Concrete form system

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6568651
  • Patent Number
    6,568,651
  • Date Filed
    Monday, February 26, 2001
    23 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, May 27, 2003
    21 years ago
Abstract
A concrete form system for receiving concrete includes a plurality of interlocking form panels having opposite side ends, and which capable of being selectively arranged in series as a wall of a form configured to receive concrete. A plurality of attachments are each disposed between adjacent form panels, and vertically engage the side ends of adjacent form panels to interlock the side ends of the adjacent form panels to resist lateral separation of the adjacent form panels. The attachments an include one or more channels or engagement walls, and an insert received withing the channels or engaging the engagement walls. Ties or brackets can extend between parallel, spaced-apart form panels to maintain a predetermined, spaced-apart distance. A gauge bar can moveably extend into the form to indicate a fill level.
Description




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




1. Field of the Invention




The present invention relates generally to a concrete form system, particularly well suited for footings. More particularly, the present invention relates to a footing form system with a plurality of free-standing, interlocking panels with attachments that vertically engage the ends to resist lateral separation.




2. Related Art




Houses and other buildings require footings upon which the house or building rests. The footings are typically formed of concrete poured at locations corresponding to points where the house or building applies its weight. Thus, the footings can be formed about the perimeter of the house and/or at discrete areas. Foundation walls can rest on the perimeter footings, while columns or posts can rest on the footings formed at discrete areas. The footings are often reinforced with rebar.




A common method for forming the footings includes creating footing forms with boards or planks, such as various lengths of 2×10s, or 2×12s. The boards or planks are arranged to form the perimeter of the forms, and stakes are driven into the ground adjacent the boards or planks to maintain their location. Rebar can be arranged in the form, and concrete is poured in the form. After the concrete cures, the boards or planks are removed, usually by impacting the boards or planks with a hammer, and removing the stakes. Such boards or planks often become damaged and must be replaced. In addition, arranging, staking, and removing the boards or planks is often time consuming, and thus costly.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




It has been recognized that it would be advantageous to develop a concrete form system for receiving concrete. In addition, it has been recognized that it would be advantageous to develop a footing form system for forming footings. In addition, it has been recognized that it would be advantageous to develop a concrete form system which does not require stakes, is durable, and is easier to arrange and remove.




The invention provides a concrete form system configured to receive concrete. The system includes a plurality of interlocking form panels which have opposite side ends. The form panels are capable of being selectively arranged in series as a wall of a form to receive concrete. In addition, the system includes a plurality of attachments, each one disposed between adjacent form panels. The attachments vertically engage the side ends of adjacent form panels to interlock the side ends of the adjacent form panels to resist lateral separation of the adjacent form panels.




In accordance with a more detailed aspect of the present invention, each of the plurality of attachments preferably extends along a majority of a length of the side ends of the adjacent form panels, and lock a majority of the length of the side ends of adjacent form panels together. More preferably each of the plurality of attachments extends along an entire length of the side ends of the adjacent form panels, and lock the entire length of the side ends of adjacent form panels together.




In accordance with another more detailed aspect of the present invention, each attachment includes at least one channel and an elongated insert. The channel is formed along a length of one of the side ends of the form panels. The insert is securable to an adjacent form panel and removably receivable within the at least one channel.




In accordance with another more detailed aspect of the present invention, each attachment includes at least two channels and an elongated insert. The channels are each formed along a length of one of the side ends of the adjacent form panels. The insert is removably receivable within both of the at least two channels.




In accordance with another more detailed aspect of the present invention, each attachment includes at least two opposing engagement walls and an elongated coupler. The engagement walls are each formed along a length of one of the side ends of the adjacent form panels, and are oriented transverse to an inner surface of the form panels. The coupler releasably engages the opposing engagement walls.




In accordance with another more detailed aspect of the present invention, the system includes at least two panels attached end-to-end in series in a co-linear orientation. Each of the at least two panels include an elongated opposing engagement wall extending along opposing ends, and oriented transverse to an inner surface of the form panels. A C-shaped coupler releasably receives the opposing engagement walls therein.




In accordance with another more detailed aspect of the present invention, the system includes at least two panels attached end-to-end in series in a perpendicular orientation. Again, each of the at least two panels include an elongated opposing engagement wall extending along opposing ends and oriented transverse to an inner surface of the form panels. A W-shaped coupler cooperates with the opposing engagement walls to releasably hold the panels together.




In accordance with another more detailed aspect of the present invention, the system includes a tie coupled to and extend between parallel, spaced-apart form panels, to maintain the form panels at a predetermined spaced-apart width.




In accordance with another more detailed aspect of the present invention, the tie has opposite ends, each attached to one of the plurality of attachments, to maintain the side ends of the form panels at a predetermined spaced-apart width.




In accordance with another more detailed aspect of the present invention, the system includes or tie includes a pair of brackets, each one configured to be coupled to one of parallel, spaced-apart form panels. Each of the brackets are adjustably coupled to the other one of the pair of brackets to adjustably maintain the form panels at a predetermined spaced-apart width.




In accordance with another more detailed aspect of the present invention, each of the brackets are attached to one of the plurality of attachments, to maintain the side ends of the form panels at a predetermined spaced-apart width.




In accordance with another more detailed aspect of the present invention, the system includes a gauge bar movably coupled to the tie or brackets, and extends downwardly between the parallel, spaced-apart form panels to indicate a fill level.




In accordance with another more detailed aspect of the present invention, the form panels are sized to form footings.




Additional features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description which follows, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which together illustrate, by way of example, features of the invention.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS





FIG. 1

is a perspective view of a concrete form system in accordance with the present invention shown in an exemplary configuration;





FIG. 2

is a perspective view of a portion of the concrete form system of

FIG. 1

with various components removed for clarity;





FIG. 3

is a top view of an attachment of the concrete form system of

FIG. 1

in accordance with the present invention;





FIG. 4

is a top view of another attachment of the concrete form system of

FIG. 1

in accordance with the present invention;





FIG. 5

is a top view of another attachment of the concrete form system in accordance with the present invention; and





FIG. 6

is a partial perspective view of the concrete form system of FIG.


1


.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION




For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the exemplary 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 invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention.




As illustrated in

FIG. 1

, a concrete form system, indicated generally at


10


, in accordance with the present invention is shown for receiving and forming concrete. The system


10


of the present invention is particularly well suited for forming footings, and thus the system


10


is described and illustrated as being configured as a footing form system for forming concrete footings. As stated above, structures such as houses and other buildings typically rest on, or are supported by, the footings. Thus, the footings typically are located at areas or points to support the weight of the structure. Therefore, footings are typically formed about a perimeter of the structure to receive foundation walls, and at other areas, such as to receive a column or pillar. Foundations are an example of a field which may benefit from the use of such a system


10


for forming concrete. It will be appreciated that the system


10


of the present invention also can be configured for use for forming other concrete, including for example, foundation walls.





FIGS. 1 and 2

show an exemplary configuration of the form system


10


of the present invention. It is, of course, understood that the system


10


of the present invention can be configured as desired to obtain the desired shape or layout of the footing, and that the configuration shown in

FIGS. 1 and 2

is illustrative only. In addition,

FIG. 2

shows the system


10


with various components of the system removed for clarity.




The concrete form system


10


of the present invention includes a plurality of form panels


20


arranged in such a way so as to create a wall for a form or enclosure which receives concrete. Thus, the form panels


20


can be arranged about a perimeter of the desired area or location to receive concrete. The form panels


20


have opposite side ends


24


and


26


which can be abutted to opposing side ends of adjacent form panels. Thus, the form panels can be selectively arranged in series, or end-to-end, to form an enclosure or area


30


to receive concrete.




The form panels


20


advantageously interlock with one another to create a free-standing enclosure, or to make the panels


20


freestanding. Thus, the system


10


of the present invention advantageously does not require stakes or other methods for securing the panels


20


or enclosure to the ground.




The panels


20


also have a bottom end or edge


34


, which can be disposed on a support surface such as the ground, and a top or upper edge or surface


36


. In addition, the panels


20


have an inner surface


38


which defines the enclosure


30


or area for receiving concrete. Preferably the inner surface


38


is smooth or otherwise configured to be releasable from the concrete after the concrete cures.




The concrete form system


10


of the present invention can be modular, and the form panels


20


can include a plurality of various different panels of various different sizes and shapes which can be arranged together to create the desired form or enclosure


30


. For example, the form panels


20


may be provided in various different lengths, or sets of standard lengths. In addition, the form panels can be configured to form footings, as stated above. Thus, the form panels


20


may have a height appropriate for footings, for example preferably between 8 and 14 inches. The form panels


20


can be formed of metal, such as steel or aluminum. In addition, the form panels


20


can have a general C-shaped cross section to provide strength and rigidity to the form panel.




As stated above, the form panels


20


advantageously interlock and are free-standing. In addition, the side ends


24


and


26


of the panels preferably and advantageously interlock with the side ends of adjacent panels so that opposing side ends of adjacent panels are themselves interlocked together. The system


10


of the present invention advantageously includes a plurality of attachments, indicated generally at


42


and


46


, formed between adjacent form panels


20


. The attachments may include an attachment


42


for attaching adjacent form panels in a co-linear configuration, and attachments


46


configured to attach adjacent form panels in a perpendicular or corner configuration. The attachments


42


and


46


preferably and advantageously vertically engage the side ends


24


and


26


of adjacent form panels to interlock the side ends together and resist lateral separation of the adjacent form panels.




The attachments


42


and


46


preferably extend along a majority of a length or height of the side ends


24


and


26


to interlock a majority of the length or height of the side ends of the adjacent form panels. Most preferably the attachments


42


and


46


extend along the entire length or height of the side ends and interlock the entire length or height of the side ends of the adjacent form panels. Thus, a majority of the length or height, or the entire length or height, of the opposing side ends of adjacent form panels are interlocked to form a secure and free-standing enclosure.




For example, the attachment


42


may be formed between adjacent form panels


50


and


52


, which are arranged in a co-linear configuration. The adjacent form panels


50


and


52


have opposing side ends


56


and


58


, respectively. The attachment


42


interlocks the opposing side ends


56


and


58


of the adjacent form panels


50


and


52


. As stated above, the attachment


42


preferably extends along the entire length or height of the side ends


56


and


58


, and thus the panels


50


and


52


, to interlock the entire length or height of the side ends


56


and


58


.




Similarly, the attachment


46


is formed between adjacent form panels


60


and


62


which have opposing side ends


66


and


68


, respectively. The adjacent form panels


60


and


62


are configured in a perpendicular configuration to form a corner. Again, the attachment


46


preferably extends along the entire length of the side ends


66


and


68


.




Because the form panels


20


interlock together, the resulting enclosure can be free-standing, and thus require no further means for securing the enclosure to the ground, such as stakes. In addition, attaching the form panels


20


along the entire length or height of their side ends


24


and


26


advantageously makes the enclosure more secure, prevents concrete from seeping between adjacent form panels, and helps the enclosure to be free-standing.




The attachments


42


and


46


are shown in greater detail in

FIGS. 3 and 4

, respectively. Referring to

FIG. 3

, the attachment


42


includes channels


72


and


74


formed along a length or height of the side ends


56


and


58


, respectively, of the adjacent form panels


50


and


52


. In addition, an elongated insert


78


is removably received within the channels


72


and


74


to interlock the form panels


50


and


52


. The channels


72


and


74


may include opposing engagement walls


82


and


84


, respectively, which extend along the side ends


56


and


58


, and which are oriented transverse to the inner surface of the form panels


50


and


52


. Thus, the opposing engagement walls


82


and


84


may form the most distal portions of the side panels


50


and


52


. In addition, the channels


72


and


74


can include openings


86


and


88


, respectively, which face outwardly from the side ends


56


and


58


, which allow the insert


78


to extend between the channels


72


and


74


. Thus, the channels


72


and


74


can be described as having a generally G-shaped cross section, or an enclosed rectangular shaped cross section with openings


86


and


88


.




