US3110949A - Gang mold for casting concrete and the like - Google Patents

Description

A. DI TULLIO ETAL Nov. 19, 1963 3,110,949

GANG MOLD FOR CASTING CONCRETE AND THE LIKE Filed Sept. 15, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 .DZTU (Zia Nov. 19, 1963 A. Dl T ULLlO ETAL GANG MOLD FOR CASTING CONCRETE AND THE LIKE Filed Sept. 13, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Di. TuLZw Nov. 19, 1963 A. Dl TULLIO ETAL GANG MOLD FOR CASTING CONCRETE AND THE LIKE Filed Sept. 13, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 n l H INVENTO S Di TUZ 5 .DZ TuLLio Di Tulldo United States Patent zzazss This invention relates to the casting of concrete in forms or molds, and more particularly to multiple casting of concrete slabs or components, especially of the type intended to be assembled to each other to form a composite structure.

The present application is -a continuation of our application Serial No. 45,185, filed July 25, 1960, and entitled Gang Mold for Casting Concrete and the Like.

The invention is illustrated and described with relation to the casting of sections or components utilized in the making of sectional concrete septic tanks; however, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular cast shapes and uses thereof illustrated herein, but instead has utility generally in connection with the casting of various concrete slabs or similar components.

An object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved mold for casting slabs of concrete and the like, wherein a multiplicity of such slabs may be cast in what is substantially the equivalent of a single operation.

A second object of the invention is to provide an improved mold of the identified kind, wherein slabs of different widths may be readily simultaneously cast, with the thicknesses of the cast slabs being closely held.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved concrete mold as above set forth, which is especially compact and relatively small in size considering its output, thereby to not require a great deal of space at the manufacturing location.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel gang mold in accordance with the foregoing, which advantageously casts the slabs on edge, in side-byside relation.

An additional object of the invention is to provide an improved gang mold as characterized, which is effective and efiicient in its operation, requiring the least amount of skilled labor and having a high rate of production.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a gang mold as above outlined, which is structurally sturdy and rugged yet relatively light in weight and utilizes the least amount of structural components and materials for the quantity of units produced per operation.

A feature of the invention resides in the provision of a gang mold of the type described, wherein the cast components may be easily and quickly removed or stripped.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of a gang mold which may be easily operated, quickly filled with poured casting substance, and which requires a relatively short curing time before the cast components may be removed.

Other features of the invention include the provision of a novel gang mold in accordance with the foregoing, which may be easily cleaned, transported, set up for use, and which is trouble free in its operation, requiring a minimum amount of servicing, all parts of the mold being readily accessible and the mold being adaptable to the casting of slabs of different desired lengths, to suit vari ous requirements.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the drawings accompanying this specification similar characters of reference are used to designate like components throughout the several views, in which:

Claims.

3,llll,9i9 Patented Nov. 19, 1963 PEG. 1 is a top plan view of the present improved gang mold for casting concrete and similar components, as provided by the invention.

FIG. 2 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in vertical section, of the gang mold shown in FIG. 1, the section being taken on the line 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view through the gang mold, taken on the line 33 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary plan view of the lower left corner portion of the gang mold as viewed in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the corner portion shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view, taken on the line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view, taken on the line 7-7 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view, taken on the line 8--8 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view, taken on the line 9 of H6. 3.

FIG. 10 is an elevational view of a separate shiftable bulkhead member, which may be utilized in the gang mold for the purpose of casting slabs of shorter lengths, as may be required for various specific purposes.

Referring first to FlGS. 2 and 3, the present improved gang mold for casting concrete and similar slabs or com ponents disposed on edge and in side-by-side relation comprises a structural base framework constituted essentially of a pair of longitudinally extending I-section frame mem bers 20 and 21 secured together in spaced, parallel relation by means of a plurality of laterally extending cross members 23 which are preferably secured in abutting relation to the frame members 20, 21 by suitable means such as welding. The cross members 2-3 are also preferably structural channels, upper end portions being cut away as shown in FIG. 3, to enable a satisfactory fit to be obtained with the longitudinal frame members 29, 21 in such a manner that all of the upper surfaces of the frame members are flush with each other and are disposed in a single horizontal plane.

