FLOOR HEIGHT GAUGE
A floor height gauge for setting concrete floors is provided. The floor height gauge for setting concrete floors comprises a body, flange, knob and a possible string notch, as well as it can be used in conjunction with a protrusion or stake, insuring accuracy and eliminating the necessity for skilled workers when setting slab top elevations of concrete slabs. The floor height gauge provides a rotational means for one concrete worker to rotate a screed to level concrete to a slab top elevation.
The Present application claims priority to U.S. Application No. 62/924,821, filed Oct. 23, 2019 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 69/924,810, filed Oct. 23, 2019 which are incorporated by reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe present application relates to methods and systems for setting a reference height or elevation, for example, for construction projects. More specifically, the present application provides a system for setting the height or elevation around pipes and other protrusions through the ground or concrete slabs.
Whether building a home or commercial structure, placing the concrete slab changes the direction of construction efforts. Before the slab is finished, the work crew is typically installing underground utilities, grading the site, preparing footings, waterproofing, installing reinforcing wire or rebar and generally working on a horizontal plane. Most construction does not really begin to move upward until after these steps are completed.
The next step, upward, begins with placing the concrete slab. This is primarily occurring with the setting of elevations and screed of the concrete. Typically, the plan for this step is left up to the contractor. The plan or method used varies from contractor to contractor. Knowledge of this process is generally concrete worker trade knowledge passed along from master to apprentice. The objectives to be met, at this step, are to set the surface of the concrete at a certain elevation, to keep the concrete flat or at a required slope. A variety of tools are used including grade stakes, forms, levels, and screeds, etc., which although not complicated to use require additional effort and time to realize the benefits thereof.
Generally, concrete placement begins at one corner and proceeds in parallel sections along grade or screed lines the contractor has established using a laser level, setting the top of forms and pen or paint marking plumbing pipes and conduit protrusions, along their side, through the established grade elevation. Concrete workers continue throughout the pour to keep the concrete reinforcement in the proper position and do finish work to keep the concrete level, with hand tools, around plumbing pipes and conduits protruding through the top of the established floor elevation.
Typically, after the concrete is screeded workers bull float the concrete and add concrete in any low areas. Hand floats are used to work the edges of the slab to make sure the perimeter of the slab is flat and smooth as well as areas around where plumbing pipes and conduits protrude through the floor. Next, the concrete is allowed to set unyielding to the touch of a finger. Concrete workers get on kneeboards to work areas where a power trowel machine cannot be operated. Working around plumbing pipe stubs, conduits, protruding rebars and other obstacles requires considerable time and effort.
Often, pen and paint elevation markings are removed and destroyed by the pouring of concrete. This requires a worker to use personal judgment other than an accurate means to level the concrete to the ascribed elevation.
Leveling to the ascribed elevation is particularly important because upward construction particularly stud walls are most prominent at perimeter locations as well as where plumbing pipes and conduits protrude through the floor. If the objectives of this step are not met, accurately, this is where trouble begins in the upward process of construction.
Often, because time is of the essence in completing a concrete pour the most critical areas of grade leveling around plumbing pipes, conduits and perimeters get neglected more than they should. Later a substantial amount of additional labor is required to rework these areas so upward construction can proceed in accord with the as intended building plan.
Thus, there remains a need for a floor height gauge for setting concrete floors that is faster than current methods, safe, easy to use and eliminates the need for excessive handwork and highly trained, skilled concrete workers to install a concrete floor to a proper uniform elevation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn at aspect of, an elevation gauge system is provided that includes a plurality of gauges each having a tubular gauge body, a flange extending outward from one end of the gauge body, and a clamp for securing each of the gauges vertically to a protrusion placed through the tubular gauge body thereof.
In at least one embodiment, the clamp for securing each of the gauges to the protrusion comprises a threaded rod with a knob at one end that engages threads in the gauge body.
In at least one embodiment, at least one of the plurality of gauges has a cylindrical gauge body.
In at least one embodiment, at least one of the plurality of gauges has a square tube gauge body.
In at least one embodiment, the system includes a plurality of tubular stakes having an inner diameter for fitting the stakes over shear studs.
In at least one embodiment, the flange of each of the gauges has a notch therein extending inward from an outer perimeter of the flange.
In at least one embodiment, the notch extends inward non-radially.
