# US 8,146,309 B1 · Concrete crack inducer with drainage channel > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,146,309 B1 - Document ID: US8146309B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 12/248,308 - Filed: 2008-10-09 - Granted: 2012-04-03 - Earliest claimed: 2007-10-11 - Assignees: Concrete Joint Ventures, LLC - Inventors: David Keith Logemann; Neal Gene Logemann - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8146309B1 ## CPC - E04B 1/0007: {Base structures; Cellars} - E01C 11/106: {Joints with only prefabricated packing; Packings therefor} - E01C 11/14: Dowel assembly {; Design or construction of reinforcements in the area of joints (coupling devices for prefabricated units E01C5/005; combined with characteristic packings E01C11/08 - E01C11/12; removable holders E01C23/045)} - E01C 11/226: {Coherent pavings} - E01D 19/06: Arrangement, construction or bridging of expansion joints ({E01D19/005 takes precedence; in movable bridges E01D15/005 - E01D15/10}; sealing joints not restricted to expansion joints for bridges E04B1/68) - E04F 15/142: {Dividing strips or boundary strips} - E01C 2201/207: channels on the bottom - E02D 29/16: Arrangement or construction of joints in foundation structures ({for hydraulic engineering E02B3/16}; sealing joints not restricted to foundation structures E04B1/68) - E04B: GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS (border constructions of opening in walls, floors or ceilings E06B1/00; {electromagnetic shielding H05K9/0001}) - E01C: CONSTRUCTION OF, OR SURFACES FOR, ROADS, SPORTS GROUNDS, OR THE LIKE; MACHINES OR AUXILIARY TOOLS FOR CONSTRUCTION OR REPAIR (forming roads or like surfaces by compacting or grading snow or ice E01H) - E01D: CONSTRUCTION OF BRIDGES, {ELEVATED ROADWAYS} OR VIADUCTS; ASSEMBLY OF BRIDGES (bridges extending between terminal buildings and aircraft for embarking or disembarking passengers B64F1/305; {tracks for special kinds of railways E01B25/00; culverts E01F5/005}) - E04F: FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS (windows, doors E06B) - E02D: FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS (specially adapted for hydraulic engineering E02B); UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES {(tunnels, tunnelling, mining E21)} ## Abstract A plastic extruded member is provided which will induce cracks in concrete and provide drainage for moisture entering the cracks. The member includes a base which sets upon the subgrade surface, with a pair of legs extending upwardly from the base. Arms extend laterally outwardly from each leg. As extruded, the legs are adjacent one another, and then spread apart as the concrete cures and shrinks, thereby inducing a substantially vertical crack in the concrete above the legs. The member includes a drain channel at the lower end of the legs. The gap between the legs which is created by the shrinking cured concrete provides a path from the crack to the drain channel for draining water entering the crack. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A device for inducing cracking and providing drainage in concrete, comprising: an extruded member having an integrally formed base, a pair of legs and drain channel; the base having a flat bottom to sit upon a bed upon which concrete is to be poured such that the device is self-standing; the pair of legs each having a planar face extending a length upwardly from the base to a top edge; the drain channel between the base and the legs and having at least one open end to drain fluid from the channel; wherein the legs initially engage one another along the planar face and then spread apart as the concrete cures so as to induce a crack in the concrete and to define a gap between the legs communicating with the drainage channel to drain moisture which enters the crack; wherein the drain channel is integrally formed into the extruded member between the base and the legs from a lower end of each of the legs to a top surface of the base which extends outwardly from a bottom of the drain channel; and a stake extending through the base to secure the device on the bed. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 wherein the legs are adapted to reside beneath the surface of the concrete. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 wherein each leg includes at least one arm extending laterally outwardly and slightly upwardly from the leg. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 wherein the base and legs form an inverted T cross-section. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 wherein the base and legs form an L cross-section. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 wherein the drain channel is adjacent the base. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 wherein the base, legs and drain channel are formed as one piece. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 wherein the base, legs and drain channel are an extruded unit. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 further comprising a second identical device and a connector to connect the devices together. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The device of claim 9 wherein the devices are connected end to end. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The device of claim 9 wherein the devices are connected at right angles. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 wherein the legs include a notch to receive a concrete forming member, a re-bar, or a dowel. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 wherein the drain channel is cylindrical. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 wherein the legs taper as they extend upwardly. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 wherein the legs are narrower at their top edge than they are at their base. ### Claim 16 A device for inducing cracking and providing drainage in concrete, comprising: a base having a flat bottom to sit upon a bed upon which concrete is to be poured such that the device is self-standing; a pair of legs having a planar face extending a length upwardly from the base; a drain channel between the base and the legs and having at least one open end to drain fluid from the channel; wherein the legs initially engage one another along the planar face and then spread apart as the concrete cures so as to induce a crack in the concrete and to define a gap between the legs communicating with the drainage channel to drain moisture which enters the crack; wherein the drain channel is spaced above a top surface of the base; and a stake extending through the base to secure the device on the bed. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The device of claim 16 wherein the legs include a notch to receive a concrete forming member, a re-bar, or a dowel. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The device of claim 16 wherein each leg includes at least one arm extending laterally outwardly from the leg. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The device of claim 16 wherein the base and legs form an inverted T cross-section. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The device of claim 16 wherein the base and legs form an L cross-section. ### Claim 21 A device for inducing cracking and providing drainage in concrete, comprising: an extruded member having an integrally formed base, a pair of legs and drain channel; the base having a flat bottom to sit upon a bed upon which concrete is to be poured such that the device is self-standing and extends continuously across the bottom of the drain channel; the pair of legs each having a planar face extending a length upwardly from the base to a top edge; the drain channel between the base and the legs and having at least one open end to drain fluid from the channel; wherein the legs initially engage one another along the planar face and then spread apart as the concrete cures so as to induce a crack in the concrete and to define a gap between the legs communicating with the drainage channel to drain moisture which enters the crack; and wherein the drain channel is integrally formed into the extruded member between the base and the legs from a lower end of each of the legs to a top surface of the base which extends outwardly from a bottom of the drain channel.