Form Tie System

Abstract

A form tie system for efficiently and securely tying together panels of a wall form with an elongated member. The form tie system generally includes a first holder which is adapted to be positioned adjacent to a first panel and a second holder which is adapted to be positioned adjacent to a second panel of a wall form. Each holder includes a grip such as a strand chuck which is adapted to securely retain an elongated member that extends from the first holder to the second holder to tie the panels of the wall form together. One of the holders may comprise an adjustable holder including an adjustable nut utilized to bear against the strand chuck to increase tension in the elongated member. After formation of the wall, the elongated member may be cut and the holders released prior to removing the wall forms from around the completed wall.

1 . A form tie system, comprising:
 a first holder for receiving and retaining an elongated member extending through a first panel of a wall form, the first holder being adapted to be positioned adjacent to the first panel of the wall form, wherein the elongated member is comprised of a wire rope;   a second holder for retaining the elongated member extending through a second panel of the wall form, the second holder being adapted to be positioned adjacent to the second panel of the wall form;   wherein the first holder is adapted to selectively clamp the elongated member within the first holder; and   wherein the first holder, the second holder, and the elongated member are operable to support the first panel and the second panel of the wall form in a desired position and orientation.   
     
     
         2 . The form tie system of  claim 1 , wherein the first holder is adjustable so as to increase or decrease tension in the elongated member. 
     
     
         3 . The form tie system of  claim 1 , wherein the first holder comprises a first grip, the first grip being adapted to selectively clamp the elongated member within the first holder. 
     
     
         4 . The form tie system of  claim 3 , wherein the first grip is comprised of a strand chuck. 
     
     
         5 . The form tie system of  claim 3 , wherein the second holder comprises a second grip for gripping the elongated member within the second holder, wherein the second grip is adapted to selectively clamp the elongated member within the second holder. 
     
     
         6 . The form tie system of  claim 5 , wherein the first grip is adapted to selectively release the elongated member within the first holder, wherein the second grip is adapted to selectively release the elongated member within the second holder. 
     
     
         7 . The form tie system of  claim 3 , wherein the first holder comprises a shaft, wherein the first grip is connected to the shaft, wherein the first holder comprises an adjustable nut movably connected to the shaft, wherein the adjustable nut is adapted to selectively bear against the first holder so as to increase tension in the elongated member. 
     
     
         8 . The form tie system of  claim 7 , wherein the first grip comprises a plurality of adjustable jaws for selectively clamping the elongated member within the first holder. 
     
     
         9 . The form tie system of  claim 8 , wherein the first grip comprises a first cap, wherein the first cap is adapted to selectively open or close the adjustable jaws. 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A form tie system, comprising:
 a wall form comprising a first panel and a second panel, wherein the first panel is distally spaced with respect to the first panel so as to form a gap between the first panel and the second panel, the gap being adapted to receive a volume of concrete;   an elongated member connected between the first panel and the second panel, the elongated member being adapted to tie the first panel to the second panel, wherein the elongated member is comprised of a wire rope;   a first holder for receiving and retaining the elongated member, the first holder being adapted to be positioned adjacent to an outer surface of the first panel of the wall form;   a second holder for receiving and retaining the elongated member, the second holder being adapted to be positioned adjacent to an outer surface of the second panel of the wall form;   wherein the first holder comprises a first grip for gripping the elongated member within the first holder, wherein the first grip is adapted to selectively clamp the elongated member within the first holder;   wherein the second holder comprises a second grip for gripping the elongated member within the second holder, wherein the second grip is adapted to selectively clamp the elongated member within the second holder; and   wherein the first holder, the second holder, and the elongated member are operable to support the first panel and the second panel of the wall form in a desired position and orientation.   
     
     
         12 . The form tie system of  claim 11 , wherein the first panel comprises a first vertical support, wherein the first holder is adapted to be positioned adjacent to the first vertical support, wherein the elongated member extends through the first vertical support. 
     
     
         13 . The form tie system of  claim 12 , wherein the second panel comprises a second vertical support, wherein the second holder is adapted to be positioned adjacent to the second vertical support, wherein the elongated member extends through the second vertical support. 
     
     
         14 . The form tie system of  claim 11 , wherein the first holder is adjustable so as to increase or decrease tension in the elongated member. 
     
     
         15 . The form tie system of  claim 11 , wherein the first grip is comprised of a first strand chuck, wherein the second grip is comprised of a second strand chuck. 
     
     
         16 . The form tie system of  claim 11 , wherein the first holder comprises:
 a threaded shaft including a first end and a second end, wherein the first grip is connected to the first end of the threaded shaft;   a channel extending through the threaded shaft; and   a plate washer connected to the second end of the threaded shaft, the plate washer being adapted to be positioned against the first panel.   
     
     
         17 . The form tie system of  claim 16 , wherein the second holder comprises an outer plate washer and an inner plate washer, wherein the outer plate washer is adapted to be positioned against the second panel, wherein the second grip is connected to the inner plate washer. 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A form tie system, comprising:
 a wall form comprising a first panel and a second panel, wherein the first panel is distally spaced with respect to the first panel so as to form a gap between the first panel and the second panel, the gap being adapted to receive a volume of concrete;   an elongated member connected between the first panel and the second panel, the elongated member being adapted to tie the first panel to the second panel;   a first holder for receiving and retaining the elongated member, the first holder being adapted to be positioned adjacent to an outer surface of the first panel of the wall form;   wherein the first holder comprises:
 a threaded shaft including a first end and a second end, wherein the first grip is connected to the first end of the threaded shaft; 
 a channel extending through the threaded shaft; and 
 a plate washer connected to the second end of the threaded shaft, the plate washer being adapted to be positioned against the first panel; 
   a second holder for receiving and retaining the elongated member, the second holder being adapted to be positioned adjacent to an outer surface of the second panel of the wall form;   wherein the second holder comprises an outer plate washer and an inner plate washer, wherein the outer plate washer is adapted to be positioned against the second panel, wherein the second grip is connected to the inner plate washer;   wherein the outer plate washer comprises a slanted face;   wherein the first holder comprises a first grip for gripping the elongated member within the first holder, wherein the first grip is adapted to selectively clamp the elongated member within the first holder;   wherein the second holder comprises a second grip for gripping the elongated member within the second holder, wherein the second grip is adapted to selectively clamp the elongated member within the second holder; and   wherein the first holder, the second holder, and the elongated member are operable to support the first panel and the second panel of the wall form in a desired position and orientation.