GB2405438A

GB2405438A - Arch forming device

Info

Publication number: GB2405438A
Application number: GB0320191A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Simon Bond
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-08-28
Filing date: 2003-08-28
Publication date: 2005-03-02
Also published as: GB0320191D0

Abstract

An arch forming device 1 and a method for forming an arch comprises a supporting member 2 for supporting an arch during the construction thereof, the supporting member 2 having a curved upper surface 3 and first and second ends 4 and 5. First and second bracing members 6 and 7 extend between first and second locations near to the first and second ends of the supporting member, the bracing arrangement being operable to increase the distance between the first and second locations. The bracing arrangement may be adjustable and comprise a fixing device whereby the bracing members may be moved and fixed in place, thereby enabling for the distance between the first and second ends, and hence the radius of the arc to be varied. The supporting member and bracing members may be of unitary construction.

Description

"An Arch Forming Device" THIS INVENTION relates to an arch forming device,

and in particular, concerns a reusable device for forming internal or external arches and a method employing the device.

lo Arches are a common architectural feature, both externally, for instance as an upper portion of a window frame, or internally, over a passageway between two rooms.

A conventional technique for forming an arch above, for example, an external doorway, will now be described. A temporary lintel is placed at or near the top of an unfinished doorway and this lintel will generally require support, for instance by way of a pair of vertical struts which extend between the floor and the underside of the temporary lintel. A support, for instance, a block of wood, is placed on an upper surface of the temporary lintel, near the centre thereof. A flexible length of plywood or similar is then bent across the upper surface of the lintel and the support, and is secured at opposing ends thereof to the upper surface of the temporary lintel and is also secured to an upper surface of the support. It will be appreciated that this technique forms a curved upper surface above the temporary lintel.

An arch is then formed, relying on the curved upper surface for support during the formation thereof. For instance, the arch may be formed by laying a series of bricks on the curved upper surface.

When the arch is being fully formed and is able to support itself (for instance, once mortar between the bricks has dried) the temporary lintel and the curved upper surface are removed.

In the case of an internal doorway, the arch would be finished in plaster, for example In view of the ad hoc nature of the construction of the supporting surface on which the arch is formed, and also in view of the fact that it is unlikely that a further arch of exactly the same dimensions will be required, the temporary lintel and the curved upper surface are typically simply thrown away, lo or are dismantled and recycled for other purposes.

It will be appreciated that this is a time-consuming method of supporting arches during construction thereof, which is also wasteful of materials.

It is an object of the present invention to seek to alleviate some of the above difficulties.

Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention provides an arch forming device, comprising: a supporting member for supporting an arch during construction thereof, the supporting member having a curved upper surface and first and second ends; a bracing arrangement extending between first and second locations near the first and second ends of the supporting surface, the bracing arrangement allowing the distance between the first and second locations to be varied.

Advantageously, the bracing arrangement is operable to apply force to the first and second locations in a direction to push the first and second locations away from one another.

Preferably, the bracing arrangement comprises first and second bracing members respectively associated with the first and second ends of the supporting member, the bracing arrangement being configured to apply force to the first and second bracing members in a direction to push each bracing member towards the end of the supporting surface with which the bracing member is associated.

Conveniently, the bracing arrangement comprises one or more springs attached to the first and second bracing members. lo

Alternatively, the bracing arrangement comprises an adjustable fixing device attached to the first and second bracing members, whereby the first and second bracing members may be moved with respect to one another and then fixed to one another so as to prevent relative movement therebetween.

Advantageously, the supporting member and the first and second bracing members are formed in a unitary fashion.

Preferably, the supporting member is formed in a unitary fashion.

Alternatively, the supporting member is formed from a series of interlocking members.

Conveniently, the supporting member and the bracing arrangement are arranged so that the arch forming device may be placed in a substantially flat configuration.

