AU2010203295A1

AU2010203295A1 - Transportable Support Structure

Info

Publication number: AU2010203295A1
Application number: AU2010203295A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Jamie Andrew Treacy
Original assignee: JAMIE TREACY
Current assignee: JAMIE TREACY
Priority date: 2009-07-31
Filing date: 2010-07-23
Publication date: 2011-02-17
Anticipated expiration: 2030-07-23
Also published as: AU2010203295B2

Description

AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Standard Patent Applicant: Mr Jamie Andrew Treacy Invention Title: Transportable Support Structure The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method for performing it known to me: -2 TRANSPORTABLE SUPPORT STRUCTURE The present invention relates to a transportable support system that can be loaded and unloaded from a transporting 5 vehicle, such as a trailer or a utility vehicle. The invention also relates to a method of unloading and loading the transportable structure from the vehicle's transporting surface. 10 In particular, the transportable support structure is for supporting and transporting accessories such as building site amenities, storage containers, smaller vehicles and temporary structures. 15 Background of Invention There are various ways in which temporarily erected structures can be transported. Taking as an example construction site amenities such as toilets and showers, 20 these structure are often transported by truck and, if the structure is light or can be assembled, they are manually unloaded onto the ground. Mechanised means such as hydraulic lifts are also.used. For larger structures the structure is mounted on a wheel base with tow hitch for 25 towing the structure behind a vehicle and then disconnecting the structure on location. In other situations, particularly where small amenities unit are hired, these are sometimes required to be picked 30 up by the builder hiring the unit, and the builder is required to use his own trailer to transport the unit to the site. The problems with the above scenarios is in particular the 35 difficultly in loading and unloading the structure/unit off a truck or a trailer. With larger units heavy vehicles such as trucks, cranes and fork lifts are required to 23499091 (GHMatters) - 3 handle and position the units on site. Furthermore, some amenities such as with tradesman's tool boxes, the tool box must remain on the trailer or on the 5 utility vehicle and therefore the trailer and utility vehicle can not be used to transport anything else. The structures that are provided with their own wheel base are generally more expensive to purchase or hire, are not 10 suitable for the rough terrain of construction sites and/or are easy targets for thieves. Some sophisticated amenity support structures use hydraulics and a number of jacking systems to handle and 15 position the structure. Not only do these features make the structure more expensive, but also more prone to failing as the structures are dependent on a number of mechanical parts where failure of any one would render the structure inoperable. 20 A more convenient system of transporting and supporting accessories would be useful. Summary of the Invention 25 In accordance with the present invention there is provided a transportable support structure for loading and unloading from a transporting vehicle, the support structure comprising: 30 a frame for supporting accessories, the frame being supported on forwardly legs and at least one rearwardly leg, all legs being downwardly extendable from a retracted position for transportation to an extended position for supporting the support structure on the ground, wherein 35 the forwardly legs also extend laterally outwardly of the frame so as to clear the forwardly legs of the vehicle during unloading. 23499091 (GHMatters) - 4 The transportable support structure may be provided with only the forwardly legs being laterally extendable of the frame so as to clear the vehicle during unloading, or with s both the forwardly and rearwardly legs, preferably two rearwardly legs, being laterally extendable in an outwardly direction to clear the vehicle. There are preferably two forwardly legs that are connected 10 to one another by horizontal cross members forming a rectilinear frame for stability. The forwardly legs are telescopically slidable in a substantially horizontal direction relative to the cross members. In the embodiment where the rearwardly legs are also laterally 15 extendable, the rearwardly legs are also connected by two horizontal cross members. The front cross members and the rear cross members are connected by elongated side members to form a rectilinear box frame. 20 Each of the rearwardly and forwardly legs are preferably provided with feet that are either fixed or pivotable. Where pivotable, the feet pivot relative to the axis of the leg between an angled position used during transportation and a substantially perpendicular position 25 where the feet are placed flat on the ground to support the support structure. Preferably, locking pins or locking bolts, whether biased or otherwise, are used to fix downward extension of the 30 legs and lateral outward extension of the legs. Further in accordance with the invention there is also provided a method of unloading a transportable support structure from a transporting vehicle, the support 35 structure including a frame for supporting accessories, the method comprising: downwardly extending rearwardly legs supporting the 23499091 (GHMatters) - 5 frame until the rearwardly legs reach the ground; laterally extending in opposite directions forwardly legs supporting the frame so as to clear the forwardly legs of the vehicle; 5 downwardly extending the forwardly legs until they reach the ground; and moving the vehicle out from under the support structure. 10 Preferably the vehicle or the support structure is tilted so as to first raise the rear end so that the rearwardly legs can be extended downwardly, then raising the forward end so that forwardly legs can be extended downwardly. 15 The method also preferably includes laterally extending in opposite directions the rearwardly legs for clearing the vehicle before extending the rearwardly legs downwardly to the ground. 20 The transporting surface of the vehicle may be lowered before removing the vehicle from under the support structure. There is also provided a transportable support system 25 comprising a transportable support structure described above and an accessory supported by the support structure. Brief Description of the Drawings 30 Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1(a) is an isometric view of a first 35 embodiment of a transportable support structure in accordance with the present invention; 2349909_1 (GHMatters) - 6 Figure 1(b) is a front view of the first embodiment loaded on a trailer; Figure 1(c) is a rear view of the first embodiment 5 loaded on a trailer; Figure 1(d) is a plan view of the first embodiment loaded on a trailer; 10 Figure 2(a) is a front view of the first embodiment extended into an erected position over the trailer; Figure 2(b) is a plan view of Figure 2(a); 15 Figure 2(c) is a plan view similar to Figure 2(b) showing the trailer being removed; Figure 3(a) is a front view of the first embodiment in an erected condition; 20 Figure 3(b) is an isometric view of the first embodiment in an erected position; Figure 4(a) is a front view of a second embodiment of 25 a transportable support structure in accordance with the present invention illustrating the support structure extended in an erected condition above a trailer; Figure 4(b) is a rear view of the second embodiment 30 as shown in Figure 4(a); Figure 4(c) is a plan view of Figure 4(a); Figure 4(d) is a plan view similar to Figure 4(c) but 35 showing the trailer being removed; Figure 5(a) is an isometric view of the second 2349909_1 (GHMatters) - 7 embodiment in an erected condition; Figure 5(b) is a plan view of the second embodiment in an erected condition; 5 Figure 5(c) is a front view of the second embodiment in an erected condition; Figure 6(a) is a enlarged side view of a leg base 10 plate in the stowed position; Figure 6(b) is a enlarged side view of a leg base plate in an active position; 15 Figure 7(a) is a plan view illustrating the lower frame of the present invention; Figure 7(b) is a cross sectional end view of the frame illustrated in Figure 7(a); 20 Figure 7(c) is a perspective view of the locator frame; Figures 8(a), 8(b), 8(c) and 8(d) illustrate four 25 variations of trailer frame edge reinforcement; Figure 9(a) illustrates a first side view of a first accessory that can be supported by the transportable support structure; 30 Figure 9(b) illustrates the opposite side view of the accessory shown in Figure 9(a); Figures 10(a) and 10(b) are front views illustrating 35 a second accessory; Figures 11(a) and 11(b) are respectively a side view 23499091 (GHMatters) -8 and a plan view illustrating a third accessory; Figures 12(a), 12(b), 12(c) and 12(d) illustrate the transportable support structure supporting a fourth 5 accessory; Figures 13(a) and 13(b) are respectively side and rear views illustrating a fifth accessory; and 10 Figures 14(a), 14(b) and 14(c) are respectively a perspective view of a third embodiment of the support structure on a utility vehicle, a perspective view of the support structure itself, and a partial side sectional view of the support structure on a utility vehicle. 15 Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments Various embodiments of a transportable support structure and transportable support system in accordance with the 20 invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The transportable support structure is intended to be loaded onto and unloaded from a transporting vehicle and particularly a vehicle having a transporting, usually flat, surface that is not enclosed by walls. Examples of 25 such vehicles are an un-motorised trailer that is towed behind a motorised vehicle, or vehicles having rear open trays such as utility vehicles or flat bed trucks. The transportable support structure provides a convenient 30 system for loading and unloading the structure from the transporting vehicle. This is achieved by making the support structure compact and retractable during transportation and extending the support members of the structure into an erected position on site and in a manner 35 which clears the transporting vehicle so that the transporting vehicle can be removed from under the support structure. In this way the vehicle is free for use and is 23499091 (GHMatters) - 9 not required to remain on site. Figures 1(a) to 8(d) illustrate various embodiments and features of the transportable support structure while 5 Figures 9(a) to 12(c) illustrate various examples of accessories that can be carried by the support structure. The support structure can accommodate an infinite number of accessories, some of which are detailed further on. It 10 is understood that the accessories illustrated are examples only and there are many other types of amenities, objects and the like that are not detailed here but could form part of the present transportable support structure. 15 Figures 1(a) to 3(b) illustrate a first embodiment of the transportable support structure, namely a "double pull out system". Accessories are absent from the drawings for the purpose of clarity. Figures 4(a) to 5(c) illustrate a second embodiment of the support structure, also without 20 accessories, namely a "single pull out system". Figure 1(a) illustrates a first transportable support structure 10 of the "double pull out system". Illustrated in Figure 1(a) is the base structure, or base frame 11, 25 that carries accessories (not shown) of the transportable support structure 10. The base frame 11 illustrated is supported on two forwardly legs 13 and two rearwardly legs 15. The forwardly legs are shown at a front of the structure and the rearwardly legs are positioned at the 30 rear of the structure although in other embodiments the base frame 11 may extend past the forwardly or rearwardly legs so that the legs are set inwardly of the structure rather than at the forward and rear extremities. 35 Forwardly legs 13 and rearwardly legs 15 are slidably extendable between a retracted position, as shown by the forwardly legs 13 in Figure 1(a) and an extended position 23499091 (GHMatters) - 10 as shown by one of the rearwardly legs 15 of Figure 1(a). Each of the forwardly and rearwardly legs include an internal leg member 16 that slides within an external leg sleeve 18. This allows a downward telescopic extension of 5 each leg from a retracted position to an extended position. A two part slidable extension is illustrated in the drawings although it is possible that the telescopic 10 extension of the legs involves three concentrically aligned members telescopically sliding one within the other. Other means of leg extension are foreseeable, such as a hinged fold out extension where the leg unfolds from a retracted condition to an extended condition. 15 Alternatively, the leg could be wound down using a geared system, such as a rack and pinion, or by way of a continuous thread connection between the internal leg member and external leg sleeve, or by a combination of these and other suitable means. 20 The external leg sleeve 18 of the forwardly legs 13 are connected to each other by upper and lower horizontal cross members 20 and 21 respectively forming part of the base frame 11. External sleeves 18 of rearwardly legs 15 25 are similarly connected by horizontal upper cross member 20 and a lower cross member 21. The front and rear of the support structure 10 consequently each form a rectilinear frame in a vertical plane. The front rectilinear frame 23 and rear rectilinear frame 24 of the base frame 11 are 30 stable structures that prevent relative twisting of the legs. The upper and lower horizontal cross members 20, 21 are themselves external sleeves that house within them 35 horizontal slidable components that are fixed perpendicularly to the outside of each external leg sleeve 18. Specifically, the external sleeve 18 of each 23499091 (GHMatters) - 11 rearwardly and forwardly leg is attached with an upper and lower slidable component and namely upper inner component 26 and lower inner component 27 that slidably pull out of the upper and lower cross members 20, 21 so that each leg 5 can extend out laterally of the support structure 10 as well as extend in a downwardly direction. The lateral pull out extension of the forwardly and rearwardly legs can be fixed using locating bolts 28, 10 which may in some embodiments be spring biased, whereas the downward slidable movement of each leg is fixed in position using heavy duty locking pins 29 that extend through corresponding holes on opposite sides of external leg sleeve 18 and on internal leg member 16 and that can 15 be protected by a bolt cutter proof housing to deter theft. Internal leg member 16 has a line of holes into one of which a pin 29 is inserted for fixing the legs at an adjustable height. Pins 29 are attached to the support structure 10 by a chain and, as shown in Figures 6(a) and 20 6(b), are locked at their ends with a secondary safety clip 30 to ensure locking pin 29 does not work loose. Various other locking mechanisms may be used to lock the forwardly and rearwardly legs in the downwardly extended 25 position. For example, the locking mechanism could be in the form of a ratchet lock including a toothed rack and pawl.Other forms of locking could include using a continuous thread, pin thread jacks or combinations of these and of other suitable means. 30 A locating angle frame 32 forming a lower part of base frame 11 spans between and connects the front rectilinear frame 23 and rear rectilinear frame 24. Locating angle frame 32 is adapted to sit on the top edge of the 3S vehicle's transporting surface, which in the embodiment illustrated (in particular see Figures 7(a)-7(c)) is the top edge of a trailer wall. Locating angle frame 32 is 23499091 (GHMalters) - 12 then fixed to the trailer by any suitable known means for securing the load of the support structure to the trailer including, but not limited to, attachment bolts and clamps. 5 Each forwardly leg 13 and rearwardly leg 15 is provided with a foot in the form of a base plate 35 on which each leg, and indeed the entire support structure, is supported on the ground. The base plates 35 can be fixed in an 10 active position where the substantially flat base plate is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis 36 of each leg, as shown by the base plates 35 at the rear of the support structure illustrated in Figure 1(a). Alternatively, the base plates may pivot between an inactive angled position, 15 as shown by the base plates at the front of the structure of Figure 1(a), and the active perpendicular position when required to support the structure. Figure 1(b) illustrates the first embodiment of the 20 support structure 10 compactly retracted and loaded onto an unmotorised trailer 50 having a towing hitch 52. As shown in the front, rear and plan views of Figures 1(b), 1(c) and 1(d), the support structure is held within the confines of the trailer 50 which ensures stability during 25 transportation, a lowered risk of tipping, and no overhang over the trailer perimeter which could cause damage to the structure or to other objects during transportation. In this condition the transportable support structure 10 can be transported by a towed trailer as illustrated or on the 30 rear tray of a utility vehicle, truck, etc. Figure l(c) is a rear view of the double pull out support structure loaded on a trailer with the tail gate 51 of the trailer pulled down. The locating angle frame 32 of the 35 support structure can be seen spanning across the front of the structure and down the sides to the rear rectilinear frame. 23499091 (GHMalters) - 13 Figure 1(d) is a plan view of the double pull out transportable support structure 10 loaded on trailer 50. The compact nature of the support structure can be clearly seen. All forwardly and rearwardly legs 13, 15 including 5 base plates 35 are located inside a trailer perimeter defined by the trailer's maximum width and length. In this condition the support structure can be safely transported from location to location. 