Abstract:
An elongated clamp for securing a flexible fabric-like shroud to a scaffold support member including two opposed jaws movable between an open and closed position by a one pin and an at-least-one wedge combination. The flexible shroud is held to the support member by the clamp&#39;s gripping force. Multiple clamps securable at different points along the various standard support members can provide positive securement of the shroud.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/623,813, entitled “Sheet Securing Scaffold Clamp”, filed Apr. 13, 2012, and hereby incorporates the same provisional application by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present application relates to an elongate clamp for use with scaffolding and the securement of a sheet material to a scaffold support. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Scaffolding is commonly used to provide a work platform at a raised height and allows safe repair or maintenance of a structure. For some applications, scaffolding is used in association with preventative maintenance associated with a particular building or structure and the length of time the scaffolding remains in place can be relatively long. Depending upon the particular project and environment, it is sometimes necessary to provide shrouding to the exterior of the scaffolding to provide a wind or weather block. Heavier shrouding can be used to protect a worker from unnecessary exposure to wind, rain and/or snow. 
     Various methods have been proposed for attaching of a sheet material to the exterior of the scaffolding. According to one system, a specialized fabric shrouding with a series of ports therein are designed to be connected on posts provided on the scaffolding. This system requires both a specialized shrouding as well as customized scaffolding. Typically, there are a number of different types of scaffolding and only a relatively small portion of the scaffolding on hand may require shrouding. Furthermore, scaffolding is used in many different configurations and any system for securing shrouding requires flexibility with respect to securement locations and ease of securement. Therefore, although specialized securing methods and approaches have been proposed they have not proven to be particularly effective. 
     It is known to provide a sheet securing scaffold clamp as in U.S. Pat. No. 8,043,022, incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. This clamp, however, has its own shortcomings. It is unable to open wide enough to accommodate shrouding made of heavy materials/fabrics; it is difficult to remove the clamp in a manner without damaging the shroud material; and when exposed, the unrounded metal edges of the clamp lead to damage of the shroud material. 
     There remains a need to provide a simple effective approach for securing a fabric shroud to scaffolding in a manner that can overcome the shortcomings of the prior art, accommodate shrouding made of heavy materials, and reduce damage to the shroud fabric. 
     SUMMARY 
     An elongate clamp is provided for use in securing a sheet material as a shroud to a tubular scaffold support member, said elongate clamp comprising first and second opposed jaw members having a gap therebetween on one side to allow a tubular scaffold member to be received in a securement cavity defined by said opposed jaw members. Each jaw member can comprise an engagement flange in an overlapping relationship with the engagement flange of the other jaw member to maintain said jaw members in opposed relation. The jaw members can be adjustably pin-secured in an open or closed condition by a pin and wedge combination. In some embodiments, the pin and wedge combination can comprise a single pin and one or two wedges. The one pin and two wedge combination can be retained on both flanges and positioned such that the two jaw members are aligned. The wedges of the one pin and two wedge combination can be moveable from a released position, where the jaws can be separated to increase the opening on the one side for receiving a scaffold support member, to a closed position, where at least one wedge and the pin draws the jaws towards one another to effect gripping about a scaffold support member between the jaws, for example where one wedge is positioned substantially perpendicular to the pin in a horizontal plane and the second wedge is positioned substantially perpendicular to the pin in a vertical plane. 
     In some embodiments, the elongate clamp can comprise a resilient compressive layer lining each jaw and defining an interior surface of each jaw. The lining can extend past the end of the jaws in some embodiments to protect the shroud material from potentially tearing on the corners of the jaws. In some embodiments, the corners of the jaws can be rounded to protect the shroud material from potentially tearing on the corners of the jaws. 
     In further embodiments, the pin can be dimensioned to allow for the opening to define a gap between the jaws that allows for the clamp to receive a shroud of thick/heavy material in an open position and engage the shrouding of thick/heavy material and a support member, maintaining the shrouding in engagement with the support member, in a closed position. 
     In further embodiments, each wedge can comprise a center slot running between opposed ends of the wedge, and the pin associated with the wedge passing through the center slot and capturing the wedges on opposite ends of the pin. 
     In further embodiments, the one pin and two wedge combination can be located in the center of the engagement flanges. In some embodiments, the wedges can be located on opposite sides of the clamp. 
     In further embodiments, the clamp can be reversible in orientation. 
     In further embodiments, each wedge can be pivotally supported on the engagement flanges and can be rotatable to allow alignment of the wedges along the engagement flanges or across the engagement flanges and in either configuration are used to effect movement of the jaws towards one another. 
     This particular arrangement can allow for either wedge to be positioned substantially perpendicular to the pin in a horizontal plane and the other wedge to be positioned substantially perpendicular to the pin in a vertical plane when the clamp is in a closed position. The clamp can then be opened by adjusting the wedge substantially perpendicular to the pin, thereby ameliorating the difficulty of removing the clamp without damaging the shroud. 
     Broadly stated, in some embodiments, an elongate shroud securing scaffold clamp for use in securing a shroud material to a tubular scaffold member is provided, said clamp comprising: first and second opposed jaw members opening on one side to receive said tubular scaffold member therebetween; each jaw member on a side opposite said one side, including an engagement flange in overlapping relationship with the engagement flange of the other jaw member, said jaw members being adjustably secured in opposed relationship by a pin and wedge combination, said combination comprising a single pin; said pin and wedge being retained at one end of said opposed engagement flanges, said wedge being movable from a release position where the jaws can be separated to provide an opening between said jaw members on said one side to a closed position where said pin and wedge draw said jaws towards one another to effect gripping about said tubular scaffold member inserted between said jaws, wherein said pin and wedge is pivotally supported in said engagement flanges and rotatable to allow alignment of said wedge along said engagement flanges or across said engagement flanges to effect movement of jaws towards one another, said wedge when positioned across said engagement flange being movable to engage one of said jaw members at a position spaced from said engagement flange and urge the jaw member to said closed position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view depicting a prior art embodiment of a scaffolding system shown adjacent a building with the scaffolding system having fabric shrouding secured thereto and held by a series of clamps; 
         FIG. 2  is a front perspective view depicting an embodiment of a clamp in an open position as compared to a prior art embodiment of a clamp; 
         FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view depicting an embodiment of the clamp of  FIG. 2  in an open position; 
         FIG. 4  is a side perspective view depicting an embodiment of the clamp of  FIG. 2  in an open position; 
         FIG. 5  is a rear perspective view depicting an embodiment of a clamp in a closed position in engagement with a shrouding and a support member maintaining the shrouding in engagement with the support member; 
         FIG. 6  is a side perspective view depicting an embodiment of the clamp of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a side perspective view depicting an embodiment of the clamp of  FIG. 5  from the other side; 
         FIG. 8  is a top plan view depicting an embodiment of a clamp in an open position about to engage the shrouding and the support member to maintain the shrouding in engagement with the support member; 
         FIG. 9  is a top plan view depicting an embodiment of a clamp in a closed position in engagement with a shrouding and a support member maintaining the shrouding in engagement with the support member; 
         FIG. 10  is a rear perspective view depicting an embodiment of a clamp in a closed position in engagement with a shrouding and a support member maintaining the shrouding in engagement with the support member; 
         FIG. 11  is a side perspective view depicting an embodiment of the clamp of  FIG. 10 ; and 
         FIG. 12  is a side perspective view depicting an embodiment of the clamp of  FIG. 10  from the other side. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Apparatuses for use with scaffolding and the securement of a shroud sheet to a scaffold support are provided. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a scaffolding system  2  is shown in a typical application adjacent a building structure  3  where the system can comprise a series of tubular scaffolding support members, such as tubular legs  4 , tubular cross braces  6 , and tubular horizontals  8 . The particular system shown is a tube and clamp-type scaffolding system; however, it is also common to use a scaffolding frame system interconnected by braces or other means. Therefore, many different forms of the scaffolding system are possible. Scaffolding systems generally use tubular uprights, horizontals, and braces and provide a work platform  12  at different heights to allow a worker to perform a particular task at, or about, that height. 
     In some circumstances, it is desirable to provide a windbreak or weather break about a portion of the scaffolding system  2  and, for this, a fabric shroud  16   a  can be secured to scaffolding system  2 . A series of clamps  21  can releasably secure fabric shroud  16   a  to any of the tubular uprights, horizontals or diagonals of an appropriate diameter at any point along their length. 
       FIGS. 2 through 12  show embodiments of a clamp  20 .  FIG. 2  compares an embodiment of clamp  20  with an embodiment of prior art clamp  21  such as that described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,043,022. Each elongate clamp  20  can comprise opposed jaws  22  with opposed engagement flanges  24  provided to one side of the gripping arms  25  of the jaws  22 . Gripping arms  25  can be shaped to engage the outer periphery of a support member  60  (also referred to as a scaffold member, tubular member, or upright member) which can be any of a tubular leg  4 , tubular cross brace  6 , or tubular horizontal  8  of scaffolding system  2 . The prior art clamp  21  shown in  FIG. 2  has opposed jaws  22   a  with opposed engagement flanges  24   a  provided to one side of the gripping arms  25   a  of the jaws  22   a . However, prior art clamp  21  has two pins  31   a  and two wedges (not shown). 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 through 7 , pin and wedge combination  28  can be provided at substantially the middle of engagement flanges  24 , and can be used to draw jaws  22  into an engagement with a support member  60  to trap the fabric of shroud  16  between the jaws  22  and the support member  60 . In some embodiments, pin  31  can be a double-headed pin that has a trapped first wedge  32  and second wedge  33  secured thereon at opposite ends. Both first wedge  32  and second wedge  33  can comprise an elongate slot  34  which can allow for movement of the wedge along pin  31  with a head of pin  31  engaging either side of slot  34 . With this arrangement wedges  32 ,  33  can be brought to an open (or release) position of  FIGS. 2 to 4  to allow jaw  22  to open and provide a relatively wide elongate opening  50 . This can allow jaws  22  to be placed on either side of support member  60  with fabric shroud  16  located interior of jaws  22 . 
     In some embodiments, pin  31  can comprise a length of approximately three and a half inches with a nut positioned approximately seven-eighths of an inch (including the length of the nut) from either end of pin  31 . In some embodiments, a portion of the length of pin  31  outside of engagement flanges  24 , of approximately two and five-eighths inches, can be available for the inclusion of washers and the wedges. In some embodiments, opening  50  can be approximately three and one-quarter inches across, thereby allowing a shroud  16  of heavy material to be clamped to a standard support member  60  as would be known to one skilled in the art. By comparison, prior art clamps would be limited to an opening  50   a  of approximately two and one-quarter inches across and unable to clamp a shroud  16  of heavy material to a standard support member  60  as would be known to one skilled in the art. 
     In some embodiments, wedges  32 ,  33  can be standard wedges known to one skilled in the art, which can be approximately five inches in length. The thickness of wedges can be approximately one-half inch for the thinner end and approximately seven-eighth inches for the thicker end. 
     Embodiments of clamp  20  are shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  prior to the securement to a support member  60 . As can be seen, wedges  32  and wedge  33  are in the released position, and jaws  22  are opened to a relatively wide position for engagement on either side of support member  60 .  FIGS. 5 to 7  show how shroud  16  can be partially wrapped around support member  60  and clamp  20  is applied to support member  60  to secure shroud  16  to support member  60 . 
     In some embodiments, one or both of the jaws  22  can be lined with a liner layer  64  of resilient compressible material to separate the material of clamp  20  (for example, metal) from the fabric of shroud  16 . Liner  64  can also provide some resilient deformation as the jaws are secured about support member  60 .  FIGS. 5 to 7  also illustrate that liner  64  can extend to the open edge of the respective jaw  22 . In some embodiments, liner  64  can also extend beyond the upper or lower jaw edge to further protect the fabric shroud if desired. Liner  64  is shown as being secured to jaws  22  by rivets  65 ; however, it would be understood by one skilled in the art that any fastening or attachment means, such as glue, metal fasteners, hook and loop fasteners, or any other suitable means, can be used. 
     The secured arrangement is shown in  FIGS. 5 to 7 . In this embodiment, it can be seen that first wedge  32  has been driven vertically downward and second wedge  33  has been driven horizontally forward towards support member  60 , thereby drawing the two engagement flanges  24  towards one another and forces movement of jaws  22  towards one another to lock clamp  20  on support member  60 . Wedges  32 ,  33  can be struck by a hammer, or similar tool, to affect the drawing of the engagement flanges  24  towards one another. It would be understood by one skilled in the art that first wedge  32  could be driven horizontally and second wedge  33  could be driven vertically without departing from the function of clamp  20 . In addition, it would be understood by one skilled in the art that the horizontally driven wedge could be driven before driving the vertically driven wedge, or that the opposite could be true. It would also be understood that if support member  60  is in a horizontal or diagonal position, instead of vertical, to close clamp  20 , one wedge can be driven towards support member  60  while the other wedge can be driven substantially parallel to support member  60 . 
     Terms such as ‘horizontal’, ‘vertical’, ‘parallel, ‘perpendicular’, ‘towards’, ‘away’, ‘upwards’, ‘downwards’, ‘forwards’, and ‘backwards’ are understood to mean approximate relative positions and directions, and not words of precision. 
     Wedges  32 ,  33  can also allow simple release of clamp  20  from support member  60  when required. A worker can strike the edge of the vertical wedge upwards with a hammer, or similar tool, and the wedge can move on pin  31  and affect the appropriate release. By only having to loosen the vertical wedge, a worker is not required to strike horizontal wedges away from the shroud to loosen clamp  20 . Striking horizontal wedges away from the shroud with a hammer, or similar tool, can lead to damage of shroud  16 . It is of note that  FIG. 5  of U.S. Pat. No. 8,043,022 implies that the prior art clamp  21  can function by locking with both wedges in a vertical position. In practice, this configuration does not work to secure a shroud to a support member  60  as opening  50   a  is not closed to sufficient dimension to frictionally engage shroud  16  and support member  60 . As would be known to one skilled in the art, the dimensions of wedges  32 ,  33  do not allow for sufficient pressure to be placed onto opposed jaws  22  to lock prior art clamp  21  in place. Prior art wedges  32 ,  33  are standard wedges known to one skilled in the art, which can be approximately five inches in length. The thickness of prior art wedges can be approximately one-half inch for the thinner end and approximately seven-eighth inches for the thicker end. In any event, the use of a two vertical wedge and two pin system as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,043,022 is more complicated and onerous to manufacture and use than that of clamp  20  of present disclosure. 
       FIG. 8  again shows the opening of an embodiment of clamp  20  to position clamp  20  and shroud  16  about support member  60  in preparation for closing of clamp  20 .  FIG. 9  shows the closing of clamp  20  and locking of clamp  20  to support member  60 . 
     Clamp  20  can be elongated to provide increased securement of shroud  16  along a substantial portion thereof to support member  60  in order to distribute any forces exerted on the shroud  16  due to wind or otherwise. It can be important to provide effective securement of shroud  16  to avoid tearing thereof. The use of liner  64 , rounded corners  66  of clamp  20  edges, and the elongation of clamp  20  to provide a substantial clamping in the length of the support member  60 , can be particularly effective. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 10 to 12 , further embodiments of clamp  20  are shown. Pin and wedge combination  28  can be provided at substantially the middle of engagement flanges  24  and can be used to draw jaws  22  into an engagement with a support member  60  and to trap the fabric of shroud  16  between the jaws  22  and the support member  60 . In some embodiments, pin  31  can comprise a head of pin  31  engaging one engagement flange and an elongate slot  35  which can trap first wedge  32  to allow for movement of the wedge through pin  31 . First wedge  32  can be parallel to support member  60 , for example vertical for a vertical support member, and can be driven vertically downward thereby drawing the two engagement flanges  24  towards one another and forces movement of jaws  22  towards one another to lock clamp  20  on support member  60 . First wedge  32  can be driven vertically upward to affect the appropriate release. Wedge  32  can be struck by a hammer, or similar tool, to affect the drawing of the engagement flanges  24  towards or apart from one another. 
     The scope of the claims should not be limited by the embodiments as set forth in the examples herein, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole. 
     Although a few 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 invention is defined and limited only by the claims that follow.