Apparatus for producing modular boxlike units

Claim 2

Apparatus for casting successive boxlike units each having at least one wall integrally cast with a ceiling slab, comprising a horizontal first form for casting the ceiling slab; a vertical second form movable between a closed, casting position in contact with the interior surface of the wall and an open position in which the second form is parallel to, but stripped away from the interior surface of the wall, the upper portion of the second form being in accurate alignment with the edge of the first form closest to the wall when the second form is moved to its closed position; means for supporting the first and second forms; means for moving the second form between its open and closed positions, the means for moving the second form comprising a first support, a guide plate mounted on the first support such that the guide plate slopes downwardly from the bottom of the interior surface of the wall, a roller mounted on the bottom of the second form and supported by the guide plate, and means for exerting both vertical and horizontal forces at the bottom of the second form to push the second form in an upward diagonal direction into its closed position; and a vertical third form in contact with the exterior surface of the wall and in spaced apart casting alignment with the second form when the second form is in its closed position such that the second and third forms partially contain the wall.

Claim 3

Apparatus for casting successive boxlike units each having at least first and second opposed walls integrally cast with a ceiling slab, comprising a first stationary support, an upsidedown ''''L'''' shaped first form pivotally mounted on the first support such the first form may be swung in an arc between a closed, casting position in which the first form is in contact with substantially the entire interior surface of the first wall and a first portion of the underside of the ceiling slab and an open position in which the first form is stripped away from the interior surface of the first wall and the first portion of the underside of the ceiling slab, a second stationary support, an upsIde-down ''''L'''' shaped second form pivotally mounted on the second support such that the second form may be swung in an arc between a closed, casting position in which the second form is in contact with substantially the entire interior surface of the second wall and a second portion of the underside of the ceiling slab and an open position in which the second form is stripped away from the interior surface of the second wall and the second portion of the underside of the ceiling slab, the first and second forms when in their closed positions constituting a tunnel-shaped interior form for the integrally cast walls and ceiling slab, means for swinging the first and the second forms between their open and closed positions, a third support, a third form vertically mounted on the third support in contact with the exterior surface of the first wall and in spaced apart casting alignment with the first form when the first form is in its closed position such that the first and third forms partially contain the first wall, a fourth support, and a fourth form vertically mounted on the fourth support in contact with the exterior surface of the second wall in spaced apart casting alignment with the second form when the second form is in its closed position, such that the second and fourth forms partially contain the second wall.

Claim 4

Apparatus for casting successive boxlike units each having at least first and second opposed walls integrally cast with a ceiling slab, comprising a first stationary support, an upsidedown ''''L'''' shaped first form pivotally mounted on the first support such the first form may be swung in an arc between a closed, casting position in which the first form is in contact with substantially the entire interior surface of the first wall and a first portion of the underside of the ceiling slab and an open position in which the first form is stripped away from the interior surface of the first wall and the first portion of the underside of the ceiling slab, a second stationary support, an upsIde-down ''''L'''' shaped second form pivotally mounted on the second support such that the second form may be swung in an arc between a closed, casting position in which the second form is in contact with substantially the entire interior surface of the second wall and a second portion of the underside of the ceiling slab and an open position in which the second form is stripped away from the interior surface of the second wall and the second portion of the underside of the ceiling slab, the first and second forms when in their closed positions constituting a tunnel-shaped interior form for the integrally cast walls and ceiling slab, means for swinging the first and the second forms between their open and closed positions, a third support, a third form vertically mounted on the third support in contact with the exterior surface of the first wall and in spaced apart casting alignment with the first form when the first form is in its closed position such that the first and third forms partially contain the first wall, a fourth support, and a fourth form vertically mounted on the fourth support in contact with the exterior surface of the second wall in spaced apart casting alignment with the second form when the second form is in its closed position, such that the second and fourth forms partially contain the second wall.

Claim 5

Apparatus for casting successive prefabricated units each having both an interior partition and an opposed wall integrally cast together with a ceiling slab, comprising a first stationary support, an upside-down ''''L'''' shaped first form pivotally mounted on the first support such that the first form may be swung in an arc between a closed, casting position in which the first form is in contact with substantially the entire interior surface of the wall and a first portion of the underside of the ceiling slab and an open position in which the first form is stripped away from the interior surface of the wall and the first portion of the underside of the ceiling slab, a second stationary support, an upside-down ''''L'''' shaped second form pivotally mounted opposite the first form on the second stationary support such that the second form may be swung in an arc between a closed, casting position in which the second form is in contact with a first surface of the interior partition and a second portion of the underside of the ceiling slab and an open position in which the second form is stripped away from the first surface of the interior partition and the second portion of the underside of the ceiling slab, the first and second forms when in their closed positions constituting a tunnel-shaped interior form for the integrally cast interior partition, wall and ceiling slab, means for swinging the first and the second forms between their open and closed positions, a third stationary support, a vertical third form mounted on the third support in contact with a second surface of the interior partition and a third portion of the underside of the ceiling slab and in spaced apart casting alignment with the second form when the second form is in its closed position such that the second and third forms partially contain the interior partition, a fourth stationary support, and a fourth form vertically mounted on the fourth support in contact with the exterior surface of the wall in spaced apart casting alignment with the first form when the first form is in its closed position, such that the first and fourth forms partially contain the wall.

Claim 6

Apparatus for casting successive prefabricated units each having both an interior partition and an opposed wall integrally cast together with a ceiling slab, comprising a first stationary support, an upside-down ''''L'''' shaped first form pivotally mounted on the first support such that the first form may be swung in an arc between a closed, casting position in which the first form is in contact with substantially the entire interior surface of the wall and a first portion of the underside of the ceiling slab and an open position in which the first form is stripped away from the interior surface of the wall and the first portion of the underside of the ceiling slab, a second stationary support, an upside-down ''''L'''' shaped second form pivotally mounted opposite the first form on the second stationary support such that the second form may be swung in an arc between a closed, casting position in which the second form is in contact with a first surface of the interior partition and a second portion of the underside of the ceiling slab and an open position in which the second form is stripped away from the first surface of the interior partition and the second portion of the underside of the ceiling slab, the first and second forms when in their closed positions constituting a tunnel-shaped interior form for the integrally cast interior partition, wall and ceiling slab, means for swinging the first and the second forms between their open and closed positions, a third stationary support, a vertical third form mounted on the third support in contact with a second surface of the interior partition and a third portion of the underside of the ceiling slab and in spaced apart casting alignment with the second form when the second form is in its closed position such that the second and third forms partially contain the interior partition, a fourth stationary support, and a fourth form vertically mounted on the fourth support in contact with the exterior surface of the wall in spaced apart casting alignment with the first form when the first form is in its closed position, such that the first and fourth forms partially contain the wall.

Claim 7

Apparatus for casting successive boxlike units each having at least first and second opposed walls integrally cast with a ceiling slab for assembly into building structures, comprising a horizontal base, a first upside-down ''''L'''' shaped form having first and second legs and being pivotally mounted by the second leg to the base such that the first form may be swung in an arc between an upright, closed, casting position in which the second leg is in contact with the interior surface of the first wall and The first leg is in contact with a first portion of the underside of the ceiling slab and an open position in which the first leg is stripped away from the underside of the ceiling and the second leg is stripped from the interior surface of the first wall, the first leg having an edge at its tip inclined downwardly at an acute angle to the underside of the ceiling slab, a second upsidedown ''''L'''' shaped form having third and fourth legs and being pivotally mounted by the fourth leg to the base such that the second form may be swung in an arc between an upright, closed, casting position in which the fourth leg is in contact with the interior surface of the second wall and the third leg is in contact with the underside of a second portion of the ceiling slab and an open position in which the third leg is stripped from the underside of the ceiling and the fourth leg is stripped from the interior surface of the second wall, the third leg having an edge at its tip inclined downwardly at an obtuse angle to the underside of the ceiling slab such that when the first and second forms are in their closed positions the inclined edges of the first and third legs are in a sealed mating relationship and such that the first and second forms in their closed positions constitute a tunnel-shaped interior form for the integrally cast walls and ceiling slab, means for swinging the first and the second forms between their open and closed positions, a first support, a vertical third form mounted on the first support in contact with the exterior surface of the first wall and in a spaced apart, casting relationship with the second leg when the first form is in its closed position such that the first and third forms partially contain the first wall, a second support, and a vertical fourth form mounted on the second support in contact with the exterior surface of the second wall and in a spaced part, casting relationship with the fourth leg when the second form is in its closed position such that the second and fourth forms partially contain the second wall.

Claim 8

Apparatus for casting successive boxlike units each having at least first and second opposed walls integrally cast with a ceiling slab for assembly into building structures, comprising a horizontal base, a first upside-down ''''L'''' shaped form having first and second legs and being pivotally mounted by the second leg to the base such that the first form may be swung in an arc between an upright, closed, casting position in which the second leg is in contact with the interior surface of the first wall and The first leg is in contact with a first portion of the underside of the ceiling slab and an open position in which the first leg is stripped away from the underside of the ceiling and the second leg is stripped from the interior surface of the first wall, the first leg having an edge at its tip inclined downwardly at an acute angle to the underside of the ceiling slab, a second upsidedown ''''L'''' shaped form having third and fourth legs and being pivotally mounted by the fourth leg to the base such that the second form may be swung in an arc between an upright, closed, casting position in which the fourth leg is in contact with the interior surface of the second wall and the third leg is in contact with the underside of a second portion of the ceiling slab and an open position in which the third leg is stripped from the underside of the ceiling and the fourth leg is stripped from the interior surface of the second wall, the third leg having an edge at its tip inclined downwardly at an obtuse angle to the underside of the ceiling slab such that when the first and second forms are in their closed positions the inclined edges of the first and third legs are in a sealed mating relationship and such that the first and second forms in their closed positions constitute a tunnel-shaped interior form for the integrally cast walls and ceiling slab, means for swinging the first and the second forms between their open and closed positions, a first support, a vertical third form mounted on the first support in contact with the exterior surface of the first wall and in a spaced apart, casting relationship with the second leg when the first form is in its closed position such that the first and third forms partially contain the first wall, a second support, and a vertical fourth form mounted on the second support in contact with the exterior surface of the second wall and in a spaced part, casting relationship with the fourth leg when the second form is in its closed position such that the second and fourth forms partially contain the second wall.

Claim 9

Apparatus as recited in claim 4 comprising a horizontal member rigidly affixed to the bottom of the second leg, the horizontal member extending under the first wall and being pivoted at the end of the horizontal member to the base.

Claim 10

Apparatus as recited in claim 4 wherein the means for moving the first and second forms includes a stop member affixed to the lower interior portion of the first form, a stop structure affixed to the base between the first and the second forms and positioned such that the stop member abuts the stop structure when the first form is fully moved to its open position, means extending between the first and the second forms for exerting a force between the first and the second forms, and latching means for holding the stop member in abutting relationship with the stop structure while the second form is moved from its open and its closed position.

Claim 11

Apparatus for casting successive boxlike units each having both an interior partition and an opposed wall integrally cast together with a ceiling slab for assembly into building structures, comprising a horizontal base, a first upside-down ''''L'''' shaped form having first and second legs and being pivotally mounted by the second leg to the base such that the first form may be swung in an arc between an upright, closed, casting position in which the second leg is in contact with the interior surface of the wall and the first leg is in contact with a first portion of the underside of the ceiling slab and an open position in which the first leg is stripped from the underside of the ceiling and the second leg is stripped from the interior surface of the wall, the first leg having an edge at its tip inclined downwardly when in the closed position at an oblique angle to the underside of the ceiling slab, a second upside-down ''''L'''' shaped form having third and fourth legs and being pivotally mounted opposite the first form by the fourth leg to the base such That the second form may be swung in an arc between an upright, closed, casting position in which the fourth leg is in contact with a first surface of the interior partition and the third leg is in contact with the underside of a second portion of the ceiling slab and an open position in which the third leg is stripped from the underside of the ceiling and the fourth leg is stripped from the first surface of the interior partition, the third leg having an edge at its tip inclined downwardly when in the closed position at an oblique angle to the underside of the ceiling slab which is complementary to the angle of inclination of the edge on the tip of the first leg, such that when the first and second forms are in their closed positions the inclined edges of the first and third legs are in a sealed parallel-mating relationship and such that the first and second forms in their closed positions constitute a tunnel-shaped interior form for the integrally cast interior partition, wall and ceiling slab, means for swinging the first and the second forms between their open and closed positions, a second support, a third form vertically mounted on the second support in contact with the exterior surface of the first wall and in a spaced apart, casting relationship with the second leg when the first form is in its closed position such that the first and third forms partially contain the first wall, a third support, and a fourth form vertically mounted on the third support in contact with a second surface of the interior partition and in a spaced apart, casting relationship with the fourth leg when the second form is in its closed position such that the second and fourth forms partially contain the interior partition.

Claim 12

Apparatus for casting successive boxlike units each having both an interior partition and an opposed wall integrally cast together with a ceiling slab for assembly into building structures, comprising a horizontal base, a first upside-down ''''L'''' shaped form having first and second legs and being pivotally mounted by the second leg to the base such that the first form may be swung in an arc between an upright, closed, casting position in which the second leg is in contact with the interior surface of the wall and the first leg is in contact with a first portion of the underside of the ceiling slab and an open position in which the first leg is stripped from the underside of the ceiling and the second leg is stripped from the interior surface of the wall, the first leg having an edge at its tip inclined downwardly when in the closed position at an oblique angle to the underside of the ceiling slab, a second upside-down ''''L'''' shaped form having third and fourth legs and being pivotally mounted opposite the first form by the fourth leg to the base such That the second form may be swung in an arc between an upright, closed, casting position in which the fourth leg is in contact with a first surface of the interior partition and the third leg is in contact with the underside of a second portion of the ceiling slab and an open position in which the third leg is stripped from the underside of the ceiling and the fourth leg is stripped from the first surface of the interior partition, the third leg having an edge at its tip inclined downwardly when in the closed position at an oblique angle to the underside of the ceiling slab which is complementary to the angle of inclination of the edge on the tip of the first leg, such that when the first and second forms are in their closed positions the inclined edges of the first and third legs are in a sealed parallel-mating relationship and such that the first and second forms in their closed positions constitute a tunnel-shaped interior form for the integrally cast interior partition, wall and ceiling slab, means for swinging the first and the second forms between their open and closed positions, a second support, a third form vertically mounted on the second support in contact with the exterior surface of the first wall and in a spaced apart, casting relationship with the second leg when the first form is in its closed position such that the first and third forms partially contain the first wall, a third support, and a fourth form vertically mounted on the third support in contact with a second surface of the interior partition and in a spaced apart, casting relationship with the fourth leg when the second form is in its closed position such that the second and fourth forms partially contain the interior partition.

Claim 13

ApparatuS as recited in claim 7 comprising a horizontal member rigidly affixed to the bottom of the fourth leg, the horizontal member extending beneath the interior partition and being pivoted to the base at the tip of the horizontal member.

Claim 14

Apparatus for casting successive boxlike units each having first and second opposed walls integrally cast with a ceiling slab for assembly into building structures, comprising a base, a first support rising upwardly from the base to a point adjacent the underside of the ceiling slab, a first upside-down ''''L'''' shaped form having first and second legs and being pivotally mounted at the tip of the first leg to the uppermost point of the first support, the first form being movable in an arc between a closed, casting position in which the second leg is in contact with the interior surface of the first wall and the first leg is in contact with a first portion of the underside of the ceiling slab and an open position in which the first leg is stripped away from the ceiling underside and the second leg is stripped away from the interior surface of the first wall, a second upsidedown ''''L'''' shaped form having third and fourth legs and being pivotally mounted at the tip of the third leg to the uppermost point of the first support and opposite the first form, the second form being movable in an arc between a closed, casting position in which the fourth leg is in contact with the interior surface of the second wall and the third leg is in contact with a second portion of the underside of the ceiling slab and an open position in which the third leg is stripped away from the ceiling underside and the fourth leg is stripped away from the interior surface of the second wall, the first and second forms when in their closed positions constituting a tunnel-shaped interior form for the integrally cast walls and ceiling slab, means for swinging the first and second forms between their open and closed positions, a second support, a third form vertically mounted on the second support in contact with the exterior surface of the first wall and in a spaced apart relationship with the second leg when the first form is in its closed position such that the first and third forms partially contain the first wall, a third support, and a fourth foRm vertically mounted on the third support in contact with the exterior surface of the second wall and in a spaced relationship with the fourth leg when the second form is in its closed position such that the second and fourth forms partially contain the second wall.

Claim 15

Apparatus for casting successive boxlike units each having first and second opposed walls integrally cast with a ceiling slab for assembly into building structures, comprising a base, a first support rising upwardly from the base to a point adjacent the underside of the ceiling slab, a first upside-down ''''L'''' shaped form having first and second legs and being pivotally mounted at the tip of the first leg to the uppermost point of the first support, the first form being movable in an arc between a closed, casting position in which the second leg is in contact with the interior surface of the first wall and the first leg is in contact with a first portion of the underside of the ceiling slab and an open position in which the first leg is stripped away from the ceiling underside and the second leg is stripped away from the interior surface of the first wall, a second upsidedown ''''L'''' shaped form having third and fourth legs and being pivotally mounted at the tip of the third leg to the uppermost point of the first support and opposite the first form, the second form being movable in an arc between a closed, casting position in which the fourth leg is in contact with the interior surface of the second wall and the third leg is in contact with a second portion of the underside of the ceiling slab and an open position in which the third leg is stripped away from the ceiling underside and the fourth leg is stripped away from the interior surface of the second wall, the first and second forms when in their closed positions constituting a tunnel-shaped interior form for the integrally cast walls and ceiling slab, means for swinging the first and second forms between their open and closed positions, a second support, a third form vertically mounted on the second support in contact with the exterior surface of the first wall and in a spaced apart relationship with the second leg when the first form is in its closed position such that the first and third forms partially contain the first wall, a third support, and a fourth foRm vertically mounted on the third support in contact with the exterior surface of the second wall and in a spaced relationship with the fourth leg when the second form is in its closed position such that the second and fourth forms partially contain the second wall.

Claim 16

Apparatus for casting successive boxlike units each having both an interior partition and an opposed wall integrally cast together with a ceiling slab for assembly into building structures, comprising a base, a first support rising upwardly from the base to a point adjacent the underside of the ceiling slab, a first upside-down ''''L'''' shaped form having first and second legs and being pivotally mounted at the tip of the first leg to the uppermost point of the first support, the first form being movable in an arc between a closed, casting position in which the second leg is in contact with the interior surface of the wall and the first leg is in contact with a first portion of the underside of the ceiling slab and an open position in which the first leg is stripped away from the ceiling underside and the second leg is stripped away from the interior surface of the wall, a second upside-down ''''L'''' shaped form having third and fourth legs and being pivotally mounted at the tip of the third leg to the uppermost point of the first support and opposite the first form, the second form being movable in an arc between a closed, casting position in which the fourth leg is in contact with a first surface of the interior partition and the third leg is in contact with a second portion of the underside of the ceiling slab and an open position in which the third leg is stripped away from the ceiling underside and the fourth leg is stripped away from the first surface of the interior partition, the first and second forms when in their closed positions constituting a tunnel-shaped interior form for the integrally cast interior partition, wall and ceiling slab, means for swinging the first and second forms between their open and closed positions, a second support, a third form vertically mounted on the second support in contact with the exterior surface of the first wall and in a spaced apart relationship with the second leg when the first form is in its closed position such that the first and third forms partially contain the first wall, a third support, and a fourth form vertically mounted on the third support in contact with a second surface of the interior partition and in a spaced apart relationship with the fourth leg when the second form is in its closed position such that the second and fourth forms partially contain the interior partition.

Claim 17

Apparatus for casting successive boxlike units each having both an interior partition and an opposed wall integrally cast together with a ceiling slab for assembly into building structures, comprising a base, a first support rising upwardly from the base to a point adjacent the underside of the ceiling slab, a first upside-down ''''L'''' shaped form having first and second legs and being pivotally mounted at the tip of the first leg to the uppermost point of the first support, the first form being movable in an arc between a closed, casting position in which the second leg is in contact with the interior surface of the wall and the first leg is in contact with a first portion of the underside of the ceiling slab and an open position in which the first leg is stripped away from the ceiling underside and the second leg is stripped away from the interior surface of the wall, a second upside-down ''''L'''' shaped form having third and fourth legs and being pivotally mounted at the tip of the third leg to the uppermost point of the first support and opposite the first form, the second form being movable in an arc between a closed, casting position in which the fourth leg is in contact with a first surface of the interior partition and the third leg is in contact with a second portion of the underside of the ceiling slab and an open position in which the third leg is stripped away from the ceiling underside and the fourth leg is stripped away from the first surface of the interior partition, the first and second forms when in their closed positions constituting a tunnel-shaped interior form for the integrally cast interior partition, wall and ceiling slab, means for swinging the first and second forms between their open and closed positions, a second support, a third form vertically mounted on the second support in contact with the exterior surface of the first wall and in a spaced apart relationship with the second leg when the first form is in its closed position such that the first and third forms partially contain the first wall, a third support, and a fourth form vertically mounted on the third support in contact with a second surface of the interior partition and in a spaced apart relationship with the fourth leg when the second form is in its closed position such that the second and fourth forms partially contain the interior partition.