FORMWORK BASE

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a support base for use in shuttering formwork. The support base includes an angle section member and a plurality of clamping brackets. The clamping brackets further include clamping members engageable with the clamping brackets to define a clamping portion aligned with openings on the angle section member. Also disclosed herein is a method of supporting shuttering formwork which uses the support base.

Claims

1. A support base for use in shuttering formwork, the support base comprising, an angle section member having on a first side a plurality of openings, each opening being suitable for receiving a roadway pin or the like, a plurality of clamping brackets coupled to an adjacent second side of the angle section member and aligned over the openings, the clamping brackets further comprising clamping members engageable with the clamping brackets to define a clamping portion aligned with the openings.

2. The support base according to claim 1, wherein a shuttering contact member is coupled to the second side and at one end of the angle section member.

3. The support base according to claim 2, wherein a bracing member is coupled at one end to the second side at a position between the two ends of the angle section member, and at the opposite end to the shuttering contact member.

4. The support base according to claim 1, wherein the clamping brackets are substantially V shaped.

5. The support base according to claim 4, wherein the clamping brackets comprise a first opening and a second opening, the first and second openings being opposite one another and on different sides of the V shaped bracket.

6. The support base according to claim 5, wherein the first opening is larger than the second opening, and the clamping member comprises a wedge which is engageable through the first and second openings, and matches the dimensions of the first and second openings substantially.

7. A method of supporting shuttering formwork, the method comprising assembling the support base according to claim 1; coupling a shuttering contact member to the second side and at one end of the angle section member; coupling one end of a bracing member to the second side at a position between the two ends of the angle section member, and at the opposite end to the shuttering contact member; engaging clamping members with the clamping brackets to define the clamping portion; and inserting road pins into the clamping portion and through the openings.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the brace is slidably engageable with the shuttering contact member and or the support base.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein a retainer is applied to the clamping members after they have been engaged with the clamping brackets.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the retainer comprises a weld applied to one side of the clamping member.

11. The method according to claim 8, wherein a retainer is applied to the clamping members after they have been engaged with the clamping brackets.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the retainer comprises a weld applied to one side of the clamping member.

13. The support base of claim 2, wherein the clamping brackets are substantially V shaped.

14. The support base according to claim 13, wherein the clamping brackets comprise a first opening and a second opening, the first and second openings being opposite one another and on different sides of the V shaped bracket.

15. The support base according to claim 14, wherein the first opening is larger than the second opening, and the clamping member comprises a wedge which is engageable through the first and second openings, and matches the dimensions of the first and second openings substantially.

16. The support base of claim 3, wherein the clamping brackets are substantially V shaped.

17. The support base according to claim 16, wherein the clamping brackets comprise a first opening and, a second opening, the first and second openings being opposite one another and on different sides of the V shaped bracket.

18. The support base according to claim 17, wherein the first opening is larger than the second opening, and the clamping member comprises a wedge which is engageable through the first and second openings, and matches the dimensions of the first and second openings substantially.

19. A method of supporting shuttering formwork, the method comprising: assembling the support base according to claim 2; coupling the shuttering contact member to the second side and at one end of the angle section member; coupling one end of a bracing member to the second side at a position between the two ends of the angle section member, and at the opposite end to the shuttering contact member; engaging clamping members with the clamping brackets to define the clamping portion; and inserting road pins into the clamping portion and through the openings.

20. A method of supporting shuttering formwork, the method comprising: assembling the support base according to claim 3; coupling a shuttering contact member to the second side and at one end of the angle section member; coupling one end of the bracing member to the second side at a position between the two ends of the angle section member, and at the opposite end to the shuttering contact member; engaging clamping members with the clamping brackets to define the clamping portion; and inserting road pins into the clamping portion and through the openings.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The FIGURE shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the support base according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT

[0029] In the FIGURE there is shown an example of the support base generally designated 1. The support base 1 comprises an angle section member 2, two V shaped clamping brackets 3 and clamping members 4. The brackets 3 are bolted to the second side 5 of the angle section member 2. In the first side 6 of the angle section member 2 there are two openings 7. The brackets 3 are arranged such that the apex of each V lies over a respective opening 7, as shown. The clamping members 4 are wedges of steel which engage through slots 8 in the sides of the brackets 3. At one end of the angle section member 2 there is pivotally attached a shuttering contact member 10. The shuttering contact member 10 comprises another angle section piece of steel having a slot 11 to slidably receive a brace 12. One end of the brace is engaged with the slot 11 using conventional nut and bolt fixings, and the opposite end of the brace 12 is connected to the second side 5 of the angle section member 2. Conventional nut and bolt fixings are used to connect the brace 12 to the angle section member 2. The slot 11 allows the angle of the shuttering contact member with respect to the support base 2 to be adjusted and then fixed rigidly. This makes erection of the formwork simply, quick and easy, while also allowing for the construction of walls which are not necessarily vertical. Although not shown on the drawings, on each bracket 3, there are two slots 8 opposite one another. The slots 8 on the brackets 3 are of different sizes and match the external dimensions of the centre region of the wedges 4. Therefore when the wedges 4 are inserted, they can only be inserted and engaged to fit from one direction only, and when they are inserted an equal amount of the wedge protrudes out of one side of the bracket 3 as on the other side of the bracket 3. In the example shown the slots 8 are wider towards the end of the angle section member opposite that which is attached to the shuttering contact member 10. This makes it easier to insert the wedges 4 through the slots. If the width of the slots 8 on the brackets 3 were orientated the other way round, then the wedges 4 could only be inserted in the opposite direction to that shown in the FIGURE. It is likely therefore that the shuttering contact member would interfere with this procedure, and prevent the wedges from actually being fully inserted. The angle section member 2 and shuttering contact member 10 comprises a number of further holes 20 which are provided for the attachment of boarding or the like.

[0030] In use the clamping brackets 3 are attached to the second side 5 using the bolts as shown, making sure that the brackets are positioned over the openings 7. Next the shuttering contact member 10 is attached using a bolt fixing to the end of the angle section member 2 on the second side 5. Care is taken to ensure that some distance is provided between the end of the shuttering contact member 10 and the first side 6, in order to allow for angular alteration of the shuttering contact member with the base if required. Next the brace 12 is attached to the angle section member 2 and the shuttering contact member 10 as shown and as described above. Also in this step the wedges 4 are inserted through the openings 8 of the brackets 3. In so doing a clamping portion is defined between the wedges and the inside of the brackets 3. Next, road pins are inserted through the clamping portion and through the openings 7 and into the ground on which the support base 1 is placed. A spot weld may be placed on the narrow end of the wedges 4 to prevent them from being lost. Shuttering board may be attached to the shuttering contact board after the angle of the shuttering contact member has been set. Then concrete can be poured against it. The support base 1 is prevented from moving or lifting up in any way by the combined effect of the brackets 3 and the wedges 4 to generate a clamping portion which clamps onto the pins. The support base 1 therefore does not move in use with respect to the pins.