The insert


78


may include insert portions


92


and


94


which are received within the channels


72


and


74


, respectively, and an interconnecting portion


96


formed between the insert portions


92


and


94


and extending between the channels


72


and


74


to interlock or interconnect the form panels


50


and


52


. Thus, the insert


78


can have a generally C-shaped or U-shaped cross section.




The attachment


42


shown in

FIG. 3

is configured for interlocking adjacent form panels


50


and


52


in a co-linear configuration. The attachment


46


shown in

FIG. 4

is configured for attaching adjacent form panels


60


and


62


in a perpendicular configuration. As shown in

FIG. 4

, form panels


60


and


62


are similar in most respects to the form panels


50


and


52


described above, and include channels


72


and


74


formed along the length of the side ends


60


and


68


, respectively. Again, the channels


72


and


74


include engagement walls


82


and


84


, and also openings


86


and


88


. The attachment


46


includes an insert


98


which is removably received within both of the channels


72


and


74


to interlock the adjacent form panels


60


and


62


in a perpendicular orientation. The insert


98


includes insert portions


102


and


104


, which are removably received within the channels


72


and


74


, respectively. In addition, the insert


98


includes an interconnecting section


106


formed between the insert sections


102


and


104


, and extending between the channels


72


and


74


to interconnect the form panels


60


and


62


. The insert


98


may have a generally W-shaped or M-shaped cross section, or the interconnecting section


106


may be formed at a right angle as opposed to linearly in order to form the perpendicular attachment.




In order to attach adjacent form panels


50


and


52


in a co-linear relationship, as shown in

FIG. 3

, the form panels


50


and


52


are arranged adjacent one another, and with the opposing ends


56


and


58


, or channels


72


and


74


, abutting to one another, and inserting the insert


78


into the channels


72


and


74


. Similarly, the adjacent form panels


60


and


62


are interlocked in a perpendicular orientation, as shown in

FIG. 4

, by arranging the form panels


60


and


62


adjacent one another and perpendicular with the inside edges of the opposing ends


66


and


68


, or channels


72


and


74


, generally abutting to one another, and inserting the insert


98


into the channels


72


and


74


.




While the attachments


42


and


46


have been described above with respect to a pair of channels


72


and


74


formed in the opposing ends of the adjacent form panels, it will be appreciated that different configurations of the attachments are possible. For example, referring to

FIG. 5

, an attachment


110


can include at least one channel


114


and at least one insert


116


. The at least one channel


114


can be formed along the length or height of the side end


118


of one of the form panels


120


, while the insert


116


is secured to the other form panel


122


. The channel


116


can be similar to the channel


72


and


74


described above. The insert


116


can include an insert portion


124


, removably received within the channel


114


and an interconnecting section


126


, coupled to and between the insert section


124


and the other panel


122


to extend from the form panel


122


and into the channel


114


. Thus, the form panels


120


and


122


can be interlocked together by aligning the insert


116


of the form panel


122


with the channel


114


of the form panel


120


, and vertically sliding the form panels


120


and


122


with respect to one another, and thus sliding the insert


116


into the channel


114


. The attachment


110


has been described as attaching form panels in a co-linear orientation, it is of course understood that a similar attachment can be formed to attach the form panels in a perpendicular configuration.




The inserts described above form couplers which can releasably engage the opposing engagement walls of the channels or side ends of the form panels to interlock the adjacent form panels.




Referring again to

FIG. 1

, the concrete form system


10


preferably includes one or more ties


130


coupled to and extending between parallel, spaced-apart form panels


132


and


134


. The tie


130


maintains the form panels


132


and


134


at a predetermined, spaced-apart width. The tie


130


prevents the form panels


132


and


134


from expanding or displacing away from one another as concrete is poured into the enclosure


30


. The tie


130


preferably is removably coupled to the form panels


132


and


134


. In addition, the tie


130


preferably is adjustable, or expandable and retractable, such that the predetermined, spaced-apart width may be adjusted.




In addition the tie


130


preferably and advantageously is coupled to and between the attachments


42


of the parallel, spaced-apart form panels


132


and


134


. Thus, the tie


130


maintains the side ends of the form panels


132


and


134


at the predetermined, spaced-apart width. The tie


130


can have opposite ends, each of which are attached to one of the attachments


42


. Thus, the tie


130


and attachments


42


can be simultaneously coupled to the form panels


132


and


134


, and simultaneously removed therefrom.




The tie


130


can include a pair of brackets


140


and


142


, each attached to one of the parallel, spaced-apart form panels


132


and


134


. The pair of brackets


140


and


142


are adjustably coupled together, and thus can be expanded or retracted to adjust the width between the form panels


132


and


134


.




The pair of brackets


140


and


142


preferably and advantageously are attached to opposite attachments


42


. Thus, the pair of brackets


140


and


142


, each attached to an attachment


42


, form a pair of attachment ties


146


and


148


, which work together to both interlock adjacent form panels, and maintain spaced-apart form panels at a predetermined width. Thus, adjacent form panels can be interlocked with the tie attachment


146


. Similarly, adjacent form panels spaced-apart therefrom can be interlocked with the tie attachment


148


. The spaced-apart form panels can then be tied together by securing the tie attachments


146


and


148


together.




The brackets


140


and


142


, or the tie attachments


146


and


148


, can include a plurality of holes or apertures


152


which may be aligned to receive a pin


154


or the like to secure the brackets


140


and


142


, or tie attachments


146


and


148


, together. The pin


154


itself may have an aperture which extends past the holes


152


and brackets


140


and


142


to receive a retaining pin


156


therethrough, and thus maintain the pin


154


.




Combining the ties


130


and attachments


42


advantageously reduces the number of parts required for the system


10


. In addition, combining the brackets


140


and


142


with the attachments


42


to form the tie attachments


146


and


148


advantageously allows the ties


130


to be arranged or formed simultaneously as the attachments


42


are made.




Referring to

FIGS. 1 and 6

, the system


10


can include a gauge bar


170


, which extends downwardly into the enclosure


30


formed by the form panels


20


to indicate a fill level. Thus, the gauge bar


170


may be adjusted as desired, and concrete poured within the enclosed until the concrete reaches the bottom of the gauge bar


170


. The gauge bar


170


advantageously may be adjustably secured to the tie


130


. A vertically oriented opening


174


, may be formed on the tie


130


, one of the brackets


140


or


142


, or one of the tie attachments


146


or


148


, to moveably receive the gauge bar


170


therein. The opening


174


may be formed by a housing


176


extending thereabout. Holes or openings


178


may be formed in the housing


176


to receive an angled pin


180


therethrough. Thus, the angled pin


180


may be inserted through the openings


178


and engage the gauge bar


170


to force the gauge bar


170


against a portion of the housing


176


to maintain the gauge bar at a desired elevation.




The gauge


170


and housing


176


advantageously can be coupled to the pin


154


which secures the brackets


140


and


142


. Thus, the housing


176


and gage bar


170


are positioned over the enclosure as the pin


154


secures the brackets


140


and


142


.




Referring again to

FIG. 1

, the concrete panel system


10


also can include a corner panel


200


formed at a right angle to facilitate the formation of an inner corner of the form or enclosure.




It is to be understood that the above-described arrangements are only illustrative of the application of the principles of the present invention. Numerous modifications and alternative arrangements may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and the appended claims are intended to cover such modifications and arrangements. Thus, while the present invention has been shown in the drawings and fully described above with particularity and detail in connection with what is presently deemed to be the most practical and preferred embodiment(s) of the invention, 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 of the invention as set forth in the claims.



Claims
  • 1. A concrete form system configured to receive concrete, the system comprising:a) a plurality of form panels having opposite side ends selectively arrangable in series with opposing side ends of adjacent form panels being attached together to form a wall of an enclosure configured to receive concrete; b) at least one channel, formed along at least one of the side ends of the form panels; c) the at least one channel including an engagement wall, formed along the side end of the form panel, and oriented transverse to an inner surface of the form panel; and d) an elongated insert, securable to an adjacent form panel and removably receivable within the at least one channel to releasably engage the engagement wall to attach the side ends of the adjacent form panels.
  • 2. A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one channel and the insert are vertically oriented.
  • 3. A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one channel and the insert extend along a majority of a length of the side ends of the adjacent form panels, and lock a majority of the length of the side ends of adjacent form panels together.
  • 4. A system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:a) at least two channels, each one formed along a length of one of the side ends of the adjacent form panels; and b) wherein the insert is removably receivable within both of the at least two channels.
  • 5. A system in accordance with claim 1,wherein the plurality of form panels includes at least two panels attached end-to-end in series in a co-linear orientation; wherein the at least two panels each include a channel formed along opposing side ends of the form panels, the channels including elongated opposing engagement walls oriented transverse to a length of the form panels; and wherein the insert includes a C-shaped coupler, releasably receiving the opposing engagement walls therein.
  • 6. A system in accordance with claim 1,wherein the plurality of form panels includes at least two panels attached end-to-end in series in a perpendicular orientation; wherein the at least two panels each include a channel formed along opposing side ends of the form panels, the channels including elongated opposing engagment walls oriented transverse to an inner surface of the form panels; and wherein the insert includes a W-shaped coupler, cooperating with the opposing engagement walls to removably hold the panels together.
  • 7. A system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:a tie, configured to be coupled to and extend between parallel, spaced-apart form panels, to maintain the form panels at a predetermined spaced-apart width.
  • 8. A system in accordance with claim 7, wherein the tie has opposite ends each attachable to one of the plurality of inserts, to maintain side ends of the form panels at a predetermined spaced-apart width.
  • 9. A system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:a pair of brackets, each one configured to be coupled to one of parallel, spaced-apart form panels, and adjustably coupled to the other one of the pair of brackets, to adjustably maintain the form panels at a predetermined spaced-apart width.
  • 10. A system in accordance with claim 9, wherein each of the brackets are attached to one of the plurality of inserts, to maintain the side ends of the form panels at a predetermined spaced-apart width.
  • 11. A system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:a tie, coupled to and extend between tops of parallel, spaced-apart form panels to maintain the form panels at a predetermined spaced-apart width; and a gauge bar, movably coupled to the tie, to extend downwardly between the parallel, spaced-apart form panels, the gauge bar having a bottom to indicate a fill level between the parallel, spaced-apart form panels.
  • 12. A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the form panels are sized to form footings.
  • 13. A concrete form system configured to receive concrete, the system comprising:a) a plurality of form panels having opposite side ends selectively arrangable in series with opposing side ends of adjacent form panels being attached together to form a wall of an enclosure configured to receive concrete; b) a plurality of channels, each one formed along a length of one of the side ends of the form panels; c) the channels including engagement walls, formed along the side ends of the form panels, and oriented transverse to inner surfaces of the form panels; d) a plurality of inserts, each one removably receivable within two channels of adjacent form panels, to releasably engage the engagement walls to interlock the side ends of the adjacent form panels; and e) at least one tie, configured to be coupled to and extend between parallel, spaced-apart form panels, having opposite ends each attachable to one of the inserts to maintain side ends of the form panels at a predetermined, spaced-apart width.
  • 14. A system in accordance with claim 13, wherein the channels and inserts are vertically oriented.
  • 15. A system in accordance with claim 13, wherein the channels and inserts extend along a majority of a length of the side ends of the adjacent form panels, and lock a majority of the length of the side ends of adjacent form panels together.
