Tilt-up concrete form brace

Abstract

A brace for use in tilt-up construction is disclosed. The brace includes a bottom surface and a vertical side surface. The bottom surface of the brace is affixed to a permanent horizontal surface (e.g., a slab) in a manner that allows the brace to be removed without damaging the permanent horizontal surface. The vertical side surface of the brace is attached to a concrete pour form. The bottom surface of the brace is affixed to the permanent horizontal surface using an adhesive. Alternatively, a shoe is attached to the permanent horizontal surface and the brace sits in the shoe.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A brace for use in tilt-up construction, the brace comprising: 
 a. a bottom surface which is affixed to a permanent horizontal surface such that the brace provides temporary support but can be removed without marring the permanent horizontal surface; and    b. a vertical side surface perpendicularly attached to the bottom surface of the brace, wherein the vertical side surface is affixed to a form which is laying on the permanent horizontal surface.    
     
     
         2 . The brace of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom surface of the brace is affixed to the permanent horizontal surface using an adhesive.  
     
     
         3 . The brace of  claim 2 , wherein the adhesive is double-sided tape.  
     
     
         4 . The brace of  claim 2 , wherein the vertical surface is attached to the form using the adhesive.  
     
     
         5 . The brace of  claim 2 , wherein the vertical surface is attached to the form using at least one nail.  
     
     
         6 . The brace of  claim 1 , wherein 
 a. the bottom surface of the brace is not affixed directly to the permanent horizontal surface;    b. wherein a shoe is affixed to the permanent horizontal surface; and    c. wherein the brace is attached to the shoe in a manner which is secure yet temporary.    
     
     
         7 . The brace of  claim 6 , wherein the shoe is attached to the permanent horizontal surface using an adhesive.  
     
     
         8 . The brace of  claim 7 , wherein the adhesive is double-sided tape.  
     
     
         9 . The brace of  claim 6 , wherein a plurality of braces are attached to the shoe in a manner which is secure yet temporary.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein 
 a. the bottom surface of the brace is not affixed directly to the permanent horizontal surface;    b. wherein at least one strip of material is affixed to the permanent horizontal surface; and    c. wherein the brace is attached to the strip(s) of material.    
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , a first strip of material placed adjacent the form and a second stip of material is substantially parallel to and is placed a distance from the first strip of material.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the strip(s) of material are affixed to the permanent horizontal surface using an adhesive.  
     
     
         13 . The brace of  claim 1 , wherein the material used to construct the brace comprises plastic.  
     
     
         14 . The brace of  claim 1 , further comprising a flange for angling the form relative to the brace.  
     
     
         15 . The brace of  claim 1 , further comprising a wedge piece for taking up space between the brace and the form.  
     
     
         16 . A shoe for use with a brace in tilt-up construction, the shoe comprising: 
 a. a bottom surface which is affixed to a permanent horizontal surface such that the shoe is capable of holding at least one brace and the shoe can be removed without marring the permanent horizontal surface; and    b. wherein the at least one brace is affixed to a form which is laying on the permanent horizontal surface.    
     
     
         17 . The shoe of  claim 16 , wherein the shoe is affixed to the permanent horizontal surface using an adhesive.  
     
     
         18 . The shoe of  claim 17 , wherein the adhesive is double-sided tape.