GB2598125A

GB2598125A - Climbing formwork

Info

Publication number: GB2598125A
Application number: GB2012939.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Taylor Mark; Forshaw Richard
Original assignee: Ischebeck Titan Ltd
Current assignee: Ischebeck Titan Ltd
Priority date: 2020-08-19
Filing date: 2020-08-19
Publication date: 2022-02-23
Anticipated expiration: 2040-08-19
Also published as: GB202012939D0; GB2598125B

Abstract

The climbing formwork comprises a formwork panel 21 supported on a panel frame 8, secured to a platform 4 by a support structure 20 permitting adjustment of location and orientation relative to the platform and comprising two forward supports 9 beneath the panel frame and two rearward supports 12 which maintain it substantially vertical. Each forward support comprises a guide structure wherein one component 34 receives another 30 vertically and guides it to a position where holes 37 in the components align to receive a retaining member (e.g. a bolt or pin). The formwork panel can be tilted forward/backward through at least 10 degrees (e.g. 20 degrees or more). One component of the guide structure (e.g. a clevis 34) may comprise an arcuate first bearing surface and the other component may have at least two bearing surfaces (e.g. defined by studs or pins) or a continuous arcuate bearing surface, said bearing surfaces all spaced at equal radius from holes receiving the retaining member. The formwork panel may be height adjustable and/or mounted on a carriage 10.

Description

Climbing Formwork The present invention relates to climbing formwork and particularly to climbing formwork comprising a formwork panel supported by a panel frame which, on initial assembly of the climbing formwork, has to be lowered into position onto a support structure on a platform of the climbing formwork. The present invention also relates to climbing formwork comprising a formwork panel that is to be used at an inclined angle to shutter concrete, in order to form a non-vertical surface of the structure being formed.

In modern construction, particularly in the construction of high rise buildings it is common to have a central core, which houses lift shafts and stair wells and which provides support to the floors of the construction, wherein the central core and floors are formed by poured concrete. Generally the central core is built up in a number of steps, with each step corresponding to one or more storeys of the building and comprising a separate pour of concrete. All of the concrete pours need to be contained, in order to hold the concrete in place until it hardens sufficiently to hold its own shape. Such containment is generally effected by use of temporary shuttering, most commonly referred to as formwork.

As the height of the building core increases, the height at which the formwork needs to be provided above ground level increases, wherein each successive pour can only take place after the preceding pour has properly set. For this purpose there exist climbing formwork systems. Climbing formwork systems generally comprise a formwork support assembly, which consists of a platform adapted to extend substantially horizontally and on which is slidably mounted, for horizontal movement, a framework which supports a vertically extending formwork panel. The platform may be located in an initial position and the formwork may be advanced horizontally to a suitable position for the pouring of concrete. After the concrete has been poured and at least partially cured the supporting framework may be moved horizontally to withdraw the formwork from the concrete. The platform, still supporting the framework and the formwork panel may then be translated vertically using a crane or hydraulic assembly to a higher position and clamped to the structure that has just been built. The formwork may then be advanced horizontally to a suitable position for a subsequent pouring step.

On arriving at a site, before climbing formwork can be attached to a structure being formed, it will normally be necessary to assemble on a platform of the climbing formwork, guard screens and a formwork panel and associated panel frame to shutter the poured concrete. The heaviest item will be the combined formwork panel and panel frame, which will normally have to be crane lifted onto the platform to then be mounted substantially vertically on the platform. Quite often space is particularly restricted on a site and anything which either speeds up that assembly, or the reliability of that assembly is desirable.

In addition to the above, climbing formwork is normally used to shutter a vertical face of a concrete structure being formed, however it is occasionally necessary to form a concrete structure that has a surface that is slightly inclined relative to vertical, and there is thus a need for climbing formwork which can accommodate such an inclination of the concrete structure, which may vary as the structure being formed extends. Thus, there is a need for a climbing formwork which can readily accommodate such variations in inclination.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved climbing formwork.

