Patents Assigned to Western Forms, Inc.
  • Patent number: 6666428
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for retaining separable parts for a concrete forming panel includes the provision of a retaining member on the forming panel located separately from any one of a plurality of coupling sites. Separate and discrete parts may be held on the retaining member until the parts are ready for use. The retaining member may include a reinforcing bar having at least one and preferably a plurality of openings therein for frictionally holding the part therein. The opening may be provided with a gripper to enhance the frictional engagement and improve the parts holding ability of the retaining member. The retaining member may include a magnetic coupler which is especially useful with aluminum forms for holding steel parts in position. Further, the retaining member may include a self-sticking material with cooperating components on the part and the form whereby the parts may be readily attached and removed from predetermined areas on the forming panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Western Forms, Inc.
    Inventor: Philip T. Ward
  • Patent number: 6655650
    Abstract: A forming panel and method for using the same in construction of self-sustaining concrete wall structures is provided wherein a flexible barrier element is provided along a margin on the forming panel for impeding the flow of water and fine particles of a concrete mix pour past the barrier element. The margin may be along the perimeter edge of the forming panel or along an opening interior to the perimeter of the forming panel. When located near the perimeter, the flexible barrier element may be positioned in a slot extending parallel to the margin and located in the frame. When located near an interior opening, the barrier element may be provided on a reinforcing member positioned around the opening or on a door which shifts to improve access through the opening during placement of forming ties or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Western Forms, Inc.
    Inventor: Philip T. Ward
  • Patent number: 5965053
    Abstract: A penetratable stiffback useful as a building form is provided and is useful as an integrated member of a forming system in conjunction with a pair of forming panels. The stiffback includes a face panel and a pair of rearwardly projecting support walls, each support wall including a lug projecting outwardly therefrom intermediate the rear margin and the rear of the face panel. The face panel includes a front face for location coplanar with a pair of adjacent forming panels to present a forming system for receiving hardenable material thereagainst, the lugs serving to reinforce the panels on either side. The system includes a connecting member for penetrating the face panel and connection to an opposing forming wall to inhibit separation of the forming walls caused by the weight of the hardenable material poured between the forming walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Western Forms, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael G. Carlson
  • Patent number: 5288051
    Abstract: A latching bolt mechanism for fastening adjacent concrete form panels together to make a larger form work is disclosed. The mechanism includes a base permanently mounted on a form panel and a slidably attachable and detachable latching bolt mechanism having a tapered engagement pin for penetrating aligned apertures in the side rails of adjacent panel forms. The latching bolt further includes a tapered pin sleeve engaging portion that is received in the central bore of a pin sleeve, allowing transverse, shearing forces on the engagement pin to be readily dissipated. The pin sleeve in turn reciprocates within the central bore of a self-lubricating guide sleeve, which is seated within a housing block. A detachable mounting system includes a mounting bracket attached to the form panel and mating flanges on the housing block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1994
    Assignee: Western Forms, Inc.
    Inventor: Philip T. Ward
  • Patent number: 5184439
    Abstract: A prestressed lightweight panel is disclosed having a face sheet under tension in the longitudinal direction and reinforcing members attached to the rear side of the face sheet for locking in that tension. The panel may be rectangular and may include side rails and end rails along the edges of the face sheet, a plurality of cross-ribs for bracing or reinforcing the face sheet and a plurality of coped reinforcing sections between the cross braces. Compression resistant members, such as a honeycomb filling extend in voids between certain of the reinforcing members and the face sheet to further reduce face sheet deflection under load. The panel has a number of applications, such as for concrete forms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1993
    Assignee: Western Forms, Inc.
    Inventor: Philip T. Ward
  • Patent number: 5174909
    Abstract: A latching bolt mechanism for fastening adjacent concrete form panels together to make a larger form work is disclosed. The mechanism includes a base permanently mounted on a form panel and a slidably attachable and detachable latching bolt mechanism having a tapered engagement pin for penetrating aligned apertures in the side rails of adjacent panel forms. The latching bolt further includes a tapered pin sleeve engaging portion that is received in the central bore of a pin sleeve, allowing transverse, shearing forces on the engagement pin to be readily dissipated. The pin sleeve in turn reciprocates within the central bore of a self-lubricating guide sleeve, which is seated within a housing block. A detachable mounting system includes a mounting bracket attached to the form panel and mating flanges on the housing block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Assignee: Western Forms, Inc.
    Inventor: Philip T. Ward
  • Patent number: 5080321
    Abstract: A concrete form panel construction for adjoining adjacent form panel sections includes flanges or portions having opposing longitudinal grooves or apertures. Connectors extend between pairs of adjacent extension sections and have an opposed finger portion extensible into the grooves or apertures and clamp the paired extension sections together. The finger portions locate the pairs of extension sections against transverse movement and permit only, upon loosening and tightening, longitudinal movement. The advantage gained by the disclosed form panel construction is that it provides increased flexibility for concrete form construction without holes to admit concrete flashings, is adaptable to common configurations of pin lock devices and provides for a forming surface for a vertical section and a wood strip for easy nailing of a plywood floor section, as for a ceiling corner form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1992
    Assignee: Western Forms, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael G. Carlson
  • Patent number: 5058855
    Abstract: A latching bolt mechanism for fastening adjacent concrete form panels together to make a larger form work is disclosed. The mechanism includes a base permanently mounted on a form panel and a slidably attachable and detachable latching bolt mechanism having a tapered engagement pin for penetrating aligned apertures in the side rails of adjacent panel forms. The latching bolt further includes a tapered pin sleeve engaging portion that is received in the central bore of a pin sleeve, allowing transverse, shearing forces on the engagement pin to be readily dissipated. The pin sleeve in turn reciprocates within the central bore of a self-lubricating guide sleeve, which is seated within a housing block. A detachable mounting system includes a mounting bracket attached to the form panel and mating flanges on the housing block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1991
    Assignee: Western Forms, Inc.
    Inventor: Philip T. Ward
  • Patent number: 4978099
    Abstract: An adjustable corner strip for joining adjacent concrete form panels into a column mold includes spaced diverging wings with slots to retain adjustment screws for adjusting the divergence of the wings, and thus the panels. The corner strip permits easy and rigid squaring of forms. A chamfer strip includes a chamfer face and an integrally formed tail section extending outwardly of the strip and adapted to fit into the channel formed along the mold side rail. The adjustable corner strips bring the chamfer strips into tight mating engagement with the interior surfaces of the mold panels, preventing leakage of cement between the chamfer strips and the mold panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1990
    Assignee: Western Forms, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael G. Carlson
  • Patent number: 4976401
    Abstract: An adjustable corner strip for joining adjacent concrete form panels into a column mold includes spaced diverging wings with slots to retain adjustment screws for adjusting the divergence of the wings, and thus the panels. The corner strip permits easy and rigid squaring of forms. A chamfer strip includes a chamfer face and an integrally formed tail section extending outwardly of the strip and adapted to fit into the channel formed along the mold side rail. The adjustable corner strips bring the chamfer strips into tight mating engagement with the interior surfaces of the mold panels, preventing leakage of cement between the chamfer strips and the mold panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1990
    Assignee: Western Forms, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael G. Carlson
  • Patent number: 4958800
    Abstract: A locking hinge mechanism for concrete forms includes parallel hinge strips connected together by hinges positioned at intervals along the length of the strips. Each hinge includes provision for a wedge lock which, when fully inserted, positions the hinge strips at a secure 90.degree. angle. The hinge strips are spaced apart from the juncture of the strips, when arranged at the 90.degree. angle, so that concrete flashings do not clog the hinge. The hinge strips are in turn affixed to the side rails of the joining concrete forms to form a 90.degree. angle, such as for a column form arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1990
    Assignee: Western Forms, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael G. Carlson
  • Patent number: 4744541
    Abstract: Multipurpose concrete form panels are constructed using cross stiffener members for resistance to deflection under load. Each of the cross stiffener members is formed of a base strip of metal with a pair of parallel ribs of hat section extending therefrom and joined to opposite side rails of the form panel. Bores for connecting pins extend through the side rails to join the panels side by side to form a wall or, using a corner form, to form a column. Bores through the side rails are positioned between the cross stiffener members and between the ribs in each pair of ribs for joining the side rails together with continuity of the cross stiffener members for maximum dispersal of stress. Holes for wall ties extend through the face of the form panel and between the ribs in each pair of ribs. Fasteners for the ends of the wall ties engage the pairs of ribs to disperse localized stress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1988
    Assignee: Western Forms, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael G. Carlson, Ronald A. Ward, Terry H. Jolin
  • Patent number: 4708315
    Abstract: Multipurpose concrete form panels are constructed using cross stiffener members for resistance to deflection under load. Each of the cross stiffener members is formed of a base strip of metal with a pair of parallel ribs of hat section extending therefrom and joined to opposite side rails of the form panel. Rail stiffener strips are fastened to the side rails on alternate sides of the rail for added rigidity. Bores for connecting pins extend through the side rails to join the panels side by side to form a wall or, using a corner form, to form a column. Bores through the side rails are positioned between the cross stiffener members and between the ribs in each pair of ribs for joining the side rails together with continuity of the cross stiffener members for maximum dispersal of stress. Holes for wall ties extend through the face of the form panel and between the ribs in each pair of ribs. Fasteners for the ends of the wall ties engage the pairs of ribs to disperse localized stress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1987
    Assignee: Western Forms, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael G. Carlson, Ronald A. Ward, Terry H. Jolin