GB2066341A - Scaffolding brace - Google Patents

Abstract

The brace comprises an elongate tubular element (10) which is provided with a pair of flattened ends (12), each of such ends having a slot (13) which extends inwardly from one lateral edge in a direction which is inclined to the longitudinal axis of the element. The brace may be secured to a socket 17 on an upright 16 by means of a wedge 19. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Scaffolding member This invention relates to a scaffolding member which is especially intended for use as a diagonal brace in a scaffolding structure, the object of the invention being to provide such a scaffolding member in an improved form.

In accordance with the invention there is provided a scaffolding member comprising an elongate tubular element which is flattened at each of its two ends, each of said flattened ends having a slot which extends inwardly from one lateral edge of the end in a direction which is inclined to the longitudinal axis of said tubular element.

Each of said slots (which is preferably of constant width throughout its depth) is adapted to embrace a projecting bracket which would be provided on an upright member of a scaffolding structure, such bracket taking the form for example of a socket of generally channel-shaped configuration in cross-section as is described in our prior patent application 22271/78 and a wedge member would then be used to hold the scaffolding member in position after the notch of a flattened end has been positioned to embrace said socket, the elongate tubular element then extending in a direction which is inclined to the vertical so as to form a diagonal brace for the scaffolding structure.

The invention will now be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawing wherein: Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of one example of a scaffolding member in accordance with the invention, said member being shown as assembled to part of a scaffolding structure in which it forms a diagonal brace, and Figure 2 is a perspective view of the complete scaffolding structure which incorporates a plurality of diagonal braces formed from scaffolding members in accordance with the invention.

Referring now to the drawings Figure 1 shows one end of a scaffolding member (indicated generally by reference numeral 1 0) constructed in accordance vl,ith the present invention. Said member includes an elongate tubular element 11 formed from a length of tubing of circular crosssection and each end of said element is flattened to provide a spade-like end 12. Furthermore each of said flattened ends is formed with a slot 1 3 which extends inwardly from one lateral edge 14 of said end in a direction which is inclined to the longitudinal axis of said tubular element. The width of each slot 13 is constant throughout its depth and its inner end 1 5 may be disposed as shown so that it is perpendicular to the sides of the slot.

A scaffolding member 10 formed as above described is adapted to form a diagonal brace in a scaffolding structure such as the power-like structure seen in Figure 2 and to this end each of the uprights 1 6 of said structure is provided at intervals along its length with outwardly projected brackets indicated in Figure 1 by reference numeral 1 7 which are each in the form of a socket of generally channel-shaped configuration in cross-section and which are more particularly described in our prior patent application No. 22271/78. Said sockets 17 are adapted to receive the ends of horizontal members 1 8 whereby a generally lattice-like structure can be built up as shown in Figure 2.Conveniently there are four sockets 1 7 provided on each upright 14 at each position where it is desired to connect horizontal members 1 8 but, as shown in Figure 1, only two socket members of each set will be used to connect the horizontal members 18, the two outer socket members 1 7 then being available for connection to scaffolding members 11 for forming diagonal braces as may be required. Thus one such diagonal brace is shown in Figure 1 and the aforesaid slot 13 formed in its lower end is disposed so that it embraces one of the free sockets 1 7 with the elongate tubular element 11 extending in a direction which is inclined to the vertical.The scaffolding member is then secured in position by means of a wedge member 19 which is inserted into the socket between the flattened end 12 and the outer end of the socket.

The upper end of the scaffolding member 10 is similarly connected to a socket 1 7 on another of said uprights 16 and the whole scaffolding structure can thus be braced as shown in Figure 2.

1. A scaffolding member comprising an elongate tubular element which is flattened at each of its two ends, each of said flattened ends having a slot which extends inwardly from one lateral edge of the end in a direction which is inclined to the longitudinal axis of said tubular element.

2. A scaffolding member as claimed in Claim 1 wherein each of said slots is of constant width throughout its depth and wherein the inner end of each slot is perpendicular to its sides.

3. A scaffolding member substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (3)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Scaffolding member This invention relates to a scaffolding member which is especially intended for use as a diagonal brace in a scaffolding structure, the object of the invention being to provide such a scaffolding member in an improved form. In accordance with the invention there is provided a scaffolding member comprising an elongate tubular element which is flattened at each of its two ends, each of said flattened ends having a slot which extends inwardly from one lateral edge of the end in a direction which is inclined to the longitudinal axis of said tubular element. Each of said slots (which is preferably of constant width throughout its depth) is adapted to embrace a projecting bracket which would be provided on an upright member of a scaffolding structure, such bracket taking the form for example of a socket of generally channel-shaped configuration in cross-section as is described in our prior patent application 22271/78 and a wedge member would then be used to hold the scaffolding member in position after the notch of a flattened end has been positioned to embrace said socket, the elongate tubular element then extending in a direction which is inclined to the vertical so as to form a diagonal brace for the scaffolding structure. The invention will now be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawing wherein: Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of one example of a scaffolding member in accordance with the invention, said member being shown as assembled to part of a scaffolding structure in which it forms a diagonal brace, and Figure 2 is a perspective view of the complete scaffolding structure which incorporates a plurality of diagonal braces formed from scaffolding members in accordance with the invention. Referring now to the drawings Figure 1 shows one end of a scaffolding member (indicated generally by reference numeral 1 0) constructed in accordance vl,ith the present invention. Said member includes an elongate tubular element 11 formed from a length of tubing of circular crosssection and each end of said element is flattened to provide a spade-like end 12. Furthermore each of said flattened ends is formed with a slot 1 3 which extends inwardly from one lateral edge 14 of said end in a direction which is inclined to the longitudinal axis of said tubular element. The width of each slot 13 is constant throughout its depth and its inner end 1 5 may be disposed as shown so that it is perpendicular to the sides of the slot. A scaffolding member 10 formed as above described is adapted to form a diagonal brace in a scaffolding structure such as the power-like structure seen in Figure 2 and to this end each of the uprights 1 6 of said structure is provided at intervals along its length with outwardly projected brackets indicated in Figure 1 by reference numeral 1 7 which are each in the form of a socket of generally channel-shaped configuration in cross-section and which are more particularly described in our prior patent application No. 22271/78. Said sockets 17 are adapted to receive the ends of horizontal members 1 8 whereby a generally lattice-like structure can be built up as shown in Figure 2.Conveniently there are four sockets 1 7 provided on each upright 14 at each position where it is desired to connect horizontal members 1 8 but, as shown in Figure 1, only two socket members of each set will be used to connect the horizontal members 18, the two outer socket members 1 7 then being available for connection to scaffolding members 11 for forming diagonal braces as may be required. Thus one such diagonal brace is shown in Figure 1 and the aforesaid slot 13 formed in its lower end is disposed so that it embraces one of the free sockets 1 7 with the elongate tubular element 11 extending in a direction which is inclined to the vertical.The scaffolding member is then secured in position by means of a wedge member 19 which is inserted into the socket between the flattened end 12 and the outer end of the socket. The upper end of the scaffolding member 10 is similarly connected to a socket 1 7 on another of said uprights 16 and the whole scaffolding structure can thus be braced as shown in Figure 2. CLAIMS

1. A scaffolding member comprising an elongate tubular element which is flattened at each of its two ends, each of said flattened ends having a slot which extends inwardly from one lateral edge of the end in a direction which is inclined to the longitudinal axis of said tubular element.

2. A scaffolding member as claimed in Claim 1 wherein each of said slots is of constant width throughout its depth and wherein the inner end of each slot is perpendicular to its sides.

3. A scaffolding member substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.