GB2350855A

GB2350855A - Scaffold anchoring system

Info

Publication number: GB2350855A
Application number: GB9913402A
Authority: GB
Inventors: George Nicolaou
Original assignee: NICOLAOU ALEXANDRA
Current assignee: NICOLAOU ALEXANDRA
Priority date: 1999-06-09
Filing date: 1999-06-09
Publication date: 2000-12-13
Anticipated expiration: 2019-06-09
Also published as: GB2350855B; GB9913402D0

Abstract

A scaffold anchoring system comprising an anchoring device (8), having an elongate portion (12) for screwing into a structure (6) and an engaging portion (16) extending generally normal to the axis of the elongate portion, an elongate scaffold member (24) having at one end portion (26) an opening extending substantially normal to the axis of the element and sized to accommodate the engaging portion (16) of the anchoring device, whereby the scaffold member is anchored to the device and thus the structure.

Description

2350855 SCAFFOLD ANCHORING DEVICES AND SYSTEMS The present invention

relates to scaffold anchoring devices and systems, When scaffolding is erected adjacent the face of a structure, buttresses are usually provided to keep the scaffolding from tipping in a direction away from the face of the structure. Such buttresses usually extend from a mid-Portion of the assembly to the ground at some distance from the structure.

In certain situations, this additional buttressing may require the cordoning off of parts of roads or walkways on the ground and so cause congestion.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved anchoring system and device.

According to the present invention there is provided a scaffold anchoring system comprising an anchoring device having an elongate portion for lockingly engaging an opening in a structure, and an engaging portion extending generally normal to the axis of the elongate portion, an elongate scaffold element having at one end portion an opening extending substantially normal to the axis of the element and sized to accommodate the engaging portion of the device, whereby when the device is anchored to the structure, anchoring of said scaffold element to the device also anchors a scaffolding array of which said element forms part, to the structure.

Preferably, the device includes an annular flange rigid therewith extending radially with respect to the axis of the elongate portion and located between said elongate portion and the engaging portion, said flange being arranged to abut the surface of the structure, when said elongate portion is secured to the structure, and being sized to prevent the scaffold element engaging the structure to damage the surface thereof when said scaffold element is caused to engage said engaging portion.

Advantageously, the distal end portion of said engaging portion is inclined in a direction towards said elongate portion. 10 The scaffold element may comprise a scaffold tube and said one end portion thereof is flattened and a hole formed therethrough to provide said opening.

Instead, the said one end portion may be engaged by a shank carrying an eye portion 15 at its distal end, The shank may be welded or otherwise secured to the scaffold element.

In a further modification, the anchoring device may comprise a plurality of engaging portions, each extending generally normal to the axis of the elongate portion, said engaging portions being equiangularly spaced from one another. 20 Advantageously, the engaging portions comprise three in number but preferably four, Scaffold anchoring devices and systems will now be described, by way of example, 25 with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which:

Figure I shows a scaffolding array anchored by said system to a building; Figure 2 is a view to an enlarged scale of one anchoring device of the system; Figures 3 and 4 are end views of two alternative anchoring devices; Figure 5 is a side elevation of the anchoring device of Figure 3; Figure 6 is a plan view of an end portion of a scaffold tube; Figure 7 is a plan view of an alternative end portion of a scaffold tube; and Figure 8 is a side elevation of yet another form of anchoring device.

As shown in Figure 1, a scaffold array 2 comprising an array of scaffold tubes 4 linked by scaffold clamps (not shown), is secured to the face of a building 6 by means of a series of vertically and horizontally spaced anchoring devices 8.

Each anchoring device 8, as shown more clearly in Figure 2, includes an elongate shank 12 which is screw-threaded to engage a hole or other apertured opening in the wall of the building 6. The hole may be lined with a plastics plug (not shown) to ensure that the screw-thread will be securely anchored in the wall.

A radially extending annular disc washer 14 is welded to the shank 12 so that when the shank 12 is screwed fully home into the wall, the disc 14 abuts the wall. At the end of the shank 12, remote from the screw-threaded end, is a rod 16 extending normal to the axis of the shank 12. One of the tubular cross members 24 of the scaffolding array has one end portion 26 flattened (see Figure 7) and provided with an opening 28 drilled or punched therein and extending at right angles to the axis of the member 24. The opening 28 is sized so that it can accommodate the rod 16 and thereby secure the member and therefore the whole scaffolding array, to the wall of the building 6.

In a modification, instead of the end of the member 24 being flattened, it can accommodate the shank 32 of an insert 30 (see Figure 6). The shank 32 can be welded at 36 to the member 24. The free end portion 3 8 of the shank 32 is generally circular with an opening 40 thereon sized to accommodate the rod 16 of the anchoring device. 5 Instead of the anchoring device being provided with a single rod 16, it can be provided with a plurality of a preferably equiangularly spaced rods 16A or 16B (see Figures 3 and 4 which illustrate three and four rods respectfully). This is of assistance when the shank 12 (see Figure 5) is screwed into the wall and halted by the disk 14 abutting the wall in ensuring that at least one of the rods 16A, 16B is upright to receive the opening in this member 24.

In the modification of the anchoring device shown in Figure 8, the distal end of the rod 16C is angled so as to be inclined towards the wall. This ensures that the member 24 can only be lifted off the rod 16C by first being inclined upwardly. Since this usually cannot be done without releasing the member 24 ftom the rest of the scaffolding array, it prevents inadvertent or accidental decoupling taking place.

The anchoring member is preferably of stainless steel but can also be made of other durable and strong materials.

Claims

1. A scaffold anchoring system comprising an anchoring device having an elongate portion for lockingly engaging an opening in a structure, and an engaging portion extending generally normal to the axis of the elongate portion, an elongate scaffold element having at one end portion an opening extending substantially normal to the axis of the element and sized to accommodate the engaging portion of the device, whereby when the device is anchored to the structure, anchoring of said scaffold element to the device also anchors a scaffolding array of which said element forms part, to the structure.

2. A system according to Claim 1, wherein the device includes an annular flange figid therewith extending radially with respect to the axis of the elongate portion and located between said elongate portion and the engaging portion, said flange being arranged to abut the surface of the structure, when said elongate portion is secured to the structure, and being sized to prevent the scaffold element engaging the structure to damage the surface thereof when said scaffold element is caused to engage said engaging portion.

3. A system according to Claim I or to Claim 2, wherein the distal end portion of said engaging portion is inclined in a direction towards said elongate portion.

4. A system according to any one of Claims I to 3, wherein the scaffold element comprises a scaffold tube and said one end portion thereof is flattened and a hole formed therethrough to provide said opening.

5. A system according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the scaffold element comprises a scaffold tube and said one end portion thereof is engaged by a shank ng an eye portion at its distal end.

6. A system according to Claim 5, wherein the shank is secured to the scaffold element.

7. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the anchoring device comprises a plurality of engaging portions, each extending generally normal to the axis of 10 the elongate portion, said engaging portions being equiangularly spaced from one another.

8. A system according to Claim 7, wherein the engaging portions comprise three in number.

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9. A system according to Claim 7, wherein said engaging portion comprise four in number.

10. A scaffold anchoring system substantially as herein described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.