GB2417752A

GB2417752A - Platform for use in erecting scaffolding

Info

Publication number: GB2417752A
Application number: GB0518189A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Patrick Anthony Lynch
Original assignee: LYNDON SCAFFOLDING PLC
Current assignee: LYNDON SCAFFOLDING PLC
Priority date: 2004-09-07
Filing date: 2005-09-07
Publication date: 2006-03-08
Also published as: GB0419773D0; GB0518189D0

Abstract

A platform 16 comprises a base 17 having an upper support surface and an underside. A pair of spaced aligned hook portions 25, 26 for fixing the base 17 to a first elongate member are provided. An arm 46 extends or is extendable from an underside of the base 17 and carries a further hook portion 50 for engagement with a second elongate member which is at an angle to the first elongate member. Preferably the first elongate member is a horizontal scaffold pole and the second elongate members is an upright scaffold pole at 90 degrees to the horizontal pole. Also disclosed is a method of erecting a scaffold structure a level at a time.

Description

24 1 7752 - 1 - Step/Platform For Use in Erecting Scaffolding This

invention relates to a step or platform intended principally for use in erecting scaffolding.

Certain Health and Safety regulations apply when erecting scaffolding, and in particular it is a requirement that at each lift, namely where the scaffolding boards are laid, the scaffolding erectors must work behind a guard rail. Various systems are known where a temporary hand rail structure is incorporated into the scaffold as it is built, but these are often unsatisfactory and lead to increased expense, and as they are not part of the scaffold they must be removed as the erection of the scaffolding proceeds.

One object of the invention is to provide a step or platform for overcoming the above disadvantage and enabling erection of scaffolding in an improved, safe and efficient manner.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a step or platform comprising a base having an upper support surface and a lower undersurface, a pair of spaced apart aligned hook portions for fixing the base to a first elongated member, in use, and an arm member extending, or being extendable, in use, away from said undersurface, the arm member carrying a further hook portion for engagement, in use, with a second elongated member at an angle to said first elongated member.

Most preferably, said second elongated member is at 90 to said first elongated member. More preferably the aligned hook portions are adapted 2 - for engagement with a scaffolding pole arranged horizontally, in use, commonly known as a ledger, guard or rail, depending on function, whilst the further hook portion is adapted for engagement with a vertical scaffolding pole, commonly known as a standard. Desirably the hook portions are connected, preferably fixedly, to respective tubes secured to said undersurface of the base. Conveniently the tubes are spaced apart but are parallel to one another and advantageously the base has a straight edge surface beyond which each tube extends, the respective ends of the tubes extending beyond said edge surface having said respective hook portions welded thereto. Each hook portion is of generally U-shape, with the respective central axes of said hook portions in line, and parallel to said edge surface. More preferably the base is square or rectangular.

In one embodiment the arm member is connected at one end to a fixing plate connected, e.g. welded, to a further tube secured at the undersurface of the base. The further tube may be parallel to said tubes to which said hook portions are connected, and in one embodiment the further tube is midway between said tubes and may be connected to them via a cross-tube. The fixing plate may provide a pair of side plates between which an end of the arm member is received. Preferably the arm member is pivoted to said sides plates by a pivot pin therethrough, and desirably the fixing plate forms at least one stop for the arm member when it is pivoted away from said undersurface such that a central axis of its U-shaped further hook portion is at 90 to the respective central axes of said hook portions.

Conveniently the further hook portion is welded to the end of said arm member remote from its pivot. The step or platform may have a carrying handle at an edge surface parallel to said edge surface beyond which said tubes extend. The upper support surface can be non-slip, whilst apart from the base, all the components of the step or platform can be of steel or aluminium.

The invention also relates to a method of erecting a scaffold structure, preferably using a step or platform of said one aspect of the invention.

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an undesirable plan view of a step or platform of the invention, with its swing arm open, Figure 2 is a front elevation of the step or platform of Figure 1, with its swing arm open, Figure 3 is a side elevation of the step or platform of Figure 1 with its swing arm closed, Figure 4 is a side elevation as Figure 3, with the swing arm open, and Figure 5 is a schematic view showing the step or platform in use during the erection of a scaffold.

