DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CONNECTING CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS

Abstract

 A device (1) for connecting a first construction element (2) and a second construction element (4), comprising:
a first connecting element (3) which is connected to the first construction element (2) and which comprises a connecting piece (10),
a second connecting element (5) which is connected to the second construction element (4) and comprises a recess (7)
characterized in that a transverse dimension of the recess (7) decreases along at least a portion of the length thereof in a insertion direction (A), in that the device furthermore comprises a coupling element (6) with a cavity (8) which is configured to accommodate at least a portion of the connecting piece (10), and in that the coupling element (6) is configured to be inserted into the recess (7) in the insertion direction (A) up to a secure limit position in which it adjoins the walls of the recess (7).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to connecting construction elements.

[0002] Constructions are composed of prefabricated construction elements, also referred to as prefab elements. Such construction elements may be, for example, supporting columns, floor slabs or walls. These construction elements are usually not produced in situ on a building site, but are manufactured elsewhere and delivered to the building site.

[0003] At the building site, the construction elements are then placed in their desired position and a construction element is connected to one or more other construction elements.

[0004] Connecting such construction elements to each other comprises the accurate positioning of the construction elements to be connected. Subsequently, a shuttering is provided at the location where a connection is to be made between the construction elements. Subsequently, a fastener, usually concrete, is poured into this shuttering in order to form a connection between the construction elements.

[0005] It is a known drawback of the above that connecting construction elements is a time-consuming process. In particular, a significant amount of time is required to allow the fastener to cure to a sufficient degree. Consequently, the step of connecting the construction elements takes up a significant part of the total time required to build a construction consisting of construction elements. In addition, fitting the shuttering is usually carried out manually, which is likewise time-consuming.

[0006] It is a known solution for the above to provide connecting elements in the construction elements. These connecting elements are fitted in the construction elements beforehand and make it possible for the construction elements to be connected to each other without a shuttering having to be provided.

[0007] However, it is a drawback of this known solution that the construction elements have to be accurately positioned with respect to each other in such a way that the connecting elements can be connected to each other. This accurate positioning of construction elements, which are usually heavy, may be time-consuming and laborious.

[0008] It is therefore an object of the present invention to offer a solution to the abovementioned problems. In particular, it is an object to provide a device for connecting construction elements in which the connection can be brought about in a simple and time-efficient manner.

[0009] This object is achieved by the present invention.

[0010] According to the present invention, a device for connecting a first construction element and a second construction element is provided, comprising a first connecting element which is connected to the first construction element and which comprises a connecting piece, and a second connecting element which is connected to the second construction element and which comprises a recess, wherein a transverse dimension of the recess decreases along at least a portion of the length thereof in an insertion direction, wherein the device furthermore comprises a coupling element with a cavity which is configured to accommodate at least a portion of the connecting piece, and wherein the coupling element is configured to be inserted into the recess in the insertion direction up to a secure limit position in which it adjoins the walls of the recess.

[0011] Preferably, a transverse dimension of the coupling element decreases along at least a portion of the length thereof in the insertion direction. Preferably, the coupling element is funnel-shaped. Alternatively, the coupling element is conical. Preferably, the recess is funnel-shaped. Alternatively, the recess is conical. Preferably, the recess has the same shape as the coupling element. Inserting a coupling element into a congruent recess ensures form-fitted accommodation of the coupling element in the congruent recess. Preferably, the coupling element is made of a compressible material. As a result thereof, the coupling element can be pushed into the recess as a result of which the coupling element is securely fixed in the recess.

[0012] The first connecting element, second connecting element and the coupling element together form a connection. This connection is formed without using a liquid fastener which is intended to form the connection by curing, such as concrete or cement. The connection between the two construction elements can thus be produced much more quickly than when time has to be allowed for a liquid fastener to cure. Furthermore, no additional steps are required, such as the provision of a shuttering, when producing the connection between the construction elements. This saves time as well as material.

[0013] A transverse dimension of the recess of the second connecting element at right angles to the insertion direction is greater than a transverse dimension of the connecting piece of the first connecting element. As a result thereof, a certain degree of play is created when inserting the connecting piece into the second connecting element. Preferably, the recess has an entry side where the transverse dimension of the recess is greatest, and the recess has an exit side where the transverse dimension is smallest. The connecting piece is preferably configured to be inserted on the exit side in a direction opposite to the insertion direction. In this case, the transverse dimension of the recess is preferably greater on the exit side than the transverse dimension of the connecting piece. The orientation and the position of the first construction element with respect to the second construction element before the final connection is produced therefore does not have to be as accurate as with known connecting techniques. In the final connection, the required orientation and position of the two construction elements with respect to each other is achieved by inserting the coupling element.

