AU753281B2

AU753281B2 - Platform elements and connectors

Info

Publication number: AU753281B2
Application number: AU78208/01A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Ian Laurence Thorogood
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1995-09-29
Filing date: 2001-10-04
Publication date: 2002-10-17
Anticipated expiration: 2016-12-23
Also published as: AU780019B2; AU7820801A; AU741142B3; AU7177400A; AU9510701A

Description

-1- "PLATFORM ELEMENTS AND CONNECTORS" This invention relates to platform elements and connectors for connecting platform elements as well as a method of construction using such platform elements and connectors.

This invention has particular but not exclusive application to those types of elements, blocks or so-called "pods" adapted to be connected together in a predetermined spaced apart relationship with voids therebetween to define a platform on which concrete may be poured to form a slab with integral support beams being created in the voids.

It is known to use pods constructed from polystyrene foam and having opposed upper and lower rectangular faces measuring for example 1.090m by 1.090m and side and end rectangular faces measuring from 175mm to 525mm high for example, as a form for constructing a concrete base slab of typically 85 mm thickness.

Pods may be connected together as a form voider in any number and any dimension in plan view.

Pods constructed of polystyrene or other foam plastics material of adequate strength are light in weight and may be easily adjusted in position to a desired platform size and shape.

20 By using peripheral boxing or formwork, a slab may be poured on top of the platform elements with beams being formed in the voids between the elements with a perimeter beam extending fully around the slab and extending down to the ground or equivalent base so that the pods will be permanently enclosed and obscured from 25 sight.

Where desired, there can be intermediate areas devoid of pods so that there will be additional strength at those locations derived from the greater thickness of set concrete, but at all S other locations on the pods the concrete thickness can be restricted to the predetermined depth, such as 85 mm given by way of example above. Reinforcing systems can be employed according to the standard procedures such as for example, set out in Australian Standard 2870.1 1988, so that the concrete is suitably reinforced, using wire mesh and steel bar for example.

The pods may be solid polystyrene foam, but commonly include hollow portions such that typical pod includes an upper wall and -2side walls, but are open on what, in use, is the under side of the pod.

While the pods and methods of using them have proved acceptable, one problem that arises is that the lightness that is, the relative buoyancy with respect to liquid concrete of the pods results in their separating from one another and then tending to float in the concrete before it sets and so lose their intended levels, with resultant variation in thickness in the formed slab of concrete and in the formed beams created in the voids. In other words, a serious disadvantage can arise when the pods are required to maintain themselves gravitationally in position when they can be displaced so easily because of their lack of weight, particularly through forces acting thereon as the concrete is poured.

Additionally, concrete cannot be evenly distributed into the voids between pods and pods are inclined to move during pouring causing some voids to narrow and some to widen thus effecting the strength of the respective beams when set.

The present invention aims to alleviate one or more of the above disadvantages and to provide platform elements and 20 connectors for connecting platform elements which will be *reliable and efficient in use.

With the foregoing in view the invention in one aspect resides broadly in the combination of two platform elements and a connector for connecting said two platform elements together o** 25 in a predetermined spaced apart side-by-side relationship on the ground to form a void for receiving wet concrete therebetween, each of said platform elements having opposed upper and lower faces, opposed side faces and opposed end faces, and a plurality of spaced apart elongate recesses opening to said upper face and extending therefrom towards said lower face and each said recess also opening to its respective side or end face along a substantial part of its length from said upper face, the width of said recess being greater than the width of said side or end opening so as to provide an obstruction adjacent said side or end opening, and each said connector having spaced apart tongue portions -3interconnected by a spacer portion, said tongue portions having a width greater than the width of said side or end openings and being adapted to be received in respective opposed ones of said recesses in said respective platforms through said upper openings, said spacer portion being adapted to extend through said side or end openings and said tongue portions being adapted to engage with said respective obstructions so as to hold said platforms together in the predetermined relationship.

Preferably, the upper face of said spacer portion is inclined downwards away from each tongue portion towards the other tongue portion to form a cradle for supporting thereon a steel reinforcing bar intermediate the tongue portions. It is also preferred that each said tongue portion is elongate and said spacer portions include a lower elongate spacer portion extending from the lower end portion of one tongue portion to the lower end portion of the other tongue portion and two upper spacer portions extending from the upper end portions of the respective tongue portions towards said lower elongate spacer portion and being inclined to said tongue portions.

