GB2158497A - Platform structure method of assembling a platform and fitting for use in the method - Google Patents

Abstract

Planks (11) resting on horizontal tubes (14) are held by clamps, each incorporating wings (19, 20) overlapping the planks and a hook (17) engaged beneath the tube. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Plafform structure, method of assembling a platform and fitting for use in the method From one aspect, this invention relates a structure comprising a platform suitable for supporting workmen. The invention is primarily concerned with temporary structures. A scaffold is an example of a temporary structure comprising a platform intended for supporting workmen.

A scaffold usually comprises a framework of rectilinear metal tubes connected with one another by fittings and including some parallel, horizontal members, together with a plurality of planks which are supported side-by-side on horizontal members of the framework to provide a platform for workmen. Timber planks and metal planks are both common.

It is known to arrange the framework of a scaffold in such a mannerthatthe framework limits horizontal movement of the planks. To this end, scaffold frameworks sometimes comprise horizontal members of angle section to receive end portions of the planks, one limb of the angle section lying beneath a plankand the other limb being adjacentto orabutting an end face of the plank. The known arrangements do not restrain upward movement ofthe planks. It will be appreciated that, if a plank moves upwardly relative to the scaffold framework, it may then be free to move in another direction relative to the framework.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a structure comprising a number of planks spaced apart in side-by-side relation with major faces presented upwardly, a support engaged with downwardly facing surfaces ofthe planks and one or more retainers, the or each retainer having at least one lateral portion which overlaps an upwardly facing surface of a respective plank and a further portion disposed beside that plank, the retainer being connected with the support to restrain upward movement ofthe plank relative to the support.

Generally, each retainerwill have at leasttwo lateral portions which overlap respective upwardly facing surfaces of a pair of adjacent planks and an intermediate portion which lies between these planks. A single retainer may overlap four planks in side-by-side relation with one another and resting on a common support.

The intermediate portion of the retainer preferably lies entirely below the lateral portions so that the intermediate portion does not protrude above the upwardly facing surfacesofthe planks.

The retainer may be connected with the support by a hook which engages beneath the support.

In a case where the hook is a component distinct from the retainer, the hook preferably lies entirely below the upper surface of the planks.

According to a second aspect ofthe invention, there is provided a device for use in a structure according to the first aspect, the device comprising a hook having a bight to engage under a horizontal supportforthe planks, a retainer to engage an upwardly facing surface of a plank and a connector to connect the hook and the retainer, the connector being settable in afirst condition to maintain a closer relation between the bight of the hook and the retainer and in a second condition to release the hook and retainer from the closer relation and permit limited movement of the retainer away from the bight of the hook.

The device may be used to secure to a generally upright, elongated member, a plank having minor faces presented upwardly and downwardly, the bight of the hook being engage with the support and the retainer engaging a laterally facing surface ofthe plank.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a structure comprising a plank arranged with minor faces ofthe plankpresented upwardly and downwardly, a generally upright support engaged with a majorface ofthe plank and one or more retainers, the or each retainer having a portion which overlaps a further majorface of the plank and being connected with the generally upright member to restrain movementofthe plankawayfromthe upright member.

The device is preferably so arranged and constructed that the connector is set in its first condition or in its second condition by turning ofthe connector relative to one or both of the other components about an axis which is generally horizontal when the device is in use to hold horizontal planks on a horizontal support.

The connector may also be rotatable relative to the hook about a second axis, which is transverse to said horizontal axis. There may be between the hook and the connector an adjustable connection, for example provided by co-operating male and female screw threaded elements, which can be adjusted by rotation ofthe connector about the second axis.

The connector is preferably adjustable relative to the hook in such a mannerthatthe separation between the bight of the hook and the retainer, when the connector is in its first condition, can be varied.

According to a further aspect ofthe invention, there is provided a method of assembling a platform wherein a support is secured in a generally horizontal attitude, a plurality of planks are rested on an upwardly facing surface ofthe support in side-by-side, spaced relation, a hook is engaged with a downwardly facing surface of the support, a retainer is engaged with an upwardly facing surface of one or more ofthe planks and a connector is set in a gap between adjacent planks to prevent mutual separation ofthe hook and retainer.

An example of a structure in accordance with the first aspect of the invention which includes two different examples of devices according to the second aspect ofthe invention and which is assembled by a method according to the third aspect of the invention will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:: FIGURE 1 shows a perspective view of a part of the structure; FIGURE 2 is a similar perspective view showing in greater detail a smaller part of the structure including one ofthe devices, certain components ofthe structure being partly broken away; FIGURE 3 is an elevation of certain parts shown in Figure 2, as viewed in the direciton of the arrow Ill on Figure 2; FIGURE 4 is a further elevation ofthe parts shown in Figure 3, viewed in the direction of the arrow IV in Figure3; FIGURES 5,6 and 7 are perspective views of respective components of the device shown in Figure 3; FIGURES 8 to 12 are views corresponding to Figures 3 to 7 of the second example of device incorporated in the structure of Figure 1; and FIGURE 13 illustrates a modification of the retainer shown in Figure 5.

The structure illustrated in Figure lisa scaffold, a temporary structure which includes a platform 10for supporting workmen. The platform comprises a plurality of planks 11 arranged in the usual way. Thus, several planks lie side-by-side and these planks are arranged in end-to-end relation with further planks.

The planks are rectilinearand have a rectangular transverse cross section. The planks may be formed of timber, in which case they are solid, or of metal, in which case they would be hollow and, possibly, open atthe underside. A majorface of each plank is presented upwardly and would normally be horizontal, although the invention may be used in circumstances where the platform 10, our a part thereof, is required to be inclined to the horizontal.

The scaffold comprisesaframeworkwhich sup ports the planks 11 and includes uprightstanchions 12 which are spaced apart and interconnected by horizontal members, some of which, 13, are arranged with their lengths parallel to the lengths ofthe planks 11, and others ofwhich, 14, are arranged with their lengths transverse to the lengths ofthe planks.

Usually, the members 12,13 and 14are metal tubes connected to one another by scaffold fittings. However, other materials, for example timber, could be used.

The planks 11 rest on upwardly facing surfaces of the transverse scaffold members 14. Upward movement ofthe planks relative to the scaffold framework is restrained by devices, a first of which is shown in detail in Figure 2 and the components of which first device are shown in Figures 5,6 and 7.Asecond ofthe devices for restraining upward movement of the planks is illustrated in Figures8to 12.

The device of Figures 2 to 7 comprises a hook 15 having a rectilinearshank 16 and a bight 17, the radius of curvature ofthe bight being at least approximately equal to the external radius of curvature of the horizontal members 14. It will be understood that these members, in the particular example illustrated, are cylindrical. Horizontal members ofotherforms may be used, in which case the portion 17 ofthe hook would have a shape different from that illustrated and complementarytothatofthemembers 14.

The device further comprises a retainer 18 which includes lateral portions 19 and 20 and an intermediate portion 21 .These portions are preferably integral with one another, the retainer being formed from a single piece of strip metal. The lateral portions 19 and 20 are both flat, approximately rectangular and have respective major faces which lie in the same place. The intermediate portion 21 is offset from the lateral portions in a direction which is a downward direction when the device is in use.

There is formed in the intermediate portion 21 of the retainer an aperture 22 through which the shank 16 of the h ook extends with sufficient clearance for the hook to be freely slidable through the aperture. Preferably, the aperture is somewhat elongated in a direction parallel to the length of the planks 11. The arrangement may be such thatthe bight 17 can be withdrawn through the aperture 22, to separate the hook from the retainer 18. Alternatively, there could be provided on the bight of the hook a formation which prevents withdrawal of the bight through the aperture 22.

The devicefurthercomprises a connector23 shown in Figure 6. There is between the hookandthe connector an adjustable connection, such that the connector can be adjusted relative to the hook in a direction along the shank 16. The connection may be releasable; so that the connector can be separated from the hook. Alternatively, the hook and connector may be captive with respect to each other In the example illustrated, this connection is a screw threaded connection.

The connector 23 includes a pivot pin 24 in which there is formed a screw threaded through bore, this bore having an axis perpendicularto the longitudinal axis of the pivot pin. Athreaded end portion ofthe shank 16 is screwed into the bore ofthe pivot pin. The connectorfurther comprises a lever 25 which is carried on the pivot pin 24 for rotation relative thereto about the longitudinal axis ofthe pivot pin. The lever has a cam surface 26 near to the pivot pin which is eccentric with respect to the axis ofthe pivot pin and a free end portion 27 which is remote from the pivot pin and serves as a handle of the lever 25.

The connector 23 can be turned about the longitudinal axis of the the pivot pin 24 between a first condition illustrated by full lines in Figures3 and 4, through to a second condition illustrated by the broken line in Figure 4to a third condition illustrated in Figure 2. When the device is in use,thecam surface 26 bears on the intermediate portion 21 of the retainer during movement of the connector between its first and third conditions, so that the separation between the retainerandthe bight 17 ofthe hook is varied.

When the connector is in its second condition, the bight is spaced downwardly from the retainer somewhat more then when the connector is in its first condition.The bight may be spaced even further from the retainer when the connector is in its third condition.

Webs of the retainer which extend between the intermediate portion 21 and the lateral portions 19 and 20 have respective concave surfaces presented towards each other to provide between them a space within which the connector 23 can be rotated about the longitudinal axis of the shank 16, when the connector is in its second condition. Such rotation of the connector screws the connector along the shank to draw the bight 17 upwardly towards the retainer orto lowerthe bightfromthe retainer.In this way, the device can be adjusted according tothethickness of the planks 11 and ofthe support 14sothatthe connector can subsequently be set in its first condition withouttheapplication of excessiveforceto the connector and so that, when the connector is in its first condition, the planks will be held in firm contact with the support.

It will be noted that, when the connector 23 is in its first condition, it lies between adjacent planks 11 and does not protrude above the upper surfaces of these planks. The webs ofthe retainer prevent rotation of the connector aboutthe axis of the shank 16 when the connector is in its first condition.

There is shown in Figure 13 a modified retainer which can be used, in conjunction with the hook of Figure 7 and the connector of Figure 6, to secure a single plank, for example a plank having an edge which is not adjacent to any other plank. Certain parts ofthe retainer shown in Figure 13 correspond to parts of the retainer hereinbefore described and such corresponding parts are indicated in Figure 13 by like reference numerals with the prefix 2. The preceding description is deemed to applyto such corresponding parts, exceptforthe differences hereinafter mentioned.

The retainer of Figure 13 has a single flat lateral portion 220 and, in place of the second lateral portion, a leg 229. At its free end, the leg is formed with a concave surface facing in a direction away from the plane containing the lower surface ofthe lateral portion 220. This concave surface preferably has a radius of curvature substantially equal to that ofthe support 14.The length ofthe leg, measuredfrom said plan, is preferably equal to the thickness ofthe plank 11 with which the retainer is to be used. The leg 229 is connected with the intermediate portion 221 ofthe retainer by a flanged web 230.

A device comprising the connector of Figure 6, the hook of Figure 7 and the retainer of Figure 13 is suitable for secu ring an upper edge portion of a plank 9which serves as a toe board. As shown in Figure 1, this plank is situated at or adjacent to one lateral extremity ofthe platform 10 and is arranged with its majorfaces presented generally horizontally and one minorface resting on one ofthe boards 11 or on the supports 14. The other minorface, generally referred to as an edge, is presented upwardly and is engaged bythatweb of the retainerwhich extends between the intermediate portion 221 and the lateral portion 220.

The plank is trapped between the lateral portion 220 of the retainer and a stanchion 12 to which the retainer is secured by the hook and connector.

The retainer of Figure 13 is also suitable for use at the edge of a plank 11 which lies adjacent to the stanchions 12.

Certain parts ofthe device shown in Figures 8 to 12 correspond to parts ofthe device shown in Figures 2 to 7. In Figures 8 to 12, these corresponding parts are indicated by like reference numerals with the prefix 1 and the preceding description is deemed to apply, exceptforthe differences hereinafter mentioned.

The device of Figures 8to 12 includes a retainer 118, a hook 115 and a connector 123. Theaperture22inthe intermediate portion 121 of the connector is, however, considerably largerthan the transverse cross section oftheshank 1 ofthe hook. The hookandthe retainer are connected with one another by a connector 123 shown in Figure 11. There is between the hook and the connector a pin and slotconnection,the pin 124 of which is secured in afree-end portion of the shank 116 to project therefrom in opposite directions transverse to the plane defined by a longitudinal centreline of the bight 117 ofthe hook.The connector 123 is generally channel-shaped, the side walls of the channel being substantially parallel and formed with respective elongated slots 125 into which respective end portions ofthe pin 124 extend. The pin 124 thus establishes a captive relation between the hook 115 and the connector 123. The pin 124 may be integral with the shank 116 orformed as a separate component which is permanently secured in an aperture in the shank.

Along a major part of its length, the connector 123 has a uniform cross section, the dimensions of which areslightlysmallerthan corresponding dimensions of the aperture 122, so thatthe connector can slide longitudinally within the aperture. At its end remote from the slots 125, the connector is formed with laterally projecting abutments 126 which cannot pass through the aperture 22. The abutments establish a captive relation between the connector and the retainer. The abutments are preferably integral with the remainder ofthe connector, which may be formed as a pressing from strip metal. twill benotedthatthe slots 125 and abutments 126 are separated by a distance which exceeds the thickness of the material of which the intermediate portion 121 ofthe retainer is formed.Furthermore, the slots 125 provide freedom for movement ofthe pin 24 along these slots.

Accordingly, when the abutments 126 rest on the intermediate portion 121 and the remainder ofthe connector 123 projects downwardlythrough the aperture 122 and belowtheretainer,theentirehook 115 can be spaced a substantial distance downwardly from the retainer. When the device has this configuration, the bight 117 ofthe hook can be lowered through a gap between adjacent planks 11 and then moved horizontally towards a support 14 on whch the planks rest and drawn upwardly to engage the downwardly facing surface ofthe member 14. When the hook is so engaged with the member 14, the lateral portions 119 and 120 ofthe retainer are spaced a considerably distance above the planks 11.

Once the hook 115 has been engaged beneath the member 14,the retainer 118 is lowered down the connector 123 so that the shank 115 enters the aperture 122 and the lateral portions 119 and 120 of the retainercometo rest on upwardlyfacing surfaces of adjacent planks. As the lateral portions move into engagement with the planks, the connector 123 emergesfrom the aperture 122. The connector can then be turned relative to the hook and the retainer from the first position, which is illustrated by a broken line in Figure 9, through an intermediate position into the second position illustrated by full lines in Figures 8 and 9. To facilitate such turning ofthe connector, the end portion remote from the abutments 126 is chamfered, as shown at 127.

When the connector 123 is in its second position, the lengths ofthe slots 125 extend horizontally and downward movement ofthe hook 115 relative to the retainer 1 18 and connector 123 is therefore prevented.

Theconnectorcan restonthosepartsofthein- termediate portion 121 which define the boundaries of the aperture 122. When in this position, the connector can be moved horizontally relative to the retainer 118 and hook 115, as indicated by the arrow in Figure 9, to transferthe pin 124from first ends ofthe slots 125 to second ends thereof. When the pin 124 occupies those end portion ofthe slots 125 which are nearerto the abutments 126, the connector 123 rests on the retainer 118 at positions which are spaced apart, on opposite sides ofthe axis of the pin 124. Accordingly, pressure exerted bythe retainer on the connector atthese positionscannotturntheconnectoraboutthe pin 124 towards its first position.

To release the boards 11 from the horizontal member 14, the connector 123 must first be moved horizontally relative to the hook 115 and retainer 118 to bring the pin 124 into both those end portions of the slots 125 which are furthestfrom the abutment 126.

The connector 123 can then be turned aboutthe axis of the pin 124 into its first position. When the connector is in its first position, it can be dropped through the aperture 22 until the abutments 126 come to rest on the intermediate portion 122. In this way, the hook can be lowered from the horizontal member 114.

Itwill be noted that, when the device is in use, the axis of the pin 124 is substantially horizontal. Itwill further be noted that, when the connector 123 is in its second position, neitherthe connector 118 northe hook 115 can project upwardly beyond the lateral portions 119 and 120 of the retainer. Indeed, the connector and hook lie entirely belowthose lateral portions and so do not constitute an obstruction on the platform 10.

Whilst retainers having lateral portions, each of which can overlap with only a single plank have been described and illustrated, retainers with larger lateral portions capable of overlapping with two planks may be provided. The illustrated retainers may be modified to incorporate two intermediate portions separated by a bridge portion suitable for extending across two planks. With such a retainer, there would be used two hooks and two connectors.

It will be noted that the devices hereinbefore described can be released quickly from the supports and that both release and application of the devices does not require the use oftools.

The invention maytake forms which fall outside the scope ofthe following claims. Means for carrying into effect the specificfeatures disclosed in the foregoing description, in the following claims and/or in the accompanying drawings may, both separately and in any combination thereof, be utilised for realising the invention.

Claims (15)

1. A structure comprising a plurality of boards in side-by-side, spaced apart relation, a support on which the boards rest and a retainer having at least one lateral portion resting on an upwardlyfacing surface of one of said boards and a further portion disposed beside said one board, the retainer being connected with the support in a mannerto restrain upward movement of the retainer relative to the support.

2. A structure according to Claim 1 whereinthe retainer has two lateral portions overlapped with respective boards and an intermediate portion disposed between the boards.

3. AstructureaccordingtoClaiml orClaim2 wherein the retainer is connected with a hook engaged beneath the supportand the hook lies entirely belowthe lateral portion or portions of the retainer.

4. Adeviceforuse in a structure according to Claim 1,the device comprising a hook having a bight to engage under a horizontal supportforthe planks, a retainerto engage an upwardly facing surface of a plank and a connectorto connect the hookandthe retainer, the connector being settable in a first condition to maintain a closer relation between the bight ofthe hookandthe retainer and in a second condition to release the hook and retainerfrom the closer relation and permit limited movement ofthe retainer awayfrom the bight of the hook.

5. Adevice according to Claim4whereinthe connector is settable in a selected one of said first and secondcondftionsbyturning oftheconnectorabout an axis which is normally horizontal in use.

6. A device according to Claim 4 or Claim 5 wherein there is between the connectorandthehook an adjustable connection.

7. A device according to Claim 6 wherein a shank of the hook is screwed into the connector.

8. A device according to Claim Swhereinthe connector, when in its first condition, isslidable relative to the retainer and hook to a position in which theconnectorengagesthe retainer at two positions on opposite sides of said axis.

9. A device according to any one of Claims 4to 8 wherein the hook, retainer and connector are mutually captive.

10. A device according to Claim 9, as appendant to Claim 8, wherein the retainer defines an opening which the connector can enterto enable the retainer to move along the connector.

11. A method of assembling a platform wherein a plurality of boards are rested on a support in side-by-side spaced apart relation, a hook is engaged with an underside of the support, a retainer is engaged with an upwardly facing surface of at least one of said boards and a connector is set in a gap between said one board and an adjacent board to prevent mutual separation ofthe hook and retainer.

12. A device substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in Figures 2 to 7 of the accompanying drawings.

13. A device substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in Figures 8to 12 ofthe accompanying drawings.

14. Ascaffold substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

15. Any novel feature or novel combination of features disclosed herein and/or shown in the accompanying drawings.