U.S. patent application number 11/035612 was filed with the patent office on 2005-06-09 for method and apparatus for removing modular forms.
This patent application is currently assigned to Form Puller Tool Co., Inc.. Invention is credited to Gargiulo, Eugene.
Application Number | 20050120672 11/035612 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46303717 |
Filed Date | 2005-06-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050120672 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gargiulo, Eugene |
June 9, 2005 |
Method and apparatus for removing modular forms
Abstract
A method and apparatus for removing modular forms includes a
lever arm having a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal
end. A projection such as a hardened steel pin extends beyond the
first longitudinal end for engaging a hole defined in a form. The
projection extends in a direction generally parallel to a
longitudinal axis of the lever arm. A fulcrum is coupled to the
lever arm. The fulcrum is disposed closer to the first longitudinal
end relative to the second longitudinal end. A knuckle guard is
coupled to and is disposed on a same side of the lever arm relative
to the fulcrum. The knuckle guard is disposed closer to the second
longitudinal end relative to the first longitudinal end.
Inventors: |
Gargiulo, Eugene; (Durham,
CT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCCORMICK, PAULDING & HUBER LLP
CITY PLACE II
185 ASYLUM STREET
HARTFORD
CT
06103
US
|
Assignee: |
Form Puller Tool Co., Inc.
Chester
CT
|
Family ID: |
46303717 |
Appl. No.: |
11/035612 |
Filed: |
January 14, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11035612 |
Jan 14, 2005 |
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10839673 |
May 5, 2004 |
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10839673 |
May 5, 2004 |
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10012624 |
Dec 7, 2001 |
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6817590 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
52/749.1 ;
52/741.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04G 19/00 20130101;
E04G 17/00 20130101; B28B 13/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/749.1 ;
052/741.1 |
International
Class: |
E04B 002/00; E04B
001/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An apparatus for removing modular forms, comprising: a lever arm
having a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end; a
projection extending beyond the first longitudinal end for engaging
a hole defined in a form, the projection extending in a direction
generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the lever arm; a
fulcrum coupled to the lever arm, the fulcrum being disposed closer
to the first longitudinal end relative to the second longitudinal
end; and a knuckle guard coupled to and disposed on a same side of
the lever arm relative to the fulcrum, the knuckle guard being
disposed closer to the second longitudinal end relative to the
first longitudinal end.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the projection includes a
hardened pin.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the projection includes a
hardened steel pin.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fulcrum is generally
arcuate in shape.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the knuckle guard is generally
arcuate in shape.
6. A method of removing modular forms, comprising the steps of:
providing an apparatus including: a lever arm having a first
longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end; a projection
extending beyond the first longitudinal end for engaging a hole
defined in a form, the projection extending in a direction
generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the lever arm; a
fulcrum coupled to the lever arm, the fulcrum being disposed closer
to the first longitudinal end relative to the second longitudinal
end; and a knuckle guard coupled to and disposed on a same side of
the lever arm relative to the fulcrum, the knuckle guard being
disposed closer to the second longitudinal end relative to the
first longitudinal end; inserting the projection into a hole
defined in a frame of a form to be removed from a wall; moving the
second longitudinal end of the lever arm toward the wall so as to
cause the lever arm to pivot on the fulcrum and move the projection
away from the wall to thereby pull the form away from the wall; and
inserting the projection into one or more additional holes defined
in a frame of the form, if necessary, and repeating the step of
moving for each of the additional holes receiving the projection in
order to facilitate pulling the form from the wall.
7. A method of removing modular forms as defined in claim 6,
wherein the step of inserting is repeated, if necessary, by
selecting an upper hole defined in the frame of the form and then
selecting one or more additional holes disposed progressively lower
on the frame relative to the upper hole.
8. A method of removing modular forms as defined in claim 6,
further comprising the steps of: inserting the second longitudinal
end of the lever arm between the form and the wall, with the
fulcrum and the knuckle guard facing away from the wall, until the
knuckle guard contacts the form; and moving the first longitudinal
end of the lever arm away from the wall to further pull the form
away from the wall.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a continuation-in-part application of application
Ser. No. 10/839,673, filed on May 5, 2004, which is a
continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 10/012,624, filed on
Dec. 7, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,817,590 B2, the disclosures of
which are herein incorporated by reference in their entireties.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to methods and tools for
building construction. It relates more particularly to a method and
tool for removing modular forms from an underlying surface.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Certain building sections such as foundations for buildings
or bridges are typically constructed with concrete for its
advantages of high compressive strength, resistance to degradation
by ground and water contact, and lower total cost as compared to
stacked masonry units. These concrete building sections are usually
framed by forms that create a mold into which fluid concrete is
poured and cured. Forms may be of any rigid material that will
withstand the pressures of poured concrete. Historically, forms
were typically made from plywood with a thickness of at least
one-inch, custom cut for a particular job site. These plywood forms
were then strengthened with various vertical and horizontal bracing
as appropriate for the project at hand.
[0004] Recent changes in the industry have led to the use of
pre-fabricated modular forms or panels in standard sizes, where the
modular forms are intended to be reused over numerous and varied
projects. Modular forms of the type described herein are known in
the art. These modular forms fit together easily and reduce the
need for customized forms, thereby reducing the labor involved in
arranging them to receive poured concrete. Modular forms typically
include knobs that protrude from the side opposite that confining
the concrete. These knobs allow bracing to be readily secured to
bind adjacent forms to each other and to strengthen them against
separation or rupture from the weight of concrete poured behind
them.
[0005] After the concrete is cured sufficiently, usually a few
days, the forms are removed. Whether custom made or prefabricated
modular forms, the surface of the forms against which concrete
comes in contact are pre-treated with a release agent, typically a
diesel fuel based fluid, to facilitate removal without destroying
the forms. Workers generally force pry bars, wedges and the like
between the form and the hardened concrete to break the bond
between them. Some workers use a hooked end of the pry bar to
`ratchet` the edge of a modular form away from the concrete
structure. Using the pry bar in this way tends to deform the edge
or a surface of the modular form that hinders future use of the
form. This is because the pry bar's force is applied over a very
limited surface area, whereas modular forms are engineered to
withstand the forces of concrete applied broadly over an entire
surface. Other workers use a sledge to drive a wedge or the
straighter end of a pry bar between the modular form and the
concrete to separate them. Both methods are used in the field and
neither significantly reduces the strenuous labor of removing forms
from underlying rigid concrete. Neither method eliminates the need
to forcibly insert a pry bar tip between the modular form and the
concrete to which it adheres, which is the most strenuous task in
form stripping. Despite the release agent, many forms are bent,
breached, or otherwise deformed during removal. This is a more
significant concern with prefabricated modular forms since their
increased cost is often recouped only through repeated use.
[0006] What is needed in the art is a method and tool to minimize
or overcome some of the above deficiencies. Based on the foregoing,
it is an object of the present invention to provide such a method
and tool for removing modular forms from underlying concrete.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In a first aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for
removing modular forms includes a lever arm having a first
longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end. A projection,
preferably a hardened steel pin, extends beyond the first
longitudinal end for engaging a hole defined in a form. The
projection extends in a direction generally parallel to a
longitudinal axis of the lever arm. A fulcrum, preferably arcuate
in shape, is coupled to the lever arm. The fulcrum is disposed
closer to the first longitudinal end relative to the second
longitudinal end. A knuckle guard, preferably arcuate in shape, is
coupled to and is disposed on a same side of the lever arm relative
to the fulcrum. The knuckle guard is disposed closer to the second
longitudinal end relative to the first longitudinal end.
[0008] In a second aspect of the present invention, a method of
removing modular forms includes providing an apparatus with a lever
arm having a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end.
