Arch forming assembly

Claim 2

An arch forming assembly, comprising: (a) a substantially flat flexible member for bending to the shape of the curved arch, (b) a plurality of tension line guides attached to the flexible member at spaced intervals to a side of the flexible member which will define the inside of the arch so that tension line guides will be spaced therearound, (c) a first tension line attached at one end to a first side portion of the flexible member and threaded through even number tension line guides only, counted from the said first side portion to a second side portion opposed thereto, and attached at the other end to the second side portion, (d) a second tension line attached at one end to the first side portion 10 of the flexible member and threaded through odd number tension line guides only, counted from the said first side portion towards the said second side portion, and attached at the other end to the said second side portion, and (e) means for tensioning the said first and second tension lines to bend the flexible member to the shape of the curved arch.

Claim 3

An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the said first and second tension lines comprise lengthwise portions of a continuous tension line that is looped through a tension line guide attached to the second side portion.

Claim 4

An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the means for tensioning the said first and second tension lines comprises a winch mechanism.

Claim 5

An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the means for tensioning the said first and second tension lines comprises spreader bars inserted at the positions of the intermediate tension line guides to deflect the one of the first and second tension lines not threaded through that particular tension line guide.

Claim 6

An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the means for tensioning the said first and second tension lines comprises spreader bars each pivotally attached at one end to one of the intermediate tension line guides and having the free one of the first and second tension lines held captive at the other end in a freely slidable manner, an anchor string is secured at one end to the said first side portion of the flexible member and at the other end to a first of the spreader bars to prevent the first spreader bar from assuming other than a substantially radially inwardly extending position when the flexible member is arched, draw strings securing each spreader bar from the first spreader bar to the preceding spreader bar to limit movement of that spreader bar to the said substantially radially inwardly extending position, and a draw-string cable attaching the last of the spreader bars to the means for tensioning the said first and second tension lines, whereby the said means will tension the final draw-string cable to pull the spreader bars to the said radially inwardly extending positions thereby tensioning the first and second tension lines and arching the flexible member.

Claim 7

An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the said means for tensioning the first and second tension lines comprises fluid pressure actuated jacks at the positions of the intermediate tension line guides and extending normal to the flexible member with the free one of the first and second tension lines at that position secured to the free end of that jack in a freely slidable manner.