Expansion joint system for open air structures
View Patent ↗An expansion joint system for bridging an expansion joint gap between two spaced-apart underlying stair structures. The expansion joint system includes a movable plate that is connected to a fixed plate through a hinge. The hinge connection permits the movable plate to move in response to thermal movements and seismic events that causes the width of the expansion joint to open to a greater width or close to a smaller width. Following the seismic or thermal event, the hinge connection automatically returns the movable plate to its original position.
1. An expansion joint system comprising:
a first plate fixedly attached to an underlying structural member; and
a second plate movably attached to the first plate and slidably engaged to an underlying structural member;
wherein the first plate is directly attached to the second plate by a self closing hinge, and a portion of the first plate overlaps a portion of the second plate when the system is in a neutral position.
2. The expansion joint system of claim 1 , wherein edges of the second plate are radiused.
3. The expansion joint system of claim 1 , wherein the first and second plates are bent in a substantially 90° angle.
4. The expansion joint system of claim 1 , wherein the first plate further comprises at least one beveled edge.
5. The expansion joint system of claim 4 , wherein the beveled edge comprises a polymeric material support.
6. The expansion joint system of claim 5 , wherein the polymeric material support comprises a polyurethane.
7. The expansion joint system of claim 1 , wherein surfaces of the first and second plates further comprise a slip reducing coating.
8. An expansion joint comprising:
a stair structure comprising spaced-apart first and second underlying tread-riser portions;
a first plate fixedly attached to said first underlying tread-riser portion;
a second plate movably attached to the first plate and movably engaged with a second underlying tread-riser portion;
wherein the first plate is attached to the second plate by a self closing hinge.
9. The expansion joint of claim 8 , wherein a portion of the first plate overlaps a portion of the second plate when the joint is in a neutral position.
10. The expansion joint of claim 8 , wherein edges of the second plate are radiused.
11. The expansion joint of claim 8 , wherein the first and second plates are bent in a substantially 90° angle.
12. The expansion joint of claim 8 , wherein the first plate further comprises at least one beveled edge.
13. The expansion joint of claim 12 , wherein the beveled edge comprises a polymeric material support.
14. The expansion joint of claim 13 , wherein the polymeric material support comprises a polyurethane.
15. The expansion joint of claim 8 , wherein surfaces of the first and second plates further comprise a slip reducing coating.
16. The expansion joint of claim 8 , wherein the first plate is directly attached to the second plate.
17. An expansion joint system comprising:
a first plate fixedly attached to an underlying structural member; and
a second plate movably attached to the first plate and slidably engaged to an underlying structural member;
wherein the first plate is attached to the second plate by a self closing hinge, wherein the self closing hinge comprises two pieces of metal that are joined by a pin and a spring mount; and
wherein a portion of the first plate overlaps a portion of the second plate when the system is in a neutral position.
18. The expansion joint system of claim 17 , wherein edges of the second plate are radiused.
19. The expansion joint system of claim 17 , wherein the first and second plates are bent in a substantially 90° angle.
20. The expansion joint system of claim 17 , wherein the first plate further comprises at least one beveled edge.
21. The expansion joint system of claim 20 , wherein the beveled edge comprises a polymeric material support.
22. The expansion joint system of claim 21 , wherein the polymeric material support comprises a polyurethane.
23. The expansion joint system of claim 17 , wherein surfaces of the first and second plates further comprise a slip reducing coating.