GB2451145A - End cap for a manufactured scaffold plank - Google Patents

Abstract

An end cap member can be suitably fitted to manufactured planks. The end cap member fits into an end of the manufactured plank. The end cap has a tongue <B>6</B> positioned at one side of the end cap, having a length, width 'W' and depth 'D' and a recess <B>7</B> having dimensions compatible with the tongue dimensions so that a tongue from a second like end cap, can locate positively within the said recess. The tongue and recess may have tapered sides.

Description

END CAP MEMBERS FOR MANUFACTURED PLANKS

Planks manufactured from re-cycled plastic for example, that of PVC, all as previously described and accompanied by the relevant drawings in Patent Application No. GB 0624625.

The planks will require end cap members fitted at the outer ends of each plank. The end caps will serve not only as caps, which seal the ends of the plank against rain water and ingress of foreign matter, such as waste materials accumulated in and around buildings sites, in addition the end caps will have a formed projection at their outer most faces, this projection will fit inside a recessed area, positioned at one side of the said projection at the position where each plank is siting longitudinally one to another.

By way of the following description and drawings the invention will now be described.

Fig. 1 Plan and end elevation Fig. 2 Front elevation of the inner face.

Fig. 3 Cross-sectional plan view and end elevation.

Fig. 4 End elevation Fig. 5 Plan and end elevation.

Item 4 fig 1 is an end cap member (and for this description only is machined from a solid block of plastic material).

Item 5 is a chain-dotted outline representing the plank profile into which is fitted the end cap item 4, (at both outer ends of the plank section).

A tongue/projection portion Item 6 is positioned at one side of the end cap, having a length, width and depth represented by the dimension L, W' and D', these dimensions are compatible with the length, width and depth dimensions of the recess item 7 fig 1, such that a tongue from a secondary end cap would fit / nest captive within the said recess, by reason of the tapered sides of both the tongue item 6 and the recess 7.

The ledge item 8 figs 1 and 3 which is formed around the perimeter, ensures that the end cap item 4 can be registered in the correct position within the plank profile item 5 (shown chain-dotted) The handing (that is right and left RH and L.H is achieved by turning the end cap profile thro 180 degrees.

The final assembly of'plank' and end cap members is as follows:-One end cap member item 4 fig I will be inserted filly against the ledge item 8, at one end of the plank profile, whilst the other or opposite end, a secondary end cap profile 4 is turned thro 180 degrees and likewise inserted, resulting in RH. and L.H.

end cap profiles. I"

The inner face item 9 fig 2 having triangular shaped projections items 10, will ensure that the cardboard infil can be both retained in position, and held captive within the plank profile ( described in detail in patent application no GB -0624625.0, REF.

FIGs 10 and 11.) The circular holes items 11 (to a specified depth), are for reduction in volum& weight of material. I n production the end cap profiles will be produced by injection moulding from a multi-impression tool, for both volume and cost effective production.

The overall dimensions will be retained with the exception,that reduced sections in line with the design criteria will be maintained.

Fig. 3 shows a typical part assembly of two (right hand and left-hand) end cap members, fully in position and positively located by their tongues item 6 and corresponding recesses 7.

The end caps are retained captive in position within the plank profiles, by either that of radio frequency welding or using a commercial cold weld adhesive.

Finally, from a health and safety aspect, it is important to relate that when the manufactured planks (ref GB 0624624.0) fitted with the said end cap profiles are in use, (and for this description only), are positioned juxtaposed to each other across their width and placed longitudinally end to end (for example in particular on scaffold towers and structures), it will not be possible to turn the planks over (as is a common practice with timber planks) when the top/working surface becomes contaminated with mortar for example.

The tongues item 6 fig' s I and 3 will by reason of their handing, will not locate in corresponding recesses 7 thus preventing this dangerous practice being carried out.

A further embodiment of the invention, is that of a secondary design of end cap member! insert, and will be described as follows:-Item 10 fig's 4 and 5 the end cap member, identical dimensionally to that of the said end cap member item 4 fig. 1,as herein before described, the only difference being that the recess item 11 fig's 4 and 5 continues for a length denoted by the Li' dimension ref fig 5., where as the recess item 7 fig's I and 3 is approximently half the length of the recess item 11. There is also no Tongue/ projection. The inner end face (ref fig. 5) is identical to that of the inner face item 9 fig. 2.

The aforesaid secondary end cap member itemlO fig's 4 and 5, will be used for different purposes than that of the end cap member item 4 fig. I., one example is that where it is not necessary to place the manufactured planks in a horizontal plane, and placed longitudinally end to end, with the plank end caps locating positively by their tongues and recesses.

Claims (2)

1. A end cap member consisting in the first part having a tongue / projection at one end of the end cap, and in the second part a recess having compatible dimensions to that of the tongue at the opposite end to the projection, the end caps can be inserted into a plank (5), aided by the tapered inner portion.

2. A end cap member as claimed in claim 1, and as substantially herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawings.