Tie assembly for a wall form system

Abstract

A form system comprises several form units ( 100 ), each having a pair of panels ( 108 ) positioned in spaced relation to each other. A plurality of tie members ( 104 ) connects the panels, the tie member comprising a spacer member ( 112 ) disposed transversely between the panels. Each tie member further comprises a pair unit connecting members ( 116 ), 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 or a second form unit.

1 - 7 . (cancelled)  
   
   
       8 . A tie assembly for a wall form unit, the tie assembly for connecting first and second panels for containing a pourable, curable construction material to form a wall section, the tie assembly comprising: 
 a spacer member configured to maintain the first and second panels in a predetermined relationship, the spacer member having spaced apart, opposing edges, each edge having a generally T-shaped profile;    first and second connecting members adapted to be embedded in the first and second panels, respectively, each connecting member having a coupling composed of opposing, staggered rows of teeth defining a channel having a T-shaped profile complementary to, and for sliding engagement with the spacer member opposing edges; and    an abutment disposed to protrude from a wall of the spacer member T-shaped profile at an end of the spacer member and configured to block the T-shaped profile of the corresponding connecting member channel to prevent gravity from causing the spacer member to slide freely through the connecting member channel.    
   
   
       9 . A tie assembly according to  claim 8 , wherein the tie assembly is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, nylon 6/6, polyvinyl chloride and ABS.  
   
   
       10 . A tie assembly according to  claim 8 , wherein the spacer member opposing edges are spaced apart by a plurality of arm members.  
   
   
       11 . A tie assembly according to  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the plurality of arm members includes an indentation for receiving a reinforcing member in transverse relation to the arm members.  
   
   
       12 . A tie assembly according to  claim 8 , wherein each said connecting member has a supporting portion having a height that is: (i) greater than a height of said connecting member coupling, and (ii) less than a height of a corresponding panel.  
   
   
       13 . A tie assembly according to  claim 12 , wherein said connecting member supporting portion is coupled to said connecting member coupling by a plurality of members with openings therebetween.  
   
   
       14 . A tie assembly according to  claim 12 , wherein said connecting member supporting portion is configured to be embedded within the corresponding panel.  
   
   
       15 . A tie assembly according to  claim 8 , wherein said spacer member has a rebar channel on an upper surface thereof.  
   
   
       16 . A tie assembly according to  claim 8 , wherein said spacer member has eight arm members having openings therebetween.  
   
   
       17 . A spacer member for maintaining first and second panels of a wall form unit in a predetermined relationship, comprising: 
 opposing edges that are spaced apart by arm members, each edge having a generally T-shaped profile configured for sliding engagement with a complementary T-shaped profile of a connecting member channel; and    an abutment disposed to protrude from a wall of the spacer member T-shaped profile at an end of the spacer member, and configured to block the T-shaped profile of the corresponding connecting member channel to prevent gravity from causing the spacer member to slide freely through the connecting member channel.    
   
   
       18 . A spacer member according to  claim 17 , wherein said spacer member has a plurality of rebar channels on an upper surface thereof.  
   
   
       19 . A spacer member according to  claim 17 , wherein said spacer member has eight arm members having openings therebetween.  
   
   
       20 . 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 having a coupling comprising at least one row of teeth defining a a T-shaped profile;    a spacer member maintaining said first and second connecting members in the spaced relation, said spacer member having 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; and    an abutment disposed to protrude from a wall at an end of the spacer member T-shaped profile and configured to block the T-shaped profile of the corresponding connecting member to prevent gravity from causing the spacer member to slide freely through the connecting member channel.    
   
   
       21 . The tie assembly of  claim 20 , wherein said spacer member makes contact with at least one connecting member tooth of each the first and second connecting members.  
   
   
       22 . The tie assembly of  claim 20 , wherein each connecting member tooth comprises a fin, and wherein each spacer member end has a recess for sliding engagement with said connecting member fin.  
   
