AU701852B2 - A rebate support bracket - Google Patents

Description

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AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT r rr

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r r rr r Applicants: GARY STEWART PAUL JOHN McINTOSH Invention Title: A REBATE SUPPORT BRACKET

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e The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: 1:" 2 A REBATE SUPPORT BRACKET The present invention relates generally to a building construction aid, particularly to an aid or device used in the construction industry for the construction of a domestic house, dwelling or the like. More particularly, the present invention relates to a device which provides Sassistance in the formation of a concrete slab upon which a domestic dwelling is constructed. Even more particularly, the present invention relates to an adjustable clamp or support bracket useful in forming a rebate in the upper surface of the concrete slab around its perimeter or upper surface, or in the edges of the slab. Although the present invention will be described with particular reference to an adjustable clamp or bracket for use in forming the rebate around the perimeter of the upper o" surface or edge of a concrete slab upon which a domestic dwelling is constructed, it is to be noted that the present invention is not restricted in scope to the described embodiment but rather the scope of the present invention is 20 more extensive so as to include other arrangements of the device and other uses of the device and to the use of the other arrangements in applications other than specifically described herein.

Additionally, it is to be noted that use of the term "clamp" in the present specification is in no way meant to be limiting to the scope of the present invention or to restrict the device to having a clamping action, but rather this term is used merely for the sake of ease and clarity 1, of description. The device of the present invention is also referred to as a support bracket.

t Before a concrete slab upon which a normal domestic 2 S.i tasWiddl/k e patlcap.PM5335.stw.mci ,A4.95

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3 dwelling is constructed can be poured, it is first necessary to provide a formwork or framework or "boxing" around the outside of where the slab is to be poured in order to define the boundaries of the slab and to retain the wet concrete in its fluid uncured state to the shape required until the concrete sets and becomes hardened. The formwork can take any shape depending on the style of the house and in many cases the shape can be quite complex having a plurality of corners, both internal corners and external corners. The formwork around the perimeter of the slab defines the area of the slab and its shape. However, in addition to defining the shape of the slab, it is also necessary to form a rebate, step or recess around the perimeter of the slab along or in the upper surface or upper edge of the slab to form the footings or base of any brick side wall which is to be built on the slab. The rebate is usually one or two bricks in width and is usually one or two bricks in depth and in most cases, depending on the style of the house, extends entirely around the perimeter of the slab. The lower one or two courses of bricks forming the wall are received in the rebate in order to accurately locate the bricks and to provide a firm foundation for the wall.

In the past, the rebate has been formed by placing a length 25 of timber having dimensions corresponding generally to the depth and width of the required rebate adjacent to the inside of the framework so that the length of the timber is aligned substantially horizontally and extends lengthwise S along the inside of the formwork. When the concrete is 30 poured, the presence of the timber causes the rebate to be formed as the concrete flows around and under the length of timber. When building the brick side wall, the first course of bricks is laid in the rebate adjacent the shoulder of the rebate and in some circumstances the second course of bricks, laid upon the first course, is also y Y ~staflfrid&keeppatcap.PM5335.sew.md 28.4.95 I"

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4 located in the rebate. This arrangement forms a secure base for the brick wall.

In order that the length of timber can be accurately located and maintained in the correct position, vertical stakes, also made of timber, are hammered or otherwise driven into the ground adjacent the formwork at horizontally spaced apart locations to a suitable depth so as to be securely retained in the ground. The substantially horizontal timber forming the rebate in the slab is then nailed or otherwise fastened to the plurality of vertical stakes in turn at the appropriate height in accordance with the required position of the rebate. I Nailing of the horizontal timber forming the rebate to the vertical stakes is extremely time-consuming and laborious, particularly as there are many horizontal timbers required to form the rebate around the entire boundary of the slab, as the height of each of the horizontal timbers forming the rebate around the entire perimeter of the slab must be accurately determined with respect to the height required 20 of the rebate in the slab and also iach of the horizontal timbers must be accurately aligned with each other so as to form a contirnuous rebate around the perimeter of the slab.

As each length of horizontal timber is quite large, it must be attached to two or more stakes, preferably many, at the 25 correct height.

I «I It is particularly difficult and laborious to accurately position the horizontal timber if the ground is uneven or .9if the style of house dictates a complex shape with many internal and external corners for the formwork. This method of forming rebates requires at least two men, and more often requires three men, to accurately locate all of the horizontal timbers and fasten them to the vertical stakes whilst maintaining the timber level at the appropriate height.

stafridclepatcapPPM5335.stew.mcje 28.4-95 i _17-~ -t Furthermore, if the formwork with the horizontal timbers is left overnight, as it must be on almost all job sites due to the time taken to fully form the formwork and to position the horizontal timbers for the rebates due to the method being time-consuming and labour intensive, on many occasions the accurate level of the horizontal timbers is disturbed either by natural processes or by external influences including both accidental and deliberate, such as, for example, by interference from people walking on the formwork or children playing on the building site or similar. If the heights of the horizontal timber are disturbed at all, typically by the position of the horizontal stakes being altered, they must be repositioned on the next day of work, and thus first the horizontal i timbers must be prised loose from the vertical stakes, the fastenings removed if they are in the way, the new level of the horizontal timbers determined, and the horizontal timbers re-nailed or re-fastened to the vertical stakes at obo.. the correct height. The adjustment of the heights of the 20 horizontal timbers is almost equally as time-consuming as o, obtaining the original levels and also requires the servicers of the same number of workmen.

0 0 As the length of the horizontal timbers are great, it S. requires two or more workmen to handle and manoeuvre each o" 25 of the timbers jinto position which further adds to the cost of the job as the labour for all workmen must be paid for by the contractor allocated the particular framing job.

Therefore, there is a need for the formwork and the timbers I re forming the rebate in the concrete slab to be able to be 30 constructed more quickly and easily with fewer workers so that the cost and time of forming the slab is reduced.

The p=esent invention seeks to overcome the problems of the time taken for accurately aligning the horizontal timbers 1 forming the rebate in the concrete slab and the number of staffro"deepaIca.p.PM,45335.stewwnd 234A95 1t 6 workmen required for this by providing an adjustable support bracket or similar arrangement which overcomes or at least partially alleviates the laborious and timeconsuming effort required to achieve the desired levels of the horizontal timbers forming the rebates in the concrete slabs.

According to the present invention there is provided an adjustable supporting device suitable for use in supporting a substantially elongate item in or along a preselected alignment comprising a base member for supporting the device on a solid substrate in use, a second member moveable with respect to the base member so as to be angularly inclinable with respect to the base member, wherein the second member is provided with a support element for supporting the item in use such that the position of the support element is adjustable in at least one plane with respect to the second member to alter the position of the item being supported in accordance with the preselected alignment.

According to another aspect of the preuent invention there I is provided an adjustable supporting device for supporting a substantially elongate item or article in use in or along a preselected alignment, said device comprising an elongate base member for supporting the device on a solid substrate in use, said base member provided with a fixing means for securing the base member to the substrate in use of the :device, a moveable second member angularly inclinable with respect to the base member, said moveable second member being provided with an adjustable support element for supporting the item or article in use and an adjustment means for adjusting the position of the support element with respect to the second moveable member such that operation of the adjustment means alters the position of the support element which in turn alters the position of 5taffridePIpat/capPM535stW.mci 28A.95 -1I1 rl t 7 the item or article in use to the preselected alignment.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a device for accurately locating a formwork or framework member for forming a rebate or similar in a concrete slab upon which a construction is to be constructed, said device comprising a telescopically extendable elongate base member for securely locating and supporting the device on a solid substrate in use, a moveable second member pivotally connected to one end of the elongate base member for pivotal movement thereabout so as to be angularly inclinable to the elongate base member in a plane substantially perpendicular to the elongate base member, said movable second member being provided with a support bracket for supporting the framework member in use, said support bracket being moveable with respect to the moveable second member, and said moveable second member l being further provided with an adjustment means such that operation of the adjustment means causes the movement of the support bracket with respect to the moveable second t 20 member wherein the position of the framework member may be accurately adjusted by operation of the adjustment means in use.

Typically, the device further comprises a telescopic support brace for effecting adjustment of the moveable second member with respect to the elongate base member.

More typically, the telescopic brace is provided with releasably securable locking means. Even more typically, 9. the telescopic support brace is pivotally connected at one end to the elongate base member and pivotally connected at the other end to the moveable second member such that the angle of inclination of the moveable second member to the base member can be altered by telescopically changing the length of the brace member thereby effecting change of the position of the item.

staft'iridfleplpalcap.PM5335.stow.rrv 28,4.95 I ~L 8 Typically, the moveable second member is arranged to extend substantially perpendicularly from the plane of the elongate base member. More typically, the moveable member is moveable through a range of angles from about 0° to 180° with respect to the lengthwise direction of the base member, more typically, from about 150 to 1650 and even more typically from about 400 to 1400 with respect to the lengthwise extending direction of the base member.

Typically, the moveable second member is substantially upright while the base member is substantially horizontal in use of the device of the present invention.

Typically, the moveable second member is also pivotally moveable out of the plane of the base member so as to be horizontally inclined or obliquely inclined to the lengthwise extending direction of the base member.

Typically, the adjustment means is more or less located within the moveable second member and may be adjusted from outside the moveable element. More typically, the .adjustment means comprises an actuation portion and a threaded shank portion whereby the actuation portion is :accessible from outside of the moveable member, and can be actuated to effect adjustment of the position of the support element whilst the threaded shank portion is located substantially internally of the adjustment means.

The present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in o.which: Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of a typical layout of the formwork for a concrete slab upon which a normal domestic dwelling is built, showing nine of the devices in accordance with the present invention located in situ at spaced apart locations around the formwork; Figure 2 is a side elevational view7 of one form

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9 of the device made in accordance with the present invention in situ along the line 2 to 2 of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a top plan view of the embodiment of Figure 2 also in situ; and Figure 4 is a close-up view of the form of the support bracket as shown in Figures 2 and 3 showing the adjustment subassembly of the device of the present invention shown in Figures 2 and 3, the device being shorwn in isolation in this Figure; Figure 5 is a side elevation view of a different embodiment of the support bracket taken along the line 5 to of Figure 1; Figure 6 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the support bracket of Figure In Figure 1 there is shown a top plan schematic view of one typical arrangement of the formwork of a normal domestic dwelling defining the shape of a concrete slab upon which the house is to be constructed. The concrete slab is generally denoted by reference numeral 2. The formwork 4 20 comprises six individual sides or forms arranged around the perimeter of the slab 2. A plurality of clamps 10 are located at spaced apart locations around the outside of formwork 4. As shown, two clamps 10 are provided on the relatively longer sides, whereas a single clamp 10 only is 25 sufficient on the relatively shorter sides, the ends of the formwork being supported at either end by the adjacent formwork.

In one typical example of the formwork, a second arrangement of fcrmwork members 100 are optionally provided around the perimeter of the slab 2. Formwork 100 is connected to formwork 4 by one form of support brackets 110 which will be described below in more detail with reference to Figures 5 and 6.

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00 o 9 09 o '0 o 40 0 9 *4 stafidlkee/patcap.PM53~. ~stoemca 2;4.95 10 With particular reference to Figures 2 to 4, there is shown one form of clamp 10 which comprises a substantially planar rectilinear base plate 12 attached by means of welding or similar to the undersurface in use of a rectangular or square section tube acting as outer base member 14 and forming the main body member of clamp 10. Substantially elongate outer base member 14 is hollow and is adapted to telescopically receive adjustable inner base member 16 which extends outwardly from the distal end of outer base member 14. The distal end of inner base member 16 is provided with a substantially transverse rectangular brace plate 18 attached to the undersurface in use of the distal end of inner base member 16 by means of welding or similar.

An aperture 19 is provided on either side of transverse plate 18 for assisting in securing clamp 10 to the ground if required. A substantially deformed U-shaped member made from solid rod of circular cross-section bent to shape is attached at either end to either longitudinal side edge .1 of inner base member 16 to form eye 22. In use, peg 24 is 20 received through eye 22 to securely locate base member 16 and clamp 10 in position with respect to ground surface 26 by the upper bent portion 25 of peg 24 being received through and in contact with member 20. In use, inner base member 16 is telescopically receivable in outer base member 14 and is slideably moveable to adopt a position depending on the terrain in which clamp 10 is located. A releasably securable locking means 30 comprising a threaded shaft 32 having a transverse handle 34 attached at the distal end thereof is received through captive nut 36 to extend 30 through the upper wall of outer base member 14 so as to contact the upper surface of inner base member 16 to securely locate inner base rember 16 in position with respect to outer base member 14 in use of the clamp 10, and thus lock the base assembly in place.

An upright member 40 comprised of an adjustment assembly staffdeppatp. PM5335stew.mci 28.495 ^iiaf: outer base member 14 by means of pin 41. Upright member 11 including a pair of spaced apart oppositely facing side plates 42a and 42b having a top end cap 44 welded between tmembern at the in use top of upright member 40 is pivotally pconnected at its lower end in use to the proximal end of outer base member 14 by means of Uin 41. Upright member is free to pivot about a substantially transverse axis thaligned along the axis of pin 4 with respect to outer base member 14. In normal use, the substantially transverse substaxis is arranged to extend substantially horizontally perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of base members 14, 16. Upright member 40 also comprises a front i plate 46 connected to the forward edges of plates 42a, 42b to span these plates and to extend beyond the edges of these plates. Front plate 46 is provided with a substantially vertically arranged slot 48 extending in parallel relationship with side plates 42a, 42b as shown in detail in Figure 4.

Top end cap 44 is located between the top edges of side plates 42a, 42b and the top of front plate 46.

Additionally, top end cap 44 is provided with a skirt or flange 49 extending downwardly between the top portions of the rear edges of side plates 42a, 42b between these two plates in order to provide strengthening for upright member It is to be noted that the skirt or flange 49 may be 25 omitted and top end cap 44 welded directly to the side plates 42a, 42b and from plate 46. Alternatively, the adjustment assembly may take the form of a hollow box arrangement.

A threaded bolt 50 having a hexagonal head 52 and a threaded shank 54 is provided in top end cap 44 such that head 52 is located on top of the exterior surface of cap 44 and accordingly is accessible from above and outside end cap 44 and the threaded shank portion 54 extends downwardly inside the internal cavity of upright member 40. A right stafliridlkeeppaVcap.PM5335.stew.nd 28.4.95 v w 12 angle bracket 58 is provided having a horizontal arm 62 and a vertical arm. 66. Horizontal arm 62 is provided with an aperture to the underside of which is attached an internally threaded nut 64 forming a captive nut through which threaded shank 54 of bolt 50 is received so that as bolt 50 is rotated the right angle bracket 58 moves upwardly or downwardly on shank 54 depending upon the direction of rotation of bolt 50. The substantially vertical arm 66 of right angle bracket 58 is provided with an internally threaded aperture through which is received the threaded shank of bolt 68 having a countersunk head portion 70 or similar. The countersunk head portion extends forwardly through horizontal slot 48 and beyond the plane of front plate 46.

s A support element in the form of a substantially U-shaped support bracket 80 having a short side 82 and a long side 84 provided with three spaced apart keyhole slots or elongate apertures 86 having tapered inner surfaces is oconnected to upright member 40 by countersunk head 70 of bolt 68 being received through one of apertures 86. The position of bracket 80 with respect to upright member 44 is adjustable by bolt 68 and head 70 being able to be received through any one of the three apertures 86, depending on the approximate height that bracket 80 is to adopt with respect to upright member 40. In use, the substantially horizontal Itimber 90 for forming the rebate on the top edge of concrete slab 2 is received in the substantially U-shaped bracket 80 between the longer and shorter arms 82, 84 in contact with web 83 located between the two arms 82, 84.

Thus, the height of tha substantially horizontal timber can be adjusted by rotating hexagonal bolt head 52 which rotates rotating bolt 50 to raise or lower the U-shaped bracket by means of raising and lowering of right angle bracket 58 along the threaded shank 54. It is to be noted A that support bracket 80 may take any suitable form Sstaiirid.'keep/patep.PM5335.stew.mci 28.4.95

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13 depending on circumstances, including the provision of an extension piece, a suspension piece, two or more such brackets, or a combined support brace and support bracket, some of which will be described in more detail below.

A telescopically adjustable cross-brace 89 comprising outer member 91 and inner member 93 extends between the upper surface of outer base member 14 at a position located towards locking means 30 to the rear surface in use of upright 40 at a position located towards the upper end in use of or near to the position of rear flange 49 of top end cap 44. Cross-brace 89 is pivotally attached to the upper surface of base member 14 by a pair of spaced apart i substantially vertical brackets 92 forming a yoke arrangement and a pin 94 received through aligned apertures 15 in each of the upright brackets 92 forming the yoke and a *'*pair of aligned apertures provided on either side surface of outer member 91. Inner member 93 is telescopically S""received within outer member 91 and both members are •telescopically moveable with respect to each other to alter the length of cross-brace 89. A releasable locking means 96 similar to the previously described releasable locking Smeans 40, consisting of a captive nut having an internal bore and a threaded bolt having a T-shaped head or handle securely holds inner member 93 in position inside outer member 91. The distal end of inner member 93 is pivotally connected to upright member 40 by a pin passing through aligned apertures in each side surface of inner member 93.

Therefore, upright member 40 is free to pivot about outer base member 14 when releasable locking means 96 is loosened.

In use of the present invention, the formwork 4 is prepared in place defining the area in which the slab 2 is to be poured. Clamps 10 are located on the ground adjacent the formwork with both locking means 30, 96 released, allowing j stafiridaeppatcap.PM5335.stew.mci 28.4.95i 1 r 14 full adjustment of the clamp. Firstly, clamp 10 is located near the formwork 4 such that upright member 40 is substantially vertical. As upright member 40 is free to pivot with respect to base member 14, base member 14 can lie along the slope of the ground at any angle and the upright member 40 can be pivoted to the vertical. In this position, releasable locking means 96 is fastened so as to hold inner member 93 with respect to outer member 91 thus maintaining upright member 40 vertical. Thereupon, inner member 16 is adjusted to adopt a position with respect to outer member 14 and inner member 16 securely located in position by peg 24 being received through eye 22.

Releasable locking means 30 is then tightened to maintain inner member 16 with respect to outer member 14. t Substantially U-shaped bracket 80 is located in the desired position on upright member 40 by counterhead portion being received through the aperture 86 at the desired height. Substantially horizontal timber 90 is placed in I 1 the U-shaped bracket 80 and bolt 50 rotated so as to bring o: 20 U-shaped bracket 80 and timber 90 into the final position.

Similarly, the next clamp 10 located around the perimeter of formwork 4 is positioned and adjusted in a like manner so that timber 90 is level at the correct height. Then the next clamp 10 is adjusted and so on.

If the height of timber 90 is changed during the night or subsequently, its position may simply be readjusted by rotating bolt 50 to bring it into accurate alignment without the need to realign or relocate clamp 10. Thus, readjustment of the position of bracket 80 can be easily and readily undertaken just prior to pouring the concrete so that timbers 90 are correctly aligned to form th.

rebates.

The advantages of the present invention include that forming of formwork 4 and timber 90 and in particular the stafrid/ieeppat/ca p.PM5335.stew. ii 28.495 15 rebate located at the upper edge of the slab may be performed by one or two workmen, since each clamp 10 may be adjusted in turn quickly and easily and once the position of clamp 10 is determined and adjusted, the final position of timber 90 can be arranged by merely adjusting bolt Another embodiment of the present invention will now be described. In this embodiment (not shown) which is a modification of upright 40, the upright has the adjustable assembly located at or towards the upper end in use of the upright and a support plate located at the lower and/or intermediate portions of the upright. The adjustment assembly of this embodiment is connected or otherwise attached to the top of the upright by any suitable means such as welding, fastening means, pivotably locking pins or the like. In one example of this embodiment the adjustment assembly is located at one side of the upright by two pins *having their respective inboard ends bent through about e.g| "900. One of these pins is fixed in place whereas the other is free to pivot. The bent ends of each pin are received through respective apertures in the side of the adjustment assembly. The bent pin which is pivotable is received through a slot arrangement so that the bent end of the pin is free to disengage when aligned along the lengthwise extending direction of the slot to allow removal of the adjustment assembly from the upright. Apart from this the .C adjustment assembly is similar to or the same as the adjustment assembly as described previously, and provides for adjustment of the height of the timber 90 for forming the rebate.

In use of this embodiment of the present invention, t~e upright is not only used to adjust the position of the horizontal timbers 90 but because of the presence of the support plate on the upright at a lower level than the adjustment assembly, it can be used to support or brace the A StaWlddUkn =p.PMPn3xteW.M6 28A4M5 16 formwork itself while the concrete is being poured by bearing against the formwork in use. The support plate bears against the outer side of the formwork to provide additional strength to the formwork.

Another modification of the device of the present invention is to provide a support brace which can be connected to the adjustment assembly to extend substantially vertically upwards from the adjustment assembly and is connected thereto by suitable means such as bent pins or similar.

Another modification of the present invention relates to the supporting element or bracket 80. The actual shape and configuration of the support bracket 80 can take many forms depending on the exact location in which the device of the present invention is to be used, and the access which is 15 provided to secure the device 10 to the ground. In some situations two horizontal timbers 90 are required, one above the other. In this case support bracket 80 will have two U-shaped parts located one above the other for supporting the two horizontal timbers one above the other.

20 With particular reference to Figures 5 and 6, this form of the bracket, denoted as bracket 110, as shown is capable of supporting timber 90 for forming the rebate, and also is capable of supporting timber 100 forming another rebate or step in the upper edge of the slab or the slab itself.

Bracket 100 comprises a lower substantially U-shaped retaining arrangement having two legs 116 and 120. Legs 116, 120 are located at the end of extension arm 118 having a flat plate 114 located along the lower surface in use.

An upper retaining arrangement is provided at the other end of extension arm 118 and comprises the distal end of plate 114 and upright plate 112 which are arranged to perpendicularly extend to each other. By use of this arrangement it is possible to support the formwork and v S1Vrid/feipaap.PM5335. A&Wd ;2.4,95 17 adjust the heights of timbers 90 and 100. This form of the bracket can optionally be connected to the adjustment assembly as previously described.

Another situation that can be encountered is that the level of the ground around the slab is at a higher level than that of the concrete slab. In this circumstance the support bracket 80 is modified to suspend the horizontal timber from above by the U-shaped portion of the bracket being supported by an arm which extends from the upright over, around and under timber 90 to suppc"; the timber from underneath.

Another use of the device of the present invention is in the formation of the formwork, particularly when the formwork is made from a number of boards located edge on i"' 1 15 edge in a substantially vertical array. By using the device 10 to adjust the position of the lowermost board, the height of the formwork and of the rebate, and hence the shape of the slab, can be adjusted. The boards can be retained in place by substantially H-shaped brackets 20 located between two adjacent boards in edge to edge relationship. This form of the present invention is particularly useful in forming the formwork on sloping ground. Also in this use, the device not only retains timber 90 in place or the lowermost board in place, but 25 also provides support for the formwork when the concrete is poured and is hardening.

The described arrangempnts have been advanced by explanation and many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention which includes every novel feature and novel combination of features hereindisclosed.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention stadfri dkeepatkap.PM5335.sw.mci 28.4-95 r is described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. rI is understood that the invention includes all such variations and modifications which fall within the spirit and scope.

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Claims (12)

1. A device for accurately locating a formwork or framework member for forming a rebate or groove in a concrete slab upon which a construction is to be constructed, said device comprising a telescopically extendable elongate base member for securely locating and supporting the device on a solid substrate in use, a moveable second member pivotally connected to one end of the elongate base member for pivotal movement thereabout so as to be angularly inclinable to the elongate base member in a plane substantially perpendicular to the elongate base member, said moveable second member being provided with a support bracket for supporting the framework member in use, 15 said support bracket being moveable with respect to the moveable second member, and said moveable second member 0 e being further provided with an adjustment means such that operation of the adjustment means causes movement of the 9 support bracket with respect to the moveable second member 20 wherein the position of the framework member may be accurately adjusted by operation of the adjustment means in use. a

2. A device according to claim 1 further comprising S* 25 a telescopic support brace for ofZecting adjustment of the moveable second member with respect to the elongate base member. a S3. A device according to claim 2 in which the telescopic support brace is provided with releasably securable locking means.

4. A device according to claim 2 or 3 in which the *a telescopic support b;Tl;e is pivotally connected at one end S 35 to the base member and pivotally connected at the other end to the second moveable member such that the angle of inclination of the moveable second member to the base t. o a a \\MLBOl\home$\ARymer\Keep\Speci\17670-95.doc 27/11/99 r* e *0 Li, 20 member can be altered by telescopically changing the length of the brace member thereby effecting change of the position of the item.

5. A device according to any preceding claim in which the moveable second member extends substantially perpendicularly from the plane of the elongate base member. f* S 6. A device according to any preceding claim in which the moveable second member is pivotable with respect to the base member through a range of angles from 00 to 1800 with respect to the lengthwise extending direction of the base member. 611

7. A device according to claim 6 in which the X o moveable second member is pivotable with respect to the base member through a range of angles from 150 to 1650 with respect to the lengthwise extending direction of the base oo member. S: 8. A device according to claim 7 in which the a J smoveable second member is pivotable with respect to the 0 S* .'0a base member through a range of angles from 400 to 1400 with Srespect to the lengthwise extending direction of the base S 25 member.

9. A device according to any preceding claim in S" *which the moveable second member is pivotally moveable out of the plane of the base member so as to be horizontally inclined to the lengthwise extending direction of the base member.

10. A device according to claim 9 in which the *moveable second member is pivotally moveable out of the S 35 plane of the base member so as to be horizontally inclined Sto the lengthwise extending direction of the base member about a substantially perpendicular axis to the lengthwise \MELBOI\hoeS\ARyrer\Keep\spci%17670-95.doc 27/11/98 -21 axis to the lengthwise extending axis of the base member of the device.

11. A device according to any preceding claim in which the moveable second member is provided with an adjustment assembly. S* 12. A device according to claim 10 in which the adjustment assembly is more or less located within the moveable second member and may be adjusted from outside the moveable member. I

13. A device according to claim 11 or 12 in which the adjustment assembly comprises an adjustment means including 15 an actuation portion and a threaded shank portion whereby o oo* the actuation portion is accessible from outside the moveable member and can be actuated to effect adjustment of the position of the support element thereby adjusting the position of the item. aoao Ia 14. A device according to any preceding claim in o which the base member comprises at least two telescopic members in which an inner member is located within an outer a aa member such that the inner member is slideably receivable a a" 25 in the outer member to adjust the length of the base member. a a' 15. A device according to any preceding claim in which the base member is provided with a releasable securing means for locking the base member in position.

16. A device according to any preceding claim in a which the base member is provided with a subatantially planar base plate.

17. A device according to any preceding claim in awhich the base member is provided with a securing means for A, 22 securing the base member in place. 4440 4 4

44. 4 .4 4 0 p. 4 S. 4 *04 sot, 4 44S'~* 4 4 *4 4 4 4 *4V 4. 4 S 40 4099 4 *90 ~0 4,4 ~4 4 4. 4 *4*4 4 4 4 0 4 *0ro. 4 4% 0 i 4 .4 ptJp 44 4 o 0* P 4 4 .t.a 4 4. 4 4 4 4.4 4 4S4 344 44* 4 18. A device according to claim 17 in which the securing means is an eyelet and transverse plate arrangement. 19. A device according to any preceding claim in which the adjustment means comprises a bolt arrangement having a head portion and a threaded shank portion wherein 10 said head portion is accessible from outside the device and the threaded portion is received through a moveable connecting bracket. 20. A device according to claim 19 in which the 15 connecting bracket is a substantially right angle bracket. 21. A device according to any preceding claim in which the supporting element is a substantially U-shaped bracket member for supporting the e7ongate item. 22. A device according to any preceding claim in which the supporting element is a replaceable supporting element. 25 23. A device according to any preceding claim in which the supporting element is p2rovided with waeans to allow the supporting element to be selectively position to the second moveable member. 24. A device according to any preceding claim in wb~ith the adjustment assembly is provided withan elongate slot allowing substantially vertical movement of the supporting element therealong. 4 44 44 4 4 44 4.4. 44 44 4 4 35 444*44 4 0 4.444' 4 25. A device according to any preceding claim in which the connecting bracket is provided with a projection means for being received iia the elongate slot. \\%ELBOl'hooeSXARymer\Keep\Speci\17670-95 .doc 2711/198 -23 26. A device according to any preceding claim in which the second moveable member comprises an adjustment assembly and a support plate, said support plate being located below the level of the adjustment assembly which is located at or towards the top of the second moveable member. 27. A device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 27 06.1 2 28. A method of forming a rebate in a concrete slab using the device of any one of the preceding claims. 29. A method of constructing a construction having a concrete slab with a rebate wherein the rebate is formed by the use of a device in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 27. 00h 7t da of ember 1 9 98 5 F 20 30. A method of forming a rebate substantially as "Ao*o. A tdrawings PP. 31. A kit of parts for forming a concrete slab having A 6 0 25 a rebate comprising a device according to any one of claims Sw. 1 to 27. 0 0 GARY STEWArT and PAUL JOHN McINTOSH By t*9ir Patent Attorneys GRIFF i-'xo HACK 0 Fellows Institute of Patent 5 Attorneys of Australia e* S\\MELB01\homeS\ARymereep\Speci17670 95 .do27/1/198 'I 25 ABSTRACT An adjustable supporting device suitable for supporting an elongate member for forming a rebate in the edge of the upper surface of a concrete slab upon which a building is to be constructed is described. One embodiment of this device has a base member of two telescopically adjustable base members to which is pivotally connected a moveable member that is angularly inclined to the base member. An adjustment subassembly is connected to the moveable member and is provided with an actuation means connected to a support bracket for supporting the elongate member in use. The position of the elongate member can be selectively adjusted to adopt the correct position by selective adjustment of the actuation means when the device is in use. *re a statfird/keoplpatcap.PM5335.stow.nici 28.4.95