Modular void form

Abstract

A modular void form is described. Embodiments of the modular void form can include a panel and at least one reinforcement member. The panel can include one or more scoring lines which the panel can be folded about. When the panel is folded, a tubular structure having a flange can be formed. The panel can include a plurality of slits that form slots when the panel is folded. The reinforcement members can be adapted to be removably inserted into the slots of the panel and engage the flange of the folded panel.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A void form comprising:
 a panel having a plurality of slits and a plurality of scoring lines, wherein when the panel is folded about the scoring lines a tubular structure having at least one slot is formed; and   at least one reinforcement member removably engaged with the tubular structure approximate the at least one slot;   wherein the tubular structure comprises:
 a substantially flat bottom surface; 
 a pair of substantially flat side surfaces; and 
 a substantially flat top surface, the at least one slot being located on the top surface. 
   
     
     
         2 . The void form of  claim 1 , wherein the panel forms a flange when folded, the flange being formed by ends of the panel that are adjacent to one another when the panel is folded. 
     
     
         3 . The void form of  claim 2 , wherein the reinforcement member has a slot located approximate a middle portion of the reinforcement member. 
     
     
         4 . The void form of  claim 3 , wherein the slot of the reinforcement member removably engages the flange. 
     
     
         5 . The void form of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of slits includes a first set of slits and a second set of slits. 
     
     
         6 . The void form of  claim 5 , wherein the first set of slits are parallel with one another and the second set of slits are parallel with one another. 
     
     
         7 . The void form of  claim 1 , wherein the panel comprises corrugated fiberboard. 
     
     
         8 . The void form of  claim 7 , wherein the reinforcement member comprises corrugated fiberboard. 
     
     
         9 . The void form of  claim 1 , wherein the panel comprises a material selected from the group consisting of:
 a corrugated fiberboard;   a hardboard;   a hardwood;   a metal; and   a polymer.   
     
     
         10 . The void form of  claim 9 , wherein the reinforcement member comprises a material selected from the group consisting of:
 a corrugated fiberboard;   a hardboard;   a hardwood;   a metal; and   a polymer.   
     
     
         11 . A method for constructing the void form of  claim 1 , the method comprising:
 folding the panel about a first set of the plurality of scoring lines;   folding the panel about a second set of the plurality of scoring lines;   folding the panel about a third set of the plurality of scoring lines; and   inserting at least one reinforcement member into the folded panel approximate the at least one slot.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 coupling the void form to a second void form.   
     
     
         13 . A void form comprising:
 a panel having a plurality of slits and a plurality of scoring lines, wherein when the panel is folded about the scoring lines a rectangular tube structure having at least one slot is formed;
 wherein the panel forms a flange when folded, the flange being formed by ends of the panel that are adjacent to one another when the panel is folded; 
   at least one reinforcement member removably inserted into the at least one slot of the rectangular tube structure, the reinforcement member having a slot located approximate a middle portion of the reinforcement member that removably engages to the flange of the rectangular tube structure.   
     
     
         14 . The void form of  claim 13 , wherein the panel comprises a different material than the reinforcement member. 
     
     
         15 . The void form of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one slot is located approximate a middle of the rectangular tube structure. 
     
     
         16 . The void form of  claim 13 , wherein at least two slots are formed when the panel is folded. 
     
     
         17 . The void form of  claim 16 , wherein the at least two slots are located at opposite ends of the rectangular tube structure. 
     
     
         18 . A void form comprising:
 a panel having a plurality of slits and a plurality of scoring lines, wherein when the panel is folded about the scoring lines a rectangular tube structure having a plurality of slots is formed;
 wherein the panel forms a flange when folded, the flange being formed by ends of the panel that are adjacent to one another when the panel is folded; 
 wherein the plurality of slits includes (i) a first set of slits parallel with one another located proximate a left side of the panel and (ii) a second set of slits parallel with one another located proximate a right side of the panel; 
   at least one reinforcement member removably inserted into one of the plurality of slots of the rectangular tube structure, the reinforcement member having a slot located approximate a middle portion of the reinforcement member adapted to removably engage the flange of the rectangular tube structure.   
     
     
         19 . The void form of  claim 18 , wherein the void form further includes a second reinforcement member, the second reinforcement member removably inserted into one of the plurality of slots of the rectangular tube structure. 
     
     
         20 . The void form of  claim 18 , wherein the void form includes a reinforcement member for each of the plurality of slots.