U.S. patent application number 15/113322 was filed with the patent office on 2017-01-12 for prefabricated movement joint system for concrete floors.
This patent application is currently assigned to PEIKKO GROUP OY. The applicant listed for this patent is PEIKKO GROUP OY. Invention is credited to Patrick EVE.
Application Number | 20170009446 15/113322 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52706702 |
Filed Date | 2017-01-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170009446 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
EVE; Patrick |
January 12, 2017 |
PREFABRICATED MOVEMENT JOINT SYSTEM FOR CONCRETE FLOORS
Abstract
The invention relates to a prefabricated movement joint system
with top edge rails providing protection for the concrete floor
slab edges. The top edge rails may have a plurality of anchors to
embed in the concrete and position the system, which are formed
from the parent steel of the rail and not for example welded on.
When the top edge rails are joined back to back with the possible
use of yieldable fixings they clamp and hold in position possible a
nylon or other plastic shaped extrusion and the divider plate thus
comprising the whole of the assembled system.
Inventors: |
EVE; Patrick; (Durham,
GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
PEIKKO GROUP OY |
Lahti |
|
FI |
|
|
Assignee: |
PEIKKO GROUP OY
Lahti
FI
|
Family ID: |
52706702 |
Appl. No.: |
15/113322 |
Filed: |
February 13, 2015 |
PCT Filed: |
February 13, 2015 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/FI2015/050088 |
371 Date: |
July 21, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B 5/023 20130101;
E01C 11/14 20130101; E04B 2103/02 20130101; E04B 5/40 20130101;
E04B 1/61 20130101; E04B 1/483 20130101; E01C 11/126 20130101; E04B
2005/322 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E04B 1/61 20060101
E04B001/61; E04B 1/48 20060101 E04B001/48; E04B 5/40 20060101
E04B005/40 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 14, 2014 |
FI |
20145148 |
Feb 28, 2014 |
AU |
2014201090 |
Feb 28, 2014 |
NZ |
621895 |
Claims
1. A prefabricated movement joint system for a concrete floor slab
arrangement, wherein the prefabricated movement joint system is
configured to be arranged in a joint to be formed between a first
concrete floor slab and a second concrete floor slab in the
concrete floor slab arrangement, the prefabricated movement joint
system comprising a first top edge rail of metal or other material
for providing edge protection in two planes for a first upper edge
of the first concrete floor slab in the joint to be formed between
the first concrete floor slab and the second concrete floor slab in
the concrete floor slab arrangement a second top edge rail of metal
or other material for providing edge protection in two planes for a
second upper edge of the second concrete floor slab in the joint to
be formed between the first concrete floor slab and the second
concrete floor slab in the concrete floor slab arrangement, and a
divider plate of metal or other material to be arranged in the
joint to be formed at least partly between the first concrete floor
slab and the second concrete floor slab in the concrete floor slab
arrangement and at least partly between the first two top edge rail
and the second top edge rail, wherein the first top edge rail of
the prefabricated movement joint system comprises a first rail
portion and a second rail portion, wherein the first rail portion
of the first top edge rail is to be arranged essentially parallel
with a top face of the first concrete floor slab, and wherein the
second rail portion of the first top edge rail is to be arranged
essentially parallel with a joint face facing the joint to be
formed between the first concrete floor slab and the second
concrete floor slab, the first rail portion is provided in an
essentially right angle in relation to the second edge rail portion
so that the first top edge rail has an essentially L-shaped cross
section form, the first top edge rail has a plurality of first
anchors to be cast into concrete of the first concrete floor slab
to anchor the first top edge rail in the first concrete floor slab,
at least one first anchor of said plurality of first anchors has
been formed by cutting and plastically deforming the material
forming the second rail portion of the first top edge rail so that
said at least one first anchor is an integral part of the second
rail portion of the first top edge rail and consist of material
that has been used forming the second rail portion of the first top
edge rail, the first rail portion of the first top edge rail is in
the form of an elongated flat sheet member having uniform
thickness, the second rail portion of the first top edge rail is in
the form of an elongated flat sheet member having uniform
thickness, the thickness of the first rail portion of the first top
edge corresponding to the thickness of the second rail portion of
the first top edge rail, the first top edge rail have a plurality
of first anchors to be cast into concrete of the first concrete
floor slab to anchor the first top edge rail in the first concrete
floor slab, at least one first anchor of said plurality of first
anchors has been formed by cutting and plastically deforming
material forming the second rail portion of the first top edge rail
so that said at least one first anchor is an integral part of the
second rail portion of the first top edge rail and consist of
material that has been used forming the second rail portion of the
first top edge rail, and so that the second rail portion of the
first top edge rail has a first opening through the second rail
portion of the first top edge rail at the location said at least
one first anchor has been formed of material forming the second
rail portion of the first top edge rail, and said at least one
first anchor has an at least partly teethed side edge such as an at
least partly saw-toothed side edge.