A projection extends beyond the first longitudinal end for engaging
a hole defined in a form. The projection extends in a direction
generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the lever arm. A
fulcrum is coupled to the lever arm. The fulcrum is disposed closer
to the first longitudinal end relative to the second longitudinal
end. A knuckle guard is coupled to and disposed on a same side of
the lever arm relative to the fulcrum. The knuckle guard is
disposed closer to the second longitudinal end relative to the
first longitudinal end. The projection is inserted into a hole
defined in a frame of a form to be removed from a wall. The second
longitudinal end of the lever arm is moved toward the wall so as to
cause the lever arm to pivot on the fulcrum and move the projection
away from the wall to thereby pull the form away from the wall. The
projection is inserted into one or more additional holes defined in
a frame of the form, if necessary, and the step of moving is
repeated for each of the additional holes receiving the projection
in order to facilitate pulling the form from the wall. Preferably,
the step of inserting is repeated, if necessary, by selecting an
upper hole defined in the frame of the form and then selecting one
or more additional holes disposed progressively lower on the frame
relative to the upper hole.
[0009] If the form needs to be moved further away from the wall,
the second longitudinal end of the lever arm can be inserted
between the form and the wall, with the fulcrum and the knuckle
guard facing away from the wall, until the knuckle guard contacts
the form. The first longitudinal end of the lever arm is moved away
from the wall to further pull the form away from the wall.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a device for removing
modular forms in accordance with the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the device of FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 1 engaged
with a modular form to remove it from an underlying structure.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a perspective view close up of a claw end of the
device of FIG. 1 adjacent to a cutaway view of a modular form.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a device for removing
modular forms in accordance with a second embodiment of the present
invention.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a front view of the device of FIG. 5.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of a device for removing
modular forms in accordance with a third embodiment of the present
invention.
[0017] FIG. 8 is a plan view of a device for removing modular forms
in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present
invention.
[0018] FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the device of FIG.
8.
[0019] FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of a device for removing
modular forms in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present
invention.
[0020] FIG. 11 is a partial bottom plan view of the device of FIG.
10.
[0021] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 10
engaging a modular form.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0022] A fuller appreciation for the present invention may be
achieved by reference to the associated illustrations, wherein
FIGS. 1 and 2 depict in differing views a tool 10 for removing
modular forms. The tool comprises a lever arm 12, a claw end 14,
and a fulcrum 16 between them. The lever arm 12 is extended to
provide a substantial moment arm about the fulcrum, preferably
three to four feet in length. The lever arm defines an end 18 with
a centroid (not shown), the centroid being the center point of the
surface that defines the end 18. The lever arm 12 may include
handgrips or pads 20 for the user's comfort.
[0023] The claw end 14 defines a tip 22. As shown in the
elevational view (FIG. 1), the claw end incorporates a cross
section that narrows nearer the tip 22. This narrowing cross
section is for easy engagement with a knob of a modular form to be
later described. The claw end further defines a notch 24, evident
in the plan view of FIG. 2. The notch is particularly adapted to
engage the knob previously mentioned. Preferably, the notch is
defined by an arcuate surface 26, rather than by two converging
linear surfaces as in prior art tools adapted for removal of nails
and spikes. The notch of the present invention preferably does not
score or deform the shank of the knob as prior art tools do to the
shanks of nails or spikes.
[0024] The fulcrum 16 includes an abutment surface 28 for engaging
a surface of hardened concrete, or any other sufficiently solid
surface adjacent to the form to be removed. The abutment surface is
opposite a line 30 defined by the tip 22 and the centroid of the
lever arm end 18, and is shown in phantom in FIG. 1. The tip 22 of
the claw end 18 is preferably bent away from the fulcrum 16 as in
many pry bars. The fulcrum is preferably a hollow steel cylinder
mounted so that its axis of rotation lies substantially
perpendicular to the line 30 between the centroid and the tip, and
is preferably welded to the remainder of the tool 10. It is
preferably welded at a point within eighteen inches of the tip 18.
Substantially perpendicular (or parallel) as used herein is limited
to within 15.degree. of the perpendicular (or parallel).
[0025] In a preferred embodiment of the tool of the present
invention, the lever arm is three to four feet long and made of
one-inch steel stock, the notch is slightly greater than one half
inch wide, and the fulcrum is a two-inch diameter steel tube
section welded eight inches from the tip. This is to accommodate
many of the modular forms in use having a thickness of one inch and
knobs having a one-half inch diameter shank set approximately six
inches inboard from an edge of the modular form.
[0026] FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of the tool 10 of FIG. 1
engaged with a protruding knob 34 of a modular form 36. The modular
form has an interior surface 38 that abuts a concrete surface 40 of
the underlying concrete structure, and an exterior surface 42
opposite the first and spaced therefrom by a thickness 44. Through
the exterior surface protrude shanks 46 terminating in caps 48 that
together comprise the knobs 34. As best shown in FIG. 2, the
arcuate surface 26 is rounded into an ellipsoid to prevent marring
or scoring of the shank 46, as opposed to general purpose pry bar
claw ends that employ two converging surfaces each having acute
angles that score and better grip a nail or spike. This arcuate
surface 26 may or may not define an angle with the top of the tool
(the top being shown in FIG. 2) or the opposing bottom, or it may
blend via a rounded edge. The tip 22 also defines a notch opening
50 that is preferably slightly greater than one half of an inch
wide, to easily accommodate a typical one half inch diameter shank.
The entire surface of the tool's claw end that defines the notch
may or may not be rounded. In a preferred embodiment, planar
surfaces extend from the tip 22 and join with either side of the
arcuate surface 26 to define the entire notch 24. Since the knob is
engineered to withstand forces, transferred through bracing, that
would tend to separate the cap 48 from the shank 46, the claw end
14 of the tool 10 imposes its primary force on the cap 48 when
properly employed. This is opposed to prior art pry bars that grip
the shank of a nail or spike with lateral contact on either side of
the shank, and may extract a nail even if the nail-head is sheared
off.
[0027] Bracing in the form of steel bands or clips 52 interconnects
the knobs of adjacent modular forms to reinforce the forms and to
prevent their separation from one another. Each steel band or clip
52 mates with a shank 46 of at least two knobs on adjacent modular
forms to hold them together. These bands 52 may be hingedly
attached to the shanks 46 of one of the modular forms to be joined
as shown in FIG. 3 (movement indicated by the double-headed arrow),
or they may remain a separate component until attached. Additional
vertical and/or horizontal bracing is often required to prevent
deflection of the joined-together forms, especially for taller and
wider concrete structures. Once the forms are set and all bracing
is in place, concrete is poured behind the assembled modular forms.
The bracing is removed once the concrete is sufficiently cured.
[0028] The modular forms generally remain attached by adhesion to
the underlying cured concrete and may be stripped or removed in the
following manner. The claw end 14 of the tool 10 is engaged with a
knob 34 such that the notch 24 engages the shank 46 underneath the
cap 48. The abutment surface 28 of the fulcrum 16 is placed against
the rigid concrete surface 40 adjacent to the form 36 to be
stripped. Rigid concrete as used herein refers to concrete that has
cured at least 24 hours. A force is applied to the lever arm 12 in
the direction indicated by the heavy arrow F, which is toward the
concrete surface. This force drives the claw end 14 against the cap
48, thus pulling the entire modular form away from the underlying
concrete structure and breaking the adhesive bond therebetween. The
tool is subsequently separated from the knob 34 and the concrete
surface 40. In this manner, the tool 10 is used to strip one or
more modular forms from underlying concrete without compromising
the geometric or structural integrity of the form for future
use.
[0029] FIG. 4 shows in perspective view a close up of the claw end
14 of the tool proximal to a shank 46 and cap 48 of a modular form
36. The notch opening 50 is adapted to mate with the shank 46 of a
knob protruding from a modular form 36. The claw end 14 defines a
cross section that narrows as it approaches the tip 22, as shown.
The notch is defined in part by an arcuate surface 26, and in part
by opposing sidewalls 54 (lead line points to only one sidewall).
The arcuate surface 26 defines a curve that is complementary to a
portion of the surface of the shank 46. The opposed sidewalls 54
lie in planes that are preferably substantially parallel to the
knob's shank 46. At least one of and preferably both sidewalls 54
are substantially perpendicular to both an adjacent upper surface
56 and an opposing adjacent lower surface 58 of the claw end 14.
When engaged with a knob protruding from a modular form 36, the
sidewalls 54 lie in planes that are substantially perpendicular to
the exterior surface 42 of the form. The sidewalls 54 may also be
substantially parallel to one another.
[0030] Prior art pry bars typically include incising edges
(i.e.--surfaces that define sharply acute angles at their
junctures) and diverging sidewall surfaces defining the notch to
better grip the shanks of a variety of nails or spikes. The tool of
the present invention is directed to a single purpose. It need not
grip the shank of the knob but rather presses against the cap 48
with its claw end upper surface 56, and it need not be adaptable to
a variety of shank sizes.
[0031] With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, an apparatus for removing
modular forms in accordance with a second embodiment of the present
invention is indicated generally by the reference number 110. Like
elements with the apparatus 10 of FIGS. 1-4 are indicated by like
reference numbers preceded by "1". The apparatus 110 is generally
the same as the apparatus 10 except for the lever arm or handle.
Accordingly, the apparatus 110 and its operation will be described
in detail only with respect to the structure that is different from
that of the apparatus 10.
[0032] The apparatus 110 comprises a lever arm 112, a head or claw
114 at an end of the lever arm, and a fulcrum 116 disposed
therebetween. The apparatus 110 is employed for removing forms such
as, for example, 11/8" plywood style modular forms, in a manner
similar to that explained with respect to the apparatus 10 shown in
FIGS. 1-4. The lever arm 112 includes a first portion 113 and a
second portion 115 which are oriented at an angle .alpha. with
respect to each other. The first portion 113 and the second portion
115 preferably cooperate to form an acute angle between generally
facing sides of the first and second portions. The fulcrum 116,
preferably in the form of a hollow steel cylinder, is coupled to
the first portion 113 at a first side 117 thereof between a first
longitudinal end 119 and a second longitudinal end 121. The claw
114 is also coupled to the first portion 113 at the first side 117
such that a tip 122 of the claw 114 extends slightly beyond the
first end 119. Preferably, the tip 122 of the claw 114 is angled in
a direction toward a second side 121 of the first portion 113 which
is generally opposite to that of the first side 117.
[0033] The second portion 115 serves as a handle of the lever arm
112, and has a length which is greater than that of the first
portion 113. As shown in FIG. 5, for example, the length of the
second portion 115 is approximately five times the length of the
first portion 113. However, the length of the second portion 115
can be greater or less than five times the length of the first
portion 113 without departing from the scope of the present
invention. The different lengths of the first and second portions
113, 115, and the acute angle formed therebetween are such that the
first and second portions form a check "{square root}" shape.
[0034] The lever arm 112 of the apparatus 110 is designed to aid in
the removal of forms that are elevated above the footing. Removal
of these forms using conventional methods and tools such as a
hammer or pry bar can be dangerous because the operator of the tool
is typically facing the wall while standing on narrow planks--often
without a safety railing--mounted off of the back face of the
forms. There is the danger of the operator falling off of the
planking while performing the form removal process. Because the
lever arm 112 is check-shaped, the apparatus 110 allows an operator
to more safely remove elevated forms as explained below.
[0035] In operation, while standing on the planking, an operator
stands with his or her back to the wall and engages a notch opening
defined by the claw 114 of the apparatus 110 with a stud on the
form that the form latch was previously latched on to. The operator
then presses the fulcrum 116 against the form next to the form the
operator is removing. Once contact is made, the operator exerts
pressure on the handle 115 of the apparatus 110 so as to push the
handle away from the operator's body as if the operator were
performing a bench press. When the operator starts to exert
pressure on the handle 115, the operator will be forcing his or her
back against the wall. With the operator's back firmly pressed
against the wall, the operator is in a much safer position during
the form removal process.
[0036] Referring to FIG. 7, an apparatus for removing modular forms
in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention is
indicated generally by the reference number 210. Like elements with
the apparatus of FIGS. 1-4 are indicated by like reference numbers
preceded by "2".
[0037] The apparatus 210 comprises a lever arm or handle 212 having
a first longitudinal end 213 and a second longitudinal end 215. A
projection 217 such as, for example, a hardened steel pin, extends
slightly beyond the first longitudinal end 213 of the lever arm
212. A fulcrum 216, preferably in the form of a hollow cylinder, is
coupled to the lever arm 212 at a first side 219 thereof, and is
disposed therealong closer to the first longitudinal end 213
relative to the second longitudinal end 215. The apparatus 210
preferably includes a knuckle guard 221 coupled to the lever arm
212 at the first side 219 thereof, and is disposed therealong
closer to the second longitudinal end 215 relative to the first
longitudinal end 213. The knuckle guard 219 is in the form of a
hollow cylinder but can take other practical shapes without
departing from the scope of the present invention. As shown in FIG.
