Abstract:
A non-destructive form bracket assembly and method of using the same is provided including a bracket having a vertical supporting side and horizontal supporting side for maintaining a form vertically upright; an attachment device having a first and second foundation attachment portion. The attachment device is adapted for engaging a portion of said bracket for non-destructively affixing the bracket to a foundation. Adhesive is affixed to bottom surfaces of the first and second foundation attachment portions for adhering the attachment to the foundation. Additionally, a non-destructive form assembly utilized in tilt-up construction for a double-side pour process is provided comprising a form and a plurality of U-shaped single rail brackets installed on a bottom edge of the form in spaced intervals with pre-applied adhesive on the bottom of the brackets.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   Not Applicable 
   STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT 
   Not Applicable 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to tilt-up construction. In particular, the present invention relates to brackets used to support form sides. And in more particularity, the present invention relates to non-destructive form brackets which eliminate the use of concrete nails as a means of attaching form brackets to the floor slab or foundation. 
   2. Background of the Invention 
   Tilt-up construction is one of the fastest growing industries in the United States. At least 10,000 buildings enclosing more than 650 million square feet are constructed annually. This is due, in part, to the economics of tilt-up, which combine reasonable cost with low maintenance, durability, speed of construction, and minimal capital investment. The tilt-up process requires few forms and makes efficient use of modern mechanical equipment. Ready mixed concrete for tilt-up is locally available and special labor skills are not required. Panels are formed and cast on the jobsite, and can be quickly tilted, lifted, set in place, and braced with the aid of high capacity mobile cranes. 
   Simplicity is the key to tilt-up concrete construction. Panels are cast as near to their final position as possible. The most convenient casting base is most often the concrete floor slab of the building. Wood or steel edge forms are prepared and positioned on the casting base. Reinforcing steel, vapor seal, insulation, door and window frames, electric conduit, and outlet boxes are then positioned. Wall panels are cast on the horizontal base, cured, tilted into a vertical position and moved into place with a mobile crane. 
   The standard practice in laying out panels is to snap a chalk line on the floor slab. These lines indicate panel perimeters and the forms are placed against them. Wood 2×s are the most common material used for side forms. Often the panel depth is designed to fit the depth of standard dimension lumber, so 5½″ (a.k.a. “6×s”) and 7¼″ (a.k.a. “8×s”) structural panels are common. Typically, the form sides are supported and secured to the foundation by a wood or steel angle support. Any common concrete anchor can be used to attach forms to the foundation. For instance, it is most common to pneumatically drive concrete nails using a nail gun into the foundation. 
   Although tilt-up construction does have many advantages, there are some aspects of tilt-up construction which can still use some refinement. Most noticeable is the damage that is inflicted to the top of the foundation from the nails or concrete anchors that are driven into the foundation or floor slab. Typically, an area where the nail was embedded must be patched. Not only are the patches unsightly, but the damage inflicted into the concrete wall can be harmful to the structural integrity of the concrete structure. Also, many times a water membrane barrier is laid down in the foundation and the nails penetrate the membrane. 
   It would be advantageous to provide a bracketing system which is non-destructive to the foundation or floor slab of which tilt-up panels are formed. Ideally, the bracketing system would be simple to use and inexpensive. It would further be advantageous to provide an attachment plate or piece which could be retrofitted or designed to be used in conjunction with existing angles brackets, such SIMSPON “Strong Tie” brackets. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention, a non-destructive form bracket assembly utilizes a self-adhesive attachment plate to hold down common angle brackets for edge form construction. The system may be used on a variety of foundations or sub-surfaces such concrete, waterproofing, drain board, tile, granite, finished surfaces to fasten any hold edge forms for concrete construction. The non-destructive bracket assembly includes an attachment plate or block having foundation attachment portions. 
   An advantage of the non-destructive form bracket assembly is that it requires no drilling or driving of fastening hardware such as nails into existing foundation surfaces. As a result, structural damage to the foundation can be effectively eliminated. Another advantage of the present invention is that it utilizes readily available existing brackets to save manufacturing and tooling costs. A further advantage of the non-destructive form bracket is that the form can be aligned to snap line or layout with the brackets pre-installed. As a result, another advantage of the present invention is that the brackets can stay on the forms for re-use. Additionally, a single rail bracket may be used to secure single rail tilt-up forms without drilling slabs. 
   According to a first embodiment of the present invention, a non-destructive form bracket assembly is provided. The bracket assembly comprises a bracket having a vertical supporting side and horizontal supporting side for maintaining a form vertically upright; an attachment device having a first and second foundation attachment portion. The attachment device is adapted for engaging a portion of the bracket for non-destructively affixing the bracket to a foundation. Adhesive is affixed to bottom surfaces of the first and second foundation attachment portions for adhering the attachment to the foundation. 
   According to another aspect of the present invention, the bracket comprises a triangular shaped gusset attached to the vertical supporting side and the horizontal supporting side, a hypotenuse side interconnecting the vertical and horizontal supporting sides. The gusset has a triangular void therethrough such that a horizontally oriented raised gusset edge is formed directly above the horizontal supporting side. A mounting tab is formed contiguously along each of the vertical and horizontal supporting sides, and the mounting tabs are oriented at right angles relative to the gusset and having a plurality of mounting holes. 
   According to another aspect of the present invention, the bracket comprises a SIMPSON concrete form angle. Furthermore, the attachment device may comprise an attachment plate adapted to hold the horizontally oriented raised gusset edge downward towards the foundation. 
   According to another aspect of the present invention, the attachment plate comprises an inclined portion connected to the first foundation attachment portion, a vertical portion connected to the inclined portion forming a retaining edge positioned within a triangular shaped recess, and second foundation attachment portion connected to the vertical portion such that the first and second attachment portions are oriented in a same plane. 
   According to another aspect of the present invention, the attachment plate is adapted to be transversely positioned over the horizontally oriented raised gusset edge such that the retaining edge engages the raised gusset edge. Furthermore, the mounting tab formed on the horizontal supporting side fits within the triangular shaped recess without obstruction. 
   According to another aspect of the present invention, the attachment device comprises an attachment block adapted to hold the horizontally oriented raised gusset edge downward toward the foundation. Moreover, the attachment block comprises first and second foundation attachment portions having a gusset edge receiving groove and a mounting tab recess formed between the first and second foundation attachment portions. Also, the attachment block is adapted to be transversely positioned over the horizontally raised gusset edge such that the receiving groove engages the raised gusset edge. Furthermore, the attachment block may be manufactured from one of wood, plastic, rubber and metal. According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the adhesive comprises double-sided tape. 
   According to a second embodiment of the present invention, a form assembly for tilt-up construction is provided. The form assembly comprises a form defining a backside face, frontside face, an upper edge and a lower edge. A plurality of non-destructive form bracket assemblies attached to the backside face of the form and spaced apart in intervals. The bracket assemblies comprise a bracket having a vertical supporting side and horizontal supporting side. The vertical supporting side is attached to the backside face for maintaining the form vertically upright. An attachment device having a first and second foundation attachment portion is provided for engaging a portion of the bracket for non-destructively affixing the bracket to a foundation. Adhesive is affixed to bottom surfaces of the first and second foundation attachment portions for adhering the first and second foundation attachment portions to a foundation. 
   According to another aspect of the present invention, the form comprises conventional sized precut lumber having standard dimensions comprising one of a “1×6”, “1×8”, “2×6” and “2×8”. 
   Moreover, a method of assembling forms with a plurality of non-destructive bracket assemblies is provided according to an aspect of the present invention. The method comprises positioning the plurality of brackets in an upright vertical manner in spaced apart intervals alongside a backside of a form; attaching the mounting tabs formed on the vertical supporting sides of the brackets to the backside of the form with fastening hardware; aligning a front face of the form on a layout line; positioning the attachment plates transversely over the raised gusset edge such that the retaining edge engages the horizontally oriented raised gusset edge; and affixing the adhesive to a top surface of a foundation. 
   Another method of assembling forms with a plurality of non-destructive bracket assemblies is provided according to an aspect of the present invention. This method comprises positioning the plurality of brackets in an upright vertical manner in spaced apart intervals alongside a backside of a form; attaching the mounting tabs formed on the vertical supporting sides of the brackets to the backside of the form with fastening hardware; aligning a front face of the form on a layout line; positioning the attachment blocks transversely over the raised gusset edge such that the receiving groove engages the horizontally oriented raised gusset edge; and affixing the adhesive to a top surface of a foundation. 
   According to a third embodiment of the present invention, a non-destructive form assembly utilized in tilt-up construction for a double-side pour process is provided. The form assembly comprises a form and a plurality of U-shaped single rail brackets installed on a bottom edge of said form in spaced intervals. The single rail brackets consist of a horizontally oriented planar foundation attachment portion disposed between two opposing vertically oriented sidewall portions. Also an adhesive on the bottom of the foundation attachment portion is pre-applied. 
   Additionally, a method is provided for assembling a non-destructive form utilized in tilt-up construction for a double-side pour process. The method comprises installing a plurality of U-shaped single rail brackets on a bottom edge of the form in spaced intervals; attaching the plurality of U-shaped single rail brackets to the form with fasteners; aligning the form on a layout line; and affixing an adhesive previously applied to a bottom of the U-shaped single rail brackets to a top surface of a foundation. Also the method may include applying pressure to a top edge of the form to ensure the adhesive affixes to the foundation. 
   Other exemplary embodiments and advantages of the present invention may be ascertained by reviewing the present disclosure and the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention is further described in the detailed description that follows, by reference to the noted drawings by way of non-limiting examples of preferred embodiments of the present invention, in which like reference numerals represent similar parts throughout several views of the drawings, and in which: 
       FIG. 1A  illustrates a rightside perspective of a prior art SIMPSON “Strong Tie CF” bracket; 
       FIG. 1B  illustrates a leftside mounting side perspective of a prior art SIMPSON “Strong Tie CF” bracket; 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a rightside perspective of a plurality of prior art SIMPSON “Strong Tie” brackets utilized in a typical form installation; 
       FIG. 3A  illustrates a rightside perspective of a plurality of non-destructive form bracket assemblies utilized in a form installation, according to an aspect of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3B  illustrates a leftside perspective of a plurality of the non-destructive form bracket assemblies utilized in a form installation, according to an aspect of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3C  illustrates a top view perspective of the non-destructive form bracket assembly utilized in a form installation, according to an aspect of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4A  illustrates a top view perspective of an attachment plate, according to an aspect of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4B  illustrates a side view perspective of the attachment plate, according to an aspect of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4C  illustrates a bottom view perspective of the attachment plate, according to an aspect of the present invention; 
       FIG. 5A  illustrates top view perspective of an attachment block which is an alternative embodiment of the attachment plate, according to an aspect of the present invention; 
       FIG. 5B  illustrates side view of the attachment block, according to an aspect of the present invention; 
       FIG. 6A  illustrates top view perspective of a single rail bracket, according to an aspect of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 6B  illustrates top view perspective of a plurality of single rail brackets utilized in a form installation, according to an aspect of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   The particulars shown herein are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the embodiments of the present invention only and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the present invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the present invention in more detail than is necessary for the fundamental understanding of the present invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the present invention may be embodied in practice. 
   Prior Art SIMPSON Bracket 
     FIG. 1A  illustrates a rightside perspective of an exemplary prior art SIMPSON “Strong Tie CF” bracket  2 ; while  FIG. 1B  illustrates a mounting side perspective of the same prior art SIMPSON “Strong Tie CF” bracket  2 . The SIMPSON bracket  2  is formed from galvanized coated  16  gauge sheet metal. A gusset  6  is provided having a triangular shape with a 6 inch supporting side  3 , a 5 inch supporting side  5 , and a 7½ inch hypotenuse side  11 , resulting in a 40–50–90 degree proportioned triangle. It is further acknowledged that the SIMPSON bracket may have varying dimensions and proportioned sides, however, which perform the same similar function as the exemplary SIMPSON “Strong Tie” bracket  2  described herein the instant specification. Each supporting side  3 ,  5  has a mounting tab formed  4  thereon with a plurality of mounting holes  10 . To provide strength to the bracket  2 , a plurality of strengthening notches  9  are provided between the gusset supporting sides  3 ,  5  and the mounting tabs  4 . Also a strengthening rib  7  is formed on the hypotenuse side  11 . A triangular hole  8  is formed within the gusset  6  which defines a raised horizontal gusset edge  12 . 
     FIG. 2  illustrates a rightside perspective of a plurality of prior art SIMPSON “Strong Tie” brackets  2  utilized in a typical form installation. The typical form installation is constructed atop of a foundation  18  of the building being erected. In a typical installation, a SIMPSON bracket  2  or other bracket serving the same function is fastened with concrete nails  16  to the form  14  and to the foundation  18 . The form material  14  is typically precut lumber having the standard dimensions of 1″×6″, 1″×8″, 2″×6″ or 2″×8″ depending on the thickness of the wall to be formed. The spacing between each bracket  2  is typically, 36″ for 2×&#39;s and 18″ for 1×&#39;s. Moreover, when the SIMPSON bracket  2  is utilized, either the 5 inch supporting side or the 6 inch supporting side may be used as the vertical support side depending on the whether a 6″ tall or 8″ tall form is being utilized. The main disadvantage of the aforementioned process for forming tilt-up concrete walls, is that the nails  16  are driven directly into the concrete foundation  18 . As a result, structural damage from the nails  16  to the foundation  18  is common. 
   FIRST EMBODIMENT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     FIGS. 3A–B  illustrate rightside and leftside perspective views of a plurality of non-destructive form bracket assemblies  20  utilized in a form installation, according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Also  FIG. 3C  is provided to illustrate a top view perspective of the non-destructive form bracket assembly  20  utilized in the form installation, according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 
   The non-destructive form bracket assembly  20  comprises a prior art SIMPSON bracket  2  and an attachment plate  22 .  FIG. 4A  illustrates a top view perspective of an attachment plate  22 ,  FIG. 4B  illustrates a side view perspective of the attachment plate and  FIG. 4C  illustrates a bottom view perspective of the attachment plate, according to an aspect of the present invention. 
   The attachment plate  22  plate may be formed from sheet metal, preferably galvanized. The attachment plate  22  includes a first planar foundation attachment portion  26 , an inclined portion  32 , a vertical portion  30 , and a second planar foundation attachment portion  28 . As a result of the bent shape of the attachment plate  22 , a triangular shaped gusset edge receiving recess  31  is formed which is adapted to receive a raised horizontally oriented gusset edge  12  (see  FIGS. 1A–B ). For fastening the first and second foundation attachment portions  26 ,  28  to the foundation  18 , double-sided adhesive strips  24  are applied to the bottom faces of the foundation portions  26 ,  28 . Before the foundation portions  26 ,  28  are applied to the foundation  18 , a cover sheet or the like is peeled from the adhesive strips  24 . The details of the method of installing the attachment plate will be further elaborated later in the specification. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 3A–C , the attachment plate  22  is positioned within the triangular hole  8 , such that the raised horizontal gusset edge  12  is received into the receiving recess  31  of the attachment plate  22 . It is note that the base of the triangular-shaped recess is dimensioned such that the recess  31  will have sufficient clearance to receive the mounting tab  4  positioned above and directly interfacing the foundation  18 . 
     FIGS. 5A–B  illustrate a top view perspective and side view of an attachment block  40  which is an alternative embodiment of the attachment plate, according to an aspect of the present invention. The attachment block  40  may be manufactured from a variety of material, such as wood, plastic, rubber, metal. Disposed in the attachment block  40  is a gusset edge receiving groove  42  which is adapted to receive the raised horizontal gusset edge  12 . In the same general region, a mounting tab recess  44  is provided to receive the mounting tab  4  positioned above and directly interfacing the foundation  18 . Moreover, each attachment block  40  is provided with a first attaching surface  46  and a second attaching surface  48  further having double-sided adhesive strips  24 . Before the foundation portions  46 ,  48  are applied to the foundation  18 , a cover sheet or the like is peeled from the adhesive strips  24 . The details of the method of installing the attachment plate will be further elaborated later in the specification. 
   It is acknowledged that the bracket  2  utilized with the attachment plate  22  or the attachment block  40  may be a bracket other than the SIMPSON “Strong Tie CF” bracket  2 . For instance, an attachment plate  22  or attachment block  40  may be configured to secure numerous well-known brackets to the foundation  18  in a non-destructive manner. Thus, the present invention should not be limited to assemblies which only use SIMPSON “Strong Tie CF” brackets  2 . 
   METHOD OF USING THE FIRST EMBODIMENT 
   A method of using the non-destructive form bracket assembly  20  is also herein provided. The SIMPSON brackets  2  may be installed onto the form  14  prior to laying out the lines of the tilt-up walls on the foundation  18 . An exemplary installation shown in  FIGS. 3A–C . Before attachment, the vertically oriented tab  4  is positioned plum and squarely adjacent the form  14 . Then the bracket  2  is secured to the form  14  by fasteners, such as nails, screws or any other fasteners  16  known in the art for attaching brackets  2  to the forms  14 . If 2×&#39;s are being used for the forms  14 , it is recommended that the spacing between brackets  2  is about 36″. If 1×&#39;s are being used for the forms  14 , it is recommended that the spacing between brackets is about 18″. Moreover, if the form is 6″ wide lumber, it is recommended that the mounting tab  4  from the 5″ supporting side  5  be attached to the vertical face of the form. Or, if the form is 8″ wide lumber, it is recommended that the mounting tab  4  from the 6″ supporting side  3  be attached to the vertical face of the form. However, it is acknowledged that since the forms  14  may comprise material other than conventional precut lumber having the standard dimensions of 1″×6″, 1″×8″, 2″×6″ or 2″×8″, that the spacing of the brackets  2  and choice of which side  3 ,  5  of the bracket  2  which is attached directly to the form  14 , may vary depending on the application. 
   Once the brackets  2  are attached to the forms  14 , the forms  14  with brackets  2  attached may be positioned according to the layout lines of the tilt-up wall to be formed. In particular, the form face  15  (the vertical side of the form without the brackets  2 ) should be positioned directly above or near the layout line. Once the form  14  is properly aligned along the layout line, the attachment plates  22  or attachment blocks  40  may be installed onto/into the brackets  2 . First, the cover from the adhesive strips  24  is removed. As shown in exemplary  FIGS. 3A–C , the attachment plate  22  or attachment block  40  (not shown) is positioned over the raised horizontal gusset edge  12  such that the gusset receiving recess  31  or gusset receiving recess  42  receives the gusset edge  12  formed on the bracket  2 . Moreover, the base of the triangular recess  31  or the mounting tab recess  44  is adapted to receive the mounting tab  4  that is horizontally disposed along the foundation. Then sufficient pressure should be applied to the foundation attachment portions  26 ,  28  or  46 ,  48  such that the adhesive strips  24  properly stick to the upper surface of the foundation  18 . As a result, the adhesive strips  24  anchors the attachment plates  22  or the attachment block  40  securely over the raised horizontal gusset edge  12 . Once the forms  14  are secured to the foundation  18  in the proper positions, then pouring of the concrete may commence. After the concrete has hardened, the attachment plate  22  or attachment block  40  may be removed using conventional tools. Since the brackets  2  remain installed undamaged on the form  14 , it is not necessary to reinstall the brackets  2 . Rather, the form  14  only needs to be moved to another layout line and only the attachment plates  22  or attachment blocks  40  need to be reapplied. 
   SECOND EMBODIMENT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     FIG. 6A  illustrates top view perspective of a second embodiment of a non-destructive form bracket which is a single rail bracket  50 , according to an aspect of the present invention. The single rail bracket  50  is a basic U-shaped bracket having a horizontally oriented planar foundation attachment portion  52  disposed between two opposing vertically oriented sidewall portions  54 ,  56 . The foundation attachment portion  52  has a width which is adapted to accept a standard cut lumber such as 2×&#39;s or 1×&#39;s. A plurality of mounting holes  10  are disposed on the vertically oriented sidewall portions  54 ,  56  which are adapted to receive fastening hardware such as nails or screws  16 . On the bottom of the foundation attachment portion  52 , a double-sided adhesive strip  24  is applied to the bottom face of the foundation attachment portions  52 . Before the foundation portion  52  is applied to the foundation  18 , a cover sheet or the like is peeled from the adhesive strip  24 . The details of the method of installing the attachment plate will next be discussed below. 
     FIG. 6B  illustrates top view perspective of a plurality of single rail brackets  50  utilized to hold a form  14  upright, according to an aspect of the present invention. The second embodiment single rail bracket  50  may be utilized in double pouring situations. In this scenario, a tilt-up wall is formed on both sides of the form  14 . Initially, the single rail brackets  50  are installed onto the form edge using conventional fasteners  16  such as nails. Next, the covers of the adhesive strips  24 . Then, the form  14  is positioned over the layout line such that the planar foundation attachment portions  52  are positioned on the foundation. Finally, pressure should be applied to the top of the form such that the adhesive strips  24  properly attach to the top of the foundation  18 . Once the tilt-up walls are poured and the concrete has hardened, the form  14  with the plurality of single rail brackets  50  can then be pulled or removed from the tilt-up walls while they are still horizontally disposed on the foundation. 
   Although the invention has been described with reference to several exemplary embodiments, it is understood that the words that have been used are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Changes may be made within the purview of the appended claims, as presently stated and as amended, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention in its aspects. Although the invention has been described with reference to particular means, materials and embodiments, the invention is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed; rather, the invention extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methods, and such uses are within the scope of the appended claims.