Scaffold Support Bracket and Assembly

Abstract

A scaffold bracket has a vertical planar base member defining an aperture adapted to receive a fastener for connecting to a vertical support member. The base member has two arms extending forwardly from opposing sides of the base member to form a mouth or a slit sufficiently wide to accept a brace end of a cross member. Mutually aligned openings on the two arms are configured to receive a fastener for releasable connection to the brace end and allowing the cross member to pivot on the arm. Slots are provided on the arms and work in combination with a pin extending through the slots and the brace end to limit the pivotal movement of the cross member with respect to the bracket. A clamshell half clamp fastened to the base member allows the bracket to be releasably attached to a vertical support tube of a scaffold assembly at any location to provide increased flexibility in assembling the scaffold assembly.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO FOREIGN PRIORITY APPLICATION

This application claims priority from Canadian Application No. 2,535,970 entitled “Scaffold Support Bracket and Assembly,” which was filed by Porfirio Simoes on Feb. 10, 2006.

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of scaffold assemblies and supportive devices therefor. More particularly, the present invention relates to a pivotable scaffold support bracket for releasably connecting a cross member to a vertical support tube.

2. Background of the Invention

A scaffold assembly is a structure utilized during the construction phase of a building or when major services are required thereof. The scaffold assembly is assembled on site to provide a safe work platform for workers to have access to the building and is disassembled after use.

The scaffold assembly consists of a plurality of vertical members and cross members, which are connected together using scaffold supportive devices, such as brackets and clamping devices. Vertical members and horizontal cross members are typically tube members that are joined together at various angles relative to each other to form the structure. One common scaffold assembly utilizes tubes and clamps. Horizontal tubes are releasably fastened to vertical tubes through the use of releasable clamps that join the vertical and horizontal tubes together. The clamps employed for connecting the horizontal and vertical tubes are two-part swivel clamps. This clamp consists of two opposing clamshell-style half clamps having bases that are joined together with a swivel joint. Each half clamp connects to a single tube. For example one part of the swivel clamp is connected to a vertical tube whereas the other part can swivel to accommodate connection to a horizontal tube.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,083,640 issued to Lovering discloses a horizontal scaffold brace that has limbs welded to a flattened end of the brace. The brace attaches to a vertical member through a socket, which is positioned along a vertical height of the vertical member. A wedge contained in the limbs passes through the socket to lock the brace to the vertical member.

Lovering has certain shortcomings, in particular, the design of the connection device requires that the brace socket be fixed along the vertical member at a fixed position. This does not offer flexibility in connection of two members together, as the brace does not allow for pivoting action. Stated another way, the prior art does not allow the brace to be placed at any position along the vertical member.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved scaffold support bracket that offers greater flexibility in connecting cross members to vertical support tubes to form a scaffold assembly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a scaffold support bracket for use in assembling a scaffold support structure. The scaffold structure comprises a plurality of vertical support tubes and cross members that are connected together to form the scaffold assembly in accordance with the present invention.

Vertical support tubes are positioned in a spaced-apart configuration to form the scaffold assembly. Cross members are releasably connected to the vertical members and span the distances between adjacent vertical support tubes. Each cross member has two end portions that define a brace end, each brace end having a hole extending therethrough.

The scaffold support comprises a bracket having a pair of arms extending from opposing sides of a vertical planar base member. The arms converge to form a mouth configured to receive and mate with the brace end. The arms further comprise mutually aligned openings configured to receive a fastener fitted through the openings and the hole in the brace end. The configuration of the arms allows the brace end to pivot thereon. This allows the cross members to the span distances between vertical support tubes in a generally horizontal configuration to form a transom or a ledger, or in a diagonal orientation between vertical supports tubes to form a scaffold brace member.

In other words, cross members may be connected at any location along a vertical support tube. This design feature provides greater flexibility and minimizes the work involved in assembling the scaffold structure since the connection between vertical support tubes and cross members are not made at fixed locations or positions along the vertical support tubes. Another advantage is the reduction in moving parts on the bracket itself and material cost to manufacture it. Still another advantage is the use of fewer clamping connections so that the scaffold assembly can be built in less time.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a scaffold support bracket is provided for releasably connecting a cross member having a brace end to a vertical support tube. The bracket has a substantially vertical planar base member and a pair of arms extending generally forwardly from opposing sides of the base member along a generally horizontal axis. The arms converge to form a mouth having a slit extending from a front edge of the mouth toward its rear. The slit is defined by adjacent interior surfaces of the two arms. The two arms have mutually aligned openings and the width between the two arms is sufficiently wide to accept the cross member brace end. The openings are configured to receive a fastener for releasable connection to the brace end and for pivotable movements between the arms and the brace end.

According to another aspect, the scaffold support bracket of the present invention includes mutually aligned slots formed on the arms. The slots are configured to accept a pin passing through the slots and extending through the brace end when the brace end is releasably connected to the bracket. The slots and the pin cooperate to limit pivotal movement of the cross member with respect to the bracket

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the scaffold support bracket includes a half clamp having a tube clamping element and a base that is securely coupled to the base member of the bracket. The half clamp is operable to clamp onto the vertical support and secure the bracket thereon while a cross member is pivotally connected to the bracket.

The scaffold support bracket of the present invention is intended for use in a scaffold assembly that includes a plurality of vertical support tubes, a plurality of cross members connected therebetween. The vertical support tubes are positioned in a spaced-apart configuration. The cross members each have at least one brace end adapted for releasable connection to the bracket that can then be releasably coupled to a vertical support tube.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a scaffold support bracket that is simple in design, has few moving parts and is economical to manufacture.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a scaffold support bracket that is readily adaptable to different scaffold applications and that is easily assembled and removed from a scaffold assembly.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a scaffold support bracket is provided for releasably connecting a scaffold tube member of the type having a brace end to a scaffold vertical support tube of a scaffold assembly. The support bracket includes a substantially vertical planar base member which has an aperture extending that is adapted to receive a first fastener therein for attaching the bracket to the vertical tube; and a pair of arms extending generally away from opposing sides of the base member along a substantially horizontal axis. The arms converge to form a mouth having a substantially vertical slit extending from a front edge of the mouth to a rear edge of the mouth. The slit is defined between the arms which are spaced sufficiently apart to accept a brace end fitted therein. The arms further include mutually aligned openings that align with an opening extending through the brace end, to receive a second fastener for releasably connecting the brace end to the bracket.

A plurality of substantially vertical support tubes are positioned in a spaced-apart configuration and a plurality of cross members each having a brace end positioned at opposing ends of the cross members. Each brace end has an opening extending therethrough; and at least one scaffold support bracket is releasably connected to one brace end of one of the cross members. The at least one bracket includes a substantially vertical planar base member that has an aperture extending therethrough. The aperture is adapted to receive a first fastener therein for attaching the bracket to a vertical support tube, and a pair of arms extending generally away from opposing sides of the base member along a substantially horizontal axis. The arms converge to form a mouth having a substantially vertical slit extending from a front edge of the mouth to a rear edge of the mouth. The slit is defined by the arms which are spaced sufficiently apart to accept the brace end. The arms further include mutually aligned openings that align with brace end opening, and the openings are adapted to receive a second fastener for releasably connecting the brace end to the bracket.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the following detailed description, when read in association with the drawings and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described by way of examples with reference to the following figures wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the bracket in accordance with a representative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the bracket in accordance with a representative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the bracket in accordance with a representative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of the bracket in accordance with a representative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the bracket in accordance with a representative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the bracket in accordance with a representative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the bracket coupled to a brace end of a cross member in accordance with a representative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a scaffold assembly in accordance with a representative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of a section of a scaffold assembly in accordance with a representative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of a section of a scaffold assembly in accordance with a representative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a magnified perspective view of a connection between cross members and a vertical support tube in accordance with a representative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is top plan view of the bracket equipped with a half clamp in accordance with a representative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of the bracket equipped with a half clamp in accordance with a representative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of a section of scaffold assembly comprising the bracket of FIG. 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A REPRESENTATIVE EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, scaffold support bracket 10 is shown connecting a cross member to a vertical support tube to form a scaffold assembly. Bracket 10 comprises base member 18 at rear portion 20. Base member 18 comprises opposing sides 16 and is substantially vertical and planar and can be generally rectangular in structure. Aperture 22 is formed on base member 18 and extends therethrough. Aperture 22 is configured to receive a first fastener (not shown) therein for attachment to vertical support tube 12. Base member 18 has rear surface 24 that contacts and mates to the exterior surface of a vertical support tube as described in further detail below.

Base member 18 comprises a pair of arms 26 that extend generally forward from opposing sides 16 to define a horizontal axis of bracket 10. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, arms 26 are integrally joined to base member 18 although arms 26 may be attached to base member 18 by welding, for example. Arms 26 may be configured differently from that depicted in FIG. 1 and have different shapes and be attached to base member 18 by any manner known to those skilled in the art. It will be appreciated that these design variations are not essential to the present invention and should not be deemed to limit the scope of the invention.

Arms 26 taper inwardly and converge towards each other to form bracket ears 30. Bracket ears 30 define a slit 38 that is defined by opposing adjacent interior surfaces 34 at distal ends 44 of the two arms 26. Arms 26 are spaced sufficiently apart to accept the brace end 68 of cross member 14 effectively fitted therein as described in further detail below and shown in FIGS. 11 to 14. Each arm 26 has openings 36 located on bracket ears 30. Openings 36 are mutually aligned and configured to receive a second fastener therein (not shown) for releasably connecting brace end 68 to arms 26.

The fastener as described above is operable to allow relative pivotal movements between the arm 26 and the brace end and may be any type of acceptable fastener known to those skilled in the art suitable for this purpose such as a bolt and nut, a pin, a releasable pivoting element or the like. As a further example, pins having quick release type of locking mechanisms may be used so as to permit brace end 68 to be quickly and easily connected to and removed from arm 26 with minimal effort.

Bracket 10 can be manufactured economically and readily using existing materials and with available manufacturing equipment. Bracket 10 may be formed from a single piece of suitable metal so that arm 26 extend forwardly from base member 18. Alternatively, base member 18 and arms 26 may be fabricated from separate pieces welded together. Aperture 22 and opening 36 are formed on base member 18 and arms 26, respectively.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 to 7, slots 76 are formed on bracket ears 30. Slots 76 extend through bracket ears 30 and are configured to accept pin 78 that extends through slots 76 and brace end 68 for limiting the pivotal movement of cross member 14 with respect to bracket 10. Slots 76 extend generally vertically of bracket ears 30 and have a configuration adapted to receive pin 78. Any suitable type of fastener may be used that is known to a skilled person in this art and can include, but not limited to, a bolt and nut, a pin, or some sort of element that extends from the sidewalls of brace end 68 into slots 76.

In a representative embodiment of the present invention, slots 76 are arc-shaped and are configured to limit the pivotal movement of cross member 14 from about 45° above horizontal to about 45° below horizontal. It should be obvious to one skilled in the art that slots 76 may have any number of configurations that allow the pivotal movement of cross member 14 in this manner.

Referring to FIGS. 8 to 10, scaffold assembly 50 is shown utilizing bracket 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Scaffold assembly 50 comprises a plurality of vertical support tubes 12 and cross members 14 that are assembled together to form assembly 50. Each of vertical support tubes 12 and cross members 14 are metal pipes, tubes, rigid bars or the like as well known to those skilled in this field. Vertical support tubes 12 and cross members 14 may be of various lengths and diameters and manufactured from different strengths of steel. These features are well known to those skilled in this field and may be modified depending on particular uses without departing from the scope of the present invention.

A section 52 of the scaffold assembly 50 typically has four vertical support tubes 12, which are positioned substantially vertical in a spaced-apart configuration, one at each corner of the section. Referring to FIG. 8, cross members 14 are placed around the perimeter of section 52, both near bottom 54 and near top 56 portion of vertical support tubes 12 to maintain section 52 in a substantially rectangular configuration. Cross members 14 may be used to span the distances between vertical support tubes 12. Cross members 14 that extend generally horizontally of assembly 50 are referred to as either “transoms” or “ledgers” depending on where they are positioned on assembly 50. Transoms are used to support planks or walkways for workers to walk along assembly 50 whereas ledgers are placed between vertical support tubes 12 in parallel with planks or walkways to support assembly 50 itself.

Referring to FIG. 10, cross members 14 may also be used as a diagonal brace to ensure rigidity of scaffold section 52. A diagonal brace spans the distance between vertical support tubes 12 from a high elevation on one vertical support tube to a low elevation on an adjacent vertical support tube. Sections of scaffold may be stacked one on top of another by using insert pins that fit into ends 58 of vertical support tubes 12 such that the lower end of an upper section is coupled to the upper end of a section thereby permitting the scaffold to be built up in height. Section 52 may have base plates 60 at the lower ends 62 of vertical support tubes 12 to stabilize the scaffold assembly 50 on a ground surface. Levelling jacks may be placed at a bottom portion 64 of one or all of the vertical support tubes 12 to adjust for the uneven ground height and maintain the scaffold section 52 in a substantially upright vertical orientation.

Referring to FIG. 11, a representative embodiment of bracket 10 of the present invention is shown. Cross member 14 has two end portions 66, each end portion having a brace end 68. Each of the brace ends 68 is flattened and has hole 70 extending therethrough. Bracket 10 may be positioned at any location along vertical member 12. Base member 18 has contact surface 24 that generally conforms to an exterior surface 72 of vertical support tube 12 so as to frictionally mate thereon when a fastener is fitted through aperture 36 and vertical support tube 12. A fastener 74 is used to couple brace end 68 to bracket 10.

In this example, a bolt and nut combination is used with the bolt being fitted through mutually aligned openings 36 in arms 26 and hole 70 in brace end 68 of cross member 14. When cross member 14 is configured in a horizontal configuration, it may be used as a transom or a ledger. When cross member 14 is configured in a diagonal configuration, it may be used as a scaffold brace.

In a representative embodiment of the present inventions, as shown in FIGS. 12, 13 and 14, bracket 10 is provided with half clamp 80 for clamping bracket 10 to vertical support tube 12. The term “half clamp” as used herein refers to one part of a two-part swivel clamp, well known to those skilled in this field. The two-part swivel clamp comprises two opposing clamshell-style half clamps having bases that are joined together by a swivel joint. Accordingly, half clamp 80 as used in a representative embodiment of the present invention may also be a releasable type of clamshell clamp. The base of half clamp 80 is coupled to contact surface 24 of base member 18. Half clamp 80 may be coupled to base member 18 through the use of a fastener or it may be welded in place.

By configuring bracket 10 in this manner, one end of a first cross member 14 can be secured at one location of a first vertical member 12 using a first bracket 10 while the other end of the cross member 14 can be pivoted and be connected to any location along another vertical member 12 using a second bracket 10. Cross members 14 may be positioned at various angles relative to vertical support tubes 12. For example, cross members 14 may be substantially horizontal and perpendicular to vertical support tubes 12 or they may extend across from vertical support tubes 12 at an angle θ that can range up to 45° above or below the horizontal axis of bracket 10.

Although representative embodiments have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications might be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The terms and expressions used in the preceding specification have been used herein as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, it being recognized that the scope of the invention is defined and limited only by the claims that follow.

Claims

1. A scaffold support bracket for releasably connecting a scaffold tube member having a brace end to a scaffold vertical support tube of a scaffold assembly, comprising: a) a substantially vertical planar base member, the base member having an aperture extending therethrough, the aperture adapted to receive a first fastener therein for attaching the bracket to the vertical tube; and b) a pair of arms extending generally away from opposing sides of the base member along a substantially horizontal axis, the arms converging to form a mouth having a substantially vertical slit extending from a front edge of the mouth to a rear edge of the mouth, the slit defined by the arms spaced sufficiently apart to accept a brace end fitted therein, the arms further comprising mutually aligned openings that align with an opening extending through the brace end, the openings adapted to receive a second fastener for releasably connecting the brace end to the bracket.

2. The bracket as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a half clamp operatively coupled to the base member via the first fastener passing through the aperture and attaching to the half clamp whereby the bracket is capable of being secured to the vertical support tube by clamping the half clamp onto the vertical support tube.

3. The bracket as set forth in claim 2 wherein the half clamp is a releasable clamshell clamp.

4. The bracket as set forth in claim 2 wherein the half clamp is rotatably coupled to the base member.

5. The bracket as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of the arms comprises mutually aligned slots extending through the arms, the slots adapted to receive a pin extending through the slots and passing through the brace end when the brace end is fitted within the slit and releasably connected to the bracket, the slots and the pin acting in combination to limit the pivotal movement of the cross member with respect to the bracket.

6. The bracket as set forth in claim 5 wherein the slots are arc-shaped.

7. The bracket as set forth in claim 5 wherein the slots are configured to limit the pivotal movement of the cross member from about 45° above the horizontal axis to about 45° below the horizontal axis.

8. A scaffold assembly, comprising: a) a plurality of substantially vertical support tubes positioned in a spaced-apart configuration; b) a plurality of cross members each having a brace end at opposing ends of the cross members, each brace end having an opening extending therethrough; and c) at least one scaffold support bracket releasably connected to one brace end of one of the cross members, the at least one bracket comprising: i) a substantially vertical planar base member, the base member having an aperture extending therethrough, the aperture adapted to receive a first fastener therein for attaching the bracket to the vertical support tube, and ii) a pair of arms extending generally away from opposing sides of the base member along a substantially horizontal axis, the arms converging to form a mouth having a substantially vertical slit extending from a front edge of the mouth to a rear edge of the mouth, the slit defined by the arms spaced sufficiently apart to accept the brace end fitted therein, the arms further comprising mutually aligned openings that align with brace end opening, the openings adapted to receive a second fastener for releasably connecting the brace end to the bracket.

9. The assembly as set forth in claim 8 further comprising a half clamp operatively coupled to the base member via the first fastener passing through the aperture and attaching to the half clamp whereby the bracket is capable of being secured to the vertical support tube by clamping the half clamp onto the vertical support tube.

10. The assembly as set forth in claim 9 wherein the half clamp is a releasable clamshell clamp.

11. The assembly as set forth in claim 9 wherein the half clamp is rotatably coupled to the base member.

12. The assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein each of the arms comprises mutually aligned slots extending through the arms, the slots adapted to receive a pin extending through the slots and passing through the brace end when the brace end is fitted within the slit and releasably connected to the bracket, the slots and the pin acting in combination to limit the pivotal movement of the cross member with respect to the bracket.

13. The assembly as set forth in claim 12 wherein the slots are arc-shaped.

14. The assembly as set forth in claim 12 wherein the slots are configured to limit the pivotal movement of the cross member from about 45° above the horizontal axis to about 45° below the horizontal axis.