Patent Publication Number: US-2021189739-A1

Title: Load transfer plate apparatus

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     For various logistical and technical reasons, concrete floors often include a series of individual cast-in-place concrete blocks or slabs referred to herein as “concrete slabs” or “slabs”. These concrete slabs provide several advantages including relief of internal stress due to curing, shrinkage, and thermal movement. There are various known issues with such concrete slabs. These issues often involve the joint between concrete slabs, the interface where one concrete slab meets another concrete slab, and the relative vertical movement of adjacent concrete slabs. 
     More specifically, freshly poured concrete shrinks considerably as it cures or hardens due to the chemical reaction that occurs between the cement and water. As the concrete shrinks, tensile stress accumulates in the concrete. Therefore, the joints need to be free to open and thus enable shrinkage of each of the individual concrete slabs without damaging the concrete floor. The joint openings create discontinuities in the concrete floor surface that can cause the wheels of a vehicle (such as a forklift truck) to impact the edges of the adjacent concrete slabs that form the joint and chip small pieces of concrete from the edge of each concrete slab, particularly if the joint edges are not vertically aligned. This damage to the edges of concrete slabs is commonly referred to as joint spalling. Joint spalling can interrupt the normal working operations of a facility by slowing down forklift and other truck traffic, and/or causing damage to trucks and the carried products. Severe joint spalling and uneven joints can cause loaded forklift trucks to overturn (which of course is dangerous to people in those facilities). Joint spalling can also be very expensive and time consuming to repair. 
     Joint edge assemblies that protect such joints between concrete slabs are widely used in the construction of concrete floors (such as concrete floors in warehouses). Examples of known joint edge assemblies are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,775,952 and 8,302,359. Various known joint edge assemblies enable the joint edges to both self-open with respect to the opposite joint edge as the adjacent concrete slabs shrink during curing or hardening. One known joint edge assembly is generally illustrated in  FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4 . This known joint edge assembly  10  includes two separate elongated joint edge members  20  and  40  temporarily held together by a plurality of connectors  60 . The connectors  60  connect the elongated joint edge members  20  and  40  along their lengths during installation. This known joint edge assembly  10  further includes a plurality of anchors  22  that extend from the elongated joint edge member  20  into the region where the concrete of the first concrete slab  90  is to be poured such that, upon hardening of the first concrete slab  90 , the anchors  22  are cast within the body of the first concrete slab  90 . This known joint edge assembly  10  further includes a plurality of anchors  42  that extend from the elongated joint edge member  40  into the region where the concrete of the second concrete slab  96  is to be poured such that, upon hardening of the second concrete slab  96 , the anchors  42  are cast within the body of the concrete slab  96 . This known joint edge assembly is positioned such that the ends or edges of the concrete slabs are aligned with the respective outer surfaces of the elongated joint edge members.  FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate the joint edge assembly  10  prior to installation and before the concrete is poured, and  FIG. 3  illustrates the joint edge assembly  10  after installation and after the concrete slabs have started shrinking such that the elongated joint edge members  20  and  40  have separated to a certain extent. 
     Another issue with such joints involves the vertical movements of adjacent concrete slabs relative to each other. The concrete slabs (such as concrete slabs  90  and  96 ) are preferably configured to move individually, and are also preferably configured with load transferring devices to transfer loads from one concrete slab to the adjacent concrete slab. Transferring loads between adjacent concrete slabs has been accomplished using various different load transferring devices. For example, certain known load transferring devices are in the form of steel dowels and dowel receiving sheaths having circular cross-sections (such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,005,331, 5,216,862, and 5,487,249). Other known load transferring devices are in the form of steel dowels and dowel receiving sheaths having rectangular cross-sections (such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,733,513). Such circular and rectangular dowels are capable of transferring loads between adjacent concrete slabs, but have various shortcomings. For example, if such circular or rectangular dowels are misaligned (i.e., not positioned perpendicular to joint), they can undesirably lock the joint together causing unwanted stresses that could lead to slab failure in the form of cracking of the concrete slab. Such misaligned dowels can also restrict movement of the concrete slabs in certain directions. Another shortcoming of such circular and rectangular dowels is that they typically enable the adjacent slabs to move only along the longitudinal axis of the dowel. Another known shortcoming of such circular and rectangular dowels results from the fact that, under a load, only the first 3 to 4 inches of each dowel is typically used for transferring the load from one slab to the adjacent slab. This can create relatively high loadings per square inch at the edge of one or more of the adjacent concrete slabs, which can result in failure of the concrete above or below the dowel. 
     To solve these problems, load transferring devices such as the dowel and dowel receiving sheath disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,354,760 were developed. These known load transferring devices provide increased relative movement between the adjacent concrete slabs in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the joint and reduce loadings per square inch in the adjacent concrete slabs close to the joint, while transferring loads between the adjacent concrete slabs. These load transferring devices are commercially sold by the assignee of this disclosure. These load transferring devices have been widely sold and commercially utilized. 
     In certain circumstances, it has been found that these dowel receiving sheaths can cause air pockets to be formed in the concrete slabs in which they are positioned, such as beneath the sheaths in the concrete slabs. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for improved load transfer receiving devices that solve this problem. 
     SUMMARY 
     Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a load transfer plate apparatus that includes a load transfer plate pocket that solves the above problem. 
     Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a load transfer plate pocket that minimizes air pockets in the concrete slabs and that minimizes fractures to the concrete slabs above or below the load transfer plate pocket. 
     Various other embodiments of the present disclosure provide a load transfer apparatus including a load transfer plate and a load transfer plate pocket that co-act to transfer vertical or substantially vertical loads from one concrete slab to the adjacent concrete slab in an enhanced manner, that minimizes air pockets in the concrete slabs, and that minimizes fractures to the concrete slabs above or below the load transfer plate pocket. 
     Various other embodiments of the present disclosure provide a load transfer apparatus including a load transfer plate, a load transfer plate bracing insert, and a load transfer plate pocket that co-act to transfer vertical or substantially vertical loads from one concrete slab to the adjacent concrete slab in an enhanced manner, that minimizes air pockets in the concrete slabs, and that minimizes fractures to the concrete slabs above or below the load transfer plate pocket. 
     Additional features and advantages of the present invention are described in, and will be apparent from, the following Detailed Description and the Figures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a known joint edge assembly. 
         FIG. 2  is an end view of the known joint edge assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the known joint edge assembly of  FIG. 1  shown mounted in two adjacent concrete slabs (shown in fragmentary) on a substrate (shown in fragmentary), and generally illustrating the separation of the two adjacent concrete slabs after they have shrunk to a certain extent. 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the known joint edge assembly of  FIG. 1  shown mounted in two adjacent concrete slabs (shown in fragmentary) on a substrate (shown in fragmentary), a known dowel pocket mounted in one of the concrete slabs, and a known load transfer plate mounted in the other concrete slab and partially received in the dowel pocket. 
         FIG. 5  is a top perspective view of a load transfer plate of one example embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  is a top rear perspective view of a load transfer plate pocket of one example embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  is a top front perspective view of the load transfer plate pocket of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  is a top view of the load transfer plate pocket of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 9  is a bottom view of the load transfer plate pocket of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 10  is a right side view of the load transfer plate pocket of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 11  is a left side view of the load transfer plate pocket of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 12  is a rear view of the load transfer plate pocket of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 13  is a front view of the load transfer plate pocket of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view of the load transfer plate pocket of  FIG. 6 , taken substantially along line  14 - 14  of  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional perspective view of the bottom portion of the load transfer plate pocket of  FIG. 6 , taken substantially along line  15 - 15  of  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional perspective view of the top portion of the load transfer plate pocket of  FIG. 6 , taken substantially along line  16 - 16  of  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 17  is an exploded front rear perspective side view of the load transfer plate pocket of  FIG. 6 , a load transfer plate bracing insert of the present disclosure, the load transfer plate of  FIG. 5 , and two fasteners prior to attachment of the load transfer place pocket to a form (not shown) by the two fasteners and prior to positioning of the load transfer plate bracing insert and the load transfer plate in the load transfer plate pocket. 
