WO2012103579A1

WO2012103579A1 - A barrier screen for multi-storey scaffolding

Info

Publication number: WO2012103579A1
Application number: PCT/AU2012/000079
Authority: WO
Inventors: Daniel Charles Underwood; Lester George UNDERWOOD
Original assignee: Underwood Companies Holdings Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2011-02-01
Filing date: 2012-02-01
Publication date: 2012-08-09
Also published as: AU2012212389A1; AU2012212389B2

Abstract

Provided is a screen assembly (21) for connection to a scaffolding (10), comprises an upper screen part (23) and a lower screen part (22). The lower part is for connection to the scaffolding adjacent a walk way (16), and is arranged to be positionable adjacent the walk way such that it is substantially vertical. The upper part is positionable substantially in line with the lower part so as to form a contiguous screen assembly. The upper part is arranged for connection to scaffolding adjacent the walk way and is to be manually removable from its operative position while at the same time leaving the lower part in its operative position. Thus, the assembly enables a worker to reach over the lower part to carry out tasks. Each screen part may be formed of a plastic covered mesh panel forming about half of the assembly. Rail connection means may be provided for the panels to connect to respective rails of the scaffolding and the panels "may include co-operating panel to panel couplings.

Description

A BARRIER SCREEN FOR MULTI-STOREY SCAFFOLDING

[0001] THIS INVENTION relates to a screen and in particular but not limited to a barrier screen for use with multi-storey scaffolding.

[0002] During construction of a multi-storey building, it is usual to build scaffolding around the building and it is necessary to provide some form of screen to protect workers who are working on the building and at the same time provide a protective barrier in an effort to limit debris or tools or other materials falling from the scaffolding. In such circumstances it would be desirable to provide a screen which is reliable, robust, relatively lightweight and easy to assemble and remove. While much work is carried out within the framework of the scaffolding, in some instances workers must reach out beyond the scaffolding In order to carry out some procedures such as welding and in the circumstances it may be necessary for the worker to remove the barrier on a temporary basis in order to gain the necessary access. This creates the problem of leaving an opening that may be unsafe. It is usual to employ a kick board so that even if a screen Is removed there still remains the narrow kick board to prevent toots and equipment rolling off. The present invention provides an assembly that does away with the extra kick board while stilt making provision for safe outside access.

[0003] In one aspect therefore, the present invention resides in a screen assembly comprising at least an upper screen part and a lower screen part, the lower part being arranged for connection to scaffolding adjacent a walk way, the lower part being arranged to be positionable adjacent the walk way such that it is substantially vertical, the upper part being positionable substantially in line with the lower part so as to form a contiguous screen assembly, the upper part being arranged for connection to scaffolding adjacent the walk way and being manually removable from its operative position while at the same time leaving the lower part in Its operative position, thus enabling a worker to reach over the lower part to carry out tasks.

[0004] Preferably, each screen part comprises a plastic covered mesh panel foring about half of the assembly.

[0005] Typically, the scaffolding is equipped with rails used to support the screen assembly. Preferably, three rails are employed and each panel includes rail connection means. The rail connection means may comprise hangers and these may be pivoting hooks so the panels simply hook over the respective rails. The panels preferably include co-operating panel to panel couplings so that the panels can locate together in operative position. The couplings are typically slide couplings. In one form these comprise spaced apart pairs of plates with a gap between the plates so that a panel can fit into the gaps with the panels in abutment so the panels are operatively held in a common plane when hung from the rails. This also permits the panels to slide along the rails and to slide relative to each other. This provides adjustment

[0006] Each panel typically comprises an outer peripheral frame and an infill of heat shrink plastic covered steel mesh.

[0007] In order that the present invention may be more readily understood and be put into practical effect reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which Illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein:-

Figure 1 is a drawing illustrating scaffolding prepared to receive a panel assembly according to present invention;

Figure 2 illustrates the scaffolding of Figure 1 with the panel assembly fitted;

Figure 3 illustrates the scaffolding and panel assembly of Figure 2 viewed from the inside;

Figure 4 illustrates a worker in the process of placing a top panel in position to complete the assembly; and

Figure 5 Illustrates relative axial movement of the panels whereby the panels may bridge around an inner or outer comer.

[0008] Referring to the drawings and initially to Figure 1 there is illustrated in perspective view an arrangement of scaffolding 10 positioned adjacent to a building 11. The scaffolding 10 have spaced uprights 12, 13, 14. and 15 with ledgers (not shown) for supporting a walk way 16 which comprises planks 17. It will be appreciated that the walkway 16 may be at any level in the construction of a multi-storey building 11. In the preferred embodiment of the present Invention three rails 18, 19 and 20 are used to support a panel assembly 21 as shown in Figure 2.

[0009] The panel assembly 21 comprises a lower panel 22 and an upper panel 23. Each of the panels 22 and 23 include an outer surrounding peripheral frame and an infill of plastic covered steel mesh. The peripheral frame is typically a U-shaped channel and the mesh is welded or otherwise secured inside the channel. A topmost frame member 24 of the upper panel 23 has spaced apart swivelling hooks 25 and 26 while the uppermost frame member 27 of the lower panel 22 also has swivelling hooks 28 and 29. These hooks are located into swivel sleeves 30, 31, 32, and 33 and are used to hang the panels. The bottom frame member 34 of the top panel 23 has spaced pairs of plates 35 and 36 and these fit over the top frame member 27 of the bottom panel 22. The purpose of the rail 18 is to prevent the bottom panel 22 from swinging outward.

[0010] It will be appreciated that the top panel may be lifted off the bottom panel so that a worker may operate by leaning out over the rail 19.

[0011] Referring to Figure 3, further panel assemblies would naturally stand along either side of the uprights 13 and 14 and depending upon the arrangements required, if access is not required then panel assemblies according to the present invention need not be provided along the full scaffolding and single form sheets and single panels may be used Instead in which case there will be no requirement for the additional rails 18.

[0012] As can clearly be seen in Figure 3, the bottom panel 22 comprises an upper frame member 27 a lower frame member 37, side frame members 38, 39 and infill material 40. The upper panel 23 includes a top frame member 24, a bottom frame member 34 and side frame members 41 and 42 and also employing infill material 40. In the preferred embodiment the infill material is a heat shrinkable plastic applied to a steel mesh.

[0013] The plates in each pair of plates 35 and 36 are spaced by a little more than the width of the frame member 27 so that a gap is provided sufficient for the frame member 27 to slide into the gap between the pair of plates. Figure 4 illustrates a worker at 43 having hung the lower panel 22 in place and is now placing an upper panel 23 in place to form the assembly Is illustrated in Figures 2 and 3.

[0014] It will be appreciated that by reason of the hooks cooperating with the rails and the use of the pairs of plates 35 and 36 that the hooks and plates may slide axially in the plane of the panels so that the panels may be displaced relative to one another as may be required in the case at an inner or outer comer, an example being shown in Figure 5. It will be realised that at the corner it will be usual to employ a post adapted for ledgers at the comer for a 90 degree turn.

[0015] Whilst the above has been given by way of illustrative example of the present invention many variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the broad ambit and scope of the invention as herein set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A screen assembly comprising at least an upper screen part and a lower screen part, the lower part being arranged for connection to scaffolding adjacent a walk way, the lower part being arranged to be positionable adjacent the walk way such that it is substantially vertical, the upper part being positionable substantially in line with the lower part so as to form a contiguous screen assembly/the upper part being arranged for connection to scaffolding adjacent the walk way and being manually removable from its operative position while at the same time leaving the lower part in its operative position, thus enabling a worker to reach over the lower part to carry out tasks.

2. The assembly according to claim 1 wherein each screen part comprises a plastic covered mesh panel forming about hatf of the assembly.

3. The assembly according to claim 2 wherein the scaffolding is equipped with rails configured for supporting the screen assembly.

4. The assembly according to claim 3 wherein the scaffolding having three rails and each panel includes rail connection means. '

5. The assembly according to claim 4 wherein the rail connection means comprises hangers arranged for connecting to respective rails.

6. The assembly according to claim 4 or 5 wherein the connecting means being configured as pivoting hooks so -the panels are positioned by hooking over the respective rails.

7. The assembly according to any one of claims 3 to 6 wherein the panels include cooperating panel-to-panel couplings so that the panels can locate together in operative position.

8. The assembly according to claim 7 wherein the couplings are in the form of slide couplings.

9. The assembly according to claim 8 wherein each coupling comprises spaced apart pair or pairs of plates with a gap between the paired plates so that a panel can fit into the gap with the panels in abutment whereby the panels are operatively held in a common plane when hung from the rails, while permitting the panels to slide along the rails and to slide relative to each other for adjustment of their position.

10. The assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 9 wherein each panel comprises an outer peripheral frame and an infill of heat shrink plastic covered steel mesh.