Expansion Joint Bracket

Abstract

An expansion joint bracket retains an expansion joint board in a 5 concrete installation. The expansion joint bracket may include a base member having multiple nail holes for securing the bracket to the earth (or sand or gravel put down prior to pouring concrete there upon). First and second board support members may run perpendicular to the base and parallel to each other to hold the expansion joint board in place. Gussets, typically triangular shaped gussets, 10 extend from the board support members to the base member. The expansion joint brackets may be disposed every 12-24 inches on the expansion joint board and concrete may be poured over the expansion joint brackets, resulting in a quick and simple concrete installation.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An expansion joint bracket comprising:
 a base member;   a nail hole on each end of the base member;   first and second vertical support pieces;   a first gusset running from the base member to the first vertical support piece; and   a second gusset running from the base member to the second vertical support piece, wherein the first vertical support piece and the second vertical support piece form a channel adapted to receive an expansion joint board.   
     
     
         2 . The expansion joint bracket of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one support piece nail hole in each of the first and second vertical support pieces. 
     
     
         3 . The expansion joint bracket of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second gussets are triangular-shaped members. 
     
     
         4 . The expansion joint bracket of  claim 1 , further comprising a support rib running along at least a portion of the length of the base member. 
     
     
         5 . The expansion joint bracket of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second gussets each form an L-shaped connection with the base member. 
     
     
         6 . The expansion joint bracket of  claim 5 , wherein the expansion joint bracket is formed from a single piece of sheet metal. 
     
     
         7 . The expansion joint bracket of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second vertical supports have the same width as the base member. 
     
     
         8 . The expansion joint bracket of  claim 7 , wherein the first and second gussets extend from a central longitudinal axis of the base member to a central axis of the first and second vertical supports.