GB2485147A

GB2485147A - A support for loads such as masonry

Info

Publication number: GB2485147A
Application number: GB201018383A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jack Ingram
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-10-30
Filing date: 2010-10-30
Publication date: 2012-05-09
Also published as: GB201018383D0

Abstract

A load support 1 including two plates 2, 3 that span and define an intervening space joined by an axis 8 which may be threaded. At least one of the plates 2, 3 is movable along the axis preferably along the thread. The load support is intended for masonry and in use the bottom plate 3 may typically braced against one plane, and typically supporting the load above the other plate 2. In this way the support 1 may be used in a vertical space between a load above and a supporting plane below, with the support 1 transferring the load weight from the load to the support below. Optionally a handle 4 may be attached to the axis 8 by a swivelable hinge 5.

Description

PAtENT APPLICATIO@

OF

JACK INGRAM

FOR

LOAD SUPPORT

Fi!ld_oflhe Invention The present invention relates to a load support, more particularly a load support for a space with a load above, such as a space prior to insertion of a lintel or reinforced steel joist (RSJ).

Backqound Concrete, wood or steel lintels, beams or joists or RSJs are used to carry the load over openings. The lintel is fixed in place by cement typically, overhanging either side of the opening and supported by same.

This load is typically masonry or may be wooden joists or a ceiling or roof. The opening may be a doorway or other aperture.

Where a space is required in masonry, that is such as for a window aperture, the masonry must be removed to form the space, and until the lintel or RSJ is inserted and fixed the masonry above the space must be supported.

Prior Art

Typically, acrow' or builder's' props are used to temporarily support loads such as masonry until a lintel is fixed in placed. An acrow prop is a generally galvanised expanding or telescoping pole or tube, much used in masonry or general support work e.g. propping up a fractured lintel.

Typically a user would also need to support above the constructed space's with a length of wood, such as a scaffold board or metal, supported or propped up by an acrow prop. This would ensure that individual laterally connected blocks of masonry forming the face would all be supported.

Also well known in the field, Strongboys® may be used with or on top of an acrow prop. Strongboys®. Strongboys are all zinc plated, ensuring durability and low maintenance.

Needles are lengths of steel, such as steel tube, typically inserted into holes through the masonry, said holes commonly drilled with a core' drill, and with said needles then projecting from the masonry. These needles then support a length of wood or steel resting on the needle projections and supported below by acrows.

Subsequently when the space is formed, the masonry above the space is already maintained in place, then the RSJ or lintel is inserted, along with any padstones etc. Once this is fixed in place, the acrows, wood, then needles, are removed.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a load support including two plates, in use defining a space and joined by an axis wherein at least one of the plates is capable of movement along the axis; characterised by stable orientation of the plates to the space.

In the preferred embodiment the axis is defined by a steel bar or tube having a screw thread or mechanism. At least one support plate is disposed to be reversibly screwed along the axis, bar or tube in order to narrow or widen the defined space as necessary.

This defined space ideally corresponds to window opening or other space having an upper face to be supported with the support bracing on the lower face of the opening.

Ideally the plate capable of movement is disposed to move along the screw thread by turning of a handle. This handle ideally turns the screw thread whilst maintaining the orientation of the movable plate to the space. This is so that the plates may continue to reliably support, raise or lower a load as required without the load being turned or otherwise affected in a lateral plane.

The handle may be detachable and/or flexible. In the preferred embodiment the handle is swivelably hinged in order that the screw mechanism may be operated and the plate moved along the axis from a variety of user positions.

In this way the support may be placed between two typically vertically spaced objects, bracing against one of the objects and supporting the other, such as for example a sill (or stool') of a window space and vertically situated above said sill a head jamb (or head') for the window.

In this way the weight of the head, and any masonry above it, is supported by the sill below, with the weight of this head and masonry being distributed through the support.

Ideally where the head is composed of more than one part meaning the support is unable to provide support to the all parts, a elongate element may be introduced, such as a plank. Such an element is placed between the object and the support.

This support can be maintained, adjusted and removed with great facility by screwing the plate along the axis.

in alternative embodiments the support will extend laterally from the axis, either adjustably, extendibly or fixedly.

Further embodiments of the support may include plates that extend in other directions, such as at a 90 degree angle, to provide support to lateral loads. In the preferred embodiment the support would ideally be supplemented in use with for example a wooden plank or elongate structure in order to distribute the load evenly across a wider lateral space.

The support may be put into place and the space between the support plates may be subsequently widened in order to engage with and support the load.

Typically the support plates are extending up to 90cm perpendicularly from the axis and are under 5cm deep, preferably allowing for insertion of a plate into a mortar course and/or insertion of a lintel into the space created and supported by the support, with minimal spatial interference from the support itself.

Ideally at least one of the plates may be capable of rotary movement, which may involve release of a catch or other fastening. This may enable one plate to be positioned, and the other rotated and/or inserted or positioned as appropriate.

The plates are advantageously formed from a high tensile material, in order to support large weights.

Brief Description of Fkiures

Figure 1 shows an isometric overhead of a preferred embodiment of the device; Figure 2 shows a second overhead isometric view of the preferred embodiment; and Figure 3 is a side view of the preferred embodiment.

Detailed Descr[ption of Preferred Embodiment of the lnvention As shown in Figure 1 the preferred embodiment of the support I is formed from two plates (2, 3) attached to and joined by a spine 8 having a screw threaded form, composed of a bar or tube, said spine following and being the axis. Preferably this spine is formed of a high tensile steel or other high tensile metallic material.

The screw thread 80 in the preferred embodiment is widely spaced and robustly and deeply formed, in that the thread 80 is less likely to be damaged by external impacts or from the movement along the spine (8) of the plate(s) (2 and/or 3).

The plates (2, 3) are also formed from a very strong or high tensile material such as steel. In the preferred embodiment the plates are rectangular but further embodiments may be circular or any other shape.

In some embodiments a nickel plating is provided to the steel on all active areas of the plates and/or screw thread to prevent rust problems interfering with the screw thread.

In addition cantilever braces (7) are provided to further support the plate(s) (2, 3). In the preferred embodiment four triangular braces (7) are provided but in further embodiments more or less may be provided. In the preferred embodiment the four braces 7 extend on each of the four perpendicular axis. This is achieved in the preferred embodiment by provision of collars (6) to the plates at the point where they attach to the spine (8).

These collars (6) may conceal and/or contain a central rotatable core allowing at least part of a plate's collar 6 to rotate freely about the spine 8 in isolation, without affecting the orientation of said plate (2 or 3) to the spine 8. In use where the support I is bracing a vertically defined space, this will have an effect of altering the vertical position of the plate (2 and/or 3) on the spine 8 whilst maintaining the plate's horizontal orientation towards the defined space.

In the pictured embodiment the top plate 2 is fixed in relation to the spine 8 in its vertical positioning with a freely rotating central core 6. This may be by the absence of a screw thread on the corresponding section of the spine 8.

This allows the handle (4) and the spine (8) to rotate freely, without having any effect on the plate's (2) vertical positioning or the horizontal orientation of the plate 2.

In addition in the pictured embodiment the lower plate 3 is provided with a rotatable central core which may rotate about the spine 8, being provided with bearings.

However an internal screw thread is provided to this core, such that the spine screw thread 80 acts upon the plate's 3 vertical positioning.

The pictured configuration therefore allows the handle (4) to be turned without the top plate 2 rotating, altering its orientation or moving along the spine 8. The lower plate (3) instead will turn about the screw thread of the spine (80) and consequently move along the spine 8, if its orientation is maintained, such as when the plate 3 and/or support I in position and braced.

In the alternative or in addition the lower plate 3 may have a engagable mechanism for preventing rotation.

Alternatively both plates (2, 3) are free to rotate about the spine 8 freely and are provided with catches or reversible studs or clasps or grub screws (not shown).

Such catches would allow a user to alter whether the plates (2, 3) remain fixed, freely rotate, alter orientation, or travel along the spine 8.

The plates (2, 3) are provided with leading edges (20, 30) that are tapered or chamfered in order to make insertion into masonry or other materials easier.

Ideally the steel which comprises the majority of the pictured embodiment 1 is zinc plated to avoid rust problems, ensure durability and low maintenance. The plates (2, 3) may have a surface coating or texture to provide greater purchase and avoid removal of the zinc plating.

The handle (4) is connected to the spine (8) with a rotating, swivelable hinge (5).

This hinge aJlows the handle (4) to rotate and tilt. This enables a user to turn the spine (8) from a large variety of angles and thus provide greater torque by applying rotational force along the spine (8) at more convenient angles for the user.

The handle (4) in the preferred embodiment is provided with a ridged surface (40) to improve purchase. Further embodiments may include rubber or plastics on the handle.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

V

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims 1. A load support including two plates, in use defining a space and joined by an axis wherein at least one of the plates is capable of movement along the axis; characterised by stable orientation of the plates to the space.
2. A load support according to claim I where the load is masonry.
3. A load support according to claims I or 2 wherein the movement is along a screw thread.