The above fabricated base structure is carried by heavy helical compression springs 25 "arranged to be supported on a suitable floor surface, whereby the frame structure may be shaken or vibrated for the purpose of completely settling the concrete or other casting substance in the mold cavities. For this purpose, vibrator brackets 27 may be provided, securely attached to the longitudinal frame members Zil, 21 (see FIG. 3), said brackets being attachable to a known type of vibrator device adapted to impart the necessary vibration to the mold.

Disposed on the above described fabricated base structure is a formed base plate 2h, said base plate being supported on the upper surfaces of the frame members 20, 21 and 23 and having a plurality of longitudinally extend ing formations 31 providing spaced, parallel grooves 33 which have tapered or sloping walls and which are open at the top of the base plate 29. Each of the longitudinally extending grooves 33 is arranged to be disposed at the bottom of a mold cavity for the purpose of providing key formations or ribs of tapered cross section in the case slabs. Below the base plate 29 and between the formations 31 stiffening plates 34 are provided, secured to the underside of the base plate.

As seen in FIG. 3, four large mold cavities 35 are provided in the gang mold, and two smaller mold cavities 37, the latter being smaller by virtue of having a lesser height whereby the cast slabs for-med therein have a lesser Width.

in accordance with the present invention, the spacing of the base grooves 33 is so related to the width of the mold cavities (which determines the thickness of the cast slabs) that relatively thick, upright partitions may be arranged between the cavities, for the purpose of facilitating the casting operation, and rendering the filled gang mold less heavy whereby a more favorable construction ishad which provides adequate strength without utilizing excessively heavy or strong structural members throughout the mold. As seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, the partitions are designated by the numerals 39.

The partitions are preferably fabricated of structural components in such a manner that they are light in weight and at the same time have adequate strength, considering the desired partition thickness. As shown in FIG. 3, each of the partitions 39 is constituted of a pair of spaced vertical plates 41 joined in parallel relation to each other by three structural channel members 43, 44 and 45, said channel members having a U-section as indicated. The channel members 43, 44 and 45 may be secured to the side plates 41 in any suitable manner, as by a welding procedure.

As seen in FIG. 3, the partitions 39 may be accurately positioned on the base plate .29 by the use of key members 47 constituted as portions of the base plate 29 and lanced upward therefrom or else as separate key members which are welded to the base plate using an accurate locating jig or fixture. The key members 47 extend between and closely fit the flanges of the lower channels 45 of the partitions as shown. If desired, the partitions 39 may be further secured to the base plate 2? as by a welding procedure, as will be understood.

Where the partitions 39 are not permanently secured to the base plate 25 as by welding, but instead are positioned essentially by the key members 47, such partitions may be completely removed from the base structure, thereby facilitating removal of the cast slabs and also greatly aiding the complete cleaning of the mold.

At their upper portions, the partitions 39 are releasibly held in properly spaced parallel relation by means of cross members or yokes Sll, said yokes being preferably of channel shape or U-section as indicated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 7.

In a construction where the partitions 39 are not permanently secured to the base structure but instead are merely assembled thereon and positioned by the keys 47, the stripping of the cast components from the gang mold may be accompanied by the removal of the partitions, either all simultaneously or one after another, as may be found desirable, and accordingly the keying arrangement involving the key members 47 constitutes an advantageous construction.

The present invention provides an improved mold construction wherein slabs of dilferent widths may be readily simultaneously cast while holding the thicknesses of the cast slabs to close tolerances.

As seen in FIG. 1, two yoke members 50 are provided, said yoke members having depending dowel pins 52 adapted to be received in cooperable locating bores or openings in the upper spacer channels 43 of the partitions, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3. Accordingly, when the yokes d are positioned on and keyed to the partitions 3% the yokes, in conjunction with the keying members 47 of the base plate 29 effect an accurate, parallel positioning of the partitions. The yokes 5t; may have secured to their end portions, depending members or end channels 53 which are arranged to extend downwardly along the outsides of the two end partitions 39 as seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. At their lower extremities, the depending members or end channels 53 include short yoke continuations 54 which are adapted to extend over the two end cavities 37 and to project beyond the outer sides thereof past the tops of side panels or walls shortly to be described, as shown in FIG. 3. The yoke continuations 54- may be provided with loose dowel pins 56 or with other suitable separable fastener means by which the continuations may be releasibly attached to the upper portions of said side panels (labelled 58) shortly to be described. Thus the invention provides an i f4 advantageous combined tie and spacer means (by the parts 5%, 53, 54) by which'the walls 58 of lesser height are tied to each other intermediate the end edges thereof. The spacer means comprises the devices 54 which extend inward from the upper portions of the walls 58 of lesser height and engage the outer two of the partitions 3%, thereby to maintain uni-fonm the thickness or" the slabs cast in the cavities 37.

Considering again the yokes 56, these are provided with spaced slots 69, FIGS. 3 and 7, to accommodate rectangular lugs 62 carried by upstanding fingers 64 mounted on adjoining ends of loose key forms 66 and 68 which are thereby supported over and extend along the tops of the casting cavities 35. The loose key forms 63 have upstanding fingers 6dat each of their ends, whereas the loose key forms on have the upstanding finger 64 only at the ends which adjoin the key forms 68. At the remaining ends of the loose key forms 66, rectangular pins 7t are provided, arranged to be accommodated in suitable cooperable openings or bores of end bulkheads provided at the opposite ends or" the mold and designate generally by the numeral 72. By such organization the loose key forms 66 and 63 are supported in aligned positions, by the bulkheads 72 and the yokes 50. For the purpose of locking the loose key forms 66 and as to the yokes Ell, T-section holddown bars 74 are provided, FIGS. 3 and 7, disposed between the fianges of the yokes 59, said bars being secured in place by removable pins 76 passing through upstanding lugs 78 rigidly aflixed to the flanges of the yokes 5i In several of the appended claims the low walls 58 and the upper halves of the two outer partitions 39 are considered as together constituting one set of side walls, each of which walls is comprised of an inwardly offset upper portion (the upper partition half) and has a pouring opening (the space at the top of the mold cavity 37) between the upper and lower portions. With such terminology the said lower portions comprise the low walls 5%. In other claims the walls of the mold are considered as constituting the low members 58 and the high members or end bulkheads 72.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 3, the hinged side panels 53 extend from the base plate 29 for a distance approximately half way up the mold, said panels comprising side plates 8%} to which are secured iangle iron stiffening members 82 and 8'4. The side panels 58 may have formed upper edge members 86 which may be constituted as separate pieces or else bent from the upper portions of the side plates 86*. Loose dowel pins 56 extending through the continuations 54 may be received in sockets 88 provided in the upper edges of the side panels 58, as seen in FIG. 3.

For the purpose of hingedly mounting the side panels 58 on the base structure, hinge members 90 are provided, secured to the side panels permanently [in any desired manner, the said hinge members having lower fulcrum portions 92 through which hinge pins or rods 94 are passed, said rods or pins also passing through hinge plates 96 secured to the longitudinally extending frame members 2% and 21 as shown. In FIG. 3 the hinged side panels 58 are shown in their operative positions. Such panels however may be swung outward and downward, to occupy the dotted line positions indicated at 98, when it is desired to strip the cast components from the mold. 'In order to do this, of course, the side panels must be released from the yoke continuation members 54 by removal of the dowel pins 56 as will be understood.

Considering the two end bulkheads 72 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, these are also hingedly secured to or mounted on the base structure, by means of hinge members 100 carried by hinge pins or rods 102 secured in suitable hinge plates 194 attached to the base structure. The end bulkheads 72 comprise end plates 106 which are suitably reinforced by angle iron stiffening members 108, Mil and 112, FIGS.

2, 4, and 6. The bulkheads 72 may have formed upper edge portions 114 similar to the edge portions 86 of the side panels 58, and also shorter intermediate upper edge portions 116 as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. Secured to the upper edge portions .114 are fastener lugs 118 which extend a short distance inward, over the partitions 39' and are releasibly connected therewith by removable pins 12%) arranged to be received in cooperable openings in the upper channel member 43 of the partitions. By such construction, the bulkheads 72 are held in their upright operable positions, by means of the partitions 3 9 while at the same time the said partitions are accurately positioned, in conjunction with the yokes 50. Also, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 5, the bulkheads 72 are releasibly connected to the hinged side panels 58 by means of loose pins 122, which are received in suitable sockets 124 provided on the upper end portions of the side panels 58. Accordingly, it is seen that an advantageous interlocking construction is provided, in accordance with the invention, involving the hinged side panels 58, bulkheads 72, partitions 39 and yokes 50, together with the loose key forms 66- and 63 whereby the components of the gang mold are accurately and sturdily located and held in operative positions, yet are quickly released and separated, the side panels and bulkheads 58 and 72 respectively swinging outward and downward, the yokes 50 being removable, and (depending upon the specific structure adopted) the partitions 39 being also removable. Additional key forms 66 and 68 are carried by the continuations 54, see FIG. 3, the additional key forms 66 having their rectangular pins 70 extended through the bulkheads 72 in the same manner as that illustrated in FIG. 8.

For the purpose of providing keyways in the side walls of the cast slabs, keyway forms 128 may be provided, secured to certain of the partitions 39, as desired. Also, dovetail groove forming members 130 may be secured to the end portions of the partitions 39, to form dovetailgrooves in the slabs which are cast in the mold cavities. As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, lifting eyes 134 may be provided at the upper portions of the partitions 39, to facilitate the handling of these.

For the purpose of providing aligned openings through the cast slabs, from one s'de to the other thereof where this might be desired for constructional purposes, rectangular tapered keys 138 having handles 140 are provided, said keys being located in the mold cavities by passing them through suitable aligned openings in the side panels 58 and the partitions 59, all as seen in FIG. 3.

Where it is desired to provide the cast slabs with reinforcing lifting means, such means may comprise U-shaped bars 142 disposed vertically in the mold cavities 35, the yoke portions 144 of said bars extending into slots 146 of lifting inserts 148, said inserts being located at several places in the grooves 33 of the base plate 29.

In accordance with the present invention, for the purpose of enabling shorter slabs to be cast with the present gang mold equipment, individual shiftable bulkheads 152 are provided, said bulkheads being receivable in the mold cavities 35 at any of various desired points or locations. The shiftable bulkheads may comprise vertical plates 154 having at their bottom extremities projecting tapered lugs 156 arranged to be accommodated in the grooves 33 of the base plate 29. The plates 154 may be provided with stiffening channel members 158, as indicated, and have attaching and locating brackets in the form of short pieces of angle iron 160", secured to their upper extremities. The angle iron pieces 160 have openings 162 to accommodate removable or loose pins, by which the shiftable bulkheads may be locked to the upper portions of the partitions 39.

Clearance cutouts 166 are provided in the plates 154 and stiftening channels 158, to accommodate the loose key forms 68 which are disposed at and extend along the upper portions of the mold cavities 35.

It will be understood that when a casting operation is to be carried out, the side panels 58 and the end bulkheads 72 are secured together in the upright positions illustrated, the yokes 50 are put in place, the loose key forms 66 and 68 are supported on the yokes and locked by the T-section hold-down arms 7-4. Any lifting inserts, etc. are placed in the mold cavities, and upon everything being in readiness, including the positioning of the tapered rectangular keys 138, the casting substance is put into the mold cavities 35 and 37, so as to completely fill the same. While this is being carried out, the gang mold is vibrated or agitated, to insure the casting substance reaching all of the corners of the mold cavities. After the cavities have been completely filled, the substance is allowed to set, whereupon the various components are dismantled, and the side panels and end bulkheads 58 and 72 respectively swung outward and downward. The cast slabs are then removed from the mold.

