Method of forming concrete and an apparatus for transferring loads between concrete slabs

• US 20060177267A1
• Filed: 04/20/2005
• Published: 08/10/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ez Form, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Ez Form, Inc.
• Inventors: Carroll, Michael E.
• Granted Patent: US 8,454,265 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 404/47
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 11/02 Arrangement or construction of joints for pavings consisting of prefabricated units E01C5/00; Methods of making joints machines therefor E01C23/02, E01C23/09; removable joint shutterings E01C23/021; Packing for joints sealing joints not restricted to road or airfield paving E04B1/68
• 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: E01C 2201/12 vertically interlocking
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 5/06 made of units with cement or like binders
• CPC Class Codes: E04C 3/30 Columns; Pillars; Struts not designed for end loading E04C3/02; posts, masts, as independent structures E04H12/00
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 15/14 Construction of joints, e.g. dividing strips E04F15/02005 takes precedence; sealing joints not restricted to flooring E04B1/68 , construction of joints in roads or airfields E01C11/02
• CPC Class Codes: E04G 11/36 for floors, ceilings, or roofs of plane or curved surfaces end formpanels for floor shutterings floors with lost forms E04B5/32
• CPC Class Codes: E04G 11/365 Stop-end shutterings end panels for walls E04G11/085

Abstract

An embodiment configured according to principles of the invention includes a plate defining a hexagon having a base parallel with joint between concrete slabs. Another embodiment includes a hexagon-shaped plate having a first portion and a second portion, and a form having a slot configured to closely receive the second portion.

Claims

1. Apparatus for transferring a load between a first concrete slab and a second concrete slab, defining a joint, comprising a plate defining a hexagon having a base parallel with the joint;

wherein;

said base has a side defining an angle therewith greater than or equal to 100°

; and

/or

said plate is constructed to maximize material proximate to the joint.

4. Apparatus of claim 1, wherein said plate has a thickness such that said plate yields at an amount that would be likely to cause failure in either of the first concrete slab or the second concrete slab.

5. Apparatus of claim 1, wherein said plate has a first portion and a second portion, further comprising an elastomer coating disposed on said first portion;

whereby;

when disposed in the joint, the first concrete slab contacts only said coating and the second concrete slab adheres only to said second portion; and

the first concrete slab may move relative to said plate.

6. Apparatus of claim 5, wherein said elastomer coating has a thickness ranging from 0.001 to 0.125 inches.

7. Apparatus of claim 5, wherein said elastomer coating slides relative to said plate, said coating slides relative to the first concrete slab or combinations thereof.

2. (canceled)

3. (canceled)

8. Apparatus for forming concrete comprising:

a plate having a first portion and a second portion; and

a form having a slot configured to closely receive said second portion;

wherein said plate defines a hexagon having a base parallel to said form.

9. Apparatus of claim 8, wherein said form is constructed of oriented strand board, dimensional lumber, particle board, metal, plastic, cardboard, fiber board, polyurethane foam, Styrofoam®

or combinations thereof.

10. Apparatus of claim 8, wherein said form has a back surface, a top surface and a chamfer interposed therebetween defining an angle relative to said top surface ranging from 10°

to 89°

.

11. Apparatus of claim 10, wherein said form has a width ranging from 0.125 to 3.000 inches.

12. Apparatus of claim 10, wherein said form has a top surface width ranging from 0.125 to 0.875 inch.

13. Apparatus of claim 8, wherein said slot defines one or more annular surfaces having central axes perpendicular to a direction in which said slot receives said second portion.

14. Apparatus of claim 13, wherein said form has a side surface and a back surface with which said annular surfaces define proximal intersections and distal intersections configured to contact corresponding proximal portions and distal portions of said plate.

15. Apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a release layer on said form.

16. Apparatus of claim 15, wherein said release layer is constructed of phenolic paper, kraft paper, acrylic, latex, melamine, Formica®

, foil, oil, high density overlay, metal or combinations thereof.

17. Apparatus of claim 8, wherein said base has a side defining an angle therewith greater than or equal to 100°

.

18. Apparatus of claim 8, wherein said plate is constructed to maximize material proximate to the joint.

19. Apparatus of claim 8, wherein said plate has a thickness such that said plate yields at an amount that would be likely to cause failure in either of the first concrete slab or the second concrete slab.

20. Apparatus of claim 8, further comprising an elastomer coating disposed on said first portion;

whereby;

when disposed in joint defined by a first concrete slab and a second concrete slab, the first concrete slab contacts only said coating and the second concrete slab adheres only to said second portion; and

the first concrete slab may move relative to said plate.

21. Apparatus of claim 20, wherein said elastomer coating has a thickness ranging from 0.001 to 0.125 inches.

22. Apparatus of claim 20, wherein said elastomer coating slides relative to said plate, said coating slides relative to the first concrete slab or combinations thereof.