Field of Invention

The pictured embodiment of the invention provides apparatus for providing a weatherproof cover during works on scaffolding.

Background

It is known to provide a temporary weatherproof cover during building works or the like involving the use of scaffolding.

The present inventor has devised improved arrangements for providing such temporary weatherproof cover.

Summary of the Invention

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided apparatus for providing a weatherproof cover during works on scaffolding, the apparatus comprising : a rigid roof panel; a socket attached to a face of the panel, the socket defining a tunnel having a first opening; a bracket having an insertion portion sized to be slidingly received within the tunnel such that the insertion portion can be inserted into the opening and moved along the tunnel throughout a plurality of positions; and a retention device arranged for engagement with an element of the apparatus such as the bracket, socket or roof panel to inhibit the bracket being removed from the opening.

Thus, the apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention can provide provided a fast, effective and safe means of erecting a temporary weatherproof cover during works on scaffolding. The roof panel is provided with one or more sockets so that one or more brackets can be easily slid into the sockets and retained in the sockets by the retention devices. The brackets can be coupled to the scaffolding poles before insertion to easily fix the roof panel to the scaffolding poles in a variety of configurations. The brackets can comprise articulation between a pole and socket.

The bracket can comprise: parallel first and second sidewalls arranged to constrain lateral, in-plane movement of the bracket relative to the panel; and one or more roof panels offset from the face of the roof panel, such that the sidewalls and roof panels define a linear, rectangular section tunnel.

The bracket can comprise a pair of co-planar cover strips spaced from one another to define a longitudinal slot between them which extends along the bracket.

Adjacent or facing edge portions of the cover strips are flared inwardly into the channel to define a pair of parallel, spaced lip portions which define the longitudinal slot.

The sidewalls can each be each provided with one or more holes, each hole in one sidewall being aligned with a hole in the other sidewall to define a pair and wherein the retention device comprises a pin sized to be received by the holes of a pair to form a mechanical barrier across the tunnel.

The bracket can comprise a clamp or the like for clamping the bracket to a scaffolding pole. For example, a clamp can comprise a pair of jaws which can be opened to move onto position on a pole and then forced together and locked to engage the pole.

The insertion portion of the bracket can comprise a wheeled trolley having a body mounting a pair of wheels, the wheels being sized to be received in the tunnel.

Each wheel can includes a circumferential groove.

Alternatively, the insertion portion comprises a sledge member arranged to slide along the channel. Thus, the insertion portion can define a plain dynamic bearing, which can be more robust that a wheeled trolley arrangement.

The sledge member can be unitary in construction, providing increased robustness. The bracket can be provided with a reversibly deployable and retractable locking element arranged to be advanced relative to the roof panel or socket to define an interference fit with it inhibiting movement of the bracket relative to the socket.

The apparatus can further comprise a bridging clamp for joining two panels in an edge to edge manner to define a weather proof seal between them, the bridging clamp comprising : first and second clamping panels, each clamping panel having a hole which, when the clamping panels are aligned in a face to face manner the holes are coaxial; a bolt for insertion through the holes; a spacer arranged to receive the threaded body of the bolt and be positioned between the clamping panels, the spacer having a thickness which corresponds to the thickness of the panels; elastically deformable gripping members arranged to be positioned between the clamp panels and the roof panels; and a nut for winding onto the threaded body of the bolt on the far side of one clamping panel relative to the other in order to move the clamping panels towards one another to cause the and gripping members to engage opposing faces of a pair of adjacent roof panels.

The thickness of the spacer can be greater than or equal to the thickness of the roof panels.

The bolt can include a thread discontinuity at a region where further tightening could cause the panels to be crushed.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of forming a weatherproof cover during works on scaffolding, the method comprising : providing a roof panel with a socket attached to a face of the panel, the socket defining a tunnel having a first opening; sliding an insertion portion of a bracket into the tunnel; and applying a retention device to inhibit the bracket moving beyond the retention device towards the opening.

Optional features of the first aspect can be applied to the second aspect in an analogous manner.

