AU2012247032B2 - Brace improvements - Google Patents

Abstract

A bracing element for supporting and securing posts in which the bracing element is fully adjustable and provides support to the post under both compression and tension. -3-) ' J ,L

Description

2012247032 09 Nov 2012

BRACE IMPROVEMENTS

[001] This invention relates to a brace, a brace combination, an assembly incorporating a brace and a method of effecting bracing of structural elements.

[002] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[003] It is well known to use columns or piers to support building structures.

[004] Such columns or piers are conventionally elongated and in so far that they support further structures will have a tendency to bend under laterally applied forces.

[005] It is known to provide bracing for such columns where such bracing is attached toward an upper end of one of the columns and with a tension rod extends to the base of an adjacent pier.

[006] Often a further tension rod is located from the base of the first pier to an upper end of the second pier so that the two piers or columns have respective tension bracing in the direction of elongation of the tension rod.

[007] Such an arrangement conventionally therefore involves the two tensile rods having a crossing location somewhat mid way and one difficulty with this is that if there are undulating forces such as the wind rocking the columns or piers, the several bracing rods will often contact each other with some impact force making quite annoying noises.

[008] It is possible to clamp such crossing rods together but the nature of the forces means that the two rods will shift relative one to the other so that any clamp becomes vulnerable to quite high dislodgement forces and will wear and may well make further noises where they move one against the other.

[009] A further problem with this traditional system is that they give no bracing stability other than in the direction opposite to that to which the bracing rod is tied. 1 2012247032 09 Nov 2012 [010] Further, such bracing rods which act in tension require a clear path between the upper location of the first pier and the base location of the second pier.

[011] If there is building structure there between, the bracing may not be able to pass appropriately to these positions. They have to be located in less effective positions to clear such intermediate structures.

[012] A further difficulty with current tensile bracing rods is that, for installation on a building site, they need to be quite long and these are both awkward in terms of transport and may often require special facilities to transport these on roads or through a building site.

[013] OBJECT OF THIS INVENTION

[014] An object of this invention is to provide the public with a useful alternative or at least provide apparatus and assembly which at least reduces some of the above difficulties.

[015] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, taking in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

[016] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[017] Through this specification the term “piers” or “columns” is used to define an upright load bearing post and these terms can be used interchangeably.

[018] The invention in one form, although this need not necessarily be the only or indeed the broadest form of this, there is proposed an assembly of two piers spaced apart one with respect to the other by a brace combination where a first elongate brace member is attached to an upper location of the first of the piers and has its opposite end located at a joining location approximately midway between the first of the piers and a second pier, a second elongate brace member being attached to a 2 2012247032 09 Nov 2012 lower location of the first of the piers and has its opposite end located at the joining location, a third elongate brace member being attached to an upper location of the second of the piers and has its opposite end located at the joining location, and a fourth elongate brace member being attached to a lower location of the second of the piers and has its opposite end located at the joining location, the respective ends of each of the elongate brace elements at the joining location being joined together and where each of the brace members is a compression member.

[019] It will be seen from this that each of the brace members directly connected to a first of the piers are held together to form a triangle therefore positively locating the joining location, and the brace members attached to the second of the piers also form a triangle and positively locate again the joining location.

[020] No longer therefore is there a need for the brace member on one side to have to be aligned strictly in its direction of elongation with the brace member oppositely located and therefore the structure of the assembly allows for bracing where the joining location can be somewhat above a normal midway point between piers and therefore can be arranged to clear obstructions.

[021] In preference, at least a one of the first or second brace elements is adjustable in length, and at least a one of the third or fourth brace elements is adjustable in length.

[022] This allows then for a variety of locations to be selected with a joining location and it allows for a pre-engineered unit to be able to be used for a number of differing sites.

[023] Further, each of the lengths of the individual brace elements will be considerably less in length than what normally would have been the case with tension braces and therefore there is provided significant advantage in terms of transport and for handling of such units on site. 3 2012247032 09 Nov 2012 [024] In preference, the assembly further is such that each of the respective brace elements is held to be substantially within a plane defined by the respective vertical piers.

[025] In preference, reference to piers implies that they will extend in an upright direction it is not intended that the aspect be limited to verticality.

[026] In a further preferred feature, each of the brace elements is a member providing substantial resistance to compression from one end of the brace toward the other end of each respective brace.

[027] In preference, the join between respective brace elements at the joining location provides substantial resistance to compression from each respective brace toward oppositely positioned braces.

[028] In preference, all of the brace members are adjustable in length.

[029] The invention in an alternate manner can be said to reside in a brace combination where a first elongate brace is adapted to be attached to another location of a first of two spaced apart piers and has its opposite end located at a joining location, a second elongate brace member is adapted to be attached to a lower location for the first of the piers and has its opposite end located at the joining location, a third elongate brace member is adapted to be attached to an upper location of a second of the piers and has its opposite end located at the joining location, and the fourth elongate brace member is adapted to be attached to a lower location of the second of the piers and has its opposite end located at the joining location, the respective ends of each of the elongate brace elements being joined together at the joining location by tightenable means allowing before tightening relative rotation of the respective brace members one with respect to the others and where each of the brace members is a compression member.

[030] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 4 2012247032 09 Nov 2012 [031] For a better understanding of the invention it will now be described with reference to a preferred embodiment which shall be described with the assistance of drawings wherein; [032] Figure 1 is an assembly using a combination of brace members according to the embodiment, [033] Figure 2 is a further side view of a further assembly where one upright pier is of smaller height elevation compared to the other, [034] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a further assembly showing an enlarged view of the joins at a joining location, [035] Figure 4 is a further perspective view of the assembly according to the embodiment of this invention, [036] Figure 5 illustrates the embodiment as shown in Figure 1 where brace members are held with one end at a joining location but are being retracted, [037] Figure 6 shows the next stage of a retraction in which all four brace members are folded to be one on the other and in a retracted position, [038] Figure 7 illustrates the completed folding method, [039] Figure 8 is a perspective view of the brace members when completely folded, [040] Figure 9 is a further different perspective view of the same assembly as in Figure 8.

[041] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[042] Now referring in detail to the drawings and in particular to the embodiment shown 1 through 9. 5 2012247032 09 Nov 2012 [043] There are shown two upright piers 1 and 2 embedded within the ground and being made from metal tube with in this particular case capped with an ant cap on its top.

[044] These two piers, 1 and 2 would in typical fashion sway if subjected to sideways forces especially if they are supporting the heavy weight of a building structure. Each of the piers are substantially vertical in orientation and have a load bearing surface, 3 and 4 respectively, upon which a load is placed. Note that the height of the piers can be the same.

[045] However, according to this invention there is provided a bracing assembly which includes four bracing members 6, 7 on one side, and 8 and 9 on the other.

[046] Each of these bracing members is comprised of two hollow square cross section tubes one slidable within the other and having at each end a flattened side portion leaving to strengthening and stiffening wings as specifically shown at 10 and 11 where the respective brace members 6 through 9 are shown in a folded position.

[047] Each of the brace members is attached to a respective pier for instance brace member 6 is attached to the top of pier 1 by a bolt 12 passing through an end of the brace member 6 between the wings so that by having a bolt and tightening this, the joint positively secures the brace member to the assembly in a way that will both ensure that the joint will convey compression of the brace member from the first pier 1 as well as tension in the direction away from the brace member 6.

[048] Brace member 7 is attached by a bolt and nut at 13 to a base of the pier 1; the brace member 8 is attached by a bolt and nut to an upper location of pier 2. The base of the brace member 9 is attached to a lower location of pier 2 by bolt and nut 15.

[049] Now each of these brace members 6 through 9 are appropriately extended are joined together at the location 5 by having a bolt mutually passing through a joining plate 16 which is chosen to be of sufficient strength and stiffness to enable relative 6 2012247032 09 Nov 2012 tensile or compressive sources to be adequately conveyable through this joining location 5 without undue deflection.

[050] The extent of deflection that is allowed will of course be chosen depending upon the size of the loads and the engineering requirements for the stiffness and strength.

[051] An advantage of the arrangement is that there can be a larger space beneath the joining location 5 at 17 than would be the case if in fact the bracing members were single lengths passing directly between the respective joining positions on the piers.

[052] Each of the bracing members 6, 7, 8 and 9 are rotatable or pivotally connected to the upright piers, which allows then to change angle with respect to the upright piers to allow for variances in the heights of the piers.

[053] The bracing member 6 can be extended or retracted (telescopic) depending on length requirements relative to positioning of the respective piers. A locking element, such as a locking screw 18, can be used to secure the length of the bracing member 6.

[054] The further lock screws 19, 20 and 21 are used with the other bracing members 7, 8 and 9.

[055] It will now be seen that by having this triangular structure which enables a joining location to be positioned with some stability and where the bracing members themselves are competent to provide strength in compression as for instance columnar strength this provides significant advantage both to efficiency of transport, ability to highly tailor the bracing various positions, and be able to pre-engineer a set of bracing members that are kept in a set. Another advantage as specifically shown in Figures 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 is that the bracing members collectively can be folded into a neat package and can be readily transported in this compressed form and can be stored and stacked efficiently for later use. 7 2012247032 09 Nov 2012 [056] An alternative is simply another application where for instance there are different lengths or heights of the piers as is shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3 where the piers 24 and 25 can accommodate different ground heights.

[057] Figure 3 is perspective view of the embodiment as in Figure 2.

[058] In this case, bracing members 26, 27,28 and 29 are each appropriately positioned and extended so that the location position 30 is thereby established.

[059] The respective bracing members 26 through 29 are bolted to the plate 31 and have a solid bolt holding them in each case with an adequate thickness of steel plate to ensure ability to handle compression. In this case then the structure provides a good answer to the problems previously expounded.

[060] The joining plate 31 at the joining location 30 is shown providing a coupling link for the respective bracing members which are of square cross section hollow tube but their ends are compressed beneath stiffening wings 32 and 34 in one case and 33 and 35 in the other case. It can also be now seen how this provides for an adjustable clearance above possible ground or perhaps structural obstacles at 36.

[061] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the same arrangement as in Figures 2 and 3.

[062] Thus there has been shown an assembly, a bracing assembly for use in assembly with piers, a reference to piers, which are either vertical or approximately vertical and a method of effecting a bracing connection between piers.

[063] While reference has been made to vertical piers, it is not intended that the concept should be constrained to purely vertical or in a building sense vertical piers.

[064] The arrangement is highly flexible and could be used for constructions where bracing is needed for differently positioned or orientated columns and it is not intended that the invention should be limited therefore to simply upright piers. 8 [065] It is expected the a base for any pier is solidly established to act as an anchor for an adjacent pier and also that piers would be joined together at their top or head implicitly by being fixed to bearers as a part of a building structure. 2012247032 09 Nov 2012 [066] Throughout this specification the purpose has been to illustrate the invention and not to limit it. 9

Claims (4)

1. A bracing assembly comprising: at least a first upright pier and second upright pier; a first elongate brace member, second elongate brace member, third elongate brace member and fourth elongate brace member, each having a first end and second end; the first ends of the first elongate brace member and second elongate brace members are attached to an upper location of the first and second upright piers respectively; a central joining plate; wherein the first ends of the third elongate brace member and fourth elongate brace member are attached to a lower location of the first and second upright piers respectively; and wherein the second ends of the first, second, third and fourth bracing members are each pivotally attached to the central joining plate, characterized in that at least one of the brace elements is adjustable in length.

2. The bracing assembly of claim 1, characterized in that the first and second upright piers are adjustable in length.

3. The bracing assembly of claim 1, characterized in that the elongate brace elements is held to be substantially within a plane defined by the respective upright piers.

4. The bracing assembly of claim 1, characterized in that all of the brace elements are adjustable in length.