AU677528B2 - Adjustable bracket - Google Patents

Description

P/00/011 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Name of Applicant: ROOF SAFE PTY LTD Actual Inventor(s): Donald William Hayman and James Donald Hayman Address for Service: WRAY ASSOCIATES, Primary Industry House, 239 Adelaide Terrace, Perth, Western Australia, 6000.

Attorney code: WR o a s o Invention Title: "ADJUSTABLE BRACKET" Details of Associated Provisional Application No: PM8295 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- -2- THIS INVENTION relates to an adjustable bracket. The adjustable bracket of the present invention is particularly, although not exclusively, suited for use in the attachment and location of guard rails or boards in guard or safety rail systems.

Guard or safety rail systems presently in common use on roofs typically include a hand rail, knee rail and on occasion, a kick board. Each rail and board is typically attached to at least two upright support members which are in turn either integrally formed with or releasably attached to an elongate member.

Each elongate member may be located on a single rafter in a releasable manner.

The guard or safety rail system is provided as a safety measure for those persons having to work on an elevated work surface. A commonly elevated work surface is a roof, as previously mentioned. Guard or safety rail systems require some attachment and location of guard rails and boards. Otherwise, the safety features of the system are compromised with the consequent increased possibility of building materials, tools or persons falling from an elevated work surface damaging the materials and tools or injuring the persons. Damage and 20 injury may also be incurred by materials and persons located below the elevated work surface due to falling materials.

If a guard or safety rail system is troublesome and time consuming to erect it is more likely that the persons contemplating using that system will decide to 25 forego erecting all or part of the system. Therefore, an aim of the present invention is to provide an adjustable bracket that is able to be used quickly and effectively in guard or safety rail systems.

The present invention provides an adjustable bracket for retaining a member or 30 article, the bracket comprising a locating portion and a locking portion, the locating portion comprising an elongate member having first and second ends, the second end having provided thereat a receiving means, the locking portion comprising a sleeve portion through which the elongate member and a support member in respect of which the sleeve is to be releasably positioned may be received, a releasable locking means and a locating flange, whereby the locking portion may be moved between a first position in which a member or article is able to be located in the receiving means and a second position in which the member is releasably locked in the receiving means and with respect to the support member by the locking portion.

Preferably, the receiving means of the locating portion and the locating flange of the locking portion are prop.,rtioned so as to releasably engage the transverse member by holding same against the locating portion and in turn the support member.

Preferably, the releasable locking means of the sleeve is able to releasably lock the sleeve relative to the support member and locating means. Still preferably, the releasable locking means is provided in the form of a clamp.

The present invention further provides a method for providing the releasable location of a kick board for a guard or safety rail system, the method comprising 20 the steps of providing an adjustable bracket about a support member of the guard or safety rail system, the adjustable bracket comprising a locating portion and a locking portion, the locating portion comprising an elongate member having first and second ends, the second end having provided thereat a receiving means, the locking portion comprising a sleeve portion through which 25 the elongate member together with the support member is received, a releasable locking means and a locating flange, and moving the locking portion between a first position in which the kick board is able to be located in the receiving means and a second position in which the board is releasably locked in the receiving means and with respect to the support member by the locating portion.

A second embodiment of the present invention provides an adjustable bracket arrangement for retaining a member or article, the bracket arrangement -4comprising a location portion and a locking portion, the locating portion comprising a sleeve portion having a receiving means provided thereon, the locking portion comprising a sleeve portion having a locating flange thereon, each sleeve portion further comprising a releasable locking means such that each may be locked with respect to a support member received through each sleeve, the receiving means and locking portion being so arranged whereby a member or article may be releasably located therebetween with respect to the support member.

The second embodiment of the present invention further provides a method for providing the releasable location of a kick board for a guard or safety rail system, the method comprising the steps of providing an adjustable bracket arrangement about a support member of the guard or safety rail system, the adjustable bracket arrangement comprising a locating portion and locking portion, the locating portion comprising a sleeve portion having a receiving means provided thereon, the locking portion comprising a sleeve portion having a locating flange thereon, each sleeve portion further comprising a releasable locking means such that each may be locked with respect to the support member received through each sleeve, locating the kick board in the receiving 20 means of the locating portion after releasable locking of its locking means, moving the locking portion until its locating flange engages the kick board and releasably locking the locking portion thereat such the kick board is releasably held therebetween.

25 A user wishing to provide a kick board for a guard or safety rail system will position the adjustable bracket on the support member whereby a base portion of the receiving means abuts the elongate member. The releasable locking means is at this point disengaged such that the sleeve may move relative to both the support member and the elongate member of the locating portion.

The kick board may be inserted into the receiving means of the locating portion whilst the locking portion of the adjustable bracket is raised so as to be adjacent a first end of the elongate member. As such, the kick board may pass below the locating Tlange of the locking portion. The locking portion may then be lowered so that the locating flange engages the kick board. The locking means is then locked thereby locking the sleeve, elongate member, support member and kick board together. A terminal depending portion of the locking portion and an upright portion provided on the receiving means ensure the kick board cannot be moved away from the elongate member whilst the locking portion is locked in this position.

A kick plate may be provided in the form of two lengths of fascia panelling whereby one is received in the other in a complimentary fashion. The operation of the adjustable bracket in relation to the fitting and removal of the kick plate is substantially the same as that for the kick board noted above. Importantly, the lengths of fascia panelling comprising the kick plate can be moved relative to each other thereby allowing the user to adjust the length of the kick plate as desired.

The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 is an upper perspective view of an adjustable bracket in accordance with the present invention in position on an upright support member and elongate member of a single support means of a guard or safety rail system; Figure 2 is a side view of the adjustable bracket of Figure 1 in which a transverse board has been received; e• S Figure 3 is an upper perspective view of the adjustable bracket of Figure 30 1 having a transverse board received therein and an additional board in position on the elongate member of the support means; -6- Figure 4 is a side view of the adjustable bracket of Figure 1 in which a transverse kick board comprised of facia panels has been received; and Figure 5 is an upper perspective view of the adjustable bracket of Figure 1 in which a kick board comprised of facia panels has been received.

Figure 6 is a side view of an adjustable bracket in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, in which a transverse board has been received.

In Figure 1 there is shown an adjustable bracket 10 in position on a support member 12 of a guard or safety rail system. The adjustable bracket comprises a locating portion 14 and a locking portion 16.

The locating portion 14 comprises an elongate member 18 having a first end and a second end 22. A tab 24 projects from the first end 20 of the elongate member 18 at a substantially right angle thereto. The second end 22 has provided thereat a receiving means 26 in turn comprised of a base portion 28, a return upright portion 30 and the elongate member 18.

The locking portion 16 of the adjustable bracket 10 comprises a sleeve 32, a releasable locking means 34 and a locating flange 36. The sleeve 32 is of rectangular hollow section having two pairs of substantially opposed sides.

However, it should be noted that the sleeve 32 may be adapted to suit whatever 4 25 section it is to be received around, ie whatever section the support member 12 provides.

4 S The releasable locking means 34 comprises a bolt 38 received in a threaded aperture (not shown) through which the bolt 38 may be tightened to bear against 30 the support member 12. The locating flange 36 is provided on the side of the sleeve 32 substantially opposed to that in which the releasable locking means -7- 34 is provided. The locating flange 36 comprises a tab 40 projecting from the sleeve 32 and having a terminal depending portion 42.

The support member 12 is located at a first end 44 of an elongate member 46.

The elongate member 46 is supported at a second end 48 on a plate 50. A foot member 52 projects from the plate 50 to the elongate member 46 at a point between the first and second ends thereof, 44 and 48 respectively.

The plate 50 has a depending flange 54 provided at one edge thereof. The plate 50 and flange 54 define a substantially right angled recess within which a rafter 56 may be received. The plate 50 has located thereon an attachment means 58 adjacent the second end 48 of the elongate member 46 and whereby the plate 50 and flange 54 may be releasably secured to the rafter 56. The attachment means 58 comprises a notched tab 60, a sleeve 62 and a length of chain 64 fixed to the flange 54. The chain 64 has an elongate bolt 66 attached at one end thereof, the bolt 66 being received through the sleeve 62. The other end of the chain 66 may be wrapped around the rafter 56 to engage the notched tab 60 and a nut 68 provided on the bolt 66 tightened so that the plate 50 and flange 54 are held securely to the rafter 56.

In Figures 2 and 3 there is shown the adjustable bracket 10 in which an elongate 0**4 too.: ;length of board 70 has been received in an upright manner. The board 70 is substantially rectangular in section. A second board 72 is provided located across the elongate member 46 in a substantially 'flat' orientation, as is best 25 seen in Figure 3. The board 72 is of a substantially rectangular section. The boards 70 and 72 are arranged in a substantially transverse manner with respect to the support member 12 and adjustable bracket o* The receiving means 26 of the locating portion 16 is proportioned to receive a 30 lower face 74 of the board 70, as can be best seen in Figure 2. The locating flange 36 of the locking portion 16 is proportioned to engage an upper face 76 of the board 70, best seen in Figure 3.

c In Figures 4 and 5 there is shown the adjustable bracket 10 of the present invention as used to receive a 'kick board' formed from two elongate lengths of facia panelling 78. The facia panels 78 have a profile allowing two lengths thereof to be received one in the other in a complimentary fashion as shown in Figures 4 and 5. The two lengths of facia panelling 78 combine to form a kick plate 80. The kick plate 80 has an upper face 82 and a lower face 84. The lengths of facia panelling 78 are able to slide relative to each other so as to allow the kick plate 80 to conform to any desired length, as can be best seen in Figure In Figure 6 there is shown an adjustable bracket arrangement 100 comprised of the equivalent of two opposed locking portions 16 of the adjustable bracket The lower of the locking portions 16 shown in Figure 6 replaces the locating portion 14 of the adjustable bracket 10 and is inverted compared to the upper locking portion. As such, the bracket arrangement 100 still comprises both a locating portion and a locking portion.

In use, a user (not shown) wishing to provide a kick board for a guard or safety S 20 rail system will position the adjustable bracket 10 on the support member 12 so that the base portion 28 of the receiving means 26 abuts the elongate member 46, as can be seen in Figure 1. The releasable locking means 34 is disengaged allowing the sleeve 32 to slide over both the support member 12 and the elongate member 18 of the locating portion 14.

If it is desired to provide a kick board in the form of the elongate length of board 70 the locking portion 16 of the adjustable bracket 10 is raised so as to be adjacent to the first end 20 of the elongate member 18, as can be seen in Figure 2. This allows the lower face 74 of the board 70 to be inserted into the receiving 30 means 26 of the locating portion 14. The upper face 76 of the board 70 is able to pass below the terminal depending portion 42 of the locating flange 36 such that the board 70 abuts and sits substantially flat against the elongate member 18.

Once it is desired to secure the board 70 in position against the elongate member 18 and within the receiving means 26 the locking portion 16 may be lowered by the user such that the tab 40 and terminal depending portion 42 engage the upper face 76 of the board 70. The bolt 38 of the releasable locking means 34 may be tightened against the support member 12 thereby locking the sleeve 32 and elongate member 18 in that position. The terminal depending portion 42 of the locking portion 12 and the return upright portion 30 of the receiving means 26 ensure the board 70 cannot be moved away from the elongate member 18 whilst the locking portion 16 is locked in this position.

When it is desired to remove the board 70 the bolt 38 of the releasable locking means 34 is untightened thereby allowing the locking portion 16 to move relative to both the support member 12 and the elongate member 18. The user simply raises the locking portion 16 to that position adjacent the first end 20 of the elongate member 18, as shown in Figure 2, after which the board 70 then be lifted from the adjustable bracket 10 passing under the terminal depending portion 42 of the locating flange 36.

The adjustable bracket 10 may be used to receive the kick plate 80 comprising two lengths of facia panelling 78, as shown in Figures 4 and 5. The operation of the adjustable bracket 10 in relation to the fitting and removal of the kick plate 25 80 is substantially the same as that for the fitting and removal of the board hereinbefore described. However, the lengths of facia panelling 78 comprising the kick plate 80 are able to move relative to each other thereby allowing the user to adjust the kick plate 80 to conform to whatever length thereof is desired.

This provides an advantage over and above the use of a board 70 as often the 30 only manner in which the length of such a board 70 may be adjusted is by cutting or removing a portion thereof. Such a procedure can ultimately prove costly and is largely inconvenient.

i II.

