1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a form assembly, more particularly to a modular form assembly which has a plurality of vertical channel pieces that can be coupled detachably side by side to one another to constitute a desired dimension of common form plane for forming a concrete structure.
2. Description of the Related Art
The improvement of this invention is directed to a conventional form assembly, as shown in FIG. 1, for forming a concrete structure. The conventional form assembly, which has been disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,957,272, includes vertical form plates (A1), vertical backing frames (A2), and horizontal reinforcement channel members (A3) which are coupled detachably to one another and which are then attached detachably to upper and lower edges of the form plates (A1). The backing frames (A2) are mounted detachably between the horizontal reinforcement channel members (A3) behind the form plates (A1). In order to further reinforce the form plates (A1), the conventional form assembly, when in practical application, further includes several horizontal reinforcement rods (A4), as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, which are mounted threadably to the backing frames (A2) to press against the rear faces of the form plates (A1) in order to increase the contact areas between the form plates (A1) and the backing frames (A2), thereby preventing deformation of the form plates (A1) during use.
Referring again to FIG. 1, the form plates (A1) have positioning holes (A5) formed therethrough at predetermined positions where, when any two form plates (A1) are located face to face, the positioning holes (A5) can be aligned with each other. In order to maintain two opposite form plates (A1) at a predetermined space into which concrete is poured, the conventional form assembly further includes several positioning bars (not shown), each of which having its two end portions mounted respectively within the aligned positioning holes (A5) of the opposite form plates (A1). In this way, the predetermined space between the opposite form plates (A1) can be maintained.
The drawbacks of the conventional form assembly are as follows:
1. A relatively large number of parts is required, such as the form plates (A1), the backing frames (A2), the reinforcement channel members (A3) and the reinforcement rods (A4), to constitute the conventional form assembly. Thus, it is quite complicated and difficult to assemble or disassemble these parts when in use.
2. Because the dimensions of the form plates (A1) are relatively large, the form plates (A1) can only be applied for forming wider walls, such as partition walls (B1), as shown in FIG. 4. When applying the form plate (A1) to form narrower walls, such as the narrow walls (B3) at the aisles (B2) or at the vent passageway (B4), the form plate (A1) has to be cut to fit the dimensions of the narrow walls (B3). This may result in waste of material. Therefore, bricks are still employed to constitute the narrow walls (B3).
3. To form variable dimensions of partition walls (B1) for use in different floors of a building, some of the form plates (A1) have to be cut so as to allow the assembly of the modified and original form plates (A1) to obtain the desired partition walls (B1). This results in waste of time and material. In addition, due to the change in the dimensions of the form plates (A1), alignment of the positioning holes (A5) at the opposite form plates (A1) cannot be maintained. Accordingly, several additional positioning holes (A5) have to be provided again in some of the form plates (A1) so as to mount the positioning bars. At the same time, the original positioning holes (A5) have to be filled. Thus, it is quite inconvenient to assemble the modified and original form plates (A1).