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US 11,174,614 B2Granted
Metal foundation system for culverts, buried bridges and other structures
AssigneeContech Engineered Solutions LLC
InventorsBrian N. Flint, Darrell J. Sanders, Matthew L. Westrich
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A bridge system uses foundation structures that are formed of the combination of a metal-frame structure and cast-in-place concrete. The metal-frame structure of the foundation is capable of supporting bridge units before pouring of concrete.
Claims21
A metal foundation unit for use in constructing a combination metal and cast-in-place concrete foundation structure, the metal foundation unit comprising:
- a first elongated upright metal wall member and a second elongated upright metal wall member spaced apart from the first elongated upright wall member to define a channel therebetween, and multiple upright metal supports located within the channel, each of the multiple upright metal supports extends laterally between the first elongated upright metal wall member and the second elongated upright metal wall member to (i) define multiple spaced apart cells along a length of the channel and (ii) rigidly connect the first elongated upright metal wall member to the second elongated upright metal wall member, each of the multiple cells is open at the top, a receiving slot is located atop each of the multiple upright metal supports, at least some of the multiple upright metal supports include at least one flow opening extending from cell to cell for permitting cast-in-place concrete to flow from one cell through the upright metal support to another cell during concrete pouring and multiple reinforcement openings through which elongated reinforcement can be passed from cell to cell prior to concrete pouring;
- wherein at least one reinforcement opening includes a spacing gusset inserted therein and which supports longitudinal reinforcement within the at least one reinforcement opening in a position that prevents contact between the longitudinal reinforcement and an inner edge of the at least one reinforcement opening.
A foundation unit for use in constructing a combination metal and cast-in-place concrete foundation structure, the foundation unit comprising:
- a first elongated upright metal wall member and a second elongated upright metal wall member spaced apart from the first elongated upright wall member to define a channel therebetween, and multiple upright metal supports located within the channel, wherein the multiple upright metal supports extend laterally between the first elongated upright metal wall member and the second elongated upright metal wall member to (i) define multiple cells along a length of the channel and (ii) rigidly connect the first elongated upright metal wall member to the second elongated upright metal wall member, wherein each of the cells is open at the top, wherein at least one upright metal support includes at least one flow opening extending therethrough for permitting cast-in-place concrete to flow from a first one of the cells through the upright metal support to a second one of the cells during concrete pouring, wherein at least one of the upright metal supports includes at least one reinforcement opening, wherein a spacer is located in the at least one reinforcement opening and supports a longitudinal reinforcement within the at least one reinforcement opening in a position that prevents contact between the longitudinal reinforcement and an inner edge of the at least one reinforcement opening, wherein the spacer is formed of a plastic material and includes a substantially central support collar formed by opposed arcuate segments, and a top of the support collar is open.
A foundation unit for use in constructing a combination metal and cast-in-place concrete foundation structure, the foundation unit comprising:
- a first elongated upright metal wall member and a second elongated upright metal wall member spaced apart from the first elongated upright wall member to define a channel therebetween, and multiple upright metal supports located within the channel, wherein the multiple upright metal supports extend laterally between the first elongated upright metal wall member and the second elongated upright metal wall member to (i) define multiple cells along a length of the channel and (ii) rigidly connect the first elongated upright metal wall member to the second elongated upright metal wall member, wherein each of the cells is open at the top, wherein at least one upright metal support includes at least one flow opening extending therethrough for permitting cast-in-place concrete to flow from a first one of the cells through the upright metal support to a second one of the cells during concrete pouring, wherein at least one of the upright metal supports includes at least one reinforcement opening, wherein a spacer is located in the at least one reinforcement opening and supports a longitudinal reinforcement within the at least one reinforcement opening in a position that prevents contact between the longitudinal reinforcement and an inner edge of the at least one reinforcement opening, wherein the spacer includes an inner support collar and a peripheral portion of the inner support collar is open.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.