Patent ID: 7052050

Claim:
An elastomeric expansion joint comprising: at least one first substrate; at least one second substrate; fabric layers arranged between the first and the second substrates, defining a tubular section, wherein: the tubular section comprises: first and second end portions, a moveable central region, and first and second intersection portions which are respectively defined between each of the end portions and the central region, and the intersection portions and the end portions define a reinforcement section; a first reinforcement wiring positioned in the reinforcement section; a second reinforcement wiring positioned between the first and second substrates in the intersection portions; and at least one wiring support member positioned between the first and the second substrates, wherein the wiring support member: is positioned in the reinforcement section, extends at least partially around a central axis of the tubular section, and supports at least the first reinforcement wiring along its length, wherein the wiring support member comprises a first wiring support member, the first wiring support member comprises a base and retention walls, the retention walls define a retention region therebetween, and the first reinforcement wiring is positioned in the retention region, the base of the first wiring support member is positioned parallel to the first and second substrates, with the retention region facing the second substrate, the wiring support member supports a plurality of overlapping layers of the first reinforcement wiring, the plurality of layers of the first reinforcement wiring is arranged in the retention region up to terminuses of the retention walls, and wherein second wiring support members are respectively positioned in the first and second intersection portions, each of the second wiring support members comprises retention walls defining a retention region therebetween, with the second reinforcement wiring positioned in the retention regions of the second wiring support members, and for each of the second wiring support members, the retention walls of the second wiring support member are arched over the retention region so that the retention region is closed.