[0014] A transverse dimension of the recess of the second connecting element decreases along at least a portion of the length of the recess in the insertion direction. This makes it possible for the coupling element to be inserted into the recess. The transverse dimension of the recess and the corresponding shape of the coupling element will be described in more detail with reference to the figures. However, it will be clear that many specific shapes are possible without deviating from the fact that the transverse dimension of the recess of the second connecting element decreases along at least a portion of the length of the recess in the insertion direction.

[0015] Preferably, the connecting piece is elongate. Preferably, the connecting piece is rodshaped. More preferably, the recess and the coupling element are conical, with a conicity of the recess being virtually identical to the conicity of the coupling element.

[0016] Preferably, the first connecting element is a rebar. Preferably, the portion of the rebar which extends beyond the first construction element is the connecting piece. Alternatively, the connecting piece is formed by at least a part of the portion of the rebar which extends beyond the first construction element. Alternatively, the first connecting piece is made of a material which is sufficiently strong to bear the forces exerted on the construction elements. The first connecting element may thus be made of one of the materials wood, metal, plastic or a composite or of a combination of at least two of these materials. Preferably, the second connecting element is made of one of the materials wood, metal, plastic or a composite or of a combination of at least two of these materials. The first connecting element and the second connecting element may be made of different materials. Alternatively, the first connecting element and the second connecting element are made of the same material.

[0017] Said transverse dimension may be, for example, the width of a beam-shaped recess. Alternatively, the transverse dimension may be a diameter of a conical recess. It will be clear that not every transverse dimension of the recess has to decrease in order to produce the connection. Thus, in the case of a beam-shaped recess, it may for example suffice if only a width of the beam decreases in order to produce a connection, while a depth of the beam is constant along the length of the recess in the insertion direction.

[0018] Alternatively, the device may also comprise one or more insertion bodies. In this case, the coupling element as described above may be configured not to fill the recess completely after the coupling element has been inserted into the recess of the second connecting element, and to leave at least one insertion space free between the coupling element and the walls of the recess after the coupling element has been inserted into the recess, so that one or more insertion bodies can be inserted into every insertion space. Alternatively, the coupling element itself may be configured to accommodate at least one insertion body, for example due to the fact that the coupling element comprises at least one insertion cavity which is configured to accommodate at least one insertion body. An advantage of the one or more insertion bodies is that the construction elements can be connected to each other with different degrees of freedom of movement. Thus, the coupling element may be configured in such a way that the second construction element still has a limited first degree of freedom of movement with respect to the first construction element after these have been connected to each other by the coupling element. This is advantageous, for example, when installing a floor slab on supporting columns. When connecting the floor slab to a first supporting column, it is advantageous for the floor slab to still have a certain degree of freedom of movement with respect to the first supporting column, so that the procedure to connect the floor slab with subsequent supporting columns may continue to proceed smoothly. Once the floor slab has been connected to all the required supporting columns, an additional insertion body may then be inserted into one or more of the connections in the insertion space(s) provided for this purpose between the walls of the recess and the coupling element or insertion cavity/cavities in the coupling element in order to connect the construction elements to each other with a second degree of freedom of movement which is more limited than the first.

[0019] Additionally, the recess preferably comprises a first open end which functions as an entry opening via which the coupling element may be inserted into the recess in the insertion direction, and a second open end which functions as an exit opening. Furthermore, the connecting piece is preferably inserted into the recess via the exit opening. Preferably, the exit opening in this case has transverse dimensions which are greater than the transverse dimensions of the connecting piece so that the connecting piece can be inserted with play. Hence, a certain degree of play is produced when joining together the two construction elements, as a result of which they can be joined together with a low degree of accuracy. By inserting the coupling element, the two construction elements assume their desired position with respect to each other. This is in contrast with the known method in which a connection is produced using concrete and in which the two construction elements have to be joined together with a very high degree of accuracy because the concrete does not allow any play during the curing process.

[0020] Additionally, the coupling element may be configured to accommodate the connecting piece in a form-fitted manner and/or the recess may be configured to accommodate the coupling element in a form-fitted manner. The coupling element preferably has a conical external shape. Due to the fact that the connecting piece is accommodated in the coupling element in a form-fitted manner, and the coupling element is accommodated in the second connecting element in a form-fitted manner, a secure connection is produced. This secure connection does not require any additional connection steps.

[0021] Additionally or alternatively, the coupling element and the recess may have similar transverse dimensions which decrease in the insertion direction.

[0022] Additionally or alternatively, the coupling element may be configured to be completely accommodated in the recess of the second connecting element. Additionally or alternatively, the transverse dimension of the recess may decrease along the entire length of the recess. In this case, the exit opening will have the smallest transverse dimension.

[0023] Furthermore, the shape of the recess as described herein makes it possible for the coupling element to be inserted into the recess only in the insertion direction. This makes it easier to connect two construction elements and prevents a construction element from being connected with an incorrect orientation as a result of a (human) error.

[0024] In addition to the above, it is an additional advantage of the device according to the invention that producing the connection is reversible, so that the connected construction elements can be detached again from each other. To this end, it suffices to remove the coupling element. As a result thereof, constructions, in particular largescale constructions, such as blocks of flats or office buildings, may be provided in which the connections between the construction elements are dismantlable. Thus, the construction elements can be re-used after a construction has been dismantled. Until now, this has not been done, since it is not advantageous from a financial and practical point of view to separate construction elements which have been connected to each other using a cured fastener, such as concrete.

[0025] Additionally, the connecting piece and the cavity of the coupling element may be cylindrical. Additionally, the recess of the second connecting element and the coupling element may be substantially conical.

[0026] Additionally or alternatively, the coupling element may furthermore comprise a point of attachment. The point of attachment may be provided in order to attach a tool to the coupling element. The tool can then be used to remove the coupling element from the recess of the second connecting element. This has the advantage that the connection can easily be detached again. The point of attachment may be, for example, an attachment cavity with an internal screw thread. It is then possible to fit, for example, a bolt in the attachment cavity, after which a pulley puller can exert a tensile force on the coupling element via the bolt. In the aforementioned case where the device comprises one or more insertion bodies, each of the one or more insertion bodies may also comprise an attachment cavity. Alternatively, only part of the coupling element and the one or more insertion bodies may comprise a point of attachment. The reason for this is that when one of the coupling elements is removed, it will be easier to remove the remaining coupling elements from the recess. This facilitates circular use of the construction elements, as the connection between the construction elements according to the invention can easily be detached by means of the point of attachment.

[0027] Additionally or alternatively, the connecting piece may be a tie, reinforcing rod or bar anchor. Reinforcing rods or bar anchors are already in frequent use nowadays. Such connecting elements are already being fitted during production of the construction element. Alternatively, the connecting element may also be fitted after production of the construction element, for example by means of a mechanical connection, such as screwing or gluing. By adapting the coupling element to a connecting element which is already prevalent, the device according to the invention can easily be used on existing construction elements.

[0028] The device according to the invention is mainly aimed at connecting concrete construction elements. However, the device is also suitable for connecting construction elements made of other materials, for example wood, brick or a composite of building materials. In the case of a concrete construction element, a first and/or the second connecting element may already have been provided before the concrete construction element is being poured.

[0029] Additionally or alternatively, one of the construction elements may comprise two or more connecting elements. Thus, a square floor slab may comprise a connecting element near every corner by means of which the square floor slab can be connected to four supporting pillars, each of which comprise a connecting element. In this scenario, each supporting pillar would comprise a first connecting element and the square floor slab comprises four second connecting elements. Alternatively, a supporting column may comprise a first connecting element at one end and comprise a second connecting element at another end, so that a multitude of supporting columns can be connected to each other according to the invention. Alternatively, a supporting column may comprise a multitude of connecting elements at the same end, in which case a multitude of floor slabs or floor slab elements can be connected to the supporting column according to the invention.

[0030] Additionally or alternatively, the first and the second construction element may be concrete construction elements. Alternatively, the first and the second construction element may be made of reinforced concrete. Alternatively, one or both of the first and the second construction elements may be made of wood, metal, plastic or a composite.

[0031] Additionally or alternatively, the coupling element may be made of a material suitable for absorbing vibrations and/or shocks. In particular, the coupling element may be made of a material suitable for absorbing acoustic vibrations and/or mechanical shocks. In such a way, the acoustic properties of the construction may be improved and/or the behaviour of the construction in case of geological phenomena such as earthquakes or resonance phenomena, for example in case of persistent wind, may be improved.

