Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
An expansion joint for a roadway, comprising two spacedly adjoining concrete slabs defining a roadway surface, a metal strip embedded in each of said slabs confronting the other slab, each of said metal strips being provided with two spaced-apart parallel walls defining respective horizontally extending but vertically elongated upwardly open grooves, and at least one flexible sealing strip of generally U-section having two downwardly extending shanks each received in one of said grooves, each shank being formed with a relatively thick central portion and with a plurality of upwardly and outwardly directed opposite resiliently deflectable bars engaging the walls of said grooves under compression and resisting upward withdrawal of said shanks from said grooves while sealing same against the entry of contaminants, said sealing strip being formed about each shank with an upwardly and outwardly curved projecting lip sealingly engaging a flank of the respective strip facing the opposite strip.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
150 words
An expansion joint for a roadway, comprising two spacedly adjoining concrete slabs defining a roadway surface, a metal strip embedded in each of said slabs confronting the other slab, each of said metal strips being provided with two spaced-apart parallel walls defining respective horizontally extending but vertically elongated upwardly open grooves, and at least one flexible sealing strip of generally U-section having two downwardly extending shanks each received in one of said grooves, each shank being formed with a relatively thick central portion and with a plurality of upwardly and outwardly directed opposite resiliently deflectable bars engaging the walls of said grooves under compression and resisting upward withdrawal of said shanks from said grooves while sealing same against the entry of contaminants, said sealing strip being formed about each shank with an upwardly and outwardly curved projecting lip sealingly engaging a flank of the respective strip facing the opposite strip.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The joint defined in claim 1 wherein said sealing strip is made of neoprene.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The joint defined in claim 1 wherein said metal strips are each formed with an overhanging ledge, said lips each being snugly received under the respective ledge.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
89 words
The joint defined in claim 1, further comprising an intermediate metal strip provided on opposite sides with respective upwardly open grooves, means for supporting said intermediate metal strip between the first-mentioned metal strips with limited displaceability to either side toward said first-mentioned metal strips, and a second such strip, each of said sealing strips having shank received under compression in the groove of a respective one Of said first-mentioned metal strips and another shank received under compression in a respective one of the grooves of said intermediate metal strip.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The joint defined in claim 4 wherein said means comprises at least one crosspiece fixed to said intermediate metal strip and a plurality of supports on said first-mentioned metal strips supporting said crosspiece.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The joint defined in claim 1 wherein each of said metal strips is of T-shaped cross section and each of said slabs is provided with steel reinforcement, said metal strips being fixed to said reinforcement.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The joint defined in claim 1 wherein the distance to which each barb projects from the respective thick portion is at most equal to the thickness thereof.