Adapter for a formwork support structure

Abstract

The present invention relates to an adapter for a formwork support structure comprising a formwork support of a first type, the adapter comprising a mount for positioning the adapter with respect to said formwork support of a first type, said mount supporting a formwork support of a second type. In one form, the mount positions the adapter with respect to a crown type formwork support, and the mount supports a bearer support portion.

Claims

1. An adapter for a formwork support structure, the adapter comprising a generally box shaped mount comprising a pair of side walls and a pair of end walls which are longer than, and extend lower than, the side walls, wherein the mount attaches the adapter to a formwork panel support comprising a plurality of upwardly directed fingers extending from a single vertical member, each of the end walls flanking opposing sides of the formwork panel support to nest the mount between the fingers of the formwork panel support, and the mount further comprising a securement means on each end wall to secure the adapter to the formwork panel support, and the mount further comprising a beam support atop of the mount.

2. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the beam support is u-shaped.

3. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the beam support comprises a base, and a plurality of upwardly extending beam guides.

4. The adapter of claim 3, where the base extends outward from, and so is wider than the mount.

5. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the securement means on each end wall comprises a nut for receiving a bolt, which in use, is screwed into the nut to secure the adapter on the formwork panel support.

6. The adapter of claim 1, wherein at least one side wall engages with a guide lug of the formwork panel support.

7. A beam support bracket comprising a generally box shaped mount comprising a pair of side walls and a pair of end walls which are longer than, and extend lower than, the side walls, wherein the mount attaches the bracket to a formwork panel support comprising a plurality of upwardly directed fingers extending from a single vertical member, each of the end walls flanking opposing sides of the formwork panel support to nest the mount between the fingers of the formwork panel support, and the mount further comprising a securement means on each end wall to secure the adapter to the formwork panel support, and the mount further comprising a beam support atop of the mount.

8. The adapter of claim 7, wherein the securement means on each end wall comprises a nut for receiving a bolt, which in use, is screwed into the nut to secure the adapter on the formwork panel support.

9. The adapter of claim 7, wherein at least one side wall engages with a guide lug of the formwork panel support.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) Embodiments of the present invention will be discussed with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective side view of an adapter mounted on a formwork support of a first type (a crown in this case);

(3) FIG. 2 is a side view of the adapter of FIG. 1 in use, supporting a bearer;

(4) FIG. 3 is an end view of the adapter of FIG. 1 in use, supporting a bearer;

(5) FIG. 4 is a side view of the adapter in isolation;

(6) FIG. 5 is an end view of the adapter of FIG. 4;

(7) FIG. 6 is an underside view of the adapter of FIG. 4;

(8) FIG. 7 is a side view of a support (for bearers) of the adapter of FIG. 4, in isolation;

(9) FIG. 8 is an end view of the support of FIG. 7;

(10) FIG. 9 is an underside view of the support of FIG. 7;

(11) FIG. 10 is an end view of a mount of the adapter of FIG. 4, in isolation;

(12) FIGS. 11 and 12 are side views of the mount of FIG. 10;

(13) FIG. 13 is a top view of the mount of FIG. 10; and

(14) FIG. 14 is a perspective side view of the adapter and formwork support of FIG. 1.

(15) In the following description, like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the figures.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

(16) Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 3, where there is illustrated an upper portion of an upright or prop 100 of a scaffold structure of the type discussed in PCT/AU2013/000855.

(17) At its uppermost terminal end, the prop 100 supports a crown 110, where this crown 110 is a forked element comprising a neck 111 and four upwardly directed fingers 112. When used as intended, each finger 112 supports a corner of a formwork panel (not shown). Moreover, the crown 110 is typically supported on a screw jack (not shown) atop the prop 100 so that the crown 110 can be raised or lowered relative to the prop 100.

(18) Crowns 110 are not well suited for supporting bearers (typically a timber beam) 120, which in use support formwork sheets (not illustrated). In this case, an adapter 1 can be employed.

(19) With reference to FIGS. 1 through 5, it can be seen that adapter 1 comprises a mount 10, and a support 20.

(20) In the embodiment illustrated, the mount 10 is adapted to mount the adapter 1 to a crown 110. Accordingly, the mount 10 is generally box shaped, and so comprises a pair of side walls 12 and a pair of end walls 14. Referring now to FIG. 14, the mount 10 rests upon a platform 114 provided by the crown 110, and is sized to securely nest between the fingers 112 and guide lugs 116 of the crown 110. The end walls 14 are longer than, and extend lower than, the side walls 12 and on either side of the neck 111 to a level beneath the fingers 112 of the crown 100. Each end wall 14 comprises a nut 15 carrying a bolt 16 which is screwed into the nut 15 to secure the adapter 1 on the crown 100 by driving an end of a shank of the bolt 16 into contact with the neck of the crown 100.

(21) Supported atop of the mount 10 is a support 20 in the form of a support bracket comprising a base plate 22 and four (4) upwardly extending bearer guides 24 arranged into two pairs of opposing bearer guides 24.

(22) In use, the mount 10 of the adapter 1 is positioned on the platform 114 between the fingers 112 and guide lugs 116 of the crown 110 as described above, and the bolts 16 tightened. A bearer 120 can then be positioned on base plate 22 of the support bracket and between the bearer guides 24, which will serve to prevent the bearer 120 from sliding off of the base plate 22. Sheets of formwork (typically plywood sheets) can then be supported on the bearers 120.

(23) When formwork panels (without bearers) are to be supported on the props 100, the bolts 16 will be loosened until the adapter 1 can be removed from the crown 110.

(24) In the embodiment illustrated the crown 110 is a cast component and the adapter 1 is fabricated, but these parts are not restricted to manufacture in this way.

(25) In an alternate embodiment, an adapter may have a reverse configuration to that described above, namely comprising a mount adapted to be positioned with respect to either of a bearer or a bearer support, and a crown for supporting a plurality of formwork panels.

(26) Throughout the specification and the claims that follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the words comprise and include and variations such as comprising and including will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers, but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

(27) The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement of any form of suggestion that such prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

(28) It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention is not restricted in its use to the particular application described. Neither is the present invention restricted in its preferred embodiment with regard to the particular elements and/or features described or depicted herein. It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth and defined by the following claims.