US2548703A

US2548703A - Adjustable stringer mold for concrete steps

Info

Publication number: US2548703A
Application number: US63767A
Authority: US
Inventors: Ralph L Cline
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1948-12-06
Filing date: 1948-12-06
Publication date: 1951-04-10
Anticipated expiration: 1968-04-10

Description

April 10, 1951 R. L. CLINE ADJUSTABLE STRINGER MOLD FOR CONCRETE STEPS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 6, 1948 PALPH L. C'L/A/E,

' I3 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY April 10, 1951 R. CLINE ADJUSTABLE STRINGER MOLD FOR CONCRETE STEPS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec.

FAA/ 4 ACE/us,

INVENTOR.

3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. e, 1948 84m 1 (z/us, IN VEN TOR.

Patented Apr. 10, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ADJUSTABLE STRINGER MOLD FOR CONCRETE STEPS Ralph L. 'Cline, Hickory, Application December 6, 1948, Serial No. 63,767 Claims. (01. 25-118) This invention relates to an adjustable riser supporting stringer for use in conjunction with forms for pouring concrete steps and the like.

i leretofore, there have been various means by which the riser members which extend transversely between the side iorm members of concrete steps have been supported. The most commonly used means is that of cutting notches in large timbers, such as 2 by 8's, the notches of which are cut according to the rise and tread of the proposed steps to be poured and the riser members were then nailed to the notches and then the riser supporting means, which are commonly called stringers, would be rigidly mounted between the side forms of the concrete steps, in any suitable manner, after which the concrete was poured against the riser members between the side form members.

It is an object of this invention to provide a stringer comprised of a number of parts and which may be easily disassembled for conveying the same from one place to another.

' It is another object ,of this invention to provide a riser supporting stringer which comprises a plurality of L-shaped bars, the horizontal legs of which are disposed on,a horizontal plane, one above the other but in staggered relation to each other and the horizontal leg of each of which is provided with albracket for connecting the same to the vertical leg of the next adjacent lower L-shaped barand these brackets being adjustable on the horizontal as well as the vertical legs of the L-shaped members to provide means for adjusting the position of the L,-shaped or right angular members with respect to each other to conform to the desired height of the risers and the width ofthe treads of the proposed concrete steps.

It is another object of this invention to providea stringer of the type described and Wherein each of the vertical legs of the rightangular members is provided with a vertically adjustable member to which the riser is adapted to ;be,secured and whereby the range of vertical adjustment of the vertically adjustable member ,will permit the utilization of any desired width of riser boards.

Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other objects will appear as the description proceeds when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which Figure l is atop plan view of the apparatus, hp n it .i a conjunc on w th s de. .Iorm mem e iq .9nq te ts andshqw nsi he concrete after it has been poured a a s w of the risers;

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the apparatus with the central portion brolgen away;

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 3 -3 in Fi ure 2;

Figure 4 is an elevation with parts in section maki g from a one the l ne in F u e 2;

Figure 5 is an isometric view showing one of the assembled stringers and is tairen substantially along the line 3-3 in Figure 2;

Figure 6 is an enlarged inverted sectional plan vie an s t k n ubs an all a o t ne 6 B in Figure 3. 7

Referring more specifically to the drawings, the numerals l0 and I0 indicate left-hand and right-hand vertically disposed side form panels which are reinforced by and suitably secured to spaced upstanding stakes II and l I, ,respective 0 ly, the lower ends of which project below the panels l0 and i0 respectively, and are driven into the ground indicated at G. Obviously, the stake ll would be of the same length as the height of the side panel In in the event that the concrete steps were to be poured on an impenetrable surface such as a concrete or wood floor. The right-hand side form panel l0 and associated parts, being identical to .those at the ieft-handside, will bear the samereference characters with theprime notation added, except the

members comprising portions

40, 43 and 50 9999511 ha Ifhe stakes ll are each supported-by an angularly disposed brace bar J2 suitably nailed at its u pe nd to th ss c ate take v an at lower end to a smaller upstanding stake l3 which is also driven into the ground G.

,A frame member {4 spans the distance betw en th sid p e 1.9 an a h lower front e e t er q' e d i may b bse e n F gures 3, igand .5 that thisframe member I4 i dis se et th lo eft-hand corner 9 e de Penll" Th sid i an 10 m b n l orsecured in any other suitable manner to the opposite ends of the frame member J4. It may also be observed in Figures 3,4 and 5 that the fighthand edge of thesidfi panel II] is nailed or secured inany,othersuitablemanner to a frame member i5which spans the distance between the S d Pane I." and The ,parts heretofore described are the usual parts of conventional step forms and it is with these parts thatgthisinvention is adapted to be as o ted.

Broadly, the invention is comprised of aplurality of L-shaped or right angular bars, all of which are identical. However, due to the fact that those bars at the upper and lower ends of the stringer are secured to the frame members of the form in a different manner and also due to the fact that the intermediate L-shaped members are secured to the uppermost and lowermost L- shaped members in a diiferent manner, the description will refer to the lower, the intermediate and the upper L-shaped bars by different reference characters, for purposes of clarity.

In the drawings there are two stringer assemblies broadly designated at 2|] and 2B, respectively. The stringer assembly 26 being identical in all respects to the stringer assembly 20, with the exception of various of the parts being opposite hand, will bear the same reference characters as the stringer assembly 20 with the prime notation added. It might be stated that there may be any desired number of these stringer assemblies 20 placed at various points apart from each other between the side forms It and Ill, depending upon the width of the steps to be poured, to thus lend rigidity to the center portions of the risers to be presently described. It is evident that although both left-hand and right-hand stringer assemblies are shown in the drawings, if so desired, all of the stringer assemblies may be identical or they may be opposite hand as shown in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4.

The stringer assembly 20 is shown in the drawings as comprising a lower L-shaped bar 2|, an intermediate L-shaped bar 22 (of which there may be any desired number) and an upper L- shaped bar 23, all of which are identical. The horizontal leg of the L-shaped bar 2| is adjustably mounted in a guide block. 24, secured as by screws 25 to the lower frame member M. A set screw 26 threadably penetrates the guide block 24 and bears against the horizontal leg of the bar 2| thus locking the same in adjusted position. The vertical leg of the L-shaped bar 2| slidably penetrates a guide block 2'! which is identical to the guide block 24. This guide block 21 is secured as by screws 30 to the first riser 3|, the opposite ends of which are secured to the end form panels I and W in any suitable manner, such as by nailing.

The vertical leg of the L-shaped member 2| is adjustably secured in the guide block 27 as by a set screw 32 which threadably penetrates the guide block 21 and bears against the vertical legs of the L-shaped member 2|. The vertical legs of the L-

shaped bars

22 and 23 slidably penetrate guide blocks which are identical to and bear the same reference character as the guide block 21, in which the vertical leg of the L- shaped member 2| is mounted. The guide block 21 in which the vertical leg of the L-shaped member 22 is mounted is secured by the screws 30 to a second riser 35 and the guide block 2'! in which the vertical leg of the upper L-shaped member 23 is mounted is secured by the screws 30 to the transverse frame member l between the side form panels l0 and Hi.

'It will be noted that the lower outer edges of the risers 3| and 35 are beveled thus forming a sharp edge at the inner lower edges of the risers 3| and 35. This sharp edge on the lower edge of the riser 3| is not essential, however; the sharp edge at the bottom of the riser 35 is provided so that after the concrete C has been poured between the side form panels l0 and I0 and against the inner surfaces of the risers 3| and 35, a mason will be able to finish practically the entire upper surface of the tread smoothly to the juncture of the tread and the riser formed by the riser member 35.

The horizontal legs of the intermediate L- shaped member 22 as well as of the upper L- shaped member 23 are connected to the vertical legs of the L-shaped members 2| and 22, respectively in the identical manner and, therefore, the parts associated with the vertical legs of the L-shaped bars 2| and 22 will bear the same reference character.

A portion of the horizontal leg of the L-shaped bar 22 is slidably mounted between the flanges of a channel-shaped member 40 having spaced vertically disposed bars welded to and spamiing the distance between the flanges of the same and it is obvious that the channel bar 40 thus formed may be a tubular member which is rectangular in cross section if so desired. A set screw 42 threadably penetrates one of the flanges of the channel bar 40 and adjustably secures the horizontal leg of the L-shaped member 22 in the channel bar 40.

A channel bar 43 is welded to the side of the channel bar 40 and extends upwardly therefrom. This channel bar 43, like the channel bar 40, is provided with cross-bars 44 which span the distance between and are welded to the flanges of the channel bar 43 and it is obvious that this channel bar 43 may also be a tubular member which is rectangular in cross section. This channel bar 43 has the vertical leg of the L-shaped bar 2| mounted between the flanges thereof to permit vertical sliding movement of the channel bar 43 on the vertical leg of the L-shaped bar 2| as by a set screw 45 which threadably penetrates one of the flanges of the channel bar 43 and bears against the vertical leg of the L-shaped bar 2|.

t is thus seen that, since the channel bar 40 is integral with the channel bar 43, vertical adjustment of the channel bar 43 will also adjust the horizontal leg of the L-shaped bar 22 in a vertical plane relative to the vertical leg of the L-shaped bar 2| It will be noted that the guide blocks 21 are cut at an angle as at 46 at their lower ends which will thus permit the bottom edge of the horizontal leg of any one of the L-shaped bars 2| to 23 inclusive, to be adjusted flush with the lower end of its associated block 21.

by a channel bar 55 which is also loosely penetrated by the bolt 5| and the head of the bolt 5| is disposed in a counterbore 54 in the web of the channel bar 53 so that the head of the bolt 5| will be flush with the inner surface of the web of the channel bar 53. It will be noted in Figure 6 that the upper end of the bolt 5| has lock nuts 55 threadably mounted thereon and which will permit oscillation of the channel bar 50, the washer 52 and the channel bar 53, relative to each other, on the bolt 5|. It might be stated that a rivet may be used, if desired, in lieu of the bolt 5| and have its ends peened or turned over in such a manner as to permit the relative 5. oscillatory movement between the

channel bars

50 and 53 and the washer 52.

The channel bar 53', which may be a tubular member, rectangular in cross-section, if so desired, has cross-bars 56 welded to and spanning the distance between its flanges, and an angularly. disposed brace bar 51 is slidably mounted in the channel bar 53 and one of the cross-bars 56 has an adjustment screw 80 threadably penetrating the same and bearing against the brace bar 51 to adjustably secure the brace in the channel bar 53. It will be noted that due to. the relation of the L -

shaped bars

2 l, 22 and 23 to each other, the brace bar cannot extend in parallel relation to the longitudinal axis of the stringer assembly 20 and thus the loose connection between the channel bar 58 and the channel bar 53 is provided as shown in Figure 6 and heretofore described.

It will be noted that the brace bar 5'! extends between and slidably penetrates the channel bar 53 associated with the vertical legs of each of the L-shaped bars 2!, and 22 and the upper end of the brace bar 5'! has welded thereto a cuff member 62 which is adapted to slidably receive the lower end of another of the brace bars 51 in the event that there are to be more than one intermediate L-shaped member 22, as would be the case in the event that the steps were to have more than two risers. 'The cuff member 62 is threadably penetrated by a set screw 63 which engages and secures the lower end of the second bar 51 to the first bar 51.

Referring to Figures 3 and i, it may be noted that the angularly cut bottom at on the guide blocks 21 allows for adjustment of the vertically disposed channel bar 43 in such a manner as to provide a space between the upper edges of the form riser members 3| and 35 and the lower edges of the intermediate and upper L-

shaped bars

22 and 23, respectively, thus leaving a space for passage of the masons trowel therethrough in finishing the top surface of the treads of the steps over which they are disposed.

. If this apparatus is used to pour steps up to a landing 17, no rear wall would be required, but if used where no landing is present, then a suitable rear wall would be required. a

It is to be understood that as many sets of right angular members and associated parts as desired may be used to suit the number of steps required in each instance.

Also, even though, members H], II, l2, l3, I4, 15, 3! and 35 are shaded for wood in some of the figures of the drawings, it is to be understood that these parts may be fibre board, metal, plastic,-or any other suitable material.

It is thus seen that I have perfected a stringer for use in combination with the forms used in pouring concrete steps, which is simple in construction and which comprises a plurality of L- shaped members to which the riser form members may be secured, and which may be adjusted with respect to each other in such a manner as to accommodate any size of tread or rise in the pouring of concrete steps. Another feature 2 this invention is that it may be assembled or disassembled with a minimum of tools and may be stored, when not in use, in a very limited space.

In the drawings and specification there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention, and although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only, and not for purposes of limitation,

the scope of the invention being defined'in the claims. Y

I claim: I l. A stringer for supporting riser form members against whichconcretet is poured in the forming of concrete steps comprising upper and lower transverse frame members disposed at the landing of and at the foot of the steps, respectively, guide blocks secured to the uppermost of the frame members and to the vertical outer surfaces.

of each of the risers, a plurality of L-shaped members each having a horizontal leg and a vertical leg, the vertical legs of which slidably pene trate the guide blocks, clamping means associated.

with the guide blocks for clamping the vertical legs of the L-shaped members and guide blocks in fixed relation to each other, said L-shaped members comprising intermediate L-shaped members, an upper L-shaped member and a lower L-shaped member, a portion of the horizontal legs of the L-shaped members being disposed adjacent the vertical legs of the next adjacent L-shaped members, means associated with the vertical legs of the L-shaped members for securing the horizontal legs of the adjacent L-shaped members thereto. 7

2. In a form against which concrete is poured in the forming of concrete steps comprising end wall members and transverse frame members and riser members, lower, upper and intermediate L-shaped members, each of the L-shaped members having a horizontal and a vertical leg, guide blocks secured to each of said riser members and said transverse frame members, means for adjustably securing the horizontal leg of the lower L-shapedmember in the guide block on one of the transverse frame members and means for securing the vertical leg of the upper L-shaped member in the guide block on another of thetransverse frame members, means for adjustably securing the vertical legs of the lower and the intermediate L-shaped members in the guideblocks on the adjacent riser members, and means for adjustably securing the horizontal legs of theintermediate and the upper L-shaped members to the adjacent vertical legs of the lower and intermediate L-shaped members.

3. In a form against which concrete is poured in the forming of concrete steps comprising end wall members and transverse frame members and riser members, lower, upper and intermediate L-shaped members, each of the L-shaped mem-- bers having a horizontal and a vertical leg, means. for adjustably securing the horizontal leg of the: lower L-shaped member to one of the transverse frame members and mean for securing the vertical leg of the upper L-shaped member to another of the transverse frame members, means for adjustably securing the vertical legs of the lower and the intermediat L-shaped members to adjacent riser members, and means for adjustably securing the horizontal legs of the intermediate and the upper L-shaped member to the adjacent vertical legs of the lower and intermediate L-shaped members, said means for adjustably securing the horizontal legs of the inter.- mediate and upper L-shaped members'to the adjacent vertical legs of the lower and intermediate L-shaped members comprising a tubular member adjustably mounted on the vertical legs of each of the intermediate L-shaped members and the lower L-shaped member, a horizontally disposed tubular member connected to the vertically disposed tubular member adjacent its lower end for slidably receiving the adjacent horizontal legs of the intermediate and upper L-shaped members, locking means associated with the vertically disposed and horizontally disposed tubular members for adjustably securing the horizontal and vertical legs of adjacent L-shaped members in predetermined relation to each other.

4. In a form against "which concrete is poured in the forming of concrete steps comprising end wall members and transverse frame members and riser members, lower, upper and intermediate L-shaped members, each of the L-shaped members having a horizontal and a vertical leg, means for adjustably securing the horizontal leg of the lower L-shaped member to one of the transverse frame members and means for securing the vertical leg of the upper L-shaped member to another of the transverse frame members, means for adjustably securing the vertical legs of the lower and the intermediate L-shaped members to adjacent riser members, and means for adjustably securing the horizontal legs of the intermediate and the upper L-shaped members to the adjacent vertical legs of the lower and intermediate L- shaped members, said means for adjustably securing the horizontal legs of the intermediate and upper L-shaped members to the adjacent vertical legs of the lower and intermediate L-shaped members comprising a tubular member adjustably mounted on the vertical legs of each of the intermediate L-shaped members and the lower L- shaped member, a horizontally disposed tubular member connected to the vertically disposed tubular member adjacent its lower end for slidably receiving the adjacent horizontal legs of the intermediate and upper L-shaped members, looking means associated with the vertically disposed and horizontally disposed tubular members for adjustably securing the horizontal and vertical legs of adjacent L-shaped members in predetermined relation to each other, a diagonally disposed brace member extending from the upper end of each of the vertically disposed tubular members, to one end of its associated horizontally disposed tubular member, a tubular member pivotally connected to the diagonally disposed brace member, a diagonally disposed brace bar extending from adjacent the vertical leg of the lower L-shaped member past and adjacent the vertical leg of each of the intermediate L-shaped members and slidably penetrating each of the tubular members which is pivotally connected to the diagonally disposed bar and means for locking the diagonally disposed brace bar in the tubular members through which it extends.

5. In a form against which concrete is poured in the forming of concrete steps comprising end wall members and transverse frame members and riser members, lower, upper and intermediate 8 L-shaped members, each of the L-shaped members having a horizontal and a vertical leg, means for adjustably securing the horizontal leg of the lower L-shaped member to one of the transverse frame members and means for securing the vertical leg of the upper L-shaped member to another of the transverse frame members, means for adjustably securing the vertical leg of the lower and the intermediate L-shaped members to adjacent riser members, and means for adjustably securing the horizontal legs of the intermediate and the upper L-shaped members to the adjacent vertical legs of the lower and intermediate L-shaped members, said means for adjustably securing the horizontal legs of the intermediate and upper L- shaped members to the adjacent vertical legs of the lower and intermediate L-shaped members comprising a tubular member adjustably mounted on the vertical legs of each of the intermediate L-shaped members and the lower L-shaped member, a horizontally disposed tubular member connected to the vertically disposed tubular member adjacent its lower end for slidably receiving the adjacent horizontal legs of the intermediate and upper L-shaped members, locking means associated with the vertically disposed and horizontally disposed tubular members for adjustably securing the horizontal and vertical legs of adjacent L-shaped members in predetermined relation to each other, a diagonally disposed brace mem-' ber extending from the upper end of each of the vertically disposed tubular members, to one end of its associated horizontally disposed tubular member, a tubular member pivotally connected to the diagonally disposed brace member, a diagonally disposed brace bar extending from adjacent the vertical leg of the lower L-shaped member past and adjacent the vertical leg of each of the intermediate L-shaped members and slidably penetrating each of the tubular members which is pivotally connected to the diagonally disposed bar and means for locking the diagonally disposed brace bar in the tubular members through which it extends, a cufi member integral with the upper end of the diagonally disposed brace bar for receiving the lower end of a second brace bar disposed in alinement with the first brace bar and means for locking the lower end of the second brace bar in the cuff member.

RALPH L. CLINE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,106,627 Cornelius Aug. 11, 1914