GB2469807A

GB2469807A - Scaffolding board retainer

Info

Publication number: GB2469807A
Application number: GB0907225A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Philip Nicholas Flynn; Christopher James Dawson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-04-28
Filing date: 2009-04-28
Publication date: 2010-11-03
Anticipated expiration: 2029-04-28
Also published as: GB2469807B; GB0907225D0

Abstract

A scaffold board retainer comprises a first holding portion 4, a second holding portion 6 and a connecting portion 8. The connecting portion 8 connects the first holding portion to the second holding portion, which defines a first board holding section 10 between the first holding portion, the connection portion and the second holding portion. The scaffold board retainer may be fitted to the end of a scaffold board group using the first holding section. A second board holding section 12 may be defined between the first holding portion, the connection portion and the second holding portion. Preferably, the connection portion 8 comprises two walls reinforced by a lattice 8 in the space 16 formed between the two walls. The retainer may feature a securing means 22 to secure the retainer to a scaffold, e.g. a hole 22 through which a tie can pass. The securing means may be associated within the connection portion or alternatively along the length of the first or second holding portions (as shown in Fig 19).

Description

Scaffold Board Retainer

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to scaffold board retainers.

Background of the invention

Scaffolding is widely used in the building and construction industry to provide a stable platform on which to work. A common scaffolding arrangement consists of steel scaffolding tubes bound together. Vertical standards are bound to horizontal ledgers. Transoms rest on the ledgers at right angles thereto. Generally, the distance between standards is determined by the width and number of scaffold boards. The scaffold boards are typically arranged parallel to one another and lengthwise along the scaffolding, with each end resting on a supporting transom. To cover the length of a scaffolding deck, the scaffold boards are laid end to end.

Summary of the invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a scaffold board retainer comprising a first holding portion, a second holding portion and a connecting portion comprising a first side; whereby the connecting portion connects the first holding portion to the second holding portion, thereby defining a first board holding section between the first holding portion, the first side of the connection portion and the second holding portion.

Suitably, the first holding portion is planar. Suitably, the second holding portion is planar.

Suitably the plane of the first holding portion is parallel to the plane of the second holding portion.

Suitably, the connecting portion connects the first holding portion to the second holding portion along a portion of the length of the first and second holding portions.

Suitably, the first holding portion, the connecting portion and the second holding portion comprise a single unit.

Suitably, the connecting portion further comprises a second side. Suitably, a second board holding section is defined between the first holding portion, the second side of the connecting portion and the second holding portion.

Suitably, the connecting portion comprises a wall configured perpendicular to the first and second holding portions.

Suitably, the connecting portion connects the first holding portion to the second holding portion at a central region of the first and second holding portions.

Suitably, the first holding portion and the second holding portion are of equal widths. Suitably, the width of the first holding portion is constant along its length. Suitably, the width of the second holding portion is constant along its length.

Suitably, one of the first and second holding portions has a greater width than the other.

Suitably, at least one of the first and second holding portions comprises a non-slip outer surface. Suitably, the non-slip outer surface comprises a plurality of ribs.

Suitably, the connecting portion comprises two walls configured perpendicular to the planes of the first and second holding portions. Suitably, the two walls are parallel. Suitably, a connecting portion space is provided between the two walls. Suitably, the two walls are reinforced by reinforcement means situated in the connecting portion space. Suitably, the reinforcement means comprises a lattice.

Suitably, the scaffold board retainer further comprises a securing means. Suitably, the securing means comprises a hole in the scaffold board retainer such that in use the scaffold board retainer may be secured to scaffolding by a tie passed through the securing means.

Suitably, the scaffold board retainer comprises a first retainer end and a second retainer end.

Suitably, the securing means is located at the first retainer end region. Suitably, the securing means is located at the second retainer end region.

Suitably, the securing means is located at a central region of the first holding portion. Suitably, the securing means is located at a central region of the second holding portion.

Suitably, the securing means is located within the connecting portion. Preferably, the securing means is located within the connecting portion space.

Suitably, the securing means is distributed along the length of the first holding portion.

Suitably, the securing means is distributed along the length of the second holding portion.

Suitably, securing means are provided in pairs adjacent one another. Suitably, the securing means are configured such that the scaffold board retainer can be cut to length such that the cut is between securing means thereby creating two scaffold board retainers with securing means located at retainer end regions.

Suitably, the scaffold board retainer further comprises a securing means access means.

Suitably, the securing means access means is a channel located in the first holding portion.

Suitably, the securing means access means extends lengthwise along the first holding portion.

