Patent Publication Number: US-2005120672-A1

Title: Method and apparatus for removing modular forms

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      This is a continuation-in-part application of application Ser. No. 10/839,673, filed on May 5, 2004, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 10/012,624, filed on Dec. 7, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,817,590 B2, the disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      This invention relates generally to methods and tools for building construction. It relates more particularly to a method and tool for removing modular forms from an underlying surface.  
     BACKGROUND  
      Certain building sections such as foundations for buildings or bridges are typically constructed with concrete for its advantages of high compressive strength, resistance to degradation by ground and water contact, and lower total cost as compared to stacked masonry units. These concrete building sections are usually framed by forms that create a mold into which fluid concrete is poured and cured. Forms may be of any rigid material that will withstand the pressures of poured concrete. Historically, forms were typically made from plywood with a thickness of at least one-inch, custom cut for a particular job site. These plywood forms were then strengthened with various vertical and horizontal bracing as appropriate for the project at hand.  
      Recent changes in the industry have led to the use of pre-fabricated modular forms or panels in standard sizes, where the modular forms are intended to be reused over numerous and varied projects. Modular forms of the type described herein are known in the art. These modular forms fit together easily and reduce the need for customized forms, thereby reducing the labor involved in arranging them to receive poured concrete. Modular forms typically include knobs that protrude from the side opposite that confining the concrete. These knobs allow bracing to be readily secured to bind adjacent forms to each other and to strengthen them against separation or rupture from the weight of concrete poured behind them.  
      After the concrete is cured sufficiently, usually a few days, the forms are removed. Whether custom made or prefabricated modular forms, the surface of the forms against which concrete comes in contact are pre-treated with a release agent, typically a diesel fuel based fluid, to facilitate removal without destroying the forms. Workers generally force pry bars, wedges and the like between the form and the hardened concrete to break the bond between them. Some workers use a hooked end of the pry bar to ‘ratchet’ the edge of a modular form away from the concrete structure. Using the pry bar in this way tends to deform the edge or a surface of the modular form that hinders future use of the form. This is because the pry bar&#39;s force is applied over a very limited surface area, whereas modular forms are engineered to withstand the forces of concrete applied broadly over an entire surface. Other workers use a sledge to drive a wedge or the straighter end of a pry bar between the modular form and the concrete to separate them. Both methods are used in the field and neither significantly reduces the strenuous labor of removing forms from underlying rigid concrete. Neither method eliminates the need to forcibly insert a pry bar tip between the modular form and the concrete to which it adheres, which is the most strenuous task in form stripping. Despite the release agent, many forms are bent, breached, or otherwise deformed during removal. This is a more significant concern with prefabricated modular forms since their increased cost is often recouped only through repeated use.  
      What is needed in the art is a method and tool to minimize or overcome some of the above deficiencies. Based on the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide such a method and tool for removing modular forms from underlying concrete.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      In a first aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for removing modular forms includes a lever arm having a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end. A projection, preferably a hardened steel pin, extends beyond the first longitudinal end for engaging a hole defined in a form. The projection extends in a direction generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the lever arm. A fulcrum, preferably arcuate in shape, is coupled to the lever arm. The fulcrum is disposed closer to the first longitudinal end relative to the second longitudinal end. A knuckle guard, preferably arcuate in shape, is coupled to and is disposed on a same side of the lever arm relative to the fulcrum. The knuckle guard is disposed closer to the second longitudinal end relative to the first longitudinal end.  
      In a second aspect of the present invention, a method of removing modular forms includes providing an apparatus with a lever arm having a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end. A projection extends beyond the first longitudinal end for engaging a hole defined in a form. The projection extends in a direction generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the lever arm. A fulcrum is coupled to the lever arm. The fulcrum is disposed closer to the first longitudinal end relative to the second longitudinal end. A knuckle guard is coupled to and disposed on a same side of the lever arm relative to the fulcrum. The knuckle guard is disposed closer to the second longitudinal end relative to the first longitudinal end. The projection is inserted into a hole defined in a frame of a form to be removed from a wall. The second longitudinal end of the lever arm is moved toward the wall so as to cause the lever arm to pivot on the fulcrum and move the projection away from the wall to thereby pull the form away from the wall. The projection is inserted into one or more additional holes defined in a frame of the form, if necessary, and the step of moving is repeated for each of the additional holes receiving the projection in order to facilitate pulling the form from the wall. Preferably, the step of inserting is repeated, if necessary, by selecting an upper hole defined in the frame of the form and then selecting one or more additional holes disposed progressively lower on the frame relative to the upper hole.  
