GB2442326A

GB2442326A - Hinged scaffold pole joint

Info

Publication number: GB2442326A
Application number: GB0718693A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Lewis Alberto Grijo Dos Santos
Original assignee: Product Solutions Catalysis Ltd
Current assignee: Product Solutions Catalysis Ltd
Priority date: 2006-09-28
Filing date: 2007-09-25
Publication date: 2008-04-02
Anticipated expiration: 2027-09-25
Also published as: GB2442234A; GB0619357D0; GB0718693D0; GB2442326B

Abstract

A scaffolding tube joint 13 for pivotally interconnecting first and second scaffolding tube members 11, 12 has first and second joint sections 15, 17 pivotally interconnect by a pin 19 with each section having a spigoted end portion 15a, 17a for insertion into a respective scaffolding tube member 11, 12. The pivot axis is offset from a centre line of the spigots. One joint section 15 has a projection 16 which enters a socket 18 in the other joint section 17 when the joint is pivoted to an aligned position in which the end portions 15a, 17a are in general longitudinal alignment. An abutment on one section contacts an abutment on the other section in the aligned position. A locking sleeve 14 slides on one of the tube members to encircle the projection 16 and socket 18 to lock the projection in the socket and thus lock the tube members 11, 12 in their longitudinally aligned positions.

Description

I

SCAFFOLDING JOINT

This invention relates to pivoting scaffolding joints for interconnecting scaffolding tube members.

Such joints are frequently used, for example, in folding deck scaffolding as described and claimed in the Applicant's co-pending UK patent applications 06 08909.8,0608910.6 and 0608911.4.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved form of such a joint which is economical to produce.

Thus according to the present invention there is provided a scaffolding tube joint for pivotally interconnecting first and second scaffolding tube members comprising first and second joint sections pivotally interconnect, each section having a spigotted end portion for insertion into a respective scaffolding tube member, the pivot axis being off-set from the centre line of each spigoted end portion with one section having a male projection which enters a female socket in the other section when the joint is pivoted to an aligned position in which an abutment on one joint section contacts an abutment on the other joint section to locate the end portions in general longitudinal alignment, and a locking sleeve which slides on one of the tube members to encircle the male projection and female socket to lock the projection in the socket and thus lock the tube members in their longitudinally aligned positions.

Such a joint is economical to produce since it has a low cost but effective locking system in which the locking sleeve simply slides under gravity to encircle the male projection and female socket to prevent failure of the joint when in use. The joint is also easy to release by simply sliding upwardly the locking sleeve.

In a preferred construction the male projection has a cam portion which raises the sleeve up said one tube member to allow the male projection to enter the female socket as the end portions are brought into longitudinal alignment.

Said one end portion preferably includes a flange to limit the sliding movement of the locking sleeve towards the pivot axis of the joint.

Conveniently the male projection enters the socket via a slot in the side of said other joint section, the locking sleeve sliding over the slot to lock the male projection in the female socket.

Each joint section is preferably aluminium casting with an integral spigot portion.

The invention also provides a folding scaffolding tube having first and second scaffolding tube members pivotally interconnected by a joint of the form described above and a scaffolding frame including such a folding scaffolding tube.

The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a folding scaffolding tube which includes a scaffolding tube joint in accordance with the present invention locked in the aligned position; Figure 2 shows the tube of figure 1 with the locking sleeve in the raised position; Figure 3 shows the tube of figure 1 in an exploded condition; Figure 4 shows the tube of figure 1 in a folded condition; Figures 5, 6 and 7 show the joint being progressively moved from a partially folded condition to a fully engaged condition; Figure 8 shows a perspective view of one of the spigotted joint sections of the pivoting joint of the present invention which has a male projection; Figure 9 shows a perspective view of the other spigoted joint section of a joint in accordance with the present invention which has a female socket; Figure 10 shows a perspective view of the spigoted joint section of figure 9 viewed in the opposite direction; Figure 11 shows a perspective of a joint in accordance with the present invention in a partially folded condition, and Figure 12 shows a perspective view of a folding scaffolding tower which includes scaffolding tube joints in accordance with the present invention.

Referring to the drawings, a folding scaffolding tube 10 has first and second tube members 11 and 12 pivotally interconnected by a joint 13. The two tube members 11 and 12 are held in an aligned condition by a sliding locking sleeve 14 as will be described below.

The joint 13, as best seen in figure 3, comprises a first joint section 15 having a male projection 16 thereon and a female joint section 17 having a socket 18 formed therein. These Iwo joint sections are pivotally interconnected by a pin 19. Each joint section includes a spigot portion 1 5a and 1 7a respectively which is of cruciform cross section. These spigot portions are inserted into the open ends of tube members 11 and 12 and are secured therein by any convenient means such as welding, friction, rivets or pins etc. The socket 18 in female joint section 17 opens through the side of the joint section via a slot 20 which corresponds with a slot 21 cut in a tube member 11.

The locking sleeve 14 slides on the outer surface of tube member 11 and when the two tube members 11 and 12 are longitudinally aligned the sleeve 14 encircles the slots 20 and 21 to lock the male projection 16 on joint section 15 in the socket 18 of joint section 17 thus ensuring that the tubes 11 and 12 remain in longitudinal alignment. As shown in Figure 11, joint section 17 has an internal abutment 30 formed inside socket 18 which contacts the surface 31 on projection 16 of joint section 15 to ensure the longitudinal alignment of the joint sections and the tube members 11 and 12.

Figures 5, 6 and 7 show the position of the locking sleeve 14 as the two tubes 11 and 12 are pivoted in the direction of the arrow P to bring the two tubes into longitudinal alignment. As can be seen from figure 5, during initial pivoting movement of the upper tube lithe sleeve 14 rests on a surface 26 (see figure 10) formed on the upper joint section 17. As the tube 11 moves into alignment with the tube 12 (see figure 6) the sleeve 14 contacts a cam surface 23 provided on the end of the male projection 16 of joint section 15 to tend to move the sleeve 14 upwardly (see arrow X) so that the male projection 16 can enter the socket 18 through the slots 21 and 20. As previously indicated when the two tubes 11 and 12 are in longitudinal alignment, determined by contact between abutments 30 and 31, the sleeve 14 will fall to close off the slots 20 and 21 and thus hold the two tubes 11 and 12 in alignment.

As will be appreciated the above joint is of a simple robust and safe construction which is relatively easy to manufacture with each joint section 15 and 17 being a one piece aluminium casting. The depth of insertion of the spigot 15a into the associated tube 12 is controlled by integral flange 24 on joint section 15 and the depth of insertion of spigot 1 7a into tube 11 is controlled by flange 22. Flange 25 on joint section 17 helps to maintain concentricity between joint section 17 and the tube 11.

As indicated previously, the joint may be used in simple scaffolding tubes to allow the tubes to be folded from the aligned position shown in figure 1 to the fully folded position shown in figure 4 or the joint may be used in scaffolding frame of tower position shown in figure 4 or the joint may be used in scaffolding frame of tower constructions to allow parts of the frame or tower to fold relative to each other. An example of such a folding scaffolding tower construction is shown in figure 10 which is taken from the Applicant's co-pending UK patent application number 06 08911.4.

In this construction pivoting joints 27 and 28 allow the side frames 14a and 14b to fold in half for storage. The joints 27 and 28 shown in figure 10 may thus conveniently be of the form described and claimed in the present application.

Although in the arrangement described above the locking sleeve 14 is held in the locking position by gravity, it is also possible for the sleeve to be positively locked in the locking position by a locking means such as, for example, a suitable catch or by inter-engaging locking formations on the sleeve and the tube encircled by the sleeve or by friction between the sleeve and tube.

Claims

1) A scaffolding tube joint for pivotally interconnecting first and second scaffolding tube members comprising first and second joint sections pivotally interconnected, each section having a spigotted end portion for insertion into a respective scaffolding tube member, the pivot axis being off-set from the centre line of each spigoted end portion with one section having a male projection which enters a female socket in the other section when the joint is pivoted to an aligned position in which an abutment on one joint section contacts an abutment on the other joint section to locate the end portions in general longitudinal alignment, and a locking sleeve which slides on one of the tube members to encircle the male projection and female socket to lock the projection in the socket and thus lock the tube members in their longitudinally aligned positions.

2) A joint according to claim 1 in which the male projection has a cam portion which raises the sleeve up said one tube member to allow the male projection to enter the female socket as the end portions are brought into longitudinal alignment.

3) A joint according to claim 1 or 2 in which said one end portion includes a flange to limit the sliding movement of the locking sleeve towards the pivot axis of the joint.

4) A joint according to any one of claims I to 3 in which the male projection enters the socket via a slot in the side of said other joint section, the locking sleeve sliding over the slot to lock the male projection in the female socket.

5) A joint according to any one of claims 1 to 4 in which a locking means is provided to lock the locking sleeve in the locking position encircling the male projection and female socket.

6) A joint according to any one of claims 1 to 5 in which each joint section is an aluminium casting with an integral spigot portion.

7) A joint according to claim 6 in which the spigot portion is of cruciform cross-section.

8) A folding scaffolding tube having first and second scaffolding tube members pivotally interconnected by a joint in accordance with any one of claims I to 7.

9) A scaffolding frame including one or more tubes according to claim 8 to allow portions of the frame to fold relative to each other.

10) A scaffolding tube joint constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.