Brief Description of Figures

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows an isometric view of apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention in use;

Figure 2 shows an isometric detail view of a panel and bracket from the embodiment of the apparatus shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows an isometric detail view of the embodiment of the apparatus shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 shows an isometric detail view of the embodiment of panels and brackets from the embodiment of the apparatus shown in Figure 1;

Figure 5 shows an isometric view of elements of the embodiment of the apparatus as shown in Figure 1;

Figure 6 shows an isometric detail view of panels from the embodiment of the apparatus shown in Figure 1;

Figure 7 shows detail views of the bracket embodiment from the embodiment of the apparatus shown in Figure 1;

Figure 8 shows detail views of the panel engagements from the embodiment of the apparatus shown in Figure 1; and

Figure 9 shows detail views of the engagement of two panels from the embodiment of the apparatus shown in Figure 1;

Figure 10 shows a diagrammatic view of the embodiment of the apparatus shown in Figure 1;

Figure 11 shows a perspective view of apparatus according to a further embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 12 shows a perspective detail view of the bracket from the embodiment of the apparatus shown in Figure 11;

Figure 13 shows a cross section detail view of the bracket from the embodiment of the apparatus shown in Figure 11;

Figure 14 shows a cross section detail view of the bracket in the socket from the embodiment of the apparatus shown in Figure 11;

Figure 15 shows a perspective detail view of part of the socket from the embodiment of the apparatus shown in Figure 11;

Figure 16 shows an end detail view of the bridging element from the embodiment of the apparatus shown in Figure 11 holding the two roof panels together;

Figure 17 shows a perspective view of apparatus according to a further embodiment of the present invention; and

Figure 18 shows a perspective detail view of the bracket and socket from the embodiment of the apparatus shown in Figure 17. Detailed Description

With reference to the Figures 1 to 10 there is generally shown an embodiment of apparatus 99 comprising one or more devices for providing shelter from rain on scaffolding, comprising one or more planar panels 1 of impermeable material, with a plurality of brackets 2 arranged for attachment of the panel 1 to a scaffold pole 3.

In particular reference to the embodiment of the apparatus pictured in Figures 1 to 10 each panel 1 comprises four bracket sockets 4, which enable the brackets 2 to be located onto the panel's underside for attachment to the poles 3 proximate the panel's corners.

The apparatus thereby may be envisaged in different embodiments to comprise brackets 2 that are displaceable from the panel and comprise separate or separable devices.

In the pictured embodiment the brackets 2 are separate and arranged to slide into the sockets 4 laterally.

The sockets 4 in the pictured embodiment comprise two runners with a central channel 14, into which the brackets 2 are slid in use.

The sockets are elongate, arranged to extend towards the centre of the panels. At the distal end the socket channels 14 are closed. Between the proximal and distal ends of the channel the sockets comprise plural spaced apart holes 44, which are arranged for receipt of pins 5.

The pins may be tethered to the socket or bracket and/or independent and separately available.

A spring ball plunger 45 is located at the end of the pin 5 and displaces after passage through to catch the pin in the hole 44.

The pin passes through holes 44 on both sides of the socket 4 and holds the bracket 2 in a position in the channel 14 with the closed end of channel preventing movement in the other direction. It may be envisaged that the pins may be used to either side of the bracket 2.

The brackets 2 are thereby arranged to enable attachment of the socket 4 to the poles in plural locations with reference the panel, wherein in the pictured embodiment the brackets furthermore comprise articulation between the poles and socket.

This articulation comprises rotation and height adjustment in the pictured embodiment.

In this way the brackets may be adjustable in more than one axis so as to accommodate poles of different arrangement.

The brackets are advantageously arranged to be loosely moveable for ease of adjustment.

In the pictured embodiment the brackets comprise a panel portion 24, arranged to interface the socket. In the pictured embodiment this panel portion comprises a T-shaped portion in profile, wherein the portion comprises a plate extending orthogonal a main body portion 21 of the bracket 2.

The main body portion 21 extends below the panel portion 24 in use, and comprises a cylindrical right-angled portion extending laterally into a pole portion 23.

The pole portion 23 comprises a clamp means, which clamp means comprises a resiliently deformable latch 22. In use to fit the brackets on the poles the user would :

Pull back the latch 22 to open a mouth for the scaffold pole 3.

Release the latch 22 so it springs back to its original position, locking around the scaffold pole 2.

The pole portion 23 subsequently has a 360 degree rotation to making fitting to unaligned scaffold poles even easier. The bracket body portion 21 may also be adjusted for length, comprising a coaxially telescopic extension means in the pictured embodiment.

In some other embodiments the sockets may comprise articulation.

The brackets advantageously have adjustability so as to accommodate scaffold poles that are irregular distances apart.

The panels 1 are arranged with an engagement means 10 to comprise a way of butting up next to each other so that water does not leak through between the panels 1 in use. In the pictured embodiments the panel 1 comprises perimetric sealing members 5,15, formed as rubber strips bonded to the edge of the panels.

These rubber seal members 5,15 interlock with the next panel 1 to provide thorough damp proofing.

As shown in Figure 3, corner panels 111 will also be the same size as the rectangular panels 11, but the rubber seal members 5,15 will be next to each other as opposed to opposite.

The rubber seal members are formed as male strips 5 having a longitudinal male profile, formed as a convex strip, arranged to interfit into a longitudinal concave profile in the opposing female strip 15. In this way the strip members provide both a water tight seal and increased mechanical strength.

In this way the apparatus may comprise a number of panels that can fit on top of scaffolding quickly and easily to create a roof to protect workers from the elements. It may be envisaged that all panels are the same size for inexpensive manufacturing purposes.

Corner panels may be provided in the apparatus in use so that a wet proof roof is capable of running the entire perimeter of buildings.

The apparatus of the present invention thereby provides an accessory to scaffolding equipment that helps to ensure workers and/or materials can be kept dry when the weather turns. The panels and the brackets are detachable from each other for easier storing and transport and advantageously also ensure adaptability to account for different scaffolding set ups as the uprights are unlikely to be perfect parallels.

The panels are formed in thermoplastics that is inexpensive, light weight and UV (ultraviolet) resistant.

Polypropylene roofing sheets are more opaque and has good UV resistance and weather resistance. Polycarbonate roofing sheets are more transparent, but effective in terms of UV and weather resistance. It is an inexpensive material, but weaker when it comes to impact resistance.

The sockets 4 are formed in aluminium and are permanently fixed to the panels

1.

In use the user would :

Slide the brackets 2 into the sockets 4

Place the pin 5 through the sockets 4 to stop the brackets 2 from falling out

Fix two panels 1 together by joining the rubber seals engagement means 10 on each side

Rotate the brackets 2 around, and slide them up and down to line up with the scaffold pole before fitting them.

As shown in Figure 10 it may be envisaged to be preferable that the apparatus is installed with a pitch ending above guttering, or emptying into guttering where appropriate.

Referring to Figure 11, scaffolding shelter apparatus according to a further embodiment of the invention is shown generally at 50. As with the apparatus 99 of figure 1, the apparatus 50 comprises roof panels 80 which can be joined together by mechanical engagement formations 90 and have sockets 70 attached to the panels to slidingly receive and retain brackets 60 arranged to be removeably coupled to scaffolding poles (not shown). The apparatus 50 is functionally similar to the apparatus described with reference to Figures 1 to 10 and, for brevity, the following description will focus on the differences. Referring additionally to Figures 12 and 13, in the illustrated embodiment the brackets are wheeled trolleys 60 and the sockets are box section bars 70 defining channels along which the trolleys 60 can run to accommodate different widths of scaffolding. Thus, for a relatively narrow scaffolding arrangement the trolley 60 may be situated within the channel of the socket 70 relatively far from the channel opening; for a relatively wide scaffolding arrangement the trolley 60 may be situated within the channel of the socket 70 relatively close to the channel opening.

Each trolley 60 comprises a body portion 62 having an insertion portion upon which a pair of wheels 64 are mounted. The wheels 64 are sized and positioned to be slideably received within the channels of the sockets 70. In the illustrated embodiment the trolley 60 has two wheels 64 mounted on the same side of the body, with their mounting axes 66 being generally aligned with the longitudinal axis of the body 66, but in other embodiments each trolley can be provided with a single wheel, or more than two wheels such as four wheels. A greater number of wheels can increase stability and in some embodiments one or more wheels can be mounted on both sides of the body.

The body portion 62 is pivotally or otherwise movably coupled to a pole portion 68 arranged to be temporarily mechanically coupled to a scaffolding pole. The body portion 62 and pole portion 68 can for example be pivotally coupled by a pivot pin 69 that can optionally be tightened to lock the orientation of body portion 62 relative to the pole portion 68. The pole portion 68 can define a clamp arranged to be situated on the top or around a side wall of a scaffolding pole. Preferably, the body portion 62 and pole portion 68 are each unitary in construction i.e. each formed as a single piece of metal for example, as this can provide a robust bracket that is less likely to be damaged in use.

As best illustrated in Figure 13, in the illustrated embodiment the sockets 70 are arranged in the form of generally rectangular box section channel bars.

A planar top strip 72 of the socket 70 is provided with one or more mounted holes each arranged to receive a nut and bolt arrangement 74, via which the sockets 70 are attachable to the panels. In other embodiments the box section sockets 70 can be attached to the panels in any suitable manner, such as by bonding. The top strip 72 is joined to a pair of planar lower strips 76 via a pair of parallel, planar sidewalls 78, to define a generally rectangular channel between them. The lower strips 76 have adjacent edges which are spaced from one another a longitudinal slot S, such that the socket defines a substantially 'C shaped channel having inner supporting surfaces SS along which the wheels 64 of a trolley 60 can run to inhibit the trolley 60 being withdrawn from the channel except via the opening at the free end.

As such, once a trolley 60 has been inserted into the channel, a retaining pin P can be inserted through lateral holes in the side walls 78 and retained by a clip or interference fit for example to inhibit the trolley 60 exiting the channel beyond the pin P.

Referring additionally to Figure 14, the wheels 64 are arranged to define a circumferential groove G, resulting in a proud surface P arranged to contact and run along an inner surface of the channel. The groove defined a lip surface L which can limit the extent to which the trolley 60 can move in the direction of arrow I, providing lateral stability and in some cases inhibiting the portion of the body portion 62 that sits within the channel slot contacting the slot defining surface. Also, the groove G can accommodate mechanical fixings 72 used to secure the channel 70 to the panels 80.

Referring additionally to Figure 15, the holes H can be spaced in a regular sequence along some or all of the socket 70. The spacing SP between hole centres can selected to be slightly larger than the length TL of the trolley 60 such that, in use, a trolley 60 can be located between a pair of adjacent holes H and pins P can be inserted in both holes H to constrain movement of the trolley 60 in both directions.

Referring additionally to Figure 16, a bridging clamp according to an embodiment of the invention is shown generally at 100. The bridging clamp 100 is arranged for joining two roof panels 80 in an edge to edge manner to define a weather proof seal between them. The bridging clamp can be used with the apparatus of figure 11 for example.

The bridging clamp 100 comprises first and second clamping panels 102 each having a hole positioned such that when the clamping panels 102 are aligned in a face to face manner the holes are coaxial so that a bolt 104 can be inserted through the holes.

The faces of the clamping panels 102 which, in use, face one another are provided with elastically deformable gripping members 108 arranged along the length of the panels 102 such that they are arranged between the clamping panels 102 and the roof panels 80. The elastically deformable gripping members 108 can have a generally triangular cross section in order to increase clamping pressure at the point of the triangle, or can alternatively be rectangular or semi circular in cross section. The elastically deformable gripping members 108 can be formed from any suitable material such as rubber or a foam-like plastics material. In other embodiment the elastically deformable gripping members 108 can be provided on the roof panels 80 for example.

A nut 100 such as a wingnut is provided for winding onto the threaded body of the bolt 104 on the far side of one clamping panel 102 relative to the other in order to move the clamping panels 102 towards one another to cause the gripping members 108 to engage opposing faces of a pair of adjacent roof panels 102.

A spacer 106 is provided having a generally open cylindrical shape with a bore arranged to receive the threaded body of the bolt 104 and be positioned between the clamping panels 102. The spacer 106 has a thickness ST which corresponds to the thickness PT of the roof panels 80. "Corresponds to" can mean be equal to or slightly thicker than the panel thickness 80 in order to reduce the likelihood of a roof panel 80 being crushed by application of the clamping force.

In some embodiments, the thread of bolt 104 can terminate at a distance from the plate such that the wing nut 100 cannot be tightened to an extent that would cause the bridging clamp to crush and deform a panel through the thickness of the panel.

Referring to Figure 17, scaffolding shelter apparatus according to a further embodiment of the invention is shown generally at 150. The apparatus 150 is functionally similar to the apparatus 50 described with reference to Figures 11 to 16 and, for brevity, the following description will focus on the differences. In this embodiments, the bracket 152 is in two part form, with a sledge like insertion portion 154 which operates in an analogous manner to the panel portion 24 described with reference to Figure 8. The insertion portion 154 is pivotally coupled to a pole portion 156 which operates in an analogous manner to the pole portion 68 of Figure 12. The insertion portion 154 is pivotally coupled to the pole portion 156 via a pivot pin such that the parts can pivot about axis PA which is orthogonal to the pole axis SA.

In any embodiment, as shown in Figure 18, the bracket 152 can be provided with a reversibly deployable and retractable locking element 158 arranged to be advanced relative to the roof panel or socket to define an interference fit with it inhibiting movement of the bracket relative to the socket. In the illustrated example, the insertion portion of the bracket is provided with a threaded hole having an axis HA extending towards a hard point or section defined by element of the apparatus onto which a bolt can be driven into the hole to create an interference force with the element, in this case the base of the socket channel 160.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention. Thus, the invention extends to any apparatus comprising a roof panel; a socket attached to a face of the panel, the socket defining a tunnel having a first opening; a bracket having an insertion portion sized to be slidingly received within the tunnel such that the insertion portion can be inserted into the opening and moved along the tunnel throughout a plurality of positions; and a retention device arranged for engagement with an element of the apparatus such as the bracket, socket or roof panel to inhibit the bracket being removed from the opening. Moreover, the invention extends to any method of forming a weatherproof cover during works on scaffolding, the method comprising : providing a roof panel with a socket attached to a face of the panel, the socket defining a tunnel having a first opening; sliding an insertion portion of a bracket into the tunnel; and applying a retention device to inhibit the bracket moving beyond the retention device towards the opening.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.