A scaffolding fitting for use in constructing scaffolding

Abstract

A scaffolding fitting 2 for use in constructing scaffolding 4, which scaffolding fitting 2 comprises an insert portion 6 for insertion into an aperture 8 between two rows of bricks 10 and / or blocks wh

Description

[0001] This invention relates to a scaffolding fitting and, more especially, this invention relates to a 5 scaffolding fitting for use in constructing scaffolding. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0002] Scaffolding is typically used in the construction or repair of a walled structure. The scaffolding is typically constructed along the outside of the structure and such that persons are able to work from the scaffolding. Often it is difficult to build the scaffolding on a firm base. 10

[0003] It is an aim of the present invention to avoid or reduce the above-mentioned problem. STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Accordingly, in one embodiment of the present invention there is provided a scaffoldingfitting for use in constructing scaffolding, which scaffolding fitting comprises: an insert portion for insertion into an aperture between two rows of bricks and / or blocks which extend horizontally in a wall of a structure; (ii) an 15 abutment portion which extends transversely from the insert portion and which is for abutting against the lowermost row of the two rows of bricks and / or blocks; (iii) a securing portion including securing means; wherein the securing means is secured to an upper surface of the securing portion, and is configured to receive a fastener to secure the abutment portion to the wall during use.

[0005] The scaffolding fitting of the present invention is advantageous in that it is easily inserted in the 20 aperture between the two rows of bricks and / or blocks in the wall of the structure. The two rows of brick and / or blocks are typically separated by a layer of mortar or cement. In an existing wall, a small section of the mortar or cement can be removed to construct the aperture for receiving the insert portion. In a wall under construction, the aperture can be formed simply by not laying mortar or cement where required so that the aperture is formed on top of the lowermost row of bricks and / or blocks. When in position, the 25 scaffolding fitting is readyfor being secured to a part of the scaffolding during construction of the scaffolding. The part of the scaffolding may be, for example, a scaffolding beam or a scaffolding tube. In use, the weight from the part of the scaffolding secured to the scaffolding fitting is transferred onto the scaffolding fitting. The scaffoldingfittingthen becomes load bearingand isable to take the weight from a cantilever scaffolding structure. The weight on the scaffolding fitting is transferred from the scaffolding fitting onto the wall. Thus 30 the scaffolding fitting is able to support an appropriate part of the scaffolding, for example one end of a cantilever scaffolding structure and it is able to do this in a safe and secure manner. 26 03 25

[0006] The securing means may be permanently or releasably connected to the securing portion. A permanent connection may be affected by welding or other permanent fixing means. A releasable connection may be affected by a metal fastener, for example a nut and bolt or by other non-permanent fixing means. 5

[0007] In all embodiments of the invention, the securing means may be at least one scaffolding clamp. Other types of securing means may be employed. The scaffolding fitting may be one in which there is only one of the scaffolding clamps. Alternatively, the scaffolding fitting may be one in which there are two or more of the scaffolding clamps.

[0008] The scaffolding filling may be one in which the abutment portion includes at least one fastener 10 aperturefor receiving a fastener member for fastening the scaffolding fitting to the wall. The fastener member may be a bolt, for example an expansion bolt. Other types of fastener member may be employed. The fastener member may be a metal fastener member. Preferably, there are two of the fastener apertures. One or more than two of the fastener apertures may however be employed. The fastener member will typically fasten to the lowermost row of the two rows of bricks and / or blocks. 15

[0009] However, if desired, the fastener member may be secured to a lower row of the bricks and / or blocks, providing the abutment portion extends low enough.

[0010] The abutment portion is preferably a plate formation. The abutment portion may however be an alternative formation such for example as spaced apart strips or prongs.

[0011] The insert portion is preferably a plate formation. Other types of insert portions may be employed so 20 that, for example, the insert portion may be spaced apart strips or prongs.

[0012] The scaffolding fitting may include a support portion for supporting the securing portion.

[0013] The support portion may be a plate member extending transversely from the abutment portion and along a side of the securing portion which is lowermost in use of the scaffolding fitting. In such an embodiment of the invention, the support portion will then be on the same side of the scaffolding fitting as 25 the abutment portion. When the scaffolding fitting includes the securing means, then the support portion will be on the opposite side of the scaffolding fitting to the securing means. Support portions other than a plate member may be employed. Thus, for example, the support portion may alternatively be one or more triangular formations positioned where the securing portion joins the abutment portion.

[0014] The scaffolding fitting may be manufactured from steel plate. Appropriate parts of the steel plate 30 may be secured together by welding, fasteners or other securing means. Other materials and other methods for manufacturing the scaffolding fitting may be employed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0015] Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0016] Figure 1 shows three first scaffolding fittings for use in constructing scaffolding, with each 5 scaffolding fitting having attached to it a part of the scaffolding;

[0017] Figure 2 is a view from the front and one side of one of the scaffolding fittings shown in Figure 1, and without the part of the scaffolding;

[0018] Figure 3 is a view from above and one side of the scaffolding fitting as shown in Figure 2;

[0019] Figure 4 is a front view of the scaffolding fitting as shown in Figure 3; 10

[0020] Figure 5 is a side view of the scaffolding fitting as shown in Figure 3; 26 03 25

[0021] Figure 6 is an underneath view of the scaffolding fitting as shown in Figure 3;

[0022] Figure 7 is a view of a second scaffolding fitting, with Figure? being a view like Figure 3; and

[0023] Figure 8 is a side view of the scaffolding fitting as shown in Figure 7, with Figure 8 being like Figure 5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 15

[0024] Referring to Figures 1 -6, there is shown a scaffolding fitting 2 for use in constructing scaffolding 4. The scaffolding fitting 2 comprises an insert portion 6 for insertion into an aperture 8 between two rows of bricks 10. One or both of the rows of bricks 10 may alternatively blocks. The two rows of bricks 10 extend horizontally in a wall 11 of a structure.

[0025] The scaffolding fitting 2 also comprises an abutment portion 12 which extends transversely from the 20 insert portion 6 and which is for abutting against the lowermost row of bricks 10 in the two rows of bricks 10. The scaffolding fitting 2 further comprises a securing portion 14 for enabling the scaffolding fitting 2 to be secured to a part 16 of the scaffolding 4 during construction of the scaffolding 4.

[0026] The scaffolding fitting 2 further comprises securing means 18 on the securing portion 14. The securing means 18 is permanently or non-permanently connected to the securing portion 14. The securing 25 means 18 is a scaffolding clamp. As can best be seen from Figure 2, the securing means 18 in the form of the scaffolding clamp comprises a body portion 20, which is permanently or non-permanently connected to the upper surface of the securing portion 14, and a closure portion 22. The closure portion 22 is pivotally mounted by a pivot 24 to the body portion 20. The closure portion 22 is secured in position by a bolt 26 and a nut 28. 26 03 25

[0027] The abutment portion 12 includes at least one fastener aperture 30 for receiving a fastener member (not shown) for fastening the scaffolding fitting 2 to the wall 11. As can best be appreciated from Figures 2 and 4, there are two of the fastener apertures 30. In alternative embodiments of the scaffoldingfitting 2, there may be only one fastener aperture 30 or there may be more than two fastener apertures 30. 5

[0028] The abutment portion 12 is a plate formation as shown. The insert portion 6 is also a plate formation. In alternatively embodiments of the invention, the abutment portion 12 and / or the insert portion 6 may be other than a plate formation and may thus be, for example, spaced apart strips or prongs.

[0029] The scaffolding fitting 2 includes a support portion 32 for supporting the securing portion 14. The support portion 32 is a plate member extending transversely from the abutment portion 12 and along a side 10 34 of the securing portion 14 which is lowermost in use of the scaffolding fitting 2 as shown in Figures 1 and 2. Thus the support portion 32 is on the same side as the scaffolding fitting 2 in use as the abutment portion 12. Also, the support portion 32 is on the opposite side of the scaffolding fitting 2 to the securing means 18.

[0030] The scaffolding fitting 2 is manufactured from steel plate with the necessary parts being welded together. The scaffolding fitting 2 may be manufactured of other materials and in other ways. 15

[0031] Referring now to Figure 7 and 8, there is shown a second scaffolding fitting 36. Similar parts as in the scaffolding fitting 2 have been given the same reference numerals for ease of comparison and understanding. It will be seen that the scaffolding fitting 36 is similar to the scaffolding fitting 2 except that the scaffolding fitting 36 has two of the securing means 18 in the form of two clamps.

[0032] It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above with reference to the 20 accompanying drawings have been given by way of example only and that modifications may be affected. Thus, for example, permanent connection of component parts may be affected by welding or other permanent connection means. Non-permanent connection of component parts may be affected by metal fasteners or other non-permanent connection means. The support portion 32 may alternatively be one or more triangular formations positioned where the securing position 14 joins the abutment portion 12. The 25 overall shape of the scaffolding fitting 2 may be varied simply by altering the shape of one or more of the insert portion 6, the abutment portion 12 and the securing portion 14. The part 16 of the scaffolding 4 is shown as a scaffolding beam. This part 16 may alternatively be any other suitable and appropriate part of the scaffolding 4. The scaffolding 4 is shown being constructed over a conservatory roof 38 extending away from the wall 11. The scaffolding fittings 2, 36 may be secured to other walls and over other structures. 26 03 25

Claims

1. Ascaffoldingfittingfor use in constructing scaffolding, which scaffolding fitting comprises:(i) an insert portion for insertion into an aperture between two rows of bricks and / or blocks which extend horizontally in a wall of a structure;5 (ii) an abutment portion which extends transversely from the insert portion and which is for abuttingagainst the lowermost row of the two rows of bricks and / or blocks; and(iii) a securing portion including securing means,wherein:the securing means is secured to an upper surface of the securing portion; and is configured to receive 10 and secure a horizontally orientated scaffolding pole to the fitting; andthe abutment portion has at least one fastener aperture configured to receive a fastener to secure the abutment portion to the wall during use.

2. A scaffolding fitting according to claim 1, in which the securing means is permanently connected to the 15 securing portion.

3. A scaffoldingfitting according to claim 1, in which the securing means is releasably connected to the securing portion.20 4. A scaffolding fitting according to any one of the preceding claims in which the securing means is at least onescaffolding clamp.

5. A scaffolding fitting according to claim 4, in which there is only one of the scaffolding clamps.25 6. A scaffolding fitting according to any one of claims 1 to 5, in which there are two of the fastener apertures.

7. A scaffolding fitting according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the abutment portion is a plate formation.

8. A scaffolding fitting according to any one of the preceding claims in which the insert portion is a plate formation.

9. A scaffolding fitting according to any one of the preceding claims and including a support portion for 5 supporting the securing portion.

10. A scaffolding fitting according to claim 10, in which the support portion is a plate member extending transversely from the abutment portion and along a side of the securing portion which is lowermost in use of the scaffolding fitting.1026 03 25

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