Formwork systems and related methods

Abstract

A formwork system includes (a) a wallform panel for forming a wall portion; and (b) at least one brace assembly including a pair of vertically spaced apart props pivotably connected to the wallform panel for pivoting of the brace assembly relative to the wallform panel between a storage position, in which the brace assembly lies adjacent the wallform panel, and a deployed position, in which the brace assembly projects from the wallform panel for anchoring the props to a ground surface through a common base plate connected to each prop.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A prop assembly connectable to a wallform panel, comprising:
 a) a prop extending along a prop axis between a prop first end for coupling to a ground surface and a prop second end opposite the prop first end; and   b) a swivel apparatus for pivotably coupling the prop to the wallform panel, the swivel apparatus including:
 i) a mount detachably securable to a frame of the wallform panel; 
 ii) a swivel connector having a first joint portion pivotably connected to the mount for pivoting of the swivel connector about a vertical axis relative to the mount and a second joint portion pivotably connected to the prop second end for pivoting of the prop about a horizontal axis relative to the swivel connector and for pivoting of the prop with the swivel connector about the vertical axis between a deployed position in which the prop projects from the wallform panel and a storage position in which the prop lies adjacent the wallform panel; and 
 iii) a locking mechanism operable to selectively lock the swivel connector relative to the mount to inhibit pivoting of the prop between the deployed and storage positions, and to unlock the swivel connector relative to the mount to permit pivoting of the prop about the vertical axis between the deployed and storage positions. 
   
     
     
         22 . The prop assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the locking mechanism is operable to lock the swivel connector relative to the mount when the prop is in the storage position. 
     
     
         23 . The prop assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the locking mechanism is operable to lock the swivel connector relative to the mount when the prop is in the deployed position. 
     
     
         24 . The prop assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the locking mechanism is operable to lock the swivel connector relative to the mount when the prop is in the deployed position and when the prop is in the storage position. 
     
     
         25 . The prop assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the locking mechanism includes a swivel aperture in the swivel connector, at least one mount aperture in the mount and alignable with the swivel aperture, and a removable locking pin insertable through the swivel aperture and the mount aperture when in alignment with the swivel aperture for locking the swivel connector to the mount. 
     
     
         26 . The prop assembly of  claim 25 , wherein the at least one mount aperture includes a deployed-position aperture in alignment with the swivel aperture when the prop is in the deployed position for locking the prop in the deployed position, and a storage-position aperture spaced apart from the deployed-position aperture and in alignment with the swivel aperture when the prop is in the storage position for locking the prop in the storage position. 
     
     
         27 . The prop assembly of  claim 26 , wherein each of the swivel aperture, the deployed-position aperture, and the storage-position aperture extends parallel with and are spaced horizontally apart from the vertical axis. 
     
     
         28 . The prop assembly of  claim 27 , wherein the storage-position aperture is spaced apart from the deployed-position aperture by about 90 degrees about the vertical axis. 
     
     
         29 . The prop assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the first joint portion is pivotably connected to the mount through a vertical pivot pin extending along the vertical axis, and the second joint portion is pivotably connected to the prop second end through a horizontal pivot pin extending along the horizontal axis. 
     
     
         30 . The prop assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the prop has an adjustable length between the prop first end and the prop second end. 
     
     
         31 . The prop assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the mount includes a pair of mount plates spaced apart from each other by a channel sized to receive a frame member of the wallform panel in close fit. 
     
     
         32 . The prop assembly of  claim 31 , wherein the mount has one or more mounting holes passing through the pair of mount plates for receiving respective mounting pins for engagement with the frame member when in the channel to secure the mount to the wallform panel. 
     
     
         33 . A swivel apparatus for pivotably coupling a prop to a wallform panel, comprising:
 a) a mount detachably securable to a frame of the wallform panel;   b) a swivel connector having a first joint portion pivotably connected to the mount for pivoting of the swivel connector about a vertical axis relative to the mount and a second joint portion pivotably connectable to the prop for pivoting of the prop about a horizontal axis relative to the swivel connector and for pivoting of the prop with the swivel connector about the vertical axis between a deployed position in which the prop projects from the wallform panel and a storage position in which the prop lies adjacent the wallform panel; and   c) a locking mechanism operable to selectively lock the swivel connector relative to the mount to inhibit pivoting of the prop about the vertical axis between the deployed and storage positions, and to unlock the swivel connector relative to the mount to permit pivoting of the prop between the deployed and storage positions.   
     
     
         34 . The swivel apparatus of  claim 33 , wherein the locking mechanism is operable to lock the swivel connector relative to the mount when the prop is in the deployed position and when the prop is in the storage position. 
     
     
         35 . The swivel apparatus of  claim 34 , wherein the locking mechanism includes a swivel aperture in the swivel connector, at least one mount aperture in the mount and alignable with the swivel aperture, and a removable locking pin insertable through the swivel aperture and the mount aperture when in alignment with the swivel aperture for locking the swivel connector to the mount. 
     
     
         36 . The swivel apparatus of  claim 33 , further comprising a vertical pivot pin extending along the vertical axis and pivotably connecting the first joint portion to the mount, and a horizontal pivot pin extending along the horizontal axis for pivotably connecting the second joint portion to the prop. 
     
     
         37 . The swivel apparatus of  claim 33 , wherein the mount includes a pair of mount plates spaced apart from each other by a channel sized to slidably receive a frame member of the wallform panel in close fit, and one or more mounting holes passing through the pair of mount plates for receiving respective mounting pins for engagement with the frame member when in the channel to secure the mount to the wallform panel. 
     
     
         38 . A prop assembly connectable to a wallform panel, comprising:
 a) a prop extending along a prop axis between a prop first end for coupling to a ground surface and a prop second end opposite the prop first end;   b) a swivel connector for pivotably connecting the prop second end to the wallform panel to permit pivoting of the prop relative to the swivel connector about a horizontal axis and pivoting of the prop with the swivel connector about a vertical axis relative to the wallform panel between a deployed position in which the prop projects from the wallform panel and a storage position in which the prop lies adjacent the wallform panel; and   c) a locking mechanism operable to selectively lock the swivel connector relative to the wallform panel to inhibit pivoting of the prop between the deployed and storage positions, and to unlock the swivel connector relative to the wallform panel to permit pivoting of the prop about the vertical axis between the deployed and storage positions.   
     
     
         39 . The prop assembly of  claim 38 , wherein the locking mechanism includes a first aperture in the swivel connector and alignable with a second aperture fixed relative to the wallform panel, and a removable locking pin insertable through the first aperture and the second aperture when in alignment with the first aperture for locking the swivel connector relative to the wallform panel. 
     
     
         40 . The prop assembly of  claim 39 , further comprising a mount detachably securable to a frame of the wallform panel, the swivel connector pivotably connectable to the mount for pivoting of the prop with the swivel connector about the vertical axis, and wherein the second aperture is formed in the mount.