Patent Abstract:
A decorative inlay repair method is disclosed. An illustrative embodiment of the method includes providing a decorative inlay having a base, a plurality of adjacent bricks carried by the base and at least one decorative stone carried by the base; providing a structure having an inlay opening; and seating the decorative inlay in the inlay opening.

Full Description:
FIELD 
   The present invention relates to methods of repairing structures such as walls, patios, driveways, sidewalks and the like. More particularly, the present invention relates to a decorative inlay repair method which includes repairing structures using a decorative inlay. 
   BACKGROUND 
   Over time, structures such as walls, patios, driveways, sidewalks and the like tend to crack due to weight-bearing and/or weather factors. Such structures are often repaired using repair or filler paste, concrete or masonry. However, conventional repair methods for such structures often leave unsightly results. 
   SUMMARY 
   The present invention is generally directed to a decorative inlay repair method. An illustrative embodiment of the method includes providing a decorative inlay having a base, a plurality of adjacent bricks carried by the base and at least one decorative stone carried by the base; providing a structure having an inlay opening; and seating the decorative inlay in the inlay opening. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of an illustrative decorative inlay which is suitable for implementation of the decorative inlay repair method; 
       FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the decorative inlay; 
       FIG. 3  is a sectional view, taken along section lines  3 - 3  in  FIG. 1 , of the decorative inlay; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a new porch under construction adjacent to a house (partially in section), preparatory to placement of the decorative inlay in an inlay opening formed in the porch; 
       FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of an existing porch adjacent to a house (partially in section), preparatory to removal of an inlay cutout (in phantom) for placement of the decorative inlay in the resulting inlay opening; 
       FIG. 5  is an exploded, perspective view illustrating paste provided in the inlay opening of the new porch and further illustrating placement of the decorative inlay on the paste in the inlay opening; 
       FIG. 6  is an exploded, perspective view illustrating repair of a cracked porch using the decorative inlay; 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view illustrating pouring of a paste onto the decorative inlay after placement of the decorative inlay on the cracked porch; 
       FIG. 8  is an exploded, perspective view illustrating repair of a cracked wall using the decorative inlay; and 
       FIG. 9  is an exploded, perspective view illustrating a method of assembling the decorative inlay on a house frame. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Referring initially to  FIGS. 1-3  of the drawings, a decorative inlay which is suitable for implementation of the decorative inlay repair method is generally indicated by reference numeral  1 . The decorative inlay  1  includes a base  2  which may have a generally square or rectangular shape, as shown. Alternatively, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the base  2  may have a circular, elliptical, triangular or any other shape which is consistent with the use requirements of the decorative inlay  1 . 
   The base  2  is typically paste, concrete, mortar or the like. In embodiments in which it is square or rectangular, the base  2  has four base edges  3  and four base corners  4 . In some embodiments, multiple bricks  5  are provided on the base  2  in adjacent relationship with respect to each other along the respective base edges  3  and at the respective base corners  4 . Multiple fastener openings  6  may extend through the base  2  for purposes which will be hereinafter described. 
   At least one decorative stone  8  may be provided on the base  2 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , in some embodiments, stone cavities  7  are provided in the base  2  and the decorative stones  8  are seated in the stone cavities  7 . The decorative stones  8  may have any decorative appearance, such as the appearance of flowers, for example, as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
   Referring next to  FIGS. 4 ,  4 A and  5  of the drawings, in some embodiments of the decorative inlay repair method, the decorative inlay  1  is used to decorate a new porch  12  which is shown under construction adjacent to a house  70  in  FIG. 4 . In other embodiments of the decorative inlay repair method, the decorative inlay  1  is used to decorate an existing porch  12   a  which is shown adjacent to the house  70  in  FIG. 4A . 
   According to the embodiment of the method shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the new porch  12  includes a porch body  22  which is typically concrete that is poured between an exterior formwork  13  and an interior formwork  18 . Each of the exterior formwork  13  and the interior formwork  18  is typically supported by multiple formwork stakes  14  which extend into the ground  16  adjacent to the house  70 . An inlay opening  23  is defined by the interior formwork  13 . A support mesh  24  may be provided in the inlay opening  23  for reinforcing purposes. 
   In typical construction of the new porch  12 , the exterior formwork  13  is deployed adjacent to the house  70 . The interior formwork  18 , having the inlay opening  23 , is deployed inside the exterior formwork  13 . Concrete is poured in the space between the exterior formwork  13  and the interior formwork  18  to form the porch body  22 . The support mesh  24  is placed in the inlay opening  23 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , an adhesive-type paste  26  is poured over the support mesh  24 . The decorative inlay  1  is then seated on the paste  26 , inside the inlay opening  23 . 
   In embodiments in which the decorative inlay  1  is used to decorate the existing porch  12   a , an inlay cutout  30  is removed from the center portion of the porch  12   a  to define a porch body  22  which surrounds a central inlay opening  23 . The support mesh  24  ( FIG. 4 ) is placed in the inlay opening  23 , the paste  26  poured over the support mesh  24  and the decorative inlay  1  seated on the paste  26  in the inlay opening  23 , respectively, as was heretofore described with respect to the new porch  12  in  FIG. 4 . 
   Referring next to  FIGS. 6 and 7  of the drawings, in some embodiments of the decorative inlay repair method, the decorative inlay  1  is used to repair and decorate a cracked porch  36  which typically lies adjacent to a house  70 . An adhesive-type paste  37  is spread over the surface of the porch  36  in which the crack or cracks  38  appear. The decorative inlay  1  is then placed over the paste  37  to secure the decorative inlay  1  on the cracked porch  36 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , in any embodiment of the method, a transparent finishing paste  39  is poured on the decorative inlay  1 . Various colored additives (not shown) can be added to the paste  39  to enhance the colors of the decorative inlay  1 , as desired. 
   Referring next to  FIG. 8  of the drawings, in some embodiments of the decorative inlay repair method, the decorative inlay  1  is used to repair a cracked wall  44 . Accordingly, an adhesive-type paste  48  is spread over the surface of the wall  44  in which a crack or cracks  45  appear. The decorative inlay  1  is then pressed against the adhesive paste  48 . Fasteners  50  may additionally be extended through the fastener openings  6  which extend through the base  2  and through registering fastener openings (not shown) provided in the wall  44  to secure the decorative inlay  1  against the adhesive paste  48 . As further shown in  FIG. 8 , a transparent finishing paste  52  may be applied to the decorative inlay  1  and various colored additives (not shown) added to the finishing paste  59  to enhance the colors of the decorative inlay  1 , as desired. 
   Referring next to  FIG. 9  of the drawings, in some embodiments of the decorative inlay repair method, the decorative inlay  1  is used to decorate a house frame  56  which is under construction. The house frame  56  includes multiple, parallel, spaced-apart frame members  57 . A backing  66 , such as paper, for example, is initially attached to the frame members  57  of the house frame  56 . A support panel  64 , such as plywood, for example, is provided against the backing  66 . At least one layer of stucco  62  is applied to the support panel  64 , after which an adhesive-type paste  60  is applied to the stucco  62 . The decorative inlay  1  is applied to the paste  60 . A transparent finishing paste  68  may be applied to the decorative inlay  1  and various colored additives (not shown) added to the finishing paste  68  to enhance the colors of the decorative inlay  1 , as desired. During construction of the house, bricks (not shown) and/or siding (not shown) are attached to the house frame  56  around the decorative inlay  1  such that the decorative inlay  1  remains visible. 
   While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described above, it will be recognized and understood that various modifications can be made in the invention and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications which may fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4