FIXTURE FOR SCAFFOLDING PLATE

FIELD

This disclosure relates to a fixture for fixing scaffolding plates to a pipe (single tube).

BACKGROUND

Fixtures for fixing scaffolding plates to a pipe in flying-scaffolding have been conventionally proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Patent Document 1 discloses a fixture for scaffolding plates, where a sideways U-shaped engaging member can be engaged with a pipe from a lateral direction by sliding along side edges of the scaffolding plates with a press plate being positioned on an upper side of the scaffolding plates. The scaffolding plates can thereby be fixed to the pipe without causing a worker to lean toward a front side of the scaffolding plates on the pipe, reducing a risk for the worker to fall from the scaffolding plates.

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 5581459

SUMMARY

On the other hand, safety is important for scaffolding, and it has been demanded to further improve safety of various types of scaffolding tools including a fixture for scaffolding plates.

An object of this disclosure is therefore to provide a fixture for scaffolding plates that improves safety.

To achieve the object, this disclosure is configured as follows.

One aspect of the disclosure provides a fixture for scaffolding plates configured to fix two adjacent scaffolding plates onto a pipe, comprising: a sideways U-shaped holding member configured to hold the pipe by engagement with the pipe in a lateral direction; a press plate configured to press the scaffolding plates from above against the pipe held by the holding member, the press plate having a circular outer circumference; and a bolt configured to penetrate a central portion of the press plate, the bolt comprising a head and a thread portion, the head being arranged on a side of an upper face of the press plate, the thread portion extending downward from the head and penetrating the central portion of the press plate to extend to a side of a lower face of the press plate, and the bolt being integrally fixed to the press plate, wherein an upper portion of the holding member has a thread receiving part configured to threadedly receive the thread portion of the bolt, wherein the upper face of the press plate comprises a central face through which the bolt penetrates, an ascending face that ascends from the central face to an outer side, and a descending face that descends from the ascending face to an outer circumferential edge of the press plate, and wherein an altitudinal position of the head of the bolt is set to be substantially same as or lower than an altitudinal position of the upper face of the press plate that is a connecting line between the ascending face and the descending face.

The fixture for scaffolding plates of this disclosure can improve safety.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a fixture according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the fixture according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal-section view of the fixture according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal-section view of the fixture according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the fixture according to the embodiment after fixed.

FIG. 6A is a longitudinal-section view of a bolt and a press plate according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6B is a top perspective view of the bolt and the press plate according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7A is a flowchart of a method for fixation by the fixture according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7B is a flowchart of a method of releasing the fixation by the fixture according to the embodiment.

FIG. 8A is a schematic side view for explaining the fixation method in accordance with the flowchart of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 8B is a schematic rear view for explaining the fixation method in accordance with the flowchart of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 9A is a schematic side view for explaining the fixation method in accordance with the flowchart of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 9B is a schematic rear view for explaining the fixation method in accordance with the flowchart of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 10A is a schematic side view for explaining the fixation method in accordance with the flowchart of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 10B is a schematic rear view for explaining the fixation method in accordance with the flowchart of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 11A is a schematic side view for explaining the fixation method in accordance with the flowchart of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 11B is a schematic rear view for explaining the fixation method in accordance with the flowchart of FIG. 7A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment

FIGS. 1 to 5 show outer appearances of a fixture 1 for scaffolding plates according to the embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the fixture 1 includes a holding member 2, a bolt 3, and a press plate 4.

The holding member 2 is configured to hold a pipe 5 described later (see FIGS. 3 to 5). The bolt 3 is integrally fixed to the press plate 4 and configured to be threadedly engaged with the holding member 2. The press plate 4 is configured to press two scaffolding plates 6 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) to sandwich the scaffolding plates 6 between the press plate 4 and the pipe 5 held by the holding member 2. According to this configuration, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the two scaffolding plates 6 adjacent to each other can be fixed to the pipe 5 by sandwiching the scaffolding plates 6 between the pipe 5 and the press plate 4, with the holding member 2 holding the pipe 5. Hereinafter, explanation for the holding member 2, the bolt 3, and the press plate 4 will be made.

The holding member 2 includes a main body 7 and a locking part 8.

The main body 7 is configured to be directly in contact with the pipe 5 to hold the pipe 5. The main body 7 has a sideways U-shape that enables to hold the pipe 5 on an inner side of the main body 7. In the sideways U-shape, one side is open (on a left side in FIG. 3) such that the pipe 5 can be inserted. With respect to the pipe 5, an insert direction of the main body 7 is denoted by “A”.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an upper half of the main body 7 is referred to as “upper portion 7a” and a lower half of the main body 7 is referred to as “lower portion 7b”. A thread receiving part 26 is formed on the upper part 7a. The thread receiving part 26 is configured to receive a thread portion 3b of the bolt 3. On an inner side of the thread receiving part 26, a female thread is formed to be threadedly engaged with the thread portion 3b of the bolt 3. The thread receiving part 26 according to the embodiment is formed as a cylindrical-shaped part that slightly protrudes upward from the upper portion 7a of the main body 7.

The locking part 8 is provided on the lower portion 7b of the main body 7.

The locking part 8 is configured to lock the pipe 5 inserted in the main body 7. The locking part 8 urges the pipe 5 in the main body 7 toward an inner side of the main body 7. The locking part 8 is fixed to the lower portion 7b of the main body 7 and is arranged in a housing space 28 described later. The locking part 8 in this embodiment is a plate spring.

The main body 7 has the housing space 28 formed therein, which extends from one end 7c to the other end 7d of the main body 7. The housing space 28 is configured to house the locking part 8 and to house the thread portion 3b that is a tip portion of the bolt 3. The housing space 28 in this embodiment is continuously formed in the total length of the main body 7 along an extending direction in which the main body 7 extends. As shown in FIG. 1, etc., the housing space 28 is open toward a side to be in contact with the pipe 5 by the main body 7.

The main body 7 is configured by bending a member having a cross-sectional shape that is U-shaped with all corners in straight angles into a U-shape with round corners. According to this configuration, a significant weight reduction can be realized compared to a solid structure without a housing space, thereby improving workability and safety for a worker to handle the fixture 1.

The bolt 3 extends in a vertical direction to connect the press plate 4 and the holding member 2 with each other. The bolt 3 is integrally formed with the press plate 4, penetrating a central portion of the press plate 4.

The bolt 3 includes a head 3a and the thread portion 3b.

The head 3a is configured to engage with a rotating tool (for example, a hex wrench) that is configured to rotate the bolt 3. The head 3a is arranged on a side of the upper face of the press plate 4. The head 3a of this embodiment is formed to have a hexagonal column shape.

The thread portion 3b is configured to threadedly engage with the thread receiving part 26 and extends downward from the head 3a. A male thread is formed on an outer circumferential face of the thread portion 3b. The male thread of the thread portion 3b corresponds to the female thread of the thread receiving part 26. In this embodiment, the male thread is formed on the overall outer circumferential face of the thread portion 3b.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, etc., the thread portion 3b is formed to extend on the side of the lower face of the press plate 4 so as to penetrates the central portion of the press plate 4. In this embodiment, the thread portion 3b is welded to the central portion of the press plate 4 and the bolt 3 is thereby integrally fixed to the press plate 4.

The press plate 4 is configured to press the scaffolding plates 6 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) toward the pipe 5 held by the holding member 2. The press plate 4 of this embodiment has an outer shape of a substantially truncated corn shape and the central portion thereof has the bolt 3 penetrating therethrough. The press plate 4 of this embodiment is made by curving a circular flat plate whose thickness is uniform.

The press plate 4 includes a lower face 14 and an upper face 15.

The lower face 14 is a bottom face on a lower side of the press plate 4. The lower face 14 functions as a face for pressing the scaffolding plates 6 toward the pipe 5. As can be seen also from FIGS. 1 and 2, the lower face 14 has a circular outer shape when seen from a direction perpendicular to the lower face 14.

The upper face 15 is an upper face on an upper side of the press plate 4. As shown in FIG. 1, etc., the upper face 15 is inclined to descend from an inner side toward an outer side in a radial direction of the press plate 4.

The lower face 14 and the upper face 15 are connected with each other at tips of their outer circumferences. The tips correspond to an outer circumference 20 as a side face of the press plate 4.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, in this embodiment, a hex wrench 19 is used as a rotating tool to rotate the head 3a of the bolt 3. The hex wrench 19 may be, for example, an impact wrench or an electric ratchet. The outer shape of the head 3a of the bolt 3 is the hexagonal column shape as described above to be adapted to the hex wrench 19.

