Concrete form tie with connector for finishing panel

Abstract

A tie for connecting and maintaining first and second panels of a concrete formwork in a fixed, spaced relationship during a wall building process is provided. The tie includes a first connector connectable to the first panel; and a second connector connectable to the second panel and connectable to at least one third panel such that the at least one third panel is spaced from the concrete surface.

1 . A tie for connecting and maintaining first and second panels of a concrete formwork in a fixed, spaced relationship during a wail building process, the tie comprising:
 a first connector connectable to the first panel; and   a second connector connectable to the second panel and connectable to at least one third panel such that the at least one third panel is spaced from the concrete surface.   
   
   
       2 . The tie of  claim 1 , wherein the second connector is removably connectable to the second panel. 
   
   
       3 . The tie of  claim 1 , wherein the second connector is removably connectable to the at least one third panel. 
   
   
       4 . The tie of  claim 1 , wherein the first connector is embeddable in the first panel. 
   
   
       5 . The tie of  claim 4 , wherein the first panel is made of insulating material. 
   
   
       6 . The tie of  claim 1 , wherein the second connector comprises a second panel connection portion and a third panel connection portion. 
   
   
       7 . The tie of  claim 6 , wherein the third panel connection portion is removably connectable to the second panel connection portion. 
   
   
       8 . The tie of  claim 6 , wherein the second connector comprises at least one passageway between the concrete surface and the third panel, for supporting an electrical cable and/or plumbing. 
   
   
       9 . The tie of  claim 8 , wherein at least one of the at least one passageway is an open-topped passageway. 
   
   
       10 . The tie of  claim 1 , wherein the second connector is dimensioned to cooperate with a second connector of at least one other tie. 
   
   
       11 . The tie of  claim 10 , wherein the second connector is dimensioned to be coupled with the second connector of the at least one other tie. 
   
   
       12 . The tie of  claim 11 , wherein the second connector comprises a mechanical interlock mechanism for coupling with the second connector of the at least one other tie. 
   
   
       13 . The tie of  claim 1 , comprising at least one flap pivotably connected to the second connector for connecting the second connector to a second panel. 
   
   
       14 . The tie of  claim 1 , wherein the first connector and second connector are linked by an intermediate portion, the intermediate portion removably connectable to the first connector. 
   
   
       15 . The tie of  claim 14 , wherein the intermediate portion is removably connectable to the second connector. 
   
   
       16 . The tie of  claim 1 , wherein the tie is made of plastic. 
   
   
       17 . An insulating wall form comprising:
 the tie of one of  claims 1  to  16 ;   a first panel made from an insulating material and connected to the first connector; and   a second panel connected to the second connector.   
   
   
       18 . The insulating wall form of  claim 17 , wherein the first connector is embedded in the first panel. 
   
   
       19 . The insulating wall form of  claim 17 , wherein the second connector is removably connected to the second panel. 
   
   
       20 . A method of making a concrete wall comprising;
 providing a first panel having an inward facing surface and an outward facing surface, the first panel made of insulating material;   providing a second panel having all inward facing surface and an outward facing surface;   connecting a first connector of a tie to the first panel and a second connector of the tie to the second panel wherein the first and second connectors are separated by an intermediate portion with a length corresponding approximately to the thickness of the concrete wall thereby providing a fixed space between the first and second panels for receiving a charge of the concrete; and   attaching a third panel to the second connector to provide a fixed space between the concrete surface and the third panel.   
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , comprising:
 providing a charge of concrete into the fixed space between the first and second panels.   
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the charge of concrete is provided prior to attaching the third panel. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein providing the first and second panels comprises vertically stacking multiple panels. 
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the first panel is moulded and connecting the first connector to the first panel is performed during moulding. 
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the second connector comprises at least one passageway, the method further comprising:
 prior to attaching the third panel passing electrical cables and/or plumbing through the passageway.