GB2581388A

GB2581388A - Riser cover support system

Info

Publication number: GB2581388A
Application number: GB1902144.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Bowman Thomas
Original assignee: Dura Composites Ltd
Current assignee: Dura Composites Ltd
Priority date: 2019-02-15
Filing date: 2019-02-15
Publication date: 2020-08-19
Anticipated expiration: 2039-02-15
Also published as: GB2581388B; GB201902144D0; AU2020200311A1

Abstract

A frame member 200 for a riser cover support system 100 comprises a first panel for fixing to a vertical surface 108 of a riser void and having first and second rows of fixing openings. A second panel is attached and orthogonal to the first member. Also claimed is a bracket 300 which comprises first and second bracket panels orthogonal to one another and each having one or more fixing openings. A third panel is attached to the first and is orthogonal to the first and second panels, extending between the two. A forth panel attached to the third overlays at least a portion of the second panel and has one or more fixing openings aligned with the openings in the second panel. Further claimed is a cross member 400 which comprises a first cross member panel having a first row of fixing openings. Parallel second and third panels are attached and orthogonal to the first. Packers 500 may be provided below the frame member and between the bracket and the vertical surface. The frame member, bracket and cross member may form a support system on which a riser cover 116 may be placed.

Description

RISER COVER SUPPORT SYSTEM

The present invention relates to a riser cover support system and to various components for a riser cover support system.

Multi-storey concrete buildings under construction or refurbishment can often contain multiple open riser voids for elevators or utility services to be added later. These riser voids can present a significant risk of fall to construction personnel. Temporary covers for these riser voids, such as scaffolding and plywood covers, can often fail and will require daily inspection. GB 2 429 021 Al discloses a riser cover support system comprising a frame and beams that extend between two sides of the frame. Covers are then secured to the frame and beams. However, the system requires a number of complex component parts, some of which need to be embedded in the concrete floor slabs whilst they are being formed. Furthermore, the beams can only connect to and span between two sides of the frame. Concrete floor slabs also often contain reinforcing bars that can interfere with the installation of riser cover support systems.

It is desired to provide an improved riser cover support system and improved components for a riser cover support system.

Thus, according to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a frame member for a riser cover support system, the frame member comprising: a first frame member panel for attachment to a vertical surface of a riser 20 void, the first frame member panel having a first row of fixing openings therethrough, the openings of the first row of fixing openings being distributed along a longitudinal length of the frame member, the first frame member panel further having a second row of fixing openings therethrough, the openings of the -2 -second row of fixing openings being distributed along the longitudinal length of the frame member, the first row of openings and second row of openings being offset laterally from one another; and a second frame member panel for supporting a riser cover, the second 5 frame member panel being attached to the first frame member panel along the longitudinal length of the frame member, the plane of the second frame member panel being orthogonal to the plane of the first frame member panel.

The frame member of the present invention can allow a riser cover support system to be readily retrofitted to an existing riser void, e.g. without the need to embed components in concrete floor slabs whilst they are being formed. For example, the frame member can be attached to a vertical surface of a riser void using one or more mechanical fixings provided through the fixing openings in the first frame member panel and then a riser cover can be supported on the second frame member panel. Furthermore, since there are openings distributed along the longitudinal length of the frame member, there is an increased chance of being able to identify one or more suitably located fixing openings with which to attach the frame member to the riser void, even when the longitudinal length of the frame member is shortened so as to fit in a particular riser void. Moreover, since the first row of openings and second row of openings are offset laterally from one another, there is also an increased chance of being able to identify a suitably located fixing opening that is not aligned with a reinforcing bar in a concrete flooring slab. In this regard, it has been identified that reinforcing bars tend to be provided in concrete flooring slabs in horizontal planes, with a vertical offset between the planes, and that providing laterally offset rows of fixing -3 -openings can accordingly help to avoid hitting a reinforcing bar with a mechanical fixing. For example, if a reinforcing bar would be hit when using a fixing opening in the first row of fixing openings, then some or all of the fixing openings in the second row of fixing openings can be used instead. This in turn can avoid the 5 need to measure or scan for the presence of a reinforcing bar in a particular concrete flooring slab and then adjust the vertical position of the frame member. In embodiments, the frame member may be of unitary construction. The first frame member panel and the second frame member panel may be contiguous with one another. The second frame member panel may be 10 contiguous with the first frame member panel along the longitudinal length of the frame member. The frame member may be formed of folded sheet material. The frame member may be formed of metallic material. The frame member may be formed of steel. The frame member may be formed of coated or treated material, e.g. galvanised steel. These embodiments can allow a robust frame member to be readily manufactured.

In embodiments, the frame member (e.g. the first frame member panel and/or second frame member panel) may have a longitudinal length in the range 1-5 metres, such as in the range 2-4 metres, such as 3 metres. Prior to installation, the frame member (e.g. the first frame member panel and/or second frame member panel) may be shortened to other longitudinal lengths so as to fit in a particular riser void. The first frame member panel and second frame member panel may have, and may be (concurrently) shortened to, the same longitudinal length. The first frame member panel and/or second frame member panel may have a thickness in the range 1-4 mm, such as in the range 2-3 mm, such as 2.5 -4 -mm. The first frame member panel and second frame member panel may have substantially the same thickness. The first frame member panel may have a height in the range 4-15 cm, such as in the range 6-10 cm, such as 8 cm. The second frame member panel may have a span in the range 2-10 cm, such as in the range 3-7 cm, such as 4 cm. The first frame member panel and/or second frame member panel may have a substantially rectangular surface.

In embodiments, the fixing openings of the frame member may be circular. Circular fixing openings can prevent the frame member from sliding horizontally and/or vertically when attached to the riser void. The fixing openings may have a radius in the range 3-9 mm, such as in the range 5-7 mm, such as 6 mm. In other embodiments, the fixing openings of the frame member may be slot-shaped (e.g. obround).

In embodiments, the first row of fixing openings of the frame member and second row of fixing openings of the frame member may be offset laterally from one another by an (e.g. centre-centre) offset in the range 18-34 mm, such as in the range 24-28 mm, such as 26 mm. It has been identified that this lateral offset can help to avoid hitting reinforcing bars which have been embedded in most concrete slabs, particularly where the reinforcing bars have been embedded in accordance with international or national (e.g. British) standards for reinforced concrete floor slabs.

In embodiments, the fixing openings of the first row of fixing openings of the frame member and/or the fixing openings of the second row of fixing openings of the frame member may be substantially uniformly distributed along the longitudinal length of the frame member. In embodiments, the fixing openings of -5 -the first row of fixing openings of the frame member and/or the fixing openings of the second row of fixing openings of the frame member may be spaced longitudinally from one another by an (e.g. centre-centre) offset in the range 2075 mm, such as in the range 20-50 mm, such as 25 mm. It has been identified that this longitudinal spacing can help to provide one or more suitable fixing openings with which to attach the frame member to the riser void, even when the longitudinal length of the frame member is shortened so as to fit in a particular riser void.

In embodiments, the frame member may be substantially L-shaped in cross-section. The frame member may have an open, e.g. not closed and/or not hollow, cross-section. These embodiments allow the frame member to be relatively lightweight and/or readily shortened longitudinally so as to fit in a particular riser void.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a bracket for a riser cover support system, the bracket comprising: a first bracket panel having one or more fixing openings therethrough; a second bracket panel having one or more fixing openings therethrough, the second bracket panel being attached to the first bracket panel, the plane of the second bracket panel being orthogonal to the plane of the first bracket panel; a third bracket panel attached to the first bracket panel, the third bracket panel being orthogonal to the planes of the first bracket panel and second bracket panel, the third bracket panel extending between the first bracket panel and the second bracket panel; and -6 -a fourth bracket panel overlaying at least a first portion of the second bracket panel, the fourth bracket panel being attached to the third bracket panel, the fourth bracket panel having one or more fixing openings therethrough, one or more fixing openings of the fourth bracket panel being aligned with one or more fixing openings of the second bracket panel.

The bracket of the present invention can allow a riser support system to be used in larger riser voids, e.g. by using the bracket to attach a frame member of the system to a cross member of the system or by using the bracket to attach a cross member of the system to another cross member of the system. The arrangement of the various bracket panels can also allow a robust bracket to be readily manufactured. For example, the bracket may be formed from sheet material, e.g. by folding. This can, for example, allow the bracket to be readily manufactured by coating or treating, e.g. galvanising, the sheet material in a non-folded state and then folding the coated or treated sheet material to form the bracket. The bracket may then be held together in a strong configuration by providing one or more mechanical fixings through one or more of the aligned fixing openings of the second and fourth bracket panels. In this regard, it has been identified that an alternative process, in which separate panels of sheet material are welded together to form a bracket can be time consuming and costly, can lead to a weak structure, and can lead to areas of the bracket, such as internal weld joints, being insufficiently coated or treated.

In embodiments, the bracket may comprise a fifth bracket panel attached to the first bracket panel, the fifth bracket panel being orthogonal to the planes of the first bracket panel and second bracket panel, the fifth bracket panel extending -7 -between the first bracket panel and the second bracket panel. The third bracket panel and fifth bracket panel may be provided opposite one another. The plane of the fifth bracket panel may be parallel to the plane of the third bracket panel. The bracket may comprise a sixth bracket panel overlaying at least a second portion of the second bracket panel, the sixth bracket panel being attached to the fifth bracket panel, the sixth bracket panel having one or more fixing openings therethrough, one or more fixing openings of the sixth bracket panel being aligned with one or more fixing openings of the second bracket panel. The fourth bracket panel and sixth bracket panel may have edges which face one another and/or which are adjacent one another. These embodiments can provide an even more robust bracket to be readily formed. For example, the bracket may still be formed from sheet material, e.g. by folding. The bracket may then be held together in a strong configuration by providing one or more mechanical fixings through one or more of the aligned fixing openings of the second and sixth bracket panels.

The bracket may be substantially symmetrical about a plane that extends through the centres of the first and second bracket panels. This may allow the bracket to be used either way up.

In embodiments, the bracket may be of unitary construction. The first bracket panel and the second bracket panel may be contiguous with one another.

The first bracket panel and the third bracket panel may be contiguous with one another. The third bracket panel and the fourth bracket panel may be contiguous with one another. The first bracket panel and the fifth bracket panel may be contiguous with one another. The fifth bracket panel and the sixth bracket panel may be contiguous with one another. The bracket may be formed of folded sheet -8 -material. The bracket may be formed of metallic material. The bracket may be formed of steel. The bracket may be formed of coated or treated material, e.g. galvanised steel. These embodiments can allow a robust bracket to be readily manufactured.

In embodiments, the bracket (e.g. the first bracket panel and/or second bracket panel) may have a height in the range 10-20 cm. The first bracket panel and second bracket panel may have substantially the same height. The first bracket panel and/or second bracket panel may have a width in the range 10-20 cm. The first bracket panel and second bracket panel may have substantially the same width. The first bracket panel and/or second bracket panel may have a substantially rectangular surface.

The third bracket panel may have a substantially rectangular, triangular or L-shaped surface. An L-shaped surface can provide a strong bracket with a reduced amount of weight and/or material. A first side (e.g. a first leg of the L-shaped surface) of the third bracket panel may be attached to the first bracket panel. The first side of the third bracket panel may have a width in the range 1020 cm. The first side of the third bracket panel may be substantially the same width as the width of the first bracket panel. A second side (e.g. a second leg of the L-shaped surface) of the third bracket panel may be attached to the fourth bracket panel. A second side of the third bracket panel may have a width in the range 10-20 cm. The second side of the third bracket panel may be substantially the same width as the width of the second bracket panel and/or the fourth bracket panel. -9 -

The fourth bracket panel may have a substantially rectangular surface. The fourth bracket panel may have a width in the range 10-20 cm. The fourth bracket panel and second bracket panel may have substantially the same width. The fourth bracket panel may have a height in the range 5-10 cm. The fourth bracket panel may have a height which is in the range 1/4 to 3/4, for example 1/2, the height of the second bracket panel.

The fifth bracket panel may have a substantially rectangular, triangular or L-shaped surface. Again, an L-shaped surface can provide a strong bracket with a reduced amount of weight and/or material. A first side (e.g. a first leg of the L-shaped surface) of the fifth bracket panel may be attached to the first bracket panel. The first side of the fifth bracket panel may have a width in the range 1020 cm. The first side of the fifth bracket panel may be substantially the same width as the width of the first bracket panel. A second side (e.g. a second leg of the L-shaped surface) of the fifth bracket panel may be attached to the sixth bracket panel. A second side of the fifth bracket panel may have a width in the range 10-cm. The second side of the fifth bracket panel may be substantially the same width as the width of the second bracket panel and/or the sixth bracket panel. The sixth bracket panel may have a substantially rectangular surface. The sixth bracket panel may have a width in the range 10-20 cm. The sixth bracket 20 panel and second bracket panel may have substantially the same width. The sixth bracket panel may have a height in the range 5-10 cm. The sixth bracket panel may have a height which is in the range 1/4 to 3/4, for example 1/2, the height of the second bracket panel.

-10 -The fourth bracket panel and sixth bracket panel may have heights such that together they substantially cover the second bracket panel. The fourth bracket panel and sixth bracket panel may have substantially the same heights. The bracket panels may have a thickness in the range 1-4 mm, such as in 5 the range 2-3 mm, such as 2.5 mm. The bracket panels may have substantially the same thickness.

In embodiments, the fixing openings of the bracket may be slot-shaped (e.g. obround). Slot-shaped fixing openings may increase the chance, or may even guarantee, that a fixing opening of the bracket can be aligned with a fixing opening of a member of the system. The fixing openings of the bracket may have a (e.g. end) radius in the range 3-9 mm, such as in the range 5-7 mm, such as 6 mm. The fixing openings of the bracket may be elongate in the width direction of the first bracket panel and/or second bracket panel and/or fourth bracket panel and/or sixth bracket panel. The fixing openings of the bracket may have a length in the range 3-8 cm.

The first bracket panel may have plural (e.g. two) fixing openings therethrough. The second bracket panel may have plural (e.g. four) fixing openings therethrough. The fourth bracket panel may have plural (e.g. two) fixing openings therethrough. The sixth bracket panel may have plural (e.g. two) fixing openings therethrough. A first fixing opening of the second bracket panel may align with a first fixing opening of the fourth bracket panel. A second fixing opening of the second bracket panel may align with a second fixing opening of the fourth bracket panel. A third fixing opening of the second bracket panel may align with a first fixing opening of the sixth bracket panel. A fourth fixing opening -11 -of the second bracket panel may align with a second fixing opening of the sixth bracket panel. These embodiments may provide plural locations at which to attach the first bracket panel and/or second bracket panel to a member of the system. These embodiments may also or instead provide plural locations at which to attach the second bracket panel to the fourth bracket panel and/or sixth bracket panel.

In embodiments, the fixing openings of a given bracket panel may be offset laterally from one another. The fixing openings of the first bracket panel may be offset laterally from one another by an (e.g. centre-centre) offset in the range 70- 90 mm, such as in the range 75-85mm, such as 82 mm. The lateral offset of the fixing openings of the first bracket panel may be substantially the same as the lateral offset of first and second rows of fixing openings of a cross member of the riser support system disclosed herein, which will be discussed in more detail below. This can allow the bracket to be used with a cross member of the riser support system disclosed herein. The fixing openings of the second bracket panel and/or fourth bracket panel and/or sixth bracket panel may be offset laterally from one another by an (e.g. centre-centre) offset in the range 18-34 mm, such as in the range 24-28 mm, such as 26 mm. The lateral offset of the fixing openings of the second bracket panel and/or fourth bracket panel and/or sixth bracket panel may be substantially the same as the lateral offset of the first and second rows of fixing openings of a frame member of the riser support system disclosed herein. This can allow the bracket to be used with a frame member of the riser support system disclosed herein. This also provides the same benefits of the lateral offset -12 -of the first and second rows of fixing openings of the frame member discussed above.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a cross member for a riser cover support system, the cross member comprising: a first cross member panel for at least partially spanning a riser void, the first cross member panel having a first row of fixing openings therethrough, the openings of the first row of fixing openings being distributed along a longitudinal length of the cross member; a second cross member panel for supporting a riser cover, the second 10 cross member panel being attached to the first cross member panel along the longitudinal length of the cross member, the plane of the second cross member panel being orthogonal to the plane of the first cross member panel; and a third cross member panel for reinforcing the cross member, the third cross member panel being attached to the first cross member panel along the longitudinal length of the cross member, the plane of the third cross member panel being orthogonal to the plane of the first cross member panel and parallel to the plane of the second cross member panel, the second cross member panel and third cross member panel being provided opposite one another.

The cross member of the present invention can allow a riser cover support system to be used in larger riser voids, e.g. by using the cross member to span portions of the riser void either between two frame members, between a frame member and another cross member, or between two other cross members. The arrangement of the cross member panels also provides a robust and adaptable system. For example, the cross member can be attached at either end via -13 -brackets of the system using one or more mechanical fixings provided through one or more fixing openings in the first cross member panel, a riser cover can then be supported on the second frame member panel, and the cross member is further reinforced by the third cross member panel. Furthermore, since there are openings distributed along the longitudinal length of the cross member, there is an increased chance of being able to identify one or more suitably located fixing openings with which to attach the cross member to a bracket, even when the longitudinal length of the cross member is shortened so as to fit in a particular riser void. The cross member can also be used on its own or, where greater load bearing is required, two such cross members may be arranged back-to-back and then fixed together using one or more mechanical fixings to form an I-beam.

In embodiments, the first cross member panel may further have a second row of fixing openings therethrough, the openings of the second row of fixing openings being distributed along a longitudinal length of the cross member, the first row of openings and second row of openings being offset laterally from one another. This can provide additional positions at which to provide one or more fixings. The cross member may be substantially symmetrical about a plane that extends through the centre of the first cross member panel. This may allow the cross member to be used either way up.

In embodiments, the cross member may be of unitary construction. The first cross member panel and the second cross member panel may be contiguous with one another. The second cross member panel may be contiguous with the first cross member panel along the longitudinal length of the cross member. The first cross member panel and the third cross member panel may be contiguous -14 -with one another. The third cross member panel may be contiguous with the first cross member panel along the longitudinal length of the cross member. The cross member may be formed of folded sheet material. The cross member may be formed of metallic material. The cross member may be formed of steel. The cross member may be formed of coated or treated material, e.g. galvanised steel. These embodiments can allow a robust cross member to be readily manufactured.

In embodiments, the cross member (e.g. the first cross member panel and/or second cross member panel and/or third cross member panel) may have a longitudinal length in the range 1-5 metres, such as in the range 2-4 metres, such as 3 metres. The cross member (e.g. the first cross member panel and/or second cross member panel and/or third cross member panel) may be shortened to other longitudinal lengths so as to fit in a particular riser void. The first cross member panel, second cross member panel and third cross member panel may have, and may be (concurrently) shortened to, the same longitudinal length. The first cross member panel and/or second cross member panel and/or third cross member panel may have a thickness in the range 1-4 mm, such as in the range 2-3 mm, such as 2.5 mm. The first cross member panel, second cross member panel and third cross member panel may have substantially the same thickness.

The first cross member panel may have a height in the range 10-20 cm. The second cross member panel and/or third cross member panel may have a span in the range 2-10 cm, such as in the range 3-7 cm, such as 4 cm. The second cross member panel and third cross member panel may have substantially the same span. The first cross member panel and/or second cross member panel and/or third cross member panel may have a substantially rectangular surface. In embodiments, the fixing openings of the cross member may be circular. Circular fixing openings can prevent the cross member from sliding horizontally 5 and/or vertically when attached to a bracket and/or another member of the system. The fixing openings may have a radius in the range 3-9 mm, such as in the range 5-7 mm, such as 6 mm. In other embodiments, the fixing openings of the cross member may be slot-shaped (e.g. obround).

In embodiments, the first row of fixing openings of the cross member and second row of fixing openings of the cross member may be offset laterally from one another by a (e.g. centre-centre) offset in the range 70-90 mm, such as in the range 75-85mm, such as 82 mm. The lateral offset of the first and second rows of fixing openings of the first cross member panel may be substantially the same as the lateral offset of fixing openings of a bracket of the riser support system disclosed herein. This can allow the cross member to be used with a bracket of the riser support system disclosed herein.

In embodiments, the fixing openings of the first row of fixing openings of the cross member and/or the fixing openings of the second row of fixing openings of the cross member may be substantially uniformly distributed along the longitudinal length of the cross member. In embodiments, the fixing openings of the first row of fixing openings of the cross member and/or the fixing openings of the second row of fixing openings of the cross member may be spaced longitudinally from one another by an (e.g. centre-centre) offset in the range 2075 mm, such as in the range 20-50 mm, such as 25 mm. It has been identified that this longitudinal spacing can help to provide one or more suitable fixing openings with which to attach the cross member to a bracket and/or another member of the system, even when the longitudinal length of the cross member is shortened so as to fit in a particular riser void.

In embodiments, the cross member may be substantially C-shaped in cross-section. The cross member may have an open, e.g. not closed and/or not hollow, cross-section. These embodiments allow the cross member to be relatively lightweight and/or readily shortened longitudinally so as to fit in a particular riser void.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of manufacturing a frame member as described herein in any aspect or embodiment or a bracket as described herein in any aspect or embodiment or a cross member as described herein in any aspect or embodiment, the method comprising providing a sheet material and folding the sheet material to form the frame member, bracket or cross member.

The method may comprise cutting the sheet material to form regions corresponding to the panels of the frame member, bracket or cross member, e.g. prior to folding the sheet material. The method may comprise cutting the sheet material to form the fixing openings of the frame member, bracket or cross member, e.g. prior to folding the sheet material. The method may comprise coating or treating, e.g. galvanising, the sheet material, e.g. prior to folding the sheet material.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a riser cover support system comprising one or more frame members as described -17 -herein in any aspect or embodiment and/or one or more brackets as described herein in any aspect or embodiment and/or one or more cross members as described herein in any aspect or embodiment.

In embodiments, the system may further comprise one or more riser 5 covers for placing on the one or more frame members and/or on the one or more cross members. The one or more riser covers may comprise one or more gratings. Gratings can be lightweight and strong, can allow ventilation through the riser void, and can allow visibility through the riser void, which can assist with installation and maintenance. The one or more riser covers may be formed of 10 fibre reinforced polymer (FRP), such as glass (fibre) reinforced polymer (GRP). FRP and GRP covers can be lightweight, strong, durable, anti-slip, nonconductive and highly fire-resistant, and can be cut to size using standard cutting tools without the need for a "hot work" permit.

In embodiments, the system may further comprise one or more packers for inserting vertically below a longitudinal edge of a frame member of the system and between a bracket of the system and a vertical surface of a riser void. The packer may be of unitary construction. The packer may comprise a packer panel. The packer may comprise sheet material. The packer may be formed of metallic material. The packer may be formed of steel. The packer may be formed of coated or treated material, e.g. galvanised steel. The packer may have a width in the range 10-20 cm. The packer may have a height in the range 5-10 cm. The width and/or height of the packer may be substantially the same as the width and/or height of the fourth and/or sixth bracket panel of a bracket of the riser support system disclosed herein. This can allow the packer to be used with a bracket of the riser support system disclosed herein. The packer may have a substantially rectangular surface. The packer may have a thickness in the range 1-4 mm, such as in the range 2-3 mm, such as 2.5 mm. The packer may have one or more fixing openings therethrough. The fixing openings of the packer may be slot-shaped (e.g. obround). Slot-shaped fixing openings may increase the chance, or may even guarantee, that a fixing opening of the packer can be aligned with a fixing opening of a bracket of the system. The fixing openings may have a (e.g. end) radius in the range 3-9 mm, such as in the range 5-7 mm, such as 6 mm. The fixing openings of the packer may be elongate in the width direction of the packer. The fixing openings of the packer may have a length in the range 3-8 cm. In embodiments, the packer may have plural (e.g. two) fixing openings. The fixing openings of the packer may be offset laterally from one another. The fixing openings of the packer may be offset laterally from one another by a (e.g. centre-centre) offset in the range 18-34 mm, such as in the range 24-28 mm, such as 26 mm. The lateral offset of the fixing openings of the packer may be substantially the same as the lateral offset of first and second rows of fixing openings of a frame member of the riser support system disclosed herein and/or may be substantially the same as the lateral offset of the fixing openings of a second bracket panel and/or fourth bracket panel and/or sixth bracket panel of a bracket of the riser support system disclosed herein. This can allow the packer to be used with a bracket of the riser support system disclosed herein. This also provides the same benefits of the lateral offset of the first and second rows of fixing openings of the frame member discussed above.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of installing a riser cover support system, the method comprising installing, in a riser void, one or more frame members as described herein in any aspect or embodiment and/or one or more brackets as described herein in any aspect or embodiment and/or one or more cross members as described herein in any aspect or embodiment.

The method may further comprise attaching one or more cross members to one or more frame members and/or to one or more other cross members, e.g. using one or more brackets.

The method may further comprise placing, on the one or more frame members and/or on the one or more cross members, one or more riser covers as described herein. The method may further comprise inserting, vertically below a longitudinal edge of a frame member of the system and between a bracket of the system and a vertical surface of the riser void, one or more packers as described herein.

The various "fixing openings" referred to herein may comprise fully bounded openings (e.g. apertures) or partially unbounded openings (e.g. recesses).

By way of example only, embodiments of the invention will now be 20 described in detail with reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a riser cover support system comprising components according to embodiments of the present invention; -20 -Figures 2A-2D are, respectively, a perspective view, an end view, a plan view and a side view of a frame member according to an embodiment of the present invention for use in the system of Figure 1; Figures 3A-3C are, respectively, a perspective view, an end view and a 5 side view of a bracket according to an embodiment of the present invention for use in the system of Figure 1; Figure 3D shows the bracket of Figures 3A-3C in a non-folded state; Figures 4A-4D are, respectively, a perspective view, an end view, a plan view and a side view of a cross member according to an embodiment of the present invention for use in the system of Figure 1; and Figures 5A-5B are, respectively, a side view and an end view of a packer according to an embodiment of the present invention for use in the system of Figure 1.

Figure 1 shows a riser cover support system 100. The system 100 is shown installed in a riser void 102 of a multi-storey building under construction.

The riser void 102 is defined by one or more concrete floor slabs 104 each having a horizontal floor surface 106 and a vertical riser void surface 108. The riser void 102 will be used to convey services, such as plumbing, heating/cooling, power and communications ducting, between floors of the building. The system 100 comprises a frame member 200, which is attached to the vertical riser void surface 108 with mechanical fixings 110. The system 100 further comprises a bracket 300, which can be attached to the frame member 200 and vertical riser void surface 108 with fixings 112. The bracket 300 is also attached to two back-to-back cross members with fixings mechanical 114 (only one cross member 400 -21 -is visible in Figure 1). The system 100 further comprises a packer 500 located vertically below the frame member 200 and between the bracket 300 and vertical riser void surface 108. The system 100 further comprises a glass fibre reinforced polymer (GRP) grating riser cover 116 supported on the frame member 200 and one of the cross members (not visible). The riser cover 116 is held down with cover fixings 118. The various components of the system can be readily arranged and rearranged to fit around service ducts, and the riser cover 116 can be readily cut with standard power tools to allow service ducting to pass therethrough.

Figures 2A-2D are various views of a frame member 200 used in the system 100 of Figure 1. The frame member 200 is of unitary construction and is formed from a single flat sheet of 2.5 mm thick galvanised steel which is then folded so as to have an L-shaped cross-section. The frame member 200 comprises a first frame member panel 202 for attachment to a vertical riser void surface 108 of a riser void 102. In this embodiment, the first frame member panel 202 has a (vertical) height of 8 cm. The first frame member panel 202 has a first row of fixing openings 204 therethrough, which are uniformly distributed along a longitudinal (horizontal) length of the frame member 200. The first frame member panel 202 also has a second row of fixing openings 206 therethrough, which are also uniformly distributed along the longitudinal length of the frame member 200.

In this embodiment, the fixing openings are circular, have a radius of 6 mm and are spaced longitudinally from one another by 25 mm. The longitudinal distribution of fixing openings increases the chance of being able to identify suitably located fixing openings with which to attach the frame member 200 to the riser void 102, even when the longitudinal length of the frame member 200 -22 -has been shortened so as to fit in a particular riser void 102. The centres of the first row of fixing openings 204 and second row of fixing openings 206 are also laterally (vertically) offset from one another by 34 mm. This lateral offset can increase the chance of being able to identify a suitably located fixing opening which is not aligned with a reinforcing bar in a concrete flooring slab 104. If a reinforcing bar would be hit when using a fixing opening in the first row of fixing openings 204, then the fixing openings in the second row of fixing openings 206 can be used instead, and vice versa. The frame member 200 further comprises a second frame member panel 208 for supporting a riser cover 116. The second frame member panel 208 is contiguous with and orthogonal to the first frame member panel 202. In this embodiment, the second frame member panel 208 has a (horizontal) span of 4 cm, which is generally sufficient for supporting a riser cover 116. The frame member 200 initially has a longitudinal length of 3 m, but can readily be cut to a shorter longitudinal length to fit a particular riser void 102.

Figures 3A-3C are various views of a bracket 300 used in the system 100 of Figure 1. The bracket 300 is of unitary construction and is formed from a single flat sheet of 2.5 mm thick galvanised steel which is then folded so as to construct the bracket 300. Figure 3D shows the bracket 300 in a non-folded state. The bracket 300 comprises a first bracket panel 302 and a second bracket panel 304.

The second bracket panel 304 is contiguous with the first bracket panel 302 and is folded so as to be orthogonal to the first bracket panel 302. The bracket 300 further comprises a third bracket panel 306 for reinforcing the bracket 300. The third bracket panel 306 has an L-shaped surface. The third bracket panel 306 is contiguous with the first bracket panel 302 and is folded so as to be orthogonal -23 -to and extend between the first bracket panel 302 and second bracket panel 304. The bracket 300 further comprises a fourth bracket panel 308 which is contiguous with the third bracket panel 306 and is folded so as to be parallel to and overlay an upper half of the second bracket panel 304. The bracket 300 further comprises a fifth bracket panel 314 for reinforcing the bracket 300. The fifth bracket panel 314 also has an L-shaped surface. The fifth bracket panel 314 is contiguous with the first bracket panel 302 and is folded so as to be orthogonal to and extend between the first bracket panel 302 and second bracket panel 304. The fifth bracket panel 314 is thus provided opposite and parallel to the third bracket panel 306. The bracket 300 further comprises a sixth bracket panel 316 which is contiguous with the fifth bracket panel 314. The sixth bracket panel 316 is folded so as to be parallel to and overlay a lower half of the second bracket panel 304. The fourth bracket panel 308 has a first fixing opening 310 and a second fixing opening 312 therethrough which, upon folding, align respectively with a first fixing opening 326 and a second fixing opening 328 provided through the second bracket panel 304. The centres of the first fixing opening 310 and the second fixing opening 312 are laterally (vertically) offset from one another by 26 mm. This lateral offset is the same as the lateral offset between the first row of fixing openings 204 and second row of fixing openings 206 of the frame member 200, and thus allows the bracket 300 to be used with the frame member 200 and provides the same benefits with regard to the avoidance of reinforcing bars discussed above.

The sixth bracket panel 316 also has a first fixing opening 318 and a second fixing opening 320 therethrough which, upon folding, align respectively -24 -with a third fixing opening 330 and a fourth fixing opening 332 provided through the second bracket panel 304. Again, the centres of the first fixing opening 318 and the second fixing opening 320 are laterally offset from one another by 26 mm. Again, this lateral offset is the same as the lateral offset between the first row of fixing openings 204 and second row of fixing openings 206 of the frame member 200, and thus allows the bracket 300 to be used (either way up) with the frame member 200 and provides the same benefits with regard to the avoidance of reinforcing bars discussed above.

The bracket 300 can be attached to a frame member 200, cross member 400 or packer 500, and can be held in a strong constructed state, by one or more mechanical fixings provided through one or more of the aligned fixing openings 310, 312, 318, 320, 326, 328, 330, 332. In this embodiment, the aligned fixing openings 310, 312, 318, 320, 326, 328, 330, 332 are obround slots, have an end radius of 6 mm and have an elongate length of 50 mm.

The first bracket panel 302 also comprises a first fixing opening 322 and a second fixing opening 324 for attaching the bracket 300 to a frame member 200, cross member 400 or packer 500. In this embodiment, the fixing openings 322, 324 are obround slots, have an end radius of 6 mm and have an elongate length of 65 mm. The centres of the first fixing opening 322 and the second fixing opening 324 are laterally (vertically) offset from one another by 82 mm.

In this embodiment, the first bracket panel 302 and second bracket panel 304 have a (vertical) height of around 14 cm. The first bracket panel 302 also has a (horizontal) width of around 13 cm and the second bracket panel 304 has a (horizontal) width of around 12 cm. The third bracket panel 306, fourth bracket -25 -panel 308, fifth bracket panel 314 and sixth bracket panel 318 are dimensioned accordingly.

Figures 4A-4D are various views of a cross member 400 used in the system 100 of Figure 1. The cross member 400 is of unitary construction and is formed from a single flat sheet of 2.5 mm thick galvanised steel which is then folded so as to have a C-shaped cross-section. The cross member 400 comprises a first cross member panel 402 for attachment, back-to-back, to another cross member 400 to form an I-beam and/or, via a bracket 300, to an orthogonally arranged frame member 200 or cross member 400. The first cross member panel 402 has a first row of fixing openings 404 therethrough, which are uniformly distributed along a longitudinal (horizontal) length of the cross member 400. The first cross member panel 402 also has a second row of fixing openings 406 therethrough, which are also uniformly distributed along the longitudinal length of the cross member 400. In this embodiment, the fixing openings are circular, have a radius of 6 mm and are spaced longitudinally from one another by 25 mm. The longitudinal distribution increases the chance of being able to identify suitably located fixing openings with which to attach the cross member 400 to another member of the system 100, even when the longitudinal length of the cross member 400 has been shortened so as to fit in a particular riser void 102. The centres of the first row of fixing openings 404 and second row of fixing openings 406 are also laterally offset from one another by 82 mm. This lateral offset is the same as the lateral offset between the first fixing opening 322 and second fixing opening 324 of the first bracket panel 302, and is the same as the lateral offset between the first fixing opening 310 of the fourth bracket panel 308 and the first -26 -fixing opening 318 of the sixth bracket panel 316, and thus allows the cross member 400 to be used with the bracket 300. The cross member 400 further comprises a second cross member panel 408 for supporting a riser cover 116. The cross member 400 further comprises a third cross member panel 410 for reinforcing the cross member 400. The second cross member panel 408 and third cross member panel 410 are contiguous with and orthogonal to the first cross member panel 402. In this embodiment, the first cross member panel 402 has a (vertical) height of around 15 cm. Thus, the bracket 300 and cross member 400 are dimensioned so as to allow the bracket 300 to sit between the second cross member panel 408 and third cross member panel 410. In this embodiment, the second cross member panel 408 and third cross member panel 410 each have a (horizontal) span of 4 cm, which is sufficient to support a riser cover 116 and reinforce the cross member 400. The cross member 400 initially has a longitudinal length of 3 m, but can readily be cut to length to fit a particular riser void 102.

Figures 5A-5B are various views of a packer 500 used in the system 100 of Figure 1. The packer 500 can be located vertically below a frame member 200 and between a bracket 300 and vertical riser void surface 108 to help to prevent the bracket 300 from rotating about the frame member 200 when mechanical fixings are tightened. The packer 500 is of unitary construction and is formed from a single flat sheet of 2.5 mm thick galvanised steel. In this embodiment, the packer 500 comprises a packer panel 502 having a (horizontal) width of around 12 cm and a (vertical) height of around 6.25 cm. The width of the packer panel 502 is substantially the same as the width of the bracket 300 and the height of -27 -the packer panel 502 is around half the height of the bracket 300. This allows the packer panel 502 to sit neatly vertically below the frame member 200 and between the lower half of the bracket 300 and the vertical riser void surface 108. The packer panel 502 also has a first fixing opening (aperture) 504 and a second fixing opening (recess) 506 therethrough. In this embodiment, the fixing openings are obround slots, have an end radius of 6 mm and have an elongate length of 50 mm. The centres of the first fixing opening 504 and second fixing opening 506 are laterally offset from one another by 26 mm. This lateral offset is the same as the lateral offset between the first row of fixing openings 204 and second row of fixing openings 206 of the frame member 200 and thus provides the same benefits with regard to the avoidance of reinforcing bars discussed above. This lateral offset is also the same as the lateral offset between the first fixing opening 310 and second fixing opening 312 of the fourth bracket panel 308, and the lateral offset between the first fixing opening 318 and second fixing opening 320 of the sixth bracket panel 316, thereby allowing the packer 500 to be used with the bracket 300.

As will be appreciated from the above, embodiments of the present invention can provide highly convenient, adaptable and robust components for a riser cover support system.

Claims

-28 -CLAIMS1. A frame member for a riser cover support system, the frame member comprising: a first frame member panel for attachment to a vertical surface of a riser 5 void, the first frame member panel having a first row of fixing openings therethrough, the openings of the first row of fixing openings being distributed along a longitudinal length of the frame member, the first frame member panel further having a second row of fixing openings therethrough, the openings of the second row of fixing openings being distributed along the longitudinal length of 10 the frame member, the first row of openings and second row of openings being offset laterally from one another; and a second frame member panel for supporting a riser cover, the second frame member panel being attached to the first frame member panel along the longitudinal length of the frame member, the plane of the second frame member panel being orthogonal to the plane of the first frame member panel.
2. A frame member as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frame member is of unitary construction.
3. A frame member as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the frame member is formed of folded sheet material.
4. A frame member as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the first row of fixing openings of the frame member and second row of fixing openings of the frame member are offset laterally from one another by an offset in the range 1834 mm.
-29 - 5. A frame member as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fixing openings of the first row of fixing openings of the frame member and/or the fixing openings of the second row of fixing openings of the frame member are substantially uniformly distributed along the longitudinal length of the frame member.
6. A frame member as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the frame member is substantially L-shaped in cross-section.
7. A bracket for a riser cover support system, the bracket comprising: a first bracket panel having one or more fixing openings therethrough; a second bracket panel having one or more fixing openings therethrough, the second bracket panel being attached to the first bracket panel, the plane of the second bracket panel being orthogonal to the plane of the first bracket panel; a third bracket panel attached to the first bracket panel, the third bracket panel being orthogonal to the planes of the first bracket panel and second bracket panel, the third bracket panel extending between the first bracket panel and the second bracket panel; and a fourth bracket panel overlaying at least a first portion of the second bracket panel, the fourth bracket panel being attached to the third bracket panel, the fourth bracket panel having one or more fixing openings therethrough, one or more fixing openings of the fourth bracket panel being aligned with one or more fixing openings of the second bracket panel.
8. A bracket as claimed in claim 7, wherein the bracket further comprises a fifth bracket panel attached to the first bracket panel, the fifth bracket panel being orthogonal to the planes of the first bracket panel and second bracket panel, the -30 -fifth bracket panel extending between the first bracket panel and the second bracket panel.
9. A bracket as claimed in claim 8, wherein the bracket comprises a sixth bracket panel overlaying at least a second portion of the second bracket panel, the sixth bracket panel being attached to the fifth bracket panel, the sixth bracket panel having one or more fixing openings therethrough, one or more fixing openings of the sixth bracket panel being aligned with one or more fixing openings of the second bracket panel.
10. A bracket as claimed in claim 7, 8 or 9, wherein the bracket is substantially symmetrical about a plane that extends through the centres of the first and second bracket panels.
11. A bracket as claimed in any one of claims 7-10, wherein the bracket is of unitary construction.
12. A bracket as claimed in any one of claims 7-11, wherein the bracket is formed of folded sheet material.
13. A bracket as claimed in any one of claims 7-12, wherein the bracket is formed of coated or treated material.
14. A cross member for a riser cover support system, the cross member comprising: a first cross member panel for at least partially spanning a riser void, the first cross member panel having a first row of fixing openings therethrough, the openings of the first row of fixing openings being distributed along a longitudinal length of the cross member; -31 -a second cross member panel for supporting a riser cover, the second cross member panel being attached to the first cross member panel along a longitudinal length of the cross member, the plane of the second cross member panel being orthogonal to the plane of the first cross member panel; and a third cross member panel for reinforcing the cross member, the third cross member panel being attached to the first cross member panel along the longitudinal length of the cross member, the plane of the third cross member panel being orthogonal to the plane of the first cross member panel and parallel to the plane of the second cross member panel, the second cross member panel and third cross member panel being provided opposite one another.
15. A cross member as claimed in claim 14, wherein the cross member is of unitary construction.
16. A cross member as claimed in claim 14 or 15, wherein the cross member is formed of folded sheet material.
17. A cross member as claimed in claim 14, 15 or 16, wherein the first cross member panel further has a second row of fixing openings therethrough, the first row of fixing openings of the cross member and second row of fixing openings of the cross member being offset laterally from one another.
18. A cross member as claimed in any one of claims 14-17, wherein the fixing openings of the first row of fixing openings of the cross member and/or the fixing openings of the second row of fixing openings of the cross member are substantially uniformly distributed along the longitudinal length of the cross member.
19. A method of manufacturing a frame member as claimed in any one of claims 1-6, a bracket as claimed in any one of claims 7-13, or a cross member as claimed in any one of claims 14-18, the method comprising providing a sheet material and folding the sheet material to form the frame member, bracket or cross member.
20. A riser cover support system comprising one or more frame members as claimed in any one of claims 1-6 and/or one or more brackets as claimed in any one of claims 7-13 and/or one or more cross members as claimed in any one of claims 14-18.
21. A system as claimed in claim 20, further comprising one or more riser covers for placing on the one or more frame members and/or on the one or more cross members.
22. A system as claimed in claim 20 or 21, further comprising one or more packers for inserting vertically below a longitudinal edge of a frame member of 15 the system and between a bracket of the system and a vertical surface of a riser void.
23. A method of installing a riser cover support system, the method comprising installing, in a riser void, one or more frame members as claimed in any one of claims 1-6 and/or one or more brackets as claimed in any one of claims 7-13 20 and/or one or more cross members as claimed in any one of claims 14-18.
24. A method as claimed in claim 23, further comprising placing one or more riser covers on the one or more frame members and/or on the one or more cross members.
25. A method as claimed in claim 23 or 24, further comprising placing one or more packers vertically below a longitudinal edge of a frame member of the system and between a bracket of the system and a vertical surface of the riser void.