BUILDING BRACE

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a building brace and more particularly to components of the building brace.

Background of the Invention

In the precast concrete building industry, metal braces are used to brace panels after they have been erected but before they are tied into a structural steel frame of a building. In general, the braces comprise a foot which engages a bolt on a footing, and a brace section extending from the foot to a connection element which is attached to the panel. The brace section is formed as a telescoping member so that the length of the brace section can be adjusted to arrange the panel in a vertical position. Fine adjustment takes place by virtue of a screw thread section which is next to the foot so that the brace can be extended and adjusted in length to locate the panel in a vertical disposition.

Typically the foot has an opening which engages the bolt to secure the foot to the footing. Regulation requires that the brace be at an angle between 45° to 60° to the horizontal to provide proper support for the panel and no more than the required load on the brace .

The panels which are braced by the brace are generally large and heavy. In the past, problems have occurred because of the need to work around a braced panel . In some instances, untrained workmen have disconnected the foot from the footing by undoing the bolt so they can clear a work space for themselves in the vicinity of the brace. This basically releases the panel and, as a result, the panel may fall and cause significant injury or death to a workman if a workman is struck by the falling panel .

Summary of the Invention

An object of a first aspect of the invention is to provide a foot assembly for a building brace which prevents unauthorised disconnection of the brace from its footing.

This aspect of the invention may be said to reside in a foot assembly for a building brace for use with a footing having a first component of a fastener, comprising: a foot having a second component of the fastener for engaging with the first component to attach the foot to the footing; a securing member couplable with the foot and moveable from a first position allowing access to the fastener, to a second position preventing access to the fastener so the fastener cannot be undone to release the foot from the footing; and a lock for locking the securing member in the second position.

Since the fastener is prevented from being accessed when the securing member is in the second position, the securing member can be locked in the second position and therefore the foot cannot be removed from the footing by an unauthorised person and only by an authorised person who has access to the lock to disengage the foot and remove the brace after the building is stabilised. Thus, the foot is protected from release from the footing by unauthorised persons due to error or otherwise and therefore the integrity of the building brace is not compromised and the brace will continue to properly support a panel .

In the preferred embodiment of the invention the footing is a concrete block located on the ground and the first component of the fastener comprises a bolt secured to the footing , a nut, and at least one washer located on a shaft of the bolt for forming an abutment, and wherein the

second component of the fastener comprises a recess in the foot for receiving the bolt and a surface portion on the foot for abutting the at least one washer to thereby attach the foot to the footing.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention the first position may be a position away from the foot so that the securing member is completely released and separated from the foot. However, in the most preferred embodiment of the invention the first position is a position in which the securing member is engaged with the foot. In this embodiment the securing member, when in the first position, can be completely released from the foot.

In one embodiment of the invention the foot assembly comprises a pivot portion and the securing member has a coupling portion for engaging the pivot portion so that the securing portion can be engaged with the foot and moved from the first position to the second position by pivotal movement of the securing member on the pivot.

In one embodiment the securing member comprises a tongue having a first portion connected to the coupling portion for overlying the fastener when the securing member is in the second position, a second portion extending upwardly from the first portion, the second portion having an abutment section for abutting the brace when the tongue is in the second position to limit the angle of the brace to an upper angular limit, and a visual guide to show a lower angular limit for the brace when the securing member is in the second position.

Preferably the abutment section comprises a surface of the second portion of the tongue .

Preferably the visual guide is defined by an edge of at least one lateral wing arranged substantially at right angles to the second portion.

Preferably the foot has a pivot shaft for pivotally connecting the brace section to the foot.

Preferably the brace section comprises a first telescoping section, a second telescoping section moveable relative to the first telescoping section and fixing elements for fixing the telescoping sections relative to one another in a desired orientation to provide a predetermined length to the brace section .

Preferably the brace section further includes a screw threaded member for screw threaded adjustment to provide fine length adjustment of the brace section so the brace can be adjusted to accurately position the panel in a vertical orientation .

In one embodiment the lock comprises a first lock section located on the footing and a second lock section carried by the securing member for engaging the first lock section .

In one embodiment the second lock section may be separate to the securing member and in another embodiment the second lock section may be fixed to the securing member.

In one embodiment of the first part of the fastener includes an abutment for abutting the second component of the fastener on the foot, and a nut for fixing the abutment to the second component of the fastener, the abutment having a first component of the lock, a securing member being for location over the nut, the securing plate having an opening through which the first part of the lock projects, and a second component of the lock for engaging

the portion of the first part of the lock which passes through the opening to thereby secure the securing member to the foot.

In this embodiment the securing member is a plate having a traverse side portion.

A second aspect of the invention relates to a securing member for a building brace .

This aspect of the invention may be said to reside in a securing member for a building brace having a foot assembly for engaging with a footing to secure the brace to the footing, the securing member comprising: a securing member body having a coupling portion for engaging the foot to facilitate movement of the securing member relative to the foot between a first position allowing access to a fastener which secures the foot to the footing, and a second position preventing access to the fastener; a first brace angle limiting member on the securing member for limiting the angle of the brace relative to the vertical to a maximum angle when the securing member is in the second position and the brace supports a panel in a vertical disposition; and a second brace angle determining member for providing an indication of a minimum angle when the securing member is in the second position and the brace is supporting the panel in the vertical disposition.

In one embodiment the securing member body comprises a tongue having a first portion connected to the coupling portion for overlying the fastener when the securing member is in the second position, a second portion extending upwardly from the first portion, the second portion having the brace angle limiting member for abutting the brace section when the securing member is in

a securing position on the foot to limit the angle of the brace section to an upper angular limit.

The second brace angle determining member may also be an abutment member for limiting the lower angular limit of the brace .

However, in the preferred embodiment of the invention the second brace angle determining member comprises a visual guide to show a lower angle limit for the brace when the securing member is in securing position on the foot.

Preferably the visual guide is defined by an edge of a wing arranged on the securing member and extending substantially at right angles with respect to the securing member .

Preferably the brace angle limiting member comprises a surface of the second portion.

Preferably the coupling section is a curved section for releasably engaging a pivot shaft on the foot for pivotally connecting the securing member to the pivot shaft.

A third aspect of the invention relates to the brace section of the building brace .

This aspect of the invention may be said to reside in a brace section for a building brace for supporting a panel , comprising: a first brace section and a second brace section moveable relative to one another to provide coarse adjustment of the length of the brace; the first and second sections defining a lower end of the brace section and an upper end of the brace section;

a coupling at the lower end for pivotally coupling the brace section to a foot; a screw threaded member at the upper end for screw threaded adjustment with respect to the first and second brace sections for adjusting the length of the brace to provide fine adjustment to the length of the brace ; and a connection section attached to the screw threaded section for connecting the brace to the panel .

In the preferred embodiment of the invention the brace section further comprises the foot, and the foot is for connecting to a footing having a bolt secured to the footing and at least one washer located on a shaft of the bolt for forming an abutment, and wherein the foot has a recess for receiving the bolt and a surface portion for abutting the at least one washer to thereby connect the foot to the footing.

In one embodiment the foot has a securing member for preventing access to the bolt to release the foot from the footing.

The connector section may also be in the form of a foot.

In one embodiment of the invention the foot comprises a pivot portion and the securing member has a coupling portion for engaging the pivot portion so that the securing portion can move from the first position to the second position by pivotal movement of the securing member on the pivot .

In one embodiment the securing member comprises a tongue having a first portion connected to the coupling portion for overlying the fastener when the securing member is in the second position, a second portion extending upwardly from the first portion, the second portion having a brace

section abutment section for abutting the brace section when the tongue is in the second position to limit the angle of the brace section to an upper angular limit, and a visual guide to show a lower angular limit for the brace when the securing member is in the second position.

Preferably the first abutment section comprises a surface of the second portion of the tongue .

Preferably the foot has a pivot shaft for pivotally connecting the brace section to the foot.

A fourth aspect of the invention relates to the building brace itself.

This aspect of the invention may be said to reside in a building brace comprising: a brace section formed of at least two telescoping sections moveable relative to one another to provide coarse adjustment of the length of the brace section; the brace section having an upper end and a lower end; a foot pivotally connected at the lower end for engaging a footing; a securing member connectable to the foot for preventing unwanted disconnection of the foot from the footing; a screw threaded member at the upper end for screw threaded adjustment with respect to the first and second sections to provide fine adjustment of the length of the brace section; and a connecting member coupled to the screw threaded member for connecting the brace to a building panel .

In the preferred embodiment of the invention the footing is a concrete block and a bolt is secured to the footing

and at least one washer located on a shaft of the bolt for forming an abutment, and wherein the foot has a recess for receiving the bolt and a surface portion for abutting the at least one washer to thereby attach the foot to the footing .

In one embodiment of the invention the foot has a pivot portion and the securing member has a coupling portion for engaging the pivot portion so that the securing portion can move from a first position allowing access to the bolt to a second position preventing access to the bolt by pivotal movement of the securing member on the pivot.

In one embodiment the securing member comprises a tongue having a first portion connected to the coupling portion for overlying the bolt when the securing member is in the second position, a second portion extending upwardly from the first portion, and the second portion having an abutment section for abutting the brace section when the tongue is in the second position to limit the angle of the brace section to an upper angular limit .

Preferably the first abutment section comprises a surface of the second portion .

Preferably the foot has a pivot shaft for pivotally connecting the brace section to the foot.

A further aspect of the invention may be said to reside in a foot assembly for a building brace for use with a footing having a first component of a fastener, comprising: a foot having a second component of the fastener for engaging with the first component to attach the foot to the footing; an engaging section on the foot for locating a part of a securing member to facilitate movement of the

securing member from a first position allowing access to the fastener, to a second position preventing access to the fastener so the fastener cannot be undone to release the foot from the footing; and at least one component of a lock for locking the securing member in the second position.

Preferably the engaging section comprises a pin so the securing member can be located on the pin and pivotalIy moved between the first and second positions, and wherein engagement of the pin and the securing member holds the securing member to the foot when the securing member is in the second position.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention the footing is a concrete block located on the ground and the first component of the fastener comprises a bolt secured to the footing, a nut, and at least one washer located on a shaft of the bolt for forming an abutment, and wherein the second component of the fastener comprises a recess in the foot for receiving the bolt and a surface portion on the foot for abutting the at least one washer to thereby attach the foot to the footing.

In one embodiment the lock comprises a first lock section located on the footing and a second lock section carried by the securing member for engaging the first lock section .

In one embodiment the second lock section may be separate to the securing member and in another embodiment the second lock section may be fixed to the securing member.

Preferably the foot has a pair of lugs for supporting a pivot shaft for pivotally coupling the foot to a brace section of the brace.

In a still further aspect, the invention may be said to reside in a securing member for a foot assembly of a building brace for use with a footing having a first component of a fastener for engaging with a second component of the fastener formed on the foot, the foot having an engagement section, the securing member comprising: an engaging portion for engaging the engaging section of the foot; a covering section for covering the fastener to prevent access to the fastener; and a locking element for facilitating locking of the securing member to the foot in a position preventing access to the fastener.

In one embodiment the securing member comprises a tongue having a first portion connected to the coupling portion for overlying the fastener when the securing member is in the second position, a second portion extending upwardly from the first portion, the second portion having an abutment section for abutting the brace when the tongue is in the second position to limit the angle of the brace to an upper angular limit, and a visual guide to show a lower angular limit for the brace when the securing member is in the second position .

Preferably the abutment section comprises a surface of the second portion of the tongue .

Preferably the visual guide is defined by an edge of at least one lateral wing arranged substantially at right angles to the second portion .

The lock element may comprise an opening in the first portion for receiving a lock element on the foot so that a lock component can be engaged with the lock element to

lock the securing member in the position preventing access to the fastener.

In some embodiments the tongue may have a hole for allowing part of the first component of the fastener to project.

In some embodiments of the invention, particularly when the brace is relatively short, the connection section at the upper end of the brace for connecting the brace to a panel may also be a foot having a securing member.

The invention also provides a method of converting a foot of a building brace to a securing foot preventing unwanted release of the foot from a footing, the foot having a recess for receiving a projection extending from the footing, an abutment for attaching the foot to the projection and a fixing member for fixing the abutment against the foot, the method comprising: locating a securing member over the fixing member to prevent access to the fixing member so the fixing member cannot be released to enable separation of the foot from the projection; and locking the securing member in position over the fixing member .

In one embodiment, the method further comprises location of a lock on the foot, providing a hole in the securing member so the first part of the lock can project through the hole, and attaching a second part of the lock to the first part which projects through the opening to thereby secure the securing member in place .

In another embodiment the method comprises providing a first part of a lock on the abutment member, providing a hole in the securing member so the first part of the lock can project through the hole, and locating a second part

of the lock on the first part which projects through the hole to secure the securing member in place .

The latter embodiment has particular application to securing of a foot of conventional design without any alteration to the foot. Preferably, the projection comprises a bolt, the abutment comprises at least one washer, and the fixing member comprises a nut.

Brief Description of the Drawings

A preferred embodiment of the invention will be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a view of a building brace supporting a panel in a vertical position, and extending between the panel and a footing;

Figure IA is a view of part of the footing of Figure 1 ;

Figure 2 is a view of part of the brace of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a side view of the part of the brace of Figure 2 ;

Figure 4 is a side view of the part of the brace of Figure 3 in an open position; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the brace of

Figure 4 in the open position;

Figure 6 is a plan view of a foot used in the preferred embodiment;

Figure 7 is a side view of the brace in a position in which the brace section takes up a minimum angle with respect to the horizontal;

Figure 8 is a view of a tongue used in the preferred embodiment of the invention;

Figure 9 is a view of the upper end of the brace of Figure 1;

Figure 10 is a view of a still further embodiment of the invention;

Figure 11 is a view of a further embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 12 is a view of an alternative form of fastener with which the preferred embodiment of the invention can be used/

Figure 13 is a view of a further embodiment;

Figure 14 is an exploded view of the embodiment of Figure 13; and Figure 15 is a view of a modified securing tongue

70 used on a securing tongue for securing the upper end of a brace .

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment With reference to the drawings, Figure 1 shows a building brace 10 supporting a panel 12 in a vertical disposition relative to the ground (or a slab, not shown on which the building panel 12 is mounted) . The brace 10 extends between the panel 12 and a footing 14. In accordance with conventional teachings, the footing 14 is simply a concrete block poured into a recess formed in the ground. However, the footing 14 may be a preformed block if desired.

As shown in Figure IA, the footing 14 is provided with a first component of a fastener which comprises a bolt 16 which is embedded or otherwise attached to the footing 14 and which has a head 18 and an abutment in the form of a plurality of washers 20. In other embodiments, not shown, the abutment could be provided by the head 18 or some other device on or coupled to the bolt 16. The lowermost surface 21 of the lowermost washer 20 forms an abutment surface and it is spaced from the upper surface 22 of the footing 14 for receiving a foot 30 of the brace, as will be described in more detail hereinafter.

The brace 10 has a brace section 32 which has a first brace section 34 and a second brace section 36 which are telescoped together so that the sections 34 and 36 can slide relative to one another to provide a predetermined length to the brace section 32. The sections 34 and 36 have holes (not shown) which can be aligned so that a pin (not shown) can be inserted through aligned holes to lock the sections 34 and 36 into a particular adjusted position. The section 36 is connected to the foot 30 by a bearing section 38 and the section 34 is connected to a connector 40 by a screw threaded member 42. The screw threaded member 42 (best shown in Figure 9) provides fine adjustment of the length of the brace section 32 so that when the foot 30 is fixed to the footing 14, the length of the brace section 32 can be adjusted so as to support the panel 12 in the vertical orientation.

Referring to Figures 2 to 7, the foot 30 is preferably a cast foot and comprises a base 44 and a pair of upwardly extending lugs 46 (only one shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4) .

The bearing section 38 of the brace section is fixed to the section 36 and has a hole for receiving a pivot shaft 48 which passes through the lugs 46 and the hole in the bearing section 38 to pivotally connect the brace section 32 to the foot 30.

As is best shown in Figures 5 and 6, the base 44 has a channel shaped recess 50 which has a lower reduced area section 52 and an upper larger area section 54 which are separated by a shoulder 56 which forms an abutment surface. The recess 50 and, in particular, the abutment surface 56, forms a second component of a fastener for engaging the bolt of Figure IA. The foot 30 is connected to the footing 14 by sliding the foot 30 so that shaft 17 of the bolt 16 enters the channel 50 so the abutment surface 21 formed by the lowermost washer 20 can sit on the abutment 56. The bolt 16 can then be tightened and

oriented so that abutment portions 19 on the washers can register in the large area 54 to prevent withdrawal of the bolt 16 back out through the channel 50.

The base 30 carries a pivot pin 60 which extends between small lugs 62 to provide a pivot surface . In other embodiments the pivot surface could be formed from a lip (not shown) rather than a pin. A securing tongue 70 (best seen in Figure 8) is engageable with the pin 60 and can pivot on the pin 60 from a first position shown in Figure 5 at which access can be gained to the bolt 16 for releasing the foot 30 from the footing 14 to a second position shown in Figure 2 in which the securing tongue completely covers the bolt 16 and prevents access to the bolt so the bolt cannot be manipulated to release the foot 30 from the footing 14.

As is best shown in Figures 2 , 3 and 7 , the securing tongue 70 has a curved coupling portion 74 which can be engaged with the pin 60 to provide for pivotal movement of the tongue 70 between the position shown in Figures 2 and 3 and Figure 5. The tongue 70 has a first portion 76 extending from the coupling portion 74 and a second portion 78 extending upwardly from the first portion 76. The second portion 78 is comprised of a right angle portion 78a which generally forms a right angle with the first portion 78 and an inclined portion 78b which is inclined with respect to the right angle portion 78a. The inclined portion 78b carries a pair of lateral wing portions 80.

The first portion 76 of the tongue 70 has a hole 82 for receiving a lock stem 86 fixed to the base 44 so that when the tongue 70 is pivoted into the first position shown in Figure 2, the stem 86 projects through the hole 82. A second lock member 88 can then locate over the projecting stem 86 and be locked in position by a key (not shown) to

thereby fix the second lock member 88 to the stem 86 and therefore hold the tongue 70 in the first position covering the bolt 16.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the lock member 88 is separate from the tongue 70. However, in other embodiments , the lock member 88 may be fixed to the tongue 70 over the hole 82 for registering with the stem 86 when the tongue 70 is moved to the first position.

When the tongue 70 is locked in the first position shown in Figure 2, the bolt 16 is covered and the bolt 16 cannot be manipulated by an unauthorised workman, who may unwittingly desire to move the brace 10 to facilitate the performance of work around the panel 12 without realising that releasing the foot 30 would unstabilise the panel 12 which could cause a fall and severe injury to that workman or someone else. Thus, since the tongue 70 is locked in place by the lock formed from the member 88 and the stud 86, only authorised riggers who carry the key to unlock the lock 88 can release the tongue 70 and therefore gain access to the bolt 16 to release the foot 30 from the footing 14.

The engagement of the curved coupling portion 74 with the pin 60 not only provides for easy pivotal movement of the tongue 70, but also fixes the curved portion 74 to the foot 30 when the tongue is in the second position covering the fastener. Thus, the front of the tongue is also locked in place to prevent access being gained to the bolt

16 by lifting the front of the tongue 70 relative to the foot 30.

Thus, braces are therefore unlikely to be released, other than when authorised, and therefore the likelihood of an accident due to falling panels is greatly reduced, if not eliminated.

When the brace 10 supports the panel 12 in the vertical position as shown in Figure 1 , it is generally required by regulation that the brace section 32 take up an angle within a predetermined range with respect to the horizontal so that the brace section 32 properly supports the panel 12 and the brace 32 is not overloaded. Typically, regulation specifies that the brace section 32 should take up an angle of between 45° and 60° to the horizontal as shown in Figure 7.

In order to ensure that the brace section 32 takes up the required angle, portion 78 forms an angle limiting abutment surface for the brace section 36 when the tongue 70 is in the second position and locked in place, as shown in Figure 2. Thus, if the angle the section 36 makes to the horizontal is greater than 60°, the tongue 70 will not properly take up a position where it is flush on the base 44 and the lock member 88 will not properly engage the stud 86, thereby indicating that the section 36 is at too great an angle. The position of the footing 14 therefore would need to be adjusted so that the angle of the brace section 36 is no greater than 60°, which will then allow the tongue 70 to take up its proper position as shown in Figure 2 and if the section 36 is at the maximum of 60°, the section 36 will sit flush against the under-surface of the portion 78b of the tongue 70, as is shown in Figure 2. Thus, the under-surface of the portion 78b forms an angle limiting surface for the brace section 36.

The lateral wing portions 80 also provide a visual indication of the minimum angle of 45°, as is shown in Figure 7. The lateral wing portions 80 have free edges 81 which are cut at 45° angles with respect to the horizontal (when the tongue is in the position covering the fastener

16) . Thus, if the tongue 70 is sitting in its correct position, as shown in Figure 7, with the member 88

properly locking the tongue 70 in position, the edges 81 of the lateral portions 80 will be below the surface 36a of the section 36, or if the minimum angle of 45° is reached, as shown in Figure 7, level with that surface 36a.

Thus , by positioning the footing 14 relative to the panel 12 and ensuring that the tongue 70 can be moved to the second position and locked in place and that the surface 36a of the section 36 does not project below the edges 81 of the lateral portions 80, a clear indication that the brace is within the required angle range is provided.

The lateral wing portions 80 also perform a second function of preventing the brace from being rotated once it is locked in position, this ensures that the screw threaded member 40 is not extended or retracted, thereby pushing or pulling the panel 12 out of the vertical position.

Thus , by providing the screw threaded member 42 at the top of the brace 10, the tongue 70 and the lateral portions 80 always engage the brace section 32 in a manner which will prevent it from being rotated. If the screw threaded member was located at the bottom, adjustment of the screw threaded member to provide the desired length of the brace 10 may result in the lateral portions 80 not reaching the section 36, thereby allowing rotation of the section 36 and extension or retraction of the brace, which in turn could push or pull the panel out of the vertical position .

Figure 9 shows the screw threaded member 42 in more detail . As is shown in Figure 9, the screw threaded member 42 comprises a screw threaded shaft 101 which locates in section 34 and is received in a nut 102 fixed in the section 34. The shaft 42 pivotally connects to connector 40 by a pin 103 which extends between a pair of

lugs 105 (only one shown) fixed to -the connector 40.

Thus, by rotating the section 34 (and therefore the section 36) , the length of the brace section 32 can be increased or decreased by screwing the shaft 101 into and out of the nut 102.

Figure 10 shows a second embodiment of the invention in which the sections 34 and 36 are circular in cross-section rather than square, as is the case in the previous embodiment. In this embodiment a collar 104 is provided on the section 36 which has studs 105. The portion 78b of the tongue 70 has a hole 107 for receiving one of the studs 105 to facilitate location of the tongue 70 and also define the maximum angle the section 36 can make when the tongue 70 is in the position shown in Figure 10. Projection of the stud 105 through the hole 107 can also provide a visual indication of the lower limit of the angular position of the section 36. Thus, if the top of the stud 105 is below the portion 78b, a visual indication is provided that the angle the section 36 is making to the horizontal is too low and adjustment of the position of the footing 14 should take place.

In other embodiments , rather than use a connector in the form shown in Figure 9 which basically comprises a plate which bolts onto the panel and a lug and pivot pin, the connector could be the same as the foot 30 at the lower end of the brace, minus the securing tongue 70.

Figure 11 shows a further embodiment of the invention in which the connection section 40 is in the form of a foot similar to the foot 30 previously described. Like reference numerals indicate like parts to those in the earlier embodiments. In this embodiment the tongue 70 does not include the portions 78a and 78b but merely the portion 76 for covering the fastener (not shown) in Figure

11. This embodiment has particular applications when relatively short braces are used because in this instance the connection section 40 will be relatively low and therefore accessible to workmen. Thus, by providing the connection in the form of that shown in Figure 11, security is provided and unwanted release of the connection section 40 from the wall panel 12 is prevented. Figure 12 shows a further embodiment in which the fastener 16 is in the form of a J-bolt embedded in block 14. The J-bolt has a screw threaded section 16a on which a nut 16b locates. A washer 16c may be used to provide the abutment which engages the abutment surface 54. In this embodiment, it is possible, depending on how deep the J- bolt is embedded in the block 14, for free end 16d of the J-bolt to project beyond the foot 30. In this embodiment the tongue 70 is provided with a hole 150 through which the J-bolt can project when the tongue 70 is in the locked position shown in Figure 12. Although part of the J-bolt 16 projects through the hole 150, the tongue 70 still covers the fastener and prevents access to the fastener so the fastener cannot be undone to release the foot 30 from the block 14.

Figures 13 and 14 show a further embodiment of the invention which has particular application to converting an existing foot to a secure foot without any change to the foot or brace section of the brace.

With reference to Figures 13 and 14, J-bolt 16 is embedded in a block to form a footing as in earlier embodiments and has a nut 18 for securing the foot 30.

In this embodiment, a single washer 20 is provided which has an extension 110 on which is mounted a first component 111 of a lock 112 which is completed by a second component 113. The washer 20 locates in recess 50. When so located the nut 118 is tightened down on the J-bolt 16 to lock the

washer 20 hard against the surface 54 to secure the foot 30 to the J-bolt 16. The recess 50 may be provided with a lip 58 (which may also be included in the earlier embodiment) to also resist sideways movement of the washer 20 out of the recess 50. However, the lip 58 can be omitted and the washer 20 held against the surface 54 simply by tightening the nut 18. The lip 58 does provide an extra degree of security, particularly if the nut 18 is not sufficiently tightened and therefore is preferred.

A securing member 120 formed by a plate 121 having a hole 122 for receding the J-bolt 16 and a sleeve 123 for location over the first part 111 of the lock 112. The first part 111 projects up through the sleeve 123 and out through an opening 124 in the plate 121. The second part 113 can then be locked on the part 111 to prevent the removal of the securing element 120. A securing element 120 may be provided with a side section 125 which sits besides one of the lugs 46 as has been shown in Figure 13 when the securing element is secured in place. The side section 125 prevent pin 48 from being pushed out of lugs 46.

Thus, access cannot be had to the nut 18 to release the nut from the J-bolt 18 and therefore release the foot 30 from the footing .

The embodiment of Figures 13 and 14 does not have all of the advantages of the earlier embodiments but does represent an embodiment which can be easily implemented to convert an existing foot 30 to a secure foot to prevent unwanted disconnection of the foot 30 from the footing.

Figure 15 shows a modified securing tongue to that shown in Figure 11 for use with foot for connecting the top end of a brace to panel 12. In this embodiment the securing tongue 70 has a curved section 74 and a large opening 190

for accommodating an end of a J-bolt if a J-bolt is used to secure the foot (not shown in Figure 15) to the panel 12. The tongue 70 has a small hole 192 for receiving the lock component 86 and a side flange 194 which locates adjacent the pin 48 of the foot 44 to prevent the pin 48 from being pushed out of the lugs 46.

Since modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention may readily be effected by persons skilled within the art, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiment described by way of example hereinabove .

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise", or variations such as ""comprises" or "comprising", is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.