Contraction and Expansion Dowel Support Assembly

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/538,327 filed on Sep. 14, 2023. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to expansion and contraction dowel supports. The present invention specifically provides an expansion and contraction dowel support assembly having a dowel alignment unit disposed on each end of a base member configured to receive a plurality of differently sized removable dowel support members. The removable dowel support members are configured to orient a dowel to run parallel to the base member, wherein a pair of expansion board guides support an expansion or contraction joint board in place.

Expansion and contraction joints are essential components in infrastructure projects, such as roads, bridges, and sidewalks. These expansion and contraction joints are engineering joints that allow for the controlled expansion and contraction of the infrastructure that occurs as a result of thermal changes, seismic activities, and other environmental factors. Proper alignment and support of dowels in these joints are crucial for maintaining structural integrity and longevity. Conventionally, the dowels are aligned perpendicular to the expansion and contraction joint to keep the members of the joint aligned throughout the expansion and contraction cycle.

Existing dowel support assemblies, particularly those made to order, often present significant challenges due to their fixed configurations and limited adjustability. These assemblies are typically designed for specific projects, requiring precise dimensions that may not accommodate the varying needs of different construction sites. The custom manufacturing process for such assemblies can lead to delays in project timelines, as contractors must wait for materials to be fabricated and delivered. Additionally, due to the varying dimensions of expansion channels and the dynamic nature of construction projects, current fixed dowel supports often fail to accommodate adjustments that may be required to align the expansion joint boards optimally. The fixed nature of traditional dowel supports limits their adaptability to on-site changes, often resulting in misalignment of expansion joint boards and subsequent structural weaknesses.

Another significant drawback of conventional dowel support systems is their installation complexity. Many current designs involve intricate assembly processes that demand precise execution. This complexity increases the likelihood of installation errors, which can lead to misaligned dowels, improper spacing of expansion joints, and, ultimately, compromised structural performance. Moreover, the time-consuming nature of these installations can escalate labor costs and delay project completion.

Furthermore, traditional dowel supports are predominantly made from metal materials that are prone to rust and corrosion over time. This not only reduces the lifespan of the supports but also complicates maintenance and inspection processes. The metal composition also poses challenges in magnetic tomography, a crucial method for assessing structural integrity in completed projects. Metal dowel support often interferes with accurate readings, leading to potential oversights in detecting damage or weaknesses in structures like roads, bridges and sidewalks.

In light of the devices disclosed in the known art, it is submitted that the present invention substantially diverges in design elements and methods from the known art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement of a dowel support assembly. In this regard the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of dowel support assemblies now present in the known art, the present invention provides a new dowel support assembly for contraction baskets.

It is an objective of the present invention to provide a dowel support assembly comprising a base member and a pair of expansion board guides extending perpendicularly from a central area of the base member. The expansion board guides form a channel therebetween, wherein the channel is configured receive an expansion or contraction joint board therein.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide a dowel support assembly configured to support a dowel regardless of use for an expansion or contraction joint.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide a dowel support assembly comprising a dowel alignment unit disposed at distal ends of the base member, wherein the dowel alignment unit is configured to receive a removable dowel support member that orients a dowel to run parallel to the base. The dowel alignment unit comprises a front wall, a rear wall, and a pair of cross members extending perpendicularly between the front wall and rear wall. A pair of side channels are disposed on the exterior sides of the cross members, wherein an interior channel is disposed between the pair of cross members.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide a dowel support assembly comprising a plurality of removable dowel support members, wherein each removable dowel support member comprises a pair of flexible arms that secure within the pair of channels to semi-permanently secure to the base member.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide an alternate embodiment of the dowel support assembly wherein the dowel alignment unit includes a main panel having a plurality of sections vertically aligned and each including an aperture, wherein a score line is disposed between each section to facilitate separation of a section from the main panel.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved dowel support assembly that has all of the advantages of the known art and none of the disadvantages.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of the dowel support assembly.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of a first embodiment of the dowel support assembly.

FIG. 3 shows a top planar view of a first embodiment of the dowel support assembly.

