Expansion Joint Covering

Abstract

An expansion joint cover includes an insulating cushion to be laid over a gap in a structure to be sealed. An intermediate flexible strip is sandwiched between the cushion and an outer flexible strip, both strips extending beyond the cushion. First and second rigid strips are attached to that side of the intermediate strip facing the outer strip adjacent to the edge of the cushion. Preferably, these rigid strips are perforated to help relieve shear strain when structure on opposite sides of the joint tends to shift along the length of the joint, and thermal stresses from ambient temperature changes.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to expansion joint covering and more particularly concerns a novel expansion joint cover that effects a good seal between structural members joined thereby while allowing for expansion or contraction both transverse to and along the joint with a joint that is relatively easy and inexpensive to manufacture and install.

It is an important object of the invention to provide an improved expansion joint.

It is a further object of the invention to achieve the preceding object with an expansion joint that is relatively easy and inexpensive to manufacture.

It is a further object of the invention to achieve one or more of the preceding objects with an expansion joint that is relatively easy and inexpensive to install.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, there is cushion means adapted to overlay the gap between members to be joined by the expansion joint cover. An intermediate flexible strip having flaps extending beyond the cushion is bonded to the cushion. Rigid strips, preferably perforated, are bonded to each of the latter flaps adjacent to the cushion means. An outer flexible strip is bonded to the intermediate strip in the region between the metal strips. Preferably the cushion and strips are made of synthetic rubber, neoprene or other suitable flexible material. Preferably, the rigid strips are made of steel, aluminum, copper, plastic, fiber reinforced or not, or other suitable material.

Numerous other features, objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following specification when read in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of an expansion joint cover according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view through half of the expansion joint cover according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the invention covering a gap; and

FIG. 4 is a sectional view through a short length of apertured strip.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference now to the drawing and more particularly FIG. 1 thereof, there is a perspective view of a portion of an expansion joint cover according to the invention. The length of an actual expansion joint cover extends many feet; however, the invention is adequately illustrated by the portion shown in FIG. 1. The invention comprises a strip of insulating cushioning material 11 that is ordinarily centered over the expansion joint bulging upward. Typically this cushioning material is made of neoprene sponge or other suitable material. An intermediate flexible strip 12, which may be neoprene sheet, is bonded to the top 13 of cushioning strip 11 between the sides 14 and 15 of cushioning strip 11. An upper strip 16 of flexible material, typically neoprene or other suitable material, is bonded to the top 17 of intermediate strip 12 between an extension of sides 14 and 15 of cushioning strip 11. The resultant structure thus includes a left intermediate flap 21 and a right intermediate flap 22 and a left upper flap 23 and 24 extending beyond flaps 21 and 22, respectively. Intermediate strip 12 is thus a single continuous homogeneous sheet having left and right ends comprising left and right flaps 21 and 22, respectively.

Left and right perforated rigid strips 25 and 26, respectively, made of galvanized steel, stainless steel, copper or other suitable metal or plastic, are bonded to the tops 27 and 28, respectively, of left intermediate flaps 21 and 22, respectively, closely adjacent to the junctures 31 and 32, respectively, with left upper flap 23 and right upper flap 24, respectively. Flaps 21 and 22 project beyond strips 25 and 26, respectively. Although the rigid strips are preferably perforated as shown for a number of reasons, unperforated rigid strips may be used within the principles of the invention. However, perforations are advantageous because the invention is better able to accommodate shear stress along the joint caused by relative longitudinal displacement between the two structures joined by the expansion joint. Another advantage of having the metal strips perforated is that the weight of the expansion joint cover is reduced, thereby helping to reduce shipping costs and making it easier to carry during installation. A further advantage is that nails passing through the perforation, being smaller than the perforations, permit slight movement to relieve thermal stresses caused by ambient temperature changes without loosening the nails. Furthermore, adhesive and pitch lock into the perforations.

Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown an enlarged half sectional view of most of the left side of the embodiment of FIG. 1 helpful in understanding the physical arrangement of the different elements, the sectional view being enlarged to better illustrate certain details. FIG. 2 illustrates the layers of the bonding material 33 between upper strip 16 and intermediate strip 12, the layer of bonding material 34 between intermediate strip 12 and cushioning strip 14 and the layer of bonding material 35 between left metal strip 25 and left intermediate flap 21. Suitable bonding material is for example, a neoprene adhesive.

Having described the physical arrangement of the invention, the mode by which it may be attached will now be discussed. First, center the underside of cushioning strip 11 over the gap between the structures to be joined by the invention. Then nail, screw, staple or otherwise fasten metal strips 25 and 26 to the structures joined by the expansion joint cover so that cushioning strip 11 is of inverted U-shape cross section when the gap is below the cushioning strip 11. Then apply hot roofing pitch and strapping felt to the tops of metal strips 25 and 26, of left intermediate flap 21 and right intermediate flap 22 and that portion of the structure that will be slightly beyond those portions of left upper flap 23 and right upper flap 24 that extend beyond left intermediate flap 21 and right intermediate flap 22, respectively. Then firmly press left and right upper flaps 23 and 24 against the tops of metal strips 25 and 26 and left intermediate flap 21 and right intermediate flap 22, respectively, and the pitched portions of the structure to be joined to complete the joint.

The resultant joint thus effects a good fluid-tight seal. MOreover, the rigid strips 25 and 26 are protected from the weather so that deterioration is minimized to allow the rigid strips to provide structural rigidity for many years of service. The flexible strips under the rigid strips permit slight shear movements to relieve thermal stresses caused by ambient temperature changes. The invention also produces a good seal against slight surface irregularities that may be present in the substrate to which the invention is attached. The projections beyond the rigid strips also function as cushions when the invention is used for curb construction. The flexible material between rigid strips 25 and 26 easily allows for relative displacement between the structural members being joined transverse to the gap therebetween.

Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown a sectional view of the invention in place covering a gap 41. Roofing felt 42 overlays rigid strip 25 and flap 21. Felt and flaps are covered with pitch 43.

Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown a sectional view through a short length of the strip 25 showing two apertures to illustrate how nails, such as 45 and 46 may, be used to secure the assembly to the structure 47 adjacent to the gap while allowing play for relative longitudinal movement between the expansion joint cover and the building structure adjacent to the gap that might be produced in the presence of ambient temperature changes. It is seen that each of these roofing nails has a head diameter greater than the diameter of each aperture and a shank diameter less than the aperture diameter.

Although the invention for convenience has been described as if it were mounted horizontally, typically on the roof of a structure, the invention may be oriented in any direction or variety of directions. For example, it may be used as a vertical expansion joint, between a roof and wall, or with slight adaptations embedded in concrete or other building materials. Corners and intersections, such as crossovers and tees, are easily fabricated at reduced cost.

The specific embodiment described herein is by way of example for illustrating the best mode now contemplated for practicing the invention. Numerous different materials may be substituted for those specifically described within the principles of the invention. It is evident that those skilled in the art may now make numerous uses and modifications of and departures from the specific embodiments described herein without departing from the inventive concepts. Consequently, the invention is to be construed as embracing each and every novel feature and novel combination of features present in or possessed by the apparatus and techniques herein disclosed and limited solely by the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. Expansion joint cover apparatus comprising,

first cushioning strip means for covering a gap between two structural members to be joined by said expansion joint cover means and having a width sufficient to span said gap,

intermediate flexible strip means wider than said cushioning strip means secured to a first side of said cushioning strip means along the entire width of said cushioning strip opposite the side thereof adapted for covering said gap and terminating in left and right intermediate flaps extending beyond the width of said cushioning strip means,

upper flexible strip means wider than said cushioning strip means and joined to said intermediate strip means between said left and right intermediate flaps and having left and right upper flaps,

and left and right rigid strips secured to said left and right intermediate strip flaps respectively closely adjacent to the junction with a respective left and right upper flap.

2. Expansion joint cover apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said rigid strips are perforated.

3. Expansion joint cover apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the widths of said left and right intermediate flaps extend beyond the widths of said left and right rigid strips respectively,

and the widths of said left and right upper flaps extend beyond the widths of said left and right intermediate flaps respectively.

4. Expansion joint cover apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein said rigid strips are perforated.

5. Expansion joint cover apparatus in accordance with claim 4 for being fastened with roofing nails having a head of a first diameter and a shank of a second diameter less than said first diameter wherein the openings in said perforated metal strips have a span across each opening at least in a direction along the length of said gap that is greater than said second diameter and at least another dimension that is smaller than said first diameter so that a roofing nail shank may pass through a perforation while the roofing nail head is prevented from passing therethrough and said rigid strip may move slightly relative to the roofing nail in a direction along the length of said gap.

6. An expansion joint cover in accordance with claim 5 and further comprising,

said structural members separated by said gap,

means for fastening said left and right intermediate flaps to respective ones of said structural members with said first cushioning strip means covering said gap,

the latter means including said roofing nails with the shank of each roofing nail passing through a respective opening in said strip and through an intermediate flap which establishes a seal around the roofing nail shank with a portion of the underside of the roofing nail heads in contact with the top of a rigid strip,

and means for fastening said left and right upper flaps to respective ones of said structural members with the latter flaps covering the rigid strips and the intermediate flaps.

7. Expansion joint cover apparatus for covering a gap between two structural members to be joined by said expansion joint cover comprising,

first flexible strip mean that is a single continuous homogeneous sheet for covering said gap and having a width sufficient to cover said gap and left and right ends of said sheet comprising left and right first strip flaps respectively extending beyond the width of said gap,

second flexible strip means wider than said first flexible strip means and joined to said first flexible strip means between said left and right first strip flaps and having left and right second strip flaps,

and left and right rigid strips secured to said left and right first strip flaps respectively closely adjacent to the junction with a respective left and right second strip flap.

8. Expansion joint cover apparatus in accordance with claim 7 wherein said rigid strips are perforated.

9. Expansion joint cover apparatus in accordance with claim 8 for being fastened with roofing nails having a head of a first diameter nd a shank of a second diameter less than said first diameter wherein the openings in said perforated rigid strips have a span across each opening at least in a direction along the length of said gap that is greater than said second diameter and at least another dimension that is smaller than said first diameter so that a roofing nail shank may pass through a perforation while the roofing nail head is prevented from passing therethrough and said metal strip may move slightly relative to the roofing nail in a direction along the length of said gap.

10. An expansion joint cover in accordance with claim 9 and further comprising,

said structural members separated by said gap,

means for fastening said left and right first strip flaps to respective ones of said structural members with the mid-secton of said first flexible strip means covering said gap,

the latter means including said roofing nails with the shank of each roofing nail passing through a respective opening in said strip and through an intermediate flap which establishes a seal around the roofing nail shank with a portion of the underside of the roofing nail heads in contact with the top of a rigid strip,

and means for fastening said left and right second strip flaps to respective ones of said structural members with the latter flaps covering the rigid strips.