Apparatus for retaining formwork tie & connecting formwork

Abstract

A primary pin apparatus having an adjustable one-step connection and disconnection mechanism, a supplemental pin apparatus for supplementing the primary pin apparatus and engaging ties, and an improved tie having a non-circular engagement hole. The primary and supplemental pin apparatuses each include an engagement pin including one or more locking fingers which selectively protrude angularly outward from a longitudinal axis of the engagement pin, wherein the locking fingers are selectively extendable and retractable in order to, respectively, connect and disconnect adjacent forming panels of a formwork. The tie includes a body which is elongated along a longitudinal axis and has an end presenting an engagement hole for receiving a pin, wherein the engagement hole having a greater dimension along the longitudinal axis and a lesser dimension along an axis which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

1 . An apparatus for connecting adjacent panels, the apparatus comprising:
 an engagement pin including one or more locking fingers which selectively protrude angularly outwardly from a longitudinal axis of the engagement pin; and   a set/release pin slidably received within the engagement pin and biased in a forward direction to normally place set the locking fingers in a state of relatively greater protrusion which locks the adjacent panels together, and, when pushed in a rearward direction, releases the locking fingers to a state of relatively lesser protrusion which unlocks the adjacent panels.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein a head end of the engagement pin is tapered to facilitate disconnecting and separating the adjacent panels. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the head end is approximately between less than 1.625 inches and 0.5 inches long. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , further including a flange located on a rear portion of the engagement pin, wherein, when the apparatus is connecting the adjacent panels, the adjacent panels are located between the flange and the locking fingers. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , further including one or more O-rings located at least partially around the engagement pin to provide friction resistance for maintaining the apparatus fully within a receiving hole of at least one of the panels. 
   
   
       6 . An apparatus for connecting adjacent panels, the apparatus comprising:
 an engagement pin having a tapered head end, which is approximately between less than 1.625 inches and 0.5 inches long, and including one or more locking fingers which selectively protrude angularly outwardly from a longitudinal axis of the engagement pin; and   a set/release slidably received within the engagement pin and biased in a forward direction to normally place set the locking fingers in a state of relatively greater protrusion which locks the adjacent panels together, and, when pushed in a rearward direction, releases the locking fingers to a state of relatively lesser protrusion which unlocks the adjacent panels.   
   
   
       7 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 6 , further including a flange located on a rear portion of the engagement pin, wherein, when the apparatus is connecting the adjacent panels, the adjacent panels are located between the flange and the locking fingers. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 6 , further including one or more O-rings located at least partially around the engagement pin to provide friction resistance for maintaining the apparatus fully within a receiving hole of at least one of the panels. 
   
   
       9 . An apparatus for connecting adjacent panels, the apparatus consisting of:
 an engagement pin having a tapered head end, which is approximately between less than 1.625 inches and 0.5 inches long, and including one or more locking fingers which selectively protrude angularly outwardly from a longitudinal axis of the engagement pin;   a set/release slidably received within the engagement pin and biased in a forward direction to normally place set the locking fingers in a state of relatively greater protrusion which locks the adjacent panels together, and, when pushed in a rearward direction, releases the locking fingers to a state of relatively lesser protrusion which unlocks the adjacent panels; and   a flange located on a rear portion of the engagement pin, wherein, when the apparatus is connecting the adjacent panels, the adjacent panels are located between the flange and the locking fingers.   
   
   
       10 . A system comprising:
 first and second adjacent forming panels which are part of a formwork;   at least one apparatus for connecting the first and second adjacent panels, the apparatus including—
 an engagement pin having a tapered head end, which is approximately between less than 1.625 inches and 0.5 inches long, and including one or more locking fingers which selectively protrude angularly outwardly from a longitudinal axis of the engagement pin; and 
 a set/release slidably received within the engagement pin and biased in a forward direction to normally place set the locking fingers in a state of relatively greater protrusion which locks the adjacent panels together, and, when pushed in a rearward direction, releases the locking fingers to a state of relatively lesser protrusion which unlocks the adjacent panels. 
   
   
   
       11 . The system as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the apparatus further includes a flange located on a rear portion of the engagement pin, wherein, when the apparatus is connecting the adjacent panels, the adjacent panels are located between the flange and the locking fingers. 
   
   
       12 . The system as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the apparatus further includes one or more O-rings located at least partially around the engagement pin to provide friction resistance for maintaining the apparatus fully within a receiving hole of at least one of the panels. 
   
   
       13 . The system as set forth in  claim 10 , further including—
 third and fourth adjacent forming panels which are positioned parallel to and spaced apart from the first and second adjacent forming panels; and   a tie extending between the parallel forming panels and operable to maintain the spacing therebetween, the tie presenting an engagement hole through which the engagement pin is received.