WO2007061324A1

WO2007061324A1 - Scaffold guard rail support

Info

Publication number: WO2007061324A1
Application number: PCT/NZ2006/000310
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yu Shing So
Original assignee: Wui Loong Scaffolding Works Company Limited; Blijlevens, Antonius, Petrus, Henricus
Priority date: 2005-11-25
Filing date: 2006-11-24
Publication date: 2007-05-31
Also published as: GB2432625A; GB2432625B; GB0524091D0; HK1105441A1; CN101341305B; CN101341305A

Abstract

A scaffold guard rail support for a scaffolding structure to locate an elongate guard rail therewith. The guard rail support comprises a bracket to receive and locate an elongate guard rail. Also included is a clamping member that includes a crankshaft and a crank. The crankshaft is carried by the bracket for rotation about its crankshaft axis. The crankshaft is carried by said bracket so that between a first and second condition of the crankshaft relative to said bracket, the crank becomes engaged with the elongate guard rail and presses the elongate guard rail against the bracket.

Description

SCAFFOLD GUARD RAIL SUPPORT

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a scaffold guard rail support, and more particularly, a guard rail support to secure a guard rail to a scaffolding structure.

BACKGROUND

Guard rails are usually installed on multi-grid scaffolding to protect the workers from falling when they are working on platforms supported by the scaffolding. For H-frame scaffolding as for example shown in Figure 1, elongate guard rails (which may come in the form of a pipe), are fixed to the scaffolding simply by the use of metallic couplers gripping the guard rails at one end and gripping the standards of the scaffolding at the other end. Such metallic couplers are separate items to the scaffolding and to the guard rails and simply clamp the guard rails in place at a chosen location. However, the height of the guard rails so supported may not be even or uniform or may be in a manner to support the guard rails in a horizontal condition. This is because the couplers are installed manually. Installation and dismantling of the guard rail assembly using such couplers is also time consuming as a coupler needs to be affixed to the standards of the scaffolding as well as to the guard rails.

An alternative to the use of couplers and with reference to Figures 1 and 2, is for example where H-frame scaffolding may have permanently affixed thereto a support member 1. With reference to Figure 2, the support member 1 may be welded to an upright standard 2 of the H-frame scaffolding as shown in Figure 1. The support member 1 is of a size to be able to receive and vertically support a guard rail member 3. To prevent the guard rail member 3 from being uplifted when located by the support member 1, a locking element 4 may be positioned to capture the guard rail member 3 within a bracket of the support member 1. The locking element 4 includes preferably a threaded rod 5 and a knob 6 which is engaged either to the support member 1 or the upright standard 2 or both and upon turning can create a restriction to the support member 1 to prevent the guard rail member 3 from being uplifted. Whilst such support members, which are pre-engaged to the upright standard 2 of a scaffold structure, solve the problem of uneven or non-uniform height location of the guard rails, the use of the support members and their locking element 4 still has certain problems. Whilst the threaded rod 5 can be moved to create a restriction to the support member 1 to stop the guard rail member 3 from being uplifted, the threaded rod 5 does not engage with the guard rail member 3 or does not engage with the guard rail member 3 sufficiently to prevent the guard rail member from moving longitudinally nor from rotating about its longitudinal axis. The primary purpose for the locking element 4 is to create the restriction to bracket of the support member 1 to prevent uplifting. A further problem with the use of a threaded rod 5 for the purposes of creating at least some secure location of the guard rail member 3 with the scaffolding, is that the thread can become damaged. When damaged the locking element 4 may become inoperable or difficult to repair and/or replace. It can also be time consuming to turn the knob to allow assembly and disassembly of the guard rails.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a scaffold guard rail support which addresses these and other shortcomings of prior art supports or which will at least provide the public with a useful choice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly in a first aspect the present invention consists in a scaffold guard rail support to secure a guard rail to a scaffolding structure, said guard rail support comprising; a bracket to receive and locate an elongate guard rail, a clamping member that includes a crankshaft carrying a crank, said crankshaft carried by said bracket such that the clamping member is rotatable about its crankshaft axis between a first and second condition, and , wherein in said second condition, said crank becomes engaged with said elongate guard rail and presses said elongate guard rail against said bracket. In one aspect said bracket includes a clamping surface against which said elongate guard rail is pressed by said clamping member, said clamping member carried by said bracket for said crank to engage said elongate guard rail diametrically opposite to where said clamping surface engages to press said elongate guard rail against said clamping surface.

In another aspect said bracket and said crankshaft together define an enclosed passage for said elongate guard rail to extend through, said crank, upon the movement of said crankshaft from its first to its second condition, moving to constrict the passage. In another aspect said bracket and said crankshaft together define an enclosed passage for said elongate guard rail to extend through, said crank, upon the movement of said crankshaft from its first to its second condition, moving towards said clamping surface.

In another aspect said crankshaft, in said second condition, positions the crank axis of said crank intermediate of said crankshaft axis and said clamping surface.

In another aspect said crankshaft, in said second condition, positions the crank axis of said crank rectilinearly intermediate of said crankshaft axis and said clamping surface.

In another aspect said clamping member is removably carried by said bracket. In another aspect said bracket is a "U" shaped bracket defining a cradle region for said elongate guard rail to locate in, said cradle region bounded by a lower portion of said "U" shaped bracket and by two side portions projection from said lower portion on each side of said cradle region to a distance above the said lower portion so as to project beyond said elongate guard rail to be located in said cradle region. In another aspect each of said side portions include bearing regions carrying the crankshaft axis in said bracket.

In another aspect said bearing regions of each said side portions are positioned to hold the crankshaft axis of said crankshaft perpendicular to the elongate direction of said elongate guard rail. - A -

In another aspect said bracket defines a mouth opening to said cradle region through which said elongate guard rail may pass, said cradle region closable by said clamping member when said clamping member has its crankshaft axis located with each bearing region, said clamping member being held by said bearing regions in a manner to be slidable along the crankshaft axis direction for removal from its engaged condition with at least one of said bearing regions to at least partially open said cradle region.

In another aspect said crankshaft, when in a condition for said crank to be engaged with said elongate guard rail, positions said crank on a surface of said elongate guard rail having its normal projection towards said crankshaft axis.

In another aspect said clamping member is tethered to said bracket.

In another aspect said clamping member includes a crank handle to effect rotation of said crankshaft.

In another aspect said crank handle extends in a direction lateral to the crankshaft axis.

In another aspect said crank handle is integrally formed and extends from said crankshaft.

In another aspect said crank handle includes a locking region which when said crankshaft is in said second condition, where said crank is positioned for engagement with said elongate guard rail, selectively interacts with a locking region of said bracket to restrict rotation of said crankshaft.

In another aspect said crank handle is moved to a condition interacting with said locking region, once said crankshaft is in said second condition, by a movement of said clamping member in a direction parallel to said crankshaft. In another aspect said crankshaft axis is parallel to said crank axis.

In another aspect said crank axis is eccentric to said crankshaft axis.

In another aspect the present invention consists in a scaffolding structure including a plurality of structural elements wherein at least one structural element has a guard rail support as hereinbefore described affixed to it. In another aspect said guard rail support is affixed to a said structural element with the bracket presenting a mount opening in a upward direction to receive a guard rail therethrough from above.

In another aspect at least one structural element is a unitary element that includes at least two vertical standards wherein each vertical standard has a guard rail support as hereinbefore described affixed thereto each guard rail support positioned at even height.

In a further aspect the present invention consists in a scaffolding structure wherein a plurality of scaffolding guard rail supports as hereinbefore described are engaged at an even height and with each of which a guard rail is located.

