Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
CA 02866722 2014-10-08
CONCRETE FORM CLIP
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.
61/889,119,
filed October 10, 2013, the disclosure of which is hereby expressly
incorporated in its entirety
by reference herein.
BACKGROUND
Concrete structures, such as foundations, walls, beams, and columns, are
formed using
the aid of concrete form assemblies, often composed of plywood panels. The
forms serve to
mold the poured, liquid concrete to a shape during the curing stage. Many form
assemblies
utilize spacers in order to secure the form panels. Spacers generally hold a
corresponding pair
of form panels apart at a pre-determined distance. The number and location of
spacers allow
the concrete to be poured in the form assembly without extensive bowing of the
form panels,
which ensures the desired shape of the finished concrete structure is retained
and excessive
concrete material is not used. When the curing stage is complete, the form
assembly must be
dismantled, the process of which often leads to damage of the concrete form
panels, requiring
replacement, rather than reuse in a subsequent form assembly. The present
invention provides
concrete form spacers which conveniently bend with a hammer strike, thereby
freeing the
concrete form panels for non-destructive removal, allowing the form panels to
be reused in a
subsequent form assembly.
SUMMARY
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified
form that
are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not
intended to
identify key features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be
used as an aid in
determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a spacer to
retain
concrete forms in spaced relationship to each other is provided. The spacer
generally includes
an elongate web having an intermediate hole configured to accept the insertion
of a fastener to
couple the spacer to a mounting surface, a first flange including a tip
portion, the first flange
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projecting laterally from a first end of the web, a first tab projecting
laterally from an
intermediate location along the web, wherein the web, the first flange, and
the first tab
together form a first pocket configured to closely receive a concrete form,
and wherein the tip
portion of the first flange is configured to flare away from the first pocket.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, a molded
spacer to
retain concrete forms in a spaced relationship to each other is provided. The
molded spacer
generally includes an elongate strap portion including an upper surface, a
first protrusion near
a first end of the strap portion projecting laterally from the upper surface,
the first protrusion
including a first wall and a first ramp surface, a second protrusion
projecting laterally from the
upper surface at an intermediate location along the strap portion, the second
protrusion
including a second wall and a second ramp surface, wherein the strap portion,
the first wall,
and the second wall together form a first pocket configured to closely receive
a concrete form,
and wherein the first ramp surface and the second ramp surface are sloped such
that the
concrete form is centered in the first pocket during insertion.
In accordance with any of the embodiments described herein, the flared portion
of the
first flange may be arcuate.
In accordance with any of the embodiments described herein, the flared portion
of the
first flange may be disposed at an angle in the range of about 20 degrees to
70 degrees relative
to the first flange.
In accordance with any of the embodiments described herein, the first tab may
be
disposed at an angle in the range of about 90 degrees to 70 degrees relative
to the web in a
direction away from the first pocket.
In accordance with any of the embodiments described herein, the first tab
comprises a
tip portion that may be configured to flare away from the first pocket.
In accordance with any of the embodiments described herein, the tip portion of
the first
tab may be arcuate.
In accordance with any of the embodiments described herein, the tip portion of
the first
tab may be disposed at an angle in the range of about 20 degrees to 70 degrees
relative to the
first tab.
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In accordance with any of the embodiments described herein, the spacer may
further
include a second flange including a tip portion, the second flange projecting
laterally from a
second end of the web, a second tab including a tip portion, the second tab
projecting laterally
from an intermediate location along the web between the first tab and the
second flange, and
wherein the web, the second flange, and the second tab together form a second
pocket
configured to closely receive the concrete form, wherein the tip portion of
the second flange
and the tip portion of the second tab are configured to flare away from the
second pocket.
In accordance with any of the embodiments described herein, the web may
further
include a slot configured to create a predisposed bend location, and a through
hole between the
slot and a second end of the web configured to accept the insertion of a
fastener to couple the
spacing bracket to the concrete form.
In accordance with any of the embodiments described herein, the material of
the spacer
may be selected from the group consisting of: metallic, polymeric, and
composite.
In accordance with any of the embodiments described herein, the first ramp
surface
may be arcuate.
In accordance with any of the embodiments described herein, the first ramp
surface
may be disposed at an angle in the range of about 20 degrees to 70 degrees
relative to the first
wall in a direction away from the first pocket.
In accordance with any of the embodiments described herein, the second ramp
surface
may be arcuate.
In accordance with any of the embodiments described herein, the second ramp
surface
may be disposed at an angle in the range of about 20 degrees to 70 degrees
relative to the
second wall in a direction away from the first pocket.
In accordance with any of the embodiments described herein, the molded spacer
may
further include a third protrusion near the second end of the strap portion
projecting laterally
from the upper surface, the third protrusion including a third wall and a
third ramp surface, a
fourth protrusion projecting laterally from the upper surface at an
intermediate location along
the strap portion between the second protrusion and the third protrusion, the
fourth protrusion
including a fourth wall and a fourth ramp surface, wherein the strap portion,
the third wall, and
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the fourth wall together form a second pocket configured to closely receive
the concrete form,
and wherein the third ramp surface and the fourth ramp surface are sloped such
that the
concrete form is centered in the second pocket during insertion.
In accordance with any of the embodiments described herein, the strap portion
may
include a through hole sized to accept the insertion of a fastener configured
to couple the
molded concrete form spacer to a mounting surface.
In accordance with any of the embodiments described herein, the first
protrusion may
include a through hole sized to accept the insertion of a fastener configured
to couple the
concrete form to the molded concrete form spacer.
In accordance with any of the embodiments described herein, the third
protrusion may
include a through hole sized to accept the insertion of the fastener
configured to couple the
concrete form to the molded concrete form spacer.
In accordance with any of the embodiments described herein, the molded
concrete
form spacer may be formed from a polymeric material.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention
will
become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by
reference to the
following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings,
wherein:
FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of a concrete form spacer formed in
accordance
with one embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIGURE 2 is a top view of the concrete form spacer of FIGURE I;
FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view of the concrete form spacer of FIGURE 1;
FIGURE 4 is a front elevational view of a concrete form spacer formed in
accordance
with another embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIGURE 5 is a top view of the concrete form spacer of FIGURE 4;
FIGURE 6 is a side elevational view of the concrete form spacer of FIGURE 4;
FIGURE 7 is a front elevational view of the concrete form spacer of FIGURE 4,
showing the concrete form spacer in an installed form assembly configuration;
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FIGURE 8 is a front elevational view of a concrete form spacer formed in
accordance
with another embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIGURE 9 is a top view of the concrete form spacer of FIGURE 8;
FIGURE 10 is a front elevational view of a concrete form spacer formed in
accordance
with another embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIGURE 11 is a top view of the concrete form spacer of FIGURE 10;
FIGURE 12 is a front elevational view of the concrete form spacer of FIGURE
10,
showing the concrete form spacer in an installed form assembly configuration;
FIGURE 13 is an isometric view of a molded concrete form spacer formed in
accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIGURE 14 is a top view of the molded concrete form spacer of FIGURE 13;
FIGURE 15 is a front elevational view of the molded concrete form spacer of
FIGURE
13; and
FIGURE 16 is a front elevational view of a molded concrete form spacer formed
in
accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, showing rounded
ramp
surfaces.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended
drawings,
where like numerals reference like elements, are intended as a description of
various
embodiments of the disclosed subject matter and are not intended to represent
the only
embodiments. Each embodiment described in this disclosure is provided merely
as an
example or illustration and should not be construed as preferred or
advantageous over other
embodiments. The illustrative examples provided herein are not intended to be
exhaustive or
to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed. Similarly, any steps
described herein
may be interchangeable with other steps, or combinations of steps, in order to
achieve the
same or substantially similar result.
In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order
to provide
a thorough understanding of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
It will be
apparent to one skilled in the art, however, that many embodiments of the
present disclosure
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may be practiced without some or all of the specific details. In some
instances, well known
process steps have not been described in detail in order not to unnecessarily
obscure various
aspects of the present disclosure. Further, it will be appreciated that
embodiments of the
present disclosure may employ any combination of features described herein.
The present application may include references to directions, such as
"forward,"
"rearward," "front," "back," "upward," "downward," "right hand," left hand,"
"in," "out,"
"extended," "advanced," "retracted," "proximal," "distal," "central," etc.
These references and
other similar references in the present application are only to assist in
helping describe and
understand the present invention and are not intended to limit the present
invention to these
directions or locations.
