SCAFFOLDING INDICATOR

The present invention relates to scaffolding indicators, scaffolding assemblies and methods of using scaffolding indicators.

Indicators are used on building sites to provide workers with a visible warning of the location of scaffolding tubes.

Known indicators include hazard warning tape which is adhered to scaffolding tubes. Another known type of indicator is a scaffolding clip which snap-fits around a scaffolding tube. A further known scaffolding tube indicator is the marker disclosed in GB 2302609. The marker is an elongate hollow cylinder manufactured from a plastics material and comprises a spiral hazard marking. The marker is fixed in position on a scaffolding tube by snap-fitting the marker around the tube. A further known scaffolding tube indicator is a sheet of material that is zip-fitted around a scaffolding tube.

There are, however, disadvantages associated with known indicators, including the difficulty of their fixing to and removal from a scaffolding tube, the potential for their inadvertent removal from a scaffolding tube and in some cases their potential for injuring persons below if they fall.

Accordingly, it is an aim of preferred embodiments of the present invention to address at least one problem associated with indicators for scaffolding whether identified herein or otherwise.

According to the present invention in a first aspect, there is provided a scaffolding indicator for providing a visible indication of the location of a scaffolding tube, wherein the indicator comprises a flexible sheet for locating over part of a scaffolding tube and a non- adhesive fastening means for fastening the sheet over said tube. Preferably, the fastening means comprises hook and loop fastening portions.

According to the present invention in a second aspect, there is provided a scaffolding indicator to provide a visible indication of the location of a scaffolding tube, wherein the indicator comprises a flexible sheet to locate over part of a scaffolding tube and a non-adhesive fastening means to fasten the sheet over said tube. Preferably, the fastening means comprises hook and loop fastening portions.

Suitably, the loop portion and/or the hook portion of the fastening means is provided at an edge portion of the flexible sheet. Suitably, the hook and loop portions comprise elongate strips.

Suitably, the hook and loop portions are arranged in parallel relation to one another.

Suitably, the hook and loop portions run the length of the flexible sheet.

Suitably, the hook and loop portions are provided along parallel edges of the flexible sheet, preferably opposite edges.

Suitably, the flexible sheet is rectangular.

Suitably, the indicator is reusable.

Suitably, the flexible sheet is arranged to locate over the circumference of a scaffolding tube.

The indicator may comprise a luminous component. The flexible sheet may be luminous. Alternatively, or in addition, the flexible sheet may carry a luminous component .

The indicator may comprise a fluorescent component. The flexible sheet may be fluorescent. Alternatively, or in addition, the flexible sheet may carry a fluorescent component .

The indicator may comprise a reflective component. The flexible sheet may be reflective. Alternatively, or in addition, the flexible sheet may carry a reflective component, for example a reflective tape.

Suitably, the indicator provides a hazard warning. The hazard warning may comprise text.

Suitably, the indicator is easily transported. Suitably, the indicator can be flat packed. Suitably, the indicator is washable, suitably machine washable.

Suitably, the indicator does not comprise an adhesive means. The sheet material may be non-self supporting.

Suitably, the flexible sheet comprises a fabric material. The flexible sheet may consist of a fabric material. Suitably, the flexible sheet comprises a woven fabric .

Suitably, the flexible sheet comprises a resiliently stretchable material. Suitably, the flexible sheet comprises a resiliently stretchable woven material. The indicator may be arranged to be stretch fitted around a scaffolding tube in use. Suitably, the flexible sheet is arranged to stretch around a scaffolding tube. The indicator may thus be held firmly against the tube.

The indicator may comprise a strap for passing around part of a scaffold tube such that the flexible sheet and the strap form a ring around a scaffold tube in use. The fastening means may comprise a strap. The strap may comprise a fastener which may secure the indicator in a ring configuration. The strap and flexible sheet may be integral. Alternatively, the strap and the flexible sheet may be provided as separate components arranged to fasten to one another.

The sheet material may be arranged to overlap itself when wrapped round a scaffolding tube. Suitably, the fastening means is provided in the overlapping area of the sheet material to secure the sheet material in a ring configuration .

According to the present invention in a third aspect, there is provided a scaffold assembly comprising:

a scaffolding indicator according to the first or second aspect; and

a scaffolding tube;

wherein the indicator is installed on the scaffolding tube .

Suitably, the assembly comprises a plurality of indicators. The assembly may comprise a plurality of indicators arranged on a plurality of scaffolding tubes.

Suitably, the assembly comprises a first indicator arranged on a scaffolding tube and a second indicator arranged on a first or a second scaffolding tube.

The indicator may comprise a luminous component. The flexible sheet may be luminous. Alternatively, or in addition, the flexible sheet may carry a luminous component .

The indicator may comprise a fluorescent component. The flexible sheet may be fluorescent. Alternatively, or in addition, the flexible sheet may carry a fluorescent component .

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a scaffolding indicator of a first embodiment of the present invention in a first configuration;

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a scaffolding indicator a first embodiment of the present invention in a second configuration;

Figure 3 shows a scaffolding indicator of a first embodiment of the present invention in position over a scaffolding tube; and

Figure 4 shows a scaffolding tube indicator of a second embodiment of the present invention in position over a scaffolding tube.

Figures 1, 2 and 3 show a scaffolding indicator 1 of a first embodiment of the present invention. In use, the indicator 1 is installed on a scaffolding tube T in a building site to allow the tube T to be easily located. For ease of installation, the indicator 1 comprises a fastening means 15 to hold the indicator 1 on a scaffolding tube T. The indicator 1 uses an adjustable fastening means to allow the scaffolding tube to be arranged on horizontal, vertical and diagonal scaffolding tubes .

The fastening means 15 uses a hook and loop fastening means to fix the indicator 1 in position on the tube T. The hook portion and loop portion of the fastening means 15 are located on opposed edges of the indicator 1. In use, the indicator 1 can be installed by wrapping it around the tube T so that two parts of the fastening means

15 engage one another. The indicator 1 can be easily installed and uninstalled from the scaffolding tube T as it is not adhered to the tube.

Common scaffolding tubes are either 50.8mm or 48.3mm in diameter. The width of the indicator 1 is such that the indicator may be wrapped around a 50.8mm tube and held in place by the fastening means 15. In this configuration there is a relatively small overlap between the hook and loop portions of the fastening means 15. The width of the hook and/or loop portions of the fastening means 15 is chosen to enable the indicator 1 to fit tubes of 48.3mm diameter simply by increased overlap of the portions of the fastening means 15. The width of the hook and/or loop portions is suitably in the range of 10mm to 15mm.

The indicator 1 is fixed to a scaffolding tube T to alert a person to the presence of the scaffolding tube T. For example, with the indicator in position, at night a security guard can shine a torch across a building site to identify the location of the tube. The indicator 1 provides a means to prevent a security guard walking into the tube T and injuring themselves and/or damaging the scaffolding.

The indicator 1 is a flexible sheet 10. In the preferred embodiment, the flexible sheet 10. The sheet 10 comprises any suitable lightweight material dyed with a luminous yellow pigment to indicate the presence of the tube. In an alternative embodiment (not shown) the fabric is dyed with a fluorescent pigment. The luminous or fluorescent pigment ensures that the indicator alerts

persons, for example, workers to the presence of the scaffolding tube T.

The indicator 1 comprises a reflective means 11 comprising reflective tape. The reflective means 11 allows persons, for example security guards, to see where a scaffolding tube T is positioned at night time. Figures

1, 2 and 3 show the reflective means 11 in a pattern whereby strips of reflective tape are arranged to extend across the width of the flexible sheet 10. The reflective means 11 may however be arranged in any pattern in alternative embodiments.

As the indicator 1 comprises a flexible sheet 10, the indicator 1 can be easily folded and compacted. The indicator 1 can then be flat packed for ease of transportation and storage.

As the flexible sheet 10 comprises a lightweight material and a hook and loop fastening means, the indicator 1 is easily cleaned. Such ease of cleaning and maintenance ensures that the indicator 1 can be reused several times.

The indicator 1 is light-weight and can be easily picked up by an average person. This can allow a plurality of indicators to be easily transported in bulk, and installed as required. The use of a hook and loop fastening means improves the ability with which the indicator 1 can be installed and removed, as the indicator 1 is easily wrapped and fixed in position, then quickly removed. The fastening means 15 does not snag as it is being opened.

In use, the indicator 1 is installed around a scaffolding tube T as shown in Figure 3. The flexible sheet 10 is fixed in position on a tube T using the fastening means 15. As the flexible sheet 10 is tightly fixed to the tube T, sufficient friction is generated between the indicator 1 and the tube T to fix the indicator 1 in position over the tube. This allows it to be installed over a vertical tube as shown by Figure 3.

The indicator 1 can be arranged on either a horizontal, a diagonal or a vertical tube. Once in position the indicator 1 is generally difficult to inadvertently remove because of the use of a hook and loop fastening means 15. Should the indicator 1 be so removed, due to the softness and light-weight of the flexible sheet 10, the risk of injury to a person hit by the falling indicator 1 is small.

The use of a hook and loop fastening means 15 results in an indicator 1 that is hard wearing, does not rust or corrode, and reduces the risk of the fastening means clogging and ripping.

Figure 4 shows an indicator 2 of a second embodiment of the present invention. The indicator 2 is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment and like parts are labelled accordingly. The indicator 2 uses the reflective means 12 to provide a warning, as well as an alert, to a person. The reflective means 12 of the indicator 2 is arranged to spell "DANGER".

The indicator of preferred embodiments of the present invention may be provided in packs. Such packs can comprise a plurality of indicators 1, 2 that can be installed on any number of scaffolding tubes in a building site. The indicators of preferred embodiments of the present invention may be easily installed and uninstalled, and provide a means of mitigating many hazards associated with the use of scaffolding.

Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment (s) . The invention extends to any

novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Although a few preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications might be made without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.