Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Facers; e.g. – modules – mutually bonded by internal settable... – Laterally related modules; e.g. – back-to-back
Reexamination Certificate
1997-11-13
2001-04-24
Friedman, Carl D. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Facers; e.g., modules, mutually bonded by internal settable...
Laterally related modules; e.g., back-to-back
C052S404100, C052S417000, C052S431000, C052S439000, C052S468000, C052S745100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06219984
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to formwork for casting vertical concrete structures such as walls.
The forms of the invention are elongated modular elements which are adapted to interconnect to one another along their longitudinal sides to create overall formwork for casting concrete to form a wall or other vertical structure.
BACKGROUND ART
It is known in the prior art to provide modular form elements which may be stacked end to end and wherein a plurality of horizontal courses are superposed one upon the other to create a wall of formwork. Examples of such elements are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,172,052 to Robbins and U.S. Pat. No. 3,788,020 to Gregori.
It is also known to provide modular form elements consisting of a plurality of vertical and essentially closed forms which can be nested alongside one another to create a series of adjacent concrete columns. U.S. Pat. No. 5,216,863 to Nessa et al. discloses such elements having generally circular or octagonal cross sections. In Nessa's octagonal cross section embodiment, the cross section of the form element comprises the general shape of an octagon with one side missing so as to create an open side. The free edges adjacent the open side are provided with retaining means which are designed to cooperate with complementary retaining means mounted on the back of an adjacent element. A plurality of elements can thereby be secured to one another, “piggyback” style, to create a formwork of columns into which concrete can be poured.
There are a number of desirable objectives in relation to modular form elements. Where it is intended to leave the form in place after casting the concrete, it is desirable to provide a form element which enables the easy application of wall finishes or coverings to the surface thereof. An important feature is the ability to allow the concrete to flow between interconnected form elements so so as to provide strength and rigidity to the concrete structure. It is also desirable to be able to insert reinforcing rods in the formwork. The formwork should be waterproof to prevent corrosion of reinforcing elements embedded in the concrete. It is also desirable for finished formwork to offer insulation properties.
Various prior art approaches achieve some of these objectives, but with varying success. For example, in the case of U.S. Pat. No. 5,216,863 it is difficult to provide insulation or liner within the form, mainly because of the essentially closed nature of the octagonal or circular form, and the structure of the form tends to impede the flow of concrete between adjacent forms. Moreover, the resulting formwork lacks structural rigidity and when the formwork is filled with concrete, it suffers from a “banana effect” which causes the walls of the form elements to bulge out. This makes it difficult to secure wall finishes and coverings.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
According to one of its aspects, the invention comprises a modular formwork assembly having an elongated, generally concave element and an elongated connecting member and two longitudinal edges connected by spaced ribs. The connecting member is provided with engaging means at each edge each of which engaging means enables the connection of elements arranged in end to end relationship about an edge of the connecting element. The elements are provided with engaging means along their longitudinal edges for cooperating with the connecting means of the connecting members. The engaging means of the elements and those of the members are adapted to cooperate by sliding engagement. The connecting element thereby acts to simultaneously connect two facing elements to one another as well as to connect two elements presented in end to end relationship to one another.
The generally open or concave shape of the elements allows the application of insulation or liner to the inner surface thereof and/or the nesting of elements for easy transportation while the modular aspect of the elements and connecting members enables easy assembly by workmen.
The resulting assembly provides a formwork which substantially maintains its shape when filled with concrete and which does not suffer from “banana effect” . The spacing of the ribs of the connecting member provides pathways for the insertion into the formwork of reinforcing rods, and also allows the integral formation of horizontal lengths of concrete along the pathways formed by aligned spaces between the ribs of adjacent elements.
In another aspect, the invention is a method of erecting formwork using the assembly described above comprising the steps of first erecting one side of the formwork by providing a plurality of connecting members wherein the engaging means on a single, common side of the plurality of connecting members are engaged in the engaging means of a plurality of the elements so as to retain the plurality of elements in edge to edge relationship. The next step is to install reinforcing rods in the spaces between the ribs of the connecting members, then installing a plurality of the elements in edge to edge relationship in engagement with the engaging means on an opposite side of the connecting members whereby to complete a second side of the formwork wall.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1035206 (1912-08-01), Lewen
patent: 1345156 (1920-06-01), Flynn
patent: 2050258 (1936-08-01), Bemis
patent: 3555751 (1971-01-01), Thorgusen
patent: 4104837 (1978-08-01), Naito
patent: 4180956 (1980-01-01), Gross
patent: 5216863 (1993-06-01), Nessa et al.
patent: 5465545 (1995-11-01), Trousilek
patent: 5491947 (1996-02-01), Kim
patent: 5553430 (1996-09-01), Majnaric et al.
patent: 5608999 (1997-03-01), McNamara
patent: 5740648 (1998-04-01), Piccone
patent: 957816 (1974-11-01), None
patent: 507787 (1920-09-01), None
patent: 1381945 (1964-11-01), None
patent: 82 04088 (1982-11-01), None
patent: 95 00724 (1995-01-01), None
Friedman Carl D.
Galgano & Burke
Wilkens Kevin D.
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