Cover plate assembly and centering bar

Abstract

A cover plate assembly includes a first track of a first base plate that is affixed to a first structural member and a second track of a second base plate that is affixed to a second structural member. The cover plate assembly further includes a centering bar slidably engaged with the first track of the first base plate and the second track of the second base plate, and having a centering bar opening that receives a fastener. A guide is coupled to the centering bar and aligns the fastener with the centering bar opening, and a cover plate having a cover plate aperture aligns with the guide and the centering bar opening. A spring assembly is attached to the centering bar and receives the fastener after the fastener is inserted through the cover plate aperture and the centering bar opening.

1 . A cover plate assembly for an expansion gap formed between a first structural member and a second structural member, the cover plate assembly comprising:
 a first base plate having a first track and a second base plate having a second track, the first track of the first base plate being configured to affix to the first structural member and the second track of the second base plate being configured to affix to the second structural member;   a centering bar slidably engaged with the first track of the first base plate and the second track of the second base plate, the centering bar having a centering bar opening configured to receive a fastener;   a guide coupled to the centering bar, the guide being configured to align the fastener with the centering bar opening;   a cover plate having a cover plate aperture configured to be aligned with the guide and the centering bar opening; and   a spring assembly attached to the centering bar, the spring assembly being configured to receive the fastener after the fastener is inserted through the cover plate aperture and the centering bar opening.   
     
     
         2 . The cover plate assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first track and the second track are each curved concave tracks. 
     
     
         3 . The cover plate assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the guide is a hollow, conical guide. 
     
     
         4 . The cover plate assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the centering bar further comprises a first spherically shaped end and a second spherically shaped end positioned opposite the first spherically shaped end. 
     
     
         5 . The cover plate assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the first spherically shaped end is configured to slidably engage the first track of the first base plate and the second spherically shaped end is configured to slidably engage the second track of the second base plate. 
     
     
         6 . The cover plate assembly of  claim 1 , where the centering bar is formed of an extruded aluminum. 
     
     
         7 . The cover plate assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising at least a first extension member and a second extension member, the first extension member extending between the centering bar and the first structural member and the second extension member extending between the centering bar and the second structural member. 
     
     
         8 . The cover plate assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the first extension member includes a first spherically shaped end configured to slidably engage the first track of the first base plate and the second extension member includes a second spherically shaped end configured to slidably engage the second track of the second base plate. 
     
     
         9 . The cover plate assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the centering bar further defines an upper cavity that extends across a centering length of the centering, the upper cavity being configured to secure the first extension member and the second extension member to the centering bar. 
     
     
         10 . The cover plate assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the centering bar has a lower cavity configured to secure the spring assembly in alignment with the centering bar opening. 
     
     
         11 . A cover plate assembly comprising:
 a centering bar including upper cavity defining an upper slit and a lower cavity defining a lower slit;   a centering bar opening formed in a central portion of the upper cavity of the centering bar;   a cover plate;   a guide; and   a spring having a flange positioned on an end of the spring, the spring being detachably coupled to the lower cavity of the centering bar via the flange;   wherein the guide is detachably secured within the centering bar opening to align the cover plate, the centering bar, and the spring.   
     
     
         12 . The cover plate assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the guide is a hollow, conical guide. 
     
     
         13 . The cover plate assembly of  claim 11 , where the centering bar is formed of an extruded aluminum. 
     
     
         14 . The cover plate assembly of  claim 11 , further comprising a fastener that extends through the cover plate, the centering bar, and the guide, and is received within a socket formed within the spring. 
     
     
         15 . The cover plate assembly of  claim 11 , further comprising at least a first extension member and a second extension member, the first extension member and the second extension member being slidably received within the upper cavity of the centering bar. 
     
     
         16 . A cover plate assembly comprising:
 a cover plate including a cover plate aperture formed through the cover plate;   a centering bar including a centering bar opening formed through the centering bar;   a fastener; and   a guide detachably attached to the centering bar between the cover plate aperture and the centering bar opening;   wherein the guide aligns the fastener with the cover plate aperture and the centering bar opening such that the fastener is insertable through the cover plate aperture and the centering bar opening to couple the cover plate to the centering bar.   
     
     
         17 . The cover plate assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the guide is a hollow, conical guide. 
     
     
         18 . The cover plate assembly of  claim 16 , where the centering bar formed of an extruded aluminum. 
     
     
         19 . The cover plate assembly of  claim 16 , further comprising at least a first extension member and a second extension member, the first extension member and the second extension member being coupled to the centering bar. 
     
     
         20 . The cover plate assembly of  claim 19 , wherein the first extension member includes a first spherically shaped end and the second extension member includes a second spherically shaped end.