The present invention relates to scaffolding brick guards. In particular the invention relates to brick guards that are stackable adjacent each other for ease of storage and transportation.

Scaffolding refers to a temporary structure for holding workers and/or materials during the construction, maintenance, repair, and/or decoration of a building or other large structure. The basic components of a traditional scaffolding system are scaffold tubes, couplers and scaffold boards.

Scaffold tubes are generally straight, hollow tubes. Scaffold tubes are typically cylindrical. However, other cross sectional shapes may be used, e.g. square. Scaffold tubes are typically be manufactured from steel or aluminium. However, plastic and composite tubes are also used. Couplers are used to connect scaffold tubes together. These come in many different forms depending on the type of connection required.

Scaffold boards primarily provide a platform for workers and/or materials.

In traditional scaffold systems, such as that shown in Fig. 1, scaffold tubes are used as ledgers, standards and transoms. Standards are vertical tubes that carry the weight of the scaffold. Ledgers are horizontal tubes attached between at least two parallel standards to connect the standards. Transoms are horizontal tubes that are substantially

perpendicular to the ledgers and are connected between at least two parallel ledgers.

Transoms provide support for the scaffold boards. Scaffold boards are typically positioned such that their longest dimension (length) is perpendicular to the transoms and their second longest dimension (width) is parallel to the transoms.

Scaffolding systems may also include guard rails. Guard rails are horizontal tubes attached between at least two parallel standards and, in that respect, are similar to ledgers. However, ledgers support the transoms and the scaffold boards, whereas guard rails are positioned above the level of the scaffold boards for safety, i.e. to prevent workers falling off the edge of the scaffolding, as shown in Fig 1. Safety standards often require a first guard rail no more than lm above the level of the top surface of the scaffold board. A second guard rail may be provided beneath the first guard rail. Safety standards often require that the second guard rail is no more than 470mm below the first guard rail. Scaffolding systems may also include toe boards. Toe boards are boards that are positioned such that their width is parallel to the standards, i.e. vertical. The toe boards are supported by the transoms (and may be on top of ordinary scaffold boards) and their length is perpendicular to the transoms. Safety standards often require a maximum distance of 765mm between the top of the toe board and the first guard rail.

It will be apparent that a gap may be left between the toe board and the guard rails. Objects may fall though such gaps which creates a safety hazard. Brick guards are provided to fill this gap. Typically, brick guards may be generally rectangular in shape and may be meshed. Brick guards are typically made from plastic or metal (e.g. a metal wire mesh). The top of the brick guard may be attached to the guard rail. Some brick guards may also be attached to the toe board.

In order to fit brick guards efficiently, brick guards may include a clip that clips onto the guard rail. Clips that clip onto the guard rail in the vertical direction, from above are typically the simple to fit because the scaffolder can drop the clip over the guard rail with the assistance of gravity. Brick guards with clips that do not fit onto the guard rail in the vertical direction can be more time consuming and difficult to fit as all the clips have to be aligned with the guard rail and pushed onto the guard rail simultaneously. Also, in some scaffold systems, other parts of the scaffold may obstruct the fitting of such brick guards.

Transportation and storage of brick guards, particularly on large scales can be expensive. Typically, brick guards are transported by pallet and are priced for transport and storage by the pallet. Therefore, there is a need to provide brick guards that can be stacked together in a stable and compact manner.

However, known brick guards that are efficient to fit are not efficiently stackable or require removal of the clips before the guards can be stacked and known brick guards that are efficiently stackable are typically not efficient to fit. Therefore there is a need to provide a brick guard that is efficient to fit and efficiently stackable. The present invention aims to address the above problems.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a clip for attaching a brick guard to a guard rail in a scaffolding system, the clip comprising first and second portions facing each other in a first direction and having a space between them for accommodating the guard rail, the first and second portions being connected at one end such that the first and second portions form a hook configured to hook over the guard rail in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction; wherein the first portion comprises an opening configured to allow the second portion of an identical further clip to pass through the opening so as to allow a plurality of identical clips to be stacked adjacent each other in the first direction.