10 Once the destination for the support structure has been reached the support structure 10 is unloaded off the transporting/towing vehicle. With the support structure 10 still resting on the trailer 50 the trailer brake is engaged and the trailer's jockey wheel 53 is wound down so is that the trailer is raised and can be removed from the towing vehicle. Engagement of the trailer from the towing vehicle is released in the usual manner, namely by removing attachment bolts of the like. 20 The forwardly and rearwardly legs are next laterally pulled out from the frame 11. This is effected by pulling each leg horizontally outward of the structure so that the upper and lower inner components 26, 27 slide out of upper and lower horizontal cross members 20, 21 until each leg 25 clears the trailer and is positioned unobstructed above the ground. Locating bolts 28 are then used to secure lateral extension of each forwardly and rearwardly leg. With the structure 10 still supported by the trailer 50 30 the jockey wheel is wound up and the rearwardly legs are extended downwardly until the foot of each leg, namely the base plate 35 reaches the ground. The vertical leg extension of the rearwardly legs is then fixed by locking pins 29 that prevent against unintentional vertical 35 retraction of each leg that will in turn cause the support structure to collapse. If the base plates 35 need to be pivoted into an active condition then this is done 2349909_1 (GHMatters) - 14 manually before the leg reaches the ground. Alternatively, the base plates can automatically pivot on a pivot pin or a ball pivot under gravity during lowering. 5 Before lowering the forwardly legs the jockey wheel is lowered again so that the trailer front is raised and pivots on its wheels to raise the front of the structure and to also separate the rear of the structure from the trailer. The forwardly legs are then extended downwardly 10 until the structure is as level as possible, and the downward extension locked using the locking pins 29. To remove the trailer the jockey wheel is again raised to lower the trailer allowing it to be pulled from under the 15 structure. Each one of the forwardly and rearwardly legs are independently extendable in a horizontal and vertical direction which has the advantage of locating the 20 structure on uneven ground because one leg may be positioned higher or more laterally outward than another leg. It is understood that lateral extension of the forwardly 25 and rearwardly legs is not necessarily effected by pulling the leg outwardly from a rectilinear frame comprising both upper and lower cross members. It is foreseeable that the legs could extend out laterally from a single cross member before being lowered to the ground. Such an arrangement 30 involving a single cross member may be exposed to problems with twisting and stability in the structure but in some applications, where the load of the accessory is light, the arrangement of lateral extension from a single cross member may be sufficient. In this embodiment, internal leg 35 members may be stored in position in the leg sleeve, or may be removable and stored elsewhere in the support system or in the trailer. 2349909_1 (GHMatters) - 15 Furthermore, lateral extension of the legs could be effected by means other than a telescopic extension. For example, a fold out system involving linkages could be used to laterally extend a leg from the structure before 5 the leg is lowered to the ground. Other means as discussed above could also be used, for example a wind down continuous thread or a thread jacking system. Figure 2(a) illustrates the double pull out system 10 unloaded from the trailer in the manner described above. Support structure 10 spans across trailer 50, which has not yet been removed from underneath the support structure 10. In Figure 2(a) the trailer 50 has been lowered by winding jockey wheel 53 to lower the trailer 50 to a level 15 ready for removal from underneath the support structure 10. Figure 2(b) is a plan view of the view illustrated in Figure 2(a) where the forwardly and rearwardly legs 15, 16 20 have been horizontally and vertically set up so that the support structure is self-supporting above trailer 50. Trailer 50 is then removed from a front end of the structure 10 by towing the trailer out from under the support structure or by pulling the trailer by hand. This 25 removal process is seen in Figure 2(c). Figures 3(a) and 3(b) show from different views the unloaded and self-supporting structure 10 on the ground and with trailer 50 removed. Accessories such as 30 dwellings, storage compartments or vehicle transportation framework, is supported by frame 11 on locating angle frame 32 and between front and rear rectilinear frames 23, 24. The accessories are described in more detail later on. 35 Figures 4(a) to 4(c) illustrate in various views the second embodiment of a transportable support structure 100 23499091 (GHMatters) - 16 belonging to the "single pull out system". The difference between the single and double pull out systems, and therefore the first and second embodiments of the support structures 10, 100, is that the rearwardly legs 115 of the 5 second support structure 100 do not extend laterally outward but only extend vertically downward to reach the ground from their fixed position on frame 11. The difference with the second support structure 100 can 10 be best seen in Figure 4(c) which shows support structure 100 in plan view with rearwardly legs 115 overhanging the rear wall of trailer 50 so that the rearwardly legs 115 are ready to drop vertically to contact the ground. The forwardly legs 113 of support structure 100 are the same is as the forwardly legs 13 of the double pull out support structure 10 and are similarly interconnected by a front rectilinear frame 123. Because there is no lateral extension of rearwardly legs 115 there is no need for a rear rectilinear frame for support structure 100 and 20 rearwardly legs are instead fixedly mounted straight on to side frame 132 which extends between front rectilinear frame 123 and each rearwardly leg and, in the embodiment shown, is also a locating angle frame that sits on an upper edge of the trailer. 25 Figure 4(a) is a front view of second support structure 100 and is similar to Figure 2(a) which is a front view of first support structure 10 but showing rearwardly legs 115 positioned towards the rear of the structure 100 and 30 vertically extended to the ground without any lateral extension. The telescopic sliding components and sleeves of forwardly and rearwardly legs 113, 115 of second support structure 100 have the same form as sliding components and sleeves described in relation to the first 35 support structure 10, except for the rear rectilinear frame 24 which is not provided with the second support structure. 23499091 (GHMatters) - 17 Figure 4(a) also shows a partial cutaway view of the front rectilinear frame 123 engaged in the sleeves forming upper and lower horizontal cross members 120, 121 respectively of front rectilinear frame 123. Upper and lower inner 5 components 126, 127 may be provided on their exterior with markings that are used to indicate to a user the amount of lateral extension undergone by each front leg so that a comparable lateral extension can be made with the other front leg, if desired. Similar markings on upper and 10 lower inner components 26, 27 may also be provided in relation to the first support structure 10. Furthermore, markings may also be provided on internal leg members 16, 116 to indicate leg extension in quantitative terms. 15 Also shown from the internal cut-away view of Figure 4(a) the internal leg member 116 is slidable in an external leg sleeve 118 of one of the forwardly legs 113. In this internal view the amount of vertical leg extension of any one of the forwardly or rearwardly legs is visible and it 20 can be seen that the legs can substantially double in length when slidably lowered to the ground. Locating bolts 128 and locking pins 129 are used in the second structure 100 in a similar manner to the first structure 10 to secure lateral leg extension and vertical leg 25 extension. Figure 4(b) is a similar figure to 4(a) but illustrating the support structure 100 from the rear supporting itself over trailer 50. 30 Figure 4(d) illustrates support structure 100 in plan view similar to Figure 4(c) but showing trailer 50 being pulled out from under support structure 100 leaving the support structure fully unloaded and self supporting. 35 Figures 5(a), 5(b) and 5(c) illustrate in various views the second support structure 100 of the single pull out 23499091 (GHMatters) - 18 system in free standing. These figures show the minimal requirements for a framework for supporting accessories and for interconnecting the forwardly and rearwardly legs. Essentially the frame work includes a front rectilinear 5 frame 123, a U-shaped side frame for interconnecting the rearwardly legs to the front rectilinear frame, and the vertically extending legs themselves. In the embodiment shown in Figures 5(a) to 5(c) feet in the form of base plates 135 are of the pivoting kind that during 10 transportation are positioned in an inactive condition, namely angled, and are moved to an active position during unloading for stably supporting the structure on the ground. 15 It is understood that while the drawings show a transportable support structure having four legs this structure may instead be provided with more legs or as few legs as three. Where a three-legged 'tripod' version is envisaged, the structure would have two forwardly legs and 20 one rearwardly leg interconnected by a triangular frame and the rearwardly leg may be laterally fixed or could extend laterally in a rearward direction. The structure may have more than four legs and, for example, six legs particularly for a long structure. 25 Figures 6(a) and 6(b) illustrate the leg base plate 35, 135, and in this drawing the base plate specifically of one of the forwardly legs 13, 113. The base plate is an elliptical disc 37 with upstanding flanges 38 in the 30 middle of disc 37 through which a pivot pin 40 is inserted to attach the base plate 35, 135 to the corresponding hole provided at a lower end of an internal leg member 16. During transportation base plate 35 is angled away from a perpendicular orientation relative to a longitudinal axis 35 36 of internal leg member 16 so as to clear the front of trailer 50 and allow internal leg member 16 to be fully retracted into external leg sleeve 18. 23499091 (GHMatters) - 19 In Figure 6(b) internal leg member 16 has been extended downwardly to reach the ground G and base plate 35 is pivoted to a position where disc 37 is perpendicular to leg axis 36 providing stability to forwardly leg 13 and s support for the transportable support structure. In lowering internal leg member 16 safety clip 30 is removed from the end of locking pin 29, locking pin 29 is removed from aligned recesses between sleeve 18 and internal leg member 16 and then after leg extension locking pin 29 is 10 reinserted through newly aligned holes between sleeve 18 and internal leg member 16, and the safety pin reinserted. Figures 7(a), 7(b) and 7(c) illustrate locating angle frame 32 or 132 (only shown as 32 in Figures 7(a) to 7(c)) 15 and how the locating angle frame 32, which interconnects the rearwardly and forwardly legs of the support structures 10, 100, sits on top of the trailer in a manner that prevents the support structure from falling off the trailer during transportation. 20 As illustrated in Figure 7(a) to 7(c) locating frame 32 is U-shaped with an upper edge 33 and a 900 side edge 34 extending downwardly from the upper edge along an inside of the U-shape. Upper edge 33 is adapted to sit on the 25 top edge of the side walls 54 of a trailer 50 while internal side edge 34 sits inside the trailer side walls 54 to locate the transportable support structure during transit and to ensure it does not slide off the trailer as a result of heavy braking. The tailgate 51 of the 30 trailer, which is closed during transit, also prevents sliding of the support structure in transit because in the event of braking the side edge 34 contacts the closed tailgate. 35 Bolt holes 39 may be provided as one option of more securely mounting the support structure onto a trailer. Bolt holes 39 correspond with similar holes (not shown) in 23499091 (GHMatters) - 20 the upper edge of side walls 54 of the trailer and a bolt can be secured through the aligned holes for fixing the locating frame 32 onto the upper edge of the trailer walls. 5 Further bolt holes may be used to fix locating frame 32 to the forwardly and rearwardly rectilinear frames and/or legs. Alternatively the rectilinear frames and/or legs may be welded directly to the locating frame 32. 10 Figures 8(a) to 8(d) illustrate examples of possible reinforcements to the upper edge of the trailer walls 54 that may be required as a modification to the trailer in order to support the weight of the support structure and is accessories. Figure 8(a) illustrates a rectangular hollow section (RHS) reinforcement 45 for the underside of the upper edge of trailer side wall 54. Figure 8(b) illustrates an angle reinforcement 46 on the upper side of side wall 54 upper edge while Figure 8(c) illustrates 20 angle reinforcement 47 on the underside upper edge of side wall 54. Figure 8(d) illustrates a reinforcement plate 48 on the underside of upper edge of side wall 54. Figures 9(a) to 12(c) illustrate the transportable support 25 structure in combination with an accessory which the structure supports and which together form a transportable support system 1. The term "accessory" herein has a very broad meaning in that it can refer to anything that is supported and transported by the support structure 30 including dwellings, compartments, simple and complex frameworks, platforms, amenities, etc. Figures 9(a) and 9(b) illustrate a first accessory that can be supported by the transportable support structure. 35 In the drawings illustrated the transportable support structure will be referred to as the double pull out system support structure 10. The accessory illustrated in 23499091 (GHMatters) - 21 Figures 9(a) and 9(b) is a site amenities and command centre unit 200 of the variety found on building sites. The amenity part of the unit includes an enclosed bathroom 201 with toilet and shower facilities. The bathroom 201 5 is accessed by a user by way of treads and balustrade 202 that is positioned between the ground and the floor 203 of the amenities and command unit 200. Figure 9(b) illustrates schematically the amenities and 10 command unit 200 from the rear of that illustrated in Figure 9(a) in which further services can be seen including the mains power board 204; storage area 205 for paper files, hot water system, parts, etc; an overhead water storage tank 206 and underfloor waste management is services 207. The unit 200 may have a variety of other features including solar panels 208, remotely operated live feed video surveillance 209 and mains power attachment point 210 (power boxes) for the building site. An infinite number of other services and/or features may 20 be provided depending on the application and requirements of the unit or dwelling as the case may be. For example, the amenity unit may be equipped with GPS tracking facilities with email and mobile phone text alerts in case the unit is stolen. The feature of the GPS tracking 25 facility is also suitable for use with any other amenity including those described below. The support system's accessory is elevated from the ground at a minimum level that will depend on the depth of the 30 trailer, namely the height of the trailer floor 55 off the ground G (see Figure 1(c)). The height between the upper edge of trailer walls 54 on which locating frame 32 sits and the trailer floor can be used to lower the effective height of the accessory. For example, in the amenities 35 and command unit 200 illustrated in Figures 9(a) and 9(b) the floor 203 is supported on the locating frame 32 but the waste management services 207 are located below floor 23499091 (GHMatters) - 22 level and below locating frame 32 such that in transit the waste management services will be located inside the trailer walls 54. 5 With the support systems described herein the site amenity unit can be easily unloaded and assembled above the relevant pipe work and tapped directly into the sewer. Figures 10(a) and 10(b) illustrate a second example of an 10 accessory that can be used with the transportable support system 1. In this example the accessory is a tradesmen's box 300 in which tools and other trades equipment can be stored. The inside of the tradesmen's box can be accessed from either side of the support structure 10 through 15 upwardly opening access doors 301. Floor 302 of the box extends below the level of the locating frame 32 to sit inside the trailer during transit and to provide greater depth to the box 300 when the transportable support system 1 is assembled on site. 20 Figures 11(a) and 11(b) illustrate a third possible accessory for use with a transportable support system 1 where the accessory is a vehicle transport system 400. The vehicle illustrated in Figures 11(a) and 11(b) is a 25 motorbike 405 that is driven up onto a floor 401 of the vehicle transport system 400 by way of a pull out ramp 402 mounted at the rear of the transportable support system 1. The vehicle transport system 400 includes side rails 403 for providing barriers to prevent escape of the vehicle 30 during transit, and a dry storage compartment 404 for storing related gear. Figures 12(a), 12(b), 12(c) and 12(d) illustrate a transportable support system where a fourth possible 35 accessory is used as a temporary dwelling. The accessories supported by the system is a tent structure 500 having a removable overhead rack 501 on which other 2349909_1 (GHMatters) - 23 accessories, such as a boat 502 as shown, can be transported. The tent 503 can be unfolded from the transportable support structure 10 as illustrated in the steps of 12(b), 12(c) and 12(d) and, using internal tent 5 poles, the tent 503 can be erected making use of the floor 504 supported by the support structure 10 as well as expanding the tent to one or more sides of the support structure 10 as shown in Figure 12(d). In this way the tent structure 500 can be pulled out and collapsed from 10 the transportable support system 1 to provide a temporary dwelling. Other features can be incorporated into the transportable support system for use with the temporary dwelling. Such 15 other features could include water storage and cooking facilities, solar attachments, mains power and mains water attachment points, hot water systems, storage and sleeping facilities. 