GB2352490A

GB2352490A - An end-to-end connector for scaffolding poles

Info

Publication number: GB2352490A
Application number: GB9917619A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Sin Hang Tse
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-07-27
Filing date: 1999-07-27
Publication date: 2001-01-31
Also published as: CN1284594A; GB9917619D0; HK1033633A2

Abstract

A connector 3 for joining ends 1 and 2 of scaffolding poles has a laterally-extending platform 4 with spigots 5 and 6 which fit into the ends of the poles. The connector is secured to the poles by locking pins or bolts received in holes 7 and 8. One or both spigots may be replaced by a socket. The spigots or sockets may be sized to connect poles of different diameters.

Description

2352490 END-TO-END CONNECTOR FOR SCAFFOLDING POLES The invention relates

to connectors forscaffolding poles.

Metal scaffolding poles are in wide use and must be erected and dismantled on frequent occasions. It is normally preferable to join scaffolding poles end-to-end for better strength and convenience. Simple connectors are not available for securely joining poles together that have different cross-sections.

It is an object of the invention to overcome or at least reduce this problem.

According to the invention there is provided an end-to end connector for connecting two scaffold poles together having different cross-sections, in which the connector comprises a spigot having a central axis, a laterally extending platform that fits between opposing end surfaces of the two poles and two shanks extending longitudinally in opposite directions that mate with ends of the poles.

The two poles may have different sized cross-sections.

The shanks may both fit inside the respective ends of the poles, or the shanks may both fit outside the respective 2 ends of the poles, or one shank may fit inside a respective pole and the other shank fit outside a respective pole.

The platform preferably has a central aperture.

The shanks may have through holes to receive locking pins that fit through corresponding holes in the respective ends of the poles. End-to- end scaffolding pole connectors according to the invention will now be described by way of example with 10 reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure I is an exploded side view of one connector; Figure 2 is an assembled partly cut-away sectioned view of the connector; Figure 3 is an exploded side view of another connector; Figure 4 is an assembled partly cut-away sectioned view of the other connector; Figure 5 is an assembled partly cut-away sectioned view of a further connector; Figure 6 is an exploded connector similar to the 3 connector of Figure 1; and Figure 7 is an exploded view of a connector similar to the connector of Figure 3.

Referring to the drawings, in Figures I and 2 ends 1 and 2 of respective different diameter scaffolding poles are shown that are required to be joined end-to-end. A connector comprises a spigot 3 having a central longitudinal axis A and a laterally extending platform 4 that fits between opposing end surfaces of the ends I and 2. The spigot 3 has an integrally formed longitudinally upward extending shank 5 that mates with an inside surface of the end 1 and an integrally formed longitudinal downward extending shank 6 that mates with an inside surface of the end 2. Through holes 7 and 8 in the shanks 5 and 6 and in the ends 1 and 2 can receive locking pins or bolts (not shown) to secure the spigot to the ends I and 2.

It is also possible to secure the spigot to the ends I and 2, alternatively or additionally, by tack welding, for example.

In Figures 3 and 4, a similar connector is shown that comprises a spigot 9 with shanks 10 and 11. In this case, the shanks 10 and 11 are dimensioned to mate with respective outer surfaces of the ends 1 and 2.

4 In Figure 5, the connector comprises a spigot 12 having shanks 13 and 14. The shank 13 is dimensioned to mate with the outer surface of the end I and the shank 14 is dimensioned to mate with the inner surface of the end 2.

The connectors shown in Figures 6 and 7 are used for connecting scaffolding poles end-to-end that are not concentrically arranged. That is when the central axis A of the scaffold pole I is not aligned with a central axis B of the pole 2 shown in the Figures. 10 Normally the platform 4 has a central (or other) aperture to allow any condensation to run down inside the scaffolding poles, that is to the platform 4 is suitably apertured or perforated to prevent accumulation of water at the joint between the poles. In any event as long as 15 the gauge of the spigot (i.e. thickness of the platform 4) is sufficient, the platform is only required to be present peripherally so as to bear securely and firmly against the end surfaces of the poles. it will be appreciated that connectors according to the 20 invention may be used for joining square scaffolding poles of different cross-sectional areas, in which the shanks are formed with square cross-sections to mate with square ends of the scaffolding poles. Spigots according to the invention can also be dimensioned to join a 25 circular cross-sectional pole to a square crosssectional - 5 pole, end-to-end, by forming the shanks with appropriate respective cross-sections. The connectors may also be arranged for connecting poles together that have the same shaped cross-section but having different sizes.

6

Claims

I. An end-to-end connector for connecting two scaffold poles together having different cross-sections, in which the connector comprises a spigot having a central axis, a laterally extending platform that fits between opposing end surfaces of the two poles and two shanks extending longitudinally in opposite directions that mate with ends of the poles.
2. An end-to-end connector according to claim 1, in which the two poles have different sized cross-sections.
3. A connector according to claim I or 2, in which the shanks both fit inside the respective ends of the poles.
4. A connector according to claim I or 2, in which the shanks both fit outside the respective ends of the poles.
5. A connector according to claim 1 or 2, in which one shank fits inside a respective pole and the other shank fit outside a respective pole.
6. A connector according to any of claims I to 5, in which the platform has a central aperture. 20
7. A connector according to any of claim I to 6, in which the shanks have through holes to receive locking pins that fit through corresponding holes in the respective ends of the poles.
8. A connector according to any of claims I to 7, in which longitudinal axes of the two shanks are not on a common longitudinal axis.
9. End-to-end scaffolding connectors substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.