U-head for supporting concrete formwork

Abstract

A U-head can include various elements. In some example, the U-head can include a bearing surface with a flat, central region and with one or more sloped faces. In examples, the flat, central region can support beams in at a first orientation, and the sloped face(s) can support the beams at a second orientation that is different from the first orientation. In addition, in some examples, the U-head can be used together with a wedge adapter, such that the U-head can be positioned at the lower end of a shoring post and can, in combination with the adapter, support the shoring post at an angle atop a box stringer (or other rectangular beam(s) or support structures).

Claimed is: 
     
         1 . A U-head for use with a shoring post, the U-head comprising:
 a base comprising a bearing surface;   the bearing surface comprising a central flat face and a sloped face extending at an angle away from the central flat face and towards a peripheral edge; and   a plurality of elongated protrusions extending away from the bearing surface.   
     
     
         2 . The U-head of  claim 1 , wherein the angle comprises a grade in a range of about 15 percent to about 25 percent. 
     
     
         3 . The U-head of  claim 1 , wherein the sloped face comprises a convex surface contour and the angle is based on a tangent line. 
     
     
         4 . The U-head of  claim 1 , wherein the sloped face comprises a surface texture. 
     
     
         5 . The U-head of  claim 4 , wherein the surface texture is different from the central flat face. 
     
     
         6 . The U-head of  claim 1 , wherein the sloped face is at least partially between a first elongated protrusion and a second elongated protrusion. 
     
     
         7 . The U-head of  claim 1  further comprising, an undercut below the peripheral edge. 
     
     
         8 . The U-head of  claim 7 , wherein the undercut is configured to receive a fastener for attaching the U-head to a beam. 
     
     
         9 . The U-head of  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises the bearing surface on a first side of the base, wherein the base comprises a second side, which as compared to the first side, is on an opposite side of the base. 
     
     
         10 . The U-head of  claim 9 , wherein the second side comprises a pin-receiving recess configured to receive a pin of a clip, and wherein the base comprises a clamping ledge configured engage the clip. 
     
     
         11 . The U-head of  claim 9 , wherein the base comprises a through hole extending from the first side to the second side, and wherein a portion of the through hole comprises a hexagon-shaped hole profile. 
     
     
         12 . The U-head of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the central flat face comprises, in a first direction, a first dimension;   the sloped face comprises, in the first direction, a second dimension; and   the first dimension is larger than the second dimension.   
     
     
         13 . The U-head of  claim 12 , wherein a ratio of the second dimension to the first dimension is at least 0.5:1. 
     
     
         14 . The U-head of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the U-head comprises a part of a U-head assembly; and   the U-head assembly comprises a wedge adapter having a first side with a surface contour that corresponds with the central flat face and with the sloped face and a second side that is substantially flat.   
     
     
         15 . The U-head of  claim 14 , wherein the wedge adapter comprises a centering post with a terminal end that inserts into the U-head and that comprises an opening, and wherein the opening comprises a non-circular profile. 
     
     
         16 . A wedge adapter comprising:
 a wedge-shaped body that tapers in thickness as it extends from a first side to a second side;   a face extending at least partially between the first side and the second side;   a centering post protruding from the face and comprising a terminal end;   the terminal end comprising an opening configured to receive a fastener.   
     
     
         17 . The wedge adapter of  claim 16 , wherein the opening comprises a non-circular profile. 
     
     
         18 . The wedge adapter of  claim 16 , wherein the centering post comprises a recess in communication with the opening, and the recess comprises a inner wall. 
     
     
         19 . The wedge adapter of  claim 18 , wherein the inner wall comprises a protuberance extending into the recess and configured to interfere with rotation of a fastener inserted through the opening and into the recess. 
     
     
         20 . The wedge adapter of  claim 18 , wherein the terminal end comprises an undercut facing towards the recess.