Brace for concrete forms

Abstract

A support for providing quick, secure bracing and alignment for concrete forms for placements up to two feet tall. The brace is configured as a triangle and includes horizontal and vertical legs fabricated from channel stock. A turnbuckle functions as the diagonal leg of the brace and allows for adjustment of the horizontal and vertical legs. The channel stock is provided with holes of various sizes whereby the channels may be secured to different surfaces (the form and the grade surface).

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to supports. More specifically, the present invention is drawn to brace for supporting concrete forms.

2. Description of the Related Art

Preparing forms and placements prior to pouring concrete involves providing suitable bracing for the forms and placements. Traditionally the bracing has been fabricated from lumber, which lumber must be cut to conform to the dimensions of the forms and/or placements. Once construction is completed, the lumber is usually discarded. This scenario not only requires additional man-hours to fabricate and dispose of the bracing, but also results in the loss of material, thereby increasing the cost of the construction project. The art would most certainly welcome a brace that is not only reusable but also durable and user-friendly.

The related art is replete with braces that attempt to remedy the above-discussed problems. A representative sampling of this related art is identified and cited in the accompanying IDS. However, none of the identified and cited inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to disclose a brace for concrete forms and placements as will subsequently be described and claimed in the instant invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, to be dubbed the Woggy Brace, is a support for providing quick, secure bracing and alignment for concrete forms for placements up to two feet tall. The brace is configured as a triangle and comprises horizontal and vertical legs fabricated from channel stock. A turnbuckle functions as the diagonal leg of the brace and allows for adjustment of the horizontal and vertical legs. The channel stock is provided with holes of various sizes whereby the channels may be anchored to different surfaces (the form and the grade surface). Since holes are provided in both legs, the orientation of the legs is reversible. Additional holes are provided in the flanges to augment the attachment of one-piece waler clamps.

Accordingly, the instant invention presents a unique brace for concrete forms having a horizontal leg, a vertical leg and an adjustable diagonal leg that permits the brace to be reconfigured to provide twenty degrees of alignment adjustment off plumb. The invention provides for improved elements and arrangements thereof in an arrangement and method for the purposes described which are inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing their intended purposes.

A clear understanding of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a brace for concrete forms according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of a brace for concrete forms according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a top view of a brace for concrete forms according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a brace for concrete forms, which brace is in folded configuration according to the present invention.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Attention is first directed to FIGS. 1-3 wherein the brace of the present invention is generally indicated at 10. Brace 10 is utilized to support a concrete form 12. Brace 10 comprises two channel members 14, 16, which members are joined in pivoting relationship by gussets 18 at adjacent distal ends 14a, 16a. Channel members 14, 16 are preferably fabricated from metal flat stock, preferably steel. It is obvious however, that other materials may be used, i.e. plastic, if such materials are suitable. Each channel member comprises a respective faceplate 20, 22. Each faceplate is provided with plural openings 20a, 22a therethrough. The openings are of various sizes. Each channel has respective pairs of walls 24, 26 extending perpendicularly form faceplates 20, 22. Each wall has openings 24a, 26a spaced along the respective length of each wall. A turnbuckle 30 has one end 30a attached to channel member 14 via a selected opening 24a. The other end 30b of the turnbuckle is attached to channel member 16 via a selected opening 26a.

In use, brace 10 assumes a triangular configuration wherein channel member 14 assumes a vertical orientation and is adapted to abut the form 12. Fasteners such as screws, nails, etc. (not shown) are employed through openings 20a to attach the channel 14 to form 12. Channel 16 assumes a horizontal orientation and rests on grade G. Attachment means such as a stake 32 may be employed through openings 22a to secure channel 16 to grade G. Turnbuckle 30 may be rotated to adjust the brace and form to its desired alignment. Openings 24a, 26a in the sides of the channel members permit the turnbuckle to be reconfigured to provide a range of thirty degrees of alignment off plumb.

As best seen in FIG. 4, the brace can be partially disassembled and collapsed for storage and/or transport. The bolt removed from end 30a of the turnbuckle is utilized to bolt the legs together when the brace is collapsed.

Although a typical preferred embodiment of the invention is described herein, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications in the illustrated and described structure can be affected without departure from the basic principles that underlie the invention. Changes and modifications of this type are therefore, deemed to be included by the spirit and scope of the invention except as the same may be necessarily modified by the following claims or reasonable equivalents thereof. The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A brace for concrete forms, comprising:

a first channel member, said first channel member having a proximate end, a distal end, a face plate and a pair of walls extending perpendicularly from said face plate;

a second channel member, said second channel member having a proximate end, a distal end, a face plate and a pair of walls extending perpendicularly from said face plate of said second channel member;

pivoting structure connecting the distal end of said first channel member to the distal end of said second channel member; and

a mechanism having an adjustable length, said mechanism connected to the pair of walls extending perpendicularly from said face plate of said first channel member and to the pair of walls extending perpendicularly from said face plate of said second channel member.

2. The brace for concrete forms according to claim 1, wherein the pair of walls extending perpendicularly from said face plate of said first channel member and the pair of walls extending perpendicularly from said face plate of said second channel member each have respective lengths and wherein plural openings are spaced along said respective lengths.

3. The brace for concrete forms according to claim 1, wherein said adjustable mechanism is a turnbuckle.

4. The brace for concrete forms according to claim 1, including plural openings disposed in said face plate of said first channel member.

5. The brace for concrete forms according to claim 1, including plural openings disposed in said face plate of said second channel member.

6. The brace for concrete forms according to claim 1, wherein said channel members are fabricated from steel.

7. A brace for concrete forms, comprising:

a first channel member, said first channel member having a proximate end, a distal end, a face plate and a pair of walls extending perpendicularly from said face plate;

a second channel member, said second channel member having a proximate end, a distal end, a face plate and a pair of walls extending perpendicularly from said face plate of said second channel member;

pivoting structure connecting the distal end of said first channel member to the distal end of said second channel member; and

a turnbuckle having a first end and a second end wherein said first end is connected to the pair of walls extending perpendicularly from said face plate of said first channel member and wherein said second end is connected to the pair of walls extending perpendicularly from said face plate of said second channel member.

8. The brace for concrete forms according to claim 7, wherein the pair of walls extending perpendicularly from said face plate of said first channel member and the pair of walls extending perpendicularly from said face plate of said second channel member each have respective lengths and wherein plural openings are spaced along said respective lengths.

9. The brace for concrete forms according to claim 7, including plural openings disposed in said faceplate of said first channel member.

10. The brace for concrete forms according to claim 7, including plural openings disposed in said faceplate of said second channel member.

11. The brace for concrete forms according to claim 7, wherein said channel members are fabricated from steel.

12. A brace for concrete forms, comprising:

a first channel member, said first channel member having a proximate end, a distal end, a face plate having plural openings therein and a pair of walls extending perpendicularly from said face plate;

a second channel member, said second channel member having a proximate end, a distal end, a face plate having plural openings therein and a pair of walls extending perpendicularly from said face plate of said second channel member;

pivoting structure connecting the distal end of said first channel member to the distal end of said second channel member; and

a turnbuckle having a first end and a second end wherein said first end is connected to the pair of walls extending perpendicularly from said face plate of said first channel member and wherein said second end is connected to the pair of walls extending perpendicularly from said face plate of said second channel member.

13. The brace for concrete forms according to claim 7, wherein the pair of walls extending perpendicularly from said face plate of said first channel member and the pair of walls extending perpendicularly from said face plate of said second channel member each have respective lengths and wherein plural openings are spaced along said respective lengths.

14. The brace for concrete forms according to claim 13, wherein said channel members are fabricated from steel.