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[0001] I. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to concrete forming panels.
[0003] II. Description of Related Art
[0004] Concrete forming panels have long been used when pouring concrete walls and foundations. Typically, the concrete forming panels comprise both inner and outer rectangular panels which are secured together by ties so that the panels are spaced apart and generally parallel to each other. Concrete is then poured into the cavity formed between the facing panels and allowed to cure. After the concrete is cured, the panels are detached from the cured wall for later reuse.
[0005] Many previously known concrete forming panels have been constructed of wood. Typically, the panel comprises a sheet of plywood which is reinforced on one side by two by four lumber. The panels are then secured together so that the plywood sides of the forms face each other to form the concrete receiving cavity.
[0006] A primary disadvantage of these previously known wooden concrete pouring forms, however, is that the forms become damaged in use and/or transportation. Oftentimes the damaged panel is then simply discarded. Furthermore, these previously known wooden concrete forms are fairly heavy and bulky in construction. As such, these previously known wooden concrete forms required considerable labor costs in order to both assemble the forms prior to the concrete pour, as well as disassemble the forms from the cured concrete wall.
[0007] In order to overcome these shortcomings of the previously known wooden concrete forms, there have been previously known aluminum concrete forming panels. These previously known aluminum concrete forming panels typically comprise a rectangular sheet of aluminum. An aluminum frame is then disposed around the outer periphery of one side of the sheet and secured to the sheet by welding. Typically, the frame is made in four segments with one segment disposed along each side of the sheet. Each end of each frame segment is then secured to the end of the adjacent frame segment by welding a rectangular brace at each corner of the frame.
[0008] In order to rigidify the concrete forming panel, typically a plurality of parallel and spaced apart cross braces extend across the panel and between opposite sides of the frame. Oftentimes these cross braces extend vertically across one section of the panel and horizontally across other sections of the panel. In order to secure the cross braces to the panel as well as to the frame, the cross braces are welded to both the frame as well as the sheet.
[0009] These previously known aluminum concrete forming panels have proven satisfactory in both use and in durability. A primary disadvantage of these previously known aluminum concrete forming panels, however, is that such panels are expensive in manufacturing costs. Furthermore, a large part of the manufacturing cost of these previously known aluminum concrete forming panels resides in the cost of welding the cross braces to the sheet as well as to the frame.
[0010] The present invention provides an aluminum concrete forming panel which overcomes the disadvantages of the previously known aluminum concrete forming panels.
[0011] In brief, the aluminum concrete forming panel of the present invention comprises a sheet made of aluminum and which is typically rectangular in shape. As such, the sheet has four sides.
[0012] An aluminum frame is then secured around the outer periphery of the sheet by welding the frame to the sheet. The frame typically is constructed from four linear segments with one linear segment extending along each edge of the sheet. Consequently, the ends of each frame segment are positioned in the corners of the sheet. These ends of the frame segments are then secured together by welding a triangular brace across the ends of the frame segments at each corner of the sheet. Furthermore, the frame segments are preferably constructed of square tubing.
[0013] In order to rigidify the sheet against deflection during a concrete pour, a plurality of cross braces are disposed along the sheet such that the cross members are spaced apart and generally parallel to each other and so that the cross braces extend between the frame segments on opposed sides of the sheet.
[0014] Unlike the previously known aluminum concrete forming panels, however, the cross braces which form the bracing for the panel are adhesively secured to both the sheet as well as the frame. Preferably, an epoxy adhesive is used to secure the cross braces to both the frame and the sheet.
[0015] In practice, the use of adhesive to secure the cross braces to the forming panel is much less expensive in both labor and material costs than the previously known method of welding the cross braces to the forming panel. As such, the overall cost of the forming panel is less than the previously known aluminum concrete forming panels.
[0016] A better understanding of the present invention will be had upon reference to the following detailed description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which:
[0017]
[0018]
[0019]
[0020] With reference now to the drawing, a preferred embodiment of the concrete forming panel
[0021] Still referring to the drawing, a frame
[0022] The frame segments
[0023] As best shown in
[0024] Consequently, when the concrete forming panels
[0025] Referring again to
[0026] Similarly, a plurality of vertically extending and horizontally spaced apart cross braces
[0027] With reference now particularly to
[0028] Preferably, the adhesive used to secure the cross braces
[0029] In practice, it has been found that the adhesive bonding of the cross braces
[0030] Having described my invention, however, many modifications thereto will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains without deviation from the spirit of the invention as defined by the scope of the appended claims.