Abstract
A plate system for use in repairing the flange-to-flange connections for pre-cast and pre-stressed double tee systems by connecting the plate system to the underside of the flange-to-flange connections.
Claims
1. A plate system for use in repairing the flange-to-flange connections for pre-cast and pre-stressed double tee systems by connecting the plate system to the underside of the flange-to-flange connections; said plate system comprises a plate body and a plurality of connection arrangements; said plate body is formed of no more than 25 wt. % metal; said plate body includes one or more layers of fibers that are bonded together by a bonding material; one or more of said connection arrangements configured to facilitate in securing said plate system to the underside of the flange-to-flange connections.
2. The plate system as defined in claim 1, wherein said one or more layers of fibers are formed of one or more materials selected from the group consisting of carbon fibers, glass fibers, aramid fibers, boron fibers, hemp fibers, basalt fibers, nylon fibers, Dyneema? fibers (ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber), Zylon? fibers (thermoset liquid-crystalline polyoxazole fibers), and/or fiberglass fibers.
3. The plate system as defined in claim 1, wherein one or more of said plurality of connection arrangements includes an opening that passes fully through said plate body and is spaced inwardly from a peripheral edge of said plate body.
4. The plate system as defined in claim 2, wherein one or more of said plurality of connection arrangements includes an opening that passes fully through said plate body and is spaced inwardly from a peripheral edge of said plate body.
5. The plate system as defined in claim 1, further including a removable section that is detachable connected to a top surface of said plate body.
6. The plate system as defined in claim 4, further including a removable section that is detachable connected to a top surface of said plate body.
7. The plate system as defined in claim 5, wherein said removable section includes one or more fiber layers.
8. The plate system as defined in claim 6, wherein said removable section includes one or more fiber layers.
9. The plate system as defined in claim 1, further including one or more reinforcement structures formed on a bottom surface of said plate body.
10. The plate system as defined in claim 8, further including one or more reinforcement structures formed on a bottom surface of said plate body.
11. The plate system as defined in claim 9, wherein said reinforcement structure includes one or more fiber layers.
12. The plate system as defined in claim 10, wherein said reinforcement structure includes one or more fiber layers.
13. The plate system as defined in claim 12, wherein said a composition of said fibers layers of said reinforcement structure and said removable layer are the same as a composition of said fiber layers of said plate body.
14. The plate system as defined in claim 13, wherein each of said plate body, said reinforcement structure and said removable layer is formed of no more than 5 wt. % metal.
15. The plate system as defined in claim 1, wherein bonding material is a resin material.
16. A method for repairing the flange-to-flange connections for pre-cast and pre-stressed double tee systems comprising: A. Providing two concrete sections that need to be connected and/or repaired; B. Providing a plate system; said plate system includes a plate body and a plurality of connection arrangements; said plate body is formed of no more than 25 wt. % metal; said plate body includes one or more layers of fibers that are bonded together by a bonding material; one or more of said connection arrangements is configured to facilitate in securing said plate system to said two concrete sections; C. Positioning said plate system on the underside of said two concrete sections; and D. Securing said plate system to an underside of said two concrete sections.
17. The method as defined in claim 16, wherein said plate system includes one or more removable sections that are detachable connected on or above a top surface of said plate body; and further including the step of removing at least one of said removable sections from said plate system prior to said step or securing so as to adjust for unevenness between said underside of said concrete sections during said step securing said plate system to an underside of said two concrete sections.
18. The method as defined in claim 16, wherein said step of securing includes a) use of one or more one or more concrete anchors that are at least partially positioned through one or more of said connection arrangements in said plate body, and/or b) use of an adhesive material on a top surface of said plate system.
19. The method as defined in claim 17, wherein said step of securing includes a) use of one or more one or more concrete anchors that are at least partially positioned through one or more of said connection arrangements in said plate body, and/or b) use of an adhesive material on a top surface of said plate system.
