FORMWORK APPARATUS FOR FORMING A BUILDING SUPPORT

Abstract

A formwork apparatus defining a formwork space for forming a slab is disclosed. The apparatus comprises at least one lower formwork member and at least one upper formwork member and a plurality of formwork brackets. Each formwork bracket has a connection arrangement for operatively connecting the bracket to the lower and upper formwork members. The formwork brackets are configured to space the upper and lower formwork members a certain distance apart from each other along their length such that the formwork members extend parallel to each other. An apparatus for positioning an anchor for a construction member such as a reinforcing rod in a slab when it is cast is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A formwork apparatus defining a formwork space for forming a slab, the apparatus comprising: at least one lower formwork member and at least one upper formwork member; and a plurality of formwork brackets, each formwork bracket having a connection arrangement for operatively connecting the bracket to the lower and upper formwork members, wherein the formwork brackets are configured to space the upper and lower formwork members a certain distance apart from each other along their length such that the formwork members extend parallel to each other along their length.

2. A formwork apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the connection arrangement includes a lower bracket clamp for clamping the formwork bracket to the lower formwork member, and an upper bracket clamp for clamping the formwork bracket to the upper formwork member.

3. A formwork apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the bracket includes a lower formwork portion having a lower formwork positioning surface for bearing up against the lower formwork member, and an upper formwork portion having an upper formwork positioning surface for bearing up against the upper formwork member, and the upper and lower formwork positioning surfaces extend parallel to each other.

4. A formwork apparatus according to claim 1, further including a bridge portion connecting the lower and upper formwork portions and the bridge portion has a lower positioning surface that extends orthogonally to the positioning surfaces of the upper and lower formwork portions.

5. A formwork apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the formwork apparatus includes a ground anchor for anchoring the apparatus to the ground, and wherein the ground anchor includes an arm extending from the formwork bracket spaced above the arm, and a ground penetrating formation towards a distal end of the arm.

6. A formwork apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the formwork bracket includes a foot extending orthogonal to the upper and lower formwork members for resting on a surface, and the foot includes a ground engaging surface extending orthogonally to the formwork positioning surfaces of the lower and upper formwork portions.

7. A formwork apparatus according to claim 1, further including an anchor positioner for positioning an anchor for a construction member in the formwork space.

8. A formwork apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the anchor positioner comprises a positioner body that interacts with the formwork bracket to locate the anchor positioner in the formwork space and also support the anchor positioner.

9. A formwork apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the anchor positioner includes at least one anchor locator for locating and positioning an anchor for a construction member.

10. A formwork apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lower formwork member includes a first lower formwork channel having a lip defined in the lower formwork member, and a second lower formwork channel having a lip defined in the lower formwork member, and the first and second lower formwork channels extend parallel to a longitudinal edge of the lower formwork member, for mounting the formwork bracket to the lower formwork member.

11. An apparatus for positioning an anchor for a construction member in a slab, the apparatus including: an anchor positioner that is mounted on a support proximate to a formwork apparatus defining a formwork space for casting a slab, the anchor positioner extending into the formwork space; and an anchor locator mounted on the anchor positioner for locating a construction anchor in a position in the slab when it is formed.

12. An apparatus for positioning an anchor according to claim 11, including a mounting arrangement for mounting the anchor positioner on the formwork apparatus.

13. An apparatus for positioning an anchor according to claim 12, including at least one formwork member extending at least part of the way around the formwork space and having a channel on its outer surface, and wherein the mounting arrangement mounts the anchor positioner on the formwork member.

14. An apparatus for positioning an anchor according to claim 13, including a clamp for clamping the anchor positioner onto the channel of the formwork member at two vertically spaced positions.

15. An apparatus for positioning an anchor according to claim 11, wherein the anchor locator is formed by an aperture in the anchor positioner.

16. An apparatus for positioning an anchor according to claim 15, including a construction member anchor that is mounted on the anchor locator.

17. An apparatus for positioning an anchor according to claim 16, wherein the construction member anchor comprises an anchor body having a connecting formation for connecting a construction member thereto, and a rod extending away from the anchor body.

18. An apparatus for positioning an anchor according to claim 17, wherein the connecting formation of the anchor body comprises an internal passage having an internal screw thread formation for engaging an external screw thread on a construction member.

19. An apparatus for positioning an anchor according to claim 18, wherein the construction member anchor is mounted to the anchor locator by means of a fastening element that passes through the opening of the anchor locator and is screwed into the internal passage of the connecting formation.

20. An apparatus for positioning an anchor according to claim 19, wherein the construction member anchor comprises two components that are connected to each other on either side of the anchor locator whereby to mount the anchor on the anchor locator.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0137] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the disclosure may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the disclosure. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of Disclosure in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

[0138] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of part of a formwork apparatus showing an alignment bracket and upper and lower formwork members for forming a support for a building;

[0139] FIGS. 2A, B and C are various views of a positioner for the formwork apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0140] FIG. 3 is a close up perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 showing the positioner inserted in its position on the alignment bracket;

[0141] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 including a ground anchor for anchoring the apparatus in position;

[0142] FIG. 5 is a linear bracket for coupling two formwork members to each other in line;

[0143] FIG. 6 is a section of the formwork apparatus showing two formwork members coupled together inline;

[0144] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a corner bracket for locking to a formwork member to hold it in position;

[0145] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an external corner of the formwork apparatus showing how the orthogonal formwork members are coupled to each other;

[0146] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another corner bracket for coupling two formwork members to each other;

[0147] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an internal corner of the formwork apparatus showing how the corner bracket couples the formwork members to each other;

[0148] FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view showing a support for a building formed within the formwork apparatus;

[0149] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an anchoring bracket for mounting on a formwork member and anchoring to the ground;

[0150] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a formed support for a building with the formwork members surrounding the support and being anchored to the ground with the alignment brackets and the anchoring brackets;

[0151] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the support of FIG. 13 with the upper formwork member and the alignment brackets removed, and the anchoring brackets remaining in place;

[0152] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a vertical extending co-member positioned above the building support;

[0153] FIG. 16 shows the vertically extending member anchored to the building support;

[0154] FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a substantial portion of a building support having a plurality of vertically extending members mounted thereon at spaced intervals around the support;

[0155] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of part of a building support similar to FIG. 17 showing a wall being constructed on the support;

[0156] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the full support showing the progressive constructions of a building on the support.

[0157] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a formwork bracket for a formwork apparatus in accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure;

[0158] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a formwork apparatus in accordance with a second embodiment utilising the bracket of FIG. 20;

[0159] FIG. 22 is a cross sectional view of a building support formed with the formwork apparatus of FIG. 20; and

[0160] FIG. 23 is a perspective view of an internal corner on the formwork apparatus of FIG. 20.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0161] In compliance with the statute, the disclosure has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the disclosure into effect. The disclosure is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

[0162] FIGS. 1 to 10 show a formwork apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure. In the drawings, the apparatus is indicated generally by the reference numeral 10.

[0163] The apparatus 10 comprises broadly a lower formwork member 12, an upper formwork member 14 and a plurality for formwork brackets 20. The upper and lower formwork members 14 and 12 extend parallel to each other and spaced away from each other. In particular, the upper formwork member 14 is spaced upward and inward of the lower formwork member 12. Each of the components will be described in more detail below.

[0164] The lower formwork member 12 is linear and has two major surfaces 22 and 24 extending between upper and lower longitudinal edges extending parallel to each other. In addition, the formwork member 12 has first and second formwork channels 26 and 28 defined in one of the major surfaces 22 thereof. The other major surface 24 is planar across its full face and faces into the formwork space where it provides retention. Each channel 26, 28 extends along the full length of the member 12. The first and second channels 26 and 28 are spaced apart from each other and spaced from the upper and lower longitudinal edges of the member 12. Further, each channel 26 and 28 has upper and lower lips 29 extending along its longitudinal edges for clamping to the brackets 20 as will be described in more detail below.

[0165] The upper formwork member 14 has two major surfaces 30 and 32 with upper and lower longitudinal edges that are linear and extend parallel to each other. Further, the upper formwork member 14 has a single channel 34 defined in one major surface 30 thereof. Similarly, the formwork member 14 defines lips 36 extending along each of longitudinal edges of the channel 34. The upper formwork member 14 is shorter or more compact in height than the lower formwork member 12 and it is also thinner.

[0166] Each formwork bracket 20 is configured to space the upper and lower formwork members 14 and 12 a certain distance apart from each other and extending parallel to each other. Each bracket 20 comprises a lower formwork portion 40, an upper formwork portion 42, and a bridge portion 44 connecting the upper and lower formwork portions 42 and 40. The lower formwork portion 40 has a lower formwork positioning surface 46 for butting up against the lower formwork member 12 and positioning it, and orientating it.

[0167] The formwork bracket 20 also has a lower clamp 50 on the lower formwork portion 40 for clamping the bracket 20 to the lower formwork member 12. The clamp 50 comprises complementary clamping formations 52 on either side of the lips 29 of the first channel 26 and a fastener 54 for moving the clamping formations 52 towards each other and clamping the lip 29 of the first channel 26 on the lower portion there between. The bracket 20 also includes a locking tab 58 projecting from the lower formwork portion 40 for projecting into the second channel 28 and locking the tab 58 to the formwork member 12.

[0168] The upper formwork portion 42 has an upper formwork positioning surface 49 for butting up against the upper formwork member 14 and positioning it, and orientating it. The bracket 20 also has an upper clamp 60 for clamping the bracket 20 to the channel 34 of the upper formwork member 14. The clamp 60 has the same features as the clamp 50 described above and functions in the same way. It will therefore not be described further in this description.

[0169] The formwork bracket 20 has a high level of dimensional tolerance to ensure the upper and lower bracket positioning surfaces 46 and 49 position the upper and lower formwork members 14 and 12 in the correct positions. Typically, the brackets 20 might be laser cut from sheet metal, e.g. sheet steel. In addition, the brackets 20 are designed with cut outs to reduce the weight of each bracket 20 while still retaining an appropriate mechanical strength.

[0170] FIGS. 2A to 2C show an anchor positioner 70 which is part of the formwork apparatus 10, and which is used to anchor and position a construction member such a reinforcing bar in a concrete slab formed by the formwork apparatus 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the anchor positioner 70 includes an anchor body that is separate from the bracket 20 and interacts with the bracket 20 to locate a construction anchor in the formed slab. In another embodiment, the positioner is integrally formed with the formwork bracket and is thus removed after the slab is poured.

[0171] The anchor positioner 70 functions to position one or more construction anchors 76 with high tolerance in a predetermined position within the formwork space and thereby within a resulting concrete slab formed in the formwork space. This results in an accurate positioning of a structural member such as a reinforcing bar on the slab as well as effective anchoring of the reinforcing bar to the slab.

[0172] The anchor positioner 70 includes an elongate substantially rectangular flattened positioner body 71 having two major surfaces. The body 71 may be formed from plastic or from a metal such as steel. The positioner body 71 has a formwork locator 73 intersecting with the upper formwork member 14 to locate the anchor positioner 70 in the predetermined position. In the illustrated embodiment, the formwork locator 73 is in the form of a wall positioned about midway along the length of the positioner body 71 extending transverse to the longitudinal axis of the body. In the illustrated embodiment, one anchor locator 72 is positioned in the lateral spacing between the upper and lower formwork members 14 and 12. Another anchor locator 74 is positioned on the opposite side of the upper formwork member 14 to the lower formwork member 12, i.e. it is inward of the upper formwork member with respect to the formwork space.

[0173] One end of the positioner body 71 adjacent the anchor locating formation 73 has chamfered corners. This feature helps to locate the positioner body 71 in its correct position relative to another positioner body 71 as will be described in more detail below. The anchor positioner 70 is left in the slab after the slab is poured and remains permanently in the slab.

[0174] In FIG. 2A, a construction anchor 76 is mounted in the anchor locator 74. The construction anchor 76 comprises an anchor body 78 having a passage 79 defined there through. The passage 79 has screw thread formations formed internally in the passage 79. A curved anchor bar 81 is connected to the anchor body 78 from below. This is accomplished by screwing a screw thread into the passage 79 on an end of the anchor body 78. As shown in the drawing, the positioner body 71 is sandwiched between the anchor bar 81 and the anchor body 78 thereby to mount the anchor body 78 and anchor bar 81 on the positioner body 71.

[0175] FIG. 3 shows the same components of FIG. 1 but with the formwork bracket 20 clamped onto both the lower 12 and upper 14 formwork members. Additionally, FIG. 3 shows an anchor positioner 70 mounted in position beneath the upper formwork member 14 and extending from the upper formwork member 14 across to the lower formwork member 12 underneath the bridging portion 44. The square angles of the upper and lower formwork members 14 and 12 and their positioning relative to each other by the bridging portion 44 ensures that the formwork members 12 and 14 are vertically extending or plumb.

[0176] FIG. 4 illustrates part of a formwork apparatus 10 like that in FIGS. 1 and 3 mounted in position on the ground for pouring a slab. The drawing shows the lower and upper formwork members 12 and 14 operatively connected to each other by a formwork bracket 20. An anchor positioner 70 is passed beneath the upper formwork member 14, and the positioner 70 has construction anchors 76 mounted on each of the two anchor locators 72 and 74.

[0177] Further, the bracket 20 in FIG. 1 has an opening 77 formed therein towards an upper end of the lower formwork portion 40. This opening 77 is for fixing a ground anchor 82 thereto as shown in FIG. 4. The bracket 20 further includes an arm 80 extending from said opening 77 in the bracket 20, and a ground anchor 82 at a distal end of the arm 80. The ground anchor 82 comprises a stake with a sharp point for penetrating the ground. The ground anchor 82 is inserted into the ground to hold the formwork apparatus 10 in position on the ground particularly when it is subjected to the forces of pouring concrete. In addition, the arm 80 has a mechanism for adjusting the length thereof. In one form, the arm 80 includes an arm section having an external screw thread received within another arm section having an internal screw threaded bore. Thus, an adjustment of the length of the arm 80 is achieved by rotating the two arm sections relative to each other.

[0178] FIG. 5 shows a linear bracket 100 for operatively connecting two lower formwork sections 102, 103 to each other such that they extend in a linear fashion relative to each other and resist bending or twisting relative to each other. That is, it is a rigid or fast connection.

[0179] FIG. 6 shows the linear bracket 100 in use being used to operatively connect two lower formwork sections 102 and 103 to each other. The bracket 100 comprises a first portion 104 for connection to one formwork section 102 and an adjacent second portion 106 for connection to the adjacent formwork section 103. Each of the first and second portions 104 and 106 has two clamps 108 vertically spaced from each other for clamping the bracket 100 to the lower formwork sections 102, 103. The clamps 108 are of similar construction and function to the clamps 50, 60 on the formwork bracket 20, and are clamped onto the channels 26 and 28 on the lower formwork member 12, in the same way as the clamps 50, 60 on the bracket 20. As shown in the drawings, the linear bracket 100 comprehensively braces the two formwork sections 102 and 103 to each other.

[0180] FIG. 7 shows a corner bracket 110 for connecting two sections 102, 103 of the lower formwork member 12 to each other such that they extend orthogonally to each other. As shown in FIG. 7, this bracket 110 is used for external corners where the lower formwork member 12 is positioned outward of the upper formwork member 14 extending around the corner and not an internal corner where the reverse situation applies. In an internal corner, the upper formwork member 14 is positioned outward of the lower formwork member 12 extending around the corner as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.

[0181] The corner bracket 110 comprises a first formwork section receiving portion 112 and a transverse extending second formwork section abutting portion 114. The first formwork receiving portion 112 defines an open channel 116 for receiving a section of the lower formwork member 12 therein with some clearance. The first portion 112 also has two vertically spaced clamps 118 for clamping the bracket 110 to a section of the lower formwork member 12 extending in a first direction.

[0182] The second portion 114 also has two vertically spaced clamps 118 for clamping the second portion 114 to the adjacent section of lower formwork member 112 extending in a second direction that is transverse to said first direction. In the illustrated embodiment, the plate 114 extends out beyond both sides of the first formwork section receiving portion 112.

[0183] The second formwork receiving portion 114 comprises a plate extending laterally outward away from the first portion 112 transverse thereto. The plate of the second portion 114 is for butting up against a section 119 of the lower formwork member 12 extending in a second direction.

[0184] FIG. 9 shows an internal corner bracket 120 for operatively connecting two transverse extending sections of the lower formwork member 12 to each other which is indicated generally by the reference numeral 120. The internal corner bracket 120 comprises two face portions 122 and 124 extending orthogonally to each other. Each face portion 122 and 124 has two vertically spaced clamps 126 thereon for clamping the face portions 122 and 124 to an adjacent section of the lower formwork member 12.

[0185] FIG. 10 shows the internal corner bracket 120 in use connecting two sections of orthogonal lower formwork members 12 to each other. The internal corner bracket 120 is sized and configured so that the adjacent ends of the orthogonal sections of the lower formwork member 12 extend square to each other and butt up against each other to close off the formwork. FIG. 10 also shows an internal corner bracket 130 that is configured for operatively connected two transverse sections of the upper formwork member 14 to each other. The bracket 130 comprises two transverse bracket portions 132 and a clamp 134 on each bracket portion 132 for clamping the bracket 130 to the adjacent sections of the upper formwork member 14.

[0186] FIG. 11 is a sectional view of part of the formwork apparatus 10 assembled and in use forming a slab. In the drawing, the slab is indicated generally by the reference numeral 140 and has an upper level 142 and a lower level 144. In particular, the drawing shows the construction anchors 76 received within the formed concrete and extending up to their respective surface of the slab 140 for connection to a construction member.

[0187] FIG. 11 also shows a settable material forming a slab 140 received within the formwork apparatus 10. The slab 140 has a peripheral lower level 144 at the height of an upper edge of the lower formwork member 12 and a second higher level 142 at the height of an upper edge of the upper formwork member 14.

[0188] The formwork bracket 20 is mounted to each of the lower and upper formwork members 12 and 14 in the manner described above, and illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3. Further, the anchor positioner 70 is mounted in position beneath the bridge portion 44 of the bracket 20. The elongate body 71 of the positioner 70 extends from one end at an upper edge of the lower formwork member 12 past the upper formwork member 14 to an opposite end at a point in the formwork space that is spaced in from and away from the upper formwork member 14. The locating tab or formation 73 that is a transverse wall of the upper portion of the bracket butts up against an inner surface of the upper formwork member 14.

[0189] The positioner 70 has two anchor locators 72 and 74 in the form of apertures extending through the flattened positioner body 71 spaced apart from each other on the body 71. A construction member anchor 76 is mounted on the anchor locator 72 intermediate the lower and upper formwork members 12 and 14. The anchor 76 includes an anchor body, e.g. a long nut, having a passage therethrough with an internal screw thread formation. An anchor rod 81 that is typically bent at a point along its length is screwed into the lower end of the anchor body 78. The bridging portion 44 has an opening formed therein which is located at a certain position. Further, the positioner body 71 also has an anchor locator 72 that is an opening or aperture formed therein that is aligned with an opening on the bridging portion 44. A nut 62 is passed through these openings into an upper end of the anchor body 71 thereby fixing the anchor rod 81 and anchor body 78 to the positioner body 71 and the bracket 20.

[0190] A second construction anchor 76 is mounted on the anchor locating formation 73 remote from the lower formwork member 12. This anchor 76 comprises an anchor body 78 mounted on top of the positioner body 71 and a rod 81 with a bend along its length that is positioned beneath the positioner body 71. The rod 81 is passed through the anchor locator 72 and is screwed into a lower end of the body 78. This fixes the rod 81 to the anchor body 78 and thereby also the positioner body 71 which is sandwiched between the rod 81 and the anchor body 78.

[0191] FIG. 12 illustrates a ground positioning bracket 150 for use on the formwork apparatus 10 along with the formwork bracket 20.

[0192] The ground positioning bracket 150 comprises a foot 152 for running along a support surface such as the ground and a leg 154 extending orthogonally up from the foot 152. The foot 152 has a connection arrangement comprising two vertically spaced connectors for connecting the ground positioning bracket 150 to the channels 26, 28 on the lower formwork member 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper connector is a clamp 50 like that on the formwork bracket 20 and the lower connector is a locking tab 48 again like that on the formwork bracket 20.

[0193] FIG. 13 is an upper perspective view of a slab 140 formed by the formwork apparatus 10 described above.

[0194] As described, the slab 140 has two levels with a lower level 144 around the perimeter of the slab 140 and an inner upper level 142. Further, the slab 140 has a rectangular configuration in outline with square corners. The formwork apparatus 10 comprises broadly the arrangement of lower and upper formwork members 12, 14 interconnected by a plurality of spaced brackets.

[0195] The formwork brackets 20 described above are located at spaced intervals around the perimeter of the slab 140. Each of these formwork brackets 20 is mounted to each of the lower and upper formwork members 12, 14 in the manner described above. Further, each of the brackets 20 is anchored in the ground by means of pegs.

[0196] Further, a plurality of ground positioning brackets 150 are also positioned at spaced intervals around the perimeter of the slab 140. In the illustrated embodiment, the ground positioning brackets 150 alternate with the formwork brackets 20 around the perimeter of the slab 140. The ground positioning brackets 150 assist in anchoring the formwork members 12 and 14 in position on the ground such that they can withstand the outward force of concrete being poured into the formwork apparatus 10. Further, the corner brackets 110 are shown in use on external corners as shown in FIG. 13 and the internal corner brackets 120,130 are also shown in use on an internal corner. FIG. 13 shows the construction anchors 76 opening onto the upper surface of the slab 140. It also shows the positioner bodies 71 extending from the lower formwork member 12 to the upper formwork member 14 at the position of each formwork bracket 20.

[0197] FIG. 14 shows the slab 140 of FIG. 13 at a later stage after the upper formwork member 14 has been removed, and also after the formwork brackets 20 have been removed. In FIG. 14, each of the positioner bodies 71 is clearly shown. Apart from the construction anchors 76 on the upper level, there are construction anchors 76 on the lower level at each positioner 70. The ground positioner brackets 150 are still in place providing some resistance to the outward force of concrete in the slab 140. These brackets 150 are removed later, once the concrete has cured completely.

[0198] In an alternative embodiment, the formwork bracket 20 may have a foot and portions 42 and 44 of the bracket are detachably mounted to the lower formwork portion 40. In this embodiment, portions 42 and 44 can be removed from the lower formwork portion 40 such that the lower formwork portion 40 can be removed later, once the concrete has cured completely.

[0199] FIGS. 15 and 16 show two different types of construction members anchored to the construction member anchors formed in the slab 140, namely a temporary brace 170 and a reinforcing rod 172.

[0200] In these drawings, there are two construction member anchors 76 set and anchored into the upper level of the slab 140. The construction member anchors 76 are positioned a specific distance in from the edge of the upper level of the slab 140 and at a predetermined angle to each other. These construction anchors 76 are formed by an arrangement of brackets 20 and 150 like that shown in FIG. 8 above.

[0201] In FIG. 15, a construction brace 170 having two anchoring points is mounted on the upper level of the slab 140 and is anchored by the two construction anchors 76. The brace 170 has a bottom plate with two openings formed therein. Two bolts are passed through the openings and are threadedly engaged with the two construction anchors 76 opening onto the upper level of the slab 140.

[0202] Further, a single construction member anchor 76 is located on the lower level of the slab 140, the height of which is set by the lower formwork member 12. In FIG. 16, the construction anchor 76 is shown operatively connected to a reinforcing rod 172 that projects out of the slab 140 and that forms a permanent part of a building structure that is built on the slab 140.

[0203] FIG. 17 shows a slab 140 formed in accordance with the formwork apparatus 10 described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 16. The formwork apparatus 10 has been completely removed leaving the two-level slab 140 that has been formed using the formwork apparatus 10.

[0204] The drawing shows the anchor positioners 70 retained in position within the slab 140. The positioners 70 are positioned in the slab 140 in each of the positions in which a formwork bracket 20 was positioned. The body 71 of each positioner 70 extends along the surface of the lower level 144 of the slab 140 between the lower and the upper formwork members 12 and 14 but is spaced beneath the surface of the upper level 142 of the slab 140.

[0205] In the illustrated embodiment, the construction positioners 70 on the upper level 142 of the slab 140 have temporary construction braces 170 fixed thereto. By contrast the construction member anchors 76 on the lower level 144 of the slab 140 have reinforcing bars or reinforcing rods 172 operatively connected thereto. Only one reinforcing rod 172 is shown in the drawing for clarity but in practice reinforcing rods 172 might be connected to the other construction member anchors 76 on the lower level 144.

[0206] FIGS. 18 and 19 show a building structure being built up on the slab 140 that has been formed. The anchors 76 for the temporary construction braces 170 and reinforcing rods 172 are finely and accurately positioned by means of the anchor positioners 70 associated with the formwork brackets 20.

[0207] The technique of receiving and encasing construction anchors 76 for the reinforcing bars 172 in situ within the slab 140 when it is poured ensures that the bars 172 are properly anchored to and supported by the slab 140. With this construction, there is no requirement for the builders to drill holes into the concrete for receiving reinforcing bars 172 after the slab is poured.

[0208] FIGS. 20 and 21 illustrate a formwork bracket 180 in accordance with a second embodiment of the disclosure mounted on lower and upper formwork members 12 and 14. The formwork bracket 180 has some similarities to the formwork bracket 20 shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 and unless otherwise indicated the same reference numerals will be used to refer to the same components. Further, the following description will focus on the difference between this embodiment and that shown in FIG. 1.

[0209] The formwork bracket 180 comprises a lower formwork portion 40 that is similar to the first embodiment and an upper formwork portion 42 that is joined to the lower formwork portion 40 by a bridging portion 44. Each of the upper and lower formwork portions 42 and 40 has clamps 50 for clamping the bracket 20 to the upper and lower formwork members 14 and 12 respectively. The upper formwork portion 42 projects up above the level of an upper edge of the upper formwork member 14 which is different to the formwork bracket 20 in FIG. 1. Further, it includes an anchor positioner that includes an arm 181 that extends into the formwork space defined by the slab 140.

[0210] Further, the formwork bracket 180 also includes a foot 182 extending away from a base of the lower formwork portion 40 transverse to a surface of the lower formwork portion 40. The foot 182 has a tab 184 extending away therefrom with a hole defined therein for passing an anchoring element there through, e.g. a DYNABOLT, for anchoring the bracket 180 to a support. The foot 182 also has attachment formations 186 for attaching a ground penetrating formation with a sharp point thereto.

[0211] The formwork bracket 180 has two anchor positioners 70 for positioning an anchor 76 for a construction member 170, 172 in a formed slab 140. As described above, using the bracket 20, the one anchor positioner includes the arm 181 that extends above the upper formwork member 14 and across the formwork space. The positioner 70 includes a tab towards a remote end thereof that defines an opening that forms an anchor locator 72. Additionally, the bridge portion 44 includes a tab that projects transverse away therefrom that also forms a further anchor locator 74. Thus, the bracket 180 has one anchor locator 72 at an end of the arm 181 and a further anchor locator 74 formed in a tab 189 on the bridge portion 44.

[0212] However, one feature of this formwork bracket 180 is that when a slab is formed in the formwork space, the arm 181 of the bracket encroaches on and occupies the space above the surface of the slab and the space around its peripheral edge of the slab is obstructed. This is inconvenient for builders working on the slab.

[0213] FIG. 21 shows the formwork bracket 180 in FIG. 20 mounted on lower and upper formwork members 12 and 14 to form a formwork apparatus 10. The bracket 180 has a foot 182 extending away from the lower formwork portion having a ground penetrating anchor 82 at a remote end thereof. The purpose of the anchor 82 is to fix the bracket 180 firmly to the ground support on which the formwork apparatus 10 is mounted.

[0214] FIG. 22 is a sectional view of the formwork apparatus and formwork bracket 180 shown in FIG. 20 in position forming a slab for a building. The lower formwork portion 40 is anchored to the two channels 26 and 28 in the lower formwork member 12 using respectively the locking tab 58 in the lower channel 28 and the clamp 50 in the upper channel 26.

[0215] Each anchor locator 72, 74 is in the form of an aperture through which the construction member anchor 76 is passed. Each construction member anchor 76 is shown extending down into the slab 140 and is encased in concrete of the poured slab. Each construction member anchor 76 is similar to the construction anchor described above, with reference to FIGS. 11 and 13. That is, it comprises an anchor body 78 having a passage 79 there through that is open at each end. The passage 79 has an internal screw thread adjacent each end and an anchor rod 81 is screwed into the passage from below and a nut 62 that passes through the anchor locator 72 is screwed into the passage from above thereby forming an assembled anchor for a construction member.

[0216] FIG. 23 shows a formwork bracket that is a variation on the bracket 180 of FIGS. 20 and 21 that is used at an internal corner to avoid interference with an adjacent bracket 180. In this bracket, the foot 182 has been folded over to permit it to lie against an adjacent bracket without interference.

[0217] It will be further appreciated that forming the anchors within the slab when it is cast saves considerable labour and therefore cost. Further, by accurately positioning the anchors relative to the formwork members with a fine tolerance, the anchors are in an absolute optimum position. The accurate positioning of reinforcing rods leads to an overall better structure.

[0218] An advantage of the apparatus described in the detailed description above with reference to the drawings is that it enables an accurate and high tolerance slab to be formed for a building structure. The formwork members are accurately dimensioned on the ground and the brackets orientate the formwork space surfaces and thereby the formed slab surfaces in vertical and horizontal positions with a high degree of accuracy.

[0219] The formwork members are accurately dimensioned and positioned and have a vertically extending orientation. This ensures that the slab is accurately dimensioned and the adjacent sides of the slab are orthogonal to each other. It also ensures that the sides of the slab are vertically extending and the surface of the slab is horizontally extending or plumb as desired in best building practice. This provides a suitable foundation for dimensional accuracy and excellence in the building structure above the slab.

[0220] Another advantage of the apparatus described above with reference to the drawings is that it includes a construction member anchor or a bar anchor in the slab when it is poured. Once the slab has formed a vertically extending bar forming part of the building to be built can be mounted on the bar anchor so that it is strongly and accurately fixed in position on the slab extending up away from the slab. This saves a significant amount of time because it avoids the need to drill into the slab after it is formed. Further, it enables an extremely fine and high tolerance positioning of the bar on the slab and this ultimately enhances the accuracy and tolerance of the walls built on the foundation.

[0221] It will of course be realized that the above has been given only by way of illustrative example of the disclosure and that all such modifications and variations thereto, as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art, are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the disclosure as is herein set forth.