         FIG. 18  is cross-sectional view of the load transfer plate pocket of  FIG. 6 , the load transfer plate bracing insert of  FIG. 17 , the load transfer plate of  FIG. 5 , and two fasteners shown mounted in two adjacent concrete slabs (shown in fragmentary). 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS 
     Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide an improved load transfer apparatus including a load transfer plate, a load transfer plate pocket, and a load transfer plate bracing insert that solve the above problems. More specifically, various embodiments of the load transfer plate and a load transfer plate pocket that co-act to transfer vertical or substantially vertical loads from one concrete slab to the adjacent concrete slab, to cause air bubbles to be propelled towards the edges of pocket to minimize air pockets in the concrete slabs above and below the load transfer plate pocket, which in turn maximizes the concrete flow, uniformity and compactness of the concrete below an above the load transfer plate pocket, and thus minimize fractures to the concrete slabs above or below the load transfer plate pocket. It should also be appreciated that the load transfer plate pocket additionally inhibits movement of the pocket during the pouring of the concrete slab due to air pockets or due to improper attachment to the form. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 , and  18 , one example embodiment of the load transfer plate of the present disclosure is generally indicated by numeral  100 , one example embodiment of the load transfer plate pocket of the present disclosure is generally indicated by numeral  300 , one example of the load transfer plate bracing insert is generally indicated by numeral  900 , and two example fasteners are generally indicated by numerals  950  and  952 .  FIGS. 17 and 18  also generally partially illustrate one method of employing or installing the load transfer plate pocket  300 , the load transfer plate  100 , and the load transfer plate bracing insert  900  of the present disclosure in a first cast-in-place slab (such as a first concrete slab  90 ) and a second cast-in-place slab (such as a second concrete slab  96 ). It should be appreciated that multiple spaced apart sets of load transfer plate pockets  300 , load transfer plates  100 , and load transfer plate bracing inserts  900  of the present disclosure will be employed in such adjacent concrete slabs to co-act to transfer vertical or substantially vertical loads from one concrete slab to the adjacent concrete slab in an enhanced manner by optimizing the positions of the load transfer plates  100  relative to the adjacent concrete slabs for load transfer between the adjacent concrete slabs, by minimizing air pockets in the concrete slabs above and below the load transfer plate pockets, and thus minimize fractures to the concrete slabs above or below the load transfer plate pockets. 
     In this illustrated example embodiment, the load transfer plate pocket  300  is configured to be attached to a conventional form (not shown) before the first concrete slab  90  is poured such that the load transfer plate pocket  300  extends into the first concrete slab  90  and is maintained in the first concrete slab  90  after the first concrete slab  90  is poured and hardened or cured as shown in  FIG. 18 . The load transfer plate bracing insert  900  and the load transfer plate  100  is configured to be inserted in the load transfer plate pocket  300  after (or alternatively before) the first concrete slab  90  is poured, and before the second concrete slab  96  is poured. 
     It should be appreciated that in an alternative method of the present disclosure, if slab  96  is poured before slab  90 , then the load transfer plate pocket  300  would be attached to a form before the concrete slab  96  is poured such that the load transfer plate pocket  300  extends into the concrete slab  96  and would be maintained in the concrete slab  96  after the concrete slab  96  is poured and hardened or cured. If concrete slab  96  is poured before concrete slab  90 , the load transfer plate bracing insert  900  and the load transfer plate  100  would be inserted in the load transfer plate pocket  300  after (or alternatively before) the concrete slab  96  is poured, and before the concrete slab  90  is poured. It should be appreciated that the present disclosure contemplates use of the load transfer plate pocket  300  and load transfer plate  100  without the use of the load transfer plate bracing insert  900 . 
     In this illustrated example embodiment, as best shown in  FIGS. 5 and 18 , the load transfer plate  100  includes a generally diamond shaped body  110  having: (a) a substantially tapered first half or portion  112  configured to protrude into and move with respect to the load transfer plate pocket  300  that is secured in the first concrete slab  90 ; and (b) a substantially tapered second half or portion  114  configured to be initially partially positioned in the load transfer plate pocket  300  at installation and also protrude into and be secured in the second concrete slab  96 . In this illustrated embodiment, the substantially tapered first portion  112  and the substantially tapered second portion  114  are substantially equal in size and shape. 
     In this illustrated example embodiment, the substantially tapered first portion  112  has a largest width (measured parallel to the longitudinal axis of the joint) at the area of the first portion  112  adjacent to tapered second portion  114 , and a smallest width at the edge  113 . In this illustrated example embodiment, the first portion  112  is uniformly tapered from the area of the first portion  112  adjacent to second portion  114  to the edge  113 ; however, such taper does not have to be uniform in accordance with the present disclosure. 
     In this illustrated example embodiment, the substantially tapered second portion  114  has a largest width (measured parallel to the longitudinal axis of the joint) at the area of the second portion  114  adjacent to tapered first portion  112 , and a smallest width at the edge  115 . In this illustrated example embodiment, the second portion  114  is uniformly tapered from the area of the second portion  114  adjacent to first portion  112  to the edge  115 ; however, such taper does not have to be uniform in accordance with the present disclosure. 
