Expansion joint system
View Patent ↗A cover plate system for a gap ( 15 ) between two structural members ( 10, 20 ) is provided. The system includes an elongated cover ( 30 ) that extends across the gap ( 15 ) from a first structural member ( 10 ) to a second, spaced-apart structural member ( 20 ). The cover plate system further includes damped spring anchors ( 40 ) for engaging the cover plate ( 30 ) to an underlying structural member ( 10 ) and dampers ( 50, 60 ) for absorbing energy imparted to the cover plate ( 30 ) by vehicular traffic. The cover plate system minimizes the strain energy that is absorbed by the cover plate ( 30 ), which results in less cover plate slapping and bouncing during operation.
1. A cover plate expansion joint system for bridging a gap between spaced apart structural members comprising:
an elongated plate extending across said gap between said structural members;
at least one pre-loaded load absorbing damper positioned between said elongated plate and at least one of said structural members;
at least one anchor for anchoring said elongated plate to one of said structural members; and
at least one pre-loaded damped spring engaged with said at least one anchor and said elongated plate.
2. The cover plate expansion joint system of claim 1 , wherein portions of said elongated plate overlie said spaced apart structural members.
3. The cover plate expansion joint system of claim 1 , wherein said elongated plate further comprises a slip resistant coating.
4. The cover plate expansion joint system of claim 1 , further comprising a resilient base between said load absorbing dampers and said structural members.
5. The cover plate expansion joint system of claim 4 , wherein said resilient base comprises an elastomeric concrete.
6. The cover plate expansion joint system of claim 5 , wherein said elastomeric concrete comprises a two component polyurethane and aggregate.
7. The cover plate expansion joint system of claim 5 , wherein said elastomeric concrete absorbs impact loads.
8. The cover plate expansion joint system of claim 1 , wherein said load absorbing dampers are cast into said elongated plate.
9. The cover plate expansion joint system of claim 8 , wherein said load absorbing dampers comprise a polyurethane material.
10. The cover plate expansion joint system of claim 9 , wherein said load absorbing dampers are cast into said elongated plate near opposite margins of said structural members.
11. The cover plate expansion joint system of claim 1 , wherein said at least one pre-loaded damped spring anchor comprise a polyurethane material.
12. The cover plate expansion joint system of claim 11 , wherein said at least one damped polyurethane spring anchor comprises cylindrical springs.
13. The cover plate expansion joint system of claim 1 , wherein said least one damped spring anchor is engaged to said elongated cover by fasteners.
14. The cover plate expansion joint system of claim 13 , wherein said fasteners are selected from the group consisting of bolts, screws, rivets, nails, pins, and combinations thereof.
15. The cover plate expansion joint system of claim 10 , wherein said fasteners comprise bolts.
16. The cover plate expansion joint system of claim 1 , wherein said at least one damped spring anchor is engaged to an anchor structure, and wherein said anchor structure is engaged to one of said structural members.
17. A cover plate expansion joint system for bridging a gap between spaced apart structural members comprising:
an elongated plate extending across said gap between said structural members;
at least one load absorbing damper positioned between said elongated plate and at least one of said structural members;
at least one anchor for anchoring said elongated plate to one of said structural members; and
at least one damped spring engaged with said at least one anchor, wherein said at least one damped spring applies a torque on said elongated plate to urge said elongated plate against said structural members.
18. A cover plate expansion joint system for bridging a gap between spaced apart structural members comprising:
an elongated plate extending across said gap between said structural members;
at least one load absorbing damper positioned between said elongated plate and at least one of said structural members;
at least one anchor for anchoring said elongated plate to one of said structural members; and
at least one damped spring engaged with said at least one anchor, wherein said at least one damped spring applies a moment on said elongated plate to urge said elongated plate against said structural members.
19. A cover plate expansion joint system for bridging a gap between spaced apart structural members comprising:
an elongated plate extending across said gap between said structural members;
load absorbing dampers positioned between said elongated plate and at least one of said structural members adapted to resist a compressive load between said elongated cover and said structural members;
at least one anchor for anchoring said elongated plate to one of said structural members; and
at least one damped spring engaged with said at least one anchor, wherein said at least one damped spring provides a compressive load between the elongated cover and said structural members.
20. The cover plate expansion joint system of claim 19 , comprising:
at least one load absorbing damper positioned between said elongated plate and said first structural member adapted to resist a compressive load between said elongated cover and said first structural member; and
at least one load absorbing damper positioned between said elongated plate and said second structural member adapted to resist a compressive load between said elongated cover and said second structural member.