AU2021102928A4

AU2021102928A4 - Expansion joint

Info

Publication number: AU2021102928A4
Application number: AU2021102928A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Rumi Rouf
Original assignee: Unison Joints Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Unison Joints Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2021-05-28
Filing date: 2021-05-28
Publication date: 2021-07-22
Anticipated expiration: 2029-05-28

Abstract

An expansion joint for use with a gap between two concrete slabs, the expansion joint including a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a top face 5 extending between the first side and the second side, a bottom face opposite the top face and extending between the first side and the second side, a first end, a second end opposite the first end, one or more channels formed in the first side, and one or more channels formed in the second side. 00 00) CNo CN 0 C)o

Description

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EXPANSION JOINT

FIELD OF INVENTION The present invention relates to an expansion joint. Reference will be made in the specification to the use of the invention with respect to concrete slabs. The patent specification describes this use but it is by way of example only and the invention is not limited to this use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Large concrete slab structures require gaps to allow for movement of the concrete slabs relative to each other. The gaps can cause problems when located in areas of vehicular or pedestrian traffic. Large gaps between concrete slabs can cause damage to tyres and wheels of vehicles and can be a trip hazard or worse for pedestrian traffic. Some gaps have expansion joints located between the concrete slabs. A problem with this is that the expansion joints can be damaged by traffic passing over them. In some instances, the expansion joints can be pulled from the gaps by traffic passing over them. In other instances the expansion joints can be pushed deeper into the gaps by traffic passing over them. Furthermore, even without traffic passing over the expansion joints, it can be difficult for expansion joints to waterproof gaps between concrete slabs.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to overcome or at least alleviate one or more of the above mentioned problems with expansion joints and/or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one aspect, the present invention broadly resides in an expansion joint for use with a gap between two concrete slabs, the expansion joint including a first side; a second side opposite the first side; a top face extending between the first side and the second side; a bottom face opposite the top face and extending between the first side and the second side; a first end; a second end opposite the first end; one or more channels formed in the first side; and one or more channels formed in the second side. Preferably a longitudinal axis of the expansion joint extends between the first end and the second end. Preferably the one or more channels formed in the first side extend in a substantially longitudinal direction. Preferably each of the one or more channels has a substantially rectangular cross section. In another embodiment, each of the one or more channels has a partially arcuate cross section. Preferably the one or more channels are adapted to retain glue to glue the expansion joint to the two concrete slabs. Preferably the one or more channels are a plurality of channels. Preferably each of the channels is between 1mm and 8mm in width. Preferably each of the channels is between 1mm and 8mm in depth. Preferably the one or more channels are a plurality of channels. Preferably the one or more channels are between two and ten channels. In one embodiment, the one or more channels are four channels. Preferably the one or more channels formed in the second side extend in a substantially longitudinal direction. Preferably each of the one or more channels has a substantially rectangular cross section. In another embodiment, each of the one or more channels has a partially arcuate cross section. Preferably the one or more channels are adapted to retain glue to glue the expansion joint to the two concrete slabs. Preferably the one or more channels are a plurality of channels. Preferably each of the channels is between 1mm and 8mm in width. Preferably each of the channels is between 1mm and 8mm in depth. Preferably the one or more channels are a plurality of channels. Preferably the one or more channels are between two and ten channels. In one embodiment, the one or more channels are four channels.

