Abstract: An expansion joint (1) for a concrete slab formwork system, said joint comprising first and second longitudinal elements (2, 3), arranged side-by-side in the same horizontal plane, and intended to each form an integral part with an upper and horizontal edge of a concrete slab, the first and second longitudinal elements (2, 3) comprise arrangements (5, 6, 7) opening on their upper horizontal walls and enabling at least a portion (2a, 3a) of each of the first and second longitudinal elements (2, 3) to be withdrawn for replacement thereof.

Abstract: A rebar sleeve device comprising a tubular unit with an opening at least one end thereof for receipt of a rebar dowel is described. The tubular unit is typically positioned horizontally and can be elevated by a back extension component and a front extension component secured to the base unit. The front extension component comprises an opening through which the rebar dowel is inserted. The opening of the front extension component comprises a protective covering. The protective covering prevents concrete from filling in the opening, but allows for the insertion of a rebar dowel. A connection component connects a plurality of the rebar sleeve devices together to form a single unit.

Abstract: A tapered dowel bar for transferring loads across a joint between adjacent concrete slabs is disclosed. The dowel tapers from one relatively wide cross section into one or more relatively narrow ends. The shape of the dowel is optimized to provide the highest amount of steel along the joint where the loads are highest. The tapered dowel is embedded in one or both sides into a socket assembly that connects the dowel to essentially planar top and bottom surfaces of a pocket former embedded in the concrete. The load transfer assembly restricts any relative vertical displacement between the first and second slabs. The socket assembly embedded in the pocket former or equipped with compressible material accommodates relative horizontal movement between adjacent slabs in directions essentially parallel and perpendicular to the joint.

Abstract: A dowel sleeve has a tubular body with a mounting assembly at one end for releasable connection to a construction plate, and a leg support engagable at the other end for adjustable support. The construction plate has spaced non-circular holes. A first flange of the mounting assembly has a complementary profile, of smaller dimensions, to the non-circular holes, while a second flange has a similar profile, of larger dimensions, with its major-axis non-aligned with the major-axis of the first flange. The first flange is inserted through one of the non-circular holes, and the tubular body is rotated so the first and second flanges engage opposed faces of the construction plate. The leg support has a spigot engagable in the tubular body, the exterior of which is engaged by an abutment face. The effective length of the support leg is adjustable by selectively detaching one or more leg member segments, each provided with a disc-like base member.

Abstract: Systems and methods of transferring loads between adjacent cast-in-place slabs, such as concrete slabs, and for accurately positioning dowels between adjacent sections of slabs are provided. A generally planar plate-type dowel is used which may be positioned within a cutaway in a preexisting slab of concrete. The dowel is shaped to generally conform to the shape of the cutaway, which is made by a saw blade. Once the dowel is positioned within the preexisting slab, a new slab is poured adjacent the preexisting slab. Rubber seals are included on the edges of the dowels to provide spacing or a gap between the dowel and the preexisting slab to allow for lateral independent movement of the adjacent slabs, and to prevent concrete from the newly poured second slab from entering into the gap. A saw unit for making a generally planar cut horizontally into an edge of a hardened concrete slab is also provided.

Abstract: A load plate sleeve assembly for maintaining a load plate in position between adjacent concrete slabs and facilitating controlled lateral movement of the load plate includes a housing and an insert clip coupled to the housing. The housing includes a top wall, a bottom wall, opposing side walls extending between the top and bottom walls, and an end wall extending between the top and bottom walls, and between the side walls. The walls define an internal cavity, and the housing includes a cavity access opening. The insert clip includes a opposing side walls having a first end and a second end. The insert clip also includes an end wall extending between the side walls, a plurality of deformable centering fingers extending from the side walls, and a collapsible diamond shaped center support extending from the end wall. The insert clip is positioned inside the internal cavity of the housing.

