Modular layout form for embedding objects in a settable material

Abstract

A modular layout form has a substantially planar rear for attachment to a support structure, and a substantially planar front having a two-dimensional array of receptacles for holding objects to be embedded in a settable material (e.g., concrete) in a predetermined pattern with staggered courses. The form has substantially straight lateral edges, which results in a pattern of incomplete receptacles along the lateral edges. Object-retention members (e.g., clips, tabs or elastomeric rims) extend into the receptacles for securing objects in the receptacles. Adjacent forms can be combined by abutting their lateral edges with their incomplete receptacles aligned to create completed receptacles. Objects are then inserted into the completed receptacles to engage the object-retention members and hold the adjacent forms together.

1 . A modular layout form for embedding objects in a settable material comprising:
 a substantially planar rear for attachment to a support structure;   a substantially planar front having a two-dimensional array of receptacles for holding a plurality of objects in a predetermined pattern having a plurality of courses;   substantially straight lateral edges resulting in a pattern of incomplete receptacles along the lateral edges in the pattern of receptacles on the front of the layout form; and   object-retention members extending into the incomplete receptacles for holding an object in a receptacle;   whereby a plurality of forms can be combined by abutting the lateral edges of adjacent forms with their incomplete receptacles aligned to create completed receptacles, and wherein adjacent forms can be held together by inserting objects into the completed receptacles to engage the object-retention members.   
   
   
       2 . The modular layout form of  claim 1  wherein the courses are staggered with respect to one another. 
   
   
       3 . The modular layout form of  claim 2  wherein alternating courses have incomplete receptacles along the lateral edges. 
   
   
       4 . The modular layout form of  claim 1  further comprising object-retention members extending into each of the receptacles. 
   
   
       5 . The modular layout form of  claim 1  further comprising peripheral walls around the receptacles. 
   
   
       6 . The modular layout form of  claim 5  wherein the object-retention members comprise sets of clips extending from the peripheral walls into the receptacles to retain objects in the receptacles. 
   
   
       7 . The modular layout form of  claim 5  wherein the object-retention members comprise an elastomeric rim extending around the peripheral walls in the receptacles to retain objects in the receptacles. 
   
   
       8 . The modular layout form of  claim 5  wherein the peripheral walls form grout lines between adjacent objects in the settable material. 
   
   
       9 . A modular layout form for embedding objects in a settable material comprising:
 a substantially planar rear for attachment to a support structure;   a substantially planar front having a two-dimensional array of receptacles with peripheral walls for holding a plurality of objects in a predetermined pattern having a plurality of courses;   substantially straight lateral edges resulting in a pattern of incomplete receptacles along the lateral edges in the pattern of receptacles on the front of the layout form; and   sets of clips extending from the peripheral walls into the receptacles for holding objects in the receptacles;   whereby a plurality of forms can be combined by abutting the lateral edges of adjacent forms with their incomplete receptacles aligned to create completed receptacles, and wherein adjacent forms can be held together by inserting objects into the completed receptacles.   
   
   
       10 . The modular layout form of  claim 9  wherein the courses are staggered with respect to one another. 
   
   
       11 . The modular layout form of  claim 10  wherein alternating courses have incomplete receptacles along the lateral edges. 
   
   
       12 . The modular layout form of  claim 9  wherein the peripheral walls form grout lines between adjacent objects in the settable material. 
   
   
       13 . The modular layout form of  claim 9  wherein the receptacles are rectangular. 
   
   
       14 . A modular layout form for embedding objects in a settable material comprising:
 a substantially planar rear for attachment to a support structure;   a substantially planar front having a two-dimensional array of receptacles with peripheral walls for holding a plurality of objects in a predetermined pattern having a plurality of courses;   substantially straight lateral edges resulting in a pattern of incomplete receptacles along the lateral edges in the pattern of receptacles on the front of the layout form; and   elastomeric rims extending inward from the peripheral walls into the receptacles for holding objects in the receptacles;   whereby a plurality of forms can be combined by abutting the lateral edges of adjacent forms with their incomplete receptacles aligned to create completed receptacles, and wherein adjacent forms can be held together by inserting objects into the completed receptacles.   
   
   
       15 . The modular layout form of  claim 14  wherein alternating courses have an incomplete receptacles along the lateral edges. 
   
   
       16 . The modular layout form of  claim 14  wherein the peripheral walls form grout lines between adjacent objects in the settable material. 
   
   
       17 . The modular layout form of  claim 14  wherein the receptacles are rectangular.