Scaffolding brackets
There is a bracket for use in building construction. The bracket has a support leg (7) with an attachment point (12) for, fixing onto a building frame component (11). The attachment point includes a gripping member (37) mounted on a pivotal linkage (14) extending from the support leg (7). In use of the bracket to carry a working load B the leg and. gripping member can be located against opposite faces of the building frame component so that the working load generates a clamping force on the component between the gripping member (17) and support leg (7) which resists movement of the bracket.
This invention relates to builders' equipment. More particularly, although not exclusively it discloses an improved bracket for building scaffolding.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION Examples of a top-plate-hung bracket and stud bracket as currently used for building scaffolding are shown respectively in
It is therefore an object of this invention to ameliorate the aforementioned disadvantages and accordingly a bracket is disclosed for use in building construction, said bracket having a support leg with at least one attachment point for fixing onto a building frame component, said attachment point including a gripping member mounted on a pivotal linkage extending from said support leg whereby in use of the bracket to carry a working load said leg and gripping member can be located against opposite faces of the building component so that the working load generates a clamping force on said component between the gripping member and support leg which resists movement of said bracket.
Preferably but not essentially said gripping member comprises a friction member.
It is further preferred that the friction member includes a plate with a fluted or grooved surface for enhanced grip on the building component.
It is further preferred that said linkage means comprise a U-shaped strap.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe currently preferred embodiments of this invention will now be described with reference to the attached drawings in which:—
Referring first to
In accordance with this invention the vertical leg 7 of the bracket is fixed to a building frame stud 11 at upper and lower attachment points indicated generally as 12, 13. The upper point comprises a U-shaped strap 14 which is pivotally attached across its open end to the leg 7 by a bolt or pin 15. The opposite closed end 16 of the strap extends around the inner face 11A of the stud as well as a friction plate 17. The strap is also pivotally attached to the friction plate by a second bolt or pin 17A. A clearance space is provided between the end 16 of the strap and the plate 17 to allow for pivoting movement.
The lower attachment point 13 comprises a pair of flanges 18 which extend out from the leg 7 and closely straddle opposite sides 11B of the stud. In order to comply with industry standards spreaders 19, 20 are nailed in place adjacent the upper and lower attachment points to distribute or share the loading across adjacent studs (not shown) on each side. Spreader 19 is preferably located immediately above the friction plate. Spreader 20 is preferably located in a niche formed between a shoulder 21 extending down from the bottom of the leg 7 and the stud 11. In order to allow for vertical movement of the leg when the bracket is loaded a gap 21A of at least 20 mm between the spreader 20 and said leg 7 is preferred.
When the bracket is installed as shown and carries a load B from a working platform the surface resistance between the friction plate 17 and stud 11 together with the downward force on leg 7 generates a turning moment or couple 21 on the strap which clamps the stud 11 at this point and compresses it along a vertical plane between said plate 17 and leg 7. The magnitude of this clamping force on the stud is determined by the size of the platform load. The inventor has found that this novel clamping arrangement reduces twisting and lateral deformation of the stud as is encountered with prior art brackets. A scaffold bracket according to this invention thus provides a stronger and safer support for working platforms.
Although the plate 17 may be fluted or grooved to increase grip on the stud as described earlier the depth of these flutes or grooves is preferably chosen to limit excessive penetration or biting into the stud which could reduce strength. A clout 22 is also preferably driven through the strap and into the stud adjacent the friction plate to hold said plate at the position shown prior to loading.
This version of the bracket may also be fitted with a stanchion socket 23 as shown in
With the second to fifth embodiments of the invention shown respectively in FIGS. 4 to 7A the main components that correspond in function to those of
With reference to
The third embodiment of the bracket shown in
The fourth embodiment of the bracket shown in
The fifth embodiment of
It will thus be appreciated that this invention at least in the form of the embodiments disclosed provides a novel and improved form of scaffold bracket for working platforms and/or edge rail protection. Clearly however the examples described are only the currently preferred forms of the invention and a wide variety of modifications may be made which would be apparent to a person skilled in the art. For example the size and design of the bracket as well as the shape and configuration of the straps and friction member may be changed according to installation requirements. Also, the contacting surface of the friction member could use means other than flutes or grooves such as a layer of rubber or other non-slip material to obtain a frictional grip without departing from the scope of the invention. The invention is further not limited to any specific material for constructing the bracket although a structural steel conforming to the requirements of the relevant industrial standards is preferred for the described embodiments.
Claims
1. A bracket for use in building construction, said bracket having a support leg with an attachment point for fixing onto a building frame component, said attachment point including a gripping member mounted on a pivotal linkage extending from said support leg whereby in use of the bracket to carry a working load said leg and gripping member can be located against opposite sides of the building frame component so that the working load generates a clamping force on said component between the gripping member and support leg which resists movement of said bracket.
2. The bracket as claimed in claim 1 wherein said bracket is a scaffold bracket with said support leg, when in a position of use, being substantially vertical and said scaffolding bracket further including a plank support for a work platform which projects substantially horizontally out from said support leg.
3. The bracket as claimed in claim 2 wherein said attachment point is a first attachment point located adjacent an upper end of the support leg and said scaffold bracket further including a second lower attachment point having a pair of flanges which extend out from said support leg to closely straddle said building frame component.
4. The bracket as claimed in claim 5 wherein a socket is located on an end plate of said plank support to receive a guard-rail stanchion.
5. The bracket as claimed in claim 4 wherein said pivotal linkage is a U-shaped strap and said gripping member is a friction member.
6. The bracket as claimed in claim 1 wherein said bracket is a floor edge rail bracket with said support leg, when in a position of use, being substantially vertical and said bracket further including a vertical stanchion attached to said support leg by horizontal bars, said attachment point being toward a lower end of said support leg and being locatable close under a building frame top plate.
7. The bracket as claimed in claim 6 wherein said pivotal linkage is a U-shaped strap and said gripping member is a friction member.
8. The bracket as claimed in claim 1 wherein said bracket is a roof rail bracket and includes, when in a position of use, a horizontal socket mounting bar for a guard-rail stanchion extending out from said support leg and said attachment point is a first attachment point located adjacent an upper end of said support leg and said roof rail bracket further includes a second lower attachment point which operates in the same manner as said first attachment point.
9. The bracket as claimed in claim 9 wherein said pivotal linkage is a U-shaped strap and said gripping member is a friction member.
10. The bracket as claimed in claim 1 wherein said bracket is a roof rail bracket with said support leg, when in a position of use, being substantially horizontal for fitting to the underside of a roof truss, said attachment point being located adjacent one end of said support leg and a stanchion socket being fitted to the other end of said leg in a manner to locate above a building frame top plate.
11. The bracket as claimed in claim 10 wherein said pivotal linkage is a U-shaped strap and said gripping member is a friction member.
12. The bracket as claimed in claim 1 wherein said bracket is a roof rail gable bracket with said support leg, when in a position of use, being substantially horizontal for fitting to the top of a roof member and said attachment point is a first attachment point located adjacent one end of said support leg and said roof rail gable bracket includes a second attachment point located adjacent the other end of said support leg which operates in a similar manner as said first attachment point.
13. The bracket as claimed in claim 12 wherein said pivotal linkage is a U-shaped strap and said gripping member is a friction member.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 29, 2004
Publication Date: Nov 2, 2006
Inventor: James Curtin (Sydney)
Application Number: 10/555,846
International Classification: E04G 3/00 (20060101);