Abstract: A plurality of sleeve members for receiving and maintaining a dowel bar therewithin can be provided so that the dowel bar does not transmit substantial shear stresses to the concrete during the contraction and expansion of the concrete. The sleeve members can comprise (a) at least one hollow interior compartment for receiving and supporting said dowel bar, and (b) at least one aperture for receiving a bracket member. The dowel bar can have a tapered configuration and a pair of end sections. The dowel bar can be located within the hollow interior compartment for maintaining adjacent sections of concrete in alignment during contraction and expansion of the concrete, and for transferring shear stresses and bending moments across a joint formed between adjacent concrete slabs. The dowel bar can move in a lateral and/or longitudinal path within the hollow interior compartment and exerting interactive forces in response to the expansion and contraction of the concrete.

Abstract: A sleeve assembly system, a concrete dowel slab joint system, a method for maintaining adjacent sections of concrete in alignment during contraction and expansion of the concrete and for transferring shear stresses and bending moments across a joint formed between adjacent concrete slabs, and a concrete slab including a plurality of concrete dowel slab joint systems are provided. The concrete dowel slab joint system comprises the sleeve assembly for receiving and maintaining the dowel bar therewithin. The sleeve assembly is designed so that the dowel bar does not transmit substantial shear stresses to the concrete during the contraction and expansion of the concrete. A pair of bracket members, located on an underlying surface, support the sleeve assembly and the dowel bar above the underlying surface.

Abstract: A block (11) formed with a mold (10) integral thereto. The mold (10) is constructed as a mold top half (12) and a mold bottom half (14) and filled in situ with cement (16). The mold halves (12,14) are constructed with respective socket and channel structures (24, 20) to capture an enlarged end (38) of a connector (34) for interlocking one block to a neighboring block. The resulting block (11) constitutes a one-piece block that can be formed at the installation site using the two-part mold (10). The interlocked blocks are prevented from removal when moved in either lateral direction, or in the vertical direction.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of providing a retrofit dowel to maintain adjacent concrete structures in alignment. The dowel is received in a longitudinal groove cut across the structures, and supported in spaced relationship to the bottom of the groove by feet on caps engaged over the ends of the dowel. The feet are positioned so as to be disposed to either side of the dowel. Wings extending laterally of the end caps engage the sides of the groove to center the dowel within the groove and secure it in place. The end caps include structure to secure them from inadvertent displacement from the dowel and stops to provide expansion space to the ends of the dowel, and are translucent to enable the position of a dowel received therein to be visually observed.

Abstract: A pre-fabricated pavement slab having a binder distribution system and an interconnection system formed for attachment of the bottom surface of the slab, wherein both the binder distribution system and the interconnection system are accessible from the top surface of the slab, such that the binder material may be injected into the binder distribution and interconnection systems from the top surface of the slab.

Abstract: An articulated concrete joint member (1) including a resilient core (2), the core (2) having connections means (3) attached thereto, the connection means (3) adapted to link two co-planar concrete slabs (5, 6) along an adjacent peripheral edge of each slab, wherein on application of an out-of-plane displacement to one of the co-planar concrete slabs (5, 6) the displacement is transmitted to the other slab through pivoting about the articulated joint member (1). In one embodiment, the articulated concrete joint member (1), which further includes crack propagation means (4), is fully immersed in the concrete slab so that the slab is subjected to extraneous loads, the slab cracks along predetermined lines of weakness (7).

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems directed to joint restraining systems for concrete constructions. In one embodiment, the present invention is a novel method for creating joint restraints that employs a pipe dowel. As more fully described below, the present invention substantially reduces the time and labor involved in tying a series of parallel dowels into a rebar matrix. For example, the present invention eliminates the need to cut out sections of rebar. Rather, embodiments of the present invention require only a single cut in each rebar section along the line of the intended joint, rather than two cuts to remove a section of rebar. The present invention also eliminates the time and effort associated with tying dowels into the rebar matrix. In another embodiment, the present invention is a novel pipe dowel mechanism that, in addition to the advantages described above, obviates the need to apply a messy protective coating, such as grease, to a smooth dowel.

