AU2014202262A1

AU2014202262A1 - A scaffolding clamp

Info

Publication number: AU2014202262A1
Application number: AU2014202262A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Luke Faulkner; Greig Ferguson; Alistair Nicholas
Original assignee: Design Safe Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Design Safe Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2014-04-24
Filing date: 2014-04-24
Publication date: 2015-11-12
Also published as: GB2527493A; GB201408355D0

Abstract

Abstract A scaffolding clamp for securing two scaffolding members together in longitudinal alignment to one another, the scaffolding clamp comprising: * a clamp body configured to receive respective end portions of the two scaffolding members; * a clamp member for releasably securing the clamp body in clamping engagement with the end portions of the scaffolding members ; and, * a retainer associated with the clamp body to retain the end portion of one of the two scaffolding members in the clamp body when the clamping member releases the clamp body from clamping engagement with the end portions of the scaffolding members. Also disclosed is a scaffolding system comprising the aforementioned scaffolding members and clamp, and a method of dismantling the said system; as well as a method of manufacturing such a scaffolding clamp. "A"l 4336 S24 -"D1" 4 \ X"# 36 "L" \"21 34

Description

- 1 A SCAFFOLDING CLAMP Technical Field The present invention relates to a scaffolding clamp and a system and methods 5 relating to a scaffolding clamp. Background Art Scaffolding clamps are used to temporarily join two longitudinally aligned scaffolding members or tubes to form part of a scaffolding structure. Generally, a scaffolding clamp is configured to receive an end portion of each and to secure the end portions 10 therein by clamping engagement therewith. When dismantling the scaffolding structure, the clamping engagement is released and both tubes are simultaneously loosened. This can present a safety hazard especially at significant heights. For example, if the tubes are joined vertically so that a top end portion of a lower tube and a bottom end portion of an upper tube are retained by the scaffolding clamp, after loosening the 15 scaffolding clamp and lifting the upper tube from the structure, the scaffolding clamp can temporarily stick to the upper tube and drop unexpectedly. Because scaffolding clamps also tend to be heavy, this could cause significant injury and/or damage to bystanders and/or objects below. The present invention seeks to provide a solution to the above identified problems in 20 the scaffolding clamps of the prior art. The retainer may allow for the scaffolding clamp to remain properly attached to one of the scaffolding members while the other scaffolding member is removed from the scaffolding clamp. This may prevent the scaffolding clamp from falling on an object or bystander below. 25 The above references to background art do not constitute an admission that the art forms a part of the common general knowledge of a person of ordinary skill in the art. The above references are also not intended to limit the application of the scaffolding clamp and scaffolding system as disclosed herein.

-2 Summary of the Disclosure Generally, a scaffolding clamp and a scaffolding system are disclosed. In accordance with one aspect there is provided a scaffolding clamp for securing two scaffolding members together in longitudinal alignment to one another, the scaffolding 5 clamp comprising: a clamp body configured to receive respective end portions of the two scaffolding members; a clamp member for releasably securing the clamp body in clamping engagement with the end portions of the scaffolding members ; and, 10 a retainer associated with the clamp body to retain the end portion of one of the two scaffolding members in the clamp body when the clamping member releases the clamp body from clamping engagement with the end portions of the scaffolding members. 15 In one embodiment the retainer may comprise an aperture in the clamp body and a retaining member disposed through the aperture to engage the end portion of the one of the two scaffolding members. The retaining member may be variably extendable through the aperture so that in use 20 the retaining member urges the end portion of the one of the two scaffolding members to abut the clamp body. In this way, the clamp body is secured to the one of the two scaffolding members while the other of the two scaffolding members is removed from the scaffolding clamp. 25 In one example of the scaffolding clamp, a threaded nut is mounted on the clamp body in axial alignment with the aperture and the retaining member may comprise a threaded screw. The threaded nut may be integrally formed with the clamp body. In an alternative example of the scaffolding clamp, the aperture may be threaded and 30 the retaining member may comprise a threaded screw. It will be that the scaffolding clamp may further comprise a second retainer as described above. The second retainer may be configured to retain the end portion of the other of the two scaffolding members in the clamp body when the clamping -3 member releases the clamp body from clamping engagement with the end portions of the scaffolding members. Also disclosed is a scaffolding system. The scaffolding system comprises two 5 scaffolding members and a scaffolding clamp for securing the two scaffolding members together in longitudinal alignment to one another, the scaffolding clamp comprising: a clamp body configured to receive respective end portions of the two scaffolding members; a clamping member for releasably securing the clamp body in clamping 10 engagement with the end portions of the scaffolding members; and, a retainer associated with the clamp body to retain the end portion of one of the two scaffolding members in the clamp body when the clamping member releases the clamp body from clamping engagement with the end portions of the scaffolding members. 15 Also disclosed is a method of dismantling scaffolding comprising two scaffolding members secured together in longitudinal alignment to one another by clamping engagement with a scaffolding clamp. The method comprises retaining an end portion of one of the two scaffolding members in the 20 scaffolding clamp by engaging the end portion with a retainer; releasing the scaffolding clamp from clamping engagement with the two scaffolding members; withdrawing the end portion of the other of the two scaffolding members from the scaffolding clamp; and, 25 disengaging the retainer from the end portion of the one of the two scaffolding members to withdraw said scaffolding member from the scaffolding clamp. It will be appreciated that modifying the scaffolding clamp to include the retainer as described above enhances the safety of constructing and dismantling scaffolding. 30 Accordingly, the disclosure describes a safety mechanism for a scaffolding clamp for securing two scaffolding members together in longitudinal alignment to one another. The safety mechanism comprises the retainer as described herein. The scaffolding clamp may be manufactured by forming a clamp body configured to 35 receive respective end portions of the two scaffolding members, providing the clamp -4 body with a clamping member configured in use to secure respective end portions in the clamp body, and providing the clamp body with the retainer as described herein. Alternatively, conventional scaffolding clamps may be modified by providing the clamp 5 body of the scaffolding clamp with a retainer as described herein. Brief Description of Drawings Embodiments of the scaffolding clamp will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a scaffolding clamp 10 according to the disclosure. Figure 2a is a perspective view showing a comparison between the scaffolding clamp shown in Figure 1 and a conventional scaffolding clamp. Figure 2b is a perspective view showing a comparison between the scaffolding clamp shown in Figure 1 and the scaffolding clamp of the prior art when an 15 upper scaffolding member is detached from the scaffolding clamps. Figure 3 is a perspective view showing an alternative embodiment of the scaffolding clamp according to the disclosure. Figure 4 shows a system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 20 Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments Figure 1 shows a scaffolding clamp 10 having a clamp body 12, a retainer 14 and clamping members 15. The clamp body 12 is configured to receive the end portion 16 of a first scaffolding member 18 and the end portion 20 of a second scaffolding member 22 (shown in phantom). In this embodiment there are two clamping members 25 15 for releasably securing the clamp body 12 in clamping engagement with the end portions 16 and 20 of the scaffolding members 18 and 22 respectively. The retainer 14 is associated with the clamp body 12 to retain the end portion of one of the two -5 scaffolding members in the clamp body 12 when the clamping members 15 releases the clamp body 12 from clamping engagement with the scaffolding members 18, 22. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the retainer 14 is configured to retain the end portion 16 of the first scaffolding member 18. 5 The retainer 14 comprises an aperture 13 in the clamp body 12 and a retaining member 17 disposed through the aperture 13. The aperture 13 is located at position "A" on the clamp body 12 to allow the retaining member 14 to extend through the aperture 13 and engage the end portion 16 of the first scaffolding member 18. Thus, the retaining member 17 can retain the first scaffolding member 18 independently of 10 the clamping engagement of the clamp body 12. The clamp body 12 is "U-shaped" and comprises a curved portion 24 and plate portions 32, 34. The curved portion 24 corresponds in shape to the scaffolding members 18 and 22, which in this embodiment are in the form of cylindrical tubes (herein referred to as 'tubes 18 and/or 22'). The curved portion 24 extends along length 15 "L" of the clamp body 12 and provides the scaffolding clamp 10 with a cylindrically curved inner wall 25, which has a diameter "D1" configured to receive a diameter "D2" of the first and second tubes 18, 22. Thus the end portion 16 of the first tube 18 can be fitted into a first section 28 of the scaffolding clamp 10, and the end portion 20 of the second tube 22 can be fitted into a second section 30 of the scaffolding clamp 10. In 20 other words the clamp body 12 can be fitted onto the cylindrical tubes 18, 22 in a sleeve-like manner. The scaffolding clamp 10 may also comprise a partition (not shown) to divide the scaffolding clamp into the first section 28 and the second section 30. The plate portions 32, 34 of the clamp body 12 extend from the curved portion 24 in a 25 direction perpendicular to a central longitudinal axis "X" of the curved portion 24. In other words, in the embodiment shown in Figure 1, instead of forming a closed cylindrical shape the plate portions 32, 34 extend laterally from the ends of the curved portion 24, thus approximating a "U-shape". In this embodiment, the plate portions 32, 34 are also integrally formed with the curved portion 24 of the clamp body 12. The 30 plate portions 32, 34 are spaced from each other and accommodate the two clamping members 15.

-6 In this embodiment, the clamping members 15 extend through apertures 37 in both plate portions 32 and 34 (not shown in plate portion 34). Each clamping member 15 comprises a threaded rod 37, a nut 38 and one or more spacers 39. The rods 36 may also comprise a "T-shaped" end (not shown) such that when inserted through the plate 5 portions 32 and 34, the "T-shaped" end abuts an outer surface 41 of the plate portion 32, thus preventing the rods 36 from being removed in a direction towards the plate portion 34. On an outer surface 43 of the plate portion 34, the nut 38 can be threadingly engaged to an end portion of the rod 36 extending beyond the outer surface 43. By threading the nuts 38 further along the rods 36 of the clamping 10 members 15 so that the nut 38 or spacer abuts against the plate portion 34 and tightening this engagement, the plate portions 32, 34 are forced towards each other. This enables the clamping engagement of the clamp body 12 on the tubes 18, 22, wherein the curved portion 24 of the scaffolding clamp 10 increases its grip on both tubes 18, 22. 15 It will be appreciated that in order to provide a secure coupling of two tubes, the scaffolding clamp 10 comprises strong, rigid material such as cast iron or stainless steel. Therefore, both clamping members 15 must be disengaged (i.e. both nuts 38 must be loosened from their tightened engagement with the rods 36) for both tubes 18, 22 to be released simultaneously from the clamping engagement of the clamp 10. 20 However, the retainer 14 allows for the clamp 10 to remain engaged to the first tube 18 independent of the release of the clamping engagement. In this regard, an end of the retaining member 17 can be variably extended inside the first section 28 of the scaffolding clamp 10 to contact the first tube 18 and apply a force directly on the end portion 16. The retaining member 17 can therefore engage or lock the clamp 10 to the 25 first tube 18 by urging the end portion 16 of the first tube 18 to abut the curved inner wall 25 of the clamp body 12 by the application of force where the retaining member 17 makes contact. In this embodiment, the retainer 14 also comprises a threaded nut 46 axially aligned with the aperture at position "A" on the clamp body 12. The threaded nut 46 is mounted 30 on the clamp body 12 in axial alignment with the aperture. Further, the retaining member 17 comprises a threaded screw 42 (or "retaining screw 42"). The retaining screw 42 can be adjustably extended through the nut 46 and the aperture by threading (or rotating) the screw 42 through the nut 46 to engage and disengage the screw 42 -7 from the received portion 16 of the first tube 18. The combination of the retaining screw 42 and nut 46 allows the scaffolding clamp 10 to firmly engage with the first tube 18 since the screw 42 is prevented from undesirable loosening in a linear direction because the retaining screw 42 must be rotated to disengage from the nut 46. 5 The nut 46 may be welded as shown by welded region 43 in on the clamp body 12, or otherwise attached to the clamp body 12, or integrally formed with the clamp body 12. Alternatively, the threaded nut 46 can be integrally formed with the clamp body 12, such that the aperture at position "A" itself is threaded. In other words, a surrounding wall formed within a thickness of the clamp body 12 defining the aperture is threaded 10 and a threaded screw can be threadingly engaged directly with the aperture. Figures 2a and 2b show a comparison of the scaffolding clamp 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention and a scaffolding clamp 50 of the prior art. Both scaffolding clamps 10 and 50 are shown in Figure 2a to couple the first and second tubes 18, 22. Features that are in common to both illustrations of scaffolding clamps 10 15 and 50 will be denoted by the same reference numeral. A major difference between the scaffolding clamp 10 and the scaffolding clamp 50 is that the scaffolding clamp 10 comprises a retainer 14. Additionally, the embodiment of the scaffolding clamp 10 shown in Figures 2a and 2b differs slightly from the embodiment shown in Figure 1 because the curved portion 24 almost complete encircles the end portions 16 and 20 of 20 the tubes 18 and 22 and the plate portions 32 and 34 are not spaced from each other. In both cases of the scaffolding clamps 10 and 50 shown in Figure 2a, the first tube 18 is positioned below the second tube 22 such that the tubes are substantially vertically aligned. Furthermore, both scaffolding clamps 10 and 50 join the tubes 18 and 22 by the clamping engagement applied by virtue of the clamping members 15. In the case of 25 scaffolding clamp 10, when the tubes 18 is engaged by the scaffolding clamp 10 the retaining screw 42 is retracted so as not to protrude into the first section 28 and interfere with seating of the first tube 18 within the scaffolding clamp 10. Turning now to Figure 2b, when the tubes 18, 22 are disengaged from the scaffolding clamp 50, the clamp 50 can become loosed from both tubes and fall, potentially causing injury to a 30 bystander or damage to an object below. This may come about, for example, when the clamping members 15 have been loosened and the second tube 22 is lifted to decouple from the first tube 18, the clamp 50 can temporarily stick to the second tube -8 22 when lifted and suddenly detach from the second tube 22. Contrastingly, the clamp 10 shown in Figure 2b remains attached to the lower tube 18 by virtue of the retainer 14 even when the upper tube 22 has been removed. Thus, the retainer 14 can also be considered a safety mechanism for a scaffolding clamp, which safety mechanism 5 prevents the inadvertent dropping of the scaffolding clamp when the clamping engagement has been released. An alternative embodiment of the scaffolding clamp is now described with reference to Figure 3. The scaffolding clamp 10s includes another retainer 14s on the clamp body 12 identical or at least similar to the retainer 14 of Figure 1. However this additional 10 retainer 14s is located at position "B" on the clamp body 12 to retain the end portion 20 of the second tube 22 to the clamp 10s when clamping members 15 release the clamp body 12 from clamping engagement with the end portions of the scaffolding members. In other words, the clamp 1Os comprises two retainers 14 and 14s so that both tubes 18 and 22 can be independently retained in engagement with the clamp 1Os when the 15 clamping engagement is released. A scaffolding system 60 is shown in Figure 4. The system 60 comprises the two scaffolding members 18 and 22 and the scaffolding clamp 10 to secure the two scaffolding members together in longitudinal alignment to one another. The scaffolding clamp 10 in the system 60 may be that which has been previously described in 20 accordance with any one of the embodiments of the present invention. The system 60 may form part of a larger network of scaffolding members secured in longitudinal alignment to one another by the scaffolding clamp 10. In use, the scaffolding system described herein may be dismantled safely according to the following steps. Firstly, an end portion of a first of the two scaffolding members is 25 retained in the scaffolding clamp by engaging the end portion with a retainer. For example, retaining screw 42 may be rotated to threadingly engage with the nut 46 so as to extend the screw 42 within the first section 28 of the clamp 10, thereby contacting and engaging the end portion of the first tube 18. The scaffolding clamp may then be released from clamping engagement with the two 30 scaffolding members by rotating the nuts 38 so that the nuts 38 are moved in a direction away from the clamping body. Thus, the plate portions 32,34 are no longer -9 forced towards each other. It will be appreciated that when the clamping body 12 is firmly engaged with both tubes 18 and 22, the extension of retaining screw 42 within the first section 28 may be limited by the presence of the end portion 16 of the tube 18 within the clamp 10. However, 5 when the clamping engagement has been released and the grip curved portion 24 on the tubes is loosened, a space may be created between the inner surface 25 of the clamp 10 and the end portion 16 of the tube 18. As such, the tube 18 is not only loosened but the retaining screw 42 can now extend further into the first portion 28 and engage more firmly with the end portion 16 of the first tube. Releasing the clamping 10 engagement and engaging the retainer with the end portion of the first tube 18 may be performed simultaneously (i.e. retaining the end portion 16 of the first tube 18 may be carried out as the clamping engagement is being released) or iteratively (e.g. the nuts 38 of the clamping members 15 can be partially loosened to partially relieve the clamping engagement; then, the retaining screw 42 of the retainer 14 can be 15 tightening; then, these two steps can be repeated). This ensures that the clamp 10 will not become loosened from the first tube 18 as the clamp members 15 are disengaged. The end of the second of the two scaffolding members may then be withdrawn from the scaffolding clamp, for example by pulling the end of the tube from the clamp body. To remove the end portion of the first of the two scaffolding members from the clamp 20 body, the retainer is disengaged therefrom. Generally, the retaining screw 42 is unscrewed so as to withdraw the screw 42 from abutment with the end portion of the first tube 18. The clamp and the first tube 18 are then disengaged and can be removed or displaced in a safe manner. The present invention also provides a method of manufacturing a scaffolding clamp 25 configured to couple two scaffolding members together in longitudinal alignment to one another. The method may comprise forming a clamp body of the scaffolding clamp configured to receive respective end portions of the two scaffolding members; forming a clamping member on the clamp body and providing the clamp body with a retainer. The step of forming a clamp body may involve casting a metal such as steel or iron in a 30 mould configured to produce the clamp body shape. The clamp body may for example be the clamp body previously discussed in relation to other embodiments. The retainer - 10 may be provided in the clamp body during the mould casting process by providing a spacer in the mould to create an aperture in the clamp body corresponding ultimately to a location of the retainer 14. The method may further involve welding or otherwise attaching a threaded nut 46 to the clamp body 12 such that the nut 46 is axially aligned 5 with the aperture. Alternatively, the clamp body can be casted so that the aperture itself is threaded. In another alternative, the clamp body can first be formed without components of the safety mechanism (such as the aperture), and later the safety mechanism can be added to the clamp body. For example, the aperture associated with the retainer 14 can be drilled into the clamp body 12 at a desired position. 10 It will also be appreciated that the scope of the disclosure also encompasses a method of retrofitting existing scaffolding clamps with the safety mechanism previously discussed. For example, the retainer 14 can be installed on a scaffolding clamp by: drilling an aperture into the clamp body 12, and; welding the nut 46 onto the clamp body 12 in axial alignment with the aperture. The retaining screw 42 can then be 15 provided in the form of a common grub screw to threadingly engage with the nut 46 and extend through the aperture. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. 20 In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the 25 invention.

Claims

1. A scaffolding clamp for securing two scaffolding members together in longitudinal alignment to one another, the scaffolding clamp comprising: a clamp body configured to receive respective end portions of the two scaffolding members; a clamp member for releasably securing the clamp body in clamping engagement with the end portions of the scaffolding members ; and, a retainer associated with the clamp body to retain the end portion of one of the two scaffolding members in the clamp body when the clamping member releases the clamp body from clamping engagement with the end portions of the scaffolding members.

2. The scaffolding clamp according to claim 1, wherein the retainer comprises an aperture in the clamp body and a retaining member disposed through the aperture to engage the end portion of the one of the two scaffolding members.

3. The scaffolding clamp according to claim 2, wherein the retaining member is variably extendable through the aperture so that in use the retaining member urges the end portion of the one of the two scaffolding members to abut the clamp body.

4. The scaffolding clamp according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein a threaded nut is mounted on the clamp body in axial alignment with the aperture and the retaining member comprises a threaded screw.

5. The scaffolding clamp according to claim 4, wherein the threaded nut is integrally formed with the clamp body.

6. The scaffolding clamp according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the aperture is threaded and the retaining member comprises a threaded screw.

7. The scaffolding clamp of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising another retainer as defined in any one of the preceding claims, the retainer configured to retain the end portion of the other of the two scaffolding members in the clamp body -2 when the clamping member releases the clamp body from clamping engagement with the end portions of the scaffolding members.

8. A scaffolding system comprising two scaffolding members and a scaffolding clamp for securing the two scaffolding members together in longitudinal alignment to one another, the scaffolding clamp comprising: a clamp body configured to receive respective end portions of the two scaffolding members; a clamping member for releasably securing the clamp body in clamping engagement with the end portions of the scaffolding members; and, a retainer associated with the clamp body to retain the end portion of one of the two scaffolding members in the clamp body when the clamping member releases the clamp body from clamping engagement with the end portions of the scaffolding members.

9. A method of dismantling scaffolding comprising two scaffolding members secured together in longitudinal alignment to one another by clamping engagement with a scaffolding clamp, the method comprising: retaining an end portion of one of the two scaffolding members in the scaffolding clamp by engaging the end portion with a retainer; releasing the scaffolding clamp from clamping engagement with the two scaffolding members; withdrawing the end portion of the other of the two scaffolding members from the scaffolding clamp; and, disengaging the retainer from the end portion of the one of the two scaffolding members to withdraw said scaffolding member from the scaffolding clamp.

10. A safety mechanism for a scaffolding clamp for securing two scaffolding members together in longitudinal alignment to one another, the safety mechanism comprising the retainer of any one of claims 1-7.

11. A method of manufacturing a scaffolding clamp configured to couple two scaffolding members together in longitudinal alignment to one another, the method comprising: -3 forming a clamp body of the scaffolding clamp configured to receive respective end portions of the two scaffolding members; providing the clamp body with the safety mechanism of claim 10.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein providing the clamp body with the safety mechanism comprises forming an aperture through the clamp body such that a retaining member can extend through the aperture and engage an end portion of one of the scaffolding members in the clamp body.

13. A method of modifying a scaffolding clamp configured to couple two scaffolding members together in longitudinal alignment to one another by receiving respective end portions of the two scaffolding members within a clamp body of the scaffolding clamp, the method comprising: providing the clamp body with the safety mechanism of claim 10.