  • 16. A system in accordance with claim 13,wherein the plurality of form panels includes at least two panels attached end-to-end in series in a co-linear orientation; wherein the channels include elongated opposing engagement walls oriented transverse to an inner surface of the form panels; and wherein the insert includes a C-shaped coupler, releasably receiving the opposing engagement walls therein.
  • 17. A system in accordance with claim 13,wherein the plurality of form panels includes at least two panels attached end-to-end in series in a perpendicular orientation; wherein the channels include elongated opposing engagement walls oriented transverse to an inner surface of the form panels; and wherein the insert includes a W-shaped coupler, cooperating with the opposing engagement walls to removably hold the form panels.
  • 18. A system in accordance with claim 13, wherein the at least one tie further comprises:a pair of brackets, each one configured to be coupled to one of the parallel, spaced-apart form panels, and adjustably coupled to the other one of the pair of brackets, to adjustably maintain the form panels at a predetermined spaced-apart width.
  • 19. A system in accordance with claim 13, further comprising:a gauge bar, movably coupled to the tie, to extend downwardly between the parallel, spaced-apart form panels, the gauge bar having a bottom to indicate a fill level between the parallel, spaced-apart form panels.
  • 20. A system in accordance with claim 13, wherein the form panels are sized to form footings.
  • 21. A concrete form system configured to receive concrete, the system comprising:a) a plurality of form panels having opposite side ends configured to be selectively arranged in series with opposing side ends of adjacent form panels being attached together to form a wall of an enclosure to receive concrete; b) at least one channel, attached to at least one of the side ends of the form panels; and c) the at least one channel including an engagement wall, formed along the side end of the form panel, and oriented transverse to an inner surface of the form panel; d) an elongated insert, separate from the at least one channel, securable to an adjacent form panel and removably received within the at least one channel to releasably engage the engagement wall to attach the side ends of the adjacent form panels.
  • 22. A system in accordance with claim 21, wherein the at least one channel and the insert extend along a majority of a length of the side ends of the adjacent form panels, and lock a majority of the length of the side ends of adjacent form panels together.
  • 23. A system in accordance with claim 21, wherein the at least one channel and the insert extend along an entire length of the side ends of the adjacent form panels, and lock the entire length of the side ends of adjacent form panels together.
  • 24. A system in accordance with claim 21, wherein:a) the at least one channel includes at least two channels, each one formed along a length of one of the side ends of the adjacent form panels; and b) the elongated insert is removably receivable within both of the at least two channels.
  • 25. A system in accordance with claim 21,wherein the plurality of form panels includes at least two panels attached end-to-end in series in a co-linear orientation; wherein each of the at least two panels include an elongated opposing engagement wall extending along opposing ends and oriented transverse to a length of the form panels; and further comprising a C-shaped coupler, configured to releasably receive the opposing engagement walls therein.
  • 26. A system in accordance with claim 21,wherein the plurality of form panels includes at least two panels attached end-to-end in series in a perpendicular orientation; wherein each the at least two panels include an elongated opposing engagement wall extending along opposing ends and oriented transverse to a length of the form panels; and further comprising a W-shaped coupler, configured to cooperate with the opposing engagement walls to releasably hold the panels together.
  • 27. A system in accordance with claim 21, further comprising:a tie, configured to be coupled to and extend between parallel, spaced-apart form panels, to maintain the form panels at a predetermined spaced-apart width.
  • 28. A system in accordance with claim 27, wherein the tie has opposite ends configured so that each can be attachable to one of a plurality of inserts, to maintain the side ends of the form panels at a predetermined spaced-apart width.
  • 29. A system in accordance with claim 21, further comprising:a pair of brackets, each one configured to be coupled to one of parallel, spaced-apart form panels, and adjustably coupled to the other one of the pair of brackets, to adjustably maintain the form panels at a predetermined spaced-apart width.
  • 30. A system in accordance with claim 29, wherein each of the brackets are configured to be attached to one of the plurality of attachments, to maintain the side ends of the form panels at a predetermined spaced-apart width.
  • 31. A system in accordance with claim 21, further comprising:a tie, configured to be coupled to and extend between tops of parallel, spaced-apart form panels, to maintain the form panels at a predetermined spaced-apart width; and a gauge bar, configured to be movably couplable to the tie, and configured to extend downwardly between the parallel, spaced-apart form panels to indicate a fill level.
  • 32. A system in accordance with claim 21, wherein the form panels are sized to form footings.
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