Modular expansion joint

Claim 2

A modular joint structure useful for spanning joints comprising a pair of elongated longitudinal frames adapted to be mounted at the respective edges of the joint, a plurality of elongated, longitudinal rails spanning the joint in parallel, spaced relationship to each other, said rails respectively having openings therein at longitudinally spaced intervals, said openings further being aligned in a plurality of transverse rows, a plurality of joint-spanning, load-bearing beams extending through at least some of said rows of openings with said rails resting individually and independently slidably thereon, and compression spring members individually mounted between respective contiguous rails in a plurality of longitudinally spaced, transverse rows spaced from but adjacent to respective beams to balance spacings between said rails as the joint structure widens or narrows, said spring members each having legs at opposite ends thereof mounted in leg-receiving groove means in respective rails.

Claim 3

A joint structure as claimed in claim 1, said resilient members being a plurality of coil springs arranged in said plurality of longitudinally spaced, transverse rows.

Claim 4

A joint structure as claimed in claim 1, said openings being lined with elastomer cushioning strips.

Claim 5

A modular joint structure useful for spanning joints comprising a pair of elongated longitudinal frames adapted to be mounted at the respective edges of the joint, a plurality of elongated, longitudinal rails spanning the joint in parallel, spaced relationship to each other, said rails respectively having openings therein at longitudinally spaced intervals, said openings further being aligned in a plurality of transverse rows, and a plurality of joint-spanning, load-bearing beams extending through at least some of said rows of openings with said rails resting slidably thereon, said load-bearing beams comprising interengaged segments longitudinally slidable relative to each other to allow said beams to lengthen or shorten as the joint structure respectively widens or narrows.

Claim 6

A modular joint structure useful for spanning joints comprising a pair of elongated longitudinal frames adapted to be mounted at the respective edges of the joint, a plurality of elongated, longitudinal rails spanning the joint in parallel, spaced relationship to each other, said rails respectively having openings therein at longitudinally spaced intervals, said openings further being aligned in a plurality of transverse rows, and a plurality of joint-spanning, load-bearing beams extending through at least some of said rows of openings with said rails resting slidably thereon, said load-bearing beams comprising interengaged segments longitudinally slidable relative to each other to allow said beams to lengthen or shorten as the joint structure respectively widens or narrows.

Claim 7

A modular joint structure useful For spanning joints comprising a pair of elongated longitudinal frames adapted to be mounted at the respective edges of the joint, a plurality of elongated, longitudinal rails spanning the joint in parallel, spaced relationship to each other, said rails respectively having openings therein at longitudinally spaced intervals, said openings further being aligned in a plurality of transverse rows, and a plurality of joint-spanning, load-bearing beams extending through at least some of said rows of openings with said rails resting slidably thereon, said rails respectively comprising a plurality of aligned rail segments, and means joining contiguous ends of said rail segments in slidable relationship thereto to allow said segments to expand and contract longitudinally and independently of each other.

Claim 8

A modular joint structure useful For spanning joints comprising a pair of elongated longitudinal frames adapted to be mounted at the respective edges of the joint, a plurality of elongated, longitudinal rails spanning the joint in parallel, spaced relationship to each other, said rails respectively having openings therein at longitudinally spaced intervals, said openings further being aligned in a plurality of transverse rows, and a plurality of joint-spanning, load-bearing beams extending through at least some of said rows of openings with said rails resting slidably thereon, said rails respectively comprising a plurality of aligned rail segments, and means joining contiguous ends of said rail segments in slidable relationship thereto to allow said segments to expand and contract longitudinally and independently of each other.

Claim 9

A joint structure as claimed in claim 1, and means rigidly mounting the outermost rails on respective frames.

Claim 10

A modular joint structure useful for spanning joints comprising a pair of elongated longitudinal frames adapted to be mounted at the respective edges of the joint, a plurality of elongated, longitudinal rails spanning the joint in parallel, spaced relationship to each other, said rails respectively having openings therein at longitudinally spaced intervals, said openings further being aligned in a plurality of transverse rows, a plurality of joint-spanning, load-bearing beams extending through at least some of said rows of openings with said rails resting slidably thereon, channel-forming means on the upper side of said rails, an elastomer tread supported on said rails, and means on said tread interlocking the tread in respective channel-forming means.

Claim 11

A modular joint structure useful for spanning joints comprising a pair of elongated longitudinal frames adapted to be mounted at the respective edges of the joint, a plurality of elongated, longitudinal rails spanning the joint in parallel, spaced relationship to each other, said rails respectively having openings therein at longitudinally spaced intervals, said openings further being aligned in a plurality of transverse rows, a plurality of joint-spanning, load-bearing beams extending through at least some of said rows of openings with said rails resting slidably thereon, channel-forming means on the upper side of said rails, an elastomer tread supported on said rails, and means on said tread interlocking the tread in respective channel-forming means.

Claim 12

A joint structure as claimed in claim 7, wherein said last-mentioned means are elongated, deformable beads extending longitudinally along the lower side of said tread.

Claim 13

A modular joint structure useful for spanning joints comprising a pair of elongated longitudinal frames adapted to be mounted at the respective edges of the joint, a plurality of elongated, longitudinal rails spanning the joint in parallel, spaced relationship to each other, said rails respectively having openings therein at longitudinally spaced intervals, said openings further being aligned in a plurality of transverse rows, a plurality of joint-spanning, load-bearing beams extending through at least some of said rows of openings with said rails resting slidably thereon, said load-bearing beams comprising interengaged segments longitudinally slidable relative to each other to allow said beams to lengthen or shorten as the joint structure respectively widens or narrows, means rigidly mounting the outermost rails on respective frames, the respective ends of said beams being positioned between one of said frames and its respective outermost rail, and means confining sliding movement of respective ends of said beams between said frame and its respective outermost rail.

Claim 14

A modular joint structure useful for spanning joints comprising a pair of elongated longitudinal frames adapted to be mounted at the respective edges of the joint, a plurality of elongated, longitudinal rails spanning the joint in parallel, spaced relationship to each other, said rails respectively having openings therein at longitudinally spaced intervals, said openings further being aligned in a plurality of transverse rows, a plurality of joint-spanning, load-bearing beams extending through at least some of said rows of openings with said rails resting slidably thereon, said load-bearing beams comprising interengaged segments longitudinally slidable relative to each other to allow said beams to lengthen or shorten as the joint structure respectively widens or narrows, means rigidly mounting the outermost rails on respective frames, the respective ends of said beams being positioned between one of said frames and its respective outermost rail, and means confining sliding movement of respective ends of said beams between said frame and its respective outermost rail.