Modular scaffold board

Abstract

A modular scaffold board comprising: a plurality of board members of different lengths; and at least one joining member, for joining the board members in an end-to-end fashion. A kit of parts comprising a plurality of board members of different lengths, joining members and end parts for forming modular scaffold boards in a wide variety of lengths is also described.

1 . A modular scaffold board comprising:
 a plurality of board members of different lengths; and   at least one joining member, joining the board members in an end-to-end fashion.   
     
     
         2 . A modular scaffold board as claimed in  claim 1  in which said at least one joining member is a separate component from the board members. 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . A modular scaffold board as claimed in  claim 1  in which each board member has a joining member integrally formed therewith. 
     
     
         7 . A modular scaffold board as claimed in  claim 6  in which the joining member comprises a male connecting part at one end of the board member which connects with a female connecting part of another board member. 
     
     
         8 . A modular scaffold board as claimed in  claim 6  comprising an end cap at each end thereof. 
     
     
         9 . A modular scaffold board as claimed in  claim 8  in which one end cap has a male connecting part connected to a female connecting part of a board member and the other end cap has a female connecting part connected to a male connecting part of another board member. 
     
     
         10 . A kit of parts for providing a modular scaffold board comprising: a plurality of boards members including board members of at least two different lengths and at least one joining member for joining the board members in an end-to-end fashion. 
     
     
         11 . A kit of parts as claimed in  claim 10  comprising: a plurality of boards members including board members of at least two different lengths in which the joining member comprises a male connecting part at one end and a female connecting part at the other end integrally formed therewith for joining the board members in an end-to-end fashion. 
     
     
         12 . A kit of parts as claimed in  claim 11  comprising a plurality of end caps for fitting to the ends of the modular scaffold board(s). 
     
     
         13 . A kit of parts as claimed in  claim 12  comprising a plurality of boards members including board members of at least two different lengths, each board member comprising a male connecting part at one end and a female connecting part at the other end, and a plurality of end caps for fitting to the ends of the modular scaffold board(s). 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A kit of parts as claimed in  claim 10  comprising a plurality of fourth board members or joining members comprising a male connecting part at one end and a female connecting part at the other end, the male and/or female connecting parts thereof being adapted so that the fourth board member or joining member can be connected only between another board member and an end cap. 
     
     
         17 . A kit of parts in which said fourth board members or joining members have a length of 4 L. 
     
     
         18 . A kit of parts as claimed in  claim 17  in which L=1 inch (2.54 cm). 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A kit of parts as claimed in  claim 1  in which, in use, the male and female connecting parts of the joining member are configured to provide a connection between board members which gives the modular scaffold board stability under forces exerted in a direction perpendicular to the direction of engagement of the male and female connecting parts. 
     
     
         23 . A kit of parts as claimed in  claim 22  in which said connection is able to support at least the weight of a person standing thereon whereby, when a modular board is supported by a plurality of transoms spaced apart by a minimum recommended spacing S, board members having a length less than S do not necessarily have to be supported by a transom. 
     
     
         24 . A kit of parts as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a locking mechanism for releasably locking the board members and the joining member in the joined state. 
     
     
         25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . A kit of parts as claimed in  claim 1  formed substantially of a plastics material. 
     
     
         29 . A kit of parts as claimed in  claim 28  formed by injection moulding. 
     
     
         30 . A method of forming a modular scaffold board, the method comprising the steps of:
 selecting a plurality of board members from a group of board members including board members of different lengths; and   joining the plurality of board members in an end-to-end fashion with at least one joining member.   
     
     
         31 . The method of forming a modular scaffold board according to  claim 30 , the method further comprising the step of:
 capping at least one non-joined end of the board members with an end-cap selected from a group of end-caps including end-caps of different lengths.   
     
     
         32 . The method of forming a modular scaffold board according to  claim 30  in which the assembled modular scaffold board is arranged to be supported by transoms positioned beneath the board. 
     
     
         33 . The method of forming a modular scaffold board according to  claim 30 , in which the modular scaffold board is arranged to be used alongside conventional wooden scaffold boards having substantially the same cross-sectional dimensions. 
     
     
         34 - 42 . (canceled)