AU725722B2 - Scaffolding - Google Patents

Description

S F Ref: 386806

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

Name and Address of Applicant: Milan Visnic 5 Strathfield Road Strathfield NSW 2135

AUSTRALIA

Milan Visnic Actual Inventor(s): Address for Service: Invention Title: Spruson Ferguson, Patent Attorneys Level 33 St Martins Tower, 31 Market Street Sydney, New South Wales, 2000, Australia Scaffolding ASSOCIATED PROVISIONAL APPLICATION DETAILS [31] Application No(s) [331 Country P01165 AU [32] Application Date 19 July 1996 The following statement is a including the best method of full description of this invention, performing it known to me/us:- 5815

SCAFFOLDING

Technical Field The present invention relates to scaffolding.

Background of the Invention Scaffolding has traditionally been manufactured from circular metal tubing. Due to its configuration it is limited in respect of its strength.

When scaffolding is erected to support form work on which a generally horizontal concrete slab is to be formed, the form work and supporting scaffolding is retained in position until the concrete slab has sufficient strength to be self supporting.

lo This has two disadvantages. Firstly, with the scaffolding in position, work beneath the slab is hindered due to the scaffolding. Secondly, a complete set of separate scaffolding is required to form a second slab, during the period in which the first slab is curing.

Object of the Invention It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate some of the disadvantages of the prior art, or at least to provide a useful alternative.

corn: Summary of the Invention According to the present invention there is herein disclosed a scaffolding stand comprising: an elongated tubular body for forming an upwardly extending member of said scaffolding stand; a plurality of beam members for forming transversely extending members of said scaffolding stand; said beam members having a projecting member substantially adjacent an end of each of said beam members; o [I:\DayLib\LIBTT]O1 191.doc:KEH a connection member for receiving said projecting members; said connection member being adapted to connect said beam members to said elongated tubular body to form said scaffolding stand; a strut attached to and extending between two of said plurality of beam members; said strut being spaced from said projecting member of each of said beam members; a pin for locking said beam members to said connection member, said pin being extendable through an aperture in said strut and an aperture in said projecting member; said pin being adapted to be retracted out of said apertures to move said pin between a locked position and an unlocked position.

10 Preferably, said scaffolding stand further comprises a latch member attachable to said strut, said latch member being movable between a first position and a second position, said latch member being adapted to inhibit said beam members from being detached from said elongated tubular body when said latch member is in said first position, said latch member being adapted to permit said beam members from being detachable from said elongated tubular body when said latch member is in said second position.

Preferably, said pin has a notch for restraining said pin in said unlocked position, a portion of said strut surrounding said aperture in said strut being locatable in said notch.

Preferably, in the above discussed scaffolding stand, the support member is 20 adapted to support a beam which extends generally transverse of the stand.

Brief Description of the Drawings A preferred form of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a scaffolding column; Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of the column of Figure 1 supporting beams which in turn are to support formwork; Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of the column of Figures 1 and 2 provided with further beams to engage the formwork; Figure 4 is a schematic side elevation of the upper portion of the scaffolding of Figure 3 supporting formwork; Figure 5 is a schematic front elevation of the formwork of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a schematic side elevation of the formwork of Figure 4; Figure 7 is a schematic side elevation of the formwork of Figures 4 to 6 retracted from a supporting position with respect to a concrete slab; Figure 8 is a schematic side elevation of a beam ledger; Figure 9 is a schematic top plan view of the ledger of Figure 8 extending between a pair of scaffolding stands; Figure 10 is a schematic perspective view of a further scaffolding stand; [N:\LIBT]01191:hrw Figure 11 is a schematic part perspective view of a further scaffolding stand; Figure 12 is a schematic part side elevational view of scaffolding stand of Figure 11 in the unlocked position; Figure 13 is a schematic part side elevational view of the scaffolding stand of Figure 11 in the locked position; Figure 14 is a schematic part side elevational view of the further scaffolding stand in the braced position; Figure 15 is a schematic part side elevational view of the scaffolding stand of Figure 13 in the unbraced position; 10 Figure 16 is a schematic part sectional view along the line X-X of Figure 14; and •Figure 17 is a schematic part sectional view along the line Y-Y of Figure I Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment In Figures 1 to 9 of the accompanying drawings there is schematically depicted a scaffolding tower 10. The scaffolding tower 10 consists of four stands 11 which are tubular and are of a square or rectangular transverse cross section. Extending between the stands 11 are beam ledgers 12. The beam ledgers 12 are provided with end hooks 13 which are received in eyelets 14 formed on the stands i so as to be affixed thereto.

Each of the stands 11 consists of an elongated tubular body 15 terminating at its upper end with a nut 16 which is rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the body Preferably the nut 16 would be provided with handles or projections 17 so that it can be rotated relative to and about the longitudinal axis of the body Telescopically received within the upper end of the body 15 is a threaded rod 18.

The rod 18 threadably engages the nut 16. The upper end of the rod 18 terminates with a jack plate 19 which is to abut the concrete slab 20 being formed and to aid in supporting the slab 20 while it is curing.

Also threadably engaged with the rod 18 is a second nut 21 also provided with handles or projections 22. The nut 21 supports a support bracket 23 which consists of a generally "U-shaped" cradle 24 extending to a tubular base 25 which surrounds the rod 18. Rotation of the nut 21 will cause longitudinal movement of the support bracket 23 longitudinally of the rod 18.

The cradle 24 supports transverse "filler" beams 26. Also extending between the brackets 23 are beams 27 which in turn support further beams 28 extending generally parallel to the filler beams 26. The filler beams 26 have an upper surface 29 which is to be located in the same plane as a sheet of formwork material 37 supported on the filler beams 26 and the beams 28. More particularly, each filler beam 26 is provided with a step 30 so that each filler beam 26 has upwardly facing step surfaces 31 which aid in supporting the sheet formwork. The step 30 also accommodates the jack plate 19. The nuts 16 and 23 are adjusted until the formwork is held at the desired height. When the IN:\LIBT]01191 :hrw slab 20 is at least partly cured, the nuts 21 are rotated lowering the support brackets 23.

This then enables removal of the beams 26, 27 and 28 and the sheet formwork material 37 supported thereby. The stands 11 are then left in position providing at least some support until the slab 20 is self supporting.

Preferably the lower end of each stand 11 is provided with a support foot 32 attached to a threaded rod 33 engaged by a nut 34.

The tower 10 (as shown in Figure 10) may also be used as a scaffolding tower having work platforms. In the present embodiment the tower 10 of Figure 10, has the beam ledgers 12 supporting floor planks 35, with further ledger beams 36 providing a lo railing.

A further embodiment is shown in part in Figures 11 to 13. The embodiment shown in Figures 11 to 13 differs from the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 9 in that the end hooks 13 on the beam ledgers 12 have been replaced with the following. At a location adjacent each end of the ledgers 12, a downwardly projecting beam member 40 is attached thereto. The beam members 40 extend downwardly from the lower face 41 of the beam ledgers 12. A plurality of struts 42, 43 extend vertically between adjacent beam ledgers 12 which are spaced from each other by the lengths of the struts 42, 43. The struts 42,43 are spaced from each other along the length of the beam ledgers 12. The length L of the beam members 40 is significantly less than the length of the struts 42,43 extending between adjacent beam ledgers 12. The free lower ends 44 of the beam members 40 are preferably chamfered for ease of insertion of the beam members 40 into eyelets 48. The eyelets 48 replace the eyelets 14 of the embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 9 and differ from those eyelets 14 in that their size is such that the beam members may be located therein, the beam members 40 generally having a larger circumference than the circumference of the end hooks 13 which are received in eyelets 14 in the embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 9.

A first aperture 45 is located in one of the faces 46 of the struts 42 located adjacent the stands 11 in the assembled configuration. A corresponding aperture 57 is located in the face 54 of the struts 42 opposite the face 46. A further aperture 55 is located in the face 47 of the beam members 40 such that the aperture 55 is aligned concentrically with but spaced axially from the apertures 45,57 in the struts 42.

A locking pin 50 is insertable through the apertures 45,57 in the struts 42 and beam members 40 such that the pin 50 extends through the strut 42 and part way through the adjacent beam member 40, which is spaced from the strut 42 along the length of the beam ledger 12. A nut 51 is locatable on a threaded portion 52 of the locking pin 50 such that the nut 51 abuts the face 47 of the beam member 40 in the "locked" position. A compression spring 53 is positioned concentrically on the threaded portion 52 of the locking pin 50, between the nut 51 and face 54 of the strut 42.

[N:\LIBT01191:hrw A notch 60 is formed in the pin 50 such that when the spring 53 is compressed against its natural bias and the pin 50 is retracted from the aperture 55 in the beam member 40, the pin 50 may be retained in this "unlocked" position by locating a portion of the face 46 of the strut 42 surrounding the aperture 45 in the notch Figures 14 to 17 show a further modification to the embodiment shown in Figures 11 to 13. A latch member 70 is attached to the strut 42 adjacent each of beam members 40 at a position along the length of the strut 42 below the apertures 45, 57 in the strut 42. The latch member 70 comprises a pair of first support members 71, a U-shaped folded plate member 72 and a second support member 73. The pair of first support lo members 71 are welded to opposite outer faces 75 of each strut 42 and extend substantially perpendicularly to the axis along the length of the beam members The second support member 73 comprises a rhomboid shaped section having a cut out portion to accommodate the folded plate member 72. The second support member 73 is pivotally attached at one end to the pair of first support member 71 by means of a pivot pin 80 which extends through aligned apertures in the first and second support members 71, 73. The second support member 73 is pivotal between a position where it extends in a direction substantially parallel to the plane of the outer faces 76 of the pair of first support members 71 to a position where the upper face 77 of the second support member 73 is adjacent to and abuts the face 46 of the beam member The folded plate member 72 is hooked over the pivot pin 80 and free to move about the pin and relative to the first and second support members 71 and 73.