20. The method as defined in claim 16, wherein said plate system includes one or more reinforcement structures formed on a bottom surface of said plate body.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0041] Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments are described with reference to the following drawings, wherein like labels refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified. The sizes and relative positions of elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the shapes of various elements are selected, enlarged, and positioned to improve drawing legibility. The particular shapes of the elements as drawn have been selected for ease of recognition in the drawings. Reference may now be made to the drawings, which illustrate various embodiments that the disclosure may take in physical form and in certain parts and arrangement of parts wherein:
[0042] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a non-limiting improved plate system in accordance with the present disclosure wherein the base plate has four sides and each side has an inwardly curved profile.
[0043] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the improved plate system of FIG. 1 that includes non-limiting dimensions of the base plate;
[0044] FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the improved plate system of FIG. 1 wherein the improved plate system includes a plurality of removable layers or removable sections or shims on the top side of the improved plate system;
[0045] FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the improved plate system of FIG. 1 wherein the bottom side of the improved plate system includes a plurality of linear shaped reinforcement structures, and wherein both reinforcement structure are positioned parallel to a central longitudinal axis of the improved plate system and one reinforcement structure is located on each side of the central longitudinal axis of the improved plate system;
[0046] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the improved plate system of FIG. 1 wherein the bottom side improved plate system includes a plurality of curved shaped reinforcement structures, and wherein both reinforcement structure are positioned parallel to a central longitudinal axis of the improved plate system and one reinforcement structure is located on each side of the central longitudinal axis of the improved plate system;
[0047] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of another non-limiting improved plate system that has a base plate having a square or rectangular shape, and wherein non-limiting dimensions of the base plate are shown;
[0048] FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the improved plate system of FIG. 6 wherein the bottom side of the improved plate system includes a single reinforcement structure that is positioned along the central longitudinal axis of the improved plate system;
[0049] FIG. 8 is an isometric view of the improved plate system of FIG. 6 wherein the bottom side of the improved plate system includes a plurality of reinforcement structures and one reinforcement structure is located on each side of the central longitudinal axis of the improved plate system;
[0050] FIG. 9 is an isometric view of another non-limiting improved plate system in accordance with the present disclosure wherein the base plate is square or rectangular shaped and includes a semi-trapezoidal shaped reinforcement structure on the bottom side of the improved plate system that is positioned along the central longitudinal axis of the improved plate system;
[0051] FIG. 10 is an end view of the improved plate system of FIG. 9, and wherein non-limiting dimensions of the base plate are shown;
[0052] FIG. 11 is an isometric view of the improved plate system of FIG. 9, and wherein the improved plate system includes a plurality of removable layers or removable sections or shims on the top side of the improved plate system;
[0053] FIG. 12 is side view of FIG. 11, and wherein non-limiting dimensions of the base plate and removable layers or removable sections or shims are shown;
[0054] FIG. 13 is another side view of FIG. 11 wherein the removable layers or removable sections or shims are not separated from the base plate, and wherein non-limiting dimensions of the base plate and removable layers or removable sections or shims are shown, and wherein the bond breaker layer is illustrated;
[0055] FIG. 14 is an isometric view of the improved plate system of FIG. 9 that is connected to two concrete sections;
[0056] FIG. 15 is a sectional side view of FIG. 14 that illustrates the use of a non-limiting type of concrete anchor that can be used to secure the improved plate system to the two concrete sections;
[0057] FIG. 16 is an end view of another non-limiting configuration of the improved plate system in accordance with the present disclosure;
[0058] FIG. 17 is an end view of another non-limiting configuration of the improved plate system in accordance with the present disclosure;
[0059] FIG. 18 is an end view of another non-limiting configuration of the improved plate system in accordance with the present disclosure;
[0060] FIG. 19 is an end view of another non-limiting configuration of the improved plate system in accordance with the present disclosure; and
[0061] FIG. 20 illustrates three non-limiting types of concrete anchor that can be used to secure the improved plate system to the two concrete sections.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF NON-LIMITING EMBODIMENTS
[0062] A more complete understanding of the articles/devices, processes and components disclosed herein can be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings. These figures are merely schematic representations based on convenience and the ease of demonstrating the present disclosure, and are, therefore, not intended to indicate relative size and dimensions of the devices or components thereof and/or to define or limit the scope of the exemplary embodiments.
[0063] Although specific terms are used in the following description for the sake of clarity, these terms are intended to refer only to the particular structure of the embodiments selected for illustration in the drawings and are not intended to define or limit the scope of the disclosure. In the drawings and the following description below, it is to be understood that like numeric designations refer to components of like function.
[0064] The singular forms a, an, and the include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0065] As used in the specification and in the claims, the term comprising may include the embodiments consisting of and consisting essentially of. The terms comprise(s), include(s), having, has, can, contain(s), and variants thereof, as used herein, are intended to be open-ended transitional phrases, terms, or words that require the presence of the named ingredients/steps and permit the presence of other ingredients/steps. However, such description should be construed as also describing compositions or processes as consisting of and consisting essentially of the enumerated ingredients/steps, which allows the presence of only the named ingredients/steps, along with any unavoidable impurities that might result therefrom, and excludes other ingredients/steps.
[0066] Numerical values in the specification and claims of this application should be understood to include numerical values which are the same when reduced to the same number of significant figures and numerical values which differ from the stated value by less than the experimental error of conventional measurement technique of the type described in the present application to determine the value.
[0067] All ranges disclosed herein are inclusive of the recited endpoint and independently combinable (for example, the range of from 2 grams to 10 grams is inclusive of the endpoints, 2 grams and 10 grams, and all the intermediate values).
[0068] The terms about and approximately can be used to include any numerical value that can vary without changing the basic function of that value. When used with a range, about and approximately also disclose the range defined by the absolute values of the two endpoints, e.g., about 2 to about 4 also discloses the range from 2 to 4. Generally, the terms about and approximately may refer to plus or minus 10% of the indicated number.
[0069] Percentages of elements should be assumed to be percent by weight of the stated element, unless expressly stated otherwise.
[0070] Although the operations of exemplary embodiments of the disclosed method may be described in a particular, sequential order for convenient presentation, it should be understood that disclosed embodiments can encompass an order of operations other than the particular, sequential order disclosed. For example, operations described sequentially may in some cases be rearranged or performed concurrently. Further, descriptions and disclosures provided in association with one particular embodiment are not limited to that embodiment, and may be applied to any embodiment disclosed.
[0071] For the sake of simplicity, the attached figures may not show the various ways (readily discernable, based on this disclosure, by one of ordinary skill in the art) in which the disclosed system, method and apparatus can be used in combination with other systems, methods and apparatuses. Additionally, the description sometimes uses terms such as produce and provide to describe the disclosed method. These terms are abstractions of the actual operations that can be performed. The actual operations that correspond to these terms can vary depending on the particular implementation and are, based on this disclosure, readily discernible by one of ordinary skill in the art.
[0072] Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for the purpose of illustrating non-limiting embodiments of the disclosure only and not for the purpose of limiting same, FIGS. 1-19 illustrate various non-limiting embodiments of the improved plate system in accordance with the present disclosure.
[0073] FIGS. 1-5 illustrate one non-limiting shape of the improved plate system. FIGS. 6-15 illustrate another non-limiting shape (e.g., rectangular shape) of the improved plate system. As can be appreciated, other shapes for the improved plate system can be used (e.g., square, oval, polygonal, etc.).
[0074] Referring now to FIGS. 1-2, there is illustrated an improved plate system 100 that is formed of a plate body 110. Generally the plate body is formed of a single piece. In the non-limiting configuration illustrated in FIGS. 1-2, the plate body fully constitutes the improved plate system 100. The plate body includes four sides 112, 114, 116, 118, and each of the sides has an inward curved profile. The four corners 120, 122, 124, 126 are illustrated as being rounded. Each of the four corners includes a single connection arrangement in the form of a hole 130, 132, 134, 136 that passes fully through the thickness of the plate body 110. The connections arrangements are illustrated as being spaced from the peripheral edge of the plate body. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the cross-sectional shape of the connection arrangement is circular and the cross-sectional shape and size is constant through the thickness of the plate body; however, this is not required. As can be appreciated, the cross-sectional shape of the connection arrangement can have other shapes (e.g., oval, square, triangular, rectangular, polygonal, etc.), and the cross-sectional shape and/or size can vary along the thickness of the plate body. The length and shape of sides 112, 116 are the same, and the length and shape of sides 114, 118 are the same; however, this is not required. FIG. 2 illustrates non-limiting dimensions of the sides of the plate body 110. Generally, the longitudinal length of the plate body is greater than the lateral length (e.g., the length of the plate body that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the plate body); however, this is not required. The thickness of the plate body is illustrated as being uniform; however, this is not required. Generally, the thickness of the plate body is 0.1-4 inches (and all values and ranges therebetween), and typically 0.2-2 inches.
[0075] The material that is used to form the plate body generally is formed of less than 20 wt. % metal, and typically 0-5 wt. % metal, and more typically 0-1 wt. % metal. In one-non-limiting configuration, the body is formed of a plurality of non-metal fibers (e.g., carbon fibers, glass fibers, aramid fibers [Kevlar?, Twaron?, etc.], boron fibers, hemp fibers, basalt fibers, nylon fibers, Dyneema? fibers, Zylon? fibers, fiberglass fibers, etc.) that are bonded together by an adhesive or polymer material (e.g., resin, etc.).
[0076] Referring now to FIG. 3, there is illustrated one variation of the improved plate system 100 of FIG. 1 that includes one or more removable layers, removable sections, or shims 200 can be removably connected to the top surface 130 of plate body 110. FIGS. 11-13 also illustrated additional variations of the improved plate system that can include one or more shims. The thickness of the shims 200 is generally less than the maximum thickness of the plate body. In one non-limiting configuration, the thickness of the shims is 0.5-3 inches (and all values and ranges therebetween), and typically 0.101.5 inches.
[0077] The top surface of the shims 200 generally have a cross-sectional area that is less than a cross-sectional area of the top surface of the plate body 110 (e.g., the top surface of each of the shims has a cross-sectional area that is 5-80% (and all values and ranges therebetween) of the cross-sectional area of the top surface of the plate body). As illustrated in FIG. 3, the top surface of each of shims 200 has a cross-sectional area that is about 50% the cross-sectional area of the top surface of the plate body 110. As also illustrated in FIG. 3, the shim is located only on one side the central latitudinal axis of the plate body. The shape of the top and bottom surface of the shim is generally the same shape as the top surface of the plate body 110 that the shim overlies. Each of the shims 200 includes an opening 210 that is the same shape and size of the opening in the plate body 110 that the hole overlies, and the opening is positioned on the shim such that when the shim is positioned on the plate body, the central axis of the holes in the shim and plate body are aligned; however, this is not required.
[0078] The top surface of the plate body that is configured to receive the one or more shims includes a recessed region 150 as illustrated in FIG. 3 such that when shims are placed on the top surface of the plate body, the top surface of the shim is generally flush with the top surface of the plate body that is absent the shims. The shape of the recessed region is generally the same or similar to the shape of the shim. When the improved plate system includes only a single shim, the depth of the recessed region is generally the same as the thickness of the shim; however, this is not required. When the improved plate system includes two or more shims that are stacked upon one another, the depth of the recessed region is generally the same as the thickness of the stacked shims; however, this is not required. The material that is use to form the plate body is generally the same material that is used to form the shims; however, this is not required.
[0079] FIG. 3 illustrated that the shims are only positioned on one side of the improved plate system; however, it will be appreciated that the shims can be located on both sides of the improved plate system as illustrated in FIGS. 11-12. When the shims are located on both sides of the improved plate system, a) the number of shims on each side can be the same or different, b) the thickness of the shims can be the same or different, and/or c) the shape of the shims can be the same or different.
[0080] Referring now to FIG. 4, there is illustrated a plate body 110 that includes two reinforcement structures 300 on the bottom surface 140 of the plate body 110. As can be appreciated, the bottom surface 140 of the plate body 110 of FIGS. 1-3 can optionally includes one or more reinforcement structures 300. The shape and size of the reinforcement structures and the number of reinforcement structures is non-limiting. FIGS. 4, 5, and 7-19 illustrated several non-limiting reinforcement structures and non-limiting positioning of the reinforcement structures on the bottom surface of the plate body. The material used to form the reinforcement structures can the same or different material from the material used to form the plate body or the one or more optional shims. In one non-limiting configuration, the reinforcement structures are uniformly formed with the plate body, and the plate body and the reinforcement structures are formed of the same material. The thickness/height of one or more reinforcement structures can be less than, equal to or greater than a thickness of the plate body. The reinforcement structures are configured to add strength and/or rigidity to the improved plate system. Generally, the one or more reinforcement structures are formed on the plate body so as to create a single piece structure, and wherein the one or more reinforcement structures are irremovable secured to the plate body.
