U.S. patent application number 14/492492 was filed with the patent office on 2015-03-26 for joint strip and terrazzo surface using an improved joint strip.
The applicant listed for this patent is Manhattan American Terrazzo Strip Company Inc.. Invention is credited to Barry Austin.
Application Number | 20150082738 14/492492 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52689725 |
Filed Date | 2015-03-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150082738 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Austin; Barry |
March 26, 2015 |
JOINT STRIP AND TERRAZZO SURFACE USING AN IMPROVED JOINT STRIP
Abstract
An improved joint and method for constructing a terrazzo surface
are provided, including use of a joint strip, comprising opposing
strip portions having upper wall surfaces that are joined by a
solid upper joint strip channel wall.
Inventors: |
Austin; Barry; (Trinity,
NC) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Manhattan American Terrazzo Strip Company Inc. |
Staley |
NC |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
52689725 |
Appl. No.: |
14/492492 |
Filed: |
September 22, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61880558 |
Sep 20, 2013 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/717.06 ;
52/716.1; 52/741.1; 52/742.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04F 15/126 20130101;
E04F 15/142 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/717.06 ;
52/716.1; 52/741.1; 52/742.1 |
International
Class: |
E04F 15/14 20060101
E04F015/14; E04F 15/12 20060101 E04F015/12 |
Claims
1. An improved joint strip for constructing a terrazzo surface, the
improved joint strip comprising: opposing strip portions having
opposing walls with upper wall surfaces that are joined by a solid
upper joint strip channel wall, the opposing walls and the upper
joint strip channel wall defining a pre-made joint strip channel,
said opposing strip portions including base portions configured to
secure said improved joint strip to a terrazzo surface.
2. An improved joint strip in accordance with claim 1, wherein said
pre-made joint strip channel includes a filler.
3. An improved joint strip in accordance with claim 2, wherein said
filler comprises a "backer rod" filler, a plastic rod filler, a
wood filler, or a neoprene, rubber or elastomer filler.
4. An improved joint strip in accordance with claim 1, wherein said
joint strip material comprises a zinc, aluminum, brass or stainless
steel.
5. An improved joint strip in accordance with claim 1, wherein said
joint strip has a thicknesses between about 0.001 and 0.5 inches, a
depth between about 0.1 and 3 inches and pre-made joint strip
channel having an interior width of between 1/8 and 3 inches.
6. A method for constructing a terrazzo surface, comprising:
providing an improved joint strip, the joint strip comprising:
opposing strip portions having opposing walls with upper wall
surfaces that are joined by a solid upper joint strip channel wall,
the opposing walls and the upper joint strip channel wall defining
a pre-made joint strip channel, said opposing strip portions
including base portions configured to secure said improved joint
strip to a terrazzo surface; during installation of a terrazzo
surface, installing said improved joint strip in predetermined
channel locations; and grinding said upper joint strip channel wall
away during grinding of the terrazzo surface to reveal a joint
channel.
7. A method in accordance with claim 6, comprising filling the
joint channel with a joint material.
8. A method in accordance with claim 7, wherein said material is an
elastomeric material.
9. A method in accordance with claim 6, wherein said joint channel
spans 1/4 inch.
10. A method in accordance with claim 6, wherein said joint strip
channel includes one or more of a "backer rod" filler, a plastic
rod filler, a wood filler, and a neoprene/rubber filler that is
pre-installed in the joint strip channel and is removed after the
grinding process.
11. A method in accordance with claim 10, further comprising
filling the joint channel with a filler.
12. A method in accordance with claim 11, wherein said filler is an
elastomer.
13. A method in accordance with claim 6, wherein said strip channel
is pre-filled with a filler, and wherein said filler remains in
said joint channel after grinding off of said upper joint strip
channel wall.
14. A method in accordance with claim 13, wherein said filler is an
elastomeric filler.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional
patent application Ser. No. 61/880,558 filed Sep. 20, 2013, the
entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present disclosure relates to an improved joint strip
and a method of making a terrazzo surface using the improved joint
strip.
[0003] Referring to PRIOR ART FIG. 1, terrazzo surfaces, e.g.
floors, use a poured or precast composite material that is formed
in a desired pattern and with desired additional materials, e.g.,
decorative stones, marble, glass, etc., in a binder. Terrazzo is
cured, ground and polished to a smooth surface.
