Support Devices for Stanchions

This invention relates to support devices and in particular a support for protective devices used as guard rails, scaffolding, or the like.

Guard rails, hand rails, scaffolding, and the like are protective and supportive devices used around work areas, in connection with construction, and in protecting workers from dangerous machinery and other dangerous situations. In many instances such guard rail devices are temporary in nature, intended to be used only during periods of construction or installation of machinery. On other occasions, such guard rails are more permanent, meant to remain in place for long periods of time. In terms of the overall discussion of scaffolding, guard rails, and the like, it is to be understood herein that the term "stanchion" may refer generically to either vertically upright or horizontal members used in guard rails, scaffolding, and the like.

At the heart of any efficient stanchion, it is desirable to provide ones which are easily installable, may be used for long periods of time (even permanently), and, where desired, may be easily removed.

The disposition of guard rails around the perimeter of work areas has long been used and many arrangements have been suggested. The most common type of guard rail is often improvised and jerry-built. Recently, however, governmental agencies at various levels have begun to specify safety precautions along most work and building sites. Amongst these provisions is the Federal Government's Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), which specifies not only the height of guard rails, but their rigidity and general configuration. Much of the present guard rails are not in conformance with these regulations or are too expensive for economical use.

One suggested guard rail was disclosed by Lionetto in U.S. Pat. No. 3,662,993. That device calls for stanchions which are wedged between upper and lower floors. The difficulty with a design such as this is that, in the first place, it requires an opposed upper floor. Secondly, the use of two bearing surfaces requires an uneconomical combination of parts in order to secure the railings to the site. Thirdly, the protective device cannot be left permanently on the site. Furthermore, it is doubtful that such a device would be absolutely secure, particularly if the opposed floors are uneven or if the screw jack combination is not sufficient to provide uniform and continuous pressures.

Still another suggested type of guard rail was provided by Melfi in U.S. Pat. No. 3,351,311. In this arrangement, there is provided a C-clamp for surrounding and engaging a cement floor. However, such a device tends to pivot about the point of engagement (that is, at the contact of the C-clamp with the floor). In addition, variation in floor sizes may require different size C-shaped clamped for practical engagement, thereby rendering such an arrangement complicated and expensive in use.

One other suggested means of engaging a post in a rail, or a rail in a floor, was disclosed by Macrea in U.S. Pat. No. 406,657. Macrea provides an end of a rail having two sleeves pivotally mounted for expansion within a frusto-conically-shaped cavity in a post. For this device to work, however, the cavity had to be especially designed with its special shape, and the grip of the rail would not be believed to be too secure, in any event. So that if such a post and rail combination were used with the railing taking the form of a stanchion, and having to support a guard rail, it would be weak and insecure.

All of the suggested devices herein, and other similar devices, are believed to be either permanent or of temporary design. None have the flexibility to be used as both permanent or temporary installations. This lack of flexibility adds to their cost and inconvenience of use.

In the past, brackets for supporting railings have been rigidly secured to stanchions. Thus, McCarthy in U.S. Pat. No. 791,713 shows a typically rigid, rail-holding brackets which are integral with the stanchion. This means that if the stanchion must be partially removed (so as to admit equipment to a work area, for example) the railings will have to be removed from the stanchion before removing the stanchion itself. This problem is further compounded where the stanchion is removed by rotation. A rigid bracket will obviously rotate with the stanchion thereby necessitating the removal of the railings.

Bettis, in U.S. Pat. No. 57,073 suggests brackets which are held in place by a wedge. Removal of the wedge, however, would necessarily result in the bracket dropping down the stanchion making more difficult removal of the stanchion. Williams, in U.S. Pat. No. 1,864,159 suggests a guard rail in which the brackets are rings held to the post by set screws. A loosening of the set screws necessarily result in the dropping of the bracket thereby making removal of the rail more difficult.

It is an object of this invention to provide a support device for supporting a stanchion, or the like, which is easily insertable and removable from a work area.

It is an object of this device to provide a reusable support device for supporting a stanchion or the like.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a support device for stanchions or the like which may form part of either a temporary or permanent installation.