2. The prefabricated movement joint system according to claim 1,
wherein the dimensions and the shape of the first opening the in
second rail portion of the first top edge rail corresponds at least
partly to the dimensions and the shape of said at least one first
anchor.
3. The prefabricated movement joint system according to claim 1,
wherein the dimensions and the shape of the first opening the in
second rail portion of the first top edge rail corresponds
essentially to the dimensions and the shape of said at least one
first anchor.
4. The prefabricated movement joint system according to claim 1,
wherein said at least one first anchor having an elongated form,
and said at least one first anchor having a thickness corresponding
to the thickness of the second rail portion of the first top edge
rail.
5. The prefabricated movement joint system according to claim 1,
wherein the first rail portion of the first top edge rail being
connected with the second rail portion of the first top edge rail
by means of a first curved portion of the first top edge rail, and
the thickness of the first curved portion of the first top edge
rail corresponding to the thickness of the first rail portion of
the first top edge rail and to the thickness of the second rail
portion of the first top edge rail.
6. The prefabricated movement joint system according to claim 1,
wherein the second top edge rail of the prefabricated movement
joint system comprise a first rail portion and a second rail
portion, wherein the first rail portion of the second top edge rail
is to be arranged essentially parallel with a top face of the
second concrete floor slab, and wherein the second rail portion of
the second top edge rail is to be arranged essentially parallel
with a joint face facing the joint to be formed between the first
concrete floor slab and the second concrete floor slab, and the
first rail portion is provided in an essentially right angle in
relation to the second rail portion so that the second top edge
rail has an essentially L-shaped cross section form.
7. The prefabricated movement joint system according to claim 6,
wherein the second top edge rail have a plurality of second anchors
to be cast into concrete of the second concrete floor slab and to
anchor the second top edge rail in the second concrete floor slab,
and at least one second anchor of said plurality of second anchors
has been formed by cutting and plastically deforming the material
forming the second rail portion of the second top edge rail so that
said at least one second anchor is an integral part of the second
rail portion of the second top edge rail and consist of material
that has been used forming the second rail portion of the second
top edge rail (3b).
8. The prefabricated movement joint system according to claim 7,
wherein the first rail portion of the second top edge rail is in
the form of an elongated flat sheet member having uniform
thickness, the second rail portion of the second top edge rail is
in the form of an elongated flat sheet member having uniform
thickness, the thickness of the first rail portion of the second
top edge rail corresponding to the thickness of the second rail
portion of the second top edge rail, the second top edge rail have
a plurality of second anchors to be cast into concrete of the
second concrete floor slab to anchor the second top edge rail in
the second concrete floor slab, and at least one second anchor of
said plurality of second anchors has been formed by cutting and
plastically deforming material forming the second rail portion of
the second top edge rail so that said at least one second anchor is
an integral part of the second rail portion of the second top edge
rail and consist of material that has been used forming the second
rail portion of the second top edge rail, and so that the second
rail portion of the second top edge rail has a second opening
through the second rail portion of the second top edge rail at the
location said at least one second anchor has been formed of
material forming the second rail portion of the second top edge
rail.
9. The prefabricated movement joint system according to claim 8,
wherein the dimensions and the shape of the second opening the in
second rail portion of the second top edge rail corresponds at
least partly to the dimensions and the shape of said at least one
second anchor.
10. The prefabricated movement joint system according to claim 8,
wherein the dimensions and the shape of the second opening the in
second rail portion of the second top edge rail corresponds
essentially to the dimensions and the shape of said at least one
second anchor.
11. The prefabricated movement joint system according to claim 8,
wherein said at least one second anchor having an elongated form,
and said at least one second anchor having a thickness
corresponding to the thickness of the second rail portion of the
second top edge rail.
12. The prefabricated movement joint system according to claim 8,
wherein said at least one second anchor having an at least partly
teethed side edge such as an at least partly saw-toothed side
edge.
13. The prefabricated movement joint system according to claim 8,
wherein the first rail portion of the second top edge rail being
connected with the second rail portion of the second top edge rail
by means of a second curved portion of the second top edge rail.
the thickness of the second curved portion of the second top edge
rail corresponding to the thickness of the first rail portion of
the second top edge rail and to the thickness of the second rail
portion of the second top edge fail rail.
14. The prefabricated movement joint system according to claim 1,
wherein at least one of the first top edge rail and the second top
edge rail have a plurality of second apertures to suit yieldable
fixings and height adjustment jacks.
15. The prefabricated movement joint system according to claim 1,
wherein comprising a plurality of first apertures for receiving low
tensile yieldable fixings for holding the first top edge rail and
the second top edge rail in position with respect to each
other.
16. The prefabricated movement joint system according to claim 15,
wherein the yieldable fixings being variable to suit the strength
and design of the concrete floor slabs.
17. The prefabricated movement joint system according to claim 1,
wherein comprising a divider plate in the form of a height
adjustable divider plate, which is lockable into position between
the first top edge rail and the second top edge rail.
18. The prefabricated movement joint system according to claim 1,
wherein the divider plate have a plurality of shaped apertures to
accommodate dowels or corresponding load transfer systems arranged
to transfer loads between the first concrete floor slab and the
second concrete floor slab.
19. The prefabricated movement joint system according to claim 1,
wherein the divider plate having a plurality of embossed or raised
ridges for the purpose of strengthening the divider plate.
20. The prefabricated movement joint system according to claim 1,
wherein comprising an extrusion of a nylon or similar plastic type
material, shaped to suit a curved depression between the first top
edge rail and the second top edge rail.
21. The prefabricated movement joint system according to claim 20,
herein the extrusion can be clamped into position between the first
top edge rail and the second top edge rail, thereby preventing
detritus from filling the depression and assisting in the smooth
transition of wheeled traffic across the joint.
22. The prefabricated movement joint system according to claim 1,
wherein at least one of the first top edge rail and the second top
edge rail comprises a plurality of second apertures for receiving
height adjustment jacks or other similar accessories.
23. The prefabricated movement joint system according to claim 1,
wherein can be manufactured in discrete lengths and coupled
together to provide the total desired length of joint.
24. The prefabricated movement joint system according to claim 1,
wherein can be supplied for use either fully assembled or in Kit
Form, for assembly by others.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to prefabricated movement joint system
as defined in the preamble of independent claim 1.
[0002] This invention relates to the forming of concrete floor
slabs, particularly to the forming of the edges of the slabs or
arris's, also to providing protection of said edges, and improved
means for load transfer between adjacent slabs.
[0003] It is well known that concrete floor slabs are cast inside a
formwork, commonly constructed of either timber or steel. This
formwork provides an edge and defines a space in which to cast the
concrete, some types of formwork are removed once the concrete
sets, and some are designed to remain in place for the life of the
floor.
[0004] Once cast, concrete slabs are prone to shrinkage during
curing which causes the edges of the slabs to separate, and expose
the upper edge or arris of each individual slab to damage from
loads, such as lorries or fork trucks passing across the joint.
[0005] Individual slabs often support heavy loads passing from one
slab to another and therefore require a method of load transfer
between adjacent slabs, in order to prevent breakdown of the joint
between adjacent slabs, caused by stresses induced by such loads
Typically round, square or plate dowels and sleeves are embedded in
the concrete to extend at 90.degree. across the formed joint, and
connect the slabs together in order to facilitate the transfer of a
load from one slab across the joint to another.
[0006] Most available prefabricated joints are anchored into the
concrete slabs by a plurality of Shear Studs which have been welded
on either side of the top rails along their length, said welded
studs present a potential consequential risk of failure at the
weld, and can cause severe problems if they break off after the
slab has been cast, making re-welding in situ extremely
difficult.
[0007] Many existing prefabricated joint manufacturers also produce
a dowel and sleeve of their own specific design, and often
manufacture their joint to be able to accommodate only their style
of dowel or similar, other standard dowels may not fit the aperture
provided in the divider plate.
Object of the Invention
[0008] It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an
improved prefabricated joint system which provides maximum
protection to the newly formed joint edge in two planes as opposed
to just one.
Short Description of the Invention
[0009] The prefabricated movement joint system of the invention is
characterized by the definitions of independent claim 1.
[0010] Preferred embodiments of the prefabricated movement joint
system are defined in the dependent claims.
[0011] In an embodiment of the prefabricated movement joint system,
height adjustment is achieved by a customized jack arrangement
which affixes to the prefabricated joint system by means of a
threaded spigot on the jack which passes through a pre-punched
aperture in the edge rails and is secured there by means of a nut
on the other side said jack arrangement is the subject of a
separate patent.
[0012] In one aspect, the invention provides a prefabricated
movement joint system for forming the edge of the concrete slab,
the system comprising a divider plate that may be reinforced by a
plurality of embossed ridges, which may be of any shape or design
to suit. Said divider plate may be formed with a plurality of
apertures, which may be of any shape or design required to accept
most known dowel types and sizes, thereby permitting the use of a
wide range of load transfer mechanisms. The dowels and sleeves
shown as may be used in this system are the subject of a separate
patent.
[0013] The divider plate, because of its possible clamp fixing
between the two top edge rails, can provide in use a degree of
height adjustment to accommodate for different thickness slabs.
Said divider plate will preferably be formed from metal sheet, but
other materials may be used, and is intended to be left in place
between concrete floor slabs cast on each side thereof.
[0014] The prefabricated joint system may further comprise top edge
rails which are preferably supportable by the divider plate, to
provide protection in two planes to the edge of the concrete floor
cast slabs. The top edge rails may further comprise a plurality of
integrated anchors, which are formed from the parent metal of the
top edge rails, and which become embedded in the concrete during
curing and which fix the top edge rails in position.
[0015] The top edge rails of adjoining concrete floor slabs are
preferably attached together with yieldable fixings wherein, as
shrinking occurs during the curing process and the top edge rails
of adjacent slabs are drawn apart, the fixings yield to allow for
the movement. The yieldable fixing may comprise low tensile bolts,
studs or rivets, for example formed from nylon or similar plastics,
which will shear or part under the shrinkage forces. The fixings
for the top edge rails are preferably located in first apertures
formed through the top edge rails and comprise a close tolerance
fit to the fixing, in order to ensure that adjacent top edge rails
are accurately placed in position.
[0016] When the top edge rails are fixed together back to back,
because of a possible radii created by the forming of the angles, a
curved depression is evident. Said depression may hold detritus and
possibly cause hard wheeled traffic traversing the joint to jar or
bump. This potential problem may be removed by the use of a formed
nylon or similar plastic extrusion, shaped in cross section to
exactly fit the curved depression, Said extrusion may also include
a suitable lip or tag at the bottom of the section which can be
captured and clamped in position by the top edge rails.
