AU2008100975A4

AU2008100975A4 - Hoardings

Info

Publication number: AU2008100975A4
Application number: AU2008100975A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Scott Ryan
Original assignee: Royal Wolf Trading Australia Pty Ltd
Current assignee: United Rentals Australia Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2008-10-03
Filing date: 2008-10-03
Publication date: 2008-11-13
Anticipated expiration: 2016-10-03
Also published as: NZ580120A; AU2008100975B4

Description

Our Ref: 20442186 P/00/011 Regulation 3:2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT Applicant(s): Address for Service: Invention Title: Royal Wolf Trading Australia Pty Limited Suite 202, Level 2, 22-28 Edgeworth David Avenue, Homsby, New South Wales 2077, Australia DAVIES COLLISON CAVE Patent Trade Mark Attorneys 255 Elizabeth Street SYDNEY NSW 2000 "Hoardings" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- 00 C-I

HOARDINGS

C.)

0 Technical Field [001] The present invention generally relates to hoardings or hoardings systems, t typically, but not necessarily, used as at least part of a sheltered walkway, for example by pedestrians at or near construction or building sites.

00 10 Background [002] It is known to construct types of fixed hoardings to provide sheltered walkways for pedestrians at or near construction sites. Known hoardings are constructed from individual components such as timber, steel or concrete beams, walls and panels. Presently, a significant amount of time is required in constructing hoardings on-site from individual components. Timber, steel and concrete hoardings are constructed as customised structures and typically involve relatively high costs due to the customisation and time required. Furthermore, after a building or construction is completed, presently known hoardings are time consuming and therefore relatively costly to remove.

[003] There is a need for hoardings and/or a hoardings system which addresses or at least ameliorates one or more problems inherent in the prior art.

[004] The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from the prior publication), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that the prior publication (or information derived from the prior publication) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

Brief Summary [005] According to a first aspect there is provided a containerised or modular hoarding that can be used to provide hoardings and/or a hoardings system. A plurality of containerised or modular hoardings can be used to provide a sheltered walkway, for example for use by pedestrians at or near construction or building sites.

00 [006] Preferably, the containerised or modular hoarding is a substantially rectangular- O shaped box or container, provided with a frame, roof, floor and wall elements or panels

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that are integrated or connected together to form a structure that can be readily transported as a modular unit to a desired location.

[007] A plurality of containerised or modular hoardings can be connected or associated with each other to provide an extended walkway. A variety of geometries or shapes of the containerised or modular hoardings can be provided. Using a containerised of modular 00 hoarding as a base unit, a desired hoardings system or structure can be assembled to suit a N variety of requirements.

Brief Description Of Figures [008] Example embodiments should become apparent from the following description, which is given by way of example only, of at least one preferred but non-limiting embodiment, described in connection with the accompanying figures.

[009] Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of an example hoarding; [010] Figure 2 illustrates an isometric view of example hoardings connected in series; [011] Figure 3 illustrates as isometric view of an example hoarding with counterweight panels; [012] Figure 4 illustrates an isometric view of an example hoarding with an office container on top; [013] Figures 5A and 5B illustrate top, side and end views of an example containerised hoarding; [014] Figures 6A, 6B and 6C illustrate top, side and end views of an example longer embodiment of a containerised hoarding; [015] Figures 7A and 7B illustrate end views of an example shorter embodiment of a containerised hoarding; [016] Figures 8A to 8G illustrate various views of an example short embodiment of a hoarding, for example used as a infill hoarding module; [017] Figures 9A to 9C illustrate various views of an example infill bridge that can be used as part of hoardings; 00 0 [018] Figures O10A to O10D illustrate various views of use of attached walkways with 0

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Preferred Embodiments [019] The following modes, given by way of example only, are described in order to provide a more precise understanding of the subject matter of a preferred embodiment or embodiments.

0[020] In the figures, incorporated to illustrate features of an example embodiment, like oO reference numerals are used to identify like parts throughout the figures.

[021] Referring to figure 1, there is illustrated a containerised or modular hoarding Hoarding 10 includes frame 12 that is made up of various frame elements. Frame 12 includes vertical posts 14, horizontal beams 16, lower side rails 18 and upper side rails Hoarding 10 is also provided with roof section 22 and floor section 24. Roof section 22 and floor section 24 may be each comprised of individual panels or a single panel. Rear wall section 26 may likewise be comprised of individual panels or a single panel. Front wall panel 28 is also provided so as to define or provide cut-outs or open panel sections Around cut-out or open panel sections 30 are provided reinforcing rails 32 that can be supported by braces 34. Passage header rail 36 also can be provided as part of pedestrian entry/exit sections. Comer castings 38 can be used to assist in forming frame 12 or parts thereof. Slots 40 are provided to receive fork arms of a fork-lift so that hoarding 10 can be easily moved and placed into a desired position.

[022] In a particular, but non-limiting embodiment, hoarding 10 is constructed from a type of container as a starting point of manufacture or assembly, for example from a shipping container. This allows hoarding 10 to be relatively easily manufactured by cutting out or removing sections of a container and reinforcing the container, if required.

Generally, though not necessarily, components of hoarding 10 are steel components, although floor section 24 is preferably wood, such as plywood panels. However, it should be appreciated that a wide variety of materials can be used to form or construct hoarding 00 O [023] Containerised or modular hoarding 10 can be made to be standard sizes, for N, example 20 ft. and 40 ft. in length, corresponding to a base size of a typical shipping Scontainer. However, non-standard length sizes, for example 1 metre, 2 metre, 3 metre,

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etc., or any other lengths, can be made. Hoarding 10 is portable, inherently strong and conforms to established sizes. Hoarding 10 is commonly used as part of a sheltered walkway for pedestrians at or near construction or building sites. It should be appreciated, however, that hoarding 10 can be made from individual components rather than beginning made from a shipping container. Frame 12 can be modified or reinforced as required for suitable strengthening of hoardings.

00 N [024] Containerised or modular hoardings significantly reduce the cost and time for constructing on-site walkways and office/storage spaces. The hoardings allow flexible arrangements of hoardings to be provided. Due to the modular nature of the hoardings, they are relatively easily transported to a desired site, where, if necessary, counterweights can be attached for additional stability. Counterweights can be transported separately then attached to the hoardings on-site. Counterweights can be pre-fabricated concrete slabs or blocks that can be positioned in cut-out or open panel sections 30. Different sizes and layouts of counterweights can be used depending on expected conditions at a site, for example dependent on expected winds that hoardings may be required to withstand.

[025] The containerised or module hoardings are designed to allow stacking of hoarding units 10 on top of each other, or to allow stacking of office cabin containers on top of hoardings. Additional reinforcing frames can be provided around openings. When using a double-stacking arrangement, a modular set of stairs can be attached to slots forklift pockets) of an office cabin container on top, together with a landing and a walkway.

[026] The containerised or modular hoardings can be supported on different types of ground. Hoardings can be placed directly on a ground surface, if appropriate, or can be used with a footing or foundation system if required. Footing support is dependent on the nature of the ground, for example whether hoardings are being placed on concrete slabs, kerbing or soil. Timber planks might be used as a support system to distribute loads.

[027] The containerised or modular hoardings are fully reusable after having been transported and installed at various sites. Hoardings can be installed in numerous different 00 arrangements and locked or bolted, or otherwise secured, into position. After completion N, of a building construction at a site, when hoardings are no longer required, all components Scan be disassembled, packed-up and easily transported off the site.

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[028] Referring to figure 2, there is illustrated a series of hoardings 10 providing an extended pedestrian walkway. Referring to figure 3, there is illustrated an alternate embodiment of hoarding 50 that includes concrete counterweight panels 52 and also Sillustrates use of footing panels 52 and footing 54 as required.

00 oO [029] Referring to figure 4, there is illustrated hoarding 50 with an office container 58 provided on top thereof. Office containers 58 can be constructed from a cargo shipping container, making the structure easy to manage, suitable to manoeuvre and transport, and easily constructed. Office container 58 can be fitted out internally and can be delivered to a site ready for operation. The modular layout can accommodate a wide variety of needs, for example control rooms, lunch rooms and office spaces. Container 58 is preferably secured to hoarding 50, for example by bolting together respective corner castings.

[030] Referring to figures 5A and 5B, there is illustrated top, side and end views of hoarding 10. Referring to figures 6A, 6B and 6C, there is illustrated front side, top, rear side, and sectional views for the series of hoardings 10 illustrated in figure 2.

[031] Referring to figures 7A and 7B, there is illustrated a shorter version of a hoarding with end, sectional and detailed views illustrated.

[032] Referring to figures 8A to 8G, there is illustrated a still shorter version of a hoarding, for example, for use as an infill module 80. Module 80 includes top left hand corner casting 81, top right hand corner casting 82, vertical post 83, lower side rail 84 and top side rail 85. Door header 86 is also provided. Module 80 also includes large wall panel 87 and small wall panel 88. Roof panel 89 can be made of steel plate. Sill beam is also provided. Also illustrated is floor support 91, seal 92 and seal mount 93.

Framework sections 84, 85, 86 and 87 are also provided and floor panel 98 can be plywood flooring panels, or any other suitable material. Other components can be types of steel or metal, although a variety of other materials could be utilised.

00 C [033] Referring to figures 9A, 9B and 9C, there is illustrated another shorter form of I hoarding, for example to be used as an infill bridge 100. Infill bridge 100 includes top left Shand corner casting 101, top right hand comer casting 102, vertical post 103, lower side

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rail 104, top side rail 105 and door header 106. Posts and rails can be made of steel or other materials. Also illustrated is large wall panel 107 and small wall panel 108. Roof panel 109 may be steel plate. Also provided is sill beam 110, preferably of steel, and floor r- panel assembly 111.

[034] Referring to figures 10A to 10D, the provision and use of walkways 120 is oO illustrated. Walkways 120 can be attached to office container 58, which is positioned on N, top of hoarding 10, 50. Walkways 120 include landing assembly 123, stair assembly 124, walkway 125, knee brace 126, short walkway section 127, and end hand rail 128. For connections, washer 130 and nut 132 are provided.

[035] A containerised or modular hoarding offers a cost-effective solution in providing a safe pedestrian walking passage near hazardous areas. The general basis for a containerised hoarding can be a cargo shipping container, making the structure easy to manage, suitable to manoeuvre and transport, and relatively easily constructed. Materials used in a containerised hoarding are commonly available. A containerised hoarding is an easily transportable structure suitable for rapid deployment in areas where protection from hazardous surroundings is required, for example for pedestrians passing a construction or building zone with potential falling object hazards. A containerised hoarding may be fitted out as required and can be delivered ready for operation or final assembly with counterweights on-site. The modular layout can accommodate a wide variety of needs and different assembled geometries.

[036] Optional embodiments of the present invention may also be said to broadly consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated herein, individually or collectively, in any or all combinations of two or more of the parts, elements or features, and wherein specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which the invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

00 0 [037] Although a preferred embodiment has been described in detail, it should be C\I understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made by one of 0 ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

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Claims

2. The hoarding as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hoarding is constructed from a Sshipping container. 00
3. The hoarding as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2, wherein slots are provided N, below the floor section to receive fork arms of a fork-lift.
4. Hoardings, including the hoarding as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 3, and an office container positioned on top of the hoarding, the office container having walkways attached thereto. A containerised or modular hoarding, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying figures.