BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to concrete form systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to a trench kicker that is useful for supporting panels in a concrete form system.
2. Description of Related Art
Lateral support of concrete form panels may be achieved by stakes driven into the horizontal ground adjacent to or through attachments on the outer surfaces of concrete form panels. Some applications of concrete forms require additional lateral support along an embankment or trench wall rather than on a horizontal surface outside of the concrete form system. One such application would be in a trench along the outer perimeter of a mono-slab concrete pour. Rather than using stakes alone, another approach is to use grade brackets such as the grade brackets described in pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/466,071. Stakes and grade brackets may not provide enough lateral support or adjustability of the placement of the concrete form in trenches, on a grade or hill.
Still another approach is to use grade brackets and additional wooden supports between trench walls and concrete form systems to provide additional lateral support to the concrete forms. While such conventional systems may provide support for concrete form panels adjacent to trenches, it is inconvenient to have to employ wooden supports in addition to the grade brackets. Furthermore, such systems do not provide great flexibility for adjusting the vertical, horizontal and angular support of concrete form panels on uneven soil laterally adjacent the form panels.
Accordingly, there exists a need in the art for a trench kicker that is useful for laterally supporting panels in a concrete form system in a variety of soil grades and conditions that require adjustable support.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An embodiment of a trench kicker is disclosed. The embodiment of a trench kicker may include a bottom support bracket configured to hold a bottom edge of a concrete form panel. The embodiment of a trench kicker may further include a top support bracket adjustably linked to the bottom support bracket and configured to hold a top edge of a concrete form panel. The embodiment of a trench kicker may further include a horizontal support member adjustably linked to the bottom support bracket. The embodiment of a trench kicker may further include a plurality of stake supports disposed along the horizontal support member, each stake support configured for attachment to a stake.
An embodiment of an adjustable trench kicker is disclosed. The embodiment of an adjustable trench kicker may include a hanger bracket for holding a concrete form panel. The embodiment of an adjustable trench kicker may further include a channel bracket configured for rotationally engaging the hanger bracket. The embodiment of an adjustable trench kicker may further include a slider bracket configured for sliding engagement with the channel bracket. The embodiment of an adjustable trench kicker may further include a horizontal adjustment for selectively locking the channel bracket to the slider bracket.
Another embodiment of a trench kicker is disclosed. This embodiment of a trench kicker may include a hanger bracket for holding a concrete form panel. This embodiment of a trench kicker may further include a channel bracket configured for engaging the hanger bracket. This embodiment of a trench kicker may further include a slider bracket configured for sliding engagement with the channel bracket. This embodiment of a trench kicker may further include a plurality of stake apertures in the channel bracket and the slider bracket, wherein aligned stake apertures in the channel bracket and the slider bracket may receive a stake therethrough.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
To further clarify the advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof that are illustrated in the appended drawings. It will be appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of the scope of the invention. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a left-rear perspective photograph of a trench kicker according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is right-side perspective photograph of a trench kicker according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a left-side perspective drawing of an adjustable trench kicker according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a right-side perspective photograph of an adjustable trench kicker according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a left-side perspective drawing of an adjustable trench kicker with a channel bracket shown in phantom lines according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 6A-6D are perspective, right-side, front and top views of an embodiment of a hanger bracket, according to the present invention.
FIGS. 7A-7D are perspective, top, right-side and end views of an embodiment of a channel bracket according to the present invention
FIGS. 8A-8D are perspective, top, right-side, and end views of a slider bracket, according to the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a photographic image of adjustable trench kickers used to support concrete form panels in a concrete form system.
FIG. 10 is a drawing of another embodiment of a trench kicker according to the present invention.
FIGS. 11A-D illustrate perspective, top, right-side and end views of an embodiment of a channel bracket according to the present invention.
FIGS. 12A-D illustrate perspective, top, right-side and end views of an embodiment of a slider bracket according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Reference will now be made to figures of embodiments of the present invention wherein like structures will be provided with like reference designations. It is understood that the drawings are diagrammatic and schematic representations of exemplary embodiments of the present invention and are neither limiting of the present invention nor are they necessarily drawn or shown to scale.
Referring now to FIG. 1, an embodiment of a trench kicker, shown generally at arrow 100, is shown according to the present invention. Trench kicker 100 may include a bottom support bracket 102 configured to hold a bottom edge 104 of a concrete form panel 106. Trench kicker 100 may also include a top support bracket 108 in communication with the bottom support bracket 102 and configured to hold a top edge 110 of a concrete form panel 106. Trench kicker 100 may further include a vertical adjustment 112 configured for selectively locking the bottom support bracket 102 in a desired vertical position. Trench kicker 100 may further include a horizontal support member 114 in communication with the bottom support bracket 102. Trench kicker 100 may further include a plurality of adjustable stake supports 116 (two shown in FIG. 1) along the horizontal support member, each configured for attachment to a stake 118 (two shown in FIG. 1). Adjustable stake supports 116 may be configured with hand-operated fittings (as shown in FIG. 1) or knobs (not shown) for tightening and loosening the trench kicker grip on stakes 118. Alternatively, adjustable stake supports 116 may be configured with tool-operated bolts or the like for securing the horizontal support member 114 at the desired location along the length of stake 118. Adjustable stake supports may have an aperture (as shown in FIG. 1) for receiving a stake therethrough. Trench kicker 100 may further include a bracket 120 for receiving bottom support bracket 102 and horizontal support member 114.
The embodiments of a trench kicker 100 disclosed herein are configured for supporting a concrete form panel 106 used in a concrete form system in any desired position. The desired position may be over a trench used in the construction of a mono-slab of concrete. The mono-slab of concrete may or may not have a thickened edge or region for receiving overflow near the bottom edges of the mono-slab of concrete. However, the trench kicker 100 is not limited to use in supporting concrete form panels 106 over trenches. For example, trench kicker 100 may be used to support concrete form panels 106 in any desired position on any surface material capable of accepting stakes 118. For example and not by way of limitation, trench kicker 100 may be used to support a concrete form panel 106 on flat ground or pavement without any underlying trench if desired. A trench kicker 100 is generally supported by a plurality of stakes 118 (two shown) placed into ground 124. Furthermore, trench kicker 100 is generally supported via the stakes 118 at a position laterally adjacent to the concrete form panel 106.
FIG. 2 is a right-side perspective photograph of a trench kicker 100 according to the present invention. FIG. 2 shows the use of a trench kicker 100 being used to support a concrete form panel 106 at an angle, θ, relative to vertical. Note also that the horizontal support member 114 may be supported by stakes 118 in any suitable angle relative to the ground 124. This is a particularly useful feature where the trench kicker 100 is used over a trench and the ground 124 to which the stakes 118 are inserted may be soft dirt that has recently been removed from a trench. Additionally as shown in FIG. 2, horizontal support member 114 need not be supported at an angle parallel to ground 124. This is particularly useful in conditions where the ground is not level. The adjustable stake supports may allow for any suitable angle of the stakes 118 in obtaining support for the concrete form panel 106. Thus, according to one embodiment of trench kicker 100, each of the stake supports 116 is configured to lock a stake 118 at any angle relative to the long axis of the horizontal support member 114.
Referring again to FIG. 1, according to one embodiment of trench kicker 100, bottom support bracket 102 may have a hook (not visible in FIG. 1) for receiving the bottom edge 104 of the concrete form panel 106. Bottom support bracket 102 may be configured with a hollow structure to receive top support bracket 108 disposed within bottom support bracket 102, according to the illustrated embodiment.
Trench kicker 100 may further include a horizontal adjustment 122 configured for selectively locking the horizontal support member 114 in a desired horizontal position. According to another embodiment of trench kicker 100, the horizontal adjustment 122 may be in communication with the bracket 120. For example and not by way of limitation, horizontal adjustment 122 may be mounted directly to bracket 120 as shown in FIG. 1.
Top support bracket 108 may be configured with a hook 126 for holding a top edge 110 of the concrete form panel 106. Top support bracket 108 may be spring-loaded to hold the top edge 110 of the concrete form panel 106, according to one embodiment of the present invention. According to another embodiment, top support bracket 108 may be held in place by gravity. According to yet another embodiment, top support bracket 108 may be held in place by any suitable adjustable locking mechanism (not shown in FIG. 1 but, for example, similar to the vertical adjustment 112 or the horizontal adjustment 122).
Top support bracket 108 may be in slidable communication with bottom support bracket 102. For example in one embodiment, top support bracket 108 may fit just inside a hollow bottom support bracket 102. According to another embodiment, support bracket 108 may be hollow and fit just around bottom support bracket 102. Of course other possible configurations may include the top support bracket 108 configured to adjustably slide adjacent the bottom support bracket 102.
Bottom support bracket 102, top support bracket 108, horizontal support member 114 and bracket 120 are all shown with square cross-sections in FIG. 1. Other embodiments with round cross-sections or other shaped cross-sections are also contemplated to be within the scope of the present invention.
Vertical adjustment 112 and horizontal adjustment 122 may be configured with hand-operated fittings 128 as shown in FIG. 1 or knobs (not shown). Alternatively, vertical adjustment 112 and horizontal adjustment 122 may be configured with tool-operated bolts, quick-release mechanisms or other fasteners known to those skilled in the art.
Trench kicker 100 may be formed of carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, carbon fiber or any other suitable material. Trench kicker 100 may be configured to work with any suitably sized concrete form panel 106. The material from which concrete form panel 106 is formed is generally of no consequence as long as it is supportable using the bottom support bracket 102 with hook (not shown) and top support bracket 108 with hook 126. For example, concrete form panel 106 may be formed of aluminum, wood, steel, plastic or any other suitable concrete form panel material. Hook 126 may be configured for a snug fit (friction fit) or loose fit with the concrete form panel 106 as desired. Hook 126 may be of any suitable shape or material consistent with the present invention.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, another embodiment of a trench kicker 100 is disclosed below. This embodiment of a trench kicker 100 may include a bottom support bracket 102 configured to hold a bottom edge 104 of a concrete form panel 106. The trench kicker 100 may further include a top support bracket 108 adjustably linked to the bottom support bracket 102 and configured to hold a top edge 110 of a concrete form panel 106. The trench kicker 100 may further include a horizontal support member 114 adjustably linked to the bottom support bracket 102. The trench kicker 100 may further include a plurality of stake supports 116 disposed along the horizontal support member 114, each stake support 116 configured for attachment to a stake 118.
Another embodiment of a trench kicker 100 may further include a bracket 120 for receiving the bottom support bracket 102 and the horizontal support member 114. According to yet another embodiment, trench kicker 100 may further include a horizontal adjustment configured for selectively locking the horizontal support member in a desired horizontal position. According to still another embodiment, the bracket may include the horizontal adjustment configured for selectively locking the horizontal support member in a desired horizontal position.
Another embodiment of a trench kicker 100 may further include a vertical adjustment 112 configured for selectively locking the bottom support bracket 102 in a desired vertical position. According to another embodiment of a trench kicker 100, the top support bracket 108 slides within the bottom support bracket 102. Of course another embodiment (not shown) contemplates the bottom support bracket 102 sliding within the top support bracket 108.
According to another embodiment (not shown), the top support bracket 108 may be configured for spring biasing against the top edge 110 of the concrete form panel 106. One of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize various means of applying a spring bias to hold the top support bracket 108 against the top edge 110 of the concrete form panel 106, e.g., leaf and coil springs. The embodiment of trench kicker 100 illustrated simply relies on gravity to hold the top support bracket 108 against the top edge 110 of the concrete form panel 106, which is sufficient for most all purposes.
Referring now to FIGS. 3-5, an adjustable trench kicker 300 is shown. Adjustable trench kicker 300 may include a hanger bracket 302 for holding a concrete form panel 106. According to another embodiment, the hanger bracket 302 may be configured to be adjustable for differing heights of concrete form panels 106. Alternatively, hanger brackets 302 may be configured for specific heights of standard concrete form panels 106. FIGS. 6A-6D are perspective, right-side, front and top views of an embodiment of a hanger bracket 302. FIG. 6B illustrates top hook 312 and bolt hole 310. Note that the dimensions shown are exemplary only and that the inside length, L, can be made for any suitable height of a concrete form panel 106.
Referring again to FIGS. 3-5, adjustable trench kicker 300 may further include a channel bracket 304 configured for rotationally engaging the hanger bracket 302. According to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 6, the hanger bracket 302 may be configured with a plurality of bolt holes 310 for mounting to the channel bracket 304. Rotational engagement of the channel bracket 304 to the hanger bracket 302 facilitates precise placement and support of the concrete form panel 106. Any suitable means may be used for rotationally engaging, including nuts and bolts 318 (FIG. 4), bushings, bearings or any other rotational engagement means known to those skilled in the art. According to another embodiment, the channel bracket 304 may be configured for fixed engagement with the hanger bracket 302. The fixed engagement function may be achieved by using nuts and bolts 318 (FIG. 4). The fixed engagement may allow for the concrete form panel to be at any suitable angle, θ (FIG. 2), relative to vertical. Additionally, the fixed engagement may allow for the channel bracket 304 to be at any suitable angle (not shown) relative to horizontal ground to achieve the desired support. FIGS. 7A-7D are perspective, top, right-side and end views of an embodiment of channel bracket 304 according to the present invention. FIG. 7B illustrates tension adjustment apertures 322A and stake aperture 330. FIG. 7C illustrates channel 328, hole 334 and bolt holes 310. FIG. 7D illustrates the “C” cross-section of channel bracket 304 within which slider bracket 306 slides. Again, the dimensions shown in FIGS. 7B-7D are exemplary only and not intended to be limiting of the invention.
Referring again to FIGS. 3-5, adjustable trench kicker 300 may further include a slider bracket 306 configured for sliding engagement with the channel bracket 304. Slider bracket 306 further includes at least one stake aperture for receiving a stake 118 therethrough. According to the illustrated embodiment, slider bracket 306 may be sized to slide within channel bracket 304. According to another embodiment (not shown) a cooperating set of grooves and channels formed in the channel bracket 304 and slider bracket 306 may be employed to achieve sliding engagement. Additionally, lubrication in the form of graphite, grease or oil may also be used between the channel bracket 304 and slider bracket 306 according to other embodiments of adjustable trench kicker 300. FIGS. 8A-8D are perspective, top, right-side, and end views of a slider bracket 306, according to the present invention. FIG. 8B illustrates a plurality of tension adjustment apertures 322B (five shown) and a stake aperture 332. FIG. 8C illustrates a horizontal adjustment hole 802 for receiving bolt 338 (FIG. 5) of the horizontal adjustment 308.
Referring again to FIGS. 3-5, adjustable trench kicker 300 may further include a horizontal adjustment 308 for selectively locking the channel bracket 304 to the slider bracket 306. As best shown in FIG. 5, (where channel bracket 304 is shown in phantom lines) horizontal adjustment 308 may include a knob 336 and/or bolt 338 with or without a washer or plate 340. It will be understood that one of skill in the art will readily recognize that horizontal adjustment 308 may be achieve by many equivalent structures, e.g., a locking lever, clamp, or pin.
According to the illustrated embodiment of adjustable trench kicker 300, hanger bracket 302 includes a top hook 312 (best illustrated in FIG. 4) configured for contacting an inside surface 314 and a top edge 110 of the concrete form panel 106. According to the illustrated embodiment of adjustable trench kicker 300, hanger bracket 302 may further include a bottom lip 316 (FIG. 4) configured to engage a bottom edge 104 (FIG. 3) of the concrete form panel 106 (FIG. 3).
According to another embodiment, adjustable trench kicker 300 may further include a mechanism shown generally at 320 (FIGS. 3 and 5) for selectively adjusting the tension between the channel bracket 304 and the slider bracket 306. As best shown in FIG. 5, the mechanism 320 may include tension adjustment apertures 322A, 322B in the channel bracket 304 and the slider bracket 306, respectively, wherein opposing aligned or partially aligned tension adjustment apertures 322A, 322B may be engaged by a lever 324 to slidably adjust (shown as light gray arrows 326 in FIG. 3 moving lever 324) the channel bracket 304 relative to the slider bracket 306. According to the illustrated embodiment (FIGS. 3 and 5), lever 324 may be a stake 118 because stakes 118 will be readily available with most any concrete form system.
Of course other equivalent mechanisms 320 (not shown) will be readily apparent to one of skill in the art, and are contemplated to be within the scope of the present invention. For example, and not by way of limitation, a knob and screw adjustment or a ratchet mechanism could be used to incrementally adjust the position of the slider bracket 306 within the channel bracket 304 to set the tension between the ground 124 and the concrete form panel 106. The precise adjustment of the tension may be fixed by engaging horizontal adjustment 308. As shown in FIGS. 3-4, horizontal adjustment 308 may slide within channel 328 formed in channel bracket 304.
According to the illustrated embodiment of adjustable trench kicker 300, channel bracket 304 may further include at least one stake aperture 330 (one shown) for receiving a stake therethrough. The stake aperture 330 provides a location near the concrete form panel 106 for securing the adjustable trench kicker 300 to the ground 124 (FIG. 1). Adjustable trench kicker 300 may further include a hole 334 in the channel bracket 304 near the stake aperture 330 for locking the adjustable trench kicker 300 to a stake 118 passing through stake aperture 330. The locking function may be achieved with a bolt (not shown) or an adjustable stake support 116 (FIG. 1), for example and not by way of limitation.
FIG. 9 is a photographic image of adjustable trench kickers 300 used to support concrete form panels 106 in a concrete form system. Note that hanger brackets 302 are configured for a double high concrete form panel 106. Stakes 118 may be used to secure the trench kickers to the ground as desired.
FIG. 10 is a drawing of another embodiment of a trench kicker 500. Trench kicker 500 may include a hanger bracket 302 for holding a concrete form panel as described above. Trench kicker 500 does not include a horizontal adjustment 308 as described above. Rather, trench kicker 500 is configured for a discrete number of selectable lengths.
Trench kicker 500 may further include a channel bracket 504 configured for engaging the hanger bracket 302. The engagement may be by nut and bolt 318 (FIG. 4) as described above. The channel bracket 504 may have a plurality of stake apertures 330 (three shown in FIG. 10). Trench kicker 500 may further include a slider bracket 506 configured for sliding engagement with the channel bracket 504. As shown in FIG. 10, slider bracket 506 may slide within the channel bracket 504 but other schemes or mechanisms may be used for sliding engagement.
FIGS. 11A-D illustrate perspective, top, right-side and end views of a channel bracket 504 according to the present invention. FIG. 11B illustrates stake apertures 330 (three shown) in the channel bracket 504. FIG. 11C illustrates bolt holes 310 used for engaging hanger bracket 302 (FIG. 10) with a nut and bolt (not shown, but see 318 in FIG. 4). FIG. 11D illustrates the “C” cross-section of channel bracket 504. The dimensions shown in FIGS. 11B-D are merely exemplary and not intended to be limiting of scope of channel brackets 504 consistent with the present invention.
FIGS. 12A-D illustrate perspective, top, right-side and end views of a slider bracket 506. FIG. 12B illustrates stake apertures 332 (three shown). Note that one or more stake apertures 332 may be aligned with stake apertures 330 of the channel bracket 504 to allow insertion of a stake 118 (FIG. 1) to secure a trench kicker 500 to the ground 124 (FIG. 1). It will be understood that the spacing of stake aperture 332 along slider bracket 506 may be identical to the spacing of stake apertures 330 of the channel bracket 504 according to one embodiment. This feature allows for a plurality of discrete horizontal lengths to be achieved with the combination of channel bracket 504 and slider bracket 506 in the trench kicker 500. According to other embodiments, stake apertures 330 and 332 may number greater than three on each respective bracket and may also be arbitrarily spaced.
While the foregoing advantages of the present invention are manifested in the illustrated embodiments of the invention, a variety of changes can be made to the configuration, design and construction of the invention to achieve those advantages. Hence, reference herein to specific details of the structure and function of the present invention is by way of example only and not by way of limitation.
Patent Application
20080067308