LIST OF FIGURES
[0017] Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of
example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
[0018] FIG. 1 is a cross section of one embodiment of the
prefabricated movement joint system according to the invention,
forming a joint between a first concrete floor slab and a second
concrete floor slab,
[0019] FIG. 2 is the same cross section of the prefabricated
movement joint system as shown in FIG. 1 but with the addition of a
proprietary plate dowel and sleeve to provide a load transfer
mechanism, said dowel and sleeve are the subject of a separate
patent,
[0020] FIG. 3 is a cross section of the prefabricated movement
joint system as shown in FIG. 2 once the slabs have cured,
shrinkage has taken place and the joint opened, thereby shearing
the yieldable fixings,
[0021] FIG. 4 is a detailed perspective view of the first top edge
rail showing the formed angle and the anchors which are formed from
the parent metal of the rail. This view also shows the apertures
for the yieldable fixings and the Height Adjustment Jack,
[0022] FIG. 4 is a detailed perspective view of the second top edge
rail showing the formed angle and the anchors which are formed from
the parent metal of the rail. This view also shows the apertures
for the yieldable fixings and the Height Adjustment Jack,
[0023] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the divider plate showing at
the top edge slots for the fixings and height adjustment jack
spigot, a plurality of apertures along the length to accommodate
most proprietary dowel types and load transfer systems, and a
plurality of the embossed or raised strengthening ridges, which in
this embodiment take the shape of a cross, but may be of any shape
or size,
[0024] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the formed nylon or any
similar plastic type material extrusion, which is located uppermost
between the top edge rails and is secured in position by means of
being clamped between the top edge rails,
[0025] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a assembled prefabricated
movement joint system including top edge rails with formed angles
and anchors, extruded plastic top strip, divider plate and
yieldable fixings,
[0026] FIG. 9 shows an end sectional view of a prefabricated
movement joint system including top edge rails with formed angles
and anchors, extruded plastic top strip, divider plate and
yieldable fixings, and
[0027] FIG. 10 shows a general perspective view of an assembled
prefabricated movement joint system according to the invention,
ready for use, as in FIG. 8, but with the addition of Dowels and
Sleeves, also included in this view is a Height Adjustment
Jack.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0028] The invention relates to a prefabricated movement joint
system 2 such as an expansion joint system and/or a contraction
joint system for a concrete floor slab arrangement.
[0029] The prefabricated movement joint system is configured to be
arranged in a joint (not marked with a reference numeral) to be
formed between a first concrete floor slab 1a and a second concrete
floor slab 1b when forming the first concrete floor slab 1a and the
second concrete floor slab 1b by casting.
[0030] The prefabricated movement joint system 2 comprises a first
top edge rail 3a of metal or other material for providing edge
protection in two planes for a first upper edge 15a of the first
concrete floor slab 1a in the joint to be formed between the first
concrete floor slab 1a and the second concrete floor slab 1b in the
concrete floor slab arrangement.
[0031] The prefabricated movement joint system 2 comprises a second
top edge rail 3b of metal or other material for providing edge
protection in two planes for a second upper edge 15b of the second
concrete floor slab 1b in the joint to be formed between the first
concrete floor slab 1a and the second concrete floor slab 1b in the
concrete floor slab arrangement.
[0032] The prefabricated movement joint system 2 comprises a
divider plate 4 of metal or other material to be arranged in the
joint to be formed at least partly between the first concrete floor
slab 1a and the second concrete floor slab 1b in the concrete floor
slab arrangement and at least partly between the first two top edge
rail 3a and the second top edge rail 3a.
[0033] The divider plate 4 of metal or other material may be formed
with a plurality of first apertures 12 and second apertures 13 and
embossed strengthening ridges 9. The divider plate 4 may be in the
form of a height adjustable divider plate, which is lockable into
several positions between the first top edge rail 3a and the second
top edge rail 3b so as to adjust the height of the divider plate 4
for example in accordance with the thickness of the first concrete
floor slab 1a and the second concrete floor slab 1b.
[0034] According to the invention as previously described above and
shown in FIGS. 1 to 10, the prefabricated movement joint system 2
may be manufactured in discrete lengths to suit or as required, and
by virtue of the overlap shown, a plurality of the joints may be
connected together in order to form the total desired length of
joint.
[0035] The drawings show a prefabricated movement joint system 2,
suitable for use in forming concrete floor slabs 1a, 1b as shown in
FIG. 1. The prefabricated movement joint system 2 as shown in FIG.
8 comprises a first top edge rail 3a possible provided with formed
first anchors 6a, a second top edge rail 3b possible provided with
formed second anchors 6b, a divider plate 4 as shown in FIG. 8
possible provided with a plurality of yieldable fixings 5.
[0036] The first top edge rail 3a and the second top edge rail 3b
are preferably, as shown in the figures, elongate and can be
provided in lengths and joined together and cut as required,
comprising possible of a formed unequal angle, with the narrow
plane facing uppermost to the top, and the other to the vertical,
this angle being designed to provide armored protection to the edge
of the first concrete floor slab 1a, or correspondingly, to the
second concrete floor slab 1b.
[0037] In the prefabricated movement joint system 2 one of the
first top edge rail 3a and the second top edge rail 3b of the
prefabricated movement joint system 2 may be formed into an angle
to provide edge protection to a part of the top face (not marked
with a reference numeral) and to a part of the joint face (not
marked with a reference numeral) of the first concrete floor slab
1a in the joint to be formed between a first concrete floor slab 1a
and a second concrete floor slab 1b.
[0038] In the prefabricated movement joint system 2 one of the
first top edge rail 3a and the second top edge rail 3b of the
prefabricated movement joint system 2 may be formed into an angle
to provide edge protection to a part of the top face and to a part
of the joint face of the second concrete floor slab in the joint to
be formed between a first concrete floor slab 1a and a second
concrete floor slab 1b.
[0039] In an embodiment of the prefabricated movement joint system
2 the first top edge rail 3a of the movement joint system 2 may
have has a plurality of first anchors 6a to embed and position the
first top edge rail 3a in the first concrete floor slab 1a so that
at by at least one first anchor 6a of said plurality of first
anchors 6a has been formed from the parent metal of a vertical
plane of the first top edge rail 3a, as opposed to being welded on
or affixed by some other method.
[0040] In an embodiment of the prefabricated movement joint system
2 the second top edge rail 3b of the prefabricated movement joint
system 2 may have has a plurality of second anchors 6b to embed and
position the second top edge rail 3b in the second concrete floor
slab 1a so that at by at least one second anchor 6b of said
plurality of anchors 6 has been formed from the parent metal of a
vertical plane of the second top edge rail 3b, as opposed to being
welded on or affixed by some other method.
[0041] In an embodiment of the prefabricated movement joint system
2 the first top edge rail 3a of the prefabricated movement joint
system 2 comprise a first rail portion 16a and a second rail
portion 17a. The first rail portion 16a of the first top edge rail
3a is to be arranged essentially parallel with a top face of the
first concrete floor slab 1a. The second rail portion 17a of the
first top edge rail 3a is to be arranged essentially parallel with
a joint face (not marked with a reference numeral) facing the joint
to be formed between the first concrete floor slab 1a and the
second concrete floor slab 1b. In this embodiment of the
prefabricated movement joint system 2 the first rail portion 16a is
provided in an essentially right angle in relation to the second
rail portion 17a so that the first top edge rail 3a has an
essentially L-shaped cross section form. In this embodiment of the
prefabricated movement joint system 2 the first top edge rail 3a
may have a plurality of first anchors 6a to be cast into concrete
of the first concrete floor slab 1a to anchor the first top edge
rail 3a in the first concrete floor slab 1a so that at least one
first anchor 6a of said plurality of first anchors 6a has been
formed by cutting and plastically deforming the material forming
the second rail portion 17a of the first top edge rail 3a so that
said at least one first anchor 6a is an integral part of the second
rail portion 17a of the first top edge rail 3a and consist of
material that has been used forming the second rail portion 17a of
the first top edge rail 3a.
[0042] In an embodiment of the prefabricated movement joint system
2 the second top edge rail 3b of the prefabricated movement joint
system 2 comprise a first rail portion 16b and a second rail
portion 17b. The first rail portion 16b of the second top edge rail
3b is to be arranged essentially parallel with a top face of the
second concrete floor slab 1b. The second rail portion 16b of the
second top edge rail 3b is to be arranged essentially parallel with
a joint face facing the joint to be formed between the first
concrete floor slab 1a and the second concrete floor slab 1b. The
first rail portion 16b is provided in an essentially right angle in
relation to the second rail portion 17b so that the second top edge
rail 3b has an essentially L-shaped cross section form. In this
embodiment of the prefabricated movement joint system 2 the second
top edge rail 3b may have a plurality of second anchors 6b to be
cast into concrete of the second concrete floor slab 1b and to
anchor the second top edge rail 3b in the second concrete floor
slab 1b, and at least one second anchor 6b of said plurality of
second anchors 6b has been formed by cutting and plastically
deforming the material forming the second rail portion 17b of the
second top edge rail 3b so that said at least one second anchor 6b
is an integral part of the second rail portion 17b of the second
top edge rail 3b and consist of material that has been used forming
the second rail portion 17b of the second top edge rail 3b. In an
embodiment of the prefabricated movement joint system, the first
rail portion 16a of the first top edge rail 3a is in the form of an
elongated flat sheet member having uniform thickness and the second
rail portion 17a of the first top edge rail 3a is in the form of an
elongated flat sheet member having uniform thickness so that the
thickness of the first rail portion 16a of the first top edge rail
3a corresponds to the thickness of the second rail portion 17a of
the first top edge rail 3a. In this embodiment, the first top edge
rail 3a have a plurality of first anchors 6a to be cast into
concrete of the first concrete floor slab 1a to anchor the first
top edge rail 3a in the first concrete floor slab 1a, so that by at
least one first anchor 6a of said plurality of first anchors 6a has
been formed by cutting and plastically deforming material forming
the second rail portion 17a of the first top edge rail 3a so that
said at least one first anchor 6a is an integral part of the second
rail portion 17a of the first top edge rail 3a and consist of
material that has been used forming the second rail portion 17a of
the first top edge rail 3a, and so that the second rail portion 17a
of the first top edge rail 3a has a first opening 18a through the
second rail portion 17a of the first top edge rail 3a at the
location said at least one first anchor 6a has been formed of
material forming the second rail portion 17a of the first top edge
rail 3a. The first opening 18a increases the strength of the
connection between the first top edge rail 3a and the first
concrete floor slab 1a and increases the sheer strength of the
movement joint system. The dimensions and the shape of the first
opening 18a the in second rail portion 17a of the first top edge
rail 3a may correspond at least partly to the dimensions and the
shape of said at least one first anchor 6a. Alternatively, the
dimensions and the shape of the first opening 18a the in second
rail portion 17a of the first top edge rail 3a may correspond
essentially to the dimensions and the shape of said at least one
first anchor 6a. In this embodiment, said at least one first anchor
6a may have an elongated form, and said at least one first anchor
6a may have a thickness corresponding to the thickness of the
second rail portion 17a of the first top edge rail 3a. In this
embodiment, said at least one first anchor 6a may have an at least
partly teethed side edge such as an at least partly saw-toothed
side edge. In this embodiment, the first rail portion 16a of the
first top edge rail 3a may be connected with the second rail
portion 17a of the first top edge rail 3a by means of a first
curved portion 19a of the first top edge rail 3a, wherein the
thickness of the first curved portion 19a of the first top edge
rail 3a corresponds to the thickness of the first rail portion 16a
of the first top edge rail 3a and to the thickness of the second
rail portion 17a of the first top edge rail 3a. Provision of a
first curved portion 19a between the first rail portion 16a of the
first top edge rail 3a and the second rail portion 17a of the first
top edge rail 3a reduces impact damage for example to small fork
truck wheels as opposed to sharp formed edges.
[0043] In an embodiment of the prefabricated movement joint system,
the first rail portion 16b of the second top edge rail 3b is in the
form of an elongated flat sheet member having uniform thickness,
and the second rail portion 17b of the second top edge rail 3b is
in the form of an elongated flat sheet member having uniform
thickness, so that the thickness of the first rail portion 16b of
the second top edge rail 3b corresponding to the thickness of the
second rail portion 17b of the second top edge rail 3b. In this
embodiment the second top edge rail 3b have a plurality of second
anchors 6b to be cast into concrete of the second concrete floor
slab 1b to anchor the second top edge rail 3b in the second
concrete floor slab 1b, so that at least one second anchor 6b of
said plurality of second anchors 6b has been formed by cutting and
plastically deforming material forming the second rail portion 17a
of the second top edge rail 3b so that said at least one second
anchor 6b is an integral part of the second rail portion 17b of the
second top edge rail 3b and consist of material that has been used
forming the second rail portion 17b of the second top edge rail 3b,
and so that the second rail portion 17b of the second top edge rail
3b has a second opening 18b through the second rail portion 17b of
the second top edge rail 3b at the location said at least one
second anchor 6b has been formed of material forming the second
rail portion 17a of the second top edge rail 3b. The second opening
18b increases the strength of the connection between the first top
edge rail 3a and the first concrete floor slab 1a and increases the
sheer strength of the movement joint system. The dimensions and the
shape of the second opening 18b the in second rail portion 17a of
the second top edge rail 3b may correspond at least partly to the
dimensions and the shape of said at least one second anchor 6b.
Alternatively the dimensions and the shape of the second opening
18b the in second rail portion 17b of the second top edge rail 3b
may correspond essentially to the dimensions and the shape of said
at least one second anchor 6b. In this embodiment, said at least
one second anchor 6b may have an elongated form, and said at least
one second anchor 6b may have a thickness corresponding to the
thickness of the second rail portion 17b of the second top edge
rail 3b. In this embodiment said at least one second anchor 6b may
have an at least partly teethed side edge such as an at least
partly saw-toothed side edge. In this embodiment the first rail
portion 16b of the second top edge rail 3b may be connected with
the second rail portion 17b of the second top edge rail 3b by means
of a second curved portion 19b of the second top edge rail 3b,
wherein the thickness of the second curved portion 19b of the
second top edge rail 3b corresponds to the thickness of the first
rail portion 16b of the second top edge rail 3b and to the
thickness of the second rail portion 17b of the second top edge
rail 3b. Provision of a second curved portion 19a between the first
rail portion 16b of the second top edge rail 3b and the second rail
portion 17b of the second top edge rail 3b reduces impact damage
for example to small fork truck wheels as opposed to sharp formed
edges.
[0044] At least one of the first top edge rail 3a and the second
top edge rail 3b may be provided with a plurality of first
apertures 12 for receiving the yieldable fixings 5 and/or with
another plurality of second apertures 13 for receiving the height
adjusting jack 11 as shown in FIG. 10.
[0045] The first top edge rail 3a and the second top edge rail 3b
of the prefabricated movement joint system 2 may be fixable back to
back with the yieldable fixings 5 thereby clamping into position
the divider plate 4 and an optional extrusion 7 of plastic such as
nylon or other material, as shown in FIG. 7. The extrusion 7 serves
two functions, firstly to keep out detritus from the curved
depression and secondly to assist in smooth wheeled transition of
the prefabricated movement joint system 2 once in situ.
[0046] A plurality of shaped openings 8 may be provided along the
length of the divider plate 4. The shaped openings 8 are of a
generally squat and wide shape in order to permit dowels 14 such as
circular, square, or plate dowels to extend there through, thereby
permitting the use of a wide variety of dowels and load transfer
mechanisms.
[0047] Another optional feature of the divider plate 4 is a
plurality of slots 15 uppermost along the top edge, these slots are
there to permit the passage of yieldable fixings 5 and height
adjustment jacks 11 through the first top edge rail 3a and the
second top edge rail 3b when the prefabricated movement joint
system 2 is assembled for use.
[0048] In order to strengthen the divider plate 4 to resist the
flow of concrete being poured against it a plurality of embossed
straightening ridges 9 as shown in FIG. 6 are formed, said embossed
straightening ridges 9 may be of any suitable shape or design as
required.
[0049] A view of the complete prefabricated movement joint system 2
or assembly ready for use, including plate dowels and sleeves 10
also a height adjusting jack 11 can be viewed in FIG. 10. The
aforementioned plate dowels and jack are the subject of separate
patents and do not form a part of this application.
[0050] Whilst endeavoring in the foregoing specification to draw
attention to those features of the invention believed to be of
particular importance, it should be understood that the applicant
claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or
combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in
the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed
thereon.
* * * * *