The present invention is concerned with a step or platform which is engagable with a part of a scaffold which has already been erected, in order to enable erection of the part of the scaffold immediately above it to be effected safely and in compliance with Health and Safety regulations. As will be described, this enables each upward erection of the scaffold structure to be in accordance with Health and Safety regulations in that at each lift, i.e. each level of scaffolding boards, the scaffolder is able to work with a guardrail - 4- already in place, having been put in place by the scaffolder when working at the lower lift by means of the use of the step or platform. This arrangement will be initially briefly described in relation to Figure 5. It is to be noted that whilst the article of the present invention is a step or a platform, it will, for convenience, hereinafter be referred to as a 'step'.

Accordingly with reference to Figure 5, it can be seen that a partly erected scaffold structure comprises conventional standards or uprights 10 which are vertical conventional scaffolding poles or tubes. As shown, each of these rests on a baseplate 11. The horizontal scaffolding poles or tubes connecting between the standards include conventional ledgers 12, whilst transoms 13 rest in a convenient manner upon the ledgers at right angles thereto. As is well known, main transoms are placed next to the standards, so as to hold the standards in place and provide a support for the scaffolding boards 14, whilst intermediate transoms are placed between the main transoms to provide extra support for the scaffolding boards. A scaffolder 15 is able safely to stand on the scaffolding boards at the base lift, namely the lowest lift of the scaffolding structure, with there initially being no guard rail, since there is no danger of falling at this level. However whilst at this level the scaffolder will fix a horizontal pole 12a, which thereafter acts at a guardrail for this lowest lift, The scaffolder will also fix an upper ledger 12b which, as assembly of the scaffold proceeds, will define the next, upper lift at which the transoms 13 support scaffolding boards. A step 16 of the invention is then utilised as shown in Figure S to enable the scaffolded to connect a further horizontal pole 12c at a level above the ledger 12b, so that when the scaffolder climbs to the upper lift at the level of the ledger 12b, a guardrail is already in place, this being defined by the horizontal pole 12c having been - s - by use of the step 16. As will be described in detail, one part of the step hooks over the horizontal pole 12a, whilst a lower pivoted bracing leg of the step engages against the standard 10 to which the pole 12a, ledger 12b and pole 12c are secured. As shown in Figure 5, this enables the scaffolder to reach to a level above the ledger 12b to fix the pole 12c in place, this pole 12c, as mentioned above, thereafter defining a guardrail at the first upper lift level.

As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the step 16 comprises a rectangular base board 17 which may be of wood or metal. Although not essential, it is desirable that an upper surface 18 of the board 17 is of non-slip form. To an undersurface 19 of the board 17 are secured a number of square- section hollow metallic tubes in a configuration to be described. Preferably these tubes are steel or aluminium.

As shown best in Figure 1, it can be seen that spaced apart tubes 20, 21 are arranged parallel to one another, and also parallel to the respective opposite shorter sides of the rectangular base board 17, each tube being spaced a short way inwards of said side. As can be seen best from Figures 2 and 3, each of these tubes is secured to the underside at the base board 17 by respective bolts 22 and associated nuts 23, the bolts having respective heads received in countersunk holes in the upper surface of the base board 17, with the stems of the bolts extending through the tubes 20, 21 with the nuts 23 being secured on the ends thereof so as firmly to secure the tubes to said base board. In the example described, there are two nut and bolt fixings along each length of tube, but the number of fixings and the nature thereof could be varied as required. As shown in the drawings, each tube 20, 21 extends - 6- shortly beyond a rear side 24 of the board 17, this rear side 24 being one of the longer sides of the rectangular board. At these ends of the tubes 20, 21 which extend beyond said side 24, are connected thereto respective U-shaped claws or hooks 25, 26, each hook, as shown best in Figures 2 and 3, being inverted and connected to its associated tube at substantially the centre of one of its straight limbs, so that as shown in Figure 1, the central axis through its associated tube also extends through the hook connected to said tube.

Preferably the connection is by way of welding. Whilst each hook can be formed with solid limbs, these can be slotted if desired. As shown best in Figures 2 and 3, the curved upper part of each hook, i.e. the part which interconnects its parallel limbs, extends slightly above the level of the top of the base board 17.

