Erico International Corporation

John E Groth

Raymond Scott Laughlin

Martin F Delmore

Geoffrey M Bowmer

A position coupler for connecting reinforcing bar in concrete construction where neither bar is able to rotate either conveniently or not at all includes a sleeve at least a portion of which is internally cylindrically threaded and which receives at least one split collar insert. The insert has external cylindrical threads which match the internal cylindrical threads of the sleeve and also has internal tapered threads which match the tapered external threads on the bars to be joined. The inserts, in addition to being longitudinally split are provided with either a transverse slot or a hex head on their outer ends to receive a wrench. When a transverse slot is provided a spanner wrench may be inserted between the bar and sleeve. The tightening of the insert creates a wedge action which hoop stresses the sleeve locking the parts together and reduces slippage. The insert may be locked anywhere along the interior of the cylindrical thread portion of the sleeve to connect bars at different axial spacings. In a preferred form the sleeve is machined from stock with the cylindrical threads receiving the insert being formed on one end while the opposite end is provided with a taper thread socket having taper threads which match the external tapered threads of the bars to be joined. In another embodiment the sleeve is formed of tube with the internal cylindrical threads extending the length of the sleeve and an insert for each bar is employed.

Reinforcing bar coupler

An electrical fixture for mounting a cover plate over a wall opening which eliminates the necessity of installing an outlet box within such wall opening to facilitate the mounting of the cover plate. In a preferred embodiment the fixture comprises a rectangular plate having a front and rear surface, and a major opening and a pair of screw openings extending therethrough. Extending from the longer side edges of the major opening essentially perpendicular to the front and rear surfaces are a pair of flanges which serve to provide lateral support for the fixture within the wall opening. Extending from the center of the narrower top and bottom edges of the major opening are a pair of diametrically opposed deformable fingers which, upon insertion of the fixture within a wall opening, may be bent firmly to secure the fixture within the opening. Each of the deformable fingers includes a slot of sufficient size that upon attachment of the cover plate to the fixture with fasteners the deformable fingers do not interfere with the driving or placement of such fasteners.

Growing community of inventors

Cleveland Heights, OH, United States of America

John E Groth