WO2005014954A1

WO2005014954A1 - Adjustable length plank assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2005014954A1
Application number: PCT/GB2004/003415
Authority: WO
Inventors: Karl Dorn
Original assignee: Karl Dorn
Priority date: 2003-08-08
Filing date: 2004-08-09
Publication date: 2005-02-17
Also published as: GB2406354A; GB0417667D0; GB2406354B

Abstract

An adjustable plank assembly comprises two sections, (2) and (3), with section (2) having a cavity into which section (3) is slidably inserted either completely or part way. At either end of the telescoping sections remote from where the sections meet, there are end caps (5) with a securing member (8) extending between the sections being present to limit the distance that the sections (2, 3) can be moved relative to one another.

Description

Adjustable Length Plank Assembly

The present invention relates to an adjustable length, plank assembly and in particular but not exclusively to a plank assembly for use with scaffolding. It is known to use solid supports such as planks of wood as scaffold boards .^' However, these known planks are^" prone to warping or cracking due to damage, or as a result of by weathering and consequently have a limited lifespan. Such planks are made of pre-determined lengths of material, and because of these fixed dimensions, such planks cannot be easily stored or adapted for different situations where they are to be used and in particular, they cannot be used with scaffolding of different dimensions . It is known to provide planks that can be adjusted in length, for example such as those described in GB 2190934 or GB 2353320 where there is a series of telescoping members which are slidably mounted one within another. However, in such arrangements, there are either no means for locking the telescoping sections in a required position, or if they can be locked in position as described in GB 2353320, fixings such as bolts are used. Using bolts is not only cumbersome as time needs to be taken to lock the bolt in position, but also separate tools are needed to secure the fixings. This has great disadvantages, for example where scaffolding is being used because a separate tool is needed to secure the bolt in position which has the disadvantage that a builder needs to carry an extra tool but also, there may be an increased risk of accidents if a workman has to dismount from the scaffolding in order to get those extra tools to secure the fixing. There is also the added problem that if a workman has to fetch additional tools, because he does not have them readily to hand, there is a reduction in productivity, which results in increases in costs for completing a job. The present invention seeks to overcome the problems associated with the prior art by providing an easy to use securing mechanism for an adjustable length plank, which avoids the need- to - secure sections of- - the plank in position by using additional tools. According to the present invention, there is provided an adjustable plank assembly comprising first and second plank members with one the members being able to slide within the body of the other member in a telescoping manner, wherein there is provided a securing member that can be releasably secured to positions on said first and second plank members respectively so joining said members together and which is extendible and contractible to mirror the distance between the points so preventing said members extending beyond a position defined by the points. Preferably, the plank members comprise elongate box sections each having a cavity therein, so that one box section can be withdrawn within a second box section when in a retracted position and can be slid out from the first box section into an extended position. It is envisaged that the box sections include ribbing on one or more outer surfaces. This can provide increased strengthening of the structure as well as a resilient surface that can provide tread to reduce the risk of an individual slipping on the plank. It is preferred that the box sections of the plank have an end cap at an end of each section remote from an end of the sections where adjacent sections meet. It is envisaged that the securing member comprises a flexible cord. Alternatively, the securing member can be an expandable member. A suitable expandable member may be a fixed length rubber band that expands to a maximum length corresponding to the length of the plank members when fully extended. Preferably, the cord is - releasably secured- to the - end caps of adjacent box sections. Alternatively, the securing member such as the cord can be secured to adjacent plank members at points along the length of the respective plank members. It is envisaged that a locking member is provided at a point along the length of a plank member to allow for the securing member can be releasably fastened to the locking member to hold telescoping sections of said plank in a defined position relative to one another. It is preferred that the locking member is a cleat around which the securing member can be wound and fastened off. It is preferred that one or more of the telescoping sections includes a cut out to provide a hand hole so that an individual can grip a telescoping section in order to pull the section relative to another section. The hand hole can be at a position along the length of a plank member or in an end cap . Preferably, the adjustable plank assembly is made of a composite material formed of an extrusion of pulverised material or for example is a pultruded material. It is envisaged that recycled plastic can be used for such as plastics that have been granulated and which are bound by a carrier, which can then be moulded or extruded into a final shape. An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying Figures, in which: Figure 1: Shows a perspective view of a plank assembly according to an embodiment of the invention, where telescoping sections are fitted together; Figure 2 : Shows a plank assembly as shown in Figure 1, with the^" sections ^"pulled apart;^" Figure 3a: Shows an exploded view of an adjustable plank assembly having multiple inner sections; Figure 3b: Shows an exploded view of an adjustable plank assembly as shown in Figure 2, with end caps; Figure 4: Shows an adjustable plank assembly with a securing member running through the assembly; Figure 5 : Shows the cord securing member attached to a first end cap; and Figure 6 : Shows the securing member attached to a second end cap . An adjustable plank assembly is shown generally as 1 in Figure 1. The assembly comprises two sections, 2 and

3, with section 2 having a cavity into which section 3 is slidably inserted either completely or part way. At either end of the telescoping sections remote from where the sections meet, there are end caps 5. The end caps are preferably made out of plastic and are removable are used to prevent the ingress of debris into the cavity of the sections. The longer of the telescoping sections has a collar

4, which is pushed over the end of the section 2, remote from the end cap. This collar 4 can be push fitted over the end of the section and is used to provide a strengthening member at the point where the two sections meet and also to prevent splitting of the end of sections. The collar is profiled with the other surface having raised ridges while its inner surface has recesses. The ribbing and recesses can help clean an adjacent section as it moves past the collar 4. The recesses on the inner surface of the collar match the ribbing 6 on the telescoping sections. The ribbing 6 provides a non-slip surface, which is an important safety feature when the planks are being used in wet conditions. Figure 2 shows the same arrangement as Figure 1, except that the sections are pulled apart to reveal an internal recess 7 of the longer telescoping section 2. Figures 3a and 3b show exploded views of arrangements similar to those in Figures 1 and 2. In Figure 3a, the cavity referred to as 7 in Figures 1 and 2 is provided as a series of three cavities, 7a, 7b and 7c. The cavities are defined or bounded by struts 10 which, extend downwardly from an upper surface of the section 2 where the ribbing 6 is located, to the lower surface of the section. The end cap 5 is provided as a profiled member that is substantially of the outer dimensions of the section. The member includes a manoeuvre push fit section, which matches the inner dimensions of the section and which can be push fitted into the section cavity. In Figure 3a, because there is a plurality of sections, each push fit section is provided as an independent entity, which can slide between the struts 10. As shown in Figure 4, the telescoping sections 2 and 3 include a securing member 8, which in this case is provided as a cord 8. The securing member is passes through a hole an end cap 5 on section 3 , which is extendible and retractable into the longer section 2. The end of the cord is secured in position on the end cap by a toggle 9. Although a toggle is shown other forms of fixings can be used, for example a cleat or it may^¬ be that a simple knot will suffice. Figure 5 shows the position of the toggle arrangement 9 on the end cap, with the cord 8, passing through the central cavity of section 3. It is preferred that the cord passes through a main cavity within a section. However, it may be the case that a main cavity includes a separate side cavity through which the cord can run . The attachment of the cord 8 to the end cap 5 of telescoping section 2 is shown in Figure 6. In this case, the cord passes through the end cap 5 in proximity to an area of ribbing 6. The cord will be part of the assembly, which will be extended and contracted in accordance with the length of the plank. Therefore having the cord in a region of increased thickness of material that form the section has advantages for the reduction of wear in the assembly. Although the invention has been described as being formed of two sections, it is envisaged that multiple plank members can be used which are each secured to adjacent members by a securing mechanism which limits the distance that the plank members can be extended. Whilst the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiment, additional modifications and improvements of the present invention will become apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed.

Claims

1. An adjustable plank assembly comprising first and second plank members with one the members being able to slide within the body of the other member in a telescoping manner, wherein there is provided a securing member that can be - releasably secured to positions on each of said first and second plank members, so joining said members together, and which is extendible and contractible to mirror the distance between the position where secured so preventing said members extending beyond a distance defined by the position of the members.

2. An adjustable plank assembly according to claim 1, wherein the plank members comprise elongate box sections each having a cavity therein, so that one box section can be withdrawn within a second box section when in a retracted position and can be slid out from the first box section into an extended position.

3. An adjustable plank assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the box sections include ribbing on one or more outer surfaces .

4. An adjustable plank assembly according to claim 3 or claim 4 wherein the box sections of the plank have an end cap at an end of each section remote from an end of the sections where adjacent sections meet.

5. An adjustable plank assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the securing member comprises a flexible cord.

6. An adjustable plank assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the securing member comprises an elastic member.

7. An adjustable plank assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the securing member is releasably secured to the end caps of adjacent box sections .

8. An adjustable plank assembly according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the securing member such as the cord is secured to adjacent plank members at points along the length of each of the respective plank members.

9. An adjustable plank assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein a locking member is provided at a point along the length of a plank member to allow for the securing member can be releasably fastened to the locking member to hold the telescoping sections of said plank in a defined position relative to one another.

10. An adjustable plank assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the locking member is a cleat.

11. An adjustable plank assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the plank members include a cut out to provide a hand hole so that an individual can grip the plank members.

12. An adjustable plank assembly according to any preceding claim formed of a pultruded material .