AU5987201A - Height adjustable supporting means for use in supporting reinforcement and/or utility means in concrete construction - Google Patents

Description

-1- Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT, 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

Name of Applicant: Actual Inventor: Address for service in Australia: Invention Title: HOLMES and BROWN LIMITED Ross Raymond William Holmes A J PARK, Level 11, 60 Marcus Clarke Street, Canberra ACT 2601 Height Adjustable Supporting Means for Use in Supporting Reinforcement and/or Utility Means in Concrete Construction The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us -2- The present invention relates to supporting means for use in supporting reinforcement and/or utility means in concrete construction.

The fabrication of concrete building structures such as slabs and foundations invariably involves the positioning, supporting and retention of reinforcing or utility means that will ultimately (upon pouring of the concrete) become encased or embedded, either fully or partially within the concrete construction. For example it is common, and in many cases a regulatory requirement, that such structures be fabricated with reinforcing rods or like dispersed throughout the structure. In most circumstances, it is imperative that such reinforcing or utility means be correctly positioned as they are critical in determining the strength of the final structure. Concrete foundations typically comprise both wire meshing reinforcement as well as steel rod reinforcement and can sometimes may also include utility means such as pipes, concrete breakers and the like.

Such reinforcing or utility means must be correctly positioned to the appropriate height prior to the pouring of the concrete.

A review of the prior art reveals a number of systems that generally lack the capability to adjust the height of any support means. The patent US5,595,039 of Lowery however discloses an apparatus for adjusting the height of a reinforcing rod for use in concrete construction. The apparatus disclosed comprises a base member, a shaft, and a chair upon which the reinforcing rod may be placed. The adjustment in height is obtained by selecting an appropriate shaft of the desired length or alternatively by cutting a shaft to the desired length.

Accordingly it is can object of the present invention to provide support means which will at least provide the public with a useful choice.

A support means for providing vertical support of at least one kind of object used in the preparation and/or the inclusion of concrete foundations, said support means comprising at least one ground engagable member a body member disposed from said at least one ground engagable member, said body member including a vertical support means for providing vertical support to a said object, and at least one member movable relative to said at least one ground engagable member and said body member by at least one means to adjust.

Preferably said at least one other member is a second vertical support means for providing vertical support to a or another of said object, wherein the spatial relationship between said first vertical support and said at least one other vertical support means is adjustable by at least one means to adjust.

Preferably first vertical support means is in a fixed relationship with said body member.

Preferably said second vertical support means is in a displaceable relationship with said body member.

Preferably a said means to adjust is provided for each said second vertical support means.

Preferably said means to adjust is a rod in threaded engagement with at least one of a) said body member, and b) said second vertical support means.

Preferably said rod is in threaded engagement with said body member.

Preferably said second vertical support means is secured to said rod.

Preferably said second vertical support means is rotatably secured to said rod.

Preferably said second vertical support means is threadedly secured to said rod.

Preferably said second vertical support means is non movably secured to said rod. Preferably said second vertical support means is unitary with said rod.

Preferably more than one of said second vertical support means is engaged to said threaded rod.

Preferably said first vertical support means is at least one region of said body member.

Preferably at least two regions are provided by said body member to define said first vertical support means are.

Preferably a further vertical support means is provided disposed from or defined by said body member which is spatially movable relative to at least said first vertical support means and/or second vertical support means.

Preferably said further vertical support means is in a fixed spatial relationship with said first vertical support means.

Preferably said threaded rod in use extends in a substantially vertical direction.

Preferably at least two ground engagable members are provided said body member extending at least in part there between.

Preferably in use said body member is supported by said at least two ground engagable members to be disposed therefrom and above the ground.

Preferably said body member provides said threaded region for receipt of said threaded rod, intermediate of said ground engagable members.

Preferably said body member provides said further vertical support means in the form of at least two projections from said body member space apart from each other and each providing a rebate into which a rod like member can engage.

Preferably said rebates are oriented to each other to each receive the same rod.

Preferably said first vertical support means is an edge of that portion of said body member extending between said ground support member and the threaded region of said body member.

Preferably said second vertical support means is a concrete expansion member receiving means to which an concrete expansion joint can be secured.

Preferably Alternatively said first vertical support means is in a displaceable relationship with said body member.

Preferably said body member and said ground engagable members are unitary.

In a further aspect the present invention consists in the use of a support means as herein before described in providing at least some support to a re-enforcing rod.

In a further aspect the present invention consists in the use of a support means as herein before described in providing at least some support to a concrete expansion member.

In a further aspect the present invention consists in the use of a support means as herein before described in providing at least some support to any one or more of at least one re-enforcing rod and a concrete expansion member and conduit and a reenforcing mesh.

In a further aspect the present invention consists in the use of at least two support means as herein before described in providing at least some support to any one or more of at least one re-enforcing rod and a concrete expansion member and conduit and a re-enforcing mesh.

In a further aspect the present invention consists in a support providing means for use in supporting reinforcement or utility providing means to be encased in concrete comprising: a body member which includes ground engagable portion(s) to engage with the ground on which it is to be supported in a stabilising condition, a reinforcement or utility providing means, receiving and support member, an adjustable means, threadedly connecting said support means with said body member in a manmer to, in use, support at least one of said reinforcement or utility providing means in a height adjustable manner above said ground.

Preferably said adjustment means is threadedly engaged to at least one of said body or support means.

Preferably said adjustment means is threadedly engaged to both said body or support means.

Preferably said adjustment means is a threaded rod.

Preferably said rod has a transverse slot so as to enable to said threaded rod to be rotated by engageable rotating means.

Preferably said body member has an elevated adjustment means receiving region elevated to be above said ground when in use, so that at least to a limited extent, said connection member may be threaded through or into said receiving region.

Preferably said support member includes a threaded portion to receive said adjustment means, and at least one extension therein which incorporates a reinforcement or utility providing means receiving region.

Preferably said receiving region is a cradle shaped region, Alternatively said receiving region is an aperture providing region.

Preferably said body, adjustment means, and support member are of a plastics material.

In a further aspect the present invention consists in an apparatus for supporting, positioning and retaining reinforcing and/or utility means to be embedded in cast concrete structures, said apparatus comprising; a body member which includes ground engagable portion(s) to engage with the ground on which it is to be supported in a stabilising condition, a reinforcement or utility providing means support member, an adjustable means, threadedly connecting said support means with said body member in a manner to, in use, support at least one of said reinforcement of utility providing means in a height adjustable manner above said ground.

In a further aspect the present invention consists in apparatus for association with reinforcing elements of a kind allowing screw-type adjustability of the supporting means, In still a further aspect the present invention consists in a method of supporting, retaining and adjusting the height of reinforcing and/or utility means used in fabrication of concrete constructions, This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of said parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

The invention consists in the foregoing and also envisages constructions of which the following gives examples.

-6- One preferred form of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which; Figure 1A shows a side elevation view of one preferred form of the base member of the present invention, the base member comprising four upwardly extending legs which are provided with rebates for receiving and supporting wire mesh or reinforcing rods, the legs extending upwardly to an elevated adjustment means receiving region, there also being four rounded feet extending downwardly from the base member, and Figure 1B shows a similar base member to that shown in Figure 1lA, the base member being in accordance with the present invention but having substantially square rebates adapted in each of the upwardly extending legs as opposed to the rounded rebates shown in Figure 1 A, Figure 2 shows a plan view from above of the base member shown in Figure 1A, the four legs being evenly distributed at 90 degree intervals around the base member, Figure 3A shows a preferred form of the threaded rod, the member comprising a continuous thread (but which could be blind) through the entire length of the member, with the end shown to the right possessing a transverse slot adapted to be engaged by a power drill or the like, such a device providing the means for rotating the threaded member, Figure 3B shows a threaded rod where the left hand end has had the thread removed so as to enable the threaded rod, once installed in the base member, to rotate freely without any relative movement between the threaded rod and the base member, and Figure 4 shows an side assembly view of a preferred form of the present invention, the base member of Figure 1A being threadedly engaged with the threaded rod of Figure 3 with an additional supporting means being threadedly engaged at the top of the threaded rod, and Figure 5 is a similar view to that shown in Figure 4, in this instance the additional supporting means is engaged with the threaded elongate member which is adapted to support two reinforcing rods as opposed to the one rod as shown in Figure 4, and Figure 6 shows a similar arrangement to that of Figures 4 and 5, however in this instance the additional support means is adapted to receive a screed pipe, such a screed pipe being installed at the upper extremity of the support apparatus as shown, and 777 -W- Figure 7 shows an alternative support means for association with a rectangular element of a type that might be used in, for example concrete breaking, Figure 8 like Figure 7 shows an alternative arrangement whereby the supporting means may be installed at the extremity of the threaded rod, Figure 9 shows a side view of the threaded rod and supporting means of Figure 8, Figure 10 a-d are views of different angles from a different configuration of the support means of the present invention, Figure 11 is an example of a prior art support means, Figure 12 is an end view of a threaded rod for engagement with the support means of the present invention wherein there is illustrated a concrete breaker in position located in a clip member attached to the end of the threaded rod, Figure 13 is a perspective view of the clip member engaged with a concrete breaker as shown in Figure 12, Figure 14 is a perspective view of the clip member without the concrete breaker in position, Figure 15 is a plan view of Figure 13, Figure 16 is a sectional view through section AA of Figure Figure 17 is a plan view of the device as shown in Figures 10, in use, Figure 18 is a side representative view of the invention in use supporting a wire mesh and also providing the concrete breaker supported in a height adjustable nature relative to the base, Figure 19 is an illustration of the device of the present invention in an alternative use.

In the broadest sense, the present invention may be considered as a device for supporting any "rod-like" and/or utility or reinforcement to be used in a concrete construction. Such building elements are common place and are extremely important to the overall structural integrity of the structure or foundation.

In the preferred form of the present invention the body member 1 comprises or includes or has extending therefrom a number of legs 2 that extend upwardly from the ground engagable portion 3 and converge on an elevated adjustment means receiving region 4. As shown in Figures 1A, 1B and 2 the elevated adjustment means receiving region 4 is suspended above the ground 5 to which the ground engagable portion 3 is positioned.

As can be seen from Figures 1A, 1B and 2 the legs 2 are provided with rebates 6 into which steel reinforcing rods or wire mesh 7 might be positioned. The rebates are -8suitably shaped to receive reinforcing members and are preferably shaped to allow some degree of angular variation of the rod in the general plane that the rods are to be positioned, such a feature being useful for instance where reinforcing is required at angles other than 900.

The present invention also envisages variants of the base members shown where it might be preferable to produce or even increase the number of legs present. Such variants might be useful where elaborate or complex constructions are required.

However the body or as also referred to herein as the base member can also be configured as tripod like member wherein for example at least three legs are provided each with ground contactable regions to locate on a surface such as the ground.

Another feature of the base members shown in the accompanying drawings are the rounded feet 7 which extend downwardly from beneath each of the legs 2 to engage the ground 5 or surface immediately base member.

The present invention envisages variants of the feet 7 which might include feet that extend to a greater extent and/or incorporate a sharp end feature that might allow the base member to gain a greater degree of stability by being partly driven into the ground.

The base member of Figure l13 is adapted to receive in the rebates denoted by 8 rectangular building elements.

In the form of the invention shown in Figure 4 the base member 1 is threadedly engaged with the threaded rod 9. In the preferred form the threaded rod 9 has a transverse slot 10 at the upper extent of the rod. The transverse slot 10 is preferably shaped so that it may be engaged by a hand tool (such as a drill), manually or electrically operated or otherwise, that provides the means for rotating the threaded rod 9. The rotation of the threaded rod 9 provides the means for quickly adjusting the height of the support 11. The threaded rod may alternatively be engaged with the base member in a rotatable but non threaded engagement. Alternatively or in addition, the support means 11 may be engaged with the threaded rod in a non threaded but free rotatable engagement to the rod. Other configurations of providing the support 11 may be provided taking into consideration that the present invention may be installed and may be provided to support reinforcing rods 13 or the like after which adjustment of the height of the reinforcing rods may be necessary. With the rods located with the support 11 it will be most desirable to ensure the support remains in engagement with the rod and does not displace the rod (save for a vertical direction) during the adjustment of the height.

-9- In the form of the invention shown in Figure 5 the base member is adapted to receive the threaded rod 14 which may be freely rotated within the elevated adjustment means receiving region, ie; the threaded rod is only slidably engaged with the elevated adjustment means rather than threadedly engaged as in the form of the invention shown in Figure 4. In this particular form of the invention the rotation of the threaded rod results in the upward or downward movement of the support means 12. The benefit of the apparatus of Figure 5 is that adjustment to the height of the support 12 may be made with the reinforcing rods 13 in place. Once the concrete has been cast over the reinforcing support apparatus, any protruding part of the apparatus may be trimmed.

The device of the present invention may also be used for providing a levelling guide useful in providing a builder with a guide for establishing a substantially level concrete pour or for providing a level useful in guiding the placement of block work.

Figure 19 illustrates the device of the present invention it situ wherein it is supporting reinforcing rod to form part of the reinforcing for footings of a building structure. The reinforcing rod is supported by the device of the present invention to be elevated above the ground. Such elevation is important to ensure that no moisture can reach the reinforcing rod which can lead to rusting and deterioration of the strength of the footing. In supporting the reinforcing rod away from being in contact with the ground, the adjustable support means can provide not just support for the reinforcing rod but also a height adjustable portion which can be set independent from the level at which the reinforcing rod is supported. The height adjustable portion is capable of defining a guide to allow for subsequent positioning of block work to be positioned substantially parallel to the level defined by the guide. A plurality of support means of the present invention may be provided along a footing to support reinforcing rods and the level of such guides can be adjusted to thereby provide assistance for the appropriate position of block work. The prior art device as shown in Figure 11 is a peg which is insertable into the ground and has a support region for receiving reinforcing rod and has a level defining portion 29 which by appropriate driving of the peg into the ground can define a level. Unfortunately such a peg is difficult to retract if the peg is driven too deeply and the level guide is also not able to be adjusted independent of the location of the reinforcing rod supported by the peg.

The device in use in another location may provide a support for features involved in providing concrete constructions is shown in Figure 17 and 18. Here the device of Figures 10 is shown to be providing support for a mesh of reinforcing rod wherein the device can be positioned so that each bridge portion can support a reinforcing rod of the reinforcing mesh. The support features of the device of the present invention which may support such a mesh may themselves be height adjustable relative to the base of the device or may be in a fixed position. In the example as shown in Figure 17 and 18 the position is fixed. However independent from the height at which the reinforcing mesh can be positioned by the device, the threaded rod can be adjusted in height to provide further support to further reinforcing rod or pipes or ducting or the like. Furthermore and with reference to Figures 12-16, the threaded rod may be provided to support a concrete breaker or expansion member 26. The concrete breaker can be provided to be supported by the device of the present invention in a manner such that its height can be adjusted so that the top edge of the concrete breaker is at or very proximate to the upper surface of the concrete pad that is subsequently poured. By allowing height adjustment of the threaded rod to be achieved a plurality of support of the present invention can be positioned in a substantially straight line to thereby hold and support a concrete breaker in position in a substantially level condition and at a desirable height. The clip as shown in Figure 14 allows for a concrete breaker to be conveniently inserted and retained by the clip in relation to the device of the present invention. The clip itself is rotatably located relative to the rod so that the rod can be rotated whereas the clip can remain rotationally stationary.

Rotation of the threaded rod can then be achieved to adjust the height of the clip whilst the concrete breaker can remain engaged therewith. The height of the concrete breaker can then be adjusted independent of the height at which any reinforcing rod is supported by other features of the adjustable means of the present invention. The insertion of the concrete breaker can be achieved by a clipping feature which includes a retaining leg 22 and a pawl 23 as for example shown in Figure 16. The concrete breaker can firstly be inserted underneath the retention leg 22 and can then be rotated to displace the pawl 23 sufficiently to allow for the concrete breaker to be moved to a position as shown in Figure 16 whereupon the pawl will then lock the concrete breaker in position.

With reference to Figures 10, there is shown a base 1 which consists of two ground engageable feet members 30, 31 which each may further be provided with ground engageable lugs or spikes or similar 32. The base member includes a threaded portion 33 which is able to receive a threaded rod to allow for independent height adjustment of the threaded rod and any further features carried thereby. The threaded rod will extend upwardly (preferably vertically) from the base member and allow for adjustment of height of whatever it provides (if anything) by rotation of the threaded rod relative to the rod receiving region 33. Horizontally off set from the substantially vertical axis of the threaded rod region 33 are vertical support members 34. The off set -11 of the horizontal support members is such that any reinforcing rod or the like located with the vertical support members 34 will not interfere with the threaded rod extending substantially vertically from the base member. The vertical support members provide vertical support to threaded rod. They are preferably positioned so that the rod is positioned substantially horizontally. The vertical support features 34 are provided to support reinforcing rod in a vertical condition and may for example be utilised to support the reinforcing as used in footings for example as shown in Figure 19. The vertical support features will provide not just vertical support to the rod but will also provide at least some degree of restraint against the rod rotating about a horizontal axis.

Such support against rotation may be provided by two spaced apart vertical support members as for example shown in Figure 10 Od or alternatively it may be provided by a single channel. Indeed more than two vertical support members may be provided.

More than one vertical support feature may be provided disposed from the base of the present invention and indeed the device of the present invention can be used in a configuration as shown in Figures 17 and 18 wherein the vertical supports 34 can be utilised to support the wire mesh or alternatively at least one of the flanges 35 can be utilised to provide vertical support to such features as reinforcing rods or mesh or the like. The flanges 35 may be provided with rebates for receiving the mesh but as for example shown in Figure 10 Od no such rebates need be provided to allow for the flanges to function to provide vertical support. The device of the present invention may be positioned to receive mesh on both flanges or on at least one of the flanges. When used as shown for example a situation illustrated in Figure 17 and 18, threaded rod can extend from the device to support a levelling guide which may for example merely be the top of the threaded rod or may be provided in the form of a concrete breaker such as previously described.

The support apparatus is preferably constructed of a resilient plastics material (preferably moulded as a single unit, save for the threaded rod(s)) that is capable of withstanding the loads imparted by the reinforcing rods and/or wire mesh.

Alternatively the support apparatus may be fabricated from a suitable metal material.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate how the present invention offers significant advantages over existing apparatus.

Claims (38)

1. 2. A support means as claimed in claim 1 wherein said at least one means movably disposed is a second vertical support means for providing vertical support to a or another of said object, wherein the spatial relationship between said body member and said second vertical support means is adjustable by at least one means to adjust.
2. 3. A support means as claimed in claims 1 or 2 wherein the first mentioned vertical support means is in a fixed relationship with said body member.
3. 4. A support means as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 3 wherein said at least one means movably disposed is in a linearly displaceable relationship with said body member.
4. 5. A support means as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein a said means to adjust is provided for each said at least one means movably disposed.
5. 6. A support means as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5 wherein said means to adjust is a rod in threaded engagement with at least one of a) said body member, and b) said at least one means movably disposed.
6. 7. A support means as claimed in claim 6 wherein said rod is in threaded engagement with said body member.
7. 8. A support means as claimed in claims 6 or 7 wherein said at least one means movably disposed is secured to said rod.
8. 9. A support means as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8 wherein said at least one means movably disposed is rotatably secured to said rod. A support means as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 9 wherein said at least one means movably disposed is threadedly secured to said rod.
9. 11. A support means as claimed in claims 6 or 7 wherein said at least one means movably disposed is non movably secured to said rod.
10. 12. A support means as claimed in claim 6 wherein said at least one means movably disposed is unitary with said rod. 13
11. 13. A support means as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 12 wherein more than one of said at least one means movably disposed is engaged to said threaded rod.
12. 14. A support means as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13 wherein said first vertical support means is at least one region of said body member.
13. 15. A support means as claimed in claim 14 wherein at least two regions are provided by said body member to define said first vertical support means.
14. 16. A support means as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15 wherein a further vertical support means is provided disposed from or defined by said body member which is spatially movable relative to at least said first vertical support means and/or said at least one means movably disposed.
15. 17. A support means as claimed in claim 16 wherein said further vertical support means is in a fixed spatial relationship with said first vertical support means.
16. 18. A support means as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 17 wherein said threaded rod in use extends in a substantially vertical direction.
17. 19. A support means as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 18 wherein at least two ground engagable members are provided said body member extending at least in part there between. A support means as claimed in claim 19 wherein in use said body member is supported by said at least two ground engagable members to be disposed therefrom and above the ground.
18. 21. A support means as claimed in claims 19 or 20 wherein said body member provides said threaded region for receipt of said threaded rod, intermediate of said ground engagable members.
19. 22. A support means as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 21 wherein said body member provides said further vertical support means in the form of at least two projections from said body member spaced apart from each other and each providing a rebate into which a rod like member can engage.
20. 23. A support means as claimed in claim 22 wherein said rebates are oriented to each other to each receive the same rod.
21. 24. A support means as claimed in any one of claims 19 to 23 wherein said first vertical support means is an edge of that portion of said body member extending between said ground support members and the threaded region of said body member. A support means as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 24 wherein said at least one means movably disposed is a concrete expansion member receiving means to which an concrete expansion joint can be secured. 14-
22. 26. A support means as claimed in claims 1 or 2 wherein said first vertical support means is in a displaceable relationship with said body member.
23. 27. A support means as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said body member and includes said ground engagable members which are unitary.
24. 28. The use of a support means as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 27 in providing at least some support to a re-enforcing rod.
25. 29. The use of a support means as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 27 in providing at least some support to a concrete expansion member. The use of a support means as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 27 in providing at least some support to any one or more of at least one re-enforcing rod and a concrete expansion member and conduit and a re-enforcing mesh.
26. 31. The use of at least two support means as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 27 in providing at least some support to any one or more of at least one re-enforcing rod and a concrete expansion member and conduit and a re-enforcing mesh.
27. 32. A support providing means for use in supporting reinforcement or utility providing means to be encased in concrete comprising: a body member which includes ground engageable portion(s) to engage with the ground on which it is to be supported in a stablising condition, an adjustable means, threadedly connecting said support means with said base member in a manner to, in use, support at least one of said reinforcement or utility providing means in a height adjustable manner above said ground.
28. 33. A support as claimed in claim 32 wherein said adjustment means is threadedly engaged to at least one of said base or support means.
29. 34. A support as claimed in claims 32 or 33 wherein said adjustment means is threadedly engaged to both said base or support means. A support as claimed in any one of claims 32 to 34 wherein said adjustment means is a threaded rod.
30. 36. A support as claimed in any one of claims 32 to 35 wherein said rod has a transverse slot so as to enable to said threaded rod to be rotated by engageable rotating means.
31. 37. A support as claimed in any one of claims 32 to 36 wherein said base member has an elevated adjustment means receiving region elevated to be above said ground when in use, so that at least to a limited extent, said connection member may be threaded through or into said receiving region.
32. 38. A support as claimed in any one of claims 32 to 37 wherein said support member includes a threaded portion to receive said adjustment means, and at least one -r 2~~ict A4~.44Vfl4'~Z 15 extension therein which incorporated a reinforcement or utility providing means receiving region.
33. 39. A support as claimed in any one of claims 32 to 38 wherein said receiving region is a cradle shaped region.
34. 40. A support as claimed in any one of claims 32 to 39 wherein said receiving region is an aperture providing region.
35. 41. A support as claimed in any one of claims 32 to 40 wherein said base, adjustment means, and support member are of a plastic material.
36. 42. A method of supporting, retaining and adjusting the height of reinforcing and/or utility means utilising the support means as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 27 used in fabrication of concrete constructions.
37. 43. A support means as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 22 as herein described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.
38. 44. A support means for providing vertical support of at least one kind of object used in the preparation and/or the inclusion of concrete foundations, said support means comprising: a body member including at least one ground engagable region, and at least one means movably disposed from said body member for providing a feature movable relative to said body member said feature selected from any one or more of the following: a level guiding member, a re-enforcing rod receiving and vertical support member, a concrete expansion joint engagable member and a conduit receiving member. Dated: 16 August 2001 H LM D BRW LITE AJPARK Patent Attorneys for the Applicant