Formwork Support Retaining Head for Lateral Force Dissipation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ceiling formwork systems face challenges in effectively dissipating transverse forces, which complicates the assembly process and restricts space between formwork props due to the placement of support legs and nailing requirements.

Innovation Solution

A slab formwork system featuring a support device with telescopically connected formwork supports and a holding head that includes a gripping element and a detachable connection element for a crossbar, allowing direct transfer of transverse forces to the adjacent formwork support, thereby providing lateral stabilization and simplifying assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If support legs are mounted at the bottom of formwork props to absorb lateral forces, then lateral stability is improved, but the space between formwork props is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelateral stabilityVSAvoidspace between formwork props
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the support legs from the formwork prop system entirely. Instead of mounting support legs at the bottom of formwork props to absorb lateral forces, the patent uses a different configuration where formwork beams are directly supported by retaining heads on formwork props without intermediate support legs. This removes the obstruction in the space between props while maintaining lateral stability through the retaining head and beam connection system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Stability of the object's composition

If longitudinal and transverse beams are nailed together to transfer shear forces, then structural stability is improved, but stripping the beams becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidease of stripping
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the nailing mechanical connection system with a direct bearing and friction-based connection system. The retaining head supports the formwork beam through direct contact and lateral gripping, transferring shear forces through friction and geometric interlocking rather than mechanical fasteners. This allows the beams to be easily removed by simply lifting them off the retaining head without undoing nails or screws.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If retaining head is located at the top of formwork prop, then lateral forces are dissipated at a favorable location, but the connection complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelateral force dissipationVSAvoidconnection complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges multiple functions into the retaining head component. The retaining head simultaneously provides: (1) vertical support for the formwork beam through bearing surfaces, (2) lateral stabilization through gripping elements that prevent beam displacement, and (3) direct connection to the formwork prop. This integration eliminates the need for separate connection devices and simplifies the overall assembly while maintaining reliable lateral force dissipation at the top of the prop.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3719236B1Formwork support, support device and ceiling formwork
Publication Date: 2022.05.18 DOKA GMBH
  • EP3719236B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3719236B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP3719236B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Formwork support (2) for supporting a formwork beam (7), comprising: - a lower support part (3), - an upper support part (4) which is telescopically connected to the lower support part (3), and - a retaining head (6) at the upper end of the upper support part (4), wherein the retaining head (6) has at least one retaining element for holding a longitudinal region of the formwork beam (7), wherein the retaining head (6) has a first connecting element (31) for detachable connection with a transverse bar (33) substantially perpendicular to the formwork beam (7).