Expansion Joint Cover Assembly

Abstract

An expansion joint cover assembly for structural sections disposed in spaced relationship and defining an elongated joint therebetween includes an elongated rigid base and/or support member mounted on at least one of the structural sections adjacent a margin thereof and an elongated rigid plate member having a width greater than that of the joint between the structural sections and positioned to overlie same. The expansion joint cover assembly includes a member hingedly connecting the plate member and base and/or support member to permit relative movement therebetween and spaced resilient members engaging the connecting and the support member to hold the plate member in position overlying the joint during the relative movement between the plate member and the base and/or support member.

Description

The present invention relates to expansion joint cover assemblies for buildings and more particularly to an expansion joint cover assembly for covering adjacent portions of spaced structural sections which are prone to vary in position relative to each other.

It is well known that in building structures of monolithic concrete, concrete blocks, bricks and the like, relatively long walls, ceilings, and floors, must have expansion joints to prevent cracks due to expansion and contraction. Also due to earth movement it is necessary in such building structures to make portions in sections with expansion joints therebetween to accommodate the expansion, contraction and movement, even those caused by earthquake tremor.

Various arrangements of strips over the expansion joints have been made to make sightly structure even with the sections moved from the original positions. However, the cover structure and mountings heretofore used, have been difficult to install or have not been capable of handling all conditions or were considered unsightly. Such strips primarily accommodated relative movement of the building's sections in a single plane and in many instances are inefficient in providing suitable protection.

The principal objects of the present invention are: to provide an expansion joint cover assembly particularly designed to cover expansion joints between spaced building sections, such as floors, floors and walls, walls, walls and ceilings, and ceilings, which eliminate the difficulties above mentioned; to provide such an expansion joint cover assembly adapted to cover an expansion joint between adjacent structural sections having concrete, concrete blocks, brick, or metal, or combinations thereof, with portions of the expansion joint cover structure being adapted to accommodate relative movement between the adjacent structural sections in any direction; to provide such an expansion joint cover assembly which includes an elongated rigid plate member having a width greater than that of a joint between the structural sections and having opposite edge portions thereof maintained in firm engagement with the adjacent structural sections while permitting relative movement therebetween; to provide such an expansion joint cover assembly particularly designed to overlie a joint between adjacent structural sections disposed in a generally common plane and structural sections disposed in generally perpendicular relationship with a pivotal connection and a resilient structure urging the cover plate into contact with the structural sections; to provide such an expansion joint cover assembly particularly designed to cover the joint between an existing structural section and a newly constructed structural section and between adjacent newly constructed structural sections; to provide such an expansion joint cover assembly wherein the components thereof are elongated members particularly adapted to be formed by extrusion processes; and to provide such an expansion joint cover assembly which is economical to manufacture, easily installed, convenient to repair or replace and which can be mounted on exterior or interior surfaces after the building structure has been completed, which is decorative when installed, and which permits multiple directional relative movement of the building sections at the joint therebetween.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention.

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of an expansion joint cover assembly embodying features of the present invention in place on a building floor in covering relation to an expansion joint between an existing section and a new section thereof.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view through the expansion joint cover assembly and floor portions taken on line 2--2, FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of a form of the expansion joint cover assembly in place on a building to cover an expansion joint between two sections of new construction with the sections being generally coplanar.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view through the expansion joint cover assembly taken on line 4--4, FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of a form of the expansion joint cover assembly in place on a building to cover an expansion joint between two sections arranged in angular relation.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view through the expansion joint cover assembly of FIG. 5 taken on line 6--6, FIG. 5.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

The reference numeral 1 generally designates an elongated joint or space between adjacent portions of a building structure 2 having structural sections 3 and 4 separated by the expansion joint or space 1. The building sections 3 and 4, may be floor, wall, or ceiling sections and may be of monolithic concrete, building blocks, brick, metal, or any combination thereof, or other suitable material. In the structure illustrated, the building sections 3 and 4 have outer or exposed faces 5 and 6 respectively, with an expansion joint cover assembly 7 having portions covering the joint 1, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and engaging the spaced structural sections 3 and 4. The expansion joint cover assembly 7 is adapted to permit and accommodate relative movement between the adjacent structural sections 3 and 4 in any direction.