The first and second portions are preferably unconnected at a second end, opposite the connected end, and the clip configured to hook over the guard rail such that the guard rail enters the space between the first and second portions via the unconnected second end of the clip as the guardrail and the clip move relative each other in the second direction.

The clip is preferably configured to be attached to the guard rail in a vertical direction.

Optionally, the first and second portions may be arranged such that, as viewed from the first direction, there is no overlap between the first and second portions.

Optionally, the first portion may be substantially U-shaped as viewed from the first direction.

Optionally, the second portion may be substantially U-shaped as viewed from the first direction.

Optionally, the first and second portions may be connected by an angled portion extending in a direction oblique to the first direction.

Optionally, the first and second portions comprise curved rod-like members having a substantially uniform cross section. Optionally, the cross section of the rod-like members is elliptical or circular.

Optionally, at least one of the first and second portions may have a curved portion, as viewed from a third direction substantially perpendicular to the first and second directions, configured to fit around a surface of the guard rail.

Optionally, the clip may comprise a resilient portion configured to decrease a spacing between the first and second portions in the first direction when a force is applied to increase said spacing.

Optionally, in clip having the previous two options, the first and/or second portions are shaped to provide a snap-fit engagement with a guard rail when hooked thereover.

Optionally, the clip may be formed from a resilient material.

Optionally, the clip may be formed from a plastics material. Optionally, the clip may be connected with the brick guard and the first portion of the clip extends from a top edge of the brick guard. Optionally, the clip and brick guard may be formed together by injection moulding. Alternatively, the clip may be separate from and connectable to the brick guard and the first portion of the clip is configured to be connectable to a top edge of the brick guard.

Optionally, the brick guard comprises a mesh, and wherein the first and second portions have dimensions that are larger than the size of apertures in the mesh.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a brick guard comprising a substantially rectangular main body; and the clip of the first aspect, having any of the above optional features, extending from a top edge of the brick guard.

Optionally, the brick guard of the second aspect may further comprising a toe board clip attached to a lower part of the brick guard, wherein the toe board clip is configured such that plurality of identical toe board clips can be stacked adjacent each other in the first direction. Optionally, the toe board clip comprises curved rod-like members having a substantially uniform cross section. Optionally, the cross section of the rod-like members is elliptical or circular.

Other preferred and optional features of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the subsidiary claims.

The invention is described below in further detail by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 shows a traditional scaffolding system;

Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a brick guard according to the invention;

Fig. 3 is a side view of the brick guard shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 shows an enlarged perspective view of a guard rail clip of the brick guard of

Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 shows the guard rail clip of Fig. 4 from a direction perpendicular to the plane of the brick guard;

Fig. 6 shows a plurality of the brick guards shown in Fig. 2 stacked adjacent to each other;

Fig. 7 shows an enlarged perspective view of the clips of the stacked brick guards shown in Fig. 6; Fig. 8 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of a brick guard according to the invention;

Fig. 9 shows an enlarged perspective view of a guard rail clip of the brick guard of

Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 shows the guard rail clip of Fig. 9 detached from the brick guard;

Fig. 11 shows the brick guard of Fig. 8 detached from the clip;

Fig. 12 shows a perspective view of a plurality of toe board clips of the brick guards of Figs 2 and 8 stacked adjacent each other; and

Fig. 13 shows a perspective view of a plurality of alignment members of the brick guards of Figs 2 and 8 stacked adjacent each other.

As mentioned above, Fig. 1 shows a traditional scaffold system 100. The scaffold system 100 comprises standards 101, ledgers 102, transoms 103, scaffold boards 104, guard rails 105 and toe boards 106. As described in more detailed below, the present invention provides a clip 10 for attaching a brick guard 20 to a guard rail 105 in a scaffolding system such as the scaffolding system 100 shown in Fig. 1 and which enable the brick guards to be efficiently stacked for transportation and storage.

