GB2533918A

GB2533918A - Apparatus and method for covering a gap between copers

Info

Publication number: GB2533918A
Application number: GB1422708.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Telford Ian; Graham Willis Paul
Original assignee: G-Tech Coper Ltd
Current assignee: G-Tech Coper Ltd
Priority date: 2014-12-19
Filing date: 2014-12-19
Publication date: 2016-07-13

Abstract

Apparatus for covering a gap between coping elements (160, 170 Figure 1), for example those along the edge of a railway platform, comprises an elongate member 200 having at least one web portion 210 and at least a first flange portion 212 located along an edge of the web. The member may also comprise a further flange portion 218 at an end of the web, perpendicular to the first flange. The first flange portion may have a convex upper surface 216 that comprises an anti-slip finish or coating. The flanges may comprise at least one luminescent or reflective material, and the member may be formed from coloured plastic. The web may comprise flexible, barb-like projections. One or more sealing and/or adhesive elements may be provided along the web portion or on the underside of the first flange. A method of covering a gap using an elongate member is also disclosed.

Description

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR COVERING A GAP BETWEEN COPERS

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to covering a gap between two or more coper elements. In particular, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for covering a gap between two adjacent slab-like coper elements, such as paving slabs or coping stones.

Conventionally, a number of elongate elements, known as coping stones or 'capers', are arranged in a row along the edge of a railway station platform such that they slightly overhang the trackside face of the supporting wall to the platform. Each coper is laid along the edge of the platform on a bed of sand/cement mortar or concrete mix and the gap between adjacent copers is typically filled with mortar consisting of a sand/cement mix.

However, these mortar joints are exposed to the adverse effects of the weather and to passengers, bags and trolleys moving over the joints, particularly when passengers are alighting or boarding a train. Undesirably the strength and integrity of the mortar joints is compromised over time and the joints wear, crack and eventually fail. The resulting loose material and/or exposed gap between the copers become a hazard to passengers using the platform and are an eye sore. Furthermore, installation of conventional mortar joints is dependent on weather conditions and temperature and requires a significant level of skill to properly prepare a gap between adjacent copers to be filled with mortar, to properly mix the mortar for filling the gap, and to properly fill and finish the gap. The wet mortar then needs leaving and protecting for a period of time to allow it to cure before use which undesirably results in a section of the station platform being temporarily redundant and thus costs money.

Summary of the Invention

It is an aim of the present invention to at least partly mitigate the above-mentioned problems.

It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for covering a gap or gaps between two or more existing or newly laid coper elements that is inexpensive and easy to manufacture and install.

It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for connecting two or more adjacent coper elements together and to prevent the coper elements moving with respect to each other. -2 -

It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide a preformed elongate member that is easily installable between two or more existing coper elements or installable when two or more new coper elements are newly laid on a pre-prepared bed.

It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide a preformed elongate member that is installable irrespective of weather conditions and temperature and which is hard wearing, non-slip and stable in terms of material properties and dimensions in use.

It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide a preformed elongate member that provides additional safety to passengers on a station platform in visual and tactile ways.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for covering an elongate gap between two or more coper elements, comprising: an elongate member comprising at least one web portion and at least a first edge flange portion located at least partially along a first edge region of the web portion.

Aptly, the elongate member further comprises at least one first end flange portion located at a first end region of the web portion.

Aptly, the first end flange portion is oriented substantially perpendicularly to the first edge flange portion.

Aptly, the first end flange portion and the first edge flange portion are oriented substantially perpendicularly to the web portion.

Aptly, the first end flange portion extends substantially downwardly and beyond a further edge region of the web portion that is located opposite the first edge region.

Aptly, the first end flange portion is connected to the first edge flange portion by a substantially curved connecting flange portion.

Aptly, the first edge flange portion, the connecting flange portion and the first end flange portion are substantially the same width. -3 -

Aptly, the web portion is located substantially centrally with respect to the first edge flange portion and the first end flange portion.

Aptly, the first edge flange portion has a cross section comprising a substantially convex upper surface.

Aptly, the upper surface comprises an anti-slip finish or coating.

Aptly, one or both of the first edge flange portion and the first end flange portion comprises at least one luminescent or reflective element.

