Systems and Methods for Shoring Concrete

Abstract

A shoring system includes posts that provide direct support for poured concrete through top plates. The posts also provide support for ledgers, which support forming panels, which in turn support poured concrete. Ledgers and forming panels are removed without removing posts, so that posts provide continued support until concrete is set.

1 . A forming panel for supporting a poured concrete structure, comprising:
 a horizontal upper surface extending along a plane and bounded by a perimeter, the perimeter having first and second sides extending parallel in a first direction, first and second ends extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and first and second cut-off corner portions extending at forty-five degrees to both the first and second directions;   a first corner surface extending below the first cut-off corner portion, the first corner surface forming an acute angle with the horizontal upper surface; and   a second corner surface extending below the second cut-off corner portion, the second corner surface forming an acute angle with the horizontal upper surface.   
   
   
       2 . The forming panel of  claim 1  wherein the first and second cut-off corner portions extend four inches. 
   
   
       3 . The forming panel of  claim 1  further comprising first and second side flanges under the first and second sides and first and second end flanges under the first and second ends. 
   
   
       4 . The forming panel of  claim 3  further comprising a first interlocking flange extending downward from the first end flange to engage a corresponding feature in a first ledger and a second interlocking flange extending downward from the second end flange to engage a corresponding feature in a second ledger. 
   
   
       5 . The forming panel of  claim 4  wherein the first and second interlocking flanges extend a distance along the second direction that is less than the extent of the first and second end flanges. 
   
   
       6 . The forming panel of  claim 3  wherein the distance from the horizontal upper surface to bottom surfaces of the first and second end flanges is four and a quarter inches. 
   
   
       7 . An assembly for supporting a poured concrete structure, comprising:
 a forming panel having a horizontal upper surface extending along a plane and bounded by a perimeter, the perimeter having first and second sides extending parallel in a first direction, first and second ends extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and first and second cut-off corner portions extending at forty-five degrees to both the first and second directions, the forming panel having at least one interlocking flange extending from a lower surface;   a ledger for supporting the forming panel, the ledger having at least one groove for engaging the interlocking flange of the forming panel.   
   
   
       8 . The assembly of  claim 7  wherein the interlocking flange extends a distance in the second direction that is less than the extent of the first and second ends in the second direction. 
   
   
       9 . The assembly of  claim 7  wherein first and second corner surfaces extend downwards from first and second cut-off corner portions, first and second corner surfaces forming acute angles with the horizontal upper surface. 
   
   
       10 . The assembly of  claim 7  wherein the distance from an upper surface of the ledger to the horizontal upper surface of the forming panel is four and a quarter inches. 
   
   
       11 . The assembly of  claim 7  further comprising a post with a drop head, the drop head supporting the ledger at either a raised position or a lowered position depending on an adjustment of the drop head. 
   
   
       12 . A method of forming an assembly to support poured concrete comprising:
 installing a plurality of posts extending vertically from a supporting surface, each of the plurality of posts having a drop head that provides support to one or more ledgers, each drop head having a top plate;   installing a plurality of ledgers extending horizontally in between posts;   installing a plurality of forming panels of predetermined size such that ends of forming panels overlie, and are supported by, ones of the plurality of ledgers, upper surfaces of the plurality of forming panels being flush with top plates of the plurality of posts; and   installing at least one plywood sheet extending between one of the plurality of forming panels and a structural feature, the plywood sheet extending flush with the forming panel, the plywood sheet supported at one side by a single standard sized piece of lumber on one of the plurality of ledgers, the plywood sheet cut to fit between the forming panel and the structural feature.   
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the piece of lumber has a height of three and a half inches and the plywood sheet has a thickness of three quarters of an inch. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12  wherein each of the plurality of forming panels has at least one interlocking flange, the interlocking flange extending into a corresponding groove in one of the plurality of ledgers. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the plurality of ledgers extend in a first direction, the top plate is square in shape, and a side of the top plate extending at forty-five degrees to the first direction 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising attaching at least another piece of lumber to the structural feature to support the plywood sheet.