Forming apparatus and method for constructing concrete columns

Abstract

The current invention discloses moisture resistant column forms constructed from corrugated plastic. The forms disclosed herein are lightweight and can be easily assembled at a construction site or remote location. The forms can be positioned over pre-placed sections of reinforcing bars, or sections of reinforcing bars can be placed into a form once it is in position. The forms disclosed in the current invention can be easily removed, but they do not attract insects and therefore do not have to be removed from columns after the concrete has dried. The forms disclosed herein have generally square perimeters when they are assembled and put in place, but after concrete is poured into the form, the side walls will undergo uniform deformation / displacement due to the hydrostatic pressure of the concrete and the resulting column will have a generally circular perimeter. A method of using the forms is also disclosed.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The invention relates to a form that allows piers or columns to be created from poured concrete, for use in building construction. In particular, this invention describes a lightweight and collapsible form for columns. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Concrete columns are commonly used as upright supports for buildings and other structures. These concrete support structures exist in a wide variety of shapes. Typically, these concrete supports have circular, square or rectangular cross-sections and the size of the support varies depending upon the intended use. [0003] The concrete foundation for a structure anchors the entire structure against settling, slippage and wind lift. It also distributes loads into the ground and protects posts or beams from direct contact with the earth. The foundation may consist of two parts, a footing that distributes the load underground and a pier that raises the bottom of a structure above grade. In some installations the pier...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011] Disclosed herein is a form for concrete columns that overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a form which is prefabricate at a remote location and can be quickly installed on a construction site for considerably less cost than wood forms. The forms disclosed herein are resistant to moisture so it can be used in a greater variety of climates than cardboard forms.

[0014] In their collapsed configuration the forms are easily stored and transported. At a construction site, the forms can be easily assembled. To assemble, the forms are unfolded and positioned in the location where a concrete column is to be constructed. If desired, sections of reinforcing bar can be placed in the forms to provide reinforcement for the concrete columns. Concrete is then poured into the top of the form, and the hydrostatic pressure of the concrete causes uniform displacement / deformation of the form side walls such that the resulting column is cylindrical.

[0015] Because they are constructed of corrugated plastic, the forms disclosed herein will not attract insects and can therefore be left on the cured columns. However, the forms need not be left on the columns and they can be easily removed by scoring the forms along the vertical length of the column and pealing the form away from the cured column.

Problems solved by technology

While steel and wood forms are adequate for construction of columns, the materials used to make these forms can be costly.

Additionally, constructing column forms from steel or wood is a labor intensive process that requires some degree of skill.

When paper fiber tubes are left in place for an extended period, before concrete is poured into them, they can deteriorate.

Another problem associated with paper fiber tubes is that the tube can soak up some of the water from the wet concrete.

When this occurs, the tube can be difficult to remove from the concrete, or the resulting column can be stained.

This storage requires considerable floor space in storage facilities, and considerable cargo space when the tubes are transported to a construction site thereby resulting in significant costs and inconvenience.

While the tubes disclosed in the Weekers patents are easier to store, it can be difficult to get the tubes to stand upright, without additional support, when they are being used to form longer columns.

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