The present invention relates to a coupler for a scaffolding comprising a first coupling device with a first receiving cavity open on a distal side in order to receive a first scaffolding tube body, and a second coupling device connected thereto with a second receiving cavity open on a distal side in order to receive a second scaffolding tube body, which coupling devices are each closable with a latch, wherein a first latch extends pivotally from a first outer end of the first coupling device and is received with a free outer end in a receiving cavity in an opposite outer end of the first coupling device and wherein a second latch extends pivotally from a first outer end of the second coupling device and is received with a free outer end in a receiving cavity in an opposite outer end of the second coupling device.

Such a coupler is applied in diverse embodiments for the purpose of mutually connecting scaffolding tubes during the erection of a scaffold. These are often so-called cross connections wherein individual scaffolding tubes are connected to each other at an angle of about 90 degrees so as to thus form for instance successive platforms in a scaffold. Braces are also realized in a similar manner in the thus created framework which provide for stability of the whole, wherein the scaffolding tube bodies will enclose a smaller angle depending on the height and width dimensions of the associated section.

The coupler is trained here round a first scaffolding tube with the first coupling device and at the desired orientation round the second scaffolding tube with the second coupling device. By fixing the latches of the two coupling devices both the tubes can be enclosed in substantially clearance- free manner, and thus mutually fixed, in the coupler. The latches are normally tightened or driven into place here in order to ensure a rigid whole.

The strength and safety of a scaffold stands or falls with a correct arrangement therein of the many couplers and continued integrity of the connection thereby obtained between the scaffolding tubes that are mutually connected thereby. Because a scaffold will not infrequently be deserted and unsupervised outside construction work time, there is the danger of third parties then gaining unauthorized access to the scaffold and disturbing one or more couplers, whereby the above stated integrity is no longer guaranteed. The present invention has for its object, among others, to provide a coupler for a scaffold which obviates this danger to at least significant extent.

In order to achieve the stated object a coupler of the type stated in the preamble has the feature according to the invention that the first and second coupling device are provided with closable securing means which fix the first and second latch of respectively the first and second coupling device in a closed position and protect them from unauthorized opening. The coupler is thus provided with closable securing means which lock the latches in their closed position. Using a correct code or appropriate key the securing means can be easily removed by an authorized person, after which the coupler can be opened in usual manner. Without the required key or code it will only be possible to actuate the latches after the securing means have been forcibly removed, which will in that case be immediately visible and can therefore be repaired before an unsafe situation occurs.

A particular embodiment of the coupler of the type stated in the preamble has the feature according to the invention that the securing means comprise a first securing bracket having at a first outer end a first closing member which drops over the free outer end of the first latch, and having at an opposite second outer end means for co-action with closable locking means, in addition to a second securing bracket having at a first outer end a second closing member which drops over the free outer end of the second latch and likewise having at an opposite second outer end means for co-action with the locking means, which locking means mutually connect the first and second securing brackets and maintain a closed position therebetween. The mutually co-acting securing brackets are able, in combination with the locking means, to maintain the integrity of the coupler secured therewith in a relatively simple but nonetheless effective manner. The closing members block both latches here in their closed position. A further particular embodiment of the coupler according to the invention has the feature here that at least one of the first and second closing members comprises a collar body which extends from the securing bracket and inside which the free outer end of the latch is received. The bracket is placed here with the collar body over the free outer end of the latch and carried toward the other bracket in order to be connected thereto.

In a further particular embodiment the coupler according to the invention is characterized here in that the at least one closing member comprises a cup-like body which at least substantially wholly covers the free outer end of the latch. The free outer end of the latches is thus wholly inaccessible without first removing the securing brackets. Particularly in the case bolt latches are used which are tightened with a nut onto the opposite outer end of the coupling device, this means that after the securing means have been arranged the nut is inaccessible and so cannot be unscrewed.

A further particular embodiment of the coupler has the feature according to the invention that at least one of the first and second closing members comprises an at least substantially plate-like body with an aperture into which the free outer end of the latch protrudes. Diverse commercially available locks can be applied for the locking means. Particularly good results have been obtained in this respect with a further particular embodiment of the coupler according to the invention which is characterized in that the locking means comprise a padlock which is received through openings provided for the purpose in the second outer ends of respectively the first and second securing bracket. A key lock or combination lock can be used as desired here for the padlock.

In order to enable mutual connection of scaffolding tubes at various angles, a further particular embodiment of the coupler according to the invention has the feature that central axes through the receiving cavities of the first and second coupling device intersect at an angle, in particular a right angle, and that the first and second coupling device are connected rotatably to each other. The desired orientation for accommodating the tubes at the correct angle can thus be arranged between the two coupling devices. The securing means are in this case likewise adapted or adaptable to the relative orientation thus taken on by the coupling devices.

The invention also relates to securing means as applied in the above specified coupler according to the invention, comprising a first securing bracket having on a first outer end a first cup-like member which drops over the free outer end of the first latch, and having on an opposite second outer end means for co-action with closable locking means, in addition to a second securing bracket having on a first outer end a second cup-like number which drops over the free outer end of the second latch and likewise having on an opposite second outer end means for co-action with closable locking means.

The invention also relates to a securing bracket of the type as applied in such securing means. The invention will be elucidated hereinbelow with reference to an exemplary embodiment and an associated drawing. In the drawing:

figure 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the coupler according to the invention in a non-secured position;

figure 2 A is a first perspective view of the coupler of figure 1 in a secured position; figure 2B is a second perspective view of the coupler of figure 1 in the secured

position;

figure 3 is a perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment of a securing bracket for the coupler according to the invention;

figure 4 is a perspective view of a second exemplary embodiment of a securing bracket for the coupler according to the invention; and

figure 5 is a perspective view of a third exemplary embodiment of a securing bracket for the coupler according to the invention.

The figures are otherwise purely schematic and not always drawn to scale. Some dimensions in particular may be exaggerated to greater or lesser extent for the sake of clarity. Corresponding parts are generally designated with the same reference numeral. The construction shown in figure 1 forms part of a scaffolding of a large number of mutually coupled scaffolding tube bodies 10,20, also referred to as scaffold pipe, two of which are partially shown in the figure. In this embodiment tubes 10,20 are connected to each other at an angle of about 90 degrees via a scaffold coupler 31 ,32. Other angles can however also occur in practice, particularly for the purpose of braces arranged diagonally so as to impart stability and strength to the whole. Parts 31,32 of the coupler will in that case be adjusted over such an angle. The scaffold coupler comprises a first coupling device 31 and a second coupling device 32 which are connected optionally for rotation relative to each other on a rear side. On a front side each of the coupling devices 31,32 comprises a jaw with an insertion cavity 33 open on a distal side for receiving one of the scaffolding tubes 10,20 therein. The associated insertion cavity 33 is closed with an adjustable latch 39 which extends pivotal ly about a pivot axis from a first outer end 35 of the associated coupling device. In this embodiment both latches 39 comprise a screw bolt which carries a nut 37 on a free outer end 34.

In order to couple a tube 10,20 the coupler is arranged with one of the coupling devices 3 1 ,32 around the tube after the insertion cavity 33 has been opened for this purpose by unscrewing and pivoting open the latch 39,37. Latch 39 is then pivoted back in order to thus carry the free outer end 34 inside fork 36 in the opposite outer end of the associated coupling device. In this situation nut 37 is tightened firmly so that an at least substantially clearance-free, rigid whole results. This is then repeated with the other tube 20, 10 so that the construction shown in figure 1 is obtained. This can subsequently be inspected and provided with the required certifications.

This does not however provide any guarantee that this certification will be permanently valid. Particularly if a coupler is later unscrewed or even removed, it will no longer be possible to vouch for the integrity of the scaffold. In order to avoid this the present invention provides closable securing means 81 ,82,70 which prevent an unlawful or at least unauthorized or unintended manipulation of the scaffold. In the shown exemplary embodiment these securing means comprise an assembly of a first securing bracket 81 and a second securing bracket 82. Securing brackets 81,82 carry on a first outer end an annular closing member 86 intended and configured to drop over the nut 37 of the associated latch 39 for securing, see also figures 2A and 2B. On an opposite side the brackets 81,82 are provided with means for co-action with further locking means. These means here comprise a tongue 84 which is formed thereon and which extends transversely of bracket 81,82 and which comprises an aperture 83 in which a shackle 71 of a padlock 70 can be received. Completing the securing brackets 81,82 is a strip-like intermediate part 85, the dimensioning of which is adapted to a distance between the two free outer ends 34 of the latches which has to be spanned by the two brackets 81 ,82 together.

By successively providing both latches 39 with such a bracket 81 , 82 and bringing together the tongue-like outer ends 84 of the two brackets, shackle 71 of padlock 70 can be placed through the two apertures 83. The two securing brackets 81,82 are thus joined to each other, wherein the one bracket prevents the other being removed, and vice versa. All in all, the invention hereby provides extremely effective protection of the coupler. A securing bracket of the type as applied in the above described exemplary embodiment of the coupler is shown separately in perspective view in figure 3. The securing bracket comprises on a first outer end a collar body 86 which is intended and configured to drop over the free outer end 34 of a latch 39 with nut 37. On an opposite side the securing bracket is provided with a tongue 84 formed thereon and having an aperture 83 which have to co-act with for instance a padlock 70 or other locking means. Both parts are mutually connected by a strip part 85, the dimensioning of which is adapted more or less closely to the dimensions of the coupler for securing. When the coupler has to connect a set of scaffolding tubes at an angle other than a right angle, the securing bracket will be adapted and adjusted thereto accordingly. Securing means for a scaffold coupler always comprise a set of securing brackets 81 ,82 in combination with locking means such as the above shown padlock 70. It is also possible here, instead of using the embodiment of figure 3, to have recourse to one or both of the alternative exemplary embodiments of a securing bracket according to the invention shown in figure 4 and figure 5 for one or both securing brackets 81 ,82.

In the case of figure 4 the closing member comprises, instead of a form-closed collar or ring 86, a cup-like body 76 which drops during use over the free outer end 34 of latch 39 and completely covers the outer end with nut 37. Nut 37 is thus completely inaccessible by a release tool such as for instance an open-ended spanner or socket wrench.

The embodiment of figure 5 carries on the first outer end a plate-like body 66 with a central aperture 65 for receiving the free outer end 34 of latch 39 therein. Both these alternative securing brackets otherwise correspond in at least broad outline to that of figure 3.

It is the case for all parts of the shown constructions that use is advantageously made therefor of steel and/or another metal such as aluminium which has a strength appropriate for a durable and prolonged use in practice. From the viewpoint of strength the couplers will in particular usually be manufactured wholly from steel, although from the viewpoint of weight-saving and corrosion-resistance particularly aluminium will also be applied for the scaffolding tubes in addition to steel. The securing brackets can be composed of any desired type of metal, wherein steel and aluminium are also readily suitable.

Although the invention has thus been further elucidated with reference to a number of exemplary embodiments, it will be apparent that the invention is by no means limited thereto. On the contrary, many other variations and embodiments are possible within the scope of the invention for a person with ordinary skill in the art.