Composite rebar for use with quick connect coupling

Abstract

A composite rebar includes a cylindrical body having a cylindrical opening formed therethrough from a first end to an opposing second of the cylindrical body. The composite rebar is formed from a fiber reinforced polymer. The opening is cylindrical in shape and is arranged concentric with an outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical body.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A rebar comprising:
 a cylindrical body having a longitudinally extending opening formed therein, the opening configured to receive a portion of a coupling therein.   
     
     
         2 . The rebar of  claim 1 , wherein the cylindrical body is formed from a composite. 
     
     
         3 . The rebar of  claim 2 , wherein the composite is a fiber reinforced polymer. 
     
     
         4 . The rebar of  claim 1 , wherein the opening is cylindrical in shape and is arranged concentric with an outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical body. 
     
     
         5 . The rebar of  claim 1 , wherein the opening includes a surface feature for engaging the portion of the coupling. 
     
     
         6 . The rebar of  claim 5 , wherein the surface feature has a pattern repeating along a length of the rebar. 
     
     
         7 . A rebar assembly comprising:
 at least two rebars, each of the rebars including a cylindrical body having a longitudinally extending opening formed therein; and   a coupling including at least two coupling shafts, each of the coupling shafts received into the opening of one of the rebars.   
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 7 , wherein an inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical body defining the opening includes a surface feature interacting with the corresponding coupling shaft. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 7 , wherein each of the coupling shafts includes a plurality of tapered segments. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 9 , wherein each of the tapered segments tapers radially inwardly when progressing in a direction towards a distal end of a respective one of the coupling shafts. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 10 , wherein each of the tapered segments has a constant decreasing slope. 
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 10 , wherein each of the tapered segments has a variably decreasing slope. 
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the coupling is configured to couple a pair of axially aligned rebars. 
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the coupling includes a main cylindrical body, wherein each of the coupling shafts extend axially from a respective end of the main body, and wherein the main body has an outer diameter substantially equal to a diameter of each of the rebars. 
     
     
         15 . The assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the coupling is configured to couple a pair of perpendicularly arranged rebars. 
     
     
         16 . The assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the coupling includes an elbow portion, the elbow divided into a pair of cylindrically shaped portions, wherein each the coupling shafts extend axially from a respective one of the cylindrically shaped portions such that the coupling shafts extend perpendicularly with respect to each other. 
     
     
         17 . The assembly of  claim 7 , wherein each of the coupling shafts includes a spacer. 
     
     
         18 . A method of assembling a rebar assembly comprising the steps of:
 providing a first rebar, the first rebar having a hole formed therethrough; and   attaching the first rebar to a coupling, the coupling having a first coupling shaft configured to be received in the hole of the rebar.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further including the step of attaching a second rebar to the coupling, wherein the coupling has a second coupling shaft configured to be received in the hole of the rebar. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further including the step of arranging the first rebar perpendicular with respect to the second rebar.