Abstract:
An apparatus for combining adjacent concrete slabs including a dowel, an end cap, and a side frame. The end cap has a hood defining a curved channel extending at least partially around a dowel receiving end. The side frame has at least one wire received in the curved channel. Also, an end cap having an integrally formed supporting portion including first and second wire supports for supporting substantially parallel side frame cross wires. Also, an end cap including first and second sleeves positioned along opposing tangents of the outer peripheral surface of the end cap for receiving differing portions of a side frame, and further including a resilient protrusion for receiving a further differing portion of the side frame.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/498,849, filed on Aug. 3, 2006, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     The present disclosure relates to concrete construction, and more particularly, but not exclusively, to a dowel bar assembly for connecting adjacent concrete slabs.  
         [0003]     The construction of concrete surfaces is commonly accomplished by forming a plurality of adjacent concrete slabs that are separated by expansion joints. In some applications, the concrete slabs may support heavy loads, such as loads exerted by equipment on aircraft runways, taxiways, and parking aprons. The heavy loads that are supported by an individual concrete slab can cause vertical movement of the slab with respect to adjacent slabs. To prevent this damaging movement, the load may be distributed through load bearing dowels that extend between adjacent slabs across expansion joints. These dowels are typically formed from a ductile material, such as steel or fiberglass, which transmits the load and provides additional reinforcing structure. Different techniques exist for installing such dowel bars into a concrete slab.  
         [0004]     One of the typical methods for installing dowel bars is to create a dowel bar assembly or apparatus that includes wire side rails for supporting a dowel bar in place prior to the pouring of a concrete slab. Typically, a dowel bar assembly is positioned in an area where two concrete slabs will abut one another. An expansion member may be mounted on the dowel bar assembly, and commonly delineates the respective edges of the concrete slabs. A first concrete slab is then poured along one side of the expansion member, partially covering the dowel bar assembly. A second concrete slab is subsequently poured along a second side of the expansion member, covering the other side of the dowel bar assembly. Therefore the two concrete slabs are separated by an expansion joint and connected together by the dowel bars to help distribute heavy loads across both of the concrete slabs.  
         [0005]     Joining the wire side rails to the dowel bar is usually time consuming and costly. The wire rails are usually made of steel and susceptible to corrosion. Often, the corrosion spreads from the wire rails to the dowel bar. Previously, attempts to control the corrosion were made by coating the dowel bar with epoxy. However, commonly the side frame is welded to the epoxy coated dowel bar, and such welds enable corrosion to enter into the dowel bar even with the epoxy coating since the weld areas are not coated. Therefore, one drawback to this method of forming concrete slabs is increased corrosion. In addition, another drawback is the time consuming and costly method of constructing the dowel bar assembly. Furthermore, if the assembly is constructed at a factory, transport and storage of the devices becomes difficult and costly as well.  
         [0006]     Therefore, many needs remain in this area of technology.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0007]     In one aspect of the dowel bar assembly there is an apparatus for combining adjacent concrete slabs. The apparatus includes a dowel having an end portion for placement into a concrete slab. The apparatus also includes an end cap having an open end for receiving the dowel end portion. The end cap has a hood extending at least partially around the dowel receiving end of the end cap and positioned transverse to the longitudinal axis of the dowel. The hood defines a curved channel. The apparatus also includes a side frame having at least one wire received in the curved channel of the end cap.  
         [0008]     Another aspect of the dowel bar assembly includes an end cap for placing on a dowel. The end cap includes a central portion defining a recess for receiving an end of the dowel, the central portion having a first end, a second open end for receiving the end of the dowel, and an outer surface. The end cap also includes a hood surrounding the defined recess and defining a curved channel around at least a portion of the outer surface of the central portion.  
         [0009]     Yet another aspect of the dowel bar assembly includes an end cap for connecting a side frame having a first cross wire and a second cross wire to a dowel. The end cap includes a receiving portion defining an interior area for receiving an end of the dowel. The end cap also includes a supporting portion integrally formed with the receiving portion for supporting the side frame. The supporting portion also includes a first wire support for supporting the first cross wire and a second wire support for supporting the second cross wire. The first and second wire supports are arranged substantially parallel to each other.  
         [0010]     A further aspect of the dowel bar assembly includes an end cap for connecting a dowel to a side frame. The end cap includes a tubular central portion having a first end and a second end, where at least one of the ends is an open end for receiving the dowel and the tubular central portion defines an outer peripheral surface. The end cap also includes a first sleeve coupled to the central portion and positioned along a first tangent of the outer peripheral surface of the tubular central portion for receiving a portion of the side frame. In addition, the end cap includes a second sleeve coupled to the central portion and positioned along a second tangent of the outer peripheral surface of the tubular central portion for receiving a differing portion of the side frame. The second tangent is placed on an opposite side of the outer peripheral surface of the tubular central portion from the first tangent. The end cap also includes a resilient protrusion coupled to the central portion for receiving a further differing portion of the side frame. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary dowel bar assembly that is partially embedded in abutting concrete slabs.  
         [0012]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of one end of the dowel bar assembly of  FIG. 1 , with the side frame decoupled from the end cap of the assembly.  
         [0013]      FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of one end of the dowel bar assembly of  FIG. 1 , with the side frame coupled to the end cap of the assembly.  
         [0014]      FIG. 3A  is a cross-sectional side view of the end cap of the dowel bar assembly of  FIG. 1 , with the side frame partially coupled to the end cap.  
         [0015]      FIG. 3B  is a cross-sectional side view of the end cap of the dowel bar assembly of  FIG. 1 , with the side frame completely coupled to the end cap.  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  is a rear perspective view of the end cap of the dowel bar assembly of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0017]      FIG. 5  depicts a plurality of dowel bar assemblies in a stacked arrangement.  
         [0018]      FIG. 6A  is a perspective view of a first alternative aspect of a dowel bar assembly holding a side frame.  
         [0019]      FIG. 6B  is an exploded perspective view of the first alternate aspect of  FIG. 6A .  
         [0020]      FIG. 6C  is a cross-sectional side view of the end cap of the dowel bar assembly of  FIG. 6A , with the side frame completely coupled to the end cap.  
         [0021]      FIG. 6D  is a cross-sectional side view of a variant of the end cap of the dowel bar assembly of  FIG. 6A , with the side frame completely coupled to the end cap.  
         [0022]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an end cap for a second alternative aspect of a dowel bar assembly.  
         [0023]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an end cap for a third alternative aspect of a dowel bar assembly.  
         [0024]      FIG. 9A  depicts a plurality of dowel bar assemblies having the end caps of  FIG. 8  stacked upon each other.  
         [0025]      FIG. 9B  is a cross-sectional side view of the stacked dowel bar assemblies of  FIG. 9A .  
         [0026]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of an end cap for a fourth alternative aspect of a dowel bar assembly.  
         [0027]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of an end cap for a fifth alternative aspect of a dowel bar assembly. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0028]     The descriptions contained here are meant to be understood in conjunction with the drawings that have been provided.  
         [0029]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary dowel bar assembly  30 . The dowel bar assembly  30  assists in preventing vertical movement of the concrete slabs  32   a ,  32   b  (collectively designated  32 ). The concrete slabs  32  abut each other along an expansion member  34  that is placed between the two abutting concrete slabs  32 . The expansion member  34  can be made from different materials known by those skilled in the art. For example, in some aspects the expansion member  34  is made of a rubber, cork, fiberglass or various other types of resilient materials. In other aspects, the expansion member  34  is a cardboard or similar type material, such as those used in sidewalk blocks. The expansion member  34  usually either expands or contracts to fill in the area between the abutting concrete slabs  32  during changes in temperature. Extending through the expansion member  34  and out of one of the concrete slabs  32  is at least one dowel bar  36 . In the illustrated aspect, three dowel bars  36  are illustrated projecting out of the concrete slab  32 . Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that any number of dowel bars  36  can be used as may be required to transfer loads between adjacent concrete slabs. The dowel bars  36  of the illustrated aspect are shown to be cylindrical. In other aspects, however, other shapes can be used. For example, a rod with a square cross-section or even hexagonal cross-section can be used. Similarly, a variety of materials can be used for the dowel bar  36 . The dowel bar  36  can be formed from a metal material or a fiberglass material, to name a few. In some aspects, a material having anticorrosion properties, such as a coating of epoxy, may be used to prevent corrosion of the dowel bar  36  due to moisture.  FIG. 1  illustrates that the dowel bar  36  extends out of the concrete slab  32   a  into the other concrete slab  32   b  across expansion joint  34 . In this way, the concrete slabs  32  are coupled together and a heavy load placed on one of the concrete slabs  32   a ,  32   b  will be spread more uniformly across both concrete slabs  32 . Each dowel bar  36  includes an end portion  38  that is sized to receive an end cap  40 . Each end cap  40  is placed on the end portion  38  of the dowel bars  36  to provide a structure for coupling a side frame  42  to the dowel bar  36 . In the illustrated aspect, the side frame  42  is constructed of two main components. The first component is a curved connection wire  44  that connects to the end cap  40 . The other component is a cross wire assembly  46 , which combines successive ones of the curved connection wire  44  together. In the illustrated aspect, there are two cross wires  46   a  and  46   b .  FIG. 1  illustrates that the concrete slabs  32  cover the dowel bar assembly  30  after the concrete has been poured and therefore completely buries the dowel bar assembly  30  therein.  
