AU2019240664B2

AU2019240664B2 - Support frame

Info

Publication number: AU2019240664B2
Application number: AU2019240664A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Joe Didonna; Kerry George PARSONS
Original assignee: Pandoe Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Pandoe Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2018-10-03
Filing date: 2019-10-03
Publication date: 2024-10-10
Anticipated expiration: 2039-10-03
Also published as: AU2019240664A1; AU2024227168A1

Abstract

This invention relates to means for supporting an item or structure on a substrate, such as the ground. One embodiment of the invention provides a support frame portion comprising an upper flange and a lower flange in mutual spaced relation, the lower flange configured to be disposed proximal a substrate and the upper flange configured to be disposed distal the substrate, the upper and lower flanges each having an aperture adapted to receive a pile, and allow the pile to extend through and engage with the support frame portion and insert into and engage with the substrate, the apertures positioned relative to each other such that the pile, when inserted through the apertures, is directed at an angle to an axis of the support frame portion, and/or at an angle to an axis of the upper or lower flange, and/or at an angle to the substrate surface. 2/4 10 20 1590b 50a 30 70d 70c 50b 90a B 575b FIG. 2 70a 75a 70b 15 45 45 55 FIG. 3 70b

Description

This invention relates to means for supporting an item or structure on a substrate, such as the ground. One embodiment of the invention provides a support frame portion comprising an upper flange and a lower flange in mutual spaced relation, the lower flange configured to be disposed proximal a substrate and the upper flange configured to be disposed distal the substrate, the upper and lower flanges each having an aperture adapted to receive a pile, and allow the pile to extend through and engage with the support frame portion and insert into and engage with the substrate, the apertures positioned relative to each other such that the pile, when inserted through the apertures, is directed at an angle to an axis of the support frame portion, and/or at an angle to an axis of the upper or lower flange, and/or at an angle to the substrate surface.

2/4 10 20 1590b

50a

70d 70c

50b

90a B 575b

FIG. 2 70a

75a 70b

15 45

45

55 FIG. 3

70b

SUPPORT FRAME FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001]. This invention relates to means for supporting an item or structure on a substrate, such as the ground. The means for support may be used in the installation of a contrivance including but not limited to an air conditioning compressor, a water purification apparatus, a pump, a solar energy collection apparatus, a water generation apparatus or an electricity generator. Alternatively, the means for support may be used .0 in building construction so as to support a part of a building.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[002]. Various means are used in the prior art to allow for support of an item or .5 building structure on the ground. The function of such support means may be to prevent the item from sinking into the ground, or contacting the ground, or shifting laterally relative to the ground, or being lifted off the ground.

[003]. For example, the installation of a pump on the ground often requires the laying O of a concrete slab upon which the pump is disposed and bolted onto. Significant amounts of labour, time and materials are required to the lay the slab, including digging a hole (or making formwork), mixing and pouring the slab, waiting for the concrete to cure, and bolting the pump to the cured slab. As another example, a plinth may be used to support a column or other part of a building structure.

[004]. Apart from the problems of time, layout and materials the resulting slab may not be well engaged with to the underlying ground, and may well shift as a result of ground surface movement or movement of the supported item or structure .

[005]. The prior art provides a range of plates designed to sit on or near the ground surface, and be anchored to the ground by driving piles therethrough. While generally effective, such contrivances present a number of problems. For example, when supporting a sizeable object it is often necessary to use a number of plates, and to drive a number of piles through each plate. That approach consumes excessive materials (the piles) and is also labour intensive given the need to drive in a large number of piles. Difficulty also presents in the need to ensure that the plates are installed so as to provide level support the item or structure. Furthermore, some plates of the prior art require elongate pile guides to ensure that the piles are inserted at a desired angle.

[006]. It is an aspect of the present invention to overcome or alleviate a problem of the prior art to provide improved support means. It is a further aspect to provide an alternative to prior art support means.

.0 [007]. The discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles and the like is included in this specification solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not suggested or represented that any or all of these matters formed part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention as it existed before the priority date of each claim of .5 this application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

0O [008]. After considering this description it will be apparent to one skilled in the art how the invention is implemented in various alternative embodiments and alternative applications. However, although various embodiments of the present invention will be described herein, it is understood that these embodiments are presented by way of example only, and not limitation. As such, this description of various alternative embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope or breadth of the present invention. Furthermore, statements of advantages or other aspects apply to specific exemplary embodiments, and not necessarily to all embodiments covered by the claims.

[009]. Throughout the description and the claims of this specification the word "comprise" and variations of the word, such as "comprising" and "comprises" is not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

[010]. Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may.

[011]. Unless the contrary intention is expressed, the features presented as preferred or alternative forms of the invention may be present in any of the inventions disclosed as alone or in any combination with each other.

.0 [012]. In a first aspect, but not necessarily the broadest aspect, the present invention provides a support frame portion comprising an upper flange and a lower flange in mutual spaced relation, the lower flange configured to be disposed proximal a substrate and the upper flange configured to be disposed distal the substrate, the upper and lower flanges each having an aperture adapted to receive a pile, and allow the pile to extend .5 through and engage with the support frame portion and insert into and engage with the substrate, the apertures positioned relative to each other such that the pile, when inserted through the apertures, is directed at an angle to an axis of the support frame portion, and/or at an angle to an axis of the upper or lower flange, and/or at an angle to the substrate surface. -o

[013]. In a second aspect, the present invention provides a support frame comprising first and second frame members being mutually opposing, each of the first and second frame members comprising an upper flange and a lower flange in mutual spaced relation, the lower flange configured to be disposed proximal a substrate and the upper flange configured to be disposed distal the substrate, the upper and lower flanges each having an aperture adapted to receive a pile, and allow the pile to extend through and engage with the respective frame member and insert into and engage with the substrate, the apertures positioned relative to each other such that the pile, when inserted through the apertures, is directed at an angle to an axis of the respective frame member, and/or at an angle to an axis of the upper or lower flange, and/or at an angle to the substrate surface, wherein the support frame comprises one or more further frame members connected to the first and second frame members so as to form a geometric shape.

[014]. In one embodiment of the first or second aspect, the first and/or second flange is/are fabricated from a sheet metal or a plate metal.

[015]. In one embodiment of the first or second aspect, the apertures of the upper and lower flanges are paired apertures, and the support frame portion comprises at least 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 paired apertures.

[016]. In one embodiment of the first or second aspect, each of the paired apertures is configured so as to direct the piles, when inserted, in different directions. -0

[017]. In one embodiment of the first or second aspect, the aperture(s) is/are configured so as to direct a pile, when inserted, generally outwardly from the frame when the frame is considered in plan view.

.5 [018]. In one embodiment of the first or second aspect, the upper and lower flanges are maintained in mutual spaced relation by one or more spacers.

[019]. In one embodiment of the first or second aspect, the one or more spacers is/are fabricated from a sheet metal or a plate metal. O

[020]. In one embodiment of the first or second aspect, the support frame portion is comprised of a unitary piece of sheet metal or plate metal that is bent so as to form the upper and lower flanges and the spacer.

[021]. In one embodiment of the first or second aspect, the support frame portion is substantially U-shaped wherein the upper and lower flanges form the parallel arms of the substantial U-shape, and the spacer forms the base of the substantial U-shape.

[022]. In one embodiment of the first or second aspect, the support frame portion is formed as a regular geometric shape having 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 10 corners.

[023]. In one embodiment of the first or second aspect, the support frame portion comprises paired apertures at each corner.

[024]. In one embodiment of the first or second aspect, the support frame portion comprises a stiffening member extending from a first frame region to a second frame region.

[025]. In one embodiment of the first or second aspect, the support frame portion comprises means to secure a pile inserted through the apertures in the upper and lower flanges.

