Support member

Abstract

A support member comprises abeam (12) having flanges (16, 18) connected to a central web (14). A first set of wings (20, 22) and a second set of wings (30, 32) are connected to the flange (16). A plurality of angled plates (80, 82, 84, 86) are attached to the flanges (16, 18) of the beam (12). to form receptacles defined between the plates, the web (14) and the flanges, (16, 18) of the beam (12). The receptacle has a relatively large upper opening. The plate (80) has a lower edge that is spaced away from the web (14) so that a bottom opening in the form of a slot between the lower edge of the plate (80) and the web (14) is formed. Alternatively, the lower edge of the plate (80) may come into contact with the web (14) (and be welded thereto), and the receptacle thus formed may have a lower opening formed by having a hole opening in the plate (80) at a lower region of the plate (80).

1 . A support member comprising a beam adapted to be driven into the ground, and one or more wings extending generally transversely outwardly from the beam. 
     
     
         2 . A support member as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the one or more wings comprise plates extending transversely to the beam. 
     
     
         3 . A support member as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the wings have an outer edge that extends in a direction that is generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the beam. 
     
     
         4 . A support member as claimed in  claim 1  wherein each wing extends in a plane that is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the beam. 
     
     
         5 . A support member as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the one or more wings have lower edges that extend at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis of the beam, thereby assisting penetration of the leading edge of the one or more wings into the ground. 
     
     
         6 . A support member as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the support member has a plurality of wings. 
     
     
         7 . A support member as claimed in  claim 6  wherein at least some of the wings are located such that when the beam is driven into the ground to a desired depth, the one or more wings are wholly located below ground level. 
     
     
         8 . A support member as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the one or more wings comprise a first set of wings located at a first region and a second set of wings located at the second region, the second region being spaced along the beam from the first region. 
     
     
         9 . A support member as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the wings in the first set of wings are of a different size to at least one of the wings in the second set of wings. 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A support member as claimed in  claim 1  wherein at least one of the one or more wings is welded to the beam in a manner such that a face of the wing is in abutment with a face of the beam. 
     
     
         13 . A support member as claimed in  claim 12  wherein the beam comprises an I-beam or a H-beam and at least one of the wings is welded to a flange of the I-beam or H-beam. 
     
     
         14 . A support member as claimed in  claim 13  comprising a first wing welded to a flange on one side of a central web of the beam and a second wing welded to a flange on another side of the central web of the beam. 
     
     
         15 . A support member as claimed in  claim 12  wherein the beam comprises an I-beam or a H-beam and at least one wing is welded to an inside face of a flange of the H-beam or I-beam, wherein a face of the wing is in abutment with an inside face of the flange of the beam. 
     
     
         16 . A support member as claimed in  claim 12  wherein the beam comprises an I-beam or a H-beam and the one or more wings comprises a pair of stabilising wings, with a first wing of the pair being welded to an inside face of a flange of the beam and a second wing of the pair being welded to an inside face of the flange on an opposite side of the central web of the beam. 
     
     
         17 . A support member as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the at least one wing comprises a first pair of stabilising wings and a second pair of stabilising wings located towards a lower end of the beam, the second pair of stabilising wings being spaced from a first pair of stabilising wings. 
     
     
         18 . A support member as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the beam comprises an I-beam or a H-beam and the second pair of stabilising wings comprises a first wing of the pair being welded to an inside face of a flange of the beam and a second wing of the pair being welded to an inside face of the flange on an opposite side of the central web of the beam. 
     
     
         19 . A support member as claimed in  claim 18  wherein the support member comprises a further stabilising wing attached to and extending transversely from a flange or a face of the beam. 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A support member as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the support member is provided with one or more receptacles to receive soil or earth when the support member is inserted into the ground. 
     
     
         23 . A support member as claimed in  claim 22  wherein the one or more receptacles include at least one upwardly and outwardly extending wall. 
     
     
         24 . A support member as claimed in  claim 23  wherein the one or more receptacles have a lower opening in a lower part to allow soil to enter into the receptacle through the opening during insertion of the support member into the ground. 
     
     
         25 . A support member as claimed in  claim 22  wherein the one or more receptacles have an upper opening and a lower opening, the opening being larger than the lower opening. 
     
     
         26 . A support member as claimed in  claim 22  wherein a receptacle is formed by positioning a plate between flanges of the beam, the plate being angled outwardly and upwardly relative to a longitudinal axis of the beam. 
     
     
         27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . A support member as claimed in  claim 26  wherein an inner edge of the plate is spaced from the web of the beam to thereby form a lower opening between the web and the inner edge of the plate. 
     
     
         29 . A support member as claimed in  claim 26  wherein the one or more plates do not extend beyond outer edges of the flanges. 
     
     
         30 . A support member comprising a beam adapted to be driven into the ground, and one or more receptacles to receive soil or earth when the support member is inserted into the ground. 
     
     
         31 . A support member as claimed in  claim 30  wherein the beam comprises a web having flanges extending from the web and the one or more receptacles are located between the flanges. 
     
     
         32 . A support member as claimed in  claim 31  wherein a receptacle is formed by joining an upwardly and outwardly angled plate to the one or more flanges. 
     
     
         33 . A support member as claimed in  claim 30  wherein the one or more receptacles have a lower opening in a lower part to allow soil to enter into the receptacle through the opening during insertion of the support member into the ground. 
     
     
         34 . A support member as claimed in  claim 30  wherein the one or more receptacles have an upper opening and a lower opening, the opening being larger than the lower opening. 
     
     
         35 . (canceled) 
     
     
         36 . (canceled) 
     
     
         37 . A support member as claimed in  claim 32  wherein an inner edge of the plate is spaced from the web of the beam to thereby form a lower opening between the web and the inner edge of the plate. 
     
     
         38 . (canceled)