     Accordingly, in this illustrated example embodiment, the load transfer plate  100  has its greatest width at the area where the substantially tapered first portion  112  and the substantially tapered second portion  114  meet or connect (i.e., along the center line or plane  116 ). 
     In this illustrated example embodiment, the load transfer plate  100  is also relatively wide compared to its thickness or height and has a length to width ratio of approximately 1:1; however, it should be appreciated that the width compared to the thickness or height may vary, and that the length to width ratio may vary in accordance with the present disclosure. 
     The body  110  of the load transfer plate  100  also generally includes: (a) a substantially planar upper surface  120 ; (b) a substantially planar lower surface  130 ; (c) a first outer edge  140 ; (d) a second outer edge  150 ; (e) a third outer edge  160 ; and (f) a fourth outer edge  170 . 
     It should be appreciated that the load transfer plate may be otherwise suitably configured in accordance with the present disclosure. 
     The load transfer plate  100  is made from a suitable metal (such as steel) in this illustrated embodiment, but can be made from other suitable materials 
     This illustrated example embodiment of the load transfer plate pocket  300  includes: (1) an attachment wall  310 ; (2) a generally triangular shaped body  400  integrally formed with, connected to, and extending from the back (or back surface  316 ) of the attachment wall  310 ; and (3) fastener receivers  700  and  800  respectively integrally formed with and extending from the back (or back surface  316 ) of the attachment wall  310 , and the opposite sides of the body  400 . The load transfer plate pocket  300  is symmetrical from top to bottom and from side to side, and thus is configured to be used in either orientation (i.e., right side up or upside down). This facilitates ease of manufacture, ease of use, and reduction of needed inventory. This also facilitates reduction of errors in positioning during installation. The body  400  is configured to minimize air pockets in the concrete slabs above and below the load transfer plate pocket, and thus minimize fractures to the concrete slabs above or below the load transfer plate pocket. This configuration also enables the installation in either orientation whilst maintaining the benefits of the air displacement features and structural enhancements. The load transfer plate pocket  300  is made from a suitable plastic (such as a High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS)) in this illustrated embodiment, but can be made from other suitable materials. 
     More specifically, in this illustrated example embodiment, the attachment wall  310  includes: (1) a generally flat partially rectangular member  312  having a front surface  314 , a back surface  316 , a top edge  318 , a bottom edge  320 , a first side edge  322 , and a second side edge  324 ; and (2) four rearwardly extending securing tabs  350 ,  360 ,  370 , and  380 . 
     The member  312  defines: (a) a load transfer plate receiving opening  330  (that provides access to a generally triangular chamber  490  defined by the body  400 ); (b) a first fastener opening  332 ; and (c) a second fastener opening  334 . The load transfer plate receiving opening  330  is configured such that the load transfer plate  100  can freely move through the load transfer plate receiving opening  330  and into and out of the load transfer plate receiving chamber  490  defined by the body  400 . The first fastener opening  332  and the second fastener opening  334  are configured to respectively receive fasteners such as nails  950  and  952  as shown in  FIGS. 17 and 18  to attach and hold the load transfer plate pocket  300  to a form (not shown) before and during pouring of the first concrete slab  90  such that: (a) the attachment wall  310  extends in the same plane as the outer vertical side surface of the first concrete slab  90 ; (b) four rearwardly extending securing tabs  350 ,  360 ,  370 , and  380  each extends into the first concrete slab  90 ; and (c) the body  400  of the load transfer plate pocket  300  extends into the first concrete slab  90 . This example member  312  can include any suitable quantity of additional fastener openings (such as indicated by the drawings but not labeled). 
     The four rearwardly extending securing tabs  350 ,  360 ,  370 , and  380  are identical in this illustrated example embodiment, and thus only tab  350  is discussed in detail herein. It should be appreciated that these securing tabs do not need to be identical in accordance with the present disclosure. As best shown in  FIGS. 6, 7, and 10 , securing tab  350  includes: (1) a generally straight first section  350   a  integrally formed with, connected to, and extending rearwardly from the back surface  316  of the attachment wall  310 ); (2) a curved second section  350   b  integrally formed with, connected to, and extending from first section  350   a  upwardly and back toward the back surface  316  of the attachment wall  310 ; and (3) a third section  350   c  integrally formed with, connected to, and extending forwardly from curved second section  350   b  toward the back surface  316  of the attachment wall  310 . This configuration of securing tab  350  (as well as the same configurations for securing tabs  360 ,  370 , and  380 ) facilitates more secure attachment to and in the concrete slab (such as concrete slab  90 ). This configuration of securing tab  350  (as well as the same configurations for securing tabs  360 ,  370 , and  380 ) also facilitates the escape of air from under or around these tabs  350 ,  360 ,  370 , and  380  during pouring of the concrete and curing of the concrete. It should be appreciated that the securing tabs can be otherwise suitably configured in accordance with the present disclosure. These securing tabs also assist in helping to retain the load transfer plate pocket  300  in concrete when striping the form from the first concrete slab after it is formed and cured. These securing tabs can also be employed for attachment to (steel) forms, and particularly for placement into opening in such (steel) forms. 
     The body  400  of this illustrated example load transfer plate pocket  300  includes: (a) a generally triangular upper wall  410 ; (b) a generally triangular lower wall  430 ; (c) a first side wall  450 ; (d) a second side wall  470 ; and (e) a plurality of load transfer plate engagers  510 ,  520 ,  530 , and  540 . The generally triangular upper wall  410 , the generally triangular lower wall  430 , the first side wall  450 , and the second side wall  470  define the interior load transfer plate receiving chamber  490  mentioned above. The interior load transfer plate receiving chamber  490  is configured to slidably receive the load transfer plate during installation and use to account for shrinkage, expansion, contraction, and movement of these components and the concrete slabs in which they are positioned. The load transfer plates and the load transfer plate pockets transfer vertical loads between adjacent concrete slabs as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,354,760. The upper wall  410 , the lower wall  430 , the first side wall  450 , and the second side wall  470  are formed and connected to minimize air pockets around these walls, and particularly with smooth outer surfaces and with radiused or curved outer edges to enable air adjacent to those members to flow uninterrupted along the outer surfaces of those members and to escape from being trapped under or adjacent to those members. 
     The upper wall  410  is integrally formed with and extends from the back surface  316  of the body  312  of the attachment wall  310  above the load transfer plate receiving opening  330 . The upper wall  410  includes side sections  412  and  414  and a central ramp  420  between the two side sections  412  and  414 . The central ramp  420  is integrally formed with, connected to and extend rearwardly from the back surface  316  of the attachment wall  310 . The central ramp  420  is tapered downwardly toward the rear edge  415 . The central ramp  420  includes smooth outer surfaces and with radiused or curved outer edges. This enables air adjacent to those members to flow uninterrupted along the outer surfaces of those members and to escape from being trapped under or adjacent to those members. The central ramp  420  also helps to dispel air bubbles away from the center of the upper wall  410 . The central ramp  420  also helps to improve concrete compaction by minimizing and dispelling the air bubbles in the concrete around the load transfer plate pocket  300  even with little compaction. 
     The upper wall  400  and in particular the ramp  420  defines an inner central channel  492  that tapers extends downwardly toward the rear edge  415 . The upper wall  410  and particularly the side sections  412  and  414  of the upper wall  410  include ridged inner surfaces, with spaced apart rearwardly extending channels such as channel  496 . In this illustrated example embodiment, certain channels are spaced apart at different distances. In this illustrated example embodiment, the channels toward the center are spaced apart at closer different distances than the channels toward the sides. These internal structures such as these ridges and channels add structural integrity and strength to this upper wall such that external structural elements (that block the flow of air bubbles) do not need to be added to this upper wall. These internal structures also improve the compressive strength of the load transfer plate pocket  300  by providing additional elements that bear against the vertical face of the forms to better hold the load transfer plate pocket  300  perpendicular to the joint during the concrete pouring. This minimizes the risk of the load transfer plate pocket  300  being dislodge during concrete pouring and reduces the need for re-work and the potential for a misaligned load transfer plate that may cause joint failure. 
     The lower wall  430  is integrally formed with and extends from the back or back surface  316  of the body  312  of the attachment wall  310  below the load transfer plate receiving opening  330 . The lower wall  430  includes side sections  432  and  434  and a central ramp  440  between the two side sections  432  and  434 . The central ramp  440  is integrally formed with, connected to and extend rearwardly from the back surface  316  of the attachment wall  310 . The central ramp  440  is tapered upwardly toward the rear edge  415 . The central ramp  440  includes smooth outer surfaces with radiused or curved outer edges. This enables air adjacent to those members to flow uninterrupted along the outer surfaces of those members and to escape from being trapped under or adjacent to those members. The central ramp  440  also helps to dispel air bubbles away from the center of the lower wall  430 . The central ramp  440  also helps to improve concrete compaction by minimizing and dispelling the air bubbles in the concrete around the load transfer plate pocket  300  even with little compaction. 
