Abstract: A reinforced precast construction includes a generally panel-shaped reinforced concrete structural unit having a relatively flat upper surface adapted to support vehicles thereon and opposing ends configured to be positioned in abutting end-to-end contact and in abutting side-to-side contact. One of the opposing ends includes a horizontally extending gasket so that, when abutted against an adjacent identical article in an elongated arrangement, the abutting opposing ends sealingly engage the seal. Connectors are attached to the structural unit in positions so that they align and are interconnectable with fasteners to hold the structural unit to an adjacent previously laid structural unit. In one form, the precast structural units are adapted to rest on parallel beams to form a bridge construction, and include locators for locating the precast structural units horizontally on the beams.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for joining structural units. A structural unit, such as a precast concrete section of pipe, decking, bridge structure, building structure, or pavement, includes a plurality of spaced, longitudinally aligned tubular members. The ends of each structural unit are flush, and the ends of the tubular members are flush with the ends of the structural units. When two of such units are to be joined together, a guide member is inserted in one end of each of the first tubular members in the first structural unit, while an internally threaded insert member is inserted into a corresponding end of each tubular member in the second structural unit. The guide members and insert members have axial apertures with the aperture in the insert member being internally threaded. The two structural units are brought together so that each guide member on the first structural unit enters into the corresponding end of the tubular members containing the inserts in the second structural unit.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for joining structural units. A structural unit, such as a precast concrete section of pipe, decking, bridge structure, building structure, or pavement, includes a plurality of spaced, longitudinally aligned tubular members. The ends of each structural unit are flush, and the ends of the tubular members are flush with the ends of the structural units. When two of such units are to be joined together, a guide member is inserted in one end of each of the first tubular members in the first structural unit, while an internally threaded insert member is inserted into a corresponding end of each tubular member in the second structural unit. The guide members and insert members have axial apertures with the aperture in the insert member being internally threaded. The two structural units are brought together so that each guide member on the first structural unit enters into the corresponding end of the tubular members containing the inserts in the second structural unit.

Abstract: A rectangular reinforcing cage is provided for a cast concrete structure having longitudinal registration tubes at each corner of the cage. An outer reinforcing cage surrounds the registration tubes and a coaxial inner reinforcing cage is supported from the outer cage by a plurality of spacers. Each reinforcing cage has a pair of facing C-shaped mats having straight mats overlapping and connected to the bent ends of the "C" to complete each reinforcing cage. Each end of the C-shaped mats have a smoothly curved transition bend joining a portion perpendicular to the main portion of the mat. Each mat has a layer of longitudinal wires connected to a layer of transverse wires. The longitudinal wires being more closely spaced near the end of each mat than in the remainder of the mat with no longitudinal wires in the transition bend of each C-shaped mat. The longitudinal wires are positioned inside each C-shaped mat and outside each straight mat when a reinforcing cage is assembled.

Abstract: A mobile apparatus for testing the integrity of a joint between two sections of concrete pipe in a test-as-you-go method of assembling concrete pipe sections to form a continuous pipe. The apparatus includes a wheel mounted frame which carries a flexible seal used to cover the interior of the entire pipe joint to form a substantially closed annular space. That space and a connected tank provide a substantially known volume for measurement purposes. The pressure in the known volume is monitored over a set period of time to determine the integrity of the pipe joint. The apparatus is moved along the interior of the pipe to test each joint after it is assembled. A method of testing the pipe joints is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for joining precast concrete units. A precast concrete unit, such as a section of pipe, decking and pavement includes a plurality of spaced, longitudinally aligned tubular members. The ends of each concrete unit are flush and are bounded by rounded edges to prevent chipping. The ends of the tubular members are flush with the end of the concrete unit. When two of such units are to be joined together, a guide member is inserted in one end of each tubular member on one concrete unit while an internally threaded insert member is inserted into each end of the tubular member in a second concrete unit. The guide members and insert members have axial apertures with the aperture in the insert member being internally threaded. The two precast concrete units are brought together so that the guide member on one concrete unit enters into the ends of the tubular members containing the inserts in the second concrete unit.

Abstract: A welded wire concrete reinforcement spacer having spaced uprights with tops projecting up from the bottoms toward one another, a support means on the uprights and located below the tops of the uprights, the tops being spaced sufficiently to allow a reinforcement member to pass therebetween but spaced sufficiently close together as to prevent easy and accidental withdrawal of the reinforcement member from between the uprights.The spacer can include a second support means for supporting a second reinforcement member, and the first support means can include a cross piece secured to and extending between the uprights, or a notch in the tops of the uprights. A concrete reinforcement spacer and reinforcement assembly is also included, as well as a method of use for the same.

Abstract: A reinforcement support spacer for spacedly positioning one or more concrete reinforcement members from a surface on which concrete is poured. The spacer comprises a support which has at least one recess therein for receiving a reinforcement member. Barbs or tines formed integrally with the support project into the recesses. The barbs or tines on each recess are oriented so as to permit a reinforcement member to be forced past the barbs or tines into the recess but substantially to prevent a reinforcement member from being forced past the barbs or tines out of the recess once a reinforcement member has been inserted into the recess. The support spacers of the present invention permit reinforcement members to be preassembled in spaced relationship to each other and installed as an assembly. The preassembled reinforcement assembly can be lifted onto the surface on which concrete is to be poured, saving on-site labor costs involved in assembling at the point of use.

