GB2518514A

GB2518514A - A clamp for use in the raising and lowering of at least one corrugated sheet

Info

Publication number: GB2518514A
Application number: GB1414240.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Somerville Mulvaney
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-08-12
Filing date: 2014-08-11
Publication date: 2015-03-25
Anticipated expiration: 2034-08-11
Also published as: GB201314437D0; GB201414240D0; GB2518514B

Abstract

A clamp 22 is provided for safely conveying a corrugated roof sheet 24 at a building site. The clamp has first and second contoured holding members (30, 32) for providing a gripped complementary fit that matches with the corresponding grooves or ribs of a corrugated panel. A tightening means 34 secures the holding members to the sheet, such that the sheet is retained by the clamp during raising and lowering of the corrugated sheet between the levels of a scaffold. The tightening means may have first and second clamping members (36, 38) which may be tightened together by a screw threaded member 40 or bolt 42. The clamp may have an aperture 44 or additional engagement means, such as a shackle 46 for attaching a rope or cord. A protector or nut locator (50, Fig. 9) and spacer (52, Fig. 9) may also be included with the tightening means.

Description

I

A CLAMP FOR USE IN THE RAISING AND LOWERING

OF AT LEAST ONE CORRUGATED SHEET

This invention relates to a clamp and, more especially, this invention relates to a clamp for use in the raising and lowering of at least one corrugated sheet. The clamp may be especially useful for raising and lowering corrugated sheets for use in forming temporary scaffolding roofs above structures.

Temporary roofing systems above structures are often required, for example if a structure is having a new roof. The temporary scaffolding roofing systems comprise a scaffolding framework which supports a roof of corrugated rooting sheets. The corrugated roofing sheets need to be passed from the ground up the scaffolding. In a first method, the corrugated roofing sheets are chained up and then passed upwardly one sheet at a time from person to person, with each person being on a different floor of the scaffolding framework. In a second method, a single sheet is tied up, and then pulled up on a rope and wheel. In both methods, the sheets may be lowered in a similar manner.

The above methods of raising and lowering corrugated roofing sheets are labour intensive. In addition, both methods provide various risks. For example, the edges of the corrugated sheets can be sharp, in which case there is a danger of the sharp edges cutting the personnel handling the corrugated sheets, or cuffing the rope being used to move the corrugated sheets up or down. Weather conditions can also create dangers such for example as the wind snatching a corrugated sheet from a person's hands, or pulling the person off the scaffolding framework. With a rope, the sheet can come loose or a knot can come undone.

It is an aim of the present invention to obviate or reduce the above mentioned problems.

Accordingly, in one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention there is provided a clamp for use in the raising and lowering of at least one corrugated sheet, which clamp comprises: (i) a first holding member; (ii) a second holding member; and (iii) tightening means for tightening and un-tightening the first and second holding members; and the clamp being such that the first and second holding members are corrugated such that at least one corrugation on each of the first and second holding members fits to at least one corrugation on the corrugated sheet, whereby when the tightening means tightens the first and second holding members on the corrugated sheet then the clamp is able securely to retain the corrugated sheet during the raising and lowering of the corrugated sheet.

The corrugated sheet will usually be a corrugated roofing sheet but it may be a corrugated sheet for other purposes, for example for forming a temporary wall around an upper part of a structure. The corrugated sheet will usually be a temporary sheet but it could be a permanent sheet if desired.

The clamp may be one in which the tightening means is a screw-operated tightening means. Other types of tightening means may be employed, for example an over-centre lever tightening means.

When the tightening means is a screw-operated tightening means, then the tightening means may comprise a first clamp member, a second clamp member, and a sórew threaded member which tightens and un-.

tightens the first clamp member to the second clamp member.

The first clamp member may be art arm. Other formations for the first clamp member may be employed.

The second clamp member may be an arm. Other formations for the second clamp member may be employed.

The screw threaded member is preferably the bolt. Other types of screw threaded member may be employed. When the screw threaded member is a bolt, then the bolt preferably has a head for being tightened by a standard scaffolding spanner. Bolts with heads for being tightened by non-standing scaffolding spanners may be employed if desired.

Advantageously, the clamp includes attachment means for use in attaching a rope, cable or chain to the clamp. The rope, cable or chain may be used for raising and/or lowering the clamp and attached corrugated sheets.

The attachment means is preferably positioned in or on the tightening means. The attachment means may be positioned elsewhere if desired.

The attachment means may be an aperture. The aperture may then receive the rope, cable or chain. Attachment means other than an aperture may be employed so that, for example, the attachment means may be a shackle which extends through the aperture and which receives the rope, cable or chain. Alternatively, for example, the attachment means may be a hook.

The clamp may include a protector for protecting a threaded part of the tightening means.

The tightening means may include a spacer.

The clamp may be made in various sizes. The clamp may also be made in various materials. Thus, for example, the clamp may be made of an aluminium, alloy, steel or iron.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a temporary scaffolding roofing system over a structure in the form of a building; Figure 2 shows a first known method of raising and lowering corrugating roofing sheets for the roof of the temporary scaffolding roofing system shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a second known method of raising and lowering corrugating roofing sheets for the roof of the temporary scaffolding roofing system shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 shows how a first clamp of the present invention may be used for raising and lowering corrugated roofing sheets for the temporary scaffolding roofing system shown in Figure 1; Figure 5 shows in detail the clamp used in Figure 4; Figure 6 is a side view of the clamp as shown in Figure 5; Figure 7 is a top view of part of the clamp as shown in Figure 6; Figure 8 is an end view of part of the clamp as shown in Figure 6; Figure 9 is a side view like Figure 6 but of a second clamp of the present invention; Figure 10 is a view like Figure 7 but of the clamp shown in Figure 9; Figure 11 is a view like Figure 8 but is a section showing the tightening means employed in the clamp of Figure; and Figure 12 is a perspective view like Figure 5 but of the clamp shown in Figure 9.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a temporary scaffolding roofing system 2 for a structure 4 in the form of a house. The temporary scaffolding roofing system 2 comprises a scaffolding framework 6 which is built around the structure 4, and a temporary roof 8. The temporary roof 8 comprises a plurality of corrugated roofing sheets 10.

Figure 2 shows a first known way of raising and lowering the corrugated roofing sheets 10. More specifically, the corrugated roofing sheets are chained by a chain (not shown) and then they are passed from person 12 to person 12. As can be appreciated from Figure 2, each person 12 is on a different floor 14 of the scaffolding framework 6 of the temporary roofing system 2.

Figure 3 shows an alternative known way of raising and lowering the corrugated roofing sheets 10. As can be seen from Figure 3, a single corrugated roofing sheet 10 is tied up with a tie formation 16. The corrugated roofing sheet 10 is then pulled up on a rope 18 passing around a pulley wheel 20. One person 12 at a bottom of the scaffolding frame work 6 uses the rope 18 to produce the tie formation 16 around the corrugated roofing sheet 10.

Another person 12 is located on the upper floor 14 Of the scaffolding framework 6 and unties the corrugated roofing sheet 10.

Both of the methods illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 are labour-intensive methods of raising and lowering the corrugated roofing sheets 10. In addition, both methods can be dangerous. More specifically, the edges of the corrugated roofing sheets 10 may be sharp so that there is a danger of these sharp edges cutting the persons 12 and/or the rope 18. Adverse weather conditions can also create dangers such for example as the wind catching a corrugated roofing sheet 101 with the result that the corrugated roofing sheet may be pulled from the hands of a person 12, or the person 12 may even be pulled off the scaffolding framework 6. The tie formation 16 may become loose, or any tied knot can come undone.

Figure 4 shows th! use of a first clamp 22 of the present invention for use in the raising and lowering of at least one corrugated sheet 24. The corrugated sheet 24 is shown being raised on a rope 26 passing over a pulley 28. A person 12 at the bottom of the scaffolding framework 6 tightens the clamp 22. A person 12 on the top floor 14 of the scaffolding framework 6 un-tightens the clamp 22. The corrugated sheet 24 is raised by the person 12 at the bottom of the scaffolding framework 6 pulling on the rope 26. The corrugated sheet 24 is able to be lowered by reversing the above process with the upper person 12 tightening the clamp 22, and the lower person 12 un-tightening the clamp 22 after having first lowered the corrugated sheet 24 to the ground.

The construction and operation of the clamp 22 will now be described with reference to Figures 5 -8. In Figures 5 -8; the clamp 22 is shown in use and damping the borrugated sheet 24. The clamp 22 comprises a first holding member 30, and a second holding member 32. The clamp 22 further comprises tightening means 34 for tightening and un-tightening the first and second holding members 30, 32.

The clamp 22 is such that the first and second holding members 30, 32 are corrugated as shown. At least one corrugations of each of the first and second holding members 30, 32 fits to at least one corrugation on the corrugated sheet 24. When the tightening means 34 tightens the first and second holding members 30, 32 on the corrugated sheet 24, then the clamp 22 is able securely to retain the corrugated sheet 24 during the raising and lowering of the corrugated sheet 24.

The tightening means 34 is a screw-operated tightening means 34.

The tightening means 34 comprises a first clamp member 36 and a second clamp member 38: The tightening means 34 further comprises a screw threaded member 40 which tightens and un-tightens the first clamp member 36 to the second clamp member 38, The first clamp member 36 is an arm.

The second clamp member 38 is also an arm. The screw threaded member is a bolt. The bolt has a head 42 which receives a standard scaffolding spanner (not shown).

The clamp 22 includes attachment means 44 for attaching the rope 26 shown in Figure 4 to the clamp 22. The attachment means 44 is positioned in the tightening means 34. More specifically, the attachment means 44 is an aperture in the second clamp member 38. Optionally1 the attachment means 44 in the formS of the aperture may receive auxiliary attachment means, for example the illustrated shackle 46. The rope 26 can then be passed through the shackle 46. Auxiliary attachment means other than the shackle 46 may be used.

The clamp 22 can be produced in a wide variety of sizes. For example, the first and second clamp members 36, 38 may be 50mm wide. The first and second holding members 30, 32 may be 100mm wide. The entire clamp may be 280mm long.

Referring to Figures 9 -12, there is shown a second clamp 48 of the present invention for use in the raising and lowering of at least one corrugated sheet such for example as the corrugated sheet 24 shown in Figure 5. Parts of the clamp 48 similar to those in the clamp 22 have been given the same reference numerals for ease of comparison and understanding.

The clamp 48 includes a device 50 which acts as a nut locator and a bolt thread protector. The clamp 48 also includes a spacer 52 which is located as shown. The bolt 42 may be any suitable and appropriate type of bolt.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings have been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for example, first and second holding members 30, 32 may have more corrugations than shown and for cooperating with more corrugations of the corrugated sheet 24.

The first and second clamp members 36, 38 may be of a different shape to those shown. Tightening means other than the screw threaded member 40 may be employed. The clamp 2 could be used for raising and lower corrugated sheets other than roofing sheets. Individual components shown in the drawings are not limited to use in their drawings and they may be used in other drawings and in all aspects of the invention. /

Claims

CLAIMS1. A clamp for use in the raising and lowering of at least one corrugated sheet, which clamp comprises: (i) a first holding member; (ii) a second holding member; and (iii) tightening means for tightening and un-tightening the first and second holding members; and the clamp being such that the first and second holding members are corrugated such that at least one corrugation on each of the first and second holding members fits to at least one corrugation on the corrugated sheet, whereby when the tightening means tightens the first and second holding members on the corrugated sheet then the clamp is able securely to retain the corrugated sheet during the raising and lowering of the corrugated sheet.
2. A clamp according to claim 2 in which the tightening means is a screw-operated tightening means.
3. A clamp according to claim 2 in which the tightening. means comprises a first clamp member, a second. clamp member, and a screw threaded member which tightens and un-tightens the first clamp member to the second clamp member. .
4. A clamp according to claim 3 in which the first clamp member is an arm.
5. A clamp according to claim 3 or claim 4 in which the second clamp member is an arm.
6. A clamp according to any one of claims 3 -5 in which the screw threaded member is a bolt.
7. A clamp according to claim 6 in which the bolt has a head for being tightened by a standard scaffolding spanner.
8. A clamp according to any one of the preceding claims in which the clamp includes attachment means for use in attaching a rope, cable or chain to the clamp.
9. A clamp according to claim 8 in which the attachment means is positioned in or on the tightening means.
10. A clamp according to claim B or claim 9 in which the attachment means is an aperture.
11. A clamp according to any one of the preceding claims and including a protector for protecting a threaded part of the tightening means.
12. A clamp according to any one of the preceding claims in which the tightening means includes a spacer.
13. A clamp for use in the raising and lowering of at least one corrugated sheet, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.