. In a further aspect the present invention consists in a vertical standard for a scaffolding structure with which a bracket is affixed projecting from said vertical standard to receive and locate an elongate guard rail, a clamping member that includes a crankshaft carrying a crank, said crankshaft carried by said bracket and said vertical standard for rotation about its crankshaft axis, wherein said crankshaft is carried by said bracket and said vertical standard so that said crankshaft is rotatable between a first and second condition relative to said bracket, wherein in said second condition said crank becomes engaged with said elongate guard rail and presses said elongate guard rail against said bracket. In a further aspect the bracket includes at least one elongated hole for receiving the clamping member, and wherein the at least one elongated hole is configured to restrict removal of the clamping member from the bracket when the clamping member is in the second engaged condition.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a perspective view part of prior art scaffolding, Figure 2 is an end view of prior art scaffolding,

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 3 is a perspective view of a scaffold guard rail support with the clamping member disengaged from the bracket, Figure 4 is a perspective view of the scaffold guard rail support of Figure 3 with the clamping member engaged with the bracket,

Figure 5 is a reverse angle perspective view of the scaffold guard rail support of Figure 4,

Figure 6 is a front view of a clamping member,

Figure 7 is a side view of a bracket of the scaffold guard rail support,

Figure 8 is a front view of the bracket,

Figure 9 is a top view of the bracket, Figure 10 is a front view of the scaffold guard rail support locating a guard rail member with the clamping member in an engaged condition,

Figure 11 is a front view of Figure 10 but wherein the clamp is in a disengaged condition,

Figure 12 is a partial front view of a variation of the scaffold guard rail support, Figure 13 is a front view of an alternative shape of clamp of the scaffold guard rail support of the present invention, and

Figure 14 is a view of a scaffolding structure which includes a number of scaffold guard rail supports of the present invention and a guard rail engaged therewith. ^• .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to Figure 3 there is shown a support which includes a bracket 7 which has a U or V shaped profile. The bracket 7 includes two uprights 8, 9 and a base member 10 extending between the uprights 8, 9. In an alternative form where the bracket 7 may be of a V shape(not shown), the base member 10 may not be present but instead the uprights provide support similar to that which the base member 10 provides in the U shaped form of the present invention.

With reference to Figure 10, a guard rail member 11 may be located within the space 12 defined by the uprights 8, 9 and base member 10. A guard rail member 11, such as a pipe, rests on the base member 10 and is captured in the space in between the uprights 8, 9 to be limited to movement in a direction lateral to the longitudinal direction of the guard rail member 11 at least in three directions due to the close proximity of the upright members 8, 9 and base member 10 to the guard rail member 11.

The base member 10 may include a surface or edge profile 13 to be partially contiguous with the outside diameter surface of the guard rail member 11. Accordingly the profile 13 may be arcuate and the guard rail member 11 can rest on the edge profile 13. In use, the bracket 7 is engaged to an upright or standard 15 of a scaffolding structure such as an H-frame scaffolding as shown in Figure 14. With reference to Figure 8, the bracket 7 is preferably engaged to a standard 15 so as to present the mouth opening 14 upward or upward most of the bracket 7. The base member 10 is the lower most portion of the bracket 7. Affixing of the bracket 7 to a standard 15 may be by removable fastening means such as by bolts or machine screws or by more permanent means such as by welding or soldering or similar. Brackets 7 are engaged to H-frame scaffolding members at predetermined heights. The use of the H-frame scaffolding members in creating a scaffolding structure will then result in the brackets 7 being aligned with each other and at an even height above the ground. This ensures that a guard rail member 11 located by a plurality of horizontally spaced brackets 7 of a scaffolding structure, extends substantially horizontally.

The locating of a guard rail member 11 with the bracket 7 may be achieved by passing a guard rail member 11 through the mouth opening 14 of the bracket 7.

To further limit movement of a guard rail member 11 once positioned within the space 12 intermediate of the uprights 8, 9 and base member 10, is a clamping member 16. The clamping member 16 may be removable or partially retractable from the bracket 7. Alternatively the clamping member 16 may be engaged with the bracket 7 to be non removable and non retractable. In a non removable condition, a guard rail member 11 needs to be located within the space 12 by a longitudinal sliding into the space 12 between the uprights 8, 9 and base member 10. However in the form where the clamping member 16 is removable or at least partially retractable from the bracket 7, the passing of the guard rail member 11 (by its displacement in a direction lateral to the longitudinal direction) through the mouth opening 14 can be achieved for it to be located in the space 12. A removed condition is for example shown in Figure 3 providing clear passage for a guard rail member 11 to pass through the mouth opening 14 into the space 12.

For its active engagement with a guard rail member 11 located at the space 12, the clamping member 16 becomes located with the bracket 7 so as to enclose the space 12.

The clamping member 16 as shown in Figure 6 includes a crankshaft 17. The crankshaft 17 includes main shaft portions 18, 19 and a crank 20 intermediate of the main shaft portions 18, 19. The main shaft portions 18, 19 define the crankshaft axis AA and the crank 20 defines the crank axis BB. In the preferred form the crankshaft axis AA and the crank axis BB are parallel. The crankshaft axis AA and the crank axis BB are offset from each other a distance Y. The clamping member 16 also includes a crank handle 26.

The clamping member 16 is made from a rod and is substantially rigid. The clamping member 16 is engaged with the bracket 7 so as to locate the main shaft portions 18, 19 within crankshaft bearings 21 and 22. These may be defined by the uprights 8, 9. The crankshaft bearings 21, 22 locate the main shaft portions 18, 19 in a manner to allow the crankshaft 17 to rotate about the crankshaft axis AA. Rotation of the crankshaft about the crankshaft axis AA results in a displacement of the crank axis BB about the crankshaft axis AA. With reference to Figures 10 and 11, there is shown different rotational positions of the clamping member 16 about the crankshaft axis AA. In a first condition as shown in Figure 11, the clamping member 16 is located in a position where it does not engage onto the upper surface 23 of the guard rail member 11. In the first condition, the crank handle 26 is positioned so that it is horizontal and generally perpendicular to the uprights 8, 9. As such the crank 20 does not press the guard rail member 11 against the base member 10. Rotation of the clamping member 16 from the condition shown in Figure 11 to the condition shown in Figure 10 results in the displacement of the crank 20 about the crankshaft axis AA and in a direction towards the base 10. The distance Y between the crankshaft axis AA and the crank axis BB is sufficient for the crank 20 to become engaged onto the upper surface 23 of the guard rail member 11 and to subject the guard rail member 11 to a force in the direction towards the base member 10. Support of the main shaft portions 18, 19 within the crankshaft bearings 21, 22 will preferably prevent

(a) the uplifting of the guard rail member 11 from a position where it is in contact with the base member 10 and

(b) as a result of friction between the crank 20, the base member 10, and the guard rail member 11, any longitudinal movement of the guard rail member 11 relative to the bracket 7 and

(c) rotation of the guard rail member 11 about the longitudinal axis of the guard rail member 11.

Accordingly a simple rotation (through for example 90°) of the clamping member 16 can clamp and unclamp the guard rail member 11 with the bracket 7. In the lower most rotational position of the clamping member 16, the crank 20 is in rectilinear alignment with the crankshaft axis and the profile edge 13 which acts as the other half of an effective clamp with the crank. The clamping member 16 at its lower most rotational position is fully engaged with the guard rail 11. Engagement may start to occur just prior to full engagement. This is when most mechanical advantage in applying a clamping force can be achieved. As the rate of travel downwardly by the crank 20, at this angle or rotation, is reducing as it travels towards full engagement, the force it applies can be increased though such mechanical advantage being provided. Also in this position the crank is unlikely to move from its engaged condition without being actuated to do so because of the friction between the crank 20 and the guard rail member 11.

The crankshaft bearings 21, 22, are preferably of a shape so as to resist against movement of the crank 20 away from the guard rail member 11 when in the clamped condition as shown in Figure 10. It can be seen that the crankshaft bearings 21, 22 may be an elongated hole within which the main shaft portions 18, 19 are snugly located. The crankshaft bearings 21, 22 may offer a loose fit of the main shaft portions 18, 19 but do at least provide resistance against movement away from the guard rail member 11 when the crank 20 is engaged therewith. In the illustrated form, the crankshaft bearings 21, 22 are part of a larger aperture passing through each of the uprights 8, 9. Each aperture 24 is preferably of a shape to allow for an insertion and retraction of the clamping member 16 from the upright members 8, 9. In one embodiment, the size and shape of the aperture is such that the clamping member 16 may not be removed from the cradle in the engaged condition shown in Figure 10. To insert and retract the clamping member 16, it is located in the condition shown in Figure 11, allowing the crank to pass through the aperture of one of the uprights. As can be seen with reference to Figure 3, a pre or post use configuration of the scaffold guard rail support is a condition where the bracket 7 and the clamping member 16 are completely disengaged from each other, other than for example by way of a tether 25.

The clamping member 16 preferably also includes a crank handle 26 extending from or engaged to the crankshaft 17 to control the rotation of the crankshaft 17. The crank handle 26 preferably extends laterally to the crankshaft axis AA and can be handled by a hand or between the fingers of a person to effect rotation of the crankshaft 17. The handle is preferably sufficiently long for sufficient mechanical advantage to be obtained to subject the crankshaft 17 to sufficient torque to move it between engaged and unengaged conditions.

Forming part of or projecting from the crank handle 26 is a locator 27 which can become located within an aperture 28 of the upright 8 to lock any undesired rotation of the crankshaft about the crankshaft axis AA. The locator 27 can protrude into the aperture 28 upon a sliding movement of the clamping member 16 in a direction parallel to the crankshaft axis AA once the crank handle 26 has been rotated to a condition where the crank 20 clamps onto the guard rail member 11. The locator 27, in such condition is aligned with the aperture 28. To release the clamping member 16 for rotation from the clamped condition shown in Figure 10 to the condition shown in Figure 11, a movement of the clamping member 16 in a direction parallel to the crankshaft axis AA needs to occur to retract the locator 27, from the engaged condition with the aperture 28 to then allow for the crank handle 26 to rotate the crankshaft 17 to the condition as shown for example in Figure 11. The locator 27 may be located from any portion of the crank handle 26 but preferably is located at the distal end of the crank handle 26. Preferably the entire clamping member 16 including the locator 27, the crank handle 26, the main shaft portions 18, 19 and crankshaft 17 are formed from a single rod which is bent appropriately to define the desired shape.

With reference to Figures 12 and 13, a variation to the preferred form of the invention is shown. Additional force may be applied by the clamping member 16 once moved to a condition engaged with the guard rail member 11. A movement of the clamping member 16 in a direction parallel to the crankshaft axis AA (in the Y direction as shown in Figure 12) may result in additional clamping force being applied. Such movement in the Y direction may be desirable and may simultaneously engage the locator 27 (not shown) with the aperture 28 (not shown) of the upright 8.

Such additional clamping is as a result of an offset (i.e. non parallel) crank axis BB, to the crankshaft axis AA. In the example shown in Figure 12, the crank axis BB is at an angle θ and movement of the clamping member 16 in direction Y will impart additional clamping force by the crank 20 onto the guard rail member 11.

Whilst reference herein is made to the axes of the crankshaft and the crank, it will be appreciated that the shape of the crank, where it is to clamp with the guard rail member 11, may also provide such an effect as described with reference to Figure 12. In the preferred form the clamping member 16 is made of a substantially constant cross section rod however a tapered shape to the crank 20, wherein the clamping surface of the crank is angled to the rotational axis of the crankshaft, can also effect such additional clamping upon the movement of the clamping member 16 in direction Y. With reference to Figure 13 there is shown a variation to the clamping member

16 of the present invention wherein the clamping member 16 is to engage with uprights having crankshaft bearings 21 and 22 which are not at the same height above the base. In the preferred form the crankshaft bearings 21, 22 are at the same height above the base but in the example shown in Figure 13, the uprights (not shown) locate the crankshaft bearings 21 and 22 at a variation of H relative to each other. With angled main shaft portions 18, 19 relative to the crank axis BB a similar additional clamping effect can be achieved by the clamping member 16 upon its movement in the direction Y once the crank 20 has been rotated to a condition engaging the guard rail member 11. Whilst in the preferred form the bracket 7 presents its mouth opening 14 upwardly, it will be appreciated that a side entry may also allow for a guard rail member 11 to become located with or in the bracket. The bracket may in such a configuration still be U-shaped but present its mouth opening for side entry rather than by upper entry to the space of the bracket. However the preferred upwardly positioned opening to the bracket has the advantage of allowing for a guard rail to remain securely supported other than by any uplifting force that it may be subjected to, and whilst the clamping member 16 has not engaged or closed the mouth opening 14.

In the alternatively located positions of the mouth opening, the bracket may also be orientated differently yet still provide for a restriction or closure of the mouth opening to prevent the passing of the guard rail member therethrough.

A further variation to the preferred form of the invention may include a variation where the bracket may only present one upright. One of the uprights may be absent. It may instead be replaced by a surface of the standard of the scaffold structural member with which the clamp is engaged. The standard may include a hole therethrough which offers a bearing for part of the clamping member to engage with. Accordingly a support may be defined by the combination of the clamping member, bracket of the present invention described above, absent of one upright, and a standard of the scaffolding.

As mentioned above, the clamping member may not necessarily be moved or movable for full disengagement with the clamping member. Instead the clamping member may be moved to retract sufficiently to create a gap or opening to the space to allow for a guard rail to pass into and out of the space.

As can be seen with reference to Figure 14, scaffolding members including upright standards with which scaffold guard rail supports of the present invention are engaged, can allow for guard rails to become securely supported by the scaffolding at desirable locations and configurations. A scaffolding structure may include one or more of these and other scaffolding members.

Assembly and disassembly of guard rails with scaffolding including the scaffold guard rail support of the present invention can be quickly, conveniently and accurately achieved.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A scaffold guard rail support to secure a guard rail to a scaffolding structure, said guard rail support comprising; a bracket to receive and locate an elongate guard rail, a clamping member that includes a crankshaft carrying a crank, said crankshaft carried by said bracket such that the clamping member is rotatable about its crankshaft axis between a first and second condition, and wherein in said second condition, said crank becomes engaged with said elongate guard rail and presses said elongate guard rail against said bracket,

2. A scaffold guard rail support as claimed in claim 1 wherein said bracket is "U" shaped.

3. A scaffold guard rail support as claimed in claim 1 wherein said bracket is "V" shaped.

4. A scaffold guard rail support as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said bracket includes a clamping surface against which said elongate guard rail is pressed by said clamping member, said clamping member carried by said bracket for said crank to engage said elongate guard rail diametrically opposite to where said clamping surface engages to press said elongate guard rail against said clamping surface.

5. A scaffold guard rail support as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein said bracket and said crankshaft together define an enclosed passage for said elongate guard rail to extend through, said crank, upon the movement of said crankshaft from its first to its second condition, moving to constrict the passage.

6. A scaffold guard rail support as claimed in claim 4 wherein said bracket and said crankshaft together define an enclosed passage for said elongate guard rail to extend through, said crank, upon the movement of said crankshaft from its first to its second condition, moving towards said clamping surface.

7. A scaffold guard rail support as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 6 wherein said crankshaft, in said second condition, positions the crank axis of said crank intermediate of said crankshaft axis and said clamping surface.

8. A scaffold guard rail support as claimed in claim 7 wherein said crankshaft, in said second condition, positions the crank axis of said crank rectilinearly intermediate of said crankshaft axis and said clamping surface.

9. A scaffold guard rail support as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein said clamping member is removably carried by said bracket.

10. A scaffold guard rail support as claimed in claim 1 wherein said bracket is a "U" shaped bracket defining a cradle region for said elongate guard rail to locate in, said cradle region bounded by a lower portion of said "U" shaped bracket and by two side portions projection from said lower portion on each side of said cradle region to a distance above the said lower portion so as to project beyond said elongate guard rail to be located in said cradle region.

11. A scaffold guard rail support as claimed in claim 10 wherein each of said side portions include bearing regions carrying the crankshaft axis in said bracket.

12. A scaffold guard rail support as claimed in claim 10 or 11 wherein said bearing regions of each said side portions are positioned to hold the crankshaft axis of said crankshaft perpendicular to the elongate direction of said elongate guard rail.

13. A scaffold guard rail support as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 12 wherein said bracket defines a mouth opening to said cradle region through which said elongate guard rail may pass, said cradle region closable by said clamping member when said clamping member has its crankshaft axis located with each bearing region, said clamping member being held by said bearing regions in a manner to be slidable along the crankshaft axis direction for removal from its engaged condition with at least one of said bearing regions to at least partially open said cradle region.

14. A scaffold guard rail support as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13 wherein said crankshaft, when in a condition for said crank to be engaged with said elongate guard rail, positions said crank on a surface of said elongate guard rail having its normal projection towards said crankshaft axis.

15. A scaffold guard rail support as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14 wherein said clamping member is tethered to said bracket.

16. A scaffold guard rail support as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 15 wherein said clamping member includes a crank handle to effect rotation of said crankshaft.

17. A scaffold guard rail support as claimed in claim 16 wherein said crank handle extends in a direction lateral to the crankshaft axis.

18. A scaffold guard rail support as claimed in claims 16 or 17 wherein said crank handle is integrally formed and extends from said crankshaft.

19. A scaffold guard rail support as claimed in any one of the claims 16 to 18 wherein said crank handle includes a locking region which when said crankshaft is in said second condition, where said crank is positioned for engagement with said elongate guard rail, selectively interacts with a locking region of said bracket to restrict rotation of said crankshaft.

20. A scaffold guard rail support as claimed in claim 19 wherein said locking region of said crank handle is moved to a condition interacting with said locking region, once said crankshaft is in said second condition, by a movement of said clamping member in a direction parallel to said crankshaft.

21. A scaffold guard rail support as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 20 wherein said crankshaft axis is parallel to said crank axis.

22. A scaffold guard rail support as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 21 wherein said crank axis is eccentric to said crankshaft axis.

23. A scaffolding structure including a plurality of structural elements wherein at least one structural element has a guard rail support as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 22 affixed to it.

24. A scaffolding structure as claimed in claim 23 wherein said guard rail support is affixed to a said structural element with the bracket presenting a mount opening in a upward direction to receive a guard rail therethrough from above.

25. A scaffolding structure as claimed in claim 23 or 24 wherein at least one structural element is a unitary element that includes at least two vertical standards wherein each vertical standard has a guard rail support as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 22 affixed thereto each guard rail support positioned at even height.

26. A scaffolding structure wherein a plurality of scaffolding guard rail supports as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 22 are engaged at an even height and with each of which a guard rail is located.

27. A vertical standard for a scaffolding structure with which a bracket is affixed projecting from said vertical standard to receive and locate an elongate guard rail, a clamping member that includes a crankshaft carrying a crank, said crankshaft carried by said bracket and said vertical standard for rotation about its crankshaft axis, wherein said crankshaft is carried by said bracket and said vertical standard so that said crankshaft is rotatable between a first and second condition relative to said bracket, wherein in said second condition said crank becomes engaged with said elongate guard rail and presses said elongate guard rail against said bracket.

28. A scaffold guard rail support as claimed in claim 1 wherein the bracket includes at least one elongated hole for receiving the clamping member, and wherein the at least one elongated hole is configured to restrict removal of the clamping member from the bracket when the clamping member is in the second, engaged condition.