Concrete dowel slip tube assembly

Abstract

A concrete dowel slip tube assembly is provided for use in maintaining a planner consistency of a cured concrete slab formed on a support surface. The assembly comprises a plurality of elongate slip tubes, each having a length dimension and a tubular hollow interior compartment. Dowels are slidingly engageable to the hollow interior compartment to allow for translation along the interior compartment. A support frame defines a plurality of integral slip tube retaining members, disposed at evenly spaced locations along the support frame, the retaining members being configured to receive and engage associated slip tubes to the support frame in a common defined orientation. The support frame and the retaining members are formed as a unitary construction.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A concrete dowel slip tube assembly for use in maintaining planar constancy of a cured concrete slab formed on a support surface, the assembly comprising:
 a) a plurality of elongate slip tubes, each slip tube having a slip tube length dimension and a tubular hollow interior compartment having a substantially constant slip tube cross-sectional dimension;   b) a plurality of dowels, each dowel being slidingly engageable within the hollow interior compartment of an associated slip tube, the dowels having a dowel length dimension and a dowel cross-sectional dimension wherein said dowel length dimension and said dowel cross sectional dimensions are less than the slip tube length and the slip tube cross sectional dimension, the dowels further having an external configuration complimentarily to the hollow interior compartment of the associated slip tube; and   c) a support frame formed as a unitary structure, the support frame defining a plurality of integral slip tube retaining members disposed at evenly spaced locations along the support frame, the slip tube retaining members being configured to receive and engage the slip tubes to the support frame in a common defined orientation.   
     
     
         2 . The concrete dowel slip tube assembly as recited in  claim 1  wherein the support frame defines a length, and wherein the slip tube retaining members are configured to receive and orient the slip tubes along the support frame length, substantially perpendicular to the support frame length. 
     
     
         3 . The concrete dowel slip tube assembly as recited in  claim 2  wherein the slip tube retaining members comprises first and second opposing prongs which collectively define an arcuately contoured recess therebetween and are engageable to the slip tubes. 
     
     
         4 . The concrete dowel slip tube assembly as recited in  claim 2  where the slip tube retaining members comprises arcuately contoured straps, the straps being engageable to the slip tubes. 
     
     
         5 . The concrete dowel slip tube assembly as recited in  claim 1  wherein the slip tubes are engaged to the slip tube receiving members. 
     
     
         6 . The concrete dowel slip tube assembly as recited in  claim 5  wherein the support frame, and the slip tubes are formed as a unitary structure. 
     
     
         7 . The concrete dowel slip tube assembly as recited in  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of support seats disposable about the support surface, the support seats being configured to receive and support the slip tubes above the support surface when the slip tubes are engaged to the support frame. 
     
     
         8 . The concrete dowel slip tube assembly as recited in  claim 7  wherein the support seats are engaged to the slip tubes. 
     
     
         9 . The concrete dowel slip tube assembly as recited in  claim 8  wherein the support seats and the slip tubes are formed as a unitary structure. 
     
     
         10 . The concrete dowel slip tube assembly as recited in  claim 7  wherein the support seats define a base disposable on the support surface and an engager disposed on the base, the engager being height adjustable relative to the base . 
     
     
         11 . The concrete dowel slip tube assembly as recited in  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of support seats disposable about the support surface, the support seats being configured to receive and support the support frame above the support surface. 
     
     
         12 . The concrete dowel slip tube assembly as recited in  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of support seats disposable about the support surface, and wherein the support seats are configured to receive and support the support frame cross members above the support surface. 
     
     
         13 . The concrete dowel slip tube assembly as recited in  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of downwardly extending support legs, engageable to the support frame wherein the support seats are configured to support the support frame above the support surface. 
     
     
         14 . The concrete dowel slip tube assembly as recited in  claim 13  wherein the support frame, and the support legs are formed as a unitary structure. 
     
     
         15 . The concrete dowel slip tube assembly as recited in  claim 2  wherein the support frame defines first and second side segments extending along the support frame length, and a plurality of cross members extending intermediate the side segments. 
     
     
         16 . The concrete dowel slip tube assembly as recited in  claim 15  wherein the slip tube retaining members define first and second slip tube retaining clips which collectively receive and engage a first slip tube to the support frame, the first and second slip tube retaining clips being engaged to the first and second side segments, respectively. 
     
     
         17 . The concrete dowel slip tube assembly as recited in  claim 15  wherein the side segments are disposed parallel to each other and generally co-planar. 
     
     
         18 . The concrete dowel slip tube assembly as recited in  claim 17  wherein the frame cross members extend generally perpendicularly relative to the frame side segments.