As shown in Figure 1 the respective ends of the tubes 20, 21 remote form the connected hooks 25, 26, terminate short of the front side 27 of the board 17, each tube terminating short by the same amount, so that a crosstube 28, at right angles to the tubes 20, 21, can be secured to said ends of the tubes 20, 21, for example by these ends being welded to a side 29 of the tube 28, with the respective opposite ends of the cross-tube 28 being flush with the respective outer sides 30, 31 of the tubes 20, 21 respectively.

At the rear side of the board 17 a further cross-tube 32, parallel to said side 24 is secured at the underside of the board by having its respective opposite ends welded to the respective inner sides 33, 34 of the tubes 20, 21.

An inner side of the further cross-tube 32 is denoted by the numeral 35. - 7 -

A further tube 36, of rectangular cross-section, is disposed parallel to, and midway between, the tubes 20, 21. The respective opposite ends of this further tube 36 are secured, for example welded, to the side 29 of the cross- tube 28 and the side 35 of the further tube 36. This further tube 36 has respective opposite sides denoted by the numerals 37, 38. Finally the arrangement of tubes is completed by a pair of shorter, in-line crosstubes 39, 40, these extending parallel to the cross-tubes 28 and 32 and lying mid- way therebetween. The cross-tube 39 has its respective opposite ends welded to the inner side 33 of tube 20 and the outer side 37 of tube 36, whilst the other cross-tube 40 has its respective opposite ends connected, preferably welded, to the inner side 34 of tube 21 and the outer side 38 of tube 36, so that as shown in Figure 1, a strengthened assembly of tubes is provided, which not only supports the board 17, but also gives strength to the step 16.

Secured to the lowermost surface of the tube 36 at its junction with the cross-tubes 30, 40, is a metallic channel-like fixing plate 41, preferably of steel or aluminium. This fixing plate 41 has a flat portion 42 secured to the tube 36, with a pair of spaced apart, parallel limbs 43, 44 respectively depending at 90 from said flat portion 42. The limbs may be integral with the portion 42 or could be secured thereto. As shown in Figure 2, each limb is of rectangular, plate-like form and passing through respective aligned bores in said limbs is a pivot pin 45, which is secured in place by any convenient fixing means, such as lock washers, the pivot pin lying at 90 to the longitudinal extent of the tube 36. This pivot pin 45 passes through respective aligned openings in the respective opposite sides of a square cross- section hollow tube forming a bracing arm 46 of the step 16, the bracing arm 46 being pivotable from a stored position shown in Figure 3 to an operative - 8- position shown in Figures 2 and 4. Secured across the lower end of the fixing plate 41 for part of its length is a metallic stop plate 47 which is provided with a downwardly angled straight part 48, this part 48 being directed towards the rear side 24 of the board 17, so that, as shown best in Figure 2, when the bracing arm 46 is in its open or extended position, a lower side 49 of the bracing arm engages against the part 48 which thereby acts as a stop to prevent any further downward pivoting movement of the bracing arm 46. Additionally the upper end of the bracing arm 46 adjacent its pivot pin 45 is cut off at an angle, as shown best in Figure 3, this, like the part 48, corresponding to the angle of inclination of the bracing arm in its open position shown in Figure 2, so that in this position, this end of the bracing arm engages the underside of the flat portion 42 of the fixing plate 41 which also thereby acts as a stop. In this example the bracing arm extends downwardly from the plane of the board 17 by an angle of 47 , although this could of course be varied as required.

Secured, for example by welding centrally to the end of the bracing arm 46 remote from its pivot pin 45, is a further hook or claw 50. Like the hooks 25, 26, the hook 50 is of steel or aluminium, and all three hooks have the same inverted U-shaped form, and may, as mentioned, be slotted if required. Each of the hooks has a curved central part from which a pair of parallel limbs extend, and the curvature of this central part, and the spacing apart of the limbs are such that each hook is designed to be closely engaged over a standard scaffolding tube or pole. In particular the hooks 25, 26 are adapted to be engaged over a pole 12a, whilst the hook 50, which has its central axis at 90 to the hooks 25, 26, is adapted to engage with a standard lo, so that, in the manner shown in Figure 5, the bracing arm 46 acts in the - 9 - manner of a cantilever when force is applied to the board 17, so that the step remains tightly engaged with a pole 12a and standard lO as shown.

Accordingly it is believed that form the above it will be understood that the step of the present invention is used in preventing falls by scaffolders when erecting a scaffold structure, and in particular it enables the next lift above the one on which the scaffolder is working to be erected safely, being protected by a permanent guard rail which becomes part of the finished scaffold. This is unlike many prior art arrangements, where the guard rail is temporary and is provided by a separate part of kit.

