Planarizing panel clip and method of use

Abstract

A panel clip is disclosed for aligning precast Terrazzo panels to eliminate “lippage.” The clip comprises a rigid top portion screwed to an adjustable bottom portion, and adjacent panels are fixed therebetween. The rigid top portion fixes the top surfaces of the panels in the same plane, while the adjustable bottom portion automatically conforms to the bottom surfaces of the panels, even where the panels are of differing thicknesses. The bottom portion can be of a unitary flexible plastic design, of a pivoting multi-piece design, or of a thin deformable metal design. One or both of the portions can have a neck region for providing a desired offset between adjacent panels. Once an underlying setting compound has cured, the top portion can be removed, leaving the bottom portion in place to be grouted over. A method of use is also disclosed, as is a kit.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to a clip for use in installing panels to structures, and more particularly to a clip for use in installing pre-cast terrazzo panels to prevent lippage between adjacent panels.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Terrazzo is a form of mosaic flooring made by embedding pieces of quartz, granite, glass or other suitable chips in an epoxy or cement matrix. The mixed material is typically poured in place at the installation site, allowed to cure, and then ground and polished to achieve a uniformly textured surface. Metal or plastic dividers may be used to bound adjacent sections of terrazzo or to divide sections of terrazzo having different colors. These dividers are ground and polished along with the terrazzo to provide a smooth and planar floor surface, with no discernable vertical offset, or “lippage,” between adjacent terrazzo sections.

Terrazzo can be used to finish floors, stairs or walls. Due to its light weight and flexibility, epoxy-based terrazzo is particularly well suited for multi-story use. Since it is non-absorbent, it also has a relatively low maintenance cost. It can also be used over properly installed and prepared plywood flooring or sub-flooring. With these benefits, however, the installation of traditional Terrazzo can be difficult and time consuming because it requires multiple wet polishing cycles to achieve the desired degree of planarity and finish. As a result, the Terrazzo installation portion of a construction or renovation project can adversely impact the overall project schedule. Successful Terrazzo installation also requires highly skilled craftsmen, the supply of which is dwindling.

Precast Terrazzo panels are known, and can be an attractive alternative to poured-in-place Terrazzo. Precast panels can be fabricated in a factory setting so that the time intensive portions of the manufacturing process (i.e. mixing, pouring, grinding and polishing) can be completed up front, prior to reaching the job site. As a result, the precast panels can be installed in much the same way as ceramic floor tiles. Although this installation process is less time consuming than the traditional process, it can be nearly impossible to ensure that the top surfaces of adjacent precast panels all lie in the same plane. Variation in the height of adjoining panels (i.e. differences in elevation between edges of adjacent panels) is called “lippage.”

Referring to FIG. 1, lippage is shown between a pair of adjacent panels 1, 2. The panels are offset by a grout joint 5 and are adhered to a subfloor 3 using an appropriate setting compound 4. The lippage is represented by the vertical offset between the top surfaces 1a, 2a of the panels, height “h,” due to the differences in thicknesses between the panels 1, 2. Lippage can be undesirable from a purely aesthetic standpoint, or it can present serious safety and maintenance concerns. Any or all can result in a rejection by the owner.

Lippage can be caused by an uneven sub-floor, inconsistent thicknesses of adjacent panels, or panel warpage due to differences in curing of the setting compound applied beneath adjacent panels. These problems typically increase as the size of the precast panel increases.

There is a desire in the industry to provide large precast Terrazzo panels having dimensions of 30-inches or greater, since these panels can provide a finished look approaching that of traditional Terrazzo. Until now, however, lippage associated with such large panels has made their use impractical. Thus there is a need for a system and method for installing precast Terrazzo panels having dimensions of 30-inches or greater which provides a smooth, planar floor surface and substantially eliminates lippage between adjacent Terrazzo panels.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A clip is disclosed for aligning first and second panel elements in a planar relation. The clip can comprise a first portion having a bottom surface configured to engage a top surface of each of the first and second planar panel elements, a second portion having first and second legs for engaging respective bottom surfaces of the first and second panel elements, and a connecting member having a first end engaged with the first portion and a second end engaged with the second portion. The connecting member can operate to draw the first and second portions together to fix the first and second panel elements between the bottom surface of the first portion and the first and second legs of the second portion. The first portion can be substantially rigid to fix the top surfaces of the first and second panel elements in substantially the same plane, and the first and second legs of the second portion can be adjustable to independently conform to the bottom surfaces of the first and second panels.