     The lower wall  430  and in particular the ramp  440  defines an inner central channel  494  that tapers extends upwardly toward the rear edge  415 . The lower wall  430  and particularly the side sections  432  and  434  of the lower wall  430  include ridged inner surfaces, with spaced apart rearwardly extending channels such as channel  498 . In this illustrated example embodiment, certain channels are spaced apart at different distances. In this illustrated example embodiment, the channels toward the center are spaced apart at closer different distances than the channels toward the sides. These channels are aligned with the channels in the upper wall  410 . These internal structures such as these ridges and channels add structural integrity and strength to this lower wall such that external structural elements (that block the flow of air bubbles) do not need to be added to this lower wall. These internal structures also improve the compressive strength of the load transfer plate pocket  300  by providing additional elements that bear against the vertical face of the forms to better hold the load transfer plate pocket  300  perpendicular to the joint during the concrete pouring. This minimizes the risk of the load transfer plate pocket  300  being dislodged during concrete pouring and reduces the need for re-work and the potential for misaligned load transfer plate that may cause joint failure. 
     It should be appreciated that in this example embodiment, there are no ribs or other features on the top and bottom faces of the pocket that will catch the air bubbles when moving to the side edges or apex. 
     It should be appreciated that in this example, the upper and lower walls  410  and  430  are suitably cored to help maintain a uniform wall thickness at the drafted faces preventing warping and sinking. 
     It should be appreciated that in this example embodiment, the upper and lower walls  410  and  430  each have a suitably large radius with the attachment wall to help prevent entrapment of air bubbles at these corners. 
     The first side wall  450  is integrally formed with and extends from the back or back surface  316  of the body  312  of the attachment wall  310  adjacent to one side of the load transfer plate receiving opening  330 . The first side wall  450  is also integrally formed with and connected to the upper wall  410 . The first side wall  450  is also integrally formed with and connected to the lower wall  430 . The first side wall  450  includes outwardly extending tab  460  that facilitates central positioning in the cavity during manufacture. 
     The second side wall  470  is integrally formed with, connected to and extends from the back surface  316  of body  312  of the attachment wall  310  adjacent to the other side of the load transfer plate receiving opening  330 . The second side wall  470  is integrally formed with and connected to the upper wall  410 . The second side wall  470  is integrally formed with and connected to the lower wall  430 . The second side wall  470  is integrally formed with and connected to the first side wall  450  along edge  415 . The second side wall  470  includes outwardly extending tab  480  that facilitates central positioning in the cavity during manufacture. 
     The upper wall  410  and the lower wall  430  are somewhat tapered or draft toward each other from the attachment wall  310  to the rear edge  415 . The sections  412  and  414  of the upper wall  410  are respectively tapered or drafted toward the respective side walls  450  and  470 . Likewise, the sections  432  and  424  of the lower wall  430  are respectively tapered or drafted toward the respective side walls  450  and  470 . This enables air bubbles to rise under the load transfer plate pocket  300  because the air bubbles naturally move towards the highest point until caught or released from the surface. The highest point on the load transfer plate pocket  300  is the edges or the apex of the respective ramp. As air bubbles rise to these points they are dispelled from the load transfer plate pocket  300  and are free to keep moving towards the surface of the concrete. This can be accomplished naturally or with added vibration of the concrete around the load transfer plate pocket  300  to increase the chances of this occurring. 
     The body  400  of the load transfer plate pocket  300  thus includes multiple tapered outer surfaces and large radiused corners or connections that cause air bubbles to be propelled towards the edges of load transfer plate pocket  300 . This enables air adjacent to those members to flow uninterrupted along the outer surfaces of those members and to escape from being trapped under or adjacent to those members. These radiused edges and apexes also minimize perimeter point loads. 
     The lower wall  430  is spaced apart from the upper wall  410  such that the load transfer plate  100  can freely move in the chamber  490  formed by and between the upper wall  410 , the lower wall  430 , the first side wall  450 , and the second side wall  470 . In this illustrated example embodiment the chamber  490  is configured to receive the load transfer plate bracing insert  900 , the entire first half or portion  112  of the load transfer plate  100 , and part of the second half or portion  114  of the load transfer plate  100  as generally shown in  FIG. 18 . 
