GB2360531A

GB2360531A - Hoarding system

Info

Publication number: GB2360531A
Application number: GB0005499A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mark Edward Bowman
Original assignee: S & B Building Equipment Ltd
Current assignee: S & B Building Equipment Ltd
Priority date: 2000-03-07
Filing date: 2000-03-07
Publication date: 2001-09-26
Also published as: GB0005499D0

Abstract

A hoarding system comprises a hoarding panel extending vertically and having at least one upright post (12) and a foot tie tube (24) extending horizontally, close to the ground and perpendicular to the post, and connected to a lower end of the post. The system may include an antilift mounting device (40) for standing the post on the ground and for mounting one end of the foot tie tube to the post and having means for inhibiting the panel from lifting off the ground. Alternatively or additionally, the system may include a backstay tube (20) adjustably mounted at one end to a point on the upper part (29) of the post, and adjustably mounted at its other end to an adjustable backstay bracket (30) and/or to a point (21) on the foot tie tube (24) so that the backstay tube, the foot tie tube and the post together form a right-angled triangle. In this case the adjustable backstay bracket (30) comprises a base for receiving ballast and seating the foot tie tube on the ground, and is adapted to be mounted at any point along the foot tie tube so as to vary the distance behind the panel at which the ballast is loaded in accordance with the amount of working space behind the hoarding panel.

Description

2360531 Improved Hoarding System The present invention relates to

hoardings of the kind used as a temporary barrier around construction sites, and more generally to any kind of fencing, barrier or sign which needs to be securely mounted to the ground.

Hoarding systems are known which consist of metal panels linked together to form a continuous screen.

However, the secure mounting of such hoardings to the ground can be problematical as explained below. There is a need for a hoarding system which allows panels to be securely anchored to the ground and given adequate backstay support, but without occupying more ground area than necessary.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hoarding system comprising:

a hoarding panel extending vertically and having at least one upright post; a foot tie tube extending horizontally, close to the ground and perpendicular to the post, and connected to a lower end of the post; and a backstay tube adjustably mounted at one end to a point on the upper part of the post, and adjustably mounted at its other end to an adjustable backstay bracket and/or to a point on the foot tie tube, the backstay tube, the foot tie tube and the post together forming a right-angled triangle; wherein the adjustable backstay bracket comprises a base for receiving ballast and seating the foot tie tube on the ground, and is adapted to be mounted at any point along the foot tie tube so as to vary the distance behind the panel at which the ballast is loaded in accordance with the amount of working space behind th-e hoarding panel.

Preferably, the adjustable backstay bracket also comprises means for attaching the backstay tube.

Alternatively, a separate fixing for the backstay tube may be provided on the foot tie tube.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a hoarding system comprising:

panel having at least one upright post; foot tie tube extending close to the ground and perpendicular to the post, and seated on the ground at one or more points along its length; and an antilift mounting device for standing the post on the ground and for mounting one end of the foot tie tube to the post, having means for inhibiting the panel from lifting off the ground.

The above two aspects of the invention can be is combined in the same system so as to enable adjustment of the backstay tube position whilst also inhibiting the panel from being raised off the ground.

In the above system, the panel may be any kind of hoarding, fencing or barrier, and/or may constitute a sign. The tubes are preferably, but not necessarily, cylindrical steel tubes such as scaffolding tubes.

Normally, each panel will have two end posts.

necessitating two foot tie tubes and two backstay brackets and/or antilift devices. However, two adjacent panels may share the same foot tie tubes thereby halving the amount of hardware requilred.

The adjustable backstay bracket preferably comprises: a base for resting on the ground and upon which ballast can be loaded; a tube collar fixed to the base, through which the foot tie tube can be slid so as to alter the vary position of the bracket and hence the position of the ballast, relative to the panel in order to suit the amount of space available; and means for securing the tube collar to the foot tie tube and backstay tube to plumb the fence line...

Preferably, the base is provided with spigots protruding upwards from the base for location of ballast (kentledge) items such as concrete blocks.

Preferably also, the base is provided with staking holes for staking the base into the ground.

The tube collar is preferably of a split sleeve construction in which a generally cylindrical sleeve is split along one side and can be tightened around the tube by means of bolts passing through flanges bordering the split.

The antilift mounting device preferably comprises:

a base for resting on the ground; vertical mounting means extending upwards from the base for mounting at last one post of one or more of the panels; a back support extending upwards behind the vertical is mounting means, for providing rear support to the or each panel; and a horizontal mounting means for the foot tie tube, fixed to the back support.

In addition, spikes or anchors may protrude downwards f rom the base in order to secure the base to soft ground or wet concrete.

Typically, the posts of the or each panel will be in the form of cylindrical steel tubes; in this case, the vertical mounting means may simply consist of one or more round spigots over each of which such a tube is fitted. Each such spigot is preferably dimensioned such that is closely fits the internal diameter of the tube to be mounted, and such that its length extends some distance up the tube to make the tube difficult to lift off. In addition, the back support extends up behind the panel tube (s), allowing a bolt and coupler to f ix through to secure the tubes firmly on the spigot.

Conveniently, two such spigots are provided side by side to allow the posts of adjacent panels to be accommodated. This can contribute to the linking of a series of panels in a continuous structure.

4- In a case where the panels have solid posts in place of hollow tubes, the spigots can be replaced by holes or collars in the base into which the posts are f itted.

In one embodiment, the horizontal mounting means is a collar welded to the back support so as to extend horizontally and into which one end of the foot tie tube is fitted.

In another embodiment, a similar collar is provided, but instead of being welded to the back support, it is provided with a plate extending from the free end of the collar, which plate is pivotally mounted to a lug extending f rom the rear of the back support. This enables the angle formed between the is antilift mounting device and foot tie tube to be adjusted, allowing the foot tie tube to be tilted away from the horizontal when the hoarding system is erected on sloping ground.

In either case, the collar may consist of a split sleeve forming a nearlycylindrical aperture into which the tube is inserted, and oppositely- arranged flanges at the split part of the sleeve, having respective holes for insertion of bolts to tighten the sleeve around the tube. Alternatively, a further spigot could be provided over which the foot tie tube is fitted.

Reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a front view of a hoarding panel mounted on blocks according to the prior art;

Figure 2 shows the hoarding panel of Figure 1 in a rear perspective view, illustrating its backstays; Figure 3 shows the blocks of Figure 1 in more detail; Figure 4 is a side view of a mounting system embodying the present invention; Figures 5 (a) and (b) show two f orms of an antilift device used in the system of Figure 4; Figure 6 shows a backstay bracket used in the system of Figure 4; and Figure 7 shows a split sleeve coupling employed in the backstay bracket of Figure 6.

Before describing an embodiment of the present invention, an example of the prior art will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3.

Figure 1 shows a hoarding panel 10 having end parts 12 and 14, which is held upright by mounting the end parts in blocks 16 and 18 resting on the ground.

As shown in Figure 2, to prevent the panel from blowing over, the panel is supported at its rear by backstays and 22. Each backstay extends between a point near is the top of one of the end posts, to a point on a block so that in a side-on view, a right-angled triangle is formed by the end post, backstay, and block or blocks.

As indicated in Figure 2, to provide sufficient support it is often necessary to provide a second block 18, behind the block 16, to which the backstay 22 is fixed.

Figure 3 shows a single block 16 in more detail.

Typically made of concrete, the block is equipped with mounting holes 13 into which an end post 14 (as well as an end post 12 of an adjacent panel) can be inserted, and is held down on the ground by a strap 17 bolted to the ground by bolts 19. The upper surf ace of the block provides a platform for carrying so-called Ilkentledgell (ballast) to weigh down the block and strengthen the overall construction.

Although the arrangement shown in Figures 1 to 3 is satisfactory in some situations, it has the following drawbacks. First, there is limited choice of backspace, i.e. the distance between the post feet and the backstay tube, owing to the need to locate the backstay tube in a block, and the requirement for the kentledge to be placed near the foot of the backstay tube. This makes the arrangement unsuitable in confined space where the available back space is restricted.

Second, although the mounting blocks can be held down by kentledge, there is nothing to prevent the end posts from lifting out of the mounting holes 13 as may occur, f or example, in high winds. once the posts are out of their mounting holes, the whole construction is unstable and liable to collapse.

Figure 4 to 6 show a hoarding system according to the invention, which is intended to overcome these problems. The main difference between this system and the arrangement of Figures 1 to 3 is that the concrete mounting blocks are replaced by two new components: an adjustable backstay bracket 30,'and an antilift mounting device 40.

Briefly, the adjustable backstay bracket 30 allows the horizontal position of. the kentledge to be freely selected to suit the chosen backstay angle; and the antilift mounting device 40 secures the hoarding panels more firmly to the ground, to prevent them from lifting off their mountings.

Figure 4 shows a side view of the hoarding system.

Each end post 12 and 14 of a hoarding panel is mounted on the ground via the antilift mounting device 40 as explained in detail later, from which a foot tie tube 24 extends behind the panel. The foot tie tube is close to, but some centimetres above, the ground (allowing a clearance for uneven surfaces), and at a point somewhere along it, is seated on the ground via the adjustable backstay bracket 30 as explained in detail later. In addition, as shown in Figure 4, a backstay tube 20 is mounted at its end to an upp 1 er part of the end post 12/14, and to a point on the foot tie tube 24, respectively. To attach the backstay tube 20 to the foot tie tube 24, a collar 21 is provided around the foot tie tube, and the end of back stay tube 20 is fixed to the collar 21. This collar 21 can be an integral part of the adjustable backstay bracket as mentioned later.

The post 12 or 14, the foot tie tube 24 and the backstay tube 20 together form a right-angled triangle.

The shape of this triangle is determined by selecting the points of mounting of the two ends of the backstay tube. That is, by mounting the backstay tube near the rear end of the foot tie tube, a relatively acute angle a is defined between the foot tie tube and the backstay tube. This shape is preferable for ensuring stability of the overall construction, but requires a lot of space behind the panel, since not only the backstay tube provided for each post, but also the necessary kentledge (ballast), extend a long way to the rear of the panel.

In restricted spaces, the angle a can be increased by raising the mounting point of the upper end of the backstay tube, thereby drawing its lower mounting point closer to the panel. This is a less stable arrangement and requires more kentledge for the same overall resistance. The kentledge (indicated by W in Figure 4) is loaded onto the adjustable backstay bracket as required.

The backstay tube is generally of predetermined length; however, a similar effect to moving the mounting points of a given backstay tube can be achieved by changing the length of the backstay tube (and if necessary the foot tie tube). In general, the longer the backstay tube relative to the panel height, the more secure the overall hoarding construction will be.

By varying the angle of the backstay tube, the backspace required to the rear of the panel can be varied in a range indicated by V in Figure 4.

Figure 6 shows the adjustable backstay bracket in detail. Figure 6 (a) is an end view, 6 (b) a side view and 6 (c) a plan view of the bracket. A generally flat base 31 rests on the ground, providing a platform for kentledge (indicated by W in Figure 6 (b)). A tube collar 32 is fixed cross-wise above the middle of the base, for receiving the foot tie tube 24. Spigots 33 and 34 are formed by pressed-out ears which protrude upwards from the base, providing means f or securing suitably-shaped kentledge (e.g. concrete blocks, water f illed oil drums, recycled plastic blocks etc), and end plates 38 of the base 31 also help to retain the kentledge in position. Staking holes 35 and 26 allow the base to be f irmly staked or bolted to the ground on is suitable surfaces (e.g. grass, concrete, or tarmac).

Bolts 37 and nuts 39 allow the tube collar 32 to grip the foot tie tube securely as explained later. The tube collar 32 may be extended to provide the fixing for the back stay tube (in which case the collar 21 becomes a continuation of the collar 32).

Alternatively, a strap or other means (not shown)can link the two collars.

Figure 5(a) shows a first form of the antilift mounting device 40 ' which consists of a f lat base 41 for resting on the ground, a back support 44 extending vertically from one edge of the base 41, two spigots 42 and 43 protruding up from the base parallel to the back support, and a mounting collar 45 fixed to the reverse side of the back support. Bolts 46 enable the mounting collar to be tightened onto an inserted tube, and a mounting hole 48 allows the antilift mounting device to be linked to coupler (not shown) joining two adjacent hoarding panels. Normally, adjacent panels are linked by couplers at multiple points along their respective end parts, and the mounting hole can be attached to a lower one of such couplers.

Figure 5 (b) shows a side view of a modified version of the antilift mounting device, suitable for use on uneven ground. This differs from the device of Figure 5 (a) in that, firstly, spikes 49 are provided on the underside of the base 41, for securing the antilift mounting device to the ground. The provision of such spikes is optional in both forms of the antilift mounting device, depending on the type of ground where the hoarding system is being used. Secondly, the fixed collar 45 is replaced by an adjustable collar 50, which is pivotally mounted to the back support of the antilift mounting device. In more detail, a lug 51 is welded to the rear of the back support; this has a mounting hole 52 for receiving a bolt (not shown). The is collar 50 has a plate 53 extending from its free end, provided with a corresponding mounting hole; the bolt passes through both holes and is secured by a nut. By means of the bolt mounting, the foot tie tube no longer has to be horizontal (perpendicular to the antilift mounting device) but can slope upwards or downwards to accommodate uneven ground.

In use, the antilift mounting device is placed on the ground, an end post 14 of one panel is f itted over the right-hand spigot 42, and an end post 12 of another panel is fitted over the other spigot 43 so that the two panels are arranged side-by-side. A foot tie tube is inserted into the mounting collar 45 and secured by tightening the bolts 46 thereby avoiding the risk of the foot tie tube becoming detached under negative pressure, i.e. wind force on the reverse side of the hoarding. The resulting construction is completed by adding a backstay tube 20 and adjustable backstay bracket 30 as shown in Figure 4, and by loading kentledge to weigh it down. The kentledge provides a downward force acting on the whole hoarding system, preventing any part of it from being lifted off the ground.

A tray (not shown) may be placed over the adjustable backstay bracket to facilitate loading of loose or unstable kentledge such as sandbags, baskets of rubble, or the like.

