GB2480426A

GB2480426A - Ground engaging and load spreading support member

Info

Publication number: GB2480426A
Application number: GB201007729A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christopher Jon Massey
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-05-08
Filing date: 2010-05-08
Publication date: 2011-11-23
Anticipated expiration: 2030-05-08
Also published as: GB201007729D0; GB2480426B

Abstract

A support assembly 40 is locatable beneath a ground engaging member 34 to spread the downwards load therefrom and comprises a support member 10 with upper and lower planar faces 12, 14 interconnected by an open support structure 16. The support member 10 may be aluminium and may be extruded. The open support structure 16 may comprise a plurality of strips 18 which may be inclined, adjacent strips may be oppositely inclined and connected at the planar faces 12, 14. Connection arrangements 20, 22 may be provided along the edges of the member 10 to permit engagement with adjacent members 10. One connection arrangement 20 may include upper and lower recesses 24, 28 respectively engageable with a lip 30 and a projection 32 on the other connection arrangement 22. The member 10 may be rectangular with an anti-slip finish. In use two layers 42, 44 of elements 10 may be provided to support the outrigger 34 of a crane.

Description

Support Assembly This invention concerns a support assembly, and particularly but not exclusively a support assembly for spreading the load of a ground engaging item, and especially an item such as a crane.

With items such as cranes, outriggers are often used to provide stability for the crane in use. Problems can be encountered with one or more of the outriggers sinking into the ground. To overcome this, plates often of steel or other arrangements may be used beneath the outriggers to spread the load across the ground. Such plates however have not always proved wholly satisfactory in use. Where such plates are sufficiently strong, they are generally quite difficult if not impossible to manually handle and locate.

Accordingly, it has been necessary to use a forklift truck or similar to move the plates, and such a vehicle may not be available in all required locations.

According to the present invention there is provided a support assembly locatable on the ground beneath a ground engaging member to spread the downwards load therefrom, the assembly comprising a support member with planar faces separated by an open support structure.

The support member may be made of aluminium or an aluminium alloy, and may be made by extrusion.

The open structure may be in the form of a plurality of strips extending between the planar faces. The strips may be inclined, and adjacent strips may be at an opposite inclination to each other. The strips may connect with each other, and may connect together at connections to the planar faces.

Formations may be provided alongside edges of the support member to permit engagement with adjacent such support members. The formations may be configured such that engaged support members cannot be pulled apart away from each other, and the formations may be configured such that engaging support members have to be pivoted relative to each other to be separated.

The support member may have a first formation along one side edge, and a second formation along the other side edge, with the first formation engageable with a second formation on an adjacent support member, and the second formation being engageable with a first formation on an adjacent support member.

The first formation may comprise upper and lower recesses, with the second formation comprising a lip and a projection engageable respectively with a one of the recesses of the first formation.

One or both planar faces of the support member may have an anti-slip finish. The support member may be rectangular, and may extend for a greater distance in a longitudinal direction.

The invention also provides a support assembly including a plurality of support members engaged together. The support assembly may include two layers of engaged support members.

In one embodiment the lower layer may comprise three support members, with the upper layer comprising two support members. The support members in one layer may extend transversely relative to the support members in another layer.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: -Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic side view of a support member according to the invention; and Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a plurality of support members as shown in Fig. 1 in use.

Fig. 1 shows a support member 10 which has upper and lower planar faces 12, 14 interconnected by an open support structure 16. The support structure 16 comprises a plurality of strips of material 18 extending between the faces 12, 14, and being inclined relative thereto, with adjacent strips 18 being at opposite inclinations. The strips 18 interconnect with adjacent strips 18 at their connection to the upper and lower faces 12, 14.

An anti slip finish is provided on the faces 12, 14. This finish may be provided by an anti slip paint, which may contain graphite. The support member is integrally formed, and may be formed by extruding aluminium or an aluminium alloy.

The member 10 has a first connection arrangement at a left hand side as shown in Fig. 1 and a second connection arrangement at the right hand side. The first connection arrangement 20 includes an upper upwardly facing recess 24 with an outer lip 26 which extends to just below the upper planar face 12. The first connection arrangement 20 also includes a downwardly facing lower recess 28 which is slightly larger than the thickness of the lower planar face 14.

The second connection arrangement 22 includes an upper downwardly turned lip 30, and a lower planar projection 32 which extends outwardly beyond the lip 30. The first connection arrangement 20 is engageable with a second connection arrangement 22 on an adjacent support member 10, with the lip 30 engaging in the upper recess 24, and the planar projection 32 locating in the lower recess 28.

The arrangements 20, 22 are such that two such engaged support members 10 cannot be pulled apart, and the support member 10 with the engaged first connection arrangement 20 must be inclined upwardly away from the other support member 10, such that the lip 26 can pivot under the lip 30 to separate the support members 10.

Fig. 2 shows a number of support members 10 in use to spread the load being applied by the outrigger 34 of for instance a crane (not shown).

The outrigger 34 includes an arm 36 which may be telescopically mounted to the crane. A foot 38 is provided at the end of the arm 36 and is height adjustable as required.

A support assembly 40 is provided with a lower layer 42 comprising three support members 10 with their respective connection arrangements 20, 22 engaged, thereby together defining a square base which could for instance be substantially 1 m2. The support assembly 40 also includes an upper layer 44 made up of two support members 10 with their respective connection arrangements 20 and 22 engaged, with the support members 10 in the upper layer 44 extending transversely relative to the support members 10 in the lower layer 42. As illustrated an additional smaller square mounting plate 46 may be provided on the support assembly 40 immediately below the foot 38.

The support assembly 40 can readily be formed from the individual support members 10, which themselves can be manually handled from storage to use, and vice versa. The configuration of the upper and lower layers 44, 42 spreads the load, with no particular load concentration in any of the connections between adjacent support members 10.

There is thus provided a support member which can be made into support assemblies as required which is readily handleable, but can provide required support for instance for an outrigger of a crane. The support members 10 therefore provide safe and required support, whilst remaining sufficiently light to be handled by a person without the requirement for mechanical assistance for instance from a fork lift truck.

It is to be realised that the number and pattern of support members 10 can be chosen as required by particular applications. Also the size and thickness of material used in the support members 10 can be chosen as required for particular circumstances.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For instance, different connection arrangements may be provided on either side of the support members. A different support structure could be provided, which could for instance be a box structure. It may be that there would be an intermediate planar layer between the upper and lower planar faces.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A support assembly locatable on the ground beneath a ground engaging member to spread the downwards load therefrom, the assembly comprising a support member with planar faces separated by an open support structure.
2. A support assembly according to claim 1, in which the support member is made of aluminium or an aluminium alloy.
3. A support assembly according to any of the preceding claims, in which the support member is made by extrusion.
4. A support assembly according to any of the preceding claims, in which the open structure is in the form of a plurality of strips extending between the planar faces.
5. A support assembly according to claim 4, in which the strips are inclined.
6. A support assembly according to claims 4 or 5, in which adjacent strips * are at an opposite inclination to each other. * * *

*
7. A support assembly according to any of claims 4 to 6, in which the strips are connected with each other.
8. A support assembly according to claim 7, in which the strips are :.:::. connected together at connections to the planar faces.
9. A support assembly according to any of the preceding claims, in which formations are provided alongside edges of the support member, to permit engagement with adjacent such support members.
10.A support assembly according to claim 9, in which the formations are configured such that engaged support members cannot be pulled apart away from each other.
11.A support assembly according to claim 10, in which the formations are configured such that engaging support members have to be pivoted relative to each other to be separated.
1 2.A support assembly according to any of claims 9 to 11, in which the support member has a first formation along one side edge, and a second formation along the other side edge, with the first formation engageable with a second formation on an adjacent support member, and the second formation being engageable with a first formation on an adjacent support member.
13.A support assembly according to claim 12, in which a first formation comprises upper and lower recesses, with the second formation comprising a lip and a projection engageable respectively with one of the recesses of the first formation.
14.A support assembly according to any of the preceding claims, in which *�*I*S * : one or both planar faces of the support member have an anti-slip finish.

* ***** * S
15. A support assembly according to any of the preceding claims, in which the support member is rectangular.
16. A support assembly according to any of the preceding claims, in which the support member extends for a greater distance in a longitudinal direction.
17. A support assembly including a plurality of support members engaged together.
18.A support assembly according to claim 17, in which two layers of engaged support members are included.
19.A support assembly according to claim 18, in which the lower layer comprises three support members, with the upper layer comprising two support members.
20.A support assembly according to claims 18 or 19, in which the support members in one layer extend transversely relative to the support members in another layer.
21.A support assembly substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.
22.Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims. *0*I* * ** **** * * * ,f * * * I.. S * 0* * S *b