      If the form needs to be moved further away from the wall, the second longitudinal end of the lever arm can be inserted between the form and the wall, with the fulcrum and the knuckle guard facing away from the wall, until the knuckle guard contacts the form. The first longitudinal end of the lever arm is moved away from the wall to further pull the form away from the wall. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is an elevational view of a device for removing modular forms in accordance with the present invention.  
       FIG. 2  is a plan view of the device of  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the device of  FIG. 1  engaged with a modular form to remove it from an underlying structure.  
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view close up of a claw end of the device of  FIG. 1  adjacent to a cutaway view of a modular form.  
       FIG. 5  is a side elevational view of a device for removing modular forms in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 6  is a front view of the device of  FIG. 5 .  
       FIG. 7  is a side elevational view of a device for removing modular forms in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 8  is a plan view of a device for removing modular forms in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 9  is a side elevational view of the device of  FIG. 8 .  
       FIG. 10  is a side elevational view of a device for removing modular forms in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 11  is a partial bottom plan view of the device of  FIG. 10 .  
       FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the device of  FIG. 10  engaging a modular form. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
      A fuller appreciation for the present invention may be achieved by reference to the associated illustrations, wherein  FIGS. 1 and 2  depict in differing views a tool  10  for removing modular forms. The tool comprises a lever arm  12 , a claw end  14 , and a fulcrum  16  between them. The lever arm  12  is extended to provide a substantial moment arm about the fulcrum, preferably three to four feet in length. The lever arm defines an end  18  with a centroid (not shown), the centroid being the center point of the surface that defines the end  18 . The lever arm  12  may include handgrips or pads  20  for the user&#39;s comfort.  
      The claw end  14  defines a tip  22 . As shown in the elevational view ( FIG. 1 ), the claw end incorporates a cross section that narrows nearer the tip  22 . This narrowing cross section is for easy engagement with a knob of a modular form to be later described. The claw end further defines a notch  24 , evident in the plan view of  FIG. 2 . The notch is particularly adapted to engage the knob previously mentioned. Preferably, the notch is defined by an arcuate surface  26 , rather than by two converging linear surfaces as in prior art tools adapted for removal of nails and spikes. The notch of the present invention preferably does not score or deform the shank of the knob as prior art tools do to the shanks of nails or spikes.  
      The fulcrum  16  includes an abutment surface  28  for engaging a surface of hardened concrete, or any other sufficiently solid surface adjacent to the form to be removed. The abutment surface is opposite a line  30  defined by the tip  22  and the centroid of the lever arm end  18 , and is shown in phantom in  FIG. 1 . The tip  22  of the claw end  18  is preferably bent away from the fulcrum  16  as in many pry bars. The fulcrum is preferably a hollow steel cylinder mounted so that its axis of rotation lies substantially perpendicular to the line  30  between the centroid and the tip, and is preferably welded to the remainder of the tool  10 . It is preferably welded at a point within eighteen inches of the tip  18 . Substantially perpendicular (or parallel) as used herein is limited to within 15° of the perpendicular (or parallel).  
      In a preferred embodiment of the tool of the present invention, the lever arm is three to four feet long and made of one-inch steel stock, the notch is slightly greater than one half inch wide, and the fulcrum is a two-inch diameter steel tube section welded eight inches from the tip. This is to accommodate many of the modular forms in use having a thickness of one inch and knobs having a one-half inch diameter shank set approximately six inches inboard from an edge of the modular form.  
       FIG. 3  depicts a perspective view of the tool  10  of  FIG. 1  engaged with a protruding knob  34  of a modular form  36 . The modular form has an interior surface  38  that abuts a concrete surface  40  of the underlying concrete structure, and an exterior surface  42  opposite the first and spaced therefrom by a thickness  44 . Through the exterior surface protrude shanks  46  terminating in caps  48  that together comprise the knobs  34 . As best shown in  FIG. 2 , the arcuate surface  26  is rounded into an ellipsoid to prevent marring or scoring of the shank  46 , as opposed to general purpose pry bar claw ends that employ two converging surfaces each having acute angles that score and better grip a nail or spike. This arcuate surface  26  may or may not define an angle with the top of the tool (the top being shown in  FIG. 2 ) or the opposing bottom, or it may blend via a rounded edge. The tip  22  also defines a notch opening  50  that is preferably slightly greater than one half of an inch wide, to easily accommodate a typical one half inch diameter shank. The entire surface of the tool&#39;s claw end that defines the notch may or may not be rounded. In a preferred embodiment, planar surfaces extend from the tip  22  and join with either side of the arcuate surface  26  to define the entire notch  24 . Since the knob is engineered to withstand forces, transferred through bracing, that would tend to separate the cap  48  from the shank  46 , the claw end  14  of the tool  10  imposes its primary force on the cap  48  when properly employed. This is opposed to prior art pry bars that grip the shank of a nail or spike with lateral contact on either side of the shank, and may extract a nail even if the nail-head is sheared off.  
      Bracing in the form of steel bands or clips  52  interconnects the knobs of adjacent modular forms to reinforce the forms and to prevent their separation from one another. Each steel band or clip  52  mates with a shank  46  of at least two knobs on adjacent modular forms to hold them together. These bands  52  may be hingedly attached to the shanks  46  of one of the modular forms to be joined as shown in  FIG. 3  (movement indicated by the double-headed arrow), or they may remain a separate component until attached. Additional vertical and/or horizontal bracing is often required to prevent deflection of the joined-together forms, especially for taller and wider concrete structures. Once the forms are set and all bracing is in place, concrete is poured behind the assembled modular forms. The bracing is removed once the concrete is sufficiently cured.  
      The modular forms generally remain attached by adhesion to the underlying cured concrete and may be stripped or removed in the following manner. The claw end  14  of the tool  10  is engaged with a knob  34  such that the notch  24  engages the shank  46  underneath the cap  48 . The abutment surface  28  of the fulcrum  16  is placed against the rigid concrete surface  40  adjacent to the form  36  to be stripped. Rigid concrete as used herein refers to concrete that has cured at least 24 hours. A force is applied to the lever arm  12  in the direction indicated by the heavy arrow F, which is toward the concrete surface. This force drives the claw end  14  against the cap  48 , thus pulling the entire modular form away from the underlying concrete structure and breaking the adhesive bond therebetween. The tool is subsequently separated from the knob  34  and the concrete surface  40 . In this manner, the tool  10  is used to strip one or more modular forms from underlying concrete without compromising the geometric or structural integrity of the form for future use.  
       FIG. 4  shows in perspective view a close up of the claw end  14  of the tool proximal to a shank  46  and cap  48  of a modular form  36 . The notch opening  50  is adapted to mate with the shank  46  of a knob protruding from a modular form  36 . The claw end  14  defines a cross section that narrows as it approaches the tip  22 , as shown. The notch is defined in part by an arcuate surface  26 , and in part by opposing sidewalls  54  (lead line points to only one sidewall). The arcuate surface  26  defines a curve that is complementary to a portion of the surface of the shank  46 . The opposed sidewalls  54  lie in planes that are preferably substantially parallel to the knob&#39;s shank  46 . At least one of and preferably both sidewalls  54  are substantially perpendicular to both an adjacent upper surface  56  and an opposing adjacent lower surface  58  of the claw end  14 . When engaged with a knob protruding from a modular form  36 , the sidewalls  54  lie in planes that are substantially perpendicular to the exterior surface  42  of the form. The sidewalls  54  may also be substantially parallel to one another.  
