PRIORITY DOCUMENTS

The present application claims priority from Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2014900721 titled "A FRAMEWORK BEARER SUPPORT BRACKET" and filed on 4 March 2014, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

[0001 ] The following co-pending patent application is referred to in the following description:

PCT/AU2013/000855 titled "FORMWORK SUPPORT ELEMENT" and filed on 2 August 2013 claiming priority from Australian Provisional Patent Application No 2012903312.

[0002] The content of this application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003 ] The present invention relates to concrete formwork. In a particular form the present invention relates to an adapter for concrete formwork support structure.

BACKGROUND

[0004 ] During the construction of buildings, formwork is used in concrete construction to provide a mould or a surface onto which wet concrete can be poured for forming of features such as floor slabs and beams for example. In the case of floor slabs, it is common for floors of a multi-story building to be formed sequentially and for formwork to be set out on a preceding floor in order to form the subsequent higher floor.

[0005] Generally, a frame or scaffold is used to support elevated forms comprising either lost (i.e. not reusable) formwork, or a formwork that can be removed from the concrete slab once the concrete is set, and be reused. Reusable formwork may comprise aluminium formwork pans which are supported at the top of the scaffolding. Alternatively, sheets or boards supported on bearers may be used at the top of the framework.

10006] The aluminium formwork pans are normally rectangular in plan form and have lips or edges extending downwardly from the formwork surface. These aluminium pans can be supported via 'crowns'- forks positioned atop scaffold uprights or props, and comprising four upwardly directed fingers extending from a single vertical support, each of which support a corner of four adjoining aluminium pans. These crowns are ill equipped to support anything other than these aluminium fonnwork pans.

[0007] It is against this background and the problems and difficulties associated therewith that the present invention has been developed.

[0008] Certain objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

SUMMARY

[0009] According to a first aspect, there is provided an adapter for a formwork support structure comprising a formwork support of a first type, the adapter comprising a mount for positioning the adapter with respect to said formwork support of a first type, said mount supporting a formwork support of a second type.

[0010] In one fonn, one or both formwork supports is a female support. That is to say, they are or have a recessed part into which a corresponding part of the formwork (or a bearer) fits.

1001 1 ] In one fonn, one or both of the formwork supports is a male support. That is to say, they are or have a part which is made to fit into a corresponding open or recessed part of the formwork (or a bearer).

[0012] In one form, the formwork support of a first type is adapted to provide direct support of fonnwork, and fonnwork panels in particular.

[0013] In one fonn, the formwork support of a first type is one which comprises a plurality of upwardly directed fingers extending from a single vertical support, and referred to as a crown.

[0014] In one form, the mount is adapted to nest between the fingers of the crown.

[0015] In one form, the formwork support of a second type is adapted to provide indirect support of fonnwork. In one form, the formwork support of a second type is adapted to provide support for bearers. In one fonn, the formwork support of a second type is so adapted by way of being shaped to nest a bearer.

[0016] In one form, the formwork support of a second type comprises a base, and a plurality of upwardly extending bearer guides. [0017 ] In one form, the formwork support of a second type comprises an approximately u-shaped support.

[0018] In one form, the mount comprises a securement means for securing the adapter with respect to the formwork support of a first type. This securement means may comprise any one or more of fasteners, clamps (including quick release clamps), pins (including spring loaded pins), or threaded connection, but should not be considered limited to these.

[0019] In one form, the formwork support of a first type is adapted to cooperate with the mount of the adapter to at least effect stability of a positioning of the mount relative to the fonnwork support of a first type. The formwork support of a first type may be so adapted by being shaped to nest the mount, and/or comprising features (such as, but not limited to, lugs, pins or shoulders) to locate the mount.

10020] In one form, the formwork support of a first type is further adapted to cooperate with the mount of the adapter to effect securement of the mount relative to the formwork support of a first type. The fonnwork support of a first type may be so adapted by being shaped and/or comprising features which cooperate with the securement means.

10021 ] According to a second aspect, there is provided an adapter for a formwork support structure comprising a mount for positioning the adapter with respect to a crown type formwork support, said mount supporting a bearer support.

10022] According to a third aspect, there is provided a framework bearer support bracket comprising a mount portion for positioning the bearer support bracket with respect to a fonnwork support, said mount supporting a bearer support potion.

[0023] According to a fourth aspect, there is provided a fonnwork support assembly comprising a fonnwork support of a first type, and an adapter comprising a mount for positioning the adapter with respect to said formwork support of a first type, said mount supporting a formwork support of a second type.

[0024] In one form, the formwork support of a first type and the adapter are operatively associated so as to effect stability of a positioning of the mount relative to the formwork support of a first type at least.

[0025] In yet a further aspect there is provided a fonnwork support which is adapted to effect stability of a positioning of a mount of an adapter relative to the fonnwork support, where said mount supports a fonnwork support of another type. [0026 ] In yet a further aspect there is provided an adapter for a bearer support, the adapter comprising a mount for positioning the adapter with respect to the bearer support, said mount supporting a crown.

[0027 ] A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the invention is provided below along with accompanying figures and photographs that illustrate by way of example the principals of the invention. While the invention is described in connection with such embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to any particular embodiment. On the contrary, the scope of the invention is limited only by the appended claims and the invention encompasses numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalents. For the purpose of example, numerous specific details are set forth in the following description in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention.

[0028] The present invention may be practiced according to the claim without some or all of the specific details. For the purpose of clarity, technical material is known in technical fields related to the invention has not been described in detail so that the present invention is not unnecessarily obscured.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[ 0029] Embodiments of the present invention will be discussed with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0030] Figure 1 is a perspective side view of an adapter mounted on a formwork support of a first type (a crown in this case);

[0031 ] Figure 2 is a side view of the adapter of Figure 1 in use, supporting a bearer; [0032] Figure 3 is an end view of the adapter of Figure 1 in use, supporting a bearer; [0033 ] Figure 4 is a side view of the adapter in isolation; [0034] Figure 5 is an end view of the adapter of Figure 4; [0035] Figure 6 is an underside view of the adapter of Figure 4;

[0036] Figure 7 is a side view of a support (for bearers) of the adapter of Figure 4, in isolation; [00371 Figure 8 is an end view of the support of Figure 7; [0038 ] Figure 9 is an underside view of the support of Figure 7; [0039 ] Figure 10 is an end view of a mount of the adapter of Figure 4, in isolation;

[0040 ] Figures 1 1 and 12 are side views of the mount of Figure 10;

[0041 ] Figure 13 is a top view of the mount of Figure 10; and

[0042] Figure 14 is a perspective side view of the adapter and formwork support of Figure 1.

[0043] In the following description, like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the figures.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0044] Referring now to Figures 1 through 3, where there is illustrated an upper portion of an upright or 'prop' 100 of a scaffold structure of the type discussed in PCT/AU2013/000855.

[ 0045 ] At its uppermost terminal end, the prop 100 supports a crown 1 10, where this crown 1 10 is a forked element comprising a neck 1 1 1 and four upwardly directed fingers 1 12. When used as intended, each finger 1 12 supports a comer of a formwork panel (not shown). Moreover, the crown 1 10 is typically supported on a screw jack (not shown) atop the prop 100 so that the crown 1 10 can be raised or lowered relative to the prop 100.

[0046] Crowns 1 10 are not well suited for supporting bearers (typically a timber beam) 120, which in use support formwork sheets (not illustrated). In this case, an adapter 1 can be employed.

[0047] With reference to Figures 1 through 5, it can be seen that adapter 1 comprises a mount 10, and a support 20.

[0048] In the embodiment illustrated, the mount 10 is adapted to mount the adapter 1 to a crown 1 10. Accordingly, the mount 10 is generally box shaped, and so comprises a pair of side walls 12 and a pair of end walls 14. Referring now to Figure 14, the mount 10 rests upon a platform 1 14 provided by the crown 1 10, and is sized to securely nest between the fingers 1 12 and guide lugs 1 16 of the crown 1 10. The end walls 14 are longer than, and extend lower than, the side walls 12 and on either side of the neck 1 1 1 to a level beneath the fingers 1 12 of the crown 100. Each side wall 12 comprises a nut 15 carrying a bolt 16 which is screwed into the nut 15 to secure the adapter 1 on the crown 100 by driving an end of a shank of the bolt 16 into contact with the neck of the crown 100. [0049 ] Supported atop of the mount 10 is a support 20 in the form of a support bracket comprising a base plate 22 and four (4) upwardly extending bearer guides 24 arranged into two pairs of opposing bearer guides 24.

[0050] In use, the mount 10 of the adapter 1 is positioned on the platform 1 14 between the fingers 1 12 and guide lugs 1 16 of the crown 1 10 as described above, and the bolts 16 tightened. A bearer 120 can then be positioned on base plate 22 of the support bracket and between the bearer guides 24, which will serve to prevent the bearer 120 from sliding off of the base plate 22. Sheets of formwork (typically plywood sheets) can then be supported on the bearers 120.

[ 0051 ] When formwork panels (without bearers) are to be supported on the props 100, the bolts 16 will be loosened until the adapter 1 can be removed from the crown 1 10.

[0052 ] In the embodiment illustrated the crown 1 10 is a cast component and the adapter 1 is fabricated, but these parts are not restricted to manufacture in this way.

[0053] In an alternate embodiment, an adapter may have a reverse configuration to that described above, namely comprising a mount adapted to be positioned with respect to either of a bearer or a bearer support, and a crown for supporting a plurality of formwork panels.

[0054] Throughout the specification and the claims that follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the words "comprise" and "include" and variations such as "comprising" and "including" will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers, but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

[0055] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement of any form of suggestion that such prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

[ 0056] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention is not restricted in its use to the particular application described. Neither is the present invention restricted in its preferred embodiment with regard to the particular elements and/or features described or depicted herein. It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth and defined by the following claims.