GB2311554A - Scaffolder's safety hook - Google Patents

Description

Scafibiders' Safetv Hook This invention relates to providing a safe point fbr scaffolders' to attach to while erecting, working on or disassembling scaffolding.

Scaffolding is well known as a hazardous occupation, with many instances of falls from height causing fatalities or at best permanent injury. These incidents are most prevalent during erection and disassembly of scaffolds. If a safe and cheap prevention method was found many ofthese accidents could be thwarted.

According to the present invention a safe point will be provided for the scaffolder to hook a safety line onto during erection and disassembly of scaffolds, thus preventing a fall serious enough to injure. Two of these tools (one at each end of an elevated pipe track for instance) could be used as anchor points for a temporary safety line over short distances, where the worker would clip onto the safety line thus allowing them freedom to walk up and down the pipe track while "tied onto" a safety line.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a drawing of the safety hook.

Figure 2 illustrates the fitting of safety hook into a scaffold pole Referring to Figure 1, the safety hook comprises a central core (1), attaching lugs (2) for the clip on of a safety line and a hold/release bolt (3).

The operation of the safety hook is critical to it's success. During erection of scaffolding the safety hook is placed into the top end of a vertical scaffold pole (see Figure 2a) until the hold/release bolt is at the end of the pole. The hold/release bolt is then tightened such that the central core is pressed against the inside of the pole, holding it fast in place. The scaffolder clips their safety line, whichever formation of unit they have chosen, onto the safety hook's attaching lugs (Figure 2b). The pole is then put into place on the scaffold (Figure 2c). The scaffolder is now safely attached, once the initial platform has been made the clip can be removed by loosening the hold/release bolt and removing the safety hook. It can then be used in the same manner to build up further platforms above the existing one.

During disassembly of scaffold the same steps are applied as described above.

A diagrarn of how two safety hooks can be used as anchors for a temporary safety line is shown in Figure 3.

Claims (3)

Claims

1. A safety hook comprising of a central core, attachment lugs and a hold and release mechanism for attachment to a scaffolding pole.

2. A safety hook as claimed in Claim 1., wherein the correct operation will help arrest injury to people working at height.

3. A safety hook as claimed in Claim 1., wherein when combined with another safety hook can provide anchor points for a temporary safety line.