T echnical F ield

[01] The present invention relates to supporting a structure. In particular, this invention relates to a strength enhancing structure for enhancing strength of a structure support arrangement

Background

[02] Structures such as hoardings and panels among other things often need to be erected or supported by a structure support arrangement to form a ^" wal I _ or ^" fence _, at a construction site or renovation site to fence off areas in which construction or renovation is being carried out The structure is typically made of wood, wooden composites, plastics or sometimes metals and is typically connected to a support post of the structure support arrangement. However, such a structure support arrangement is not always able to provide sufficient stability to the structure especially during windy conditions or when the structure is pushed by people accidentally.

[03] T heref ore, there i s a need for a strength enhanci ng structure that i ncreases the strength and stabi I ity of the structure support arrangement i n different use and weather conditions.

[04] It should be noted that although this present i nvention is described with reference to supporting hoardings, banners or panels used at a construction or renovation site, the present invention can also be used to support structures such as billboards, advertisement boards, or screens, etc., without departi ng from the scope of the present i nventi on.

[05] Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the words ^" comprise _, , ^" comprises _, and ^" comprising _, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated step or element or group of steps or elements but not the exclusion of any other step or element or group of steps or elements.

[06] Any one of the terms: ^" including _, or ^" which includes _, or ^" that includes _, as used herei n i s al so an open term that al so means i ncl udi ng at I east the el ements f eatures that f ol I ow the term, but not excluding others.

[07] Any discussion of the background art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such background art is prior art nor that such background art is widely known or forms part of the common general knowledge in the field in A ustralia or worldwide. Summary

[08] There is provided a strength enhancing structure for enhancing strength of a structure support arrangement the strength enhancing structure comprising a main body having a first end and a second end; a first connection mechanism at the first end of the main body to connect to a first part of the structure support arrangement, the first connection mechanism bei ng configured to support the main body via the first part of the structure support arrangement; and a second connection mechanism at the second end of the main body to connect to a second part of the structure support arrangement the second connection mechanism being configured to support the second part of the structure support arrangement via the main body to enhance strength of the second part of the structure support arrangement

[09] It is an advantage of the present invention that the structure support arrangement, particularly, the second part of the structure support arrangement is provided with additional strength by connecting the first end of the main body of the strength enhancing structure to the first part of the structure support arrangement and connecting the second end of the main body of the strength enhancing structure to the second part of the structure support arrangement This particularly improves the stabil ity of the structure support arrangement when supporting heavier panels, banners and hoardings or in different weather conditions.

[010] The first connection mechanism may further comprise a first connection plate extending from the first end of the main body and at least one connection bar extending from the first connection plate to be securely inserted to the first part of the structure support arrangement

[011 ] T he at I east one connection bar may further i ncl ude two connecti on bars.

[012] The first connection mechanism may further comprise a first clamping arrangement configured to clamp the first end to the fi rst part of the structure support arrangement

[013] The first connection mechanism may further comprise a first snap fit arrangement havi ng a f i rst spri ng I oaded chuck configured to receive the f i rst end.

[014] The first connection mechanism may further comprise a first connection plate extendi ng from the f i rst end of the mai n body and at I east one f i rst hoi e extendi ng through the first connecti on plate.

[015] The strength enhancing structure may further comprise at least one first fastener to securely connect the first connection mechanism to the first part of the structure support arrangement through the at least one fi rst hole [016] The second connection mechanism may further comprise a second connection plate extending from the second end of the main body and at least one second hole extending through the second connection plate.

[017] T he strength enhanci ng structure may further comprise at least one second fastener to securely connect the second connection mechanism to the second part of the structure support arrangement through the at least one second hole.

[018] The strength enhancing structure may further comprise a cut out i n the second connection plate.

[019] The second connection mechanism may further comprise a second clamping arrangement configured to clamp the second end to the second part of the structure support arrangement

[020] The second connection mechanism may further comprise a second snap fit arrangement havi ng a second spri ng I oaded chuck configured to receive the second end. Brief Description of Drawings

[021] At least one example of the i nvention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[022] Fig. 1A illustrates a strength enhancing structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the strength enhancing structure being used to enhance the strength of a structure support arrangement;

[023] Fig. 1 B illustrates the strength enhanci ng structure for the structure support arrangement;

[024] Fig. 2 il lustrates a top perspective view of a counterweight of the structure support arrangement;

[025] Fig. 3 illustrates a nesting formation of the counterweight of the structure support arrangement;

[026] Fig. 4 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the counterweight of the structure support arrangement; and

[027] Fig. 5 illustrates the counterweight of the structure support arrangement Description of E mbodi ments

[028] Figure 1A illustrates a strength enhancing structure 102 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The strength enhancing structure 102 is used to enhance the strength of a structure support arrangement 100. As shown in Figure 1A, the structure support arrangement 100 has a first part 105 and a second part 110. The second part 110 is a support post The support post 110 might be a wooden post, metallic post and/or of any material capable of supporting the weight of one or more banners, hoardings or panels that may be fixed to the support post 110. Further, the first part 105 comprises a pl urality of counterweights 1210, 1220, 1230, 1240 and 1250 in a stacked configuration.

[029] Figure 2 illustrates a top perspective view of a counterweight 1220 of the plurality of the counterweights 1210 to 1250. As shown in Figure 2, the counterweight 1220 has a body member 210. In one embodiment of the invention, the body member 210 is made of plastic. Further, in one embodiment the body member 210 is made using a technique selected from a group of technologies includi ng injection moulding, rotary mouldi ng and blow moulding.

[030] Further, the counterweight 1220 includes a nesting formation 220 defined on the body member 210. The nesting formation 220 is configured to prevent lateral movement of the counterweight 1220 in at least one transverse direction when the counterweight 1220 is nested with further counterweights, particularly, an adjacent similar counterweights 1210 or 1230. T he transverse di recti on i s a di recti on def i ned by x and y di recti ons (as i ndi cated by the x and y arrows i n Figure 3) and is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the support post 110 i n operation. For example, a transverse direction that is between x and y directions can be defined by a linear combination of x and y directions. Figure 3 illustrates the nesting formation 220 of the counterweight 1210. As shown in Figure 3, the nesting formation 220 comprises an I-shaped projection 2210 and an I-shaped cavity 2220. The I-shaped projection 2210 has one or more projection heads 2212 and a projection neck 2214. Figure 4 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the counterweight 1220. As shown in Figure 4, the I-shaped cavity 2220 has one or more cavity heads 2222 and a cavity neck 2224.

[031] If the counterweight 1220 is nested with the adjacent similar counterweight 1210, the two projection heads 2212 of the counterweight 1220 mate with the two cavity heads of the adjacent simi lar counterweight 1210. Further, the projection neck 2214 of the counterweight 1220 mates with the cavity neck of the adjacent similar counterweight 1210. The adjacent similar counterweight 1210 is installed on the top of the counterweight 1220. As a result the lateral movement of the counterweights 1210 and 1220 relative to each other in at least one transverse direction can be prevented. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 1, the one or more cavity heads 2222 and cavity neck 2224 of the counterweight 1220 mate with the corresponding one or more projection heads and projection neck of the counterweight 1230, which is installed under the counterweight 1220. As a result the lateral movement of the counterweights 1220 and 1230 relative to each other in at least one transverse direction can be prevented. [032] Returning now to Figure 2, the counterweight 1220 further comprises a post receiving formation 230 defined on the body member 210. The post receiving formation 230 is configured for receiving the support post 110. In one embodiment the post receiving formation 230 is any one or more selected from an aperture and a recess. The post receiving formation 230 includes an openi ng formed on a side (particularly, the support side 510, as shown in Figure 5) of the counterweight 1220. Further, in one embodiment a shape of the post receivi ng formation 230 conforms to a cross- sectional shape of the support post 110 in order for the support post 110 to fit into the post receiving formation 230. In another embodiment, the shape of the post receiving formation 230 is rectangular regardless of the cross- secti onal shape of the support post 110.

[033] In one embodiment, the counterweight 1220 comprises one or more plates (i.e., lip plates) 240 secured to the body member 210, in proximity of the post receiving formation 230. Further, the one or more lip plates 240 are adapted to prevent lateral movement of the support post 110 in at least one transverse direction when the support post 110 is received in the post receiving formation 230. In one embodiment one li p plate is secured to the body member 210 to entirely or partially cover the opening of the post receiving formation 230 so as to prevent the support post 110 from laterally sliding out of the post receiving formation 230 in at least one transverse direction. In one embodiment in which two lip plates are used, a gap between the two lip plates 240, when secured to the body member 210, is smaller than the openi ng of the post recei vi ng f ormati on 230, as shown i n F igure 2. T hus when the support post 110 is received in the post receiving formation 230, the one or more lip plates prevent the support post 110 from laterally sliding out of the post receiving formation 230 in at least one transverse direction. In one embodiment of the invention, the one or more lip plates 240 are removably secured to the body member 210, such as by means of one or more fasteners. Further, the one or more lip plates 240 may be provided with holes adapted to receive the one or more fasteners in order to secure the one or more lip plates 240 to the body member 210. Accordi ngly, the body member 210 has threaded holes corresponding to the holes of the one or more lip plates 240. In another embodiment the one or more l ip plates 240 are at least partial ly embedded i n the body member 210 when secured to the body member 210.

