GB2567952A - Support apparatus and method of use thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A support apparatus, for use in supporting masonry construction, includes first and second support portions 3, 5, and first and second spacer means 7, 11. At least part of the spacers are located between the support portions, providing or maintaining them in a spaced relationship. The spacer means are configurable and/or arranged such that the distance between the first and second support portions can be varied or selected, as required by a user. A third spacer (9, fig 4b) may be used. The spacers may be threaded and pass through the supports. The supports may be arranged to receive a rolled steel joist 25 or lintel therebetween, during the process of removal of a section of wall 21. A method of manufacturing a support apparatus and a method of using a support apparatus are also provided.

Description

method of use thereof

The invention to which this application relates is a support apparatus and a method of use thereof. Although the following description refers exclusively to supporting and subsequently removing walls in a building or structure, the person skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention could also be used for the support and subsequent removal of a portion of other masonry constructions too.

In construction work, in particular, in existing building refurbishments or extensions, it is common to have interior or exterior walls, or portions thereof, removed as part of the work. When removing walls, it is important to be able to differentiate between stud walls and load-bearing walls — stud walls can be removed without much effort, however, before a load-bearingwall can be removed, a supporting joist or lintel will need to be installed above the region of the wall which is to be removed, in order to continue to support the load above it. The most common method for carrying out such work is to provide a series of temporary tubular steel props, commonly known as Acrow props. These are located either side of the wall that is to be removed, with several holes created in the wall between opposing Acrow props. A horizontal support (or “needle”) is placed through each hole and at each end rests on a top plate of the Acrow props. The length of the props is then adjusted to create a tight and stable support, allowing the wall beneath to be removed without the load above collapsing down and causing significant damage to the building or structure. Once the wall portion has been removed, a supporting member in the form of a steel beam or rolled-steel joist (RSJ) can then be inserted into the top portion of the opening that has been created in the wall. Finally, once the RSJ, padstones and cement used to secure the RSJ in place have settled, the Acrow props can be removed.

The method and tools above ate the most commonly used when removing load-bearing walls, however, a number of problems exist. Firstly, the wall portion may only be fully removed once the Acrow props are all in place, but the presence of the props may make the demolition and removal of all the masonry at best awkward, and at times hazardous. Secondly, once the wall portion has been removed, the RSJ needs to be inserted, but has to be done so around the Acrow props. The presence of the props, which extend from the floor to above where the RSJ needs to be installed, can make it problematic for workers to manoeuvre the RSJ into place, before lifting it to the required height and seating it in its location. Throughout all this work, workers need to be careful such that they do not knock or dislodge any of the props, as this could result in significant damage to the building or structure. Another issue arises when installing the props. It is not uncommon that the ground on which they are to be located is uneven, so extra work is required to level the ground, or create a level base (or “spreader”) on which the props are to be located, and which is also secure. The Acrow props also require a structurally competent floor. If, for example, the opening is on an upper floor it is often necessary to ‘back prop’ through the lower floors because the upper floor in question cannot accept the load. This means that similar lines of props need to be provided between floor and ceiling all the way down to the ground floor.

Attempts have been made to overcome, at least some of these problems. For example, temporary supports exist under the registered trademark Strongboy®. These supports are similar to the Acrow props, however, at the upper end there is located a plate portion which is designed to be hammered into the mortar between brick layers at the desired height. Several of these are required to be installed along the wall portion to be removed, η J and once installed the wall portion can be removed. This approach removes the need for pairs of Acrow props to be provided either side of the wall, however, problems still exist. The Strongboy® supports are designed only to be used on the removal of relative light duty walls within, for example, residential structures. Furthermore, the problems of manoeuvrability around the supports, finding are creating level ground on which they may be placed, and taking care not to dislodge the supports when removing the wall all still exist.

It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide a support apparatus that overcomes the problems associated with the aforementioned prior art.

It is another aim of the: present invention to provide a method of using a support apparatus that overcomes the problems associated with the aforementioned prior art.

It is another aim of the present invention to provide a method of manufacturing a support apparatus that overcomes the problems associated with the aforementioned prior art.

According- to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a support apparatus for use in supporting masonry construction, in use, said support apparatus including:

first and at least second support portions;

first and at least second spacer means, at least part of which are located between said support portions, providing or maintaining the same in a spaced relationship, and characterized in that said at least first and second spacer means are configurable and/or arranged such that the distance between the first and second support portions can be varied or selected, as required by a user in use.

As such, the distance or space between the support portions is configurable to provide a user selectable distance to accommodate a lintel or beam in use.

In one embodiment, said support portions may be provided as elongate members. Typically, said elongate members are provided as substantially rigid members. Further typically, said support portions are formed from a metal or metal alloy material.

Typically, the support members are linear members.

In one embodiment, said first and second support portions are provided to be substantially parallel with one another, in use.

In one embodiment, said at least first and second spacer means may be arranged to move the support portions relative to one another, adjusting or varying the distance between the support portions as required by a user in use.

In one embodiment, said first and second spacer means may be movable with respect to the first support portion, and arranged to move the second support portion relative to the first support portion.

In one embodiment, said first and at least second spacer means may be provided substantially parallel to one another, in use.

In one embodiment, said spacer means may be provided to be detachably attachable to the support portions.

In one embodiment, said spacer means are provided as elongate and/or linear members. Typically, said spacer means are provided substantially perpendicular to the support portions, in use.

In one embodiment, at least said first support portion is provided with a plurality of apertures located therethrough.

Preferably, each of said spacer means are located to extend through an aperture on the first support portion. Typically, each of said spacer means extends through an aperture of the first support portion and is attachable to the second support portion. Further typically, each of said spacer means are provided, in use, fixed relative to the second support portion and movable with respect, to the first support portion, thus varying the distance between the first and second support portions.

In one embodiment, said first and second support portions are arranged as lower and upper support portions, respectively. Typically, said support portions are arranged to be inserted into or located through a hole in a wall of a building or structure. Further typically, in use and in a spaced apart configuration, said support portions are arranged to receive and support a construction apparatus therebetween.

Thus, the present invention provides a novel and more convenient means by which to remove a wall portion or other masonry from a building or structure. In use, the apparatus of the present invention may be placed in or through slices or holes created in the wall. This may be achieved by firstly inserting the first support portion through the hole. On one side of the wall, a first spacer means may be attached to or located through the support portion and at least a second spacer mean is attached or located through the support portion on the opposing side of the wall. The second support portion may be placed on or over the spacer means and the apparatus may subsequently be adjusted to the required size, i.e., the spacer means can move the support portions apart such that they are flush with the ends of the slices or holes taken out of the wall. Several support apparatus may be provided, depending on the length of the wall portion that is to be removed. Once inserted, a construction apparatus in the form of a steel beam or RSJ may then be located with each support apparatus, resting on the first, lower support portion and positioned between the spacer means and the wall portion to be removed. Further portions of the wall may then be removed, creating; a gap or slice of a length which matches the RSJ. This can then be slid into the gap and the support apparatus subsequently removed, leaving the RSJ in place, and the wall portion below can then be safely removed with no obstacles in the way.

In one embodiment, at least a third spacer .means may be provided, at least part of which is located between said support portions. Typically, said third spacer means may be provided substantially parallel to the first and second spacer means, in use.

Typically, in use, the first spacer means may be located at or adjacent a first end of the support portions, the third spacer means may be located at a second, opposing end of the support portions, and the second spacer means may be located intermediate the first and third spacer means.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a third spacer means may be provided as part of the support apparatus, and will be located on the side from which the construction apparatus, or RSJ, is to be installed. In use, the support apparatus may be installed as described above, with first, and second spacer means located either side of the wall. The RSJ may then simply be lifted and inserted onto the first, lower support portion of each support apparatus present. At this stage, the RS] is blocked from movement into the eventual gap to be created in the wall by the second spacer means (the first spacer means being on the opposing side of the wall). The third spacer means may then be attached to the support portions as per the first two, effectively securing the RS] within the support apparatus and between the third and second spacer means. The second spacer means may then be removed, and the RSJ slid into the gap or slice in the wall once it has been created. The apparatus is then removed as above. In this embodiment, the RSJ can be more easily lifted and placed onto the support apparatus without having to be manoeuvred around any of the spacers, while maintaining the structural integrity, and hence overall safety of the support apparatus.

In one embodiment, one or more securing members are provided associated with each of said spacer means. Typically, said securing members are provided to secure said spacer means with the support portions.

In one embodiment at least first and second securing members are provided associated with each of said spacer means. Typically, said first securing member located with said first support portion, and said second securing member located with said second support portion.

In one embodiment, a first securing member is arranged to permit adjustment of the spacer means with respect to the first support portion.

In one embodiment, a second securing member is arranged to maintain a substantially fixed relationship between the spacer means and the second support portion.

In one embodiment, said spacer means may be provided as elongate members, at least part of which includes one or more threaded portions thereon. In one embodiment, said spacer means may be provided as an elongate threaded member.

In one embodiment, said securing members may include a substantially central aperture lo.cated therethrough. Typically, interior walls of said aperture may be threaded, and arranged to threadedly engage said spacer means. Further typically, said first securing member may be adjustable about the spacer means to enable the spacer to move with respect to the first support portion, and thus vary its distance with respect to the second support portion. In one embodiment, the securing members may be provided as nuts for threading and/or screwing onto said spacer means.

In another embodiment, said securing members may be provided substantially fixed with respect to the support portion at which they are located. Typically, said securing members include a base portion, extending across a width of the support portion. Further typically, said securing members include one or more lip members, extending from one or more ends of the base portion and adjacent one or both sides of the support portion.

In one embodiment, a first securing member includes a collar portion extending from a base portion and defining a channel therethrough. Typically, said channel includes interior walls, at least part of which may be threaded. Further typically, said collar portion is arranged to threadedly engage the spacer means.

In one embodiment, a second securing member includes a collar portion extending from a base portion. Typically, said base portion comprises a solid face and said collar portion defines a recess and/or closed channel therein. Preferably, said second securing member is arranged to act as a stop portion for the spacer means.

In one embodiment, each of said spacer means may include a handle member or gripping portion. Typically, said handle member or gripping portion is provided to permit user rotation and/or adjustment of the spacer means, in use. Consequently, such rotation and/or adjustment serves to vary and/or select the distance between the first and second support portions.

In one embodiment, said handle member or gripping portion may be provided to extend through a channel located at or adjacent an end of the spacer means. Typically, said channel is located at or adjacent a lower end of the spacer means.

In one embodiment, said handle member may be provided as an elongate member, extending through a channel located through the spacer means.

In one embodiment, said spacer means may be provided as extendable members. Typically, said spacer means may be provided as telescopically extending members. In another embodiment, said spacer means may be provided in the form of jack screw members.

In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a support apparatus for use in supporting masonry construction, in use, said method including: forming first and at least second support portions;

forming first and at least second spacer means, at least, part of which are provided to be located between said support portions, providing or maintaining the same in a spaced relationship, and characterized in that, said at least first and second spacer means are formed and/or configured to permit the distance between, the first and second support portions to be varied or selected as required by a user in use.

As such, the distance or space between the. support portions is configurable to provide a user selectable distance to accommodate a lintel or beam in use.

In one embodiment, said support portions may be provided as elongate members. Typically, said elongate members are provided as substantially rigid members. Further typically, said support portions are formed from a metal or metal alloy material.

In one embodiment, at least a third spacer means may be formed, at least part of which is provided to be located between said support portions.

In another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of using a support apparatus for use in supporting masonry construction, in use, said method including:

providing one or more support apparatus, or the component parts of one or more support apparatus as described above;

forming one or more holes or apertures in a wall of a building or structure;

locating the first support portion through the hole;

attaching first spacer means at or adjacent a first end of the first support portion;

attaching second spacer means to the first support portion, on an opposite side of the wall or hole in the wall;

locating said second support portion through the hole and attaching the same to the first and second spacer means; and characterized in that said at least first and second spacer means are adjusted to space the first and second support portions apart, substantially at opposing, upper and lower ends of the hole in which the support apparatus is located.

In one embodiment, the method further includes removing a slice or elongate portion of the wall in which the one or more support apparatus are located. Typically, said slice or portion is substantially horizontal, and has a width substantially the same or similar to the distance between the first and second support portions.

In one embodiment, the method further includes locating a construction apparatus, typically in the form of a steel/metal beam or RSJ, between the first and second support portions, and resting on the first, lower support portion. Typically, said construction apparatus is located between the second spacer means and the wall or slice/hole in the wall which has been created, and is subsequently moved into the slice/hole in the wall which has been created.

In another embodiment, the method includes locating the construction apparatus between the first and second support portions and between the second spacer means and second, opposing ends of the support portions. Typically, at least a third spacer means is attached to the support portions, at or adjacent, the second opposing ends thereof, such that the construction apparatus is located between the second and third spacer means.

In one embodiment, the method further includes removing the second spacer means, and subsequently moving the construction apparatus into the slice/hole in the wall which has been created.

