U.S. patent number 3,744,945 [Application Number 05/203,273] was granted by the patent office on 1973-07-10 for apparatus for modular concrete constructions.
Invention is credited to Charles E. Metrailer.
United States Patent |
3,744,945 |
Metrailer |
July 10, 1973 |
APPARATUS FOR MODULAR CONCRETE CONSTRUCTIONS
Abstract
Apparatus for modular concrete constructions. The apparatus
comprises a carriage and a concrete form. It also comprises the
combination of a concrete form detachably mounted on a portable
carriage the former of which can be set in place and positioned for
pouring. The carriage can then be detached from the concrete form,
removed for further service and later reunited with the form for
transport to a new pour position, as desired. The concrete form per
se is comprised generally of a support structure atop which is
provided a pour form. The pour form is constituted of a central
span and, preferably, a pair of upwardly faced troughs located on
opposite sides of the central span. The central span of the pour
form can range from flat to highly contoured. The troughs are each
provided with a plurality of bottom openings, these being formed
between removable panels. In forming a module, wet concrete can be
poured upon the central span of the pour form to form a roof,
ceiling, or floor while a tubular member or column form can be
fitted into the openings of the troughs at the column locations and
wet concrete can be poured therein and into the troughs to cast
columns and beams for support of the roof, ceiling or floor. After
the concrete has set the pour form can be lowered, the troughs
freed by removal of the panels at the columns, and the beam forms
moved inwardly. The carriage can then be removed to an adjacent
location for further pouring.
Inventors: |
Metrailer; Charles E. (Baton
Rouge, LA) |
Family
ID: |
22753254 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/203,273 |
Filed: |
November 30, 1719 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
425/62; 52/632;
249/18; 249/27; 249/28; 425/63 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04G
19/003 (20130101); E04G 11/36 (20130101); E04G
11/48 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
E04G
11/00 (20060101); E04G 11/36 (20060101); E04G
11/48 (20060101); E04G 19/00 (20060101); E04g
011/36 () |
Field of
Search: |
;249/13,18,26,27,29,178-182 ;425/62,63 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
346,996 |
|
Jul 1960 |
|
CH |
|
214,130 |
|
Mar 1961 |
|
OE |
|
1,928,196 |
|
Dec 1970 |
|
DT |
|
674,658 |
|
Nov 1963 |
|
CA |
|
365,205 |
|
Dec 1962 |
|
CH |
|
Primary Examiner: Overholser; J. Spencer
Assistant Examiner: Tobor; Ben D.
Claims
Having described the invention, what is claimed is:
1. Apparatus for modular concrete constructions comprising, in
combination, a concrete form detachably mounted upon a
carriage,
the concrete form including a frame assembly comprising a plurality
of vertically oriented telescoping posts, suitable braces for
maintaining said alignment of the posts, a concrete pour form
ranging in shape from flat to highly contoured mounted atop the
said telescoping posts, locking means whereby the telescoping posts
can be raised, lowered and locked to support the concrete pour form
at a desired elevation, means whereby the lower extremities of the
posts can be detachably engaged with the carriage for transport and
positioning of the said concrete form, and wherein the lower
extremities of the vertical posts terminate on a common plane and
the extremities are provided with jacks by means of which minor
adjustments can be made to raise and lower the concrete form,
the carriage including a frame of channel members, two sets of
wheels each set comprising at least three wheels provided with
pneumatic tires, either set upon which the carriage can be
independently supported and transported, one set of the wheels of
which is mounted for movement at a 90.degree. angle relative to the
other, means whereby one set of the wheels can be alternatively
retracted and the tires deflated while the other is inflated and in
supporting position, and vice versa, and means for operative
engagement with the concrete form,
whereby the concrete form can be engaged with the carriage for
transport, set in place by the carriage and the pour form
positioned for pouring concrete, detached from the carriage by
deflation of one set of the tires, the carriage removed for further
service and later reunited with the concrete form after the
concrete has set for removal to a new pour position.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the vertical posts of the
concrete form are constituted of tubular members with a plurality
of lateral opening there through which pins can be passed to lock
the posts and consequently the pour form at the desired
elevation.
3. Apparatus for modular concrete constructions comprising, in
combination, a concrete form detachably mounted upon a
carriage,
the concrete form including a frame assembly comprising a plurality
of vertically oriented telescoping posts, suitable braces for
maintaining said alignment of the posts, a concrete pour form
ranging in shape from flat to highly contoured mounted atop the
said telescoping posts, laterally oriented telescoping members
perpendicularly supported atop the vertically oriented telescoping
posts, beam forms, in positions adjacent and one on each side of
the said concrete pour form, supported upon the laterally oriented
telescoping members, the said beam forms being provided with
removable panels which form bottom openings within which can be
fitted various sizes and shapes of column tubular forms, locking
means whereby the telescoping posts can be raised, lowered and
locked to support the concrete pour form at a desired elevation,
means whereby the lower extremities of the posts can be detachably
engaged with the carriage for transport and positioning of the said
concrete form, and wherein the lower extremities of the vertical
posts terminate on a common plane and the extremities are provided
with jacks by means of which minor adjustments can be made to raise
and lower the concrete form,
the carriage including a frame, a set comprising at least three
wheels provided with pneumatic tires upon which the carriage can be
rested and transported,
whereby the concrete form can be engaged with the carriage for
transport, set in place by the carriage and the pour form
positioned for pouring concrete, the carriage then removed after
deflation of the tires, such that concrete can then be poured upon
the said concrete pour form to provide a floor, ceiling or roof,
into the beam forms to provide beams and into the tubular vertical
forms to provide supporting columns, and the carriage can be later
reunited with the concrete form after the concrete has set, for
removal of the concrete form to a new pour position.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the top portion of the frame
assembly of the concrete form additionally carries a plurality of
gear boxes adjoined one to another through a rotatable shaft, the
oppositely disposed laterally oriented tubular members which carry
the beam forms are each provided with nuts affixed therein and
shafts, having threads of opposite cast, operatively associated
with the fixed nuts, and the rotatable shaft through the gear boxes
are operatively connected together via appropriate linkage with the
shafts having threads of opposite cast so that rotation in one
direction of the shaft connecting the gear boxes will cause the
beam forms to extend outwardly and rotation of the shaft in the
other direction will cause the beam forms to retract.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of the wheels of the set
is mounted on a spindle perpendicularly mounted on an end of an
eccentric member, the eccentric member is pivotally mounted on a
channel member forming the frame of the carriage via a bolt
provided with lateral openings which is passed through an opening
through the opposite end of the eccentric member, a slotted collar
is permanently affixed about the end of the bolt on the side of the
channel member opposite that whereon the eccentric is located, the
slots of the collar substantially corresponding with the location
of the lateral openings through the bolt so that a pin passed
through both the lateral openings and slots will secure and lock
the eccentric, and consequently the spindle, at different position
levels upon the frame whereby the carriage can be elevated and
lowered by repositioning and locking the eccentrics at different
levels with alternate inflation and deflation of the tires.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein four slots are located at
90.degree. angles, one relative to the other, and the lateral
openings through the bolt are aligned therewith, so that the levels
of elevation correspond to 90.degree. increments about the
circumference of the path of travel of the eccentric which is
rotatable about the bolt.
7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the bolt is fitted within a
bushing which is passed through the channel member forming the
carriage frame, and the end of the bolt is threaded and held in
place by a threaded nut.
8. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein air console means are provided
for simultaneous rapid inflation and deflation of the pneumatic
tires of a set of wheels.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein outer corners of channel
members forming the frame of the carriage are fitted with upwardly
projecting lugs and the inside portions at the lower extremities of
the vertical posts forming the frame assembly of the concrete form
are provided with tubular segments, providing male and female
members which secure the concrete form to the carriage and forms a
ready breakaway feature for separation of the concrete form and
carriage after the former has been positioned and set as
desired.
10. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein a beam form is provided with
oppositely disposed paired removable panels, of U-shaped
cross-section, each of which is provided with shaped cut-away edges
and downwardly projecting surrounding walls which, when fitted and
secured together with fastening means, form an opening with an
enclosing downwardly projecting collar within which a column
tubular form can be fitted, the upper edges of which pair of
removable panels are shaped as tubular sections which can be held
in place upon a beam by passage of a bar therethrough.
11. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein a beam form is supported by a
shoring member formed of telescoping tubular members, the height of
which can be adjusted by locking means which support the said
shoring member at the desired elevation.
Description
Portable carriages, the upper portion of which is provided with
collapsible wall structures, or forms, for use in building or
repairing arches, tunnels, and the like are known to the art. In a
typical structure of such type, a railway flat car, or similar
transportable carriage, is provided with a permanently attached
elevatable form, usually of oval contour, for providing temporary
support for stone, brick, concrete block, masonry or plastic like
masses such as concrete. In a typical construction, a flat
foundation slab is laid and rails are constructed thereon. The
carriage is placed on the rails, The material to be used in the
repair or construction is placed on the form, and the latter is
used to elevate and place the materials in the proper position for
the repair or construction. Where, e.g., a tunnel is being
constructed of concrete, the wet concrete is thrust upward and held
in place against the top of the tunnel until the concrete has set.
The form is then collapsed, perhaps lowered and the carriage then
moved with the form intact to an adjacent position to form another
segment of the tunnel.
Such carriages have proven successful in the past for the repair
and construction of sewers, tunnels and the like. They have saved
time, labor and expense, particularly in concrete construction when
contrasted with the use of forms which must be built and then torn
down for each individual pour. The devices nonetheless have limited
utility, and only in recent years have devices of such character
been sufficiently improved that they have become acceptable in
non-tunnel construction.
In U. S. Pat. No. 3,320,646 to A. H. Wilkins, for example, a
portable carriage, equipped with an elevated pour section, with
pivotally connected end portions, is employed for casting
monolithic concrete roof structures. The roof section or roof
modules that are formed are set on prefabricated pillars, and the
carriage is moved from one pair of prefabricated pillars to another
as a roof section is formed. This and other such prior art devices
have their limitations.
Among the objects of this invention are:
To provide new and improved apparatus and method for modular
constructions.
To provide a transportable concrete form with detachable carriage,
both of unique design, the concrete form of which can be set in
place for receipt of plastic-like masses such as concrete and the
like, for setting and converting same to desirable modular
construction forms, including not only roofs, ceiling, floors and
the like, but also beams and columns.
To provide the apparatus combination such as described wherein the
carriage can be readily detached from the concrete form, removed
for further service and later reunited with the concrete form for
transport thereof, such combination being particularly useful for
simultaneously pouring the above construction forms, including
specifically floors, roofs, beams and columns whereupon the form
can be released from the set concrete and transported by the
carriage across a foundation or floor for different continuous
modular pours, and then moved, if desired, to the next upper level
for further pouring.
These objects and others are achieved in accordance with the
present invention the apparatus embodiment of which comprises a
concrete form and carriage, particularly the combination of a
concrete form and detachable carriage, as generally described. In
operation, the concrete form is transported to and set in place by
the carriage which is particularly adapted by two different sets of
wheels, one set mounted at right angles to the other, to provide
mobility for the setting and alignment of the concrete form. The
concrete form is comprised of a concrete pour form, or forms,
mounted on structural elements, including vertical posts supported
on the carriage frame, by virtue of which the concrete pour form,
or forms, can be supported and elevated or lowered with respect to
the carriage, this providing flexibility such that the pour form,
or forms, can be readily positioned for pouring. In position, the
concrete form, in a preferred embodiment, is additionally supported
by vertical shoring members. The carriage can be separated from the
concrete form after the latter is positioned, removed for further
service, and later reattached with the concrete form to transport
the latter to a new pour position or location.
The invention, and its principle of operation, will be more fully
understood by reference to the following detailed description of a
specific embodiment, and to the attached drawings to which
reference is made in the description. In the description, similar
numbers are used to represent similar parts or components.
In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a preferred type of portable carriage
and concrete form or concrete form assembly, the preferred
combination being shown in position for pouring concrete.
FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the carriage, or carriage assembly,
which can be used for transport and positioning of a workpiece,
particularly the concrete form, or concrete form assembly.
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary isometric view showing the vertical posts,
shoring members and other telescoping components which constitute
the upper portion of the concrete form support structure.
FIG. 4 is a isometric view showing the concrete pan form sections
and beam forms of the concrete form assembly, or pour forms,
installed over the supporting members ready for pouring
concrete.
FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a contiguous pair of concrete pan
form sections ready for pouring a monolithic self-supporting
concrete structure including four columns two beams and central
span.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary isometric view showing the
telescoping mechanism for retracting the main beam forms which
carry concrete pour forms of the type used for forming beams and
columns.
FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary isometric view showing the
removable section of the concrete pour form at columns used for
pouring beams; FIG. 7A is a plan view of the said removable section
at columns; and FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of said removable
section at columns.
FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary isometric view showing the
carriage break away unit which allows the carriage to be removed
from the concrete form support section.
FIG. 9 is an enlarged side view showing details of the eccentric
axle by virtue of which the various wheels are attached to the
frame member, and FIG. 9A is a front view of the same eccentric
axle.
FIG. 10 is an end elevation view of the carriage and form support
frame with a preferred type of arch form.
FIG. 11 is an end elevation view showing the carriage supporting
the arch form with beam forms replaced with curved section as used
to pour tunnels, drainage structures, or quonset type building
structures.
FIG. 12 is a fragmentary elevation view showing one of the
removable vertical support members or shoring members for the beam
forms.
FIG. 13 is a fragmentary elevation view showing one of the vertical
support members used in supporting the pan form frames.
FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic representation of a series of views
showing a step by step sequence of lowering the carriage and form
assembly for removal after concrete has cured sufficiently.
With reference to FIG. 1 of the drawings, reference character 1
designates a concrete slab on grade or the floor slab of lower
floors in a multi-story building made in accordance with the
present invention. The horizontally oriented slab 2 is constructed
as a unitary member having a plurality of horizontally disposed
ribbed lower sections, and it is abutted by vertically disposed
reinforced beam members 3 disposed in parallel planes. The beam
members 3 are supported by vertically oriented columns 0, also made
in accordance with the present invention. The reinforcing members
3, as well as the horizontal slab 2 and columns 0, include
internally disposed steel reinforcing (not shown) as is well-known
in the building art, which reinforces these portions of the floor
normally in tension. The design of the particular floors will, of
course, be varied with the requirements of the building, in
accordance with established engineering procedures, and need not be
further elaborated upon in this disclosure.
The apparatus of this invention is comprised generally of a
carriage 10 and a transportable concrete form 100. The portable
carriage 10 and transportable concrete form 100, which is
detachably mounted on the carriage 10, are preferably used in
combination. The body of the portable carriage per se (FIG. 2) is
constituted generally of a reinforced frame body fitted with
wheels, and means whereby the said carriage can be attached to a
vehicle and towed to a work site. The concrete form 100, which is
adapted for transport upon the carriage 10, is constituted
generally of a frame structure on the top of which is supported a
pour form, including a central portion or span and upwardly faced
troughs or trough-like members, with a plurality of bottom
openings, located alongside the central span for receipt of poured
concrete. The pour form of the transportable concrete form 100 is
constituted generally of a central span 4 and upwardly faced
troughs or trough-like members 5 for receipt of poured concrete.
The frame structure per se comprises a plurality of telescoping
tubular shaped vertical posts 8 secured together by supporting
horizontal posts which connect to top and bottom portions of
adjacent vertical posts 8. Diagonal reinforcing members are also
connected to the bottom and top portions of vertical posts 8, these
being employed to further support and strengthen the frame
structure. Shoring members 9, constituted of telescoping tubular
members similar in purpose and function to vertical posts 8 are
also provided to support the troughs 5. Jacks 13 are provided
within the lower terminal ends of each of the several vertical
posts 8 as well as within the lower terminal ends shoring members 9
which are used to support the troughs 5.
Referring specifically to FIGS. 3 and 4, it will be observed that
the pour form, which includes central span 4 and upwardly faced
troughs 5% rests upon and are supported by horizontal beams 6, 7.
Beams 7 are parallelly aligned one with respect to another, and are
directly perpendicularly affixed to the top terminal ends of the
innermost tubular members of vertical posts 8. Beams 6, on the
other hand, are also parallelly aligned one member with respect to
the other, but lie at right angles to beams 7, and are affixed to
the upper sides thereof. The beams 6, 7 also contain smaller
telescoping tubular members 23, 21, respectively. The terminal ends
of the latter tubular members 21 are U-shaped to support troughs 5,
and both tubular members 23, 21 are supported by shoring members 9
affixed to the ends thereof. The shoring members are particularly
useful where, as observed by reference to FIG. 4, the troughs 5 are
projected outwardly and the central span 4, which comprises a
concrete form element, are loaded with wet concrete.
The design and function of the vertical posts 8 and the shoring
members 9 are quite similar and accordingly a complete description
of one each of these elements will describe all of the several
elements employed. Referring specifically to FIGS. 12 and 13, which
describes these members in detail, it will be observed that each
vertical post 8 and shoring member 9 includes a pair of telescoping
tubular members 14, 19 (the former being of smaller size than the
latter) and the length of each member 8 and member 9 is adjustable.
A jack is located at the lower terminal end of each member, a jack
including foot or platform member 11, having a nut 16 welded on the
upper side thereof, which engages with externally threaded member
13. The platform member 11 is fastened to the threaded member 13 by
means of pin 12. Members 15 are nuts attached permanently within
tubular member 14. Member 13 provides tool-engaging means 16 for
elongating and contracting the length of vertical posts 8 and
shoring members 9 by rotation of the said member 13 which moves it
upwardly or downwardly within the tubular member 14. The
telescoping tubular members 14, 19 are also provided with means for
lengthening and shortening the vertical posts 8 or shoring members
9. the pins 17 are thus removable passing through tubular members
19, 14 and shank members 18, 20. Members 14, 18 have a plurality of
lateral openings within which the pins 17 can be fitted or removed
thus permitting elongating and contracting vertical posts 8 and
shoring members 9 in uniform increments. Member 20 is an attaching
lug or shank which permits attachment of member 19 to beam form 5.
Member 18 is also a lug or shank which is permanently attached to
member 7.
The troughs 5 are designed in such manner that both beams and
columns can be cast simultaneously, the required structural
elements of which operation is best shown by specific references to
FIGS. 7, 7A and 7B. A trough 5 is thus provided with oppositely
desposed paired removable panels 26, 27 each of which is provided
with bottom semi-circular shaped notched lower edges and downwardly
projected surrounding walls 30 which, when fitted together with
fastner 29, form a circular opening with an enclosing downwardly
projecting collar. The panels 26, 27 overall are generally of
U-shaped cross-section when fitted together and each of the upper
edges are welded to tubular member 31 to form a contiguous tubular
edge member 25 through which a slightly smaller tubular member 24
can be passed to hold or secure the panels 26, 27 in place. By such
construction the upper portion of a tubular member or column pour
form (not shown) can be secured within the opening formed between
walls 30. The tubular member and the trough 5 itself can then be
filled with wet concrete to form beams and columns. After the
concrete has cured the panels 26, 27 at columns can be removed by
withdrawal of bar 24 and fastner 29. The outer wall constituting
the tubular column form member can then be removed from the
concrete columns after which trough 5 can be lowered below the
poured set of concrete beams and pushed inwardly to clear columns
by telescoping tubular members 21 back within the member 7.
In accordance with the best mode of practicing the present
invention, in preference to manual manipulation, mechanical means
are provided wherein both troughs 5 can be simultaneously projected
or withdrawn, after panel members 26, 27 have been removed or swung
away from the poured set columns. A series of miter gear boxes 32,
aligned for convenience upon a fixed tubular member 22, are
communicated one with another via a shaft 33 and each can be
operated by rotation of the shaft 33 to extend or retract the
troughs 5. One such unit is described by reference to FIG. 6. A
shaft 37, having threads of opposite cast, can thus be fitted
within tubular members 7, 21, aligned with the axis of the tubular
members via passage through bushings 38, affixed within tubular
members 7, and threadably engaged with nuts 39 affixed within
tubular member 21. The shaft 37 is fitted with a sprocket 35 and
coupled via a chain 36 with a parallely aligned drive shaft 34
provided with a similar sprocket 35, the latter being driven
through a miter gear box 32 affixed upon the tubular member 22.
Rotation of the shaft 33, e.g. by rotation of the nut 40 affixed
thereon as by operative engagement therewith of a machine tool,
will produce rotation of shaft 34 and, consequently rotation of
shaft 37. Rotation of shaft 37 in one direction, on the one hand,
will cause tubular members 21 to telescope inwardly and,
conversely, rotation in the opposite direction will cause the
tubular members 21 to telescope out wardly.
The carriage 10, best described by specific reference to FIG. 2, is
preferably used in combination with the concrete form 100
detachably mounted thereon, but is also susceptable for use in
other services for transporting or positioning other different
types of equipment or workpieces which need not be described
herein. The frame of the carriage is constructed of a channel frame
43 resembling a parallelogram. The structure of channel members 43
is reinforced by the inner channels 43a which are perpendicular to,
intersect and connect with the side channels 43. Additional
structural support is added by channel members 49 and 49a. Two
independent sets of wheels are mounted on the carriage 10. A set,
generally, of three wheels 42a, and a second set, generally, of
three wheels 42b, are rotatably mounted upon eccentric axles 44
which are secured to frame 43. By utilizing two sets of three
wheels independently mounted at right angles with one another, the
carriage 10 has infinite mobility for the positioning and alignment
of workpieces, particularly the concrete form 100.
The carriage 10 is engaged to the form support structure at points
marked 8 and 8r as shown by reference to FIG. 2. The means of
engagement or disengagement from the form support structure is best
illustrated by reference to this figure and to FIG. 8, the
structural elements of which are as follows: Member 45 is a tubular
segment which is permanently attached at a corner of frame 43 of
the carriage. With the members 45 and 50 engaged and the carriage
wheels 42 inflated, a foot 11 of each of the vertical support
members 8 and 8r rests on the floor or foundation. Vertical support
members 8r are retracted with foot members 11 removed. Member 13 is
retracted within member 14 and with pin 17 removed member 14 is
retracted within member 19 (See FIG. 13). The remaining vertical
support members 8 remain to support the weight of the form support
structure. The carriage 10 is separated from the concrete form 100
by deflating tires 42. On deflating tires 42, lug 50 will lower and
become disengaged with socket 45 and the carriage can be removed
from beneath the form support structure. Members 8r are then
extended and adjusted to provide further support for the concrete
form on subsequent pouring of the concrete. Towing eye 48 is
utilized in maneuvering the carriage laterally while tires 42 are
supporting. Control console 46, mounted on frame 43 is a means of
rapidly varying air pressure to tires 42a and 42b through air
tubing members 47. Member 41 is a detachable towing arm utilized in
transporting the carriage, or both the carriage support structure
and concrete form, via highway from one jobsite to another with the
carriage supported on the pair of rear wheels 42a (dual tires
optional), while the other wheels are retracted.
A key and novel feature of the present invention relates to the
method of raising and lowering the carriage 10, and supported
concrete form 100, by rapid inflation and deflation of the
pneumatic tires in combination with the adjustable eccentrics on
which the wheels are mounted upon the carriage. The means by which
one set of wheels 42a supports the carriage while the other set of
wheels 42b is non-supporting, and vice versa, is best shown by
specific reference to FIGS. 9 and 9A. Each wheel is thus affixed to
the carriage frame or channel 43 by use of an eccentric wheel
mounting device such as described by reference to these figures. An
eccentric member 44 is mounted upon the carriage frame 43 and a
spindle 51, which carries a wheel, is permanently attached to
eccentric member 44. Eccentric member 44, permanently attached to
the bolt 52 which is pivotally mounted upon the channel 43 via
passage of bolt 52 through the bearing element or sleeve 56 mounted
within an opening through the channel, and the bolt 52 is held in
place by the washer 53A and the nut 53. A collar 54, permanently
affixed upon channel 43 on the side of channel 43 opposite the
eccentric member 44, is slotted at desired increments to permit
adjustment of the wheels at different levels of elevation. In this
instance 90.degree. increments are provided, thus permitting the
spindle 51 to be elevated or lowered by latching the said spindle
51 in one or the other of four position levels by passage of the
pin 55 through the openings formed between the slots of collar 54
and the washer 53A, and through an opening through the bolt 52.
The manner in which a set of wheels is lowered or raised relative
to another to lower or elevate the carriage 10 is illustrated by
reference to FIG. 14. FIve different positions which illustrate the
lowering (or raising) of the carriage 10 is described as
follows:
Position 1: This figure illustrates the carriage resting on wheels
42b as would be the position of the carriage at maximum height. The
sets of eccentrics of wheels 42b and 42a are inflated and are in
the down position.
Position 2: The tires of wheels 42b are deflated until the carriage
weight is supported on wheels 42a. As soon as wheels 42a are
supporting the weight the eccentrics of wheels 42b are loosened and
42b is reinflated and 42a partially deflated causing 42b to rotate
90.degree. to the horizontal position, and the eccentrics on 42b
are then locked in this position.
Position 3: The tires of wheels 42a are further deflated until the
carriage weight is again supported on wheels 42b. The eccentrics of
wheels 42a are loosened and 42a is reinflated and 42b partially
deflated causing 42a to rotate 90.degree. to the horizontal
position and the eccentrics on 42a are locked at this position.
Position 4: The tires of wheels 42b are again further deflated
until the carriage weight is supported by wheels 42a. The
eccentrics for wheels 42b are loosened and 42b is reinflated and
42a partially deflated causing 42b to rotate 90.degree. to the up
position and the eccentrics on 42b are locked at this position.
Position 5: The tires of wheels 42a are again further deflated
until the weight of the carriage is supported on wheels 42b. The
eccentrics for wheels 42a are then loosened and 42a is reinflated
and 42b deflated causing 42a to rotate 90.degree. to the up
position and the eccentrics on 42a are locked at this position.
Further lowering can be done by deflating the tires of wheels
42b.
To elevate the carriage the above procedure is merely reversed. In
order to accomplish the above procedures rapidly an air console 46
design will incorporate two levers with deflate, inflate, and off
positions, so each set of three tires can be inflated or deflated
simultaneously.
In an operation, the concrete form 100, mounted on the carriage 10,
is brought to a job site for use usually after the columns,
footings, or foundations and floor slab 1 has been completed. An
initial concrete module comprising a roof, ceiling or floor
supported upon columns and beams is begun after the concrete form
100 has been set in place, detached from the carriage, supported
and positioned for pouring as described. The carriage 10 is
disengaged from the concrete form 100 and can be used to transport
and position other concrete forms for pouring.
When the concrete has sufficiently cured to be self-supporting the
carriage 10 can be re-engaged with the concrete form structure 100
by reversing the removal procedure described above, as suggested.
