GB2480549A

GB2480549A - Clamping arrangement

Info

Publication number: GB2480549A
Application number: GB1108358A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Graham Colley
Original assignee: SIMCOL HOLDINGS Ltd
Current assignee: SIMCOL HOLDINGS Ltd
Priority date: 2010-05-20
Filing date: 2011-05-19
Publication date: 2011-11-23
Anticipated expiration: 2031-05-19
Also published as: GB201108358D0; GB2480549B; GB201008410D0

Abstract

The invention discloses a clamping arrangement 10 suitable for clamping a barrier element (102, Fig 2) to a support (100, Fig 2). The clamping arrangement comprises mounting means 143 16 for mounting the clamping arrangement on the support. The clamping arrangement further includes a holding formation 22 for holding the barrier element 102. The holding formation has first and second opposed engagement surfaces 28, 30 to engage the barrier element 102.

Description

Clamping Arrangement This invention relates to clamping arrangements. More particularly, but not exclusively, this invention relates to clamping arrangements for securing plates to walkways.

Walkways erected above ground are required to have plates, known as toe boards or kick flats, extending around the lower regions of the hand rails. Hand rails are fixed to the walkways by posts. The plates are secured in place by clamps mounted on the posts. An example of such a clamp is described in patent specification No. GB 2388151.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a clamping arrangement for clamping a barrier element to a support, the clamping arrangement comprising mounting means for mounting the clamping arrangement on the support, and a holding formation for holding the barrier element, wherein the holding formation defines a recess to receive the barrier element.

is The holding formation may comprise first and second engagement surfaces to engage the barrier element. The first and second engagement surfaces may be arranged in an opposed relationship to each other.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a clamping arrangement for clamping a barrier element to a support, the clamping arrangement comprising mounting means for mounting the clamping arrangement on the support, and a holding formation for holding the barrier element, wherein the holding formation has first and second opposed engagement surfaces to engage the barrier element.

A recess may be defined between the first and second engagement surfaces.

The mounting means may be configured to extend around the support. The mounting means may comprise a mounting portion, which can extend around the support.

The mounting portion may have a curved profile. The mounting portion may have a substantially semi-circular profile.

The clamping arrangement may comprise holding means, which may extend from the mounting portion. The holding means may comprise a carrier portion and the holding formation. The carrier portion may carry the holding formation. The clamping arrangement may comprise two holding means arranged opposite each other.

The carrier portion may comprise an arm extending from the mounting portion. The holding formation may be provided at an end of the arm opposite the mounting portion.

The clamping arrangement may comprise two holding formations, each defining a respective recess to receive the barrier element. Each holding formation may comprise first and second engagement surfaces.

Each recess may be defined between the first and second engagement surfaces.

is The first and second engagement surfaces may be provided on respective first and second holding members. The first and second holding members may be configured to engage respective opposite faces of the barrier element. At least one of the first and second engagement surfaces of the, or, each recess may be provided with serration S. The, or each, recess may have a first open end through which the barrier element can be received, and a second closed end opposite the first end. The second closed end may be curved or straight.

The clamping arrangement may comprise two carrier portions, each carrier portion being configured to carry a respective one of the holding formations. The carrier portions may comprise respective arms.

Each engagement surface may be substantially parallel to the main longitudinal axis of the support.

The mounting means may comprise a securing member to secure the clamping arrangement to the support. The securing member may be adjustable to adjust the position of the mounting means relative to the support.

The securing member may be adjustably engageable with the support to effect the adjustment of the mounting means relative thereto. Thus, in one embodiment, adjusting the securing member may move the barrier element towards the support, thereby clamping the barrier element against the support.

The securing member may comprise a threaded member. The mounting portion may define an aperture to receive the securing member therethrough. The aperture may be threaded to threadably engage the securing member. The securing member may comprise a grub screw.

In one embodiment, the clamping arrangement may comprise a main part to extend around the support, and the securing member to secure the main part to the support.

The main part may comprise the holding means and the mounting portion.

is The mounting portion may have stabilising means, which may be a region of the mounting portion that is wider than the, or each, carrier portion.

