This invention relates to a scaffold support bracket, particularly but not exclusively for use on vertical surfaces having metal surfaces or substantially so or inclined durfaces such as those provided in, e. g. ships'hulls.

The building of a ship involves the welding of a number of large metal plates together, onto which plates are attached the"ribs"of the hull. The ribs are generally T-bars and angle bars, set vertically, horizontally, and/or at intermediate angles. Such bars have one or two outstanding edges. The bulkheads and decks are then attached to the hull plates, with further bars thereon for further support and attachments. Currently, the joining work requires the use of a vast amount of scaffolding which must be built up from ground level for each operation. Significant time and effort, and therefore cost, would be saved by being able to use suspended scaffolding, especially at some of the heights involved in ship building.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a scaffold support bracket adapted for attachment to an edge, comprising a main cantilever bar, a first support member able to support one end of the bar on the edge, and one or more supporting arms, each arm being attachable at one end to the edge or a parallel edge by a second support member, and attachable at its other end to the main bar along its length, the first and second support members each comprising two connected side portions adapted to fit around the relevant edge, and having fastening means on at least one side portion adapted to secure the support member to the relevant edge between the fastening means and the other side portion.

In a first form, the side portions may be opposing and may have a conjoining portion connecting them at one end with fastening means being provided on one side portion.

By having fastening means on one side portion of the support member, the support member does not have to surround completely around the relevant edge (s). The edge (s) are beneficially clamped or gripped between one side portion and the moveable fastening means directed from the other side portion. The fastening means may extend around the support member, or the support member may have fastening means on both side portions.

Two or more fastening means could be used on one side portion of a support member.

The fastening means may be any suitable means able to provide a camping, gripping or other holding action between it and the opposing side portion of the support member, e. g. pawl and ratchet, toggle clamp, G-clamp, etc. Preferably, the fastening means is a threaded bolt, and the relevant side portion has an integral or attached threaded aperture to engage and support the bolt. One support member having such a fastening means is a gravlock girder coupler already used for coupling in scaffolding.

A support member could comprise two (or more) sets of side portions, conjoining portions and fastening means to fit around, e. g. both edges or flanged end portions of a T-bar. The sets could be integral or connectable to each other in use, and the distance between the two sets could be adjustable to help fit the support member around the edge or edges. As an angle bar generally has an"L"shape, only one'set'is generally used around the single flanged end portion.

The first support memberfor supporting the main cantilever arm may be fixed to the arm, e. g. by welding. Alternatively, the first support member is

pivotally attached to the cantilever arm to allow the bracket to be fitted on a non-vertical edge. The cantilever arm should extend wholly or substantially horizontally outward from the edge for the support of further scaffolding or other units or assemblies thereon. Preferably, the cantilever arm includes a flat horizontal portion on which e. g. a number of scaffolding planks can be located side by side. The other end of the planks can be supported by a second bracket according to the present invention neighbouring the first bracket.

Each second support member may also be fixed or pivotally attached to one end of each supporting arm. If fixed, each supporting arm is preferably at an angle to its support member. The other end of each supporting arm may be permanently or detachably attached to the main bar.

Where the arm (s) are detachable from the main bar, the main bar may include a plurality of anchoring points along its length for the attachment where desired or necessary of each arm. The supporting arm (s) may also include a length adjustable means to alter their length once fitted, and thus, inter alia, increase the tension and support provided in use.

Where a plurality of supporting arms are used, each supporting arm is preferably attached to the main bar at a different point along its length, and the arms are of different length. Also where a plurality of supporting arms are used, the supporting arms are preferably'balanced', i. e. their support from above and below of the main bar is balanced as far as reasonably possible.

The parts of the bracket of the present invention may be made from any suitable material, preferably metal. The main bar and supporting arms may be of any suitable form, e. g. box or angle section. The side portions of the first and second support members are preferably wholly or substantially

parallel and opposing, and have flat inner surfaces to maximise contact between an inner surface and an edge where they meet during use.

The scaffold support bracket of the present invention may be used on any structure with horizontal, angled or vertical edges, e. g. ships'hulls and bulkheads, or the bulkheads, sponsons or legs of oil rigs, etc. or any other assembly, structure or apparatus where suspended scaffolding could be used.

When the support bracket is used on a vertical or angled edge, the support members are preferably attached to the same edge at different heights along its length, i. e. vertically aligned. When the support bracket is used on a horizontal edge, the second support member (s) for the supporting arm (s) are preferably attached to the edges of bars etc. running parallel to the first edge, and above or below the first edge. Again, the supporting arms are preferably vertically aligned with the main arm to provide maximum support.

The support members could include rotatable fittings to allow their use at any angle required.

In a second form for use primarily with longitudinal or substantially longitudinal ribs having downwardly angle bars, the side portions of each support member may be at substantially right angles to each other and each having a cranked end with the fastening means being provided on each portion at the cranked end.

