Retaining system

Abstract

A retaining system includes a retaining section, a coupler for releasably coupling to the retaining section, and means for fixing couplers coupled to adjacent retaining sections to each other to thereby maintain adjacent retaining sections in fixed relationship to each other. The retaining system has a number of possible applications such as garden or footpath edging, or earth retaining walls, but a preferred embodiment relates to the use of the retaining system as concrete formwork.

1 . A retaining system including: 
 a retaining section;    a coupler for releasably coupling to the retaining section; and    means for fixing couplers coupled to adjacent retaining sections to each other to thereby maintain adjacent retaining sections in fixed relationship to each other.    
     
     
         2 . A retaining system according to  claim 1 , wherein the coupler is arranged to be coupled to a retaining section such that it is slidable along the retaining section.  
     
     
         3 . A retaining system according to  claim 1 , wherein couplers on adjacent retaining sections are fixed to a connecting means, the connecting means comprising a rigid member.  
     
     
         4 . A retaining system according to  claim 1 , wherein the retaining section is formed from extruded plastics.  
     
     
         5 . A retaining system according to  claim 1 , wherein the coupler is formed from plastics.  
     
     
         6 . A retaining system according to  claim 1 , wherein the means for fixing couplers coupled to adjacent retaining sections to each other comprises at least one hole in the coupler for fixing the coupler to a connecting means.  
     
     
         7 . A retaining system according to  claim 1 , wherein the means for fixing couplers coupled to adjacent retaining sections to each other comprises a plurality of holes on each coupler such that each coupler can be connected to a connecting means at a plurality of different positions.  
     
     
         8 . A retaining system according to  claim 1 , wherein the retaining section is a C-section.  
     
     
         9 . A retaining system according to  claim 1 , wherein the coupler is adapted to interlock with the C-section.  
     
     
         10 . A retaining system according to  claim 9 , wherein the coupler includes a pair of slots, one on each side of the coupler which engage in the C-section.  
     
     
         11 . A retaining system according to  claim 1 , which is a concrete formwork system.  
     
     
         12 . A retaining system including: 
 a retaining section;    a coupler for releasably coupling to the retaining section; and    means for fixing the coupler to a supporting substrate to thereby maintain the retaining section in fixed relationship to the supporting substrate.    
     
     
         13 . A retaining system according to  claim 12 , wherein the means for fixing the coupler to a supporting substrate comprises at least one hole in the coupler for fixing the coupler to a connecting means.  
     
     
         14 . A coupler for a retaining system comprises: 
 a member having two slots for interlocking with a C section at a first end, and a plurality of holes for fixing to a connecting member at an opposite end.