Advantageously, the device further comprises a pair of side members which substantially enclose a space between the supporting member, the bracing arrangement and the side members.

s Another aspect of the present invention provides a method of forming an arch, comprising the steps of: providing an arch forming device comprising a supporting member having a curved upper surface and a bracing arrangement operable to allow the distance between the first and second locations to be varied; placing the arch forming device between two opposing upright surfaces lo such that the bracing arrangement holds the arch forming device in place; forming an arch which is, during formation thereof, at least partially supported by the supporting member; and removing the arch forming device.

In order that the present invention may be more readily understood, Is embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 3 Figure 1 shows an arch forming device embodying the present invention; Figures 2 and 3 show alternative mechanisms for use with devices embodying the present invention; and Figure 4 shows the device of Figure 1 in use.

Referring firstly to Figure 1, an arch forming device 1 embodying the present invention comprises a curved supporting member 2. The supporting member 2 takes the form of an elongate strip, preferably of constant width, which is curved through an angle of 180 or less. The supporting member 2 has a curved upper surface 3 and terminates in first and second ends 4 and 5.

Preferably, the supporting member 2 is formed from a sturdy, rugged material with a degree of flexibility, such as a suitable plastic.

Attached to the ends 4, 5 of the supporting member 2 are respective first and second bracing members 6, 7. The bracing members 6,7 take the form of elongate tongues, of similar width to that of the supporting member 2, which lo extends toward one another and overlap with one another at a location under the centre of upper surface 2.

The bracing members 6, 7 may be formed integrally with the supporting member 2, or may be formed separately and attached to the supporting member 2.

A mechanism (not shown in Figure 1) is provided which is operable to apply a force to the bracing members 6, 7 in a direction to cause the bracing members 6, 7 to move so as to push the ends 4, 5 of the supporting member 2 so away from one another. The mechanism, along with the bracing members 6, 7 comprise a bracing arrangement which extends between the ends 4,5 of the supporting member 2.

Figures 2 and 3 show possible mechanisms that can be used with the bracing members 6, 7 to form a bracing arrangement. As shown in Figure 2, in one embodiment of the invention, the bracing members 6, 7 both comprise lips 8, 9 at distal ends thereof, which protrude towards the other of the bracing members 6, 7. The free ends of the lips 8, 9 are provided with guides which slidably grip the other of the bracing members 6, 7,so that the bracing members 6, 7 may slide in relation to one another but are held at a fixed distance away from one another. Extending between inner surfaces of the lips 8, 9 are one or more springs 10. It will be appreciated that the springs lO will tend to pull the lips 8, 9 of the bracing members 6, 7 together, thereby forcing the bracing s members 6, 7 to slide past one another and hence force the ends 4, 5 of the supporting member 2 apart.

An alternative embodiment is shown in Figure 3. In this embodiment, in the region of the overlap between the bracing members 6, 7, the bracing lo members 6, 7 are provided on opposing surfaces thereof with a series of interlocking teeth 11. The bracing members 6, 7 may be arranged with respect to one another in a desired way, i.e. so that the ends 4, 5 of the supporting member 2 are a desired distance apart, and then pressed together so that the interlocking teeth it engage one another. A removable clamp 12 may be Is provided to hold the bracing members 6, 7 together. It will be understood that, once the interlocking teeth 11 engage one another, no relative movement between the bracing members 6, 7 will be possible.

The bracing arrangement is not restricted to the above two described in embodiments. Indeed, a skilled person will readily appreciate that there are many ways in which the bracing members 6, 7 may be biased away from one another, or may be provided with a mechanism allowing the bracing members 6, 7 to be moved relative to one another and then fixed in place so that no further relative movement therebetween is possible.

For instance, the bracing members 6, 7 may simply terminate leaving a gap therebetween, with one or more springs or other expansion elements being provided between the free ends of the bracing members 6, 7 and tending to force the bracing members 6, 7 apart.

In other embodiments, a rack and pinion system may be provided between the bracing members 6, 7 so that the bracing members 6, 7 may be moved relative to one another by the turning of the pinion. A tool may be provided to allow the pinion to be turned readily, and in preferred embodiment, the rack and pinion system is configured so that commonlyavailable work site tools may be used for this purpose.

In the embodiments of the invention, the supporting member 2 is formed lo in a unitary fashion, from a single piece of material. However, in alternative embodiments of the invention, the supporting member 2 may be formed from a series of smaller, interlocking members, which may be covered by a sheet of flexible material so as to present a smooth upper surface. An advantage of these embodiments is that the radius of curvature of the supporting member 2 Is may be varied easily. Another advantage is that, if the supporting member is formed from a series of smaller interlocking elements, it will be possible to construct supporting member 2 so that the supporting member 2 may be laid flat, making a "flat-packable" version of the arch forming device 1 possible. A skilled person will readily appreciate how such a configuration may be achieved.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, side members (not shown) are provided on sides of the arch forming device 1, thus substantially enclosing the space between the supporting member 2, the bracing members 6, 7 and the :5 side members. It will be appreciated that, in a work site environment, substances such as cement, dust or sand may enter the device 1 and interfere with the bracing arrangement, and the provision of side members will help to reduce the possibility of this occurring. In view of the fact that the dimensions of the sides of the device 1 may change during operation thereof, it is envisaged that the side members may comprise flexible coverings.

With reference to Figure 4, use of the arch forming device l will now be s explained in the context of forming an arch in an external wall.

The arch forming device 1 is placed between two opposing surfaces 13, which will (in the case of an internal arch) typically comprise the sides of an unfinished door frame. Prior to insertion between the opposing surfaces 13, the lo device I will have a width less than the distance between the opposing surfaces 13. After insertion between the opposing surfaces 13, the bracing arrangement increases the width of the device 1 so that the device 1 is firmly held in place between the opposing surfaces 13, and the mechanism by which the width of the device 1 is increased, will be understood from the description above.

An arch is then formed, for instance, by placing suitably-shaped bricks 14 on the upper surface 3 of the supporting member 2. Once the arch is complete and able to support itself, the width of the device 1 is again decreased and the device 1 is removed from between the opposing surfaces 13. The to device 1 is then ready to be re-used in a formation of another arch, or stored for later use. The "external" arch can then be finished using face brickwork or external plastering.

When creating "internal arches" (e.g. through-lounges or internal as doorways) an arch forming device 1 is used in an opening using brickwork which is then plastered and made-good up to the edge of the arch forming device 1. The next day the arch forming device 1 is removed and the underneath of the arch can be plastered and finished.

It will be apparent that the embodiments to the present invention may be employed both for external and internal arches. It is envisaged that a building worker who is often called upon to create arches will be equipped with a series of arch forming devices embodying the present invention, for instance one s having a width of around 3 metres, the second having a width of around 2 metres, and a third having a width of around 1 metro. This will allow the worker to form arches of different widths readily.

While, in the above description, the supporting member 2 of the device 1 lo is described simply as being curved, the invention is not limited to devices having supporting members which comprises a simple curve, and a supporting member having any type of curve, however complex, is envisaged.

It will be understood that the present invention forms a flexible and Is simple to use device for forming arches, which does not suffer from drawbacks associated with conventional arch-forming techniques.

In the present specification "comprises" means "includes or consists of" and "comprising" means "including or consisting of".

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any as combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. An arch-forming device, comprising: a supporting member for

supporting an arch during construction thereof, the supporting member having a curved upper surface and first and second ends; a bracing arrangement extending between first and second locations near the first and second ends of the supporting surface, the bracing arrangement allowing the distance between the first and second locations to be varied.
2. A device according to Claim 1, wherein the bracing arrangement is operable to apply force to the first and second locations in a direction to push the first and second locations away from one another.

