GB2262559A - Scaffolding - Google Patents

Abstract

A scaffolding system comprises at least two scaffolding brackets (2) for supporting a platform (8) to allow access to the roof of a building and adjustable telescopic ground support rods (13) which hold the brackets against the wall of the building thereby avoiding the need to provide further fixing means at the roof edge which may cause structural damage to the building. A locking member (13), figure 2, can be used to lock the rod to its bracket at the desired angle. The foot of the rods can be prevented from slipping by a ground batten, a timber log or a precast concrete block. <IMAGE>

Description

SCAFFOLDING This invention relates to scaffolding and more particularly to an eaves and verge protection scaffolding system.

When working on the roof of a building, scaffolding must be erected to provide access and prevent workmen falling grom the roof.

On scaffolding where access is only required for workmen a cantilever scaffold system can be installed using brackets fixed to the side of the building which involves boring a series of holes in the structure to take the fixings that hold the scaffolding to the wall. In time the holes formed can cause structural damage to the building if they are not properly repaired after the completion of the roofwork.

The present invention aims to provide a lightweight support frame system for providing roof access to a building which overcomes or at least mitigates the disadvantages associated with the above known systems.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a scaffolding system comprising at least two scaffolding brackets for supporting a platform to allow access to the roof of a building and adjustable telescopic ground support rods which hold the brackets against the wall of the building thereby avoiding the need to provide further fixing means at the roof edge which may cause structural damage to the building.

Advantageously the support rod is provided with an adjustable foot device. The support rod can therefore be used on both solid ground and soft ground.

It is envisaged that this system will be commonly used in new, resoration or repair work for domestic dwelling houses such as bungalows, terraced houses, small villas or other buildings such as industrial factory units or sheds of relativly low profile i.e. no more than 2 to 3 stories high.

Conveniently the foot device is located against a batten so that the support rod may be extended between the batten and the bracket.

Advantageously the batten is in the form of a timber log or alternativly a precast concrete unit depending upon the type of ground upon which the foot is located.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a scaffolding system according to one aspect of the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the roofing system of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side view of an adjustable foot of the roofing system of Figure one when supported on soft ground; Figure 4 is a side view of the foot of Figure 3 when supported on solid ground; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a scaffolding system according to a further aspect of the present invention.

Turning now to Figure 1 there is shown a side view of a scaffolding system 1 according to one aspect of the present invention. The system 1 comprises a plurality of standard lightweight aluminium platform brackets 2 one of which is shown in Figure 1. Each bracket 2 comprises a substantially triangular lower portion 3 one side of which 3a is adapted to be mounted on the side of a building 4 slightly below the height of the eaves of the roof 5. The other side 3b of the bracket 2 extends horizontally from a point just below the height of the roof eaves 5.

At the vortex 6 of the two sides of the brackets 2 the sides are received in an angle unit 7 which is adapted to be held against the side of the building 4. The sides of the brackets 2 may be soldered or welded into position in the angle unit 7 or alternativly fixed in any other suitable manner.

A lightweight walkway 8 in the form of scaffolding planks is provided across the horizontal edge of the brackets 2 to allow.

access along the roof edge 5 of the building.

At the lower end of the straight edge 3a of the bracket which is aligned with the wall of the building 4, a substantially rectangular contact plate 9 is provided which is adapted to protect the side of the building 4 from the abrasive effect of the brackets 2. As with the angle unit 7 described above the contact plate 9 may be soldered or welded to the bracket 2 or fixed in any other suitable manner.

At the outermost point of the horizontal edge 3b of the bracket 2 a vertical post 10 is provided upon which steel screen panels 11 may be hung to provide fall protection. Handrails 12 may also be provided to protect workmen on the walkway 8.

Each bracket 2 is held against the wall 4 by a single support rod 13 which extends from the angle unit 7 to the ground.

The support rods 13 are adjustable in order to allow a single support rod to be used on a range of buildings where the height of the eaves 5 differs. The support rod 13 is preferably telescopic in construction to allow for the aforesaid range of use.

A locking member 14 is provided on the support rod 13 which locks the rod in the desired position when in use.

The lower end of the support rod 14 is hollow. An adjustable foot 15 which is shown in detail in Figures 3 and 4 is adapted to be mounted on the lower 14 end of the support rod 15.

The foot 15 comprises a tubular member 16 which is provided with an external screw thread 17. The foot 15 is engaged with the support rod 13 to allow for adjustability of the support means.

A flat base 18 is provided on the end of the foot 15.

When the system 1 is used on soft ground the foot 15 is located against a timber batten 19 which is held in position by a mild steel angle bracket 20 approximately 600mm long. A steel pin 21 is driven through a locating portion of the angle bracket 20 into the ground and the bracket and the foot and held in position.

As shown in Figure 4 when the system is used on solid ground the foot 15 of the support rod is located against a precast concrete unit 22 which holds the foot firmly in position and prevents lateral movement of the foot.

When the brackets 2 are in position any weight on the walkways 8 such as workmen walking along the walkway tends to urge the bracket 2 to pivot slightly about the fixing point in the angle unit 7 and therefore causes the bracket 2 to be pressed more firmly against the wall 4 of the building to provide extra protection.

Figure 5 of the drawings shows a verge ridge unit 23 which is spiked to the rafters with lightweight aluminium poles 24 from the ridge to the eaves 5 to form a safety rail at the edge of the roof.

The present system has been described for access loading and is not suitable for the loading of materials, therefore very little load is transferred to the ground.

The system is easy and quick to erect and therefore reduces labour costs. The principal use for the system is in roofing, re-roofing and maintenance or where other trade scaffold is not available.

Claims (6)

1. A scaffolding system comprising at least two scaffolding brackets for supporting a platform to allow access to the roof of a building and adjustable telescopic ground support rods which hold the brackets against the wall of the building.

2. A scaffolding system according to claim 1 wherein the support rods are provided with an adjustable foot device.

3. A scaffolding system according to claim 2 wherein the foot device is located against a batten in order that the support rod may be extended between the batten and the bracket.

4. A scaffolding system according to claim 3 wherein the batten is in the form of a timber log.

5. A scaffolding system according to claim 3 wherein the batten is in the form of a precast concrete unit.

6. A scaffolding system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.