US3080636A - Apparatus for the forming of concrete - Google Patents

Description

March 12, 1963 L. E. ZERLAUT 3,080,636 APPARATUS FOR THE FORMING OF CONCRETE Filed July 13, 1959 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG../

INVENTOR. LEONARD E ZERLAUT A T TORNE VS 12, 1963 E. ZERLAUT 3,080,636

APPARATUS FOR THE FORMING 0F CONCRETE Filed July 13, 1959 7 Sheets-Sheen? 2 IN VEN TOR.

LE ONA/PD E ZE/PLAUT' Z 4'1/ PM A 7' TO/PNEVS March 12,, 1963 Filed July 13, 1959 L E ZERLAUT APPARATUS FOR THE FORMING OF CONCRETE 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 9a 120 I20 a [00 I38 I08 108 5 Q 6 o |22 I22 0 F 58 I40 42 o ,0 102 124 96 Q 0 O 44 1| H0 H2 0 o [I I8 30 o 30 "T. FIG- /0 ATTORNEYS March 12, 1963 E. ZERLAUT 3,080,636

APPARATUS FOR THE FORMING OF CONCRETE Filed July 13, 1959 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

LEONA/PD 5 ZERLAUT I" H, BVWV'LZJ-Z March 12, 1963 Filed July 13, 1959 L. E. ZERLAUT APPARATUS FOR THE FORMING OF CONCRETE '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

LE ONA/PD E ZERLAU 7 ATTORNEYS March 12, 1963 E. ZERLAUT 3,080,636

APPARATUS FOR THE FORMING 0F CONCRETE Filed July 13, 1959 Y 7 Sheets-Sheet e O o "i Y n H L u 'z\"\ 3 a O g &

INVEN TOR.

I LEONA/PD E. ZERLAUTI March 12, 1963 L. E. ZERLAUT 3,030,636

APPARATUS FOR THE FORMING 0F CONCRETE Filed July 13, 1959 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOR. LE UNA/PD E ZERLAUT Z74 b 47' TOE/V6 Y5 lice 3,03%,636 APPARATUS FOR THE FGRMENG F CONCRETE Leonard E. Zerlaut, Santa Ana, Califi, assignor, by mesne assignments, to Wed Enterprises, Inc, Burbank, alil., a corporation of California Filed July 13, 1959, her. No. 826,621 4 Claims. Cl. 25-1) This invention relates to improvements in apparatus for the forming of concrete, and more particularly to an improved apparatus for the forming of concrete into members having smoothly contoured exterior surfaces.

A considerable portion of the time and expense involved in the erection of concrete structures is incurred in the makeup of the forms or molds incident to the casting of the concrete into members of desired shape and size. Often, however, it is possible to effect a reduction in both of these items by preforming or precasting the concrete members prior to final placement. Particularly is this true where the members are of similar shape and size, lending themselves to forming by means of rigid forms composed of a durable material such as steel to permit re-use of the forms in the casting of a plurality of like members. The savings in time and expense to be achieved by such standardization of forms is largely dependent upon the extent to w ich the members or" the structure are given to standarc ration.

There are of course numerous structures where standardization of many of their component members for preforming through use of re-usable rigid forms is not feasihie, or it feasible, is not practical because of the limited number of similar members involved. This is typically the case with those members which up the curved portions of the tracks or rails utilized in monorail systems. In these installations concrete members of both straight and curved configurations are positioned end to end to form the track over which the monorail train is carried upon pneumatic tired wheels. in the interests of safety and passenger comfort it is essential that the track contour be smooth throughout and that the transitions between adiacent curved members, serving to direct the train through curves and banks, be eil'ected without abrupt directional changes or surface irregularities. T his requires that both the top and side surfaces of each of these members be shaped so as to form sinootl ly contoured trackways, since the monorail train fully enbraccs the upper portion or" the beam with its pneumatic tired wheels tracking directly upon the beam top and side surfaces.

