Abstract:
A building member forming apparatus having panels and a conversion corner bracket. The panels are typically dimensioned in metric units. The conversion corner bracket can include a leg having a predetermined width and a body configured to chamfer a building member. The conversion corner bracket is securable to the panels to form an orifice. When the orifice receives a construction material, the building member can be formed. By using the panels and the conversion corner bracket, the building member that has been formed within the orifice is chamfered and possesses standard U.S. customary units. The conversion corner creates a chamfer upon the building member and permits dimensioned panels with one set of units to form a building member with another set of units. The leg and the body are not symmetrical and include bores or apertures that align with bores or apertures in the building member forming apparatus.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/120,761, filed Apr. 11, 2002 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,733,059, entitled “Outside Conversion Corner for Form Work”, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/721,077, filed Nov. 22, 2000 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,419,204, which claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/166,959 filed Nov. 23, 1999. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates in general to the field of building construction. More particularly, the present invention relates to building construction form work structures. Specifically, a preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to outside conversion corner piece for joining form work panels. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Historically, builders have used form work panels to form walls and columns. For example when forming a wall, concrete is poured between two opposing panels of form work and over vertically projecting re-bar. After the concrete cures, the panels are removed to leave a free-standing wall. Similarly, when forming a column concrete is poured over inside pairs of opposing panels of form work and vertically projecting re-bar. When the concrete cures, the panels are removed to leave a free-standing column. 
     Some form work panels are imported from abroad. These panels are often made according to the exporting country&#39;s measurement system. For example, it is nearly impossible to use panels imported from Europe on construction projects in the U.S. or other home country. This is because imported panels are typically created to conform with metric units. Metric units do not translate well in the world of U.S. building construction because contractors are typically not as familiar with such measurements and equipment. Moreover, building codes and blueprint specifications are not easily tailored to metric units to meet the builders&#39; needs. 
     As is known to those skilled in the art, wood slats or other “fillers” must often be used to extend the dimensions of the panels so that they can be used in U.S. construction projects. Others offset or cut the panels to meet their needs for forming walls. After crude modifications such as these are made, these panels can often meet most desired U.S. customary unit-based system measurement specifications. 
     However, the metric-sized panels are especially problematic when used to form columns on U.S. construction projects. One unsatisfactory previously recognized approach to solving the problem referred to herein involves the use of wood slats or fillers mentioned above. Fillers are generally impractical as they take time to construct and put into place. With the high cost of construction crew labor, this previously recognized solution also has the disadvantage of relatively high cost. Consequently, a preferred solution will be seen by the end-user as being cost effective. A solution is cost effective when it is seen by the end-user as compelling when compared with other potential uses that the end-user could make of limited resources. 
     Also, the fillers may shift during the concrete pouring or drying process. This may cause safety and/or structural problems. Because of this fact, a number of jurisdictions restrict the use of the aforementioned previously recognized approach because of the aforementioned disadvantages. However, since up until now there has been no suitable alternative, many jurisdictions are generally not enforcing such a prohibition. 
     What is needed therefore is a device which converts odd-sized imported form work building panels for use in the home country. Further, what is also needed is an inventive outside conversion corner configured and dimensioned such that the panels can be easily joined to fit most U.S. customary unit applications. 
     The below-referenced U.S. patents, and allowed U.S. applications in which the issue fees have been paid, disclose embodiments that were at least in-part satisfactory for the purposes for which they were intended. The disclosures of all the below-referenced prior United States patents, and applications, in their entireties are hereby expressly incorporated by reference into the present application for purposes including, but not limited to, indicating the background of the present invention and illustrating the state of the art. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,700,106 relates to an easily assembled concrete form including a plurality of elongated wall members manufactured by roll forming and connected together to define an enclosure. Each wall member has a first end and a second end, an inner surface and an outer surface. Attached to the inner surface of the wall member at the first end is a U-shaped key having legs extending beyond the first end of the wall member. Attached to the inner surface of the wall member at the second end is an interlocking bracket having two vertically spaced slots for receiving the legs of the U-shaped key to connect adjacent wall members together. One of the slots is enlarged for also receiving an extending flange from a support bracket to frictionally maintain the U-shaped key and interlocking bracket in a locked relationship. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,397,095 relates to a modular building system for constructing the frame of a structure. Standardized foundation forms, vertical forms, and tie beam forms are attached to each other. The vertical forms are hinged so as to be capable of defining a corner of any angle. Cover plates are selectively inserted into the tie beam forms so as to define a reception recess which corresponds to the size of a roof truss being used. The various forms can be attached to each other with a minimal amount of labor. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,044,601 relates to an outside bay adaptor for a concrete forming structure. The adaptor has a pair of elongated flat plates, each of substantial length. The plates are disposed in an angular V-shaped relation to one another. The plates have a pair of confronting slots. The slots on the plates are transversely aligned with one another. Slotted wedge bolts are extended through the line slots and extend outwardly and in diverging relation to one another and adjacent opposite ends of the plates. A weldment is located at each end of the plates. The weldment connects the slotted wedge bolts that extend through the slots to the plates in a unitary assembly. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,958,800 discloses a locking hinge mechanism for concrete forms. The mechanism includes parallel hinge strips connected together by hinges positioned at intervals along the length of the strips. Each hinge includes a provision for a wedge lock. The wedge lock when fully inserted position the hinge strips at a secure 90 degree angle. The hinge strips are spaced apart from the juncture of the strips, when arranged at the 90 degree angle, so that concrete flashings do not clog the hinge. The hinge strips are in turn affixed to side rails of the joining concrete forms to form a 90 degree angle, such as for a column form arrangement. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,917,216 discloses a quick-release fastening device for releasably securing together the outer edges of two pivotally connected right angle sections of a concrete column form. The concrete form is comprised of a series of upstanding rectangular panels, some of which are in a contiguous relationship. Along their adjacent side edges are outwardly extending flange-like members which extend at right angles to each other and have transverse slots therein. The quick-release fastening device consists of a T-bolt embodying a plate-like body portion at one end and a reduced longitudinally slotted shank at the other end. The body portion is disposed in the space between the two flange-like members and abuts against one of the flange-like members. The shank portion extends through and beyond a transverse slot in one flange-like member. An additional T-bolt may also be employed. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 901,209 discloses an improved clip that is composed of sheet metal and made in one piece. It comprises a body portion  1  having two sets or pairs of spaced engaging portions or flanges,  2  and  3 , arranged respectively in planes at right angels to each other. A supplemental flange  6  having an opening  7  is formed on the body  1  at a point centrally between the flanges  3 , a flange  4 . Formed in the body  1  at points near its ends are openings or perforations  8  for reception of screws or other fastening members by means of which the clip may be attached to one of the mold sections or boards. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 1,109,810 discloses cross bars that are attached to the sides of the molding boards. The opposite members of each pair are drawn together to clamp the molding boards between them, by longitudinal strips, preferably, though not necessarily, in the form of angle irons  4  which extend lengthwise the column and overlie the ends of the cross bars. Bolts  5  are then employed to clamp the irons together at any appropriate points, preferably, however, near the top and bottom of the mold and at one or more intermediate points according to the dimensions of the mold. The angle irons may be drilled at frequent intervals as represented so that the bolts may be inserted at any point required. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 1,170,753 discloses a form for concrete columns. The form consists of a series of angle plates having a series of apertures formed in their edges and adapted to be adjustably secured together by bolts located in apertures of adjacent plates. A series of longitudinally extending notched braces are located at intermediate points of the sides of the mold, and a series of transversely extending clamps are located in the notches of the longitudinally extending braces. These embrace the joined plates and have a series of apertures formed therein. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 1,171,760 discloses the vertical end edges of the panels  2  and  5  along with angles  23  and  24 . These angles are similar to the angles  18  and  19  illustrated in FIG.  1 . Bolted to the flanges of these angles are the angles  25  and  26 , the free wings of which, as indicated in  FIG. 3 , are provided with a plurality of horizontal slots  27 . Angle  25  has slots  27  at left-hand end of panel  2  in FIG.  1 . The corner panel  7  is provided with a plurality of rows of holes  28  (FIG.  1 ). This panel is secured to the angles  25  and  26  by means of stove bolts  29  that extend through the holes in the corner panel and through the slots  27  in the wings of the angles  25  and  26 . This arrangement gives any and all desired adjustments since the slots  27  in the arms or flanges of the angles  25  and  26  lying next the plates  7  give adjustments lying between the holes in the rows  28 . 
