Title of Invention

A MODULE FOR USE IN CONSTRUCTING CONCRETE FRAMEWORK

Abstract This invention relates to a module for use in constructing concrete formwork, the module comprises a first and second wall section each with a plurality of openings therethrough, a plurality of elongate members, fastening means and reinforcing means for reinforcing a settable substance, wherein the first and second wall sections are connected together with the elongate members extending therebetweeen and through opposing openings provided in the wall sections and the fastening means is arranged to fix the elongate members to the wall sections with the reinforcing means located between the wall sections and elongate members, wherein the module is able to be moved for connection with like modules.
Full Text Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the building
industry.
Primarily the invention relates to building
structures which are formed using concrete.
Background of the Invention
A typical method for constructing a building
requires formwork to be provided in the shape of a wall
and so as to allow concrete to be poured between the
panels of the formwork and allow the concrete to set and
thus form a wall.
As an example, formwork to construct a wall involves
providing a number of rows of upright steel reinforcing
tods which extend from a base /support structure,
connecting horizontal steel rods to the upright rods to
form a channel between adjacent upright rods of each row
and then connecting forming panel work such as plywood to
the reinforcing rods so that side walls to the channel
are provided and to enable concrete to be poured into the
channel. when the concrete has set the formwork is
removed thus providing a concrete wall.
Although the method described above for constructing
a wall would appear to be relatively straight forward,
complications arise in providing accurately dimensioned
structures. Thus the width of a wall constructed using
the above method can vary depending upon the accuracy of
the location of reinforcing rods and panel formwork. In
general all components required during construction of
formwork must be accurately measured in order to achieve
the desired dimensions of the finished structure.
in addition to the above whenever structures which
include irregularities are required much care and
attention must be taken in constructing the formwork for
this applications. Thus a wall which requires a bevelled
end face or curves or lintels generally increases the
labour required in constructing the desired formwork.
The present invention provides an alternative to the
conventional methods for constructing structures as
described above.
Summary of the Invention
According to one aspect of the present invention
there is provided a frame unit for use in construction
formwork comprising a plurality of frame components
including first and second frame components and
connection means for connecting frame components together
to form an assembled frame; wherein a plurality of frame
units are arranged to be assembled to form formwork for a
wall -
Preferably the frame unit includes reinforcing means
for strengthening a wall formed using Che frame unit.
The first frame component may comprise a first wall
section.
Preferably the second frame component comprises a
second wall section.
Each frame component may comprise an elongate
member.
Preferably each elongate member is configured to
form a continuous loop of a predetermined shape.
The predetermined shape may be rectangular, square,
triangular or any other shape required to form a
structure.
Each elongate member may be configured to form a
wall frame.
Each frame component may be assembled to form a unit
having side and end Walls.
Preferably the first frame component forms a side
wall of the assembled frame.
The second frame component may form an end wall of
the assembled frame.
Preferably the assembled unit comprises two first,
frame components and two second frame components.
Preferably the frame unit is in the form of a
skeletal frame of a building block.
It is preferred that the reinforcing means includes
a plurality of elongate elements.
The reinforcing means may include a plurality of
elongate elements connected to form a grid pattern.
The frame components may be assembled with at least
part of the reinforcing means extending therethrough.
It is preferred chat the reinforcing means is a
planar mesh formed from crossing elongate elements.
The frame components may be assembled with tbe
reinforcing means located between side wall frame
components and extending upwardly and downwardly
therebetween-
The reinforcing means may comprise vertical and
horizontal rods welded to form a mesh.
Preferably the reinforcing means comprises a
plurality of metal grids.
The metal grids are preferably arranged in parallel
with predetermined spacing therebetween.
It is preferred that the end wall frame components
are arranged to abut with respective upright elongate
elements of the reinforcing means-
The end wall frame components may be arranged to
abut with respective horizontal elongate elements of the
reinforcing means.
According to one embodiment frame components of the
frame unit are angled with respect to a vertical plane.
It is preferred that the connection means comprises
an elongate connection member and at least one fastening
means for connecting frame components thereto.
it is preferred that the connection means
interconnects two frame components.
The connection means may comprise a plurality of
elongate connection members each adapted to be connected
to a plurality of frame components with the fastening
means.
It is preferred that each elongate connection member
extends between adjacent corners of frame components.
