A BRICK GUARD

Abstract

A brick guard for use with a scaffolding system, the brick guard is made from a panel with upper and lower edges and at least one clip for engaging a toe board is disclosed. The toe board clip(s) are provided at a lower part of the panel. The brick guard also has at least one clasp for engaging with a scaffolding member, where each clasp is provided at an upper edge of the panel. The brick guard may also have at least one rib projecting from a first face of the panel, wherein the rib defines a channel on a second opposing face of the panel. Each clasp may have at least one strut member and a leaf member connected to the strut member(s), wherein the leaf member is substantially hemicylindrical.

Claims

1. A brick guard for use with a scaffolding system, the brick guard comprising: a panel having, in use, upper and lower edges; at least one clip for engaging a toe board, the at least one clip provided at a lower part of the panel; and at least one clasp for engaging with a scaffolding member, the at least one clasp provided at an upper edge of the panel, wherein the or each clasp comprises: a pair of struts, each strut projecting upward from the upper edge of the panel; and a hemicylindrical leaf member positioned between said struts.

2. The brick guard as claimed in claim 1 wherein the or each clasp is provided at a separation from the side edge of the panel determined by the requirement to accommodate integral connector formations on scaffolding members.

3. The brick guard as claimed in claim 2 wherein any one or more of: the or each strut; and the leaf member, are resiliently deformable.

4. The brick guard as claimed in claim 3 wherein each strut comprises a lower abutting region and an upper curved region, wherein the curved region curves away from the plane of the panel.

5. The brick guard as claimed in claim 4 wherein the upper curved region additionally curves towards the leaf member.

6. The brick guard as claimed in claim 4 wherein the upper curved region is wider at its base than at the top.

7. The brick guard as claimed in claim 4 wherein the abutting region has side edges parallel to the plane of the panel and a mid-section that extends out of the plane of the panel.

8. The brick guard as claimed in claim 4 wherein the abutting region and curved region of the strut co-operate with the leaf member to define an arc when viewed along an axis parallel to the guard rail, wherein in use, the arc at least partially encloses the guard rail.

9. The brick guard as claimed in claim 4 wherein the radius of curvature of the struts and/or leaf member is less than the expected radius of curvature of the guard rail.

10. The brick guard as claimed in claim 4 wherein the clasp comprises a guide member, wherein, when fitting the brick guard to a guard rail, the guide member guides the guard rail into engagement with the clasp.

11. The brick guard as claimed in claim 10 wherein the abutting region and guide member define surfaces converging between the struts and leaf member.

12. The brick guard as claimed in claim 10 wherein, when fitting the brick guard to a guard rail, the abutting region and guide member guide the guard rail into engagement with the clasp.

13. The brick guard as claimed in claim 10 wherein, when fitting the brick guard to a guard rail, the abutting region and guide member co-operate to urge resilient deformation of the leaf member and/or struts.

14. The brick guard as claimed in claim 10 wherein the guide member provides a handle to aid removal of the guard rail from the clasp.

15. The brick guard as claimed in claim 1 wherein the panel has a lattice structure.

16. The brick guard as claimed in claim 15 wherein the positioning of cross-links and/or gaps between cross-links in the lattice structure is determined by the requirement to accommodate integral connector formations on scaffolding members.

17. (canceled)

18. A brick guard for use with a scaffolding system, the brick guard comprising: a panel having, in use, upper and lower edges; at least one clip for engaging a toe board, the at least one clip provided at a lower part of the panel; at least one clasp for engaging with a scaffolding member, the at least one clasp provided at an upper edge of the panel; and at least one rib projecting from a first face of the panel, the rib defining a channel on a second opposing face of the panel.

19. The brick guard as claimed in claim 18 wherein the rib comprises upper and lower projecting walls and a lateral surface.

20-21. (canceled)

22. The brick guard as claimed in claim 18, wherein each element of the brick guard is shaped to allow stacking of multiple identical brick guards in a direction perpendicular to the panel of each brick guard.

23. The brick guard as claimed in claim 22, wherein an opening is provided in the panel adjacent the clip to receive the clip of an identical brick guard on stacking, wherein the opening does not breach the edges of the panel and the lower edge of the panel is continuous.

24-25. (canceled)

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0044] 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:

[0045] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of tube and coupler scaffolding to which a brick guard according to the present invention could be fitted;

[0046] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a brick guard according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0047] FIG. 3 is a view of a first face of a brick guard according to FIG. 2;

[0048] FIG. 4 is a view of second face of a brick guard according to FIG. 2;

[0049] FIG. 5 is a view of a brick guard according to FIG. 2 fitted to a standard member from the Peri modular scaffolding system;

[0050] FIG. 6 is a view of a brick guard according to FIG. 2 fitted to a standard member and guard rail from the Haki modular scaffolding system; and

[0051] FIG. 7 is a view of a plurality of brick guards according to FIG. 2 fitted to a standard member and guard rail from a disc type modular scaffolding system.

[0052] FIG. 8 is a side view of the clasp of a brick guard according to an embodiment of the present invention placed above a guard rail to be engaged by the clasp.

[0053] FIG. 9 is a front view of the clasp of FIG. 8.

[0054] Turning now to FIG. 1, a tube and coupler scaffolding structure 1 comprises: standards 2 which are upright members operable to transfer the entire weight of the structure 1 to the ground; ledgers 3 which are horizontal members which connect between the standards 2; and transoms 4 which are horizontal members that rest upon the ledgers 3. The transoms 4 provide support for horizontal boards 5 forming a scaffolding platform 6 upon which workers can stand or move.

[0055] The scaffolding structure 1 comprises a guard rail 7, being a horizontal member connected between standards 2 at a suitable height above the platform 6 to inhibit the prospect of a worker falling off the platform 6. A toe board 8, which comprises a substantially vertical barrier at the external edge of the platform 6 is also provided. This prevents objects, typically tools, from rolling off the platform 6. In this example, the toe board 8 is typically 225 mm high under UK standards. To inhibit the prospect of items falling from the platform 6 between the guard rail 7 and the toe board 8, a brick guard can be provided (not shown in FIG. 1).

[0056] Turning now to FIGS. 2-4, a brick guard 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a panel 10 having a lattice structure, a pair of clips 20 at a lower edge 14 of the panel 10, a pair of clasps 30 at an upper edge 15 of the panel 10 and a rib 40 projecting from a first face 11 of the panel 10 and thereby defining a channel 49 on a second opposing face 12 of the panel 10.

[0057] The panel 100 has a lattice structure with a plurality of substantially perpendicular cross-links 18 and gaps 19 therebetween.

[0058] The brick guard 100 is typically formed of plastic by an injection moulding process. Typically, the plastic may be brightly coloured to enhance visibility. In some instances, the colour may be selected for branding purposes. The panel 10 is optionally provided with display areas 13. The display areas 13 may facilitate the attachment of labels stickers or the like to convey ownership information, installation information or branding information. Alternatively, the display areas 13 can be moulded to convey such information.

[0059] The clips 20 comprise a limb member 21 connected to the panel 10 by a joint member 22, the limb member 21 being offset from the panel 10, typically in the opposite direction to the rib. The limb member 21 in use will engage with one face of the toe board 8 whilst the panel 10 engages with an opposing face of the toe board 8. to the panel. The junction member 22 is sized so as to facilitate the accommodation of the toe board 8 between the panel 10 and limb member 21. In particular, the size and shape of the junction member 22 may be selected so as to ensure that the limb member 21 is urged into engagement with the toe board 8. As toe boards 8 supplied for use in many modular scaffolding systems are in the region of 150-180 mm high, the limb members 21 are sufficiently long to securely engage with both UK standard toe boards 8, as shown in FIG. 1, and smaller modular systems toe boards 8. This ensures that the brick guard 100 can comply with wind resistance tests when used with larger or smaller toe boards 8.

[0060] The limb member 21 is provided with a sloped end 24 to facilitate the accommodation of the toe board 8. The surface of the limb member 21 and junction member 22 are provided with a series of vanes 23. These vanes 23 provide additional structural strength to the clip 20.

[0061] The clasps 30 comprise: a pair of struts 31, each strut 31 projecting upward from the upper edge 15 of the panel 10 and curving outward from the plane of the panel 10; and a leaf member 32 positioned between said struts 31 and curving outward from the plane of the panel 10 in a direction opposed to the curvature of the struts 31. The clasp 30 is able to engage with the guard rail 7. This enables the brick guard 100 to be held securely in position relative to the guard rail 7. The radius of curvature of the struts 31 and/or leaf member 32 is typically less than the radius of curvature of the guard rail 7. This results in the opposing struts 31 and leaf member 32 being urged into secure engagement with the guard rail 7.

[0062] The leaf member 32 is provided with vanes 33 may be provided on the convex surface. The vanes 33 provide additional structural strength to the leaf member 32.

[0063] The curvature of the struts 31 and leaf member 32 facilitates ready stacking of the brick guards 100 when not in use or when being transported.

[0064] The position of the claps 30 on the upper edge 15, relative to either side 16, 17 of the panel 10 is determined by the requirement to accommodate integral connector formations on scaffolding members

[0065] The rib 40 comprises upper and lower projecting walls 41, 42 and a lateral surface 43. The upper and lower walls 41, 42 are substantially solid whereas the lateral surface 43 has a lattice form. This can reduce wind resistance and weight.

[0066] The separation of the upper and lower projecting walls 41, 42 and the extent of the projection of the upper and lower projecting walls 41, 42 is determined by the requirement to accommodate integral connector formations on scaffolding members. Similarly, the position of the rib 40 with respect to the upper and lower edges 15, 14 of the panel 10 is determined by the requirement to accommodate integral connector formations on scaffolding members.

[0067] Turning now to FIG. 5, the brick guard 100 is shown fitted to a standard member 52 from the Peri modular scaffolding system 50. In the Peri system 50, the standard members 52 are provided with connector formation 59 at regular intervals. As can be seen in FIG. 5, the channel 49 defined by rib 40 readily accommodates the connector formation 59.

[0068] Turning now to FIG. 6, the brick guard 100 is shown fitted to a standard member 62 and guard rail 67 from the Haki modular scaffolding system 60. In the Haki system 60, the standard members 62 are provided with connector formation 69 at regular intervals. As can be seen in FIG. 6, the channel 49 defined by rib 40 readily accommodates the connector formation 69. Additionally, the gaps 19 in the lattice structure of panel 10 are aligned to accommodate the connector formation 69.

[0069] Turning now to FIG. 7, three brick guards 100a-100c are shown fitted to standard members 72, ledger, 73, guard rail 77 and toe board 78 of a disc type modular scaffolding system 70. In the disc type system 70, the standard members 72 are provided with connector formation 79 in the form of a disc at regular intervals. As can be seen in FIG. 7, the channel 49 defined by rib 40 readily accommodates the connector formation 79. FIG. 7 further illustrates that in use panels 100 can be fitted adjacent to one another (brick guard 100a, 100b) or partially overlapping (brick guards 100b, 110c). this can facilitate the provision of access, for instance by way of a ladder or can simply facilitate providing brick guards 100 for platforms 6 of non-integer unit lengths.

[0070] Turning now to FIGS. 8 and 9, in an alternative embodiment, the clasps 30 comprise: a pair of struts 31; a leaf member 32, positioned between the struts, and a guide member 34.

[0071] Each strut 31 is substantially rectangular and projects upward from the upper edge 15 of the panel 10, with a short edge (width) of the strut 31 joined to the panel 10 and the long edges (length) substantially parallel with the vertical direction in use. Each strut 31 comprises a back face 35, a front face 36 and an abutting region 37. The back face 35, defining the face of the strut 31 on the same side of the panel 10 as the first face 11. The front face 36 and abutting region 37 define the opposite face of the strut 31 as the back face 35.

[0072] Working from the panel 10 upwards, the edges of the back face 35 are flat and the mid-section recesses to match the shape of the abutting region 37, which is described later. Above the abutting region 37, the back face 35 is flat across its width and curves along its length away from the plane of the panel 10 and the first face 11. The curved region of the back face 35 defining an arc that subtends an angle of approximately 90 degrees when viewed in a direction parallel to the elongate axis of the guard rail 7 to be engaged (see FIG. 8). In addition, the top of the curved region is smaller across its width than at the base, and the curved region curves gently towards the leaf member 32.

[0073] The abutting region 37 abuts the strut 31 on the opposite side of the strut 31 from the flat region of the back face 35. The front face 36 is on the concave side of the strut 31 on the curved region of the back face 35. When viewed in a direction parallel to the elongate axis of the guard rail 7 to be engaged, the front face 36 and abutting region 37 are shaped to define an arc subtending an angle of approximately 160 degrees.

[0074] The leaf member 32 is also substantially rectangular. The leaf member 32 is connected to the struts 31 at their upper edges, the long edge of the leaf member 32 spans the distance between the struts 31. The leaf member is curved to define a hemicylindrical shell, with uncapped ends. As such, when viewed in a direction parallel to the elongate axis of the guard rail 7 to be engaged, the leaf member 32 defines an arc subtending an angle of approximately 180 degrees with substantially the same radius of curvature as the arc defined by the front face 36 and abutting region 37. Thus, the leaf member 32, front face 36 and abutting region 37 define an arc subtending an angle of approximately 340 degrees. The radius of curvature of the arc being slightly less than the radius of the guard rail 7 to be engaged.

[0075] The guide member 34 extends from the lower edge of the leaf member 32 and is the same width and thickness as the leaf member 32. In this embodiment, the guide member 34 curves in a direction opposing the curvature of the leaf member 32 and therefore curves away from the plane of the panel 10. When viewed in a direction parallel to the elongate axis of the guard rail 7 to be engaged, the guide member 34 and lower portion of abutting region 37 are shaped to define surfaces converging between the strut 31 and leaf member 32.

[0076] In use, when fitting a brick guard to a guard rail 7, the converging surfaces of the guide member 34 and lower portion of the abutting region 37 guide the guard rail 7 into the clasp 30. The guard rail 7 is then engaged at the centre of circle defined by the curvature of the leaf member 32, front face 36 and abutting region 37. This makes fitting of a brick guard to a guard rail 7 much easier as movement of the brick guard panel 10 in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the panel 10 is minimised by the converging surfaces of the guide member 34 and abutting region 37. Once the guard rail 7 is engaged in the clasp 30, accidental, but not deliberate, removal of the guard rail 7 is prevented by the co-operation of the leaf member 32, front face 36 and abutting region 37 which are shaped such that the opposing faces of the strut 31 and leaf member 32 are urged into engagement with the guard rail 7. In addition, the guide member 34 advantageously provides a handle that can be used to deform the clasp 30 and facilitate easier removal of the brick guard from the guard rail 7.

[0077] 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.