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.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A coupler system for masonry reinforcement bars for strengthening buildings, said system comprising:
 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, 
 
   
       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;
 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; 
 
 
       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. 
     
     
         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:
 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, 
 
   
       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;
 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; 
 
 
       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. 
     
     
         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:
 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, 
 
   
       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. 
     
     
         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.