Water proof construction unit
AssigneeVoid Form Products, Inc.
InventorMichael L. Turner
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present application includes a void form unit for creating a void space between concrete structures and expansive soil. The unit includes a cellular structure surrounded by a paper based shell. The cellular structure is impervious to moisture. Together the cellular structure and the shell make a singular rigid member. The rigid member is configured to temporarily support concrete and gradually increase in flexure so as to flex with the movement of the expansive soil. The shell is configured to weaken over time from the regulated absorption of moisture. The flexure of the cellular structure configured to increase with the deterioration of the shell.
Claims13
A water proof component void form for creating a void space between concrete structures and expansive soil, comprising:
- a cellular structure formed from an impervious material so as to avoid the absorption of moisture;
- and
- a paper based shell configured to selectively wrap around and couple to the cellular structure so as to form a singular rigid member;
- wherein the structural strength of the singular rigid member is configured to weaken over time by the gradual absorption of moisture in the paper based shell, the weakening occurring from the contact with the setting concrete.
A method of forming a void space between concrete and expansive soil, comprising:
- preparing the soil so as to have a proper slope and contour;
- framing in a pouring area with one or more forms, the pouring area to receive the concrete;
- aligning one or more void form units along the soil within the pouring area, the void form units including an impervious cellular structure surrounded by a moisture resistant paper based shell, the structural strength of the void form unit is configured to weaken over time by the gradual absorption of moisture in the concrete, the level of flexure of the cellular structure configured to increase with the deterioration of the paper based shell, the flexure designed to void damage to the concrete from movement of the expansive soil;
- and
- pouring the concrete on top of and around the void form units.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.