[0004] A terrazzo floor usually begins with a base, or foundation
that is three to four inches deep, created using forms. Above that
might be an inch partially wet sandy concrete, in which metal
divider strips are placed to form joints in the terrazzo. The
divider strips may be placed and shaped as desired for the
structure pattern (e.g., providing a curved joint and/or defining
divides between different terrazzo regions). The divider strips
themselves can be bent/shaped on-site to define the surface
pattern, or they may be pre-shaped.
[0005] Colored or varied materials may be used on an upper surface
in the binder for decoration. A weighted roller is then used over
the surface to level materials. Other binders may also be used,
e.g., polymer-based binders including polyester and vinyl ester
resins or epoxy resins. When the terrazzo is dried/cured, it is
ground with a heavy grinder before polishing and sealing.
[0006] PRIOR ART FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary terrazzo floor,
shown generally at 10. Three distinct terrazzo patterns are shown
at 12, 14 and 16, with the patterns separated by joints 17. It can
be seen that terrazzo patterns 12 use a smaller stone pattern,
terrazzo pattern 14 uses a tiled pattern, and terrazzo pattern 16
uses a larger smoothed stone pattern. Joint strips (18 in PRIOR ART
FIGS. 5-7) may be formed on site using opposing strip pieces that
are arranged in a desired pattern, as described above, or may be
pre-formed according to the desired pattern.
[0007] Referring now to PRIOR ART FIGS. 2-4, each side of a joint
strip (20, 28), which is used to define the joint 17, is typically
formed from a piece of divider strip 20 having a bottom portion 22
and a wall portion 24. The bottom portion includes a plurality of
apertures 26, which may be used to secure the joint strip in
place.
[0008] Referring now to PRIOR ART FIGS. 5-6, opposing strip pieces
20 and 28 define the joint channel 30 of a joint strip 18. These
joint strips 18 may be formed by separately laying down opposing
strips 20, 28 ("raw strips") with the calculated spacing and
desired geometry on-site during formation of the surface.
[0009] Alternatively, joint strips 18 may be pre-assembled with a
predetermined spacing and geometry (shape, length, etc.) prior to
installation. The pre-made strips/joints 18 may be pre-assembled
using a rubber or elastomeric filler to adhere the opposing strips
20, 28 together. PRIOR ART FIG. 7 illustrates use of such filler 32
within channel 30 for a pre-assembled joint strip 18.
[0010] Either solution, described above, provides consistent
problems in the field, such as failure to perform and excessive
labor to place and fill gaps between the strips. Further,
pre-assembled joints suffer from expansion problems during
manufacture of the surface, where components tend to pull away
during manufacture and cure. Indeed, strips pre-made with a rubber
filler have not been recommended by the NTMA (National Terrazzo and
Mosaic Association) for those reasons.
[0011] What is needed in the art are improved joint and terrazzo
manufacturing procedure that avoids the expense and failure
problems prevalent in the field.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The above discussed and other drawbacks and deficiencies are
overcome or alleviated by the present improved joint strip and
method for constructing a terrazzo surface, including use of a
joint strip, comprising opposing strip portions having upper wall
surfaces that are joined by a solid upper joint strip channel wall.
In exemplary embodiments, such improved joint strip may be
installed during a terrazzo surface manufacturing procedure, with
the solid upper joint strip channel wall protecting the integrity
of the channel geometry and shielding the channel from debris
during manufacture. During the grinding procedure, the solid upper
joint strip channel wall may be ground away to reveal a joint
channel having optimal geometry. In exemplary embodiments, the
resulting exposed joint channel (or "gap") spans 1/4 inch (which is
recommended by the NTMA and epoxy manufacturers).
[0013] In other exemplary embodiments, the joint channel may then
be filled with an elastomeric material or other material, as
determined by the flooring contractor. Various other exemplary
embodiments are also contemplated herein, e.g., a "backer rod"
filler, a plastic rod filler, a wood filler, a neoprene/rubber
filler, or the like (any removable filler), that is removed after
the grinding process (including grinding off of the upper joint
strip channel wall), with the joint channel being filled with
required filler material thereafter. In other exemplary
embodiments, the joint strip channel under the upper joint strip
channel wall is filled with an elastomeric filler, with the joint
being considered finished after grinding off of the upper joint
strip channel wall and sealing of the surface.
