Abstract: In summary the invention described herein is broadly directed to a module for forming a reinforced concrete structure comprising (a) a formwork member that defines a cavity, (b) a reinforcement structure in the cavity, and (c) at least one formwork brace interconnecting the formwork member and the reinforcement structure.

Abstract: The invention provides for a removable former which is interlockable with other, similar formers between spaced-apart ribs to form shuttering between the ribs for a reinforced concrete slab. The former includes a hollow block (110) which has a top face (112), a front face (114), a rear face, two opposed side faces (116) and an interlocking flange (118) on or below each of the side faces for interlocking the hollow block, side by side, with adjacent, similar hollow blocks. The interlocking flanges (118) extend from the side faces (116) so that when the hollow block is interlocked with an adjacent hollow block, a gap is formed between adjacent side faces of the interlocked blocks. The former also includes a support member (122) for supporting the hollow block (110) on two of the spaced-apart ribs during casting of the concrete slab.

Abstract: This invention is a paper-based concrete form member and a method for using it. The forms may be made from layers of paper honeycomb material or corrugate. The forms may be structured to be hollow, if so desired. They are principally useful in forming recesses or voids in concrete structures although they may be used to form the edges of concrete products during construction of these products.

Abstract: A thermal aircraft, such as a hot air load-carrying balloon which includes a balloon envelope having a deflation aperture therein and a venting valve or operculum designed to removably cover and seal the aperture and to be opened and/or closed rapidly so as to assist in the control of the balloon, forming both a deflation panel and a maneuvering port for the balloon. The venting valve is removably and releasably secured to the balloon envelope adjacent the periphery of the aperture, and means are provided for controllably and selectively positioning the valve in the aperture for open and closed dispositions thereof. Separate controls are provided firstly to extend the valve to its maximum surface area, at which point it removably covers and seals the aperture and/or to allow controlled venting of hot air therefrom, and secondly to allow reefing of the valve from the aperture for rapid deflation of the envelope.

Abstract: A reusable low maintenance forming system for forming concrete floors, ceilings and walls with joists thereunder utilizes concrete displacement form pans supported by a temporary framework and floor. A plurality of alignment channels are arranged in parallel series of elongate aligned rows and are adapted to alignably receive and support the flanges of parallel and adjacent form pans. A plurality of joist bottomed wedges are arranged in parallel series of aligned rows and adapted to fit within the alignment channels as to abut and seal against the lower free ends of the form pans afterwhich uncured concrete may be placed over the system.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for arch centering for slabs formed on prefabricated beams of reinforced or prestretched concrete, steel, wood, or the like, which includes elements of steel plate or another material having similar properties, constructed in a flat or arched form and with the dimensions that are required, which has four or more steel staples for its temporary support during its use, and two devices, one of which allows the staples to be slightly deformed in an elastic manner for their extraction and another for their leveling and coupling among themselves.

Abstract: A primary forming member is associated with a secondary supporting structure to allow rapid construction of elongate concrete structures of uniform cross-section by removing the primary forming member before the concrete mass supported by the secondary supporting structure is set or self-supporting. The primary forming member provides plural spaced forming arches, foldable for transport, and supported for vertical motion on a carriage providing for horizontal motion along the axis of symmetry of the formed structure. The primary forming member supports a plurality of spaced support arches of the secondary supporting structure with a plurality of cross elements therebetween to support rigid panels that create a forming surface for plastic concrete and remain as a part of a formed concrete structure to provide insulation. The forming system forms a self-supporting arched concrete surface with spaced depending arches by being sequentially moved axially therealong.

Abstract: Concrete molding apparatus that includes an integral lattice frame having a first set of elongated expanses extending in one direction on the frame and a second set of elongated expanses extending transversely of the first set. These expanses define openings in the lattice frame and tub molds are detachably mounted in these openings. In the mounting of a tub mold, a retaining bar structure is provided paralleling an expanse in one of said set of expanses and detachable fasteners distributed along the length of a bar structure detachably fasten the bar structure to the expanse of the lattice frame.

Abstract: The invention relates to an open type box-unit with multi-purpose application for the complex industrial construction of prefabricated houses, of buildings with different numbers of stories, and to molding apparatus for its production. The box-unit has a floor and roof structure with a spatially reinforced concrete framework consisting of two longitudinal frames and transverse frames; the cross bars of the longitudinal frames have a reinforced cross section asymmetrical to the cross section of the columns and an uninterrupted reinforcement in a closed shape. At modular distances in the cross bars of the longitudinal frames there are provided critical zones with cross sections doubled with regard to the cross bars and the columns of the end transverse frames. These critical zones are designed for the connection of the reinforcement of the cross bars and the columns of the middle frames having variable cross sections.

Abstract: The invention relates to a truss shoring method and an apparatus therefor utilized in the pouring of concrete floors and includes a plurality of unitary members adapted to provide vertically adjustable and horizontally movable primary modular units serving to support poured concrete.

Abstract: A form pan section comprising a top wall and opposed side walls depending from a respective opposed side of the top wall. A support flange is provided along a free edge of each of the side walls. The support flange has a load supporting bearing section. Means is provided in each of the support flanges to secure the flange to supporting framework. Connection means is provided inwardly of the top wall and side walls to interconnect the pan section to another pan section. A form pan is constructed of at least two end pan sections having the above-described characteristics.

Abstract: Floor shuttering comprising a predetermined number of elongated forms having inverted U-shaped cross-section, said forms being mutually joined together along adjacent side edges and being arranged on inverted U-shaped support members, which are carried on beams extending perpendicular to the forms. Said support members being mutually interconnected by means of retaining elements extending at least in the space between opposite side-walls in the forms and the support members and further being carried by the beams, which are raisable and lowerable in a movable frame structure.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses a form pan for use in a form structure, the pan comprising a unitary shell having a top wall, opposed elongated side walls and end walls. A peripheral flange is formed about a free end of the side and end walls and defines a load supporting section and a connection section to permit interlocking with an adjacent pan and support of a load on the pans. The pans are of sufficient length to act as self supporting long beams to span spaced apart support beams which are normally held above a support surface by adjustable support posts.