US2025449A - Road joint machine - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 24, 1935. J. N. HELTZEL ROAD JOINT MACHINE Filed June 20, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 5mm John 11/. He zt ez Gum/P J. N. HELTZEL' ROAD JOINT MACHINE Dec. 24, 1935.

Filed June20, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 2 I Z. 1 F

Dec. 24, 1935. v J. N. HELTZE'L RQAD JOINT MACHINE Filed June 20, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 I grWC/YV Y/ via/Q4 11 15 2219422 awn/Win 0 Dec. 24, 1935. J. N E E 2,025,449

ROAD JOINT MACHINE Filed June 20, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 I Jaizn 11f. HQZZZQZ Dec. 24, 1935.

J. N. HELTZEL 2,025,449

ROAD JOINT MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 20, 1932 Patented Dec. 24, 1935 entries stares FA'EENT OFEIQE 29 Claims.

The present invention relates to improvements in road joint machines, and is a continuation in part of my copending application entitled Road building apparatus, filed December 19, 1929, Serial No. 415,318.

In common with the objects of that prior application, the present invention aims to provide an improved apparatus or device for operating upon concrete roads to install joint material therein, whereby the concrete roads, will be divided into separable slabs capable of independently contracting and expanding incident to changes in temperature without resulting in hap hazard cracking and breaking of the concrete throughout the slabs and in avoidance of up heaval of the road due to frost and freezing.

It is another object of the invention to provide an improved joint which will control the cracking of the slabs from the longitudinal monolith into which the concrete road is molded, the joint preventing the seepage of surface water into the crack beneath the joint, and thus avoiding deterioration of the road from such seepage and from the water freezing in the road joints and cracks.

A further object of the invention resides in providing an improved joint for the roads, which will avoid the surface spalling of the concrete at the joint, and which will tend to maintain for a long time the joint in a neat and water proof condition.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved device for the installation of the joint material, whereby the material may be deposited at a greater depth and in a proper position and location within the plastic mass of the concrete body.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention will be more fully described hereinafter, and will be more particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto.

In the drawings, wherein like symbols refer to like or corresponding parts throughout the several views,

Figure 1 is a perspective view, with parts broken away, showing an improved joint and a method and device for installing same.

Figure lA shows a modified form of joint in the concrete.

Figure 1-B shows a further modified form of the joint.

Figure 2 is a vertical fragmentary section of a road with one form of the improved joint there-v 1n.

(Cl. ti l-39) Figure 3 is a similar view with a slightly modified form of joint.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary perspective view with parts broken away, showing a further modified form of joint and method for installing same. 5

Figure 5 shows a similar view illustrating a further modification.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of an improved machine for slotting and installing joint material shown in connection with a partly broken 10 away slab of concrete.

Figure '7 is a perspective View of the installing blade with a fragment of the joint material engaging same and illustrating a sectional construction of the blade.

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 6 showing a modification involving the installation of two joint strips.

Figure 8A is a fragmentary perspective View showing an inverted T-shaped joint produced with the apparatus indicated in Figure 8.

Figure 8-13 is a similar View showing a modified construction of inverted T-joint also produced by the apparatus illustrated in Figure 8.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a modified form of implement for installing doubled joint material shown as engaged with the concrete slab shown partly away and partly in section.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary perspective View of joint material deposited by the device of Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a perspective View, with parts broken away and parts shown in section of a further modified form of apparatus shown in connection with a concrete slab partially broken away and partially illustrated in section.

Figure 12 is a fragmentary perspective view of a concrete slab showing joint material deposited therein as by the machine of Figure 11.

Figure 13 is a perspective View, with parts broken away and parts shown in section, of a further modified form of machine for installing doubled joint ribbon or material.

Figure 13A shows the cutter projecting down through the slot.

Figure 13-3 shows a modified form of cutter.

Figure 14 is also a perspective view, partly roken away and partly illustrated in section, showing a modified form of joint installing apparatus.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, and for the present to Figure 1, attention is called to the fact that this figure corresponds to Figure 36 of my prior application aforesaid Serial No. 515,318.

In this Figure 1 is shown a blade l5 of inverted U-shaped cross section having out-turned flanges Hi to move on the surface of the concrete, A plate I! is mounted within the blade M and has an inclined edge l8 with the rear portion of the plate I! of reduced height and preferably projecting from the rear end of the blade IS. A strip IQ of paper, or other foldable material, is fed over the inclined edge 18 of the plate I! and folded downwardly by grooved folding discs 29 overlapping the upper edge of the plate IT, so that the strip 19 of tar paper or the like will be deposited in the concrete with the side edges lowermost and the fold or bight uppermost. The blade I5 and the blade or plate i? may be moved forwardly in the concrete to deposit the folded strip IS in rear.