In use, when constructing the scaffolding stand, the locking pin 50 is pulled such that the spring 53 is compressed against its natural bias to a position such that the locking pin 50 is removed from the aperture in the face 47 of the beam member 40. The pin 50 is retained in this position by locating the face 46 of the strut 42 surrounding the aperture in the notch 60 in the pin The beam member 40 is inserted into an eyelet 48 formed on one of the stands 11 so as to be affixed thereto. The length of the eyelets 48 is less than the length L of the beam member 40 and less than the distance between the top of the beam member where the beam member 40 is connected to the lower face 41 of a beam ledger 12 and the top of the aperture 55 in the beam member 40 so that when the beam member 40 is inserted into an eyelet 48, the aperture 55 in the beam member 40 is not obstructed by the eyelet 48. The locking pin 50 is then released such that the spring 53 causes the locking pin 50 to extend through the aperture 55 in the beam member 40 until the nut 51 abuts the face 47 of the beam member 40. The locking pin 50 is now in the locking position. The procedure for moving the locking pin 50 to the unlocked position is the reverse of the procedure outlined above in the description of the locking procedure.

In the embodiment where the additional latch member 70 is attached to the strut 42, as shown in Figures 14 to 17, the latch member 70 may provide an additional [N:\LIBTr]01191:hrw -6mechanism to the locking pin 50 to prevent the ledgers 12 from being removed from the eyelets 48 inadvertently. When the pin 50 is in the locked position as shown in Figures 13 and 14, the second support member 73 and folded plate member 72 are pivoted about pivot pin 80 with respect to the first support member 71 to a position where the upper face 77 of the second support member 73 and the base 90 of the U-shaped folded plate member 72 respectively, are substantially perpendicular to the plane of the face 46 of the strut 42. In this position, even if the pin 50 be unlocked, the second support member 73 and folded plate member 72 prevent the ledger 12 from being removed as they cannot clear the eyelet 48. Also, in this position, the folded plate member 72 is accommodated in the second support member 73, as shown in phantom in Figure 14. The distance between the stands 11 and strut 42 is such that when the second support member 73 is in a.

the lowered position, as shown in Figure 14, the lower edge 91 of the second support member 73 butts firmly against the stand 11 and acts like a brace.

When it is desired to dismantle the scaffold by removing the ledger 12, the pin 50 is unlocked, as described above, and the latch member 70 is moved to a configuration such that the folded plate member 72 is pivoted about pivot pin 80 to a position where the ends 92 of the folded plate abut the face 46 of the strut 42, and the second support member 73 is pivoted to a position such that the upper face of the support member 73 is .20 in a plane substantially parallel to and may abut the face 46 of the strut 42.

Various modifications may be made to the scaffolding stand which is described above and illustrated as having double ledgers 12 spaced from each other by struts 42, 43.

In an alternative embodiment single ledgers may be used which may have the locking pin 50 mechanism shown in Figures 11 to 13 and/or the additional latch member 70 shown in Figures 14 to 17.

[N:\LIBT]01191:hrw

Claims (4)

1. A scaffolding stand comprising: an elongated tubular body for forming an upwardly extending member of said scaffolding stand; a plurality of beam members for forming transversely extending members of said scaffolding stand; said beam members having a projecting member substantially adjacent an end of each of said beam members; a connection member for receiving said projecting members; said connection member being adapted to connect said beam members to said elongated tubular body to form said scaffolding stand; a strut attached to and extending between two of said plurality of beam members; said strut being spaced from said projecting member of each of said beam members; a pin for locking said beam members to said connection member, said pin being extendable through an aperture in said strut and an aperture in said projecting member; said pin being adapted to be retracted out of said apertures to move said pin between a locked position and an unlocked position.

2. A scaffolding stand according to claim 1, wherein said pin has a notch for restraining said pin in said unlocked position, a portion of said strut surrounding said aperture in said strut being locatable in said notch. 20 3. A scaffolding stand according to claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising a latch member attachable to said strut, said latch member being movable between a first position and a second position, said latch member being adapted to inhibit said beam members from being detached from said elongated tubular body when said latch member is in said first position, said latch member being adapted to permit said beam members from being detachable from said elongated tubular body when said latch member is in said second position. A scaffolding stand according to any one of claims 1 to 3 further comprising a threaded rod telescopically received within one end of the tubular body and having an exposed portion terminating with a jack plate; a first nut threadably engaged on the rod and to abut the tubular body so that when vertically oriented the rod is supported by the first nut which in turn is supported by the body; a support member adjacent the exposed portion of the rod; and a second nut threadably engaged on the rod between the first nut and the jack plate, to support said support member which is longitudinally movable of the rod by rotating the second nut about the rod so the support member is movable relative to the jack plate. RA[] [I:\DayLib\LIBTT]1O 191 .doc:KEH A scaffolding stand according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said support member is adapted to support a beam which extends generally transverse of said stand.

6. A scaffolding stand according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said first nut has projections extending therefrom to permit the nut to be rotated relative to and about the longitudinal axis of said tubular body.

7. A scaffolding stand substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings. Dated 26 July, 2000 Milan Visnic Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON FERGUSON e [I:\DayLib\LIBTT]01191.doc:KEH