GB2374380A

GB2374380A - Quick operating safety clamp

Info

Publication number: GB2374380A
Application number: GB0110594A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stephen Murten
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-03-14
Filing date: 2001-05-01
Publication date: 2002-10-16
Anticipated expiration: 2021-05-01
Also published as: GB0110594D0; GB2374380B; GB0106207D0

Abstract

A quick operating safety clamp has a body 18 or 22 or27 known as a tube catchment device that is placed around a scaffold tube 12 and is locked into position by brake mechanism 10 or 25. The tube catchment device may be fitted with a spring-loaded hinge 11 to give an automatic close facility. The tube catchment devicea may be fitted with locating guides 14 and locking device 13 and 15 enabling the quick operating safety clamp to be securely fitted. A lanyard (not shown) fitted to an operative (not shown) is connected to the breaking device 10 by hole 23. As the operative (not shown) falls his weight is transferred onto the brake 10 locking the quick operating clamp into place. Thus the fall is arrested.

Description

QUICK OPERATING SAFETY CLAMP This invention relates to a quick operating safety clamp.

Safety clamps are used throughout the building, leisure and petro chemical industries, for clipping onto, to give protection against falls.

However to give temporary access to the building and petro chemical industries, safety clamps are found to be cumbersome, time consuming and usually involve the added use of a rope or cable for them to connect to.

This however is not suitable for the installation of scaffolding. Thus the need for a quick operating safety clamp, connected to the scaffolding tube.

According to the present invention there is provided a quick operating safety clamp, comprising of a brake, tube catchment device and connection point, these give means for releasably securing the clamp to the scaffold tube A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which :- Figure 1 shows a spring-activated clamp fitted with toothed cam.

Figure 2 shows a gate-activated clamp.

Figure 3 shows a brake mechanism.

Figure 4 shows a wedge shaped brake arm with catchment device.

Referring to the drawing the quick operating safety clamp comprises a tube catchment device 18 earn or brake supports 21 brake arm 10 brake 25 and spring 16.

In order to install the quick operating safety clamp to the scaffold tube 12 the tube catchment device 18 is placed over the outer wall of the scaffolding tube 12 a lanyard (not shown) is connected to the hole 23 in the end of the brake arm 10 and a downwards pressure 26 is exerted by the spring 16 if required or the weight of the lanyard (not shown), jamming the scaffold tube 12 between the brake 25 and the wall of the tube catchment device 18 A spring-loaded hinge 11 may be fitted to the tube catchment device 18 if required along with locking device 15 fitted with locking pin and keep 13 or a wrap around chain (not shown) may be used as a locking device. The catchment device may have a positive force-opening device 14 if required. This would allow the quick operating safety clamp to be push fit with automatic close. An automatic locking device (not shown) may also be included However, a horseshoe shaped tube cachment device 22 may be used, with or without a hinged gate 19 fitted with or without gate lock 20.

A two-piece catchment device 27 may be used with a wedge shaped brake arm 10. A toothed cam 17 may be used instead of brake 25.

To remove the quick operating safety clamp from the scaffold, the steps described above are carried out in reverse sequence

Claims

CLAIMS 1 A quick operating safety clamp comprising of a brake, tube catchment device and connection point, these give means for realisably securing the clamp to the scaffold tube
2 A quick operating safety clamp in claim 1 wherein the tube catchment device is spring loaded thus automatically closing
3 A quick operating safety clamp in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein a locking device is used to keep the catchment device closed.
4 A quick operating safety clamp in claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3 wherein locating guides are used to help the quick installation.
5 A quick operating safety clamp in claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3 or claim 4 wherein the locking device is captive.
6 A quick operating safety clamp in claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3 or claim 4 or claim 5 wherein a toothed cam is used instead of a brake
7 A quick operating safety clamp in claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3 or claim 4 or claim 5 or claim 6 wherein apposing arms are used (a scissor motion) to open and place the catchment device onto tubes
8 A quick operating safety clamp in claim 1 or claim 6 wherein the tube catchment device is horseshoe shaped.
9 A quick operating safety clamp in claim 10r claim 6 or claim 8 wherein a gate is provided with or without locking means
10 A quick operating safety clamp in claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3 or claim 4 or claim 5 or claim 6 or claim 7 or claim 8 or claim 9 wherein parts of the internal surface are made to grip or have grip points fitted.
11 A quick operating safety clamp in claim 1 or claim 3 or claim 4 or claim 5 or claim 6 or claim 7 or claim 10 wherein the sides of the brake are wedge shaped thus when activated force the two sides of the clamp together clamping onto the tube 12 Substantially as described herein with reference to figure 1-4 of the accompanying drawings