Abstract:
This invention relates to an adjustable brace  1  for supporting a building member  6  relative to a foundation  8 . The invention also relates to a foot  4  and an elongate member  2, 3  both forming part of the brace  1 . The invention provides a relatively lightweight brace  1  particularly suited for temporarily bracing a concrete panel  6  at an angle relative to a foundation  8.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority to International Application No. PCT/AU2009/000316 which was filed on Mar. 19, 2009 and claims priority to Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2008901350 filed Mar. 19, 2008. 
     
    
     STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    This invention relates to an adjustable brace for temporarily supporting a building member relative to a foundation. The brace has been developed for an application in temporarily supporting precast concrete panels, and it will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention with reference to this particular application. It is to be appreciated however that the invention may have other applications and is not limited to supporting precast concrete panels. 
         [0004]    Precast concrete panels require temporary bracing when they are hoisted into position on site. Installation of the brace generally involves the brace being manually selected from a crate of braces on site and manually moved to the panel. One end of the brace is attached to the panel, the panel is lifted by a hoist into position and the other end of the brace is attached to a foundation spaced from the panel. The brace is attached to the panel and foundation by bolts that are generally driven by a pneumatic driver. When the brace is no longer required the bolts are removed from the panel and the foundation, and the brace is again manually removed to the crate. 
         [0005]    The weight of a brace can vary in size between 20 kg and 120 kg. The weight of the larger braces makes them too cumbersome to be moved by one person and it is often the job for two people. Furthermore the weight makes the brace potentially dangerous, particularly if the brace is allowed to fall from a height when the panel is being hoisted or the brace is removed from the panel. 
         [0006]    The brace will generally include a pair of feet located at either end of an elongate member, which are attached to the panel and foundation by bolts. Each foot includes a mounting end and an aperture at an opposite end for receiving the bolt. The foot needs to rotate relative to the elongate member to allow for adjustment of the length of the brace. However when attaching the foot to the panel, the eccentricity of the mounting end results in the foot preferring to rotate so that the aperture is obstructed by the elongate member. Accordingly the installer needs to hold up the foot, while holding the bolt and power driver to attach the foot to the panel. This can become quite a difficult juggling act, particularly if the installer needs to hold the weight of one end of the brace as well. 
         [0007]    The above discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles and the like is included in this specification solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not suggested or represented that any of these matters formed part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention as it existed in Australia before the priority date of this invention. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0008]    According to one aspect of this invention there is provided an adjustable brace for temporarily supporting a building member at an angle relative to a foundation, the brace including; a first elongate member and a second elongate member that are configured to allow adjustment of the position of the first member relative to the second member to provide adjustment of the length of the brace, both the first elongate member and the second elongate member being formed from aluminium, a securing means for securing the position of the first elongate member relative to the second elongate member, a pair of feet each foot being located at a distal end of the first and second elongate members respectively and are fastened to the building member and foundation when the brace is in use, each foot being coupled to its respective first or second elongate member to allow the brace to extend at an angle to the foundation and building member, at least one foot being coupled to its respective elongate member so as to permit adjustment of the position of said at least one foot relative to the elongate member so as to provide adjustment of the length of the brace. 
         [0009]    Each foot is preferably attached to the distal end of its respective elongate member by a coupling so as to permit pivoting of the foot relative to its respective elongate member. Each foot is preferably pivotally attached to a respective coupling so as to pivot about an axis that is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the elongate members. Each coupling is preferably detachably attached to the distal end of its respective elongate member. Each coupling preferably includes a block that is attached to the distal end of its respective elongate member. Each block is preferably attached to the distal end of its respective elongate member by a fastening means. It is preferred that the fastening means is a bolt and nut arrangement. Each coupling preferably includes a bar that interacts with the respective foot and the respective block so as to enable the foot to rotate relative to the block. It is preferred that at least one coupling includes a threaded bar which is associated with the foot and is located in a threaded bore associated with the distal end of the respective elongate member so that rotation of the elongate member relative to the foot provides said micro adjustment of the length of the brace. The threaded bore is preferably formed in the block. The coupling is preferably formed from mild steel or aluminium. The mild steel adjacent the elongate member is preferably cadmium plated. 
         [0010]    The first elongate member is preferably located within the second elongate member so as to allow for sliding adjustment of the position of the first elongate member relative to the second elongate member in the axial direction. The first elongate member preferably includes at least three outer walls and at least one inner wall extending between two of the outer walls. The at least one inner wall preferably makes an acute angle with the respective outer walls it engages. The first elongate member preferably includes four outer walls. Alternatively the first elongate member preferably includes eight sides. The first elongate member preferably includes at least one longitudinally extending rib formed along an outer surface of at least one of said outer walls. It is further preferred that the rib is formed on each outer wall. 
         [0011]    The securing means is preferably formed separately from the first and second elongate members. The securing means is preferably in the form of a pin that locates in at least one aperture formed in the first and or second elongate member. The securing means preferably includes a locking means for locking the securing means in a position relative to the first and or second elongate means. 
         [0012]    It is preferred that each foot includes at least one aperture for receiving a fastening element to retain the foot in positioned adjacent the building member or foundation when the brace is in use. Each foot preferably includes a substantially planar base, the aperture is in the form of an elongate slot extending from a side edge of the base for allowing the foot to be manoeuvred to locate the fastening element within the slot. The foot preferably includes a lip formed on the base for engaging a head of the fastening element so as to limit movement of the foot relative to the fastening member. The lip is preferably located on at least one side of the slot. The lip preferably extends along part of the side of the base. It is preferred that each foot includes a mounting zone located in a substantially centrally located position on the foot to which the coupling is attached, each foot including two apertures located on opposing sides of the mounting region. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    It will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention in greater detail by reference to the accompanying drawings showing three example embodiments of the invention. The particularity of the drawings and the related detailed description is not to be understood as superseding the generality of the preceding broad description of the invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a side elevation of a brace in use attached to a building element and foundation. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a cross-section of the brace from  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is an exploded plan view of the brace from  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is an exploded isometric view of the elongate members, coupling and foot. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is an isometric view of the first and second elongate member. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is an isometric view of the foot of the brace. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    Referring firstly to  FIG. 1  which illustrates a side elevation of a preferred embodiment of the adjustable brace  1 . The brace  1  illustrated includes a first elongate member  2  and a second elongate member  3 . The brace  1  also includes a pair of feet  4   a , 4   b  with each foot being located at opposing ends of the brace  1 . The feet  4   a , 4   b  may be attached to the respective elongate member  2 , 3  by any suitable means however in the preferred embodiment illustrated each foot is attached by way of a coupling  5   a , 5   b.    
         [0021]    When in use the foot  4   b  associated with the second elongate member  3  is attached to a building member  6  such as a precast panel generally by way of a bolt  7   b . The panel  6  is then hoisted into position adjacent the foundation  8  and the length of the brace  1  is adjusted so as to allow the foot  4   a  associated with the first elongate member  2  to be connected to the foundation  8 , again generally by way of a bolt  7   a , at approximately 45 degrees to the panel  6 . Whilst the illustration shows the brace at substantially 45 degrees, the brace  1  is operable over a range of angles of approximately 30 to 60 degrees. 
         [0022]    The relative positions of the first  2  and second  3  elongate members are adjustable too provide adjustment of the length of the brace  1 . The first  2  and second  3  elongate member may be configured in any suitable manner to allow for this adjustment, however in the embodiment illustrated the first elongate member  2  is located within the second elongate member  3 , (see  FIG. 2 ) and configured to enable the first elongate member  2  to slide relative to the second elongate member  3 . This sliding allows for adjustment of the length of the brace  1  in the axial direction X-X. The invention is not to be considered as limited to sliding adjustment only, as other forms of adjustment are clearly possible. 
         [0023]    The brace  1  also includes a securing means  9  for securing the position of the first elongate member  2  relative to the second elongate member  3 . The securing means  9  may take any suitable form. A securing means including a pin  10  extending through the first  2  and second  3  elongate members is shown in  FIGS. 1 to 3  as one suitable form of securing means. Other forms of securing means are clearly possible, as the pin  10  need not extend through both the first and second elongate member while the brace  1  is acting in compression. Instead the pin may extend into either the first  2  or second  3  elongate member and abut against an end of the remaining elongate member. It is preferred that the securing means  9  includes a locking means  11 . The preferred form of locking means  11  illustrated in  FIG. 3  is a padlock that can attach to a distal end of the pin  10  when it extends through the first  2  and second  3  elongate members. The padlock will lock the position of the pin. Other forms of locking means are clearly possible. 
         [0024]    The first and second elongate members are preferably formed with a plurality of apertures  12   a , 12   b  to receive the pin  10 . It ought to be appreciated from  FIG. 1  or  2  that each aperture  12   a  in the first elongate member  2  is blockable of aligning with a number of the apertures  12   b  formed in the second elongate member  3  depending upon the position of the first elongate member  2  relative to the second elongate member  3 . This allows for macro adjustment of the length of the brace  1 , as opposed to micro adjustment of the length of the brace  1  which will be explained in further detail later in the specification. 
