Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
FORMING APPARATUS
FIELD
[0001]
The present disclosure relates to a forming apparatus for concrete
coping applications.
BACKGROUND
[0002]
The statements in this section merely provide background
information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior
art.
[0003]
Forming apparatuses are known in the art. These apparatuses are
used for various concrete coping applications, including swimming pool
copings. These
apparatuses typically involve a bracket mechanism used to secure a form in
place, in
order to maintain positioning of the form during the concrete pouring
application. Often,
a securing mechanism, such as a tie-wire combined with a fastening screw may
be
used to further secure the form in place against a pool wall during swimming
pool
coping applications. Tie-wire type fasteners are often single use, and then
are discarded
after forming is complete.
[0004]
Many forming apparatuses used in the art are specifically designed
for a specification application, involving a form of predetermined size and
spacing.
Some adjustable forming apparatuses involve various components which must be
assembled, making use cumbersome and challenging.
[0005]
Accordingly, forming apparatuses are not that simple to use, have
many components, and are not that adjustable, especially across a variety of
applications. These limitations of forming apparatuses are addressed by the
present
disclosure.
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SUMMARY
[0006] Disclosed herein is a forming apparatus for securing a foam
coping
core having core body with an opposing outer surface and inner surface to a
wall during
cement forming operations. The forming apparatus comprises a bracket having a
bracket body having an outer face and an opposing inner face, the inner face
configured
to press against the outer surface of the foam coping core, and one or more
slots
extending through the bracket body from the outer face to the inner face
and/or a
cantilever member configured for insertion through the bracket body via the
one or more
slots. The cantilever member comprises a top surface and an opposing bottom
surface,
a fastening end an opposing insertion end configured for insertion through the
core body
and the one or more slots thereby extending at least a portion of the
fastening end
outward from the inner face of the bracket of and least a portion of the
insertion end
received within the one or more slots. In some forms, the cantilever member
may
comprise a plate.
[0007] In some forms, at least the portion of the insertion end may
be
received within the one or more slots and further extend outward from the
outer face of
the bracket.
[0008] In some forms, such a forming apparatus may further include
a
locking mechanism for securing the cantilever member within the one or more
slots. In
some forms, the locking mechanism may include one or more pinhole apertures
extending through the cantilever member from the top surface to the bottom
surface,
and a pin configured for being releasably secured within the one or more
pinhole
apertures. In some forms, the one or more pin hole apertures may comprise a
plurality
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of pinhole apertures spread substantially across the cantilever member.
[0009] In some forms, the one or more slots of the bracket may
include a
first slot and a second slot. Furthermore, the first and second slot may have
substantially different orientations relative to one another along the bracket
body. In
some forms, the first and second slot are substantially perpendicular relative
to one
another along the bracket body.
[0010] In some forms, such a forming apparatus may further include
one or
more tie-wire apertures extending through the bracket body from the outer face
to the
inner face, the one or more tie-wire apertures configured to receive a tie-
wire.
[0011] In some forms, such a forming apparatus may further comprise
one
or more fastening apertures disposed upon the fastening end of the cantilever
member,
the one or more fastening apertures extending through the cantilever member
from the
top surface to the bottom surface.
[0012] In some forms, the fastening end of the cantilever member
may
further comprise a breaking segment defining a breakable portion. In some
forms, the
breaking segment may include a narrowed portion formed upon the fastening end
of the
cantilever member.
[0013] In some forms, the bracket may further comprise one or more
spools. The bracket may comprise a top end and a bottom end, and the one or
more
spools may include a top spool disposed upon the top end of the bracket and a
bottom
spool disposed upon the bottom end. In some forms, such a forming apparatus
may
further include one or more securing line holding members. The one or more
securing
line holding members may include a tapered slot. In some forms, the one or
more
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securing line holding members are disposed upon the one or more spools.
Furthermore, in some forms, the one or more securing line holding members may
include a top tapered slot disposed upon the top spool and bottom tapered slot
disposed
upon the bottom spool.
[0014] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the
description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and
specific
examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended
to limit the
scope of the present disclosure.
DRAWINGS
[0015] In order that the disclosure may be well understood, there
will now
be described various forms thereof, given by way of example, reference being
made to
the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a forming apparatus
constructed
according to the teachings of the present disclosure;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a top view of the forming apparatus of FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a side view of the forming apparatus of FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a top view of an outer face of a bracket of a
forming
apparatus constructed according to the teachings of the present disclosure;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a side view of a bracket of a forming apparatus
constructed according to the teachings of the present disclosure;
[0021] FIG. 6 is a top view of the top surface of a cantilever
member of a
forming apparatus constructed according to the teachings of the present
disclosure;
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[0022] FIG. 7 is a side view of a forming apparatus in use
according to the
teachings of the present disclosure;
[0023] FIG. 8 is a side view of a forming apparatus in use
according to the
teachings of the present disclosure;
[0024] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a forming apparatus
according to the
teachings of the present disclosure; and
[0025] FIG. 10 is a side view of the forming apparatus in use
according to
the teachings of the present disclosure.
[0026] The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes
only
and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] The following description is merely exemplary in nature and
is not
intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. It should be
understood
that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like
or
corresponding parts and features.
[0028] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, disclosed is one form of a forming
apparatus 102 according to the teachings of the present disclosure. The
forming
apparatus 102 is used for securing a foam coping core 104 having a core body
106 with
an opposing outer surface 110 and inner surface 108 to a wall during cement
forming
operations. As discussed below, the form disclosed herein may be used for
cement
forming operations involving the forming of a swimming pool coping 702.
However, the
claimed subject matter is not limited to such specific forming applications
and may be
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implemented in a number of different forming application in accordance with
the subject
matter disclosed and claims herein.
[0029] In one form, the forming apparatus 102 comprises a bracket
112
having a bracket body 114. The bracket body 114 has an outer face 116 and an
opposing inner face 118, the inner face 118 configured to press against the
outer
surface 110 of the foam coping core 104. The bracket 112 further comprises one
or
more slots 120 extending through the bracket body 114 from the outer face 116
to the
inner face 118.
[0030] The forming apparatus 102 further comprises a cantilever
member
122 configured for insertion through the bracket body 114 via the one or more
slots 120.
The cantilever member 122 has a top surface 124 and an opposing bottom surface
126,
a fastening end 128 and an opposing insertion end 130 configured for insertion
through
the core body 106 and the one or more slots 120 thereby extending at least a
portion of
the fastening end 134 outward from the inner face 118 of the bracket 112 and
at least a
portion of the insertion end received within the one or more slots 154. As
illustrated in
the disclosed form, the cantilever member 122 comprises a plate of
substantially planar
configuration. However, the scope of the cantilever member 122 should not be
limited to
this particular form and one skilled in the art would appreciate based on the
teachings
disclosed herein that the cantilever member 122 may comprise any number of
members
of different configurations which serve the function disclosed herein,
including but not
limited to a pin configuration.
[0031] The forming apparatus 102 may include the at least a portion
of the
insertion end 132 further extending outward from the outer face 116 of the
bracket 112.
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The forming apparatus 102 may further comprise a locking mechanism 136 for
securing
the cantilever member 122 within the one or more slots 120. The locking
mechanism
136 of this particular form comprises one or more pin hole apertures 138
extending
through the cantilever member 122 from the top surface 124 to the bottom
surface 126,
and a pin 140 configured for being releasably secured within the one or more
pin hole
apertures 138. The one or more pin hole apertures 138 comprises a plurality of
pinhole
apertures 142 spread substantially across the cantilever member 122. However,
the
locking mechanism 136 of should not be limited to this particular form, and
one skilled in
the art would appreciate that any number of suitable locking mechanisms not
disclosed
here could function according to the disclosed teachings. For example, a zip-
tie type
mechanism, with a biased locking pin and corresponding grooves could also work
to
secure the cantilever member 122 within the one or more slots 120. As such,
the
locking mechanism 136 could include a broad number of mechanisms that could
serve
the function of securing the cantilever member 122 within the one or more
slots 120.
