Form system wall tie and methods for making and using the same

Abstract

A form system wall tie and method for making and using the same. A wall tie is formed having a longitudinal axis and structure that is longitudinally symmetric. A tie rod at one end of the wall tie is attached to struts that, in turn, are attached to an attachment member that is adapted to engage a threaded rod. If desired, one copy of the wall tie can be engaged with a threaded rod having an anchor that can be affixed to a framework against which it is desired to pour a concrete wall, or the like, and the framework adjusted to the desired position. Alternatively, two copies of the wall tie can be placed end to end along the longitudinal axis and joined by a threaded rod, allowing a freestanding framework to be adjusted to the desired position before it is filled with concrete. The tie rod can be formed into shapes that are compatible with existing concrete form systems.

1 . A wall tie for holding a form wall in a stationary position relative to a fixed point, comprising: 
 an elongated tie rod having a longitudinal axis, the tie rod having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being adapted for placement through the form wall and the second portion having a first attachment surface, the first and second portions being longitudinally displaced from one another along the longitudinal axis;    a plurality of struts having a first attachment portion and a second attachment portion, the first attachment portion being attached to the first attachment surface of the tie rod and extending away from the tie rod in a direction that is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis; and    an attachment member located on the longitudinal axis, the second attachment portion of the plurality of struts being attached to the attachment member.    
   
   
       2 . The wall tie of  claim 1 , wherein each strut in the plurality of struts has an individual first attachment portion and an individual second attachment portion.  
   
   
       3 . The wall tie of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment member is an internally threaded element adapted to receive a threaded member.  
   
   
       4 . The wall tie of  claim 3 , wherein the internally threaded element is a wire coil.  
   
   
       5 . The wall tie of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment member is an externally threaded element adapted to receive a threaded member.  
   
   
       6 . The wall tie of  claim 1 , further including a fixed point attachment member and a longitudinal extension member, the extension member being adapted to be connected to the second attachment portion of the plurality of struts along the longitudinal axis and further being adapted to be connected to the fixed point attachment member.  
   
   
       7 . The wall tie of  claim 6 , wherein the longitudinal extension member is a threaded rod.  
   
   
       8 . The wall tie of  claim 7 , wherein the fixed-point attachment member is taken from the class including an anchor, a toggle tie, or direct epoxy attachment.  
   
   
       9 . The wall tie of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated tie rod has a second attachment surface longitudinally displaced from the first and second portions in the direction away from the first portion and the tie rod is attached to the attachment member at the second attachment surface.  
   
   
       10 . The wall tie of  claim 9 , wherein the attachment member is an internally threaded element adapted to receive a threaded member.  
   
   
       11 . The wall tie of  claim 10 , wherein the internally threaded element is a wire coil.  
   
   
       12 . The wall tie of  claim 9 , wherein the attachment member is an externally threaded element adapted to receive a threaded member.  
   
   
       13 . A wall tie assembly for holding two form walls in a stationary position relative to one another, comprising: 
 two wall ties, each wall tie including: 
 an elongated tie rod having a longitudinal axis, the tie rod having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being adapted for placement through the form wall and the second portion having a first attachment surface, the first and second portions being longitudinally displaced from one another along the longitudinal axis;  
 a plurality of struts having a first attachment portion and a second attachment portion, the first attachment portion being attached to the first attachment surface of the tie rod and extending away from the tie rod in a direction that is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis; and  
 an attachment member located on the longitudinal axis, the second attachment portion of the plurality of struts being attached to the attachment member, the two wall ties being placed in opposition to one another along the longitudinal axis; and  
   a longitudinal extension member, the extension member being connected to the second attachment portion of the plurality of struts of each of the wall ties.    
   
   
       14 . The wall tie assembly of  claim 13 , wherein each strut in both pluralities of struts has an individual first attachment portion and an individual second attachment portion.  
   
   
       15 . The wall tie assembly of  claim 13 , wherein each of the attachment members is an internally threaded element adapted to receive a threaded member.  
   
   
       16 . The wall tie assembly of  claim 15 , wherein each of the internally threaded elements is a wire coil.  
   
   
       17 . The wall tie assembly of  claim 13 , wherein each of the attachment members is an externally threaded element adapted to receive a threaded member.  
   
   
       18 . A method for making a wall tie for holding a form wall in a stationary position relative to a fixed point, comprising the steps of: 
 a) forming an elongated tie rod having a longitudinal axis, the tie rod having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being adapted for placement through the form wall and the second portion having a first attachment surface, the first and second portions being longitudinally displaced from one another along the longitudinal axis;    b) forming a plurality of struts having a first attachment portion and a second attachment portion;    c) attaching the first attachment portion of each of the plurality of struts to the first attachment surface of the tie rod so that it extends away from the tie rod in a direction that is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis;    d) forming an attachment member;    e) locating the attachment member on the longitudinal axis; and    f) attaching the second attachment portion of the plurality of struts to the attachment member.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein each strut in the plurality of struts has an individual first attachment portion and an individual second attachment portion.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the attachment member is an internally threaded element adapted to receive a threaded member.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the internally threaded element is a wire coil.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the attachment member is an externally threaded element adapted to receive a threaded member.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 18 , further including the steps of: 
 g) forming a fixed-point attachment member;    h) forming a longitudinal extension member;    i) connecting the extension member to the second attachment portion of the plurality of struts along the longitudinal axis; and    j) connecting the extension member to the fixed-point attachment member.    
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the longitudinal extension member is a threaded rod.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the fixed-point attachment member is taken from the class including an anchor, a toggle tie, or direct epoxy attachment.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the elongated tie rod has a second attachment surface longitudinally displaced from the first and second portions in the direction away from the first portion.  
   