[026]. In one embodiment of the first or second aspect, the means to secure a pile .0 comprises a fastener configured to threadingly engage with a region of the frame, the fastener configured to insert into or bear against a pile inserted through the apertures in the upper and lower flanges.

[027]. In one embodiment of the first or second aspect, the means to secure a pile .5 comprises a fastener configured to pass through a region of the frame and threadingly engage with a pile inserted through the apertures in the upper and lower flanges.

[028]. In one embodiment of the first or second aspect, wherein the region of the frame is the spacer. -o

[029]. In one embodiment of the first or second aspect, the support frame portion comprises means for attaching an item or structure to be supported thereby.

[030]. In one embodiment of the first or second aspect, the means for attaching an item or structure to be supported thereby comprise one or more fastener apertures made in the upper flange.

[031]. In one embodiment of the first or second aspect, the support frame portion comprises an intermediate flange disposed above the lower flange and below the upper flange, the intermediate flange comprising an aperture, the aperture positioned so as to allow insertion therethrough and engagement therewith of the pile extending through the apertures in the first and second flanges.

[032]. In one embodiment of the first or second aspect, the intermediate flange is proximal to and substantially parallel with the upper flange.

[033]. In a third aspect, the present invention provides a support frame comprising the support frame portion of any embodiment of the first or second aspect.

[034]. In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides an extended support frame portion comprising a first support frame portion as defined for any embodiment of the first aspect, and a second frame portion as defined for any embodiment of the first .0 aspect, the first and second frame portions being maintained in mutual spaced relation by a central region.

[035]. In one embodiment of the fourth aspect, the extended support frame portion of claim 22 configured so as to capable of shortening or lengthening the distance between .5 the first and second frame portions.

[036]. In one embodiment of the fourth aspect, the central region has a first portion and a second portion, the first and second portions being slidable relative to each other so as to allow shortening or lengthening the distance between the first and second frame o portions.

[037]. In one embodiment of the fourth aspect, the extended support frame is configured to be maintained at an angle or substantially parallel to the horizontal.

[038]. In one embodiment of the fourth aspect, the extended support frame is elongate and comprises a levelling member at or toward one of both ends, wherein the member(s) is/are configured to engage with a substrate and maintain the extended support frame at an angle or substantially parallel to the horizontal.

[039]. In one embodiment of the fourth aspect, the levelling member(s) slidingly engage with the extended support frame member.

[040]. In one embodiment of the fourth aspect, the extended support frame comprises an aperture at or toward one or both ends of the extended support frame, and the aperture(s) is/are configured to slidingly engage with the levelling member

[041]. In one embodiment of the fourth aspect, the levelling member(s) is/are removable from the extended support frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS .0 [042]. FIG.1 is a perspective representation of a first preferred embodiment of the invention.

[043]. FIG. 2 is a drawing in perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of the invention, and showing also the position of piles when driven. -5

[044]. FIG. 3 is a magnified view of the corner area marked "B" in FIG. 2.

[045]. FIG. 4 is a drawing in lateral view of the second preferred embodiment of the invention. -O

[046]. FIG. 5 is a cross-section taken through the line A-A as shown in FIG. 4.

[047]. FIG. 6 is a representation showing a cut-away view of a pile extending through the upper flange, gusset and lower flange of a preferred embodiment.

[048]. It will be understood that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to any scale and do not necessarily illustrate all features essential or desirable for operation. Moreover, the features illustrated in the drawings are not all necessarily essential or desirable for the operation of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION INCLUDING ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[049]. The present invention is predicated at least in part of the finding that a useful support frame can be provided by using spaced flanges having apertures formed therein and positioned so as to allow a pile to pass through to a substrate beneath. The apertures may be positioned so as to ensure the pile extends into the substrate at an angle to the horizontal or at an angle to the substrate surface, the angling of the pile assisting to engage with the substrate. The angling may also facilitate engagement of a pile with .0 its respective apertures such that the support frame is maintained in a substantially fixed position relative to the substrate.