The mean may be connected to frame components.
It is preferred that the elongate connection members
comprise horizontal rods which are arranged to run in
parallel with the cop and bottom horizontal parts of the
end frame components.
Preferably the elongate connection members are
connected by clips to the corners of the frame unit.
The clips may be spring clips.
It is preferred that the ends of the elongate
connection members extend beyond the corners of the frame
unit.
The fastening means may include wire which is used
to connect the elongate connection members to the frame
unit. Alternatively the fastening means may be an
adhesive or fibreglass or any other suitable means for
fastening the elongate connection members to the frame
unit.
According to one embodiment the frame unit is
assembled to form a cage.
According to another embodiment the elongate
connection members have threaded ends which are arranged
to receive threaded nuts.
The elongate connection members may include
removable retainers located at each end.
The elongate connection members may include spacers
which are receivable thereon.
The elongate connection members may be arranged to
be connected to the mesh of the reinforcing means.
According to another embodiment the elongate
connection members comprise round hollow plastic tubes
through which a metal bolt can be placed.
According to another embodiment the frame unit
includes a plurality of panels adapted to be connected to
the assembled frame.
Each panel may have a predetermined shape.
Each panel may comprise openings for receipt of ends
of the elongate connection members.
Preferably each panel comprises coupling means for
coupling adjacent panels together.
The panels preferably comprise openings through
major faces thereof.
The coupling means may be male or female portions
which are adapted to couple with matching male or female
portions of another frame unit.
It is preferred that the male or female portions
consist of holes and spigots, or alternatively channels
and spigots.
The panels may form side walls of the frame unit.
Ends of the elongate connection members may be
secured by attachment means such as nuts and clips to the
panels.
At least one hole is provided through each panel and
an attachment means is arranged to be located at the end
of the elongate connection members to secure each panel
to the frame unit.
Each coupling portion is preferably located on an
edge face of the panel.
The panels may be plastic, plywood, steel or
cardboard.
According to one embodiment the panels are made of
cardboard and have flaps which are arranged to be
connected to flaps of other panels in lieu of a coupling
means.
It is preferred that the panels are removable and/or
reusable.
The coupling means preferably provides rigidity to a
plurality of assembled frame units.
It is preferred that spacers for the elongate
connection members are used to separate the panels from
adjacent frame components.
It is preferred that end portions of the reinforcing
means extend into adjacent frame units so as to overlap
end portions of reinforcing means of other frame units.
It is preferred that a plurality of reinforcing
means are provided for each frame unit.
Where there is a plurality of reinforcing means it
is preferred that these are arranged in a parallel
layered arrangement.
According to another embodiment of the present
invention there is provided a method of constructing
formwork for a building structure comprising the steps of
forming a frame unit by connecting a plurality of frame
components together using a connection means to form an
assembled frame with openings to allow for entry of a
settable substance, providing a reinforcing means and
connecting the reinforcing means to the frame unit and
connecting panels to the frame unit to form a module
which is movable to be connected to another module.
Preferably each module comprises coupling means for
enabling modules to be coupled together.
It is preferred that the step of connecting the
plurality of frame components together includes
connecting elongate members across adjacent frame
components.
The step of connecting the plurality of frame
components together preferably includes providing a
plurality of frame components of a predetermined shape
and arranging the frame components to form a frame of a
predetermined shaped.
It is preferred that the frame unit has a three
dimensional shape.
Preferably each frame component comprises a loop of
steel.
The frame component may be a hoop component.
The frame component may be annular.
It is preferred that the frame component comprises
an elongate element configured to a predetermined shape.
According to another aspect of the present invention
there is provided a panel having major faces and edge
faces with openings through the major faces adapted to
receive ends of elongate members and coupling means for
coupling panels together.
It is preferred that the coupling means are located
on the edge faces-
According to another aspect of the present invention
there is provided a system for constructing a building
structure including a plurality of modules each including
a frame component -
Brief^ Description of the Drawings
A preferred embodiment of the present invention will
now be described by way of example only with reference to
the accompanying drawings in which:
N-/^ Figure 1 shows a reinforced steel formwork frame
according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
a ^-^Figure 2 shows a reinforced steel formwork frame
according to a second embodiment of the present
invention;
Figure 3 shows the formwork frame of Figure 1 with
panel support ties according to a first embodiment;
Figure 4A shows a front view of a panel support tie
shown in Figure 3;
