AU2008261157A1

AU2008261157A1 - Method and apparatus for movement of objects between spaced-apart locations

Info

Publication number: AU2008261157A1
Application number: AU2008261157A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Jason O'mahoney
Original assignee: LIFT Manufacturing Pty Ltd Y
Current assignee: CSR Building Products Ltd
Priority date: 2007-12-20
Filing date: 2008-12-22
Publication date: 2009-07-09
Anticipated expiration: 2028-12-22
Also published as: AU2008261157C1; AU2011250683A1; AU2008261157B2

Description

AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 ORIGINAL COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INVENTION TITLE: "METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MOVEMENT OF OBJECTS BETWEEN SPACED-APART LOCATIONS" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: S9/12/OBjm1 70 8 3 0

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2 2 , Cvpr sheet - vompete-fter-proviswenid40.,I -2 The present invention relates, in general terms, to an improved method and apparatus for the moving of objects between spaced-apart locations, and more particularly between locations which are spaced apart in the vertical or height direction. More particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a method 5 and apparatus for the lifting or moving of weighty articles, as for example from a first location or site of storage to a second location or site for use or installation on a building or the like structure Throughout the ensuing specification reference will be made to a particular and preferred context of usage for the method and apparatus of the present invention, 10 namely in the building/construction industry. It should be understood, however, that the method and apparatus in accordance with the present invention lend themselves to usage in a variety of other contexts and that the invention is under no circumstances to be considered to be in any way limited or restricted to any preferred context of usage described in detail hereinafter. 15 The invention further relates to fixing means or brackets, to be employed for releasably locating the apparatus in accordance with the invention relative to an erected frame and/or roof of a building or the like structure. For case of explanation, hereinafter reference will be made to an especially preferred application for the method and apparatus in accordance with the present 20 invention namely in the construction of a multi-storey structure, as for example a house, warehouse, factory or the like. In the building industry, for example, these days there is a preferment for any and all external walls to be constructed from bricks or the like materials. When compared with timber and the equivalent materials, bricks or the like have a number of advantages, in terms of durability and hence a 25 reduced need for ongoing and regular maintenance, enhanced heat and sound insulation capabilities and improved strength thereof. However the use of bricks or the like for the construction of external walls gives rise to disadvantages in terms of cost, overall weight of the finished structure and ease of construction thereof, especially when a multi-storey structure is involved. In practical terms a wall of a 30 timber or similar lighter weight material is generally easier, quicker and cheaper to construct than an equivalent wall of bricks or the like. Further, and when a two storey or multi-storey structure is involved, the increased weight of brickwork, as 19?1 2/08.jmlI 7083d-c19.pmv 3peci.doc,2 -3 compared with timber or the like material, will mean that more secure foundations etc. are required with bricks or the like than with timber as the material of construction. These disadvantages have been found, in many instances, to discourage or 5 deter a builder, let alone a buyer or possible houseowner, from using bricks, especially on upper or elevated levels of a multi-storey house or similar structure, this despite the aforementioned advantages. Indeed, there is a wide-spread practice in the building industry to use timber and other lighter weight materials for the construction of outer and inner walls of a building, especially for an upper floor or 10 storey. As a substitute for bricks and the like what are referred to as aerated concrete panels or blocks, as commercially available for example under the trade mark "HEBEL", may be used, Such material has the advantage of exhibiting, by its very nature, a significant degree of both heat and sound insulation and, furthermore, for 15 any given wall area will result in the creation of a structure of much reduced weight when compared with an equivalent wall constructed of brick or the like. Such material is available in panels or blocks having an overall weight of the order of 91.8 kg. Such panels, when installed on a building 'frame, can afford equivalent, if not better. properties than bricks - in terms of ease of installation, heat and sound 20 insulation - yet give rise to a wall which is much less weighty when compared with an equivalent brick wall. However in this day and age of improved, stricter occupational health and safety standards, there still remains the problems associated with installation of such panels, especially at an elevated location. The present invention, therefore, seeks to overcome the problems and 25 disadvantages associated with the known art by providing a method and apparatus which allow a weighty object, as for example a "REBEL" panel of the aforementioned type, to be safely, readily and easily moved, as for example from ground level to an upper or elevated level at a proposed site of installation, or in fact from any location for storage to a location for use or installation or a building or the 30 like structure. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, therefore, there is provided an apparatus for the moving of objects between vertically and/or 19/I2/ORjmlUIdeCCI. prosp~dDo2, -4 horizontally spaced-apart locations on a building or the like structure, said apparatus including: support means adapted to be removably disposed in the vicinity of the upper of said locations and adapted to extend substantially there-across; a plurality of bracket means for releasably affixing said support means in place relative to said 5 building or the like structure; lifting means associated with said support means and releasably connectable to said support means; and a means adapted to be associated with said lifting means for receiving, and releasably retaining, the or each object to be moved, the arrangement being such that, in use, said lifting means and associated receiving and retaining means are adapted to be selectively and controllably 10 movable, relative to said support means, vertically and/or horizontally relative to said building or the like structure. In accordance with a further aspect of the invention there is also provided a method for the moving of objects between vertically and/or horizontally spaced-apart locations on a building or the like structure, said method including the steps of: 15 locating a support means, having lifting means associated therewith, relative to said building or the like structure, said support means being adapted to extend substantially transversely of said building or the like structure; attaching a retaining means to the or each said object, said retaining means being adapted to be releasably connectable to said lifting means; 20 and operating said lifting means to move said retaining means. with the or each said object associated therewith, between said spaced-apart locations, and to a desired position on said building or the like structure. for affixture thereto. The invention also relates to brackets for use with the apparatus of the present invention and in performing the method of the present invention, with different 25 bracket means being used dependent on the configuration of the walls and/or roof of the building or the like structure. In order that the invention may be more clearly understood and put into practical effect there shall now be described in detail preferred constructions of a method and apparatus in accordance with the invention. The ensuing description is 30 given by way of non-limitative example only and is with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein; l~tIJ2Mjm! 70&1deCI9.prov spec.doo.4 FIG. 1. is a view of a HEBEL (trade mark) panel or block as affixed in place on a section of a housing frame; FIG. 2 is a side view of the configuration of FIG, 1, showing a panel or block as located/affixed in place relative to a stud or batten or the like structural member; 5 FIG. 3 is a view of a preferred means, in accordance with the present invention, for releasably retaining a panel or block during movement thereof to its location for installation; FIG. 4 is a view, similar to FIG. 3, of an alternative means for releasably retaining a panel or block during movement; 10 FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an apparatus in accordance with the present invention, to be releasably attached to the frame of a building and to be utilised for movement of the panel or block of FIG. 1; FIG. 6 is a view of an end stop or bracket for use with the apparatus of FIG, 5; 15 FIG. 7 is an exploded view of an overhead bracket, for use in installation of the apparatus for use; FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a means, to be associated with a guide track, for co-operation with a winch, chain hoist or the like FIG. 9 is a view of the apparatus of the present invention, as installed for use 20 on a building with an overhanging leave; FIG. 10 is a view of a roof truss tail bracket, for use on a building of the overhanging type shown in FIG. 9, in position relative to a guide track for said winch, hoist or the like. FIG. 11 is an exploded view of a roof truss tail bracket as shown in FIG. 10 a 25 co-operating with an overhead bracket; FIGS. 12 and 13 are views of an alternative arrangement in accordance with the invention, including a cantilever beam bracket for use on structures without an overhanging leave; FIGS, 14 and 15 are views of alternative embodiments of a cantilever off-set 30 bracket; 19/1 2/08jmI 70B3d..19.prov ape6.do., -6 FIG. 16 is a view of yet a further alternative in accordance with the invention, involving an adjustable arm bracket, to allow for affixture of the apparatus to a wall stud or studs; FIG. 17 is an exploded view of the adjustable arm bracket of FIG. 16; 5 FIG. 18 is a view of a variant of the adjustable arm bracket of FIGS. 16 and 17; and FTGS, 19, 20 and 21 show further variants of brackets for use in conjunction with the method and apparatus of the present invention, as for example in situations involving a so-called party or boundary wall. 10 With reference now to FIGS. 1 to 4 of the drawings, there is shown therein a block, sheet or panel, generally designated 1, of the type sometimes used nowadays for construction of a wall of a building of any type. As stated earlier such will preferably be in the form of panels of an aerated concrete material, as for example of the type commercially available