Concrete wall systems and methods and spacers therefor
AssigneeCemwall Systems
InventorsJerry R. Carr, Michael W. McClure, Lloyd E. Weaver
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A concrete wall system includes first and second opposing wall panels and a plurality of spacers disposed between the first and second wall panels. A plurality of reinforcing bars is placed between the first and second wall panels and supported by the spacers, and a concrete core is disposed between the first and second wall panels such that the spacers and the reinforcing bars are embedded in the concrete core. Each one of the spacers has a cup-like body defining a closed first end and an open second end with a flange formed on the second end. The spacer bodies are tapered so that the spacers are stackable.
Claims23
A spacer for positioning two opposing wall panels relative to one another, said spacer comprising:
- a cup-like body defining a first end and an open second end and having a base piece at said first end and a flange formed on said second end;
- wherein said base piece presents a surface that is attachable to a first one of said two wall panels and said flange presents a surface that is attachable to a second one of said two wall panels;
- and
- wherein said body is tapered such that said first end has a smaller cross-sectional area than said second end.
A concrete wall system comprising:
- first and second opposing wall panels;
- a plurality of spacers disposed between said first and second wall panels, each one of said spacers comprising a cup-like body defining a first end and an open second end and having a base piece at said first end and a flange formed on said second end, said body being tapered such that said first end has a smaller cross-sectional area than said second end;
- wherein each base piece is attached to said first wall panel and each flange is attached to said second wall panel;
- a plurality of reinforcing bars placed between said first and second wall panels and supported by said spacers;
- and
- a concrete core disposed between said first and second wall panels such that said spacers and said reinforcing bars are embedded in said concrete core.
A method of constructing a concrete wall system comprising:
- providing a shell assembly comprising first and second opposing wall panels in parallel, spaced-apart relation so as to define an inter-panel space therebetween with a plurality of spacers disposed in said inter-panel space, each one of said spacers comprising a cup-like body defining a first end and an open second end and having a base piece at said first end and a flange formed on said second end, said body being tapered such that said first end has a smaller cross-sectional area than said second end;
- inserting reinforcing bars through openings formed in said spacers;
- and
- pouring concrete into said inter-panel space.
A column comprising:
- first, second, third and fourth panels arranged in mutually orthogonal fashion to form a rectangular configuration, wherein said first and third panels are arranged parallel to each other and said second and fourth panels are arranged parallel to each other;
- at least one spacer extending between said first and third panels, said spacer comprising a length of pipe having an end cap attached to each and multiple openings formed therein;
- a horizontal reinforcing bar inserted lengthwise in said length of pipe;
- at least one vertical reinforcing bar inserted through a pair of said openings formed in said length of pipe;
- and
- a concrete core disposed between said first, second, third and fourth panels such that said spacer and said reinforcing bars are embedded in said concrete core.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.