System and method for installing expansion joints in poured slabs of concrete

A method of setting an expansion joint between two adjacent slabs of poured concrete, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing a filler strip having a top edge and a bottom edge;
• providing a protective cap element that defines a groove between a top surface and two opposing side surfaces that include a first side surface and a second side surface, wherein a plurality of openings are formed through said side surfaces;
• providing a plurality of anchor pins, wherein each anchor pin has a predetermined width;
• providing a plurality of pin corrals that extend outwardly from said side surfaces, wherein each of said pin corrals defines an pin opening that is at least twice as wide as said predetermined width of each of said anchor pins;
• placing said protective cap element over said filler strip so that said top edge of said filler strip and a segment of said filler strip proximate said top edge is disposed within said groove;
• anchoring said protective cap element and said filler strip in a fixed position by driving anchor pins through at least some of said pin corrals along said first side surface of said protective cap element;
• driving mechanical fasteners through said anchor pins and into said filler strip through said plurality of openings, wherein said mechanical fasteners temporarily retain said protective cap element and said filler strip in said fixed position where said top edge of said filler strip faces vertically upward;
• and
• pouring concrete against said filler strip and said second side surface of said protective cap element, wherein said concrete envelops said pin corrals along said second side surface and locks both said protective cap element and said filler strip into said fixed position.