GB2537347A

GB2537347A - Slab support

Info

Publication number: GB2537347A
Application number: GB1503910.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mascar Mark
Original assignee: VOLKERHIGHWAYS Ltd
Current assignee: VOLKERHIGHWAYS Ltd
Priority date: 2015-03-09
Filing date: 2015-03-09
Publication date: 2016-10-19
Also published as: GB201503910D0

Abstract

A slab support 1comprises: a first member 3 for location in use upon the ground, the first member having an upper and lower surface and front and rear ends; a second member 5 connected to the first member, extending from the upper surface thereof at an oblique angle towards the rear end 13 to define a slab support area 15 in which one or more slabs can, in use, be supported upright with one leaning against the second member 5. Preferably, a reinforcing strut 7 extends between the base and the rear surface of the resting plate. The invention is particularly suited to storing concrete paving slabs. Also defined is a portable slab support which comprises an elongate base plate with an elongate resting plate connected to, and extending from, the upper surface of said base plate at an oblique angle thereto to define a slab support area, between the base and a front surface of the resting plate having an obtuse angle, with a reinforcing strut extending between the base and the rear surface of the resting plate.

Description

Slab Support

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a slab support, particularly though not exclusively for concrete paving slabs.

Background of the Invention

Concrete paving slabs are usually stored and/or transported to site in stacks. It is common for the slabs to be laid sideways on their edges, i.e. at about 900 to the ground, as this makes it easier for workmen to pick up the next slab to be laid using their hands. The slabs in this orientation are sometimes supported by another slab, end-on, as indicated in Figure 1, or sometimes by a wall or vehicle. This is dangerous practice.

As will be appreciated, slabs tend to be heavy articles; a 600 x 600 mm pre-concrete slab can weight approximately 48 kg. The above-mentioned stacking practice can lead to one or more of the slabs moving past the point of balance and striking a nearby person. Hands and feet are particularly vulnerable and serious injury can result. This is particularly the case on an active building or maintenance site where vehicles and machinery is in use and cause movement or vibration, causing slabs to fall. On a public pathway, children may be nearby.

There is therefore a need to provide an improved means of supporting slabs.

Summary of the Invention

A first aspect of the invention provides a slab support comprising: a first member for being located on the ground, having an upper and lower surface and front and rear ends; a second member connected to the first member, extending from the upper surface thereof at an oblique angle towards the rear end to define a slab support area in which one or more slabs can in use be supported generally upright with one leaning against the second member.

The first member may be an elongate plate with a substantially planar lower surface.

The second member may be an elongate plate with a substantially planar front surface.

The second member may be connected to the first member at a point nearer to the rear end than die front end.

The second member may extend from the upper surface of the first member by an angle of approximately 108 °.

The support may further comprise a first reinforcing strut connected between the first and second members.

The second member may have a second reinforcing strut extending along its rear surface from its connection with the first member, the first reinforcing strut being joined with the second reinforcing strut to define a generally inverted V-shape profile when viewed side-on.

The second member may comprise a handle at or near its upper end.

The handle may be defined by an aperture formed in the upper end of the second member.

The support may be formed of metallic material, e.g. steel.

A second aspect provides a portable slab support, comprising: an elongate base plate with an elongate resting plate connected to, and extending from, the upper surface of said base plate at an oblique angle thereto to define a slab support area between the base and a front surface of the resting plate having an obtuse angle, with a reinforcing strut extending between the base and the rear surface of the resting plate.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will now be described by way of non-limiting example with reference to embodiments in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of how concrete slabs are conventionally stacked on site,

which is useful for understanding the background;

Figure 2 is a side view of a slab support according to the invention; Figure 3 is a rear view of the Figure 2 slab support; Figure 4 is a top plan view of the Figure 2 slab support; Figure 5 shows the Figure 2 slab support employed in use with multiple concrete slabs; Figure 6 is a front perspective view of the Figure 2 slab support; and Figure 7 is a rear perspective view of the Figure 2 slab support.

Detailed Description of Prefened Embodiments

Referring to Figures 2 to 4, a slab support 1 of a first embodiment comprises a base plate 3, a resting plate 5 and a first reinforcing strut 7. A second reinforcing strut 9 is disposed behind, and is connected to, the resting plate 5. Each of the parts 3, 5, 7, 9 are formed of steel, particularly Grade 42 steel, and are welded to each other at their connecting sections.

Alternative materials and connecting means or mechanism can be employed.

The base plate 3 is generally elongate and rectangular, with rounded corners. Both the upper and lower surfaces thereof are planar, but in some embodiments may have a textured surface to aid gripping. In some embodiments, the lower surface may have feet or gripping members, for example. The length of the base plate 3 may be, for example, in the region of 960 mm.

The resting plate 5 is similarly generally elongate and rectangular, with a substantially planar front surface. The resting plate 5 extends from the base plate 3, to which it is welded, at a position nearer the rear end 13 than the front. In this case, the resting plate 5 is connected at a point approximately one-third of the way along the base plate's length, e.g. 360 mm from the rear end 13. The resting plate 5 extends upwardly at an oblique (non -90°) angle a which in this case is 108° to define a slab support area 15 between the base and resting plates 3, 5. The second reinforcing strut 9, which is narrower than the width of the resting plate 5, is welded along the central axis of said resting plate to provide strength and rigidity.

At or near the top of the resting plate 5 is an aperture 11 which provides a handle, so that the slab support 1 can be easily transported. Other forms of handle can be employed.

The first reinforcing strut 7 is connected at or near the rear end 13 of the base plate 3 by welding, and extends upwardly at an angle 13 of approximately 77°. Said strut 7 is narrower than the width of the base and resting plates 3, 5 and is positioned centrally with respect thereto. Said strut 7 is welded to the rear surface of the resting plate 5, approximately 65 mm from the top end, and also to the second reinforcing strut 9. In side view, the slab support 1 is of a generally inverted V-shape, as shown in Figure 2.

Typical dimensions for die base plate 3 are 960 mm in length, 180 mm in width, using 8 mm thick material. For the resting plate 5, typical dimensions am 725 mm in length, 180 mm in width, using 8 mm thick material. The reinforcing struts 7, 9 are typically formed as 40 x 40 mm members, using 5 mm thick material. The vertical extent of the resting plate 5 measured from the base plate 3 is approximately 700 mm. All welds use a continuous 6 mm fillet weld, with the exception of the front angle which is a 4 mm fillet weld.

Referring to Figure 5, in use, the slab support 1 is easily transported and stored, e.g. in a truck or van, and placed on flat ground. Slabs 21 can then be loaded on the slab support 1 in the manner shown, with a first slab resting with a lower edge / corner on the base plate 3 at an angle, with a major face resting against the resting plate 5. Subsequent slabs 21 can be supported in an adjacent manner as shown.

Given the typical weight of the slabs 21 and the angular arrangement of the resting plate 5, multiple slaps can be safely supported with reduced risk of overbalancing which can cause injury. The structure of the slab support 1 is such that it can be moved when unloaded, using the handle 11, and has sufficient strength for use over a significant timeframe. The slab support 1 is easy to manufacture from plate steel or similar metal material.

Figures 6 and 7 show in front and rear perspective views the abovementioned slab support 1.

It will he appreciated that the above described embodiments are purely illustrative and are not limiting on the scope of the invention. Other variations and modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reading the present application.

Moreover, the disclosure of the present application should be understood to include any novel features or any novel combination of features either explicitly or implicitly disclosed herein or any generalization thereof and during the prosecution of the present application or of any application derived therefrom, new claims may be formulated to cover any such features and/or combination of such features.

Claims

SClaims A slah support comprising: a first member for being located on the ground, having an upper and lower surface and front and rear ends; a second member connected to the first member, extending from the upper surface thereof at an oblique angle towards the rear end to define a slab support area in which one or more slabs can in use be supported generally upright with one leaning against the second member.
2. A support according to claim 1, whemin the first member is an elongate plate with a substantially planar lower surface.
3. A support according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the second member is an elongate plate with a substantially planar front surface.
4. A support according to any preceding claim, wherein the second member is connected to the first member at a point nearer to the rear end than the front end.
5. A support according to any preceding claim, wherein the second member extends from the upper surface of the first member by an angle of approximately 108 L'.
6. A support according to any preceding claim, further comprising a first reinforcing strut connected between the first and second members.
7. A support according to any preceding claim, wherein the second member has a second reinforcing strut extending along its rear surface from its connection with the first member, the first reinforcing strut being joined with the second reinforcing strut to define a generally inverted V-shape profile when viewed side-on.
8. A support according to any preceding claim, wherein the second member comprises a handle at or near its upper end.
9. A support according to claim 9, wherein the handle is defined by an aperture formed in the upper end of the second member.
10. A support according to any preceding claim, formed of metallic material, e.g. steel. 5
11. A portable slab support, comprising: an elongate base plate with an elongate resting plate connected to, and extending from, the upper surface of said base plate at an oblique angle thereto to define a slab support area between the base and a front surface of the resting plate having an obtuse angle, with a reinforcing strut extending between the base and the rear surface of the resting plate.