A method is disclosed for installing pre-cast terrazzo panels, comprising: providing first and second precast terrazzo panels, each panel having top and bottom surfaces and a thickness, wherein the thicknesses of the first and second panels are unequal; providing a clip having top and bottom portions adjustably connected by a connecting member, the top portion being substantially rigid and configured to engage the top surfaces of the first and second panels; the bottom portion being adjustable and configured to engage the bottom surfaces of the first and second panels; arranging the first and second panels in adjacent relation on a surface; engaging the top and bottom portions of the clip with the top and bottom surfaces of the first and second panels; and adjusting the connecting member to draw the top and bottom portions together such that the top and bottom portions engage the top and bottom surfaces of the first and second panels, thereby fixing the panels together such that the top surfaces of the first and second panels lie in substantially the same plane. During the adjusting step the first and second legs can automatically adjust to engage the bottom surfaces of the first and second panels, respectively.

A kit is disclosed for installing pre-cast terrazzo panels. The kit can comprise a plurality of top pieces, a plurality of bottom pieces, and a plurality of connecting members. Each top piece can be substantially rigid and can be connectable to one of the bottom pieces using one of the plurality of connecting members. Once connected to a top piece via a connecting member, the bottom piece can be flexible or pivotable with respect to the top piece to allow the top and bottom pieces to engage a pair of adjacent panels to fix the top surfaces of the panels in a substantially coplanar relation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a cross-section view of the prior art installation of adjacent panels sections showing lippage associated with the panel intersection;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the inventive panel clip;

FIG. 3a is a side view of the panel clip of FIG. 2, loosely engaged with a pair of adjacent panel elements of non-uniform thickness;

FIG. 3b is a side view of the panel clip of FIG. 2, tightened to engage one of the pair of panel elements of FIG. 3a;

FIG. 3c is a side view of the panel clip of FIG. 2, fully tightened to engage both of the panel elements of FIG. 3a;

FIGS. 4a and 4b are side and top plan views of a bottom portion of the panel clip of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5a is an exploded view of an alternative embodiment of the bottom portion of the panel clip of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5b is a perspective view of the bottom portion of FIG. 5a in the assembled condition;

FIG. 5c is an end view of the bottom portion of FIG. 5b;

FIGS. 6a-6c is a side view of a clip having the bottom portion of FIG. 5a being used to engage a pair of adjacent panel elements of non-uniform thickness;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a plurality of panel elements connected using a plurality of the panel clips of FIGS. 2 or 5a;

FIG. 8 is a cross section view of an installed pair of adjacent panel elements with a protective layer provided on their top surfaces.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This description of preferred embodiments is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description of this invention. The drawing figures are not necessarily to scale and certain features of the invention may be shown exaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematic form in the interest of clarity and conciseness. In the description, relative terms such as “horizontal,” “vertical,” “up,” “down,” “top” and “bottom”as well as derivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing figure under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description and normally are not intended to require a particular orientation. Terms including “inwardly” versus “outwardly,” “longitudinal” versus “lateral” and the like are to be interpreted relative to one another or-relative to an axis of elongation, or an axis or center of rotation, as appropriate. Terms concerning attachments, coupling and the like, such as “connected” and “interconnected,” refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise. The term “operatively connected” is such an attachment, coupling or connection that allows the pertinent structures to operate as intended by virtue of that relationship.

