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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         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 ⅛ 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 ¼ 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.