ZA201006642B

ZA201006642B - Cross bracing attachment member

Info

Publication number: ZA201006642B
Application number: ZA2010/06642A
Authority: ZA
Inventors: Jan Johannes Moes; Wet Ben De; Klaas Pouwels
Original assignee: Waco Africa (Proprietary) Ltd
Priority date: 2009-11-16
Filing date: 2010-09-16
Publication date: 2011-05-25
Also published as: NZ588490A; AU2010224464A1

Description

mF 9010/ 06642

CROSS BRACING ATTACHMENT MEMBER

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a cross bracing attachment member for use in a scaffolding arrangement, the attachment member simultaneously acting as a ledger end fitting to receive the end of a ledger.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A typical scaffolding structure comprises a plurality of vertically extending standards to which a plurality of horizontally extending ledgers are fitted, with this structure simply being repeated as needed.

To stabilize the overall structure, it is necessary to fit diagonally extending braces from, for example, the top of one standard to the bottom of an adjacent standard, also known as cross bracing. However, a typical standard comprises 4 equally spaced apart, peripheral attachment formations, with the ends of the ledgers comprising a fitting to allow it to be connected to one attachment formation on the standard. Thus, it is not possible to cross brace using the conventional standard and ledger, since in a plane defined by a pair of adjacent standards and plurality of ledgers extending horizontally across the standards, there are no additional attachment points available to receive the ends of a cross brace.

At present, cross bracing is achieved in a number of ways. In one way, the ends of the ledger are modified to accommodate the ends of a cross brace. In another way, conventional scaffold tubes and fittings in the form of swivel couplers may be used. In yet another way, circular plates defining a plurality of attachment points are welded to the standard, to provide the required additional attachment points. These circular plates either replace or supplement the standard 4 equally spaced apart, peripheral attachment formations. These cross bracing arrangements are typically expensive, cumbersome and complicated, with it being an aim of the present invention to provide a simpler way of cross bracing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention there is provided a cross bracing attachment member for a scaffolding structure, the attachment member comprising: a first end defining a first coupling arrangement to receive, in use, an end of a horizontally extending ledger, a second end defining a second coupling arrangement to connect the attachment member to one of a plurality of peripheral attachment formations on a standard that is part of the scaffolding structure; and a connection point between the first and second ends that, in use, is substantially below the first coupling arrangement, for receiving an end of a cross brace. in an embodiment, the cross bracing attachment member comprises a central connecting body, with a first tube extending from a first side of the central connecting body, the first tube defining the first end, and a pair of arms extending from a second side of the central connecting body, the pair of arms defining the second coupling arrangement.

IPN

: In an embodiment, the pair of arms snugly accommodates one of the plurality of peripheral attachment formations on a conventional standard, the arms defining apertures for receiving a locking pin that also extends through an aperture defined in the attachment formation to which the arms are fitted.

In an embodiment, a second tube, extending below the central connecting body and substantially at right angles to the first tube, defines the connection point.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a cross bracing attachment ‘ member according to an example embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a side view of the cross bracing attachment member within a scaffolding structure;

Figure 3 shows a detailed view of the area in Figure 2 indicated by numeral “3”;

Figures 4 and 5 show perspective and bottom views of the cross bracing attachment member fitted to an end of a horizontally extending ledger, ready to receive the end of a cross brace; and

Figures 6 and 7 show perspective and bottom views of the cross bracing attachment member fitted to an end of a horizontally extending ledger, and to which the end of the cross brace has been fitted.

: RE

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings, a cross bracing attachment member 10 for a scaffolding structure 12 is shown. The attachment member 10 comprises a first end 14 defining a first coupling arrangement 16 to receive an end 18 of a horizontally extending ledger 20.

A second end 22 defines a second coupling arrangement 24 to connect the attachment member 10 to one of a plurality of peripheral attachment formations 26 on a conventional vertically extending standard 28. The peripheral attachment formations 26 are commonly referred to as V-pressings in that they comprise a pair of components that are welded to the standard 28 so as to define a V.

The bracing attachment member 10 further comprises a connection point 30 between the first and second ends 12, 22. As clearly shown, the connection point 30 is located below the first coupling arrangement 16, for receiving an end 32 of a cross brace 34. in an embodiment, the cross bracing attachment member 10 comprises a central connecting body 36. A first tube 38 extends from a first side of the central connecting body 36, the first tube 38 defining the first end 12. A pair of arms 40, 42 extend from a second side of the central connecting body 36, the pair of arms 40, 42 defining the second coupling arrangement 24.

In an embodiment, as best shown in Figure 3, the pair of arms 40, 42 snugly accommodate one of the V pressings 26 on the standard 28. The arms 40, 42 define apertures 44, 46, respectively, for receiving a locking pin 48. The locking pin 48 is also arranged to extend through an aperture defined by the V-

shaped pair of components 26, so as to securely fit the cross bracing attachment member 10 to the standard 28.

In an embodiment, a second tube 50 extends below the central connecting body 36 and substantially at right angles to the first tube 38. The second tube 50 defines the connection point 30 to receiving a securing pin 52 extending from the end 32 of the cross brace 34.

As best shown in Figures 5 and 7, the second tube 50 defines a slit 54 to receive a spring-loaded latch 56 extending from the end 32 of the cross brace 34. Thus, when locked in position, as best shown in Figure 7, the latch 56 is secured within the slit 54 of the second tube 50. To release the latch 56, a release lever 58 may be activated so as to move the latch 56 out of and away from the slit 54.

The present invention thus provides a cross bracing attachment member that is durable, easy to use and that conveniently provides the required attachment point for a cross brace.

Claims

EIEN MZo010/ 06642 CLAIMS

1. A cross bracing attachment member for a scaffolding structure, the attachment member comprising: a first end defining a first coupling arrangement to receive, in use, an end of a horizontally extending ledger, a second end defining a second coupling arrangement to connect the attachment member to one of a plurality of peripheral attachment formations on a standard that is part of the scaffolding structure; and a connection point between the first and second ends that, in use, is substantially below the first coupling arrangement, for receiving an end of a cross brace.

2. The cross bracing attachment member of claim 1, wherein the cross bracing attachment member comprises a central connecting body, with a first tube extending from a first side of the central connecting body, the first tube defining the first end, and a pair of arms extending from a second side of the central connecting body, the pair of arms defining the second coupling arrangement.

3. The cross bracing attachment member of claim 2, wherein the pair of arms snugly accommodates one of the plurality of peripheral attachment formations on a conventional standard, the arms defining apertures for receiving a locking pin that also extends through an aperture defined in the attachment formation to which the arms are fitted.

4. The cross bracing attachment member of claim 2, wherein a second tube, extending below the central connecting body and substantially at right angles to the first tube, defines the connection point.

DATED THIS 16™ DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2010

Zt yy a; Bd AK AN INC.

OR APPLICANT