AU2008100267A4

AU2008100267A4 - A brace

Info

Publication number: AU2008100267A4
Application number: AU2008100267A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Peter Mclaren
Original assignee: Precast Bracing Systems Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Shore Assets Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2008-03-19
Filing date: 2008-03-26
Publication date: 2008-05-08
Anticipated expiration: 2016-03-26
Also published as: AU2008100267B4

Description

P/00/009A Section 29

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 INNOVATION PATENT SPECIFICATION Invention Title: A BRACE Applicant: Precast Bracing Systems Pty Ltd The invention is described in the following statement: 1 7019 00 0 A BRACE SThis invention relates to an adjustable brace for supporting a building member relative to a foundation and a foot forming part of the brace. The brace has been developed for an application in temporarily supporting precast (iconcrete panels, and it will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention Swith reference to this particular application. It is to be appreciated however that 00 the invention may have other applications and is not limited to supporting precast concrete panels.

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Precast concrete panels require temporary bracing when they are hoisted into position on site. Installation of the brace generally involves the brace being manually selected from a crate of braces on site and manually moved to the panel. One end of the brace is attached to the panel, the panel is lifted by a hoist into position and the other end of the brace is attached to a foundation spaced from the panel. The brace is attached to the panel and foundation by bolts that are generally driven by a pneumatic driver. When the brace is no longer required the bolts are removed from the panel and the foundation, and the brace is again manually removed to the crate.

The weight of a brace can vary in size between 20kg and 120kg. The weight of the larger braces makes them too cumbersome to be moved by one person and it is often the job for two people. Furthermore the weight makes the brace potentially dangerous, particularly if the brace is allowed to fall from a height when the panel is being hoisted or the brace is removed from the panel.

The brace will generally include a pair of feet located at either end of an elongate member, which are attached to the panel and foundation by bolts.

Each foot includes a mounting end and an aperture at an opposite end for receiving the bolt. The foot needs to rotate relative to the elongate member to allow for adjustment of the length of the brace. However when attaching the foot to the panel, the eccentricity of the mounting end results in the foot preferring to rotate so that the aperture is obstructed by the elongate member. Accordingly the installer needs to hold up the foot, while holding the bolt and power driver to w oftracrklrO a d Un,,ocoIf on Palent Boco 25 Mar 08.do 3 0 attach the foot to the panel. This can become quite a difficult juggling act, particularly if the installer needs to hold the weight of one end of the brace as well.

The above discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles and N 5 the like is included in this specification solely for the purpose of providing a (-i context for the present invention. It is not suggested or represented that any of these matters formed part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention as it existed in Australia _before the priority date of this invention.

00 According to one aspect of this invention there is provided an adjustable brace for supporting a building member relative to a foundation, the brace including; a first and second elongate member formed from extruded aluminium that are configured to allow adjustment of the position of the first member relative to the second member to provide adjustment of the length of the brace, a securing means for securing the position of the first elongate member relative to the second elongate member, a pair of feet each foot being located at a distal end of the first and second elongate members respectively and in use are positioned adjacent the building member and foundation.

It is preferred that the feet are attached to the distal end of the elongate members by couplings, each coupling includes a cap that is detachably attached to the distal end of its respective elongate member. It is further preferred that the first elongate member is located within the second elongate member so as to allow for sliding adjustment of the position of the first elongate member relative to the second elongate member resulting in macro adjustment of the length of the brace wherein the first elongate member includes at least one outer wall and at least one inner wall extending transverse to outer wall. It is further preferred that each foot includes a mounting zone located in a substantially centrally located position on the foot for coupling to the respective first or second elongate member, each foot including two apertures located on opposing sides of the mounting region for receiving at least one fastening element for fastening each foot to the respective building member or foundation when the brace is in use.

W~wn~xMI~~npdtsil~wvedion Palent. Brx 25 Mw~ 08.doc 0 According to another aspect of this invention there is provided An 0 0adjustable brace for supporting a building member relative to a foundation, the brace including; a first and second elongate member that are configured to Sallow adjustment of the position of the first member relative to the second ID 5 member to provide adjustment of the length of the brace, a securing means for securing the position of the first elongate member relative to the second elongate member, a pair of feet each foot being coupled to a distal end of the Sfirst and second elongate members respectively and in use are positioned 0 adjacent the building member and foundation, each foot includes a mounting 00 10 zone located in a substantially centrally located position on the foot for coupling Sto the respective first or second elongate member, each foot including two apertures located on opposing sides of the mounting region for receiving at least one fastening element for fastening each foot to the respective building member or foundation when the brace is in use.

It will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention in greater detail by reference to the accompanying drawings showing two example embodiments of the invention. The particularity of the drawings and the related detailed description is not to be understood as superseding the generality of the preceding broad description of the invention.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a brace in use attached to a building element and foundation.

Figure 2 is a cross-section of the brace from Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an exploded plan view of the brace from Figure 1.

Figure 4 is an exploded isometric view of the elongate members, coupling and foot.

Figure 5 is an isometric view of the first and second elongate member.