A groove 17 is formed between the head 3a and the upper face 15. The groove 17 enables the hex wrench 19 to access the head 3a of the bolt 3.

In this embodiment, the altitudinal position of the head 3a of the bolt 3 is set to be a position that does not exceed the altitudinal position of the upper face 15. Such a configuration avoids any upward protruding of the head 3a of the bolt 3 from the upper face 15.

In this embodiment, the holding member 2, the bolt 3, and the press plate 4 are all made by a stainless steel.

A detailed shape of the press plate 4 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B. FIG. 6A is a longitudinal-section view of the press plate 4, and FIG. 6B is a top perspective view of the press plate 4.

As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the upper face 15 includes a central face 15a, an ascending face 15b, and a descending face 15c, which are arranged sequentially from an inner side of the upper face 15.

The central face 15a is a face formed on a side that is closest to the center of the upper face 15. A central portion of the central face 15a has the bolt 3 inserted therethrough. The central face 15a has a through-hole formed therein for the thread portion 3b of the bolt 3 to penetrate therethrough. The thread portion 3b and the central face 15a has been welded to each other such that the thread portion 3b is inserted into the through-hole of the central face 15a. In this embodiment, the central face 15a and a bottom of the head 3a are also welded to each other. The central face 15a of this embodiment is a concentric face (that is, a horizontal face) that extends in a direction perpendicular to a direction (that is, the vertical direction) for the thread portion 3b to extend.

The ascending face 15b is formed on an outer side of the central face 15a. The ascending face 15b is a face that ascends from the central face 15a toward the outer side. The ascending face 15b of this embodiment smoothly ascends from the central face 15a. A connecting point of the ascending face 15b and the central face 15a forms a curved face. On the outer side of the connecting point, the ascending face 15b extends in a straight line, forming a constant slope angle “α” with respect to a horizontal plane.

The descending face 15c is formed on the outer side of the ascending face 15b. The descending face 15c is a face that descends from the ascending face 15b toward the outer side. The descending face 15c of this embodiment smoothly descends from the ascending face 15b. A connecting point of the descending face 15c and the ascending face 15b forms a curved face. On the outer side of the connecting point, the descending face 15c extends in a straight line, forming a constant slope angle “β” with respect to the horizontal plane.

The descending face 15c is connected to the outer circumference 20 at an outermost edge.

In this embodiment, the slope angle “α” of the ascending face 15b is set to be greater than the slope angle β of the descending face 15c. Such a setting of the slope angles can suppress stumbling of a worker over the press plate 4 on the scaffolding plates 6, in particular, by lowering the slope angle “β” of the descending face 15b, thereby improving the safety.

The slope angle “α” may be, for example, 15° to 35° and the slope angle “β” may be, for example, 40° to 60°.

A border line between the ascending face 15b and the descending face 15c is a connecting line 21. The connecting line 21 is a circumferential line that connects the ascending face 15b and the descending face 15c. The connecting line 21 forms a curved face that smoothly curves from the ascending face 15b to the descending face 15c. Forming the curved face can suppress stumbling of the worker over the press plate 4 on the scaffolding plate 6, thereby improving the safety.

The connecting line 21 of this embodiment corresponds to the highest altitudinal position of the upper face 15.

A lower face 14 includes a central face 14a, an ascending face 14b, and a descending face 14c, which are opposite to the central face 15a, the ascending face 15b, and the descending face 15c, respectively.

As described above, the press plate 4 is made from a plate having a uniform thickness. Also, shapes and slope angles of the central face 14a, the ascending face 14b and the descending face 14c are the same as those of the central face 15a, the ascending face 15b, and the descending face 15c. Thus, explanation of the central face 14a, the ascending face 14b and the descending face 14c will be omitted.

In this embodiment, the central face 15a of the upper face 15 and the central face 14a of the lower face 14 are each configured as a flat face (a horizontal face). Especially, configuring the central face 14a of the lower face 14 as flat can increase a contact area of the lower face 14 with the scaffolding plates 6, thereby robustly fixing the scaffolding plates 6 and improving the safety.

In this embodiment, as to the lower face 14, an altitudinal position of the central face 14a and an altitudinal position of the outermost (outer circumferential edge 22) of the descending face 14c are set to be the same (see a dotted line R in FIG. 6A). Such a configuration can set the central face 14a and the outer circumferential edge 22 at the lowermost points of the lower face 14 so as to function as bottoms for pressing the scaffolding plates 6. Thus, the scaffolding plates 6 can be pressed from both sides of inner side by the central face 14a and outer side by the outer circumferential edge 22, thereby achieving a good balance for pressing the scaffolding plates 6 and a stable fixation of the scaffolding plates 6.

In this embodiment, a gap is formed beneath the ascending face 14b and the descending face 14c of the lower face 14. The ascending face 14b and the descending face 14c forms a concave space 24 by denting the lower face 14 of the press plate 4 toward the side of the upper face 15. When the scaffolding plates 6 are pressed by the press plate 4, the shape of the lower face 14 of the press plate 4 tends to be deformed to correspond to recesses, protrusions, and the like on the surface of the scaffolding plates 6, with the help of the concave space 24. The scaffolding plates 6 can thereby be more robustly fixed and the safety can thereby be improved.

A method of fixing the scaffolding plates 6 to the pipe 5 using the fixture 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 6B, and a method of releasing the fixation will be described below with reference to FIGS. 7A, 7B, 8A, 8B, 9A, 9B, 10A, and 10B. FIG. 7A shows an example flowchart of a method of fixing the scaffolding plates 6 to the pipe 5, and FIG. 7B shows an example flowchart of a method of releasing the fixation. FIGS. 8A, 8B, 9A, 9B, 10A, and 10B are longitudinal-section views and rear views for explaining operations based on the flowchart shown in FIG. 7A.

Firstly, a fixture 1 is prepared (step S1). For example, a fixture 1 shown in FIG. 1 or 2, etc. is prepared, where the bolt 3 and the holding member 2 has been connected to each other in advance by inserting the thread portion 3b of the bolt 3 into the thread receiving part 26 of the holding member 2. Because the bolt 3 and the press plate 4 are integrally configured and the bolt 3 is threadedly engaged with the holding member 2, a worker can hold the press plate 4 so as to operate the overall fixture 1 including the holding member 2, the bolt 3, and the press plate 4.

The holding member 2 is inserted into a gap between the scaffolding plates 6 (step S2). For example, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the two scaffolding plates 6 are arranged adjacent to each other on the pipe 5, and then a worker holding the press plate 4 of the fixture 1 inserts the main body 7 of the holding member 2 into the gap between the scaffolding plates 6 (see an arrow B).

Then, the holding member 2 is engaged with the pipe 5 and holds the pipe 5 (step S3). For example, the worker holding the press plate 4 engages the holding member 2 to the pipe 5 under the scaffolding plates 6 (FIGS. 9A and 9B). At this time, the main body 7 is moved to be close to the pipe 5 from a side that is open of the sideways U-shaped main body 7 (see an insertion direction A). When the main body 7 is further moved, the pipe 5 is brought into contact with the locking part 8 of the holding member 2 (FIG. 9A).

When the main body 7 is further inserted in the insertion direction A, the locking part 8 descends downward (see an arrow F), and then the pipe 5 is arranged in the main body 7. The locking part 8 locks the pipe 5 inserted in the main body 7 (FIG. 10A).

Then, the bolt 3 and the press plate 4 are rotated (step S4). For example, as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, a hex wrench 19 as a rotational mechanism is engaged with the head 3a of the bolt 3. In this state, the hex wrench 19 is rotated in a circumferential direction P of the press plate 4, thereby rotating the press plate 4 in a direction (downward) to move toward the scaffolding plates 6 (see an arrow C).

When the press plate 4 is further rotated, the central face 14a and the outer circumferential edge 22 of the lower face 14 (FIGS. 6A and 6B) reach upper faces of the scaffolding plates 6. Applying a further force to rotate the hex wrench 19 can robustly press the press plate 4 against the scaffolding plates 6.

FIGS. 11A and 11B (and also FIG. 5) show a state after fixation of the scaffolding plates 6 by the fixture 1. Performing steps S1 to S4 can press and fix the scaffolding plates 6 between the press plate 4 and the pipe 5, with the holding member 2 holding and locking the pipe 5. In such a way, the scaffolding plates 6 can be fixed to the pipe 5.

As shown in FIG. 5, the press plate 4 in a fixed state is exposed on the scaffolding plates 6. The upper face 15 of the press plate 4 includes the descending face 15c to have a descending shape from the inner side toward the outer side. Also, the bolt 3 has been set at a position where the bolt 3 does not protrude upward from the press plate 4, and the head 3a of the bolt 3 is stored in the groove 17. Such a configuration can improve the safety compared to a configuration where the upper face and the lower face of the press plate extend in parallel to each other (that is, an outer shape of the press plate is circular column), or a configuration where the head of the bolt protrudes from the press plate (that is, the head is not stored in the groove). Thus, stumbling of the worker over the press plate 4 on the scaffolding plates 6 can be suppressed, thereby improving the safety.

A general-purpose leased item is often used as the scaffolding plate 6 and, in such a case, a plurality of types of its thickness are present. The fixture 1 of this embodiment can adjust an threading amount of the bolt 3 into the holding member 2, with ensuring a structure where the bolt 3 is prevented from extending above the upper face 15 of the press plate 4, thereby adapting to a plurality of types of thickness of the scaffolding plate 6. Thus, stumbling of the worker over the press plate 4 can be suppressed, thereby improving the safety.

For releasing the fixation of the scaffolding plates 6 by the fixture 1, steps S1 to S4 only have to be conducted in the reverse order (FIG. 7B). That is, rotating the bolt 3 and the press plate 4 in the reverse direction can release pressing of the scaffolding plates 6 by the press plate 4 (step S5).

Then, holding of the pipe 5 by the holding member 2 is released (step S6). For example, the worker who is holding the press plate 4 moves the press plate 4 such that the main body 7 moves in a direction to leave the pipe 5 (that is, a direction opposite to the insertion direction A). The pipe 5 can thereby be pulled out from the main body 7 and the holding of the pipe 5 by the main body 7 can be released.

In this embodiment, the locking part 8 is provided, so when the pipe 5 is being pulled out from the main body 7, an external force larger than a predetermined force needs to be applied. Thus, the pipe 5 is prevented from being carelessly disengaged from the main body 7, thereby improving the safety.

Then, the holding member 2 is pulled out from the gap between the scaffolding plates 6 (step S7).

Conducting steps S5 to S7 can release the fixation of the scaffolding plates 6 by the fixture 1.

As described above, the fixture 1 of this embodiment configured to fix the two scaffolding plates 6 adjacent to each other onto the pipe 5 includes the holding member 2, the bolt 3, and the press plate 4. The upper face 15 of the press plate 4 includes the central face 15a, the ascending face 15b, and the descending face 15c, and the altitudinal position of the head 3a of the bolt 3 is set to be lower than the altitudinal position of the connecting line 21 between the ascending face 15b and the descending face 15c, that is the altitudinal position of the upper face 15 of the press plate 4.

Setting the upper face 15 of the press plate 4 to have a descending shape that descends toward the outer circumference 20 by providing the descending face 15c on the upper face 15 can suppress stumbling of the worker over the press plate 4, thereby improving the safety. Also, setting the altitudinal position of the head 3a of the bolt 3 to be lower than the altitudinal position of the upper face 15 of the press plate 4 can prevent stumbling of the worker caused by being hooked by the head 3a of the bolt 3 on the press plate 4, thereby improving the safety. In this manner, the safety after the fixation of the scaffolding plates 6 can be improved.

Integrally configuring the bolt 3 with the press plate 4 by fixing the bolt 3 to the press plater 4 can improve handling convenience of the bolt 3 and the press plate 4 and also can fix the fixture 1 more robustly, compared to a case where a bolt 3 and a press plate 4 are separated from each other.

According to the fixture 1 of this embodiment, as to the lower face 14 of the press plate 4, the ascending face 14b and the descending face 14c form the concave space 24. The descending face 14c of the lower face 14 may be referred to as “first opposing face” that is opposite to the descending face 15c of the upper face 15. The ascending face 14b of the lower face 14 may be referred to as “second opposing face” that is oppose to the ascending face 15b of the upper face 15.

This configuration where the lower face 14 of the press plate 4 is dented can lower an weight of the press plate 4 compared to a configuration where a lower face 14 of the press plate 4 is not dented but is formed to be flat. Thus, handling convenience of the press plate 4 can be improved, thereby improving the safety. The concave space 24 can facilitate deformation of the press plate 4 in accordance with the surface shapes of the scaffolding plates 6 with recesses and protrusions, thereby pressing the scaffolding plates 6 robustly with inhibiting an influence of the surface shapes of the scaffolding plates 6. Thus, a fixation stability can be enhanced.

According to the fixture 1 of this embodiment, as to the upper face 15 of the press plate 4, the connecting line 21 connecting the ascending face 15b and the descending face 15c forms a curved face that is smoothly curved from the ascending face 15b toward the descending face 15c. Such a curved face that is smoothly curved between the ascending face 15b and the descending face 15c can suppress stumbling of the worker over the connecting line 21, compared to a case where a connecting line 21 is configured as a folded line, thereby improving the safety.

According to the fixture 1 of this embodiment, as to the upper face 15 of the press plate 4, the slope angle “β” of the descending face 15c is set to be smaller than the slope angle “α” of the ascending face 15b. Setting of the slope angle “β” of the descending face 15c, that is likely to be stepped on by a worker after the fixation, to be smaller than the slope angle “α” of the ascending face 15b can suppress stumbling of the worker, thereby improving the safety.

According to the fixture 1 of this embodiment, the thickness of the press plate 4 is uniform. According to this configuration, the press plate 4 can easily be manufactured by bending a plate having a uniform thickness. Also, the weight of the press plate 4 can be suppressed. Further, denting shape of the lower face 14 of the press plate 4 can be achieved.

According to the fixture 1 of this embodiment, as to the lower face 14 of the press plate 4, the outer circumferential edge 22 present at the lowermost position of the press plate 4 configures a bottom for pressing the scaffolding plates 6. According to this configuration, the scaffolding plates 6 can be pressed using the outer circumferential edge 22 of the press plate 4, thereby fixing the scaffolding plates 6 more stably to enhance the fixation stability.

According to the fixture 1 of this embodiment, as to the lower face 14 of the press plate 4, the central face 14a is formed to be flat and to be at the same altitudinal position as that of the outer circumferential edge 22. The central face 14a of the lower face 14 may be referred to as “third opposing face” that is opposite to the central face 15a of the upper face 15.

According to this configuration, when the scaffolding plates 6 are pressed, the inner side thereof is pressed using the central face 14a and the outer side thereof is pressed using the outer circumferential edge 22, thereby achieving good press balance for the scaffolding plates 6. Thus, the fixation stability can be enhanced.

According to the fixture 1 of this embodiment, the main body 7 of the holding member 2 forms the housing space 28 that extends from the one end 7c to the other end 7d. According to this configuration, the weight of the holding member 2 can be reduced compared to a case where the housing space 28 is not provided. Thus, workability for handling the fixture 1 can be improved and the safety can be improved. Further, a space for disposing the thread portion 3b of the bolt 3 and the locking part 8 in the holding member 2 can be ensured.

This disclosure has been described with reference to the embodiment but this disclosure is not limited to the embodiment. For example, in the embodiment, the head 3a of the bolt 3 is set to be lower than the connecting line 21 that is the altitudinal position of the upper face 15 of the press plate 4, but it is not limited thereto. For example, even when the head 3a of the bolt 3 is set to be at an altitudinal position substantially the same as that of the upper face 15 of the press plate 4, stumbling of the worker over the press plate 4 can be suppressed and the safety can be improved. In such a case, the altitudinal position of the head 3a of the bolt 3 is not limited to be perfectly the same as that of the upper face 15 of the press plate 4, and may be slightly higher than that of the upper face 15 by an amount with which stumbling of the worker can be suppressed effectively.

In the embodiment, as to the lower face 14 of the press plate 4, the ascending face 14b and the descending face 14c form the concave space 24, but not limited thereto a solid structure may be employed instead of the concave space 24. However, providing the concave space 24 can reduce the weight of the fixture 1 and also can set the shape of the press plate 4 to be adapted to recesses, protrusions, etc. formed on the surface of the scaffolding plates 6.

In the embodiment, as to the upper face 15 of the press plate 4, the connecting line 21 constitutes the curved face, but it is not limited thereto. Both of the overall faces of the ascending face 15b and the descending face 15c may be formed to be flat and its connecting line may constitute a folded shape. However, when the connecting line 21 constitutes the curved face, stumbling of the worker can be suppressed more effectively.

In the embodiment, as to the upper face 15 of the press plate 4, the slope angle “β” of the descending face 15c is set to be smaller than the slope angle “α” of the ascending face 15b, but the slope angles are not limited thereto. For example, the slope angle “β” of the descending face 15c may be set to be larger than or equal to the slope angle “α” of the ascending face 15b. However, setting the slope angle “β” of the descending face 15c to be smaller than the slope angle “α” of the ascending face 15b can suppress stumbling of the worker more effectively.

In the embodiment, the press plate 4 is made by curving a plate whose thickness is uniform, but it is not limited thereto. For example, the press plate 4 may be made by curving a plate whose thickness is not uniform. However, making the press plate 4 by curving a plate whose thickness is uniform, the weight of the press plate 4 can be suppressed to be light, and the concave space 24 can be formed on the lower face 14 of the press plate 4 such that the lower face 14 can have a shape adapted to recesses, protrusions, and the like of the scaffolding plates 6.

In the embodiment, as to the lower face 14 of the press plate 4, the outer circumferential edge 22 and the central face 14a present at the lowermost positions constitute the bottoms for pressing the press plate 4, but it is not limited thereto. For example, the altitudinal position of the lower face 14 may be set such that only the outer circumferential edge 22 or only the central face 14a presses the press plate 4. Alternatively, the altitudinal position of the lower face 14 may be set such that a portion other than the outer circumferential edge 22 and the central face 14a presses the press plate 4.

In the embodiment, the lower face 14 and the upper face 15 of the press plate 4 includes flat portions and/or curved portions, but not limited thereto may each have recesses, protrusions, and the like.

In the embodiment, the housing space 28 is provided in the holding member 2, but not limited thereto the holding member 2 may have a solid structure without the housing space 28. However, providing the housing space 28 can suppress the weight of the holding member 2 to be light and also can ensure a space for disposing the thread portion 3b and the locking part 8 therein.

In the embodiment, the thread receiving part 26 is a cylindrical part that protrudes upward from the upper portion 7a of the main body 7, but it is not limited thereto. Any thread receiving part that can receive the thread portion 3b of the bolt 3 may be provided, including a thread receiving part that is made by welding a nut to the upper portion 7a of the main body 7, for example.

In the embodiment, the thread portion 3b of the bolt 3 can be inserted into and pulled out from the thread receiving part 26, but it is not limited thereto. The thread portion 3b of the bolt 3 may be fixed to the receiving part 26, for example by threadedly engaging the thread portion 3b with the thread receiving part 26 and then swaging the tip of the thread portion 3b to increase its width, to avoid any falling off from the thread receiving part 26. According to this configuration, any falling of the thread portion 3b from the thread receiving part 26 can be prevented, and handling convenience of the fixture 1 and the safety can be improved.

In the embodiment, the locking part 8 is a plate spring, but not limited thereto any locking part that locks the pipe 5 in the main body 7 may be used.

In the embodiment, the bolt 3 and the press plate 4 are integrally configured by welding the thread portion 3b of the bolt 3 to the main body 7 of the press plate 4, but not limited thereto a means different from welding may be used for fixing the bolt 3 and the press plate 4 to each other.

In the embodiment, the hex wrench 19 is used as a rotational mechanism for rotating the press plate 4, and the outer shape of the head 3b of the bolt 3 is also a hexagonal column shape, but it is not limited thereto. Any mechanism that can rotate the head 3a of the bolt 3 may be used, where the outer shape of the head 3a of the bolt 3 corresponds to the mechanism.

In the embodiment, the holding member 2, the bolt 3, and the press plate 4 are all made from the same stainless steel, but not limited thereto the material thereof may be other material. Also, different materials may be used for the holding member 2, the bolt 3, and the press plate 4 (for example, metal and plastic). As to the holding member 2, the material of the main body 7 and the material of the locking part 8 may be different from each other.

In the embodiment, a male thread is formed on the overall outer circumferential face of the thread portion 3b, but not limited thereto the male thread may be formed only on the lower portion of the thread portion 3b that is configured to be threadedly engaged with the thread receiving part 26, without forming a male thread on the upper portion of the thread portion 3b, for example.

This disclosure is applicable to a fixture for fixing scaffolding plates to a pipe.

By properly combining any of the aforementioned various embodiments, the effects possessed by them can be produced.

The present invention has sufficiently been described in relation to the preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, but various changes and modifications thereof are apparent for those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications should be understood to be encompassed therein as far as not departing from the scope of the present invention described in the appended claims.

The disclosed content of the specification, the drawings, and the claims of Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-006245 filed on Feb. 28, 2016 is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

FIXTURE FOR SCAFFOLDING PLATE

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