GB2443473A

GB2443473A - Telescopic plank or batten for staging or scaffolding

Info

Publication number: GB2443473A
Application number: GB0621554A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Terry Bodley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-10-30
Filing date: 2006-10-30
Publication date: 2008-05-07
Also published as: GB0621554D0

Abstract

A batten or plank like device has inner and outer members that cooperatively slide in a telescopic manner with respect to one another thereby altering, extending the overall length of said batten. The members may be made having substantially U shaped longitudinal edge profiles along which are provided a series of holes. A locking means, which may be a threaded bolt or stud may be passed through the holes in both of the channels to lock the channels with respect to each other at a desired length. The channels may be made from an electrically non conducting material.

Description

1 2443473 Batten This invention relates to an extendable batten used

within the construction industry to sit on top of trestles to be used to stand on.

When building work is undertaken which requires the use of scaffolding wooden battens are placed on top of trestles and are used to stand on. As they are made from wood the battens are heavy and awkward to carry and store. Not all room sizes are the same and therefore the wooden battens frequently have to be cut down according to the size of the room. In the event that the battens are cut too short then the wood becomes waste. Similarly where a batten is cut and used but a longer batten is subsequently required then a new piece of wood has to be acquired and cut to the appropriate size. As every room size is different it is possible to accrue several battens of various lengths which become heavy, difficult to carry and onerous to store.

To overcome this problem the present invention proposes an extendable batten consisting of two sections which may be made from a lightweight material but must ultimately be weight bearing. The extendable nature of the batten would enable it to adapt to any room size and would therefore prevent the need for a variety of battens of differing lengths. The extendable nature of the batten would also enable the batten to be easily carried and stored.

Provision should be made for the securing of the batten once extended and when being carried and stored. This may involve holes being drilled along the outer edges of both sections of the batten which would then enable a threaded rod with lock nuts or a similar device to be placed through the sections locking the batten in place. This may act as a safety measure ensuring the stability of the batten when extended and also allow for ease of carriage by preventing the sections from sliding around during transportation.

The batten may be made from a non-conductive material to ensure its safe use by those undertaking electrical work. An example of the invention will now be described by reference to the accompanying drawings. The batten is made from two sections together with ancillary fittings.

Figure 1 shows a cross section of each section and gives an example of the differing sizes of the two sections allowing one to fit within the other.

Figure 2 shows a potential design for the batten. By cutting small grids into each of the sections the weight of the batten is reduced. The grids may also act as a potential safety measure by reducing the likelihood of slipping. Figure 2 also demonstrates the omission of holes for the locking mechanism on the end of the inner section. This dictates a maximum extension of the batten to ensure the stability of it once extended.

Figure 3 shows the batten extended and shows how the inner section can be pulled out from within the Outer section extending to a maximum length. An overlap of the two sections will be required to ensure the stability of the batten when extended.

Figure 4 shows the drilled holes along the outer sides of the sections allowing for a mechanism for fixing the batten in place using for example a threaded rod and locknut mechanism.

Figure 5 shows the threaded rod and locknut mechanism fixed in place securing the batten.

Claims

Claims 1. An extendable lightweight batten consisting of two sections,

one designed to fit within the other, the inner section being retractable from the outer and a locking system enabling the batten to be fixed in place once extended and when being stored and carried.
2. An extendable batten according to claim 1 which can be extended to a variety of lengths.
3. An extendable batten according to claim 1 which can be fixed in place by use of a threaded rod and locknut mechanism or similar device.