In the structure illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the expansion joint cover assembly 7 includes an elongated rigid base member 8 adapted to be mounted on the outer face 6 of one of the structural sections, for example, building section 4 adjacent a margin thereof. The base member 8 is preferably formed of metal or other suitable material and is an elongated strip.

The base member 8 is illustrated as having a first portion 9 extending generally perpendicular to the outer face 6 and a second portion 10 extending generally perpendicular to the first portion 9 and having an outer edge 11 terminating adjacent the joint 1. The base member 8 is preferably positioned in the forms and thereby secured to the building section 4 along the margin thereof and adjacent the joint 1 by suitable fastening devices, such as spaced anchor bolts 12, being in position when the section is formed. In the illustrated structure, the base member 8 includes an elongated slot 13 sized to receive a head portion 14 of the anchor bolts 12.

The base member 8 is also adapted to be secured to a respective building section constructed to have a preformed recess or shoulder along the marginal edge thereof for receiving same. One of the first portion 9 and second portion 10 of the base member 8 has a plurality of apertures 15 spaced longitudinally therealong for receiving a shank portion of a bolt (not shown) to be threadedly engaged in suitable bushings (not shown) recessed in holes drilled in the respective building section wherein the bushings are anchored in the section in any suitable manner as, for example, the bolts and bushings forming expansion bolt structures for anchoring the base member 8 to the respective building sections.

The first portion 9 of the base member 8 has an outwardly projecting portion 16 which extends from the first portion 9 and has an upstanding rib 17 complimentary to and designed to interengage with an edge of an elongated rigid support member 18 overlying the base member 8 and suitably secured thereto. In the illustrated structure, the first portion 9 of the base member 8 has an elongated ribbed recess 19 adapted to receive a suitable threaded fastening device, such as a flat headed screw 20, extending through the support member 18 and longitudinally spaced therealong.

The support member 18 is preferably formed of metal and is an elongated strip and is illustrated as a generally T-shaped member having a flange portion 21 positioned generally parallel with the outer face 6 of the section 4 or an exterior surface of finishing material thereon and a stem portion 22 extending generally perpendicular to the flange portion 21 and parallel with the first portion 9 of the base member 8 and preferably having one surface thereof in engagement therewith. The flange portion 21 is generally centered relative to the stem portion 22 and has a mounting portion overlying the ribbed recess 19 with a plurality of longitudinally spaced countersunk apertures 23 to receive the flat head screws 20. The flange portion 21 of the support member 18 has a support portion extending beyond the stem portion 22 and toward the joint 1 between the structural sections 3 and 4.

An elongated rigid plate member 24 preferably of metal or other suitable material which has a width greater than that of the joint 1 between the structural sections 3 and 4 and is positioned to have an inner surface 25 thereof overlying the joint 1 and edge portions thereof engaging the structural sections 3 and 4. In the illustrated cover assembly, the plate member 24 has opposite edge portions 26 and 27 overlying and in engagement with members on the other structural section 3 or finishing material thereon and the flange portion 21 of the support member 18 respectively.

It is preferred that the base member, support member, and cover plate be of a structure for forming by extrusion method for economy of manufacture, therefore, all of the sections of the members are uniform for the length of the joint except for anchoring indentations or projections made during assembly.

It is desirable to provide means connecting the plate member 24 and the support member 18 for holding the plate member 24 in position overlying the joint 1 between the building sections 3 and 4 and closing the joint 1 therebetween and for permitting relative movement between the building sections in any direction and bodily movement of the plate member 24. A pivotal connection is provided in the form of an elongated hinge structure connecting a connecting member to the base member and to the plate member and in the illustrated structure, an elongated recess 28 is formed in the inner surface 25 of the plate member 24 and a similar elongated recess 29 is formed in a joint facing surface 30 of the stem portion 22 of the support member 18. The recesses 28 and 29 are preferably identical and are generally cylindrical and formed by arcuate arms extending from the respective surface and having facing free ends.