[0032]
The one or more slots 120 comprises a first slot 144 and a second
slot 146. As discussed in detail below, the first slot 144 and second slot 146
may have
substantially different orientations relative to one another along the bracket
body 114,
and in the particular form disclosed herein, first slot 144 and second slot
146 are
substantially perpendicular relative to one another along the bracket body
114. These
exemplary forms regarding number of slots and orientation are not limiting,
and as will
become apparent herein, any number of slots with various orientations may be
employed without departing from the scope of the subject matter disclosed and
claimed
herein.
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[0033] In use, a user may position the bracket 112 such that the
inner face
118 presses against the outer surface 110 of the foam coping core 104. A user
may
insert the insertion end 130 of the cantilever member 122 through the inner
surface 108
of the foam coping core 104, pressing it through the core body 106 and outward
from
the outer surface 110. The cantilever member 122 may then be received within
the one
or more slots 120 such that a portion of the insertion end received within the
one or
more slots 154. The cantilever member 122 is received within the second slot
146. A
portion of the fastening end 134 extends outward from the inner face 118 of
the bracket
112 and outward from the inner surface 108 of the foam coping core 104. This
portion of
the fastening end 134, as discussed below, is used to secure the cantilever
member
122 to the wall, and correspondingly the foam coping core 104 against the wall
during
cement forming operation.
[0034] The forming apparatus 102 may comprise one or more spools.
In
the particular disclosed form, the bracket 112 comprises a top end 158 and a
bottom
end 156, and the one or more spools comprises a top spool 162 disposed upon
the top
end 158 of the bracket 112 and a bottom spool 160 disposed upon the bottom end
156
of the bracket 112. As illustrated in FIG. 1 (and discussed in greater detail
below), the
securing line 168 may be utilized to secure the bracket 112 against the core
body 106,
to secure the core body 106 during cement pouring operations. A securing line
168 may
comprise any number of securing lines of suitable strength used in the field,
including
but not limited to nylon, nylon thread, and light gage metal. The securing
line 168 may
be received through the bracket 112 and wrapped around the one or more spools
to
tighten the securing line 168 and thereby further securing the bracket 112
against the
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core body 106. The securing line 168 is wrapped tightly around the top spool
162.
However, this is only one particular arrangement of the one or more spools and
any
number of configurations could be implemented without departing from the scope
of the
claimed subject matter.
[0035] Referring again to the form of FIG. 1, the forming apparatus
102
may further comprise one or more securing line holding members. One or more
securing line holding members may be disposed upon the one or more spools. The
one
or more securing line holding members comprise a top tapered slot 164 disposed
upon
the top spool 162 and a bottom tapered slot 166 disposed upon the bottom spool
160.
The tapered slot of the top tapered slot 164 receives the securing line 168
after it has
been tightly wrapped around the top spool 162, and holds it securely therein.
This
permits the securing line 168 to be tightly secured to the top spool 162 and
the bracket
112, reducing the risk that it will come loose during forming operations.
[0036] The locking mechanism 136 comprises one or more pin hole
apertures 138 and a pin 140 configured for being releasably secured within the
one or
more pin hole apertures 138. A user would insert the pin 140 into one of the
one or
more pin hole apertures 138. The pin 140 abuts against the outer face 116 of
the
bracket body 114, thereby preventing the insertion end 130 of the cantilever
member
122 from being pulled outward from the inner face 118 of the one or more slots
120, and
specific to the particular form the second slot 146. The one or more slots 120
comprises
a plurality of pinhole apertures 142 spread substantially across the
cantilever member
122. As seen particularly in FIGS. 2-3, the incorporation of a plurality of
pinhole
apertures 142 permits a user to vary the portion of the fastening end 134
extending
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outward from the inner face 118 and a portion of the insertion end 132
extending
outward from outer face 116. This allows a user to use a cantilever member 122
of a
single size (i.e. length, width, etc.) and accommodate for any number of
different foam
coping core 104 sizes (width, thickness, etc.). Furthermore, a user may adjust
the
portion of the fastening end 134 extending outward from the inner face 118 of
the
bracket 112 for different forming operations, if greater length of this
portion of the
fastening end 134 is needed for further coping support.
