WO2022172291A1

WO2022172291A1 - A multi-purpose tool for aligning and stripping functions of formwork panels

Info

Publication number: WO2022172291A1
Application number: PCT/IN2022/050111
Authority: WO
Inventors: Anibrata Routh; KS Arun; CNVS Rao; Vinothkumar RAJU; Ankush RATHOD; Mahesh DONGARE
Original assignee: Peri Se
Priority date: 2021-02-09
Filing date: 2022-02-09
Publication date: 2022-08-18

Abstract

A multi-purpose tool (100) for alignment and stripping of panels (400) of a formwork structure is disclosed. The tool (100) includes a handle (102) and a dual-purpose head assembly (104) connected at an end (106) of the handle (102). The head assembly (104) includes a base component (202) having a first end (302) and a second end (304) distal to the first end (302). The first end (302) is adapted to connect with the end (106) of the handle (102). The head assembly (104) includes a cylindrical pin (206) adapted to be formed in the base component (202) such that both ends (208, 210) of the cylindrical pin (206) extend out. The head assembly (104) includes a pin portion (212) adapted to be formed at the second end (304) of the base component (202). The pin portion (212) is adapted to be inserted into slots (402-1, 402-2) of adjacent panels (400-1, 400-2) for alignment during an assembly of a formwork. One of the ends (208, 210) of the cylindrical pin (206) is adapted to be engaged with a slot (502) of the panel (400) for stripping the panel (400) stuck to the concrete surface during a de-shuttering process.

Description

A MULTI-PURPOSE TOOL FOR ALIGNING AND STRIPPING FUNCTIONS OF

FORMWORK PANELS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to construction industry and more particularly, relates to a multi-purpose tool, also referred to as a centering tool, used in wall formwork systems, which is adapted to be used for easy aligning of panels next to each other as well as a stripping tool to remove panels stuck to concrete.

BACKGROUND

In the construction industry, wall forms or panels are generally used as supporting components to form structures, for example, to form pillars and walls. In case of construction of larger structures, multiple such panels are connected to each other to form a formwork structure. The formwork structure so formed is required to be supported, for example, to be in a predefined position during the construction of the structure. Therefore, it is critical to ensure that these panels are installed in a suitable manner so that the quality of the structure is not compromised in any way.

Owing to the large size of such panels, handling of these panels pose a concern. For example, assembly of the panels to build a formwork structure and disassembly of the panels to dismember the formwork structure are cumbersome and time-intensive tasks. Generally, separate tools are required for assembling and disassembling the panels, for example, one for assembling and another for disassembling. Therefore, handling multiple tools for the assembly and disassembly also becomes an issue. Moreover, these tools also require improvement in terms of their construction and operation.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts, in a simplified format, that are further described in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is neither intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention and nor is it intended for determining the scope of the invention.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a multi-purpose tool having a combination of pins oriented in different directions for easy alignment of adjacent panels during erection and stripping of panels stuck to concrete during de-shuttering is disclosed. The tool includes a handle and a dual-purpose head assembly connected at an end of the handle. The head assembly includes a base component having a first end and a second end distal to the first end. The first end adapted to connect with the end of the handle such that a longitudinal axis of the base component is aligned with a longitudinal axis of the handle. The head assembly includes a cylindrical pin adapted to be formed in the base component such that a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical pin is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the base component and both ends of the cylindrical pin extend out. The extended portions of the cylindrical pin may be considered as a set of pins projecting outwards on both sides of the head assembly. The head assembly includes a tapered pin portion adapted to be formed at the second end of the base component such that a longitudinal axis of the tapered pin portion is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the base component. In case of any misalignment of adjacent panels during assembly of the formwork, the tapered pin portion is adapted to be inserted into slots of these adjacent panels for their easy positioning and alignment. Further, each of the ends of the cylindrical pin is adapted to be engaged with a slot of the panel for stripping the panel stuck to the concrete surface during the de-shuttering process.

To further clarify the advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a multi-purpose tool for alignment and stripping of panels of a formwork structure, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 2A illustrates a side view of a portion of the centering tool depicting a head assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 2B illustrates a perspective view of a portion of the centering tool depicting the head assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 3A illustrates a perspective view of the head assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 3B illustrates a side view of a portion of the head assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 4 illustrates the mechanism of alignment of panels using a pin portion of the multi-purpose tool, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

Figure 5 illustrates an application of the multi-purpose tool for stripping purpose, i.e., to strip the wall panels stuck to the concrete face during de-shuttering, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the flow charts illustrate the method in terms of the most prominent steps involved to help to improve understanding of aspects of the present invention. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skilled in the art to which this invention belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

For example, the term “some” as used herein may be understood as “none” or “one” or “more than one” or “all.” Therefore, the terms “none,” “one,” “more than one,” “more than one, but not all” or “all” would fall under the definition of “some.” It should be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the terminology and structure employed herein is for describing, teaching and illuminating some embodiments and their specific features and elements and therefore, should not be construed to limit, restrict or reduce the spirit and scope of the claims or their equivalents in any way.

For example, any terms used herein such as, “includes,” “comprises,” “has,” “consists,” and similar grammatical variants do not specify an exact limitation or restriction, and certainly do not exclude the possible addition of one or more features or elements, unless otherwise stated. Further, such terms must not be taken to exclude the possible removal of one or more of the listed features and elements, unless otherwise stated, for example, by using the limiting language including, but not limited to, “must comprise” or “needs to include.”

Whether or not a certain feature or element was limited to being used only once, it may still be referred to as “one or more features” or “one or more elements” or “at least one feature” or “at least one element.” Furthermore, the use of the terms “one or more” or “at least one” feature or element do not preclude there being none of that feature or element, unless otherwise specified by limiting language including, but not limited to, “there needs to be one or more...” or “one or more element is required.”

Unless otherwise defined, all terms and especially any technical and/or scientific terms, used herein may be taken to have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person ordinarily skilled in the art.

Reference is made herein to some “embodiments.” It should be understood that an embodiment is an example of a possible implementation of any features and/or elements presented in the attached claims. Some embodiments have been described for the purpose of explaining one or more of the potential ways in which the specific features and/or elements of the attached claims fulfil the requirements of uniqueness, utility, and non-obviousness.

Use of the phrases and/or terms including, but not limited to, “a first embodiment,” “a further embodiment,” “an alternate embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “multiple embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “other embodiments,” “further embodiment”, “furthermore embodiment”, “additional embodiment” or other variants thereof do not necessarily refer to the same embodiments. Unless otherwise specified, one or more particular features and/or elements described in connection with one or more embodiments may be found in one embodiment, or may be found in more than one embodiment, or may be found in all embodiments, or may be found in no embodiments. Although one or more features and/or elements may be described herein in the context of only a single embodiment, or in the context of more than one embodiment, or in the context of all embodiments, the features and/or elements may instead be provided separately or in any appropriate combination or not at all. Conversely, any features and/or elements described in the context of separate embodiments may alternatively be realized as existing together in the context of a single embodiment.

Any particular and all details set forth herein are used in the context of some embodiments and therefore should not necessarily be taken as limiting factors to the attached claims. The attached claims and their legal equivalents can be realized in the context of embodiments other than the ones used as illustrative examples in the description below.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

For the sake of clarity, the first digit of a reference numeral of each component of the present disclosure is indicative of the Figure number, in which the corresponding component is shown. For example, reference numerals starting with digit “1” are shown at least in Figure 1. Similarly, reference numerals starting with digit “2” are shown at least in Figure 2.

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a multi-purpose tool 100 for centering, i.e., alignment and stripping of a formwork structure (shown in Figure 4), according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For the ease of readability, the multi-purpose tool 100 is interchangeably referred to as centering tool 100 or the tool 100. The tool 100 may include a handle 102 and a dual-purpose head assembly 104 connected at a first end 106 of the handle 102. In an embodiment, the head assembly 104 may be connected at the first end 106 using a bolt and nut mechanism 108. Further, the handle 102 may include a hole provision 110 at a second end 112, distal to the first end 106, adapted to facilitate fixing of a tool arrestor 114. Figure 2A illustrates a side view of a portion of the tool 100 depicting the head assembly 104, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2B illustrates a perspective view of a portion of the tool 100 depicting the head assembly 104, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 3A illustrates a perspective view of the head assembly 104, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3B illustrates a side view of a portion of the head assembly 104, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the head assembly 104 may be formed by a forging operation. For the sake of brevity, constructional and operational features of the tool 100 are explained while collectively referring to Figure 1, Figure 2A, Figure 2B, Figure 3A, and Figure 3B. Referring to Figure 1, Figure 2A, Figure 2B, Figure 3 A, and Figure 3B, the head assembly 104 may include a base component 202 having a first end 302 and a second end 304 distal to the first end 302. The first end 302 may be adapted to connect with the end 106 of the handle 102. The base component 202 may be connected to the handle 102 such that a longitudinal axis X’-X’ of the base component 202 is aligned with a longitudinal axis X-X of the handle 102.

The head assembly 104 may also include a cylindrical pin 206 formed on the base component 202. The cylindrical pin 206 may be formed in the base component 202 such that a longitudinal axis (Y-Y) of the cylindrical pin 206 is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (X’-X’) of the base component 202. Further, both ends 208, 210 of the cylindrical pin 206 extends out in (Y-Y) direction of the base component 202. The extended portions of the cylindrical pin 206, i.e., both ends 208 may be considered as a set of pins projecting outwards on both sides of the head assembly 104.

The head assembly 104 may also include a pin portion 212 adapted to be formed at the second end 304 of the base component 202. The pin portion 212 may be formed such that a longitudinal axis (Z-Z) of the pin portion 212 is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis PC X’) of the base component 202. The pin portion 212 may be adapted to be inserted into a slot of a panel to quickly bring the panel into position, when there is any misalignment caused during the panel erection process.

In an embodiment, the pin portion 212 may include a cylindrical portion 214 formed adjacent to the base component 202. The cylindrical portion 214 is adapted to align the slots when the pin portion 212 is inserted into the slot of the panel. The pin portion 212 may also include a tapered portion 216 formed adjacent to the cylindrical portion 214, which facilitates easy entry of the pin portion 212 in the misaligned slots of the panels. In an embodiment, the pin portion 212 may further include a circular-profiled tip 218 formed at the end 226 of the tapered portion 216, which also helps in preventing any injury during usage.

In an embodiment, the head assembly 104 may include a hammering portion 220 formed on a top surface 222 of the base component 202 that is opposite to a surface where the pin portion 212 is formed. As illustrated, the hammering portion 220 is a wide flat surface for facilitating hammering to insert the pin portion 212 into the slots of the adjacent panels. In an embodiment, the head assembly 104 may include a pivot face portion 224 formed at the second end 304 of the head assembly 104. The head assembly 104 may be adapted to pivot about the pivot face portion 224 during stripping of the panel from the concrete face. In an embodiment, the base component 202 may include a slot 306 formed adjacent to the first end 302. The slot 306 may be adapted to align with a corresponding slot 228 formed at the end 106 of the handle 102 to connect the handle 102 with the base component 202 of the head assembly 104. In an embodiment, this connection could be made by either of a bolt- nut mechanism, a riveting mechanism, or as a welded connection. In the illustrated embodiment, the handle 102 is shown to be connected with the base component 202 by a bolt- nut mechanism 230 through the aligned slots 306, 228.

Figure 4 illustrates the mechanism of alignment of panels 400 using the pin 212 of the tool 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. When there is any misalignment of the adjacent panels 400 during erection, the tool 100 can be used at a triangular slot 402 of the panel 400 to quickly bring the panel 400 into position and it ensures easy connection between them.

In the illustrated embodiment, the adjacent panels 400-1 and 400-2 are being aligned and assembled by using the tool 100. As illustrated, the tool 100 may be adapted to align corresponding slots 402 in wall panel edge struts for ensuring easy panel-to-panel connections, particularly, when they are improperly positioned. In the illustrated embodiment, the slots 402 are individually referred to as 402-1 and 402-2. Particularly, the tapered portion 216 of the pin portion 212 may be formed to allow easy and convenient insertion of the pin portion 212 into the slots 402 of the adjoining panels 400. Further, cylindrical portion 214 may be adapted to align the slots 402 of the adjoining panels 400, when the pin portion 212 is inserted into the slot 402 of the panel 400. In an embodiment, the circular profile of the tip 218 eliminates the possibility of damage to any component as well as prevents injuries to the persons using it.

Figure 5 illustrates an application of the tool 100 for stripping purpose, i.e., to strip the panels 400 stuck to the concrete face during de-shuttering, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In an embodiment, for the stripping function, the cylindrical pin 206 is to be engaged with a slot 502 of a wall panel edge strut for stripping the panels 400 stuck to concrete. Either the end 208 or the end 210 of the cylindrical pin 206 can be used, depending upon accessible side of the panel 400. Post inserting the cylindrical pin 206 into the slot 502, the pivot face portion 224 gets in contact with the concrete face and when the handle 102 is rotated in a downward direction, the pivot face portion 224 is pushed against the concrete face to strip the panels 400. Owing to the unique shape and wider flat surface of the pivot face portion 224, it is easy to strip the panels 400 without having any undesirable impression on the concrete face. The dimension of the cylindrical pin 206 is intentionally kept larger than the dimension of the slot 402 of the panel edge strut to prevent misuse of the tool 100 in the wrong slot which may damage the edge strut.

As would be gathered, the multi-purpose of the tool 100 can be achieved by the provision of having two pins 206 and 212 oriented in two different directions. The pin 212 may be understood as a cylindrical pin with a tapered end adapted to be engaged in the slot 402 of the panel 400 for aligning purpose. Further, the pin 206 may be understood as a cylindrical pin having different dimensions and is formed such that it cannot fit into the slot 402 but is adapted to be engaged into the slot 502 of the panel 400 for stripping purposes. Therefore, just by changing the orientation of the tool 100 during the usage, the tool 100 can be used for alignment of the adjacent panels 400 as well as stripping of the panel 400 during the de-shuttering.

Therefore, the tool 100 of the present disclosure offers a comprehensive approach for alignment and stripping of the panels 400. The longer handle 102 allows for convenient handling of the tool 100 as well as to generate a bigger lever arm during aligning and stripping. Further, the specially forged head assembly 104 ensures convenient use of the tool 100. Particularly, the tool 100 ensures easy erection of panels 400 positioning them next to each other conveniently and aligning them to a line. This also makes it convenient to fix the wedge clips to the panels 400. Moreover, the tool 100 is also adapted to disassemble or strip the panels 400 from the formwork structure. Therefore, the tool 100 of the present disclosure is multi-purpose, operation effective, lightweight, cost-effective, and convenient in operation.

While specific language has been used to describe the present subject matter, any limitations arising on account thereto, are not intended. As would be apparent to a person in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein. The drawings and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment.

Claims

We claim:

1. A multi-purpose tool (100) having a combination of pins (206, 212) oriented in different directions for alignment of adjacent panels (400) during erection and for stripping of panels (400) stuck to concrete during de-shuttering, the tool (100) comprising: a handle (102); and a dual-purpose head assembly (104) connected at an end (106) of the handle (102), the head assembly (104) comprising: a base component (202) having a first end (302) and a second end (304) distal to the first end (302), the first end (302) adapted to connect with the end (106) of the handle (102) such that a longitudinal axis (X’-X’) of the base component (202) is aligned with a longitudinal axis (X-X) of the handle (102); a cylindrical pin (206) adapted to be formed in the base component (202) such that a longitudinal axis (Y-Y) of the cylindrical pin (206) is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (X’-X’) of the base component (202) and both ends (208, 210) of the cylindrical pin (206) extend out; and a pin portion (212) adapted to be formed at the second end (304) of the base component (202) such that a longitudinal axis (Z-Z) of the pin portion (212) is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (X’-X’) of the base component (202), wherein the pin portion (212) is adapted to be inserted into slots (402-1, 402-2) of adjacent panels (400-1, 400-2) for alignment during an assembly of a formwork; and wherein one of the ends (208, 210) of the cylindrical pin (206) is adapted to be engaged with a slot (502) of the panel (400) for stripping the panel (400) stuck to the concrete surface during a de-shuttering process.

2. The multi-purpose tool (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein dimensions of the cylindrical pin (206) are larger than dimensions of the slots (402).

3. The multi-purpose tool (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pin portion (212) comprising: a cylindrical portion (214) formed adjacent to the base component (202); a tapered portion (216) formed adjacent to the cylindrical portion (214); and a circular-profiled tip (218) formed at the end (226) of the tapered portion (216).

4. The multi-purpose tool (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the tapered portion (216) is formed to allow convenient insertion of the pin portion (212) into slots (402) of the adjoining panels (400).

5. The multi-purpose tool (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the cylindrical portion (214) is adapted to align the slots (402-1, 402-2) of the adjoining panels (400-1, 400-2), when the pin portion (212) is inserted into the slots (402-1, 402-2) of the panels (400-1, 400-2).

6. The multi-purpose tool (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the head assembly (104) comprising a hammering portion (220) formed on a top surface (222) of the base portion (202) that is opposite to a surface where the pin portion (212) is formed.

7. The multi-purpose tool (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the head assembly (104) comprising a pivot face portion (224) formed at the second end (304) of the head assembly (104) such that the head assembly (104) is adapted to pivot about the pivot face portion (224) during the de-shuttering of the panel (400) from the concrete surface.

8. The multi-purpose tool (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the pivot face portion (224) is adapted to be pushed against the concrete surface for stripping the panel (400).

9. The multi-purpose tool (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the head assembly (104) is formed by a forging operation.

10. The multi-purpose tool (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base component (202) includes a slot (306) formed adjacent to the first end (302) and adapted to align with a corresponding slot (228) formed at the end (106) of the handle (102) to connect the handle (102) with the base component (202) of the head assembly (104).

11. The multi-purpose tool (100) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the handle (102) is connected with the base component (202) by at least one of a bolt-nut mechanism (230) through the aligned slots (306, 228), a riveting mechanism, and a welded connection.