GB2065257A - Sleeve coupling for a pair of scaffolding members - Google Patents

Abstract

A tubular socket 10 secured to one end of a scaffold tube 11 so as to project axially therefrom to provide a socket for receiving the adjacent end of tubular socket (10) has an internal cross-section which corresponds in size and shape to the external cross- section of said one scaffolding member and said socket for receiving the other scaffolding member has screw actuated clamping means (12, 13) which are used for securing said other scaffolding member within the socket. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Sleeve coupling for a pair of scaffolding members This invention relates to a sleeve coupling for connecting together a pair of elongate scaffolding members (such as for example a pair of scaffolding tubes) in an axially aligned relationship, the object of the invention being to provide such a sleeve coupling in a simple yet effective form.

In accordance with the invention there is provided a sleeve coupling for connecting together a pair of elongate scaffolding members in an axially aligned relationship, said coupling comprising a tubular socket portion having an internal cross-section which corresponds in size and shape to the external cross-section of one of said scaffolding members, said tubular socket portion being mounted on and secured to one end of said one scaffolding member so as to project therefrom in an axially aligned relationship and provide a socket for receiving the adjacent end of the other scaffolding member, said socket having a clamping screw which extends through an aperture in its wall from the exterior thereof and which is in screw-threaded engagement with said wall aperture or a member connected to the wall so that said clamping screw can be tightened to secure said other scaffolding member after its end has been inserted into the socket.

Conveniently said tubular socket portion is welded to said one scaffolding member and preferably there is provided, for screw-threaded engagement with said clamping screw, a nut which is welded to the exterior of the socket in alignment with the aperture formed therein.

The invention will now be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawing wherein Figure 1 is a perspective view showing one example of a sleeve coupling constructed in accordance with the present invention and Figure 2 shows an incomplete scaffold frame which can be built up from elongate scaffolding members and sleeve couplings formed in accordance with the present invention.

Referring firstly to Figure 1 there is shown therein a sleeve coupling which comprises a tubular socket portion 10 which, as shown, is welded on to the upper end of an elongate scaffolding member 11 in the form of a cylindrical scaffolding tube. The tubular socket portion 10 is formed from a short length of cylindrical tubing and the internal cross-section of said socket portion 10 corresponds in size and shape to the external cross-section of said scaffolding member 11.

There is also provided a clamping screw 12 which is arranged to project at its inner end through an aperture formed in the wall of said socket portion 10. Said aperture may be screwthreaded but conveniently there is also provided a nut 13 which is welded on to the exterior of the socket portion 10 in alignment with the aperture formed therein. Thus a further scaffolding tube (not shown) can be inserted into the upper end of said tubular socket portion 10 until the lower end of said upper scaffolding member abuts the upper end of the lower scaffolding member 11. The clamping screw 12 can then be tightened to secure the two scaffolding members in an axially aligned relationship.

Figure 2 shows an incomplete scaffolding frame which can be made up from lengths of elongate scaffolding members and which include a plurality of uprights 14 and plurality of horizontal members 15, each upright 14 being constructed of two or more lengths of scaffolding tube which are connected together by sleeve couplings 10 constructed in accordance with the present invention.

1. A sleeve coupling for connecting together a pair of elongate scaffolding members in an axially aligned relationship, said coupling comprising a tubular socket portion having an internal crosssection which corresponds in size and shape to the external cross-section of one of said scaffolding members, said tubular socket portion being mounted on and secured to one end of said one scaffolding member so as to project therefrom in an axially aligned relationship and provide a socket for receiving the adjacent end of the other scaffolding member, said socket having a clamping screw which extends through an aperture in its wall from the exterior thereof and which is in screw-threaded engagement with said wall aperture or a member connected to the wall so that said clamping screw can be tightened to secure said other scaffolding member after its end has been inserted into the socket.

2. A sleeve coupling as claimed in Claim 1 wherein said tubular socket portion is welded to said one scaffolding member.

3. A sleeve coupling as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein there is provided, for screwthreaded engagement with said clamping screw, a nut which is welded to the exterior of the socket in alignment with the aperture formed therein.

4. A sleeve coupling for connecting together a pair of elongate scaffolding members in an axially aligned relationship said coupling bearing substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawing.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (4)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Sleeve coupling for a pair of scaffolding members This invention relates to a sleeve coupling for connecting together a pair of elongate scaffolding members (such as for example a pair of scaffolding tubes) in an axially aligned relationship, the object of the invention being to provide such a sleeve coupling in a simple yet effective form. In accordance with the invention there is provided a sleeve coupling for connecting together a pair of elongate scaffolding members in an axially aligned relationship, said coupling comprising a tubular socket portion having an internal cross-section which corresponds in size and shape to the external cross-section of one of said scaffolding members, said tubular socket portion being mounted on and secured to one end of said one scaffolding member so as to project therefrom in an axially aligned relationship and provide a socket for receiving the adjacent end of the other scaffolding member, said socket having a clamping screw which extends through an aperture in its wall from the exterior thereof and which is in screw-threaded engagement with said wall aperture or a member connected to the wall so that said clamping screw can be tightened to secure said other scaffolding member after its end has been inserted into the socket. Conveniently said tubular socket portion is welded to said one scaffolding member and preferably there is provided, for screw-threaded engagement with said clamping screw, a nut which is welded to the exterior of the socket in alignment with the aperture formed therein. The invention will now be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawing wherein Figure 1 is a perspective view showing one example of a sleeve coupling constructed in accordance with the present invention and Figure 2 shows an incomplete scaffold frame which can be built up from elongate scaffolding members and sleeve couplings formed in accordance with the present invention. Referring firstly to Figure 1 there is shown therein a sleeve coupling which comprises a tubular socket portion 10 which, as shown, is welded on to the upper end of an elongate scaffolding member 11 in the form of a cylindrical scaffolding tube. The tubular socket portion 10 is formed from a short length of cylindrical tubing and the internal cross-section of said socket portion 10 corresponds in size and shape to the external cross-section of said scaffolding member 11. There is also provided a clamping screw 12 which is arranged to project at its inner end through an aperture formed in the wall of said socket portion 10. Said aperture may be screwthreaded but conveniently there is also provided a nut 13 which is welded on to the exterior of the socket portion 10 in alignment with the aperture formed therein. Thus a further scaffolding tube (not shown) can be inserted into the upper end of said tubular socket portion 10 until the lower end of said upper scaffolding member abuts the upper end of the lower scaffolding member 11. The clamping screw 12 can then be tightened to secure the two scaffolding members in an axially aligned relationship. Figure 2 shows an incomplete scaffolding frame which can be made up from lengths of elongate scaffolding members and which include a plurality of uprights 14 and plurality of horizontal members 15, each upright 14 being constructed of two or more lengths of scaffolding tube which are connected together by sleeve couplings 10 constructed in accordance with the present invention. CLAIMS

1. A sleeve coupling for connecting together a pair of elongate scaffolding members in an axially aligned relationship, said coupling comprising a tubular socket portion having an internal crosssection which corresponds in size and shape to the external cross-section of one of said scaffolding members, said tubular socket portion being mounted on and secured to one end of said one scaffolding member so as to project therefrom in an axially aligned relationship and provide a socket for receiving the adjacent end of the other scaffolding member, said socket having a clamping screw which extends through an aperture in its wall from the exterior thereof and which is in screw-threaded engagement with said wall aperture or a member connected to the wall so that said clamping screw can be tightened to secure said other scaffolding member after its end has been inserted into the socket.

2. A sleeve coupling as claimed in Claim 1 wherein said tubular socket portion is welded to said one scaffolding member.

3. A sleeve coupling as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein there is provided, for screwthreaded engagement with said clamping screw, a nut which is welded to the exterior of the socket in alignment with the aperture formed therein.

4. A sleeve coupling for connecting together a pair of elongate scaffolding members in an axially aligned relationship said coupling bearing substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawing.