GB2261016A

GB2261016A - Scaffolding safety devices

Info

Publication number: GB2261016A
Application number: GB9221396A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dennis Struthers Fairley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-10-10
Filing date: 1992-10-12
Publication date: 1993-05-05
Anticipated expiration: 2012-10-12
Also published as: GB2261016B; GB9221396D0

Abstract

The invention relates to a safety device to reduce the risk of injury to persons from unintentional contact with a scaffolding construction, particularly contact with clamps (12), and bolts (26) fastening said clamps about the intersections of poles (8, 10) of the construction so as to cover the protruding end of the bolt (26) which secures the clamp. The device comprises a main body portion (4) which is in the shape of a hollow dome and which is provided with an integrally moulded forked attachment portion (6; 40) that is adapted to grip either an upright pole (8; 42) or a horizontal (10) or inclined pole (36), the latter being suitable for use as a hand rail if required. The protruding end of the bolt is thus safely covered by the domed portion to reduce the risk of injury. <IMAGE>

Description

SCAFFOLDING SAFETY DEVICES The invention relates to scaffolding safety devices, particularly to devices for the prevention of lacerations, bruising and similar injuries in persons on building sites and in other locations where scaffolding is temporarily erected, such as at building frontages.

Safety regulations are in force which control the use of head-gear on building sites, such as the compulsory use of so-called "hard-hats" or helmets. However, many of the accidents involving scaffolding do not involve the fall of either heavy articles such as girders or even bricks and tools or personnel falling from platforms, but injury due to the projection of unprotected ends of bolts from saddle clips or the like devices used to fasten together two or more scaffold poles at an intersection.

The invention therefore seeks to reduce such injuries by providing an easily visible, inexpensive device which is easy to use without involving any degree of manual dexterity.

The invention provides a safety device adapted to be fitted to a scaffolding construction including poles and fastening clips, comprising a main body portion which is in the form of a hollow dome adapted in use to surround a bolt end of a scaffold clip and a forked attachment portion adapted partially to surround one of a plurality of poles to which the clips are secured so as to anchor the safety device in place.

Advantageously, the device is stiffly flexible in construction so that the forked attachment portion may obtain a firm gripping action around the pole obviating the need for fastening devices, buckles or the like.

Conveniently, a reflective disc may be provided on the domed body portion to enhance visibility of the device in low light conditions.

There will now be described in detail two examples of a device according to the invention. It will be understood that the description which is to be read with reference to the drawings, is given by way of example only and not by way of limitation.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first device according to the invention; and Figure 2 is a sectional view through the device of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a view similar to that of Figure 2, showing a second device; and Figures 4 and 5 are a perspective and a side view respectively of the device of Figure 3.

The first device 2 comprises a main body portion 4 which is in the form of a hollow dome. The device is moulded from synthetic plastics material and the cavity of the dome may be provided with reinforcing webs or ribs (not shown) if desired. Integrally moulded with the dome is a forked extension portion 6 which acts as an attachment means.

The device is mounted about the intersection of two scaffold poles 8, 10 which are secured at right angles to one another by means of a conventional saddle clip 12.

The clip 12 comprises a saddle portion 14 about the pole 8, and a bridge portion 16 having two lugs 18, 20. The lug 18 passes through an aperture 22 in a metal grip portion 24 which partially surrounds the pole 10, a bolt 26 joining the portion 24 to the lug 20 by means of a T-piece 28. The bolt 26 is tightened by a nut 30. The right-end of the bolt protrudes from the nut 30 and could cause serious eye injury to a passer-by.

The safety device 2 is therefore placed over the scaffold clip 12 so that the end portion of the bolt 26 and of the grip portion 24 is received within the domed body portion 4. The forked portion 6 is then caused to part slightly as it is forced about the pole 8 which it then grips firmly.

Any suitable means may be used to render the device 2 easily visible to personnel. For example, the synthetic plastics material may be brightly coloured and may incorporate luminescent or "day-glow" pigments.

Reflective means 32 may be attached to the outside surface of the domed body portion if desired.

A second device 32 is illustrated in Figures 3 to 5, which is suitable for use where a swivel clip 34 is included in a scaffolding construction which for example comprises steps, a length of scaffold pole 36 acting as a hand rail. Like parts of the devices 2 and 32 are given like reference numerals for example, lug 18'.

The second device comprises a main body portion 38 in form of a dome. A forked extension portion 40 is provided which acts as an attachment means to the pole 36 which itself is secured to an upright pole 42 by the swivel clip 34. The clip 34 performs a similar function to that of the saddle clip 12, but its use is not limited to attachment to two poles arranged at right angles to one another, but may accommodate the inclination of a hand rail at an appropriate angle. However, as with other conventional clips, a protruding bolt end portion 44 is present.

The safety device 32 is placed over the clip 34 so that the bolt end portion 44 is received within the domed body portion 38. The forked portion 40 which comprises a part-circular arrangement providing two snap-on finger members 46, 48, is then caused to be deformed slightly to allow the finger members partly to encircle the pole 36 which is then firmly gripped.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A safety device adapted to be fitted to a scaffolding construction including poles and fastening clips, comprising a main body portion which is in the form of a hollow dome adapted in use to surround a bolt end of a scaffold clip and a forked attachment portion adapted partially to surround one of a plurality of poles to which the clips are secured so as to anchor the safety device in place.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the forked attachment portion is of stiffly resilient material and is adapted to grip firmly about a scaffolding pole.

3. A device as claimed in either one of claims 1 and 2, wherein a portion of reflective material is provided on the domed body portion.

4. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the body portion and forked attachment portion is moulded integrally in a synthetic plastics material, there being provided reinforcement webs or ribs within a cavity portion of the dome.

5. A safety device adapted to be fitted to a scaffolding construction including poles and fastening clips, constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the drawings.