US-12624548-B2 - Formwork system

Abstract

Various implementations described herein are directed to a formwork system. In one implementation, the formwork system includes aluminum extrusions and aluminum castings. The aluminum castings and the aluminum extrusions can be assembled by being pressed and riveted together.

Inventors

• Kenneth M. Chevis

Assignees

• Apache Industrial Services, Inc.

Dates

Publication Date

20260512

Application Date

20240514

Claims (2)

1. 1 . A formwork system, comprising: a panel comprising an inner rail, a form face, and a side rail, wherein the inner rail and the side rail each extend in a substantially perpendicular arrangement therebetween; an exterior corner form comprising a corner bracket, the corner bracket comprising a member which extends longitudinally and parallel to the side rail, the member having a first portion and a second portion each connected at a midpoint, the first portion having a first inner surface and a first outer surface, the second portion having a second inner surface and a second outer surface, where the first portion and the second portion each extend away from the midpoint, both in a direction parallel to the inner rail and in a direction perpendicular therebetween, the first portion extending away from the form face, wherein the first inner surface and the second inner surface are disposed perpendicularly, wherein the first outer surface or the second outer surface faces the side rail; and a coupling, wherein the coupling is a removable member configured to allow the uncoupling and recoupling of the panel and the exterior corner form when the exterior corner form abuts against the side rail, wherein the side rail is disposed perpendicularly to the inner rail, wherein the inner rail is disposed between the coupling and the exterior corner form.
2. 2 . The formwork system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the inner rail is selected from a group consisting of wood, steel and aluminum.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/667,020, filed Feb. 8, 2022, which is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/680,344, filed Nov. 11, 2019, which is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/630,923, filed Jun. 22, 2017, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,472,823 on Nov. 12, 2019 and which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Patent Application Ser. Nos. 62/471,173, filed 2017 Mar. 14, and 62/354,325, filed 2016 Jun. 24, the disclosures of all of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. BACKGROUND This section is intended to provide background information to facilitate a better understanding of various technologies described herein. As the section's title implies, this is a discussion of related art. That such art is related in no way implies that it is prior art. The related art may or may not be prior art. It should therefore be understood that the statements in this section are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art. Formwork systems have been used as a tool to help builders construct concrete structures. Many different pre-engineered modern formwork systems have been developed to mold liquid concrete into building systems. These systems have continued to develop in the last several decades to become more efficient, allowing contractors to help reduce overall construction costs, and to reduce schedule completion times. There are many companies in existence today that have developed specific formwork systems and carry a sizable inventory, which can be both rented and sold to contractors who build concrete structures. The applications of formwork are unlimited given the wide range of project types in both the industrial and commercial construction markets. From high rise buildings to the construction of an industrial facility, formwork is used to help contractors cast foundations, columns, walls, and elevated slabs in an enormous variety of shapes and uses. Chances are that all of the places people live and work have some form of poured concrete that was cast using a formwork system. There is a substantial market for formwork in the construction industry worldwide. Prior to the 1980's, older generation systems required providers to have a large inventory of parts available to fit any configuration. They consisted of endless amounts of form panels, filler sizes, small bolts, pins, and other connecting hardware, that are used for assembly by a building contractor. The amount of inventoried items was high and the assembly efficiency for contractors was low. Because of the amount of pieces, it was common for many of these items to be lost during the construction process. Starting in the late 1980's, newer modular formwork system designs developed by international companies started hitting the worldwide market, and were subsequently introduced into the U.S. These modular systems were being produced primarily out of Europe, required many less inventory items, eliminated small bolts and pins, and maintained a high degree of versatility. European systems began to migrate over to the Americas, and started to dominate the market, making the older systems in the U.S. virtually obsolete. Today, we see more and more of these systems hitting the ground in the U.S., but they were designed and built to service an international market, primarily outside the Americas. There is virtually no modern system in use today that is built for specific use in the U.S. These systems are generally manufactured in metric building units, which require additional components to convert to the U.S. Imperial unit of measure. In addition, they require a distinctly different inventory to build both straight and curved wall construction. SUMMARY Described herein are various implementations of a formwork system. In one implementation, the formwork system includes aluminum extrusions and aluminum castings. The aluminum castings and the aluminum extrusions can be assembled by being pressed and riveted together. In one implementation, the aluminum extrusions can be side rail extrusions. In one implementation, the aluminum extrusions can be interior rail extrusions. The aluminum extrusions and the aluminum castings can be made of structural grade aluminum. In one implementation, the aluminum extrusions and aluminum castings may be integrated into a shoring deck application. Described herein are various implementations for a formwork system. In one implementation, the formwork system includes a first formwork panel having a first standard panel width. The formwork system also includes a second formwork panel having a second standard panel width different from the first panel width. The formwork system further includes an adjustable filler assembly. In one implementation, the adjustable filler assembly includes two filler side rails and at least one adjustable inner r