Apparatus for and method of forming concrete and transferring loads between concrete slabs

• US 20060185316A1
• Filed: 09/19/2005
• Published: 08/24/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ez Form, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Ez Form, Inc.
• Inventors: Carroll, Michael E., McDonald, Stephen F., Jordan, Richard D.
• Application Number:
  US11/229,978
• Publication Number:
  US 20060185316A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 52/741.100
• 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

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 an elastomer-coated first portion and a second portion, and a form having a slot configured to closely receive the second portion. A further embodiment includes a plate having compressive and/or resilient edge banding disposed on a plate edge that is not parallel to the joint. Apparatuses and methods for retro-fitting existing concrete stabs for transferring a load with a new adjacent concrete slab also are disclosed.

Claims

1. Apparatus for transferring a load between a first concrete slab and a second concrete slab, defining a joint, comprising:

a plate or dowel; and

edge banding disposed on a surface of the plate or dowel.

2. Apparatus of claim 1, wherein said surface is not parallel to the joint.

3. Apparatus of claim 1, wherein said edge banding is compressible and/or resilient.

4. Apparatus of claim 1, wherein said edge banding is constructed of a natural polymer, a synthetic polymer or combination thereof.

5. Apparatus of claim 1, wherein said edge banding is configured according to a pre-determined slab size, concrete composition, shrinkage expectation, other emplacement consideration or combinations thereof.

6. Apparatus of claim 1, wherein said edge banding has a thickness that ranges from 0.025 to 0.25 inches.

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

whereby;

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

the first concrete slab may move relative to said plate.

8. Apparatus of claim 7, wherein said elastomer coating is configured to slide relative to said plate, the first concrete slab or combination thereof.

9. Apparatus of claim 7, wherein said edge banding is configured to slide relative to said plate, said elastomer coating or combination thereof.

10. Apparatus of claim 1, wherein said plate has a first portion, further comprising a second edge said edge banding being disposed on said first portion, further comprising a second edge banding disposed on a surface of said second portion.

11. Apparatus of claim 10, wherein said second edge banding is configured to slide relative to said plate, a second concrete slab or combination thereof.

12. Apparatus for forming concrete comprising:

a form having a slot configured to closely receive a plate;

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

a coating and/or edge banding disposed on said first portion;

wherein;

said coating at least initially adheres to said plate; and

said coating and/or edge banding has a thickness configured to prevent said first portion from passing through said slot.

13. Apparatus of claim 12, wherein, when disposed in a joint defined by a first concrete slab and a second concrete slab, said coating slides relative to said plate, said coating slides relative to a concrete slab adhered thereto or combinations thereof.

14. Apparatus of claim 12, whereby, when disposed in a 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.

15. Method of forming concrete comprising:

providing a plate having a first portion and a second portion and edge banding disposed on a surface of the first portion;

providing a form having a slot configured to closely receive the second portion;

inserting the second portion in the slot;

positioning the form to receive concrete;

pouring a volume of concrete on the form and the first portion;

curing the volume of concrete and defining cured concrete; and

removing the form from the cured concrete,

wherein the plate remains in the cured concrete.

16. Method of claim 15, further comprising pouring a second volume of concrete on the second portion.

17. Method of claim 15, further comprising:

disposing an elastomer coating on the first portion and the edge banding;

whereby;

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

the first concrete slab may move relative to the plate.

18. Method of claim 17, wherein the elastomer coating is configured to slide relative to the plate, the first concrete slab or combination thereof.

19. Method of claim 17, wherein the edge banding is configured to slide relative to the plate, the elastomer coating or combination thereof.

20. Method of claim 15, wherein a second edge banding is disposed on a surface of the second portion.

21. Method of claim 20, wherein said second edge banding is configured to slide relative to the plate, a second concrete slab or combination thereof.

22. Method of locating a plate in a form for forming concrete comprising:

providing the form with a slot configured to closely receive a plate having a first portion and a second portion; and

coating and/or edge banding the first portion;

wherein;

the coating at least initially adheres to the plate; and

the coating and/or edge banding has a thickness configured to prevent the first portion from passing through said slot.

23. Method of installing a load transfer apparatus in a concrete slab comprising:

developing a recess in the concrete slab; and

introducing a first portion of a load transfer apparatus in the recess;

wherein the first portion has edge banding and/or an elastomer coating.

24. Method of claim 23, wherein the load transfer apparatus defines a plate, a square bar, a round bar or combinations thereof.

25. Method of claim 23, wherein said developing a recess comprises boring a hole and/or plunge-cutting a slot.

26. Method of claim 23, further comprising disposing an epoxy in the recess prior to said introducing a first part of a load transfer apparatus.

27. Method of adapting an existing concrete stab and a freshly-poured concrete stab for transferring a load therebetween comprising:

installing a first portion of a load transfer apparatus in the existing concrete slab according to claim 23;

and

pouring a volume of concrete on a second portion of the toad transfer apparatus.