GB2294521A

GB2294521A - Axial connection of tubular scaffolding components

Info

Publication number: GB2294521A
Application number: GB9421768A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Charles Owens
Original assignee: Alloy Die & Cast Ltd
Current assignee: Alloy Die & Cast Ltd
Priority date: 1994-10-28
Filing date: 1994-10-28
Publication date: 1996-05-01
Also published as: GB9421768D0

Abstract

The tubular scaffolding components 2, 20 (Figure 1) are connected in bayonet fashion by passing the lugs 24 through grooves 12 and relative rotation of the components 2, 20, and the pockets 4, 22 are then aligned and receive further components which prevent accidental or unsafe disassembly. In Figure 2, the lug 44 is selectively engageable in one of the grooves 36 to vary the length of the assembly The components 30, 40 are held temporarily by a removable lug 46. <IMAGE>

Description

Title: Tubular connector tor scazzolding, component.

Specsstication, This invention relates to a means for rapidly connecting together scaffolding tubular members such that they cannot be accidentally disconnected. Scaffolding components have for many years been manufactured as individual components which are connected together by various methods including friction grip, wedges, screw operated clamps and cross pins. All of these methods are time consuming to perform and may be subject to disconnection both accidentally and intentionally at inappropriate times, causing risk to personnel and property.

This invention provides a means of connecting tubular scaffolding members together axially such that the connection may be rapidly made and which cannot be released until it is safe to do so.

Additionally the device will permit rapid telescopic axial adjustment of tubular members to pre-determined dimensions which can then be locked in position such that the adjustment obtained cannot be altered unsafely or unintentionally.

The invention comprises oz a first tubular member incorporating a cylindrical or tubular end spigot portion which incorporates a recessed groove. A second member comprises of a similar tubular member incorporating one or more internally projecting lugs which intrude within the inside diameter of the tubular member. Connection ot the two members is eIfected by engaging the end of the second member over the spigot portion of the first member and then rotating one o@ the members axially about the other member. The attachment of subsequent additional components to the scaffolding structure prevents the two interlocked components being counter rotated thus preventing the disengagement of the lug/lugs.Conversely the attachment of the assembled pair of components into an existing structural assembly will also prevent counter rotation of the joint thus preventing disengagement.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reterence to the accompanying drawings where Fig.l is an isometric representation of the ends of two axially connectable tubular members and Fig.2 is an isometric representation of a pair of telescopically connectable members.

The first axially connectable member comprises of a tubular member 2 incorporating a group of radially extending pockets 4 connected to the tubular member such that rotation of the pocket group is prevented. This pocket group provides points at which rigid connections of other components can be made. A spigot portion 6 formed at the end of the first member incorporates a tapering body portion 8 and a head portion 10 such that the diameter of the head portion is slightly smaller than the internal diameter of the second tubular member 20. At least one axially extending groove 12 is incorporated within the head and extends along to the body portion. A circumfrentially extending ledge 14 extends partially around one edge of the head at a distance h irom the end of the tubular member 2.

The distal end ot the ledge incorporates an abutment portion 16.

The second axially connectable member comprises of a tubular member 20 incorporating a similar radially extending group of pockets 22 connected to the tubular member such that rotation of these pocket groups with respect to the tubular member is prevented. At least one inwardly projecting lug 24 extends within the internal diameter of the second member at a position h from the end of the member. This lug is orientated such that the lug is axially aligned with respect to the pockets 22 in a similar configuration to the alignment of the abutment portion of the spigot of the first member with respect to the pockets on the first member.

Engagement and locking of the members is etiected by locating the second member over the end of the first member which is already incorporated and fixed into a structure and then rotation of the second member such that the pockets are in alignment. The attachment of further components to the pockets of the second member prevents rotation of the second member with respect to the first member and thus prevents rotational disengagement of one member from the other.

Disengagement may only be effected by the systematic and hence safe dismantling of the structure.

Where telescopically adjustable connections are required the tirst member incorporates a cylindrical portion 50 incorporating an axially extending groove 3 extending a distance at least as great as the the required adjustment range. Circumferentially extending grooves 36 incorporating abutment portions 38 are Incorporated along the length of the groove and are spaced apart such as to provide the required divisions ci adjustment.

A second member 40 incorporating a hollow portion 42 incorporates an inwardly projecting lug 44 extending within the internal diameter of the member. A second retractably attached lug 46 also extends within the internal diameter and is radially aligned such that the misalignment xk is similar to the radial misalignment xi ot the groove of the first member with respect to the abutment portion.

Axial adjustment is achieved by the engagement of the second member over the first member until the desired degree of adjustment is achieved. Rotation of the members with respect to one another causes the lug to engage within the circumferential grooves until the lug is prevented from turther rotation by the abutment portion thus preventing axial telescopic movement between the two members.

Engagement of the retractably connected lug within the groove temporarily prevents counter rotation of the members. If the combined members form a sub-component within the structure and are then attached within a structure such that relative rotation is prevented then the accidental or unintentional disengagement of the telescopic adjustment is prevented even if the retractable lug is withdrawn.

Claims

Claims,

what we ciaim is@- Claim @ A means c@ axia@ly connecting tu@ular sca@@olding components such that the accidental or unsafe dis@onnection is prevented by the addition o@ supsequent components within the structure, Claim @ A connecting means as in claim 1 whereby the components may only be dis@onnected by the svstematic saie dismantling o@ the structure.

Claim @ A conne@ting means as in claim 1 and 2 whereby the components may be te@e@@op@@a@ly adjusted with respect to each other.

Claim @ A connecting means as in the above claims whereby the adjustment means comprises one or more lugs @ccatable against one or more @edges or grooves.

@@@@@ @ A @@@@@@@ing means as @essr@@@@ @n any o@ the above claims wherety @@@ @@a@@@@@ing comp@@ents are constr@cted substantia@@v @@@m a@@@@@@um mater@@@s.