Control joint for forming concrete

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Briefly, the present invention provides a control joint which is formed as an integrally molded section preferably of a durable thermo plastic such as polyurethane, polypropylene or polyvinyl chloride.
The joint can be provided in various lengths and cut to fit at the job site.
The control joint has a generally flat base and an upstanding web and in the preferred embodiment, the vertical web has an offset section at an intermediate location.
Apertures are provided in the base section to accept ground stakes or other fastener components for securing the control joint to the support surface such as the ground surface.
Bores located at an intermediate location along the upstanding web are provided to receive short lengths of reinforcing material such as two foot lengths of steel bar.
A first pair of locking tabs extend from opposite sides of the web at a location between the upper end of the web and the offset.
The locking tabs project from opposite sides of the web and extend continuously along the sides of the web.
A second pair of locking tabs may be provided at a location below the offset or the bore through the web.
The second pair of locking tabs also extend from opposite sides of the web and extend continuously along the sides of the web.
The control joint is utilized by placing sections of the control joint around the periphery of the area on which the concrete is to be poured and cast.
The control joint sections may be leveled and secured in place by ground stakes.
If required, reinforcing bars can be extended horizontally through the opening in the web.
Concrete is then poured and is retained and controlled during the pour and set-up by the control joint sections.
Finishing is accommodated as a screed may be supported on the upper end of the upstanding web during the finishing operation.
In other embodiments, the web has a detachable top cap to provide a chamfer or smooth seam at the surface of a completed concrete section once the concrete has set-up and the cap is removed