[050]. The present invention (at least in some embodiments) is a departure from prior art supports secured by piles in so far as the support does not require any elongate guide .5 structure (such as a cylinder) to guide the pile along an angled path. Instead, the guiding along the required angle path if provided only by the two apertures (i.e. the upper flange aperture and the lower flange aperture). The avoidance of any need for a guide structure (such as a cylinder) dramatically reduces the complexity of construction and also the cost. -o

[051]. It should be appreciated, that some embodiments of the support frame may comprise material between the upper and lower flanges. For example, a tube may traverse the upper and lower flanges which allows the pile to pass therethrough. The tube may or may not function as a pile guide in such embodiments. In other embodiments, the region between the upper and lower flanges may be filled with a material separate to that of the upper and lower flanges, with a hole bored through the material from the aperture in the upper flange to the aperture in the lower flange so as to allow the pile to pass through the respective apertures at the desired angle.

[052]. The upper and lower flanges may be maintained in mutual spaced relation by any means conceivable. However, for reasons of simplicity and economy a sheet-like substantially vertically-oriented spacer may be used. More preferably, the upper and lower flanges and the spacer are fabricated from a single sheet or plate that has right angled folds to form the upper and lower flanges and the spacer. In other embodiments, the upper and lower flanges and the spacer are fabricated unitarily by a forming process, such as casting.

[053]. Certain embodiments may be devoid of any tube or similar structure extending from or through the upper flange and/or lower flange. Other embodiments may be devoid of any material whatsoever existing the upper flange and the lower flange.

[054]. The apertures may be positioned in the first and second flanges so as to angle the pile outwardly; i.e. splaying from a central region of the support frame portion, .0 outwardly toward the periphery of the support frame. In one embodiment, apertures are provided to accept two piles, each of which splay outwardly as they descend into the underlying substrate. The present invention is not, however, limited to such embodiments and angling so as to angle piles beneath (and optionally across) the frame will be operable to some extent. -5

[055]. In some embodiments, the upper surface(s) of the support frame portion is/are planar to allow placement of an item or structure requiring support to be placed. The upper surface(s) of the support frame portion may have one or more planar surfaces to allow placement of an article requiring support to be placed. -O

[056]. In some embodiments, the upper surface(s) of the support frame is/are planar to allow placement of an item or structure requiring support to be placed. The upper surface(s) of the support frame may have one or more planar surfaces to allow placement of an article requiring support to be placed.

[057]. In some embodiments, the upper surface of the upper flange is planar to allow placement of an item or structure requiring support to be placed. The upper surface of the upper flange may have one or more planar surfaces to allow placement of an article requiring support to be placed.

[058]. In some embodiments, the lower surface(s) of the support frame portion is/are planar to allow placement of the support frame portion on a substrate. The lower surface(s) of the support frame portion may have one or more planar surfaces to allow placement of the frame on a substrate.

[059]. In some embodiments, the lower surface(s) of the support frame is/are planar to allow placement of the support frame on a substrate. The lower surface(s) of the support frame may have one or more planar surfaces to allow placement of the support frame on a substrate.

[060]. In some embodiments, the lower surface of the lower flange is planar to allow placement on a substrate. The lower surface of the lower flange may have one or more planar surfaces to allow placement on a substrate. -0

[061]. In the context of the present specification, the terms "support frame portion" and "support frame" are used. The term "portion" is used to indicate that the spaced flanges may be used as a portion of a larger structure, possibly with non-frame or non support functions. The term "frame portion" is used also in respect of the possibility .5 that a support frame may comprise two or more support frame portions. Where the context allows (or is at least not prohibitive) the terms "frame" and "frame portion" may be considered as interchangeable.

[062]. Reference is made to FIG. 1 showing an extended support frame (10), having 0O an upper flange (15) and a lower flange (20). The upper and lower flanges are maintained in mutual spaced relation by the spacer (25). The extended support frame (10) is fabricated from sheet metal of sufficient thickness so as to not deform under the weight of the item or structure to be supported thereby.

