Patent ID: 7509783
Filing Date: 2009-03-31
Classification: E04C

Abstract:
1. A reinforcing rod for use in continuously reinforced concrete pavement, said reinforcing rod comprising: a rectilinear and elongated shaft having a centrally disposed longitudinal axis and including a monolithically formed spine extending along an entire length of said shaft and parallel to the axis, said spine including a plurality of monolithically formed coextensive rings equidistantly spaced and juxtaposed along a length of said shaft, said spine bifurcating said rings, said rings forming a generally spiral pattern about said shaft, said shaft being formed from steel, said shaft comprising means for limiting sporadic and undesirable cracks from occurring in the concrete pavement over extended time intervals, said crack limiting means defining at least one smooth exterior surface concentrically spaced from the axis and equidistantly spaced along the entire length of said shaft; wherein said crack limiting means comprises a plurality of removable and bifurcated sleeves selectively positional along the length of said shaft, said sleeves comprising a pair of coextensive sections each having smooth outer surface and first and second edges monolithically formed therewith respectively, each said sections including a plurality of equidistantly spaced protrusions formed along an inner surface thereof and extending inwardly therefrom, said pair of first edges being directly and pivotally connected such that said pair of second edges are directly mateable when axially pivoted one hundred and eighty degrees about said shaft, said protrusions cooperating with said rings such that said rings are positioned generally medially of said corresponding protrusions when said pair of second edges are axially pivoted about said shaft; wherein said smooth outer surfaces of said sections evenly distribute external forces acting on the concrete pavement and thereby reduce the likelihood of premature crack deterioration during extended time intervals; said protrusions being grouped into first, second, third and fourth linear columns extending longitudinally along said sections wherein said first and second columns are disposed at a first one of said sections while said third and fourth columns are disposed at a second one of said sections, each of said protrusions spanning along a partial inner circumference of said first and second sections.