Patent Publication Number: US-2007102603-A1

Title: Articulated shoring cup

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
      This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/735,318 filed Nov. 10, 2005. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      This invention relates to shoring devices, and in particular to an articulated shoring cup which fits on the top or bottom of one of the shoring members used to construct a shore.  
      2. Description of the Related Art  
      Shoring is generally erected as a temporary support structure for falsework during construction of a structure such as a concrete building or parking garage. Falsework generally consists of a horizontal structure used for support of workers and equipment or as a form for concrete work, or an inclined structure for construction of ramps or staircases. Shores are usually vertical, or nearly vertical, members which support the falsework. A typical shore is constructed of timbers comprising a lower shore member and an upper shore member of equal size, but perhaps different lengths, connected by two shore clamps. In a common practice, the lower shore member is first positioned on a support surface. Then two shore clamps, such as those available from the Ellis Manufacturing Company, known as Ellis® shores, are attached to the upper portion of the lower shore member. A shore clamp typically comprises two plates sized to fit the dimension of the timber selected, connected by two sturdy lengths of steel rod. One plate is attached to the lower shore member with the lengths of steel rod extending obliquely downward across the member. Next, the upper shore member is slipped between the steel rods inside the other plate and lifted up until its top is brought into contact with the falsework above, leaving a lower portion of the upper shore member in sliding engagement with an upper portion of the lower shore member. Since the plate on the upper shore member is lower than the plate on the lower shore member, downward pressure on the upper member increases inward pressure on the plates, thereby pressing the upper and lower shore members firmly together along their overlapping surfaces.  
      Finally, the top of the shore is generally affixed to a bottom stringer member of the falsework with a cleat, the bottom portion of the cleat being nailed to the upper shore member, and the upper part of the cleat being nailed to the stringer. If the falsework is being used for construction of a concrete stair, necessarily the falsework will be built according to the incline of the stair. Therefore, the shore will meet either the support surface or the falsework at an oblique angle. In this circumstance, it is considered good practice to supplement the connection between the shore and the stringer with a wooden block inserted in the angular gap between the top of the upper shore member and the stringer as an extra measure to guard against slippage of the shore and to ensure tight support of the falsework by the shore.  
      Construction of a proper shore at an angle to the falsework is time consuming and occasionally dangerous. Typical erection of a shore at an angle to falsework involves one, or, more likely, two workers to hold the lower shore member in position on the supporting surface while raising the upper shore member to bring it into contact with the falsework. Then one worker must usually ascend a ladder to nail the cleat in place and wedge and nail the block in position. Many construction situations do not easily lend themselves to placement of a ladder, as, for example, when building the upper levels of a stairway.  
      Erection of shoring was eased with the availability of shoring cups, which are useful when erecting shoring beneath horizontal falsework. In normal usage, the shoring cup is attached to the falsework at a desired spacing before raising the falsework into place. Thereafter, the upper shore member can be raised into the shoring cup, obviating the need for a cleat. The shoring cup, however, does not lend itself to shoring when the shore is built at an angle to the falsework or the supported surface.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      An articulated shoring cup according to the invention is comprised of a cup member and a channel member joined in pivoting relation. A recess defined by the cup member is sized for receiving the upper end of an upper shore member. The channel member defines a channel for capturing the bottom stringer member of supported falsework. The articulated relationship between the cup member and the channel member thus facilitates shoring up falsework being erected at an oblique angle. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIONS  
       FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a prior art shoring cup positioned on a shore in support of a horizontal falsework stringer.  
       FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of the prior art shoring cup shown in  FIG. 1A .  
       FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of an articulated shoring cup according to the invention.  
       FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of an second embodiment of an articulated shoring cup according to the invention with a removable pivot pin.  
       FIG. 2C  is a perspective view of an third embodiment of an articulated shoring cup according to the invention wherein the channel of the channel member is turned ninety degrees relative to the orientation of the channel shown in  FIG. 2A .  
       FIG. 2  is an elevation view of a prior art shore on the left, and a shore using an articulated shoring cup according to the invention on the right, both in support of inclined falsework.  
       FIG. 3  is an elevation view of two shores, one extending obliquely from a supporting surface and one vertically, both in support of horizontal falsework.  
       FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of a third embodiment of an articulated shoring cup according to the invention.  
       FIG. 4B  is an exploded perspective view of the articulated shoring cup shown in  FIG. 4A .  
       FIG. 5  is a sectional elevation view taken along lines  5 - 5  of the articulated shoring cup shown in  FIG. 4A . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS  
      A typical shore is generally indicated by numeral  10  in  FIG. 2 , and comprises a lower shore member  12  and an upper shore member  14  joined together with two shore clamps  16 . Each shore clamp  16  comprises an upper plate  18  and a lower plate  20  joined together by steel rods  22 . In  FIG. 2 , the shore is being used to shore up inclined falsework  24  such as would be used in the construction of a concrete stairway. In normal building practice, the lower shore member  12  is placed on a supporting surface  26 , and the upper shore member  14  is slid inside the shore clamps  16  upward until it is brought into contact with the falsework  24 . Depending on the situation, this can usually be accomplished by one or two workers. A worker then must nail a cleat  28  to the upper end of the upper shore member  14  and to the bottom stringer member  23  of the falsework  24  to secure the shore  10  to the falsework  24 . Usually a block  30 , such as a scrap of a two-by-four board, is driven into the angular space between the top of the upper shore member  14  and the lower edge of the falsework  24 . The block  30  is then nailed in place to create a snug fit between the upper shore member  14  and the falsework  24 . A prior art shoring cup, indicated generally at  2  in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , is useful in making a secure connection between the shore  10  and horizontal stringer  23 . The prior art shoring cup  2  comprises four walls  3  defining a cavity  4 . In typical use two tapered upper flanges  5  are positioned around the stringer  23  and nailed in place through nail holes  6 . Once the falsework is erected, the upper shore member  14  is inserted into cavity  4 , preventing lateral movement of the shore and supporting the stringer  23 .  
      An articulated shoring cup according to the invention, indicated generally at numeral  40 , is illustrated in  FIG. 2A . The invention comprises a cup member  42  and a channel member  43  joined in articulating relation via pivot pin  44 . The cup member  42  has a recess  45  defined by four walls  46  and a bottom plate  47 . The channel member  43  includes two side walls  50  extending upwardly from opposing edges of a base plate  48  to define a channel  52 . Upwardly extending flanges  54  of the cup member  42  are tapered to form a narrow upper portion  56  in each of which are provided apertures  58  for receiving the ends of pivot pin  44 . Downwardly extending flanges  60  depend from the base plate  48  of the channel member  43  and taper downwardly to a narrow lower portion  62 , in which are provided cooperating apertures  64  for receiving pivot pin  44 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2A , the upper portion  56  of the upwardly extending flanges  54  overlap on the outside with the lower portions  62  of the downwardly extending flanges  60  for concentric alignment of apertures  58  and cooperating apertures  64 , into which pivot pin  44  is received to form the articulating relationship between cup member  42  and channel member  43 . The tapered sides of the flanges  54 ,  60  permit the cup and channel members  42 ,  43  to articulate mutually by approximately 45° in either direction. Although preferably the pivot pin  44  is welded to apertures  58  in the upwardly extending flanges  54  of the cup member  42 , the invention could be assembled by welding the pivot pin  44  to the cooperating apertures  64  in the downwardly extending flanges  60  in the channel member  43 , leaving the pivot pin  44  freely rotatable in the apertures  58  of the upwardly extending flanges  54  of the cup member  42 . Finally, nail holes  66  are provided in the upper ends of side walls  50  of channel member  43  for receiving nails as further discussed below.  
      A second embodiment of the invention, similar to that seen in  FIG. 2A , is shown in  FIG. 2B . A cup member  42  is pivotally joined to channel member  43  but with a removable pivot pin  32 . Pivot pin  32  comprises a shank  34  and head  36 , the shank having a hole  38  at the end opposite the head  36 , through which is fitted cotter pin  39 . Fully assembled, pivot pin  32  is inserted into apertures  58  and cooperating apertures  64  with head  36  and cotter pin  39  disposed outside of upwardly extending flanges  54  of cup member  42 . The removable pivot pin provides a significant advantage by allowing the user to select an appropriate match between a cup member sized for particular shores and a channel member of an appropriate dimension to capture the bottom stringer member of the falsework to be supported.  
      With reference again to  FIG. 2 , the articulated shoring cup  40  is shown being applied to help shore up inclined falsework  24 . In normal usage, the channel member  43  of the device will be fixed to the falsework  24  before it is lifted into position. The device is intended to be supplied in several sizes conforming to standard lumber dimensions. Therefore, a channel member  43  may be selected having a spacing between side walls  50  which will allow it to slip snugly over the lower member of the falsework  24 . When the falsework is still at the work site level, it is considerably easier to attach the shoring cup  40  rather than nailing a cleat  28  in place at an elevation above the available work surface. The channel member  43  is fixed in the selected position by nailing through nail holes  66  in side walls  50  on each side of the stringer such that a more positive connection is made than with a single cleat  28 . According to the span of the falsework to be supported, a plurality of articulated shoring cups according to the invention will be attached at a spacing familiar to those skilled in the art, such as every four feet. Once the selected number of articulated shoring cups are affixed, the falsework  24  is then lifted into its desired position, and initially supported on each end with a single shore  10 . Thereafter, intermediate shores are placed. Each shore is erected in the usual fashion, except that the upper shore member  14  may be inserted into cup member  42  and elevated firmly into place without need for a worker to ascend to the juncture between the upper shore member  14  and falsework  24  to complete the attachment. It will be readily understood that the shoring cup selected must match the size of lumber used for the upper shore member. It should be noted that by fully encasing the top end of the upper shore member between the four walls  46  and bottom plate  47  of the cup member  42 , the shore member is prevented from splitting even under the tremendous stresses brought to bear on it from supporting the falsework.  
      The advantage heretofore enjoyed by use of shoring cups applicable only for supporting horizontal falsework is thus now available by use of an articulated shoring cup when erecting shores at an angle to falsework. Moreover, the articulating relationship between the channel member  43  and cup member  42  permits placement of the lower end of the lower shore member  12  on an uneven surface with ease and eliminates the requirement that a worker clamber up a ladder to complete the attachment of the shore to the falsework. This allows the lower shore member  12  to be positioned in locations where it may be difficult to place a ladder, such as on a stair of an elevated stairway. It is not necessary to nail the upper shore member  14  into the cup member  42  because the upward force of the upper shore member  14 , once inserted into the cup member  42 , will prevent its lateral displacement out of the cup member  42 . It will be appreciated that demolition of the shore is made much easier by use of the invention in that the upper shore member  14  need merely be lowered until it clears the cup member  42 . The shore  10  may then be lowered and disassembled and the articulated shoring cup can be removed after the falsework is taken down.  
      It is seen in  FIG. 3  that the embodiment of the articulated shoring cup illustrated in  FIG. 1A  may be used in two similar situations, designated by arrows A and B, in both of which the shoring cup is being used to support horizontal falsework  68 . In situation A, the shore has been erected at an oblique angle such that, while the channel member  43  is attached to falsework  68  with its base plate in horizontal alignment with the falsework, the cup member  42  is disposed at an angle to the channel member  43 . A representative edge form  70  on top of the falsework  68  is in position for construction of another low wall such as wall  94  which is supporting the lower shore member  12  of the shore  10  in situation A. Obliquely angled shoring, such as that shown in  FIG. 3 , is commonly used to support cantilevered falsework so that it does not flex under the load of workers, equipment and additional falsework. In situation B, the falsework has been erected vertically such that cup member  42  is in vertical alignment with channel member  43 . It should be noted that an existing art shoring cup, that is, a non-articulating shoring cup, would be appropriate to use in situation B. Therefore, as seen in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the articulated shoring cup can be used in traditional situations, e.g. situation B, and in other situations calling for orientation of the shore at an angle to the falsework, e.g., situation A.  
      With reference now to  FIG. 2C , a third embodiment of an articulated shoring cup according to the invention is indicated generally at numeral  80 . This embodiment is similar to that illustrated in  FIG. 1A  except that the side walls  82  of the channel member  84  extend upwardly from the two edges of the base plate  86  that are in parallel alignment with pivot pin  96 , that is, at right angles to the side walls  50  in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1A . Accordingly, the cup member  88  articulates about a pivot axis parallel to the channel  90  of the channel member  84 , rather than perpendicularly as shown in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2A . Nail holes  92  are provided in channel member  84  for securing it to the supporting structure or to falsework as discussed above. This embodiment is depicted in use in  FIG. 3  on top of a low wall  94 , such as a concrete “crash” wall, with the channel member  84  disposed on top of the wall  94 , and the cup member  88  disposed obliquely relative to the channel member  84  about pivot pin  96  to support the inclined shore  10 . Optional nail holes  98  are provided in cup member  88  if for any reason it is felt to be prudent to secure further the lower retaining member  12  in the cup member  88 .  
      A fourth embodiment of the invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 4A, 4B  and  5 , and is generally indicated at numeral  100  in  FIG. 4A . A cup member  102  has four walls  104  and a bottom plate  106  forming a recess  108  for receiving the end of a shore member as discussed above. A channel member  110  is formed from a base plate  112  and downwardly extending side walls  114  forming channel  116 . Nail holes  118  are provided in the lower margins of side walls  114  for secure attachment of channel member  110  to the intended falsework.  
      With particular reference to  FIG. 5 , a rigid ball  120  is firmly attached to channel member  110  via neck  122 . A proximate end  123  of neck  122  is preferably welded to channel member  110  at welding beads  124  and ball  120  is attached to the distal end  125  of neck  122 . A threaded stanchion  126  securely attached to the bottom plate  106  of the cup member  102  includes a centrally disposed, downwardly facing socket  128  having a concave curvature conforming to the convex outer surface of the ball  120 . A collar  130  has interior threads  132  matching exterior threads  134  of the stanchion  126 . Threaded engagement of collar  130  with stanchion  126  draws collar  130  up onto stanchion  126  until the annular upper rim  136  is brought into contact with the bottom plate  106 . A lower portion of the collar  130  includes inwardly curved surface  138  having an annular concave curvature conforming to the convex outer surface of ball  120 . When collar  130  is fully engaged with stanchion  126 , the socket  128  of stanchion  126  aligns with the inwardly curved surface  138  of collar  130 , forming a capturing socket around ball  120 , as best seen in  FIG. 5 . This ball-and-socket arrangement has several advantages. First, it joins cup member  102  and channel member  110  permitting selection of different sized cup members and channel members according to the shore being used and the falsework being supported. Second, it allows the cup member  102  to turn about central axis Z with respect to the channel member in any direction. Third, it allows the cup member  102  to swivel out of parallel alignment with respect to the channel member  110  to limits indicated by the lines L about a vertical axis Z. Oblique annular surface  140  engages with neck  122  when cup member  102  is swiveled, as seen by the broken lines in  FIG. 5 , thereby limiting the extent to which the cup member  102  can articulate with respect to channel member  110 . Similarly, outwardly facing angled surface  142  engages the top of base plate  112  further defining limit of the swiveling action of cup member  102 .  
      An articulated shoring cup according to the invention reduces the need for labor, makes a more positive connection to the falsework, eliminates the need to connect the upper shore member to the falsework with cleats and blocks at a height requiring a ladder, and makes demolition easier and safer. Thus, the invention makes erection of shores at an angle to falsework easier, substantially faster, and safer.  
      There have thus been described certain preferred embodiments of an articulated shoring cup. While preferred embodiments have been described and disclosed, it will be recognized by those with skill in the art that modifications are within the true spirit and scope of the invention. The appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications.