Presently known scaffolding structures include fixed structures, constructed from lengths of scaffolding tubes and coupling brackets, and mobile scaffolding towers, constructed from prefabricated frame parts connected by bracing struts.

Fixed scaffolding structures typically comprise steel scaffolding pipes and are relatively large, heavy structures. Scaffolding towers are by their nature relatively lightweight, typically comprising frames of aluminum pipes and are designed to be mobile, to afford access to a desired area by moving the tower.

Current health and safety laws, in particular those of the United Kingdom Health and Safety Executive (HSE) require that means be provided for preventing a workman using a scaffolding structure from falling from the structure. In the case of fixed structures, this is often achieved by the workman wearing a climbing harness and securing himself to the scaffolding structure using climbing ropes. When the scaffolding has been raised to the desired height, a guardrail assembly is constructed around a work platform at the top using a number of separate posts and guardrails. During construction of the scaffolding structure, the workman must continually detach and re-attach himself to the structure. This and the actual construction of the guardrail assembly is a time- consuming process.

In the case of mobile towers, the weight and shape of

the towers is such that a user cannot secure himself to the tower either during or after construction, as in the event of a fall, the weight of the user could topple the tower.

Also, in a similar fashion to fixed structures, a guardrail is typically constructed around a work platform at the top of the tower. As the user cannot secure himself to the tower using a harness, the workman is in an unsafe position until the guardrail has been constructed. This is generally undesired. Construction of the guardrail assembly is, similarly, time-consuming.

It is amongst the objects of one or more embodiments of one or more aspects of the present invention to obviate or mitigate at least one of the foregoing disadvantages.

It is a further object of at least one embodiment of at least one aspect of the present invention to seek to fill a need in the art.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a safety structure for a scaffolding structure, the safety structure comprising: means for releasably coupling the safety structure to at least part of the scaffolding structure; and means for providing at least part of a safety enclosure.

The safety enclosure defines a safe working perimeter for one or more persons to work within.

Advantageously, the safety structure is provided as a unit, which allows the safety structure to be easily moved up and down a scaffolding structure. This allows a safety enclosure to be provided for a user, to prevent fall from the scaffolding structure, and the safety structure may be moved up and down the scaffolding structure during assembly and disassembly thereof.

The coupling means may comprise quick-release coupling means. This may allow the safety structure to be quickly and easily connected and disconnected from the scaffolding

structure to allow easy movement. The quick release coupling means may comprise a releasable clamp such as a spring-loaded clamp. These clamps may be easily released by a workman for moving of the safety structure.

The safety structure may comprise a safety frame structure which may be adapted to fit inside a scaffolding structure, in particular a scaffolding tower. It will be understood that a scaffolding tower typically comprises one or more box-type tower sections constructed from pre- fabricated frame sections typically interconnected by cross-members.

The safety frame may comprise first and second frame ends, each frame end for coupling to respective opposite sides of the scaffolding structure, and at least one frame side member coupling the frame ends together.

It will be understood that references to the sides and ends of the safety frame and the scaffolding tower are to the long sides and short ends of a generally rectangular structure, but may equally apply to opposite sides/ends of a generally square structure.

The safety frame may comprise a number of generally tubular members. Preferably, the safety structure provides a complete (ie. closed) safety perimeter which may be adapted to be located around a work platform of the scaffolding structure. The safety frame may comprise two or more side frame members which, together with parts of the frame ends, define the safety perimeter. The frame ends may include two or more support members which, in use, extend generally upwardly of the scaffolding structure and define or carry the coupling means, and preferably one or more cross-members extending between the support members.

The safety perimeter may be provided by the cross-members of the frame ends and by the frame side members. Thus it will be understood that an enclosure may be provided in the region. of the working platform.

In one embodiment the at least one frame side member may be pivotally coupled to the end frames. This may advantageously allow one or both of the frame, ends to be released from the scaffolding structure for movement of the safety structure with respect to the scaffolding structure.