under the trade mark "HEBEL". Such panels 1 have is been used for quite some time now in the construction industry, but have met with only limited acceptance and use by virtue of the problems associated with actual installation thereof, this especially on an elevated structure, as for example a multi storey structure. The prior art procedures in order to comply with occupational health and 20 safety standards, and this nowadays applies to any multi-storey structure, necessitated the building of a scaffold and the manual lifting of a panel (or multiple panels 1) to the proposed site of installation (relative to the building frame). Traditionally such panels 1, having a width of the order of 600 mm and a length of up to approximately 3 metres, have weight of the order of 91.8 kg. By reason of the 25 problems associated with lifting such panels 1, a practice has been adopted of'using blocks or panels having a width of 600 mm at lower levels and lighter blocks or panels, having a width of the order of 300 mm, at upper levels. Such has given rise to an increase in the amount of time and effort associated with installation of such blocks or panels 1 at upper levels. Present methods for lifting/delivering such 30 weighty blocks or panels to an elevated site for installation suffer in terms of occupational health and safety criteria. Such methods have involved one or more 19/I2/Ojml7OMidet9.p~ov spcci.doc,6 -7 individually physically lifting and moving such blocks or panels. Such is a physically draining and, perhaps more importantly, potentially dangerous practice. 'he practice is to raise a block or panel I from ground level to a proposed site of installation, as for example the first floor of a two-storey structure, such panel 1 5 then to be affixed in place, using any suitable fixing means as for example threaded members 2, which co-operate with one or more appropriately spaced-apart battens 3 previously affixed to studs or the like 4 of the overall building structure in any suitable manner, as for example by threaded members 5. Turning now to FIG. 3 there is shown therein one possible means, in 10 accordance with the invention, to facilitate lifting of a panel 1. Such is in the form of a sling 6, adapted in use to extend around a block or panel 1. The sling 6 will preferably be formed from any suitable and substantially non-elastic material, having a loop 7 formed in each free end thereof. A releasable clamp means generally designated 8 (of any known and suitable type), will be connectable to the sling 6 as ]5 shown, in turn being connected, in any suitable way and using any known means, to a cable or like 9 to be associated with a suitable lifting means, as for example a winch, hoist or the like FIG, 4 illustrates an alternative means for use in lifting a block or panel 1. Such will take the form of an assembly of a hollow tubular member 10, of a length 20 just slightly greater than the width of the block or panel 1, having releasably associated therewith at least one, and preferably two, opposed downwardly depending members 11, each having at least one aperture formed therein. The tubular member 10 includes an integral eyelet or the like 12 adapted in use to releasably co-operate with a clamp means 8 and associated cable 9. The arrangement 25 is such that one or more fixing means 13 of any known type may be utilised to releasably affix block or panel 1 to the opposed members 11, to retain said block or panel I in place relative to said tubular member 10 during lifting thereof In the preferred embodiment illustrated each member 11 takes the form of an elongate plate-like member of any suitable material, preferably a metal, having at 30 one end thereof an extension 14 of a shape substantially complementary to the cross sectional shape of the tubular member 10. The arrangement is such that, in use, a member 11 preferably is located at or in the vicinity of each free end of the tubular 19h2/02Jm1708.1dcnl9.pMv NpOidno,7 -8 member 10, to be releasably connectable to said tubular member 10 by bringing the free end of a threaded member 15 into contact with the outer surface of said tubular member 10 in a pressure-type fit, FIG. 5 shows the principal components of an apparatus in accordance with 5 the invention which, in use and with the further utilisation of one or more brackets to be described later in this specification in more detail - is intended to be appropriately located relative to building framework to allow for installation thereon of panels of aerated concrete or the like material, to form or construct external and/or internal walls of the overall structure. Later in this specification reference will be 10 made to a number of different types of brackets, to be used dependent upon the nature of the building being constructed. In particular the following types of brackets may be employed: (i) a truss tail bracket - for the situation wherein the building being constructed is to include eaves around the periphery thereof; 15 (ii) a cantilever or off-set bracket - for the situation wherein there are no eaves on the building or if the roof is under construction; (iii) an adjustable arm wall bracket; and (iv) a flat roof bracket, hereinafter also referred to as a party-boundary bracket, to be used where there is a party or boundary wall. 20 In actual fact the apparatus in accordance with the invention may be offered for sale, lease or rent - in kit form, including a plurality of each of the aforementioned types of brackets. Again with reference to FIG. 5, an apparatus in accordance with the present invention includes a track or the like 20, preferably constructed from galvanised iron, 25 such adapted in use to extend across that area of the frame of the building or the like structure on or in relation to which a wall is to be constructed. A winch or the like lifting means 21, preferably electrically operated, is in use associated with said track 20, to be selectively and controllably movable along such track 20 as required. The winch, hoist or the like lifting means 21 includes a retractable chain or cable 9, with 30 associated hook or the like clamp means 8, intended to co-operate with a means for releasably retaining one or more "HEBEL" type panels, as for example those shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, whereby to transport such panel or panels 1 to an elevated site for I9/L=Jm1~7OI3dst9.vmv mpeeid&,B -9 installation, as by affixture to battens 3 attached to studs 4 of the building frame itself. In the preferred embodiment illustrated the track 20, constructed of galvabond or the like material, may be a similar shape and configuration to that used in sliding 5 door hardware. It should be understood, however, that such is not of the essence of the invention. The track 20 has associated therewith, and in use spaced a predetermined distance therefrom, a length of rail 22 (preferably hollow tubular) which has, associated therewith by means of a plurality of brackets 23 (or in any other suitable manner) the winch, hoist or the like 21, that rail 22 serving as a carrier 10 for the winch, hoist or the like 21. Removably associated with and extending transversely of the rail 22 there are provided, at spaced-apart locations along the length thereof, more particularly at or in the vicinity of the free ends thereof, hangers 24, of the type commonly employed in sliding door hardware. Such hangers 24 allow the winch to move, or be moved, along the track 20. By being controllably 15 movable along the track 21 as and when required the apparatusis suited to use for lifting and installing a plurality of panels), algnedboth veruca\y andhonzonta\y, to create the requisite wall. In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 5 the track 20 has associated therewith, preferably at or in the vicinity of each free end thereof, a side fix bracket 25 and 20 associated locking pin 25a, of the type shown in FIG. 6 in particular. The track 20 further includes, at predetermined locations along the length thereof, further bracket means 26. In the embodiment of FIG. 5 such is in the form of an overhead bracket, to assist in installation of the overall apparatus for purposes of use. The overhead bracket 26, as shown in exploded view in FIG. 7, is made up of 25 mating male and female members 27, 28 which are adapted, in use, to be located around the track 20, with threaded bolts or the like 29 to be located within shaped and opposed slots 30 of the female member 28 and to be affixed therein by means of co-operating nuts 31. As shown in FIG. 5, for example, the threaded bolts 29 and co operating nuts 31 protrude upwardly of the overhead bracket 26 to allow for 30 connection with further brackets of the type referred to earlier, Both the male and female members 27, 28 include an aperture 32 which is adapted to receive and iWI2A)VjwC1O3dW9.wev Wped dnc,9 -10 releasably retain therein a threaded bolt or the like 33, to affix the overall bracket 26 in place relative to the rail 20. With reference now to FIGS. 9 to 11, such show an apparatus in accordance with the present invention in place on a structure having an caved roof. The overall 5 apparatus, as shown in FIG. 5, is attached to roof trusses 40 by means of roof truss tail brackets, generally designated 41 and shown in more detail in FIG. 11. Such roof truss tail bracket 41 is releasably affixed to a roof truss 40 at or in the vicinity of the free end thereof, and is adapted in use to co-operate with the overhead bracket 26 of the type shown in FIG. 7. The winch, hoist or the like 21 can then operate to 10 travel along the track 20 as required to each site for installation of a panel 1. The truss tail bracket 41 as shown preferably of a metal, includes a base assembly, made up of two juxtaposed plates 42, 43 each having opposed apertures 44 formed therein, such to have located therethrough in use, the bolts 29 of overhead bracket 26. Extending substantially normally from plate 42 are opposed plate 15 members 45, 46 each having an array of apertures 47 formed at spaced-apart locations along the height thereof, such apertures in use to have extending therethrough fixing means 48, to protrude into a roof truss 40 interposed between the plate members 45, 46, as shown in FIG. 9. Turning now to FIGS. 12 to 15, there is shown in FIG. 12 for example the 20 apparatus in accordance with the invention to be used on a structure without an eave. To allow fbr use of the method and apparatus in such a context, the overall apparatus further has associated therewith a plurality of beams 50, to be located as shown by means of a plurality of cantilever beam brackets 51 of the aforementioned type. As shown, for example, in FIGS. 15a, 15b and 15c, a plurality of variants of the bracket 25 51 may be used, dependent on the desired location, By way of example, at or in the vicinity of the free end of the or each beam 50 there will be provided a bracket 52 of the type shown in FIG. 1 5C, to co-operate with an overhead bracket 26 for receiving track 20 and associated with 21, At other locations along the beam 50 there may be employed brackets 53,54 of the type shown in FIGS. 15a and 15b, of a similar nature 30 to that shown in FIG. 4. FIGS. 16 and 17 show yet another variant, wherein the track 20 and associated hoist 21 are best fitted/attached to a wall stud 4, by means of a wall stud 19 1 12/jm I7083d19;provspi dnc,10 - 11 bracket 60. Such bracket 60, as shown in more detail in FIG. 17 preferably includes two telescoping members 61 and 62, of hollow tubular construction, with member 62 having, at the free end thereof, a pivotable extension member 63 having means 64 associated therewith for releasable connection with an overhead bracket 26. 5 Pivotably attached to the free end of the member 61 are two arm members 65,66, each being provided at the free end thereof with clamping means 67, preferably in the form of a U-shaped member, to be disposed around a stud 4 as shown in FIG. 16 and to be releasably affixed thereto in any suitable manner and using any suitable means, as for example a plurality of threaded members 68. to In FIG. 18 there is shown a variant of the arrangement of FIGS. 16 and 17, wherein the second member 62 of the bracket 60 is of an extended length, whereby to be readily adjustable to suit differing use requirements. FIGS. 19 to 21 show further variants of fixing brackets 70, 71 and 72 for use in accordance with the invention. 15 The method and apparatus in accordance with the present invention have been found to be responsible for a number of practical advantages, when compared with the prior art. In accordance with an especially preferred feature of the invention, not specifically shown in the drawings, a remote control means can be provided for 20 activation/operation of the apparatus and use of the method. In an alternative, as shown, a control means may be in direct electrical connection with the winch, hoist or the like apparatus. The advantage associated with use of a remote control means is the elimination of the need for direct electrical connection - as for example by an electrical cable or conduit - between the winch or the like apparatus and the actual 25 control. First of all the method and apparatus are responsible for a significant improvement in terms of ease of installation. By way of example, in this day and age occupational health and safety standards require that, in the construction industry, and especially where a multi-storey structure is involved, extensive safety 30 scaffolding must first of all be erected, extending across effectively the entire work area, prior to commencement of construction of a brick wall for example. Apart from the overall costs associated with purchasing, renting or leasing the various 19112/0Ljrn17013deC19prov specidoc, II -12 components required to make up such a safety scaffolding structure, there is a significant amount of time involved in the actual erection and dismantling thereof. With the present applicant's method and apparatus, however, the need for such scaffolding is reduced. 5 With multi-storey structures, when the external walls are formed from brickwork and the like, the higher the structure itself the greater the load which needs to be borne by foundations, etc. With the preferred context of usage of the present invention, involving the use of H EBEL (trade mark) blocks or panels, such panels for any given area of wall are significantly lighter when compared with a brick structure 10 of the same dimensions. Indeed, in real terms such walls constructed for panels will be up to only one-third of the weight of an equivalent wall of brick. Such will mean, in practical terms, that there may no longer be a need in any multi-storey structure to have the external walls of the or each upper storey formed from a light weight material (meaning timber or the like), as has been a common practice in the past to 15 reduce load exerted on foundations, etc. By utilising such HEBEL (trade mark) panels or blocks, to cover all external walls of a given structure, there can be expected to be achieved a significant improvement in sound and heat insulation, when compared with the prior art composite brick/timber structures. In terms of actual cost, apart from reducing the need for preliminary 20 construction of scaffolding and the like, the actual cost of utilising HEBEL (trade mark) panels in an external wall has been found to be significantly less than if bricks or the like were to be employed in that same wall. The method and apparatus in accordance with the present invention will also allow for erection of an external wall for a given structure in much less time than 25 would be involved if a brick wall was being constructed. This again means a further reduction in the overall cost of construction of any given structure. To be more specific, using the method and apparatus in accordance with the present invention gives rise to a significant reduction in construction time - this when compared to prior art practices. Apart from a saving in cost in terms of 30 material, this significant saving in time - and ease - of construction represents an important practical and economic advantage attributable to the method and apparatus of the present invention. WI2/M B.jm?703$de39.peev spAtdt,1 -13 Finally, it should be understood that the foregoing specification refers merely to preferred embodiments of a method and apparatus in accordance with the present invention, and that variations and modifications will be possible thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the ambit of which is to be 5 determined from the following claims. i9/32/08Jml7083dcc 19.prov speci, do; 13

Claims

1. An apparatus for the moving of objects between vertically and/or horizontally spaced-apart locations on a building or the like structure, said apparatus 5 including: support means adapted to be removably disposed in the vicinity of the upper of said locations and adapted to extend substantially there-across; a plurality of bracket means for releasably affixing said support means in place relative to said building or the like structure; lifting means associated with said support means and releasably connectable to said support means; and a means adapted to be associated 10 with said lifting means for receiving, and releasably retaining, the or each object to be moved, the arrangement being such that, in use, said lifting means and associated receiving and retaining means are adapted to be selectively and controllably movable, relative to said support means, vertically and/or horizontally relative to said building or the like structure. 15

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said spaced-apart locations are distinct storeys of a building or the like structure.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said objects 20 include bricks, panels or the like, for use in the construction of internal and external (fascia) walls of the said building or the like structure.

4. The apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said receiving and retaining means includes a sling or the like, adapted in use to be 25 disposed around said object (or objects) and to be releasably connectable to said lifting means.

5. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said receiving and retaining means includes a substantially tubular, hollow member 30 having at least one bracket means associated therewith and preferably depending substantially normally thereto, said at least one bracket means being adapted to be releasably attached to said object (or objects) and to said lifting means. 19/12/Jmn70103dec19.prov spcoi.doc.14 - 15

6. The apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said lifting means includes a winch, hoist or the like, adapted to be associated releasably with said receiving and retaining means and to be selectively and controllably movable along said support means. 5

7. The apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said support means includes an elongate member, preferably in the form of a hollow tubular member, which is adapted in use to be releasably disposed and affixed relative to frame members - battens and/or studs - of said building or the like 10 structure, said elongate member being adapted, in use, to have said lifting means associated therewith and selectively and controllably movable therealong, wherein said elongate member is releasably affixed relative to said frame members with the interposition of one or more bracket means. 15

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein different bracket means may be used dependent upon the configuration of the walls and/or roof of said building or the like structure.

9. A method for the moving of objects between vertically and/or 20 horizontally spaced-apart locations on a building or the like structure, said method including the steps of: locating a support means, having lifting means associated therewith, relative to said building or the like structure, said support means being adapted to extend substantially transversely of said building or the like structure; 25 attaching a retaining means to the or each said object, said retaining means being adapted to be releasably connectable to said lifting means; and operating said lifting means to move said retaining means, with the or each said object associated therewith, between said spaced-apart locations, and to a desired position on said building or the like structure, for affixture thereto. 30 19/1210Bjm12081&dec19.pwv ipcIdo ,15 - 16

10. A bracket for use with the apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or the method as claimed in claim 9, adapted to be removably associated with a frame member of said building or the like structure. 5

11. The bracket as claimed in claim 10, being a truss bracket, said bracket including: a base assembly, made up of two juxtaposed plate members each having opposed apertures formed therein, such apertures to have located therethrough, in use, fixing means; opposed plate members each extending substantially normally from one of said juxtaposed plate members each of said opposed plate members 10 having an array of apertures formed at spaced-apart locations along the length thereof, said apertures in use to have extending therethrough fixing means adapted to protrude into a roof truss interposed between said plate members,

12. The bracket as claimed in claim 10, being a cantilever off-set bracket, 15 said bracket including: a hollow, substantially tubular member adapted, in use, to bc releasably affixed to a beam, rafter or the like; and means associated therewith for receiving, and releasably retaining relation thereto, said support means.

13. The bracket as claimed in claim 10, being an articulated wall bracket, 20 said bracket including: a plurality of telescoping members each of hollow tubular construction, one of said members having, at the free end thereof, a pivotable extension member having means associated therewith for releasable connection to a further bracket means, and wherein pivotably attached to said free end of said one member are two arm members, each being provided at the free end thereof with 25 clamping means, preferably in the form of a U-shaped member adapted to be disposed around a stud of said building or the like structure and to be releasably affixed thereto.

14. The bracket as claimed in claim 13, wherein the second of said 30 telescoping members is of an extended length, to be readily adjustable to suit different use requirements of said bracket. IWJI#Bjm 17033dm 19.pmv .pe.adoe.16 -17

15. The bracket as claimed in claim 10, being a flat roof bracket.

16. A means for releasably locating the apparatus of claim 1 in position, relative to a building frame whereby to carry out the method of claim 9, said means 5 including one or more bracket means adapted to be releasably affixed to a wall stud, roof truss or other frame member, and means allowing for releasable connection to a track of said apparatus,

17. A bracket as claimed in claim 10, substantially as described herein 10 with reference to the accompanying drawings.

18. Apparatus for the moving of objects between vertically and/or horizontally spaced-apart locations on a building or the like structure, substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. is

19. A method for the moving of objects between vertically and/or horizontally spaced-apart locations on a building or the like structure, substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

20 19/12f9jM1701dA 19 proV epeCi.doc,17