[0081] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the bottom surface of the plate body includes two reinforcement structures 300 that are positioned generally parallel to one another and are equally spaced apart along the longitudinal central axis of the plate body, and are both spaced for the longitudinal central axis of the plate body. The two reinforcement structures are generally linear shaped and have a longitudinal length that is less than a longitudinal length of the plate body. The end portions of the two reinforcement structures are curved; however, this is not required. The shape and size of the two reinforcement structures is generally the same; however, this is not required. The thickness/height of reinforcement structures can optionally be equal to or greater than the thickness of the plate body.
[0082] Referring now to FIG. 5, the two reinforcement structures 300 have a generally curved shape that are both spaced for the longitudinal central axis of the plate body. The radius of curvature of the reinforcement structures can be the same or similar to the radius of curvature of the sides of the plate body such that the spacing of the reinforcement structure form the peripheral edge of the plate body is generally constant; however, this is not required. The thickness/height of reinforcement structures can optionally be equal to or greater than the thickness of the plate body. Positioned about the connections arrangements are reinforcement structures 310. The reinforcement structures have an opening 312 that is aligned with the connection arrangements. Generally, the shape of openings 312 is the same as the connection arrangement in the plate body; however, this is not required. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the reinforcement structures do not extend beyond the perimeter of the plate body; however, this is not required. The thickness/height of the reinforcement structures can be the same or different (e.g., thinner or thicker) from the thickness of the plate body.
[0083] Referring now to FIG. 6, the shape of the plate body is illustrated as being generally square or rectangular shaped. FIG. 6 illustrates non-limiting dimensions of the plate body. The structures discussed in FIGS. 3-5 can be used with the plate body illustrated in FIG. 6. Likewise, the structures illustrated in FIGS. 7-19 can be used with the plate body of FIGS. 1-5.
[0084] As illustrated in FIG. 6, the longitudinal length of the plate body is greater than the lateral length of the plate body; however, this is not required. The four connection arrangements are spaced from the peripheral edge of the plate body. It can be appreciated that the plate body can include less than four connection arrangement (e.g., 2 or 3 connection arrangements) or more than four connection arrangements (e.g., 5-20 connection arrangement and all values and ranges therebetween). As illustrated in FIG. 6, the cross-sectional shape of the connection arrangement is circular and the cross-sectional shape and size is constant through the thickness of the plate body; however, this is not required. As can be appreciated, the cross-sectional shape of the connection arrangement can have other shapes (e.g., oval, square, triangular, rectangular, polygonal, etc.), and the cross-sectional shape and/or size can vary along the thickness of the plate body. In the non-limiting configuration illustrated in FIG. 6, the plate body fully constitutes the improved plate system 100.
[0085] Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, the bottom surface of the plate body 110 includes different numbered and positioned reinforcement structures 300. FIG. 7 illustrate a single linear shaped reinforcement structure positioned along the longitudinal central axis of the plate body. The thickness/height of reinforcement structure can optionally be equal to or greater than the thickness of the plate body. FIG. 8 illustrates two linear shaped reinforcement structures positioned parallel to one another and parallel to and spaced from the longitudinal central axis of the plate body. The thickness/height of reinforcement structures can optionally be equal to or greater than the thickness of the plate body.
[0086] Referring now to FIGS. 9-15, there is illustrated another non-limiting improved plate system 100. The plate body 110 is similar in shape to the plate body 110 illustrated in FIGS. 6-8. The reinforcement structure 300 has a generally semi-trapezoidal shape that includes two side sections 310, 320 that slope downwardly and toward on another and a base section 330 that is connected to the bottom ends of the two side sections. The size and angle of slope of the two side sections is illustrated as being the same; however, this is not required. The bottom surface of the base section is illustrated as being generally parallel to the bottom surface and/or top surface of the plate body; however, this is not required. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the location of each of the connection arrangements in the base plate is closer to the peripheral edge of the base plate than the location of the top end of the side sections to the peripheral edge of the base plate.
