The present invention relates generally to a unique system and method for the rapid and accurate set up of perimeter screed forms during concrete forming processes and, more particularly, to said forms consisting of a specialized set of clamps, brackets forms and stakes.
Poured concrete slabs, footers and walls are a common method of building and structure construction. They are relatively easy to build, cost-effective and very long lasting. However, they do require some work especially during the form building process to ensure accurate size, placement, and levelness, thus insuring the overall quality of the final product. Most often workers use wooden forms held in place by other wooden or metal stakes. Which such a process does work, they are very time consuming to cut, place and nail together. Also, the very act of fastening them together using nails often drives them out of alignment. Additionally, they are difficult to disassemble and very difficult to reuse, due to the numerous nail holes resulting even after a few times. Accordingly, there is a need for a means by which concrete forms can be constructed without the disadvantages as listed above. The development of the herein disclosed system and method fulfills this need.
The concrete forming aids and system are a series of components that aid in the construction of concrete forms for various applications. The aid is used in the construction of forms for footers, slabs, walls, steps and other similar concrete assemblies. The invention consists of four discrete components. The first one is an “L”-shaped apparatus that joins driven vertical rods and horizontal stability rods together. Such a device allows for the stability of concrete form assembly when producing footers stem walls or slab pours. The second one is a “T”-shaped apparatus that also connects vertical rods as well as multiple horizontal rods. The third one is a clamp that attaches to the vertical rods but provides a surface to connect to wooden form guides using nails or other fasteners. A thumbscrew mechanism makes it easy to adjust the form up and down thus providing extremely accurate placement. The fourth and final one is another clamp assembly that connects the horizontal rod to a drop that holds the form in place. All of these components are fastened together using conventional rods, stakes and similar items. The system allows for easy assembly and disassembly without tools and can be easily cleaned and reused for repeated use. The use of the innovative system and method provides not only for the easy construction of concrete forms for multiple applications in a manner that produces quality concrete structures at a minimal cost and time.
Several attempts have been made in the past to provide a concrete forming device that is easy to use and quick to set up. U.S. Pat. No. 6,588,164, issued in the name Moblo, a screed form stake having a cradle portion with a horizontal top surface. Unfortunately, the Moblo device does not provide the plurality of specialized brackets as in the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,322,045, issued in the name of Andros, teaches a rapid forming system for tilt-up pre-cast concrete wall panels, comprising a formboard support, a formboard, and a fastener. Unfortunately, the Andros device only teaches forming wall portions and does not provide means to aid in the forming of an entire concrete flooring system complete with stem walls.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,830,978, issued in the name of Buter, describes an assemblage which forms in-situ monolithic concrete slab-on grade foundations comprising a number of form members of light-gage cold-formed metal, squaring wires, coarsely-threaded stakes, and an overhead screed. The Butler device also does not provide means to interconnect specialized bracketry.
None of the prior art particularly describes such a system to set up screed forms during the pouring and setting of concrete.
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the prior art, the general purpose of the present invention is to provide a system for setting up of screed forms during concrete forming processes, configured to include all the advantages of the prior art, and to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art.
In a first aspect, the present invention provides a system for setting up of screed forms on a grade during concrete forming processes, comprising: a first vertical stake and a second vertical stake, a portion of the first vertical stake and the second vertical stake driven vertically into the grade; a first “L”-shaped bracket and a second “L”-shaped bracket; and a horizontal stake. Each “L”-shaped bracket comprises: a base; a side wall extending perpendicularly from the base, the side wall having a front side and a back side; a vertical stake sleeve having a body portion with a top open end portion and a bottom open end portion, the bottom end portion disposed above a vertical stake hole on the base and the vertical stake sleeve extending upwardly along and parallel to the front side of the side wall; a fastening receiver disposed about a hole on the body portion of the vertical stake sleeve; and a plurality of mounting holes on the side wall.
The vertical stake sleeve and the vertical stake hole of the first “L”-shaped bracket are capable of receiving therethrough the first vertical stake, and the vertical stake sleeve and the vertical stake hole of the second “L”-shaped bracket are capable of receiving therethrough the second vertical stake. The fastening receiver of the first “L”-shaped bracket is capable of receiving a first fastener for securing the first vertical stake to the vertical stake sleeve of the first “L”-shaped bracket at a first intermediate position and the fastening receiver of the second “L”-shaped bracket is capable of receiving a second fastener for securing the second vertical stake to the vertical stake sleeve of the second “L”-shaped bracket at a second intermediate position. The horizontal stake is perpendicularly secured to the first vertical stake at a position higher than the first intermediate position, and the second vertical stake at a position higher than the second intermediate position.
The mounting holes of the first “L”-shaped bracket are capable of receiving therethrough mounting fasteners for securing a first screed form to the back side of the side wall of the first “L”-shaped bracket and the mounting holes of the second “L”-shaped bracket are capable of receiving mounting fasteners for securing a second screed form to the back side of the side wall of the second “L”-shaped bracket, thereby setting the first screed form and the second screed form to configure a concrete pouring area therebetween.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a system for setting up of screed forms on a grade during concrete forming processes, comprising: a first vertical stake and a second vertical stake, a portion of the first vertical stake and the second vertical stake driven vertically into the grade; a first “J”-shaped bracket and a second “J”-shaped bracket; a first form clip and a second form clip; and a first horizontal stake and a second horizontal stake. Each “J”-shaped bracket comprises: a front side wall; a back side wall; an intermediate wall connecting the front and the back side walls to configure a top form receiving channel therebetween; a horizontal stake sleeve having a body portion with two opposite open end portions extending outwardly from an outer surface of the front side wall, such that one open end portion is disposed on the outer surface of the front side wall; and a fastening receiver disposed about a hole on the body portion of the horizontal stake sleeve. Each form clip comprises: two side walls, and an intermediate wall connecting the two side walls to configure a bottom form receiving channel therebetween.
The horizontal stake sleeve of the first “J”-shaped bracket is capable of receiving an end portion of the first horizontal stake, and the horizontal stake sleeve of the second “J”-shaped bracket is capable of receiving an end portion of the second horizontal stake. The fastening receiver of the first “J”-shaped bracket is capable of receiving a first fastener for securing the first horizontal stake to the horizontal stake sleeve of the first “J”-shaped bracket, and the fastening receiver of the second “J”-shaped bracket is capable of receiving a second fastener for securing the second horizontal stake to the horizontal stake sleeve of the second “J”-shaped bracket. The first horizontal stake is perpendicularly secured to the first vertical stake at a first intermediate position of the first vertical stake, and the second horizontal stake is perpendicularly secured to the second vertical stake at a second intermediate position of the second vertical stake.
The top form receiving channel of the first “J”-shaped bracket is capable of receiving a top portion of a first screed from, and the top form receiving channel of the second “J”-shaped bracket is capable of receiving a top portion of a second screed form. The bottom form receiving channel of the first form clip is capable of receiving a bottom portion of the first screed from, and the bottom form receiving channel of the second form clip is capable of receiving a bottom portion of the second screed form, thereby setting the first screed form and the second screed from to configure a concrete pouring area therebetween.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a system for setting up of screed forms on a grade during concrete forming processes, comprising: a first vertical stake and a second vertical stake, a portion of the first vertical stake and the second vertical stake driven vertically into the ground; a first “J”-shaped bracket and a second “J”-shaped bracket; a first form clip and a second form clip; and a horizontal stake. Each “J”-shaped bracket comprises: a front side wall; a back side wall; an intermediate wall connecting the front and the back side walls to configure a top form receiving channel therebetween; a vertical stake sleeve having a body portion with a top open end portion and a bottom open end portion, the vertical stake sleeve connecting to and extending along an outer surface of the front side wall; and a fastening receiver disposed about a hole on the body portion of the vertical stake sleeve. Each form clip comprises two side walls, and an intermediate wall connecting the two walls to configure a bottom form receiving channel therebetween.
The vertical stake sleeve of the first “J”-shaped bracket is capable of receiving therethrough the first vertical stake and the vertical stake sleeve of the second “J”-shaped bracket is capable of receiving therethrough the second vertical stake. The fastening receiver of the first “J”-shaped bracket is capable of receiving a first fastener for securing the first vertical stake to the first “J”-shaped bracket at a first intermediate position and the fastening receiver of the second “J”-shaped bracket is capable of receiving a second fastener for securing the second vertical stake to the second “J”-shaped bracket at a second intermediate position. The horizontal stake is perpendicularly secured to the first vertical stake at a position higher than the first intermediate position, and the second vertical stake at a position higher than the second intermediate position.
