IE20050866A1

IE20050866A1 - Brace for builder's trestles

Info

Publication number: IE20050866A1
Application number: IE20050866A
Authority: IE
Inventors: Liam Clear
Original assignee: Safetsand Ltd
Priority date: 2004-12-23
Filing date: 2005-12-22
Publication date: 2006-07-12
Also published as: GB0428244D0; GB2421538B; GB2421538A

Abstract

A stabilising brace 10 for fitment between buildersÆ trestles has a fixed formation 12 at one end engageable with a first trestle at a first angle and is rotatable to a second angle at which it locks the brace to the first trestle, the brace having at its other end a movable latch (14, Figures 4, 5, 8, 9) for locking the brace to a second trestle. The fixed formation may comprise a pin 16 engageable in a hole 20 formed in the trestle pedestal base 22, and a claw 18 which moves behind a part 24 of the trestle base as the brace 10 is rotated, to prevent withdrawal of the pin 10. The movable latch 14 may comprise a pin 26 engageable in a hole 32 in a trestle upright 30, and a rotatable claw 28 which can be positioned to prevent withdrawal of the pin 26. <Figure 7>

Description

This invention relates to a brace for builders’ trestles of the kind shown for example in UK patent specification No. 2378978. The applicants have developed a trestle system in accordance with this patent, which is marketed as the SafeStand® 1200 Access System. This is designed to provide a strong and safe working platform at heights of approximately 0.5 3.0 m, as a more convenient alternative to scaffolding. Two or more trestles are used in a line to support scaffolding boards which make up the working platform. Integral guard rail supports and other safety features such as "anti-flip" brackets to support board overhangs are provided.

Although performance of the existing system is a great improvement on traditional "bandstands", it has been found that a further increase in trestle stability would be desirable, particularly when the trestles are used at or near their maximum height. Accordingly, the present invention provides a stabilising brace for fitment between builders’ trestles, the brace having at one end a fixed formation engageable with a first trestle at a first angle and being rotatable to a second angle at which the fixed formation locks the brace to the first trestle, the brace having at its other end a movable latch for locking the brace to a second trestle.

Preferably the latch is captive on the brace so that there are no separate parts that could get lost The latch secures the brace at the second angle to the first trestle, so not only does the latch lock the brace other end to the second trestle, but it also ensures that the fixed formation is locked to the first trestle. This locking arrangement is effective and simple to use, without tools or specialist skills. In the locked position, the brace preferably extends diagonally in a vertical plane between the first and second trestles so as to stabilise them against swaying.

The fixed formation may comprise a first component laterally engageable with the first trestle to provide a pivot point for the brace, and a second component which moves behind a part of the first trestle as the brace is rotated from the first to the second angle, so as to prevent lateral disengagement of the first formation. In one embodiment, the first component comprises a laterally extending pin or spigot engageable in a corresponding hole formed in a IE 05 08 6 6 BP-09-050? part of the first trestle; the second component comprising a claw which extends laterally across the first trestle part as the pin engages in the hole and which engages behind the trestle part to prevent withdrawal of the pin from the hole as the brace is rotated from the first to the second angle. The trestle part in this embodiment is a diagonal strut forming part of the first trestle’s pedestal base, but other locations for the hole are also possible, for example in an upright part of the pedestal base.

The movable latch somewhat similarly may comprise a first component laterally engageable with the second trestle, and a second component which is rotatable to engage behind a part of the second trestle so as to prevent lateral disengagement of the first component. In one embodiment the latch first component comprises a lateral pin or spigot, engageable in a corresponding hole formed in the second trestle, for example in a telescopic part of the trestle’s upright. This hole may be a hole normally used to lock the telescopic upright at a selected height, or may be specially provided for reception of the brace’s lateral pin. The latch second component comprises a rotatable claw. Preferably the rotatable claw is held by gravity in engagement behind the second trestle part, for example resting on the distal end of the pin, which protrudes through the second trestle part. Again, this latching arrangement is robust, reliable and simple to operate, requiring no tools or specialist skills.

An illustrative embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a general view of the brace; Figure 2 is a side view the brace fixed formation shown on a larger scale; Figure 3 is a view of the brace fixed formation in the lateral direction, corresponding to Figure 2; Figures 4 and 5 are views of the movable latch, corresponding to Figures 2 and 3 respectively; Figure 6 shows the fixed formation engaged with the first trestle part with the brace at the first angle, with Figure 7 being a corresponding view with the brace at the second angle; Figure 8 shows the movable latch partly engaged with the second trestle part; Figure 9 shows the movable latch fully engaged, and BP-09-0508· IE 0 5 0 8 6 6 Figure 10 is a general view showing braces locked in position between trestles.

As a farther development of the SafeStand 1200 Access System it has been recognised that stability whilst in use at the upper limits of its height, can be enhanced by the introduction of braces 10 as shown in Figure 1.

In order to remain sympathetic to the design concept of the SafeStand system the mechanics of the connection of the brace to the trestles have been specifically designed so that there are no free or loose connection parts that can become detached and the method of fixing the brace to the stand remains a non-skilled work activity.

The braces are fitted diagonally between adjacent trestles (see also Figure 10); one end of the brace having a fixed "pin-and-claw" arrangement 12; the entire brace being offered up and rotated into position to lock this end into place; a pin and rotating claw being used to lock the other end 14 to its trestle.

As shown more clearly in Figures 2, 3, 6 and 7 the fixed "pin-and-claw" arrangement 12 consists of a pin 16 which fits through a pre-drilled hole 20 in the pedestal base 22 of the trestle, creating a rotating fixing between the brace and the trestle. The claw 18 of the arrangement 12 is specifically designed so as to allow the pin to be inserted in the designated hole 20 in the base 22 of the trestle, only when the brace is inclined at a specific temporary position at a first angle relative to the base 22 as shown in Figure 6. Once the pin connection is made to the base of the trestle, the brace 10 is rotated such that a pin connection can be made to the adjacent trestle, using the other end 14 of the brace 10 as further described below.

In carrying out this rotation action the "claw" 18 engages around and behind the inclined member 24 of the base of the trestle (see Figure 7) such that once the brace reaches its final (second) angle relative to the trestle base, the "claw" 18 prevents the brace from being accidentally removed, by preventing withdrawal of the pin 16 from the hole 20 whilst the trestle is in use.

BP-09-0502 IE 05 08 6 6 The pin 26 and rotating claw 28 arrangement at the other end 14 of the brace 10 shown in Figures 4, 5 and 8 allows a pinned connection to be made to the vertical upright 30 of the trestle through a predrilled locating hole 32. Once the pin 26 is engaged in the hole 32, the rotating claw 28 can be rotated to engage around and behind the upright 30 so as to rest under its own weight against the end of the pin 26 where it protrudes from the hole 32. In this resting position as shown in Figure 9, the brace cannot be accidentally removed by withdrawal of the pin 26 from the hole 32.

The hole 32 may be the hole at the upper end of the trestle base, through which a locking pin 10 is introduced into a corresponding hole in a telescopic upper part of the trestle, to hold the upper part at a given extension. Thus the pin 26 on the brace upper end 14 may also serve as this locking pin. Preferably however, the pin 26 is engaged in one of the unoccupied locking holes in the trestle upper part. Alternatively, the pin 26 may engage in a hole specifically provided in the trestle upper or lower part, for fitment of the brace.

Figure 10 shows a line of trestles interconnected by braces embodying the invention. The braces extend diagonally between adjacent trestles and co-operate with the scaffolding boards forming the working platform (not shown) to stabilise the trestles against swaying in the inline direction. Each trestle also includes integrally welded diagonal braces 34 for added stability transversely of the working platform. Crossed braces 10a, 10b may be provided between adjacent trestles at one or both sides, or individual braces may be provided between selected neighbouring trestles in the line, according to need. The brace is therefore simple to use, adaptable, robust and reliable.

Claims

1. A stabilising brace for fitment between builders’ trestles, the brace having at one end a fixed formation engageable with a first trestle at a first angle and being rotatable to a second angle at which the fixed formation locks the brace to the first trestle, the brace having at its other end a movable latch for locking the brace to a second trestle.

2. A brace as defined in claim 1, in which the latch is captive on the brace.

3. A brace as defined in claim 1 or 2, in which the latch secures the brace at the second angle to the first trestle.

4. A brace as defined in any preceding claim, in which, in the locked position, the brace extends diagonally in a vertical plane between the first and second trestles.

5. A brace as defined in any preceding claim, in which the fixed formation comprises a first component laterally engageable with the first trestle to provide a pivot point for the brace, and a second component which moves behind a part of the first trestle as the brace is rotated from the first to the second angle, so as to prevent lateral disengagement of the first formation.

6. A brace as defined in claim 5, in which the first component comprises a laterally extending pin or spigot engageable in a corresponding hole formed in a part of the first trestle.

7. A brace as defined in claim 6, in which the second component comprises a claw which extends laterally across the first trestle part as the pin engages in the hole and which engages behind the trestle part to prevent withdrawal of the pin from the hole as the brace is rotated from the first to the second angle. BP-09-0508· IE 05 08 66

8. A brace as defined in any preceding claim, in which the movable latch comprises a first component laterally engageable with the second trestle, and a second component which is rotatable to engage behind a part of the second trestle so as to prevent lateral disengagement of the latch first component.

9. A brace as defined in claim 8, in which the latch first component comprises a lateral pin or spigot, engageable in a corresponding hole formed in the second trestle.

10. A brace as defined in claim 9, in which the latch second component comprises a 10 rotatable claw.

11. A brace as defined in claim 10, in which the rotatable claw is held by gravity in engagement behind the second trestle part. 15

12. A stabilising brace for fitment between builders’ trestles, substantially as described with reference to or as shown in the drawings.

13. A system of trestles interconnected by braces as defined in any preceding claim. 20

14. A system as defined in claim 13 in which at least one trestle includes integral braces for enhancing stability in a direction transverse to a working platform supported by the trestles.