7, the projection 217 is angled in a direction toward a second side
223 of the lever arm 212 which is generally opposite to that of the
first side 219.
[0038] The apparatus 210 is designed to aid in the removal of what
is known in the industry as SYMONS steel frame forms manufactured
by Symons Corporation of Des Plaines, Ill., or equivalent
compatible steel frame forms that define slots along the sides of
the forms.
[0039] The apparatus 210 is employed on a form in which adjacent
forms on each side thereof have already been removed from the face
of the wall to thereby expose slots defined along sides of the
form. In operation, the projection 217 is inserted into a slot
defined in a side of a steel frame of the form at an upper portion
of the form. Once the projection 217 is engaged in a slot, the
operator pushes the handle 212 toward the face of the wall. This
causes the apparatus 210 to pivot on the fulcrum 216 so as to
permit the projection 217 of the apparatus 210 to pull the form
away from the face of the wall. The apparatus 210 is then removed
from the slot and is moved to another slot defined in the side of
the frame of the form at a middle portion of the form. The
procedure is then repeated. Once complete, the apparatus 210 is
moved to a further slot defined in the side of the frame of the
form at a lower portion of the form, and the procedure is again
repeated.
[0040] At this point, the form has been partially pulled away from
the face of the wall, but is likely "hung up" on the form ties. In
order to completely remove the form, the apparatus 210 is then
flipped end for end, and then turned so that the fulcrum 216 and
the knuckle guard 221 are on the side of the handle 212 that is
facing the operator. The operator then inserts the second end 215
of the handle 212 between the form and the face of the wall until
the knuckle guard 221 comes into contact with the side of the form.
The handle 212 is making contact with the form and the wall on its
bottom and top respectively--not on the sides of the handle. A
prying motion is then applied by the operator to the apparatus 210,
by pulling on the handle 212, which pulls the form past the ties
and frees it from the wall.
[0041] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, an apparatus for removing
modular forms in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present
invention is indicated generally by the reference number 310. Like
elements with the apparatus of FIGS. 1-4 are indicated by like
reference numbers preceded by "3".
[0042] The apparatus 310 is generally similar to the apparatus 10
of FIGS. 1-4 except that the apparatus 310 includes pulling heads
on both ends of the handle. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the
apparatus 310 comprises a lever arm 312 having a first longitudinal
end 311 and a second longitudinal end 313. The apparatus 310
further comprises a first head or claw 314 at the first
longitudinal end 311 of the lever arm 312, a first fulcrum 316
associated with the first head and disposed along the lever arm 312
closer to the first longitudinal end 311 relative to the second
longitudinal end 313. A second head or claw 315 is disposed at the
second longitudinal end 313 of the lever arm 312, and a second
fulcrum 317 associated with the second head is disposed along the
lever arm 312 closer to the second longitudinal end 313 relative to
the first longitudinal end 311.
[0043] The first and second fulcrums 316, 317 are respectively
preferably of unitary construction with the first and second heads
314, 315. The first fulcrum 316 extends outwardly from the lever
arm 312 to form an arcuate surface to enable the lever arm 312 to
pivot thereon when the first head 314 engages a stud of a form to
be removed. Similarly, the second fulcrum 317 extends outwardly
from the lever arm 312 to form an arcuate surface to enable the
lever arm 312 to pivot thereon when the second head 315 engages a
stud of a form to be removed. As shown in FIG. 9, the first fulcrum
316 extends outwardly from the lever arm 312 a greater distance
relative to that of the second fulcrum 317, but can be modified to
extend outwardly the same distance or various other greater or
lesser distances relative to that of the second fulcrum without
departing from the scope of the present invention.
[0044] The apparatus 310 operates in a similar manner to that
described with respect to the apparatus 10 of FIGS. 1-4. However,
one or both of the first and second heads 314, 315 can be used to
engage a stud of a form to be removed depending on the degree of
leverage needed to pull the form from a wall.
