Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Relatively yieldable preformed separator – Separating bridger strip from juncture of panels
Utility Patent
1999-01-28
2001-01-02
Friedman, Carl D. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Relatively yieldable preformed separator
Separating bridger strip from juncture of panels
C052S393000, C052S396050, C052S459000, C052S466000, C403S408100, C403S029000
Utility Patent
active
06167667
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to covers for expansion joints and more particularly pertains to a new expansion joint cover for covering the top or exposed side of an expansion joint in a structure.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of covers for expansion joints is known in the prior art. More specifically, covers for expansion joints heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
Known prior art includes U.S. Pat. No. 2,948,994 by Thom; U.S. Pat. No. 4,271,650 by Lynn-Jones; U.S. Pat. No. 3,659,390 by Balzer et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,295,315 by Lynn-Jones et al.; U.S. Pat. No. Balzer et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. Des. 261,553 by Chambers.
While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a new expansion joint cover. The inventive device includes a plate having top and bottom faces, and a pair of sides. The plate also has a plurality of spaced apart fastening holes therethrough extending between the top and bottom faces of the plate. Each fastening hole comprises upper and lower portions. The outer diameter of the upper portion of each fastening hole is greater than the outer diameter of the associated lower portion of the respective fastening hole such that each fastening bore has an annular shoulder formed between the upper and lower portions of the respective hole.
In these respects, the expansion joint cover according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of covering the top or exposed side of an expansion joint in a structure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of covers for expansion joints now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new expansion joint cover construction wherein the same can be utilized for covering the top or exposed side of an expansion joint in a structure.
The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new expansion joint cover apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the covers for expansion joints mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new expansion joint cover which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art covers for expansion joints, either alone or in any combination thereof.
To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a plate having top and bottom faces, and a pair of sides. The plate also has a plurality of spaced apart fastening holes therethrough extending between the top and bottom faces of the plate. Each fastening hole comprises upper and lower portions. The outer diameter of the upper portion of each fastening hole is greater than the outer diameter of the associated lower portion of the respective fastening hole such that each fastening bore has an annular shoulder formed between the upper and lower portions of the respective hole.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new expansion joint cover apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the covers for expansion joints mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new expansion joint cover which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art covers for expansion joints, either alone or in any combination thereof.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new expansion joint cover which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new expansion joint cover which is of a durable and reliable construction.
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new expansion joint cover which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such expansion joint cover economically available to the buying public.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new expansion joint cover which provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new expansion joint cover for covering the top or exposed side of an expansion joint in a structure.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new expansion joint cover which includes a plate having top and bottom faces, and a pair of sides. The plate also has a plurality of spaced apart fastening holes therethrough extending between the top and bottom faces of the plate. Each fastening hole comprises upper and lower portions. The outer diameter of the upper portion of each fastening hole is greater than the outer diameter of the associated lower portion of the respective fastening hole such that each fastening bore has an annular shoulder formed between the upper and lower portions of the respective hole.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new expansion joint cover that helps keep the surface of a floor at an expansion joint relatively flat during expansion and contraction of the expansion joint.
Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new expansion joint cover that helps prevent people from tripping on uneven floor surfaces due to the expansion and contraction of an expansion joint in the floor surface.
These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out
A Phi Dieu Tran
Friedman Carl D.
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