GB2494379A

GB2494379A - Telescopic scaffolding transom

Info

Publication number: GB2494379A
Application number: GB1114144.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Graham Fogarty
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-08-17
Filing date: 2011-08-17
Publication date: 2013-03-13
Also published as: GB201114144D0

Abstract

The invention relates to a transom arrangement 10 and comprises a scaffold tube 12, a transom 14 slidably received within the scaffold tube 12, and a locking means 16. The transom 14 is movable between a stowed position in which the transom 14 is substantially contained within the scaffold tube 12 and an operative position in which the transom 14 is partially extended from one end of the scaffold tube 12. The locking means 16 can lock the transom 14 in the stowed or operative position and preferably prevents rotation of the transom 14 relative to the scaffold tube 12.

Description

TITLE: TRANSOM ARRANGEMENT The present invention relates to a transom arrangement particularly but not exclusively for use in scaffolding against a building.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Dunng construction and repairs of buildings, scaffolding is often required to support people and materials. Scaffolding consists of a series of vertical and horizontal metal tubes or pipes, conm-ionly known as standards and ledgers. The standards and ledgers are secured together using couplers and the weight of the scaffolding structure is supported by a plurality of base plates on the ground. Transoms are placed at right angles to two parallel ledgers, holding the standards in place and providing support for scaffold boards. Other components such as guard rails, rail boards, bracing, and ties are often used in scaffolding to enhance safety when using such a structure.

One problem that faces users or workers is that, when erecting scaffolding adjacent an existing building, a gap is unavoidably present between the scaffolding and the building. This can be hazardous as equipment may fall between the gap and cause injuiy to people on the ground, or worse still, workers may slip whilst working on the scaffolding and fall between the gap.

It is an object of the invention to provide a scaffold transom arrangement which can be used in substantially mitigating or reducing this problem.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provided a transom arrangement comprising a scaffold tube, a transom slidably received within the scaffold tube, the transom being movable between a stowed position in which the transom is substantially contained within the scaffold tube and an operative position in which the transom is partially extended from one end of the scaffold tube, and locking means for locking the transom in the stowed or operative position and preventing rotation of the transom relative to the scaffold tube.

The extendable transom arrangement is advantageous because it can be used to bridge the gap between a building and a scaffold, enabling planking to be placed up to the building walls. The extendable and retractable nature of the transom enables the planking adjacent the building to be removed when necessary, without otherwise altenng the scaffolding, for example. for applying a coating such as render or paint.

The transom may have a substantiafly triangular cross section with a base and an apex, the apex of the transom being used, in use, to support a scaffolding plank.

The transom may have a first stop means disposed at one end thereof for abutting the said one end of the scaffold tube when in the stowed position and retaining the edge of a scaffolding plank in the operative position.

The transom may have a first contact element for engaging with the locking means when in the stowed position, the first contact element being provided at the base of the transom. The first contact element may be provided by a metal p'ate welded in at the base of the triangular transom, capable of passing the locking force of the locking means through the transom to the scaffold tube.

The first stop means and first contact element may be integrally formed as a substantially L-shaped structure.

The transom may have a second stop means disposed at the other end thereof for abutting the locking means when in the operative position. Advantageously, this prevents the transom from being moved out of the end of scaffold tube unintentionally.

The transom may have a second contact element for engaging with the locking means when in the operative position. The second stop means and second contact element may be integrally formed and is a substantially [-shaped structure.

The locking means may comprise a male threaded member, the male threaded member being in threaded engagement with a female threaded member mounted to ci the scaffold tube, and extending from an outer surface of the scaffold tube through an aperture on the scaffold tube, for locking against the base of the transom.

The male threaded member may be a bolt, with a head of similar size to the heads of the nuts used on standard couplers. The female threaded member may be a nut or other internally threaded member welded to the inside wall of the scaffold tube.

When hi the operative position, the transom may extend up to 230mm from the said one end of the scaffokl tube.

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 schematic cross-sectional side view of a transom arrangement; and Figure 2 shows a schematic front view of the transom arrangement of Figure 1.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

Referring firstly to Figure 1, a transom arrangement for use in scaffolding is indicated generally at 10. The transom arrangement 10 includes a scaffold tube 12, a transom 14 slidably received within the scaffold tube 12 and a locking means 16 for locking the transom 14 in position and preventing rotation of the transom 14 relative to the scaffold tube 12.

The scaffold tube 12 is a through tube having open ends 18, 20 and is of circular cross-section. The scaffold tube 12 can be manufactured in the conventional manner and adheres to the appropriate regulatory safety requirements. It is typically made from galvanised steel or aluminium. The scaffold tube 12 can be manufactured to different lengths to suit different building projects, but for a typical four-board scaffold, the scaffold tube 12 of each transom arrangement 10 would be around 900 mm in length.

The transom 14 is made from similar material to the scaffold tube 12, and has a triangular cross-section having a base 22 and two side walls 24 meeting at an apex 26, as seen in Figure 2. When in use, the apex 26 of the transom supports a scaffolding plank or board. The length of the transom 14 is less than that of the scaffold tube 12, at around 300 mm. However, a longer transom 14 may be manufactured if desired.

Furtheimore. it win be appreciated that the shape of the transom 14 can be any shape.

However, the triangular cross-section is preferred as it gives a singular edge of contact with the scaffolding plank. similar to a line contact provided by a circular pipe.

A first L-shaped plate 28 is provided adjacent a first end 30 of the transom 14. A first portion 32 of the first L-shaped plate 28 abuts the first end 30 of the transom 14 and provides an upstand 34. A second portion 36 of the first L-shaped plate 28 extends longitudinally along and abuts the base 22 of the transom 14. A second L-shaped plate 38 is provided part way along the length of the base 22, proximate a second end 40 of the transom 14. A first portion 42 of the second L-shaped plate 38 abuts the base 22 of the transom 14, and a second portion 44 extends outwardly and perpendicularly downwards from the first portion 42. The two portions of each of the first and second L-shaped plates 28, 38 are integrally formed, but it will be appreciated that they can be welded together from separate plates if desired. The first and second L-shaped plates 28, 38 can be secured onto the transom] 4 by conventional means, such as adhesive, screw fixings or most preferably can be welded to the base 22.

The second portion 44 of the second L-shaped plate 38 and the transom 14 are sized so that all three corners of the triangular structure of the transom 14 maintain contact with the inner surface of the scaffold tube 12 when the transom 14 is locked, best seen in Figure 2.

The locking means 16 will now described with reference to Figure 2. A nut 46 and bolt 48 are provided proximate the end 18 of the scaffold tube 12, the bolt 48 being in threaded engagement with the nut 46. It will be appreciated that locking means 16 can compnse of other suitable female threaded member and corresponding male threaded member if desired. The head of the bolt 48 is of a similar size to the heads of the nuts used on standard couplers. An aperture 50 is provided on the scaffold tube 12.

allowing the bolt 48 to extend from an outer surface of the scaffold tube 12 through the aperture 50 for locking against the base 22 of the transom 14. The aperture 50 is sized to have a diameter substantially similar to the diameter of the bolt 48. The nut 46 is welded to the inner surface of the scaffold tithe 12 and is co-axial with the aperture 50. It will be appreciated that the nut 46 may be welded to the outer surface of the scaffold tube 12 if desired. 1-lowever welding the nut 46 to the inner surface will prevent the nut 46 from catching any foreign object when the transom arrangement 10 isinuse.

The transom 14 is movable between a stowed position in which the transom 14 is substantially contained within the scaffold tube 12 and an operative position in which the transom 14 is partially extended from the end 18 on the scaffold tube 12, as seen in Figure 1. When in the stowed position, the transom 14 can be secured by tightening the bolt 48 towards the transom 14 until the bolt 48 tightly abuts the second portion 36 of the first L-shaped plate 28, locking the transom 14 against any movement. The second portion 36 of the first L-shaped plate 28 therefore serves as a contact area or element for the bolt 48 to engage on, passing the locking force of the bolt 48 through the transom 14 to the scaffold tube 12. The upstand 34 of the first L-shaped plate 28 serves as a stop means for abutting the opening 16 of the scaffold tube 12 and for preventing the transom 15 from sliding further into the scaffold tube 12.

To move the transom 14 to the operative position, the bolt 48 is loosened so that it no longer tightly abuts but remains closely adjacent to the first L-shaped plate 28. The transom 14 can then slide out of the scaffold tube 12 unimpeded until the second portion 44 of the second L-shaped plate 38 abuts the nut 46. The second portion 44 of the second L-shaped plate 38 serves as a stop means, as seen in Figure 1, and also prevents the transom 14 from sliding out any further. The bolt 48 can then be tightened again towards the transom 14 until the bolt 48 tightly abuts the first portion 42 of the second L-shaped plate 38, locking the transom 14 from any movement. The first portion 42 of the second L-shaped plate 38 therefore serves as a contact area or element for the bolt 48 to engage on, passing the locking force of the bolt 48 through the transom 14 to the scaffold tube 12. When locked, the transom 14 is clamped within the scaffold tube 12. The transom 14 can then be used to support the scaffolding plank and the stop means provided by the upstand 34 retains the edge of the scaffolding plank.

The second L-shaped plate 38 is positioned on the transom 14 such that the maximum length the transom 14 can extend from the end 18 of the scaffold tube 12 is around 225 mm, which is the standard width of a scaffolding plank. However, as the base 22 of the transom 14 is substantially planar, it will be appreciated that the bolt 48 can engage with the base 14 anywhere along its length up to the position where the second L-shaped plate 38 abuts the nut 46, if desired. Furthermore, the length of the transom 14 and the position of the second L-shaped plate 38 can be arranged so that the maximum length extendable by the transom 14 is more than 225 mm, such as around 450 mm which is the width of two standard scaffolding planks.

An end 52 of the bolt 48 substantially prevents rotation of the transom] 4 relative to the scaffold tube 12. Furthermore, when sliding the transom 14 from one position to another, the bolt 48 remains closely adjacent the transom 14 therefore preventing the transom from rotating. In other words, the transom 14 can only slide in and out of the scaffold tube 12, but not rotate relative to the scaffold tube 12. This is beneficial as this ensures that the position of the apex 26 of the transom 14 is fixed relative to the scaffold tube 12. When installing each transom arrangement 10 on the scaffold, a user can use the head of the bolt 48 as a guide to position each transom arrangement 10 correctly and ensure the apex 26 of the transom 14 is pointed upwardly for supporting the scaffolding plank. Furthermore, when in use, the prevention of rotation of the transom 14 of each transom arrangement 10 ensures each scaffolding plank is fully supported at all times, even if the bolt 48 is not tightened as it should be.

In use, a scaffold is constructed in the conventional manner. A plurality of transom arrangement 10 are secured onto the scaffold structure using conventional couplers used for scaffolding with the head of the bolt 48 facing the base of the scaffold. Each transom arrangement 10 is positioned this way so that the por ion of the bolt 48 that protrudes from the scaffold tube 12 does not cause obstruction. Furthermore, when in an operative position. the apex 26 of the transom 14 provides a planar surface of which a scaffolding plank can be supported on.

To use the transom 14 on each transom arrangement 10. the bolt 48 is loosened and the transom 14 is moved out of the scaffold tube 12 to a desired length or until the second L-shaped plate 38 abuts the nut 46, The bolt 48 is tightened again to lock the transom 14 and prevent it from sliding. One or more scaff&ding planks can be positioned over the transom 14 of each transom arrangements 10, depending on the exposed length of the transom 14. When the transom 14 of each transom arrangement is no longer required, the bolt 48 can be loosened and the transom 14 can be moved back into the scaffold tube 1 2.

The transom arrangement is beneficial because it improves safety for worker/s working on a scaffold by bridging the gap between a building and a scaffold. When it becomes necessary to remove the planking between the building and the scaffold, the scaffold planks can be removed easily and the transom of each transom arrangement can slide back into the scaffold tube without having to otherwise alter the scaffolding.

The second L-shaped plate enables workers to extend the transom to a pre-determined length quickly and easily. Furthermore, the transom arrangement is convenient to use as the workers can set up multiple transom arrangements with each transom extending the same kngth without having to measure each and every one of them. When not in use, the transom is stored within the scaffold tube and therefore the transom arrangement does not take up more space in storage than a conventional transom.

Claims

<claim-text>CLAIMSI. A transom alTangernent comprising a scaffold tube, a transom slidably received within the scaffold tube, the transom being movable between a stowed position in which the transom is substantially contained within the scaffold tube and an operative position in which the transom is partially extended from one end of the scaffold tube, and locking means for locking the transom in the stowed or operative position and preventing rotation of the transom relative to the scaffold tube.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. A transom arrangement as claimed in claim 1, in which the transom has a substantially triangular cross section with a base and an apex, the apex of the transom being used, in use. to support a scaffolding plank.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. A transom arrangement as claimed in claim I or claim 2, in which the transom has a first stop means disposed at one end thereof for abutting the said one end of the scaffold tube when in the stowed position and retaining the edge of a plank in the operative position.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. A transom arrangement as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, in which the transom has a first contact element for engaging with the locking means when in the stowed position, the first contact element being provided at the base of the transom.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. A transom arrangement as claimed in claims 3 and 4, in which the first stop means and first contact element are integrally formed as a substantially L-shaped structure.</claim-text> <claim-text>6. A transom arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 5. in which the transom has a second stop means disposed at the other end thereof for abutting the locking means when in the operative position.</claim-text> <claim-text>7. A transom arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 6, in which the transom has a second contact element for engaging with the locking means when in the operative position.</claim-text> <claim-text>8. A transom arrangement as claimed in daims 6 and 7, in which the second stop means and second contact dement are integrally formed and is a substantially L-shaped structure.</claim-text> <claim-text>9. A transom arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 8, in which the locking means comprises a male threaded member, the male threaded member being in threaded engagement with a female threaded member mounted to the scaffold tube, and extending from an outer surface of the scaffold tube through an aperture on the scaffold tube, for locking against the base of the transom.</claim-text> <claim-text>10. A transom arrangement as claimed in claim 9, in which the male threaded member is a bolt.ii. A transom arrangement as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10, in which the female threaded member is a nut welded to the inside wall of the scaffold tube.12. A transom arrangement as claimed in any preceding daim, in which when in the operative position, the transom extends up to 230 mm from the said one end of the scaffold tube.13. A transom arrangement substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in Figures Ito 2 of the accompanying drawings.</claim-text>