WO2021113918A1

WO2021113918A1 - A shoring prop and connectors

Info

Publication number: WO2021113918A1
Application number: PCT/AU2020/051355
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sudhir RAINA; Amin HEIDARPOUR; Esmaeil Pournamazian NAJAFABADI
Original assignee: Coates Hire Operations Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2019-12-10
Filing date: 2020-12-10
Publication date: 2021-06-17
Also published as: AU2020402350B2; AU2020402350A1; NZ790065A

Abstract

A hybrid material construction support module having axial strength elements of high strength, connected together with lateral supports of high ductility. A construction support module including: a plurality of elongate posts for supporting a structural element; a plurality of elongate connecting links mounted to, and spaced along, the elongate posts and extending between at least adjacent ones of the plurality of elongate posts, wherein the plurality of elongate posts are a high strength material, and the links are a material of strength lower than the elongate post material; some embodiments of the links also having higher ductility.

Description

A SHORING PROP AND CONNECTORS

Technical Field

1. The present technology relates generally to support modules and connectors for use during construction of structures.

Background

2. The construction of structures often requires support of sub-structures during one or more construction phases, so that they are located in a selected position in which they are to ultimately be fixed. The sub-structure supports are usually re moved from their support position, once construction is complete, so as to be used to support the construction of other structures.

3. Known sub-structure supports are heavy and cumbersome, as well as having strength limitations. This leads to increased project costs because of extended support installation times, and more expense because many supports are required to be installed. In a worst-case scenario, an inadequately-supported sub-structure can fall due to weak supports, causing injury or death to construction workers.

4. For practical reasons, supports can only be made of certain length, so it is often required to connect two supports together end to end. Known connectors are un suitable.

5. The present invention seeks to ameliorate one or more of the above mentioned disadvantages, and/or a new support module and/or support elements.

Summary

Shoring prop module

6. Broadly, the present technology provides a hybrid material construction support having axial strength elements of high strength, connected together with lateral supports of lower strength and/or higher ductility. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a con struction support module including: a plurality of elongate posts for supporting a structural element; a plurality of elongate connecting links mounted to, and spaced along, the elongate posts and extending between at least adjacent ones of the plurality of elongate posts, wherein the plurality of elongate posts are a high strength material, and the elongate connecting links are a material of strength lower than the elongate post material. The arrangement may be such that the elongate connecting links are of a material of higher ductility than that of the elongate posts.

Elongate connecting links In one embodiment, the elongate connecting links extend directly between adja cent elongate posts. In one embodiment, the elongate connecting links extend between adjacent elon gate posts at an acute angle to the elongate post. In one embodiment, the elongate connecting links extend between adjacent elon gate posts at an angle of between 50 and 70 degrees from the elongate post. In one embodiment, the elongate connecting links extend between adjacent elon gate posts at an angle of 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85 or 90 (direct ly across to adjacent elongate post. In one embodiment, the elongate connecting links extend between adjacent elon gate posts at alternating angles. In one embodiment, the elongate connecting links extend between adjacent elon gate posts so as to form a truss-like module. In one embodiment, the elongate connecting links extend between adjacent elon gate posts, at staggered positive and negative angles to the elongate posts. In one embodiment, the elongate connecting links are SHS. In one embodiment, the elongate connecting links are CHS, or RHS, or channel, or angle, or I-beam, or circular-section bar, or square bar, or flat or rectangular bar. In one embodiment, the elongate connecting links are mild steel. In one embodiment, the elongate connecting links are aluminium. In one embodiment, the elongate connecting links are suitable alloys of aluminium or mild steel. 20. In one embodiment, the elongate connecting links are formed from composite ma terial, such as for example GRP, carbon fibre.

21. In one embodiment, the elongate connecting links are permanently connected to the elongate posts by welding.

22. In one embodiment, the elongate connecting links are removably or permanently connected to the elongate posts by fasteners including bolts, keyways, quick re lease mechanism, screws, and/or rivets.

Elongate posts

23. In one embodiment, there are two elongate posts provided.

24. In one embodiment there are three elongate posts provided.

25. In one embodiment there are four elongate posts provided.

26. In one embodiment there are five, six, seven, eight, nine or ten elongate posts pro vided.

27. In one embodiment there are four elongate posts provided so as to provide a square footprint.

28. In one embodiment there are four elongate posts provided so as to provide a rec tangular footprint.

29. In one embodiment the elongate posts are High Strength Steel (HSS) or Ultra High Strength Steel (UHSS).

30. In one embodiment the elongate posts are Aluminium.

31. In one embodiment the elongate posts are a suitable composite material including carbon fibre or GRP or fibreglass.

32. In one embodiment there is provided a cuff or reinforcing sleeve to reinforce se lected areas of the elongate post.

End to end shoring prop connector

33. Broadly, the present technology provides a quick connector for end to end connec tion of structural support posts, including a key and a receiver disposed on coop erating post ends, with a keeper passing at least partially through the key and the receiver. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a quick connector assembly for end to end connection of a structural support post, the quick connector arrangement including: a key mounted on one end of a first structural support post; a cooperating receiver mounted on a cooperating end of another structural support post; a cuff for receiving the one end of the first end of the first structural support post, or the cooperating end of the other structural support post, the cuff mounted on the first structural support post or the other structural support post. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided a quick connector element for end to end connection of a structural support post, the quick connector element including: a key receiver for mounting on an end of an elongate structural support post; a lock for locking a cooperating key in the key receiver. In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention there is provided a quick connector assembly for end to end connection of a structural support post, the quick connector assembly including: a key for mounting on one end of a first structural support post; a cooperating key receiver for mounting on an end of a second elongate structural support post; a lock for locking the key in the cooperating key receiver. In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a quick connector assembly for end to end connection of a structural support post, the quick connector assembly including: a cuff for mounting on a first structural support post, the cuff including one of a key or a keyway mounted thereon; the other of a key or a keyway for mounting on a second elongate structural support post; a lock for locking the key in the cooperating key receiver. In one embodiment the cuff is a clamping body, which may be hinged or otherwise closable. In one embodiment the cuff at least partially encircles the end of the elongate structural support post. In one embodiment the cuff is welded to the end of the elongate structural support post. In one embodiment the cuff is a sleeve. In one embodiment the cuff is about 200mm long. In one embodiment the cuff is about 100mm, 125mm, 150mm, 175mm, 225mm,

250mm, 275mm, 300mm, 325mm, 350mm, 375mm, or about 400mm long. In one embodiment the key is a fin for simplicity of manufacture. In one embodiment the fin is a plate for simplicity of manufacture. In one embodiment the plate is rectangular and is configured to extend from a side wall of the elongate post about 10mm, 15mm, 20mm, 25mm, or 30mm and extending therealong by about 50mm, 55mm, 60mm, 65mm, 70mm, 75mm,

80mm, 85mm, 90mm, 95mm or about 100mm. In one embodiment the key includes a fillet at one end for reduction of stress in the fin. In one embodiment the key receiver includes a pair of spaced apart flanges to re ceive a key between the opposed inner walls of the flanges. In one embodiment the lock includes a keeper to keep the key and receiver to gether. In one embodiment the keeper is configured to extend through the key and receiv er to keep them together. In one embodiment the keeper is a pin configured to pass through cooperating apertures in the key and key receiver. In one embodiment two pins are provided, connected by a crossbar, for extra re taining strength. In one embodiment there is a catch provided to catch the keeper and hold it in a keeping position. In one embodiment the catch is in the form of a clip for receiving the crossbar. In one embodiment the clip includes flexible arms which are configured to be pushed out of the way by the keeper being pushed home into the keeping position. In one embodiment the catch is mounted on the key receiver. Multi-axis junction

57. In accordance with a yet further aspect of the present invention there is provided a multi-axis junction for connecting cooperating ends of construction support assem blies, including: a plurality of quick connectors for elongate posts as described above, the quick connectors facing in at least two orthogonal directions; the plurality of quick connectors connected to one another by a batten ex tending therebetween.

58. In accordance with a still additional aspect of the present invention there is provid ed a multi-axial junction for connecting cooperating ends of construction support assemblies, including: a main body including a plurality of elongate structural posts including a batten extending between adjacent posts; a plurality of quick connectors mounted on ends of the structural posts, the quick connectors facing in at least two orthogonal directions.

59. In one embodiment there are provided quick connectors facing in three axial direc tions, such that the multi-axial junction is configured to receive six construction support assemblies.

60. In one embodiment there are provided quick connectors with keys extending in three directions and quick connectors with key receivers extending in three other directions.

Rotating quick connector

61. Broadly, the present technology provides a quick end-to-end tube connector, which includes a locking threaded cap sleeve closure.

62. The present technology provides a quick end-to-end post connector which includes a receiver mounted on one end for receiving an end of an elongate post; a lock for locking the receiver and an end portion of the elongate post. In accordance with yet another aspect of the present technology there is provided a quick connector for connecting structural support posts end to end, the quick connector including: a receiver which includes a threaded base element mounted on a post end of a first elongate post. a closure operatively mounted on another end of an elongate post, the clo sure including a thread for cooperating with the threaded base; a stop for retaining the closure on the end of the elongate post; and a lock for locking the threaded base and the cap together, wherein the threaded base and cap are configured to interengage for less than a full turn so as to draw the cap against the retainer to abut thereagainst, so that the elongate posts are joined end to end. In accordance with yet another aspect of the present technology there is provided a quick connector for connecting structural support posts end to end, the quick connector including: a threaded base for mounting on a tube end of a first post; a locking element for mounting on a tube end of a second post; a cap with a thread for cooperating with the threaded base and the locking element; and a lock for locking the threaded base and the cap together, wherein the threaded base and cap interengage for less than a full turn so as to pull the cap onto the locking element to abut thereagainst, and joining the elongate posts end to end. In one embodiment the locking element is a sleeve. In one embodiment the locking element is a ring. In one embodiment the locking element is one or more stops, being arcuate ele ments or other suitable kinds of boss or lump. In one embodiment the locking element is fixed to the outside wall of the elongate structural support post. In one embodiment the locking element is a sleeve about 3mm thick and about 100mm long. In one embodiment the locking element is a sleeve which is about 1mm, 1.5mm, 2mm, 2.5mm, 3.5mm, 4mm, 4.5mm or 5mm thick. In one embodiment the sleeve is about 25mm, 50mm, 75mm, 125mm, or about 150mm long, depending on the strength required. In one embodiment the locking element is spot or spiral welded to the end of the elongate post. 73. In one embodiment the locking element extends until about 30mm short of the end of the second elongate post, so that the elongate post engages with the threaded base by that much.

74. In one embodiment the engagement of the second elongate post is 10mm, 20mm, 25mm, 35mm, 40mm, 45mm, or 50mm, or any suitable length, to increase stability.

75. In one embodiment the threaded base element is a male thread disposed on an outer wall of the first elongate support post.

76. In one embodiment the threaded base element is a male thread disposed on an outer wall of a coupling sleeve, so that the thread may extend past the end of the outer wall fo the first elongate support post.

77. In one embodiment the cap includes a female thread for engaging with the male thread of the threaded base.

78. In one embodiment the cap includes an internal shoulder for engaging against the locking element to inhibit separation of the elongate post from the threaded base.

79. In one embodiment the threads extend about half way around the elongate posts to speed the end to end locking and release of the posts.

80. In one embodiment the lock includes a pin for engaging with a receiver for retain ing the threads in their engaged position.

81. In one embodiment the lock includes a pair of flanges with receiving apertures ex tending from the base and cap, and configured to align when the cap and threaded base are fully interengaged.

82. In one embodiment the cap is configured to rotate freely about the elongate post.

83. In one embodiment the threaded base is fixed to the end of the first elongate post.

84. In one embodiment the threaded base is welded to the end of the first elongate post.

Advantages

85. Advantageously, embodiments of the apparatus provides ready deployment of light weight, high strength shoring props; they are readily manoeuvrable and con nectable with other like shoring props. Props can be made in 1.25m, 1.5m, 2m, 2.5m, 3m, 3.5m, 4m, 4.5m, 5m, 5.5m, 6m length modules and the connectors can readily be deployed quickly and easily between modules, making longer lengths accessible. Clarifications

86. In this specification, where a document, act or item of knowledge is referred to or discussed, this reference or discussion is not an admission that the document, act or item of knowledge or any combination thereof was at the priority date:

(a) part of common general knowledge; or

(b) known to be relevant to an attempt to solve any problem with which this specification is concerned.

87. It is to be noted that, throughout the description and claims of this specification, the word 'comprise' and variations of the word, such as 'comprising' and 'comprises', is not intended to exclude other variants or additional components, integers or steps.

Brief Description of the drawings

88. In order to enable a clearer understanding, a preferred embodiment of the technol ogy will now be further explained and illustrated by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

89. Figure 1 is an isometric view of one embodiment of a construction support module;

90. Figure 2 is an isometric view of a second embodiment of the construction support module; the difference being the type of quick connector on the elongate posts, and lateral supports extending to proximal elongate posts as well as distal elon gate posts;

91. Figure 3 is an elevation view of the second embodiment of construction support module;

92. Figure 4 is an isometric view of an end to end quick connector for support elongate posts;

93. Figure 5 is an isometric view of a first embodiment of multi-axial junction for con necting a plurality of construction support modules of the first embodiment shown in Figure 1, along various axes;

94. Figure 6 is an isometric view of a second embodiment isometric view of the multi- axial junction which is compatible with the support modules of the second embod iment;

95. Figure 7 is an exploded view of a rotating quick connector for end to end connec tion of structural prop posts, known as a cuplock;

96. Figure 8 is an isometric view of the rotating quick releases locked together; 97. Figure 9 is an isometric general arrangement drawing of a support assembly being two support modules of the second embodiment coupled together end to end, with an adaptor plate at the top for connecting to supported structure, and a screw jack;

98. Figure 10 is a detail view of the top of the assembly in Figure 9, showing an adap tor stool; and

99. Figure 11 is a detail view of the base of the assembly of Figure 9, showing an iso metric general arrangement drawing of a support jack.

Detailed description of an example embodiment

In this specification there are independent aspects of the technology described in combination with other independent aspects of the technology. It is to be understood that even when two aspects of the invention are described interacting with each other, that is not to detract from the independent definitions thereof, by narrowing the scope of either independent definition by adding features into those essential ones independently defined as such.

Shoring prop

100. Referring to the drawings, in particular Figure 1, there is shown a first embodiment of hybrid material construction support module generally indicated at 10. The hy brid material construction support module 10 has a plurality of elongate posts of high strength 20, with adjacent ones of the elongate posts 20 connected together with lateral supports of high ductility 30. When both the materials 20, 30 are steel or alloys thereof, then the high strength elongate posts 20 are HSS or UHSS, which have nominal yield strength of about 700MPa and about 1100MPa respec tively, while the high ductility lateral supports have a lower strength, of about 350MPa.

101. Overall, the working-load-limit-to-weight ratio of embodiments of the hybrid con struction support 10 is significantly higher than known support systems. Moreover, ductility index and energy absorption of embodiments are at least at the same or der of corresponding values of other known support systems. For example, the ductility index of embodiments of the hybrid construction support 10 is greater than 3, while the unit energy absorption (kJ/WLL) is greater than 0.132, and on some embodiments, it is 0.177. For comparison purposes, on known shoring props, such as for example TriShore, the Unit energy absorption is 0.065 kJ/WLL. Results are shown in Table 1 set out below.

Table 1: Ductility analysis of embodiments of hybrid support 02. It can be further seen that the lateral supports 30 of the construction support mod ule 10 are in the form of elongate connecting links 32 mounted to, and spaced along, the elongate posts 20 and extending between adjacent elongate posts. 03. The elongate connecting links 32 extend directly between adjacent elongate posts 20. It is contemplated that some connecting links may take a more circuitous route to provide buckling absorption. 04. The number of lateral supports 30 per metre changes between embodiments, such as types and models of hybrid module. When a hybrid material support module 10 is 3m long, there may be 32 lateral supports 30. There may be between 20 and 60 lateral supports per 3m support. One model has 32 supports. Another model has 40 supports. Yet another model has 28 supports per 3m support 10. 05. It can be seen from the drawings that the elongate connecting links 32 extend be tween adjacent elongate posts 20 at an acute angle to the elongate post 20. This kind of link 32 is known as a lace 33. The elongate connecting laces 33 in the drawings extend between adjacent elongate posts at an angle of between 50 and 70 degrees from the elongate post. The Figures also show the elongate connect ing laces 33 extending between adjacent elongate posts in a staggered arrange ment, in other words being disposed at alternating angles, wherein one lace 33 is disposed at an angle above the horizontal, while its adjacent lace 33 is disposed at the same angle below the horizontal. The overall effect is to create substantially triangular arrangements, where the base of the triangle is the post 20, to create a truss-like effect, for efficient stress resistance. The drawings show the elongate connecting laces 33 being SHS. To keep the weight low, it is useful to use the lightest SHS available in the market The exact dimensions of one embodiment of SHS shown is that the wall thickness is 1 6mm, and the square section is about 20 x 20mm. Other arrangements of SHS are contemplated as being desirable, such as 30x30, 40x40, 50x50, and other wall thicknesses are contemplated as being useful including 1mm, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 6 and the like, depending on material. Other arrangements of connecting lace 33 are of course possible and may be de sirable, including CHS, or RHS, or channel, or angle, or I-beam, or circular-section bar, or square bar, or flat or rectangular bar. Plate laces 33 were tested by the in ventors and were found to be inferior to SHS laces and CHS laces. The best per forming laces of that group was SHS, at 50 degrees from the longitudinal axis of the post 20. In the first embodiment, shown in Figure 1, there is a truncation in the truss triangle by spacing the laces 33 apart on the post 20. Useful spacing distances have been found in testing and modelling to be between 0mm and 300mm. In the drawings, there are shown to be spacings of 58mm (Fig 1). In another draw ing there is shown to be a spacing of 177mm (Figure 4). Selected spacing of the laces and battens facilitates ductility which assists with energy absorption. It was identified that orthogonal or directly laterally-extending links between adja cent posts 20, known as battens (not shown) have inferior performance under the test conditions utilised by the inventors. Those test conditions include HSS and UHSS posts 20, with mild steel lateral links 32. There may be other conditions or materials for which battens are suitable. Such an example is shown in Figure 2 and 3, where the batten extends directly across from one post to a distal post, di agonally opposite. The elongate connecting laces 33 are permanently connected to the elongate posts by welding.

Elongate posts In the drawings shown, there are four elongate posts 20 provided so as to provide a stable and square footprint. 114. The dimensions of the footprint are such as to provide stability and some models include 48.3mm diameter Circular Hollow Section (CHS) with a 2mm wall thick ness. Other wall thicknesses and diameters are contemplated as being useful, in cluding 40, 42.4, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95 and 100mm. Wall thick nesses may be 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5 and suitable other thick nesses.

115. It has been identified that a useful footprint is a square footprint where adjacent elongate posts are set at 273.9mm centres. That is, the footprint is 273.9 x 273.9mm square, while the HSS or UHSS CHS tubes are 76.1mm diameter x 3mm thick.

116. Other useful models of module have also been identified, including a square foot print where adjacent elongate posts are set at 239.7mm centres. The footprint in this model is 239.7mm x 239.7mm square footprint, and the HSS or UHSS tubes are 60.3mm CHS x 2mm thick.

117. It is contemplated that other footprints will be useful, including inter-tube spacings of 100mm, 125mm, 150mm, 175mm, 200mm, 225mm, 250mm, 275mm, 300mm, 325mm, 350mm, 375mm, 400mm, 425mm, 450mm, 475mm and 500mm.

118. There are other post section 20 arrangements which are contemplated as being useful, including SHS, RHS and others.

Second embodiment of support module

119. It can be seen that Figure 2 and 3 have a second embodiment, and to make the description more efficient, like numerals in the range 100 to 199 will be used to de scribe like elements of the modules. The main difference is that the couplers are of a different type, in that they are one-sixth turn cooperating quick connectors. The other main difference is that there are shown to be battens 134 across the diago nal of the cross section. It can be seen, for example, that the second embodiment module is shown as 100, which corresponds to the numeral 10 for the module of the first embodiment. As another example, the elongate posts are shown as 120 in the second embodiment, which corresponds with 20 of the first embodiment.

End to end shoring prop connector

120. In Figure 4 there is shown a quick connector 50 for end to end connection of struc tural support posts 20. The quick connector 50 includes a key 52 and a key receiv er 54, each one disposed on cooperating post ends 21 and 23, with a lock 56 passing at least partially through the key 52 and the receiver 54. 121. Figure 4 further shows the quick connector assembly 50 including a cuff 58 for re ceiving the one end 23 of the first structural support post 20, the cuff 58 being mounted on the other cooperating post end 21.

122. It can be seen that the cuff 58 at least partially encircles the end of the elongate structural support post and provides the keyway by having two spaced apart flanges 59 extending therefrom. The cuff 58 is welded to the end of the elongate structural support post 20 for increased strength. The cuff 58 is about 200mm long.

123. It can be further seen in Figure 4 that the key 52 is a fin 53 for simplicity of manu facture, the fin being a plate 55 for further simplicity of manufacture. The plate 55 is rectangular and is configured to extend from a side wall of the elongate post about 25mm and extending therealong by about 75mm. The key can be seen to include a triangular fillet at one end for reduction of stress in the fin 53.

124. The lock 56 includes a keeper 60 to keep the key and receiver together. The keeper 60 is configured to extend through the key and receiver to keep them to gether. The keeper 60 is a pin 62 configured to pass through cooperating aper tures 64 in the key 52 and key receiver 56. The keeper 60 includes two pins 62 and 63 connected by a crossbar 64, for extra retaining strength.

125. The drawings show that there is a catch 66 provided to catch the keeper 60 and hold it in a keeping position. It can be seen that the catch 66 is in the form of a clip 68 for receiving the crossbar 64. The clip 68 includes flexible arms 69 which are configured to be pushed out of the way by the keeper when it is being pushed home into the keeping position. It can be seen that the catch 66 is mounted on the key receiver 54.

Multi-axis junction

126. As shown in Figure 5 there is a first embodiment of multi-axis junction 70 for con necting cooperating ends of construction support assemblies 10. The multi-axis junction 70 includes a main junction body 71 which includes a plurality of quick connector elements 50 mounted on the ends of short lengths of post 20 and facing in at least two orthogonal directions, and as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the ele ments 50 face in three directions - along the x, y and z axes.

127. The plurality of quick connector cuffs 58 are connected to one another by a batten 72 extending therebetween. The batten 72 is in the form of a plate extending be tween the short lengths of post 20. The arrangement is such that the multi-axis junction is configured to receive six construction support assemblies as shown in Figure 9. 128. The main junction body 71 of the multi-axis junction includes quick connectors 50 with keys 52 extending in three directions and quick connectors 50 with key re ceivers 54 extending in three other directions.

129. As shown in Figure 6 there is a second embodiment of a multi-axis junction as sembly 170 for connecting cooperating ends of construction support assemblies 110. There is a main body 171 which includes a plurality of quick connector ele ments 150 mounted on the ends of short lengths of post 120. The main body 171 also includes connecting walls, two being open with diagonal strapping 172 and the other walls being plates 173. The walls with the strapping have quick connec tors mounted thereon; the plate walls do not. The plate walls have connecting holes 174 for connecting to adaptor plates and structures for support. The main junction body 171 can advantageously fit into a corner.

Rotating quick connector

130. As shown in Figures 7 and 8, there is shown a detail of another quick connector 80, in this case a quick end-to-end tube connector 82, which includes a locking threaded cap sleeve closure 84.

131. The quick connector 80 can be seen in the drawings to include a threaded base 86 for mounting on a tube end 23 of a first post 20, a locking element 88 for mounting on a tube end 21 of a second post 20, a cap 90 with a thread for cooperating with the threaded base and the locking element 88; and a lock 92 for locking the threaded base and the cap together. The arrangement is such that in use, the threaded base 86 and cap 90 interengage for less than a full turn so as to pull the cap 90 down and onto the locking element 88 to abut thereagainst, and joining the elongate post ends 21 and 23 together.

132. It can be seen that the the locking element 88 is a ring or sleeve 91 , and is fixed by welding to the outside wall of the elongate structural support post 20. The ring or sleeve is about 2mm thick and about 100mm long, and extends until it is about 30mm short of the end of the second elongate post, so that the elongate post en gages with the threaded base by that much, which as can be seen, extends past the end 23 of its post 20 by that much.

