GB2273739A

GB2273739A - Couplings

Info

Publication number: GB2273739A
Application number: GB9326181A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Noel Doyle
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-12-23
Filing date: 1993-12-22
Publication date: 1994-06-29
Anticipated expiration: 2013-12-22
Also published as: GB9226850D0; GB9326181D0; GB2273739B

Abstract

A coupling (10) comprises a plurality of pole-receiving clamps (12) arranged in such a manner that, in use, the poles received by the clamps (12) extend generally parallel to one another, each of the clamps (12) preferably including a rigid portion (18) formed with a part-cylindrical outline and with an aperture (20) for receiving a headed bolt (32), as well as a pivotal portion (22) of part-cylindrical outline which is connected at one end by a hinge pin (24) to the rigid portion (18) and is formed at its free end with a slot (26) against which a nut (42) on the headed bolt (32) can be tightened. <IMAGE>

Description

COUPLINGS The present invention relates to couplings which are especially but not exclusively suitable for use in securing poles together when erecting scaffolding around a window or door.

Conventionally, when forming a column from a group of vertical poles arranged parallel to one another, or when supporting a platform by a group of horizontal poles arranged parallel to one another, it has been necessary for the poles to be secured together by a number of separate short connectors.

Each of the connectors is usually produced by cutting off part of the length of a pole - this operation is not only time-consuming but can result in dangerous projections if the connectors are not of exactly the correct length.

Each of the ends of each of the connectors is usually then secured to the adjacent pole by a double clamp - this operation is also time-consuming because bracing a group of four poles by six connectors requires the tightening of no less than twelve individual clamps.

There would be considerable practical advantages, in storage and transport as well as in assembly and disassembly, if this procedure could be simplified.

According to the present invention, a coupling comprises a plurality of pole-receiving clamps arranged in such a manner that, in use, the poles received by the clamps extend generally parallel to one another.

The term "poles" is, of course, also intended to cover tubes, rods or indeed any other elongate workpiece members, which may or may not be hollow and may or may not be of circular cross-section.

Preferably, there are four pole-receiving clamps arranged at the corners of a rectangle and interconnected by six struts with the four side struts being of L cross section and the two central crossed struts being of T cross-section.

However, there may be a different number and/or configuration of the pole-receiving clamps. It is expected that three or more of the pole-receiving clamps will be located at the corners of a polygon but it may not be necessary for each of the pole-receiving clamps to be connected by respective struts to each of the other polereceiving clamps. Moreover, the struts between the polereceiving clamps may be of an angled and/or different cross-section.

Also preferably, each of the pole-receiving clamps includes a rigid portion formed with a part-cylindrical outline and with an aperture for receiving a headed bolt, and a pivotal portion of part-cylindrical outline which is hinged at one end to the rigid portion and is formed at its free end with a slot against which a nut on the headed bolt can be tightened.

Although the pole-receiving clamps may be of a different construction, it is always desirable for all of their components to be capable of remaining connected to the coupling during clamping and unclamping operations, thereby enabling the coupling to be usable as a selfcontained unit.

For example, the aperture through the rigid portion may be shaped to allow the headed bolt and nut combination to be swung into and out of the path of movement of the pivotal portion.

A coupling, in accordance with the present invention, will now be described in greater detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: - Figure 1 is a perspective view of the coupling; Figure 2 is a plan view, with all but one of the headed bolt and nut combinations having been omitted and a scaffold pole having been indicated in section; Figure 3 is a side view taken in the direction of the arrow A in Figure 2, with said remaining headed bolt and nut combination also having been omitted; and Figure 4 is a side view taken in the direction of the arrow B in Figure 2, with said remaining headed bolt and nut combination also having been omitted.

The accompanying drawings show a coupling 10, constituting a preferred embodiment of the present invention, comprising four pole-receiving clamps 12.

The clamps 12 are interconnected by four side struts 14 of L cross-section and two central crossed struts 16 of T cross-section.

Each of the clamps 12 includes a rigid portion 18 formed with a part-cylindrical outline and with an aperture 20, and a pivotal portion 22 of part-cylindrical outline which is connected at one end by a hinge pin 24 to the rigid portion 18 and is formed at its free end with a slot 26.

Each of the apertures 20 extends completely through the associated rigid portion 18 and is shaped to present a countersunk mouth 28 and a tapered slot 30.

The intention is that a conventional scaffolding bolt 32 can be inserted into each respective aperture 20 so that a T-shaped head 34 thereof is received in the countersunk mouth 28 and a threaded shank 36 thereof is movable from side to side in the tapered slot 30.

It will be clear that, in use, the pivotal portion 22 is first swung away from the associated rigid portion 18, then a conventional scaffolding pole 38 with longitudinal axis 40 is located in the clamp 12, before the pivotal portion 22 is swung back towards the rigid portion 18, the threaded shank 36 then being swung into the slot 26 before a nut 42, optionally with a washer, is tightened into position.

The coupling 10 may be a metal casting, of for example an aluminium or steel alloy, having an overall length of around 37cm an overall width of around 30cm and an overall depth of around 5cm.

Claims

1. A coupling comprising a plurality of pole-receiving clamps arranged in such a manner that, in use, the poles received by the clamps extend generally parallel to one another.

2. A coupling according to claim 1, in which three or more of the pole-receiving clamps are located at the corners of a polygon.

3. A coupling according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which each of the pole-receiving clamps is connected by respective struts to each of the other pole-receiving clamps.

4. A coupling according to claim 2 and claim 3, in which there are six struts interconnecting four pole-receiving clamps arranged at the corners of a rectangle, with the four side struts being of L-cross section and the two central crossed struts being of T-cross section.

5. A coupling according to any preceding claim, in which each of the pole-receiving clamps includes a rigid portion formed with a part-cylindrical outline and with an aperture for receiving a headed bolt, and a pivotal portion of partcylindrical outline which is hinged at one end to the rigid portion and is formed at its free end with a slot against which a nut on the headed bolt can be tightened.

6. A coupling according to any preceding claim, in which the pole-receiving clamps are constructed such that all of their components are capable of remaining connected to the coupling during clamping and unclamping operations.

7. A coupling according to claim 5 and claim 6, in which the aperture through the rigid portion is shaped to allow the headed bolt and nut combination to be swung into and out of the path of movement of the pivotal portion.

8. A coupling substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.