A scaffold connection element, parts thereof, and associated methods

Abstract

A scaffold connection element for coupling two scaffold members, the scaffold connection element including: a first receiver configured to receive at least part of a first scaffold member; a second re

Claims

1. A scaffold connection element for coupling two scaffold members, the scaffold connection element including:a first receiver configured to receive at least part of a first scaffold member;a second receiver configured to receive at least part of a second scaffold member with the first and second scaffold members substantially parallel with each other; anda depth adjustment arrangement configured to adjust a depth of the first receiver, such that the depth adjustment arrangement is useable to alter a distance between the first and second scaffold members received by the scaffold connection element, further including an outer wall which at least partially defines the first receiver, and the depth adjustment arrangement includes one or more pairs of key apertures and a key, wherein the key is configured to be received by the or each pair of key apertures to alter the depth of the first receiver.

2. A scaffold connection element according to claim 1, wherein the first and second receivers are substantially coaxial such that the first and second scaffold members received therein are substantially coaxially arranged.

3. A scaffold connection element according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the key apertures is an elongate slot having a length extending perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis of the scaffold connection element and a width extending parallel to the central longitudinal axis.

4. A scaffold connection element according to any preceding claim, wherein the key includes an elongate main body and a head member,the head member being shaped in a corresponding manner to a part of the outer wall which the head member is configured to engage when the key is received by at least one of the one or more pairs of key apertures.

5. A scaffold connection element according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one of the one or more pairs of key apertures extends diagonally across the scaffold connection element.

6. A scaffold connection element according to any of claims 1-4, wherein the key apertures of at least one pair of the one or more pairs of key apertures located at the same distance along a length of the scaffold connection element.

7. A scaffold connection element according to any preceding claim, wherein each of the key apertures of the one or more pairs of key apertures is configured to receive at least a part of the same key, in use, such that the key extends through the key apertures of that pair and across at least part of an internal chamber or passage of the first receiver.

8. A scaffold connection element according to any preceding claim, wherein the key includes one or more retaining member apertures which are configured to receive a retaining member to inhibit or substantially prevent removal of the key from the pair of key apertures in which it is receivable.

9. A scaffold connection element according to claim 8, wherein the key includes a plurality of retaining member apertures at different distances along the length of the key.

10. A scaffold connection element according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the key includes an elongate main body, and the elongate main body includes a groove arranged to assist in securing of the retaining member to the retaining member aperture in use.11.A scaffold connection element according to any preceding claim, wherein the one or more pairs of key apertures comprises a plurality of pairs of key apertures.

12. A scaffold connection element according to claim 11, wherein each of the pairs of the plurality of pairs of key apertures is located at a different distance along a length of the scaffold connection element.

13. A scaffold connection element according to claim 12, wherein the key apertures of each pair of key apertures are located at the same distance along the length of the scaffold connection element.

14. A scaffold connection element according to any of claims 9-13, wherein the pairs of key apertures are also or alternatively distributed around the scaffold connection element, such that each of the pairs of key apertures extends across a different width of the scaffold connection element.

15. A scaffold connection element according to any preceding claim, further including one or more inner stop members located between the first and second receivers, wherein the or each stop member is configured to abut one or more of: the first scaffold element and the second scaffold element.

16. A scaffold connection element according to any preceding claim, further including a first connection arrangement configured to mate with a second connection arrangement of a further scaffold member.

17. A scaffold connection element according to claim 16 in combination with the further scaffold member.5 18. A scaffold connection element according to claim 16 or a combinationaccording to claim 17, wherein the further scaffold element is a safety rail or a deck member.

19. A combination of the scaffold connection element of any of claims 1 to 10 16, the first scaffold member, and the second scaffold member.

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