Patent ID: 8465222

Claim:
A system for load transfer across a joint between adjacent cast-in-place concrete slabs, comprising: a first cast-in-place concrete slab; a second cast-in-place concrete slab; a joint separating the first and second concrete slabs, wherein said joint is a plane oriented essentially perpendicular to a substantially planar upper surface of the first slab, and a longitudinal axis of said joint is formed by an intersection of said joint with the upper surface of the first slab; a dowel bar for load transfer, with a longitudinal axis defined essentially perpendicular to the surface of the joint, and a cross section measured essentially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, wherein the dowel has a predetermined length measured essentially perpendicular to said joint; at least one socket assembly having essentially planar upper and lower surfaces; at least one pocket former having means for positioning the socket assembly during installation; whereby the load transfer assembly restricts relative movement between the first and second slabs in a direction substantially perpendicular to the upper surface of the first slab; provides unrestrained joint opening as the first and second slabs move away from each other in a direction substantially perpendicular to the joint; and allows for relative slab displacement in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the joint; whereby the first end of said dowel bar protrudes into the first slab, and the second end protrudes into the second slab such that the dowel transfers a load between the first and second slabs, the load being applied to either slab.