   
       23 . The tie assembly of  claim 20 , wherein said first connecting member is configured to provide a first releasable connection with said spacer member, and wherein said second connecting member is configured to provide a second releasable connection with said spacer member.  
   
   
       24 . The tie assembly of  claim 20 , further comprising the first and second panels, said spacer member maintaining said first and second panels in a substantially parallel relationship.  
   
   
       25 . The tie assembly of  claim 24 , wherein said first and second connecting members are configured to be embedded in the first and second panel.  
   
   
       26 . The tie assembly of  claim 20 , wherein said spacer member has at least one indentation on an upper surface thereof.  
   
   
       27 . The tie assembly of  claim 26 , wherein said indentation is configured to receive a rebar.  
   
   
       28 . The tie assembly of  claim 20 , wherein said spacer member and said first and second connecting members are formed of at least one of (i) polypropylene, (ii) nylon 6/6, (iii) PVC, and (iv) A.B.S plastic.  
   
   
       29 . Connecting apparatus for a wall form unit, comprising: 
 a connector configured to be embedded in a wall-forming panel, the connecting member having a row of teeth defining a T-shaped profile;    a spacer configured to be attached to said connector, said spacer having spaced apart, opposing ends, each end having a generally T-shaped profile complementary to, and for sliding engagement with one the T-shaped profile of said connector; and    a stop disposed to protrude from a wall at an end of the spacer member T-shaped profile and configured to block the connector T-shaped profile in order to prevent gravity from causing the spacer member from freely sliding through the connecting member.    
   
   
       30 . Connecting apparatus according to  claim 29 , wherein said spacer has a channel which slidingly engages said row of teeth of said connector.  
   
   
       31 . Connecting apparatus according to  claim 30 , wherein the connector comprises at least one fin, and wherein said spacer channel is adapted for sliding engagement with the connecting member at least one fin.  
   
   
       32 . Connecting apparatus according to  claim 31 , wherein said spacer channel has an interior with ribs for frictionally engaging said connector fin.  
   
   
       33 . Connecting apparatus according to  claim 30 , further comprising a panel, and wherein said panel is configured to be attached to another panel to form a two panel wall unit.  
   
   
       34 . Connecting apparatus according to  claim 30 , wherein the connector T-shaped profile comprises a fin, and wherein said spacer channel accepts sliding engagement with the connector fin.  
   
   
       35 . Connecting apparatus according to  claim 29 , wherein the spacer is configured to provide for sliding engagement with a first connector and a second connector.  
   
   
       36 . Connecting apparatus according to  claim 29 , wherein the connector is configured to be formed into the panel.  
   
   
       37 . Connecting apparatus according to  claim 29 , wherein said spacer has a semi-circular channel.  
   
   
       38 . Connecting apparatus according to  claim 37 , wherein said semi-circular channel is configured to receive a rebar.  
   
   
       39 . Connecting apparatus according to  claim 29 , wherein said spacer has a plurality of rebar indentations.  
   
   
       40 . Connecting apparatus according to  claim 29 , wherein said spacer member and said connector are formed of plastic selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, nylon 6/6, PVC, and A.B.S.  
   
   
       41 . Connecting apparatus according to  claim 29 , further comprising concrete disposed between two panels spaced apart by two of said connectors and a spacer.  
   
   
       42 . 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 recesses that are spaced apart by an arm member, each recess having a generally T-shapped profile configured for sliding engagement with a corresponding connecting member T-shaped profile; and    an abutment disposed to protrude from a wall at an end of each spacer member recesses and configured to block the T-shaped profile of a corresponding connecting member to prevent gravity from causing the spacer member to slide out of engagement with the corresponding connecting member.    
   
   
       43 . The spacer member according to  claim 42 , wherein the recess has an interior with ribs for frictionally engaging the corresponding connecting member.  
   
   
       44 . The spacer member according to  claim 43 , wherein the spacer member has at least one indentation for receiving a rebar.  
   
   
       45 . The spacer member according to  claim 44 , wherein the spacer member is formed of plastic conprising at least one of polypropylene, nylon 6/6, PVC, and A.B.S.