[0087] FIG. 10 illustrates non-limiting dimensions for the components of the reinforcement structure 300. The two side sections and base section are illustrated as having the same thickness; however, this is not required. The reinforcement structure is illustrated as having a longitudinal length of 80-100% (and all values and ranges therebetween) of the longitudinal length of the plate body. The width of the reinforcement structure is illustrated as being less than a width of the plate body such that the upper ends of the two side sections are spaced from the peripheral edge of the plate body. Generally, the maximum width of the reinforcement structure is 30-100% (and all values and ranges therebetween) the maximum width of the plate body. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the maximum width of the reinforcement structure is about 60% the maximum width of the plate body. In one non-limiting configuration, the reinforcement structure is uniformly formed with the plate body and the plate body and the reinforcement structure are formed of the same material. The height/depth of the reinforcement structure is illustrated as being greater than a thickness of the plate body (e.g., 1.1-10 times greater and all values and ranges therebetween); however, this is not required. As illustrated in FIG. 10, height/depth of the reinforcement structure is over 2 times the thickness of the plate body. The shape of the reinforcement structure forms a cavity 340 through the reinforcement structure along the longitudinal length the reinforcement structure. The cross-sectional shape and size of the cavity 340 can be generally constant along the longitudinal length of the cavity; however, this is not required. The thickness of the plate body is illustrated as being greater than the thickness of the two side sections and base section of the reinforcement structure (e.g., 1.1-10 times greater and all values and ranges therebetween); however, this is not required. As illustrate in FIG. 6, thickness of the plate body is three times the thickness of each of the two side sections and base section of the reinforcement structure.
[0088] Referring now to FIGS. 11 and 12, the improved plate system 100 optionally includes one or more removable layers, removable sections, or shims 200 that can be removably connected to the top surface 130 of plate body 110. FIG. 12 illustrates non-limiting dimension of the shims and base plate. As illustrated in FIG. 12, the thickness of the plate body is greater than a thickness of each of the shims (e.g., plate body is 1.1-10 times the thickness of each shim and all values and ranges therebetween).
[0089] As illustrated in FIG. 11, the shims are located on both sides of the longitudinal central axis of the plate body. As can be appreciated, the shims can be located only on one side of the longitudinal central axis of the plate body. FIG. 11 also illustrates that two shims are located on each side of the longitudinal central axis of the plate body. As can be appreciated, less than two or more than two shims can be located on only one side or on both sides of the longitudinal central axis of the plate body. In use, the same number of shims can be removed from each side of the longitudinal central axis of the plate body, or a different number of shims can be removed from each side of the longitudinal central axis of the plate body. The connection arrangements (e.g., openings or holes, etc.) in the shims are configured to align with the connection arrangement in the plate body when the shims are positioned on or above the top surface of the plate body. The connection arrangement in the shims and the connection arrangements in the plate body generally have the same shape and size; however, this is not required.
[0090] Referring now to FIG. 13, there is illustrated an improved plate system wherein the plate body and the reinforcement structure are formed of multiple layers (e.g., 2-10 layers and all values and ranges therebetween) of fiber material (e.g., carbon fibers, etc.). In one non-limiting configuration, the reinforcement structure is formed of at least two layers of fiber material, and the plate body is formed of at least three layers of fiber material. Each of the shims is formed of a single layer of fiber material. In the non-limiting example illustrated in FIG. 13, there are shims that are stack on one another. The top shim is removable connected to the bottom shim and the bottom shim is removable connect to the top surface of the plate body. Such removable connection is formed by a breakable bond layer (e.g., weak adhesive bond, brittle adhesive bond, bond breaker layer [e.g., polyurethane, silicone, etc.], breakable tape, breakable fabric mesh, etc.). The breakable layer allows a user to remove one or more shims from one or both sides of the improved plate system with damaging the plate body or any shims that are not removed from the improved plate system. Generally, the thickness of the breakable layer is less than a thickness of each of shims; however, this is not required. As illustrated in FIG. 13, a breakable layer is positioned between the upper and lower shim and also between the lower shim and the top surface of the plate body. The breakable layer is generally formed of a different composition from the adhesive or polymer material used to bond together the fiber layers of the plate body, shims and the reinforcement structure.
[0091] Referring again to FIG. 13, the reinforcement structure, the plate body, and/or one or more of the shims can optionally include one or more fiber layers that are formed of a different material (e.g. fiberglass, etc.). Such different layer can be used to partially or fully form a) the breakable bond layer and/or b) form a dielectric insulating layer. In one non-limiting configuration, the different layer is formed of one or more fiberglass layers. In another non-limiting configuration, the different layer can be positioned on the top and/or bottom surface of the improved plate system.
[0092] Referring now to FIGS. 14-15, there is illustrated the improved plate system similar to the one illustrated in FIGS. 9-13 that is connected to two sections of concrete C1, C2 by the use of concrete anchors CA wherein one end portion is of each of the concrete anchors is partially positioned in each of the connection arrangements of the improved plate system, and the other end portion of each of the concrete anchors is secured to one of the two sections of concrete. As can be appreciated, the other improved plate systems illustrated in FIGS. 1-8 can be similarly connected to the two sections of concrete C1, C2 by the use of concrete anchors CA.
[0093] FIG. 15 illustrates non-limiting dimensions of the concrete anchors CA that can be used to secure the improved plate system to the two sections of concrete C1, C2. Referring now to FIG. 20, there are illustrated other non-limiting types of concrete anchors CA that can be used to secure the improved plate system to the two sections of concrete C1, C2. The Type A concrete anchor CA is a pin that at least includes threading at the end for connection with a bolt. The pin is inserted into a drilled opening in the concrete and thereafter secured on the drilled opening by use of an adhesive, expansion structure, wedge, etc. The Type B concrete anchor CA is a screw that is screwed into a predrilled opening in the concrete. The Type C concrete anchor CA is bolt that is inserted through a top drilled opening in the concrete and is connected to a bolt at its bottom end section. The top of the concrete opening can optionally include a counter sink portion so that the top of the bolt is positioned below a top surface of the concrete section. As can be appreciated, other types of concrete anchors can be used to secure the improved plate system to the concrete sections.
[0094] Referring now to FIGS. 16-19, additional non-limiting reinforcement structure are illustrated. FIG. 16 illustrates a T-Shaped reinforcement structure that is positioned along the central longitudinal axis of the plate body. FIG. 17 illustrates a U-shaped reinforcement structure that is centrally located along the central longitudinal axis of the plate body. FIG. 18 illustrates a linear reinforcement structure that is positioned parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the plate body and located along the side edge of the plate body. FIG. 19 illustrates a C-Shaped reinforcement structure that is centrally located along the central longitudinal axis of the plate body, wherein the sides are generally parallel to one another. As can be appreciated, many other shaped reinforcement structures can be used.
[0095] A non-limiting method for using the improved plate system to repair the flange-to-flange connections for pre-cast and pre-stressed double tee systems includes the steps of: [0096] A. Providing two concrete sections that need to be connected and/or repaired. [0097] B. Providing the improved plate system in accordance with the present disclosure. [0098] C. Positioning the improved plate system on the underside of the two concrete sections. [0099] D. Securing the improved plate system on the underside of the two concrete sections.
[0100] When the improved plate system includes one or more shims, one or more of the shims can be removed to account for unevenness between the two concrete sections. The one or more shims are removed prior to securing the improved plate system on the underside of the two concrete sections.
[0101] The improved plate system is generally secured to the underside of the two concrete sections by the use of one or more concrete anchors; however, it will be appreciated that an adhesive material (e.g., resin material, etc.) can also be used with the one or more concrete anchors, or can alternatively be used instead of the one or more concrete anchors to secure the improved plate system to the underside of the two concrete sections.
[0102] It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained, and since certain changes may be made in the constructions set forth without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. The disclosure has been described with reference to preferred and alternate embodiments. Modifications and alterations will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the detailed discussion of the disclosure provided herein. This disclosure is intended to include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the present disclosure. It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the disclosure herein described and all statements of the scope of the disclosure, which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.
[0103] To aid the Patent Office and any readers of this application and any resulting patent in interpreting the claims appended hereto, applicants do not intend any of the appended claims or claim elements to invoke 35 U.S.C. 112(f) unless the words means for or step for are explicitly used in the particular claim.