What are called for, then, in these monorail systems, -re suitably contoured load bearing members of requisite strength and of uniform cross section, to accommodate the spacing of the trains straddling wheels, at least in that upper portion of the beam bounded outwardly by the smoothly contoured top and side tracking surfaces. it is accordingly an object of this invention to provide an apparatus adapted for the preforming or precasting of such members, which is also well suited for preiorming concrete beams or the like in which careful shaping is a requirement.

Another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for forming beams or like members of smoothly curved top and side contour by the casting of same in upside down position.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus of the character des ".lbed, by which beams or the like may be accurately and precisely formed in a wide variety of curvatures and twists.

A further object of this invention is to provide an ap paratus of the character described, adapted for use with a form or mold comprised of a plurality of adjacent communicating sections, each independently and selectively .2 adjustable to give the form flexibility and to adapt the same to the precise forming or" variously shaped members.

Yet a -further object of this invention is to provide an apparatus of the character des ribed, through use of which the time and expense ordinarily incident to preforming of curved concrete members is reduced.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a view in perspective of the complete apparatus or" this invention with the flexible sectionalized form adjusted for the casting of siderecessed curved members and with the removable top section of the rollover framework pin secured in place to embrace the upper end of the central portion of the form;

FIGURE 2 is a view in perspective illustrating the invention apparatus rotated into discharge position with the roll-over framework top section removed to permit discharge of. a cast member from the inverted form;

FIGURES 3 through 7 are simplified views illustrating the sequence of steps in the operation of the apparatus of this invention;

FIGURE 8 is a view in vertical section taken through the form the top section of the roll-over framework shown removed and the form sidewalls in divergent attitudes to facilitate placement of reinforcing members within the ton-in prior to the pouring of concrete;

IGURE 9 is a View in plan of a typical member molded through use of the apparatus 01" this invention;

FEGURE 1C is a View illustrating a vertical cross sec tion of ream of HGURE 9 taken at its midpoint, and in phantom outline showing the profile of either end oi the bean FIGURE 11 is a view in side elevation of the left hand portion of the apparatus illustrating the section side and bottom positioning means spaced at regular intervals throughout the length of the form, with the form being shown positioned in horizontal attitude;

FIGURE 12 is a view in section taken on the line 321L412, of FIGURE 11 with a reinforced concrete member shown disposed within the form;

FIGURE 13 is a view in plan and like FIGURE 11, shows the left hand portion of the apparatus, but with the form flexed for the casting of a curved member;

FIGURE 14 is a view in end elevation of the flexible form and a portion of the underlying support framework illustrating the manner of setting a twist into the form through operation of the section side positioning means; and

FIGURE 15 is a view in section taken on the line 15-45 of FlGURE 13 with the form in a slightly inclined position and laterally displaced to the left hand side of the support framework.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in FIG- URES 9 and 10' a typical beam member ltl, molded or formed to a smoothly curved surface contour by means of the apparatus of this invention. As is apparent in FIGURE 10, such beam member has been both uniformly twisted and curved throughout its length, being turned about horizontal and vertical radii. In FlGURE i0 is illustrated in solid outline a central cross section of beam ill and in phantom profile, views of either end. The pair of vertically extending oppositely inclined lines 12 repesent the center lines of either end of the beam and the line 14, a vertically extending reference line. Angles a measure the angular displacement of the beam ends from the vertical as the result of the aforesaid twisting of the beam.

The curvature and twist of beam 10 is but one of a wide variety which may be efiected through use of the apparatus of this invention as a result of incorporation therein of a form fabricated for flexibility in a plurality of individual sections disposed end to end, and separately adjustable to effect the desired beam curvature. The apparatus is therefore not limited in its use to the casting of members of uniform curvature and may in fact be utilized where absolutely straight members are desired, i.e., with the form positioned as illustrated in FIGURE 11.

In FIGURES l and 11 the flexible form 16 is shown carried upon a plurality of adjustable jacks 18 positioned to underlie the form at regular intervals throughout its length, and in turn carried for transverse movement upon the support framework 20. Support framework 20 is provided with rigid backbone support through a centrally disposed longitudinally extending deep web I-beam 22; and flanged cross members 24 are fixedly secured at regular intervals atop beam 22 to extend at right angles thereto and provide support and guidance for the individual jacks 18 slidably disposed thereon. A pair of I-beam side members 26 extend longitudinally of framework 20, being secured atop opposite ends of members 24 and tieing the same together to rigidity the framework.

A longitudinally extending roll-over framework 28, bounded at either end by split ring members 30, girdles the central portion of support framework 20 to provide rotatable support therefor through said ring members, which latter are carried for rotation upon rollers 32 disposed upon a portable carriage 34, or other suitable means of support.

Inasmuch as the left and right hand portions of the rollover framework 28 are similar, a detailed description of the left hand portion, illustrated in FIGURE 11, will suflice for both. Framework 28 is comprised of separable top and bottom sections 36 and 38, which are pin connected together for quick and easy separation. In FIG- URES 2 and 8 sections 36 and 38 are shown separated, and as is there apparent, only the bottom section 38 is fixedly secured to the support framework 20, the top section 36 serving an auxiliary function in conjunction with rotation of the flexible form 16, as more fully explained hereinafter.

The bottom section 38 is bounded at its end by the semicircular bottom segment 40 of ring member which centrally cradles the end of the support framework 20. I-beam member 22 is secured, as by welding, to the midpoint of the ring segment 40, and an appropriately positioned cross member 24 is end secured in chordal relation with said segment to form with I-beam member 22, a ring reinforcing truss. Segment is also reinforced at its upper ends by upwardly extending members 42 and 44 secured at their lower ends, as by welding, to opposite support framework side members 26, and at their upper ends to transversely extending members 46 and 48. An inclined member 47, end secured between members 42 and 24, provides additional segment rigidity. Member 46 is secured at its outer end to segment 40 by means of a pair of embracing gisset plates 50, spaced apart to form a saddle for receipt of the corresponding portion of the complemental ring top segment 52 and provided with aligned apertures for registering with corresponding similarly aligned upper segment apertures to receive a removable locking pin 54. A similarly functioning saddle is formed by upstanding apertured bracket members 56 secured atop a tubular backbone member 58 which extends longitudinally of the support framework to one side of the flexible form 16, being fixed intermediate the segment 40 and transverse member 48 and carried by support framework 20, as later described.

Similar locking arrangements, in which are utilized pins 60, are provided for locking upright members 42 and 44 to complemental upright members 62 and 64 in the ring upper segment 52. In FIGURE 11 are shown lon gitudin-ally extending diagonal tie rods 66 positioned at either side of the roll-over framework 28 astraddle of form 16 and end secured between the ring trussing members to give the roll-over framework longitudinal rigidity.

The top section 36 of the roll-over framework is essentially similar in its construction to the lower section 38, just described. However, certain additional members are provided for reinforcement, inasmuch as the structure of the support framework 20 is not available for use as a trussing means as in the case of the lower section 38. Thus, transverse member 70 serves to reinforce the top ring segment 52, being fixedly secured thereto, and to the upper ends of members 62 and 64, by means of gussets 72 and 74. An upstanding member 76 is fixedly secured to extend between the midpoints of member 70 and ring segment 52 to complete the trussing of the latter. At their lower ends upright members 62 and 64 are respectively secured to transversely extending members 78 and 80. Member 78 is directly secured at its outer end to ring segment 52 and reinforced thereat by an apertured gusset 82, whereas securing of the outer end of member 80 to ring segment 52 is eflected through a gusset 84, the lower portion of which is arcuately shaped for abutment with a portion of the upper surface of the backone member 58.

Longitudinal reinforcement of the roll-over framework top section 36 is provided by angles 86 and 88 which extend longitudinally of such framework between the ring reinforcing truss members. In FIGURE 11 are shown diagonal tie rods 90 which extend longitudinally to either side of top section 36 between ring top segments 52 and function in a manner similar to rods 66 in providing longitudinal reinforcement for the roll-over frame work.

