Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a support foot, in particular a support foot for supporting and anchoring shuttering formwork.

Background to the Invention

Concrete walls, pillars or columns are conventionally formed using form- work which is applied around the edge of the structure to be formed. The form- work supports shuttering contact board which provides a surface against which the concrete can be poured to form the structure. When the concrete is poured, considerable force is applied to the board and consequently to the formwork due to the weight of the concrete. This can cause the formwork to move, and consequently the resultant structure is formed incorrectly.

Thus with any formwork it is necessary to anchor the formwork appropri ately to the ground or other static structure so that the formwork does not move when the concrete is poured.

The present solutions offered (such as that described in GB2561567) in clude brackets which are pined to the ground using road pins. Unfortunately such solutions are not satisfactory because there is too much deflection in the shuttering contact member when the concrete is poured. Also the base tends to be forced upwards by the action of the concrete, and this leads to movement of the whole formwork.

Another problem occurs when the surface upon which the formwork is to be placed is uneven or undulating. This will mean that some of the formworks in a line will be higher or lower than others and joining them together can prove difficult.

There has now been devised a support foot which overcomes and/or substantially mitigates the above referenced and/or other disadvantages asso ciated with the prior art.

Summary of the Invention

In an aspect of the invention there is provided a support foot for support ing and anchoring a shuttering formwork, the foot comprising a substantially‘U’ shaped section member having a base and two opposing sides, the base com- prising at least three separate slots for receiving retaining members to hold the foot against the ground in use, each side comprising a slot at its respective proximal end for receiving a fixing of a formwork frame, wherein in use the fixing is slidingly engaged with the slot and securable therein to adjust the height of the formwork frame with respect to the ground.

It will be understood that the proximal end is the end of the foot closest to any member attached to the foot in use. For example of the foot is attached to a formwork frame it is the end of the foot (which is same as the end of the base and the sides) which is closest to the formwork wall.

The foot according to the invention is advantageous primarily because the slots allow three zones through which the user can fix retaining members, in order to secure the foot to the ground. This doesn’t mean to say that three re taining members will be used, but three zones for inserting retaining members are available to the user. This provides great flexibility to the user, and means that they will always be able to avoid possible rebar or the like within the surface on which the foot is mounted. So the foot gives great flexibility in fixing options. Also, the design of the foot allows the user to use retaining members through the base that are spread out considerably from the front of the foot to the rear of the foot, i.e. front left and back right. This gives superior strength over conven tional fixings, which are often close together, and this cracks the surface upon which the foot is placed, and therefore weakens the ability of the foot to hold to the ground. Some of these conventional devices use just round holes for the retaining member positions but this also requires a calculation about where the two positions should be in order to provide the best structural set up. And insert ing retaining members into such positions is not always possible due to rebar or the like. A further advantage of the invention is the slots in the sides. These are crucial to being able to adjust the adjoined formwork up or down, which means that the foot is perfect for uneven ground fixing.

Overall the foot has a further advantage in that it allows the connection of formwork which used in casting a wall of a single side or of a double side. Thus the same foot can be used whether a double wall (ie two opposing formworks) is to be assembled, or just a single wall (i.e. one single formwork to produce a wall with one side).

The foot is preferably made from high grade galvanized or stainless steel but may be made from other metals, composite or plastic material. High grade galvanised or stainless steel is preferred for its strength and anticorrosive fea tures.

The base and sides may be formed from three separate pieces of mate rial which are joined together, for example by welding or bonding in some way. Preferably the base and sides are formed from a single piece of flat material which is bent to form the base, and sides.

Preferably the slots in the base are parallel with each other. This makes it easier to manufacture the foot. However the slots may be present within the base at any angle with respect to one another. And the slots may have different lengths accordingly.

Preferably the slots in the base run at right angles to a bend/join line formed when the base is bent/joined to create the side. However, the slots in the base may run parallel with the same bend/join or at angle with respect to one another.

The slots in the base are distinguished from holes in that their length is greater than their width. The ends of each slot are disposed within the boundary of the base. That is to say that there is a gap between the end of each slot and the edge of the base in any direction.

In use preferably a first retaining member is inserted through the most proximal slot in the base. This directs the load which is at the proximal end of the foot (because that is where the slots in side are present), directly towards the ground thereto.