The recesses 28 and 29 are designed to receive enlarged edge portions 31 and 32 respectively of a connecting member 33 extending between the plate member 24 and the support member 18 for holding the plate member 24 in position overlying and closing the joint 1 while permitting bodily movement of the plate member 24 relative to the base member and relative movement between the structural sections.

The connecting member 33 is illustrated as having a pair of connected flanges 34 and 35 positioned in normal relation with the inner surface 25 of the plate member 24 and the joint facing surface 30 of the stem portion 22 of the support member 18 respectively. The connecting member 33 may be a plurality of short sections spaced along the plate member 24 and the support member 18, however, the connecting member 33 is preferably of metal and is an elongated member as, for example, an aluminum extrusion.

The enlarged edge portions 31 and 32 are positioned at the free edge of the flanges 34 and 35 respectively and are generally cylindrical and are slightly smaller than the recesses 28 and 29 and the flanges 34 and 35 have a thickness less than the spacing between the free ends of the arcuate arms forming the recesses 28 and 29 whereby the recesses 28 and 29 and the edge portions 31 and 32 are sized and shaped to permit relative movement between the connecting member 33 and the plate member 24 and the support member 18.

Suitable resilient means, such as springs, sponge rubber, or the like, are provided to hold the plate member 24 in contact with the structural sections 3 and 4. The resilient means engage the connecting member 33 and one of plate member 24 and the support member 18 to urge same apart.

In the illustrated structure, the joint facing surface 30 of the stem portion 22 has a pocket 36 formed therein which is adapted to receive a portion of each of a plurality of spaced resilient members 37 therein. Each resilient member 37 has a mounting portion and a pair of spaced arms 38 and 39 extending from the mounting portion with one of the arms, for example, arm 38 engaging the flange portion 21 of the support member 18 and the other arm 39 engaging one flange, for example, flange 35, of the connecting member 33 for urging same apart whereby the connecting member 33 holds the edge portions 26 and 27 of the plate member 24 in engagement with the structural section 3 and the flange portion 21 of the support member 18 respectively. Each resilient member 37 is preferably a narrow generally U-shaped member formed of spring steel and longitudinally spaced along the support member 18 and the connecting member 33.

The expansion joint cover assembly 7 is particularly adapted to be employed as a threshold between and covering a joint between an existing floor and a new floor of an extension of the respective building. An outer surface of the plate member 24 may receive any desired ornamental treatment, such as plain, serrated, or having a suitable abrasive material therein.

Installation of the expansion joint cover assembly 7 includes mounting the base member 8 on one of the structural sections by being in position during construction of the respective section, as by being secured in forms when concrete is placed, or by being secured to a finished section by expansion bolts. The support member 18 may be secured to the base member 8 prior to the mounting thereof on the structural section or the support member 18 may be secured to the base member 8 after same is in place so as to be substantially a composite base member as if the base member and support member were formed as one piece. The connecting member 33 is mounted on the plate member 24 and the support member 18 and the resilient members or springs 37 are mounted in the pocket 36 and longitudinally spaced therealong and the support member 18 is suitably deformed or indented, as at 40, on each side of each spring to maintain the springs in position all preferably before securing the support member to the base member.

However, it is preferably to assemble the support member 18, connecting member 33, plate member 24 and the resilient members or springs 37 in the factory or other suitable location and install the assembled members on the base member 8 by engaging the edge of the flange portion 21 of the support member 18 with the upstanding rib 17 to obtain sufficient leverage to flatten out the cover assembly which increases the tension on the springs 37 and then secure the cover assembly to the base member 8 with the screws 20. The assembly of the components or members of the cover assembly includes sliding the enlarged edge portion 31 in the recess 28 from one end of the support member 18. The springs 37 are then snapped into position individually in the pocket 36 at the locations along the support member 18. The plate member 24 is positioned at one end of the connecting member 33 with the enlarged edge portion 31 received in the recess 28 and the edge portion 27 clearing or above the flange portion 21 and then slid along the connecting member 33 to a position aligned with the support member 18 and connecting member 33.

It may be desirable to provide a flexible material extending across the joint between the structural sections to form a gutter having opposite edge portions suitably supported on the structural sections 3 and 4, such as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, for collecting moisture passing between the structural sections and conveying same to a suitable point of disposal, such as down-spout or a plumbing system (not shown).

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a preferred specific embodiment of the new expansion joint cover assembly to cover an expansion joint 41 between adjacent building sections 42 and 43 which can be either wall, floor, or ceiling sections. In this embodiment, a base member 8 is secured in position adjacent a margin of each of the building sections 42 and 43 and in opposed relation. Support members 44 and 45 are secured to the base member 8 on the building sections 42 and 43 respectively, as previously described. A mounting portion 46 extends outwardly from a support portion of a flange portion 48 of each of the support members 44 and 45.

An outer face of a suitable seal member 49 is generally in the same plane as an outer face 50 of each of the building sections 42 and 43 or an exterior surface of finishing material thereon, such as floor, wall, or ceiling tile. The support portion 47 of the flange portion 48 of the support members 44 and 45 extends inwardly from the seal member 49 to support opposite edge portions 51 and 52 of a plate member 53 overlying the joint 41 to thereby permit an outer surface 54 of the plate member 53 to be generally in the same plane as the outer face of the seal members 49 and the outer face 50 of the building sections 42 and 43.

An inner surface 55 of the plate member 53 has a pair of spaced recesses 56 and 57 each similar to the recess 28 in the inner surface 25 of the plate member 24. The enlarge edge portions 31 and 32 of a connecting member 33 are received in one of the recesses 56 or 57 and a recess 58 in a joint facing surface of a stem portion 59 of one of the support members 44 and 45 respectively, to thereby permit relative movement in any direction between the plate member 53 and the support members 44 and 45 to thereby accommodate relative movement between the building sections 42 and 43.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, accommodation of said relative movement between the building sections 42 and 43 is provided by pivotally supporting the edge portions 51 and 52 of the plate member 53. The illustrated edge portions 51 and 52 have rounded depending portions 51' and 52' respectively extending therefrom and supported on a portion of one of the seal members 49 and on one of the support members 44 and 45 respectively. It is preferable to provide a suitable recess in an outer surface of at least one of the support members for pivotally supporting a respective edge portion of the plate member 53, for example a recess in the flange portion 48 of the support member 45 to receive the depending portion 52' of the edge portion 52, whereby one edge portion is pivotally supported on a portion of a seal member 49 and the other edge portion is pivotally supported in a recess in one of the support members.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate an embodiment of the new expansion joint cover assembly for use in corners to cover an expansion joint 60 between building sections 61 and 62 disposed in generally perpendicular relation, such as floor and wall sections respectively, or ceiling and wall sections respectively. That is, where one of the building sections substantially abutts against the face of the other section with the joint 60 therebetween. In this embodiment, a base member 8 and a support member 63, similar to the support members 44 and 45, as previously described, is secured in position on one building section, for example building section 62, and positioned having a flange portion 64 extending generally parallel with the surface of the one building section 62 and toward or normal to the adjacent surface of the other building section 61.

A cover member 65 is of generally transversely L-shaped configuration and is provided with a first generally planar portion 66 which is in engagement with the flange portion 64 of the support member 63 and a second portion 67 which is generally perpendicular to the first portion 66 and extends normal to the first portion 66 and hingedly connected to a second support member 68 secured to the other building section 61.

In the illustrated expansion joint cover assembly, the second support member 68 has a plurality of apertures spaced therealong to receive suitable fastening devices in the form of bolts or screws 69 threadedly engaged in suitable bushings 70 in the respective building section. The bushings 70 being anchored in the section in any suitable manner as, for example, the bolts and bushings forming expansion bolt structures for anchoring the second support member 68 to the respective building section.

The hinged connection of the cover member 65 is illustrated as including a recess 71 in the second support member 68, generally similar to the recesses 28, 56, and 57, sized to receive an enlarged edge portion 72 of the second portion 67 of the cover member 65. The hinged connection permits the first portion 66 to move relative to the second support member 68, therefore, a suitable resilient member 73 is mounted in a recess in the second support member 68 and positioned to be engaged by and deflected by an edge of the cover member 65 when the cover member 65 is moved toward the second support member 68 in response to relative movement of the building sections 61 and 62.

An inner surface 75 of the cover member 65 has a recess 76 similar to the recess 28 in the inner surface 25 of the plate member 24. The enlarged edge portions 31 and 32 of a connecting member 33 are received in the recess 76 and a recess 77 in a joint facing surface of a stem portion of the support member 63 respectively to thereby permit relative movement in any direction between the cover member 65 and the support member 63 and 68 to thereby accommodate relative movement between the building sections 61 and 62.

The expansion joint cover assemblies, illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6 inclusive, provide member sets for mounting on respective building sections adjacent a joint therebetween wherein at least one of the sections has a shoulder or cavity therein opening toward the joint and a base member 8 and a selected support member is mounted thereon with a portion of the support member extending toward the joint to provide support for a covering member in the form of a plate or L-shaped member held in joint covering and closing relation by a connecting member and spaced resilient members urging the cover member into firm engagement with portions of the expansion joint cover assembly or the building sections.

The width of the respective cover member may be varied to cover the various widths of expansion joints and a large variety of joint cover assemblies and arrangements may be provided for accommodating various building and joint arrangements and conditions with the use of only a few different parts due to the ability to arrange the respective parts to accommodate the different arrangements.

It is to be understood that while I have illustrated and described certain forms of my invention, it is not to be limited to these specific forms or arrangements of parts herein described and shown.

Claims

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An expansion joint cover assembly for structural sections disposed in spaced relationship and defining an elongated joint therebetween, said assembly comprising:

a. an elongated rigid base member adapted to be mounted on an outer face of one of the structural sections adjacent a margin thereof;

b. an elongated rigid plate member having a width greater than that of the joint between the structural sections and positioned to have an inner surface thereof overlie same;

c. a support member mounted on said base member and a connecting means pivotally connected to said plate member and support member for permitting bodily movement of said plate member relative to the base member while overlying the joint between the structural sections and closing said joint while permitting relative movement between the structural sections; and

d. resilient means between said support member and said connecting means for urging said plate member into joint closing position.

2. An expansion joint cover assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein:

a. said resilient means is a plurality of longitudinally spaced springs each having a pair of spaced arms extending from a mounting portion;

b. said connecting means and said support member have means thereon to receive the mounting portion of said springs;

c. said connecting means is an elongated member extending between said plate member and said base member; and

d. said springs are each positioned to have one arm thereof engaging said connecting member and the other arm thereof engaging said support member for urging said plate member into joint closing position.

3. An expansion joint cover assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein:

a. said connecting means is an elongated member extending between said plate member and said base member;

b. said elongated connecting member being pivotally mounted to said plate member and said support member and includes longitudinally extending means on the inner surface of said plate member and on said support member cooperatively interengageable with means on opposite edges of said connecting member; and

c. said longitudinally extending means on said plate member and on said base member and said means on opposite edges of said connecting member are sized and shaped to permit relative movement between said connecting member and said plate member and said base member.

4. An expansion joint cover assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein:

a. the structural sections are disposed in generally perpendicular relationship; and

b. said plate member is of generally transversely L-shaped configuration and is provided with first and second planar elements with the first planar element being in engagement with one structural section and the second planar element being hingedly supported on the other structural section.

5. An expansion joint cover assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein:

a. an elongated rigid support member is secured to said base member in position overlying same and having a flange portion extending toward the other structural section for supporting the first planar element of said plate member; and

b. a second elongated rigid support member is secured to said other structural section and has a recess therein to receive an edge portion of said second element of said plate member therein to hingedly support said plate member on said second support member.

6. An expansion joint cover assembly as set forth in claim 1 including:

a. an elongated rigid support member having a flange portion extending therefrom; and

b. means for securing said support member to said base member in a position overlying same and having the flange portion of said support member extending toward the joint between the structural sections whereby said resilient means is operative to maintain one edge portion of said plate member in engagement with said flange portion of said support member and the other edge portion of said plate member in engagement with the other structural section.

7. An expansion joint cover assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein:

a. said plate member has a recess in the inner surface thereof;

b. said support member has a recess in one surface thereof, said one surface of said support member facing the joint between the structural sections; and

c. said connecting means is an elongated member having enlarged edge portions received in and retained in the recess in the inner surface of said plate member and in the recess in said support member respectively, said recesses and enlarged edge portions being sized and shaped to permit relative movement between said connecting member and said plate member and said support member.

8. An expansion joint cover assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein:

a. said connecting member is an elongated member having a pair of connected flanges positioned in normal relation and each flange having a respective enlarged edge portion at the free edge thereof; and

b. one of the flanges of said connecting member is positioned substantially normal to said plate member and the other flange is substantially normal to said one surface of said support member.

9. An expansion joint cover assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein:

a. said one face of said support member has a pocket therein;

b. said resilient means is a plurality of longitudinally spaced springs each having a portion thereof received in said pocket; and

c. said springs each have a pair of spaced arms with one arm engaging the flange portion of said support member and the other arm engaging the connecting member for urging same apart thereby urging said plate member into contact with the structural sections.

10. An expansion joint cover assembly as set forth in claim 6 including:

a. a second elongated rigid base member adapted to be mounted on an outer face of the other structural section adjacent a margin thereof;

b. a second elongated rigid support member having a flange portion extending therefrom; and

c. means for securing said second support member to said second base member in a position overlying same and having the flange portion of said second support member extending toward the flange portion of said first named support member whereby opposite edge portions of said plate member are supported on said flange portion of said first named support member and said flange portion of said second support member respectively.

11. An expansion joint cover assembly as set forth in claim 10 wherein:

a. opposite edges of said plate member each have depending portions extending therefrom; and

b. at least one of said support members has a recess in an outer surface of the flange portion thereof for receiving a respective depending portion of said plate member whereby the plate member has the edge portions thereof pivotally supported on respective support members.

12. An expansion joint cover assembly as set forth in claim 10 including means associated with said plate member and at least one of said support members for pivotally supporting said plate member on said support members.

13. An expansion joint cover assembly as set forth in claim 10 wherein said connecting means includes:

a. a recess in the inner surface of said plate member;

b. a recess in one surface of at least one of said first named support member and said second support member, said one surface facing the joint between the structural sections; and

c. an elongated connecting member having an enlarged portion at each free edge thereof to be received in and retained in the recess in the inner surface of said plate member and in the recess in said one of said first named support member and said second support member respectively, said recesses and enlarged portions being sized and shaped to permit relative movement between said connecting member and said plate member and at least one of said first named support member and said second support member.

14. An expansion joint cover assembly as set forth in claim 13 wherein:

a. said one surface of said first named support member and said second support member has a pocket therein;

b. said resilient means is a plurality of longitudinally spaced springs each having a portion thereof received in said pocket; and

c. said springs each have a pair of spaced arms with one arm engaging the flange portion of said one of said first named support member and said second support member having said pocket and the other arm engaging the connecting member for urging same apart thereby urging said plate member into contact with the flange portion of each of said first named support member and said second support member.