Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Relatively yieldable preformed separator – Exposed separator between prefabricated components
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-17
2001-04-24
Friedman, Carl D. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Relatively yieldable preformed separator
Exposed separator between prefabricated components
C052S396050, C052S396080, C052S393000, C052S394000, C052S468000, C052S471000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06219982
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the construction of buildings with precast concrete panels, it is common to form or cast tilt-up concrete wall panels on a preformed concrete floor slab and then tilt the wall panels to upright vertical positions. Usually, the adjacent wall panels have gaps between the opposing edge surfaces of the panels, and the gaps may range from ½″ to 1¼″. The gaps are usually filled from the exterior side of the wall with a resilient rod and a sealant material which bonds to the rod and the edge surfaces of the concrete panels and provides for the necessary expansion and contraction of the panels. When the inner surfaces of the concrete wall panels are exposed, for example, in a factory or warehouse, it is desirable to cover the exposed joints or gaps between the wall panels to provide the wall with a more attractive inside appearance.
There have been a number of systems either proposed or used for covering and sealing the joints or gaps between structural panels of concrete and other materials, such as the joints between vertical wall panels or the joints between horizontal floor or deck panels. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,760,544 and No. 4,067,155 disclose joint sealing systems for wall panels and which include generally T-shaped sealing gaskets or members having multiple teeth or wings. The teeth or wings engage serrations within extruded members forming the opposing edge surfaces of the panels or within an opposing a joint member inserted into the gap from the opposite sides of the panels. U.S. Pat. No. 4,533,278 and No. 5,197,250 disclose expansion joint systems for use between horizontal concrete panels or slabs which form a horizontal surface or deck.
In any joint cover and sealing system for use with precast concrete panels, which may or may not have internal insulation layers, it is desirable for the joint cover to form a positive and dependable joint connection and cover which can accommodate a wide variety of gap profiles, for example, ranging from ½″ to 1¼″, and to be installed without any special edge preparation of the concrete panels. It is also desirable for the joint cover to be self-centering within gaps which are not perfectly linear and to provide for positively gripping the concrete edge surfaces of the panels. It is further desirable for the joint cover to be of economical construction and to be easily and quickly installed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to an improved joint cover and sealing device for use between structural panels and which is ideally suited for sealing and covering the joints or gaps between precast concrete wall panels which are tilted up from horizontal positions where the concrete panels are poured and cured. The joint cover of the invention provides all of the desirable features mentioned above, and more specifically, is durable and inexpensive in construction, may be used with a wide range of gap profiles, provides for positive gripping the concrete panels, may be conveniently cut to length and extruded in a variety of colors, and may also be used for inside and outside corner joints.
In accordance with preferred embodiments of the invention, a joint cover device comprises a one piece elongated body of extruded semi-rigid plastics material and including a longitudinally extending cover section and a longitudinally extending stem section with both sections having a generally uniform wall thickness. The stem section has a flat center wall with a plurality of longitudinally extending and generally parallel spaced flexible fins which project from opposite sides of the center wall towards the cover section, and the width of the fins gradually decreases towards the distal end of the stem section. Each of the fins has a plurality of parallel spaced gripping ribs on the surface facing away from the cover section for gripping the opposing edge surfaces of the concrete panels. The cover section is slightly crowned or angular or curved inwardly and has opposite tapering edge portions which engage the adjacent interior side surfaces of the concrete panels.
Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2230688 (1941-02-01), Irwin
patent: 3039232 (1962-06-01), Dunn
patent: 3213584 (1965-10-01), Bush
patent: 3760544 (1973-09-01), Hawes et al.
patent: 4067155 (1978-01-01), Ruff et al.
patent: 4438609 (1984-03-01), Nielson et al.
patent: 4533278 (1985-08-01), Corsover et al.
patent: 5155952 (1992-10-01), Herwegh et al.
patent: 5197250 (1993-03-01), Kramer
patent: 5343662 (1994-09-01), Nelson
A Phi Dieu Tran
Friedman Carl D.
Jacox Meckstroth & Jenkins
Miller-Valentine Construction Inc.
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