GB2432883A

GB2432883A - Scaffold strap

Info

Publication number: GB2432883A
Application number: GB0624161A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christopher John Lambert
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-12-03
Filing date: 2006-12-01
Publication date: 2007-06-06
Also published as: GB0524771D0; GB0624161D0

Abstract

A strap 1 for restraining movement of a scaffold board (11 Figure 2) in a scaffolding structure (20 Figure 2), comprising a body 2, first means 3 located on the body 2 to engage an edge of a scaffold board (11), and second means 5 located on the body 2, spaced from said first means 3 and arranged to engage a fixed scaffold tube 10 of a scaffolding structure. The first means is preferably a hook portion and the second means an arcuate hook portion extending normal to the first means. There may also be holes 8 for attachment of the strap to the board.

Description

SCAFFOLD STRAP

DESCRIPTION

This invention relates to a scaffold strap for use with scaffold boards in scaffolding structures.

In the assembly of scaffolding structures, it is important to limit the movement of scaffold boards. S**

An object of the present invention is to restrain the scaffold boards, to ensure that the scaffolding *.

structure is strong, stable, safe and limits

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unacceptable space between adjacent scaffold boards. ** * * S * 5

Accordingly, the invention resides in a strap for *s*5 restraining movement of a scaffold board in a scaffolding structure, the strap comprising a body, preferably elongate, first means located on the body, preferably at one end thereof, and arranged to engage an edge, preferably a longitudinal edge, of a scaffold board, and second means located on the body, preferably at the other end thereof, spaced from said first means and arranged to engage a fixed scaffold tube of a scaffolding structure.

The first means is preferably shaped and dimensioned to correspond with the shape of the edge of a scaffold board and is preferably hook-shaped preferably with a generally square section. The edge of the scaffold board may be a loose fit with the first means. Also, the first means may be shaped and dimensioned to correspond with the edges of at least one scaffold board, thereby accommodating the thickness of one or more boards.

Further, the length of the body, preferably when elongate, can be such that the body extends across the combined widths of more than one scaffold board.

The second means may be shaped and dimensioned to be received around a scaffold tube and is preferably partially circular or otherwise arcuate in section. * * * * * S

The axis of the first means preferably extends * ** S S..

generally normal to that of the second means. * .

Holes may be provided in the strap body, to allow S...

it to be nailed or screwed to a scaffold board for permanent fixing of the scaffold board to the associated scaffolding structure.

The second means may be angled to the body, for example, cranked or bent, and may also be provided with an intermediate angled portion extending from the body, which portion may also provide a twist with respect to the body. This allows the body to lie flat on a scaffold board, when installed, and the second means to avoid interference with an adjacent board, whilst also facilitating movement of the strap, and associated scaffold board, from a semi-installed to a fully-installed condition.

An embodiment of scaffold strap in accordance with the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1A is a perspective view of a scaffold strap in accordance with the invention; Figure lB is a perspective view of the strap of Figure 1A engaged with a vertically-extending scaffold tube; * * * . * * Figure 2A is a side elevation of the scaffold ****S strap of Figures 1A and lB engaged with a vertical * . * scaffold tube and scaffold board during installation; * **S Figure 2B is an enlarged view on A of Figure 2A; ** * Figure 2C is a perspective view of the arrangement shown in Figure 2A during installation; Figure 3A is a side elevation of a scaffolding structure with the strap of Figure 1A engaged, in its fully-installed position, with a vertical scaffold tube and scaffold board; Figure 3B is an enlarged view on B of Figure 3A; and Figure 3C is a perspective view of the arrangement shown in Figure 3A.

Referring firstly to Figure 1A of the accompanying drawings, a scaffold strap, indicated generally at 1, comprises an elongate, strip-like body 2.

At one end of the body 2, there is provided first means, indicated generally at 3, for engaging an edge of a scaffold board, comprising a hooked portion 4 of generally square section depending from the body 2. I*

At the other end of the body 2 is provided second * *** means, indicated generally at 5, arranged to engage a * fixed scaffold tube and comprising an arcuate portion * ,SS*S 6 connected to the body 2 by an intermediate cranked * * S portion 7 which provides a slight twist with respect to the body 2. S... 5*

The hooked portion 4 at the one end of the strap body 2 is dimensioned to engage the edge of a scaffold board, whilst the arcuate portion 6 at the other end of the strap body 2 is shaped and dimensioned to engage around a fixed scaffold tube 10, as shown in Figure lB.

The strap body 2 is also provided with a pair of spaced holes 8 for receiving nails or screws for permanently fixing the strap 1 to a scaffold board when installed, although more holes 8 and associated nails or screws, could be provided.

Referring now to Figures 2A to 2C, the strap 1 is installed in a scaffolding structure by engaging the hooked portion 4 at one end of the strap body 2 with one longitudinal edge of a scaffold board 11, whilst the arcuate portion 6 of the strap 1 at the other end of the body 2 thereof is engaged around the vertically upright scaffold tube 10. The edge of the scaffold board 11 may be a loose fit in the hooked portion 4, to facilitate installation.

In this semi-installed condition of the strap 1, the scaffold board 11 is inclined upwardly at an angle

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to another, horizontal scaffold tube 12 upon which the * .** scaffold board 11 will eventually rest in the fully-* * installed arrangement, as shown in Figures 3A to 3C. **

Also, Figure 2C shows the scaffold board 11 * connected to a pair of vertical scaffold poles 10 of the structure 20 by respective ones of a pair of *I * correspondly-spaced straps 1.

-20 In the arrangement shown in Figures 2A to 2C, the cranked or bent intermediate portion 7 of the strap 1 assists in permitting this semi-installed arrangement of the strap(s) 1 and scaffold board 11 to be achieved.

Subsequently, the scaffold board 11 and associated strap 1 are urged into a fully-installed arrangement, as shown in Figures 3A to 3C.

In this arrangement, the scaffold board 11 is rested upon the pair of spaced horizontal scaffold tubes 12, with the arcuate portion 6 of the strap 3. at the other end thereof extending in a plane inclined at an acute angle to the horizontal. This arrangement allows the arcuate portion 6 to avoid, and hence not interfere with, an adjacent scaffold board lii, as shown in dashed lines in Figure 3B.

Nails or screws are then received in the holes 8 through the body 2, to fix the strap 1 permanently to the scaffold board 11 which, in turn, is attached securely to the scaffolding structure 20, thereby enhancing the strength, stability and safety of the * *S* structure 20 as a whole. * * S * ****.

The scaffold strap 1 may be made from any * * * suitable material but is preferably formed from sheet metal, although a plastics material could be used. .5..'. *SS* **S * S. *

It is to be appreciated that, although the embodiment of strap 1 discussed above is used with a single scaffold board, the hooked portion 4 can be shaped and dimensioned to accommodate the combined thicknesses of more than one scaffold board.

Also, the length of the body 2 can be arranged to extend over the combined widths of more than one scaffold board, with the hooked portion 4 engaging the outer edge of an outermost board.

Claims

CLLAIMS

1. A strap for restraining movement of a scaffold board in a scaffolding structure, the strap comprising a body, first means located on the body and arranged to engage an edge of a scaffold board, and second means located on the board and spaced from said first means and arranged to engage a fixed scaffold tube of a scaffolding structure. S..

2. A strap according to claim 1, wherein the body is * *** elongate. * * 3. A strap according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said * . . first means is located at one end of the body. **** *

4. A strap according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said first means is arranged to engage a longitudinal edge of a scaffold board.

5. A strap according to any preceding claim, wherein said second means is located at the other end of the body.

6. A strap according to any preceding claim, wherein said first means is shaped and dimensioned to correspond with the shape of the edge of a scaffold board.

7. A strap according to any preceding claim, wherein said first means is hook-shaped.

8. A strap according to claim 7, wherein said hook-shaped first means is of generally square section.

9. A strap according to any preceding claim, wherein said first means is arranged to engage an edge of a scaffold board in loose fitting manner.

10. A strap according to any preceding claim, wherein said first means is shaped and dimensioned to correspond with the edges of at least one scaffold board, thereby accommodating the thickness of one or. *,...

more scaffold boards.

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11. A strap according to any preceding claim, wherein * S IS the length of the body is such that it can extend across the combined widths of more than one scaffold S..

board. *.S:

12. A strap according to any preceding claim, wherein said second means is shaped and dimensioned to be received around a scaffold tube.

13. A strap according to claim 12, wherein said second means is arcuate in section.

14. A strap according to claim 12 or 13, wherein said second means is partially circular in section.

15. A strap according to any precediig claim, wherein.

the axis of said first means extends generally normal to that of said second means.

16. A strap according to any preceding claim, wherein the body has holes therethrough for facilitating permanent fixing of the strap to a scaffold board of an associated scaffolding structure.

17. A strap according to any preceding claim, wherein said second means is angled to the body.

18. A strap accordingly to claim 17, wherein said second means is cranked or bent with respect to the body. .. .. * *.S * . *

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19. A strap according to claim 17 or 18, wherein said second means comprises an intermediate angled portion _ -extending from the body. I..

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20. A strap according to claim 17, 18 or 19, wherein

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the angled portion provides a twist with respect to the body.

21. A scaffolding strap substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

22. A scaffolding structure including scaffolding boards of which at least one is secured to the structure by means of a strap according to any preceding claim.