Fig. 2 shows a first example brick guard 20. The clip 10 of the brick guard 20 is configured to attach the brick guard 20 to a guard rail 105 (usually the uppermost guard rail 105 shown in Fig. 1). Fig. 3 shows a side view of the brick guard 20 showing the side profile of the brick guard 20 and clip 10. The clip 10 is described in further detail below.

Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 show perspective and front views, respectively, of a first embodiment of a clip 10 in accordance with the present invention. The clip 10 comprises a first portion 1 and a second portion 2. The first and second portions 1, 2 face each other in a first direction. The first direction corresponds to a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the brick guard 20. When the brick guard 20 is attached to a guard rail 105, the first direction is perpendicular to the length direction of the guard rail 105. The first portion 1 and second portion 2 have a space between them. In other words, the first portion 1 and the second portion 2 are separated from one another in the first direction. The space between the first portion 1 and second portion 2 allows the clip 10 to accommodate the guard rail 105. In other words, the guard rail 105 is positioned between the first portion 1 and the second portion 2, when the clip is attached to the guard rail 105. First portion 1 and second portion 2 are connected to each other at one end. The connection is such that the first portion 1 and the second portion 2 together form a hook. In other words, the first and second portions 1, 2 form a continuous structure with a hooked shape. In this way, the clip 10 is configured to hook over the guard rail 105. In particular, the clip 10 is configured to hook over the guard rail 105 in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. In other words, the clip 10 is configured to be attached to the guard rail 105 in a vertical direction, or a substantially vertical direction. Here the vertical direction corresponds to the direction when the brick guards 20 are in use, namely hanging vertically from a guard rail 105. Thus, in this context, the vertical direction is substantially parallel to the brick guard 105. The first and second portions 1, 2 are thus unconnected at a second end, opposite the connected end. The clip 10 is configured to hook over the guard rail 105 such that the guard rail 105 enters the space between the first and second portions 1, 2 via the unconnected second end of the clip 10 as the guardrail 105 and the clip 10 move relative each other in the second (substantially vertical) direction. This allows the brick guard 20 to be attached to the guard rail 105 in an efficient manner. For example, a scaff older can drop the brick guard 20 and clip 10 over the guard rail 105 with the assistance of gravity. One clip 10 can first be fitted over the guard rail 105 and then the second clip 10 fitted over the guard rail 105. This enables brick guards 20 to be fitted to the scaffolding quickly and efficiently.

The first portion 1 of the clip 10 comprises an opening 3. The first portion 1 may at least partially surround a vacant space, i.e. opening 3. It can be seen from Figs. 4 and 5 that the first portion 1 may surround the opening 3 on three sides. The opening 3 is configured to allow the second portion 2 of an identical further clip 10 (on another brick guard) to pass through the opening 3. The separation between the first portion 1 and the second portion 2 in the first direction presents difficulties when attempting to stack multiple clips 10 adjacent to each other in the first direction. However, the configuration of the opening 3 such that the second portion 2 can pass through the opening 3 allows a plurality of identical clips 10 to be stacked adjacent to each other in the first direction in an efficient manner. Such stacking is shown in Fig. 6 and Fig. 7.

Further features of the clip 10 may further improve the efficiency of stacking a plurality of clips 10. For example, the first portion 1 and the second portion 2 may be arranged such that, as viewed from the first direction, there is no overlap between the first and second portions 1, 2, as shown in Fig. 5. It can be seen from Fig. 5 that, as viewed from the first direction, the first portion 1 may at least partially surround the second portion 2. For example, the first portion 1 may surround the second portion 2 on at least three sides. In particular, on left and right sides and a lower side (the lower side being opposite the connected end of the first and second portions 1, 2). Further, the first and second portions 1, 2 may be arranged such that, as viewed from the first direction, there is a gap, i.e. separation, between the edge of the opening 3 and an edge of the second portion 2.

