AU594731B2 - A support unit - Google Patents

Description

Il "Y*i~n-rmrraul;~rr~~,u;lrr------ c ri.

292-P17 JGS:CB.1030B.4 594731

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1952 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

(ORIGINAL)

FOR OFFICE USE Application Number: Lodged: 6 6 -6 q-l.

Complete Specification Lodged: Accepted: Published: Priority: "Related Art: a- This document contains the amendments made under Section 49 and is correct for printing.

TO BE COMPLETED BY APPLICANT Name of Applicant: Address of Applicant: Actual Inventor: Address for Service: INTERLOCK INDUSTRIES LIMITED Portsmouth Road, Miramar, Wellington, New Zealand David William Stewart MOLONEY ARTHUR S. CAVE CO.

Patent Trade Mark Attorneys Goldfields House 1 Alfred Street SYDNEY N.S.W. 2000

AUSTRALIA

Complete Specification for the invention entitled "A SUPPORT

UNIT".

The following statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it known to me:- 1 ASC 49 1 This invention relates to a support unit.

There are many applications where a canopy, netting, cover or the like needs to be supported above the ground or other surface. Usually a plurality of poles, posts or like support units are employed to support the canopy, netting, etc.

Generally, each support is of a collapsible nature for ease of transportation and storage. Each support can thus comprise a number of separate elements which are joined together to form the complete support unit. Unless a number of different lengths of elements are used or available for selection when forming the complete support, the support unit is not adjustable in length and this can not accommodate either uneven ground or differing heights at which the canopy, netting etc can be supported relative to the ground.

ooo To locate the support unit at its lower end it is usual to have some ground engaging means whereby the lower end is firmly located in position. Commonly the ground support S: means is a spike fitted to the lower end of the support unit.

This arrangement, however, does lead to problems as the rigid Goes nature in which the support unit engages with the ground does nbt permit suitable movement within the supported structure to withstand either wind forces or physical impacts against the support units. In addition, where the support units are being used on uneven ground, it is sometimes not possible to S. obtain a firm footing due to the support unit having to be orientated in a direction which does not allow the spike to be fully embedded or correctly orientated in the ground.

The present invention has, as its object, to provide a support unit which overcomes or goes some way toward overcoming the aforementioned problems associated with known support units.

1 B r r 3 Accordingly, in one broad aspect, the present invention provides a support unit comprising at least first and second elongate support elements which are telescopically engaged together, locking means whereby the support elements can be fixedly locked against telescopic movement, and a base unit at the free end of said first support element, said base unit having ground penetrating means and coupling means at least part of which is formed from a flexible material whereby the ground penetrating means is flexibly coupled to the said free end.

o o The invention also provides a support unit comprising at least oooo first and second elongate support elements which are engaged end to end, a base unit located at the free end of said first S support element, said base unit having ground penetrating means and coupling means at least part of which is formed from a flexible material whereby the ground penetrating means is flexiby coupled to the said free end of said first support sees element and a supporting structure located at the free end of .se said second support element.

A support structure is preferably located and mounted with the free end of the second support element.

In th-e following more detailed description of the invention, S• reference will be made to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 is an elevational view of a support unit in one preferred form, Figure 2 is a plan view of the arrangement shown in Figure i, Figure 3 is a detailed view of the base unit, NT A1T/AJG 3a Figure 4 is a cross-sectioned elevational view of one support element showing the telescoping connection with the other support element, Figure 5 is a partial cross-sectional elevational view of the end of the support element engageable with the base unit, Figure 6 is an elevational view of a modified form of support element,

S

S

S

S.

S

SSSS

S

5555 5555 *r S S.

S

i 4101T/AJG 62W.-_ I J

A

-4- Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the support element of Figure 6, and Figure 8 is an end view of the support element of Figures 6 and 7.

Referring firstly to Figure 1 of the drawings; the support unit consists of a first support element 10 which is of tubular construction and preferably formed from a suitable alloy which provides lightness of weight but good properties of strength. Engaged within this first support element 10 is a second support element 11, which is once again of tubular construction and of a diameter whereby it can slidingly engage within the first support element To lock the first and second support elements, 10 and 11, so as to prevent telescoping, locking means 13 are provided and the actual construction of the locking means is shown in more detail in Figure 4 of the drawings. Essentially the locking

S..

means consists of an internal taper 14 which has a skirt which fits over the end of the tubular element 10 and is 0o00 fixed in place by suitable mechanical fastenings such as ooo• rivets. The body of the internal taper 14 is screw threaded at 16 so that a locking collar 17 can be located thereon.

The internal taper has a forwardly projecting wall portion 18 which has a rim 19 presenting an inclined face 20. The forwardly projecting portion 18 is formed with a plurality of longitudinal slots 21 extending in from the rim end thereof.

The locking collar 17 has a lip 22 with an inclined surface 23 which engages against the face 20 of the internal taper 14. As a consequence, the locking collar can be screwed on the internal taper such that face 20 and surface 23 come into engagement which results in the forwardly projecting portion 18 of the internal taper being compressed radially (due to slots 21) to thereby clamp about the second tubular element Lz -r l- .1-lC i. .i located therein. Thus, by releasing the locking collar, the second tubular element 11 can be slid in or out of the first tubular element 10 and, once the required positon has been achieved, the locking collar can be operated to lock the tubular element 11 in positon.

To permit free sliding movement of the inner tubular element in the outer tubular element 10, a pair of spaced apart ridges 24 are formed on the end thereof so as to provide engagement surfaces which slidingly contact with the inner wall surface of the tubular element 10. These ridges also prevent the tubular element 11 from being totally removed at full extension (as shown in Figure 4).

Preferably the free end of the tubular element 11 is formed with a support arrangement shown generally at 26. The invention in its illustrated form is particularly suited for o ff supporting netting such as camouflage netting and, as a o consequence, the net support is so formed as to provide a S. broad support surface such that no point loading between the net and the support unit occurs. The net support 26 is thus formed by a pair of loop elements 27 (which are generally of shape cross section), one of which has a greater diameter than the other. The leg portions 28 of these loop elements .0 26 are pivotally coupled about a pivot pin 29 and stop means are provided whereby in Figures 1 and 2. When the support unit is not in use, however, the loop elements can be pivoted so that they lie within the other and are thus compact for transportation or storage.

The loop elements are preferably mounted on a sleeve 42 which fits over the end of the support element 11 in the same manner as will hereinafter be described relative to the base unit 31 and hence is removable.

l 10 in, 11 1-1111 11-11 1- 11 .1 M- 111- i- I -6- .i

B

00' r 0

"O

OS

S.

The free end of the tubular element 10 is provided with a base unit shown generally at 31 and illustrated in more detail in Figure 3 of the drawings. Generally the base unit 31 comprises a circular base plate 32 from which extends a spike 33. A tubular mount 34 is provided for attachment of the base unit 31 to the end of tubular element 10. Between the tubular mount 34 and the base plate 32 is a flexible jointing element 36 which can be formed from a rubber or plastic material. This jointing element 36 which is waisted in its length has a threaded shank (not shown) extending axially from each end thereof with one shank passing though an opening in the base plate 32 and onto which is engaged the spike 33. The other shank extends through a mounting block 37 which ig located within the end of the tubular mount and said mounting block 37 being fastened therein by suitable fasteners, such as rivets The tubular mount 34 is engaged over the end of the tubular element 10 and preferably is removably mounted by virtue of a spring loaded pin 38 projecting from the tubular element This pin 38 fits within an opening 40 in the tubular mount.

To remove the tubular mount the pin is pushed inwardly against a spring 41 within the tubular element 10 such that the pin clears the opening in the tubular mount.

Referring to Figure 6 to 8, a different form of the support elements is shown. In this form the support elements are designed to be push fitted together in an end to end arrangement with a plurality of support elements being employed to achieve the required overall length.

The support element comprises of an outer tubular length 43 and an inner tubular length 44. The inner tube 44 has at least one rim 45 which engages with the inner wall surface of the outer tube 43. A sleeve 46 is located in one end of 6 P -7length. A portion of the sleeve 46 is thus located within the outer tube and a portion projects there from as does the end of inner tube 44.

A series of rivets 48 fixedly locate the inner tube within the outer tube. The exposed end 44a of the inner tube 44 has an opening 49 for pinning the sleeve 42 of the supporting structure 26. A similar opening 50 is provided for pinning of the base unit 31. Similarly openings 49 and 50 are able to be aligned when the exposed end 44a is located in the end of the outer tube 43 of another support element.

The exposed end 44a is located within the end of the outer tube of another support element by the runover sleeve 46 and a runover plug 51 in the free end of exposed end 44a. This plug, which can be of plastic material construction, comprises a body 52 which has a peripheral flange 53 at one end which is pushed past flaps 54 formed by partial cutting of the tube 44. Body 52 further has projections 55 which project beyond the outer diameter of tube 44 and terminate on an imaginery circle having a diameter substantially the same as that of the inner diameter of outer tube 43, 00 The support unit according to the present invention is of 0 light weight but strong construction and by having lockable telescopic support elements or disengageable support elements can be compacted for storage and transportation. In the telescopic form it can be readily adjusted in length to 90 accommodate differing requirements which may arise, for example, due to uneven terrain. The base unit provides a flexible mount between the ground and the support unit, such that, once again, uneveness of terrain can be accommodated.

The base unit also permits a degree of flexibility to accommodate loadings applied to the supported structure.

1 -8- Additionally, the flexible mounting provides a degree of flexing should the support unit be subjected to physical shock, etc.

The support unit is thus extremely versatile in use and is particularly suited for supporting camouflage nets which are often used in situations where there is uneveness of terrain and a requirement for support units of a wide variety of different lengths.

In non-limiting summary the invention provides a support unit comprising at least a pair of support elements which are telescopically engageable together, locking means whereby the support elements can be fixedly locked against telescopic movement, and a base unit locatable at the free end of one support element, said base unit having ground engageable means and flexible coupling means whereby the ground engageable means is flexibly coupled to the free said end.

*o 9 0 99* 9.

o 9 9.

9 99

Claims (6)

1. A support unit comprising at least first and second elongate support elements which are telescopically engaged together, locking means whereby the support elements can be fixedly locked against telescopic movement, and a base unit at the free end of said first support element, said base unit having ground penetrating means and coupling means at least part of which is formed from a flexible material whereby the ground penetrating means is flexibly coupled to the said free end.

2. A support unit as claimed in Claim 1 wherein a supporting structure is located at and mounted with the free end of the second support element. A support unit comprising at least first and second elongate support elements which are engaged end to end, a base unit located at the free end of said first support .'.element, said base unit having ground penetrating means and coupling means at least part of which is formed from a flexible material whereby the ground penetrating means is flexibly coupled to the said free end of said first support element and a supporting structure located at the free end of said second support element.

4. A support unit as claimed in Claim 2 or 3 wherein the 0 esupporting structure comprises a pair of loop elements pivotally coupled to the support element there being limiting means which limit the extent of pivotal movement in one direction such that in use said loop elements project substantially in opposed transverse directions relative to the longitudinal axis of the support member. _LC L I II1~.Y L -L.I ~i A support unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the base unit comprises a base plate from which extends a ground penetrating member; a mounting adapted for engagement with the end of the second support element and a resilient coupling member which mounts said mounting with said base plate.

6. A support unit as claimed in Claim 5 wherein the mounting is a tubular member and said ground penetrating member is a spike.

7. A support unit as claimed in Claim 5 or 6 wherein the resilient coupling member is formed of rubber or a plastic o material and has a waisted portion in its length. S: 8. A support unit as claimed in any one of the preceding Soclaims wherein the base unit and supporting structure are removably attached to said support elements. 00

9. A support unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims when appendant to Claim 3 wherein each support 0: element comprises a first tubular length a second tubular length located within but projecting from one end of the first tubular length, said second tubular length being 000 supported in the one end by a sleeve which also projects from said one end, the outer end of said second tubular length having a plurality of projections, said sleeve and projections engaging with the inner wall surface of another support element when said second tubular length is 00 0 S. located therein. A support unit substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. DATED this 26th day of September, 1989. INTERLOCK INDUSTRIES LIMITED By Its Patent Attorneys, ARTHUR S CAVE CO. C i. h n i _1ILu