Clamp device for securement of scaffolding to large-girth structures

Abstract

Clamp device ( 10 ) for attaching scaffolding or the like apparatus to a large-girth structure (LDP). An elongated base ( 18 ) is positioned transversely across the girth. It carries stand-offs ( 22 a, 22 b ) for spacing the base from the girth. Attachments ( 46 a, 46 b ) for the scaffolding are at opposite ends of the base. Length-adjustable securement members ( 24 a, 24 b ) are carried near opposite ends of the base. A flexible elongated girth-encircling member ( 44 ), such as a high-strength chain, is extended around the girth, with length adequate for connection to the second securement members which are selectively adjustable in length from the base to cinch the girth-encircling member into tensile condition securely gripping to the girth by tightening adjustment. These adjustable members swing relative to the base so that during their tightening, portions of the length of the girth-encircling member become tangent to points on the girth.

1 . A clamp device for temporary clamping attachment of scaffolding apparatus or other access apparatus to one of possible large-girth structures having a girth which could vary over a substantially great range and having an orientation which also could vary, comprising: 
 a linearly elongated rigid support base f or being positioned in proximity to such a large-girth structure in generally perpendicular relation thereto;    a stand-off carried by the base for contacting at least two spaced points around the girth of such large-girth structure for spacing the base from said girth in proximity to a preselected location on said girth at which said apparatus is desired to be attached;    attachment means carried at opposite locations along the base proximate opposite ends thereof for attachment of said apparatus;    first and second elongated length-adjustable securement members carried by the base at opposite positions along an axis of elongation of the base proximate opposite ends of the base;    at least a first flexible elongated girth-encircling member for extension around said girth at said preselected location in gripping relation to said girth, the girth-encircling member having a length adequate for affixment of portions thereof at opposite ends to the first and second securement members to provide encircling gripping relation to said girth;    the first and second securement members being selectively adjustable in length relative to the base by adjustment at the base for cinching the girth-encircling member into tightness to secure said gripping relation to the girth by tightening adjustment in their length;    the first and second securement members each being swingably affixed to the base to permit each to swing in a plane which includes the axis of elongation of the base such that during said tightening adjustment of the first and second securement members, portions of the length of the girth-encircling member come into tangency with the girth;    whereby the clamping attachment of scaffolding apparatus or other access apparatus to such large-girth structure is reliably secure and safe for worker use.    
     
     
         2 . A clamp device for attaching scaffolding, support, or access apparatus to a large-girth structure, the device comprising: 
 a base is positioned transversely across the girth,    stand-off means carried by the base for spacing the base from the girth,    means carried at opposite locations on the base for attachment to said apparatus,    length-adjustable securement members are also at opposite points of the base,    a flexible elongated girth-encircling member to be extended around the girth, with length adequate for connection to the securement members which are selectively adjustable in length from the base so as to cinch the girth-encircling member into tensile condition securely gripping to the girth by tightening adjustment.    the length-adjustable securement members being movable by pivoted movement relative to the base so that during tightening, portions of the length of the girth-encircling member become tangent to points on the girth.    
     
     
         3 . A clamp device for attachment of scaffolding or other apparatus to one of possible large-girth structures having a girth which could vary over a substantially great range and having an orientation which also could vary, comprising: 
 a linearly elongated rigid support base for being positioned in proximity to such a large-girth structure in generally perpendicular relation thereto.    stand-off carried by the base and contacting points partly around the girth of such large-girth structure for spacing the base from said girth in proximity to a preselected location on said girth,    attachment points carried by the base at opposite locations along the base proximate opposite ends thereof for attachment of said apparatus,    first and second elongated length-adjustable securement members carried by the base at opposite positions along an axis of elongation of the base proximate opposite ends of the base,    at least one flexible elongated girth-encircling tensile gripping member for extension around said girth at said preselected location in gripping relation to said girth, and having a length adequate for affixment of portions thereof at opposite ends to the first and second securement members to provide encircling gripping relation to said girth,    the securement members being selectively adjustable in length relative to the base for cinching the girth-encircling member or members into tensile condition for securing said gripping relation to the girth by tightening adjustment in their length,    the securement members being pivotal relative to the base to allow them to swing such that during their tightening adjustment such that portions of the length of the girth-encircling member, when in tensile, gripping relation to the girth, become tangent to locations of said girth,    whereby the clamping attachment of scaffolding apparatus or other access apparatus to such large-girth structure is reliably secure and safe for worker use.    
     
     
         4 . A clamp device as set forth in  claim 3 , the securement members each being swingably affixed by being pivotally carried by the base to the base to permit each to move swingably in a plane which includes the axis of elongation of the base.  
     
     
         5 . A clamp device as set forth in  claim 4 , the securement members each being constituted by a tightening rod which includes a threaded portion which extends into a corresponding bar carried by the base, and a tightening device engaging the threaded portion to permit selective tightening of the rod relative to the base by drawing the rod threaded portion toward the base.  
     
     
         6 . A clamp device as set forth in  claim 3 , each tightening rod having a rod end portion carrying threads which extend above the base to allow allows convenient and safe tightening of the assembly by an installation worker.  
     
     
         7 . A clamp device as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein the tightening device is a nut threaded onto the rod threads above the base so as to be accessible by such installation worker for tightening of the nut.  
     
     
         8 . A clamp device as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein such large-girth structure has an structure axis of elongation, and wherein each corresponding bar is axially elongated and includes a bar axis parallel to the structure axis of elongation.  
     
     
         9 . A clamp device as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein the base has an axis of elongation and each corresponding bar is slotted by elongation along the base axis of elongation so as to allow swinging, pivoted, movement of the respective tightening rod through a substantial angle of at least through 90 degrees.  
     
     
         10 . A clamp device as set forth in  claim 3  wherein the tensile gripping member is carried by and extends the securement members and comprises high-strength chain.  
     
     
         11 . A clamp device as set forth in  claim 3  wherein the chain is grade  80 .  
     
     
         12 . A clamp device as set forth in  claim 3  wherein the tensile gripping member is carried by and extends the securement members and comprises high-strength chain, wire cable or rope assemblies consisting of numerous strands of cabling, or combinations of the foregoing.