Wall prop apparatus

Abstract

A wall prop 100 is disclosed that enables work to be undertaken below a supported part of a wall 10. It has two arms 104, 106 which are inserted into two openings in the wall, from the same side, one

Description

Technical Field [0001 ] The present application is concerned with a wall prop apparatus. More specifically, the present invention is concerned with a device for supporting part of a wall to enable building work to be undertaken on the wall below the supported part. Background Art

[0002] Wall props are commonly used in the building trade to support vertical loads. Props in general (known in the industry as ACROW (TM) props) tend to comprise two elongate tubes which are telescopically arranged and in sliding engagement to adjust the length of the prop. The tubes can be locked to allow the prop to support loads in axial compression. They are typically provided with plates at either end, for supporting and spreading the load. The lower tube is provided with an external thread, defining a pair of opposed slots, and a collar engaged with the thread. The upper tube is provided with a series of hole pairs (in opposite walkthrough which a pin can be inserted to supportthe uppertube on the collar. The collar height can be adjusted by rotating it about the thread to fine tune the prop length (height in use). Such props can be installed underneath a wall section, the lower part of which has been removed.

[0003] Sometimes it is not possible to support a load directly from underneath. For example, if an upper part of a load bearing wall is to be supported for removal of a lower part and replacement with a beam, the prop cannot be inserted under the upper part because the lower part of the wall is in the way. In this case, prop supports such as the "STRONGBOY" (TM) are used. Such prop supports are engaged with the upper end of the ACROW (TM) prop and provide a cantilevered arm which can be inserted between courses of bricks (where mortar has been removed) to support the load.

[0004] This arrangement relies on a cantilever beam. Evidently use of such devices produces an undesirable turning moment on the prop assembly, which limits the load such arrangements can carry.

[0005] Other solutions utilise a member extending all the way through the wall, supported on both sides by props, but the drawback of these systems is that double sided arrangements can make it difficult or impossible to install a new beam across the width of the opening in the wall. Such a beam would have to be slid between the rows of props from the end of the opening. Another drawback of such a method is that the floors in houses adjacent the wall may not be able to take the required load, particularly in modern constructions using e.g. suspended blockand beam flooring. External ground surfaces may also be uneven or soft.

[0006] GB2581379B discloses a so-called "needle" prop for supporting a wall. A C-shaped frame having first and second parallel members, and a third, upright member, is used. The first and second members are rigidly attached tothethird, and the second (lower) member extends further than the first.

[0007] An opening is made partway into the wall (a circular hole drilled into the brick). The first (upper) member is then engaged with this opening. This allows the second (lower) member to extend to the interior side of the wall and to be supported on both sides permitting access to the region between the first and second members to facilitate installation of a beam. This device relies on the ability to support the wall load adjacent the wall itself. As mentioned above, this is often undesirable.

[0008] It is an aim of the present invention to overcome, or at least mitigate, the above problems. Summary of Invention

[0009] According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a prop apparatus for supporting a wall, the prop apparatus comprising: a support member; a first arm extending from the support member; a second arm extending from the support member, spaced apart from the first arm; and, a tie rod; wherein: the arms extend to both sides of the support member, such that the first and second arms each have a supporting portion extending from a first side, and a supported portion extending from a second side; at least one of the arms is pivotable relative to the support member; and, a tie rod extends between the supported portions to hold the supporting portions apart with the tie rod in tension.

[0010] Advantageously the present invention allows the load of a wall to be supported through it, and returned to the wall below the desired opening. Load passes into the (generally horizontally oriented) first arm, through the (generally vertical) support member and back to the wall through the second (generally horizontal) second arm. The arms are held apart by tension in the tie rod- the compressive force between the free ends of the arms causing compression in the support member and tension in the tie bar in a four-bar, quadrilateral or rectangular support arrangement. In this way, there is no need to support the wall load on an adjacent ground surface. Due to the fact that the loads are managed by a tensioned tie rod, the load capacity of the present invention is much higher than devices typically constructed to react compression or torque loading. [0011 ] Preferably the first arm is pivotable relative to the support member, and the second arm is fixed to the support member.

[0012] Preferably the support member comprises a foot, and the first arm is further from the foot than the second arm.

[0013] Preferably the first arm is pivotably mounted to the support member via a rotational joint.

[0014] Preferably the support member is adjustable in length along a primary support member axis. [001 5] Preferably the support member comprises an adjustment mechanism between the first and second arms.

[0016] Preferably the support member comprises an adjustment mechanism outside the first and second arms. [001 7] Preferably the support member is part of a telescopic prop, or ACROW (TM) prop.

[0018] Preferably the first and second arms have outer surfaces facing away from each other, and wherein the tie rod has abutments abutting the respective outer surfaces. [001 9] Preferably at least one abutment is adjustable in position along the tie rod.

[0020] Preferably the at least one abutment is threaded to the tie rod.

[0021] Preferably each arm comprises a flat, planar base portion and two side flanges extending therefrom forming a C-shape in section for at least part of its length.

[0022] Preferably the C-shape sections of the arms face each other.

[0023] Preferably at least one of the arms is pivotable mounted to the support member via the two side flanges thereof.

[0024] Preferably each arm has a longer supporting portion that supported portion.

[0025] Preferably the side flanges are triangular.

[0026] According to a second aspect there is provided a method of supporting a wall load comprising the steps of: providing a wall; creating a first opening in the wall at a first height H1; creating a second opening in the wall at a second height H2; providing an apparatus according to any preceding claim; engaging the apparatus in the wall by inserting the first arm in the first opening and the second arm in the second opening; supporting the load of the wall with the tie rod such that at least part of the wall load between H1 and H2 is diverted through the apparatus and returned to the wall below H2.

[0027] Preferably: the step of providing an apparatus comprises the step of providing an apparatus according to or any claim dependent thereon; and, the step of supporting the load with the tie rod comprises the step of adjusting the position of the abutment to tension the tie rod. Brief Description of Drawings

[0028] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the following figure in which: FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a first wall prop apparatus in accordance with the present invention; FIGURE 2 is a perspective exploded view of the apparatus of Figure 1; FIGURE 3 is a side view of the prop apparatus of Figure 1 in a first use case; FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the prop apparatus of Figure 1 in use; FIGURE 5 is a side view of the prop apparatus of Figure 1 in a second use case; FIGURE 6 is a side view of a second prop apparatus in use; and, FIGURE 7 is a side view of a third prop apparatus in use. Description of the first embodiment

[0029] A first wall prop apparatus 1 00 is shown in Figures 1 to 4. Configuration

[0030] The apparatus 100 comprises a telescopic prop tube assembly 1 02, a first arm 1 04, a second arm 1 06 and a tension rod 1 08. Telescopic prop tube assembly 1 02

[0031] The prop tube assembly 102 is similar to well known ACROW (TM) props. It comprises a lower / outer tube 110 having a first (upper) end 112 and a second, lower end (not shown) comprising a foot for support on an underlying surface. The tube 110 is circular in cross section having a central axis A and open at the first end 112. Extending from the first end and partway along the length is an external thread 114. Two diametrically opposed slots 11 6 are provided in the threaded portion.

[0032] The prop tube assembly 1 02 also comprises an upper / inner tube 118. The tube 11 8 is circular in cross section also lying on the central axis A. The tube 11 8 comprises a plurality of diametrically opposed, spaced apart hole pairs 120.

[0033] The prop tube assembly 1 02 comprises a prop winding mechanism comprising a collar 122. The collar 122 is annular in form having an internally threaded inner surface 124. Attached to the collar 122 is a pivotable lever 126.

[0034] A prop pin 128 is also shown. Arms 1 04, 106

[0035] The arm 104 is constructed from a deformed sheet metal material. It has a leading end 131 and a trailing end 133. It has an elongate base portion 128 and two flanges 130, 132 extending normal to the base portion from the long sides thereof. The flanges are triangular in shape, having leading portions 134, 138 and trailing portions 136, 140. The leading portions 134, 138 are longer than the trailing portions 136, 140 such that triangle vertices 142, 144 are positioned nearer to the trailing end than the leading end. An opening 146 is provided at the trailing end of the base portion 128. Two opposed pivot openings 148, 150 are provided in the flanges 130, 132 proximate the vertices 142, 144.

[0036] The arm 104 is accompanied by two bushes / spacers 1 52, a pivot shaft 1 54 and a washer 1 56, which in this embodiment is square.

