Abstract:
The metallic formwork system of the invention is used for concrete molding in constructions, by virtue of a diversity of metallic accessories that allow interconnection between metallic formwork modules providing a versatile, easy-to-use and portable system.

Description:
This application is a 371 of PCT/IB2004/003306 filed on Sep. 24, 2004. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a metallic formwork used for molding concrete in construction works and substructures. Specifically, the invention is easily operated and suitable for many uses within a modular environment that allows interconnection through a range of metallic accessories. More specifically, these metallic formworks are modules formed from steel sheets with reinforcements having dimensions according to any desired requirements. The formworks of the present invention are selectively positioned and interconnected adjacent to each other to selectively shape concrete in walls or partition walls. 
     The formwork of the present invention is made from steel sheets (2 mm to 3 mm thick) and the modules formed therefrom can have a weight of up to 43 kg and dimensions varying from 5 cm to 80 cm in width and 20 cm to 240 cm in height, with increasing scales of 5 cm among different sizes. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The metallic formwork of the present invention is a lightweight, portable and easy to use system. The basic module of the system is designed to weight not more than 25 Kg, although modules having dimensions of 240 cm×60 cm can weight up to 43 kg and still be easily handled by any person. 
     According to an aspect of the invention, the metallic formwork modules provide a visible smooth finish or texture to the concrete walls. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, the metallic formwork modules can be built in different sizes with different measurements to provide irregular-sized modules when needed. 
     In accordance to a further aspect of the invention, the metallic formwork modules are manually installed without the need of expensive and heavy equipment and crane towers. 
     According to one aspect of the invention, the system is easily transported to the construction site due to its box-like configuration. 
     According to an aspect of the invention, the metallic formwork modules are designed in accordance to earthquake resistant regulations. 
     According to a further aspect of the invention, the system avoids unwanted waste materials and debris. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, the system allows controlling the use of construction tools and materials. 
     According to a still further aspect of the invention, the system is designed to be re-used due to its metallic construction. 
     In accordance to an aspect of the invention, the metallic formwork system reduces construction costs and storage space. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, the versatility of the system allows it to be used in residential and commercial sites. 
     According to one aspect of the invention, the metallic formwork modules can be easily washed and cleaned after being used. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other aspects and advantages of the formwork of the present invention are more apparent from the following detailed description and claims, particularly when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows the basic arrangement of the metallic modules forming the formwork according to the invention; 
         FIG. 2  shows an L-shaped angular metallic accessory that allows external turn between adjacent modules according to the invention; 
         FIG. 3  shows a corner cupboard-type box accessory that allows internal turn between adjacent modules according to the invention; 
         FIG. 4  ( a - e ) shows a plurality of metallic accessories used to assemble the formwork according to the invention; 
         FIG. 5  shows an exemplary formwork arrangement having formwork modules in parallel according to the invention; 
         FIG. 6  shows formwork modules in parallel separated by a distancing element according to the invention; 
         FIG. 7  shows a formwork module aligning arrangement according to the invention; 
         FIG. 8  shows a joining element securing adjacent formwork modules according to the invention; 
         FIG. 9  shows a formwork module having V-shaped reinforcing metallic elements according to the invention; 
         FIG. 10  shows a perspective view of a formwork module&#39;s back surface having V-shaped reinforcing metallic elements according to the invention; 
         FIG. 11  shows another perspective view of a formwork module&#39;s front flat surface according to the invention; and 
         FIG. 12  shows a fixed securing element according to the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a metallic formwork arrangement according to the present invention. A modular frame  10  comprises a rectangular-shaped steel sheet  11  longitudinally surrounded on its sides by metallic side members  12  and on its top and bottom sides by metallic top and bottom members  13 , respectively as shown in  FIG. 11 . Angular cuts are formed at the corners of said modular frame  10  where an end of a metallic side member  12  meets an end of a metallic member  13  as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  5  and  6 . 
     Each metallic side member  12  comprises a plurality of equally spaced holes  14  across its length. The modular frame  10  is reinforced with V-shaped metallic reinforcing elements  15  extending from the top side to the bottom side as shown in  FIG. 9 . It is further reinforced with struts longitudinally extending from side to side and perpendicular to said V-shaped metallic reinforcing elements  15  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 10 . 
       FIG. 2  shows an L-shaped angular accessory  17  having an angular profile. This accessory acts as a coupling element that allows angular interconnection between external formwork modules to form concrete corners as shown in  FIG. 1 . L-shaped accessory  17  is a metallic accessory having the same length as the formwork module  10  and also comprises a plurality of equally spaced holes on its sides and distributed across its length. 
       FIG. 3  shows another metallic formwork accessory of the present invention. An internal corner element  28  comprises a box-type metallic frame that allows angular interconnection between internal formwork modules to form concrete corners as shown in  FIG. 1 . The corner element  28  has metallic walls  29  and  30  comprising a plurality of equally spaced holes on its surfaces and distributed across its length to facilitate passage of pins as will be shown later. 
     The metallic formwork arrangement of the invention comprises formwork modules connected in parallel and having a distance e between the parallel-connected modules as shown in  FIG. 5 , where the space provided by distance e is filled with concrete to form walls or partition walls in a building or structure. These parallel-connected modules are coupled and secured to each other by distancing elements  18  shown in  FIG. 4   c , made of metallic sheet from 5 cm to 120 cm and having on its ends holes  10  (10 mm diameter) that allow tight passage of a rod-shaped hook or pin  20  having an angular folded end as shown in  FIG. 4   b . As previously mentioned, this distancing element  18  selectively regulates the space between two parallel-connected modules. 
     Once two modules are installed, an alignment element  21  comprising a metallic U-shaped element of variable length is provided to vertically align the modules and provide structural stability and rigidity to the same as shown in  FIGS. 4   d  and  5 . A U-shaped gripping press  22  shown in  FIG. 4   e , is used to longitudinally secure said alignment element  21  against the width of said metallic formwork modules as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 5 . The gripping press  22  comprises a manually-rotated screw  23  structurally coupled to said press  22  and a pair of metallic hooks  24  extending away from said gripping press  22  as shown in  FIG. 4   e . In operation, the U-shaped alignment element  21  is placed inside the U-shaped gripping press  22  and then hooks  24  are inserted into holes  14  provided on metallic side members  12 . When the screw  23  is rotated, alignment element  21  is pressed against the metallic formwork modules as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  5  and  7 . 
     Laterally-adjacent modules are complementary secured to each other by a linking element  25  shown in  FIG. 4   a , comprising a rectangular metallic sheet having an axial receiving slot. The linking element  25  has an angular folding configuration and further comprises a welded rod  27  having a folded end. When two modules are positioned side-by-side, their respective metallic side members  12  being in close proximity to each other are inserted into the axial receiving slot and rod  27  is inserted into holes  14  to secure the modules against each other as shown in  FIG. 8 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  5 ,  6  and  12 , a locking element  40  is fixedly provided on the corners of the formwork modules for receiving and securing a pin  20  used to secure the distancing element  18  to said formwork modules. Specifically, the locking element  40  is provided with a slot for receiving and latching a folded end of said pin  20 . The other end of pin  20  is simultaneously inserted into hole  19  of said distancing element  18  and hole  14  of said side member  12  as shown in  FIG. 6 . This locking arrangement ensures that the concrete remains inside the parallel-connected formwork modules when the concrete is being molded. 
     The metallic formwork modules of the present invention can be manually installed in accordance to the following general steps:
         1. Apply a demoulding material to the surfaces of the modules;   2. Assemble the formwork modules in accordance with the construction requirements;   3. Install and secure the L-shaped angular accessory  17  to adjacent modules as needed;   4. Install the linking elements  25  ensuring the metallic side members  12  are inserted into the axial receiving slot and that rod  27  is inserted into holes  14  to secure the modules against each other;   5. Install the distancing elements  18  to position the formwork modules in parallel by inserting one end of pin  20  into holes  19  of the distancing elements and securing the other end of the pin  20  with the locking element  40 ; and   6. Adjusting alignment element  21  against the formwork modules with the gripping press  22  to vertically align the modules and provide structural stability and rigidity to the same prior to pouring the concrete into the parallel-connected formwork modules arrangement.       

     The flat surfaces of the metallic formwork modules are coated with a demoulding material prior to pouring the concrete to prevent said concrete from adhering to said flat surfaces. The surfaces are easily pressure-washed once the concrete filing process is finished. 
     The rigidity and integrity of the system is ensured by the installation of pins into the appropriate holes provided for securing the distancing elements to the modules. 
     These modules can be made in sizes of 240 cm in height and from 5 to 80 cm in width. The internal corner modules and the L-shaped angular accessories can have lengths of from 20 to 240 cm. The formwork module&#39;s weight based on the selected dimensions can very from 3 kg (5×120 cm) to 43 kg (60×240 cm). 
     Because many varying and differing embodiments maybe made within the scope of the inventive concept herein taught and because many modifications may be made in the embodiment herein detailed in accordance with the descriptive requirement of the law, it is to be understood that the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.