Figure 6 is an isometric view of the foot of the brace.

Referring firstly to Figure 1 which illustrates a side elevation of a preferred embodiment of the adjustable brace 1. The brace 1 illustrated W:\wonfbtsdl-avion pdt6Urosvalon Paloni Bace 25 Mar O8.doc oo includes a first elongate member 2 and a second elongate member 3. The Sbrace 1 also includes a pair of feet 4a,4b with each foot being located at opposing ends of the brace 1. The feet 4a,4b may be attached to the respective Selongate member 2,3 by any suitable means however in the preferred ID 5 embodiment illustrated each foot is attached by way of a coupling (Ni When in use the foot 4b associated with the second elongate member 3 D is attached to a building member 6 such as a precast panel generally by way of

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C)a bolt 7b. The panel 6 is then hoisted into position adjacent the foundation 8 and the length of the brace 1 is adjusted so as to allow the foot 4a associated with the first elongate member 2 to be connected to the foundation 8, again generally by way of a bolt 7a, at approximately 45 degrees to the panel 6.

Whilst the illustration shows the brace at substantially 45 degrees, the brace 1 is operable over a range of angles of approximately 30 to 60 degrees.

The relative positions of the first 2 and second 3 elongate members are adjustable too provide adjustment of the length of the brace 1. The first 2 and second 3 elongate member may be configured in any suitable manner to allow for this adjustment, however in the embodiment illustrated the first elongate member 2 is located within the second elongate member 3, (see Figure 2) and configured to enable the first elongate member 2 to slide relative to the second elongate member 3. This sliding allows for adjustment of the length of the brace 1 in the axial direction X-X. The invention is not to be considered as limited to sliding adjustment only, as other forms of adjustment are clearly possible.

The brace 1 also includes a securing means 9 for securing the position of the first elongate member 2 relative to the second elongate member 3. The securing means 9 may take any suitable form. A securing means including a pin extending through the first 2 and second 3 elongate members is shown in Figures 1 to 3 as one suitable form of securing means. Other forms of securing means are clearly possible, as the pin 10 need not extend through both the first and second elongate member while the brace 1 is acting in compression.

Instead the pin may extend into either the first 2 or second 3 elongate member and abut against an end of the remaining elongate member. It is preferred that the securing means 9 includes a locking means 11. The preferred form of W: mnbwdaInd%1,n pd16Ir%,t81WOn P8On BCe. 25 Met Oa doc 6 0 locking means 11 illustrated in Figure 3 is a padlock that can attach to a distal end of the pin 10 when it extends through the first 2 and second 3 elongate members. The padlock will lock the position of the pin. Other forms of locking Smeans are clearly possible.

5 The first and second elongate members are preferably formed with a plurality of apertures 12a,12b to receive the pin 10. It ought to be appreciated ND from Figure 1 or 2 that each aperture 12a in the first elongate member 2 is capable of aligning with a number of the apertures 12b formed in the second 00 elongate member 3 depending upon the position of the first elongate member 2 relative to the second elongate member 3. This allows for macro adjustment of the length of the brace 1, as opposed to micro adjustment of the length of the brace 1 which will be explained in further detail later in the specification.

Figure 2 illustrates the brace 1 including two different forms of couplings however this is not essential. While both couplings illustrated include a bar 13a,13b that interacts with a cap 14a,14b fastened to a distal end of the first 2 or second 3 elongate member, the bar 14a associated with the first elongate member 2 includes a threaded portion 15 that interacts with a threaded bore 16 formed in the cap 14a. The threaded coupling 5a is illustrated in greater detail in Figure 4.

The coupling 5b associated with the second elongate member 3 allows for rotation of the foot 4b relative to the second elongate member 3 without causing axial displacement of the foot 4b relative to the second elongate member 3. Whereas the coupling 5a associated with the first elongate member 2 is configured to axially displace when the first elongate member 2 is rotated relative to the foot 4a. It ought to be appreciated that rotation of the first elongate member 2 relative to the foot 4a, or more specifically rotation of the cap 14a associated with the first elongate member 2 relative to the threaded bar will cause axial displacement of the cap 14a relative to the bar 15. This axial displacement adjusts the length of the brace 1, and for the purpose of distinguishing from the macro adjustment previously described, the axial displacement caused by rotation will be hereinafter referred to as micro adjustment.

W:%shron~b,.d\1v81Q pdI6Vrrvmonw Pateni Broe 25 Mar Odoc 7 00Referring again to Figure 3 which illustrates each cap 14a,14b being Sconnected by way of a fastening element in the form of a nut and bolt 17a,17b arrangement. Furthermore each foot 4a,4b is connected to its respective bar S13a,13b by a fastening element 18a,18b in the form of a nut and bolt IND 5 arrangement. It ought to be appreciated that the nut and bolt arrangement is only one form of fastening element suitable for achieving such a connection.