Referring to FIG. 2, panel clip 10 comprises a top portion 20, a bottom portion 30 and a connecting member 40. The top portion 20 can be a substantially rigid member having top and bottom surfaces 22, 24, and a central hole 26 suitable for slidably receiving a shank portion 42 of the connecting member 40. The bottom portion 30 can have a vertically oriented neck portion 32 with a recess 34 configured to receive a distal end 43 the shank portion 42 of the connecting member 40. The bottom portion 30 can also have a pair of laterally-extending legs 36a, b, each of which can have a vertically oriented foot 38 disposed at a distal end thereof.

In use, the panel clip 10 can be fit between first and second adjacent Terrazzo panels 100, 200 (FIG. 3a) so that the bottom surface 24 of the top portion and the feet 38 of the laterally-extending legs 36a, b sandwich the panels therebetween (FIG. 3a). The connecting member 40 can then be tightened, drawing the top and bottom portions 20, 30 together, and fixing the panels 100, 200 in the desired position. During the tightening process, the rigid top portion 20 holds the top surfaces 102, 202 of the panels 100, 200 in the same plane, while each leg 36a, b of the bottom portion 30 conforms to a respective bottom surface 104, 204 of an associated panel 100, 200. Thus, even where the adjacent panels 100, 200 have different thicknesses (see FIG. 3a), the top surfaces will still be held in the same plane, and the thickness difference will be taken up by the adjustable bottom portion 30. This position will be held until the underlying setting compound cures. Subsequent to curing, the top portion 20 can be separated from the bottom portion 30 by unscrewing the connecting member 40. The bottom portion 30 can then be covered during the grouting process. Using this technique, lippage is eliminated, since the top surfaces are held firmly in-plane by the clip 10 until the setting compound dries.

Referring to FIGS. 4a and 4b, the bottom portion 30 of the panel clip 10 is shown in greater detail. The bottom portion 30 can have laterally-extending legs 36a, b each having a thickness “LT.” The feet 38 disposed at distal ends of the legs 36a, b can have a thickness “FT” greater than that of the legs. Neck portion 32 can be centrally located and can have a lateral thickness “NT” as well as a vertical neck height “NH.”

The neck height NH will typically be greater than the foot height FT and the leg height LT to allow the neck portion 32 to extend up between the adjacent panels 100, 200. This enables the neck portion 32 to be used as a lateral spacer between the panels 100, 200 for providing a predetermined lateral offset (i.e. a joint of predetermined size between the panels). Thus, when the edges of the panels are butted up against the neck portion 32, they will be offset by a predetermined amount equal to the neck thickness NT, thus easily achieving the desired uniform joint size around the perimeter of each panel. To conform with the standard joint sizes used in the industry, the neck thickness NT can be ⅛-inch or ¼-inch, depending on the size of the panels that will be used. It will be appreciated, however, that other values for neck thickness NT can also be used, as desired.

The neck height NH should be sized to ensure that its top surface remains below the top surfaces 102, 202 of the panels once the setting compound has cured and the top portion 30 of the clip is removed. This will ensure that when grouted-over, the neck portion 32 will not be visible above the surface of the grout. It is noted that although the neck portion is illustrated as being provided on the bottom portion 30 of the clip 10 it could as easily be located on the top portion. The benefit of associating the neck portion 32 with the bottom portion 30 of the clip, however, is that it provides a larger engaged thread length between the connecting member 40 and the bottom portion 30, which can be important where the bottom portion is manufactured from a non-metallic material.

As shown in FIG. 4a, the foot height FT can be greater than the leg thickness LT. This arrangement assures that the leg portion 36a, b has the desired flexibility to allow it to deform slightly when the clip 10 is tightened, while still ensuring that the associated foot 38 assuredly engages the bottom surface 102, 202 of the associated panel, even if the thicknesses “PT” of the panels 100, 200 are not the same. Thus, the raised foot arrangement prevents the leg portion 36a, b from interfering with the bottom surface of the panel when the leg flexes. FIG. 3c shows the rightmost leg 36b in this “flexed” configuration, which occurs when the thickness PT1 of the rightmost panel 200 is greater than the thickness PT2 of the leftmost panel 100.

Referring to FIGS. 4a and 4b, in one embodiment, the bottom portion 30 of the clip 10 will have a width “BW” of about ⅜-inch and a length “BL” of about 1-inch. Each foot 38 will have a thickness “FT” of about ⅛-inch thick and a length “FL” of about ⅛-inch. Each leg 36a, b will have a thickness “LT” of about 3/32-inch. The neck region 32 will have a neck thickness “NT” of about ⅛-inch thick and will have a height “NH” of about 5/16-inch as measured from the bottom surface of the bottom portion 30. An exemplary connecting member will be a 3/32-inch nominal socket head cap screw.

In one embodiment, the bottom portion 30 is made from a polymer, such as Delryn®. It will be appreciated that other non-metallic and metallic materials can also be used, provided they have sufficient strength while still enabling the bottom portion 30 to flex in the manner previously described. It is noted that it is not critical that that the bottom portion 30 be resilient, but only that it have sufficient strength to maintain the upper surface of the associated panel tight against the lower surface 24 of the top portion 20. Thus, in one embodiment, the bottom portion could be permanently deformed under the loading required to press the panel against the top portion 20.

One advantage to making the bottom portion 30 from a non-metallic material is that it can be used (i.e. left in place) in medical facility flooring applications, such as operating or treatment rooms of hospitals or other medical care centers. In many such facilities the use of metallic flooring materials is prohibited due to concerns about their potential interaction with magnetic fields associated with a variety of modern medical equipment.

As previously noted, the top portion 20 of the clip 10 will be substantially rigid in order to maintain the top surfaces of the adjacent panels 100, 200 in the same plane while the setting compound cures. Thus, the adjustability of the bottom portion 30 advantageously allows the difference in thicknesses PT1, PT2 between panels 100, 200 to be accommodated by the clip 10 at the bottom surfaces of the panels, where it will not be seen. In one embodiment, the top portion 20 of the clip 30 is manufactured from a metal such as aluminum to provide the desired degree of rigidity. Non-metallic materials could also be used for the top portion 20 as long as they are suitably rigid (e.g. a polymer could be used but may require a greater thickness than aluminum). Regardless of the material used, the top portion should be substantially stiffer than the bottom portion, and thus, if the top portion comprises a non-metallic material, the bottom portion should comprise a more flexible material, or should have a geometry that renders it substantially flexible in relation to the top portion.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the top portion 20 comprises a generally rectangular planar member having a centrally located hole 26 for receiving the shank portion 42 of the connecting member 40. In one embodiment, the hole 26 has a diameter substantially larger than the diameter of the shank portion 42 to allow limited angulation of the connecting member 40 therein. This angulation can provide an additional degree of adjustability for the bottom portion 30 with respect to the top portion 20, which can be desirable for cases in which the difference in the thicknesses PT1, PT2 of the panels is larger than the flexibility of the bottom portion 30 alone can accommodate.

The bottom surface 24 of the top portion 20 can be a flat planar surface against which the top surfaces 102, 202 of a pair of adjacent panels will be fixed. The dimensions of the top portion 20 are not critical, although the piece should be long and wide enough to adequately engage the associated panels. Likewise, the thickness of the top portion 20 should be such that the top portion is substantially rigid when subject to clamping pressure.

Referring to FIGS. 5a-c, an alternative multi-piece bottom portion 130 is shown in which panel engaging member 131 and neck member 132 are pivotably connected via pin 133. The pin 133 fits within corresponding bores 135, 137 in the engaging member and neck member, respectively. The bores 135, 137 have axes oriented substantially perpendicular to both the axis of the recess 134 that receives the connecting member 40 and the long axis A-A of the bottom portion. Thus, in this embodiment, the adjustability of the bottom portion 30 in relation to the bottom surfaces 104, 204 of the panels 100, 200 (where the thickness PT1 of the leftmost panel 100 is greater than the thickness PT2 of the rightmost panel 200 as shown in FIG. 6a) is provided by the pivoting movement (see FIG. 6a) between the engaging member 131 and neck member 132 rather than the “flexing” of the leg portion(s) 136a, b. This multi-piece bottom portion 130 provides the advantage that it may require a lower torque to tighten the connecting member 40 as compared to the “flexing” leg embodiment of FIGS. 2-4b. This is because the applied torque need only be translated to the pivoting motion of the engaging member 131 as opposed to the deformation involved with the embodiment of FIGS. 2-4b.

The coupling member 40 can be a socket head cap screw, having threads disposed along a substantial portion of its shank 42. These threads can conform to female threads provided in recess 34, 134. As will be appreciated, the head 44 of the coupling member 40 will be larger than the hole 26 in the top portion 20 to allow a force to be applied to the top portion via the head, thus allowing the top and bottom portions to be drawn together simply by rotating the coupling member in a first direction. This simple threaded arrangement also will allow the top and bottom portions 20, 30 to be de-coupled (and the top portion 20 and coupling member 40 removed) from the bottom portion once the setting compound has cured, thus allowing the bottom portion 30 alone to remain in place. The clip can be tightened by hand using a simple allen wrench. Subsequent removal of the top portion can be facilitated by the use of an electric screwdriver.

As previously noted, the benefit of using precast Terrazzo panels is that the pouring, grinding and polishing steps can all be performed at the factory instead of the job site. To protect the precast panels during packaging, transport and installation, a waterproof release film 400 (see FIG. 8) can be provided on the top surface 102, 202 of each of the panels 100, 200. The release film can be a thin polymer material that adheres to the panel using an adhesive having sufficient pull strength to prevent separation during normal handling, but which also allows it to be easily peeled off as a final step in the panel installation process. An example of such a protective polymer film is sold under the trade name ProtecRite® by American Biltrite Inc., Morristown, N.J.

Since the film is waterproof, it won't degrade when the panel is cut at the factory or job site using water cooled cutting equipment. It also provides a waterproof covering for the Terrazzo panels prior to sealing, where unsealed precast panels are provided.

The release film can provide the additional advantage of acting as a masking layer for the grouting material that will be applied between the installed Terrazzo panels. Referring to FIG. 8, a pair of panels 100, 200 are shown adhered to a substrate 3 (such as a subfloor or wall surface) with a setting compound 4 (such as an epoxy based adhesive). The panels 100, 200 have a common joint 300 which has been filled with grout 310 subsequent to removal of the top portion 20 from the bottom portion 30 of a panel clip. During the grouting process, a portion of the grout material is applied beyond the joint so that it covers a portion of the top surfaces 102, 202 of the associated panels. This grout is usually removed through a series of time consuming washing steps to achieve a final cleaned panel surface. Where the release film 400 is used, however, these washing steps can be eliminated, because any grout applied beyond the edges of the joint will be applied to the top of the release layer rather than the top surface of the panels, and thus will be easily removed when the release layer 400 is peeled from the panel 100, 200. Additionally, since the release layer 400 will be applied right up to the edges of the panels, its removal will result in a clean, straight, grout joint.

Panel clips 10 can be provided as part of an installation “kit” comprising a plurality of precast Terrazzo panels, a plurality of clips 10, and a quantity of epoxy-based setting compound and epoxy-based grout material. As shown in FIG. 7, three clips 10 can be used to align one side of each panel 100, 200 (where the panels each have a panel length PL and a panel width PW), and thus, the kit would have enough clips to enable such spacing. The kit may also comprise individually pre-measured and pre-packaged quantities of setting compound components. In one embodiment, the setting compound components can be provided in individual prepackaged containers in amounts suitable to produce a quantity of setting compound suitable for adhering four precast panels to a floor or wall sub-structure at one time. In one embodiment, the panels will each have a length and width PL, PW of about 36″, although it will be appreciated that panels of other sizes can be used (e.g. 30″×30″), and that the 36″ dimension is merely one example of a large size panel that can be installed using the invention. This can be an advantage because it can prevent mis-measuring of the components by the installer, and it can also prevent problems that can occur where too much setting compound is mixed at one time, which can result in the compound setting before all of the panels are installed. Grouting material can be provided in a plurality of dual-component cartridges, each pre-packed with a desired type and color grout. The cartridges can be used with a mixing/application gun, which mixes and applied the grout in a single step. An example of such a grout cartridge/gun system is the MixPac® system manufactured by ConProTec, Inc., 8 Willow Street, Salem, N.H., 03079.

In use, the installer may mix a quantity of setting compound adequate for adhering a set of four Terrazzo panels to the intended floor or wall structure. The setting compound may be applied to the floor to the appropriate thickness, and one Terrazzo panel 100 can be set down on the applied compound. A pair of panel clips 10 can be slid into loose engagement on one side of the panel 100 such that the bottom portions 30 of the clips are sunk into the setting compound. A second panel 200 is then laid down into the setting compound and slid into loose engagement with the pair of clips 10, and so that the common edges of the first and second panels are butted up against the neck region 32 of the bottom portion of the clip. With the second panel in place, the connecting members 40 of the pair of clips are tightened to draw the bottom portion 30 (and the panels) up into firm engagement with the top portions 20 to fix the top surfaces 102, 202 of the panels in plane. The two panels can then be rolled with a small roller to ensure adequate engagement of the bottom surface of the panels in the setting compound. Subsequent panels are applied in the same stepwise fashion. Once the setting compound has cured (typically by the next day), all of the connecting members 40 and top portions 20 are removed, leaving the bottom portions 30 in place. Grout is then applied to all of the joints between the panels, and is tooled off flush with a small trowel or knife. The next day, the release layer 400 is removed, followed by sealing, as required.

It will be appreciated that although the panel clip 10 generally has been described in relation to its use for attaching precast Terrazzo panels to floors, the clip can be used to equal advantage on walls and other surfaces. Additionally, the clip can be used for installing a variety of materials other than Terrazzo, such as ceramic tiles, marble, and stone tiles and panels. Furthermore, although the clip is particularly usefule for installing large dimensioned panels or tiles (e.g. 30″ or greater), the clip can be used to great advantage with tiles and panels of any size. Thus, the clip 10 can find use in any application in which it is desirable to maintain the top surfaces of adjacent tile or panel segments in substantially the same plane in order to provide a uniform overall surface.

Accordingly, it should be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein are merely illustrative of the principles of the invention. Various other modifications may be made by those skilled in the art which will embody the principles of the invention and fall within the spirit and the scope thereof.

Claims

1. A clip for aligning first and second panel elements, comprising

a first portion having a bottom surface configured to engage a top surface of each of the first and second planar panel elements;

a second portion having first and second legs for engaging respective bottom surfaces of the first and second panel elements; and

a connecting member having a first end engaged with the first portion and a second end engaged with the second portion, the connecting member operable to draw the first and second portions together to fix the first and second panel elements between the bottom surface of the first portion and the first and second legs of the second portion;

wherein the first portion is substantially rigid to fix the top surfaces of the first and second panel elements in substantially the same plane, and the first and second legs of the second portion are adjustable to independently conform to the bottom surfaces of the first and second panels.

2. The clip of claim 1, wherein -the first and second legs comprise a flexible material.

3. The clip of claim 2, wherein the flexible material comprises a polymer.

4. The clip of claim 1, wherein the connecting member comprises a screw, and the first portion is removable from the second portion by unscrewing the connecting member from the second portion.

5. The clip of claim 1, wherein the second portion further comprises a first section engageable with the connecting member and a second section engageable with the bottom surfaces of the first and second panel elements, wherein the first and second sections are connected via a pivot joint having a pivot axis oriented substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the connecting member.

6. The clip of claim 1, wherein the second portion comprises a neck region disposed between the first and second legs, the neck region extending substantially perpendicularly toward the first portion such that when the first and second panel elements are engaged by the top and bottom portions and common side surfaces of the first and second panel elements contact the neck region, a predetermined lateral offset is provided between the common side surfaces.

