Concrete slab key joint forming strip and supporting stake therefor

Claim 1

An improved strip and supporting stake construction for forming a key joint between adjacent concrete slabs, said construction comprising: a plurality of stakes adapted to be vertically set in transversely aligned relationship with the upper ends thereof disposed uniformly below grade level, said stakes each having an upwardly facing strip supporting ledge at the upper end thereof and a downwardly facing hook member intermediate the length thereof to engage a lower portion of the strip upon suspension of the strip from the stake, said hook member having a downwardly facing distal end engageable with the lower portion of the strip to maintain the strip in tension between said end and the ledge and said hook member having an angled portion extending downwardly and inwardly to said distal end providing an outer cam surface to facilitate such engagement; an elongated key joint strip adapted to be supported on the stakes, said strip having a longitudinally extending generally planar upper portion with a hook segment on one side thereof engageable with the ledges on the stakes to suspend the strip therefrom, a longitudinally extending key forming channel depending from said upper portion and extending laterally from the side thereof opposite said one side, and a longitudinally extending protrusion depending from the channel, said protrusion being positioned for alignement with the hook members upon engagement of the hook segment with the ledges and being proportioned for camming engagement with said cam surfaces and deflection to snap into locking engagement beneath the distal ends of the hook members upon being forced toward the stakes.