Figure 4B shows a tie with integrally formed clips;
Figure 4C shows a different type of clip and its
implementation for connecting steel rods together.
Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a formwork
frame with panel ties according to a second embodiment of S
the present invention; v
Figure 6 shows one support tie according to the
second embodiment connected to two frame elements;
Figure 7 shows two panels according to a first
embodiment ;
Figure B shows one of the panels shown in Figure 7;
Figure 9 shows a panel according to a second
embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 10 shows a liner for the panel shown in
Figure 9;
Figure 11 shows a schematic diagram of similar
panels connected together;
Figure 12 shows male and female couplings for
connecting panels together;
Figure 13 shows a finished module according to a
first embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 14 shows an end elevation of a number of
vertically stacked modules;
Figure 15 shows a section of wall according to a
first embodiment;
Figure 16 shows a formwork frame for corner forms
according to a first embodiment of the invention;
r y/Tigure 17 shows a formwork frame according to a
third embodiment;
Figure 18 shows a formwork frame according to a
fifth embodiment;
Figure 19 shows two panels connected together
according to a second embodiment of the invention;
Figure 20 shows a.support tie according to a third
embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 21 shows a subframe assembly for a module
according to a further embodiment of the present
invention;
Figure 22 shows a top view of an alternative method
for connecting corner modules together;
Figure 23 shows a screw in type support tie;
Figure 24 shows a corner tie according to a further
embodiment of the present invention in top view;
Figure 25 shows a front view of a further embodiment
of a corner tie according to the present invention;
Figure 26 shows a top view of a corner panel tie
according to another embodiment of the present invention ;
Figure 27 shows a top view of a corner tie according
to a further embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 26 shows an end view of a clip according to
another embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 29 shows a front sectional view of components
of a support tie according to a further embodiment of the
present invention,-
Figure 30 shows a front view of a support tie
according to another embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 31A shows a top view1 of a plate for a support
tie according to one embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 3IB shows a side view of a toothed tie for
use with the plate shown in Figure 31A;
Figure 31C shows a toothed tie according to another
embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 32 shows an end view of a strap tie according
to the present inventions-
Figure 33 shows an end view of a screw type tie
according to the present invention;
Figure 34 shows a side view of the screw type tie
shown in Figure 33;
Figure 35 shows an end view of another type of tie
according to the present invention;
Figure 3 6 shows a side view of another type of tie
according to the present invention;
Figure 37A shows a front view of a panel according
to a further embodiment of the present inventions-
Figure 37B shows an end view of the panel shown in
Figure 37A;
Figures 38A. 38B, 38C and 38D show different rib
structures for panels according to the present invention,-
Figure 39 shows an alternative type of panel for a
module according to the present invention; and
Figure 40 shows another embodiment of a panel for a
module according to the present invention.
Description of the Preferred Embodiments
According to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention formwork for building structures is simplified
by making modules which can be connected together. A
single module is made from a number of unique components.
As shown in Figure 1 a formwork frame 11 is
constructed from a number of base elements which in this
embodiment consist of two rectangular side wall frame
elements 12," 13 and two rectangular end wall frame
elements 14, 15. Each frame element is formed from a
steel rod which is bent into a rectangular shape and
welded at its end to form a continuous loop. A frame
element could be formed by connecting together a number
of straight steel rods to form a continuous loop. A
steel reinforcement mesh 16 is provided and in this
embodiment in a vertical orientation between the side
wall frame elements 12 and 13 with three upright rods 17,
18, 19. The frame elements 12, 13, 14 and 15 are
assembled to form a box like frame structure with the
reinforcing mesh 16 located with upright rods 17 and 19
in abutment with the end walls 14 and 15 and located
approximately mid way between side framework elements 12,
13.
In the second embodiment of the invention shown in
Figure 2 two reinforcement meshes 20. 21 are provided
side by side and parallel to each other so that there is
a small space between them. According to other
embodiments of the invention additional reinforcement
meshes may be provided and also . reinforcements of . a
different configuration.
With the frame elements 12, 13, 14, 15 assembled as
in Figure 1 they must be connected together to form a
single b©x like frame 30. As shown in Figure 3 these
components may be connected together using wire but it is
preferred to use panel support ties 31 which as shown in
Figure 4 consist of rod elements which are arranged to
lie co-terminus with the horizontal sections of each of
the end wall frame elements 14. 15. The ends of the
support ties 31 are provided with a threaded section 32,
33.