As previously noted, the top section 36 of roll-over framework 28 is permitted quick and easy detachment from bottom section 38, with locking pins utilized as the securing means. When the top section of the rollover framework 28 is positioned atop the lower section and received within the saddle formed by plates 50 and 56 ready for pin securing, i.e. in the position illustrated in FIGURES 11 and 12, complemental members 46 and 78 and 48 and 80 are in side abutment, and complemental members 42 and 62 and 44 and 64 are respectively aligned and in end abutment. Pin-receiving apertures in the top section 36 register with those in the bottom section 38 and removable pins 54, 90 and 92, received therein, serve to interlock the two sections of the rollover framework. Thus, in the locked positions of FIG- URES 11 and 12, roll-over framework 28 completely girdles the support framework 20 at its mid-section and the form carried thereby, and provides a rigid truss framework capable of sustaining the loadings imposed thereon incidental to rotation of the form 16 and its contents, molded beam member M.

As above indicated, the flexible form or mold 16 is comprised of a plurality of separate individually adjustable sections of similar construction disposed end to end, the form being characterized by substantially continuous smooth sidewall and bottom inner surfaces. The mold sections are preferably spaced sufficiently close to prevent any substantial concrete leakage between adjacent section ends, but at a distance permitting individual section movement responsive to the operation of the positioning means, hereinafter described in greater detail but, in brief, including a plurality of adjustable scissors jacks 18 carrying the individual sections of form 16 upon the support framework 20. Each of the jacks is adapted for movement transversely of the support framework upon associated cross members 24 and is arranged to permit the pivotal and transverse movement of the supported form sections responsive to adjustment of the top and bottom tie rods and 102 of the side positioning means. Rods 100 and 102 are arranged for coaction in pairs and releasably connected at their inner ends to section side rib members and at their outer ends connected to the longitudinally extending rigid tubular backbone member 58.

Each of the seotions of the form 16 is constructed to permit tlexure of its bottom and sidewalls responsive to the action of tubular members 96 and torsion side rods 98, FIGURE 11, which extend longitudinally the length of the form and closely adjacent the bottom and sidewalls thereof, being respectively carried in apertures provided therefor in the section bottom and side rib members, as more fully described hereinafter.

Since each of the form sections is similar, a description or" one will suflice for all. In FIGURE 14, a typical form section is shown comprised of a bottom rib member 1134 pin-connected, as at 105, for pivotal support by jack 1%, and extending transversely and at right angles to the underlying l-beam 22 of support framework 26. Upwardly extending angle or side rib members 108 are pivoted near their lower ends by means of pins 116 at either end of bottom rib member 104, and stop means, such as protuberant blocks 112, are provided upon the latter member for limiting the extent of outward pivoting or splaying of the upper ends of the side rib members 108, as illustrated in FIGURE 8. Protuberant stop blocks 114 are additionally provided to prevent the side rib members from inclining inwardly at their upper ends to assume an acute angle relationship with the bottom rib member 1634. The stop blocks 114- thus assure that the side rib members 108, when tied together at their upper ends by tie bar means presently to be described, will assume and maintain a right angle relationship with the bottom rib member 1434 and will not act in the pivotal or collapsing fashion of a parallelogram linkage.

The above mentioned top tie means for the side rib members 1&8 includes pins 116 fixedly secured to project upwardly from the upper ends of such members and a transversely extending tie bar 118 suitably apertured at either end and of a length permitting its positioning upon pins 116 and its right angle disposition relative to the side walls of the mold section. The rib members 108, when tied together at their upper ends by the tie bars 118, form with bottom rib members 104 a rigid frame of block U-shape. Carried within this frame is the skin of the section which may be fabricated from steel plates or the like having considerable strength but permitting a limited amount of wall flexure responsive to the flexure of tubular members 96 and side rods 98. In the casting of beams of approximately 1%. foot width and 3 foot depth, sections of 2 foot length incorporating A; inch steel side wall and bottom plates have proved very satisfactory to permit the desired flexure and smooth directional transition from section to section, responsive to the shaping of tubular members 96 and torsion side rods 98.

The form 16 of the illustrated embodiment is shaped for the makeup of beams of generally rectangular cross section having shallow side ooncavities or recesses; however, the invention is of course not limited to a form of such shape but is in fact adapted for use with a wide variety of forms, suitable not only for the casting of beams, but for the casting of columns and the like as well. The section skin includes flexible sidewall members 12d, of generally rectangular shape in plan form, having inturned fillets or flanges extending along their upper and lower margins and angular longitudinally extending concavities in the vicinity of their mid-sections. Each of the side wall members 120 is fixedly secured near its end, as by welding, in-teriorly of a side rib member 108, extending approximately to the center thereof to permit an adjacent section sidewall to abut against said side rib member unsecured fashion to assure a flush side wall joint by aligning the adjacent section ends. Longitudinal members 122 are provided intermediate side rib members 1% and the recessed mid-section of the section sidewalls 120 to provide a measure of rigidity thereat.

The steel torsion rods 98, preferably heat treated, are positioned closely adjacent the flexible section sidewalls 320 and serve to control the flexure thereof by shaping each of said sidewalls to effect in form 16 a smooth inner surface contour. Rods 93 bridge the respective sections to link them for ooact-ion in shaping the form sidewalls. Such rods are adapted for flexure in smooth curves when the sections are moved out of axial alignment to effect a curvature in the form, the rods imparting such fiexu-re to the individual sections by abutment therewith, preferably at locations near the section midpoints. It may in certain instances be desirable to provide a filler means (not shown) intermediate rods 93 and the sidewalls at locations near the midpoints of the sections, if the rods are not sufficiently close to the sidewalls to permit proper engagement therewith. It should be noted that not only is the form adapted for the casting of curved members by virtue of the conjoint fiexure of the sections responsive to action of side rods 98, but is as well, suited for the casting of straight members when the sections are axially aligned and the rods 98 consequently straight.

The bottom skin of each mold section is formed by a flexible bottom plate 124 of rectangular shape which is carried atop the three tubular members as, the latter being carried in apertures provided therefor in the bottom rib member 104. The bottom plate 124 is disposed at right angle-s to, and extends substantially the entire distance between the form sidewalls 120, and may be disposed to rest freely upon tubular members or be clipped thereto, but should not be edge secured to the mold section sidewalls. The tubular members 96 perform in a fashion substantially similar to the side rods 98 in flexing with the beam sections as various adjustments are made therein, thereby serving to align the adjacent swtion ends and to contour the bottom plates of each form section which accordingly coact to effect a smoothly contoured form bottom surface. The achievement of an extremely smooth form bottom contour may be further facilitated by covering the bottom plates of the respective form sections with a continuous sheet of rubber (not shown) which also prevents any concrete leakage between adjacent bottom plate edges. It should again be noted that one of the primary objectives in providing the apparatus of this invention is to permit formation of a member in upside down position with the bottom surface of the form determining the contour of that member surface which ultimately becomes its top surface upon inversion of the form by means or" the rolL'ove-r framework.

Closure of the ends of form 16 may be accomplished through suitably shaped end plates (not shown) positioned interiorly of the form and releasably secured in place by means of bolts or the like connected to the section side rib members res. it may be desirable in order to permit the forming of members of different lengths to provide means (not shown) for adjusting the positions of said end plates longitudinally of the form.

The positioning means for form 15 includes a plurality of individually adjustable scissor or toggle link jacks 18, each of which is releasably pin connected at its upper end to a section bottom rib member, as at 106, FIG- URE l1, and at its lower end slidably connected to an associated cross member 24 by means of an angular clip 12%, and the opposite inturned ends of which extend beneath the edge margins of the cross member top flange. Slidable support for each of the jacks is furnished by up turned skid plate members 128. Sufiicient clearance is provided between the inturned ends of the clips 12d and members 24 to permit the jacks 13 a certain amount of pivotal movement in a horizontal plane to ccommodate the turning of the form sections necessarily incident to the flexure of form 16, as illustrated in FIGURE 13.

From a comparison of FIGURES 14 and 15, it may be observed that jacks 18 are adjustable by means of a screw to raise and lower the sections of form 26 and serve to permit as well, the pivoting of such sections 7 and their movement laterally of the support framework 20 responsive to adjustment of the tie rods 101) and 102.

