WO2018071987A1

WO2018071987A1 - Improved connector for use in forming joints

Info

Publication number: WO2018071987A1
Application number: PCT/AU2017/051148
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lance ROGERS
Original assignee: Srg Ip Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2016-10-20
Filing date: 2017-10-20
Publication date: 2018-04-26
Also published as: EP3529423A1; AU2020205245B2; CN109923270A; AU2018101574A4; AU2018101574B4; AU2017338256A1; CN109923270B; SG11201903486QA; EP3529423A4; CA3081340A1; AU2020205245A1; US20200056369A1

Abstract

An improved connector (10) for use in forming joints between two surfaces. The improved connector (10) comprises a housing (12) having an enlarged seal housing (56) at a first end (20) and a sealing screen (16) adapted for receipt in the enlarged seal housing (56). The sealing screen (16) incorporates an elastic membrane (84) that surrounds an aperture (94). The aperture (94) is adapted to sealingly engage a dowel bar (18). This engagement means that movement of the dowel bar (18) laterally, vertically or telescopically is accommodated for by the elastic membrane (84) in a manner that ensures that the dowel bar (18) remains sealing engaged by the aperture (94).

Description

UM ROV£D CON CT R FOR USE IN d&jHHG J I TS** FIELB OF THE INV Wi

£08011 The invention relates to an improved oonnector for use in forming Joints > The in ention Is particularly suited for use In connecting otions of a post~¾8Rsoo@d coherete strueture, such s floor sister in a man er fiat allows the portions to m ve r l tive to ch other m occurs during setting of the porti ns.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION QQ2fTle following dissuasion of the background to the invention is intended to faoiiifate m y ndarsfanding of the prasant w , However, it shoy¾ be appreciated that fta disoyssion is not m aofoiowledgrnent or dmission that any of e maeial r ferr d to was published, i¾no n or part of the common general knowledge in any jurisdiction s el the r rity date of foe application, p©031 Poit-tensioniiii ΨΤ') m te^hftic e used in the construction of buildings., particularly those wnera the floors of the o Mi § are ntend d to fieve long spans unlntarrypted by vertical ll r . FT involves reinforcing (strengthening) ooncrafe or other materials with h¾h str ngt steal str nds or m, These strands ansi ars era generall refered to as landaus. p§fM| The problem with this approach is that It is generaly riot possible to pour an entire floor as a single floor plate due to stea restriction, continuity reifuiraniants and/or restraint conditions.. A a consacfuanea, trie floor is commonly formed n sections or individual slabs_* Thase sections or l te era commonly oured at dlfcint time to aao other. To a syra that the floor is mora or lass continuou ; each saoion or slab contains sylab¼ tendons such as FT wire cables or FT strand cables.

A each section or slab eures end settles, the sections or slabs way move relative to each other. This means that the join! oenneeing the sections or slabs most fee oapabte of accommodating this relative movernani M the same time, tha joint operates to allow temporary release of re training affects of the no s tactions relative to one anotner and thys ansyim tla! the m ximum amount of FT pre- oompresston force is transferred into the floor plates, if insyfidenf FT pre- compression f ree is tansferred into the floor platee fhare exi ts the ossioilty of emotong within the saefions or slabs *b redu ing the longevity arid the integrity of te resulting floor l te. past method of allowing for syoh ms¥@ment and transfer of pre- oompression force has be n to piaoa tem oary movement Joints at strategle locations i in the by ltd ing. Emfo temporary movement int all ws for movement d u ring oyfing and settling of ftte structural el mens that it Join . Gn e the joined ifruetenjtl elements have eyred and settled, the terii orary moeme t pint is permanently tested so as !o or less continuous floor or oilier element of the building. tOTJ While this ap ro ch work , almost all temporary movem nt joints of tie prior art suff er from one or mere of tie following problems:

» If the syrfaoas that the temporary movement joints seek to eosnest mm® relative to ea h oilier during settling, an air ga may be f rnx whle leaves both the temporary movement pint and at

the ateosphere and thus sufejeot to wo i n a

There is eig oant diiioyity In seeing th ti iry mov ent joint if perlloyler the underside of the temporary ovat piii A oonseguanoe of the first problem is fhei ment j must ba made from oorrosion resistant materia! el, combined with the fact that the materials m st ι ^■■ be fire resistant or inoprperate other attrioyf as to meat building regulations, the o manufacturing suoli temporary m joints may oe up to ten times nsgne

less ejcetse materials, i#i| The seoond problem presents a sltyation where the temporary movamtnt pint is not adequately strengthened or th sealant may be lost from #¾a Joint In both eases, a okma i then feqyired to eautk the temporary movement j int at liter date and thus ensure that the temporary movement pint Is property sealed and thereby^" lodc d in t quiremeri for emedial mmrnn imm«mnmmm m expensive in addition to delaying eonipse»n of tne ouiiaing. pCI1¾The applieant sought to re

syfejeet of International Patent App!icatk paimu©1S000¾ tied enneot r for Use in Forming Joints, This used a flrit membar ftypioaliy a femi member) installed In the first surface. The second member ( ng a tmfa mmi d ted I o be m te?! with Ili female member) Is than installed a d the secod syrfac formed around it This use of members inst lled in .both syjface craates the pot nt for the unit to fail under excessive forces in an of the three ais of m ve ents that the idention allows fer. This includes vertical deflection or st ppng, piHllt is therefore art object of the present invenion to provide a connector fef us® in forming joints that ameliorates, at least in part, one or more of the aOf meRtion d problems, syn«j ¾Y OF TWE iNmrriofti 81 ij Throyghoyt this docment_* unless otherwise indicated to the contrary, t e rt ''oemprising^*, in isti g of , and the ike, are to he eonstryed non-exhaustive, or in other wods, as eaning inoiyding, out net limited W< 1i|1n aooonJanoa with a first aspect of the i venio there is m Improved connector for use in f rming Joints compisi g: a hoyting having an enlarged seal housing at first end; and

a sealing sceen adapted for rec i t in the enlarged seal h sing, the sealing screen incorporating an elastic momhi ne surrounding an aperture,

where, the aperture is adapted to sealingiy engage a dowel fear an where, movement of e dowel her l tera ₅ vertteafrf or teleiot^icly is accommod ted for by the elastc membrane in a manner that ensures that the dp¾?ei fear em i sasii g e gaged fe the aperture.

ρ§ 4|1η its preferred arrangement, the sealing screen is subsiinially flat

61S1 Th enlarged seal housing may be connected to a chamber by af Of a first openi g, the first opening being at a position abo¾e the housing whe in use_* tha chamber Incorporating a first spigot at a pot iion lower i m the irst opening, in such an arrangement, if Is fyrthar preferred that the enlarged seal housing have at least one a utment such that hen the sealing scren is rec ived within fe nlaged seal housing it mikes contact with the at least on abutmen! and thereby ensures that grout entering the chamber by way of the first opening is able to flow through to the remains¾F of the housing. P01i|The improved c<m eotar may have a seoond spigot provided in the ^h usi g nsmoie from the first spigot The boosing may also have at least on® pair of teps r vided internally here n, th s o s operable to guide the positioning of the dowel bar, ilTJfn further configurations, the homing rmy have at le st ©a® pr etian es t nc!ing f e rem into the aperture, the at feast one τ & βη thereby operable to limit lateral movement of the dowel bar.. The housing may also have a retainer provided in an end spaced from the enlarged seal housing, the retainer operable to raoetve one or more of the following: a bar ohalr; a prop. 0i1S|Prtfertbly_t the housing ma have an external surface having a plurality of yrfeo irregyianfes or dis ninyriles provided ir¾filn> This i raily of irimplaries

take the form of a ply rally of flee, Syoh ribs assist n seeying the im oved eoniiaetor ihin is intended syrfaea. f !1¾ Similary the housing ma be adapted eyon that, in yse, the upper turfese of the housing has a reservoir defin d therein. This reservoir allows the igh of the in ded aurfaee material to aecy uiata and further solidify its position within tha surf o , piiifThe sealing screen may have at least one alignment ledge for fa s ilst lng orderly lateral movement of t e dowaf bar. The aperty re el the sealing sereen may oe adapted to receive a dowel eap, a d tha dowel aap ineomeratea a sealing rin fo aaalingiy ngaging the dowel bar,

PS21J The improved eonrmotor may teher eompflte a dowel sieavs, the dowel sleeve adapted to be rec ived it in the housing at a position pn¾drnat@ the first end, the dowel sleeve ©parable to re elvs portion of the dowel fear and thereby resiriot vartipal movement of the dowel bar, Fyr hemwe, the housing may incorporate at feast one Gut-ou provided therein proximate the fifjt end, the dowel sleeps fyrther comprising at least one retention -strip of equal dimension to ti e at least one: cut-^ut t l| Ideally, the hoyslng has at least one out-out provided therein p o imite the first end, the dowel sleeve fyrther eomprlsing at ieait one retention strip of sqya! dimension to the at least ana oyf-eyt, the dowel sleeve adapted to be raoeive i within fhe hoyslrig when the at least one mtentien strip is received within the at least one cut-out. |i®23!f accordance wil a aeaond aspeot of the present inventi n there is a do el bar tor «se wi h a e improved eonnacf or as deaeril ed in the first aapaot of the invention, the dowel bar aomprislng at ieasl one ri ed s ffian and ana smooth section, the smooth seatioo being ad pted is ae received within tha dowel s!eava wh n pro erly positioned wit in the improved oonneoier, | #fefafei|f, the smooth section of the dawol oar having a diameter e hatantiilly equal to the smaller of the height or wdt dimension of the dowel &mv®. Similarly, it is preferred th t tha dowel fear has a length aueh that part of fie dowel bar m y fee received along the full interior l riglh of the housing and sill properly plaee the smooth section wl!h n the dowel sleeve. pftiif An end of the do el ar intended not to foe r∞ived within the oiking preferably has at leaet one threaded poriori, the threaded portion adapted to aliow tor retentio af an anahor not ilSJIn aeeoFdanee th a third aseoot of the present invention thens la a method of forrrtng a joint be ween a first syrfaoe and a s a ad surface, the method aariipriaing the steps of: installing an improved oonoeefor according to any one of the o&nfi mtos dasorloed as the first aspect af the Invention in the first su rfaao and allowing the first surface to settle;

insartsni a dowel her aeaofdlo§ to any one of the ¾nf gyrations deiohteed m the second f spaot of the inventio Into the a erture of the Improved eenneetor, such that at least a portion of the dowel bar protrudes therefrom: and creatine; a second turfaoe around the portion of the dowel fear parading from the improved eonneotor and allowing tha second surface to eott!e, p^2?lThis method can be u ed where the first surface is a wall and the second sy faoe is a ioor elan.

Mir Diseni f \ m THI D§t&»»s

psi lTha Invention will new he deaarlbed, by way of exam le only , with reference to tha accompanying drawings, In whieh: Figure 1 is an isometric view of a housing of an improved connector with a dowel sleeve installed therein and a sealing screen positioned in exploded view.

Figure 2 is a front isometric view of the improved connector as shown in Figure 1 , but with the sealing screen installed as intended for use,

Figure 3 is an exploded side isometric view of the housing as shown in Figure 1 with the dowel sleeve installed in the lower portion,

Figure 4 is a rear isometric view of the housing as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 5 is an exploded isometric view of the sealing screen as shown in Figure 1

Figures 8a and 6b are a side plan view and front plan view of a dowel cap.

Figure 7 is an isometric view of a dowel bar as used with the improved connector as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 8 is a flowchart of a typical method of installing the improved connected as shown in Figures 1 to 7.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0029] In accordance with a first embodiment of the invention there is an improved connector 10 for use in forming joints. The improved connector 10 comprises:

* a housing 12;

* a dowel sleeve 14;

* a sealing screen 16; and

* a dowel bar 18.

[0030] Housing 12 is hollow having an exposed end 20, a rear end 22, an upper side 24, a lower side 26 and sides 28. The length (L) of the housing 12 corresponds with the length of a portion of the dowel bar 18. This will b described in more detail below,

[0031] Extending from the upper side 24 at a point proximate the rear end 22 is a structure 30 from which extends a first spigot 32. The first spigot 32 is arranged to be substantially parallel to central axis X~X. [0032] Proximate the same position about the rear end 22 as the structure 30. but extending from the lower side 26 is a retainer 34. The retainer 34 has a piura!ity of slots 36 provided therein. The slots 38 are adapted to facilitate retention of the rear end 22 of the housing 12 on a bar chair (not shown) or reinforcement bar (also not shown).

[0033] Each side 28 is provided with surface irregularities or discontinuities in the form of ribs 38. The ribs 38 assist in securely retaining the submerged housing 12 in the first section (not shown) of slab of flooring when in its uncured state,

[0034]Also mounted to each side 28 is a ramp 40. Each ramp 40 has a sloping side 42 and a flush side 44. The flush side 44 is arranged so as to present a continuous surface between the flush side 44 and the side 28 to which it is mounted. Each flush side 44 also has a height (H) equal to that of the structure 30.

[O03S]The sloping sides 42 are arranged to face each other, !n this manner, the sloping sides 42 operate to define a reservoir 46.

[0036] At an end 48 of the reservoir 46 corresponding with the exposed end 20 of the housing is a first cut-out 50. A second cut-out 52, of corresponding size and position, is provided in the lower side 26. The rote of the cut-outs 50, 52 will be described in more detail below.

[0037] A plurality of stops 54 are provided internally to the housing 12. Each stop 54 is positioned so as angled towards central axis X-X.

[0038] The housing 12 is attached to a seal housing 56 at its exposed end 20.

[0039]The seal housing 56 has a housing side 58, a seal side 60 and side walls 62. Extending from the housing side 58 at a position proximate a side 28 is a second spigot 64. The second spigot 64 is also arranged to be substantially parallel to central axis X-X.

[0040] The seal housing 56 has two recessed areas 66 provided in the housing side 58. Each recessed area 66 is positioned adjacent a cut-out 50, 52. The depth of the cut-outs 50, 52 is roughly equivalent with the length (Li) of the side walls 62.

[0041]Additionally, the recessed area 66 adjacent first cut-out 50 extends between the sloping sides 42 along their full length. The recessed area 66 adjacent second cyt~out k of identical sze and shape to the reeessed aime ii adfaoant fet cu!-oy! §0. Furthermore, the recessed areas 68 era arranged such that longer ends §§ are opposite each other about opening 70. iil Eao sde wail 62 meets Its adjacent side walls 62 at eorners 14, Through apertures 71 are o ided in each corner 74. Ead through aperture 71 extends from th housing side 58 to the seel side iO. Hash through aperture 71 is of greater diameter at the housing side $8 relative la its diameter at the seal sde 80. pi lJA aoytme f 72 extends about the internai periphery of the side wails 62 and corner 74 o the seal side SO. The oomlsied height of the ahytment 72 and sealing screen Ii is suhstaniiaiy equal to the length (Li) of the side walls 62.

|ii44|The m \ sle v 14 comprises an open-ended re tanaje. The dowel sleeve 1 has housing end 76, an o ening end 7% and a pair of i ^ntion strips 80, The r ten#en strips 8© are aieehel to the wider sides of the dowel sleeve 14 aueh that they profryd at the opening end 71. The dimensions of the retention stri SO mm equal to the dimensions of the cutouts ¾ i2 es x nding into their respective reoessed areas ii. CMHSqiri this preferred embodiment, the dowel sfee^a 14 is r¾ade of a hfid metal,

P&4§J The saaiinf screen 8 is of %\m end shape so as to fit neatly within tha side walls 62 on the se l side 80 end aas@unin§ for the « e¾ 74. W en so fitted, the a ii nt 72 ensures that a gap is created feetwen the seel side S a d the seeling screen IS. pi47| ho sealing soreen 1i oamprieas an exterior fr me t, an e!astfe membrane 84, a positioner ii and a d wel cap 190. When assembled without the dowel cap 100, the sc li g screen 16 Is s paastially flat p 4iAs is shown in Figure I_» the exterior ame i2 is formed from two mating parts that ire welded together when formely assemble , in this marker, the maing parte of the evad r frame 82 operate to sandwieh the elastic rsetfibrane S4 aooui its external periphery. This will he referred to hereafar as the ayier seal of the easite menhrane 84. [0049]The exterior frame 82 also has horizontal alignment ledges 88 are provided on an opening side 90, The horizontal alignment ledges 88 oppose each other.

[0050] The positioner 86 similarly comprises two mating parts that are also weHded together when formally assembled. The two mating parts of the positioner 86 operate to sandwich the elastic membrane 84 about its internal periphery. This will be referred to hereafter as the inner seal of the elastic membrane 84.

[0051] The positioner 86 also has opposing alignment rails 92. When the elastic membrane 84 is not under telescopic tension, each alignment rail 92 is received within its corresponding horizontal alignment ledge 88.

[0052]An aperture 94 is provided centrally within the posstioner 86. The aperture 94 has a plurality of retaining flanges 96 extending about its perimeter. Each retaining flange 98 is tapered r lative to th aperture's 84 internal wall 98.

[0053] The dowel cap 100 has a securing portion 102, a sealing flange 104 and a sealing ring 108. The securing portion 102 is of same size and diameter as aperture 94. The securing portion 102 also has a plurality of sealing threads 108 extending about its perimeter. The sealing threads 108 are similarly tapered so as to allow them to mate with the retaining flanges 98 when the dowel cap 100 is properly received within the positioner 88.

[0054] The sealing flange 104 extends from the circumference wall of the dowel cap 100. In this manner, when the sealing threads 108 mate with the retaining flanges 96, the sealing flange 104 operates to seal off this area of connection.

[0055] Positioned centrally within the dowel cap 100 is an aperture 110. The aperture 110 has a slot (not shown) provided about its perimeter into which the sealing ring 106 is retained by compressive forces. The sealing ring 108 is of size to receive part of the dowel bar 18. To facilitate this reception, and potential subsequent movement of the dowel bar 18, the sealing ring 106 is made from an elastomeric material.

[0056]The dowel bar 18 has a first portion 112, a smooth portion 114 and a second portion 118, The first portion 112 and the second portion 118 have a plurality of angled ribs 118 provided thereon at equal distances along its length (L2). p§8 | Exposed end 12Ϊ of first portion 112 is thre ded so as to allow it to mate with m anchor nut 122.

tnianeieJ use, pOiiJ When II is required to join tw concrete sl s ® ®$ a eomriers jon, fomwork Is prepared in accordance with the location and siie nd shape of t e ieor to tee formed. This formwork frieludes mostly horteorial beards for fonning the floor. Substantially vertical fomiwork strips are securely cortneeted to the hofiionta! boards where a joining dge ef the floor is to fee formed. f§l Once te form rk is inst fied, the improved connector 1 is re ared for Installation_* l#1|Pfe aiiirg the housing 12 tor instaial n is performed fey insaf n the dowel sleeve 14 nto oeenini ID, The d wel sleeve 14 Is in eted sueh that the 'housing end 78 points towards structure 30. p$I2j¥¾hen properly positioned wihln the housing 12, the retention strips 10 are wmm within the out-outs § _S 52, Doe to the general exact t between fie retootion strips 80 and the planar area defined by the cut-outs 50, 51 and recessed areas 68, the retention strips not only ensure the retention of the dowel sleeve 14 in the housing 12, but also ensures that the dowel sleeve 14 d es not move relative to fe® hoa lng

1:2,

|&OI31 oto that in this position, the longer ends Si of the reeetsed areas Si are in the same funeal vertical plane as the sore o side §0 of the sde wills 62,

|iii4| Wl the dowel sleeve 14 inslalted_s the Beal g sereer! 18 m be InatalieJ into the space defined by the side ls 62 en the sereen side §i, s mentioned above, the sealing sorees 16 is of a mm and shape so as to fit n e within this space. This fit ensyrs that the pa ng screen 16 is retai &d in place owing n rrn i wni ylalo of the improved connecter 10, ut oan be remov d when appropriate force Is applied to if , piiSJ inifaial n of the sealing screen 16 creates a ga between the a^aling ao in IS and the sereeo side §ø of the seal oytlng §6. This gep allows for grout to esiter Into the body of the housing 12 and also to facilitate ease of movement of the positioner 8S. sSiJWith the sealing screen 1§ installed the aperture 94 surrounds the longer ends 5 of the recessed areas ii. The dowel cap 100 may now fee installed,

P§$?1 Installation of the dowel cap 100 is achieved fey inserting the securing portion 102 into aperture @4, Once so installed, the dowel cap 100 is rotated such that the sealing fronds 108 male with the retaining flanges 96. This connection then sealed by the overlay of the sealing flange 104, pi@ilThe improved connector 12 Is then manipulated such thai the sealing screen

