CA2410980A1 - Stone facings - Google Patents

Description

SIMULATED STONE 1'RO DUCT
The present invention relates to a simulated stone product.
The use of simulated stone or rocks is well known in the art. Natural rocks are often used :in landscaping for aesthetic purposes and to form bird baths, hollow rock planters, artificial waterfalls, decorative fencf;s, rock gardens, etc. The problem with the use of natural rocks is that they are heavy, of random sizes and shapes, and may have to be transported great distances from their natural source of origin to the place of intended u.se with transportation costs often exceeding the labor costs of quarrying the rock and handling it in the final placement on landscape grounds.
Another problem with natural rocks, particularly large ones, is that they are not easily handled. Usually there are no natural hand holds or attachment points for lifting and placing them and as a result, large heavier rocks must be handled with hoists, with slings or earth moving equipment.
Additionally, it is often difficult to use; natural rock incorporated into dimensional structures such as walls, furniture, benches, etc. In order to utilize natural rocks for firming thE; exterior wall of a house it is often necessary to employ thc;
skills and equipment of a stone cutter.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for the form nnanufacture of a simulated stone product.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a simulated stone product vvhich may be cast and which may be utilized in the formation of a wall and having incorporated therein attachment means.

According to one aspect of the present: invention, there is provided a simulated stone product which comprises a molded product, the molded product comprising a concrete haming reinforcing means therein., the reinforcing means extending exteriorly of the concrete product and providing means for attachment to a substrate.
Having thus generally described the invention, reference will be~ made to the accompanying drawings, illustrating an embodiment thereof; in which:
Figure 1 is an end elevational view of an arrangement for fabricating a simulated stone product;
Figure 2 is an end elevational view of a sot up for forming a corner simulated stone product; and Figure 3 is a top plan view of'the set up.
Reff;rring to the drawings in greater detail and by reference characters thereto, tlhere is illustrated in Figure 1 a set up for molding or fabricating a simulated stone product. The set up which is generally designated by reference numeral 10, includes a backing plate 12 upon which is placed a reinforcing grid 14. Reinforcing grid may be of any conventional material which is known to be utilized in the concrete:
field. As seen in figure 3, reinforcing grid 14 includes a plurality of longitudinally extending bars 16 and a plurality of transversely extending 'bars 18.
In the arrangement, a plurality of metallic straps 20 are interwoven between the longitudinally extending bars 16 and extend outwardly beyond the edge of backing plate 12.
According to the method of the present invention, a concrete product having coloring mixed therein is applied to backing plate 12 such that the reinforcing grid 14 _a~

i.s imbedde;d in the concrete. Similarly, straps 20 are also imbedded. 'f he concrete is ~Fnished on an upper surface to have a rough textured appearance similar to that of a natural stone product.
The concrete is allowed to cure and backing plate 12 is removed to leave a "brick"
of a simulated stone product. The extension of straps 20 can then be used to attach the ;product to a substrate such as the wall of a house.
As seen in Figure 2, a similar arrangement may be utilized for a corner, with backing plate 12 having an L-shaped configuration.
It v~rill be understood that the above described embodiment is for purposes of illustration only and that changes or modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims