Patent ID: 7201535
Filing Date: 2007-04-10
Classification: E01C

Abstract:
1. A concrete dowel slab joint system, comprising: a sleeve assembly for receiving and maintaining a dowel bar therewithin so that the dowel bar does not transmit substantial shear stresses to the concrete during the contraction and expansion of the concrete, the sleeve assembly comprising (a) an elongate sleeve body including an outer surface having a tapered configuration and defining a hollow interior compartment, and (b) at least one end section defining an aperture; the dowel bar located within said hollow interior compartment for maintaining adjacent sections of concrete in alignment during contraction and expansion of the concrete, and for transferring shear stresses and bending moments across a joint formed between adjacent concrete slabs, the dowel bar moving in a lateral and/or longitudinal path within the hollow interior compartment and exerting interactive forces in response to the expansion and contraction of the concrete, the tapered configuration of said elongate sleeve body providing supplemental structural support for the dowel bar which is sufficient to overcome the effect caused if concrete joint separation skews the original position of the dowel bar; and at least one bracket member located on an underlying surface for supporting said sleeve assembly and said dowel bar above said underlying surface, each bracket member comprising at least one connection element which is engagingly insertable into each said aperture, each said bracket member and sleeve assembly being movable with respect to each other when shrinkage of the concrete occurs.