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

Claim 1

A forming unit adapted to establish a key-joint between a pair of adjacent concrete slabs, and comprising, in combination, a plurality of horizontally aligned and spaced stakes set with their upper ends positioned uniformly and appreciably below the grade level which is to be established by the upper surfaces of the slabs, and a horizontally elongated divider strip formed of sheet metal, supported on said stakes and bridging the distance between each pair of adjacent stakes, said divider strip having a lower key-joint forming section and an upper substantially planar vertical screed section, said lower section including upper and lower vertical coplanar parts abutting the stakes on one side thereof, and an intermediate laterally offset key deformation portion extending between and connecting said upper and lower coplanar parts, the upper edge of said upper part of said lower key-forming section being provided with a narrow laterally turned flange extending in a direction opposite to that of the key deformation portion, the distal edge of said laterally turned flange being provided with an integral downturned flange, said downturned flange, together with the laterally turned flange and said upper planar part, defining a downwardly opening stake-receiving channel into which the upper ends of the stakes project, the lower edge of said downturned flange being provided with an integral upward fold which establishes said upper vertical screed section and renders the latter for the most part of single thickness, the lateral extent of said laterally turned flange on the upper edge of said upper planar part being substantially equal to the thickness of the upper ends of said stakes whereby such ends are received within said downwardly opening stake-receiving channel with a snug frictional fit, and whereby flexing of said screed section in the direction of the key deformation portion will serve to widen the channel to facilitate entry of the upper ends of said stakes into said channel.