Structural bearing configuration and method of making same

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to structural bearing assemblies and to methods to make same. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to structural bearing assemblies designed for bridges. In another embodiment, the present invention relates to structural bearing assemblies designed for bridges that are more easily replaced when necessary.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bridge bearing assembly comprising:
 an upper plate designed to be securely connected to the underside of a concrete girder, support beam and/or steel girder, wherein the concrete girder, support beam and/or steel girder is supporting a bridge's superstructure structure;   a lower keeper plate designed to be securely connected to the upper side of a bridge's substructure or other anchoring structure;   a bearing designed to be contained in place by at least one keeper plate(s) with the bearing having no mechanical bond to the upper plate; and   at least one bearing positioned between the underside of the upper plate and the upper side of the lower plate, the bearing being formed from a material designed to handle movements and/or absorb vibrations, wherein the bridge bearing assembly is at least secured to the upper side of the bridge's substructure or other anchoring structure; and   at least two anchoring rods designed to secure the lower plate to the upper side of the bridge's substructure or other anchoring structure.   
     
     
         2 . The bridge bearing of  claim 1 , wherein the upper plate or upper side of the bearing is beveled and/or sloped to permit matching of any slope required by the orientation of the bridge bearing assembly being replaced. 
     
     
         3 . The bridge bearing assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising at least two shear pins designed to operatively connect the upper plate to the lower plate to resist horizontal forces. 
     
     
         4 . The bridge bearing assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two anchoring rods are threaded anchoring rods, swedged anchor rods, couplers, connection bolts or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The bridge bearing assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the upper plate, the lower plate and the at least two anchoring rods are all independently formed from any suitable metal or metal alloy that utilizes one or more corrosion resistant materials or one or more corrosion resistant coatings. 
     
     
         6 . The bridge bearing assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one bearing is formed from a bearing material. 
     
     
         7 . The bridge bearing assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a notch formed in the upper side of the lower plate or lower side of the upper plate that acts to permit optimal seating of the at least one bearing on the upper side of the lower plate or lower side of the upper plate. 
     
     
         8 . A bridge bearing assembly comprising:
 an upper plate designed to be securely connected to the underside of a concrete girder, support beam and/or steel girder, wherein the concrete girder, support beam and/or steel girder is supporting a bridge's superstructure structure;   a lower keeper plate designed to be securely connected to the underside of the upper plate;   a bearing designed to be contained in place by at least one keeper plate(s) with the bearing having no mechanical bond to the upper plate; and   at least two anchoring rods designed to secure the bridge bearing assembly to an upper side of a bridge's substructure or other anchoring structure for fixed or guided bearings.   
     
     
         9 . The bridge bearing assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the upper plate or top of bearing is beveled and/or sloped to permit matching of any slope required by the orientation of the bridge bearing assembly being replaced 
     
     
         10 . The bridge bearing assembly of  claim 8 , further comprising at least two shear blocks designed work with the at least two anchoring rods to operatively connect the bridge bearing assembly to the upper side of the bridge's substructure or other anchoring structure for fixed guided bridge bearing styles. 
     
     
         11 . The bridge bearing assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the at least two shear blocks are formed from steel or some other combination of material. 
     
     
         12 . The bridge bearing assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the at least two anchoring rods are threaded anchoring rods, swedged anchor rods, couplers, connection bolts or any combination thereof 
     
     
         13 . The bridge bearing assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the upper plate, the lower plate and the at least two anchoring rods are all independently formed from any suitable metal or metal alloy that utilizes one or more corrosion resistant materials or one or more corrosion resistant coatings. 
     
     
         14 . A bridge bearing assembly comprising:
 an upper plate designed to be securely connected to the underside of a concrete girder, support beam and/or steel girder, wherein the concrete girder, support beam and/or steel girder is supporting a bridge's superstructure structure;   a lower keeper plate designed to be securely connected to the underside of the upper plate; and   a bearing designed to be contained in place by at least one keeper plate(s) with the bearing having no mechanical bond to the upper plate.   
     
     
         15 . The bridge bearing assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the upper plate or top of bearing is beveled and/or sloped to permit matching of any slope required by the orientation of the bridge bearing assembly being replaced 
     
     
         16 . The bridge bearing assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the upper plate and the lower plate are all independently formed from any suitable metal or metal alloy that utilizes one or more corrosion resistant materials or one or more corrosion resistant coatings.