GB2583446A

GB2583446A - A material retention apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2583446A
Application number: GB1902108.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mcdermott Terry; King Ciara; Brolly Declan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-02-15
Filing date: 2019-02-15
Publication date: 2020-11-04
Anticipated expiration: 2039-02-15
Also published as: GB2583446B; GB201902108D0

Abstract

An apparatus 10 for retaining material 16 proximal a wall or other such surface 12 comprising: an anchor portion 11 fixably securable to the wall and a spanning member 13 having a first end 14 in engagement with the anchor portion. In use the spanning member extends from the anchor portion, to span the material. The apparatus comprises a movement restriction member 17 which, in use, depends from a second end 18 of the spanning member distal the first end, such that the material is locatable between the wall and the movement restriction member. At least a portion of the movement restriction member extends below at least a portion of the material. The material may be sheet like building or construction material such as plasterboard or drywall and may be retained by the apparatus in a stacked position lent against the wall. The apparatus may have an out of use position (fig. 4) in which the spanning member and restriction member are folded or hinged to a stowed location.

Description

A Material Retention Apparatus

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a material retention apparatus, and in particular to an apparatus for retaining material proximal a wall or other such surface.

Background of the invention

In environments such as construction sites it is commonplace that large amounts of materials and equipment are stored on site ready for use by building operatives. This material is often informally stored in stacks, piles, bales or the like whilst awaiting use in the construction process. Many of these materials take the form of sheets, boards, or planks and in the case of these planar materials the chosen method of storage is often stacking against a stable surface such as a wall. However, such a storage method may give rise to potential damage to the materials in question, or to injury of operatives. Construction sites are often fast paced environments and stacking is usually carried out without instruction or defined rules. If care is not taken when loading materials into a stack, particularly a stack which leans against a wall or other such surface, the stack may be unstable. One example of stacking which may give rise to instability is placement of the stack such that the angle of the stack relative to the wall is shallow. This shallow angle heightens the potential for the stack to fall away from the wall, damaging the material and/or injuring an operative. Moreover, should the stack be unstable and an operative attempts to retrieve a piece of material from the stack, this increases the likelihood that the stack may fall. Even stacks which are orientated at the correct angle may be unstable due to the stacking of materials of non-uniform size, or where the base of the stack sits on uneven ground or has debris or the like thereunder. However, even stable stacks can cause injury or damage where operatives are not careful when removing a piece of material therefrom. It is also the case that the multitude of heavy machinery present on construction sites could easily contact stacked material and cause an instability in the stack, or a collapse of the stack.

It is the object of the present invention to provide for a secure apparatus and method of stacking materials proximal a wall or other such surface.

Summary of the invention

According to the invention there is provided an apparatus for retaining material proximal a wall or other such surface comprising: an anchor portion fixably securable to a wall or other such surface; a spanning member having a first end in engagement with the anchor portion, the spanning member extending from the anchor portion, in use, to span the material or a portion thereof; and a movement restriction member which, in use, depends from a second end of the spanning member distal the first end, wherein the material or a portion thereof is locatable between the wall or other such surface and the movement restriction member, and at least a portion of the movement restriction member is configured to extend below at least a portion of the material.

Advantageously, material stored against a wall or other such surface in an otherwise unsecured 5 manner may be prevented from falling and causing a hazard.

Ideally, the movement restriction member contacts or is contactable by at least a portion of the material.

Ideally, the movement restriction member is contactable by at least a portion of the material should the material move in a direction away from the wall or other such surface.

Preferably, the movement restriction member, in use, depends downwards from the spanning member.

Preferably, at least an upper portion of the material is locatable between the wall or other such surface and the movement restriction member.

Ideally, at least a portion of the movement restriction member extends below an upper portion of the 20 material.

Preferably, the material or a portion thereof is locatable beneath the spanning member.

Ideally, in use, the material leans or is otherwise stored against the wall or other such surface in an 25 unsecured manner.

Preferably, the apparatus is configured to prevent the material from falling in a direction away from the wall or other such surface.

Ideally, the spanning member is securable to the anchor portion via a movable connection.

Preferably, the movable connection is a pivotable or hinged connection which allows for rotation of the spanning member.

Preferably, the spanning member has an out of use position, wherein it extends generally parallel to the wall or other such surface.

Ideally, the spanning member has an in use position wherein the spanning member extends generally perpendicular to or oblique to the wall or other such surface.

Preferably, the spanning member is movable between the out of use and in use positions.

Ideally, the movable connection allows for rotation of the spanning member between the out of use position to the in use position.

Preferably, the movable connection allows for rotation of the spanning member upwards from the out of use position wherein it downwardly depends from the anchor portion and extends generally along the wall or other such surface, to the in use position.

Ideally, the spanning member is held in the in use position by the presence of the material to be 10 retained.

Ideally, the movable connection may comprise a retardation means such that upon release from a raised position the spanning member descends at a retarded rate under the influence of the retardation means.

Advantageously, should the spanning member be raised to add or remove material, the spanning member will drop slowly upon release such that injury may be avoided.

Ideally, the spanning member comprises a restriction means configured to selectably retain the 20 spanning member at a position above the in use position.

Preferably, the restriction means is a chain or other such fixed length component which extends between the anchor portion and the spanning member such that the spanning member is suspended at a raised position, above the in use position, by the restriction means.

Alternatively, the restriction means extends between the wall or other such surface and the spanning member.

Advantageously, the spanning member may be held in the raised position such that material may be 30 removed or added thereunder.

Alternatively, the restriction means may be a mechanical or other such restriction means integral of the movable connection between the spanning member and the anchor portion such that relative movement therebetween is fixable at one or more positions.

Ideally, in the out of use position, the spanning member extends generally parallel to the wall and generally downwards from the anchor portion.

Ideally, the spanning member is raised from the out of use position to the in use position.

Preferably, the spanning member is an adjustable spanning member which is extendable or

retractable.

Preferably, the spanning member is extendable or retractable in a longitudinal direction.

Ideally, the spanning member is extendible such that it may be configured to extend a distance from the wall or other such surface sufficient to span at least a portion of the material to be retained.

Preferably, the spanning member comprises first and second sections.

Ideally, the first and second sections of the spanning member are in slidable engagement with eachother.

Preferably, one or both of the sections of the spanning member comprise an elongate slot which 15 extends generally longitudinally along the respective section.

Ideally, a fixing means is engageable through the elongate slots of the sections of the spanning member.

Alternatively, only one of the sections of the spanning member has an elongate slot, the other section of the spanning member having a bore formed therethrough.

Preferably, the fixing means is engageable through the elongate slot of one section of the spanning member and through the bore of the other section of the spanning member.

Preferably, the fixing means may be loosened to allow relative sliding movement between the sections of the spanning member, or tightened to secure the sections of the spanning member together at a desired position.

Advantageously, the sections of the spanning member may be secured together at a position which provides a required overall length of the spanning member.

Alternatively, the spanning member may be extendable by telescopic means, or any other such means commonly employed to provide extendable members.

Ideally, the movement restriction member is movably mounted to the spanning member.

Preferably, the movement restriction member and the spanning member have a hinged or pivotable connection therebetween.

Preferably, the movement restriction member has an out of use position, wherein it extends generally parallel to the spanning member.

Ideally, the movement restriction member has an in use position, wherein it extends generally 5 perpendicular or oblique to the spanning member.

Preferably, the movement restriction member is movable between the out of use position and the in use position.

Ideally, during use, the material leans against the wall in an oblique fashion such that at least a portion of the material contacts the wall proximal an upper end of the material.

Preferably, the movement restriction member is configured, in use, to contact or be contactable by at least the upper end of the material.

Ideally, the movement restriction member is configured, in use, to contact at least the upper end of the material should the material move in a direction away from the wall or other such surface.

Ideally, the material comprises a plurality of material portions suitable for leaning against a wall or 20 other such surface in a generally stacked arrangement.

Preferably, the movement restriction member is configured to depend from the spanning member a distance such that at least a portion of the movement restriction member extends below at least a portion of an outermost portion of the plurality of material portions, the outermost portion being the 25 portion of material locatable distal the wall or other such surface.

