GB2476955A

GB2476955A - Temporary guard rail for mounting on a scaffolding level

Info

Publication number: GB2476955A
Application number: GB1000607A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Michael Ward
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-01-15
Filing date: 2010-01-15
Publication date: 2011-07-20
Anticipated expiration: 2030-01-15
Also published as: GB201000607D0; GB2476955B

Abstract

A temporary guard rail for mounting on a scaffolding level is disclosed comprising: a substantially horizontal base member 100; at least one substantially horizontal railing member 104, 106; at least a first 102 and a second 103 upright member between said base member 100 and said at least one railing member 104; a swivel clamp 108 for connecting said first upright member 102 to a ledger 120 (figure 2); a fixed clamp 110 for connecting said second upright member 103 to a ledger 120 (figure 2); and hinges 112 pivotably connecting said at least one hand rail 104 and said base rail 100 to said upright members 102, 103. The base member and railing members may be offset so that the rail can overlap with adjacent rails.

Description

Patent Application of David Michael Ward for Temporary safety rail for scaffolding

Background of the Invention

[1] The present invention relates to safety measures when erecting scaffolding, and in particular to safety hand rails erected prior to the erection of the permanent scaffolding hand rails.

[2] Temporary guard rails for scaffolding are known in the art. For example, WO 2009030993 to Martelli discloses a safety structure for a scaffolding system, which extends vertically by means of reciprocally linked portal uprights and horizontal and diagonal stiffening elements, such that a supporting seat for working platforms is formed. The uprights have guide means along which temporary protection elements slide, and the temporary protection elements form a balustrade for operators working on the top platforms while assembling/disassembling the scaffolding system. The temporary protection element comprises a balustrade portion and an embracing portion, such that the balustrade portion protrudes above the working platform of the first span unit to protect an operator on the working platform, whereas the embracing portion engages integrally with the first span unit under the working platform such that the temporary protection element is blocked at the first span unit.

[3] Similarly, EP 1262612 to McGuiness discloses a temporary guard rail, comprising a frame having an upper rail member supported by stanchions. The frame has clips by which it can be attached to a permanent guard rail at a first level and to the ledger of a second level, the second level being one level higher than the first level, to locate said rail member above the deck of the second level to act as a temporary guard rail. Once the transoms, ledgers and deck have been fitted for the second level, the temporary guard rail can be fitted from the first level and before the operative ascends to the second level. Thus, when the operative ascends, the guard rail is already installed and there is no need to use a safety harness. At the second level, the permanent guard rail can be fitted, the temporary guard rail can be demounted and used for a yet higher level.

Brief Smimary of the Invention [4] It can be seen from the forgoing that there is a prevalent need for temporary guard rails for increasing the safety of workers on a level of scaffolding where a permanent guard rail has not yet been erected, and while securing the permanent guard rail.

[5] It would be advantageous for the temporary guard rail to be affixable to a level from a lower level. It would be further advantageous for such a guard rail to be easily transportable to site, and easy to affix to scaffolding structures.

[6] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a temporary guard rail for scaffolding which is affixable to a level from a lower level, which is easy to affix, and which folds for easy transportation to site.

[7] To this end, a temporary guard rail for mounting on a scaffolding level is disclosed comprising: a substantially horizontal base member; at least one substantially horizontal railing member; at least a first and a second upright member between said base member and said at least one railing member; a swivel clamp for connecting said first upright member to a ledger; a fixed clamp for connecting said second upright member to a ledger; and hinges pivotably connecting said at least one hand rail and said base rail to said upright members.

[8] An advantage of the present invention is that there is no need for a worker to wear a harness when securing a guard rail to a level that does not currently have a permanent guard rail secured. A further advantage is that the apparatus is a single unit and as such is easy to install. A yet further advantage is that the apparatus can be folded flat for ease of transportation to site. A yet further advantage is that the temporary guard rails are more robust and long-lasting than the harnesses which are otherwise needed.

Brief Description of the Several Views of the Drawing [9] The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings, in which: [10] Figure 1 shows the preferred embodiment of the invention.

[ill Figure 2 shows the invention mounted on a scaffolding level.

Detailed Description of the Invention

[12] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, shown in Figures 1 and 2 wherein like numerals refer to like components, a temporary guard rail for a scaffolding level is disclosed. The scaffolding level comprises a ledger 120 and at least two scaffolding uprights 122, 124. The temporary guard rail of the invention comprises: a substantially horizontal base member 100 for installing below said ledger; at least one and preferably two substantially horizontal railing members 104, 106 for installing above said ledger; at least a first and a second upright member 102, 103 between said base member and said at least one railing member; a swivel clamp 108 for connecting said first upright member to said ledger; a fixed clamp 110 for connecting said second upright member to said ledger; and hinges 112 pivotably connecting said at least one hand rail and said base rail to said upright members.

[13] It is envisaged that the apparatus will be installed on scaffolding having more than one level or storey, when the levels above ground level are being installed. Such scaffolding generally comprises horizontal ledgers and vertical uprights or stanchions, and this is widely known in the art. The apparatus is therefore designed to be affixed by a worker standing on a ledger or board mounted on a ledger, at a first level of scaffolding, to the ledger and uprights of a second level of scaffolding, the second level being one level higher than the first level. An advantage of this is that there is no requirement for a worker to be on the upper level before a guard rail is installed, therefore no requirement to wear a harness which is cumbersome and time consuming.

[14] The base member, railing member or members, and uprights preferably comprise tubular steel, aluminium or other materials as known in the art for scaffolding ledgers, stanchions, and the like. An advantage of this is that the apparatus can be readily manufactured from available parts.

Alternatively, the base member, hand rail or rails and uprights may be any material strong enough to withstand the weight of a person.

[151 Preferably, there are two railing members, an upper and a lower member, which are preferably spaced such that the upper railing member is approximately at chest height for an average person, and the lower railing member is approximately half way between the upper member and the ledger. An advantage of this is that, with minimal materials, the apparatus prevents a person from falling through the guard rail and off the scaffolding.

Alternatively there may be one railing member, at any height, or more than two, at any heights.

[16] Preferably, the base member and railing member or members each comprise an offset end. The offset end may be the left or the right end. Preferably, all members comprise an offset at the same end, although the offsets may also be at different ends. The offset is preferably a vertical offset shaped as shown in the figures, although it may also be a horizontal offset and may be other shapes. An advantage of the offset is that two guard rails can overlap by the length of the offset without either guard rail interfering with the positioning of the other.

Alternatively, however, there may be no offset.

[17] The swivel clamp is preferably a scaffolding swivel coupler as known in the art for scaffolding. Alternatively it may be a single clamp permanently, pivotably connected to the first upright member, for clamping to the ledger of the scaffolding.

Furthermore, it may be any clamping means by which the upright member can be pivotably clamped to a ledger. The swivel clamp enables the apparatus to be clamped to the scaffolding and then swung into position.

[18] The fixed clamp is preferably a regular scaffolding coupler as known in the art for scaffolding, although it may also be any dual tubular clamp for clamping two tubes in a fixed position relative to each other. The fixed clamp enables the apparatus, once in position, to be held upright.

[19] The hinges preferably comprise co-operating holes in the upright members and railing members, and co-operating holes in the upright members and base members, with hinge pins through the holes to pivotably connect the members. Alternatively, bracket hinges or other hinges may be mounted between the upright and railing members, and between the upright and base members, or any other pivotable connecting means may be used.

Claims

Claims 1. A temporary guard rail for a scaffolding level, the level comprising a ledger and at least two scaffolding uprights, the temporary guard rail comprising: a substantially horizontal base member for installing below said ledger; at least one substantially horizontal railing member for installing above said ledger; at least a first and a second upright member between said base member and said at least one railing member; a swivel clamp for connecting said first upright member to said ledger; a fixed clamp for connecting said second upright member to said ledger; and hinges pivotably connecting said at least one hand rail and said base rail to said upright members.
2. The guard rail of claim 1 wherein said at least one railing member comprises two railing members, whereby a worker on said scaffolding level is prevented from falling.
3. The guard rail of claim 1 wherein said base member and said at least one railing members each comprise an offset end whereby more than one said guard rails can overlap.