         [0025]      FIG. 2  illustrates the brace  1  including two different forms of couplings  5   a , 5   b , however this is not essential. While both couplings illustrated include a bar  13   a , 13   b  that interacts with a block  14   a , 14   b  fastened to a distal end of the first  2  or second  3  elongate member, the bar  14   a  associated with the first elongate member  2  includes a threaded portion  15  that interacts with a threaded bore  16  formed in the block  14   a . The threaded coupling  5   a  is illustrated in greater detail in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0026]    The coupling  5   b  associated with the second elongate member  3  allows for rotation of the foot  4   b  relative to the second elongate member  3  without causing axial displacement of the foot  4   b  relative to the second elongate member  3 . Whereas the coupling  5   a  associated with the first elongate member  2  is configured to axially displace when the first elongate member  2  is rotated relative to the foot  4   a . It ought to be appreciated that rotation of the first elongate member  2  relative to the foot  4   a , or more specifically rotation of the block  14   a  associated with the first elongate member  2  relative to the threaded bar  15 , will cause axial displacement of the block  14   a  relative to the bar  15 . This axial displacement adjusts the length of the brace  1 , and for the purpose of distinguishing from the macro adjustment previously described, the axial displacement caused by rotation will be hereinafter referred to as micro adjustment. 
         [0027]    Referring again to  FIG. 3  which illustrates each block  14   a , 14   b  being connected by way of a fastening means in the form of a nut and bolt  17   a , 17   b  arrangement. Furthermore each foot  4   a , 4   b  is connected to its respective bar  13   a , 13   b  by a fastening means  18   a , 18   b  in the form of a nut and bolt arrangement. It ought to be appreciated that the nut and bolt arrangement is only one form of fastening element suitable for achieving such a connection. 
         [0028]    Referring now to  FIG. 5  which illustrates the first  2  and second  3  elongate member in isolation of the other elements of the brace. The first  2  and second  3  elongate members are formed from aluminium, and preferably extruded aluminium. The extruded form shown includes a substantially rectangular with bevelled corners having eight outer walls  19 , however other shaped extrusions may also be possible. More specifically the extruded shape may be in the form of a square, triangle or even a circle. 
         [0029]    It is preferred that the first elongate member  2  include at least one inner wall  20 . In the preferred embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 5  the first elongate member  2  includes four inner walls  20 , however this is not essential. The inner wall  20  provides added strength to the first elongate member so as to resist bending or bowing when the brace  1  is under compression. 
         [0030]    The outer wall  19  may also include one or more ribs  28 .  FIG. 5  illustrates four of the opposing outer walls  19  each including a rib  28  which extends longitudinally of the first member  2 . The rib spaces an outer surface of the outer wall  19  of the first member  2  from an inner surface of the second member  3 . This spacing reduces friction when sliding the first member  2  relative to the second member  3  to adjust the length of the brace  1 . The number and location of the ribs  28  on the outer wall  19  may vary from that illustrated. 
         [0031]    Referring now to  FIG. 6  which illustrates the foot  4  of the brace  1 . The foot  4  includes a substantially planar base  21  with a centrally located mounting zone  22  for receiving the bar associated with the coupling (not shown). The preferred foot illustrated includes a pair of slot shaped apertures  23  spaced on opposing sides of the mounting zone  22 . Each slot  23  extends from a side edge  24 , 25  of the base  21  to a location substantially aligned with the axis X-X. When the brace  1  is in use at least one of the slots  23  in each foot  4  is occupied by a fastening means  7   a , 7   b , such as a bolt, for attaching the foot to the panel or foundation. The slot  23  allows for the bolt  7   a , 7   b  to be attached to the panel  6  or foundation  8  before the foot  4  is moved in a direction transverse to the axis X-X, onto the shank of the bolt  7   a , 7   b . Furthermore by having two slots  23  it is less likely that both of the slots  23  will be obstructed by either elongate member  2 , 3 . 
         [0032]    The foot  4  is preferably formed with some means for retraining the bolt  7   a , 7   b  head within the aperture  23  when the bolt  7   a , 7   b  has been attached to the panel  6  or foundation  8 . The preferred means illustrated is in the form of a lip  26 , 27  formed along the side edge  24 , 25  of the planar base  21  which engages the head. This location for the lip adjacent the slot is merely preferred, and the lip  26 , 27  could be located at a position spaced from the side edge of the base. An advantage however of having the lip adjacent the side edge of the base is that it provides the base  21  with further rigidity and reduces the likelihood of the base  21  bending or folding through misuse. 
         [0033]    The foot  4 , bar  13   a  and blocks  14   a  and  14   b  may all be formed from any metal including mild steel and aluminium. If the block  14  is formed from mild steel it is preferred that, each block  14  be cadmium plated, however if the block  14  and bar  5  is formed from aluminium no plating is required. 
         [0034]    It ought to be appreciated from the foregoing description that the brace  1  will be relatively light weight given the extensive use of aluminium in the elongate members  2 , 3 . Furthermore providing the first elongate member  2  with at least one inner wall  20  will increase the strength of the brace to resist compression loads particularly in resistance to buckling, whilst maintaining its relatively light weight. Still furthermore providing each foot  4  with multiple apertures  23  reduces the degree to which either foot  4  needs to be rotated to a suitable position for attachment to the panel or foundation. 
         [0035]    Various alterations and or additions may be made to the brace as hereinbefore described without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention.