US20250230675A1

US20250230675A1 - Formwork Connector

Info

Publication number: US20250230675A1
Application number: US18/599,327
Authority: US
Inventors: Denis FANTOV; Paul CORNER
Original assignee: Worthdown Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Worthdown Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2024-01-17
Filing date: 2024-03-08
Publication date: 2025-07-17
Also published as: AU2024201558A1; GB202418229D0

Abstract

A connector (200) for connecting a first scaffold (10) to a second scaffold (20), each scaffold (10, 20) having: one or more vertical standards (12, 22); and one or more bracing members (14, 24). The connector (200) having an elongate body (210) extending along a connector axis (202), the body (210) including: a first end (212) adapted to engage a top end of the one or more vertical standards (12) of the first scaffold (10); a second end (214) adapted to engage a bottom end of the one or more vertical standards (22) of the second scaffold (20); and a connector ring (216) disposed between the first end (212) and the second end (214) for engagement with one or more bracing members (400, 600, 800) extending away from the connector axis (202).

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims priority to Australian provisional patent application no. 2024900114 filed on 17 Jan. 2014, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

This disclosure relates to a formwork connector.

BACKGROUND

Scaffolds are temporary structures intended to provide safe access, at height, for example during construction or renovation. Scaffolds take many forms, for example, modular scaffolding is made up of parts that are shipped to a worksite disassembled and are then assembled on-site into a scaffold. Formwork is another type of scaffold that is not typically disassembled for movement of the scaffold, for example from a storage yard to a worksite.
The use of formwork is desirable because it eliminates labor costs on the worksite. Further, due to regulatory provisions regarding certification of laborers able to erect modular scaffolding, the use of modular scaffolding is generally more expensive than the use of formwork. However, the use of formwork is limited by a number of factors. A first factor is that worksite safety regulations require a fall prevention means of some sort at least every 2 meters between accessible platforms of a scaffold. Formwork is not typically equipped with fall prevention devices and therefore the use of formwork is typically restricted to one, perhaps two, levels of accessible platforms. A corollary of this safety regulation is that formwork frames are not typically designed to bear more load than one, perhaps two, levels of accessible platforms. Therefore, even if a fall prevention device was installed, most framework would not be able to support further levels of accessible platforms.

SUMMARY

It is an object of some embodiments of the present disclosure to at least substantially address one or more of the above disadvantages, or at least provide a useful alternative to the above methods of erecting scaffolding.
In a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a connector for connecting a first scaffold to a second scaffold, each scaffold having:

- one or more vertical standards; and
- one or more bracing members,
  the connector having an elongate body extending along a connector axis, the body including:
- a first end adapted to engage a top end of the one or more vertical standards of the first scaffold;
- a second end adapted to engage a bottom end of the one or more vertical standards of the second scaffold; and
- a connector ring disposed between the first end and the second end for engagement with one or more bracing members extending away from the connector axis.

In a second aspect, the present disclosure provides a bracing member for use with two or more of the connectors of the first aspect, the bracing member having an elongated body with a first end and a second end, each end having an engagement device to engage the connector ring of the respective connector.
In some embodiments, each end of the bracing member further includes:

- a second engagement device to engage a second bracing member, the second bracing member extending at an angle to the bracing member.

In some embodiments, the bracing member extends along a bracing member axis and the second engagement device is located at a vertical offset from the bracing member axis.
In some embodiments, the bracing member includes at least one second engagement device vertically offset below the bracing member axis and one second engagement device vertically offset above the bracing member axis.
In some embodiments, at least one of the engagement device and second engagement device is slidingly attached to the elongated body.
In some embodiments, each of the engagement device and the second engagement device further includes an adjustment member to be inserted within the elongated body.
In some embodiments, the elongated body includes a body aperture and the adjustment member includes an adjustment member aperture which are configured for receiving a fastener to secure engagement device to the elongated body.
In a third aspect, the present disclosure provides a fall prevention system for a scaffold or formwork frame, the fall prevention system including the connector of the first aspect and the bracing member of the second aspect, the fall prevention system further including:

- one or more deck boards adapted to be connected to the bracing member such that the deck board extends in a deck plane that is normal to the connector axis.

In some embodiments, the bracing member extends along a bracing member axis and the bracing member axis extends in the deck plane.
In some embodiments, the deck board is connected to at least two bracing members such that the deck board extends between the at least two bracing members in the deck plane.
In some embodiments, the fall prevention system further includes a second bracing member, the second bracing member extending at an angle to the bracing member,

- wherein the bracing member includes a second engagement device to engage the second bracing member, the second engagement device being located at a vertical offset from the bracing member axis, and
- wherein the second bracing member does not intersect the deck plane.

In some embodiments, the second bracing member extends from the second engagement device of a first bracing member to the second engagement device of a second bracing member, and

- wherein the second engagement device of the first bracing member is vertically offset below the bracing member axis and the second engagement device of the second bracing member is vertically offset above the bracing member axis.

In some embodiments, the fall prevention system further includes a third bracing member extending perpendicularly to the connector axis and the bracing member axis, the third bracing member having an elongate body that includes, at each end, a connector end piece, each connector end piece including:

- a first end adapted to engage a top end of the one or more vertical standards of the first scaffold;
- a second end adapted to engage a bottom end of the one or more vertical standards of the second scaffold;
- a connector ring disposed between the first end and the second end for engagement with one or more bracing members extending away from the connector end piece.

In some embodiments, the fall prevention system further includes a third bracing member extending perpendicularly to the connector axis and the bracing member axis, the third bracing member having an elongate body that is adapted, at each end, to engage the connector ring, and

- wherein the third bracing member includes a second engagement device to engage the second bracing member, the second engagement device being located at a vertical offset from the bracing member axis.

In some embodiments, the fall prevention system further includes a floor connector, the floor connector having an elongate body extending along a floor connector axis, the body including:

- a first end adapted to engage a top end of a prop, floor jack, or similar ground connection device;
- a second end adapted to engage a bottom end of the one or more vertical standards of the first scaffold; and
- a connector ring disposed between the first end and the second end for engagement with one or more bracing members extending away from the floor connector axis.

In some embodiments, when used with two like first scaffolds, the fall prevention system further includes a lateral connector having a body with at least two corners, the corner having an engagement device, the engagement device of a first corner being adapted to engage the connector ring of the floor connector of one first scaffold, the engagement device of a second corner being adapted to engage the connector ring of the floor connector of the other first scaffold.
In some embodiments, the fall prevention system further includes a fill panel having a planar body with one or more fill panel connectors along opposing edges, the fill panel connectors being adapted to engage the vertical standards of the second scaffold so as to position the fill panel in a fill plane between the vertical standards to which the fill panel connectors are engaged.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a front elevation view of a fall prevention system according to a first embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 shows a top plan view of the fall prevention system of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 2B shows a side elevation view of the fall prevention system of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 shows a detailed isometric view of the fall prevention system of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 4 shows a front elevation view of a first embodiment of a connector used with the fall prevention system of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 5 shows a top plan view of the connector of FIG. 2 .

FIG. 6 shows a rotated front elevation view of a second embodiment of a connector used with the fall prevention system of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 7 shows a front elevation view of a first embodiment of a base connector used with the fall prevention system of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 8 shows a front elevation view of a second embodiment of a base connector used with the fall prevention system of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 9 shows a rotated front elevation view of a bracing member used with the fall prevention system of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 10 shows a right side view of a second bracing member used with the fall prevention system of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 11 shows a front elevation view of a third bracing member used with the fall prevention system of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 12 shows a right side view of a second embodiment of a third bracing member used with the fall prevention system of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 13 shows a top plan view of the third bracing member of FIG. 12 .

FIG. 14 shows a right side view of a third embodiment of a third bracing member used with the fall prevention system of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 15 shows a top plan view of the second bracing member of FIG. 14 .

FIG. 16 shows a front elevation view of a fill panel used with the fall prevention system of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 17 shows a top plan view of the fill panel of FIG. 16 .

FIG. 18 shows a top plan view of a lateral connector used with the fall prevention system of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 19 shows a side elevation view of the lateral connector of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 20 shows a top plan view of a deck board used with the fall prevention system of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 21 shows a detailed side view of an end of the deck board of FIG. 20 .

FIG. 22 shows a front elevation view of a fourth embodiment of the bracing member shown in FIG. 9 .

FIG. 23 shows a detail view of the bracing member shown in FIG. 22 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 to 3 show a fall prevention system 100 according to one embodiment of the disclosure used to connect a first scaffold 10 to a second scaffold 20. Each of the first and second scaffolds 10, 20 includes vertical standards 12, 24, and also include scaffold brace members 12, 22, depending on the type of scaffold being used. The fall prevention system 100 is compatible with a wide variety of scaffolds 10, 20 provided they employ vertical standards 12, 24.
The fall prevention system 100 includes a connector 200, best seen in FIG. 4 . The connector 200 includes an elongate body 210 extending along a connector axis 202 that has a first end 212 adapted to engage a top end 16 of the vertical standard 12 of the first scaffold 10. The body 210 also has a second end 214 adapted to engage a bottom end 24 of the vertical standard 22 of the second scaffold 20. Each end of the connector 200 includes a first recess 220 and a second recess 222, wherein the second recess 222 extends further into the body 210 and has a smaller diameter than the first recess 220. Each end 212, 214 further includes a pin hole 224 for receiving a pin (not shown) to connect the connector 200 to the respective vertical standard 12, 22. The first recess 220 may have an internal diameter of about 60 mm, or an internal diameter of about 48 mm to 51 mm. Alternatively, the second recess 222 may have these dimensions.
Referring to FIG. 5 , the body 210 of the connector 200 further includes a connector ring 216 disposed between the first end 212 and the second end 214 for engagement with one or more bracing members 14, 24, 300, 400, 500 extending away from the connector axis. The connector ring 216 includes a plurality of apertures 226 that engageable by a number of industry standard engagement devices.
FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of the connector 200. This embodiment has relocated the first and second recesses 220, 222 such that the second recesses 222 of the first and second ends 212, 214 are located a short distance, in the range of 5-50 mmm from each other.
The fall prevention system 100 further includes a floor connector 300, shown in FIG. 7 . The floor connector 300 has an elongate body 310 extending along a floor connector axis 302. The body includes a first end 312 that is adapted to engage the top end 29 of a ground connection device 28, such as a prop or a ground jack. The body also includes a second end 314 that is adapted to engage the bottom end 18 of the one or more vertical standards 12 of the first scaffold 10. The body further includes a connector ring 316 disposed between the first end 312 and the second end 314 for engagement with one or more bracing members (14, 24, 300, 400, 500) extending away from the floor connector axis. The second end 314 of the floor connector 300 is substantially similar to the second end 214 of the connector 214. For example, the second end 314 also includes a pin hole 324 for receiving a pin (not shown) that engages the floor connector 300 to the vertical standard 12. Similarly, the connector ring 316 is substantially similar to the connector ring 216. FIG. 8 shows a second embodiment of the floor connector 300, having substantially the same modifications as the second embodiment of the connector 200. Similarly, the second end 314 may have a first recess 320 and a second recess 324. The first recess 320 may have an internal diameter of about 60 mm, or an internal diameter of about 48 mm to 51 mm. The geometry of the connector ring 316 remains the same.
The fall prevention system 100 further includes a bracing member 400 for use with two or more of the connectors 200, best shown in FIG. 9 . The bracing member 400 has an elongated body 410 that extends along a bracing member axis 402. The body 410 has a first end 412 and a second end 414, each end 412, 414 having an engagement device 416 to engage the connector ring 216 of the respective connector 200. As seen in FIG. 9 , the engagement device 416 includes a pin 422 that engages one of the apertures 226 of the connector ring 216. The pin 422 may be shaped with an angle such that, when the bracing member 400 is under tension, removal of the pin 422 is hindered by the tension forces on the bracing member 400. As further seen in FIG. 9 , the bracing member 400 further includes a second engagement device 418 to engage a second bracing member 500 that extends at an angle 502 to the bracing member 400. In some embodiments, the second engagement device 418 is located at a vertical offset 420 from the bracing member axis 402. In some embodiments, the bracing member 400 includes at least one second engagement device 418 vertically offset below the bracing member axis 402, and at least one second engagement device 418 vertically offset above the bracing member axis 402.
Turning now to FIG. 10 , the fall prevention system 100 further includes a second bracing member 500 that extends at an angle 502 to the bracing member 400. The second bracing member 500 is adapted to engage the second engagement device 418 of the bracing member 400. When engaged to the bracing member 400, the second bracing member 500 does not intersect the deck plane 112 in which the bracing member axis 402 of the bracing member 400 to which the second bracing member 500 is engaged extends. In some embodiments, the second bracing member 500 extends from the second engagement device 418 of a lower bracing member 400 a to the second engagement device of an upper bracing member 400 b, as shown in FIG. 1 . The second engagement device 418 of the lower bracing member 400 a is vertically offset above the respective bracing member axis 402 and the second engagement device 418 of the upper bracing member 402 b is vertically offset below the respective bracing member axis 402. In some embodiments, the second engagement device 418 has an aperture 422 for receiving a pin 504 located at an end of the second bracing member 500. In some embodiments, the second bracing member 500 further includes a locking arm 506 having a hook 508 that is movable between a release and a lock position, wherein in the release position the pin 504 and aperture 422 are relatively movable, and wherein in the lock position the hook 508 engages the second engagement device 418 to resists movement of the pin 504 out of the aperture 422. In some embodiments, the aperture 422 extends perpendicularly to the bracing member axis 402.
Advancing to FIG. 11 , the fall prevention system 100 further includes a third bracing member 600. The third bracing member 600 has an elongate body 602 that extends perpendicularly to both the connector axis 202 and the bracing member axis 402. The elongate body 602 of the third bracing member 600 further includes a first end 604 and a second end 606. At each end 604, 606, the body 602 has a connector end piece 610. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10 , the connector end pieces 610 at the first end 604 and the second end 606 are substantially similar to the first end 412 and second end 414, respectively.
FIGS. 12 and 13 show a second embodiment of the third bracing member 600. In this embodiment, each connector end piece 610 includes a first end 612 adapted to engage a top end 16 of the one or more vertical standards 12 of the first scaffold 10. Each connector end piece 610 also includes a second end 614 adapted to engage a bottom end 26 of the one or more vertical standards 22 of the second scaffold 20. Finally, each connector end piece 610 includes a connector ring 616, substantially similar to the connector ring 216, in that it is disposed between the first end 612 and the second end 614 and adapted for engagement with one or more bracing members 24, 400, 500, 600 extending away from the connector end piece 610. Alternatively, the third bracing member 600 may be described as having a connector 200 mounted at each end of the body 602.
FIGS. 14 and 15 show a third embodiment of the third bracing member 600. In this embodiment, the body 602 of the bracing member 600 has a reduced width at the first end 604 and the second end 606. The embodiment of FIGS. 13 and 14 is otherwise substantially similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 11 and 12 .
Advancing to FIGS. 22 and 23 , another embodiment of a bracing member 400′ is shown. The bracing member 400′ is similar to the bracing member 400 described above, with additional features to provide adjustability and to account for tolerance variations. The bracing member 400′ includes an elongated body 410′ that extends along a bracing member axis 402′. The body 410′ has a first end 412′ and a second end 414′, each end 412′, 414′ includes an engagement device 416′ to engage the connector ring 216 of the respective connector 200. As seen in FIG. 22 , the engagement device 416′ includes a pin 422′ that engages one of the apertures 226 of the connector ring 216. The pin 422′ may be shaped with an angle such that, when the bracing member 400′ is under tension, removal of the pin 422′ is hindered by the tension forces on the bracing member 400′. As further seen in FIG. 22 , the bracing member 400′ further includes a second engagement device 418′ to engage a second bracing member 500 that extends at an angle 502 to the bracing member 400′. In some embodiments, the second engagement device 418′ is located at a vertical offset 420 from the bracing member axis 402. In some embodiments, the bracing member 400′ includes at least one second engagement device 418′ vertically offset below the bracing member axis 402′, and at least one second engagement device 418′ vertically offset above the bracing member axis 402′.
The engagement device 418′ further includes an adjustment member 303′ which fits within the body 410′. As the body 410′ is hollow, at least at one of the ends, the adjustment member 303′ is slidable within the body 410′. The body 410′ includes an aperture 411′ located so as to align with an aperture 403′ in the adjustment member 303′. The engagement device 418′ can be moved in and out of the body 410′ to a preferred position to account of varying tolerances in the overall fall prevention system 100. The adjustment member 303′ has a length to provide up to about 30 mm of adjustment along the axis 402′. Greater adjustment could be provided if the adjustment member 303′ includes more apertures 403′ or a more elongate aperture 403′. Once a preferred position is determined by the installer, the engagement device 418′ can be fixed to the body 410′ by a fastener (not shown) passing through the apertures 411′ and 403′ to hold the body 410′ and engagement device 418′ together. Whilst not shown in the figures, a similar or identical arrangement can be implemented at the opposite end of the body 410′ just described. FIG. 23 shows a detail view of an end of the engagement device 418′.
Returning to FIGS. 2 and 3 , the fall prevention system 100 further includes one or more deck boards 110 adapted to support laborers and/or tooling. The deck boards 110 are also adapted to be connected to the third bracing member 600 such that the deck boards 110 extend in a deck plane 112 that is normal to the connector axis 202. In some embodiments, the third bracing member 600 also extends in the deck plane 112. In some embodiments, the deck board 110 is connected to at least two third bracing member 600 such that the deck board 110 extends between the at least two third bracing member 600 in the deck plane 112. An example deck board 110 is shown in FIGS. 20 and 21 . Each deck board 110 includes at either end thereof a long arm 114 and a short arm 116. The long arm 114 extends from the deck board 110 and is curved to allow the body 602 of the third bracing member 600 to be engaged by the long arm 114. The short arm 116 extends from the deck board 110 and below the long arm 114 to act as a spacer between the long arm 114 and the body 602. The deck board 110 further includes a locking member 118 that pivots underneath the body 602 when the body 602 is received by the long arm 114 to prevent movement of the body 602 away from the long arm 114.
Returning to FIG. 1 , the fall prevention system 100 further includes a fill panel 700. Shown in more detail in FIGS. 16 and 17 , the fill panel 700 has a planar body 710 with one or more fill panel connectors 712 positioned along opposing edges 714 of the planar body 710. The fill panel connectors 712 are adapted to engage the vertical standards 22 of the second scaffold 20 so as to position the fill panel 700 in a fill plane 716 between the vertical standards 22 to which the fill panel connectors 712 are engaged. In some embodiments, each fill panel connector 712 has a recess 718 dimensioned to receive the vertical standard 22. In some embodiments, the recess 718 is formed between two arms 720, with a first arm 720 a being longer than a second arm 720 b.
Returning to FIG. 1 , the fall prevention system 100 further includes a lateral connector 800, or a lower frame brace, for use with multiple adjacent scaffolds 10, 20. As shown in more detail in FIGS. 18 and 19 , each lateral connector 800 includes a body 802 having a quadrilateral frame shape with four corners 804. A diagonal member 806 extends from one corner 804 of the body 802 to an opposing corner 804. The lateral connector 800 includes an engagement device 808 at each corner 804. The engagement devices 808 are adapted to engage the connector ring 316 of the floor connector 300. The lateral connector 800 further includes second engagement devices 818, similar to the second engagement device 418, at each corner 804 for engagement with the pin 504 of the second bracing member 500.
Use of the fall prevention system 100 will now be discussed.
To use the fall prevention system 100, one or more floor connectors 300 are arranged on a support surface 30. The support surface may be the ground, or the top of commonly used support devices. The following explanation assumes that standard formwork scaffolds 10, 20 having four vertical standards 12, 22 are used. However, the person skilled in the art will appreciate that the methodologies and devices disclosed herein are intended for us with any type of scaffolding geometry, provided the interfaces are compatible with the connector 200.
If multiple adjacent first scaffolds 10 are being erected, lateral connectors 800 are positioned between each set of floor connectors 300 that are intended to support a first scaffold 10. Each lateral connector 800 is positioned such that two engagements devices 808 are engaged with the connector rings 316 of floor connectors 300 of one first scaffold 10, while the two remaining engagements devices 808 of the lateral connector 800 are engaged with the connector rings 316 of floor connectors 300 of another first scaffold 10. The diagonal member 806 extends from one set of floor connectors 300 to the other set of floor connectors 300.
The first scaffold 10 is arranged on the floor connectors 300 such that the bottom end 18 of each vertical standard 12 is inserted in the second end 314 of the floor connector 300. A pin (not shown) is inserted into the pin hole 324 to secure the vertical standard 12 to the floor connector 300.
If using the embodiment of FIGS. 11 to 14 , bracing members 600 are then positioned on the first scaffold 10 such that the first ends 612 of the connector end pieces 610 engage the top end 16 of the vertical standards 12 of the first scaffold 10, as shown in FIG. 3 . A pin (not shown) is inserted into the pin hole 624 to secure the connector end pieces 610, and thereby the bracing member 600, to the first scaffold 10.
If using the embodiment of FIG. 10 , one or more connectors 200 are positioned on the first scaffold 10 such that the top end 16 of each vertical standard 12 is inserted into the first end 212 of the connector 200. A pin (not shown) is inserted into the pin hole 224 to secure the connector 200 to the vertical standard 12. The third bracing member 600 is then attached between two connectors 200 by engagement of the third bracing member 600 with the connector ring 216.
In any case, the bracing member 400 is then installed in a direction perpendicular to the vertical standard 12 and the third bracing member 600, by engaging the engagement device 416 with the connector ring 216, 616. The deck boards 110 may be installed now, or at a later time.
Thereafter, the second bracing member 500 is installed by engaging the pin 504 with the aperture 422 of the bracing member 400. Specifically, the pin 504 at a first end engages the aperture 422 vertically offset below the bracing member axis 402 of an upper bracing member 400 b, and the pin 504 at a second end engages the aperture 422 vertically offset above the bracing member axis 402 of a lower bracing member 400 a.
The second scaffold 20 is now positioned such that the bottom ends 26 of the vertical standards 22 of the second scaffold 20 are received by the second end 214, 614 of the connector 200 or connector end piece 610. Pins (now shown) is inserted into the pin holes 224 to the secure the vertical standard 22 to the second end 214, 614. Similar to the process for the first scaffold 10, if multiple adjacent second scaffolds 20 are being erected, lateral connectors 800 are positioned between each set of connectors 200 or connector end pieces 610 that are intended to support a second scaffold 20. Each lateral connector 800 is positioned such that two engagements devices 808 are engaged with the connector rings 216, 616 of one second scaffold 20, while the two remaining engagements devices 808 of the lateral connector 800 are engaged with the connector rings 216, 616 for another second scaffold 20. The diagonal member 806 extends from one set of connectors 300, 610 to the other set of connectors 300, 610.
If using the embodiment of FIGS. 11 to 14 , bracing members 600 are then positioned on the second scaffold 20 such that the first ends 612 of the connector end pieces 610 engage the top end 29 of the vertical standards 22 of the second scaffold 20. A pin (not shown) is inserted into the pin hole 624 to secure the connector end pieces 610, and thereby the bracing member 600, to the second scaffold 20.
If using the embodiment of FIG. 10 , one or more connectors 200 are positioned on the second scaffold 10 such that the top end 29 of each vertical standard 22 is inserted into the first end 212 of the connector 200. A pin (not shown) is inserted into the pin hole 224 to secure the connector 200 to the vertical standard 22. The third bracing member 600 is then attached between two connectors 200 by engagement of the third bracing member 600 with the connector ring 216.
In any case, the bracing member 400 is then installed in a direction perpendicular to the vertical standard 22 and the third bracing member 600, by engaging the engagement device 416 with the connector ring 216, 616. The fill panel 700 is installed by engaging the fill panel connectors 712 with the vertical standards 22 of the second scaffold 20 at an edge of the scaffold which is desired to be secured.
Further levels of scaffolding, similar to the second scaffold 20, may then be added in similar fashion, commencing with the addition of deck boards 110 at the top end 29 of the second scaffold 20.
Advantages of the fall prevention system 100 will now be discussed.
Because the connector 200 has a first end 212 for engaging the first scaffold 10 and a second end 214 for engaging the second scaffold 20, and a connector ring 316, different scaffolds 10 can be used together, each having their respectively sized connector 200, wherein the geometry of the connector ring 216 is the same between all connectors 200. The use of the second engagement device 418 allows simple disconnection of the bracing member 400 and the second bracing member 500 from the connector ring 216, as only one connection needs to be disengaged to free the connector ring 216.
The use of a vertical offset 420 allows a mechanically advantageous positioning of the second bracing member 500 below the bracing member 400 to support vertical loads. The use of vertical offsets 420 below and above the bracing member axis 402 allows the second bracing member 500 to not intersect the deck plane 112, thereby allowing deck boards 110 to be placed along almost the entirety of the first scaffold 10. The use of deck boards 110 connected to the bracing member 400 allows for quick disassembly, the suspension of the deck boards 110 between two bracing members 400 allows for an advantageous load path.
The use of the third bracing member 600 further strengthens the fall prevention system 100. The use of the connector end piece 610 removes one connection at the connector ring 216, which facilitates access to the pins and hooks 508 keeping the bracing members 400, 500 600 in place. The facilitated access results in easier assembly and disassembly of the fall prevention system. The use of a floor connector 300 allows the fall prevention system to sufficiently strength first scaffolds 10 such that the load of a second scaffold 20 can be supported. For the same reason, the use of the lateral connection 800 strengthens the first scaffold 10 to support the second scaffold 20. The fill panels 700 provide obstruction of the outside surfaces of the second scaffold 20, to alleviate fall risk.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

- 10 first scaffold
- 12 vertical standard
- 14 scaffold brace member
- 16 top end
- 18 bottom end
- 20 second scaffold
- 22 vertical standard
- 24 scaffold brace member
- 26 bottom end
- 28 ground connection device
- 29 top end
- 30 support surface
- 100 fall prevention system
- 110 deck board
- 112 deck plane
- 114 long arm
- 116 short arm
- 200 connector
- 202 connector axis
- 210 body
- 212 first end
- 214 second end
- 216 connector ring
- 220 first recess
- 222 second recess
- 224 pin hole
- 226 apertures
- 300 floor connector
- 302 floor connector axis
- 310 body
- 312 first end
- 314 second end
- 316 connector ring
- 324 pin hole
- 400 a,b bracing member
- 402 bracing member axis
- 410 body
- 412 first end
- 414 second end
- 416 engagement device
- 418 second engagement device
- 420 vertical offset
- 422 aperture
- 500 second bracing member
- 502 angle
- 504 pin
- 506 locking arm
- 508 hook
- 600 third bracing member
- 602 body
- 604 first end
- 606 second end
- 610 connector end piece
- 612 first end
- 614 second end
- 616 connector ring
- 700 fill panel
- 710 planar body
- 712 fill panel connectors
- 714 edge
- 716 fill plane
- 718 recess
- 720 a,b arms
- 800 lateral connector
- 802 body
- 804 corner
- 806 diagonal member
- 808 engagement device
- 818 second engagement device

