GB2575622A

GB2575622A - Waste chute guide

Info

Publication number: GB2575622A
Application number: GB1808603.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael James Newman Thomas
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-05-24
Filing date: 2018-05-24
Publication date: 2020-01-22
Also published as: GB201808603D0

Abstract

A guide 10 (20, 30, 40, 50 of Figs 6-9) is provided for mounting to a scaffolding structure 1.Waste chute 2, descending from an upper level of a building or scaffolding structure 1, is held clear of the scaffolding structure 1 by guide 10. A bottom end 4 of chute 2 can be lined up with waste skip 5, without having to position the skip dangerously close to the scaffolding structure 1. Guide 10 has contact elements 11 (21, 31, 41, 51) with a concave face to hold the waste chute 2, and a chain 17 (47), cable (27) or clasp (37) which can be passed around a reverse side of chute 2 to secure it in place On the opposite side of the contact element 11 of the concave face, there is either a socket, clamp or bracket 12 (52) to fit over an end of a conventional scaffolding pole14. A convex portion may be present opposite the convex section (Fig 7) and generally straight sections may also be included (Figs 8, 9). The guide face may extend partly or fully around the chute surface.

Description

The present invention relates to the mounting to scaffolding of chutes for delivering waste and rubble to ground level. More particularly but not exclusively, it relates to mountings to reduce problems associated with the use of such chutes with waste skips or the like.

Over the last few decades, waste chutes have become an increasingly common feature of building sites, particularly when buildings are being renovated or modified. This produces a considerable amount of rubble and other waste material, which when generated on an upper floor needs to be transferred safely to ground level, for example for collection in a waste skip for subsequent disposal. The waste chutes provide a route for waste fed into an upper end of the chute to slide or fall under gravity to ground level, safely contained to obviate workers and equipment being hit by falling waste. Usually, a lower end of the chute is fastened to a waste skip or the like, so that the waste exits the chute directly into the skip.

A typical waste chute comprises a series of substantially cylindrical hollow sections, configured such that in use, a lower end of each section fits within an upper end of the section immediately below. Typically, the sections are made from a tough plastics material, generally rigid in form but with a degree of resilience to absorb impacts. The sections of the chute are usually fastened to adjacent sections with chains or the like. More details are shown in Figures 1 and 2 and the associated description below. The sectional structure allows a limited degree of articulation, but the chutes are normally just fastened to the scaffolding at their upper end, then descend near enough vertically alongside the scaffolding. Thus, any skip to which the lower end is fastened will need to be located very close to a lower portion of the scaffolding structure.

This leads to a problem. With the skip having to be located close to the scaffolding, there is a significant risk that when the skip is being positioned empty, or removed full, it will collide with the lower portion of the scaffolding, damaging the scaffolding components or even the scaffolding structure as a whole.

It is also inconvenient that the lower end of the chute has to be fastened to a wall of the skip, to ensure that it delivers waste into the skip and cannot accidentally be knocked out of alignment with the skip, e.g. by heavy waste items bouncing down the chute. Having to tie and untie the chute to the skip adds significantly to the time taken to exchange a full skip and an empty one.

It is hence an object of the present invention to provide a means of guiding such a waste chute more reliably, particularly while allowing an associated waste skip or the like to be located a safer distance away from the scaffolding.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a guide for a waste chute, comprising a chute engagement portion and a scaffolding attachment portion extending therefrom, wherein the chute engagement portion comprises a body having a concave chute contact face and the scaffolding attachment portion comprises connection means by which the guide is detachably mountable to a scaffolding structure, such that when the connector means is mounted to said scaffolding structure the chute contact face is contactable with a waste chute descending from the scaffolding structure.

Preferably, the body of the chute engagement portion has a convex face opposite to the concave chute contact face.

Advantageously, the body of the chute engagement portion comprises an elongate body formed to define said concave chute contact face and ideally to define said convex face also.

Said elongate body is preferably curved.

Alternatively, said elongate body comprises at least two generally straight sections, joined by at least one angled or curved section such that said sections form said concave chute contact face and said convex face.

In a preferred embodiment, the elongate body of the chute engagement portion comprises a narrow elongate strip, curved to lie substantially within a plane perpendicular to a plane of a surface of the strip.

The length of said strip is advantageously at least ten times its width.

In all embodiments, the concave chute contact face is preferably so curved and dimensioned as to extend around at least one quarter of a circumference of the waste chute.

Advantageously, the concave chute contact face is so curved and dimensioned as to extend around at least a third of said circumference.

The concave chute contact face may be so curved and dimensioned as to extend around a half of said circumference or more.

