BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to the field of concrete forms of existing art and more specifically relates to reusable concrete forms.
RELATED ART
Concrete is the base for most of the structures in the construction industry. Conventionally concrete walls are produced by constructing a form out of two parallel walls. A concrete mixture is then poured between the walls and left to set. Once the concrete is set, the walls are removed and the finishing processes commence. Typically, the forms used in the construction industry are made of heavy wood. Each wall is then reinforced with a retaining feature, often made of heavy steel. The process of placing the forms and subsequently removing the forms takes lots of ‘man power’ which can be expensive. The wooden walls are removed, and generally damaged in the process. Once a wooden form is damaged it can seldom be reused. Following the manufacture, purchase, storage, transport, and placement, conventional forms are often rendered useless and must be transported to a garbage facility.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,797,800 to E. Loy relates to a portable reusable form for concrete foundations. The described portable reusable form for concrete foundations includes a portable form for concrete foundations and the like according to the present invention comprises a plurality of form sections each being provided with a substantially planar vertical wall defining the outer wall portion of such foundations. Each wall section includes a separatable horizontal wall disposed substantially normal to the vertical wall and a vertical flange cooperating with the horizontal wall to define a brick ledge in the outer periphery of the foundation. The form is provided with interfitting corner sections that cooperate to define brick ledges at the corners of the foundation. The form is supported in place by plurality of adjustable support devices that are secured to the form sections at various positions thereon. Each of the support devices comprises a base that is secured to the ground in any desirable manner and includes an adjustable support that is manipulatable to adjust the height and position of the form sections as desired to achieve proper form configuration. The support devices may be employed to extract the concrete forms subsequent to hardening of the concrete material defining the foundation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known reusable concrete forms art, the present disclosure provides a novel concrete form system and method. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide an efficient and effective concrete form system and method.
A concrete form system is disclosed herein. Briefly state, the concrete form system comprises a barrier, a connection member, and a wall-base mold. In operation, a plurality of barriers are joined with the connection member to define a channel for a concrete mixture to form and set. The wall-base mold may be used to provide an additional extension to the channel used in construction.
More specifically, the barrier has an inside surface, an outside surface, opposing ends, a bottom and, a top face. The top face has at least one upwardly facing aperture. The connection member includes a pin and a peg. The peg is configured to mate with at least one of the upwardly facing apertures on the barrier. The connection member is configured to mate the plurality of barriers such that the inside surface of the plurality of barriers are opposed. The wall-base mold is configured to mate with the top face of the barrier. The wall-base mold comprises a horizontal member that has a first end, a second end, a top-surface and a bottom-surface. The top-surface includes peg-apertures that are configured to receive the peg. The bottom-surface is configured to abut with the top face of the barrier. The horizontal member includes a retention flange, and a mold-face. The retention flange extends perpendicularly from the bottom-surface on the first end of the horizontal member. The retention flange has an inside face configured to abut with the outside surface of the barrier. The mold-face extends perpendicularly from the top-surface on the second end of the horizontal member.
According to another embodiment, a method of using a concrete form system is also disclosed herein. The method of using concrete form system includes steps of: providing a concrete form system as described above; a step of, aligning the plurality of barriers such that the inside surface of the plurality of barriers are opposed; a step of, attaching at least two of the peg along the length of the pin; a step of, connecting the plurality of barriers with the connection member. The method further provides optional steps listed hereforth; a step of, coupling the plurality of barriers with the coupling-block; a step of, mounting the wall-base mold on the barrier.
For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, a concrete form system and method, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.
FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the concrete form system during an ‘in-use’ condition, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the concrete form system, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the concrete form system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 2B is another perspective view of the concrete form system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the concrete form system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 4 is a component view of the concrete form system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of using the concrete form system, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a reusable concrete form and more particularly to a concrete form system and method as used to improve the efficient use of concrete forms during construction projects.
Generally, the concrete form system is a reusable system that may be implemented in the field. The concrete form system may be made of durable, light-weight rigid materials. These materials may include hardened fiber, rigid foam, hollow plastic, and all other feasible materials. In storage, the concrete form system is form factored to store efficiently through stacking. In transport, the concrete form system is light-weight and easy to maneuver. In operation, the concrete form system is designed to be easily deployed and subsequently retracted and reused. The system provides pre-fabricated barriers that are connected with an adjustable connection member. The connection member attaches to each of the barriers to retain the barriers statically at a predetermined distance.
Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in FIGS. 1A-4, various views of a concrete form system 100.
FIG. 1A shows a concrete form system 100 during an ‘in-use’ condition 50, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, the concrete form system 100 may be beneficial to form concrete. As illustrated, the concrete form system 100 may include a barrier 110, a connection member 120 and a wall-base mold 130 (FIG. 1B). The barrier 110 includes an inside surface 111, an outside surface 112, opposing ends 113, a bottom 114 (FIG. 2A) and, a top face 115 (FIG. 2A). The top face 115 has at least one upwardly facing aperture 116 (FIG. 2A). The connection member 120 includes a pin 121 (FIG. 2A), having a length 122 (FIG. 4) and, a peg 123 (FIG. 1B). The peg 123 is configured to mate with the at least one upwardly facing aperture 116. The connection member 120 is configured to mate a plurality of barriers 200 with the inside surface 111 of the plurality of barriers 200 opposed. The plurality of barriers 200 are connected with the connection member 120 defining a channel 61 for a concrete mixture 60 to form and set.
Referring now to FIG. 1B showing the wall-base mold 130. The wall-base mold 130 is configured to mate with the top face 115 (FIG. 2A) of the barrier 110. The wall-base mold 130 comprises a horizontal member 131 (FIG. 4), a retention flange 138 (FIG. 4) and, a mold-face 140. The horizontal member 131 has a first end 132 (FIG. 4), a second end 133 (FIG. 4), top-surface 134 and, a bottom-surface (not shown). The top-surface 134 includes peg-apertures 135 (FIG. 4) configured to receive the peg 123. The bottom-surface (not shown) is configured to abut with the top face 115 of the barrier 110. The retention flange 138 extends perpendicularly from the bottom-surface (not shown) of the first end 132. The retention flange 138 has an inside face (not shown) configured to abut with the outside surface 112 of the barrier 110. The mold-face 140 extends perpendicularly from the top-surface 134 on the second end 133 of the horizontal member 131.
According to one embodiment, the concrete form system 100 may be arranged as a kit 105. In particular, the concrete form system 100 may further include a set of instructions 107. The instructions 107 may detail functional relationships in relation to the structure of the concrete form system 100 such that the concrete form system 100 can be used, maintained, or the like, in a preferred manner.
FIG. 2A shows the concrete form system 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the concrete form system 100 may include a barrier 110. The barrier 110 may comprise of a rigid plastic material 315. The barrier 110 may further comprise of a rigid foam material 314. Further rigid material for the composition of the barrier 110 are considered. The barrier 110 includes an inside surface 111, an outside surface 112, opposing ends 113 (FIG. 1A), a bottom 114 and, a top face 115. The top face 115 has at least one upwardly facing aperture 116. The connection member 120 includes a pin 121, having a length 122 (FIG. 4) and, a peg 123. The peg 123 is configured to mate with the at least one upwardly facing aperture 116. The connection member 120 is configured to mate a plurality of barriers 200 with the inside surface 111 of the plurality of barriers 200 opposed. The plurality of barriers 200 are connected with the connection member 120 defining a channel 61 (FIG. 1A) for a concrete mixture 60 (FIG. 1A) to form and set. The present embodiment illustrates a plurality of barriers 200 connected laterally. The lateral connectivity of the plurality of barriers 200 is completed through a coupling-block 301 (FIG. 2B). The coupling-block 301 may be configured to mate with slotted channels 300 (FIG. 2B). The concrete form system 100 may further include a barrier-endcap 313 (FIG. 2B). The barrier-endcap 313 may be configured to abut with at least one of the opposing ends 113 of the barrier 110. The barrier-endcap 313 may be configured to retain the concrete mixture 60 between the plurality of barriers 200
Referring now to FIG. 2B showing another embodiment of the concrete form system 100. The concrete form system 100 may further comprise a corner-piece 305. The opposing ends 113 (FIG. 1A) of the barrier 110 may include slotted channels 300 extending from the bottom 114 (FIG. 2A) to the top face 115 (FIG. 2A). The slotted channels 300 may be used in conjunction with the coupling-block 301. The coupling-block 301 may be various shapes and dimensions that allow for the plurality of barriers 200 to be connected. The corner-piece 305 has an inside surface 111 (FIG. 2A) forming a 90-degree angle. The concrete form system 100 may include a corner-coupling block 302. The corner-coupling block 302 may be configured to couple the plurality of barriers 200 at an angle. For lateral coupling of the plurality of barriers 200, a lateral-coupling block 304 may be implemented. The lateral-coupling block 304 may be configured to mate with the slotted channels 300 of on the opposing ends 113 of the barrier 110. The concrete form system 100 may further include a barrier-endcap 313. The barrier-endcap 313 may be configured to abut with at least one of the opposing ends 113 (FIG. 1A) of the barrier 110.
FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the concrete form system 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the concrete form system 100 includes a barrier 110 having an inside surface 111, an outside surface 112, opposing ends 113, a bottom 114 and, and a top face 115. The top face 115 having at least one upwardly facing aperture 116. The connection member 120 includes a pin 121 having a length 122 (FIG. 4). The connection member 120 further includes a peg 123 that is configured to mate with the at least one upwardly facing aperture 116. The connection member 120 is configured to mate the plurality of barriers 200 wherein the inside surface 111 of the plurality of barriers 200 are opposed. As illustrated, the wall-base mold 130 may comprise an extension of the barrier 110. In this embodiment the wall-base mold 130 may attach to the top face 115 of the barrier 110. Also explained in the present illustration is the base-support 307 that may be disposed on the bottom 114 of the outside surface 112 of the barrier 110. The base-support 307 may further include at least one spike-aperture 308 that is configured to receive an elongate fastener 309. The base-support 307 may be useful for statically retaining the barrier 110 when in use.
Referring now to FIG. 4, component view of the concrete form system 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As pictured the concrete form system 100 includes a barrier 110. The barrier 110 has an inside surface 111, an outside surface 112 (FIG. 3), opposing ends 113, a bottom 114 and, a top face 115. The top face 115 includes at least one upwardly facing aperture 116. The barrier 110 may comprise a corner-piece 305. The corner-piece 305 may have an inside surface 111 forming a 90-degree angle. The connection member 120 includes a pin 121 having a length 122, and a peg 123. The peg 123 is configured to mate with the at least one upwardly facing aperture 116. The pin 121 may comprise a rigid steel material 316. The pin 121 may further include an adjustment mechanism 311. The adjustment mechanism 311 may allow the peg 123 to attach along the length 122 of the pin 121. The peg 123 may further be removable from the pin 121. The adjustment mechanism 311 may be useful for adjusting displacement between a plurality of barriers 200 (FIG. 3).
The pin 121 may further include at least one break-point 312. The break-point 312 may be disposed on the length 122 of the pin 121. The break-point 312 may be configured to sever the pin 121 under shear force. The wall-base mold 130 is shown here in various embodiments. The wall-base mold 130 includes a horizontal member 131 having a first end 132, a second end 133, a top-surface 134 and, a bottom-surface (not shown). The top-surface 134 is includes peg-apertures 135 configured to receive the peg 123 of the connection member 120. The bottom-surface (not shown) is configured to abut with the top face 115 of the barrier 110.
The horizontal member 131 further includes a retention flange 138 and a mold-face 140 (FIG. 1B). The retention flange 138 extends perpendicularly from the bottom-surface (not shown) on the first end 132 of the horizontal member 131. The retention flange 138 has an inside face (not shown) configured to abut with the outside surface 112 of the barrier 110. The mold-face 140 extends perpendicularly from the top-surface 134 on the second end 133 of the horizontal member 131. The mold-face 140 is configured to mold the concrete mixture 60 (FIG. 1A). The wall-base mold 130 may further comprise an opposing flange 310. The opposing flange 310 may be disposed on the bottom-surface (not shown) of the horizontal member 131. The opposing flange 310 may be configured to abut with the inside surface 111 of the barrier 110. Further pictured is the lateral-coupling block 304. The lateral-coupling block 304 may be used for laterally coupling the plurality of barriers 200 (FIG. 1). The concrete form system 100 may include a corner-coupling block 302. The corner-coupling block 302 may be configured to couple the plurality of barriers 200 at an angle.
FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for using 500 a concrete forming system 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, the method for using 500 a concrete forming system 100 may include one or more components or features of the concrete form system 100 as described above. As illustrated, the method for using a concrete forming system 500 may include the steps of: step one 501, providing a concrete forming system, the concrete forming system comprising: a barrier, the barrier having an inside surface, an outside surface, opposing ends, a bottom and, a top face, the top face having at least one upwardly facing aperture; a connection member, the connection member including a pin, the pin having a length, and a peg, the peg configured to mate with the at least one upwardly facing aperture, the connection member configured to mate a plurality of barriers wherein the inside surface of the plurality of barriers are opposed; wall-base mold; the wall-base mold configured to mate with the top face of the barrier, the wall-base mold comprising: a horizontal member having a first end, a second end, a top-surface, the top-surface including peg-apertures configured to receive the peg and, a bottom-surface, the bottom-surface configured to abut with the top face of the barrier, the horizontal member including: a retention flange, the retention flange extending perpendicularly from the bottom-surface on the first end, the retention flange having an inside face configured to abut with the outside surface of the barrier; a mold-face, the mold-face extending perpendicularly from the top-surface on the second end of the horizontal member; and, wherein the plurality of barriers are connected with the connection member defining a channel for a concrete mixture to form and set; step two 502, aligning the plurality of barriers such that the inside surface of the plurality of barriers are opposed; step three 503, attaching at least two of the peg along the length of the pin; step four 504, connecting the plurality of barriers with the connection member; step five 505, coupling the plurality of barriers with the coupling-block; step six 506, mounting the wall-base mold on the barrier.
It should be noted that steps 505 and 506 are optional steps and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method of use 500 are illustrated using dotted lines in FIG. 5 so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method of use 500. It should also be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). It should also be noted that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods for forming concrete are taught herein.
The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.
Patent Application
20200002960
