GB2543933A

GB2543933A - Bracket

Info

Publication number: GB2543933A
Application number: GB1615966.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Taylor Mark
Original assignee: Ischebeck Titan Ltd
Current assignee: Ischebeck Titan Ltd
Priority date: 2016-09-20
Filing date: 2016-09-20
Publication date: 2017-05-03
Anticipated expiration: 2036-09-20
Also published as: GB2543933B; GB201615966D0

Abstract

A bracket 1 comprising a main body 2 which is fixable to a construction in use for supporting a vertical load, and a locking member 3. The main body defines a hook and the locking member is supported by and held captive by the main body at all times. The locking member is selectively movable between a stored position, in which a mouth of the hook is unobstructed by the locking member, and a locked position, in which the mouth of the hook is at least partially obstructed by the locking member. The locking member may be rotatably mounted to the main body and be rotatable through substantially 90 degrees between the stored and locked positions. The locking member may also be tapered at an uppermost end 4 and be slidably mounted to the main body. An access platform system 150 is also claimed.

Description

Bracket

The present disclosure relates to a bracket, in particular to a bracket suitable for supporting an access platform, which may support workers, formwork or similar on a construction, and for preventing uplift of the access platform from the bracket.

Access platforms are widely used in the construction of buildings, especially in the construction of high rise buildings that are provided with substructures formed from cast concrete. The access platforms are mountable, using suitable brackets, to generally vertical surfaces of those substructures. The access platforms allow access to those surfaces for necessary work thereon and/or are used to support formwork shuttering for additional casting operations to increase the height of the substructure.

Brackets, which are fixed to the generally vertical surfaces at appropriate points, are provided to support the vertical load of the access platforms in use.

These are typically hook like in form and fixed to cast in anchor bolts, or similar.

For safety purposes it is necessary to prevent uplift of the access platform from the brackets. Various solutions to the problem of uplift have been proposed, including removable pins, or similar. However, prior art solutions to the problem of uplift have all suffered from drawbacks, most commonly the risk that the pin (or other anti-uplift member) is lost or, worse than this, is dropped in use.

Also, a problem arises when the access platforms are to be mounted on the brackets. There is often limited visibility, wherein it is not easy to visually confirm correct alignment/engagement of an access platform with the brackets.

The present invention arose in a bid to provide an improved bracket for supporting an access platform that obviates one or more of the problems encountered with the prior art.

According to the present invention in a first aspect, there is provided a bracket comprising a main body, which is fixable to a construction in use for supporting a vertical load; and a locking member, wherein the main body defines a hook, and the locking member is supported by the main body and is held captive by the main body at all times, and wherein the locking member is selectively movable between a stored position in which a mouth of the hook is unobstructed by the locking member and a locking position in which the mouth of the hook is at least partially obstructed by the locking member.

With the locking member held captive by the main body of the bracket, there is no risk that the locking member becomes separated from the bracket and, more importantly, there is no risk that it can be dropped from height. The locking member is always available for the effective prevention of uplift of any member that is supported by the bracket. Moreover, it is readily movable to allow for the desired disengagement of the access platform from the bracket.

According to the present invention in a further aspect, there is provided a bracket comprising: a main body, which is fixable to a construction in use for supporting a vertical load; and a locking member, wherein the main body defines a hook, the locking member is selectively movable between a stored position in which a mouth of the hook is unobstructed by the locking member and a locking position in which the mouth of the hook is at least partially obstructed by the locking member, and an uppermost portion of the locking member is tapered.

According to the present invention in a yet further aspect, there is provided a bracket comprising: a main body, which is fixable to a construction in use for supporting a vertical load; and a locking member, wherein the main body is hook shaped, the locking member is selectively movable between a stored position in which a mouth of the hook is unobstructed by the locking member and a locking position in which the mouth of the hook is at least partially obstructed by the locking member, and an uppermost portion of a tip of the hook is tapered. The locking member may be supported by the main body and held captive thereby at all times. The taper may be defined by a portion of the main body or, as below, by the locking member itself.

Preferably, in any of the above aspects, the locking member is tapered. Most preferably, an uppermost portion of the locking member is tapered. The uppermost portion of the locking member may be provided at a tip of the hook, in which case the uppermost portion of the tip could, in some instances, be considered to be defined by the locking member. Most preferably, when the locking member is in the stored position, the uppermost portion is oriented such that, with a rear portion of the main body fixed to the construction, the taper acts to deflect any vertical load that is brought to bear on the uppermost portion to a left or right hand side of the hook.

The uppermost portion of the locking member may comprise a plate. In this case, when the locking member is in the stored position, a plane of the plate preferably lies substantially parallel to a mounting surface of the main body.

With the provision of a tapered locking member, the locking member may provide additional useful functionality. The locking member can deflect a vertical load to the left or right hand side of the hook in use. The result is that it becomes difficult for a portion of the access platform to be erroneously rested on the bracket without the access platform being properly engaged with the bracket. This is the case, for example, when the access bracket comprises a horizontal support beam that is arranged to be received by the hook for supporting the vertical load of the access platform, and the support beam is fixed to the access platform using a support beam bracket. In prior arrangements, with the bracket obstructed from view, there is a risk that the support beam bracket may be erroneously rested on the bracket. However, with the tapered locking member, in the event the access platform is misaligned with the bracket and the support beam bracket is lowered onto the tapered locking member, it will be deflected off the bracket. The misalignment will instantly be recognized. Alignment errors can be remedied without causing any safety risks.

Further, preferred, features are presented in the dependent claims.

According to the present invention in a still further aspect, there is provided an access platform system comprising a bracket as defined in any of the statements above and an access platform supportable by the access bracket, the access platform comprising a support beam that is supported by the main body, wherein, in the locking position, the locking member prevents uplift of the support beam from the bracket.

Non-limiting embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a rear perspective view of a bracket according to a first embodiment;

Figure 2 shows a rear perspective view of the bracket of Figure 1 with the locking member removed;

Figure 3 shows a front perspective view of the bracket of Figure 1 with the locking member removed;

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the locking member;

Figure 5 shows a side view of the bracket of Figure 1 with the locking member removed;

Figure 6a and 6b show side views of the bracket of Figure 1 with a support member of an access platform in situ, the bracket is shown in unlocked and locked positions respectively; and

Figure 7 shows a side view of an access platform supported by the bracket of Figure 1.

The present invention provides a bracket 1 comprising a main body 2 and a locking member 3. The bracket is fixable to a construction (100, Figure 7) in use for supporting a vertical load. The main body defines a hook. The locking member is selectively movable between a stored position in which a mouth of the hook is unobstructed by the locking member (as clearly seen in Figures 1 and 6a) and a locking position in which the mouth of the hook is at least partially obstructed by the locking member (as clearly seen in Figure 6b). The mouth of the hook is the open portion of the hook, which receives any element to be supported by the main body. The mouth is held to be obstructed when any part of the locking member projects into or across any part of the mouth so as to obstruct, at least to a degree, the passage of any element (that is to be supported by the bracket) into or out or the mouth. In accordance with the disclosed arrangement, the locking member, in the locking position, prevents uplift from the bracket of any element supported thereby.

In accordance with a first aspect, the locking member 3 is supported by the main body 2 and is held captive by the main body 2 at all times. In accordance with a second aspect, an uppermost portion 4 of the locking member 3 is tapered.

It is envisaged that embodiments may be provided that include one of the first and second aspects only. In the description that follows, however, a preferred embodiment is described, which incorporates both aspects.

The main body 2, which defines the hook, is formed in the present arrangement from several suitably sized/shaped plates that are welded together, as shown. Its form is not to be limited, however. The main body may take alternative forms that define hooks and/or may be differently manufactured, including, for example, by machining or casting, or otherwise.