Suitably, the securing means access means is a channel located in the second holding portion. Suitably, the securing means access means extends lengthwise along the second holding portion. Suitably, the securing means access means extends parallel to the connecting portion.

Suitably, the securing means and securing means access means are configured such that the securing means can be accessed through the securing means access means when scaffold boards are retained by the scaffold board retainer.

Suitably, a closed no-board section is defined by the joining of the first holding portion, the second side of the connecting portion and the second holding portion.

Suitably, the closed no-board section has one or other of a triangular cross-section or a rectangular cross-section.

Suitably, the scaffold board retainer is made from plastics material. Alternatively, the scaffold board retainer is made from metal. Alternatively, the scaffold board retainer is made from

Brief description of the drawincjs

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 shows an end sectional view of scaffold board retainer, according to an embodiment of the present invention, sectioned perpendicular to its length; Figure 2 shows an end sectional view of a scaffold board retainer having a connecting portion space, according to an embodiment of the present invention, sectioned perpendicular to its length; Figure 3 shows an end sectional view of a scaffold board retainer having reinforcement means, according to an embodiment of the present invention, sectioned perpendicular to its length; Figure 4 shows an end sectional view of a scaffold board retainer having a wider second holding portion, according to an embodiment of the present invention, sectioned perpendicular to its length; Figure 5 shows an end sectional view of a scaffold board retainer having a non-slip outer surface, according to an embodiment of the present invention, sectioned perpendicular to its length; Figure 6 shows an end sectional view of a scaffold board retainer having two non-slip outer surfaces, according to an embodiment of the present invention, sectioned perpendicular to its length; Figure 7 shows an end sectional view of a scaffold board retainer having a closed no-board section, according to an embodiment of the present invention, sectioned perpendicular to its length; Figure 8 shows a perspective view of a scaffold board retainer, according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 9 shows a perspective view of the scaffold board retainer of figure 3 in use securing two sets of scaffold boards; Figure 10 shows a perspective view of a scaffold board retainer having a securing means, according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 11 shows an end sectional view of the scaffold board retainer of figure 3 in use securing two sets of scaffold boards sectioned perpendicular to its length; Figure 12 shows a top view of different arrangements of scaffold boards being held by scaffold board retainers, according to example embodiments of the present invention; Figure 13 shows a perspective view of a scaffolding arrangement with scaffold boards secured by a scaffold board retainer, according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 14 shows an end sectional view of a scaffold board retainer having a connecting portion space and wider second holding portion, according to an embodiment of the present invention, sectioned perpendicular to its length; Figure 1 5 shows an end sectional view of a scaffold board retainer having a rectangular closed no-board section, according to an embodiment of the present invention, sectioned perpendicular to its length; Figure 1 6 shows an end sectional view of a scaffold board retainer having a rectangular closed no-board section and reinforcement means, according to an embodiment of the present invention, sectioned perpendicular to its length; Figure 17 shows an end sectional view of a scaffold board retainer having two non-slip outer surfaces, according to an embodiment of the present invention, sectioned perpendicular to its length; Figure 18 shows an end sectional view of a scaffold board retainer having a wider second holding portion, according to an embodiment of the present invention, sectioned perpendicular to its length; and Figure 19 shows a perspective view of a scaffold board retainer having a securing means access means, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Description of preferred embodiments

Referring to Figure 1 there is shown a scaffold board retainer 2 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The scaffold board retainer 2 comprises a first holding portion 4, a second holding portion 6 and a connecting portion 8 comprising a first and second side. The connecting portion 8 connects the first holding portion 4 to the second holding portion 6, thereby defining a first board holding section 10 between the first holding portion 4, the first side of the connecting portion 8 and the second holding portion 6. A second board holding section 12 is defined between the first holding portion 4, the second side of the connecting portion 8 and the second holding portion 6. The first holding portion 4 has a non-slip outer surface 14.

The first holding portion 4 and second holding portion 6 are rigid, flat, rectangular portions that are extended in a plane parallel to a scaffolding board retained in the first or second holding portion 10, 12. The connecting portion 8 is a flat, rigid wall perpendicular to the plane of the holding portions 4, 6 and connects the holding portions 4, 6 along central lengthwise axes. The widths of the holding portions 4, 6 are equal, with the connecting portion 8 bisecting the holding portions 4, 6. The non-slip outer surface 14 comprises ribs which extend lengthwise on the outer surface of the first holding portion 4. The scaffold board retainer 2 is a single rigid unit.