Aptly, at least the web and flange portions of the elongate member are integrally formed from at least one material. Aptly, the at least one material is a coloured plastics material.

Aptly, the web portion comprises a plurality of outwardly extending projections.

Aptly, each projection is angled upwardly with respect to the web portion to be substantially barb-like.

Aptly, an angle between an outer surface of each projection and the web portion is from about around 10 degrees to about around 60 degrees.

Aptly, a first angle between an upper outer surface of each projection and the web portion is about around 30 degrees and a further angle between a lower outer surface of each projection and the web portion is about around 20 degrees.

Aptly, each projection is substantially flexible.

Aptly, the elongate member comprises a further edge flange portion located along a further edge region of the web portion that is located opposite to the first edge region.

Aptly, the apparatus further comprises one or more sealing and/or adhesive elements located along one or both sides of the web portion and/or an underside of the first edge flange portion. -4 -

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of covering an elongate gap between two or more coper elements, comprising: locating a web portion of an elongate member in between two or more coper elements to cover a gap between the coper elements with a first edge flange portion located at least partially along a first edge region of the web portion.

Aptly, the method further comprises: abutting a lower surface of the first edge flange portion against an upper surface of each coper element.

Aptly, the method further comprises: abutting an inner surface of at least one first end flange portion located at a first end region of the web portion against an end surface of each coper element.

Aptly, locating comprises: inserting the web portion in a substantially vertical direction into the gap between the coper elements; and engaging each coper element with at least one barb-like projection extending outwardly from the web portion to securely locate the elongate member with respect to the coper elements.

Aptly, locating comprises: inserting the web portion in a substantially horizontal direction into said gap between the coper elements; and engaging a lower surface of each coper element with an upper surface of a further edge flange portion of the elongate member located along a further edge region of the web portion that is opposite the first edge region to securely locate the elongate member with respect to the coper elements.

Aptly, locating comprises: positioning a first coper element of the two or more coper elements on a pre-prepared bed; locating a first side of the web portion along a first surface of the first coper element; and -5 -positioning a further coper element of the two or more coper elements on the pre-prepared bed such that a further side of the web portion is located along a further surface of the further coper element.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method substantially as herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus constructed and arranged substantially as herein before described with reference to the accompanying 10 drawings.

Certain embodiments of the present invention may provide an elongate member that is easy to manufacture and to install between two or more new or existing coper elements to cover an elongate gap formed between adjacent coper elements when the coper elements are located in situ.

Certain embodiments of the present invention may provide an elongate member to cover an elongate gap between at least two coper elements to at least partially eliminate a trip hazard otherwise formed by the gap or conventional jointing material otherwise placed in the gap or becoming loose and leaving the gap.

Certain embodiments of the present invention may provide a method and apparatus for connecting two or more adjacent coper elements together and preventing the coper elements moving with respect to each other.

Certain embodiments of the present invention may provide a pre-formed elongate member that does not need to be made up on site and which is not dependent on the weather and ambient temperature to be installed.

Certain embodiments of the present invention may permit a gap filler to be retrofitted or fitted upon laying between two copers laid adjacent to each other in a side-by-side, slightly spaced apart, substantially parallel configuration.

Brief Description of Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described hereinafter, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: -6 -Figure 1 illustrates a railway platform including a number of copers arranged in a row and slightly overhanging a track bed region; Figure 2a illustrates apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention located between two adjacent copers; Figure 3a illustrates apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention located between two adjacent copers; Figures 2b to 2e further illustrate the embodiment shown in Figure 2a; Figures 3b to 31 further illustrate the embodiment shown in Figure 3a; Figure 4a illustrates a first method of installing the elongate member of Figure 2 between two copers to be newly laid on a pre-prepared bed; Figure 4b illustrates a further method of installing the elongate member of Figure 2 between two copers to be newly laid on a pre-prepared bed; Figure 5a illustrates a method of installing the elongate member of Figure 3 between two copers to be newly laid on a pre-prepared bed; and Figure 5b illustrates a method of installing the elongate member of Figure 3 between two existing copers.

Description of Embodiments

In the drawings like reference numerals refer to like parts.

Figure 1 illustrates a railway platform 100 located alongside a pair of railway tracks 110 for passengers to alight or board a train at a railway station. The platform 100 includes a number of adjacent coping stones or so-called 'copers' 160, 170 arranged in a row and slightly overhanging the trackside face of the supporting wall to the platform. Conventionally, such copers include tactile and visual elements in the form of rumble strips and paint respectively to warn passengers of the edge of the platform and particularly of a gap formed between the platform and a train to be alighted or boarded. Whilst certain embodiments of -7 -the present invention are described with respect to providing an edging on a platform by a train track it will be appreciated that certain embodiments of the present invention are useful wherever copers or coper like elements are used to edge a defined boundary. Such a boundary may be a raised or level boundary.

As illustrated in Figures 2a to 2e, an elongate member 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a central web portion 210, an upper flange portion 212 located along a top edge of the web portion, and a lower flange portion 214 located along a bottom edge of the web portion to form an I-section. The upper flange portion 212 has a substantially curved or convex upper surface 216 to prevent the upper surface being a trip hazard to passengers when the elongate member is located between two adjacent copers of a platform, for example, as illustrated in Figure 2a. Other shapes of the upper surface can of course be utilised such as a central flat upper surface located between opposed upper ramp surfaces for example. A radius of the upper surface 216 is about around 40 mm but can range from about around 20mm to about around 100mm or more depending on the width of the upper flange portion. A front end region of the elongate member 200 is provided with an end flange portion 218 that is oriented substantially perpendicularly to the upper and lower flange portions. The end flange portion 218 extends from the lower edge of the web portion 210 towards the upper edge of the web portion and is connected to the upper flange portion 212 by a curved connecting flange portion 220 such that a continuous flange extends along the top edge of the web portion and down a front end of the web portion. The lower flange portion 214 is optionally connected to the end flange portion 218.

A depth of the member 200 can range from about around 40mm to about around 250mm and a length of the member 200 can range from about around 100m to about around 22,500mm. A width of the upper flange portion 212 can range from about around 12mm to about around 75mm and a height of the upper flange portion 212 can range from about around 4mm to about around lOmm. A width of the lower flange portion 214 can range from about around 12mm to about around 75mm and a thickness of the lower flange portion can range from about around 2mm to about around 10mm. A thickness of the web portion 210 can range from about around 4mm to about around 12mm. The end flange portion 218 can extend fully or partially along the front end of the web portion and may have a length corresponding to a thickness of each coper. The connecting flange portion 220 can follow a curved profile of the copers 260, 270. -8 -

In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 2a to 2e, the upper flange portion 212, lower flange portion 214, end flange portion 218 and connecting flange portion 220 have the same width of about around 24mm. The connecting flange portion has a radius of about around 20mm. A thickness of the upper and lower flange portions 212, 214, the end flange portion 218 and the connecting flange portion 220 is about around 6mm. The web portion 210 has a length of about around 1160mm, a thickness of about around lOmm and a height of about around 100mm which may correspond to a thickness of each coper. Of course, other suitable dimensions of the elongate member 200 can be utilised depending on its application.

As illustrated in Figure 4a, the elongate member 200 can be located between two adjacent copers when the copers are being newly laid. For example, a first coper 260 is laid on a pre-prepared bed of for example sand and cement (step 410a), a first side of the web portion 210 of the elongate member 200 as shown in Figure 2a is then located alongside, and optionally in abutment with, a first side of the first coper (step 420a), and then a second coper 270 is laid alongside, and optionally in abutment with, a second side of the web portion 210 of the elongate member 200 (step 430a) such that the elongate member 200 is located between the two copers which are in turn located between the upper and lower flange portions 212, 214 so that the upper flange portion 212 covers an elongate gap between the two copers.

Alternatively, as illustrated in Figure 4b, the two copers can be laid adjacent to each other on the pre-prepared bed (steps 410b and 420b) prior to the elongate member 200 being inserted from a front side of the copers, e.g. a trackside of the platform, as shown by arrow A in Figure 2b, into the gap between the adjacent copers 260, 270 (step 430b) such that the upper flange portion 212 covers the gap and the lower flange 214 is located beneath the copers 260, 270. The end flange portion 218 acts as a stop when sliding the elongate member 200 into the gap between the adjacent copers 260, 270 and also mates with the substantially curved front edge of the copers.

As illustrated in Figures 3a to 3f, an elongate member 300 according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a central web portion 310, an upper flange portion 312 located along a top edge of the web portion, and three pairs of spaced apart, barb-like projections 350 extending outwardly from the web portion 310. The web portion 310 and upper flange portion 312 form a 'T'-section. The upper flange portion 312 has a curved upper surface and an end flange portion 318 is provided at a front end region of the elongate member 300. The end flange portion 318 is connected to the upper flange portion 312 by a -9 -curved connecting portion 320 and extends downwardly and beyond a lower edge of the web portion 310 of the elongate member 300. Each projection 350 has an upper surface 352 and a lower surface 354. Each surface may be angled with respect to the web portion by about around 10-60 degrees. In the embodiment illustrated, each upper surface 352 is angled relative to the web portion 310 by about around 30 degrees (angle a in Figure 3f) and each lower surface 354 is angled relative to the web portion 310 by about around 20 degrees (angle p in Figure 3f). Each projection 350 extends outwardly from the web portion 310 by about around 5mm to about around 50mm in a substantially lateral direction depending on the width of the gap to be covered. In the embodiment as illustrated in Figure 3, each projection extends laterally by about around 12mm. Each projection 350 is substantially flexible in at least a substantially upward direction to allow the elongate member 300 to be inserted vertically into a gap between adjacent copers 360, 370 whilst being substantially rigid in a downward direction to securely locate the elongate member 300 in the gap after insertion therein.

A depth of the elongate member 300 can range from about around 40mm to about around 250mm and a length of the elongate member 300 can range from about around 100m to about around 22,500mm. A width of the upper flange portion 312 can range from about around 12mm to about around 75mm and a height of the upper flange portion 312 can range from about around 4mm to about around 10mm. A thickness of the web portion 310 can range from about around 4mm to about around 12mm. The end flange portion 318 can extend fully or partially along the front end of the web portion and may have a length corresponding to a thickness of each coper. The connecting flange portion 320 can follow a curved profile of the copers 360, 370.

The web portion 310 of the elongate member 300 as illustrated in Figures 3a to 3f has a length of about around 1160mm, a height of about around 75mm and a thickness of about around 6mm. The upper flange portion 312 has a thickness of about around 5.5mm, aptly 5.36mm, and the upper surface thereof has a radius of about around 40mm. A width of the end flange portion 318, connecting flange portion 320 and upper flange portion 312 is about around 40mm. The end flange portion 318 has a length of about around 106mm which may correspond to a thickness of each coper. Of course, other suitable dimensions of the elongate member 300 can be utilised depending on its application.

As illustrated in Figures 5a and 5b, the elongate member 300 can be located between two adjacent copers when the copers are being laid or after the copers have been laid such as -10 -part of a retrofit or repair process. For example, as illustrated in Figure 5a, adjacent copers 360, 370 can be laid on a pre-prepared bed of sand and cement for example to form an elongate gap therebetween (steps 510a and 520a) and an elongate member 300 as shown in Figure 3 can be inserted from above into the gap between the adjacent copers such that the barb-like projections flex when the elongate member 300 is being pushed into the gap whilst being sufficiently rigid to securely locate the elongate member 300 in the gap (step 530a). The elongate member 300 is pushed into the gap between the copers 360, 370 until an underside of the upper flange portion 312 abuts an upper surface of each coper. The end flange portion 318 engages a front face of each coper and helps to guide the elongate member into position. The upper flange portion 312 and the end flange portion 318 cover the gap between the adjacent copers 360, 370 from above and from the front of the copers respectively.

Alternatively, as illustrated in Figure 5b, conventional jointing material such as mortar that has been used to fill the gap between adjacent copers 360, 370 using conventional methods can be scraped out and the gap cleared of any loose material, grease and/or dirt (step 510b). The elongate member 300 can then be pushed substantially downwardly into the gap and securely located in place by the barb-like projections 350 (step 520b).

