COVER FOR PRESTRESSED CONCRETE MEMBER
A prestressed structural concrete system is disclosed that includes a prestressed concrete structural member and a cover configured to securely engage a cavity of the member to substantially seal the cavity from an outside environment. The cover includes a surface configured to achieve a substantially fluid tight seal with the concrete member.
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This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/873,593 filed Oct. 17, 2007, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention is directed to components for use with moldable building materials, and more specifically to covers for use with prestressed concrete members.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to a prestressed structural concrete system including a prestressed concrete structural member and a cover configured to securely engage a cavity of the member and substantially seal the cavity from an outside environment.
The present invention further relates to a cover for sealing a cavity of a prestressed concrete structural member. The cover includes at least one protruding feature configured to engage the cavity, and a sealing surface that substantially conforms to a surface of the prestressed structural member.
The present invention yet further relates to a method for sealing a cavity of a prestressed concrete structural member. The method includes providing a prestressed concrete structural member comprising a cavity, and at least partially inserting a cover into the cavity to substantially seal the cavity from an outside environment.
An advantage of an embodiment of the present invention is that the cover can quickly and easily be installed.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more detailed description of the preferred embodiment, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.
Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONIn one embodiment, the fitting 12 is cast within the member 10 as shown in
As further shown in
According to the present disclosure, the cover 20 is configured to be at least partially inserted into the cavity 14. When the cover 20 is inserted into the cavity 14, the cover 20 releasably engages the cavity surface 16 to secure the cover 20 to member 10. In such a manner, the cover 20 substantially seals the cavity 14 from exposure to the environment proximate member 10. In one embodiment, the cover 20 protects the cavity 14 from exposure to rain and/or other precipitation that may enter the cavity 14 and cause damage to member 10. For example, the cover 20 protects the cavity from rain that can later freeze and damage the member 10. In other examples, the cover 20 protects the cavity 14 from accumulating liquid, such as rain, that may provide a breeding environment for insects such as mosquitoes. In yet another example, the cover 20 substantially seals the cavity 14 from the outside environment, thereby inhibiting the cavity 14 from providing a breeding ground for vermin.
In this exemplary embodiment shown in
In another embodiment, the protruding portion 28 may be a single solid protruding portion having no discontinuity 34. In another embodiment, the protruding portion 28 may include two or more protruding portions 28 separated by one or more discontinuities 34.
It is to be understood that each of these embodiments may include an application of adhesive material 44, if desired, providing not only an improved seal, but also providing a technique to secure the cover to the concrete member without fasteners. However, if desired, cover 20 may be configured to receive mechanical fasteners, such as by forming apertures (not shown) in body 22.
Cover 20 forms a conformal contact with a corresponding surface of member 10, and in particular, seal surface 25 of seal portion 24 conformally contacts member 10 to substantially seal cavity 14 from outside environment 100.
While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A prestressed structural concrete system comprising
- a prestressed concrete structural member comprising a cavity; and
- a cover configured to securely engage the cavity and substantially seal the cavity from an outside environment.
2. The system of claim 1, the prestressed concrete structural member further comprising a fitting at least partially disposed in the cavity.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the cover comprises at least one protruding feature configured to engage the cavity and a sealing surface that substantially conforms to a surface of the prestressed structural member.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the cover comprises a layer of adhesive material.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the cover comprises a rib.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the protruding feature comprises at least two protruding portions separated by a discontinuity.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the body is composed of a resilient material.
8. A cover for sealing a cavity of a prestressed concrete structural member, comprising
- at least one protruding feature configured to engage the cavity; and
- a sealing surface that substantially conforms to a surface of the prestressed structural member.
9. The cover of claim 8, further comprising:
- a layer of adhesive material in contact with the sealing surface.
10. The cover of claim 8, further comprising:
- a rib protruding from the sealing surface.
11. The cover of claim 8, wherein the protruding feature comprises at least two protruding portions separated by a discontinuity.
12. The cover of claim 8, wherein the body is composed of a resilient material.
13. A method for sealing a cavity of a prestressed concrete structural member, comprising:
- providing a prestressed concrete structural member comprising a cavity;
- at least partially inserting a cover into the cavity to substantially seal the cavity from an outside environment.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the prestressed structural concrete member further comprises a fitting at least partially disposed in the cavity.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein the cover achieves a substantially fluid tight seal with the prestressed concrete structural member when the cover is securely engaged with the cavity.
16. The method of claim 13, wherein at least one protruding feature of the cover releasably engages the cavity.
17. The method of claim 13, wherein a sealing surface of the cover substantially conforms to a surface of the prestressed structural member to form a substantially fluid tight seal.
18. The system of claim 13, wherein a layer of adhesive material is disposed between the cover and the prestressed concrete structural member to improve the seal between the cavity and the outside environment.
19. The system of claim 13, wherein a rib protrudes from the cover and contacts the prestressed concrete structural member to improve the seal between the cavity and the outside environment.
20. The system of claim 13, wherein the protruding feature comprises at least two protruding portions separated by a discontinuity, the protruding portions including a surface that conforms to and engages a surface of the cavity to securely engage the cover to the prestressed concrete structural member.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 17, 2009
Publication Date: Dec 3, 2009
Applicant: HIGH INDUSTRIES, INC. (Lancaster, PA)
Inventors: Kenneth C. BAUR (Mohnton, PA), Alicia ALLAMENA (Manheim, PA), Gary C. GRAZIANO (Lititz, PA)
Application Number: 12/542,547
International Classification: E04C 5/08 (20060101); E04B 1/66 (20060101);