The present invention relates to an extendable scaffolding safety barrier and method, particularly, but not exclusively, for use alongside scaffolding to substantially restrict dropped objects falling beyond the barrier.

When scaffolding is erected around a structure, it is often necessary to provide a cover over the scaffolding to act as a safety barrier and prevent debris, tools and other objects falling from height onto anyone or anything below. Typically, netting is attached to the scaffolding using cable ties to act as such a cover. Alternatively, plastic sheeting encapsulates the exterior of the scaffolding to provide a cover. However, these covers often do not provide barriers of adequate strength to contain dropped objects. In addition, there is a time period during erection and deconstruction of the scaffolding where there is no protection or cover over the scaffolding.

Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a solution to alleviate at least one of the aforementioned problems.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided an extendable scaffolding safety barrier, the barrier comprising:

a barrier portion to substantially restrict passage of objects therethrough, and a frame for supporting the barrier portion on a scaffolding structure, wherein the frame comprises at least two concentric pole portions slidably extendable relative to one another to vary the overall height of the frame such that the barrier portion is movable between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration in which the barrier portion is deployable to a desired height beyond the uppermost extent of a scaffolding structure to provide a substantially vertical safety barrier around the scaffolding structure; wherein a leading edge of the barrier portion is coupled at, or proximate to, an upper end of the innermost concentric pole portion in use; and wherein said at least two concentric pole portions are lockable relative to one another to maintain the leading edge of the barrier portion at said desired height beyond the uppermost extent of a scaffolding structure. Movement of the barrier portion into the deployed configuration from the stowed configuration enables the barrier portion to substantially cover and provide a barrier along the length of the frame and in front of a scaffolding structure.

The extendable scaffolding safety barrier allows the barrier portion to be deployed alongside the scaffolding structure during erection and deconstruction of the scaffolding using the extendable height frame. Thus, the scaffolding safety barrier substantially restricts objects falling outside a scaffolding footprint. The scaffolding footprint can include the area directly beneath and immediately bordering the scaffolding structure.

The frame may comprise at least at least one pole comprising a hollow metal tube. The frame may comprise a plurality of substantially vertically extendable height poles.

The barrier portion may be stored in the stowed configuration and movable from the stowed configuration to the deployed configuration on extension of the at least one vertical pole.

The barrier portion may be rolled in the stowed configuration. The barrier portion may be stowed on a reel or a spool to aid movement thereof from the stowed to the deployed configuration. The barrier portion may comprise a material or a structural design to facilitate compression or storing thereof. Alternatively, the barrier portion may concertina to facilitate storing in the stowed configuration.

The barrier portion may comprise netting. The barrier portion may comprise heavy duty netting.

The netting may comprise plastic netting. The netting may comprise square mesh netting.

The netting may comprise holes having a width of less than 30mm. The netting may comprise holes having a width of between 15 and 25mm. The netting may comprise holes having a width of around 20mm. The netting may have a breaking strength in excess of 0.6kN. The netting may have a minimum breaking strength of around 0.8kN.

The pole may be telescopic.

The extendable scaffolding safety barrier may further comprise an attachment means for attaching the frame to a scaffolding structure.

The attachment means may be secured to the frame. The attachment means may be removably coupled to the frame. Alternatively, the attachment means may be fixed to the frame.

The attachment means may provide a lockable attachment between the frame and the scaffolding structure.

The attachment means may comprise at least one hook for attaching the frame to a horizontal scaffolding bar of a scaffolding structure. The attachment means may comprise a plurality of hooks for attaching the frame to a horizontal scaffolding bar of a scaffolding structure.

The hook may comprise at least one hook portion for hooking over a horizontal scaffolding bar and a triangular support. The triangular support may strengthen to the hook.

The attachment means may comprise at least one clamp. The at least one clamp may attach the frame to a vertical scaffolding bar. The attachment means may comprise a plurality of clamps for attaching the frame to a vertical scaffolding bar.

The clamp may comprise at least one hinged portion that is clampable around a scaffolding bar. The at least one hinged portion may be lockable to secure the clamp around scaffolding. The hinged portion(s) may be secured by nuts, bolts, pins, bars and the like. The clamp may comprise a c-shaped resilient portion having a diameter fractionally smaller than the diameter of the scaffolding bar.

The attachment means may comprise a spacer for spacing the frame from the scaffolding by a known distance. The spacer may comprise the triangular support to provide the required separation between the frame and the scaffolding. The spacer may comprise a bar coupled to the hinge portion or c-shaped portion of the clamp to space the frame and the scaffolding by the required distance. Thus, the spacer can act as a standoff.

The attachment means may be secured to an exterior of an outer concentric pole portion. Therefore an inner concentric pole portion may be movable relative to the attachment means which remain fixed on an outer part of the pole portion and scaffolding in use.

Coupling of the leading edge of the barrier portion to an extendable part of the frame allows the barrier portion to be moved on extension of the frame to allow the barrier portion to move between the stowed configuration and the deployed configuration.

The leading edge of the barrier portion may be coupled to the upper end of the frame using a releasable device such as a carabiner or the like.

Alternatively, the leading edge of the barrier portion may be fixed to the upper end of the frame.

The innermost concentric pole portion may comprise a barrier portion securing device. The securing device may comprise an eye to which a leading edge of the barrier portion may be secured.

The barrier portion may be reinforced. The barrier portion may be reinforced to increase load bearing capability and substantially resist tearing. The barrier portion may include a reinforced border. The reinforced border may include reinforcing wire threaded through at least the leading edge of the barrier portion. The reinforced border may be secured to the upper end of the frame in use. Thus, the reinforced border may aid in the distribution of forces at the point where the barrier portion is coupled to the upper end of the frame.

The extendable scaffolding safety barrier may also comprise a retainer to act as a redundancy safety device. The retainer may connect the scaffolding and the extendable height frame. The retainer may be in the form of a lanyard.

The extendable scaffolding safety barrier may be used alongside railway scaffolding.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided an extendable railway scaffolding safety barrier according to the first aspect of the invention.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a kit of parts for an extendable scaffolding safety barrier, the kit of parts comprising a barrier portion and an extendable frame according to the first aspect of the invention.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of erecting a scaffolding structure with a scaffolding safety barrier, the method comprising the steps of: providing a scaffolding safety barrier and frame according to the first aspect, erecting a first tier of a scaffolding structure,

attaching part of the frame to the scaffolding structure and deploying the barrier portion substantially vertically across an outer face of the erected scaffolding structure to a desired height beyond the uppermost extent thereof,

erecting additional scaffolding to increase the height of the scaffolding structure whilst progressively extending the frame of the scaffolding safety barrier to maintain its height beyond the uppermost extent of the scaffolding structure, such that the outer face of the scaffolding structure is substantially continuously covered by the barrier portion throughout the erection of the scaffolding structure.

The step of progressively extending the frame involves sliding one or more inner concentric pole portions vertically with respect to the outermost concentric pole portion to increase the overall height of the frame The method may include a step of providing a hollow outer pole portion and at least one inner pole portion slidable within the hollow outer pole portion, and extending the frame by sliding the inner pole portion relative to the outer pole portion.

The method may include a step of coupling an attachment means to the outermost concentric pole portion and attaching the frame to the scaffolding structure using the attachment means.

The extendable height frame may be attached to the scaffolding by hooking and/or clamping the attachment means to horizontal and vertical scaffolding bars respectively. The method may also include spacing the scaffolding the desired distance from the scaffolding using an attachment means comprising a spacer.

The method may include a step of storing the barrier portion in a stowed configuration and progressively moving the barrier portion in stages into one of a series of deployed configurations of increasing height to cover the outer face of the scaffolding structure by extending the extendable part of the frame.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided 16. A method of deconstructing a scaffolding structure with a retractable scaffolding safety barrier, comprising the steps of:

(i) providing a scaffolding safety barrier according to any of claims 1 to 9;

(ii) dismantling part of the scaffolding structure; and

(iii) retracting at least a portion of the retractable frame to thereby lower the barrier portion whilst maintaining the leading edge of the barrier portion at a height beyond the uppermost extent of the partially dismantled scaffolding structure.

The method may include repeating steps (ii) and (iii) as required. The method may include moving the barrier portion between a deployed configuration in which an outer face of the scaffolding is covered by a barrier to substantially restrict objects from falling outside the scaffolding, and a stowed configuration, in which the barrier portion is stored. The method may include removing the retractable frame when a single tier of scaffolding remains.

Any feature of any aspect or embodiment of the invention can be used in conjunction or interchangeably with any other aspect of the invention where appropriate.

Further features and advantages of the first, second, third, fourth and fifth aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the claims and the following description.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the following diagrams, in which: -

Figs la, lb, and lc are rear, side and front views respectively of an attachment means and a frame comprising two pole portions;

Figs. 2a and 2b are rear and front views respectively of a hook of the attachment means of Fig 1;

Figs. 3a to 3g are schematic side views showing sequential steps during erection of scaffolding and concurrent safety barrier deployment;

Figs. 4a and 4b are front views of the scaffolding and barrier of Fig. 3a and 3g respectively;

Fig. 5 is an illustration of a T-shaped standoff bracket; and

Fig. 6 is an illustration of chain, ring and pin arrangement.

According to one embodiment of the invention, an extendable scaffolding safety barrier is shown generally at 80 in Figs.3a to 3g. The scaffolding safety barrier 80 comprises a barrier portion and an extendable height frame in the form of a telescopic pole as shown generally at 20 in Figures la to lc. The telescopic pole 20 comprises an outer pole portion 21 and an inner pole portion 22, each in the form of a hollow metal tube. The inner pole portion 22 is slidable within the outer pole portion 21 such that the length of the telescopic pole 20 is variable. The pole portions 21, 22 have a plurality of sets of diametric holes 27. Each set of holes 27 is axially aligned and separated at discrete intervals along the length of the pole portions 21, 22. A pin 28 is slidably coupled to the telescopic pole 20 by a ring and chain arrangement 29 as shown in Fig. 6. The pin 28 is insertable through the holes 27 to lock the pole portions

21, 22 relative to one another and resist relative sliding of the pole portions 21, 22. The pole portions 21, 22 are unlocked by manual removal of the pin 28, to enable relative movement of the pole portions 21, 22 and allow the telescopic pole 20 to be extended or retracted as required.

A securing ring 24 is drilled and bolted towards a leading end 23 of the inner pole portion

22. The securing ring 24 acts to provide a secure anchor to which a barrier or netting is fixed to the telescopic pole 20.

Attachment means for attaching the telescopic pole 20 to scaffolding are provided in the form of a hook 30 (also shown in Figs. 2a and 2b) and two seats / clamps 35. The hook 30 is welded in a central region on an exterior of the outer pole portion 21. The hook 30 comprises two downward facing hook portions 32 for attachment over a horizontal scaffolding bar in use. The hook portions 32 are each strengthened and spaced from the scaffolding by a triangular portion 31. The two seats / clamps 35 are located on the exterior of the outer pole portion 21 beneath the hook 30 as shown in Fig. lb. As shown in Fig. 5, each seat / clamp 35 is spaced the required distance from the scaffolding by a T-shaped spacer 36. The T-shaped spacer 36 comprises a standoff portion to space the scaffolding 10 and the telescopic pole 20 by the required distance from one another, and a shaped seat /clamp portion 36 that extends perpendicular from the standoff portion. The seat /clamp portion 36abuts a vertical scaffolding bar 11 in use. Two hinged portions 39 are provided at each end of the seat / clamp portion 36 such that the hinged portions 39 are openable and closable around the vertical scaffolding bar 11. The hinged portions 39 are securable in the closed position around the bar 11 by bolts. Thus, the spacer 36 can be secured around the vertical scaffolding pole 11 in use. Provision of the hook 30 and seat / clamps 35 provides three attachment points to the scaffolding 10 to ensure the telescopic pole 20 provides a secure frame for supporting a barrier portion in the form of netting 50. The netting 50 is approximately 20mm square mesh polypropylene multifilament yarn (high tenacity) and weighs around 180g/m ² with a mesh breaking strength of around 0.8kN. Lengths of wire cable are threaded along the edges of the netting 50. The wire cable is used to strengthen the netting 50 by distributing forces in use, as well as providing an anchor point from which the netting 50 can be attached to the telescopic pole 20. In use, the netting 50 is attached to the securing rings 24 on each telescopic pole 20 using fixings that are attached to the wire cable at their other end.

A further safety device is provided for additional redundancy in the form of a retainer. In use, the retainer arrests any accidental fall of the telescopic pole 20. The retainer comprises a lanyard in the form of a strong rope with a carabiner clip attached at one end of the rope and a scaffolding hook clip attached at the opposing end of the rope. The outer pole portion 21 has a retaining ring 25 welded diametrically opposite the hook 30. In use, the retaining ring 25 accepts the carabiner clip to secure one end of the retainer to the telescopic pole 20 and the other end is attached to a horizontal scaffolding bar 12 using the scaffolding hook clip.

