Expansion joint and method

Abstract

An expansion joint has an elongated flat sheet of flexible and resilient polymeric material. The flat sheet has having a width and a length; upper and lower surfaces; and first and second edges. The sheet has selvage edges and a central gland. The selvage edges have a pair of parallel elongate first and second scrims. The scrims may be formed or embedded on each of the opposite surfaces along the length of the sheet. The rough strips on each surface bracket the elongated strip of bare surface of the gland. The sheet has an array of apertures located in one of the selvage edges. An additional array of apertures may be formed in the opposite selvage edge. The apertures pass through, but are not limited to passing through, the sheet and the strips.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001]The invention relates generally to rubber or polymeric waterproof expansion joints.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002]Rubber expansion joints are often used in construction to help water proof roofs, slabs, and walls, thereby to protect the structure from effluent damage, which may typically be water damage. Traditionally, these expansion joints have included an elongated flat sheet of rubber, vinyl or some other flexible, resilient polymeric material. These expansion joints are usually laid over a joint between two walls or two sheets of waterproofing tiles or fabric. Expansion joints are typically secured to the surface of the joint by adhesive such as tar or the like.[0003]Rubber expansion joints may be present some challenges or disadvantages. For example, on hot summer days, the tar or adhesive used to bond the joint to the underlying substrate and to hold the joint in place may soften or weaken. This may result in the joint to becoming dislodged and...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]In another aspect of the invention there is an expansion joint. It has an elongated flat sheet of flexible and resilient polymeric material having a width, opposite upper and lower surfaces, and opposite first and second edges. One of the opposite surfaces is a first surface, and has a fibrous section including a section of the sheet having a plurality of fibers secured to the surface. The fibrous section extends along the first surface adjacent one of the edges. A series of apertures passes through the sheet and is positioned on the fibrous section, with the apertures being positioned adjacent one of the side edges.

[0010]In a feature of that aspect of the invention, each of the upper and lower surfaces have the fibrous section. In another feature each of the fibrous sections comprises a parallel pair of first and second fibrous matts secured to the surface. The fibrous matts are separated by an elongated strip of bare surface. The first and second fibrous matts are located adjacent to the first and second edges of the sheet, respectively, with the

Problems solved by technology

Rubber expansion joints may be present some challenges or disadvantages.

For example, on hot summer days, the tar or adhesive used to bond the joint to the underlying substrate and to hold the joint in place may soften or weaken.

This may result in the joint to becoming dislodged and slipping or creeping or migrating away from its desired position.

That is, when the bond holding the joint softens, the joint may tend to move, or creep, across the surface of the substrate to which the joint is bonded.

This creeping of the joint may result in the failure of the waterproof joint.

While these approaches are effective in increasing the adhesion of the joint to the adhesive, increasing the dimensions of the sheet increases its cost; and fibrous matting bonded to the sheets often dislodge from the sheet surface do to poor adhesion of the fibrous matt to the sheet.

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