Apparatus for forming concrete and transferring loads between concrete slabs

Abstract

An embodiment configured according to principles of the invention of an apparatus for forming concrete includes a form having a slot configured to closely receive a plate in only one direction. An embodiment configured according to principles of the invention of an apparatus for transferring a load between a first concrete slab and a second concrete slab, defining a joint, includes a plate having a first portion and a second portion, wherein the second portion has a first segment and a second segment that is larger than the first segment.

1 . Apparatus for forming concrete comprising a form having a slot configured to closely receive a plate in only one direction.  
   
   
       2 . Apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said slot has a first section and a second section that is larger than said first section.  
   
   
       3 . Apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein at least one of said first section and said second section has cooperating surfaces that correspond to a direction in which said slot receives the plate.  
   
   
       4 . Apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said first section and said second section define a shoulder for contacting a part of the plate and preventing passage through said slot.  
   
   
       5 . Apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said second section defines a radius that promotes ready removal of a plate therefrom.  
   
   
       6 . Apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said form has a surface for receiving concrete and said second section is interposed between said first section and said surface.  
   
   
       7 . Apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a release layer on said form.  
   
   
       8 . Apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein said release layer is constructed of phenolic paper, kraft paper, acrylic, latex, melamine, Formica®, foil, oil, high density overlay, metal, wood veneer or combinations thereof.  
   
   
       9 . Apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said form is constructed of oriented strand board, dimensional lumber, particle board, metal, plastic, cardboard, fiber board, polyurethane foam, Styrofoam® or combinations thereof.  
   
   
       10 . Apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a plate configured to be closely received in said slot.  
   
   
       11 . Apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a plate configured to be closely received in said slot wherein said plate has a first portion and a second portion, wherein said second portion has a first segment configured to be received in said first section and a second segment configured to be received in said second section.  
   
   
       12 . Apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said second segment defines a radius that promotes ready removal of said plate from said form.  
   
   
       13 . Apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said second section defines a radius that promotes ready removal of said plate therefrom.  
   
   
       14 . Apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein said second section defines a second radius complementary of said radius.  
   
   
       15 . Apparatus for transferring a load between a first concrete slab and a second concrete slab, defining a joint, comprising a plate having a first portion and a second portion, wherein said second portion has a first segment and a second segment that is larger than said first segment.  
   
   
       16 . Apparatus for transferring a load between a first concrete slab and a second concrete slab, defining a joint, comprising: 
 a plate having a surface; and    edge banding disposed on said surface that is compressible and/or resilient;    wherein an amount that said edge banding is compressible and/or resilient in a direction normal to said surface differs according to location on said surface.    
   
   
       17 . Apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein said edge banding has a thickness in a direction normal to said surface that differs according to location on said surface.  
   
   
       18 . Apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein said surface is not predominantly normal to the joint.  
   
   
       19 . Apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein said edge banding is configured to provide an amount of resilience, whereby the first concrete slab, when cured, may move a distance relative to the plate.  
   
   
       20 . Apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein said amount of resilience results in the distance being sufficient to prevent compression between the first concrete slab and said apparatus from achieving an amount sufficient to cause local failure in the first concrete slab.  
   
   
       21 . Apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein said surface is not predominantly normal to the joint and has a configuration such that, when the first concrete slab cures, the first concrete slab shrinks away from said apparatus by a second distance normal to said surface, whereby the first concrete slab, when cured, may move relative to the plate along the joint by a third distance; and 
 said configuration of said surface and said amount of resilience of said edge banding are coordinated to result in a sum of the distance and the third distance being sufficient to prevent compression between the first concrete slab and said apparatus from achieving an amount sufficient to cause local failure in the first concrete slab.