     More specifically, in various embodiments such as shown in  FIG. 18 , the width of the load transfer plate receiving chamber  490  of the load transfer plate pocket  300  is greater than the width of the substantially tapered end of the load transfer plate  100  at each corresponding depth along the substantially first tapered half or portion  112  of the load transfer plate  100 , such that the substantially first tapered half or portion  112  of the load transfer plate  100  and part of the second half or portion  114  of the load transfer plate  100  can be positioned within the load transfer plate pocket  300  in a direction parallel to the upper surface of the first slab  96 . In other words, in this illustrated embodiment, the load transfer plate  100  and the load transfer plate pocket  300  are configured and sized such that: (a) the distance X (as shown in  FIG. 5 ) from the edge  113  to the center line or plane  116  of the load transfer plate  100  is less than (b) the distance from the end edge  415  to the attachment wall  310  of the load transfer plate pocket  300 . This configuration enables the load transfer plate  100  to be positioned in the load transfer plate pocket  300  beyond the center line or plane  116  of the load transfer plate  100  such as shown in  FIG. 18 . This larger load transfer plate pocket  300  also allows for heat caused expansion of the load transfer plate  100 . 
     The present disclosure recognizes that the load transfer plate  100  will generally produce its smallest load per square inch at its widest point. The present disclosure further recognizes that the optimal position for the load transfer plate  100  is thus generally along the vertically extending central plane between the two adjacent concrete slabs  90  and  96 . The load transfer plate  100  and the load transfer plate pocket  300  of the present disclosure are thus configured to cause the load transfer plate  100  to be positioned with its widest area along or as close as possible to the vertically extending central plane between the two concrete slabs  90  and  96 . The load transfer plate  100  and the load transfer plate pocket  300  of the present disclosure are also configured to enable the load transfer plate  100  to move with and as the central plane between the two concrete slabs  90  and  96  moves. 
     The load transfer plate pocket  300  includes load transfer plate engagers  510  and  520  that are integrally connected to and extend inwardly from the inner surface of the first side wall  450  toward the attachment wall  310 . The load transfer plate engagers  510  and  520  in this illustrated embodiment are flexible and thus bend when the load transfer plate  100  moves further into or expands further into the chamber  900  under sufficient pressure. 
     The load transfer plate pocket  300  also includes load transfer plate engagers  530  and  540  that are integrally connected to and extend inwardly from the inner surface of the second side wall  470  toward the attachment wall  310 . The load transfer plate engagers  530  and  540  are flexible and thus bend when the load transfer plate  100  further moves into the chamber  490  under sufficient pressure. 
     The plurality of load transfer plate engagers  510 ,  520 ,  530 , and  540  thus account for the situation where the concrete slabs are made from a concrete that first expands before it contracts. In such case, the plurality of load transfer plate engagers  510 ,  520 ,  530 , and  540  in this illustrated embodiment allow for such expansion and movement of the load transfer plate  100  further into the load transfer plate pocket  300  (i.e., into the interior chamber  490  of the pocket  300 ). The plurality of load transfer plate engagers  510 ,  520 ,  530 , and  540  in this illustrated embodiment also allow for heat expansion of the load transfer plate  100  itself. In certain embodiments, one or more of the load transfer plate engagers  510 ,  520 ,  530 , and  540  can be configured to break off from the side walls of the load transfer plate pocket  300 . It should be appreciated that the quantity of load transfer plate engagers can vary in accordance with the present disclosure. 
     The fastener receivers  700  and  800  are identical in this illustrated example embodiment. It should be appreciated that these fastener receivers do not need to be identical in accordance with the present disclosure. The channel  740  is aligned with the opening  332  in the attachment wall  310 . 
     The fastener receiver  700  includes: (1) a generally straight first section  710  integrally formed with, connected to, and extending rearwardly from the back surface  316  of the attachment wall  310 ); (2) a second section or tab  720  integrally formed with, connected to, and extending outwardly from first section  710 ; and (3) a third section  750  integrally formed with, connected to, and extending from the first section  710  toward the side wall  450  and integrally formed with and connected to the side wall  450 . The second section or tab  720  defines a string-line notch (not labeled). The third section  750  defines a channel  740  configured to receive a fastener. The channel  740  is aligned with the opening  332  in the attachment wall  310 . The third section  750  may include one or more fastener gripping members (not labeled) that assist in maintaining the fastener in the channel  740  during installation. 