Claims

1. A connector for connecting a first scaffold to a second scaffold, each scaffold having:

one or more vertical standards; and

one or more bracing members,

the connector having an elongate body extending along a connector axis, the body including:

a first end adapted to engage a top end of the one or more vertical standards of the first scaffold;

a second end adapted to engage a bottom end of the one or more vertical standards of the second scaffold; and

a connector ring disposed between the first end and the second end for engagement with one or more bracing members extending away from the connector axis.

2. A bracing member for use with two or more of the connectors of claim 1, the bracing member having an elongated body with a first end and a second end, each end having an engagement device to engage the connector ring of the respective connector.

3. The bracing member of claim 2, wherein each end of the bracing member further includes:

a second engagement device to engage a second bracing member, the second bracing member extending at an angle to the bracing member.

4. The bracing member of claim 3, wherein the bracing member extends along a bracing member axis and the second engagement device is located at a vertical offset from the bracing member axis.

5. The bracing member of claim 4, wherein the bracing member includes at least one second engagement device vertically offset below the bracing member axis and one second engagement device vertically offset above the bracing member axis.

6. The bracing member of claim 5, wherein at least one of the engagement device and second engagement device is slidingly attached to the elongated body.

7. The bracing member of claim 6, wherein each of the engagement device and the second engagement device further includes an adjustment member to be inserted within the elongated body.

8. The bracing member of claim 7, wherein the elongated body includes a body aperture and the adjustment member includes an adjustment member aperture which are configured for receiving a fastener to secure engagement device to the elongated body.

9. A fall prevention system for a scaffold or formwork frame, the fall prevention system including the connector of claim 1 and the bracing member of any one of claims 2 to 8, the fall prevention system further including:

one or more deck boards adapted to be connected to the bracing member such that the deck board extends in a deck plane that is normal to the connector axis.

10. The fall prevention system of claim 9, wherein the bracing member extends along a bracing member axis and the bracing member axis extends in the deck plane.

11. The fall prevention system of claim 9 or 10, wherein the deck board is connected to at least two bracing members such that the deck board extends between the at least two bracing members in the deck plane.

12. The fall prevention system of claim 11, wherein the fall prevention system further includes a second bracing member, the second bracing member extending at an angle to the bracing member,

wherein the bracing member includes a second engagement device to engage the second bracing member, the second engagement device being located at a vertical offset from the bracing member axis, and

wherein the second bracing member does not intersect the deck plane.

13. The fall prevention system of claim 12, wherein the second bracing member extends from the second engagement device of a first bracing member to the second engagement device of a second bracing member, and

wherein the second engagement device of the first bracing member is vertically offset below the bracing member axis and the second engagement device of the second bracing member is vertically offset above the bracing member axis.

14. The fall prevention system of claim 12 or 13, wherein the fall prevention system further includes a third bracing member extending perpendicularly to the connector axis and the bracing member axis, the third bracing member having an elongate body that includes, at each end, a connector end piece, each connector end piece including:

a second end adapted to engage a bottom end of the one or more vertical standards of the second scaffold;

a connector ring disposed between the first end and the second end for engagement with one or more bracing members extending away from the connector end piece.

15. The fall prevention system of any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the fall prevention system further includes a third bracing member extending perpendicularly to the connector axis and the bracing member axis, the third bracing member having an elongate body that is adapted, at each end, to engage the connector ring, and

wherein the third bracing member includes a second engagement device to engage the second bracing member, the second engagement device being located at a vertical offset from the bracing member axis.

16. The fall prevention system of any one of claims 9 to 15, wherein the fall prevention system further includes a floor connector, the floor connector having an elongate body extending along a floor connector axis, the body including:

a first end adapted to engage a top end of a prop, floor jack, or similar ground connection device;

a second end adapted to engage a bottom end of the one or more vertical standards of the first scaffold; and

a connector ring disposed between the first end and the second end for engagement with one or more bracing members extending away from the floor connector axis.

17. The fall prevention system of claim 16, used with two like first scaffolds, further including a lateral connector having a body with at least two corners, the corner having an engagement device, the engagement device of a first corner being adapted to engage the connector ring of the floor connector of one first scaffold, the engagement device of a second corner being adapted to engage the connector ring of the floor connector of the other first scaffold.

18. The fall prevention device of any one of claims 9 to 17, further including a fill panel having a planar body with one or more fill panel connectors along opposing edges, the fill panel connectors being adapted to engage the vertical standards of the second scaffold so as to position the fill panel in a fill plane between the vertical standards to which the fill panel connectors are engaged.