1. The Field of the Invention
The present disclosure relates generally to devices for forming structures, and more particularly, but not necessarily entirely, to devices for forming precast concrete structures.
2. Description of Related Art
Precast concrete structures have been used in the building construction industry for many years. Precast concrete structures may include steel reinforced panels for use in constructing fences, walls, sound barriers and the like. High quality precast concrete structures may be formed efficiently since they may be constructed in a factory with specialized equipment, strict quality standards and controlled conditions not subject to rain, hot or cold temperatures, or builder errors. Moreover, labor savings may be accomplished since precast structures may be formed more efficiently in a factory than constructing a form on site to manufacture the structures in place. Use of precast concrete structures may also reduce construction delays associated with rain or inclement weather since concrete may not be properly poured on site in inclement weather.
In recent years, the use of precast concrete panels with decorative patterns formed on the exterior surface has increased in popularity. The precast concrete panels may have various different patterns such as stone or brick, for example. Such precast concrete panels may be easier to construct than stone or brick walls. Moreover, the precast concrete panels may be durable and provide advantages in that cracking may be reduced as compared to walls formed with grouted natural stone or brick, and no mortar joints are created with precast concrete panels to allow water to seep into the wall.
Various different types of devices are known in the art for forming precast concrete structures. Despite the advantages of known devices for forming concrete structures, improvements are still being sought to improve the efficiency of the manufacturing process and the quality of the concrete structures. Also, improvements are being sought for concrete structures to facilitate installation of the structures at the construction site.
The prior art is thus characterized by several disadvantages that are addressed by the present disclosure. The present disclosure minimizes, and in some aspects eliminates, the above-mentioned failures, and other problems, by utilizing the methods and structural features described herein.
The features and advantages of the disclosure will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by the practice of the disclosure without undue experimentation. The features and advantages of the disclosure may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
The features and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent from a consideration of the subsequent detailed description presented in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:
For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles in accordance with the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the disclosure as illustrated herein, which would normally occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the disclosure claimed.
Before the present apparatus and method for forming one or more concrete structures is disclosed and described, it is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the particular configurations, process steps, and materials disclosed herein as such configurations, process steps, and materials may vary somewhat. It is also to be understood that the terminology employed herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting since the scope of the present disclosure will be limited only by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.
It must be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Similarly, as used herein, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” “characterized by,” and grammatical equivalents thereof are inclusive or open-ended terms that do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps.
As used herein, the term “concrete” shall be construed broadly to include conglomerate construction materials, including construction materials formed of aggregate and cementitious materials, as well as any other known material that may be placed in a fluid or semi-fluid form and hardened or solidified.
As used herein, the phrase “surface treatment” shall be construed broadly to include any variety of textures or designs or features that may be placed on the exterior of a concrete structure.
Referring now to
The structure 10 may also include a column portion 14 for supporting the panel portion 12. The column portion 14 may have an increased lateral dimension as compared to the panel portion to allow increased vertical and lateral support of loads as the loads are transferred to a footing, floor, or other support member. The column portion 14 may also include a slot 15 for receiving a panel portion 12 of an adjacent structure 10. Accordingly, a plurality of structures 10 may be joined together to form a wall of a desired length and configuration.
In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the structure 10 may be supported on footings 16. The footings 16 may be formed in any manner known to those skilled in the art, such as cast in place reinforced concrete. A rigid member 17, shown in dashed lines in
Other embodiments of the structure 10 may include plates (not shown) attached to the footings 16 and the column portions 14 such that the plates may be attached together to support the structure 10 in an upright position. It will be understood that the plates may be imbedded into the footings 16 and column portions 14, or the plates may be attached to the footings 16 and column portions 14 using any other attachment method known in the art. Moreover, the plates on the footings 16 and column portions 14 may be attached together by welding, bolting, or any other attachment mechanism known to those skilled in the art. Similarly, any other suitable installation technique or device may be used to install the structure 10 within the scope of the present disclosure.
It will be understood that some embodiments of the structure 10 of the present disclosure may not include the column portions 14. Other embodiments of the structure 10 may not include the slots 15 within the column portions 14. Yet other embodiments of the structure 10 may include column portions 14 having upward extending openings in an interior of the column portions 14, such that the openings may be surrounded by concrete. Moreover, the structure 10 may be formed in various different cross-sectional shapes. Accordingly it will be understood that the structure 10 may have various different configurations within the scope of the present disclosure, and various different attachment mechanisms and methods may be utilized to install the structure 10.
Referring now to
As best shown in
In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the partitions 24 may be arranged such that the second portions 30 of the cavities 26 for forming the column portion 14 of the structures 10 may be arranged on opposing ends of the apparatus 20 on adjacent partitions 24. For example, the apparatus may be configured to form six structures 10 at a time, and three of the column portions 14 of the structures 10 may be formed on one end of the apparatus 20, and the other three column portions 14 may be formed at the opposite end of the apparatus 20, with each adjacent structure 10 being formed with the column portions 14 on opposite ends of the apparatus 20. It will be understood, however, that the apparatus 20 may be configured to form various different quantities of structures 10 at a time, and that the partitions 24 may be configured in various different arrangements.
One or more ribs 31 may be positioned in the second portion 30 of the cavity 26 for forming the slot 15 in the column portion 14 of the structure. The ribs 31 may be sized and shaped corresponding to the desired size and shape of the slot 15 in the column portion 14 of the structure. The ribs 31 may be positioned at any desired location such that the concrete structures 10 may be formed as desired. For example, the rib 31 may be placed to form the slot 15 in the end of the concrete structures 10, such that the panel portion 12 of a concrete structure 10 may be received in the slot 15 of an adjacent concrete structure 10 to form a substantially straight barrier. Also, the rib 31 may be placed in a side of the end of the partition 24 such that the slot 15 may extend substantially perpendicular to the panel portion 12 to allow adjacent concrete structures 10 to form a corner. It will be understood that the ribs 31 may be positioned at any desired angle or location within the scope of the present disclosure. Moreover, some embodiments of the apparatus 20 may include one or more ribs 31 positioned in other parts of the cavity 26 to form slots in the panel portion 12 of the structure 10, or to form openings within an interior of the column portion 14.
One embodiment of the present disclosure may include ribs 31 that may be removably attached using bolts, indicated by dashed lines at 29, such that the ribs 31 may be removed and repositioned as desired. It will be understood that other embodiments of the present disclosure may include other types of attachment mechanisms for the ribs 31, and some embodiments of the present disclosure may include ribs that may be fixed in place. Other embodiments may not include any ribs such that the structures may be formed without slots 15.
The partitions 24 may be positioned in a side by side arrangement and at least some of the partitions 24 may be configured to be movable with respect to the frame 22 to facilitate placing reinforcing steel into the cavity 26 as well as to facilitate removing the structure 10 after the concrete has hardened.
In one embodiment of the apparatus 20, the frame 22 may include a support 34 for receiving the wheels 32. The support 34 may extend laterally to provide a space to allow the partitions 24 to be moved apart from each other. An overhang portion 36 of the support 34 may be detachable such that the width of the apparatus 20 may be reduced to facilitate transporting the apparatus 20. Any attachment mechanism known in the art, such as bolts, pins, or clamps, for example, may be used to attach the overhang portion 36 to the remainder of the support 34. Accordingly, the apparatus may be sized to fit on a trailer, rail car or other such transporting device to be transported on rails or highways. It will be understood that other embodiments of the apparatus 20 may include a one piece support 34 that may not be configured to be detached or otherwise retracted to a compact configuration.
One embodiment of the support 34 may include tracks 38 for assisting in maintaining the wheels 32 in position. An end view of the support 34 showing one embodiment of the tracks 38 is shown in
The wheels 32 may be joined to the partitions 24 through arms 40. Adjacent arms 40 may have different lengths, such as a short arm 42 and a long arm 44, such that adjacent partitions 24 may be configured to abut each other without interference from the wheels 32. The arms 40 having different lengths allow the wheels 32 to extend at different locations along the support 34 without contacting each other to thereby allow the partitions 24 to be positioned in an abutting arrangement.
One embodiment of the apparatus 20 may include one or more partitions 24 that may be fixed in place. For example, an end partition 25 on an external side of the apparatus 20 may be attached to the frame 22 so as to be stationary. Other embodiments of the apparatus 20 may include partitions 24 that may all be moveable.
Referring to
A hinge 53 may also be provided for the door 48 such that when the door 48 is moved a distance away from the partitions 24 into alignment with the hinge 53, the hinge 53 may be engaged to allow the door 48 to swing open. One embodiment of the hinge 53 may include a receiver on the door 48 and the frame 22 for receiving a pin, such that when the door 48 is moved to the point where the receivers are-in alignment, a pin may be placed in the receivers to join the door 48 with the frame 22 through the hinge 53, such that the door 48 may swing with respect to the frame 22. It will be understood that other embodiments of the door 48 may be attached by a hinge such that the door may be configured to swing without rolling a distance away from the partitions 24. Yet another embodiment of the apparatus 20 may be provided without a hinge.
In one embodiment of the present disclosure, allowing the door 48 to move away from the partitions 24 before swinging open may allow the ribs 31 to clear the slots 15 in the column portions 14 of the structures 10. Otherwise, swinging motion of the door 48 may be impeded by contact between the ribs 31 and slots 15 to make opening the door 48 difficult in some arrangements of the ribs 31.
Referring now to
A panel 56, as best shown in
One embodiment of the panel 56 may include an upper member 60, a lower member 62, a first side member 64 and a second side member 66 for forming a frame or housing 70 around the liner 58 for holding the liner 58 in place. One embodiment of the upper member 60, lower member 62, first side member 64 and second side member 66 may be formed of plate steel, 3/16 inches thick, for example. However, it will be understood that various different materials having different dimensions may be used within the scope of the present disclosure to form the upper member 60, lower member 62, first side member 64 and second side member 66.
As shown most clearly in
In use, panels 56 may be selected having a surface treatment desired to be placed on structures 10. The doors 48 may be opened and the partitions 24 may be moved to provide access to the partitions 24. The panels 56 may be joined with the partitions 24 and reinforcing steel may be placed in the apparatus for a particular structure 10, if desired. Adjacent partitions 24 may be moved to abut each other and reinforcing material may be placed in a subsequent cavity 26. Once all of the reinforcing material is placed in the apparatus and the partitions 24 are joined together, the partitions 24 may be fastened in place using fasteners 68, as best shown in
Wet concrete may then be poured into the top of the apparatus 20 from above to thereby fill the cavities 26. Once the concrete has hardened adequately, the partitions 24 may be separated and the structures 10 may be removed. It will be understood that any variety of lifting mechanisms, such as cranes or lifts, may be used to remove the structures from the apparatus 20. Moreover, in some uses of the apparatus 20, it may be beneficial to apply a suitable anti-sticking agent to the apparatus 20 prior to placing concrete in the apparatus 20 to facilitate removing the structure 10 from the apparatus 20. Once the structures are removed from the apparatus 20, the apparatus may be cleaned and used repeatedly to produce additional structures 10 in a controlled environment for shipping to a construction site for installation. The apparatus 20 may also be placed in any location as desired to facilitate construction or shipping of the structures 10.
It will be understood that some embodiments of the present disclosure may include an apparatus that may be configured to form a plurality of structures that do not include the column portions, such that a plurality of panels may be formed. Other embodiments of the present disclosure may include an apparatus that forms structures in the form of columns. Accordingly, any variety of structures, having different arrangements of columns and/or panels, may be formed in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, other structures of various different configurations may be formed that may not be considered to be either panels or columns, in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.
It will be appreciated that the apparatus 20 may be configured to receive concrete of various different varieties known in the art. Moreover, the apparatus 20 may accommodate reinforcing material or steel, commonly referred to as rebar, to construct structures 10 of various different designs and configurations. The arrangement of the cavity 26 may allow for reinforcing steel to be place continuously in the first portion 28 of the cavity 26 for forming the panel portion 12 of the structure 10 and the second portion 30 of the cavity for forming the column portion 14 of the structure 10, such that the panel portion 12 and the column portion 14 of the structure 10 can be tied together with the reinforcing steel. It will also be understood that the apparatus 20 may also include any variety of vibrating mechanisms integrally or removably attached to the apparatus 20 in various different configurations to facilitate dispersal of wet concrete within the cavities 26.
It will be understood that the apparatus 20 may be formed of any suitable materials known in the art. For example, portions of the apparatus 20 may be formed of steel, and components of the apparatus 20 may be joined together using any suitable method known in the art, such as by welding or bolting, for example. The liner 58 may be formed of any suitable material for placing a texture or design on the concrete without bonding to the concrete such that the structures 10 may be removed from the apparatus 20 without damage.
In accordance with the features and combinations described above, a useful method of forming concrete structures may include the steps of:
(a) placing a plurality of partitions in a side by side arrangement;
(b) defining a plurality of cavities with the plurality of partitions, the plurality of cavities each having a column portion and a panel portion such that the concrete structures include a one piece column and panel. The method may also include selecting liners having a desired surface treatment to be placed on the structures and removably attaching the liners to the partitions.
Those having ordinary skill in the relevant art will appreciate the advantages provided by the features of the present disclosure. For example, it is a feature of the present disclosure to provide an apparatus for forming one or more concrete structures which is simple in design and manufacture. Another feature of the present disclosure is to provide such an apparatus capable of forming concrete structures having walls with integral columns. It is a further feature of the present disclosure, in accordance with one aspect thereof, to provide an apparatus for forming one or more concrete structures in which the apparatus may include interchangeable liners for placing different surface treatments, textures or finishes on the structures. It is an additional feature of the present disclosure to provide an apparatus for forming one or more concrete structures, in which the structures may be efficiently produced and installed. It is an additional feature of the present disclosure to provide an apparatus for forming precast concrete structures in which the structures may be formed in a factory setting with controlled conditions for improved quality of the structures.
In the foregoing Detailed Description, various features of the present disclosure are grouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed disclosure requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description by this reference, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of the present disclosure.
It is to be understood that the above-described arrangements are only illustrative of the application of the principles of the present disclosure. Numerous modifications and alternative arrangements may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure and the appended claims are intended to cover such modifications and arrangements. Thus, while the present disclosure has been shown in the drawings and described above with particularity and detail, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications, including, but not limited to, variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use may be made without departing from the principles and concepts set forth herein.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/622,855, filed Oct. 27, 2004, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, including but not limited to those portions that specifically appear hereinafter, the incorporation by reference being made with the following exception: In the event that any portion of the above-referenced provisional application is inconsistent with this application, this application supercedes said above-referenced provisional application. Not Applicable
Number | Date | Country | |
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60622855 | Oct 2004 | US |