CONCRETE FORM SYSTEM AND METHOD

Abstract

A concrete form system including a barrier, a connection member, and a wall-base mold. In operation, two rows of barriers are connected with a connection member to define a channel for a concrete mixture. The concrete mixture is poured into the channel to form and set. The wall-base mold may be used to provide an additional extension to the channel used in construction. The wall-base mold is useful to aid in the construction of a residential building. The concrete form system is useful for providing a reusable concrete form.

Claims

1. A concrete form system, the concrete form system comprising: a barrier, said barrier having an inside surface, an outside surface, opposing ends, a bottom and, a top face, said top face having at least one upwardly facing aperture; a connection member, said connection member including a pin, said pin having a length, and a peg, said peg configured to mate with said at least one upwardly facing aperture, said connection member configured to mate a plurality of barriers wherein said inside surface of said plurality of barriers are opposed; a wall-base mold, said wall-base mold configured to mate with said top face of said barrier, said wall-base mold comprising: a horizontal member having a first end, a second end, a top-surface, said top-surface including peg-apertures configured to receive said peg and, a bottom-surface, said bottom-surface configured to abut with said top face of said barrier, said horizontal member including: a retention flange, said retention flange extending perpendicularly from said bottom-surface on said first end, said retention flange having an inside face configured to abut with said outside surface of said barrier; and a mold-face, said mold-face extending perpendicularly from said top-surface on said second end of said horizontal member; and wherein said plurality of barriers are connected with said connection member defining a channel for a concrete mixture to form and set.

2. The concrete form system of claim 1, wherein said opposing ends of said barrier include slotted channels extending from said bottom to said top face.

3. The concrete form system of claim 2, further comprising a coupling-block, said coupling-block configured to mate with said slotted channels.

4. The concrete form system of claim 3, further comprising a corner-coupling block, said corner-coupling block configured to couple said plurality of barriers at an angle.

5. The concrete form system of claim 3, further comprising a lateral-coupling block, said lateral-coupling block configured to couple said plurality of barriers laterally.

6. The concrete form system of claim 1, wherein said barrier further comprises a corner-piece, said corner-piece having said inside surface forming a 90-degree angle.

7. The concrete form system of claim 1, further comprising a base-support, said base-support disposed on said bottom of said outside surface of said barrier.

8. The concrete form system of claim 7, wherein said base-support includes at least one spike-aperture configured to receive an elongate fastener.

9. The concrete form system of claim 1, wherein said wall-base mold further comprises an opposing flange, said opposing flange disposed on said bottom-surface of said horizontal member, said opposing flange configured to abut with said inside surface of said barrier.

10. The concrete form system of claim 1, wherein said pin includes an adjustment mechanism, said adjustment mechanism allowing said peg to attach along said length of said pin.

11. The concrete form system of claim 1, wherein said pin further includes at least one break-point, said break-point disposed on said length of said pin, said break-point configured to sever said pin under shear force.

12. The concrete form system of claim 1, further comprising a barrier-endcap, said barrier-endcap configured to abut with at least one of said opposing ends of said barrier, said barrier-endcap configured to retain said concrete mixture between said plurality of barriers.

13. The concrete form system of claim 1, wherein said barrier comprises a rigid foam material.

14. The concrete form system of claim 1, wherein said barrier comprises a rigid plastic material.

15. The concrete form system of claim 1, wherein said peg is removable from said pin.

16. The concrete form system of claim 1, wherein said pin comprises a rigid steel.

17. A concrete form system, the concrete form system comprising: a barrier, said barrier having an inside surface, an outside surface, opposing ends, a bottom and, a top face, said top face having at least one upwardly facing aperture, a connection member, said connection member including a pin, said pin having a length, and a peg, said peg configured to mate with said at least one upwardly facing aperture, said connection member configured to mate a plurality of barriers wherein said inside surface of said plurality of barriers are opposed, a wall-base mold, said wall-base mold configured to mate with said top face of said barrier, said wall-base mold comprising: a horizontal member having a first end, a second end, a top-surface, said top-surface including peg-apertures configured to receive said peg and, a bottom-surface, said bottom-surface configured to abut with said top face of said barrier, said horizontal member including: a retention flange, said retention flange extending perpendicularly from said bottom-surface on said first end, said retention flange having an inside face configured to abut with said outside surface of said barrier, a mold-face, said mold-face extending perpendicularly from said top-surface on said second end of said horizontal member, and, wherein said plurality of barriers are connected with said connection member defining a channel for a concrete mixture to form and set; wherein said opposing ends of said barrier include slotted channels extending from said bottom to said top face; further comprising a coupling-block, said coupling-block configured to mate with said slotted channels; further comprising a corner-coupling block, said corner-coupling block configured to couple said plurality of barriers at an angle; further comprising a lateral-coupling block, said lateral-coupling block configured to couple said plurality of barriers laterally; wherein said barrier further comprises a corner-piece, said corner-piece having said inside surface forming a 90-degree angle; further comprising a base-support, said base-support disposed on said bottom of said outside surface of said barrier; wherein said base-support includes at least one spike-aperture configured to receive an elongate fastener; wherein said wall-base mold further comprises an opposing flange, said opposing flange disposed on said bottom-surface of said horizontal member, said opposing flange configured to abut with said inside surface of said barrier; wherein said pin includes an adjustment mechanism, said adjustment mechanism allowing said peg to attach along said length of said pin; wherein said pin further includes at least one break-point, said break-point disposed on said length of said pin, said break-point configured to sever said pin under shear force; further comprising a barrier-endcap, said barrier-endcap configured to abut with at least one of said opposing ends of said barrier, said barrier-endcap configured to retain said concrete mixture between said plurality of barriers; wherein said barrier comprises a rigid foam material; wherein said barrier comprises a rigid plastic material; wherein said peg is removable from said pin; and wherein said pin comprises a rigid steel.

18. The concrete form system of claim 17, further comprising set of instructions; and wherein the concrete form system is arranged as a kit.

19. A method of using a concrete form system, the method comprising the steps of: providing a concrete forming system, said concrete forming system comprising: a barrier, said barrier having an inside surface, an outside surface, opposing ends, a bottom and, a top face, said top face having at least one upwardly facing aperture; a connection member, said connection member including a pin, said pin having a length, and a peg, said peg configured to mate with said at least one upwardly facing aperture, said connection member configured to mate a plurality of barriers wherein said inside surface of said plurality of barriers are opposed; wall-base mold, said wall-base mold configured to mate with said top face of said barrier, said wall-base mold comprising: a horizontal member having a first end, a second end, a top-surface, said top-surface including peg-apertures configured to receive said peg and, a bottom-surface, said bottom-surface configured to abut with said top face of said barrier, said horizontal member including: a retention flange, said retention flange extending perpendicularly from said bottom-surface on said first end, said retention flange having an inside face configured to abut with said outside surface of said barrier; a mold-face, said mold-face extending perpendicularly from said top-surface on said second end of said horizontal member; and, wherein said plurality of barriers are connected with said connection member defining a channel for a concrete mixture to form and set; aligning said plurality of barriers such that said inside surface of said plurality of barriers are opposed; attaching at least two of said peg along said length of said pin; and connecting said plurality of barriers with said connection member.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of: coupling said plurality of barriers with said coupling-block; and mounting said wall-base mold on said barrier;

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, a concrete form system and method, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

[0011] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the concrete form system during an in-use condition, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the concrete form system, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the concrete form system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 2B is another perspective view of the concrete form system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the concrete form system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 4 is a component view of the concrete form system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of using the concrete form system, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a reusable concrete form and more particularly to a concrete form system and method as used to improve the efficient use of concrete forms during construction projects.

[0020] Generally, the concrete form system is a reusable system that may be implemented in the field. The concrete form system may be made of durable, light-weight rigid materials. These materials may include hardened fiber, rigid foam, hollow plastic, and all other feasible materials. In storage, the concrete form system is form factored to store efficiently through stacking. In transport, the concrete form system is light-weight and easy to maneuver. In operation, the concrete form system is designed to be easily deployed and subsequently retracted and reused. The system provides pre-fabricated barriers that are connected with an adjustable connection member. The connection member attaches to each of the barriers to retain the barriers statically at a predetermined distance.

[0021] Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in FIGS. 1A-4, various views of a concrete form system 100.

[0022] FIG. 1A shows a concrete form system 100 during an in-use condition 50, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, the concrete form system 100 may be beneficial to form concrete. As illustrated, the concrete form system 100 may include a barrier 110, a connection member 120 and a wall-base mold 130 (FIG. 1B). The barrier 110 includes an inside surface 111, an outside surface 112, opposing ends 113, a bottom 114 (FIG. 2A) and, a top face 115 (FIG. 2A). The top face 115 has at least one upwardly facing aperture 116 (FIG. 2A). The connection member 120 includes a pin 121 (FIG. 2A), having a length 122 (FIG. 4) and, a peg 123 (FIG. 1B). The peg 123 is configured to mate with the at least one upwardly facing aperture 116. The connection member 120 is configured to mate a plurality of barriers 200 with the inside surface 111 of the plurality of barriers 200 opposed. The plurality of barriers 200 are connected with the connection member 120 defining a channel 61 for a concrete mixture 60 to form and set.

[0023] Referring now to FIG. 1B showing the wall-base mold 130. The wall-base mold 130 is configured to mate with the top face 115 (FIG. 2A) of the barrier 110. The wall-base mold 130 comprises a horizontal member 131 (FIG. 4), a retention flange 138 (FIG. 4) and, a mold-face 140. The horizontal member 131 has a first end 132 (FIG. 4), a second end 133 (FIG. 4), top-surface 134 and, a bottom-surface (not shown). The top-surface 134 includes peg-apertures 135 (FIG. 4) configured to receive the peg 123. The bottom-surface (not shown) is configured to abut with the top face 115 of the barrier 110. The retention flange 138 extends perpendicularly from the bottom-surface (not shown) of the first end 132. The retention flange 138 has an inside face (not shown) configured to abut with the outside surface 112 of the barrier 110. The mold-face 140 extends perpendicularly from the top-surface 134 on the second end 133 of the horizontal member 131.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the concrete form system 100 may be arranged as a kit 105. In particular, the concrete form system 100 may further include a set of instructions 107. The instructions 107 may detail functional relationships in relation to the structure of the concrete form system 100 such that the concrete form system 100 can be used, maintained, or the like, in a preferred manner.

[0025] FIG. 2A shows the concrete form system 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the concrete form system 100 may include a barrier 110. The barrier 110 may comprise of a rigid plastic material 315. The barrier 110 may further comprise of a rigid foam material 314. Further rigid material for the composition of the barrier 110 are considered. The barrier 110 includes an inside surface 111, an outside surface 112, opposing ends 113 (FIG. 1A), a bottom 114 and, a top face 115. The top face 115 has at least one upwardly facing aperture 116. The connection member 120 includes a pin 121, having a length 122 (FIG. 4) and, a peg 123. The peg 123 is configured to mate with the at least one upwardly facing aperture 116. The connection member 120 is configured to mate a plurality of barriers 200 with the inside surface 111 of the plurality of barriers 200 opposed. The plurality of barriers 200 are connected with the connection member 120 defining a channel 61 (FIG. 1A) for a concrete mixture 60 (FIG. 1A) to form and set. The present embodiment illustrates a plurality of barriers 200 connected laterally. The lateral connectivity of the plurality of barriers 200 is completed through a coupling-block 301 (FIG. 2B). The coupling-block 301 may be configured to mate with slotted channels 300 (FIG. 2B). The concrete form system 100 may further include a barrier-endcap 313 (FIG. 2B). The barrier-endcap 313 may be configured to abut with at least one of the opposing ends 113 of the barrier 110. The barrier-endcap 313 may be configured to retain the concrete mixture 60 between the plurality of barriers 200

[0026] Referring now to FIG. 2B showing another embodiment of the concrete form system 100. The concrete form system 100 may further comprise a corner-piece 305. The opposing ends 113 (FIG. 1A) of the barrier 110 may include slotted channels 300 extending from the bottom 114 (FIG. 2A) to the top face 115 (FIG. 2A). The slotted channels 300 may be used in conjunction with the coupling-block 301. The coupling-block 301 may be various shapes and dimensions that allow for the plurality of barriers 200 to be connected. The corner-piece 305 has an inside surface 111 (FIG. 2A) forming a 90-degree angle. The concrete form system 100 may include a corner-coupling block 302. The corner-coupling block 302 may be configured to couple the plurality of barriers 200 at an angle. For lateral coupling of the plurality of barriers 200, a lateral-coupling block 304 may be implemented. The lateral-coupling block 304 may be configured to mate with the slotted channels 300 of on the opposing ends 113 of the barrier 110. The concrete form system 100 may further include a barrier-endcap 313. The barrier-endcap 313 may be configured to abut with at least one of the opposing ends 113 (FIG. 1A) of the barrier 110.

[0027] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the concrete form system 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the concrete form system 100 includes a barrier 110 having an inside surface 111, an outside surface 112, opposing ends 113, a bottom 114 and, and a top face 115. The top face 115 having at least one upwardly facing aperture 116. The connection member 120 includes a pin 121 having a length 122 (FIG. 4). The connection member 120 further includes a peg 123 that is configured to mate with the at least one upwardly facing aperture 116. The connection member 120 is configured to mate the plurality of barriers 200 wherein the inside surface 111 of the plurality of barriers 200 are opposed. As illustrated, the wall-base mold 130 may comprise an extension of the barrier 110. In this embodiment the wall-base mold 130 may attach to the top face 115 of the barrier 110. Also explained in the present illustration is the base-support 307 that may be disposed on the bottom 114 of the outside surface 112 of the barrier 110. The base-support 307 may further include at least one spike-aperture 308 that is configured to receive an elongate fastener 309. The base-support 307 may be useful for statically retaining the barrier 110 when in use.

[0028] Referring now to FIG. 4, component view of the concrete form system 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As pictured the concrete form system 100 includes a barrier 110. The barrier 110 has an inside surface 111, an outside surface 112 (FIG. 3), opposing ends 113, a bottom 114 and, a top face 115. The top face 115 includes at least one upwardly facing aperture 116. The barrier 110 may comprise a corner-piece 305. The corner-piece 305 may have an inside surface 111 forming a 90-degree angle. The connection member 120 includes a pin 121 having a length 122, and a peg 123. The peg 123 is configured to mate with the at least one upwardly facing aperture 116. The pin 121 may comprise a rigid steel material 316. The pin 121 may further include an adjustment mechanism 311. The adjustment mechanism 311 may allow the peg 123 to attach along the length 122 of the pin 121. The peg 123 may further be removable from the pin 121. The adjustment mechanism 311 may be useful for adjusting displacement between a plurality of barriers 200 (FIG. 3).

[0029] The pin 121 may further include at least one break-point 312. The break-point 312 may be disposed on the length 122 of the pin 121. The break-point 312 may be configured to sever the pin 121 under shear force. The wall-base mold 130 is shown here in various embodiments. The wall-base mold 130 includes a horizontal member 131 having a first end 132, a second end 133, a top-surface 134 and, a bottom-surface (not shown). The top-surface 134 is includes peg-apertures 135 configured to receive the peg 123 of the connection member 120. The bottom-surface (not shown) is configured to abut with the top face 115 of the barrier 110.

[0030] The horizontal member 131 further includes a retention flange 138 and a mold-face 140 (FIG. 1B). The retention flange 138 extends perpendicularly from the bottom-surface (not shown) on the first end 132 of the horizontal member 131. The retention flange 138 has an inside face (not shown) configured to abut with the outside surface 112 of the barrier 110. The mold-face 140 extends perpendicularly from the top-surface 134 on the second end 133 of the horizontal member 131. The mold-face 140 is configured to mold the concrete mixture 60 (FIG. 1A). The wall-base mold 130 may further comprise an opposing flange 310. The opposing flange 310 may be disposed on the bottom-surface (not shown) of the horizontal member 131. The opposing flange 310 may be configured to abut with the inside surface 111 of the barrier 110. Further pictured is the lateral-coupling block 304. The lateral-coupling block 304 may be used for laterally coupling the plurality of barriers 200 (FIG. 1). The concrete form system 100 may include a corner-coupling block 302. The corner-coupling block 302 may be configured to couple the plurality of barriers 200 at an angle.

[0031] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for using 500 a concrete forming system 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, the method for using 500 a concrete forming system 100 may include one or more components or features of the concrete form system 100 as described above. As illustrated, the method for using a concrete forming system 500 may include the steps of: step one 501, providing a concrete forming system, the concrete forming system comprising: a barrier, the barrier having an inside surface, an outside surface, opposing ends, a bottom and, a top face, the top face having at least one upwardly facing aperture; a connection member, the connection member including a pin, the pin having a length, and a peg, the peg configured to mate with the at least one upwardly facing aperture, the connection member configured to mate a plurality of barriers wherein the inside surface of the plurality of barriers are opposed; wall-base mold; the wall-base mold configured to mate with the top face of the barrier, the wall-base mold comprising: a horizontal member having a first end, a second end, a top-surface, the top-surface including peg-apertures configured to receive the peg and, a bottom-surface, the bottom-surface configured to abut with the top face of the barrier, the horizontal member including: a retention flange, the retention flange extending perpendicularly from the bottom-surface on the first end, the retention flange having an inside face configured to abut with the outside surface of the barrier; a mold-face, the mold-face extending perpendicularly from the top-surface on the second end of the horizontal member; and, wherein the plurality of barriers are connected with the connection member defining a channel for a concrete mixture to form and set; step two 502, aligning the plurality of barriers such that the inside surface of the plurality of barriers are opposed; step three 503, attaching at least two of the peg along the length of the pin; step four 504, connecting the plurality of barriers with the connection member; step five 505, coupling the plurality of barriers with the coupling-block; step six 506, mounting the wall-base mold on the barrier.

[0032] It should be noted that steps 505 and 506 are optional steps and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method of use 500 are illustrated using dotted lines in FIG. 5 so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method of use 500. It should also be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of step of should not be interpreted as step for, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112(f). It should also be noted that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods for forming concrete are taught herein.

[0033] The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.