GB2324328A

GB2324328A - Improvements in or relating to staging

Info

Publication number: GB2324328A
Application number: GB9707596A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Robert Earl Cornish
Original assignee: SGB Services PLC
Current assignee: SGB Services PLC
Priority date: 1997-04-15
Filing date: 1997-04-15
Publication date: 1998-10-21
Anticipated expiration: 2017-04-15
Also published as: GB2324328B; GB9707596D0

Abstract

A staging comprises a platform (5) and a transverse support member (6) which extends beneath the platform (5). Clamping means (10, 16) are provided to clamp the platform (5) to the support member (6). One of the clamping means (16) supports a toe-board (30) with the toe-board being positioned so the inner vertical face (31) of the toe-board (30) which is directed towards the platform (5) is substantially in alignment with the edge of the platform (5). The clamping means (16) may comprise an extrusion, possibly having a box section and a serrated portion. The staging may also have handrail members (33, 34) connected to upstanding posts (32) connected to the support members (6), and a clip (35) to engage the upstanding post (32) and the toe-board (30).

Description

DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION "IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO STAGING" THE PRESENT INVENTION relates to staging, and more particularly relates to access staging for use by builders.

A typical access staging for use by a builder comprises a working platform and a support, which supports the working platform. The working platform comprises two parallel stiles which extend along the length of the platform at either side thereof, the upper edges of the stiles being inter-connected by one or more transverse slats. The support, for the working platform, is constituted by support elements which each consist of a transverse support member adapted to extend transversely beneath the stiles of the platform, the support member carrying clamping means which, in use, clamp the working platform on to the support member. The support member typically also carries an upstanding post on which a handrail is mounted.

The clamping means may be adapted to support toeboards.

In prior proposed arrangements the toe-boards are typically located substantially in alignment with the stiles of the platform. The present invention seeks to provide an improved staging, in which an enhanced working space is provided.

According to this invention there is provided a staging, the staging comprising a platform and a plurality of supports, the support comprising a transverse support member adapted to extend beneath the platform and clamping means adapted to clamp the platform to the support member, at least one said clamping means supporting a toe-board, the toe-board being positioned so that the inner vertical face of the toe-board that is directed towards the platform is substantially in alignment with the edge of the platform.

Preferably said one clamping arrangement comprises an extrusion, means to move the extrusion clampingly towards the support member, the extrusion comprising means adapted to extend over and engage an edge portion of the platform and means defining a recess, the recess being dimensioned to receive the lower edge of said toe-board, and being located so as to position the toe-board with the said inner face thereof substantially in alignment with the edge of the platform.

Conveniently one side of the channel is defined by an upstanding abutment having a vertical side face adapted to locate the toe-board.

Advantageously the extrusion comprise a hollow box section, comprising at least an upper wall and a depending side wall, the upper wall being extended beyond the box section to form a portion terminating with a depending claw adapted to engage the platform, said recess being formed in the said upper wall.

Preferably the extending portion of the extrusion, adjacent said claw, is provided with a serrated undersurface adapted to engage the platform.

Conveniently the support member supports an upstanding post, hand-rail members being connected to the upstanding post.

Preferably a clip is provided which engages the upstanding post and the toe-board.

The invention also relates to an extrusion for use in making a staging as described above, said extrusion incorporates a hollow box section comprising a horizontal upper wall, a depending side wall and a transversely extending wall extending from the lower end of the depending side wall upwardly to the upper wall, the upper wall extending beyond the upper part of the transversely extending wall and terminating with a downwardly directed claw, the upper wall defining a recess located over the box section, one side of the recess being defined by an upstanding abutment on the upper wall which defines a vertical side face of the recess substantially in alignment with the outer face of the transversely extending wall at the point where it joins the upper wall.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood, and so that further features thereof may be appreciated, the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which FIGURE 1 is a cross-sectional view of a staging in accordance with the invention, FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view of an extrusion forming part of the staging illustrated in Figure 1, and FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of a clip.

Referring initially to Figure 1, a staging, for use as an access staging by a builder or the like, comprises a working platform 1 and a plurality of supports 2, which support the platform 1.

The working platform 1 comprises two elongate stiles 3,4, which may be of wood, and a plurality of transverse slats 5, which may also be of wood, which form a working platform of conventional design. The working platform may have a width of 600 mm.

The platform will typically be supported by two supports 2, one being located adjacent each end of the platform. If the platform is very long, additional intermediate supports may be provided.

Each support 2 comprises a horizontal support member 6 adapted to extend beneath the stiles 3,4 adjacent one end thereof. The horizontal support member 6 is provided at one end with a clamp 7. The clamp 7 comprises an upstanding boss 8 which supports an upstanding threaded rod 9. A clamp 10 is provided which is slidably mounted on the threaded rod 9 and a clamping screw 11 is threadedly engaged with the threaded rod 9 at a position above the clamp 10. The clamp 10 is provided with two symmetrical opposed arms 12, each having a terminal depending claw 13.

The clamp may be located so that one arm is positioned above a stile 3 of the platform, the depending claw being located substantially in alignment with the inner side of the stile 3 of the platform. The clamping screw 11 may be turned in order to bias the arm 12 into contact with the upper part of the stage whilst driving the depending claw 13 through the material forming the slats 5, or passing the claw through a gap between two adjacent slats so that the arm 12 securely engages the working platform 1.

Secured to the other end of the horizontal support member 6, by means of a bolt 15, is an extrusion 16, of aluminium or an alloy of aluminium.

The extrusion 16 is shown in more detail in Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings. The extrusion 16 incorporates a hollow box section 20 comprising a horizontal upper wall 21, a depending side wall 22 and a generally inclined transversely extending wall 23 which extends from the lower end of the depending side wall 22 upwardly to the upper wall 21. The upper wall 21 extends beyond the upper part of the inclined wall 23 and terminates with a downwardly directed claw 24. The undersurface of the upper wall 21 is serrated 25 in the region of the claw 24.

The upper surface of the upper wall 21 is provided with a recess 27, located over the box section 20, one side of the recess being defined by an upstanding abutment 28 which defines a vertical side face 29 of the recess 27.

The vertical side face 29 is located substantially in alignment with the outer face of the generally inclined transversely extending wall 23 at the point where it joins the upper wall 21.

Returning to Figure 1, it can be seen that the bolt 15 passes through the box section 20, and may be tightened to bring the claw into clamping engagement with the platform. The claw 24 may be driven into the material forming the slats of the platform or may pass through a gap between adjacent slats. The serrated surface adjacent the claw will firmly grip the platform.

As can be seen in Figure 1, a toe-board 30 is provided and is mounted on the extrusion 16, the lower edge of the toe-board being accommodated within the recess 27 provided in the upper surface of the extrusion. The toeboard abuts against the vertical face 29 formed on the abutment 28. It is to be appreciated, therefore, that the inner face 31 of the toe-board that is directed towards the platform is substantially aligned with the outer edge of the platform 5. Thus, the whole of the upper surface of the platform 5 is available as a working space.

The support member 6 also supports an upstanding post 32 which in turn supports hand-rail elements 33,34.

A wire clip 35 is provided, which is illustrated in Figure 3 in order to retain the toe-board in the desired position. The clip 35 comprises a part-annular portion 36 adapted to be engaged about the upstanding post 32. The part-annular portion carries two upstanding arms 37, 38 adapted to engage the outer face of the toe-board 30, the upper ends of the arms 37, 38 carrying forward the directed extensions 39, 40 adapted to lie adjacent the top edge of the toe-board 30 and which carry a depending "U" shaped element 41 which is adapted to engage the inner face 31 of the toe-board 30. The spring clip 35 is formed of a resilient material such that, when the clip is in position, the clip securely engages the post 32 and also securely engages the upper edge part of the toe-board 30.

Consequently the combination of the spring clip 35 and the extrusion 16 ensure that the toe-board 31 is retained in the desired position.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A staging, the staging comprising a platform and a plurality of supports, the support comprising a transverse support member adapted to extend beneath the platform and clamping means adapted to clamp the platform to the support member, at least one said clamping means supporting a toeboard, the toe-board being positioned so that the inner vertical face of the toe-board that is directed towards the platform is substantially in alignment with the edge of the platform.

2. A staging according to Claim 1 wherein said one clamping arrangement comprises an extrusion, means to move the extrusion clampingly towards the support member, the extrusion comprising means adapted to extend over and engage an edge portion of the platform and means defining a recess, the recess being dimensioned to receive the lower edge of said toe-board, and being located so as to position the toe-board with the said inner face thereof substantially in alignment with the edge of the platform.

3. A staging according to Claim 2 wherein one side of the channel is defined by an upstanding abutment having a vertical side face adapted to locate the toe-board.

4. A staging according to Claim 2 or 3 wherein the extrusion comprise a hollow box section, comprising at least an upper wall and a depending side wall, the upper wall being extended beyond the box section to form a portion terminating with a depending claw adapted to engage the platform, said recess being formed in the said upper wall.

5. A staging according to Claim 4 wherein the extending portion of the extrusion, adjacent said claw, is provided with a serrated under-surface adapted to engage the platform.

6. A staging according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the support member supports an upstanding post, hand-rail members being connected to the upstanding post.

7. A staging according to Claim 6 wherein a clip is provided which engages the upstanding post and the toeboard.

8. A staging substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

9. An extrusion for use in making a staging according to any one of the preceding Claims, said extrusion incorporates a hollow box section comprising a horizontal upper wall, a depending side wall and a transversely extending wall extending from the lower end of the depending side wall upwardly to the upper wall, the upper wall extending beyond the upper part of the transversely extending wall and terminating with a downwardly directed claw, the upper wall defining a recess located over the box section, one side of the recess being defined by an upstanding abutment on the upper wall which defines a vertical side face of the recess substantially in alignment with the outer face of the transversely extending wall at the point where it joins the upper wall.

10. An extrusion substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

11. Any novel feature or combination of features disclosed herein.