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

• US 7,441,985 B2
• Filed: 05/17/2006
• Issued: 10/28/2008
• 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.
• Primary Examiner(s): Addie; Raymond W
• Application Number:
  US11/436,690
• Publication Number:
  US 20070269266A1
• Time in Patent Office: 895 Days
• Field of Search: 404 51- 70
• 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 semi-circular horizontal groove of a given diameter 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. an elongate horizontal dowel, said dowel having;

i. a first portion of a rectangular planar configuration with oppositely disposed side edges spaced apart by a distance substantially less than the diameter of the groove, said first portion being configured for slidable receipt within the groove to maintain the dowel in horizontal alignment with the groove and accommodate lateral movement of the dowel relative to the groove; and

,

ii. a second portion configured 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 and configured for engagement with the first formed slab when the first portion 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, said gasket having narrow elongate portions engaged with and extending along the side edges of the first portion of the dowel to resiliently maintain the dowel in generally radially extending centered relationship to the groove, while permitting lateral movement of the dowel within said groove.

2. An assembly according to claim 1 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.

3. 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 semi-circular groove of a given diameter in an edge surface of the first formed concrete slab;

b. inserting an elongate horizontal dowel into the groove so that a first portion of the dowel is slidably received within the groove and a second portion of the dowel extends outwardly from the edge surface of the first formed slab, said first portion being of a rectangular planar configuration with oppositely disposed side edges spaced apart by a distance substantially less than the diameter of the groove so as to permit relative lateral movement of the first portion within the groove;

c. providing a gasket to seal the groove against fluid intrusion around the dowel, said gasket having narrow elongate portions engaged with and extending along the side edges of the first portion of the dowel to resiliently maintain the dowel in generally radially extending centered relationship to the groove, while permitting lateral movement of the dowel within said groove; and

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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.

4. A method according to claim 3 wherein the groove is cut in the edge of the first slab with a circular saw.

5. A method according to claim 4 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.

6. A juxtaposed pair of cast-in-place concrete slabs, comprising:

a. a first formed concrete slab having a semi-circular horizontal groove of a given diameter cut in one edge surface thereof;

b. an elongate horizontal dowel having;

i. a first portion slidabl received within the groove, said first portion being of a rectangular planar configuration with oppositely disposed side edges spaced apart by a distance substantially less than the diameter of 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, said gasket having narrow elongate portions engaged with and extending along the side edges of the first portion of the dowel to resiliently maintain the dowel in generally radially extending centered spaced relationship to the groove, while permitting lateral movement of the dowel within said 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.

7. A pair of concrete slabs according to claim 6 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.