Clips 34 are provided to connect the support ties to
the adjacent horizontal walls 35, 36. 37, 38 of the end
frame elements 14, 15.
The clips 34 may be any suitably designed clip which
is able to connect two rod-like components together.
The support ties 31 also include spacer elements 39, i
40 which enable a separation to be achieved between side
frame elements 12, 13 and end wall elements 14, 15.
Figure 4 also shows how vertical sections 41, 42 of
the side frame elements 12, 13 can be connected to the
clips 34. The clips 34 may include two socket elements
having resilient finger elements which axe able to grip
the vertical sections 41, 42 and the horizontal sections
35. 36, 37, 38.
If it is desired to used continuous steel inside the
modules the panel support ties 31 may be provided with
peripheral clips 45 formed thereon as shown in Figure 4B.
The clips 45 are C-shaped and are adapted to clip onto
continuous steel reinforcing and can also be used for
steel mesh.
The clips 43 are arranged in a line along the length
of the rod elements 31 and are arranged to be mutually
perpendicular so that they can clip onto steel rods in
mutually perpendicular planes.
It is also possible to have different sized clips at
different locations along the length of the rods 31 so as
to cover applications of steel of different thicknesses
and located in non-uniform positions.
In the embodiment shown in Figure 4B the clips 43
can carry horizontal steel in combination with vertical
steel.
According to another embodiment shown in Figure 4C,
a double sided clip 44 may be provided to join horizontal
steel 45 co vertical steel 46 in between the ties.
According to an alternative embodiment shown in
Figure 5 and Figure 6 panel support ties 50 consist of
round hollow plastic tubes which are also aligned
horizontally co-terminus with the vertical sections of
the end frame elements 14, 15. Each support tie 50 is
connected to the corners of each side frame element 12,
13 by using either clips 51 or by tying the tubes SO
using wire. Alternatively adhesive tapes may be used or
even fibreglass may be used to bind the tubes to the side
frame elements 12, 13.
A steel bolt can be inserted through the tubes 50 to
provide strength to the plastic tubes so as to hold
panels together and also hold the frame elements together
thus acting as spacers.
Figure 7 shows two panels 60, 61 which are fed onto
the respective ends 62, 63 of support ties 31, 50. In
Figure 7 only the end 63 of the support ties 31, 50 are
shown.
An individual panel 60, 61 is shown in Figure 8 more
clearly and consists of a planar element having an inside
major face 64 and an outside major face 65. The panel
also has vertical edge faces 66 and horizontal edge faces
67 to form a substantially rectangular slab.
Each major face 64, 65 has four openings 68 provided
in a symmetrical pattern close to respective corners of
the panel 60, 61.
Each panel could be made from steel for reusable
purposes, from plastic, plasterboard or even a cardboard
version is possible as shown in Figures 9 and 10. The
panel can also be formed with one of the major faces
being recessed with respect to the edge faces so as to be
able to receive a liner which can have a specifically
configured major face so as to leave a textured effect or
pattern on concrete with which it contacts.
.Each of the edge faces 66, 61 is provided with
coupling portions 69 which in Figure 8 are shown as
holes. As shown in Figure 11 however the edge faces are
preferably provided with dowels in one edge face and
correspondingly shaped holes in the opposing edge face.
This enables adjacent panels to be connected together
with the dowels of one panel connecting with the holes of
an adjacent panel 73.
On the horizontal edge faces 67 especially shaped
dowel 74 may be provided as shown in Figure 12 which has
a small vertical portion and its major portion running
horizontally. The opposite edge face of the panel 72 is
provided with a protruding cylindrical socket 75 which is
adapted to receive the horizontal portion of the dowel
74'.
In an alternative embodiment shown in Figures 9 and
10 the panels may be made of a sheet of cardboard 79 with
"holes 80 provided in a similar configuration to the
previous embodiment. A cardboard liner 81 is provided
having a matching major face 83, but with peripheral
rectangular flaps 84.
The panel 79 is stapled to the major face 83 of the
liner 82 and the flaps 84 can be connected to flaps of
adjacent panels so that panels can be connected together.
It is preferred that the panel 79 is stapled co the
liner 83 and that flaps of adjacent panels are also
stapled together.
Figure 13 also shows a finished module which has
rectangular panels 91 connected to the ends of support
ties 93 with nuts 94 screwed onto the ends of the ties 93
to fix the panels in position in a vertical orientation
on either side of the inside frame 95. As shown the
spacers 96 separate the panels 91 from the frame 95.
Figure 13 shows how the ends of the reinforcement
mesh 92 extend above, below and beyond the side walls of
both the frame 95 and the panels 91.
In Figure 14 three finished modules 100, 101, 102
are stacked vertically and the reinforcement mesh of each
module is shown as 103, 104 and 105. The lowermost limit
of the reinforcement mesh 103 of module 100 extends
almost as far as the top reinforcement mesh 105 of the
bottom most unit 102, while the middle unit 101 has its
reinforcement mesh 104 spaced from the other two
reinfox-cement meshes 103, 105, but in parallel to both of
these meshes, thus providing a continuous vertical
reinforcement from one module to the next.
According to another variation the middle units 101
can be offset inwardly with respect to the upper and
