Gap Filling System

Abstract

A concrete construction ( 10 ) comprises a first slab ( 11 ) and a second slab ( 12 ), there being a gap ( 13 ) between the slabs. The gap ( 13 ) may be formed by removing form work or it may be an expansion joint or a crack induction joint which requires a surface finish. An expandable gap filler support member in the form of a spacer ( 14 ) is inserted into the gap before application of a caulking compound as filler. The spacer ( 14 ) is an extruded strip which has two opposing Y shaped sections ( 15 ) and ( 16 ) set back-to-back and formed as a symmetrical unit having divergent flanges ( 17 ), ( 18 ), ( 19 ) and ( 20 ) which are able to flex so that the spacer ( 14 ) may be inserted in the gap ( 13 ). As the slabs ( 11 ) and ( 12 ) expand and contract the arms ( 17 ), ( 18 ), ( 19 ) and ( 20 ) will flex with that movement. In the case of gaps of greater depth multiple spacers may inserted one atop the other.

1 . A filled gap in a concrete construction, including a space filling aid comprising an elongate body adapted for resilient insertion into a gap, the gap being of the type having confronting side walls separated by a space, the elongate body having an elongate paste receiving cavity of predetermined volume which bridges across the body to hold filler paste applied into the cavity, the elongate body being adapted to expand and retract as the space between the walls changes and a filler paste layed while flowable and allowed to harden being held in the cavity. 
   
   
       2 . A filled gap in a concrete construction according to  claim 1  wherein the body comprises a pair of spaced longitudinal extending arm members adapted to flex inwardly upon insertion into the gap and to spring back against the walls. 
   
   
       3 . A filled gap in a construction according to  claim 1  wherein the body is generally cruciform in cross section. 
   
   
       4 . A filled gap in a construction according to  claim 1  wherein the body is generally dumbbell shaped in cross-section having back-to back-pairs of arms in the form of divergent longitudinally extending pairs of resilient flange members. 
   
   
       5 . A filled gap in a construction according to  claim 1  wherein the body is generally be symmetrical in transverse cross section. 
   
   
       6 . A filled gap in a construction according to  claim 1  wherein the body is generally dumbbell shaped in cross-section having back-to back-pairs of arms in the form of divergent longitudinally extending pairs of resilient flange members and each flange has a turned over peripheral marginal edge portion. 
   
   
       7 . A filled gap in a construction according to  claim 1  wherein the body is generally dumbbell shaped in cross-section having back-to-back-pairs of arms in the form of divergent longitudinally extending pairs of resilient flange members having a space between adjacent arms, the space between adjacent arms defining the cavity as a paste receiving channel which is V-shaped in profile and the paste being held in the channel as a strip. 
   
   
       8 . A method of gap filling whereby an elongate gap filler support member is initially positioned in a gap providing a seat for a filler paste layed while flowable and allowed to harden, the support member having an open channel of predetermined volume whereby gap filler may be located in the channel to finish filling the gap and be supported by the support member, the method comprising inserting the support member into a gap so that the open channel is just below the surface adjacent to the gap and subsequently applying the paste to the channel to complete filling of the gap. 
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 8  where the support member has two opposite edges adapted to be self holding in the gap, the method including pushing the first edge into the gap followed by the second edge, the second edge having said open channel. 
   
   
       10 . The method according to  claim 8  where the support member is itself supported by an auxiliary support member located underneath, the method including pushing the auxiliary support member into the gap first. 
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 8  where the support member is itself supported by an auxiliary support member located underneath, the method including pushing the auxiliary support member into the gap first and the support member and auxiliary support member are functionally equivalent and interchangeable. 
   
   
       12 . A space filling aid comprising an elongate body adapted for resilient insertion into a gap, the gap being of the type having confronting side walls separated by a space, the elongate body having an elongate paste receiving cavity of predetermined volume which bridges across the body to hold filler paste applied into the cavity, the elongate body being adapted to expand and retract as the space between the walls changes, the body comprising a thin walled extruded member having an upper bifurcated longitudinally extending section joined at a juncture between the arms, with the opposed arms being adapted to flex inwardly about the juncture. 
   
   
       13 . A space filling aid according to  claim 12  wherein the arm members are adapted to flex inwardly upon insertion into the gap and to spring back against the walls. 
   
   
       14 . A space filling aid according to  claim 12  wherein the body is generally cruciform in cross section. 
   
   
       15 . A space filling aid according to  claim 12  wherein the body is generally dumbbell shaped in cross-section having back-to back-pairs of arms in the form of divergent longitudinally extending pairs of resilient flange members. 
   
   
       16 . A space filling aid according to  claim 12  wherein the body is generally be symmetrical in transverse cross section. 
   
   
       17 . A space filling aid according to  claim 12  wherein the body is generally dumbbell shaped in cross-section having back-to back-pairs of arms in the form of divergent longitudinally extending pairs of resilient flange members and each flange has a turned over peripheral marginal edge portion. 
   
   
       18 . A space filling aid according to  claim 12  wherein the body is generally dumbbell shaped in cross-section having back-to-back-pairs of arms in the form of divergent longitudinally extending pairs of resilient flange members having a space between adjacent arms, the space between adjacent arms defining the cavity as a paste receiving channel which is V-shaped in profile. 
   
   
       19 . A space filling aid according to  claim 12  wherein the juncture between the arms comprises a transverse section extending between the arms and leading to a web extending away from the arms. 
   
   
       20 . A space filling aid according to  claim 12  wherein the juncture between the arms comprises a transverse section extending between the arms and leading to a web extending away from the arms, the transverse section being sufficiently rigid to provide spring bias to the arms. 
   
   
       21 . A space filling aid according to  claim 12  wherein the juncture between the arms comprises a transverse section extending between the arms and leading to a web extending away from the arms, the web extending to a further juncture and a further set of arms opposite the first set of arms.