In at least one embodiment, the gauge body has an outer surface and wherein the notch extends inwardly up to and not beyond the outer surface of the gauge body.
In at least one embodiment, at least one of the plurality of gauges has a square tube gauge body.
In at least one embodiment, the flange extends outward from the flange body up to about 1.5 inches.
Additional aspects of the present invention will be apparent in view of the description which follows.
Referring to
Often, pen and paint elevation markings 42 are removed and destroyed by the pouring of concrete. This requires a worker 46 to use personal judgment other than a scientifically accurate means to level the concrete to the ascribed slab top elevation 34.
Often, because time is of the essence in completing a concrete pour the most critical areas 50 and 52 of grade leveling around plumbing pipes, conduits and perimeters get neglected more than they should. Later a substantial amount of additional labor is required to rework these areas so upward construction can proceed in accord with the as intended building plan.
Concrete workers 46 use a laser level 38, for example, to set forms 36 on the ground 30 with the top of the form 36 being the slab top elevation 34. Next a concrete worker 46 uses the protrusions 44 to his advantage by installing a floor height gauge 56, according to at least embodiment, by placing the gauge body 58 over the top of and around each protrusion 44. The gauge flange 60 may then be adjusted using a laser level 38, for example, to conform with the height of the slab top elevation 34 and which may be secured to the protrusion using knob or other means for securing the gauge to the protrusion 62. Although the use of a laser level is discussed herein, other tools for measuring the elevation may also be used.
A typical concrete slab 32 installation uses a multitude of floor height gauges 56 placed at a distance between 78 one another and the forms 36. The distance from ground 76 is about equal to the depth of the form 36 and the concrete slab 32.
Referring to
In at least one version of a first embodiment a gauge body 58 can measure about 3.5 inches across (e.g., diameter) by about 6 inches long (height). The gauge flange 60 can measure up to about 6.5 inches across (e.g., external diameter) and provide a surface of about 1.5 inches (measured from the gauge) to support the end of a screed 40.
Concrete workers 46 use a laser level 38 to set forms 36 on the ground 30 with the top of the form 36 being the slab top elevation 34. Next a concrete worker 46 installs, by pushing a stake 68 into the ground 30, one or more floor height gauges 56 at locations proving to be valuable points of setting the slab top elevation 34, accurately, via use of a laser level 38. The gauge flange 60 is adjusted using a laser level 38 to conform with the height of the slab top elevation 34 and is secured in place by the use of a knob 62 about a stake 68.
Referring to
In at least one version of a second embodiment a stake 68 can measure about 1 inch in diameter by about 24 inches in length. A gauge body 58 can measure about 1.5 inches across (diameter or side of square) by about 4 inches long (height). The gauge flange 60 can measure about 5 inches across (outer diameter) and provide a surface of about 1.5 inches to support the end of a screed 40.
Referring to
While the foregoing invention has been described in some detail for purposes of clarity and understanding, it will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, from a reading of the disclosure, that various changes in form and detail can be made without departing from the true scope of the invention.
Claims
1. An elevation gauge system comprising a plurality of gauges each having a tubular gauge body, a flange extending outward from one end of the gauge body, and a clamp for securing each of the gauges vertically to a protrusion placed through the tubular gauge body thereof.
2. The elevation gauge system of claim 1, wherein the clamp for securing each of the gauges to the protrusion comprises a threaded rod with a knob at one end that engages threads in the gauge body.
3. The elevation gauge system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of gauges has a cylindrical gauge body.
4. The elevation gauge system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of gauges has a square tube gauge body.
5. The elevation gauge system of claim 1, comprising a plurality of tubular stakes having an inner diameter for fitting the stakes over shear studs.
6. The elevation gauge system of claim 1, wherein the flange of each of the gauges has a notch therein extending inward from an outer perimeter of the flange.
7. The elevation gauge system of claim 6, wherein the notch extends inward non-radially.
8. The elevation gauge system of claim 7, wherein the gauge body has an outer surface and wherein the notch extends inwardly up to and not beyond the outer surface of the gauge body.
9. The elevation gauge system of claim 8, wherein at least one of the plurality of gauges has a square tube gauge body.
10. The elevation gauge system of claim 8, wherein the flange extends outward from the flange body up to about 1.5 inches.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 22, 2020
Publication Date: Apr 29, 2021
Inventor: Brandon Turk (Deerwood, MN)
Application Number: 17/077,332