GB2498963A

GB2498963A - Scaffolding component fastener

Info

Publication number: GB2498963A
Application number: GB1201696.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gordon Turner
Original assignee: Turner Access Ltd
Current assignee: Turner Access Ltd
Priority date: 2012-02-01
Filing date: 2012-02-01
Publication date: 2013-08-07
Anticipated expiration: 2032-02-01
Also published as: GB201201696D0; GB2498963B

Abstract

A scaffolding component fastener has a hook for engagement with a substantially horizontal scaffold element, a fastening member moveable between a first position in which the hook can engage/disengage the scaffold element and a second position in which the element is retained within the hook, and a locking means operable to hold the fastening member in its second position.

Description

Scaffolding Component Fastener

This invention relates to scaffolding component fasteners and particularly, but not exclusively, to such fasteners for use in fastening scaffolding platforms to substantially horizontal scaffolding elements (such as tubes or other transom members) which form part of a larger scaffolding structure.

There is a requirement for an improved form of such a fastener which is easy to use and which is secure once engaged with the scaffolding element thus preventing accidental dislodgement of the associated platform in high winds and unauthorised removal of the platform.

It is an object of the present invention to provide such an improved form of fastener.

Thus according to the present invention there is provided a scaffolding component fastener comprising a hook for engagement with a substantially horizontal scaffold element, a fastening member moveable between a first position in which the hook can engage/disengage the scaffold element and a second position in which the element is retained within the hook, and a locking means operable to hold the fastening member in its second position.

Such a fastener with its locking means avoids accidental and unauthorised removal from the associated substantially horizontal scaffold tube.

Conveniently the fastening member pivots between the first and second positions about a substantially vertical axis.

A spring-loaded detent means may also be provided to hold the fastening member in its first and/or second position.

The locking means may comprise a screw-type fastener about which the fastening means pivots and which when tightened holds the spring-loaded detent means in

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engagement preventing movement of the fastening member from the second position.

The screw-type fastener may have a head portion with a turning formation engageable by an appropriately shaped screw driver head for added security. With this arrangement, only operators with a screw driver with the appropriate screw head turning formation can unlock the locking means this giving added security to the fastener.

In one form of the invention the fastening member may be pivotally supported on a mounting plate by a substantially vertical screw, a spring surrounding the screw and biasing the detent formations into engagement so that the fastening member cannot be pivoted relative to the mounting plate without axial movement of the fastening member relative to the mounting plate against the spring loading.

The detent formations may comprise a formation on the fastening member and a cooperating formation on a locking plate carried by the mounting plate or component. For example, the fastening member may be biased into a cut out in the locking plate which receives part of the cross-section of the fastening member.

The invention also provides a scaffolding platform having at least one fastener as described above for securing the platform to associated horizontal scaffold elements.

The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which :-

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a scaffolding fastener according to the present invention in its closed and locked position when used to secure a scaffolding platform in position on a horizontal scaffolding tube indicated in dotted detail;

Figure 2 shows the fastener of Figure 1 in its open position;

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Figure 3 shows the fastener of Figure 1 in its closed but unlocked position;

Figures 4a and 4b shows a perspective views of the fastener and its mounting plate and locking plate detached from the platform for added clarity, and

Figure 5 shows an under rear view of the fastener and its locking plate when mounted on the platform.

Referring to the drawings, the fastener 10 comprises a hook 11 supported from a cross member 14 of a scaffolding platform 14a. Typically four such hooks are provided adjacent the corners of the platform.

Each hook 11 engages a horizontal scaffolding element 15 (indicated diagrammatically in Figure 1 by the dotted detail 15). The hook 11 is held in engagement with the element 15 (which can be, for example, a tube or other transom member) by a fastening member 16 which is pivotally mounted on a plate 12. The fastening member pivots about a substantially vertical axis Y on a screw 17 received in a bore 18 in the mounting plate 12. Fastening member 16 has a curved surface 19 which approximately corresponds to the outer surface of the tube 15. Screw 17 is surrounded by a compression spring 20 which extends in bore 18 and engages a shoulder 21 in the bore 18. Screw 17 also engages a captive nut 22 held in an opening 23 in the fastening member 16.

The head 24 of screw 17 has a turning formation 25 (e.g. an Alan Key formation) by which the screw can be turned and screwed into nut 22 using a screw driver or other tool with the appropriate turning formation. This turning of screw 17 compresses spring 20 and draws fastening member 16 up towards cross member 14 to ensure that fastening member 16 cannot disengage a cut out 26 in a locking plate 27 (see Figure 4a and 5) which is also bolted at 13 to the platform cross member 14. Thus when locking screw 17 is tightened fastening member 16 is locked in its closed position in which the hook 11 cannot disengage the associated scaffolding tube 15.

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In an alternative design the hook 11 could also be mounted on the platform cross member 14 using the plate 12.

With the fastening member 16 in its first or open position shown in Figure 2, the scaffolding tube 15 can be engaged or disengaged with the hook 11. To secure the platform to the scaffolding tube 15 the fastening member is moved to the closed position shown in Figure 3 by pulling the fastening member downwardly as indicated by arrow A (to disengage the fastening member from cut out 26) so that the fastening member can be rotated about screw 17 as indicated by arrow B in Figure 3.

The fastening member can then be locked in its second or the closed position by tightening screw 17 to draw up fastening member towards cross member 14 so that the fastening member cannot be disengaged from cut out 26 in locking plate 27.

As will be appreciated, the fastener of the present invention is easy to use and which is secure once engaged with the scaffolding tubing and which can be locked in position thus preventing accidental dislodgement of the associated decking in high winds or the unauthorised removal of the decking. Also the fastening member 16 which pivots about a substantially vertical axis provides a clear indication from above or below the platform as to whether the hook is secured to the scaffolding tube.

It is not necessary for all the hooks on a scaffolding platform to have the fastening arrangement described above. If at least one hook has such an arrangement the platform is made significantly more secure. Typically at least one hook at each end of the platform will have the above described arrangement.

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Claims

1. A scaffolding component fastener comprising a hook for engagement with a substantially horizontal scaffold element, a fastening member moveable between a first position in which the hook can engage/disengage the scaffold element and a second position in which the element is retained within the hook, and a locking means operable to hold the fastening member in its second position.

2. A fastener according to claim 1 in which the fastening member pivots between the first and second positions about a substantially vertical axis.

3. A fastener according to claim 1 or 2 in which there is also provided a spring-loaded detent means to hold the fastening member in its first and/or second position.

4. A fastener according to claim 2 or 3 in which the locking means comprises a screw-type fastener about which the fastening means pivots and which when tightened holds the spring-loaded detent means in engagement preventing movement of the fastening member from the second position.

5. A fastener according to claim 4 in which the screw-type fastener has a head portion with a turning formation engageable by an appropriately shaped screw driver head for added security.

6. A fastener according to any of claims 1 to 5 in which the fastening member is pivotally supported on a mounting plate by a substantially vertical screw, a spring surrounding the screw and biasing the detent formations into engagement so that the fastening member cannot be pivoted relative to the mounting plate without axial movement of the fastening member relative to the mounting plate against the spring loading.

7. A fastener according to claim 6 in which the detent formations comprise a formation on the fastening member and a co-operating formation on a locking plate carried by the mounting plate or component.

8. A fastening member according to claim 7 in which the fastening member is biased into a cut-out in the locking plate which receives part of the cross-section of the fastening member.

9. A scaffolding platform having at least one fastener according to any one of claims 1 to 8 for securing the platform to associated horizontal scaffold elements.

10. A scaffolding component fastener constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.