The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for installing free-standing verandahs and, in particular, to an upright support post adapted to support a free-standing verandah in a portable camp, and to a method of fixing the support post in the ground.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Camps have been used for many years to provide shelter and accommodation especially in remote areas. This is especially so in the case of remote camps that are assembled using a number of transportable buildings, some of the buildings used as sleeping quarters, others as the kitchen and dining room facility and others still as recreational areas. It is not uncommon for a camp to consist of sixty to eighty buildings that can accommodate several hundred people.

These camps are completely self-contained in that the transportable buildings provide all of the facilities for a small remote community that may be needed in a particular area. Accordingly these camps include all of the modern day facilities such as electrical power, water, sewerage, and communication. They therefore also include their own generation systems, water distribution systems, sewerage treatment plants, and communication facilities such as satellite dishes. The camps typically require a considerable amount of skill, time, and effort to assemble and commission. Once constructed these camps can however provide accommodation indefinitely if the infrastructure is maintained.

In some instances the camps have to be portable or mobile. For example, during construction of infrastructure across a vast area, such as roads or pipelines supplying water or gas, a particular location for a camp housing the construction workers, may only be viable for several weeks or months. As the pipeline is progressively constructed, there is a balance between the economic cost of the travel time of workers housed in the camp to the current work site and time spent constructing the actual pipeline. It is therefore accepted in the industry that if the travel time between a camp and the work location is more than an hour, a new camp has to be constructed one hour ahead of the current construction location or generally up to several hundred kilometres away from the existing camp.

A camp for several hundred people takes time to construct and commission. Accordingly, construction work on the particular project has to stop for one or two weeks whilst the camp is relocated. Alternatively there are duplicate camps used so that whilst one camp is being used the other is being decommissioned from one location to be assembled at another location. Either solution has its advantages. The first increases the time for a particular project whilst the second is a duplication of infrastructure that requires significant capital.

As mentioned, such camps typically consist of sixty to eighty buildings. The buildings which form the living quarters of the camps are typically arranged in a series of longitudinal rows of transversely opposed buildings whereby the front of each opposed building faces one another, and the space therebetween forms a longitudinal walkway. So that camp occupants can travel to other areas of the camp such as dining or recreation areas, the walkways often extend to these other areas. For obvious reasons, it is appropriate for the walkways to be covered by an appropriate verandah system.

The applicant's co-pending international patent application entitled "A portable camp and verandah system therefor", whose contents are incorporated by reference herein, is related to a verandah system adapted for use between transversely opposed buildings of a portable camp. While this system is adequate in providing shelter to the area between opposed buildings, it does not provide shelter for the walkways that extend out from the living quarters to other areas of the camp. Thus, free-standing verandahs are required in such situations.

The existing method of installing free-standing verandahs is by setting a series of upright posts in concrete in the ground on opposed sides of the walkway. When the concrete is set, longitudinal support beams are used to connect upper ends of the support posts on each side of the walkway, the verandah being adapted to extend between the support beams and thereby provide shelter to the walkway. Although effective, it can be appreciated that it is not desirable to have to undertake this somewhat arduous task, including laying the concrete and waiting for it to set, each time a portable camp is commissioned. Further, once an upright post has been set in concrete, it may not be used again when assembling the camp in a different area and this therefore increases the amount of vertical posts that are required in a single project, thereby increasing inventory costs. In order to increase the efficiency of decommissioning and commissioning of the camp, there is a need for a reusable free-standing verandah that may be quickly and easily assembled and disassembled, whilst still maintaining the structural integrity that is required of such verandahs.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to overcome at least some of the aforementioned problems or to provide the public with a useful alternative.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore in one form of the invention there is proposed a support post for a verandah, said support post characterised by an auger portion at a lower end thereof, said auger portion adapted to be rotatably driven into the ground to thereby fix the support post in an upright position.

Preferably said auger portion comprises a substantially cylindrical body terminating in a point at its lower end and an auger spiral extending around the cylindrical body.

In preference said support post comprises engageable upper and lower elongate sections.

In preference said auger portion at a lower end thereof and an elongate tubular beam connected to the upper end of the auger portion, said elongate tubular beam extending along the same axis as the auger portion cylindrical body.

Preferably when said auger portion has been driven into the ground, the tubular beam extends upright a predetermined distance above the ground surface.

Preferably wherein said upper elongate section is in the form of an elongate tubular beam of stepped-up cross-sectional size to that of the tubular beam of the lower section.

Preferably the tubular beam of the upper section is adapted to slidably engage the tubular beam of the lower section.

In preference the tubular beam of the upper section is adapted to be fixable to the tubular beam of the lower section at a plurality of different heights.

In preference said support post further includes a support plate connected thereto in parallel relationship with the ground, said support plate adapted to abut with the ground surface to thereby provide additional lateral support to the support post.

Preferably said support plate is connected to the lower end of the tubular beam of the upper section of the support post.

In preference said support plate is connected to the lower section of the tubular beam at the junction between the auger portion and the tubular beam of the lower section.

In a further form of the invention there is proposed a free-standing verandah adapted to provide shelter over a predetermined area, said free-standing verandah characterised by: a shelter adapted to at least partially cover said predetermined area; and a plurality of support posts adapted to support said shelter, each of said support posts including an auger portion at a lower end thereof adapted to be rotatably driven into the ground to thereby fix the support post in an upright configuration.

Preferably said plurality of support posts includes at least one pair of support posts that are axially aligned on opposed side perimeters of the predetermined area.

Preferably said at least one pair of axially aligned support posts includes a tensionable cross- member extending therebetween.

In preference said tensionable cross-member includes two portions of stepped-down cross sectional size, each of said portions adapted to be fixedly connected at one end thereof to a respective upright support post, and slidably engageable with one another at opposed ends thereof such that the relative position of each portion with respect to the other is adjustable.

Preferably the relative position of each portion with respect to the other is further lockable.

In preference said free-standing verandah includes two support beams which extend parallel with the ground along the side perimeters of the predetermined area, whereby each of said support beams are supported by the upright support posts that are aligned along each corresponding side perimeter.

In preference the shelter of the free-standing verandah extends between the support beams.

In a still further form of the invention there is proposed a method of installing a support post for a free-standing verandah, said method characterised by rotatably driving an auger portion of the support post into the ground to thereby fix the support post in an upright configuration so that it may support a portion of the free-standing verandah.

In a yet further form of the invention there is proposed a method of installing a support post for a free-standing verandah, said method characterised by the following steps:

- rotatably driving an elongate first section of the support post into the ground, said first section including an auger portion at a lower end thereof adapted to be fully driven into the ground and an engaging portion at an upper end thereof, said engaging portion adapted to extend a predetermined distance above the ground; - fixing a second elongate section of the support post to the first elongate section, said second section adapted to support a shelter thereabove, said second section further including an engaging portion at a lower end thereof adapted to be fixed to the engaging portion of the first section such that the first section maintains the second section in an upright configuration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several implementations of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the advantages and principles of the invention. In the drawings,

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a free-standing verandah according to the present invention; and

Figure 2 illustrates an enlarged, exploded perspective view of one of the upright support posts of the free-standing verandah of Figure 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings. Although the description includes exemplary embodiments, other embodiments are possible, and changes may be made to the embodiments described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same and like parts.

Illustrated in Figure 1 is a free-standing verandah 10 according to the present invention including a plurality of upright support posts 12 used to support the verandah. The upright support post 12 is shown in closer detail in Figure 2.

The free-standing verandah 10 is adapted for use in a portable camp comprising a plurality of buildings (not shown). More particularly, the verandah 10 is used to provide shelter to walkways which extend from the primary living quarters of the camp to other areas of the camp. Figure 1 illustrates the free-standing verandah 10 of the present invention including three upright support posts 12, two longitudinal support beams 14 and 16, a verandah covering 18, and two cross-beams 20, each of which shall be described shortly. It is to be understood that the free-standing verandah system 10 of the present invention, although best suited for use in portable camps, may be used in any other applications.

Referring firstly to Figure 2, each upright support post 12 comprises two sections, a visible section 22 and an auger section 24, both of which are preferably constructed of steel. The visible section 22 of the upright support post 12 includes an elongated tubular beam 25, preferably of square cross- section, and a flat base plate 26 at a lower end of the beam 24, which may be circular as shown in Figure 1, or square as shown in Figure 2, or any other suitable shape.

The auger section 24 includes a solid cylindrical body 28 terminating at a lower end thereof into a point 30, and having an auger blade 32 spiralling around the cylindrical body 28. Connected to the upper end of the cylindrical body 28, preferably by way of an appropriate weld, is a small portion of a tubular beam 34 which is of stepped-down cross-sectional size to that of the tubular beam 24 of the visible section 22. When the point 30 of the auger section 24 is placed on the ground and a downward, rotational force is applied to the auger section 24 in a clockwise direction, the configuration of the auger blade 32 causes the section 24 to move downwardly into the ground, as those skilled in the art would appreciate. The auger section is to be screwed into the ground until only the tubular beam 32 extends out of the ground. Of course, the blade may be configured oppositely so that anticlockwise rotation causes it to move downwardly.

Any machine capable of providing a downward rotational force on the auger section may be used, for example, the applicant has found attaching the auger section 24 to an excavating machine having a

drilling attachment, such as a Bobcat®, is suitable. These also provide a means to unscrew the auger section 24 for removal from the ground. It is to be understood though that any other machine or device capable of providing the appropriate rotational force may be used.

After the auger section 24 has been fixed in the ground, the visible section 22 may be fixed thereto. The tubular beam 34 of the auger section extending out of the ground is adapted to slidably engage beam 24 of the visible section 24 until their respective apertures 36 and 38 become co-axially aligned. When the apertures 36 and 38 are co-axially aligned, then an appropriate fixing means may be used to secure the two sections together, such as a bolt connection or a weld. When the two sections 22 and 24 are fixed to one another, the base plate 26 is positioned just above the cylindrical body 28 of the auger section 24 adjacent the ground. It is to be understood that the tubular beam 34 of the auger section may well include a plurality of apertures to thereby allow for beam 24 to be fixed at a plurality of different heights.

Those skilled in the art would realise that the base plate 26 provides the upright support post 12 with additional support should any sideways force be applied to the upright beam 24, such as if someone were to inadvertently knock the post for example. It is to be further understood that the base plate may well form part of the auger section 24 rather than the visible section 22. For example, it may be connected just below the tubular beam 34 of the auger section 24 so that when it is screwed into the ground, the operator will know to stop the machinery when the lower surface of the base plate 26 abuts with the ground. This configuration is also advantageous because the base plate 26 may even be made to dig into the ground slightly for additional support.

It should now be appreciated the ease at which a plurality of upright support posts 12 may be fixed in the ground on either side of a walkway in a short amount of time, and may further be easily removed and reused.

As mentioned earlier, the verandah 10 further includes two longitudinal support beams 14 and 16, and a verandah covering 18. The support beams are connected at upper ends of the elongated tubular beams 25 of the upright support posts 12 by way of mounting flanges 39. The verandah covering 18 is fixed to the upper side of the opposed longitudinal support beams 14 and 16 such that it extends therebetween and provides shelter to the walkway area beneath. Any appropriate means to fix the verandah covering 18 to the longitudinal support beams may be used, such as rivets (not shown) for example.

The upright support posts 12 are adapted to be fixed in the ground such that each support post includes an axially aligned support post on the opposed side of the walkway. Axially aligned upright support posts are connected by transverse cross-beams 20 which consist of two portions 40a and 40b which are again of stepped-down cross section so that portion 40b fits within portion 40a. Each portion

40a and 40b includes mounting brackets 42 at outer ends thereof for mounting to the upright support posts. The mounting brackets 42 are of stepped-up cross-section size to that of beam 25 so that it may be fitted over it and be connected to it using conventional fixing means such as bolts. Those skilled in the art would realise that the transverse cross-beam 20 is to be mounted between the upright support posts after the upright support posts 12 have been fixed in the ground as described above. When the brackets 42 have been fixed to the upright posts, a bolt (not shown) may also be used to lock portions 40a and 40b in position.

A plurality of transverse cross-beams 20 are adapted to be mounted between opposed upright support posts 12 along the entire length of the walkway. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the transverse cross-beams 20 provide the verandah 10 with the transverse tensioning that is required to maintain structural integrity in the verandah 10.

Thus, in the case of portable camps which are commissioned and decommissioned on a regular basis, a structurally sound free-standing verandah may be assembled in accordance with the present invention in a minimum amount of time and with minimum effort, and may further be reused. This is advantageous in situations where camps must be shifted on a regular basis, such as during the construction of pipelines across a large distance.

Further advantages and improvements may very well be made to the present invention without deviating from its scope. Although the invention has been shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope and spirit of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus.

In any claims that follow and in the summary of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprising" is used in the sense of "including", i.e. the features specified may be associated with further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Dated this 9 June 2005

Franco Antonio Martino By his Patent Attorneys LESICAR PERRIN

CLAIMS

I . A support post for a verandah, said support post characterised by an auger portion at a lower end thereof, said auger portion adapted to be rotatably driven into the ground to thereby fix the support post in an upright position.

2. A support post as in claim 1 wherein said auger portion comprises a substantially cylindrical body terminating in a point at its lower end and an auger spiral extending around the cylindrical body.

3. A support post as in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said support post comprises engageable upper and lower elongate sections.

4. A support post as in claim 3 wherein the lower elongate section includes said auger portion at a lower end thereof and an elongate tubular beam connected to the upper end of the auger portion, said elongate tubular beam extending along the same axis as the auger portion cylindrical body.

5. A support post as in claim 4 wherein when said auger portion has been driven into the ground, the tubular beam extends upright a predetermined distance above the ground surface.

6. A support post as in any one of claims 3-5 wherein said upper elongate section is in the form of an elongate tubular beam of stepped-up cross-sectional size to that of the tubular beam of the lower section.

7. A support post as in claim 6 wherein the tubular beam of the upper section is adapted to slidably engage the tubular beam of the lower section.

8. A support post as in claim 7 wherein the tubular beam of the upper section is adapted to be fixable to the tubular beam of the lower section at a plurality of different heights.

9. A support post as in any one of the above claims wherein said support post further includes a support plate connected thereto in parallel relationship with the ground, said support plate adapted to abut with the ground surface to thereby provide additional lateral support to the support post. _Λ

10. A support post as in claim 9 wherein said support plate is connected to the lower end of the tubular beam of the upper section of the support post.

I 1. A support post as in claim 9 wherein said support plate is connected to the lower section of the tubular beam at the junction between the auger portion and the tubular beam of the lower section.