CA1198607A - Support structures for use in building - Google Patents
Support structures for use in buildingInfo
- Publication number
- CA1198607A CA1198607A CA000412184A CA412184A CA1198607A CA 1198607 A CA1198607 A CA 1198607A CA 000412184 A CA000412184 A CA 000412184A CA 412184 A CA412184 A CA 412184A CA 1198607 A CA1198607 A CA 1198607A
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- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- struts
- workpiece
- band
- curved
- hub member
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Abstract
APPLICANT: PETER ROBERT DOMINGUEZ
TITLE: ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUPPORT IN
CONSTRUCTION OPERATIONS
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A support adapted to hold a flexible strip such as a steel strip in a curved configuration comprises a hub member and struts pivotally connected to the hub member and extending away in respective directions which are independently capable of adjustment relative to one another and relative to the hub member with the struts terminating in means for supporting the flexible strip and a workpiece such as an arch of a building supported on the flexible strip; the struts have adjustment means to permit alteration of the effective lengths of the struts whereby the flexible strip configuration can be altered over a range of curved paths.
For forming a curved member such as a laminated curved strip, the struts can be altered in respective angles and lengths whereby a workpiece is held against the flexible strip and its configuration of curvature altered. The struts can be attached to elements for supporting the flexible strip and the elements may be connected to adjacent such elements in a chain-like manner.
TITLE: ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUPPORT IN
CONSTRUCTION OPERATIONS
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A support adapted to hold a flexible strip such as a steel strip in a curved configuration comprises a hub member and struts pivotally connected to the hub member and extending away in respective directions which are independently capable of adjustment relative to one another and relative to the hub member with the struts terminating in means for supporting the flexible strip and a workpiece such as an arch of a building supported on the flexible strip; the struts have adjustment means to permit alteration of the effective lengths of the struts whereby the flexible strip configuration can be altered over a range of curved paths.
For forming a curved member such as a laminated curved strip, the struts can be altered in respective angles and lengths whereby a workpiece is held against the flexible strip and its configuration of curvature altered. The struts can be attached to elements for supporting the flexible strip and the elements may be connected to adjacent such elements in a chain-like manner.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates -to a device and method for supporting a structure during construction operations to permit the structure ~o ~e formed into a curved shape. For example, the invention can be applied to the formation of an arch during building constructions or to other forming applications.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Conventionally, timber framework is used to support bricks or stone when an arch is being constructed. When the mortar has set, the framework is removed by dismantling or destroying it. In general~ it is not possible to remove a semi-circular or semi-oval framework from a constructed arch without dismantling ~he framework on account of the tight fit between the framework and the arch. If the framework is to be re-used, it is necessary to expend time and material in rebuilding it. Clearly such a procedure is expensive and time~consuming~ particularly when a number of arches of the same or similar form are to be constructed in succession.
Moreover, if a number of different sized arches are being built, it is necessary to provide a separate timber framework for each arch style or size.
Australian Patent Specifications 264,747 (J. Bossner), 255,593 (J. Bossner) and 112,247 (W. A. Porter) have disclosed various arrangements applicable to the provision of a support construction relating to formwork for hollow bodies such as concrete hollow bodies, the formwork including internal formwork adapted to be inwardly retracted ~r~
.~ ~
for removal from the body when completed. Such designs rely upon the principle of outwardly displaceable members which move in a guided manner along a controlled outward path from a central structure to apply the desired force to support the formwork. However, such devices are very complex and very limited in terms of effectiveness, portability, adaptation to different shapes and sizes and usefulness in ordinary building operations, whether on a building site or in factory conditions.
The present invention is directed towards providing a new and useful device which can be embodied in a most simple and effective form which can permit the device to be used for supporting or forming curved structures such a~ arches and curved strip like members or the likeO
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspectr the present invention is concerned with an apparatus for supporting during construction operations a curved structure such as an arch or the like, and in which the apparatus is adjustable to permit a range of sizes and/or shapes of a curved structure to be supported or formed. More particularly~ there is provided a device comprising a hub member, a multiplicity of struts arranged to be pivotally connected to the hub member and extend away from the hub mernber in respective directions which are independently capable of adjustment relative to one another and relative to the hub member, and the struts terminating in means for supporting the material from which the curved structure is to be constructed, said supporting means being adapted to be located alony a path corresponding to the direction in which said curved structure is to extend, and adjustment means provided to permit alteration of the effective length of said struts whereby the configuration of said path may be aLtered, and the device being such that it may be removed from within the curved structure after construction has been completed to permit re-use of the device.
One particularly useful application of the invention is to support an arch during building constructions, for example when the arch is formed from bricks or masonry.
However, the invention is not limited to this application and in this specification the reference to formation of an arch is to be understood as a reference to forming any elongated curved construction requiring support during forming operations.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the means for supporting the arch comprises an elongated band such as a self-supporting metal strip, which may be flexed to adopt the desired shape and size for the arch.
The device according to the invention, in general, may be usable not only for circular openings or part circular open- ings but also other shapes such as part oval shapes.
Semi~ oval shapes bisected across the minor or major axes of the oval are possible arch forms which may be constructed with suitable embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, a device according to the inven~ion may be used to form more than a semi-circular openin~ in a structure. For example, a keyhole shape could be constructed in a brick wall using an embodiment of the invention.
Preferably, the struts are hingeably connected at respective locations around a plate-like portion of the hub member for pivotal motion a~out an axis parallel to the axis around which the arch is to extend. This permits the angle of the struts relative to the hub to be varied to suit different shapes configurations for the arch. Furthermore, in a preferred and important embodiment of the invention, the ends of the struts are permanently attached to a flexible band which is to support the arch. This connection may be either fixed or hingeable and in a particular embodi-lS ment some strut~ could be hinged and some fixed. It will be appreciated that no matter what size this embodiment of the invention is adjusted to, the flexible band will be supported at the same regular intervals by alteration of the position of the struts~
The most preferred form of the invention is one in which the hub member is of plate-like form and has the struts pivotally connected at respective spaced locations around the hub member and the hub member is arranged s~ch that it may be rotated in order effectively to contract the device to facilitate its removal when the arch has been formedO It will be appreciated that the radial distances from the axis of the h~b member to the pivotal connection with each strut determines, for a given angle of twisting, the radial spacing or clearance produced when contraction of the device occurs.
In the embodiments described with reference to the drawings, the hub member is a part-circular boss-like structure but it is pointed out that in principle the boss could be any convenient shape, for ex~ple square, triangular, rectangular or star shaped and indeed need not be plate-like~ In general, any form of structure that will hold and permit pivotal movement of the struts may be used, e.g. a bolt.
It will be appreciated that a device in accordance with the embodiment of Figures l to 4 of the drawings is intended to be used in the fully expanded condition (for a particular adjustment of the length of the struts). This is a configuration which may be considered to be one of unstable equilibrium so that any slight twisting of the hub member will tend to cause contraction of the device. Therefore, at least fcr some applications it mzy be desirable to provide a locking device for release of the holding the device in its fully expanded configuration to prevent any accidental release until the arch has been completed. If the arch is a brickwork arch then it is necessary to wait until the mortar has set before removing the device.
Any convenient form of means for adjusting the length of each strut may be employed but a highly convenient and effective embodiment is one in which a telescopic connection -- 6 ~
is provided in the middle portion of each strut with clamping means to hold the desired configuration for a particular arch shape and size.
To facilite erection, markings can be applied at appropriate intervals along each strut so that the struts can be conveniently adjusted before the device is positioned in the working configuration.
The device may include a forming strip such as a flexible spring steel strip for supporting the curved construction and the strip in turn may be supported from within the curve by a series of links pivotally connected to one another to form a chain-like structure and each having respective convexly curved abutment portions adapted to engage against the steel strip to support it at a series of closely spaced locations.
In this embodiment, some of the links can be fixed to elongated support plates to which outer end portions of the struts are pivotally connected.
Furthermore, when the device is to be used for forming e.g. laminated material, the forming strip can be set up substantially straight and the laminates placed in position with appropriate resins, and the device embodying the invention can then be used to place the respective struts in the desired angular configuration at respective lengths to form a peedetermined curve and for this purpose the device preferably includes engagement elements adapted to engage upon the exterior of the curved laminated material to hold 7' it against the for,~ing strip at spaced intervals and this is preferably achieved by virtue of roller like elements connected to extend across the laminated material from extension portions of support pla.es for the links~
S The invention also extends to a method of forming curved material comprisiny using the device in any one of the forms described above.
BRIEF DÆSCRIPTION OF THE DRA~7INGS
The invention will be further explained and exemplified by reference to the accompanying drawings wherein;
Figure 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrat-ing a first embodiment of a support device;
Figure 2 shows the support device being removed from a completed arch;
Figure 3 shows to an enlarged scale the hub of the support device;
Figure 4 shows a detail of Figure 3;
Figure 5 shows in partial cross-section a telescopic spoke.
Figures 6 to 8 show various ~urved dispositions of the support device;
Figure 9 shows schematically a support device capable of alteration into different curved forms;
Figure 10 is an illustration of a further embodiment for forming laminated material into a curved arch and adapted to incorporate the support device of the first embodiment; and Figure 11 is a cross~sectional elevation t~ken along the line XI-XI of Figure 10.
DET~ILE~ DESCRIPTION OF T;~E DRA~ GS
The support device shown in Figures l to 4 has telescopic spokes 3 which are shown in detail in Figure 5.
The support device as shown in Figure 1 comprises a curved peripheral band 1 connected to a semi-circular hub 2 by means of a multiplicity of spokes 3 pivotally connected to the hub at spaced positions a~jacent the periphery of the hub. At their outer ends, the spokes 3 are welded or other-wise attached to the inner surface of the curved band 1, which conveniently can be in the form of a mild steel strip, for example of cross-section 100mm x 7 mm. The spokes 3 are composed oE steel bar, for example 12 mm square bar~
Figure 1 shows an example of a spoke 3A having a pivotal connection to the flexible band L. Generally the connections between the spokes and band 1 can either be pivotal or fixed, although if fixed connections are use~
then in practice only a limited degree of change in the curvature of the band can be achieved.
Operation of the device is shown schematically in Figure
The present invention relates -to a device and method for supporting a structure during construction operations to permit the structure ~o ~e formed into a curved shape. For example, the invention can be applied to the formation of an arch during building constructions or to other forming applications.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Conventionally, timber framework is used to support bricks or stone when an arch is being constructed. When the mortar has set, the framework is removed by dismantling or destroying it. In general~ it is not possible to remove a semi-circular or semi-oval framework from a constructed arch without dismantling ~he framework on account of the tight fit between the framework and the arch. If the framework is to be re-used, it is necessary to expend time and material in rebuilding it. Clearly such a procedure is expensive and time~consuming~ particularly when a number of arches of the same or similar form are to be constructed in succession.
Moreover, if a number of different sized arches are being built, it is necessary to provide a separate timber framework for each arch style or size.
Australian Patent Specifications 264,747 (J. Bossner), 255,593 (J. Bossner) and 112,247 (W. A. Porter) have disclosed various arrangements applicable to the provision of a support construction relating to formwork for hollow bodies such as concrete hollow bodies, the formwork including internal formwork adapted to be inwardly retracted ~r~
.~ ~
for removal from the body when completed. Such designs rely upon the principle of outwardly displaceable members which move in a guided manner along a controlled outward path from a central structure to apply the desired force to support the formwork. However, such devices are very complex and very limited in terms of effectiveness, portability, adaptation to different shapes and sizes and usefulness in ordinary building operations, whether on a building site or in factory conditions.
The present invention is directed towards providing a new and useful device which can be embodied in a most simple and effective form which can permit the device to be used for supporting or forming curved structures such a~ arches and curved strip like members or the likeO
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspectr the present invention is concerned with an apparatus for supporting during construction operations a curved structure such as an arch or the like, and in which the apparatus is adjustable to permit a range of sizes and/or shapes of a curved structure to be supported or formed. More particularly~ there is provided a device comprising a hub member, a multiplicity of struts arranged to be pivotally connected to the hub member and extend away from the hub mernber in respective directions which are independently capable of adjustment relative to one another and relative to the hub member, and the struts terminating in means for supporting the material from which the curved structure is to be constructed, said supporting means being adapted to be located alony a path corresponding to the direction in which said curved structure is to extend, and adjustment means provided to permit alteration of the effective length of said struts whereby the configuration of said path may be aLtered, and the device being such that it may be removed from within the curved structure after construction has been completed to permit re-use of the device.
One particularly useful application of the invention is to support an arch during building constructions, for example when the arch is formed from bricks or masonry.
However, the invention is not limited to this application and in this specification the reference to formation of an arch is to be understood as a reference to forming any elongated curved construction requiring support during forming operations.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the means for supporting the arch comprises an elongated band such as a self-supporting metal strip, which may be flexed to adopt the desired shape and size for the arch.
The device according to the invention, in general, may be usable not only for circular openings or part circular open- ings but also other shapes such as part oval shapes.
Semi~ oval shapes bisected across the minor or major axes of the oval are possible arch forms which may be constructed with suitable embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, a device according to the inven~ion may be used to form more than a semi-circular openin~ in a structure. For example, a keyhole shape could be constructed in a brick wall using an embodiment of the invention.
Preferably, the struts are hingeably connected at respective locations around a plate-like portion of the hub member for pivotal motion a~out an axis parallel to the axis around which the arch is to extend. This permits the angle of the struts relative to the hub to be varied to suit different shapes configurations for the arch. Furthermore, in a preferred and important embodiment of the invention, the ends of the struts are permanently attached to a flexible band which is to support the arch. This connection may be either fixed or hingeable and in a particular embodi-lS ment some strut~ could be hinged and some fixed. It will be appreciated that no matter what size this embodiment of the invention is adjusted to, the flexible band will be supported at the same regular intervals by alteration of the position of the struts~
The most preferred form of the invention is one in which the hub member is of plate-like form and has the struts pivotally connected at respective spaced locations around the hub member and the hub member is arranged s~ch that it may be rotated in order effectively to contract the device to facilitate its removal when the arch has been formedO It will be appreciated that the radial distances from the axis of the h~b member to the pivotal connection with each strut determines, for a given angle of twisting, the radial spacing or clearance produced when contraction of the device occurs.
In the embodiments described with reference to the drawings, the hub member is a part-circular boss-like structure but it is pointed out that in principle the boss could be any convenient shape, for ex~ple square, triangular, rectangular or star shaped and indeed need not be plate-like~ In general, any form of structure that will hold and permit pivotal movement of the struts may be used, e.g. a bolt.
It will be appreciated that a device in accordance with the embodiment of Figures l to 4 of the drawings is intended to be used in the fully expanded condition (for a particular adjustment of the length of the struts). This is a configuration which may be considered to be one of unstable equilibrium so that any slight twisting of the hub member will tend to cause contraction of the device. Therefore, at least fcr some applications it mzy be desirable to provide a locking device for release of the holding the device in its fully expanded configuration to prevent any accidental release until the arch has been completed. If the arch is a brickwork arch then it is necessary to wait until the mortar has set before removing the device.
Any convenient form of means for adjusting the length of each strut may be employed but a highly convenient and effective embodiment is one in which a telescopic connection -- 6 ~
is provided in the middle portion of each strut with clamping means to hold the desired configuration for a particular arch shape and size.
To facilite erection, markings can be applied at appropriate intervals along each strut so that the struts can be conveniently adjusted before the device is positioned in the working configuration.