It is envisaged that the adjustable bracket 10 of the present invention may be used to secure and locate a board 70 and/or a kick plate 80 at a point on the support member 12 other than that in which the base portion 28 r.f the receiving means 26 abuts the elongate member 46. It is further envisaged that the receiving means 26 and the locating flange 36 may be proportioned to receive elongate materials of a profile different from that of the board 70 and kick plate hereinbefore described.

The adjustable bracket arrangement 100 is used in substantially the same manner as is the adjustable bracket 10. A user may locate the kick board 70 as desired against the support member 12, locate and fasten the lower locking portion 16 as a locating portion and then lock the board 70 in position by locating and fastening the upper locking portion 16.

It is further envisaged that the sleeve 32 of the locking portion 16 may be substituted by a functional equivalent such as another form of clamping device to locate the locking portion 16 with respect to the support member 12. Such functional equivalent may similarly have the locking means and locating flange S 20 provided thereon.

It should be appreciated that modifications and variations may be made to the embodiment of the present invention hereinbefore described without departing from the scope of the present invention.

*2

Claims (12)

1. An adjustable bracket for retaining a member or article, the bracket comprising a locating portion and a locking portion, the locating portion comprising an elongate member having first and second ends, the second end having provided thereat a receiving means, the locking portion comprising a sleeve portion through which the elongate member and a support member in respect of which the sleeve is to be releasably positioned may be received, a releasable locking means and a locating flange, whereby the locking portion may be moved between a first position in which a member or article is able to be located in the receiving means and a second position in which the member is releasably locked in the receiving means and with respect to the support member by the locking portion.

2. An adjustable bracket according to claim 1, in which the receiving means of the locating portion and the locating flange of the locking portion are proportioned so as to releasably engage the transverse member by holding same against the locating portion and in turn the support member.

3. An adjustable bracket according to claim 1 or 2, in which the releasable locking means of the sleeve is able to releasably lock the sleeve relative to the support member and locating means.

4. An adjustable bracket according to claim 3, in which the locking means is 25 provided in the form of a clamp.

5. An adjustable bracket according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the locating flange comprises at least in part a terminal depending portion.

6. An aaqjustable bracket according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the receiving means comprises at least in part the elongate member, a owhich the receiving means comprises at least in part the elongate member, a -12- base portion and an upright portion, whereby the transverse member may be partially located therein.

7. An adjustable bracket according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the first position of the locking portion is largely defined by the sleeve thereof abutting a tab provided at the first end of the elongate member.

8. An adjustable bracket according to claim 7, in which the sleeve of the locking portion is specifically proportioned to accept both the elongate member and the support member allowing sliding movement of the sleeve with respect to the elongate member and support member whilst the tab and receiving means prevent the sleeve passing from around the elongate member ard ,v)pport member when in position thereabout.

9. A mothod for providing the releasable location of a kick board for a guard Sor safer/ rail system by fixing the adjustable bracket of claim 1 to a support member of the guard or safety rail system, and moving the locking portion between a first position in which a kick board is able to be located in the receiving means and a second position in which the kick board is releasably 20 locked both in the receiving means and with respect to the support member by the locating portion.

10. A method according to claim 9, in which the kick board is comprised of two elongate panels of a profile allowing the two to be received one in the other in a complimentary fashion such that the two may slide relative to each other thereby allowing a kick board of variable length to be provided.

11. An adjustable bracket for retaining a member or article substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to -13-

12. A method for providing the releasable location of a kick board for a guard or safety rail system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to DATED this twenty-second day of January 1997 ROOF SAFE PTY LTD Applicant. Wray Associates, Perth, Western Australia Patent Attorneys for the Applicant t ABSTRACT The present invention provides an adjustable bracket (10) for retaining a member or article the bracket comprising a locating portion (14) and a locking portion the locating portion (14) comprising an elongate member (18) having first and second ends (20, 22), the second end (22) having provided thereat a receiving means the locking portion (16) comprising a sleeve portion (32) in which the elongate member (18) and a support member (12) to which the sleeve (32) is to be attached may be received, a releasable locking means (34) and a locating flange whereby the locking portion (16) may be moved between a first position in which a member or article (70) is able to be located in the receiving means (26) and a second position in which the member is releasably locked in the receiving means (26) against the support member (12) by the locking portion (16). Ca t C 4