[0037] The arm 106 is constructed from a deformed sheet metal material. It has a leading end 158 and a trailing end 160. It has an elongate base portion 1 62 and two flanges 1 64, 166 extending normal to the base portion from the long sides thereof. The flanges are triangular in shape, having leading portions 1 68, 1 72 and trailing portions 1 70, 1 74. The leading portions 168, 1 72 are longer than the trailing portions 170, 174 such that triangle vertices 176, 1 78 are positioned nearer to the trailing end than the leading end. An opening 1 80 is provided through the base portion 128 aligned with the vertices 1 76, 1 78. A further, smaller, opening 182 is provided proximate the trailing edge 160.

[0038] The arm 1 06 is accompanied by a washer 184, which in this embodiment is square. Tension rod 108

[0039] The tension rod 1 08 is an elongate, cylindrical metal rod having a head 186 defining a drive formation (in this case a male hex formation). At least part of the rod 1 08 is externally threaded and engaged by a nut 1 88. Assembly

[0040] The assembled apparatus 100 is shown in Figure 1. [0041 ] The arm 104 is pivotably attached to the inner tube 118 with the pin 152. The spacers / bushes 152 are positioned inboard of the openings 148, 1 50 in the arm 1 04 and aligned with the uppermost opening 120 in the tube 118. The pivot pin 154 is passed through the assembly to provide a pivotable connection allowing the arm 104 to pivot about axis P.

[0042] The arm 1 06 is assembled with the lower tube 11 0 by passing the lower tube 110 through the opening 1 80 and welding the two components together.

[0043] Part of the telescopic prop tube assembly (the "prop") therefore acts as a support member between the two arms.

[0044] The collar 122 isthreaded onto the lowertube 110, and the uppertube 11 8 inserted into the open end 112. As with the known ACROW (TM) props, the pin 128 is passed through the slots 11 6 and a pair of openings in the tube 11 8, is supported on the collar to set the height of the apparatus (as explained below).

[0045] The tension rod 1 08 is inserted through the openings 146, 182 such that the head 1 86 rests on the arm 1 04. The nut 188 is wound to contact the underside of the arm 106. The washers 156, 184 are positioned between the arms 104, 106 and head 186 and nut 1 88 as depicted in Figure 1. Use

[0046] The apparatus 100 can be used as shown in Figures 3 and 4. A cavity wall 10 comprises an outer masonry layer 12 and an inner masonry layer 14 with a cavity 16 therebetween. In order to use the present invention, a single brick is removed from each layer 12, 14 at a first horizontal position H1, and at a second horizontal position H2. This allows the apparatus 100 to be engaged with the wall 1 0 by inserting the arms 1 04, 106 into the wall to span the layers 12, 14. As shown in Figure 3, the arms 104, 1 06 extend to the interior side of the cavity wall 1 0.

[0047] The arms 104, 106 are inserted loosely, and an appropriate opening 120 is selected for this purpose. The collar can be wound to fine tune a vertical distance between the arms 104, 106.

[0048] When in position, the nut 1 88 on the tension rod can be wound to draw the head 1 86 towards it. This pivots the arm 104 such that the leading end moves away, or spreads apart from the leading end of the arm 106, tensioning the rod 1 08. This alleviates the load carried through the wall 10 between H1 and H2, the load path being formed through the apparatus and carried back to the wall via the lower arm 106. Although the apparatus 1 00 can be supported on the floor adjacent the wall 1 0, most of the load carried by the wall passes through the apparatus and is returned to the lower section of the wall.

[0049] This is advantageous because itavoidsthe need to find a secure footing for the prop that is able to reliable hold the load of the wall. In particular, if the ground is soft, or a suspended floor (such as block and beam) it may not be able to take the required wall load. Returning the load to the lower section of wall is therefore beneficial.

[0050] Once the wall load is carried by several apparatuses according to the present invention, full rows of bricks between H1 and H2 can be removed to insert a beam or joist 1 8 to support the upper section of wall. This will be inserted on the side of the wall opposite the prop where there are no obstructions. Once the beam or joist 1 8 is inserted and secured to support the upper wall, the lower section of bricks below H1 and the apparatus can be removed. [0051 ] Referring to Figure 5, the apparatus 1 00 can be used in a wall 20 having a single layer 22 just as easily. Description of the second embodiment

[0052] Referring to Figure 6, an alternative embodiment of the apparatus 100 is shown, labelled 100'. All components are identical apart from the upper arm 104', which in this embodiment is shorter than the lower arm 1 06' and comprises a flat, planar blade portion. The portion 190' is formed from a portion of the base 128' to which the flanges 130', 132' do not extend. Description of the third embodiment

[0053] Referring to Figure 7, an alternative embodiment of the apparatus 100 is shown, labelled 100". The apparatus 1 00" is identical apart from the fact that the telescopic prop tube assembly 102" is constructed from an upper, inner tube 11 8", a mid tube 110" and a lowertube 1 92". Afurther collar 194" is positioned around the lowertube 1 92" to allowthe mid tube 11 0" to be adjusted relative thereto. The further collar 1 94" is positioned below the lower arm 1 04" to allow the distance between the ground and H2 to be adjusted. Variations

[0054] The prop adjustment mechanism (comprising the collar) may be positioned between the arms (per apparatus 1 00), below the lower arm (meaning the arms are a fixed distance apart) or below the lower arm.

[0055] There may be provided a mechanism to tie a number of assemblies together across an opening to aid with structural rigidity. These may be, for example, cross members or beams secured between adjacent assemblies.

[0056] The arms 104 and 1 06 may be made longer to allow for insertion of a beam at the same side of the wall as the prop in cases where access to the back of the wall is restricted.

[0057] The arms may be made from any other material with the aim of reducing the weight of the prop. For example they may be constructed from a composite material.

Claims

1. A prop apparatus for supporting a wall, the prop apparatus comprising:a support member;a first arm extending from the support member;a second arm extending from the support member, spaced apart from the first arm; and,a tie rod;wherein:the arms extend to both sides of the support member, such that the first and second arms each have a supporting portion extending from a first side, and a supported portion extending from a second side;at least one of the arms is pivotable relative to the support member; and,a tie rod extends between the supported portions to hold the supporting portions apart with the tie rod in tension.

2. A prop apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first arm is pivotable relative to the support member, and the second arm is fixed to the support member.

3. A prop apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the support member comprises a foot, and the first arm is further from the foot than the second arm.

4. A prop apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the first arm is pivotably mounted to the support member via a rotational joint.

5. A prop apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the support member is adjustable in length along a primary support member axis.

6. A prop apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the support member comprises an adjustment mechanism between the first and second arms.

7. A prop apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the support member comprises an adjustment mechanism outside the first and second arms.

8. A prop apparatus according to any of claims 5 to 7, wherein the support member is part of a telescopic prop.

9. A prop apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the first and second arms have outer surfaces facing away from each other, and wherein the tie rod has abutments abutting the respective outer surfaces.1 0. A prop apparatus according to claim 9, wherein at least one abutment is adjustable in position along the tie rod.

11. A prop apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the at least one abutment is threaded to the tie rod.

12. A prop apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein each arm comprises a flat, planar base portion and two side flanges extending therefrom forming a C-shape in section for at least part of its length.

13. A prop apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the C-shape sections of the arms face each other.

14. A prop apparatus according to claim 12 or 13, wherein at least one of the arms is pivotably mounted to the support member via the two side flanges thereof.

15. A prop apparatus according to any of claims 12 to 14, wherein each arm has a longer supporting portion that supported portion.1 6. A prop apparatus according to any of claims 12 to 15, wherein the side flanges are triangular.1 7. A method of supporting a wall load comprising the steps of:providing a wall;creating a first opening in the wall at a first height H1;creating a second opening in the wall at a second height H2;providing an apparatus according to any preceding claim;engaging the apparatus in the wall by inserting the first arm in the first opening and the second arm in the second opening;supporting the load of the wall with the tie rod such that at least part of the wall load between H1 and H2 is diverted through the apparatus and returned to the wall below H2.1 8. A method of supporting a wall load according to claim 17, wherein:the step of providing an apparatus comprises the step of providing an apparatus according to claim 1 0 or any claim dependent thereon; and,the step of supporting the load with the tie rod comprises the step of adjusting the position of the abutment to tension the tie rod.s

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