The locking member 3, as seen most clearly in Figure 4, is received by the main body and held captive thereby at all times. The locking member may be mounted, as shown, such that it is movable between the stored position and the locking position by sliding and rotating it relative to the main body. Of course, numerous alternative arrangements will be possible, as will be readily envisaged by those skilled in the art. In the present arrangement the locking member 3 is rotatable through 90 degrees between the storage and locking positions. The locking member 3 is raised in the locking position as compared to the storage position, by sliding the locking member 3 upward.

The locking member 3, as seen most clearly in Figure 4, comprises a head 4 (which comprises an uppermost portion of the locking member 3) and a body, which comprises a bar 5. The bar 5 is straight and extends substantially vertically in use. The head 4 in the present arrangement is fixed to the bar 5 by welding. In alternative arrangements, the bar 5 and the head may be integrally formed, as will readily appreciated by those skilled in the art. The bar 5 comprises a lug 7, which projects from the body 5 and prevents the removal of the locking member 3 from the main body 2. The lug 7 may comprise a pin or otherwise that projects radially from the bar 5. The lug preferably extends parallel to the head 4.

The bar 5 is preferably received by one or more suitable openings 6 in the main body 2. In the present arrangement, a pair of vertically spaced locking member receiving plates 8, 9 are provided, which comprise aligned openings 6 that receive the bar 5 therethrough. By engagement of the lug 7 with an underside of the upper locking member receiving plate 8, the vertical travel upward of the locking member 3 is restricted, since the bar 5 is prevented from being pulled through the opening 6 in the upper locking member receiving plate 8 by the lug 7. The head 4 limits the vertical travel downward of the locking member 3, either by engagement with another portion of the main body or by engagement with an upper surface of the upper locking member receiving plate 8. The lower locking member receiving plate 9 acts to guide a lower portion of the bar 5 during its movement.

The arrangement is thus such that the locking member 3 is held captive by the main body at all times.

As most clearly seen in Figures 1,4 and 6b, the head 4 of the locking member 3 is tapered. The taper is provided to deflect any vertical load that is brought to bear on the head 4 to a left or right hand side of the hook when the locking member 3 is in the stored position. With the locking member 3 in the stored position, as seen in Figure 1, the head 4 is oriented such that the sloped regions slope down towards the left and right hand sides of the hook.

The form of the taper is not to be limited and may vary in dependence on the specific arrangements of the main body 2 and/or locking member 3 themselves. For example, the head 4 may comprise a curved or pointed tip and/or the taper may be generally straight or curved. It could be semicircular or triangular in form, or otherwise. Numerous forms will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. In the present arrangement, a central region of the head 4, which comprises an uppermost point of the head 4, is generally curved and sloped regions are provided on either side of the central region, which sloped regions slope downward away from the central region. The tapered head 4 has a width that is substantially equal to a width of the main body/hook. Whilst preferred, this need not be the case, the head could be narrower or wider than the main body 2.

The head 4 of the locking member 3 is provided at the tip of the hook and defines the uppermost point of the tip of the hook. The uppermost point of the head 4, which is defined by a central point of the central region, is preferably in alignment with a major axis (X, Figure 1) of the hook when the locking member 3 is in the storage position. The major axis lies at a central point in the widthwise direction of the main body 2. The head 4, and thereby the taper, is preferably symmetrical either side of the central point of the central region of the head 4.

In the present arrangement, the head 4 of the locking member 3 comprises a plate. In alternative arrangements this need not be the case, however. When the locking member 3 is in the stored position, a plane of the plate lies substantially parallel to a mounting surface 10 of the main body 2. By such arrangement, the plane of the plate lies substantially parallel to a surface of the construction (101, Figure 7) when it is in the storage position. In the locking position, the plane of the plate lies substantially parallel to the major axis of the main body/hook and substantially perpendicular to the mounting surface 10 (and thereby the surface of the construction 101). A first locking means is preferably provided for locking the orientation of the locking member when it is in the stored position. In the present arrangement, the first locking means comprises a slot 12 in the main body which receives the head 4 of the locking member 3, as seen most clearly in Figure 1. The slot may define a channel in dependence on the form of the main body 2. The slot 12 preferably conforms closely to the profile of a base portion of the head 4 of the locking member 3, which is received thereby. The slot is formed in a pair or spaced parallel side plates 13 that define the profile of the hook. The side plates 13 are joined to a mounting plate 14, which comprises the mounting surface 10 on its rear. Where the main body is of different form, the slot may be otherwise formed accordingly. In the present arrangement, the head 4 is retained in the slot under the effect of gravity. In alternative arrangements some form of biasing means, such as a spring arrangement could be implemented. In place of a slot, numerous alternative locking means will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art. For example, the slot could be replaced with engaging members that project towards one another on opposed sides of the locking member to prevent its rotation. A second (or further) locking means is preferably provided for locking the orientation of the locking member when it is in the locking position. In the present arrangement, the second locking means comprises a catch. The catch comprises the lug 7 in combination with a profiled slot 11. The profiled slot is provided in a plate 15 that is provided between the side plates 13 and comprises a substantially horizontally extending portion that lies perpendicular to the major axis X. The profiled slot 11 allows for the rotation of the locking member 3 once the locking member has been raised to bring the lug 7 into vertical alignment with the slot 11. During rotation of the locking member 3, the lug 7 travels within the slot 11. The slot has an indentation 16 which is arranged to receive the lug in the locked position.

The lug 7 is retained in the indentation 16 under the effect of gravity, however, as discussed above suitable means could be provided for urging the lug 7 into the indentation. Whilst the profiled slot is provided in the plate 15 it may be otherwise located in the event the main body 2 is otherwise formed. Furthermore, it could take various alternative forms.

The described locking means represent effective low cost locking means. It will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art, however, that these may take any number of alternative forms. The form of the first and second locking means is not to be limited. Moreover, it should be noted that whilst first and second locking means are provided in the present arrangement, in alternative arrangements a single locking means only may be provided, which is configured to selectively lock the locking member 3 in both the locking and stored positions.

It is preferable that the mouth of the hook comprises one or more sloped surfaces 17, 18, which are sloped towards a load bearing surface 19 of the main body, which supports the vertical load in use. In the present arrangement, the one or more sloped surfaces 17, 18 comprise a first sloped surface 17 that is provided at a rear portion of the mouth and a second sloped surface 18 that is provided at a front portion of the mouth. The first sloped surface 17 is provided adjacent the mounting surface 10 of the main body 2 at a first end thereof and adjacent the load bearing surface at a second side thereof. The first sloped surface slopes downward from its first end to its second end, as best seen in Figures 5 and 6. The sloped surface is shown to be straight and to extend at an oblique angle to the vertical/horizontal. It is preferably arranged at an angle of between 30 and 60 degrees to the horizontal. It could, however, be provided at different angles and need not be straight. The second sloped surface 19 is opposed to the first sloped surface. It has a steeper incline in the present arrangement, although this need not be the case, in dependence of the profile of the mouth of the hook. Like the first sloped surface, the second sloped surface may be straight or curved. The load bearing surface 19 may be planar, as shown. It could however be curved or otherwise non-planar. In the present arrangement a substantially square channel is provided, which is particularly suitable for receiving a support beam that has a square profile, as seen in Figures 6a and 6b. The square channel comprises rear and front substantially vertically extending faces 20, 21 at rear and front ends of the load bearing surface 19, respectively. The faces 20, 21 extend to the sloped surfaces 17, 18. In dependence on the form of the support beam, the profile may be altered, as desired.

With reference to Figure 7, there is shown an access platform system 150.

The access platform system 150 comprises one or more of the brackets 1, as described above, and an access platform 103 supportable thereby. The access platform 103 comprises a support beam 104 that is supported by the main body 2. The locking member 3 prevents uplift of the support beam from the bracket when it is in the locking position, as shown in Figures 6b and 7. The access platform further comprises a working platform 107, for supporting workers, and a safety screen 108.

The form of the access platform is not to be limited. The access platform may take any conventional form and may comprise, for example, platform extension members, formwork shuttering, additional suspended platforms, or otherwise, which further alternative arrangements will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art.

As discussed, with the provision of a tapered locking member 3, the locking member can deflect a vertical load to the left or right hand side of the hook in use. In the depicted arrangement, the horizontal support beam 104 is fixed to the access platform using a support beam bracket 105. One or more front to back horizontal platform support members 106 are additionally provided, which support the working platform 17. The bracket 105 and support member 106 may be separate items or integrated, or the support member 106 may directly engage the support beam 104.

In prior arrangements, with the bracket 105/support member 106 obstructed from view, there is a risk that one of these elements could be erroneously rested on the bracket 2. However, with the tapered locking member 3, in the event the access platform 103 is misaligned with the bracket 2 and the support beam bracket 105/front to back horizontal support member 106 is lowered onto the tapered locking member, it will be deflected off the bracket, to the left or right of the bracket 2. The misalignment will instantly be recognized. Alignment errors can be remedied without causing any safety risks.

Claims

1. A bracket comprising: a main body, which is fixable to a construction in use for supporting a vertical load; and a locking member, wherein the main body defines a hook, and the locking member is supported by the main body and is held captive by the main body at all times, and wherein the locking member is selectively movable between a stored position in which a mouth of the hook is unobstructed by the locking member and a locking position in which the mouth of the hook is at least partially obstructed by the locking member.

2. A bracket as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the locking member is rotatably mounted to the main body.

3. A bracket as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the locking member is rotatable through substantially 90 degrees between the stored and locked positions.

4. A bracket as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the locking member is slidably mounted to the main body.

5. A bracket as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein an uppermost portion of the locking member is tapered.

6. A bracket as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the uppermost portion of the locking member is provided at a tip of the hook.

7. A bracket as claimed in Claim 5 or 6, wherein, when the locking member is in the stored position, the uppermost portion is oriented such that, with a rear portion of the main body fixed to the construction, the taper acts to deflect any vertical load that is brought to bear on the uppermost portion to a left or right hand side of the hook.

8. A bracket as claimed in any of Claims 5 to 7, wherein the uppermost portion of the locking member comprises a plate.

9. A bracket as claimed in Claim 8, wherein, when the locking member is in the stored position, a plane of the plate lies substantially parallel to a mounting surface of the main body.

10. A bracket as claimed in any of Claims 5 to 9, wherein the uppermost portion of the locking member comprises a head of the locking member.

11. A bracket as claimed in any of Claims 5 to 10, wherein, when the locking member is in the stored position, an uppermost point of the uppermost portion of the locking member is aligned with a major axis of the main body.

12. A bracket as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a locking means is provided for locking the orientation of the locking member when it is in the stored position.

13. A bracket as claimed in Claim 12, wherein the locking means comprises a slot in the main body which receives the uppermost portion of the locking member.

14. A bracket as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a further locking means is provided for locking the orientation of the locking member when it is in the locking position.

15. A bracket as claimed in Claim 14, wherein the further locking means comprises a latch.

16. A bracket as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the mouth of the hook comprises one or more sloped surfaces, which are sloped towards a load bearing surface of the main body, which supports the vertical load in use.

17. A bracket as claimed in Claim 16, wherein the one or more sloped surfaces comprise a first sloped surface that is provided at a rear portion of the mouth, the first sloped surface being provided adjacent a mounting surface of the main body at a first end thereof and adjacent the load bearing surface at a second side thereof.

18. An access platform system comprising a bracket as claimed in any preceding claim and an access platform supportable by the access bracket, the access platform comprising a support beam that is supported by the main body, wherein, in the locking position, the locking member prevents uplift of the support beam from the bracket.

19. A bracket as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying figures.

20. An access platform system as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying figures.