lower units 100. 102.
As shown in Figure 15 a wall may be assembled by
having a series of modules connected together in a
similar fashion to how bricks would positioned in a wall.
It should be noted however that where it is necessary to
construct a corner or an end to the wall, modules of,
different shapes are required, thus a half module^lll is
required in the lowermost section of the wall at one end
thereof and a corner module 112 is required at the
opposite end of the wall in the second layer. Thus as
j
shown in Figure 16: a corner module is made from frame
elements which are connected together to form a right
angled block frame with panel support ties 113 being
connected across opposing side frame elements and in
addition one support tie 114 being connected to the
reinforcing mesh IIS which is opposite the side frame
element near the outermost corner. Another support tie
16 connects to the support tie 115 from the other side of
the corner.
According to a different embodiment of the present
invention a corner tie is so designed as to hold the
corners together securely as shown in Figure 22. Thus
panels 140 and 141 are connected at right angles to form
an inner corner and panels 142. 143 are connected at
right angles to form an outer corner.
Batons 144, 145 are located inside the inner corner
panels 140, 141 and outside the outer panels 142, 143.
Each baton 144, 145 runs down the outer and inner corners
secured by screws for additional strength. The inner
panels 140, 141 may vary depending on the width of the
wall.
The corner tie 146 connects outer panels 142, 143
and extends diagonally across the outside corner.
With such an arrangement walls can be formed at any
particular angle with respect to each other with the
batons providing reinforcement without the need for a
cable tie to connect to inside reinforcing mesh.
As shown in Figure 17 a curved wall may be formed by
having one of the side frame elements 117 shorter than
the other 118. Thus when adjacent modules are connected
together one module will need to be angled with respect
to the next so that the ends of each module abut.
A further embodiment of the invention shown in
Figure 18 includes panels 119 having a triangular
configuration.
Other embodiments of the present invention are also
covered by the invention and include panels which have
i
one, two or three holes and which thus may be one
quarter, one half or three quarters of a standard module
which is shown in Figure 13.
According to another embodiment of the present
invention a module may be formed having a round shape so
that the frame elements may be formed from a series of
rings which are connected together using the
aforementioned techniques. In such a case a curved panel
would be required.
If it is desired to form a cavity an object of any
suitable material is placed in between the panels of the
module, steel ties of a suitable material are preferably
provided in the object that forms the cavity. This
therefore enables two concrete walls to be tied together
that are formed from pouring inside the module.
Figure 19 shows an object 120 which may be
polystyrene for example with steel ties 121, 122
extending transversely therethrough at upper and lower
locations. Upper and lower panel support ties 123, 124
are shown having integrally formed clips as shown in
Figure 4B.
The steel ties 121, 122 are preferably provided with
lugs or clips 125 shown more clearly in Figure 20.
According to another embodiment of the invention a
module may be formed using subframe assemblies as shown
in Figure 21. Such a subframe assembly 130 which
consists of a rectangular outer frame may be made of any
suitable rigid material and can carry a lighter material
such as cardboard or thin plastic. The frame 130
comprises a lattice 131 of metal rods, plastic rods or
any other type of inner support for the frame 130.
Furthermore, the lattice can be replaced by diagonally
run supports or equivalent supporting structures.
Figures 4A, 4B and 4C showed different types of
panel support ties used in forming individual modules.
Set forth below are alternative types of support ties
which may also be used.
in Figure 23 a screw-in type support tie is shown
consisting of an inner rod 150 having peripheral
reinforcing rod clips 151 aligned in rows with eiach row
being displaced by 90° with respect to an adjacent row.
The outer ends of the rod 150 are provided with
threaded internal bores 152 which sire adapted to receive
end screws .153 with an optional ferrule 154. The
ferrules can vary in size and are detachable so that they
can be removed after concrete has been poured and set.
Optionally the ferrule 154 could also be built into the
panel or formwork.
According to another embodiment of the present
invention the ferrule 154 is enlarged so as to fit into -a
recess in a panel whereby the end screws 153 fit through
a hole in the recess in- the panel so as to connect with
the tie after insertion through the ferrule. This allows
for perfect alignment of the cable tie with respect to a
panel.
The above described embodiment also allows for
webbing to be introduced for added support. Thus a
girder may be connected to the enlarged ferrule below the
rod 150 to strengthen the tie and this girder may be
connected at various points along the length of the
girder to the rod.
According to another variation of the above
embodiment the ferrule could be a split ferrule split
vertically so as to allow a specially shaped end piece to
fit into the recess of a panel. This end piece has a
protrusion with a vertically placed hole therethrough to
allow for a pin to be inserted to locate it in position
within the panel recess.
A corner tie may be provided as shown in Figures 24
and 25.