The concrete form structure is then lowered so the beam forms or
troughs 5 will pass below the poured concrete beam as described and
illustrated by reference to FIG. 14. The removable sections of the
troughs 5 at columns (FIG. 7) are removed allowing the said troughs
5 to be retracted as described in conjunction with FIG. 6. The
carriage is then moved to the next position and aligned with the
previous construction by over-lapping the concrete pour forms over
concrete previously poured. The beam forms or troughs 5 are then
extended outwardly and the form supports are then raised to the
proper height, the removable trough or beam form sections of
columns are reinstalled and the carriage can be disengaged for use
with other form sections.
Modified designs of the concrete form, in association with the
carriage previously described or a somewhat modified version
thereof, are shown by reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. The principle
difference between these designs and those previously described
relates to the use of a highly contoured or semi-circular arch upon
which a roof or ceiling is to be poured, and the difference in
structure by virtue of which the beam forms or troughs are
disengaged or freed from the poured concrete beams and columns.
Referring specifically to FIG. 10, it will be seen that the
carriage 10 and shoring elements 8, 9 are as previously described,
but herein are utilized with posts 57, 58 to support the member 59
which are rolled in a semi-circular arch. The members 60 are
permanently attached to members 59 and run in perpendicular planes
thereto. The troughs or beam forms 61 readily fit upon previously
shaped concrete beams 62, and hence continuous pouring of modular
shapes by moving the concrete form in quite feasible. The trough or
beam form 61 is hinged to the arch shaped member 59 via hinge 63
and can be readily swung free of the poured concrete beams and
posts after the concrete 67 has set, as shown in phantom. The hinge
63 in the final position is braced with member 64 secured with pins
65. Member 61 is lowered by removing pins 65 and member 64. Member
61 is interrupted at equal intervals to provide a removable section
at column lines similar to that previously described and
illustrated by reference to FIG. 7. Members 59 and 60 form a
support for form 66 which may be sheet steel, plywood, form-board,
etc. after hardening of the poured concrete 67, members 61 are
lowered and carriage 10 is lowered by deflating tires 42, allowing
the unit to be repositioned for next disposed section of structure.
This configuration of the invention is suitable for producing
concrete buildings with a plurality of arches running parallel to
each other, these being supported by concrete columns 68 or steel
columns, as desired.
A carriage and concrete form particularly useful for the
construction of a concrete tunnel or drainage structure is
described by reference to FIG. 11. The carriage in this instance is
provided with only a single set of wheels 42 and, since high
elevation of the arch member 59 is unnecessary shoring posts 8 are
not needed, and there are no troughs or beam forms. Referring
specifically to the figure it will be observed that the basic
difference between the structures relates only to the hinged lower
section of the arch form by virtue of which the arch can be freed
from the poured concrete and moved from one location to another, or
positioned for the pour. It will be observed that the pivotable
section 70 is adjoined to member 59 via a hinge, and it is braced
with member 69 and secured in place with pins 65. Eye bolt 73 is
embeded in slab 75 to attach form 71 at its lower end. Bolt 72 with
nuts 76 support the upper end of form 71. After hardening of the
concrete, the assembly is lowered by removing pins 65, brace 69 and
wedge 77, this permitting the member 70 to swing inwardly and
lowering carriage 10 by deflating tires 42 for movement of the
assembly to next disposed section. Forms 71 are removed and eyebolt
74 and bolt 72 remain in the concrete structure. Carriage 10
utilizes the break-away feature shown in FIG. 8.
It is thus understood that the invention is a highly useful means
and method for constructing reinforced concrete buildings, tunnels,
underground shelters or drainage structures utilizing a relatively
small number of forms in succession to construct individual
sections of the structure, the forms being removable as the
concrete supported thereby becomes sufficiently hard to support
itself. Practically all of the available forms may be used
simultaneously and continuously, with a minimum of idle time,
whereby both material and labor savings are effected .
* * * * *