BRPI0616244A2 - support member set - Google Patents

Abstract

SUPPORT MEMBER ASSEMBLY. The present invention relates to a support member system (100). In a preferred embodiment, the system (100) comprises an elongate support member (102, 103) having an effective length, an elongate member engaging portion (130, 135) arranged to engage with one end of the elongate support member. (102, 103) for extending the effective length of the member, and a base part (110) for engaging with a support structure (8, 9). The base portion (110) including connecting means (114, 116) for releasably connecting the base portion (110) selectively to the elongate member engaging portion (130,135) or the elongate support member (102, 103).

Description

Descriptive Report of the Invention Patent for "SUPPORT MEMBER ASSEMBLY".

Background and Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a support member assembly, and especially to at least partially supporting a wall.

Brick walls and other building or construction blocks, such as concrete blocks, have a maximum length and height to which they can be built without requiring additional support to prevent wall collapse. Conventionally, brick walls have been supported by erecting concrete supports at intervals along the wall, both horizontal and vertical, to support the wall. Since the brick wall requires to be mechanically tied to concrete supports, it is conventional practice to use metal bars which are attached to the mortar joints of the brick wall and the concrete supports to tie the brick wall to the concrete supports.

However, one of the disadvantages of this conventional approach is that the construction and use of concrete supports is both time consuming and labor intensive. In order to form the concrete support it is necessary to construct seals to close the volume at which the concrete is poured. The seal is usually constructed of wood planks and the services of a carpenter are required to build the sealer. In addition, during seal construction, metal bars are required which will be used to tie the brick wall to the concrete support through the side walls of the seal so that the metal bars extend outside the seal and into the seal. internal heat of the sealant where concrete should be poured. This requires the services of a steel bender to bend the metal bars as required.

After the seal is complete and the metal bars have been inserted, concrete is then poured into the seal and allowed to harden before the seal is removed. When the sealant is removed, the metal bars are attached to the concrete and the brick wall is tied to the concrete supports by the metal bars.

Therefore, the conventional method of supporting brick walls using concrete supports is time consuming, labor intensive, and requires the services of three different professionals (carpenter, steel bender and concrete spreader) in addition to the bricklayer to construct the emsi wall.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a supportive assembly that alleviates at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art and / or to provide the public with a useful choice.

Summary of the Invention

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a support member assembly comprising an elongate support member having an effective length, an elongate member engaging portion arranged to engage with an end of the elongate support member to extend the effective length of the member. and a base part including connecting means for releasably connecting to the elongate member or the elongate support member.

An advantage of the described embodiment is that the joint parts, i.e. the elongate support member, the elongate coupling part and the base part can be manufactured separately and can be assembled on site thereby increasing productivity. Moreover, each part can be packed together with similar parts to reduce space thus facilitating transport. On site, the user can then decide based on the design requirements, whether the base part is to be connected to the elongate member engagement portion or directly to the elongated support member.

Preferably, the connecting means are adapted to be connectable only to the elongate member engaging portion.

Each within the elongate member and the elongate engaging portion has a sidewall adapted to be located adjacent one end of a wall to be supported in use. The sidewall may then include a plurality of engaging means which enable a lashing member to be mounted to the sidewall, the lashing member having a projecting portion of the sidewall for engaging with the wall to be supported. Preferably the plurality of engaging means is provided at discrete locations along the sidewalls of the elongate member and the long-membered engaging portion such that the position of the mooring members is adjustable.

The engaging means may be provided on opposite sides of the elongate member and / or the elongated member engaging portion. Alternatively, the engaging means is provided on all four sides of the elongate member and / or the elongated member engaging portion.

The engaging means may comprise slots and the slots may be elongated and comprise an opening extending in a first direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of the slots. Preferably, the opening of each slot allows a mooring member to be wall mounted. the lashing member having a projecting portion of the sidewall for engaging with the wall to be supported.

The slots may be arranged along at least two substantially parallel axes along the geometric axis of the support member.

the elongate support member engagement portion with the slot openings along a geometrical axis facing in a direction opposite to the slot openings along the other geometrical axis, the directions of both apertures being substantially perpendicular to the axis. longitudinal geometrical design of the elongate support member and the elongate support member engaging portion. Preferably, each slot comprises two recesses extending in a direction opposite to the opening direction of the same slot. Alternatively the two recesses are adapted to extend along the same direction as the opening of one of the slots. Preferably, a slot along a geometric axis is displaced from an adjacent slot along the other axis so that the slot openings are not aligned with each other. Preferably, the recess of a slit is aligned with a recess of an adjacent slit despite displacement.

Advantageously, the position of each slot is used as an eagle to selectively cut the elongate member engaging portion to a desired length. In this way, when the elongate member or member of the elongate member engaging portion is cut according to the cutting guide, the aligned recesses of the adjacent slots are arranged to be connectable with the base portion connecting means.

Preferably, the connection means includes projections disposed to selectively engage at least one recess of a slot. Alternatively, the connecting means include projections arranged to engage respective aligned recesses.

Projections may be angled to generally form L-shaped projections. Preferably, there are two projection pairs, one of which is larger than the other. One projection pair may be arranged to connect to one side surface of the extended support member and the other projection pair may be arranged to connect to said opposite surface of the elongate support member.

It is envisioned that one projection pair may be arranged to connect to one side surface of the elongate member engaging portion and the other projection pair is arranged to connect to said opposed surface of the elongated member engaging portion.

Preferably, the base part includes stops arranged to abut against a side surface of the elongate support member or the elongate member engagement portion to limit movement along one direction.

The base part may be arranged to engage with a support structure. Depending on the application, the base part includes a bend.

The base part may be arranged to engage with an elongate support member. In this application, the base portion may have a securement section for attachment to a sidewall of one of the elongate members. Preferably, the attachment section includes ears.

Advantageously, the elongate member engaging portion is lockable with both ends of the elongate member.

Brief Description of the Drawings

An example of a support member system according to the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a brick wall supported by a support member system having horizontal vertical reinforcements in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 shows the support member system of Figure 1 without the wall parts;

Figure 3 is an exploded and enlarged view of region A of Figure 2 showing the configuration of a vertical reinforcement engagement means;

Figure 4 are enlarged and exploded views of a base plate used in the support member system of Figure 2;

Figures 5a through 5d show how the base plate of Figure 4 is being connected to the vertical reinforcement of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is an exploded and enlarged view of how the base plate of Figure 4 is releasably connectable to the vertical reinforcement of Figure 2;

Figure 7 are enlarged and exploded views of a side-plate for use with the horizontal reinforcement of Figure 2;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the support member system of the present invention being used to support different wall configurations;

Figure 9 is a view of a corner base plate for using vertical reinforcement for specific applications Figure 10 is a rear perspective view of the tie-down member of Figure 1;

Figure 11 shows a variation of the lateral baseplate of Figure 7.

Figure 12 shows an application of the baselateral plate variation of Figure 11.

Figure 13 illustrates views of a variation of the limb shown in Figure 10; and

Figure 14 shows another application of the baseplate variation of Figure 11;

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiment

Figure 1 shows a section of a wall 1 which is supported by a support member system 100 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Support member system 100 includes a large number of elongate members 101 and in this embodiment are arranged as vertical reinforcements 102 (only one shown) and horizontal reinforcements 103 which interconnect the vertical reinforcement 102. As shown in Figure 1, the reinforcement Upright 102 supports three portions 4, 5, 6 of the wall 1 and the vertical and horizontal edges of the portions 4, 5, 6 respectively adjacent to the vertical reinforcement 102 and horizontal reinforcement 103 are mechanically connected to respective reinforcements 102, 103 by means of of a large number of latching lashings with latching means 120 formed on a side surface of the lugs 102, 103 (in Figure 1, only one lashing member 7 is shown and the portion of the wall to which it locks was removed to show the lashing member). mooring clearly).

The vertical reinforcement 102 is connected at each of its upper and lower ends to an upper support 8 and a lower support-9 respectively by a connector 110. Additionally, each end of the horizontal reinforcement 103 is connected to the side of the vertical reinforcement. 102 by a connector 111.

Support member system 100 also includes elongate member engagement parts in the form of glove members 130, 135 for engaging with one end of the ribs 102, 103 to extend the effective length of the rib.

The support member system 100 also includes base parts and in this embodiment, these are in the form of base plates 110, 111 arranged to engage with the upper support 8 or the lower support 9 of Figure 1, or with a vertical reinforcement 102, in the case. of the side base plate111 being used with a horizontal reinforcement 103.

Mechanical fasteners may be inserted through the base plate 110 to secure the plate 110 to the lower side of the upper support surface 8 and to the upper side of the lower support surface 9. The mechanical fasteners are preferably gunpowder fasteners may alternatively be any size. suitable fastener type, such as nails, masonry nails, or anchor bolts. If the fasteners are not preferably actuated by gunpowder, pre-drilled holes in the baseplate 110 are pre-drilled.

In this embodiment, each of the vertical and horizontal reinforcements10,103,103 are fabricated by lamination of previously galvanized and laser welded steel sheets at the edges of the plate to form a hollow low section. In this way, it helps to reduce production time if reinforcements are formed from two separate extrusions. Moreover, the reinforcements 102, 103 are generally the same and thus, this allows a user freedom to use reinforcements 102, 103, whatever the orientation.

Figure 2 shows the system of Figure 1 in greater detail as wall 1 and support surfaces 8, 9 are not shown. As illustrated, each rib has four side surfaces and in this embodiment, two of the opposite side surfaces 102a, 102b, 103a, 103b (102b and 103bn not shown) of each rib 102, 103 have a plurality of reinforcing means and in this embodiment, the engaging means they are in the form of slots 120 which are arranged along two substantially parallel axes and which extend in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axes of the ribs 102, 103. Each slot 120 has a respective aperture 121 formed near the center of slot 120, and first and second seconds 122, 123 arranged on either side of opening 121 and extending in a direction opposite to opening 121.

To extend the effective length of the vertical or horizontal reinforcements, the glove members 130, 135 are used which are also fabricated from pre-galvanized steel in the same manner as the reinforcements 102, 103. Both glove members 130, 135 are the only one will be described with respect to the vertical reinforcement 102. The glove member 130 also includes slotted engagement means 131 having an aperture 132 and recesses 133, 134 which are similar in shape. and configuration as the slots 120 of the elongate member 102. Just as the reinforcement 102 the glove member 130 of the present embodiment also has the slots formed on opposite side surfaces 130a, 130b (130b not shown). Thus, glove member 130 is generally similar in construction as reinforcement 102 except that the perimeter of the section of glove member 130 is smaller than the perimeter of the section of reinforcement 102 such that a glove member 130 slidable within the vertical reinforcement 102 (at both ends). The effective length of the vertical reinforcement 102 is then extended by sliding the glove member 130 so that a desired effective length is reached.

The configuration of the slots 120, 131 will now be explained using an enlarged and exploded view of region A of Figure 2 and this is shown in Figure 3. For simplicity of explanation reference is made to vertical reinforcement pits 120 as shown in FIG. It is an example but it will be understood that this also applies to the slots 131 of the glove member 130. Referring to Figures 3 and 2, each of the slots 120 of the rib 102 along the same geometry axis are spaced apart in a predefined manner. However, each slot 120 along one geometrical axis is offset adjacent slots 120 ', 120 "along the other subsequently parallel geometrical axis such that a first and second recesses 122,123 of slot 120 are aligned with a recess of each other. adjacent slit 120 ', 120 ". Specifically, the first recess is aligned with a second recess 123 'of an adjacent slot 120' to form a first pair of recesses 126 as shown in Figure 3. Likewise, the second recess 123 of slot 120 is also aligned in the same manner. as the first recess 122 "of slot 120 to form a second pair of recesses128. The location of recesses 122, 123 along slot 120 and the length of the slot are strategically selected, the ratio of which will appear later. .

Figure 10 shows a rear perspective view of the lashing 7 which includes a flat section 20 having two ears 21 formed therein. It can be seen that the ears 21 extend both back and to the side of the flat section 20. The ears 21 are arranged to be inserted through the openings 121,121 'to engage the slots 120, 120' in the sidewall of the reinforcement 102 to secure the lashing. 7 to him. The length of the slits 120, 120 'is greater than the length of the ears 21 to allow the mooring movement 7 and thus the adjustment of the mooring position 7 with respect to the vertical reinforcement 102. The flat section 20 of the mooring 7 is connected to the ribbed section 23. The ribbed section 23 has a rib formation 25. The ribbed section 23 is at an angle of approximately 90 ° to the flat section 20 so that when the ears 21 are inserted into the slots 120, 120 ', ribbed section 23 of lashing 7 extends substantially and perpendicularly to the lateral wall of reinforcement 102.

Figure 13 illustrates different views of a T-mooring variation. Lashing member T is also generally L-shaped with a flat section 20 connected to an extended section 23 '. Lashing member T also has ears 21 'to engage slots 120 of ribs 102, 103. However, unlike the example shown in Figure 10, extended section 23' does not have a rib formation. 25. Instead, perforations 27 are formed in extended section 23 'and in this example, perforations 27 formed the word Sti-flex® in different representations (see view A of Figure 13). This variation T is particularly useful where the joints between the brick layers are thinner than the height of the rib 25, for example when other adhesives are used instead of cement mortar. The presence of perforations 27 allows the adhesive to adhere more readily to the lashing member T so that the lashing member T can better engage the surface.

Turning now to the baseplate 110, it is shown in the enlarged and exploded views (from different directions as indicated by views A, B and C) in Figure 4. A description of how the baseplate 110 is connected to the reinforcement 102 will now be explained.

In this embodiment, the base plate 110 is formed by a pre-galvanized plate press and includes a generally flat member 112 and connecting means in the form of two pairs of projections angled subsequently in L 114, 116 each pair being. different lengths and are spaced apart according to the width of the rib 102, 103 and sleeve members 130, 135. The base plate 110 also includes stops 118a, 118b, 119a, 119b each arranged at one end of their respective projections. 114, 116 such that the stops are disposed at the ends between two pairs of projections 114, 116. Each projection pair 114, 116 includes opposite ears 114a, 114b, 116a, 116d which face inwardly from each other and are arranged to be received in the respective recesses of the pair of adjacent recesses 126 (or 128) of adjacent slits formed in the respective side surfaces 102a, 102b of the reinforcement-102, 103. In this regard Figures 5a to 5d show as a pl Each base 110 combines with one end of a reinforcement 102 (which is shown at an angle merely for the purpose of illustrating the connection process although in use, this is not necessary in this way).

As shown in Figure 5a and using the drawing of Figure 3 as reference, the gusset 102 is selectively cut, either on site or from the factory, such that the distance of the recess pairs 128 from the edge 102e matches the effective height of the projection pairs. 114, -116. It should be clear that although Figures 5a to 5d illustrate only a side surface 102a, the pair of recesses of adjacent slits 120 on another side surface 102b are also arranged in the same manner as the side surface 102a shown in the figures. The baseplate 110 is primarily held at an acute angle to the edge of the reinforcement and with projections 114, 116 facing toward the reinforcement 102 as shown in Figure 5a, the baseplate 110 is brought toward the reinforcement in the X direction. such that the ears 116a, 116b of the larger angled projections 116 slide into the corresponding recesses of the recess pair 128b (the suffix "b" to represent the hidden recess pair) of the inner surface of the other side surface 102b of the gusset 102 as shown in Figure 5b. .

With the ears 116a, 116b slidably engaged with recess op 128b, the further movement of the base plate 110 in the X direction is guided by the sliding engagement until the side surface 102b abuts against the stops 119a, 119b disposed at the ends of the larger projections 116. Next, the plate 110 is brought into full contact with the edges of the reinforcement 102 as shown in Figure 5c. At this point, the side surface 102a is beyond the minor projection ears 114a, 114b, and thus, sliding the plate in the direction of arrow Y allows all ears 114a, 114b, 116a, 116b to be received in the recess pairs 128,128b of the side surfaces 102a. 102b. With this, the plate 110 is properly connected to the reinforcement 102 as shown in Figure 5d. Figure 6 is a view from AA direction showing more clearly how projections 114, 116 engage respective pairs of recesses 128, 128b. In this situation, it should be noted that any lateral sliding movement along the geometry axis Z parallel to the longitudinal geometry axis of the baseplate 110 would not disconnect the baseplate 110 from the reinforcement 102but only if the plate 102 was lifted away from the reinforcement when flattening it is slid such that the side surface 102a is beyond the smaller projection 114 as shown in Figure 5c. Thus, reversing the steps shown in Figures 5a to 5d disconnects the plate 110 from the gusset.

A feature of the preferred embodiment is that the base plate 110 is selectively connected to the reinforcement 102 as explained above or to the glove member 130. Since the base plate 110 can be connected to both the glove member 130 and the glove member. 102, the user assembling the support member system 100 may decide when the baseplate 110 is to be connected to the reinforcement 102, for example when attaching to a lower support structure such as the lower support 9 of the base. Figure 1, base plate 110 may be connected directly to the lower end of vertical reinforcement 102. Direct connection would thus reduce the number of glove members 130 required. On the other hand, when the effective vertical reinforcement length needs to be extended toward the upper support structure such as the upper support 8 of Figure 1, the base plate 110 is connected to a glove member 130 and the glove member 130 is inserted within the upper end of the vertical reinforcement 102. This provides greater flexibility to the end user. Having the separate base plate 110 of the glove member 130 is particularly advantageous from a manufacturing point of view as each part can be produced separately thereby improving productivity. In terms of logistics, each part can be packaged separately for transportation thus saving space.

Selecting to connect the baseplate 110 to both the reinforcement102 and the glove member 130 also applies when the reinforcement is used in a horizontal orientation, in the case of the horizontal reinforcement 103 of Figure 2. Instead of ordering reinforcements of different lengths, the present system provides the flexibility to order common length reinforcements (thus facilitating administration) and the effective length of each extended reinforcement using the glove members 130 if necessary. Thus, when a horizontal reinforcement 103 is not long enough (such as that shown in Figure 2), a glove member 135 is inserted into it to extend the effective length of the reinforcement. The configuration of the horizontal glove member 135 is the same as that of the "vertical" glove member 130 and the difference in reference numerals is for ease of explanation. Normally, the use of a horizontal sleeve member 135 is required only at one end of the gusset and thus, the other end of the gusset may be connected directly to a baseplate110. If the base plate 110 is to be mounted to an adjacent vertical reinforcement, a side base plate 111a is required which is a variation of the base plate 110 and this is shown in Figure 7 which has different views of the base plate .

In general, the side base plate 111 is similar in design to the base plate 110 (and thus similar parts have similar reference signs with a symbol ') except that the side base plate 111 includes a rear mounting section in the form of four rear ears 117 which are arranged according to the positions of the openings 121 of the slots 120 in the reinforcement. The ears 117 are formed by punching out sections of the plate 111 'to form the rearwardly extending ears 117 behind the plate 111'. This allows the rear surface of the plate 111 'to be placed against the side surface of the gusset 102 and the ears 117 inserted through the respective openings 121 (in this case, four four-slot openings) to engage the respective slots 120 to secure the plate. 111 '(and thus the glove member 135) to the vertical reinforcement 102, and thus to couple the horizontal reinforcement 103 to the vertical reinforcement 102.

It should be noted that in the present embodiment, the vertical base plate 111 is preferably used only in one orientation, that is, with the smaller projections 114 'at the top. In this orientation, the side surface 135a of the glove member 135 (see Figure 2) abuts the stop members 118a ', 118b' while the other surface 135b of the deluva member 135 remains engaged with respective recesses in the other surface 135b. due to the length of the larger projections 116 '. Thus, the base plate 111 remains slidably engaged with the slide member 135. If the orientation is reversed (i.e., with the larger projection 116 'notope), the side surface 135b will slide past the smaller projections 114' and so this does not. is preferred.

As explained above, the length of the gusset 102, 103 (and also the glove member 130, 135) is selectively cut such that the gusset or glove member can match the projections of the base plate 110, 111. As is clear from the slots shown in Figures 2 and 3, the arrangement of the slots 120, 131 in the gusset 102, 103 and the glove member 130 are strategically displaced from each other such that two adjacent slot recesses 120 are aligned with each other as explained above. . In the preferred embodiment, the gap spacing 120 along the same vertical geometry axis is 100 mm, and the length of each slot is chosen such that it can be used as a guide for cutting rib 102, 103 or glove member 130, 135 of. such that they are designed to be connected to the baseplate 110, 111. As is clear from Figure 6, each end of slot 120, as shown using arrows BB and CC, serves as an indicator for cutting glove member-130, 135, and when cut, the distance of the recess pair 128 from the cutting edge will be adequate to match the projections 114, 116, 114 ', - 116' of the baseplate 110,111. This provides a significant advantage as Larger glove members (or even reinforcements) can be ordered and the user then cuts the glove members to size depending on the application. If the ribs ordered are too small to support a wall (or if the ribs are ordered by mistake), the user can order larger glove members to be cut to size to fit the particular design. This allows for more flexibility to support member system users.

In use, the ribs 102, 103 are first installed by installing the vertical rib 102. The vertical rib 102 is installed by inserting the base plate 110 to both the rib 102, 103 and the glove member 130, 135. Depending on the height of the wall to be supported. Typically, the length of the vertical gusset 102 is chosen to be normally less than the height of the vertical range within which the gusset should fit and the difference is compensated by glove member 130 to ensure that the combination of the glove member 130 and the air inlet path 2 extends from the lower support surface 9 to the upper support surface 8 (using Figure 1 as an example).

First, the baseplate 110 is first connected to one end of the glove member 130 in the manner explained above. Second, the glove member 130 with the baseplate 110 attached is inserted into the top end of the vertical reinforcement 102. Next, the bottom end of the vertical reinforcement 102 is connected directly to a lower baseplate 110 in the manner explained above. When the reinforcement 102 is erected in the correct position, fasteners are driven through holes (not shown) in the base plate 110 to secure the plate 110 (and the lower end of the vertical reinforcement 102) to the lower support 9. Depending on the clearance, the glove member 130 is withdrawn from the vertical reinforcement until the base plate 110 contacts the upper support 8. It would be clear that when the base plate 110 contacts the upper support 8, a glove portion 130 remains inserted into the reinforcement 102. Again fasteners are used to secure the base plate 110 firmly to the upper bracket 8 and thereby retain the vertical reinforcement 102 in the correct position.

After the vertical reinforcement 102 has been installed, the wall 1 is constructed and the members 7 are mounted at appropriate intervals (typically each 300 to 400 mm vertically) to engage the slots 120 on the side surfaces of the vertical reinforcement 102 such that the ribbed section 23 is mechanically locked to wall 1 by ribbed section 23 being located between brick layers and cement mortar between the layers. When lower portions 4, 5 are constructed at a level where horizontal reinforcement 103 is required, the last layer of bricks is completed except for the last two end bricks adjacent vertical reinforcement 102. Side baseplate 111 is inserted at one end. horizontal reinforcement 103 which is to be connected to the vertical reinforcement 102 while the other end is inserted with the base plate 110 since the other end is connected to a support structure such as a column. The base plate 110 is similarly attached to the column as ex planned above while the ears 117 on the side base plate 111 are inserted into the slots 120 of the adjacent vertical reinforcement 102 to mount the horizontal reinforcement 103 over the last brick layer. . Each end brick is then laid. Further construction of the wall 1 above the horizontal reinforcement 103 then continues by the construction of the wall portion 6 above the horizontal reinforcement 103, with the lashings 7 inserted along the side surfaces 102a, 102b of the reinforcement 102 and / or the lateral surface 130a, 130b of the limb. sleeve 130 at appropriate intervals to engage between adjacent brick layers to tie the wall portion 6 to the vertical reinforcement 102.

It should be clear that the lashing members 7 may similarly be engaged with the slots 120 on the side surface 103a of the horizontal ribs 103 (and the glove member 135) to engage between adjacent brick layers while the wall portion 6 is being built.

It can be seen from the above example that the glove member 130, 135 is used to extend the effective length of the ribs 102,103. It will be appreciated that the glove member 130, 135 need not be fully inserted into each respective reinforcement 102, 103 and this allows the reinforcements 102, 103 to support the wall portions that are taller / longer than the length of the reinforcements 102. 103. It is only necessary that a part of the glove member 130, 135 be maintained within the reinforcement 102, 103 and the minimum coupling part required for each reinforcement assembly is calculated based on geometry and bearing considerations.

Therefore, the preferred embodiment has the advantage of providing a support member system in which the length of the ribs 102,103 should not be manufactured especially for each application.

Figure 8 shows the flexibility of the support member system 100 of the preferred embodiment of the present invention to support different masonry wall structures 150 with concrete columns 160. It should be noted that system 100 is illustrated in simplified form. without slots 120, baseplates 110 or glove members 130 for ease of system flexibility.

It should also be noted that the ribs 102, 103 may have different shapes than the rectangular box construction, as shown by the elbow shaped obtuse angle reinforcement 152. When the rib 102 is installed as an end or a junction reinforcement153, it is preferred use a corner baseplate 154 which is a variation of the baseplate 110 and an example of which is shown in Figure 9 and included from different angles. Projections 155, 156 are similar in shape and configuration to projections 114, 116 of baseplate 110, although projections 155, 156 may be the same size. Also, there is no need for jambs, but the plate 154 is bent into an end jig 157 as shown in Figure 9 which works as a jamb. The corner base plate 154 is used when installing the jig end reinforcement. 153 to support the wall section 158 such that the curved end 157 abuts against the free side surface of the reinforcement 153 as indicated by the arrow DD in Figure 8.

Figure 11 is a top view of a variation 160 of side base plate 111. Side plate variant 160 has projections 161, 162 and 163, 164 similar in construction to projections 114 ', 116' and stops 118 ', 119 'of side base plate 111. Side plate variant 160 also has ears 165 formed in the rear direction providing the same function as ears 117 of side base plate 111. However, it should be clear, (by a comparison of Figure 11 and View C of Figure 7) that a difference is that in plate variant 160, projections 161, 162 are offset from variation 160. This variation is particularly useful when the support walls are not aligned and an example of which is shown in Figure 12 ( reinforcements 102,103 are shown in simplified form for ease of explanation). As illustrated, one side surface of the vertical reinforcement 102 is used to support a first wall section 170 and the other side surface of the vertical reinforcement 102 is arranged to support a second wall section (not shown to show horizontal reinforcement 103). However, the first and second wall sections are offset from one another and thus plate 160 can be used to connect the horizontal reinforcement 103 to the vertical reinforcement 102 and further perform the function of supporting the second wall section. It should be noted that the relative positions of the projections 161, 162 and the ears 165 may be adapted to suit different applications.

Figure 14 shows another application of side plate variation160. As illustrated as a plan view, a vertical reinforcement side surface 102f is used to support a first wall section 170 'and the other vertical reinforcement side surface 102g is arranged to support a second wall section (not shown in the direction of However, the width of the side surface 102g does not match the width of the horizontal reinforcement 103 "as shown in the figure and thus, if the horizontal reinforcement 103" is mounted to the vertical reinforcement 102 "with the side base plate 111 of Figure 7, the side surface103h of the horizontal reinforcement 103 "will not be flush with the side surface102h of the vertical reinforcement 102". Accordingly, using the side plate variation 160 would alleviate the above problem so that, after engagement, the horizontal reinforcement 103 "is displaced from the central geometric axis of the vertical reinforcement 102 but allows the lateral surfaces 103h to be flush with each other. side surface 102h of vertical reinforcement 102 ".

The described embodiment should not be construed as a limitation. For example, in the preferred embodiment, only two of the four side surfaces of the gussets 102, 103 and glove members 130, 135 have the gussets 120. This need not be so, and the other two surfaces can be incorporated with each other. slots 120 so that the other two side surfaces can also be used to support a wall depending on the application. The size and dimension of the horizontal vertical reinforcements 102, 103 need not be the same although this is shown to be so in the embodiment described. Depending on the wall to be supported, the size and size of the ribs 102, 103 may vary as shown by Figure 8. Consequently, although the described mode illustrates cracks arranged along two axes, but more cracks will become clearer. arranged along additional axes (need not be parallel) could be provided depending on the size of the side surfaces of the reinforcement or glove member.

The preferred embodiment shows the horizontal gusset 103 being mounted to the side surface 102a of the vertical gusset 102 but the horizontal gusset 103 may also be mounted to the glove member 130 since glove member 130 also has slots 120 for engaging with the oranges. rear legs 117 of the side base plate 111, although normally, the horizontal reinforcement 103 is more likely to be mounted to the vertical reinforcement 102 than to the sleeve 130.

In the preferred embodiment, the baseplate 110 is selectively connectable to the gusset 102, 103 or glove member 130, 135 but the baseplate 110 can be adapted to be connectable only to glove member 130, 135. This would provide The advantage of faster production since each part can be produced separately, but would not provide the flexibility to be able to be connected to the reinforcement directly. When the reinforcement is used in the vertical orientation, the lower end can then be connected to a plate. conventional basis, although this is not preferred. Still further, the glove member 130 may be configured only at one end of the vertical and / or horizontal reinforcement 102, 103 although it is preferred for the glove member to be selectively insertable at both ends.

Of course, the baseplate 110 may be adapted to be connectable to the reinforcement only.

The preferred embodiment shows the glove member 130, 135 being insertable and receptive within the reinforcement 102, 103. However, this is not necessarily so, and other releasable anchorages are visualized (for example, the reinforcement is receptive within the glove members ).

Further, the baseplate 110 has two short projections and two long projections but it is envisioned that only one of each is sufficient although the combination with the rib recesses or the deluva limb might not be as good as if paired were used. of projections. Orientation of the aligned recess pairs 126, 128 of the slots 120, 120 ', - 120 "face inward toward each other. However, it is seen that the pairs of recesses may also face outwards (in the same direction as the openings but of course the ears of the projection pairs 114, 116 need to be modified correspondingly.Also, in the described embodiment, the recess pairs 126, 128 are shown to be aligned but this is not essential since it is visualized that the ears recesses may also be offset from each other and projections 114, 116 will have to be modified correspondingly (that is, one projection set could be larger than the other).

In the side plates 111, 160 four ears 117 are shown, but it should be understood that more / less ears could be provided depending on the size of the side surface (and the slot configuration 120) of the vertical reinforcement 102 to which the side plates 111 , 160 should be fixed.

After the base plate 110 is connected to the glove member 130, 135 or the stiffener 102, 103, the base plate 110 may be fixedly attached thereto by suitable means.

Having now fully described the invention, it should be clear to one skilled in the art that many modifications may be made to them without departing from the scope as claimed.

Claims (32)

A support member assembly comprising: an intermediate assembly including a single elongate support member having an effective length, and an elongate member engagement portion arranged to engage with one end of the elongate support member to extend the effective length of the member. member; A base portion adapted to connect to the intermediate assembly, the base portion including connecting means for releasably connecting to the elongate member engagement portion or the extended support member. Support member assembly according to claim 1, wherein the connecting means is adapted to be connectable only to the elongate member engaging portion. Support member assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the elongate member and the elongate member engaging portion each have a side wall adapted to be located adjacent a end of a wall to be supported in use. A support member assembly according to claim 3, wherein each side wall includes a plurality of engaging means enabling a connecting member to be mounted to the side wall, the connecting member having a projecting part. from the side wall to engage with the wall to be supported. A support member assembly according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of engaging means is provided at discrete locations along the side walls of the elongate member and the elongate member engagement portion such that the position of the connecting limbs is adjustable. A support member assembly according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the engaging means is provided on opposite sides of the elongate member. A support member assembly according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the engaging means is provided on opposite sides of the elongate member engaging portion. A support member assembly according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the engaging means is provided on all four sides of the elongate member. A support member assembly according to any one of claims 4, 5 and 8, wherein the engaging means is provided on all four sides of the elongate member engaging portion. A support member assembly according to any one of claims 4 to 9, wherein the engaging means comprises slots. A support member assembly according to claim 10, wherein the slots are elongate and comprise an opening extending in a first direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the slots. A support member assembly according to claim 11, wherein the opening of each slot allows a connector member to be mounted to the side wall, the connector member having a portion protruding from the socket. side wall to engage with the wall to be supported. A support member assembly as claimed in claim 11 or 12, wherein the slots are arranged along at least two substantially parallel axes along the longitudinal axis of the elongate support member and the engaging portion. support member lengthened with the slot openings along one axis facing in a direction opposite to the slot openings along the other axis, the direction of both openings being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the extended support member and the elongated support member engaging portion. A support member assembly according to claim 13, wherein a slot comprises two recesses extending in a direction opposite to the direction of opening a slot. A support member assembly as claimed in claim 13 or 14, wherein a slot along one axis is displaced from an adjacent slot along the other axis such that the slots of the slots are not aligned. with each other. A support member assembly according to claim 15, wherein a slot recess is aligned with an adjacent slot recess despite displacement. A support member assembly according to claim 16, wherein the position of each slot is used as a guide for selectively cutting the elongate member or the long-member engaging portion to a length. wanted. A support member assembly as claimed in claim 17, wherein when the elongate member or member of the elongate member engaging portion is cut in accordance with the cutting guide, the aligned recesses of the adjacent slots are arranged to connectable with the means for connecting the base part. A support member assembly according to any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein the connecting means includes projections arranged to selectively engage at least one recess of a slot. A support member assembly according to claim 18, wherein the connecting means includes projections arranged to engage the respective aligned recesses. Support member assembly according to one of claims 19 or 20, wherein the projections are angled to generally form L-shaped projections. A support member assembly according to claim 20 or 21, wherein the projections comprise two projection pairs, one pair of which is longer than the other pair. A support member assembly according to claim 22, wherein one projection pair is arranged to connect to one side surface of the elongate support member and the other projection pair is arranged to connect to the opposite surface of the member. a-extended support. A support member assembly according to claim 23, wherein one projection pair is arranged to connect to one side surface of the elongate member engaging portion and the other projection pair is arranged to connect to the opposite surface. of the elongated limb engaging portion. A support member assembly according to claim 23 or 24, wherein the base part includes stops arranged to contact a side surface of the elongate support member or the elongate member engaging portion to limit movement along one direction. . Support member assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 25, wherein the base part is arranged to engage with a support structure. A support member assembly as claimed in claim 26, wherein the base part includes a curved edge. A support member assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 25, wherein the base part is arranged to engage with an elongate support member. A support member assembly according to claim 28, wherein the base part has a securement section for attachment to a side wall of one of the elongate members. A support member assembly according to claim 29, wherein the attachment section includes ears. A support member assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 30, wherein the support member engaging portion is engageable with both ends of the elongate member. A support member assembly according to claim 13, wherein a slot comprises two recesses extending along the same direction as the opening of a slot.