GB2477812A

GB2477812A - Scaffolding tool for attaching handrail

Info

Publication number: GB2477812A
Application number: GB201004012A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Simon Poulton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-02-12
Filing date: 2010-03-11
Publication date: 2011-08-17
Anticipated expiration: 2030-03-11
Also published as: GB2477812B; GB201002345D0; GB201004012D0

Abstract

A scaffolding tool 10 comprises an elongate member which includes a main section 15 and a further section having a head 70, whereby each section can move relative to one another. The head 70 has a rail support and a handle 20 extending for most of its length parallel to the elongate member. The handle 20 has a grip region 30 which can be moved so the head 70 and hence the rail support moves relative to the main section 15 to position scaffolding/guard rails. The two sections 15, 70 may be provided as telescopic sections. The handle includes a locking member 90 that can be releasably secured to the elongate member.

Description

Scaffolding Tool The present invention relates to a scaffolding tool and in particular to a scaffolding tool that allows for the attaching of safety rails on scaffolding.

Background to the Invention

Scaffolding is a temporary structure that is used to support materials and tradesmen during the construction or repair of a building. Scaffold consists of upright tubing called standards which are held in position by being clamped to horizontal tubing called ledgers. Sections of tubing known as transoms are placed at right angles to the ledgers and boards are placed on the transoms so providing a support for the tradesmen and materials using the scaffolding.

In the past, scaffolders erected scaffolding by placing the uprights in position and then the ledgers were coupled to the uprights to form a network of scaffolding. When they increased the height of the scaffolding, the scaffolders would stand on the existing scaffolding and use safety harnesses to attach themselves to the scaffolding so they could lift up further uprights and ledgers to build up the height of the scaffolding.

There are problems in using harnesses in that the harness has to be attached and detached from the scaffolding as the scaffolder moves up and down the scaffolding.

Also, as the scaffolding is being raised to form a higher level (lift) from a lower level, there are no safety rails in place on the lift above to prevent the scaffolder from falling and he or she has to rely on the harness to prevent falls, which today may not comply with safety legislation.

Advanced guard rail systems have been introduced where a temporary guardrail is placed in position at a next level while working from a lower level. However, with known systems, a scaffolder has to lift the handrail up to a higher level and to do this, they often climbed up the outside of the scaffolding which means that they would not be protected from falling by any handrails and again they would only be relying on only the harness to keep them safe.

To overcome the safety issues, there are devices such as the device discussed in GB 2318555 where once scaffolding is in place, a scaffolder can stand on one level and lift the handrail to a higher level. This is done by having a handrail supporting bar with a ring on the end, A handle extends from the ring to the other end of the handle, which in use is held by a scaffolder. A tube which is to form the handrail is positioned in the ring and the ring is moved into position at the higher level by manoeuvring the ring using the handle. There are abutments on the handle that rest on a ledger as the handrail is slid into position. However as the device of the prior art cannot form an integrated part of the scaffolding means that there are still safety issues. Also there is no facility for safely securing or locking the supporting bar in position while the scaffolding is being put in place, which again may compromise safety of the scaffolder.

It is an object of the invention to provide a safe and efficient way of positioning a handrail on scaffolding, while maintaining a safe working environment for users.

Statement of Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a scaffolding tool comprising an elongate member formed of at least a first and a second section that can move relative to one another, characterised in that the first section of the elongate member has at least one rail support secured thereon with a first end of a handle also being attached to said first section, a second end of the handle extending from the first end of the handle towards the second section of the elongate member, the handle being moveable relative to the second section of the elongate member to move the at least one rail support between first and second positions.

It is envisaged that the first and second positions are first and second levels, so a guard rail that is positioned in the at least one rail support can be lifted into position by an individual working below the rail support. This provides a very safe structure as a person erecting the scaffolding will always be protected from fall by having a guard rail already in position.

Preferably the at least two sections are provided as telescoping sections where the rail support is on one telescoping section that can move relative to a telescoping section forming the elongate member.

It is envisaged that the rail support is provided as a cupped bracket. When using a cupped bracket, the rail may be simply dropped into the bracket to form a temporary arrangement for a guard rail to be positioned. Once in position the guard rail can then be secured in place by clamps to form a more permanent fixing which can be an integral part of the overall scaffolding structure. The rail support is particularly used for positioning safety hand rails but other types of horizontal scaffolding may be positioned using the tool of the invention.

It is preferred that the telescoping section of the elongate member includes a rest positioned below the rail support. The rest is arranged so that the elongate member can be positioned such that the rest sits on the ledger to provide support for the upright elongate member. The handle can then be moved so that telescoping member supporting the rail support is moved upwards to the correct height for the handrail.

Once the handrail is in the correct position the handrail can then be clamped to keep it in position, either temporarily or permanently.

Preferably the handle runs in an axis that is substantially parallel to the axis of the elongate member with there being an extension towards the second end of the handle forming a grip region for the handle.

It is preferred that the handle and the elongate member can be releasably secured together. Preferably, towards the second end of the handle there is locking means that can lock with the elongate member.

In a preferred arrangement the locking means is formed of at least one cut out in the grip region, the at least one cut out be able to engage with an attachment point on the elongate member.

It is envisaged that the attachment point on the elongate member is an aperture in a wall of the elongate member.

In a preferred arrangement, the elongate member has a two or more apertures positioned along the length of the elongate member. The apertures preferably have stops or indicators that show a user of the scaffolding the optimum position for locating a guard rail and in particular the position that complies with Health and Safety Legislation.

Preferably the apertures include indications that show the height at which the rail support will be positioned relative to the rest positioned below the rail support.

It is envisaged that the elongate member is formed of steel but other materials such as aluminium or a steeL'aluminium composite may be used. It is desirable that the elongate member is both relatively lightweight so it can be lifted by a person and it is strong, so there is a minimal risk of the scaffolding tool breaking under the weight of a handrail that is being manoeuvred.

The invention is advantageous in that it provides a system for erecting scaffolding and in particular the positioning of handrails in a safe and easy manner.

Description of the Drawings

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a view of a scaffolding structure where the scaffolding tool of the invention is being used with the potential to position a handrail; Figure 2 shows a more detailed view of the scaffolding tool of an embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 shows a locking mechanism according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 shows the different types of rail supports that can be used and their relative position to a rest; and Figure 5 shows and embodiment of the invention with stops for positioning the guard rail.

Description of Preferred Embodiments

Referring firstly to Figure 1, a scaffolding structure is indicated generally at 1. The scaffolding structure is formed of uprights 2 and cross members or ledgers shown as 3. The uprights and ledgers are secured together by way of clamps 4, so the ledgers are held substantially at right angles to the uprights.

The scaffolding tool of the invention is generally indicated as 10 and includes a main section 15 provided as an elongate member with there being a handle 20 running for the most of its length parallel to the elongate member. The handle has a grip region 30 towards a lower portion of the elongate member. The grip region 30 is provided as an extension which extends out from the axis of the main handle in a direction away from the elongate member and then the grip region curves back on itself towards the elongate member. This provides an open looped region into which the hand can be inserted to grip the handle.

The scaffolding tool is shown standing adjacent an upright 2 and towards the upper end of the elongate member there is a rail support 40. Below this rail support there is a rest 50 which is attached to the main section 15 of the elongate member. The rail support 40 is formed of a bracket with the mouth of the bracket positioned facing in an upwards direction. A guard rail or length of scaffolding can simply be dropped into the open bracket, so allowing a quick and easy way of positioning a hand rail, either temporarily or permanently. The rest 50 is also provided as a bracket with the mouth of the bracket positioned so it faces in a downwards direction and this allows the rest to sit on a ledger 3 positioned under the rest. By having a rest 50, the scaffolding tool can be hooked over a ledger to provide stability for the elongate member when the elongate member is held upright and it also gives the scaffolder a purchase point when the handle 20 is moved to lift the rail support into position. The lower portion of the section 15 is secured to a lower hand rail that is towards the lower portion of the elongate member by clamp or clamps 55, so providing a secure and stable arrangement for lifting handrails into position. The whole arrangement allows for the lifting of a handrail into position from the inside of scaffolding so making a safer environment for scaffolders to work.

Figure 2 shows the scaffolding tool in more detail. The scaffolding tool generally shown as 10 has two telescoping sections 15, 80. The section 15 forms the main part of the scaffolding tool and sliding within section 15 is part 80. Part 80 has at one end a head 70 on which is mounted rail support 40. The rail support is provided as a semicircular section with the mouth of the section positioned in an upwards direction so it can receive a horizontal rail, positioned substantially at right angles to the scaffolding tool. Also attached to the head 70 is a first end of handle 20, which runs outside and for the most of its length substantially parallel to the axis of the elongate member. The head 70 has a larger diameter than narrower portion 80 which slides within the main section 15 of the elongate member 10 so allowing sections 15 and 80 to move relative to one another.

One end of handle 20 is attached to the head 70 while the other end of the handle extends along the length of the scaffolding tool 10. The handle 20, terminates in a grip region 30, which extends out from the axis of the handle and has a bottom portion into which the hand of a user can be inserted. By pushing or pulling on the grip region the handle 20 can be caused to move along the length of the elongate member so lifting head 70 away from the main section 15 of the elongate body 10. As a consequence of the head 70 moving, the rail support 40 is also moved up and down and this allows for the positioning of a rail that is in the rail support at a required height.

At the end of the handle that is distal from the point of attachment of the handle to the head 70, the grip portion 30 has an extension 90 which a user can hold onto. The extension can be slotted into apertures in the elongate member 15, so the handle can be locked into position relative to the elongate body.

The main section of the elongate member 15 has a rest member 50 attached to it towards one end. The rest member is curved so that it can be positioned over and be placed on a ledger. The fact that the rest member sits on a ledger allows for the rail support 40 to be positioned relative to the rest member as the rest member provides a point against which the tool can purchase as the rail support is being pushed up into position. Towards the opposite end of the elongate member 15 there is a portion 60 which is the other end of the narrowing portion 80 which is attached to the head 70.

Portion 60 slides when the handle is moved. In use, when the handle 20 is moved, the rest 50 sits on a ledger, the head 70 is moved away from the main part 15 until the rail support 40 is positioned where a guard rail is to be attached to the scaffolding. The main part 15 has a number of apertures which provide points at which the handle can be locked and aperture 100 is shown part way along the main part 15. The aperture is positioned at a point such that when the rail support is positioned and the handle is locked in position, the rail support will be at an optimum height for positioning of a guard rail.

Figure 3 shows in more detail the arrangement of the grip portion 30 for the handle 20. The grip portion extends outwardly from the main axis of the handle 20 and curves round to provide the extension 90 which extends to a point that is adjacent the main section 15 of the elongate body 10. The elongate body has at least one lower aperture 120 into which the end of the extension 90 can be inserted when the scaffolding tool is being used or during the initial manoeuvring of the tool into an upright position. The extension 90 has a cut out 110 which can seat in the aperture thereby locking the grip portion 30 in the elongate member.

the end of the handle, so it may be secured in two positions at least. The two In an alternative arrangement (not shown) the extension can be attached to the main section by having the extension pass though an aperture in the upright so an end of the extension passes right through the upright and projects from the periphery of the main section 15. There is a pin or clip that passes through a hole in the part of the extension projecting and this pin or clip stops the extension being knocked or pulled out of position in the main section. When the handle is to be moved, the pin or clip is released and the handle can then be moved relative to the main section.

As an alternative arrangement, the extension 90 projects at least in part through an aperture in the main section and is secured to a fixing connected with or attached to the main section 15. The fixing may be a separate pin that secured the extension to the main section or the fixing may be attached to the main section, for example by way of a chain so the fixing member can releasably attach to the extension so securing it as and when required to the main section. There will be at least two apertures on the main part 15, both located just below positions would be one where the two parts of the scaffolding tool are in the closed position to allow transport of the tool. The second position would be the expanded position where the scaffolding tool is expanded during positioning of rail support 40. There will also be at least one extra aperture on narrower section 80, to accommodate a securing fixing once the rail support 40 is at a correct height.

The fixing may be catch or pin that can secure to a corresponding fixing on the extension 90, so the handle is held in a position relative to the main section. The fixing may also be a tube secured to the main section into which the extension 90 can be inserted. By having the apertures/fixings at different heights this allows for the rail support 40 to be positioned at a range of predetermined heights.

Figure 4 shows in detail the head section of the scaffolding tool. The head 70 has a rail support 40 attached to it as well as one end of the handle 20. There is a narrow section 80 which allows the head 70 and the main part 15 of the scaffolding tool to move relative to one another. The rest 50 is situated on the main part 15 and movement of the handle 20 moves the rail support 40 and the rest 50 away from one another so the rail support 40 can be brought to a required position. Figure 4 shows two versions of the rail support, the version on the right being an arrangement where the rail support is a simple bracket for positioning of a guard rail. The version on the left hand side of the Figure shows an arrangement where the rail support 40 is provided by a clamp 45. By having a clamp 45, the guard rail may be permanently attached to the scaffolding tool rather than being a more temporary arrangement where a simple bracket 40 is used. The present invention allows for a temporary hand rail to be fixed in position permanently.

Figure 5 shows a version of the tool where there is a collar 95 which is positioned beneath head 70. The handle 20 extends in a downwards direction from the collar 95 towards the main section 15 of the scaffolding tool. The collar is associated with the head and pushing upwardly on the handle 20 has the result that the collar pushes on head 70 50 allowing the head 70 to move relative to narrower section 80. The head can rotate around the section 80 and it can rotate through up to 360 degrees. The narrower section 80 passes through the length of head 70 and terminates with a stop 96 that prevents the head from being pushed off the elongate section 80.

Towards the base of the head 70, there is bracket which forms a rail support 40 which can receive a horizontal rail. Towards the top of the head 70, there is a grip 97, which is an optional feature, that a user can push or pull on to rotate head 70 about section 80. The grip 97 can also act as a further safety feature by providing a stop to prevent a horizontal rail from moving out of the rail support 40, for example if a horizontal rail is knocked and it jumps out of rail support 40. The grip 97 also allows for the handrail to be lifted into the exact position every time a new lift of scaffolding is put into position. The collar 95 and head arrangement 70 where the collar and head are separate from one another allows for rotation of the head 70 so providing a very versatile system for the scaffolding tool.

In use a scaffolder can lift can lift both sections of the tool safely while extended, from the lift above. Once the temporary handrail has been fixed, the head can be rotated out of the way and the elongated member can be lifted and used again. The temporary securing arrangement discussed in relation to Figure 3 is usually in place during transit of the scaffolding tool to stop the two sections moving relative to one another. The sections remain secured together until placement of the temporary handrail. Once the temporary handrail is raised into position the handle is locked into a set location so the temporary handrail is in a required position prior to be permanently fixed.

The invention is envisaged as covering all combinations of the features as described and aspects and embodiments discussed. It will be apparent that modifications and variations of the invention can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as described.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A scaffolding tool comprising an elongate member formed of at least a first and second section that can move relative to one another, characterised in that the first section of the elongate member has at least one rail support secured thereon with a first end of a handle also being associated with said first section, a second end of the handle extending towards the second section of the elongate member, the handle being moveable relative to the second section of the elongate member to move the at least one rail support between first and second positions.
2. A scaffolding tool according to claim 1 wherein the at least two sections are provided as telescoping sections where the rail support is on one telescoping section that can move relative to a telescoping section forming the elongate member.
3. A scaffolding tool according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the rail support is provided as an open bracket.
4. A scaffolding tool according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the rail support is provided as a clamp.
5. A scaffolding tool according to any preceding claim, wherein the first end of the handle in connected to the first section.
6. A scaffolding tool according to any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the first end of the handle is connected to a collar associated with the first section.
7. A scaffolding tool according to claim 6, wherein the first section can rotate relative to the second section.
8. A scaffolding tool according to any preceding claim wherein the telescoping section of the elongate member includes at least one rest positioned below the rail support.
9. A scaffolding tool according to any preceding claim wherein the handle runs in an axis that is substantially parallel to the axis of the elongate member.
10. A scaffolding tool according to claim 9, wherein there is an extension towards the second end of the handle that forms a grip region for the handle.
11. A scaffolding tool according to any preceding claim wherein the handle includes a locking member that can be releasably secured to the elongate member.
12. A scaffolding tool according to claim 11, wherein the locking means is formed of at least one cut out in the grip region, the at least one cut out being releasably engageable with an attachment point on the elongate member.
13. A scaffolding tool according to claim 12, wherein the attachment point on the elongate member is provided as at least one aperture in a wall of the elongate member.
14. A scaffolding tool according to claim 12, wherein the apertures include indicators that show a user of the scaffolding tool the optimum position for locating a guard rail.
15. A scaffolding tool according to any of claims 1 to 12, wherein the attachment point is provided as a pin or clip on the elongate member.
16. A scaffolding system including a scaffolding tool according to any preceding claim.
17. A scaffolding tool substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the figures of the accompanying diagrams.