Accordingly as previously mentioned briefly with regard to Figure 5, the scaffolders, normally working in pairs, would assemble the standards 10 and initially the lowermost ledgers 12 and transoms 13 to form the base lift which is typically 150mm also above the ground. Working at this level, the scaffolders will then connect ledgers, firstly at the level of the ledger 12 shown in Figure 5, and then at the level of the pole 12a, which is effectively a guard rail. Still working at the level of the base lift, the scaffolders will finally assemble the upper ledger 12b, ledgers at the front and rear standards at this level being to support transoms 13 for the next upper lift of the scaffold structure. However it would be noted that at this time the intermediate transoms will be omitted in order to allow freedom of movement for the scaffolders on the step 16. Accordingly the next stage in the erecting of the scaffolding structure requires a scaffolder to fit the step 16 as shown in Figure 5. In other words the scaffolder engages the hooks 25 and 26 on the pole 12a at respective opposite sides of the standard 10, with the bracing arm 46 pivoting downwardly so that it can have its hook 50 engaged with the - 10standard 10. In this position it will be appreciated that the hooks 25 and 26 on the pole 12a are equi-spaced from the upright 10 at respective opposite sides thereof. Accordingly with the two scaffolders having each fixed a respective step in position along the partially completed scaffold structure, and with each scaffolder having clipped his harness to a rear ledger 12 for safety, the scaffolders can now access the upper lift so as to set the fixing points for the upper pole 12c. One of the pair of scaffolders then fetches the upper pole 12c, and by standing on their respective step 16, the scaffolders can fix this pole 12c in place, as shown in Figure 5. In other words a guard rail for the upper lift, namely the pole 12c, can be fixed in place without the need for the scaffolders to work at said upper level, namely without the danger from a non-handrailed lift. Once the pole 12c has been put in place, the procedure can be repeated, if necessary, at the opposite side of the scaffold structure, and at the stop ends if necessary. Thereafter the missing transoms are put in place at the level of the transom 13 shown in Figure 5, and the scaffolding boards are then laid over these transoms to provide the first lift. Ladder access can then be provided to this first lift which is already provided with the required handrail or guard rail by way of the pole 12c fitted as shown in Figure 5. The process can then be repeated at each handrailed level above, the scaffolders fixing the upper horizontal pole (equivalent to ledger 12b) at each level, and then using a step 16 to enable the scaffolder to reach to the next above level to fix a pole 12c which acts as a guard rail/handrail. It will be appreciated that in each case the pole 12c forms a permanent guard rail which is part of the scaffold structure. It will be understood that the reverse procedure is effected when the scaffold structure is to be dismantled.

- 11 - In the embodiment of the step described, it is convenient that the bracing arm 46 is pivotable, so that it can be folded to its Figure 3 closed position to facilitate handling and storage of the step. For this purpose, a lifting handle could be provided, for example at the front side 27 of the board 17. However in another embodiment, the bracing arm could be fixed in its open position shown in Figure 2. Moreover although all of the hooks 25, 26 and 50 are shown rigidly secured to their respective tubes/arm these could be arranged to be pivotably adjustable, if required, and lockable in a chosen adjusted position by any suitable means, such as a threaded nut and bolt. It is also envisaged that the hooks could be height adjustable on their respective tubes/arm member, and in another alternative embodiment, the bracing arm 46 could be lockable in any one of a number of adjusted positions. - 12

Claims

1. A step or platform comprising a base having an upper support surface and a lower undersurface, a pair of spaced apart aligned hook portions for fixing the base to a first elongated member, in use, and an arm member extending, or being extendable, in use, away from said undersurface, the arm member carrying a further hook portion for engagement, in use, with a second elongated member at an angle to said first elongated member.

2. A step or platform as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said further hook portion is arranged for engagement, in use, with said second elongated member at 90 to the engagement of said aligned hook portions with said first elongated member.

3. A step or platform as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the aligned hook portions are adapted for engagement, in use, with a horizontal scaffolding pole, and the further hook portion is adapted for engagement, in use, with a vertical scaffolding pole.

4. A step or platform as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein said aligned hook portions are connected to respective tubes secured to said undersurface of the base.

