Formwork Connector

Abstract

A connector (200) for connecting a first scaffold (10) to a second scaffold (20), each scaffold (10, 20) having: one or more vertical standards (12, 22); and one or more bracing members (14, 24). The connector (200) having an elongate body (210) extending along a connector axis (202), the body (210) including: a first end (212) adapted to engage a top end of the one or more vertical standards (12) of the first scaffold (10); a second end (214) adapted to engage a bottom end of the one or more vertical standards (22) of the second scaffold (20); and a connector ring (216) disposed between the first end (212) and the second end (214) for engagement with one or more bracing members (400, 600, 800) extending away from the connector axis (202).

1 . A connector for connecting a first scaffold to a second scaffold, each scaffold having:
 one or more vertical standards; and   one or more bracing members,   
       the connector having an elongate body extending along a connector axis, the body including:
 a first end adapted to engage a top end of the one or more vertical standards of the first scaffold; 
 a second end adapted to engage a bottom end of the one or more vertical standards of the second scaffold; and 
 a connector ring disposed between the first end and the second end for engagement with one or more bracing members extending away from the connector axis. 
 
     
     
         2 . A bracing member for use with two or more of the connectors of  claim 1 , the bracing member having an elongated body with a first end and a second end, each end having an engagement device to engage the connector ring of the respective connector. 
     
     
         3 . The bracing member of  claim 2 , wherein each end of the bracing member further includes:
 a second engagement device to engage a second bracing member, the second bracing member extending at an angle to the bracing member.   
     
     
         4 . The bracing member of  claim 3 , wherein the bracing member extends along a bracing member axis and the second engagement device is located at a vertical offset from the bracing member axis. 
     
     
         5 . The bracing member of  claim 4 , wherein the bracing member includes at least one second engagement device vertically offset below the bracing member axis and one second engagement device vertically offset above the bracing member axis. 
     
     
         6 . The bracing member of  claim 5 , wherein at least one of the engagement device and second engagement device is slidingly attached to the elongated body. 
     
     
         7 . The bracing member of  claim 6 , wherein each of the engagement device and the second engagement device further includes an adjustment member to be inserted within the elongated body. 
     
     
         8 . The bracing member of  claim 7 , wherein the elongated body includes a body aperture and the adjustment member includes an adjustment member aperture which are configured for receiving a fastener to secure engagement device to the elongated body. 
     
     
         9 . A fall prevention system for a scaffold or formwork frame, the fall prevention system including the connector of  claim 1  and the bracing member of any one of  claims 2 to 8 , the fall prevention system further including:
 one or more deck boards adapted to be connected to the bracing member such that the deck board extends in a deck plane that is normal to the connector axis. 
 
     
     
         10 . The fall prevention system of  claim 9 , wherein the bracing member extends along a bracing member axis and the bracing member axis extends in the deck plane. 
     
     
         11 . The fall prevention system of  claim 9 or 10 , wherein the deck board is connected to at least two bracing members such that the deck board extends between the at least two bracing members in the deck plane. 
     
     
         12 . The fall prevention system of  claim 11 , wherein the fall prevention system further includes a second bracing member, the second bracing member extending at an angle to the bracing member,
 wherein the bracing member includes a second engagement device to engage the second bracing member, the second engagement device being located at a vertical offset from the bracing member axis, and   wherein the second bracing member does not intersect the deck plane.   
     
     
         13 . The fall prevention system of  claim 12 , wherein the second bracing member extends from the second engagement device of a first bracing member to the second engagement device of a second bracing member, and
 wherein the second engagement device of the first bracing member is vertically offset below the bracing member axis and the second engagement device of the second bracing member is vertically offset above the bracing member axis.   
     
     
         14 . The fall prevention system of  claim 12 or 13 , wherein the fall prevention system further includes a third bracing member extending perpendicularly to the connector axis and the bracing member axis, the third bracing member having an elongate body that includes, at each end, a connector end piece, each connector end piece including:
 a first end adapted to engage a top end of the one or more vertical standards of the first scaffold;   a second end adapted to engage a bottom end of the one or more vertical standards of the second scaffold;   a connector ring disposed between the first end and the second end for engagement with one or more bracing members extending away from the connector end piece.   
     
     
         15 . The fall prevention system of any one of  claims 12 to 14 , wherein the fall prevention system further includes a third bracing member extending perpendicularly to the connector axis and the bracing member axis, the third bracing member having an elongate body that is adapted, at each end, to engage the connector ring, and
 wherein the third bracing member includes a second engagement device to engage the second bracing member, the second engagement device being located at a vertical offset from the bracing member axis.   
     
     
         16 . The fall prevention system of any one of  claims 9 to 15 , wherein the fall prevention system further includes a floor connector, the floor connector having an elongate body extending along a floor connector axis, the body including:
 a first end adapted to engage a top end of a prop, floor jack, or similar ground connection device;   a second end adapted to engage a bottom end of the one or more vertical standards of the first scaffold; and   a connector ring disposed between the first end and the second end for engagement with one or more bracing members extending away from the floor connector axis.   
     
     
         17 . The fall prevention system of  claim 16 , used with two like first scaffolds, further including a lateral connector having a body with at least two corners, the corner having an engagement device, the engagement device of a first corner being adapted to engage the connector ring of the floor connector of one first scaffold, the engagement device of a second corner being adapted to engage the connector ring of the floor connector of the other first scaffold. 
     
     
         18 . The fall prevention device of any one of  claims 9 to 17 , further including a fill panel having a planar body with one or more fill panel connectors along opposing edges, the fill panel connectors being adapted to engage the vertical standards of the second scaffold so as to position the fill panel in a fill plane between the vertical standards to which the fill panel connectors are engaged.