The side positioning means is illustrated in FIGURE as comprised of the rigid tubular backbone member 58 which extends longitudinally of the support framework 29 in substantially parallel relation with the I beam 22. Backbone member 58 is supported at intervals throughout its length by pairs of inclined strut members 132 and 134 fixedly secured at their lower ends to channel cross members 136, FIGURE 11, which latter are interposed between and in parallel relation with cross members 24 to extend between the framework side members 26. Diagonal members 137 and 139 are secured to extend between -I-beam 22 and opposite side members 26' to reinforce the support framework in the vicinity of said strut members.

Tie rod support brackets 138 and 140 are respectively secured to the top and bottom of backbone members 58, as by welding, and are provided with apertures for the receipt of the outer ends of tie rods 100 and 102, said apertures being sufficiently large to permit substantialv pivoting of the rod outer ends when the latter are secured. to the brackets by retention means such as nuts or the like. The tie rods 100 and 102 are arranged in pairs to extend transversely of the support frame work 20 for connection at their inner ends by means of removable pins 142 to each of the adjacent side rib members 108. In FIGURES l and 13 is well illustrated the lateral adjustment which may be made in each of the mold sections through utilization of tie rods 100 ad 102 to elfect a smoothly contoured form.

Before describing the operation of the apparatus of this invention in detail, reference will be made to FIGURES 3 through 7, wherein simplified views of the apparatus show in sequence the various steps of its operation. Although form 16 is therein illustrated positioned centrally of the support framework 20 with its sidewalls 120 posi tioned in right angle relation with the cross members 24a position similar to that of the form in FIGURE 2-such position is for convenience of illustration only, and the form may of course assume a wide variety of positions responsive to adjustment of the tie rods 102 and 104.

In FIGURE 3 the form is shown ready for receipt of plastic concrete for the forming of the beam upside down,

with the top section of the roll-over framework removed to permit convenient access to the interior of the form. FIGURE 4 illustrates the form after placement of concrete therein and after the positioning of the top section of the roll-over framework atop the bottom section preparatory to rotation of the form. With sufficient set up of the concrete, the form is rotated, as shown in FIGURE 5, with the ring member furnishing suitable support. This latter step of course serves to position the member upright since, as above indicated, it is cast in upside down position. In FIGURE 6 the form is shown in an upside down or discharge position and in FIGURE 7 the top section of the roll-over framework is shown removed and a wall of the form pivoted outwardly to permit discharge of the cast concrete member from the form.

Turning now to a detailed description of the operation of the apparatus, in FIGURE 8, the tie bars 118 are shown removed; the mold section left sidewall is tilted outwardly against stop blocks 112; and the top section 36 of the roll-over framework 28 is removed. Normally, during the adjusting, pouring and initial setting of a concrete member in form 16, the top section 36 of roll-over framework 28 will be removed as shown. This facilitates loading of the form and additionally permits one roll-over framework top section to serve a number of forms. The interior of the form 15 is first suitably lubricated and the reinforcing steel 144 for the member to be cast, placed within the form. The form left sidewall 120 is then pivoted clockwise and the tie bars 118 are placed over the pins 116 to tie the form sidewalls together in parallel relation and at right angles to the form bottom plates 124. The form is then ready for shaping through adjustment of the various form sections. FIGURE 3 illustrates a typical form section with the tie bars in place and adjusted in an upright position ready for receipt of concrete.

- Scctionalizing of form 16 makes its on-the-job adjustment particularly easy, since the working drawings of the member to be fabricated may be arranged to include a schedule of the various sections with given dimensions tied to suitable reference lines. The form shaping operation is facilitated if the inner ends of the tie rods and 102 and the upper ends of the jacks 18 are respectively disconnected from the side rib members 108 and the bottom rib members 104 of all but the center and end sections of the form. The center and end sections may then be positioned first, in accordance with applicable data. The remainder of the form sections will, in re sponse to the action of side rods 98 and tubular members 96 assume a curve approximating that desired. Positioning of the center and end sections starts with the adjusting of the tie rods 100 and 102, with the jacks 18 thereby being caused to track transversely of the support framework upon cross members 24. The remaining form sections may then be quickly checked for proper positioning and the pins 142 inserted to connect the tie rods to such sections, with final adjustments being made to the tie rods to fix both the lateral disposition and the inclination of the mold section sidewalls.

By appropriately adjusting the tie rods 100 and 102 connected to the various form sections, it is possible to effect a simple or compound curvature in the form. Further, by extending the upper tie rods 100 and retracting the lower tie rods 102, or vice versa, the beam sections may be turned in either a counterclockwise or clockwise direction. It is through this turning of the form sections that a twisting of the molded member may be effected such as may be desired in the forming of the sections of a monorail positioned upon a curve in which a superelevation or banking is desired in order to counter the effects of centrifugal force upon a train and its passengers.

A similar procedure may be used for quickly adjusting the form supporting jacks 18 with the end and center section supporting jacks first suitably positioned, and the supporting jacks for the remainder of the mold sections positioned for connection to the section bottom rib members 104 and pin connected thereto, with final adjustments made in the jacks to effect accurate positioning of each of the mold sections.

In the illustrated embodiments wherein is shown the molding of a beam member 94, the positioning of the jacks 18, in moving the sections of the form up or down relative to support framework 20, determines the curvature of the beam in a plane at right angles to the support framework and the ultimate grade of the beam when finally installed in operative position in a monorail system. On the other hand, the side positioning means utilizing tie rods and 102 determines the curvature of the beam in a plane parallel to the support framework and determines as well the turning or twisting of the individual sections to effect a beam twist, or a banking of the beam when installed.

After adjustment of each of the tie rods 100 and 102 and the jacks 18, the form 16 is closed at either end by means of end plates bolted in place (not shown). The form is then ready for the reception of concrete from which the beam 94 is to be formed. The concrete may be placed in the form 16 in conventional fashion with vibrators utilized to assure proper filling of the form. The formed concrete is then permitted to set-up. The time involved in this step may be reduced by application of steam to the formed concrete, and in practice it has been found the form may be removed from 5000 pound concrete after a 24-hour period of set-up. When the formed beam 94 has cured sufiiciently to permit its removal from the form 16, the top section 36 of the rollover framework 28 is positioned atop lower section 38, as in FIGURE 12, and pins 54, 9t and 92 placed in the mating apertures of the respective sections. Placement of top section 36 may be effected by means of an auxiliary crane (not shown) which may also be used to effect the next step in the use of the form, i.e., rotation thereof 180 into the position of FIGURE 6. As viewed in FIG- URE l2, rotation of the form 16 and its support framework 26 is accomplished in a counter-clockwise direction during which tensile loads are successively imposed upon the tie rods 10!) and 102 and jacks 18, with the form depending from jacks 13 in the terminal position of FIGURES 2, 6 and 7. Pins 54, 90 and 92 are next removed and the bottom section of roll-over framework 28, together with the support framework 20 and the form 16 connected thereto, is removed from the top section and placed in the position illustrated in FIGURE 2, preparatory to discharge or" beam 94 from the form. As shown in phantom in FIGURE 2, beam 94 is provided at either end with pairs of depending members 146 interiorly welded to the beam reinforcing steel 144 to project beyond the walls of form 16 and serve as support and securing means for the beam 94 when ultimately placed atop support means, such as a column. Members 1 6 further serve to support beam 94 when the mold is in the discharge position of FIGURE 10, maintaining the form sidewalls clear of the supporting surface and pre venting damage thereto which might otherwise be incurred were the form sidewalls called upon to sustain a compressive loading. Where the member being shaped in form 16 has no such end support members, blocks should be provided for member support to avoid the possibility of such sidewall damage. Release of the beam 94 from the form is easily eifected by removal of the tie bars 118 and the pivoting of the right hand sidewall of the form, as viewed in FEGURE 10, out of contact with the side of the beam 94. The form is then easily lifted from its beam embracing position and returned to its earlier position atop section 36 of the roll-over framework, as in FIGURE 9. The pins 54, 9t and 92 are again positioned; and with the roll-over framework sections 36 and 38 thus secured together, the form is turned 180' in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIGURE 10, to position the form for reception of another pour of concrete. The roll-over framework top section 36, after removal of the pins 54, 9t) and 92, is removed from the roll-over bottom section 33 and the form 16 is ready for set-up and reception of another pour. The process thereafter is similar to that described above.

