Road basket

Abstract

A road basket includes opposing support frames attached to a dowel by a coil that includes a terminal end not secured to other support frame structure, such as a support frame leg. The support frame and / or support frame legs may be configured to secure one or more dowels at a preferred height or preferred angle. A method of manufacturing the road basket includes pultruding a dowel to have an outer dowel diameter, cutting the dowel to a desired length, the dowel having a first end and a second end, providing a first coil including an inner coil diameter, said inner coil diameter is configured to be smaller than the outer dowel diameter, welding a first frame, wherein at least a portion of the first frame comprises the first coil, and constructing the road basket by heating the first coil then inserting a portion of the dowel into the first coil.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM[0001]The present invention claims priority to co-pending PCT application U.S. Ser. No. 15 / 59,750 filed on Nov. 9, 2015 and is a bypass continuation thereof.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates in general to a support frame with dowels for use as reinforcement for a concrete structure. More specifically, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a road basket for poured concrete in roadway construction and other slap type construction.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Concrete and other masonry or cementitious materials have compressive strength but substantially low tensile strength. Thus, when using concrete as a structural member, for example, in a building, road, bridge, pipe, pier, culvert, or the like, it is conventional to incorporate reinforcing members to impart the necessary tensile strength. Historically, the reinforcing members are steel or other metal reinforcing rods or bars, i.e., “rebar.” Such reinforcing members may be placed un...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a structural rebar that is resistant to corrosion, reducing the cracking and crumbling of cementitious material. The support frames and dowel are made of fiberglass or glass fiber reinforced polymer / plastic, which allows for flexibility without compromising strength or durability.

Problems solved by technology

Concrete and other masonry or cementitious materials have compressive strength but substantially low tensile strength.

Furthermore, concrete expands and contracts due to changes in temperature.

However, steel and other metals are susceptible to oxidation and corrosion.

Oxidation and / or corrosion of the metal dowels negates the benefits provided by including the dowel and support frame in the poured concrete and can result in structural damage.

Such structural damage has become a major problem in a wide variety of geographical areas.

For example, bridges, roadways, and other concrete building infrastructures in northern United States' cities are constantly in need of repair because of the accelerated oxidation and / or corrosion resulting from the salting of roadways throughout the winter or exposure to higher salt concentrations in the air near the ocean.

While composite dowels have been used to replace the steel dowels in the prior art, such incorporation also presents problems.

The most significant problem being that composite materials cannot be welded to a metallic support frame.

This requires extensive labor to assemble all of the components and ensure that the clips remain attached.

Because the clips are not permanently secured, they may also cause problems during installation and pouring of concrete if things fall apart.

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