The present application may also reference quantities and numbers.
Unless
specifically stated, such quantities and numbers are not to be considered
restrictive, but
exemplary of the possible quantities or numbers associated with the present
application. Also
in this regard, the present application may use the term "plurality" to
reference a quantity or
number. In this regard, the term "plurality" is meant to be any number that is
more than one,
for example, two, three, four, five, etc.
Embodiments of the present disclosure are generally directed to concrete form
spacers
with enhanced concrete form insertion and removal features. In general,
examples of the
concrete form spacers described herein are capable of attaching to a mounting
surface and
retain concrete forms in a spaced relationship to each other to allow the
concrete structure to
be poured and cured in place. The embodiments illustrated in the FIGURES have
been
designed for use with concrete form assemblies. However, the embodiments of
the present
disclosure may also be used in other types of poured form applications which
are also within
the scope of this disclosure.
Referring initially to FIGURES 1-3, a concrete form spacer 100 of the present
disclosure is illustrated as composed of an elongate flat web 112 with end
flanges 114
projecting upwardly from the ends of the elongate flat web 112. Tabs 116
project laterally
from the elongate flat web 112 at a location spaced inwardly along the
elongate flat web 112
from the end flanges 114. Each corresponding pair of tabs 116 and end flanges
114 form an
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upwardly open pocket 118 configured to closely receive a concrete form panel P
(see e.g.,
FIGURE 7) therebetween. In this regard, the width of each pocket 118 is
typically slightly
larger than the width of the concrete form panel P.
Each tab 116 may be formed by piercing the elongate flat web 112 and then
bending
the pierced portion of the elongate flat web 112 upwardly so that the tab 116
is projecting
laterally from the elongate flat web 112, generally in the direction of the
corresponding end
flange 114. In this regard, the upper end of tab 116 may be rounded so as not
to present a
sharp point. In other embodiments, the tab portion can be created by numerous
other means,
including welding or otherwise attaching tab 116 to elongate flat web 112.
In the illustrated embodiment shown in FIGURE 1, tabs 116 are projected at a
slight
angle away from the pockets 118 in order to guide the concrete form panel P
down into
pockets 118. In this regard, the tab projection angle 134 is in the range of
about 90 degrees to
70 degrees from the elongate flat web 112 in the angle location depicted in
FIGURE 1. In
other embodiments, tabs 116 may be curved or rounded in a manner configured to
guide the
concrete form panel P into pocket 118.
The end flanges 114 include form securing through holes 120 which allow a form
anchoring fastener 158 (see e.g., FIGURE 7) to optionally secure the concrete
form panel P in
pocket 118. Elongate flat web 112 also includes spacer securing through holes
122 which
allow the insertion of an anchoring fastener 160 (see e.g., FIGURE 7)
configured to attach the
concrete form spacer 100 to a mounting surface 152 where the concrete
structure will be
formed, (e.g., using a concrete nail to attach the spacer to a concrete
foundation footing).
As shown most clearly in FIGURE 1, the end flange 114 includes a distal flange
tip
portion 124 that is flared away from form pocket 118 and is configured to
guide concrete form
panel P down into pocket 118. In the illustrated embodiment, flange tip
portion 124 is
generally planar and disposed at an angle 126 of about 45 degrees relative to
the end flange
114. However, in other embodiments, flange tip portion 124 may be disposed at
an angle 126
in the range of about 20 degrees to 70 degrees relative to the end flange 114.
In further
embodiments of the present disclosure, flange tip portion 124 may be rounded
or curved away
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from the pocket 118 so as to present a convex shape toward the concrete form
panel P when in
place within pocket 118.
Each flange tip portion 124 may be formed by bending the end flanges 114
during
formation of the concrete spacer 100. Alternatively, flange tip portion 124
may be initially
composed of a separate member welded or otherwise attached to the end flange
114.
The flange tip portions 124 provide an advantage over current concrete form
spacers of
the art. In use, form spacers are configured to hold concrete form panels in a
spaced
relationship from each other while the concrete in the form assembly cures.
Once curing has
completed, the form panels are removed from the form spacers. Typically, this
requires that
the end flanges of the form spacers are bent away from the form panel so they
are no longer
bearing against the form panels P and are no longer perpendicular to the
elongate web of the
form spacer. Other concrete form spacers of the art require forcing the claw
portion of a
hammer, or a pry bar, between the end flange and the form panel to force the
end flange away
from the form panel. This often causes damage to the form panel, which is
typically
composed of plywood.