The expansion joint is preferably made from a flexible material. The expansion joint is preferably made of EVA foam. In another embodiment, the expansion joint is preferably made of rubber. More preferably the expansion joint is made of EPDM rubber. In one embodiment, the expansion joint is made of foamed rubber. In a further embodiment the expansion joint is preferably made of polyethylene foam. In Another embodiment the expansion joint is preferably made of polyolefin. In use, the top face is preferably located flush with the top surface of the first one of the two concrete slabs. More preferably, the top face is located flush with the top surface of the two concrete slabs. In another embodiment, the expansion joint includes a first shoulder portion. Preferably the first shoulder portion extends from the first side. Preferably the first shoulder portion extends from the first side substantially adjacent the top face. Preferably the first shoulder portion has a width which is larger than a depth of the first shoulder portion. In one embodiment, the first shoulder portion has a width which is substantially the same as a depth of the first shoulder portion. In another embodiment, the first shoulder portion has a width which is substantially smaller than a depth of the first shoulder portion. Preferably a top surface of the first shoulder portion is flush with the top face. Preferably the expansion joint includes a second shoulder portion. Preferably the second shoulder portion extends from the second side. Preferably the second shoulder portion extends from the second side substantially adjacent the top face. Preferably the second shoulder portion has a width which is larger than a depth of the second shoulder portion. In one embodiment, the second shoulder portion has a width which is substantially the same as a depth of the second shoulder portion. In another embodiment, the second shoulder portion has a width which is substantially smaller than a depth of the second shoulder portion. Preferably a top surface of the shoulder portion is flush with the top surface. Preferably in use, the first shoulder portion and the second shoulder portion are located on corresponding surfaces of the two concrete slabs. In another aspect, the present invention broadly resides in an expansion joint assembly for use with a gap between two concrete slabs, the expansion joint assembly including a first side; a second side opposite the first side; a top face extending between the first side and the second side; a bottom face opposite the top face and extending between the first side and the second side; a first end; a second end opposite the first end; one or more channels formed in the first side; one or more channels formed in the second side; and glue located within the one or more channels formed in the first side and within the one or more channels formed in the second side, the glue adapted to retain the expansion joint in a gap between two concrete slabs. In one embodiment, the expansion joint assembly includes a plurality of expansion joints. Preferably each of the plurality of expansion joints is attached to an adjacent expansion joint. In a further aspect, the present invention broadly resides in a method of installing an expansion joint as described in this specification in a gap between two concrete slabs, including the steps of providing glue to the gap between two concrete slabs or the expansion joint; locating the expansion joint between the gap between two concrete slabs, such that the first side is in contact with one of the two concrete slabs and the second side is in contact with the other of the two concrete slabs, and such that at least some of the glue is retained in the one or more channels formed in the first side and the one or more channels formed in the second side. Preferably the step of locating expansion joint between the gap between two concrete slabs includes locating expansion joint such that the top face is substantially flush with a top surface of the first of the two concrete slabs and a top surface of a second of the two concrete slabs. In another embodiment, the step of locating expansion joint between the gap between two concrete slabs includes locating expansion joint such that the first shoulder portion is located on a top surface of the first of the two concrete slabs and the second shoulder portion is located on a top surface of a second of the two concrete slabs. In another aspect, the present invention broadly resides in an expansion joint for use with a gap between two concrete slabs, the expansion joint including a first side; a second side opposite the first side; a top face extending between the first side and the second side; a bottom face opposite the top face and extending between the first side and the second side; a first end; a second end opposite the first end; one or more channels formed in the first side; and one or more channels formed in the second side, wherein the expansion joint is substantially made of polyethylene foam. The features described with respect to one aspect also apply where applicable to all other aspects of the invention. Furthermore, different combinations of described features are herein described and claimed even when not expressly stated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order that the present invention can be more readily understood reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein: Figure 1 is an end view of an extension joint according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is an end view of the expansion joint of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of an expansion joint assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 is a perspective view of an expansion joint assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 is a perspective view of an expansion joint assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 is an end view of an extension joint according to another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 is an end view of the expansion joint of Figure 6; Figure 8 is a perspective view of an expansion joint assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 9 is a perspective view of an expansion joint assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of an expansion joint assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 11 is a perspective view of an expansion joint assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown an expansion joint 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The expansion joint 10 is located between two concrete slabs 12,14. The expansion joint 10 has a first side 16. The expansion joint 10 has a second side 18 opposite the first side 16. The expansion joint 10 has a top face 20 extending between the first side 16 and the second side 18. The top face 20 is at 90° to the first side 16, and at 90° to the second side 18 (when not deformed). The expansion joint 10 has a bottom face 22 opposite the top face 20 and extending between the first side 16 and the second side 18. The bottom face 22 is at 90° to the first side 16, and at 90° to the second side 18 (when not deformed). The expansion joint 10 has a first end 24 and a second end (not shown) opposite the first end 24. The expansion joint 10 has a plurality of channels 26 formed in the first side 16. The expansion joint 10 has a plurality of channels 28 formed in the second side 18. The channels 26,28 retain glue to attach the expansion joint 10 to the two concrete slabs 12,14. Figure 2 shows the expansion joint 10 in a deformed state, deforming with the movement of the two concrete slabs 12,14. With reference to Figure 3, there is shown an expansion joint assembly 100. The expansion joint assembly includes two expansion joints 110,112. The top face 120 of expansion joint 112 is attached to the second end 125 of expansion joint 110. The expansion joints 110,112 are similar to the expansion joint 10 shown in Figures 1 and 2. The two expansion joints 110,112 are glued to two concrete slabs 130,140 and can deform to accommodate movement of the concrete slabs 130,140 due to expansion and contraction. With reference to Figure 4, there is shown an expansion joint assembly 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The Expansion joint 200 has a number of expansion joints 210,220,230,240,250. Each of the expansion joints

210,220,230,240,250 is similar to the expansion joint 10 in Figures 1 and 2. Each of the expansion joints 210,220,230,240,250 is attached to an adjacent expansion joint. This enables the expansion joint assembly 200 to seal complicated gapes between concrete slabs (not shown). With reference to Figure 5, there is shown an expansion joint assembly 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The Expansion joint 300 has a number of expansion joints 310,320,330. Each of the expansion joints 310,320,330is similar to the expansion joint 10 in Figures 1 and 2. Each of the expansion joints 310,320,330 is attached to an adjacent expansion joint. With reference to figures 6 and 7 there is shown an expansion joint 400 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The expansion joint 400 is located between two concrete slabs 412,414. The expansion joint 400 has a first side 416. The expansion joint 400 has a second side 418 opposite the first side 416. The expansion joint 400 has a top face 420 extending between the first side 416 and the second side 418. The top face 420 is at 90° to the first side 416, and at 90° to the second side 418 (when not deformed). The expansion joint 400 has a first shoulder portion 432 extending outwardly from the first side 416. The expansion joint 400 has a second shoulder portion 434 extending outwardly from the second side 418. A top surface of the shoulder portions 432,434 is flush with the top face 420. The expansion joint 400 has a bottom face 422 opposite the top face 420 and extending between the first side 416 and the second side 418. The bottom face 422 is at 90° to the first side 416, and at 90° to the second side 418 (when not deformed). The expansion joint 400 has a first end 424 and a second end (not shown) opposite the first end 424. The expansion joint 400 has a plurality of channels 426 formed in the first side 416. The expansion joint 400 has a plurality of channels 428 formed in the second side 418. The channels 26,28 retain glue 430 to attach the expansion joint 400 to the two concrete slabs 412,414. Figure 7 shows the expansion joint 400 in a deformed state, deforming with the movement of the two concrete slabs 412,414. With reference to Figure 8, there is shown an expansion joint assembly 500. The expansion joint assembly includes two expansion joints 510,512. The top face 520 of expansion joint 510 is attached to the first end 525 of expansion joint 512.

The expansion joints 510,512 are similar to the expansion joint 4000 shown in Figures 6 and 7. The two expansion joints 510,512 are glued to two concrete slabs 530,540 and can deform to accommodate movement of the concrete slabs 530,540 due to expansion and contraction. With reference to Figure 9, there is shown an expansion joint assembly 600 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The Expansion joint 600 has a number of expansion joints 610,620,630,640,650. Each of the expansion joints 610,620,630,640,650 is similar to the expansion joint 400 in Figures 6 and 7. Each of the expansion joints 610,620,630,640,650 is attached to an adjacent expansion joint. This enables the expansion joint assembly 600 to seal complicated gapes between concrete slabs (not shown). With reference to Figure 10, there is shown an expansion joint assembly 700 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The Expansion joint 700 has a number of expansion joints 710,720,730. Each of the expansion joints 710,720,730 is similar to the expansion joint 400 in Figures 6 and 7. Each of the expansion joints 710,720,730 is attached to an adjacent expansion joint. With reference to Figure 11, there is shown an expansion joint assembly 800 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The Expansion joint 800 has a number of expansion joints 810,820,830. Each of the expansion joints 810,820,830 is similar to the expansion joint 400 in Figures 6 and 7. Each of the expansion joints 810,820,830 is attached to an adjacent expansion joint.

ADVANTAGES An advantage of the preferred embodiment of the expansion joint includes the expansion joint being located substantially within a gap between two concrete slabs. Another advantage of the preferred embodiment of the expansion joint includes the expansion joint being able to move and deform with the movement of the concrete slabs. VARIATIONS While the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is herein set forth.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification the word "comprise" and variations of that word such as "comprises" and "comprising", are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An expansion joint for use with a gap between two concrete slabs, the expansion joint including a first side; a second side opposite the first side; a top face extending between the first side and the second side; a bottom face opposite the top face and extending between the first side and the second side; a first end; a second end opposite the first end; one or more channels formed in the first side; and one or more channels formed in the second side.

2. An expansion joint for use with a gap between two concrete slabs, the expansion joint including a first side; a second side opposite the first side; a top face extending between the first side and the second side; a bottom face opposite the top face and extending between the first side and the second side; a first end; a second end opposite the first end; one or more channels formed in the first side; and one or more channels formed in the second side, wherein the expansion joint is substantially made of polyethylene foam.

3. An expansion joint as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 further including a first shoulder portion extending from the first side and a second shoulder portion extending from the second side.

4. An expansion joint assembly including an expansion joint as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, and glue located within the one or more channels formed in the first side and within the one or more channels formed in the second side, the glue adapted to retain the expansion joint in a gap between two concrete slabs.

5. A method of installing an expansion joint, as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, in a gap between two concrete slabs, including the steps of providing glue to the gap between two concrete slabs or the expansion joint; locating the expansion joint between the gap between two concrete slabs, such that the first side is in contact with one of the two concrete slabs and the second side is in contact with the other of the two concrete slabs, and such that at least some of the glue is retained in the one or more channels formed in the first side and the one or more channels formed in the second side.

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