Method and System for Forming Pre-Cast Concrete Columns

Abstract

The apparatus may include a cavity for forming pre-cast concrete structures, such as concrete columns. The cavity may be defined by a base member and two opposing side members. The two opposing side members may be pivotally interconnected to the base member such that the two opposing side members are moveable between a ready-to-use position and a release position. Projection members may be placed into the cavity to form slots in columns formed in the cavity. The slots are adapted to receive the terminal ends of concrete panels. Bulkheads may be removably installed into the cavity to vary a dimension of the concrete columns formed therein.

1 . An apparatus for forming pre-cast concrete structures, said apparatus comprising:
 a base member having a forming surface;   two opposing side members, at least one of the two opposing side members pivotally engaging the base member such that the at least one of the two opposing side members is operable between a ready-to-use position and a release position; and   two opposing end members;   wherein the forming surface of the base member, the two opposing side members and the two opposing end members together define a cavity for receiving poured concrete to thereby form at least one pre-cast concrete structure.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one fastener, said at least one fastener operable to secure the at least one opposing side member in the ready-to-use position. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cavity comprises a shape, wherein the shape of the cavity is in that of a column. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the two opposing side members comprises a projection member for forming a slot in the at least one pre-cast concrete structure. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein each of the two opposing side members comprises a projection member for forming a slot in the at least one pre-cast concrete structure. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one bulkhead that is variably positionable in the cavity to thereby vary a dimension of the at least one pre-cast concrete structure. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one bulkhead that is variably positionable into the cavity to thereby divide the cavity into a first section and a second section, wherein a first pre-cast concrete structure may be formed in the first section of the cavity and a second pre-cast concrete structure may be formed in the second section of the cavity, and wherein the first pre-cast concrete structure and the second pre-cast concrete structure may be formed simultaneously in the first section and second sections, respectively. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the two opposing end members are fixedly attached to the base member. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the two opposing side members and the forming surface of the base member comprises a projection member for forming a slot in the pre-cast concrete structure. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the forming surface of the base member comprises a middle portion and two side portions, wherein the middle portion is substantially planar and the two side portions slant upwardly with respect to the middle portion. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein both of the two opposing side members pivotally engage the base member such that each of them is operable between a ready-to-use position and a release position. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the base member comprises a plate having a liner positioned thereon, the liner being comprised of a polymeric material and having the forming surface formed thereon. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the forming surface on the liner has a texture formed thereon. 
   
   
       14 . An apparatus for forming pre-cast concrete structures, said apparatus comprising:
 a base member having a forming surface, said forming surface terminating at a first edge and a second edge; and   two opposing side members, the two opposing side members operable between a ready-to-use position and a release position with respect to the base member, each of the two opposing side members having an inner surface;   wherein the first edge of the forming surface engages one of the inner surfaces and the second edge of the forming surface engages the other inner surface when the two opposing side members are in the ready-to-use position.   
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein each of the inner surfaces of the two opposing side members comprises a means for imparting a bevel onto a corner of a pre-cast concrete structure. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein each of the two opposing side members are substantially parallel to each other in the ready-to-use position. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein each of the two opposing side members are non-parallel to each other in the ready-to-use position. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein each of the two opposing side members further comprises a plurality of spaced apart posts, each of the posts having a fastening device disposed on a topmost portion that is operable to lock the two opposing side members in the ready-to-use position. 
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , further comprising at least one fastening device for locking the two opposing side members in the ready-to-use position. 
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , further comprising a bulkhead insertable between the two opposing side members. 
   
   
       21 . An apparatus for forming pre-cast concrete structures, said apparatus comprising:
 a base member, said base member having a plurality of flanges;   two opposing side members, the two opposing side members operable between a ready-to-use position and a release position with respect to the base member;   each of the two opposing side members having a first group of posts, a second group of posts, a top lateral support member and a bottom lateral support member;   said first group of posts extending above the top lateral support member;   said first group of posts and second group of posts extending below the bottom lateral support member; and   a plurality of flanges disposed on the first group of posts and the second group of posts, said plurality of flanges disposed below the bottom lateral support member;   wherein said plurality of flanges disposed on the first group of posts and the second group of posts are pivotally coupled to the plurality of flanges of the base member.   
   
   
       22 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , further comprising a wall extending upwardly from said lowermost portion to a top plate, wherein said plurality of flanges of the base member are grouped into a first group of flanges and a second group flanges, said first group of flanges disposed on a first side of said wall and said second group of flanges disposed on a second side of said wall. 
   
   
       23 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , further comprising fastening devices disposed on a topmost portion of each of the first group of posts, said fastening devices operable to lock the two opposing side members in the ready-to-use position. 
   
   
       24 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein at least one of the two opposing side members comprises a projection member for forming a slot in a pre-cast concrete structure. 
   
   
       25 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the base member comprises a plate having a liner positioned thereon, the liner being comprised of a polymeric material and having a forming surface formed thereon. 
   
   
       26 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , further comprising a bulkhead movably disposed between the side members for varying a length of a pre-cast concrete structure. 
   
   
       27 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , further comprising a first end member and a second end member, said first and second end members disposed on opposing ends of said base member.