Patent Application
20110296791
Not Applicable.
Not Applicable.
Not Applicable
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the field of construction. More specifically, the invention comprises a method for interlocking precast concrete segments to create a larger concrete assembly.
2. Description of the Related Art
Many concrete assemblies are presently cast in situ. One good example is a concrete sidewalk. The ground beneath the sidewalk is smoothed and leveled. Forms are then placed to define the sidewalk's lateral edges. Wet concrete is then poured into the forms and allowed to harden. After the concrete is sufficiently cured, the forms are removed.
A second example is the casting of reinforced concrete floors in commercial buildings. Once a steel substructure is in place, forms are placed around the area to be poured. The concrete is then poured and allowed to cure with the forms in place.
These known techniques produce a good finished assembly, but they are time and labor intensive. The installation of the forms is a skilled process that simply does not lend itself to automation. The curing of the concrete is also subject to the prevailing environmental conditions. Those skilled in the art will know that the ultimate strength obtained by concrete is largely dependent upon the temperature and humidity present during the cure period.
On the other hand, precast concrete structures can be manufactured in a factory setting where temperature and humidity can be controlled. The aggregate mix quality may likewise be controlled. The factory setting also allows significant automation. It would therefore be advantageous to provide a construction method allowing precast concrete structures to be used in a setting which has traditionally required casting in situ. The present invention proposes just such a method.
The present invention comprises a method for interlocking precast concrete sections to create a unified whole. The method allows precast pieces to be substituted for in situ castings in certain applications. The construction of sidewalks is one suitable application. Rather than forming a casting the sidewalk in place, a group of precast concrete links are used. Each link has interlocking features such as a first tang extending outward from a first end and a second tang extending outward from the opposite end.
The first and second tangs are pierced by at least one transverse opening. The tangs are configured so that when two links are aligned the tangs will overlap and the transverse openings through the tangs will align. Once the links are properly positioned, a user pours wet concrete into the aligned transverse openings. A reinforcing metal bar may also be placed in the openings. Once the concrete hardens, the tangs are linked together. Using this method, a sidewalk of any desired length may be created. The inventive method may also be applies to linking precast concrete plates or other types of precast concrete pieces.
The linking method of the present invention links precast concrete pieces together. It is necessary for the precast concrete pieces to include appropriate geometric features to enable the linking method to work. The drawing figures and the following detailed explanations explain some specific embodiments. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Thus, the illustrations and explanations should properly be viewed as exemplary and not limiting.
One good application for the inventive method is the construction of concrete sidewalks.
Each of the two tangs is pierced by one or more transverse openings. In the embodiment shown, four transverse holes 24 pass through each tang. The openings need not be circular but may be any suitable shape. However, those skilled in the art will know that round holes are easy to cast in concrete.
The tangs are approximately half as high as the sidewalk link in this embodiment. The reader will observe that tang height 20 is about ½ link height 22.
In the position shown in
Concrete is widely available and suitable for this purpose. Depending on the mechanical strength required and other environmental considerations (such as hard frosts, etc.), it may be desirable to add a fiber reinforcing material or a plasticizing material to the concrete. In the example of
The concrete solidifies over time. The result is shown in
Depending upon the amount of stress anticipated on the joint, it may be desirable to add a reinforcing member to the concrete. In
A steel re-bar is used as the reinforcing member in
The linking method may be used to tie together any desired number of precast concrete pieces.
As stated initially, the tang geometry shown in
The exact shape and location of the tangs is not particularly important, as long as a transverse opening volume is created which—when filled with a solidifying substance—links the two pieces together. In fact, any type of interlocking feature which includes the transverse openings may be used. In this context, the term “interlocking feature” should be understood to mean any geometry which creates an overlap with the adjacent precast concrete piece.
Of course, the precast concrete pieces that can be connected using the inventive method are by no means limited to sidewalk pieces.
Each plate link has a first tang 16 and a second tang 18 extending therefrom. Each tang has a plurality of transverse openings—in this case transverse holes 24. The two tangs are overlapped so that the transverse holes align. A solidifying substance is then placed in the transverse openings and allowed to set.
Although the preceding description contains significant detail, it should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but rather as providing illustrations of the preferred embodiments of the invention. The inventive device could be realized in many different ways. Thus, the examples provided are properly viewed as embodiments of the invention rather than a definition of the invention's scope.
