Support head with quick release for formwork system

Abstract

A support head mountable on a support post for supporting a beam in a formwork system is provided. The support head includes a top member configured for contacting and supporting the beam. The top member includes a first tube having first opposing pin holes and a pair of guide plates. The support head includes a base member mountable on top of the support post. The base member includes a second tube having second opposing pin holes. The first and second opposing pin holes are configured to align along a horizontal axis. The support head includes a pin insertable into the pin holes. The pin includes a guide portion. The pair of guide plates is configured to receive the guide portion to orient the pin and prevent rotation of the pin. The pin is slidably moveable in the pin holes from a first position to a second position.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A support head mountable on a support post for supporting a beam in a formwork system, the support head comprising:
 a top member configured for contacting and supporting the beam, the top member comprising a first tube having first opposing pin holes and a pair of guide plates;   a base member mountable on top of the support post, the base member comprising a second tube having second opposing pin holes, wherein the first opposing pin holes and the second opposing pin holes are configured to align along a horizontal axis; and   a pin insertable into the first opposing pin holes and the second opposing pin holes, the pin comprising a guide portion, the pair of guide plates configured to receive the guide portion to orient the pin and prevent rotation of the pin, the pin being slidably moveable in the pin holes from a first position to a second position.   
     
     
         2 . The support head of  claim 1 , wherein the top member comprises a main plate, wherein the first tube and the pair of guide plates extend from the main plate toward the base member. 
     
     
         3 . The support head of  claim 1 , wherein the base member comprises a support plate positioned outside the second tube, the support plate configured to support the pin. 
     
     
         4 . The support head of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the second tube defines a channel; and   the first tube is sized to be slidingly received in the channel.   
     
     
         5 . The support head of  claim 1 , wherein the pin comprises a plurality of depressions thereon, wherein, in the first position the plurality of depressions are offset from the first opposing pin holes and the second opposing pinholes, and in the second position the plurality of depressions are aligned with the first opposing pinholes and the second opposing pin holes thus lowering the top member in height. 
     
     
         6 . The support head of  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of depressions in the pin face upwards when the pin is in the first position and the second position. 
     
     
         7 . The support head of  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of depressions comprise a pair of grooves, the pair of grooves being spaced apart. 
     
     
         8 . The support head of  claim 7 , wherein each one of the pair of grooves has a U-shaped profile. 
     
     
         9 . The support head of  claim 7 , wherein each of the pair of grooves has a V-shaped profile. 
     
     
         10 . The support head of  claim 7 , wherein the pair of grooves has a depth of about 5 mm. 
     
     
         11 . The support head of  claim 7 , wherein the pair of grooves have a width of about 10 mm. 
     
     
         12 . The support head of  claim 1 , wherein the pin comprises an elongated, cylindrical body having at least one flat surface. 
     
     
         13 . The support head of  claim 1 , wherein
 the pin comprises a pin hole, the guide portion positioned at a first end of the pin and the pin hole positioned at a second end of the pin; and   the support head comprises a cotter pin, the pin hole configured to receive the cotter pin to restrict axial movement of the pin and prevent disengagement of the pin from the first opposing pin holes and the second opposing pin holes.   
     
     
         14 . The support head of  claim 1 , wherein the pin is made of steel. 
     
     
         15 . The support head of  claim 1 , wherein the pin has an electroplated surface. 
     
     
         16 . A method of supporting formwork panels with a formwork system, comprising:
 providing a support head, the support head comprising:
 a top member configured for contacting and supporting a beam, the top member comprising a first tube having first opposing pin holes and a pair of guide plates; 
 a base member mountable on top of a support post, the base member comprising a second tube having second opposing pin holes, wherein the first opposing pin holes and the second opposing pin holes are configured to align along a horizontal axis; and 
 a pin insertable into the pin holes, the pin comprising a guide portion, the pair of guide plates configured to receive the guide portion to orient the pin and prevent rotation of the pin, the pin being slidably moveable in the first opposing pin holes and the second opposing pin holes from a first position to a second position; 
   setting the pin at the first position;   disposing a formwork panel on the beam;   forming concrete slabs on the formwork panel; and   striking the pin in the support head to move the pin to the second position so as to lower the top member and the beam supported thereon, thus releasing a vertical load applied onto a support post below the support head to allow removal of the support post.   
     
     
         17 . A support head comprising:
 a top member comprising a first tube having first opposing pin holes and a pair of guide plates;   a base member comprising a second tube having second opposing pin holes, wherein the first opposing pin holes and the second opposing pin holes are configured to align along a horizontal axis; and   a pin insertable into the pin holes, the pin comprising a guide portion, the pair of guide plates configured to receive the guide portion to orient the pin and prevent rotation of the pin, the pin being slidably moveable in the pin holes from a first position to a second position such that:
 in the first position, the top member is supported by the pin at a first, higher height, and 
 in the second position, the top member is supported by the pin at a second, lower height. 
   
     
     
         18 . The support head of  claim 17 , wherein the base member comprises a support plate positioned outside the second tube, the support plate configured to support the pin. 
     
     
         19 . The support head of  claim 18 , wherein the pin comprises an elongated, cylindrical body having at least one flat surface, the flat surface configured to interface with the support plate. 
     
     
         20 . The support head of  claim 17 , wherein the pin comprises a plurality of depressions thereon, wherein, in the first position the plurality of depressions is offset from the first opposing pin holes and the second opposing pinholes, and in the second position the plurality of depressions is aligned with the first opposing pinholes and the second opposing pin holes thus lowering the top member in height.