Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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CLAMPING APPARATUS AND APPARATUS
FOR USE IN ERECTING TEMPORARY
GUARD RAILS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to temporary guard rail systems disposed at
the peripheral edge of a structure such as an elevated floor slab. More
generally, the present invention relates to a clamping apparatus that can be
used, inter alia, in the erection of such a temporary guard rail system.
DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART
In the . construction industry, commercial, industrial and multi-unit
residential buildings are typically constructed with a framework of steel
girders.
The framework for the various floor levels as formed, concrete floor slabs are
poured so that the workmen on the project have floor support upon which to
perform their task. Since the floor slabs are poured before the building walls
are
constructed, it is important to create some type of perimeter guard at the
edges
of the floor slabs to prevent workers from inadvertently falling off the edge
of a
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floor slab without realizing they are near the edge. Additionally, perimeter
guard
rails, to meet certain governmental standards, have to have a toe board that
generally abuts the top surface of the slab so as to prevent tools and
construction materials from falling off the edge of the slab onto workers
below.
For many years temporary guard rails forming perimeter guards for floor
slabs in a multi-story building or the like have been provided by installing
temporary stanchions or posts at spaced intervals around the perimeter of an
elevated floor slab. The posts or stanchions provide vertical supports to
which
horizontal guard rails can be attached to form the temporary guard rail around
the perimeter of the floor slab.
Typical of systems used in constructing temporary guard rails or other
perimeter guard constructions are those disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos.
3,863,900; 3,995,833; 4,307,824; 5,029,670; 6,585,080; and 6,679,482.
In U.S. Patent No. 5,560,588 there is disclosed a support for a temporary
guard railing that comprises a base adapted to be removably attached to a
floor,
surface, e.g., the surface of a slab, and support walls upstanding from the,
base
and defining between them an inwardly opening socket for receipt of a post. At
least one pair of parallel rail guide flanges are adjoined to the base and
project
laterally outwardly with respect to one of the support walls whereby a rail
such as
a 2 x 4 can be received between the rail guide flanges. The support disclosed
in
U.S. Patent No. 5,560,588 has found wide-spread success in the construction
industry, particularly, in use in forming temporary guard rails around wooden
floors, stairs and the like. Further, while the support system disclosed in
U.S.
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Patent No. 5,560,588 can be employed with concrete slabs, stairs and the like,
it
suffers from the, disadvantage that in such circumstances holes must be
drilled
into the concrete slab in order to mount the support. This is time consuming
and
furthermore requires, in many cases, that the drill holes be patched once the
temporary guard rail system is removed.
Aside from erecting temporary guard rails along the peripheral edges of
floor slabs, stairs and the like, clamp assemblies that can be used to clamp
along the peripheral edge of a slab, stairs, or similar structure, have a wide
variety of uses in addition to being used in the constri ction'of'a temporary
guard
rail.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one .,preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an
apparatus for clamping a structure at its edge, the structure having opposed,
generally upper and lower surfaces. The clamping apparatus includes a
stanchion and a first clamping assembly attached, generally fixed, to the
stanchion. There is a second clamping assembly that is selectively, slidably
moveable longitudinally along the stanchion, the first and second clamping
assemblies being adapted to clamp a structure therebetween. The second
clamping assembly includes a support plate that extends laterally outward in a
direction away from the stanchion, e.g., generally inwardly of the edge of the
structure being clamped. The support plate is positioned closely adjacent a
surface of the structure when the structure is clamped between the first and
second clamping assemblies, and is in operative compressive engagement with
such surface of the structure being clamped.
In another preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an
apparatus for use in erecting a temporary guard rail, the apparatus comprising
a
stanchion and a first clamping assembly attached, generally fixedly, to the
stanchion. There is a second clamping assembly selectively slidably moveable
along the stanchion, the second clamping assembly including a support plate
extending laterally outwardly in a direction away from the stanchion, i.e.,
generally inwardly from the edge of the structure being clamped. There is a
holder for a selectively removable post for a temporary guard rail, the holder
comprising a base adapted. ,to be removably attached to the support plate.
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Support walls, upstanding from the base, define an upwardly opening socket for
receipt of a post. There are also at least one air of rail guide flanges
adjoining the
base of the holder, which project laterally outwardly with respect to one of
the support
walls, the spacing between the guide rail flanges being dimensions so as to
receive a
toe board therebetween.
In a broad aspect, the invention pertains to an apparatus for use in clamping
a
structure at the edge of the structure, the structure having opposed surfaces,
The
apparatus comprises a stanchion, a first clamping assembly attached to the
stanchion,
and a second clamping assembly selectively, slidably moveable longitudinally
along
the stanchion. The second clamping assembly includes a first collar slidably
moveable
on the stanchion, the collar including a first frame attached to the first
collar. The
second clamping assembly includes a support plate extending laterally outward
in a
direction away from the stanchion and the second clamping assembly further
comprises a force imparting assembly attached to the first frame and a bearing
plate
spaced from and connected to the support plate. The second clamping assembly
further includes a second collar slidably moveable, relative to the first
collar, on the
stanchion, the second collar being positioned between the first collar and the
first
clamping assembly. A second frame is attached to the second collar, the second
collar
being rotatably positioned on the second frame. The second frame comprises the
support plate and the bearing plate, the support plate being positioned
closely adjacent
one of the opposed surfaces of the structure when the structure is clamped
between the
first and second clamping assemblies. The force imparting assembly acts on the
bearing plate to compressively urge the support plate into operative,
compressive
engagement with the one of the opposed surfaces of the structure.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a plan view of a portion of a guard rail system constructed using
the apparatus of.the present invention.
Fig. 2 is an elevational view of the guard rail system shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is an elevational view, partly in section, taken along the lines 3-3 of
Fig.2.
Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines 4-4 of Fig. 3.
Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines of 5-5 of Fig. 3.
Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines of 6-6 of Fig. 3.
Fig. 7 is an elevational, view, partly in section, showing a portion of the
second clamping assembly used in the apparatus depicted in Fig. 3.
Fig. 8 is a top, plan view of an embodiment of the present invention shown
in Fig. 9.
Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 7 showing a portion of the second clamping
assembly used in the apparatus of the present invention.
Fig. 10 is an elevational view, partly. in section,. showing another
.embodiment of the clamping apparatus of the present invention.
Fig. 11 is a view taken along the lines 11-11 of Fig. 10.
Fig. 12 is an elevational view, partly in section, showing still another
embodiment of the clamping apparatus of the present invention.
Fig. 13 is an elevational view, partly in section, showing another
embodiment of the clamping apparatus of the present invention.
Fig. 14 is a view taken -along the lines 14-14 of. Fig. 13.
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Fig. 15 is an elevational view of another embodiment of the clamping
apparatus of the present invention.
Fig. 16 is a view taken along the lines 16-16 of Fig. 15.
Fig. 17 is an elevational view of another embodiment of the clamping
apparatus of the present invention.
Fig. 18 is a view taken along the lines 18-18 of Fig. 17.
Fig. 19 is an elevational view of another embodiment of the clamping
apparatus of the present invention.
Fig. 20 is a view taken along the lines:20-20 of Fig. 19.
Fig. 21 is an elevational view of another embodiment of the clamping
apparatus of the present invention and
Fig. 22 is a view taken along the lines 22-22 of Fig. 21.
Fig. 23 is a partial, elevational view showing a modification of the
clamping apparatus shown in Figs. 21 and 22.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS
As used herein, the term "structure," "structural members" or any variation
thereof, with which the apparatus of the present invention would be used, is
intended to mean a slab, concrete or otherwise, a parapet, a stair, or for
that
matter, any structural body that has a peripheral edge or edges and that has
opposed surfaces, e.g., top and bottom, which can be engaged by the clamping
apparatus of the present invention in a compressive type engagement.
Referring then to Figs. 1 and 2, a temporary guard rail system employing
the apparatus of the present invention is shown. A slab shown generally as 10,
which could be the floor of a multi-story structure, has a peripheral edge 12.
Spaced at intervals along the peripheral edge 12 are a series of clamping
apparatuses shown generally as 14 and, described more fully below. A
temporary guard rail system comprising generally vertically, upwardly
extending
support posts 16, supported by clamping apparatus 14, toe boards 18, mid rails
20, and top rails 22 extends around the periphery 12 of the slab 10. Although,
as shown, the temporary rail is comprised of wood, e.g., 2 x 4's and the like,
it
will be recognized that it could be made of steel, aluminum or other
materials, if
desired.
Turning now to Fig. 3, there is shown in greater detail an embodiment of
the clamping apparatus of the present invention. Clamping apparatus 14
comprises a stanchion 17 having a front surface 18 and a back, opposed surface
20, surface 20 being provided with a series of apertures 22 spaced
longitudinally
therealong. At its lower end, -stanchion 17 is welded to a first clamping
assembly
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shown generally as 24, which can conveniently comprise a pair of side support
.plates 26 to which, in turn, is welded a plate or pad 28 that extends
laterally
outwardly from support plates 26.
While first clamping assembly 24, as shown, is fixedly attached to
stanchion 17, ,:'it will be appreciated that provision could be made to, have
clamping assembly 24 slidably moveable along stanchion 17.
There is also a second clamping assembly shown generally as 30 that
basically comprises two main components, 30A and 30B. Component 30A is
comprised of a collar formed by spaced first and second plates 32 and 34,
which
are attached to a rib 36 welded therebetween, rib 36 being adjacent front
surface
18 of stanchion 17. A second rib 38, spaced from rib 36, is welded to plates
32
and 34, plates 32, 34 and ribs 36 and 38 serving to form a collar that is
slidably
mounted on stanchion 17. Stanchion 17 is provided at its upper end with a stop
29 that prevents the collar from being inadvertently removed or slipping off.
when
the apparatus is being moved from job site to job site. Rib 38 carries a fixed
dog
40, which as shown in Figs. 3 and 6, is received in one of the apertures 22.
Plates 32 and 34, together with attached cross-member 42, form a frame
extending outwardly from back surface 20 of stanchion 17. Welded to the
underside of cross-member 42 is a threaded nut 44 in which is threadedly
received a bolt 46.
Turning now to component 30B of second clamping assembly 30, and as
best seen with respect to Figs. 3, 4 and 5, there is a second collar formed by
a
generally U-shaped member-having a first leg 50, a second leg 52, legs 50 and
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52 being interconnected by a web 54. Legs 50 and 52 are welded to a top or
bearing plate 56, portions of legs 50 and 52, web 54 and the edge of bearing
plate 56 adjacent surface 20 of stanchion 17 forming a collar slidably
moveable
on stanchion 17. Legs 50 and 52 are also welded to a base plate 58 that
extends laterally outwardly away from stanchion 17, i.e., in a direction away
from
surface 20. Effectively, the portion of legs 50 and 52 welded to support plate
58
and bearing plate 56 form a second frame which is longitudinally movable,
relative to stanchion 17, with the collar formed by legs 50 and 52, web 54 and
bearing plate 56.
As best seen in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, support plate 58 comprises a generally
rectangular portion 60 and a generally trapezoidal portion 62. Support plate
58
is provided with a series of bores 63, four of such bores being in the
rectangular
portion 60 of base plate 58 and one of said bores 63 being in the generally
trapezoidal portion 62 of support plate 58.
Secured to support plate 58 is a holder, shown generally as 70, in which is
removably positioned post 16. Holder 70 comprises a base 72 in which are four
holes 74 which are in register with the four holes 63 in. support plate 58.
