Ex Parte Gulbenkian - Page 3

                Appeal 2007-2596                                                                              
                Application 10/370,634                                                                        

                             a tubular structure configured and dimensioned to                                
                      provide a continuous void through a concrete structure, said                            
                      void being unfilled;                                                                    
                             first and second anchor members disposed at opposite                             
                      ends of said tubular structure; and                                                     
                             at least one stainless steel strand extending through said                       
                      tubular structure and secured under tension between said anchor                         
                      members, said anchor members being mounted to at least                                  
                      substantially close and maintain said void.                                             
                      13.  A post-tensioned concrete structure, comprising:                                   
                             a concrete member;                                                               
                             a tubular structure defining a void through said concrete                        
                      member;                                                                                 
                             at least one tensioned stainless steel strand passing                            
                      through said void and anchored at opposite ends of the member,                          
                      wherein said void is unfilled.                                                          
                      Thus, claim 1 is directed to a system for post-tensioning concrete                      
                structures.  The system has a tubular structure that provides an unfilled void                
                through a concrete structure, first and second anchor members at the ends of                  
                the tubular structure, and at least one tensioned stainless steel strand that                 
                extends through the tubular structure.  The anchor members are mounted                        
                such that they substantially maintain and close the void.                                     
                      Claim 13 is directed to a post-tensioned concrete structure that                        
                contains certain elements of the system recited in claim 1.  Specifically,                    
                claim 13’s post-tensioned structure has a tubular structure that defines a void               
                through the concrete member, and at least one tensioned stainless steel                       
                strand that passes through the void and is anchored on opposite sides of the                  
                member.                                                                                       



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