Insulating concrete form apparatus

Abstract

An insulating concrete form system uses a stacked arrangement of foam panels to receive pourable concrete to construct a concrete wall of a building structure. Webs located in the panels hold the panels in parallel spaced relation. The webs have laterally extending ties. The ties have one or more projecting members having arms extending into grooves adapted to receive rebar. Outwardly extending truss member are used to fasten multiple webs during shipping. Couplings releasably connect the ties to end portions of the web and allow the ties to be moved along the length of the end portions as desired.

1 . An insulating concrete form apparatus comprising:
 a pair of panels with at least one web extending between the pair of panels,   each panel of the pair of panels located in spaced relationship to each other,   each panel of the pair of panels having a top surface and a bottom surface,   each panel of the pair of panels having at least one first protrusion forming part of the top surface,   each panel of the pair of panels having at least one second protrusion forming part of the bottom surface,   the at least one first protrusion being aligned with the at least one second protrusion whereby the pair of panels is adapted to be stacked either above or below additional pairs of panels,   the at least one first protrusion being in symmetry with the at least one second protrusion,   the at least one web having at least one end portion,   the at least one end portion extending along at least one panel of the pair of panels,   the at least one web having at least one tie extending to the at least one end portion,   the at least one end portion having an inner surface,   the at least one tie being releasably connected to the at least one end portion whereby the at least one tie is moveable along the inner surface of the at least one end portion to one or more selected positions between a top elevation and a bottom elevation of the at least one web,   the at least one tie having at least one tie connector,   the at least one tie connector having a channel shaped body extending over and around the inner surface of the at least one end portion to slidably connect the at least one tie to the at least one end portion whereby the at least one tie connector is movable along a length of the at least one end portion to selectively adjust the lateral position of the at least one tie between the pair of panels.   
     
     
         2 . The insulating concrete form apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 the channel shaped body of the at least one tie connector has at least one channel to allow the at least one tie to remain in a lateral position relative to the at least one end portion while the at least one tie is being moved along the length of the at least one end portion. 
 
     
     
         3 . The insulating concrete form apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 the at least one tie has at least one swivel member pivotally connected to the at least one tie connector allowing each panel of the pair of panels to move toward one another. 
 
     
     
         4 . The insulating concrete form apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 the at least one tie has at least one body projecting from the at least one tie, 
 the at least one body adapted to receive a reinforcing bar, 
 the at least one body having a side wall adapted to deform when the reinforcing bar is received by the body. 
 
     
     
         5 . The insulating concrete form apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 the at least one tie has at least one body projecting from the at least one tie, 
 the at least one body adapted to receive a reinforcing bar, . 
 the at least one body having at least one arm adapted to engage the reinforcing bar and prevent movement of the reinforcing bar. 
 
     
     
         6 . The insulating concrete form apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 the at least one web has at least one prong member, 
 the at least one prong member adapted to receive a strip member. 
 
     
     
         7 . The insulating concrete form apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 the at least one end portion has an inner support and an outer support located in spaced relationship with the inner support, and 
 at least one truss member extending between the inner support and the outer support. 
 
     
     
         8 . The insulating concrete form apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 at least one panel of the pair of panels has at least one indicia orientated to indicate a position of the at least one web extending between the pair of panels. 
 
     
     
         9 . The insulating concrete form apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 the at least one tie connector has at least one pin releasably connecting the at least one tie to the at least one end portion. 
 
     
     
         10 . The insulating concrete form apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 the inner surface of the at least one end portion of the at least one web has an indentation, 
 the at least one tie connector having at least one pin, 
 the at least one pin adapted to extend into the indentation to releasably connect the at least one tie to the at least one end portion. 
 
     
     
         11 . The insulating concrete form apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 the at least one tie connector has at least one pin, 
 the at least one pin being centrally located on the at least one tie connector. 
 
     
     
         12 . The insulating concrete form apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 the at least one tie connector has at least one bore adapted to receive a fastener to prevent the at least one tie from moving relative to the at least one end portion of the at least one web. 
 
     
     
         13 . The insulating concrete form apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 the at least one tie has at least one swivel member connected to the at least one tie connector, 
 the at least one swivel member having at least one projection, 
 the at least one tie having at least one projecting member, 
 the at least one projection engageable with the at least one projecting member to hold the pair of panels in an open position. 
 
     
     
         14 . An insulating concrete form apparatus comprising:
 a first panel and a second panel located in spaced relationship relative to the first panel,   the first panel and the second panel each having a top surface and a bottom surface,   the first panel and the second panel each having at least one first protrusion forming a part of the top surface,   the first panel and the second panel each having at least one second protrusion forming a part of the bottom surface,   the at least one first protrusion being aligned with the at least one second protrusion whereby the first panel and the second panel are adapted to be stacked either above or below additional panels,   the at least one first protrusion being in symmetry with the at least one second protrusion,   at least one web extending between the first panel and the second panel,   the at least one web having at least one end portion,   the at least one end portion having an inner surface,   the at least one end portion extending along at least one of the first panel and the second panel,   the at least one web having at least one tie extending to the at least one end portion,   the at least one tie being releasably connected to the at least one end portion whereby the at least one tie is moveable along the inner surface of the at least one end portion between a top elevation and a bottom elevation of the at least one web,   the at least one tie having at least one tie connector,   the at least one tie connector extending over and around the inner surface of the at least one end portion to connect the at least one tie to the at least one end portion,   the at least one tie connector being moveable along the inner surface of the at least one end portion to selectively adjust the lateral position of the at least one tie between the first panel and the second panel.   
     
     
         15 . The insulating concrete form apparatus of  claim 14  wherein:
 the at least one tie connector has at least one channel member accommodating the at least one end portion adapted to allow the at least one tie to remain in lateral position relative to the at least one end portion while the at least one tie connector is being moved relative to the at least one end portion. 
 
     
     
         16 . The insulating concrete form apparatus of  claim 14  wherein:
 the at least one tie connector has at least one pin releasably connecting the at least one tie to the at least one end portion. 
 
     
     
         17 . The insulating concrete form apparatus of  claim 14  wherein:
 the at least one tie has at least one swivel member pivotally connected to the at least one tie connector to allow the first panel to be moved toward the second panel. 
 
     
     
         18 . The insulating concrete form apparatus of  claim 14  wherein:
 the at least one tie has at least one swivel member connected to the at least one tie connector, 
 the at least one swivel member having at least one projection, 
 the at least one tie having at least one projecting member, 
 the at least one projection being engageable with the at least one projecting member to hold the first panel and the second panel in an open position. 
 
     
     
         19 . The insulating concrete form apparatus of  claim 14  wherein:
 at least one of the first panel and the second panel has at least one indicia oriented to indicate a position of the at least one web extending between the first panel and the second panel. 
 
     
     
         20 . The insulating concrete form apparatus of  claim 14  wherein:
 the at least one tie connector has at least one bore adapted to receive a fastener to prevent the at least one tie from moving relative to the at least one end portion of the at least one web. 
 
     
     
         21 . The insulating concrete form apparatus of  claim 14  wherein:
 the at least one tie connector having at least one pin, 
 the at least one pin adapted to extend into an indentation in the at least one end portion to releasably connect the at least one tie to the at least one end portion of the at least one web. 
 
     
     
         22 . The insulating concrete form apparatus of  claim 14  wherein:
 the at least one tie connector has at least one pin, 
 the at least one pin being centrally located on the at least one tie connector. 
 
     
     
         23 . A web for an insulating concrete form apparatus comprising:
 a semi-rigid molded plastic web member,   the web member having a first end portion and a second end portion opposite the first end portion,   a tie extending between the first end portion and the second end portion,   the tie being releasably connected to the first end portion and the second end portion whereby the tie is moveable along the first end portion and the second end portion,   the tie having a first tie connector attached to the first end potion and a second tie connector attached to the second end portion,   the first tie connector having a first channel shaped body extending over and around the first end portion to slideably connect the tie to the first end portion,   the second tie connector having a second channel shaped body extending over and around the second end portion to slideably connect the tie to the second end portion,   the first channel shaped body being movable along the first end portion and the second channel shaped body being movable along the second end portion to selectively adjust the lateral position of the tie between the first end portion and the second end portion of the web member.   
     
     
         24 . The web of  claim 23  wherein:
 the first tie connector and the second tie connector are moveable in tandem along the first end portion and the second end portion of the web member. 
 
     
     
         25 . The web of  claim 23  wherein:
 the first end portion and the second end portion each haves an inner support and an outer support located in a spaced relationship relative to the inner support, and 
 at least one truss member extending between the inner support and the outer support. 
 
     
     
         26 . The web of  claim 23  wherein:
 the tie has at least one depression. 
 
     
     
         27 . The web of  claim 23  including:
 at least one prong member adapted to receive a strip member. 
 
     
     
         28 . The web of  claim 23  wherein:
 the tie has at least one body member projecting from the at least one tie, 
 the at least one body member adapted to receive a reinforcing bar. 
 
     
     
         29 . The web of  claim 23  wherein:
 the first tie connector having at least one first pin, 
 the second tie connector having at least one second pin, 
 the at least one first pin adapted to releasably connect the tie to the first end portion, 
 the at least one second pin adapted to releasably connected the tie to the second end portion. 
 
     
     
         30 . The web of  claim 23  wherein:
 the first tie connector having at least one first pin, 
 the second tie connector having at least one second pin, 
 the at least one first pin being centrally located on the first tie connector, 
 the at least one second pin being centrally located on the second tie connector. 
 
     
     
         31 . A method of connecting a tie to an end portion of an insulating concrete form web comprising:
 providing a tie connector,   releasably connecting the tie to the end portion with the tie connector whereby the tie is moveable along the end portion to one or more selected positions between a top elevation and a bottom elevation of the insulating concrete form web,   releasably connecting the tie to the end portion with the tie connector thereby allowing the tie connector to be moved along a length of the end portion,   providing the tie connector with a channel shaped body,   extending the channel shaped body over and around the end portion to slideably connect the tie to the end portion, and   locating the end portion of the tie in the channel shaped body whereby the tie is held in a lateral position relative to the end portion while the tie connector is being moved relative to the end portion.   
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31  including:
 providing the tie connector with a pin, and 
 releasably connecting the tie to the end portion with the pin. 
 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 31  including:
 providing the tie with a body projecting from the tie, and 
 adapting the body to receive a reinforcing bar. 
 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 31  including:
 providing the tie with a prong member, and 
 adapting the prong member to receive a strip member. 
 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 31  including:
 providing the tie connector with a swivel member, 
 pivotally connecting the swivel member to the tie thereby allowing the insulating concrete form web to move between a closed position and an open position, and 
 locking the insulating concrete form web in the open position.