Preferably, the side portions are hinged together, the hinge also serving as a holder for a connection to a main bar or a supporting arm Alternatively, the side portions are fast together and a hinge is provided as a holder for connection to a main bar or a supporting arm.

Preferably also, the supporting arms are telescopic to adjust the main bar to a horizontal orientation, a locking mechanism being provided to secure each telescopic arm in a desired extension.

Alternatively, the supporting arms may have a series of apertures through any one of which a pin can pass to lock them in position with a main bar when it is adjusted to a longitudinal orientation.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a first scaffold support bracket according to the present invention on a edge of a vertical T-bar ; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a second scaffold support bracket according to the present invention on the vertical edge of a vertical angle bar; Fig. 3 is a top view of part of the bracket in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a side view of an alternative second support member; Fig. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the use of four brackets according to the present invention on two ship bulkheads ; Fig. 6 is a schematic side view of use of two brackets shown in Fig. 2 on an angied edge ; Fig. 7 is a side view of a third scaffold support bracket according to the present invention on the edges on two horizontal T-bars; Fig. 8 is an enlarged view of the main arm support member shown in Fig. 7; Fig. 9 is a side view of a fourth scaffold support bracket ; Fig. 10 is a side view of the fourth scaffold support bracket having a lenghtened fastening means for one side portion ; Figs. 11A and 11 B are respectively side views of two arrangements using the fourth scaffold support brackets, one in which a supporting arm is

below the main bar and one in which it is above to accommodate edges provided on panels at different inclinations ; and Fig. 12 is a side view of a modified fourth scaffold support bracket.

Referring to the drawings, in a first embodiment Fig. 1 shows a first scaffold support bracket 2 of the present invention. The bracket 2 has a main cantilever bar 4 having at one end a first support member 6. The first support member 6 is welded to the main bar 4.

The first support member 6 has a general U-shape, and comprises two side portions 8 connected by a semi-circular base portion 10. As shown in more detail in Fig. 3, one side portion 8, generally but not necessarily the side portion 8 not facing the main bar 4, has a fastening means. The fastening means is a bolt 12 running through a threaded aperture 14 in the relevant side portion 8. The bolt 12 has a square or hexagonal head 16. The bolt 12 is rotatable through the aperture 12 to alter the distance between its distal end and the opposing side portion 8.

The bracket 2 also has three vertically aligned supporting arms 18, one above the main bar 4 and two below. The two lower supporting arms 18 are attached to the main bar 4 on either side of the upper supporting bar 18 to 'balance'the supporting force. The supporting arms 18 are of different length. The number of supporting arms and the position of their attachment along the main bar 4 may be varied, possibly according to the strength of support required and/or the position or location of the bracket 2.

At one end of each arm 18 is a second support member 20. Each second supporting member 20 also has a general U-shape and fastening means similar to that described above for the first support member 6. The lower and middle second support members 20 have bolt shanks 22 attached to their forward faces at an upward angle. Each corresponding arm 18 has a

flanged end with an aperture therein, through which the bolt shank 22 passes, with a double nut arrangement 24 on the inner side of the flanged end to secure and lock the bolt shank 22.

As an alternative, the top second support member 20 has a small angle bar 26 welded to its forward face, with a second bolt shank 28 passing through an aperture in the flanged end of the angle bar 26. The second bolt shank 28 is attached to the corresponding arm 18. The second bolt shank 28 also has a double nut arrangement 30 on the inner side of the flanged end of the angle bar 26.

At the distal end of each supporting arm 18 is an aperture, and the main bar 4 has apertures in its vertical edge corresponding to the intended positions of the arm apertures. Bolts 31 are locatable through each set of apertures to attach each arm 18 to the main bar 4.

The bracket 2 is adapted for attachment to the vertical edge 32 of a T bar 35 which could be on a ship's hull. In use, the main bar 4 is located in the desired position and the first support member 6 is located around the edge 32. The fastening bolt 12 is rotated inwardly by turning its head 16 until the distal end of the bolt 12 tightens against the edge 32, camping the edge 32 between the bolt 12 and the other side portion 8 of the first support member 6.

Each supporting arm 18 is then attached to the main bar 4 by the bolts 31 through the relevant apertures, if not already attached. Each second support member 20 is then located around the edge 32 and fastened thereto in a similar manner to the first support member 6. Once the support arms 18 are in place, the double nut arrangements 24,30 may be used to reduce the edge-arm distance, and hence increase the tension in each arm 18.

Once the first bracket 2 is in place, and a second bracket, possibly of the same or a mirror design to the first bracket 2, is located alongside, scaffolding equipment such as wooden planks may be located along the main bars 4 of both brackets, from which workmen can then work the surrounding area.

Depending upon the relative sizes and positions of the fastening means of the support members and the side portions of the support members, the weight of equipment and workmen on the main bars of the supporting brackets may increase the grip of the support members on the edge.

The main bar 4 may include an aperture 34 at or near its free end to attach a guard rail or post (not shown).

In a second embodiment, Figs. 2 and 3 show a second support bracket 40 similar in design and fitting to the first bracket 2 in Fig. 1 described above.

However, the first support member 42 for the main bar 44 of the second bracket 40 is pivotally attached using a small angle piece 46 welded to the forward face of the first support member 42. The top and middle supporting arms 48 are attached to attachment pieces 50 welded to the main bar 44.

The main bar 44 also has a series of apertures 52 along its length for varying the attachment of the supporting arms 48 as described hereinafter. The second support bracket 40 is attached to the edge of a vertical angle bar 53.

Fig. 4 shows an alternative second support member 70 for use in the present invention. This support member 70 is attached to a vertical edge 72 in a similar manner as described above, using a bolt 74 through one side portion 75. However, on the opposing side portion 76 is a small transverse plate 78, to which an angle plate 80 is attached by a second bolt 82. The angle piece 80 supports a supporting arm (not shown) in a manner similar to

that described above. The second bolt 82 allows the angle between the support member 70 and the supporting arm to be varied and so allow the supporting arm to be at the angle required.

Fig. 5 shows, schematically, two large bulkhead plates 56 desired to welded together in the forming of a ship. The plates 56 may typically be 6 metres high. On each plate 56 are a series of vertical ribs formed by angle or T-bars 58 welded thereto. Two brackets 62, both similar to that shown in Fig.

1, are fixed onto the edges of rib bars 58 either side of the intended join 60.

Planks 64 are added across the brackets 62 to provide an upper and lower suspended working platform from which workmen can weld the plates 56 together. The alternative scaffolding arrangement required for effecting the same welding would have had to have been erected from the ground, with extensive time and effort involved for erection and deconstruction.

Fig. 6 shows use of two brackets 40 as shown in Fig. 2 on a non- vertical edge of an angle bar or T-bar 66. The series of apertures 52 in the main bar 44 of the brackets 40 as shown in Fig. 2 allows the support arms 48 to be attached to the main bar 44 wherever they coincide following the different edge-to-main bar distances.

In a third embodiment, Fig. 7 shows a third support bracket 100. The third bracket 100 has a main arm 102, a first support member 104, and a vertically aligned supporting arm 106 with a second support member 108 similar to the first support member 104. The first support member 104 is shown in more detail in Fig. 8 discussed below.

The first support member 104 is attached around the two flanged end portions or edges 110 of a T-bar 112 located horizontally along a surface 113 such as a ship's hull. The second support bracket 108 is attached to the edges of a parallel T-bar 112 below the first T-bar 112.

The third support bracket 100 may be used in a similar manner to the brackets described above. Two or more aligned brackets 100 allow a wooden planked platform to be formed over the brackets 100, such that work can be carried out in the surrounding area without the need for extensive floor-based scaffolding.

In Fig. 8, the first support member 104 shown comprises two clamp means 114, each having a bolt 116 as the fastening means through one side portion, similar to the support members described above. One or both clamp means 114 are moveabie along a connecting eiongate bolt 117 to allow the support member 104 to fit around the end potions 110 of the T-bar 112. A plate 118 is welded to the top clamp means 114, onto which the main arm 102 is attached.

In a fourth embodiment as shown in Figs. 9 and 10 in which a fourth scaffold support bracket 144 is for use primarily with longitudinal or substantially longitudinal ribs having T-bars 146 or downwardly angle bars 148, the side portions 150,152 of each support member 154 are at substantially right angle to each other and fast thereat, each side portion 150, 152 having cranked ends 156, the fastening means being bolts 158 provided on each portion at the cranked end 156 as shown. With the side portions 150,152 being fast together, a hinge 160 is provided as a holder for connection to a main bar 162 or a supporting arm 164.

In Fig. 10, a T-bar 146 is shown and a modified lengthened bolt 158A is used. Figs. 11A and 11 B show the fourth scaffold support bracket in use with either the supporting arm 164 being positioned below or above the main bar respectively. The supporting arms 164 are telescopic as shown to adjust the main bar 162 to a horizontal orientation. A locking mechanism (not shown) is provided to secure each telescopic arm in a desired extension.

Alternatively, the supporting arms 164 may have a series of apertures through any one of which a pin can pass to lock them in position with a main bar 162 when it is adjusted to a longitudinal orientation.

A modified fourth support bracket is shown in Fig. 12 in which the side portions 150,152 are hinged together at 166, the hinge also serving as a holder for a connection to a main bar 162 or a supporting arm 164.

The scaffold support bracket of the present invention provides a simple device for easy and rapid attachment of a suspended and outwardly-facing bar to an edge. Ali parts of the bracket are simply formed or easiiy available, but together form a bracket capable of being suspended from any vertical or horizontal edge, especially the ribs of a ship's hull and bulkheads. The number and arrangement of the support arms may be varied to suit each situation. The invention allows for vertical alignment of the or each supporting arm with the main arm, to provide the main arm with the maximum support.

Variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention described above and as claimed hereinafter.