Concrete template and method of use

Abstract

A method of transferring a design to an uncured concrete surface of a poured concrete mixture is provided. The method comprises the steps of: (a) placing a releasable template onto the surface to define exposed and covered regions; (b) manipulating the exposed regions corresponding to the design; (c) removing the template to reveal the covered regions; and (d) finishing the surface. The template may be variously configured and may incorporate positive and negative portions, which may be alternatively utilized to transfer the design to respective positive and negative regions of the surface. The template may preferably be fabricated from visquene, craft paper, or other suitable material. In addition, implementations of the present invention may be utilized with surface seeded exposed aggregate, troweling, or other surface finishing processes.

1 . A method of transferring a design to an uncured concrete surface of a poured concrete mixture, the method comprising: 
 a) placing a releasable template onto the surface to temporarily define exposed and covered regions;    b) manipulating the exposed regions of the surface corresponding to the design;    c) removing the template to reveal the covered regions; and    d) finishing the surface without the template disposed therein.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the releasable template is fabricated from visquene.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the releasable template is fabricated from craft paper.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the releasable template is precut corresponding to the exposed and covered regions.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  further including the step of troweling the template into the surface to secure the template thereto.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein step (b) includes: 
 a) broadcasting aggregate onto the surface at the exposed regions thereof; and    b) finishing the surface seeding of the aggregate corresponding to the exposed regions.    
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6  further including: 
 a) prior to broadcasting the aggregate, finishing the surface to dispose a quantity of cement/fines paste derived from the concrete mixture at the surface thereof; and    b) subsequent to broadcasting the aggregate, mixing the aggregate into the cement/fines paste.    
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein step (b) includes manipulating the shape of the concrete surface of the exposed regions.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein a troweling device is utilized to manipulate the shape of the concrete surface.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein step (d) further includes: 
 a) applying a surface retarder to the surface; and    b) massaging the surface retarder into the surface.    
   
   
       11 . A surface seeded exposed particulate concrete product having a surface and a design formed in the surface by a method comprising the steps of: 
 a) placing a releasable template onto the surface to temporarily define exposed and covered regions;    b) manipulating the exposed regions corresponding to the design;    c) removing the template to reveal the covered regions; and    d) finishing the surface without the template disposed therein.    
   
   
       12 . A method of transferring a design to an uncured concrete surface of a concrete mixture utilizing a releasable template, the template including positive and negative portions, the method comprising: 
 a) transferring the design corresponding to the positive portion through the steps of: 
 i) temporarily placing the positive portion onto the surface, the positive portion defining positive regions on the surface;  
 ii) manipulating the positive regions of the surface; and  
 iii) removing the positive portion from the surface; and  
   b) finishing the surface without the template disposed therein.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the releasable template is fabricated from visquene.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the releasable template is fabricated from craft paper.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 12  further including the step of troweling the template into the surface to secure the template thereto.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 12  further including the step of transferring the design corresponding to the negative portion through the steps of: 
 a) placing the negative portion onto the surface, the negative portion defining negative regions on the surface;    b) manipulating the negative regions thereof; and    c) removing the negative portion.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the releasable template is precut corresponding to the positive and negative regions.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the manipulating steps include: 
 a) finishing the surface to dispose a quantity of cement/fines paste derived from the concrete mixture at the surface thereof;    b) broadcasting aggregate onto the surface corresponding to at least one of the positive and negative regions thereof; and    c) mixing the aggregate into the cement/fines paste.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 12  wherein at least one of the manipulating steps includes manipulating of the concrete surface utilizing a troweling device and corresponding to at least one of the positive and negative regions.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 12  wherein step (b) further includes: 
 a) applying a surface retarder to the surface; and    b) massaging the surface retarder into the surface.    
   
   
       21 . A method of transferring a design to an uncured concrete surface of a poured concrete mixture, the method comprising: 
 a) placing a releasable template onto the surface to temporarily define exposed and covered regions;    b) manipulating the exposed regions corresponding to the design;    c) removing the template to reveal the covered regions; and    d) finishing the surface without the template disposed therein, the surface being finished by broadcasting aggregate onto the surface at the exposed regions wherein the aggregate is comprised of at least one of the following materials: silica sands, coarse sands, brass beads, organic materials, metals, fine sand, composite materials.    
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21  wherein step (d) further includes working the aggregate into the exposed regions.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 21  further including: 
 a) prior to broadcasting the aggregate, finishing the surface to dispose a quantity of cement/fines paste derived from the concrete mixture at the surface thereof; and    b) subsequent to broadcasting the aggregate, mixing the aggregate into the cement/fines paste.    
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 21  wherein step (b) includes manipulating the shape of the concrete surface of the exposed regions.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 24  wherein a troweling device is utilized to manipulate the shape of the concrete surface.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 21  wherein step (d) further includes: 
 a) applying a surface retarder to the surface; and    b) massaging the surface retarder into the surface.