GB2190285A - A trestle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a set of parts which can, with a plurality of separate elongate members e.g. planks 18, 19 be assembled to form a trestle-like apparatus, the set of parts comprising two members 1 each of which has a rigid support member 2 with a transverse foot member 3 at one end and a transverse support member 4 at the opposite end, the rigid members 2 having an aperture 5 for a separate connecting member 18, whereby when the two members 1 are stood on their foot members 3 with their apertures 5 aligned and a separate connecting member is supported in the two apertures 5, the two members 1 are maintained upright and stable for receiving an elongate table member 19 on the transverse support members 4 then to provide a trestle-like apparatus. It is adjustable in height by inserting a rod 11 into different pairs of holes 10. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A trestle The invention relates to a trestle, and to a set of parts for making same.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a set of parts which can, with a plurality of separate elongate members be asembled to form a trestle-like apparatus, the set of parts comprising two members, each of which has a rigid support member with a transverse foot member at one end and a transverse support member at the opposite end, the rigid member having a guide for a separate connecting member, whereby when the two members are stood on their foot member, spaced apart with their guides aligned and a separate connecting member is supported in the two guides, the two members are maintained upright and stable for receiving an elongate table member on the transverse support members then to provide a trestle-like apparatus.

The guide may comprise a through aperture in the respective rigid members and an abutment on which the separate connecting member is supported.

The rigid member may comprise two substantially parallel angle members which are spaced apart to define the through aperture.

The abutment may comprise a rod secured between the angle members transversely of the aperture.

The rod may be removably securable with the angle members.

The rod may be adjustably securable at different positions along the length of the rigid members by adjustable positioning means.

The adjustable positioning means may comprise aligned pairs of holes at spaced-apart intervals along the rigid members.

There may be five separate pairs of spacedapart holes through each rigid member.

Each rigid member may have a pivotable additional support member which is in use adapted to support a part of the table member outboard of the transverse support member.

The additional support member may comprise a U-shaped member, the free ends of the limbs of which are secured to the rigid member by the rod.

The transverse support member may have a stop at each end, whereby to obviate slipping ofthe table member from the support.

The stops may comprise upstanding lugs whose longitudinal axis lies in a plane which is inclined to the plane on which the longitudinal axis of the rigid member lies. With this arrangement, the lugs can act as stops whatever the inciination of the rigid members.

The first member may be a metal tube and the transverse support member may be a metal tube, and the angle sections may be metal and secured as by welding to the tube to provide a respective member, which is rigid.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a trestle-like apparatus erected from a set of parts as hereinbefore defined.

A set of parts embodying the invention is hereinafter described, by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one of the two members comprising a set of parts according to the invention; Figure 2 is an elevational view of the member of Fig. 1 from one side; Figure 3 is an elevational view of the member of Fig. 1 from the other side; Figures 4, 5 and 6 show respectively two members forming a set of parts according to the invention assembled with elongate members to form trestle-like apparatus of different heights; Figure 7 shows a view of one end of part of trestle-like apparatus assembled using a second embodiment of member according to the invention; and Figure 8 shows a view similar to Fig. 8, but with the member inclined in the opposite direction.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a set of parts which can, with a plurality of separate elongate members be assembled to form a trestle-like apparatus, the set of parts comprising two members 1 each of which has a rigid support member 2 with a transverse foot member 3 at one end and a transverse support member 4 at the opposite end, the rigid members 2 having a guide 5 for a separate connecting member, whereby when the two members 1 are stood on their foot members 3 with their guides 5 aligned and a spearate connecting member is supported in the two guides 5, the two members 1 are maintained upright and stable for receiving an elongate table member on the transverse support members 4 then to provide a trestle-like apparatus.

Each member 1 is made of a rigid material such as metal. The rigid member 2 comprises two L-shape angle members 6 which are secured as by welding at one end to the (tubular) metal foot member 3 and at the opposite end to the transverse metal support member 4, which is also tubular. The L-shapes are welded so that there are two facing but spaced aprt flanges 7, so that there is the guide 5 in the form of a through aperture or slot between the flanges 7, wide enough to receive a connecting member in the form of aplank such as a scaffolding board. The flanges 8 of each L-shape angle member 6 face outwardly respectively to left and right as viewed in Fig. 3.

The support member 4 has at each end a stop or lug 9 welded to the end thereof, the lugs 9 having rounded ears and being inclined to the longitudinal axis of the support member 4.

The flanges 7 have a series (five in the embodiment shown) of holes 10 through which a rod 11 is releasably secured as by being screw-threaded and having a head 12 on one end and a nut 13 which can be screwthreaded to the screw-threaded end. The aperture or slot 5 and the rod 11 comprise the guide for the connecting member.

The rod 11 also mounts an additional support member in the form of a freely pivoted U-shaped member 14 the free dns of the legs 15 of which are mounted on the stud 11 and the opposite ends of which are secured as by welding to a tubular member 16. The length of the legs 15 and the diameter of the member 16 is such that the upper (as viewed) part of the outer circumference thereof lies substantially in the same plane as that of the support member 4 however the U-shaped support is pivoted (it can pivot as shown by the double-headed arrow, Fig. 1), and however the member 14 as a whole is inclined.

The foot member 5 has end buffers 17 which are compressible under load and act as a cushion.

In use to assemble a trestle-like apparatus, the rod 11 is inserted through the holes 10 at the required position to give the desired height, in each of two members 1. The two members 1 are then erected a required distance apart, with the rigid member 6 inclined to the vertical and with the flanges 7 facing away from each other, and a plank 18 is inserted on edge through the respective apertures 5 in the two members 1 so that it rests with its bottom edge on the studs 11 and projects beyond the members 1 through the legs 15 of the U-shaped members 14 so that the members 16 rests on the top edge of the plank. The plank 18 acts as a connecting member, and when assembled forms a stable base or structure on which a plank 19 such as a further scaffolding plank can be supported on the support members 4 and members 16.The trestle-like apparatus 20 thus formed forms a firm base on which a person can stand to reach a high position for decorating etc. The person can even walk to the end of the plank 19 which will not tip up as it is supported by additional support members 14.

Moreover as there is only the diameter of the support members 14. Moreover as there is only the diameter of the support members 4, 16, 2.54 cm, (one inch) between the upper edge of the plank 18 and the lower surface of the plank 19 there is virtually no flexing downwardly even when a heavy person stands in the middle of a long plank 19. The plank 19 merely ultimately touches the plank 18, which prevents further flexing downardly, and helps to rigidify the structure 20.

If a different height of table support is required the additional support member 14 is released, with the rod 11, and inserted in a different pair of holes 10, at different lengths as shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

When the trestle-apparatus 20 has been used, it is merely necessary to remove the two planks 18 and 19. Th additional support member 14 being freely pivoted is pivoted to lie alongside the support member 14 to make a compact unit, and the two members 1 thus collapsed can be readily stored or transported together for future use.

The depth of connecting member or plank which can be accommodated is within 14" to 24" (35.56 cm. to 60.96 cm).

It will be understood that virtually any length of trestle-like apparatus, or table, can be assembled by setting the members 1 a required distance apart. Also, they can be inclined as shown so that their support members are spaced apart, or closely adjacent for the same length of board 18 but for different heights.

The members can be used without the additional support member 15, as shown in Figs.

7 and 8. Fig. 7 also shows that the members work equally well whether they are inclined away from one another, as well as towards one another.

In the embodiment shown the lugs 9 are angled always to have a projecting part if only a tip, which can engage the edge of the support table/plank to prevent it slipping off the support members laterally.

In a further embodiment, not shown, the support members 4 and 16 are of the same length, which obviates any tending to twisting when assembled. Moreover the members 4 and 16 have 3.8 cm washers secured at their free ends to provide stops for the plank(s) 19.

Claims (17)

1. A set of parts which can, with a plurality of separate elongate members be assembled to form a trestle-like apparatus, the set of parts comprising two members, each of which has a rigid support member with a transverse foot member at one end and a transverse support member at the opposite end, the rigid member having a guide for a separate connecting member, whereby when the two members are stood on their foot member, spaced apart with their guides aligned and a separate connecting member is supported in the two guides, the two members are maintained upright and stable for receiving an elongate table member on the transverse support members then to provide a testle-like apparatus.

2. A set of parts according to Claim 1, the guide comprising a through aperture in the respective rigid member and an abutment on which the separate connecting member is supported.

3. A set of parts according to Claim 2, the rigid member comprising two substantially par allel angle members which are spaced apart to define the through aperture.

4. A set of parts according to Claim 2 or Claim 3, the abutment comprising a rod secured between the angle members transversely of the aperture.

5. A set of parts according to Claim 4, the rod being movably securable with the angle members.

6. A set of parts according to Claim 5, the rod being adjustably securable at different positions along the length of the rigid members by adjustable positioning means.

7. A set of parts according to Claim 6, the adjustable positioning means comprising aligned pairs of holes at spaced-apart-intervals along the rigid members.

8. A set of parts according to Claim 7, there being five separate pairs of spaced-apart holes through each rigid member.

9. A set of parts according to any preceding claim, each rigid support member having a pivotable additional support member which is in use adapted to support part of the table member outboard of the transverse support member.

10. A set of parts according to Claim 9, the additional support member comprising a U-shaped member, the free ends of the limbs thereof being secured to the rigid member by a rod.

11. A set of parts according to any preceding claim, the transverse support member having a stop at each end, whereby to obviate slipping of the table member from the support in use.

12. A set of parts according to Claim 11, the stops comprising upstanding lugs, the longitudinal area of each one of which lies in a plane which is inclined to the plane on which the longitudinal arms of the rigid member ties.

13. A set of parts according to Claim 11, the stops comprising washers secured to the ends of the transverse support members.

14. A set of parts according to any of Claims 3-13, the first member and the transverse support member each comprising a metal tube, the angle sections being metal and secured as by welding to the tube.

15. A set of parts, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

16. A trestle-like apparatus, assembled from a set of parts according to any preceding claim.

17. A trestle-like apparatus, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.