GB2478563A

GB2478563A - Self closing scaffolding gate with gravity actuated hinge

Info

Publication number: GB2478563A
Application number: GB1003925A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard Maurice Morgan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-03-10
Filing date: 2010-03-10
Publication date: 2011-09-14
Also published as: GB201003925D0

Abstract

The self closing scaffolding safety gate 1 has two sleeve connections 4, 5 which support the gate and are fixed one above the other on one side of the gate. One of the sleeve connections 4 is cut at an angle; the other sleeve 5 is cut squarely. The angled sleeve, when fitted over a support post 2, sits on a fixed point or lug. The tiveight of the gate and the slope of the angular cut on the sleeve 4 means that the gate closes automatically due to gravity. A notched section in the sleeve 4 allows the gate to have some resistance from being moved from a stable closed or locked position.

Description

Self closing self locking scaffolding safety gate.

Introduction and back ground to the invention.

This invention relates to a self closing self locking scaffolding safety gate that is used to gain access to scaffolding.

Modem legislation and guidelines for working at heights with regard to the avoidance, prevention and mitigation of falls from heights by personnel working at height on scaffolding, as well as the general public or other workers below, have caused changes to means of access onto scaffolding and are being developed and implemented by current health and safety guidelines. This means that there is fast becoming a requirement for all accesses to and within the scaffold to have safety devices fitted to reduce the risk of someone falling through the access point. In an effort to reduce the risk and mediate the hazard, the present invention is designed to be mounted at all entrances and accesses to and within the scaffold to self close.

The self closing action means that it cannot be left open at any point as it will naturally swing back to the closed position.

The self closing action means that it is not reliant on any person to remember to close the gate, as it will naturally swing back into the closed position.

The gate when closed will cover the full width of the access and be prevented from opening outwards.

The invention will now be described by referring to the accompanying drawings: Fig 1 shows a typical example of the self closing gate mechanism.

Fig 2 shows an assembly of the self closing mechanism in the closed position Fig 3 shows an assembly of the self closing mechanism in the open position. The angled sleeve connection the fixed point lug and the notched section of the angled sleeve connection and demonstrates the self locking mechanisms Fig 4 shows the support post lug that the angled sleeve connection rests on.

Fig 5 shows the angled sleeve connection and the squarely cut sleeve connection.

Detailed description of my invention

In Figure 1. It shows a typical assembly of the gate which has wire mesh fitted on the inside of the surrounding frame. The gate may vary in length and depth and can be made from various types of metal. Fig 1. 1 Surround frame of the gate. Fig 1.2.Scaffod tube support post. Fig 1. 3 Fixed point called a lug. Fig 1. 4 Angled sleeve connection. Fig 1. 5 squarely cut Sleeve connection. Fig 1. 6 Wire mesh.

Figure 2. 1. The support post is made of standard scaffolding tube, which has an outside dimension of 48.3mm and a wall thickness of 4mm. The length of the support post may vary depending upon the requirement. Fig 2. 2 Fixed to the scaffolding tube support post is a fixed point referred to as a lug which can be welded, riveted or bolted. Fig 2. 3 The angled sleeve connection that is fitted loosely over the gate post have an inside diameter of 52mm a wall thickness of 4mm and a total outside dimension of 60mm. Fig 2.4 notched section of the angled sleeve connection, which offers some resistance as a lock.

Figure 3. Shows the open position of the gate and how the angled sleeve connection operates when pressure has been applied. It shows how the angled sleeve connection which sits on the fixed point lug rotates and rises up the support post. Fig 3.1 shows the angled sleeve connection. Fig 3 2. The notched self locking device... Fig 3 3. Shows the Scaffolding support post. Fig 3. 4 Shows the fixed point lug.

Figure 4. Closed position. When the gate is opened and after being released it will self close. This is made possible by the angled sleeve connection which will rotate downwards assisted by the self weight of the gate and gravity. Fig 4 1. The scaffolding support post. Fig 4.2 the angled sleeve connection. Fig 4 3. The fixed point lug. Fig 4.4 the notched section of the angled sleeve connection in the locked position.

Figure 5. Shows an assembly of the gate when mounted on the support post and how the sleeve connection are attached to the gate one above the other on one side of the gate Fig 5.1 shows the angled sleeve connection. Fig 5. 2 shows the squarely cut sleeve connection The gate and post when used must be level and plumb. The post can be attached in many ways by the use of scaffolding couplers, bolts, brackets, or by welded attachments that allow it to be attached to other system scaffolds or structures. The post may also be imbedded in concrete

Claims

Claims 1. The self closing self locking scaffolding safety gate has two sleeve connections which both are used to support the gate and are fixed one above the other on one side of the gate. One of the sleeve connections is cut at an angle the other squarely cut. The angled connection when fitted over the support post sits on a fixed point called a lug. It is designed so that the self weight of the gate and the design of the angled sleeve connection will allow gravity to self close it and allow the notched section of the angled sleeve connection to offer some resistance as a lock when in the closed position.
2. The self closing scaffolding self locking safety gate claim 1 in which the gate has two sleeve connection attached to the gate, one angled the other squarely cut. One fixed above the other on one side of the gate.
3. The self closing scaffolding self locking safety gate claim I in which the support post has an attached fixed point called a lug.
4. The self closing scaffolding self locking safety gate claimi in which the assembled gate is fitted loosely over a support gate post.
5. The self closing scaffolding self locking safety gate claim 1 in which the angled sleeve connection of the gate sits on top of the support post lug.
6. The self closing scaffolding self locking safety gate claim 1 in which when pressure is applied to the gate it will rotate and the angled sleeve connection will allow the gate to rise up the post and the gate to open.
7. The self closing scaffolding self locking safety gate claim 1 in which the pressure has been released from the gate it will then return to the closed position. The angled sleeve connection sitting on the lug of the support post will allow gravity and the self weight of the gate to close it.
8. The self closing scaffolding self locking safety gate claim 1, in which the gate that returns to the closed position it will sit in a notched section of the angled sleeve connection and offer some resistance as a lock