Abstract: A pre-fabricated pavement slab having a binder distribution system and an interconnection system formed for attachment of the bottom surface of the slab, wherein both the binder distribution system and the interconnection system are accessible from the top surface of the slab, such that the binder material may be injected into the binder distribution and interconnection systems from the top surface of the slab.

Abstract: A rectangular dowel bar sleeve is disclosed for receiving dowel bars and tie-bars that allows opening and closing of joints between adjacent cast-in-place slabs and pavements while allowing differential lateral movement of adjacent cast-in-place slabs in either direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the joint and while preventing differential vertical movement of the slabs on either side of the joint. A form panel having an alignment ridge and spaced apart holes for attaching blockout bars to the form panel is disclosed. The blockout bars can be used to accurately create voids extending perpendicularly from the form panel and having upper and lower surfaces that are parallel to the intended upper surface of the cast-in-place slab.

Abstract: Expansion joint apparatus which can be installed at junctions between upper structures of a road and a bridge. In a state of applying the apparatus to a bridge, each wheel in a same shaft of a vehicle passes the apparatus at different time spots, that is, when any one wheel passes one of the support members, the other wheel passes the other support member. Thus, a load applied to the bridge is distributed. The apparatus is made of material having high stiffness so that it lasts a long time. By changing the number of the intermediate support members, an expansion range of the apparatus can be controlled.

Abstract: A concrete dowel slab joint system is provided for maintaining adjacent sections of concrete in alignment during contraction and expansion of the concrete, and for transferring shear stresses and bending moments across a joint formed between adjacent concrete slabs. It includes a sleeve assembly for receiving and maintaining the dowel bar therewithin. In this is way, the dowel bar does not transmit substantial shear stresses to the concrete during the contraction and expansion of the concrete. The sleeve assembly comprises an elongate sleeve body having an outer surface and an inner surface, and defines a hollow interior compartment, (b) at least one closed end, and (c) a sleeve member. Preferably, at least one collapsible spacer member is located within the hollow interior compartment. The spacer member is collapsible by interactive forces exerted by the dowel bar moving in a lateral and/or longitudinal path within the hollow interior compartment in response to the expansion and contraction of the concrete.

Abstract: A concrete dowel slab joint system for maintaining adjacent sections of concrete in alignment during contraction and expansion of the concrete, and for transferring shear stresses and bending moments across a joint formed between adjacent concrete slabs. It includes a sleeve assembly for receiving and maintaining the dowel bar therewithin. In this is way, the dowel bar does not transmit substantial shear stresses to the concrete during the contraction and expansion of the concrete. The sleeve assembly comprises an elongate sleeve body having an outer surface and an inner surface, and defining a hollow interior compartment, (b) at least one closed end, and (c) at least one collapsible spacer member located within the hollow interior compartment. The collapsible spacer member engages and positions the dowel bar at a lateral distance from the inner surface of the elongate sleeve body and at a longitudinal distance from the closed end.

Abstract: A prefabricated roadway expansion joint/load transfer assembly (10) is provided which accommodates normal expansion and contraction between adjacent slabs (90a, 90b) while transferring vertical shear loads and minimizing stress cracking of the surrounding concrete (90). The assembly (10) includes a plurality of X-configuration bar units (12) including crossed, unconnected metallic bars (20, 22) whose ends (24, 30, 28, 26) are embedded within the adjacent slabs (90a, 90b). The bar ends (24, 30, 28, 26) are coupled within the corresponding slabs (90a, 90b) through use of respective U-shaped coupling assemblies (14) each having spaced legs (38, 40) and a bight (42), and vertical tie rods (44). The individual bar units (12) are joined by laterally extending connecting rods (56-70). A central spacer (18) is supported by the bar units (12) and supplementary spring supports (76) and extends the full width of the assembly (10).

