Method and apparatus for providing a dowel connection to maintain cast-in-place concrete slabs in alignment

• US 20070269266A1
• Filed: 05/17/2006
• Published: 11/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Meadow Burke, LLC (CRH PLC)
• Original Assignee: MMI Management Services LP (Fencing Supply Group)
• Inventors: Kelly, David L., Collins, Scott L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,441,985 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 404/56
• 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

Abstract

First and second cast-in-place concrete slabs are maintained in alignment by cutting a semi-circular groove in an edge surface of the first formed slab, positioning a flat rectangular dowel within the groove so that the dowel extends outwardly from the edge surface, and then casting the second slab against the edge surface to embed the dowel within the second slab. A gasket is engaged with the dowel to seal the groove against the intrusion of fluid concrete as the second cast-in-place. The gasket also serves to space the dowel from the groove to accommodate limited lateral movement of the dowel and groove relative to one another.

Claims

1. A dowel assembly for placement within a horizontal groove cut in an edge surface of a first formed concrete slab to maintain the slab in alignment with a second formed concrete slab cast-in-place against the edge surface, said assembly comprising:

a. a dowel of a flat planar configuration having a first portion proportioned for receipt within the groove to maintain the dowel in horizontal alignment with the groove and accommodate limited lateral movement of the dowel relative to the groove and a second portion proportioned as to extend outwardly from the edge surface when the first portion of the dowel is received within the groove;

b. a gasket received around the dowel for engagement with the first slab formed when the dowel is received within the groove, to seal the groove against the intrusion of fluid concrete when the second formed slab is cast-in-place against the edge surface of the first formed slab.

2. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the groove is of a semi-circular planar configuration and the dowel is of a rectangular planar configuration.

3. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the gasket is configured to maintain the dowel in generally centrally aligned relationship to the groove when the dowel is received within the groove.

4. An assembly according to claim 2 wherein the gasket comprises a body snugly received around the dowel, said body having a flange extending around the dowel for engagement with the edge surface of the first formed slab and over the groove, when the dowel is received in the groove.

5. An assembly according to claim 4 wherein the gasket further comprises portions extending from the flange and to opposite sides of the dowel.

6. A method for casting a second formed concrete slab in place against a first formed concrete slab, said method comprising:

a. cutting a horizontally disposed groove in an edge surface of the first formed concrete slab;

b. inserting a dowel into the groove so that a first portion of the dowel is received within the groove and a second portion of the dowel extends outwardly from the edge surface of the first formed slab, said groove and first portion being so proportioned as to permit limited relative lateral movement therebetween;

c. providing a gasket to seal the groove against fluid intrusion around the dowel; and

,

d. forming a second slab against the edge surface of the first formed slab so as to embed the second portion of the dowel within the second slab.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein:

a. the groove, as viewed in plan, is of an arcuate configuration; and

b. the dowel is of a rectangular planar configuration having a width less than that of the groove.

8. A method according to claim 7, further comprising providing a resilient spacer between the groove and first portion of the dowel to initially locate the dowel in spaced generally laterally aligned relationship to the groove.

9. A method according to claim 8 wherein the spacer is a part of the gasket and disposed for extension into the groove to opposite sides of the dowel.

10. A method according to claim 6 wherein the groove is cut in the edge of the first slab with a circular saw and is of a semi-circular planar configuration.

11. A method according to claim 10 further comprising supporting the saw on the first formed concrete slab to establish the elevation at which the groove is cut in the edge surface.

12. A juxtaposed pair of cast-in-place concrete slabs, comprising;

a. a first formed concrete slab having a horizontal groove cut in one edge surface thereof;

b. a dowel having;

i. a first portion of a flat planar configuration slidably received within the groove, said first portion being so proportioned relative to the groove as to maintain the dowel in horizontal alignment with the groove and accommodate lateral movement of the dowel within the groove;

ii. a second portion of a flat planar configuration integral with the first portion and extending outwardly from the one edge surface;

c. a gasket received around the dowel and engaged with the first slab to close the groove; and

,

d. a second formed slab cast-in-place against the edge surface of the first slab, with the second portion of the dowel embedded therein.

13. A pair of concrete slabs according to claim 12, wherein the groove is of a semi-circular planar configuration and the first portion of the dowel is on a rectangular planar configuration having a width less than that of the groove.

14. A pair of concrete slabs according to claim 13 wherein the gasket comprises a body snuggly received around the second portion of the dowel, said body having a flange extending over the groove and engaged with the edge surface.

15. A pair of concrete slabs according to claim 14 wherein the gasket further comprises portions extending from the flange and into engagement with opposite sides of the first portion of the dowel.