US2003213198A1PendingUtilityA1
Form system
Priority: Jun 30, 2000Filed: Dec 18, 2002Published: Nov 20, 2003
Est. expiryJun 30, 2020(expired)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Frank Bentley
E04B 2/8617E04B 2/8641E04B 1/6129
30
PatentIndex Score
0
Cited by
0
References
0
Claims
Abstract
A form system comprises several form units, each having a pair of panels positioned in spaced relation to each other. A plurality of tie members connects the panels, the tie member comprising a spacer member disposed transversely between the panels. Each tie member further comprises a pair unit connecting members, one positioned on each of an outside surface of a panel. The spacer members are each connected to a first unit and a second unit connecting member through the first opening in the panels. The first and second unit connecting members have first and second connections respectively, to permit the first and second unit connecting members of a first form unit to be connected with corresponding first and second connecting members of a second form unit.
Claims
exact text as granted — not AI-modifiedWe claim:
1 . A spacer member for maintaining first and second panels of a wall form unit in a predetermined relationship, each panel having a connecting member which has a row of teeth defining a T-shaped profile, said spacer member comprising:
opposing edges that are spaced apart by at least one arm member, each edge having a generally T-shaped profile configured for sliding engagement with a corresponding connecting member T-shaped profile, wherein the at least one arm member has at least one rebar channel on an upper surface thereof, wherein each rebar channel has an opening; and at least one rebar clip formed on the opening of each rebar channel of the at least one arm member.
2 . The spacer member of claim 1 wherein the at least one rebar clip comprises at least one protrusion pointing toward the rebar channel.
3 . The spacer member of claim 2 wherein the at least one protrusion comprises a flexible barb.
4 . The spacer member of claim 1 wherein the rebar channel comprises a biasing spring integrated into the rebar channel.
5 . The spacer member of claim 2 comprising a tip on the protrusion wherein the tip is rounded.
6 . The spacer member of claim 5 wherein the rounded tip is located along a same axis as the protrusion.
7 . The spacer member of claim 5 wherein the rounded tip is located along an axis perpendicular to the axis of the protrusion.
8 . The spacer member of claim 1 wherein the rebar clip comprises a flexible smooth sliding curved clip having hooked tips pointing away from the opening.
9 . The spacer member of claim 8 wherein the at least one rebar channel comprises a plurality of barbs generally pointing into the rebar channel.
10 . The spacer member of claim 1 wherein the at least one rebar clip comprises at least one angled barb, wherein the angled barb points into the rebar channel.
11 . The spacer member of claim 1 wherein the at least one rebar clip comprises at least one double angled ridge pointing into the rebar channel.
12 . The spacer member of claim 11 wherein the at least one double angled ridge breaks away partially when a rebar is inserted into the rebar channel.
13 . The spacer member of claim 1 wherein the rebar clip comprises at least one inwardly pointing flexible u-shaped compression hook.
14 . The spacer member of claim 1 wherein the rebar clip comprises at least one outwardly pointing flexible u-shaped hook.
15 . The spacer member of claim 1 wherein the rebar clip comprises at least one tooth on a track attached to an interior surface of the rebar channel.
16 . The spacer member of claim 1 wherein the at least one rebar clip comprises:
at least one post coupled to the at least one arm member to form the opening of the rebar channel; and
at least one paddle latch coupled to the at least one arm member mounted to each post at a pivot point.
17 . The spacer member of claim 16 comprising a snap ball coupled to the paddle latch to engage a rebar upon insertion into the rebar channel.
18 . The spacer member of claim 1 wherein the at least one rebar clip comprises:
at least one post coupled to the at least one arm member to form the opening of the rebar channel;
at least one paddle having a toothed track mounted to each post at a pivot point; and
at least one detent coupled to an interior surface of the rebar channel for engaging the toothed track.
19 . The spacer member of claim 1 wherein the rebar clip comprises at least one flexible L hook having a tip wherein the tip of the L hook points toward the rebar channel.
20 . The spacer member of claim 1 wherein the rebar clip comprises at least one flexible inwardly curved hook.
21 . The spacer member of claim 20 wherein the at least one curved hook comprises at least one barb pointing into the rebar channel.
22 . The spacer member of claim 20 wherein the at least one curved hook extends beyond a middle of the opening of the barb channel.
23 . The spacer member of claim 20 wherein the flexible inwardly curved hook has a curled tip.
24 . The spacer member of claim 1 wherein the rebar clip has at least one overlapping protrusion extending beyond a middle of the opening of the barb channel.
25 . The spacer member of claim 1 comprising:
an abutment disposed at one edge of the spacer member and configured to prevent the spacer member from sliding out of the end of the connecting member-coupling,
wherein each edge has a generally T-shaped profile configured for attaching to the connecting member-coupling having a corresponding T-shaped profile.
26 . A method for latching a rebar to a spacer member comprising:
inserting the rebar into a rebar clip formed on the spacer member, wherein the spacer member has at least one rebar channel with an opening, and wherein the rebar clip is formed on the opening of the rebar channel; inserting the rebar into the rebar clip; spreading apart at least one protrusion coupled to the rebar clip; inserting the rebar into the rebar channel; and retracting the protrusions back to an initial position.
27 . The method of claim 26 comprising biasing the rebar inside the rebar channel with an integrated biasing spring.
28 . The method of claim 26 wherein the protrusions point into the rebar channel forming a gap between the protrusions, the method comprising receiving the rebar upon insertion into the rebar channel.
29 . The method of claim 26 comprising:
impeding removal of the rebar from the rebar channel by frictionally engaging the rebar with a tip of the protrusions.
30 . The method of claim 29 comprising snapping the rebar into the rebar clip wherein the rebar tip has a rounded shape.
31 . The method of claim 26 comprising sliding the rebar into the rebar clip wherein the rebar clip comprises outwardly curved clips.
32 . The method of claim 26 comprising frictionally engaging the rebar with a plurality of barbs coupled to the rebar channel.
33 . The method of claim 26 comprising frictionally engaging the rebar into a double angled ridge coupled to the rebar channel.
34 . The method of claim 33 wherein the double angled ridges break away partially.
35 . The method of claim 26 wherein the at least one protrusion comprises an inwardly pointing flexible u-shaped compression hook.
36 . The method of claim 26 wherein the at least one protrusion comprises an outwardly pointing flexible u-shaped hook.
37 . The method of claim 26 wherein the rebar clip comprises a track of teeth attached to an interior surface of the rebar channel and coupled to the at least one protrusion.
38 . The method of claim 26 wherein the rebar clip comprises:
at least one post forming the opening of the rebar channel; and
at least one paddle latch mounted to each post at a pivot point.
39 . The method of claim 38 comprising snapping the rebar into the paddle latch wherein a snap ball is coupled to the paddle latch.
40 . The method of claim 26 wherein the rebar clip comprises:
at least one post forming the opening of the rebar channel;
at least one paddle having a toothed track mounted to each post at a pivot point; and
at least one detent coupled to the rebar channel for engaging the toothed track.
41 . The method of claim 26 wherein the rebar clip comprises at least one flexible L hook wherein a tip of the at least one flexible L hook points toward the rebar channel.
42 . The method of claim 26 wherein the rebar clip comprises flexible inwardly curved hooks.
43 . The method of claim 42 wherein the curved hooks comprise at least one barb pointing into the rebar channel.
44 . The method of claim 42 wherein the curved hooks cross over each other substantially at a middle of the opening of the rebar channel.
45 . The method of claim 42 wherein the flexible inwardly curved hooks have a curled tip.
46 . A spacer member for maintaining first and second panels of a wall form unit in a predetermined relationship, each panel having a connecting member, said spacer member comprising:
opposing edges that are spaced apart by at least one arm member, each edge configured for engagement with a corresponding connecting member; and at least one rebar clip formed on the arm member.
47 . The spacer member of claim 46 wherein the at least one rebar clip comprises at least one protrusion.
48 . The spacer member of claim 47 wherein the at least one protrusion comprises a flexible barb.
49 . The spacer member of claim 47 wherein the at least one rebar clip comprises a biasing spring.
50 . The spacer member of claim 47 comprising a tip on the at least one protrusion wherein the tip is rounded.
51 . The spacer member of claim 46 wherein the at least one rebar clip is a flexible smooth sliding curved clip having hooked tips pointing away from each other.
52 . The spacer member of claim 46 wherein the rebar clip comprises a plurality of barbs.
53 . The spacer member of claim 46 wherein the rebar clip comprises at least one double angled ridge having inwardly pointing angles.