7. The clip of claim 6, where the first and second legs each have a raised foot disposed adjacent to a distal end thereof, each raised foot configured to engage the bottom surface of a respective first or second panel element.

8. The clip of claim 1, wherein the connecting member comprises a screw, a shank region of the screw being disposed within a hole in the first portion of the clip and a distal threaded region of the screw being disposed within a threaded bore in the second portion of the clip, wherein turning the screw in a first direction draws the first and second portions together, and turning the screw in the opposite direction separates the first and second portions.

9. The clip of claim 8, wherein the hole in the first portion of the clip is smaller than a head of the screw, and is substantially larger than the shank region to allow the first and second clip portions to pivot with respect to each other.

10. A method for installing pre-cast terrazzo panels, comprising:

providing first and second precast terrazzo panels, each panel having top and bottom surfaces and a thickness, wherein the thicknesses of the first and second panels are unequal;

providing a clip having top and bottom portions adjustably connected by a connecting member, the top portion being substantially rigid and configured to engage the top surfaces of the first and second panels; the bottom portion being adjustable and configured to engage the bottom surfaces of the first and second panels;

arranging the first panel on a surface and engaging the top and bottom portions of the clip with the top and bottom surfaces of the first panel;

arranging the second panel adjacent to the first panel on the surface and engaging the top and bottom portions of the clip with the top and bottom surfaces of the second panel; and

adjusting the connecting member to draw the top and bottom portions together such that the top and bottom portions engage the top and bottom surfaces of the first and second panels, thereby fixing the panels together such that the top surfaces of the first and second panels lie in substantially the same plane;

wherein during the adjusting step the first and second legs automatically adjust to engage the bottom surfaces of the first and second panels, respectively.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the bottom portion of the clip further comprises a neck region extending perpendicularly from a top surface of the bottom portion, and wherein the engaging step further comprising contacting common edges of the first and second panels with the neck region to provide a predetermined offset between the panels, the offset being equal to a thickness of the neck region and forming a joint between the panels.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the arranging step further comprises providing an adhesive layer between the first and second panels and the surface to fix the panels to the surface, the method further comprising the step of separating the top portion of the clip and the connecting member from the bottom portion of the clip subsequent to curing of the adhesive.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising filling the joint with a grouting compound, the grout covering the bottom portion of the clip.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein a release layer is provided on the top surfaces of each of the first and second precast Terrazzo panels, the release layer configured to protect the top surfaces of the panels, the method further comprising the step of removing the release layer subsequent to filling the joint with grouting compound.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the first and second legs automatically adjust engage the bottom surfaces of the first and second panels by flexing, pivoting, or a combination of the two.

16. A kit for installing pre-cast terrazzo panels, comprising:

a plurality of top pieces;

a plurality of bottom pieces; and

a plurality of connecting members;

wherein the top pieces are substantially rigid and are connectable to respective bottom pieces using the plurality of connecting members, the bottom pieces further being flexible or pivotable with respect to the associated top piece to allow the top and bottom pieces to engage a pair of adjacent panels to fix the top surfaces of the panels in a substantially coplanar relation.

17. The kit of claim 16, wherein the any one of the plurality of top pieces is removeably engageable with any one of the plurality of bottom pieces via one of the plurality of connecting members.

18. The kit of claim 16, further comprising:

a plurality of pre-cast terrazzo panels, each panel having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a thickness;

a quantity of setting compound for adhering the panels to a surface; and

a quantity of grouting compound for filling joints between the plurality of panels.

19. The kit of claim 16, wherein the plurality of top or the plurality of bottom pieces further comprise a neck portion extending substantially perpendicularly from a top or bottom surface of the respective piece, the neck portion further having a thickness configured to provide a predetermined offset between a pair of adjacent panels when common side surfaces of the pair of adjacent panels contact opposite surfaces of the neck portion.

20. The kit of claim 19, wherein the plurality of bottom pieces comprise the neck portion, and the thickness of the neck portion of at least first and second of the plurality of bottom pieces is unequal.