This section is intended to provide background information to facilitate a better understanding of various technologies described herein. As the section's title implies, this is a discussion of related art. That such art is related in no way implies that it is prior art. The related art may or may not be prior art. It should therefore be understood that the statements in this section are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.
There are two types of concrete construction that require some form of formwork: vertical formwork and shoring. Vertical formwork provides the ability to form structures that hold vertical loads. Shoring provides the ability to form structures that hold horizontal loads. Vertical structures like walls, columns and foundations require formwork, and horizontal structures like slabs, beams and girders require shoring to cast them into place as an elevated structural component. Examples where shoring provides horizontal concrete members include: slabs, horizontal concrete girders, cross-t's under highways, etc.
Many companies in existence today have developed specific independent formwork systems and independent shoring systems. They generally carry a sizable inventory of several different types that are both rented and sold to contractors who build concrete structures.
The applications of formwork and shoring are unlimited given the wide range of project types in both the industrial and commercial construction markets. From high-rise buildings, to the construction of an industrial facility, formwork and shoring are used to help contractors cast foundations, columns, walls, elevated slabs and elevated beams in an enormous variety of shapes and uses. Chances are that all of the buildings in which people live and work have some sort of poured in-place concrete that was casted using a formwork system.
Older generation systems required formwork and shoring providers to have significantly large inventories of parts in order to make up the variety of configurations necessary. Those systems consisted of endless amounts of components used by a building contractor. Along with the large amount of inventory items, the assembly efficiency for those systems was often on the low side, as compared to systems in use today. Due to the large amount of pieces, it was common for many of these items to be lost during the construction process.
Described herein are various implementations of a fitting ring of an integrated construction system. In one implementation, the fitting ring includes an inner portion configured to be coupled to a post. The fitting ring also includes an outer portion configured to be coupled to a ledger rail and configured to allow the post to handle a load from the ledger rail.
Described herein are various implementations of a modular header beam of an integrated construction system. In one implementation, the modular header beam includes a first end and a second end. The modular header beam is an extrusion configured to interchangeably support: shoring panels of a shoring assembly and decking panels of a decking assembly.
Described herein are various implementations of a perimeter safety deck assembly of an integrated construction system. The perimeter safety deck assembly includes a post. A first ledger is coupled to the post in a horizontal configuration. At least one second ledger is coupled to the first ledger and forms a vertical outer wall.
The perimeter safety deck assembly may include a bracing element coupled to the post and the first ledger. The bracing element can be coupled to the post via a ledger clamp and the first ledger via a clip.
The vertical outer wall may include a plurality of second ledgers coupled together to form the vertical outer wall.
The first ledger may be coupled to the post via a ledger clamp.
The perimeter safety deck assembly may include a third ledger coupled to the post and the at least one second ledger. The first ledger and the third ledger may be part of a ledger assembly.
In one implementation, the ledger assembly may include at least one strut coupled to the first ledger and the third ledger.
In one implementation, the ledger assembly may include a plurality of struts coupled to the first ledger and the third ledger. The ledger assembly may include brace members coupled between adjacent struts of the plurality of struts.
In one implementation, the perimeter safety deck assembly may include a bracing element coupled to the post and the third ledger.
The bracing element may be coupled to the post via a ledger clamp.
The bracing element may be coupled to the third ledger via a clip.
In one implementation, a platform may be coupled to the first ledger via a plurality of joists. The platform may be configured to provide worker access, or provide support for shoring or both. The platform may support a modular header beam, the modular header beam may be coupled to the post and a second platform, and the second platform may be configured to provide shoring for a concrete slab.
Described herein are various implementations of a bearing plate of an integrated construction system. The bearing plate includes a surface. The surface has an outer boundary defining an outer edge of the bearing plate. The surface has an inner boundary within the bearing plate that defines an area shaped to interchangeably accommodate a plurality of components of the integrated construction system.
Described herein are various implementations of a bearing plate of an integrated construction system. The bearing plate includes a surface. The surface has an outer boundary defining an outer edge of the bearing plate. The surface has a plurality of inner boundaries within the bearing plate, each of the inner boundaries defining an area shaped to interchangeably accommodate a plurality of components of the integrated construction system.
Also described herein are various implementations of an integrated construction system. In one implementation, the integrated construction system includes a first panel for a formwork configuration of the integrated construction system, a second panel for a shoring configuration of the integrated construction system, and a third panel for a worker access configuration of the integrated construction system. The first panel, the second panel and the third panel are the same panel type.
In one implementation, the panel type may be a form panel. The form panel may be an aluminum form panel. In one implementation, the second panel may supported by a header beam in the shoring configuration. The header beam may be coupled to a plurality of posts. The header beam may be an aluminum header beam and the plurality of posts may be a plurality of aluminum posts. At least one bracing assembly may be coupled between the plurality of posts. The at least one bracing assembly may include a first modular ledger, a second modular ledger, and at least one ledger strut. The bracing assembly may include two ledger struts and ledger brace members.
In one implementation, the panel type may be a modular ledger. In the shoring configuration, the second panel may be part of a bracing assembly. The bracing assembly may include: the second panel, a fourth panel comprising the same panel type, and at least one ledger strut. The bracing assembly may include two ledger struts and ledger brace members.
In the worker access configuration, the third panel and a fifth panel may be part of a second bracing assembly, the fifth panel being the same panel type. A sixth panel may be coupled to the second bracing assembly to form an outer wall of the worker access configuration, the sixth panel being the same panel type. A plurality of modular ledger panels may be coupled together and are coupled to the second bracing assembly to form an outer wall of the worker access configuration. The plurality of modular ledger panels may be coupled together using a ledger splice.
A plurality of joists may be coupled to a top surface of the second bracing assembly. The plurality of joists can support a platform that provides worker access.
Also described herein are various implementations of a method for providing an integrated construction system. A first panel for a formwork configuration of the integrated construction system is provided. A second panel for a shoring configuration of the integrated construction system is provided. A third panel for a worker access configuration of the integrated construction system is provided. The first panel, the second panel and the third panel are a same panel type.
Also described herein are various implementations of a modular ledger of an integrated construction system. In one implementation, the modular ledger includes a rail, having a first end and a second end. Each end of the rail is configured to be coupled to one or more posts and/or assemblies through a coupling component. The rail has a plurality of holes configured to couple to bracing components of the integrated construction system.
The rail may be hollow and constructed of aluminum.
The coupling component may be a ledger clamp, a ledger splice, a ledger guardrail fitting, or a ledger end fitting.
The plurality of holes can be a hole pattern formed longitudinally along each side of the rail.
In one implementation, the rail may be configured to form a wall of a safety deck.
In one implementation, the rail may be configured to form part of a rollback mechanism.
The rail can be configured to form part of a bracing assembly when coupled to the bracing components.
The rail can be configured as a load bearing member when coupled to posts of the integrated construction system.
Also described herein are various implementations of a bracing assembly of an integrated construction system. In one implementation, the bracing assembly includes a first rail configured to be coupled to one or more posts and/or assemblies through a first coupling component, a second rail configured to be coupled to the one or more posts and/or assemblies through a second coupling component, and a first ledger strut coupled to the first rail and the second rail.
In one implementation, the bracing assembly includes a second ledger strut coupled to the first rail and the second rail. In one implementation, the bracing assembly includes ledger brace members coupled between the first ledger strut and the second ledger strut. The first ledger strut, the second ledger strut, and the ledger brace members may be adjusted along the first rail and the second rail. A distance between the first rail and the second rail may be adjusted by adjusting a lateral position of at least one of the first ledger strut and the second ledger strut along the first rail and the second rail.
In one implementation, the first rail and the second rail may have a first hole pattern. The first ledger strut may have a second hole pattern. The first hole pattern and the second hole pattern may be used to couple the first rail to the second rail via the first ledger strut.
Also described herein are various implementations of an integrated construction system component. In one implementation, the integrated construction system component includes a ledger rail configured to be coupled to one or more posts and/or assemblies through a coupling component. The ledger rail is constructed of aluminum and configured to provide bracing for the integrated construction system and handle vertical loads while attached to other components of the integrated construction system.
Also described herein are various implementations of a modular post of an integrated construction system. In one implementation, the modular post includes a longitudinal extruded post having a first end and a second end. Each end of the longitudinal extruded post is configured to receive a post end component. The longitudinal extruded post includes a plurality of grooves cut into the longitudinal extruded post at predetermined locations along the post.
The longitudinal extruded post may be constructed of aluminum.
The modular post may include at least one post fitting mechanically fastened to the longitudinal extruded post. The at least one post fitting can be coupled to the post by sliding the at least one post fitting down the longitudinal extruded post and twisting the at least one post fitting into place. The at least one post fitting can be twisted into place at one of the plurality of grooves. The at least one post fitting may be fastened to the longitudinal extruded post using a screw.
The longitudinal extruded post may include a plurality of ribs along the longitudinal extruded post. The plurality of grooves can be cut into the plurality of ribs.
The post end component may include a post end fitting. The post end fitting may be a permanent fitting.
The post end component may include screw leg components. The screw leg components can be used to vary a height of a shoring assembly of the integrated construction system. The height of the shoring assembly can be varied within an adjustment range.
The longitudinal extruded post can be coupled to a screw leg assembly. In one implementation, the screw leg assembly may remain attached to the longitudinal extruded post using screw leg clips of the screw leg assembly. In one implementation, the longitudinal post and the screw leg assembly can be configured to be moved from a first location to a second location without being disassembled.
The modular post can be configured to be coupled to a coupling component of the integrated construction system. In one implementation, the coupling component can be coupled to a bracing component. In one implementation, the coupling component can be coupled to a modular ledger panel. In one implementation, the coupling component can be coupled to a bracing element.
The above referenced summary section is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description section. Additional concepts and various other implementations are also described in the detailed description. The summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to limit the number of inventions described herein. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any or all disadvantages noted in any part of this disclosure.
Implementations of various techniques will hereafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the accompanying drawings illustrate only the various implementations described herein and are not meant to limit the scope of various techniques described herein.
The integrated construction system of the present disclosure was designed to rectify many of the shortcomings conventional systems, including to further reduce the amount of components needed and maintain a high degree of versatility. In addition, the present integrated construction system is primarily built from non-welded lightweight aluminum components, with minimal steel items used for various fittings and connectors.
As stated above, prior art forming and shoring systems were designed to be independent. Besides the integrated construction system described in the present disclosure and the system disclosed in Applicant's related co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/630,923, which is herein incorporated by reference, there is no integrated system disclosed in the prior art where standard elements of the integrated system can be used in both a formwork system configuration and a shoring system configuration. The present integrated construction system functions as one complete system for both vertical and horizontal aspects of concrete construction. The present integrated construction system can also be configured to provide a heavy-duty access or scaffolding system.
The present disclosure provides a shoring system that is part of a larger integrated construction system. This shoring system includes several key unique features that are not found in similar systems currently available in the market. These unique features are outlined below.
None of the prior art individual construction systems provides a system that provides the aspects of formwork, shoring and provision of safe worker access during construction. The present integrated construction system forms part of a complete “construction system” offering that satisfies all three of the aforementioned aspects of construction.
In one implementation, the present integrated construction system provides aluminum extruded posts with mechanically fastened cast fittings. Prior art modular aluminum shoring systems have bracing ledger and base attachment aluminum welded fittings. However, many of the prior art shoring systems do not have ledger fittings and, therefore, do not provide any capacity for the ledgers to carry any appreciable load. The present shoring systems provide post fittings, e.g., cast fittings, ledger fittings or fitting rings, attached with mechanical fasteners that are designed to carry loads for multiple situations.
In one implementation, the present integrated construction system provides a multipurpose aluminum and steel modular ledger. The ledgers may be made from a hybrid of aluminum and steel components vs. welded aluminum.
The ledgers can be configured into a variety of assemblies for a multitude of applications vs. static sized bracing panels. The ledgers are designed to act as a truss or load bearing member (e.g., vertical or other types of loads) vs. being used solely as a bracing and spacing member.
The ledger post connections have a removable series of end connections for various uses. The ledger post connections are not permanently mounted and are designed for multiple purposes as opposed to being designed for a single purpose.
The modular ledger is designed to be useable as: a bracing/spacing panel between vertical posts; a headload or truss shoring member that can hold up shoring loads in a variety of situations; an access platform for vertical shearwall construction; a roof truss system for large enclosures; and a perimeter safety deck system for construction worker access.
In one implementation, the present integrated construction system provides safety deck solutions for worker access. Safe construction worker access is an important aspect of all high-rise concrete construction projects. The present integrated construction system provides safe worker access to the outer perimeter of floor slab construction during all phases of: a floor pour, shoring setup, slab pour, post-tensioning slab cables, and continuous setup of the next level of shoring. Prior art systems use the actual slab shoring structure to give workers access to the perimeter of the top floor under construction. The problem with the prior art is that once the shoring is stripped, there is no effective means of access to the outer perimeter of a previously constructed floor slab. The issues present in prior art worker access slow down the construction cycle. The present integrated construction system provides perimeter deck access that is provided using components of the integrated construction system but independent of the shoring deck itself, to give worker access to the outer perimeter of the work. This allows the lower level access to remain in place to allow workers continued perimeter access to lower levels, while the upper level construction continues.
In one implementation, the present integrated construction system provides applications for heavy duty access. Conventional scaffolding systems are generally used to give workers access to general construction tasks. However, when the applications become extremely high or when the system incurs higher than normal loading conditions, other means of worker access are generally required. The present integrated construction system is able to provide worker access in higher than normal loading situations, while still meeting all OSHA access regulations.
In one implementation, the present integrated construction system provides heavy duty enclosures. Enclosures or containment structures are a common form of providing environmentally controlled spaces when critical construction processes require weather or other forms of climate protection. When these enclosure structures become large or subjected to high external forces, such as wind, most conventional scaffolding systems do not have the ability to perform in these high external force conditions. The present integrated construction system is able to sustain higher than normal loads and can be configured to provide larger than normal containment structures.
In one implementation, a mega-shore application is provided. Most prior art shoring systems have either a light or medium duty rating. Other prior art shoring systems may have heavy or very heavy-duty ratings. No prior art system can function across all rating ranges. Posts coupled to a mega-shore bearing plate can be configured in a variety of ways to achieve each level of duty rating. This includes the ability to cluster posts in groups to achieve very high loads in excess of 100,000 lbs. per shore location.
An example of a perimeter safety deck system 135 is also shown in
Although the ledger assembly includes multiple ledger rails 171, 173, certain implementations may include only one horizontal ledger rail, e.g., ledger rail 171, coupled to post 185 and outer wall 145. In implementations where bracing is utilized, ledger rail 171 may be supported by bracing element 157. In this implementation, bracing element 157 can be coupled directly to ledger rail 171 using clip 195 and coupled to a fitting of post 185 using clamp 187.
In the example shown in
Joists 120, 150 may be coupled to a modular header beam or a ledger rail (e.g., modular header beam 163 or ledger rail 171) using a metal clip that holds a nut and bolt. The head of the bolt slides into a groove along the bottom of the joist 120, 150 and the metal clip connects to either the modular header beam or the ledger rail/panel. Once the clip is in place, the bolt is tightened to connect both members (the joist and the modular header beam or the ledger rail) together.
The coupling of a joist to a modular header beam is shown in more detail in
The coupling of a joist to a ledger is also shown in more detail in
Screw legs 255 are provided in various lengths and are used to adjust a height of the vertical post. The height of the post may be adjusted by using the screw legs on one or both ends of the vertical post. The bearing plate 220, mega-shore bearing plate 225, slope bracket 230, post hinge 235, screw leg connector clips 240, swivel caster shoe 245, and deck drophead 250 are used with the vertical posts to provide various shoring application configurations.
As also described above in
The post 305 is configured to be a complete extruded piece, e.g., constructed of aluminum. The post 305 is cut to a specific length. A groove, e.g., groove 207, is lathed into the circumference of the post 305 at predetermined locations along the post 305. In one implementation, the groove is lathed into the post 305 every 12 inches. In one implementation, the groove is a ½ inch cut groove. The fitting ring 307 slides down the post 305 and twists into place at each groove. View 320 shows the fitting ring 307 being twisted into the groove, which is shown in
View 310 and 315 are top and side views of the fitting ring 307, respectively. As previously described, the rings are twisted into place as shown in view 320 and mechanically fastened as shown in view 325, e.g., using screw 330.
As shown in
Configuring posts in the manner described above allows for the installation of posts and ledgers without welding. In addition, configuring posts in this manner further allows posts to take a load. Prior art systems don't allow a ledger to put a load from a ledger onto a post.
Shoring is generally used repetitively from one concrete pour to the next. In typical prior art shoring systems, the shoring system is completely disassembled and then re-assembled on the next position. The present integrated construction system provides the ability to keep much of the setup intact and fly the assembly with a crane from one setup to the next to reduce labor costs. The screw leg clips allow the screw legs to remain attached to the posts, so the screw legs will still turn for adjustment, but also provide the ability to move the post and screw leg as a unit from one pour to the next without being disassembled.
Another portion of
View 610 is a side view of the multi-purpose bearing plate and screws 612 that are used to couple the bearing plate 602 to other components of the shoring system. Screws 612 pass through holes 626 and screw into the post end fitting 617 or screw leg end fitting 622. View 615 is a side view of the multi-purpose bearing plate coupled to a post end fitting 617. Post end fitting 617 is coupled to a portion of a post 632. View 620 is a side view of the multi-purpose bearing plate 602 coupled to a screw leg end fitting 622. The multi-purpose bearing plate 602 can be used on a top portion of a shoring assembly and/or a bottom portion of a shoring assembly.
View 1005 shows a sloped slab application. In one implementation, the sloped slab application includes a slope bracket 1001. The slope bracket 1001 is coupled to multi-purpose bearing plate 1008 using screws 1027. Slope bracket 1001 is also coupled to screw leg 1006 using screws 1029. Screw leg 1006 is further coupled to post 1002.
View 1010 shows a screw leg and header beam application. In this configuration, screw leg 1006 is coupled to post 1002. Screw leg 1006 is also coupled to multi-purpose bearing plate 1008, e.g., using screws 1027 (not shown). Multi-purpose bearing plate 1008 is coupled to header extrusion 1003 using eye-bolt connector 1040.
View 1015 shows an application where a header beam is directly coupled to the post. In this configuration, post 1002 is coupled to post end fitting 1016. Post end fitting 1016 is also coupled to multi-purpose bearing plate 1008, e.g., using screws 1027 (not shown). Multi-purpose bearing plate 1008 is coupled to header extrusion 1003 using eye-bolt connector 1040.
View 1020 shows an application where two posts are coupled together. In this configuration, post 1002 is coupled to post end fitting 1016. Post end fitting 1016 is also coupled to multi-purpose bearing plate 1008, e.g., using screws 1027 (not shown). Post 1013 is coupled to post end fitting 1017. Post end fitting 1017 is also coupled to multi-purpose bearing plate 1019, e.g., using screws 1027 (not shown). Multi-purpose bearing plate 1008 is coupled to multi-purpose bearing plate 1019 using eye-bolt connector 1040.
As shown in the various views, the modular posts can be used with the same multi-purpose bearing plate to provide different applications.
View 1210 is a side view of the mega-shore bearing plate 1202. View 1215 is a top view of the mega-shore bearing plate 1202 with posts 1228, 1260, 1262, 1264 installed within areas 1222, 1234, 1236, 1238, respectively. View 1220 is a side view of the mega-shore bearing plate 1202 with posts 1232, 1266 and screw legs 1230, 1268 installed.
The mega-shore or heavy duty bearing plate is used to cluster legs together to handle a very heavy duty load. The heavy duty bearing plate may also be referred to as a high capacity bearing plate. The mega-shore bearing plate accommodates more than one post. In one implementation, the mega-shore bearing plate can accommodate a cluster of four posts.
In one implementation, the standard accessory clip 1380 and the standard clamp 1385 can be used to connect formwork components to the ledger rail 1305. In one implementation, the standard accessory clip 1380 and the standard clamp 1385 are used for a one-sided formwork application. In one implementation, no ties are used for one-sided formwork. In this implementation, the ledger and posts become the lateral bracing for the formwork panels.
Ledger clamp 1510 is part of the ledger assemblies. Ledger clamp 1510 is the same part as coupling component 1355 and is also shown in modular ledger configuration example 1450. The jaws at the end of the ledger clamp 1510 fit over the top and bottom of the post ledger fitting 307, 1530 and tighten in-place using the adjusting screw on the ledger clamp. This connection allows a load to be transferred from the ledger 1505 to the post, via the post ledger fitting 1530.
In configurations where the post 305, 1525 handles a load from a ledger rail, the post 305, 1525 is coupled to a ledger rail 1505 via post ledger fitting 1530 and ledger clamp 1510. The ledger rail 1505 can be configured to act as a truss or a load bearing member (e.g., vertical or other types of loads) when coupled to the post 305, 1525. An inner portion of the post ledger fitting 307, 1530 is configured to be coupled to the post 305, 1525, e.g., using groove 1535 and a mechanical fastener (e.g., screw 330). An outer portion of post ledger fitting 307, 1530 is configured to be coupled to the ledger rail 1505 and configured to allow the post 305, 1525 to handle a load from the ledger rail 1505.
In one implementation, ledger rail fittings provide the ability to add a vertical guardrail to the end of a cantilevered ledger. In this implementation, the cantilevered ledger is decked for worker access. The ledger rail fittings allow a guardrail to be installed on the perimeter for worker safety, e.g., to prevent falling.
In one implementation, different spacing between the ledger rails in a bracing assembly can be achieved by using differently sized brace members 1712 with the ledger struts 1707. In one implementation, different spacing can also be achieved by adjusting lateral spacing between two ledger struts that are coupled to a brace member. In this implementation, moving ledger struts closer together or further apart and adjusting a coupling location for the brace members along the hole pattern of the ledger struts allows for different spacing to be achieved between the ledger rails.
In one implementation, standard aluminum form panels used in a drop deck shoring application can be easily stripped from the finished concrete pour while leaving the shoring posts in place as re-shoring for the next elevated pour. Re-shoring is used to support fresh concrete floor slabs from underneath while shoring is placed on top for the next elevated floor slab pour.
View 2010 is a view in a span direction of the modular header beam 1912 holding up standard aluminum panels 2045, 2047. Form alignment plates 2050, 2052 are used to connect the modular header beam 1912 to the standard panels 2045, 2047. Deck panel clip 2054 is used to couple modular header beam 1912 to standard aluminum panel 2047. Deck panel clip 2056 is used to couple modular header beam 1912 to standard aluminum panel 2045. Deck panel clips 2054, 2056 are used to couple the header beam to other components using grooves 1927, 1928, 1929, 1930, 1931, 1932 as described above with respect to
The standard panels 2030, 2032 of
As described above with respect to
Culvert form 2415 is made using components of a standard adjustable filler, e.g., filler side rails, lumber clips, and custom-cut wood inner rails to make the shape of a 45 degree corner. Wood shim 2455 may optionally be used by a contractor to achieve a correct form height
The configuration of
Once the concrete wall 2502 is poured at one level (in view 2505), the rollback shearwall deck is rolled back to a stripped position (in view 2510). A second landing bracket 2524 is anchored to the new wall (concrete wall 2502), then the entire rollback shearwall deck (i.e., the wall form that includes panel 2504 and the work platform that includes bracing assembly 2518) is lifted vertically from the top to the second landing bracket 2524. Landing bracket 2528 is mounted to an inside edge of the work platform and rests in a groove of landing bracket 2526. When the entire rollback shearwall deck is lifted, landing bracket 2528 comes off the lower landing bracket 2526, and is placed on the second landing bracket 2524, and the process repeats itself until the building is completed to the roof.
The arrangement shown in views 2505, 2510 is called a “Roll-Back Jump-Form” because the form jumps from one elevation to the next as vertical construction progresses. The present system utilizes standard components, with a few additional items, e.g., various fillers or other items, to satisfy particular formwork and shoring applications. Prior art systems have more specialized systems and do not use standard components that can be used in various configurations to address various needs.
The wall form and work platform can be picked up with a crane as a unit and landed onto a bracket at the next elevation. The wall form and work platform also allow the crane rigging to be released safely by the construction workers. The crane rigging is released more safely because the form panel seats itself onto the bracket securely and uses gravity to hold it in-place without human interaction. This allows the workers to access the platform safely to remove the rigging and complete the next wall pour.
In one implementation, the posts are all aluminum. The fittings may be cast steel or cast aluminum. With respect to the bracing assembly, the ledger panels are made of aluminum. The end fittings with the screw mechanism may be steel. The vertical struts may be steel. The cross brace may be an aluminum strap. In this manner, the bracing assembly can be a combination of aluminum and steel. The present shoring system does not use any welded aluminum.
The present shoring system includes a number of advantages and benefits. The present shoring system is part of a larger integrated construction system that provides a total solution for formwork, shoring and heavy-duty access. This new larger integrated construction system has significantly less items in its usable inventory, as compared to other independent task focused systems, i.e., prior art independent formwork systems, prior art independent shoring systems, and prior art independent heavy-duty access systems. The present integrated construction system has a unique approach to the type of materials used in its construction, as well as the method of manufacture. The present integrated construction system, by design, minimizes the number of separate components needed to provide shoring, formwork and worker access application. The integrated construction system further provides a unique method of manufacturing the integrated construction system components.
The present integrated construction system uses standard panels, e.g., panels 125, 2030, 2032, 2045, 2047, 2205, 2207, 2315, 2306, 2405, 2410, 2504, 2720, 2725, in various formwork, e.g., vertical formwork, and shoring configurations.
The integration of formwork, shoring and heavy-duty access into one system creates a unique and singular approach for providing a “construction system” vs. individual systems that are designed to handle one of the three applications. The present integrated construction system reduces the amount of inventoried components by over 75%, as compared to existing systems. In addition, this unique combination of components provides new innovative methods to construction worker access that is currently not available on elevated construction sites.
In combination with the robust nature of the materials of the integrated construction system and the method of assembly, the cost to own the present integrated construction system is vastly reduced for both a dead asset basis, as well as the physical maintenance cost required to maintain a formwork and access inventory. In addition, the integrated construction system provides an increased flexibility to handle field applications, as well as increase the efficiency for the contractors that will use the integrated construction system to build concrete structures.
The discussion above is directed to certain specific implementations. It is to be understood that the discussion above is only for the purpose of enabling a person with ordinary skill in the art to make and use any subject matter defined now or later by the patent “claims” found in any issued patent herein.
It is specifically intended that the claimed invention not be limited to the implementations and illustrations contained herein, but include modified forms of those implementations including portions of the implementations and combinations of elements of different implementations as come within the scope of the following claims. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions may be made to achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure. Nothing in this application is considered critical or essential to the claimed invention unless explicitly indicated as being “critical” or “essential.”
In the above detailed description, numerous specific details were set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, circuits and networks have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the embodiments.
It will also be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first object or step could be termed a second object or step, and, similarly, a second object or step could be termed a first object or step, without departing from the scope of the invention. The first object or step, and the second object or step, are both objects or steps, respectively, but they are not to be considered the same object or step.
The terminology used in the description of the present disclosure herein is for the purpose of describing particular implementations only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. As used in the description of the present disclosure and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will also be understood that the term “and/or” as used herein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms “includes,” “including,” “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.
As used herein, the term “if” may be construed to mean “when” or “upon” or “in response to determining” or “in response to detecting,” depending on the context. Similarly, the phrase “if it is determined” or “if [a stated condition or event] is detected” may be construed to mean “upon determining” or “in response to determining” or “upon detecting [the stated condition or event]” or “in response to detecting [the stated condition or event],” depending on the context. As used herein, the terms “up” and “down”; “upper” and “lower”; “upwardly” and downwardly”; “below” and “above”; and other similar terms indicating relative positions above or below a given point or element may be used in connection with some implementations of various technologies described herein.
While the foregoing is directed to implementations of various techniques described herein, other and further implementations may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, which may be determined by the claims that follow. Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/971,620, filed May 4, 2018, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/910,698, filed Mar. 2, 2018, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/845,962, filed Dec. 18, 2017, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/630,923, filed Jun. 22, 2017, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/471,173, filed Mar. 14, 2017, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/354,325, filed Jun. 24, 2016, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20190127996 A1 | May 2019 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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62471173 | Mar 2017 | US | |
62354325 | Jun 2016 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 15971620 | May 2018 | US |
Child | 16222825 | US | |
Parent | 15910698 | Mar 2018 | US |
Child | 15971620 | US | |
Parent | 15845962 | Dec 2017 | US |
Child | 15910698 | US | |
Parent | 15630923 | Jun 2017 | US |
Child | 15845962 | US |