According to the present invention there is provided climbing formwork comprising a platform arranged to be supported by a structure being formed and to be progressively raised up that structure as the height of the structure increases, the climbing formwork comprising a formwork panel arranged to shutter concrete to extend the structure being formed and a panel frame, to which the formwork panel is mounted, the panel frame being arranged to support the formwork panel, the climbing formwork further comprising a support structure for securing the panel frame to the platform and for permitting adjustment of the position of the panel frame relative to the platform, to enable the panel frame and thus the formwork panel to be accurately positioned both in location and orientation. The support structure comprises two forward supports located substantially beneath the panel frame to support the panel vertically and two rearward supports arranged to brace the panel frame to maintain it in a desired generally vertical orientation, wherein each forward support comprises two components. The first component is mounted to the panel frame and the second component is mounted to the platform, wherein each first component comprises a first part of a guide structure and each second component comprises a second part of a guide structure, where one part of the guide structure is arranged to receive the other part vertically and guide that other part to a position where the first component and the panel frame and formwork panel are support by the second component and wherein a hole in the first component is correctly aligned with a hole in a second component, to receive a retaining member in the form of a bolt or pin to lock the first component to the second component, wherein the guide structure permits the panel frame and formwork panel to subsequently be tilted forwards and/or backwards through a total angle of at least 10 degrees and more preferably 20 degrees.

The present invention permits a climbing formwork to be assembled in a reliable and safe manner by one component of the front support guiding the other component to the correct position to enable a pin or similar to be inserted to lock the two components together, irrespective of slight variations in the angle of inclination of the panel frame. This is advantageous because the panel frame may not always be presented with a true vertical orientation, for the orientation of the panel frame will depend on the location of the centre of gravity of the combined formwork panel and panel frame relative to the attachment point to the crane. Furthermore, the invention permits subsequent inclination of the panel frame and the formwork panel, without the need to release the panel frame from the platform. The invention may thus assist in the assembly of the panel frame on the platform and enable the climbing formwork to be rapidly modified to account for variations in the inclination of a surface of a structure being formed.

Preferably, the said one part of the guide structure comprises a first bearing surface in the form of a section of a circle, the centre of which is axially aligned with a first hole through which the retaining member is to be placed; the said other part of the guide structure comprising at least two other bearing surfaces each radially spaced from an axis passing through a second hole, through which the retaining member is to be placed, by a distance equal to the radius of said section of a circle.

If one bearing surface prescribes a section of a circle then it is not necessary for the other bearing surface to be continuous and the other bearing surface could, for example, be in the form of two studs radially spaced from a point on that component through which a hole passes and through which a pin is to be inserted to secure the first component to the second component, for these two other "point" bearing surfaces will ensure the first bearing surface is correctly positioned.

An advantage of the bearing surface of one component being non-continuous is that there is less likelihood of debris becoming trapped between the bearing surfaces of the two components, which may hinder the correct positioning of the components.

Preferably, the said other bearing surface or bearing surfaces lie on an arc having a radius equal to the radius of said section of circle and radially spaced from an axis passing through a second hole, through which the retaining member is to be placed, by a distance equal to the radius of said section of a circle, wherein said other bearing surface or surfaces are positioned on a section of the arc which prescribes less than 160 degrees.

The requirement that all of the other bearing surfaces lie on an arc and extend over no more than a 160 degrees of that arc, permits subsequent relative rotation between the assembled two components of the guide structure of 20 degrees, permitting the formwork to subsequently be inclined through a range of 20 degrees, possibly 10 degree's to either side of vertical. This also ensures that if the panel is presented to the platform at an angle of up to 10 degrees away from vertical, then the guide will still correctly locate the two components for smooth insertion of a connecting pin or similar.

Where the one part of the guide structure is a clevis, then the other part may comprise two parallel outward facing opposed surfaces arranged to engage with the inner surfaces of two side legs of the clevis, said other part having a hole there through to receive a pin or bolt passing through the clevis, said other part having projections extending from the outward facing surfaces which define bearing surfaces. In this manner, correct assembly of the clevis on the other part of the guide structure may correctly aligns the clevis in a first plane perpendicular to the axis passing through the holes in the clevis, with the guide structure then correctly positioning a clevis in that plane so that a clevis pin or similar may be inserted through the clevis and the hole in the other part of the guide structure.

The said one part of the guide structure may be the second part of the guide structure mounted to the platform and the said other part of the guide structure may be the first part of the guide structure mounted to the panel frame, wherein the other bearing surface or at least two other bearing surfaces form a cradle for receiving the first bearing surface when the panel frame and formwork panel are lowered into place on the platform. The above arrangement is particularly convenient, for it provides an upward facing cradle type structure for receiving the first bearing surface as it is lowered into place. However, the same result may be achieved with an inverted structure, where the first bearing surface is in the form of an upturned cradle which is attached to the panel frame, instead of the platform.

Preferably, the second component of each forward support is part of a carriage mounted to the platform by being attached to a track, to enable each of: the carriage; the forward support; the panel frame; and formwork panel to be moved, as a single unit, transversely back and forward across the platform.

Additionally, it is preferable for each forward support to comprise means for adjusting the height of the panel frame and formwork panel relative to the platform.

One embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures, of which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a climbing formwork in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a side elevation, to an enlarged scale, of a formwork panel and a support structure for that panel to be mounted on a platform of the climbing formwork of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a front elevation, to a further enlarged scale, of a section of the support structure taken along the line III-Ill of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a further enlarged side elevation of the front portion of the carriage of Figure 2; and Figures 5 and 6 correspond to Figure 4, but show the panel frame inclined at different angles.

Referring now to Figure 1, climbing formwork, indicated generally as 1, is shown mounted to a concrete structure 2, which is being constructed and out of which extends a number of reinforcing bars 3. These are to be shuttered by the climbing formwork 1 and encased in concrete, which once set will extend the concrete structure 2.

The climbing formwork 1 comprises a platform, indicated generally as 4. The platform 4 engages with brackets 5, only one of which can be seen in Figure 1, fixed to the concrete structure 2, the brackets 5, together with braces 6 extending beneath the platform 4 support the platform in the substantially horizontal position shown. The brackets 5 may, for example, be of the type disclosed in UK Patent GB 2543933 B1, which brackets have a locking means for preventing the platform 4 from lifting out of the brackets 5. However, the platform 4 could be attached to the concrete structure 2 by any other known suitable means, for example by climbing rails of the various types illustrated and described in UK Patent GB 2524472 B1, all of which enable the platform 4 to be raised up the concrete structure as the concrete structure extends upwards, with the platform and all the components mounted on it being lifted as a complete unit, either by a crane or by mechanical actuators or jacks.

The climbing formwork 1 illustrated in Figure 1 comprises a formwork panel 7 mounted to a panel frame 8, so that the formwork panel is arranged vertically, as shown in Figure 1. The panel frame 8 is connected by front supports 9 to respective carriages 10, only one of which can be seen in Figure 1, which carriages 10 can move forwards and backwards on tracks 11, only one of which can be seen in Figure 1, secured to the platform 4. Adjustable props 12, only one of which can be seen in Figure 1, extend between the panel frame 8 and respective carriages 10, to enable the panel frame 8, and thus the formwork panel 21, to be correctly positioned and orientated. Each carriage 10 has rack 41 (see Figure 3), which engages with a toothed pinion 26 attached to the bolt lla passing through the track 11, such that rotating the bolt lla will advance or withdraw the panel frame 8.

A locking means 10a is provided on the end of the carriage 10, for locking the carriage to the track 11 against the forces exerted by the poured concrete.

Although only one set of climbing formwork 1 is shown in Figure 1, two sets of climbing formwork will be arranged to either side of the concrete structure 2 and 20 these may climb and form the concrete structure 2 as a pair and be tied to each other to resist the forces exerted by the poured concrete.

The sequential performed when using such formwork 1 are well known and are described in detail in UK Patent GB 2524472 B1. However, in brief summary, the climbing formwork will be arranged as shown in Figure 1 with the formwork panel 7 being correctly positioned, both in vertical height and alignment, noting that the surface to be formed may not always be vertical. Concrete is then poured and retained by the formwork panel 7 until the concrete has hardened. The formwork panel is then retracted away from the concrete structure 2 on the carriages 10 which move to the right, as shown in Figure 1, away from the concrete structure 2. Once the concrete has set, additional brackets 5 are secured higher up the concrete structure 2. The entire climbing formwork 1 is then raised by a crane or similar to engage with the higher brackets 5, whereupon workers on the platform 4 may assemble additional reinforcing bars or steelwork prior to the formwork panel being moved on the carriages 10, to the left as shown in Figure 1, with the position of the formwork panel 7 being adjusted as necessary prior to concrete being poured and the process repeated until the concrete structure 2 reaches the desired height.

Referring now to Figure 2, this shows in greater detail the support structure of Figure 1, indicated generally as 20 in Figure 2. This is arranged to support a formwork panel 21 similar to the formwork 21 panel of Figure 1.

Figure 2 shows the support structure 20 to an enlarged scale relative to that of Figure 1 and this, in conjunction with the further enlarged partial front elevation of Figure 3, taken along the line III-Ill of Figure 2, more clearly shows how the panel frame 8 is connected to the carriage 10 by support 9. From the front elevation of Figure 3, it can be seen that the carriage 10 runs along the top of track 11 on internal top rollers 22, arranged in pairs on axles 23 and extending below a the carriage 10, to rest on the track 11. Wings 24 are located at all four corners of the carriage 10 and these each support an associated lower roller 25. Each lower roller 25 engages under a top rail of the track 11, to prevent the carriage 10 from lifting away from the track, thus securing the carriage 10 to both the track 11 and the platform 4 (not shown in Figures 3 or 4) to which the track is secured by bolts 28. The wings 24 also prevent the carriage 10 being displaced laterally from the track 11.

