AU659061B2 - A frame plumbing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION NAME OF APPLICANT(S): John Davide RUTTEN ADDRESS FOR SERVICE: DAVIES COLLISON CAVE Patent Attorneys 1 Little Collins Street, Melbourne, 3000.

r INVENTION TITLE: A frame plumbing apparatus The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- S04681 3 250693 This invention relates to a frame plumbing apparatus, and more particularly to a frame plumbing apparatus which allows a person to push or pull a section of wall framing into plumb.

References to plumbing of frame elements as appearing herein should be interpreted to mean adjusting the angle between at least two elements of a wall frame uchk-that-sidangl- is 3ub.tantially The references should not be interpreted as meaning to adjust the angle of a wall frame with respect to a floor surface.

Timber wall frames used in the construction of houses, in fitting out office buildings and the like are often prefabricated, either off site, or on the ground prior to erection. As a result, frames so constructed are often not in plumb when erected.

In the past it has commonly been the practice to employ two people to plumb an erected •SS prefabricated frame. This operation involved one person using a length of timber to push the frame, at one of the upper corners, into plumb whilst the other person, having o* checked that the frame is in fact in plumb, fixed said frame into that position.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for pushing or pulling a frame into plumb.

Accordingly, there is provided in a first broad aspect of this invention a frame plumbing apparatus comprising a means which can develop a pushing or a pulling action, a pair of foot elements whereby the apparatus can engage elements of a frame, and a pair of arm members through which the pushing or the pulling action can be transmitted to said foot elements; the apparatus being constructed and adapted to enable plumbing of said frame elements.

Advantageously, one said arm member can telescope into said other arm member.

Alternatively, at least one of said arm members may be comprised of a plurality of serially interconnectable sub-members which can be added or removed dependent on the required length of the arm member, or at least one of said arm members can be telescopic.

Preferably, but dependant on the general dimensions and cross-section of said arms, a length of ribbing can be provided along the length of a face of each of said arms in order to assist in preventing buckling.

Conveniently, said apparatus can be linear in configuration, with said arms extending outwardly from and, along the line of action of, said means.

Preferably, each said foot element is capable of transmitting the pushing and the pulling action to said frame.

2oo° Preferably, each said foot element is attached to a corresponding arm member by way of i a pivot means, thus permitting said foot element to accommodate a variety of frame connecting positions.

Preferably, the pushing or the pulling action of said means is provided by way of a sprocket and chain arrangement. However, said pushing or said pulling action may alternatively be suitably provided by rack and pinion arrangement, a worm and screw gear arrangement, a block and tackle arrangement, a crank and ratchet arrangement, a pneumatic or hydraulic ram arrangement, or other similar device.

Preferably, said frame plumbing apparatus is composed substantially of aluminium.

However, any light weight material, or composites thereof, exhibiting the required characteristics of strength, rigidity, and toughness would prove suitable.

In a second broad aspect of this invention there is provided a method of plumbing frame whereby said frame is pushed or pulled into plumb by way of an apparatus of the preceding aspect, and then permanently fixed in said plumbed position.

In order that the invention may be better understood, and so that further features thereof will be appreciated, embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front elevation of a frame plumbing apparatus of the present invention; :,-Figure 2 is a schematic sectional view of aspects of a sprocket and chain arrangement .2 of the present invention; Figure 3 is a schematic sectional view of aspects of a rack and pinion arrangement of Se the present invention; Figure 4 is a schematic view of a front elevation of the frame plumbing apparatus of Figure 1 set up in position on a frame in preparation for the plumbing operation; Figure 5 is a schematic plan view of the frame plumbing apparatus of Figure 1 set up in position on a frame; Figure 6 is a front elevation of an alternative foot element for an apparatus of the present invention; and Figure 7 is a plan view of the foot element of Figure 6.

With reference to Figure 1, a frame plumbing apparatus, as generally indicated at 1, comprises a pair of foot elements 2,3 interconnected by a pair of slidably cooperating arms 4,5, said arms 4,5 extending along a common longitudinal axis, and a length adjusting arrangement 6 which is attached to arm 4 and cooperates with arm In a preferred embodiment, as shown in figure 2, length adjusting arrangement 6 comprises a housing 7, in which is located a sprocket 42, a sprocket keeper 9 which is caused to engage with sprocket 42. by way of a keeper spring 10, and a crank handle 11, which may be attached to the sprocket 42 thereby providing the means whereby said sprocket 42 may be caused to rotate. Sprocket keeper 9 is oriented such that during the frame plumbing operation it permits sprocket 42 to rotate in a direction 12 only. Rotation in a direction 13 opposite to direction 12 is possible only by disengaging keeper 9 from sprocket 42.

The slidable cooperation of arms 4,5 is facilitated by way of arm 5 telescoping into arm 4, both of said arms 4, 5 being of substantially hollow box sectional construction.

Attached down the length of one longitudinal face of arm 5 is a length of bicycle chain 43, or the like. Chain 43 provides a drive track which sprocket 8 can cooperate with.

When the sprocket 8 is caused to rotate in the direction 12 a pushing action is applied to chain 43 in a direction 41 along the line of the longitudinal axis of the arms 4,5. Chain 43 may be attached to arm 5 by any known means, including welding, riveting etc.

preferably, chain 43 is bolted to arm Figure 3 shows an alternative embodiment of length adjusting arrangement 6, which comprises a housing 7, in which is located a pinion 8, a pinion keeper 9 which is caused to engage with pinion 8 by way of a keeper spring 10, and a crank handle 11, which may be attached to the pinion 8 thereby providing the means whereby said pinion 8 may be caused to rotate. Pinion keeper 9 is oriented such that during the frame plumbing operation it permits pinion 8 to rotate in a direction 12 only. Rotation in a direction 13 opposite to direction 12 is possible only by disengaging keeper 9 from pinion 8.

Referring also to figure 1, the slidable cooperation of arms 4, 5 is facilitated by way of arm 5 telescoping into arm 4 being of substantially hollow box sectional construction.

o oe S: Arm 5 is of solid bar construction, having a substantially square cross-section. Said arm 15 5 comprises the additional feature of having a plurality of equispaced teeth formed width wise down the length of one longitudinal face, thus providing a rack with which the pinion 8 can cooperate. When the pinion 8 is caused to rotate in the direction 12 a S: pushing action is applied in a direction 41 along the line of the longitudinal axis of the C° arms It will be appreciated that while preferred embodiments of the length adjusting arrangement have been described, alternative means may be used. Further, said arrangement may be adapted to provide both a pushing and a pulling action.

With reference again to figure 1, foot elements 2 and 3 extend outwardly from the arms 4 and 5 respectively, and are of substantially box-like construction in cross-section, each comprising four orthogonally arranged side walls 14,15,16,17. A diagonal of the boxlike cross-section is aligned with the longitudinal axis of an arm 4/5, such that two adjacent side walls of the foot element extend to an apex to define a leading edge 18 at the end of the arm. This arrangement allows the foot element to be received into the apex of a joint formed by engaging two perpendicular elements of a frame 19 (refer Figure 3).

Optionally, one or more apertures may be provided in each wall 14, 16 (15, 17) of a pair of parallel side walls 14, 16 (15, 17). Preferably the centrelines of corresponding apertures in parallel side walls 14, 16 (15, 17) are in alignment.

Figures 5 and 6 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the foot elements 2 and 3. A foot element of this embodiment allows a pushing and/or a pulling action to be transmitted to 015.. "the frame 19.

Foot element 2/3 comprises a plate 20 which is substantially a right angle isosceles triangle in shape, having a long side 21 and equal length perpendicular sides 22 and 23 respectively, in use, said plate 20 is disposed in the same plane as the frame 19. Plate 20 is connected to an arm 4/5 by way of a pivot arrangement 24, the point of attachment of the pivot arrangement 24 to the plate 20 is located on a line bisecting plate 20. A plate mounted on, and extending outwardly from, an arm 4/5 limits the extent of rotation of plate 20 about the pivot arrangement 24.

Extending perpendicularly outward from plate 20 are two pairs of parallel plates, one pair being parallel to side 22 of plate 20, and the other pair being parallel to side 23 of plate The pair of plates parallel to side 22 comprise a plate 26 attached to plate 20 at side 22, and a plate 28 attached to plate 20 parallel to, but spaced apart from, plate 26 such that, in use, an element of frame 19 may be loosely positioned between said parallel plates.

Similarly, the pair of plates parallel to side 22 comprise a plate 27 attached to plate at side 23, and a plate 29 attached to plate 20 parallel to, but spaced apart from, plate 27 such that, in use, an element of frame 19 may be positioned between said parallel plates.

Further, plates 28 and 29 are interconnected in an L-shaped configuration, with their free ends terminating at the long side 21 of the plate 20. Plate 26 extends from the long side 21 of plate 20 and terminates at a point in line with the longitudinal axis of plate 29, similarly, plate 27 extends from the long side 21 of the plate 20 and terminates at a point in line with the longitudinal axis of plate 28.

9 The present invention also provides for a method of plumbing a frame. With reference to Figures 3 and 4, a prefabricated frame 19 comprises a top most horizontal beam a bottom most horizontal beam 31, and a plurality of horizontal beams equi-spaced

S

,therebetween. A plurality of vertical studs are disposed equi-spaced along the length of, and interconnect, the horizontal beams.

Included in the series of vertical studs is an end stud 32, and a centrally located stud 33.

A metal brace 34 is attached diagonally across the frame 19, at a point 35 on the top most horizontal beam 30 and at a point 36 on the bottom most horizontal beam 31, prior to erection of the frame 19 so as to prevent horizontal displacement of said frame 19.

In the first instance, the frame 19 is erected and attached to flooring 37 by way of fixing points 38 and 39 located on the bottom most horizontal beam 31.

The erected frame 19 is inspected to determine in which direction it is necessary to adjust said frame 19 to bring it into plumb.

The frame plumbing apparatus 1 is then adjusted for length by way of extending out, or contracting in, the telescoping arms 4 and 5. The required length of the arms 4,5 is determined by the height and width of the frame 19 so that the apparatus 1 may be located on the frame 19 at an angle approximating 45° from the floor 37, and at the most extreme edges of the frame 19.

Assuming the top of the frame 19 requires moving in direction 40 as shown in Figure frame plumbing apparatus 1 is located on the frame 19 by way of the extreme edge 18 .1500 of the foot element 2 butting into the apex of the corner formed by the joint between the horizontal beam 30 and the vertical stud 32 of the frame 19. Similarly, the extreme edge 18 of the foot element 3 is caused to butt into the apex of the comer formed by the joint between the horizontal beam 31 and the vertical stud 33 of the frame 19.

With the apparatus 1 situated in position the brace 34 is disengaged from the bottom most horizontal beam 31.

Crank handle 11 may then be wound so that a pushing force is transmitted through the arms 4,5 to the foot elements 2 and 3 in direction 41, this causes the top most horizontal beam 30 of the frame 19 to move in direction 40. When the top most horizontal beam has moved across sufficiently to bring the frame 19 into plumb the brace 34 is reattached to the bottom most horizontal beam 31, thus fixing the frame 19 in the plumbed position and completing the plumbing operation.

Referring now to Figure 2, with the frame 19 fixed in position the sprocket keeper 9 may be released, allowing sprocket 8 to rotate in direction 13, and thus permitting the apparatus 1 to contract slightly in length. The apparatus 1 may then be disengaged from the frame 19 and the telescoping action of the arms 4,5 employed to reduce the length of the apparatus 1 further to a manageable size for removal.

Additional advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the principles in particular form as discussed and illustrated.

Accordingly, it will be appreciated that changes may be made to the above described embodiment of the invention without departing from the principles taught herein.

Finally, it will be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiment described or illustrated, but is intended to cover all alternations, additions m S o *S

Claims (11)

1. A frame plumbing apparatus comprising a means which can develop a pushing or a pulling action, a pair of foot elements whereby the apparatus can engage elements of a frame, and a pair of arm members through which the pushing or the pulling action can be transmitted to said foot elements; the apparatus being constructed and adapted to enable plumbing of said frame elements.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein one said arm member can telescope into said other arm member.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said arm members ii:: comprises a plurality of serially interconnectable sub-members which can be added or .IV removed depending on the required length of the arm member.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said arm members comprises a plurality of sub-members which can telescope into each other. C. oo": 5. Apparatus according to anyone of the preceding claims wherein a length of ribbing C* is provided along the length of a face of at least one of said arms to assist in preventing *C o buckling.

6. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said apparatus is linear in configuration, with said arms extending outwardly from, and along the line of action of, said means.

7. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein each said foot element is capable of transmitting the pushing and the pulling action to said frame.

8. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein each said foot element is attached to a corresponding said arm member by way of a pivot means.

9. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein each said foot element is attached to and extends outwardly from a corresponding said arm member, and each said foot element is of substantially box-like cross-section, comprising four orthogonally arranged side walls, such that a diagonal of the box-like cross-section is aligned with tie longitudinal axis of said arm and two adjacent side walls extend to an apex to define a leading edge at the end of the arm.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein one or more apertures are provided in each side wall of a pair of parallel side walls of each foot element, and wherein the centerlines of corresponding apertures in each side wall of the parallel side walls are in :ee alignment. S11. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the means comprises a sprocket and drive chain arrangement.

12. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said apparatus is composed substantially of aluminium. 11 4 *4 4 4 4 4 44 44 444444 4 44*4 4

444. 4* 44 4 4 4 444. 4 4. 44 *4 4 4 .44. 4444 4 4 *444 .4 44 4 4 4 4. 4 4. 44 4 13. A method of plumbing a frame, said method comprising pushing or pulling said frame into plumb by way of the apparatus as described in any preceding claim, and then permanently fixing said frame in said position. 14. Apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Thbe method according to claim 13 substantially as herein described or exemplified. 46. yn eltue -orina n-o- f-f-ues~ hri deseribcic ONOmplIfid. DATED this TWENTY FOURTH day of JUNE 1993 John Davide RUTTEN by DAVIES COLLISON CAVE Patent Attorneys for the applicant(s) 12 ABSTRACT The invention relates to A frame plumbing apparatus 1 comprising a pair of foot elements 2 and 3. The foot elements 2 and 3 are interconnected by a pair of slidably cooperating arms 4 and 5 which extend along a common longitudinal axis. A length adjusting arrangement 6 is attached to arm 4 and cooperates with arm 5. The apparatus can be arranged to extend between diagonally opposite corners of a wall frame, such that extension of apparatus 1 will plumb the wall frame.