GB2227050A

GB2227050A - Connector

Info

Publication number: GB2227050A
Application number: GB8900990A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Derek Merry
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-01-17
Filing date: 1989-01-17
Publication date: 1990-07-18
Also published as: GB8900990D0

Abstract

This invention relates to a connector (2) for joining a plurality of pipes or poles (16) comprising at least three pipe-engaging members (5, 5a, 8a-8h), said pipe-engaging members (5, 5a, 8a-8h) each extending substantially radially outwards from a central node (7), and being joined to other pipe-engaging members (5, 5a, 8a-8h) at its nodal end, said at least three pipe-engaging members (5, 5a, 8a-8h) having fixed positions with respect to each other, and each having means for releasable retaining engagement with said pipes or poles (16). It is possible by means of the present invention to provide a connector and a method for connecting pipes or poles that is efficient and economical, with less chance of failure than for known connectors or methods, whilst using a smaller number of joining components than previously necessary. <IMAGE>

Description

CONNECTOR This invention relates to a connector for simultaneously engaging a plurality of pipes or poles of various orientations, preferably scaffolding pipes or poles.

A typical conventional method of erecting scaffolding involves the use of double clamps, and it is commonly necessary to use several such clamps if more than two scaffolding pipes are to be joined in one connection.

Such a system does not readily lend itself to erecting scaffolding where angles other than those which are multiples of 90" need to be formed; it is often necessary to use several clamps with many joints to achieve the desired connection.

Such connections involving several clamps are often difficult to construct and have an increased tendancy towards failure due to the number of joints involved.

They are also uneconomical and unnecessarily time consuming to assemble.

According to the present invention, there is provided:a connector according to Claims 1 to 11 and a method for erecting scaffolding according to Claim 12.

It is possible by means of the present invention to provide a connector and a method for connecting scaffolding pipes or poles that is efficient and economical, with less chance of failure than for known connectors or methods, whilst using a smaller number of joining components than previously necessary. It is also possible to design a connector according to the present invention which does not have parts that are easily lost, and most typical connections can be effected by using a single connector, although connections are not restricted to the use of a single connector.

An embodiment of the invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings: FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view, partly in cross section of a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the connector shown in Figure 1.

The illustrated connector, generally designated 2.

comprises two first pipe-engaging members 4.4a, each substantially comprising a hollow cylinder 5,5a, arranged end to end and coaxially; the two cylinders 5,5a may be joined where they meet, to form a single cylinder, or they may be spaced along their mutual axis. The opposing ends 6,6a are left open.

A further eight pipe-engaging members Sa-Sh extend radially outwards from a node 7 midway between the opposing ends 6,6a with axes located in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the first pipe-engaging members 4,4a. Each of the pipe-engaging members 8a-8h also substantially comprises a hollow cylinder 9a-9h.

one of the opposing pairs of pipe-engaging members (4 & BR< 4a, 8a & 8e, 8b & 8f etc.) may be connected so as to form a single hollow cylinder to the outside of which other pipe-engaging members may be attatached.

Alternatively each of the pipe-engaging members may communicate with a central hollow cavity located at the node 7. The ends 10a-lOh of said pipe-engaging members are left open.

The pipe-engaging members 4,4a. 8a-8h are all preferably made from steel or a material with substantially similar mechanical properties, and are joined at their nodal ends. Alternatively other materials may be used to suit various conditions of use or types of pipe or pole, an example being a plastics material. The joins at the nodal ends of the pipe-engaging members may be effected by welding, or the connector may be formed by casting; alternatively a combination of the two preceding methods may be used.

Each pipe-engaging member 4,4a, 8a-8h is further provided with a grub screw 12a-12j. Upon insertion of a scaffolding pipe or pole 16 into a respective pipe-engaging member 4,4a, 8a-8h, the relevant grub screw 12a-12j can be tightened up whereby the end 14a-14j abuts onto the scaffolding pipe or pole 16 thereby retaining the engagement of the scaffolding pipe 16 inside the pipe-engaging member 4,4a, 8a-8h and hence effecting a joint between the connector 2 and the scaffolding pipe or pole 16. Further scaffolding pipes or poles 16, up to nine in number, can then be inserted into any or all of the remaining pipe-engaging members 4,4a, 8a-8h of the connector 2 and secured in a similar manner.

Where a pipe-engaging member, eg.4, is spaced from its opposing pipe-engaging member, eg.4a, and no other pipeengaging member, eg. one of 8a-8h, is located therebetween, the resultant single passage 18 thus formed may slidably engage a scaffolding pipe or pole 16 which may then be releasably secured by tightening up the respective grub screws. As a result it is possible for a connection 2 to be disposed at any point along the length of a scaffolding pipe 16.

It is possible to form connections between scaffolding pipes or poles where the angle between any two pipes or poles is a multiple of 450. By using more than one connector 2 it is also possible to form connections having a wide variety of angles between pipes or poles.

It is also considered that the use of grub screws reduces the chance of losing parts on site, since the grub screws can be designed to be non-seperable from the main body of the connector.

As a result, any such connector will normally be suitable for use in any connection that would typically be desired when erecting scaffolding.

Many modifications are possible within the general nature of the invention of which the above embodiment is merely a specific example. For example, it is possible, although less preferred, to construct the connector in the form of a ball with channels bored therethrough. : is also possible to replace the cylinders herein described with clamps, or with members which may be inserted inside the scaffolding pipes or poles, whilst using different securing means. The pipe-engaging members may be of any suitable cross section.

Claims

1. A connector for joining a plurality of pipes or poles comprising at least three pipe-engaging members. said pipe-engaging members each extending substantially radially outwards from a central node, and being joined to other pipe-engaging members at its nodal end, said at least three pipe-engaging members having fixed positions with-respect to each other, and each having means for releasable retaining engagement with said pipes or poles.

2. A connector according to Claim 1, wherein two of said pipe-engaging members are coaxially disposed and extend from opposite sides of the central node.

3. A connector according to Claim 2, wherein the or each remaining said pipe-engaging member extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of said coaxially disposed pipe-engaging members.

4 A connector according to claim 3, wherein the remaining said pipe-engaging members number at least two..

5. A connector according to Claim 4, wherein the remaining said pipe-engaging members number eight.

6. A connector according to Claim 4 or 5, wherein the remaining said pipe-engaging members are substantially equally spaced.

7. A connector according to any previous Claim, wherein said means for releasable, retaining engagement with pipes or poles comprises a grub screw.

8. A connector according to any previous Claim, wherein said pipe-engaging members comprise hollow cylinders being substantially circular in cross-section.

9. A connector according to Claim 8, wherein said hollow pipe-engaging members communicate with each other at the central node.

10 A connector according to any previous Claim, and adapted for use with scaffolding pipes.

11. A connector substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

12. A method of joining pipes or poles using a connector as claimed in any previous Claim.