WO2022175978A1

WO2022175978A1 - A clamp for formwork panels

Info

Publication number: WO2022175978A1
Application number: PCT/IN2022/050138
Authority: WO
Inventors: Anibrata Routh; KS Arun; CNVS Rao; A Sharanappa
Original assignee: Peri SE
Current assignee: Peri SE
Priority date: 2021-02-17
Filing date: 2022-02-17
Publication date: 2022-08-25
Anticipated expiration: 2023-08-17

Abstract

A clamp (102) for coupling a plurality of multiple formwork panels (100) is disclosed. The clamp (102) comprises a tie rod (204) and a locking head (202) coupled to the tie rod (204). The locking head (202) rotates along with the tie rod (204). The locking head (202) is adapted to be seated on a pair of bottom flanges (402) of the formwork panels (100). The clamp (102) comprises a grasping member (206) disposed on the tie rod (204) and positioned below the locking head (202). The grasping member (206) is adapted to be linearly moved along the tie rod (204) to abut the pair of bottom flanges (402) of the formwork panels (100). The clamp (102) comprises a locking nut (208) coupled to the tie rod (204) and positioned below the grasping member (206). The locking nut (208) is adapted to be rotated to linearly move the grasping member (206) along the tie rod (204). The pair of bottom flanges (402) of the formwork panels (100) is held between the locking head (202) and the grasping member (206).

Description

A CLAMP FOR FORMWORK PANELS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to construction industry and more particularly, relates to a clamp adapted to hold adjacent formwork panels together for resistance against out of plane forces like uplift forces due to wind, etc.

BACKGROUND

In the construction industry, wall forms, or panels, such as deck panels, are generally used as supporting components to form structures, such as roofs, floors, columns, and walls. Such panels are usually made of plywood having a metal frame or made entirely of metal. Based on dimensions and shape of a structure to be formed, multiple panels are installed at a construction site to form a hollow space that would correspond to the dimensions and shape of the structure. In order to form the hollow space, the panels are basically connected to each other by using various connecting mechanisms, such as pins and latches. The panels should be connected to each other in a manner that such that a group of panels can act together as a single unit during forces like uplift due to wind etc. Currently, there is no such suitable clamping mechanism for holding the panels together as a single unit during forces like uplift due to wind, etc. The panels tend to act as an individual unit in such conditions. This substantially reduces the overall structural integrity and may also be hazardous to the surrounding structures or entities. Hence, it is essential to minimize structural damage and associated property damage due to such out of plane forces Therefore, there is a requirement for a clamping mechanism that is capable of holding the panels together to act as a single unit for resistance against such forces.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts, in a simplified format, that are further described in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is neither intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention and nor is it intended for determining the scope of the invention.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a clamp for coupling a plurality of multiple formwork panels is disclosed. The clamp comprises a tie rod and a locking head coupled to the tie rod. The locking head rotates along with the tie rod. The locking head is adapted to be seated on a pair of bottom flanges of the formwork panels. The clamp comprises a grasping member disposed on the tie rod and positioned below the locking head. The grasping member is adapted to be linearly moved along the tie rod to abut the pair of bottom flanges of the formwork panels and gets self-positioned to align it centrally with the panel joint. The clamp comprises a locking nut coupled to the tie rod and positioned below the grasping member. The locking nut is adapted to be rotated to linearly move the grasping member along the tie rod. The pair of bottom flanges of the formwork panels is held between the locking head and the grasping member. The locking head can be rotated by an angle to bring the locking head into lock or unlock positions and once the locking head is locked, further rotation is prevented by virtue of its geometry. The entire assembly can be safely operated from outside.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a formwork panel assembly is disclosed. The formwork panel comprises a plurality of formwork panels adapted to be coupled to each other. Each of the plurality of formwork panels comprises a bottom flange protruding in a downward direction from the respective formwork panel. The formwork assembly comprises a clamp adapted to couple at least a pair of formwork panels from among the plurality of formwork panels. The clamp comprises a tie rod and a locking head coupled to the tie rod. The locking head rotates along with the tie rod. The locking head is adapted to be seated on a pair of bottom flanges of the formwork panels. The clamp comprises a grasping member disposed on the tie rod and positioned below the locking head. The grasping member is adapted to be linearly moved along the tie rod to abut the pair of bottom flanges of the formwork panels. The clamp comprises a locking nut coupled to the tie rod and positioned below the grasping member. The locking nut is adapted to be rotated to linearly move the grasping member along the tie rod. The pair of bottom flanges of the formwork panels is held between the locking head and the grasping member. The locking head can be rotated by an angle to bring the locking head into lock or unlock positions and once the locking head is locked, further rotation is prevented by virtue of its geometry. The entire assembly can be safely operated from outside.

To further clarify the advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of formwork panels held by a clamp, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figures 2a and 2b illustrate different isometric views of the clamp, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figures 3a and 3b illustrate a front view and a top view, respectively, of the clamp, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 4 illustrates a side view depicting positioning of the clamp on the formwork panels, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

Figures 5a, 5b, and 5c illustrate side views of the formwork panels depicting steps involved in locking of the clamp with the formwork panels, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have been necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the flow charts illustrate the method in terms of the most prominent steps involved to help to improve understanding of aspects of the present invention. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.

PET ATT, ED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skilled in the art to which this invention belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

The term “some” as used herein is defined as “none, or one, or more than one, or all.” Accordingly, the terms “none,” “one,” “more than one,” “more than one, but not all” or “all” would all fall under the definition of “some.” The term “some embodiments” may refer to no embodiments or to one embodiment or to several embodiments or to all embodiments. Accordingly, the term “some embodiments” is defined as meaning “no embodiment, or one embodiment, or more than one embodiment, or all embodiments.”

The terminology and structure employed herein is for describing, teaching and illuminating some embodiments and their specific features and elements and does not limit, restrict or reduce the spirit and scope of the claims or their equivalents.

More specifically, any terms used herein such as but not limited to “includes,” “comprises,” “has,” “consists,” and grammatical variants thereof do NOT specify an exact limitation or restriction and certainly do NOT exclude the possible addition of one or more features or elements, unless otherwise stated, and furthermore must NOT be taken to exclude the possible removal of one or more of the listed features and elements, unless otherwise stated with the limiting language “MUST comprise” or “NEEDS TO include.”

Whether or not a certain feature or element was limited to being used only once, either way, it may still be referred to as “one or more features” or “one or more elements” or “at least one feature” or “at least one element.” Furthermore, the use of the terms “one or more” or “at least one” feature or element do NOT preclude there being none of that feature or element, unless otherwise specified by limiting language such as “there NEEDS to be one or more . . . ” or “one or more element is REQUIRED.”

Unless otherwise defined, all terms, and especially any technical and/or scientific terms, used herein may be taken to have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinary skills in the art.

Reference is made herein to some “embodiments.” It should be understood that an embodiment is an example of a possible implementation of any features and/or elements presented in the attached claims. Some embodiments have been described for the purpose of illuminating one or more of the potential ways in which the specific features and/or elements of the attached claims fulfil the requirements of uniqueness, utility and non-obviousness. Use of the phrases and/or terms such as but not limited to “a first embodiment,” “a further embodiment,” “an alternate embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “multiple embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “other embodiments,” “further embodiment”, “furthermore embodiment”, “additional embodiment” or variants thereof do NOT necessarily refer to the same embodiments. Unless otherwise specified, one or more particular features and/or elements described in connection with one or more embodiments may be found in one embodiment, or may be found in more than one embodiment, or may be found in all embodiments, or may be found in no embodiments. Although one or more features and/or elements may be described herein in the context of only a single embodiment, or alternatively in the context of more than one embodiment, or further alternatively in the context of all embodiments, the features and/or elements may instead be provided separately or in any appropriate combination or not at all. Conversely, any features and/or elements described in the context of separate embodiments may alternatively be realized as existing together in the context of a single embodiment.

