AU4381601A - Apparatus for supporting building scafffolding - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Applicant: BRUCE ROY CHARLESWORTH Invention Title: APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTING BUILDING SCAFFOLDING The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: 2 APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTING BUILDING SCAFFOLDING FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an apparatus for supporting building scaffolding or the like and has been devised particularly though not solely for providing a support base for scaffolding attached to roofing purlins and I-beams (sometimes known as universal beams) of a domestic or industrial type structure.

BACKGROUND ART There are many instances where it is necessary or desirable to provide scaffolding for building work or maintenance in conjunction with the roof of an industrial type building. In such situations, it is frequently *necessary to commence building the required scaffolding from ground level which requires considerable time and scaffolding material to reach roof height before the ooo intended scaffolding construction, e.g. handrails or support platforms, are constructed and placed in the desired location.

There are many instances where considerable time and cost could be saved if the scaffolding could be based on a secure foundation at roof level rather than building up the scaffolding from ground level.

Various clamping arrangements for clamping scaffolding to building structures are known. For example, clamping arrangements are shown in WO 92/04516 (the clamping of scaffold pipe to an I-Beam), GB 2090316 (the clamping of scaffolding to a wall), AU 677129 (the clamping of scaffolding to a roof frame member), and WO 90/00657, WO 93/09313 (both of which show the clamping of a stanchion assembly to a pair of purlin structures) 3 The arrangements in the prior art tend to be complex, involving a pair of moveable clamps, which slide along a slide rod or the like, and this can result in both cumbersome operation and time consuming fitting of the scaffolding.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION In a first aspect the present invention provides apparatus for supporting building scaffolding or the like on a building structure incorporating at least two adjacent framing members, the apparatus including: a support rail for spanning the adjacent framing members; an element for positioning on a first respective framing member, the element extending from the support rail and permanently fixed against movement on the rail; and a connector for connection to a respective other framing member and slidably engaged with the support rail, the connector including a flange for location *..:adjacent to its respective framing member so that a fastener can be introduced through the flange to ooo• fasteningly engage the framing member.

•I [-When the terminology "permanently fixed against movement along the rail" is used in relation to the element, it is to be interpreted in this specification as meaning that the element cannot be moved longitudinally along the rail its position on the rail is fixed permanently). By providing a fixed element in this manner, the element can be first positioned on one of the frame members a purlin) and does not require adjustment because of its fixed orientation against movement along the rail. Once so positioned, the connector can then be moved into place to enable rapid 4 attachment to the other frame member another purlin).

In the first aspect the flange can be provided in the form of an abutment that engages a portion of the respective framing member when positioned thereagainst.

In this regard, preferably the abutment includes an aperture through which a screw, bolt or the like can be inserted to attach the connector to the respective framing member.

Preferably the connector further incorporates a collar slidably engageable over the support rail.

Preferably the connector is fastenable at the support rail by way of a bolt threadingly engaged with a transverse aperture at the collar, the bolt arranged to be tightened against the support rail, thereby fastening the collar against sliding on the rail.

Preferably the element comprises a re-entrant flange engageable over an edge of its respective framing member.

In this regard, preferably the element cooperates with a bolting mechanism or the like that can releasably fasten against the edge of the framing member when located in the re-entrant flange. oooo In a second aspect the present invention provides apparatus for supporting building scaffolding or the like 25 on a building structure incorporating an I-beam or the like, the apparatus including: a support rail for spanning the I-beam width; an element for positioning on one side of the I-beam, the element extending from the support rail and permanently fixed against movement along the rail; and a connector for connection to the other side of the I-beam and slidably engaged with the support rail, the connector including a flange for location adjacent to the other side of the I-beam so that a fastener can be 5 introduced through the flange to fasteningly engage the Ibeam.

In the second aspect, preferably the connector incorporates a re-entrant flange for receiving the respective side of the I-beam therein.

In this regard, preferably the re-entrant flange includes an aperture through which a bolt, screw or the like can be introduced to fasten the respective side of the I-beam within the re-entrant flange.

Preferably the connector further incorporates a collar slidably engageable over the support rail.

Preferably the connector is fastenable at the support rail by way of a bolt threadingly engaged with a transverse aperture at the collar, the bolt arranged to be tightened against the support rail, thereby fastening the collar against sliding on the rail.

Preferably the element also includes a re-entrant flange for receiving its respective side of the I-beam therein, with a bolt extending therethrough for fastening 20 that side in the flange.

Preferably with the apparatus of both the first and second aspects scaffolding supporting member(s) can be mounted on or to the support rail.

In both the first and second aspects the employment of a fastener in the connector, whilst desirable, is not essential for attaching the apparatus on a building structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Notwithstanding any other forms that may fall within its scope, preferred forms of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- 6 Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic elevation of apparatus for supporting building scaffolding according to the invention when engaged with adjacent purlins of a roofing structure; and Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic elevation of apparatus similar to that shown in Fig. 1 but when engaged with an I-beam.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The preferred forms of the invention described below are typically used for supporting building scaffolding, using the roof of a building for support. However, it will be appreciated that the apparatus can be used in conjunction with any adjacent framing members or I-beams in a building structure and can be used to support constructions other than scaffolding.

In one preferred form of the invention as shown in Figure 1, the apparatus is shown engaged with a fascia purlin 1 and an adjacent C purlin 2 in a roofing construction which typically also incorporates a frame member 3 to which the purlins are attached.

The apparatus is designed to securely mount a support rail 5 so as to span the lower edges of the fascia purlin 1 and the C purlin 2 and to provide support for 25 scaffolding members such as post 6. To this end the post may have a lower foot 7 in the form of a collar or any other suitable construction engageable with the support rail 5, and may be engaged with the support rail in a cantilevered section 8 as shown in Fig. 1 or at any other point on the support rail when the support rail has been secured to the building purlins. The post can be fastened to the rail by adjustable bolt 9.

The support rail 5 includes an integral non-movable element in the form of L-shaped re-entrant flange 10. The 7 flange defines a mouth 11 into which an end of the facia purlin 1 can be introduced as shown. Optionally, the rail can carry a bolting arrangement 12, which can be used to fasten the facia purlin 1 in the flange. Provision for an opposing bolting arrangement 13 can also be made (eg. to clamp about opposing sides of a framing member for added security, safety etc) The apparatus further comprises a connector in the form of bracket 14 being slidably mounted on the support rail 5 and being engageable with opposing C purlin 2. The bracket 14 includes a collar 15 which may for example be formed from a short length of rectangular hollow section steel (RHS) sized to form a sliding fit over the support rail 5. The bracket can be adapted at 16 to receive a bolt (or the like) that can engage with the support rail to prevent collar sliding movement therealong a threaded bolt can be screwed into a threaded hole at 16 to extend transversely through the collar 15 and engage against rail oooo oo 20 The bracket 14 may be secured to the purlin 2 by inserting a screw 17 (such as a self-tapping screw) a bolt, etc. so that the bracket becomes securely fastened onto the purlin (as shown). The bracket may also have provision 18 for a bolt. For example, the bracket can be .o ~25 located on the other side of the C purlin and can then function as a re-entrant flange, with the C purlin's lower end being received in the flange, and a bolt extending through nut 18 to clamp the C purlin therein. However, the nut arrangement 18 is more suitably used with an I-beam configuration (as described below with reference to Figure 2) Also, the employment of a fastener in the connector, whilst desirable, is not essential for attaching the apparatus on a building structure. For example, where the 8 bracket functions as a re-entrant flange (as it does in Figure it can simply receive and then hang on the C purlin 2 without being "fastened" thereto as such. This also applies to its use on an I-beam (Figure 2).

Thus, when it is desired to fit the apparatus to a building structure as shown in Figure 1, firstly the reentrant flange 10 is positioned on purlin 1, and is then optionally bolted thereto via bolt arrangement 12.

Thereafter the bracket 14 is slid into position so that it abuts C purlin 2, and a self-tapping screw 17 is then introduced through an aperture in the bracket to fasten the bracket to that purlin. If necessary, a further bolt can be introduced through arrangement 16 to fasten the bracket in place on the rail 5. Thus, the apparatus 15 provides a very rapid and effective means of fitting scaffolding to, for example, a roofing structure.

Referring now to Figure 2, where like reference numerals are used to denote similar or like parts, another S• preferred form of the apparatus is shown engaged with an I-beam 20 (sometimes referred to as a universal beam).

For I-beam usage, the re-entrant flange 10 has been formed or arranged on rail 5 in an opposite sense to the rail shown in Figure 1. In addition, the mounting of bracket 14 on the rail 5 has been reversed as shown.

25 Thus, a bolt 22 can be introduced through the bracket via arrangement 18, and a free edge 24 of the I-beam can be received in the bracket in a re-entrant flange-type arrangement. The free edge is fastened therein by tightening bolt 22 thereagainst. Similarly, a bolt 26 can be positioned in arrangement 16 for fastening the bracket 14 against movement along rail In use, the apparatus can be rapidly and easily attached to an I-beam, firstly by inserting one free edge of the I-beam into the mouth 11 of re-entrant flange -9and optionally tightening the bolt arrangement against that free edge to lock it in place. The bracket 14 can then be slid into place along rail 5 until it abuts free edge 24, and then bolts 22 and 26 are tightened to fasten the apparatus in place.

The arrangements for receiving a bolt at 12, 13, 16 and 18 are shown as internally threaded nuts typically welded to the flange, rail or bracket respectively, and aligning with an aperture formed in each. However, these arrangements can be replaced with an internally threaded aperture of sufficient depth at the same locations.

The flange 10 is shown as integrally formed with the rail 5. However, the flange 10 can also be rotatable around the rail (if the rail was round for example), S15 providing that the flange 10 is not slideable *longitudinally along the rail.

Once the support rail 5 is in position it may be used as a support for any convenient adjacent structure such as the foot 7 of scaffolding post 6.

20 Although the apparatus has been described with particular reference to supporting a scaffolding structure, it will be appreciated that the apparatus can be used in any situation where it is desired to locate and secure a support rail across a pair of framing members or 25 to an I-beam or the like.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or in any other country.

Claims (9)

1. Apparatus for supporting building scaffolding or the like on a building structure incorporating at least two adjacent framing members, the apparatus including: a support rail for spanning the adjacent framing members; an element for positioning on a first respective framing member, the element extending from the support rail and permanently fixed against movement along the rail; and a connector for connection to a respective other framing member and slidably engaged with the support rail, the connector including a flange for location 15 adjacent to its respective framing member so that a fastener can be introduced through the flange to fasteningly engage the framing member.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flange is an abutment that engages a portion of the respective framing member when positioned thereagainst, the abutment including an aperture through which a fastener in the form of a screw, bolt or the like can be inserted to attach the connector to the framing member.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the connector further incorporates a collar slidably engageable over the support rail, with a bolt securingly engaged witha transverse aperture at the collar, the bolt arranged to be tightened against the support rail, thereby fastening the collar against sliding on the rail.

4. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the element comprises a re-entrant flange engageable over an edge of its respective framing member, the element co-operating with a bolting mechanism or the like to releasably fasten against the edge of the framing member when located in the re-entrant flange.

Apparatus for supporting building scaffolding or the like on a building structure incorporating an I-beam or the like, the apparatus including: 11 a support rail for spanning the I-beam width; an element for positioning on one side of the I- beam, the element extending from the support rail and permanently fixed against movement along the rail; and a connector for connection to the other side of the I-beam and slidably engaged with the support rail, the connector including a flange for location adjacent to the other side of the I-beam so that a fastener can be introduced through the flange to fasteningly engage the I- beam.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the connector incorporates a re-entrant flange for receiving the respective side of the I-beam therein, the re-entrant flange including an aperture through which a bolt, screw 15 or the like can be introduced to fasten the respective side of the I-beam within the re-entrant flange.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the connector incorporates a collar slidably engageable over the support rail, with a bolt threadingly engaged with a transverse aperture at the collar, the bolt arranged to be tightened against the support rail, thereby fastening the collar against sliding on the rail.

8. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the element includes a re-entrant flange for 25 receiving its respective side of the I-beam therein, with a bolt extending therethrough for fastening that side in oe the flange.

9. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein scaffolding support member(s) can be mounted on or to the support rail. Apparatus for supporting building scaffolding substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated this 1 0 th Day of May 2001 BRUCE ROY CHARLESWORTH By his Patent Attorneys GRIFFITH HACK