GB2325487A

GB2325487A - Removable tool storage receptacle for scaffolding

Info

Publication number: GB2325487A
Application number: GB9810019A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Patrick Nolan; Brian Roland Travis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-05-10
Filing date: 1998-05-11
Publication date: 1998-11-25
Anticipated expiration: 2018-05-11
Also published as: GB9810019D0; GB2325487B

Abstract

A tool storage receptacle for use with scaffolding 16 consists of a storage part 11 which is compartmentalised. The receptacle 10 also includes member 12 which allows the receptacle 10 to be conveniently attached to scaffolding 16.

Description

REMOVABLE TOOL STORAGE RECEPTACLE This invention relates to a removable tool storage receptacle particularly although not exclusively for use in relation to scaffold constructions.

A problem arises when working on scaffold constructions such as towers or platforms in that usually a number of tools are required to perform the task being undertaken. For example, a drill, hammer and perhaps other tools will be required to perform a particular task. As used herein, the term "tools" is intended to cover not only articles such as a drill, hammer, screwdriver, etc., but also all materials and fixings required for the completion of a particular task. Of course only one or perhaps two of these will be in use at any one time and therefore, as space is at a premium, it is desirable for tools to be stored when not in use in a manner in which accidents such as tripping over unused tools or kicking of tools or other items off the tower or platform can be avoided.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome or at least minimise the abovementioned problems.

Thus and in accordance with the present invention therefore there is provided a tool storage receptacle for storing articles when not in use, said receptacle comprising a storage part and an attachment part, said storage part being shaped so as to provide a compartment to receive articles and said attachment part comprising a member which is shaped so as to form a hook for removable attachment to a part of a scaffold construction.

With this arrangement it is possible to provide a tool storage receptacle for use in a scaffold construction which overcomes the problems mentioned above.

Preferably said storage part may be shaped so as to define an open topped container which may be subdivided into a plurality of container parts for storage of different types of tools.

Preferably the attachment part is designed such that a part thereof which extends parallel to, but spaced from, the container has a longitudinal length sufficient to ensure stability of the receptacle in use.

Preferably the tool storage receptacle comprises a handle to enable the receptacle to be carried from one location to another. Most preferably, the handle forms part of the attachment means.

Preferably the storage part has apertures in a bottom thereof to allow moisture to drain out of the receptacle.

Preferably the receptacle includes, on an opposite side of the storage part to the attachment means, a projecting flap, the flap, in use, being capable of abutting a part of a scaffold structure to prevent pivotal movement of the receptacle about the attachment part. Alternatively the storage part may have a substantially flat bottom whereby the receptacle can be stood on said bottom.

Preferably the receptacle may include a lid which is movable so as to close off the open top of the container. A lock may also be provided which is operable to lock said lid in a closed position, this prevents items in the container being removed. Also, a lock may be provided to lock the receptacle to the scaffolding, this prevents the receptacle being stolen.

Preferably a single locking mechanism prevents the lid being opened and the receptacle being removed from the scaffolding, thereby only requiring a simple action to fully secure the receptacle.

The invention will now be described further by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings of which: Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of tool storage receptacle according to the present invention; Fig. 2 shows side views of the receptacle of Fig.

1; Fig. 3 shows a similar view to Fig. 1 of a second embodiment of storage receptacle according to the invention; Fig. 4 shows side views of the receptacle of Fig.

3; Fig. 5 shows a side view of one embodiment of receptacle including a lid with locking means; Fig. 6 shows a third embodiment of receptacle including a compartmentalised container; Fig. 7 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of receptacle for use in holding a bucket, paint pot or similar container; Fig. 8 shows a side view of the receptacle of Fig. 7; Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of receptacle with integral locking means; Fig. 10 shows the receptacle of Fig. 9 on place on a scaffolding construction; and Fig. 11 shows a similar view to Fig. 10 with the locking means released to allow access to the container.

Referring now to the figures, there is shown in Figure 1 a moulded plastics tool storage receptacle 10 which comprises a container part 11 into which tools can be placed and an attachment part 12 which, in use, allows the receptacle to be removably attached to a part of a scaffold structure.

The container part 11 and attachment part 12 are, in the embodiment shown, formed as a one piece structure but may, of course, if desired, be formed as separate parts which are then linked together in any suitable manner.

The container part 11 comprises an open topped container of any suitable shape and the attachment part 12 comprises a member which is shaped so as to define a hook so as to be capable of attaching the receptacle to the scaffold 13 in the manner shown in the drawing. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the attachment part 12 includes a handle 14 which may be moulded as part of the receptacle 10, or may be attached as a separate piece thereto. The handle 14 enables the receptacle 10 to be easily and conveniently moved between locations.

In use, the receptacle 10 can be removably attached to a tube 16 of a scaffold structure 13, for example a handrail, by locating the attachment member 12 over the tube 16 in the manner shown in the drawing. The fact that the receptacle 10 is attached in this way allows the receptacle 10 to be positioned at a convenient height relative to a person working on the scaffold for ease of access to the receptacle. Furthermore, the fact that the hook part of the attachment member 12 is of reasonable longitudinal length ensures that the receptacle is safely mounted and cannot be dislodged accidentally. Furthermore, in the case where more than one tube 16 is provided, spaced one from the other, on the scaffold 13, the receptacle 10 may be of such longitudinal dimension so as to abut a lower tube 16 when attached by the attachment member 12 to an upper tube 16. If this is the case, this will mean that the receptacle will be restrained from pivoting about the upper pole 16 in the direction in which tools may fall from the receptacle.

The container part 11 may include drainage holes 17 in a bottom thereof to allow moisture to drain from the container part (see Figure 2).

It can be appreciated that the use of a removable tool storage receptacle 10 of the kind described above allows tools to be stored on a scaffold structure 13, when not in use, in a particularly safe and easily removable manner and therefore assists in the prevention of accidents due to tools being kicked or otherwise knocked off the scaffold structure or persons working on the structure falling over them and causing hindrances or injury.

Referring now to Figures 3 and 4, there is shown a second embodiment of tool storage receptacle 20 according to the invention. This receptacle 20 is generally similar to the receptacle shown in Figure 1, however it includes a downwardly extending flap 21 which depends from a lower surface of the container part 22. The flap 21 is provided in order that, if the spacing of tubes of the scaffold is not too large, the flap can abut the lower tube 13 or a toe board of the scaffold, thereby preventing the receptacle pivoting about the attachment part 12 in the manner mentioned above.

Referring now to Figure 5 there is shown an embodiment of tool storage receptacle 30 which includes a lid 31 to close off the open top of the container part 11. The lid 31 is capable of pivoting about a pivot 32 provided adjacent the attachment means 12. The lid 31 has a downwardly extending flange 33 at an end thereof opposite the pivot 32 which has provided therein two apertures 34 for a purpose to be described hereafter.

A rear of the container part 11 also has two corresponding apertures provided therein (not shown), as does the hook part of the attachment means 12.

When it is desired to lock the lid 31 in the closed position, a generally U-shaped locking clip 36 is inserted in the manner indicated in Figure 5 through the apertures in the hook part, through the apertures in the container part 11 and the first flange 33 and the free ends thereof are locked together by using a conventional padlock or cycle lock. It will be appreciated that by use of a locking clip 36 of this type not only can the lid 31 be secured in a closed position to prevent access to tools in the container part, but also removal of the entire receptacle 30 from the scaffold pole is prevented.

As is shown in the embodiment of Figure 6, the container part 40 can be compartmentalised into more than one discrete container parts 41 to 43.

This enables different tools or implement types to be stored separately if desired and it is indeed also possible for the container parts 41 to 43 to be shaped or configured to accommodate a particular tool or implement type.

In the embodiment shown three container parts 41 to 43 are used, however it must be appreciated that as many container parts 41 to 43 as desired can be included, limited only by any maximum permitted dimensions of the finished receptacle 40.

Referring now to Figure 7 there is shown an alternative embodiment of tool storage receptacle 50 which is adapted particularly to enable the safe storage and mounting of a bucket or similar container or paint pot on a scaffold. The storage receptacle 50 is generally the same as that shown in Figure 1, save for the fact that instead of a solid one piece container part 11, a holding strap 51 of a plastics material is provided. One free end 52 of the holding strap 51 has a securing device 54 attached thereto and the other free end 55 has a retaining piece 56 attached thereto. The securing device 54 comprises a bolt attached to the free end of the strap 51. The bolt 54 receives into engagement thereto a securing nut 57 of any suitable type, for example a wing nut. The retaining piece 56 comprises a generally U-shaped member.

In use the strap 57 is placed around the periphery of the paint pot or bucket and the bolt 54 is placed between the arms of the retaining piece 56. The nut 57 can then be tightened into contact with the retaining piece 56 to tighten the strap to grip the container or paint pot. Removal of the paint pot or bucket is the reverse operation to this.

In the embodiment of Figs. 9 to 11 the tool storage receptacle 60 has an integral locking mechanism comprising a bar 61 with integral handle 65.

The receptacle is made substantially of metal. The container 11 has a lid 66 which is connected to the container via hinge 72. The exterior of the lid 66 has an upstanding latch 69. The container 11 is pivotally mounted on the bar 61 via eyelets 63a, 63b rigidly attached to the side of the container opposite the hinge 72. Two hooks 62 (only one of which is shown in Fig.

9) are connected to the container 11 to form the attachment means.

As best illustrated in Fig. 9 the receptacle 60 can be positioned on the scaffolding via a crane 74 engaging handle 65 and lifting the receptacle 60 such that hooks 62 hook over the scaffolding tube 16. Once the receptacle is in place, as best illustrated in Fig. 10, the weight and length of the container position the container such that it rests against adjacent tube 1 6a thereby preventing further movement of the container 11. The handle 65, now unhooked from the crane 74 is rotated via its pivotal mounting through eyelets 63a, 63b such that it surrounds latch 69. The weight of the handle 65 helps keep the lid 66 closed, however, to further secure the lid 66 a padlock, not illustrated, can be attached to the latch 69 and the handle 65 to prevent the lid 66 being opened.

The receptacle can be further secured to the scaffolding in order to prevent its removal by the provision of two rigid claws 64a, 64b integral with the bar 61 such that when the handle 65 is rotated to place the handle 65 in contact with the lid 66 the claws 64a, 64b hook around the scaffolding tube 16. Locking the handle 65 to the lid 66 with the padlock, or other suitable locking means prevents further movement of the claws 64a, 64b and ensures that the receptacle is firmly fastened to the scaffolding tube 16.

When a user desires to access the contents the tool storage receptacle 60 for the removal of tools etc. they must firstly remove the padlock, and then by lifting the handle, thus causing rotation of the bar 61, the claws 64 will no longer engage the tube 16. The bar 61 may be rotated until the claws 64 are positioned on the opposite side of the tube 16 to the container part 11. This positioning is desirable as the claws 64 hang over the edge of the scaffold structure 13 and will not cause any undue hindrance to the user or restrict their movement on the scaffold structure 13 in any way.

As shown in Fig. 11 the container part 11 may be compartmentalised into any desired number of compartments or sections as permitted by the dimensions of the container part 11. It is also envisaged that the container part 11 could store compartmentalised and removable trays 76 which are stackable, one on top of the other.

With this arrangement of the present invention it is possible to provide a secure, but removable, storage receptacle for tools which can be mounted conveniently and securely on a scaffold to reduce the risk of accidents.

It is of course to be understood that the invention is not intended to be restricted to the details of the above embodiment which are described by way of example only.

Claims

1. A tool storage receptacle comprising a storage part and an attachment part, said storage part being shaped so as to provide a compartment to receive articles and said attachment part comprising a member which is shaped so as to form a hook for removable attachment to a part of a scaffold construction.

2. A receptacle according to claim 1, wherein the compartment is an open topped container.

3. A receptacle according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the compartment is subdivided into a plurality of container parts for storage of different types of articles.

4. A receptacle according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a handle.

5. A receptacle according to claim 4, wherein the handle is a part of the attachment means.

6. A receptacle according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising stabilizing means for substantially preventing movement of said storage part when it is attached to a scaffold construction.

7. A receptacle according to claim 6, wherein the stabilizing means is an extension to the attachment means which extends parallel to, but spaced from, the storage part.

8. A receptacle according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the stabilizing means is an extension to the storage part which in use, is capable of abutting a part of the scaffold construction to prevent pivotal movement of the storage part about the attachment part.

9. A receptacle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the storage part comprises drainage means to allow moisture to drain out of the receptacle.

10. A receptacle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the storage part has a substantially flat bottom whereby the receptacle can be stood on a flat surface.

11. A receptacle according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a lid to selectively close said compartment.

12. A receptacle according to claim 11, wherein the lid is pivotally connected to the receptacle.

13. A receptacle according to claim 11 or 12, comprising locking means to selectively secure the lid in said closed position.

14. A receptacle according to claim 13, wherein the locking means also secures the receptacle to the scaffold construction.

15. A receptacle according to any one of clams 1 to 13, comprising means to selectively secure the receptacle to the scaffold construction.

16. A receptacle according to claims 13, 14 or 15, wherein the locking means is integral with the container.

17. A receptacle constructed and adapted to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.