Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02588112 2007-05-14
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CaIVCx'"S17R3 SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR PRE-CASTING
CONCRETE STRUCTURES
BACKGROUND
1. The Field of the Invention.
The present disclosure relates generally to devices for
forming structures, and more particularly, but not necessarily
entirely, to devices for forming precast concrete structures.
The present disclosure also relates generally to
structural columns and/or walls, and more particularly, but
not necessarily entirely, to pre-cast concrete structures and
mechanisms for attaching the structures to footings or other
such supports.
2. Description of Related Art.
Precast concrete structures have been used in the
building construction industry for many years. Precast
concrete structures may include steel reinforced panels for
use in constructing fences, walls, sound barriers and the
like. Precast concrete structures may also include columns
for supporting panels or overhead items. High quality precast
concrete structures may be formed efficiently since they may
be constructed in a factory with specialized equipment, strict
quality standards and controlled conditions not subject to
rain, hot or cold temperatures, or builder errors. Moreover,
labor savings may be accomplished since precast structures may
be formed more efficiently in a factory than constructing a
form on site to manufacture the structures in place. Use of
precast concrete structures may also reduce construction
delays associated with rain or inclement weather since
concrete may not be properly poured on site in inclement
weather.
In recent years, the use of precast concrete columns and
panels with decorative patterns formed on the exterior surface
has increased in popularity. The precast concrete panels may
have various different patterns such as stone or brick, for
example. Such precast concrete panels may be easier to
construct than stone or brick walls. Moreover, the precast
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concrete panels may be durable and provide advantages in that
cracking may be reduced as compared to walls formed with
grouted natural stone or brick, and no mortar joints are
created with precast concrete panels to allow water to seep
into the wall.
Various different types of devices are known in the art
for forming precast concrete structures. Despite the
advantages of known devices for forming concrete structures,
improvements are still being sought to improve the efficiency
of the manufacturing process and the quality of the concrete
structures. Also, improvements are being sought for concrete
structures to facilitate installation of the structures at the
construction site.
Also, various different types of attaching devices and
methods are known in the art for joining concrete structures
to footings to support the structures in an upright position.
Despite the advantages of known attaching devices and methods,
improvements are still being sought to improve the efficiency
of construction and the quality of the concrete structures.
The prior art is thus characterized by several
disadvantages that are addressed by the present disclosure.
The present disclosure minimizes, and in some aspects
eliminates, the above-mentioned failures, and other problems,
by utilizing the methods and structural features described
herein.
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According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided
an apparatus for simultaneously forming a plurality of concrete structures,
said
apparatus comprising: a frame; a plurality of partitions mounted on said
frame,
said plurality of partitions comprising at least three partitions being
positioned in a
side by side arrangement to form a plurality of cavities, each of said
plurality of
cavities being separated by a corresponding one of said plurality of
partitions,
each of said cavities defining: a first portion for receiving wet concrete for
forming
a panel portion of one of said concrete structures, said panel portion having
a first
end and an opposing second end, and a second wider portion communicating with
said first portion for receiving wet concrete for forming a column portion on
said
second end of said panel portion, said column portion having a slot formed
therein, said first end of said panel portion being sized so that it can be
received
within said slot; and an end wall mounted on said frame and being disposed
adjacent to an end of said plurality of partitions, said end wall being
independently
moveable relative to said plurality of partitions and relative to said frame,
said
plurality of partitions being moveable in a first direction, and said end wall
being
moveable in a second direction substantially perpendicular with respect to
said
first direction.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided an apparatus for simultaneously forming a plurality of concrete
structures, said apparatus comprising: a frame; a plurality of partitions
mounted
on said frame and having a first end and an opposing second end, said
plurality of
partitions comprising at least three partitions being positioned in a side by
side
arrangement to form a plurality of cavities, each of said plurality of
cavities being
separated by a corresponding one of said plurality of partitions, each of said
cavities defining: a first portion for receiving wet concrete for forming a
panel
portion of a concrete structure, and a second portion in communication with
the
first portion for receiving wet concrete for forming a column portion on said
panel
portion; a first end wall mounted on said frame adjacent to said first end of
said
plurality of partitions so as to bound a portion of said plurality of
cavities; and a
plurality of first ribs mounted on said first end wall, wherein each of said
plurality of
first ribs is positioned in a separate one of said second portions for
defining slot
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extending along the length of said column portion of said concrete structures;
wherein at least one of said plurality of partitions is moveable with respect
to said
frame and with respect to said first end wall and wherein said first end wall
is
moveable with respect to said frame in a direction substantially perpendicular
to a
direction of movement of said at least one of said plurality of partitions.
According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided an apparatus for forming a plurality of concrete structures, said
apparatus comprising: a frame; a plurality of partitions movably mounted to
said
frame, each of said plurality of partitions having a first side and an
opposing
second side that each extend between a first end and an opposing second end,
said plurality of partitions comprising at least three partitions and being
positionable in a side by side arrangement to form a plurality of cavities
therebetween for receiving concrete for forming said concrete structures; and
a
first end wall movably mounted to said frame and disposed adjacent to said
first
end of said plurality of partitions so as to partially bound said plurality of
cavities,
said first end wall being moveable in a direction away from said partitions,
wherein
said partitions are moveable in a first direction, and said first end wall is
moveable
in a second direction substantially perpendicular with respect to said first
direction.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided an apparatus for simultaneously forming a plurality of concrete
structures, said apparatus comprising: a frame; a plurality of partitions
mounted
on said frame, said plurality of partitions comprising at least three
partitions being
positioned in a side by side arrangement to form a plurality of cavities, each
of
said plurality of cavities being separated by a corresponding one of said
plurality
of partitions, each of said cavities defining: a first portion for receiving
wet
concrete for forming a panel portion of one of said concrete structures, and a
second wider portion communicating with said first portion for receiving wet
concrete for forming a column portion on said panel portion; wherein the
plurality
of partitions are arranged so as to be substantially parallel to one another
in
separate planes and wherein each of the plurality of partitions are
independently
movable relative to the frame and remain in the substantially parallel planes
when
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they are moved on said frame; wherein each of said plurality of partitions is
movable with respect to the other partitions in a direction substantially
orthogonal
to the plane of the partition.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is
provided an apparatus for simultaneously forming a plurality of concrete
structures, said apparatus comprising: a frame; a plurality of partitions
mounted
on said frame and having a first end and an opposing second end, said
plurality of
partitions comprising at least three partitions being positioned in a side by
side
arrangement to form a plurality of cavities, each of said plurality of
cavities being
separated by a corresponding one of said plurality of partitions, each of said
cavities defining: a first portion for receiving wet concrete for forming a
panel
portion of a concrete structure, and a second portion in communication with
the
first portion for receiving wet concrete for forming a column portion on said
panel
portion; a first end wall mounted on said frame adjacent to said first end of
said
plurality of partitions; a second end wall mounted on said frame adjacent to
said
first end of said plurality of partitions; and a plurality of first ribs
mounted on said
first end wall, wherein each of said plurality of first ribs is positioned in
a separate
one of said second portions for defining a slot in said column portions; a
plurality
of second ribs mounted on said second end wall, wherein each of said plurality
of
first ribs is positioned in a separate one of said second portions for
defining a slot
in said column portions; and wheels supporting said plurality of partitions
and said
first and second walls on said frame so that each of said plurality of
partitions and
said first and second end walls can move relative to said frame.
According to yet a further aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a system comprising: a first concrete structure and a second concrete
structure, each comprising a column portion and a panel portion integrally
joined
with said column portion, said column portion comprising a side face with an
elongated slot formed therein, said panel portion having opposing side faces
that
extend from said column portion to a terminal distal end face, said slot
having a
width at said side face that is greater than or equal to the width of said
panel
portion where said panel portion is joined to said column portion; a support
having
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said first concrete structure received thereupon; and a substantially rigid
member
rigidly embedded within said support and received in said slot in said column
portion of said first concrete structure for providing lateral support to said
first
concrete structure, a portion of said panel portion of said second concrete
structure being received within said slot in said column portion of said first
concrete structure such that said terminal distal end face of said panel
portion of
said second concrete structure is disposed adjacent to said substantially
rigid
member within said slot in said first concrete structure.
According to still a further aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a system comprising: a first concrete structure comprising: a first
column comprising a side face with an elongated slot formed therein, said slot
being bounded by two opposing side surfaces extending inward from a mouth at
said side face of said first column to an end surface that faces toward said
mouth
of said slot; and a first panel having opposing side faces that extend from
said first
column to a first terminal distal end face that faces away from said first
column; a
support having said first concrete structure received thereupon; and a
substantially rigid member attached to said support and received in said slot
in
said first column for providing lateral support to said first concrete
structure,
wherein said slot has a width extending between said side surfaces that is
substantially constant from said mouth to said rigid member; and a second
concrete structure comprising: a second column comprising a side face with an
elongated slot formed therein; and a second panel having opposing side faces
that extend from said second column to a second terminal distal end face that
faces away from said second column, a portion of said second panel being
received within said slot in said first column of said first concrete
structure such
that said second terminal distal end face is disposed adjacent to said
substantially
rigid member within said slot of said first concrete structure-
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a system comprising: a first concrete structure having a height
extending
from a base end to an opposing upper end, said first concrete structure
comprising: a first column portion having a side face that extends along said
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height of said first column portion, an elongated slot being formed in said
side face
and extending along said height of said first column portion, said slot being
bounded
by two opposing side surfaces extending inward from a mouth at said side face
of
said first column portion to an end surface that faces toward said mouth of
said slot;
and a first panel portion having opposing side faces that extend from said
first column
portion to a first terminal distal end face, said first panel portion at said
first terminal
distal end face being sized to fit within said slot on said first column
portion; a support
having said base end of said first concrete structure received thereupon; a
substantially rigid member embedded in or attached to said support and
received in
said slot in said first column portion toward said end surface for providing
lateral
support to said first concrete structure, wherein said slot has a width
extending
between said side surfaces that is substantially constant from said mouth to
said rigid
member; and a second concrete structure comprising: a second column portion
comprising a side face with an elongated slot formed therein; and a second
panel
portion having opposing side faces that extend from said second column portion
to a
second terminal distal end face that faces away from said second column
portion, a
portion of said second panel portion being received within said slot of said
first
column portion such that said second terminal distal end face is disposed
adjacent to
said substantially rigid member within said slot of said first column portion.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
system comprising: a first concrete structure and a second concrete structure,
each
comprising a column portion and a panel portion integrally joined with said
column
portion, said column portion comprising a side face with an elongated slot
formed
therein, said panel portion having opposing side faces that extend from said
column
portion to a terminal distal end face, said slot having a width at said side
face that is
greater than or equal to the width of said panel portion where said panel
portion is
joined to said column portion; a support having said first concrete structure
received
thereupon; and a substantially rigid member rigidly embedded within said
support and
received in said slot in said column portion of said first concrete structure
for
providing lateral support to said first concrete structure, a portion of said
panel portion
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of said second concrete structure being received within said slot in said
column
portion of said first concrete structure such that said terminal distal end
face of said
panel portion of said second concrete structure is disposed adjacent to said
substantially rigid member within said slot in said first concrete structure.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided
a system comprising: a first concrete structure comprising: a first column
comprising
a side face with an elongated slot formed therein, said slot being bounded by
two
opposing side surfaces extending inward from a mouth at said side face of said
first
column to an end surface that faces toward said mouth of said slot; and a
first panel
having opposing side faces that extend from said first column to a first
terminal distal
end face that faces away from said first column; a support having said first
concrete
structure received thereupon; a substantially rigid member attached to said
support
and received in said slot in said first column for providing lateral support
to said first
concrete structure, wherein said slot has a width extending between said side
surfaces that is substantially constant from said mouth to said rigid member;
and a
second concrete structure comprising: a second column comprising a side face
with
an elongated slot formed therein; and a second panel having opposing side
faces
that extend from said second column to a second terminal distal end face that
faces
away from said second column, a portion of said second panel being received
within
said slot in said first column of said first concrete structure such that said
second
terminal distal end face is disposed adjacent to said substantially rigid
member within
said slot of said first concrete structure.
According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a system comprising: a first concrete structure having a height
extending
from a base end to an opposing upper end, said first concrete structure
comprising: a
first column portion having a side face that extends along said height of said
first
column portion, an elongated slot being formed in said side face and extending
along
said height of said first column portion, said slot being bounded by two
opposing side
surfaces extending inward from a mouth at said side face of said first column
portion
to an end surface that faces toward said mouth of said slot; and a first panel
portion
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having opposing side faces that extend from said first column portion to a
first
terminal distal end face, said first panel portion at said first terminal
distal end face
being sized to fit within said slot on said first column portion; a support
having said
base end of said first concrete structure received thereupon; a substantially
rigid
member embedded in or attached to said support and received in said slot in
said
first column portion toward said end surface for providing lateral support to
said first
concrete structure, wherein said slot has a width extending between said side
surfaces that is substantially constant from said mouth to said rigid member;
and a
second concrete structure comprising: a second column portion comprising a
side
face with an elongated slot formed therein; and a second panel portion having
opposing side faces that extend from said second column portion to a second
terminal distal end face that faces away from said second column portion, a
portion of
said second panel portion being received within said slot of said first column
portion
such that said second terminal distal end face is disposed adjacent to said
substantially rigid member within said slot of said first column portion.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a system comprising: a first concrete structure comprising: a first
column
comprising a side face with an elongated slot formed therein, said slot being
bounded
by two opposing side surfaces extending inward from a mouth at said side face
of
said first column to an end surface that faces toward said mouth of said slot,
each of
said opposing side surfaces being planar from said side face to said end
surface; and
a first panel having opposing side faces that extend from said first column to
a first
terminal distal end face that faces away from said first column; a support
having said
first concrete structure received thereupon; a substantially rigid member
attached to
said support and received in said slot in said first column for providing
lateral support
to said first concrete structure; and a second concrete structure comprising:
a second
column comprising a side face with an elongated slot formed therein; and a
second
panel having opposing side faces that extend from said second column to a
second
terminal distal end face that faces away from said second column, a portion of
said
second panel being received within said slot in said first column of said
first concrete
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structure such that said second terminal distal end face is disposed adjacent
to said
substantially rigid member within said slot of said first concrete structure.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided
a method for assembling a wall system, the method comprising: forming a
support
having a substantially rigid member upstanding therefrom; positioning a first
concrete
structure having a first column portion and a first panel portion after the
step of
forming said support having said substantially rigid member upstanding
therefrom,
said first concrete structure being positioned so that said first column
portion is
resting on said support and said substantially rigid member is received within
an
elongated first slot formed on a side face of said first column portion so
that the
substantially rigid member projects upwardly above said first column portion,
said first
panel portion having opposing side faces that extend from said first column
portion to
a terminal distal end face; and positioning a second concrete structure having
a
second column portion and a second panel portion, said second concrete
structure
being positioned so that said second column portion rests on top of said first
column
portion with said substantially rigid member projecting upwardly above said
first
column portion being received within an elongated second slot formed on a side
face
of said second column portion, said second panel portion resting on top of
said first
panel portion, said second panel portion having opposing side faces that
extend from
said second column portion to a terminal distal end face; a third concrete
structure
having a third column portion and a third panel portion, a portion of said
third panel
portion of said third concrete structure being received within said first slot
in said first
column portion of said first concrete structure such that a terminal distal
end face of
said third panel portion is disposed adjacent to said substantially rigid
member within
said first slot in said first concrete structure.
The features and advantages of the disclosure will be set forth in the
description that follows, and in part will be apparent from the description,
or may be
learned by the practice of the disclosure without undue experimentation. The
features and advantages of the disclosure may be realized and obtained by
means of
the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended
claims.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The features and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent
from a consideration of the subsequent detailed
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tb~~s'dt StJT np, "s'rcI ed in connection with the accompanying
drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective break-away view of one embodiment
of structures made in accordance with the principles of the
present disclosure;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an
apparatus for making the structures of FIG. 1 in accordance
with the principles of the present disclosure;
FIG. 3 is a top view of the apparatus of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is an exploded top view of adjacent partitions of
the apparatus of FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is an end view of the apparatus of FIG. 2;
FIG. 6 is a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 2;
FIG. 7 is a side view of a partition as shown in FIGS.
3 and 4;
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the partition of FIG.
7 taken along line A-A;
FIG. 9 is a side view of a panel useful with the
partition of FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 is a side view of an upper member of the panel
of FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 is a side view of a lower member of the panel of
FIG. 9;
FIG. 12 is a side view of a first side member of the
panel of FIG. 9;
FIG. 13 is a side view of a second side member of the
panel of FIG. 9;
FIG. 14 is an end view of a support on the apparatus of
FIG. 2;
FIG. 15 is a perspective break-away view of another
embodiment of structures made in accordance with the
principles of the present disclosure;
FIG. 16 is a break away top view of an embodiment of
structures in accordance with the principles of the present
disclosure;
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" ": 7 'is"' e cross sectional view of a structure of
FIG. 16 taken along line A-A;
FIG. 18 is a break away top view of an alternative
embodiment of structures in accordance with the principles of
the present disclosure;
FIG. 19 is a break away top view of an additional
alternative embodiment structure in accordance with the
principles of the present disclosure;
FIG. 20 is a top view of another alternative embodiment
structure in accordance with the principles of the present
disclosure;
FIG. 21 is a top view of a further alternative embodiment
structure in accordance with the principles of the present
disclosure;
FIG. 22 is a side view of one embodiment of a member
embedded in a footing;
FIG. 23 is a side view of one embodiment of a member
attached to a footing;
FIG. 24 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of
a member attached to a footing;
FIG. 25 is a side view of one embodiment of a structure
attached to a footing;
FIG. 26 is a side view of an alternative embodiment
structure attached to a footing; and
FIG. 27 is a side view of an additional alternative
embodiment structure attached to a footing.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the
principles in accordance with the disclosure, reference will
now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and
specific language will be used to describe the same. It will
nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of
the disclosure is thereby intended. Any alterations and
further modifications of the inventive features illustrated
herein, and any additional applications of the principles of
the disclosure as illustrated herein, which would normally
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occur to one s iI "e" in the relevant art and having possession
of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of
the disclosure claimed.
Before the present concrete structure system and
apparatus and method for forming one or more concrete
structures is disclosed and described, it is to be understood
that this disclosure is not limited to the particular
configurations, process steps, and materials disclosed herein
as such configurations, process steps, and materials may vary
somewhat. It is also to be understood that the terminology
employed herein is used for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting
since the scope of the present disclosure will be limited only
by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.
It must be noted that, as used in this specification and
the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the"
include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates
otherwise. Similarly, as used herein, the terms "comprising,"
"including," "containing," "characterized by," and grammatical
equivalents thereof are inclusive or open-ended terms that do
not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps.
As used herein, the term "concrete" shall be construed
broadly to include conglomerate construction materials,
including construction materials formed of aggregate and
cementitious materials, as well as any other known material
that may be placed in a fluid or semi-fluid form and hardened
or solidified, including filler materials joined together with
a bonding agent or resin.
As used herein, the phrase "substantially rigid" shall
be construed broadly to include members that may not be
completely rigid, but may have sufficient rigidity to support
a structure at the time the structure is installed.
As used herein, the phrase "surface treatment" shall be
construed broadly to include any variety of textures or
designs or features that may be placed on the exterior of a
concrete structure.
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I " tzrsd'd Hd &= h.","-'nthe term "attached" shall be construed
broadly to include situations in which members are secured or
joined together, including situations in which one member is
embedded into another member, and situations in which
intervening members are used to join one member to another
member such that the two members need not physically contact
each other.
Referring now to FIG. 1, a break-away perspective view
is shown of a plurality of structures, each structure
indicated generally at 10. Each structure 10 may be formed
of reinforced concrete, and may include a panel portion 12,
for forming a wall, such as a fence or sound barrier, for
example. The structure 10 may also form part of a retaining
wall, building, or any other such construct. The panel
portion 12 may include a surface treatment 13 or decorative
pattern, such as stone or brick, for example, formed on an
exterior surface.
The structure 10 may also include a column portion 14 for
supporting the panel portion 12. The column portion 14 may
have an increased lateral dimension as compared to the panel
portion to allow increased vertical and lateral support of
loads as the loads are transferred to a footing, floor, or
other support member. The column portion 14 may also include
a slot 15 for receiving a panel portion 12 of an adjacent
structure 10. Accordingly, a plurality of structures 10 may
be joined together to form a wall of a desired length and
configuration.
In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the
structure 10 may be supported on footings 16. The footings
16 may be formed in any manner known to those skilled in the
art, such as cast in place reinforced concrete. A rigid
member 17, shown in dashed lines in FIG. 1, such as an "I"
beam, post, or rod, for example, may be fixed into the footing
16. It will be understood that some embodiments of the
present disclosure may include a rigid member 17 embedded into
the footing 16, or other embodiments may include rigid members
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"1 atel o tIri" 1" oEoting 16 by welding, bolts, or any other
suitable method known to those skilled in the art. The rigid
member 17 may be received in the slot 15 of the column
portions 14 to support the structure 10 in an upright
position. Some embodiments may also include the placement of
concrete within the slot 15 of the column portions 14 to
provide additional support to the structure 10.
Other embodiments of the structure 10 may include plates
(not shown) attached to the footings 16 and the column
portions 14 such that the plates may be attached together to
support the structure 10 in an upright position. It will be
understood that the plates may be imbedded into the footings
16 and column portions 14, or the plates may be attached to
the footings 16 and column portions 14 using any other
attachment method known in the art. Moreover, the plates on
the footings 16 and column portions 14 may be attached
together by welding, bolting, or any other attachment
mechanism known to those skilled in the art. Similarly, any
other suitable installation technique or device may be used
to install the structure 10 within the scope of the present
disclosure.
It will be understood that some embodiments of the
structure 10 of the present disclosure may not include the
column portions 14. Other embodiments of the structure 10 may
not include the slots 15 within the column portions 14. Yet
other embodiments of the structure 10 may include column
portions 14 having upward extending openings in an interior
of the column portions 14, such that the openings may be
surrounded by concrete. Moreover, the structure 10 may be
formed in various different cross-sectional shapes.
Accordingly it will be understood that the structure 10 may
have various different configurations within the scope of the
present disclosure, and various different attachment
mechanisms and methods may be utilized to install the
structure 10.
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1:11 erririg 11ho!w1"'1~t FIG. 2, a perspective view is shown of
one embodiment of an apparatus, indicated generally at 20, for
forming structures 10 in accordance with the principles of the
present disclosure. The apparatus 20 may include a frame 22
and a base 23 for supporting a plurality of partitions 24.
The frame 22 may be formed of an arrangement of columns, beams
and/or braces configured to support the partitions 24 and the
structures 10 formed by the apparatus 20. The base 23 may
form a foundation for the apparatus 20 such that the apparatus
20 may be placed on the ground or any variety of floor
surfaces.
As best shown in FIG. 3, which shows a top view of the
apparatus 20, the partitions 24 may define one or more
cavities 26 for receiving concrete to form the structures 10.
One embodiment of the partitions 24 may be configured to form
a cavity 26 having a first portion 28 configured for forming
the panel portion 12 of the structure 10, and a second portion
30 configured for forming the column portion 14 of the
structure 10. The first portion 28 of the cavity 26 may be
contiguous with the second portion 30 of the cavity 26 such
that the structure 10 may be formed with the panel portion 12
and the column portion 14 integrally joined as a single piece
member. The second portion 30 of the cavity 26 for forming
the column portion 14 of the structure 10 may be formed having
a wider dimension than the first portion 28 of the cavity 26
for forming the panel portion 12 of the structure 10.
Accordingly, a column portion 14 of the structure 10 may be
formed to withstand increased loads transferred from the panel
portion 12 to the footing 16 or other'such support member.
In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the
partitions 24 may be arranged such that the second portions
30 of the cavities 26 for forming the column portion 14 of the
structures 10 may be arranged on opposing ends of the
apparatus 20 on adjacent partitions 24. For example, the
apparatus may be configured to form six structures 10 at a
time, and three of the column portions 14 of the structures
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0 may'15d 'formed 's nf"o'he end of the apparatus 20, and the other
three column portions 14 may be formed at the opposite end of
the apparatus 20, with each adjacent structure 10 being formed
with the column portions 14 on opposite ends of the apparatus
20. It will be understood, however, that the apparatus 20 may
be configured to form various different quantities of
structures 10 at a time, and that the partitions 24 may be
configured in various different arrangements.
One or more ribs 31 may be positioned in the second
portion 30 of the cavity 26 for forming the slot 15 in the
column portion 14 of the structure. The ribs 31 may be sized
and shaped corresponding to the desired size and shape of the
slot 15 in the column portion 14 of the structure. The ribs
31 may be positioned at any desired location such that the
concrete structures 10 may be formed as desired. For example,
the rib 31 may be placed to form the slot 15 in the end of the
concrete structures 10, such that the panel portion 12 of a
concrete structure 10 may be received in the slot 15 of an
adjacent concrete structure 10 to form a substantially
straight barrier. Also, the rib 31 may be placed in a side
of the end of the partition 24 such that the slot 15 may
extend substantially perpendicular to the panel portion 12 to
allow adjacent concrete structures 10 to form a corner. It
will be understood that the ribs 31 may be positioned at any
desired angle or location within the scope of the present
disclosure. Moreover, some embodiments of the apparatus 20
may include one or more ribs 31 positioned in other parts of
the cavity 26 to form slots in the panel portion 12 of the
structure 10, or to form openings within an interior of the
column portion 14.
One embodiment of the present disclosure may include ribs
31 that may be removably attached using bolts, indicated by
dashed lines at 29, such that the ribs 31 may be removed and
repositioned as desired. It will be understood that other
embodiments of the present disclosure may include other types
of attachment mechanisms for the ribs 31, and some embodiments
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preen' C1 18sure may include ribs that may be fixed
in place. Other embodiments may not include any ribs such
that the structures may be formed without slots 15.
The partitions 24 may be positioned in a side by side
arrangement and at least some of the partitions 24 may be
configured to be movable with respect to the frame 22 to
facilitate placing reinforcing steel into the cavity 26 as
well as to facilitate removing the structure 10 after the
concrete has hardened. FIG. 4 shows an exploded top view of
adjacent partitions 24. It will be appreciated that the
partitions 24 may be separated such that reinforcing steel may
be placed between the partitions 24. The partitions 24 may
be joined together such that end panels 46 on adjacent
partitions 24 come into contact with each other. Accordingly
the cavity 26 may thereby be defined by the partitions for
receiving concrete for forming the structure 10. Once the
concrete has hardened, the partitions 24 may be separated for
removing the structure 10. One embodiment of the apparatus
may include wheels 32 for supporting the partitions 24 on
20 the frame 22 and allowing the partitions 24 to be easily
moved.
In one embodiment of the apparatus 20, the frame 22 may
include a support 34 for receiving the wheels 32. The support
34 may extend laterally to provide a space to allow the
partitions 24 to be moved apart from each other. An overhang
portion 36 of the support 34 may be detachable such that the
width of the apparatus 20 may be reduced to facilitate
transporting the apparatus 20. Any attachment mechanism known
in the art, such as bolts, pins, or clamps, for example, may
be used to attach the overhang portion 36 to the remainder of
the support 34. Accordingly, the apparatus may be sized to
fit on a trailer, rail car or other such transporting device
to be transported on rails or highways. It will be understood
that other embodiments of the apparatus 20 may include a one
piece support 34 that may not be configured to be detached or
otherwise retracted to a compact configuration.
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t i l "i f the support 34 may include tracks 38
for assisting in maintaining the wheels 32 in position. An
end view of the support 34 showing one embodiment of the
tracks 38 is shown in FIG. 14. The tracks 38 may form ridges
for guiding the wheels 32 along a specified path on the
support 34. It will be understood that the tracks 38 may be
formed in any suitable configuration and manner, and that some
embodiments of the present disclosure may not include tracks.
The wheels 32 may be joined to the partitions 24 through
arms 40. Adjacent arms 40 may have different lengths, such
as a short arm 42 and a long arm 44, such that adjacent
partitions 24 may be configured to abut each other without
interference from the wheels 32. The arms 40 having different
lengths allow the wheels 32 to extend at different locations
along the support 34 without contacting each other to thereby
allow the partitions 24 to be positioned in an abutting
arrangement.
One embodiment of the apparatus 20 may include one or
more partitions 24 that may be fixed in place. For example,
an end partition 25 on an external side of the apparatus 20
may be attached to the frame 22 so as to be stationary. Other
embodiments of the apparatus 20 may include partitions 24 that
may all be moveable.
Referring to FIG. 5, an end view of the apparatus 20 is
shown. The apparatus 20 may include an end wall or door 48
for enclosing an end of the partitions 24. It will be
understood that a door 48 may be positioned on opposing ends
of the apparatus 20. Alternatively, it will be understood
that the door 48 may be positioned on a single end of the
apparatus 20. The door 48 may be supported on door wheels 50
on opposing sides such that the door 48 may be capable of
moving in a longitudinal direction of the apparatus away from
the partitions 24 in a direction substantially perpendicular
to the direction of movement of the partitions 24. As shown
most clearly in FIG. 6, which shows a side view of the
apparatus 20, the door wheels 50 may be supported on door
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i Rio ` t;61--2" po I r 1A` d on opposing sides of the apparatus 20
for providing a support surface for the door wheels 50 to roll
upon. Accordingly, one embodiment of the present disclosure
may provide a door 48 that can be moved in a translational
manner for at least a part of its movement path. In other
words, every point on the door 48 may move parallel to and the
same distance as every other point on the door 48. Similarly,
it will be understood that one or more of the partitions 24
may be configured to move in a translational manner, and the
direction of movement of the partitions 24 may be
substantially perpendicular to the movement of the door 48.
A hinge 53 may also be provided for the door 48 such that
when the door 48 is moved a distance away from the partitions
24 into alignment with the hinge 53, the hinge 53 may be
engaged to allow the door 48 to swing open. One embodiment
of the hinge 53 may include a receiver on the door 48 and the
frame 22 for receiving a pin, such that when the door 48 is
moved to the point where the receivers are in alignment, a pin
may be placed in the receivers to join the door 48 with the
frame 22 through the hinge 53, such that the door 48 may swing
with respect to the frame 22. It will be understood that
other embodiments of the door 48 may be attached by a hinge
such that the door may be configured to swing without rolling
a distance away from the partitions 24. Yet another
embodiment of the apparatus 20 may be provided without a
hinge.
In one embodiment of the present disclosure, allowing the
door 48 to move away from the partitions 24 before swinging
open may allow the ribs 31 to clear the slots 15 in the column
portions 14 of the structures 10. Otherwise, swinging motion
of the door 48 may be impeded by contact between the ribs 31
and slots 15 to make opening the door 48 difficult in some
arrangements of the ribs 31.
Referring now to FIG. 7, a side view of one embodiment
of a partition 24 is shown. A cross-sectional view of the
partition 24 taken along line A-A is shown in FIG. 8. It will
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b~~ partition 24 may be sized to form a
structure 10 and the partition 24 may include one or more
brace members 54. The brace members 54 may be sized and
positioned to provide strength to the partition 24 since the
forces exerted by concrete in the apparatus 20 may be
significant. It will be understood that some of the brace
members 54 may be positioned in an upright orientation, and
that other embodiments of the brace member 54 may be
positioned in a lateral or diagonal orientation.
A panel 56, as best shown in FIG. 9, may be positioned
on an exterior surface of the partition 24. The panel 56 may
include any variety of shapes or features desired to be
applied to the concrete structures 10. One embodiment of the
panel 56 may include a plate or liner 58 for placing a surface
treatment 13 on the concrete structure 10. The surface
treatment may include any variety of textures or designs, such
as designs of rock or brick, for example. Other embodiments
of the liner 58 may be substantially smooth, without any
particular design. Moreover, some embodiments of the liner
58 may include a continuous pattern or texture configured to
extend over the entire panel 56, whereas other embodiments of
the liner 58 may have multiple patterns, or be configured to
cover only a portion of the panel 56.
One embodiment of the panel 56 may include an upper
member 60, a lower member 62, a first side member 64 and a
second side member 66 for forming a frame or housing 70 around
the liner 58 for holding the liner 58 in place. One
embodiment of the upper member 60, lower member 62, first side
member 64 and second side member 66 may be formed of plate
steel, 3/16 inches thick, for example. However, it will be
understood that various different materials having different
dimensions may be used within the scope of the present
disclosure to form the upper member 60, lower member 62, first
side member 64 and second side member 66.
As shown most clearly in FIGS. 10-13, which depict side
views of the upper member 60, lower member 62, first side
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rn ",ahc7 ide member 66, respectively, the housing
70 may be formed by an upper lip 72 on the upper member 60,
a lower lip 74 on the lower member 62, a first side lip 76 on
the first side member 64, and a second side lip 78 on the
second side member 66. It will be understood that one
embodiment of the upper lip 72, lower lip 74, first side lip
76 and second side lip 78 may be formed of a tri-angular
shaped member. However, it will be understood that the
housing 70 may be formed of various different shaped members
configured to receive the liner 58. It will also be
understood that some embodiments of the panel 56 may include
a back wall behind the liner 58. Moreover, any variety of
seals, adhesives, or attachment mechanisms may be used to
maintain the liner 58 within the housing 70 and allow the
liner 58 to be removed and interchanged with other liners for
providing different surface treatments to the structures 10
to be formed. It will also be appreciated that other
embodiments of the panel 56 may be formed without the upper
member 60, lower member 62, first side member 64 and second
side member 66, such that the panel 56 may be formed in
different configurations without a frame or border surrounding
the liner 58.
In use, panels 56 may be selected having a surface
treatment desired to be placed on structures 10. The doors
48 may be opened and the partitions 24 may be moved to provide
access to the partitions 24. The panels 56 may be joined with
the partitions 24 and reinforcing steel may be placed in the
apparatus for a particular structure 10, if desired. Adjacent
partitions 24 may be moved to abut each other and reinforcing
material may be placed in a subsequent cavity 26. Once all
of the reinforcing material is placed in the apparatus and the
partitions 24 are joined together, the partitions 24 may be
fastened in place using fasteners 68, as best shown in FIG.
3. One embodiment of the fasteners 68 may include pins
receivable in the base 23 for holding the partitions 24 in
place. It will also be understood that the fasteners 68 may
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i c`1it
1 11 e"~ i7 "o :L, I'll I `""" ety of fastening mechanism known in the
art, including threaded rods having adjustable blocking
members attached thereto. The rods may be pivotally attached
to the base 23 or the partitions 24 and the blocking members
may be engaged with the other of the base 23 or the partitions
24 for adjustably blocking movement of the partitions 24.
Moreover, it will be understood that additional fasteners 69,
as shown in dashed lines in FIGS. 3 and 5, may be used to
fasten the partitions 24 in place. The additional fasteners
69 may include bolts extending through the exterior partition
24 on opposing ends of the apparatus 20. It will be
understood that the location, configuration and quantity of
fasteners 69 may vary within the scope of the present
disclosure. Moreover, it will be understood that any other
type of bolt, latch, pin, clamp or fastener known in the art
may be used to hold the partitions 24 in place within the
scope of the present disclosure.
Wet concrete may then be poured into the top of the
apparatus 20 from above to thereby fill the cavities 26. Once
the concrete has hardened adequately, the partitions 24 may
be separated and the structures 10 may be removed. It will
be understood that any variety of lifting mechanisms, such as
cranes or lifts, may be used to remove the structures from the
apparatus 20. Moreover, in some uses of the apparatus 20, it
may be beneficial to apply a suitable anti-sticking agent to
the apparatus 20 prior to placing concrete in the apparatus
20 to facilitate removing the structure 10 from the apparatus
20. Once the structures are removed from the apparatus 20,
the apparatus may be cleaned and used repeatedly to produce
additional structures 10 in a controlled environment for
shipping to a construction site for installation. The
apparatus 20 may also be placed in any location as desired to
facilitate construction or shipping of the structures 10.
It will be understood that some embodiments of the
present disclosure may include an apparatus that may be
configured to form a plurality of structures that do not
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--- 'Rrtions, such that a plurality of panels
may be formed. Other embodiments of the present disclosure
may include an apparatus that forms structures in the form of
columns. Accordingly, any variety of structures, having
different arrangements of columns and/or panels, may be formed
in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.
Moreover, other structures of various different configurations
may be formed that may not be considered to be either panels
or columns, in accordance with the principles of the present
disclosure.
It will be appreciated that the apparatus 20 may be
configured to receive concrete of various different varieties
known in the art. Moreover, the apparatus 20 may accommodate
reinforcing material or steel, commonly referred to as rebar,
to construct structures 10 of various different designs and
configurations. The arrangement of the cavity 26 may allow
for reinforcing steel to be place continuously in the first
portion 28 of the cavity 26 for forming the panel portion 12
of the structure 10 and the second portion 30 of the cavity
for forming the column portion 14 of the structure 10, such
that the panel portion 12 and the column portion 14 of the
structure 10 can be tied together with the reinforcing steel.
It will also be understood that the apparatus 20 may also
include any variety of vibrating mechanisms integrally or
removably attached to the apparatus 20 in various different
configurations to facilitate dispersal of wet concrete within
the cavities 26.
It will be understood that the apparatus 20 may be formed
of any suitable materials known in the art. For example,
portions of the apparatus 20 may be formed of steel, and
components of the apparatus 20 may be joined together using
any suitable method known in the art, such as by welding or
bolting, for example. The liner 58 may be formed of any
suitable material for placing a texture or design on the
concrete without bonding to the concrete such that the
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if r'uC 9Y, s "='1a- removed from the apparatus 20 without
damage.
In accordance with the features and combinations
described above, a useful method of forming concrete
structures may include the steps of:
(a) placing a plurality of partitions in a side by side
arrangement;
(b) defining a plurality of cavities with the plurality
of partitions, the plurality of cavities each having a column
portion and a panel portion such that the concrete structures
include a one piece column and panel. The method may also
include selecting liners having a desired surface treatment
to be placed on the structures and removably attaching the
liners to the partitions.
Those having ordinary skill in the relevant art will
appreciate the advantages provided by the features of the
present disclosure. For example, it is a feature of the
present disclosure to provide an apparatus for forming one or
more concrete structures which is simple in design and
manufacture. Another feature of the present disclosure is to
provide such an apparatus capable of forming concrete
structures having walls with integral columns. It is a
further feature of the present disclosure, in accordance with
one aspect thereof, to provide an apparatus for forming one
or more concrete structures in which the apparatus may include
interchangeable liners for placing different surface
treatments, textures or finishes on the structures. It is an
additional feature of the present disclosure to provide an
apparatus for forming one or more concrete structures, in
which the structures may be efficiently produced and
installed. It is an additional feature of the present
disclosure to provide an apparatus for forming precast
concrete structures in which the structures may be formed in
a factory setting with controlled conditions for improved
quality of the structures.
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FIG. 15, a break-away perspective view
is shown of a plurality of structures, each structure
indicated generally at 110. One embodiment of each structure
110 may be formed of reinforced concrete, and may include a
panel portion 112, for forming a wall, such as a fence or
sound barrier, for example. The structure 110 may also form
part of a retaining wall, building, or any other such
construct. The panel portion 112 may include a surface
treatment 113 or decorative pattern, such as stone or brick,
for example, formed on an exterior surface.
The structure 110 may also include a column portion 114
for supporting the panel portion 112. The column portion 114
may have an increased lateral dimension as compared to the
panel portion to allow increased vertical and lateral support
of loads as the loads are transferred to a footing, floor, or
other support member. The column portion 114 may also include
a slot 115 for receiving a panel portion 112 of an adjacent
structure 110. Accordingly, a plurality of structures 110 may
be joined together to form a wall of a desired length and
configuration. It will also be understood that one embodiment
of the present disclosure may include a column portion 114
that does not include a panel portion 112.
In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the
structure 110 may be supported on footings 116, also sometimes
referred to herein as supports. The footings 116 may be
formed in any manner known to those skilled in the art, such
as cast in place reinforced concrete. A member 117, shown in
dashed lines in FIG. 15, such as a substantially rigid member
including an "I" beam, post, pipe, rod, or reinforced concrete
member, for example, may be attached to the footing 116. As
discussed more fully below, it will be understood that some
embodiments of the present disclosure may include a rigid
member 117 embedded into the footing 116, or other embodiments
may include rigid members 117 attached to the footing 116 by
welding, bolts, or any other suitable method known to those
skilled in the art. The rigid member 117 may be received in
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1j= i o~.Aniilrig x'123{' j 14 with the slot 115 of the column portions
114 to support the structure 110 in an upright position.
Accordingly, it will be understood that one embodiment of the
present disclosure may include an opening 120 that may be
contiguous with the slot 115 such that there may be no
structural separation between the opening 120 and the slot
115. Some embodiments may also include the placement of
concrete within the opening 120 of the column portions 114 to
provide additional support to the structure 110 once the
concrete hardens. It will be understood that some embodiments
of the rigid member 117 may make construction of the structure
110 possible without the need for forming a reinforcing cage
on site for receiving cast in place concrete to support the
structures 110. Accordingly, the labor requirements for
installing the structures may be reduced.
A break-away top view of one embodiment of adjacent
structures 110 is shown in FIG. 16. It will be understood
that the structures 110 may be formed of pre-cast concrete.
The structures 110 may also include reinforcing steel 118, as
shown in dashed lines in FIGS. 16 and 17. It will be
understood that the configuration of reinforcing steel 118 as
well as the concrete formulation may be provided in any
suitable manner known to those skilled in the art to provide
suitable strength and durability characteristics for the
structures 110. It will also be understood that some
embodiments of the structure may not include reinforcing steel
118.
The panel portion 112 and the column portion 114 may
formed in any manner known to those skilled in the art, such
as by placing concrete in forms in a factory condition so as
to produce the structures 110 under controlled conditions.
One embodiment of the structure 110 may include the column
portion 114 and the panel portion 112 as an integral one piece
member of unitary construction without joints. Other
embodiments of the present disclosure may be cast in place at
a construction site.
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e "e1r"'ehde'1J I'Y' u"{now to made to FIG. 18 to describe an
alternative embodiment of the present disclosure. As
previously discussed, the presently disclosed embodiments of
the disclosure illustrated herein are merely exemplary of the
possible embodiments of the disclosure, including that
illustrated in FIG. 18.
It will be appreciated that the alternative embodiment
of the disclosure illustrated in FIG. 18 may contain many of
the same features represented in FIGS. 15-17 and only the new
or different features will be explained to most succinctly
describe the embodiments of the disclosure illustrated in FIG.
18.
FIG.18 illustrates a break-away top view of an
alternative structure 110a having an opening 120a for
receiving a rigid member 117 for supporting the structure 110a
in an upright position. The opening 120a may be separated
from the slot 115a such that the rigid member 117 may be
separated from the panel portion 112a of an adjacent structure
110a. It will be understood that the size, shape and position
of the opening 120a may vary in accordance with the principles
of the present disclosure.
A break-away top view of an additional alternative
embodiment structure 110b is shown in FIG. 19. The
alternative embodiment structure 110b may be formed with a
panel portion 112b and a column portion 114b. The column
portion 114b may also include an opening 120b. However, the
alternative embodiment of FIG. 19 may not include a slot.
Accordingly, any adjacent structures 110b, if present, may be
joined without being received within the column portion 114b.
Similarly, as shown in FIG. 20, which shows a top view
of yet an additional alternative embodiment structure 110c,
the column portion 114c may be formed without a panel portion
or a slot. The structure 110c may include an opening 120c for
receiving a rigid member 117 to support the structure 110c in
an upright position.
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t'3 -s b understood, that a further alternative
embodiment structure 110d may be provided without a panel
portion and having a plurality of slots 115d, as shown in FIG.
21. Accordingly, panel portions may be provided separately
from the structure 110d, and the panel portions may be joined
to the structure 110d through the slots 115d. It will be
understood that the quantity, configuration and position of
the slots 115d may vary as desired in accordance with the
principles of the present disclosure. For example, it will
be understood that the slots 115d may be formed on adjacent
sides of the structure 110d, as depicted by the dashed lines
in FIG. 21, such that the structure 110d may form a corner of
a barrier with panel portions extending perpendicular to each
other.
Referring now to FIG. 22, a side view is shown of one
embodiment of a footing 116 and a rigid member 117. It will
be understood that the rigid member 117 may be formed as an
"I" shaped member in cross section. Alternatively, it will
be understood that the rigid member 117 may be formed of a
round pipe member, or a polygonal post member, or any other
shaped member known to those skilled in the art. Moreover,
the member 117 may have any suitable size within the scope of
the present disclosure. The member 117 may be formed of steel
or any other suitable material known to those skilled in the
art to provide a member 117 that may be substantially rigid.
It will be understood that one embodiment of the member 117
may be formed of a material that may be substantially rigid
at the time the structure 110 is installed on the footing 116.
Accordingly, assembly of the structures 110 may occur rapidly
without waiting for concrete within the openings 120 to
harden, as would be the case if the member 117 were formed of
concrete cast within the opening 120.
The footing 116 may be formed of a concrete material,
cast in place or precast in a manner known to those skilled
in the art. Moreover, the footing 116 may be sized and
include steel reinforcement as is known in the art. As shown
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FM~16-1 id member 117 may be attached to the
footing 116 by being embedded within the footing 116. It will
be understood that the member 117 may be placed in wet
concrete forming the footing 116 such that the concrete may
bond with the member 117 to form a substantially fixed
connection.
It will be understood that the member 117 may be embedded
into the footing 116 at various different depths depending on
various factors such as the height of the structure 110, the
spacing of the column portions 114, and the type of soil
supporting the footing 116, for example. One example of the
present disclosure may include a rigid member 117 that may be
embedded approximately five feet in the footing 116 and the
rigid member 117 may extend another four feet out of the
footing 116 for supporting a structure 110 that may be eight
feet tall. The footing 116 may be formed approximately two-
three feet in diameter for example. Accordingly, it will be
understood that the disclosure presented in FIG. 22 is
schematic in nature and is not intended to be depicted to
scale. Moreover, it will be understood that the features of
the present disclosure may vary, including the dimensions of
the rigid member 117, the structure 110, and the footing 116,,
as well as the depth the rigid member 117 may be embedded into
the footing 116.
Alternatively, it will be understood that the footing 116
may be formed with an opening into which the member 117 may
be received when the footing is in a hardened condition. The
member 117 may thereafter be fixed within the footing 126 in
any manner known to those skilled in the art, or the member
117 may be retained in the footing due to gravity and/or
friction.
Referring to FIG. 23, a side view is shown of an
alternative embodiment for attaching the member 117 to the
footing 116. A plurality of fasteners 122 may be embedded in
the footing 116 for attaching to a brace member 124 on the
rigid member 117. The fasteners 122 may include bolts or
-22-
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E; ,,;~ it ;I::~ 't;:
t~~ee ' f',"6d8li"a ri4:;,1a'=`t' headed end for receiving a nut 126. It
will be understood that any number of fasteners 122 may be
utilized to create a suitable connection between the footing
116 and the rigid member 117. The brace 124 may be formed as
an angle member or flat member joined to the rigid member 117
in any suitable manner known in the art. For example, the
brace member 124 may be welded or bolted to the rigid member
117 such that the brace member 124 may be fixedly attached to
the rigid member 117. The brace member 124 may have openings
for receiving the fasteners 122 therethrough. Once the
fasteners 122 are received through the brace member 124, the
nuts 126 may be cinched tight to fixedly attach the rigid
member 117 to the footing 116.
Referring to FIG. 24, a side view is shown of an another
alternative embodiment for attaching the member 117 to the
footing 116. A first plate 127 may be joined to the member
117, such as by welding. A second plate 128 may be joined
with the footing 116, such as by being embedded into the
footing 116. It will be understood that the second plate 128
may be embedded into the footing 116 so as to protrude above
an upper surface of the footing 116, or alternatively, the
second plate 128 may be even with the upper surface of the
footing 116, or the second plate may be positioned below the
upper surface of the footing 116. The first plate 127 may be
welded to the second plate 128 to thereby join the member 117
with the footing 116.
Referring now to FIG. 25, a side view is shown of a
further embodiment of a connection between a column portion
114e and a footing 116. The column portion 114e may include
a slot 115e for receiving a panel portion of an adjacent
structure 110 similar to the embodiments previously discussed.
The column portion 114e may also include reinforcing steel
118e, shown in dashed lines, such as rebar. An angle member
129 may be joined to the column portion 114e to assist in
supporting the column portion in an upright position. The
angle member 129 may be welded to the reinforcing steel 118e,
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and`or the angle"Lpher 129 may be embedded into the column
portion 114e, or the angle member 129 may be joined with the
column portion 114e in any other manner known to those skilled
in the art. The angle member 129 may extend around a bottom
corner of the slot 115e so as to provide a surface for joining
with a plate 131 joined with the footing 116. The plate 131
may be embedded in the footing 116, or joined with the footing
116 in any other manner known to those skilled in the art.
It will be understood that the angle member 129 may be welded
to the plate 131 to support the column portion 114e in an
upright orientation.
Referring now to FIG. 26, a side view is shown of a
further embodiment of a connection between a column 130 and
a footing 116. It will be understood that the column 130 may
form part or all of the structure 110, or the column 130 may
be representative of a rigid member for supporting a structure
110 in an upright position. A first plate 132 may be joined
to the column 130 and a second plate 134 may be joined to the
footing 116. The first plate 132 may then be joined to the
second plate 134 by welding, bolting or any other suitable
attachment mechanism known to those skilled in the art. It
will be understood that the first plate 132 may be joined with
the column 130 using anchors 136 embedded into the column 130,
or the first plate 132 may itself be embedded into the column
130, or the first plate 132 may be joined with the column 130
in any other suitable manner known to those skilled in the
art. Similarly, the second plate 134 may be joined with the
footing 116 using anchors 136, or the second plate 134 may be
joined with the footing 116 using any other attaching method
known to those skilled in the art.
Referring to FIG. 27, an additional alternative
embodiment connection mechanism is disclosed in which the
first plate 132 may be attached to the footing 116 using
fasteners 122. The fasteners 122 may be embedded into the
footing 116 similar to the embodiment of FIG. 23 discussed
previously. The first plate 132 may include openings for
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'~'c'erje~~lie s 122 and nuts 126 may be threaded onto
the fasteners to attach the column 130 to the footing 116.
One embodiment of construction of a concrete system in
accordance with the principles of the present disclosure will
now be described. The structure 110 may be constructed on
site or precast in a factory setting under controlled
conditions. The structure 110 may be formed to include a
desired surface treatment such as a brick or stone wall, for
example. The footing or support 116 may typically be formed
in place at the construction site. The member 117 may be
attached to or embedded in the footing 116 in a desired
orientation to ensure that the structure may be oriented as
desired. The structure 110 may then be lifted such that the
member 117 may be received in the opening 120. This may
typically take place as the structure 110 is unloaded from a
vehicle transporting the structure 110. A crane or other
lifting device may be used to lift the structure 110 and lower
the structure 110 over the member 117 onto the footing 116.
Welding, bolting, and/or placement of concrete in the opening
120 may be used, for example, to fix the structure 110 to the
footing 116. An adjacent structure 110 may be installed in
a similar fashion, with the panel portion 112 received in the
slot 115. Accordingly, a concrete column, panel and support
system may be easily constructed to provide an aesthetically
pleasing barrier.
It will also be understood that an alternative embodiment
of the present disclosure may include two or more of the
structures 110 stacked on top of each other. A rigid member
117 may extend beyond an entire height of the bottom structure
110 up through a portion or all of the height of an upper
structure 110. For example, one embodiment of the present
disclosure may include a rigid member 117 extending from the
footing 116 up to half way through the height of an upper
structure 110. Accordingly, the upwardly stacked structures
110 may be supported in various heights and configurations.
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1'Ift w's`l'l fib' t NEIL
rstood that the structures disclosed
herein may be formed of various materials, including concrete
and/or filler materials, such as fiberglass, chopped glass or
any other suitable material, that may be bonded or solidified
into a hardened material with a cement or bonding agent, such
as a resin. Similarly, the apparatus for forming structures
as disclosed herein may be configured to be compatible with
various such construction materials.
It will be appreciated that the structure and apparatus
disclosed herein is merely one example of a means for
attaching a concrete structure to a support, and it should be
appreciated that any structure, apparatus, or system for
attaching a concrete structure to a support that performs,
functions the same as, or equivalent to, those disclosed
herein are intended to fall within the scope of a means for
attaching a concrete structure to a support, including those
structures, apparatuses, or systems for attaching that are
presently known, or that may become available in the future.
Anything that functions the same as, or equivalently to, a
means for attaching a concrete structure to a support falls
within the scope of this element.
In accordance with the features and combinations
described above, a useful method of attaching a structure to
a support includes the steps of:
(a) attaching a substantially rigid member to a support;
(b) providing an opening in said structure for receiving
said substantially rigid member; and
(c) placing said substantially rigid member in said
opening.
Those having ordinary skill in the relevant art will
appreciate the advantages provided by the features of the
present disclosure. For example, it is a feature of the
present disclosure to provide a structural system that is
simple in design and manufacture. Another feature of the
present disclosure is to provide such a structural system that
is easy to install. It is a further feature of the present
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CA 02588112 2012-06-15
69767-37
disclosure, in accordance with one aspect thereof, to provide
a structural system that is stable and that has an
aesthetically pleasing appearance. It is an additional
feature of the present disclosure, in accordance with one
aspect thereof, to provide a structural system that may
include a column portion integral with a panel portion of the
structure. Another feature of one aspect of the present
disclosure is to provide a structure that may be supported in
an upright orientation by a substantially rigid member.
In the foregoing Detailed Description, various features
of the present disclosure are grouped together in a single
embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure.
This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as
reflecting an intention that the claimed disclosure requires
more features than are expressly recited in each claim.
Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie
in less than all features, of a single foregoing disclosed
embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby
incorporated into this Detailed Description by this reference,
with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment
of the present disclosure.
It is to be understood that the above-described
arrangements are only illustrative of the application of the
principles of the present disclosure. Numerous modifications
and alternative arrangements may be devised by those skilled
in the art without departing from the scope of the
present disclosure and the appended claims are intended to
cover such modifications and arrangements. Thus, while the
present disclosure has been shown in the drawings and
described above with particularity and detail, it will be
apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous
modifications, including, but not limited to, variations in
size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of
operation, assembly and use may be made without departing from
the principles and concepts set forth herein.
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