Any particular and all details set forth herein are used in the context of some embodiments and therefore should NOT be necessarily taken as limiting factors to the attached claims. The attached claims and their legal equivalents can be realized in the context of embodiments other than the ones used as illustrative examples in the description below.

One of the embodiments of the present disclosure relates to a clamp comprising a locking head, a grasping member, a tie rod, and a locking nut. The locking head may be attached to a top end of the tie rod and adapted to be rotated along with the tie rod. The locking head may be adapted to be seated on flanges of the formwork panel and, is adapted to restrict dislodging of the clamp in a downward direction from the formwork panel while tightening the locking nut. Further, the grasping member may be positioned below the locking head and adapted to linearly move along the tie rod. The grasping member may be adapted to engage with the flanges of the formwork panel from the downward direction and self-position itself and rigidly connect the two panels together by closing the gaps if any. The grasping member may be adapted to be linearly moved along the tie rod by rotating the locking nut. The locking nut may be positioned below the grasping member and movably coupled to the tie rod. The locking nut may be rotated to move the grasping member towards the flanges of the formwork panel and thereby, to engage the grasping member with the flanges of the formwork panel. The locking head and the grasping member may collectively lock the clamp between the formwork panels and thereby, ensuring the formwork panels are held together. Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of formwork panels 100 held by a clamp 102, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the clamp 102 may be employed to hold the formwork panels 100 oriented in a horizontal orientation. The formwork panels 100 may be adapted to be used for construction of structures, such as walls, roofs, floors, and columns. In the illustrated embodiment, the formwork panel 100 may be embodied as deck panels that act as a surface of a floor or a roof, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The clamp 102 may be adapted to hold the plurality of formwork panels 100 together as a single unit against any relative movement. In particular, the clamp 102 may be provided for coupling a plurality of formwork panels 100 to act as a single unit to ensure combined action against out-of-plane forces.

In an embodiment, the clamp 102 may be adapted to firmly hold the formwork panels 100 together to ensure that the formwork panels 100 may act together as a single unit and resist uplift upto the designed wind-speed environment. As shown in Figure 1, a plurality of the clamps 102 may be employed for holding two or more formwork panels 100. Constructional and operational details of the clamp 102 are explained in the subsequent sections of the present disclosure.

Although the present disclosure is explained with respect to the application of the clamp 102 for holding the formwork panel 100 used in the field of construction, the application of the clamp 102 should not be construed to be limited to the construction industry only. In fact, the clamp 102 can be used in any other application, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Figures 2a and 2b illustrate different isometric views of the clamp 102, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figures 3a and 3b illustrate a front view and a top view, respectively, of the clamp 102, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figures 2a-2b and Figures 3a-3b, the clamp 102 may include, but is not limited to, a locking head 202, a tie rod 204, a grasping member 206, a locking nut 208. The locking head 202 may be adapted to be coupled to the tie rod 204. In the illustrated embodiment, the locking head 202 may be fixedly coupled to a top end of the tie rod 204. The locking head 202 may be adapted to rotate along with the tie rod 204. In an embodiment, the locking head 202 may be welded to the top end of the tie rod 204, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The locking head 202 may be formed in a parallelogram shape in which two corners 202-1, 202-2 have a rounded or chamfered shape to facilitate rotation between flanges of the formwork panels 100 and the other two corners 202-3, 202-4 are formed at right angles to prevent further movement after locking.

Figure 4 illustrates a side view depicting positioning of the clamp 102 on the formwork panels 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figures 2a-2b and Figure 4, the locking head 202 may be adapted to be seated on a pair of bottom flanges 402 of edge rails of the formwork panels 100. The locking head 202 may be adapted to lock the clamp 102 in a position between the formwork panels 100. In an embodiment, the locking head 202 may be adapted to be rotated between an unlocking position and a locking position. The locking head 202 may be rotated at an angle in any direction to move the locking head 202 in the locking position. Further, the locking head 202 may be rotated in an opposite direction to move the locking head 202 to the unlocking position.

The locking head 202 may be rotated in one of a clockwise direction and an anticlockwise direction to move the locking head 202 in one of the unlocking position and the locking position. For assembling, the locking head 202 may be aligned parallel to the pair of bottom flanges 402 of the formwork panels 100, and thereby allows positioning of the locking head 202 of the clamp 102 between the formwork panels 100. For the locking position, the locking head 202 may be rotated at an angle, such as perpendicularly , with respect to the pair of bottom flanges 402 of the formwork panels 100 in a manner that the locking head 202 restricts the disengagement of the clamp 102 from of the formwork panels 100 during tightening of the locking nut 202.

Referring to Figures 2a-2b and Figures 3a-3b, the grasping member 206 may be disposed on the tie rod 204 and positioned below the locking head 202 of the clamp 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the grasping member 206 may include, but is not limited to, a first engaging arm 206-1, a second engaging arm 206-2, and a tubular support member 206-3. The first engaging arm 206-1 and the second engaging arm 206-2 may be attached to the tubular support member 206-3. The tubular support member 206-3 may include, but is not limited to, a plurality of side walls 212 and a bottom face 214. The first engaging arm 206-1 and the second engaging arm 206-2 may be provided on opposite side walls from among the plurality of side walls 212 of the tubular support member 206-3. The tubular support member 206-3 may include a channel 220 defined by the plurality of side walls 212 and adapted to movably receive the tie rod 204 therein.

In an embodiment, the first engaging arm 206-1 and the second engaging arm 206-2 may be collectively referred to as the engaging arms 206-1, 206-2, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Each of the first engaging arm 206-1 and the second engaging arm 206-2 may include a face plate 216 having a sloping face inclined at an angle and a stiffener plate 218 disposed below the face plate 216. The face plate 216 of each of the first engaging arm 206-1 and the second engaging arm 206-2 may be adapted to abut one of the pair of bottom flanges 402 of the formwork panel 100.

The pair of bottom flanges 402 of the formwork panels 100 may be held between the locking head 202 and the sloping faces of the face plates 216 of the engaging arms 206-1, 206-2, when the clamp 102 is locked with the formwork panels 100. The grasping member 206 may be adapted to be linearly moved along the tie rod 204 of the clamp 102 to abut the pair of bottom flanges 402 of the formwork panels 100. The grasping member 206 may be adapted to self-align the clamp 102 at a joint between the formwork panels 100 and grasp the formwork panels 100 together. The pair of bottom flanges 402 of the formwork panels 100 may be held between the locking head 202 and the grasping member 206.

Referring to Figures 3a and 4, the locking nut 208 may be adapted to be engaged with the tie rod 204 of the clamp 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the locking nut 208 may be embodied as a wing nut, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The locking nut 208 may be coupled to the tie rod 204 and positioned below the grasping member 206. The locking nut 208 may be adapted to be rotated to linearly move the grasping member 206 along the tie rod 204.

In an embodiment, the locking nut 208 may be adapted to be rotated in one of the clockwise direction and the anti-clockwise direction which results in a linear movement of the locking nut 208 along the tie rod 204. The locking nut 208 may be adapted to abut the bottom face 214 of the grasping member 206 and adapted to push the bottom face 214 of the grasping member 206 in an upward direction along the tie rod 204 to linearly move the grasping member 206. In particular, when the locking nut 208 is rotated in one of the clockwise direction and the anti-clockwise direction, the locking nut 208 may move along the tie rod 204 and thereby, pushes the grasping member 206 in the upward direction along the tie rod 204. The tie rod 204 may be aligned at an angle, such as perpendicularly, with respect to a surface of the formwork panel 100. By virtue of the sloping faces of the face plates 216 on the grasping members 206, the gaps between formwork panels 100 narrow down when the locking nut 208 is getting tightened and the grasping member 206 moves up and the grasping member 206 self-positions itself.

