COMPOSITE SUPPORT PROP

Abstract

A support pack component which comprises a rectangular cementitious block with metal plates on three of its edges.

Claims

1. A support component for use in a composite support pack which comprises a cementitious block of parallelepiped form with six faces and a respective metallic plate on at least two of the faces.

2. The support component of claim 1 wherein the cementitious block has two major faces and four minor faces, wherein each minor face has a surface area which is smaller than the surface area of each major face, and a respective metallic plate is on at least two of the minor faces.

3. The support component of claim 2 wherein a respective metallic plate is on three of the minor faces.

4. The support component of claim 2 wherein an elongate steel strip is bent into a rectangular shape which is closed so that the strip, in use, forms a continuous rectangular boundary around the cementitious block which then has a respective metallic plate on each minor face.

5. A support pack which comprises a plurality of layers of support components which are successively stacked vertically to overlie one another, wherein each layer includes at least two support components each of which is a support component according to claim 3.

6. The support pack of claim 5 wherein each layer includes four of the support components and in plan is of a square configuration with a central hollow in which an elongate support prop is positioned.

7. A method of making a support component for a support pack which includes the steps of forming a square or rectangular frame from an elongate metallic strip, and casting a settable cementitious material into the frame, which acts as a mould and which remains engaged with the cementitious material once the cementitious material has set.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The invention is further described by way of examples with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a support component according to the invention,

[0021] FIG. 2 is a perspective illustration showing how three support components each of the kind shown in FIG. 1 can be arranged to form a layer in a support pack,

[0022] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing how a layer in a support pack is made using four support components each of the kind shown in FIG. 1,

[0023] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the layer in FIG. 3, used together with a support prop, and

[0024] FIG. 5 shows a portion of a metallic strip which includes integral projections intended for bonding with a settable cementitious mixture.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0025] FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings is a perspective view of a support pack component 10 according to one form of the invention.

[0026] The component 10 comprises a block 12 which is made from a suitable cementitious composition and a steel strip 14 which forms metallic plates 16, 18 and 20 respectively.

[0027] The block 12 is of parallelepiped form and has six faces. The block is rectangular in outline. It therefore has two major faces 24 and 26. The major face 24 is uppermost and shown in FIG. 1. The face 26 is lowermost and not visible in FIG. 1.

[0028] Due to the rectangular outline of the block there are two long edges 30 and 32 which oppose each other and which are adjacent respective long minor faces and two short edges 34 and 36 which oppose each other and which are adjacent respective short minor faces. The metallic plates 16 and 20 cover the short minor faces at the short edges 34 and 36. The steel plate 18 covers the long minor face at the longer edge 32.

[0029] The metallic plates can be provided separately (individually) or can be provided by forming an elongate steel strip into a U-shape as shown for the steel strip 14. Typically the metallic plates (strip 14) have a thickness of two to 3 millimetres. This is exemplary only and non-limiting. Normally, using standardised dimensions, the block has a length L which is of the order of 600 mm and a width W which is of the order of 300 mm-these values are exemplary and non-limiting. Under these conditions the block has a thickness (height) H which is of the order of 100 mm.

[0030] An integral U-shape is preferred for the resulting component (cement block plus plate) is stronger, in respect of burst resistance, than a cementitious block which has three individual (i.e. not directly connected) metallic plates. Another benefit is that the steel strip 14 in a U-form can be used as part of a mould when the cementitious block 12 is cast. The steel strip can be provided with formations or members which project inwardly so that these formations or members grip the block when the cementitious composition sets. These formations can be in the form of projections which are stamped from a strip-see for example FIG. 5 which depicts a length of the steel strip 14A which is stamped, at regular intervals under factory conditions to form projecting spikes 38 which are embedded in a cementitious block 12 (not shown) when it is cast, thereby to ensure a strong bond between the components. It is possible though to use any other suitable technique to ensure the steel strip is firmly fixed to the cementitious block.

[0031] The component 10 is intended to be used as a direct replacement of a composite cement/timber support component.

[0032] FIG. 2 illustrates in perspective a single layer 40 in a composite cement pack of rectangular configuration formed from abutting side-by-side components 10A and 10B which abut at respective ends a third component 10C. The components 10A, 10B and 10C are for all practical purposes identical to one another and are the same as what has been described in connection with FIG. 1. Successive layers (not shown) each including three of the components are positioned one over the other, as is known in the art, to form a composite support pack.

[0033] FIG. 4 illustrates a layer 42 which in plan is of square configuration and which is formed from four components 10A, 10B, 10C and 10D which are identical to each other and to the component 10 shown in FIG. 1. In this instance due to the dimensions of the components a gap or hollow 46 is formed in a centre of the componentsthis can accommodate an elongate support prop 50 e.g. of timber, or of a different type, as is known in the artsee the plan view of the layer 42 in FIG. 4. This hollow is bounded by portions of the cementitious blocks, and is devoid of steel plates.

[0034] The support component of the invention comprises a cementitious block, preferably of rectangular outline, with metal strips or plates on at least three of the minor faces of the block. It is possible to have a metallic plate on each of the four minor faces of the block but this depends on the particular application and the expected strength of a composite pack which is formed from a plurality of the blocks. The use of four plates does however increase the cost of the support component. Nonetheless if four steel plates are used the plate can be integrally formed by bending an elongate steel strip into a rectangular shape which is closed e.g. by welding, by the use of rivets, or the like so that in use the strip forms a continuous rectangular metallic boundary around the cementitious block and in this way the burst strength of the component, under compressive loading, is significantly increased.

[0035] The principles which have been described can be used with equal effect in the making of a support component which is of a square (not rectangular) configuration.

[0036] The support component of the invention does away with the timber slabs referred to and thus eliminates a fire hazard which is associated with the use of timber. As the metallic plates are fairly thin in thickness a typical component according to the invention is lighter than a corresponding cement/timber component as referred to hereinbefore. The component of the invention is compact and does not have any protruding portions which can present logistical problems during transport and installation.