Ideally, the concave chute contact face is so configured as to be contactable with the circumference of a selected size of waste chute along a majority of a length of the chute contact face.

Preferably, the chute engagement portion of the guide is provided with a chute retaining member, adapted to extend around a side of the waste chute remote from a side contacting the chute engagement portion.

Advantageously, said chute retaining member comprises an elongate flexible member extending in use between points adjacent each remote end of the curved chute contact face.

Said elongate flexible member may comprise a chain.

Alternatively, the chute retaining member may comprise a rigid retaining member, curved and dimensioned to extend, in use, between points adjacent each remote end of the curved chute contact face.

The rigid retaining member may then be hingedly mounted to the chute engagement portion at a point adjacent one end of the curved chute engagement face.

Preferably, the chute retaining member is provided at at least one end with fastening means to secure it releasably to the chute engagement portion.

Thus, the chute retaining member may be passed around the waste chute and releasably fastened such that the concave chute contact face and chute retaining member between them encircle the chute.

Preferably, the scaffolding attachment portion extends from the chute engagement portion at a point substantially opposite a midpoint of the concave chute engagement face.

The scaffolding attachment portion may extend substantially in the same plane as the concave chute engagement face.

Preferably, the scaffolding attachment portion comprises clamp means adapted to be securely and releasably fastened to a scaffolding pole of conventional form.

The clamp means may be mounted directly to the chute engagement portion.

Alternatively, the scaffolding attachment portion may comprise an elongate support member extending from the chute engagement portion.

Said elongate support member may be provided adjacent an end remote from the chute engagement portion with clamp means adapted to be securely and releasably fastened to a scaffolding pole of conventional form.

Alternatively, the elongate support member may be adapted, at least adjacent its end remote from the chute engagement portion, to be fastened to a scaffolding pole using conventional scaffolding clamps.

Ideally, the elongate support member is fastenable to a conventional scaffolding pole along a majority of its length using conventional scaffolding clamps.

It is hence possible to select and adjust how far the chute engagement portion extends beyond a scaffolding structure to which it is mounted.

In a preferred embodiment, the guide is constructed of metal, optionally steel.

The guide may then advantageously comprise a welded structure.

Alternatively or additionally, the guide may comprise bolted and/or interference fit joints.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be more particularly described by way of example, and with reference to the Figures of the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic side elevation of a waste chute and skip fitted to scaffolding in a prior art arrangement;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of part of a waste chute of conventional construction;

Figure 3 is a schematic side elevation of a waste chute and skip fitted to scaffolding with a waste chute guide embodying the present invention;

Figure 4 is a plan view from above of a first waste chute guide embodying the present invention;

Figure 5 is a side elevation of the first waste chute guide of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a plan view from above of a second waste chute guide embodying the present invention;

Figure 7 is a plan view from above of a third waste chute guide embodying the present invention;

Figure 8 is a plan view from the above of a fourth waste chute guide embodying the present invention; and

Figure 9 is a plan view from the above of a fifth waste chute guide embodying the present invention.

Referring now to the Figures and to Figure 1 in particular, a scaffolding structure 1 is shown, erected around a building (not shown for clarity). A conventional waste chute 2 (also known as a rubble chute or a construction chute) is fastened at its upper end 3 to an upper level of the scaffolding structure 1, and descends adjacent the scaffolding structure 1 until its lower end 4 reaches a waste skip 5 located at ground level next to the scaffolding structure 1.

It is customary for the lower end 4 of the waste chute 2 to be fastened to at least one rim of the skip 5, to prevent the waste chute 2 becoming displaced, for example due to the impact of heavy objects falling down the waste chute 2. In some cases, the lower end 4 is tied to two opposite rims of the skip 5, so that waste is directed towards a central portion of the skip 5, rather than one side.

These arrangements require the waste skip 5 to be positioned very close to the scaffolding structure 1 to which the waste chute 2 is mounted. When the skip 5 is being manoeuvred into or out of this position, whether by being lifted by a forklift truck or by lifting gear on a dedicated lorry or truck (“skip wagon”), it would be all too easy to push the skip 5 or to allow it to swing, such that it collides with lower regions of the scaffolding structure 1. This could damage scaffolding members, or even weaken the scaffolding structure 1 as a whole, such that there could be a risk of collapse.

The structure of a typical waste chute 2 is shown in Figure 2. The chute 2 itself is made up of a scries of hollow, generally cylindrical sections 7. In the version illustrated, the sections 7 are cylindrical, each section 7 having a diameter slightly less than that of the section 7 below it in the chute 2. A lower end of each section 7 thus fits within an upper end of the section 7 below it. Usually, there will be a small gap between an outer surface of the smaller, upper section 7 and an inner surface of the larger, lower section 7, such that the waste chute 2 has a degree of articulation and flexibility.

In an alternative version (not shown) the sections 7 are all slightly tapered from top to bottom. Thus, all the sections 7 can be substantially the same size, but a lower end of each section 7 has a lesser diameter than an upper end of the section 7 below it, so that it can fit inside it. Again, a small gap or leeway is left to allow the chute 2 a degree of articulation and flexibility.

The sections 7 are typically made from a strong, substantially rigid plastics material with a degree of resilience to help absorb impacts. For larger chutes 2, the section 7 may be lined with sheet metal for added strength and impact resistance.

The sections 7 of the waste chute 2 are usually held together by chains 8, which are attached to fixing points 9 located near the upper end of each section 7. A chain 8 is thus run down two opposite outer sides of the chute 2, tightened to hold the sections 7 securely together. It is also a common safety requirement that the waste chute 2 must be secured to the scaffolding structure 1 at specified intervals along its height; this can be achieved by taking an end portion of a chain 8, leading it to an adjacent portion of the scaffolding structure 1, and fastening it securely around members of the scaffolding structure 1, as shown. This holds the waste chute 2 safely in place despite impacts from waste tumbling down inside it, but unfortunately ensures that the waste chute 2 must extend close to the scaffolding structure 1, and so the waste skip 5 must also be located (possibly dangerously) close to the scaffolding 1.

Figure 3 shows an alternative arrangement embodying the present invention. The scaffolding structure 1 is the same as in Figure 1, and the waste chute 2 is the same as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The waste chute 2 is still fastened at its upper end 3 to an upper level of the scaffolding structure 1.

However, in Figure 3, a first waste chute guide 10 embodying the invention is mounted to the scaffolding structure 1 at an intermediate height, extending generally horizontally outwardly. An arcuate contact element 11 of the first wave chute guide 10 contacts an adjacent face of a section 7 of the waste chute 2, holding the waste chute 2 at a selected separation away from the scaffolding structure 1 (details of the first wave chute guide 10 and its mounting to the scaffolding structure are shown in more detail in Figures 4 and 5). This spaces a remainder of the waste chute 2, descending below the first waste chute guide 10, away from the scaffolding structure

1. The skip 5 can thus be positioned as shown, well clear of the scaffolding structure

1. This makes it much easier to position and remove the skip 5 without the risk of collision with the scaffolding structure 1. Additionally, this displacement of the waste chute 2 away from the scaffolding structure 1 can be used to locate the lower end 4 of the waste chute 2 more centrally relative to the skip 5. This removes the need to tie the lower end 4 to the rim of the skip 5, eliminating an inconvenient and timeconsuming step when the skip 5 is installed or removed.

The first waste chute guide 10, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, comprises the arcuate contact element 11 referred to above, oriented in use with its concave face aligned towards the waste chute 2. A socket 12 extends away from a midpoint of a convex face of the arcuate contact element 11, thus extending towards the scaffolding structure 1 in use. The socket 12 is sized to receive an end of a conventional scaffolding pole 14, and is tightened around said end using a nut and bolt arrangement 13, to hold the first waste chute guide 10 securely in place. The scaffolding pole 14 is mounted to the scaffolding structure 1 at points along its length remote from the first waste chute guide 10, and projects outwardly from the scaffolding structure 1 by a sufficient distance for the arcuate contact element 11 to displace the waste chute 2 the desired distance away from the scaffolding structure 1.

In the first waste chute guide 10, the arcuate contact element 11 is made from a strip of steel formed into a desired curve. Here, the contact element 11 is not part-circular, but has more of a parabolic profile, leaving respective remote tips 15, 16 of the contact element 11 spaced apart by more than a diameter of the waste chute 2. This makes it easier to “catch” the waste chute 2 within the concave face of the arcuate contact element 11, when the first waste chute guide 10 is being put in place.

Additionally, the first waste chute guide 10 is provided with a securing chain 17, extending between the remote tips 15, 16 of the contact element 11, but detachable from at least one of the tips 15, 16. In this example, the securing chain 17 is permanently attached at a first end to a first 15 of the remote tips, and is provided with a simple hook 18 at its second end, remote from the first. This hook 18 is passed through a suitable aperture in the second 16 of the remote tips to hold the securing chain 17 in position. Once the waste chute 2 is in position, this securing chain 17 is passed around a far side of the waste chute 2, to hold the waste chute 2 securely to the first waste chute guide 10. The waste chute 2 is thus securely fastened to the scaffolding structure 1.

Figure 6 shows a second waste chute guide 20 embodying the invention. A arcuate contact element 21 of the second waste chute guide 20 has a similar profile to the arcuate contact element 11 of the first waste chute 10, and is again made from a strip of steel formed into a desired curve. Again, this curve is between a part-circle and a parabola, allowing the waste chute 2 to be held safely within the concave face, while respective remote tips 25, 26 of the contact element 21 are splayed apart to make it easier to “catch” the waste chute 2 when the second waste chute guide 20 is being put in place.

In this example, instead of a securing chain 17, a securing cable 27 is used to hold the waste chute 2 securely in place. The securing cable 27 is permanently attached to a first 25 of the remote tips, and can be passed around a far side of the waste chute 2 and detachably secured by passing a hook 28 mounted to a free end of the securing cable 27 through a suitable aperture in the second 26 of the remote tips.

The main difference between the first and the second waste chute guides 1, 21, is that the second 21 is provided with an integral mounting pole 24, welded to the arcuate contact element 21 to extend away from a midpoint of its convex face. This mounting pole 24 has a diameter corresponding to that of a conventional scaffolding pole 14, and so can be mounted to a scaffolding structure 1 at points along the length of the mounting pole 24, using conventional scaffolding clamps. The second waste chute guide 20 can thus be mounted to a scaffolding structure 1 to project outwardly by a sufficient distance to displace the waste chute 2 held in the arcuate contact element 21 the desired distance away from the scaffolding structure 1.

Other forms of waste chute guide are possible, as shown in Figures 7, 8 and 9. A third waste chute guide 30 has a substantially semicircular arcuate contact element 31, again formed from strip steel. This would hold the waste chute 2 more closely than the profiles of the arcuate contact elements 11, 21 of the first and second waste chute guides 10, 20, but “catching” the waste chute 2 would conversely be more difficult.

The third waste chute guide 30 in Figure 7 is shown provided with an alternative means of securing the waste chute 2 in place. Here, a semicircular clasp 37 is mounted by means of a hinge to a first remote tip 35 of the arcuate contact element 31. The clasp 37 can thus be swung round a far side of the waste chute 2, and is then secured to a second remote tip 36 of the arcuate contact element 31, for example by means of a simple hook 38 passed through a suitable aperture in the second remote tip 36. (NB: in each of these examples, simple hook 18, 28, 38 fastenings are shown for clarity; any other form of conventional lock, bolt, clip, detent, catch or other releasable fastening means could be used instead).

The third waste chute guide 30 has an integral mounting pole 34 extending from a midpoint of the convex face of its arcuate contact element 31, analogous to the mounting pole 24 of the second waste chute guide 20, and used in the same way. (NB: once more, the integral mounting pole 24, 34 or the arrangement with a socket 12 to receive a separate scaffolding pole 14 can each be used with any of the forms of arcuate contact element 11,21,31 shown; the integral mounting poles 24, 34 might be more robust, while the arrangement with a separable pole 14 is likely to be less cumbersome to store and install).

Figure 8 shows a fourth waste chute guide 40, which demonstrates that a contact element 41 can be used that is only in general terms “arcuate”. Here, a first straight portion 49a of the contact element 41 has two second straight portions 49b, each extending at an angle from a respective remote end of the first straight portion 49a. The second straight portions 49b are angled away from each other so as to form a broadly concave face for the contact element 41. The contact element 41 is again conveniently formed from a strip of steel; it needs only two bends, so may be easier to make than the arcuate contact elements 11, 21, 31 described above, although it is possibly less effective at “cradling” the waste chute 2.

In this example, the fourth waste chute guide 40 is illustrated with a securing chain 47, here shown unfastened. As with the securing chain 17 shown for the first waste chute guide 10, this securing chain 47 is mounted permanently at a first end to a first 45 remote tip of the contact element 41, and has a simple hook 48 (or other catch mechanism as preferred) at a second end of the securing chain 47, remote from the first end, to fasten the securing chain 47 selectably to a second 46 remote tip of the contact element 41. In this example, the fourth waste chute guide 40 is shown with an integral mounting pole 44, extending from a midpoint of the first straight portion 49a of the contact element 41, corresponding to the mounting poles 24, 34 of the second and third waste chute guides 20, 30.

Figure 9 shows a fifth waste chute guide 50, provided with another alternative form of contact element 51. Here, a concave arcuate face 59 has been out into one edge of a flat sheet, for example of plywood. A socket 52 is riveted to the sheet, extending from an edge opposite a midpoint of the arcuate contact face 59. This socket 52 is similar to the socket 12 of the first waste chute guide 10, being configured to receive an end of a conventional scaffolding pole 14. The scaffolding pole 14 is held securely within the socket 52 by tightening nut and bolt arrangements 53.

The concave arcuate face 59 can hold the waste chute 2 in much the same manner as the concave faces of the arcuate contact elements 11, 21, 31, 41 described above. Figure 9 does not show any securing means to hold the waste chute 2 to the fifth waste chute guide 50, for clarity. However, any of those illustrated for the other waste chute guides 10, 20, 30, 40 could be employed.

Thus, it can be seen that the principle of the present invention can be implemented in various different ways, all of which allow a waste chute to be safely displaced, outwardly from a scaffolding structure, so as to delivery waste into a skip positioned a safe distance from the scaffolding.

Claims

1. A guide for a waste chute, comprising a chute engagement portion with a scaffolding attachment portion extending therefrom, wherein the chute engagement portion comprises a body having a concave chute contact face and the scaffolding attachment portion comprises connection means by which the guide is detachably mountable to a scaffolding structure, such that when the connection means is mounted to said scaffolding structure, the chute contact face is contactable by a waste chute descending from the scaffolding structure.

2. A guide for a waste chute as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the body of the chute engagement portion comprises an elongate body formed to define said concave chute contact face.

3. A guide for a waste chute as claimed in either Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein said elongate body is curved, to define said concave chute contact face.

4. A guide for a waste chute as claimed in either Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein said elongate body comprises at least two generally straight sections, joined by at least one angled or curved section such that said sections together define said concave chute contact face.

5. A guide for a waste chute as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body of the chute engagement portion also defines a convex face opposite to its concave chute contact face.

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6. A guide for a waste chute as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the elongate body of the chute engagement portion comprises a narrow elongate strip, curved to lie substantially within a plane extending perpendicularly to a plane of a surface of the strip.

7. A guide for a waste chute as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the length of said strip is at least ten times its width.

8. A guide for a waste chute as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the concave chute contact face is so curved and dimensioned as to extend around at least one quarter of a circumference of the waste chute.

9. A guide for a waste chute as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the concave chute contact face is so curved and dimensioned as to extend around at least a third of said circumference.

10. A guide for a waste chute as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the concave chute contact face so curved and dimensioned as to extend around a half or more of said circumference.

11. A guide for a waste chute as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the concave chute contact face is so configured as to be contactable with the circumference of a selected size of waste chute along a majority of a length of the chute contact face.

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12. A guide for a waste chute as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the chute engagement portion of the guide is provided with a chute retaining member, adapted to extend around a side of the waste chute remote from a side of the chute contacting the chute engagement portion.

13. A guide for a waste chute as claimed in Claim 12, wherein said chute retaining member comprises an elongate flexible member extending in use between points adjacent each remote end of the curved chute contact face.

14. A guide for a waste chute as claimed in Claim 13, wherein said elongate flexible member comprises a chain.

15. A guide for a waste chute as claimed in Claim 12, wherein the chute retaining member comprises a rigid retaining member, curved and dimensioned to extend, in use, between points adjacent each remote end of the curved chute contact face.

16. A guide for a waste chute as claimed in Claim 15, wherein the rigid retaining member may then be hingedly mounted to the chute engagement portion at a point adjacent one end of the curved chute engagement face.

17. A guide for a waste chute as in any one of Claims 12 to 16, wherein the chute retaining member is provided at at least one end with fastening means to secure it releasably to the chute engagement portion.

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18. A guide for a waste chute, as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the scaffolding attachment portion extends from the chute engagement portion at a point substantially opposite a midpoint of the concave chute engagement face.

19. A guide for a waste chute as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the scaffolding attachment portion extends substantially in the same plane as the concave chute engagement face.

20. A guide for a waste chute as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the scaffolding attachment portion comprises clamp means adapted to be securely and releasably fastened to a scaffolding pole of conventional form.

21. A guide for a waste chute as claimed in Claim 20, wherein the clamp means is mounted directly to the chute engagement portion.

22. A guide for a waste chute as claimed in Claim 20, wherein the scaffolding attachment portion comprises an elongate support member extending from the chute engagement portion.

23. A guide for a waste chute as claimed in Claim 22, wherein said elongate support member is provided, adjacent an end remote from the chute engagement portion, with clamp means adapted to be securely and releasably fastened to a scaffolding pole of conventional form.

24. A guide for a waste chute as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, constructed of metal, optionally steel.

25. A guide for a waste chute as claimed in Claim 24, wherein the guide comprises a welded structure, and/or has bolted and/or interference fit joints.

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