AU2016302386A1

AU2016302386A1 - A scaffolding fitting and scaffolding safety measures incorporating the fitting

Info

Publication number: AU2016302386A1
Application number: AU2016302386A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Carmelo CASSISI
Original assignee: Sbf Secura Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Sbf Secura Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2015-08-05
Filing date: 2016-07-01
Publication date: 2018-03-29
Also published as: WO2017020067A1

Abstract

The scaffolding fitting is in the form of a spring back hinge assembly (10), which includes two clamps in the form of steel half couplers (12, 14). The half couplers (12, 14) are separated by a hinge arrangement formed from an upper stop (20) and a lower stop (30). First half coupler (12) is keyed to upper stop (20) by way of recess (26) (best seen in figure 1). A flat steel plate (50) is keyed to lower stop (30) by way of recess (36). Second half coupler (14) is attached to plate (50) by a nut and bolt (52). A compression spring (42) is held in compression on the end of bolt (40). The force exerted by spring (42) urges together two inclined contact surfaces (22, 32) of the stops (20, 30) to bias the hinge assembly to a rest position.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to scaffolding fittings and particularly relates to a scaffold fitting which provides a biased hinge arrangement that is useful in constructing safety measures in scaffolding and formwork installations. Non-limiting examples of typical contexts in which embodiments of the invention may be employed include permanent guard railing around access points and temporary roof hand railing around access points.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Access points are typically provided in scaffolding installations in the region of 15 the upper ends of ladders, stairs and handrails so that operators can move between the object and the platform of the scaffolding. These access points usually take the form of interruptions or gaps in the handrail that is typically provided along the edge of and within a scaffolding platform. The term “open penetrations” is used by some persons skilled in the art to describe such interruptions or gaps.

The gaps in the handrail adjacent to ladders and stairs present a fall risk to operators working on the platform that they may fall through the gaps. To address this it has been tried to install spring loaded safety gates in association with these gaps. The safety gates typically include a fixed portion which is required to be mounted to a region of vertical scaffolding and a moveable portion which is attached to the fixed portion by way of two or more hinges. The moveable portion is sprung loaded so that the safety gate swings closed. The moveable portion of the safety gate typically comes to rest against a region of scaffolding on the opposite side of the access point to the mounted fixed portion.

However, in many cases the safety gate is not readily adapted for use with the access point at hand. There may not be a convenient scaffolding upright to attach to, or the moveable portion may not be of a size suitable for the access point. Additional

WO 2017/020067

PCT/AU2016/050581 fabrication of the scaffolding installation, or modification of the safety gate, is often required to make a suitably safe installation which requires expenditure of time, effort and use of additional materials.

There remains a need for improved safety measures in scaffolding installations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect the present invention provides a scaffold fitting including: first and second clamps for attaching to tubular scaffold members; the first and second clamps being separated by a hinge arrangement; wherein the hinge arrangement is biased towards a rest position.

Preferably the hinge arrangement includes first and second members having inclined contacting surfaces that are arranged to rotate relative to one another.

An embodiment includes a spring which urges the contacting surfaces of the first and second members together. Preferably the spring surrounds a shaft which defines the axis of relative rotation of the first and second members.

In one embodiment the rest position is dictated by the first and second members. Preferably the first and second members include cooperating step portions which define the rest position. This embodiment further includes secondary step portions which define a maximum degree of opening of the hinge arrangement.

Preferably either of the first or the second clamp is rotatable with respect to the hinge arrangement.

In another aspect the invention provides a safety measure for use in a scaffolding installation including a scaffold fitting as described above.

In an embodiment of the safety measure, one of the clamps of the scaffold 25 fitting attaches to a fixed scaffold member and the second clamp attaches to a moveable scaffold member which acts as a safety barrier. In such an arrangement the fixed scaffolding member may be disposed in a substantially horizontal orientation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of

WO 2017/020067

PCT/AU2016/050581 example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure lisa perspective view of a first embodiment of a scaffolding fitting;

Figure 2 is a front view of the first embodiment;

Figure 3 is a left view of the first embodiment;

Figure 4 is an underside view of the first embodiment;

Figures 5 and 6 show safety barrier installations using the scaffolding fitting of the first embodiment;

Figure 7 shows another safety barrier installation using a modified version of the first embodiment;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a scaffolding fitting;

Figure 9 is a front view of the second embodiment;

Figure 10 is a left view of the second embodiment;

Figure 11 is a right view of the second embodiment;

Figure 12 is an underside view of the second embodiment; and 15 Figure 13 is a plan view of the second embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to figures 1 to 4, a scaffolding fitting in the form of a spring back 20 hinge assembly 10 is shown which includes two clamps in the form of steel half couplers 12, 14. The half couplers 12, 14 are separated by a hinge arrangement formed from an upper stop 20 and a lower stop 30 which are moulded from a rugged metal material such as steel. In another embodiment, the upper and lower stops 20 and 30 are made from a plastics material and in yet another embodiment they are made from a rubber material.

First half coupler 12 is keyed to upper stop 20 by way of recess 26 (best seen in figure 1). A flat steel plate 50 is keyed to lower stop 30 by way of recess 36 (best seen in figure 4). Second half coupler 14 is attached to plate 50 by a nut and bolt 52. In another embodiment, the second half coupler 14 is attached to plate 50 by other means, such as tack welding, for example.

A mushroom bolt or flat-headed bolt 40 passes through a hole provided in the

WO 2017/020067

PCT/AU2016/050581 first half coupler 12 and also through central apertures provided through the centres of stops 20, 30. A compression spring 42 is held in compression on the end of bolt 40 by a washer 44 and nylon locknut 46. The head 40a of bolt 40 is visible in figure 1 inside the first half coupler 12.

The force exerted by spring 42, along with the shapes of recesses 26 and 36, serves to retain half coupler 12 engaged with recess 26 and to keep plate 50 engaged with recess 36. Furthermore, as best seen in figure 2, the spring 42 urges together two inclined contact surfaces 22, 32 of the stops 20, 30 to bias the hinge assembly to a rest position as shown. In the rest position, step portion 24 of stop 20 abuts step portion 34 of stop 30.

The hinge assembly can be moved to rotate the half coupler 12 with respect to half coupler 14 by relative rotation of stop 20 with respect to stop 30. Commencing at the rest position, the hinge assembly can only be rotated in one direction which is in the direction which leads to the separation of the step portions 24, 34. At the same time, the relative movement of the two inclined surfaces 22, 32 forces the stops 20, 30 away from one another and increases the compressive force exerted by spring 42.

Referring to figure 3, the movement of the hinge away from the rest position is limited by secondary step portions 26, 36. The stop 20 is able to rotate by approximately 90 degrees with respect to stop 30 until the secondary step portions 26,

36 come into contact with one another and resist further rotation. In another embodiment rotation past approximately 90 degrees is resisted because the spring 42 is compressed to its compression limit.

For some applications it may be desirable to reverse the direction of rotation. One method of achieving this is by disassembling the hinge assembly 10 so as to remove the stops 20 and 30. The stops 20 and 30 may then be flipped upside down and then reinstalled. Another method of achieving this, which doesn’t require disassembly, is simply to invert the entire scaffold fitting 10 and attach it to the scaffold member 70 in the inverted state.

The hinge assembly can be held open against the pressure of spring 42. When the hinge assembly is released the force of spring 42 acting on the inclined contact

WO 2017/020067

PCT/AU2016/050581 surfaces 22, 32 causes rotation of the stops 20, 30 back to the rest position.

The scaffolding fitting 10 is ideal for use in constructing safety measures in scaffolding installation, formwork platforms and perimeter edge protection handrail access points. Referring to figure 5, scaffolding fitting 10 is shown with second half coupler 14 attached near to the end of a fixed horizontal tubular scaffolding member 70, such as is used to form the handrail which extends around the edges of a scaffolding platform. A short length of scaffolding member 80 is attached to fitting 10 by way of first half coupler 12. The member 80 is thus able to be rotated with respect to member 70 and when released will spring back to the orientation shown in figures 4 and 5.

Member 80 can thus serve as a safety barrier which can be pushed in one direction to gain access past the barrier, and then resists rotation in the opposite direction to prevent falls or otherwise resist unintended passage by persons through the threshold blocked by the barrier 80.

Figure 6 shows an alternative installation in which second half coupler 14 has been rotated with respect to plate 50. In this way, when the hinge is in the rest position as shown, member 80 is aligned with fixed member 70, whereas in figure 5 the member 80 was at 90 degrees to member 70.

Another alternative installation is shown at figure 7 using a modified version of the scaffolding fitting 100. In this version, flat plate 50 has been replaced by a plate

150 which includes a 90 degree bend. This facilitates attachment of second half coupler to a fixed upright scaffolding member 70.

Although the embodiments described above related to access points provided adjacent to ladders, the scaffolding fitting is also suitable for use in constructing similar safety measures for use in other regions of a scaffolding installation such as where there is a change in height of the scaffolding platform from one area to another.

It can be seen that embodiments of the invention have at least one of the following advantages:

• Safety measures in the form of spring loaded safety barriers can be installed simply and easily with the use of just a short length of scaffolding tube; and

WO 2017/020067

PCT/AU2016/050581 • Safety barriers can be installed in association with horizontal or upright fixed scaffolding, and in various angular orientations.

• Particular suitability for complex scaffolding structures (as may be found for example in mining projects, LNG plants, boat building plants, etc.) where the scaffold regularly changes direction and levels and is not of exact dimensions.

Figures 8 to 13 depict a second embodiment of the scaffolding fitting, which is very similar to the first embodiment, however with a couple of minor detail differences. The diameters and heights of stops 20 and 30 have been increased by approximately 5mm relative to the sizing of those components in the first embodiment. In the second embodiment the stops 20 and 30 are identical to each other (although, of course, one is inverted relative to the other). The inclines on the stops 20 and 30 have changed relative to those of the first embodiment. The other main difference between the embodiments is that in the first embodiment the recess 36 (as best seen in figure 4) has a squared off cross-sectional shape. However, the cross-sectional shape of the corresponding recess of the second embodiment (as best seen in figure 11) has a slight taper so as to assist in seating of the plate that rests within that recess.

Any reference to prior art contained herein is not to be taken as an admission that the information is common general knowledge, unless otherwise indicated.

Finally, it is to be appreciated that various alterations or additions may be made to the parts previously described without departing from the spirit or ambit of the present invention.

WO 2017/020067

PCT/AU2016/050581

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A scaffold fitting including:

first and second clamps for attaching to tubular scaffold members; the first and second clamps being separated by a hinge arrangement; wherein the hinge arrangement is biased towards a rest position.
2. A scaffold fitting according to claim 1 wherein the hinge arrangement includes first and second members having inclined contacting surfaces that are arranged to rotate relative to one another.
3. A scaffold fitting according to claim 2 further including a spring which urges the contacting surfaces of the first and second members together.
4. A scaffold fitting according to claim 3 wherein the spring surrounds a shaft which defines the axis of relative rotation of the first and second members.
5. A scaffold fitting according to any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein the rest position is dictated by the first and second members.
6. A scaffold fitting according to claim 5 wherein the first and second members include cooperating step portions which define the rest position.
7. A scaffold fitting according to claim 5 further including secondary step portions which define a maximum degree of opening of the hinge arrangement.
8. A scaffold fitting according to any preceding claim wherein either of the first or the second clamp is rotatable with respect to the hinge arrangement.
9. A safety measure for use in a scaffolding installation including a scaffold fitting according to any one of claims 1 to 8.
10. A safety measure according to claim 9 wherein one of the clamps of the scaffold fitting attaches to a fixed scaffold member and the second clamp attaches to a moveable scaffold member which acts as a safety barrier.

WO 2017/020067

PCT/AU2016/050581
11. A safety member according to claim 10 wherein the fixed scaffolding member is disposed in a substantially horizontal orientation.

WO 2017/020067

PCT/AU2016/050581

1/10

Fig 1

Fig 2

WO 2017/020067

PCT/AU2016/050581

3/10

Fig 3

WO 2017/020067

PCT/AU2016/050581

4/10

Fig 4

WO 2017/020067

5/10

PCT/AU2016/050581

Fig. 5

WO 2017/020067

PCT/AU2016/050581

6/10

Fig. 6

WO 2017/020067

7/10

PCT/AU2016/050581

Fig. 7

WO 2017/020067

PCT/AU2016/050581

8/10

Fig. 8

Fig. 9

WO 2017/020067

PCT/AU2016/050581

9/10

Fig. 10

Fig. 11

WO 2017/020067

PCT/AU2016/050581

10/10

Fig. 13