The device may include a forming strip such as a flexible spring steel strip for supporting the curved construction and the strip in turn may be supported from within the curve by a series of links pivotally connected to one another to form a chain-like structure and each having respective convexly curved abutment portions adapted to engage against the steel strip to support it at a series of closely spaced locations.
In this embodiment, some of the links can be fixed to elongated support plates to which outer end portions of the struts are pivotally connected.
Furthermore, when the device is to be used for forming e.g. laminated material, the forming strip can be set up substantially straight and the laminates placed in position with appropriate resins, and the device embodying the invention can then be used to place the respective struts in the desired angular configuration at respective lengths to form a peedetermined curve and for this purpose the device preferably includes engagement elements adapted to engage upon the exterior of the curved laminated material to hold 7' it against the for,~ing strip at spaced intervals and this is preferably achieved by virtue of roller like elements connected to extend across the laminated material from extension portions of support pla.es for the links~
S The invention also extends to a method of forming curved material comprisiny using the device in any one of the forms described above.
BRIEF DÆSCRIPTION OF THE DRA~7INGS
The invention will be further explained and exemplified by reference to the accompanying drawings wherein;
Figure 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrat-ing a first embodiment of a support device;
Figure 2 shows the support device being removed from a completed arch;
Figure 3 shows to an enlarged scale the hub of the support device;
Figure 4 shows a detail of Figure 3;
Figure 5 shows in partial cross-section a telescopic spoke.
Figures 6 to 8 show various ~urved dispositions of the support device;
Figure 9 shows schematically a support device capable of alteration into different curved forms;
Figure 10 is an illustration of a further embodiment for forming laminated material into a curved arch and adapted to incorporate the support device of the first embodiment; and Figure 11 is a cross~sectional elevation t~ken along the line XI-XI of Figure 10.
DET~ILE~ DESCRIPTION OF T;~E DRA~ GS
The support device shown in Figures l to 4 has telescopic spokes 3 which are shown in detail in Figure 5.
The support device as shown in Figure 1 comprises a curved peripheral band 1 connected to a semi-circular hub 2 by means of a multiplicity of spokes 3 pivotally connected to the hub at spaced positions a~jacent the periphery of the hub. At their outer ends, the spokes 3 are welded or other-wise attached to the inner surface of the curved band 1, which conveniently can be in the form of a mild steel strip, for example of cross-section 100mm x 7 mm. The spokes 3 are composed oE steel bar, for example 12 mm square bar~
Figure 1 shows an example of a spoke 3A having a pivotal connection to the flexible band L. Generally the connections between the spokes and band 1 can either be pivotal or fixed, although if fixed connections are use~
then in practice only a limited degree of change in the curvature of the band can be achieved.
Operation of the device is shown schematically in Figure
2. The support device is initially secured in a selected expanded state (shown in Figure l) either by resting the base of the hub l on scaffolding so as to prevent it rotating or by providing a locking means (not shown) to lock the position of at least one of the spokes 3 relative to the hub 2. An arch of bricks 4 is then built around the outer periphery of the curved band 1. The completed arch is shown in Figure 2 which also shows how the device is removed from the arch after the mortar between the bricks has set hard~
lhe hub 2 is twisted in an anticlockwise direction as shown by the small arrows so as to cause the radius of curvature of the curved band 1 to decrease and to open up a gap G
between the curved band and the arch. This enables the contracted support device to be removed from the arch in the downward direction. The support device may be reused by simply twisting the hub 2 clockwlse so as to restore it to the position shown in Figure 1.
Figures 3 and 4 illustrate in greater detail the pivotal connection of the spokes 3 to the hub 20 The inner end of each spoke 3 comprises a yoke 5 embracing either face of the hub 2 and pivotally mounted thereon by means of a pin 6.
Figure 5 illustrates the form, in detail, of a telescopic spokes 3, which comprises an inner square bar portion 8 slidable into an outer square sleeve portion 7 so as to vary the length of the spoke. There are marks on the inner portion 8 enabling the length of the spoke 3 to be easily and reproducibly reset for providing various spoke lengths. A locking device is provided for locking together the portions 7 and 8. The locking device comprises an internally threaded element 3 welded to the outer sleeve portion 7 and a threaded shank 10 having attached thereto a hand wheel 11 for clamping the spoke at a desired position.
The outer end of the portion 7 is shown welded to the inner surface of the curved band 1. However, when large variations in the radius of the curved band are to be allowed for, it is preferable to hinge the outer ends of at least some of the spokes 3 to the curved band 1~
Figures 6 to 8 show schematically three dif~erent configurations of a support device for building arches of circular shape, elongate oval shape (i.e. an oval bisected along its longer axis) and high oval shape~ The construction of each of the support devices is, in detail, based on the same principles shown in Figures 1-50 Thus~ it will be noted that the hubs 2 follow generally the curved disposition of the of the curved band 1 in each case.
However, by using spokes 3 of telescopic construction ~as illustrated in Figure 5), a single support device may be used to provide all three arch shapes.
Figure 9 shows a further embodiment of support device having, instead of a rigid hub, a simple pivot link 12 interconnecting the inner ends of the telescopic spokes 3.
Radial contraction and release of the suppor~ device from the arch may be achieved by radially contracting the spokes
lhe hub 2 is twisted in an anticlockwise direction as shown by the small arrows so as to cause the radius of curvature of the curved band 1 to decrease and to open up a gap G
between the curved band and the arch. This enables the contracted support device to be removed from the arch in the downward direction. The support device may be reused by simply twisting the hub 2 clockwlse so as to restore it to the position shown in Figure 1.
Figures 3 and 4 illustrate in greater detail the pivotal connection of the spokes 3 to the hub 20 The inner end of each spoke 3 comprises a yoke 5 embracing either face of the hub 2 and pivotally mounted thereon by means of a pin 6.
Figure 5 illustrates the form, in detail, of a telescopic spokes 3, which comprises an inner square bar portion 8 slidable into an outer square sleeve portion 7 so as to vary the length of the spoke. There are marks on the inner portion 8 enabling the length of the spoke 3 to be easily and reproducibly reset for providing various spoke lengths. A locking device is provided for locking together the portions 7 and 8. The locking device comprises an internally threaded element 3 welded to the outer sleeve portion 7 and a threaded shank 10 having attached thereto a hand wheel 11 for clamping the spoke at a desired position.
The outer end of the portion 7 is shown welded to the inner surface of the curved band 1. However, when large variations in the radius of the curved band are to be allowed for, it is preferable to hinge the outer ends of at least some of the spokes 3 to the curved band 1~
Figures 6 to 8 show schematically three dif~erent configurations of a support device for building arches of circular shape, elongate oval shape (i.e. an oval bisected along its longer axis) and high oval shape~ The construction of each of the support devices is, in detail, based on the same principles shown in Figures 1-50 Thus~ it will be noted that the hubs 2 follow generally the curved disposition of the of the curved band 1 in each case.
However, by using spokes 3 of telescopic construction ~as illustrated in Figure 5), a single support device may be used to provide all three arch shapes.
Figure 9 shows a further embodiment of support device having, instead of a rigid hub, a simple pivot link 12 interconnecting the inner ends of the telescopic spokes 3.
Radial contraction and release of the suppor~ device from the arch may be achieved by radially contracting the spokes
3. The radially contracted disposition is shown in dotted lines and it will be appreciated that large radial contraction is possible with this embodirnent not only to allow for release oE the device from a cornpleted arch, but also to allow for the construction of arches of greatly differing radi~s. The telescopic spokes may also be used to provide arches of non circular form/ similar to those shown in Figures 7 2nd 8. The marks on the telescopic spokes 3 enable the spoke length ~o be rapidly and reproducibly reset for a variety of selected arch shapes.
Although the invention has been described in relation to the construction of arches, it will be appreciated that the support device has utility in a number of other fields where support of t~nnels, roofs or doorways is requiredl for example i.n mines.
A method of forming laminated material into a curved form will now be described with reference to Figures 10 and 11, which illustrate the initial layup of laminated material in a straight form before adjustment of the hub ~ and spokes 3 to the desired configuration. The apparatus has a supporting arrangement for mounting the flexible, peripheral band 1 on which a laminated workpiece 20 is layed up.
Although not shown in the drawing, the spokes 3 are of the form shown in Figure 5 and are mounted to a hub 2 as shown in Figures 1-~.
Each support structure associated with each spoke comprises side strips 21 pivotally mounted on a bolt 22 either pivotally or fixedly depending on the choice of the user. Each bol~ 22 extends through a cross tube 3b at the extremity of the spoke 3 and a fixed link member 24 having outer cheeks 24a welded to the side strips 21 and incorporating a profiled block 24b which directly supports the flexible band 1 and is secured between the cheeks by pivot pins 24c.
From Figure 10 it will be apparent that both the support block 24b and the side cheeks 24a have a part oval shape.
Further pivotal links 25, also comprising side cheeks and a curved centre support block of the same form as the fixed links 24, pivotally interconnect adjacent fixed links by engagement at the piVQt pins 24c, the side cheeks 25a fitting inside the side cheeks 24a of the fixed links.
A remova~le rotatable roller 26 is provided for mounting on a bolt 27 at a selected upper location between the side strips 21, the location being selected so that the roller bears against the top surface of the layers of laminated material 20.
The device is intended to be used normally by having the flexible band 1 flat and horizontal with the rollers 26 remGved. The laminated material such as strips of timber is layed up with suitable adhesive, the rollers are secured in position as shown in Figures 10 and 11~ and then the hub is rotated, if necessary with the application of a suitable mechanical advantage or hydraulic system or the like, to contract the structure thereby pulling the flexible band 1 into a predetermined curvature and pulling the laminated material down to the configuration at which the adhesive is to cureO Adjustment of the telescopic spokes 3 can also take place as desired.
Although the invention has been described in relation to the construction of arches, it will be appreciated that the support device has utility in a number of other fields where support of t~nnels, roofs or doorways is requiredl for example i.n mines.
A method of forming laminated material into a curved form will now be described with reference to Figures 10 and 11, which illustrate the initial layup of laminated material in a straight form before adjustment of the hub ~ and spokes 3 to the desired configuration. The apparatus has a supporting arrangement for mounting the flexible, peripheral band 1 on which a laminated workpiece 20 is layed up.
Although not shown in the drawing, the spokes 3 are of the form shown in Figure 5 and are mounted to a hub 2 as shown in Figures 1-~.
Each support structure associated with each spoke comprises side strips 21 pivotally mounted on a bolt 22 either pivotally or fixedly depending on the choice of the user. Each bol~ 22 extends through a cross tube 3b at the extremity of the spoke 3 and a fixed link member 24 having outer cheeks 24a welded to the side strips 21 and incorporating a profiled block 24b which directly supports the flexible band 1 and is secured between the cheeks by pivot pins 24c.
From Figure 10 it will be apparent that both the support block 24b and the side cheeks 24a have a part oval shape.
Further pivotal links 25, also comprising side cheeks and a curved centre support block of the same form as the fixed links 24, pivotally interconnect adjacent fixed links by engagement at the piVQt pins 24c, the side cheeks 25a fitting inside the side cheeks 24a of the fixed links.
A remova~le rotatable roller 26 is provided for mounting on a bolt 27 at a selected upper location between the side strips 21, the location being selected so that the roller bears against the top surface of the layers of laminated material 20.
The device is intended to be used normally by having the flexible band 1 flat and horizontal with the rollers 26 remGved. The laminated material such as strips of timber is layed up with suitable adhesive, the rollers are secured in position as shown in Figures 10 and 11~ and then the hub is rotated, if necessary with the application of a suitable mechanical advantage or hydraulic system or the like, to contract the structure thereby pulling the flexible band 1 into a predetermined curvature and pulling the laminated material down to the configuration at which the adhesive is to cureO Adjustment of the telescopic spokes 3 can also take place as desired.
Claims (14)
1. A device for supporting an curved structure during construction operations and comprising a hub member, a multiplicity of struts arranged to be pivotally connected to the hub member and extend away from the hub member in respective directions which are independently capable of adjustment relative to one another and relative to the hub member, and the struts terminating in means for supporting the material from which the curved structure is to be constructed, said supporting means being adapted to be located along a path corresponding to the direction in which said curved structure is to extend, and adjustment means provided to permit alteration of the effective length of said struts whereby the configuration of said path may be altered, and the device being such that it may be removed from within the curved structure after construction has been completed to permit re-use of the device.
2. A device as claimed in claim l wherein said hub member includes a plate-like portion and said struts are pivotally connected to said plate-like portion at respective locations spaced around the plate-like portion and at positions spaced from the region of convergence of the struts.
3. A device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the hub member is adapted to be rotated about the axis around which said path is arranged to extend for displacing the struts and thereby generally contracting the device to facilitate removal of the device from the curved structure when formed.
4. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said adjustment means includes means in the intermediate portion of each strut to secure the strut in one of a range of positions corresponding to different overall lengths of the strut.
5. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1-3, wherein said adjustment means comprises a telescopic inter-engagement for respective portions of each strut and clamping means for clamping the telescopic engagement at a desired position.
6. A device as claimed in claim 4, and further comprising markings on each strut for calibrating the strut length to correspond with predetermined configurations for said path.
7. A device as claimed in claim 1, and wherein said supporting means includes an elongated load supporting band adapted to be connected to the outer ends of said struts and to support a load between said struts, said band being sufficiently flexible to permit alteration of the size and shape of the band to correspond with the desired path along which it is to extend.
8. A device as claimed in claim 7 wherein said band comprises a steel strip.
9. A device as claimed in claim 7 and wherein at least some of said struts are fixedly connected to said band.
10. A device as claimed in any one of claims 7-9, and wherein at least some of said struts are hingeably connected to said band about an axis extending substantially parallel to the axis around which said curved structure is to extend.
11. A device as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising said supporting means including holding means arranged to extend over and engage upon a workpiece extending over a flexible band mounted for supporting the workpiece, whereby alteration of the relative positions of the hub member and the struts alters the curvature of the flexible band whereby the curvature of the workpiece is altered in a corresponding manner.
12. A device as claimed in claim 11, wherein said holding means comprises a forked member pivotally connected to each of said struts and adapted to extend either side of the flexible band for mounting a removable engagement element in a selected position above and in abutment with the workpiece and a support member being connected to the fork member and having a curved surface for supporting the flexible band.
13. A device as claimed in claim 12, and wherein the support member is connected pivotally to at least one further support member also adapted to support the flexible band whereby the support elements are interconnected in a chain-like manner.
14. A method of forming a workpiece into a curved configuration comprising using a device according to any one of claims 11 to 13, the workpiece being layed on the flexible band in a substantially flat configuration and the relative disposition of the hub member and the struts being altered to draw the workpiece into the desired configuration, the workpiece being removed after the desired configuration has been set into the workpiece.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000412184A CA1198607A (en) | 1982-09-24 | 1982-09-24 | Support structures for use in building |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000412184A CA1198607A (en) | 1982-09-24 | 1982-09-24 | Support structures for use in building |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1198607A true CA1198607A (en) | 1985-12-31 |
Family
ID=4123658
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000412184A Expired CA1198607A (en) | 1982-09-24 | 1982-09-24 | Support structures for use in building |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1198607A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5005799A (en) * | 1988-03-19 | 1991-04-09 | Anthony Gallagher | Patterns for determining the profile of an arch |
-
1982
- 1982-09-24 CA CA000412184A patent/CA1198607A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5005799A (en) * | 1988-03-19 | 1991-04-09 | Anthony Gallagher | Patterns for determining the profile of an arch |
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| MKEX | Expiry |