Base 72
of holder 70 is connected to support plate 60 by means of nut/bolt assemblies
75. The heads of nut/bolt assemblies 75 are provided with projections 76 that
are generally sharp or roughened surface and that can bite into the top
surface
10A of slab 10. In like fashion, similar nut/bolt assemblies 75 that are
received
through the bore in the trapezoidal portion 62 of support plate 58 have a
similar
projection that likewise can bite into the surface 10A of slab 10. It will be
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understood that rather having biting projections on the heads of the nut bolt
assemblies 75, it is possible to provide the underside or bottom surface of
support plate 58 with integral projections or a roughened surface which would
accomplish the same function:. Further, nut/bolt assemblies could be dispensed
with in lieu of four threaded studs welded to plate 58, i.e., the nuts would
be
received on the threaded studs.
It will also be understood that while support plate 58, when such
projections are .,present, will not lie directly against the surface 10A of
slab 10, it
is closely adjacent such that when the clamping assembly clamps slab 10
therebetween, support plate 58 is effectively operatively compressively
engaged
with the surface IOA of slab 10. Accordingly, any reference to support plate
58
being "adjacent" or "closely adjacent" to surface 10A is intended to take into
account a spacing or standoff between support plate 58' and surface 10A
occasioned by the thickness of the heads of the connector 75 and/or any
projections, etc. that are integrally formed on the bottom surface of support
plate
58.
Returning to the construction of holder 70, there are four upstanding
support walls 77, 78, 80 and 82, which are attached to base 72. Adjoining base
72 and projecting laterally outwardly from support wall 76 are a pair of rail
guide
flanges 84 and 86 which, as seen in Figs. 4 and 5, are dimensioned so as to
receive a toe board, generally a 2 x 4, therebetween. In like fashion, a pair
of
guide flanges 90 and 92 adjoin base 72 and project outwardly laterally from
support wall 80 in generally parallel alignment with flanges 84 and 86. A
second
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toe board 94 is received in the space between flanges 90 and 92 in the manner
described above with respect to toe board 88. As can be seen in Figs. 4 and 5,
there are also rail guide flanges, essentially the same as flanges 84, 86 and
90,
92, that'are attached to base 72, are orthogonal to flanges 84, 86, 90 and 92
and
that project laterally outwardly from support walls 78 and 82. As seen in Fig.
5, a
pair of the rail guide flanges form a channel for receiving the end of bearing
plate
56 distal stanchion 17 to which is attached abutment 57 that abuts wall 82 of
holder 70. Basically holder 70 is essentially as described in U.S. Patent No.
5,560,588, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by. reference for
all
purposes. In any event, as can be seen with reference to Fig. 3, when holder
70 is secured to support plate 58 by means of nut/bolt assemblies 75 and with
plate 28 of clamping assembly 24 engaging surface 10B of slab 10 and support
plate 58, via projections 76, engaging surface 10A of slab 10, when dog 40 is
received in the 'appropriate aperture 22 and bolt 46 tightened against bearing
plate 56, support plate 58 will be .effectively compressively urged against
surface
10A. In this respect, and as noted, while the heads of nut/bolt assemblies 75
and projections 76 may prevent direct contact between support plate 58 and the
surface 10A of slab 10, support plate 58 is effectively operatively
compressively
engaged against slab 10. Because holder 70 is secured to support plate 58 as
described above, holder 70 is effectively clamped to slab 10 without the need
for
drilling holes in slab 10.
Figs. 8 and 9 depict a slightly different embodiment of component 30A of
second clamping assembly 30.. In this regard, plate 32A and a corresponding,
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space d plate 34A are interconnected by means of elongate teeth 100 and 102,
plates 32A and 34A, together with teeth 1.00 and 102 forming a collar that is
slidably moveable on stanchion 17A, tooth 100 being positioned to engage back
surface 20A of stanchion 17A, tooth 102 being positioned to engage,, front
surface 18A of stanchion 17A. As can be seen, when screw 46 is tightened into
nut 44 and urged compressively against bearing plate 56, because of the angle
alpha at which the teeth 101 and 102 are disposed, component 30A will be
cocked as nut 46 is tightened against bearing plate 56, causing teeth 100 and
102 to bite into surfaces 20A and 18A, respectively.
Turning 'now to Figs. 10, 11 and 12, there are shown modified
embodiments of the present invention. With reference first to Fig. 10, the
embodiment shown therein differs from the embodiments shown in Fig. 3 in that
instead of the holder 70 described with reference to the embodiment shown in
Fig. 3, there is.a socket forming member 120 secured to support plate 58A and
side plates 50A and 52A, socket forming member 120 forming a socket 122 in
which is received a pair of 2 x 4's 124 and 126, 2 x4's 124 and 126
cooperating
to form a vertical post to which can be attached side rails 128 and 130 by
suitable fasteners such as nails, screws or the like. Additionally, there is a
channel 132 formed by an L-shaped extension 134 of support plate 58A.
Received in channel 132 is a toe board 136. As can also be seen, particularly
in
Fig. 11, there are two nut/bolt assemblies 75A that are received in section
62A of
support plate 58A, the nut/bolt assemblies with projections 76A being
positioned
such that they are on either -side of a line passing through the long axis of
bolt
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46. Accordingly, as bolt 46 is tightened, the force transmitted to support
plate
58A is'more evenly distributed ensuring good compressive engagement between
support plate 58A and surface'10A.
Referring now to Fig. 12, there is shown a slightly modified embodiment of
the apparatus of the present invention shown in Figs. 10 and 11.. The
embodiment of Fig. 12 differs from that shown in Figs. 10 and 11 in that
instead
of the upward post being formed by two 2 x 4's 124 and 126, received in a
socket 122, there is a metal post 140 that is welded to support plate 58A and
has
secured thereto a series of L-shaped brackets 142 and 144 in which can be
received generally horizontally extending side rails 146 and 148,
respectively.
Turning now to Figs. 13 and 14, there is shown still another embodiment
of the apparatus of the present invention. In the embodiment shown in Figs. 13
and 14, the stanchion 17A serves as the upright post or support for the
horizontal rail members to form the temporary guard rail. As can be seen,
stanchion 17A is comprised of a fixed section 160 and a moveable section. 162,
section 162 being telescopically received over section 160 although it could
be
received telescopically in section 160 or otherwise be attached to be slidably
moveable with respect to section 110. Section 160 has a series of
longitudinally
spaced holes 164, the holes 164 being on opposite faces or surfaces of fixed
section 160 and being in register with one another. There are also holes 165
in
the lower portion of section 160 to accommodate dog 40 as described above
with respect to Fig. 3. Moveable section 162 is provided with first and second
bores 166 in opposed faces-of moveable section 162. When holes 166 are in
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register with one of the sets of holes 164 in fixed section 160, a pin 170 can
be
inserted so as. to prevent relative longitudinal movement between fixed
section
160 and moveable section 162. As seen, a cotter key 172 can be inserted to
prevent the inadvertent removal of pin 170. In this manner, stanchion 17A can
be adjusted to the desired height to form the upright post of a temporary
guard
rail system so as to take into account slabs of varying therebetween.
As can be seen from Fig. 13, fixed section 162 has a,plurality of vertically
spaced collars 170 and 172 in which are received side rails 174 and 176.
Secured to side plates 50B and 52B, and to support plate 58B are a series of
spaced flanges forming channels 180, 182 and 184. Channels 180, 182 and
184 are dimensioned so as to receive toe boards 186, 188 and 190,
respectively.
As best seen with Fig. 13, the toe boards,are notched as at 192 to insure the
bottom edge of toe boards, is closely adjacent surface 10A of slab 10 to
prevent
tools or other objects from falling off of slab 10 onto workers below.