In use preferably only two retaining members are used, a first retaining member being inserted through the most proximal slot, and a second retaining member being inserted through any one of the two remaining slots, and wherein the first retaining member and the second retaining member are offset from one another. Off set from one another means that they are in a line which is not par allel with a lateral axis of force acting though foot in use. For example if the foot is used to support formwork, then there will be a lateral axis of force which acts generally parallel with the bend/join line between the base and the sides of the foot. By off-setting the retaining members and using two as described, there is less likelihood of the surface upon which the foot is placed from cracking under said force. It is possible that in use each slot has a retaining member inserted through it. In such a scenario then the retaining members must again be offset from one another. However the inventors have found that using two retaining members is however stronger than using three.

The slots in the respective sides are also longer than they are in width. Their ends of each slot are disposed within the boundary of the side. That is to say that there is a gap between the end of each slot and the edge of the respec tive side.

The slots in the sides match one another and are at an angle within the respective side of between approximately 20 degrees and 90 degrees to the bend or join line formed between the base the respective side. This enables the height and relative forward position of any formwork attached to the foot to be altered in use.

The sides may comprise a taper which tapers from the proximal end of the foot to the distal end. This facilitates access to the slots in the base, reduces overall weight and prevents a trip hazard. The proximal end of the foot is the end closest to the formwork in use, or the feature that the foot is supporting. The distal end of the foot is opposite the proximal end. The taper has also been surprisingly found to add strength to the foot and the resultant overall shape of the foot helps spread the load of the forces applied to the foot in use thus ensur- ing transfer of those loads into the ground more directly. When used with form- work the foot with the taper spreads loads from the formwork system and dissi pates the loads into the ground upon which the foot is anchored to. This load dissipation effect allows the formwork to perform its function and so the inven tion facilitates a formwork to perform its function that through its design.

A retaining member may be any type of member which is able to retain the base in contact with the ground. Examples of suitable retaining members include but are not limited to roadway pins, bolts, screws or nails. A fixing may be aby type of member which is able to hold a formwork in place with the slots on the side of the foot. Suitable fixings include nut and bolt arrangements, screws, or pins.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will now be described by way of example only with refer ence to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a three dimensional view of an embodiment of the sup port foot.

Detailed Description of the Illustrated Embodiment

Figure 1 shows a three dimensional view of an embodiment of the foot according to the invention generally designated 1. The foot 1 is made up of a generally‘IT shaped high grade galvanised steel section member having a base 2 and two opposing sides 3, 4 bent at right angles to the base 2. In the base 2 there are three identical separate slots 2a, 2b and 2c which are cut out from the steel material of the base 2. Each of the slots 2a, 2b and 2c are orientated par allel with one another and extend substantially across the base 2 from one side 3, 4 to the other at right angles to the bend line between each side 3, 4 and the base 2. In the example shown, and other examples, the centre of each slot 2a, 2b and 2c falls in line with the central axis x-x of the base 2. Each slot 2a, 2b and 2c has a length which is approximately 80% of the width of the base 2. As such the ends of each slot 2a, 2b, 2c are positioned away from the bends be tween the sides 3, 4 and the base 2. Each of the sides 3, 4 has a slot 3a and 4a. Slots 3a and 4a are opposite one another, match one another and are at right angles to the bend line between the base 2 and respective side 3, 4 (i.e. parallel with the respective side 3, 4 at the proximal end of the foot 1 ). The cen tre of each slot 3a and 4a falls in line with the central axis y-y of the respective side 3, 4. Each slot 3a, 4a has a length which is approximately 80% of the height of each side 3, 4. As such the lower part of each slot 3a, 4a is positioned above the bend between the sides 3, 4 and the base 2. All of the slots 3a, 4a, 2a, 2b, 2c are distinguished from mere holes by the fact that their length is greater than their width. The slots 3a, 4a are configured to receive a bolt or oth er fixing in use. The slots 2a, 2b, 2c are configured to receive a pin, bolt or other suitable retaining member that allows that foot 1 to be mounted onto a solid base 2 in use.

In use the foot 1 is positioned on the surface (not shown) to which a formwork frame (not shown) is to be mounted, with the underside of the base 2 in contact with the surface as is shown in figure 1. Thus the sides 3, 4 extend upwards from the surface in use. Typical surfaces include a roadway or con crete surfaces. A retaining member, such as pin or a bolt is hammered or screwed (or otherwise inserted) into the slot 2c which is the proximal slot, and then a second retaining member is hammered or screwed (or otherwise insert ed) into either of the remaining slots 2a or 2b in order to fix the foot 1 to the sur face and hold it securely thereto. The retaining member inserted through slot 2a or 2b is positioned off set from the first retaining member inserted through slot 2c. Off set means that the two pins are in a line which is not parallel with the lateral force axis expected when the formwork is attached (see later). In this way there is less chance that the surface to which the foot 1 is applied will crack in use. The slots 2a, 2b and 2c allow the user to use one or more fixings (at least one in each slot) in different positions over the base 2. This has the ad vantage that if the user encounters rebar or the like within the concrete or sur face to which the foot 1 is secured, then he can select a different position for the fixing and still be within the slot. If the base 2 just had holes, then the options for alternate fixing positions is limited should some rebar be encountered. Another advantage is that if the foot 1 is to be secured to an uneven surface, then the slots 2a, 2b and 2c, can allow the user flexibility in where to place the fixings, so that the foot 1 can be orientated as level as possible or at the angle required, which ever he decides, and this is controlled by the positions of the different fix ings in the slots. Furthermore, the user is able to insert fixings through the base 2 which are not in line with each other and so there is less chance of the sur face upon which the foot 1 is mounted cracking due to the insertion of the pins. Furthermore, as a fixing is always inserted through slot 2c (the most proximal slot) the area of the foot 1 where the most pressure is applied in use (i.e. when a formwork is attached) is held secure and load at said area is therefore forced to act directly to the ground. This has the effect of taking most of the weight of the formwork and takes the pressure off the other fixings inserted through slots 2a or 2b. Furthermore, the inventors have found that fixing the foot 1 to the ground using two fixings is stronger than when three fixings are used. They pos tulate that is because of rupture of the surface upon which the foot 1 is place as caused by the fixings themselves.

The lower parts of a formwork frame (not shown) are then inserted either between the two sides 3, 4 or around the sides 3, 4. Holes within the formwork are aligned with the slots 3a, 4a and bolts are inserted therein. Nuts are applied to the bolts. The position of the end of the formwork with respect to the ground can be altered by adjusting the formwork within the slots 3a, 4a. When the de sired position is found the nut and bolt fixings are tightened to secure the form- work to the foot 1 , so that the foot 1 supports and anchors the formwork to the surface. The slots 3a, 4a therefore allow the height of the formwork above the ground to be adjusted. Thus even if the ground is uneven, the top of a wall which employs multiple formworks and feet in a line can be built to be horizon tal. Also it enables neighbouring formworks which may have been premanufac tured with holes in predefined positions to be joined easily together. The slots 3a, 4a are proximal the forward edge of the foot 1 and are between 50 and 120mm long. The forward edge is the edge that is closest to the formwork wall in use. By siting them proximal the forward edge it means that the user can connect a formwork frame further away from the front of the foot 1 . This makes the connection of the formwork to the foot 1 easier and the foot 1 the does not interfere with the formwork it is supporting.

The sides 3, 4 of the foot 1 also have a taper 5, which is a portion of each side 3, 4 which is cut out so that each side 3, 4 tapers from the distal end to the proximal end. When the formwork is attached to the slots 3a, 4a as de scribed, most of the pressure onto the foot 1 is applied at the proximal end of the foot 1 (i.e. the end closest the formwork wall). The taper 5 spreads the pres sure rearwards (i.e. towards the distal end) and therefore the foot 1 spreads/channels the loads applied to the ground and through the rearward fix ing. Without the taper 5 the foot 1 may distort. ln another example of the invention (not shown) there is a foot 1 substan tially as described above, however the slots 2a, 2b and 2c, run parallel with a fold line between the base 2 and the sides 3, 4. The slots 2a, 2b and 2c are dis tributed evenly over the base 2 and away from the edge of the base 2, in the same manner as the slots are for the example shown in figure 1. In use a fixing is applied to any of the three slots in the most proximal position (is at the end of the respective slot closest to the formwork in use). Preferably the central slot 2b is chosen. A second fixing is then inserted rearward of the first, but not in the same slot. Thus the second fixing is inserted in either of slots 2a or 2c. The re- mainder of the foot 1 and its use is as described above.