Method and Apparatus for Using Foam Panels As Forms For Making Concrete Walls

Abstract

A foam panel concrete form is provided for using concrete reinforcement rods which extend on each side of a joint in the foam panel concrete form and into complementary shaped openings in ties which hold two adjacent panels in a spaced and parallel relationship. The concrete reinforcement rod can pass into the openings in adjacent ties with little resistance in a first rotary position of the concrete reinforcement rod. When the concrete reinforcement rod is rotated to a second rotational position within the openings the reinforcement rod is in a tight frictional fit in the openings for helping to hold adjacent ties and the adjacent foam panels in a fixed relationship with respect to each other during a time when concrete is poured between the foam panels, thereby also serving to re-enforce the concrete after the concrete has cured.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
   
   
       17 . Apparatus comprising:
 a dowel having a circular cross sectional shape having a first diameter;   a first tie adapted to be disposed in a first foam panel and a second portion thereof disposed in a second foam panel;   a first opening disposed in the first tie whereby the dowel is adapted to pass into the first opening with little resistance;   a second tie having one portion thereof adapted to be disposed in a third foam panel and a second portion thereof adapted to be disposed in a fourth foam panel;   a second opening disposed in the second tie whereby the dowel is adapted to pass into the second opening with little resistance;   a first resilient block having an opening therein which is of a second diameter which is smaller than the first diameter of the dowel whereby the dowel can be disposed in tight frictional contact within the opening in the first resilient block to hold the first resilient block attached to one end of the dowel;   a second resilient block having an opening therein which is of the second diameter which is smaller than the first diameter of the dowel whereby another end of the dowel can be disposed in tight frictional contact within the opening in the second resilient block to hold the second resilient block attached to the other end of the dowel; and   whereby the first and second ties are disposed between the first and second resilient blocks for shipping purposes.   
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the first and second resilient blocks are comprised of rubber. 
   
   
       19 - 20 . (canceled)