GB2562092B - Scaffold coupler - Google Patents

Description

Scaffold coupler

The present disclosure relates to a scaffold coupler. In particular to a scaffold coupler that is suitable for clamping a pair of scaffold tubes perpendicular to one another.

It is usual, when constructing scaffolding, to clamp pairs of scaffold tubes perpendicular to one another at various points around the scaffolding. Among the most common forms of coupler for such purpose are single and double couplers. Single couplers comprise a hinged clamp that is attached to a curved plate. Double couplers comprise a pair of hinged clamps that are attached to one another.

Both arrangements function well, hence their widespread use. They do, however, suffer drawbacks. For example, a single coupler cannot be used to form a load bearing joint, since the nature of the curved plate is such that one of the scaffold tubes could be de-coupled. A double coupler, whilst suitable for use in forming a structural joint provides opposed protruding treads/bolts, which can, for example, cause injury to workmen or the public and/or damage cladding sheets on the scaffolding.

The present invention arose in a bid to provide an improved means for coupling scaffold tubes to provide structural joints whilst obviating the abovementioned problems.

According to the present invention, in a first aspect, there is provided a scaffold coupler for clamping first and second scaffold poles perpendicular to one another as recited by Claim 1.

The scaffold coupler according to the first aspect may, for example, be used to provide rigidity to transoms across ledgers, replacing single couplers that provide no stiffness to a scaffolding structure. In such a circumstance, the need to use an extra tube on double couplers on the underside of the ledger to create the stiffness in the structure at every standard location will be obviated.

The scaffold coupler according to the first aspect provides a flush surface on one side (in particular since there is no protruding tread/bolt), which is particularly beneficial: 1) when the scaffolding is clad with sheeting, wherein with no protruding bolts the sheeting will present neater and be less prone to damage; 2) when the scaffold coupler is used at street level to provide a smooth surface to all scaffold towers, handrails and foot ties; or 3) when the scaffold coupler is used on site access ways providing smooth unhindered edge protection without a bolt protruding into the walkway.

Further, preferred, features are presented in the dependent claims.

Non-limiting embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of the scaffold coupler in use, with a pair of scaffold tubes received thereby, and the two clamps of the coupler in loosened and released states respectively;

Figure 2 shows a side view of the clamp of Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a top view of the clamp of Figure 1; and

Figure 4 shows a front view of the clamp of Figure 1.

The present invention provides a scaffold coupler 1 for clamping first and second scaffold poles 2, 3 perpendicular to one another. The coupler comprises a main body 4, which comprises first and second guides 5, 6 arranged to direct the positioning of the first and second poles, and a pair of clamps 7. The main body 4 comprises a pair of spaced apart limbs 8 on opposed sides of the first guide 5. Each of the limbs has a notch 9 formed therein, with the notches 9 in the limbs together defining the second guide 6. One of the clamps 7 is mounted on each of the limbs 8.

As clearly seen, the main body 4 consists of a plate. That is, the main body is unitarily formed from a plate. With such a form, the limbs 8 are each substantially planar. As will be readily appreciated, however, the main body need not be so formed. For example, it could be forged or otherwise manufactured, wherein no portion needs be planar. It is preferred that the limbs 8 are substantially parallel to one another.

The main body flares out from opposed sides of the first guide 5, as clearly seen in the Figures. By this flared form, the spacing between the limbs 8 is increased. As best seen in the top view of Figure 3, the main body comprises a cradle 10, which defines the first guide 5. The cradle 10 is substantially semi-circular when viewed in plan view (as in the top view of Figure 3). The cradle has a length extending along an axis of the semicircle (and thereby along the axis of the first scaffold pole), as best seen in Figures 2 and 4. The cradle comprises a curved inner surface and a curved outer surface. The main body flares out from opposed edges of the cradle. Intermediate portions 11, which provide for the flared profile in the present arrangement, lie between the cradle 10 and the limbs 8. The intermediate portions extend substantially radially and lie substantially perpendicular to the limbs, which project forward relative to both the intermediate portions and the cradle.

An important aspect of the present arrangement is that the scaffold coupler presents a smooth/ substantially flush outer surface on the outside of the first scaffold pole (the rear surface of the scaffold coupler as seen in Figure 1). This is due to the fact that in the present arrangement, in contrast to the prior art double couplers, there are no clamping bolts projecting rearwards.

The limbs, which project forwards, as seen in Figure 1, are provided with the notches 9, which define the second guide 6. The notches have curved profiles such that they generally conform to the outer profile of the second scaffold pole to be guided thereby. As may be seen in Figure 2, the scaffold coupler is configured, in dependence on the diameter of scaffold poles it is to clamp together (which are typically of standard circular form with an outside diameter of 48.3mm), such that with the first and second poles received by the guides, the poles contact one another and a clamping force applied to the second scaffold pole by the clamps is transmitted directly to the first scaffold pole by the second scaffold pole. Specifically, the scaffold coupler is arranged such that a distance from the rearmost point of the inner surface of the cradle to the rearmost point of the notches is less than the outside diameter of the first scaffold pole that is received by the cradle/first guide.

Whilst the inner surface of the cradle is shown to be curved, which makes it ideal for use with circular scaffold tubes (with the inner curved surface conforming closely to the outer profile of the first scaffold tube and thereby cradling it), the cradle may be otherwise formed to conform to scaffold poles that have different profiles, as will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art. The same applies to the curved profile of the notches that define the second guide, which may be adapted to suit non-circular scaffold poles.

As shown, it is preferred that the clamps comprise hinged clamps. Each of the clamps comprises a closable element (or tongue) 12, which is pivotally mounted to the respective limb on a first side of the notch and spans the notch in a closed position, as best seen in Figure 2. Each of the clamps further comprises a bolt 13, which is pivotally mounted on an opposed second side of the notch and engageable with the closable element in its closed position. As may be seen, the mounting axes of the closable elements and bolts extend substantially parallel to an axis of the second guide. Each of the closable elements is provided with a notch 14 for receiving a respective one of the bolts. Nuts 15 apply the clamping force to the closable elements. The closable elements have curved clamping surfaces to suit the outer profile of the scaffold poles, however, as discussed above with reference to the cradle and notches, the profile may be adapted to suit alternative pole profiles.

There may be provided one or more clamping bolts 16 that penetrate the cradle for applying a clamping force against a scaffold tube received by the first guide. The clamping bolts may threadably engage suitable bosses or nuts attached to the cradle, as shown. The present arrangement provides two opposed clamping bolts although in alternative arrangements a single clamping bolt only may be provided.

For safety purposes, it is preferable that a loop 17 is provided that is attached to the scaffold coupler for attachment to a tether or similar to prevent a coupler falling to the ground during installation or removal. The loop may fasten to a tether worn by a worker for example. In the present arrangement the loop is attached to one of the bolts but it could be otherwise arranged, as will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art.

Claims (16)

Claims

1. A scaffold coupler for clamping first and second scaffold poles perpendicular to one another, the coupler comprising a main body, which comprises first and second guides arranged to direct the positioning of the first and second poles, respectively, and a pair of clamps, wherein the main body comprises a pair of spaced apart limbs on opposed sides of the first guide, each of the limbs having a notch formed therein, with the notches in the limbs together defining the second guide, wherein a respective one of the clamps is mounted on each of the limbs, and wherein the main body flares out from opposed sides of the first guide to thereby increase the spacing between the limbs.

2. A scaffold coupler as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the limbs are each substantially planar.

3. A scaffold coupler as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the main body consists of a plate.

4. A scaffold coupler as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the limbs are substantially parallel to one another.

5. A scaffold coupler as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the notches have curved profiles.

6. A scaffold coupler as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the clamps comprise hinged clamps.

7. A scaffold coupler as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each of the clamps comprises a closable element, which is pivotally mounted to the limb on a first side of the notch and spans the notch in a closed position.

8. A scaffold coupler as claimed in Claim 7, wherein each of the clamps further comprises a bolt, which is pivotally mounted on an opposed second side of the notch and engageable with the closable element in its closed position.

9. A scaffold coupler as claimed in Claim 7 or 8, wherein the mounting axes of the closable elements and/or bolts extend substantially parallel to an axis of the second guide.

10. A scaffold coupler as claimed in Claim 8, wherein each of the closable elements is provided with a notch for receiving a respective one of the bolts.

11. A scaffold coupler as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the closable elements have curved clamping surfaces.

12. A scaffold coupler as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the main body comprises a cradle, which defines the first guide.

13. A scaffold coupler as claimed in Claim 12, wherein the cradle has a curved inner surface and/or a curved outer surface.

14. A scaffold coupler as claimed in Claim 12 or 13 further comprising one or more clamping bolts that penetrate the cradle for applying a clamping force against a scaffold tube received by the first guide.

15. A scaffold coupler as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising a loop attached to the scaffold coupler for attachment to a tether.

16. A scaffold coupler as claimed in Claim 15, when dependent on Claim 8, wherein the loop is attached to one of the bolts.