Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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"IMPROVED CONNECTOR FOR USE IN FORMING JOINTS"
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
(0001)The invention relates to an improved connector for use in forming
joints. The
invention is particularly suited for use in connecting portions of a post-
tensioned
concrete structure, such as floor slabs, in a manner that allows the portions
to move
relative to each other as occurs during settling of the portions.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
[0002) The following discussion of the background to the Invention is intended
to
facilitate an understanding of the present invention. However, it should be
appreciated
that the discussion is not an acknowledgment or admission that any of the
material
referred to was published, known or part of the common general knowledge in
any
jurisdiction as at the priority date of the application.
[0003] Post-tensioning ("PT") is a technique used in the eonStruotion of
buildings,
particularly those where the floors of the building are intended to have long
spans
uninterrupted by vertical pillars. PT involves reinforcing (strengthening)
concrete or
other materials with high strength steel strands or bars. These strands and
bars are
generally referred to as tendons.
[0004] The problem with this approach is that It is generally not possible to
pour an
entire floor as a single floor plate due to size restriction, continuity
requirements and/or
restraint conditions. As a consequence, the floor is commonly formed in
sections or
individual slabs. These sections or slabs are commonly poured at different
time to
each other. To ensure that the floor is more or less continuous, each section
or slab
contains suitable tendons such as PT wire cables or PT strand cables.
100051 As each section or slab cures and settles, the sections or slabs may
move
relative to each other. This means that the joint connecting the sections or
slabs must
be capable of accommodating this relative movement. At the same time, the
joint
operates to allow temporary release of restraining effects of the various
sections
relative to one another and thus ensure that the maximum amount of PT pre
compression force is transferred into the floor plates. If insufficient PT pre-
compression force is transferred into the floor plates there exists the
possibility of
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cracking within the sections or slabs thereby reducing the longevity and the
tntegrity
of the resulting floor plate,
100061 One past method of allowing for such movement and transfer of pre
compression force has been to place temporary movement joints at strategic
locations
within the building. Each temporary movement joint allows for movement during
curing
and settling of the structural elements that it joins. Once the joined
structural elements
have cured and settled, the temporary movement joint is permanently locked so
as to
provide a more or less continuous floor or other element of the building.
[0007] While this approach works, almost all temporary movement joints of the
prior
art suffer from one or more of the following problems:
= If the surfaces that the temporary movement joints seek to connect move
relative to each other during settling, an air gap may be formed which leaves
both the temporary movement joint and at least part of the tendon exposed to
the atmosphere and thus subject to corrosion and the like until sealed.
= There is significant difficulty in sealing the temporary movement joint
¨in
particular the underside of the temporary movement joint,
[00081 A consequence of the first problem is that prior art temporary movement
joints
must be made from corrosion resistant materials, such as stainless steel. When
combined with the fact that the materials must also be fire resistant or
incorporate
other attributes to meet building regulations, the cost of manufacturing such
temporary
movement joints may be up to ten times higher than the cost of manufacturing
from
less exotic materials.
[0009] The second problem presents a situation where the temporary movement
joint
is not adequately strengthened or that sealant may be lost from the joint. In
both
cases, a workman is then required to caulk the temporary movement joint at a
later
date and thus ensure that the temporary movement joint is properly sealed and
thereby locked in place. This requirement for remedial action is time-
consuming and
expensive in addition to delaying completion of the building.
[0010]The applicant sought to address these problems through the connector the
subject of International Patent Application PCT/AU2015/000064 titled
"Connector for
Use in Forming Joints", This invention used a first member (typically a female
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member) installed in the first surface. The second member (being a male member
adapted to be mated with the female member) is then installed and the second
surface
formed around it. This use of members installed in both surfaces creates the
potential
for the unit to fail under excessive forces in any of the three axis of
movements that
the invention allows for. This includes vertical deflection or stepping..
[001111t is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a
connector for use
in forming joints that ameliorates, at least in part, one or more of the
aforementioned
problems:
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] Throughout this document, unless otherwise indicated to the contrary,
the terms
"comprising", "consisting of, and the like, are to be construed as non-
exhaustive, or
in other words, as meaning "including, but not limited to.
[0013] In accordance with a first aspect of the invention there is an improved
connector
for use in forming joints comprising:
a housing having an enlarged seal housing at a first end: and
a sealing screen adapted for receipt in the enlarged seal housing, the sealing
screen incorporating an elastic membrane surrounding an aperture,
where, the aperture is adapted to sealingly engage a dowel bar and where,
movement
of the dowel bar laterally, vertically or telescopically is accommodated for
by the elastic
membrane in a manner that ensures that the dowel bar remains sealing engaged
by
the aperture.
F0014] In its preferred arrangement, the sealing screen is substantially flat.
[0015] The enlarged seal housing may be connected to a chamber by way of a
first
opening, the first opening being at a position above the housing when in use,
the
chamber incorporating a first spigot at a position lower than the first
opening. In such
an arrangement, it is further preferred that the enlarged seal housing have at
least one
abutment, such that when the sealing screen is received within the enlarged
seal
housing it makes (=tact with the at least one abutment and thereby ensures
that
grout entering the chamber by way of the first opening is able to flow through
to the
remainder of the housing,
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[0016]111e improved connector may have a second spigot provided in the housing
remote from the first spigot. The housing may also have at least one pair of
stops
provided internally therein, the stops operable to guide the positioning of
the dowel
bar,
[0017]In further configurations, the housing may have at least one projection
extending therefrom into the aperture, the at least one projection thereby
operable to
limit lateral movement of the dowel bar.
The housing may also have a retainer
provided in an end spaced from the enlarged seal housing, the retainer
operable to
receive one or more of the following: a bar chair; a prop.
[00181Preferably, the housing may have an external surface having a plurality
of
surface irregularities or discontinuities provided therein. This plurality of
irregularities
or discontinuities take the form of a plurality of ribs. Such ribs assist in
securing the
improved connector within its intended surface.
[0019] Similarly, the housing may be adapted such that, in use, the upper
surface of
the housing has a reservoir defined therein. This reservoir allows the weight
of the
intended surface material to accumulate and further solidify its position
within the
surface.
[NM The sealing screen may have at least one alignment ledge for facilitating
orderly
lateral movement of the dowel bar.. The aperture of the sealing screen may be
adapted
to receive a dowel cap, and the dowel cap incorporates a sealing ring for
sealingly
engaging the dowel bar.
[0021] The improved connector may further comprise a dowel sleeve, the dowel
sleeve
adapted to be received within the housing at a position proximate the first
end, the
dowel sleeve operable to receive a portion of the dowel bar and thereby
restrict vertical
movement of the dowel bar. Furthermore, the housing may incorporate at least
one
cut-out provided therein proximate the first end, the dowel sleeve further
comprising
at least one retention strip of equal dimension to the at least one cut-out.
[00221 Ideally, the housing has at least one cutout provided therein proximate
the first
end, the dowel sleeve further comprising at least one retention strip of equal
dimension
to the at least one cut-out, the dowel sleeve adapted to be received within
the housing
when the at least one retention strip is received within the at least one cut-
out.
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10023] In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention there is a
dowel
bar for use with an improved connector as described in the first aspect of the
invention,
the dowel bar comprising at least one ribbed section and one smooth section,
the
smooth section being adapted to be received within the dowel sleeve when
properly
positioned within the improved connector,
[0024] Preferably, the smooth section of the dowel bar having a diameter
substantially
equal to the smaller of the height or width dimension of the dowel sleeve.
Similarly, it
is preferred that the dowel bar has a length such that part of the dowel bar
may be
received along the full interior length of the housing and still properly
place the smooth
section within the dowel sleeve,
10025]An end of the dowel bar intended not to be received Within the housing
preferably has at least one threaded portion, the threaded portion adapted to
MOW for
retention of an anchor nut.
[0026] In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention there is a
method of
forming a joint between a first surface and a second surface, the method
comprising
the steps of:
installing an improved connector according to any one of the configurations
described as the first aspect of the invention in the first surface and
allowing the
first surface to settle;
inserting a dowel bar according to any one of the configurations described as
the second aspect of the invention into the aperture of the improved
connector,
such that at least a portion of the dowel bar protrudes therefrom; and
creating a second surface around the portion of the dowel bar protruding from
the improved connector and allowing the second surface to settle.
[0027[ This method can be used where the first surface is a wall and the
second
surface is a floor slab.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(0028]The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with
reference to
the accompanying drawings, in which:
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Figure 1 is an isometric view of a housing of an improved connector with a
dowel sleeve installed therein and a sealing screen positioned in exploded
view.
Figure 2 is a front isometric view of the improved connector as shown in
Figure
1, but with the sealing screen installed as intended for use,
Figure 3 is an exploded side isometric view of the housing as shown in Figure
1 with the dowel sleeve installed in the lower portion.
Figure 4 is a rear isometric view of the housing as shown in Figure 1.
Figure 5 is an exploded isometric view of the sealing screen as shown in
Figure
1,
Figures 6a and 6b are a side plan view and front plan view of a dowel cap.
Figure 7 is an isometric view of a dowel bar as used with the improved
connector as shown in Figure 1.
Figure 8 is a flowchart of a typical method of installing the improved
connected
as shown in Figures 1 to 7.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0029] In accordance with a first embodiment of the invention there is an
improved
connector 10 for use in forming joints. The improved connector 10 comprises:
* a housing 12;
* a dowel sleeve 14;
* a sealing screen 16: and
e a dowel bar 18.
[0030] Housing 12 is hollow having an exposed end 20, a rear end 22, an upper
side
24, a lower side 26 and sides 28. The length (L) of the housing 12 corresponds
with
the length of a portion of the dowel bar 18. This will be described in more
detail below.
[0031] Extending from the upper side 24 at a point proximate the rear end 22
is a
structure 30 from which extends a first spigot 32. The first spigot 32 is
arranged to be
substantially parallel to central axis X-X.
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[032] Proximate the same position about the rear end 22 as the structure 30,
but
extending from the lower side 26 is a retainer 34. The retainer 34 has a
plurality of
slots 36 provided therein. The slots 36 are adapted to facilitate retention of
the rear
end 22 of the housing 12 on a bar chair (not shown) or reinforcement bar (also
not
shown).
(0033]Each side 28 is provided with surface irregularities or discontinuities
in the form
of ribs 38. The ribs 38 assist in securely retaining the submerged housing 12
in the
first section (not shown) of slab of flooring when in its uncured state,
[0034]Aso mounted to each side 28 is a ramp 40. Each ramp 40 has a sloping
side
42 and a flush side 44. The flush side 44 is arranged so as to present a
continuous
surface between the flush side 44 and the side 28 to which it is mounted. Each
flush
side 44 also has a height (H) equal to that of the structure 30.
[0035]The sloping sides 42 are arranged to face each other, In this manner,
the
sloping sides 42 operate to define a reservoir 46.
[0036]At an end 48 of the reservoir 46 corresponding with the exposed end 20
of the
housing is a first cut-out 50. A second cut-out 52, of corresponding size and
position,
is provided in the lower side 26. The role of the cut-outs 50, 52 will be
described in
more detail below.
(00371A plurality of stops 54 are provided internally to the housing 12. Each
stop 54
is positioned so as angled towards central axis X-X.
[0038]The housing 12 is attached to a seal housing 56 at its exposed end 20,
[0039]The seal housing 56 has a housing side 58, a seal side 60 and side walls
62.
Extending from the housing side 58 at a position proximate a side 28 is a
second
spigot 64. The second spigot 64 is also arranged to be substantially parallel
to central
axis X-X.
(0040] The seal housing 56 has two recessed areas 66 provided in the housing
side
58. Each recessed area 66 is positioned adjacent a cut-out 50, 52. The depth
of the
cut-outs 50, 52 is roughly equivalent with the length (Li) of the side walls
62.
[0041]Additionally, the recessed area 66 adjacent first cut-out 50 extends
between
the sloping sides 42 along their full length. The recessed area 66 adjacent
second
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cut-out 52 is of identical size and shape to the recessed area 66 adjacent
first cut-out
50. Furthermore, the recessed areas 66 are arranged such that longer ends 68
are
opposite each other about opening 70.
[0042]Each side wall 62 meets its adjacent side was 62 at corners 74. Through
apertures 71 are provided in each corner 74. Each through aperture 71 extends
from
the housing side 58 to the seal side 60. Each through aperture 71 is of
greater
diameter at the housing side 58 relative to its diameter at the seal side 60.
[0043]M abutment 72 extends about the internal periphery of the side walls 62
and
corners 74 on the seal side 60. The combined height of the abutment 72 and
sealing
screen 16 is substantially equal to the length (LI) of the side walls 82.
(0044] The dowel sleeve 14 comprises an openeended rectangle. The dowel sleeve
14 has a housing end 76, an opening end 78, and a pair of retention strips
80., The
retention strips 80 are attached to the wider sides of the dowel sleeve 14
such that
they protrude at the opening end 78. The dimensions of the retention strips 80
are
equal to the dimensions of the cut-outs 50, 52 as extending into their
respective
recessed areas 66.
[0045] in this preferred embodiment, the dowel sleeve 14 is made of a rigid
metal,
[0046]The sealing screen 16 is of size and shape so as to fit neatly within
the side
walls 62 on the seal side 60 and accounting for the corners 74. When so
fitted, the
abutment 7.2 ensures that a gap is created between the seal side 60 and the
sealing
screen 16.
[0047] The sealing screen 16 comprises an exterior frame 82, an elastic
membrane
84, a positioner 86 and a dowel cap 100. When assembled without the dowel cap
100, the sealing screen 16 is substantially flat,
[0048]As is shown in Figure 5, the exterior frame 82 is formed from two mating
parts
that are welded together when formally assembled, In .this manner, the two
mating
parts of the exterior frame 82 operate to sandwich the elastic membrane 84
about its
external periphery. This will be referred to hervaftr as the outer seal of the
elastic
membrane 84.
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[0049]The exterior frame 82 also has horizontal alignment ledges 88 are
provided on
an opening side 90. The horizontal alignment ledges 88 oppose each other.
[0050]The positioner 86 similarly comprises two mating parts that are also
welded
together when formally assembled. The two mating parts of the positioner 86
operate
to sandwich the elastic membrane 84 about its internal periphery. This will be
referred
to hereafter as the inner seal of the elastic membrane 84.
[0051]The positioner 86 also has opposing alignment rails 92. When the elastic
membrane 84 is not under telescopic tension, each alignment rail 92 is
received within
its corresponding horizontal alignment ledge 88.
[0052]An aperture 94 is provided centrally within the positioner 86. The
aperture 94
has a plurality of retaining flanges 96 extending about its perimeter. Each
retaining
flange 96 is tapered relative to the aperture's 94 internal wall 98.
[0053]The dowel cap 100 has a securing portion 102, a sealing flange 104 and a
sealing ring 106. The securing portion 102 is of same size and diameter as
aperture
94. The securing portion 102 also has a plurality of sealing threads 108
extending
about its perimeter. The sealing threads 108 are similarly tapered so as to
allow them
to mate with the retaining flanges 96 when the dowel cap 100 is properly
received
within the positioner 86.
[0054] The sealing flange 104 extends from the circumference wall of the dowel
cap
100. In this manner, when the sealing threads 108 mate with the retaining
flanges 96,
the sealing flange 104 operates to seal off this area of connection.
[0055] Positioned centrally within the dowel cap 100 is an aperture 110. The
aperture
110 has a slot (not shown) provided about its perimeter into which the sealing
ring 106
is retained by compressive forces. The sealing ring 106 is of size to receive
part of
the dowel bar 18. To facilitate this reception, and potential subsequent
movement of
the dowel bar 18, the sealing ring 106 is made from an elastomeric material.
[0056]The dowel bar 18 has a first portion 112, a smooth portion 114 and a
second
portion 116. The first portion 112 and the second portion 116 have a plurality
of angled
ribs 118 provided thereon at equal distances along its length (L2).
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[00571 Exposed end 120 of first portion 112 is threaded so as to allow it to
mate with
an anchor nut 122.
100581This first embodiment of the invention will now be described in the
context of its
intended use.
[0059] When it is required to join two concrete slabs across a common join,
formwork
is prepared in accordance with the location and size and shape of the floor to
be
formed: This formwork includes mostly horizontal boards for forming the floor.
Substantially vertical formwork strips are securely connected to the
horizontal boards
where a joining edge of the floor is to be formed.
[0060] Once the formwork is installed, the improved connector 12 is prepared
for
installation.
[00611Preparing the housing 12 for installation is performed by inserting .the
dowel
sleeve 14 into opening 60. The dowel sleeve 14 is inserted such that the
housing end
76 points towards structure 30.
[0062] When properly positioned within the housing 12, the retention strips 80
are
received within the cut-outs 50, 52. Due to the general exact fit between the
retention
strips 80 and the planar area defined by the cut-outs 50, 5.2 and recessed
areas 66,
the retention strips not only ensure the retention of the dowel sleeve 14 in
the housing
12, but also ensures that the dowel sleeve 14 does not move relative to the
housing
12.