     U.S. Pat. No. 1,374,864 discloses a form which is designed for use in molding a concrete column of rectangular shape. In cross section, each of the sections will comprise four parts  1 ,  2 ,  3  and  4  of such proportions that, when they are arranged in the manner shown in  FIG. 2 , they will overlap each other more or less according to the diameter of the column, each of said parts being substantially L-shaped in outline. The parts of the base section A are substantially channel-shaped in vertical cross-section, as shown in  FIG. 4 , and each of the parts comprises a vertical web  5  provided at its upper and lower edges with an outwardly-projecting portion or vertical flange  7   a . The parts are adapted to be arranged in telescopic engagement with each other by slipping one end of each part longitudinally into the end of an adjacent part, thus forming a rectangular shaped frame composed of four parts that are interlocked securely with each other. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 1,468,702 discloses a structure preferably comprised of two elongated rectangular shaped walls A and B. These walls are permanently and integrally joined to each other along their meeting longitudinal edges so as to be disposed in planes at right angels to each other in transverse section. Adjacent the longitudinal edges, opposite the joined edges, walls A and B are, respectively, provided with parallel pairs of ears  5  and  6 . The movable walls C and D are hingedly connected to walls A and B by upper and lower hinge brackets  7  and  8 . The brackets extend from the respective walls, i.e., brackets  7  of wall C are positioned at their lateral ends between ears  6  and pivotally assembled therewith by pins  9 . On the other hand, the lateral ends of brackets  8  are similarly positioned between ears  5  and pivotally assembled therewith by pins  10 . 
     U.S. Pat. No. 1,861,766 discloses several wall sections, such as plates A, B, C, etc., that make up a form. The plates can be right-angular in cross-section and each have the walls  10  and  11 . In  FIG. 12 , it is shown how these right-angular plates overlie one upon the marginal edge of the other so as to be adjustable to vary the width of the wall of the form that they will serve to make.  FIG. 14  shows flanges  12 ,  13  formed upon the corner parts of each right-angular plate A, B, C and D respectively, the terminals  10 A of the walls  10  of which plates project beyond the adjacent extreme end of the flange  12 , so these parts are shouldered one against the other. The flanges serve to reinforce the right-angular plates giving them more strength and durability. 
       FIG. 14  shows how these plates are arranged to provide a rectangular enclosure for building a concrete column or post therein. Since the sheet metal plates will be of inappreciable thickness their overlap will hardly interfere with the flush continuation of each side of the completed column. 
     In short, a device that converts odd-sized imported form work building panels for use in the home country in a cost-effective manner is of interest to, for example, those in the field of building construction. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect, the invention provides a conversion corner bracket for use with a building member forming apparatus. The bracket includes a body and a leg. The leg extends from the body and has a predetermined width. The conversion corner bracket is disposed within the apparatus to convert a metric unit dimensioned panel to a U.S. customary unit dimensioned panel. 
     In one embodiment, the conversion corner bracket is disposed within the apparatus to convert a U.S. customary unit dimensioned panel to a metric unit dimensioned panel. Also, in another embodiment, the conversion corner bracket and metric unit dimensioned panels are assembled to form a chamfered building member having U.S. customary unit dimensions. 
     A conversion corner bracket can also be used with a building member forming apparatus having metric unit dimensioned panels. Here, the bracket includes a body configured to chamfer a building member and a leg extending from the body. The leg has a predetermined width and is insertable between the metric unit dimensioned panels. When the leg of the conversion corner bracket is inserted between the metric unit dimension panels, the metric unit dimensioned panels are converted to U.S. customary unit dimensions such that a U.S. customary unit dimensioned building member is produced by the apparatus. 
     In another aspect, the invention provides a building member forming apparatus. The apparatus includes panels dimensioned in first units and a conversion corner bracket securable to the panels. The conversion corner bracket has a body and a leg extending from the body. The leg has a predetermined width. As such, a building member dimensioned in second units is formable by the apparatus when the panels dimensioned in the first units and the conversion corner bracket are assembled. 
     In a further aspect, the invention provides a method of converting building member panels used in construction projects. The method includes providing a corner assembly having panels that are securable to a conversion corner bracket structured to provide a chamfer to a building member. Using the conversion corner bracket, the panels are converted from a metric unit dimension to a U.S. customary unit dimension. 