For adjacent modules 160, 161, the adjacent corners
of the modules 160, 161 are provided with stepped
recesses which form a combined recess in which the
support tie 163 is supported.
At its outer end the tie 163 can contain either
keys, ribs or lock teeth as shown in Tigure 2 or any
combination of these. Ferrules 166 are provided! on the
inner side the module as shown in Figure 24.
Figure 26 shows corner panels tied together using a
wedge key system in which the ends of the panels are
provided with wedged shaped key ways 170 and wedges are
used to connect, these panels together.
Figure 27 shows another key way system for corner
panels in which the key ways 171 are straighc. A key
plate 172 is shown which is adapted to fit into the
straight key ways 171 in combination with a threaded bolt
or clip 173. Figure 28 shows one type of clip 173 . This
clip 173 actually clicks on and is U-shaped. The clip
stops che panels or forms pushing out and separating
vertically during concrete pouring.
The corner tie attachment' described above is able to
prevent movement in six different directions.
As shown in Figure 29 the support tie 174 has a
ferrule 175, hold plate 176. tooth 177, rib 178, outer
plate 179 and end screw 180.
The outer plate can be independent of this
arrangement as shown in Figures 27 and 28.
The above type of support tie can be used along any
part or place of the outside form.
A half version of these support ties can be produced
for the bottom of the form when they are first arranged,
in this embodiment the forms 182 rest on the support tie
and the outer plates extend upwardly at each end as shown
in Figure 30-
This bottom tie can be made in a single piece or can
be adapted with a smaller screw. Alternatively it may be
tied higher up where the initial form had its bottom
ties.
It should be noted with the corner ties that the
modules may be assembled on site instead of at the
factory.
According to another embodiment of the invention
ties can be produced with one thick side and the other
side normal with an end screw. It should be noted that
the hold plate is preferably rebated into the panel form.
If the support ties are moved out of the corner the
rebate in the forms is filled with a tie having teeth 184
and corresponding opening 185 as shown in Figures 31a and
31b.
According to an alternative embodiment the support
ties are provided with serrated teeth 163 protruding
radially therefrom as shown in Figure 31C. The serrated
teech 183 provide better grip and can also be double-
sided.
This tie can also be used anywhere along the inside
of the form on the interior of it to hold panels
together. The teeth 183, 184 can also be grooved for
extra grip.
A further embodiment of the present invention
includes strap ties. These ties as shown in Figure 32 do
nod screw off, instead they have to be cut off.
A strap tie 188 is provided with peripheral clips as
discussed previously and is also provided with lower
teeth on its outer periphery 189. A strap 190 extends
over the top of two adjacent forms and wraps around end
flanges of each form 192 to hold them in place. a rib
193 separates both forms 192.
The rib 193 is clicked in position and a snap-on
piece slides over the ribs snap-in teeth. The rib in
addition to providing strength also acts as a spreader.
According to another embodiment of the present
invention key locks and cam ties are used to connect
formwork together. Both of these methods operate on the
same principle as the screw-in end screws but instead of
screwing they are fixed in place by turning the key lock
so that it fits in the specially configured key way or is
wedged in position due to the cam surface provided at the
end of the cam lock. According to another version of the
invention shown in Figure 33 four adjacent modules are
connected together using a screw type connection 195. As
shown more clearly in Figure 34 each of the forms 194
have a lug 196 located in their abutting corners. These
lugs or flanges are covered by a cover element 197 which
is U-shaped and a screw 198 holds the cover in place.
According to another variation of the present
invention a keyed plate as shown in Figure 28 or a plate
with ribs either side of the tie can be slid down to
engage two forms then a tie can be placed and turned to
lock the forms together as shown in Figure 35, then when
che top panels are due to be located in position it is
ready to receive them in the slot provided by the legs of
the U-shaped plate 200. Optionally there may also be
provided a small ridge 201 which acts as a retainer to
stop the tie being removed. Any other suitable means for
preventing removal is also encompassed by the invention
such as a cylindrical member located on the end of the
tie and adapted to receive a screw which acts as the
retainer.
According to another embodiment of the present
invention socket ties are provided in which the panels
are specially provided with recessed portions 202 as
'shown in Figure 36. These recessed portions 202 are
adapted to receive a round knob 203 located at the end of
each support tie 204. Other types of snap-in locking
systems are also envisaged.
According to another variation of the present
invention the ends of the support ties are intertable
through holes in the modules and the ties are held in
place by snap-on elements which are located on the other
side of the modules.
Another type of tie envisaged by the present
invention is a spool tie which has transverse portions
located at each end which are adapted to fit into
correspondingly shaped slots provided in the edge face of
each module.
According to another variation of the invention a
screw can be added through a window in the side of the
module with a detachable spool being located at each end.
According to a further aspect of the present
invention modules are provided with protrusions which
allow a tie to be clipped thereon by a removal clip,
According to another variation of the present
invention as shown in Figure 37 panels 205 or forms are
provided with integrally formed clips 206 which slip
through an opening in a flange section of an adjacent
form and clip into the other form, thus individual panels
may be provided with interlocking components to allow
them co be connected together. Alternatively they may be
provided with male or female portions which are adapted
to be connected together directly or through an
intermediate removable member, thus modules may be
provided with end flanges and slots which interlock and
can be held in place by a wedge tie or dowelling strap.
The idea of using ribs was previously discussed in
relation to Figure 29. Figures 38A, 38B. 38C and 38JD
show different configurations of ribbing which may be
used to support the structure of a module. These include
diagonal ribs extending between the corners of a module
as shown in Figure 38B, a combination of diagonal ribs
and a rectangular rib as shown in Figure 3BA, a cross
configuration of ribs as shown in Figure 38C which also
incorporates diagonal ribbing in each window formed
therein and finally a series of horizontal ribs with a
single vertical rib as shown in Figure 38D.
According to one preferred aspect of the present
invention a series of modules are able to be connected
together so as to form any particular shape suitable for
concrete pouring. According to an embodiment of the
invention in which a universal type module is provided as
shown in Figure 39, a module 210 is provided with
peripheral slots 211 in upper and lower walls thereof.
The | size of the module can be selected as desired
depending on the particular application of use.
The corners of the module are provided with cut-away
sections 212 and the recessed portions 211 are spaced
preferably at regular intervals along the upper and lower
wall and if the height is large enough along the side
wall as well.
Through holes 213 are provided through the centre of
the module 210 and as shown in Figure 39 are arranged in
pairs in axial alignment with opposing recesses 211 on
the upper and lower edges of the module 210.
Using the module shown in Figure 3 9 a variety of
different shapes of formwork may be connected together to
form individual modular building blocks forming a wall of
numerous different shapes. The modules may be preformed
and then taken onto site or may be formed on site as
desired. It is also possible to have individual modules
preconnected together either in the factory or on site.
According to another variation of the present
invention panels may be provided as shown in Figure 40.
These panels have side walls provided with male portions
300 and female recesses 301. Each of the male portions
300 may be provided with a lateral hole therethrough.
Adjacent panels may be connected together by
interconnecting male and female portions 300. 301 and
inserting a pin 302 through the coupled male and female
portions.
The shape of the male and female portions may be
changed and the method of interlocking the male and
female portions may also be changed so as to include
other locking means other than" pins, for example
expandable male portions may be provided to retain a male
portion of another panel within a female portion located
between two adjacent male portions.
WE CLAIM
1. A module for use in constructing concrete formwork, the module comprises a first
and second wall section each with a plurality of openings therethrough, a plurality
of elongate members, fastening means and reinforcing means for reinforcing a
settable substance, wherein the first and second wall sections are connected
together with the elongate members extending therebetweeen and through
opposing openings provided in the wall sections and the fastening means is
arranged to fix the elongate members to the wall sections with the reinforcing
means located between the wall sections and elongate members, wherein the
module is able to be moved for connection with like modules.
2. A module as claimed in claim 1 wherein the reinforcing means comprises a mesh
structure.
3. A module as claimed in claim 2 wherein each wall section is rectangular.
4. A module as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wall
sections have corners and each elongate member is adapted to extend between
adjacent corners of wall sections.
5. A module as claimed in claim 4 wherein each elongate member comprises a rod.
6. A module as claimed in claim 5 wherein the ends of the elongate members are
adapted for the fastening means to be removably attachable thereto.
7. A module as claimed in claim 6 wherein each wall section is in the form of a
substantially identical preformed panel.
8. A module as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein each wall
section comprises a coupling means which permits that wall section to be
connected to a wall section of another module.
9. A module as claimed in claim 7 wherein the coupling means of each wall section
are located on an edge face thereof.
10. A module as claimed in claim 8 wherein the coupling means comprises male
and/or female portions which are adapted to couple with matching male and/or
female portions of another panel.
11. A method of constructing formwork for a building structure comprising the steps
of forming a module as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and
connecting a plurality of modules together using coupling means.
12. A module as claimed in claim 1 and substantially as hereinbefore described with
reference to any one of the embodiments shown in figures 19 to 39.


This invention relates to a module for use in constructing concrete formwork, the module
comprises a first and second wall section each with a plurality of openings therethrough,
a plurality of elongate members, fastening means and reinforcing means for reinforcing a
settable substance, wherein the first and second wall sections are connected together with
the elongate members extending therebetweeen and through opposing openings provided
in the wall sections and the fastening means is arranged to fix the elongate members to
the wall sections with the reinforcing means located between the wall sections and
elongate members, wherein the module is able to be moved for connection with like
modules.

Documents:

IN-PCT-2000-141-KOL-CORRESPONDENCE.pdf

in-pct-2000-141-kol-correspondence1.1.pdf

in-pct-2000-141-kol-examination report.pdf

in-pct-2000-141-kol-form 18.pdf

in-pct-2000-141-kol-form 26.pdf

in-pct-2000-141-kol-form 5.pdf

in-pct-2000-141-kol-granted-abstract.pdf

in-pct-2000-141-kol-granted-claims.pdf

in-pct-2000-141-kol-granted-description (complete).pdf

in-pct-2000-141-kol-granted-drawings.pdf

in-pct-2000-141-kol-granted-form 1.pdf

in-pct-2000-141-kol-granted-form 2.pdf

in-pct-2000-141-kol-granted-specification.pdf

IN-PCT-2000-141-KOL-OTHERS.pdf

in-pct-2000-141-kol-reply to examination report.pdf

in-pct-2000-141-kol-translated copy of priority document.pdf


Patent Number 243400
Indian Patent Application Number IN/PCT/2000/141/KOL
PG Journal Number 42/2010
Publication Date 15-Oct-2010
Grant Date 13-Oct-2010
Date of Filing 18-Jul-2000
Name of Patentee BILOWOL PETER
Applicant Address P.O. BOX 546, NERANG, QLD
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 BILOWOL PETER P.O. BOX 546, NERANG, QLD 4211
PCT International Classification Number E04G 11/08
PCT International Application Number PCT/AU1998/01059
PCT International Filing date 1998-12-18
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 PP0967 1997-12-18 Australia