Referring more particularly to Figure 2, which corresponds with Figure 33 of the co-pending application aforesaid, in this figure there is illustrated a strip 2! installed in a horizontal plane below a groove 2 formed in the plastic concrete of'weakness created'by grooving the concrete.

in this way the crack is controlled and results in forming slabs of predetermined size. Such slabs may contract and expand in obeyance to atmospher'ic and temperature conditions quite independently of one another so that such atmospheric ohanges will no longer result in haphazard cracking of the roadway. The joint material 23 will seal the joint and the strip 2| will further protect the crack 24 from the seepage of water and from foreign material getting into the crack. 'Figure 3 corresponds to Figure 34 of my copending parent application. In this figure the strip 25 is folded upwardly or into substantial U -shape below the filler or joint material 23. This strip '25 may be installed by the method and tools disclosed in my Patent No. 1,697,563, granted January 1,- 1929.

Referring more particularly to Figure 4, the subject matter of this figure is not specifically disclosed in the parent application but'the germ -'of the idea is in that parent application.

This Figure 4 shows a complete joint strip 26 embedded below the surface in the concrete slab 223811121 being fashioned in a U-shape. At the forward portion of the figure a joint depositing and alining blade 27 is shown with .its lower portion engaging the strip '26. At the rear part of the figure is shown a body-of tar, asphalt, bitumen or composition material 22:, deposited in the separation made by the blade :21. after such blade 2fl1vhas. been drawn forwardly or otherwise re- ":thegroove. The U-shapedstrip 26 forms a pocket moved. The body '28 forms a sealing deposit in to retain the sealing material 2 5 in the groove,

7 .so that, when the longitudinal break 25 develops F crseep through the crack which extends transversely across the joint bebelow the strip 26, the sealing material will not The-dowel bar 29,

-.neath the strip/25.- will prevent the lateral sepa- .:ration "of the adjacent slabs defined at opposite sides of the crack 24. Consequently the dowel bar will relieve the tension from the strip 25.

It is to be understood that the strip 25 may consist of any suitable materiahsuch as copper 'or non-corrosive steel, asphaltic paper or the like.

Referring more particularly to Figure .5, the oint strip 3% in this case projects substantially to the top surface of the concrete slab 22. In other words the joint strip 36 extends up on both sides of the alining blade 2? substantially to the top edge of that blade and to the surface of the concrete road. The blade 21 is employed substantially as below described in connection with Figures 6 and 7.

Referring more particularly to Figures 6 and '7, a tubular or trough-shaped'blade 3| is moved through the plastic concrete for the installation of the U-shaped strip 32. This strip 32 forms a pocket to retain joint filler or any suitable sealing material which may be deposited in the joint as more clearly described in. connection with Figure 4.

The joint material 32 comes off a roll 33 carried freely on a shaft 34, which shaftis supported in brackets 35 having slots 36 therein which slots extend substantially vertically and are adapted to be engaged with bolts or other supporting means'on a carriage or finishing machine.

the tightening-and loosening of the "bolts: the

vertical adjustment of the device may be secured. The joint'strip material in flat condition com ing off the roll 33 is caused to pass *underi'the longitudinal flat folding blade 31, shown more particularly in Figure 7. This fiat blade 31 is seated within the trough-shaped blade 3 I. 1 As the flat strip of material unwinds from the reel, such strip is drawn under the flat blade 31. blade 31 folds the strip into a U-shaped section, as indicated at This inner blade 3i may project any desired distance rearwardly of the trough-shaped blade 3!, so that a substantially long blade, if desired, may be trailed in unison with the trough-shaped blade 3i. The inner or folding blade 33 is mounted or carried on the trough-shaped blade 31 by an arch member or bracket 38 and theadjusting screw 39 which engages through the bracket 38 and has either pivotal or fixed connection with the forward portion of the blade 37. The threaded rod 39 and its :hand wheel provides for the independent yerparatus istrailed longitudinally through the concrete. It will rbe understood that the folding blade 3'! will hold the strip depressed in the concrete and maintain it-to perfect longitudinal alinement, wrnlethe necessary finishing opera tions are performed over the top of theblade by a suitable finishing member represented at '43. This member '53 may be supported by'the carriage, or may be operated manually on the surface of the roadway, it being understood that the blade .3! may trail for much as twenty feet re-arwardly of the carriage. In other cases it will be desirable that the blade 37 terminate at a very short distance behind the carriage; or for that matter such blade may terminate within the limits of the carriage. ed joint strip32 or joint retainer has been de posited in the plastic concrete, the joint may be filled with a suitable sealin mater 1.

Referring more particularly to 7, there is here shown more clearly the joint-folding The An additional arch member or.

After the fo1d- '5 blade 31. It will be noted that the blade is out off on an angle, as shown at 44, whereby the joint strip will be folded gradually as it is drawn under the folding blade.

It is desirable that the folding blade 3'! be regulated as to length and consequently the same may be composed of a number of sections of the same or varying lengths. These sections may be added to or removed to secure a folding blade 31 of requisite length to suit local conditions.

The main part of the blade 37 is shown in Figure 7 in connection with one of its sections 31a. .One end of the section 31a is slotted as indicated at and a pin 55 is extended across the slot in position to engage and interlock with an undercut notch 41 in the tenon bar 48 which projects from the rear of the main blade 3'! in position to enter the slot 45. According to the same construction other sections of the blade may be detachably engaged with one another until a blade of requisite length is had. The length of the blade 3! will depend on the local conditions and the consistency of the concrete, it being understood that, when either quick setting or stiff concrete is used, a shorter length of blade is desirable.

Referring more particularly to Figure 8, an implement is shown for installing a flat longitudinal joint strip, which joint strip is indicated in Figure 2 by the numeral 2|.

In this case the strip is not folded but is unwound from a reel 49 of joint strip material wound upon a shaft 58 which is supported in a bracket 5|. This stripfrom the reel 49 is moved down into the tube 52 which extends to a proper depth below the surface of the concrete slab 22. This strip 2| in the flat position as shown embedded in the concrete will serve to seal the bottom of the joint as indicated. The strip 2| may consist of a mastic or premolded material, and the dowel bars 53 are preferably inserted transversely beneath the strip 2|, as shown, to prevent the separation of the slabs and likewise the tearing of the strip. A suitable joint is formed above the strip, which may consist of either a poured joint or a ribbon joint as might be re-- quired. In some cases the flat ribbon strip may consist of ribbon steel and where this ribbon steel is of substantial width and strength it will form a bond with the concrete, serving as a tying element to tie the adjacent slabs together to prevent separation when the concrete cracks below the joint. It is desirable to produce a groove 54 in the bottom of the slab longitudinally, and directly under the center, of the longitudinal axis of the strip.

The bracket 5| and the tube 55 may be carried by a blade 55 having an inclined forward edge to facilitate movement through the concrete. This blade carries an outstanding slotted arm 55 by which it may be adjustably secured to parts of a bridge or finishing machine. In this way the entire implement may be adjusted as to height or depth in the concrete and the depth of the joint strip 2| may be adjusted and regulated.

Referring more particularly to Figure 8A, the flat strip 2| is shown as deposited in the slab 22 at an appropriate depth and having its flatwise dimension disposed in the horizontal or substantially parallel with the surface of the pavement although sunk below the same. A removable joint strip, such as the blade 31 illustrated in Figure '7 may be inserted in the plastic concrete above the joint strip 2| and later restrip 59 may be saturated with the mastic material if so desired.

The machine, illustrated in Figure 8, may be equipped with means for installing this vertical joint strip 59. To accomplish this purpose a second roll of joint material 55 is mounted upon the shaft 55 along side the roll 59 for the horizontal joint strip 25. The roll is unreeled or unwound and passed downwardly through a vertical hollow tube or blade 5i, the lower portion of which extends perpendicularly to the central part of the horizontal tube 52. These two tubes may connect and be in substantially the form of an inverted T if desired as shown in Figure 8. Should it be desirable to waterproof the vertical strip 55, a container 52 for mastic material is provided connecting by means of a tube 63 with the vertical joint tube 5|. Thereby the mastic material is delivered to the vertical strip 59 and this sealing material may also be forced into the lower horizontal tube 52 so as to coat the horizontal strip 2| if desired. This double coating may be had by reason of the intercommunicating formation of the vertical and horizontal tubes 6| and 52. Any appropriate support may be provided for the mastic container 62.

The surfacing device 43 may be operated over the top of the vertical tube 5| and over the joint strips either manually or by machine operation.

If desired the surfacing member 43 may operate either above the tubes E! and 52 or may operate over the joint strips 2| and 59 in rear of the tubes 52 and 6|; or in other words after the tubes have been drawn forwardly.

It is to be understood that instead of using the vertical joint strip 59, suitable plastic material may be projected through the vertical tube 5! to be deposited in the plastic concrete to form 5'- a joint above the horizontal strip.

Referring more particularly to Figure 9, a modified form of joint installer is illustrated for installing a joint strip somewhat similar to that indicated in Figure 1. According to this machine I an inverted T-shaped blade 64 is provided which 'tforrns the longitudinal alining blade for the doubled and folded joint strip material 55. This blade is trailed through the concrete mass 22 with its horizontal flange lowermost and sub- -.1

merged to a desired depth and with its vertical flange extending upwardly from the horizontal flange. The forward ends of the horizontal flange terminate short of the'vertical flange and are curved upwardly to form runners or skids 55. The vertical flange extends forwardly beyond the skids 65 and constitutes a cutting blade 51 for grooving the concrete.

To the blade 5? are affixed the arms or brackets 58 which are assembled to the movable carriage and secured upon the carriage by supports which engage through the vertical slots 69 admitting of the vertical adjustment of the device from the carriage. The roll of joint material is indicated at It and is carried upon a shaft H mounted in the bracket arms 68. They joint material I9 is brought down from the roll and beneath the deforming member I2 which is disposed at the mouth of the longitudinal shield 13. The joint material is shaped by the member 72 and the shield I3 about the alining' blade 64, and the strip 65 in the doubled condition is left .in the concrete while the blade 64 and shield I3 move forward longitudinally, thus depositing the strip 65 in the concrete. The bent portion or bight of the strip 65 is disposed uppermost or toward the surface, thereby producing a joint such as shown in Figure 10.

The outside shield I3 seats on the base or flange of the longitudinal blade 64 so that the joint material 65 will be free from any vertical pressure which might be produced because of finishing operations or other implements that might bear down on the shield I3.

Such pressure'might cause a binding of the strip 65 and prevent its free movement over the blade 64 and under the shield I3. In dotted lines the shield I3 is shown as swung out of position or out of contact with the remaining parts of the apparatus. To effect this an arm I4 is provided being secured to the shield I3 as indicated at Hand being pivoted at its other end upon the shaft II. The shield I3 is swung out of operative position in order to facilitate inspection and cleaning of the apparatus. A float member I6 operates over the plastic material. This float member has a raised portion 11 so that excess concrete material may be retainedlongitudinally over the joint installing apparatus, because some surplus material is required at this point longitudinally along the joint line, as, after the apparatus has passed through the concrete and the strip 65 is left in position, there will be required a certain amount of concrete or plastic material to fill the space previously occupied by the members 64 and I3; it being understood that the final finishing operation over the sur- .face of the concrete and over the strip 65 will be performed after the members 64 and I3 have been moved forward.

Figure shows the inverted channel strip in position showing the small crack at the top of the concrete. The slabs will crack and may be held together by dowel rods as previously explained.

Referring more particularly to Figure 11 another modification of the machine is shown involving a longitudinal joint blade I8 consisting of an upright U-shaped member having outwardly extending flanges I9 on its upper free edges. These flanges I9 are upon the intermediate portion of the joint blade I8 only. Such flanges begin at a point behind the front plow end of the joint blade and they terminate short of the rear end of the blade I8. These flanges I9 form convenient supports for a bracket 7 8| having slotted side legs 82 through which extends the vertically adjustable shaft 83 of a rotary disc 84. The shaft 83 is carried in a fork 85 supported adjustably on the lower end of the screw shaft 86 threaded through the bracket 8| and rotatable by means of the hand wheel 81 to adjust the disc 84 vertically through the trough of the U-shaped blade I8. The disc constitutes the shaping member for the joint strip 88 which is fed from the roll of joint material carried upon the shaft 89 fitted in the arms or brackets 99.

The standard 9! to which the arms 99 are affixed and which carries the blade I8 is supported from the transverse frame of the carriage 92. The standard 9| is pivotally or otherwise secured to a cross head 93 capable of vertical adjustment on the guides 94 carried by the frame 92. This cross head is engaged by an adjusting screw 95 which is threaded through a support 96 which may be aflixed to the guides 94 or to some other fixed part of the frame. By manipulation of the hand wheel 9! the longitudinal blade I8 may be moved up and down to and from the plastic concrete. As before stated the blade I8 has a plow-shaped forward end 66 which opens up the concrete as the machine is moved forward. The rear portions of the flanges I9 are secured to the workmens platforms 98 which may extend the full length of the carriage and are supported for vertical adjustment from the carriage by means of adjusting screws 99 secured to the platforms and extending through threaded brackets I99 upon the'carriage frame. Lateral adjusting screws Nil are shown as engaged through the metallic straps I92 and abutting against the side edges of the platform 98. These straps I62 are slotted, as indicated at I63 to receive the adjusting nuts and bolts Isa engaged with the platforms.

By loosening the nuts and manipulating the adjusting screws IBI, the platforms 98 may be shifted toward or from the blade I8. Thereafter the nuts I 94 are tightened. The straps I62 are connected with the rear portions of the flanges '59 as indicated at I95.

1 In operating the device, the carriage 92 is moved longitudinally over the roadway; and the joint strip 88 is unreeled from the roll and passed under the disc 84. The disc is moved downwardly to the proper depth so that the joint strip 98 will be folded into a U-shaped member within the forming trough or blade 18. Being of flexible material, the strip 88, when it leaves the disc 84 will be irregular as to its upper edges. Inother words it will be wavy. Where a perfectly alined joint is required it will be desirable to insert the metal alining bars I05 within the folded strip whereby to temporarily support such flexible joint 1 strip to longitudinal alinement. One or more additional sections l0! may be provided for the alining bar having coupling means !68 between the sections. These coupling parts 168 will interlock with adjacent ends of companion bar sections. These bars are left in position until the concrete has taken its initial set; or they may be left in position until after the concrete has hardened; whereupon such bars may then be lifted vertically out of position within the folded strip'88. Such alining bars therefore may be used over and over again. The transverse 'surfacer Hi9, which may be attached to the machine or operated manually over the surface of the plastic concrete and over the top surface of the joint strip 88, completes the finishing operation.

In Figure 12 is shown a sectional view of a modified joint strip 4 19, which is automatically deformed progressively as it passes through the longitudinal deforming and depositing blade. The

flanges III serve as anchors to support the deformed strip in the plastic concrete; Sealing ma terial H2 is poured into the open joint to provide a seal.

Referring more particularly to Figure 13, H3 represents a portion of the movable carriage which is supported on the side forms and moves longitudinally over the roadway. Carried on a frame H3 are depending slotted brackets H4 for slidably receiving parts of a head'IIS which is vertically adjustable by means of the adjusting screw II6. Pivotally or otherwise secured to the head, as indicated at In, are two longitudinal members H8 which are spaced apart approximately one-half inch, such members being secured together at their forward ends by the head H5.

The bottom faces of these members I I8 are of a desired width, say six inches each and have a fiat surface which contacts with the top surface of the concrete. The members II8 are formed in the shape of runners at the forward end, as indicated at I I9, in order to facilitate the movement of the members through the plastic material. The rear portions of the members H8 are reduced in Width as indicated at I26, so that the rear end portions of these longitudinal members will converge into a narrow gauge-like structure which W111 occupy less space laterally over the surface of the roadway, thereby facilitating the finishing of the concrete closer to the zone of the installed joint. At the rear the runners H8 are connected together by a yoke I2I.

Workmens platforms are shown at I22 extending outwardly and spaced from the runners H8. On these workmens platforms are mounted supports I23 for supporting the rear end of the joint installing apparatus. The bearings are slotted as indicated at I24 and vertically adjustable in the slots are bearing blocks I25 for receiving the shaft I26. The blocks I25 are adjustable through adjusting screws I21.

The shaft I26 supports the rear portion of the runners I I8 so that through the adjusting screws I21 at the rear and the adjusting screw H6 at the front, the runners II8 will be vertically adjustable throughout the entire length thereof. The adjustment is independent at both front and rear parts of the device. Lateral adjustment is also provided by the collars I28 provided with set screws I29 for securing same to the shaft I26 outside of the supports I23. The longitudinal members or runners I68 are provided with upstanding arms I33 and I3I carrying shafts I32 and I33. One or both of these shafts may be mounted for vertical movement as for instance by being mounted in the bearing blocks I34 vertically adjustable in slots I35 in the arms I3I, the adjustment being accomplished by means of adjusting screws I36. On these shafts I32 and I33 are rollers I31 and I38 which shafts and rollers are rotated by means of the sprockets I39 and I46 and the connecting chain I4 I. With one of the shafts is associated a drive sprocket I42 coupled to a chain I43 which extends to a suitable power plant on the carriage. A belt I44 extends over the rollers I31 and I36 and cleaving implements I45 are carried by said belt.

These cleaving implements extend down between the runners H8 and move through the plastic concrete within the space defined between the vertical inner flanges I46 of such runners H8. The runners are also preferably provided with vertical outer flanges to form a channel shaped reinforced runner, although this particular construction is not necessary. While the machine will move in the direction of the arrow A, the chain MI and the cleaving implements I45 will be driven in the direction of the arrow B. It will be understood that a sprocket chain may be used in lieu of the belt I44. The cleaving implements may be of any desired shape, preferably having outer rounded end portions, in order to facilitate movement through the concrete in the same direction in which the machine is moving. It will be understood that this cleaving implement may be driven faster than the carriage or machine in order that they may progress through the plastic concrete relatively to the movement of the machine, and in fact 5 may be moved through the concrete even though the carriage is stopped. Such cleaving implements will open up the concrete in preparation for the installing of the joint material. The joint material is carried in a roll E4? on the shaft I26 rearwardly of the cleaving implements I45.

The joint strip is unreeled from the roll I41 and moved down under the disc I48, being automatically folded when forced down between the spaced blades or runners H8 and being depressed into the plastic concrete by the disc I48 which extends between the runners or blades II8. Any of the previously illustrated and described implements for installing the joint material may be substituted if desired. The disc may be carried by a wire or other yoke I48 pivotally mounted in the supports I23 or upon other suitable fixed part.

It may be desired to reinforce temporarily the folded joint strip I41 in order to hold the joint strip to alinement while the finishing of the concrete is performed over the top of the strip. Consequently alinement plates or bars I56 may be inserted within the folded joint strip I41 whereby to temporarily hold the strip in an expanded position and to true alinement permitting the finishing of the concrete over the strip either by hand method or by mechanical method as indicated by the implement I5I. It may also be desirable to install joint strips I52, which may consist of premolded material intended to remain in place or such strips I52 may consist of a metal member which may be removed in order to form a groove. The metal member may correspond to the members 3? and 31a; of Figure 7.

After the metal member is removed the groove may be filled with a sealing material. When a premolded strip is employed or a removable metal strip used, the folded joint strip I41 may or may not be installed.

Referring to Figure 14, this figure corresponds l5 to Figure 28 of the parent application aforesaid. In accordance with this form of the invention a float I53 is shown having slots through which one or more discs I54 project downwardly into the concrete for cutting a groove in the concrete, said float being adjustable vertically by means of adjusting screws I55. A pair of discs I56 is mounted in a hinged arm I51 to move in the groove or slot I58 formed by the discs I54. Thearm is shown to be hinged at I59 upon an appropriate part of the carriage or machine frame I65. The joint strip is indicated at I6I, the same being inserted in the groove I58 back of the float I53 and in advance of the discs I56, the discs acting to force the joint strip I6I down 60 into the groove whereby to properly install the same.

Figure 1--A represents a combination traffic line and joint, in which 22 represents the plastic concrete and 2Ia. designates premolded ribbon, which may consist of asphalt or any suitable material, having a color other than that of the surface of the roadway whereby to produce a distinct and contrasting traffic line.

This trafiic line material would be desirable in the width of approximately four inches and is embedded in the plastic concrete progressively as the installing implements move over the roadway and simultaneously the joint strip 59a is installed, it being understood that the implement for installing this material may consist ofthe a surface of the road to form a traffic line instead of embedding it under the surface of the road as illustrated in Figure 8.

It will be understood that this material 59a and 2| a is installed by a T-shaped tubular member having the cross section as indicated. at 52a and em in Figure 1B.

Figure l3A shows the cutter projecting down through the slot and into" the plastic concrete. In this figure 22 represents the plastic material, lflfia'representsthe spaced guides, which are supported and moved over the plastic concrete by a suitable movable carriage. The guidesmay rest on the plastic concrete, if desired, or may heelevated slightly above the plastic concrete. A plurality of cleaving implements 1452), as illustrated in Figure 13; are moved longitudinally between the guide members;

Theimplements have blade-portions I452), which movein'theplastic concrete toform a cleavage; This cleavage may afterwards befilledwith suitable joint material as before described.

In Figure 13B are shown spaced blades having no inside vertical flanges. In this figure also appear cutting implements 1 b which reciprocate back and forth while supported'on'the guides; The guide members, it will be under-- stood, are supported on the carriage, and the cutconcrete to cleave the material and'the discs are' reciprocated back and forth ontheguide members while the carriage is being progressively moved forward over ,the'plastic concrete withthe guide members in contact with the plastic concrete or as stated before elevated slightly above the surface of the material.

Itis to be understood that the machine may move backand forth several times over the roadway to-cleave the concrete for a distance of fifty to one-hundred feet, and, on the last forward pass, the joint may be installed.

Thevarious implements may be used-independently of one another as may be desired.

It is obvious that various changes and'modifications may be made in the details of construction and design of theabove specifically describedembodiment of this invention without departing -member adapted toreceive a ribbon joint strip over the upper portion thereof, and means cooperating with the blade for folding the joint strip downwardly upon opposite sides of said blade.

3. A joint installing device comprising a troughshaped guide, a fiat blade lying through said guide and having its forward upper edge inclined, a joint strip received over the upper inclined edge of the blade, and forming members straddling the blade at its inclined portion for folding the joint strip downwardly over the sides of the blade.

i. A joint installing apparatus, consisting of a wheeled carriage operating on side forms and spanning a road under construction, a troughshaped longitudinal member to be moved longitudinally in the plastic concrete, a longitudinal blade supported within the first named member, means for movement of the joint strip over the top of the blade, and means for folding the strip over the blade and moving the member and the blade longitudinally of the roadway to deposit the folded strip rearwardly' of the member and the blade' 5. An improved joint for plastic material, said plastic material having a groove in the upper portion only thereof, a flatstrip of joint material embedded substantially horizontally in the plastic material immediately below said groove and spaced above thebase of the plastic material,

said strip being wider than the groove and having plastic material lying in contact with the strip continuously below" the same and above the strip at opposite sides of the groove; and sealing means placed in the grooveabove thestrip.

6. 'An improved joint for plastic structures,

said plastic structure having a groove in the upper surface portionof the structure, the base of the groove being spaced above the base of the plastic structure, comprising a thin flat ribbon strip of waterproof material placed with itsflat side dimension substantially in the horizontal and submerged within the plastic structure immediately below the groove, said strip beingwider than the grooveand having its side portions directed upwardly the plastic material of the structure lying above and below said side portions and in contact therewithand sealingmaterial in the grooves above-said joint strip.

7. A joint installing apparatus comprising a to longitudinal trough-shaped member adapted to be moved in the plastic material, a longitudinal blade adjustably supported within saidmember, and means for holding joint material formovw ment-under the blade to be deformed by-the spanning a road under construction, a longitudi- (i-J nal trough-shaped member to be moved in the plastic material, a longitudinal blade adjustably supported within the member, and joint material mounted on the apparatus for movement under the blade to be deformed by the blade and deposited in'the' plastic concrete rearwardly of the bladeand said member.

9. A joint installing apparatus, comprising a longitudinaltrough-shaped member to be moved in 'plastic concrete, a longitudinal blade supported within the member, means mounted on the member for vertical adjustment of the blade, and means for movement of the member and the blade through the plastic concrete to produce a joint rearwardly of the blade.

10. A joint producing apparatus, comprising a wheeled carriage operating on side forms and spanning a road under construction, a longitudinal trough-shaped member supported on the carriage, means for vertical adjustment of the member on the carriage, a supply of joint material supported by the member to be moved longitudinally through the member, a longitudinal blade supported on the member, and means for movement of the blade into the member to deform a joint strip to be passed through the member to be installed in plastic concrete rearwardly of the member.

11. The method of installing joints in plastic concrete, consisting of moving. a trough-shaped member longitudinally through the plastic material, simultaneously moving a strip of joint material through the member and deforming the strip by means of a second member inserted within the first-named member, finishing the plastic material over the second-named member, and moving both members longitudinally of the roadway to deposit the joint strip rearwardly of both members.

12. The method of producing joints in a concrete road, consisting of the movement of a longitudinal trough-shaped member through the plastic concrete, a second longitudinal member associated with the first-named member, a supply of joint strip to be moved longitudinally through the first-named member and to be deformed by the second-named member and to be installed in the plastic concrete rearwardly of the first-named member, moving the secondnamed member longitudinally through the deformed joint strip, and means associated with the second-named member to finish the plastic material longitudinally over the joint strip.

13. The method of installing joints in a concrete roadway under construction, consisting of the movement of a wheeled carriage longitudinally of the roadway, simultaneously moving a tubular blade through the plastic material, moving a joint strip longitudinally through the blade and deforming the strip by a second longitudinal blade mounted within the first-named blade, depositing the deformed strip in the plastic concrete under the second blade, and moving the second blade longitudinally from the deformed strip.

