Expansion and crack joint coupler

An expansion or crack joint coupler for embedding in a pair of adjacent roadway concrete slabs and for extending across an elongated expansion or crack joint between the concrete roadway slabs, the coupler comprising:

• an at least partially hollow casing having casing ends and a casing center, the casing defining an internal chamber therein, the casing being fabricated from a casing material, the casing being adapted for embedding in both of the concrete roadway slabs and extending across the expansion or crack joint;
• and
• an outer reinforcing sleeve positioned around the casing.

An expansion or crack joint coupler for embedding in a pair of adjacent concrete slabs and for extending across an elongated expansion or crack joint between the concrete slabs, the coupler comprising:

• an at least partially hollow casing having casing ends and a casing center, the casing defining an internal chamber therein, the casing being fabricated from a casing material, the casing being adapted for embedding in both of the concrete slabs and extending across the expansion or crack joint;
• and
• at least one end cap closing one of the ends of the casing.

An assembly comprising a pair of adjacent concrete slabs defining an expansion or crack joint therebetween;

• and
• an elongated expansion or crack joint coupler bridging said expansion or crack joint and having respective ends thereof embedded within said adjacent concrete slabs, said coupler including an at least partially hollow casing presenting an internal chamber therein, with an internal structural component positioned within said internal chamber for strengthening the casing.