GB2175218A - Scaffold apparatus for use as a climbing or play frame - Google Patents

Abstract

Scaffolding apparatus including upright members 12, cross-members 13, panel members 14 and tension members 15, which can be push fitted together to form a structure such as a simple play-frame 10 combined with a slide 11. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Scaffold apparatus for use as a climbing or play frame This invention concerns scaffold apparatus for use, for example, as climbing frames, play frames, childrens slide apparatus, or a variety of other supporting assemblies.

Whilst it is relativelystraightforwardto manufacture and instal a purpose built structure, such as a climbing frame or swing, so asto provide sufficient structural stability for safety, such purpose built structures have several disadva ntages, such as high initial cost, and lack of interest for children when the initial novelty has expired. Some such structures havethefurther disadvantage of permanent occupation of a site,whilsthe others, e.g. portable garden swings, are unsuitable for erection by children, are bulky in store, and employ a multiplicity offasteners and vulnerable components which, if the structure is dismantled, are easily lost or damaged.

However, all such known structures are generally constructed for a specific and limited purpose or mode of use, and do not allow children to use their own creative talents, such as those which they demonstrate when building model struturesfrom components such as "Meccano" (RTM) and liketoy constructional sets.

Simple scaling up in size of such toy constructional sets, or use of commercial tubular or slotted angle metal scaffolding, would enable some childrento build playframes and like structures, providedthat they had the necessary tools and skills to use such tools, butthe disadvantages inherent in the employment of a multiplicity of small and vulnerable, e.g. fastening, components remain.

An object ofthe invention is to provide means enabling children (and adults) to construct play (and other) structures in a simple manner primarilyfrom easily handled and relatively large components.

According to the present invention there is provided scaffolding apparatus, for use as a climbing or play frame, comprising several upright members and substantially rigid cross-members; wherein the upright members are formed from plastics or like material, aretubularor hollow and have apertures to receive the cross-members; wherein each of at least some of said cross-members is or can be push fitted, through pairs of said apertures, to extend transversely through and project from at least two of said upright members so as to be held in place by being gripped resiliently by said upright members.

The apparatus may include tension members which engage or are engageablewith atleasttwo cross-members to limit the distance between said cross-members; and may include panels which engage or are engageable with at least two cross-members.

The apparatus is preferably arranged so that assembly may be performed substantially by push-fitting said memberstogether,soastoobviate any need to use tools, except possibly for the use of a light mallet two assist, for example smallerorweaker, children to apply a required thrust.

Whilstthe upright members may be of square, rectangular, or of olher suitable cross-section, the members are preferably of a circular cross-section of a diameterwhich is largerthanthe maximum width or diameter of the cross-members, preferably about twice as large. Each ofthe upright members preferably has an end plug to receive a second upright member, which end plug is preferably transversely apertured to allow a cross-memberto extend through both the second upright member and the end to secure them together.

Each upright member preferably has a first array of said apertures so that a first plane, extending longitudinally ofthe upright member, intersects said apertures; and a second array of apertures which are intersected by a second plane which extends longitudinally of the upright member and is transverse to said first plane. Each array preferably comprises at least two of said pairs of apertures, and the apertures of each pair are preferably diametrically opposed across the upright member.

Each aperture is preferably cylindrical and has an aperture axis which is directed towards the centre line oraxisoftheuprightmember. However,theaperture axes of each pair of apertures, may be slightly non-co-axial, or mutualy offset, or may be slightly offset from, inclined to or non-perpendicularto the said centre line or axis of the upright member, so that said members are slightly stressed when several upright and several cross-members are interconnected, whereby to increase the grip upon the or most of the cross-members. Said misalignments are preferably restricted to less than 5'and imam.

Each tension member preferably comprises a rod or cable having an eye or hook at each end to accept a cross-member as a close sliding fit therein.

Each panel member preferably has a projecting portion at one end, and a recessed portion atthe opposite end, said portions being dimensioned so that a projecting portion of one panel memberfirst into the recessed portion of a next adjacent panel member; and said portions are preferably provided with fasteners which clip or push on to the cross-members, so that a single cross-member can support a recessed portion of one panel member and a projecting portion of an adjacent panel member.

Each cross-member is preferably formed from aluminium or steel tube; is preferably protectively coated; and is preferably provided with a lead, chamfer, or a tapered or rounded plug or cap at each end tofacilitate insertion ofthetubethroughthe apertures.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, wherein Figure 1 shows an example of a structure constructed from scaffold apparatus ofthe invention; and Figures 2to 7show details of parts of the scaffold apparatus.

The apparatus primarily comprises upright members 12, cross-members 13, panel members 14 and tension members 15, which can be push fitted together to form a structure such as a simple play-frame 10 combined with a slide 11, shown in Figure 1.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, each upright member 12 comprises a length of extruded plastics tube 20, e.g. of polyethylene material, and a moulded plastics end plug 21. The tube is slightly less than one metre long, is about 5 cm in diameterand has awall thickness of slightly less than 1/2cm. The wall ofthe tube is apertured at about 1 Ocm intervals to provide two arrays of apertures 22 arranged in diametrically opposed pairs. Each array comprises four pairs, at about 20cm intervals along the tube, arranged so as to be intersected by a plane in which the axis 23 ofthe tube is disposed; and said plane of one array is perpendicularthe plane of the other array. The apertures are about 2.5cm in diameter.

The end plug 21 is fastened in one end ofthetube 20, has a flange 24 and an apertured part25 dimensioned to receive an open end 29 of another tube 20 that the flange 24 is interposed between thetubes 20; to allow the tubes to be secured together by insertion of a cross-member 13 through the apertures 22 in the end 29 and through the part25.

In the absence of a second tube 20 the part 25 serves as aterminal capforthe upright member 12. The aperture orapertures in the part25 are arrangedto extend one ofsaid arrays.

The cross-members 13 are formed from plain steel tube about 2.5cm in diameter, are polymer or resin coated, and are provided with fixed in strong metal end closure 30. Some of the cross-members 13 are slightly more than one metre long and others are fractionally more than halfthis length. The end closures30 have rounded ordomed ends31,as shown in Figure 4, to facilitate the cross-members 13 being pushed into and through the apertures 22.

Referring to Figure 5, each ofthe panel members 14 is slightly less than half a metre long, is about40cm wide, has a first end portion 40 which provides a recess 41, and has a second end portion 42 which provides a projection 43 which is complementary in shape to the recess 41, so that a projection 43 of one panel membercan fit into the recess 41 of a next adjacent panel member. The portions 40 and 42 are provided with clips 44which are a push on fit onto the cross-members 13, as shown in Figure 6.The clips44 are disposed so that a portion 40 ozone panel member end a portion 42 ofan adjacent panel membercan be securedto and supported bya common cross-member 13, so thatthe panel member can form a substantially continuous surfce, e.g. for the slide 11.

In Figures Sand 6the clips 44are depicted as being secured to plywood panels to form the panel members, but it is preferred to mould the panel members from plastics material so asto integrally incorporate the clips. The clips 44 are arranged so that the panel is offset from a supporting cross-member 13 byan amountsufficientto allowthe panel member to extend across the upright member 12 through which the cross-member 13 extends, as shown in Figure 6.

Two lengths of tension member 15, namely about 63cm and 127cm long, are provided, and each tension member is formed from protectively coated steel rod about 1/2cm thick so asto have a closed eye 50 atone end and a hook or open eye 51 atthe other. The eyes 50 and 51 are about 2.5cm in diameter. As shown in Figure 7, the tension member has a moulded plastics retaining clip 52, which clip has an elongate slot 53 therein through which the end 54 ofthe rod can be insertedtoallowtheclipto be manipulated ontothe rod. The clip is a push-on fit onto the cross-member 13, and serves as a spacer between the cross-member and the rod.

The apparatus may further include a spacing guide comprising spigots secured to a rod, for insertion into two or three upright members to hold them ata predetermined spacing whilst cross-members are being inserted. The guide greatly simplifies the task of arranging the upright members at suitable, e.g.

half metre intervals, during assembly of a framework.

Where the framework is of extended height or is subjecttotransverse loads, two ofthetension members can be crossed and joined by their clips centrally to a cross member extending in a first direction between two upright members, and can be connected by their eyes to four other cross-members which extend, transverse to said first direction, through said two upright members, so thatthe tension members serve as diagonal braces for the framework.

The members described are generally dimensioned to permit assembly by simple unidirectional thrust being applied to said members, e.g. to push a cross-memberthrough an eye our a pair of holes, the upright members and clips having sufficient resilience to grip the cross-members.

However, instead of having to make each ofthe apertures small enough to grip a cross-member firmly, it has been found thatthe apertures may be slightly larger so thatthe cross-members can be relatively easily pushed through a single pair of apertures, if there is some slight misalignment ofthe apertures in the upright members so that when a plurality of cross-members are inserted through a plurality of upright members, said misalignments cause said members to bestressedthereby increasing said grip. For example, the axis 26 of one ofthe apertures 22 shown in Figure 3 may be a few degrees off parallel with the axis 27 or 28 of other apertures, or offset by a fraction of a millimetre from the axis 27, or offset so as to pass a millimetre ortwo from the axis 23 instead of intersecting the latter.

Although some slight misalignments may require some slight raising, inclination or other movement of a particular upright member, e.g. the sixth ortenth, as a cross-member, e.g. third orfifth, is being inserted into that particular upright member after being passed through one or two other upright members, it has been found that such slight movements cause no difficulty and usually occur naturallywhen a structure is being assemblied.

Even if the misalignments are produced randomly during manufacture ofthe apparatus, they are so small asto minimisetheconsequencesofanybuild up arising cumulatively during assembly. However, if a structure has been stood for sometime, especially upon an uneven surface, said grip may be such that children may find difficulty in removing a particular cross-member.Asmall mallet may be included inthe apparatus, to enable a strongly gripped cross memberto be tapped free.

The invention is not confined to the precise details oftheforegoing example, and many variations and rnodifications are possible within the scope ofthe invention. For example, the upright and cross members may be of any suitable hollow, e.g.

non-circular, cross-sections, and may be made from any suitable materials of which the cross-members are made from a material which is less resilient than the material from which the upright members are made. The latter may be made from any durable plastics, polymer or elastomer based material which has good long term geometrical stability, is slightly resilient and has low plasticity at usual ambient temperatures, which material may contain a filler and/or reinforcement.

Some or all ofthe upright members may be provided with further arrays of holes, e.g. a further array in a plane at about 45" to the other two planes described.

The upright members may be moulded to include the end plugs, or at leastthe parts 25 thereof.

Although the apparatus described does not include any fasteners or other small components which are easily lost, awkward for children to actuate, or require tools for actuation or installation thereof, security locking means may be provided forthe apparatus to enable a built structure to be protected, e.g. against unwanted dis-assembly or removal of components.

For example, a parent orteacher maywish to ensure that a basic framework of a structure is not altered by children whilstwishing to permitthechildremto move certain other parts of the structure. Such locking means preferably comprises collar devices such as the device 32 shown in Figure 4which can be slid onto the free ends to the cross-members and secured thereto by a fastener 33 which is actuable by means of a special tool, or by a thumb-screw or other manuallyactuablefastener,especiallyafastener which is resistant to being actuated by small children.

For use in constructing semi-permanent structures, e.g. for infant school use, the panel members may be arranged so as not to be removablewithout disturbing the cross-members to which they are attached or without releasing panel locking means.

For example, instead of the clips 44 supports having eyes, through which the cross-members can be inserted, may be provided on the panels, so thatthe panel members can only be installed or removed by insertion orwithdrawal ofthe relevant cross member (which can be locked in situ by the locking devices 32).

Although all the members described are more than half and less than one and a half metres long, so asto be easily manipulated by children, members of other lengths may be provided e.g.to assist adults to construct structures such as scaffolds forworkmen ratherthan children.

The apparatus can be employed to construct an enormous number of utilitarian and play structures; is particularlyconvenientto store, e.g. on shelving or in a box madefrom its own components; issimpleto manufacture; need haveasfewasthreeoffour primary types of components; and is particularly durable.

Claims (18)

1. Scaffolding apparatus, for use as a climbing or play frame, comprising several upright members and substantially rigid cross-members; wherein the upright members areformed from plastics or like material, are tubular or hollow and have apertures to receive the cross-members; wherein each of at least some of said cross-members is or can be push fitted, through pairs of said apertures, to extend transversely through and project from at least two of said upright members so asto be held in place by being gripped resiliently by said upright members.

2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 2 arranged so that assembly may be performed substantially by push-fitting said members together.

3. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the upright members are of a circular cross-section of a diameter which is largerthan the maximum width or diameter of the cross-members.

4. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 3whereinthe diameter ofthe upright members is about twice the diameterofthe cross-members.

5. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1,2,3 or4 wherein each ofthe upright members has an end plug to receive a second upright member.

6. Apparatus as claimed in Claim Swherein each end plug is transversely apertured to allow a cross-memberto extend through both the second upright member and the end plug to secure them together.

7. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein each upright member has a first array of said apertures arranged so that a first plane, extending longitudinally of the upright member, intersects said apertures; and has a second array of apertures which are intersected buy a second plane which extends longitudinally ofthe upright member and is transverseto said first plane.

8. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 7 wherein each array comprises at least two of said pairs of apertures, and the apertures of each pair are diametrically opposed across the upright member.

9. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 8 wherein each aperture is cylindrical and has an aperture axis which is directed towards the centre line or axis ofthe upright member; and wherein the aperture axes of each pair of apertures are slightly non-co-axial, or mutually offset, or are slightly offset from, inclined to or non-perpendicularto the said centre line or axis of the upright member.

10. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein each cross member is provided with a lead or chamfer, or a tapered or rounded plug or cap at each end to facilitate insertion of the cross-member through the apertures.

11. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim and further including tension memberswhich engage or are engageable with at least two cross-members to limit the distance between said cross-members.

12. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 11 wherein each tension membercomprisesarodorcable having an eye or hook at each end to accept a cross-member as a close sliding fittherein.

13. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim and further including panels which engage or are engageable with at least two cross-members.

14. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 13wherein each panel member has a projecting portion at one end, and a recessed portion at the opposite end, said portions being dimensioned so that a projecting portion of one panel member fits into the recessed portion of a next adjacent panel member; and wherein said portions are provided with fasteners which clip or push on to the cross-members, so that a single cross-membercan support a recessed portion of one panel member and a projecting portion of an adjacent panel member.

15. Scaffolding apparatus comprising several upright members, and substantially rigid cross-members, wherein the upright members are constructed substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1,2 and 3 ofthe accompanying drawings.

16. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 15wherein the cross-members are constructed substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 and 4ofthe accompanying drawings.

17. Apparatus as claimed in claim 15 or 16 further comprising panels arranged or shape substantially as herein before described with reference to Figures 1 and 5 ofthe accompanying drawings.

18. Scaffolding apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.