FIG. 4 shows a front view of a removable dowel support member of a first embodiment of the dowel support assembly.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of the dowel support assembly.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of the dowel support assembly in use.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of the dowel support assembly in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. For the purpose of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used to support an expansion joint board and a dowel with the dowel support assembly. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiment(s) of the invention. References to “one embodiment,” “at least one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “one example,” “an example,” “for example,” and so on indicate that the embodiment(s) or example(s) may include a feature, structure, characteristic, property, element, or limitation but that not every embodiment or example necessarily includes that feature, structure, characteristic, property, element, or limitation. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in an embodiment” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a perspective view and a side view of a first embodiment of the dowel support assembly, respectively. The dowel support assembly 1000 includes an elongated base member 1100 configured to extend beneath and on both sides of an expansion or contraction joint board. In the illustrated embodiment, the base member 1100 is substantially planar and comprises a rectangular cross-sectional shape. A fastening aperture 1130 extends through the base member 1100 to allow the dowel support assembly to be secured to a surface via a fastener that extends through the fastening aperture 1130, such as a screw or nail. One or more cutouts or recesses 1135 are disposed within the floor of the base member 1100 to save on material.

The dowel support assembly 1000 further comprises a pair of expansion board guides 1200 that extend substantially perpendicularly from the base member 1100, forming a channel 1210 therebetween. In the illustrated embodiment, the expansion board guides 1200 are parallel to each other, wherein alternate embodiments, the expansion board guides are offset from one another (as seen in FIG. 5). The expansion board guides 1200 are disposed centrally on the base member 1100 and configured to hold the expansion or contraction joint board within the channel 1210. In the illustrated embodiment, each expansion board guide 1200 comprises a planar interior edge 1220 that is adapted to abut the expansion or contraction joint board and is disposed proximally on the base member 1100.

In the illustrated embodiment, each expansion board guide 1200 comprises a first and second bracket 1230, 1240 extending on a same lateral side 1120 of the base member 1100. Each bracket comprises a substantially triangular shape forming a gap 1250 between facing interior edges 1220. However, a top edge 1245 of each bracket 1230, 1240 is flat, as opposed to coming to a point, which provides for a more durable configuration and less chance of breakage. In the illustrated embodiment, the expansion board guides 1200, including each bracket 1230, 1240, are the same configuration. However, in alternate embodiments, the expansion board guides have a different configuration.

A dowel alignment unit 1300 is disposed at each distal end 1140 of the base member 1100. The dowel alignment unit 1300 is configured to receive and support a removable dowel support member 1400 in an upright position, wherein an upper end 1405 of the removable dowel support member 1400 is configured to receive and orient the dowel to run parallel to the base member 1100. In the illustrated embodiment, the dowel alignment unit 1300 comprises a front wall 1310, a rear wall 1320, and a pair of cross members 1330 extending perpendicularly between the front wall 1310 and rear wall 1320. In the shown embodiment, an upper end 1340 of the pair of cross members 1330, the front wall 1310, and the rear wall 1320 are level with one another. The front wall 1310 and rear wall 1320 extend substantially perpendicularly to the base member 1100, wherein a brace 1325 extends between the base member 1100 and the front wall 1310. The brace 1325 provides additional structural support between the dowel support unit 1300 and the base member 1100 to prevent twisting or deconfiguration therebetween. In the illustrated embodiment, the width of the front wall 1310 and rear wall 1320 comprise a same width as the base member 1100.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, there is shown a top planar view of a first embodiment of the dowel support assembly and a front view of a removable dowel support member of a first embodiment of the dowel support assembly, respectively. A pair of side channels 1350 are disposed on exterior sides of the pair of cross members 1330, wherein an interior channel 1360 is formed between the pair of cross members 1330. The side channels 1350 and interior channel 1360 The removable dowel support members 1400 comprise a pair of flexible arms 1410 that secure within the pair of channels 1350 to semi-permanently secure to the base member 1100. A distal end 1420 of the pair of flexible arms 1410 each comprise a flange 1430 configured to secure within the interior channel 1360 when the removable dowel support member 1400 is secured within the dowel alignment unit 1300. The flange 1430 forms a lip that clips into the interior channel 1360, securing it in place. The distance between the front and rear walls 1310, 1320 of the dowel alignment unit is substantially similar to a thickness of the flexible arms 1410. This further enables the dowel alignment unit 1300 to support the removable dowel support member 1400 in an upright position. In alternative embodiments, the removable down support member 1400 is fastened to the dowel alignment unit 1300 via a fastener, such as a screw, nail, clip, spring, and the like.