         [0030]     Referring now to  FIG. 2A , the assembly of the side frame  42  into the end cap  40  is illustrated. The end cap  40  includes a channel  48  that runs below the dowel bar  36 . The channel  48  is designed to receive the cross wire assembly  46  of the side frame  42 . The arrow in  FIG. 2A  indicates that the channel  48  receives the cross wire assembly  46 . The end cap  40  also includes a curved channel  50  that is designed to receive the curved connection wire  44  of the side frame  42 . In the illustrated aspect, the curved channel  50  is substantially U-shaped, however, in other aspects the curved channel  50  may have other shapes. The channel  48  is positioned transverse to the longitudinal axis of the dowel bar opposite the curved channel  50 . This connection of the curved connection wire  44  and the curved channel  50  is described in more detail hereinbelow with reference to  FIGS. 2B and 3B . The curved channel  50  is defined by a hood  52  formed generally around the periphery of the dowel bar  36 . The hood  52  includes a resilient protrusion  54  that is used to lockingly engage the curved connection wire  44  when it has been inserted into the curved channel  50 . This is illustrated in more detail in  FIG. 3B . The side frame  42  includes a curved portion  56  that is received by the curved channel  50  and is surrounded by the hood  52  when it is inserted into the curved channel  50 . The cross wires  46  and the curved connection wire  44  are coupled together using welds  58  so that the side frame  42  is provided in a pre-assembled condition.  
         [0031]     Referring now to  FIG. 2B , the attachment of a side frame  42  to the end cap  40  is illustrated.  FIG. 2B  illustrates the side frame  42  in a first state  60  in phantom. In this first state  60  the upper cross wire  46   a  is inside of the channel  48 . After the side frame  42  has been inserted into the channel  48  it can be rotated from the first state  60  illustrated in phantom to the second state  62  illustrated in solid. Upon rotating the side frame  42  around the pivot point created by the first channel  48  the curved portion  56  of the curved connection wire  44  is placed into the curved channel  50  and is lockingly engaged inside of the curved channel  50 . To lock the curved portion  56 , the resilient protrusion  54  first bends in an upward direction and then snap fits around the curved portion  56  of the curved connection wire  44 . This configuration allows assembly of the dowel bar  36  and the side frame  42  prior to forming the concrete. The side frame  42  provides a stand for suspending the dowel bars  36  off of the ground so that they will be placed into the interior of a concrete slab.  
         [0032]     Referring now to  FIG. 3A , a cross-sectional view of the end cap  40  illustrates the first state  60  of the side frame  42 . In this state, the channel  48  receives the cross wire  46   a  and the side frame  42  is positioned at an angle to a generally vertical plane P coincident with the longitudinal axis of the channel  48 . The design of the channel  48  allows the cross wire  46   a  to rotate easily within the channel  48  so that the side frame  42  can be easily connected to the end cap  40 .  FIG. 3B  illustrates the dowel bar assembly  30  after the side frame  42  has been moved to the second state  62 . In this state, the side frame  42  has rotated around a pivot point created by the combination of the cross wire  46   a  and the channel  48 . This places the curved portion  56  of the curved connection wire  44  into the curved channel  50  by deflecting the resilient protrusion  54  upwards to allow the curved portion  56  to slide into the curved channel  50 . The resilient protrusion  54  is biased towards the interior of the end cap  40  and therefore locks down around the curved portion  56  of the curved connection wire  44  once it has been completely enclosed inside of the curved channel  50 . Again, the position of the side frame  42  is at an angle to the plane P through the channel  48 . This forms a stable base out of the side frame  42  for holding the dowel bars  36  steady while the concrete is being poured. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the side frame  42  can be positioned in a range of angles from the plane P depending on the orientation of the curved channel  50  and the end cap  40 .  FIGS. 3A and 3B  also illustrate that the end cap  40  has an open end  64  that is designed to receive the dowel bar  36 . In addition,  FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate that a first wall  66  and a second wall  68  define the channel  48 . Those skilled in the art will recognize that channel  48  can be formed in different manners in different aspects of the dowel bar assembly.  