The at least one frame side member may be adjustable in length. This facilitates movement of the safety structure as one end of the structure may remain coupled to the scaffolding tower during disconnection and movement of the other end of the structure. The at least one frame side member may be telescopically adjustable in length, and may comprise a first tube with a second, smaller tube moveably mounted in the first tube. The frame side member may include a restraint for restraining movement of the second tube with respect to the first tube, and the restraint may comprise a wire or cable. This may prevent separation of the first and second tubes. Alternatively, the side frame member may include any suitable restraint such as a pin or latch.

The safety structure may be dimensioned to fit inside the scaffolding tower. Alternatively, the safety structure may be dimensioned to fit outside the scaffolding tower.

In said one embodiment the safety structure may further comprise one or more locking arms for locking the frame ends against rotation with respect to the at least one frame side member. This may advantageously provide a secure, locked safety structure when the safety structure is in position and defining the safety enclosure.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a scaffolding structure including a safety structure, the safety structure comprising means for releasably coupling the safety structure to at least part of the scaffolding structure and means for providing at least part of a safety enclosure.

Preferably, the safety structure is moveable between

at least first and second positions spaced vertically with respect to the scaffolding structure by releasably coupling the safety structure to the scaffolding structure between said first and second positions.

Preferably, the scaffolding structure comprises a scaffolding tower. The safety structure may be provided internally of the scaffolding tower. Alternatively, the safety structure may be provided externally of the scaffolding tower. The safety structure may define at least part of a safety enclosure around a work platform on the scaffolding structure. The scaffolding tower may include at least one tower section which may include the work platform. Where the scaffolding tower includes two or more tower sections, each or selected ones of the tower sections may include a work platform. It will be understood that in this case, the uppermost tower section includes a work platform and that the safety structure defines at least part of a safety enclosure around said work platform, to safeguard a workman against falling.

The safety structure may be releasably coupled to the scaffolding structure, in particular to said at least one tower section of the scaffolding tower, and may be moveable between at least first and second positions spaced vertically along the scaffolding structure and releasably coupled to the scaffolding structure, in particular to said tower section. Where the scaffolding structure comprises a scaffolding tower including two or more tower sections, the safety structure may be releasably coupled to a first tower section to define at least part of a first safe working area around a work platform of the first tower section, and moveable for coupling to the second tower section, spaced vertically along the tower from the first tower section to define at least part of a safe working area around a work platform of the second tower section.

The second tower section may be adjacent the first tower

section, and may be above or below the first tower section.

Thus, it will be understood that the safety structure may be used to provide at least part of a safety enclosure around a work platform, particularly an uppermost work platform, both during assembly and disassembly of the scaffolding structure.

Further features of the safety structure are defined above, with reference to the first aspect of the present invention.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of providing a combination of a scaffolding structure and a safety structure, the method comprising the steps of: providing the scaffolding structure ; providing the safety structure comprising: means for releasably coupling the safety structure to at least part of the scaffolding structure ; and means for providing at least part of a safety enclosure ; and releasably coupling the safety structure to at least part of the scaffolding structure The method may further comprise the steps of releasing the safety structure from a first position with respect to the scaffolding structure; moving the safety structure between the first position and a second position spaced vertically along the tower from the first position ; and releasably coupling the safety structure to at least a further part of the scaffolding structure to define at least part of a safety enclosure around a work platform on the scaffolding structure. The step of defining at least part of a safety enclosure may comprise defining a whole of the safety enclosure.

The safety structure may be releasably coupled to the scaffolding structure in a quick-release fit. Moving the safety structure between said first and second positions

may comprise releasing the safety structure from the scaffolding structure, moving the safety structure to the second position and re-coupling the safety structure to the scaffolding structure. In releasing and moving the safety structure in this fashion, one or more dimensions, in particular a length and/or width of the safety structure, may be reduced or alternatively enlarged to allow the safety structure to be moved. The method may further comprise increasing a dimension, such as the length, of the safety structure for moving. the safety structure between the first and second positions. The dimension of the safety structure may be increased by increasing a length of part of the safety structure, such as by telescoping a frame member of the structure.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of providing a safety enclosure for use during assembly or disassembly of a scaffolding tower, the method comprising the step of: a) releasably coupling a safety structure to a first section of the tower to define at least part of a safety enclosure around a work platform of the first tower section.

Preferably, the method includes the further steps of: b) releasing the safety structure from the first tower section; and c) releasably coupling the safety structure to a second tower section spaced vertically along the tower from the first tower section, to define at least part of a further safety enclosure around a work platform of the second tower section.

The method may further comprise the steps of repeating steps b) and c) as required during assembly/disassembly of the scaffolding tower, as the tower increases/decreases in height.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be

described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figs. 1A and 1B are cross-sectional and front views of part of a safety structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Figs. 1C-1E are front, rear and side perspective views, respectively, of the part of the safety structure shown in Figs. 1A and 1B ; Fig. 1F is a front view of the part of the safety structure shown in Figs. 1A and 1B, similar to the view of Fig. 1B, but showing cross-members of the part in an open position ; Figs. 2A-2C are views illustrating steps in the assembly of a safety structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, including two parts shown in Figs. 1A-1F ; Figs. 3A-3I are views illustrating steps in a method of providing a scaffolding structure including a safety structure, and the structure itself, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention; Fig. 4 is a view of a side guardrail forming part of a safety structure in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention ; and Fig. 5 is a schematic view of part of the side guardrail of Fig. 4.

Referring firstly to Figs. 1A and 1B, there are shown cross-sectional and front views of part of a safety structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the part of the safety structure indicated generally by reference numeral 10. The complete safety structure is shown in more detail in Fig. 2C and will be described below, and generally takes the form of a safety frame 12 which includes two frames ends 10 and 14. The frame ends 10 and 14 are the same and like components share the same reference numerals.

As shown in Figs. 1A and 1B, and the front, rear and side perspective views of Figs. 1C-1E, the frame end 10 includes left and right support tubes 16, 18 with two lower fixed cross-members 20 and 22 extending between and welded to the left and right support tubes 16,18. This gives the frame end 10 structural integrity. At the other end of the frame end 10, two cross-members in the form of guardrail tubes 24 and 26 are provided. Each of the guardrail tubes 24,26 are pivotally coupled to the support tube 18 by respective collars 28,30 and can releasably engage the support tube 16 through respective releasable clamps 32, 34. This allows the guardrails 24,26 to be opened, as shown in Fig. 1F.

The support tubes 16,18 carry coupling means in the form of releasable clamps 36,38, 40 and 42, each of which is similar to the clamps 32 and 34. These clamps 36-42 enable releasable coupling of the safety frame 12 to the scaffolding structure in a quick-release. As shown in particular in Fig. 1A, each of the clamps 36-42 includes a sprung catch 44, which provides a snap-fit onto members of a scaffolding structure. Each catch 44 can be easily released by a workman depressing the catch and lifting the respective clamp 36,38, 40,42 off the scaffolding structure.

Each of the cross-members 20,22 and guardrail tubes 24, 26 are serrated, to provide a rough gripping surface for the feet of a workman assembling/climbing the safety frame 12. In addition, an end 46 of the frame end 10, which forms an upper end in use, carries stubs 48,50 welded to the respective support tubes 16,18. Each stub 48, 50 includes a respective lip 52,54 for securely receiving frame side members, as will now be described.

Turning to Figs. 2A-2C, there are shown views illustrating assembly of a safety structure or frame 12 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In

Fig. 2A, the frame end 10 has been located generally vertically, and frame side members forming side guardrails 56 and 58 are coupled to the frame end 10. Each guardrail 56,58 carries respective releasable clamps 60,62 and 64, 66, for snap-fitting to the stubs 48,50 of the frame end 10. Each of these clamps 62-66 are similar to the clamps 32 and 36 described above. Second frame end 14 is then arranged generally vertically, and the side guardrails 56 and 58 are releasably coupled to the stubs 48,50 by the clamps 60,64, as shown in Fig 2B. In addition, locking rails 68,70 are releasably coupled between the frame ends 10, 14 to lock the assembly in the assembled position of Fig. 2C. The locking rails 68,70 are similar to the side guardrails 56,58, and provide second side guardrails for the safety frame 12. The side guardrails 56,58 and guardrail tubes 24,26 thus provide a safety enclosure or safety perimeter.

Turning now to Fig. 3A-3I, there are shown views illustrating steps in a method of providing a scaffolding structure including a safety structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The scaffolding structure includes the safety frame 12 illustrated in Figs.

1A to 2C.

Turning firstly to Fig. 3A, there is shown part of a typical scaffolding structure in the form of a scaffolding tower 72. The part shown in Fig. 3A comprises a tower section 74 constructed from pre-fabricated frame ends 76, 78, coupled together by cross-members 80,82 on one side and 84,86 on the other, in a fashion known in the art.

The scaffolding tower is mobile and includes a number of wheels 88 to allow movement of the tower 72.

The safety frame 12 is releasably couplable to the scaffolding tower 72 to define at least part of a safety enclosure for at least one workman using the-tower 72, as will be described below. Fig 3E shows the scaffolding

tower 72 in an assembled state, with the safety frame 12 securely coupled.

The frame 12 is assembled on the scaffolding structure in the following fashion. The frame end 10 with the side guardrails 56 and 58 (shown in Fig. 2A) is coupled to the tower section frame end 78, as shown in Fig. 3B, by snap- fitting the four clamps 36-42 to cross-members 90 of the tower frame end 78. The side guardrails 56,58, which are pivotally coupled to the stubs 48 and 50 hang down towards the worker. As shown in Fig. 3C, the side guardrails 56, 58 are then coupled to the safety frame end 14 as shown in Fig. 3C, which at this stage rests on the ground. The worker then raises the safety frame end 14 as shown in Fig.

3D, and couples the frame end 14 to the tower frame end 76 in a similar fashion to the frame end 10. The safety frame 12 is then securely coupled to the tower section 74 of the scaffolding tower 72, as shown in Fig. 3E.

The worker then locates a work platform 92 at upper ends 94,96 of the tower frame ends 76,78. The work platform 92 is of a type known in the art, and engages on the cross-members 90 of the tower frame ends 76,78. At this stage, with the safety frame 12 already in place, as shown in Fig. 3E, a safety enclosure 98 is defined by the safety frame 12, by the side guardrails 56,58 and the respective guardrail tubes 24,26 of the safety frame ends 10,14. Thus, when the worker climbs onto the work platform 92, through a hatch 100, a safety enclosure 98 is in place which acts to prevent the worker from falling from the platform. The worker then secures the locking rails 68, 70 onto the safety frame 12 to provide the completed safety frame.

It will be noted that in this embodiment the safety frame 12 is dimensioned to fit within the tower sections of the scaffolding tower 72 and to straddle the work platform 92. This allows the safety frame 12 to be moved up and

down the scaffolding tower 72, and allows easy movement of the work platform 92. Fig. 3H illustrates the guardrail tubes 24,26 in an open position, to allow, for example, easier access to the work platform 92 and adjustment of the position of the safety frame 12 on the scaffolding tower 72. Opening the guardrail tubes 24,26 also allows the frame end 10 to be moved downwardly, past the work platform 92 during assembly/disassembly with the work platform 92 in place.

The worker then continues to assemble the scaffolding tower 72 by coupling further tower sections to the tower section 74, as shown in Fig. 3I, where a frame end 102 of a further tower section has been coupled to the frame end 78 of the first tower section 74. Following construction of the second tower section (not shown), the safety frame 12 is moved upwardly to define a new safety enclosure around a work platform provided at an upper end of the second tower section. This is achieved by firstly removing the work platform 92, which is typically relocated on the first tower section 74 below the safety frame 12, to provide a platform for the worker to stand on when moving the frame. Alternatively, the work platform 92 may be lowered to ground level for subsequent use after the safety frame 12 has been raised.

The side guardrails 56,58 are then released from the second frame end 14, so that the side guardrails hang down in a similar fashion to that shown in Fig. 3B. The first frame end 10 and side guardrails 56, 58 are then released from the frame end 78 of the first tower section 74 and are moved up and coupled to the second tower section, in a similar fashion to that shown in Fig. 3E. The second frame end 14 is then released from the first tower section 74 and the side guardrails 56,58 re-connected. The frame end 14 is then moved up and connected to the second tower section.

A further work platform (not shown) is then

connected, in a similar fashion to that shown in Fig. 3F and the new safety perimeter is defined. This process is repeated as necessary until the scaffolding tower 72 is assembled to the desired height. It will be understood that the procedure is repeated in reverse during disassembly of the scaffolding tower 72, to provide the safety perimeter around the uppermost work platform 92 during disassembly.

Turning now to Fig. 4, there is shown an alternative side guardrail 56a, 58a for the safety frame 12 of Figs. 1A to 3I. For clarity, only the guardrail 56a is shown in Fig. 4 and like components of the guardrail 56a with the guardrail 56 of Figs. 1A to 31 share the same reference numerals, with the addition of the suffix a. Fig. 5 is a schematic view of part of the guardrail 56a illustrating a restraint of the guardrail, as will be described below.

The guardrail 56a is telescopically extendable in length, to facilitate movement of the safety frame 12 between adjacent sections of the scaffolding tower 72 during assembly and disassembly. The guardrail 56a is coupled between the frame ends 10, 14 in the same way as the side guardrails 56. As described above, when the safety frame 12 of Figs. 1A to 31 is moved up or down the scaffolding tower 72, it is necessary to first release the guardrails 56,58 from one of the safety frame ends, such as the second frame end 14. The first and second frame ends 10,14 are then released from the tower section 74 and moved up or down the tower and are reconnected to the tower 72 at a new location. The guardrails 56a, 58a are then reconnected to the second frame end 14 to define the safety perimeter at the new location.

As the guardrail 56a is extendable, it is not necessary to release the guardrails 56a, 58a from one of the frame ends 10,14 for movement of the safety frame up or down the scaffolding tower 72. Instead, one of the

frame ends 10,14 is released from the tower section 74, raised or lowered along the tower and reconnected to the tower at a new location. During this movement, the guardrails 56a, 58a extend in length to account for the increased spacing between the frame ends 10, 14. This further improves the speed with which the safety frame may be moved along the tower 72 during assembly and disassembly.

As shown in Fig. 5, the guardrail 56a includes a first tube 104 and a smaller diameter second tube 106 moveably mounted within the first tube 104. An end 110 of the first tube 104 thus overlaps an end 108 of the second tube 106, this overlap allowing extension in the length of the guardrail 56a defined between the clamps 60a, 62a.

The guardrail 56a also includes a restraint assembly 112 for preventing separation of the tubes 104,106 during extension. The restraint assembly includes a pin 114 coupled to and extending through the first tube 104 and a similar pin 116 in the second tube 106. A cable 118 is coupled at a first end 120 to the pin 116, extending through the second tube 106 and the first tube 104, around the pin 114, and is coupled at a second, opposite end 122 to the pin 116. In the unextended position of the guardrail 56a, the cable 118 remains slack. When the guardrail 56a is extended, slack in the cable 118 is taken up as the tubes 104,106 and thus the pins 114,116 move apart. At the maximum extension of the guardrail 56a, the cable 118 becomes taut, preventing the tubes 104,106 from separating by retaining an overlap between the tube ends 108,110.

Various modifications may be made to the foregoing within the scope of the present invention.

For example, it will be understood that the structure of the safety frame 12 is such that the specific details of the method of connecting and moving the safety frame 12

along a scaffolding structure are flexible. Also, the work platform 92 may be coupled to the scaffolding tower 72 before location of the safety frame 12. The safety frame 12 may then be raised up around the work platform 92, to define the safety enclosure.

The safety structure, in particular the safety frame 12, may be of any suitable dimensions for coupling to any scaffolding tower or indeed fixed scaffolding structure, of the type constructed from a series of tubes and brackets.

The safety frame may be of any suitable structure and may therefore alternatively be constructed from plates or sheets of material, to define a box-like structure eg. a walled safety enclosure.

Selected ones of the various clamps of the assembly may carry sprung latches. The clamps may equally be of any suitable alternative form and may carry alternative sprung or otherwise loaded latches.

The scaffolding structure and safety structure may be made of any suitable materials, eg. aluminum.

Finally, it will be appreciated that one of the guardrails may be dispensed with such that the safety enclosure comprises three rails of the safety structure and a substantially vertical wall or the like of a building or other relatively fixed structure against which the scaffolding structure is provided.