A BRACE FOR A SAFETY DECK

Abstract

A brace for a safety deck is disclosed. The brace comprises a pair of spaced apart wing portions to receive a portion of a standard therebetween and an engagement portion oriented at an angle to the spaced apart wing portions, the engagement portion to engage a portion of a diagonal to position the portion of the diagonal relative to the portion of the standard.

Claims

1. A brace for a safety deck, the brace comprising a pair of spaced apart wing portions to receive a portion of a standard therebetween and an engagement portion oriented at an angle to the spaced apart wing portions, the engagement portion to engage a portion of a diagonal to position the portion of the diagonal relative to the portion of the standard.

2. A brace for a safety deck as claimed in claim 1 wherein the wing portions are configured as wings, each having a free end connected to a transverse member or assembly at an end opposite the free end.

3. A brace for a safety deck as claimed in claim 1 wherein each wing portion comprises an inner or facing surface which is planar and substantially parallel with the inner or facing surface of the other wing portion.

4. A brace for a safety deck as claimed in claim 1 wherein a receiving gap is defined between the wing portions into which a portion of the standard is at least partially received.

5. A brace for a safety deck as claimed in claim 1 wherein each wing portion is provided with at least one attachment opening.

6. A brace for a safety deck as claimed in claim 5 wherein the at least one attachment opening extends perpendicularly to the plane of an inner surface of the wing portion.

7. A brace for a safety deck as claimed in claim 5 wherein the at least one opening is keyhole shaped, having an at least partially circular main portion and a convergent entryway leading to a narrowed neck or pinch point between the convergent entryway and the main portion.

8. A brace for a safety deck as claimed in claim 7 wherein the convergent portion of the at least one opening is oriented substantially vertically when the brace is in use.

9. (canceled)

10. A brace for a safety deck as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a transverse member mounting portion provided on at least one wing portion.

11. A brace for a safety deck as claimed in claim 10 wherein the transverse member mounting portion extends in a direction transversely away from the other wing portion.

12. A brace for a safety deck as claimed in claim 10 wherein the transverse member mounting portion is shaped to either receive a portion of a scaffold member or be received within a portion of a scaffold member.

13. A brace for a safety deck as claimed in claim 10 wherein at least one transverse pin opening is provided into or through the transverse member mounting portion.

14-19. (canceled)

20. A brace for a safety deck as claimed in claim 1 wherein the engagement portion includes an opening into or through which a portion of a diagonal member is received.

21. A brace for a safety deck as claimed in claim 1 further comprising one or more further engagement portion to engage a safety deck member at an angle to both the standard and the diagonal.

22. A brace for a safety deck as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least one transverse pin opening is provided into or through any one or more engagement portion.

23. (canceled)

24. A safety deck assembly comprising at least two standards, at least one diagonal and at least one brace as claimed in claim 1.

25-26. (canceled)

27. A safety deck assembly as claimed in claim 24 wherein each standard is an extendible length leg assembly formed of an inner leg member which is telescopically slidable relative to an outer leg member.

28. A safety deck assembly as claimed in claim 27 wherein the outer leg member is a lower leg member and the inner leg member located for telescopic extension above the outer leg member.

29. A safety deck assembly as claimed in claim 27 wherein the upper end of each outer leg member is typically provided with at least one pair of openings through opposed sidewalls of the hollow outer leg member and a series of pairs of openings are provided through opposed sidewalls of the inner leg member spaced over at least a portion of the inner leg member.

30. A safety deck assembly as claimed in claim 27 wherein a diagonal bracing member is mounted to a lower end of a first outer leg member and an upper end of an adjacent upper leg member using the at least one brace.

31. (canceled)

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0083] In order that the invention may be more clearly understood one or more embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

[0084] FIG. 1 is an isometric view from above of the brace of an embodiment.

[0085] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the brace illustrated in FIG. 1, from below.

[0086] FIG. 3 is a rear view of the brace illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0087] FIG. 4 is a front view of the brace illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0088] FIG. 5 is a view from below of the brace illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0089] FIG. 6 is a view from above of the brace illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0090] FIG. 7 is a side view from the left of the brace illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0091] FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a safety deck tower formed using the brace illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0092] FIG. 9 is a detailed view of the portion of FIG. 8 identified by reference letter A.

