GB2312232A

GB2312232A - Scaffolding foot cover

Info

Publication number: GB2312232A
Application number: GB9608065A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gian Pearson
Original assignee: PROMOULD Ltd
Current assignee: PROMOULD Ltd
Priority date: 1996-04-18
Filing date: 1996-04-18
Publication date: 1997-10-22
Also published as: GB9608065D0

Abstract

A scaffolding foot cover (11) made from a polymeric material and comprising a substantially flat base (13) having raised peripheral sidewall (14) projecting upwardly from the base and the upper surface (15) of the base is covered by a lattice of ribs (16).

Description

A Scaffoldinq Foot Cover Field This invention relates to covers for scaffolding feet.

Background Scaffolding as erected around buildings or structures is typically formed from steel tube which is linked together in a framework. Typically the framework includes vertical tubes the lower ends of which rest on the ground. In order to spread the load the lower ends of the scaffolding tubes sometimes have base plates or feet fitted thereto. The base plates are typically round or square steel plates with a circular section central spigot that is inserted into the end of the scaffolding tube. There is a growing requirement by local and county councils to protect their pavements and roads which may be damaged by the ends of the scaffolding tubes or their feet. The scaffolding plates may also be a hazard to pedestrians.

Statements of Invention This invention relates to a cover for a scaffolding foot or base plate and which is made of a polymericmateriai and comprises a substantially flat base with raised peripheral portions to locate the cover around the foot.

The raised peripheral portions are in the form of a peripheral sidewall, preferably a continuous sidewall.

The upper surface of the base has spaced raised areas thereon, preferably in the form of ribs, that are deformable to accommodate irregularities in the scaffolding foot resting thereon.

The lower surface of the base could be formed with a noneslip surface thereon.

The cover may be formed from a resilient plastic material, preferably a brightly coloured or fluorescent material which is readily observable by a pedestrian.

Description of Drawings Fig.l is a plan view of a cover according to the invention, Fig.2 is a section on the line II-II of Fig.1 showing a scaffolding base plate or foot in situ, and Fig.3 is a section through and alternative form of rib.

Detailed Description of Invention With reference to Fig.l there is shown a cover 11 for a scaffolding foot or base plate 12. The foot 12 is a steel plate having an upwardly projecting central spigot 19 which in use locates in the end portion of a scaffolding tube.

The cover 11 is moulded from a polymeric material such as an elastomeric or plastics material, preferably a polyolefin such as polypropylene or high density polyethylene.

The cover 11 has a substantially square base 13 for accommodating a square base plate 12 but could be any desired shape for accommodating a respectively shaped base or foot for example the base 13 could be circular, rectangular or oval.

The base 13 has a peripheral sidewall 14 extending upwardly therefrom to locate the cover 11 on the foot 12. The sidewall extends upwardly to a height equal to or higher than foot 12. Alternatively the continuous sidewall 14 could be replaced by spaced apart peripheral portions which will locate on the edge of the foot 12.

The upper surface 15 of the base 13 has spaced apart raised portions thereon, in this example, in the form of ribs 16.

The ribs 16 form a latticework of raised portions which are deformable to accommodate irregularities in the foot 12 or the bottom surface 17 of the foot 12.

In this example, the ribs comprise parallel sets of ribs which are normal to each other but the ribs 16 could form a diamond lattice. Alternatively the raised portions could be in the form of spaced apart bosses or a combination of ribs with spaced apart bosses.

The bottom surface 17 of the base could be provided with a non-slip surface.

In order to make the covers 11 readily visible to the public the material from which they are moulded can be highly coloured in a bright colour e.g. red, blue, green or pigmented with a fluorescent pigment such a fluorescent green or orange.

In use the foot 12 is placed in the cover during building of a scaffolding structure so that any hard surface on which the foot is supported is protected from marking e.g.

pathing slabs or stones.

Fig 3. shows an alternative form of rib with a more readily deformable triangular section upper portion.

Claims

1. A scaffolding foot cover made from a polymeric material and comprising a substantially flat base having raised peripheral portions projecting upwardly from the base.

2. A cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upraised portions comprise a peripheral side wall.

3. A cover as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the upper surface of the base has spaced raised areas thereon that are deformable to accommodate irregularities in the respective foot.

4. A cover as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the spaced raised areas comprise a latticework of raised ribs.

5. A cover as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the raised ribs comprise a plurality of substantially parallel ribs extending in one direction and a plurality of substantially parallel transverse ribs normal thereto.

6. A cover as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the cover is formed from a resilient plastics material.

7. A cover as claimed in claim 6 wherein the cover is made from a polyolefinic material such as polypropylene or high density polyethylene.

8. A cover as claimed in Claim 6 or Claim 7 wherein the plastics material is brightly coloured or pigmented with a fluorescent material.

9. A cover as claimed in claim in any one of Claims 1 to 8 wherein the base is square, rectangular, or circular.

10. A scaffolding foot cover substantially as described herein and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.