In contrast, the concrete form spacer 100 of the present disclosure, by
utilizing end
flanges 114, each with flared flange tip portion 124, makes it possible to
simply use a hammer
or similar device to strike the protruding flange tip portion 124, causing the
end flange 114 to
bend away from the concrete form panel P. As a result, damage to the concrete
form panel P
is avoided or at least reduced. Moreover, with the end flange 114 bent away,
the pocket 118
becomes wider than the concrete form panel P, encouraging or facilitating
removal of the form
panel P from the cured concrete wall and the concrete form spacer 100.
Next, referring to FIGURES 4-6, a second concrete form spacer 130 is
illustrated. As
in concrete form spacer 100, concrete form spacer 130 includes an elongate
flat web 112A
having at one end thereof an end flange 114A projecting upwardly from one end
of the
elongate flat web 112A. The upper end of the end flange 114A flares outwardly
at distal
flange tip portion 124A. As in concrete form spacer 100, the flange tip
portion 124A of end
flange 114A may be generally planar, curved or rounded, as desired. In
addition, a tab 116A
projects laterally from the elongate flat web 112A at a location spaced
inwardly along the
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elongate flat web 112A from the end flange 114A. As in tab 116, shown in
FIGURES 1-3,
tab 116A of FIGURES 4-6 can also be formed by piercing the elongate flat web
112A and
then bending the pierced portion of the elongate flat web 112A upwardly so
that the tab 116A
is projecting laterally from the elongate flat web 112A in the direction of
the corresponding
end flange 114A. Also, as in concrete form spacer 100, a form securing hole
120A may be
formed in end flange 114A for reception of a form anchoring fastener 158 or
other type of
fastener. Likewise, spacer securing holes 122A may be included in the elongate
flat web
112A to allow the insertion of an anchoring fastener 160 configured to attach
the concrete
form spacer 130 to a mounting surface 152 where the concrete structure will be
formed (see
FIGURE 7).
Referring specifically to FIGURES 4 and 5, the elongate flat web 112A forms an
elongated flat section with a series of spaced-apart, transverse slots 36
formed in the elongate
flat web 112A. In addition, notches 138 are formed on each edge of the
elongate flat
web 112A aligning with the locations of the transverse slots 136. The
transverse slots 136 and
corresponding notches 138 enable the elongated flat section of the elongate
flat web 112A to
be relatively easily bent at such locations. In other embodiments, notches 138
may be omitted
(see e.g., FIGURE 11). In use, as described more fully below, the elongated
flat section of
elongate flat web 112A is bent upwardly at one of the locations of the
transverse slots 136 so
as to form a bent end flange 154. By providing a series of transverse slots
136 and
corresponding notches 138, the concrete form spacer 130 can be used to form
walls of various
widths.
As shown most clearly in FIGURE 5, additional form pocket holes 140 are spaced
at a
distance away from each of the transverse slot 136 and notch 138 locations.
Such through
holes are shown to each be to the left of a corresponding set of transverse
slots 136 and
notches 138. As shown in FIGURE 7, a form pocket nail 156 or other fastener
can be engaged
through the form pocket holes 140 so as to function in the manner of tab 116A,
thereby to bear
against the inside of the concrete form panel P, as shown. Also, additional
form securing
holes 120A are located on the rightmost portion of the elongated flat section
of the elongate
flat web 112A. Once bent end flange 154 is formed upwardly, the additional
form securing
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holes 120A can then be used to receive a form anchoring fastener 158 for
attaching the
concrete form panel P to the concrete form spacer 130 as shown in FIGURE 7.
As shown in FIGURE 7, the embodiment of concrete form spacer 130 may be
especially advantageous when utilized after a concrete form panel P is
initially assembled in
place and thereafter it is determined that further concrete form spacers 130
are needed,
especially at the bottom edges of the form assembly. Occasionally, it is
determined that an
insufficient number of concrete form spacers have been used once the form
assembly is
partially constructed. Likewise, additional concrete form spacers 130 can be
used to reinforce
the form assembly once the concrete has been poured if it is determined that
the form
assembly requires more support due to outward bowing of the form panels in
certain locations.
