GB2376998A

GB2376998A - Scaffolding system

Info

Publication number: GB2376998A
Application number: GB0115624A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Raybone
Original assignee: Marden Engineering & Fabricati
Current assignee: Marden Engineering & Fabricati
Priority date: 2001-06-27
Filing date: 2001-06-27
Publication date: 2002-12-31
Also published as: GB0115624D0

Abstract

A scaffolding system incorporates scaffolding elements or end fittings 28 which extend from legs. The legs incorporate a number of sockets 30 which receive the end fittings 28. The end fittings 28 include a pin 32 similar in shape to that of the socket 30. A latch 34 is located within the pin 32. A slot 36 is formed in one wall of the pin 32 such that at least a part of the latch 34 may slide within the slot 36 to extend as a wedge external to the pin 32. Thus, a pin 32 is secured within the socket 30 by a simple drop-in assembly and no additional mechanism is required to locate the latch in its locked position underneath a socket 30 to support the leg 18 extension position.

Description

SCAFFOLDING SYSTEM This invention relates to a scaffolding system and apparatus for scaffolding.

Scaffolding systems are commonly used to provide support during construction projects. For example, the girders forming the span of a bridge may be supported by a scaffold tower until other superstructure or wet concrete slabs have been added to the structure which then becomes self supporting. In buildings, floors may be constructed from concrete beams which are then covered with wet concrete. The beams commonly need support until the concrete has been put in place.

Various types of scaffolding systems are available however most comprise towers having vertical legs, usually hollow with some form of telescopic or threaded length adjustment to enable the height to be adjusted.

Cross bars or panels are then attached to the these legs to span the gaps therebetween and thus create the tower.

According to the present invention there is provided a scaffolding element or an end fitting therefor comprising a leg for insertion in an aperture provided in another scaffolding element or a fitting therefore, a latch mounted within said leg, the latch being shaped and weighted such that due to gravitational forces, it protrudes laterally from the leg, adjacent the free end of said leg, the latch having a first position in which it is at least partially located within said leg during insertion of said leg within said aperture and a second position whereby it protrudes laterally from the leg adjacent the free end of the leg.

Preferably the latch comprises a cam shaped portion. The latch may be mounted on a transverse pin located within the leg.

The portion of the latch which protrudes laterally from the leg may

comprise a hook portion extending transversely from said leg when the latch is in its second position.

The hook portion may comprise a wedge shaped protrusion. The wedge shaped protrusion may be substantially triangular in shape. The wedge portion may comprise a curved portion to allow easy insertion into the aperture.

The aperture may be formed as the hollow portion of a rectangular scaffolding element. The hollow scaffolding element may comprise a slot in one of its walls through which the hook portion may extend.

The scaffolding elements may comprise oval shaped hollow elements.

Also according to the present invention there is provided a scaffolding system comprising at least one scaffolding element or an end fitting therefore comprising a leg for insertion in an aperture provided in another scaffolding element or a fitting therefore, a latch mounted within said leg, the latch being shaped and weighted such that due to gravitational forces, it protrudes laterally from the leg, adjacent the free end of said leg, the latch having a first position in which it is at least partially located within said leg during insertion of said leg within said aperture and a second position whereby it protrudes laterally from the leg adjacent the free end of the leg.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a side view of a scaffolding system according to one embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 an enlarged view of part of the scaffolding structure of Fig. 1 ; and Fig. 3. Is a section view through line xx of Fig. 2.

A scaffolding system 10 is shown in Fig. 1, in situ supporting a concrete floor 12. The floor comprises a concrete portion 14 spaced from its supporting element 16 by space elements 17. Elongate legs 18 of the scaffolding system are located underneath the floor to provide support during assembly and construction. The elongate legs are of hollow construction and are telescopically located within one another so as to provide adjustable height. Locations apertures 20 are provided within the legs 18. Struts 22 are fastened within these apertures 20 in adjacent legs 18 so as to provide support therebetween.

The lower part of the scaffolding structure 10 comprises a number of connecting bars 24 which interconnect the legs 18. Support struts 26 interconnect these connecting bars 24, diagonally and vertically, to provide strengthening of the scaffolding structure 10.

End fittings 28 are provided at the ends of the horizontal connecting bars 24. These end fittings 28 consist of a short pin or leg (shown more clearly in Fig. 2) which extends in a generally downward direction from the connecting bar 24.

The legs 18 are provided with a plurality of sockets which are arranged in groups of four, the sockets being positioned 900 apart around its associated leg 18. The sockets 30 are of generally rectangular cross section in shape and can be seen more clearly by referring to Fig. 3. The sockets 30 are sized and shaped so as to adequately receive end fittings 28 in use.

Now referring to Fig. 2, an end fitting 28 is shown extending downwardly from a diagonally extending connecting bar 24 and is positioned within a socket 30. The pin 32 is hollow in structure and similarly shaped to socket 30 so as to easily slide and be retained therein. A latch 34 is located within the pin 32 and at least partially extends out from the bottom of the pin 32. A latch supporting bar extends across the inner walls of the pin (not shown) and the latch is rotatably mounted on this bar. The latch 34 is at least partially shaped as a

cam. A slot 36 is formed within one wall of the pin 32 this wall being the same wall on which the connecting bar 24 is mounted or welded. The slot 36 is formed adjacent the base of the pin 32 and comprises a width such that, in use, part of the latch 34 may slide within the slot such that a portion extends as a wedge externally of the pin 32.

In use, the pin 32 is inserted within a socket 30. The pin is located in a downward direction such that upon entry into the socket 30 the wedge shaped portion 38 of the latch 34 extends outwardly and transversely from the slot 36.

However upon insertion into the socket 30, a wall of the socket 30 bears against the wedge portion 38 of the latch 34 such that the wedge portion 38 moves into the slot 36 of the pin 32. To facilitate and ease the movement of the latch during insertion of the pin 32 in the socket 30, the wedge 38 is formed with a curved wall. Once the pin 32 is fully located within the socket 30 such that the latch 34 extends beneath the socket 30, the wedge portion 38 of the latch 34 extends outwardly from the slot 36 and is located underneath one wall of the socket 30. Thus the pin is prevented from moving upwards out of the socket 30 by the wedge 38. The pin 32 may be removed from the socket 30 by rotation of the latch 34 via the lower, cam portion 40 of the latch 34 and simultaneous movement of the pin upwardly out of the socket. Thus the pin 32 is securely located within the socket 30 by a simple"drop-in"assembly. No additional mechanism is required to locate the latch in its"locked position"underneath a socket 30 since the cam mechanism operates under gravity.

The connecting bars 24 comprise oval cross sections although any suitable cross section shape may be employed which provide improved strength characteristics. Advantageously less material is required than for conventional circular cross section or rectangular cross section bars. The connecting bars 24 are simply welded to the end fitting 28.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable

feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A scaffolding element or an end fitting therefor comprising a leg for insertion in an aperture provided in another scaffolding element or a fitting therefore, a latch mounted within said leg, the latch being shaped and weighted such that due to gravitational forces, it protrudes laterally from the leg, adjacent the free end of said leg, the latch having a first position in which it is at least partially located within said leg during insertion of said leg within said aperture and a second position whereby it protrudes laterally from the leg adjacent the free end of the leg.
2. A scaffolding element or fitting as claimed in claim 1 wherein the latch comprises a cam shaped portion.
3. A scaffolding element or fitting as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the latch is mounted on a traverse pin located within the leg.
4. A scaffolding element or fitting as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein that portion of the latch which protrudes laterally from the leg comprises a hook portion extending transversely from said leg when the latch is in its second position.
5. A scaffolding element or fitting as claimed in claim 4 wherein the hook portion comprises a wedge shaped protrusion.
6. A scaffolding element or fitting as claimed in claim 5 wherein the wedge shaped protrusion is substantially triangular in shape.
7. A scaffolding element or fitting as claimed in claim 5 or 6 wherein the wedge shaped protrusion comprises a curved portion to allow easy insertion into the aperture.

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8. A scaffolding element or fitting as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the aperture is formed as a hollow portion of a rectangular scaffolding element.
9. A scaffolding element or fitting as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the element includes a slot in one of its walls through which the hook portion extends.
10. A scaffolding element or fitting as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the scaffolding element has an oval shape.
11. A scaffolding element or an end fitting therefore substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
12. A scaffolding system comprising at least one scaffolding element or an end fitting therefore comprising a leg for insertion in an aperture provided in another scaffolding element or a fitting therefore, a latch mounted within said leg, the latch being shaped and weighted such that due to gravitational forces, it protrudes laterally from the leg, adjacent the free end of said leg, the latch having a first position in which it is at least partially located within said leg during insertion of said leg within said aperture and a second position whereby it protrudes laterally from the leg adjacent the free end of the leg.
13. A scaffolding system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
14. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.