APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SERVICING PAVEMENT

• US 20150010354A1
• Filed: 03/08/2013
• Published: 01/08/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Integrated Roadways LLC
• Original Assignee: Integrated Roadways LLC
• Inventors: Sylvester, Tim
• Granted Patent: US 9,340,930 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 404/34
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 11/00 Details of pavings E01C1/005, E01C5/003, E01C5/005, E01C7/145, E01C7/185, E01C7/325 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 11/005 Methods or materials for repairing pavings E01C7/35 takes precedence; for concrete coverings E01C7/147; for bituminous coverings E01C7/187; devices for repair works E01C23/06; repairing bridge floorings E01D22/00
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 11/16 Reinforcements as anchoring elements between layers E01C7/145, E01C7/185, E01C7/325 ; for building in general E04C
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 5/00 Pavings made of prefabricated single units specially adapted for playgrounds or sports grounds E01C13/04, for footpaths, sidewalks or cycle tracks E01C15/00; making artificial stones C04B; building stones E04C; flooring E04F
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 5/06 made of units with cement or like binders
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 5/16 made of metallic units with a filling or ground plate of other material E01C5/22; for temporary pavings E01C9/083; steel gratings E01C9/10
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 9/00 Special pavings specially adapted for playgrounds or sports grounds E01C13/00, for footpaths, sidewalks or cycle tracks E01C15/00; Pavings for special parts of roads or airfields pavement lights E01C17/00; manholes or like covers or frames E02D29/14

Abstract

A removable and serviceable paving apparatus including an access port for providing access to the interior of the slab. The access port is operable to improve access to components of the paving system prior to, during, and/or after installation. The paving apparatus further includes a removable fastener for improving removability and serviceability. The removable fastener attaches the paving apparatus to its neighboring structures to form a paving surface, may be disengaged from the neighboring structures for removal, repair and/or service of the paving apparatus, and may be re-engaged upon re-installation of the paving apparatus.

Claims

1. A paving apparatus, comprising:

a slab having an access port (i) extending at least partially into the slab, and (ii) configured to provide access to an interior portion of the slab; and

a receiver (i) at least partially embedded in the access port of the slab, and (ii) configured to provide a point of engagement for the slab.

2. The paving apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a sensor (i) at least partially embedded in the access port of the slab, and (ii) configured to monitor at least one of (a) a physical condition of the slab and (b) the presence of a vehicle.

3. The paving apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a removable plug at least partially sealing the access port.

4. The paving apparatus of claim 1, wherein the slab further includes an internal reinforcement system.

5. The paving apparatus of claim 4, wherein the internal reinforcement system includes a first layer of steel rebar adjacent to a second layer of steel rebar, the second layer of steel rebar being orthogonal to the first layer of steel rebar.

6. The paving apparatus of claim 4, wherein the receiver is a lift lug.

7. The paving apparatus of claim 6, wherein the lift lug is secured to the internal reinforcement system of the slab.

8. The paving apparatus of claim 6, wherein the lift lug is secured to the access port.

9. The paving apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a lift bolt configured to be removably attached to the receiver.

10. The paving apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a grouting port configured to provide fluid communication between a bottom of the slab and the access port.

11. The paving apparatus of claim 9, further comprising:

a grouting port extending at least partially through a shaft of the lift bolt.

12. The paving apparatus of claim 1, wherein the slab further includes a first side with a cavity terminating at the first side, the cavity extending substantially horizontal and perpendicular to the access port.

13. The paving apparatus of claim 12, further comprising:

a removable fastener configured to extend at least partially through the cavity.

14. The paving apparatus of claim 13, wherein the cavity intersects with the access port.

15. The paving apparatus of claim 1, wherein the receiver is secured to the access port.

16. The paving apparatus of claim 13, wherein the removable fastener extends from the first side of the slab for attachment to a receiving structure.

17. The paving apparatus of claim 13, wherein the removable fastener includes a dowel bar.

18. The paving apparatus of claim 17, further comprising:

a rotatable drive bolt configured to (i) couple with the dowel bar, and (ii) control horizontal movement of the dowel bar.

19. The paving apparatus of claim 17, further comprising:

a stop bolt configured to (i) couple with the dowel bar, and (ii) limit or prevent horizontal movement of the dowel bar.

20. The paving apparatus of claim 12, further comprising:

a void control shroud within the cavity, the void control shroud configured to transfer force from the removable fastener to a wall of the cavity.

21. The paving apparatus of claim 16, wherein the receiving structure further includes a mating connector secured to the removable fastener.

22. The paving apparatus of claim 13, further comprising:

a drive bolt configured to (i) couple with the removable fastener, and (ii) control horizontal movement of the removable fastener.

23. The paving apparatus of claim 13, further comprising:

a stop bolt configured to (i) couple with the removable fastener, and (ii) control horizontal movement of the removable fastener.

24. The paving apparatus of claim 19, wherein the stop bolt is removably secured to the receiver.

25. A method for servicing a paving apparatus, the method comprising the steps of:

removing a removable plug adjacent to an access port of the paving apparatus;

securing a lift bolt to a receiver; and

securing a lifting means to the lift bolt,

wherein the lift bolt, lift lug, and lifting means are operable to permit repositioning of the paving apparatus.

26. The method of claim 25, further comprising the step of:

disengaging a removable fastener of the paving apparatus from a receiving structure.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the step of disengaging the removable fastener includes removing a stop bolt from the paving apparatus.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the step of disengaging the removable fastener includes coupling a drive bolt to the removable fastener and rotating the drive bolt to remove its attachment to the receiving structure.

29. The method of claim 27, further comprising the step of:

lowering the paving apparatus and re-engaging the removable fastener to the receiving structure.