[0037] As illustrated in the particular form of FIG. 2, the
fastening end 128
of the forming apparatus 102 may further comprise a breaking segment 206
defining a
breakable portion 208. The breaking segment 206 comprises a narrowed portion
210
formed upon the fastening end 128 of the cantilever member 122. In use (and as
discussed below), the breaking segment 206 can comprise any mechanism
permitting a
user to conveniently break the breakable portion 208 from the cantilever
member 122
during use, including (without limitation) perforations or any structural
weakening of the
cantilever member 122. The narrowed portion 210 weakens this region of the
cantilever
member 122 allowing a user to conveniently separate the breakable portion 208
from
the cantilever member 122.
[0038] Referring to the particular form of FIGS. 4-5, a particular
form of the
bracket 112 is disclosed therein. The bracket 112 of this particular form
comprises a first
slot 144 and second slot 146. The first slot 144 has a first longitudinal axis
402 and the
second slot 146 has a second longitudinal axis 404, which axes are
perpendicular to
one another. As such, in this particular form, the first slot 144 and the
second slot 146
are substantially perpendicular to one another along the bracket body 114.
CA 2984737 2017-11-03
[0039] The one or more slots 120, and in this particular form, the
first slot
144 and the second slot 146 extend through the bracket body 114 from the outer
face
116 to the inner outer face 116. This permits a user to insert a cantilever
member 122
into the one or more slots 120, and can insert the cantilever member 122
through the
entire bracket body 114 to optionally extend a portion of the fastening end
134 out of the
inner face 118 and a portion of the insertion end 132 outward from the outer
face 116.
[0040] Furthermore, referring to FIGS. 1, and FIGS. 4-5, the
bracket 112
may optionally comprise one or more tie-wire apertures. The bracket 112 of
this
particular form comprises a first tie-wire aperture 148, a second tie-wire
aperture 406
and a third tie-wire aperture 408. The first tie-wire aperture 148, the second
tie-wire
aperture 406 and the third tie-wire aperture 408 extend through the bracket
body 114
from the outer face 116 to the inner face 118. As discussed below, each of the
one or
more tie-wire apertures are configured to received a tie-wire, which may
optionally be
used during forming operations to further support the foam coping core 104
against the
wall.
[0041] Disclosed in FIG. 6 is the particular form of the cantilever
member
122. As shown, the cantilever member 122 comprises a top surface 124. As
discussed
above, the locking mechanism 136 of this particular form comprises a plurality
of
pinhole apertures 142 spread substantially across the cantilever member 122.
In use,
any number of plurality of pinhole apertures 142 and configuration can be
optionally
implemented based on user needs.
[0042] Furthermore, the cantilever member 122 may further comprise
one
or more fastening apertures 150 disposed upon the fastening end 128 of the
cantilever
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member 122, the one or more fastening apertures 150 extending through the
cantilever
member 122 from the top surface 124 to the bottom surface 126. In the
particular form
of FIG. 6, the one or more fastening apertures 150 comprises a first fastening
aperture
202 and a second fastening aperture 204. However, one skilled in the art would
appreciate that any number of fastening apertures may optionally be included
and used
without departing from the scope of teaching of the subject matter disclosed
and
claimed herein.
[0043] Referring to FIGS. 7-10, an example of the use of the
forming
apparatus 102 of the particular form is shown in greater detail. In the
particular form
disclosed herein, the forming apparatus 102 is used for a cement forming
operation for
forming a swimming pool coping. However, as will be readily apparent from the
teaching
disclosed herein, the forming apparatus 102 of the disclosed subject matter
could be
implemented in any number of cement forming operations and applications, and
is not
limited to the particular examples or forms disclosed herein.
[0044] Referring back to FIG. 7, a user can press the bracket 112
against
the foam coping core 104, with the inner face 118 of the bracket 112 pressed
against
the outer surface 110 of the foam coping core 104. The inner surface 108 of
the foam
coping core 104 is pressed against the outside face 710 of the swimming pool
coping
702. A particular profile portion 152 of the inner surface 108 extends upward
above the
top face 704 of the swimming pool coping 702.
[0045] With the bracket 112 pressed against the foam coping core
104,
thereby securing the foam coping core 104 against the outside face 710 of the
swimming pool coping 702, a user may then insert the insertion end 130 of the
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cantilever member 122 through the inner surface 108 of foam coping core 104,
through
the core body 106 and out from the outer surface 110. A portion of the
insertion end
received within the one or more slots 154 of the cantilever member 122 is
received
within the one or more slots 120. In this particular form, the cantilever
member 122 is
received within the second slot 146.
[0046] With the cantilever member 122 received within the second
slot
146, a user would then secure the cantilever member 122 within the second slot
146 in
order to secure the bracket 112 against the foam coping core 104 and the foam
coping
core 104 against the outside face 710 during the coping operation. A user may
use any
number of knowing securing mechanisms or techniques known in the art to secure
the
cantilever member 122 within the second slot 146. For example, although not
illustrated,
a user may drive a nail through the cantilever member 122 or use a C-clamp to
hold the
cantilever member 122 securely within the second slot 146 and the bracket 112
against
the foam coping core 104. Also, any number of fasteners, such as screws or tie-
wires,
could be used to secure the cantilever member 122 within the second slot 146
and the
bracket 112 firmly in place against the foam coping core 104 during the coping
operation.
[0047] Alternatively, as disclosed in the form of FIGS. 7-8, the
locking
mechanism 136 may be used to secure the cantilever member 122 within the
second
slot 146. As shown, the pin 140 is used to secure the cantilever member 122
within the
second slot 146, as it is inserted into one of the pin holes of the plurality
of pinhole
apertures 142 of the cantilever member 122. The fastening end 128 of the
cantilever
member 122 is pressed against the swimming pool coping 702, with the bottom
surface
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126 of the cantilever member 122 pressed against the top face 704 of the
swimming
pool coping 702. The fastening end 128 may then be fastened to the top face
704 of the
swimming pool coping 702 using any suitable mechanism known in the art. A
fastening
screw 706 is inserted through one of the one or more fastening apertures 150
in order
to secure the cantilever member 122 to the top face 704 of the 802. However,
any
number of fastening mechanisms known in the art may be implemented in order to
secure the cantilever member 122 to the swimming pool coping 702.
[0048] Referring to the particular form of FIG. 8, a securing line
168 may
optionally be utilized to further secure the bracket 112 against the foam
coping core 104
during the coping operation. The securing line 168 may be tightly wound
against the
fastening screw 706, and pulled through the core body 106. The securing line
168 may
then be pulled through the bracket body 114 via one of the one or more pin
hole
apertures 138. The securing line 168 is pulled through the first tie-wire
aperture 148 and
tightly wrapped around the top spool 162. The securing line 168 may then be
secured
within the top tapered slot 164, thereby reducing tightly securing the
securing line 168 to
the bracket 112. With the securing line 168 tightly secured, the securing line
168 assists
in further securing the bracket 112 against the foam coping core 104, thereby
further
securing the foam coping core 104 against the outside face 710 during the
coping
operation.
[0049] With respect to the disclosed form of FIG. 7, with the
cantilever
member 122 secured to the swimming pool coping 702 and secured within the
second
slot 146 using the locking mechanism 136, and specifically in this form, the
pin 140, the
bracket 112 securely presses the foam coping core 104 to the swimming pool
coping
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702 to prevent the foam coping core 104 from undue shifting and movement
during the
cement forming operation. With the foam coping core 104 securely held in place
by the
forming apparatus 102, liquefied cement may then be poured along the top face
704 of
the swimming pool coping 702, the liquefied cement pressing up against the
profile
portion 152 of the inner surface 108 of the foam coping core 104 and taking
the shape
of the profile portion 152.
[0050]
Once the liquefied cement dries and solidifies, the foam coping
core 104 may be removed. This is accomplished by unsecuring the locking
mechanism
136 specific to the form disclosed in FIG. 7, the pin 140 is removed, thereby
allowing a
user to slide the bracket 112 outward from the insertion end 130 of the 122.
The
cantilever member 122 may be removed from the swimming pool coping 702.
According
to the particular disclosed form, a user may break the cantilever member 122
along the
breaking segment 206 in order to release the cantilever member 122 from the
swimming pool coping 702. For example, a user may break the cantilever member
122
along the narrowed portion 210, thereby leaving the breakable portion 208 left
within the
formed cement and removing the remainder of the cantilever member 122. The
breakable portion 208 is a relatively small portion of the cantilever member
122 and as
such, it remains largely unseen within the cement after pouring is completed
and the
cantilever member 122 is removed. A user can break the breakable portion 208
using
any known techniques, including (but not limited to) simply gripping the
cantilever
member 122 and using a slide hammer to disconnect the breakable portion 208.
Alternatively, user may simply pull the cantilever member 122 to remove it
from the
poured concrete. After removal, the cantilever member 122 may be discarded
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completely. Thus, a user may then reuse the bracket 112 again for subsequent
forming
operations, needing only to replace the cantilever member 122 with a new one.
[0051] The cantilever member 122 and the bracket 112 of this
particular
form, permit a user to optionally adjust the portion of the fastening end 134
extending
outward from the inner face 118 as well as the portion of the insertion end
132
extending outward from the outer face 116. This permits a user to use the same
bracket
112 and cantilever member 122 for any number of different forming
applications,
including accommodating for foam coping cores having varying configurations
and
thicknesses. Furthermore, a user may adjust the portion of the fastening end
134
extending out from the inner face 118 of the bracket 112 if greater
cantilevering is
required for a specific application.
[0052] Optionally, if greater securing force is required, a user
may
optionally implement one or more tie-wires to secure the bracket 112 and foam
coping
core 104 to the swimming pool coping 702. Although not specifically shown, the
one or
more tie-wires may be inserted into any one of the one or more tie-wire
apertures
disclosed herein.
[0053] Furthermore, referring to FIGS. 9-10, the use of various
configurations and positioning of the one or more slots 120 allows a user to
adjust the
positioning of the bracket 112 for various needs and requirements. The
perpendicular
positioning of the first slot 144 and the second slot 146 relative to one
another and to
the bracket body 114 would allow a user to turn the bracket 112 to cross a
separation
line 904 between two different foam coping cores, thereby not only securing
the foam
comping cores to the wall, but also securing the foam comping cores in place
adjacent
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to one another. As such, according to the teachings disclosed herein, one
skilled in the
art will appreciate that the forming apparatus 102 could incorporate any
number of slots,
in substantially different orientations to one another. The arrangements
disclosed herein
permit a single bracket 112 to be used, and reused, for different forming
operations
involving different foam coping cores in different arrangement, allowing the
user to
adjust how the cantilever member 122 is secured within the one or more slots
120 (i.e.
optionally adjusting the portion of the fastening end 134 extending outward
from the
inner face 118 and the portion of the insertion end 132 extending outward from
the outer
face 116), inserting the cantilever member 122 into any one of the one or more
slots
120, incorporating any number of slots and providing for various orientations
of the slots
relative to one another.
[0054]
The bracket 112 and the cantilever member 122 of the forming
apparatus 102 disclosed herein may be formed from any materials and according
to any
process known in the art, including but not limited to injection molding. As
disclosed in
detail herein, the particular configurations are exemplary and non-limiting,
and based on
the teachings of the subject matter disclosed herein a user may modify the
configurations of any one of the bracket 112, one or more slots 120,
cantilever member
122, one or more pin hole apertures 138 and the pin 140 based on specific
needs.
Accordingly, the forming apparatus 102 as disclosed herein may be used to
compensate for various foam core height profiles, with the same bracket 112
being
used to compensate for foam coping core 104 profiles of differing heights by
adjusting
the orientation of the bracket 112. Brackets may be offset from one another to
compensate for different shapes and sizes.
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[0055] While the present disclosure has been described in
connection with
certain forms, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is not to be
limited to the
disclosed forms but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various
modifications and
equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended
claims,
which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass
all such
modifications and equivalent structures as is permitted under the law.
[0056] The description of the disclosure is merely exemplary in
nature and,
thus, variations that do not depart from the substance of the disclosure are
intended to
be within the scope of the disclosure. Such variations are not to be regarded
as a
departure from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.
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