Toolless quick connect rebar coupler

Abstract

A rebar coupler having a casing with two opposite ends disposed along a central longitudinal axis. Each opposite end includes a frustum-shaped internal wall tapering along the axis from an inward to an outward position, as well as an assembly of a plurality of locking jaws, arrayed around the axis and engaging the internal wall, at least a portion of a spring, aligned with the axis and engaging the locking jaws, and a spacer, initially positioned within and engaging the locking jaws to separate the locking jaws and bias the assembly towards the inward position. The spacer is ejectable from the locking jaws through a center of the spring by insertion of a rebar end through the outward position and past the initial position of the spacer, whereupon the spring biases the locking jaws toward the outward position and into full engagement with the rebar end.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A rebar coupler comprising:
 a casing including opposite ends disposed along a central longitudinal axis,   each opposite end including:
 a frustum-shaped internal wall tapering along the central longitudinal axis from an inward position to an outward position; and 
 an assembly of:
 a plurality of locking jaws arrayed around the central longitudinal axis and engaging the frustum-shaped internal wall; 
 at least a portion of a spring aligned with the central longitudinal axis and engaging the plurality of locking jaws; and 
 a spacer initially positioned within and engaging the plurality of locking jaws to separate the plurality of locking jaws and hold the assembly towards the inward position; 
 
   
       wherein the spacer is ejectable from the plurality of locking jaws through a center of the spring by inserting a rebar end through the outward position and past the initial position of the spacer, whereupon the spring biases the plurality of locking jaws toward the outward position and into full engagement with the rebar end. 
     
     
         2 . The rebar coupler of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of locking jaws collectively present a first, inwardly-open-ended spring seat for receiving the spring. 
     
     
         3 . The rebar coupler of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of locking jaws collectively present a circumferential groove around an inward end of the respective plurality of locking jaws, and further comprising an elastic member received in the circumferential groove that, in combination with the engagement of the spacer, biases the plurality of locking jaws against the internal wall of the respective opposite end. 
     
     
         4 . The rebar coupler of  claim 1 , wherein each member of the respective plurality of locking jaws includes a spacer seat, and each respective spacer includes an outwardly-exposed face engaging the respective spacer seats. 
     
     
         5 . The rebar coupler of  claim 1 , wherein each member of the respective plurality of locking jaws includes a ramped portion projecting toward the central longitudinal axis, and each respective spacer includes a neck narrowing toward the central longitudinal axis and an inward end of the spacer for engaging the respective ramped portions. 
     
     
         6 . The rebar coupler of  claim 1 , further comprising a central section joining the opposite ends together, the central section including a backstop wall or annular radial projection at least partially separating cavities on either side of the backstop wall or annular radial projection along the central longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         7 . The rebar coupler of  claim 6 , wherein the cavities each provide a second spring seat, and each assembly includes a separate spring. 
     
     
         8 . The rebar coupler of  claim 7 , wherein the backstop wall or annular radial projection is a closed wall, and each cavity is configured to capture an inward end of the respective spacer to block further inward movement of that spacer. 
     
     
         9 . The rebar coupler of  claim 7 , wherein the backstop wall or annular radial projection is an annular radial projection, each respective spacer includes a neck narrowing toward the central longitudinal axis and an inward end of that spacer, and the annular radial projection is configured to capture the neck of the respective spacer to block further inward movement of that spacer. 
     
     
         10 . The rebar coupler of  claim 6 , wherein the opposite ends comprise opposing end sections of the coupler, the central section and the opposing end sections of the coupler are threaded, and the central and opposing end sections of the coupler are joined together via the threading. 
     
     
         11 . The rebar coupler of  claim 6 , wherein the opposite ends comprise opposing end sections of the coupler, and the central section and the opposing end sections of the coupler are joined together via welding or an adhesive at their mutual joints. 
     
     
         12 . The rebar coupler of  claim 1 , wherein the opposite ends comprise opposing end sections of the coupler, the opposing end sections abut each other, and the spring is a single spring spanning between the respective pluralities of locking jaws within the opposing end sections. 
     
     
         13 . The rebar coupler of  claim 12 , wherein the opposing end sections of the coupler are threaded, and the opposing end sections are joined together via the threading. 
     
     
         14 . The rebar coupler of  claim 12 , wherein the opposing end sections of the coupler are joined together via welding or an adhesive at their mutual joint.