RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority to Australian provisional application no. 2019902996 filed 19 August 2019, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to an apparatus for supporting formwork for edges of a concrete slab.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] To form a concrete slab on the ground, for example a building foundation, formwork is used to provide temporary support for the concrete while it cures. Generally, the formwork is in the form of upright timber boards which are supported by pegs or pins driven into the ground which are arranged to contain the poured concrete and thereby provide the shape of the slab.

[0004] This process of board and peg arrangement can be time-consuming and labour- intensive even by skilled technicians to ensure that the slab is correctly positioned and has vertical sides.

[0005] Once the slab has been cured, the pegs are removed from the boards, which can also be time-consuming and labour-intensive. Furthermore, the pegs, especially those which are on the side of the board which is exposed to the poured concrete may be damaged, bent or otherwise unusable from the removal process. Thus new pegs may need to be supplied if the process is to be repeated which adds to the overall cost.

[0006] Moreover, the process is more complicated if the ground is not perfectly level and flat, or if the timber boards are to be offset from the vertical to provide a slab with non-parallel sides. Furthermore, this method is unable to be used if the supporting surface on which the boards are being braced is concrete, decking or other surface other than earth which does not allow easy placement of pegs. [0007] Examples of the invention seek to solve or at least ameliorate one or more disadvantages of previous devices for bracing formwork.

[0008] The above references to and descriptions of prior proposals or products are not intended to be, and are not to be construed as, statements or admissions of common general knowledge in the art. In particular, the above prior art discussion does not relate to what is commonly or well known by the person skilled in the art, but assists in the understanding of the inventive step of the present invention of which the identification of pertinent prior art proposals is but one part.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] According to the present invention there is provided an apparatus for supporting formwork for edges of a concrete slab, the apparatus having a frame configured to engagingly receive anchoring means for securing the apparatus to the ground surface and support means connectable to the formwork such that when the anchoring means are so engaged and the support means are so connected, the apparatus acts to support and hinder movement of the formwork, and wherein the support means is pivotably adjustable so that the apparatus provides angular adjustability between the formwork and the ground.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the support means has a support member extending from an end portion of an arm and being pivotably coupled thereto.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the support means has a fastener wherein in one configuration, the fastener allows pivotal movement of the support member relative to the arm, and in another configuration, the fastener prevents pivotal movement of the support member relative to the arm.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the formwork includes a board forming one of the edges of the slab and the support member is in the form of a plate, the front face of the plate being adapted to be attachable to the board and, when so attached, the apparatus provides angular adjustment between the board and the ground.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the support member/plate is pivotable about an axis which is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the arm. [0014] In a preferred embodiment, the plate has at least one aperture for receiving a fastener to attach the front face of plate to a side of the board.

[0015] The apparatus is preferably for adjusting an angle of the board to be at a predetermined angle from the vertical by pivotally adjusting the support means.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the angle of the board is pivotably adjustable between an inclination of 45° towards the apparatus and 90° away from the apparatus.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus is pivotably adjustability through a range of up to 135°.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the frame includes a base for supporting the apparatus.

[0019] Preferably, the base is configured to facilitate engagement to a non-earthen surface.

[0020] Preferably, the base has a plurality of holes for receiving fasteners.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the base includes two pairs of spaced foot members, each pair being located at opposing ends of the apparatus, and where each foot member has at least one hole for receiving fasteners.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment, the arm is configured to be extendable.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the frame having a sleeve configured to slidably receive the arm to provide the extendability.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment, the frame has an upwardly projecting sleeve for engaging anchor means in the form of a shaft.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, the frame has a further sleeve positioned to be spaced- apart from the afore-mentioned sleeve, wherein, when anchor means in the form of two shafts are received in the sleeves, the further sleeve is inclined so as to promote bracing of the apparatus against the formwork.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the frame has a fastener for the or each sleeve which is manipulable between two positions wherein in one position, the fastener prevents movement of the arm or shaft within the sleeve and in another position, the fastener allows slidable movement of the arm or shaft within the sleeve.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The present invention will now be described, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0028] Figs. 1 and 2 are perspective views of an apparatus for supporting edge boards for forming a concrete slab according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

[0029] Figs 3 to 5 are perspective and rear views of alternative support means for use in the apparatus of Figs. 1 and 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] Preferred features of the present invention will now be described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it is to be understood that the features illustrated in and described with reference to the drawings are not to be construed as limiting on the scope of the invention.

[0031] Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2 which are perspective views of an apparatus 2 for supporting formwork for forming edges of a concrete slab according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The formwork, as an example a plurality of timber boards, can be provided in an arrangement which provides edges to support poured concrete contained therein which then cures to form the slab.

[0032] The apparatus 2 has support means which are configured to be connectable to the formwork, and a frame which is configured to engagingly receive anchor means for securing the apparatus 2 to the ground during use. When the anchor means 12 is so received in the frame and the support means is so connected to the edge board, the apparatus 2 fixedly braces the formwork from the ground so as to prevent movement of the formwork once arranged and thus facilitates optimal forming of the slab.

