Apparatus for forming concrete barriers
First Claim
1. A system for continuously forming a concrete structure that extends in a substantially horizontal direction and has a predetermined cross-sectional configuration, the system comprising:
- a frame;
first form means, coupled to said frame, for supporting a portion of one side of a concrete structure being formed;
second form means for supporting at least a portion of an opposite side of the concrete structure, said second form means being designed to coact with said first form means so as to enclose an area having a cross-sectional configuration corresponding to the predetermined cross-sectional configuration of the concrete structure, wherein said second form means is fixed with respect to a surface on which the concrete structure is formed;
drive means coupled to said first form means and to said frame for causing said frame and said first form means to move in said substantially horizontal direction; and
support means, coupled to said frame so that said drive means causes said support means to move with said first form means in said substantially horizontal direction, for supporting successive portions of said second form means relative to said first form means as said drive means causes said first form means to move in said substantially horizontal direction so as to permit said first form means to coact with said second form means so as to enclose successive areas having a cross-sectional configuration corresponding to the predetermined cross-sectional configuration of the concrete structure.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for forming an elongate concrete structure (20) which extends in a first direction and includes an outer surface (26) with a textured pattern having concave and convex portions which extend other than in just the first direction. The system comprises an elongate, planar form (32) having a reverse image of the textured pattern on one side (202) thereof, a conventional slipformer (30), the mule (60) of which is modified so as to include only a top wall (64) and a side wall (62), with the opposite side wall of the mule being removed, and a side arm assembly (150) coupled to the slip former for supporting the form so that it engages the mule so as to block off the opening in the mule created by removal on the opposite side wall thereof. The planar form is erected prior to formation of the structure, remains standing during the formation of the structure and is dissassembled a predetermined period of time after the concrete structure has been formed. The side arm assembly slidingly engages the outer surface of the form as the slip former is moved in the first direction.
18 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for continuously forming a concrete structure that extends in a substantially horizontal direction and has a predetermined cross-sectional configuration, the system comprising:
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a frame; first form means, coupled to said frame, for supporting a portion of one side of a concrete structure being formed; second form means for supporting at least a portion of an opposite side of the concrete structure, said second form means being designed to coact with said first form means so as to enclose an area having a cross-sectional configuration corresponding to the predetermined cross-sectional configuration of the concrete structure, wherein said second form means is fixed with respect to a surface on which the concrete structure is formed; drive means coupled to said first form means and to said frame for causing said frame and said first form means to move in said substantially horizontal direction; and support means, coupled to said frame so that said drive means causes said support means to move with said first form means in said substantially horizontal direction, for supporting successive portions of said second form means relative to said first form means as said drive means causes said first form means to move in said substantially horizontal direction so as to permit said first form means to coact with said second form means so as to enclose successive areas having a cross-sectional configuration corresponding to the predetermined cross-sectional configuration of the concrete structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A device for slip-forming a concrete barrier along a selected substantially horizontal path, the device being designed for use with a form which extends along, and is fixed relative to, the path and is designed to support and define the configuration of one side of the barrier, the form having an inner surface which engages the one side of the barrier, the device comprising:
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a frame; mule means coupled with said frame for supporting, and defining the configuration of an opposite side of, the concrete barrier, said mule means comprising a first wall having an end, a second wall attached to said end of said first wall so as to extend transversely to said first wall, and an opening opposite said first wall; drive means coupled to said frame and said mule means for causing said mule means to move along the path; and support means coupled to said frame for supporting said mule means and the form in selected, mutually spaced relation so that said mule means coacts with said form so as to block said opening in said mule means as said mule means is caused to move along said path by said drive means, wherein said support means comprising slide means for slidingly engaging and supporting an outer surface of the form as said mule means is caused to move along said path by said drive means. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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20. In an automated slip-former for forming an elongate concrete barrier extending along a substantially horizontal path, the slip-former comprising a frame, drive means coupled with the frame for causing the frame to move along the path, a mule attached to the frame for supporting and defining the configuration of the concrete barrier to be formed, the mule comprising an inner wall, an outer wall, and an upper wall coupled to said inner and outer walls, and a hopper assembly coupled with the mule for delivering concrete to the mule,
the improvement wherein: -
said mule includes an opening in said outer wall; and said slip former additionally comprises support means, coupled to said frame so as to be moved by the drive means along the path, (a) for supporting successively encountered portions of a pre-erected form extending along the path, as said drive means causes said support means to move along the path, in predetermined spaced relation to said mule so as to block said opening in said outer wall and prevent said portions of the form from moving away from the path, and (b) for detecting changes in grade of the path and adjusting the position of said mule as a consequence of detected changes in grade so as to ensure the barrier has a substantially constant height along its length.
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Specification