SCAFFOLDING RELATED APPLICATIONS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

THIS invention relates to a multi-functional parallel flange I-beam of various sizes (height and width) for formwork, support work and scaffolding related applications.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION I-beams (or I-sections or IPE sections) comprise a central web and a pair of flanges on opposite ends of the web. In the field of formwork, support work and scaffolding, I- beams have primarily been used as main or secondary support beams.

I-beams are standard steel profiles and can be purchased from any type of steel merchant. I-beams have many different uses; in the steel construction sector, for example, they are primarily used as cross sections to provide strength to girders and also as supports to joists, which in turn support ceilings and/or floors. IPE sections are also used for a wide range of structural elements, from lightweight purlins to columns and beams for industrial and multi-storey structures, as well as steel bridges.

Companies making use of I-beams have also been known to sometimes cut holes into the beams, primarily for aesthetic and or weight saving purposes. They have also been known to make up (welded or bolted together) different types of structural beams such as box sections, plate girders (I and H Sections) etc. of different steel profiles, and to insert holes and slots of different sizes and in various positions for fixing and attachment purposes.

The aim of the present invention is therefore to provide an I-beam profile with a series of very specific holes and slots in both the web and flanges, for use as a formwork, support work and scaffolding beam.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided an elongate multi-functional I-beam for formwork, support work and scaffolding related applications, the I-beam comprising: a web having a plurality of circular spaced apart apertures formed therein; and a pair of flanges on opposite ends of the web, extending substantially at 90 degrees to the web, each flange comprising at least one pair of third apertures positioned on opposite sides of the web, and at least one pair of slots positioned on opposite sides of the web and proximate, but spaced apart, from the adjacent, corresponding third apertures, the pair of slots and the pair of third apertures defining a cluster of openings that extend along the length of the flanges.

In an embodiment, the plurality of circular spaced apart apertures formed in the web include a plurality of first apertures spaced along the length of the web and arranged substantially in the middle of the web, and at least one pair of second apertures, the second apertures in each pair being spaced from each other.

In an embodiment, there are four pairs of the second apertures in the web, two pairs on either side of the endmost first apertures, the two pairs being spaced apart approximately 190 mm from each other. In an embodiment, the pair of third apertures and the adjacent pair of slots extend transverse to the length of the flanges, with the third apertures and slots on either side of the web being in line with each other.

In an embodiment, the corresponding third apertures and the slots in both flanges are aligned with each other.

In an embodiment, the first apertures have a diameter of approximately 70 mm and are spaced at a pitch of approximately 150 mm along the length of the web. The second apertures have a diameter of approximately 17.5 mm and, within each pair of second apertures, the second apertures are spaced approximately 50 mm apart from each other.

In an embodiment, the centres of the third apertures are spaced approximately 55 mm from the centres of the adjacent slots, to define the cluster of openings.

In an embodiment, the I-beams are made of galvanized steel sections.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of modifying an elongate I-beam, the I-beam comprising a web and a pair of flanges on opposite ends of the web, extending at 90 degrees to the web, the method comprising: forming a plurality of circular spaced apart apertures along the length of the web; forming at least one pair of third apertures positioned on opposite sides of the web; and forming at least one pair of slots positioned on opposite sides of the web and proximate, but spaced apart, from the adjacent, corresponding third apertures. In an embodiment, the method includes: forming first apertures spaced along the length of the web and arranged substantially in the middle of the web; at least one pair of second apertures, the second apertures in each pair being spaced from each other.

In an embodiment, the method comprises forming four pairs of the second apertures in the web, two pairs on either side of the endmost first apertures, the two pairs being spaced apart approximately 190 mm from each other.

In an embodiment, the pair of third apertures and the adjacent pair of slots extend transverse to the length of the flanges, with the third apertures and slots on either side of the web being in line with each other.

In an embodiment, the corresponding third apertures and the slots in both flanges are aligned with each other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features of this invention will become apparent from the following description of one example described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an elongate multi-functional I-beam for formwork, support work and scaffolding related applications;

Figure 2 shows a side view of the I-beam shown in Figure 1 ; Figure 3 shows a top view of the I-beam shown in Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 shows an end view of the I-beam shown in Figure 1 ;

Figures 5A to 5S show the versatility of the I-beam of Figure 1 and how connections and attachments can be made as well as how the I - beam can be used; and

Figures 6A to 6F show the I-beam of Figure 1 in various typical applications in the scaffolding, support work and formwork industry.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring first to Figures 1 to 4, an elongate multi-functional I-beam 10 for scaffolding, support work and formwork related applications is shown. The I-beam 10 comprises a central web 12 having a plurality of circular apertures formed therein. In particular, the central web 12 includes a plurality of first, circular, relatively larger, apertures 14.1 to 14.8, spaced horizontally at a pitch of 150 mm along the length of the web 12, and arranged substantially in the middle of the web 12. In addition, the central web 12 includes at least one pair 16.1 to 16.4 of second, relatively smaller apertures 18, the second apertures 18 in each pair 16.1 to 16.4 being spaced vertically (when viewed from the side i.e. Figure 2) from each other. Each pair 16.1 to 16.4 extends transverse to the length of the web 12, as best shown in Figure 2.

In an embodiment, as already indicated above, there are four pairs 16.1 to 16.4 of the relatively smaller second apertures 18 in the web 12. Typically, as shown in Figure 2, there are two pairs 16.1 , 16.2 on either side of the endmost first relatively larger apertures 14.1 , the two pairs 16.1 , 16.2 being spaced apart approximately 190 mm from each other. Thus, working from a start end 19 of the I-beam 10, as best shown in Figure 2, the first relatively larger aperture 14.1 is spaced around 150 mm from the end of the I-beam 10, with the adjacent larger aperture 14.2 being spaced at a pitch of 150 mm.

The first pair 16.1 of relatively smaller second apertures 18 is spaced 50 mm from the end of the I-beam 10, with the second pair 16.2 of relatively smaller second apertures 18 being spaced 190 mm from the first pair 16.1 of relatively smaller apertures 18, on the opposite side of the first relatively larger aperture 14.1 . The apertures 18 of each pair 16.1 to 16.4 of relatively smaller second apertures 18 are spaced 50 mm from each other, 43.3 mm from the top and bottom of the I-beam 10, and each have a diameter of 17.5 mm.

On the other end of the I-beam 10, a similar arrangement is used, with the fourth pair 16.4 of relatively smaller second apertures 18 being spaced 50 mm from the end of the I-beam 10, with the third pair 16.3 of relatively smaller second apertures 18 being spaced 190 mm from the fourth pair 16.4 of relatively smaller second apertures 18.

The I-beam 10 further comprises a pair of parallel flanges 20, 22 on opposite ends of the web 12, the flanges 20, 22 extending at 90 degrees to the web 12.

Each flange 20, 22 comprises at least one pair 24.1 to 24.8, 26.1 to 26.8, respectively, of third circular apertures 28, 30, respectively, positioned on opposite sides of the web 12, as best shown in Figures 1 and 3.

Each flange 20, 22 also includes at least one pair 32.1 to 32.8, 34.1 to 34.8, respectively, of elongate slots 36, 38, respectively positioned on opposite sides of the web 12. These pairs 32.1 to 32.8, 34.1 to 34.8 are proximate, but spaced apart, from the adjacent, corresponding pairs 24.1 to 24.8, 26.1 to 26.8, respectively, of third apertures 28, 30. The third circular apertures 28, 30 and the elongate slots 36, 38 in the flanges 20, 22 will now be described in more detail with reference to Figure 3. In an embodiment, each pair 24.1 to 24.8, 26.1 to 26.8 of the third apertures 28, 30 has a corresponding pair

32.1 to 32.8, 34.1 to 34.8 of adjacent slots 36, 38, to define a cluster of openings, with these clusters extending along the length of the flanges 20, 22, as best shown in Figure 3.

The centres of the third apertures 28, 30 are spaced 55 mm from the centres of the adjacent slots 36, 38, as shown in Figure 3. In an embodiment, the pairs 24.1 to 24.8,

26.1 to 26.8 of third apertures 28, 30 and the adjacent pairs 32.1 to 32.8, 34.1 to 34.8 of slots 36, 38 extend transverse to the length of the flanges 20, 22. The third apertures 28, 30 and slots 36, 38 on either side of the web 12 are in line with each other, and alternating in the manner described above, as shown in Figure 3.

In an embodiment, the corresponding third apertures 28, 30 and the slots 36, 38 in both flanges 20, 22 are aligned with each other.

Thus, working from the start end 19 of the I-beam 10, the centres of the first pair 24.1 ,

26.1 of the third apertures 28, 30 is spaced 130 mm from the end 19 of the I-beam 10, with the centres of the adjacent pairs 24.2 to 24.8, 26.2 to 26.8 of third apertures 28, 30 being spaced at a pitch of 150 mm along the length of the flanges 20, 22. The centres of the apertures 28, 30 in each pair 24.1 to 24.8, 26.1 to 26.8 are spaced 44 mm from each other, and have a diameter of 14 mm.

The centres of the first pair 32.1 , 34.1 of slots 36, 38 is spaced 75 mm from the end 19 of the I-beam 10, with the centres of the adjacent pairs 32.2 to 32.8, 34.2 to 34.8 of slots being spaced at a pitch of 150 mm along the length of the flanges 20, 22. The centres of the slots 36, 38 in each pair 32.1 to 32.8, 34.1 to 34.8 are spaced 44 mm from each other, with the length of each slot 36, 38 typically being around 14mm x 35mm. In use, the specific arrangement of holes and slots in both the flanges and the web enables the fixing of various formwork, support work and scaffolding components, such as walers, scaffold tubes, fittings and brackets to the beam, as will now be described with reference to Figures 5A to 5S.

Figure 5A shows a scaffold tube 50 fixed to the beam 10 with tube waler clips 52, each waler clip 52 being secured to one of the third apertures and an adjacent slot formed in one of the flanges.

Figure 5B is similar to Figure 5A, in that it shows a channel waler 54 fixed to the beam 10 with channel waler clips 56, each waler clip 56 being secured to one of the third apertures and an adjacent slot in one of the flanges.

Figure 5C shows a beam 10 bolted to another beam 10, at 90 degrees, the bolts 58 extending through the slots in the adjacent flanges of each beam 10.

Figure 5D is similar to Figure 5C, in that it shows a compound beam comprising a beam 10 bolted in line on top of another beam 10. In this case, the bolts 60 extend through the third apertures of the adjacent flanges.

Figure 5E shows a waler 62 fixed to the beam 10 with waler clamps 64, the waler clamps 64 extending through one of the first apertures formed in the web.

Figure 5F is similar to Figure 5E, but shows a clamping system known as a Lindapter 66 extending through a slot in the upper flange to fix the waler 62 to the beam 10.

Figure 5G is similar to Figures 5E and 5F, but shows bolts 68 extending through the third apertures in the upper flange to fix the waler 62 to the beam 10.

Figure 5H shows a multi-form beam 69 bolted to the upper flange of the beam 10. In Figures 51 and 5J, a plurality of beams 10 are arranged vertically, with a swivel foot connector 70 being secured to an outer flange of one of the beams 10. A prop 72 may be fitted to the connector, with a plywood board typically being secured to the other side of the beams 10, for formwork applications.

Figure 5K shows an example of a truss configuration using three beams 10. In this figure, a connector 74, to which up to three push-pull props 76 may be fitted is used, with hinge connectors 78 being provided at the corners between the beams 10, which may be adjusted accordingly. Other possible truss configurations are shown in Figure 5L, which may use props 76 or tie connectors 79 to brace and tension beams 10.

The beams 10 are typically made in lengths of up to 6 metres, but this length may be extended by using splices 80, one of which is shown in Figure 5M. In one version, a connecting waler 82 may then be fitted over the splice connection with a suitable waler connection, as shown in Figure 5N.

Figure 50 shows a plywood board 84 attached to the beam 10 from the rear, thereby ensuring that no screw marks are visible on the other facing side of the board 84.

Figure 5P shows a timber cleat 86 fixed to the beam 10.

Figure 5Q shows two lifting arrangements comprising a lifting body 88 and with cylindrical tubes 89 extending through the first apertures in the web 12. The ends of the tubes 89 are securely pinned to the web 12.

Figure 5R shows a levelling jack 90 fitted to a vertically extending beam 10.

Figure 5S shows an access bracket 92 fitted to a vertically extending beam 10 via an attachment bracket 94. To emphasise the versatility of the beam 10, the drawings in Figure 6 show the use of the beam 10 in several applications, as follows:

- Figure 6A shows a wall formwork assembly with a plurality of vertically extending I-beams with plywood being fitted on their inner faces to define a cavity for forming a concrete wall.

- Figure 6B shows an assembly of horizontally extending I-beams, supported by props, to define a temporary support work structure for concrete slabs.

- Figure 6C shows a formwork traveler assembly in which an assembly of vertically and horizontally extending I-beams are fitted with wheels, to define a movable structure typically used during bridge construction.

- Figure 6D shows a column assembly with a plurality of vertically extending beams with plywood being fitted on their inner faces to define a cavity for forming a concrete column.

- Figure 6E shows a support work and formwork assembly to cast a typical concrete bridge deck; and

- Figure 6F shows a support work and formwork assembly to cast a typical concrete tunnel. The uniqueness of the present invention is thus the modification of an off the shelf I- beam to include a series of holes and slots into the web and flanges. The result is a very versatile beam to use in an almost unlimited number of ways within the formwork, support work and scaffolding industry.