GB2336391A - Means for connecting a guard rail to scaffolding - Google Patents

Means for connecting a guard rail to scaffolding Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2336391A
GB2336391A GB9908405A GB9908405A GB2336391A GB 2336391 A GB2336391 A GB 2336391A GB 9908405 A GB9908405 A GB 9908405A GB 9908405 A GB9908405 A GB 9908405A GB 2336391 A GB2336391 A GB 2336391A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
connecting apparatus
scaffolding
toeboard
working platform
guardrail
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB9908405A
Other versions
GB9908405D0 (en
Inventor
Steven Ramsey
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of GB9908405D0 publication Critical patent/GB9908405D0/en
Publication of GB2336391A publication Critical patent/GB2336391A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04G—SCAFFOLDING; FORMS; SHUTTERING; BUILDING IMPLEMENTS OR AIDS, OR THEIR USE; HANDLING BUILDING MATERIALS ON THE SITE; REPAIRING, BREAKING-UP OR OTHER WORK ON EXISTING BUILDINGS
    • E04G5/00—Component parts or accessories for scaffolds
    • E04G5/14—Railings
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04G—SCAFFOLDING; FORMS; SHUTTERING; BUILDING IMPLEMENTS OR AIDS, OR THEIR USE; HANDLING BUILDING MATERIALS ON THE SITE; REPAIRING, BREAKING-UP OR OTHER WORK ON EXISTING BUILDINGS
    • E04G7/00—Connections between parts of the scaffold
    • E04G7/02—Connections between parts of the scaffold with separate coupling elements
    • E04G7/06—Stiff scaffolding clamps for connecting scaffold members of common shape
    • E04G7/12—Clamps or clips for crossing members
    • E04G7/14—Clamps or clips for crossing members for clamping the members independently
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04G—SCAFFOLDING; FORMS; SHUTTERING; BUILDING IMPLEMENTS OR AIDS, OR THEIR USE; HANDLING BUILDING MATERIALS ON THE SITE; REPAIRING, BREAKING-UP OR OTHER WORK ON EXISTING BUILDINGS
    • E04G7/00—Connections between parts of the scaffold
    • E04G7/02—Connections between parts of the scaffold with separate coupling elements
    • E04G7/28—Clips or connections for securing boards
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04G—SCAFFOLDING; FORMS; SHUTTERING; BUILDING IMPLEMENTS OR AIDS, OR THEIR USE; HANDLING BUILDING MATERIALS ON THE SITE; REPAIRING, BREAKING-UP OR OTHER WORK ON EXISTING BUILDINGS
    • E04G7/00—Connections between parts of the scaffold
    • E04G7/02—Connections between parts of the scaffold with separate coupling elements
    • E04G7/28—Clips or connections for securing boards
    • E04G2007/285—Clips or connections for securing boards specially adapted for toe boards

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Refuge Islands, Traffic Blockers, Or Guard Fence (AREA)

Abstract

A connecting apparatus 10 comprising means 11A, 11B for releasably attaching the apparatus to the scaffolding, means 11A, 11B for receiving at least one guard rail 18 and positioning means 13 for ensuring that the guard rail 18 is located at a predetermined height above the working platform 17. The positioning means 13 can receive a toeboard 14. Means for additionally receiving a toeboard end (figures 4A, 4B) may be offset from the longitudinal axis of the connecting apparatus 10 or may be displaceable along a substantially horizontal axis.

Description

- 1 A CONNECTING APPARATUS 2336391 The present invention relates to a
connecting apparatus. In particular, the present invention relates to a connecting apparatus suitable for connecting a guardrail above a working platform provided by scaffolding.
In the construction or refurbishment of a building, it is often necessary to erect scaffolding alongside the building, thereby providing an elevated working platform from which the required work can be carried out from.
Scaffolding, predominantly utilised in the UK, generally comprises a framework of vertical and horizontal scaffolding tubes or poles connected to one another by appropriate couplers or connectors. Such framework supporting at least one working platform along the length of the scaffolding.
In order to increase the safety of a worker on the working platform provided by the scaffolding, it is known to provide a handrail or guardrail at an appropriate dIstance or height above the working platform, thereby reducing the possibility of a worker from falling off the working platform. In some instances, and with a view to increasing the safety of workers on the working platform, the scaffolding is provided with two guardrails at different heights above the working platform.
In order to provide a guardrail at an appropriate height above the working platform of the scaffolding, the guardrail can be coupled to a vertical scaffolding pole via what is known in the art as a double coupler. The problem associated with such double couplers is that in order to ensure that the guardrail is positioned at a uniform height above the working platform along the length of the scaffolding, each double coupler has to be connected to the fl 2 - vertical scaffolding pole at a set distance above the working platform. This requires a measurement to be taken for each double coupler to be connected to the scaffolding. Consequently, it will be appreciated by the skilled reader that the use of individual double couplers to connect a guardrail to a scaffolding, along the length of a working platform, is time consuming and hence, costly.
With a view to overcoming this problem, US Patent No. 5145030 provides a guardrail post or connecting apparatus which when attached to a scaffolding enables the location of a guardrail at a predetermined height above the working platform. That is, such guardrail post forgoes the need to make an individual measurement for each double coupler attached to a vertical scaffolding pole. The problem associated with the guardrail post of US Patent No.5145030 is that it is only suitable for use with scaffolding of the type generally comprising inverted prefabricated Ushaped trusses which are stacked on top of one another and are interlocked by interlocking pins which pass through interlocking holes provided on adjacent trusses. That is, the guardrail post of the above identified us Patent relies on the existence of interlocking holes on adjacent trusses, to enable the guardrail to be located at a predetermined height above the working platform of the scaffolding. Consequently, it would not be suitable for the type of scaffolding generally comprising a framework of vertical and horizontal scaffolding poles as predominantly used in the UK. Additionally, when constructed, the guardrail provided by the above-identified US Patent is offset from the vertical portion of the inverted U-shaped truss and hence, encroaches on the working area provided above the working platform. This is particularly disadvantageous if a guardrail is required at either side of a working platform.
According to the present invention there is provided a connecting apparatus for use in connecting at least one guardrail above a working platform of a scaffolding, the connecting apparatus comprising:
means for releasably attaching the apparatus to the scaffolding; means for receiving at least one guardrail; and positioning means for ensuring that the guardrail, when received by the connecting apparatus, is located at a predetermined height above the working platform characterised in that the positioning means can receive a toeboard.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a connecting apparatus which at least addresses the problems associated with the connecting apparatus of the prior art, as outlined above. In particular, it is believed that the connecting apparatus of the present application has greater utility in that it does not rely on the inclusion of interlocking holes provided on adjacent scaffolding poles. Additionally, by providing a connecting apparatus which also receives a toeboard or kickboard along the length of the working platform, the overall safety of the scaffolding is increased, since accidents as a result of a piece of building equipment or material being accidentally kicked off the working platform will be avoided. Moreover, by incorporating means for receiving a toeboard within the connecting apparatus of the present invention, forgoes the need to provide a separate piece of or connector which is suitable to connect the to the scaffolding. The skilled person will that by reducing the amount of connectors that are to construct a scaffolding, will reduce the time to construct a scaffoldina and hence will reduce apparatus toeboard reallse required required the costs of constructing a scaffolding. Furthermore, the guardrail constructed using the connecting apparatus of the present invention does not encroach on the working area 4 - provided by the working platform as much as that of the prior art, especially since it is designed to abut against the surface of the vertical scaffolding pole to which it is connected.
In a preferred embodiment, there are two means for receiving separate guardrails at two predetermined heights above the working platform of the scaffolding. By providing two guardrails at appropriate heights above the working platform, the risk of a worker falling from the working platform is reduced.
Further preferably, an connecting apparatus of the such that it complements the scaffolding pole to which i advantage of reducing the working platform lost as guardrail.
inner surface of the present invention is shaped outer surface of the vertical t is attached. This has the amount of work area above a a result of constructing a Further preferably, the positioning means are also provided with means such that same can also receive an end toeboard. Further preferably, the means which can receive an end toeboard is offset from a longitudinal axis of the connecting apparatus to enable an end toeboard to be =serted at the correct position, that is, in the event that the end toeboard is not positioned such that it is aligned with the scaffolding pole to which the connecting apparatus is attached. Further preferably, the means for receiving an end toeboard are horizontally displaceable such that the positioning of same can be adjusted to ensure that same can receive an end toeboard.
One embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example to the accompanying drawings in which:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the connecting apparatus of the present application; Fig. 2 is a side view of the connecting apparatus of Fig. 1 when attached to a vertical scaffolding pole; and Fig. 3 illustrates a portion of the connecting apparatus of Fig. 1 where the positioning means have been modified such that it can also receive an end toeboard; and Figs 4A and 4B illustrates a portion of the connecting apparatus of Fig. 1 where the positioning means have been modified such that it can also receive an end toeboard.
As illustrated in Figs. 1 & 2, a connecting apparatus 10 in accordance with the present invention comprises a first portion 20 which is integral with two double couplers 11A and 11B and positioning means 13, which can receive a toeboard 14. The inner surface of the first portion 20 of the connecting apparatus 10 is shaped so that same substantially complements the vertical scaffolding pole 15 to which for example, the cross-section of substantially semi-circular.
outer surface of a it is to be attached, portion 20 may be The connecting apparatus 10 is attachable to the vertical scaffolding pole 15 via the double couplers 11A and 11B.
When the connecting apparatus 10 is connected to the vertical scaffolding pole 15 via the double couplers 11A and 11B, a guardrail 16 can be received by the double couplers 11A and 11B.
The positioning means or toeboard receiver 13 of the connecting apparatus 10 can receive, locate or retain a toeboard 14, thereby enabling a toeboard 14 to be provided along the length of the working platform 17 of a scaffolding structure. As the height of a toeboard 14 is generally uniform, the positioning means 13, which receives the toeboard 14, ensures that the guardrails when received by the double couplers 11A and 11B are located at a predetermined height above the working platform 17 of the scaffolding, that is, when surface 13A of the positioning means 13 abuts against the top edge 14A of the toeboard 14. By utilising the connecting apparatus 10 of the present invention, a first guardrail may be located at 54cm above the working platform and a second guardrail may be located at 107cm above the working platform.
As illustrated in Fig. 3, the positioning means 13 further provided with two outwardly extending projections 21A and 21B, which form a channel within which may be located an end toeboard (not illustrated). Such a modification enables the connector 10 of the present invention to be located at a corner of a scaffolding. That is, such a modification will enable the positioning means 13 to receive two toeboards which are substantially perpendicular to one another.
As illustrated in Figs. 4A and 4B, the positioning means 13 is also 'orovided with two outwardly extending projections 21A and 21B, which form a channel within which may be located a end toeboard (not illustrated). However, in this embodiment, the channel formed by the outwardly extending projections is offset from the longitudinal axis X, either to the right or the left, of the first portion 20 of the connecting apparatus 10. This enables an end zoeboard to be located within the channel even if the end.oeboard is not aligned with the scaffolding pole 15 to which the connecting apparatus 10 is connected. Further preferably, in an unillustrated embodiment, the portion of the positioning means 13 from which the projections 21A and 21B protrude may be movable along a horizontal axis such that same is adjustable to ensure that the positioning of same can be adjusted to receive an end toeboard.
Although the present invention has been described by way of reference to a connecting apparatus for use on a scaffolding, it is to be understood that the connecting apparatus of the present invention can be utilised with any structure where the provision of a guardrail at a predetermined height above a platform is desired.

Claims (7)

1. A connecting apparatus for use in connecting at least one guardrail above a working platform of a scaffolding, the connecting apparatus comprising:
means for releasably attaching the apparatus to the scaffolding; means for receiving at least one guardrail; and positioning means for ensuring that the guardrail, when received by the connecting apparatus, is located at a predetermined height above the working platform characterised in that the positioning means can receive a toeboard.
2. A connecting apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein there are two means for receiving separate guardrails.
3. A connecting apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein an inner surface of the connecting apparatus is shaped such that it substantially complements the outer surface of the scaffolding to which it is to be attached.
4. A connecting apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the positioning means are provided with means for additionally receiving an end toeboard.
5. A connecting apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the means f or additionally receiving an end toeboard are offset from a longitudinal axis of the connecting apparatus.
6. A connecting apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the means for additionally receiving an end toeboard are displaceable along a substantially horizontal axis.
- 9
7. A connecting apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
GB9908405A 1998-04-14 1999-04-14 Means for connecting a guard rail to scaffolding Withdrawn GB2336391A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB9807770.4A GB9807770D0 (en) 1998-04-14 1998-04-14 Improvements in or relating to connecting apparatus

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB9908405D0 GB9908405D0 (en) 1999-06-09
GB2336391A true GB2336391A (en) 1999-10-20

Family

ID=10830221

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GBGB9807770.4A Ceased GB9807770D0 (en) 1998-04-14 1998-04-14 Improvements in or relating to connecting apparatus
GB9908405A Withdrawn GB2336391A (en) 1998-04-14 1999-04-14 Means for connecting a guard rail to scaffolding

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GBGB9807770.4A Ceased GB9807770D0 (en) 1998-04-14 1998-04-14 Improvements in or relating to connecting apparatus

Country Status (1)

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GB (2) GB9807770D0 (en)

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2350859A (en) * 1999-04-14 2000-12-13 Charles Dorian Thomas Scaffolding fixtures
GB2373539A (en) * 2001-03-22 2002-09-25 Douglas Meir Method for installing handrails on a scaffolding platform
GB2400398A (en) * 2003-04-10 2004-10-13 Sgb Services Ltd A scaffold post for supporting a mesh safety barrier and toe board
EP1700974A1 (en) * 2004-06-18 2006-09-13 Safestand Limited Bracket for kickboards
GB2483870A (en) * 2010-09-22 2012-03-28 Simon Lars Hornsby Scaffolding guardrail spacing device
GB2484395A (en) * 2010-10-06 2012-04-11 Steelhoard Ltd Scaffold safety rail system
DE102011118198A1 (en) * 2011-11-11 2013-05-16 Susanne Grünwald Bracket structure for supporting covering portion at scaffold installed in building, has retaining portion that is arranged between end portions of carrier portion which is provided for supporting scaffold covering portion
EP2636815A2 (en) 2012-03-09 2013-09-11 Dani Alu U-bolt for attaching a handrail top rail to a post
DE102013016411A1 (en) * 2013-09-27 2015-04-02 Jeffs Gmbh FK side protection post - device for temporarily securing persons against falling
EP2871302A1 (en) * 2013-11-08 2015-05-13 Safety Solutions Jonsereds AB Mounting arrangement for a temporary edge protection system
EP3045613A1 (en) * 2015-01-15 2016-07-20 Scott Wesson Scaffold fitting means and method of use thereof
US20210047846A1 (en) * 2018-04-20 2021-02-18 Deltak Manufacturing, Inc. Scaffold Gate Toeboard Assembly for Use on a Scaffold Gate
GB2601292A (en) * 2020-10-14 2022-06-01 Morris White Stephen Scaffolding tool

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB652301A (en) * 1948-03-10 1951-04-18 Kwikform Ltd Improvements in or relating to tubular metal scaffolding
US3825098A (en) * 1972-12-21 1974-07-23 Cyclops Corp Hanging scaffolding
US3863900A (en) * 1973-04-13 1975-02-04 Symons Corp Removable guard rail assembly and stanchion bracket therefor
FR2337238A1 (en) * 1975-12-31 1977-07-29 Meynieu Francis Angle iron adapting scaffolding to receive three rail safety fence - has clamps and pivoting lockable brackets to receive hand rails and toe board

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB652301A (en) * 1948-03-10 1951-04-18 Kwikform Ltd Improvements in or relating to tubular metal scaffolding
US3825098A (en) * 1972-12-21 1974-07-23 Cyclops Corp Hanging scaffolding
US3863900A (en) * 1973-04-13 1975-02-04 Symons Corp Removable guard rail assembly and stanchion bracket therefor
FR2337238A1 (en) * 1975-12-31 1977-07-29 Meynieu Francis Angle iron adapting scaffolding to receive three rail safety fence - has clamps and pivoting lockable brackets to receive hand rails and toe board

Cited By (18)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2350859A (en) * 1999-04-14 2000-12-13 Charles Dorian Thomas Scaffolding fixtures
GB2373539A (en) * 2001-03-22 2002-09-25 Douglas Meir Method for installing handrails on a scaffolding platform
GB2400398A (en) * 2003-04-10 2004-10-13 Sgb Services Ltd A scaffold post for supporting a mesh safety barrier and toe board
GB2400398B (en) * 2003-04-10 2006-04-26 Sgb Services Ltd Improvements in or relating to a scaffolding post
EP1700974A1 (en) * 2004-06-18 2006-09-13 Safestand Limited Bracket for kickboards
GB2483870A (en) * 2010-09-22 2012-03-28 Simon Lars Hornsby Scaffolding guardrail spacing device
GB2484395A (en) * 2010-10-06 2012-04-11 Steelhoard Ltd Scaffold safety rail system
GB2484395B (en) * 2010-10-06 2013-01-02 Mark Edward Bowman Scaffold safety rail and method of assembly
DE102011118198A1 (en) * 2011-11-11 2013-05-16 Susanne Grünwald Bracket structure for supporting covering portion at scaffold installed in building, has retaining portion that is arranged between end portions of carrier portion which is provided for supporting scaffold covering portion
EP2636815A2 (en) 2012-03-09 2013-09-11 Dani Alu U-bolt for attaching a handrail top rail to a post
FR2987853A1 (en) * 2012-03-09 2013-09-13 Dani Alu CALIPER FOR FIXING A GUARD RAIL ON AN AMOUNT
EP2636815A3 (en) * 2012-03-09 2017-01-25 Dani Alu U-bolt for attaching a handrail top rail to a post
DE102013016411A1 (en) * 2013-09-27 2015-04-02 Jeffs Gmbh FK side protection post - device for temporarily securing persons against falling
EP2871302A1 (en) * 2013-11-08 2015-05-13 Safety Solutions Jonsereds AB Mounting arrangement for a temporary edge protection system
EP3045613A1 (en) * 2015-01-15 2016-07-20 Scott Wesson Scaffold fitting means and method of use thereof
US20210047846A1 (en) * 2018-04-20 2021-02-18 Deltak Manufacturing, Inc. Scaffold Gate Toeboard Assembly for Use on a Scaffold Gate
US11761217B2 (en) * 2018-04-20 2023-09-19 Deltak Manufacturing, Inc. Scaffold gate toeboard assembly for use on a scaffold gate
GB2601292A (en) * 2020-10-14 2022-06-01 Morris White Stephen Scaffolding tool

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB9908405D0 (en) 1999-06-09
GB9807770D0 (en) 1998-06-10

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WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)