internal cavity of said hollow body.   
   
   
       8 . The device according to  claim 2 , wherein said at least one locking element has a radial thicknesses to accommodate bars of different sizes. 
   
   
       9 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 pushing means for pushing said at least one locking element from outside of said hollow body.   
   
   
       10 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one locking element having an end chamfered in order to reduce maximum height thereof. 
   
   
       11 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said hollow body has at least one external face being comprised of ribs or grooves. 
   
   
       12 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a corrosion-protection substance poured or injected inside said hollow body.   
   
   
       13 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a binding substance poured or injected inside said hollow body.   
   
   
       14 . A method of connecting bars end-to-end, said method comprising:
 inserting bars into a device comprised of a hollow body having an internal cavity with at least one bar insertion opening and a longitudinal axis extending through said at least one insertion opening, said internal cavity having at least one slope inclined relative to a longitudinal axis of said hollow body; a plurality of radially-adjustable clamping elements mounted on said hollow body; at least one locking element movably arranged inside said hollow body, said at least one locking element having an inclined face matching said at least one slope of said internal cavity and a gripping face having at least one protrusion; and stop means provided in said internal cavity of said hollow body, said bars being inserted until contacting said stop means; and   tightening said radially-adjustable clamping elements until ends of said bars are forced against said gripping face, said radially-adjustable clamping elements being locked into a surface material of said bars, said at least one locking element being further forced against said bars when said bars are subjected to a tensile load.