Patent ID: 8356955

Claim:
A method for transferring loads between first and second cast-in-place, substantially horizontal concrete slabs for substantially overcoming stresses in said slabs to avoid stress relief cracks therein, said method comprising the steps of: a) providing a first hardened and preexisting concrete slab having an exposed substantially upright edge with upper and lower surfaces, b) cutting a substantially transverse slot of a predetermined shape at said edge and into said first concrete slab, said slot being intermediate said upper and lower surfaces of said first concrete slab, c) providing a rigid dowel plate having unitary first and second portions, said first portion of said dowel plate being sized and shaped to be received within said slot, d) inserting said first portion of said dowel plate into said slot, e) projecting said second portion of said rigid dowel plate outwardly from said upright edge of said first concrete slab into the region wherein the second concrete slab is to be poured, f) pouring wet concrete adjacent said first concrete slab into said region where said second concrete slab is poured, g) allowing said wet concrete to harden in place adjacent said first concrete slab, said hardened concrete slabs substantially overcoming internal stresses for avoiding stress relief cracks in said first and second concrete slabs.