For clips (not shown) in which, as viewed from the first direction, there is an overlap between the first and second portions 1, 2, engaging a plurality of clips 10 in the first direction would result in the second portion 2 abutting the first portion 1 rather than passing through the opening 3. However, such clips 10 can still be stacked adjacent to each other in the first direction by engaging them in a direction oblique to the first direction. For example, if the lower edge of the first and second portions 1, 2 overlap, then a plurality of clips 10 may need to be engaged in a direction having a component in the first direction but also having a component in the second direction.

The feature of no overlap between the first and second portions 1, 2, as viewed from the first direction, allows a plurality of clips 10 to be stacked adjacent to each other in the first direction by simply engaging the clips 10 in the first direction. Therefore, this arrangement makes it easier, and therefore more efficient, to stack the clips 10 adjacent each other in the first direction.

The feature of a gap between the edge of the opening and the edge of the second portion 2 provides a tolerance for aligning the second portion 2 with the opening 3 when stacking a plurality of clips. Again, this makes stacking easier and therefore more efficient.

The stacking of brick guards is an important feature of the invention. Brick guards are typically sold by the pallet and the number of brick guards that can be stacked together on a pallet and the height and stability of the stack is a significant factor in determining the transport costs. Brick guards having clips of the form described herein can be stacked close together, for example, it has been found that approximately 200 brick guards can be provided in a stack around 2 m in height, e.g. 2. lm. In a preferred arrangement, 150 brick guards can be provided in a stack having a height of 1.6 m or less. This is a significant improvement (20 to 30% or more) over the prior art. In such arrangement, the brick guards each have a thickness (in the first direction) of around 8mm and are stacked together with a spacing between adjacent brick guards of around 4mm (e.g. 3.5mm). This spacing refers to the spacing when two brick guards are stacked together vertically. In this context, the brick guards 20 lie flat, i.e. horizontally, but are stacked in the vertical direction. Thus, in this context, the vertical direction is substantially perpendicular to the brick guards 20.

However, as more brick guards are stacked, the weight of the stack increases such that the spacing between brick guards decreases (due to deformation of the brick guards), e.g. to around 2mm. The stack may also be wrapped in stretch film which may further compress the stack. Each of the above dimensions can be varied by around +/- 1mm.

As shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 the first portion 1 may be substantially U-shaped, as viewed from the first direction. The curvature of the U-shape is not particularly limited. For example there may be no curvature, i.e. the U-shaped may be right angular.

Alternatively, the U-shaped may be completely curved. The clip 10 shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 has a configuration in between these two extremes. In other words the U-shape comprises two parallel straight portions la on either side, a further straight portion lb at the bottom of the U-shape, connected to the parallel straight portions by quarter circular arced portions. The second portion 2 may be substantially U-shaped, as viewed from the first direction. The U-shaped configuration may be as described above in relation to the U- shaped configuration of the first portion 1, e.g. parallel straight portions 2a on either side and a further straight portion 2b at the bottom.

As described above, the first and second portions 1, 2 are connected at one end. For example, the first and second portions 1, 2 may be connected by an angled portion 4 extending in a direction oblique to the first direction. The angled portion 4 may be straight or curved. An angled portion 4 improves the closeness of the stacking of identical clips. The angle of the angled portions relative to first direction allow the clips 10 and brick guards 20 to be stacked efficiently. Preferably the angled portion extends in a direction at an angle greater than 30 degrees to the first direction. The shape of the angled portions 4 where they connect to the first and second portions 1, 2 also allow the clips 10 and brick guards 20 to be stacked efficiently. Preferably, the angled portions 4 are curved near to where they connect to the first and second portions 1, 2, i.e. creating a substantially continuous, smooth curve between the angled portions 4 and the first and second portions 1, 2. A closer stack can be achieved with curved sections than angular sections. At least one of the first and second portions 1, 2 may have a curved portion 5, as viewed from a third direction substantially perpendicular to the first and second directions. The third direction is a direction parallel to the guard rail 105 when the clip 10 is attached to the guard rail 105. The third direction is also the angle of view of Fig. 3. The curved portion 5 is configured to fit around the surface of the guard rail 105. In most cases the surface of the guard rail is a cylindrical surface. It can be seen most clearly from Fig. 3 that the curved portion 5 provides a concave portion in the first or second portions 1, 2 within which a portion of the guard rail 105 can be located. At the curved portion 5, the separation between the first portion 1 and the second portion 2 is greater than the separation between the first portion 1 and the second portion 2 in other locations.

