GB2531655A

GB2531655A - Positioning means

Info

Publication number: GB2531655A
Application number: GB1517502.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Phillips John
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-10-06
Filing date: 2015-10-05
Publication date: 2016-04-27
Also published as: GB201417605D0; GB201517502D0

Abstract

Positioning device for holding a batten in contact with a building structure comprises a bolt 1 that has a shaft which is externally threaded at one end. The device is provided at its other end with a transverse formation 5, a plate 4 with an aperture movably mounted on the shaft of the bolt and a component, preferably a nut, engaging with the thread formation for applying pressure to the plate 4. Also claimed is a method of holding a horizontal batten in contact with a building structure having a horizontally extended opening, for example a slot. A positioning element includes a shaft and at one end includes transverse formation which is shorter than the width of the opening but longer than the height. The element is inserted through the opening and rotated 90 degrees such that the element cannot be withdrawn. A holding portion engages the batten on the other end of the shaft. The holding protion can include a U-shaped formation.

Description

POSITIONING MEANS

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to positioning means and to a method of using the positioning means.

The invention is of particular application to a positioning means for use in holding an elongated object, such as a batten, correctly positioned in contact with a building structure.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided positioning means comprising a bolt that has a shaft which is externally threaded at one end and is provided at its other end with a transverse formation, an apertured plate movably mounted on the shaft of the bolt and means engageable with the thread formation for applying pressure to the plate.

The means engageable with the thread formation preferably comprises the combination of a nut and a washer.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of positioning an elongated object in contact with a building structure that includes the positioning means defined above.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of holding a horizontal batten positioned in contact with one side of building structure having a horizontally extending opening, the method including providing a positioning element that includes an elongated shaft that is provided at one end with a transverse formation having a length significantly greater than the height of the horizontally extending opening but less than the length of the opening, placing the positioning element on said one side of the building structure, passing the transverse formation through the horizontally extending opening, rotating the elongated shaft through substantially ninety degrees into a position in which the transverse formation extends substantially vertically and cannot be withdrawn through the opening, and engaging the batten with holding means at the other end of the elongated shaft.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of holding a vertical batten positioned in contact with one side of building structure having a vertically extending opening, the method including providing a positioning element that includes an elongated shaft that is provided at one end with a transverse formation having a length significantly greater than the width of the horizontally extending opening but less than the height of the opening, placing the positioning element on said one side of the building structure, passing the transverse formation through the vertically extending opening, rotating the elongated shaft through substantially ninety degrees into a position in which the transverse formation extends substantially horizontally and cannot be withdrawn through the opening, and engaging the batten with holding means at the other end of the elongated shaft.

The holding means may comprise an apertured plate movably mounted on said other end of the elongated shaft, which other end of the shaft may be externally threaded, and means engageable with the thread formation of the shaft for applying pressure to the plate.

The holding means may alternatively comprise a generally U-shaped formation at the other end of the shaft and, in such instance, two positioning elements will be used, one adjacent each end of the batten.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 shows a first form of the positioning means, Figure 2 shows the positioning means of Figure 1 in use, Figure 3 comprises a plan view and a side view of a second form of positioning means, and Figure 4 illustrates the manner of use of the positioning means of Figure 3.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments

The positioning means shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings includes a threaded bolt 1 at one end of which there is a transverse formation 5 such that that end of the bolt 1 is of T-shape. An apertured metal plate 4 is movable along the shaft of the bolt 1 and a nut 2 and a washer 3 are disposed on the threaded portion of the shaft of the bolt 1.

The arrangement is such that, in use, the transverse formation can be passed through a narrow opening in a building structure, such as that shown in Figure 2, and then the shaft of the bolt 1 is rotated through 90° so that the bolt 1 cannot be pulled away from the building structure.

The object to be positioned against the building structure, e.g. the batten 6, is then placed in position, resting on the shaft of the bolt 1. The apertured plate 4 is then placed in contact with the batten 6 and the nut 2 is rotated relative to the shaft of the bolt 1 so as to push the washer 3 into engagement with the plate 4 and to hold the batten 6 securely against the presented surface of the building structure, in the required position for as long as required.

Two positioning means will normally be used, one adjacent each end of the batten 6 so that accurate and stable positioning of the batten 6 can be achieved.

When it is no longer necessary to hold the batten 6 in place, the nut 2 is loosened and the shaft of the bolt 1 is turned through 90° so that the transverse formation 5 can be removed via the opening in the building structure.

Positioning of the batten 6 can thus be effected simply, reliably, efficiently and accurately without the requirement for specialized equipment.

The alternative form of positioning means shown in Figures 3 and 4 includes a shaft 10 that has a transverse formation 11 at one end and a U-shaped formation 12 at its other end. The positioning means of Figures 3 and 4 is used in a similar manner to the positioning means of Figures 1 and 2 in that the transverse formation 11 is passed through a narrow opening in a building structure and then the shaft 10 is rotated through 90° so that it cannot be pulled away from the building structure.

The batten B is then placed in position with the open mouth of the U-shaped formation 12 and there will again be two positioning means, one adjacent each end of the batten B to hold the batten B in place while any building work is being carried out. Removal of the positioning means can readily and easily be effected once they are no longer required.

Although the invention has been described above with reference to the holding in position of a horizontal batten in contact with one side of a building structure having a horizontally extending opening, the invention can also be used for the holding in position of a vertical batten in contact with one side of a building structure having a vertically extending opening.

Claims

Claims:- 1. Positioning means comprising a bolt that has a shaft which is externally threaded at one end and is provided at its other end with a transverse formation, an apertured plate movably mounted on the shaft of the bolt and means engageable with the thread formation for applying pressure to the plate.
2. Positioning means as claimed in Claim 1, in which the means engageable with the thread formation comprises the combination of a nut and a washer.
3. A method of positioning an elongated object in contact with a building structure that includes the use of the positioning of either of the preceding claims.
4. A method of holding a horizontal batten positioned in contact with one side of building structure having a horizontally extending opening, the method including providing a positioning element that includes an elongated shaft that is provided at one end with a transverse formation having a length significantly greater than the height of the horizontally extending opening but less than the length of the opening, placing the positioning element on said one side of the building structure, passing the transverse formation through the horizontally extending opening, rotating the elongated shaft through substantially ninety degrees into a position in which the transverse formation extends substantially vertically and cannot be withdrawn through the opening, and engaging the batten with holding means at the other end of the elongated shaft.
5. A method of holding a horizontal batten positioned in contact with one side of building structure having a horizontally extending opening, the method including providing a positioning element that includes an elongated shaft that is provided at one end with a transverse formation having a length significantly greater than the height of the horizontally extending opening but less than the length of the opening, placing the positioning element on said one side of the building structure, passing the transverse formation through the horizontally extending opening, rotating the elongated shaft through substantially ninety degrees into a position in which the transverse formation extends substantially vertically and cannot be withdrawn through the opening, and engaging the batten with holding means at the other end of the elongated shaft.
6. A method as claimed in Claim 4 or Claim 5, in which the holding means comprises an apertured plate movably mounted on said other end of the elongated shaft, which other end of the shaft is externally threaded, and means engageable with the thread formation of the shaft for applying pressure to the plate.
7. A method as claimed in Claim 4 or Claim 5, in which the holding means comprises a generally U-shaped formation at the other end of the shaft and in which two positioning elements are used, one adjacent each end of the batten.
8. A method of positioning an elongated object in contact with a building structure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.