Self-cleaning expansion joint system

Abstract

An expansion joint system for bridging a gap between spaced apart structural members and capable of self-cleaning. The expansion joint system includes first and second base members, at least one upwardly sloped base plate engaged with one of the first and second base members, and at least one substantially horizontal movable plate engaged with at least one of the first and second base members. Also disclosed is an expansion joint including a first structural member and a second structural member, first and second base members, at least one upwardly sloped base plate engaged with one of the first and second base members, and at least one substantially horizontal movable plate engaged with at least one of the first and second base members. Also disclosed is an expansion joint for a bridge or roadway including first and second structural members, first and second base members, at least one upwardly sloped base plate engaged with at least one of the first and second base members, and at least one substantially horizontal movable plate.

1 . An expansion joint system comprising:
 a first base member and a second base member;   at least one base plate engaged with at least one of the first and second base members,
 wherein the at least one base plate is upwardly sloped from at least one of the first and second base member; and 
   at least one movable plate engaged with at least one of the first and second base members,
 wherein the at least one movable plate is substantially horizontal. 
   
     
     
         2 . The expansion joint system according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one stiffening member engaged with the at least one base plate. 
     
     
         3 . The expansion joint system according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least one stiffening member comprises a plurality of openings. 
     
     
         4 . The expansion joint system according to  claim 1 , wherein the expansion joint system comprises a modular or finger configuration. 
     
     
         5 . The expansion joint system according to  claim 4 , wherein the expansion joint system comprises a finger configuration and wherein the at least one movable plate comprises:
 a first plate comprising a plurality of fingers pivotally engaged with the first base member; and   a second plate comprising a plurality of fingers pivotally engaged with the second bae member.   
     
     
         6 . The expansion joint system according to  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of fingers of the first and second plates are interdigitated. 
     
     
         7 . The expansion joint system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a trough comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end engages with the first base member and the second end engages with the second base member. 
     
     
         8 . The expansion joint system according to  claim 7 , wherein the first and second ends are removably engaged. 
     
     
         9 . The expansion joint system of  claim 7 , wherein the trough is comprised of a flexible material. 
     
     
         10 . The expansion joint system according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second base members comprise at least one of elongated C-shaped channels and L-shaped brackets. 
     
     
         11 . The expansion joint system according to  claim 10 , wherein the first and second base members comprise at least one of a pair of opposite facing elongated C-shaped channels and a pair of opposite facing elongated L-shaped brackets. 
     
     
         12 . An expansion joint comprising:
 a first structural member and a second structural member spaced-apart in the longitudinal direction from the first structural member;   a first base member and a second base member;   at least one base plate engaged with at least one of the first and second base members,
 wherein the at least one base plate is upwardly sloped from at least one of the first and second base member; and 
   at least one movable plate engaged with at least one of the first and second base members,
 wherein the at least one movable plate is substantially horizontal. 
   
     
     
         13 . The expansion joint according to  claim 12 , further comprising at least one stiffening member engaged with at least one base plate. 
     
     
         14 . The expansion joint system according to  claim 13 , wherein the at least one stiffening member has a plurality of openings. 
     
     
         15 . The expansion joint according to  claim 12 , wherein the expansion joint comprises a modular or finger configuration. 
     
     
         16 . The expansion joint according to  claim 15 , wherein the expansion joint comprises a finger configuration and wherein the at least one movable plate comprises:
 a first plate comprising a plurality of fingers pivotally engaged with the first support; and   a second plate comprising a plurality of fingers pivotally engaged with the second support;   wherein the plurality of fingers of the first and second plates extend across a gap between the first and second structural members.   
     
     
         17 . The expansion joint according to  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of fingers of the first and second plates are interdigitated. 
     
     
         18 . The expansion joint according to  claim 12 , wherein the first base member is engaged with the first structural member and the second base member is engaged with the second structural member. 
     
     
         19 . The expansion joint according to  claim 12 , further comprising a trough comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end engages with the first base member and the second end engages with the second base member. 
     
     
         20 . The expansion joint according to  claim 19 , wherein the first and second ends are removably engaged. 
     
     
         21 . The expansion joint according to  claim 19 , wherein the trough is comprised of a flexible material. 
     
     
         22 . The expansion joint according to  claim 12 , wherein at least one of the first and second base members comprise at least one of elongated C-shaped channels and elongated L-shaped brackets. 
     
     
         23 . The expansion joint according to  claim 22 , wherein the first and second base members comprise at least one of a pair of opposite facing elongated C-shaped channels and a pair of opposite facing elongated L-shaped brackets. 
     
     
         24 . An expansion joint for a bridge or roadway comprising:
 a first structural member;   a second structural member spaced-apart in the longitudinal direction from the first structural member;   a first base member engaged with the first structural member;   a second base member engaged with the second structural member;   at least one base plate engaged with at least one of the first and second base members,
 wherein the at least one base plate is upwardly sloped from at least one of the first and second base member; and 
   at least one movable plate engaged with at least one of the first and second base members,
 wherein the at least one movable plate is substantially horizontal.