Joint seal retaining element

Apparatus for spanning and sealing an expansion joint between two load bearing surfaces, said joint being a gap between two said surfaces and substantially rectangular, upward opening channels formed in said surfaces adjacent said gap, said apparatus comprising:

• (a) an elongated joint seal member having a central body portion dimensioned to span said gap, and a pair of side flap members extending therefrom of a width selected to lay flat in said channels;
• (b) upwardly extending darts near the outermost edges of said flap members;
• (c) a pair of joint seal retaining members, of a width selected to overlie said flap members, said retaining members being provided with elongate channels on their lower surfaces to accept said upwardly extending darts on said flap members, said retaining members comprising a co-extrusion of a thermoplastic rubber body and high density polyethylene elements, wherein said high density polyethylene elements include a reinforcing plate formed on the lower surface of said body, said reinforcing plate including a plurality of upwardly extending ribs, substantially parallel to the lengthwise direction of the joint;
• and
• (d) means to fasten said joint seal retaining members in said channels whereby said joint seal is anchored in said joint.