Modular expansion joint system

Abstract

A modular expansion joint system with equidistance control. The modular expansion joint system includes transverse vehicle load bearing members which are positioned in a gap defined between adjacent spaced-apart structural members, support members positioned below the transverse vehicle load bearing members and extending across the expansion joint gap between the adjacent structural members, means positioned within the structural members for controlling movement of the support members, and means for controlling the spacing between the transverse vehicle load bearing members. The means for controlling the distance between the transverse vehicle load bearing members comprises a non-elastomeric compressive member, such as at least one coil spring which, which according to certain illustrative embodiments, maintains a substantially equal distance between transverse vehicle load bearing members.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A modular expansion joint system for a gap defined between spaced-apart first and second structural members and extending across said gap to permit pedestrian or vehicular traffic across said gap, the modular expansion joint system comprising:
 a plurality of elongated transversely extending, spaced-apart, load bearing members;   a plurality of elongated support members having opposite first and second ends extending longitudinally across said gap from said first structural member to said second structural member, wherein said plurality of elongated support members are positioned below said transversely extending, spaced-apart, load bearing members;   at least one first means for accepting said first end of said at least one longitudinally extending elongated support member;   at least one second means for accepting said second end of said at least one longitudinally extending elongated support member; and   at least one non-elastomeric compressive member connected to adjacent elongated transversely extending, spaced-apart, load bearing members for controlling the spacing between said adjacent load bearing members.   
     
     
         2 . The modular expansion joint system of  claim 1 , wherein each of said plurality of transversely extending, spaced-apart, load bearing members comprise top surfaces and bottom surfaces, and wherein said top surfaces of each of said plurality of transversely extending, spaced-apart, load bearing members are adapted to support vehicular traffic. 
     
     
         3 . The modular expansion joint system of  claim 1 , comprising elastomeric seals extending between adjacent transversely extending, spaced-apart, load bearing members. 
     
     
         4 . The modular expansion joint system of  claim 1 , comprising elastomeric seals extending (i) between adjacent transversely extending, spaced-apart, load bearing members, and (ii) between said transversely extending, spaced-apart, load bearing members and edge sections of said first and said second structural members. 
     
     
         5 . The modular expansion joint system of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second means for accepting the first and second ends of said longitudinally extending elongated support members comprise a structure selected from the group consisting of a box, receptacle, chamber, housing, container, enclosure, channel, track, slot, groove and passage. 
     
     
         6 . The modular expansion joint system of  claim 1 , further comprising means for movably engaging said longitudinally extending, elongated support members with said transversely extending, spaced-apart load bearing members. 
     
     
         7 . The modular expansion joint system of  claim 6 , wherein said means comprises a yoke. 
     
     
         8 . The modular expansion joint system of  claim 7 , wherein said yoke is substantially U-shaped. 
     
     
         9 . The modular expansion joint system of  claim 7 , wherein said yoke comprises spaced-apart yoke side plates and a bent yoke plate spanning the gap between said spaced-apart yoke side plates. 
     
     
         10 . The modular expansion joint system of  claim 8 , wherein said yoke slidably engages said longitudinally extending, elongated support members with said transversely extending, spaced-apart load bearing members. 
     
     
         11 . The modular expansion joint system of  claim 8 , wherein said yoke comprises bearings to permit longitudinal and vertical movement of said longitudinally extending, elongated support members. 
     
     
         12 . The modular expansion joint system of  claim 2 , further comprising a connection member connected to and extending downwardly from said bottom surfaces of adjacent load bearing members, and wherein said non-elastomeric compressive member is connected to said connection members. 
     
     
         13 . The modular expansion joint system of  claim 12 , wherein a portion of said non-elastomeric compressive member extends substantially horizontally between said connection members. 
     
     
         14 . The modular expansion joint system of  claim 13 , wherein said non-elastomeric compressive member comprises an elongated compression spring. 
     
     
         15 . The modular expansion joint system of  claim 14 , wherein said elongated compression spring comprises a helical compression spring. 
     
     
         16 . The modular expansion joint system of  claim 15 , wherein said helical compression spring comprises a material selected from the group consisting of alloy spring steels, stainless spring steels, carbon spring steels, copper-based steel alloys, and nickel-based steel alloys. 
     
     
         17 . The modular expansion joint system of  claim 16 , further comprising a protective layer positioned about at least a portion of said elongated compression spring. 
     
     
         18 . The modular expansion joint system of  claim 17 , wherein said protective layer comprises a coating, sleeve or wrap. 
     
     
         19 . The modular expansion joint system of  claim 18 , wherein the coating comprises a corrosion-resistant coating. 
     
     
         20 . The modular expansion joint system of  claim 15 , further comprising a first tubular member comprising a first elongated tubular portion at least partially positioned within said first end of said compression spring, wherein said first tubular member comprises opposite first and second ends, an outer wall, and a hollow interior, and a second tubular member comprising a second elongated tubular portion at least partially positioned within said second end of said compression spring, wherein said second tubular member comprises opposite first and second ends, an outer wall, and a hollow interior. 
     
     
         21 . The modular expansion joint system of  claim 20 , wherein said first tubular member further comprises a flange at said first end, wherein the flange comprises opposite facing first and second surfaces and an opening in communication with hollow interior of said first elongated tubular portion, wherein said first elongated tubular portion extends perpendicularly from said second surface of said surface of said flange, and wherein said second tubular member further comprises a flange at said first end, wherein the flange comprises opposite facing first and second surfaces and an opening in communication with hollow interior of said second elongated tubular portion, wherein first elongated tubular portion extends perpendicularly from said second surface of said surface of said flange. 
     
     
         22 . The modular expansion joint system of  claim 20 , wherein said flange of each of said first and second tubular members is circular with an outer circumference, wherein, a cross-section of taken along a short axis of said hollow portion of said first and second tubular portions of first and second said tubular members, is circular with a circumference concentric with said outer circumference of said flange of each of said first and second tubular members. 
     
     
         23 . The modular expansion joint system of  claim 22 , wherein the circumference of the opening of said flange of each of said first and second tubular members is substantially coextensive with the circumference of said opening of each of said first and second tubular portions of each of said first and second tubular members. 
     
     
         24 . The modular expansion joint system of  claim 21 , further comprising first and second clip members, wherein each of first and second clip members comprise a base having a bend portion and a spaced apart protrusion extending away from said base, wherein the bend portion and the protrusion extend away from the base in the same direction and in the same vertical plane, and wherein the bend portion terminates into a tab. 
     
     
         25 . The modular expansion joint system of  claim 24 , wherein said bend portion of said first and second spring clips includes a recessed portion adjacent to said tab. 
     
     
         26 . The modular expansion joint system of  claim 25 , wherein said tab includes a thickened portion and an abutment wall, wherein said abutment wall is adjacent said recessed portion of said bend portion of said first and second spring clips. 
     
     
         27 . The modular expansion joint system of  claim 24 , wherein said bend portion and said protrusion are spaced-apart long a length of said base in a substantially parallel manner. 
     
     
         28 . The modular expansion joint system of  claim 12 , wherein each of said connection members comprise an opening, wherein said protrusions of said first and second clip members pass through said opening of said connection members and the opening of the flange of each of said first and second tubular members, and are inserted into each of said first and second tubular portions of each of said first and second tubular members.