AU2020217329A1

AU2020217329A1 - Improved support means for formwork

Info

Publication number: AU2020217329A1
Application number: AU2020217329A
Authority: AU
Inventors: James S. Scott
Original assignee: Penn Cliff
Current assignee: Penn Cliff
Priority date: 2014-09-29
Filing date: 2020-08-10
Publication date: 2020-08-27
Anticipated expiration: 2035-09-29
Also published as: AU2020217329B2

Abstract

A support means for formwork (30) includes an elongate member (1) in use disposed through an aperture in the formwork (30), and a retaining means (2) for that elongate member (1), with the elongate member (1) having, at one end, a means (4) for connection to reinforcement material and, at the other end, a threaded section (3). 1/7 '44 rLU (I

Description

1/7

'44

rLU

(I IMPROVED SUPPORT MEANS FOR FORMWORK FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates, in general terms, to an improved means and method for use in the formation of concrete slabs and the like, and especially such slabs for use in the building and related industries.

[0001a] This application is a divisional application of Australian Application No. 2015230873, the original disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] Throughout the ensuing specification reference will be made to an especially preferred context of usage for the present invention, in the formation of a concrete slab directly on the ground, upon which a house or the like structure is to be erected. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not to be considered to be in any way limited or restricted to such a preferred context of use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Formwork is the term given to either temporary or pemlanent moulds into which concrete or similar materials are to be poured. Traditionally, form work is built on site from materials which include timber, plywood or moisture-resistant particle board, being materials which are cheap, easy to work with and flexible in terms of their being able to be worked or shaped to fit any given spatial requirement. The foImwork, once in place, constitutes the boundaries for the concrete slab, when poured and cured/set, defining the size and shape of the slab itself. The formwork also serves to support the poured concrete until such time as it has set or cured, at which time it (the formwork) can be removed. In that regard it should be understood that wet concrete will apply a hydrostatic pressure to any surrounding formwork, with the pressure at the bottom or base being greater than that at the top. To allow for or compensate for such uneven or non-uniform loading, it has become the accepted practice to utilise means for bracing the formwork once that formwork is erected.

[0004] One means commonly employed to brace or reinforce formwork has been the combination of a supporting strut, co-operating with the form work itself and disposed at an angle thereto, and a suitable fixing means, generally in the form of some type of

W:\NRPortbl\GHMatters\JBECKER\15143145_1.docx10/08/20 ground-penetrating product, as for example what is in the trade referred to as a star picket or the like, intended to fix or hold such strut in place whilst curing/setting of poured concrete is taking place. In practice a plurality of such struts and fixing means will be disposed at spaced-apart locations along a given length of formwork.

[0005] It has become an accepted practice nowadays, especially on smaller sites or blocks as currently in vogue in built-up areas, whereon the slab for the house can occupy a significant proportion of the ground area of the site or block itself, to have storm-water pipes and other plumbing etc. in place prior to formation of the slab, or in other words prior to actual pouring of the concrete. Unless great care is taken during installation of the formwork as to where star pickets or the like fixing means are located, it sometimes - and indeed all too often - happens that one or more of the star pickets will penetrate the storm water pipes or other plumbing, ultimately giving rise to unwanted leakage. Generally speaking, however, such may not be discovered/identified until after the house or other structure to be sited on the concrete slab has been completed and occupied. Once such a leak is discovered it then becomes necessary to address the problem, whether this be by repairing the damaged plumbing.or replacing it. In either or both of these cases there is an additional and unwanted cost involved or associated therewith.

[0006] The present invention seeks to overcome the problems and disadvantages associated with the prior art by eliminating the need to use ground - penetrating products, such as star pickets and the like, and yet still providing a method and means for positively supporting formwork during slab formation.

[0007] In accordance with the present invention, therefore, there is provided a support means for use with formwork in the formation in-situ of a concrete slab, said support means including: an elongate member which is adapted, in use, to be disposed within an aperture provided in said formwork and extend through said formwork; and a means to be releasably associated with said elongate member to retain said elongate member relative to said formwork, wherein said elongate member includes, at one end thereof, means allowing for releasable connection with reinforcement material to be disposed within said concrete slab, said elongate member further including, extending from the other opposite end thereof, a threaded section extending along at least part of the length dimension thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0008] In order that the invention may be more clearly understood and put into practical effect there shall now be described in detail preferred constructions of a support member for formwork in accordance with the invention. The ensuing description is given by way of non-limitative example only and is with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0009] FIG. I is a top perspective view of one embodiment of an improved support means for formwork in accordance with the invention;

[0010] FIG.2 is a bottom perspective view of the embodiment of FIG.1;

[0011] FIG.3 is a side or edge view of the embodiment of FIG.1;

[0012] FIG.4 is a top view of the embodiment of FIG.3;

[0013] FIG.5 is a view, similar to FIG.3, but from the other side;

[0014] FIG.6 is a top perspective view of a site prepared for the pouring of concrete or a concrete slab, showing formwork and reinforcement held in place using the support means in accordance with the present invention;

[0015] FIG.7 is a top view of the site of FIG.6;

[0016] FIG.8 is a side view of the site of FIG.6, with concrete slab poured;

[0017] FIG.9 is a view, similar to FIG.6, of an alternative arrangement for use in slab formation in accordance with the invention; and

[0018] FIG.10 is a view of a prior art arrangement for formation of a concrete slab.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] With regard firstly to FIGS. 1 to 5, an especially preferred embodiment of a support means for formwork in accordance with the present invention includes, as principal components, an elongate member 1 and a fixing means 2 which is adapted, in use, to releasably affix that elongate member 1 in place relative to formwork. In the preferred embodiment shown the fixing means 2 is in the form of a nut or the like, more preferably a locknut.

[0020] The elongate member 1 includes a threaded portion 3 which extends along at least part of the length dimension thereof, preferably commencing from one end thereof. At the other opposite end of the elongate member 1 there is formed a means 4 which is adapted, in use. to allow for association of or connection of the elongate member 1 with reinforcement material commonly included with concrete slabs nowadays which may be in the form of a latticework of metal bars or, in the alternative, an array of one or more metal rods.

[0021] The elongate member I and fixing means 2 may be constructed from any suitable material, whether of plastics material or of metal, with the actual material of construction not being part of the invention. In an especially preferred embodiment, however, both are formed from a plastics material, more preferably from recycled plastics material, and more especially polypropylene. The use of such a plastics material, rather than a metal, serves to overcome the problems associated with, and unsightly nature of, what is referred to as "concrete cancer".

[0022] As shown in the preferred embodiments the elongate member 1 includes, at one free end, an integral hook-like extension 4 which, in use, is brought into engagement with reinforcing material. The elongate member 1 is then removably affixed in place relative to the formwork by means of the locknut or the like 2. This interconnection of elongate member 1, reinforcement material and formwork serves to maintain the integrity of concrete, once poured, and whilst setting or curing.

[0023] Turning then to FIG.6, for example, it should be understood that, prior to the actual pouring of concrete to form a slab, the site needs to be appropriately prepared. This may involve levelling of the ground, removal of unwanted material and the location of formwork 30. As shown in FIGS 6 to 10 for example, the site 10 may have a plurality of (the appropriate number of) waffle boxes 11 (as known and referred to in the art) disposed thereover. A plurality of what are referred to in the art as chairs 12 may then be disposed across the waffle box(es) 11and on the soil which makes up the site 10 - see for example FIGS.8 to 10 - such chairs 12 constituting a seating for reinforcement material. In practice such reinforcement material may take the form of a latticework or mesh of metal members , 21 or, in the alternative, an array of spaced-apart metal members or rods 22. Formwork may be disposed around the site for the slab as and where necessary. In the preferred embodiments shown the formwork will be in the form of elongate members 30 of any suitable material, located on the site so as to define the location for pouring of the concrete slab 40.

[0024] As shown, for example, in FIGS. 6 to 8, the formwork 30 will have apertures formed therein and extending therethrough at predetermined positions along the length thereof, each adapted to have disposed therethrough an elongate member 1 in accordance with the invention. As shown, the hook-like extension 4 of the elongate member 1 is disposed around a metal reinforcement member 20, 21, 22, and the fixing means 2 is then associated with the free end of elongate member 1 and tightened to come into engagement with the formwork 30.

[0025] FIG.10 shows an example of the prior art arrangement and practice, over which the present invention represents a significant improvement. As shown formwork 30 is supported using one or more struts 40, of any suitable material such as timber, which are brought into engagement with ground-engaging members 41 which, in one commonly used practice, will be in the form of a star picket or the like.

[0026] The arrangement in accordance with the present invention exhibits the following advantages over the known art and practices.

[0027] Firstly, by not needing to rely on any form of ground-penetrating means - as for example as star picket or the like - there is no possibility whatsoever of unwanted damage to pre-existing or pre-installed plumbing, storm water pipes etc.

[00281 Secondly, the present arrangement is simple to use, and readily re-usable, whilst at the same time being readily adjustable to suit changing circumstances.

[0029] Finally, it is to be understood that the aforegoing description refers merely to preferred embodiments of the invention, and that variations and modifications will be possible thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the ambit of which is to be determined from the following claims.

Claims

1. A support means for use with formwork in the formation in-situ of a concrete slab, said support means including:

an elongate member which is adapted, in use, to be disposed within an aperture provided in said formwork and extend through said formwork; and

a means to be releasably associated with said elongate member to retain said elongate member relative to said formwork,

wherein said elongate member includes, at one end thereof, means allowing for releasable connection with reinforcement material to be disposed within said concrete slab, said elongate member further including, extending from the other opposite end thereof, a threaded section extending along at least part of the length dimension thereof.

2. The support means as claimed in claim 1, constructed from a plastics material.

3. The support means as claimed in claim 2, wherein said plastics material is recycled plastics.

4. The support means as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein said plastics material is polypropylene.

5. The support means as claimed in claim 1, constructed from a metallic material.

6. The support means as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said means for allowing releasable connection with reinforced means is in the form of a hook like extension at or in the vicinity of one end of said elongate member.

7. The support means as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said retention means is a threaded member.

8. The support means as claimed in claim 7, wherein said threaded member is a locknut.