Lightweight Crane-Set Forming Panel

Abstract

A forming panel is provided which is particularly useful as a large, crane-set forming panel for forming concrete walls. The forming panel includes a face plate and a frame, the frame including channels having a slot extending longitudinally therealong. The slot is adapted to receive a filler insert having a bushing which includes a flexible barrier having a brush-like element with a plurality of filaments extending into a passage configured to receive either a tie bar or a tie rod. The forming panel preferably includes a shiftably mounted bracket for supporting a waler, scaffold or strongback thereon, wherein the bracket includes an arm which may be pivoted to a position substantially parallel to the frame and its mounting plate for transport and/or storage. The face plate may be provided as a multilayered composite panel and the frame may include rails having grooves on the side opposite the face plate which receive flexible barriers for inhibiting the passage of fine particles of concrete therepast.

1 . A forming panel for receiving thereagainst flowable cementatious material comprising:
 a face plate presenting a rear side and a concrete-receiving side;   a frame including a plurality of rails extending rearwardly from the rear side of the face plate and at least one channel extending along the rear side of the face plate and positioned between said plurality of rails, said channel having a longitudinally extending slot therealong, said face plate including at least one opening therethrough adapted for receiving a connecting element; and   a filler insert removably mounted to said frame and configured for receipt in said slot, said filler insert including a bushing having a passage therethrough for positioning in alignment with the opening and a flexible barrier of brush-like filaments extending into the passage.   
   
   
       2 . A forming panel as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said channels include opposed longitudinally extending first and second walls having longitudinally extending ribs thereon with said longitudinally extending slot being located intermediate said walls. 
   
   
       3 . A forming panel as set forth in  claim 2 , further including a retaining ring configured for mounting over said bushing and having an outer surface including a thread configured for threadably engaging said ribs. 
   
   
       4 . A forming panel as set forth in  claim 3 , said retaining ring further including an interior surface mounting a resilient member thereon adapted for engaging the bushing when mounted thereon. 
   
   
       5 . A forming panel as set forth in  claim 4 , said retaining ring further including a rearward edge presenting a relief therein. 
   
   
       6 . A forming panel as set forth in  claim 1 , said passage in said bushing having an arcuate configuration. 
   
   
       7 . A forming panel as set forth in  claim 1 , said bushing having a pair of opposed guides each presenting a substantially flat central surface defining said passage. 
   
   
       8 . A filler insert for selective mounting to a forming panel for receiving thereagainst flowable cementatious material, said filler insert comprising:
 a backing member;   a bushing mounted to the backing member and having a passage through the bushing; and   a flexible barrier of brush-like filaments mounted on the bushing and extending into the passage.   
   
   
       9 . A bracket for selective positioning along a frame of a forming panel for concrete having a face plate presenting a concrete-receiving surface, said bracket comprising:
 a mounting plate adapted for mounting to the frame;   a bracket arm; and   pivot structure for pivotally mounting the bracket arm to the mounting plate for shifting the bracket arm about a pivot axis from a position substantially parallel to the mounting plate to a position substantially perpendicular to the mounting plate.   
   
   
       10 . A bracket as set forth in  claim 9 , further including a clamping member shiftably mounted to said bracket arm. 
   
   
       11 . A bracket as set forth in  claim 10 , said clamping member being in a generally upright plane including a slot which is inclined relative to the mounting plate whereby shifting of clamping member relative to the arm causes the clamping member to move toward or away from the mounting plate. 
   
   
       12 . A bracket as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein said bracket arm includes a pair of spaced-apart flanges and said bracket further includes a support arm pivotally mounted to said bracket arm and sized for receipt between said flanges. 
   
   
       13 . A forming panel for receiving thereagainst flowable cementatious material, said forming panel comprising:
 a frame including an upper rail, a lower rail and spaced-apart side rails, each of said rails including an inner surface, an outer surface, and a front edge, wherein the inner surface includes a first groove located proximate the front edge, the outer surface includes a second groove proximate the front edge, and the front edge includes a flange extending forwardly of the groove;   a face plate mounted to the frame and received in the first groove of said rails, wherein said face plate includes a panel having a synthetic resin core received between metal sheets; and   a flexible barrier mounted in said second groove and extending generally away from said face plate.   
   
   
       14 . A forming panel as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein said flexible barrier includes a brush having a multiplicity of filaments. 
   
   
       15 . A method of forming a wall of concrete or other cementations material comprising the steps of:
 providing a pair of opposed forming panels each having a face plate and a frame including spaced apart upper and lower rails and a pair of spaced apart side rails positioned along perimeter edges of the face plate;   coupling the forming panels in opposition to define a concrete-receiving space therebetween;   pouring concrete into the space between the opposed forming panels;   allowing the concrete to at least partially cure to a self-sustaining condition; and   removing the forming panels from the concrete,   wherein said coupling step includes providing a hole through the face plate of each of the forming panels inboard of the upper and lower rails and the side rails, and providing a brush-like flexible barrier adjacent the face plate, and providing a tie member extending between the opposed forming panels extending through their respective holes, positioning the brush-like flexible barrier adjacent the face plate and in engagement with the tie member, and operatively coupling the tie member to the frames of the respective forming panels to inhibiting displacement of the opposed forming panels away from each other.   
   
   
       16 . A method of forming a wall of concrete or other cementations material comprising the steps of:
 providing a pair of opposed forming panels each having a face plate and a frame including spaced apart upper and lower rails and a pair of spaced apart side rails positioned along perimeter edges of the face plate;   coupling the forming panels in opposition to define a concrete-receiving space therebetween;   pouring concrete into the space between the opposed forming panels;   allowing the concrete to at least partially cure to a self-sustaining condition; and   removing the forming panels from the concrete,   further including the steps of providing a plurality of brackets each including a mounting plate and an arm pivotally mounted thereto, and a support member for receipt on the arm and positioning adjacent to the frame of at least one forming panel, and mounting the brackets to the frame, positioning the brackets at a desired location along the frame, supporting the support member on the arm, removing the support member, and pivoting the arm to a position substantially parallel to the mounting plate.   
   
   
       17 . A method as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein said pivoting step includes pivoting the arm about a substantially vertical axis. 
   
   
       18 . A method as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein said pivoting step includes pivoting the arm about a substantially horizontal axis.