Support structure

Abstract

The present invention provides a reusable support assembly for use with an excavated channel or hole. The assembly includes a support structure having a plurality of piles and a perimeter frame, and at least one bracing clamp, wherein the bracing clamp provides an adjustable support for the support structure. The invention also relates to a bracing clamp for providing an adjustable support to a support structure that is used with an excavated channel or hole. The bracing clamp includes two engaging members, at least one clamp stiffening device, and at least one adjustable clamp extension mechanism. The engaging members are located at opposite ends of an axis as defined by the clamp stiffening device and the adjustable clamp extension mechanism. In another embodiment of the invention the support structure includes a perimeter frame having a plurality of beams and a plurality of connectors for connecting two beams and securing said two beams in position.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A reusable support assembly for use with an excavated channel or hole comprising: 
 a support structure having a plurality of piles and a perimeter frame; and    at least one bracing clamp, wherein the bracing clamp provides an adjustable support for the support structure.    
     
     
         2 . A reusable support assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the bracing clamp is detachable from the support structure.  
     
     
         3 . A reusable support assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the bracing clamp comprises engaging members for releasably connecting the bracing clamp to the support structure.  
     
     
         4 . A reusable support assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the piles comprise an attachment assembly that allows the perimeter frame to be located relative to the piles.  
     
     
         5 . A reusable support assembly as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the attachment assembly comprises a plate, a support bracket and a fastener for securing the plate to the pile.  
     
     
         6 . A reusable support assembly as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the plate comprises at least one locator.  
     
     
         7 . A reusable support assembly as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the locator is in the form of a wedge.  
     
     
         8 . A reusable support assembly as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the support bracket comprises a support and a wedge, and the support bracket is attached to the plate by locating the wedge within the locator.  
     
     
         9 . A reusable support assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the perimeter frame comprises a plurality of beams and a plurality of connectors for connecting two beams and securing said two beams in position.  
     
     
         10 . A reusable support assembly as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the beams have an H-shaped cross sectional profile.  
     
     
         11 . A reusable support assembly as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the connectors comprise two brackets, the brackets being connected to one another by a pivot.  
     
     
         12 . A reusable support assembly as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the brackets comprise a bracket locator adapted to locate the bracket on a beam and a plurality of bracket fasteners adapted to secure the bracket to the beam.  
     
     
         13 . A reusable support assembly as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the bracket fasteners include threaded screws.  
     
     
         14 . A reusable support assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the bracing clamp comprises two engaging members, at least one clamp stiffening device and at least one adjustable clamp extension mechanism, the engaging members being located at opposite ends of an axis as defined by the clamp stiffening device and the adjustable clamp extension mechanism.  
     
     
         15 . A reusable support assembly as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the bracing clamp further comprises a hinge plug and a fitting assembly associated with each of the said engaging members, the hinge plug and fitting assembly being adapted to attach the engaging member to the end of the bracing clamp.  
     
     
         16 . A reusable support assembly as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the engaging members comprise a main body, two off-axis clamp stiffeners, a hinged locator, a pivoting port and a plurality of connecting ports.  
     
     
         17 . A reusable support assembly as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the off-axis clamp stiffeners are connected to the fitting assembly and the connecting ports such that manual adjustment of the off axis clamp stiffeners allows the engaging member to pivot about the pivoting port.  
     
     
         18 . A reusable support assembly as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the hinged locator comprises: 
 a hinge adapted to allow the hinged locator to be positioned about a beam of the perimeter frame, and;    a plurality of engaging member fasteners adapted to secure the hinged locator to the beam.    
     
     
         19 . A reusable support assembly as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the engaging member fastener comprises a threaded screw.  
     
     
         20 . A bracing clamp for providing an adjustable support to a support structure for use with an excavated channel or hole comprising: two engaging members, at least one clamp stiffening device, and at least one adjustable clamp extension mechanism, wherein the engaging members are located at opposite ends of an axis as defined by the clamp stiffening device and the adjustable clamp extension mechanism.  
     
     
         21 . A bracing clamp as claimed in  claim 20 , further comprising a hinge plug and a fitting assembly associated with each of the said engaging members, the hinge plug and fitting assembly being adapted to attach the engaging member to the end of the bracing clamp.  
     
     
         22 . A bracing clamp as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein the engaging members comprise a main body, two off-axis clamp stiffeners, a hinged locator, a pivoting port and a plurality of connecting ports.  
     
     
         23 . A bracing clamp as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein the off axis clamp stiffeners are connected to the fitting assembly and the connecting ports such that manual adjustment of the off-axis clamp stiffeners allows the engaging member to pivot about the pivoting port.  
     
     
         24 . A bracing clamp as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein the hinged locator comprises: 
 a hinge adapted to allow the hinged locator to be positioned about a beam of the perimeter frame, and;    a plurality of engaging member fasteners adapted to secure the hinged locator to the beam.    
     
     
         25 . A bracing clamp as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein the engaging member fasteners comprise a threaded screw.  
     
     
         26 . A support structure for use with an excavated channel or hole comprising: 
 a perimeter frame having a plurality of beams and a plurality of connectors for connecting two beams and securing said two beams in position.    
     
     
         27 . A support structure as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein the beams have an H-shaped cross sectional profile.  
     
     
         28 . A support structure as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein the connectors comprise two brackets, the brackets being connected to one another by a pivot.  
     
     
         29 . A support structure as claimed in  claim 28 , wherein the brackets comprise a bracket locator adapted to locate the bracket on a beam and a plurality of bracket fasteners adapted to secure the bracket to the beam.  
     
     
         30 . A support structure as claimed in  claim 29 , wherein the bracket fasteners include threaded screws.  
     
     
         31 . A bracing clamp for providing support to a support structure for use with an excavated channel or hole comprising: two engaging means, at least one clamp stiffening means, and at least one adjustable clamp extension means, wherein the engaging means are located at opposite ends of an axis as defined by the clamp stiffening means and the adjustable clamp extension means.