The upper flange portion 212, 312 and/or end flange portion 218, 318 may comprise one or more through holes to allow a suitable fastener to pass through and secure the elongate member 200, 300 in situ between the adjacent copers. Such an arrangement may connect the copers together and prevent the copers moving with respect to each other. Alternatively, the elongate member 200, 300 may comprise one or more elongate studs extending outwardly from the web portion and/or inwardly from end flange portion and/or downwardly from the upper flange portion which align with and are received by pre-machined or preformed holes in each coper. Such an arrangement may also connect the copers together and prevent the copers moving with respect to each other.

The elongate member 200, 300 can be manufactured from various materials such as resin, GRP/FRP, plastic, rubber, fibreglass, carborundum, polymers, polyvinyl ester, engineering plastics such as PEK, PEEK and PES or the like, stainless steel, aluminium, alloy and carbon fibre, or the like. The elongate member 200, 300 can be manufactured by injection moulding, or extrusion and plastic welding, or the like. The barb-like projections 350 of the elongate member 300 may be the same or a different material to the web portion 310 and may be joined to the web portion 310 by suitable joining techniques. Alternatively, the projections 350 may be integrally formed with at least the web portion 310.

At least a portion of the elongate member 200, 300 may be formed from a substantially flexible yet resilient material to allow, for example, at least the web portion to flex slightly in at least a lateral direction to accommodate any lateral movement of the copers as a result of temperature-induced expansion and shrinkage of the coper material, such as preformed concrete, sandstone, GRP or the like. Additionally or alternatively, one or more substantially flexible strips (not shown) of plastic, rubber or the like, may be located along one or both sides of the web portion of the elongate member 200 to accommodate for such temperature-induced behaviour of the copers. Alternatively, the substantially flexible projections 350 may be used to accommodate for such temperature-induced movement of the copers.

At least the upper flange portion 212, 312 may comprise a coloured plastic so that the colour remains visible and prominent as the upper flange portion wears slightly during use. At least the upper flange portion 212, 312 may be at least one bright colour, such as red or yellow for example, to warn passengers of the platform edge. The colour may be luminescent to glow in the dark or the plastic itself may contain luminescent or reflective elements. The upper surface of the upper flange portion may include one or more projections or recesses to provide grip to a passenger walking over the elongate member 200, 300. The upper surface may include an anti-slip coating or friction promoting element adhered thereon which may be opaque or transparent to show the underlying colour of the elongate member there through.

Aptly the whole elongate member 200, 300 is manufactured as an integrally formed unit.

Aptly the whole elongate member 200, 300 is manufactured from a material that has physical characteristics like colour, reflectivity and/or coefficient of friction or the like to allow the upper flange portion 212, 312 of the elongate member 200, 300 to wear whilst the physical characteristic of the upper flange portion 212, 312 remains substantially constant.

Certain embodiments of the present invention may provide an elongate member for covering a gap between two or more adjacent copers that is pre-formed by injection moulding or the like and which is not subject to on-site preparation such as mixing and gauging as is the case for preparing mortar used for conventional jointing. Certain embodiments of the present invention may provide an elongate member for connecting two or more adjacent copers in that the elongate member in accordance with the present invention bridges a gap between the copers to connect at least the upper surfaces of each coper to provide a -12 -continuous surface for pedestrians/passengers to pass over. Such a connecting elongate member may also act as a physical connection between adjacent copers in that the elongate member physically joins the copers together. A suitable bond, adhesive or fastener may be used with the elongate member to physically connect adjacent copers and prevent the copers moving apart. Installation of the elongate member according to certain embodiments of the present invention will not be dependent on the weather conditions or temperature. The elongate members are uniform in appearance and consistency and provide an aesthetically pleasing finish with additional functionality such as grip and hazard warning. The elongate members may be sized according to a particular application, such as width and thickness of coper and dimensions of the gap between adjacent copers in which the elongate member is installable. Certain embodiments of the present invention provide an elongate member for covering a gap between adjacent copers that is inexpensive, quick and simple to manufacture and install, that is hard wearing and diverse in functionality and that can provide an additional level of safety to passengers at a train station platform.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words "comprise" and "contain" and variations of them mean "including but not limited to" and they are not intended to (and do not) exclude other moieties, additives, components, integers or steps. Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.

Features, integers, characteristics or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of the features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. The invention is not restricted to any details of any foregoing embodiments. The invention extends to any novel one, or novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

-13 -The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

-14 -CLAIMS: 1. Apparatus for covering an elongate gap between two or more coper elements, comprising: an elongate member comprising at least one web portion and at least a first edge flange portion located at least partially along a first edge region of the web portion.
2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elongate member further comprises at least one first end flange portion located at a first end region of the web portion.
3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first end flange portion is oriented substantially perpendicularly to the first edge flange portion.
4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the first end flange portion and the first edge flange portion are oriented substantially perpendicularly to the web portion.
5. The apparatus as claimed in any of claims 2 to 4, wherein the first end flange portion extends substantially downwardly and beyond a further edge region of the web portion that is located opposite the first edge region.
6. The apparatus as claimed in any of claims 2 to 5, wherein the first end flange portion is connected to the first edge flange portion by a substantially curved connecting flange portion.
7. The apparatus as claimed in any of claims 2 to 6, wherein the first edge flange portion, the connecting flange portion and the first end flange portion are substantially the same width.
8. The apparatus as claimed in any of claims 2 to 7, wherein the web portion is located substantially centrally with respect to the first edge flange portion and the first end flange portion.
9. The apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first edge flange portion has a cross section comprising a substantially convex upper surface.

-15 -
10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the upper surface comprises an anti-slip finish or coating.
The apparatus as claimed in any of claims 2 to 10, wherein one or both of the first edge flange portion and the first end flange portion comprises at least one luminescent or reflective element.
12. The apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the elongate member is integrally formed from a coloured plastics material.
13. The apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the web portion comprises a plurality of outwardly extending projections.
14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein each projection is angled upwardly with respect to the web portion to be substantially barb-like.
15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein an angle between an outer surface of each projection and the web portion is from about around 10 degrees to about around 60 degrees.
16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein a first angle between an upper outer surface of each projection and the web portion is about around 30 degrees and a further angle between a lower outer surface of each projection and the web portion is about around 20 degrees.
17. The apparatus as claimed in any of claims 13 to 16, wherein each projection is substantially flexible.
18. The apparatus as claimed in of claims 1 to 12, wherein the elongate member comprises a further edge flange portion located along a further edge region of the web portion that is located opposite to the first edge region.
19. The apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising one or more sealing and/or adhesive elements located along one or both sides of the web portion and/or an underside of the first edge flange portion.

-16 -
20. A method of covering an elongate gap between two or more coper elements, comprising: locating a web portion of an elongate member in between two or more coper elements to cover a gap between the caper elements with a first edge flange portion located at least partially along a first edge region of the web portion.
21. The method as claimed in claim 20, further comprising: abutting a lower surface of the first edge flange portion against an upper surface of each coper element.
22. The method as claimed in claim 20 or 21, further comprising: abutting an inner surface of at least one first end flange portion located at a first end region of the web portion against an end surface of each coper element.
23. The method as claimed in any of claims 20 to 22, wherein locating comprises: inserting the web portion in a substantially vertical direction into the gap between the coper elements; and engaging each coper element with at least one barb-like projection extending outwardly from the web portion to securely locate the elongate member with respect to the coper elements.
24. The method as claimed in any of claims 20 to 22, wherein locating comprises: inserting the web portion in a substantially horizontal direction into said gap between the coper elements; and engaging a lower surface of each coper element with an upper surface of a further edge flange portion of the elongate member located along a further edge region of the web portion that is opposite the first edge region to securely locate the elongate member with respect to the coper elements.
25. The method as claimed in any of claims 20 to 22, wherein locating comprises: positioning a first coper element of the two or more coper elements on a pre-prepared bed; locating a first side of the web portion along a first surface of the first coper element; and -17 -positioning a further coper element of the two or more coper elements on the pre-prepared bed such that a further side of the web portion is located along a further surface of the further coper element.
26. A method substantially as herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
27. Apparatus constructed and arranged substantially as herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawings.