GB2168412A

GB2168412A - Scaffolding platform

Info

Publication number: GB2168412A
Application number: GB08527636A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Eberhard Layher; Ruth Langer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1984-11-09
Filing date: 1985-11-08
Publication date: 1986-06-18
Also published as: IT8567949A0; IT8554022V0; NL8503069A; FR2573115A1; NL193755B; DK514885A; NL193755C; NO854457L; CH675142A5; SE8505261L; GB8527636D0; SE460372B; IT1182669B; LU86154A1; NO166374C; DK514885D0; NO166374B; SE8505261D0; AT395457B; DK163443B

Description

GB 2 168 412 A 1

SPECIFICATION

Scaffolding frame panel This invention relates to a scaffolding frame panel comprising a metal frame formed of longitudinal spars and transverse ledges, and a plate fastened thereto which provides a walking and working surface.

10 Many frame panels are known including some in which the longitudinal spars of the metal frame consist of extruded aluminium profiles connected by transverse ledges. For example, frames constructed in the manner of ladders with hooks fastened in the 15 ladder-spar ends for the suspension of the scaffold ing frame panels are well known. Also profiles have been used which have, in their upper region, a reception groove, bounded by limbs, forthe plate.

For such longitudinal spar profiles I-profiles, poss 20 ibly with integrally-formed grooves, have been used, 85 as disclosed in German Patent Applications Nos.

DE-OS 32 45 126 and DE-OS 32 29 957.

Known from French Specification No. FR-PS 25 27

251 (82 08649) is a construction element for a scaffolding frame panel the longitudinal spars of which consist of rectangulartube profiles which have, in their upper region, in each case, an inward ly-open reception groove, into which the plate is inserted. In this respect, the reception groove lies 30 entirely above the upper wall of the hollow tube profile. Upper and lower parts have, in the interior, webs which are suitable forthe abutment of hook elements for the support on the scaffolding. The longitudinal spars are either welded or connected by screws to transverse ledges in such a way that between the longitudinal spars there lies a pressure tube, which is penetrated by a tension bar, which forces the longitudinal spars against the pressure tube held under tension by the screws. Several such transverse ledges are distributed along the length of 105 the scaffolding frame panels. One thereof lies at each end. The corner connections by welding lead to tensions, which can hinder a uniform resting of the scaffolding frame panels upon stacking and/or in the 46 scaffolding. The welded connections considerably reduce the strength in wide regions beside the seams, The screw connections are expensive.

Known from German Specification No. DE-GM 83

623 is a scaffoldng plank in which the profile of the longitudinal spars a groove in its upper region, butthe profile does not possess a closed box shape and has in its lower region an L-shaped design. The transverse ledges are T-profiles, the upper parts of which are recessed in an exactly fitting manner and are provided in the web with a slot. Possibly a 120 rivetting of a wooden plate to one limb can be provided. However, only a form-locking coherence between the longitudinal profiles and the transverse profiles ensues. Production tolerances cannot be 60 compensated for. If the part that is to be inserted is too big, it cannot be inserted at all. If it is made too small only by a small amount, the construction invariably tends to rattle and force transfers are severely impaired or welding has to be carried out. A 65 stable frame which would, without an inserted plate, 130 have a reasonable coherence, cannot be formed. Several transverse ledges are necessary, which also support the plate on the underside.

Known from German Specification No. DE-GM 80

70 10 112 is a frame which is made from several identical extrusion profiles and which is welded in the corners and has other connections and in which a double-box profile has a perpendicular boundary limb beside the plate laid on above. The plate cannot 75 be clamped. The upperwall does not lie at the highest-possible point. In this way the resistance moment is more unfavourable. The welded construction is unfavourable with respect to the strength in the welded regions and can lead to tensions and 80 to warping.

Known from German Specification No. DE-GM 19 52 977 is a scaffolding construction in which the longitudinal spars consist of two box-shaped sheet metal profiles hanging together, in which respect the one box is formed inwardly with respect to a perpendicular continuous wall underthe plate and the other box is formed outwardly with respectto the perpendicular wall beside the plate. Such a profile imparts considerably less stabilityto the

90 entire scaffolding frame panel than a uniform box profile with several benclings because at the connection point only a longitudinal connection, but no transverse connection of the boxes exists and thus the upper box can be bent aside relative to the lower 95 box. Appropriate measures against bending aside and buckling have to be provided. The material accumulation in the centre is statically unfavourable. The profile is also not designed so as to be stackable, because the perpendicular wall is continuously 100 formed. The concept is aimed at end bearing without special hooks or the like and is therefore not suitable for a scaffolding frame panel which is suspended with hooks or claws. The inserted plate consists of longitudinal ly-extending corrugated sheet of great height. The plate does not have transverse stiffness. The corrugation shape necessitates appropriate transverse supports, since the corrugations bring about only a longitudinal stiffening.

The previously-known frame panels are not entire- 110 ly satisfactory in various respects. On the one hand, the loaclability of these frame panels, more especially in the case of great spans, is limited. This can be attributed, on the one hand, to the previous profile shapes and, on the other hand, to inadequate design 115 of the connection and linking means. Insofar as frames welded all round and with at least several transverse connections have been used, strength losses and considerable internal tensions have arisen through the welding together, which easily led to disortion of the panels so that no satisfactory bearing in the scaffolding was afforded. Mostly the profiles were, however, too weak and there were distortions already upon the picking up. Prolonged alternating loadings occurring atthe welding seams 125 have also occasionally led to problems. Also, as a result of the installation of the fastening hooks in the region of the longitudinal spar ends, varying suspension needs could not be met. The plates forming the walking and working surface required, as a rule, multiple support bytransverse connections. The 2 GB 2 168 412 A transverse connections in turn were also necessary in order to secure the profiles upon loading against twisting and buckling. The many connections of the transverse ledges were, productionwise, both com5 plex and expensive.

The object of the invention is to provide frame panels which without, or without any substantial, increase in their own weight, can bear greater loading than hitherto and give permanent reliability while being extremely simple and inexpensive to produce.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, at least the following features are provided: - the frame consists of longitudinal spars and transverse ledges fastened to the ends thereof; -the longitudinal spars consist of polygonal, tubular, hollow bodies having at least some walls arranged substantially at right angles to one another; - devices for suspension of the scaffolding frame panel are provided on the transverse ledges; - the longitudinal spars consist of light-metal alloy profiles with reception means for the plate; - the transverse ledges are made of steel; - the transverse ledges are connected to the longitu- dinal spars by rivets; and - the plate rests laterally on limbs of the longitudinal spars and is rivefted thereon and is otherwise support-free.

In accordance with another aspect of the inven- tion, at least the following features are provided: - the frame consists of longitudinal spars and transverse ledges fastened to the ends thereof; - the longitudinal spars consist of polygonal, tubular, hollow bodies having at least some walls arranged substantially at right angles to one another; devices for suspension of the scaffolding frame panel are provided on the transverse ledges; -the transverse ledges are connected to the longitudinal spars by rivets; and - the transverse ledges have, at their ends, angled rivet straps which fit into the hollow tubes of the longitudinal spars.

As a result of the design of the longitudinal spars as tubular hollow bodies of various form, the loadability of the frame is increased considerably without considerable increase in the weight of the frame itself and a distortion-stiff frame construction is also obtained. As a result of the installation of the devices for suspension of the scaffolding frame panels on the transverse ledges, the devices, mostly designed as downwardly-open hooks, can be better and more f reely adapted to the respective needs than in the case of hooks at the longitudinal spar ends. Such frames can also be produced more favourably because the devices can be connected favourably to the short transverse ledges at a desired location. In this way, the position of the transverse ledges at the ends of the longitudinal spars is also advantageous. As a result of the rivet connections between the transverse ledges and the longitudinal spars, tensions which lead to warping, and strength losses through welding are avoided. As a result of the particularly favourable shape of the transverse ledges with angled rivet straps at their ends which straps fit into the hollow tubes, relatively 130 few rivets are needed and, through the formation of appropriate rivet straps lying in several planes and angular positions, a very stable edge connection, which is easy to produce on appropriate automatic 70 production machines and which can be carried out well, can be created. The rivetting, preferably with blind rivets, can be effected even afterthe assembly of the spars around the plate and a complete frame does not have to be created first of all. The 75 combination of hollow-body longitudinal spars with transverse ledges rivetted-in by means of straps also has the advantage that the production and the assembly can be designed more simply and more play-free and the connection can be stiffer and give 80 more support to the overall frame. A stable frame construction, which is distortion-free upon application and transporting, is provided, which, on account of the great resistance moments of the tubular hollow bodies, has so great a stability that in the 85 intermediate regions no transverse connections are necessary and freely-arranged plates are possible. The panel is light, economical and durable.

The longitudinal spars can be produced, depending on wishes and needs, from various materials. In 90 particular they can consist of light-metal alloy profiles, for example aluminium extruded profiles. Then, freer profile forms for the various tasks of the longitudinal sparwith lowweight and/or high stability can be selected without being tied to the production conditions of bent profiles. In another very advantageous embodiment, the longitudinal spars can consist of bent metal sheet, more especially steel sheet. This tube-like design of the longitudinal spars of the frame makes possible the use of 100 high-grade steel, without an undesired increase in weight occurring. Since the many-sided tube profile ensures very good strength properties, with lower stresses (for instance in the case of short frame panels) the possibility readily exists of providing, 105 instead of steel sheet, also another material, for example other rustfree metal sheets or extrusion profiles.

The transverse ledges can be designed as Uprofiles, bent from sheet metal and open towards 110 the interior of the panel, with the angled rivet straps and welded-on hooks compression-moulded in Uprofile shape. Instead of U-profiles, rectangular tubes can be used forthe transverse ledges.

The plate which forms the walking and working 115 surface can advantageously be a wooden plate or wood-material plate, more especially a plywood plate or a laminated wood plate, in which respect the laminated wood is to be installed with the fibre direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the 120 frane panel. In the case of plywood, the upper surface layer extends with its fibre direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of theframe panels. In the case of other plates, for example made of corrugated or pleated metal sheets, the profile 125 direction extends transversely to the longitudinal axis of the frame panels. The plate then needs no further supports. It is advantageously secured by means of rivets to the metal frame. It is formed entirely from water-proof and preferably boil-proof material and with an appropriately roughened sur- face layer, preferably formed from plastics material.

The plate is connected to the metal frame only at its longitudinal edges. It rests upon or is inserted in the longitudinal spars and possibly on the transverse 5 ledges. The plate can then be installed and ex changed more easily than if it has to be rivetted at many locations. The plate can also consist of a profiled metal or steel sheet.

In the case of the invention it is a matter of so 10 utilising transverse stiffness of the plate so that a favourable supporting bond comes about and the longitudinal stiffness is ensured by appropriate bearing of the plate on the highly-stable longitudinal spars and possibly gripping or clamping thereby.

15 Thus, advantageously, the longitudinal spars formed as tubular hollow bodies can be formed from a light-metal alloy profile which is designed so as to be bend-, rotation- and buckle-stable, even in great lengths, without transverse struttings and which is 20 connected to the plate and which has, in its upper region, an inwardly-open reception groove for the plate. Then with certainty the box profile of the longitudinal spars will be well secured to the plate, and the plate edges will at the same time be 25 protected against damage. Even in the case of overloading the clamped plate contributes to pre venting distortions of the longitudinal spars which are, in certain circumstances, long.

The reception groove in the spars for the plate can 30 be formed between an upper limb projecting beyond the line of the inner vertical wall, a horizontal supporting limb offset downwardly therefrom at a spacing of the thickness of the plate, and a groove boundary limb offset inwardly relative to the inner vertical wall, all of which are formed on a light-metal alloy profile, preferably an aluminium extrusion profile, which for the rest, is formed generally as an upright rectangle. Thus one has at a favourable location without extending the spar profile leng thwise the advantages of the known reception groove with a vertical web and a lower supporting wall in combination with the more favourable prop erties of the rectangular hollow profile and the configuration provides additional possibilities for 45 bearing surfaces. The light-metal alloy profile has the advantage that the upperwall lies in the plane of the top of the scaffolding frame panel and thus has more favourable conditions with respect to the resistance moment. The groove boundary limb and the horizontal supporting limb represent a stiffening constituent part of the light-metal alloy profile for the longitudinal spars, which is particularly favourable for optimising the conditions with respect to weight, bearing capacity and support freedom of the plate as well as the possibilities of omitting transverse 120 struttings. In this respect it is important that, in collaboration with the special light-metal alloy pro file, the rivet connection with straps is far superiorto the screw connection with pressure tubes or other 60 screw connections, because it exerts as a whole less stresses on the overall construction than a trans versely-stressed overall bolting orwelding.

In orderto hold the plate overfairly great lengths and to keep a secure connection withoutfurther protection and fastening elements, the horizontal GB 2 168 412 A 3 supporting limb can be provided, at least in the front region, with a retaining profile, preferably a sawtooth profile inclined in the insertion direction.

Scaffolding frame panels have to be stacked, often 70 in high stacks. It is then expedient to have aids for preventing slipping off. Accordingly, longitudinallyextending stack engagement elements matching one another can be provided on the upper and lower sides of the longitudinal spars. These prevent a 75 lateral slipping-off of the panels, yet also make it possible to pick up the panels at one side without the other slipping off. Such stack engagement elements can be formed in various ways. They can be designed as steps of the metal sheet profile incor- 80 porating the thickness ofthe rivetted-on plate. In this respect, advantageously the upper side of each longitudinal spar has a step which extends along the outside of the frame and which is superelevated so that a bearing surface for the plate exists on the 85 inside of the frame bounded by this step. Thus, through the bent profile and taking into account the plate thickness, without further auxiliary measures an engagement element is provided. In this respect, the superelevation of the step extending longitudin- 90 ally on the outside on the upper side of the longitudinal spars can be so great thatthe step projects overthe surface of the wooden planking. To provide the counter-element, the underside of each longitudinal spars can have towards the inside of the 95 frame a longitudinally-extending and downwardlydirected step of little height, the width of which is such that, upon the stacking of the scaffolding frame panels, it comes to rest beside the inside of the step provided on the upper side with a slight spacing 100 therebetween. As a result of this development, a profiling of the hollow longitudinal spar is achieved, which also contributes considerably to its overall stability through the multiple benclings.

In another form of the engagement elements 105 which is suitable above all for extrusion profiles, these can be fashioned as ribs, preferably triangularprism ribs, which are appropriately spaced on the scaffolding frame panel and protrude from the outer boundary surfaces. On the one hand, they fulfil the 110 purpose upon stacking and on the other hand, they contribute to the supporting behaviour as constituents in the resistance moment due to the favourable material distribution.

In another embodiment the stack engagement 115 elements are advantageously in the form of ribs which project from the main surfaces of the upper and lower sides of each longitudinal spar in such a manner that on the lower side towards the inner and outer regions respectively, two bearings ribs, preferably of sernicylindrical form, are provided, and on the upper side one longitudinal rib, preferably of triangular-prism-shaped form, is provided which latter rib fits into the free space between the underside bearing ribs of a longitudinal spar lying 125 thereabove. This shape requires a not so accurate superimposition of panels yet nevertheless a good alignment and causes a favourable material distribution for production and resistance moment.

The lower walls of the longitudinal spars can have 130 inwardly-projecting longitudinal reinforcements.

4 GB 2 168 412 A Thus, without excessive material accumulations which hinder production, through the profiled shape an increase in the resistance moment through material accumulations at favourable locations is 5 achieved without noteworthy increase in weight.

It is importantto note thatthe fastening claws of the scaffolding frame panel are fastened to the metal profile, namely the transverse ledges, which connects the longitudinal spars.

The combination of longitudinal spars made of light-metal alloy profiles and transverse ledges made of steel which are rivetted on and the rivettingon of the plate to appropriate limbs represents a feature combination which, with extremely simple 15 mounting, has high stabilities and good usage value. More especially the constituent parts can be joined together prior to the rivetting without forming a fixed framework and then be rivetted. This means a considerable production advantage.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure I is a fragmentary perspective view of scaffolding including a suspended scaffolding frame panel in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a schematic plan view of a first exemplified embodiment of a frame panel of the invention; Figure 3 is a cross-section of a longitudinal spar of the panel of Figure 2 to a considerably larger scale than in Figure 2; Figure 4 is a partial plan view of one end of the frame panel shown in Figure 2 on a larger scale; Figure 5is a cross-section along the line 5-5 in Figure 4; Figure 6 is a partial section along the line 6-6 in Fig u re 4; Figure 7 shows the detail A in Figure 6 on a larger scale approximately corresponding to the scale of 40 Figure 3; Figure 8 is a plan view of a second exemplified embodiment of a frame panel of the invention; Figure 9 is a side view of the frame panel shown in Figure 8; Figure 10 is a schematic cross-section along the 110 line 10-10 in Figure 8; Figure 11 is the left-hand edge region of Figure 10 on a larger scale; Figure 12 is a partial end view of a corner connection in the direction of the arrow 12 in Figure 115 8; Figure 13 is a partial view of the same corner connection in the direction of the arrow 13 in Figure 8; 55 Figure 14 illustrates two scaffolding frame panels of the type shown in Figure 11 stacked one above the other; and Figure 15 is an illustration similarto Figure 14 but on a somewhat larger scale of a further exemplified embodiment of the frame panel of the invention, two such frame panels being stacked one above the other.

Figure 1 illustrates in general how a scaffolding frame panel 1 is suspended by having fastening claws or compression-moulded hooks 5 engaging 130 into a U-shaped crossbar 31 of a scaffolding frame 30. Of the frame 30, only two vertical struts 32 and the crossbar 31 with its corner connection straps 33 are shown. An adjacent scaffolding frame panel can 70 also be suspended by having its claws or hooks engaging over the free limb of the upwardly-open "U" of the crossbar 31.

A first exemplified embodiment of the scaffolding frame panel of the invention, as shown in Figures 2 76 to 7, consists of a frame 26 formed from longitudinal spars 2 and transverse ledges 4, and of a plate 3 which is connected to the frame 26 and forms a walking and working surface. The plate 3 may simply be wooden planking, although it can consist of 80 various other suitable materials.

Each of the longitudinal spars 2 consists of a many-sided tube-like hollow body made of steel sheet 21. The steel sheet 21 is formed into a profile, as shown by Figure 2, for example by means of a 85 Turks' head consisting of appropriately arranged rollers, and closed by a welding seam 22. The profile is composed of horizontally and vertically extending flat surfaces linking to one another at right angles. Along the outer longitudinal side (relative to the 90 interior of the frame) of the upper side of each longitudinal spar 2, an elevated step 23 is provided in such a way that a bearing surface 25 for the plate 3 arises, which surface 25 is bounded by step 23. The superelevation a of the step 23 is so dimensioned 95 that, after the insertion of the plate 3 (see Figure 5), the step 23 projects above the upper surface 3' thereof at 7 by a specific amount d (Figure 7).

The lower side of the longitudinal spar 2 is formed with a step 24 of little height b which is directed 100 downwardly along the side of the spar 2 adjacent the interior of the f rame and which serves, upon the stacking of the f rame panels one above the other, to prevent lateral displacement by coming to rest with a slight spacing beside that part of the upper step 23 105 which protrudes by the amount cl. The width of the step 24 is accordingly so dimensioned so that, upon stacking, only a small interstice c is present between the two steps 23 and 24 of the superjacent frame panels 1.

The two longitudinal spars 2 are connected at each of the two ends of the frame panel by a respective metal transverse ledge 4, which can consist, for example, of a U-profile of steel sheet and is secured to the longitudinal spars 2 by means of a bent strap 13 and blind rivets 11 (Figure 7). Instead of a U-profile the transverse ledges can, for example, be in the form of a rectangular tube.

The plate 3 is of plywood and/or laminated wood, in which respect the latter is at all times inserted 120 such that its fibre direction extends transversely to the longitudinal axis of the frame panel, In this way additional stiffening of the frame panel is achieved. The plate 3 is fastened to the longitudinal spars 2 by blind rivets 12 provided at intervals therealong.

Fastening claws or hooks 5 are mounted on the transverse ledges 4 provided at the ends of the frame panel.

The above-described embodiment can be modified in various ways. Thus, for instance, the profile of the longitudinal spars 2 can be produced in such a GB 2 168 412 A 5 way that, instead of a welding seam 22, a fold connection or scarf joint is provided, which is then advantageously located in the lower horizontal surface of the profile. It can then, thanks to the greater 5 material thickness caused by the fold, help to absorb the severe tensile stress which occurs upon loading in the lower part of the longitudinal spars 2.

While the first exemplified embodiment consists of two types of componentformed from sheet metal, 10 namely the longitudinal spars 2 and the transverse ledges 4, which are connected together by several blind rivets 11, 12 in a particularly advantageous mannerto give durable corner connections, the exemplified embodiment shown in Figures 8 to 14 15 comprises similar transverse ledges 4 with hooks or fastening claws 5 and longitudinal spars 42 which are formed from light-metal alloy extrusion profiles, the ledges 4 and spars 42 being similarly connected in the corners by way of advantageous rivet connec- tions.

In Figures 8 to 14 the same components are provided with the same reference symbols as in Figures 2 to 7. In this second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, three fastening claws 5 are 25 mounted on each transverse ledge 4, preferably by welding. The claws 5 are designed as hooks which are compression-moulded in U-profile shape and thereby have the requisite stability.

The transverse ledges 4 are formed as U-profiles, 30 preferably from angled steel sheet and they are open towards the interior of the frame. The transverse ledges 4 may alternatively be formed as light-metal alloy extrusion profiles, but these would present difficulties in relation to the mounting of the claws 5 35 by welding and would not have such good strength properties as steel- sheet transverse ledges. There are, however, advantages in the material combination of steel-sheet transverse ledges 4 and longitudinal spars 42 in the form of extruded light-metal alloy profiles joined at suitable rivetted corner connections.

Whilst the transverse ledges 4 are, right down to the exact design of the angled rivet straps 13, the same as in the first exemplified embodiment, the longitudinal spars 42 are not only made from 110 different material, but are also formed with a different cross-sectional profile. However, in both exemplified embodiments the spars are of tube form with walls standing at right angles to one another and thereby forming in cross-section a relatively elongated rectangle standing on edge.

The spar profile can best be seen in Figures 11 and 14. The longitudinal spars 42 have a verticallystanding, smooth, outer wall 45 of even thickness 55 and an inner vertical wall 46, which is similarly flat-suraced and of similar thickness but is shorter. The lower ends of both walls 45,46 are at the same level and they merge via rounded corners into a lower wall 47 which is profiled on both its surfaces.

60 On the outside the lower wall 47 has two triangularprism-shaped ribs 49 lying at a small spacing 48 from one another, whilst on the inner surfaceof the wall 47 between the ribs 49 there is a wall reinforcement in the form of a longitudinal ridge 50. At the top 65 an upper wall 51 is connected to the smooth outer wall 45. The upper wall 51 is extended to form an upper limb 53 which projects beyond the line 52 of the vertical wall 46 by half the depth 54 of the resulting reception groove 55 for the edge 56 of the 70 plate 3. At a distance approximately equal to the thickness D of the plate 3 beneath the upper limb 53 there is a horizontal supporting limb 57 of the same length as the upper limb 53. This limb 57 merges at its inner end into the groove boundary limb 58, 75 which is offset inwardly relative to the vertical wall 46 and is connected to the uper wall 51. Approximately half the reception groove 55 thus formed lies inside the line 52 of the vertical wall 46 whilst approximately half lies outside so that it is possible, 80 in the limb region extending outside the profile in the direction of the interior of the frame, to install rivets 60 through the plate edge 56, as illustrated by the sectional representations in Figures 11 and 14. The groove boundary walls also provide good 85 corner stiffening for the entire profile and contribute to its stability and freedom from distortion. The upper wall 51 has upwardly protruding stacking ribs 62 which are arranged appropriately to interfit with lower ribs 49 formed on the lower wall 57 as stacking 90 engagement elements. In this particular instance the upper ribs 62 are arranged to fit outside the lower ribs 49 and both sets of ribs 62, 49 have a similar triangular-prism shape. As illustrated by Figure 14, these ribs 62, 49 interlock upon stacking and thereby 95 prevent lateral slipping of one frame panel relative to another.

The horizontal supporting limb 57 has, on its side facing into the groove 55, a retaining profiling 63 which, as is evident from the drawings, has the form 100 of a sawtooth profile with inclined flanks so directed that the plate 3 can be inserted laterally into the groove 55 but cannot readily be extracted therefrom. In this way a particularly good connection may be formed between the plate edge 56 and the longitu- 105 dinal spar 42 without further aids.

To connect the longitudinal spars 42 and the transverse ledges 4, the latter have individual rivet straps providing abutment surfaces. A vertically arranged rivet strap 65 is provided for connection to the outer wall 45 of the spar 42, a lower rivet strap 66 is provided for connection in the region of the inwardly projecting longitudinal ridge 50 and an upper transverse strap 67 is provided for connection to the upper wall 51 of the spar 42. The region of the 115 ledge 4 adjacent the reception groove 55 is offset downwards by a significant amount and can also be provided with a rivet strap 68. This offset region is important in ensuring a continuous bearing for the plate 3 in its edge region 56 since upper bearing 120 walls 69 of the transverse ledges 4 are in alignment with the horizontal supporting limb 57 or, respectively, the retaining profiling 63, as illustrated in Figure 12. The rivet straps 65, 66 and 67 are angled to match the profile of the longitudinal spar 42 and inserted 125 therein from the end. The inner vertical wall 46 of the longitudinal spar 42 can be appropriately recessed in order to allow the straps 65, 66, 67 to enter. For the horizontal connections to the upper and lower walls of the spar profile a blind rivet 70 is provided in each 130 case and it is centred between the ribs 49 or 62 6 GB 2 168 412 A respectively. Connections to the side walls of the spar profile are formed by further blind rivets 71. In addition, a rivet 72 in the corner connects the plate 3 and both groove limbs 53, 57 of the profile. Thus, a favourable corner connection which is stiffened in several directions is created. As this connection is tension-free the entire scaffolding frame panel is substantially non-distorting because it can satisfac torily absorb corner stresses which occur upon flexure. The profile of the longitudinal spars 42 is advantageously produced as an aluminium extru sion and simply cutto length, whilstthe transverse ledges can be bentfrom sheet metal in automatic shaping machines. These ledges are then advan tageously galvanized together with the attached fastening claws 5. By the rivetting together of these spars and these ledges a favourable material com bination is achieved which offers freedom from rust for both parts. The openings present in the corners make it possible for any water which has entered the spar prof He to f low out off. By exclusively rivetting in the region of the corners of the spar profiles using blind rivets and by avoiding further cross-bracings of any type, a particularly advantageous mounting can 25 be achieved. The longitudinal spars are placed onto the plate 3, so that the latter are tightly inserted into the respective reception grooves 55 equipped with the sawtooth-like retaining profiling 63. The straps of transverse ledges 4 are then pushed into the spars with the upper bearing wall 69 of each ledge 4 95 immediately underthe plate 3. Only then is the rivetting effected. In this way assembly of a frame panel is considerably simpler than if one prefabri cates a complete frame, for example welds it together, and then has to mountthe plate therein since in the latter case the plate can no longer be inserted into longitudinally extending grooves and be held tightly therein. This is possible in the case of the second exemplified embodiment just described and in the one described hereinunder. In this way a flat and distortion-free scaffolding frame panel can be produced rapidly and economically with a high grade corner connection.

In the above-described embodiment, the triangu lar-prism-shaped ribs 49 constituting the stacking engagement elements of the upper longitudinal spar 42 lie between the stacking ribs 62 formed on the upper side of the lower longitudinal spar.

In the exemplified embodiment shown in Figure 50 15, approximately semicylindrically-shaped bearing 115 ribs 83 project downwardly from the lower side of the longitudinal spars 82 which are formed as light-metal alloy extrusion profiles. These ribs 83 are arranged adjacent the outer wall 45 and the inner vertical wall 46 respectively. The inner extent 84 of the outer bearing rib 83.1 determines a vertical plane 85. Only one triangular-prism-shaped longitudinal rib 87 is formed on the upper side 86, whilstthe remaining surface is smooth right across to the upper limb 53. The triangular-prism-shaped longitudinal rib 87 has an outer surface 87.1 which lies, with slight play or spacing, inside the vertical plane 85. In this way, as indicated in Figure 15, particularly effective centring of scaffolding frame panels stack- ed on one another can be accomplished in which respect each side of the scaffolding frame panel is fixed against lateral displacement only in one direction. In this way the scaffolding frame panels can be slightly raised at one side for laterally shifting and 70 thereby readily aligned. The remaining forms of the profile and of the other parts of the scaffolding frame panel as well as the connections are the same as or similar to the exemplified embodiments discussed previously.

Instead of light-metal alloy, the longitudinal spars can alternatively be formed of another extruclable material. Moreover, a box profile for the longitudinal spars can also be formed from sheet metal to some extent in accordance with the profile of the second or 80 third exemplified embodiment, in which respect a reception groove for the edge 56 of the plate 3 is still created, so that the edge is well clamped and is protected against damage. The plate can be produced from the same materials as in the case of the 85 first exemplified embodiment, but also from profiled light-metal alloy sheet or steel sheet. The particular advantage of all three exemplified embodiments is that the plate is clamped only at its edges. The frameworks thus provided are sufficiently stable, 90 even in the case of great lengths, against flexure, twisting and buckling, without their being stiffened in intermediate regions. A sufficiently strong plate 3, freely clamped at its edges, can absorb the occurring loads. The plate 3 can easily be exchanged upon damage, which is of importance for sustained usage of the high-grade frame, since local small-space overstressing renders only the plate, but notthe whole scaffolding frame, unserviceable.

To sum up, the invention provides an improved 100 scaffolding frame panel comprising a metal frame, inside which a plate providing a walking and working surface is arranged. The metal frame consists of longitudinal spars and transverse ledges. The longitudinal spars can consist of steel sheet or light-metal 105 alloy profile as hollow bodies having walls arranged at right angles to one another and the transverse ledges can consist of steel profiles preferably with a U-shaped cross-section and mounting hook. The longitudinal spars and the transverse ledges are 110 connected together by rivets.

Claims

1. A scaffolding frame panel comprising a metal frame and a plate fastened thereto which forms a walking and working surface, and wherein: - the frame consists of longitudinal spars and transverse ledges fastened to the ends thereof; - the longitudinal spars consist of polygonal, tubular, 120 hollow bodies having at least some walls arranged substantially at right angles to one another; - devices for suspension of the scaffolding frame panel are provided on the transverse ledges; - the longitudinal spars consist of light-metal alloy 125 profiles with reception means for the plate; - the transverse ledges are made of steel; - the transverse ledges are connected to the longitu dinal spars by rivets; and -the plate rests laterally on limbs of the longitudinal 130 spars and is rivetted thereon and is otherwise support-free.

2. A scaffolding frame panel as claimed in claim 1 wherein the transverse ledges have at their ends angled rivets straps which fit into the hollow tubes of the longitudinal spars.

3. A scaffolding frame panel comprising a metal frame and a plate fastened thereto which forms a walking and working surface, and wherein -the frame consists of longitudinal spars and transverse ledges fastened to the ends thereof; -the longitudinal spars consist of polygonal, tubular, hollow bodies having at least some walls arranged substantially at right angles to one another; - devices for suspension of the scaffolding frame 15 panel are provided on the transverse ledges; - the transverse ledges are connected to the longitu dinal spars by rivets; and - the transverse ledges have, at their ends, angled rivet straps which fit into the hollow tubes of the 20 longitudinal spars.

4. A scaffolding frame panel as claimed in claim 3, wherein the longitudinal spars consist of light metal alloy profiles.

5. A scaffolding frame panel as claimed in any 25 preceding claim, wherein the longitudinal spars consist of bent metal sheet.

6. A scaffolding frame panel as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the transverse ledges are designed as U-profiles, open to the interior of the frame and bent from sheet metal, with angled rivet straps at each end and suspension devices in the form of welded-on hooks or claws compression moulded in U-profile shape.

7. A scaffolding frame panel as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5 wherein the ends of the longitudinal 100 spars are connected to one another by transverse ledges designed as rectangular tubes.

8. A scaffolding frame panel as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the plate consists of 40 plywood and is secured to the metal frame by means 105 of rivets.

9. A scaffolding frame panel as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the fibre direction or profile direction of the plate extends transversely to the 45 longitudinal axis of the frame panel.

10. A scaffolding frame panel as claimed in claim 8, wherein the surface of the plywood plate, which is clamped at the edges and glued in a waterproof manner, is provided with a roughened plastics layer.

50

11. A scaffolding frame panel as clamed in any preceding claim wherein the plate rests upon and/or is inserted into the longitudinal spars, and possibly rests upon the transverse ledges, but is only con nected to the metal frame at its longitudinal edges.

55

12. A scaffolding frame panel as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the longitudinal spars are formed in great lengths as bend-, rotation- and buckle-stable light-metal alloy profiles without trans verse struttings and have in their upper region an 60 inwardly-open reception groove forthe plate.

13. A scaffolding frame panel as claimed in claim 12, wherein the reception groove of the longitudinal spars is formed between an upper limb projecting beyond the line of the inner vertical wall, a horizontal supporting limb offset downwardly therefrom and a GB 2 168 412 A 7 groove boundary limb offset inwardly relative to the inner vertical wall (46), all of which are formed on a light-metal alloy profile which, for the rest, is formed generally as an upright rectangle.

14, A scaffolding frame panel as claimed in claim 13, wherein the horizontal supporting limb is provided towards its free end with a sawtooth profile which is inclined in the insertion direction of the plate.

15. A scaffolding frame panel as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein upper and lower sides of the longitudinal spars have longitudinallyextending stacking engagement elements which will fit relative to one another.

16. A scaffolding frame panel as claimed in claim 15, wherein the stacking engagement elements are designed as steps of the metal sheet profile along with incorporation of the thickness of the plate, which is rivetted onto the longitudinal spars.

17. A scaffolding frame panel as claimed in claim 16, wherein the upper side of each longitudinal spar has a step which extends along the outside of the frame and which is superelevated so that a bearing surface for the plate exists on the inside of the frame 90 bounded by this step.

18. A scaffolding frame panel as claimed in claim 17, wherein the superelevation of the step is such that it projects above the surface of the plate.

19. A scaffolding frame panel as claimed in claim 95 18, wherein the lower side of each longitudinal spars has, towards the inside of the frame, a longitudinally-extending downwardly directed step of slight height, the width of which is such that upon stacking of the scaffolding frame panels said step comes to rest beside the inside of the step provided on the upper side with a slight spacing therebetween.

20. A scaffolding frame panel as claimed in claim 15, wherein the stacking engagement elements are designed as ribs which are appropriately spaced on the scaffolding frame panel and which project from the outer boundary surfaces of the longitudinal spars, preferably as triangular- prism ribs.

21. A scaffolding frame panel as claimed in claim 15, wherein the stacking engagement elements are 110 in the form of ribs which project from the main surfaces of the upper and lower sides of each longitudinal spar in such a manner that on the lower side, towards the inner and outer regions respectively, two bearing ribs, preferably of semicylindrical 115 form, are provided, and on the upper side one longitudinal rib, preferably of triangular-prismshaped form, is provided which latter rib fits into the free space between the underside bearing ribs of a longitudinal spar lying thereabove.

22. A scaffolding frame panel as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the lower wall of each longitudinal spar is provided with inwardlyprojecting longitudinal reinforcement.

23. A scaffolding frame panel substantially as 125 herein before described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 2 to 7, or Figures 8 to 14, or Figure 15 of the accompanying drawings.

Printed in the UK for HMSO, D8818935, 4,186, 7102. Published by The Patent Office, 25 Southampton Buildings, London, 130 WC2A 1AY, from which copies may be obtained.