US 6,395,213 B1Granted

Apparatus and method for producing cast concrete articles

OwnerAlma L. Staskiewicz, William S. Long, IIIinventors

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Abstract

A form for producing a cast concrete article can have a core at least partially surrounded by an outer jacket thus defining a cavity between an outer surface of the core and an inner surface of the outer jacket. A header can be provided generally sealed against the top of the outer jacket and around the top of the core. A bottom member can also be provided generally sealed against the bottom of the outer jacket and around the bottom of the core. The cavity thus being defined by the outer jacket, core, header and bottom member. A fill port, which can be selectively opened or closed, can communicate with the cavity through the outer jacket for filling the cavity with liquid concrete using a pump. Vents can be provided in the header for evacuating air when the cavity is being filled with liquefied concrete so that voids in the finished article are substantially eliminated.

Claims24

Dependent claims

A form for producing a cast concrete article comprising:

a. a core having an outer surface;
b. an outer jacket having an upper opening and a lower opening, said outer jacket at least partially surrounding said core, said outer jacket spaced apart from said outer surface of said core;
c. a header adjacent said upper opening of said outer jacket;
d. a bottom member adjacent said lower opening of said outer jacket;
e. said outer surface of said core, said outer jacket, said bottom member and said header defining a generally closed cavity having the shape of the concrete article to be cast therein;
f. a fill port communicating with said closed cavity for filling said closed cavity with concrete;
g. at least one vent in said header communicating said closed cavity with the atmosphere to at least one of release trapped air therethrough as said closed cavity is filled with concrete, and provide visual confirmation of said closed cavity being filled with concrete as evidenced by concrete exuding therethrough;
h. an opening through said outer jacket, said opening communicating with said closed cavity;
i. said fill port communicating with said opening such that said closed cavity is filled with concrete while said header is attached to said outer jacket;
and;
j. wherein said closed cavity is filled up to said header such that the shape of a top portion of the cast concrete article is defined by said header.

8 more elements

A method of making a cast concrete article comprising:

a. providing an outer jacket having an upper opening and a lower opening;
b. at least partially enclosing a core within said outer jacket, said core having an outer surface spaced apart from said outer jacket;
c. positioning a header adjacent said upper opening of said outer jacket;
d. positioning a bottom member adjacent said lower opening of said outer jacket;
e. defining a generally closed cavity having the shape of the concrete article to be cast therein, said closed cavity defined by said outer surface of said core, said outer jacket said header and said bottom member;
f. providing a fill port through said outer jacket, said fill port communicating with said closed cavity;
g. filling said closed cavity with liquefied concrete through said fill port with said header attached to said outer jacket such that the shape of a top portion of the finished cast concrete article is defined by said header;
and
h. venting said closed cavity to the atmosphere through said header to at least one of release trapped air in said closed cavity as said closed cavity fills with concrete, and provide visual confirmation of said closed cavity being filled with concrete as evidenced by concrete exuding from said closed cavity.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 09/344,131Filed 24 Jun 1999
Granted: 28 May 2002
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification5 codes

B28B 7/0008
Auxiliary parts or elements of the mould: venting channels, e.g. to avoid vacuum during demoulding or allowing air to escape during feeding,…
B28B 7/44
Characterised by means for modifying the properties of the moulding material: for treating with gases or degassing, e.g. for de-aerating
B28B 21/38
Applying fluid pressure or vacuum to the material: introducing the material wholly or partly under pressure ; Injection-moulding machines
B28B 21/82
Moulds: built-up from several parts; Multiple moulds; Moulds with adjustable parts