is
3. A device according to Claim 2, wherein the bracing arrangement comprises first and second bracing members respectively associated with the first and second ends of the supporting member, the bracing arrangement being configured to apply force to the first and second bracing members in a direction to push each bracing member towards the end of the supporting surface with which the bracing member is associated.
4. A device according to Claim 3, wherein the bracing arrangement comprises one or more springs attached to the first and second bracing members.
5. A device according to Claim 1, wherein the bracing arrangement comprises an adjustable fixing device attached to the first and second bracing members, whereby the first and second bracing members may be moved with respect to one another and then fixed to one another so as to prevent relative movement therebetween.
6. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the supporting member and the first and second bracing members are formed in a unitary fashion.
7. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the supporting member is formed in a unitary fashion.
8. A device according to any one of Claims 1 to S. wherein the supporting member is formed from a series of interlocking members.
9. A device according to Claim 8, wherein the supporting member and the Is bracing arrangement are arranged so that the arch forming device may be placed in a substantially flat configuration.
10. A device according to any preceding claim, further comprising a pair of side members which substantially enclose a space between the supporting so member, the bracing arrangement and the side members.
11. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the arc of the curved surface is variable by adjusting the length of the supporting member.

:5
12. A device according to Claim l l, wherein the supporting member comprises two parts movable with respect to one another and lockable to one another at a predetermined length.
13. A method substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

13. A method of forming an arch, comprising the steps of: providing an arch forming device comprising a supporting member having a curved upper surface and a bracing arrangement operable to allow the distance between the first and second locations to be varied; placing the arch forming device between two opposing upright surfaces such that the bracing arrangement holds the arch forming device in place; forming an arch which is, during formation thereof, at least partially supported by the supporting member; and removing the arch forming device.

lo
14. A device substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

15. A method substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

16. Any novel feature or combination of features disclosed herein.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows I 1. An arch-forming device, comprising: a supporting member for supporting an arch during construction thereof, the supporting member having a curved upper surface and first and second ends; and a bracing arrangement extending between first and second locations near the first and second ends of the supporting surface and comprising first and second bracing members respectively associated with the first and second ends of the supporting member which extend toward and overlap with one another, the bracing arrangement allowing the distance between the first and second locations to be varied and being configured to apply force to the first and second bracing members in a direction to push each bracing member towards the end of the supporting surface with which the bracing member is associated.

2. A device according to Claim 1, wherein the bracing arrangement comprises one or more springs attached to the first and second bracing members.

3. A device according to Claim 1, wherein the bracing arrangement comprises an adjustable fixing device attached to the first and second bracing members, whereby the first and second bracing members may be moved with respect to one another and then fixed to one another so as to prevent relative movement therebetween.

4. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the supporting member and the first and second bracing members are formed in a unitary fashion.

5. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the supporting I member is formed in a unitary fashion.

6. A device according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the supporting member is formed from a series of interlocking members.

7. A device according to Claim 6, wherein the supporting member and the bracing arrangement are arranged so that the arch forming device may be placed in a substantially flat configuration.

8. A device according to any preceding claim, further comprising a pair of side members which substantially enclose a space between the supporting member, the bracing arrangement and the side members.

9. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the arc of the curved surface is variable by adjusting the length of the supporting member.

10. A device according to Claim 9, wherein the supporting member comprises two parts movable with respect to one another and lockable to one another at a predetermined length.

11. A method of forming an arch, comprising the steps of: providing an arch forming device comprising a supporting member for supporting an arch during construction thereof, the supporting member having a curved upper surface and first and second ends, and a bracing arrangement extending between first and second locations near the first and second ends of the supporting surface and comprising first and second bracing members respectively associated with the first and second ends of the supporting member which extend toward and overlap with one another, the bracing arrangement allowing the distance between the first and second locations to be varied and being configured to apply force to the first and second bracing members in a direction to push each bracing member towards the end of the supporting surface with which the bracing member is associated; placing the arch forming device between two opposing upright surfaces such that the bracing arrangement holds the arch forming device in place, forming an arch which is, during formation thereof, at least partially supported by the supporting member, and removing the arch forming device.

12. A device substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.