Tie having integrally molded sleeve

Claim 2

A unitary tie for holding form panels in spaced apart relation for receiving a hardenable material between said form panels to form a structure, comprising: (a) an elongated rod of substantially uniform diameter and threaded throughout its length having an elongated central section to extend between and through the form panels and opposed outer sections extending outwardly from each end of said central section, said outer sections having an engagement portion capable of releasable engagement with anchoring means for anchoring said rod outwardly of said form panels in an operative orientation of said rod with said central section extending between and through said form panels; and (b) a protective plastic sleeve covering and integrally secured along its length to said rod to protect and be fixed against movement relative to said rod, said sleeve having a longitudinally tapered outer surface extending longitudinally over substantially the entire length of said central section to extend through the form panels so that said central section does not contact said hardenable material placed inside the form panels and said unitary tie is removable only as a unitary unit including both said rod and said sleeve from said structure.

Claim 3

A unitary tie according to claim 1 wherein said sleeve is integrally molded to said rod.

Claim 4

Combination concrete form panels and tying apparatus comprising: a pair of form panels in spaced apart relation for receiving a hardenable material between said form panels to form a structure, an elongated rod having an elongated central section with a length sufficient to extend between and through said spaced apart form panels and opposed outer sections extending outwardly from each end of said central section, said outer sections each having an engagement portion capable of releasable engagement with anchoring means for anchoring said rod outwardly of said form panels in an operative orientation of said rod with said central section extending between and through said form panels, a protective plastic sleeve covering and integrally secured along its length to said rod to protect and be fixed against movement relative to said rod, said sleeve having a longitudinally tapered outer surface and enclosing substantially the entire length of said central section to extend through said form panels so that said central section does not contact the hardenable material placed inside said form panels, said rod and said sleeve integral with said rod being removable only as a unitary unit from the structure, and anchoring means engaging the engagement portions of said outer sections for anchoring said rod outwardly of said form panels.

Claim 5

Combination concrete form panels and tying apparatus comprising: a pair of form panels in spaced apart relation for receiving a hardenable material between said form panels to form a structure, an elongated rod having an elongated central section with a length sufficient to extend between and through said spaced apart form panels and opposed outer sections extending outwardly from each end of said central section, said outer sections each having an engagement portion capable of releasable engagement with anchoring means for anchoring said rod outwardly of said form panels in an operative orientation of said rod with said central section extending between and through said form panels, a protective plastic sleeve covering and integrally secured along its length to said rod to protect and be fixed against movement relative to said rod, said sleeve having a longitudinally tapered outer surface and enclosing substantially the entire length of said central section to extend through said form panels so that said central section does not contact the hardenable material placed inside said form panels, said rod and said sleeve integral with said rod being removable only as a unitary unit from the structure, and anchoring means engaging the engagement portions of said outer sections for anchoring said rod outwardly of said form panels.

Claim 6

Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said sleeve is integrally molded to said rod.

Claim 7

Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein each of said outer sections has a threaded portion for engagement with threaded anchoring means for anchoring said rod outwardly of the form panels.

Claim 8

Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said rod is threaded over its entire length.

Claim 9

Combination concrete form panel and tying apparatus comprising: at least one form panel providing an inner surface for retaining a hardenable material in forming a structure, an elongated rod extending through said form panel having an outer section and providing an engagement portion capable of releasable engagement with anchoring means for anchoring said rod outwardly of said form panel, a protective plastic sleeve covering and integrally secured along its length to an inner portion of said rod to protect and be fixed against movement relative to said rod, said sleeve having a longitudinally tapered outer surface and enclosing substantially the entire length of said inner portion, said sleeve extending through said form panel so that said inner portion of said rod does not contact the hardenable material retained against said form panel inner surface, said rod and said sleeve integral with said rod being removable only as a unitary unit from the structure, and anchoring means engaging the engagement portion of said outer section for anchoring said rod outwardly of said form panel.

Claim 10

Combination concrete form panel and tying apparatus comprising: at least one form panel providing an inner surface for retaining a hardenable material in forming a structure, an elongated rod extending through said form panel having an outer section and providing an engagement portion capable of releasable engagement with anchoring means for anchoring said rod outwardly of said form panel, a protective plastic sleeve covering and integrally secured along its length to an inner portion of said rod to protect and be fixed against movement relative to said rod, said sleeve having a longitudinally tapered outer surface and enclosing substantially the entire length of said inner portion, said sleeve extending through said form panel so that said inner portion of said rod does not contact the hardenable material retained against said form panel inner surface, said rod and said sleeve integral with said rod being removable only as a unitary unit from the structure, and anchoring means engaging the engagement portion of said outer section for anchoring said rod outwardly of said form panel.

Claim 11

Apparatus as recited in claim 7 wherein said rod is externally threaded throughout its length and said sleeve has an internal bore extending therethrough conforming to the external threads on said rod.

Claim 12

Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said sleeve is integrally molded to said rod.