IES20080556A2 - A scaffold board retainer - Google Patents

Abstract

A scaffold board retainer (80) for securing walkway boards on a scaffold framework has a steel clamp bar (82). A central board engaging portion (83) of the clamp bar (82) is bent between its sides (84,85) into an inverted V-shape. Clamps (6) for securing to upright poles (7) of the scaffold framework are provided on upturned ends (4,5) of the clamp bar (82). An outer end (4) of the clamp bar (82) is stepped having a recess (10) for reception of a toe board. Preferably also inner end (5) is angled relative to a longitudinal axis of the clamp bar (82). <Figure 11>

Description

Introduction This invention relates to scaffolding and in particular to scaffolding walkways.

Walkways are usually provided on a scaffolding framework by a number of walkway boards supported between elements of the scaffolding framework. The main walkway is formed by walkway boards mounted within the scaffolding framework. Also, generally two or three boards are mounted between an inside of the scaffolding framework and a wall adjacent which the scaffolding framework stands to close off that gap. These walkway boards are generally secured in place by straps or ties to prevent the boards moving during use of the scaffold framework. Such movement can occur in a number of ways. For example, high winds can dislodge the walkway boards, as can building materials falling on to the walkway boards or machinery accidentally coming into contact with the walkway boards. Also, if the walkway boards are not correctly fitted they may be easily dislodged. In some cases, workers may lift boards without permission and either forget to replace the walkway boards or Incorrectly replace the walkway boards. While it is known to provide various straps or ties to better secure the walkway boards on the scaffolding framework such systems can be very time consuming to install and hence relatively expensive to put in place. Also, in addition to forming a horizontal walkway by a number of juxtaposed horizontal boards it is usual to provide an upright toe board at an outer edge of each walkway on the scaffold framework to prevent tools, building materials and the like being accidentally kicked off the walkway and possibly causing injury to persons below the walkway. With known strapping systems such toe boards sit on top of the strapping and thus a gap is left between a bottom edge of the toe board and a top edge of the walkway boards through which objects can fall. Further, in use with weight on the walkway boards this gap will tend to increase, further exacerbating the problem.

The present invention is directed towards overcoming these problems. lit) 8 U 56 -2According to the invention there is provided a scaffold board retainer for securing walkway boards on a scaffold framework, the scaffold board retainer including a clamp bar for engagement with the walkway boards and a fastener mounted on the clamp bar for releasable engagement with the scaffold framework to secure the clamp bar in engagement with the walkway boards in use for clamping the walkway boards on the scaffold framework.

In one embodiment of the invention a board-engaging portion of the clamp bar is bent intermediate its side edges, sloping upwardly and inwardly from each side edge.

In a preferred embodiment said board-engaging portion formed by a flat bar is bent about a longitudinal axis of the board-engaging portion.

In another embodiment the board engaging portion has a V-shaped cross-section.

In another embodiment a fastener is mounted at an end of the board-engaging portion, said fastener being disposed at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the board-engaging portion.

In a further embodiment the clamp bar has at least one upturned end, the fastener being mounted on said upturned end.

In another embodiment an upturned end of the clamp bar is disposed at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the board-engaging portion of the clamp bar.

In another embodiment the offset angle is about 45°.

In one embodiment of the invention the clamp bar comprises an elongate bar having a central walkway board engaging portion with upturned ends, a clamp fastener being mounted on each end for engaging with a scaffold framework.

In another embodiment an outer end of the clamp bar is stepped forming a receiver for a toe board. -3In a further embodiment a reinforcing rib is provided on an underside of the clamp bar extending along a central longitudinal axis of the clamp bar.

In another embodiment the clamp bar comprises a bar having a central walkway board engaging portion with an upturned inner end on which a fastener is mounted and a down turned C-Section outer end for wrapping around an outer edge of a walkway.

In another embodiment the inner end is stepped forming a clamp accommodating recess.

In another embodiment the fastener is a clamp.

In a further embodiment the clamp is bolted to the clamp bar.

In another embodiment a reinforcing rib is provided on an underside of the clamp bar extending along a central longitudinal axis of the clamp bar.

In another embodiment there is provided a scaffold board retainer set comprising a pair of the scaffold board retainers forming an outer scaffold board retainer and an associated inner scaffold board retainer, an inner end of each of the scaffold board retainers being adapted such that clamp fasteners mounted thereon can engage a common upright pole of the scaffold framework one above the other.

In another embodiment an inner end of one scaffold board retainer has a clamp fastener mounted thereon disposed at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the board engaging portion of the retainer.

In a further embodiment, an inner end of one scaffold board retainer is stepped to provide recess to accommodate the clamp fastener at the inner end of the other scaffold board retainer.

The invention will be more clearly understood by the following description of some embodiments, thereof given by way of example only, with reference to the 8°556 -4accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a scaffold board retainer according to the invention; Fig. 2 is an elevational view of the scaffold board retainer; Fig. 3 is a plan view of the scaffold board retainer; Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the scaffold board retainer in use; Fig. 5 is a plan view showing another scaffold board retainer; Fig. 6 is a plan view showing a further scaffold board retainer; Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing another scaffold board retainer; Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing the scaffold board retainer of Fig. 7 in use; Fig. 9 is another perspective view showing the scaffold board retainer of Fig. 7 in use; Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a further scaffold board retainer; Fig. 11 is a perspective view of another scaffold board retainer; Fig. 12 is an elevational view of the scaffold board retainer of Fig. 11, shown in use mounted between poles of a scaffold framework; Fig. 13 is a detail plan view showing portion of the scaffold board retainer of Fig. 11; Fig. 14 is a detail sectional view showing portion of the scaffold board retainer of Fig. 11; ΙΕΰ 8 Ο 5 5β -5Rg. 15 is a plan view of another scaffold board retainer; Rg. 16 is an elevational view showing the scaffold board retainer of Fig. 15 in use; Rg. 17 is a detail perspective view showing portions of an associated pair of the scaffold board retainers of Fig. 11; and Fig. 18 is a perspective view of a further scaffold board retainer, shown in use mounted on a pole of a scaffold framework.

Referring to the drawings, and initially to Figs. 1 to 3 thereof, there is illustrated a scaffold board retainer according to the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 1. The scaffold board retainer 1 comprises a flat steel clamp bar 2 having a central walkway board engaging portion 3 with upturned ends 4, 5. Each end 4, 5 has a clamp fastener 6 mounted thereon for releasable engagement with a scaffold framework when in use. Fig. 1 shows the clamps 6 in engagement with upright poles 7 of the scaffold framework.

It will be noted that an outer end 4 of the clamp bar 2 is stepped having a recess 10 which forms a receiver for a toe board. A toe board 12 is shown in broken outline in Fig. 2 together with a walkway board 14. It will be noted that the recess 10 is such as to support a lower end 15 of the toe board 12 overlapping with the walkway board 14 so that even if the walkway boards 14 deflect downwardly somewhat during use an outer edge 16 will still be overlapped by a lower end 15 of the toe board 12 to prevent anything falling between the walkway board 14 and toe board 12.

An outer end of the clamp bar 2 is bent to form the stepped outer end 4 with an inner upright portion 20, an intermediate horizontal portion 21 and an outer upright portion 22 to which the clamp 6 is attached by welding for example. Similarly, the inner end of the clamp bar 2 is formed by bending the inner end of the clamp bar 2 upwardly and the clamp 6 is secured, by welding for example to an outer face of the inner end . /£ue°556 -6The clamp bar 2 is of 6mm steel material and may be of any suitable length to accommodate typically from 1 to 5 walkway boards.

Each clamp 6 has a fixed inner portion 25 and a moveable outer portion 26 connected by a pivot pin 27. A bolt 28 is connected by a pivot 29 to the inner part 25 for engagement with a receiver slot 32 in a free end of the moveable part 26, being secured in engagement by a lock nut 33. Arcuate inner faces 34, 35 of each clamp portion 25, 26 embrace the scaffold pole 7.

In Fig. 5 there is shown another scaffold board retainer indicated generally by the reference numeral 40. Parts similar to those described previously are assigned the same reference numerals. In this case, the upstanding inner end 5 of the clamp bar 2 is disposed at an angle B relative to a longitudinal axis A of the clamp bar 2. This provides clearance between adjacent clamp bars mounted on the scaffold framework 30.

In Fig. 6 there is shown another scaffold board retainer indicated generally by the reference numeral 50. Parts similar to those described previously are assigned the same reference numerals. In this case, the upstanding inner end 5 of the clamp bar 2 is inclined at a more acute angle B to the longitudinal axis of the clamp bar 2. In this case the angle B is about 45°. It will be noted also that a reinforcing rib 51 is provided on an underside of the clamp bar 2 extending along the central longitudinal axis of the damp bar 2.

Fig. 4 shows the scaffold board retainer 50 in use on a scaffold framework 30. Horizontal walkway boards 14 on the framework 30 are held in place by the clamp bar 2, the central portion 3 lying across the top of the walkway boards 14 between the upright poles 7 to which the clamps 6 are attached. The outer end 4 retains the toe board 12 in an upright position alongside an outer edge of the outermost walkway board 14.

Referring to Figs. 7 to 9 there is shown another scaffold board retainer indicated generally by the reference numeral 60. Parts similar to those described previously are assigned the same reference numerals. The scaffold board retainer 60 -7comprises a flat steel clamp bar 61 having a central walking board engaging portion 62. An upturned inner end 63 has a clamp 6 mounted on an outer face, by welding for example, for engagement with an upright pole 7 of the scaffold framework. An outer end 64 is down turned and is of C-Section with a vertical side wall 65 and in turned tongue 66 at a lower end of the sidewall 65.

As can be seen in Figs. 8 and 9 the scaffold board retainer 60 is for retaining walkway boards 14 mounted between an inner side of the scaffold framework and a wall of a building for example. It will be noted that the outer end 64 wraps around an outer edge of the outermost walkway board 14, that is the walkway board 14 closest to the wall in use. As can be seen in Fig. 9 the tongue 66 locates between spigots 67 on board retaining members 68 of the scaffold framework. This arrangement restrains movement of the outer end 64 of the scaffold board retainer 60.

The retainer 60 is shown in combination with the retainer 50 in Figs. 4 and 8, clamps 6 at inner ends of each retainer 50, 60 engaging a common upright pole 7 of the scaffold framework one above the other.

Referring to Fig. 10 there is shown another scaffold board retainer indicated generally by the reference numeral 70. Parts similar to those described previously or assigned the same reference numerals. This is largely similar to the scaffold board retainer 60 shown in Fig. 7. In this case however the clamp bar 61 has a stepped inner end 73 which forms a clamp accommodating recess 74. This receives a clamp 6 of a scaffold board retainer 1 for example mounted on an opposite side of the pole 7.

Referring now to Figs. 11 to 14, there is shown another scaffold board retainer according to the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 80. Parts similar to those described previously are assigned the same reference numerals. In this case the scaffold board retainer 80 has an elongate steel clamp bar 82. A central walkway board engaging portion 83 of the clamp bar 82 is bent intermediate its side edges 84, 85. As can be seen in Fig. 15 the central board engaging portion 83 has an inverted V shape. This provides added strength and rigidity to the clamp bar 82.

Figs. 15 and 16 show the retainer 80 of Fig. 11 in which the clamps 6 are attached to -8the ends 4, 5 of the clamp bar 82 by bolts 88. This allows further adjustment if required.

It will also be noted that an upstanding inner end 5 is disposed at a 45° angle relative to a longitudinal axis A of the board-engaging portion 83 of the clamp bar 82. Thus, the clamp 6 which is mounted on an outer face of the inner end 5 is offset. This facilitates cooperation with a scaffold board retainer 60 of the type shown in Fig. 7 which engages on the opposite side of the pole 7 to the clamp 6 as shown in Fig. 17, providing clearance so both retainers 60,80 can be mounted together on the pole 7 with one clamp 6 above the other.

Thus, it will be appreciated that pairs of scaffold board retainers may be provided, as shown in Figs. 4, 8 and 17, arranged in line to clamp both the outer set of main walkway boards and the inner set of walkway boards between the scaffold frame and a wall adjacent the scaffolding. As can be seen, the inner ends of the retainers 50, 60, 80 are adapted so the clamps 6 can engage the common upright pole 7 one above the other with the inner ends of the retainers close to the pole 7 for secure clamping of the walkway boards 14.

The clamp bar in this case comprises a steel bar of width 80-100mm and thickness 6mm. The depth D (Fig. 15) of the central portion 83 is in the range 15-25mm, and preferably is about 20mm. While steel is preferred it is envisaged that other materials, such as other metals or plastics for example, could also be used to construct the retainer.

Referring now to Fig. 18, there is shown another scaffold board retainer indicated generally by the reference numeral 90. Parts similar to those described previously are assigned the same reference numerals. This is similar to the scaffold board retainer shown in Fig. 10 however in this case a damp bar 92 has a central portion 93 which is bent intermediate its side edges 94,95 into an inverted V shape.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described which may be varied in both construction and detail within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (5)

1. A scaffold board retainer for securing walkway boards on a scaffold framework, the scaffold board retainer including a clamp bar for engagement with the walkway boards and a fastener mounted on the clamp bar for releasable engagement with the scaffold framework to secure the clamp bar in engagement with the walkway boards in use for clamping the walkway boards on the scaffold framework, a board-engaging portion of the clamp bar being bent intermediate its side edges, sloping upwardly and inwardly from each side edge.

2. A scaffold board retainer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said board-engaging portion is formed by a flat bar bent about a longitudinal axis of the boardengaging portion, the board-engaging portion having a V-shaped cross section.

3. A scaffold board retainer as claimed in any preceding claim wherein a fastener is mounted at an end of the board-engaging portion, said fastener being disposed at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the board-engaging portion.

4. A scaffold board retainer as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the clamp bar comprises an elongate bar having a central walkway board engaging portion with upturned ends, a clamp fastener being mounted on each end for engaging with a scaffold framework, an outer end of the clamp bar being stepped forming a receiver for a toe board.

5. A scaffold board retainer substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.