Structural joint for slabs in moldable material

• US 6,354,053 B1
• Filed: 12/28/1999
• Issued: 03/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: RCR Industrial Flooring S.a.r.l. (RCR Industrial Flooring SLU)
• Original Assignee: Euro Steel S.A.
• Inventors: Kerrels, Pierre Raymond
• Primary Examiner(s): Friedman, Carl D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HORTON, YVONNE MICHELE
• Application Number:
  US09/446,832
• Time in Patent Office: 805 Days
• Field of Search: 523/93, 523/95, 523/960.2, 523/960.4, 523/960.8, 524/02, 525/821, 525/861, 525/851, 404/47, 404/74, 404/51, 405/287
• US Class Current: 52/396.04
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 11/08 Packing of metal E01C11/045 takes precedence
• 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 5/08 Reinforced units with steel frames with metal upper or under layers E01C5/22

Abstract

The joint includes at least two profile elements having such a shape as to enable mutual engagement thereof as a male part and at least a female part, each being integral with one of the edges of two adjacent slabs. One edge of the slab is provided with a substantially L-shaped female profile, whose vertical stem extends all along the edge up to the sharp edge of the upper surface of the slab, and whose base stem extends towards the inner part of the slab and is downwardly folded to form a further stem, extending parallel to the base stem and forming a small space therebetween, for possible engagement of a part of the male profile.

Claims

1. A structural joint adapted to be engaged with slabs made of a moldable material comprising at least two profile elements, each adapted to be integral with one of the edges of two adjacent slabs, the profile elements being arranged so as that one may engage the other, one of the profile elements comprising a male profile, at least one of the profile elements being a female profile, whereby,

the female profile being a substantially L-shaped female profile adapted to be engaged with

at least one edge of one of the slabs and having a vertical stem adapted for extending all along the edge up to a sharp edge of an upper surface of the slab, and having a base stem adapted for extending toward the inner part of the slab, wherein the base stem includes a first branch and is downwardly folded to form a second branch extending substantially parallel to the first branch of the base stem and forming a small space therebetween to permit receipt of a part of the male profile into the space in shiftable engagement therewith for permitting relative movement between the male profile and the female profile.

2. A structural joint as claimed in claim 1, whereby the other edge of the slab is provided with a substantially L-shaped male profile, having a vertical stem extending all along the edge up to the sharp edge of the upper surface of the slab, and having a base stem extending out of the slab and has such a size that it engaged in the small space of the female profile.

3. A structural joint as claimed in claim 2, whereby the base stem of the male profile is provided with an extension in the form of a shoulder which extends beyond the vertical stem and is directed toward the inner part of the slab.

4. A structural joint as claimed in claim 1, whereby the other edge of the slab is provided with a second female profile disposed symmetrically to the first female profile and in that the male profile consists of a flat part having one end and another end whereof said one end is engaged in the first female profile and the other end is engaged in the second female profile.

5. A structural joint as claimed in claim 1, whereby the base stem of the female profile is situated in a downwardly offset position with respect to the median line of the concrete slab.

6. A structural joint as claimed in claim 1, whereby the male profile comprises a compact and rigid metal part, which can interact with at least one female profile ensuring a high resistance of the jointing system.

7. A structural joint as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vertical stem of the female profile is oriented in a substantially vertical plane and the first branch of the base stem is oriented in a substantially horizontal plane.

8. A structural joint as claimed in claim 7, wherein the second branch of the base stem is oriented in a substantially horizontal plane.

9. A structural joint as claimed in claim 1, wherein said part of the male profile is oriented in a substantially horizontal plane for interfitting into the space.