[0032] In the above embodiment in which the device comprises one or more insertion bodies, the insertion bodies may be made of a material having a lower compressibility than the material of the coupling element. In this way, the relatively more compressible coupling element may impart a first degree of freedom of movement to the construction elements, this first degree of freedom of movement being limited to a second degree of freedom of movement when the relatively less compressible insertion body is being inserted.

[0033] Alternatively or additionally, the coupling element may consist of a multitude of elements which together form the coupling element. Thus, the coupling element may, for example, consist of a multitude of rings of increasing diameter. In this case, the rings are then arranged over the connecting piece in order of increasing diameter.

[0034] According to the present invention, a method for connecting construction elements is provided comprising the steps of providing a first construction element comprising a first connecting element which comprises a connecting piece and a second construction element comprising a second connecting element which comprises a recess, a transverse dimension of which decreases along at least a portion of the length thereof in an insertion direction, providing a coupling element with a cavity which is configured to accommodate at least a portion of the connecting piece, and configured to be inserted into the recess in the insertion direction up to a secure limit position in which it adjoins the walls of the recess, positioning the first construction element and the second construction element in such a way with respect to each other that the connecting piece at least partially extends in the recess of the second connecting element, inserting the coupling element in an insertion direction in such a way that at least a portion of the connecting piece is accommodated in the cavity of the coupling element and in such a way that the coupling element is at least partially accommodated in the recess of the second connecting element, and reaches said secure limit position.

[0035] The invention will be described below in more detail with reference to the attached figures which show embodiments of the invention. However, the present invention may be embodied in many different ways and should therefore not be limited to the embodiments illustrated in the figures. It will be clear that the figures are intended to be diagrammatical and only serve illustrative purposes. The dimensions do not necessarily correspond to those in reality and may have been exaggerated in order to improve understanding. As a result thereof, the dimensions indicated in the figures should not be considered as limitations with regard to the scope of the claims.

• Fig. 1 shows a perspective illustration of the device according to the invention,
• Fig. 2 shows a perspective illustration of the device according to the invention,
• Figs. 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D show different steps of a method for producing a connection according to the invention,
• Figs. 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D show a transverse dimension of different embodiments of the coupling element and the second construction element,
• Fig. 5 shows a diagrammatic illustration of a device according to the invention in which three construction elements are connected to each other.

[0036] Fig. 1 shows a perspective illustration of the device (1) according to the invention. Fig. 1 shows a first construction element (2), here a concrete supporting column (2), with a first connecting element (3), here a cylindrical rebar (3) and a second construction element (4), here a concrete floor element (4) with a second connecting element (5). In this case, the second connecting element (5) is composed of a beam-shaped portion which comprises a recess (7) and two upright edges by means of which the connecting element (5) is connected to the concrete floor element (4). Here, the second connecting element (5) is made of metal. The second connecting element (5) has already been fitted to the floor element (4) before the floor element (4) is poured. For this purpose, the second connecting element (5) may be placed, for example, in the mould for pouring the floor element (4). The connecting elements (3, 5) may be connected to the construction elements in various ways which will be clear to those skilled in the art. Thus, the connecting elements (3, 5) may already have been present when the supporting column (2) and the floor element (4) were being poured. Alternatively, the connecting elements (3, 5) may be connected mechanically to the supporting column and the floor element. Furthermore, Fig. 1 shows a coupling element (6), in this case referred to as plug (6).

[0037] The second connecting element (5) comprises a recess (7) with a transverse dimension (D) at right angles to an insertion direction (A). Here, the transverse dimension (D) gradually decreases in the insertion direction (A) and along the entire length of the recess (7). Furthermore, in terms of shape, the free space in the recess (7) virtually corresponds to the external shape of the plug (6). As a result thereof, the plug (6) can be inserted into the recess (7) in the insertion direction (A). Here, both the plug (6) and the recess (7) are in the shape of a truncated cone, a portion of which is cut along a section which runs parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cone. Other embodiments will be described in this document with reference to Figs. 4A - 4D. Plug (6) comprises a cavity (8) configured to accommodate a connecting piece (10) of the first connecting element (3). Here, the cavity (8) is cylindrical, and a diameter of the cavity (8) is equal to that of the rebar (3). In this way, the cavity (8) is configured to accommodate the rebar (3). By accommodating the rebar (3) in the cavity (8) and accommodating the plug (6) in the recess (7) of the second connecting element (5), a connection is formed between the supporting column (2) and the floor element (4). This connection is formed without the use of a liquid fastener which is intended to produce the connection by curing, such as concrete or cement. The connection between the supporting column (2) and the floor element (4) can thus be produced much more quickly than is the case when having to wait for a liquid fastener to cure. Furthermore, there are no additional steps required. This provides a saving in terms of both time and material. A method for producing the connection is described with reference to Fig. 3.

[0038] Fig. 2 shows a perspective illustration of the device (1) according to the invention. The connecting piece (10) of the rebar (3) is accommodated in the cavity (8) of the plug (6), and the plug (6) is accommodated in the recess (7) of the second connecting element (5) of the concrete floor element (4). In this way, a connection is produced between the supporting column (2) and the floor element (4). Producing the connection is explained in more detail with reference to Figs. 3A - 3D. The connection can be dismantled via a point of attachment (9) of the plug (6). A tool may be connected to the point of attachment (9) by means of which the plug (6) may be pulled out of the recess (7) counter to the insertion direction (A). In this way, the connection may be detached again. Detaching is performed without causing any damage to the components involved. This is in contrast with known connecting techniques, where the connection is produced by curing a binding agent, such as concrete. Detaching such a connection requires the concrete poured to produce the connection to be broken away in an accurate manner. This is virtually impossible without damaging the actual construction elements, as a result of which these are rarely re-usable, if at all. However, no structural alterations are required in order to detach the connection produced by the device according to the invention and the concrete supporting column (2), the concrete floor element (4) as well as the plug (6) can be re-used.

[0039] Figs. 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D show different steps of a method for producing a connection according to the invention. Fig. 3A shows a diagrammatic cross section of a first construction element (2), here a concrete supporting column (2) comprising a first connecting element (3) with a connecting piece (10). Just as in Figs. 1 and 2, the first connecting element (3) here is a cylindrical element, such as for example a rebar. The supporting column (2) may already have been placed in its final position and/or may already have been connected to other construction elements. Alternatively, the supporting column (2) is not yet in its final position. In this case, two or more construction elements may first be connected to each other before being fixed in their final position.

[0040] Fig. 3B shows a second connecting element (5) connected to a second construction element (4) (not shown here), wherein the connecting element (5) is approximately positioned with respect to the first construction element (2) and the rebar (3). Due to the fact that the transverse dimension (D), here the diameter (D), is greater than a transverse dimension (E), here a diameter (E) of the connecting piece (10) of the rebar (3), along the entire length of the second connecting element (5), there is then a certain degree of play when positioning the second connecting element (5) with respect to the connecting piece (10) of the rebar (3). Furthermore, the recess (7) does not have to have a closed circumference. Thus, the second connecting element (5) in Figs. 1 and 2 shows that the recess (7) has an open side, more particularly in such a way that the rebar (3) can be inserted via this open side into the recess (7). In this way, the second connecting element (5) can be brought into the position illustrated in Fig. 3B in various ways.

[0041] Figs. 3C and 3D show how the plug (6) is pushed partially and completely, respectively, into the recess (7) along the insertion direction (A), accommodating the rebar (3) in the cavity (8) of the plug (6) in the process. Due to the fact that the shape of the cavity (8) corresponds to the connecting piece (10) of the rebar (3) and due to the fact that the shape of the plug (6) corresponds to the recess (7) of the second connecting element (5), the second connecting element (5) is moved to its position by inserting the plug (6) into the recess (7) along the insertion direction (A) as it were.

[0042] Figs. 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D show a transverse dimension of different embodiments of the recess (7) of the second connecting element (5). For each of these figures, it is assumed that the shape of the plug (6) corresponds to the shape of the free space in the recess (7), in such a way that this plug (6) can partially or completely be accommodated in the recess (7). Fig. 4A shows the recess (7) as has already been illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D. Here, the diameter (D) of the recess (7) gradually decreases along the entire length of the recess (7) in the insertion direction (A).

[0043] Fig. 4B shows another embodiment of the recess (7) of the second connecting element (5). Here, the diameter (D) is initially constant for a portion of the length of the recess (7), but then gradually decreases in the insertion direction (A).

[0044] Fig. 4C shows another embodiment of the recess (7) of the second connecting element (5). Here, the recess (7) comprises two portions along which the diameter (D) remains constant, alternated with two portions along which the diameter (D) gradually decreases.