Abstract: A prefabricated roadway expansion joint/load transfer assembly (10) is provided which accommodates normal expansion and contraction between adjacent slabs (90a, 90b) while transferring vertical shear loads and minimizing stress cracking of the surrounding concrete (90). The assembly (10) includes a plurality of X-configuration bar units (12) including crossed, unconnected metallic bars (20, 22) whose ends (24, 30, 28, 26) are embedded within the adjacent slabs (90a, 90b). The bar ends (24, 30, 28, 26) are coupled within the corresponding slabs (90a, 90b) through use of respective U-shaped coupling assemblies (14) each having spaced legs (38, 40) and a bight (42) and vertical tie rods (44). The individual bar units (12) are joined by laterally extending connecting rods (56-70). A central spacer (18) is supported by the bar units (12) and supplementary spring supports (76) and extends the full width of the assembly (10).

Abstract: An expansion joint for joining first and second adjacent segments of direct glue down carpet mounted on respective underlying adjacent first and second floor segments. A first subchannel is mounted in the first floor segment along a joint line of the adjacent first and second carpet segments and a second subchannel is mounted in the second floor segment along the joint line of the adjacent first and second carpet segments in parallel relative moveable relation to the first subchannel. A first cover supports the first of the carpet segments on the first subchannel and a second cover supports the other of the adjacent carpet segments on the second subchannel.

Abstract: Disclosed is an expansion joint apparatus comprising cover plates disposed on two bodies installed across a gap, in a manner openable by hinges, wherein each cover plate is inclined inward of the gap. The sectional shape of the two cover plates in a combined state is approximately in a V-shape. Each cover plate is thrust with a spring in a direction so that each end may approach that of the other, rotating about the hinge as the center. The angular dislocation of each cover plate is limited to the outer side of the gap, thereby always filling up the gap by opening and closing the cover plates in response to a changing gap, if the gap of two bodies should vary, because the cover plates are disposed on the bodies in a manner free to open and close.

Abstract: An expansion joint cover assembly includes base frame members secured to building sections having an expansion joint gap defined therebetween. Cover frame members are secured to the base frame members in such a manner as to define cavities therebetween, and opposite side edge portions of a covering connecting plate are slidably disposed within the cavities so as to cover the expansion joint gap defined between the building sections under expansion and contraction conditions. The cover frame members further include channel sections for housing edge portions of interior design material panels, for example, ceiling panels, wall panels, and the like.

Abstract: An expansion joint comprises a pair of support bases having a rail type shape lack of which is continuous in the longitudinal direction and is fixed to each edge of both members of a building defining an expansion joint gap, a plurality of connecting members for connecting both support bases together so that the gap between the bases is expansible or contractible, and a cover plate of a proper length connected to the connecting members so as to span the expansion joint gap while being disposed atop the upper ends of both support bases which are slideable with respect to the cover plate under expansion and contraction conditions and which are formed with concave portions for accommodating a finish material on the internal surface side, whereby a surface material substantially identical with a surface material of the members of the building adjacent the expansion joint may be disposed within the concave portion for accommodating the finish material of the cover plate so as to integrate its appearance with respe

Abstract: The present invention provides a bridging system which serves to bridge expansion gaps, used in the roadbeds of major structures such as bridges or viaducts. The supporting portion of the system comprises bearers, the upper sides of which are level with the surface of the roadway. The bearers rest on crosspieces that are supported in such a manner as to be able to move, within recesses below the roadway. The secondary gaps between the bearers are sealed by means of elastic rubber strips. In order that any contraction or expansion of the structure is distributed evenly across the secondary gaps, the crosspieces are controlled by means of connecting rods. The ends of these connecting rods are articulated onto opposing edges of the gap. In contrast to conventional systems of this kind in which connecting rods are disposed beneath the crosspieces, in the present system, connecting rods pass through the crosspieces.

Abstract: Apparatus for covering relatively wider building structure expansion voids which includes a cover panel, base member extrusions for opposite side support and a lazy tong centering assembly for both supportive attachment to the cover panel and maintaining proper alignment and relative positioning to said void in tolerance of orthogonal relative displacements between adjacent structures.