At an opposing second end, the removable dowel support member 1400 comprise a dowel retention clip 1440 adapted to receive a dowel therethrough. In the shown embodiment, the dowel retention clip is adapted to orient the received dowel to be parallel with the base, such that the dowel aligns with the expansion board guides 1200. The dowel retention clip 1440 comprises an open ring configured to flex to form a larger ring diameter.

In some embodiments, the dowel support assembly 1000 comprises a plurality of removable dowel support members 1400 each having a different flexible arm 1410 length, wherein the length is measured between the upper and lower ends of the removable dowel support member 1400. Removable dowel support members 1400 having a flexible arm 1410 with a greater length comprise webbing 1415 extending between the upper and lower ends thereof to provide additional support. When the removable dowel support members 1400 is secured to the dowel alignment unit 1300, the flexible arms rest within the side channels and do not extend exterior to the side channels or beyond the exterior perimeter of the front and rear walls. Adjustability of dowel height can facilitate easier installation during construction and simplify future maintenance work. It allows for quick adjustments to meet specific project requirements or to address any inconsistencies encountered during installation.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown a perspective view of a second embodiment of the dowel support assembly. In an alternate illustrated embodiment, the dowel support assembly 1000 comprises a pair of offset expansion board guides 1200 extending perpendicularly from the base member. The pair of expansion board guides 1200 form a channel 1210 therebetween and are configured to hold an expansion joint board within the channel 1210. However, the expansion board guides 1200 are disposed on opposing first and second sides 1700, 1710 of the channel 1200. In the illustrated embodiment, the expansion board guide 1200 comprises a triangular shape having a central opening 1720 to reduce the use of material.

A pair of dowel alignment units 1500 are disposed at distal ends of the base member 1100, wherein each of the pair of dowel alignment units 1500 comprises a main panel 1510 extending perpendicularly from the base member 1100. The main panel 1510 comprises a rectangular shaped cross section and includes a plurality of sections 1520 vertically aligned. Each section 1520 comprises an aperture 1530 configured to receive a dowel therethrough. In this way, each section can receive a dowel therethrough at a different height from the base member. Each of the plurality of sections 1520 comprise a score line 1540 to facilitate separation of a section 1520 from the main panel 1510. In the illustrated embodiment, the section 1520 can be cut with a tool, such as a blade, along the score line. In alternate embodiments, the score line is perforated and can be easily broken off. A brace extends 1600 between the base member 1100 and the main panel 1510 to provide support to the dowel alignment unit 1500.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, there is shown a perspective view of the second embodiment and the first embodiment of the dowel support assembly in use, respectively. The dowel support assembly 1000 is utilized in road construction projects to facilitate the installation of dowels and expansion joint boards in concrete pavement slabs. In operation, the base member 1100 is positioned on a surface, aligned with the intended location of the expansion or contraction joint. Once the base member 1100 is in place, the expansion joint board 6000 is inserted into the channel formed by the pair of expansion board guides 1200, ensuring that it is securely held and properly aligned with the surrounding construction elements.

In the first embodiment, the height of the dowels 6100 is adjusted according to project specifications by selecting the appropriate removable dowel support member size. The dowels 6100 are then inserted into the retention clip of the removable dowel support member, allowing them to be positioned parallel to the base member at the required height.

According to the second embodiment, the height of the dowels 6100 is adjusted according to project specifications by selecting a desired aperture in a section of the main panel. The dowels 6100 are then inserted into the aperture of the main panel, allowing them to be positioned parallel to the base member at the required height. In the second embodiment, any section positioned above the dowel receiving section is separated from the main panel via the score line and disposed of.

In the illustrated embodiment, the dowel support member is included and composed of a plastic material. In other embodiments, some or all of the expansion material holder is composed of plastic material. The material choice is adapted to prevent rusting and allow for accurate magnetic tomography of build sites. The present invention is configured to support a dowel regardless of use for an expansion or contraction joint. The dowel support assembly can be used in either type of expansion or contraction joint.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly, and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.