         [0033]      FIG. 4  illustrates that the end cap  40  has a central portion  70  that includes a first end  72  for covering the end portion  38  of the dowel bar  36 . The open end  64  receives the dowel bar  36  and an outer surface  74  surrounds the end portion  38  of the dowel bar  36  when inserted. The hood  52  substantially surrounds the first end  72  and defines the curved channel (not shown) generally around at least a portion of the periphery of the outer surface  74 . The open end  64  of the central portion  70  of the end cap  40  provides access to a recessed area  76  defined by the inner surface  78  of the central portion  70 . The inner surface  78  includes a plurality of ribs  80  around its periphery for facilitating a friction fit to the end portion  38  of the dowel bar  36  to snugly hold the end cap  40  in place. The ribs  80  have a first portion  81  that has a first height for engaging the outer surface of the dowel bar  36 . The ribs  80  may also have a second portion  82  that has a second height greater than the first height for engaging the end portion  38  of the dowel bar  36  to limit the insertion of dowel bar  36  into the recessed area  76 .  
         [0034]     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a plurality of dowel bar assemblies  30  are shown stacked one upon each other. Therefore, the dowel bar assemblies  30  can be pre-assembled prior to shipment and conveniently stacked upon each other so to minimize the amount of space occupied, or assembled in one area of a construction site and stacked until needed.  
         [0035]     Referring now to  FIGS. 6A and 6B , one alternative aspect of an end cap  40 W is illustrated. In  FIGS. 6A and 6B  identical reference numerals are used to described similar parts with the addition of a W suffix indicating that the parts are similar but slightly different as will be readily apparent from the figures. The end cap  40 W includes a first section  83  that slides over the end portion  38  of the dowel bar  36 . The first section  83  slides into contact with a second section  84  of the end cap  40 W and locks with the second section  84  of the end cap  40 W through the use of the dual resilient protrusions  85  on opposite sides of the dowel bar  36 . The curved portion  56 W of the curved connection wire  44 W is restrained between the second section  84  and the first section  83 . The end cap  40 W, like end cap  40 , has a hood  52 W around the periphery of the outer surface of the end cap  40 W that defines a curved channel  50 W for receiving the curved portion  56 W of the curved connection wire  44 W. In addition, the end cap  40 W has a channel  48 W for receiving a cross wire  46 W. Reference to  FIG. 6B  illustrates that the channel  48 W is only bound by one wall  68 W instead of two walls like in the end cap  40  of  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 6B  illustrates additional detail of the end cap  40 W. The end cap  40 W has the first section  83  that is lockingly engaged into place by the resilient protrusions  85  on either side of second section  84 . The resilient protrusions  85  may include gripping ridges  86  that grip an outer portion  88  of the first section  83  and allow the first section  83  to be positioned in a plurality of locations longitudinally along the axis of the dowel bar  36 . The inner portion  90  of the first section  83  has an interior surface  92  that defines ribs  94 . Accordingly, when the second section  84  is slid over the end portion  38  of the dowel bar  36  the second section  84  can easily slide back and forth. Then when the curved connection wire  44 W is desired to be connected to the end cap  40 W, the curved connection wire  44 W is slid over the end portion  38  of the dowel bar  36  and into the curved channel  50 W of the second section  84 . Then the first section  83  is slid over the end portion  38  of the dowel bar  36  and snapped into place using the resilient protrusions  85 . Simultaneously, the ribs  94  of the first section  83  friction fit the first section  83  to the dowel bar  36  and keeps the entire end cap  40 W and side frame  42 W in stable connection with dowel bar  36 . This design of the end cap  40 W reduces the tolerances needed in the manufacture of the side frame  42 W, lowering manufacturing costs and assisting assembly.  