The clip 10 may comprise a resilient portion configured to decrease a spacing between the first and second portions 1, 2 in the first direction when a force is applied to increase said spacing. In other words, the resilient portion acts like a spring. The resilient portion may be a specific structure within the clip 10. For example, the resilient portion may be a portion connecting the first and second portions 1, 2. However the resilient portion may be the entire clip 10. For example, the clip 10 may be formed from a resilient material.

The combination of the curved portion 5 and the resilient portion may combine for additional functionality. For example, the first portion 1 and/or the second portion 2 may be shaped to provide a snap-fit engagement with a guard rail 105 when hooked there over. This provides some resistance against inadvertent dislodging of the brick guard 20 if it is subject to a force in the vertical direction.

As shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 the first portion 1 and second portion 2 may comprise curved, rod-like members having a substantially uniform cross section. The cross section may elliptical or circular for example.

The clip 10 may comprise reinforcing members 7. The reinforcing members 7 may be provided to strengthen the rod-like members. The reinforcing members 7 may extend between parts of the first and/or second portions 1, 2 of the clip 10. The reinforcing members may be rod-like members. The reinforcing members 7 may be substantially flat members. The reinforcing members 7 may extend along the rod-like members of the first and/or second portions 1, 2. The form of the brick guard 20 described above is advantageous in that the parts of the brick guard 20 forming the mesh and the clips have substantially similar cross-sectional thicknesses. This greatly assists in manufacture of the brick guard 20 by injection moulding and, in particular, helps ensure that the parts cool at a similar rate thereby minimising distorting forces that might otherwise arise and helping avoid variations in the resiliency or structure of different parts of the brick guard 20.

The clip 10 and the brick guard 20 shown in Figs. 2 to 7 are preferably integral. As mentioned above, the clip 10 and the brick guard 20 are preferably formed together by injection moulding. However, as shown in Figs. 8 to 11, in other arrangement the clip 10 may be separate from and connectable to the brick guard 20. The first portion 1 of the clip 10 may, for example, be configured to be connectable to a top edge 21 of the brick guard 20. As shown in Figs. 2 to 11, the clip 10 may be connected with the brick guard 20 and the first portion of the clip 10 may extend from a top edge 21 of the brick guard 20.

The clip shown in Figs. 8 to 10 comprises connecting portions 6a, 6b. The connection portion 6a, 6b are configured to detachably connect the clip 10 to the brick guard 20.

In one example, the connecting portions 6a, 6b of the clip 10 may be configured to connect to connecting portions 23a, 23b of the brick guard 20. The connecting portions 6a, 6b of the clip 10 are shown in Fig. 10 and the connection portions 23 a, 23b of the brick guard 20 are shown in Fig. 11. The connecting portions 6a, 6b of the clip 10 may comprise a female portion configured to engage with male portions of the connecting portions 23 a, 23b of the brick guard 20. For example, the connecting portions 6a, 6b of the clip 10 may have a substantially cylindrical female portion and the connecting portions 23a, 23b of the brick guard 20 may have cylindrical male portions for fitting within the female portions.

As shown in Fig. 11, the connecting portions 23 a, 23b of the brick guard 20 may be provided in one or more cut-out portions 24 of the brick guard 20. The cut-out portions 24 may be cut out of a top edge 21 of the brick guard 20. First connecting portions 23a may extend in the third direction from the edge of the brick guard 20 into the cut-out portion 24. Second connecting portions 23b may extend in the second direction from the edge of the brick guard 20 into the cut-out portion 24. First connecting portions 6a and second connecting portions 6b may be provided on the clip 10 correspondingly. As shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 11, for example, the brick guard 20 may comprise a mesh having apertures 22. The first and second portions 1, 2 of the clip 10 preferably have dimensions that are larger than a dimension of the apertures 22 in the mesh so that the clips 10 can pass through or get caught in one of the apertures 22. This helps prevent the clips 10 becoming entangled with the mesh when the clips 10 and when brick guards 20 are laid on top of each other, eg when they are being stacked together.

The brick guard 20 preferably has a substantially rectangular main body. The clip 10 may extend from a top edge 21 of the brick guard 20. The brick guard is preferably formed from a tough but resilient material.

The brick guard 20 may further comprise a toe board clip 30. The toe board clip 30 may be attached to a lower part of the brick guard 20. The toe board clip 30 may be configured such that a plurality of identical toe board clips 30 can be stacked adjacent each other in the first direction.

The toe board clip 30 and the brick guard 20 may be integral. The toe board clip 30 and the rest of the brick guard 20 may be formed together by injection moulding.

As shown in Fig. 12, the toe board clip 30 may comprise a hook portion 31 that extends from the brick guard 20 and is connected at one end to the brick guard 20. The hook portion 31 faces an opening 32 in the brick guard 20 and is spaced apart from the opening 32 in the brick guard 20. The opening 32 in the brick guard 20 may be configured such that the hook portion 31 of an identical toe board clip 30 can pass through the opening 32, as shown in Fig. 12. The hook portion 31 may comprise a curved portion 33 that connects the hook portion 31 to the brick guard 20. The hook portion 31 may be a resilient portion that is configured to decrease a spacing between the hook portion 31 and the opening 32 when a force is applied to increase said spacing. The hook portion 31 may be formed of a resilient material, for example. The hook portion 31 is configured to hook over a toe board 106 in the second direction. Like the clips described above, the toe board clip 30, e.g. the hook portion 31, may comprise curved rod-like members having a substantially uniform cross section. For example, the cross section of the rod-like members may be elliptical or circular. This helps minimise the amount of plastic material required to form the brick guard 20 (and thus helps reduce the material cost and the weight of the brick guard 20). The brick guard 20 preferably also comprises alignment members 40, as shown in the Figures and shown in an enlarged sectional view in Fig 13. The alignment members 40 may be provided within one or more apertures 22 of the brick guard 20. The alignment members 40 may comprise a concave/convex portion 41 connected to the mesh of the brick guard by connecting portions 42. The concave/convex portion 41 is concave on one side of the brick guard 20 and convex on the other side of the brick guard 20. . The concave portion of an alignment member 40 is configured to accommodate the convex portion of an identical alignment member 40. The alignment members 40 of adjacent brick guards 20 engage each other when the brick guards 20 are stacked together to help align the brick guards 20 with each other and to help keep them in alignment. As shown in Fig. 13 the alignment member 40 may be substantially dome shaped as it has been found that this shape helps enable easy alignment and helps minimise the amount of plastic used to form the alignment members 40.

The alignment members 40 and the brick guard 20 may be integral. The alignment members 40 and the rest of the brick guard 20 are preferably formed together by injection moulding.

The clip 10, brick guard 20, toe board clip 30 and/or alignment members 40 are preferably formed from a plastics material. A wide variety of plastic material can be used, including both virgin plastic and recycled plastic (and mixtures thereof). A preferred plastic material is polypropylene. Alternatively the clip 10, brick guard 20, toe board clip 30 and/or alignment members 40 may be formed from metal or from a composite material such as Carbon fibre-reinforced polymers or Glass fibre-reinforced polymers.

Variations of the above described embodiments are possible in light of the above teachings. It is to be understood that the invention may be practiced otherwise than specifically described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.