54 . The spacer member of claim 46 wherein the rebar clip comprises at least one inwardly pointing flexible u-shaped compression hook.
55 . The spacer member of claim 46 wherein the rebar clip comprises at least one outwardly pointing flexible u-shaped hook.
56 . The spacer member of claim 46 wherein the rebar clip comprises at least one track of teeth.
57 . The spacer member of claim 46 wherein the rebar clip comprises:
at least one post; and
at least one paddle latch mounted to each post at a pivot point.
58 . The spacer member of claim 46 wherein the rebar clip comprises:
at least one post formed on the connecting member;
at least one paddle having a toothed track mounted to each post at a pivot point; and
at least one detent coupled to the post for engaging the toothed track.
59 . The spacer member of claim 46 wherein the rebar clip comprises at least one flexible inwardly pointing L hook having a tip wherein the tip of the at least one L hook points toward the rebar channel.
60 . The spacer member of claim 46 wherein the rebar clip comprises at least one flexible inwardly curved hook.
61 . The spacer member of claim 60 wherein the at least one curved hook comprises at least one barb.
62 . The spacer member of claim 60 wherein the at least one curved hook crosses over substantially at a middle of the opening of the barb clip.
63 . The spacer member of claim 60 wherein the flexible inwardly curved hook has a curled tip.
64 . A tie assembly for a wall form unit, the tie assembly configured to connect first and second panels in spaced relation for containing a pourable, curable construction material to form a wall section, the tie assembly comprising:
first and second connecting members configured to be coupled to the first and second panels, respectively, each connecting member comprising at least one row of teeth defining a T-shaped profile; a spacer member maintaining said first and second connecting members in the spaced relation, said spacer member having spaced apart, opposing ends, each opposing end having a T-shaped profile complementary to, and for sliding engagement with the corresponding connecting member row of teeth T-shaped profile, the spacer member comprising at least one rebar channel and rebar clip for latching a rebar; and an abutment disposed on at least one of the opposing ends of said spacer member, to prevent said spacer member from sliding out of engagement with the corresponding connecting member.
65 . The tie assembly of claim 64 wherein the rebar clip comprises at least one protrusion pointing toward the rebar channel.
66 . The tie assembly of claim 65 wherein the at least one protrusion comprises a flexible barb.
67 . The tie assembly of claim 64 wherein the rebar channel comprises a biasing spring integrated into the rebar channel.
68 . The tie assembly of claim 65 comprising a tip on the protrusion wherein the tip is rounded.
69 . The tie assembly of claim 68 wherein the rounded tip is located along a same axis as the protrusion.
70 . The tie assembly of claim 68 wherein the rounded tip is located along an axis perpendicular to the axis of the protrusion
71 . The tie assembly of claim 68 wherein the rebar clip comprises a smooth sliding curved protrusion having hooked tips pointing away from the opening.
72 . The tie assembly of claim 71 wherein the rebar channel comprises a plurality of barbs generally pointing into the rebar channel.
73 . The tie assembly of claim 64 wherein the rebar clip comprises at least one double angled ridge having inwardly pointing angles.
74 . The tie assembly of claim 73 wherein the at least one double angled ridge breaks away partially when a rebar is inserted into the rebar channel.
75 . The tie assembly of claim 64 wherein the rebar clip comprises an inwardly pointing flexible u-shaped compression hook.
76 . The tie assembly of claim 64 wherein the rebar clip comprises an outwardly pointing, flexible u-shaped hook.
77 . The tie assembly of claim 64 wherein the rebar clip comprises at least one track of teeth attached to an interior surface of the rebar channel.
78 . The tie assembly of claim 64 wherein the rebar clip comprises:
at least one post to form the opening of the rebar channel; and
at least one paddle latch mounted to each post at a pivot point.
79 . The tie assembly of claim 78 comprising a snap ball coupled to the paddle latch to engage a rebar upon insertion into the rebar channel.
80 . The tie assembly of claim 64 wherein the rebar clip comprises:
at least one post to form the opening of the rebar channel;
at least one paddle having a toothed track mounted to each post at a pivot point; and
at least one detent coupled to the rebar channel for engaging the toothed track.
81 . The tie assembly of claim 64 wherein the rebar clip comprises at least one flexible L hook having a tip wherein the tip of the L hook points toward the rebar channel.
82 . The tie assembly of claim 64 wherein the rebar clip comprises at least one flexible inwardly curved hook.
83 . The tie assembly of claim 82 wherein the at least one curved hook comprises at least one barb pointing into the rebar channel.
84 . The tie assembly of claim 82 wherein the at least one curved hook crosses over substantially at a middle of the opening of the barb channel.
85 . The tie assembly of claim 82 wherein the flexible inwardly curved hook comprises a curled tip.
86 . A form unit for containing concrete comprising:
a first and second panel each having a top and a bottom end; at least two rows of alternating octagonal projections and channels, wherein said projection of one row is adjacent said channel of another row, and wherein said channel on said top end is opposed to said projection on said bottom end, wherein the top end of the first and second panel is interconnectable with either the top end or the bottom end of a like panel, and the bottom end of the first and second panel is interconnectable with either the top end or the bottom end of a like panel; and at least one connecting member configured to be coupled to the first and second panels in a spaced relation.
87 . The form unit of claim 86 wherein said projections and channels being substantially the same dimension.
88 . The form unit of claim 86 wherein said projections and channels for one row have substantially different dimensions than said projections and channels for another row on the panels.
89 . The form unit of claim 86 wherein the panels are stackable insulating foam panels to form a wall section.
90 . The form unit of claim 86 wherein said at least one row being disposed between two coplanar edge surfaces.
91 . The form unit of claim 86 wherein a first row corresponds to a projection having a height and a channel having a depth that is substantially different than a height for a projection and a depth for a channel corresponding to a second row.
92 . The form unit of claim 91 comprising at least one middle row and two opposite end rows, wherein said height for said projection and said depth for said channel at said at least one middle row is greater than said height for said projection and said depth for said channel at the end rows.
93 . The form unit of claim 86 wherein the alternating octagonal projections and channels have a top portion shape selected from the group consisting of a wedge, an arrow head, at least one tooth, a cornered top, a curved top, and a barbed top.
94 . The wall-forming panel of claim 86 wherein the panel is a reversible corner block.
95 . A wall-forming panel having a top and a bottom end comprising:
at least two rows of alternating octagonal projections and recesses, wherein said projection of one row is adjacent said recesses of another row, and wherein said recess on said top end is opposed to said projection on said bottom end, wherein the top end of the panel is interconnectable with either the top end or the bottom end of a like panel, and the bottom end of the panel is interconnectable with either the top end or the bottom end of a like panel.
96 . The wall-forming panel of claim 95 comprising a second wall-forming panel in spaced relation to the first panel to form a wall unit.
97 . The wall-forming panel of claim 95 wherein the wall-forming panel is coupled to adjacent substantially coplanar like panels.
98 . The wall-forming panel of claim 95 wherein said projections and recesses for all rows being substantially the same dimension.
99 . The wall-forming panel of claim 95 wherein said projections and recesses for one row have substantially different dimensions than said projections and recesses for another row on a panel.
100 . The wall-forming panel of claim 95 wherein at least one row being disposed between two coplanar edge surfaces.
101 . The wall-forming panel of claim 95 wherein the panel is a reversible corner block.
102 . The wall-forming panel of claim 95 comprising at least one middle row and two opposite end rows, wherein said height for said projection, and said depth for said recess at said at least one middle row, is greater than said height for said projection, and said depth for said recess at said end rows.
103 . The wall-forming panel of claim 102 wherein said projections and said recesses for the middle row have substantially greater dimensions than said projections and said recesses for said end rows.
104 . The wall-forming panel of claim 95 wherein the alternating octagonal projections and channels have a top portion shape selected rim the group consisting of a wedge, an arrow head, at least one tooth, a cornered top, a curved top, and a barbed top.
105 . A wall-forming panel having a top and a bottom end comprising:
at least one row of alternating octagonal projections and recesses, wherein said recess on said top end is opposed to said projection on said bottom end, wherein the top side of the panel is interconnectable with either the top end or the bottom end of a like panel and the bottom side of the panel is interconnectable with either the top end or the bottom end of a like panel.
106 . The wall-forming panel of claim 105 further comprising another wall-forming panel in spaced relation to the other panel to form a wall unit.
107 . The wall-forming panel of claim 105 wherein the wall-forming panel is coupled to adjacent substantially coplanar like panels.
108 . The wall-forming panel of claim 105 wherein said projections and recesses being substantially the same dimension.
109 . The wall-forming panel of claim 105 wherein said projections and recesses for one row have substantially different dimensions than said projections and recesses for another row on said panel.
110 . The wall-forming panel of claim 105 wherein said at least one row being disposed between two coplanar edge surfaces.
111 . The wall-forming panel of claim 105 wherein the alternating octagonal projections and channels have a top portion shape selected from the group consisting of a wedge, an arrow head, at least one tooth, a cornered top, a curved top, and a barbed top.
112 . The wall-forming panel of claim 105 wherein the panel is a reversible corner block.
113 . A wall-forming panel having a top and a bottom end comprising:
at least one row of an interconnecting design comprising projections and recesses, wherein said recess on said top end is opposed to said projection on said bottom end, wherein the top end of the panel is interconnectable with either the top end or the bottom end of a like panel, and the bottom end of the panel is interconnectable with either the top end or the bottom end of a like panel; wherein the interconnecting design is selected from the group consisting of a; triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, 7-sided, 9-sided, 10-sided, 11-sided, 12-sided, 13-sided, 14-sided, 15-sided, 16-sided, 17-sided, 18-sided, 19-sided, 20-sided, 21-sided, 22-sided, 23-sided, 24-sided, a hemi-sphere, a pyramid, an arrow, a wave, a sinusoidal wave, a triangular wave, a square wave, a conical slice, and a cone.
114 . The wall-forming panel of claim 113 wherein the interconnecting design of all projections and recesses on the panel is the same.
115 . The wall-forming panel of claim 113 wherein each recess and opposing projection has a complementary shape pairing, wherein the interconnecting design comprises two or more different interconnecting design pairings on said at least one row.
116 . The wall-forming panel of claim 113 wherein the wall-forming panel is coupled to adjacent substantially coplanar like panels.
117 . The wall-forming panel of claim 113 wherein said projections and channels being substantially the same dimension.
118 . The wall-forming panel of claim 113 wherein said projections and recesses for one row have substantially different dimensions than said projections and recesses for another row on said panel.
119 . The wall-forming panel of claim 113 wherein at least one row being disposed between two coplanar edge surfaces.
120 . The wall-forming panel of claim 113 wherein the alternating octagonal projections and channels have a top portion shape selected from the group consisting of a wedge, an arrow head, at least one tooth, a cornered top, a curved top, and a barbed top.
121 . The wall-forming panel of claim 113 wherein the panel is a reversible corner block.
122 . A method for constructing a concrete structure, comprising:
disposing at least two panels having a top and a bottom end to create a form cavity; interconnecting the top end or the bottom end of one panel with either the top end or the bottom end of another panel, said panels comprising at least one row of alternating octagonal projections and recesses, wherein said recess on said top end is opposed to said projection on said bottom end; and pouring concrete into the form cavity.
123 . The method of claim 122 wherein said projections and recesses being substantially the same dimension.
124 . The method of claim 122 wherein said projections and recesses for one row have substantially different dimensions than said projections and recesses for another row on a panel.
125 . The method of claim 122 comprising stacking two or more panels to form a wall section.
126 . The method of claim 122 wherein said at least one row being disposed between two coplanar edge surfaces.
127 . The method of claim 122 wherein the alternating octagonal projections and channels have a top portion shape selected from the group consisting of a wedge, an arrow head, at least one tooth, a cornered top, a curved top, and a barbed top.
128 . The method of claim 122 wherein the wall-forming panel is coupled to adjacent substantially coplanar like panels.
129 . The method of claim 122 wherein said projections and recesses for one row have substantially different dimensions than said projections and recesses for another row on said panel.
130 . The method of claim 122 comprising at least one middle row and two opposite end rows, wherein said height for said projection and said depth for said recess at said at least one middle row is greater than said height for said projection and said depth for said recess at said end rows.
131 . The method of claim 122 comprising inserting at least one tie assembly configured to be coupled between two panels in a spaced relation.
132 . The method of claim 122 comprising interconnecting said panel with a like panel in a bidirectional or reversible manner.
133 . The method of claim 122 comprising delivering the panels in flat bundles.
134 . The method of claim 122 wherein the panel is a reversible corner block.
135 . The method of claim 134 comprising shipping said reversible corner block nested.Join the waitlist — get patent alerts
Track US2003213198A1 — get alerts on status changes and closely related new filings.
We store only your email — no account needed. See our privacy policy.