5. A step or platform as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the tubes are spaced apart and parallel to one another. - 13

6. A step or platform as claimed in Claim 4 or Claim 5, wherein the base has a straight edge surface beyond which each tube extends.

7. A step or platform as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the respective ends of the tubes extending beyond said edge surface having said respective hook portions secured thereto.

8. A step or platform as claimed in any one of Claims 4 to 7, wherein the hook portions are fixedly secured to said tubes respectively.

9. A step or platform as claimed in any one of Claims 4 to 7, wherein the hook portions are pivotally secured to said tubes respectively.

10. A step or platform as claimed in Claim 9, wherein said hook portions are lockable in a chosen selected position.

11. A step or platform as claimed in Claim 7 or either of Claims 9 and 10, wherein the hook portions are height adjustable on their respective tubes.

12. A step or platform as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein each hook portion is of generally U-shape.

13. A step or platform as claimed in Claim 12, wherein respective central axes of said hook portions are in line.

14. A step or platform as claimed in Claim 6, or Claim 7, or Claim 11 when appended to Claim 7, wherein each hook portion is of generally U - 14 shape, and the respective central axes of said hook portions are in line and parallel to said edge surface.

15. A step or platform as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 14, wherein the arm member is connected at one end to a fixing plate.

16. A strip or platform as claimed in Claim 15, wherein the fixing plate is secured to a tube member secured at the undersurface of the base.

17. A step or platform as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the arm member is connected at one end to a fixing plate connected to a further tube at the undersurface of the base, said further tube being parallel to said tubes to which said hook portions are connected.

18. A step or platform as claimed in Claim 17, wherein the further tube is midway between said tubes.

19. A step or platform as claimed in Claim 17 or Claim 18, wherein the further tube is connected to said tubes via a cross-tube.

20. A step or platform as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 19, wherein said further hook portion is of generally U-shape.

21. A step or platform as claimed in Claim 20, wherein the further hook portion is fixedly secured to said arm member. -

22. A step or platform as claimed in Claim 20, wherein the further hook portion is pivotally secured to said arm member.

23. A step or platform as claimed in Claim 22, wherein the further hook portion is lockable in an adjusted position.

24. A step or platform as claimed in any one of Claims l to 23, wherein the further hook portion is height adjustable relative to said arm member.

25. A step or platform as claimed in any one of Claims 17 to 19, wherein the fixing plate provides a pair of side plates between which said one end of the arm member is received.

26. A step or platform as claimed in Claim 24, wherein the arm member is fixedly secured to said fixing plate in an open position where it extends away from said undersurface.

27. A step or platform as claimed in Claim 25, wherein the arm member is pivoted to said side plates by a pivot pin therethrough.

28. A step or platform as claimed in Claim 27, wherein the fixing plate forms at least one stop for the arm member when it is pivoted away from said undersurface such that a central axis of said further hook portion is at 90 to respective central axes of said hook portions.

29. A step or platform as claimed in Claim 17, wherein the further hook portion is fixedly secured to the other end of the arm member. - 16

30. A step or platform as claimed in Claim 6 or Claim 7, wherein a carrying handle is provided at an edge surface parallel to said edge surface beyond which said tubes extend.

31. A step or platform as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper support surface is non-slip.

32. A step or platform as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base is square.

33. A step or platform as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 31, wherein the base is rectangular.

34. A step or platform as claimed in Claim 27 or Claim 28. Wherein the arm member is lockable in any one of a number of adjusted positions.

35. A method of erecting a scaffold structure comprising assembling a base lift with scaffolding boards thereat by the use of standards, ledgers and transoms, then, whilst working from said base lift connecting to at least some of said standards a first horizontal scaffolding pole at a first level above the base lift, and a ledger, for a first lift, at a second level, above said first level, fitting a step or platform to said first horizontal scaffolding pole and one of said at least some of said standards, and then utilising said step or platform to work from the level thereof to connect a horizontal scaffolding pole to said at least some of the standards at a third level, above said ledger, to form a guard rail for subsequent working at said first lift. - 17

36. A method of erecting a scaffold structure as claimed in Claim 35, wherein the step or platform is as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 34.

37. A step or platform substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to, and as shown in Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.

38. A method of erecting a scaffold structure substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to, and as shown in Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings.