Holding Units for Stay in Place Molds

Abstract

The instant invention provides stay in place molds for the construction of concrete structures comprising two boards or panels held together by a series of holding units that are fastened only to the interior surfaces of the cement panels by fastening means that are kept inside of the width of said panels. The holding units are selectively distributed at the internal cavity of the molds and are designed by a main cylindrical body having at least two internal ring units inside and two supporting plates at each one of the extremes of the main cylindrical body. The external, flat surface of the plates is permanently fastened only to the internal surface of the cement boards, thus forming strong stay in place construction molds having smooth external surfaces.

Description

[0001]This application claims priority under 35 USC 120 to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13 / 135,485 filed on Jul. 7, 2011.TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention relates to holding units useful in stay in place molds for the construction of concrete structures. More particularly, the invention is directed to holding units able to provide stay in place molds, which are useful in the construction of monolithic concrete structures of excellent strength.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Fiber cement panels, also known as fiber cement boards have been used in the elaboration of stay in place molds useful in the construction of concrete structures. In general terms, two fiber cement panels are vertically positioned and held together in order to create an internal cavity intended to be filled with liquid concrete mixture at the construction site.[0004]The real challenge in the manufacture and use of said molds is to maintain both fiber cement panels held together firmly and ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention provides a stay in place fiber cement mold that can hold fiber cement boards with strong firmness without any exposed components on the exterior surfaces of the boards. The mold is resistant to the internal pressure created by the liquid cement mixture and can stand without any external supports or components. The mold allows for a uniform distribution of the cement mixture, resulting in strong monolithic structures. Additionally, the mold can be firmly interconnected to another mold to produce uniform and strong largest sizes concrete structures. The mold is also capable of incorporating insulating materials without disturbing the interior of the constructed wall and provides a flat external surface. The distance and distribution of re bars can be easily predetermined and pre-established as demanded by or according to a given or particular construction code.

Problems solved by technology

The real challenge in the manufacture and use of said molds is to maintain both fiber cement panels held together firmly and to obtain a highly internal pressure resistance at the internal cavity of the form.

In most instances, said fiber cement panels hare held together by means of vertical and horizontal structural components which are attached internally or externally to the said panels, debilitating the whole structure.

Said external components complicate the construction process, requiring external supports in order to counteract or balance the internal pressure created once the liquid cement mixture is poured inside the mold.

Similarly, said external components difficult the alignment and proper connection of individual molds, as required in the formation of larger structures.

On the other hand, the use of complicated components assembled through the width of the fiber boards and passing along its internal cavity compromise the firmness and stability of the mold and the strength of the structure constructed with said mold.

Internally, said structures occupy a large area of the internal cavity and thus, represents an obstruction that avoids the uniform contact and distribution of the liquid concrete mixture within the mold, which results in the formation of a non-monolithic, weak concrete structure.

Externally, once the concrete structure is made, it is required to eliminate the external section of such components, which means additional work that can negatively affect the interior of the constructed structure.

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