Archivable inspection tag

Abstract

An inspection tag comprises two hingedly connected panels 3, 4 with text and graphics and onto which details of an inspected object, such as e.g. a scaffold, and safety inspections thereof are recorde

Description

The invention relates to inspection tags commonly used in e.g. the construction industry. They are attached to scaffolds, ladders or machinery to indicate the statutory weekly inspection status thereof. Health and safety regulations prescribe that after use on site these tags shall be archived for eventual future reference in relation to e.g. liability issues, which is often done in A4 Lever Arch files. As far as we know inspection tags thus far are designed with archiving but not with this filing in mind. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION Various designs of inspection tags are known. Some are simply a red or green coloured A6-sized card on which the latest inspection date is recorded in writing. Such a card has a small hole for a string to attach it to an object such as an erected scaffold, ladder, mobile alloy tower or construction machinery (e.g. a generator). The string is possibly secured with a seal similar to the ones used for a gas or electric meter for a household. A green card can indicate that an object is inspected and approved to be used and a red card the opposite. A more elaborate design of inspection tag comprises an elongated hard-plastic sheet with a hole through which a scaffold pole is stuck and a number of protrusions positioned such that they can retain an approximately A6-sized card on which the latest inspection details can be recorded in writing. When the card is removed, because the e.g. scaffold has failed the latest inspection or it has been deemed unsafe for another reason, the area of the sheet behind the card is revealed and shows a message "DO NOT USE" to warn that the scaffold should not be used. Drawbacks of aforementioned designs is that the cards often get lost, are unsuited for A4 Lever Arch files, do not provide ample space for writing and / or they require additional external locking means such as string (with or without) seal. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide an improved inspection tag which overcomes at least one or more of the above mentioned drawbacks of prior art devices. Thereto provides the invention an inspection tag which is cut from a piano with substantially A4 dimensions and of which areas are removed to provide mounting, closing and locking means for the tag, whereby the tag can fold onto itself and comprises integrated interlocking means. By providing a tag with integrated interlocking means the user does not have to rely on any other additional external means to keep the folded tag closed, what we will refer to as 'interlocked'. Furthermore, since the proposed tag is cut from an A4 piano sheet of material (or multiple thereof for multiple tags) it fits neatly in an A4 Lever Arch file whilst maximising surface area space for creating a permanent record of inspection data. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In use a tag of the proposed invention will mainly hang of the object it is attached to, which could be scaffolding on an outdoor building site where the tag will be exposed to the weather, including; sun, frost, wind and rain. After use the tag will subsequently be archived for perhaps 10 years or longer. The tag needs to be able to withstand this exposure to the weather, plus it needs to be durable and not disintegrate during use and archivation. The preferably approximately A4 size archivable inspection tag according to the invention may be formed out of a sheet of weatherproof durable plastic . The tag comprises two panels of about equal width, which are connected in an area with a score-line which runs parallel to the longitudinal edges of the tag and which enables folding the panels onto each other. One panel will be provided in its upper quart with a hole to mount the tag to a regulatory inspected object and the height of the other panel is limited to vertically at least the level of the lower edge of said hole. To enable secure interlocking of both panels onto each other the one panel is provided, near its longitudinal edge opposite the score-line, with at least one slit which can receive a tab which is formed, on the same vertical level as the at least one slit, by a preferably semi-circular cut, with a diameter similar to the length of the slit, in the other panel near the longitudinal edge opposite the score-line. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are represented in the subclaims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be explained in more detail on the basis of exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings. In the drawings: FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of of the front face of an archivable inspection tag according to the invention; FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of the back face of the tag of figure 1; FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of the tag of figure 1 with the front face folded onto itself; FIG.4 shows schematically the tag of figure 3 viewed from the back; FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of the front face of the tag of figure 1 with the back face folded onto itself; FIG. 6 shows schematically the tag of figure 5 viewed from the back; The figures are only schematic representations of a preferred embodiment of the invention that is given as a nonlimiting example. In the figures, similar or corresponding parts are indicated by the same reference numerals or not numbered. DETAILED DESCRIPTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 schematically shows the front face of an inspection tag 1 according to the proposed invention. Tag 1 is preferably sized such that its widest and longest dimensions are approximately, and do not exceed, A4-size (210mm x 297mm) since the tag 1 is after use intended to be archived in a well-known A4 Lever Arch file (not shown). Obviously, if tag 1 is to be archived in a different size of file its sizing, dimensions and positions of features discussed in the following paragraphs of this description, would be redesigned accordingly. Because tag 1 is predominantly used outdoors where it is normally attached to a scaffold, and subsequently stored in an indoor archive, tag 1 is made of weatherproof, sturdy, durable and non-decaying material. An example of a suitable material which meets these criteria is polypropylene sheets of 750 micron (0.75mm) thickness. This material can be laser cut and scored to create inspection tags according to the invention. It is also flexible yet still sturdy and not 'floppy'. Furthermore the material can be printed with text and graphics of a quality that over time hardly fades due to exposure of sun and rain. The front face (not numbered) of inspection tag 1 in portrait orientation is provided with vertical score-line 2, which divides tag 1 in two panels 3 and 4 of equal width. The panels 3 and 4 can be folded towards each other whilst staying connected over the area of score-line 2. The folding towards each other can be done in a direction such that the front face of panel 4 rests onto and covers most of the front face of panel 3, or in the opposite direction such that the back face of panel 4 rests onto and covers most of the back face of panel 3. The front and back faces of tag 1 will be provided with text and graphics. The text ns.ay amongst others instruct the user how to attach tag 1 to the object to be tagged, refer to legal stipulations and provide indication if the object, (e.g. scaffold- is inspected or not. Furthermore will the graphics provide a number of box-outlines to create empty 'fields' to record therein onto the tag, with e.g. a permanent marker-pen, details such as; location of the object, name and telephone number of the person who has inspected the object and inspection details. Still viewing the front face of tag 1 in portrait orientation and focusing on panel 3. The width of panel 3 approximates 105 mm and the height of panel 3 approximates 297 mm. About 20 mm below the upper edge of panel 3 a hole 7 is cut with an approximate diameter of 60 mm, through which e.g. a scaffolding pole can be stuck, to allow tag 1 to hang from said scaffolding pole (not shown). Obviously hole 7 can have different peripheral shapes, e.g. circular or octagonal, as long as hole 7 is large enough to allow entry for e.g. a scaffolding pole or protrusion from an object. At approximately 6 mm from the upper edge of panel 3 and above hole 7, two, mutually parallel positioned, oval oblong slots 5 are cut and preferably at approximately 6 mm from the lower edge of panel 3, two, mutually parallel positioned, oval oblong slots 6 are also cut. Slots 5 and 6 are placed in a horizontally central position on panel 3 and spaced about 10 mm apart. Each slot 5 and 6 is about 10 mm high and 6 mm wide, through which, possibly for added security against e.g. wind, so-called zip ties (not shown) or suitable equivalent may be pulled to additionally attach tag 1 to an object (not shown). Furthermore, still viewing the front face of tag 1 in portrait orientation and focusing on panel 3. Approximately 5-10 millimeter away from the edge 8, which is on the opposite side to where panel 3 is attached to panel 4, two or four holes 9 are provided for mounting the two or four rings of an A4 Lever Arch file (not shown) or the like. Holes 9 are dimensioned such that the Lever Arch rings fit through them, and have for example a diameter of about 5 millimetres. The dimensions and positions of holes 9 are standard and hence known to the person skilled in the art. Holes 9 are cut during the manufacturing of tag 1 and hence do after use on site not need to be punched with a well-known office hole-punch (not shown) since tag 1 after use on site is according to the proposed invention meant to be archived. Punching holes in tag 1 after use on site would actually be prohibitively difficult, because most office hole-punches are designed to punch holes in e.g. a maximum of 10 sheets of 80 grammes paper at once, whereas the sturdy material of tag 1 as discussed could hardly be punched with (and without damaging) such office hole-punch. We are not familiar with any scaffolding inspection tag on the market or in technical and non-technical literature, which is prepunched as proposed. Still viewing the front face of tag 1 in portrait orientation, but now focusing on panel 4. The width of panel 4 approximates 105 millimeters and the top edge 10 of panel 4 needs to be horizontally below the level of the bottom of hole 7, because the user needs to be able to fold the back face or the front face of panel 4 onto resp. the front face of panel 3 or in the opposite direction onto the back face of panel 3 without interfering with the protrusion of the object or e.g. a scaffolding pole (not shown) which is stuck through hole 7. Panel 4 is provided with, in this exemplary embodiment two semi-circular cuts 11 with a diameter of approximately 10 millimeters and the part of the sheet inside the semicircles 11 form securing tabs 12. The apex (not numbered) of each semi-circular cut 11 is the nearest part of each cut 11 to score-line 2. The tab forming cuts 11 are in the left top corner and left bottom corner of panel 4 at a distance of about 7 millimetres from the top-, side- and bottom edge of panel 4. In use tabs 12 will be slotted into slits 13 which are cut parallel to edge 8 of panel 3 at a similar distance from edge 8 as tabs 12 are placed from side edge 14 of panel 4. Horizontally, slits 13 are level with tabs 12. Slits 13 are about 17 mm long, just a bit longer than the diameter (or width) of tabs 12, and about 2 mm wide, just a bit wider than the thickness of the material of tag 1. When the tabs 12 are slotted into slits 13 the panel 4 is secured onto panel 3 and the panels 3 and 4 are interlocked. Figure 2 shows the back face of unfolded tag 1 with the back faces of panels 3 and 4, with text, graphics and of course all the cut-outs that were visible on the front faces, such as e.g.; hole 7 to stick e.g. a scaffolding pole (not shown) through, holes 9 for the A4 Arch Lever rings, semi-circular cuts 11 to form tabs 12 and slits 13. In figures 3 and 4 the front face of panel 4 is folded towards and onto the front face of panel 3 and the apexes of tabs 12 are pushed out of the plane of the surface of panel 4, in the direction in which panel 4 is folded, and tabs 12 are slotted into slits 13 such that tabs 12 will almost completely stick through slits 13 and lie flat on the surface of the back face of panel 3 to clamp and interlock therewith, and thus secure panel 4 in its folded position. Sticking through slits 13 are tabs 12 which lie flat on the back surface of panel 3 to secure, and interlock with, panel 4 in its folded position. The front face of panel 3 could be provided with a well-known general prohibition sign, a red circle with a diagonal line through it, on a white background and the text: "Do not use scaffold". The back face of panel 4 could be provided with a table with empty fields / cells to record inspection dates and times. This means that when the front face of panel 4 is folded and secured onto the front face of panel 3 that the "DO NOT USE SCAFFOLD" text and the prohibition sign would be blocked from view, that inspections can be recorded and this simultaneously indicates that the scaffold, or other object (not shown) which tag 1 is attached to, is allowed to be used. In Figures 5 and 6 the back face of panel 4 is folded onto the back face of panel 3, which means as shown in Figure 5 that on the front face of panel 3 the "DO NOT USE SCAFFOLD"-message and prohibition sign are visible. Sticking through slits 13 are tabs 12 which lie flat on the front surface of panel 3 to secure panel 4 in its folded position. It is within the spirit of the proposed invention (but not shown) that tabs 12 could be rectangular or mushroomshaped for example, and also that the number, dimensions and positions of tabs 12 and slits 13 can vary as long as they complement each other such they can securingly mate. Tabs 12 could also be wider than slits 13 if they were provided with an incision across part of their base which would create in effect a barb. Regards their position it is also envisioned (and not shown) that tabs 12 alternatively could be parallel to top edge 10 and bottom edge 15 of panel 4, and obviously slits 13 would be repositioned such that they would complement and could interlock with tabs 12. As a further alternative (not shown), tabs 12 could extend out of top edge 10 and bottom edge 15 of panel 4, and slits 13 would be repositioned to enable cooperation with such tabs 12. Furthermore (and also not shown), if the width of panel 3 was shortened by approximately the distance from edge 8 to, unrequired in this alternative, slits 13, tabs 12 could 'hook around' edge 8 of panel 3 to secure panel 4 onto panel 3. Alternatively, if the positions of tabs 12 would be swapped with, again unrequired for this alternative, slits 13 and the width of panel 4 was shortened by the distance from edge 14 to cuts 11, the tabs 12 could 'hook around' side edge 14 of panel 4 to secure panel 4 onto panel 3. Most of the alternative embodiments discussed above were prototyped, but none of our other prototypes provided such a reliable interlock with flat lying tabs 12 and panels 3 and 4 lying tightly onto each other as the claimed preferred embodiment. Many variants, of which most are discussed, will be clear to the person skilled in the art. These variants are understood to fall within the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. An archivable inspection tag formed out of a sheet of weatherproof durable plastic comprising two panels of approximately equal width, which are connected in an area with a score-line which runs parallel to the longitudinal edges of the tag and which enables folding the panels onto each other, and whereby one panel in its upper quart is provided with a hole to mount the tag to a regulatory inspected object and the height of the other panel is limited to vertically at least the level of the lower edge of said hole, characterised in that, to enable secure interlocking of both panels the one panel is provided, near its longitudinal edge opposite the score- line, with at least one slit which can receive a tab which is formed, on the same vertical level as the at least one slit, by a, preferably semi-circular, cut, with a diameter or width similar to the length of the at least one slit, in the other panel near the longitudinal edge opposite the score-line.

2. An archivable inspection tag according to claim 1 whereby said sheet is of approximately A4-size.

3. An archivable inspection tag according to claim 1 or 2 whereby the apex of a tab forming cut is the nearest part of said cut to the score-line.

4. An archivable inspection tag according to claim 3 whereby the cut is semi-circular.03 06 245. An archivable inspection tag according to any one of the previous claims wherein the tag is provided with one tab and one cooperating slit.

6. An archivable inspection tag according to any one of the previous claims wherein the tag is provided with two tabs and two cooperating slits.

7. An archivable inspection tag according to any one of the previous claims wherein the maximum outer dimensions of the tag are approximately 210 millimetres for its width and 297 millimetres for its height.

8. An archivable inspection tag according to any one of the previous claims wherein the plastic is polypropylene of approximately 0.75 mm thickness.

9. An archivable inspection tag according to any one of the previous claims wherein the at least one tab lies flat on a surface of the one panel during interlocking.

10. An archivable inspection tag according to any one of the previous claims wherein the object is a scaffold and in use a pole of said scaffold is stuck through the hole.

11. An archivable inspection tag according to any one of the previous claims wherein the one panel is provided, approximately 5-10 mm away from the longitudinal edge opposite the score-line, with two or four holes of about 7 mm diameter, at vertically appropriate places, to receive the two or four rings of an A4 Lever Arch file, or the like.CM12. An archivable inspection tag according to any one of the previous claims wherein additionally two, horizontally parallel and spaced about 20 mm apart, oval oblong slots of about 15 millimetres high and 8 millimetres wide, are provided in a vertically central position, through which so-called zip ties or suitable equivalent can be pulled to attach the archivable inspection tag to an object.

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