Abstract:
Form tie breaking tools are disclosed which include first members, second members and third members. Each member includes a first end and a second end. In particular embodiments, the second member is attached to the first member at either of the second end or between first and second ends of the first member. The third member is attached to the remaining of the second end or between the first and second ends of the first member. Second and third members are attached to the first member approximately parallel to one another. Each third member first end has a form tie engaging member attached. Each form tie engaging member includes a first end and a second end and the form tie engaging member is substantially perpendicularly attached to the third member.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to construction of concrete structures, and more specifically to, removal of forms from completed concrete structures. 
     Use of forms for construction of concrete walls and other structures is well known. Forms, typically made from steel, aluminum or another metal, are placed in a position for the construction of the wall or structure. Once properly placed, concrete is poured in from above, typically between opposing sets of forms. To hold the opposing form sets in position for the pouring of the concrete, form ties are run between the sets of forms, in multiple places, to help secure the form sets in a position for concrete pouring. 
     After the concrete is poured and solidified, the forms must be removed, typically for use in another area of concrete construction. However, the form ties run between the forms sets as described above, and therefore are partially embedded in the new concrete. Once the forms are removed, the ties are left behind and protruding from the concrete walls. In most poured concrete construction it is desirable to have these protruding form ties removed. At least one removal method involves breaking the form ties. The form ties are constructed from a wire like material, for example, steel or aluminum, and have a cross-section. Known methods for breaking these ties include using a wire cutter, or twisting the form ties with a tool such as a large screwdriver or hammer. However, such methods are difficult to practice. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect, a form tie breaking tool is provided. The tool comprises a first member having a first end, a second end, and a length therebetween. The tool further comprises a second member having a first end and a second end, the second end of the second member being attached to the first member. The tool also comprises a third member having a first end and a second end, the second end of the third member is attached to the first member approximately parallel to the second member. The tool also comprises a form tie engaging member which has a first end and a second end. The form tie engaging member is attached to the first end of the third member substantially perpendicular to the third member. 
     In another aspect, a method of breaking form ties extending from a wall using the above described form tie breaking tool is provided. In addition, the second end of the second member is attached to the second end of the first member and the second end of the third member is attached between the first end and the second end of the first member. The method comprises inserting the form tie engaging member within a loop of a form tie, placing the first end of the second member against the wall, and applying a force utilizing the first end of first member until the form tie breaks free from the wall. 
     In still another aspect, an alternative method of breaking form ties extending from a wall using a form tie breaking tool as described above, is provided. In addition, the second end of the third member is attached to the second end of the first member and the second end of the second member is attached between the first end and the second end of the first member. The method comprises inserting the form tie engaging member within a loop of a form tie, placing the first end of the second member against the wall, and applying a force utilizing the first end of first member toward the wall until the form tic breaks free from the wall. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a diagram of a concrete wall showing loops of form ties. 
     FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the construction of a form tie. 
     FIG. 3 is one embodiment of a form tie breaking tool. 
     FIG. 4 illustrates the tool of FIG. 3 breaking a form tie. 
     FIG. 5 is a second embodiment of a form tie breaking tool. 
     FIG. 6 illustrates the tool of FIG. 5 breaking a form tie. 
     FIG. 7 is an embodiment of the form tie breaking tool of FIG. 3 including a cushioned handle and a strengthening member. 
     FIG. 8 is an embodiment of the form tie breaking tool of FIG. 7 including a second form tie engaging member. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1 is a diagram of a portion of a completed wall  10  showing loops  12  in form ties  14 . In one embodiment, wall  10  is a concrete wall. Alternatively, wall  10  is any type of wall formed by pouring a liquid or semi-liquid into a space defined by utilization of forms that results in a solid wall. For illustrative purposes, forms are not shown in the Figure. However, to remove form ties  14  from a completed wall or structure, loops  12  of form ties  14  are “snapped” or broken off wall  10 . 
     FIG. 2 illustrates the construction of a form tie  14 . Form tie  14  includes a loop  12  at each end. Form tie further includes one or more indentations or scores  16  in the length of form tie  14  which provides a weakened area for breaking off form ties as above described. In one known form tie  14 , scores  16  are about one inch from loops  12 . The length of form tie  14  between loops is approximately the same as a distance between opposing forms which are utilized to define a space for the concrete wall as described above. Loops  12  are utilized with pins (not shown) inserted therethrough in order to retain a placement of the forms. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of a form tie breaking tool  30 . Tool  30  includes a first member  32  having a first end  34 , a second end  36 , and a length  38  therebetween. First end  34 , in the embodiment illustrated, forms a handle. Tool  30  also includes a second member  40  which has a first end  42  and a second end  44 . In the embodiment shown, second end  44  is attached to second end  36  of first member  38 . Further, tool  30  includes a third member  50  having a first end  52  and a second end  54  where second end  54  is attached to first member  32  between first end  34  and second end  36  of first member  32 . Second member  40  and third member  50  are, in one embodiment, attached approximately parallel to one another. Tool  30  also includes a form tie engaging member  60  which has a narrowed first end  62 , with a reduced cross-section, and a second end  64  having a pair of projecting portions  66 . Projecting portions  66  increase a cross-section of second end  64  of form tie engaging member  60 . Form tie engaging member  60  is attached to first end  52  of third member  50  roughly between first end  62  and second end  64 , and is attached at an approximate right angle to third member  50 . 
     In one embodiment, tie breaking tool  30 , and specifically first member  32 , second member  40 , and third member  50  are constructed from a reinforcing material which is commonly referred to as re-bar. In the embodiment illustrated, tie engaging member  60  is a form clip, as is known by those who work with forms, and members  32 ,  40 ,  50 , and  60  are welded to one another. In alternative embodiments, tool  30  is cast or formed from one of iron, steel, a hardened metal, and aluminum. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, first member  32  of tool  30  is about 20 inches long, second member  40  is about 6 inches long, and third member  50  is about 4 inches long. Form tie engaging member  60  is about 4 inches long. In alternative embodiments, of tool  30 , second member  40  is about 30% of a length of first member  32 , and third member  50  is about 20% of the length of first member  32 . 
     In one embodiment, tool  30  is utilized to break form ties in an open area of a wall. Referring to FIG. 4, a method for breaking form ties is illustrated as member  60  is inserted into a loop  12  of form tie  14 . A user presses first end  42  of second member  40  against wall  10  and applies a force  70  in an opposite direction from wall  10  utilizing first end  34  of first member  32  until loop  12  and a portion of form tie  14  breaks at score  16 , thus freeing that portion from wall  10 . Alternatively, a form tie  14  may be broken by twisting tool  30 , either clockwise or counterclockwise, when tie breaking member  60  is engaged within a loop  12  of a form tie  14  utilizing first end  34  of first member  32  in a direction parallel to that of wall  10 . The twisting motion causes form tie  14  to break at score  16 . 
     In still another alternative method, score  16  may be slightly embedded within wall  10 . In such a case, form tie  14  may be broken at score  16  by twisting tool  30  when tie breaking member  60  is engaged within a loop  12  of a form tie  14  utilizing first end  34  of first member  32  in a direction parallel to that of wall  10 . Once form tie  14  is broken, the user then applies a force  70  in an opposite direction from wall  10  utilizing first end  34  of first member  32  until a portion of form tie  14  within wall  10  up to and including score  16  is extracted from wall  10 . 
     FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a form tie breaking tool  80 . Tool  80  includes a first member  82  having a first end  84 , a second end  86 , and a length  88  therebetween. First end  84 , in the embodiment illustrated, forms a handle. Tool  80  also includes a second member  90  which has a first end  92  and a second end  94 . In the embodiment shown, second end  94  of second member  90  is attached roughly between first end  84  and second end  86  of first member  82 . Further, tool  80  includes a third member  100  having a first end  102  and a second end  104 . Second end  104  is attached to second end  86  of first member  82 . Second member  90  and third member  100  are, in one embodiment, attached to first member  82  approximately parallel to one another. Tool  80  also includes a form tie engaging member  110  which has a narrowed first end  112 , with a reduced cross-section, and a second end  114  having a pair of projecting portions  116 . Projecting portions  116  increase a cross-section of second end  114  of form tie engaging member  110 . Form tie engaging member  110  is attached to first end  102  of third member  100  roughly between narrowed first end  112  and second end  114 , and is attached at an approximate right angle to third member  100 . 
     Tool  80  and specifically first member  82 , second member  90 , and third member  100  are constructed from re-bar. In the embodiment illustrated, tie engaging member  110  is a form clip, as is known by those who work with forms, and members  82 ,  90 ,  100 , and  110  are welded to one another. In alternative embodiments, tool  80  is cast or formed from one of iron, steel, a hardened metal, and aluminum. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, first member  82  of tool  80  is about 20 inches long, second member  90  is about 6 inches long, and third member  100  is about 4 inches long. Form tie engaging member  110  is about 4 inches long. In alternative embodiments, tool  80  second member  90  is about 30% of a length of first member  82  and third member  100  is about 20% of the length of first member  82 . 
     Tool  80  is utilized for breaking form ties  14  at or near corners or other discontinuities in concrete or other walls, where twisting tool  30  or  80  is impractical. Referring to FIG. 6, a method for breaking form ties  14  is illustrated. Tie breaking member  110  is utilized to engage loop  12  of form tie  14  and a force  120  is applied to first end  84  of first member  82  such that second member  90 , at first end  92 , becomes a fulcrum, enabling tool  80  to break form tie  14  at score  16  as an opposite force is applied to form tie  14 , and score  16 , from form tie engaging member  110 . 
     Referring to FIG. 7, an alternative embodiment of tool  30  is illustrated. Tool  30  includes the components as described above with respect to FIG. 3, and additionally first end  34  of first member  32  is covered with a cushioning material  130 , for example, a coated foam rubber, to make tool  30  more ergonomic. A strengthening member  140  is attached to first member  32  and extends at an angle to second member  40 . Strengthening member  140  can be welded to tool  30  or cast in one piece as part of tool  30  as described above. Of course, cushioning material  130  and strengthening member  140  can be utilized with tool  80  (shown in FIG.  4 ). 
     Referring to FIG. 8, yet another alternative embodiment of tool  30  is illustrated. Tool  30  includes the components as described above with respect to FIGS. 3 and 7, and additionally a second form tie engaging member  60  is attached to second member  40 . Of course, a second form tie engaging member  60  can be utilized with tool  80  (shown in FIG.  4 ). 
     While the invention has been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims.