Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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BUILDING BRACE
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a building brace and more
particularly to components of the building brace.
Background of the Invention
In the precast concrete building industry, metal braces
are used to brace panels after they have been erected but
before they are tied into a structural steel frame of a
building. In general, the braces comprise a foot which
engages a bolt on a footing, and a brace section extending
fromthe foot to a connection element which is attached to
the panel. The brace section is formed as a telescoping
member so that the length of the brace section can be
adjusted to arrange the panel in a vertical position.
Fine adjustment takes place by virtue of a screw thread
section which is next to the foot so that the brace can be
extended and adjusted in length to locate the panel in a
vertical disposition.
Typically the foot has an opening which engages the bolt
to secure the foot to the footing. Regulation requires
that the brace be at an angle between 450 to 60 to the
horizontal to provide proper support for the panel and no
more than the required load on the brace.
The panels which are braced by the brace are generally
large and heavy. In the past, problems have occurred
because of the need to work around a braced panel. In
some instances, untrained workmen have disconnected the
foot from the footing by undoing the bolt so they can
clear a work space for themselves in the vicinity of the
brace. This basically releases the panel and, as a
result, the panel may fall and cause significant injury or
death to a workman if a workman is struck by the falling
panel.
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Summary of the Invention
An object of a first aspect of the invention is to provide
a foot assembly for a building brace which prevents
unauthorised disconnection of the brace from its footing.
This aspect of the invention may be said to reside in a
foot assembly for a building brace for use with a footing
having a first component of a fastener, comprising:
a foot having a second component of the fastener
for engaging with the first component to attach the foot
to the footing;
a securing member couplable with the foot and
moveable from a first position allowing access to the
fastener, to a second position preventing access to the
fastener so the fastener cannot be undone to release the
foot from the footing; and
a lock for locking the securing member in the
second position.
Since the fastener is prevented from being accessed when
the securing member is in the second position, the
securing member can be locked in the second position and
therefore the foot cannot be removed from the footing by
an unauthorised person and only by an authorised person
who has access to the lock to disengage the foot and
remove the brace after the building is stabilised. Thus,
the foot is protected from release from the footing by
unauthorised persons due to error or otherwise and
therefore the integrity of the building brace is not
compromised and the brace will continue to properly
support a panel.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention the footing
is a concrete block located on the ground and the first
component of the fastener comprises a bolt secured to the
footing , a nut, and at least one washer located on a
shaft of the bolt for forming an abutment, and wherein the
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second component of the fastener comprises a recess in the
foot for receiving the bolt and a surface portion on the
foot for abutting the at least one washer to thereby
attach the foot to the footing.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention the first
position may be a position away from the foot so that the
securing member is completely released and separated from
the foot. However, in the most preferred embodiment of
the invention the first position is a position in which
the securing member is engaged with the foot. In this
embodiment the securing member, when in the first
position, can be completely released from the foot.
In one embodiment of the invention the foot assembly
comprises a pivot portion and the securing member has a
coupling portion for engaging the pivot portion so that
the securing portion can be engaged with the foot and
moved from the first position to the second position by
pivotal movement of the securing member on the pivot.
In one embodiment the securing member comprises a tongue
having a first portion connected to the coupling portion
for overlying the fastener when the securing member is in
the second position, a second portion extending upwardly
from the first portion, the second portion having an
abutment section for abutting the brace when the tongue is
in the second position to limit the angle of the brace to
an upper angular limit, and a visual guide to show a lower
angular limit for the brace when the securing member is in
the second position.
Preferably the abutment section comprises a surface of the
second portion of the tongue.
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Preferably the visual guide is defined by an edge of at
least one lateral wing arranged substantially at right
angles to the second portion.
Preferably the foot has a pivot shaft for pivotally
connecting the brace section to the foot.
Preferably the brace section comprises a first telescoping
section, a second telescoping section moveable relative to
the first telescoping section and fixing elements for
fixing the telescoping sections relative to one another in
a desired orientation to provide a predetermined length to
the brace section.
Preferably the brace section further includes a screw
threaded member for screw threaded adjustment to provide
fine length adjustment of the brace section so the brace
can be adjusted to accurately position the panel in a
vertical orientation.
In one embodiment the lock comprises a first lock section
located on the footing and a second lock section carried
by the securing member for engaging the first lock
section.
In one embodiment the second lock section may be separate
to the securing member and in another embodiment the
second lock section may be fixed to the securing member.
In one embodiment of the first part of the fastener
includes an abutment for abutting the second component of
the fastener on the foot, and a nut for fixing the
abutment to the second component of the fastener, the
abutment having a first component of the lock, a securing
member being for location over the nut, the securing plate
having an opening through which the first part of the lock
projects, and a second component of the lock for engaging
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the portion of the first part of the lock which passes
through the opening to thereby secure the securing member
to the foot.
5 In this embodiment the securing member is a plate having a
traverse side portion.
A second aspect of the invention relates to a securing
member for a building brace.
This aspect of the invention may be said to reside in a
securing member for a building brace having a foot
assembly for engaging with a footing to secure the brace
to the footing, the securing member comprising:
a securing member body having a coupling portion
for engaging the foot to facilitate movement of the
securing member relative to the foot between a first
position allowing access to a fastener which secures the
foot to the footing, and a second position preventing
access to the fastener;
a first brace angle limiting member on the
securing member for limiting the angle of the brace
relative to the vertical to a maximum angle when the
securing member is in the second position and the brace
supports a panel in a vertical disposition; and
a second brace angle determining member for
providing an indication of a minimum angle when the
securing member is in the second position and the brace is
supporting the panel in the vertical disposition.
In one embodiment the securing member body comprises a
tongue having a first portion connected to the coupling
portion for overlying the fastener when the securing
member is in the second position, a second portion
extending upwardly from the first portion, the second
portion having the brace angle limiting member for
abutting the brace section when the securing member is in
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a securing position on the foot to limit the angle of the
brace section to an upper angular limit.
The second brace angle determining member may also be an
abutment member for limiting the lower angular limit of
the brace.
However, in the preferred embodiment of the invention the
second brace angle determining member comprises a visual
guide to show a lower angle limit for the brace when the
securing member is in securing position on the foot.
Preferably the visual guide is defined by an edge of a
wing arranged on the securing member and extending
substantially at right angles with respect to the securing
member.
Preferably the brace angle limiting member comprises a
surface of the second portion.
Preferably the coupling section is a curved section for
releasably engaging a pivot shaft on the foot for
pivotally connecting the securing member to the pivot
shaf t .
A third aspect of the invention relates to the brace
section of the building brace.
This aspect of the invention may be said to reside in a
brace section for a building brace for supporting a panel,
comprising:
a first brace section and a second brace section
moveable relative to one another to provide coarse
adjustment of the length of the brace;
the first and second sections defining a lower
end of the brace section and an upper end of the brace
section;
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a coupling at the lower end for pivotally
coupling the brace section to a foot;
a screw threaded member at the upper end for
screw threaded adjustment with respect to the first and
second brace sections for adjusting the length of the
brace to provide fine adjustment to the length of the
brace; and
a connection section attached to the screw
threaded section for connecting the brace to the panel.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention the brace
section further comprises the foot, and the foot is for
connecting to a footing having a bolt secured to the
footing and at least one washer located on a shaft of the
bolt for forming an abutment, and wherein the foot has a
recess for receiving the bolt and a surface portion for
abutting the at least one washer to thereby connect the
foot to the footing.
In one embodiment the foot has a securing member for
preventing access to the bolt to release the foot from the
footing.
The connector section may also be in the form of a foot.
In one embodiment of the invention the foot comprises a
pivot portion and the securing member has a coupling
portion for engaging the pivot portion so that the
securing portion can move from the first position to the
second position by pivotal movement of the securing member
on the pivot.
In one embodiment the securing member comprises a tongue
having a first portion connected to the coupling portion
for overlying the fastener when the securing member is in
the second position, a second portion extending upwardly
from the first portion, the second portion having a brace
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section abutment section for abutting the brace section
when the tongue is in the second position to limit the
angle of the brace section to an upper angular limit, and
a visual guide to show a lower angular limit for the brace
when the securing member is in the second position.
Preferably the first abutment section comprises a surface
of the second portion of the tongue.
Preferably the foot has a pivot shaft for pivotally
connecting the brace section to the foot.
A fourth aspect of the invention relates to the building
brace itself.
This aspect of the invention may be said to reside in a
building brace comprising:
a brace section formed of at least two
telescoping sections moveable relative to one another to
provide coarse adjustment of the length of the brace
section;
the brace section having an upper end and a lower
end;
a foot pivotally connected at the lower end for
engaging a footing;
a securing member connectable to the foot for
preventing unwanted disconnection of the foot from the
footing;
a screw threaded member at the upper end for
screw threaded adjustment with respect to the first and
second sections to provide fine adjustment of the length
of the brace section; and
a connecting member coupled to the screw threaded
member for connecting the brace to a building panel.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention the footing
is a concrete block and a bolt is secured to the footing
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and at least one washer located on a shaft of the bolt for
forming an abutment, and wherein the foot has a recess for
receiving the bolt and a surface portion for abutting the
at least one washer to thereby attach the foot to the
footing.
In one embodiment of the invention the foot has a pivot
portion and the securing member has a coupling portion for
engaging the pivot portion so that the securing portion
can move from a first position allowing access to the bolt
to a second position preventing access to the bolt by
pivotal movement of the securing member on the pivot.
In one embodiment the securing member comprises a tongue
having a first portion connected to the coupling portion
for overlying the bolt when the securing member is in the
second position, a second portion extending upwardly from
the first portion, and the second portion having an
abutment section for abutting the brace section when the
tongue is in the second position to limit the angle of the
brace section to an upper angular limit.
Preferably the first abutment section comprises a surface
of.the second portion.
Preferably the foot has a pivot shaft for pivotally
connecting the brace section to the foot.
A further aspect of the invention may be said to reside in
a foot assembly for a building brace for use with a
footing having a first component of a fastener,
comprising:
a foot having a second component of the fastener
for engaging with the first component to attach the foot
to the footing;
an engaging section on the foot for locating a
part of a securing member to facilitate movement of the
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securing member from a first position allowing access to
the fastener, to a second position preventing access to
the fastener so the fastener cannot be undone to release
the foot from the footing; and at least one component of a
5 lock for locking the securing member in the second
position.
Preferably the engaging section comprises a pin so the
securing member can be located on the pin and pivotally
10 moved between the first and second positions, and wherein
engagement of the pin and the securing member holds the
securing member to the foot when the securing member is in
the second position.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention the footing
is a concrete block located on the ground and the first
component of the fastener comprises a bolt secured to the
footing, a nut, and at least one washer located on a shaft
of the bolt for forming an abutment, and wherein the
second component of the fastener comprises a recess in the
foot for receiving the bolt and a surface portion on the
foot for abutting the at least one washer to thereby
attach the foot to the footing.
In one embodiment the lock comprises a first lock section
located on the footing and a second lock section carried
by the securing member for engaging the first lock
section.
In one embodiment the second lock section may be separate
to the securing member and in another embodiment the
second lock section may be fixed to the securing member.
Preferably the foot has a pair of lugs for supporting a
pivot shaft for pivotally coupling the foot to a brace
section of the brace.
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In a still further aspect, the invention may be said to
reside in a securing member for a foot assembly of a
building brace for use with a footing having a first
component of a fastener for engaging with a second
component of the fastener formed on the foot, the foot
having an engagement section, the securing member
comprising:
an engaging portion for engaging the engaging
section of the foot;
a covering section for covering the fastener to
prevent access to the fastener; and
a locking element for facilitating locking of the
securing member to the foot in a position preventing
access to the fastener.
In one embodiment the securing member comprises a tongue
having a first portion connected to the coupling portion
for overlying the fastener when the securing member is in
the second position, a second portion extending upwardly
from the first portion, the second portion having an
abutment section for abutting the brace when the tongue is
in the second position to limit the angle of the brace to
an upper angular limit, and a visual guide to show a lower
angular limit for the brace when the securing member is in
the second position.
Preferably the abutment section comprises a surface of the
second portion of the tongue.
Preferably the visual guide is defined by an edge of at
least one lateral wing arranged substantially at right
angles to the second portion.
The lock element may comprise an opening in the first
portion for receiving a lock element on the foot so that a
lock component can be engaged with the lock element to
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lock the securing member in the position preventing access
to the fastener.
In some embodiments the tongue may have a hole for
allowing part of the first component of the fastener to
project.
In some embodiments of the invention, particularly when
the brace is relatively short, the connection section at
the upper end of the brace for connecting the brace to a
panel may also be a foot having a securing member.
The invention also provides a method of converting a foot
of a building brace to a securing foot preventing unwanted
release of the foot from a footing, the foot having a
recess for receiving a projection extending from the
footing, an abutment for attaching the foot to the
projection and a fixing member for fixing the abutment
against the foot, the method comprising:
locating a securing member over the fixing member
to prevent access to the fixing member so the fixing
member cannot be released to enable separation of the foot
from the projection; and
locking the securing member in position over the
fixing member.
In one embodiment, the method further comprises location
of a lock on the foot, providing a hole in the securing
member so the first part of the lock can project through
the hole, and attaching a second part of the lock to the
first part which projects through the opening to thereby
secure the securing member in place.
In another embodiment the method comprises providing a
first part of a lock on the abutment member, providing a
hole in the securing member so the first part of the lock
can project through the hole, and locating a second part
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of the lock on the first part which projects through the
hole to secure the securing member in place.
The latter embodiment has particular application to
securing of a foot of conventional design without any
alteration to the foot. Preferably, the projection
comprises a bolt, the abutment comprises at least one
washer, and the fixing member comprises a nut.
Brief Description of the Drawings
A preferred embodiment of the invention will be described,
by way of example, with reference to the accompanying
drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a view of a building brace supporting
a panel in a vertical position, and extending between the
panel and a footing;
Figure 1A is a view of part of the footing of
Figure 1;
Figure 2 is a view of part of the brace of Figure
1;
Figure 3 is a side view of the part of the brace
of Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a side view of the part of the brace
of Figure 3 in an open position;
Figure 5 is a perspective view of the brace of
Figure 4 in the open position;
Figure 6 is a plan view of a foot used in the
preferred embodiment;
Figure 7 is a side view of the brace in a
position in which the brace section takes up a minimum
angle with respect to the horizontal;
Figure 8 is a view of a tongue used in the
preferred embodiment of the invention;
Figure 9 is a view of the upper end of the brace
of Figure 1;
Figure 10 is a view of a still further embodiment
of the invention;
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Figure 11 is a view of a further embodiment of
the invention; and
Figure 12 is a view of an alternative form of
fastener with which the preferred embodiment of the
invention can be used;
Figure 13 is a view of a further embodiment;
Figure 14 is an exploded view of the embodiment
of Figure 13; and
Figure 15 is a view of a modified securing tongue
70 used on a securing tongue for securing the upper end of
a brace.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment
With reference to the drawings, Figure 1 shows a building
brace 10 supporting a panel 12 in a vertical disposition
relative to the ground (or a slab, not shown on which the
building panel 12 is mounted). The brace 10 extends
between the panel 12 and a footing 14. In accordance with
conventional teachings, the footing 14 is simply a
concrete block poured into a recess formed in the ground.
However, the footing 14 may be a preformed block if
desired.
As shown in Figure 1A, the footing 14 is provided with a
first component of a fastener which comprises a bolt 16
which is embedded or otherwise attached to the footing 14
and which has a head 18 and an abutment in the form of a
plurality of washers 20. In other embodiments, not shown,
the abutment could be provided by the head 18 or some
other device on or coupled to the bolt 16. The lowermost
surface 21 of the lowermost washer 20 forms an abutment
surface and it is spaced from the upper surface 22 of the
footing 14 for receiving a foot 30 of the brace, as will
be described in more detail hereinafter.
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The brace 10 has a brace section 32 which has a first
brace section 34 and a second brace section 36 which are
telescoped together so that the sections 34 and 36 can
slide relative to one another to provide a predetermined
5 length to the brace section 32. The sections 34 and 36
have holes (not shown) which can be aligned so that a pin
(not shown) can be inserted through aligned holes to lock
the sections 34 and 36 into a particular adjusted
position. The section 36 is connected to the foot 30 by a
10 bearing section 38 and the section 34 is connected to a
connector 40 by a screw threaded member 42. The screw
threaded member 42 (best shown in Figure 9) provides fine
adjustment of the length of the brace section 32 so that
when the foot 30 is fixed to the footing 14, the length of
15 the brace section 32 can be adjusted so as to support the
panel 12 in the vertical orientation.
Referring to Figures 2 to 7, the foot 30 is preferably a
cast foot and comprises a base 44 and a pair of upwardly
extending lugs 46 (only one shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4).
The bearing section 38 of the brace section is fixed to
the section 36 and has a hole for receiving a pivot shaft
48 which passes through the lugs 46 and the hole in the
bearing section 38 to pivotally connect the brace section
32 to the foot 30.
As is best shown in Figures 5 and 6, the base 44 has a
channel shaped recess 50 which has a lower reduced area
section 52 and an upper larger area section 54 which are
separated by a shoulder 56 which forms an abutment
surface. The recess 50 and, in particular, the abutment
surface 56, forms a second component of a fastener for
engaging the bolt of Figure 1A. The foot 30 is connected
to the footing 14 by sliding the foot 30 so that shaft 17
of the bolt 16 enters the channel 50 so the abutment
surface 21 formed by the lowermost washer 20 can sit on
the abutment 56. The bolt 16 can then be tightened and
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oriented so that abutment portions 19 on the washers can
register in the large area 54 to prevent withdrawal of the
bolt 16 back out through the channel 50.
The base 30 carries a pivot pin 60 which extends between
small lugs 62 to provide a pivot surface. In other
embodiments the pivot surface could be formed from a lip
(not shown) rather than a pin. A securing tongue 70 (best
seen in Figure 8) is engageable with the pin 60 and can
pivot on the pin 60 from a first position shown in Figure
5 at which access can be gained to the bolt 16 for
releasing the foot 30 from the footing 14 to a second
position shown in Figure 2 in which the securing tongue
completely covers the bolt 16 and prevents access to the
bolt so the bolt cannot be manipulated to release the foot
30 from the footing 14.
As is best shown in Figures 2, 3 and 7, the securing
tongue 70 has a curved coupling portion 74 which can be
engaged with the pin 60 to provide for pivotal movement of
the tongue 70 between the position shown in Figures 2 and
3 and Figure 5. The tongue 70 has a first portion 76
extending from the coupling portion 74 and a second
portion 78 extending upwardly from the first portion 76.
The second portion 78 is comprised of a right angle
portion 78a which generally forms a right angle with the
first portion 78 and an inclined portion 78b which is
inclined with respect to the right angle portion 78a. The
inclined portion 78b carries a pair of lateral wing
portions 80.
The first portion 76 of the tongue 70 has a hole 82 for
receiving a lock stem 86 fixed to the base 44 so that when
the tongue 70 is pivoted into the first position shown in
Figure 2, the stem 86 projects through the hole 82. A
second lock member 88 can then locate over the projecting
stem 86 and be locked in position by a key (not shown) to
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thereby fix the second lock member 88 to the stem 86 and
therefore hold the tongue 70 in the first position
covering the bolt 16.
In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the lock member 88 is
separate from the tongue 70. However, in other
embodiments, the lock member 88 may be fixed to the tongue
70 over the hole 82 for registering with the stem 86 when
the tongue 70 is moved to the first position.
When the tongue 70 is locked in the first position shown
in Figure 2, the bolt 16 is covered and the bolt 16 cannot
be manipulated by an unauthorised workman, who may
unwittingly desire to move the brace 10 to facilitate the
performance of work around the panel 12 without realising
that releasing the foot 30 would unstabilise the panel 12
which could cause a fall and severe injury to that workman
or someone else. Thus, since the tongue 70 is locked in
place by the lock formed from the member 88 and the stud
86, only authorised riggers who carry the key to unlock
the lock 88 can release the tongue 70 and therefore gain
access to the bolt 16 to release the foot 30 from the
footing 14.
The engagement of the curved coupling portion 74 with the
pin 60 not only provides for easy pivotal movement of the
tongue 70, but also fixes the curved portion 74 to the
foot 30 when the tongue is in the second position covering
the fastener. Thus, the front of the tongue is also
locked in place to prevent access being gained to the bolt
16 by lifting the front of the tongue 70 relative to the
foot 30.
Thus, braces are therefore unlikely to be released, other
than when authorised, and therefore the likelihood of an
accident due to falling panels is greatly reduced, if not
eliminated.
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When the brace 10 supports the panel 12 in the vertical
position as shown in Figure 1, it is generally required by
regulation that the brace section 32 take up an angle
within a predetermined range with respect to the
horizontal so that the brace section 32 properly supports
the panel 12 and the brace 32 is not overloaded.
Typically, regulation specifies that the brace section 32
should take up an angle of between 45 and 60 to the
horizontal as shown in Figure 7.
In order to ensure that the brace section 32 takes up the
required angle, portion 78 forms an angle limiting
abutment surface for the brace section 36 when the tongue
70 is in the second position and locked in place, as shown
in Figure 2. Thus, if the angle the section 36 makes to
the horizontal is greater than 60 , the tongue 70 will not
properly take up a position where it is flush on the base
44 and the lock member 88 will not properly engage the
stud 86, thereby indicating that the section 36 is at too
great an angle. The position of the footing 14 therefore
would need to be adjusted so that the angle of the brace
section 36 is no greater than 60 , which will then allow
the tongue 70 to take up its proper position as shown in
Figure 2 and if the section 36 is at the maximum of 60 ,
the section 36 will sit flush against the under-surface of
the portion 78b of the tongue 70, as is shown in Figure 2.
Thus, the under-surface of the portion 78b forms an angle
limiting surface for the brace section 36.
The lateral wing portions 80 also provide a visual
indication of the minimum angle of 45 , as is shown in
Figure 7. The lateral wing portions 80 have free edges 81
which are cut at 45 angles with respect to the horizontal
(when the tongue is in the position covering the fastener
16). Thus, if the tongue 70 is sitting in its correct
position, as shown in Figure 7, with the member 88
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properly locking the tongue 70 in position, the edges 81
of the lateral portions 80 will be below the surface 36a
of the section 36, or if the minimum angle of 45 is
reached, as shown in Figure 7, level with that surface
36a.
Thus, by positioning the footing 14 relative to the panel
12 and ensuring that the tongue 70 can be moved to the
second position and locked in place and that the surface
36a of the section 36 does not project below the edges 81
of the lateral portions 80, a clear indication that the
brace is within the required angle range is provided.
The lateral wing portions 80 also perform a second
function of preventing the brace from being rotated once
it is locked in position, this ensures that the screw
threaded member 40 is not extended or retracted, thereby
pushing or pulling the panel 12 out of the vertical
position.
Thus, by providing the screw threaded member 42 at the top
of the brace 10, the tongue 70 and the lateral portions 80
always engage the brace section 32 in a manner which will
prevent it from being rotated. If the screw threaded
member was located at the bottom, adjustment of the screw
threaded member to provide the desired length of the brace
10 may result in the lateral portions 80 not reaching the
section 36, thereby allowing rotation of the section 36
and extension or retraction of the brace, which in turn
could push or pull the panel out of the vertical position.
Figure 9 shows the screw threaded member 42 in more
detail. As is shown in Figure 9, the screw threaded
member 42 comprises a screw threaded shaft 101 which
locates in section 34 and is received in a nut 102 fixed
in the section 34. The shaft 42 pivotally connects to
connector 40 by a pin 103 which extends between a pair of
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lugs 105 (only one shown) fixed to the connector 40.
Thus, by rotating the section 34 (and therefore the
section 36), the length of the brace section 32 can be
5 increased or decreased by screwing the shaft 101 into and
out of the nut 102.
Figure 10 shows a second embodiment of the invention in
which the sections 34 and 36 are circular in cross-section
10 rather than square, as is the case in the previous
embodiment. In this embodiment a collar 104 is provided
on the section 36 which has studs 105. The portion 78b of
the tongue 70 has a hole 107 for receiving one of the
studs 105 to facilitate location of the tongue 70 and also
15 define the maximum angle the section 36 can make when the
tongue 70 is in the position shown in Figure 10.
Projection of the stud 105 through the hole 107 can also
provide a visual indication of the lower limit of the
angular position of the section 36. Thus, if the top of
20 the stud 105 is below the portion 78b, a visual indication
is provided that the angle the section 36 is making to the
horizontal is too low and adjustment of the position of
the footing 14 should take place.
In other embodiments, rather than use a connector in the
form shown in Figure 9 which basically comprises a plate
which bolts onto the panel and a lug and pivot pin, the
connector could be the same as the foot 30 at the lower
end of the brace, minus the securing tongue 70.
Figure 11 shows a further embodiment of the invention in
which the connection section 40 is in the form of a foot
similar to the foot 30 previously described. Like
reference numerals indicate like parts to those in the
earlier embodiments. In this embodiment the tongue 70
does not include the portions 78a and 78b but merely the
portion 76 for covering the fastener (not shown) in Figure
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11. This embodiment has particular applications when
relatively short braces are used because in this instance
the connection section 40 will be relatively low and
therefore accessible to workmen. Thus, by providing the
connection in the form of that shown in Figure 11,
security is provided and unwanted release of the
connection section 40 from the wall panel 12 is prevented.
Figure 12 shows a further embodiment in which the fastener
16 is in the form of a J-bolt embedded in block 14. The
J-bolt has a screw threaded section 16a on which a nut 16b
locates. A washer 16c may be used to provide the abutment
which engages the abutment surface 54. In this
embodiment, it is possible, depending on how deep the J-
bolt is embedded in the block 14, for free end 16d of the
J-bolt to project beyond the foot 30. In this embodiment
the tongue 70 is provided with a hole 150 through which
the J-bolt can project when the tongue 70 is in the locked
position shown in Figure 12. Although part of the J-bolt
16 projects through the hole 150, the tongue 70 still
covers the fastener and prevents access to the fastener so
the fastener cannot be undone to release the foot 30 from
the block 14.
Figures 13 and 14 show a further embodiment of the
invention which has particular application to converting
an existing foot to a secure foot without any change to
the foot or brace section of the brace.
With reference to Figures 13 and 14, J-bolt 16 is embedded
in a block to form a footing as in earlier embodiments and
has a nut 18 for securing the foot 30.
In this embodiment, a single washer 20 is provided which
has an extension 110 on which is mounted a first component
111 of a lock 112 which is completed by a second component
113. The washer 20 locates in recess 50. When so located
the nut 118 is tightened down on the J-bolt 16 to lock the
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washer 20 hard against the surface 54 to secure the foot
30 to the J-bolt 16. The recess 50 may be provided with a
lip 58 (which may also be included in the earlier
embodiment) to also resist sideways movement of the washer
20 out of the recess 50. However, the lip 58 can be
omitted and the washer 20 held against the surface 54
simply by tightening the nut 18. The lip 58 does provide
an extra degree of security, particularly if the nut 18 is
not sufficiently tightened and therefore is preferred.
A securing member 120 formed by a plate 121 having a hole
122 for receding the J-bolt 16 and a sleeve 123 for
location over the first part 111 of the lock 112. The
first part 111 projects up through the sleeve 123 and out
through an opening 124 in the plate 121. The second part
113 can then be locked on the part 111 to prevent the
removal of the securing element 120. A securing element
120 may be provided with a side section 125 which sits
besides one of the lugs 46 as has been shown in Figure 13
when the securing element is secured in place. The side
section 125 prevent pin 48 from being pushed out of lugs
46.
Thus, access cannot be had to the nut 18 to release the
nut from the J-bolt 18 and therefore release the foot 30
from the footing.
The embodiment of Figures 13 and 14 does not have all of
the advantages of the earlier embodiments but does
represent an embodiment which can be easily implemented to
convert an existing foot 30 to a secure foot to prevent
unwanted disconnection of the foot 30 from the footing.
Figure 15 shows a modified securing tongue to that shown
in Figure 11 for use with foot for connecting the top end
of a brace to panel 12. In this embodiment the securing
tongue 70 has a curved section 74 and a large opening 190
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for accommodating an end of a J-bolt if a J-bolt is used
to secure the foot (not shown in Figure 15) to the panel
12. The tongue 70 has a small hole 192 for receiving the
lock component 86 and a side flange 194 which locates
adjacent the pin 48 of the foot 44 to prevent the pin 48
from being pushed out of the lugs 46.
Since modifications within the spirit and scope of the
invention may readily be effected by persons skilled
within the art, it is to be understood that this invention
is not limited to the particular embodiment described by
way of example hereinabove.
In the claims which follow and in the preceding
description of the invention, except where the context
requires otherwise due to express language or necessary
implication, the word "comprise", or variations such as
I'v%comprises" or "comprising", is used in an inclusive
sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features
but not to preclude the presence or addition of further
features in various embodiments of the invention.
