GB2276414A

GB2276414A - Scaffolding bracket

Info

Publication number: GB2276414A
Application number: GB9306427A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Edward Joseph Russell Campbell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-03-27
Filing date: 1993-03-27
Publication date: 1994-09-28
Anticipated expiration: 2013-03-27
Also published as: GB2276414B; GB9306427D0

Abstract

A coupling device is provided for use with scaffolding, the coupling device comprising a first portion 11 connectable to a scaffolding pole or the like, and a second portion 12 subsequently connectable to a handrail, toe board or the like. The invention makes it much quicker and simpler to mount a handrail and/or a protective toe board on scaffolding. A pivoted connection 20 allows inclination of the bracket support for use on an incline or roof edge. <IMAGE>

Description

SCAFFOLDING BRACKET The invention relates to scaffolding brackets.

Scaffolding brackets of various types are well known, for interconnecting scaffolding poles and related components.

For some time a problem has existed related to the erection of edge protection scaffolding where it is necessary to mount a handrail and/or a protective toe board.

At present, a handrail or toe board is attached, for example to upright scaffolding poles, using a standard coupling known as a Putlog Coupler. This is a device which can be simultaneously tightened around an upright scaffolding pole and a horizontal member such as a handrail or toe board. However, the coupler does not grip on the vertical scaffolding pole until it has been simultaneously tightened around the pole and the handrail or toe board. Since the handrail or toe board has to be fastened between two spaced apart uprights, two men are required to mount the handrail or toe board. Each has to hold the handrail or toe board in the appropriate position with one hand, while tightening the coupler with the other.

I have solved this problem by providing a specially designed coupling device.

According to the invention, a coupling device is provided for use with scaffolding, the coupling device comprising a first portion connectable to a scaffolding pole or the like and a second portion subsequently connectable to a handrail, toe board or the like.

The first portion may comprise two components arranged so that they can be pivotally connected together to embrace a scaffolding pole and can then be tightened around the scaffolding pole using a screw-threaded connection.

The second portion may comprise a hook-like formation into which a handrail or a toe board can be dropped, for example for temporary location.

Preferably the second portion has means for locking the second portion to a handrail or toe board.

The locking means may comprise a bolt screwed into a tapped and drilled hole in the second portion.

Preferably the second portion can pivot with respect to the first portion so that the angle of the handrail or toe board may be adjusted.

The size of the second portion may be adjustable to suit different sizes of handrail or toe board.

By way of example, a specific of the invention will now be described, with reference to the single accompanying figure, which is a perspective view of one embodiment of coupling device according to my invention.

The coupling device indicated generally at 10 comprises two parts, namely a standard coupler 11 and a specially designed bracket 12.

The standard coupler comprises two components 13 and 14 which are pivotally connected together at 15. The components 13 and 14 cooperate to define a vertical hole which can receive a vertical scaffolding pole (not shown).

The pivotal connection 15 is such that the components 13 and 14 can be disengaged from one another to allow them to be fitted around the vertical scaffolding pole. The can then be re-engaged at 15 and tightened to clamp the pole using a threaded member 16, washer 17 and nut 18.

A standard Put log Coupler would have a further section which could simultaneously tighten around a handrail or toe board, as the nut 18 is tightened.

According to this embodiment of my invention, the component 13 is provided with a bearing member 19 and a specially designed bracket 12 is pivotally mounted on this bearing member at 20.

Welded to the rotatable component 20 is a downwardly extending first arm 21. A short upwardly extending second arm 22 is rigidly connected to the arm 21 by a cross piece 23. A bold 24 is screwed into a threaded hole in the arm 22.

The components 21, 22 and 23 cooperate to form a hook-like formation into which a toe board, handrail or other member can be dropped to be temporarily located in position.

When it is desired to mount a handrail or toe board, one man can clamp two of my coupling devices onto two upright poles respectively, a handrail or toe board can then dropped into the spaces apart hook-like formations, and the two bolts 24 can then be tightened to lock up the whole assembly.

Other embodiments are possible. For example, the hook shape formation 12 may be provided from a single piece of flat steel bar bent into a J shape.

Because the bracket 12 can pivot about 20, the embodiment has a further advantage over the prior art. Not only can the component 23 be used to locate horizontal handrails or toe boards, but it can also be used to clamp in position elongate components which are inclined to the horizontal, which is especially useful when erecting edge protection to apex elevations, gables, or the like. The coupling can also be used to secure timber to independent scaffolding when hoarding is required.

The bracket 12 is designed to suit a standard 1i inch thick toe board but in another embodiment, the component 23 could be made telescopic, so that the hook shape formation can be adjusted to fit different thicknesses of handrail or toe board.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

1. A coupling device for use with scaffolding, the coupling device comprising a first portion connectable to a scaffolding pole or the like and a second portion subsequently connectable to a handrail, toe board or the like.

2. A coupling device as claimed in Claim 1, in which the first portion comprises two components arranged so that they can be pivotally connected together to embrace a scaffolding pole and can then be tightened around the scaffolding pole using a screw-threaded connection.

3. A coupling device as claimed in Claim 2, in which the second portion comprises a hook-like formation into which a handrail or a toe board can be dropped, for example for temporary location.

4. A coupling device as claimed in Claim 3, in which the second portion has means for locking the second portion to a handrail or toe board.

5. A coupling device as claimed in Claim 4, in which the locking means comprises a bolt screwed into a tapped and drilled hole in the second portion.

6. A coupling device as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 5, in which the second portion can pivot with respect to the first portion so that the angle of the handrail or toe board may be adjusted.

7. A coupling device as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 6, in which the size of the second portion is adjustable to suit different sizes of handrail or toe board.

8. A coupling device constructed and arranged substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.