AU2002248970A1 - Ground supported scaffolding system - Google Patents

Description

GROUND SUPPORTED SCAFFOLDING SYSTEM

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a ground supported scaffolding system and a kit of parts for constructing same. More particularly, the invention provides in its various embodiments a ground supported scaffolding system which advantageously provides for substantially unimpeded access to a structure to be serviced.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Scaffolds are commonly hired during the construction, repair and refurbishment of buildings. The two pole system presents problems for tradesmen in that the pole which is adjacent the building prevents complete access to the face of the building and may be an impediment to the installation of large framing components such as windows and the application of surface finishes which involve a wet edge such as stucco and paint. For such use a one pole system is preferred, but those proposed in the prior art are usually not ground supported but are suspended from the roofing timbers during the course of construction. If the building has been completed the only alternative is to suspend the system from the face of the building but then the original problem reappears, namely that complete access to the face of the building is denied. Additionally, building regulations concerning the safety of tradesmen are subject to continual improvement and the systems must allow for the secure position of handrails and kickboards and other safety features together with a sense of reliability and stability for the tradesmen who are using the scaffold.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Generally, according to one aspect of the invention there is provided a ground supported scaffolding system comprising two or more mutually spaced vertical supports intended to stand on an axis substantially parallel to a structure to be serviced, means to support a horizontal walkway between the vertical supports and tie means for connecting the upper end of a vertical support to an upper part of the structure.

The means to connect the scaffold to the structure may take any suitable form, but in a particularly preferred embodiment includes a plate which is securable to the structure and a tie, one end of which is linked to the plate, the opposite end of which is attached to the vertical support, the linkage of the tie and plate and the attachment between the tie and vertical support facilitating adjustment of the plate relative to the pitch of the upper part of the structure. More particularly, the linkage of the tie and plate and the attachment between the tie and vertical support facilitate not only movement of the plate towards the structure, but also at least some rotational movement of the plate in planes both parallel to the face of the structure and perpendicular to the face of the structure.

In order to achieve such a degree of movement it is preferred that the tie is attached to the vertical support through a connector which includes a collar portion for receiving the vertical support and a channel portion which is hingedly attached to the collar portion and which receives and locates the tie, and preferably the tie is linked to the plate through a hinge, ball joint or mechanical equivalent. Thus the inclination thereof is not an obstacle to fixing the scaffold securely.

The plate preferably has slots for the reception of fasteners, typically screws or bolts which may enter the roof timbers, studs, trusses or the roof plate which joins the top of the wall studs. The plate may have a protective layer underlying the plate, such as rubber for prevention of marring metal roofing. When the -oof is tiled, a few tiles may be removed to allow the plate to lie on the roofing timber^ When the roof is metal, the roof screws are removed, the plate is laid on top of the roof and the screws replaced thereby fixing the plate. When the building has a parapet, the plate is fixed to the parapet crown.

The plate is versatile in that it is connectable to the fascia, the gutter or other face of the structure, eg. siding.

The means to support the walkway may take any suitable form. In a particular embodiment of the invention the walkway includes one or more planks, preferably metal planks, extending between said vertical supports and the means to support the walkway includes brackets which extend from each of the vertical supports towards the structure to be serviced. Preferably the brackets extend from the vertical support towards the structure without obstructing access to the structure. Thus the bracket may be the width of two planks and strengthened by a diagonal strut. This is suitable for supporting the plank between its ends. In this regard, more preferably the vertical supports are spaced at a distance corresponding substantially to the length of the planks and the brackets are provided with means for securing respective ends of the planks to the brackets. Still more preferably the means for securing the planks includes at least one tab located on each of the brackets, each of the tabs being received by an under sides of a respective plank end when the planks are laid on the brackets.

In a particularly preferred embodiment each bracket includes at least one elongate tab which extends along the length of the bracket, the number of elongate tabs on each bracket corresponding to the number of plank ends to be secured to the bracket. For example, if two metal planks are to be laid side by side between two vertical supports, each bracket will include two elongate tabs along one side thereof, each elongate tab being received by the end of one of the planks. In this case, there is a small gap between the two elongate tabs on each bracket. If planks are to extend from the opposite side of the bracket, then another two elongate tabs will be provided on the opposite side of the bracket to locate the ends of the additional planks.

Preferably, the planks are secured to the brackets such that the ends of the planks abut and plank overlapping is precluded. This will of course only be relevant in situations where there are more than two vertical supports.

Alternatively, each bracket includes a platform capable of supporting on a common plane the abutting ends of two pairs of side by side planks and means for attaching the platform to a vertical support.

Kickboards are generally required by regulation to prevent objects such as tools and components falling on persons below. As such, it is preferred that the walkway includes a kickboard comprising a body portion extending between the vertical supports and being secured between the edge of a plank of the walkway and the vertical supports and optionally an elongate right angle bracket which includes a base portion which is secured to a surface of the plank adjacent the plank edge and an extending portion which extends at 90° to the surface of the plank.

In order to provide a more secure scaffolding system, bracing may also be provided. In a preferred embodiment the vertical supports are braced against racking by a strut having a means at the upper end to removably engage the vertical support and means at the lower end to engage a ground anchor. The scaffolding system may also include additional features. For example, the walkway may be protected by a substantially L-shaped sliding gate which in the open position is partially accommodated in a sleeve mounted on a vertical support which functions as a ladder rest.

The invention also provides a kit as parts for constructing a ground supported scaffolding system comprising at least two vertical supports, tie means for connecting the upper end of a vertical support to an upper part of the structure to be serviced and means to support a horizontal walkway between the vertical supports and the structure. Each of the features of the kit are, in their preferred embodiments as described above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic front view of a scaffolding system adjacent a house; Figure 2 is a diagrammatic side elevation of the scaffolding system of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an exploded view of the scaffolding system connection to a house roof. Figure 4 is a side view of the scaffolding system in position on a building showing connection to the house roof similar to Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a bracket for supporting the centres of walkway planks;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a bracket for supporting the ends of four planks; Figure 7 is a top view of four metal planks positioned on an alternative bracket;

Figure 8 is a side view of the arrangement of Figure 7, also illustrating a counter levered plank;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a brace to limit racking; Figures 10 and 11 are side elevation views of kickboard arrangements; Figure 12 is a perspective view of a ladder rest and a walkway gate which slides open and shut;

Figure 13 is a side view of a tie connected to a roof timber using a nailed bracket; and

Figure 14 is a side view of a tie connected to a roof timber using a nailed plate. Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, a pair of square section steel supports 2 each stand in a base plate 4 spaced apart by about the length of a builders plank 6 and about 800mm from the building 8. The supports 2 are made from 3mm DURAGAL™ tube and extend 8m, that is above the second storey gutter 10. A handrail 12 joins the vertical supports 2 and a kickboard 14 is mounted at 90° to the plank 6.

Referring now to Figure 3 the vertical support 2 carries a connector 15 which includes a collar 16 with a clamp screw 18. Hinge 20 is welded to the collar face and the side of a tie collar 22. A tie 24 made of square tubing slides adjustably through the collar

22 and is arrested by a collar bolt 26 passing through bores in the tie 24. The tie position is adjusted to cause the roof end of the tie to rest close to the gutter 10 (not shown). Access to this position is arranged by a ladder and the nearest roof nails or screws are extracted.

The roof end of the tie 24 carries a steel slotted plate 28, for example having dimensions 800 x 150mm, with an end bolt keeper 30A and mid bolt keeper 30B. One end of tie 24 has a corresponding bolt tube 32. The plate 28 is secured to the roof timbers or other portion of the upper part of the structure using the removed nails or screws which are repositioned through holes 35 in the plate 28.

Figure 4 shows how the hinge 20 opens to permit the plate 28 to fix to a hipped roof. The plate 28 has a layer of closed cell foam (not shown) adhered to the underside, enabling it to sit on corrugated or long run COLOURBOND™ steel roof.

In Figures 5 and 6 plank brackets 40 and 41 are illustrated. These may be suspended from the vertical supports 2. A channel 36 embraces the support 2 and is retained at a desired height by a pin. Channel 36 may be welded to a platform 46, in the case of bracket 40, and may also be provided with a triangular strut 43. A tab 45 is provided on the distal end of the platform 46 to assist in positioning of planks on the platform 46.

The bracket 41 includes an alternative platform 42 arrangement. This platform 42 is securable in position (as shown) through a triangular strut 44. The platform 42 advantageously allows generous overlap and two pairs of butted plank ends are accommodated. The plank ends at the end of the walkway preferably rest on right angle bracket arm or platform 46.

Referring to Figure 7, where pairs of metal planks 6 are to be mounted on a bracket, there may be provided a bracket 49 which is again mounted on a vertical support 2 and includes elongate tabs 54, shown in Figure 7 by dotted line. The tabs 54 are received by respective ends of the planks 6 which are supported by the bracket 49 such that lips 55 of the planks 6 extend over the elongate tabs 54. In this regard, it will be appreciated that the metal planks 6 are not solid, but include lips on longitudinal sides and transverse ends of the planks 6. In this embodiment, the bracket 49 includes four elongate tabs 54, each of which receives a respective end of a plank 6.

In one embodiment, where it is desired to include a counter levered plank 6A, a C/L bracket or brackets 57 may be provided. Such brackets are secured to abutting planks 6 by inserting pins 59 through holes 61 in the planks 6. The counter levered plank 6A may be secured to a suitable plank 6 by a locating pin 63.

With reference to Figure 9, in order to improve stability and the load bearing characteristics of the scaffolding system, a bracing arm 48 may be provided. In this embodiment supports 2 are braced against racking by arm 48 which ends in plate 50. Ground spike 52 projects through a bore punched in plate 50. It has been found that this embodiment of the invention may provide for a medium duty rating for scaffolding which provides access to the structure to be serviced which is more like that provided by low duty rating scaffolding systems. This is particularly the case where a combination of the abovementioned connection of Figure 3 (or a similar connection), metal plank arrangement of Figure 7 (with or without counter levered planks) and bracing of Figure 9 is employed.

In Figure 10 the outer planks support kickboard 14 through fitting 56 which has a C-shaped body 58 for embracing the edge of the plank 6 and an upright channel 60 into which the kickboard 14 drops. In an alternative arrangement, as illustrated in Figure 11, the kickboard 14 drops into a gap between a plank and the supports 2 and rests on the bracket 65. A right angle bracket 66 is also provided to better secure the kickboard 14. The bracket 66 is secured to the plank by a pin as shown.

With reference to Figure 12, a double collar fitting 62 clamps handrail 64 to the supports 2 and a separate fitting 67 carries an outer fixed tube 68 about 500mm long which acts as a ladder rest and a sliding inner tube 70 formed into a simple barrier to the walkway. Stop 72 prevents the ladder (not shown) sliding off the rest 68.

In Figures 13 and 14 the tie 24 extends from the vertical support 2 as in Figure 4. During construction the roof timbers 74 are accessible for securing the system. In Figure 13 the roof end of the tie has a channel bracket 76 which circulates with a rafter bracket 78 nailed to the rafter.

In Figure 14 the roof end of the tie has bolt tube 32 which allows the plate 28 to connect to the keeper 30A. The plate is simply nailed to the rafter side.

Multi storey structures can be worked on if the ties are connected to the structure and disengaged storeywise as the work moves to the lower storey.

It has been found that various embodiments of the invention may provide advantages in that the scaffold is ground supported and gives full access to the vertical exterior of the building; the construction of the roof is not an impediment to fixing as a variety of roof slopes can be accommodated; and overall satisfaction of current safety regulations is possible.

Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and

"comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that that prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It is to be understood that the invention includes all such variations and modifications which fall within its spirit and scope. The invention also includes all the steps, features, compositions and compounds referred to or indicated in this specification, individually or collectively, and any and all combinations of any two or more of said steps or features.

Claims (20)

CLAIMS:

1. A ground supported scaffolding system comprising two or more mutually spaced vertical supports intended to stand on an axis substantially parallel to a structure to be serviced, means to support a horizontal walkway between the vertical supports and tie means for connecting the upper end of a vertical support to an upper part of the structure.

2. A scaffolding system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tie means includes a plate which is securable to the structure and a tie, one end of which is linked to the plate, the opposite end of which is attached to the vertical support, the linkage of the tie and plate and the attachment between the tie and vertical support facilitating adjustment of the plate relative to the pitch of the upper part of the structure.

3. A scaffolding system as claimed in claim 2 wherein the tie is attached to the vertical support through a connector which includes a collar portion for receiving the vertical support and a channel portion which is hingedly attached to the collar portion and which receives and locates the tie.

4. A scaffolding system as claimed in claim 2 wherein the tie is linked to the plate through a hinge or ball joint.

5. A scaffolding system as claimed in claim 2 wherein the tie is hinged to a face of the plate.

6. A scaffolding system as claimed in claim 2 wherein the plate has apertures for the reception of fasteners intended to engage the upper part of the structure.

7. A scaffolding system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the walkway includes one or more planks, preferably metal planks, extending between said vertical supports and the means to support the walkway includes brackets which extend from each of the vertical supports towards the structure to be serviced.

8. A scaffolding system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the vertical supports are spaced at a distance corresponding to the length of said planks and wherein said brackets are provided with means for securing respective ends of the planks to the brackets.

9. A scaffolding system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the means for securing the planks includes at least one tab located on each of said brackets, each of said tabs being received by an under sides of a respective plank end when the planks are laid on the brackets.

10. A scaffolding system as claimed in claim 9, wherein each bracket includes at least one elongate tab which extends along the length of the bracket, the number of elongate tabs on each bracket corresponding to the number of plank ends to be secured to the bracket.

11. A scaffold as claimed in claim 7, wherein each bracket includes a platform capable of supporting on a common plane the abutting ends of two pairs of side by side plank and means for attaching the platform to a vertical support.

12. A scaffolding system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the walkway includes a kickboard comprising a body portion extending between the vertical supports and being secured between the edge of a plank of the walkway and the vertical supports and optionally an elongate right angle bracket which includes a base portion which is secured to a surface of the plank adjacent the plank edge and an extending portion which extends at 90° to the surface of the plank.

13. A scaffolding system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vertical supports are braced against racking by a strut having a means at the upper end to removably engage the vertical support and means at the lower end to engage a ground anchor.

14. A scaffold as claimed in claim 1, wherein the end of the walkway is projected by a substantially L-shaped sliding gate which in the open position is partially accommodated in a sleeve mounted on a vertical support which functions as a ladder rest.

15. A kit as parts for constructing a ground supported scaffolding system comprising at least two vertical supports, tie means for connecting the upper end of a vertical support to an upper part of the structure to be serviced and means to support a horizontal walkway between the vertical supports and the structure.

16. A kit of parts as claimed in claim 15, wherein the tie means includes a plate and tie as claimed in claim 2.

17. A kit of parts as claimed in claim 15, wherein the walkway includes one or more planks and brackets as claimed in claim 7.

18. A kit of parts as claimed in claim 15, additionally containing a kickboard as claimed in claim 12.

19. A kit of parts as claimed in claim 15, additionally containing the brace as claimed in claim 13.

20. A kit of parts as claimed in claim 15, additionally containing the gate and ladder support as claimed in claim 14.