Slipform with longitudinally movable form sections

Claim 2

A slipform for smoothing the exposed surfacing material placed upon a prepared soil surface during longitudinal movement of the slipform along the surface, comprising: a plurality of partial form sections arranged adjacent to one another having outer surface areas complementary to the desired surface configuration, adjacent form sections each being longitudinally slidable on said surfacing material relative to the remaining form sections; supply means for placement of surfacing material in a plastic state along the prepared soil surface forward of the form sections; and individually operable power means connecting the form sections to one another for selectively imparting longitudinal sliding motion to one form section along said surfacing material relative to the other form sections and relative to the placed surfacing material; said individually operable power means comprising independent power assemblies located along the sides of the form sections at inner surfaces thereof, each power assembly being operatively connected between two of said form sections so as to impart relative sliding movement between them when actuated.

Claim 3

A slipform as set out in claim 1 wherein said individually operable power means comprise independent longitudinal fluid cylinder assemblies located along the form sections, each cylinder assembly being operatively connected between two of said form sections so as to impart relative sliding movement between them when actuated.

Claim 4

A slipform as set out in claim 2 further comprising: control means operably connected to each of the cylinder assemblies for sequentially actuating each cylinder in a repetitive cycle to move each form section longitudinally along the excavation.

Claim 5

A slipform for use within a longitudinal subsoil excavation for forming a longitudinal finished surface along a plastic mass placed about the slipform within the excavation along excavation surfaces, comprising: a plurality of partial form sections having outer surfaces arranged adjacent to one another and together presenting the desired cross-sectional configuration of the finished surface about their outer surfaces, with adjacent form sections having longitudinal side edges thereof in sliding engagement with one another to permit longitudinal movement of an individual form section on said finished surface relative to the remaining form sections; supply means for placement of surfacing material in a plastic state within the excavation in contact with the outer surfaces of the form sections; and individually operable power means operatively connecting each form section to the remaining form sections for selectively imparting longitudinal motion to the form section relative to the remaining form sections; said individually operable power means comprising independent power assemblies located along the sides of the form sections at inner surfaces thereof, each power assembly being operatively connected between two of said form sections so as to impart relative sliding movement between them when actuated.

Claim 6

A slipform for use within a longitudinal subsoil excavation for forming a longitudinal finished surface along a plastic mass placed about the slipform within the excavation along excavation surfaces, comprising: a plurality of partial form sections having outer surfaces arranged adjacent to one another and together presenting the desired cross-sectional configuration of the finished surface about their outer surfaces, with adjacent form sections having longitudinal side edges thereof in sliding engagement with one another to permit longitudinal movement of an individual form section on said finished surface relative to the remaining form sections; supply means for placement of surfacing material in a plastic state within the excavation in contact with the outer surfaces of the form sections; and individually operable power means operatively connecting each form section to the remaining form sections for selectively imparting longitudinal motion to the form section relative to the remaining form sections; said individually operable power means comprising independent power assemblies located along the sides of the form sections at inner surfaces thereof, each power assembly being operatively connected between two of said form sections so as to impart relative sliding movement between them when actuated.

Claim 7

A slipform as set out in claim 4 wherein said individually operable power means comprise independent longitudinal fluid cylinder assemblies located along the sides of the form sections at inner surfaces thereof, each cylinder assembly being operatively connected between two of said form sections so as to impart relative sliding movement between them when actuated.

Claim 8

A slipform as set out in claim 5 further comprising: control means operably connected to each of the cylinder assemblies for sequentially actuating each cylinder in an identical manner in a repetitive cycle to slide each form section longitudinally along the excavation.

Claim 9

A slipforM as set out in claim 4 wherein the slipform includes longitudinal open ends; and an elongated rigid support frame extending within the slipform and operatively connected to the form sections as a support therefore, including means in contact with the excavation surfaces for locating the form sections relative to the excavation surfaces.

Claim 10

A slipform for use within a longitudinal subsoil excavation for forming a longitudinal interior bore within a plastic mass placed about the slipform within the excavation, comprising: three or more longitudinally elongated partial form sections, each having an identical transversely arcuate convex outer surface area of constant configuration along its length; supply means for placing surfacing material about the circumference of the assembled form sections while filling the space between the walls of the excavation and form sections; and individually operable power means connecting each form section to the respective form sections adjacent to it on each side for imparting longitudinal movement to a single form section on said plastic mass relative to at least two other form sections; said individually operable power means being comprised of independent power assemblies, each power assembly being connected between two of said form sections so as to depart relative sliding movement between them when actuated.

Claim 11

A slipform for use within a longitudinal subsoil excavation for forming a longitudinal interior bore within a plastic mass placed about the slipform within the excavation, comprising: three or more longitudinally elongated partial form sections, each having an identical transversely arcuate convex outer surface area of constant configuration along its length; supply means for placing surfacing material about the circumference of the assembled form sections while filling the space between the walls of the excavation and form sections; and individually operable power means connecting each form section to the respective form sections adjacent to it on each side for imparting longitudinal movement to a single form section on said plastic mass relative to at least two other form sections; said individually operable power means being comprised of independent power assemblies, each power assembly being connected between two of said form sections so as to depart relative sliding movement between them when actuated.

Claim 12

A slipform as set out in claim 8 wherein said individually operable power means is comprised of independent longitudinal fluid cylinder assemblies, each cylinder assembly being connected between two of said form sections so as to impart relative sliding movement between them when actuated.

Claim 13

A slipform as set out in claim 9 further comprising: control means operably connected to each of the cylinder assemblies for sequentially actuating each cylinder in a repetitive cycle to slide each form section longitudinally along the excavation.

Claim 14

A slipform as set out in claim 8 wherein the partial form sections are identical to one another, each outer surface being transversely arcuate and elongated longitudinally and presenting a portion of a full circular circumferential surface in combination with the outer surface areas of the remaining partial form sections whereby said slipform may be utilized to form an interior bore within said plastic mass.

Claim 15

A slipform as set out in claim 11 wherein the partial form sections complement one another when assembled to present a transverse closed inner form having a circumferential outer surface for forming the bore, with longitudinal ends of the assembled form sections being open.