US 8,555,590 B2Granted

Pivotally activated connector components for form-work systems and methods for use of same

AssigneeCFS Concrete Forming Systems Inc.

InventorsGeorge David Richardson, Semion Krivulin

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

A stay-in-place form for casting concrete structures comprises a plurality of elongate panels interconnectable in edge-to-edge relationship via complementary connector components on their longitudinal edges to define at least a portion of a perimeter of the form. Each panel comprises a first contoured connector component comprising a protrusion on a first longitudinal edge thereof and a second contoured connector component comprising a receptacle on a second longitudinal edge thereof. The panels are connectable to one another in edge-to-edge relationship by positioning the protrusion of a first panel in or near the receptacle of a second panel and effecting relative pivotal motion between the first connector component of the first panel and the second connector component of the second panel to extend the protrusion of the first panel into the receptacle of the second panel.

Claims26

Dependent claims

A stay-in-place form for casting structures from concrete or other curable construction materials comprising:

a plurality of elongate panels interconnectable in edge-to-edge relationship via complementary connector components on their longitudinal edges to define at least a portion of a perimeter of the form;
wherein each panel comprises a first connector component comprising a protrusion on a first longitudinal edge thereof and a second connector component comprising a receptacle on a second longitudinal edge thereof;
wherein interconnection of the panels to one another in edge-to-edge relationship forms edge-to-edge connections therebetween;
wherein for each edge-to-edge connection between a first one of the panels and a second one of the panels, the first connector component of the first one of the panels and the second connector component of the second one of the panels comprise shapes contoured such that relative pivotal motion between the first connector component of the first one of the panels and the second connector component of the second one of the panels about an axis generally parallel to at least one of the longitudinal edges creates the edge-to-edge connection by causing:
extension of the protrusion of the first connector component of the first one of the panels into the receptacle of the second connector component of the second one of the panels;
deformation of at least one of:
the first connector component of the first one of the panels and the second connector component of the second one of the panels;
and
restorative deformation forces created by the deformation of the at least one of the first connector component of the first one of the panels and the second connector component of the second one of the panels to at least partially restore the deformation and to thereby retain the first connector component of the first one the panels and the second connector component of the second one of the panels in a locked configuration.

6 more elements

A first elongate panel for use with a form assembly for casting structures from concrete or similar curable construction materials, the first panel comprising complementary connector components on its longitudinal edges for interconnection in edge-to-edge relationship with other similar panels, the complementary connector components comprising a first connector component comprising a protrusion on a first longitudinal edge of the first panel and a second connector component comprising a receptacle on a second longitudinal edge of the first panel, wherein the first panel is connectable in an edge-to-edge relationship to a second similar panel to form an edge-to-edge connection therebetween,

wherein the first connector component and the second connector component comprise shapes contoured such that relative pivotal motion between the first connector component of the first panel and the second connector component of the second similar panel about an axis generally parallel to at least one of the longitudinal edges creates the edge-to-edge connection by causing:
extension of the protrusion of the first connector component of the first panel in to the receptacle of the second connector component of the second similar panel;
deformation of at least one of:
the first connector component of the first panel and the second connector component of the second similar panel;
and
restorative deformation forces created by the deformation of the at least one of the first connector component of the first panel and the second connector component of the second similar panel to at least partially restore the deformation and to thereby retain the connector components in a locked configuration.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 12/742,082Filed 7 Nov 2008 · us provisional application
Priority: 9 Nov 2007
Published: US 2010/0251657 A17 Oct 2010
Granted: 15 Oct 2013
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification11 codes

E04G 17/00
Connecting or other auxiliary members for forms, falsework structures, or shutterings
E04B 1/66
Insulation or other protection; Elements or use of specified material therefor: sealings
E04B 2/86
Walls made by casting, pouring, or tamping in situ: made in permanent forms
E04B 2/8641
With ties attached to the inner faces of the forms: using dovetail-type connections