[0093] FIG. 10 is an isometric view from a first side of the brace of another embodiment.

[0094] FIG. 11 is an isometric view of the brace illustrated in FIG. 10, from the opposite end.

[0095] FIG. 12 is a front view of the brace illustrated in FIG. 10.

[0096] FIG. 13 is a rear view of the brace illustrated in FIG. 10.

[0097] FIG. 14 is a view from below of the brace illustrated in FIG. 10.

[0098] FIG. 15 is a view from above of the brace illustrated in FIG. 10.

[0099] FIG. 16 is a side view from the right of the brace illustrated in FIG. 10.

[0100] FIG. 17 is an isometric view of a safety deck tower formed using the brace illustrated in FIG. 10.

[0101] FIG. 18 is a detailed view of the portion of FIG. 17 identified by reference letter B.

[0102] FIG. 19 is an isometric view from the front of a brace of a further embodiment.

[0103] FIG. 20 is an isometric view from below of the brace illustrated in FIG. 19.

[0104] FIG. 21 is an isometric view from above of the brace illustrated in FIG. 19.

[0105] FIG. 22 is an isometric view of a safety deck tower formed using the brace illustrated in FIG. 19.

[0106] FIG. 22A is a detailed view of the portion illustrated in FIG. 22 and designated ‘A’.

[0107] FIG. 22B is a detailed view of the portion illustrated in FIG. 22 and designated ‘B’.

[0108] FIG. 22C is a detailed view of the portion illustrated in FIG. 22 and designated ‘C’.

[0109] FIG. 23 is an isometric view of a safety deck tower with lateral buttress formed using the brace illustrated in FIG. 19.

[0110] FIG. 23A is a detailed view of the portion illustrated in FIG. 23 and designated ‘D’.

[0111] FIG. 23B is a detailed view of the portion illustrated in FIG. 23 and designated ‘E’.

[0112] FIG. 24 is an axonometric view of a safety deck formed with extendable leg members according to an embodiment.

[0113] FIG. 25 is an axonometric view of the safety deck illustrated in FIG. 24 with four bottom ledgers attached.

[0114] FIG. 26 is an axonometric view of the safety deck illustrated in FIG. 24 with four top ledgers attached.

[0115] FIG. 27 is an axonometric view of the safety deck illustrated in FIG. 24 with four bottom ledgers and four top ledgers attached.

[0116] FIG. 28 is an axonometric view of a safety deck with extendable leg members showing a diagonal brace member according to an embodiment.

[0117] FIG. 29 is an axonometric view of the safety deck illustrated in FIG. 28 with a bottom ledger attached.

[0118] FIG. 30 is an axonometric view of the safety deck illustrated in FIG. 28 with a top ledger attached.

[0119] With reference to the accompanying figures, a brace 10 for a safety deck is provided. The brace 10 is illustrated in two embodiments in the Figures, a first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 9 and a second embodiment shown in FIGS. 10 to 18.

[0120] In both embodiments, the brace 10 comprises a pair of spaced apart wings 11 to receive a portion of a standard 12 (illustrated in FIGS. 8, 9, 17 and 18) therebetween.

[0121] The brace also includes an engagement portion 13 oriented at an angle to the spaced apart wings 11 to engage a portion of a diagonal 14 (illustrated in FIGS. 8, 9, 17 and 18) to position the portion of the diagonal 14 relative to the portion of the standard 12.

[0122] The brace is used in a safety deck assembly, such as that illustrated in FIGS. 8, 9, 17 and 18. The safety deck assembly 20 illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, comprises four standards 12, four diagonals 14 and a brace 10 at the upper and lower end of each diagonal 14 to couple the diagonal 14 to one standard 12 at a lower end and an adjacent standard 12 at an upper end.

[0123] The brace may be used to couple one or more ledgers relative to a diagonal and/or a standard. This is shown in the configuration illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18.

[0124] Usually, a number of braces will be used in a safety deck assembly. A brace may be used at one or both ends of a diagonal member, ledger and/or standard. A brace may be used at any appropriate location along the length of a diagonal member, ledger and/or standard.

[0125] The brace 10 may be attached relative to a diagonal 14, ledger 15 and/or standard 12 directly or indirectly. If attached indirectly such as illustrated in FIGS. 8, 9, 17 and 18, the brace 10 may be attached relative to a foot 16 and/or platform support 17 of a safety deck assembly. The platform support 17 illustrated has the same configuration as the foot 16 but is used in an inverted orientation to support a platform 17.

[0126] The brace 10 is coupled relative to the diagonal 14, ledger and/or standard 12 using an elongate locking pin 19. The locking pin 19 attaches the brace 10 and the foot 17/platform support 17 to the standard 12 as shown in FIG. 9 in particular.

[0127] The brace 10 illustrated includes a pair of spaced apart wings 11 to receive a portion of a standard 12 therebetween.

[0128] As shown, the wings 11 each have a generally arcuate free end. In this configuration, the wings are connected to a transverse wall 36 at the end opposite the free end. This typically provides a receiving gap 21 of a generally U-shaped configuration for receiving the standard 12 thereinto.

[0129] The receiving gap 21 is normally an accepted width to correspond to an accepted dimension of the standard 12 to be at least partially received therein.

[0130] The generally U-shaped receiving gap 21 can receive a rectangular or circular cross-sectional shape standard 12. The receiving gap 21 is preferably rectilinear in shape. Typically, the dimension of the receiving gap substantially corresponds to the dimension of the standard but if not, one or more spacers may be used if the dimension of the receiving gap 21 is larger than the dimension of the standard 12.

[0131] As shown, the wings 11 are substantially parallel with one another. The wings 11 illustrated are planar. An inner or facing surface of the spaced apart wings 11 is planar.

[0132] Each wing illustrated is provided with an attachment opening 22, allowing the use of a locking pin 19 to attach the brace 10 to the standard 12. The attachment opening 22 illustrated extends perpendicularly to the plane of an inner surface of the wings 11.

[0133] The attachment opening 22 in the illustrated embodiments is keyhole shaped.

[0134] The keyhole shaped opening 22 has a partially circular main portion 23 and a convergent entryway 24 leading to a narrowed neck or pinch point between the convergent entryway 24 and the main portion 23. The pinch point will preferably discourage accidental but not determined attachment and detachment of the brace 10 to and from the locking pin 19.

[0135] A locking pin 19 can be inserted laterally through the main portion 23 of the opening 22 and through aligned openings in the standard 12. Attachment could be accomplished by inserting a locking pin 19 into the openings on the standard 12 and then forcefully pushing the brace 10 in a direction such that the pin 19 enters the main part of the opening 22 through the pinch point, although this will typically require that the locking pin 19 and/or the periphery of the opening 22 is at least partially deformable.

[0136] Separation of the brace 10 from the standard 12 may be accomplished by either lateral removal of the locking pin 19 in the same manner as insertion, but in the opposite direction, or by forcefully pulling the brace 10 in a direction such that the pin 19 exits the main part 23 of the opening 22 through the pinch point.

[0137] The convergent portion 24 of the opening 22 will typically be oriented substantially vertically when the brace 10 is in use as illustrated in FIG. 7 (or inverted if used at an upper end). The load is typically borne by the periphery of the main portion 23 of the opening 22, typically in line with a main longitudinal axis of the wing 11.

[0138] The periphery of the opening 22 may be reinforced. As shown best in FIGS. 1 and 2, a perpendicularly extending lip 25 may be provided about the periphery of the opening 22.

[0139] As illustrated in FIGS. 10 to 18, the brace 10 may include a transverse member mounting portion 26 on at least one wing 11, and possibly both as shown. The transverse member mounting portion, where provided, can be used to mount a ledger 27 relative to the brace 10. Typically, the transverse member mounting portion 26 will extend in a direction transversely away from the receiving gap 21.