[0045] Referring to FIGS. 10-12, an apparatus for removing modular
forms in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present
invention is indicated generally by the reference number 410. Like
elements with the apparatus of FIGS. 1-4 are indicated by like
reference numbers preceded by "4".
[0046] The apparatus 410 comprises a lever arm or handle 412 having
a first longitudinal end 413 and a second longitudinal end 415. A
projection 417 such as, for example, a hardened steel pin, extends
slightly beyond the first longitudinal end 413 of the lever arm
412. A fulcrum 416 is coupled to the lever arm 412 at a first side
419 thereof, and is disposed therealong closer to the first
longitudinal end 413 relative to the second longitudinal end 415.
The apparatus 410 preferably includes a knuckle guard 421 coupled
to the lever arm 412 at the first side 419 thereof, and is disposed
therealong closer to the second longitudinal end 415 relative to
the first longitudinal end 413. As shown in FIG. 10, the projection
417 extends outwardly from the first longitudinal end 413 in a
direction generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the lever
arm 412. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 12, the fulcrum 416 and the
knuckle guard 421 are generally arcuate in shape to enable the
lever arm 412 to pivot thereon, but may comprise cylindrical or
other practical shapes without departing from the scope of the
present invention.
[0047] In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus 412 is 36 inches
long, the projection 417 is a {fraction (5/8)} inch diameter steel
pin welded into a notch 423 defined in the first longitudinal end
413 of the lever arm or handle 412 such that the pin extends
1{fraction (3/4)} inches straight beyond the end of the first
longitudinal end 413. Preferably, a center of the fulcrum 416 is
located 7{fraction (1/4)} inches from the first longitudinal end
413 of the lever arm or handle 412, and preferably a center of the
knuckle guard 421 is located 11{fraction (1/2)} inches from the
second longitudinal end 415. Although the projection 417 is shown
and described as a steel pin welded to the notch 423, the
projection can be fabricated from other durable materials, be
attached to the first longitudinal end 413 in other ways, or be
formed integrally with the lever arm or handle 412 without
departing from the scope of the present invention. Moreover, the
apparatus 410 can take other practical dimensions.
[0048] The apparatus 410 is designed to aid in the removal of
conventional aluminum hand-set concrete wall forms. Some of the
manufacturers who fabricate forms that the apparatus 410 can remove
are Symons Corporation, Durand Forms, Inc., Western Forms, and
Tuff-N-Lite.
[0049] In operation and with reference to FIG. 12, one form, for
example a 3 feet wide form, must be removed from a wall before the
apparatus 410 can be used. Once the first form has been removed,
the projection 417 is inserted into an upper hole 425 in a frame
427 of a form 429. Once engaged, an operator pushes the lever arm
412 toward the face of a wall 431. This causes the lever arm 412 to
pivot on the fulcrum 416, thus making the projection 417 pull the
form 429 away from the face of the wall 431. The apparatus 410 is
then removed from its initial position and is moved to a hole 425
near the middle of the form 429. The procedure is then repeated.
Then the apparatus 410 is moved to a hole 425 near the bottom of
the form 429 and the procedure is again repeated. At this point one
side of the form 429 has been pulled away from the face of the wall
431. The apparatus 410 is designed so that the apparatus pulls the
form 429 past the end of the form ties that are projecting from the
wall 431. If the form 429 needs to be pulled farther away from the
wall 431 so that it can be more easily removed, the apparatus 410
can be flipped end-for-end and then turned so that the fulcrum 416
and the knuckle guard 419 are facing the operator. The operator
then inserts the end of the apparatus 410 between the form 429 and
the face of the wall 431 until the knuckle guard 419 comes into
contact with the side of the form. The handle 412 of the apparatus
410 is making contact with the form 429 and the wall 431 on its
bottom and top (by pulling the handle toward the operator). This
action pulls the form 429 farther away from the wall 431 so that
the form can be removed completely.
[0050] While the preferred embodiments and methods have been shown
and described, various changes and substitutions will be apparent
to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from
the spirit and scope of the present invention. The embodiments and
methods described above are hereby stipulated as illustrative
rather than exhaustive.
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