Scaffold tray

Abstract

The present invention discloses a lipped tray, intended for use on scaffold towers and adapted to hold builders' tools in use. The tray incorporates on each of its two opposite side edge regions a means which, when the tray is in use, locates the tray between horizontally successive rails of the tower in a manner which also causes the tray to engage with one at least of those rails and be supported, in use, by each of them.

Claims

1. A tray comprising: a base with four edges; four sides comprising bottom edges and mounted peripherally around the base with lips extending up from each of the base edges, herein the four sides comprise two opposing sides; wherein the two opposing sides have bottom edges and wherein the bottom edges of the each of the two opposing sides comprise two recesses; and, wherein the tray is adapted to receive and be supported by a pair of poles each in separate pairs of the recesses.

2. The tray of claim 1, wherein the two opposing sides extend downwardly from the base forming opposing skirts, and wherein the recesses are in the skirts.

3. The tray of claim 1, wherein the recesses are adapted to receive the poles with a push-fit.

4. The tray of claim 1, further comprising a hinge mounted equidistant between opposing sides not comprising the recesses.

5. The tray of claim 4, further comprising cut outs forming hand grips in each of the opposing sides not comprising the recesses, and adapted so that when folded on the hinge the cutouts come adjacent to each other to form a carrying handle.

6. The tray of claim 1, further comprising cut outs forming hand grips in each of the opposing sides not comprising the recesses.

7. The tray of claim 1, further comprising a means of locking the poles in the recesses.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a perspective view of a scaffold tray according to the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of a second embodiment of a tray according to the present invention;

(4) FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of a third embodiment of a tray according to the present invention; and

(5) FIGS. 4a and 4b are views of a fourth embodiment of a tray according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

(6) FIG. 1 shows a lipped tray 10, for use on scaffolding towers, comprising a base portion 12, having a generally rectangular profile. An upwardly extending lip 14 is provided around the perimeter of the base portion 12. Along the long sides of the base portion 12 are downwardly extending skirt portions 18 and 20.

(7) In the region adjacent to each of the smaller sides 22 and 24 of the base portion 12, a first recessed arc 26a is cut at one end of the skirt portion 18, and a corresponding recessed arc 26b is cut into the skirt portion 20 in a position substantially the same distance from the end of the base 12. The diameter of the recessed arcs 26a and 26b is sufficient to receive a scaffolding pole 27. Corresponding arcs 28a and 28b (not shown) are provided adjacent to the side 24 of the base from 26a and 26b in the skirt portions 18 and 20.

(8) When in use, the tray 10 is positioned to engage two substantially horizontally successive scaffolding poles, within the arcs 26a, 26b, 28a and 28b. The tray is thus held between the scaffolding poles, creating a substantially horizontal lipped surface for holding tradesman's tools.

(9) FIG. 2 shows a recessed arc 40 with a diameter greater than the diameter of the scaffolding pole that it is to engage, constructed from a yieldable plastics material. The distance between the two edges 42a and 42b at the opening 42 to the arc 40 has a distance between them of less than that of the diameter of the scaffolding pole to which is it to engage. The tray 10 engages the scaffolding pole by flexing until the opening to the arc 42 is sufficiently wide enough to allow the pole to be received within the arc 40. The plastics material then returns to its original shape to engage the pole and reduce the likelihood of the tray 10 disengaging.

(10) FIG. 3 shows a tray 10 having a recessed arc 50 similar to that shown in FIG. 1, however, the arc 50 comprises a collar 52 having the same shape as the arc 50 and extending perpendicularly from the skirt portion 18. The collar 52 comprises a first aperture 54 passing through the collar 52 at one side of the arc opening 50a, and a second aperture 56 at the other side of the arc opening 50b. The second aperture 56 comprises a tooth (not shown) which extends partially into the aperture.

(11) When the tray 10 is engaged with the scaffold pole, a first end of a nylon tape comprising an integrated one-way gear rack 60 is fed through the first aperture 54, and passes through the second aperture 56. The tooth of aperture 56 engages the one-way gear rack and as the tape 60 passes through the aperture 56, and reverse movement is restricted by the tooth. The nylon tape 60 comprises a stop mechanism 62 at the other end to the first, to prevent the tape 60 from passing through both apertures. As the tape 60 passes through the apertures, the stop mechanism is pulled adjacent to the collar 52 and the tape 60 is held tightly between the arc opening 50a and 50b. Therefore, the tape 60 tightens reduces the likelihood of the tray 10 disengaging the scaffolding pole. When it is necessary for the user to disengage the tray 10 from the scaffold pole, the nylon tape 60 is cut at a position between the two apertures 54 and 56. The nylon tape 60 may a cable tie.

(12) FIGS. 4a and 4b show a tray 10 having recessed arcs 26a, 26b, 28a and 28b in the skirt portions 18 and 20, as in FIG. 1. The tray of FIGS. 4a and 4b comprises a hinge mechanism 70 substantially equidistant from each end of the base 10, and cut-out portion 72 in the lip wall portion of each short side of the tray 10. The hinge mechanism 70 allows for the tray 10 to be substantially folded in half. When the tray 10 has been folded, the cut-out portions 72 coincide to give a convenient position for the user to grip.

(13) Alternatively, a hinge could be mounted on the top edge, and this arrangement could also include a locking mechanism to prevent it from collapsing whilst allowing the tray halves to fold to allow it to operate as a tool case.

(14) The tray 10, may be injection moulded or vacuum moulded.

(15) Variations and modifications to the illustrated construction may occur to the reader familiar with the art without taking the device outside the scope of the present invention. For example, providing the tray with other types of locking mechanism to reduce the likelihood of disengaging the scaffold pole.

(16) The tray made be coloured according to the end user. For example, blue for plumbers, red for fire engineers and yellow for electricians. As well as tools, the tray could be adapted to carry materials and/or fittings for the intended task.

(17) The tray removes the risk of trip hazard whilst working at height on the scaffold platform arising from the operative placing tools and materials on the platform.

(18) The location method of the tray allows the operative to slide the tray to the required workface, negating the requirement to move the tower and/or moving around the tower. The other patent applications referencedeven where similarare restricted by way of the location/fixing points.