Figure 7 shows an example of a sleeve coupling 100 which can be employed as the tube collar 32 of the adjustable backstay bracket 30 (a similar coupling can also be used as the mounting collar 45 in Figure 5).

This sleeve coupling is specially manufactured for use in the present invention by Press Components Co., Ltd.

(Pressco), and is a modification of one described in GB patent 1 431 886.

The sleeve coupling 100 includes a split sleeve of is generally part cylindrical configuration and which extends around an arc of more than 1800, together with two flanges 13 and 14 integrally connected to the part cylindrical portion. The flanges are disposed on opposite sides of the split and each flange extends along the whole length of the split.

A pair of bolts 117 and 118 extend through apertures formed in the flanges 113 and 114 of the sleeve. Thus, the bolts extend through a pair of aligned apertures formed in the flanges. A nut 119 or 120 on each bolt can then be rotated to tighten the split sleeve. The sleeve is also provided with a plurality of integral ribs 21 which have a stiffening effect.

Although the above embodiment of the invention relates to a hoarding system, the present invention can also be applied to other types of barrier such as temporary fencing, and/or to signs such as advertising or warning signs.

Claims

1. A hoarding system or the like comprising:

a hoarding panel extending vertically and having at least one upright post; a foot tie tube extending horizontally, close to the ground and perpendicular to the post, and connected to a lower end of the post; and a backstay tube adjustably mounted at one end to a point on the upper part of the post, and adjustably mounted at its other end to an adjustable backstay bracket and/or to a point on the foot tie tube, the backstay tube, the foot tie tube and the post together forming a right-angled triangle; wherein is the adjustable backstay bracket comprises a base for receiving ballast and seating the foot tie tube on the ground, and is adapted to be mounted at any point along the foot tie tube so as to vary the distance behind the panel at which the ballast is loaded in accordance with the amount of working space behind the hoarding panel.

2. A hoarding system or the like as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adjustable backstay bracket comprises means for attaching the backstay tube.

3. A hoarding system orthe like as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the adjustable backstay bracket comprises a base for resting on the ground and upon which ballast can be loaded; a tube collar fixed to the base, through which the foot tie tube can be slid so as to alter the position of the bracket and hence the position of the ballast, relative to the panel in order to suit the amount of space available; and means for securing the tube collar to the foot tie tube and the backstay tube.

4. A hoarding system or the like as claimed in claim 3, wherein the base is provided with spigots protruding upwards from the base for location of ballast.

5. A hoarding system or the like as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein the base is provided with staking holes for staking the base into the ground.

6. A hoarding system or the like as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the tube collar is in the form of a split sleeve which can be tightened around the foot tie tube.

7. A hoarding system or the like as claimed in any preceding claim and including an antilift mounting device for standing the post on the ground and for mounting one end of the foot tie tube to the post, said device having means for inhibiting the panel from lifting off the ground.

8. A hoarding system or the like comprising:

a panel having at least one upright post; a foot tie tube extending close to the ground and perpendicular to the post, and seated on the ground at one or more points along its length; and an antilift mounting device for standing the post on the ground and for mounting one end of the foot tie tube to the post said device having means for inhibiting the panel from lifting off the ground.

9. A hoarding system or-the like as claimed in claim 7 or 8, wherein the antilift mounting device comprises:

a base for resting on the ground; vertical mounting means extending upwards from the base for mounting at least one post of one or more of the panels; a back support extending upwards behind the vertical mounting means, for providing rear support to the or each panel; and a horizontal mounting means for the foot tie tube fixed to the back support.

10. A hoarding system or the like as claimed in claim 9, wherein the base of the device is provided with members downwardly protruding from the base for securing the base to the ground.

11. A hoarding system or the like as claimed in claim 9 or 10, wherein the horizontal mounting means is a collar welded to the back support so as to extend horizontally and into which one end of the foot tie tube is fitted.

12. A hoarding system or the like as claimed in claim 9 or 10, wherein the horizontal mounting means is a collar provided with a plate extending from a free end of the collar, which plate is pivotally mounted to a lug extending from the rear of the back support.

13. A hoarding system or the like as claimed in claim 11 or, 12, wherein the collar is in the form of a split sleeve which can be tightened around the foot tie tube.

14. A hoarding system or the like, as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the or each post is in the form of a cylindrical steel tube and the vertical mounting means of the device is in the form of one or more spigots over each of which such a tube is fitted.

15. A hoarding system or the like as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the or each post is a solid post and the vertical mounting means of the device is in the form of one or more holes or collars in the base into which the posts are fitted.

16. A hoarding system or the like as claimed in claim 1 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 4 to 7 of the accompanying drawings.

17. A hoarding system or the like as claimed in claim 8 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 4 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.