   
       27 . A method for making a wall tie assembly for holding two form walls in a stationary position relative to one another, comprising the steps of: 
 a) forming two wall ties, comprising, for each wall tie, the steps of: 
 a 1 ) forming an elongated tie rod having a longitudinal axis, the tie rod having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being adapted for placement through the form wall and the second portion having a first attachment surface, the first and second portions being longitudinally displaced from one another along the longitudinal axis;  
 a 2 ) forming a plurality of struts having a first attachment portion and a second attachment portion;  
 a 3 ) attaching the first attachment portion to the first attachment surface of the tie rod so that it extends away from the tie rod in a direction that is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis;  
 a 4 ) forming an attachment member;  
 a 5 ) locating the attachment member on the longitudinal axis; and  
 a 6 ) attaching the second attachment portion of the plurality of struts to the attachment member; and  
   b) placing the two wall ties in opposition to one another along the longitudinal axis;    c) forming a longitudinal extension member; and    d) connecting the extension member to the second attachment portion of the plurality of struts of each of the wall ties.    
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein each strut in both pluralities of struts has an individual first attachment portion and an individual second attachment portion.  
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein each of the attachment members is an internally threaded element adapted to receive a threaded member.  
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein each of the internally threaded elements is a wire coil.  
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein each of the attachment members is an externally threaded element adapted to receive a threaded member.  
   
   
       32 . A wall tie for holding a form wall in a stationary position relative to a fixed point, comprising: 
 an elongated tie rod means having a longitudinal axis, the tie rod means having a first portion for placing through the form wall and a second portion for attachment to a surface, the first and second portions being longitudinally displaced from one another along the longitudinal axis;    a plurality of strut means having a first attachment portion for attaching each of the plurality of struts to the first attachment surface of the tie rod means so that it extends away from the tie rod in a direction that is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis;    an attachment member means located on the longitudinal axis for attaching the second attachment portion of the plurality of struts to the attachment member means.    
   
   
       33 . The wall tie of  claim 32 , wherein each strut in the plurality of strut means has an individual first attachment portion and an individual second attachment portion.  
   
   
       34 . The wall tie of  claim 32 , wherein the attachment member means is an internally threaded element adapted to receive a threaded member.  
   
   
       35 . The wall tie of  claim 34 , wherein the internally threaded element is a wire coil.  
   
   
       36 . The wall tie of  claim 32 , wherein the attachment member means is an externally threaded element adapted to receive a threaded member.  
   
   
       37 . The wall tie of  claim 32 , further including: 
 a fixed point attachment member means for attaching to a fixed point; and    a longitudinal extension member means for connecting to the second attachment portion of the plurality of strut means along the longitudinal axis and for connecting the extension member means to the fixed-point attachment member means.    
   
   
       38 . The wall tie of  claim 37 , wherein the longitudinal extension member is a threaded rod.  
   
   
       39 . The wall tie of  claim 38 , wherein the fixed-point attachment member is taken from the class including an anchor, a toggle tie, or direct epoxy attachment.  
   
   
       40 . The wall tie of  claim 32 , wherein the elongated tie rod means has a second attachment surface longitudinally displaced from the first and second portions in the direction away from the first portion.  
   
   
       41 . A wall tie assembly for holding two form walls in a stationary position relative to one another, comprising: 
 two wall ties, each wall tie comprising: 
 an elongated tie rod means having a longitudinal axis, the tie rod means having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion for placing through the form wall and the second portion having a first attachment surface, the first and second portions being longitudinally displaced from one another along the longitudinal axis;  
 a plurality of strut means having a first attachment portion and a second attachment portion for attaching the first attachment portion to the first attachment surface of the tie rod means so that it extends away from the tie rod means in a direction that is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis;  
 an attachment member means for locating the attachment member means on the longitudinal axis and for attaching the second attachment portion of the plurality of strut means to the attachment member means,  
   the two wall ties being placed in opposition to one another along the longitudinal axis; and    a longitudinal extension member for connecting the extension member to the second attachment portion of the plurality of struts of each of the wall ties.    
   
   
       42 . The wall tie assembly of  claim 41 , wherein each strut means in both pluralities of strut means has an individual first attachment portion and an individual second attachment portion.  
   
   
       43 . The wall tie assembly of  claim 41 , wherein each of the attachment member means is an internally threaded element adapted to receive a threaded member.  
   
   
       44 . The wall tie assembly of  claim 43 , wherein each of the internally threaded elements is a wire coil.  
   
   
       45 . The wall tie assembly of  claim 41 , wherein each of the attachment member means is an externally threaded element adapted to receive a threaded member.