GB2193286A - A support system - Google Patents

Abstract

A falsework support system is made from a number of frames. Each frame has two vertical legs (2, 3) interconnected by a plurality of horizontal transoms (4, 5). Each transom has, at each end thereof, a vertical connecting element (19). The vertical connecting element is releasably connected, at two points which are spaced apart in the vertical direction, to a respective leg of the frame. Link bars may be attached to spigots (22) and held by locking levers (23). Brace member connectors are also provided. <IMAGE>

Description

GB2193286A 1 SPECIFICATION lighter. However, such frames are more costly

than the steel frames, and also the alloy A support systern frames have been found to be very prone to damage.

The present invention relates to a support 70 It is to be understood that if a screwjack is system and more particularly relates to a sup- to be freely movable within a circular tube, the port system adapted to support falsework. In tube must be free of all dents. Thus, if an particular the support system is of the type alloy tube does become dented it is necessary known as a frame support system. either to repair the frame, or to replace it.

When constructing buildings or the like it is 75 It has been found that due to the rough common practice to erect a form which effec- handling that frames of this type received on tively defines a mould onto which liquid con- a building site, a lot of repair and maintenance crete may be poured. Appropriate reinforce- of the frames is required. Maintaining the alu ments may be present as the concrete sets, minium frames can be very difficult, and also, and the concrete, as it sets, is retained in a 80 because of problems arising from metal fa desired position by the form. Consequently tigue, it is sometimes dangerous to utilise a the concrete sets or cures to constitute a re- frame that has been repaired. Also, by repeat inforced concrete structure that comprises part edly welding components to the frame, the, of the building being constructed. safe load carrying capacity of the frame is Most buildings of this type consist of flat 85 reduced.

floors with appropriate reinforced concreted In order to achieve frame stiffness in the beams. However, this type of falsework may frame systems presently utilised, it is conven be utilised in the construction of buildings of tional for such frames to have welded-in dia many different designs. gonals. It is costly to provide such welded-in Whilst falsework of the type described 90 diagonals, and these diagonals constitute above may be supported by simple props, in an obstacle which prevent people passing recent years it has been more common to through the frames at various levels.

utilise a support system that incorporates a According to this invention there is provided number of frames. Typically these frames are a frame for a falsework support system, pre-fabricated, being welded together from ap95 said frame comprising two vertical legs inter- propriate components. Typically the frames connected by a plurality of horizontal tran will all have a constant width, so that they soms, each transom having, at each end can readily be assembled one on top of the thereof, a vertical connecting element, the ver other, but the frames may come in a number tical connecting element being releasably con- of different heights. This enables a selected 100 nected, at two points spaced apart in the ver number of frames of different sizes to be as- tical direction, to a respective leg of the sembled together to support the falsework at frame.

any desired height above the floor. Adjustable Preferably each vertical connecting element screwjacks are provided either at the bottom is in the form of a plate, the plate being con or at the top of the frames, or possibly both 105 nected to the respective leg by means of at the bottom and at the top, to enable fine bolts. The plate may be a flat plate or a plate adjustments to be Made. Also, of course, the with a specially shaped cross-section so that screwjacks enable the falsework to be low- the plate can snugly abut the respective leg.

ered down from the concrete when the con- Conveniently each leg is a hollow tubular crete has been cured. 110 form, each bolt having its head located within It is now conventional for frames of the hollow leg.

this type to-be assembled in rows, with the Advantageously the interior of the leg de frames being linked together by cross braces. fines at least one recess adjacent the exterior However, linkbars or diagonals may be used wall of the tube, the recess being dimen to link the frames together, and the frames 115 sioned to receive the heads of said bolts, ro may be built to form square towers. tation of the bolts thus being prevented.

Since, in most cases, a heavy load has to Conveniently the configuration of the tube is be supported by the falsework support ar- such that the portion of the tube defining the rangement, heavy duty frames have to be pro- recess is located beyond a circle having a pre vided. However, since the frames have to be 120 determined radius and having a centre coinci moved into position by hand, it is preferred dent with the axis of the tube, the circle that each frame should be of only a moderate representing a free unobstructed space within weight. Thus the designer of the frames is the tube.

faced with conflicting requirements. Preferably the outer periphery of the tube is For many years, steel frames were utilised 125of substantially octagonal form, at least one to provide the requisite strength, but these face of the tube being associated - with the frames were found to be very heavy. Recently inwardly directed projections which define said frames formed of aluminium alloy components recess.

which have been welded together have been In an alternative embodiment the tube is of utilised, in order to provide frames which are 130 substantially circular configuration having at 2 GB2193286A 2 least one radially outwardly extending projec- support assembly comprising a plurality of tion defining said recesses. frames as described above.

