GB2435068A - A scaffold pole protective end cap - Google Patents

Abstract

A protective cap that is fitted to the ends of scaffold poles to provide protection from personal injury for persons in the vicinity of scaffolding structures. The caps have a domed top section with crush ribs which, with the cavity space 4, collapse upon any impact. This will absorb the inertia of any object coming into contact with the end of the capped pole. Thickened wall sections provide strength to the device, while side wall flats create a friction fit between the cap and the pole. The caps are made from a plastic material.

Description

<p>1 2435068</p>

<p>SCAFFOLD POLE PROTECTIVE END CAP</p>

<p>This cap is fitted over the ends of scaffold poles used on building and construction sites or where scaffolding is assembled to provide temporary stadium seating or other such structures.</p>

<p>Scaffold poles can provide a natural hazard where people can walk into the ends of them when they protrude from the construction at ground level, they can also have sharp and dangerous corners on the ends where they are cut to the required length using special machinery on site. This can sometimes result in serious personal injury. Often building masonry can also be damaged by the ends of the poles when the scaffolding is erected around existing buildings.</p>

<p>The object of this cap is to provide significant protection against personal injury and damage to buildings from the ends of the scaffolding poles.</p>

<p>The cap provides significant protection by means of the crush ribs and cavity space inside the cap. These ribs collapse when hit by an object, cushioning the blow to reduce or eliminate injury or damage. The domed top and large corner radius encourage deflection of an object hitting the end of the pole, eliminating the possibility of somebody cutting themselves on it. The thick sections up the side of the cap provide rigidity on the side walls to allow the cap to be pushed onto the pole without collapsing.</p>

<p>The cap is made from a plastic material which is important to maintain the flexible properties of the ribs.</p>

<p>A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE 1 shows the cap in plan view looking inside the open end.</p>

<p>FIGURE 2 is a cross sectional view of the cap.</p>

<p>FIGURE 3 is a cross sectional view of the cap mounted on the scaffold pole.</p>

<p>Figure 1 shows the inside of the cap showing the crush ribs I of which are equally spaced and radiating from the centre of the cap. The thickened wall sections 2 on the outside of the cap make the side walls rigid enough not to buckle when the cap is pushed on to the pole.</p>

<p>Figure 2 shows the crush rib I in cross section, it comprises of a horizontal section which seats on the pole and then angles up towards the middle of the cap at an angle which provides strength to the centre of the cap.</p>

<p>The domed top 3 and corner radius 4 encourage objects to deflect off of it rather than directly absorbing any impact.</p>

<p>Side wall flats 5 create a size fit to the pole and the cap is held on the end of the pole by friction against these flats.</p>

<p>Figure 3 shows the cap positioned on the end of the pole and shows the cavity space 4 in the top of the cap which collapses with the crush ribs I upon any impact. This will absorb the inertia of the object hitting the end of the pole and reduce damage or injury.</p>

Claims (1)

1. <p>CLAIMS</p>

   <p>1/ A protective cap that is fitted to the ends of scaffolding poles with an impact absorbing collapsible top section and radius surfaces which will provide both personal protection to people around scaffolding and to existing building structures.</p>