Adjustable support

Abstract

An adjustable support for use in shuttering formwork comprising a base member, a shuttering contact member, and a bracing member, wherein the base member, the shuttering contact member and the bracing member are engaged hingedly with one another. The bracing member is engaged securably with the shuttering contact member and the base member. The bracing member is adjustable, such that adjustment of the bracing member causes rotation of the shuttering contact member about the base member. Also disclosed is a method for supporting shuttering comprising providing one or more adjustable supports as described above, affixing the or each base member to a substantially static object, assembling the or each bracing member and the or each shuttering contact member as described above, adjusting the or each bracing member and attaching the or each shuttering to the or each shuttering contact member.

Claims

1. An adjustable support for use in shuttering formwork, comprising: a base member; a shuttering contact member; and a fixed-length bracing member; wherein: the base member, shuttering contact member and bracing member are engaged hingedly with one another, the bracing member is engaged securably with the shuttering contact member and the base member, the bracing member engages slidingly with the shuttering contact member and/or the base member, the bracing member engages with a longitudinal slot in the shuttering contact member, the bracing member comprises a fixture which is a bolt and nut arrangement which extends through the slot and retains the bracing member in place, the fixture being allowed to pivot freely, the bracing member is adjustable within the slot to cause rotation of the shuttering contact member about the base member, and the shuttering contact member and/or the base member comprises a substantially flat surface to which a shuttering board and/or pile formed as a sheet of material is attached, said fixture is configured to secure said bracing member in a fixed position relative to said slot and said shuttering contact member by the tightening of said bolt and nut arrangement such that said nut directly engages said shuttering contact at said slot, and said adjustable support is collapsible and configured such that when disposed in a collapsed position, said base member, said shuttering contact member, and said bracing member are substantially parallel to each other.

2. The adjustable support according to claim 1, wherein the bracing member comprises a threaded bar which engages with an angular portion of the base member.

3. The adjustable support according to claim 2, wherein rotation of the shuttering contact member about the base is effected by tightening or loosening one or more nuts disposed on the bar around the angular portion of the base member.

4. The adjustable support according to claim 1, wherein the bracing member comprises a telescopic portion.

5. The adjustable support according to claim 4, wherein rotation of the shuttering contact member about the base is effected by extension or retraction of the telescopic portion.

6. The adjustable support according to claim 1, wherein the bracing member comprises a screw jack.

7. The adjustable support according to claim 6, wherein the rotation of the shuttering contact member about the base is effected by operation of the screw jack.

8. The adjustable support according to claim 1, wherein the shuttering contact member and/or the base member is adapted for attachment to shuttering and/or pile.

9. The adjustable support according to claim 1 adapted for attachment of a rail, a platform, or both.

10. The adjustable support according to claim 9, wherein the platform is supported by the shuttering contact member.

11. The adjustable support according to claim 9, wherein a guard rail is supported by the shuttering contact member, the platform, or both.

12. The adjustable support according to claim 1, wherein the base member is adapted for attachment to a pile and the shuttering contact member forms a platform.

13. The adjustable support according to claim 1, wherein the base member is adapted to be affixed to a substantially static object to prevent the support from moving substantially in use.

14. The adjustable support according to claim 1, comprising a second bracing member and a second shuttering support member.

15. The adjustable support according to claim 14, for use in shuttering/form work with two sided walls.

16. A method for supporting shuttering comprising providing one or more adjustable supports as defined in claim 1, affixing the or each base member to a substantially static object, attaching the or each shuttering to the or each shuttering contact member, and adjusting and securing the or each bracing member.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of an embodiment of an adjustable support according to the invention.

(2) FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of an embodiment of an adjustable support according to the invention, showing guard rail.

(3) FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of an embodiment of an adjustable support according to the invention, showing guard rail and access platform

(4) FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of an embodiment of an adjustable support according to the invention, showing a guard rail and access platform and attachment to sheet pile.

(5) FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of an embodiment of an adjustable support according to the invention used in two sided shuttering/formwork.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT

(6) FIG. 1 shows an adjustable support according to the invention generally designated 10 comprising a base member 20, a shuttering support member, 30 and a bracing member 40. The base member 20 has a hinge 22 at one end which engages with one end of the shuttering support member 30. The hinge 22 is a nut and bolt arrangement, with the bolt inserted through openings in the base member 20 and the shuttering support member 30. At the other end of the base member 20 is a second hinge 24 which engages in substantially the same way as hinge 22, but with one end of the bracing member 40. The other end of the bracing member 40 engages with longitudinal slot 32 in the shuttering support member 30. The bracing member 40 also has a fixture 42 which is a bolt and nut arrangement which extends though the slot 32 and retains the bracing member 40 in place. Hinges 22 and 24 and fixture 42 are all allowed to pivot freely.

(7) Each member 20, 30 and 40 is of a steel merchant bar construction. However other materials can be used for additional weight saving. Other materials include other metals, plastics, wood or composites.

(8) In use the members 20, 30 and 40 are attached together as shown in FIG. 1 to form a support 10 which when erected generally forms the shape of a triangular bracket. The support 10 is held by the base member 20 which is held in a substantially static orientation by bolts which are inserted through the base member 20 and into the ground. The base member 20 can therefore include guide holes for this purpose. A shuttering board 34 is attached to the shuttering contact member 30. In this example the board is a plywood board and the fixture is by screwing. The bracing member 40 is then adjusted within the slot 32 to cause the rotation of the member 30 about the base member 20. It will be appreciated that multiple angles can be achieved but in this example the bracing member is moved to achieve a vertical plumb line for shuttering. The support 10 is then secured by tightening the nut and bolt assemblies at hinges 22, 24 and fixture 24.

(9) The movement of the support contact member 30 compensates for uneven ground and allows plumbing forward or backward by moving the bracing member 40 up or down.

(10) Multiple supports 10 can be used in combination when shuttering/formwork is required for large areas and to define different shapes.

(11) After use the nut and bolt assemblies at hinges 22, 24 and fixture 24 are released and the support 10 is collapsed and flat packed.

(12) FIG. 2 shows a guard rail generally designated 50 supported by the shuttering support member 30 of the support 10. The guard rail 50 comprises a rail attachment 52 and a combination of vertical and horizontal scaffolding tubes 54.

(13) FIG. 3 shows a guard rail generally designated 50 supported by an access platform 60. The access platform 60 is supported by the shuttering support member 30 of the support 10. The guard rail 50 comprises a rail attachment 52 and a combination of vertical and horizontal scaffolding tubes 54. The access platform 60 comprises standard scaffolding boards 62 and optionally a kicker board 64. There is also a bracket member 66 which serves as extra support for the access platform 60 and guard rail 50.

(14) FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the invention whereby the support 10 is attached to a sheet pile via the base member 20. The arrangement of the support 10 is otherwise the same as described in the embodiment of FIG. 1, however in this example the shuttering support member 30 is adapted to support plywood or scaffolding board 38 which serves as an access platform as described above. An optional hand rail can be fitted as shown. In use the pile 36 is inserted into the ground and the base member 20 affixed to it. The bracing member 40 is then adjusted within the slot 32 until the desired angle for the shuttering support member 30 (serving as an access platform) is achieved. The support is then locked in place as described earlier.

(15) FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of an adjustable support according to the invention used in two sided shuttering/formwork. The support 10 is formed as described above to support shuttering for one side of a wall. A second shuttering contact member 70 is placed in the position required for the second side of the wall. The second shuttering contact member 70 is affixed to the ground using a bracket plate or bolt or the like (not shown). The bracket plate comprises a plate with a projecting portion. The projecting portion mutually engages with the second shuttering contact member. The engagement prevents lateral movement of the second shuttering contact member with respect to the bracket or the ground, but allows substantial pivotal movement of the second shuttering contact member about the bracket and/or the ground. A second bracing member 80 is applied to the structure as shown and adjusted so as to control the angles required for the walls. This is achieved by making the second bracing member 80 with a slot 82 for receiving the linkages 84 and 86.