Prestressed hollowcore concrete plank leveler device

Abstract

A device for leveling or aligning adjacent prestressed hollowcore concrete planks includes an insert member that is received between the planks at a grout joint. One end of the insert member supports a first alignment member that is received against one side of the planks. The other end of the insert member cooperates with a second alignment member that is received against an opposite side of the planks. An adjustment member adjusts the spacing between the first and second alignment members to provide a desired alignment between the planks.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A device for aligning adjacent prestressed hollowcore concrete planks, comprising: 
 an insert member that is adapted to be received between the concrete planks, the insert member having a thickness and a width that is greater than the thickness;    a first alignment member supported by the insert member that is adapted to be received against a first side of the planks;    a second alignment member supported by the insert member that is adapted to be received against a second side of the planks; and    a jacking member that adjusts a spacing between the first and second alignment members such that the planks are drawn into a desired alignment.    
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the insert member includes a threaded portion and the jacking member comprises a nut that is received on the threaded portion and rotated to adjust the spacing between the alignment members.  
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first alignment member is slidably received at least partially within a corresponding receiver portion on the insert member.  
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , including a plurality of receiver portions on the insert member.  
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the receiver portions each comprise an opening through the insert member.  
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the first alignment member comprises a rod having at least one generally flat surface portion that is adapted to be received against the concrete planks.  
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , including a handle that is selectively received over a portion of the rod to slide the rod into a selected position relative to the receiver portion of the insert member and the planks.  
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the second alignment member comprises a steel plate.  
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the insert member includes a threaded end that is received through an opening in the steel plate and the adjustment member comprises a nut that is received over the threaded end, the nut being rotated to adjust the spacing between the alignment members.  
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the insert member comprises a generally flat plate having a length that is greater than a thickness of the concrete planks, the plate having at least one opening at one end for at least partially receiving the first alignment member and a threaded portion at an opposite end that cooperates with the adjustment member.  
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the threaded portion is rounded at a distal end and tapered on two sides into a configuration that corresponds to a thickness of the generally flat plate.  
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the insert member thickness is about ⅛ the width.  
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the thickness is approximately ¼ inch and the width is approximately 2 inches.  
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the insert member includes at least one set of notches and the second alignment member includes arm portions that are received at least partially within the notches.  
     
     
         15 . A method of aligning adjacent concrete planks comprising the steps of: 
 inserting an insert member between the two planks at the interface of the planks;    positioning a first alignment member near one end of the insert member such that the first alignment member is positioned against one side of the planks;    sliding a second alignment member in a direction that is generally perpendicular to the insert member until the second alignment member is supported on the insert member and the second alignment member is positioned near an opposite side of the planks; and    adjusting a spacing between the alignment members to provide a desired alignment of the planks.    
     
     
         16 . A device for aligning adjacent concrete planks, comprising: 
 a first member that is adapted to be inserted between adjacent concrete planks;    a second member that cooperates with the first member and is received against one side of the planks;    a third member that is slidably received at least partially within a receiver portion on the first member and that cooperates with the first member and is received against a second side of the planks; and    an adjuster that adjusts a position of the third member relative to the second member to provide a desired alignment between the planks.    
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the first member has a thickness and a width that is much greater than the thickness.  
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the width is approximately eight times greater than the thickness.  
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the third member comprises a rod having a first segment that is adapted to be received against the planks and a second segment that extends generally perpendicular from the first segment.  
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the third member includes a generally flat body portion and a dowel extension that extends generally perpendicularly away from the flat body portion.