Preferably one or more additional structural In order that the invention may be more elements are each clamped to any one of the readily understood, and so that further fea projections or between adjacent projections 70 tures thereof may be appreciated, the inven present on one or more legs of the frame. tion will now be described, by way of Conveniently the legs are formed of light example, with reference to the accompanying weight alloy. drawings in which:

Preferably the horizontal transoms are ' Figure 1 is an elevational view of frame in formed of conventional scaffolding tube. 75 accordance with the invention; Advantageously the frame may be provided Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the with one or more screw jacks at the bottom upright member utilised in fabricating the and/or at the top of each leg. frame of Figure 1; Preferably the vertical connecting element Figure 3 is an enlarged view showing the provided at the end of each transom is pro80 junction between the upright member of Figure vided with means adapted releasably to re- 1 and a transom; ceive a brace or the like. Figure 4 is a view corresponding to Figure 3 Conveniently the brace receiving means showing an additional brace lock; - comprise a spigot securely attached to said Figure 5 illustrates a modified brace lock; connecting means, the spigot being provided 85 Figure 6 illustrates a support arrangement with means to retain said bracing means ther- incorporating the present invention; eon. Figure 7 is a front view of the further sup Advantageously said retaining means corn- port arrangement incorporating the invention; prise a pivoted locking lever contained within Figure 8 is a side view of the support ar- an axial recess in the spigot and movable to a 90 rangement shown in Figure 7; position in which the lever projects outwardly Figure 9 is a front view of another support from the spigot. arrangement incorporating the invention; Preferably said retaining means comprise a Figure 10 is a side view of the support nut or the like, the exterior of the spigot being arrangement of Figure 9; threaded to receive said nut. 95 Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of an Preferably the frame may be provided with alternative embodiment of an upright member means to connect the frame to a similar frame for use in forming the frame; mounted above the said frame. Figure 12 is a part sectional view illustrating Conveniently the frame may be provided a modified brace lock joined to part of the with a detachable cross brace and/or link bars 100 upright member of Figure 11; and/or diagonals mounting element, detaFigure 13 is a side elevational view of the chably mounted in position on the frame, and brace lock of Figure 12; and provided with means to receive the cross Figure 14 is a front elevational view of the brace. brace lock of Figure 12.

Preferably the cross brace receiving means 105 Referring now to Figure i of the accom comprise a spigot and means to retain a cross panying drawings a frame assembly 1 corn brace in position on ' the spigot. prises two upright members or legs 2, 3. In- -1 Preferably the cross brace receiving means terconnecting the legs are an upper horizontal are bolted to the end of a transom. transom 4 and a lower horizontal transom 5.

According to another aspect of this inven- 110 Each leg 2, 3 is formed of a strong alloy, tion there is provided a frame for use in a and has a hollow cross- section as illustrated frame support systqm for faslework, said fra- in Figure 2.

me comprising two upright members in- The leg 2 has an outer octagonal peripheral teconnected by a plurality of horizontal tran- portion 6, four octagonal faces of which are soms, each transom being connected to the 115 provided with inwardly directed protrusions 7, adjacent frame member by means of a con- 8, the protrusions on each face defining be necting element, each connecting element in- tween them a recess or channel 9. The recess corporating means adapted lockingly to re- or channel 9 is dimensioned to receive snugly ceive the brace or the like. the head 10 of a bolt 11 which can pass Preferably the means adapted to receive a 120 through an aperture 12 formed at an appropri brace or the like comprise a spigot and means ate location in the outer wall 6 of -the leg 2.

to retain a cross brace or the like on the The dimension of the channel 9 is such that spigot. the head 10 of the bolt cannot rotate when it Conveniently said retaining means comprise is in position.

a pivoted locking lever mounted in an axial 125 The bolt is adapted to receive a nut 14 slot or recess formed in the spigot. utilised to secure a transom 5, in position, as Preferably the retaining means comprise a will be described hereinafler.

nut, the exterior of the spigot being threaded The inwardly directed pojections 7, 8 termi to receive said nut. nate with outwardly directed arcuate flanges The invention also relates to a falsework 13015, 16 which serve to define a central circular 3 GB2193286A 3 area 17 which is clear of all obstruction, the the upper ends of the vertical legs 2. Since periphery 18 of the circular area being of such the frames are fabricated from components a size that a screwjack can readily be received which are bolted together if any one compo within the central area 17 of the tube. nent becomes damaged, it is posisbie to un It is to be appreciated that the inwardly di- 70 bolt that component to facilitate the repair of rected porjections 7, 8 and the lips 15, 16 the component, or to replace the damaged can engage the engagement portion of a component with a new component. Whilst the screwjack whilst permitting the elongate screw legs 2 and 3 may be formed of an appropriate portion of the jack to move freely within the alloy, each transom may be formed of tubular tube. If the tubular leg 2 is subjected to a 75 steel, and may therefore be formed of con knock and is thus dented, it is unlikely that ventional scaffolding tube. This enables con the dent will extend into the central area 17 ventional scaffolding couplers to be utilised to of the tube, and thus even if the leg is dented connect conventional scaffolding components it will still be possible to utilise the leg in a to the transoms.

satisfactory manner with the screwjack. 80 It will be understood that frames in accor Each of the horizontal transoms 4, 5, termi- dance with the invention may easily be fabri- nates with a vertical end plate, the plate being cated with transoms of any appropriate designed to form a stiff node between the length. Thus it may be possible to have avail transom and the leg. The end plate 19 pro- able relatively narrow frames, with short tran- vided at one end of the transom 5 is illus- 85 soms, or relatively wide frames, with longer trated in Figure 3. The end plate 19 is a verti- transoms.

cal plate securely welded to the end of the Frames as described may be interconnected horizontal transom 5, and maintained securely by link bars or the like. Each link bar may be in position by means of triangular reinforcing provided with means at the ends thereof webs 20, 2 1. 90 adapted to be mounted on the spigots 22. As The vertical plate 19 (as can be seen from the link bar is mounted on a spigot 22 the Figure 2) has a configuration such that the locking lever 23 will be pivoted upwardly plate can be brought firmly into engagement into the retracted position in which it is re with one of the octagonal faces of the leg 2, ceived in the axial slot to permit the link bar the plate having peripheral lips which abut the 95 to be mounted on the spigot and the next two adjacent faces of the octagonal leg. locking lever will subsequently return to a de The plate 19 is secured firmly to the leg 2 pending position in which a free end of the by means of two bolts 11, as shown in Fig- locking lever 23 projects downwardly out of ure 2, and associated nuts 14. In connecting the axial slot thus preventing the link bar from the plate 19 to the leg 2 the bolts are passed 100 being inadvertently disengaged from the spigot manually down in the interior of the leg 2 and 22.

are located in pre-formed apertures 12 in the Figure 4 illustrates a detachable brace con walls of the leg 2. The plate 19 is then nector 25 which has arcuate horizontal arm mounted in position, with the bolts passing 26 having an aperture through which passes a through appropriate apertures formed in 105 bolt 27 which also passes through the bolt the plate 19, and the nuts 14 are then located hole 24 provided at the end of the transom 5.

in position and tightened. The bolt thus secures the horiozontal arm 26 Welded to the piqte 19 is a projecting in position, the arm 26 being. configured so spigot 22 which has a locking lever 23 pivo- that it lies immediately adjacent the outer peri tally mounted in an axial slot formed in the 110 phery of the octagonal leg 2. The arm 26 spigot 22. The locking lever 23 may move supports a vertical plate 28 having a configu pivotally from a totclily retracted position to a ration similar to the configuration of the plate position in which it projects from the spigot 19. Thus the plate 28 has a main portion as shown. lying adjacent one face of the octagonal leg 2, A bolt hole 24 is provided in the end of the 115 and also has, at each side thereof, inclined horizontal transom 5, the hole 24 exending flanges lying adjacent the next two adjacent horizontally and being located in the region of faces of the octagonal leg.

the transom 5 that is reinforced by the rein- At the upper end of the plate 25 is pro forcing webs 20, 21. vided a protruding spigot 29 having the same It will be understood that a frame of the 120 configuration of the spigot 22, the spigot 29 type described will be very rigid, by virtue of thus having a depending locking lever 30 cor the fact that the vertical plates 19 provided at responding to the locking lever 23. It can be the ends of the transoms 4, 5 are each se- seen that a diagonal element 31, of tubular curely connected to the adjacent upright or leg form, having a flattenend end region 32 defin 2, 3 at two spaced positions. Thus the frame 125 ing an aperture 33 can be mounted on the will be relatively stiff and will resist any at- spigot 29, and can be retained in position by tempt to make the frame -lozenge-. means of the locking lever 30. The diagonal It will be appreciated that frames of the element 31 may be telescopic, and extends type described may have screwjacks mounted diagonally across the frame, as shown in in the lower ends of the vertical legs 2 or in 130 phantom in Figure 1.

4 J GB2193286A 4 Additional bracing elements may also be with the invention may be interconnected by mounted on the spigot, the additional bracing means of linking means comprising scaf element extending in the directions indicated folding tubes 58 connected to the transoms by the lines 33, 34 or 35, for example. Of 4, 5 of the frame by means of conventional course, the design of the bracing arrangement 70 scaffolding fittings. It will thus be appreciated utilised in any particular situation is within the that the frames of the invention are very ver ability of the man skilled in the art. satile and permit the assembly of many differ Figure 5 illustrates a modified embodiment ent arrangements of support frame work.

of the invention, illustrating a spigot 36 which Figures 7 and 8 illustrate one frame work may be in the position of the spigot 22 desupport assembly made from frames in accor scribed above or which may be in the position dance with the invention. It can be seen that of the spigot 29 described above. The spigot in this assembly a plurality of frames 1 are 36 ' is mounted on a plate 37 (equivalent to mounted one above the other. The frames are the plate 19 or to the plate 25). The spigot is interconnected by means of connectors 59 provided with a pivoted locking lever 38 (equi- 80 and connecting pins 60 which are conven valent to the pivoted locking lever 23 or 30) tional items known in the art.

and mounted on the spigot are a plurality of In the arrangement illustrated in Figure 7 bracing elements 39. The bracing elements there are three sets of frames 1 which are have flattened ends so that they fit snugly spaced apart by appropriate distances. The adjacent one another. In this embodiment of 85 various sets of frames may be interconnected the invention the exterior of the spgiot 36 is by means of horizontal linkbars 61, which may threaded, as at 40, and a wing nut 41 may be connected to appropriate detachable brace be mounted on the spigot. The wing nut may connector 25, as illustrated in Figure 4. Ad thus be tightened against the flattened ends of ditionally diagonal braces 62 may be provided, the bracing members 39, thus providing a se- 90 if the load requires such diagonal braces to be cure connection. provided. Plan bracing may also be provided, It will be appreciated that in utilising the if required. The structure is illustrated support embdiment of Figure 5, if a temporary struc- ing primary beams 63 and secondary beams ture is to be erected, the bracing elements 64, as is conventional.

may be mounted on the spigot 36 and may 95 As can be seen from Figure 8 a plurality of be retained by the locking lever 40. However, rows 65 of frames may be provided, and the if a structure of a more permanent nature is frames of the rows may be interconnected by to be erected, a wing nut 41 can be thread- horizontal link bars 66 and/or cross braces edly engaged with the threaded exterior 40 of and/or by diagonal lacing 67. The structure the spigot 36 and may be tightened against 100 illustrated in Figures 7 and 8 may be termed a the flatteneds ends of the bracing members. -bird cage- frame support arrangement.

Figure 6 illustrates a scaffolding arrangement Figures 9 and 10 illustrate an arrangement incorporating frames in accordance with the in which four rows 68 of frames are provided, invention A frame 1, as described above, is the spacing between the rows being non-uni- provided with screwjacks 42, 43 which pro- 105 form. As can be seen from Figure 10 each ject downwardly from beneath the frame, the row 68 consists of two pairs of superimposed screwjacks 42, 43 being associated with base frames 1. The frames in the rows are inter plates 44, 45 which rest on the ground. connected by a horizontal scaffolding tube 69 At the top of the frame two further which are connected by means of appropriate screwjacks 46, 47 are provided which extend 110 connector 70, which may be a conventional upwardly above the frame, these screwjacks scaffold coupler to the transoms of the frames being associated with head plates 48, 49 1. Again diagonal bracing 71 can be which support beams 50 upon which the falprovided if required. This diagonal bracing may sework rests. The screwjacks and the beams be formed from integral one- piece diagonal may be of a conventional design. 115 braces, or from telescopic braces, the braces Whilst the frame 1 is illustrated as having a being connected to a detachable brace con- specific size, by selecting the length of the nector. Alternatively the diagonal braces may transoms 4 and 5 appropriately the frame 1 comprise convention scaffold tubes connected could be smaller, as indicated at 51, or larger, to the horizontal transoms by conventional as indicated at 52. Appropriate diagonal rein120 fittings.

forcing elements may be provided if desired. Figure 11 illustrates a cross-section of an Figure 6 illustrates that in a falsework supalternative member 72 which may be utilised port system incorporating frames in accor- to form a leg of a frame in accordance with dance with the invention it is possible to util- the invention. The member 72 is formed of an ise a single prop 53 constituted by a tubular 125 appropriate alloy, and has a cross-section element 54 having same cross section as one which defines four rectangular protrusion 73.

of the legs of the frame. The prop is provided Each protrusion 73 has an outer wall 74 with appropriate screwjacks 55, 56. which projects beyond the width of the pro The frame 57 shown to the right hand of trusion 73 to form two projecting flanges 75.

Figure 6 illustrates how frames in accordance 130 Each protrusion 73 defines a channel 76 on GB2193286A 5 the interior of the member dimensioned to re- heads of said bolts, rotation of the bolts thus ceive the head of the bolt in a non-rotating being prevented.

manner. 5. A frame according to claim 4, wherein As in the previously described embodiment the configuration of the tube is such that the appropriate bolt holes will be pre-drilled in the 70 portion of the tube defining the recess is lo member to facilitate the connection, to the cated beyond a circle having a predetermined member 72, of a transom with an associated radius and having a centre coincident with the vertical end plate. However, in utilsing the em- axis of the tube, the circle representing a free bodiment of Figure 11 it is possible for a unobstructed space within the tube.

detachable brace coupler 77 to be connected 75 6. A frame according to claim 4 or 5, directly to a projection 73 by means of a wherein the outer periphery of the tube is of clamp. The clamp consists of a first element substantially octagonal form, at least one face 78 comprising a plate having, at one side, a of the tube being associated with the inwardly forwardly directed flange 79 terminating in an directed projections which define said recess.

inwardly directed lip 80. Bolt holes are pro- 80 7. A frame acording to claim 4 or 5, vided in the flange 79. The element is in- wherein the tube is of substantially circular tended to cooperate with a second element configuration having at least one radially out consisting of an apertured plate which may wardly extending projection defining said re have a shaped section 81 having an inwardly cess.

-20 directed lip 82 at one end edge thereof, the 85 8. A frame according to claim 7, wherein set components being assembled so that the one or more additional structural elements are inwardly directed lips 80, 82 engage behind each clamped to any one of the projections or the flanges 75 provided on the front plate 74 between adjacent projections present on one of the projection 76, bolts 83 being passed or more legs of the frame.

through the apertures and being tightened to 90 or more legs of the frame.

draw the components together. It can be seen 9. A frame according to any one of the that in the illustrated embodiment two bolts preceding claims, wherein the legs are formed 83 are provided in a symmetrical arrangement, of light weight alloy, associated with nuts 84. A spigot 85, corre- 10. A frame according to any one of the sponding to the spigots described above, is 95 soms are formed of conventional scaffolding mounted on the first element 78. The spigot tube.

is shown partly cut away in the drawings. 11. A frame according to any one of the The described detachable brace coupler may preceding claims associated with one or more be located at any position on the leg, or any screw jacks at the bottom and/or at the top selected projection. A similar clamping ar- 100 of each leg.

rangement may be used to mount other cou- 12. A frame according to any one of the pling devices in position, including a conven- preceding claims, wherein the vertical connect tional scaffold coupler. ing element provided at the end of each tran Alternatively a clamping device may be lo- som is provided with means adapted releas cated between two adjacent projections on 105 ably to receive a brace or the like.

the leg and may be expanded to engage the 13. A frame according to claim 12, wherein projections, the clamping device thus being the brace receiving means comprise a spigot clamped in position. securely attached to said connecting means, the spigot being provided with means to re

Claims (1)

1. CLAIMS 110 tain said bracing means thereon.

   1. A frame for a falsework support system, 14. A frame according to claim 13, wherein said frame comprising two vertical legs inter- said retaining means comprise a pivoted lock connected by a plurality of horizontal traning lever contained within an axial recess in soms, each transom having, at each end the spigot and movable to a position in which thereof, a vertical connecting element, the ver- 115 the lever projects outwardly from the spigot.

   tical connecting element being releasably con- 15. A frame according to claim 13, wherein nected, at two points spaced apart in the ver- said retaining means comprise a nut or the tical direction, to a respective leg of the like, the exterior of the spigot being threaded frame. to receive said nut.

   2. A frame according to claim 1, wherein 120 16. A frame according to any one of the each vertical connecting element is in the form preceding claims provided with means to con of a plate, the plate being connected to the nect the frame to a similar frame mounted respective leg by means of bolts. above the said frame.

   3. A frame according to claim 2, wherein 17. A frame according to any one of the each leg is a hollow tubular form, each bolt 125 preceding claims, provided with a detachable having its head located within the hollow leg. brace mounting element, detachably mounted 4. A frame according to claim 3, wherein in position on the frame, and provided with the interior of the leg defines at least one means to receive the brace.

   recess adjacent the exterior wall of the tube, 18. A frame according to claim 17, wherein the recess being dimensioned to receive the 130 the brace receiving means comprise a spigot 6 GB2193286A 6 and means to retain a brace in position on the panying drawings.

   spigot. 33. A falsework support system substan 19. A frame according to claim 18, tially as herein described with reference to and wherein the retaining means comprise pivoted as shown in Figures 9 and 10 of the accom locking lever contained within an axial recess 70 panying drawings.

   in the spigot and movable to a position in 34. Any novel feature or combination of which the [ever projects outwardly from the features disclosed herein.

   spigot.

   20. A frame according to claim 18, wherein Published 1988 at The Patent Office, State House, 66/71 Hic)h Holborn, London WC 1 R 4TP. Further copies may be obtained from the retaining means comprise a nut or the like, The Patent Office, Sales Branch, St Mary Cray, Orpington, Kent BR5 3RD.

   Printed by Burgess & Son (Abingdon) Ltd. Con. 1/87.

   the exterior of the spigot being threaded to receive said nut.

   21 ' A frame according to claims 17 to 20, wherein the cross brace receiving means are bolted to the end of a transom.

   22. A frame for use in a frame support system for falsework, said frame comprising two upright members inteconnected by a plu rality of horizontal transoms, each transom be ing connected to the adjacent frame member by means of a connecting element, each con necting element incorporating means adapted lockingly to receive the brace or the like.

   23. A frame according to claim 22, wherein the means adapted to receive a brace or the like comprise a spigot and means to retain a cross brace or the like on the spigot.

   24. A frame according to Claim 23, wherein said retaining means comprise a pivoted lock ing lever mounted in an axial slot or recess formed in the spigot.

   25. A frame according to claim 23, wherein the retaining means comprise a nut, the exte rior of the spigot being threaded to receive said nut.

   26. A falsework support assembly compris - ing a plurality of frames according to any one -of the preceding claims, 27. A frame for a falsework support system substantially as herein described with refer ence to and as shown in Figures I to 4 of the accompanying drawings.

   28. A frame use in a falsework support sys tem substantially as herein described with ref erence to and as shown in Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings as modified by Figure 5.

   29. A frame for use in a falsework support system substantially as herein de scribed with reference to Figures 1 to 3 as modified by Figure 1-1 of the accompanying drawings.

   30. A frame for use in a falsework support system substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 of the accompany ing drawings as modified by Figure 11 and incorporating a brace as illustrated in Figures 12 to 14.

   31. A falsework support system substan tially as herein described with reference to and as shown in Figure 6 of the accompanying drawings.

   32. A falsework support system substan tially as herein described with reference to and as shown in Figures 7 and 8 of the accom-