      Prior art pry bars typically include incising edges (i.e.—surfaces that define sharply acute angles at their junctures) and diverging sidewall surfaces defining the notch to better grip the shanks of a variety of nails or spikes. The tool of the present invention is directed to a single purpose. It need not grip the shank of the knob but rather presses against the cap  48  with its claw end upper surface  56 , and it need not be adaptable to a variety of shank sizes.  
      With reference to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , an apparatus for removing modular forms in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention is indicated generally by the reference number  110 . Like elements with the apparatus  10  of  FIGS. 1-4  are indicated by like reference numbers preceded by “1”. The apparatus  110  is generally the same as the apparatus  10  except for the lever arm or handle. Accordingly, the apparatus  110  and its operation will be described in detail only with respect to the structure that is different from that of the apparatus  10 .  
      The apparatus  110  comprises a lever arm  112 , a head or claw  114  at an end of the lever arm, and a fulcrum  116  disposed therebetween. The apparatus  110  is employed for removing forms such as, for example, 1⅛″ plywood style modular forms, in a manner similar to that explained with respect to the apparatus  10  shown in  FIGS. 1-4 . The lever arm  112  includes a first portion  113  and a second portion  115  which are oriented at an angle α with respect to each other. The first portion  113  and the second portion  115  preferably cooperate to form an acute angle between generally facing sides of the first and second portions. The fulcrum  116 , preferably in the form of a hollow steel cylinder, is coupled to the first portion  113  at a first side  117  thereof between a first longitudinal end  119  and a second longitudinal end  121 . The claw  114  is also coupled to the first portion  113  at the first side  117  such that a tip  122  of the claw  114  extends slightly beyond the first end  119 . Preferably, the tip  122  of the claw  114  is angled in a direction toward a second side  121  of the first portion  113  which is generally opposite to that of the first side  117 .  
      The second portion  115  serves as a handle of the lever arm  112 , and has a length which is greater than that of the first portion  113 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , for example, the length of the second portion  115  is approximately five times the length of the first portion  113 . However, the length of the second portion  115  can be greater or less than five times the length of the first portion  113  without departing from the scope of the present invention. The different lengths of the first and second portions  113 ,  115 , and the acute angle formed therebetween are such that the first and second portions form a check “{square root}” shape.  
      The lever arm  112  of the apparatus  110  is designed to aid in the removal of forms that are elevated above the footing. Removal of these forms using conventional methods and tools such as a hammer or pry bar can be dangerous because the operator of the tool is typically facing the wall while standing on narrow planks—often without a safety railing—mounted off of the back face of the forms. There is the danger of the operator falling off of the planking while performing the form removal process. Because the lever arm  112  is check-shaped, the apparatus  110  allows an operator to more safely remove elevated forms as explained below.  
      In operation, while standing on the planking, an operator stands with his or her back to the wall and engages a notch opening defined by the claw  114  of the apparatus  110  with a stud on the form that the form latch was previously latched on to. The operator then presses the fulcrum  116  against the form next to the form the operator is removing. Once contact is made, the operator exerts pressure on the handle  115  of the apparatus  110  so as to push the handle away from the operator&#39;s body as if the operator were performing a bench press. When the operator starts to exert pressure on the handle  115 , the operator will be forcing his or her back against the wall. With the operator&#39;s back firmly pressed against the wall, the operator is in a much safer position during the form removal process.  
      Referring to  FIG. 7 , an apparatus for removing modular forms in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention is indicated generally by the reference number  210 . Like elements with the apparatus of  FIGS. 1-4  are indicated by like reference numbers preceded by “2”.  
      The apparatus  210  comprises a lever arm or handle  212  having a first longitudinal end  213  and a second longitudinal end  215 . A projection  217  such as, for example, a hardened steel pin, extends slightly beyond the first longitudinal end  213  of the lever arm  212 . A fulcrum  216 , preferably in the form of a hollow cylinder, is coupled to the lever arm  212  at a first side  219  thereof, and is disposed therealong closer to the first longitudinal end  213  relative to the second longitudinal end  215 . The apparatus  210  preferably includes a knuckle guard  221  coupled to the lever arm  212  at the first side  219  thereof, and is disposed therealong closer to the second longitudinal end  215  relative to the first longitudinal end  213 . The knuckle guard  219  is in the form of a hollow cylinder but can take other practical shapes without departing from the scope of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the projection  217  is angled in a direction toward a second side  223  of the lever arm  212  which is generally opposite to that of the first side  219 .  
      The apparatus  210  is designed to aid in the removal of what is known in the industry as SYMONS steel frame forms manufactured by Symons Corporation of Des Plaines, Ill., or equivalent compatible steel frame forms that define slots along the sides of the forms.  
      The apparatus  210  is employed on a form in which adjacent forms on each side thereof have already been removed from the face of the wall to thereby expose slots defined along sides of the form. In operation, the projection  217  is inserted into a slot defined in a side of a steel frame of the form at an upper portion of the form. Once the projection  217  is engaged in a slot, the operator pushes the handle  212  toward the face of the wall. This causes the apparatus  210  to pivot on the fulcrum  216  so as to permit the projection  217  of the apparatus  210  to pull the form away from the face of the wall. The apparatus  210  is then removed from the slot and is moved to another slot defined in the side of the frame of the form at a middle portion of the form. The procedure is then repeated. Once complete, the apparatus  210  is moved to a further slot defined in the side of the frame of the form at a lower portion of the form, and the procedure is again repeated.  
      At this point, the form has been partially pulled away from the face of the wall, but is likely “hung up” on the form ties. In order to completely remove the form, the apparatus  210  is then flipped end for end, and then turned so that the fulcrum  216  and the knuckle guard  221  are on the side of the handle  212  that is facing the operator. The operator then inserts the second end  215  of the handle  212  between the form and the face of the wall until the knuckle guard  221  comes into contact with the side of the form. The handle  212  is making contact with the form and the wall on its bottom and top respectively—not on the sides of the handle. A prying motion is then applied by the operator to the apparatus  210 , by pulling on the handle  212 , which pulls the form past the ties and frees it from the wall.  
      Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , an apparatus for removing modular forms in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention is indicated generally by the reference number  310 . Like elements with the apparatus of  FIGS. 1-4  are indicated by like reference numbers preceded by “3”.  
      The apparatus  310  is generally similar to the apparatus  10  of  FIGS. 1-4  except that the apparatus  310  includes pulling heads on both ends of the handle. As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the apparatus  310  comprises a lever arm  312  having a first longitudinal end  311  and a second longitudinal end  313 . The apparatus  310  further comprises a first head or claw  314  at the first longitudinal end  311  of the lever arm  312 , a first fulcrum  316  associated with the first head and disposed along the lever arm  312  closer to the first longitudinal end  311  relative to the second longitudinal end  313 . A second head or claw  315  is disposed at the second longitudinal end  313  of the lever arm  312 , and a second fulcrum  317  associated with the second head is disposed along the lever arm  312  closer to the second longitudinal end  313  relative to the first longitudinal end  311 .  
      The first and second fulcrums  316 ,  317  are respectively preferably of unitary construction with the first and second heads  314 ,  315 . The first fulcrum  316  extends outwardly from the lever arm  312  to form an arcuate surface to enable the lever arm  312  to pivot thereon when the first head  314  engages a stud of a form to be removed. Similarly, the second fulcrum  317  extends outwardly from the lever arm  312  to form an arcuate surface to enable the lever arm  312  to pivot thereon when the second head  315  engages a stud of a form to be removed. As shown in  FIG. 9 , the first fulcrum  316  extends outwardly from the lever arm  312  a greater distance relative to that of the second fulcrum  317 , but can be modified to extend outwardly the same distance or various other greater or lesser distances relative to that of the second fulcrum without departing from the scope of the present invention.  
      The apparatus  310  operates in a similar manner to that described with respect to the apparatus  10  of  FIGS. 1-4 . However, one or both of the first and second heads  314 ,  315  can be used to engage a stud of a form to be removed depending on the degree of leverage needed to pull the form from a wall.  
      Referring to  FIGS. 10-12 , an apparatus for removing modular forms in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention is indicated generally by the reference number  410 . Like elements with the apparatus of  FIGS. 1-4  are indicated by like reference numbers preceded by “4”.  
      The apparatus  410  comprises a lever arm or handle  412  having a first longitudinal end  413  and a second longitudinal end  415 . A projection  417  such as, for example, a hardened steel pin, extends slightly beyond the first longitudinal end  413  of the lever arm  412 . A fulcrum  416  is coupled to the lever arm  412  at a first side  419  thereof, and is disposed therealong closer to the first longitudinal end  413  relative to the second longitudinal end  415 . The apparatus  410  preferably includes a knuckle guard  421  coupled to the lever arm  412  at the first side  419  thereof, and is disposed therealong closer to the second longitudinal end  415  relative to the first longitudinal end  413 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , the projection  417  extends outwardly from the first longitudinal end  413  in a direction generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the lever arm  412 . As shown in  FIGS. 10 and 12 , the fulcrum  416  and the knuckle guard  421  are generally arcuate in shape to enable the lever arm  412  to pivot thereon, but may comprise cylindrical or other practical shapes without departing from the scope of the present invention.  
      In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus  412  is 36 inches long, the projection  417  is a {fraction (5/8)} inch diameter steel pin welded into a notch  423  defined in the first longitudinal end  413  of the lever arm or handle  412  such that the pin extends  1{fraction (3/4)} inches straight beyond the end of the first longitudinal end 413. Preferably, a center of the fulcrum 416 is located    7{fraction (1/4)} inches from the first longitudinal end 413 of the lever arm or handle 412, and preferably a center of the knuckle guard 421 is located    11{fraction (1/2)} inches from the second longitudinal end 415. Although the projection 417 is shown and described as a steel pin welded to the notch 423, the projection can be fabricated from other durable materials, be attached to the first longitudinal end 413 in other ways, or be formed integrally with the lever arm or handle 412 without departing from the scope of the present invention. Moreover, the apparatus 410 can take other practical dimensions.    
      The apparatus  410  is designed to aid in the removal of conventional aluminum hand-set concrete wall forms. Some of the manufacturers who fabricate forms that the apparatus  410  can remove are Symons Corporation, Durand Forms, Inc., Western Forms, and Tuff-N-Lite.  
      In operation and with reference to  FIG. 12 , one form, for example a 3 feet wide form, must be removed from a wall before the apparatus  410  can be used. Once the first form has been removed, the projection  417  is inserted into an upper hole  425  in a frame  427  of a form  429 . Once engaged, an operator pushes the lever arm  412  toward the face of a wall  431 . This causes the lever arm  412  to pivot on the fulcrum  416 , thus making the projection  417  pull the form  429  away from the face of the wall  431 . The apparatus  410  is then removed from its initial position and is moved to a hole  425  near the middle of the form  429 . The procedure is then repeated. Then the apparatus  410  is moved to a hole  425  near the bottom of the form  429  and the procedure is again repeated. At this point one side of the form  429  has been pulled away from the face of the wall  431 . The apparatus  410  is designed so that the apparatus pulls the form  429  past the end of the form ties that are projecting from the wall  431 . If the form  429  needs to be pulled farther away from the wall  431  so that it can be more easily removed, the apparatus  410  can be flipped end-for-end and then turned so that the fulcrum  416  and the knuckle guard  419  are facing the operator. The operator then inserts the end of the apparatus  410  between the form  429  and the face of the wall  431  until the knuckle guard  419  comes into contact with the side of the form. The handle  412  of the apparatus  410  is making contact with the form  429  and the wall  431  on its bottom and top (by pulling the handle toward the operator). This action pulls the form  429  farther away from the wall  431  so that the form can be removed completely.  
      While the preferred embodiments and methods have been shown and described, various changes and substitutions will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The embodiments and methods described above are hereby stipulated as illustrative rather than exhaustive.