Removable Arch Form Assembly and Method of Installing

Abstract

A removable arch form assembly for use in forming a masonry arch of a plurality of masonry elements on a substructure comprises a flexible arch form having a substantially rectangular shape, first and second end clips engaging an arched structure about which the masonry arch is to be formed, at least one intermediate clip positioned on the arched structure between the end clips and at an elevation differing from the end clips, the end clips and the at least one intermediate clip removably receiving the flexible arch form and retaining the form in an arched orientation.

1 . A method of installing a removable arch form assembly, comprising:
 fastening one of first and second end clips to at least one of an arched structure or sub structure;   fastening at least one intermediate clip to one of said at least one of said arched structure or substructure;   fastening the other of said first and second end clips to said at least one of an arched structure or substructure;   slidably connecting a flexible arch form to said one of said first and second end clips and said at least one intermediate clip;   forming a masonry arch about said flexible arch form with a plurality of masonry elements;   slidably removing said flexible arch form after forming said masonry arch.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising affixing said first and second end clips to said at least one of an arched structure or substructure prior to any of said fastening. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising affixing said at least one intermediate clip between said first and said second end clips prior to said fastening of said intermediate clip. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , said plurality of masonry elements being arranged in soldier course. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4  further comprising a keystone disposed in said plurality of masonry elements. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising bending said arch form into a smooth curve shape either prior to said slidably connecting or during said slidably connecting. 
   
   
       7 . A method of installing a removable arch form assembly, comprising:
 fastening a plurality of at least end clips to a substructure;   releasably engaging a flexible arch form with said plurality of at least end clips;   forming a masonry arch along said flexible arch form;   removing said flexible arch form from said at least plurality of end clips.   
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising affixing said plurality of at least end clips prior to said fastening. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising affixing an intermediate clip to said sub structure. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising fastening said intermediate clip after said affixing. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , said intermediate clip being at a height greater than said plurality of at least end clips. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising cutting said flexible arch form to a desired length prior to engaging said flexible arch form. 
   
   
       13 . A method of installing a removable arch form assembly, comprising:
 applying a first clip to one end of one of an arched structure or a substructure;   applying a second clip to the other of one of an arched structure or a substructure;   retaining said flexible arch form in an arched shape by releasably positioning said flexible arch form in said first clip and said second clip;   forming a masonry arch about said flexible arch form;   removing said flexible arch form from said first clip and said second clip after forming said masonry arch.   
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising cutting said flexible arch form to a desirable length. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising removing said flexible arch from said clips by engaging grabs on said flexible arch form. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising positioning an intermediate clip between said first clip and said second clip. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising positioning said intermediate clip at a height different from said first and second clips. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , said intermediate clip being disposed at a height which is greater than said first and second clips. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , said intermediate clip retaining an uppermost portion of said flexible arch form. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising radially offsetting said second clip from said first clip.