Figures 3a to 3g show the sequential steps of a method of use of the scaffolding safety barrier 80, alongside scaffolding shown generally at 10.

A first tier of scaffolding 10 is erected. The scaffolding 10 is erected alongside a building 60 that requires structural maintenance. The scaffolding 10 comprises a plurality of vertical scaffolding bars 11 joined to a plurality of horizontal scaffolding bars 12 strengthened by diagonal cross members 13. Horizontal platforms 14 are placed at intervals to provide a surface from which workers can carry out their tasks.

Each telescopic pole 20 is secured to the horizontal and vertical bars 12, 11 of the scaffolding 10 by the hook 30 and seat / clamps 35 respectively.

The netting 50 is provided in a roll 51 as shown in Figure 3a. A wire reinforced leading edge 57 of the netting 50 is attached to the securing ring 24 at the top of each inner pole portion 22. According to the present embodiment, each roll 51 of netting 50 is approximately 6 metres wide and 30 metres long. The length and width of the netting 50 is selected to enable sufficient netting 50 to be deployed in use as required to substantially cover an outer face of the scaffolding 10. Each roll 51 of the netting 50 is supported along its width at least every 3 metres by telescopic poles 20 that are arranged adjacent one another.

As shown in Fig. 3a and 4a, the first tier of scaffolding 10 and the scaffolding safety barrier 80 are in position. Fig. 3b shows another platform 14 is added to the scaffolding 10. The hook 30 and seat / clamps 35 are detached from the first tier and reattached to the second tier of scaffolding to increase the height of the telescopic pole 20 from ground level and the overall position of the scaffolding safety barrier 80. Figs 3c and 3d show the sliding of the inner pole portion 22 relative to the outer pole portion 21 to thereby extend the telescopic pole 20 and move more netting 50 upwardly such that the netting 50 is moved from the roll 51 into a deployed configuration to increase the height of the scaffolding safety barrier 80. Once each telescopic pole 20 is moved to the desired length, the securing pins 28 are inserted within the sets of holes 27 to lock the inner and outer poles 21, 22 at the desired height.

A further two platforms 14 are added to the scaffolding 10 as shown in Figs. 3e and 3f. At this point, the hook 30 and seats / clamps 35 are again detached and the telescopic pole 20 is raised again relative to ground level and reattached to a higher tier (Fig. 3g and 4b) to extend the height of the scaffolding safety barrier 80. Raising the telescopic poles 20 to increase their height above ground level causes more netting 50 to move from the stowed configuration in the roll 51 to the deployed configuration covering the outer face of the scaffolding 10.

Therefore, throughout the erection of the scaffolding 10 and once the scaffolding 10 is in place, the scaffolding safety barrier 80 provides a cover over the outer facing parts of the scaffolding 10 to restrict dropped objects and debris falling onto people or structures below.

The scaffolding safety barrier 80 is positioned once the first tier of scaffolding is built and remains in position suitably extended throughout erection of the remainder of the scaffolding 10. The time period during which there is no protective barrier across the outer face of the scaffolding 10 remains short. As a result, the extendable scaffolding safety barrier 80 improves safety during erection of scaffolding and increases the opportunity for building 60 maintenance and work to be safely carried out.

As the scaffolding is deconstructed, the scaffolding safety barrier is retracted in the reverse sequence. This allows the netting 50 to act as the barrier and remain in place while scaffolding 10 therebehind is taken down, thereby retaining any object that is accidentally dropped from the scaffolding.

Although particular embodiments of the invention have been disclosed herein in detail, this is by way of example and for the purposes of illustration only. The aforementioned embodiments are not intended to be limiting with respect to the scope of the statements of invention and/or the appended claims. Relative terms such as "upper” and "lower” are intended to aid understanding and are not intended to be limiting.

It is contemplated by the inventors that various substitutions, alterations, and modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the statements of invention and/or the claims. For example, the extendable scaffolding safety barrier can be used in conjunction with scaffolding alongside any building, bridge or other structure. The length, width, material selection and design of each netting 50 roll 51 is selected according to the application and the required height and width of scaffolding 10 which the netting 50 is required to cover.