This invention relates to expansion joints for bridges, elevated highways and the like, and more particularly, to large motion composite expansion joints of the type employed in bridge deck constructions for accommodating large movements between adjacent deck sections.
Expansion joints are typically used in those constructions, such as bridge structures and the like, wherein the relative movement between adjacent deck sections in response to temperature changes is too great to be accommodated by a single road joint seal or sealing member.
Various expansion joints have been constructed in the past and met with varying degrees of success. Typical of recent efforts to produce large motion expansion joints are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,482,492; 3,699,853; 3,604,322; 3,698,292; 3,788,758; 3,830,583; 3,854,159; 3,904,303; 3,904,304. Additionally, lazy-tong linkages have been used to maintain spacing between members dividing roadway gaps uniformly into equal subgaps.
Nevertheless, the need remains for an effective large motion expansion joint to which gap sealing devices as of the types shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,713,368 may be effectively attached and one in which all of the motion of the underlying support beams may be taken up at one side of the gap.