Composite expansion joint

Claim 2

A composite expansion joint assembly comprising: edge members adapted to define the opposite sides of an expansion groove between pavement sections, a plurality of resiliently yieldable elongated sealing elements in side-by-side relation, an elongated rigid structural member interposed between each pair of adjacent sealing elements; support beams extending transversely of said rigid structural members and supporting the same for sliding movement relative thereto; means supporting said support beams for sliding movement relative thereto adjacent at least one end thereof; said rigid structural members, sealing elements, support beams and beam supporting means being adapted for insertion as a unit into said expansion groove, means for mounting said unit in said groove between said edge members with said beam supporting means extending inwardly into said groove from said opposite sides thereof and with said beams confined between the opposite sides of said groove as defined by said edge members, whereby said unit can be vertically displaced in said groove.

Claim 3

A composite expansion joint assembly according to claim 1 including means on said structural members engagable with said support beams for limiting vertical displacement of said structural members.

Claim 4

A composite expansion joint assembly according to claim 2 wherein said displacement limiting means comprise a bracket having a body portion secured to said structural member and at least one leg extending beneath a portion of said support beam.

Claim 5

A composite expansion joint assembly according to claim 3 including a friction reducing cushioning pad secured to said body and interposed between said body and said support beam.

Claim 6

A composite expansion joint assembly as set forth in claim 4, together with a cushioning pad on said leg engagable with said support beam portion.

Claim 7

A composite expansion joint assembly according to claim 1 wherein said means supporting said support beams comprise paired support members having bearing blocks for supporting the opposite ends of one support beam.

Claim 8

A composite expansion joint assembly according to claim 6, including means on said support beams and said support members coacting to limiting displacement of the former relative to the latter.

Claim 9

A composite expansion joint assembly according to claim 7 wherein said limiting means comprises end plates on said support beams engagable with stop means on said support members.

Claim 10

A composite expansion joint assembly according to claim 1 wherein said rigid, structural members are standard I-beams.

Claim 11

A composite expansion joint assembly according to claim 1, together with end channels carried by said support beam supporting means and engaging said sealing members on opposite sides of said joint.

Claim 12

A composite expansion joint assembly according to claim 1, wherein said mounting means include support bracket means secured to said edge members and extending thErefrom into said groove, said unit being seated on and supported by said bracket means.

Claim 13

A composite expansion joint assembly comprising: edge members adapted to define the opposite sides of an expansion groove between pavement sections, seal locking members extending lengthwise of said assembly, a plurality of resiliently yieldable elongated sealing elements in side-by-side relation between said locking members, an elongated rigid structural member interposed between each pair of adjacent sealing element; support beams extending transversely of said rigid structural members and supporting the same for sliding movement relative thereto; means supporting said support beams for sliding movement relative thereto adjacent at least one end thereof; said rigid structural members, sealing elements, seal locking members, support beams and beam supporting means comprising a unit, means for mounting said unit in said groove between said edge members with said beam supporting means extending inwardly into said groove from said opposite sides thereof and with said beams confined between the opposite sides of said groove as defined by said edge members, whereby said unit can be vertically displaced in said groove.

Claim 14

A composite expansion joint assembly comprising: edge members adapted to define the opposite sides of an expansion groove between pavement sections, seal locking members extending lengthwise of said assembly, a plurality of resiliently yieldable elongated sealing elements in side-by-side relation between said locking members, an elongated rigid structural member interposed between each pair of adjacent sealing element; support beams extending transversely of said rigid structural members and supporting the same for sliding movement relative thereto; means supporting said support beams for sliding movement relative thereto adjacent at least one end thereof; said rigid structural members, sealing elements, seal locking members, support beams and beam supporting means comprising a unit, means for mounting said unit in said groove between said edge members with said beam supporting means extending inwardly into said groove from said opposite sides thereof and with said beams confined between the opposite sides of said groove as defined by said edge members, whereby said unit can be vertically displaced in said groove.