GB2589868A

GB2589868A - Scaffold coupler

Info

Publication number: GB2589868A
Application number: GB1918042.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dudhia Shiraz
Original assignee: EAZYPROP Ltd
Current assignee: EAZYPROP Ltd
Priority date: 2019-12-09
Filing date: 2019-12-09
Publication date: 2021-06-16
Also published as: GB201918042D0

Abstract

A scaffold coupler 1 comprises a first jaw 2 pivotally attached to a second jaw 3 at a hinge 4, the jaws being shaped to accommodate at least one scaffold tube. The first jaw comprises a locking area 6, 7, 8 adjacent an end remote from the hinge, the locking area comprising an aperture 8 for a bolt 17 that when tightened against the locking area may releasably lock the jaws. The coupler further comprises a captive nut 15 pivotally attached to the second jaw remote from the hinge, the captive nut having a threaded through-hole 16. The jaws and captive nut are arranged such that closure of the first jaw towards the second jaw rotates the captive nut such that the nut’s through-hole is substantially aligned with the aperture in the locking area. Preferably, the first jaw contacts the captive nut to rotate it to align the through-hole of the nut with the aperture in the locking area.

Description

Scaffold Coupler The present invention relates to scaffold couplers.

Scaffold couplers are used on building sites throughout the world.

Scaffold couplers have a bolt that has its end exposed then the coupler is in use. The protruding end of a bolt represents a health and safety hazard and thus in many building sites covers for the bolts of scaffold couplers are employed.

To improve the safety of scaffold couplers some comprising captive nuts have been proposed in the past, such as the couplers disclosed in GB693500A and JP2006328831.

The present invention seeks to improve upon the prior art.

According to the present invention there is provided a scaffold coupler comprising: a first jaw pivotally attached to a second jaw at a hinge, the jaws being shaped to accommodate at least one scaffold tube; the first jaw comprises a locking area adjacent an end remote from the hinge, the locking area comprising an aperture for a bolt that when tightened against the locking area may releasably lock the jaws; the coupler further comprises: a captive nut pivotally attached to the second jaw remote from the hinge, the captive nut having a threaded through-hole; the jaws and captive nut being arranged such that closure of the first jaw towards the second jaw rotates the captive nut such that the nut's through-hole is substantially aligned with the aperture in the locking area.

By automatically aligning an opening of a nut's through-hole with the aperture in a locking area a bolt retained in the nut will also be automatically moved into a position suitable for a user to releasably lock the coupler by tightening the bolt.

In some embodiments the locking area of the first jaw comprises a forked portion having first and second members with the aperture therebetween.

In some embodiments when the jaws are closed a side of the nut comprising an opening of the nut's through-hole is in a plane that is substantially parallel to a plane of the first and second members of the forked portion.

In some embodiments the first and second jaws are shaped such that when the jaws are closed are releasably locked by a bolt, a shank of the bolt is located between the jaws.

In some embodiments a free end of the second jaw is configured to contact the first jaw when the jaws are closed.

In some embodiments a portion of the second jaw adjacent its free end is substantially perpendicular to the second jaw when the jaws are closed.

In some embodiments the second jaw comprises a first length extending from the hinge and a second length that is angled to the first length, the first and second lengths being shaped such that a shank of a bolt is substantially parallel to at least a portion of the second length when the jaws are closed are releasably locked by the bolt.

In some embodiments the second jaw comprises a side wall having a curved edge that is adapted to engage with a surface of a scaffold tube when the coupler is in use.

In some embodiments the second jaw comprises a pair of side walls each having a curved edge that is adapted to engage with a surface of a scaffold tube when the coupler is in use.

In some embodiments the captive nut is pivotally attached to at least one side wall.

In some embodiments a side wall of the second jaw is configured to shroud a shank of a bolt when the jaws are closed are releasably locked by a bolt.

In some embodiments the second jaw comprises an aperture.

In some embodiments a bolt having a head and a shank is retained by the thread of the captive nut.

In some embodiments the shank of the bolt comprises a first section of thread and a second section of thread that are spaced apart by an unthreaded section.

The provision of a bolt having an unthreaded section of shank intermediate threaded sections of shank is particularly beneficial as once the captive nut has been aligned by rotation the unthreaded section allows for the bolt to slide freely towards a position where a user may tighten the bolt to put the coupler into its locked configuration.

In some embodiments the first section of thread is located at an end of the shank.

In some embodiments the first jaw contacts the captive nut to rotate it such that the nut's through-hole is substantially aligned with the aperture in the locking area.

In some embodiments the first jaw comprises at least one projection to contact the captive nut and rotate it such that the nut's through-hole is substantially aligned with the aperture in the locking area.

In some embodiments the projection is a loop.

In some embodiments the loop is substantially U-shaped or is substantially rectangular.

In some embodiments the captive nut comprises at least one recess to accommodate at least part of the projection.

In some embodiments the as the captive nut rotates the captive nut and projection cooperate as an over-centre catch.

In order that the present invention may be more fully understood a specific embodiment will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a coupler made in accordance with a first embodiment the present invention; Figure 2 is a cross-section through the coupler of Figure 1 illustrating how a captive nut may be rotated by closing the coupler; Figure 3 is a cross-section illustrating how a bolt used with the coupler of the present invention may be slid into the coupler; Figure 4 shows the coupler of Figure 1 in a releasably locked configuration; Figure 5 is a first perspective view of a pair of couplers of the present invention in use; and Figure 6 is a second perspective view of a pair of couplers of the present invention in use; Figure 7 is a perspective view of a coupler made in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; Figures 8 to 10 illustrate the coupler of Figure 7 being closed; and Figure 11 illustrates the coupler of Figure 7 in a releasably locked configuration.

Referring to Figure 1 a coupler 1 comprises a first jaw 2 and a second jaw 3.

First and second jaws 2, 3 are attached together at hinge 4.

First jaw 2 comprises a curved section 5 configured to engage with a surface of a scaffold tube when coupler 1 is in use.

Adjacent its free end, i.e. at an end of first jaw 2 remote from hinge 4, first jaw 2 comprises a forked portion having a first member 6, a second member 7 and a space 8 therebetween.

Second jaw 3 comprises a substantially linear first portion 9 that extends from hinge 4 and a substantially linear second portion 10 that is angled to first portion 9 at an acute angle of approximately 80 degrees.

Free end 11 of second jaw 3 (which is also the free end of second portion 10) is configured to contact an end portion of first jaw 2 when first and second jaws 2,3 of coupler 1 are closed.

When coupler 1 is closed second portion 10 of second jaw 3 is substantially perpendicular to first jaw 2.

First portion 9 of second jaw 3 comprises a substantially circular aperture 12 to allow coupler 1 to be connected to another coupler by means of a nut and bolt.

Second jaw 3 further comprises a bolt housing formed of the second portion 10 of second jaw 3, first side wall 13 and second side wall 14.

First and second side walls 13, 14 each extend along second portion 10 and partially along first portion 9 of second jaw 3.

The edges of side walls 13, 14 nearest hinge 4 are both curved so as to engage with a surface of a scaffold tube when coupler 1 is in use.

Pivotally attached to both of side walls 13, 14 and located therebetween is captive nut 15, which comprises a threaded through-hole 16.

Captive nut 15 is positioned such that when jaws 2, 3 are moved from and open position to a closed position a side of nut 15 comprising an opening of through-hole 16 is forced into a plane that is substantially parallel to the plane of first and second members 6,7 of first jaw 2.

In this position the side of nut 15 comprising an opening of through-hole 16 is substantially coplanar with the free end 11 of second jaw 3.

As illustrated in Figure 2 and 3 this occurs by first and second members 6,7 of first jaw 2 contacting captive nut 15 and rotating it into position.

When moved into position by the closure of jaws 2, 3, through-hole 16 of captive nut 15 is substantially aligned with space 8 thereby allowing a user to releasably lock jaws 2 and 3 in a closed position by screwing a bolt into captive nut 15 without further rotation of captive nut 15.

In the present embodiment coupler 1 further comprises its own bolt 17 that is specifically designed for operation with the coupler of this embodiment.

However, it will be apparent that in other embodiments a coupler need not comprise its own bolt but may be provided for sale to end-users without bolts incorporated.

In the present embodiment bolt 17 comprises a head 18 and a shank 19 that is formed of three sections 19a, 19b, 19c.

Shank 19 comprises a short first threaded section 19a adjacent an end of the shank that is remote from head 18.

Shank 19 also comprises a long second threaded section adjacent head 18.

First and second threaded sections 19a and 19c are configured to cooperate with the thread of through-hole 16 of captive nut 15.

Between first and second threaded sections 19a, 19c is intermediate unthreaded section 19b.

Unthreaded section 19b is of a smaller diameter than threaded section 19a, 19c such that unthreaded section 19b of bolt 17 may slide freely within through-hole 16 of captive nut 17 without bolt 17 having to be rotated.

Thus, in use bolt 17 may be retained in captive nut by shank section 19a and cannot be removed from captive nut 15 without rotation of bolt 17.

When a user closes jaws 2, 3 of coupler 1 shank section 19b of bolt 17 may slide through captive nut 15 without rotation so as to speed up the releasable locking of coupler 1 A user may then tighten shank section 19a of bolt 17 into captive nut 15 such that head 18 of bolt 17 is tightened against first and second members 6, 7 of first jaw 2, thereby releasably locking coupler 1 in a closed configuration.

In this configuration the full length of shank 19 of bolt 17 is housed between first and second jaws 2, 3 thereby eliminating any health and safety hazard that would otherwise be posed by shank 19.

As illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 two couplers 1 that are attached together by means of their apertures 12 may be used to connect together scaffold tubes 20.

Referring to Figures 7 to 11 and a second embodiment of the present invention, a coupler 21 is of substantially the same form as coupler 1, comprising a first jaw 22 and a second jaw 23 attached together at hinge 24, along with rotatable captive nut 25 and a bolt 26.

Where coupler 21 differs from coupler 1 is that first jaw 22 comprises a loop 27 and captive nut 25 comprises a groove 28.

Loop 27 is substantially perpendicular to the inward face of first jaw 22 such that it extends towards second jaw 23 when first and second jaws 22,23 are closed.

Loop 27 is substantially rectangular in form in that it comprises three substantially linear sections 27a, 27b, 27c that together with a side of first jaw 22 define a rectangular opening.

Side sections 27a, 27b or loop 27 are substantially perpendicular to the plane of first jaw 22 and middle section 27b is substantially parallel to the plane of first jaw 22.

Groove 28 on captive nut 25 is substantially linear and extends across the width of captive nut 25. Groove 28 is substantially V-shaped in cross-section. Groove 28 designed to cooperate with middle section 27b as first jaw 22 and second jaw 23 close towards each other such that as captive nut 25 rotates captive nut 25 and middle section 27b of loop 27 cooperate as an over-centre catch.

In this manner a user must overcome a slight resistance to fully close jaws 22, 23 and must also overcome a slight resistance to open jaws 22,23 owing to the contact of middle section 27b of loop 27 with groove 28.

When jaws 22, 23 of coupler 21 are fully closed side substantially linear side section 27b of loop 27 is located within substantially linear groove 28.

Whilst in the present embodiment first jaw 22 comprises a loop-shaped projection in other embodiments other projections may be employed For example, a jaw may comprise a linear projection or an 'L-shaped' projection.

In this specification an apparatus/method/product "comprising" certain features is intended to be interpreted as meaning that it includes those features, but that it does not exclude the presence of other features.

Many variations are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

Claims: 1. A scaffold coupler comprising: a first jaw pivotally attached to a second jaw at a hinge, the jaws being shaped to accommodate at least one scaffold tube; the first jaw comprises a locking area adjacent an end remote from the hinge, the locking area comprising an aperture for a bolt that when tightened against the locking area may releasably lock the jaws; the coupler further comprises: a captive nut pivotally attached to the second jaw remote from the hinge, the captive nut having a threaded through-hole; the jaws and captive nut being arranged such that closure of the first jaw towards the second jaw rotates the captive nut such that the nut's through-hole is substantially aligned with the aperture in the locking area.
2. The coupler of claim 1 wherein the locking area of the first jaw comprises a forked portion having first and second members with the aperture therebetween.
3. The coupler of claim 2 wherein when the jaws are closed a side of the nut comprising an opening of the nut's through-hole is in a plane that is substantially parallel to a plane of the first and second members of the forked portion.
4. The coupler of any preceding claim wherein the first and second jaws are shaped such that when the jaws are closed are releasably locked by a bolt, a shank of the bolt is located between the jaws.
5. The coupler of any preceding claim wherein a free end of the second jaw is configured to contact the first jaw when the jaws are closed.
6. The coupler of any preceding claim wherein a portion of the second jaw adjacent its free end is substantially perpendicular to the second jaw when the jaws are closed.
7. The coupler of any preceding claim wherein the second jaw comprises a first length extending from the hinge and a second length that is angled to the first length, the first and second lengths being shaped such that a shank of a bolt is substantially parallel to at least a portion of the second length when the jaws are closed are releasably locked by the bolt.
8. The coupler of any preceding claim wherein the second jaw comprises a side wall having a curved edge that is adapted to engage with a surface of a scaffold tube when the coupler is in use.
9. The coupler of any preceding claim wherein the second jaw comprises a pair of side walls each having a curved edge that is adapted to engage with a surface of a scaffold tube when the coupler is in use.
10. The coupler of claim 8 or 9 wherein the captive nut is pivotally attached to at least one side wall.
11. The coupler of any of claims 8 to 10 wherein a side wall of the second jaw is configured to shroud a shank of a bolt when the jaws are closed are releasably locked by a bolt.
12. In some embodiments the second jaw comprises an aperture.
13. The coupler of any preceding claim wherein a bolt having a head and a shank is retained by the thread of the captive nut.
14. The coupler of claim 13 wherein the shank of the bolt comprises a first section of thread and a second section of thread that are spaced apart by an unthreaded section.
15. The coupler of claim 14 wherein the first section of thread is located at an end of the shank.
16. The coupler of any preceding claim wherein the first jaw contacts the captive nut to rotate it such that the nut's through-hole is substantially aligned with the aperture in the locking area.
17. The coupler of any preceding claim wherein the first jaw comprises at least one projection to contact the captive nut and rotate it such that the nut's through-hole is substantially aligned with the aperture in the locking area.
18. The coupler of claim 18 wherein the projection is a loop.
19. The coupler of claim 18 wherein the loop is substantially U-shaped or is substantially rectangular.
20. The coupler of any of claims 17 to 19 wherein the captive nut comprises at least one recess to accommodate at least part of the projection.
21. The couple of any of claims 17 to 20 wherein the as the captive nut rotates the captive nut and projection cooperate as an over-centre catch.15 20 25 30 35