[0014] The above-discussed and other features and advantages of the
present invention will be appreciated and understood by those
skilled in the art from the following detailed description and
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] Referring to the figures wherein like elements are numbered
alike in the several figures:
[0016] PRIOR ART FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary terrazzo
floor;
[0017] PRIOR ART FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a joint
strip portion used in the conventional manufacture of a joint for a
terrazzo floor;
[0018] PRIOR ART FIG. 3 illustrates a top elevation view of the
joint strip portion of PRIOR ART FIG. 2;
[0019] PRIOR ART FIG. 4 illustrates a side elevation view of the
joint strip portion of PRIOR ART FIG. 2;
[0020] PRIOR ART FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of an
on-site assembled joint strip comprising separate opposing
strips;
[0021] PRIOR ART FIG. 6 illustrates a top elevation view of the
on-site assembled joint strip of PRIOR ART FIG. 5;
[0022] PRIOR ART FIG. 7 illustrates a side elevation view of a
pre-assembled joint strip, using a filler for adhesion of opposing
strips;
[0023] FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary joint
strip of the present invention including an upper joint channel
wall;
[0024] FIG. 9 illustrates a top elevation view of the exemplary
joint strip of FIG. 8;
[0025] FIG. 10 illustrates a side elevation view of the exemplary
joint strip of FIG. 8; and
[0026] FIG. 11 illustrates a side elevation view of the exemplary
joint strip of FIG. 10 with additional filler provided in the joint
channel before installation.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0027] As was noted above, the present disclosure relates to an
improved joint strip and method for constructing a terrazzo surface
using such improved joint strip for an expansion or control joint,
the improved joint strip comprising opposing strip portions having
upper wall surfaces that are joined by a solid upper joint strip
channel wall.
[0028] In exemplary embodiments, such improved joint strip may be
installed during a terrazzo surface manufacturing procedure, with
the solid upper joint strip channel wall protecting the integrity
of the channel geometry and shielding the channel from debris
during manufacture. During the grinding procedure, the solid upper
joint strip channel wall may be ground away to reveal a joint
channel having optimal geometry. In exemplary embodiments, the
resulting exposed joint channel (or "gap") spans 1/4 inch (which is
recommended by the NTMA and epoxy manufacturers).
[0029] Referring now to FIG. 8, an exemplary pre-formed joint strip
is illustrated generally at 40. The joint 40 includes opposing side
wall portions 42, 44 joined to opposing base portions 46, 48. A
pre-formed joint strip channel 50 is defined by opposing side wall
portions 42, 44 and an upper joint strip channel wall 52. During a
terrazzo surface (floor or other surface) manufacture, the upper
joint strip channel wall 52 is configured to be ground away during
the grinding of the surface (which is a typical pre-finishing
procedure for terrazzo surfaces).
[0030] In other exemplary embodiments, after grinding away of the
upper joint strip channel wall 52, the joint channel may then be
filled with an elastomeric material or other material, as
determined by the flooring contractor. Various other exemplary
embodiments are also contemplated herein, e.g., a "backer rod"
filler, a plastic rod filler, a wood filler, a neoprene/rubber
filler, or the like (any removable filler), may be pre-installed in
the joint strip channel 50 and removed after the grinding process
(including grinding off of the upper joint channel wall), with the
joint channel 50 being filled with required filler material
thereafter. In other exemplary embodiments, the joint strip channel
50 under the upper joint strip channel wall is pre-filled with an
elastomeric filler (see FIG. 11, which shows a pre-filled joint
strip channel), with the joint being considered finished after
grinding off of the upper joint strip channel wall and sealing of
the surface.
[0031] Exemplary joint strip materials include zinc, aluminum,
brass and stainless steel, among others.
[0032] Also, while any geometry, thicknesses, depths or gaps are
contemplated, an exemplary embodiment contemplates thicknesses
between about 0.001 and 0.5 inches, depths between about 0.1 and 3
inches and gaps between 1/8 and 3 inches. Varying depths may
account for terrazzo surface depths to allow for proper clearance
of the upper joint strip channel wall for grinding during
processing of the surface. Exemplary available depths may include
standard depths, e.g., 3/8 inch, 1/2 inch, etc., or they may be
made to order. Also, the widths may vary, though an exemplary
embodiment contemplates 1.2 inches to accommodate for gap an
exemplary 1/4 inch gap width and for opposing bases that allow for
1/4 inch apertures to secure the joint strip in place.
[0033] While the invention has been described with reference to a
preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the
art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be
substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope
of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to
adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the
invention without departing from the essential scope thereof.
Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the
particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for
carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include
all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended
claims.
* * * * *