The method then comprises removing the one or more apparatus from the wall of the building or structure, and subsequently removing a segment or portion of the wall, below the construction apparatus, that is require to be removed.

In one embodiment, one or more securing members are provided associated with each of said spacer means. Typically, said securing members are, provided to secure said spacer means with the support portions, and permit adjustment of the spacer means to vary the distance between the first and second support portions, as required by a user in use.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein:

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a support apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 2a — f illustrate a step by step construction of a support, apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 3a. — 1 illustrate the step by step insertion of a support apparatus and, subsequently, a construction apparatus into a wall of a building or structure, with views from either side of the wall, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

Figures 4a — f illustrate a cut-away section of a wall of a building or structure, and a step by step insertion of a construction apparatus using a support apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring firstly to Figure 1, there is shown a first embodiment of a support apparatus 1 according to the present invention. The apparatus 1 is shown in Figure 1 in its constructed form and includes a first, lower support bar 3 and a second, upper support bar 5. The support bars 3, 5 are provided to be rigid members and designed to support the load of a wall of the building or structure in which the. apparatus 1 is located. The bars 3, 5, therefore, are generally formed of a metal or metal, alloy, generally steel. The two support bars 3, 5 are provided parallel to each other in a spaced relationship, with at least first and second spacers in the form of first and second bolts 7, 9 located between the support bars 3, 5 and separating them. At least the first, and second bolts 7, 9 are provided, and are arranged to vary the distance between the first and second support bars 3, 5, as may be required by a user in use. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, and as illustrated in the figures, a third spacer in the form of a third bolt 11 is also provided. It will, however, be appreciated that the invention may function with only two spacers provided.

The bolts 7, 9, 11 are each provided to extend through one of a plurality of apertures 13 located in the lower support bar 3, and are thus movable with respect to the lower support bar 3. The bolts 7, 9, 11 may be threaded or have sections thereof which are threaded, in order to allow items to be screwed of threaded thereon. The spacing bolts 7, 9, 11 are provided to be fixed in relation to the upper support bar 5, This can be achieved in a number of ways. Firstly, rather than a series of apertures being provided as per the lower bar 3, a series of recesses may instead be provided on the underside of the bar 5, into which the ends of the bolts 7, 9, 11 may fit. In other embodiments, the apertures 1.3 may be present, but the bolts 7, 9, 11 are prevented, from extending through them via the provision of some securingnuts 15, which, can be threaded on and fixed in place. This results in the bolts 7, 9, 11 being provided to be in a fixed relationship with the upper support bar 5. Hence, adjustment or movement of the spacing bolts 7, 9, 11 with respect to the lower support bar 3 will result in the upper support bar 5 being moved either towards or away from the lower bar 3, as is required by a user. In one embodiment, of the invention, a set of adjusting nuts 17 may be provided on the bolts 7, 9, 11. These nuts 17 may be threaded on to the bolts 7, 9, 11 and located at or adjacent the lower support bar 3. The nuts are adjustable and can be rotated to move up or down the bolts 7, 9, 11 as required by a user to set the supports bars 3, 5 at the appropriate distance apart. Thus, when constructed, the support apparatus 1 comprises two parallel· support bars 3, 5, spaced apart by a first spacing bolt 7 at or adjacent a first end of the bars 3, 5, a third spacing; bolt 11 at or adjacent a second, opposing end of the bars 3, 5, and a second spacing bolt 9 located intermediate the first and third bolts 7, 11.

The present invention therefore provides a novel and more convenient means by which to remove a wall portion or other masonry from, a building or structure. In use, and as shown in Figures 3a — 1, the apparatus 1 of the present Invention may be placed in or through slices or holes 19 created in a wall 21 of a building or structure. This may be achieved by firstly inserting the first, lower support, bat 3 through the hole 19. On one side of the wall 21, the first spacing bolt 7 is attached to or located through the an aperture 13 in the lower support bar 3, and at least the second spacing bolt 9 is similarly attached on the opposing side of the wall 21. The second, upper support is then placed on or over the bolts 7, 9 and the apparatus 1 may subsequently be adjusted to the required size, i.e., the spacing bolts 7, 9 move the support bars 3, 5 apart such that they are flush with the ends of the slices or holes 19 taken out of the wall 21. Several support apparatus 1 may be provided, depending on the length of the wall portion that is to be removed from the wall 21 (see Figures 3a — f). Once inserted, a slice of the wall 21 is removed from the region in which the apparatus 1 are located, and a gap 23 is created and sized to receive a construction apparatus in the form of a steel beam or RSJ 25. The .RSJ 25 may then be located with each support apparatus 1, resting on the lower support bar 3 and positioned between adjacent the second spacing bolt 9. The third spacingbolt 11 may then be attached to the support bars 3, 5 at the second end, effectively securing the RSJ 25 between the second and third spacing bolts 9, 11 on the apparatus (Figures 3g — i). The second spacing bolt 9 is subsequently removed from the apparatus 1 and the RSJ 25 can then be slid along the lower support bar 3 and into the gap 23 in the wall 21. The apparatus 1 may then be fully removed from the wall 21 in which it was located, leaving the RSJ 25 resting on padstones 27 at. either end of the gap 23. The portion of wall below the gap 23 may then be removed without any obstruction, and the wall above is supported in. place by the installed RSJ 25 (Figures 3j -- 1). Figures 4a -- f illustrate a close-up and cut-away section of the wall 21 and a step by step installation of the RSJ 25, in line with the. steps shown in Figures 3g- .1.

In embodiments of the invention where only two spacing bolts 7, 9 are provided, the apparatus 1 may be insetted into the hole 19 in the wall 21 as per steps shown in Figures 3a — f. However, the second spacing bolt 9 would be located a greater distance from the wall 21 in order that, the RSJ 25 can be inserted onto the apparatus 1 between the wall 21 and the bolt 9. While the effect would ultimately be the same as providing three spacing bolts, this particular method, using only two spacing bolts can still provide difficulties as the second bolt 9 would provide an obstacle for the installation of the RSJ 25, although not impossible. It is a preferred embodiment of the present invention to provide a third spacing bolt 11 as described above because in this embodiment, the RSJ 25 can be more easily lifted and placed onto the support apparatus 1 without having to be manoeuvred around any of the spacing bolts, while maintaining the structural integrity, and hence overall safety of the support apparatus 1.

Referring now to Figures 2a -- f, a further embodiment, of the present invention is illustrated, and a step by step construction of the apparatus 1 is shown. The lower and upper support bars 3, 5 each have a series of apertures 13 located therein, although the apertures 13 on the upper bar are not necessarily required. This simply makes manufacture of the parts of the apparatus 1 more simple as only one type of support bar needs to be formed. The first and second spacing bolts 7, 9 are fed through the apertures 13 and include a threaded portion thereon. Once fed through the apertures 13, a lower securing member 29 is fed onto the bolts and threaded down. The securing member 29 is arranged to fit over the lower support bar 3 and allow the spacing bolts to be fed therethrough. The member 29 includes a base portion 31 which extends across a top side of the bar 3 and two lips 33 extending from opposing ends of the base portion 31 down the sides of the bar 3. In some embodiments, only one lip 33 may be provided. In a central part of the base 31, a collar 35 is provided which defines a channel through the securing member 29, and through which the spacing bolts may be fed. The interior walls of the channel are threaded, allowing the bolt to engage and feed through the securing member 29 in a screwthread arrangement. In order to make the feeding of the bolts through the securing members 29 easier, handle bars 37 ot other gripping means may be provided on the bolts 7, 9, 11, allowing a user to hold and subsequently screw the bolts 7, 9, 11 as required. The handle bars 37 may be provided to extend through a channel located at or adjacent an end of the spacing bolts 7, 9, 11, and preferably at a lower end of the bolts. The handle 37 shown as an elongate member but may also be provided as a hook or ting portion, or the like. A second, upper securing member 39 is provided, which is subsequently placed on a top end of the pacing bolts 7, 9, 11. The member 39 includes a base or plate portion 41 as per the first securing member 29, however, the base is solid and does not include an aperture for the bolt to extend through. Lip portions 43 extend from opposing sides of the base 41 to engage a bottom face of the upper support bar 5. A collar (not shown) is provided much in the same fashion as with the first securing member 29, and may also be threaded, ensuring it does not easily get. knocked off the top end of the bolts. However, as there is no aperture provided in the base 41, the collar defines a recess or a closedend channel, and acts as a stopper for the end of the bolt. The upper support bar 5 may then simply rest on top of the upper securing member 39, and the bolts 7, 9 may be rotated to increase the gap between the two support bars 3, 5, as required. Although the third spacing bolt 1 1 is not shown in Figures 2a — f, it will be appreciated that this can be attached as previously described in earlier embodiment, and the apparatus of Figures 2a -- f will be installed and function much in the same way as other embodiments. Other embodiments of the spacing bolts 7, 9, 11 are also envisioned, for example, the spacing bolts may be provided as telescopically extending- members, with adjustment means located in a substantially central portion of the members. In other embodiments of the invention, the spacing bolts 7, 9, 11 may be provided as jack screws, or similar.

