Expansion Joint System

• US 20100263312A1
• Filed: 12/14/2007
• Published: 10/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Construction Research & Technology GmbH (BASF SE)
• Original Assignee: Construction Research & Technology GmbH (BASF SE)
• Inventors: Bradford, Paul, Derrigan, James
• Granted Patent: US 8,267,617 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 52/309.170
• CPC Class Codes: E01D 19/065 Joints having sliding plates

Abstract

A cover plate system for a gap (15) between two structural members (10, 20) is provided. The system includes an elongated cover (30) that extends across the gap (15) from a first structural member (10) to a second, spaced-apart structural member (20). The cover plate system further includes damped spring anchors (40) for engaging the cover plate (30) to an underlying structural member (10) and dampers (50, 60) for absorbing energy imparted to the cover plate (30) by vehicular traffic. The cover plate system minimizes the strain energy that is absorbed by the cover plate (30), which results in less cover plate slapping and bouncing during operation.

Claims

1. A cover plate expansion joint system for bridging a gap between spaced apart structural members comprising:

an elongated plate extending across said gap between said structural members;

at least one load absorbing damper positioned between said elongated plate and at least one of said structural members;

at least one anchor for anchoring said elongated plate to one of said structural members; and

at least one spring engaged with said at least one anchor.

2. The cover plate expansion joint system of claim 1, wherein portions of said elongated plate overly said spaced apart structural members.

3. The cover plate expansion joint system of claim 1, wherein said elongated plate further comprises a slip resistant coating.

4. The cover plate expansion joint system of claim 1, further comprising a resilient base between said load absorbing dampers and said structural members.

5. The cover plate expansion joint system of claim 4, wherein said resilient base comprises an elastomeric concrete.

6. The cover plate expansion joint system of claim 5, wherein said elastomeric concrete comprises a two component polyurethane and aggregate.

7. The cover plate expansion joint system of claim 5, wherein said elastomeric concrete absorbs impact loads.

8. The cover plate expansion joint system of claim 1, wherein said load absorbing dampers are cast into said elongated plate.

9. The cover plate expansion joint system of claim 8, wherein said load absorbing dampers comprise a polyurethane material.

10. The cover plate expansion joint system of claim 9, wherein said load absorbing dampers are cast into said elongated plate near opposite margins of said structural members.

11. The cover plate expansion joint system of claim 1, wherein said spring anchors comprise a polyurethane material.

12. The cover plate expansion joint system of claim 11, wherein said polyurethane spring anchors comprise cylindrical springs.

13. The cover plate expansion joint system of claim 1, wherein said spring anchors are engaged to said elongated cover by fasteners.

14. The cover plate expansion joint system of claim 13, wherein said fasteners are selected from the group consisting of bolts, screws, rivets, nails, pins, and combinations thereof.

15. The cover plate expansion joint system of claim 10, wherein said fasteners comprise bolts.

16. The cover plate expansion joint system of claim 1, wherein said spring anchors are engaged to an anchor structure, and wherein said anchor structure is engaged to one of said structural members.

17. A cover plate expansion joint system for bridging a gap between spaced apart structural members comprising:

an elongated plate extending across said gap between said structural members;

at least one load absorbing damper positioned between said elongated plate and at least one of said structural members;

at least one anchor for anchoring said elongated plate to one of said structural members; and

at least one spring engaged with said at least one anchor, wherein said springs apply a torque on said elongated plate to urge said elongated plate against said structural members.

18. A cover plate expansion joint system for bridging a gap between spaced apart structural members comprising:

an elongated plate extending across said gap between said structural members;

at least one load absorbing damper positioned between said elongated plate and at least one of said structural members; and

at least one anchor for anchoring said elongated plate to one of said structural members; and

at least one spring engaged with said at least one anchor, wherein said springs apply a moment on said elongated plate to urge said elongated plate against said structural members.

19. A cover plate expansion joint system for bridging a gap between spaced apart structural members comprising:

an elongated plate extending across said gap between said structural members;

load absorbing dampers positioned between said elongated plate and at least one of said structural members adapted to resist a compressive load between said elongated cover and said structural members; and

at least one anchor for anchoring said elongated plate to one of said structural members; and

at least one spring engaged with said at least one anchor, wherein said spring provide a compressive load between the elongated cover and said structural members.

20. The cover plate expansion joint system of claim 19, comprising:

an elongated plate extending across said gap between said structural members;

at least one load absorbing damper positioned between said elongated plate and said first structural member adapted to resist a compressive load between said elongated cover and said structural member;

at least one load absorbing damper positioned between said elongated plate and said second structural member adapted to resist a compressive load between said elongated cover and said structural member; and

wherein said springs produce a compressive load between the elongated cover and said structural members.