In another aspect the invention resides broadly in a 20 platform element adapted to be placed on the ground in a predetermined spaced apart side-by-side relationship with another like platform element to form a void for wet concrete therebetween, the platform element having opposed upper and lower faces, opposed side faces and opposed end faces, and a plurality 25 of spaced apart elongate recesses opening to said upper face and extending therefrom towards said lower face, each said recess also opening to its respective side or end face along a substantial part of its length from said upper face, the width of each said recess being greater than the width of said side or end opening so as to provide an obstruction therein adjacent said side or end opening, each said recess being adapted to receive therein the tongue portion of a connector adapted to connect the platform element to a like platform element.

In yet another aspect the invention resides broadly in a connector for connecting two platform elements together in a predetermined spaced apart side-by-side position to form a void for wet concrete therebetween, each platform element having opposed upper and lower faces, opposed side faces and opposed end faces, and a plurality of spaced apart elongate recesses opening to the upper face and extending therefrom towards the lower face, each recess also opening to its respective side or end face along a substantial part of its length from the upper face, the width of the recess being greater than the width of the side or end opening so as to provide an obstruction in the recess adjacent the side or end opening, the connector being adapted to be fitted to the two platform elements when in the predetermined position and including spaced apart elongate tongue portions interconnected by spacer portions, each said tongue portion being adapted to engage in an elongate recess of each platform element when in the predetermined position and said spacer portions including an elongate lower spacer portion extending from the lower end portion of one tongue portion to the lower end portion of the other tongue portion and two elongate upper spacer portions extending from the upper end portions of the respective tongue portions towards said lower elongate spacer portion and inclined to said tongue portions, said elongate lower spacer 20 portion and said elongate upper spacer portions being adapted to extend through the respective side or end opening.

In still yet another aspect the invention resides broadly in a connector for connecting two platform elements together in a predetermined spaced apart side-by-side position to form a void S: 25 for wet concrete therebetween, the connector being adapted to be fitted to the two platform elements when in the predetermined position and including spaced apart elongate tongue portions interconnected by spacer portions, each said tongue portion being adapted to engage in an elongate recess of each platform element when in the predetermined position, said spacer portions including an elongate lower spacer portion extending from the lower end portion of one tongue portion to the lower end portion of the other tongue portion and two elongate upper spacer portions extending from the upper end portions of the respective tongue portions towards said lower elongate spacer portion and inclined to said tongue portions, said lower spacer portion and each said upper spacer portion together with each said tongue portion together defining a space adapted to allow flow of wet concrete therethrough.

In still yet another aspect the invention resides broadly in a connector for connecting two platform elements together in a predetermined spaced apart side-by-side position to form a void for wet concrete therebetween, each platform element having opposed upper and lower faces, opposed side faces and opposed end faces, and a plurality of spaced apart elongate recesses opening to the upper face and extending therefrom towards the lower face, each recess also opening to its respective side or end face along a substantial part of its length from the upper face, the width of the recess being greater than the width of the side or end opening so as to provide an obstruction in the recess adjacent the side or end opening, the connector being adapted to be fitted to the two platform elements when in the predetermined position and including spaced apart elongate tongue portions interconnected by a spacer portion, each said tongue portion being adapted to engage in one of the elongate recesses of each 0 platform element when in the predetermined position and at least part of said spacer portion being adapted to extend through the Srespective side or end opening, said spacer portion having an opening adapted to allow flow of wet concrete therethrough along the void formed between the platform elements to be connected by 25 the connector.

e In still yet another aspect the invention resides broadly in a method of erecting formwork for a concrete floor, including: providing a plurality of platform elements as previously

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/cTH05105.wpd Amended 10 July 2002 described; providing a plurality of connectors as previously described; placing said platform elements in a predetermined spaced apart side-by-side position to form a void for receiving wet concrete therebetween; engaging one tongue portion of each said connector in a recess of one platform element and the other tongue portion in an opposite recess of an adjacent platform element.

Preferably, said recess is in the form of a channel, groove or slot and one or both of the recess and the tongue portion of the connector tapers downwards so that the tongue portion engages firmly in the recess.

The underneath pattern of each element can be of any desired form without restricting the scope of the invention. While the "top skin" is of plain square or rectangular form to provide an adequate platform, the total height of the element or block may be as desired from 175 mm up to 525 mm for example, in which case the element can be hollowed underneath in order to conserve material without lack of strength, while a system of strengthening webs may be provided within a peripheral wall arrangement of edge flanges.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate one or more preferred 25 embodiments of the invention, wherein:- 00 *0* 0 Fig.1 shows in isometric view a platform element according to the invention, but given by way of illustrative example 0. only; Fig.2 shows diagrammatically in isometric view the platform element of Fig.l from the underside with two of sT R /cTHOO5105.wpd Amended 10 July 2002 the sides shown partly in phantom outline for clarity; Fig. 3 shows diagrammatically in isometric view another platform element according to the invention; Fig. 4 shows diagrammatically a side view of the platform element of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 shows diagrammatically another platform element according to the invention having a different underside construction; Fig. 6 shows in isometric view an extended joiner for joining two platform elements of Figs. 1 and 2 in spaced apart relationship; Fig. 7 shows in isometric view a link joiner for joining two platform elements of Figs. 1 and 2 in abutting relationship; Fig. 8, 9 and 10 show respective alternative forms extended joiners to that shown in Fig. 6; Figure 11 shows a side view of the extended joiner of Fig.

9; Fig. 12 shows in isometric view an edge spacer for use with the platform element of Figs. 1 and 2; 20 Fig. 13 shows an elevation view a top spacer together with a sectional detail plan view of a portion thereof; Fig. 14 shows a further alternative extended joiner; Fig. 15 shows in perspective view, from above, a typical form of an alternative embodiment of an interlocking .25 platform element, block or pod, according to the invention, but given by way of illustrative example only; Fig. 16 shows the block of Fig. 7 in plan view but turned through 1800 as viewed; Fig. 17 is a sectional side elevation taken on the line A-A of Fig. 16; Fig. 18 is a sectional end elevation taken on the line B-B of Fig. 16; Fig. 19 is an inverted plan view of the block or element of Figs. 16 to 18, with section lines A-A and B-B corresponding to the same lines in Fig. 16, and Fig. 20 shows in perspective view, from below, the same platform element or block, but drawn to illustrate details and not being drawn to scale.

The platform element 10 illustrated in Figs. 1 to 14 includes an upper wall 11, and four side walls 12 depending downwardly from the side edges of the upper wall 11. In each side wall 12 there is provided two respective engagement slots shown typically at 13 and a half-depth slot 14 as shown in Figure 1.

The engagement slots 13 and the half-slots 14 are not shown in Fig. 2 for clarity, and the embodiment shown in Figs. 3 and 4 has no half-depth slot 14. Each engagement slot 13 and each half-slot 14 includes an obstruction in the nature of an abutment surface the purpose of which will be described later.

Referring in particular to Fig. 2, the platform element includes a reinforcing rib structure as shown which includes two or four respective diagonal ribs 16 extending from the respective corners of the platform element and two respective bisecting ribs 17 extending laterally across the platform element between one of the bisecting ribs 17 and respective side walls 12. The diagonal ribs and bisecting ribs each extend down to the same S. base level as the respective side walls 12, but the stiffening 20 ribs 18 extend a lesser amount and are also provided with gussets next to their engagement with the side walls 12 for added strength. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 5, the stiffening ribs 18 each extend down to the same base level as the respective side walls 12.

25 Referring in particular to Fig. 6, the connector 20 includes two locking elements or tongue portions 21 spaced apart and connected to each other a spacer portion 23. The spacer portion also includes a cradle or saddle portion 24 upon which steel reinforcing bar may be placed or alternatively, for supporting a chair upon which steel reinforcing bar may be placed.

The locking elements 21 include two respective complementary *abutment surfaces 22 for engagement with the abutment surface in the engagement slots 13 and half-depth slots 14, the engagement slots 13 and locking elements 21 forming a dove-tail joint to prevent the connector from being removed laterally from the engagement slots. The locking element also includes a -8compression surface 27 for engagement with a rear surface 19 on the respective engagement slot.

Referring to Fig. 7 in particular, the connector 30 has two dove-tail portions in juxtaposition such that the complementary abutment surfaces 22 may be engaged with respective engagement slots 13 in two adjacent platform elements 10 to join them in side abutting relationship. As can be seen, the connector is in the form of two elements of trapezoidal cross-section having the shorter side of each trapezium joined to form a connector of generally butterfly shaped cross section.

Referring to Figs. 8, 9 and 10 in particular, three alternative connectors 25 are similar to the connector 20 in many respects. However, in the form shown in Fig. 8, the connector has two hollow locking elements 26 spaced from each other by a spacer portion 28 of space frame like construction, and having an alternative saddle or cradle portion 29. Where the engagement slots 13 are T-shaped in cross section, the locking element 21 likewise is of complementary T-shaped cross section in order to engage with the engagement slots 13 as shown in Fig. 3. It will be appreciated that the spacer portion may take the form of the 20 spacer portion 23 shown in Fig. 6. In an alternative form, the locking elements shown in Fig. 6 may be combined with the spacer portion of the connector shown in Fig. 8.

Referring to Fig. 12, an edge element 32 includes an extension portion 33 extending laterally from the locking element 25 21 of the same form as that shown in respect of Fig. 6. The extension portion 33 includes four supporting saddles shown typically at 34 and three overlaying saddles shown typically at S ""*Referring to Fig. 13, a top spacer 70 includes two side portions 71 being T-section in plan view. The body of the top spacer 70 comprises a frame portion 72 receiving a reinforcing bar support 73. Two support surfaces 74 laterally of the frame portion 72 engage with complementary support platforms 75 on the spacer joiners 20, particularly as shown in Figs. 9 to 11. Thus, the weight of reinforcing is supported by the connectors rather than the platform elements 10. Typically, the locking -9elements 21 taper as shown in Fig. 11, such as for example, from mm to 26 mm over a distance of 225 mm.

Referring to Figs. 15 to 20, the interlocking platform element 40 comprises a rectangular top skin or platform 41 which is plain and flat, this skin 41 having a longer longitudinal length slightly less than 1200 mm and a width slightly less than 1000 mm, with peripheral flanges giving a constant "height" of up to 550 mm though it could be less, such as down to 250 mm. The side edges of the top skin 41 are identified by the numerals 42, 43, 44 and 45 viewed in plan and taken in clockwise order.

Adjacent sides 42 and 43 each have hook-like securing strips or flanges 46 and 47 spaced from adjacent wall sections 48 and 49 by uppermost connecting webs 50 and 51, while the lower ends of the hook-like flanges 46 and 47 terminate in bottom edges 52 and 53 spaced from the bottom extremity of the element. On the other hand, the other two adjacent sides 44 and 45 have recessed channels 54 and 55 defined by upstanding flanges 56 and 57 spaced from wall sections 58 and 59 by lowermost connecting webs 60 and 61, while the upper ends of the upstanding flanges 56 and 57 terminate in top edges 62 and 63 spaced from the top extremity 20 of the top skin 41. In the space beneath the top skin 41 and within the wall sections 48, 49, 58 and 59, there are integrally moulded transverse strengthening ribs 64 and 65 having end gussets 66, limited to the location of the top skin 41, as well as criss-cross webs 67 and longitudinal webs 68, all extending to the lower extremity face 69 of the interlocking platform element 40. Various tapers are provided for ease in removing the element from the mould, while all internal corners have a **chamfer for practical purposes in moulding, as shown on the drawings. The tapers of the hook-like flanges and receiving channels therefor will also ensure a firm fit when one element is interlocked with another.

eoe In use, an array of platform elements 10 may be constructed by joining them in spaced apart relationship using the connectors or alternative connectors 25. Where a larger pod in required, two or more platform elements may be joined in abutting relationship by inserting respective abutting connectors 30 into the respective engagement slots 13 of the platform elements which are to be abutted together.

Preferably, the engagement slots 13 are tapered so that the joiners 20, 25, 30 and 32 may be firmly engaged into the therein thereby enabling any weight of reinforcing bar provided on the connectors 20 or 25 or the edge elements 32 to be transferred to the respective platform elements and prevent them from rising against the buoyancy effects when surrounded by concrete.

Additionally, one or more platform elements may be cut alongside either the diagonal ribs 16 or bisecting ribs 17 to form a half platform element. The half platform element may be used in places where the dimensions of a full size, or rectilinear shape platform element are not appropriate. For example, a platform element may be cut alongside one of the diagonal ribs 16 for use in an area of a concrete slab at 450 to the remainder of the slab, such as in a bay window or such like.

Additionally, the edge element 32 may be used in association with the platform element which has been cut alongside one of the bisecting ribs by inserting the locking element 21 behind the exposed bisecting rib and having the extension portion 13 20 extending through a base slot 36 provided in the underneath surface of the bisecting rib 17.

The assembled array of platform elements may thus be used to form a concrete base slab by providing reinforcing bars between each respective spaced apart side wall 12 and above the top upper wall 11 and pouring concrete around the platform elements and reinforcing bars. The pouring of concrete between platform elements places a force tending to separate platform elements, but spaced apart platform elements joined by respective connectors 20 or 25 are constrained against moving further apart S 30 engagement of the complementary abutment surfaces 22 with the abutment surfaces 15 on the engagement slots 13.

Additionally, where the tendency is to move one pod laterally, respective connectors may be placed in compression and the compression is accommodated by abutting the compression surface 27 on respective locking elements 21 against the rear surfaces 19 of respective engagement slots 13.

-11- The manner of using the interlocking platform element will be clear from the drawings, particularly Fig. 15 which shows receiving channels at the front left side 44 and the extreme left side 45, while hook-like flanges are shown at the right side 43 and at the right rear side 42. The hook-like flanges can be engaged over the channels of previously placed elements, while the receiving channels can receive the appropriate hook-like flanges of identical elements brought to the element and pushed downward.

At all times the upper surfaces of the top skins 41 will be maintained coplanar because the hook-like flanges and channeldefining flanges terminate short of the upper extremities of the element and bear against the respective upper connecting webs and 51 or the lower connecting webs 60 and 61. The underneath pattern of strengthening webs will be found efficient while acting to conserve material, but any alternative pattern could be used.

It is believed that the platform elements of the present invention may be formed to desired sizes and strengths using polystyrene or other equivalent foam plastics materials. Any 20 peripheral boxing or formwork is able to be used if an however required.

It will be appreciated that the principles illustrated may also be applied to other types of building blocks or elements, including those made of other materials and usable for purposes other than supporting concrete, the elements being usable in any S application where hollow interlocking platform units are required.

It will of course be realised that the above has been given only by way of illustrative example of the invention and that all 30 such modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. In combination, two platform elements and a connector foz connecting said two platform elements together in a predetermined spaced apart side-by-side relationship on the ground to form a void for receiving wet concrete therebetween, each of said platform elements having opposed upper and lower faces, opposed side faces and opposed end faces, and a plurality of spaced apart elongate recesses opening to said upper face and extending therefrom towards said lower face and each said recess also opening to its respective side or end face along a substantial part of its length from said upper face, the width of said recess being greater than the width of said side or end opening so as to provide an obstruction adjacent said side or end opening, and each said connector having spaced apart tongue portions interconnected by a spacer portion, said tongue portions having a width greater than the width of said side or end openings and being adapted to be received in respective opposed ones of said recesses in said respective platforms through said upper openings, said spacer portion being adapted to extend through said side or end openings and said tongue portions being adapted 20 to engage with said respective obstructions so as to hold said platforms together in the predetermined relationship.

2. The combination according to Claim 1, wherein the upper face of said spacer portion is inclined downwards away from each tongue portion towards the other tongue portion to form a cradle for supporting thereon a steel reinforcing bar intermediate the tongue portions.

3. The combination according to Claim 1, wherein each said tongue portion is elongate and said spacer portions include a lower elongate spacer portion extending from the lower end 30 portion of one tongue portion to the lower end portion of the other tongue portion and two upper spacer portions extending from the upper end portions of the respective tongue portions towards *said lower elongate spacer portion and being inclined to said tongue portions.

4. The combination according to any one of Claims 1, 2 and 3 wherein said recess is in the form of a channel, groove or slot -13- and one or both of the recess and the tongue portion of the connector tapers downwards so that the tongue portion engages firmly in the recess.

A platform element adapted to be placed on the ground in a predetermined spaced apart side-by-side relationship with another like platform element to form a void for wet concrete therebetween, the platform element having opposed upper and lower faces, opposed side faces and opposed end faces, and a plurality of spaced apart elongate recesses opening to said upper face and extending therefrom towards said lower face, each said recess also opening to its respective side or end face along a substantial part of its length from said upper face, the width of each said recess being greater than the width of said side or end opening so as to provide an obstruction therein adjacent said side or end opening, each said recess being adapted to receive therein the tongue portion of a connector adapted to connect the platform element to a like platform element.

6. A platform element according to Claim 5, wherein said recess is in the form of a channel, groove or slot in which at least two of the side walls converge downwardly. 20

7. A connector for connecting two platform elements together in a predetermined spaced apart side-by-side position to form a void for wet concrete therebetween, each platform element having opposed upper and lower faces, opposed side faces and opposed end faces, and a plurality of spaced apart elongate recesses opening to the upper face and extending therefrom towards the lower face, each recess also opening to its respective side or end face along substantial part of its length from the upper face, the width of the recess being greater than the width of the side or end opening so as to provide an obstruction in the recess adjacent the side or end opening, the connector being adapted to be fitted to the two platform elements when in the predetermined position and including spaced apart elongate tongue portions interconnected by spacer portions, each said tongue portion being adapted to engage in an elongate recess of each platform element when in the predetermined position and said spacer portions including an elongate lower spacer portion extending from the -14- lower end portion of one tongue portion to the lower end portion of the other tongue portion and two elongate upper spacer portions extending from the upper end portions of the respective tongue portions towards said lower elongate spacer portion and inclined to said tongue portions, said elongate lower spacer portion and said elongate upper spacer portions being adapted to extend through the respective side or end opening.

8. A connector for connecting two platform elements together in a predetermined spaced apart side-by-side position to form a void for wet concrete therebetween, the connector being adapted to be fitted to the two platform elements when in the predetermined position and including spaced apart elongate tongue portions interconnected by spacer portions, each said tongue portion being adapted to engage in an elongate recess of each platform element when in the predetermined position, said spacer portions including an elongate lower spacer portion extending from the lower end portion of one tongue portion to the lower end portion of the other tongue portion and two elongate upper spacer portions extending from the upper end portions of the respective 20 tongue portions towards said lower elongate spacer portion and inclined to said tongue portions, said lower spacer portion and each said upper spacer portion together with each said tongue portion together defining a space adapted to allow flow of wet concrete therethrough.

9. A connector for connecting two platform elements together in a predetermined spaced apart side-by-side position to form a void for wet concrete therebetween, each platform element having opposed upper and lower faces, opposed side faces and opposed end faces, and a plurality of spaced apart elongate recesses opening to the upper face and extending therefrom towards the lower face, each recess also opening to its respective side or end face along a substantial part of its length from the upper face, the width /cTH05105.wpd Amended

10 July 2002 of the recess being greater than the width of the side or end opening so as to provide an obstruction in the recess adjacent the side or end opening, the connector being adapted to be fitted to the two platform elements when in the predetermined position and including spaced apart elongate tongue portions interconnected by a spacer portion, each said tongue portion being adapted to engage in one of the elongate recesses of each platform element when in the predetermined position and at least part of said spacer portion being adapted to extend through the respective side or end opening, said spacer portion having at least one opening adapted to allow flow of wet concrete therethrough along the void formed between the platform elements to be connected by the connector. A connector according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein each tongue portion tapers inwardly.

11. A connector according to Claim 8 or Claim 10, including one or more leg portions depending from said lower elongate spacer portion and/or said tongue portions, said one or more leg portions being adapted to rest on the ground.

12. A method of erecting formwork for a concrete floor, including: .e* providing a plurality of platform elements as claimed in Claim 5 or Claim 6; providing a plurality of connectors as claimed in any one of Claims 7 to 11; placing said platform elements in a predetermined spaced apart side-by-side position to form a void for receiving wet concrete therebetween; engaging one tongue portion of each said connector in a recess of one platform element and the other tongue portion in an opposite recess of an adjacent platform element.

13. A combination of two platform elements and a connector as R cTHO5105.wpd Amended 10 July 2002 -16- hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings.

14. A connector as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings. A platform element as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings. Dated this 1 0 th day of July, 2002 IAN LAURENCE THOROGOOD By his Patent Attorneys AHEARN FOX July 2002