     Likewise, the fastener receiver  800  includes: (1) a generally straight first section  810  integrally formed with, connected to, and extending rearwardly from the back surface  316  of the attachment wall  310 ); (2) a second section or tab  820  integrally formed with, connected to, and extending outwardly from first section  810 ; and (3) a third section  850  integrally formed with, connected to, and extending from the first section  810  toward the side wall  470  and integrally formed with and connected to the side wall  470 . The second section or tab  820  defines a string-line notch (not labeled). The third section  850  defines a channel  840  configured to receive a fastener. The channel  840  is aligned with the opening  334  in the attachment wall  310 . The third section  850  may include one or more fastener gripping members (not labeled) that assist in maintaining the fastener in the channel  840  during installation. 
     The load transfer plate bracing insert  900  in this illustrated example embodiment is generally L-shaped and includes two connected legs  910  and  920 . The legs  910  and  920  are configured such that they are engaged by the first outer edge  140  and the second outer edge  150  of the load transfer plate  100 . In this illustrated example embodiment, the bracing insert  900  is made from a suitable metal, but can be made from other suitable materials. In this illustrated example embodiment, the load transfer plate bracing insert  900  includes opposing upwardly and downwardly extending pins that are configured to extend into the aligned plurality of spaced apart channels of the upper wall and the plurality of spaced apart channels of the lower wall. For example, the load transfer plate bracing insert  900  includes a plurality of top upwardly extending pins  915   a  to  915   g  and bottom downwardly extending pins (not labeled) that are configured to extend into the aligned channels defined by the upper and lower walls to guide the load transfer plate bracing insert  900  into the chamber  490 . 
       FIGS. 17 and 18  generally illustrate how the load transfer plate  100  and load transfer plate pocket  300  optimize the position of the load transfer plate  100  between the adjacent concrete slabs  90  and  96  during installation and when the adjacent concrete slabs  90  and  96  shrink and have moved away from each other an expected distance during the curing process or otherwise (subsequently to curing). More specifically,  FIG. 18  shows two adjacent cast-in-place concrete slabs  90  and  96  before such concrete slabs  90  and  96  have substantially cured and separated, and with the load transfer plate  100  positioned in the load transfer plate pocket  300  for installation such that the entire first half or portion  112  of the load transfer plate  100  and part of the second half or portion  114  of the load transfer plate  100  is in the load transfer plate pocket  300 . At this point in time, the load transfer plate  100  is not positioned at the optimal position for transferring loads between the two adjacent cast-in-place concrete slabs  90  and  96 . 
     As indicated or mentioned above, the present disclosure further provides a method of installing the load transfer plate pocket  300  and the load transfer plate  100  for transferring loads between a first cast-in-place concrete slab  90  and a second cast-in-place concrete slab  96 . In various embodiments, the method includes the steps of: (1) placing an edge form on the ground or other suitable substrate; (2) attaching a load transfer plate pocket  300  to the edge form such that part of the load transfer plate pocket  300  extends into the area where the first concrete slab  90  will be formed; (3) pouring the concrete material which forms the first concrete slab  90 ; (4) allowing the first concrete slab  90  to cure or harden to a certain degree; (5) removing the edge form from the first concrete slab  90  such that the load transfer plate pocket  300  remains within and attached to the first concrete slab  90 ; (6) inserting a load transfer plate bracing insert  900  into the load transfer plate pocket; (7) inserting the first portion  112  of the load transfer plate  100  substantially into the load transfer plate pocket  300  such that the second portion  114  of the load transfer plate  100  is also partially in the load transfer plate pocket  300  and protrudes into a second area where the second concrete slab  96  will be formed; (8) pouring the concrete material that forms the second cast-in-place concrete slab  96  into the second area where the second concrete slab  96  will be formed; and (9) allowing the second concrete slab  96  to cure or harden. This method enables the load transfer plate  100  and the load transfer plate pocket  300  to be configured to enable the load transfer plate  100  to move with and as the central plane between the two concrete slabs  90  and  96  moves. This method also enables the load transfer plate  100  to be positioned with its widest area along or as close as possible to the vertically extending central plane between the two concrete slabs  90  and  96 . It should be appreciated that in various embodiments, the load transfer plate bracing insert can be 
     It should be appreciated that the load transfer plate pocket can be provided with the fasteners positioned in the fastener channels, and with the load transfer plate bracing insert in the chamber, and with direction tape positioned on the opening in the attachment member. 
     It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present subject matter and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.