A temporary structural support

Abstract

The present invention relates to a temporary structural support 100 for fixing to a surface such as a brick wall. It has an elongate panel 10 with a number of fixings slots 40 that are used to attach

Description

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a temporary structural support, in particular but not exclusively a temporary structural support for a brick, block or stone wall. Background When making alterations to a surface such as to a wall it is common to have to provide structural support to ensure the surface is structurally safe when alterations are made. Typically temporary support is provided by a prop such as an Aero Prop (RTM). However, these supports can often only be positioned when a certain amount of structure has already been removed or created meaning that there is a risk that the surface is not fully supported at all times. In addition to this the props are heavy and require manual adjustment, which is labour intensive. Also the Aero Prop hinders works operations, restricts temporary scaffold access and is not practical where openings are to be formed either at very low or high levels where ground support is required. The present invention provides a temporary structural support that overcomes these problems. Summary of the Invention According to the present invention there is provided a temporary structural support which engages with a surface comprising: an elongate panel with a plurality of fixing slots dimensioned to receive an attachment means for temporary attachment to the surface and at least one handle; a flange extends along at least part of a first edge of the elongate panel and is substantially orthogonal to the elongate panel; and a plurality of tabs extend, in an opposite direction to the flange, substantially orthogonally from a second opposed edge of the elongate panel; whereby the plurality of tabs are received in a recess in the surface and the flange extends outwards from the surface. In this way the temporary structural support can be fixed to a surface to provide structural strength, so that material immediately below the temporary structural support can be safely removed without compromising structural integrity of the surface. Advantageously the use of temporary structural support removes the requirement for traditional supporting equipment such props (for example Aero Props RTM) and reduces manual handling requirements. Typically the surface is a wall or vertical panel structure that requires alteration, for example insertion of a lintel, Rolled Steel Joists (RSJs) or ventilation openings. The elongate panel is a planar sheet of strong durable material. Preferably the elongate panel is a rectangular sheet of stainless steel, which in use is positioned adjacent to the surface where support is required. The elongate panel has a plurality of fixing slots through which attachment means a for temporary attachment to the surface are received, such as screws that can be fixed to secure the support to the surface and then removed once work on the surface is completed, causing minimal disturbance to the building fabric. Preferably the slots are vertical channels to enable a user to select the position of each fixing, for example to insert a fixing into the mortar between bricks or blocks so as to not damage the brick or block work and to require minimal repair after removal of the support. The structural support has at least two handles to enable the support to be easily located for installation and removal. The handles are mounted on, and extend from, the elongate panel, away from the surface against which the support is located. Typically the handles are a projection that can be easily grasped to aid with locating the support. Preferably the handles are spaced away from the slots to make insertion and removal of the fixings easier. In a preferred embodiment the support has two spaced apart handles so that a user can grasp a handle in each hand and easily locate the support. In some embodiments the support may have more than two handles to provide alternative grasp locations. For example handles may be provided at or close to each end of the elongate panel. In preferred embodiments the handles are U-shaped parts that are provided in the same vertical orientation as the fixing slots. This provides a comfortable holding position and also means that the handles do not compromise access to the attachment means inserted through the fixing slots. In some embodiments the handle(s) may be fixed on a hinge so that the handle can fold flat against the elongate panel when not in use to permit stacking of supports. The flange is a lip extending along at least part of a long edge of the elongate panel that projects away from the surface in use. Preferably the flange is a solid continuous edge extending between both ends of the elongate panel. The flange helps to prevent bending or twisting of the panel during use. A plurality of tabs is provided on the opposed long edge of the elongate panel. Separate tabs are spaced along the length of the elongate panel, with a gap between each pair of adjacent tabs. The tabs are each inserted to a channel, or plurality of separate channels made in the surface. Preferably the channel(s) is made through mortar between blocks or bricks. A horizontal length of mortar provides a level length along which channels can easily be made and repaired. The gaps between the adjacent tabs provide space for packing pieces to create the correct spacing between the remaining brick or block work, or panel and the replaced part of the surface, such as an RSJ or lintel. In this way when the support is positioned, it can be levelled and supported easily. Furthermore the user of packing pieces ensures that the removed mortar is replaced at equal thickness to the horizontal line along which the tabs were inserted. Once the tabs are inserted to the surface the tabs act to prevent vertical displacement of the panel in addition to the attachment means fitted through the fixing slots. Furthermore as the tabs extend in an opposed orthogonal direction to the flange, this further enhances the rigidity of the elongate panel to prevent bending and twisting, particularly when under increased load as structure is removed from below the fixing location of the structural support. In a preferred embodiment the fixing slots are regularly spaced along the length of the elongate panel. For example slots may be provided at standard brick or block spacing so that slots can be aligned with mortar gaps. Preferably at least one fixing slot is aligned with a gap between tabs. In this way the slot and corresponding gap is also a guide for where vertical lines of mortar will be if the surface is to be replaced with bricks or blocks after work is completed. In some embodiments one or more tab tapers from the elongate panel to a distal end. This can help with locating the tabs into a channel and reduces size and therefore weight of the tabs. It is appreciated that tabs on either end of the length of the elongate panel may have a straight edge that corresponds to straight ends of the elongate panel. In this way short edges of the support all end in the same plane providing a level edge. Preferably the flange and tabs extend equal distances from the elongate panel. In a preferred embodiment the flange is 30mm wide and the tabs are 30mm wide. In a preferred embodiment the flange extends along the full length of the elongate panel and the tabs may also extend along the full length of the elongate panel. In this way the support has increased structural strength and the ends of the support finish in a continuous plane. In a preferred embodiment the support is at least 2700mm long and at least 200mm wide and has a thickness of at least 3mm. It is appreciated that the support may be provided in different dimensions depending on the intended use, just one length 2700mm standard. Preferably the support is made from a sheet of material, such as stainless steel and the flange and tabs are folded with respect to the elongate panel. In this way the support can be quickly and easily formed from a single sheet of material. Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example and with reference to the Figures in which: Brief Description of Figures Figure 1A shows a rear perspective view of a support; Figure 1B shows a front perspective view of a support; Figure 2 shows a top view of a support; Figure 3 shows a front view of a support; Figure 4 shows an end view of a support; Figure 5 shows a rear perspective view of the support; Figure 6A shows a cross section of the support without handles; Figure 6B shows a front view of the support without handles; Figure 7 shows a sheet of material with fold lines indicating where the flange and tabs are folded; and Figure 8 shows an end view of a support with no handles. Detailed Description of Figures The Figures show a preferred embodiment of the temporary structural support 100. Like parts have like references. The support 100 has an elongate panel 10 with a plurality of fixings slots 40 that receive an attachment means (not shown) to fix the support 100 to the surface. The elongate panel 10 is rectangular and the elongate fixing slots 40 run parallel to the short ends of the elongate panel 10. The fixing slots 40 are equally spaced along the elongate panel 10. In Figure 3 an example of the preferred spacing between the fixing slots 40 is shown as 400mm. The pictured embodiments 100 have two handles 50 extending from the elongate panel 10 or two handle locations 55 marked on the elongate panel 10 (see Figures 6B and 7). The pictured handles 50 are round bar U-shaped and extend parallel to the short edges of the elongate panel 10. The flange 20 extends orthogonally along a first edge of the elongate panel 10. In use the flange 20 extends away from the surface on which the support 100 is positioned. A plurality of tabs 30 extend orthogonally from a second opposed edge of the elongate panel 10. The tabs 30 extend in an opposed direction to the flange 20. The pictured embodiment 100 has six tabs 30. There are two wider end tabs 30A and four narrower tabs 30B. There are support packing gaps 35 between adjacent tabs 30. The tab edges 35A taper from the elongate panel 10 to a distal end 31. Figure 7 shows an example of a stainless steel sheet cut to the desired dimensions before the flange 20 and tabs 30 are folded to be orthogonal to the plane of the elongate body 10. Fold line A indicates where the first edge of the elongate panel 10 is folded. Fold lines B indicate where the second edge of the elongate panel 10 where each tab is folded. The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A temporary structural support which engages with a surface comprises: an elongate panel with a plurality of fixing slots and at least one handle; a flange extends along at least part of a first edge of the elongate panel and is substantially orthogonal to the elongate panel; and a plurality of tabs extend, in an opposite direction to the flange, substantially orthogonally from a second opposed edge of the elongate panel.

2. A temporary structural support according to claim 1 wherein the fixing slots are regularly spaced along the length of the elongate panel.

3. A temporary structural support according to claim 1 to claim 2 wherein at least one fixing slot is aligned with a gap between tabs.

4. A temporary structural support according to any preceding claim wherein one or more tab tapers from the elongate panel to a distal end.

5. A temporary structural support according to any preceding claim wherein tabs on either end of the length of the elongate panel have a straight edge that corresponds to the ends of the elongate panel.

6. A temporary structural support according to any preceding claim wherein the flange and tabs extend equal distances from the elongate panel.

7. A temporary structural support according to any preceding claim wherein the flange extends along the full length of the elongate panel.

8. A temporary structural support according to any preceding claim wherein tabs extend along the full length of the elongate panel.

9. A temporary structural support according to any preceding claim formed from stainless steel.

10. A temporary structural support according to any preceding claim including two or more handles.11 .A temporary structural support according to any preceding claim wherein the elongate panel is at least 2700mm long.5 12. A temporary structural support according to any preceding claim whereinthe elongate panel has width of at least 200mm.

13. A temporary structural support according to any preceding claim wherein the flange is 30mm wide.

014. A temporary structural support according to any preceding claim wherein the tabs are 30mm wide.12 04 24

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