US3689024A

US3689024A - Forms for casting concrete

Info

Publication number: US3689024A
Application number: US11645A
Authority: US
Inventors: Gerhard Notzel
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1969-02-25
Filing date: 1970-02-16
Publication date: 1972-09-05
Anticipated expiration: 1989-09-05
Also published as: DE1909457C3; AT295827B; LU60377A1; DE1909457A1; DE1909457B2; GB1303701A; CH504602A; NL7000943A; ES376638A1; BE746030A; IL33913A0; FR2035729A5; AU1163270A

Abstract

A form for casting concrete comprising a pair of flat skin faces supported by an internal framework formed of at least a supporting rib along each of its longitudinal edges and an intermediate parallel strip establishing therewith at least one longitudinally extending through-channel. A movable bolt member located in each channel and extending substantially the length of the form, movable outward thereof to simultaneously serve as a supporting brace for the form and for any bridging member associated with it.

Description

United States Patent Notzel 1 1 Sept. 5, 1972 v [54] FORMS FOR CASTING CONCRETE [72] Inventor: Gerhard Notzel, Alpenblickstr. 9,

7993 Kressbronn, Germany [22] Filed: Feb. 16, 1970 21 Appl. No.: 11,645

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Feb. 25, 1969 Germany ..P 19 09 457.6

52 US. Cl. ..249/189, 249/192, 249/196 51 Im. on ..E04g 11/00 [58] Field of Search ..249/156, 192, 193, 196, 47, 249/28, 29, 189; 25/131 P [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,120,570 12/1914 Venable ..25/131 P 1,285,295 11/1918 Marqua ..249/28 X 3,124,858 3/1964 Blonde ..249/193 1,974,130 9/1934 Wedberg ..25/131 P 1,911,146 5/1933 Diehl ..249/192 1,339,912 5/1920 Ambursen ..249/192 3,461,631 8/1969 Brugnola ..52/585 1,890,532 12/1932 Skolnik ..25/131 R X 2,933,920 4/1960 Steuler ..25/131 R X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 320,218 5/1957 Switzerland ..249/189 1,462,698 11/1966 France ..249/ 189 UX 185,557 5/1956 Germany ..249/196 1,088,470 3/1955 France ..249/192 543,496 5/1956 Italy ..249/189 Primary Examiner-J. Spencer Overholser Assistant ExaminerBen D. Tobor Attorney-Richard Low and Murray Schaffer [57] ABSTRACT A form for casting concrete comprising a pair of flat skin faces supported by an internal framework formed of at least a supporting rib along each of its longitudinal edges and an intermediate parallel strip establishing therewith at least one longitudinally extending through-channel. A movable bolt member located in each channel and extending substantially the length of the form, movable outward thereof to simultaneously serve as a supporting brace for the form and for any bridging member associated with it.

7 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures PATENTED sn 5 m2 INVENTOR Gasman VoTzE. L

FORMS FOR CASTING CONCRETE BACKGROUND OF INVENTION The present invention relates to concrete casting methods particularly to forms used in the casting of poured concrete structures.

Conventional forms currently in use in the in-situ casing of walls, floors, ceilings and other structural bodies comprise a rectangular box-like construction having a peripherally enclosed frame and at least one smooth face skin. While such forms come in many sizes, a convenient size for optimum strength and ease of handling is one having a length between 1% to 2 meters, a width of about 50 cm and a thickness of about cm.

The most efficient use of such forms occurs when the proposed building is designed to dimensions which are nearly exact multiples of the form size so that they may be reconciled exactly to the specific use. In such cases the forms are optimumly placed so that they cover the entire area to be cast and leave no marginal or interspacial voids. Unfortunately very few, if any, construction jobs are so designed and nearly always such spaces and voids occur.

Generally the aforementioned drawback and disadvantage is overcome by manually constructing supplementary forms (to fill the longitudinal gaps) and bridging members (to fill the transverse gaps) of special size and shape for placement between adjacent forms or along their marginal edges. Because the cumulative as well as the individual strength of the forms are diminished when they are not placed in optimum fashion, it is necessary to provide additional support sand structural reinforcement. This problem is accentuated when the form is supplied with rabbetted peripheral edges and fittings which are designed to dove tail or engage with adjacent similarly provided forms. Such edges and fittings are inherently weak without their mating parts.

It has been found that where supplemental forms and bridging members are required, the construction job is disproportionately more expensive and time consuming. In fact it has been found that, if more than 25 percent of the area to be covered requires such special attention, it would be more economical to construct the entire area Completely without the use of presupplied forms.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide forms, for concrete construction, overcoming the disadvantages found in prior art devices.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide forms which have universal application and which can be adjustably dimensioned.

It is another object of the present invention to provide concrete casting forms which have means for supporting and locating bridging members and also reduce the need for supplementary forms.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a concrete casting form which has increased strength and durability especially along its peripheral edges.

It is a specific object of the present invention to provide a ready-made casting form which will reduce the cost of handling and consequently be more economical to use than prior devices.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION According to the present invention a form for casting concrete is provided comprising a pair of flat skin faces supported by an internal framework formed of at least a supporting rib along each of its longitudinal edges and an intermediate parallel strip establishing therewith at least one longitudinally extending through-channel in which is located a movable bolt member. The bolt member extends substantially the length of the form and is movable outward thereof to simultaneously serve as a supporting brace for the form and for any bridging member associated with it.

In the preferred versions of the present invention the bolt member and the form ribs are dimensioned so that optimum use of space and materials is employed.

A full description of the present invention as well as of its objects and advantages follows herein and is seen in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a form made in accordance with the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a top plan view partially sectioned of the form of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of a plurality of forms assembled in the construction of a ceiling,

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 44 of FIG. 3,

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 55 of FIG. 4 and of FIG. 6,

FIG. 6 is a sectional view along line 6-6 of FIG. 5,

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 77 of FIG. 8,

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line 88 of FIG. 7 and FIG. 9,

FIG. 9 is a partial plan view partly sectioned of a second ceiling installation,

FIG. 10 is a full plan view of the installation shown in FIGS. 7-9, and

FIG. 11 is an elevational view of an installation for erecting vertical walls.

DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION Turning to FIG. 1 the present invention is embodied in a pre-assembled form 1 having a pair of smooth rectangular skin faces 2 separated by a rib 3 extending along each of their marginal longitudinal edges. The marginal ribs 3 have smooth planar edges and are secured to the faces 2 in a conventional manner depending, of course, upon the materials used. Intermediate each of the marginal ribs 3 are, similarly, secured one or more strips 4. The strips 4 may be of the same or different material than the ribs 3 or the faces 2, but they are of thinner dimensions and are arranged parallel to each of the ribs. Accordingly there is formed between the strips 4 and the ribs 3 a plurality of through-channels 5 which extend parallel to the longitudinal marginal edge of the faces 2.

Located within selected through-channels 5 is bolt bar 6, which may also be of the same or different material than that of the rib 3. The bolt bar 6 is dimensioned so as to have generally secure fit within the channel 5, yet be movable longitudinally with respect thereto. The bolt bar 6 is preferably of equal or greater length than the length of the form 1 so that it can act as a suitable internal supporting and bracing member for it. Also it may be moved so that at least part of it extends outward of the transverse end of the form, into a similar channel formed in an adjacent form or as the brace support for a bridging member. To accommodate a bolt bar from an adjacent form at the same time as its own channel 5, at least those in the central portion of the form should be more than twice the width of the bar.

In normal use, as will be seen in more detail later, the forms are used in multiples to cover the major portion of surface to be covered and are arranged with their longitudinal axis parallel and with as many of their edges abutting one another (FIGS. or 11). In this manner each form may be horizontally or vertically stacked to cover a wide area. When a larger area is to be covered additional forms are stacked adjacent to them so that their transverse ends abut. In this condition one or more of the bolt bars 6 are moved so that they support each of the contiguous forms. In the event a gap or space results between the forms the same bolt bars are located so that they bridge the gap and function to support a bridging member as can be seen for example in FIG. 10.

It is preferred that the form be made of wood, for the obvious characteristics of strength, adaptability, adjustably and economy. However, sheet metal, metal bars, plastic and other similar materials may be used. Wood is suitable since it can easily be cut and trimmed to fit, should small adjustments be necessary. Plastic also has this characteristic.

While the dimensions are not critical suitable forms have been constructed having the overall dimensions of conventional forms with skins of 10 mm, marginal ribs of 50 mm and intermediate strips of mm so that a channel of 60 mm for the bolt bar is formed. In one form the bolt bar is preferably rectangular or square and of the same width as the channel so that it has a sliding force fit between the inner surfaces of the skins to give suitable support and bracing to the form 1. In another form the width of the channel 5 i.e., between skins 2) may be determined by using standard planed or smooth stock material so that the bolt bars may be made by using multiple pieces of unplaned or raw stock material.

It will be seen from this brief description that,-

because all the

ribs

3 and 4 extend parallel to each in the longitudinal direction and are secured to the skins 2, the form is exceptionally resistant to bending, and to the exertion of pressure against either of the face skins. The pressure or carrying load capacity of the form may be augmented, as desired, by the insertion of additional bolt bars 6 in any of the channels 5. Either face may be used adjacent the poured concrete and, in fact, both faces may be simultaneously employed, if desired.

In some embodiments it may be preferred to make the marginal ribs of a size where they are greater than half of the transverse distance of the channel 5 i.e., between the cover skins 2) so that the longitudinal marginal edges have a high strength and loading characteristic. Tensioning anchors lateral support fittings etc may, thus be secured to the form without weakening the form at all. Since such enlarged marginal ribs increase the strength of the form, one or more of the intermediate strips may be eliminated or reduced in size.

The form may be made of a combination of planed and unplaned common, standard wood planks and sheets so that in assembly they will mate smoothly and uniformly, securely interlocking and provide uniform and universal means for locating and securing bridging members and filling elements to it. Because standard sizes are employed supplemental forms need not be specially constructed. The gaps and spaces being filled by standard size planks or timber members are described in detail later. If, for example, the channel 5 is 60 mm and the thickness of skins is 10 mm then the bolt bar may be a single square timber of 60 mm, in which case a bridging member of 10 mm may be used, or the bolt bar may be made of two 24 mm unplaned planks which are nailed together and a 22 mm cover plank may be used as the bridging member. Similar construction can be obtained in the English measuring systems since similar standard size timbers and plankings are available. The given measurements are by way of illustration only. I

As noted above the skin 2 and bolts 6 are of standard dimensions. Accordingly standard size strips, timbers, plankins readily available at any construction site may be used to construct any bridging member or filling element as may be required. Such bridging members and filling elements will be fully compatible with the pre-assembled form. Square timbers of mm and planks of 24 mm or 22 mm and a length of 60 to 80 mm may be used interchangably as bolt material and as interspace, bridging or filling members.

The assemblage of a plurality of pre-assembled forms for the construction of a ceiling is shown schematically in FIGS. 3-6. The ceiling area has dimensions which are not multiples of the pre-assembled forms. Consequently the forms are placed parallel to the length of the ceiling in a manner so that an interspace or void field 7 results between the end-to-end forms, and a marginal space or void field 8 results along one longitudinal edge. A crossing section 9 intersects both

fields

7 and 8.

If the longitudinal field 8 is relatively narrow it will be sufficient merely to insert a filling plank 10 having the same thickness as the pre-assembled forms 1. If the field 8 is somewhat larger, as seen in FIG. 4, then the plank 10 may be a square piece of timber, which is augmented by a length of thin planking 1 1 set on end contiguous with it so as to flush the space completely. The

planks

10 and 11 may be of a single length or of a plurality of pieces.

The transverse space 7 may be bridged by a plurality of short bolt bars 6, as seen in FIG. 5, the ends of which are respectively inserted in each of the end-toend forms 1 so that each of the associated forms is securely joined. A thin strip or plywood plank 12 is inserted between the assembled forms so that the skin 2 of each is smooth joined in a uniform facing to the other.

In FIGS. 7-10 a second installation is shown in which a filling element 10, of the same length of the form 1 is placed between each of the longitudinal marginal edges of adjacent forms. Additional narrow strips 11 and filling elements 10 are used to fill out the entire dimension to be covered. Because all the filling elements are of standard size and compatible with the forms this may be done very easily and economically. The transverse space between the end-to-end forms is filled with a plank 13 supported by the bolt bars 6' Looking at FIGS. 7-9 specifically the bolt bars 6" may be formed of two unplaned planks 14 of a thickness of about 24 mm each. The planks 14 may be nailed to each other. The transverse bridging plan 13 may then be a smooth planed plank of 22 mm thickness so that all portions of the installation lie in a common plane, thus present a smooth face for the poured concrete.

In FIG. 11 a vertical wall structure is illustrated. Here it is preferred that the forms be positioned vertically and that filling bars 11" be positioned between each adjacent form preferably extending the full height of the wall. Thus, if forms 1 are insufficient height, supplemental fonns 1, conveniently cut or trimmed from standard forms, may be stacked endwise thereon and secured to the filling elements 11". In such instances the bolt bars 6 should preferably be longer than the lower forms so that they extend into the upper supplementary forms. On the other hand short bolt bars 6' may be nailed with nails or screws to the upper edge of the form 1 to extend into the form 1.

While the emphasis has been placed on using wood for the form material, the same benefits will of course be obtained by using other materials as previously mentioned. It is conceived that the forms may be molded of plastic materials and that the filling elements, bolt bars and bridging elements may be made of molded or extruded tubular or bar stock.

It will be obvious also that the present forms are not restricted to use in casting concrete and may for example be used as temporary earth retaining walls and the like.

From the foregoing it will be obvious that the objects and advantages earlier enumerated as well as many others have been realized. Since many modifications and changes will be apparent to those skilled in this art the instant disclosure is to be taken as illustrative only of the present invention.

I claim:

1. An assemblage of forms for use in casting poured concrete comprising a plurality of flat rectangular panel members arranged with their transverse edges in end to end relationship, each of said panel members comprising a pair of outer flat face members, an interna] framework formed of a marginal rib, having a breadth greater than half of the transverse distance between the face members, secured to the interior of each face along each of their longitudinal edges and at least one intermediate strip, said ribs and strips having parallel edge forming at least two longitudinal continuous parallel channels from side to side through the interior of said panel member and opening out of the traverse edges thereof, said channels in each panel being aligned axially with the corresponding channels in adjacent panel members, a bolt bar having a cross section less than that of said channel located in selected ones of said channels and conforming thereto, said bolt bar being dimensioned so as to be freely movable through said channel and to extend outwardly of either transverse side into a corresponding channel in the next adjacent panel member to serve as a support for adjacently arranged panel members.

2. An assemblage of forms according to claim 1, wherein the height of the channel is mm and the thigkness of the f ce elefments is 10 mm,

. An assemb age 0 forms according to claim 2,

wherein the bolt bars are formed by a pair of planks having a thickness each of 24 mm and the form includes a supplemental cover having a thickness of 24 4. An assemblage of forms according to claim 1, arranged to fill a given area, including filling members located selectively between adjacent forms to completely fill said area and provide a uniform surface.

5. The assemblage according to claim 4, wherein said filling members have at least one dimension equal to the width of said forms so as to provide a surface lying in a common plane with the face of said forms.

6. An assemblage of forms according to claim 1, wherein said panel members laid end-to-end have spaces therebetween and selected bolt bars bridge said spaces and include supporting each of said end-to-end panel members and including a cover member laid between said panel members secured to said selected bolt bars.

7. The assemblage according to claim 6, wherein said cover member has a thickness sufficient to have a face lying in a plane common with one of said form faces.

Claims

1. An assemblage of forms for use in casting poured concrete comprising a plurality of flat rectangular panel members arranged with their transverse edges in end to end relationship, each of said panel members comprising a pair of outer flat face members, an internal framework formed of a marginal rib, having a breadth greater than half of the transverse distance between the face members, secured to the interior of each face along each of their longitudinal edges and at least one intermediate strip, said ribs and strips having parallel edge forming at least two longitudinal continuous parallel channels from side to side through the interior of said panel member and opening out of the traverse edges thereof, said channels in each panel being aligned axially with the corresponding channels in adjacent panel members, a bolt bar having a cross section less than that of said channel located in selected ones of said channels and conforming thereto, said bolt bar being dimensioned so as to be freely movable through said channel and to extend outwardly of either transverse side into a corresponding channel in the next adjacent panel member to serve as a support for adjacently arranged panel members.

2. An assemblage of forms according to claim 1, wherein the height of the channel is 60 mm and the thickness of the face elements is 10 mm.

3. An assemblage of forms according to claim 2, wherein the bolt bars are formed by a pair of planks having a thickness each of 24 mm and the form includes a supplemental cover having a thickness of 24 mm.

4. An assemblage of forms according to claim 1, arranged to fill a given area, including filling members located selectively between adjacent forms to completely fill said area and provide a uniform surface.