14. A joint producing apparatus comprising a 1 substantially U-shaped guide member, means for holding a strip of joint material at the forward portion of the guide member, a blade in the guide member for deflecting the joint strip downwardly into the trough-shaped member and for forming the joint strip into substantially U-shape, said blade extending. rearwardly of the U-shaped guide member.

15. The method of producing joints in a concrete surfacing structure, consisting of the movement of ribbon joint material through a longitudinal blade, said ribbon being submerged flatways in the plastic material, means for producing a cleavage in the plastic material over the ribbon, and means for moving the apparatus through the plastic material to deposit the ribbon rearwardly of the blade.

16. The method of producing a longitudinal joint in a concrete roadway under construction, consisting of submerging a fiat ribbon longitudinally of the roadway at a point below the surface, cleaving the plastic material between the suriace of the road and the ribbon to produce a groove above the ribbon and introducing joint material therein to seal the groove.

17. An apparatus for installing joints in concrete roadways under construction comprising a cleaving implement for movement through the concrete, and intersecting tubes following the cleaving means in the concrete for depositing joint strips angularly to one another.

18. An apparatus for installing joints in concrete structures comprising a blade adapted to receive joint material thereover, and an inverted U-shaped member extending over said blade for o doubling the joint strip over the blade.

19. An apparatus for forming joints in concrete surfacing material comprising a longitudinally moving blade for receiving joint strip thereover, an inverted trough-shaped shield 15 member extending over said blade and in spaced relation therefrom to receive the joint strip therewithin, and a joint strip deforming means at the forward portion of said shield member.

20. An apparatus for the installing of joints 20 in concrete roads comprising an inverted T- shaped blade submerged in the concrete and movable longitudinally therethrough, an inverted trough-shaped shield resting upon the flanges of the blade and adapted to receive therewithin 25 joint strip material to be folded over the blade, means for supporting joint strip material, and joint stripping deforming means carried at the forward portion of said shield member, and means for supporting the shield member for movementlio toward and from said blade.

21. The herein described method for forming joints in plastic constructions, which consists in moving a blade longitudinally through plastic construction, folding a joint strip with its central :35 portion upon said blade and with its side portions downwardly upon opposite sides of the blade, and moving the blade longitudinally to deposit the joint strip in the concrete.

22. An apparatus for installing joints in con- 40 crete roadways comprising a substantially troughshaped guide, means for folding joint strip into said guide with its free edges uppermost, and means for straightening and alining the free edges of the joint material. 45

23. An apparatus for installing joints in concrete roadways comprising a substantially U- shaped member, a carriage carrying said member for movement through the concrete, means for supplying to said member a foldable strip to of joint material, and an adjustable disc extending into said member for folding the joint strip material therein.

24. An apparatus for installing joints in concrete roadways comprising a trough-shaped guide member, a plow at the forward portion of the member, a carriage for adjustably supporting the plow and member for movement through the concrete, means for supporting a roll of foldable joint material above the forward portion of said member, a vertically adjustable disc extending into said member for folding the joint strip therein, and a laterally adjustable workmans platform on the carriage at the side of said member. 5

25. A joint installing apparatus, consisting of spaced longitudinal members to be moved longitudinally over plastic concrete, a plurality of joint cleaving members mounted for movement through the plastic concrete with a space provided between the members to produce a longitudinal cleavage in the material, and means following for the installation of joint material within the cleavage.

26. A joint installing apparatus comprising longitudinally extending spaced runners, a carriage to which said runners are adjustably connected, cleaving implements moving forwardly in the direction of movement of the carriage through the space between said runners and down into the plastic concrete, means for supporting and moving said cleaving implements, joint material concrete, a carriage, means for adjustably supporting the runners from the carriage, a movable endlessbelt supported above said runners, cleaving fingers having curved end portions mounted onsaid belt zandmpositioned' to. move-through the'concrete between said runners, andtmeans at:

the rear of said belt for installing joint material. in the cleavagemade between said runners.

28. An apparatus of the kind described com-V prising a float movable over plastic-concrete, a cutting tool carriedv by said float and movable in the-plastic concrete for forming a groove to receive joint material, to be inserted behind the float, and means following the float for installing the joint material.

29. In joint installing, apparatus, a slotted float movable over plastic concrete, a plurality of alined cutting discs carried by the floatand extending through the slots therein, and pivotally supported joint installing. means coupled to follow said float.

JOHN N. HELTZEL.

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