Patent ID: 6219984
Filing Date: 2001-04-24
Classification: E02D,E04B

Abstract:
Modular formwork assembly for casting concrete to form vertical structures, comprising:a plurality of elongated elements each comprising two opposing longitudinal edges and a surface extending from one longitudinal edge of the elongated element to the opposite longitudinal edge of the elongated element so as to define a cross section having an inner surface and an outer surface and wherein the longitudinal edges are provided with means extending substantially along the length of the longitudinal edges of releasably interconnecting the elongated elements with a connecting member;a plurality of elongated connecting members, each of said connecting members is a single unitary connecting member comprising a first longitudinal edge, a second longitudinal edge and a central portion defined between said first longitudinal edge and said second longitudinal edge of the connecting member, a plurality of ribs extending between the longitudinal edges along the length of the connecting member and being spaced a distance from one another sufficient to enable the flow of concrete through the central portion, and wherein each of the longitudinal edges of the connecting member is provided with integral means for engaging said interconnecting means of each of two pair of said elongated elements when said elongated elements are presented in edge to edge relationship for connection about opposing sides of the engaging means of the connecting member;whereby each of said unitary connecting members simultaneously connect each of a first pair of said elongated elements in edge to edge relationship about one edge of the connecting member and each of a second pair of said elongated elements presented in edge to edge relationship about the opposite edge of the connecting member;said engaging means of said connecting member are adapted to cooperate in longitudinal sliding engagement with said interconnecting means of said elongated elements, whereby engagement between said connecting member engaging means and said elongated element interconnecting means is achieved by sliding one into another; andsaid cross section of said surface extending from one longitudinal edge to the opposite longitudinal edge of the elongated elements is generally concave.