GB2432874A

GB2432874A - Handrail support

Info

Publication number: GB2432874A
Application number: GB0524741A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Mclean
Original assignee: ZND UK Ltd
Current assignee: ZND UK Ltd
Priority date: 2005-12-03
Filing date: 2005-12-03
Publication date: 2007-06-06
Anticipated expiration: 2025-12-03
Also published as: GB0524741D0; GB2432874B

Abstract

A handrail support 111, 116 is provided for supporting a handrail above a trestle 101. The trestle 101 has a supporting rail 504 with end plates 505, 506 at each end. The handrail support 111, 116 comprises a post having means for attachment of a handrail 117, 118, 119, 120 and a foot 202 permanently attached to the post. The foot 202 comprises a U-shaped section to fit over the supporting rail 504. A securing mechanism is provided which is moveable between a first configuration in which the U-shaped section is locatable over and removable from the supporting rail 504 and a second configuration in which the U-shaped section is secured to the supporting rail 504. A gap 207 may be provided between the foot 202 and the post to receive one of the end plates 505, 506. The securing mechanism may be a pin 212 which passes through holes 210, 211 formed in the U-shaped section of the foot 202.

Description

I

A Handrail Support

Background of the Invention

The present invention relates to a handrail support for supporting a handrail above a trestle and apparatus for providing a platform above ground level which includes such a handrail.

Where a platform is supported above ground by trestles, it is known to support a handrail above the trestles to provide safety to a person standing on the platform. However, known systems either make use of io specially designed trestles, or they are time consuming to assemble; possibly having many parts or requiring the use of tools.

Brief Summary of the Invention

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a handrail support for supporting a handrail above a trestle having a supporting rail terminated with an end plate at each of its ends, said handrail support comprising: a post having means for attachment of a handrail; a foot permanently attached to said post at or near to one end of said post; and a securing mechanism for securing said foot to said trestle, wherein said foot comprises a U-shaped section configured to fit over a supporting rail of a trestle, and said securing mechanism is moveable between: a first configuration in which the U-shaped section is locatable over the supporting rail and removable from the supporting rail; and a second configuration in which said U-shaped section is secured to said supporting rail.

Brief Description of the Several Views of the Drawings Figure 1 shows apparatus 100 for providing a platform above ground level; Figures 2A and 2B show a perspective view and a side cross- 2300-P 1 04-GB sectional view respectively of handrail support 111; Figure 3 shows a more detailed perspective view of the lower end of the handrail support 111; Figures 4A and 4B show a partially formed foot 401, and a fully formed foot 202 respectively; Figure 5 shows the builders' trestle 101 separate from the handrail supports 111 and 116; Figure 6 shows the builders' trestle 101 and the handrail supports 111 and 116 assembled together; Figure 7 shows the handrail 107A of Figure 1; Figures 8 and 9 show a guard panel 801 suitable for use with the handrail supports of Figure 1 in a perspective view and a rear view respectively; Figure 10 shows apparatus 1000 supporting a platform 104 above the ground and including a pair of similar guard panels 801A and 801 B. Written Description of the Best Mode for Carrying out the Invention Figure 1 Apparatus 100 for providing a platform above ground level is shown in Figure 1. The apparatus 100 includes three similar builders' trestles 101, 102 and 103 which support a platform 104 on their supporting rails (shown in Figures 5 and 6). In the present example the platform 104 comprises four scaffold boards laid side by side.

The platform 104 is suitable for supporting a person, such as person 105 shown in dotted outline. To provide a safe working environment for the person 105, the apparatus 100 includes handrails 106A, 106B, 107A, 107B, 108A, 108B, 109A, 109B, 1IOA and IIOB supported above the trestles, 101, 102 and 103, by means of handrail supports 111, 112, 113, 114, 115 and 116. The handrails are arranged in pairs such that a pair of handrails extend in parallel between two adjacent handrail supports.

2300-P 104-GB Each handrail support comprises a post that extends vertically during use and has a pair of eyelets on each of two opposing sides. For example, hand rail support Ill has two eyelets 117 and 118 on one side of its post and eyelets 119 and 120 on its opposite side. The handrails have a peg formed on each of their ends that are configured to be located in the eyelets. Consequently, a handrail is supported by locating its two pegs in eyelets of adjacent handrail supports.

The handrail supports also have a hook shaped member which may be used to support a toe-board just above the platform along one edge of its edges. Thus, as shown in Figure 1, a first toe-board 121 is supported by hook-shaped members 122 of handrail supports 111, 112 and 113, while similar hook-shaped members (not shown)of handrail supports 114, 115 and 116 supporttoe-board 123.

Figures 2A, 2B and 3 Handrail support 111 is shown in the perspective view of Figure 2A and the side cross-sectional view of Figure 2B, while a more detailed perspective view of the lower end of the handrail support is shown in Figure 3. The handrail support comprises a post 201 to which is permanently attached a foot 202. The foot 202 comprises a U-shaped section having substantially planar upper-wall 203 and side-walls 204 and 205. The side-walls are rigidly fixed to the post by welds, while a gap 207 is provided between the upper-wall 203 and the post 201.

The side-walls 204 and 205 each have an outwardly protruding ridge 208 and 209 respectively on either side of the gap 207. The ridges extend from the upper edge of the side-wall to the lower edge, and their purpose will be explained below with reference to Figures 5 and 6.

The side-wall 204 has a circular aperture 210 located near to its lower edge and towards the end of the foot. A similar aperture 211 is similarly positioned within the side-wall 205 so that the two apertures are 2300-P 1 04-GB aligned. A locking pin 212 is provided with the handrail support for securing the handrail support to a trestle. The pin has a cylindrical portion configured to be a good fit within the apertures 210 and 211 and a sufficient length to extend through both said apertures. The pin 212 has a square-shaped head 213 at one end, to which is attached a spring clip 214. The clip 214 is sprung such that it is stable in the open position shown in Figure 3 and a closed position in which its end 215 is positioned around the circular end of pin 212. Consequently, the pin 212 may be located through holes 210 and 211 while the clip is in the open position, and then the clip may be pulled io and snapped into its closed position, in which it resists the removal of the pin from the holes. Thus, the clip prevents inadvertent removal of the pin from the holes when closed.

As shown in Figure 3, the pin 212 is connected to the lower end of the post 201 by a chain 216 to prevent it's accidental loss.

In alternative embodiments the pin and clip are replaced with a nut and bolt, or other means of providing a bar across the lower edges of the side-walls.

The hook-shaped member 122 extends from the same side of the post 201 as the foot 202. The hook-shaped member has a base portion 217 extending perpendicularly from the post 201 and a side portion 218 at right angles to the base portion. The post 201 and the hook-shaped member 122 thus form a channel into which may be located a wooden plank to provide a toe-board.

The hook-shaped member may be formed by bending a single piece of steel or by welding together two pieces at right angles. The hook-shaped member is itself rigidly, permanently attached to the post 201 by a weld 220.

The post 201 itself is a straight piece of 40mm x 40mm box-section steel, and the eyelets are 40mm lengths of 22mm diameter steel tube welded to the side of the post.

2300-P 1 04-GB Figures 4A & 4B The method of manufacturing the foot 202 is illustrated by Figures 4A and 4B. A partially formed foot 401 is shown in Figure 4A and the fully formed foot 202 is shown in Figure 4B.

The foot 202 is manufactured from a single rectangular sheet of steel. Firstly, a portion is cut from the rectangular sheet to produce a rectangular slot 402 extending from one of its edges, and the holes 210 and 211 are drilled. The steel sheet is then folded to produce the ridges 208 and 209, which have a triangular section and extend along a line parallel with the edge 403 of the sheet. The formation of the ridges 208 and 209 completes the production of the partially formed foot 401 as shown in Figure 4A.

The partially formed foot 401 is then folded at right angles along a pair of lines, 404 and 405, perpendicular to the edge 403, so that the folds is extend to the corners of the slot 402. Thus, the sheet is bent into a U-shape to form the completed foot as shown in Figure 4B. Portions 410 and 411 of the sheet adjacent to the edge 403 on either side of the slot 402 are then positioned and welded to either side of the post 201 to permanently fix it.

Figures 5&6 It is anticipated that the handrail supports, such as handrail support 111, may be sold separately to trestles such as trestle 101. A person requiring a platform above ground level will then obtain and assemble a number of trestles, handrail supports, handrails etc. to meet their requirements. The first stages in assembling an apparatus, such as apparatus 100, to provide a platform are illustrated by Figures 5 and 6.

The builders' trestle 101 and the handrail supports 111 and 116 are shown separately in Figure 5 and assembled together in Figure 6.

The trestle 101 has two main components: a rigid frame 501 having a pair of hollow legs 502 and 503; and a supporting rail 504 which has an 2300-P 1 04-GB end plate 505, 506 at each end and a pair of inner legs 507, 508. The inner legs are arranged to be slidable within the hollow legs 502, 503 of the frame 501 and to be fixed in position by locating pins 509, 510 through holes 511, 512 in the hollow legs 502, 503 and through one of a series of holes 513, 514 in the inner legs 507, 508. Thus, the supporting rail height is adjustable by sliding the inner legs within the hollow legs and selecting a required one of the series of holes in the inner legs.

The end plates 505, 506 have a portion that extends higher than the general level of the supporting rail 504. Consequently, in use boards may io be laid on the supporting rail 504 to form a platform, and the end plates 505, 506 retain the boards in place.

Initially when assembling apparatus to form a platform, trestles, such as trestle 101, are located at the required position of the platform, and the height of the supporting rails is adjusted to that required. The handrail supports, such as handrail supports 111 and 116 are then attached to the end of the trestle support rails as shown in Figure 6. This is achieved, for example, by lowering the U-shaped foot 202 over the support rail 504 while passing the upper portion of the end plate 505 through the gap 207 between the upper wall 203 of the foot and the post 201. The locking pin 212 is then passed through the holes 211 and 210 beneath the supporting rail 504 to secure the handrail support to the supporting rail. With the pin 212 in place, the clip 214 is rotated and snapped into its closed position to ensure that the pin does not inadvertently become removed during use.

It may be noted that the end plates 505, 506 are welded to the ends of the supporting rail 504, and consequently, on some trestles, weld material 515 may protrude from the side of the supporting rail 504 and end plate 505, 506 at their interface. However, the ridges 208, 209 extending down the side of the feet 202 of the handrail supports provide clearance between the inside of the foot, and the supporting rail and end plate.

Therefore, weld material 515 does not prevent the feet of handrail supports 2300-P 1 04-GB from being located properly.

Once the handrail supports are secured to the trestles, boards may be positioned on the upper surface of the feet (202) and supporting rails of the trestles to provide a platform. Toe-boards are then located in the hook-shaped members, such as member 122, and handrails are hooked into place, by locating their pegs into the eyelets, such as 117 and 118, of the handrail supports.

Figure 7 The handrail 107A of Figure 1 is shown on its own in Figure 7. The handrail 107A comprises: a rail 701 in the form of a square-section steel bar; and a pair of pegs 702, 703 in the form of cylindrical steel rods. The steel rods are welded to each end of rail such that they extend perpendicularly to the length of the rail. The pegs 702, 703 are shaped such that their free ends are tapered to assist the insertion of the pegs into the eyelets of the handrail supports.

Figures 8 & 9 A guard panel 801 suitable for use with the handrail supports of Figure 1, is shown in the perspective view of Figure 8 and the rear view of Figure 9.

The guard panel 801 comprises a welded steel frame 802 formed from steel bars 803, 804, 805 and 806 arranged in the form of a rectangle and steel bar 807 which divides the rectangle into a lower section and upper section. A continuous steel sheet 808 is welded across the lower section to provide a toe-board, and a wire grill 809 is welded across the upper section to provide a safety barrier.