According to another aspect of this invention, there is provided a barrier assembly comprising a support and a barrier element, the barrier element being clamped to the support by a clamping arrangement as described in the preceding sixteen paragraphs.

The support may comprise a post, which may be arranged generally vertically. The support may have a generally cylindrical profile. The barrier assembly may comprise a plurality of supports.

The barrier element may comprise a generally flat element, which may be of a rectangular shape. The barrier element may comprise a toe board or a kick flat.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a clamping arrangement; Figure 2 shows a part of a barrier assembly, with the clamping arrangement shown in Figure 1 securing a barrier element to a support; Figure 3 shows a sectional side view of the clamping arrangement shown in Figure 1 securing a barrier element to a support; Figures 4A to 40 show top plan views of different sizes of clamping arrangements; Figure 5 shows a part of a barrier assembly using two clamping arrangements to secure the barrier element to a support; and Figures 6A and 6B show two alternative ways of forming a barrier assembly.

A clamping arrangement 10 is shown in Figure 1. The clamping arrangement 10 comprises a main part 12 and a securing member in the form of a grub screw 14.

The main part 12 has a U-shaped profile, and comprises a curved mounting portion 16 configured to extend around a support 100, and two holding means 18 arranged opposite each other for holding a barrier element 102, see Figure 2. The barrier element 102 is shown in broken lines in Figure 2, and comprises a substantially planar or flat rectangular element with a long upper edge region 102A and an opposite long lower edge region 1 02B.

The two holding means 18 comprise respective carrier portions in the form of arms 20, and respective holding formations 22 on the ends of the arms 20. The arms 20 extend from the curved mounting portion 16.

The curved mounting portion 16 defines a threaded aperture 17 to threadably receive the grub screw 14, the purpose of which is explained below.

The mounting portion 16 has a stabilising region 21 which is wider than the arms 20.

This is shown more clearly in Figure 3.

Each of the two holding formations 22 comprises first and second holding members 24, 26. A recess 27 is defined between the first and second holding members 24, 26 to receive the barrier element 102, as shown in Figure 2.

Each first holding member 24 has a first engagement surface 28 in the recess 27 for engaging a first face 104 of the barrier element 102. Each second holding member 26 has a second engagement surface 30 in the recess 27 for engaging a second face 106 of the barrier element 102.

The first and second engagement surfaces 28, 30 are substantially parallel to the main longitudinal axis X of the support 100 (see Figure 3). The first engagement surfaces 28 are provided with serrations 32 to enhance the grip on the barrier element 102.

As shown in Figure 5, the recess 27 has a first open end 33 and a second closed end 34. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the second closed end 34 is concavely curved.

is In another embodiment (not shown), the second closed end is straight, extending substantially orthogonally to the axis of the respective recess 27. In this embodiment, a straight second end 34 has the advantage that the second end 34 can abut against the edge of the barrier element 102, thereby holding it more securely, particularly if the edge of the barrier element 102 is straight.

Thus, the barrier element 102 is held in the recesses 27 in engagement with the first and second holding members 24, 26. In the embodiment described herein, this provides the advantage that the barrier element 102 is stabilised, and deformation thereof is prevented or reduced.

Reference is made to Figures 2 and 3, which show the clamping arrangement 10 in use providing a barrier assembly 90. The support 100 is in the form of a cylindrical post, around which the main part 12 extends. The cylindrical post is used to support handrails, for example as shown in Figures 6A and 6B.The mounting portion is curved so that it corresponds in shape to that of the support 100. As such, the curvature of the mounting portion 16 is of a substantially semi-circular profile.

S

The arms 20 dispose the holding formations 22 forwardly of the support 102, and the upper edge 102A of the barrier element 102 is received in the recesses 27, thereby being held by the holding formations 22 in front of the support 100, as shown. With the barrier element so held, the grub screw 14 can be threadably received in the aperture 17.

The position of the grub screw 14 in the aperture 17 can be adjusted and, by tightening the grub screw 14 against the support 100, the barrier element 102 is pulled into engagement with the support 100, thereby clamping the barrier element 102 against the support 100.

Figure 3 is a sectional side view of the clamping arrangement 10 in use and shows the grub screw 14 having been tightened against the support 100 50 that the barrier element 102 is pulled tightly against the support 100. The barrier element 102 is secured in place by being clamped against the support 100.

The barrier assembly 90 is generally provided on a walkway above the ground. The barrier assembly 90 comprises a plurality of the supports 100 to which the barrier elements 102 are secured by a plurality of the clamping arrangements 10.

The plurality of supports 100 also allow handrails to be provided (see Figures 6A and 6B), which are generally connected near the top of the supports 100.

The support 100 is attached at its lower end to a base plate 108, for example by welding. The base plate 108 is secured to the walkway by bolts 110. In Figure 2, the barrier element 102 rests upon the base plate 108, thereby being secured between the clamping arrangement 10 and the base plate 108.

Figure 3 also shows that the stabilising region 21 of the mounting portion 16 is wider than the arms 20.

Figures 4A to 40 are to plan views showing three different sizes of the clamping arrangements, designated respectively bA, lOB and 100. Each of the clamping arrangements bOA, lOB and 100 has the same features as the clamping arrangement 10 described above and these are designated with the same reference numerals.

In Figure 4A, the clamping arrangement comprises the smallest main part 12A for use with a support 100 of the smallest diameter, having a mounting portion 16 of the smallest diameter, and arms 20 of the shortest length.

The clamping arrangement 100, shown in Figure 40 has the largest main part 120, having a mounting portion 16 of the largest diameter, and arms 20 of the longest length.

The clamping arrangement lOB has a main part 12B that is of a size between the io main parts 12A and 12C, with corresponding differences in the diameter of the mounting portion 16 and the length of the arms 20.

Figure 5 shows a view similar to the view shown in Figure 2, but in Figure 5, the base plate 108 is secured to a structural member below the walkway. The structural member may be a steel member or a wall, or any other suitable member.

is Two clamping arrangements are provided, namely an upper clamping arrangement 1OA and a lower clamping arrangement lOB. The clamping arrangements 1OA and lOB are identical to each other except that the lower of the two clamping arrangements 1 OB is inverted relative to the upper clamping arrangement 1 OA.

The recess 27 defined by the upper clamping arrangement 1OA receives the upper edge region 102A of the barrier element 102. The recess 27 defined by the lower clamping arrangement lOB receives the lower edge region 102B of the barrier element 102. Thus the barrier element 102 is secured between the upper and lower clamping arrangements IOA, lOB.

The arrangement described in the immediately preceding two paragraphs can be repeated at each support 100. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 6B, the upper clamping arrangements 1OA can alternate with the lower clamping arrangements lOB on adjacent supports 100.

The upper clamping arrangement 1OA engages the upper edge region 102A of the barrier element 102, and the lower clamping arrangement lOB engages the lower edge region 102B of the barrier element 102. With this arrangement, the barrier element 102 does not rest upon the base plate 108, but is supported by a further clamping arrangement lOB.

Figures 6A and 6B show two ways of forming the barrier assembly 90. In Figure 6A, the barrier assembly is arranged with the base plates 108 mounted on the walkway, in the same way as shown in Figure 2. In Figure 5, the barrier element 102 is secured between the clamping arrangements 10 and the base plate 108. The clamping arrangements 10 are disposed so that the recesses 27 receive the upper edge regions 1 02A of the barrier element 102.

In figure 6B the base plates 108 are mounted on a structural member below the walkway, and the barrier element 102 is secured between upper clamping arrangements 1OA and inverted lower clamping arrangements lOB. The upper is clamping arrangements 1OA alternate with the lower clamping arrangements lOB on adjacent supports 100.

The main part 12 of the clamping arrangement 10 can be made from a suitable metal, such as steel or aluminium, by a laser cutting process to form the features of the mounting portion 16, the arms 20 and the first and second holding members 24, 26. The aperture 17 can also be formed by a laser cutting process, and the thread formed by a suitable tapping tool.

After the aforementioned features have been so formed, the mounting portion 16 is then rolled into its curved configuration to provide the U-shape of the main part 12 shown in the drawings.

There is thus described a clamping arrangement 10 that can be used in a barrier assembly at the lower region of walkways. The above described embodiment has the advantage that the barrier element is held more securely than in prior art clamping devices. In addition, the above described embodiment can be provided in a range of sizes thereby allowing maximum stability for all sizes of supports.

Various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, there can be a larger range of different sizes of the clamping arrangement, than shown in Figures 4A to 4C. Also, the arms 20 could be of the same width as the mounting portion 16.

In a further modification, the grub screw 14 could be replaced by a bolt of a suitable length.

Claims

Claims 1. A clamping arrangement for clamping a barrier element to a support, the clamping arrangement comprising mounting means for mounting the clamping arrangement on the support, and a holding formation for holding the barrier element, wherein the holding formation has first and second opposed engagement surfaces to engage the barrier element.
2. A clamping arrangement according to Claim 1, wherein a recess is defined between the first and second engagement surfaces.
3. A clamping arrangement according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the mounting means comprising a mounting portion, which can extend around the support.
4. A clamping arrangement according to Claim 3, wherein the mounting portion has a substantially semi-circular curved profile.
5. A clamping arrangement according to Claim 3 or 4, wherein the clamping arrangement comprises holding means, which extends from the mounting portion, the holding means comprising a carrier portion and the holding formation, the carrier portion carrying the holding formation.
6. A clamping arrangement according to Claim 5, wherein the carrier portion comprises an arm extending from the mounting portion, the holding formation being provided at an end of the arm opposite the mounting portion.
7. A clamping arrangement according to Claim 5 or 6, wherein the clamping arrangement comprises two carrier portions and two holding formations arranged opposite each other on a respective one of the carrier portions, the carrier portions extending from the mounting means in the same direction as each other.
8. A clamping arrangement according to Claim 7, wherein each carrier portion comprises a respective arm, and each holding formation is provided at a free end of the respective arm.
9. A clamping arrangement according to of Claims 3 to 8, wherein the mounting means comprises a securing member to secure the clamping arrangement to the support, the securing member being adjustable to adjust the position of the mounting means relative to the support.
10. A clamping arrangement according to Claim 9, wherein the securing member is adjustably engageable with the support to effect the adjustment of the mounting means relative thereto.
11. A clamping arrangement according to Claim 9 or 10, wherein the securing member comprises a threaded member, and the mounting portion defines an aperture to receive the securing member therethrough, the aperture being threaded to threadably engage the securing member.
12. A clamping arrangement according to any of Claims 3 to 11, wherein the mounting portion has stabilising means, in the form of a region of the mounting portion that is wider than the, or each, carrier portion.
13. A clamping arrangement according to any preceding Claim, wherein the, or each, holding formation comprises respective first and second engagement surfaces to engage the barrier element.
14. A clamping arrangement according to Claim 13, wherein each holding formation defines a respective recess, each recess being defined between the respective first and second engagement surfaces.
15. A clamping arrangement according to any preceding Claim, wherein the first and second engagement surfaces are provided on respective first and second holding members, each of the first and second holding members being configured to engage respective opposite faces of the barrier element.
16. A clamping arrangement according to any preceding Claim wherein at least one of the first and second engagement surfaces of the, or each, holding formation is provided with serrations. ii
17. A clamping arrangement according to any preceding Claim, wherein the support has a main longitudinal axis, and each engagement surface is substantially parallel to the main longitudinal axis of the support.
18. A barrier assembly comprising a support and a barrier element, the barrier element being clamped to the support by a clamping arrangement as claimed in any preceding Claim.
19. A barrier assembly according to Claim 18 comprising a plurality of supports arrangeable one after the other along a walkway.
20. A barrier assembly according to Claim 18 or 19, wherein the, or each, support comprises a post arranged generally vertically, the, or each, post having a generally cylindrical profile.
21. A barrier assembly according to Claim 18, 19 or 20, wherein the barrier element comprises a generally planar element, of a rectangular shape.
22. A barrier assembly according to any of Claims 18 to 21, wherein the barrier element comprises a toe board or a kick flat.
23. A clamping arrangement substantially as herein described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
24. A barrier assembly substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 2 to 6B of the accompanying drawings.