GB2326436A

GB2326436A - Scaffolding unit for attaching a guard rail and toe board

Info

Publication number: GB2326436A
Application number: GB9712675A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Edward John Wilson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-06-18
Filing date: 1997-06-18
Publication date: 1998-12-23
Anticipated expiration: 2017-06-18
Also published as: GB2326436B; GB9712675D0

Abstract

The scaffolding unit (3) includes an elongate bar (4) for attachment by clamps (5,6) to a scaffold pole (2) which extends from a platform (1). The bar (4) has fittings (7,8) for receiving and holding horizontal guard rails (9,10). Each fitting includes a head fixed with the bar (4) and a pivoted lever having an upper limb which is shaped to partially embrace the respective guard rail. A bolt (28) inserted through the lever urges a lower limb of the lever away from the fixed head so that the upper limb clamps the guard rail against the fixed head. At the lower end of the bar (4) there is a hook shaped locating plate (31) for engagement over a toe board (35).

Description

SCAFFOLDING UNIT TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a scaffolding unit for use in mounting a guard rail adjacent to a scaffolding platform.

BACKGROUND When constructing scaffolding it is normal to install scaffold poles projecting above any platform. Scaffolding clamps are then secured a measured distance above the platform to which horizontal guard rails are then secured.

Generally, a toeboard (also referred to as a kicker board) is also secured to the poles using individual clamps, to surround the platform at foot level.

It is also known from GB 2 062 076-A to secure specially provided posts to an integral platform and toeboard, the posts being adapted to support the guard rails. In GB 2 127 887-A specially provided posts are clamped to poles which extend horizontally beneath the platform. Again, the posts receive guard rails, and in addition, adjustable clamps may be provided for attaching a toeboard to the posts.

The present invention seeks to provide a new and inventive form of scaffolding unit for use in mounting guard rails adjacent to a platform.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention proposes a scaffolding unit comprising an elongate member for location alongside a scaffold pole which extends upwards from a platform, said member being provided with means for attachment to said pole, and means for receiving and holding at least one generally horizontal guard rail.

The means for receiving and holding the or each guard rail preferably comprises a lever member which is pivotally coupled to the elongate member, the lever member further comprising an upwardly projecting portion for partially embracing a guard rail and means for urging said portion towards said elongate member to grip the guard rail there-between. Said urging means preferably acts between a downwardly projecting portion of the lever member and a part fixed with the elongate member.

The scaffolding unit preferably further comprises means for locating the elongate member on a toeboard which extends transversely to said pole. Said means for locating the elongate member on a toeboard preferably comprises a portion which extends transverse to the elongate member and a downwardly projecting portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The following description and the accompanying drawings referred to therein are included by way of non-limiting example in order to illustrate how the invention may be put into practice. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a side view of a scaffolding unit in accordance with the invention, secured to a scaffolding structure, Figure 2 is a plan view of the unit, Figure 3 is a detailed side view of the upper guard rail fitting of the unit, looking from the left in Fig. 2, and Figure 4 is a front view, looking from the right in Fig. 1, of the bottom part of the unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring firstly to Fig. 1, a scaffolding structure comprises a horizontal platform 1, which is typically constructed of boards, with spaced scaffold poles 2 projecting upwards alongside the platform. A handrail-support unit 3 comprising an elongate flat bar 4 is secured to each of the poles 2 by means of scaffold clamps 5 and 6, respectively secured to the top and bottom of the bar 4. The bar is also provided with fittings 7 and 8 for attachment of vertically spaced horizontal guard rails 9 and 10.

The structure of the clamps 5 and 6 is conventional in scaffolding. As can be seen in Fig.s 2 and 3, the upper clamp 5 comprises a base part 12 which is secured to the bar 4, and a clamp member 13 is pivotally coupled to the base part 12 to one side of the pole 2 allowing it to be pivoted clear of the pole as shown in dashed outline. The members 12 and 13 define part-cylindrical recesses 15 and 16 which can be closed about the pole 2, and the free end of the clamp member 13 has a fork 17 to receive a screw-threaded bolt 18 which is engaged with the base part 12 on the opposite side of the pole. The bolt 18 has a T-shaped head 19 which is received in a recess 12' formed in the base part 12 such that the bolt 18 can pivot freely, as indicated by the solid and dashed positions in Fig. 2. When the unit 3 is offered up to the pole 2 the bolt 18 is pivoted clear of the clamp member 13 as shown in dashed outline. To secure the unit to the pole the bolt 18 is pivoted into the fork 17, and a nut 20 is tightened against the rear of the clamp member 13, thereby securing the members 12 and 13 about the pole 2.

In the case of the upper clamp 5, the base member 12 is formed with a depending head 21 (see Fig. 3) which is in turn secured to the upper end of the bar 4, the base member 12 and head 21 together forming part of the top fitting 7. The front face of the head 21, opposite to the pole 2, is shaped to provide a pivotal connection 24 with a lever member 25. Above the pivot 24 the base member 12 and lever 25 are shaped to partially embrace and firmly grip the guard rail 9 in the form of a further scaffold pole. Below the pivot 24 a bolt 28 is screw-threaded through the lever 25 to locate in a shallow recess 29 in the front face of the head 21. When the bolt is screwed away from the head 21 the lever can pivot to a position shown in dashed outline allowing the guard rail to pass between the base member 12 and lever 25. The guard rail will then rest securely between the member 12 and lever 25 until the bolt is tightened to bear against the head 21. This in turn causes the lever 25 to be urged towards the member 12 such as to grip the guard rail.

rail.

The lower fitting 8, which is located approximately mid-way between the upper and lower clamps 5 and 6 is similar to the fitting 7 except that the member 12 is considerably shorter in its dimension transverse to the pole 2.

The bottom clamp 6 is similar to the top clamp 5 except that the base member of the clamp is formed by the horizontal limb 30 of a locating plate 31 (see Fig.s 1 and 4). The rear edge of the said limb is notched to locate the pole 2, and the clamp member 13' and bolt 18' are pivoted to the limb 30 on opposite sides of the pole 2. The front edge of the limb 30 leads into a depending limb 33 for location over the top edge of a toeboard 35 which rests on the top of the platform 1 against the poles 2.

Prior to tightening the clamps 5 and 6 the plate 31 is located over the toeboard, thereby accurately determining the height of the unit above the platform 1. After tightening the bottom clamp 6 followed by the top clamp 5 as described, the toeboard 35 is thereby secured firmly in position by the plate 31. The lower guard rail 10 is lowered into the lower fittings 8 and the top guard rail 9 is similarly lowered into the top fittings 7. The bolts 28 are then tightened to secure the guard rails in place.

It will thus be appreciated that the unit has a number of points in its favour: - The time required to fit guard rails and toeboards is greatly reduced since there are less clamps to tighten and no measuring is required.

- It is very easy to lower the guard rails into position within the respective fittings 7 and 8 prior to tightening the bolts 28.

- Safety is improved as there are fewer loose fittings to be dropped.

It will be appreciated that the features disclosed herein may be present in any feasible combination. Whilst the above description lays emphasis on those areas which, in combination, are believed to be new, protection is claimed for any inventive combination of the features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A scaffolding unit comprising an elongate member for location alongside a scaffold pole which extends upwards from a platform, said member being provided with means for attachment to said pole, and holding means for receiving and holding at least one generally horizontal guard rail.

2. A scaffolding unit according to Claim 1, in which the or each holding means comprises a pivotally mounted lever member.

3. A scaffolding unit according to Claim 2, in which said lever member comprises a limb for partially embracing a guard rail.

4. A scaffolding unit according to Claim 3, in which said lever member comprises urging means for urging said limb towards said elongate member to grip the guard rail.

5. A scaffolding unit according to Claim 4, in which said urging means acts between (i) a portion of the lever member on the opposite side of said pivotal mounting from said limb, and (ii) a part fixed with the elongate member.

6. A scaffolding unit according to Claim 5, in which said fixed part comprises part of a clamp for attaching the unit to the pole.

7. A scaffolding unit according to any preceding claim, comprising a locating member for location on a toeboard which extends transversely to said pole.

8. A scaffolding unit according to Claim 7, in which said locating member comprises a portion which extends transverse to the elongate member and a downwardly projecting portion.

9. A scaffolding unit according to Claim 7 or 8, in which said locating member forms part of clamp means for attaching the unit to the pole.

10. A scaffolding unit which is substantially as described with reference to the drawings.