One of the main benefits of the present invention is that the wall to be removed provides its own temporary support during the insertion of the beam. The apparatus 1 transfers the existing vertical loads from high level, through the apparatus and to a lower level of an existing wall 21. The arrangement has a redundancy in the supports that allows the temporary load path, as segments of the wall 21 are being removed, to move around the lateral insertion of the RS] 25. This is achieved by providing two horizontal support bars 3, 5 (upper and lower) and a minimum of two vertical supports — the spacing bolts 7, 9 -- but preferably three, including the third spacer 11. In this preferred embodiment, one of the spacing bolts 7, 9 may be removable. This facilitates the removal of a horizontal “slice” of wall for the new permanent support, i.e., the RSJ 25. The present invention is thus extremely beneficial in multi-storey buildings where the floor is suspended and does not have the capacity to support the loads from the wall.

Claims (20)

1. A support apparatus for use in supporting masonry construction, in use, said support apparatus including:

first and at least second support portions;

first and at least second spacer means, at least part of which are located between said support portions, providing or maintaining the same in a spaced relationship, and characterized in that said at least first and second spacer means are configurable and/or arranged such that the distance between the first and second support portions can be varied or selected, as required by a user in use.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein first and at leastsecond support portions are provided as substantially rigid, elongate members and to be substantially parallel with one another, in use.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said at least first and second spacer means are arranged to move the support portions relative to one another, adjusting or varying the distance between the support portions as required by a user in use.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first and second spacer means are movable with respect to the first support portion, and arranged to move the second support portion relative to the first support portion.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said spacer means are provided to be detachably attachable to the supportportions.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said spacer means are provided as elongate and/or linear members, substantially perpendicular to the support portions, in use.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least said first support portion is provided with a plurality of apertures 1 o c a t e d th er e thro u gh.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of said spacer means extends through an aperture of the first support portion and is attachable to the second support portion.

9. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of said spacer means are provided, in use, fixed relative to the second support portion and movable with respect to the first support portion.

10. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in use and in a spaced apart configuration, said support portions are arranged to 'receive and support a construction apparatus therebetween.

'

11. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus further includes third spacer means.

12. Apparatus according to claim 1'1, wherein the first spacer means is located at or adjacent a first end of the support portions, the third spacer means is located at a second, opposing end of the support portions, and the second spacer means is located intermediate the first and third spacer means.

13. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one or more securing members are provided associated with each of said spacer means to secure said spacer means with the support portions.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein a first securingmember is arranged to permit adjustment of the spacer means with respect to the first support portion and a second securing member is arranged to maintain a substantially fixed relationship between the spacer means and the second support portion.

15. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said spacer means are provided as elongate members, at least part of which includes one or more threaded portions thereon.

16. Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the securing members are provided as nuts for threading and/or screwing onto said spacer means.

17. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of said spacer means includes a handle member or gripping portion provided to permit user rotation and/or adjustment of the spacer means, in use.

18. Apparatus according to claim. 1, wherein said, spacer means are provided as extendable members.

19. A method of manufacturing a support apparatus for use in supporting masonry construction, in use, said method including:

forming first and at least second support portions;

forming first and at least second spacer means, at least part of which are provided to be located between said support portions, providing or maintaining the same in a spaced relationship, and characterized in that said at least first and second spacer means are formed and/or configured to permit the distance between the first and second support portions to be varied or selected as required by a user in use.

20. A method of using a support apparatus for use in supporting masonry construction, in use, said method including:

providing one or more support apparatus, or the component, parts of one or more, support apparatus as described above;

forming one or more holes or apertures in a wall of a building or structure;

locating the first support portion through the hole;

attaching first spacer means at or adjacent a first end of the first support portion;

attaching second spacer means to the first support portion, on an opposite side of the wall or hole in the wall;

locating said second support portion through the hole and attaching the same to the first and second spacer means; and characterized in that said at least first and second spacer means are adjusted to space the first and second support portions apart, substantially at opposing, upper and lower ends of the hole in which the support apparatus is located.