Referring now to Figs. 15 and 16, there is shown an embodiment of the
present invention suitable for use in clamping to the edge of a structural
member
having non-parallel spaced surfaces and/or spaced surfaces wherein one or
more of the surfaces is at an angle to the horizontal. As shown, the apparatus
shown in Figs. 15 and 16 can be used in conjunction with the support or post
holder 70 described with respect to Fig. 3 to erect a temporary rail on a pre-
formed concrete stair.
The stairs, shown generally as 200 has a series of treads 202, which are
generally horizontally disposed and interconnected by risers 204. The
underside
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206 of the stair 200 is at an angle to the horizontal and hence at an angle to
the
treads 202. The clamping apparatus has a stanchion 208 at the lower most end
of which is attached a first clamping assembly comprised of side braces 210
and
212 to which are welded a pad 214, pad 214, as shown, being engageable with
surface 206 of stairs 200. As in the case of the previous embodiments of the
present invention, the clamping assembly has a support plate 216 to which is
attached holder 70 in the same manner as described above with respect to the
embodiment of Fig. 3. Support plate 216, in turn, is attached to a back plate
218
and a spaced, front plate 220,' plates 218 and 220 extending upwardly from
support plate 216. As best seen in Fig. 16, plates 218 and 220 are spanned by
and connected to a series of bearing plates 222, 224 and 226. Bearing plates
222, 224 and 226, as seen in Fig. 15, form a trapezoidal structure.
As can also be seen, back plate and face plate 218 and 220 are
connected to support plate 216, such that any compressive force urged against
any of bearing plates 222, 224 and 226 is transferred to support plate 216.
Plates 218 and 220 have registering bores in which is journaled a shaft 228.
One end of shaft 228 is connected to a collar 230, which is slidably mounted
on
stanchion 208. Since shaft 228 is rotatably journaled in plates 218 and 220,
collar 230 and hence stanchion 218 are rotatable relative to support plates
222,
224 and 226 or support plate 216. A collar 240 similar to component 30A shown
in Fig. 3 is also slidably mounted on stanchion 208 and carries a threaded
bolt
242 that is received in a threaded receptacle 244 attached to collar 240. As
shown, bolt 242 can be tightened against bearing plate 222 with the result
that
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pad 214 and support plate 216 will compressively engage surface 206 and tread
202. To enhance the compressive engagement, support plate 216 is provided
with upturned flanges 216A and 216B of one of which, 216A, nests in the corner
between the tread 202 and the riser 204. As can be seen in Fig. 15, the
apparatus disclosed in Fig. 15 and 16 can be used on either side of a stair to
form a temporary guard rail. For example, if the apparatus were attached to
the
opposite side of the stair from that shown in Figs. 15 and 16, bearing plate
226
will be engaged by bolt 242. Likewise, the apparatus shown in Figs. 15 and 16
can be used on a slab that has generally parallel upper and lower surfaces and
in that event, bearing plate 224 would be engaged by bolt 242. Once the
clamping apparatus and holder 70 are in place, a temporary guard rail along
the
stair 200 can be erected, for example, by using two 2 x 4's, 260 and 262
received in holder 70 and attached by nails or the like to hand rails 264.
It will also be appreciated that the apparatus shown in Figs. 15 and 16 can
be used with the embodiments shown in Figs. 10 and 12. In this regard, a
socket forming member such as member 120 could, be welded to support plate
216, as per Fig. 10, or a post, 140 such as shown in Fig. 12 could be welded
to
support plate 216, in both cases the socket forming member and post also being
secured, if desired, to the back plate 218.
Referring now to Figs. 17 and 18, there is shown another embodiment of
the present invention suitable for use in clamping the edge of a structural
member having non-parallel, spaced surfaces and/or spaced surfaces wherein
one or more of the surfaces. is at an angle to the horizontal. The apparatus
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shown in Figs. 17 and 18 can be used in conjunction with the support or post
holder 70 described with respect to Fig. 1 to erect a temporary rail on a
preformed concrete stair or other such structure.
The clamping apparatus shown in Figs. 17 and 18 includes a stanchion
300 at the lower most end of which is attached a first clamping assembly shown
generally as 302, clamping assembly 302 being substantially the same as the
first clamping assembly shown in Figs. 15 and 16. The clamping apparatus also
includes a support plate 308, having an upturned flange 309. Attached to
support plate 308 is a back plate 310 and a spaced front plate, plates 310 and
312 extending upwardly from support plate 308. Plates 310 and 312 are
spanned by and connected to an arcuate bearing plate 314 forming an arcuate
bearing surface 316. Since back plate 310 and front plate 312 are connected to
support plate 308, any compressive force urged against arcuate surface 316 of
arcuate bearing plate 314 is transferred to support plate 308. As in the case
of
the embodiment shown in Figs. 15 and 16, the stanchion 300 is rotatably
journaled in back plate 310 and front plate 312 such that stanchion 300 can be
rotated to accommodate differing angles between the treads 202 and the
underside 206,.of stair 200. The clamping apparatus shown in Figs. 17 and 18,
like the clamping apparatus shown in Fig. 10, includes a post 318 conveniently
formed by a piece of square tubing which is welded to support plate 308 as
shown at 320. Pivotally attached to plates 318 by a series of pins 320
received
in holes in plates 318 are spaced U-shaped members 322 forming an upwardly
opening channel for receipt of a rail member 324. Since U-shaped members
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322 can be rotated relative to post 318, the rails 324 can be oriented at
proper
angle relative to the stairs 200 or other structure.
As can be seen, flange 309 cooperates with post 318 to form an upwardly
open channel for receipt of the toe board in the event the clamping apparatus
is
used on a structure having generally parallel upper and lower surfaces.
Turning now to Figs. 19'and 20, there is shown yet another embodiment
of the present invention for use with stairs or structures having non-parallel
upper
and lower surfaces to which the clamp is attached. The clamping apparatus
shown in Figs. 19 and 20 has a stanchion 400 to the lower end of which is
pivotally attached a jaw member 402 which forms a first clamping assembly.
Jaw member 402 includes a section of box tubing 404 which, as seen in Fig. 20,
is pivotally attached to the lower end of stanchion 400 by means of a shaft
406.
Jaw member 402 also includes a laterally extending gripping member 408
attached to box tubing 404, member 408 being conveniently formed by a piece
of angle iron, gripping member 408 having what can be generally referred to as
a
knife edge 410. The term "knife edge" as used herein is intended to include
not
only a sharp edge but also edges that may not be sharp but which forms an
elongate, relatively narrow bearing surface such that any compressive force
applied is concentrated!~along the narrow path defined by the edge.
The clamping apparatus of Figs. 19 and 20 also includes at least one U-
shaped member 412 which is secured to a shaft 414 which in turn is'received in
registering slots 416 in stanchion 400. One end of shaft 414 is rigidly
attached to
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U-shaped member 412, while the other end which extends through stanchion
400 is threaded to receive a nut 418. Accordingly, U-shaped member 412 can
be 'rotated to any orientation relative to stanchion 400. Additionally, U-
shaped
member 412 can be adjusted longitudinally along the length of post 400. The
net result allows a rail 420 to be oriented relative to the stairs 200 at the
proper
disposition both as to height`.above the stairs 200, an angularly with respect
to
the treads 202..
It will be appreciated with respect to the clamping apparatus shown in
Figs. 19 and 20 that because jaw member 402 can pivot, knife edge 410 can be
positioned to engage the underside 206 of stair 200 over a wide range of
angles
of the underside surface 206 relative to tread 202. Accordingly, it will be
recognized that when the support plate 422 is urged against a tread 202, edge
410 will grippingly engage the underside 206 of stair 200 and because .of the
small bearing area of edge 410, a concentrated compressive force will be
exerted on the underside 206 of stairs 200.
Turning now to Figs. 21 and 22 there is shown yet another embodiment of
the clamping apparatus of the present invention for use with a structural
member
having non-parallel spaced surfaces and/or spaced surfaces wherein one or
more of the surfaces is at an angle to the horizontal. The clamping apparatus
shown in Figs. 21 and 22 is substantially the same as that shown in Figs. 17
and
18 with the exception that instead of a metal post 318 as shown in Figs. 18
and
18, a rectangular socket 500 is formed by a series of upwardly extending
plates
attached to support plate 502. . Socket 500 forms a receptacle for a pair of 2
x 4's
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504 and 506 to which can be nailed rails 508 to form a guard rail along the
edge
of stairs 200 or the edge of a structural member having non-parallel spaced
surfaces. It will be appreciated that the operation of the clamping apparatus
shown in Figs. 21 and 22 is substantially the same as that shown in Figs. 17
and
18 which in turn is substantially the same as that shown in Figs. 15 and 16
with
the exception that the bearing plate 314 is arcuate and forms an arcuate
bearing
surface 316 which ensures direct point contact with tightening bolt 510
against
surface 316 over a wide range of angles.
As also seen in Fig. 22, one wall of the socket 500 is provided with a hole
520 such that nails, screws or the like, indicated as 522, could be passed
through a toe board 524 such. that the toe board 524 would be secured to the 2
x
4's 506 when the clamping apparatus is used on a 'structure with an upper
surface that is substantially horizontal or when the upper and lower surface
are
parallel.
Fig. 23 shows a variation of the clamping apparatus shown in Figs. 21 and
22 wherein the lower clamping assembly shown generally as 600 includes a
laterally extending gripping member 602 formed conveniently by a piece of
angle
iron, the gripping member 602 having a knife edge, as that term is described
above, which engages the bottom surface 206 of the stairs 200. As described
above with respect to the embodiment in Figs. 19 and 20, the knife edge 604
provides an elongate but narrow bearing area ensuring that a concentrated
compressive force will be exerted on the underside 206 of stairs 200 when the
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stairs 200 are'.clamped between the upper and lower clamping assemblies of the
clamping apparatus.
As discussed above, it will be appreciated that in any of the embodiments
shown in Figs. 15-22, a holder shown generally as 70 in Figs. 3, 4 and 5 could
be secured to the support plate, the holder serving the same purpose as
described above with respect to the embodiments shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5.
With respect to the embodiment shown in Figs. 21 and 22, it will be
apparent to those skilled in the art that any type of socket forming member
could
be secured to the support plate such that the socket could be sized and shaped
to accommodate not only two 2 x 4's as described above, but a square. metal
tube, a round metal tube, a fiberglass rod or tube, etc. Further, although in
Figs.
21 and 22 the socket is shown as abutting the front plate of the housing upon
which the arcuate bearing plate is mounted, it will be appreciated that the
socket
could be freestanding and spaced from the front plate. Thus, as described with
respect to the embodiments shown in Figs. 21 and 22 or in any other
embodiment where a socket .could be conveniently used, any size, or shape of
socket can be employed such that any size and shape of rod out of a variety of
materials can be removably positioned in the socket. It' will also be
appreciated
that in cases where a metal, removable tube is received in the socket, the
socket
could include registering bores on opposed faces such;:, that a holding pin
could
be placed through the registering bores as well as registering bores in the
metal
tube, or the like to prevent the tube from being dislodged. It will also be
appreciated that provision could be made, if desired, to affix a toe board to
any
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shape or type of tube or post whether it be metal, wood, fiberglass, etc. when
the
clamping apparatus was used on a structure - having opposed, generally
horizontal surfaces. While in the embodiments described above and shown in
the drawings, the rail or railing, e.g., rail 420, is shown as being wood,
e.g., a 2 x
4, it will be understood that the railing could be of metal, fiberglass,
reinforced
plastics, etc.
The foregoing description and examples illustrate selected embodiments
of the present invention. In light thereof, variations and modifications will
be
suggested to one skilled in the art, all' of which are in,the spirit and
purview of this
invention.
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