Figures 5a, 5b, and 5c illustrate side views of the formwork panels 100 depicting steps involved in locking of the clamp 102 with the formwork panels 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 5a, initially, the locking nut 208 is loosened and the locking head 202 is turned to the unlocking position and the clamp 102 may be inserted between the pair of bottom flanges 402 of the formwork panels 100. The clamp 102 may be moved in an upward direction until the sloping face of the face plate 216 of each of the first engaging arm 206-1 and the second engaging arm 206-2 touches the pair of bottom flanges 402 of the formwork panels 100.

Thereafter, referring to Figure 5b, the locking head 202 may be rotated at an angle in any direction to move the locking head 202 in the locking position and thereby, restricting further rotation of the locking head 202. Further, the locking head 202 may be rotated in an opposite direction to move the locking head 202 to the unlocking position. Owing to the rotation of the locking head 202 to the locking position, the locking head 202 may be seated on the pair of bottom flanges 402 and thereby, hold the clamp 102 between the formwork panels 100. As mentioned earlier, in the locking position, the locking head 202 may restrict the disengagement of the clamp 100 from the formwork panels 100 during tightening of the locking nut 208.

Referring to Figure 5c, upon rotating the locking head 202 to the locking position, the locking nut 208 may be tightened by rotating in one of the clockwise direction and the anti clockwise direction. Owing to the rotation of the locking nut 208, the grasping member 206 may be moved in the upward direction along the tie rod 204 by the locking nut 208. The locking nut 208 may be tightened until the face plate 216 of each of the first engaging arm 206-1 and the second engaging arm 206-2 abuts the pair of bottom flanges 402 of the formwork panels 100. Therefore, the pair of bottom flanges 402 may be held between the locking head 202 and the engaging arms 206-1, 206-2 of the clamp 102 to hold the formwork panels 100.

As would be gathered, the present disclosure offers the clamp 102 for holding the formwork panels 100. As mentioned earlier, the clamp 102 includes the tie rod 204 inserted through the tubular support member 206-3 of the grasping member 206, and is adapted to be coupled to the locking nut 208. The locking nut 208 may be rotated on the tie rod 204 to move the grasping member 206 along the tie rod 204 in the upward direction and a downward direction. Therefore, owing to the implementation of the tie rod 204, the clamp 102 provides improved adjustability for holding the formwork panels having different dimensional characteristics. Further, the locking head 202 and the grasping member 206 may hold the formwork panels together to ensure that the formwork panels may remain together even under the load resulting from the specified wind speeds in the environment. Furthermore, considering the implementation of a few components, such as the locking nut, the grasping member 206, the tie rod 204, and the locking head 202, the overall weight and the manufacturing cost associated with the clamp 102 are substantially low. Therefore, the clamp 102 of the present disclosure is flexible in implementation, compact, efficient, cost-effective, and convenient. While specific language has been used to describe the present subject matter, any limitations arising on account thereto, are not intended. As would be apparent to a person in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein. The drawings and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment.

Claims

Claims:

1. A clamp (102) for coupling formwork panels (100) and to hold the plurality of formwork panels (100) together as a single unit against any relative movement, the clamp (102) comprising: a tie rod (204); a locking head (202) coupled to the tie rod (204) and rotates along with the tie rod (204), wherein the locking head (202) is adapted to be seated on a pair of bottom flanges (402) of the formwork panels (100); a grasping member (206) comprising a face plate (216) having a sloping face inclined at an angle, the grasping member (206) disposed on the tie rod (204) and positioned below the locking head (202), wherein the grasping member (206) is adapted to be linearly moved along the tie rod (204) to abut the pair of bottom flanges (402) of the formwork panels (100) and to self-align the clamp (102) at a joint between the formwork panels (100) and grasp the formwork panels (100) together; and a locking nut (208) coupled to the tie rod (204) and positioned below the grasping member (206), wherein the locking nut (208) is adapted to be rotated to linearly move the grasping member (206) along the tie rod (204), wherein the pair of bottom flanges (402) of the formwork panels (100) is held between the locking head (202) and the grasping member (206).

2. The clamp (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tie rod (204) is aligned at an angle with respect to a surface of the formwork panel (100).

3. The clamp (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the locking head (202) is formed in a parallelogram shape in which two opposite corners (202-1, 202-2) have a rounded or chamfered shape to facilitate rotation between the pair of bottom flanges (402) and the other two corners (202-3, 202-4) are formed at right angles to prevent further movement after locking.

4. The clamp (102) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the locking head (202) is adapted to be rotated at an angle in any one direction to move the locking head (202) into a locking position and adapted to be rotated in an opposite direction to move the locking head (202) to an unlocking position.

5. The clamp (102) as claimed in claim 3, wherein, in the unlocking position, the locking head (202) is aligned parallel to the pair of bottom flanges (402) of the formwork panels (100) to allow positioning of the clamp (102) between the formwork panels (100).

6. The clamp (102) as claimed in claim 3, wherein, in the locking position, the locking head (202) is rotated at an angle with respect to the pair of bottom flanges (402) of the formwork panels (100) in a manner that the locking head (202) restricts disengagement of the clamp (102) from the formwork panel (100).

7. The clamp (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the grasping member (206) comprises: a first engaging arm (206-1); a second engaging arm (206-2); and a tubular support member (206-3) comprises a plurality of side walls (212) and a bottom face (214), wherein the first engaging arm (206-1) and the second engaging arm (206-2) are attached to the tubular support member (206-3).

8. The clamp (102) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first engaging arm (206-1) and the second engaging arm (206-2) are formed on opposite side walls from among the plurality of side walls (212) of the tubular support member (206-3).

9. The clamp (102) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the locking nut (208) is adapted to abut the bottom face (214) of the grasping member (206) and adapted to push the bottom face (214) of the grasping member (206) in an upward direction along the tie rod (204) to linearly move the grasping member (206).

10. The clamp (102) as claimed in claim 7, wherein each of the first engaging arm (206-1) and the second engaging arm (206-2) comprises a stiffener plate (218) disposed below the face plate (216).

11. The clamp (102) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the face plate (216) of each of the first engaging arm (206-1) and the second engaging arm (206-2) is adapted to abut one of the pair of bottom flanges (402) of the formwork panel (100).

12. The clamp (102) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the tubular support member (206-3) comprises a channel (220) defined by the plurality of side walls (212) and adapted to movably receive the tie rod (204) therein.

13. The clamp (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the locking nut (208) is embodied as a wing nut.

14. The clamp (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the locking nut (208) is adapted to be rotated in one of a clockwise direction and an anti-clockwise direction, the locking nut (208) moves along the tie rod (204) and pushes the grasping member (206) in an upward direction along the tie rod (204).

15. The clamp (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sloping faces of the face plates (216) on the grasping members (206) allows the gaps between the formwork panels (100) to narrow down, when the locking nut (208) is tightened and the grasping member (206) moves up and self-positions itself.

16. A formwork panel assembly comprising: a plurality of formwork panels (100) adapted to be coupled to each other, each of the plurality of formwork panels (100) comprising a bottom flange (402); and a clamp (102) adapted to couple at least a pair of formwork panels from among the plurality of formwork panels (100), the clamp (102) comprising: a tie rod (204); a locking head (202) coupled to the tie rod (204) and rotates along with the tie rod (204), wherein the locking head (202) is adapted to be seated on the flange (402) of each of the pair of formwork panels (100); a grasping member (206) disposed on the tie rod (204) and positioned below the locking head (202), wherein the grasping member (206) is adapted to be linearly moved along the tie rod (204) to abut the pair of bottom flanges (402) of the formwork panels (100) and to self-align the clamp (102) at a joint between the formwork panels (100) and grasp the formwork panels (100) together; and a locking nut (208) coupled to the tie rod (204) and positioned below the grasping member (206), wherein the locking nut (208) is adapted to be rotated to linearly move the grasping member (206) along the tie rod (204), wherein the flange (402) of each of the pair of formwork panels (100) is held between the locking head (202) and the grasping member (206).