Ideally, the movement restriction member is configured to contact or be contactable by at least an outermost portion of the plurality of material portions, the outermost portion being the portion of material locatable distal the wall or other such surface.

Preferably, the movement restriction member is configured to contact at least an outermost portion of the plurality of material portions, should one or more of the material portions move in a direction away from the wall or other such structure, the outermost portion being the portion of material locatable distal the wall or other such surface.

Preferably, the movement restriction member is an adjustable member which is extendable or retractable.

Ideally, the movement restriction member is extendable or retractable in a longitudinal direction.

Preferably, in use, the movement restriction member may extend a distance from the spanning member sufficient to contact or be contactable by the material.

Ideally, the movement restriction member may extend a distance from the spanning member such 5 that at least a portion of the movement restriction member extends below at least a portion of the material.

Preferably, the movement restriction member comprises first and second sections.

Ideally, the first and second sections of the movement restriction member are in slidable engagement with eachother.

Preferably, one or both of the sections of the movement restriction member comprise an elongate slot which extends generally longitudinally along the respective section.

Ideally, a fixing means is engageable through the elongate slots of the sections of the movement restriction member.

Alternatively, only one of the sections of the movement restriction member has an elongate slot, the 20 other section of the movement restriction member having a bore formed therethrough.

Preferably, the fixing means is engageable through the elongate slot of one section of the movement restriction member and through the bore of the other section of the movement restriction member.

Preferably, the fixing means may be loosened to allow relative sliding movement between the sections of the movement restriction member, or tightened to secure the sections of the movement restriction member together at a desired position.

Advantageously, the sections of the movement restriction member may be secured together at a 30 position which provides a required overall length of the movement restriction member.

Further advantageously, the movement restriction member may be extended to account for material of differing heights.

Further advantageously, if the outer portion of a plurality of material portions is shorter than the remaining material portions, the movement restriction member may be extended such that at least a portion thereof extends below at least a portion of the outer portion of material.

Alternatively, the movement restriction member may be extendable by telescopic means, or any 40 other such means commonly employed to provide extendable members.

Ideally, the movement restriction member has a material contact element locatable on an inner surface thereof, the inner surface being the surface facing the material when the movement restriction member is in the in use position.

Preferably, the material contact element is formed from rubber or other such suitable soft material such that the material is not damaged upon contact.

Preferably, the material is construction material such as but not limited to sheet material, boards, or planks.

Most preferably, the material is sheets of plasterboard/drywall, boards of wood such as plywood, or portions of sheet metal.

Ideally, the wall or other such surface may be a post or any surface which is capable of supporting 15 material by leaning the material thereon and suitable for mounting the anchor portion thereon.

Preferably, the wall or other such surface is a surface which is generally vertical, or extends in a direction having a significant vertical component.

Preferably, the anchor portion is bolted or screwed to the wall or other such surface.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method for retaining material proximal a wall or other such surface comprising the steps of: raising a spanning member from an out of use position generally parallel to the wall or other such surface to an in use position wherein the spanning member is perpendicular or oblique in relation to the wall or other such surface and spans the material to be retained, the spanning member comprising a movement restriction member; positioning the movement restriction member such that it depends from the spanning member; and locating the movement restriction member such that the material is locatable between the movement restriction member and the wall or other such surface, and at least a portion of the movement restriction member extends below at least a portion of the material.

Preferably, the method further comprising the initial step of securing the spanning member to the wall or other such surface via an anchor portion, the spanning member being movably connectable to the anchor portion.

Ideally, the method further comprising the step of raising the spanning member to a position higher than the in use position such that material may be located beneath the raised spanning member.

Ideally, the method further comprising the step of extending the spanning member longitudinally.

Preferably, the method further comprising the step of extending the movement restriction member longitudinally.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method of manufacturing an apparatus for retaining material proximal a wall or other such surface comprising the steps of: forming an anchor portion with means for securing the anchor portion to a wall and means for movably connecting the anchor portion to a spanning member; forming a spanning member from one or more sections and forming a movement restriction member from one or more sections; movably connecting a first end of the spanning member to the anchor portion; and movably connecting the movement restriction member to a second end of the spanning member distal the first end.

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1 is a side sectional view of a apparatus for retaining material proximal a wall or other such 15 surface showing spanning member and movement restriction member elements in in use positions, and in intermediate positions between in use and out of use positions; Figure 2 is a side view of the apparatus for retaining material proximal a wall or other such surface in use retaining material; Figure 3 is a front view of the apparatus for retaining material proximal a wall or other such surface showing the apparatus in an out of use configuration; Figure 4 is a side sectional view of the apparatus for retaining material proximal a wall or other such 25 surface showing the apparatus in an out of use configuration; Figure 5 is a perspective view of an apparatus for retaining material proximal a wall or other such surface showing the apparatus from a rear side and with a spanning member rotated upwards into an out of use position and spanning members sections which form the spanning member retracted; Figure 6 is a perspective view of the apparatus of figure 5 showing the apparatus from a front side; Figure 7 is a perspective view of an apparatus for retaining material proximal a wall or other such surface showing the apparatus from a front side and with a spanning member rotated downwards 35 into an in-use position, and spanning members sections which form the spanning member retracted; and Figure 8 is a perspective view of the apparatus of figure 7 showing the apparatus from a front side and with a spanning member rotated downwards into an in-use position, and spanning members 40 sections which form the spanning member extended.

Detailed Description of the drawings

The present teaching will now be described with reference to an exemplary apparatus for retaining material proximal a wall or other such surface. It will be understood that the exemplary apparatus for retaining material proximal a wall or other such surface is provided to assist in an understanding of the present teaching and are not to be construed as limiting in any fashion. Furthermore, elements or components that are described with reference to any one Figure may be interchanged with those of other Figures or other equivalent elements without departing from the spirit of the present teaching.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings, there is illustrated apparatus 10 for retaining material proximal a wall 12. The apparatus comprises an anchor portion 11 fixably secured to a wall 12 and a spanning member 13 having a first end 14 in movable engagement with the anchor portion 11 via a pivotable coupling 15. The spanning member 13 extends from the anchor portion 11, in use, to span the material 16 or a portion thereof. A movement restriction member 17 depends, in use, downwards from a second end 18 of the spanning member distal the first end 14. The material 16 is locatable between the wall and the movement restriction member 17 and below the spanning member 13, as is best viewed in Fig. 2. At least a portion of the movement restriction member 17 extends below at least a portion of the material 16 such that the movement restriction member 17 may prevent movement of the material 16 away from the wall 12. Whilst the material 16 may be slanted to lean against the wall 12 and as such the bottom portion of the material extends beyond the movement restriction member 17, the movement restriction member 17 is positioned such that at least the upper portion of material is between the wall 12 and the movement restriction member 17. The movement restriction member 17 resultantly contacts at least a portion of the material 16 should the material 16 move in a direction away from the wall 12. Material 16 stored against a wall 12 in an unsecured manner may therefore be prevented from falling and causing a hazard and/or damage to the material 16.

The spanning member 13 is secured to the anchor portion via the pivotable coupling 15 which allows for rotation of the spanning member 13. The spanning member 13 has an out of use position, best viewed in Figs. 3 and 4, wherein it extends generally downwards and generally parallel to the wall 12. The spanning member 13 also has an in use position, best viewed in Figs. 1 and 2, wherein the spanning member 13 extends generally perpendicular to or oblique to the wall 12. The spanning member 13 may be held in the in use position by the presence of the material 16 to be retained. The spanning member 13 is movable between the out of use and in use positions by rotating the spanning portion 13 upwards about the pivotable coupling 15. In certain embodiments, the pivotable coupling 15 may comprise a retardation element 18 such that upon release from a raised position the spanning member descends at a retarded rate under the influence of the retardation element. Should the spanning member 13 be raised to add or remove material 16, the spanning member 13 will drop slowly upon release such that additional time is provided to place the material 16 and move clear of the spanning member 13. Therefore injury may be avoided by contact from a free falling spanning member 13. The retardation element 18 may take the form of any generally known retardation or slow close mechanism as would be known to a person skilled in the art. The spanning member 13 also comprises a restriction element 19 configured to selectably retain the spanning member 13 at a position above the in use position. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the restriction means is a chain 19 of fixed length which extends between and is attachable to both the anchor portion 11 and the spanning member 13 such that the spanning member 13 is suspended in a raised position above the in use position by the restriction member. The spanning member 13 may be held in the raised position such that material 16 may be removed or added thereunder without the requirement to manually hold the spanning member 13 in a raised position, or repeatedly raise the spanning member 13 to facilitate addition of material 16. The chain 19 may be removably hooked onto attachment points 20, 21, on both the spanning member 13 and the anchor portion 11, or may be fixedly attached to one of these attachment points 20, 21. It would be readily understood by a person skilled in the art that the chain 19 could extend between the spanning portion 13 and any proximal fixed surface relative thereto, for example the wall 12. In an alternative the restriction element may be a mechanical or other such restriction element integral of the pilotable coupling 15 between the spanning member and the anchor portion such that relative movement therebetween is fixable at one or more positions. For example, the restriction element could take the form of a pin which, when inserted into a corresponding bore formed in the pivotable coupling 15 extends therethrough and restricts rotation of the spanning member 13 thereabout.

The spanning member 13 is adjustable such that it is extendable or retractable in a longitudinal direction. The spanning member 13 may therefore be configured to extend a distance from the wall 12 sufficient to span at least a portion of the material 16 to be retained. The spanning member comprises first and second sections 22, 23 which are in slidable engagement with eachother. One of the sections 22 of the spanning member 13 comprises an elongate slot 24 which extends generally longitudinally along the section 22. The other section 23 of the spanning member 13 comprises a bore 25 formed therein which is alignable with the slot 24 when the two sections 22, 23 of the spanning member 13 are arranged in slidable engagement with eachother. A fixing bolt 26 is engageable through the elongate slot 24 of one section 22 of the spanning member and through the bore 25 of the other section 23 of the spanning member. The fixing bolt 26 may be loosened to allow relative sliding movement between the sections 22, 23 of the spanning member 13, or tightened to secure the sections 22, 23 of the spanning member 13 together at a desired position. The sections 22, 23 of the spanning member 13 may be secured together at a position which provides a required overall length of the spanning member 13 given the dimensions of the material 16 to be retained. In some embodiments, both sections 22, 23 of the spanning member have elongate slots and the fixing bolt 26 is engageable through the elongate slots of the sections 22, 23 of the spanning member 13. In some embodiments, the spanning member 13 may a telescopic spanning member, or may be extendable and retractable by other such means commonly employed to provide extendable members.

The movement restriction member 17 is movably mounted to the spanning member 13 via a hinged connection 27. The movement restriction member 17 has an out of use position, best viewed in Fig. 4, wherein it extends generally parallel to the spanning member 13. When both the spanning member 13 and movement restriction member 17 are in the out of use position, the apparatus 10 exhibits a conveniently low profile as it sits substantially against the wall 12. Thus, when not in use, the apparatus 10 does not cause a hazard or impediment. The movement restriction member 17 also has an in use position, best viewed in Figs. 1 and 2, wherein it extends generally perpendicular or oblique to the spanning member 13. The movement restriction member 17 is movable between the out of use position and the in use position by rotating the movement restriction member 17 about the hinged connection 27. During typical use, the material 16 leans against the wall 12 in an oblique fashion such that at least portion of the material 28 contacts the wall proximal an upper end 29 of the 10 material 16. The movement restriction member 17 is configured, in use, to contact at least the outer portion 30 of the upper end 29 of the material.

In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the material 16 comprises a plurality of sheet material portions which may be, for example, plasterboard/drywall sheets, or sheets/boards of wooden material. The movement restriction member 17 is configured to depend from the spanning member 13 a distance such that at least a portion of the movement restriction member 17 extends below at least a portion of an outermost portion 31 of the plurality of material portions 16, the outermost portion being the portion of material locatable distal the wall 12. The movement restriction member 17 is configured to contact at least this outermost portion 30 of the plurality of material portions 16.

The movement restriction member 17 is an adjustable member which is extendable or retractable in a longitudinal direction and is extendable a distance from the spanning member 13 sufficient to contact the material 16. The movement restriction member 17 extends such that at least a portion thereof extends below at least a portion of the material 16. The movement restriction member 17 may be extendable and retractable by telescopic means, or any other such means commonly employed to provide extendable members. The extendable and retractable nature of the movement restriction member 17 may be facilitated in a similar manner to that described for the spanning member 13. In this case the movement restriction member 17 comprises first and second sections which are in slidable engagement with each other. A first section of the movement restriction member 17 comprises an elongate slot which extends generally longitudinally along the first section. A second section of the movement restriction member 17 comprises a bore formed therein which is alignable with the slot when the two sections of the movement restriction member 17 are arranged in slidable engagement with each other. A fixing bolt is engageable through the elongate slot of the first section of the movement restriction member 17 and through the bore of the second section of the movement restriction member 17. The fixing bolt may be loosened to allow relative sliding movement between the sections of the movement restriction member 17 or tightened to secure the sections of the movement restriction member 17 together at a desired position. The sections of the movement restriction member 17 may be secured together at a position which provides a required overall length of the movement restriction member 17 given the dimensions of the material 16 to be retained. In some embodiments, both first and second sections of the movement restriction member 17 have elongate slots and the fixing bolt is engageable through the elongate slots of the sections of the movement restriction member 17. The movement restriction member 17 may be extended to account for material 16 of differing heights. In addition if the outer portion 31 of a plurality of material portions 16 is shorter than the remaining material portions, the movement restriction member 17 may be extended such that at least a portion thereof extends below the outer portion of material 31.

The movement restriction member 17 has a material contact element 32 locatable on an inner surface 33 thereof, the inner surface facing the material 16 when the movement restriction member 17 is in the in use position. The material contact element 32 is formed from rubber or other such suitable soft material such that the material 16 is not damaged upon contact.

The anchor portion 11 is screwed to the wall 12 using screws 34. It should be understood that, while the detailed description refers to a wall, the apparatus may be equally fixed to a post, pillar, or any other structure which maintains sufficient stability to lean the material against, and is suitable for mounting the anchor portion 11 thereon.

In use, a method for retaining material 16 proximal a wall 12 is provided comprising the steps of: securing a spanning member 13 to the wall 12 via an anchor portion 11, the spanning member 13 being movably connectable to the anchor portion 11. Raising a spanning member 13 from an out of use position, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, generally parallel to the wall 12 to an in use position, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 wherein the spanning member 13 is perpendicular or oblique in relation to the wall 12 and spans the material 16 to be retained. The method optionally comprising raising the spanning member 13 to a position higher than the in use position such that material 16 may be located beneath the raised spanning member 13. The spanning member 13 comprises a movement restriction member 17 which is movably connected thereto, the method further comprising the step of positioning the movement restriction member 17 such that it depends from the spanning member 13, and locating the movement restriction member 17 such that the material 16 is locatable between the movement restriction member 17 and the wall 12, and at least a portion of the movement restriction member 17 extends below at least a portion of the material 16. Optionally, if required, the method further comprising the step of extending the spanning member 13 longitudinally. Optionally, if required, the method further comprising the step of extending the movement restriction member 17 longitudinally.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method of manufacturing an apparatus 10 for retaining material proximal a wall or other such surface comprising the steps of: forming an anchor portion 11 with bores formed therein for securing the anchor portion 11 to a wall 12 with screws, and a pivotal connector 15 connecting the anchor portion 11 to a spanning member 13. Forming the spanning member 13 from one or more sections 22, 23 and forming a movement restriction member 17 from one or more sections. The method further comprising movably connecting the movement restriction member 17 to a second end 18 of the spanning member distal a first end 14.

As can be best seen in figures 5 to 8, the apparatus may be made with 4 main components, the anchor portion 11, spanning member sections 22, 23, and movement restriction member 17. The anchor portion 11 is connected to a first spanning member section 22 via the pivotal connector 15 such that the spanning member section 22, and associated spanning member section 23 and movement restriction member 17, may be rotated into a raised position.

Preferably, spanning members 22, 23 are can be extended to approximately 600mm due to the slidable engagement therebetween as described above. This allows for a significant amount of material to be retained by the apparatus. Optionally, there is a removable rubber member (not shown) on the bottom face 35 of one or both spanning members 22 to allow protection for fragile materials such as glass or the like. Similarly, a removable rubber member (not shown) may also be provided on the movement restriction member 17 to support such fragile materials. The removable rubber members may take the form of rubber sleeves.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment(s) described herein but can be amended or modified without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

Claims 1. An apparatus for retaining material proximal a wall or other such surface comprising: an anchor portion fixably securable to a wall or other such surface; a spanning member having a first end in engagement with the anchor portion, the spanning member extending from the anchor portion, in use, to span the material or a portion thereof; and a movement restriction member which, in use, depends from a second end of the spanning member distal the first end, wherein the material or a portion thereof is locatable between the wall or other such surface and the movement restriction member, and at least a portion of the movement restriction member is configured to extend below at least a portion of the material.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the movement restriction member is contactable by at least a portion of the material.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the movement restriction member, in use, depends downwards from the spanning member such that the material or a portion thereof is locatable between the wall or other such surface and the movement restriction member, and beneath the spanning member.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, in use, the material leans or is otherwise stored against the wall or other such surface in an unsecured manner, and the apparatus is configured to prevent the material from falling in a direction away from the wall or other such surface.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the spanning member is securable to the anchor portion via a movable connection such that the spanning member is movable from an out of use position, wherein it extends generally parallel to the wall or other such surface, to an in use position wherein the spanning member extends generally perpendicular to or oblique to the wall or other such surface.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the spanning member comprises a restriction means configured to selectably retain the spanning member in the in use position or in a raised position above the in use position.
7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein in the out of use position, the spanning member extends generally parallel to the wall and generally downwards from the anchor portion.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the spanning member is raised from the out of use position to the in use position.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the spanning member is an adjustable spanning member which is extendable or retractable in a longitudinal direction such that it may be configured to extend a distance from the wall or other such surface sufficient to span at least a portion of the material to be retained.
10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the movement restriction member is movably mounted to the spanning member such that the movement restriction member may be moved from an out of use position, wherein it extends generally parallel to the spanning member, to an in use position, wherein it extends generally perpendicular or oblique to the spanning member.
11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the material leans against the wall in an oblique fashion such that at least portion of the material contacts the wall proximal an upper end of the material, the movement restriction member being configured, in use, to be contactable by at least a portion of the upper end of the material.
12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the material comprises a plurality of material portions suitable for leaning against a wall or other such surface in a generally stacked arrangement.
13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the movement restriction member is configured to depend from the spanning member a distance such that at least a portion of the movement restriction member extends below at least a portion of an outermost portion of the plurality of material portions, the outermost portion being the portion of material locatable distal the wall or other such surface.
14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the movement restriction member is configured to be contactable by at least an outermost portion of the plurality of material portions, the outermost portion being the portion of material locatable distal the wall or other such surface.
15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the movement restriction member is an adjustable member which is extendable or retractable in a longitudinal direction such that, in use, it may extend a distance from the spanning member sufficient to be contactable by the material.
16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the material is construction material such as but not limited to sheet material, boards, or planks.
17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the material is sheets of plasterboard/drywall, boards of wood such as plywood, or sheet metal.
18. A method for retaining material proximal a wall or other such surface comprising the steps of: raising a spanning member from an out of use position generally parallel to the wall or other such surface to an in use position wherein the spanning member is perpendicular or oblique in relation to the wall or other such surface and spans the material to be retained, the spanning member comprising a movement restriction member; positioning the movement restriction member such that it depends from the spanning member; and locating the movement restriction member such that the material is locatable between the movement restriction member and the wall or other such surface, and at least a portion of the movement restriction member extends below at least a portion of the material.
19. The method of claim 18, further comprising the initial step of securing the spanning member to the wall or other such surface via an anchor portion, the spanning member being movably connectable to the anchor portion.
20. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of raising the spanning member to a position higher than the in use position such that material may be located beneath the raised spanning member.
21. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of extending the spanning member longitudinally.
22. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of extending the movement restriction member longitudinally.