[0045] Fig. 4D shows another embodiment of the recess (7) of the second connecting element (5). The transverse dimension (D) decreases exponentially in the direction of the insertion direction (A). In contrast with other embodiments, the smallest diameter (D) here is furthermore approximately identical to a transverse dimension of the connecting piece (10) of the rebar (3).

[0046] It will be clear that many embodiments are possible which satisfy the requirement for a transverse dimension (D) to decrease along at least a portion of a length of the recess (7) in the insertion direction (A).

[0047] Fig. 5 shows a diagrammatic illustration of a device according to the invention in which three construction elements (2, 4A, 4B) are connected to each other. In this case, two construction elements (2, 4B) may be a concrete supporting column and the third construction element (4A) may be a concrete floor element. One of the concrete supporting columns (2) is provided with a rebar (3) which is sufficiently long to extend in such a way that both a first connecting piece (10A) and a second connecting piece (10B) are formed on the rebar (3). In this case, the first connecting piece (10A) is accommodated by a second connecting element (5A) of the concrete floor element (4A). The second connecting piece (10B) is accommodated by a second connecting element (5B) of the other concrete supporting column (4B). By means of two plugs (6A, 6B), two connections are produced between the first supporting column (2) and the floor slab (4A) and between the first supporting column (2) and the second supporting column (4B), respectively. In this way, more than two construction elements can be connected to each other using the device of the present invention. In this case, it should be noted that, in the case of the second supporting column (4B), the second plug (6B) has to be fitted on the second connecting piece (10B) of the rebar (3) first before fitting the second supporting column (4B).

Claims

1. Device (1) for connecting a first construction element (2) and a second construction element (4), comprising:

a first connecting element (3) which is connected to the first construction element (2) and which comprises a connecting piece (10),

a second connecting element (5) which is connected to the second construction element (4) and which comprises a recess (7),

characterized in that a transverse dimension of the recess (7) decreases along at least a portion of the length thereof in an insertion direction (A), in that the device furthermore comprises a coupling element (6) with a cavity (8) which is configured to accommodate at least a portion of the connecting piece (10), and in that the coupling element (6) is configured to be inserted into the recess (7) in the insertion direction (A) up to a secure limit position in which it adjoins the walls of the recess (7).

2. Device (1) for connecting a first (2) and a second construction element (4), according to Claim 1, characterized in that the cavity (8) in the coupling element (6) is configured to accommodate the connecting piece (10) in a form-fitted manner, and/or in that the recess (7) is configured to accommodate the coupling element (6) in a form-fitted manner.

3. Device (1) for connecting a first (2) and a second construction element (4), according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the coupling element (6) and the recess (7) have similar transverse dimensions which decrease in the insertion direction (A).

4. Device (1) for connecting a first (2) and a second construction element (4), according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coupling element (6) is configured to be completely accommodated in the recess (7) of the second connecting element (4).

5. Device (1) for connecting a first (2) and a second construction element (4), according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transverse dimension of the recess (7) decreases along the entire length of the recess (7).

6. Device (1) for connecting a first (2) and a second construction element (4), according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coupling element (6) furthermore comprises a point of attachment (8) which is configured to attach a tool to the coupling element (6).

7. Device (1) for connecting a first (2) and a second construction element (4), according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting piece (10) is a tie, reinforcing rod or bar anchor.

8. Device (1) for connecting a first (2) and a second construction element (4), according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first (2) and the second construction element (4) are concrete construction elements or are made of reinforced concrete.

9. Method for connecting construction elements comprising the following steps:

providing a first construction element (2) comprising a first connecting element (3) which comprises a connecting piece (10), and a second construction element (4) comprising a second connecting element (5) which comprises a recess (7), a transverse dimension (D) of which decreases along at least a portion of the length thereof in an insertion direction (A);

providing a coupling element (6) with a cavity (8) which is configured to accommodate at least a portion of the connecting piece (10), and configured to be inserted into the recess (7) in the insertion direction (A) up to a secure limit position in which it adjoins the walls of the recess (7);

positioning the first construction element (2) and the second construction element (4) in such a way with respect to each other that the connecting piece (10) at least partially extends in the recess (7) of the second connecting element (5);

inserting the coupling element (6) in an insertion direction (A) in such a way that at least a portion of the connecting piece (10) is accommodated in the cavity of the coupling element (6) and in such a way that the coupling element (6) is at least partially accommodated in the recess (7) of the second connecting element (5), and reaches said secure limit position.

Drawing