Concrete expansion joint insert including an expanding sealant

Abstract

An illustrative example embodiment of a concrete joint insert includes a body having two end surfaces, two side surfaces, and an upper portion. The upper portion of the body includes a securement feature in the upper portion. A sealant is applied to the securement feature and secured to the upper portion of the body so that the insert and the sealant can be simultaneously installed in a concrete joint. The sealant expands.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A concrete joint insert comprising
 a body having two end surfaces, two side surfaces, and an upper portion, wherein the upper portion of the body includes a securement feature in the upper portion; and   a sealant applied to the securement feature and secured to the upper portion of the body so that the insert and the sealant can be simultaneously installed in a concrete joint, wherein the sealant expands.   
     
     
         2 . The concrete joint insert as recited in  claim 1  wherein the sealant self levels. 
     
     
         3 . The concrete joint insert as recited in  claim 1  wherein the upper portion of the body includes an upper surface, and the securement feature is a groove on the upper surface. 
     
     
         4 . The concrete joint insert as recited in  claim 2  wherein the groove is tear dropped shaped. 
     
     
         5 . The concrete joint insert as recited in  claim 1  wherein the securement feature is a reduced width portion on the upper portion of the two side surfaces. 
     
     
         6 . The concrete joint insert as recited in  claim 1  wherein the securement feature is a passage that passes through the upper portion of the body between the two side surfaces. 
     
     
         7 . The concrete joint insert as recited in  claim 1  wherein the body comprises rubber. 
     
     
         8 . The concrete joint insert as recited in  claim 1  wherein the sealant comprises an expanding foam. 
     
     
         9 . The concrete joint insert of  claim 1 , wherein the sealant has a melting temperature at which the sealant will at least partially melt and change from the selected shape to another configuration, and the melting temperature is above 160° F. 
     
     
         10 . A method of making a concrete expansion joint insert, the method comprising:
 establishing a body having two end surfaces, two side surfaces, and an upper portion, wherein the upper portion of the body includes a securement feature in the upper portion;   securing a sealant applied to the securement feature and secured to the upper portion of the body so that the insert and the sealant can be simultaneously installed at the location of an expansion joint; and   expanding the sealant.   
     
     
         11 . The method as recited in  claim 10  wherein the sealant self levels. 
     
     
         12 . The method as recited in  claim 10  wherein the upper portion of the body includes an upper surface, and the securement feature is a passage on the upper surface. 
     
     
         13 . The method as recited in  claim 12  wherein the passage is tear dropped shaped. 
     
     
         14 . The method as recited in  claim 10  wherein the securement feature is a reduced width portion on the upper portion of the two side surfaces. 
     
     
         15 . The method as recited in  claim 10  wherein the securement feature is a passage that passes through the upper portion of the body between the two side surfaces. 
     
     
         16 . The method as recited in  claim 10  wherein the body comprises rubber. 
     
     
         17 . The method as recited in  claim 10  wherein the sealant comprises an expanding foam. 
     
     
         18 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , comprising establishing the body before securing the sealant to the one of the longitudinal edges. 
     
     
         19 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the sealant has a melting temperature at which the sealant will at least partially melt and change from the selected shape to another configuration, and the melting temperature is above 160° F.