The top form receiving channel of the first “J”-shaped bracket is capable of receiving a top portion of a first screed from, and the top form receiving channel of the second “J”-shaped bracket is capable of receiving a top portion of a second screed form. The bottom form receiving channel of the first form clip is capable of receiving a bottom portion of the first screed from, and the bottom form receiving channel of the second form clip is capable of receiving a bottom portion of the second screed form, thereby setting the first screed form and the second screed form to configure a concrete pouring area therebetween.
The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:
a is a front view of a concrete forming screed aid 10 for below-grade flooring applications, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and,
b is a close-up view of a 90 degree clamp 60 assembly portion of a concrete forming screed aid 10, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and,
a is a front view of a concrete forming screed aid 10 configured for stem wall formation applications, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and,
b is a close-up view of a “J”-shaped horizontal bracket assembly portion of a concrete forming screed aid, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and,
c is a perspective view of a quick form clip 90 portion of a concrete forming screed aid 10, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and,
The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within
The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items.
The present invention describes a system and method for a concrete forming screed aid 10, which provides a means for a residential and commercial construction aid comprising a specialized set of clamps and brackets and a system directed thereto for the rapid and accurate set up of perimeter screed forms 18 during concrete forming processes. The specialized components of the present invention 10 include: a plurality of specialized brackets being affixed thereto various forms 18; various screed rod clamps oriented in a variety of embodiments to anticipate varying installation requirements; a “T”-handled screw 40 to secure said components in a variety of configurations; and a unique installation method utilizing the components mentioned above with concrete forms 18 and stakes 15 is also provided.
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Conventional screed rod stakes 15 are fed through the 90 degree clamps 60 and the “L”-shaped brackets 50 (see
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Conventional screed rod stakes 15 are fed through the 90 degree clamps 60 and the angle clamps 30 (see
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All components of the present invention 10 are envisioned being manufactured using materials such as plated steel, painted steel, aluminum, or the like; however, alternate materials such as injection molded plastics, light-weight metal alloys, or the like may be provided and as such should not be considered a limiting factor of the invention.
It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope.
The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by a normal person with some specialized concrete form preparation skills and minimal training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the system 10, it would be installed as indicated in
The method of installing and utilizing the system 10 may be achieved by performing the following steps: driving a series of vertical stakes 15, thereby forming a screed rod perimeter for the proper and accurate pour of backfill 12, concrete floors 13, stem walls 16, slab pours, footers, concrete steps, and the like; determining grade points, elevations, and widths of subsequent concrete pours; spreading backfill 12 out along the entire pour area on the grade level 14 for slab pours or on the below grade level 11 for footers; mapping out the perimeter of the pour with screed forms 18; nailing or otherwise affixing specialized brackets to said forms 18 and inserting vertical stakes 15 through the stake sleeve portions 53, 73, 83 and then into the grade 11, 14; inserting a top portion of said stakes 15 through the angle clamps 30, or 90 degree clamps 60 depending on location; inserting horizontal stakes 17 into the 90 degree clamps 60 or the brackets 50, 70, 80 as required; installing “T”-screws 40 to assist in adjusting and stabilizing the height of the various components and tightening said “T”-screws 40 to secure the apparatus 10; completing the concrete pour and removing the apparatus 10 by loosening all “T”-screws 40, removing all horizontal stakes 17, removing all specialized brackets and vertical stakes 15; and, benefiting from the cost and time saving experienced when using the invention 10.
An alternate embodiment of the “J”-shaped brackets 70, 80 comprises said brackets 70, 80 being provided without fastening receivers 35 as said brackets 70, 80 provide a back side wall 71, 81 which wraps securely around a screed form 18 needing no additional mechanical attachment or fasteners.
The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.
The present invention was first described in and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/792,469, filed Apr. 17, 2006, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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60792469 | Apr 2006 | US |