Apparatus and method for in-ground framing

Abstract

A framing device enabling formation of an in-ground reinforced concrete structure and a method thereof, wherein the preformed structure of beams, rods, and plates is placed into a prepared site, removable platens are placed therein, concrete is poured therebetween, resulting in a reinforced concrete structure of which the framing device is an integral part. The framing device and resulting concrete structure is especially useful for installing therewithin a loading dock leveling device, scale, or other platform-mounted device for the load-bearing support of the device.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A structural framing embedment for use in association with a loading dock leveling device, scale, or other platform-mounted device, comprising: 
 (a.) a plurality of elongated beams structurally interconnected to securely define a three-dimensional framework; and,    (b.) a plurality of elongated rods structurally interconnected to said framework, at least one of said plurality of elongated rods positioned between at least one of said plurality of beams;    said structural framing embedment being suitable for placement into the ground prior to the pouring of concrete, and, thereafter, forming a part of a resulting concrete-encased structure for reinforcement of said concrete, said loading dock leveling device, scale, or other platform-mounted device subsequently being installed within said concrete-encased structure for the load-bearing support of said device.    
     
     
         2 . The structural framing embedment of  claim 1  wherein said framework comprises three substantially rectangular-shaped vertical walls, a first vertical wall thereof representing a rearward wall of said framework, and second and third vertical walls thereof representing spaced-apart sidewalls of said framework.  
     
     
         3 . The structural framing embedment of  claim 2  further comprising a first front plate interconnected perpendicularly to one of said vertical sidewalls in confronting relationship, a second front plate interconnected perpendicularly to the other of said vertical sidewalls in confronting relationship.  
     
     
         4 . The structural framing embedment of  claim 1  wherein said framework comprises four substantially rectangular-shaped vertical walls.  
     
     
         5 . The structural framing embedment of  claim 1  wherein said framework further comprises a plurality of horizontal beams and rods structurally interconnected beneath said framework to form a flooring framework thereof.  
     
     
         6 . The structural framing embedment of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of leveling and supporting feet.  
     
     
         7 . A structural embedment for use in association with a loading dock leveling device, scale, or other platform-mounted device, comprising: 
 (a.) a plurality of elongated beams structurally interconnected to securely define a three-dimensional framework;    (b.) a plurality of elongated rods structurally interconnected to said framework, at least one of said plurality of elongated rods positioned between at least one of said plurality of beams; and,    (c.) a concrete matrix encasing at least a portion of said framework;    said structural embedment being suitable for installing therewithin said loading dock leveling device, scale, or other platform-mounted device for the load-bearing support of said device.    
     
     
         8 . The structural framing embedment of  claim 7  wherein said framework comprises three substantially rectangular-shaped vertical walls, a first vertical wall thereof representing a rearward wall of said framework, and second and third vertical walls thereof representing spaced-apart sidewalls of said framework.  
     
     
         9 . The structural framing embedment of  claim 8  further comprising a first front plate interconnected perpendicularly to one of said vertical sidewalls in confronting relationship, a second front plate interconnected perpendicularly to the other of said vertical sidewalls in confronting relationship.  
     
     
         10 . The structural framing embedment of  claim 7  wherein said framework comprises four substantially rectangular-shaped vertical walls.  
     
     
         11 . The structural framing embedment of  claim 7  wherein said framework further comprises a plurality of horizontal beams and rods structurally interconnected beneath said framework to form a flooring framework thereof.  
     
     
         12 . The structural framing embedment of  claim 7  further comprising a plurality of leveling and supporting feet.  
     
     
         13 . A process for the formation of a structural in-ground embedment for use in association with a loading dock leveling device, scale, or other platform-mounted device, comprising the steps of: 
 (a.) excavating an area in an earthen ground;    (b.) placing a framing device comprising a plurality of elongated beams structurally interconnected to securely define a three-dimensional framework, said framework having an inside portion and an outside portion, and a plurality of elongated rods structurally interconnected to said framework, at least one of said plurality of elongated rods positioned between at least one of said plurality of beams;    (c.) placing platens adjacent said inside portion of said framework;    (d.) pouring concrete on said outside portion of said framework between said platens and the ground;    (e.) allowing said concrete to set;    (f.) removing said platens; and,    (g.) pouring and finishing concrete within said framework to provide a floor thereof;    said formation of said structural in-ground embedment being suitable for installing therewithin said loading dock leveling device, scale, or other platform-mounted device for the load-bearing support of said device.    
     
     
         14 . The process of  claim 13  wherein step (b.) further includes the step of leveling said framework with respect to the horizontal.  
     
     
         15 . The process of  claim 13  further comprising the step of: (h.) installing within said embedment a loading dock leveling device, scale, or other platform-mounted device.  
     
     
         15 . The process of  claim 13  wherein the framing device of said step (b.) further comprises three substantially rectangular-shaped vertical walls, a first vertical wall thereof representing a rearward wall of said framework, and second and third vertical walls thereof representing spaced-apart sidewalls of said framework.  
     
     
         16 . The process of  claim 15  wherein said framing device further comprises a first front plate interconnected perpendicularly to one of said vertical sidewalls in confronting relationship, a second front plate interconnected perpendicularly to the other of said vertical sidewalls in confronting relationship.  
     
     
         17 . The process of  claim 13  wherein said framing device of said step (b.) comprises four substantially rectangular-shaped vertical walls.  
     
     
         18 . The process of  claim 13  wherein said framing device of step (b.) further comprises a plurality of horizontal beams and rods structurally interconnected beneath said framework to form a flooring framework thereof.  
     
     
         19 . The process of  claim 13  wherein said framing device of step (b.) further comprises a plurality of leveling and supporting feet.  
     
     
         20 . The process of  claim 13  wherein said step (b.) further includes the step of structurally interconnecting said framework to an outlying structural flooring framework overlying or adjacent to said excavated area.