초록 ▼

A joint seal comprises two elastomeric elements, configured to fit as a nested assembly within the gap between adjacent slabs. The outer element (the “outer seal”) is a generally U-shaped channel (with sides and a bottom), and performs the actual sealing function. The outer surfaces of the channel s

A joint seal comprises two elastomeric elements, configured to fit as a nested assembly within the gap between adjacent slabs. The outer element (the “outer seal”) is a generally U-shaped channel (with sides and a bottom), and performs the actual sealing function. The outer surfaces of the channel sides are formed with a series of longitudinally-extending fins, which frictionally engage the slab edges. The inner element (“the core”) is formed as a generally rectangular tube that provides a structural strength for the seal assembly. It includes a tubular outer wall and an internal truss-type framework consisting of a number of interconnected webs. The seal assembly is installed under compression.

대표청구항 ▼

A seal for insertion into a gap of rectangular cross-section between facing edges of adjacent concrete slabs comprising: an elastomeric sealing element adapted to extend longitudinally within the gap, being in the form of a generally U-shaped channel with a pair of opposed channel sides, a channel b

A seal for insertion into a gap of rectangular cross-section between facing edges of adjacent concrete slabs comprising: an elastomeric sealing element adapted to extend longitudinally within the gap, being in the form of a generally U-shaped channel with a pair of opposed channel sides, a channel bottom spanning respective lower ends of said channel sides and being formed with an upwardly extending, downwardly opening center fold, and a pair of inwardly extending flanges, each formed at an upper end of a respective one of said channel sides, said channel sides each having inner and outer surfaces, said outer surfaces being formed for frictional engagement with the slab edges when the seal is inserted into the gap; and an elastomeric core element having a tubular outer wall and an internal framework of interconnecting webs; said tubular outer wall having a pair of core sides, a core top, and a core bottom, said tubular outer wall having lower corner regions and upper corner regions formed with recesses; said tubular outer wall being configured so as to fit within said sealing element with said core sides contacting said inner surfaces of said channel sides, at least a portion of said core bottom contacting said center fold in said channel bottom, at least said lower corner regions of said tubular outer wall engaging said channel bottom, and said recesses engaging said flanges; said interconnecting webs including major webs extending diagonally from regions near the corners of said tubular outer wall to a central region within said tubular outer wall, said interconnecting webs acting to resist horizontal compression while accommodating shear so as to maintain said channel sides in contact with said slabs under differential vertical movement of said slabs. A method of sealing the gap between adjacent slabs in a liquid-retaining structure, comprising the steps of: providing an elastomeric seal that includes an outer sealing element in the form of a generally U-shaped channel having a pair of channel sides, a channel bottom spanning respective lower ends of the channel sides and having an upwardly extending, downwardly opening center fold, and a pair of inwardly extending flanges, each formed at an upper end of a respective one of the channel sides, and an inner core element in the form of a hollow open-ended rectangular tube with an internal reinforcing framework of interconnecting webs; inserting the core element within the outer sealing element so that the core element contacts the channel sides, and the flanges positively retain the core element with at least lower corner portions of the core element engaging the channel bottom and bottom portions of the core element engaging the center fold; forming a longitudinally extending seal-receiving recess of rectangular cross-section having a bottom seal-engaging portion and a width less than the width of the seal; and installing the seal under lateral compression with the seal-receiving recess with the outer sealing element in a continuous strip coextensive with the joint to be sealed and the inner core element in segments with gaps therebetween to allow water to infiltrate the seal interior.