LARGE MOTION EXPANSION JOINT

摘要

A large motion expansion joint having a plurality of load-carrying modules which are positioned in parallel relationship to each other and aligned in a direction transverse to the direction of the roadway. The load-carrying modules generally span the expansion gap between adjacent structural members to support vehicular traffic thereon and include a first end module mounted to an edge of one of the structural members, a second end module mounted to an edge of an adjacent structural member and at least one intermediate module spaced between the first and second end modules. The intermediate modules carry beneath its upper surface a plurality of spaced sleeve-like beam guides which are aligned with a plurality of spaced elongated sleeve-like support beam housings fixedly secured to the second end module. A plurality of support beams are fixed to the first end module and slide into the beam guides and housings generally in the direction of the roadway so as to support the load-carrying modules. During expansion and contraction of the structural members, the loadcarrying modules slide upon the support beams and move toward and away from each other as the gap is either narrowed or widened. The spacing between modules is proportionally maintained during expansion and contraction by means of a linkage system which includes at least two sets of linkages interconnecting each adjacent pair of load-carrying modules with the linkages arranged generally in a zig-zag configuration generally along the direction of the roadway. Some of the linkages have bifurcated forked ends and some of the linkages have tongueshaped blade-like ends with the bifurcated forked ends of the linkages on each module pivotally connected to the tongueshaped blade-like end of the linkages on adjoining modules Pads are mounted upon the load-carrying modules to provide a roadway surface across the gap. The space between each module is covered and protected by resiliently yieldable sealing membranes secured at the top surfaces of the load-carrying modules and against the underside of the pads with the sealing membranes overlying the linkages to prevent water, dirt and other debris from passing downwardly between the modules.