AU732664B2 - Termite barrier joint and system utilising the joint - Google Patents

Description

Our Ref: 647472 P/00/011 Regulation 3:2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Applicant(s): Address for Service: Building Essential Services Pty Ltd 39 Amber Drive Lennox Head New South Wales 2478

AUSTRALIA

DAVIES COLLISON CAVE Patent Trade Mark Attorneys Level 10, 10 Barrack Street SYDNEY NSW 2000 Invention Title: Termite barrier joint and system utilising the joint The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- 5020 P:\WPDOCS. md\ pcriV% 42pc.d.- 19/01 -1- A JOINT AND SYSTEM UTILISING THE JOINT The present invention relates to a joint and system utilising such a joint and has particular application to providing a barrier against termites entering a building structure between floor slabs.

A form of joint is known, called a "control joint", which is used to separate adjacent concrete floor slabs to allow for some relative movement between the slabs. The control joint is located between the slabs by firstly positioning the joint on a ground i: surface, securing the joint in position with ground engaging pegs, pouring and setting 10 concrete to one side of the joint and subsequently pouring and setting concrete to the other side of the joint. A problem exists in that possible shrinkage of the slabs whilst the concrete sets may open up gaps between the concrete slabs and the joint which could provide access for termites to enter a building structure constructed above the slabs.

It is an object of the invention to provide a joint which is suitable for preventing 15 passage of termites between the slabs.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a joint suitable for use o between two slabs of settable material, the joint including a flange portion and a support portion for supporting sidewardly directed load of the settable material poured against the 2 flange and support portions, the flange portion extending away from the support portion for engagement with the material, the support portion including first and second sections and a keying web section therebetween, the first and second sections being disposed generally in the same plane and the web section disposed laterally to one side of the plane so that the keying web section inhibits relative movement between the slabs, the joint further including structural means for maintaining substantially continuous contact between the material and flange portion during setting of the material.

Preferably, the joint includes a flexible portion to allow for relative movement between the support portion and the structural means.

Preferably, the structural means include surface formations provided on the flange portion. Alternatively, the structural means includes a projecting portion X extending laterally of the flange portion so as to be embedded in the material.

P:\WPDOCS\MAP\SPECI\647472 18/7/97 -2- Preferably, the support portion extends substantially the length of the joint and the flange portion forms a flange element to either side of the support portion.

Preferably, the structural means includes two projecting portions adapted to be embedded in the material, one projecting portion being provided on each flange element, extending length wise and laterally of the respective element.

Preferably, the joint is adapted to be mounted on a support chair, fixed at a predetermined position to allow secure positioning of the joint prior to the settable material being poured, the joint including locating structure for engagement with corresponding locating structure provided on the support chair.

In another aspect the invention relates solely to a flange portion, as described.above, for use with a pre-existing control joint.

In another aspect, there is provided a system including a joint as described above and a connecting element for interconnecting the joint with a second joint having a similarly formed flange portion and support portion, the connecting element including at least a base portion and two side portions, said component being adapted for close fit about 20 flange portion such that the support portion extends between free ends of the side portions.

Preferably, the flange portion includes recesses or apertures at spaced locations along the extent thereof, for interference fit with locating pegs which are adapted to be received in 25 the recesses for securing the joint at a predetermined location on a ground surface.

Preferably each recess is initially closed by a cap which is integrally moulded with the flange portion and which is removed by introduction of the peg into the recess to thereby open the recess.

Preferably, the recesses are arranged laterally of the flange portion.

P:\WPDOCS\MAP\SPECI647472 18M/97 -3- Preferably at least one recess or aperture is provided to extend widthwise through the support portion for receipt of a tie rod or reinforcing bar which interconnects adjacent concrete slabs separated by the joint.

The invention is more fully described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a termite barrier joint in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 2-2 shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the joint of FIG. 1 in use; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a connecting element used in a system in accordance with the present invention; Figure 5 is a partial perspective view of a system in accordance with the present invention; Figure 6 is an end view of a modified joint, in accordance with the invention; Figure 7 is an end view of the joint of Figure 6, mounted on a support chair; Figure 8 is an end view of a part of another modified joint; Figure 9 is a perspective view of a system in accordance with the invention; and Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of a further modified joint in accordance with the invention.

A joint 10 is shown in Figure 1 as comprising a flange portion 11 and a support portion 12.

S .The support portion 12 extends centrally of the flange portion 11 along the length thereof so that the flange portion in effect forms two flange elements 13 which extend to either side of the support portion 12. Each flange element includes recesses 14 arranged laterally of the elements, along the extent thereof. The recesses 14 are preferably closed by an integrally moulded cap 15, as shown in Figure 2. At least one similarly formed recess is preferably formed in the support portion 12 for receipt of a tie rod or reinforcing bar (not shown) which is used to interconnect adjacent concrete slabs separated by the joint 10. The recess 40 may of course be formed as a simple through-hole instead of being closed by a moulded cap.

P:\WPDOCSU\MAPSPECI\647472 18n197 -4- In use of the joint, the flange portion 11 is positioned at a predetermined location on a ground surface and secured in position by pegs 16. Each peg is preferably tapered so that a narrow end 17 can be used to punch through cap 15 and thereby open the recess 14. The peg is then subsequently driven through the recess 14 until wider end 18 is in interference fit with the recess.

Once the device is positioned in the above manner, concrete can be poured to one side of the support portion, over the foot portion to a level adjacent an upper portion 19 of the support portion 12, as shown in Figure 3. Concrete can then be poured on the opposite side of the support portion 12 and allowed to set so that two adjoining slabs can be produced.

Two barrier joints 10 may be joined together such as by connecting element 20 which is in the form of a generally C-shaped sleeve 21, as shown in Figure 4. The sleeve 21 15 includes a base portion 22 and two return portions 23, 24. The sleeve 21 is adapted to be snugly fitted over adjoining flange portions 11 of two adjacent joints 10 by sliding each of the flange portions into opposite ends of the sleeve 22, as shown in Figure 5. Different barrier joints may be formed with any suitable configuration. For example, ajoint 30 is shown in Figure 5 which has one end 25 angled with respect to a second end 26 so that, for :°eeoe example, a continuous barrier may be formed to extend around a right angled corner.

Alternatively, the connecting element itself may be angled.

eo..

SThe barrierjoint 10 is preferably formed of an extruded or moulded plastics material such as PVC and, in order to minimise the material required the flange elements 13 may be tapered in a direction away from a support portion 12 and the support portion itself may similarly be tapered in a direction away from the flange portion 11, as clearly shown in Figure 3. Also, in order to provide a suitable keying configuration to the slabs, the support portion may comprise a base part 30 and upper part 19 which are generally aligned on a vertical axis 31 and interconnected via a web which is formed as a return portion 32 which extends to one side of the vertical axis 31.

P:\WPDOCS\MAP\SPECI\647472 -18/7/97 The dimensions of the support portion 12 and flange elements 13 can be varied as required provided of course that the support portion has sufficient strength to support sideward load from the concrete poured thereagainst and provided the flange elements extend away from the support portion whereby to maintain substantially continuous contact with the concrete during shrinkage of the concrete away from the support portion as the concrete sets, so as to avoid gaps being created between the concrete and the joint 10 for passage of termites.

The flange elements 13 may include surface formations (not shown) such as ribbing which extends lengthwise of the joint, to enhance bonding between the flange portion and the concrete poured thereover. The joint should also include a flexible material or component which allows relative movement of the flange elements during shrinkage. The surface formations and flexible material or component may together or separately comprise structural means for maintaining substantially continuous contact between the concrete and flange portion during setting of the concrete.

0e A modified joint 40 in shown in Figure 6 as comprising a support portion 41 and a flange portion 42. Similarly to the construction of the above described joint, the flange portion 42 is divided into two flange elements of 43, 44 which extend away from the support portion 41. The flange elements 43, 44 are interconnected by a bridging portion 45 which is in an inverted V-shape comprising two depending legs 46, 47 with respective return portion 48, 49 adjacent the flange elements 43, 44 so as to define a partially closed channel 50 along the length of the joint The flange portion 42 includes structural means 51, in the form of upturned projecting portions 52, 53 extending lengthwise and laterally of the respective elements 43, 44.

In use of the joint 40, concrete is poured about the joint so that the projecting portions 52, 53 are firmly embedded in the resulting concrete slabs. Relative movement of the slabs away from each other, will result in corresponding relative displacement of the projecting portions 52, 53 and associated flange elements 43, 44. Such displacement is compensated for by the bridging portion which is itself formed of flexible material and is of a P:\WPDOCS\MAP\SPECI\647472 -18n7/97 -6construction which allows for a limited degree of flexing. A preferred method of using the joint of Figure 7 is to simply fit the joint on to a previously positioned support chair as shown in Figure 7. For this purpose, the bridging portion 45 forms locating structure 61 for engagement with corresponding locating structure 62 of the chair 60. More particularly, the channel 50 allows for slot and groove type interconnection with a suitably configured boss 63 provided on the chair 60. The chair itself includes a base plate 64 which is anchored to a ground surface 65 by pegs 66. The joint may thereby be quickly and securely located in a predetermined position so as to prevent any displacement of the joint which may otherwise occur during pouring of the concrete.

The joint may be constructed in a number of alternative configurations, as required, to fit with other forms of support chairs. For example, the upturned projecting portions 52, 53 may be provided with respective indentations 67, 68 to engage with clips of a support chair (not shown) which is constructed in the form of a clamp arrangement with locating clips 15 suitable for engaging in the indentation 67, 68 Another alternative could be to provide clips 69 on the projecting portions, such as shown in Figure 8, to engage with a locating bracket 70 which is itself secured to a ground surface 71.

The projecting portions 52, 53 may also be inclined such as shown in Figure 9 and the :°oooQ support chair provided with suitably orientated locating structure for engagement therewith. Figure 9 in fact illustrates a system of interconnecting two joints using a connecting element 72 with a base portion 73 and inclined side portions 74, 75. The connecting element 72 is otherwise the same as sleeve 21 and is utilised in like manner to interconnect two adjacentjoints. The system may also include a suitably configured end cap 76 for clipping onto an end 77 ofthejoint. The cap also includes a base portion 78 and side portions 79, and -may be used to terminate the joint in a termite proof manner or may instead be joined end to end with another cap for providing an alternative to connecting element 72.

A further modified joint 80 is shown in Figure 10 as including a flange portion 81 and support portion 82 adapted for removable interconnection. Specifically, the flange portion P:\WPDOCS\MAP\SPECl647472 -18/7/97 -7includes a groove 83 disposed centrally of a bridging portion 84 so as to extend between legs 85 and 86 of the bridging portion. The groove 83 terminates in a bulb type recess 87 which receives a bead 88 of a connecting part 89 of the support portion 82. The construction of the groove 83 and connecting part 89 allows for the support portion to be snap fitted into connection with the flange portion or, alternatively, slid in lengthwise. The advantage of such a construction is that a standard shape flange portion may be utilised with different support portions, particularly where the support portions need to be of differing heights in situations where slabs of differing depth are required.

It is envisaged that the abovedescribed connecting elements and/or cap(s) may be adhered directly to the joint in addition to or as an alternative to any interference fit such as by utitlising adhesive, soldering or brazing. This applies also to direct joint to joint interconnection, such as in arrangements where two joints are mitred together.

15 Also, it should be appreciated that the returns 48, 49 of the joint 40 may be dispensed with in situations where it is not essential for the joint to be mounted to the chair 60, in which case the legs 46, 47 may connect directly with elements 43, 44 as represented in Figure 9.

Further, the flange portion itself may be located at any suitable vertical position in relation to the support portion.

2 As can be appreciated from the above, the present invention provides a barrier joint which can be quickly and readily incorporated into a system for use in forming concrete slabs whilst also providing adequate protection against passage of termites between the slabs.

25 Finally, it is to be understood that the inventive concept in any of its aspects can be incorporated in many different constructions so that the generality of the preceding description is not to be superseded by the particularity of the attached drawings. Various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be incorporated into the various constructions and arrangements of parts without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention.

Claims (15)

1. A joint suitable for use between two slabs of settable material, the joint including a flange portion and a support portion for supporting sidewardly directed load of the settable material poured against the flange and support portions, the flange portion extending away from the support portion for engagement with the material, the support portion including first and second sections and a keying web section therebetween, the first and second sections being disposed generally in the same plane and the web section disposed laterally to one side of the plane so that the keying web section inhibits relative movement between the slabs, the joint further including structural means for maintaining substantially continuous contact between the material and flange portion during setting of the material.

2. A joint as claimed in claim 1, wherein the joint includes a flexible portion to allow for relative movement between the support portion and the structural means. S

3. A joint as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein the structural means includes surface **formations provided on the flange portion. A joint as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the structural means includes a projecting portion extending laterally of the flange portion so as to be embedded in the material. A joint as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support portion extends substantially the length of the joint and the flange portion forms a flange element to either side of the support portion.

6. A joint as claimed in claim 5, wherein the structural means includes two projecting portions adapted to be embedded in the material, one projecting portion being AL provided on each flange element, extending length wise and laterally of the respective element. P:\WPDOCS\amdLspci6 47472pag.doc-19/0201I -9-

7. A joint as claimed in claim 5 or 6, wherein the flange elements are coupled together via a bridging portion.

8. A joint as claimed in claims 2 or 7, wherein the bridging portion includes said flexible portion, so as to allow for relative movement between the flange elements.

9. A joint as claimed in claim 8, wherein the bridging portion is in the form of an inverted section, with depending legs interconnecting the flange elements. A joint as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the joint is adapted to be mounted on a support chair, fixed at a predetermined position to allow secure positioning of the joint prior to the settable material being poured, the joint including locating structure for engagement with corresponding locating structure provided on the ;o 15 support chair.

11. A joint as claimed in claim 9 or 10, wherein the legs include a return adjacent the flange element so as to define a partially closed channel along the length of the joint, and wherein the channel forms said locating structure for attachment to the support chair.

12. A joint as claimed in claim 11, wherein the locating structure includes indentations provided in the projecting portions, arranged for engagement with associated clips provided on the support chair.

13. A joint as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the support portion is adapted for releasable engagement with the flange portion.

14. A joint as claimed in claim 13, wherein the flange portion includes a connecting A groove for receipt of an associated connecting part of the support portion. P:%WPDOCSJw'%.qci\647472pagaadm-19192MI A support chair including locating structure for engagement with locating structure of the joint as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 14.

16. A system including a joint as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and a connecting element for interconnecting the joint with a second joint having a similarly formed flange portion and support portion, the connecting element including at least a base portion and two side portions, said component being adapted for close fit about the flange portion such that the support portion extends between free ends of the side portions.

17. A system as claimed in claim 16, further including the second joint, the second o joint having a first end angled relative to the second end.

18. A system as claimed in claim 16, wherein the connecting element has a first end 15 angled relative to a second end thereof.

19. A joint substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings. A system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings. DATED this 19' day of February, 2001 BUILDING ESSENTIAL SERVICES PTY LTD By Its Patent Attorneys DAVIES COLLISON CAVE