Re-usable non-metallic construction forming system

Abstract

A form for use with a flowable construction material including a base portion having a front and rear face and a reinforcement matrix secured to the rear face. At least the base portion of the form is a non-metallic, non-wooden material. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A form for use with a flowable construction material comprising: 
 a base portion having a front face and a rear face;    a reinforcement matrix secured to said rear face; and 
 wherein at least said base portion is formed from a non-metallic, non-wooden material.  
   
     
     
         2 . A form as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said base portion and said reinforcement matrix are formed as a single piece.  
     
     
         3 . A form as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said non-metallic, non-wooden material is a plastic.  
     
     
         4 . A form as recited in  claim 3 , wherein said plastic includes fiberglass strands.  
     
     
         5 . A form as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said reinforcement matrix comprises a series of integral braces.  
     
     
         6 . A form as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said front face of said base portion further includes a tapered panel.  
     
     
         7 . A form as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said front face further includes a pattern.  
     
     
         8 . A form as recited in  claim 7 , wherein a cavity associated with said pattern includes at least one aperture that extends from said front face to said rear face of said base portion.  
     
     
         9 . A form as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said cavity associated with said pattern may extend more than approximately one-half the total thickness of the form.  
     
     
         10 . A form as recited in  claim 9 , wherein said cavity may extend more than approximately three-quarters of the total thickness of the form.  
     
     
         11 . A form as recited in  claim 10 , wherein said reinforcement matrix comprises a series of integral braces, and wherein said cavity intersects one of said braces to provide additional structural support.  
     
     
         12 . A wall forming system comprising: 
 a plurality of forms, each having a front face, a rear face and a plurality of openings through said forms;    a reinforcement matrix secured to said rear face of said plurality of forms;    at least one retention mechanism having a male member and a securement member;    at least one spacer tie; and 
 wherein said plurality of forms are a non-metallic, non-wooden material, and wherein said retention mechanism secures together two of said forms.  
   
     
     
         13 . A wall forming system as recited in  claim 12 , wherein said forms include at least one opening, and wherein said male member of said retention mechanism passes through said opening.  
     
     
         14 . A wall forming system as recited in  claim 13 , wherein said spacer tie comprises said male member of said retention mechanism.  
     
     
         15 . A wall forming system as recited in  claim 13 , wherein said spacer tie has at least one hole and wherein said male member of said retention mechanism engages said hole and said opening when they are in mating alignment.  
     
     
         16 . A wall forming system as recited in  claim 15 , wherein said openings of two forms being aligned with respect to each other, wherein said male member of said retention mechanism is inserted through said openings of two of said plurality of forms, and wherein said securement member is a wedging member that retains said male member through a friction fit.  
     
     
         17 . A wall forming system as recited in  claim 16 , wherein said securement member of said retention mechanism is integral with one of said plurality of forms.  
     
     
         18 . A retention mechanism as recited in  claim 15 , said spacer tie includes opposing flat portions and a round portion disposed therebetween, and wherein said at least one hole extends through each of said flat portions.  
     
     
         19 . A wall forming system as recited in  claim 18 , wherein said spacer tie including a score line to facilitate its separation along said score line, and wherein said score line separates said round portion from said plurality of flat portions.  
     
     
         20 . A wall forming system for use with a flowable construction material comprising: 
 a plurality of base portions, each including a front face and a rear face;    a reinforcement matrix secured to each of said rear faces;    a retention mechanism;    wherein each of said plurality of base portions and said reinforcement matrix are molded as one piece, wherein said plurality of base portions are plastic, and 
 wherein said retention mechanism secures two of said plurality of base portions together.  
   
     
     
         21 . A wall forming system as recited in  claim 20 , wherein said plurality of base portions further includes a plurality of holes and wherein two of said base portions are positioned adjacent each other such that said holes of said base portions are aligned.  
     
     
         22 . A wall forming system as recited in  claim 21 , wherein said retention mechanism includes a male member and a securement member, wherein said male member passing through said aligned holes of said adjacent base portions and said securement member retains said male member.  
     
     
         23 . A wall forming system as recited in  claim 21 , wherein said retention mechanism further includes a brace disposed between said base portions for properly aligning said base portions.  
     
     
         24 . A form for use with a flowable construction material comprising: 
 a base portion having a front face including a pattern and a rear face, said base portion is formed from a plastic material;    a reinforcement matrix having a series of integral braces and being secured to said rear face; and 
 wherein said base portion and said reinforcement matrix are formed from a single material.  
   
     
     
         25 . A form as recited in  claim 24 , wherein a cavity associated with said pattern includes at least one aperture that extends from said front face to said rear face of said base portion.  
     
     
         26 . A form as recited in  claim 24 , wherein said cavity associated with said pattern may extend more than approximately one-half the total thickness of said form.  
     
     
         27 . A form as recited in  claim 24 , wherein said cavity may extend more than approximately three-quarters of the total thickness of the form.