GB2383371A

GB2383371A - Containment system for scaffolding assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2383371A
Application number: GB0130497A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mark Anthony Pearce; Lee Robert Stuart Bennett; Nicholas James Irvine
Original assignee: BAINBRIDGE INTERNAT Ltd; JETBLAST SCAFFOLDING MAINTENAN
Current assignee: BAINBRIDGE INTERNAT Ltd; JETBLAST SCAFFOLDING MAINTENAN
Priority date: 2001-12-20
Filing date: 2001-12-20
Publication date: 2003-06-25
Also published as: WO2003054325A1; GB0130497D0; AU2002352404A1

Abstract

A panel for a scaffold structure has leeches formed along two opposed edges. The leeches are received and retained in grooves in rails securely attached to the framework that forms the skeleton of the scaffolding structure. A secondary flap is associated with the panel. In use, the secondary flap overlies an adjacent rail to prevent rainwater entering the area enclosed by the scaffold structure through the gaps between the rail and the leeches and the joints between rails.

Description

Containment System for Scaffolding Assembly The present invention relates to an assembly for covering a scaffolding structure to form a contained area or an enclosure.

It is usual to cover a scaffold structure to give shelter against the elements and also to prevent the escape of material such as dust or other detritus from within the enclosed area. Numerous systems for securing a covering to a scaffold structure have been proposed, and one system that is generally effective employs sheeting panels provided with leech edges formed along two opposed edges. Rails attached to the scaffolding structure are provided with channels to receive and retain the leech edges of the sheeting panels. This system provides a quick and easy way to attach the panels to the scaffolding structure.

Although this system is generally effective, it has been found that in some circumstances it is not sufficiently robust to prevent rainwater from breaching the enclosure. For instance rainwater can collect in the channels and run down the channel to the join between the abutting ends of rails. If the scaffolding structure is subject to movement through windage or other forces, the gaps between the rails may open and allowing the ingress of water to the enclosure area.

The present invention aims to address this drawback and it provides a scaffolding assembly comprising a plurality of primary panels of sheet material and panel-holding members, the primary panels and the panelholding members having complementary inter-engaging formations for securing each primary panel between neighbouring members to define an enclosed area, wherein a secondary panel is associated with one of said primary panels such that, in use, the secondary panel overlies one

of the neighbouring members thereby to minimise leakage into or out from the enclosed area.

The secondary flap acts to substantially prevent rainwater entering any space defined by the formation securing the primary panel in place and therefore negates the risk of water entering the structure if the scaffolding structure is subject to movement.

In a preferred embodiment each inter-engaging formation comprises a leech-receiving channel in the panel-holding member arranged to receive and retain a leech formed along the edge of a primary panel In another preferred embodiment tensioning means are provided to bring the free edge of the secondary panel into engagement with a neighbouring primary panel such that, in use, the tensioning means shape said neighbouring primary panel to define a drainage channel.

According to another preferred embodiment, the secondary panel is integrally formed with the primary panel.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a primary panel for a scaffold assembly comprising panel-holding members, the primary panel having a formation adapted to be received and securely retained in a complementary formation of one of the panel-holding members, and a secondary panel is associated with said primary panel, such that, in use, the secondary panel overlies one of the panel-holding members bordering said panel thereby to minimise leakage into or out from the enclosed area.

A clear understanding of the invention will be gained from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is an illustrative view of a covered scaffold structure ; Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of a known system for securing a covering to a scaffolding structure; Figures 3a and 3b are illustrative views of the system shown in Figure 2 in use; and Figures 4a and 4b show, respectively, illustrative views of a primary panel according to the present invention and a scaffolding system employing a plurality of primary panels according to the present invention.

With reference to Figure 1, a scaffold structure or the like, generally designated 1, comprises a framework of support members and platforms assembled in a manner which is known and forms no part of the present invention. The framework is configured to span the required area and a covering, generally designated 2, it attached to the framework to shelter the area from the elements.

Figure 2 shows a rail 3 with lateral C-shaped leech receiving slots or grooves 4. A medial T-shaped groove runs along the length of the underside of the rail 3 for engagement with a suitably shaped protrusion fixedly attached to the framework. The lateral edges 6 of generally rectilinear sheeting panel or membrane 5 are folded over and stitched,

welded or otherwise secured to the underside of the panel 5 to define a channel for receiving a cord or plastics extrusion 7.

The leech edge defined by the channel and the cord are slidingly received through the opening of one of the grooves 4 in the longitudinal ends of the rails 3, and each groove 4 is configured such that the main part of the panel projects from the rail while the leech edge is securely retained against lateral release.

The rails are generally secured to the framework of the scaffolding an equal distance from the next rail and in general parallelism. Once the rails are secured to the framework panels of suitable dimension can be secured in place quickly and easily by simultaneously sliding the opposed leech edges of each panel through the leech receiving channels in the lateral edges of the rails.

Referring now to Figure 3a and 3b, it has been found that rainwater 8 can collect in the leech receiving channels of the rails. A number of rails are generally required along each span of the framework, and the rainwater that collects in the channels can leak into the enclosed area at the junctions 9 between abutting rails.

Figures 4a and 4b show a preferred embodiment of the present invention. One lateral edge 6 of the panel 5'matches the corresponding edge of the known panel 5 described above. At the other lateral edge 6' the sheeting material is folded and secured to the upper surface of the main part of the panel to define a channel at the fold to receive a cord 7. A flap or additional fold of material integral with the main part of the panel and contiguous with the part of the panel defining the lateral edge 6'forms a secondary part of the panel 11. The secondary part is

generally rectilinear and the free edge of the secondary part of the panel is folded over and stitched, welded or otherwise secured to the abutting surface of the secondary part to define a secondary channel 12.

As with the other channels, a cord or plastics extrusion is received in the secondary channel 12.

Figure 4b shows a schematic illustration of a panel according to the invention in situ. For ease of illustration the rails 3 are not shown.

The secondary flap 11 is folded to overlie the adjacent rail and the cord in the secondary channel 12 is tensioned to seal the grooves 4 of the rails against the element. The tension applied to the cord of the secondary flap also serves to create a gully or gutter in the adjacent panel to help rainwater drain from the panelling surface.

Of course the skilled man will appreciate that modifications to preferred embodiment of the invention described above are possible without departing from the scope of the claims. For instance, a separate piece of sheeting could be attached to main part of the panel to form the secondary panel. The secondary panel could then be formed as a separate element to the main panel and be releasably connected thereto. This would also enable the secondary panel to be tensioned at both sides. Further, although the panel is described with a single secondary panel, a pair of secondary panels could be provided on a panel and these panels could be interspersed with conventional panels.

Claims

Claims 1. A scaffolding assembly comprising a plurality of primary panels of sheet material and panel-holding members, the primary panels and the members having complementary inter-engaging formations for securing each primary panel between neighbouring panel-holding members to define an enclosed area, and further including a secondary panel which, in use, overlies one of said panel-holding members thereby to minimise leakage into or out from the enclosed area.
2. A scaffolding assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said secondary panel is associated with one of said primary panels and, in use, overlies one of said neighbouring panels.
3. A scaffolding assembly as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein each inter-engaging formation comprises a leech-receiving channel in the panel-holding member arranged to receive and retain a leech formed along the edge of a primary panel.
4. A scaffolding assembly as claimed in claim 1,2 or 3, wherein tensioning means are provided to bring the free edge of the secondary panel into engagement with a neighbouring primary panel such that, in use, the tensioning means shape said neighbouring primary panel to define a drainage channel.
5. A scaffolding assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the secondary panel is integrally formed with the primary panel.

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6. A scaffolding assembly as claimed in any of claims I to 4, wherein the secondary panel is formed separately from and is releasably connectable to the primary panel.
7. A primary panel for a scaffolding assembly comprising panel- holding members, the primary panel having a formation adapted to be received and securely retained in a complementary formation of one of the panel-holding members, and a secondary panel associated with said primary panel, such that, in use, the secondary panel overlies one of the panel-holding members bordering said panel thereby to minimise leakage into or out from the enclosed area.
8. A scaffolding assembly substantially as herein described with reference to the figure 4.