16 and the screen side §0 of the side wells SO make contact with a vertto ! forniwork st ip. Once so positioned, screws 1 4 ere plaepd so that they eaeh esd nd hrough through aperty es ? . The screw 1 are aligned such that each screw's 118 s ada ted to cover or bo received wit i Its respective through aperture 71 af its housing side £¾. The serewi 134 are then appropriately manipyiated such that a portion of the threaded element (net srt wij of the screw dip into the ver te l formwork strip, Wh n all the screws 124 are so manipulated, the im ove connecter 12 Is then held in its desired position relative to tie formwk, fStf ij If needed to ensure correct positioning of the improved connector 12 o erall the rear end 2 of th housing 12 can fee propped up by instating a bar chair into slots m, i?i| Bfeut tubes (net shown) ares then fitted to the first spigot 32 end the s cond spigot 0 and arranged so that their expo ed ends will not he ubme ed in the resulting section of flooring, p§?1J Concrete reinforcing i the form of mesh is then plaeed over the heriionfa hoards and positioned such as to fee mbedde in the tret section of flooring when oured. li all of the mesh appropriately positened* the unowed concrete is poured to create the first section of flooring. Once the first section has cured, the vertical f r mwork stri h moved: and the Joining sy dace is cleaned so as to fee f ee of daferis. p0 2| ^ifh the vertical termwerSs strip removed, the sealing screen 16 with dowel pi 100 dyfy installed is xpos d as part of the ining surface. p$?3| The dowel bar 18 may now be inserted Into the ous ng 12 fey way of the sealing ing 108. When rop rty inserted, the sealing ring 10i deforms to surround pert of the smooth portion 114 of the dowel bar 18, This deformation also acts to create a seal about the dowel her 18.

Proper installaioo of the dowel ear 18 is such that the dowel sleeve 14 e ei s the smooth portion 114 along its full lengt with th second portion 116 extending fc into the eysinfi 12, The first portion 114 thus extends into the space to be occupied by the second slab. If not alread installed, the anchor nyt 122 is installed onto the O posed threaded end 120, p«?§J If is to he noted here that both the first portion 112 and the see nci portion 114 has a diameter substantially equal to the height el the iiswel sl ve 14. In doing m, the dowel sleeve 4 operates to severely estrict, if not eiimlnate, vertical detention of the dowel fear 18 dyring syteeqyent settlement of the remaining ee ion ol flooring. pif if i h the dowel fear 1 properly installed, eone efe r^info lng in the form of mesh is then placed over th horizontal beards and poslloned syeh as to be embedded In the remaining section of leering when poured along with the rs portion 1 4, Win ail of the mesh appropriately positioned, the unoasmd oonerete is oure to ereate the remaining section of flooring, pH7?f As the remaining seefion of flooring settles, the improved eonne tor 10 allows the dowel bar 18 to mo e relative to each other both teleseo teatl arid literally in line wit nwom t during settling of the remaining section of flooring, but reetrlot all vertloil movement of the dowel bar 18. pif i To eiafeofate, whe the dowel bar 18 is properly rraived within the Im ved oonne tor to, teiesoopie movement is aoo m odated for by the positioner §8 moving away from the opposing alignment rails 88_* SlmiMy, horizontal movement i aooommodeted for b the horizontal alignment ledges it moving along the ex o ing alignment rails 88, pifil it it to fee noted that the size of aperture §4 must be s fieient eueh that when the dowel bar 18 moves laterall *· taking the dowel oa 100 and positioner 8® with I - it is not impeded fey the longer ends S¾ §§iJ ft Is to be further noted that w en trie dowel fear 18 moves - either !alesoepicaiy or laterally, the internals of the housing 12 remain seeled. This Is first achieved fey toe sealing ring 108 whion has deformed to surround the smooth portion 114, Additional sealing is achieved due to the flexible nature of the elastic membrane 84, which remain® In position by reason of is inner and outer seals, pHilJOnoe the rema ning section of flooring has settled, grout $ pumped through the grout tobe atiaohed to the second spigot 84, As the pumped grout enters the second spigot 64 it enter first ohamt 128, This grout is then foroed upwards until it readies an opening 130 provided infernally in its upper end— et which point It enters fie space provided by the abutment 72 between the seal housing Si and the sealing screen nd_s ultimately, into the Interior of the housing 12 proper,

