Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Facers; e.g. – modules – mutually bonded by internal settable... – Laterally related modules; e.g. – back-to-back
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-23
2001-12-04
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
C052S309120, C052S270000, C052S309110, C052S275000, C249S191000, C249S047000, C249S194000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06324804
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to ties for poured concrete wall systems, and more particularly to an improved methods for securing support walls therefor.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Wall forming systems for poured concrete walls have been used for many years. Most forms have been constructed of plywood, steel or aluminum and are typically stripped from the poured concrete wall after the concrete has sufficiently hardened. Regardless of the form material used, an inherent characteristic of these wall forming systems is the use of straight form ties to maintain the position of the forms while concrete is poured and subsequently hardened.
A recent development in this art field is the use of expanded polystyrene panels as form panels. These newer form systems utilize pairs of foam panels which are connected in a parallel, spaced apart relationship by a series of rigid plastic ties. Complete wall form systems are created by stacking the paired foam panels into larger arrays. Concrete is then poured between the panels of the completed foam wall form system. The thickness of the poured concrete walls can be adjusted by the selection and utilization of form ties of appropriate size. Subsequent to concrete hardening these foam panels may be left in place to serve as insulation or may be stripped off to reveal the concrete.
While the aforementioned straight form ties are successful for their intended purpose, it was initially necessary to utilize additional specialized framing and/or form system components at a corner junction where two walls met. U.S. Pat. No. 4,916,879 to P. E. Boeshart (issued Apr. 17, 1990; entitled “
Corner Tie”) teaches a corner tie for use with foam wall forming systems. The disclosed corner tie has a series of spaced paddles, which are joined in pairs by a single slender spacing strap; the spacing distance between the paddles is equal to the thickness of the foam panels. Similarly joined paddle pairs are inter-connected via a network of slender straps to form the corner tie.
The Boeshart corner tie is deficient in several respects. As taught in the patent, the series of paired paddles do not engage the edges of the foam panels to an appreciable degree, thus stability of the corner components of the foam wall form system is compromised. Moreover, the use of a simple network of slender straps to align the constituent paddle pairs of the corner tie confers a high degree of planar flexibility to the corner tie, thus imparting added instability to the aligned foam panels at corner junctions. As a result, the creation of a stable foam panel wall forming system utilizing these corner ties typically requires the use of smaller foam panels and/or the closer spacing of corner ties (and therefore a greater number of constituent foam panels and/or number of corner ties). Additionally, the use of an external bracing system to reinforce or stabilize the corner sections of the completed wall forming system is generally required.
A second deficiency of this corner tie also arises from the use of the strap network for paddle alignment. The multiplicity of straps cris-crossing the interior space of the corner tie obstructs and impedes the uniform pouring and settling of concrete in the wall forming system. As a result, the poured concrete may be honeycombed with air bubbles. These bubbles or honeycombing in the hardened concrete manifest as a decrease in wall strength and stability
A third deficiency in the Boeshart corner tie is that it cannot be used in conjunction with the traditional reinforcement rods typically used in concrete wall formation.
A fourth deficiency is that this corner tie provides a minimal surface or substrate area to which drywall can eventually be fastened.
As such, there is a clear need for a corner tie which addresses at least some of the aforementioned deficiencies of the current corner ties used in foam wall forming systems.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved technique for forming concrete walls.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly stated, the present invention provides a corner joint support for holding forms for casting upright concrete walls, comprising an outer form support and an inner form support, the outer form support including inner and outer upright support portions joined by platforms extending therebetween, the inner form support including inner and outer upright support portions joined by platforms extending therebetween, and spacer means for positioning the inner form support relative to the outer form support.
In another its aspects, the present invention provides a corner tie having four platform members connected in a generally rectangular configuration. The four platform members are located at the four corners of the generally rectangular configuration. A first platform member is connected to a second platform member via a first spacer member. The first platform member is further connected to a third platform member by a second spacer member such that the second and third platform members are located at generally opposite corners of the generally rectangular configuration. A fourth platform member is individually connected to the second and third platform members via a third and fourth spacer member, such that this fourth platform member is located generally opposite to the first platform member in the generally rectangular configuration. A brace member connects one of the platform members to the opposing platform member of the generally rectangular configuration. The corner tie may also possess engagement means for engaging the form panels. Preferably, the engagement means are slats which engage the foam form panels by sliding into slits situated therein. The platform members may also have edge members generally attached perpendicularly thereto to maintain the stability and alignment of the constituent form panels of the wall forming system. Additionally, the brace or spacer members may be arranged to provide openings for engagement of concrete reinforcements rods.
In another of its aspects, the present invention provides a corner tie for aligning adjacent upright wall sections of a concrete form, comprising:
a plurality of upright support panels joined near their ends to form a closed ring structure and defining a concrete receiving passage therein, wherein selected pairs of the upright support panels form corner regions;
a plurality of platforms, each joined to a pair of the upright support panels in a corresponding corner region;
each of the platforms being arranged for receiving an upright wall section, and
at least one brace member extending across the passage and attached to opposite sides of the ring structure.
Preferably, the upright support panels form a generally rectangular closed ring structure, each platform has a pair of edges and is attached to the pair of upright support panels along the edges and the brace is positioned adjacent two opposed platforms. Each of a plurality of inner abutment members is fixed to a corresponding platform, while each of the inner abutment members is spaced from at least one of the upright support panels to receive one of the upright wall sections therebetween for restraining the wall section from lateral movement relative to the platform.
Preferably, selected pairs of the platforms define a wall section receiving passage which is bordered by one of the wall sections and a pair of the abutment members, wherein another of the wall sections interrupts the wall section receiving passage. Selected abutment members include two flanges positioned at right angles to one another, wherein the wall section receiving passage is bordered by one of the flanges and one of the upright support panels. Preferably, each of the flanges is parallel with one of the upright support panels
Preferably, the brace member has a pair of ends, each of which is joined at each end to one of the upright support panels at a position offset from a corresponding corner. Each end of the brace member is joined to a corresponding vertical support wall at a location substa
Chavez Patrick J.
Friedman Carl D.
Plasti
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