GB2484706A

GB2484706A - Gate assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2484706A
Application number: GB201017754A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Graham Crick; James Mclean
Original assignee: ZND UK Ltd
Current assignee: ZND UK Ltd
Priority date: 2010-10-21
Filing date: 2010-10-21
Publication date: 2012-04-25
Anticipated expiration: 2030-10-21
Also published as: GB2484706B; GB201017754D0

Abstract

A gate assembly 101 suitable for providing access to a ladder from scaffolding, wherein the assembly comprises a post 102 to which a pair of clamps 105, 106 are attached, each clamp configured to attach to a pole. The assembly includes a gate 103 comprising a frame 201. The gate 103 is attached to the post 102 by a hinge mechanism 104 wherein the gate 103 is moveable between open and closed configurations. A spring mechanism 110, 111 urges the gate 103 into the closed configuration. First and second panels (206, 207 Fig 12) extend across the frame 201. Due to the presence of two panels (serving as toe boards) the invention can be used in either a normal or inverted configuration as required. A further invention relates to a gate assembly characterised by the minimum height of the gate and the way in which the gate extends above the uppermost clamp and below the bottommost clamp by a minimum value.

Description

GATE ASSEMBLY

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application represents the first application for a patent directed towards the invention and the subject matter.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a gate assembly for providing access to a ladder.

2. Description of the Related Art

It is well known to provide a gate (a ladder access gate) on a scaffold platform so that a ladder may be accessed through the gate. Some such gates are mounted so that they extend to just above the floor surface of the platform, so that when the gate is closed it provides a toe board to prevent objects being accidentally kicked over the edge of the platform.

To ensure that the gate is not inadvertently left open it is also known for some such gates to be provided with a spring mechanism that forces the gate closed when it is not being used. However, as the gate must be opened by swinging it inwards, such gates are made either left handed or right handed, i.e. some gates are made to be opened by rotating clockwise, and separate gates are made to be opened by rotating anticlockwise.

Thus, a problem with these gates is that scaffold erectors must keep a stock of both left-handed and right-handed gates, so that the correct types of gate can be selected for each scaffold arrangement.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gate assembly for providing access to a ladder from scaffolding as claimed in claim 1.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gate assembly for providing access to a ladder from scaffolding as claimed in claim 12.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a gate assembly 101 embodying the present invention; Figure 2 shows the gate 103 on its own in a front view, Figure 3 shows a top view of the gate 103; Figures 4A and 4B show front and rear perspective views of the gate 103; Figure 5 shows a plan view of a post assembly 501; Figure 6 shows a side view of the post assembly 501; Figure 7 shows front view of the post assembly 501; Figure 8 shows the springs 110 and 111 are shown separate from the gate assembly 101; Figure 9 shows the process of assembling the gate 103 to the post assembly 501; Figure 10 shows a detailed view of a portion of the gate assembly 101 in the vicinity of the spring 110; Figure 11 shows a detailed view of a portion of the gate assembly 101 in the vicinity of the spring 111; Figure 12 shows the gate assembly 101 in use on scaffolding 1202; Figure 13 shows the gate assembly 101 mounted on the scaffolding 1202 in its open position; and Figure 14 shows the gate assembly 101 mounted on a vertical scaffold pole 1401 of second scaffolding 1402.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Figure 1 A gate assembly 101 embodying the present invention is shown in the perspective view of Figure 1. The gate assembly 101 comprises a post 102 and a gate 103 attached to the post 102 by a hinge mechanism 104.

The gate assembly 101 also includes a pair of clamps 105 and 106 rigidly mounted on the post 102. As will be described below in further detail, the clamps 105 and 106 are suitable for clamping about a cylindrical pole such as a scaffolding pole.

The gate assembly also comprises a first gate hinge plate 107 and a second gate hinge plate 108. In the present embodiment the gate hinge plates 107 and 108 are identically shaped and comprise of steel plates welded to the gate 103. The gate 103 is rotatable, about an axis 130 defined by the hinge mechanism 104, with respect to the post 102 between a closed configuration shown in Figure 1 and an open configuration (shown in Figure 13). The gate 103 is moved into the open position by rotating the gate in the direction of arrow 109. When the gate 103 is moved in the opposite direction to close the gate, the gate may be rotated until the gate hinge plates 107 and 108 butt up against the post 102 preventing further rotation of the gate. Thus, the gate hinge plates provide a stopping means that only allows the gate to be opened in one direction.

The gate assembly 101 further comprises a spring mechanism that urges the gate 103 into the closed configuration of Figure 1. The spring mechanism comprises, in the present embodiment, a first spring 110 and a second spring 111. As will be described in further detail below, the hinge mechanism 104 comprises a hinge pin 112, and the springs 110 and 111 are helical springs that are mounted such that they encircle the hinge pin 112 and have end portions acting on the gate 103 and the post 102. More specifically, in the present embodiment, the end portions of the springs 110 and 111 act on the gate hinge plates, 107 and 108, which form a part of the gate 103.

However in alternative embodiments the end portions of the springs act directly on the frame of the gate.

The gate 103 has a height 120 arranged to be greater than 910mm such that when it is mounted with its bottom edge 121 just above a floor surface, its top edge 122 is sufficiently high to provide a safety barrier. In addition, the clamps 105 and 106 are spaced from the bottom edge 121 and the top edge 122 by a distance 123 and 124 respectively. The distance 123 is chosen to be greater than 150mm so that when it is mounted on scaffolding, the clamp 106 does not interfere with the positioning of a neighbouring toe board. To accommodate wider toe board this dimension is preferably made greater than 200mm.

Furthermore, as will be further described below, the gate assembly has been designed to be mounted upright (as shown in Figure 1) or in an inverted orientation. Thus, the distance 124 is also chosen to be greater than 150mm, and preferably greater than 200mm, so that when mounted on scaffolding, the clamp 105 does not interfere with the positioning of a neighbouring toe board.

In the present embodiment, the vertical distance from the top edge 122 to the top of the clamp 105 is arranged to be the same as the vertical distance from the bottom edge 121 to the second clamp 106. In each case the distance is approximately 232mm.

As will be understood from the accompanying Figures and the following description, the gate assembly 101 has been arranged to be substantially symmetrical about a plane passing along the cross piece 209. Thus, the gate may be used upright or in an inverted configuration as required, and, except for the direction in which the gate opens, the functionality of the gate is substantially unchanged.

Figures 2, 3, 4A and4B The gate 103 is shown on its own in the front view of Figure 2, the top view of Figure 3, the front perspective view of Figure 4,4 and the rear perspective view of Figure 4B. The gate 103 comprises an outer frame 201 which has a substantially rectangular shape, albeit with rounded corners. In the present embodiment, the frame 201 is formed of a continuous length of box section steel that has been bent into the generally rectangular shape. The frame 201 has a first side 202 and a second side 203 arranged substantially parallel with each other and perpendicular to a third side 204 and fourth side 205. In the completed gate assembly (shown in Figure 1) the first side 202 and second side 203 extend substantially perpendicularly to the post 102.

A first panel 206 extends across the frame 201 from the third side 204 to the fourth side 205 along the first side 202. Similarly, a second panel 207 extends across the frame 201 from the third side 204 to the fourth side 205 along the second side 203. The panels 206 and 207 are formed of sheet steel having a fold 208 along one edge (not attached to the frame 201) to provide the panels 206, 207 with enhanced rigidity.

is The first panel 206 has a width 231 extending along the height (120) of the frame 201 so that a free edge 232 of the first panel 206 is spaced from the top edge 122 of the frame by at least 150mm. Similarly, the second panel 207 has a width 233 extending along the height of the frame 201 so that a free edge 234 of said second panel 207 is spaced from the bottom edge 121 of the frame by at least 150mm. Thus, each of the panels 206 and 207 in combination with the respective frame side 202 and 203 is sufficiently wide as to be useable as a toe board when located on scaffolding.

The structure of the gate 103 itself is further enhanced by a cross piece 209 extending between the third side 204 and fourth side 205 of the frame 201, it being welded at each of its ends to the sides 204, 205.

The gate 103 further comprises a mesh panel 210 formed of welded steel wires. The mesh panel 210 is welded onto the inside of the frame 201 where it abuts the third side 204 and fourth side 205. Also, in the present embodiment, it is also welded to the panels 206 and 207. Thus, the aperture formed by the frame 201 is filled by the panels 206, 207 and the mesh 210.

The gate 103 further comprises a gate hinge portion 211 of the hinge mechanism 104. This gate hinge portion 211 comprises a central spacer tube 212 having ends welded to the gate hinge plates 107 and 108. The gate hinge plates 107 and 108 are each provided with a circular hole that is aligned with s the bore of the spacer tube 212 and also aligned with the bores of outer spacer tubes 215 and 216 that are also welded to the gate hinge plates 107 and 108. Thus, the spacer tubes 212, 215, 216 and the gate hinge plates 107 and 108 define a continuous bore 220 for receiving the hinge pin 112. The gate hinge plates 107 and 108 are themselves welded to the frame 201 of the gate 103 such that the above mentioned bore extends substantially parallel to the sides 204 and 205 of the gate 103.

As illustrated in Figure 3, a projecting portion 221 of the gate hinge plates 107 and 108 extend tangentially away from the bore 220. The projecting portions 221 each have a flat surface 222 configured to act as a stop against which the post 102 acts when the gate assembly 101 is in its closed configuration.

The gate 103 also has a pair of tabs 217 and 218 welded to the fourth side 204 of the frame 201 of the gate 103 such that the tabs 217 and 218 extend outwards from the frame 201. In use, the tabs 217 and 218 are arranged to abut a part of the scaffolding on which the gate assembly is mounted so that when the gate 103 is in the closed configuration the tabs 217 and 218 also prevent the gate 103 from moving past its closed position.

In the present embodiment, the stopping means comprises the projecting portions 221 of the hinge plates. These are located on the gate and act against the post 102. However, in an alternative embodiment, the stopping means comprises two projecting members located on the post 102 configured to provide a stop against which the gate rests in the closed configuration.

Figures 5, 6 & 7 A post assembly 501 is shown in the plan view of Figure 5, the side view of Figure 6 and front view of Figure 7. The post assembly 501 comprises the post 102 from which extends to one side a pair of post hinge plates 502 and 503. The post hinge plates 502 are rigidly affixed to the post 102 (in the present case by welding), and each of the plates 502, 503 is provided with a hole 504 configured to receive the hinge pin 112.

Attached to the opposite side of the post 102 are a pair of spacers 505 and 506, and the clamps 105 and 106 are rigidly affixed to a respective one of the spacers 505 and 506 (in the present case by welding).

In the present embodiment, the post 102 and spacers 505 and 506 are formed of box section carbon steel, while the post hinge plates 502 and 503 are formed of carbon steel plate. The clamps 105 and 106 may be obtained by splitting a full scaffold coupler. Each of the clamps 105, 106 has a first jaw 507 rigidly attached to a respective one of the spacers 505 and 506 and a second jaw 508 attached to the first jaw 505 by a pivot pin 509. Each of the clamps 105 and 106 also has a tightening bolt 510 pivotally attached to the first jaw 507 and passing through a slot in the second jaw 508. A nut 511 is provided on the tightening bolt 510 to secure the first jaw 507 and second jaw 508 tightly about a scaffolding pole during use.

Figure 8 The springs 110 and 111 are shown separate from the gate assembly 101 in Figure 8. In the present embodiment, the two springs 110 and 111 have a similar form and only differ in that one is a mirror image of the other. Thus, the springs 110 and 111 are both helical springs but spring 110 has coils twisted in a left hand manner whereas spring 111 has coils twisted in a right hand manner.

Each of the springs 110 and 111 has a first end portion 801A, 801B respectively configured to locate about the post 102, and a second end portion 802A, 802B respectively configured to extend around the respective gate hinge plate 107, 108.

It will be understood that the use of a left handed spring and a right handed spring has allowed the springs to be similarly mounted and to operate in a substantially identical manner to each other.

Figure 9 The process of assembling the gate 103 to the post assembly 501 is illustrated in Figure 9. To assemble the components together, the left handed spring 110 is positioned with its coils encircling the end spacer 215 of the gate 103 with its second end portion 802B hooked around the gate hinge plate 107.

The second spring 111 is similarly located with its coils encircling the second end spacer 216 and its second end portion 802A hooked about the second gate hinge plate 108. The post assembly 501 is then brought together with the gate 103 such that the holes formed in its hinge plates 502 and 503 are aligned with the bores of the end spacers 215 and 216. When doing this, the post assembly 501 is orientated to cause the end portions 801 B and 801A of the springs 110 and 1211 to hook about the post 102. To secure the post assembly 501 to the gate 103 the hinge pin 112 is then passed through the holes in the post hinge plates 502 and 503 and through the holes in the gate hinge plates 107 and 108, as well as the bores of the spacers 212, 215 and 216. The pin 112 is provided with an enlarged head 901 at one end and a threaded portion 902 at its other end on which a washer 903 and nut 904 are assembled to secure the pin 112 in position.

Figures 10 & 11 A detailed view of a portion of the gate assembly 101 in the vicinity of the spring 110 is shown in Figure 10, while a detailed view of a portion of the gate assembly 101 in the vicinity of the spring 111 is shown in Figure 11. Thus, it may be seen in the views of Figures 10 and 11 how the first portions 801B and 801A of the springs 110 and 111 extend around the post 102, while the second portions 802B and 802A extend around the gate hinge plates 107 and 108 respectively Figure 12 The gate assembly 101 is shown in use on scaffolding 1202 in Figure 12. The clamps 105 and 106 of the gate assembly 101 have been secured about a vertical scaffold pole 1201 that forms part of the scaffolding 1202. The scaffolding 1202 further comprises a second vertical pole 1203, a platform 1204 supported above ground level by scaffolding poles such as poles 1201 and 1203, and also further scaffold poles, such as poles 1205 and 1206 that are secured in a horizontal orientation to provide hand rails for scaffolding 1202.

The gate assembly 101 has been positioned and orientated on the vertical pole 1201 such that when it is in its closed configuration (as shown in Figure 12) it extends between the vertical pole 1201 and the second vertical pole 1203. Thus, in this closed configuration, the gate assembly provides a safety barrier for people working on the platform 1204 and also prevents access to a ladder 1207.

The gate 103 of gate assembly 101 has a height in excess of 910mm, and consequently when it is positioned such that its lowermost side 203 is a few millimetres above the platform 1204, its uppermost side 202 has a substantially similar height to the uppermost handrails 1205 and 1206.

However, as discussed above, the clamps 105 and 106 of the gate assembly 101 have a vertical displacement from the horizontal sides 203 and 202. Consequently, the clamps 105 and 106 do not interfere with the positioning of the handrail 1205 or a toe board 1208 that are secured to the pole 1201.

As mentioned previously, the spring mechanism comprising the two springs 110 and 111 (111 not shown in Figure 12) urge the gate 103 into its closed position, shown in Figure 12. Thus, the gate 103 continues to extend between the vertical poles 1201 and 1203 with its tabs 217 and 218 resting against the vertical pole 1203. However, to obtain access to the ladder 1207 a person on the platform 1204 is able to swing the gate 103 about its hinge mechanism 104 against the force of the springs 110 and 111. Of course, when the gate 103 is released, the springs 110 and 111 act on the gate 103 to return it to its closed position shown in Figure 12. Furthermore, the action of the springs ensures that the gate remains closed unless it is manually pulled or pushed open.

Advantageously, the springs 110 and 111 have been chosen such that they are each capable of forcing the gate 103 closed. Thus, if one of the two springs 110 and 111 fails during use, the other spring is able to provide the required closing force, allowing the gate assembly 101 to be used, and continue to provide a safety barrier, until it is replaced by another such gate assembly.

Furthermore, the springs 110 and 111 are spaced apart such that twisting forces applied to the gate when it is opened are reduced when compared to prior art gates having only one spring.

It may also be noted that by the hinge plates 107 and 108 providing the stopping means are also spaced apart and are each located adjacent to a respective one of the two springs, thereby minimising twisting forces applied to the gate when it is in the closed configuration.

In the present example, the gate 103 is mounted such that when viewed from above it must be rotated anticlockwise about its hinge mechanism 104 to be opened.

As illustrated in Figure 12, the panel 207 of the gate 103, which extends along its lowermost side 203 has a width such that its uppermost edge 1209 extends at a similar height to the toe boards 1208 and 1210 of the scaffolding 1202. Thus, the panel 207, functions like the toe boards 1208 and 1210 to prevent loose objects, such as tools, from being accidentally kicked off the platform 1204.

The mesh panel 210. of the gate 103, which closes the aperture formed by its frame 201, acts as a brick guard in a similar manner to brick guards that are known to be affixed to the scaffold handrails (such as handrails 1205 and 1206). (Such a brick guard is not shown in Figure 12.) In an alternative embodiment, the gate 103 is not provided with panels 206 and 207, but the mesh panel 210 extends across the whole of the aperture formed by the frame 201 of the gate. In a further alternative embodiment the mesh panel 210 is replaced by a continuous sheet panel.

Figure 13 The gate assembly 101 mounted on the scaffolding 1202 is shown again in Figure 13 in its open position, the gate 103 having been swung anticlockwise about its hinge mechanism 104 against the force of the springs and 111 (111 not shown in Figure 13) from the closed position of Figure 12. Thus, in this open position, the gate 103 allows access from the platform 1204 to the ladder 1207, and from the ladder to the platform.

Figure 14 The gate assembly 101 is shown mounted on a vertical scaffold pole 1401 of second scaffolding 1402 in Figure 14.

A gap between the vertical scaffold pole 1401 and a neighbouring vertical scaffold pole 1403 provides access to a ladder 1407. However, the gate assembly 101 has been positioned such that it extends between the two vertical poles 1401 and 1403 to prevent access to the ladder 1407 in its closed configuration as shown in Figure 14. Thus, the scenario is similar to that shown in Figure 12 However, it differs from Figure 12 in that the gate assembly 101 has been mounted with the first side 202 of the gate 103 lowermost and the second side 203 uppermost. As a result, as viewed from above, the gate 103 must be swung from its closed configuration of Figure 14 in a clockwise direction (indicated by arrow 1408) about its hinge mechanism 104 to bring it to an open position.

In the present example, the panel 206 extends along the lowermost side 202 and acts as a toe board, similar to toe board 1409.

In the present embodiment the gate assembly 101 has a horizontal line of symmetry extending along its cross-piece 209, and hence it has a substantially similar appearance when inverted, as shown in Figure 14, when compared to its upright state, as shown in Figure 12. Consequently, the gate assembly 101 is able to function in just the same manner inverted as it does in its upright state, except that when upright it opens in an anticlockwise direction, and when inverted it opens in a clockwise direction.

It should also be noted that because the clamps 106 and 105 are vertically spaced from the horizontal sides 202 and 203, they do not interfere with a toe board 1411 or scaffold coupler 1412 that are also affixed to the vertical pole 1401.

Claims

Claims 1. A gate assembly for providing access to a ladder from scaffolding, said gate assembly comprising: a post; a clamp attached to said post, said clamp being configured to attach to a pole; a gate comprising a frame defining a first edge and a second edge that extend away from said post, said gate being attached to said post by a hinge mechanism such that gate is moveable between an open configuration and a closed configuration; a spring mechanism urging said gate into said closed configuration; a first panel extending across said frame along the first edge of the frame; and a second panel extending across said frame along the second edge of is the frame.
2. A gate assembly according to claim 1, wherein said gate has a height between said first edge and said second edge in excess of 910mm, and said gate extends above an uppermost one of said clamps and below a lowermost one of said clamps by at least 150mm.
3. A gate assembly according to claim 2, wherein said gate extends above said clamps and below said clamps by at least 200mm.
4. A gate assembly according to any one of claims I to 3, wherein said gate further comprises a wire mesh panel extending across said outer frame.
5. A gate assembly according to any one of claims I to 4, wherein said hinge mechanism comprises a pin defining an axis about which the gate is configured to move and said hinge mechanism comprises a helical spring arranged about said pin.
6. A gate assembly according to any one of claims I to 5, wherein said spring mechanism comprises a pair of springs, and each of said springs is configured to urge said gate into said closed configuration.
7. A gate assembly according to any one of claims I to 5, wherein said hinge mechanism comprises a pin defining an axis about which the gate is configured to move, said spring mechanism comprises a pair of helical springs each arranged about said axis.
8. A gate assembly according to claim 7, wherein a first one of said pair of helical springs comprises a left handed helix and a second one of said pair of helical springs comprises a right-handed helix.
9. A gate assembly according to any one of claims I to 8, wherein said gate assembly is substantially symmetrical about a plane perpendicular to said post.
10. A gate assembly according to any one of claims I to 9, wherein said gate assembly comprises a stopping means configured to prevent said gate moving from said open configuration past said closed configuration.
II. A gate assembly according to claim 10, wherein said spring mechanism comprises a pair of springs configured to urge said gate into said closed configuration, and said stopping means comprises a pair of stops in which each stop is located adjacent to one of said springs in said pair of springs.
12. A gate assembly according to any one of claims Ito 11, wherein said first panel has a height extending along the height of said frame so that a free edge of said first panel is spaced from said first edge of said frame by at least 150mm, and said second panel has a height extending along the height of said frame so that a free edge of said second panel is spaced from said second edge of said frame by at least 150mm.
13. A gate assembly for providing access to a ladder from scaffolding, said gate assembly comprising: a post; a pair of clamps attached to said post, each said clamp being configured to attach to a pole; a gate comprising a frame defining a first edge and a second edge that extend away from said post, said gate having a height between said first edge and said second edge, and said gate being attached to said post by a hinge mechanism such that gate is moveable between an open configuration and a closed configuration; and a panel extending across said frame to prevent objects from passing through said frame, wherein said gate has a height in excess of 910mm, and said gate extends above an uppermost one of said clamps and below a lowermost one of said clamps by at least 150mm.
14. A gate assembly according to claim 13, wherein said gate extends above said clamps and below said clamps by at least 200mm.
15. A gate assembly according to claim 13 or claim 14, wherein said gate further comprises a wire mesh panel extending across said outer frame.
16. A gate assembly according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein said gate assembly comprises a spring mechanism urging said gate into said closed configuration.
17. A gate assembly according to claim 16, wherein said hinge mechanism comprises a pin defining an axis about which the gate is configured to swing and said hinge mechanism comprises a helical spring arranged about said pin.
18. A gate assembly according to any one of claims 16 to 17, wherein said spring mechanism comprises a pair of springs, and each of said springs is configured to urge said gate into said closed configuration.
19. A gate assembly according to any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein said hinge mechanism comprises a pin defining an axis about which the gate is configured to move, said spring mechanism comprises a pair of helical springs each arranged about said axis.
20. A gate assembly according to claim 19, wherein a first one of said pair of helical springs comprises a left handed helix and a second one of said pair of helical springs comprises a right-handed helix.
21. A gate assembly according to any one of claims 13 to 20, wherein said gate assembly is substantially symmetrical about a plane perpendicular to said post.
22. A gate assembly according to any one of claims 13 to 21, wherein said gate assembly comprises a stopping means configured to prevent said gate moving from said open configuration past said closed configuration.
23. A gate assembly according to claim 22, wherein said spring mechanism comprises a pair of springs configured to urge said gate into said closed configuration, and said stopping means comprises a pair of stops in which each stop is located adjacent to one of said springs in said pair of springs.
24. A method of manufacturing a gate assembly for providing access to a ladder from scaffolding, said method comprising: attaching a clamp to a post; forming a frame of a gate such that said frame defines a first edge and a second edge of said gate; attaching a first panel to said frame such that said first panel extends across said frame along the first edge of the gate; attaching a second panel to said frame such that said second panel extends across said frame along the second edge of the gate; attaching said gate to said post by a hinge mechanism such that said first and second edges extend away from said post and such that said gate is moveable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, and providing said gate with a spring mechanism to urge said gate into said closed configuration.
25. A gate assembly substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying figures.
26. A method of manufacturing a gate assembly substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying figures.