[063]. At each corner of the extended support frame (10), are paired apertures (30a) and 30b being positioned so as to act as a guide or direct a pile (not shown) along the axis (35) and into the underlying substrate (40). A gusset (45a) (45b) is disposed slightly inferior to the upper flange in the region of the apertures and at each end of the support frame (10). A brace (50) extends across the central region of the support frame to provide resistance to any deformation force applied to the frame.

[064]. Bolts (one marked 55) extend through the spacer region (25), which when would inwardly secure the pile and prevent movement of the pile once forced into the ground.

[065]. The apertures in the right-hand end of the frame (10) comprise a first frame region, and those in the left-hand endo of the frame (10) comprise a second frame region. The two frame regions are maintained in fixed mutual space relation by the central region therebetween. The extended frame support (10) may therefore configured to provide an exact fixed distance between piles inserted at the two ends, thereby providing a fixed open space between the piles upon which the item or structure to be supported may be placed. This contrasts to prior art anchor plates which must be carefully positioned a fixed distance apart so as to allow for proper support for an item or structure. For example one plate may be placed under each end of an item or .0 structure. Where the installer makes an error (i.e. the plates are too far apart or too close together) the one of the plates must be removed and repositioned, thereby adding to labour.

[066]. In some installations, four prior art plates may be used (one under each corner .5 of the item or structure to be supported) which further complicates installation given that the plates must be properly located with respect to the width of the item or structure to be supported. The extended support frame of the present invention obviates that problem also by fixing the distance between piles inserted to accommodate the width of an article to be supported. -O

[067]. Further advantage is provided in the present extended support frames may require a lower number of piles overall, compared with the situation where multiple prior art support plates are used. Staying with the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 it will be noted that two piles are used at each corner, for a total of eight piles for the entire installation. In prior art support plates, typically three or four piles are required to give the required level of engagement with the substrate. Where four prior art support plates are used (one plate for each corner of the supported item or structure) a total of twelve or sixteen piles would be required. In the present invention advantage is gained by virtue of the substrate engagement obtained from each pile is shared across the entire extended support frame, that lessening the need for the large number of piles required for prior art installations.

[068]. Reference is made to FIG 2 which shows an alternative extended support frame (10). In FIG. 2, angled piles (70a, 70b, 70c and 70d) are shown as they would be driven into a substrate (not drawn). The piles are angled due to their insertion through apertures (30) in the upper and lower flanges as more clearly shown in FIG. 1, and also in FIG. 3 being a magnified view of the corner region marked "B" in FIG. 2.

[069]. The embodiment of FIG. 2 comprises further apertures (90a and 90b) formed in the upper flange (15) and lower flange (45). Only the aperture in the upper flange is visible in this drawing, the aperture in the lower flange being directly beneath that in the upper flange. These apertures are positioned so as to guide and engage with a pile (75a, 75b) that extends vertically and downwardly into the substrate. The vertical piles .0 (75a and 75b) do not function primarily to maintain engagement of the extended support frame (10) with the substrate. Instead, their primary function is to facilitate levelling of the frame (10) during installation. In the course of installation, the extended support frame (10) and the piles (75a, 75b) driven partly into the substrate. The installer is able to level frame (10) by sliding one or both frame ends upwardly or downwardly until .5 level is achieved. A spirit level or similar may be placed on a long planar axial surface of the extended frame member to facilitate. Once level, all angled piles are inserted through their respective apertures at each corner and driven to secure the levelled frame to the substrate. This approach obviates the need for a separate jig to maintain a support at a level orientation, as required by many prior art contrivances. -o

[070]. Reference is now made to the gusset feature (45) as drawn in the Figures. In the preferred embodiments of the drawings, the gusset is a sheet or plate sitting below and in spaced relation to the upper flange. Such an embodiment is shown in FIG. 6. The gusset may sit at least about 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 or 20 mm below the upper flange.