Flat holding portions 4, 6 and a flat connection portion 8 give the board holding sections 10, 12 a rectangular cross-section. The ends of the boards have the same rectangular cross section, allowing board ends to fit into and be held effectively in the board holding sections 10, 12. The non-slip outer surface 14 helps to prevent people slipping when walking on the scaffold board retainer 2 and therefore improves safety.

In use, scaffolding is erected and scaffold boards are placed in a conventional configuration such as a group four boards wide, parallel to one another, with each board end resting on a transom. The scaffold boards are typically of equal length and the scaffold board ends are therefore aligned. The scaffold board retainer 2 is of length equal to the combined width of the scaffold board group. The scaffold board retainer 2 is pushed onto the scaffold board group at one end such that the first board holding section 10 locates on the boards at their ends. The first holding portion 4 lies flat against the upper surfaces of the scaffold boards, the connecting portion wall lies flat against the scaffold boards ends and the second holding portion 6 lies flat against the lower surfaces of the scaffold boards.

Once the scaffold board retainer 2 has been fitted to the end of the scaffold board group, boards of another scaffold board group are inserted into the second board holding section 12.

Thus, the scaffold board retainer 2 holds the scaffold boards in place and acts as a bridge between parallel boards.

An advantage of holding the boards in place using the scaffold board retainer 2 is that safety is increased since the boards are bound together and not free to move independently. The scaffold board retainer acts as a bridge between groups of boards giving the board deck increased stability.

Referring to Figure 2 there is shown a scaffold board retainer 2 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The structure of the scaffold board retainer is similar to that of the first embodiment with the exception that the connecting portion 8 comprises two parallel walls separated by a connection portion space 16. In this embodiment the first board holding section 10 is defined by the first holding portion 4, a side of one of the two connecting portion walls and the second holding portion 6. The second board holding section 12 is defined by the first holding portion 4, a side of the other of the two connecting portion walls and the second holding portion 6.

Using a connecting portion 8 with a double wall increases the strength and structural integrity of the scaffold board retainer 2.

Referring to Figure 3 there is shown a scaffold board retainer 2 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The structure of the scaffold board retainer 2 is similar to that of the second embodiment with the exception that the connecting portion 8 additionally comprises a reinforcement means 18. The reinforcement means 18 lies within the connecting portion space 16 and reinforces the connections between the connecting portion 8 walls, the first holding portion 4 and the second holding portion 6. The reinforcement means 18 is a lattice structure.

Figures 9 and 11 show two groups of boards being bridged by the scaffold board retainer 2 of this embodiment in a manner described above.

Referring to Figure 4 there is shown a scaffold board retainer 2 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The structure of the scaffold board retainer 2 is similar to that of the third embodiment with the exception that the second holding portion 6 is wider that the first holding portion 4.

Having a relatively wider second holding portion 6 facilitates the fitting of the scaffold boards into the board holding sections 10, 12. For example, a scaffold board can be introduced to the first board holding section 10 by placing the scaffold board at a slight angle relative to the plane of the second holding portion 6 and then rotated and pushed into place.

Referring to Figure 5 there is shown a scaffold board retainer 2 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. The structure of the scaffold board retainer 2 is similar to that of the third embodiment with the exception that the first holding portion 4 has a convex non-slip outer surface 14.

Referring to Figure 6 there is shown a scaffold board retainer 2 according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. The structure of the scaffold board retainer 2 is similar to that of the fifth embodiment with the exception that the second holding portion 6 additionally comprises a convex non-slip outer surface 14.

Referring to Figure 7 there is shown a scaffold board retainer 2 according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. The structure of the scaffold board retainer 2 is similar to that of the third embodiment with the exception that the second board holding section 12 is replaced by a closed no-board section 20. In this configuration the first holding portion 4, the connecting portion 8 and the second holding portion 6 are all joined to form a closed no-board section 20. This closed no-board section 20 has a right-angled triangle cross-section with the right-angle being between the second holding portion 6 and the connecting portion 8.

In use, rather than acting as a bridge between groups of boards, in this embodiment the scaffold board retainer 2 acts as an end-stop for a group of boards. The closed no-board section 20 gives a visual indication that no boards are to be further connected.

Referring to Figure 8 there is shown a scaffold board retainer 2 according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention. The structure of the scaffold board retainer 2 is similar to that of the third embodiment with the exception that its length is longer than the combined width of four scaffold boards. Scaffold board retainers 2 produced in long lengths such as shown in this embodiment are conveniently cut to the required length, e.g. on site.

Referring to Figure 10 there is shown a scaffold board retainer 2 according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention. The structure of the scaffold board retainer 2 is similar to that of the third embodiment with the exception that it additionally comprises a securing means 22. The securing means comprises a hole through the second holding portion 6. The hole is located along the central longitudinal axis of the second holding portion 6 close to the end of the scaffold board retainer 2 and within the connecting portion 8 between the two parallel walls.

In use, the scaffold board retainer 2 acts as a bridge between groups of scaffold boards, as shown in Figure 11 and described above. The securing means 22 is used to secure the scaffold board retainer 2 to the scaffolding by threading a cord or tie-wrap through the hole and binding to a scaffolding tube or other structure.

Since the securing means 22 hole is located within the connecting means 8, the hole is accessible from within the connecting portion space 16 at all times and not obstructed by the scaffold boards.

Referring to Figures 12 and 13 there is shown scaffold board retainers 2 according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention. The structure of the scaffold board retainer 2 is similar to that of the third embodiment with the exception that the lengths are different. Figure 12 shows three example scaffold board retainers 2 connecting groups of four boards, pairs of boards and single boards. Figure 13 shows these three scaffold board retainers 2 bridging boards on a scaffolding platform.

Referring to Figure 14 there is shown a scaffold board retainer 2 according to an eleventh embodiment of the present invention. The structure of the scaffold board retainer 2 is similar to that of the second embodiment with the exception that the first holding portion 4 is wider that the second holding portion 6.

Referring to Figure 15 there is shown a scaffold board retainer 2 according to a twelfth embodiment of the present invention. The structure of the scaffold board retainer 2 is similar to that of the second embodiment with the exception that the second board holding section 1 2 is replaced by a closed no-board section 20. In this configuration the first holding portion 4, the connecting portion 8 and the second holding portion 6 are all joined to form a closed no-board section 20. This closed no-board section 20 has a rectangular cross-section.

Referring to Figure 16 there is shown a scaffold board retainer 2 according to a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention. The structure of the scaffold board retainer 2 is similar to that of the twelfth embodiment with the exception that the connecting portion 8 additionally comprises a reinforcement means 18. The reinforcement means 18 lies within the connecting portion space 16 and reinforces the connections between the connecting portion 8 walls, the first holding portion 4 and the second holding portion 6. The reinforcement means 18 is a lattice structure.

Referring to Figure 17 there is shown a scaffold board retainer 2 according to a fourteenth embodiment of the present invention. The structure of the scaffold board retainer 2 is similar to that of the third embodiment with the exception that the second holding portion 6 additionally comprises a non-slip outer surface 14.

Referring to Figure 18 there is shown a scaffold board retainer 2 according to a fifteenth embodiment of the present invention. The structure of the scaffold board retainer 2 is similar to that of the second embodiment with the exception that the second holding portion 6 is wider that the first holding portion 4 and the non-slip outer surface 14 on the first holding portion 4 comprises a greater density of ribs which are narrower and closer together.

The greater density of ribs increases the roughness and frictional properties of the surface and improves the safety of a worker who walks on this surface.

Referring to Figure 19 there is shown a scaffold board retainer 2 according to a sixteenth embodiment of the present invention. The structure of the scaffold board retainer 2 is similar to that of the first embodiment with the exception that it additionally comprises a securing means 22 and a securing means access means 24. The securing means access means 24 comprises a channel extending lengthwise and parallel to the connection portion 8 in the inside surface of the second holding portion 6. The securing means 22 comprises a hole situated in the channel and through the second holding portion 6. The hole is located close to the end of the scaffold board retainer 2.

In use, the securing means 22 is used to secure the scaffold board retainer 2 to the scaffolding by threading a cord or tie-wrap through the hole and binding to a scaffolding tube or other structure.

Since the securing means 22 hole is located within the securing means access means 24 channel, the hole is accessible from within the channel at all times and not obstructed by the scaffold boards.

It will be appreciated that modifications may be made to the example embodiments described herein without detracting from the present invention. Whilst the scaffold board retainer has been described in relation to board ends, it could be used to retain the sides of boards thereby linking parallel boards. The scaffold board retainer can be made from plastics material using extrusion methods although it should not be limited to this material and method and can be made from metals or wood. Other methods known to those skilled in the art could equally be used to construct the scaffold board retainer.

Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

C'aims: 1. A scaffold board retainer comprising a first holding portion, a second holding portion and a connecting portion comprising a first side; whereby the connecting portion connects the first holding portion to the second holding portion, thereby defining a first board holding section between the first holding portion, the first side of the connection portion and the second holding portion.
2. The scaffold board retainer of claim 1, wherein the first holding portion is planar.
3. The scaffold board retainer of claim 2, wherein the second holding portion is planar.
4. The scaffold board retainer of claim 3, wherein the plane of the first holding portion is parallel to the plane of the second holding portion.
5. The scaffold board retainer of any preceding claim, wherein the connecting portion Q connects the first holding portion to the second holding portion along a portion of the length of the first and second holding portions. C')

Q 20
6. The scaffold board retainer of any preceding claim, wherein the first holding portion, the connecting portion and the second holding portion comprise a single unit.
7. The scaffold board retainer of any preceding claim, wherein the connecting portion further comprises a second side.
8. The scaffold board retainer of claim 7, wherein a second board holding section is defined between the first holding portion, the second side of the connecting portion and the second holding portion.
9. The scaffold board retainer of any preceding claim, wherein the connecting portion comprises a wall configured perpendicular to the first and second holding portions.
10. The scaffold board retainer of any preceding claim, wherein the connecting portion connects the first holding portion to the second holding portion at a central region of the first and second holding portions.
11. The scaffold board retainer of any preceding claim, where the width of the first holding portion is constant along its length.
12. The scaffold board retainer of any preceding claim, wherein the width of the second holding portion is constant along its length.
13. The scaffold board retainer of any preceding claim, wherein one of the first and second holding portions has a greater width than the other.
14. The scaffold board retainer of any preceding claim, wherein the first holding portion and the second holding portion are of equal widths.
15. The scaffold board retainer of any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the first and second holding portions comprises a non-slip outer surface.
16. The scaffold board retainer of claim 15, wherein the non-slip outer surface comprises a plurality of ribs.
17. The scaffold board retainer of any preceding claim, wherein, the connecting portion Q comprises two parallel walls.

C)
18. The scaffold board retainer of any preceding claim, wherein the connecting portion Q 20 comprises two walls configured perpendicular to the planes of the first and second holding (0 portions.
19. The scaffold board retainer of any preceding claim, wherein the connecting portion comprises two walls reinforced by reinforcement means situated in a connecting portion space between the two walls.
20. The scaffold board retainer of claim 19, wherein the reinforcement means comprises a lattice.
21. The scaffold board retainer of any preceding claim, wherein the scaffold board retainer further comprises a securing means to facilitate securement of the scaffold board retainer to a scaffold.
22. The scaffold board retainer of claim 21, wherein the securing means comprises a hole in the scaffold board retainer such that in use the scaffold board retainer may be secured to scaffolding by a tie passed through the securing means.
23. The scaffold board retainer of claim 21 or 22, wherein the scaffold board retainer comprises a first retainer end and a second retainer end with the securing means is located at the first retainer end and at the second retainer end.
24. The scaffold board retainer of claim 21, 22 or 23, wherein the securing means is located at a central region of the first holding portion.
25. The scaffold board retainer of any one of claims 2 1-24, wherein the securing means is located at a central region of the second holding portion.
26. The scaffold board retainer of any one of claims 2 1-25, wherein the securing means is located within the connecting portion.
27. The scaffold board retainer of any one of claims 2 1-26, wherein the securing means is distributed along the length of the first holding portion and/or is distributed along the length of the second holding portion.
28 The scaffold board retainer of any one of claims 2 1-27, wherein the securing means is C) provided in pairs adjacent one another such that the scaffold board retainer can be cut to Q 20 length between securing means to thereby create two scaffold board retainers with securing means located at retainer ends thereof.
29. The scaffold board retainer of any one of claims 21-28, further comprising a securing means access means in the form of a channel located in the first holding portion.
30. The scaffold board retainer of any one of claims 21-29, wherein the securing means access means extends lengthwise along the first holding portion.
31. The scaffold board retainer of any one of claims 21-30, wherein the securing means access means is a channel located in the second holding portion.
32. The scaffold board retainer of any one of claims 21-31, wherein the securing means access means extends lengthwise along the second holding portion.
33. The scaffold board retainer of any one of claims 29-32, wherein the securing means access means extends parallel to the connecting portion.
34. The scaffold board retainer of any one of claims 29-33, wherein the securing means and securing means access means are configured such that the securing means is accessible through the securing means access means when scaffold boards are retained by the scaffold board retainer.
35. The scaffold board retainer of any preceding claim, comprising a closed no-board section defined by the joining of the first holding portion, the second side of the connecting portion and the second holding portion.
36. The scaffold board retainer of claim 35, wherein the closed no-board section has one or other of a triangular cross-section or a rectangular cross-section.
37. The scaffold board retainer of any preceding claim, from plastics material, metal or
38. A scaffold board retainer substantially as herein described, with particular reference to the accompanying drawings. C') (0 (\J