GB2532981A - Scaffold support - Google Patents

Abstract

A scaffold pole fastening apparatus 5, for securing two adjacent perpendicular scaffolding poles, comprises a pole receiving housing 1 operable to receive and substantially enclose a portion of a first pole 10, and two or more fasteners 30 mounted to the pole receiving housing 1. Fasteners 30 are operable to hold a portion of a second pole 20 in contact with the first pole. The first and second poles are substantially perpendicular to one another. Fastener mountings 35, 55 are positioned substantially adjacent to the second pole 20.

Description

SCAFFOLD SUPPORT

The present invention relates to apparatus for scaffolding construction.

More particularly, the present invention involves apparatus for connecting together scaffolding poles in a secure manner.

The field of scaffolding traditionally uses particular terminology for the configurations and orientations of standard-sized scaffolding poles within a 10 scaffold, which when assembled in a scaffold arrangement are known as "standards", "ledgers" and "transoms".

So-called "standards" are scaffolding poles that are oriented in a vertical direction, extending from the ground to the top of the scaffolding structure, thus providing the vertical supports for the rest of the scaffolding.

So-called "ledgers" are scaffolding poles that run horizontally between the standards, and which are usually oriented parallel to the structure around which the scaffolding is being erected. The ledgers provide a second dimension of support to the scaffolding structure and enable the distribution of weight between the standards.

So-called "transoms" are scaffolding poles that also run horizontally, but which are perpendicular to the ledgers. Transoms provide additional structural support to the scaffolding structure to create support in a third dimension. Transoms also provide supports upon which wooden scaffolding boards can be placed so that the scaffolding boards can be used to form a walkway and thereby allow personnel to use the walkways to access the outer faces of the structure around which the scaffolding is being erected.

Further scaffolding poles can be used, for example at 45 degree angles between the transoms, ledgers or standards, to brace the scaffold structure as appropriate for the size and required strength of a scaffold.

Conventional techniques for connecting together the perpendicular scaffolding poles known as ledgers and transoms typically use an apparatus known as a "putlog coupler". A putlog coupler uses a single clamping fastener, which is secured around a ledger scaffolding pole using a tightenable mechanism, and a 'hook', which extends over the top of a transom scaffolding pole. The hook is typically made from sheet metal which is shaped into a part-cylindrical portion, where the shape of the hook is matched to the typical curvature of the outer diameter of a scaffolding pole. As the fastener is tightened about the ledger, the ledger and transom are forced together, and by the same action the transom is pushed into contact with the inside face of the hook, securing the two poles together.

In high winds, large scaffolding structures have been known to sway considerably. Typically, sheeting is provided that surrounds the outside of scaffolding structures to prevent tools and materials from falling from the scaffolding walkways, for the safety of those beneath. The sheeting can act to magnify the effect of wind on the scaffolding structure. These winds can cause a swaying motion in the scaffolding structure which can move the position of the poles relative to each other significantly and, where putlog couplers are used, the couplers can move such that the coupler detaches, or becomes "unhooked", from the transom and, once detached, the putlog coupler no longer provides any structural connection thus the structural integrity of the scaffolding structure is reduced.

Alternative pieces of apparatus that can be used to connect perpendicular scaffolding poles include a "right angle coupler'.

The right angle coupler is an apparatus that secures the transom and the ledger scaffolding poles together, using a clamp fastener around each of the transom and ledger, each fastener being secured by a single arm with a threaded section at the free end and a nut. As each of the transom and ledger scaffolding poles are each completely enclosed by a fastener of the apparatus, the two poles are secured together by the apparatus without the risk of "unhooking" as easily as a putlog coupler. However, the placement of the arm used to tighten the fastener around the transom results in the section of the pole at which the apparatus is used being unsuitable for the placement of wooden scaffolding boards on top of the coupler, as the surface of the coupler on which a wooden scaffolding board would normally be placed presents the threaded section of the arm and nut used to secure the clamp fastener to the transom scaffolding pole. Further, the right angle coupler is typically not suitable for use without protective coverings on the exposed arms and nuts, as the protrusions formed by the protruding sections of the arms risk injuring those who come into contact with the exposed surface of the coupler. The right angle coupler is also not suitable for use in very close proximity to another surface, such as when scaffolding is positioned against a structure, because the protrusion of the arms and nuts would mean that, where scaffolding is positioned next to a structure, there would need to be a gap between the scaffolding and the structure to accommodate the arms and nuts.

The present invention seeks to provide a more secure scaffolding coupling apparatus while avoiding or mitigating some or all of the disadvantages of the existing apparatus.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pole receiving housing operable to receive and substantially enclose a portion of a first pole, and two or more fasteners mounted to the pole receiving housing, said fasteners operable to hold a portion of a second pole in contact with the first pole, wherein the first and second poles are substantially perpendicular, and wherein the fastener mountings are positioned substantially adjacently to the second pole. By substantially enclosing the first pole within a housing and using two fasteners to hold the second pole against the first pole, the connection between the first and second poles should demonstrate high structural strength. Thus, a scaffolding structure using the apparatus should demonstrate higher structural strength and be more resistant to external forces, for example to strong winds acting on the scaffolding structure. As the fastener mountings are positioned where the second pole is engaged by the housing, rather than where the first pole is enclosed by the housing, a low-profile surface is established on the side of the housing enclosing the first pole. Having a low-profile surface, where the housing encloses the first pole, reduces or eliminates the need for coverings if, for example, the apparatus is placed at pedestrian level on a pavement. The low-profile surface also, for example, allows for scaffolding to be erected closer to a structure as the low-profile surface does not obstruct positioning of the scaffolding next to the structure. The low-profile surface also reduces the obstructions to other scaffolding elements, for example wooden scaffolding boards can be placed upon the low-profile surface of the housing.

Optionally, the support further comprises two or more fasteners wherein one end of each of the fasteners is pivotally secured on the pole receiving housing.

By fixing the fasteners at one end to the apparatus, the fasteners won't become detached from the apparatus and this reduces the likelihood of scaffolding parts being dropped, which is a particular problem where this occurs from a part of the scaffolding structure that is a significant distance above the ground as the apparatus is a single part, rather than an apparatus having a housing and separate fasteners which may be more easily misplaced or dropped. The pivoting arrangement also allows the tightening of the fasteners to be adjusted and can also allow the fasteners to adjust to secure different poles having variable sized diameters. The pivoting fasteners also allow the second pole to be fastened into the apparatus when the housing is in place on the first pole, allowing flexibility in how the scaffolding is assembled.

Optionally, the pivotally secured ends of the fasteners are positioned at longitudinally opposite ends of the pole receiving housing from each other.

Where the pivoting fasteners are fixed at opposite ends to one another, the loads on the apparatus will be more evenly applied between the fasteners and between the fixed and the tightenable sides of the fasteners.

Optionally, the fasteners are spaced apart along the longitudinal axis of the second pole.

When the fasteners are spaced apart from each other, the load on the second pole will be more evenly distributed. If the two fasteners are not positioned with adequate separation along the longitudinal axis of the second pole, the apparatus might be able to pivot relative to the second pole, should a sufficient moment be applied, and the result of this application of force might be to either weaken the structural integrity of the scaffold by breaking the apparatus or by damaging the second pole.

Optionally, each of the fasteners is able to be secured at a non-pivoted end onto the pole receiving housing of the apparatus using an adjustable tightening mechanism wherein the pole receiving housing and fasteners are operable to provide a secure physical contact between the two poles.

Providing an adjustable tightening mechanism allows the second pole to be secured within the apparatus with adjustable tightness, or allows the accommodation of some variation in the diameter of the second pole, thus providing a more secure fit and increasing the structural rigidity of the coupling between the first and second poles.

Optionally, the tightening of the fasteners secures the first and second poles in abutment and wherein the first pole is held against the inner surface of the pole receiving housing.

By ensuring that the first and second poles are in contact with each other, and that the first pole is in contact with the housing, the fasteners can be secured around the second pole to provide a secure connection between the first and second pole allowing little or no movement once the fasteners are tightened. Thus, once the fasteners are tightened, the apparatus braces the first and second scaffolding poles together, providing increased structural rigidity.

Optionally, there is provided a machine readable map, or machine readable instructions, configured to enable a 3D printer to manufacture the apparatus.

Providing some format of configuration file for 3D printing the apparatus, or portions of the apparatus, allows for convenient manufacture and potentially more efficient provision of scaffolding parts.

According to a further aspect, there is a provided a method for enabling two adjacent substantially perpendicular scaffolding poles to be secured together, the method comprising: substantially enclosing a first pole within a pole receiving housing; and securing a second pole in physical contact with the first pole using two or more fasteners mounted to the pole receiving housing, the fasteners being positioned substantially adjacently to the second pole wherein, in use, the second pole is secured in a substantially perpendicular direction to the first pole.

By substantially enclosing the first pole within a housing and using two fasteners to hold the second pole against the first pole, the connection between the first and second poles should demonstrate high structural strength. Thus, a scaffolding structure using the apparatus should demonstrate higher structural strength and be more resistant to external forces, for example to strong winds acting on the scaffolding structure. As the fastener mountings are positioned where the second pole is engaged by the housing, rather than where the first pole is enclosed by the housing, a low-profile surface is established on the side of the housing enclosing the first pole. Having a low-profile surface, where the housing encloses the first pole, reduces or eliminates the need for coverings if, for example, the apparatus is placed at pedestrian level on a pavement. The low-profile surface also, for example, allows for scaffolding to be erected closer to a structure as the low-profile surface does not obstruct positioning of the scaffolding next to the structure. The low-profile surface also reduces the obstructions to other scaffolding elements, for example wooden scaffolding boards can be placed upon the low-profile surface of the housing.

In a more general aspect, there is provided an apparatus for securing two substantially perpendicular adjacent scaffolding poles comprising a substantially cylindrical hollow section for use as a housing for the said first pole, upon which two or more fasteners are mounted on substantially opposite sides of the pole separated by the longitudinal axis of the pole, for securely holding the said second pole against the said first pole, which in turn is securely held against the inner surface of the said housing.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings having like-reference numerals, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a first embodiment showing a fastening apparatus connecting a first and a second pole together; Figure 2 is an alternative side view of the fastening apparatus of Figure 1, showing the fastening apparatus connecting a first and a second pole together from an alternative perspective; and Figure 3 is a plan view of the fastening apparatus of Figures 1 and 2 showing the fastening apparatus connecting a first and a second pole together from a further alternative perspective.

A first embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3.

With reference to Figure 1, and according to a first embodiment, there is shown a scaffold pole fastening apparatus 5 for securing together a first scaffolding pole 10 and a second scaffolding pole 20. For example, the first scaffolding pole 10 can be a transom scaffolding pole and the second scaffolding pole 20 can be a ledger scaffolding pole. The apparatus 5 is shown with the first scaffolding pole 10 and the second scaffolding pole 20 in a fastened arrangement.

The scaffolding pole fastening apparatus 5 can be used to fasten together any suitable scaffolding poles, rather than only the above-mentioned example of a transom scaffolding pole and a ledger scaffolding pole, allowing the apparatus 5 to be used to fasten different types of scaffolding poles in a substantially perpendicular relationship.

The scaffolding pole fastening apparatus 5 is formed from a part-cylindrical housing 1 having two fasteners 30. The part-cylindrical housing 1 is formed as a U-shaped metal plate, or bracket, where the curved portion has an internal diameter slightly larger than the external diameter of a scaffolding pole 10.

Typically, a standard scaffolding pole used in the United Kingdom has a cross-sectional external diameter of 48.3 mm, but there is an expectation that there will be some variation in this measurement due to manufacturing imperfections. In order to accommodate this size of standard scaffolding pole in the pole receiving housing 1, the typical dimensions of the cross-sectional internal diameter of the curved portion of the housing 1 would be approximately 50 mm. This would allow a first scaffolding pole 10 to be inserted into the curved portion of the housing 1 without frictional damage to either component but also without excessive freedom of movement of the first scaffolding pole 10 within the housing 1. For different diameters of scaffolding poles, the housing size can be varied according to the diameter of the scaffolding pole in order to allow the scaffolding pole to fit within the curved portion of the housing without frictional damage to either component but also without excessive freedom of movement of the scaffolding pole within the housing.

The U-shaped bracket of housing 1 can receive a first scaffolding pole 10 within the curved portion along a first axis and the bracket 1 is shown in Figure 1 with a first scaffolding pole 10 in place within the housing 1. The metal bracket 1 has aligned notches 2 cut into the both walls of the bracket 1 for receiving a second scaffolding pipe 20 along a second axis, the second axis being perpendicular to the first axis. The second scaffolding pole 20 is also shown in this position in Figure 1.

The notches 2 are substantially semi-circular with a radius slightly larger than the external diameter of a scaffolding pole 20. The notches 2 are aligned and positioned to allow a second scaffolding pole 20 to abut both the first scaffolding pipe 10 and the notches 2, when positioned along the second axis, as shown in Figure 1.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the fasteners 30 are provided at each end of the bracket walls of the housing 1, such that this positioning allows the fasteners 30 to secure a scaffolding pole 20, positioned against the notches 2, to the bracket 1. Each of the fasteners 30 is pivotally secured to the housing 1 using a hinge 35, and both fasteners 30 are provided with an adjustable connection mechanism 40, 45, 50, 55 at the non-pivoted end of the fastener 30 with which to secure the fastener 30 to the housing 1.

Each of the fasteners 30 is secured to the housing 1 such that, in use, the second scaffolding pole 20 can be secured, abutting the notches 2 and the first scaffolding pole 10, by the housing 1 using the fasteners 30. Each fastener 30 is capable of being fastened around the second scaffolding pole 20 using an adjustable tightening mechanism 40, 45, 50, 55.

In this embodiment, the fasteners 30 are provided in a reverse orientation to the other, such that the first fastener 30 is pivotally connected to the housing 1 on 35 the same wall as the second fastener 30 is capable of being fastened to the housing 1 using the adjustable tightening mechanism 40, 45, 50, 55. In other embodiments, however, it is possible that both fasteners are oriented in the same way, so both are pivotally connected to the housing 1 on the same wall of the housing 1 and the adjustable tightening mechanism 40, 45, 50, 55 can be used to fasten the other end of the fasteners 30 to the other wall of the housing 1.

The fasteners 30 each comprise a piece of metal, curved so as to enclose and maintain physical contact with the second scaffolding pole 20 when the second scaffolding pole 20 is in position abutting the first scaffolding pole 10 and the housing 1.

The adjustable tightening mechanism comprises an arm 45 that can pivot on a hinge 55 and which is secured to the housing 1. The hinge 55 is provided in the wall of the bracket 1. The adjustable tightening mechanism is provided with a threaded portion 50 towards the free end of the arm 45 along which a nut 40 can be threaded. At the free end of the fastener 30, i.e. the end of the fastener 30 that is not pivotally connected to the housing 1, there is a recess with which the arm 45 can mate, allowing the nut 40 to be tightened using the threaded portion 50 such that, when sufficiently tightened, the arm 45 is held in place in the recess in the fastener 30. Once the nut 40 is sufficiently tightened, the adjustable tightening mechanism holds the fastener 30 in place around the second scaffolding pipe 20, such that the second scaffolding pole 20 abuts the first scaffolding pole 10 and causes the first scaffolding pipe 10 to about the inside surface of the curved surface of the housing 1 and thus secures both the first scaffolding pole 10 and the second scaffolding pole 20 together with the housing 1.

The apparatus is typically made from steel, but can be formed from any material demonstrating the required physical properties to support a scaffold, such as iron, stainless steel, titanium, carbon fibre, aluminium or bronze. The housing 1 can be formed from sheet metal pressed into the required shape. Other methods of manufacture are possible and include cold die compaction using stationary and rotary presses, cold and hot isostafic compression, powder injection moulding and selective laser sintering. The arms 45, fasteners 30, nuts 40 and hinges 35 55, being smaller components, are likely to be formed using metal injection moulding or cold isostatic pressing.

Other methods of manufacture may also be used. For example, the housing or apparatus may be manufactured by way of '3D printing' whereby a three-dimensional model of the surface is supplied, in machine readable form, to a '3D printer' adapted to manufacture the housing or apparatus. This may be by additive means such as extrusion deposition, Electron Beam Freeform Fabrication (EBF), granular materials binding, lamination, photopolymerization, or stereolithography or a combination thereof. The machine readable model comprises a spatial map of the object or pattern to be printed, typically in the form of a Cartesian coordinate system defining the object's or pattern's surfaces. This spatial map may comprise a computer file which may be provided in any one of a number of file conventions. One example of a file convention is a STL (STereoLithography) file which may be in the form of ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) or binary and specifies areas by way of triangulated surfaces with defined normals and vertices. An alternative file format is AMF (Additive Manufacturing File) which provides the facility to specify the material and texture of each surface as well as allowing for curved triangulated surfaces. The mapping of the surface may then be converted into instructions to be executed by 3D printer according to the printing method being used. This may comprise splitting the model into slices (for example, each slice corresponding to an x-y plane, with successive layers building the z dimension) and encoding each slice into a series of instructions. The instructions sent to the 3D printer may comprise Numerical Control (NC) or Computer NC (CNC) instructions, preferably in the form of G-code (also called RS-274), which comprises a series of instructions regarding how the 3D printer should act. The instructions vary depending on the type of 3D printer being used, but in the example of a moving printhead the instructions include: how the printhead should move, when / where to deposit material, the type of material to be deposited, and the flow rate of the deposited material.

The apparatus or housing as described herein may be embodied in one such machine readable model, for example a machine readable map or instructions, for example to enable a physical representation of said housing or apparatus to be produced by 3D printing. This may be in the form of a software code mapping of the housing or surface and/or instructions to be supplied to a 3D printer (for example numerical code).

As shown in Figure 3, the first scaffolding pole 10 and the second scaffolding pole 20 are held together within the housing 1 once the adjustable tightening mechanism 40, 45, 50, 55 is sufficiently tightened such that the second scaffolding pole 20 abuts the first scaffolding pole 10 and causes the first scaffolding pipe 10 to abut the inside surface of the curved surface of the housing 1. This holds the first scaffolding pole 10 in a perpendicular relationship to the second scaffolding pole 20.

The typical longitudinal length of the housing 1 is approximately 100 mm. The first scaffolding pole 10 and the housing 1 are longitudinally aligned, such that the first scaffolding pole 10 fits inside the housing 1. When viewed from the side, with reference to Figure 1, such that the cross-sections of the first scaffolding pole 10 and the housing 1 are visible, the relative diameters of the first scaffolding pole 10 and of the housing 1 are apparent. The housing 1 has an approximate radius of 25 mm, in order for an industry standard scaffolding pole, which for example can be used as a ledger, could be firmly secured between the fasteners 30 and the housing 1.

When used, the apparatus 5 is introduced to the first scaffolding pole 10 before both ends of the first scaffolding pole 10 are obstructed by scaffolding structural components, as otherwise the first scaffolding pole 10 could not be fitted into the housing 1. Once the first scaffolding pole 10 is inserted into the curved portion of the housing 1, the nuts 40 are unscrewed from the threaded sections of the arms 50, and the arms 45 are then removed from the recesses of the fasteners 30. The fasteners 30 are then free to pivot away from the housing 1, allowing the introduction of the second scaffolding pole 20 to the space between the fasteners 30 and the housing 1. Once the second scaffolding pole 20 is in place between the housing 1 and the fasteners 30, the fasteners 30 are pivoted towards the second scaffolding pole 20, and the arms 45 are introduced to the corresponding recesses in the fasteners 30. The nuts 40 are then screwed towards the fasteners 30, until the fasteners 30 are firmly secured against the second scaffolding pole 20. The second scaffolding pole 20 and the first scaffolding pole 10 are in physical contact within the housing 1, and so by tightening the fasteners 30 around the second scaffolding pole 20, the second scaffolding pole 20 is forced against the first scaffolding pole 10. By the same action, the first scaffolding pole 10 is pushed into contact with the inside face of the housing 1, securing both scaffolding poles together.

The advantage of the present invention is that by substantially enclosing the first scaffolding pole 10 within a housing 1, and using fasteners 30 to hold the second scaffolding pole 20 against the first scaffolding pole 10, the tightening of the fasteners 30 secures the second scaffolding pole 20 against the first scaffolding pole 10 which in turn is secured against the inner surface of the housing 1. Once the nuts 40 are sufficiently tightened, the poles 10 20 are held together in a very secure manner, such that they are substantially immobilised. Thus, a scaffolding structure using the apparatus 5 should demonstrate a higher structural strength and be more resistant to external forces than a conventional scaffolding structure, for example by demonstrating increased resistance to strong winds acting on the scaffolding structure. Further, by having the fasteners 30 mounted near where the second scaffolding pole 20 is engaged by the housing 1, a low-profile surface of the housing 1 is established adjacent to the first scaffolding pole 10. This low-profile surface provides several advantages, for example reducing or eliminating the need for coverings if the apparatus is placed at pedestrian level on a pavement, allowing for scaffolding to be erected closer to a structure without obstructing positioning of the scaffolding next to the structure and reducing the obstructions to other scaffolding elements thereby allowing wooden scaffolding boards to be placed upon the low-profile surface of the housing 1. The pivoted connections of the fasteners 30 and arms 45 onto the housing 1 using hinges 35 55, provides the further advantage of preventing the fasters 30 and arms 45 from becoming detached from the housing 1. This allows for easier construction of the scaffold itself as the necessary features for assembly are inextricably part of the apparatus 5, as well as minimising the health and safety risk of coupler components falling onto those below. The pivotal arrangement of the fasteners 30 also allows for them to be tightened to a greater or lesser degree around the second scaffolding pole 20, possibly depending on the diameter of the pole used or the required structural integrity of the scaffold under construction.

It should be noted that in an alternative embodiment, the apparatus 5 can be arranged to fasten scaffolding poles together where the scaffolding poles are in an arrangement where the poles are not exactly perpendicular relative to each other.

In a further alternative embodiment, the housing 1 can be enlarged so as to accommodate two poles simultaneously, the second pole running parallel to the first scaffolding pole 10 as represented in Figure 1. The tightening of the fasteners secures the second scaffolding pole 20 against the first scaffolding pole 10, as in the abovementioned embodiment. However the first scaffolding pole 10 is now secured against a third pole, which is itself secured against the inner surface of the housing 1.

In another alternative embodiment, an additional housing is secured onto the abovementioned low-profile surface, adapting the existing housing 1 to allow for physical contact between a third pole being housed and the first scaffolding pole 10, and also providing accommodation for the third pole. The tightening of the fasteners 30 secures the second scaffolding pole 20 against the first scaffolding pole 10, as in the abovementioned embodiment. However the first scaffolding pole 10 is now secured against the third pole while its relative position is maintained by the adapted housing 1, and the third pole is secured against the inner surface of the additional housing. The position of the additional housing in one embodiment positions the third pole in such a way as to be parallel to the first scaffolding pole 10, or according to another embodiment positions the third pole so as to be perpendicular to the first scaffolding pole 10, or any other relative angle between the first scaffolding pole 10 and the third pole.

In a further alternative embodiment, the method of tightening the fasteners is not restricted to using a pivotally secured arm 45 with a threaded section 50 and a nut 40. The tightening method could include any known method of fastening together two materials provided the method imparts sufficient strength to the assembly so as to avoid the fasteners 30 becoming released unintentionally. Such methods of tightening the fasteners 30 could include buckling, clamping, clipping or ratcheting. Any system feature as described herein may also be provided as a method feature, and vice versa. As used herein, means plus function features may be expressed alternatively in terms of their corresponding structure.

Any feature in one aspect of the invention may be applied to other aspects of the invention, in any appropriate combination. In particular, method aspects may be applied to system aspects, and vice versa. Furthermore, any, some and/or all features in one aspect can be applied to any, some and/or all features in any other aspect, in any appropriate combination.

It should also be appreciated that particular combinations of the various features described and defined in any aspects of the invention can be implemented and/or supplied and/or used independently.

Claims (10)

1. CLAIMS: 1. An apparatus for securing two adjacent substantially perpendicular scaffolding poles comprising: a pole receiving housing operable to receive and substantially enclose a portion of a first pole; and two or more fasteners mounted to the pole receiving housing, said fasteners operable to hold a portion of a second pole in contact with the first pole, wherein the first and second poles are substantially perpendicular, and wherein the fastener mountings are positioned substantially adjacently to the second pole.
2. 2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein one end of each of the fasteners is pivotally secured on the pole receiving housing.
3. 3. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the pivotally secured ends of the fasteners are positioned at longitudinally opposite ends of the pole receiving housing from each other.
4. 4. An apparatus according to claims 2 or 3 wherein the fasteners are spaced apart along the longitudinal axis of the second pole.
5. 5. An apparatus according to any of claims 2 to 4 wherein each of the fasteners is able to be secured at a non-pivoted end onto the pole receiving housing of the apparatus using an adjustable tightening mechanism wherein the pole receiving housing and fasteners are operable to provide a secure physical contact between the two poles.
6. 6. An apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the tightening of the fasteners secures the first and second poles in abutment and wherein the first pole is held against the inner surface of the pole receiving housing.
7. 7. A machine readable map, or machine readable instructions, configured to enable a 3D printer to manufacture the apparatus of any preceding claim.
8. 8. A method for enabling two adjacent substantially perpendicular scaffolding poles to be secured together, the method comprising: substantially enclosing a first pole within a pole receiving housing; and securing a second pole in physical contact with the first pole using two or more fasteners mounted to the pole receiving housing, the fasteners being positioned substantially adjacently to the second pole wherein, in use, the second pole is secured in a substantially perpendicular direction to the first pole.
9. 9. An apparatus referred to and substantially described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.
10. 10.A method referred to and substantially herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.