GB2532856A

GB2532856A - Scaffolding apparatus and method of use thereof

Info

Publication number: GB2532856A
Application number: GB1517613.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Tate George
Original assignee: GEORGE TATE & SON
Current assignee: GEORGE TATE & SON
Priority date: 2014-10-06
Filing date: 2015-10-06
Publication date: 2016-06-01
Also published as: GB201517613D0; GB201417615D0

Abstract

A scaffold panel with hooks towards, associated with or adjacent its top edge. The hooks may be used to attach the panel to a scaffold support means. The hooks may be U or V-shaped. Further connection means to the scaffold support may be provided at the bottom edge of the guardrail and may include at least one bracket section, which could have a narrowing taper. The scaffold support means may be a scaffold pole, a rosette or other engagement member having one or more slots. The hook may be in the form of a pin or an arm member, where the pin can be tapered. A number of boards may be used in contact with one another. Moreover, a method is disclosed for the use of the panel.

Description

Scaffolding Apparatus and Method of Cse Thereof This invention relates to scaffolding apparatus and to a method of use thereof.

The use of scaffolding apparatus to provide a temporary structure for supporting people and/or materials for the construction, dismantling and/or repair of building or structures is well known. New safety regulations provided by the NASC (National Access & Scaffolding Confederation), SG410 for preventing falls in scaffolding, now requires scaffolding to be erected from below the scaffolding level currently being erected. This is in contrast to previous safety provisions wherein a user could erect a scaffolding level while gaining access to that scaffolding level. However, a problem with the new safety regulations is that existing scaffolding systems are made from relatively thick and heavy steel and are difficult to erect from below. For example, a conventional 2.4m scaffold panel weighs 55kg and typically requires two people to lift the same. In addition, conventional scaffolding panels typically comprise a hook at a base of the scaffolding panel and a connection bracket at a top of the panel. This prevents, or at least makes it very difficult, to allow attachment of conventional scaffolding panels from below the current scaffolding level being erected. This results in conventional scaffolding systems not complying with the new safety regulations, being heavy, cumbersome and time consuming to erect, and being labour intensive and therefore also expensive to erect.

It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide scaffolding apparatus that overcomes the abovementioned problems.

It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a method of using scaffolding apparatus that overcomes the abovementioned problems.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided scaffolding apparatus, said apparatus including a scaffold panel member having at least a top edge and a base edge, and wherein hook means are provided on or towards, associated with, or adjacent the top edge of the scaffold panel member.

The scaffold panel member of the present invention can be easily hooked onto suitable scaffold support means from below or underneath a current level of scaffolding being constructed, thereby allowing the weight of the scaffold panel member to be quickly and easily taken up by engagement of the hook means with the suitable support means in use. The scaffold panel member of the present invention allows the safety regulations SG410 to be complied with.

Preferably the hook means are arranged so as to be hooked onto suitable scaffold support means in use. The suitable scaffold support means can be a scaffold pole, a rosette and/or the like.

Preferably the hook means includes a curved portion, indented portion, U-shaped portion and/or V-shaped portion. Preferably an opening of the curved portion, indented portion, U-shaped portion, V-shaped portion faces away from the top edge of the scaffold panel member and preferably faces towards the opposite or base edge of the scaffold panel member.

Preferably connection means are provided on or towards, associated with, or adjacent the base edge of the scaffold panel member. The connection means are relatively accessible to a user from below a current level of scaffolding being constructed, thereby allowing the connection means to be connected in use.

Thus, in a preferred embodiment, the scaffolding apparatus of the present invention provides hook means at or adjacent a top edge or portion of a scaffold panel member and connection means at or adjacent a base edge or portion of the scaffold panel member. The weight of the scaffold panel member can be supported by the upper hook means on suitable scaffold support means while or thereafter the lower connection means are being connected to suitable scaffold means in use.

Preferably the connection means are arranged so as to be connectable to suitable scaffold support means in use. The suitable scaffold support means can be a scaffold pole, a rosette, an engagement member and/or the like. The scaffold support means can be the same or different to the scaffold support means to which the hook means are attached to in use.

In one embodiment the hook means includes at least an extension part that extends outwardly from the scaffold panel member and a hook part that protrudes downwardly from the extension part towards or opposite a base edge of the scaffold panel member.

Preferably the extension part and the hook part defined the curve, indent, U-shaped, or V-shaped portion therebetween. The opening of the curve, indent, U-shaped, or V-shaped portion is provided between the extension part and the free end of the hook part.

Preferably the extension part extends transversally, at an acute angle, perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the scaffold panel member.

Preferably the hook part is parallel or substantially parallel to the scaffold panel member.

Preferably the extension part has a first end connected to, associated with or integral with a surface of the scaffold panel member and a second end which protrudes outwardly therefrom, and is a spaced distance apart from the panel member.

Preferably the extension part first end is attached to, associated with or integral with a front surface of the scaffold panel member.

In one embodiment attachment means are provided on or associated with the extension part first end to allow attachment of the hook means to the scaffold panel member. The attachment means in one example is in the form of a plate member. Preferably the attachment means and/or plate member is welded to the scaffold panel member in one example.

The extension part first end and"/or the attachment means can be integrally formed with the scaffold panel member, can be welded thereto, or attached via one or more nuts and bolts, screws, inter-engaging members and/or the like.

Preferably the hook part protrudes downwardly from the second end of the extension part towards a base edge of the scaffold panel member.

In one example, the hook part is in the form of a pin or arm member.

Preferably the extension part is of such dimensions so as provide a gap between the hook part and surface of the scaffold panel member, such as for example a front part of the scaffold panel member, sufficient to allow connection with a suitable scaffold support means in use.

In one embodiment the connection means includes at least one bracket portion. The bracket portion is provided on, integral with or associated with the scaffold panel member, and preferably a front surface of the scaffold panel member.

Preferably the bracket portion protrudes outwards, transverse to, at an acute angle to, substantially perpendicular to or perpendicular to the scaffold panel member in use.

Preferably the at least one bracket portion includes at least one slot or aperture for receiving a connection pin thercthrough in use to allow connection to scaffold support means in use.

Further preferably the connection means includes two or more bracket portions.

Preferably each bracket portion includes a slot or aperture for receiving a connection pin therethrough in use to allow connection to scaffold support means in use.

The two or more bracket portions are typically provided a spaced distance apart. Preferably the bracket portions and/or the slots or apertures in each bracket portion are aligned or substantially aligned so that a connection pin can pass through the slots or apertures of the two or more bracket portions in use.

Preferably the one or more bracket portions are plate like, flat or substantially flat members.

Preferably the two or more bracket portions are parallel or substantially parallel to each other in use.

Preferably the connection pin that is located through the one or more slots or apertures of the bracket portions has a narrowing taper from top edge towards a base edge thereof. The narrower base edge is typically located through the one or more slots or apertures first, thereby allowing easy location of the connection pin in the slot or aperture in use. The wider top edge typically prevents easy removal of the connection pin from the one or more slots or apertures in use.

Preferably the connection means includes an attachment portion. The attachment portion is arranged so as to allow attachment of the connection means and/or one or more bracket portions to the scaffold panel member in use.

Preferably the attachment portion is attached to the front surface of the scaffold panel member.

Preferably the attachment portion is arranged to be welded to the scaffold panel member in use. However, the attachment portion could be integrally formed with the scaffold panel member, could be attached via one or more screws, nuts and bolts, inter-engaging members and/or the like.

In one embodiment the attachment portion joins or is integral with the two or more bracket portions together and maintains the same a spaced distance apart.

In one embodiment a separate attachment portion is provided for each bracket portion of the connection means.

Tn one embodiment the at least one bracket portion is shaped so that two or more bracket portions of adjacent scaffold panel members can be brought into abutment or substantially into abutment with each other, or at least brought adjacent to each other without a significant gap between the same.

The distance provided between the upper hook means and the lower connection means can be adapted to allow the scaffold panel member to fit different scaffold systems. For example, the present invention could be used with a Layher® scaffold system, Quik stage scaffold system, Vanteel scaffold system, Cuplock scaffold system and/or the like.

In one embodiment the suitable scaffold support means with which the hook means and/or connection means are engageablc with in use is in the form of a rosette or an engagement member having one or more, and preferably a plurality, of slots defined therein.

In one embodiment the engagement member or rosette is a circular or substantially circular member having one or more, and preferably a plurality, of radially extending slots defined therein.

Preferably the rosette or engagement member is integral with a scaffold pole or has a first aperture which is of such dimensions so as to allow a scaffold pole to pass therethrough in use. The rosette or engagement member can be welded or connected to the scaffold pole via suitable means.

The scaffold pole is typically an elongate member and is preferably a substantially hollow channel member.

Preferably the scaffold pole is arranged so as to be substantially central of the rosette or engagement member.

Preferably one or more elements or all the scaffold apparatus is formed from steel, metal and/or the like.

In one embodiment the scaffold panel member comprises a frame with panel means defined between or within the frame.

The panel means can be in the form of or include a continuous panel, such as a plate like or sheet like panel and/or can be in the form of or include a mesh like member.

In one embodiment the panel means includes a toe board panel provided at or towards a base of the scaffold panel member and a mesh like member provided at or towards a top of the scaffold panel member. The hook means are provided at an end opposite from the end with the toe board panel.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of using scaffolding apparatus.

The scaffold apparatus of the present invention is sufficiently lightweight that it can be fitted by a single person located below a current scaffold level being erected.

A user first lifts the scaffold panel member and hooks the upper hook portion of the hook means on the left and right side of the panel member through slots defined on rosettes or engagement members associated with two spaced apart upright scaffold poles. Once the weight of the scaffold panel is supported by engagement of the hook means with the rosettes or engagement members, the user then inserts the connection pin through the slots of the bracket portions of the lower connection means and the slots of the rosettes or engagement members. This secures the scaffold panel member in place between the two upright scaffold poles.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the following figures: Figure 1 shows a scaffold panel member according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 shows a scaffold panel member according to a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 shows an enlarged view of connection means according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 shows an enlarged view of hook means according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 shows an enlarged view of the connection means in Figure 3 joined to a rosette; and Figure 6 shows an enlarged view of the hook means in Figure 4 joined to a rosette.

Referring to the figures, there is shown scaffold apparatus including a scaffold panel member 2 comprising a frame 4 having a top edge 6, a base edge 8 and side edges 10, 12. Panel means are provided between the frame 4 and comprise an upper mesh member 14 provided towards a top of the panel member 2 and a lower toe board panel 16 provided at a base of the panel member 2.

The mesh member 14 typically includes a plurality of upright or vertical arms 18 joined to a plurality of horizontal arms 20 to form a grid like member. The spaces between the horizontal and vertical arms 18, 20 are such so as to prevent tools, materials and/or people passing through the same in use, thereby acting as a safety barrier for people using the scaffold apparatus. The toe board panel 16 is typically a continuous sheet like member which prevents tools, materials and/or the like from passing therethrough in use.

In accordance with the present invention the scaffold panel member 2 comprises tipper hook means 22 provided on each side edge 10, 12 of frame 4 towards the top edge 6 thereof, and lower connection means 24 provided on each side edge 10, 12 of frame 4 towards the base edge 8 thereof.

Upper hook means 22 comprises an extension part 26 and a hook part 28. Ixtension part 26 has a first end 30 which is attached to side edge 10 in figure 4 via welding 32 or via suitable attachment means. Extension part 26 protrudes outwardly from frame 4, such that second end 34, that is opposite to first end 30, is a spaced distance from the front surface of frame 4. Hook part 28 is a pin like member that protrudes downwardly from second end 34 towards base edge 8 of frame 4.

Lower connection means 24 comprise two spaced apart and substantially parallel bracket portions 36, 36' with an attachment portion 38 therebetween. The attachment portion 38 is welded to side edge 10 of frame 4 in use. Hach of bracket portions 36, 36' has a slot 40, 40' defined therein. The bracket portions 36, 36' are arranged to form upper bracket portion 36 and lower bracket portion 36' and the slots 40, 40' are substantially aligned. A connection pin 42 is arranged to locate through the slots 40, 40' in use.

On erection of scaffolding, two spaced apart and substantially parallel scaffold poles 44 are provided in an upright position (only one of which is shown in the figures for clarity purposes). Engagement members or rosettes 46 are welded to the upright scaffold poles 44 at spaced apart positions suitable for engagement with the upper hook means 22 and lower connection means 24 of the scaffold panel member 2. Each rosette 46 is in the form of a substantially circular member 48 protruding outwardly from upright scaffold pole 44 in a substantially horizontal plane. The scaffold pole 44 is typically located substantially central of rosette 46. A plurality of radially extending slots 50 are defined in the body of rosette 46 in the horizontal plane. These slots 50 are arranged so as to allow engagement of the hook portion 28 of the upper hook means therethrough in an upper rosette 46, and engagement of the connection pin 42 therethrough of the lower connection means 24.

In use, a user typically stands below the level of the scaffolding currently being erected. The user lifts the scaffold panel member 2 in an upwardly direction so that the hook portions 28 of the upper hook means 22 arc engaged in a slot 50 of an upper rosette 46 attached to an upright scaffold pole 44. The weight of the scaffold panel member 2 is therefore typically supported in this engaged position. A user can then position the connection means 24 so that one upper bracket portion 40 is located above a lower rosette 46 and the attached lower bracket portion 40' is located below the rosette 46. A connection pin 42 is passed through the slots 40 of the bracket portions 40, 40' and the slot of the rosette 46 to securely engage the scaffold panel member 2 to the scaffold pole.

The connection pin 42 in the illustrations is typically provided with a narrowing taper from an upper edge 52 towards a base edge 54. The base edge 54 is inserted first through the slot in the upper most bracket portion 40, such that the wider upper edge 52 is located above the upper bracket portion 40 and the base edge 54 is located at or below the lower bracket portion 40'. The narrowing taper allows the connection pin 42 to be more easily located through the slots 40 of the bracket portions 40, 40' and the slot 50 of the rosette 46 while providing secure engagement of the pin 42 with the slots.

Although the connection means 24 are shown with two parallel bracket portions 36, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that a single bracket portion 36 could be provided with a single slot. In this arrangement the connection pin 42 would pass through the slot of the bracket portion and the slot of the rosette. In addition, the bracket portions 40, 40' could be provided with separate attachment portions 38 if required.

In the scaffold panel member 2 in figure 2, an additional upright frame member is provided midway between side edges 10, 12 to provide additional strength and rigidity to the panel.

In figure 5, an angled edge or tapered edge 52 is provided on the bracket portion 36 between the rear edge joined to the panel member 2 and the side edge closest to the scaffold pole 44. This angled edge creates a narrowing taper of the bracket portion from its free end to its end connected to the scaffold panel member, and allows bracket portions of adjacent connection means to be brought together with only a minimal gap between the same, thereby increasing the safety of the system. The angled edge 52 typically forms an acute angle with the horizontal axis and in one example is approximately 45 degrees. The angled edge 52 can be provided on the top and/or bottom portion 36, 36'.

Thus, the present invention provides an improved lightweight scaffold system that can be fitted with any conventional scaffold system. It can be fitted from below an existing scaffold level being constructed, thereby complying with current safety legislation. In addition, the scaffold apparatus is arranged so that any gaps between adjacent scaffold panel members and scaffold poles are minimised so that tools etc cannot fall between any gaps and injure people who may be below the scaffolding in use.

Claims

Claims: 1. Scaffolding apparatus, said apparatus including a scaffold panel member having at least a top edge and a base edge, wherein hook means are provided on or towards, associated with or adjacent the top edge of the scaffold panel member.
2. Scaffolding apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the hook means are arranged so as to be hookable onto suitable scaffold support means in use.
3. Scaffolding apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the hook means includes a curved, substantially LT-shape, substantially v-shape or indented portion and an opening of the curved, substantially LT-shape, substantially v-shape or indented portion faces away from the top edge of the scaffold panel member towards an opposite or base edge of the scaffold panel member.
4. Scaffolding apparatus according to claim 1 wherein connection means are provided on, towards, associated with or adjacent the base edge of the scaffold panel member.
5. Scaffolding apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the connection means are arranged so as to be connectable to suitable scaffold support means in use.
6. Scaffolding apparatus according to claims 2 or 5 wherein the suitable scaffold support means are a scaffold pole, a rosette and/or an engagement member having one or more slots defined therein.
7. Scaffolding apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the hook means includes an extension part that extends outwardly from the scaffold panel member and a hook part that protrudes downwardly from the extension part towards the base or opposite edge of the scaffold panel.
8. Scaffolding apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the extension part has a first end connected to, associated with or integral with a surface of the scaffold panel member, and a second end which protrudes outwardly from the scaffold panel member and is typically a spaced distance apart therefrom.
9. Scaffolding apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the first end of the extension part is attached to, associated with or integral with a front surface of the scaffold panel member.
10. Scaffolding apparatus according to claim 8 wherein attachment means are provided on or associated with the extension part first end to allow attachment of the hook means to the scaffold panel member.
11. Scaffolding apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the attachment means is in the form of a plate member.
12. Scaffolding apparatus according to claim 9 or 10 wherein the extension part first end and/or the attachment means are integrally formed with the scaffold panel member, welded thereto or attached via one or more nuts and bolts, screws and/or inter-engaging members.
13. Scaffolding apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the hook part is in the form of a pin or arm member.
14. Scaffolding apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the connection means includes at least one bracket portion.
15. Scaffolding apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the at least one bracket portion includes at least one slot or aperture for receiving a connection pin therethrough in use to allow connection to scaffold support means in use.
16. Scaffolding apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the at least one bracket portion protrudes outwardly, transverse to, at an acute angle to, substantially perpendicular to or perpendicular to the scaffold panel member.
17. Scaffolding apparatus according to claim 14 wherein two or more bracket portions are provided a spaced distance apart from each other.
18. Scaffolding apparatus according to claim 17 wherein each bracket portion has at least one slot or aperture defined therein and the at least one slot or aperture of the bracket portions are aligned or substantially aligned so that a connection pin can pass through the aligned slots or apertures of the two or more bracket portions in use.
19. Scaffolding apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the two or more bracket portions are parallel or substantially parallel to each other in use.
20. Scaffolding apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the one or more bracket portions are plate like members.
21. Scaffolding apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the connection pin that is located through the one or more slots or apertures of the bracket portions has a narrowing taper from a top edge towards a base edge thereof.
22. Scaffolding apparatus according to claims 4 or 14 wherein the connection means includes an attachment portion to allow the connection means and/or bracket portion to be attached to the scaffold panel member.
23. Scaffolding apparatus according to claim 22 wherein the attachment portion is integral with the scaffold panel member, or attached to the scaffold panel member via welding, one or more screws, nuts and bolts and/or inter-engaging members.
24. Scaffolding apparatus according to claim 22 wherein the attachment portion joins or is integral with the two or more bracket portions and maintains the bracket portions a spaced distance apart.
25. Scaffolding apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein a separate attachment portion is provided for each bracket portion of the connection means.
26. Scaffolding apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the at least one bracket portion is shaped so that bracket portions of adjacent scaffold panel members can be brought into abutment or substantial abutment, or adjacent to each other so that a significant gap is not provided between the scaffold panel members.
27. Scaffolding apparatus according to claim 26 wherein the at least bracket portion has a narrowing taper from a free end to an end attached to or adjacent the scaffold panel member or has a recess or angled edge between the side and rear edge of the bracket portion.
28. Scaffolding apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the engagement member or rosette is a circular or substantially circular member with one or more radially extending slots defined therein.
29. A method of using scaffolding apparatus, said apparatus including a scaffold panel member having at least a top edge and a base edge, wherein the method includes the step of hooking hook means, which are provided on or towards, associated with or adjacent the top edge of the scaffold panel member, onto scaffold support means.