         [0036]     Referring now to  FIG. 6C , a cross-sectional view of the end cap  40 W illustrates how the first section  83  contacts the second section  84  of the end cap  40 W and locks to the second section  84  through the dual resilient protrusions  85  on opposite sides of the dowel bar  36 . Resilient protrusions  85  may include a series of gripping ridges  86  that grip an outer portion of the first section  83  and allow the first section  83  to be positioned in a plurality of locations longitudinally along the axis of the dowel bar  36 . Second section  84  may compress first section  83  as first section  83  is positioned more closely to second section  84  along the axis of the dowel bar  36 , enhancing the friction fit of the first section  83  to the dowel bar  36 . Resilient protrusions  85  may also be manually disengaged from first section  83  to permit end cap  40 W to be repositioned or otherwise removed as necessary.  
         [0037]     Referring now to  FIG. 6D , a cross-sectional view of a variant of the end cap  40 W illustrates how the first section  83  may contact the second section  84  of the end cap  40 W and lock to the second section  84  without the use of resilient protrusions. A portion of the inside surface of second section  84  and a portion of the outside surface of first section  83  may be formed with complementary gripping ridges  89  that are brought into mutual engagement when the first section  83  is slid into contact with the second section  84 . Second section  84  may compress first section  83  as first section  83  is advanced toward second section  84  along the axis of the dowel bar  36 , enhancing the friction fit of the first section  83  to the dowel bar  36 . The positioning of gripping ridges  89  on complementary surfaces of the first section  83  and the second section  84  additionally shields the connection and provides an effective one-way locking mechanism.  
         [0038]     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , another alternative aspect of an end cap  40 X is illustrated. Once again, similar parts are designated with identical reference characters with the addition of the X symbol to indicate that the parts are similar to the reference characters already used with readily apparent differences. The end cap  40 X includes a central portion  96  having a first end  98  that is closed and a second end  100  that is open. The second end  100  is designed to be able to receive the end portion  38  of the dowel bar  36 . The end cap  40 X includes a first sleeve  102  for receiving a first connection wire  44   a X and a second sleeve  104  that for receiving a second connection wire  44   b X. In the illustrated aspect, the first sleeve  102  and second sleeve  104  are integrally formed with the central portion  96  of the end cap  40 X. Those skilled in the art, however, recognize that in other aspects the sleeves can be coupled to the central portion  96  in other manners. The second sleeve  104  is positioned along a tangent of the dowel bar  36  and the first sleeve  102  is positioned along an opposite tangent of the dowel bar  36  that arranges the connection wires  44   a X and  44   b X substantially parallel to one another. In addition, the central portion  96  also has a resilient protrusion  106  for coupling to the cross wire  46 X. The cross wire  46 X and the connection wires  44   a X and  44   b X are pre-welded together to form side frame  42 X so that assembly is simple. The end cap  40 X is simply placed over the end portion  38  of the dowel bar  36  and then the connection wires  44   a X and  44   b X are slid into the first and second sleeve  102 ,  104 . Next, the resilient protrusion  106  is clipped around the cross wire  46 X.  
         [0039]     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , another alternative aspect of an end cap  40 Y is illustrated. Once again, similar parts are designated with identical reference characters with the addition of the Y symbol to indicate that the parts are similar to the reference characters already used with readily apparent differences. The end cap  40 Y includes a connecting portion  108  that is designed to form an interior area for receiving an end portion  38  of the dowel bar  36 . In addition, the end cap  40 Y includes a supporting portion  110  that is integrally formed with the connecting portion  108 . The supporting portion  110  supports the side frame (not shown). The supporting portion  110  has a first wire support  112  and a second wire support  114  formed therein. In the illustrated aspect, the wire supports  112 ,  114  are channels formed in the supporting portion, however, in other aspects of the dowel bar assembly other structures are used. The wire supports  112 ,  114  lie within the apron  116  of the end cap  40 Y. The apron  116  includes a plurality of apertures  118  designed to lighten the weight of the supporting portion  110 , to allow concrete to easily flow therethrough, and to assist with stacking the dowel bar assemblies  30 Y as illustrated in  FIGS. 9A and 9B . In the illustration, the first wire support  112  includes two clamp pairs  120  arranged substantially parallel to each other that are designed to clamp around a portion of the side frame (not shown), such as a cross wire (not shown). Each clamp pair may be formed of resiliently opposed clamping members, however, other aspects may use other structure to clamp around a portion of the side frame. In addition, the second wire support  114  may also include two claim pairs  112  which are also designed to clamp around a portion of the side frame (not shown). The supporting portion  110  may also include base members  124  designed to support the entire dowel bar assembly  30 Y upon the ground surface prior to the pouring of the concrete. The end cap  40 Y eliminates the need to have connection wires (not shown) having a curved portion and simply allows the dowel bar  36  to be connected to a cross wire (not shown).  
         [0040]     Referring now to  FIG. 9A , the stackability of the dowel bar assembly  30 Y is illustrated.  FIG. 9A  illustrates that one supporting portion  110  rests on top of another dowel supporting portion  110  and the connecting portion  108  of one dowel bar assembly  30 Y passes through the largest one of the apertures  118  of another dowel bar assembly  30 Y.  
         [0041]     Referring now to  FIG. 9B , a cross-sectional view provides additional detail of the stacking illustrated in  FIG. 9A . This view illustrates clearly that the connecting portion  108  extends through an aperture  118  and supports the apron  116  along a support surface  126 . Therefore, in some situations it is preferable to pre-assemble the dowel bar assembly  30 Y prior to shipping to the construction site. The stackability of these dowel bar assemblies  30 Y facilitates ease in transporting these dowel bar assemblies  30 Y.  
         [0042]     Referring now to  FIG. 10 , an alternative aspect of an end cap  40 Z is illustrated. As in the earlier aspects, like numerals are used to refer to like parts and similar parts are designated with a Z symbol. The end cap  40 Z includes a removable top  128  that includes guide rails  130  that help it to slidingly engage the bottom portion  132  of the connecting portion  108 Z. This design allows an end portion  38  of a dowel bar  36  to be inserted into the connecting portion  108 Z. Then the end cap  40 Z can be snugly attached to the end portion  38  of the dowel bar  36  by sliding the top portion  128  so that the guide rails  130  interact with the bottom portion  132  to snap the top portion  128  over the dowel bar  36 . Like in the aspect shown in  FIG. 8 , the end cap  40 Z includes a supporting portion  110 Z that includes a first wire support  112 Z and a second wire support  114 Z arranged substantially parallel to each other. These wire supports  112 Z,  114 Z each include their own respective pars of clamps  120 Z and  122 Z. In addition, they also include the base members  124 Z and an apron  116 Z to connect all of the pieces together. Accordingly, the cross wires  46   a Z,  46   b Z are coupled to the supporting portion  110 Z and the dowel bar  36  is connected to the connecting portion  108 Z to create the assembly.  
         [0043]     Referring now to  FIG. 11 , an alternative aspect of an end cap  40 V is illustrated. As in the earlier aspects, like numerals are used to refer to like parts and similar parts are designated with a V symbol. As in  FIG. 10 , this aspect has a connecting portion  108 V and a supporting portion  110 V, however, the design of the connecting portion  108 V is different. The connecting portion  108 V includes an upper half  134  and a lower half  136  for surrounding the dowel bar  36  received in the lower half  136 . In the illustrated aspect, the halves  134 ,  136  are clasps, however those skilled in the art will recognize that other structures are used in other aspects of the dowel bar assembly. The upper half  134  and the lower half  136  are joined together using a living hinge  138 . A living hinge  138  is used in the illustrated aspect, however, those skilled in the art will recognize that other types of hinge mechanisms for connecting the upper half  134  to the lower half  136  can be used in other aspects. The living hinge  138  allows the first tab  140  of the upper half  134  to lockingly engage with the second tab  142  of the lower half  136 . Accordingly, the upper half  134  locks around the end portion  38  of the dowel bar  36  when the dowel bar  36  is received by the lower half  136 . Similarly, like the other aspects shown in  FIGS. 8 and 10 , the supporting portion  110 V includes a first wire support  112 V and a second wire support  114 V arranged substantially parallel. In addition, the end cap  40 V also includes first clamp members  120 V and second clamp members  122 V. Also, a set of apertures  118 V and base members  124 V may be used with the apron  116 V to form the supporting member  110 V.  
         [0044]     This has been a description of the present invention and one preferred mode of practicing the invention, however, the invention itself should only be defined by the appended claims.