[071]. The gusset may fixed to any suitable part of frame (10) so as to provide the spaced relationship with the upper flange. The gusset comprises an aperture sized and positioned so as to allow passage of and engagement with a pile that extends through an aperture in the upper flange and its corresponding aperture in the lower flange. One function of the gusset is to provide a fail-safe mechanism to account for the possibility that an installer drives the pile right through the aperture in the upper flange, such that the end region of the pile fails to engage with upper flange aperture. As will be appreciated, in that circumstance the upper end region of the pile will not bear against the inner wall of the aperture leading to less secure engagement of the frame.

[072]. In some circumstances, it may be difficult for the installer to halt the driving process such that the pile engages with the aperture of the upper flange, whilst not leaving an excess length of pile extending above the upper flange. This is especially the case where a jackhammer or other powered tool is used to drive the pile given that such tools are difficult to precisely control. In such circumstances, the gusset will ensure that the pile still engages with the frame, thereby contributing to the overall .0 engagement of the support frame with the substrate.

[073]. In some cases, the pile may be purposely driven to an extent that it sits below the upper flange, yet contacts the gusset, leaving none of the pile extending beyond the upper flange. This arrangement provides the advantage that the upper face of the flange .5 may be unencumbered by any protrusion, and therefore capable of supporting an item or structure across its whole upper surface.

[074]. It will be appreciated that the gusset will be useful not only for the extended support frames as shown in the drawings, but also for shorter versions capable of O receiving only two piles or three piles.

[075]. Alternatives to the gusset shown in the drawings is contemplated. As one example a tube, a surface, or a block having a borehole may be positioned below the aperture in the upper flange and adapted to receive and engage with an end region of the pile should it be driven beyond the upper flange.

[076]. The drawn embodiments of the invention are configured such that the distance between ends and the distance between the lateral sides are fixed. While this is desirable for some applications, in other applications it may be preferred for one or both of the distances to be variable. Such variability will allow the length and/or width and/or shape of the support frame to be adjusted or customised according the particular application at hand. One manner of achieving such variability is to form the frame into two or more parts, and allow the parts to slidingly engage with each other. To increase a width or length two parts are moved in opposite directions (but not completely separated). To decrease a width or length, two parts are moved toward each other.

[077]. The present support frame may have any of the following geometries, when considered in plan view: triangle, square, rectangle, pentagon, hexagon, or a geometric shape with more than six sides. In other embodiments, the support frame may have a curved edge, or be circular or ovoid. It is further contemplated that the support frame may have no regular geometry. The support frame will typically have an axis of symmetry, however frames with asymmetry are not excluded from the ambit of this .0 application.

[078]. In some circumstances, it will be desirable to lock the parts and in which case a bolt, screw or other locking means may be used. The two parts may each have a series of holes, and two bolt holes may be brought into register to allow the insertion of a bolt, .5 screw or a pin to prevent further relative movement of the two parts.

[079]. For avoidance of doubt, the ambit of the present invention is not restricted to the combination of the support frame with one or more piles. The support frameper se may be provided as a vendible product alone and the installer may use a pile supplied 0O with the support frame or obtained separately. In some embodiments, the invention is directed to a kit comprising a support frame and one or more piles.

[080]. However supplied, the piles will typically be fabricated from a metal, and optionally from a less reactive metal to avoid corrosion. Where a reactive metal is used (such as iron) the metal may be coated by a process such as galvanization to inhibit corrosion and extend service life.

[081]. The pile may be solid or in some circumstances tube-like or pipe-like. The pile length may be from at least about 1000 mm, 2000 mm or 3000 mm.

[082]. In the course of installation, the pile may be driven into the substrate by the use of a mallet, picket driver or other similar hand tool. Preferably, a powered tool such as a jackhammer (e.g. 45 joules minimum impact energy) is used.

[083]. It will be appreciated that in the description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment.

.0 [084]. Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination. -5

[085]. In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of O this description.

[086]. Thus, while there has been described what are believed to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention. Functionality may be added or deleted from diagrams and operations may be interchanged among functional blocks. Steps may be added or deleted to methods described within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A support frame comprising first and second frame members being mutually opposing, each of the first and second frame members comprising an upper flange and a lower flange in mutual spaced relation, the lower flange configured to be disposed proximal a substrate and the upper flange configured to be disposed distal the substrate, the upper and lower flanges each having an aperture adapted to receive a pile, and allow .0 the pile to extend through and engage with the respective frame member and insert into and engage with the substrate, the apertures positioned relative to each other such that the pile, when inserted through the apertures, is directed at an angle to an axis of the respective frame member, and/or at an angle to an axis of the upper or lower flange, and/or .5 at an angle to the substrate surface, wherein the support frame comprises one or more further frame members connected to the first and second frame members so as to form a geometric shape.

2. The support frame of claim 1, wherein the upper flange and/or the lower flange is/are fabricated from a sheet metal or a plate metal.

3. The support frame of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the apertures of the upper and lower flanges are paired apertures, and the first and/or second frame memberscomprise(s) at least 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 paired apertures.

4. The support frame of claim 3, wherein each of the paired apertures is configured so as to direct the piles, when inserted, in different directions.

5. The support frame of any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the aperture(s) is/are configured so as to direct a pile, when inserted, generally outwardly from the frame when the frame is considered in plan view.

6. The support frame of claim 5, wherein the upper and lower flanges are maintained in mutual spaced relation by one or more spacers.

7. The support frame of claim 6, wherein the one or more spacers is/are fabricated from a sheet metal or a plate metal.

8. The support frame of claim 7, wherein the first and/or second frame member is/are comprised of a unitary piece of sheet metal or plate metal that is bent so as to form the upper and lower flanges and the spacer.

9. The support frame of any one of claims 6 to 8 wherein the first and/or .0 second frame member is/are substantially U-shaped wherein the upper and lower flanges form the parallel arms of the substantial U-shape, and one of the one or more spacers forms the base of the substantial U-shape.

10. The support frame of any one of claims 8 to 9 that is formed as a regular .5 geometric shape having 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 10 corners.

11. The support frame of claim 10, comprising paired apertures at each corner.

12. The support frame of any one of claims 1 to 11 comprising a stiffening member extending from a first frame region to a second frame region.

13. The support frame of any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising means to secure a pile inserted through the apertures in the upper and lower flanges.

14. The support frame of claim 13, wherein the means to secure a pile comprises a fastener configured to threadingly engage with a region of the frame, the fastener configured to insert into or bear against a pile inserted through the apertures in the upper and lower flanges.

15. The support frame of claim 13, wherein the means to secure a pile comprises a fastener configured to pass through a region of the frame and threadingly engage with a pile inserted through the apertures in the upper and lower flanges.

16. The support frame of claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the region of the frame is aspacer between the upper flange and the lower flange.

17. The support frame portion of any one of claims 1 to 16 comprising means for attaching an item or structure to be supported thereby.

18. The support frame of claim 17, wherein means for attaching an item or structure to be supported thereby comprise one or more fastener apertures made in the upper flange. -0

19. The support frame of any one of claims 1 to 18 comprising an intermediate flange disposed above the lower flange and below the upper flange, the intermediate flange comprising an aperture, the aperture positioned so as to allow insertion therethrough and engagement therewith of the pile .5 extending through the apertures in the first and second flanges.

20. The support frame of claim 19, wherein the intermediate flange is proximal to and substantially parallel with the upper flange.

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DATED: September 20, 2024 CHURCHILL ATTORNEYS

Attorneys for PANDOE PTY LTD ACN 053 788 499 2/10 Dairy Dr, Coburg North VIC 3058 AUSTRALIA