[0033] As illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5, the support means has a support member 14 which is configured to attach to the formwork, such as the timber board which forms the edge of the concrete slab. To facilitate such an attachment, the support member 14 can be in the form of a plate 14 having an arrangement of one or more apertures 16 for receiving one or more fasteners therethrough to fixedly connect the front face of the plate 14 to the board 4. Some of the apertures 16 may be in the form of a slot or a circularly shaped hole. The slots allows for connection of the board to the plate 14, for example via a screw fastener, yet allow for some adjustment therebetween if required before the screw fastener is tightly fastened to fix the plate 14 to the board 4 in a final position. It will be appreciated that other arrangements of slots and holes are possible other than those shown in the Figs 1 to 5 and further other types of fasteners, such as nails, may be substituted.

[0034] In one embodiment shown in Figs 1 and 2, the support means allows support and connectability of formwork perpendicularly to the apparatus 2. In particular the support means includes a fixed plate 12. An arm 18 extends from laterally from a rear face of the plate 12 such that when the plate 12 is attached to the board, the board is held substantially perpendicularly to the arm 18. Thus, when the apparatus 2 is positioned level with the horizontal, perhaps with the use of a spirit level, the board is also held perpendicularly to the ground to provide perfectly vertical sides once the concrete slab is poured and cured.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment illustrated in Figs. 3 to 5, the support means allows pivotable adjustability and attachment of the formwork to the apparatus 2. In this embodiment, the support means includes a support member 14 14 which is pivotably coupled to an end of an arm 18 which is slidably received in a sleeve 20 of the apparatus 2 of Figs. 1 and 2. In particular, the lower end of the rear face of the plate 14 has a flange 22 extending laterally therefrom and which is connected to the arm by way of a fastener 24 inserted into a curved slot 25 and the arm 18 to allow angular adjustment therebetween. In this particular arrangement, the plate 14 is pivotable about an axis which is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the arm 18.

[0036] The flange 22 can be configured such that the curved slot 25 has a curvature which allows a wide range of angular movement between the plate 14 and the arm 18. The embodiment illustrated in Figs 3 to 5, the slot 25 is configured such that the plate 14 and arm 18 are pivotable about an angular range of 90° and the plate 14 and arm 18 are perpendicular to each other when the fastener 24 is fixed at a position equidistant to the ends of the slot 25. In particular, the plate 14, and board when so attached, can be precisely inclined at about an angle of 45° towards or away from the apparatus 2. In a more preferred embodiment, the flange 22 is configured such that the plate 14 is able to be adjusted through an angular range of 135°, for example, at about an angle of 45° towards or 90° away from the apparatus 2. It will be recognised that the plate 14, flange 22 and arm 18 can be arranged in a variety of ways to achieve precise angular adjustability as discussed above.

[0037] A variety of fasteners can be used to couple the plate 14 and the arm 18. However as illustrated in Figs. 3 to 5, the fastener 24 can be in the form of a nut and bolt arrangement where a shaft of the bolt is received in the curved slot 25 and apertures formed in the arm 18. The nut and bolt arrangement has an advantage in that it is relatively easy to loosen and tighten.

[0038] The frame includes a generally horizontal base 26 which is generally configured to allow contact with the ground or other surface when in use however this may not always be the case as will be described below. In a preferred embodiment, the arm 18 and corresponding sleeve 20 is generally parallel to the base 26 when in use. In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1, the base 26 has two pairs of foot members 28, each pair being located at opposing ends of the base 26, and one of each pair being located on the opposite side to the other such that the foot members 28 are spaced apart for optimal stability. Each of the feet members 28 has at least one hole 30which can receive a peg or pin which is driven through the hole and ground surface to embed in the ground thereby securing the apparatus 2. The apparatus 2 may also advantageously be attached to other surfaces into which pegs are not easily insertable, such as concrete floors or timber decking, by way of fasteners via holes 30, 31 in foot members 28. For example, bolts or rivets can be used to fasten the apparatus 2 via larger holes 30 while screw fasteners may be used via smaller holes 31.

[0039] Alternatively, should the ground level be lower than the level of the formwork to be supported, the base 26 is also configured to allow support of the apparatus 2 from the ground. In particular, the holes 30 of the foot members 28 can allow attachment to plinth element or elements (not shown) which are arranged to support the apparatus 2 above the ground at the correct height for supporting the formwork. In a preferred embodiment, the plinth element(s) can be wooden or metal blocks which can be driven into or supported on the ground and the base 26 can be attached to the plinth element(s) by way of fasteners, such as screws, bolts or nails, received in the holes 30, 31.

[0040] In the embodiments of Figs. 1 to 5, the frame has a sleeve 20 which is configured to slidably receive the arm 18, including that which is illustrated in Figs 3 to 5, therein such that the arm 18 is extendable and retractable with respect to the frame. In use, the arm 18 and sleeve 20 are generally parallel to the ground, and typically generally horizontal. This means that when the plate 14 is attached to the board 14 and the apparatus 2 is secured to the ground, the arrangement between the plate 14 and the arm 18 allows easy and precise length and angular adjustment, and in particular, vertical inclination of the board relative to the ground.

[0041] In use, the angular adjustment may provide easy and precise compensation to any inclination of the ground to make the apparatus 2 lie evenly and parallel thereto. Alternatively, if it is required that the walls of the slab are to be inclined, the base 26 can be made level and a particular inclination of the board attached to the plate 14 relative to the base 26 can then be precisely adjusted as required. Thus advantageously the angular adjustment of the support member 14 allows easy compensation of the inclination of the ground or vertical inclination of the formwork to form inclined walls of the slab according to the building specifications.

[0042] As illustrated in Fig. 1, the frame also has a pair of sleeves 32 which are configured to engaging receive anchoring means to secure the apparatus 2 to the ground, although it can be appreciated that the frame can be configured in a variety of ways to enable effective anchoring of the apparatus 2. Each sleeve 32, 34 has an upwardly directed open end which is able to receive therethrough anchor means in the form of a shaft or rod for engaging the ground to anchor the apparatus 2 and to provide brace support against the attached formwork during use as the concrete is poured and cured into a slab.

[0043] As illustrated in Fig. 1, the frame has an upright first sleeve 32 at a front end of the apparatus 2 proximal to the support member. The second sleeve 34 is positioned at a rear end distal the support member 14 and is inclined such that when a shaft or rod is received in the second sleeve 34, the bottom end of the shaft is directed rearward and away from the support member 14, thereby providing optimal bracing support.

[0044] The frame can include a plurality of fasteners 36, 38, which are provided on the sleeves 20, 32, 34 which are for receiving the arm 18 and the shafts. The fasteners 36, 38, as illustrated in Fig 1. is manipulable between two positions wherein in one position, the fastener 36, 38 prevents movement of the arm 18 or shaft within the sleeve 20, 32, 34, and in another position, the fastener 36, 38 allows slidable movement of the arm 18 or shaft within the sleeve 20, 32, 34. In particular, the fasteners 36, 38 can engage the shafts or arm 18 for prevention of the arm 18 or shaft linear movement, such as a pin and aperture arrangement or a bolt and threaded hole arrangement, and thereby allows retain the position of the arm 18 and support plate 14, and the board 4 when so attached.

[0045] The apparatus 2 is preferably made of metal, such as steel, although any suitable material could be used such as reinforced or hardened polymer material. The arm 18, sleeves 20, 32, 34 are illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5 as being of hollow tubing having a square cross-section however any cross-sectional shape may be used. The shafts preferably have a cylindrical form and taper at a bottom end which is adapted to facilitate piercing the ground.

[0046] As an example of a method of use of the apparatus 2 to form a concrete slab, first the area to be concreted is measured and set out with line or string to mark out the perimeter of the proposed slab. Formwork in the form of timber boards are then positioned at the marked- out perimeter for containing the concrete.

[0047] Two or more apparatus 2 can be positioned spaced apart along each board for uniform support bracing of the board 4 so that the board 4 does not bend and cause bulging of the slab. Each apparatus 2 is positioned such that the longitudinal axis of the base 26 is substantially perpendicular to the board 4 so that the support plate 14 is substantially parallel to the board 4 for contact thereto. The support plates 14 are then loosely attached to the boards 4 with fasteners such as screws received in the slots 16 thereby being movable within. Then the apparatus 2 can be secured by inserting shafts or spikes into the sleeves 32, 34, through the ground surface and into the ground. The shafts or spikes can be secured by use of the fasteners 32, 34 to prevent movement.

[0048] Final adjustments of the apparatus 2 can then be made to ensure that the boards 4 attached to the apparatus 2 are in alignment with the marked-out perimeter by linear adjustment of the extendable or retractable arm 18 or by adjustment of the board 4 to the support plate 14. Once the board 4 is in its final position, the fasteners 24 can be tightened or locked to fix the board 4 to the support plate 14 and to fix the arm 18 relative to the frame.

[0049] Furthermore, in the case where the ground is not even or level, compensation of the non -horizontal alignment of the apparatus 2 can be made by loosening the fastener 24 and manipulating the angle of the support plate 14 with the apparatus 2. A spirit level placed vertically against the board 4 can be used to ensure that the board is vertical while performing the angular adjustment to compensate for the non-level or uneven ground. [0050] Alternatively, if the board 4 has to be precisely inclined from the vertical, for example at a predetermined angle of 10° from the vertical, to produce a concrete slab with inclined walls. First, by placing a spirit level on the base, the orientation of the apparatus 2 can be adjusted to be perfectly horizontal, then the angle of the support plate 14 can be precisely adjusted to the pre-determined angle by use of a protractor, or alternatively, angle markings can be provided on the flange 22 to facilitate precision adjustment.

[0051] Through-out the specification and claims the word “comprise” and its derivatives is intended to have an inclusive rather than exclusive meaning unless the context requires otherwise.

[0052] Orientational terms used in the specification and claims such as vertical, horizontal, top, bottom, upper and lower are to be interpreted as relational and are based on the premise that the component, item, article, apparatus, device or instrument will usually be considered in a particular orientation, typically with the assembly uppermost.

[0053] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many modifications and variations may be made to the methods of the invention described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.