     In one embodiment, a method of forming a chamfered building member of a first set of units includes providing a panels of a second set of units and a conversion corner bracket. The panels and the conversion corner bracket are then assembled to form an orifice of the first set of units. A construction material is thereafter introduced into the orifice to form the chamfered building member of the first set of units. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments of the invention are disclosed with reference to the accompanying drawings and are for illustrative purposes only. The invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction, or the arrangement of the components, illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in other various ways. Like reference numerals are used to indicate like components. 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the building structure forming apparatus of the current invention. 
         FIG. 1A  shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the building structure forming apparatus of the current invention. 
         FIG. 1B  shows a perspective view of a building structure or member that can be formed with the apparatus of  FIGS. 1 and 1A . 
         FIG. 2  shows a top plan view of the apparatus of FIG.  1 . 
         FIG. 2A  shows a top plan view of the apparatus of FIG.  1 A. 
         FIG. 3  shows one embodiment of a means of securing corners of the apparatus of FIG.  1 . 
         FIG. 3A  shows an alternative embodiment of a means of securing corresponding to the apparatus of FIG.  1 A. 
         FIG. 3B  shows an alternative embodiment of a means of securing capable of corresponding to the apparatus of FIG.  1 A. 
         FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the conversion corner bracket of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  shows a top plan view of the conversion corner bracket of FIG.  4 . 
         FIG. 5A  shows an alternative top plan view of the conversion corner bracket of FIG.  5 . 
         FIG. 6  shows one embodiment of a forming apparatus as typically used in the art. 
         FIG. 6A  shows another embodiment of a forming apparatus as typically used in the art. 
         FIG. 7  shows an embodiment of a corner forming apparatus comprising a means for securing. 
         FIG. 8  shows a top, plan view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1A  employing another embodiment of a conversion corner bracket according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 8A  shows a top, plan view of the conversion corner bracket of FIG.  8 . 
         FIG. 8B  shows a top, plan view of another embodiment of a conversion corner bracket, according to the present invention, that can be employed within the apparatus of FIG.  1 A. 
         FIG. 9  shows a perspective view of a structure produced using the building structure forming apparatus of FIG.  8 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Commonly-owned, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/120,761, filed Apr. 11, 2002, entitled “Outside Conversion Corner for Form Work”, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/721,077, filed Nov. 22, 2000, which claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/166,959 filed Nov. 23, 1999, disclose other and various embodiments and components that are compatible with the present invention and, therefore, the contents and disclosure of these applications are incorporated into the present application by reference as if fully set forth herein. 
     The present invention and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments described in detail in the following description. 
     Specific embodiments of the present invention will now be further described by the following, non-limiting examples which will serve to illustrate various features of significance. The examples are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the present invention may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the present invention. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. 
     Referring to the drawings  FIGS. 1-7 , it can be seen that the present invention is a building structure forming apparatus  5 . The structure forming apparatus is a form work mold which may be used to form columns and walls for construction projects. A typical building material contained by the form work is concrete, although other suitable building materials, such as polyurethane foam, can be used. 
     The apparatus  5  is formed generally from a plurality of panels  8  which may be constructed and arranged to form a column, a pilaster, a corner of wall, or some other building structure. 
     Referring to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the panels  8   a ,  8   b ,  8   c , and  8   d  may be used to construct corner pairs or sets. In the embodiment shown, these corner sets may be configured to form a generally square, box-like structure for forming columns, pilasters, or the like. Alternatively, the corner sets may be constructed and arranged to form a wall corner (see FIG.  7 ). 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1 , the panels  8   a ,  8   b ,  8   c , and  8   d  are preferably constructed of paneling  9  such as plywood. Attached to the paneling  9  is a support structure comprised of outer horizontal support beams  12  and vertical support beams  13 . In one preferred embodiment, inner horizontal support beams  14  are added for additional strength and support (best shown in FIG.  1 ). The vertical support beams  13  generally have a plurality of holes  15  throughout. Similarly, the horizontal support beams also have a plurality of holes  16 . 
     As is known in the art, panels  8  can be joined together by outer corner clamps  18 . The clamps  18  preferably can be adjusted and tightly secured by using securing mechanism  20 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , a preferred mechanism  20  can be easily tightened by construction crew workers. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , once the clamps  18  are in place, a conversion corner bracket  24  connects the corner sets in the proper configuration to form a concrete column. Once the conversion corner brackets  24  are secured in place, they form a concrete receiving orifice  22 . As shown by the partial cut-away sectional view of  FIG. 2 , as well as in  FIG. 1 , a securing member  28 , such as a bolt, is generally inserted into a hole  15  in the vertical support beam  13  (both shown in  FIG. 1 ) and secured on opposing sides by a nut  26 . 
       FIG. 3  (as well as  FIGS. 1 and 2  described above and  FIGS. 6 and 7  that follow) illustrate one acceptable nut  26  and bolt  28  arrangement. As is illustrated, bolt  28  preferably comprises a bent handle portion. In one preferred embodiment, the handle portion is bent approximately 90 degrees. The bend in the handle facilitates tightening of the nut and bolt arrangement by making it easier for one to grasp and hold. In addition the handle can act as a “stop” or “stopping” mechanism that can work to prevent the nut/bolt arrangement from loosening, and ultimately, becoming unfastened. It is understood that the number and placement of bolts (and their corresponding nuts) will vary to convenience, depending on the particular project requirements. 
     An alternative securing member embodiment comprising nut  26   a  and bolt  28   a  is illustrated in FIG.  3 A.  FIGS. 1A and 2A  also illustrate this alternative securing member embodiment and are primarily included for this purpose.  FIG. 3B  illustrates yet another securing member embodiment, comprising nut  26   b  and bolt  28   b , that is similar to that of  FIG. 3  but without the bent handle portion. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the conversion corner bracket  24  has a bracket first leg  30  and a bracket second leg  32 . In the preferred embodiment, the conversion corner bracket  24  is generally W-shaped to maximize strength while reducing weight. The legs  30 ,  32  are essentially joined to form a right angle. That is, a first plane of the first leg  30  and a second plane of the second leg  32  are perpendicular to each other, thus forming a 90 degree angle. An outer corner of the conversion corner bracket  24  is a V-shaped indented outer corner  34  that lies between the first leg  30  and the second leg  32 . Opposite the V-shaped indented corner  34  is a rounded inside corner  36 . Securing members or bolts secure the W-shaped conversion corner bracket  24  by penetrating bore  38  contained therein. 
     Alternatively, and as shown in  FIG. 5A , the V-shaped indentation can be replaced with a substantially flat surface  34   a  at 45 degrees to first leg  30  and second leg  32 . This would provide a poured concrete column with a 45 degree chamfered corner. 
     Preferably, a plurality of similar bolts  28  secure each conversion corner bracket  24  through numerous bores  38  displaced along the length of the bracket  24 , as best shown in FIG.  4 . Once a bolt  28  is inserted into a bore  38 , each bore  38  of the conversion corner  24  is then properly aligned with holes  15  in the vertical support beam  13 . Nuts  26  are then preferably engaged with each bolt  28  to secure the conversion corner bracket  24  to the panels  8 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , a typical form work column forming apparatus  5  is shown. In one preferred embodiment, the column forming apparatus  5  has a telescoping supporting tubular steel prop  40 . The prop  40  is constructed of a tubular strut  42  that may consist of two or more telescoping tubes within a tube. Strut base  44  serves to stabilize the prop  40 . A strut connector  46  connects the prop  40  to the vertical support beam  13  of a panel  8 . Once erected, building material, such as concrete, is poured in between the first corner  52  and the second corner  54  of the form work to form building structure  50 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6A , a horizontal stabilizer bar  48  may be connected from the strut base  44  to the base of the form work  7  at a point near the bottom of a vertical support beam  13 . 
     An important aspect of the inventive conversion corner bracket  24  is it can be properly dimensioned to allow for the use of standardized metric dimensioned panels to be used on U.S. customary unit based construction projects. Conversion corner bracket  24  can be constructed of extruded aluminum. The corner bracket typically will have a milled finish to ensure proper texture and dimensions. 
     In one preferred embodiment, the first leg  30  of conversion corner bracket  24  is about {fraction (5/16)}″ wide and about 4¾″ long. The V-shaped, indented outer corner  34  is approximately ⅜″ deep along one dimension and ⅜″ deep along the other. The second leg  32  is also about {fraction (5/16)}″ thick and about 4¾″ long. In one preferred embodiment, the extruded aluminum bracket  24  stands about 118.09″ high. The bores  38  are approximately 0.75″ in diameter. The radius of the rounded inside corner  36  is about 1¼″. In another embodiment, the outside conversion corner bracket stands approximately 106.298″ high. In another embodiment, the outside conversion corner stands approximately 5.045″ high. 
     Table I (set forth below) shows the standardized U.S. customary unit-based column sizes which can be constructed from various metric unit based panels by using one preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE I 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Column Size 
                 Panel 
                 Actual Dimension 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 18 inches 
                 45 cm 
                 18.09 inches 
               