NO Referring now to Figure 5 which illustrates the first 2 and second 3 Selongate member in isolation of the other elements of the brace. The first 2 and 0second 3 elongate members are formed from aluminium, and preferably extruded aluminium. The extruded form shown includes a substantially rectangular with bevelled corners having eight outer walls, however other shaped extrusions may also be possible. More specifically the extruded shape may be in the form of a square, triangle or even a circle.

It is preferred that the first elongate member 2 include at least one inner wall 20. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in Figure 5 the first elongate member 2 includes four inner walls 20, however this is not essential. The inner wall 20 provides added strength to the first elongate member so as to resist bending or bowing when the brace 1 is under compression.

Referring now to Figure 6 which illustrates the foot 4 of the brace 1. The foot 4 includes a substantially planar base 21 with a centrally located mounting zone 22 for receiving the bar associated with the coupling (not shown). The preferred foot illustrated includes a pair of slot shaped apertures 23 spaced on opposing sides of the mounting zone 22. Each slot 23 extends from a side edge 24,25 of the base 21 to a location substantially aligned with the axis X-X. When the brace 1 is in use at least one of the slots 23 in each foot 4 is occupied by a fastening element 7a,7b, such as a bolt, for attaching the foot to the panel or foundation. The slot 23 allows for the bolt 7a,7b to be attached to the panel 6 or foundation 8 before the foot 4 is moved in a direction transverse to the axis X-X, onto the shank of the bolt 7a,7b. Furthermore by having two slots 23 it is less likely that both of the slots 23 will be obstructed by either elongate member 2,3.

The foot 4 is preferably formed with some means for retraining the bolt 7a,7b head within the aperture 23 when the bolt 7a,7b has been attached to the w %shaionbaodaIno v81on pdhlnmnwa1ion PaIal iaoce 25 Mat C8doc 8 0 panel 6 or foundation 8. The preferred means illustrated is in the form of a lip S26,27 formed along the side edge 24,25 of the planar base 21 which engages the head. This location for the lip adjacent the slot is merely preferred, and the Slip 26,27 could be located at a position spaced from the side edge of the base.

ID 5 An advantage however of having the lip adjacent the side edge of the base is that it provides the base 21 with further rigidity and reduces the likelihood of the base 21 bending or folding through misuse.

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SIt is preferred that the foot 4, bar 5 and cap 15 all be formed from mild steel. It is preferred that as each cap 14 will engage an elongate member 2,3, each cap 14 be cadmium plated.

It ought to be appreciated from the foregoing description that the brace 1 will be relatively light weight given the extensive use of aluminium in the elongate members 2,3. Furthermore providing the first elongate member 2 with at least one inner wall 20 will increase the strength of the brace to resist compression loads, whilst maintaining its relatively light weight. Still furthermore providing each foot 4 with multiple apertures 23 reduces the degree to which either foot 4 needs to be rotated to a suitable position for attachment to the panel or foundation.

Various alterations and or additions may be made to the brace as hereinbefore described without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention.

W %Pw~mn~hhsacR1aon pdlsXInnova1w P.10l Brwe 25 Mw MdC

Claims

1. An adjustable brace for supporting a building member relative to a Sfoundation, the brace including; a first and second elongate member formed from extruded aluminium that are configured to allow adjustment of the position of the first member relative to the second member to provide adjustment of the Slength of the brace, a securing means for securing the position of the first Selongate member relative to the second elongate member, a pair of feet each foot being located at a distal end of the first and second elongate members 0o respectively and in use are positioned adjacent the building member and foundation.

2. An adjustable brace according to claim 1 wherein the feet are attached to the distal end of the elongate members by couplings, each coupling includes a cap that is detachably attached to the distal end of its respective elongate member

3. An adjustable brace according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the first elongate member is located within the second elongate member so as to allow for sliding adjustment of the position of the first elongate member relative to the second elongate member resulting in macro adjustment of the length of the brace wherein the first elongate member includes at least one outer wall and at least one inner wall extending transverse to outer wall.

4. An adjustable brace according to any one of the preceding claims wherein each foot includes a mounting zone located in a substantially centrally located position on the foot for coupling to the respective first or second elongate member, each foot including two apertures located on opposing sides of the mounting region for receiving at least one fastening element for fastening each foot to the respective building member or foundation when the brace is in use. An adjustable brace for supporting a building member relative to a foundation, the brace including; a first and second elongate member that are configured to allow adjustment of the position of the first member relative to the W:%shwaonWodW vaolwn pdlalnmn Patn -rce 25 Mav O.doc 00 second member to provide adjustment of the length of the brace, a securing means for securing the position of the first elongate member relative to the second elongate member, a pair of feet each foot being coupled to a distal end of the first and second elongate members respectively and in use are positioned ID 5 adjacent the building member and foundation, each foot includes a mounting zone located in a substantially centrally located position on the foot for coupling to the respective first or second elongate member, each foot including two apertures located on opposing sides of the mounting region for receiving at Sleast one fastening element for fastening each foot to the respective building 00 10 member or foundation when the brace is in use. W:WahaonbWadrnonoIron pdtftinmvnaoon Potent.- Brace 25 Mar 08 doc