A Scaffold Connection Element, Parts Thereof, and Associated Methods

Abstract

A scaffold connection element for coupling two scaffold members, the scaffold connection element including: a first receiver configured to receive at least part of a first scaffold member; a second receiver configured to receive at least part of a second scaffold member with the first and second scaffold members substantially parallel with each other and/or co-axial with each other; and a depth adjustment arrangement configured to adjust a depth of the first receiver, such that the depth adjustment arrangement is useable to alter a distance between the first and second scaffold members received by the scaffold connection element.

1 . A scaffold connection element for coupling two scaffold members, the scaffold connection element including:
 a first receiver configured to receive at least part of a first scaffold member;   a second receiver configured to receive at least part of a second scaffold member with the first and second scaffold members substantially parallel with each other and/or co-axial with each other; and   a depth adjustment arrangement configured to adjust a depth of the first receiver, such that the depth adjustment arrangement is useable to alter a distance between the first and second scaffold members received by the scaffold connection element.   
     
     
         2 . The element according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second receivers are substantially coaxial such that the first and second scaffold members received therein are substantially coaxially arranged. 
     
     
         3 . The element according to  claim 1 , further including an outer wall which at least partially defines the first receiver and the depth adjustment arrangement includes one or more pairs of key apertures and a key, wherein the key is configured to be received by the or each pair of key apertures to alter the depth of the first receiver. 
     
     
         4 . The element according to  claim 3 , wherein the key includes an elongate main body and a head member, the head member being shaped in a corresponding manner to a part of the outer wall which the head member is configured to engage when the key is received by at least one of the one or more pairs of key apertures. 
     
     
         5 . The element according to  claim 3 , wherein the at least one of the one or more pairs of key apertures extends diagonally across the scaffold connection element. 
     
     
         6 . The element according to  claim 3 , wherein the key includes one or more retaining member apertures which are configured to receive a retaining member to inhibit or substantially prevent removal of the key from the pair of key apertures in which it is receivable. 
     
     
         7 . The element according to  claim 1 , wherein the depth adjustment arrangement further includes a winder having:
 a main body member securable within an internal channel or passage defined by the scaffold connection element;   a threaded winder shaft mounted to the main body member and configured for rotation with respect thereto; and   an abutment member located at an engagement end of the threaded winder shaft and within the first receiver, wherein rotation of the winder shaft with respect to the main body member moves the abutment member within the first receiver to adjust the depth of the first receiver.   
     
     
         8 . The element according to  claim 7 , wherein the main body member is a plate defining a threaded winder shaft aperture configured to receive the threaded winder shaft and the threaded winder shaft further includes an adjustment end having an adjustment member configured for rotation with the threaded winder shaft such that the adjustment member is useable to rotate the threaded shaft with respect to the main body member, the adjustment member being accessible through the second receiver. 
     
     
         9 . The element according to  claim 7 , wherein the winder includes a winder wall which extends from the main body member and which defines a first winder attachment aperture, the first winder attachment aperture being configured to receive an attachment member to secure the winder to an outer wall of the scaffold connection element. 
     
     
         10 . The element according to  claim 7 , further including one or more inner stop members located between the first and second receivers, wherein the or each stop member is configured to abut one or more of: the first scaffold element, the second scaffold element, and the winder. 
     
     
         11 . The element according to  claim 1 , further including one or more inner stop members located between the first and second receivers, wherein the or each stop member is configured to abut one or more of: the first scaffold element and the second scaffold element. 
     
     
         12 . The element according to  claim 1 , wherein the depth adjustment arrangement includes a winder having:
 a main body member securable within an internal channel or passage defined by the scaffold connection element;   a threaded winder shaft mounted to the main body member and configured for rotation with respect thereto; and   an abutment member located at an engagement end of the threaded winder shaft and within the first receiver, wherein rotation of the winder shaft with respect to the main body member moves the abutment member within the first receiver to adjust the depth of the first receiver, and wherein the threaded winder shaft further includes an adjustment end having an adjustment member configured for rotation with the threaded winder shaft such that the adjustment member is useable to rotate the threaded shaft with respect to the main body member, the adjustment member being accessible through the second receiver.   
     
     
         13 . The element according to  claim 1 , further including a first connection arrangement configured to mate with a second connection arrangement of a further scaffold member. 
     
     
         14 . A scaffold system including:
 a scaffold connection element for coupling two scaffold members, the scaffold connection element including:
 a first receiver configured to receive at least part of a first scaffold member; 
 a second receiver configured to receive at least part of a second scaffold member with the first and second scaffold members substantially parallel with each other and/or co-axial with each other; and 
 a depth adjustment arrangement configured to adjust a depth of the first receiver, such that the depth adjustment arrangement is useable to alter a distance between the first and second scaffold members received by the scaffold connection element; and a further scaffold member having a second connection arrangement configured to mate with a first connection arrangement of the scaffold connection element. 
   
     
     
         15 . The scaffold system according to  claim 14 , wherein the further scaffold element is a safety rail or a deck member. 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A method of fitting a winder to a scaffold connection element, the method comprising:
 providing a scaffold connection element having an outer wall defining an internal channel or passage;   providing a winder having a main body member defining an aperture to receive a threaded winder shaft of the winder, an abutment member being provided at an engagement end of the threaded winder shaft;   inserting the winder into the internal channel or passage; and   securing the winder to the outer wall within the internal channel or passage such that the winder is between a first receiver and a second receiver, each receiver being configured to receive a respective scaffold member, the abutment member being located within the first receiver, and the winder being operable to adjust a depth of the first receiver by adjusting a location of the abutment member within the first receiver by rotation of the threaded winder shaft with respect to the main body member.