133. The threaded base 86 includes a male thread 81 disposed at the end of, and on an outer wall of, a coupling sleeve 87, so that the thread may extend past the end of the outer wall of the first elongate support post 20. The drawings show that the cap 84 includes a female thread for engaging with the male thread of the threaded base 86. The cap 84 includes an internal shoulder (not shown) for, in operation, engaging against the locking element 88 to inhibit separation of the elongate post from the threaded base 86 and for keeping the cap 84 on the end 21 of the post 20. It can be seen that the male and female threads extend about half way around the elongate posts to speed the end to end locking and release of the posts. One only needs to rotate the cap 8460° to fully engage the coupler 80. The lock 92 includes a pin 93 for engaging with a receiver 94 for retaining the threads in their engaged position. Furthermore, the lock 92 includes a pair of flanges 95 with receiving apertures 96 extending from the base 86 and cap 84, and configured to align when the cap 84 and threaded base 86 are fully interengaged (the half turn). The cap 84 is configured to rotate freely about the elongate post, whereas the threaded base 86 is fixed by welding to the end of the first elongate post. Figure 6 shows a second embodiment of multi-axis junction 170 which utilises ro tating quick connectors rather than push connectors of the type shown in Figure 1 and 4 and 5. Rather than battens, there are shown laces, for mass reduction. The concept is otherwise the same as that shown in Figures 5, wherein male connec tors are disposed on half the axial connections, and rotating female connectors are disposed on the other half of the posts 120. The junction 170 can similarly connect several modules 110 together orthogonally and end to end, so that support can be made in several axes at once. A plate is shown, which includes a plurality of quick connectors. The plate is an adaptor which facilitates interconnection with other elements. It does this by pro viding slots, holes and other fastening and adjustment elements. The holes are provided on a star arrangement shown in the drawings but they are contemplated to be any suitable arrangement. The plate is constructed from steel. The adaptor plate 95 shown in Figure 10 is part of a stool which can fit on as a capping to strengthen the support module 110 and connect to a supported struc ture (not shown). The screw jack 99 shown in Figure 11 includes a 4-post carrier 98 with rotatable quick connectors 150, is used with a hydraulic ram (not shown) to take up slack and engage the module with the supported structure. The ram is configured to fit in to the space 97 and in use lifts a central screw 96 which is then locked in the new position by the nut 95. This lifts and secures the whole assembly. Assembly

144. To assemble the module, the elongate tubes 20 are located in jigs and fixtures, while the laces and/or battens 30 are located in position at their selected angle and welded to the tubes 20.

145. To form the quick connector 50 of Figure 4, fins 53 are welded to the relevant ends of the elongate tube 20. The cuff 58 is spiral welded to the elongate tube 20 to form the fin receiver 54. When extra lengths are required, the modules are tem porarily connected together such that the cooperating parts fit: the fin 53 into the key receiver 54. Then the lock 56 pins are inserted through both elements to hold them in interengagement. This way, a 3m module may be extended to support a structure at 6, 9, or 12m above the ground. Other combinations of course may be utilised so that a 3m module may be connected to a 1m module to provide a 4m support. Any slack can be taken up by screw jack 99.

146. To form modules with the rotating quick connectors of Figures 7 and 8, the cap 84 is slid onto the end of the tube 20. Then, the main base 86 and lock 91 parts of the quick connector 80 are spiral welded to the tube 20 to reduce Heat affected zones (HAZ). Locking together modules is a matter of inserting the end of the tube 20 into the main base 86 until the bottom end of the lock element 91 abuts the end of the other tube 20, and then the cap 84 is brought down onto the base 86 so that the screw threads can inter engage. The male thread pitch for the base element 86 is greater than the pitch for the cap 84. In the embodiment shown, the male thread pitch is 6.5mm/rev to provide prestress, while the female pitch is 6mm/rev. Other combinations are of course suitable, depending on the diameter. This facilitates play in the threaded connection, so that there is low stress (potentially zero stress) during an axially compressive load on the module.

147. In operation, to assemble modules of various lengths, and along various axes, the parts may be assembled, together with the screw jack 99 shown in Figure 10, to provide construction support along more than one axis. It can be seen in Figure 9 that the supports 10 can be made in 1.25, 1.5, 2, or 3m lengths and extended end to end, with a multi-axis junction 70 or 170 to provide support to a sub structure in three axes simultaneously.

Clarifications

148. Modifications and improvements to the invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Such modifications and improvements are intended to be within the scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A construction support module including: a plurality of elongate posts for supporting a structural element; a plurality of elongate connecting links mounted to, and spaced along, the elongate posts and extending between at least adjacent ones of the plurality of elongate posts, wherein the plurality of elongate posts are a high strength material, and the elongate connecting links are a material of strength lower than that of the plurality of elongate posts.

2. The construction support module in accordance with claim 1 wherein the elongate connecting links are a material of higher ductility than that of the elongate posts.

3. The construction support module in accordance with claim 1 or 2 wherein the elongate connecting links extend directly between adjacent elongate posts.

4. The construction support module in accordance with claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the the elongate connecting links extend between the elongate posts at an acute angle to the elongate post.

5. The construction support module in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the the elongate connecting links extend between the elongate posts at an angle of between 50 and 70 degrees from the elongate post.

6. The construction support module in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the elongate connecting links extend between the elongate posts at an angle of 30°, 35°, 40°, 45°, 50°, 55°, 60°, 65°, 70°, 75°, 80°, 85° or 90° (directly across) to an elongate post.

7. The construction support module in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the elongate connecting links extend between elongate posts at alternat ing angles.

8. The construction support module in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the elongate connecting links extend between elongate posts so as to form a truss-like module.

9. The construction support module in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the elongate connecting links extend between adjacent elongate posts, at staggered positive and negative angles to the elongate posts.

10. The construction support module in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the elongate connecting links are SHS.

11. The construction support module in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the elongate connecting links are CHS, or RHS, or channel, or angle, or I- beam, or circular-section bar, or square bar, or flat or rectangular bar.

12. The construction support module in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein the elongate connecting links are mild steel.

13. The construction support module in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein the elongate connecting links are aluminium, or a composite material, such as for example GRP, or carbon fibre.

14. The construction support module in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 13 wherein the elongate connecting links are permanently connected to the elongate posts by welding.

15. The construction support module in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 13 wherein the elongate connecting links are removably or permanently connected to the elongate posts by fasteners including bolts, keyways, quick release mecha nism, screws, and/or rivets.

16. The construction support module in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 15 wherein there are four elongate posts provided so as to provide an orthogonal footprint.

17. The construction support module in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 15 wherein there are two, three, five, six, seven, eight, nine or ten elongate posts pro vided.

18. The construction support module in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 17 wherein the the elongate posts are High Strength Steel (HSS) or Ultra High Strength Steel (UHSS).

19. The construction support module in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 18 wherein the elongate posts are Aluminium or a suitable composite material includ ing carbon fibre or GRP or fibreglass.

20. The construction support module in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 19 wherein there is provided a quick connector arrangement disposed on the ends of the elongate posts for end-to-end module-to-module connection.

21. The construction support module in accordance with claim 20 wherein the quick connector arrangement includes: a receiver mounted on one end for receiving an end of an elongate post; a lock for locking the receiver and an end portion of the elongate post.

22. The construction support module in accordance with claim 21 wherein the receiver includes a threaded base element mounted on a tube end of a first elongate post. a closure operatively mounted on another end of an elongate post, the clo sure including a thread for cooperating with the threaded base; a stop for retaining the closure on the end of the elongate post; and a lock for locking the threaded base and the cap together, wherein the threaded base and cap are configured to interengage for less than a full turn so as to draw the cap against the retainer to abut thereagainst, so that the elongate posts are joined end to end.

23. The construction support module in accordance with claim 21 wherein the stop is a shoulder on the tube end of the elongate post.

24. The construction support module in accordance with claim 22 wherein the shoulder is a ring fastened to the tube end of the elongate post.

25. The construction support module in accordance with claim 23 wherein the ring is wide enough to extend until about 30mm short of the end of the elongate post, so that the elongate post interengages with the threaded base element.

26. The construction support module in accordance with claim 23 wherein the ring is wide enough so that the interengagement of the second elongate post and the first post is 10mm, 20mm, 25mm, 35mm, 40mm, 45mm, or 50mm, or any suitable length, to facilitate stability.

27. The construction support module in accordance with any one of claims 21 to 25 wherein the threaded base element is a coupling sleeve which includes a male thread on an outside wall thereof, the coupling sleeve mounted on an outer wall of the end of the first elongate post.

28. The construction support module in accordance with any one of claims 21 to 26 wherein the threads extend about half way around the elongate posts to facilitate the end to end locking and release of the posts.

29. The construction support module in accordance with any one of claims 21 to 27 wherein the lock includes a pin for engaging with a receiver for retaining the threads in their engaged position.

30. The construction support module in accordance with any one of claims 21 to 28 wherein the lock includes a pair of flanges with receiving apertures extending from the base and cap, and configured to align when the closure and threaded base element are fully interengaged.

31. A construction support assembly which includes one or more construction support modules in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 30; a screw jack and a carrier; and a multi-axis junction which includes: a main body including a plurality of elongate structural posts includ ing lateral links extending between adjacent posts; and a plurality of quick connectors mounted on end regions of the struc tural posts, the quick connectors facing in at least two orthogonal directions so as to connect another construction support module extending orthogonal to other ones in the assembly.

32. The construction support assembly in accordance with claim 31 wherein the quick connectors face in three axial directions, such that the multi-axial junction is con figured to receive six construction support assemblies.

33. The construction support assembly which includes a plurality of construction sup port modules mounted on the multi-axis junction.