AU2009100475A4

AU2009100475A4 - Scaffolding connector

Info

Publication number: AU2009100475A4
Application number: AU2009100475A
Authority: AU
Inventors: David Kenneth Dart
Original assignee: BERKANA HOLDINGS Pty Ltd
Current assignee: G James Glass & Aluminium Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2008-05-20
Filing date: 2009-05-20
Publication date: 2009-10-01
Anticipated expiration: 2017-05-20

Description

BERKANA HOLDINGS PTY LTD AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR AN INNOVATION PATENT SCAFFOLDING CONNECTOR The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- 2 SCAFFOLDING CONNECTOR Technical Field This invention relates to a scaffolding connector and in particular to a scaffolding connector for connecting scaffolding members in an end to side relationship. The present 5 invention also relates to a scaffolding member or strut incorporating at least one scaffolding connector of the above type. Background Art Scaffolding connectors of a number of different designs are well known for connecting a first elongated scaffolding member or strut to a further scaffolding member 10 or strut extending usually at right angles to the first scaffolding member. Such connectors are commonly of a hook shaped configuration to enable them to locate over a tubular scaffolding member and further incorporate spring loaded latches of various designs which when actuated capture the connector to the scaffolding member. A connector of this type usually has a spigot which is received within and secured to the end of a scaffolding 15 member and hand pressure is usually required to actuate the spring loaded latch to enable the connector to be captured to the scaffolding member. When connected to a scaffolding member by actuation of the spring loaded latches, the known connectors are usually a relatively loose fit on the scaffolding member to which they are connected and thus scaffolding erected using such connectors often feels relatively unstable because of the 20 loose connection between the component parts. In addition, a person erecting the scaffolding is required to be positioned at the end or ends of the member or strut carrying the connector/s to be able to release the spring latch for connection to a further scaffolding member and thus erection of scaffolding assembly can be time consuming and similarly disassembly of the scaffolding assembly 25 can also be time consuming. Furthermore the spring loaded latches of the known scaffolding connectors generally require regular maintenance to maintain their effective operation. Summary of the Invention The present invention aims to least provide an effective alternative to the prior 30 art referred to above. In particular the present invention aims to provide in a preferred aspect an improved scaffolding connector which enables one scaffolding member or strut to be connected in an end-to-side relationship with a further scaffolding member or strut in an effective and rapid manner. The present invention further aims to provide an improved scaffolding member or strut incorporating at least one scaffolding connector 3 as referred to above and scaffolding constructed using one or more scaffolding members or struts. Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description. The present invention thus provides in one preferred aspect although not 5 necessarily the broadest aspect, a scaffolding connector comprising a hook shaped jaw member, said hook shaped jaw member defining a recess for receiving a scaffolding member or strut to which the scaffolding connector is to be connected, at least said jaw member being formed of a resilient material and there being a restricted entrance leading into said recess whereby said jaw member of the scaffolding connector may be 10 forced over a said scaffolding member or struts and by resilient deformation of the jaw member, locate said scaffolding member or strut in said recess whereby said jaw member may resiliently grip said scaffolding member or strut to connect said scaffolding connector to the scaffolding member or strut. The recess of the jaw member by having a restricted entrance, that is an entrance 15 which is less than the width or diameter of a scaffolding member with which the connector is to be connected is thus of a re-entrant form such that when the scaffolding member is forced through the restricted entrance into the recess, it is captured with the recess. The scaffolding member gripped by the jaw member however can be released from the recess by forcing it outwardly through the restricted entrance into the recess by 20 resilient deformation of the jaw member. The scaffolding connector may be detachable from the scaffolding member or strut by rotating the connector about its longitudinal axis, being an axis extending substantially normal to the scaffolding member or strut, and relative to the scaffolding member to expand the restricted entrance into the recess. 25 Preferably the connector includes a spigot extending from the jaw member adapted to be located in and secured to an end of a hollow scaffolding member or strut. Preferably the spigot is of a similar cross section to the hollow scaffolding member or strut to enable it to be inserted therein. Preferably the end of the scaffolding member or strut is deformed such as by crimping or swaging to grip the spigot. Preferably the 30 spigot is provided with one or more annular grooves into which material at the end of the scaffolding member is deformed to enhance grip between the spigot and scaffolding member or strut. A scaffolding member or strut may be provided with a scaffolding connector at one end or respective connectors at opposite ends. Preferably the recess is substantially complementary to the cross section of a 4 scaffolding member or strut to be received in the recess. Preferably the jaw member includes an inner grip face which extends from the entrance into the recess to define the inner surface of the recess. Preferably, at least part of the grip face is substantially complementary to the outer surface of the scaffolding member. 5 Preferably the required stiffness in the jaw member to provide sufficient grip of a scaffolding member or strut is enhanced by one or more transversely extending ribs or lands on or in the inner grip face, the or each rib or land having an inner curved face lying on a radius substantially the same as the outer radius of the scaffolding member or strut to be gripped. Preferably a plurality of ribs or lands is provided at spaced apart 10 circumferential locations being separated by grooves or increased radius regions. In a particularly preferred form, a pair of lands or ribs is provided which are symmetrically arranged relative to the entrance into the recess. Preferably respective grooves or increased radius regions are located adjacent to but inwardly of the entrance into the recess. Preferably a further groove or increased radius region is arranged opposite the 15 entrance. The jaw member may be externally stiffened by one or more ribs. The jaw member suitably has an outer surface of at least a partly curved configuration and the rib or ribs extend in a circumferential direction relative to the jaw member and radially outwardly of the outer surface of the jaw member. The curved outer surface is suitably 20 located coaxially with the recess inner grip surface. Preferably a single stiffening rib is provided centrally of the jaw member relative to its width. The rib or ribs may be radiused into the outer surface of the jaw member. Preferably the jaw member at opposite sides of the entrance is of a curved or rounded configuration in cross section to facilitate location of a scaffolding member or strut in the recess of the connector. 25 Preferably the side of the jaw member adjacent the spigot and the entrance into the recess is provided with an angled surface to act as a lead- in ramp to guide the scaffolding member or strut into the recess. Preferably the jaw member is formed integrally with the spigot. Preferably the jaw member and spigot are moulded of a plastics material typically a nylon based 30 plastics material which is an elastically resilient material but may be of any other elastically resilient material. The present invention in a further aspect provides a hollow scaffolding member or strut having a scaffolding connector as described above at at least one end. Preferably the at least one end of the hollow scaffolding member is deformed such as by 5 crimping or swaging to grip the spigot. Preferably the scaffolding member or strut comprises a relatively light weight metallic material such as aluminium or aluminium alloy. The present invention also provides a scaffolding assembly comprising at least 5 one scaffolding member as described above. Brief Description of the Drawings In order that the invention may be more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein 10 Fig. I illustrates in side view a scaffolding connector according to an embodiment of the invention engaged with a tubular scaffolding member or strut; Fig. 2 is an end view of the connector of Fig. 1 engaged with the scaffolding member or strut; Fig. 3 is an underside view of the connector of Fig. 1 with the scaffolding member 15 or strut gripped by the connector shown in dotted outline; Fig. 4 illustrates the end of a scaffolding member or strut provided with a scaffolding connector according to the invention Fig. 5 illustrates the manner in which a scaffolding member or strut is engaged with or disengaged from the connector; and 20 Fig. 6 illustrates a typical mobile scaffolding tower in which scaffolding members or struts of the type shown in Fig. 5 are used as braces. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment Referring to the drawings and firstly to Fig. I to 3, there is illustrated a scaffolding connector 10 according to the present invention which is adapted to be 25 mounted to an end or ends of a scaffolding member or strut 11 (shown in dotted outline in Fig.1 and in Fig. 4), the connector being 10 formed or moulded integrally of a resilient material and typically a resilient nylon or other plastics material. The connector 10 includes a spigot 12 for receipt in an end of the scaffolding member or strut 11 and an integrally formed gripping jaw member 13. 30 The jaw member 13 has an open restricted entrance or mouth 14 which leads into a recess 15 of a generally part-circular cross section, the entrance or mouth 14 having a width less than the maximum internal diameter of the recess 15. A pair of spaced apart lands or ribs 16 which extend transversely of the longitudinal axis of the connector 10 are formed on the inner face of the jaw member 13 and are arranged 6 equidistantly from the entrance or mouth 14, the inner faces 17 of the lands or ribs 16 being curved and lying on a radius which is substantially the same as the outer radius of a tubular scaffolding member or strut 18 to be gripped by the connector 10. The inner face of the jaw member 13 between the lands or ribs 16 and between 5 the opposite sides 19 and 20 of the entrance or mouth 14 and lands or ribs 16 is recessed or grooved at 21, 22 and 23 to provide sufficient resilience in the jaw member 13 to enable it to resiliently grip the scaffolding member 18 but also enable it to be detached from the scaffolding member 18 preferably by hand. The jaw member 13 is additionally has an outer curved surface 24 on which a 10 radially outwardly extending rib 25 is provided, the rib 25 extending circumferentially from adjacent the junction with the spigot 12 to adjacent the free side 20 of the jaw member 13. The curved outer surface 24 is centred on the centre of the curved recess 15. The rib 25 is radiused on each side at 26 into the outer face 27 of the jaw member 13 to again assist in providing the required stiffness and resilient in the jaw member 13. 15 To guide the scaffolding member 18 into the recess 15, the jaw member 13 at the side 19 of the entrance or mouth 14 adjacent the spigot 12 is provided with a lead- in ramp surface 28. Furthermore, the opposite sides 19 and 20 of the entrance 14 into the recess 15 are of a rounded form in cross section for also guiding a scaffolding member or strut 18 into the recess 15. The outer free end of the jaw member 13 tapers in width 20 in a curved manner at 29 to facilitate detachment of the jaw member 13 from the scaffolding member 18 by twisting as described further below. The spigot 12 is of a tubular form having a circular cross section of a maximum diameter the same as or slightly less than the internal diameter of the scaffolding member or strut 11 which is of hollow tubular form so that it may be readily inserted 25 into an open end thereof. The spigot 12 is additionally provided with part annular recesses 30 in its outer surface which facilitate joining of the connector 10 to the scaffolding member 11. Thus after the spigot 12 is inserted into the end of the scaffolding member 11, the member 11 may be crimped or otherwise deformed or reduced in cross section between for example suitable dies with material of the 30 scaffolding member 11 being forced into the recesses 30 as at 30' as shown in Figs. I and 4 to positively connect the scaffolding member 11 to the connector spigot 12. For engagement of the connector 10 with a scaffolding member 18 and as shown in Fig. 5, the mouth 14 of the connector 10 is positioned over the scaffolding member 18 and a force applied to the connector 15 in the direction A. This will cause the outer 7 free end of the jaw member 13 to flex or deflect outwardly from the position shown in dotted outline to enable the scaffolding member 18 to pass through the mouth 14 into the recess 15. When the maximum diameter of the scaffolding member 18 passes the reduced mouth or entrance 14, the resilience of the jaw member 13 will cause an inward 5 force to be applied to the scaffolding member 18 to urge it into the recess 18 and allow the jaw member 13 to firmly grip the scaffolding member 18. For detachment of the connector 10 from the scaffolding member 18, a force is applied to the scaffolding connector 10 in a reverse direction B to urge the jaw member 13 radially outwardly to increase the width of the mouth 14 to permit the scaffolding 10 member 18 to be moved out of the recess 15 and free of the connector 10. This may also be achieved by twisting the connector 10 for example in either direction C in Fig. 2 relative to the scaffolding member 18 which results in rotating the connector 10 about its longitudinal axis which is substantially at right angles to the scaffolding member or strut 18. This also causes the mouth 14 of the recess 15 to be forced open to release the 15 scaffolding member 18. Scaffolding members or struts 11 are typically provided with scaffolding connectors 10 at each end and may be used in many scaffolding applications for example in construction of a scaffolding tower 31 of the type illustrated in Fig. 6. The scaffolding members or struts 11 in this case serves as braces to provide diagonal 20 bracing of the upright frames of the scaffolding tower 31. The scaffolding members 11 may be simply connected to the right angle scaffolding members 32 of the tower 31 at X in Fig. 6 by positioning both connectors 10 over the scaffolding members 32 and applying a downward force thereto. If the force is applied centrally of a scaffolding member 11, both connectors 10 can be connected substantially simultaneously or 25 slightly one after the other to the respective scaffolding members 32 of the tower 31 by "snapping" over the members 32. As the connectors 10 resiliently grip the scaffolding members 32 of the tower 31, the assembled tower 31 will be much more rigid than if conventional scaffolding connectors were used. Scaffolding members having scaffolding connectors 10 as described above may 30 be used in many different applications for example as braces, poles, struts or rails. Scaffolding members or struts however may only have scaffolding connectors 10 at one end for example in the ladder braces 33 shown at Y of Fig. 6. The scaffolding members or struts incorporating the connectors 10 are typically formed of aluminium or an aluminium alloy but may be constructed of other materials.

8 Whilst the connectors 11 are shown to be of a particular design in the drawings, they may be of various configurations. For example more than two ribs 25 may be provided at spaced positions or ribs 25 may be absent with the stiffness being provided by the material or thickness of the jaw member 13. Further in some embodiments, the 5 lands 16 may be eliminated and the inner face of the jaw member 13 may be smooth and interrupted. The reference to prior art herein is not to be taken as an admission that such prior art constitutes common general knowledge in the art. The terms "comprising" or "comprises" as used throughout the specification and 10 claims are taken to specify the presence of the stated features, integers and components referred to but not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other feature/s, integer/s, component/s or group thereof. Whilst the above has been given by way of illustrative embodiment of the invention, all such variations and modifications thereto as would be apparent to persons 15 skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as herein defined in the appended claims. 20 25 30

Claims

1. A scaffolding connector comprising a hook shaped jaw member, said hook shaped jaw member defining a recess for receiving a scaffolding member or strut to 5 which the scaffolding connector is to be connected, at least said jaw member being formed of a resilient material and there being a restricted entrance leading into said recess whereby said jaw member of the scaffolding connector may be forced over a said scaffolding member or strut and by resilient deformation of the jaw member, locate said scaffolding member or strut in said recess whereby said jaw member may resiliently grip 10 said scaffolding member or strut to connect said scaffolding connector to the scaffolding member or strut.

2. A scaffolding connector as claimed in claim I or claim 2 wherein said jaw member includes an inner grip face which extends from the entrance into the recess, at 15 least a part of said grip surface being substantially complementary to an outer surface of the scaffolding member.

3. A scaffolding connector as claimed in claim 2 wherein said jaw member includes an outer surface externally stiffened by one or more ribs. 20

4. A scaffolding connector as claimed in any one of claims I to 3 wherein said connector is detachable from said scaffolding member or strut by rotating said connector about its longitudinal axis and relative to said scaffolding member. 25

5. A hollow scaffolding member or strut having a scaffolding connector as defined any one of claims I to 4 at at least one end, said connector including a spigot extending from said jaw member and wherein said at least one end of said scaffolding member or strut is deformed to grip said spigot Dated this twentieth day of May 2009 30 BERKANA HOLDINGS PTY LTD By Their Patent Attorney 35 J R G GARDNER