lill OI partfeylar note Is that as ths opwing pr dded infernally to fi e^' first ehan feera higher than the side walla 24, as the grout enters the interior of the ho sing 12 proper, it d e so at a lew! equal to the main groyt rail tevet iSljOnce f l groutid, the grout lubes are out off and the joined surfaces treated so as to re seve all trace o the improved connecter in the inlshed fleer, I i White the Indention has heen described in this specification in the content of oonnaefJng two floor slabs, it should fee appreciated thai the Indention mn ha used wlhoaf need of modification beyond that of the general person sMied in the art to facilitate Its use In connecting a floor slab to a wall siryctyrst

P§§i| It shoyld he reciat d fey the parson skilled in the art that the ahove Invenlen is not limited to the embodimanis deaerifeed. In partieylar, the Mowing modifications and impro ements may be made withe departing f m the ssope of the present invention:

• ¾til ^hfie the invention has baen described bov In the oonta of is assembly, It ia to he noted that it the Improved eonneotor 1 is intended to be provided as a §¾hs¾ntia!ly assembled piece (i.e. with the do el sleeve 14 and sealing screen 1i already installed in the hoysing 12), Fydhefmore, where exploded views of the connector are shown, this Is lor pyrposes of liustritlnf the invention only an that the final product wll have such ee pofi nis v^iide or otherwise connected to form an integral whole. ® J9ii?| Ideall the Impr ved oonneotor 10 should be of sufffelant slie to ensure fiat tha dovvel bar 18 is starounded by -at least 2$mm of grout along its length Internally within the housing 12.

* $Sff The grout tubas ma be mngtS to provide grout con ectio s between improved oonneotofs 10 in the mm manner m described in the p ioanfs earlier International Patent Application PCI/AU201 )GOo84.

* iiil The first and second spigots 32, 04 may b modified as re uired_* idaatfy, fiese components are modified to f ailtata quick fit connectors,

* i§¾ The through notes 71 may ba modified as required to facilitate retention of any suitable fastener, suoh as nails.

* ftifes 2S may be repfaoad with aorfU§ations₅ troughs, crests, protections or dapfaseions.

* piill H s 2B m y hava any su iafe la form ₅ hapa , aia or pole that tnc«

the eonfaef area batman tha aitenor of tha housing 12 and the iieuied aansre!e siafe and thus assist n semiring I place the improved onneotar 10.

* #Sll The elasfie nienie ana 84 may ba made f ram ie Ale materia! ,

* iS**! ¥¾ l the exception of tha dowel sleeve 14 _f which the applicant is of tie v should l ys be made out of a mafa! matarlai ia Improved aenn ater 10 ma be made from a piastte, oerarnla or metal atarfat Whan made from a m til of ceramic material, the improved connector 10 ha greater Ira rassatant properties hen campe ad fa an improved c t cto 10 made fom plaaife,

® §t§3 While the preferred embodiment has longer enda SS not acing s an impediment to the horlf onta! movement of the dowel bar 1 S_t ware it is desire to limit the hark©nla! movamenf of the dowel fear 18_t the iongar ends SS can ba correspondingly enlarged relative to aperture 94.

« #iS The stops §4 may ba ysad t© provide additional g idanae to the paaltlaa of the dowel fear 8 or may simply fee used to provide additional strength to the housing 12. p0S?| it should be further appreciated fey the parson s ilfel la the art that the invenion Is not limited to the ara edimaris daeonbad aboye.. Additions or odlioaions described, whara not mutually e Olusi a, ean be oorriblned to form yet further embodiments that ara ao sidemd to ba within the s cpo at the present invention .

Claims

1. An im roved connector for yse In forming pints comprising:

a ous ng having an e l rged seal housing at a first end.; and

a sealing wtm d ted for receipt In the enlarged seal housing, the sealing screen incorporating art elastic- membrane surrounding an a @rlum,

^ here, the aperture is adaptad to seaingiy engage a dowel fear a d where, meveo ant of the dowel oar laterally, vertically or taiescopisall is aeoommcdated for by to© elastic membrane in a manner that en ures that the dowel bar remains -seating engage by the aperture.

2. An improved conneofor for um in forming Joints accardirig to claim 1, where the sealing torean is sufostantialiy lat,

$. An Improved eonneot r for use in foming pints according to olaim 1 sr elai n 2_S where the enfer d seal he ping Is po ^fod to a pharnber by of a first o ening, the first pening being it a position ehev the hooslng w en n ee, the charnber inoei t a in a first spigot at a osition lower than the first openin .

4. An Improved os nector for y§e in forming Joists according fo claim 4, mh the enlarged seal housing has at least one abutment_* sush that w en tha sealing screen is received within tha aniifjed seal heyeing I makes contact with the at least one abutment and thereby ensures that grout entering the eharnb r by y ef tha first opening is able to flow thr ugh to tha remainder of the housing.

§, A improved cennaofor for yse in forming Joints according ¾ slain 3 pr p! ifn 4, the improved connector a¥ing a second spigot r^vid d in the hoysing remote from the fir t spigot.

S< An !mptwad oonneotor for yse In forming joints according to an¾? preceding claim , where tha hoysing has at least ona pair of stops provided internally therein, the steps operable In guide the positioning of the dowel bar,

7< An improved connector for yse in forming joints according to mm preceding laim:, where the hoysing has at leatt one projection emending ftar^from info the aperture, the at least one projection thereby operable to limit lateral movement of the dowel bar,

8. An improved connecter for yse in forming joints according to an reeedlng claim, whe e the housing has an e ternal surface having plurality of sytfae irragu!ahiiee dlseonfinoiies provided therein.

9. An improved connector for use in forming joints according to claim 8, where the plurality of irregularities or discontinuities take the form of a plurality of ribs.

10. An improved connector for use in forming joints according to any preceding claim, where the housing has a retainer provided in an end spaced from the enlarged seal housing, the retainer operable to receive one or more of the following: a bar chair; a prop.

11. An improved connector for use in forming joints according to any preceding claim, where, in use, the upper surface of the housing has a reservoir defined therein.

12. An improved connector for use in forming joints according to any preceding claim, where the sealing screen has at least one alignment ledge for facilitating orderly lateral movement of the dowel bar.

13. An improved connector for use in forming joints according to any preceding claim, wr re the ^ er ur is adapted to r ceive a dowel p, and the dowel ca incorporates a sealing ring for sealing!y engaging the dowel bar.

14. An improved connector for use in forming joints according to any preceding claim, further comprising a dowel sleeve, the dowel sleeve adapted to be received within the housing at a position proximate the first end, the dowel sleeve operable to receive a portion of the dowel bar and thereby restrict vertical movement of the dowel bar.

15. An improved connector for use in forming joints according to claim 14, where the housing has at least one cut-out provided therein proximate the first end, the dowel sleeve further comprising at least one retention strip of equal dimension to the at least one cut-out, the dowel sleeve adapted to be received within the housing when the at least one retention strip is received within the at least one cut-out.

16. A dowel bar for use with an improved connector as claimed in claim 14 or claim 15, the dowel bar comprising at least one ribbed section and one smooth section, the smooth section being adapted to be received within the dowel sleeve when properly positioned within the improved connector.

17. A dowel bar as claimed in claim 16, the smooth section of the dowel bar having a diameter substantially equal to the smaller of the height or width dimension of the dowel sleeve.

18. A dowel bar as claimed in claim 16 or claim 17, having a length such that part of the dowel bar may be received along the full interior length of the housing and still properly place the smooth section within the dowel sleeve.

19. A dowel bar according to any one of claims 16 to 18, where an end of the dowel bar intended not to be received within the housing has at least one threaded portion, the threaded portion adapted to allow for retention of an anchor nut.

20. A method of forming a joint between a first surface and a second surface, the method comprising the steps of:

installing an improved connector according to any one of claims 1 to 15 in the first surface and allowing the first surface to settle;

inserting a dowel bar according to any one of claims 16 to 19 into the aperture of the improved connector, such that at least a portion of the dowel bar protrudes therefrom; and

creating a second surface around the portion of the dowel bar protruding from the improved connector and allowing the second surface to settle.

21. A me ho of forming a joint etween a first surface and a second -euif&oe, whena the first surface is a wall and the second surface is a floor slab.