It will be appreciated that the embodiment of the invention as herein described may be altered, changed, or modified without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as herein claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for the forming of concrete comprising, in combination, a support framework; an elongated flexible form carried by said support framework comprising a plurality of individually movable form sections spaced sequentially along the length of said form and adapted for receiving and forming concrete; means carricd by said support framework and connected to said sections for independently positioning said movable sections with respect to said support framework to shape said form including a plurality of adjustable jacks, each pivotally connected to a form section for moving the same up and down and adapted for tracking transversely of said support framework, and a backbone member extending longitudinally of the support framework and to one side of said form from which extend a plurality of tie rods adapted for connection to said sections to elfect their pivotal and transverse movement; shaping means linking said sections for coaction to form a smoothly contoured form; and roll-over means generally encircling said framework and form for rotating said form from a position for the receipt of concrete into an inverted position for the discharge of same, after forming.

2. The combination of claim 1, wherein said tie rods are disposed in pairs and said connection of the respective tie rods of each of said pairs is at spaced apart positions up said sections to permit coaction of said rod pairs for effecting said section pivotal movement.

3. An apparatus for the forming of concrete comprising, in combination, a support framework; an elongated flexible form carried by said support framework comprising a plurality of individually movable form sections spaced sequentially along the length of said form and adapted for receiving and forming concrete; means carried by said support framework and connected to said sections for independently positioning said movable sections with respect to said support framework to shape said form including a plurality of adjustable jacks, each pivotally connected to a form section for moving the same up and down and adapted for tracking transversely of said support framework, and a backbone member extending longitudinally of the support framework and to one side of said form from which extend a plurality of tie rods adapted for connection to said sections to effect their pivotal and transverse movement; and shaping means linking said sections for coaction to form a smoothly contoured form.

4. The combination of clairn 3, wherein said tie rods are disposed in pairs and said connection of the respective tie rods of each of said pairs is at spaced apart positions upon said sections to permit coaction of said rod pairs for effecting said section pivotal movement.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 830,899 Hendrickson Sept. 11, 1906 1,799,529 Poetsch Apr. 7, 1931 2,626,444 Wolfe et al. Ian. 27, 1953 2,834,088 Miller May 13, 1958 2,886,876 Wilson May 19, 1959 2,968,082 Schutze et al. Jan. 17, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTS 983,645 France Feb. 14, 1951 932,598 Germany Sept. 5, 1955 1,170,253 France Sept. 22, 1958

Claims (1)

1. AN APPARATUS FOR THE FORMING OF CONCRETE COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A SUPPORT FRAMEWORK; AND ELONGATED FLEXIBLE FORM CARRIED BY SAID SUPPORT FRAMEWORK COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF INDIVIDUALLY MOVABLE FORM SECTIONS SPACED SEQUENTIALLY ALONG THE LENGTH OF SAID FORM AND ADAPTED FOR RECEIVING AND FORMING CONCRETE; MEANS CARRIED BY SAID SUPPORT FRAMEWORK AND CONNECTED TO SAID SECTIONS FOR INDEPENDENTLY POSITIONING SAID MOVABLE SECTIONS WITH RESPECT TO SAID SUPPORT FRAMEWORK TO SHAPE SAID FORM INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF ADJUSTABLE JACKS, EACH PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO A FORM SECTION FOR MOVING THE SAME UP AND DOWN AND ADAPTED FOR TRACKING TRANSVERSELY OF SAID SUPPORT FRAMEWORK, AND A BACKBONE MEMBER EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY OF THE SUPPORT FRAMEWORK AND TO ONE SIDE OF SAID FORM FROM WHICH EXTEND A PLURALITY OF TIE RODS ADAPTED FOR CONNECTION TO SAID SECTIONS TO EFFECT

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