Void forming and anchor positioning apparatus and method for concrete structures

Abstract

A void former for positioning an anchor within a concrete structure is comprised of a hollow polymeric body having first and second sections hinged together for movement between a closed condition engageable around the anchor received therebetween and an open condition in which the sections are separated at the lower portions thereof to release the anchor received therebetween. The void former is monolithically formed by injection molding and includes integrally formed latch elements on the respective sections for mutual engagement to secure the sections in the closed condition and a bridge between the sections to provide a hinged connection therebetween. In the injection molding process the sections are formed so as to be positioned in the open condition. Upon removal from the injection mold, the sections are hinged relative to one another by bending the bridge therebetween, before the polymer is fully cured. Such bending aligns the molecules of the polymeric material within the bridge to enable the bridge to serve as a hinge and sustain repeated bending.

1 - 24 . (canceled)  
     
     
         25 . A method for embedding an anchor in a concrete structure, comprising: 
 (a) providing a polymeric body having: 
 (i) first and second sections hinged together at upper portions thereof for movement between a closed condition engagable around an anchor received therebetween and an open condition in which said sections are separated to release an anchor received therebetween;  
 (ii) a passage defined between the first and second sections and opening through the an undersurface of the body for receipt and retention of the anchor between the sections when the sections are in the closed condition, and release of the anchor when the sections are in the open condition; and,  
 (iii) a latch to secure the sections in the closed condition and selectively release the sections for movement to the open condition upon the application of force to the body to move the sections to the second condition;  
   (b) moving the sections to the open condition and positioning the anchor therebetween;    (c) moving the sections to the closed condition and securing the sections together through the latch to retain the anchor in the passage in the condition extending partly out of the passage;    (d) casting the hollow body in the concrete structure with the upper portion of the body exposed through one side of the structure and the anchor embedded within the structure;    (e) applying force to the body to release the latch and move the sections to the open condition; and,    (f) removing the hollow body from the concrete structure.    
     
     
         26 . A method according to  claim 25  wherein the latch is integrally formed with the body and comprises a catch protruding from the first section and opening formed in the second section for latching engagement with the catch when the sections move from the open condition to the closed condition.  
     
     
         27 . A method of forming a hollow body for a concrete void former wherein the body comprises first and second sections hinged together for movement between a closed condition in which the sections complimentally meet and an open condition in which the sections are separated at the lower portion thereof into a bifurcated configuration, said method comprising: 
 (a) providing an mold for injection forming the body from a polymeric material, with the first and second sections in the open condition and joined by bridge formed between the upper portions thereof;    (b) injection molding a flexible polymer into the mold to form the body; and,    (c) removing the body from the mold and hinging the sections relative to one another through bending of the bridge, before the polymer is fully cured.    
     
     
         28 . A method according to  claim 27  wherein the mold includes portions for forming a catch protrusion on the first section extending toward the second section and an opening in the second section for complimental latching engagement with the protrusion when the sections are moved to the closed condition.  
     
     
         29 . A method according to  claim 25  wherein the polymer comprises polypropylene copolymer, reprocessed.  
     
     
         30 . A method according to  claim 25  wherein the polymer is selected from the group consisting of styremic copolymer, polyesther elastomer, polyethelene, nylon, polyurethane, polyether block amide, styrene butadiene copolymer, EPDM rubber and polypropylene copolymer, reprocessed.