Coating implements with material supply – With means supporting or stabilizing implement in use
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-28
2001-06-26
Recla, Henry J. (Department: 3751)
Coating implements with material supply
With means supporting or stabilizing implement in use
C401S138000, C401S140000, C401S193000, C401S190000, C073S866000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06250830
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a device for marking hidden flaws, such as delaminated areas, in a structure such as a concrete slab, and methods of using the device.
2. Discussion of the Background
Methods of and devices for detecting the presence of hidden flaws within steel reinforced suspended concrete slabs have been suggested in the prior art. The flaw to be detected is a separation, or delamination, of the layers of concrete within the slab. The delamination is caused by corrosion of the reinforcing steel within the slab. Corrosion of the steel within the suspended concrete slab is caused when moisture and chlorides make contact with the reinforcing steel. Once the steel begins to corrode, oxidation occurs and the cross-sectional dimension increases which causes areas within the concrete slab to debond and separate into two or more layers. This condition occurs in areas where there are freeze-thaw cycles as well as in areas where there is a preponderance of chlorides, either air-borne or where de-icing salts are used for roadways and bridge decks. Once the oxidation and the resultant delamination starts, the rate of deterioration accelerates until a condition exists where large concrete fragments break loose and fall, or, in severe cases, a serious compromise in structural soundness of the slab occurs. Early detection, therefore, of the unseen delamination is important to keep repair costs to a minimum.
In the past, detection of delaminations in the bottom exposed surface of a suspended concrete slab, or soffit, has been to repeatedly tap the surface, usually with a hand held hammer producing the sound which has been found to occur when the slab is delaminated. This method of initially detecting the presence of delamination is regarded as a reliable means to find problem areas which are not visually apparent. Most soffits are out of reach, so a ladder or scaffolding is usually required to reach the surface.
At the time the delamination is detected, it is both customary and necessary to then mark the delaminated area, such as with a marker for future repair. For soffits and other hard to reach places, the same ladder, scaffolding or other aid is used for the marking as well.
I have invented a relatively simple and inexpensive rotary percussion tool for detecting delaminations in structures subject to such delaminations, and particularly such structures, such as suspended concrete slabs or soffits, that have previously not been tested for delaminations without great effort. The tool and method of use thereof is the subject of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/413,812, filed Oct. 7, 1999, and is hereby incorporated by reference. The tool comprises a rotary percussion tool head adapted at an end thereof to connect to an extension pole, wherein said head comprises at least one circular member, each circular member having on the periphery thereof projections extending in the radial direction and spaced apart in the circumferential direction.
However, a need still exists in the art for a relatively simple and inexpensive device for marking such delaminations
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved device which is simple and inexpensive for marking delaminations in structures subject to such delaminations that heretofore were not easily subject to detection, such as suspended concrete slabs or soffits.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for using such a device.
The device is a wheeled paint can holder adapted at an end thereof to connect to an extension pole of any length, thus allowing contact of the wheels of the wheeled paint can holder with a surface to be marked located at various distances from the testing location, such as the ground, and allowing for an opening of the paint can holder to be in close proximity to the surface to be marked.
The above-described device can be used as part of a kit containing an extension pole and a device for detecting the location of said delaminations, preferably the above-described rotary percussion tool for detecting delaminations and described and claimed in above U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/413,812. The kit preferably also additionally comprises a holder for premarking the location of such delaminations.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1749326 (1930-03-01), Dirkes et al.
patent: 2022335 (1935-11-01), Bernthal
patent: 2720422 (1955-10-01), Mercur
patent: 3179089 (1965-04-01), Civitarese
patent: 3361225 (1968-01-01), Nichols
patent: 3679319 (1972-07-01), Munchel et al.
patent: 3794217 (1974-02-01), Munchel
Le Huyen
Oblon & Spivak, McClelland, Maier & Neustadt P.C.
Recla Henry J.
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