Dowel bar assembly and mechanical connector

• US 10,458,453 B1
• Filed: 08/02/2016
• Issued: 10/29/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Construction Materials, Inc. (Commercial Metals Company)
• Original Assignee: Construction Materials, Inc. (Commercial Metals Company)
• Inventors: Galligan, Richard, Jaeb, Duane A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Masinick, Jonathan P
• Application Number:
  US15/226,596
• Time in Patent Office: 1,183 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 11/14 Dowel assembly ; Design or construction of reinforcements in the area of joints coupling devices for prefabricated units E01C5/005; combined with characteristic packings E01C11/08 - E01C11/12; removable holders E01C23/045
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 1/483 Shear dowels to be embedded in concrete
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 1/6807 Expansion elements for parts cast in situ
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2/246 the clip being released by tilting the clip or a part thereof to a position in which the axis of the openings surrounding the gripped elements is parallel to, or coincides with, the axis of the gripped elements

Abstract

A mechanical connector for securing a dowel rod to a frame of a dowel bar assembly as well as a dowel bar assembly are detailed. Each embodiment of the mechanical connector includes a portion to receive the dowel bar. A second portion of the mechanical connector engages the frame of the dowel bar assembly. A third portion of the mechanical connector engages a separate part of the frame further stabilizing the mechanical connector and frame.

Claims

1. A connecting device for a dowel bar and frame wherein the frame includes a U-shaped portion over the dowel bar and the frame has a horizontal cross-member, the connecting device comprising:

a housing member;

the housing member having a cavity;

wherein the cavity is capable of receiving the dowel bar;

the connecting device further comprising a receiving member,

wherein the receiving member is capable of securing a first portion of the frame;

whereby the dowel bar and the frame are held in place;

a lip;

the lip on an outer edge of the connecting device;

the lip having an outer edge;

a second portion of the frame makes contact with the outer edge and the dowel bar;

the receiving member is located on a front of the device;

wherein the front faces away from a longitudinal axis of the dowel bar;

the outer edge on an opposite side of the receiving member.

2. The connecting device of claim 1, further comprising:

a groove;

the groove corresponding to a shape of a top of the connecting device;

the groove on a bottom of the connecting device;

wherein the groove allows multiple connecting devices to be stacked on top of one another;

the receiving member is located between the groove and the main body.

3. The connecting device of claim 2, wherein

the receiving member comprises a slot;

the slot having an end in a shape corresponding to the first portion of the frame;

the slot further comprising at least one guide channel allowing the first portion of the frame to be positioned into the slot.

4. The connecting device of claim 3;

wherein;

a shape of the cavity corresponds to an exterior of the dowel bar.