US 12,442,188 B2
Devices, systems, and methods for connecting concrete structural elements
Matthew Alesch, Conley, GA (US); John Michael Romano, Conley, GA (US); Bryant Zavitz, Conley, GA (US); and Kevin Kirkley, Conley, GA (US)
Assigned to TINDALL CORPORATION, Spartanburg, SC (US)
Appl. No. 18/561,606
Filed by TINDALL CORPORATION, Spartanburg, SC (US)
PCT Filed May 23, 2022, PCT No. PCT/US2022/030580
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Nov. 16, 2023,
PCT Pub. No. WO2022/251133, PCT Pub. Date Dec. 1, 2022.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/193,967, filed on May 27, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2024/0254770 A1, Aug. 1, 2024
Int. Cl. E04C 5/10 (2006.01); F16L 25/00 (2006.01)
CPC E04C 5/10 (2013.01) [F16L 25/0027 (2013.01)] 28 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A duct coupler comprising:
a tubular coupler body having a central axis, a first end, a second end axially spaced apart from the first end, and a wall extending between the first end and the second end, wherein the first end faces a first axial direction, and the second end faces a second axial direction;
a first arm and a second arm, each arm having a fixed end and a free end, wherein the fixed end is coupled to the second end and extends axially therefrom, and the free end is axially spaced apart from the fixed end, wherein each of the free ends are resiliently urgeable in a radial direction; and
a first tooth and a second tooth, the first tooth being coupled to and extending radially from the first arm and the second tooth being coupled to and extending radially from the second arm,
wherein the first tooth is shaped such that, in a first configuration where the first tooth is engaged with a corrugation of a corrugated duct, the first tooth allows the duct coupler to move in the first axial direction with less axial force than moving the duct coupler in the second axial direction,
wherein the second tooth is shaped such that, in a second configuration where the second tooth is engaged with the corrugation of the corrugated duct, the second tooth allows the duct coupler to move in the first axial direction with less axial force than moving the duct coupler in the second axial direction, and
wherein the first tooth and the second tooth do not simultaneously engage the corrugation of the corrugated duct.