The guard panel 801 also has connecting parts, in the form of two hooks 810 fixed to each of its two vertical edges. The hooks themselves are each formed from a steel rod 811 and a spacer 812 welded to the steel 2300-P 104-GB bars 803 and 805 of the frame 802. The steel rod 811 is similar to the pegs 702, 703 of the handrail 107A, having a circular section and a tapered free end. The steel rods 810 are also similarly dimensioned to the handrail pegs and positioned to fit into the eyelets of a handrail support in place of a pair of hand rails.

Figure 10 Apparatus 1000 supporting a platform 104 above the ground and including a pair of similar guard panels 801A and 801B is shown in Figure 10. The apparatus 1000 is substantially the same as shown in Figure 1, and similar components of the apparatus have been numbered accordingly.

However, handrails I 08A and I 08B have been removed and replaced by the guard panel 801A of the type shown in Figures 8 and 9. Similarly, handrails IIOA and IIOB have been removed and replaced by the guard panel 801B.

As shown in Figure 10, the guard panels provide a safety barrier for a person using the platform 104 and in addition the panel 808 along the bottom of the guard panel provides a toe-board.

In an alternative embodiment the guard panel is provided with eyelets in place of hooks 810, and the handrail supports are provided with upstanding hooks for mating with said eyelets.

In other alternative embodiments other connecting means are used in place of the hook and eye system, but in each embodiment, the handrail support is provided with a plurality of first connecting parts which are configured to mate with second connecting parts on the guard panels.

It should also be noted that such a guard panel may be used with other types of posts extending upwards from a trestle, provided such posts are provided with connecting parts to mate with those of the panel. Thus, for example, the post may form an integral part of the trestle.

Claims

2300-P 1 04-GB Claims 1. A handrail support for supporting a handrail

above a trestle having a supporting rail terminated with an end plate at each of its ends, said handrail support comprising: a post having means for attachment of a handrail; a foot permanently attached to said post; and a securing mechanism for securing said foot to said trestle, wherein said foot comprises a U-shaped section configured to fit over a supporting rail of a trestle, and said securing mechanism is moveable between: a first configuration in which the U-shaped section is locatable over the supporting rail and removable from the supporting rail; and a second configuration in which said U-shaped section is secured to said supporting rail.

2. A handrail support according to claim 1, wherein a slot is provided between said foot and said post, and said slot is configured to receive an end plate of a supporting rail of a trestle when said U-shaped section is located around the supporting rail.

3. A handrail support according to claim 2, wherein side walls of said U-shaped section are provided with outwardly extending ridges to providing clearance between said U-shaped section and an end plate of a supporting rail.

4. A handrail support according to any one of claims I to 3, wherein said securing mechanism comprises a pin and a pair of apertures through opposing sides of the U-shaped section, said apertures being configured to receive said pin to secure the U-shaped section to a supporting rail of a trestle.

2300-P 1 04-GB 5. A handrail support according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said means for attachment of a handrail comprises an eyelet rigidly attached to a side of said post.

6. A handrail support according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said means for attachment of a handrail comprises a pair of eyelets rigidly attached to a side of said post.

7. A handrail support according to any one of claims I to 6, further io comprising a hook-shaped member extending from said post for supporting a toe-board during use.

8. A handrail support according to any one of claims I to 7, wherein said U-shaped support is formed from a single sheet steel.

9. Apparatus for providing a platform above ground level comprising: a plurality of trestles; a plurality of handrail supports according to any of the preceding claims; and a number of handrails each connected between a pair of said handrail supports.

10. Apparatus for providing a platform above ground level comprising: a plurality of trestles; a plurality of handrail supports according to any of the preceding claims; and a guard panel having connecting means on each of two opposing edges that are configured to attach to the means of attachment on said 2300-P 1 04-GB posts.

11. A handrail support for supporting a handrail above a trestle substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying Figures.