In this regard, the elongate flat web 112A of concrete form spacer 130 can be
driven across the
mounting surface 152 underneath the form assembly in place, since the end of
the elongate flat
web 112A opposite the end flange 114A is flat, and thus can pass beneath the
form assembly
without obstruction or disassembly of the concrete form panels P.
Once concrete form spacer 130 is in place and the lower edge of one concrete
form
panel P is engaged within pocket 118A, the opposite end of elongate flat web
112A can be
bent upwardly to form bent end flange 154 to bear against the outside surface
of the adjacent
concrete form panel P. Then, a form pocket nail 156 or other type of fastener
can be
optionally inserted within form pocket hole 140 so as to bear against the
inside surface of the
concrete form panel P. Also, as discussed above, form anchoring fasteners 158
or other
fasteners can be engaged through the form securing holes 120A that extend
upwardly along
the outside surface of the concrete form panel P in the bent end flange 154.
Referring now to FIGURES 8-12, concrete form spacers in accordance with other
embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in more detail. These
concrete form
spacers are substantially identical in materials and operation as the
previously described
embodiments, except for differences regarding the shape of tab 216 (FIGURES 8
and 9), and
tab 216A and removal of notches 138 (FIGURES 10-12), which will be described
in greater
detail below. For clarity in the ensuing descriptions, numeral references of
like elements of
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the concrete form spacers 100 and 130 are similar, but are in the 200 and 230
series for the
illustrated embodiment of FIGURES 8-12.
As shown in FIGURES 8 and 9, a third concrete form spacer 200 is illustrated.
Concrete form spacer 200 is substantially identical to concrete form spacer
100, except that
tab 216 additionally includes distal tab tip portion 232 that is flared away
from the pocket 218,
which is configured, in conjunction with flange tip portion 224, to guide
concrete form panel P
down into pocket 218. In the illustrated embodiment of concrete form spacer
200, tab tip
portion 232 is disposed at an angle 228 at about 45 degrees relative to tab
216. However, in
other embodiments, tab tip portion 232 may be disposed at an angle 228 in the
range of about
20 degrees to 70 degrees relative to tab 216. In further embodiments, tab tip
portion 232 may
be rounded or curved away from pocket 218 so as to present a convex shape
toward the
concrete form panel P when in place within pocket 218.
Turning now to FIGURES 10-12, a fourth concrete form spacer 230 is
illustrated.
Concrete form spacer 230 is substantially identical to concrete form spacer
130, described
above, except that tab 216A of concrete form spacer 230 additionally includes
distal tab tip
portion 232A that is flared away from pocket 218A. Tab tip portion 232A is
configured, in
conjunction with flange tip portion 224A, to guide concrete form panel P down
into pocket
218A. Additionally, concrete form spacer 230 is depicted without the optional
notches 138 of
concrete form spacer 130 (see FIGURE 5). In FIGURE 12, concrete spacer form
230 is
shown installed with fewer spacer anchoring fasteners 260, and additional form
anchoring
fasteners 258, as an illustration of an alternate installation embodiment.
However, in other
embodiments, any number of fasteners 258 or 260 may be used as necessary to
secure the
components of the form assembly.
In the illustrated embodiment of concrete form spacer 230, tab tip portion
232A is
disposed at an angle 228A at about 45 degrees relative to tab 216A. However,
in other
embodiments, tab tip portion 232A may be disposed at an angle 228A in the
range of about 20
degrees to 70 degrees relative to tab 216A. In further embodiments, tab tip
portion 232A may
be rounded or curved away from pocket 218A so as to present a convex shape
toward the
concrete form panel P when in place within pocket 218A.
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Turning now to FIGURES 13-15, a molded concrete form spacer 300 is illustrated
as
composed of an elongate web 312 forming a strap portion with end protrusions
314 forming
flanges and projecting upwardly from the top surface of the elongate web 312.
Additional
intermediate protrusions 316 form tabs and project upwardly from the top
surface of elongate
web 312 at a location spaced inwardly along the elongate web 312 from the end
protrusions
314. Each corresponding pair of intermediate protrusions 316 and end
protrusions 314 create
a pocket 318 configured to closely receive a concrete form panel P (see, e.g.,
FIGURE 7)
therebetween. In this regard, the width of each pocket 318 is typically
slightly larger than the
width of the concrete form panel P. The end protrusions 314 include reinforced
form securing
through holes 320 which allow a form anchoring fastener (see, e.g., form
anchoring fastener
158 in FIGURE 7) to optionally secure the concrete form panel P in pocket 318.
Molded concrete form spacer 300 includes reinforcements to increase the
strength of
the elongate web 312, end protrusions 314, and intermediate protrusions 316.
The central
section of the elongate web 312 includes reinforcing ridges 342 projecting
upwardly from the
top surface of elongate web 312 along each edge portion. The end protrusions
314 include
reinforcing walls 344 projecting upwardly from the top surface of elongate web
312 along
each edge portion. Likewise, intermediate protrusions 316 include reinforcing
walls 346
projecting upwardly from the top surface of elongate web 312 along each edge
portion.
Each end protrusion 314 includes an end pocket wall 362 and a distal end ramp
surface
324. End pocket wall 362 is formed on end protrusion 314 and is generally
perpendicular to
the top surface of elongate web 312. However, end pocket wall 362 may be
slightly drafted
away from pocket 31g as end pocket wall 362 projects away from the elongate
web 312. The
draft angle of end pocket wall 362 may be in the range of about 0 degrees to
10 degrees from
perpendicular.
End ramp surface 324 is formed at the top of end pocket wall 362 in a
direction away
from the pocket 318. End ramp surface 324 is illustrated in FIGURE 15 as a
generally planar
surface disposed at an end ramp surface angle 326 of about 45 degrees.
However, in other
embodiments, end ramp surface 324 may be disposed at an end ramp surface angle
326 in the
range of about 20 degrees to 70 degrees relative to the end pocket wall 362.
In further
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embodiments of the present disclosure, as illustrated in FIGURE 16, end ramp
surface 424
may be rounded or curved away from pocket 418 so as to present a convex shape
toward the
concrete form panel P when in place within pocket 418.
Each intermediate protrusion 316 includes a distal intermediate pocket wall
364 and an
intermediate ramp surface 332. Intermediate pocket wall 364 is formed on
intermediate
protrusion 316 and is generally perpendicular to the top surface of elongate
web 312.
However, intermediate pocket wall 364 may be slightly drafted away from the
form pocket
318 as intermediate pocket wall 364 projects away from the elongate web 312.
The draft
angle of intermediate pocket wall 364 may be in the range of about 0 degrees
to 10 degrees
from perpendicular.
Intermediate ramp surface 332 is formed at the top of intermediate pocket wall
364 in a
direction away from pocket 318. Intermediate ramp surface 332 is illustrated
in FIGURE 15
as a generally planar surface disposed at an intermediate ramp surface angle
328 of about 45
degrees. However, in other embodiments, intermediate ramp surface 332 may be
disposed at
an intermediate ramp surface angle 328 in the range of about 20 degrees to 70
degrees relative
to the intermediate pocket wall 364. In further embodiments of the present
disclosure, as
illustrated in FIGURE 16, intermediate ramp surface 432 may be rounded or
curved away
from pocket 418 so as to present a convex shape toward the concrete form panel
P when in
place within pocket 418.
In the molded concrete form spacer 300 of FIGURES 13-15 and the molded
concrete
form spacer 400 of FIGURE 16, the end ramp surfaces 324 and 424 of end
protrusions 314
and 414 and the intermediate ramp surfaces 332 and 432 of intermediate
protrusions 316 and
416 work in conjunction to provide a centering mechanism for the concrete form
panel in
order to promote ease of installation. Likewise, the optional draft angles on
end pocket walls
362 and 462 and intermediate pocket walls 364 and 464 provide reduced friction
on the
concrete form panel to promote ease of disassembly without damaging the
concrete form
panel.
The principles, representative embodiments, and modes of operation of the
present
disclosure have been described in the foregoing description. However, aspects
of the present
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disclosure which are intended to be protected are not to be construed as
limited to the
particular embodiments disclosed. Further, the embodiments described herein
are to be
regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. It will be appreciated that
variations and
changes may be made by others, and equivalents employed, without departing
from the spirit
of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it is expressly intended that all such
variations,
changes, and equivalents fall within the spirit and scope of the present
disclosure, as claimed.
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