GB2331120A - Scaffolding lock - Google Patents

Abstract

A scaffolding lock comprises a lockable enclosure arranged to surround a clamped junction between two crossing scaffolding members 2,3. The enclosure may have a slot 10 on each of its four sides, a base 9 and a hingeable or detachable lid 20 with an angle plate 26 having a staple slot 22. A padlock 27 secures the lid.

Description

Scaffoldina Lock The present invention relates to a scaffolding lock.

Scaffolding is prone to theft when unattended.

Normal methods of assembling with lock bolts and the like are not attractive since scaffolding is inherently designed for quick erection and taking down.

According to the present invention there is provided a scaffolding lock comprising a lockable enclosure so arranged to surround a clamped junction between two crossing scaffolding members.

Preferably the enclosure is a box-like structure having a slot on each of four sides to receive the said scaffolding members, a base and a lid extending over the sides.

In one embodiment the lid is arranged to be removed completely from the sides, whilst in another the lid is connected to a corner between two sides so that it can hinge about the corner.

Two embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is an elevation of a scaffolding lock according to a first embodiment of the invention taken from direction A in Figure 2.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the lock of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an elevation of the lock of Figure 2 taken from direction B of that figure.

Figure 4 is an elevation of a scaffolding lock according to a second embodiment of the invention taken from a similar direction as Figure 1.

In both embodiments the lock 1 and 101 is arranged to be placed over a crossed joint between two scaffolding members 2 and 3 which are joined by a clamp 4. In each embodiment the lock comprises four sides 5, 6, 7, 8 formed from steel hollow sectioned material 6 mm thick. Welded to the bottom of the sides is a base plate 9 of steel 10 mm thick. Side 5 and its opposite 7 have long opposed slots 10 to accept scaffolding member 2, whilst side 6 and its opposite 8 have shorter opposed slots 12 to accept scaffolding member 3.

Welded to the corner 13 of both embodiments between sides 7 and 8 is a staple 14 of 15 mm diameter steel. At the opposite corner 15 is a hole 16 through which in the first embodiment a hinging element 17 loosely passes and through which in the second embodiment a securing element 19 loosely passes.

In the first embodiment a lid 20 of 10 mm thick steel slides in direction C (Figure 2) when opening from the box-like sides 5 to 8 so that its hasp 21 with staple slot 22 disengages from the staple 14 and so that the lid 20 can then hinge about the point of engagement between hinging element 17 and hole 16.

The second embodiment opens in the same direction but in this case the securing element 19 slides out of hole 16 to enable the lid to be detached from the sides 5 to 8 and base 9.

In both embodiments plates 25 are welded to the lid so that they partially block off the slots 10. Also welded to each lid is an angle plate 26 in which staple slot 22 is formed.

In both embodiments the lid is finally secured to the sides by means of a padlock 27 passed through the staple 14.

Whilst the shown enclosures formed by the parts 5 to 9 and 20 are rectilinear they can be spherical or any other suitable shape to enclose the scaffolding junction.

Claims (7)

1. CLAIMS 1. A scaffolding lock comprising a lockable enclosure so arranged to surround a clamped junction between two crossing scaffolding members.
2. 2. A lock as claimed in claim 1 wherein the enclosure is a box-like structure having a slot on each of four sides to receive the said scaffolding members and further comprising a lid extending over the sides.
3. 3. A lock as claimed in claim 2 wherein the lid is arranged to be removed completely from the sides.
4. 4. A lock as claimed in claim 2 wherein the lid is hinged with respect to the sides.
5. 5. A lock as claimed in claim 2 wherein the lid is secured to the sides at two opposite corners at the meeting of the sides.
6. 6. A scaffolding lock substantially as described and shown in Figures 1 to 3.
7. 7. A scaffolding lock substantially as described and shown in Figure 4.