Patent ID: 6354760
Filing Date: 2002-03-12
Classification: E01C,E04B

Abstract:
A system for transferring loads across a joint between concrete on-ground cast-in-place slabs, the system comprising:a first concrete on-ground cast-in-place slab; a second concrete on-ground cast-in-place slab; a joint separating the first and second slabs, at least a portion of the joint being initially defined by an inner surface of an edge form, wherein a substantially planar upper surface of the first slab is substantially perpendicular to the inner surface of the edge form, and a longitudinal axis of the joint is formed by an intersection of the inner surface of the edge form and the upper surface of the first slab; a load plate including a substantially tapered end, the end having upper and lower surfaces, the upper and lower surfaces protruding into the first slab, and a second end protruding into the second slab such that the load plate transfers between the first and second slabs a load applied to either slab directed substantially perpendicular to the upper surface of the first slab; whereby the load plate restricts relative movement between the first and second slabs in a direction substantially perpendicular to the upper surface of the first slab, and the load plate allows the joint to open by allowing the first and second slabs to move away from each other in a direction substantially perpendicular to the inner surface of the edge form; the load plate having a width measured parallel to the longitudinal axis of the joint and a length measured parallel to the upper surface of the first slab; and the width of the load plate being: substantially greater than or equal to the length of the load plate, and generally larger closer to the joint and generally smaller farther away from the joint such that, as the joint opens, increasingly greater relative movement of the first and second slabs in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the joint is allowed.