Apparatus and method for in-ground framing

A framing device enabling formation of an in-ground reinforced concrete structure and a method thereof, wherein the preformed structure of beams, rods, and plates is placed into a prepared site, removable platens are placed therein, concrete is poured therebetween, resulting in a reinforced concrete structure of which the framing device is an integral part. The framing device and resulting concrete structure is especially useful for installing therewithin a loading dock leveling device, scale, or other platform-mounted device for the load-bearing support of the device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED AND ALTERNATE EMBODIMENTS In describing the preferred and alternate embodiments of the present invention, as illustrated in the drawing Figures, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. The invention, however, is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish similar functions. Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2 , the present invention is an in-ground framing device 10 , preferably comprising substantially rectangular-shaped base 20 , substantially rectangular-shaped rear wall 30 , first substantially rectangular-shaped side wall 40 , second substantially rectangular-shaped side wall 50 , and front wall 60 . Base 20 preferably is defined by elongated and substantially “L”-shaped beams 22 , 24 , 26 , and 28 . Beam 28 has first outer side 28 a , second outer side 28 b , first inner side 28 c , second inner surface 28 d , right-angle 28 e , first end 28 f , and second end 28 g . First outer side 28 a defines substantially vertical front edge 20 a of base 20 , wherein the length of beam 28 is greater than the length of front edge 20 a of base 20 ; thus, beam 28 extends outwardly therefrom in opposing directions. Preferably, extended portions 28 h and 28 i of beam 28 are substantially equal in length. Second outer side 28 b of beam 28 extends from right-angle 28 e , defining substantially horizontal inner front edge 20 b of base 20 . Steel beam 22 has first outer side 22 a , second outer side 22 b , first inner surface 22 c , second inner surface 22 d , right-angle 22 e , first end 22 f , and second end 22 g . Proximate to first end 22 f , outer side 22 b is preferably welded onto second outer side 28 b of beam 28 , wherein right-angle 22 e aligns with the juncture between front edge 20 a of base 20 and extended portion 28 i of beam 28 . Preferably, beam 22 is aligned substantially perpendicularly to beam 28 ; thereby, defining substantially horizontal bottom edge 42 of side wall 40 . Beam 26 has first outer side 26 a , second outer side 26 b , first inner surface 26 c , second inner surface 26 d , right-angle 26 e , first end 26 f , and second end 26 g . Proximate to first end 26 f , outer side 26 b is preferably welded onto second outer side 28 b of beam 28 , wherein right-angle 26 e aligns with the juncture between front edge 20 a of base 20 and extended portion 28 h of steel beam 28 . Preferably, beam 26 is aligned substantially perpendicularly to beam 28 ; thereby, defining substantially horizontal bottom edge 52 of side wall 50 . Beam 24 has first outer side 24 a , second outer side 24 b , first inner surface 24 c , second inner surface 24 d , right-angle 24 e , first end 24 f , and second end 24 g . Proximate to first end 24 f , outer side 24 a is preferably welded onto second end 22 g of beam 22 , wherein beam 24 is aligned substantially perpendicularly to beam 22 . Proximate to second end 24 g , outer side 24 a is preferably welded onto second end 26 g of beam 26 , wherein beam 24 is aligned substantially perpendicularly to beam 26 ; thereby, defining bottom edge 32 of rear wall 30 . Preferably, beam 29 is generally “U”-shaped with substantially flat rear surface 29 a , first end 29 b , second end 29 c , first edge 29 d , and second edge 29 e , as best seen in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 . The length of beam 29 is preferably approximately equal to the length of beam 24 , wherein proximate to right angle 24 e , outer side 24 a of beam 24 is preferably welded to first edge 29 d of beam 29 . Proximate to second end 29 c , rear surface 29 a of beam 29 is preferably welded to outer side 22 b of steel beam 22 , proximate to second end 22 g thereof. Proximate to first end 29 b , rear surface 29 a of beam 29 is preferably welded to outer side 26 b of beam 26 , proximate to second end 26 g thereof. Vertical support is preferably provided by substantially “L”-shaped beam 34 and 36 , as best shown in FIGS. 1, 3 , and 4 . Beam 34 has first outer side 34 a , second outer side 34 b , first inner surface 34 c , second inner surface 34 d , right-angle 34 e , first end 34 f , and second end 34 g . Proximate to second end 34 g , outer side 34 a is preferably welded, substantially vertically, onto inner surface 22 c of beam 22 , proximate to second end 22 g , wherein beam 34 is aligned substantially perpendicularly to beam 22 . Also proximate to second end 34 g , outer side 34 b is preferably welded, substantially vertically, onto outer side 24 a of beam 24 , proximate to first end 24 f , wherein beam 34 is aligned substantially perpendicularly to beam 24 ; thereby, creating first rear corner 44 , and wherein rear corner 44 is a juncture between side wall 40 and rear wall 30 . Beam 36 has first outer side 36 a , second outer side 36 b , first inner surface 36 c , second inner surface 36 d , right-angle 36 e , first end 36 f , and second end 36 g. Proximate to second end 36 g , outer side 36 a is preferably welded, substantially vertically, onto inner surface 26 c of beam 26 proximate to second end 26 g , wherein beam 36 is substantially perpendicular to beam 26 . Also proximate to second end 36 g , outer side 36 b is preferably welded, substantially vertically, onto outer side 24 a of steel beam 24 proximate to second end 24 g , wherein beam 36 is substantially perpendicular to beam 24 ; thereby, creating second rear corner 54 , and wherein rear corner 54 is a juncture between side wall 50 and rear wall 30 . Rear wall 30 is defined by bottom edge 32 , first rear corner 44 , second rear corner 54 , and top edge 38 . Top edge 38 is formed by elongated and substantially “L”-shaped beam 39 . Beam 39 has first outer side 39 a , second outer side 39 b , first inner surface 39 c , second inner surface 39 d , right-angle 39 e , first end 39 f , and second end 39 g . Preferably, inner surface 39 d of beam 39 , proximate to first end 39 f , is welded to inner surface 34 d of beam 34 , proximate to first end 34 f thereof, wherein beam 39 is aligned substantially perpendicularly to beam 34 . Preferably, inner surface 39 d of beam 39 , proximate to second end 39 g , is welded to inner surface 36 d of beam 36 , proximate to first end 36 f thereof, wherein beam 39 is aligned substantially perpendicularly to beam 36 . First side wall 40 is defined by bottom edge 42 , rear corner 44 , top edge 46 , and first front plate 62 . Top edge 46 is formed by elongated and substantially “L”-shaped steel beam 47 . Beam 47 has first outer side 47 a , second outer side 47 b , first inner surface 47 c , second inner surface 47 d , right angle 47 e , first end 47 f , and second end 47 g . Preferably, inner surface 47 d of beam 47 , proximate to second end 47 g , is welded to inner surface 34 c of beam 34 , proximate to first end 34 f thereof, wherein beam 47 is aligned substantially perpendicularly to beam 34 . First front plate 62 is preferably substantially rectangular shaped with a substantially flat front surface 62 a , substantially flat rear surface 62 b , upper peripheral wall 62 c , first peripheral side wall 62 d , second peripheral side wall 62 e , four corners 62 f , 62 g , 62 h , and 62 i , and bottom edge 62 j . Preferably, upper peripheral wall 62 c of front plate 62 , proximate to corner 62 i , is welded to inner surface 47 c of beam 47 , proximate to first end 47 f thereof. Second side peripheral wall 62 e of front plate 62 , proximate to corner 62 i , is preferably welded to inner surface 47 d of beam 47 , proximate to first end 47 f thereof, wherein front plate 62 is aligned substantially perpendicularly to beam 47 . Second side peripheral wall 62 e of front plate 62 , proximate to corner 62 h , is preferably welded to outer side 22 a of beam 22 , proximate to first end 22 f thereof, wherein front plate 62 is aligned substantially perpendicularly to beam 22 . Bottom edge 62 j of front plate 62 is preferably welded to outer side 28 b of beam 28 , wherein front plate 62 is aligned substantially parallel with beam 28 and wherein the width of front plate 62 is substantially equal to the length of extended section 28 i of beam 28 . Second side wall 50 is defined by bottom edge 52 , rear corner 54 , top edge 56 , and second front plate 64 . Top edge 56 is formed by elongated and substantially “L”-shaped beam 57 . Beam 57 has first outer side 57 a , second outer side 57 b , first inner surface 57 c , second inner surface 57 d , right angle 57 e , first end 57 f , and second end 57 g . Preferably, inner surface 57 d of beam 57 , proximate to second end 57 g , is welded to inner surface 36 c of beam 36 , proximate to first end 36 f thereof, wherein beam 57 is aligned substantially perpendicularly to beam 36 . Second front plate 64 is preferably substantially rectangular shaped with a substantially flat front surface 64 a , substantially flat rear surface 64 b , upper peripheral wall 64 c , first peripheral side wall 64 d , second peripheral side wall 64 e , four corners 64 f , 64 g , 64 h , and 64 i , and bottom edge 64 j . Preferably, upper peripheral wall 64 c of front plate 64 , proximate to corner 64 i , is welded to inner surface 57 c of beam 57 , proximate to first end 57 f thereof. Second side peripheral wall 64 e of front plate 64 , proximate to corner 64 i , is preferably welded to inner surface 57 d of beam 57 , proximate to first end 57 f thereof, wherein front plate 64 is aligned substantially perpendicularly to beam 57 . Second side peripheral wall 64 e of front plate 64 , proximate to corner 64 h , is preferably welded to outer side 26 a of beam 26 , proximate to first end 26 f thereof, wherein front plate 64 is aligned substantially perpendicularly to beam 26 . Bottom edge 64 j of front plate 64 is preferably welded to outer side 28 b of beam 28 , wherein front plate 64 is aligned substantially parallel with beam 28 and wherein the width of front plate 64 is substantially equal to the length of extended section 28 h of beam 28 . Front wall 60 is generally “U” shaped and is defined by first front plate 62 , second front plate 64 , and front base edge 20 a formed by beam 28 , wherein front wall 60 defines opening 66 thereby providing frontal access to interior space 68 of in-ground framing device 10 . First elongated rod 70 is preferably twisted and has first end 70 a and second end 70 b , wherein first end 70 a of rod 70 is preferably welded to rear surface 64 b of front plate 64 proximate to corner 64 g thereof. Rod 70 extends substantially horizontally, angling inwardly toward side wall 50 , to rear wall 30 and is preferably welded to outer side 24 a of beam 24 proximate to second end 24 g thereof. Second elongated rod 71 is preferably twisted and has first end 71 a and second end 71 b , wherein first end 71 a of rod 71 is preferably welded to rear surface 64 b of front plate 64 proximate to peripheral side wall 64 d at a position preferably between upper peripheral wall 64 c and the vertical midpoint of peripheral side wall 64 d . Rod 71 angles inwardly toward side wall 50 and upwardly toward top edge 38 of rear wall 30 , extending to rear wall 30 wherein rod 71 is preferably welded to outer side 39 b of beam 39 proximate to second end 39 g thereof. Third elongated rod 72 is preferably twisted and has first end 72 a and second end 72 b , wherein first end 72 a of rod 72 is preferably welded to rear surface 62 b of front plate 62 proximate to corner 62 g thereof. Rod 72 extends substantially horizontally, angling inwardly toward side wall 40 , to rear wall 30 and is preferably welded to outer side 24 a of beam 24 proximate to first end 24 f thereof. Fourth elongated rod 73 is preferably twisted and has first end 73 a and second end 73 b , wherein first end 73 a of rod 73 is preferably welded to rear surface 62 b of front plate 62 proximate to peripheral side wall 62 d at a position preferably between upper peripheral wall 62 c and the vertical midpoint of peripheral side wall 62 d . Rod 73 angles inwardly toward side wall 40 and upwardly toward top edge 38 of rear wall 30 , extending to rear wall 30 wherein rod 73 is preferably welded to outer side 39 b of beam 39 proximate to first end 39 f thereof. Fifth elongated rod 74 is preferably twisted and has first end 74 a , second end 74 b , first angle 74 c , second angle 74 d , and third angle 74 e . First end 74 a of rod 74 is preferably welded at the midpoint of steel beam 28 to right-angle 28 e thereof, wherein rod 74 extends therefrom preferably equidistant from inner surfaces 28 c and 28 d of rod 28 to first angle 74 c of rod 74 . Rod 74 extends substantially horizontally from angle 74 c toward rear wall 30 to second angle 74 d . Rod 74 extends substantially vertically from angle 74 d to third angle 74 e , abutting beam 24 . Rod 74 extends from third angle 74 e to beam 39 , angling inwardly toward rear wall 30 . Second end 74 b of rod 74 is preferably welded to right angle 39 e of beam 39 . Sixth and seventh elongated rods 75 and 76 are preferably twisted and have first ends 75 a and 76 a , second ends 75 b and 76 b , first angles 75 c and 76 c , second angles 75 d and 76 d , and third angles 75 e and 76 e , respectively. Rods 75 and 76 are preferably positioned on equidistant, opposing sides of steel rod 74 , wherein rod 75 is positioned between rod 74 and side wall 40 , and wherein rod 76 is positioned between rod 74 and side wall 50 . Preferably, rods 75 and 76 are generally positioned at a location approximately two-thirds the distance from rod 74 and respective side walls 40 and 50 , proximal to side walls 40 and 50 . First ends 75 a and 76 a of rods 75 and 76 , respectively, are preferably welded to right-angle 28 e of beam 28 , wherein rods 75 and 76 extend therefrom preferably equidistant from inner surfaces 28 c and 28 d of rod 28 to first angles 75 c and 76 c , respectively. Rods 75 and 76 extend substantially horizontally from angles 75 c and 76 c , respectively, toward rear wall 30 to second angles 75 d and 76 d . Rods 75 and 76 extend substantially vertically from angles 75 d and 76 d to third angles 75 e and 76 e , respectively, abutting beam 24 . Rods 75 and 76 extend from third angles 75 e and 76 e to beam 39 , angling inwardly toward rear wall 30 . Second ends 75 b and 76 b of rods 75 and 76 , respectively, are preferably welded to right angle 39 e of beam 39 . Eighth elongated rod 77 is preferably twisted and has first end 77 a , second end 77 b , first angle 77 c , second angle 77 d , third angle 77 e , and fourth angle 77 f . First end 77 a of rod 77 is preferably welded at the midpoint of beam 47 to inner surface 47 d thereof, wherein rod 77 extends downwardly at an angle therefrom, passing under rod 73 without contact thereto, to first angle 77 c . Rod 77 extends substantially vertically from angle 77 c toward base 20 , passing between rod 72 and beam 22 to second angle 77 d . Rod 77 extends substantially horizontally from angle 77 d to third angle 77 e , passing above and abutting rods 74 , 75 , and 76 , substantially perpendicular thereto. Rod 77 extends substantially vertically from third angle 77 e to fourth angle 77 f . Second end 77 b of rod 77 is preferably welded at the midpoint of beam 57 to inner surface 57 d thereof, wherein rod 77 extends downwardly at an angle therefrom, passing under rod 71 without contact thereto and passing between rod 70 and beam 26 , to fourth angle 77 f. Ninth and tenth elongated rods 78 and 79 are preferably twisted and have first ends 78 a and 79 a , second ends 78 b and 79 b , first angles 78 c and 79 c , second angles 78 d and 79 d , and third angles 78 e and 79 e , respectively. Rods 78 and 79 are preferably positioned on equidistant, opposing sides of rod 77 , wherein rod 78 is positioned between rod 77 and front wall 60 , and rod 79 is positioned between rod 77 and rear wall 30 . Preferably, rods 78 and 79 are generally positioned at a location approximately two-thirds the distance from rod 77 and respective front and rear walls 60 and 30 , proximal to front and rear walls 60 and 30 . First end 78 a of rod 78 is preferably welded to inner surface 47 d of beam 47 , wherein rod 78 extends downwardly at an angle therefrom to first angle 78 c . Rod 78 extends substantially vertically from angle 78 c toward base 20 , passing between rods 73 and 72 and beams 47 and 22 , to second angle 78 d . Rod 78 extends substantially horizontally from angle 78 d to third angle 78 e , passing above and abutting rods 74 , 75 , and 76 , substantially perpendicular thereto. Rod 78 extends substantially vertically from third angle 78 e to fourth angle 78 f . Second end 78 b of rod 78 is preferably welded to inner surface 57 d of beam 57 , wherein rod 78 extends downwardly at an angle therefrom, passing between rods 71 and 70 and beams 57 and 26 , to fourth angle 78 f. First end 79 a of rod 79 is preferably welded to inner surface 47 d of beam 47 wherein rod 79 extends downwardly at an angle therefrom, passing under rod 73 without contact thereto, to first angle 79 c . Rod 79 , positioned wherein rod 72 is between rod 79 and beam 22 , extends substantially vertically from angle 79 c toward base 20 , to second angle 79 d . Rod 79 extends substantially horizontally from angle 79 d to third angle 79 e , passing above and abutting rods 74 , 75 and 76 , substantially perpendicular thereto, whereby the positioning of rods 77 , 78 , and 79 relative to rods 74 , 75 , and 76 creates a grid-like pattern in base 20 , as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 . Rod 79 , positioned wherein rod 70 is between rod 79 and beam 26 , extends substantially vertically from third angle 79 e to fourth angle 79 f. Second end 79 b of rod 79 is preferably welded to inner surface 57 d of beam 57 , wherein rod 79 extends downwardly at an angle therefrom, passing under rod 71 and, to fourth angle 79 f. Preferably, framing device 10 has four adjustable supporting feet 80 , 82 , 84 , and 86 , best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6 , wherein framing device 10 is adjusted to a level position thereby. Each foot 80 , 82 , 84 , and 86 preferably includes a substantially flat, substantially square shaped base 80 a , 82 a , 84 a , and 86 a , respectively, wherein an elongated, threaded shaft 80 b , 82 b , 84 b , and 86 b is centered thereon and welded substantially perpendicular thereto. Threaded shaft 84 b of foot 84 is adjustably secured through aperture 84 c of beam 24 , passing through outer side 24 b and extending upwardly from inner surface 24 d , whereby bottom surface 84 d of base 84 a rests flush with the ground. Foot 84 is preferably positioned along beam 24 and inserted therethrough proximate to outer side 34 b of vertical beam 34 . Threaded nut 84 e is adjustably tightened around threaded shaft 84 b , wherein nut 84 e is positioned proximate to inner surface 24 d of beam 24 ; thereby, securing desired placement of foot 84 . Threaded shaft 86 b of foot 86 is adjustably secured through aperture 86 c of beam 24 , passing through outer side 24 b and extending upwardly from inner surface 24 d , whereby bottom surface 86 d of base 86 a rests flush with the ground. Foot 86 is preferably positioned along beam 24 and inserted therethrough proximate to outer side 36 b of vertical beam 36 . Threaded nut 86 e is adjustably tightened around threaded shaft 86 b , wherein nut 86 e is positioned proximate to inner surface 24 d of beam 24 ; thereby, securing desired placement of foot 86 . Preferably, vertical portion 88 a of substantially “L”-shaped plate 88 is welded to outer side 26 a of beam 26 , positioned between rod 78 and front plate 60 . Threaded shaft 80 b of foot 80 is adjustably secured through aperture 80 c of plate 88 , passing through substantially flat, substantially horizontal bottom surface 88 b and extending upwardly from substantially flat, substantially horizontal upper surface 88 c , whereby bottom surface 80 d of base 80 a rests flush with the ground. Threaded nut 80 e is adjustably tightened around threaded shaft 80 b , wherein nut 80 e is positioned proximate to upper surface 88 c of plate 88 ; thereby, securing desired placement of foot 80 . Preferably, vertical portion 89 a of substantially “L”-shaped plate 89 is welded to outer side 22 a of beam 22 , positioned between rod 78 and front plate 62 . Threaded shaft 82 b of foot 82 is adjustably secured through aperture 82 c of plate 89 , passing through substantially flat, substantially horizontal bottom surface 89 b and extending upwardly from substantially flat, substantially horizontal upper surface 89 c , whereby bottom surface 82 d of base 82 a rests flush with the ground. Threaded nut 82 e is adjustably tightened around threaded shaft 82 b , wherein nut 82 e is positioned proximate to upper surface 89 c of plate 89 ; thereby, securing desired placement of foot 82 . In an alternate embodiment, additional angled rods could be positioned between rods 73 and 72 , or 71 and 70 , to provide additional support. In another alternate embodiment, framing device 10 could be formed from a different metal or rigid material, or a combination thereof. In yet another alternate embodiment, additional twisted rods could be included for additional support. In still another alternate embodiment, additional steel bars or beams could be included for additional frame support. In yet still another alternate embodiment, framing device 10 could have a different shape to allow formation of a variety of reinforced concrete shapes. In another and further alternate embodiment, facings and bumpers could be provided along front wall 60 . In use, framing device 10 is placed into a desired foundation wherein the earth has been removed. Feet 80 , 82 , 84 , and 86 are adjusted, as needed, for leveling of framing device 10 . Wooden platens are placed into frame 10 , vertically along side wall 40 , rear wall 30 , and side wall 50 , with cross-braces placed as needed for support. Concrete is then poured into the open space between the wooden platens and the earthen walls; thereby, enclosing in-ground framing device 10 . Front plates 60 and 62 prevent undesired passage of wet concrete from the perimeter of framing device 10 . Concrete is also poured into base 20 and smoothed. After the concrete hardens and the wooden platens are removed, a reinforced concrete structure is revealed, wherein in-ground framing device 10 resides therein. If desired, a conventional dock-leveling device, scales, or other platform-mounted device may be placed therein. Advantageously to the installation and use of the present invention, a universal foundation may be prepared and poured. Accordingly, there is no open or unencased rebar within the construction area to result in a safety hazard. Furthermore, the owner is given additional time and flexibility in selecting and installing a platform-mounted device, without concern for adverse impact upon the construction schedule. Through the installation and use of the present invention, the platform-mounted device may be reconfigured, maintained, and replaced repeatedly over the lifetime of the building without need for demolition of the foundation, reconfiguration or replacement of flooring rebar, and without the need for repouring of the concrete foundation. Through the installation and use of the present invention, loads upon the platform-mounted device are spread more uniformly throughout the concrete foundation, as are impact-based loads applied to the foundation from the front of a dock area, as from truck impacts. As a result, stress induced cracking within the concrete foundation may be reduced or eliminated. Having thus described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted by those skilled in the art that the within disclosures are exemplary only, and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments illustrated herein, but is limited only by the following claims.