[0140] A transverse member mounting portion 26 may be provided on each wing 11 as shown. The transverse member mounting portions shown in FIGS. 10 to 18 extend at. 180° to one another. The transverse member mounting portions 26 are aligned or coaxial with one another. This transverse member mounting portion 26 to configured to be received within a portion of the ledger 27.

[0141] A second (or third) transverse member mounting portion may be provided, configured as a transverse opening 29, shaped to receive a portion of transverse ledger 28. As shown in FIGS. 11 to 13 in particular, the transverse opening may be provided through a part of the brace, separated from the receiving gap 21 and the mounting portion for the diagonal 14.

[0142] An abutment wall 30 is provided relative to the receiving gap 21 and against which the standard 12 abuts when positioned within the receiving gap 21. The abutment wall 30 is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the wings 11 and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the attachment opening 22 that may be provided in the wings 11.

[0143] The abutment wall 30 will preferably assist with aligning the standard 12 within the receiving gap 21.

[0144] The brace 10 typically includes an engagement portion oriented at an angle to the spaced apart wings 11 to engage a portion of a diagonal 14, to position the portion of the diagonal 14 relative to the portion of the standard 12.

[0145] The engagement portion may be provided as a part of the brace 10 which extends from the wings 11. The engagement portion may extend at an angle from the wings 11.

[0146] The engagement portion may be an extension 31 as shown in FIGS. 1 to 9, or an opening 32 as shown in FIGS. 10 to 18.

[0147] In both illustrated configurations, the wings 11 extend beyond the preferred abutment wall 22, 30 to at least partially form the engagement portion.

[0148] One or more separating walls or structures can be provided to separate the wings 11 from the engagement portion. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 for example, a transverse separating wall 33 is provided relative to which the extension 31 is formed.

[0149] In this embodiment, the engagement portion is configured as an extension 31 which is at least partially received into a hollow portion in a diagonal member 14 of a safety deck assembly.

[0150] The extension 31 is shaped. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 9, the external shape of the extension 31 corresponds to an internal shape of a hollow portion of the diagonal 14 to be engaged by the extension 31. The extension 31 shown is cylindrical.

[0151] The extension 31 extends from the separating wall 33 provided between the extensions from the wings 11.

[0152] The extension 31 is normally received within the diagonal 14 in a friction fit.

[0153] Engagement formations are provided on the exterior of the extension 31 to assist with the engagement between the extension 31 and the diagonal. At least two alternating series of slot openings 34 and lands 35 therebetween are provided on the periphery of the extension 31. Each land 35 separated by slot openings 34 functions as a fin. The fins may be deformable to a small degree. The engagement formations are circumferentially spaced about the periphery of the extension 31 as shown.

[0154] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 10 to 18, the engagement portion is configured as an opening 32 into or through which a portion of a diagonal 14 is received. The opening 32 is formed by a pair of planar side walls which are configured as extensions from the wings 11, a separating wall 37 and an opposed wall 38. The planar side walls are parallel and perpendicular to the separating wall 37 and the opposed wall 38. This will form a rectangular engagement opening 32.

[0155] As shown, a transverse pin opening 39 may be provided into or through the engagement portions. If the engagement portion is hollow such as the transverse member mounting portion 26, then the transverse pin opening is provided through a wall of the transverse member mounting portion 26. If more than one transverse pin opening 39 is provided in opposite walls of a transverse member mounting portion 26, then the openings 39 will normally be aligned to receive a locking pin 19 therethrough.

[0156] Any transverse opening 39 that is provided to receive a locking pin 19 may include an enlarged periphery to increase the strength of the periphery. In an embodiment, at least some of the transverse pin openings 39 have a perpendicularly extending lip surrounding the transverse pin opening 39. If the transverse opening is circular (which is preferred, although the transverse opening could be shaped for use as a part of a bayonet engagement with the locking pin), the provision of a perpendicularly extending lip surrounding the transverse pin opening 39 will form a tubular extension.

[0157] The engagement portion 31. 32 is provided at any angle relative to the wings 11. The angle will typically be related to the height between the ledgers 15 or other members of the safety deck assembly.

[0158] The brace 10 is provided in a first configuration to couple a diagonal safety deck member 14 relative to a standard 12.

[0159] The brace 10 may be provided in a second configuration to couple a diagonal safety deck member 14 relative to a standard 12 and the diagonal 14 and the standard 12 relative to one or more ledgers 15. In this configuration, the brace preferably couples the one or more longitudinal ledgers 27 to the standard in a 180° configuration and a cross-ledger 28 at 90° to the standard and the one or more longitudinal ledger 27.

[0160] The brace may be manufactured from any one or more materials. In an embodiment, an engineering plastic may be used. Metal may also be used.

[0161] As mentioned above, the brace 10 is preferably attached to or relative to the safety deck members using a locking pin 19. The locking pin 19 may be formed of any one or more materials. In some configurations, a wholly plastic locking pin 19 could be used or a combination pin 19 with a metal shank or shaft with a plastic head portion may be provided.

[0162] The locking pin 19 will preferably have an enlarged head. A flattened surface 40 may be provided on the head to allow a hammer or similar tool to be used to drive the locking pin 19 into position during assembly. An opening 41 may be provided on the head to provide a gripping portion for removal of the locking pin 19. The opening 41 may be provided between the shaft (not shown) and the head (as a part of the head or the shaft). An enlarged abutment shoulder 42 may be provided perpendicularly to the length of the shaft, between the head and the shaft to limit insertion of the locking pin 19.

[0163] The embodiment of the brace illustrated in FIGS. 19 to 21 is basically similar to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 10 to 18 with some small differences. Instead of the keyhole shaped opening in the wings for example, the attachment opening 22 in the embodiment in FIG. 19 to 21, has an enclosed periphery. In this configuration, the locking pin 19 can only be inserted into and removed from the attachment opening 22 in a transverse direction.

[0164] A secondary opening 50 is provided on each wing 11, on an opposite side of the transverse member mounting portion 26 to the attachment opening 22. In an embodiment, the secondary opening 50 is larger in dimension than the attachment opening 22.

[0165] The brace of the embodiments illustrated allows the vertical safety deck components in multiple ways using a single brace. For example, the legs can be braced using a top to bottom method (chase the brace) without the need for a ledger/kicker lift in the bottom. The brace also allows bracing of the legs using a top to bottom method (chase the brace) with ledgers 52 (kicker lift) then fitted at the bottom as illustrated in the tower 51 shown in FIG. 22.

[0166] Still further, the brace can allow the use of a buttress effect where a diagonal 53 is fitted to the brace at the top, and to an external perimeter of the safety deck at the bottom, to provide a raked buttress support by extension of the base, to stop the decking from overturning in a particular direction as illustrated in FIG. 23.

[0167] The embodiment of the safety deck illustrated in FIGS. 24 to 30 is similar to that illustrated in FIGS. 22 to 22C but utilising extendible length leg assemblies for the uprights (or standards) of the safety deck.

[0168] In FIGS. 24 to 30, the extendible length leg assemblies are each formed of an inner leg member which is telescopically slidable relative to an outer leg member. The diagonal bracing member is mounted to the lower end of one outer leg member and the upper end of an adjacent outer leg member using the base and head brace. The upper end of each outer leg member is provided with two pairs of openings through opposed sidewalls of the hollow outer leg member. A series of pairs of openings through opposed sidewalls of the inner leg member are spaced over at least a portion of the length of the inner leg member.

[0169] In the illustrated embodiment, a pin used to attach the head brace to the outer leg member also fixes the inner leg member relative to the outer leg member with the respective openings are aligned with each other.

[0170] The use of the head and base brace as explained above, allows the diagonal members to be used without ledgers as shown in FIG. 24, with a set of lower ledgers to brace the bottom of the safety deck assembly, as shown in FIG. 25, with a set of upper ledgers to brace the upper end of the outer leg members of the safety deck assembly, as shown in FIG. 26 or with both upper and lower ledgers in a fully braced configuration as illustrated in FIG. 27.

[0171] FIGS. 28 to 30 show one side of the safety deck assembly of FIGS. 24 to 26 with the other legs and members removed for clarity.

[0172] The one or more embodiments are described above by way of example only. Many variations are possible without departing from the scope of protection afforded by the appended claims.