20 Figures 13(a) and 13(d) illustrate a fifth possible accessory for use with a transportable support system 1 where the accessory is a fixed multi level racking system 600 for carrying many different kinds of articles from boats, snow gear and other outdoor sporting equipment to 25 building materials such as timber or steel beams. Figures 14(a) to 14(c) illustrate a third embodiment of the transportable support structure 700. In this embodiment the support structure 700 is designed to be 30 transported on a vehicle such as a flat bed truck or a utility vehicle 701 as illustrated. Rather than sitting on top of a tray/tub wall as with the first and second embodiments that sit on the trailer wall, in this embodiment the structure 700 sits inside the tray walls 35 702 and on the tray's surface 706. This is best seen in Figure 14(c) where one of the side walls is removed for clarity. 23499091 (GHMatters) - 24 The accessory illustrated in Figures 14(a) to 14(c) is a tradesman's box 703 that includes side sleeves 704 fixed to side walls of the box 703. Side sleeves 704 are adapted to receive side rails 705 which form part of the frame 11 5 of the support structure, and on which the box is thereby mounted. Box 703 sits above the tray's surface 706 supported on a frame support 707 located toward the rear of the structure, and on two jacks 710 located toward the front of the structure as illustrated, or located towards 10 the rear of the structure or supported on one or more jacks across the entire width. The frame support 707, which acts as a pivot point for the structure on the tray's surface, and the jacks 710 are fixed to the underside of the box 703 and housed in purpose built 15 recesses. The frame support 707 has a foot spanning the width of the box 703 to provide adequate support for the box. Jacks 710 share a foot which too spans the width of the box 703. 20 The winding system of the two jacks are co-dependent so as to operate simultaneously through the use of one handle 712. An external thread 711 connected between the jacks 710 extends to the rear of the vehicle for winding access by the jacking handle 712. During transportation the full 25 weight of the accessory, box 703 in this case, is carried by frame support 707 and jacks 710. It is understood that instead of two jacks, only one jack may be provided on the foot, or more than two jacks may be used. 30 Forward legs 708 sit a little higher on the frame 11 in order to be able to clear the top of the tray walls 702. To shorten the effective length of the forward legs to achieve better clearance, a double telescopic extension can be used to drop the forward legs to the ground. 35 Alternatively, and this alternative may be used with any of the other embodiments of the transportable support structure described herein, the forward leg extensions may 23499091 (GHMatters) - 25 be removable and stored in the utility tray until required for site assembly. To unload support structure 700 from vehicle 701 the s tailgate of the vehicle is lowered and the rearward legs 709 are horizontally pulled out the rear of the vehicle to clear the tailgate and bolted in the horizontal position. The rearward legs are then extended downwards until the feet reach the ground. Alternatively, the rearward legs 10 709 may be first horizontally pulled out sideways to clear the tray walls 702 then dropped to the ground, depending on which embodiment of the rearward legs is used. Using handle 712, next the jacks 710 are wound down so 15 that the box 703 pivots on frame support 707 with the front of the structure 700 lowering and the rear being raised so that the rearward legs 709 can be dropped to the ground and locked in position. The jacks are then wound up to raise the front of the structure and the forward legs 20 708 are pulled out laterally of the vehicle until they clear the tray side walls 702. Lateral extension of forward legs 708 is lock bolted in position. The forward legs are then extended to the ground or, in the case where the legs are removable, the legs are inserted, lowered to 25 the ground, locked in position and base plates inserted. The tilting of the support structure 700 to alternatively raise the rear then the front of the structure is similar to the method of unloading with the first two embodiments 30 where the trailer is used to tilt the support structure to raise the rear first to set the rearward legs in the lowered position and then raise the forward end to drop and set the forward legs to unload the support structure leaving it standing above the trailer. The trailer can 35 then be removed from under the structure. 23499091 (GHMatters) - 26 The tilting movement of the structure to unload the structure is described herein as first raising the rear of the structure to drop the rearward legs then raise the front of the structure to drop the forward legs. It is 5 understood that the order of tilting may be reversed in that the front of the structure is raised first followed by raising of the rear. It is also understood that in some embodiments tilting may not be required at all because in these structures both the rearward and forward 10 legs can be extended without the need to raise the ends of the structure. The transportable support structure described herein and the transportable support system comprising the structure 15 and mounted accessory, provides an easy means of loading and unloading an accessory from a transporting vehicle. One advantage is that the transporting vehicle need not stay with the structure once the structure is erected on site but can be used independently until the system needs 20 to be transported once more. The support structure is affordable, strong and versatile in that it can be used in an infinite number of applications and environments for transporting and 25 supporting accessories from dwellings, storage facilities, vehicle transportation facilities, amenities and other temporary erected structures. It will be understood to persons skilled in the art of the 30 invention that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context 35 requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, 2349909_1 (GHMatters) - 27 i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention. 5 It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country. 10 23499091 (GHMatters)

Claims

1. A transportable support structure for loading and unloading from a transporting vehicle, the support 5 structure comprising: a frame for supporting accessories, the frame being supported on forwardly legs and at least one rearwardly leg, all legs being downwardly extendable from a retracted position for transportation to an extended position for 10 supporting the support structure on the ground, wherein the forwardly legs also extend laterally outwardly of the frame so as to clear the forwardly legs of the vehicle during unloading. is 2. The transportable support structure as claimed in claim 1, comprising two forwardly legs that are connected by a laterally extendable rectilinear frame.

3. The transportable support structure claimed in claim 2, 20 wherein the rectilinear frame has upper and lower horizontal cross frames members that are telescopically slidable laterally of the support structure to extend the forwardly legs laterally. 25 4. The transportable support structure claimed in claim 1, comprising two rearwardly legs that are mounted fixed to elongated side members of the frame.

5. The transportable support structure as claimed in any 30 one of claims 1 to 3, wherein there are two rearwardly legs that are also laterally extendable outwardly of the frame.

6. The transportable support structure as claimed in claim 35 5, wherein the frame is a rectilinear box frame. 23499091 (GHMatters) - 29 7. The transportable support structure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein all legs are individually telescopically extendable in a vertical direction. 5

8. The transportable support structure as claimed in claim 7, wherein leg extension is fixed by locking pins.

9. The transportable support structure as claimed in any 10 one the preceding claims, wherein the legs are provided with feet that pivot relative to a longitudinal axis of each leg between an angled position for use during transportation and a perpendicular position for use when the support structure is erected. 15

10. The transportable support structure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein accessories supported by the frame include any one of: building site amenities; a tradesman's box; vehicle transportation facilities; a 20 dwelling or a racking system.

11. The transportable support structure as claimed in claim 10, wherein the building site amenities includes any one or more of: a power board, a command centre, 25 sanitation amenities or file storage.

12. The transportable support structure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein lower side members of the frame are shaped to locate onto the transporting 30 surface of a vehicle and to attach thereto so that the frame of the transportable support structure is supported during transportation.

13. A method of unloading a transportable support 35 structure from a transporting vehicle, the support structure including a frame for supporting accessories, 2349909_1 (GHMatters) 23/07/10 - 30 14. the method comprising: downwardly extending rearwardly legs supporting the frame until the rearwardly legs reach the ground; laterally extending in opposite directions forwardly 5 legs supporting the frame so as to clear the forwardly legs of the vehicle; downwardly extending the forwardly legs until they reach the ground; and moving the vehicle out from under the support 10 structure.

15. The method as claimed in claim 13 including tilting the vehicle or the support structure so as to first raise the rear end so that the rearwardly legs can be extended 15 downwardly, then raising the forward end so that forwardly legs can be extended downwardly.

16. The method as claimed in claim 13 or 14 including also laterally extending in opposite directions the 20 rearwardly legs so as to clear the rearwardly legs of the vehicle before extending the rearwardly legs downwardly.

17. The method as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 15 including downwardly extending the forwardly legs before 25 downwardly extending the rearwardly legs.

18. A transportable support system comprising a transportable support structure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12; and 30 an accessory supported by the support structure.

19. The transportable support system as claimed in claim 17, wherein the accessory is any one of: building site amenities; a tradesman's box; vehicle transportation 35 facilities; a dwelling or a racking system. 2349909_1 (GHMatters) 23/07110 - 31 20. The transportable support system as claimed in claim 18, wherein the building site amenities includes any one or more of: a power board, a command centre, sanitation amenities or file storage. 5

21. A transportable support structure, a method of unloading a transportable support structure from a transporting vehicle or a transportable support system, substantially as herein described with reference to the 10 accompanying drawings. 2349909_1 (GHMatters) 23/07110