Abstract: A target assembly that includes a housing in which are mounted a plurality of interceptors made of flexible, energy absorbing material that hang down behind a target face mounted thereon. Preferably, three such interceptors hang from a downwardly, rearwardly sloping rear wall of the housing. A continuous roll of adjacent target faces is mounted in the lower portion of the housing, each successive target face being hooked to the top of the housing for use. The target faces are made of a polymeric material having a color contrasting to the color of the interceptors.

Abstract: The specification discloses a spacer for use with first and second wire reinforcing fabrics to space the first and second fabrics one from the other during the manufacture of wire reinforced concrete articles. The spacer includes a spacing member, first and second camming members extending from the spacing member in a generally common direction to cammingly engage the fabrics, and first and second locking portions operatively extending from the first and second camming members, respectively, to aid in positioning and securing the spacer on the fabrics. An assembly incorporating the spacer and a method of using the spacer are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and resulting assembly wherein a concrete pipe reinforcing cage assembly is spaced from the walls of a pipe-making form by means of several spacer bars, each comprising a tie rod to which are secured a plurality of links. The spacer bars are inserted into the case assembly with the links projecting generally radially therefrom and the resulting final assembly is inserted into the pipe form with the ends of the spacer links engaging the pipe form and spacing the cage assembly therefrom.

Abstract: A stirrup reinforcement mat in which the stirrup projections have a question mark configuration so that the extremity of the laterally extending top portion of each projection does not extend to any significant degree beyond the vertical plane defined by the base wire to which the stirrup projection is joined. This configuration is believed to enhance the strength of a concrete product reinforced with this mat and also minimizes tangling when the mats are stacked together for storage or shipping.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and assembly are disclosed for spacing a wire reinforcement from a concrete article form such as pipe form. Spacers are employed which include a U-shaped spacer portion extending from a mounting means which includes a positioning means, a torsion means, and arms extending therefrom to hook about a wire in said fabric and be held thereto substantially by the torsion generated within the torsion means. The reinforcement spacers are mounted at spaced points on a pipe reinforcing cage, for example, around the circumference and along the length of the cage so that each spacer portion extends radially outwardly therefrom the hold the cage in properly spaced relationship to the pipe form.

Abstract: A cage assembly for spacing inner and outer concrete pipe reinforcing welded wire cages from one another through the use of a spacer bar. The spacer bar includes a plurality of links, each having a hook-shaped deviation therein, joined by a tie rod. The links are inserted through one of two cages until the tie rod abuts the cage and the hook deviations are then hooked over a longitudinal or circumferential wire or both in the other cage. Each link also includes at least one form spacer projection projecting from one end thereof in order to space the entire inner and outer cage assembly from the inner and/or outer wall of a pipe form.

Abstract: The specification discloses a method and associated products for adding stirrup reinforcements to a concrete pipe reinforcing cage in which a mat composed of a plurality of sinusoidal shaped stirrup members joined by tie wires is joined to a cage with the sinusoidal stirrup members oriented circumferentially with respect to the cage rather than longitudinally.

Abstract: A pressure responsive pipe joint seal for sealing connecting pipe joint members includes sealing flanges which define upwardly, outwardly and downwardly curved upper surfaces so that there is less tendency for them to get caught on a pipe joint member as adjacent members are slid into coupling relationship. The seal includes an inflatable bladder whereby the seal can be inflated after it is in its operative position. In one embodiment disclosed, the seal includes a cavity containing a lubricant, the cavity being covered with a rupturable membrane such that when pipe joint members are joined together, the membrane ruptures releasing the lubricant.

Abstract: The specification discloses fabric for use in reinforcing concrete pipe. The fabric includes a plurality of circumferential defining line strands and a plurality of transverse strands positioned in spaced, parallel relationship to each other and extending generally perpendicular to the circumferential defining line strands. The transverse strands are divided into a plurality of sets having lengths equal to the predetermined reinforcement cage circumference. The circumferential defining line strands are divided along their lengths into quadrant defining portions. Additional reinforcement is provided at the quadrants wherein the areas of maximum stress will occur in the concrete pipe.

Abstract: The specification discloses a method and associated products for adding stirrup reinforcements to a concrete pipe reinforcing cage in which a mat composed of a plurality of sinusoidal shaped stirrup members joined by tie wires is joined to a cage with the sinusoidal stirrup members oriented circumferentially with respect to the cage rather than longitudinally.

Abstract: The specification discloses a pressure responsive pipe joint seal for sealing connecting pipe joint members. The sealing flanges on the seal define upwardly, outwardly and downwardly curved upper surfaces so that there is less tendency for them to get caught on a pipe joint member as adjacent members are slid into coupling relationship. The seal includes an inflatable bladder whereby the seal can be inflated after it is in its operative position. In one embodiment disclosed, the seal includes a cavity containing a lubricant, the cavity being covered with a rupturable membrane such that when pipe joint members are joined together, the membrane ruptures releasing the lubricant.

Abstract: The specification discloses a method, apparatus and resulting assembly wherein a concrete pipe reinforcing cage assembly is spaced from the walls of a pipe-making form by means of several spacer bars, each comprising a tie rod to which are secured a plurality of links. The spacer bars are inserted into the cage assembly with the links projecting generally radially therefrom and the resulting final assembly is inserted into the pipe form with the ends of the spacer links engaging the pipe form and spacing the cage assembly therefrom.