Formwork systems and related methods
11753834 · 2023-09-12
Assignee
Inventors
Cpc classification
E04G25/063
FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
E04G21/26
FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
E04G19/003
FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
E04G17/002
FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
International classification
E04G17/14
FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
E04G17/00
FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
E04G19/00
FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
E04G21/26
FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
Abstract
A formwork system includes (a) a wallform panel for forming a wall portion; and (b) at least one brace assembly including a pair of vertically spaced apart props pivotably connected to the wallform panel for pivoting of the brace assembly relative to the wallform panel between a storage position, in which the brace assembly lies adjacent the wallform panel, and a deployed position, in which the brace assembly projects from the wallform panel for anchoring the props to a ground surface through a common base plate connected to each prop.
Claims
1. A formwork system, comprising: a) a wallform panel having a first side for forming a concrete wall portion and a second side opposite the first side; b) at least one brace assembly mounted to the second side of the wallform panel for supporting and aligning the wallform panel, the brace assembly including: i) a base plate for anchoring to a ground surface spaced horizontally apart from the wallform panel, ii) a pair of vertically spaced apart swivel connectors pivotably mounted to the second side of the wallform panel for pivoting about a vertical axis relative to the wallform panel, and iii) a pair of vertically spaced apart props, each prop having an adjustable length between a first end and a second end, the first end of each prop pivotably connected to the base plate and the second end of each prop pivotably connected to a corresponding swivel connector, and the props fixed to pivot with the swivel connectors about the vertical axis for swinging the brace assembly between a deployed position, in which the brace assembly projects from the wallform panel for anchoring the base plate and supporting the wallform panel upright, and a storage position, in which the brace assembly lies adjacent the wallform panel.
2. The formwork system of claim 1, wherein each swivel connector is pivotably connected to the wallform panel through a vertical pivot pin extending along the vertical axis through the swivel connector and a mount detachably secured to a frame of the wallform panel.
3. The formwork system of claim 1, wherein the first end of each prop is pivotably connected to the base plate through a corresponding first horizontal pivot pin, and the second end of each prop is pivotably connected to a corresponding swivel connector through a corresponding second horizontal pivot pin.
4. The formwork system of claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism operable to selectively lock the brace assembly in either of the deployed position and the storage position, and unlock the brace assembly for swinging between the deployed and storage positions.
5. The formwork system of claim 4, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a removable locking pin insertable through a swivel aperture in the swivel connector and one of (i) a deployed-position aperture fixed relative to the wallform panel and in alignment with the swivel aperture when the brace assembly is in the deployed position, and (ii) a storage-position aperture fixed relative to the wallform panel and in alignment with the swivel aperture when the brace assembly is in the storage position.
6. The formwork system of claim 1, wherein each prop comprises a turnbuckle mechanism for adjusting the length.
7. A brace assembly for supporting and aligning a wallform panel, comprising: c) a base plate for anchoring to a ground surface spaced horizontally apart from the wallform panel; d) a pair of vertically spaced apart swivel connectors pivotably connectable to the wallform panel for pivoting about a vertical axis relative to the wallform panel; and c) a pair of vertically spaced apart props, each prop extending between a first end connected to the base plate and a second end connected to a corresponding swivel connector, the props fixed to pivot with the swivel connectors about the vertical axis for swinging the brace assembly between a deployed position, in which the brace assembly projects from the wallform panel, and a storage position, in which the brace assembly lies adjacent the wallform panel, wherein at least one of the props has an adjustable length between the first and second ends.
8. The brace assembly of claim 7, wherein each swivel connector is pivotably connectable to the wallform panel through a vertical pivot pin passing through the swivel connector and a corresponding mount detachably securable to a frame of the wallform panel.
9. The brace assembly of claim 7, further comprising a locking mechanism operable to selectively lock the brace assembly in at least one of the deployed position and the storage position, and unlock the brace assembly for swinging between the deployed and storage positions.
10. The brace assembly of claim 9, wherein the locking mechanism is operable to selectively lock the brace assembly relative to the wallform panel in the deployed position and in the storage position.
11. The brace assembly of claim 7, wherein each swivel connector has a first joint portion pivotably connected to a mount detachably securable to a frame of the wallform panel for pivoting of the swivel connector about a vertical axis relative to the mount, and a second joint portion pivotably connected to the second end of a corresponding prop for pivoting of the prop about a horizontal axis relative to the swivel connector and for pivoting of the prop with the swivel connector about the vertical axis relative to the mount to swing the brace assembly between the deployed and storage positions.
12. The brace assembly of claim 11, wherein the swivel connector is pivotably connected to the mount through a vertical pivot pin extending along the vertical axis.
13. The brace assembly of claim 11, further comprising a locking mechanism operable to selectively lock the swivel connector relative to the mount for inhibiting pivoting of the swivel connector about the vertical axis when the brace assembly is in the deployed position and when the brace assembly is in the storage position, and to unlock the swivel connector relative to the mount to permit swinging of the brace assembly between the deployed and storage positions.
14. The brace assembly of claim 11, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a removable locking pin insertable through a swivel aperture in the swivel connector and one of (i) a deployed-position aperture in the mount and in alignment with the swivel aperture when the brace assembly is in the deployed position, and (ii) a storage-position aperture in the mount and in alignment with the swivel aperture when the brace assembly is in the storage position.
15. The swivel apparatus of claim 14, wherein each of the swivel aperture, the deployed-position aperture, and the storage-position aperture extends parallel with and is spaced horizontally apart from the vertical axis.
16. The swivel apparatus of claim 15, wherein the storage-position aperture is spaced apart from the deployed-position aperture by about 90 degrees about the vertical axis.
17. A method of operating a formwork system, comprising: a) positioning the formwork system upright, the formwork system comprising a wallform panel and a brace assembly pivotably connected to the wallform panel, the brace assembly including a pair of vertically spaced apart props, each prop having a first end pivotably connected to the wallform panel and a second end connected to a base plate of the brace assembly; b) swinging the brace assembly relative to the wallform panel from a storage position to a deployed position; c) when the brace assembly is in the deployed position, anchoring the base plate to a ground surface spaced apart from the wallform panel; d) after (c), adjusting a length of at least one of the props to align the wallform panel; e) after (d), unanchoring the base plate from the ground surface; f) after (e), swinging the brace assembly from the deployed position back to the storage position.
18. The method of claim 17, further comprising: prior to (b), unlocking the brace assembly from the storage position; prior to (c), locking the brace assembly in the deployed position; prior to (f), unlocking the brace assembly from the deployed position; and after (f), locking the brace assembly in the storage position.
19. The method of claim 17, after (f), transporting the formwork system with the brace assembly in the storage position and pivotably connected to the wallform panel to a different location, and repeating steps (a) to (f) at the different location.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) The drawings included herewith are for illustrating various examples of apparatuses, systems, and methods of the present specification and are not intended to limit the scope of what is taught in any way. In the drawings:
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
(15) Various apparatuses, systems, or processes will be described below to provide an example of an embodiment of each claimed invention. No embodiment described below limits any claimed invention and any claimed invention may cover systems, processes, or apparatuses that differ from those described below. The claimed inventions are not limited to systems, apparatuses, or processes having all of the features of any one system, apparatus, or process described below or to features common to multiple or all of the systems, apparatuses, or processes described below. It is possible that a system, apparatus, or process described below is not an embodiment of any claimed invention. Any invention disclosed in a system, apparatus, or process described herein that is not claimed in this document may be the subject matter of another protective instrument, for example, a continuing patent application, and the applicants, inventors, or owners do not intend to abandon, disclaim, or dedicate to the public any such invention by its disclosure in this document.
(16) During wall formation, a pair of opposing wallform panels can be supported upright and tied together with a space therebetween for filling with a pourable building material, such as, for example, concrete. One or more outboard brace assemblies can be connected to one of the wallform panels to help support the panels upright. The brace assemblies can include one or more props extending between one end mounted to one of the wallform panels and an opposing end anchored to a ground surface spaced apart from the wallform panels. The props can have a length that is adjustable to facilitate positioning and alignment of the wallform panels supported by the brace assembly prior to pouring of the building material. In some examples, after the wall is formed, the brace assembly can be disconnected from the wallform panels and disassembled for temporary storage and/or transport to a different location (e.g. another level of a multi-story building) for formation of another wall portion.
(17) According to some aspects of the present disclosure, adjustable formwork systems are disclosed that can facilitate deployment, take-down, storage, and/or transport of the formwork systems without necessarily requiring disconnection of the brace assemblies from the wallform panels. In some examples, this can facilitate a more space- and time-efficient, and in some cases safer, wall formation process relative to some other processes.
(18) Referring to
(19) Referring to
(20) In the example illustrated, the brace assembly 120 includes a base plate 122 for anchoring to a ground surface 124 spaced horizontally apart from the wallform panel 104, a pair of vertically spaced apart swivel connectors 128 pivotably mounted to the wallform panel 104, and a pair of vertically spaced apart props 130 for supporting and aligning the wallform panel 104. Each prop 130 extends along a prop axis 132 between a first end 134 connected to the base plate 122 and a second end 136 connected to a corresponding swivel connector 128.
(21) In the example illustrated, the pair of swivel connectors 128 includes an upper swivel connector 128a and a lower swivel connector 128b below and in horizontal alignment with the upper swivel connector 128b. In the example illustrated, the pair of props 130 include an upper prop 130a and a lower prop 130b below and in horizontal alignment with the upper prop 130a. The upper prop 130a has its second end 136 connected to the wallform panel 104 through the upper swivel connector 128a and its first end 134 connected to the base plate 122, and the lower prop 130b has its second end 136 connected to the wallform panel through the lower swivel connector 128b and its first end 134 connected to the same base plate 122. Providing upper and lower props 130a, 130b connected to a common base plate 122 can help with stability of the wallform panel during deployment and use, and in some cases, can help provide for a more efficient and/or safer wall formation process, relative to providing, for example, a single prop or a pair of props anchored through separate base plates. In the example illustrated, the prop axis 132 of each prop 130 extends downwardly at an angle from the second end 136 (connected to the swivel connecter 128) to the first end 134 (connected to the base plate 122).
(22) Referring to
(23) Referring to
(24) In the example illustrated, each prop 130 comprises a length adjustment mechanism 146 for adjusting the prop length. In the example illustrated, the length adjustment mechanism comprises a turnbuckle mechanism, which can allow for infinite adjustment of the prop length over an adjustment distance. In the example illustrated, the turnbuckle mechanism comprises a first rod 148 extending along the prop axis 132 from the first end 134 of the prop 130 to a threaded end of the first rod 148, a second rod 150 extending along the prop axis 132 from the second end 136 of the prop 130 to a threaded end of the second rod 150 having an opposite handedness relative to the threaded end of the first rod 148, and a turnbuckle frame 152 between and threadingly receiving the threaded ends of the first and second rods 148, 150 at opposite ends of the frame 152. The turnbuckle frame 152 is rotatable about the prop axis 132 relative to the threaded ends of the first and second rods 148, 150 to adjust a spacing therebetween for adjustment of the prop length.
(25) Referring to
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(30) In the example illustrated, the locking mechanism 170 is operable to lock the swivel connector 128 relative to the wallform panel 104 to inhibit pivoting of the swivel connector 128 (and the brace assembly 120) about the vertical axis 138 when the brace assembly 120 is in either of the deployed and storage positions. Referring to
(31) In the example illustrated, each of the swivel aperture 174, the deployed-position aperture 176, and the storage-position aperture 178 extends parallel with and is spaced horizontally apart from the vertical axis 138, and the storage-position aperture 178 is spaced apart from the deployed-position aperture 176 by about 90 degrees about the vertical axis 138. In the example illustrated, the deployed-position and storage-position apertures 176, 178 are provided in the mount 164, and the locking mechanism 170 is operable to selectively lock the swivel connector 128 relative to the mount 164 for inhibiting pivoting of the swivel connector 128 about the vertical axis 138 to lock the brace assembly in either the deployed or storage positions. In the example illustrated, the locking mechanism 170 has two storage-position apertures 178 spaced apart from each other about the vertical axis by about 180 degrees, so that the brace assembly 120 can be moved to and locked in either of two storage positions (i.e. a first storage position offset from the deployed position by about 90 degrees in a clockwise direction about the vertical axis 138, and a second storage position offset from the deployed position by about 90 degrees in a counter-clockwise direction about the vertical axis 138).
(32) Referring to
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(34) In the example illustrated, the first channel 198a is sized to receive a corresponding frame member 118a (
(35) Referring to
(36) Referring to
(37) When in the deployed position, the brace assembly 120 is locked relative to the wallform panel 104 through operation of the locking mechanism 170 (e.g. by inserting the locking pin 172 through the swivel aperture 174 and the deployed-position aperture 176), and the base plate 122 is anchored to the ground surface 124 using one or more anchors 126 (e.g. anchor bolts—
(38) After alignment, and with the panels 104, 106 tied together, the building material (e.g. concrete) is poured into the space 110 between the panels 104, 106. When the building material is sufficiently cured, the formwork system 100 can be taken down. The take down process includes unanchoring the base plate 122 from the ground surface 124, unlocking the brace assembly 120 from the deployed position if previously locked (e.g. by removing the locking pin 172 from the swivel aperture 174 and the deployed-position aperture 176), and swinging the brace assembly 120 back to the storage position.
(39) When back in the storage position, the brace assembly 120 is locked relative to the wallform panel 104 (e.g. by inserting the locking pin 172 through the swivel aperture 174 and one of the storage-position apertures 178), and the formwork system 100 can be transported with the brace assembly 120 connected to the wallform panel 104 for storage or deployment at a different location to form another wall portion.
(40) When used for forming walls in a multi-level building, the formwork system 100 can be temporarily stored in a perimeter protection area of the multi-level building when not in use (e.g. stored adjacent perimeter protection panels outboard of the active construction area). During such storage, the brace assembly 120 can be locked in the storage position and remain connected to the wallform panel 104, allowing for more convenient transport to a different location (e.g. to another level of the building) and more rapid deployment and take down (e.g. by not necessarily requiring reconnection and disconnection of the brace assembly 120 to and from the wallform panel 104).