[034] In one embodiment the counterweight 1220 further comprises a cavity 260 defined on the body member 210. The cavity 260 is configured to connect the strength enhancing structure 102 with the body member 210. The cavity 260 is provided on an adjacent side to the I-shaped projection 2210 and opposite to the post receiving formation 230. Further, in one embodiment, the cavity 260 may be a single cavity or a plurality of cavities. [035] Figure 5 i 11 ustrates the counterweight 1220 the structure support arrangement 100. As shown in Figure 5, the counterweight 1220 defi nes at least one support side 510 and at least one non- support side 520. Further, the structure (for example, a panel) is supported along the at least one support side 510 i n operation. Also, the post receiving formation 230 is located adj acent to the at I east one support si de 510.

[036] Also, the cavity 260 extends towards an edge 540 of the counterweight 1220. In one embodiment, the edge 540 is located at the at least one non-support side 520. Also, in one embodiment, the body member 210 is a hollow member and is filled with a coagulable material, such as cement. The coagulable material provides a sufficient weight to the structure support arrangement 100. This provides the structure support arrangement 100 with further stabi lity. A filling aperture 530 is provided on the body member 210 at the at least one non-support side 520. The coagulable material is filled into the body member 210 through the fil ling aperture 530.

[037] Figure 1 B illustrates the strength enhancing structure 102 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Referring here Figure 1A and 1 B, the strength enhancing structure 102 comprises a main body 104 having a first end 1042 and a second end 1044. The main body 104 may have for example a circular cross-section, a rectangular cross- section or a trapezoidal cross-section. In one embodiment, the main body 104 has a straight profile throughout the length of the main body 104. In another embodiment the main body 104 may have one or more bends at a predetermined angle and at a predetermi ned distance from the first end 1042 or the second end 1044. In one embodiment, the main body 104 has an L -shaped profile. Also, the main body 104 may have an arc- 1 i ke profile. The arcs and other bends are provided to the main body 104 in order to provide additional rigidity to the mai n body 104 agai nst buckl i ng or other fai I ures due to I ocal i zed stress concentrati on.

[038] Further, the main body 104 may be made of, but not limited to, a wood, metal, an alloy or a rigid material havi ng sufficient compressive and/or tensile strength, depending upon the material used for making the first part 105 and the second part 110 of the structure support arrangement 100. Also, the main body 104 may be a solid or a hollow component. Making the main body 104 hollow provides weight reduction and avoid material wastage. In that manner, it is envisaged that the material chosen for the hollow main body 104 will have sufficient strength to withstand the stresses generated during operation.

[039] A first connection mechanism 106 is provided at the first end 1042 of the main body 104. The first connection mechanism 106 is configured to connect the first end 1042 of the main body 104 of the strength enhancing structure 102 to the body member 210 of the counterweight 1210, i.e., the first part 105 of the structure support arrangement 100. In various embodiments, first connection mechanism 106 comprises a first connection plate 1062 extending from the first end 1042 of the main body 104. Also, at least one connection bar 1064 extends from the first connection plate 1062. In one embodiment, the at least one connection bar 1064 includes two connection bars 1064. The at least one connection bar 1064 is configured to be securely inserted to the cavity 260 of the body member 210. It is envisaged here that a dovetail joint may be provided between the at least one connection bar 1064 and the cavity 260, to ensure that the at least one connection bar 1064 is secured within the cavity 260. Further, it is envisaged that the cross section of the at least one connection bar 1064 is adapted to conform to the shape of the cavity 260. This secures the first connection mechanism 106 and thereby, the first end 1042 of the main body 104, in the body member 210.

[040] In various other embodiments, the first connection mechanism 106 includes a first clamping arrangement configured to clamp the first end 1042 to the first part (or the counterweigh 1210 here). In yet another embodiment the first connection mechanism 106 includes a first snap fit arrangement having a first spring loaded chuck configured to receive the first end 1042. In one embodiment, the fi rst connection plate 1062 of the first connection mechanism 106 has at least one first hole. The at least one first hole may be internally threaded. Also the at least one first hole is configured to receive the at least one first fastener and prevent the movement of the first connection plate 1062 and thereby the movement of the strength enhanci ng structure 102, with respect to the f i rst part 105 and the second part 110. In various embodiments, the at least one first fastener may include any one of a screw, a bolt, a nut and bolt combination, a stud and many other variations as would be appreciated by a skilled addressee.

[041] The strength enhancing structure 102 also includes a second connection mechanism 108 at the second end 1044 of the main body 104. The second connection mechanism 108 is configured to connect the second end 1044 of the main body 104 to the second part 110 (or the support post 110) of the structure support arrangement 100. In various embodiments, the second connection mechanism 108 further comprises a second connection plate 1082 extending from the second end 1042 of the main body 104. And the second connection plate 1082 has at least one second hole 1084 extending through the second connection plate 1082. The second connection mechanism 108 also includes at least one second fastener. In various embodiments, the at least one second fastener may include any one of a screw, a bolt a nut and bolt combination, a stud and many other variations as would be appreciated by a skilled addressee.

[042] The at least one second hole is configured to receive the at least one second fastener to securely connect the second connection mechanism 108 to the second part 110 (or the support post 110) of the structure support arrangement 100 through the at least one second hole 1084. In various other embodiments, the second connection mechanism 108 includes a second clamping arrangement configured to clamp the second end 1044 to the second part 110 of the structure support arrangement 100. In yet another embodiment the second connection mechanism 108 embodies a second snap fit arrangement having a second spring loaded chuck configured to receive the second end 1044. Also, a cut-out 1086 is provided in the second connection plate 1082.

[043] The first connection mechanism 106 and the second connection mechanism 108 are adapted to prevent motion of the strength enhancing structure 102 with respect to the first part 105 and the second part 110 of the structure support arrangement 100. The strength enhancing structure 102 is adapted to provide additional strength to the second part 110 (or the support post 110) via the mai n body 104.

[044] In one embodiment the strength enhancing structure 102 is removably attached to the body member 210 and the support post 110. The at least one connection bar 1064 of the first connection mechanism 106 may form detachable link with the cavity 260 having a press-fit locking and unlocking mechanism And the second connection mechanism 108 may be detached from the support post 110 by unfastening the at least one second fastener on the second connection plate 1082.

[045] As can be seen from the above description, the second part 110 of the structure support arrangement 100 is provided with additional strength by connecting the first end 1042 of the main body 104 of the strength enhancing structure 102 to the first part 1020 of the structure support arrangement 100 and connecting the second end 1044 of the main body 104 of the strength enhancing structure 102 to the second part 110 of the structure support arrangement 100. This way, the strength enhancing structure 102 increases the strength of the support post 110 and the stability of the structure support arrangement 100 when supporting heavier panels or hoardings fixed to the second post 110 and in different weather conditions.

[046] It should also be noted that the structure support arrangement 100 described in the present disclosure is j ust an example of an structure support arrangement the strength of which the strength enhancing structure 102 can be used to enhance, and is not limited to the configuration described in the present disclosure. That is, the structure support arrangement 100 can be configured in other ways. For example, the structure support arrangement 100 can simply include a base (i.e., the fi rst part) and a support post (i.e., the second part) extending from the base to support a hoardi ng or a panel .

[047] The terms and descriptions used herein are set forth by way of illustration only and are not meant as limitations. Examples and limitations disclosed herein are intended to be not limiting in any manner, and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. Those skilled i n the art will recognize that many variations are possible within the spirit and scope of the disclosure, and thei r equivalents, in which all terms are to be understood i n thei r broadest possible sense unless otherwise indicated.

[048] Various modifications to these embodiments are apparent to those skilled in the art from the description and the accompanying drawings. The principles associated with the various embodiments described herein may be applied to other embodiments. Therefore, the description is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown along with the accompanying drawings but is to be providing broadest scope of consistent with the principles and the novel and inventive features disclosed or suggested herein. Accordingly, the disclosure is anticipated to hold on to all other such alternatives, modifications, and variations that fall within the scope of the present disclosure and appended clai ms.