US 7,735,273 B2 · Poured concrete column hole

Abstract

A form system is provided for forming a structural column assembly of the type used for erecting building structures and the like, such as a concrete column or footing formed in situ in an earthen hole. The system includes a support system, including a wire support member and an associated base foam ring having an offset center hole corresponding to the centerline of the concrete footing, which is placed at the bottom of the earthen hole. A lower vertical form system, including multiple interlocking pieces, is assembled and joined at one end to an offset disk member. The disk member of the lower vertical form system is then placed onto the base foam ring in abutting engagement. The form system is then plumbed and positioned, e.g., in relation to one or more layout strings. Once the form system is in the correct position, the earthen hole is backfilled, e.g., with dirt or other material, thus holding the properly positioned form system in place. The lower vertical form system is then cut to grade. Reinforcing assemblies, such as rebar, can then be inserted into the lower vertical form system. Concrete can then be poured into the lower vertical form system, thus forming a lower portion of the concrete column or footing. An upper vertical form system can then be used to form the upper portion of the concrete column or footing, e.g., that portion that is above grade.

Claims35

Dependent claims

A form system for forming a structural element in situ in an earthen hole, comprising:

a support member for placement within the earthen hole;
an eccentric disk member disposed on top of the support member and defining an offset aperture with the support member configured for supporting the eccentric disk member in spaced relationship relative to a floor surface of the earthen hole;
a lower vertical form system disposed on top of the eccentric disk member, wherein the lower vertical form system includes a wall member having an outer face and an inner face, wherein the wall member defines a throughbore extending from a first end of the lower vertical form system to a second end of the lower vertical form system and wherein the throughbore and the offset aperture at least partially overlap to permit a curable material introduced into an open and upper end of the lower vertical form system to flow by gravity into and through the throughbore and through the offset aperture to envelope the support member in situ;
and
an upper vertical form system disposed on a surface of the lower vertical form system, wherein the upper vertical form system includes a wall member having an outer face and an inner face, wherein the wall member defines a throughbore extending from a first end of the upper vertical form system to a second end of the upper vertical form system, wherein at least a portion of the throughbore of the lower vertical form system and the throughbore of the upper vertical form system are coaxially aligned to permit the curable material to pass therethrough.

2 more elements

A method of forming a structural element in situ in an earthen hole with a form system including a support member, an eccentric disk member defining an offset aperture formed therein, and a lower vertical form system having a wall defining a throughbore extending between a first end and a second end of the lower vertical form system, said method comprising the steps of:

excavating the earthen hole to define a floor surface;
positioning the support member on the floor surface of the earthen hole;
positioning the disk member on top of the support member in spaced relationship to the floor surface of the earthen hole;
and
positioning the lower vertical form system on top of the disk member at least partially within the earthen hole with the offset aperture at least partially aligned with the throughbore;
and,
flowing a curable material into the throughbore after the form system is positioned within the earthen hole such that the curable material flows through the throughbore and the offset aperture to envelope the support member within the earthen hole.

4 more elements

A method of forming a structural element in situ in an earthen hole with a form system including a support member, an eccentric disk member defining an offset aperture formed therethrough, a second disk member defining a second offset aperture therethrough and a lower vertical form system having a wall defining a throughbore extending between a first end and a second end of the lower vertical form system, said method comprising the steps of:

excavating the earthen hole to define a floor surface and a diameter of the earthen hole;
positioning the support member on the floor surface of the earthen hole;
positioning the eccentric disk member on top of the support member in spaced relationship to the floor surface of the earthen hole, wherein the eccentric disk member includes a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the earthen hole;
attaching the second disk member to one of the first end and the second end of the wall of the lower vertical form system;
disposing the lower vertical form system and the second disk member on top of the eccentric disk member with the lower vertical form system at least partially within the earthen hole
positioning the lower vertical form system and the second disk member relative to the eccentric disk member such that the throughbore and the second offset aperture are at least partially aligned with the offset aperture of the eccentric disk member and such that the second disk member extends radially outward to cover any portion of the offset aperture of the eccentric disk member disposed radially outside the wall of the lower vertical form system;
and
flowing a curable material into the throughbore after the form system is positioned within the earthen hole such that the curable material flows through the throughbore and the offset aperture to envelope the support member within the earthen hole.

5 more elements

A form system for forming a structural element in situ in an earthen hole, comprising:

a support member for placement within the earthen hole;
an eccentric disk member disposed on top of the support member and defining an offset aperture with the support member configured for supporting the eccentric disk member in spaced relationship relative to a floor surface of the earthen hole;
a lower vertical form system disposed on top of the eccentric disk member, wherein the lower vertical form system includes a wall member having an outer face and an inner face, wherein the wall member defines a throughbore extending from a first end of the lower vertical form system to a second end of the lower vertical form system and wherein the throughbore and the offset aperture at least partially overlap to permit a curable material introduced into an open and upper end of the lower vertical form system to flow by gravity into and through the throughbore and through the offset aperture to envelope the support member in situ;
and
a second disk member disposed about either the first end or the second end of the wall member of the lower vertical form system, wherein the second disk member includes an area defining a second offset aperture formed therein, wherein the second disk member and the eccentric disk member are operable to be brought into abutting engagement such that at least a portion of the aperture of the eccentric disk member and the second offset aperture of the second disk member are coaxially aligned and the second disk member covers a portion of the offset aperture of the eccentric disk member radially disposed outside the wall member.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Poured concrete column hole

Life of this patent

Poured concrete column hole

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims35