Large motion expansion joint

A large motion expansion joint for bridging a gap between edges of structural members forming a roadway comprising, in combination:

• at least three elongate load-carrying modules spaced in parallel relationship to each other and aligned generally transversely to the direction of the roadway, each of said load-carrying modules having an upper surface, said load-carrying modules including a first end module mounted to an edge of one of the structural members, a second end module mounted to an edge of the other structural member, and at least one intermediate module spaced between said first and second end modules;
• linkage control means operatively coupling the load-carrying modules, including at least two spaced sets of linkages between and interconnecting each adjacent pair of load-carrying modules for maintaining alignment and spacing of said modules in their parallel relationship in a direction generally transverse to the direction of the roadway and for proportionally maintaining generally equal spacing between said modules during expansion and contraction of the gap, wherein each set of linkages includes links pivotally connected to each of the load-carrying modules, some of the links having bifurcated forked ends and some of the links having tongue-shaped blade-like ends with the bifurcated forked ends of the links on each module pivotally connected to the tongue-shaped blade-like ends of the links on adjoining modules;
• aligned sleeve means carried by, and mounted generally below the upper surfaces of, said load-carrying modules;
• and
• at least two spaced elongated support beams lying generally in the direction of the roadway for supporting the load-carrying modules;
• each said support beam being in fixed relationship within the said sleeve means associated with one of said end modules and being in slidable engagement within the said sleeve means associated with the other of said end and intermediate modules for accommodating sliding movement of said other end and said intermediate load-carrying modules in response to expansion and contraction of the gap.

A large motion expansion joint for bridging a gap between stepped edges of structural members forming a roadway or the like, comprising, in combination:

• at least three elongated load-carrying modules spaced in parallel relationship to each other and aligned generally transversely to the direction of the roadway and including a first end module, first anchoring means for mounting of said first end module to one of said structural members, a second end module, second anchoring means for mounting of said second end module to the other structural member, and at least one intermediate module spaced between said first and second end modules;
• linkage control means operatively coupling the load-carrying modules, including at least two horizontally oriented spaced sets of linkages between and interconnecting each adjacent pair of load-carrying modules for substantially maintaining alignment and spacing of said modules in their parallel relationship in a direction generally transverse to the direction of the roadway, said linkages comprising links pivotally connected to the modules, for positively proportionally maintaining substantially equal spacing between said modules during expansion and contraction of the gap;
• elastomeric sealing means coupling the modules and protectively covering the linkage control means for substantially preventing water, dirt and other debris from passing downwardly through the gap;
• a set of at least two generally parallel aligned sleeve means carried by and mounted to the intermediate module and at least one of said end modules below the elastomeric sealing means substantially in the direction of the roadway, each of said aligned sleeve means including an elongated member seated upon and mounted to the stepped edge of one of the structural members adjacent said second end module;
• bearing means lining the interior of the sleeve means;
• and
• at least two spaced elongated support beams lying generally in the direction of the roadway for supporting the load-carrying modules;
• each said support means being in fixed relationship within the said sleeve means associated with one of said end modules and being movable relative to said intermediate module and in slidable engagement within the said sleeve means associated with the other of said end and intermediate modules for accommodating sliding movement of said other end and said intermediate load-carrying modules in response to expansion and contraction of the gap.