               
                 20 inches 
                 50 cm 
                 20.06 inches 
               
               
                 22 inches 
                 55 cm 
                 22.03 inches 
               
               
                 24 inches 
                 60 cm 
                 23.99 inches 
               
               
                 26 inches 
                 65 cm 
                 25.96 inches 
               
               
                 28 inches 
                 70 cm 
                 27.93 inches 
               
               
                 30 inches 
                 75 cm 
                 29.90 inches 
               
               
                 32 inches 
                 80 cm 
                 31.87 inches 
               
               
                 34 inches 
                 85 cm 
                 33.84 inches 
               
               
                 36 inches 
                 90 cm 
                 35.81 inches 
               
             
          
           
               
                 For smaller columns the dimensions are: 
               
             
          
           
               
                 12 inches 
                 30 cm 
                 12.186 inches  
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     In the preferred embodiment illustrated above, the largest column that can be formed is 36 inches×32 inches. The smallest is (formed from 30 centimeters (cm) panels) is 18 inches×14 inches. 
     As can be expected, it is also possible to use a somewhat differently dimensioned conversion corner bracket  24  so that builders can use Imperial (also known as U.S. customary unit) unit based form work panels  8  to construct metric unit based building structures for metric unit based buildings. For example, a 60 centimeter column may be formed using a standardized 22-inch panel and 1⅝ inch conversion corner. 
       FIG. 7  shows an embodiment of a corner forming apparatus. The apparatus comprises means for securing such as bolt  28  and nut  26 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , building structure forming apparatus  5  is depicted employing conversion corner bracket  56 . As before, structure forming apparatus  5  comprises panels  8   a ,  8   b ,  8   c , and  8   d , that are dimensioned in metric units. When assembled as shown in  FIG. 8 , panels  8  define orifice  22 . Orifice  22  can be filled with concrete or other construction material to form a structure or building member  50  as shown in FIG.  9 . By employing corner conversion bracket  56 , construction of the building member can be accomplished using metric dimensioned panels  8  even though the building member will possess U.S. customary units when completed. In other words, corner conversion bracket  56  functions to permit construction components configured in one set of units to nonetheless form a structure in another set of units. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 8A and 8B , conversion corner bracket  56  comprises body  58  and leg  60 . Preferably, body  58  and leg  60  are formed or constructed of one piece of material or substance. However, if desired, body  58  and leg  60  can be distinct pieces or components that are secured together by, for example, joining techniques such as welding, and the like, or by fasteners such as one or more rivets, pins, screws, and the like. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , body  58  can take or resemble the shape of a triangle and defines a member-facing surface  62 . In other embodiments, body  58  can also take the shape of, for example, a square, a circle, a rectangle, a trapezoid, a parallelogram, a rhombus, a regular polygon, an irregular polygon, and the like, as well as combinations of these shapes. 
     Referring to both  FIGS. 8 ,  8 A, and  8 B, member-facing surface  62  is that surface of body  58  exposed to orifice  22  and/or adjacent a building member  50  that can occupy the orifice when structure forming apparatus  5  is assembled and filled with a construction material such as concrete. Member-facing surface  62  can be flat, notched, serrated, rounded, beveled, contoured, and the like, as well as combinations thereof. As a result, body  58  and/or member-facing surface  62  can provide the building member  50  with a corner and/or surface that is chamfered, notched, serrated, rounded, beveled, contoured, and the like, or any combination thereof (e.g., chamfered and serrated). Thus, the building member can be molded, formed, or fashioned to convenience to achieve desired structural and/or aesthetic needs. 
     Leg  60  of corner bracket  56  depends or extends from body  58 . Leg  60  can be constructed similarly or somewhat like either of first leg  30  or second leg  32  as shown, for example, in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . Also, in another embodiment as shown in  FIG. 8 , leg  60  can be angled, curved, bent, and the like, as well as combinations thereof. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 8B , leg  60  is disposed between adjacent panels  8  when building structure forming apparatus  5  is assembled. Since leg  60  has a predetermined, desired, and/or known width  64 , adjacent panels  8  are separated from one another by an amount generally equal to the width of the leg. As such, width  64  of leg  60  can be sized and/or configured to assist in or enable the construction of U.S. dimensioned building members (e.g., columns) from panels  8  having metric dimensions. Thus, as an example, columns having sizes or parameters of those columns illustrated in Table I can be formed. 
     In a preferred embodiment as depicted in  FIG. 8B , width  64  of leg  60  and width  70  of body  58  can be substantially equal. In exemplary embodiments, width  64  of leg  60  is about {fraction (5/16)}″ and height  66  of the leg is about 4″ and length  68  of member-facing surface  62  is about 1″. Also, body  58  and leg  60  can have bores or apertures configured to secure a bolt, pin, or like device. Preferably, bores or apertures in body  58  and leg  60  are arranged so as to align and/or correspond with bores or apertures in other components of building structure forming apparatus  5  (e.g., vertical support beams  13  as shown in FIG.  1 ). When aligned, bores or apertures can receive pins, bolts, and other like devices to secure conversion corners  56  in place relative to the other components of structure forming apparatus  5 . 
     When in use and operation in one preferred embodiment, the following steps are followed: 
     Two form work panels  8   a  and  8   b  are connected with a first conversion corner bracket  56  to form a first corner pair or set  52 . Two additional form work panels  8   c  and  8   d  are connected to each other with a second conversion corner bracket  56  which is similar to the first conversion corner bracket to form a second corner pair or set  54 . 
     The second corner set  54  is then properly configured to oppose the first corner set  52  to correctly form the intended structure  50 . For example, if a corner of a wall is to be formed, the first corner set  52  or the second corner set  54  is configured to resemble an L-shape. On the other hand, if a column is to be formed, the first corner set  52  and the second corner set  54  are configured in a box shape (see FIG.  1 ). Once properly configured, the panels  8   a ,  8   b ,  8   c ,  8   d  are secured in place with a securing mechanism such as a clamp  20 . 
     The form work panels  8   a ,  8   b ,  8   c , and  8   d  are then erected and supported if necessary by tubular steel props  40 . Building material, such as concrete, is then poured between the first corner set  52  and the second corner set  54  and allowed to harden, cure, and the like, to produce the structure  50 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , the apparatus  5  (including corner sets,  52 ,  54 , panels  8 , clamps  20 , among other components) can be disassembled and/or removed such that only the structure  50  or the building member remains. 
     Conveniently, although aluminum is preferred, the conversion corner bracket of the present invention can be made of a variety of materials. Nevertheless, for the manufacturing operation, it is moreover an advantage to employ an extrudable, aluminum-like material. Similarly, the panels may be made of a variety of suitable, durable, strong and light-weight materials. 
     Moreover, the individual components need not be formed in the disclosed shapes, or assembled in the disclosed configuration, but could be provided in a variety of shapes, and assembled in a variety of configurations. Further, although the panel components and conversion corner are described herein is physically separate modules, it will be manifest that they may be integrated. Furthermore, all the disclosed features of each disclosed embodiment can be combined with, or substituted for, the disclosed features of every other disclosed embodiment except where such features are mutually exclusive. 
     There may be innumerable uses for the present invention, all of which need not be detailed here. Moreover, all the disclosed embodiments can be practiced without undue experimentation. 
     Although the best mode contemplated by the inventors of carrying out the present invention is disclosed above, practice of the present invention is not limited thereto. It will be manifest that various additions, modifications and rearrangements of the features of the present invention may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept. 
     The terms upper lower, top, bottom and the like in the specification and claims are intended to assist the reader in understanding invention and are not intended as terms of limitation. 
     Despite any methods being outlined in a step-by-step sequence, the completion of acts or steps in a particular chronological order is not mandatory. Further, elimination, modification, rearrangement, combination, reordering, or the like, of acts or steps is contemplated and considered within the scope of the description and claims. 
     Furthermore, while the present invention has been described in terms of the preferred embodiment, it is recognized that equivalents, alternatives, and modifications, aside from those expressly stated, are possible and within the scope of the appending claims.