Figure 3 also shows the pinion 26 extending through a top section of the track 11, to engage with rack 41 attached to the carriage 10. This permits the carriage 10 to be wound backwards and forwards along the track 11, by rotating the bolt 11a, to which the pinion 26 is fixed.

As can be seen most clearly from Figure 3, the panel frame 8 is supported by the support previously indicated generally as 9. The support 9 comprises a threaded shaft 27 with a nut 28 welded to it, such that rotation of the nut 28 rotates the threaded shaft 27. The threaded shaft 27 passes through plate 29 of a clevis, indicated generally as 30. The threaded shaft 27 is secured in place on the plate 29 by a collar 31 fixed to the threaded shaft 27, such that the nut 28 with the collar 31 retains the threaded shaft 27 on the plate 29, with the threaded shaft 27 perpendicular to the plate 29, but able to rotate relative to that plate 29.

The threaded shaft 27 engages with a threaded member, not shown, forming part of the panel frame 8, so that rotation of the nut 28 enables the panel 10 frame 8 and formwork panel 21 to be adjusted up or down, as required, relative to the platform 4.

The clevis 30 comprises two legs 32, 33 which extend from the plate 29 down either side of a front engagement portion of the carriage 10. The front engagement portion 34 comprises a section of steel channel inverted and welded to the top of a main body 35 of the carriage 10. The engagement portion 34 thus acts to transversely centre the clevis 30 on the carriage 10, with the distal ends of the legs 32 and 33 of the clevis resting on the main body 35 of the carriage. A clevis pin 36 passes through holes in the legs 32 and 33 of the clevis and through a selected pair of several pairs of holes 37 in the front engagement portion 34, to attach the clevis 30 and thus the panel frame 8 and formwork panel 21 to the carriage 10 and thus to the track 11 and the platform 4.

Referring now to Figure 4, this is a further enlarged side elevation showing the support 9. This shows a plurality of guides 38a to 38f, each in the form of a short length of steel bar which passes through the front engagement portion 34 of the carriage 10 to extend out of either side, (see guide 38a in Figure 3). The clevis can be located in any one of three positions on the front engagement portion 34 of the carriage 10, so that the holes 39 in the legs 32 and 33 of the clevis align with a respective pair of the three pairs of holes 37, extending through the front engagement portion 34.

When assembling the panel frame 8 and formwork panel 21 on the platform 4, the panel frame 8 is lowered, normally by crane, onto and fixed to the carriage 10 by means of the supports 9, with the carriage already secured to the platform 4 by the track 11. During this process, the distal edges 40 of the legs 32 and 33 of the clevis 30, which are each shaped to form a half circle, as shown in Figure 4, are guided by a respective pairs of guides 38a to 38f, (guides 38a and 38b when located in the forward position shown in Figure 4). The guides 38a and 38b, which act to centralise the clevis such that the holes 39 in the clevis legs 32, 33 align with the holes 37 in the front engagement portion 34 of the carriage 10. At the point where the pair of holes 37 in the front engagement portion 34 of the carriage 10 come into register with the hole in the clevis 30, the distal edges 40 of each leg 32, 33 of the clevis 30 come into contact with an upper surface of the main body 35 of the carriage 10. The upper surface of the main body 35 of the carriage 10, together with the points of contact of the guides 38a an 38b with the distal edge of the clevis, define three bearing surfaces that support the clevis 30. These bearing surfaces lie on an imaginary arc of a circle, the radius of the arc matching the radius of the distal edge 40 of the clevis legs 32 and 33, with the arc centred on the pair of holes 37 passing through the front engagement portion 34 of the carriage 10.

The longitudinal axes of the guides 38a and 38b are both located below the axis of pair of holes 37 passing through the front engagement portion 34 of the carriage 10. Because of this, the imaginary arc prescribed by the three bearing surfaces in contact with a distal edge 40 of the legs 32 and 33 of the clevis 30 extends to less 160 degrees. This permits the panel frame 8, and thus the formwork panel 21, to be inclined forward at an angle of up to 10 degrees, or inclined backwards at an angle of up to 10 degrees, as shown in Figures 5 and 6 respectively, without the legs 32 and 33 of the clevis 30 fouling or being restricted by the guides 38a and 38b when the clevis 30 is secured in place by the clevis pin 36. Thus, this permits the angle of the formwork panel 21 to be inclined either forwards or backwards by an angle of 10 degrees, by adjusting the lengths of of props 12.

In addition to the above, the above described arrangement also permits the clevis to be correctly located during assembly of the formwork panel and panel frame 8 on the platform, even if the panel frame 8, when craned in, is at an inclined angle, for example the angle shown in either Figures 6 or 7.

One embodiment of the present invention has been described by way of example only and it will apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications may be made which fall within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

Claims 1. Climbing formwork comprising a platform arranged to be supported by a structure being formed and to be progressively raised up that structure as the height of the structure increases, the climbing formwork comprising a formwork panel arranged to shutter concrete to extend the structure being formed and a panel frame, to which the formwork panel is mounted, the panel frame being arranged to support the formwork panel, the climbing formwork further comprising a support structure for securing the panel frame to the platform and for permitting adjustment of the position of the panel frame relative to the platform to enable the panel frame and thus the formwork panel to be accurately positioned both in location and orientation, the support structure comprising two forward supports located substantially beneath the panel frame to support the panel vertically and two rearward supports arranged to brace the panel frame to maintain it in a desired generally vertical orientation, wherein each forward support comprises two components, the first component mounted to the panel frame and the second component mounted to the platform, wherein each first component comprises a first part of a guide structure and each second component comprises a second part of a guide structure, where one part of the guide structure is arranged to receive the other part vertically and guide that other part to a position where the first component and the panel frame and formwork panel are support by the second component and wherein a hole in the first component is correctly aligned with a hole in a second component to receive a retaining member in the form of a bolt or pin to lock the first component to the second component, wherein the guide structure permits the panel frame and formwork panel to subsequently be tilted forwards and/or backwards through a total angle of at least 10 degrees.
2. Climbing formwork as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the guide structure permits the panel frame and formwork panel to subsequently be tilted forwards and/or backwards through a total angle of at least 20 degrees.
3. Climbing formwork as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 wherein; the said one part of the guide structure comprises a first bearing surface in the form of a section of a circle, the centre of which is axially aligned with a first hole through which the retaining member is to be placed; the said other part of the guide structure comprises at least two other bearing surfaces each radially spaced from an axis passing through a second hole, through which the retaining member is to be placed, by a distance equal to the radius of said section of a circle.
4. Climbing formwork as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the at least two other bearing surfaces are defined by two studs.
5. Climbing formwork as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 wherein; the said one part of the guide structure comprises a bearing surface in the form of a section of a circle, the centre of which is axially aligned with a first hole through which the retaining member is to be placed; the said other part of the guide structure comprises a continuous other bearing surface in the form of an arc having a radius equal to the radius of said section of circle and radially spaced from an axis passing through a second hole, through which the retaining member is to be placed, by a distance equal to the radius of said section of a circle.
6. Climbing formwork as claimed in any one of Claims 3 to 5 where the other bearing surface or bearing surfaces lie on an arc having a radius equal to the radius of said section of circle and radially spaced from an axis passing through a second hole, through which the retaining member is to be placed, by a distance equal to the radius of said section of a circle, wherein said other bearing surface or surfaces are positioned on a section of the arc which prescribes less than 160 degrees.
7. Climbing formwork as claimed in any one of Claims 3 to 6 wherein said one part of the guide structure is a clevis shaped to have a distal end of at least one leg of the clevis forming the first bearing surface, with the hole in the clevis being the first hole, on which the first bearing surface is centred.
8. Climbing formwork as claimed in Claim 7 wherein said other part of the guide structure comprises two parallel outward facing opposed surfaces arranged to engage with the inner surfaces of two side legs of the clevis, said other part having a hole there through to receive a pin or bolt passing through the clevis, said other part having projections extending from the outward facing surfaces which define bearing surfaces.
9. Climbing formwork as claimed in Claim 8 wherein the projection are in the form of pins that extend through the other part of the guide structure.
10. Climbing formwork as claimed in any one of Claims 3 to 9 wherein the one part of the guide structure is the second part of the guide structure of the second component of a forward support mounted to the platform and the said other part of the guide structure is the first part of the guide structure of the first component of a forward support mounted to the panel frame, wherein the other bearing surface or at least two other bearing surfaces form a cradle for receiving the first bearing surface when the panel frame and formwork panel are lowered into place on the platform.
11. Climbing formwork as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the second component of each forward support is pad of a carriage mounted to the platform by being attached to a track to enable the carriage the forward support, the panel frame and formwork panel to be moved as a single unit transversely back and forward across the platform.
12. Climbing formwork as claimed in claim in any preceding claim wherein in 30 each forward support comprises means for adjusting the height of the panel frame and formwork panel relative to the platform.