Key-joint forming divider strip and screed for use with concrete slabs

Abstract

A divider strip with an upstanding screed for use in connection with the pouring of a pair of adjoining concrete slabs, such strip being designed to be supported by a horizontal series of laterally and substantially equidistantly spaced stakes which are set below a predetermined grade level, and, in addition, being adapted when in its operative position to have wet concrete poured on opposite sides thereof in order to form a pair of adjoining slabs with at least one key joint therebetween. A particular bend arrangement at the upper edge or marginal region of the divider strip establishes an upstanding, inverted U-shaped, screed section having inner and outer vertical walls which have the upper edge regions thereof cross-connected by an integral flat top wall and are spaced apart a distance of less magnitude than the thickness of the stakes to which the divider strip is applied, the outer vertical wall being provided with a laterally out-turned horizontal flange which establishes a downwardly facing seating and impact shelf or shoulder for the upper ends of the associated stakes. A spring apron depends from the distal or outer edge of the seating shelf and is inclined inwardly for frictional engagement with the adjacent portions of the upper ends of the stakes so as to maintain the main body of the strip in firm gripping relation with the upper ends of the stakes. The lower marginal portion of the spring apron is turned outwardly so that it extends downwards and outwards and establishes a cam surface whereby the divider strip may be manually and telescopically slipped over and 'hung' so to speak upon the stakes in supporting relationship prior to concrete-pouring operations for slab-forming purposes.