US1524325A - Form - Google Patents

Description

Jam, 27. 1925.

w. M. VENABLEY FORM FiledMay 24, 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 WI'I NESS Jan, 27. I925. 1,524,325

. w. M. VENABLE FOR-M Filed May 24, 1922 2 SheetS- -Sheet 2 Patented Jan. 27,. 1925,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM M. VENABLE, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO BLAW-KNOX COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

FORM.

Application filed May 24, 1922. Serial No. 563,318.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM MAYO VEN- ABLE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Pittsburgh, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Forms, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to forms foruse in the construction of tunnels, culverts, and the like. It is an important object of the invention that one length of the form may be collapsed and shifted along through similar lengths already set up in working position,so that as the tunnelling advances, lengths on which the concrete tunnel lining has already hardened may be carried forward through lengths on which the lining is not yet hard, and used to mold the lining further ahead, Other objects and advantages will appear from the description, hereinafter, of the best embodiment of the invention at present known.

In the drawings,cFig. 1 shows a crosssection through the tunnel site, and affords an end view of a form length set up in working position ready for the molding of tunnel lining about it, and also of a traveller for shifting and placing the form lengths.

Fig. 2 shows a longitudinal mid-section through the parts and mechanisms illustrated in Fig. 1.

The form shown comprises, for each length, a curved top section A and a couple of partly curved side sections B so mounted and attached to the secti A, at its lateral extremities, that they m y be swung inward toward the center of the tunnel to collapse the form for transfer,--in the manner indi cated in dotted lines in Fig. 1. As shown, the sections A, B are stiffened laterally by curved channel frames or ribs 5 and 6, which are connected and spaced apart by fore and aft members. The exterior walls of the form are completed by appropriately curved plates attached to the channels 5, 6, and are stiffened with fore and aft angle bars 7. The top form section A is braced transversely by cross braces C, interconnecting the lateral extremities of the section. As

gether are attached to the channel ribs 5 and 6. Outward movement of the side sec-, tions B in setting up the form is limited by stop means here shown as comprising bracket plates 14 attached to the ribs 6 and having curved slots (concentric with the hinges 12) in which are engaged bolts or pins 16 in the ends of the horizontal members 8. To expand or collapse the form the side sections B may be moved outward or inward by means of eXpan-sible and collapsible lateral bracing means D, of turnbuckle construction, connectcd between said side sections and the lower ends of the uprights 9. In the surface plates or panels 'of the form, between the ribs 5, 6, are hinged doors 17 throu h which concrete may be placed aroun the form from the working platform E resting on the cross braces C. As shown, there is ample headroom for working between the platform E and the form top or roof.

For conveying and setting up the form lengths, there may be employed a traveller here shown as comprising a main frame structure F mounted on wheels 21, and also an elevator framework G raisable above the rest of the traveller. As shown, the rectangular frames F and G are of quite similar construction, and are each suitably braced and rendered rigid by diagonals 22 and gussets 23. The upright channels and lates 24, 25 which form the corners of the ame F are arranged to form angular guideways for the frame G, whose corners consist of upright angle bars 26. For raising and lowering the elevator G, chain block tackles 27 may be mounted at the four corners of the frame F, on its uppermost cross-members 28, and the chain ends may be attached to the horizontal members 29 of the elevator G. As shown, the uppermost longitudinal members 30 of the elevator G are extended fore .and aft, so as to afford bearing for all the cross braces C of each form length. The centers of the frames F and G are conveniently open and clear, both fore and aft and vertically.

When the-form is set up in working position, as shown in full lines, the sides B are spread apart so as to rest on shoring or timbering H at the sides of the tunnel, and the whole form is firmly and rigidl braced, transversely, by the cross-braces and the turnbuckles D, quite independently of the traveller and its elevator. Under this condition, the form maybe lifted and supported independently of the traveller, on the timbering H, by means of wedges 31 interposed between the timbering and the lower edge of the form sides B. When the form is to be collapsed and transferred, the elevator G may be raised to engage the braces C and lift the weight of the form 011' the 'timbering H. Thereupon the wedges 31 may be knocked 'out, and the form sides B thus released so that they can be swung inward toward the traveller and the center of the tunnel, clear of the timbering H I vertically. Thus collapsed, the form may be lowered by means of the elevator G until it occupies substantially the position indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1. Under this condition, it will be seen, there is ample space and clearance for movement of a form length collapsed and lowered on the travel- ,ler beneath form lengths set up in place.

I claim:

1. A tunnel form comprising a curved top section, with a cross-brace therefor substantially above a diameter of the form curve; and side sections hinged to said top section; said form when in position permitting passage therethrough past its said cross-brace of another similar form collapsed.

2. A tunnel form comprising a curved top section, with a cross brace interconnecting and bracing its lateral extremities substantially above a diameter. of the form curve; curved side sections hinged to said top section; and means interconnected between top and side sections forexpanding or collapsing the latter; said form when in position permitting passage therethrough of another similar form collapsed.

3. A tunnel form comprising a curved top section, with a cross-brace therefor substantially therebelow and above a diameter of the form curve; and side sections hinged to said top section above the horizontal member of saidcross-brace;- said form when in position permitting passage therethrough past its said cross-brace of another similar form collapsed.

4. A collapsible self-supportin tunnel form comprising a substantial y rigid curved top section having a cross-brace sub- ,stantially therebelow and above a diameter of the form curve; curved side sections hinged to said top section above the horizontal member of said cross-brace; and expansible and collapsible lateral bracing means connected between said cross-brace and said side sections, for moving the latter outward and inward; said form when in position permitting passage therethrough past its said cross-brace of another similar form coll lapsed.

5. A tunnel form comprising a curved top section with working doors therein, and a cross-brace interconnecting the lateral extremities of said section, with headroom for working between them, substantially above a diameter of the form curve; and curved side sections hinged to said top section above the horizontal member of said cross brace; said form when in position permitting passage therethrough of another similar form collapsed.

'6. Tunnel form apparatus comprising a traveller with a form-supporting elevator structure raisable above the rest of the traveller; and a plurality of tunnel forms adapted to be moved along on said traveller and raised by its elevator into working position; the individual form comprising a top section, side sections hinged thereto for swinging inward from working position, and means interconnected between top and side sections for expanding or collapsing the latter, said form being capable, when lowered by the traveller elevator and collapsed as set forth, of being conveyed by the traveller through other similar forms set up in working position.

7. Tunnel form apparatus comprising a traveller with a form-supporting elevator structure raisable above the rest of the traveller; and a plurality of tunnel forms adapted to be moved along on said traveller and raised by its elevator into working-position; the individual form comprising a top section, a cross-brace therefor substantially therebelow, and curved side sections hinged to said top section for swinging inward from working position, said form being copable. when lowered by the traveller elevator and collapsed as set forth, of being conveyed by the traveller through other similar forms set up in working position.

8. Tunnel form apparatus comprising a traveller with a form-supporting elevator structure raisable above the rest of the traveller; and a plurality of tunnel forms adapted to be moved along on said travellersection, a cross-brace interconnecting the collapsed as set forth, of being conveyed by lateral extremities of said section, and the traveller through other similar forms set curved side sections hinged to said top secup in working position.

tion above the horizontal member of said In testimonywhereof, I have hereunto 5 cross-brace for swinging inward from worksigned my name.

ing position, and the form being'icapable, c

When lowered by the traveller elevator and VYILLIAM M. VENABLE.

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