(00633 Note that in this position, the longer ends 68 of the recessed areas 66
are in
the same general vertical plane as the screen side 60 of the side wails 62.
(00643 With the dowel sleeve 14 installed, the sealing screen 16 may be
installed into
the space defined by the side walls 62 on the screen side 60. As mentioned
above,
the sealing screen 16 is of a size and shape so as to fit neatly within this
space. This
fit ensures that the sealing screen 16 is retained In place during normal
manipulation
of the improved connector 10, but can be removed when appropriate force is
applied
to it.
[0065] Installation of the sealing screen 16 creates a gap between the sealing
screen
16 and the screen side 60 of the seal housing 56. This gap allows for grout to
enter
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into the body of the housing 12 and also to facilitate ease of movement of the
positioner
86.
[0066]With the sealing screen 16 installed the aperture 94 surrounds the
longer ends
68 of the recessed areas 66. The dowel cap 100 may now be installed.
100611Installation of the dowel cap 100 is achieved by inserting the securing
portion
102 into aperture 94. Once so installed, the dowel cap 100 is rotated such
that the
sealing threads 108 mate with the retaining flanges 96. This connection is
then sealed
by the overlay of the sealing flange 104,
[0068] The improved connector 12 is then manipulated such that the sealing
screen
16 and the screen side 60 of the side walls 60 make contact with a vertical
formwork
strip. Once so positioned, screws 124 are placed so that they each .extend
through
through apertures 71. The screws 124 are aligned such that each screw's head
126
is adapted to cover or be received within its respective through aperture 71
at its
housing side 58. The screws 124 are then appropriately manipulated such that a
portion of the threaded element (not shown) of the screw digs into the
vertical formwork
strip. When all the screws 124 are so manipulated, the improved connector 12
is then
held in its desired position relative to the formwork,
1006911f needed to ensure correct positioning of the improved connector 12
overall,
the rear end 22 of the housing 12 can be propped up by installing a bar chair
into slots
36.
[0070]Grout tubes (not shown) are then fitted to the first spigot 32 and the
second
spigot 64 and arranged so that their exposed ends will not be submerged in the
resulting section of flooring.
(0071) Concrete reinforcing in the form of mesh is then placed over the
horizontal
boards and positioned such as to be embedded in the first section of flooring
when
poured: With all of the mesh appropriately positioned, the uncured concrete is
poured
to create the first section of flooring. Once the first section has cured, the
vertical
formwork strip is removed and the joining surface is cleaned so as to be free
of debris.
100721With the vertical formwork strip removed, the sealing screen 16 with
dowel cap
100 duly installed is exposed as part of the joining surface.
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10073]The dowel bar 18 may now be inserted into the housing 12 by way of the
sealing
ring 106. When properly inserted, the sealing ring 106 deforms to surround
part of the
smooth portion 114 of the dowel bar 18. This deformation also acts to create a
seal
about the dowel bar 18,
100743 Proper installation of the dowel bar 18 is such that the dowel sleeve
14 receives
the smooth portion 114 along its full length with the second portion 116
extending fully
into the housing 12. The first portion 114 thus extends into the space to be
occupied
by the second slab. If not already installed, the anchor nut 122 is installed
onto the
exposed threaded end 120.
10075] It is to be noted here that both the first portion 112 and the second
portion 114
has a diameter substantially equal to the height of the dowel sleeve 14. In
doing so,
the dowel sleeve 14 operates to severely restrict, if not eliminate, vertical
deflection of
the dowel bar 18 during subsequent settlement of the remaining section of
flooring.
100761With the dowel bar 18 properly installed, concrete reinforcing in the
form of
mesh is then placed over the horizontal boards and positioned such as to be
embedded in the remaining section of flooring when poured along with the first
portion
114. With all of the mesh appropriately positioned, the uncured concrete is
poured to
create the remaining section of flooring
(00771 As the remaining section of flooring settles, the improved connector 10
allows
the dowel bar 18 to move relative to each other both telescopically and
laterally in line
with movement during settling of the remaining section of flooring, but
restrict all
vertical movement of the dowel bar 18.
[0078] To elaborate, when the dowel bar 18 Is property received within the
improved
connector 10, telescopic movement it accommodated for by the positioner 86
moving
away from the opposing alignment rails 88. Similarly, horizontal movement is
accommodated for by the horizontal alignment ledges 92 moving along the
opposing
alignment rails 88.
(0079] It is to be noted that the size of aperture 94 must be sufficient such
that when
the dowel bar 18 moves laterally ¨ taking the dowel cap 100 and positioner 86
with it
-- it is not impeded by the longer ends 68,
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[0080] it is to be further noted that when the dowel bar 18 moves ¨ either
telescopically
or laterally, the internals of the housing 12 remain sealed. This is first
achieved by the
sealing ring 106 which has deformed to surround the smooth portion 114.
Additional
sealing is achieved due to the flexible nature of the elastic; membrane 84,
which
remains in position by reason of its inner and outer seals.
[0081] Once the remaining section of flooring has settled, grout is pumped
through the
grout tube attached to the second spigot 64. As the pumped grout enters the
second
spigot 64 it enters first chamber 128. This grout is then forced upwards until
it reaches
an opening 130 provided internally in its upper end ¨ at which point it enters
the space
provided by the abutment 72 between the seal housing 56 and the sealing screen
and,
ultimately, into the interior of the housing 12 proper,
[008210f particular note is that as the opening provided internally to the
first chamber
is higher than the side walls 24, as the grout enters the interior of the
housing 12
proper, it does so at a level equal to the main grout rail level,
[0083] Once fully grouted, the grout tubes are cut off and the joined surfaces
treated
so as to remove ail trace of the improved connector in the finished floor,
[0084] While the invention has been described in this specification in the
context of
connecting two floor slabs, it should be appreciated that the invention can be
used
without need of modification beyond that of the general person skilled in the
art to
facilitate its use in connecting a floor slab to a wall structure,
[0085] It should be appreciated by the person skilled in the art that the
above invention
is not limited to the embodiments described, In particular, the following
modifications
and improvements may be made without departing from the scope of the present
invention:
= [00861While the invention has been described above in the context of its
assembly, it is to be noted that it the improved connector 12 is intended to
be
provided as a substantially assembled piece (i.e. with the dowel sleeve 14 and
sealing screen 16 already installed in the housing 12), Furthermore, where
exploded views of the connector are shown, this is for purposes of
illustrating
the invention only and that the final product will have such components welded
or otherwise connected to form an integral whole,
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= [0087] Ideally, the improved -Connector 10 should be of sufficient size
to ensure
that the dowel bar 18 is surrounded by at least 20mm of grout along its length
internally within the housing 12.
= [0088] The grout tubes may be arranged to provide grout connections
between
improved connectors 10 in the same manner as described in the applicant's
earlier International Patent Application PCT/AL.I2015/000064.
= [0089] The first and second spigots 32, 64 may be modified as requiredõ
Ideally, these components are modified to facilitate quick fit connectors.
= [0090] The through holes 71 may be modified as required to facilitate
retention
of any suitable fastener, such as nails.
= [00911 Ribs 28 may be replaced with corrugations, troughs, crests,
projections
or depressions.
= [0092] Ribs 28 may have any suitable form, shape, size or profile that
increases
the contact area between the exterior of the housing 12 and the uncured
concrete slab and thus assist in securing in place the improved connector 10.
= [0093] The elastic membrane 84 may be made from flexible material.
= (0094] With the exception of the dowel sleeve 14, which the applicant is
of the
view should always be made out of a metal material, the improved connector
may be made from a plastic, ceramic or metal material: When made from a
metal or ceramic material, the improved connector 10 has greater fire
resistant
properties when compared to an improved connector 10 made from plastic,
= 0096P.Alhile the preferred embodiment has longer ends 68 not acting as an
impediment to the horizontal movement of the dowel bar 18, were it is desire
to
limit the horizontal movement of the dowel bar 18, the longer ends 68 can be
correspondingly enlarged relative to aperture 94,
= [0096]The stops 54 may be used to provide additional guidance to the
position
of the dowel bar 18 or may simply be used to provide additional strength to
the
housing 12.
[0097] It should be further appreciated by the person skilled in the art that
the invention
is not limited to the embodiments described above.. Additions or modifications
described, where not mutually exclusive, can be combined to form yet further
embodiments that are considered to be wfthin the scope of the present
invention.