It Will be understood from the foregoing that there has been provided a novel gang mold construction whereby elongate flat slabs of concrete or similar material may be readily cast in multiple lots, on edge and in side-by-side relation. Various keyways, tongues, grooves and openings may be provided in the cast slabs, in accordance with the requirements of the particular job, as is understood. By the use of the shiftable bulkheads 152, slabs of shorter length may also be readily cast. Lifting inserts and the like may be incorporated in the cast slabs, as required.

Upon removal of the cast slabs, the mold parts may be again reassembled and united, and any necessary cleaning may be carried out, prior to the ensuing casting operation. The gang mold construction is seen to be relatively simple, yet strong and simple, and to enable a good rate of production of cast slabs such as are usable in forming sectional septic tanks and the like, to be had.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of the claims, and portions of the improvement may be used without others.

What is claimed is:

1. A. gang mold for simultaneously casting a plurality of elongate relatively thin slabs on edge and in side-byside relation, comprising a fixed base; a plurality of elongate relatively fiat spaced partitions arranged to be engaged by and to shape the molding substance, said partitions engaging and extending upward from the base in side-by-side relation; a first set of upright molding walls arranged to be engaged by and to confine the molding substance, said walls being located at one set of opposite edges of the base, being spaced laterally from and extending along the partitions; a second set of upright mold ing Walls arranged to be engaged by and to confine the molding substance, said walls being disposed at the opposite ends of the partitions and at another set of opposite edges of the base and extending upward from the base, said second set of walls and the said partitions being of substantially the same height and the said first set of walls being of appreciably less height, all of said walls and the said partitions together with the base constituting a plurality of mold cavities to which the base is common, the bottoms of said cavities being disposed in a common horizontal plane formed by the base, said cavities being adapted for receiving the molding substance and casting said slabs, said first set of walls of lesser height enabling slabs of lesser Width to be cast; and a plurality of mounting means disposed wholly below the tops of the walls, directly and fixedly connected with and permanently secured to the upright walls and to the base, movably mounting all of the said upright Walls on the base and enabling the walls to be shifted outward fully away from the partitions, thereby to provide complete clearance for the slabs cast within the walls and along the said partitions, to enable said slabs to be readily removed, said mounting means confining the slab-releasing movement of the walls of each set to directions which are outward from the base and opposite; means including a manually displaceable member interlocked with the said walls for releasably locking the walls to each other in upright operative positions adjoining the partitions and spacer means engaged with the outer partitions intermediate the top and bottom portions thereof and secured to the upper portions of the walls of lesser height, said spacer means backing the partitions and maintaining uniform the spacing between the same and the Walls of the lesser height.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 in which the partitions constitute hollow, double-walled enclosures which have closures at the tops, ends and bottoms as well as at the sides and in which the top closure of the partitions constitute part of the said releasable locking means.

3. The invention as defined in claim 2 in which the partitions comprise spaced structural plates, and in which there are fixed structural bracing members disposed midway between the tops and bottoms of said plates and extending longitudinally thereof, said members tending to hold constant the spacing of the plates.

4. The invention as defined in claim 3 in which the partitions have hollow bottom edges, and in which the base has a plurality of fixed upstanding key members occupy- "8 ing the said hollow edges and positioning the partitions thereby.

5. The invention as defined in claim 1 in which the base has a plurality ofvelongate, spaced and parallel grooves disposed at the said fold cavities and extending between the partitions, to form elongate keys in the cast slabs, and in which there is a lifting insert disposed in a mold cavity comprising a U-shaped l-ift bolt extending upward through the cavity and an apertured anchorage piece engaged with and receiving through it the yoke portion of the bold, said anchorage piece being disposed in one of the base grooves.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,326,246 Young Dec. 30, 1919 1,976,628 ORourke Oct. 9, 1934 2,250,020 Henderson July 22, 194-1 2,453,223 Henderson Nov. 9, 1948 2,495,100 Henderson Jan. 17, 1950 31,232 Lawson Apr. 22, 1958

Claims (1)

1. A GANG MOLD FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY CASTING A PLURALITY OF ELONGATE RELATIVELY THIN SLABS ON EDGE AND IN SIDE-BYSIDE RELATION, COMPRISING A FIXED BASE; A PLURALITY OF ELONGATE RELATIVELY FLAT SPACED PARTITIONS ARRANGED TO BE ENGAGED BY AND TO SHAPE THE MOLDING SUBSTANCE, SAID PARTITIONS ENGAGING AND EXTENDING UPWARD FROM THE BASE IN SIDE-BY-SIDE RELATION; A FIRST SET OF UPRIGHT MOLDING WALLS ARRANGED TO BE ENGAGED BY AND TO CONFINE THE MOLDING SUBSTANCE, SAID WALLS BEING LOCATED AT ONE SET OF OPPOSITE EDGES OF THE BASE, BEING SPACED LATERALLY FROM AND EXTENDING ALONG THE PARTITIONS, A SECOND SET OF UPRIGHT MOLDING WALLS ARRANGED TO BE ENGAGED BY AND TO CONFINE THE MOLDING SUBSTANCE, SAID WALLS BEING DISPOSED AT THE OPPOSITE ENDS OF THE PARTITIONS AND AT ANOTHER SET OF OPPOSITE EDGES OF THE BASE AND EXTENDING UPWARD FROM THE BASE, SAID SECOND SET OF WALLS AND THE SAID PARTITIONS BEING OF SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME HEIGHT AND THE SAID FIRST SET OF WALLS BEING OF APPRECIABLY LESS HEIGHT, ALL OF SAID WALLS AND THE SAID PARTITIONS TOGETHER WITH THE BASE CONSTITUTING A PLURALITY OF MOLD CAVITIES WHICH THE BASE IS COMMON THE BOTTOMS OF SAID CAVITIES BEING DISPOSED IN A COMMON, HORIZONTAL PLANE FORMED BY THE BASE, SAID CAVITIES BEING ADAPTED FOR RECEIVING THE MOLDING SUBSTANCE AND CASTING SAID SLABS, SAID FIRST SET OF WALLS OF LESSER HEIGHT ENABLING SLABS OF LESSER WIDTH TO BE CAST; AND A PLURALITY OF MOUNTING MEANS DISPOSED WHOLLY BELOW THE TOPS OF THE WALLS, DIRECTLY AND FIXEDLY CONNECTED WITH AND PERMANENTLY SECURED TO THE UPRIGHT WALLS AND TO THE BASE, MOVABLY MOUNTING ALL OF THE SAID UPRIGHT WALLS ON THE BASE AND ENABLING THE WALLS TO BE SHIFTED OUTWARD FULLY AWAY FROM THE PARTITIONS, THEREBY TO PROVIDE COMPLETE CLEARANCE FOR THE SLABS CAST WITHIN THE WALLS AND ALONG THE SAID PARTITIONS, TO ENABLE SAID SLABS TO BE READILY REMOVED, SAID MOUNTING MEANS CONFINING THE SLAB-RELEASING MOVEMENT OF THE WALLS OF EACH SET TO DIRECTIONS WHICH ARE OUTWARD FROM THE BASE AND OPPOSITE; MEANS INCLUDING A MANUALLY DISPLACEABLE MEMBER INTERLOCKED WITH THE SAID WALLS FOR RELEASABLY LOCKING THE WALLS TO EACH OTHER IN UPRIGHT OPERATIVE POSITIONS ADJOINING THE PARTITIONS AND SPACER MEANS ENGAGED WITH THE OUTER PARTITIONS INTERMEDIATE THE TOP AND BOTTOM PORTIONS THEREOF AND SECURED TO THE UPPER PORTIONS OF THE WALLS OF LESSER HEIGHT, SAID SPACER MEANS BACKING THE PARTITIONS AND MAINTAINING UNIFORM THE SAPACING BETWEEN THE SAME AND THE WALLS OF THE LESSER HEIGHT.

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