In fulfillment of these objectives, there is provided a support means for stanchions or the like of the type having at least a portion thereof insertable within a cavity of a predetermined configuration. Support means comprises a base means which can be inserted into the cavity. An expansible means is provided upon the base means and is also insertable within the cavity. Finally, there is provided an engaging means which is coupled to the support means. When the engaging means is caused to move towards the base means upon the support means, both the engaging means and the base means exert compression forces upon the expansible means, thereby causing the expansible means to engage the cavity walls and secure therewithin the support means.

In one aspect of this invention, the base means comprises a washer and a vertically threaded rod, the expansible means is a rubber toroidal collar upon the support means and the engaging means may be a metal sleeve and nut. The nut screws down upon the sleeve forcing it against the rubber collar and pulling up on the washer, thereby causing the rubber collar to expand and engage the walls of the cavity.

In a further example of this invention, the expansible means are metal sleeves or arms pivotally mounted to a support means.

In still another aspect of the invention, there is provided a stanchion support device which comprises both a male and female members. The male member comprises a bayonet engaging member and the female member comprises a bayonet receiving member complementary to the male member bayonet engaging member. The stanchion support device also comprises resilient means for forcing the male and female members into engagement and column means exterior to the female member and secured to the male member, for securing the support device in place.

In a further aspect of this invention, there is provided a guard rail device which comprises at least one stanchion. Means are provided for receiving the stanchion and into which the stanchion is releasably held. At least one bracket for holding railings is secured to the stanchion and freely rotatable with respect thereto. Means are provided to prevent the bracket from moving downwardly along the stanchion.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a support device and stanchion, all constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the stanchion of FIG. 1 taken along line 2--2;

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view of the stanchion of FIG. 1 taken along the line 3--3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the stanchion support device of FIG. 1 taken along line 4--4;

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view of the stanchion support device of FIG. 1 taken along line 5--5;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a stanchion constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a support device and guard rail support means constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention;

FIG. 8 is a sectional side view of the device of FIG. 7 taken along line 8--8;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a device for holding a column and secured to a work area by a support device of the type shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a partial sectional view of the device of FIG. 9 taken along line 10--10;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of the male member of another stanchion support device constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of a support device employing the male member of FIG. 11;

FIGS. 13 and 14 are partial sectional views of another support device constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention;

FIG. 15 is a perspective exploded view of the male and female portions of another suppport device and stanchion constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention;

FIG. 16 is a partial sectional view of an engaged support device of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a sectional view of another support device constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention;

FIG. 18 is a partial sectional view of the top portion of a stanchion having a bracket constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention; and

FIG. 19 is a sectional view of the bracket of FIG. 18 taken along line 19--19.

As has been previously indicated, "stanchion" as used herein means any post, scaffolding, or similar device for supporting any guard rail, scaffolding member, whether horizontal or vertical in orientation. Turning to the drawing, there will be seen (FIGS. 1, 4, and 5) one type of support device 20 for securing a stanchion. There are provided male 22 and female 24 members. The female member 24 may comprise a cup-like member 26 and a mounting bracket 28. The cup 26 may have any desired shape. Thus, as shown it may be cylindrical. On the other hand, the cup 26 may be replaced with a cavity or other opening in a work area having any other desired shape as well. The function of the cup or the cavity will be more fully discussed below.

The cup 26 may be made of any structural material such as, for example, polyvinyl chloride. The cup 26 may have annular grooves 30 (FIG. 5) formed therein. The bracket 28 may have any desired shape, such as a question mark shape with the straight portion 32 terminating in a perpendicular and planar nail plate 34. As disclosed in FIG. 5, the bracket 28 may comprise three resilient members which may be made of, for example, wire joined to the nail plate 34 by welding or the like. Any other convenient shape may be used for a bracket.

The male portion 22 of the support device 20 comprises a plate 36. The plate 36 may take the form of a washer of heavy guage steel, for example. The plate member 36 conforms generally to the interior configuration of the cup 26. Secured to the plate member 36 by welding, casting, or the like may be a centrally disposed rod-like member 38. This rod-like member 38 may take the form, for example, of a threaded steel rod. Placed over this rod 38 and resting upon the washer 36 may be a toroidal collar 40 of expansible material. Thus, resilient material may be used, such as, for example, vinyl, neoprene, or rubber.

Disposed on top of the collar 40 and about the rod 38 and movable with respect thereto, is a sleeve 42. The sleeve 42 may be hollow and substantially annular. The sleeve 42 may have a neck portion 44 which terminates in a small, marginal edge flange 46. The neck portion 44 extends from the marginal flange 46 outwardly to a body portion 48 of the sleeve 42. Both the neck portion 44 and flange 46, and the collar 40 that it abuts, are so dimensioned as to fit easily within the cup 26. The juncture of the neck 44 with the body portion 48 of the sleeve 42 may be so dimensioned as to contact the inner wall 50 of the cup 26.

The body portion 48 of the sleeve 42 may have any shape suitable to fit within an opening. Thus, as shown, it may be substantially cylindrical in shape and extend upwardly along a portion of the rod 38. A radially extending flange 52 is provided on the body portion 48 and rests upon the mouth of the cup 26. A tang 54 extends radially outwardly and terminates in the same radial plane as the radial flange 52. The purpose of the radial flange 52 and tang 54 will be more fully discussed below.

Opposed to the tang 54 and extending outwardly, as a tangent from a circle, is a toe board nail plate 56. The toe board nail plate 56 extends to either side of the body portion 48 of the sleeve 42 and may have apertures 58 (FIG. 5) for admitting nails therethrough.

In assembly, the cup 26 is placed in an area which may be cemented in. The bracket 28 is placed about the cup 20 in the annular grooves 30. The nail plate 34 may then be nailed to the form board 60 by means of nails 62. The distance of the cup 26 from the form board 60 is arbitrary and is made to conform with any desired distance or existing statutory requirements of spacing a guard rail from the edge of a work area. Generally, if the support device is employed where, for example, cement floors are being laid, the cups 26, as indicated, are pre-set in place. Cement 64 is then foated into place. After the cement 64 has set, the male member 22 of the support device 20 is placed within the female member cup 26. At this time, the collar 40 is spaced from the inner wall 50 of the cup 26. A stanchion 66 (FIGS. 1 and 5) may have an integral nut or other engaging means 68 secured at one end. The nut 68 may be threaded on the threaded rod 38. It will be noted that the support rod 38 extends only a short distance within the stanchion 66. As the stanchion 66 is tightened downwardly, the sleeve 42 presses upon the collar 40. Threading down upon the rod 38 causes the plate 36 to pull upwardly thereby applying forces to both sides of the collar 40. In response to the forces the collar 40 expands to engage the wall 50 of the cup 26. Thus engaged, a stanchion 66, or other device, may be locked in place either permanently or temporarily and easily removed by unthreading the stanchion 66.

Disposed at various points along the stanchion 66 may be collars 70 and 72 (FIGS. 1, 2, and 3). The collars 70 and 72 may be secured to the stanchion 66 by welding or the like. Disposed about the stanchion 66 and residing upon the collars 70 and 72 are planar L-shaped rail support members 74 and 76, respectively. The L-shaped rail support members 74 and 76 are rotatably secured upon the stanchion 66 and held in place by the collars 70 and 72, respectively. The stanchion 66 has at the end opposed to the end having an integral nut 68, a hex nut 78. The hex nut 78 may be made of any common material, such as steel, and may be welded or formed as an integral part of the stanchion 66.

In use, the cup 26 is placed in an area which is to be flooded with concrete 64 or the like. The bracket 28 is placed about the cup 26 and its nail plate 34 is secured against a form board 60 by nails 62. The distance from the cup 26 to the nail plate 34 may be the prescribed distance from the edge of a work area as set forth by statutory requirements (e.g., OHSA) or, in the alternative, any distance that is required or desired. The concrete 64 is next floated into place and permitted to harden. As a next step, the assembly which includes the support plate 36, rod 38, collar 40, sleeve 42, are lowered into the cup with the flange 52 resting on the lip or marginal edge of the cup 26. A plurality of these cups 26 with their male insert portions 22 may be disposed along a particular path adjacent the edge of a work area (not shown). A toe board 80 may then be driven through the apertures 58 in the nail plate 56 into the toe board 80. Nailing the toe board 80 to the nail plate 56 of the sleeve 42 helps to orient and fix the sleeve 42 in place. Next, the stanchion 66 is lowered into place and the integral nut 68 engages the threaded rod 38 and is tightened downwardly thereon. In turning the stanchion 66, the hex nut 78 may be engaged by a wrench or the like (not shown) and the entire member tightened in that manner.

As shown in FIG. 1, the arms 74 and 76 may be parallel the toe board 80. However, any other arrangement may be employed. Generally, these arms 74 and 76 are used to hold boards (or guard rails) 82 which are secured in place by, for example, nails 84 driven through nail holes 86 in the upright arms 88.

It will be noted that the boards 82 terminate on each arm 74 and 76 so that a continuous smooth guard rail is formed between standing stanchions 66 (only one is shown).

The brackets or arms 74 and 76 are freely rotatable upon the stanchion 66. This enagles the stanchion 66 to be rotated for removal or installation independent of the position of the brackets 74 and 76. This is particularly useful when the stanchion 66 is to be removed to admit machinery to a work area. The stanchion 66 can be removed while the brackets 74 and 76 remain substantially stationary. The stanchion 66 is then lifted with the railings or boards 82 in place, thereby saving time. The collars 70 and 72 prevent the brackets 74 and 76, respectively, from slipping downwardly under the weight of the boards 82 as the stanchion 66 is lifted.

If guard rails were to be installed at corners, as for example about a shaft on a site of construction, a stanchion 66' (FIG. 6) may have a plurality of such arms 74' and 76' thereon. Thus, (as shown in FIG. 6) the arms 74' and 76' may be located at the two desired levels. In this way, a stanchion may form the corner of guard rails which are at right angles to one another (not shown).

The tang 54 is used to steady the stanchion 66 and prevent it from swaying. The radial flange 52 and the toe board 80 serve the same function. Thus, a rigid and secure but temporary guard rail installation may be made. On the other hand, it should be understood that this installation may be left permanently in place. In this regard, the support device 20 may be altered to include more permanent types of guard rails as is commonly known in the art. It is to be understood as well, that while the cup 26 is regarded as an important aspect of this invention, it is also contemplated that if the cavity into which the male portion 22 of this invention is inserted were properly dimensioned, a separate or pre-formed cup would not be essential. Rather, the male portion 26 could be inserted into the female cavity (not shown).

The support device 20 of this invention may be modified for other types of guard rail support means.

In another approach, the support device 20 is shown used in combination with a column 90 (FIGS. 7 and 8). The female portion 24' comprises a cup 26'. The male portion 24' of the support device 20 may then be inserted into the cup 26' in the column 90 substantially perpendicular thereto. The stanchion 92 in this instance takes the form of a rectangular member 94. L-shaped arms 96 and 98 may be secured at appropriate positions on the rectangular member 94. The rectangular member 94 may be made of structural material such as steel and may have on the side 100 opposed to the side to which are secured the arms 96 and 98, a pair of opposed legs 104. The legs 104 may be joined thereto by welding or the like, and are intended to support the member 94 and space it from the column 90. One leg 106 of each of the L-shaped arms 96 and 98 is disposed spaced from the member 94 and parallel thereto, in order to engage and hold guard rails which may be, for example, in the form of wooden boards 108. The legs 104 space the member 94 from the column 90. The member 94 may be secured to the male member 22 by a nut 110 (which may be made of steel or the like), which is secured by welding or the like, to a centrally disposed aperture 112 in the member 94. To avoid having to rotate the member 94 while tightening the sleeve 44 and plate 36 against the collar 40, the nut 110 may be rotatably mounted in the member 94 in a manner well known in the art. It is not required that the member 94 be rectangular or that the arms 96 and 98 be L-shaped. The purpose of this device is to permit guard rails to be interconnected between columns or from a stanchion to a column.

In another aspect of this invention (shown in FIGS. 9 and 10), a box-like member 114 may be secured to the threaded rod 38 of the male member 22 by means of a nut 116 centrally disposed in the bottom wall 118 thereof. Legs 120 may be secured to the bottom wall 118 to keep the box 114 upright. The box 114 is used to retain therein a column (not shown). Thus, for example, the box 114 may be made of any sturdy structural material such as steel. An ordinary wooden column, for example, one 4 inches by 4 inches, or any other desired dimensions, may be placed in the box 114 and rails nailed directly thereto (not shown).

While the preferred form of male and female members 22 and 24, respectively, have been disclosed herein (FIGS. 1-10), there may be other related male and female members in accordance with this invention. Several are discussed hereinbelow. It will be appreciated that any of the previous discussed stanchion members (see FIGS. 1-10) may be used in conjuntion with any of the following suggested devices.

Turning now to another aspect of this invention, there is disclosed (in FIG. 11) a male member 102. A base member 124, which may be in the form of a washer of heavy gauge steel, for example, may have secured thereto an upright rod 126. The rod 126 may be perpendicular to the base 124 and secured by any known means, such as welding. Upon the base 124 is an expansible member 128. While the expansible member 128 may be made of any resilient material, such as rubber or the like, and may take any form, it is preferably an accordion-pleased cylinder-like rubber member. The rod 126 passes through an axially disposed opening in the expansible member 128. Resting upon the top 130 of the expansible member 128 is a pressure plate 132. The pressure plate 132 may be made of any strong, rigid material, such as steel. The plate 132 may be in the form of a washer about the rod 126 and movable with respect thereto.

A pair of opposed cam arms 134 are joined at the ends of the arm portions 136 by a portion 138 perpendicular to the arms, thereby forming a unitary, generally U-shaped element 140. The cam element 140 is rotatably secured to the rod 126 by means of a shaft 142 which is rotatable and passes diametrically through the rod 126. The shaft 142 may be made of any suitable material, such as steel, and welded to the cam portion of the element 140. The shaft 142 is secured eccentrically to the cam portion 144 so that upon rotation in a counterclockwise direction (arrow 146, FIG. 12), the pressure plate 132 is urged downwardly (arrow 150, FIG. 12), thereby causing the expansible member 128 to expand.

The expansible member 128 is expanded by rotating the arm portion 136 about the rod 126 with the handle (or perpendicular) portion 138 passing over the rod 126. The camming element 140 may be so dimensioned as to accept securely upon the rod 126, a stanchion 152. Thus, the male member 122 is inserted into a female member 154, the arms 140 are cammed (counterclockwise in FIG. 12) and the stanchion 152 secured. The female member 154 may take the form of a cup, as previously disclosed.

Turning now to still another embodiment of this invention, there is disclosed (FIGS. 13 and 14) a male member 156 having a support plate 158 which is in turn secured to a threaded upright rod 160. The rod 160 and plate 158 may be made of any structural material, such as steel, and secured to one another by welding or the like. Scissor-like arms 162 and 164 are pivotally secured to the rod 160 by means of a shaft 166 passing therethrough. The free end 168 and 170 of the arms 162 and 164 have hook-like barbs, the purpose of which will be more fully explained below.

The plate 158, it should be noted, is generally disk-shaped and frusto-conical, with the apex pointed upwardly. A sleeve 172 (as shown in phantom) is placed over the rod 160 and engages the arms 162 and 164 just above the shaft 166. A stanchion (not shown) may be threaded upon the rod 160 causing the sleeve 172 to engage the arms 162 and 164. The threading causes the plate 150 to be drawn upwardly. These two actions cause the arms 164 and 166 to be moved outwardly. Thus, if the male member 156 is inserted into a female member (a cavity in a work area) 172, the barbs 168 and 170 will engage the cavity walls securing the stanchion thereto.

Finally, in still another aspect of this invention, there are male and female members, 174 and 176 respectively. The female member 176 comprises a cup-shaped member 176 which may have a generally cylindrical configuration. Within the cup 176 is a resilient means, such as a coil spring 178. Secured to the spring 178 may be a pressure plate 180 made of any well known rigid material, such as steel. The pressure plate 180 may be disk-shaped. A bayonet interlock slot 182 may be cast within the interior wall 184 of the cup 176. The male member 174 may comprise a generally cylindrical member having at one end thereof a pair of exposed bayonet pins 186 extending radially outward therefrom. In the examples disclosed herein, the bayonet pins 186 may be a single steel rod secured within an aperture in the male member 174 by welding or the like. A support flange 188 is about the male member 174 and proximate the pins 186.

The male member 174 may be, for example, a stanchion (not fully shown). The flange 188 holds a collar 190 in place about the stanchion 174. The collar 190 may be provided with locking screws (as is commonly knwon) which may engage and bite into the stanchion 176. Thus, in operation, the cup 176 may be secured in place by cement 192 (FIG. 16) or the like, which has been previously floated into place. The cup 176 may be located with respect to an edge of a work area by a bracket (not shown). The bayonet pins 186 of the stanchion may be forced downwardly in the slot 182 and then into bayonet locking position. The springs 178 forcing against the stanchion 174 may be sufficient to hold the stanchion 174 securely within the cup 176 so as to prevent it from being accidentally removed. The collar 190 secured around the end of the stanchion 174 may be used to secure the stanchion against undesired pivotal movement. Thus, there would be provided a stanchion 174 which may be secured to a female member without using separate parts. The stanchion 174 would be a single unit.

It will be understood throughout that the shape of the male and female members may be altered to any desired or convenient shape - from cylindrical (as disclosed) to elliptical, rectangular, or the like. Further, it is also understood that the use of a threaded rod is not necessary and any other engaging means may be used in its place.

Not only may the type of support device (compare FIGS. 5, 12, 13, and 15) and the type of stanchion supported thereby (compare FIGS. 1, 6, 7, and 9) be varied, but so may the manner of securing a female member to a work area. As disclosed thus far, a female member may be inserted into a hardenable material or be formed as an integral part thereof (as in precast cement planks). However, the female member may be secured in other ways to a work area. For example, (FIG. 17) a female member or cup 192 may be secured to a C-clamp 194. The cup 192 and clamp 194 may be made of, for example, steel adjoined by welding or the like. A male member 196 of the type disclosed herein may be inserted into the cup 192 and a stanchion 198 supported thereby. The entire assembly may be secured by the C-clamp to any desired work area. Thus, the C-clamp 194 may be placed about one side of an I beam 200. The C-clamp may also be arranged to grip both top 202 and bottom 204 sections of the I beam 200 on a floor or the like.

In another aspect of the invention described herein, there is provided a stanchion 220 (only the top portion of which is shown in FIG. 18). The upper end of the stanchion may be provided with flattened portions 222. These flattened portions 222 may be opposed on the stanchion or be located in any other convenient position, as will be more readily apparent in the following discussion.

An L-shaped bracket 224 and stanchion 220 may be so constructed as to serve as a self-contained wrench. Thus, the bracket 224 may have a centrally disposed hole 226 so dimensioned to fit easily over the stanchion 220. The upper portion of the stanchion 220 may be flattened to form a somewhat elliptical shape 222. Thus, the principal axis of the elliptical portion 222 may be greater than the diameter of the remainder of the stanchion 220, while the minor axis may be less than the diameter. The top of the stanchion 220 may be a flattened or enlarged marginal edge portion. This marginal edge portion may be formed by means of a cap or integral protrusion 230 of the stanchion 220. The diameter of the cap 230 may be larger than the hole 226 of the bracket 224. In this way, the bracket 224 may be prevented from being removed from the stanchion 220. The hole 226 may have a somewhat elliptical shape with the principal axis of sufficient dimension to accommodate the principal axis of the somewhat elliptical end 222 of the stanchion 220. The minor axis of the hole 226 may be so dimensioned as to accommodate the diameter of the remainder of the stanchion 220.

In use, the bracket 224 may be disposed at the elliptical portion 222 of the stanchion 220 and will act as a wrench enabling the user to tighten the stanchion 220 in place. Clearly, this arrangement may be conveniently used on any of the foregoing embodiments of the stanchion support device. Further, because of the dimensioning of the stanchion 220 below the flattened or elliptical portions thereof, the bracket 224 may be rotated easily in the same manner as the brackets shown, for example, in FIG. 1.