AU2006201721B1

AU2006201721B1 - Hook-On-Scaffold

Info

Publication number: AU2006201721B1
Application number: AU2006201721A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Robert Miles
Original assignee: AD HOC NSW Pty Ltd
Current assignee: AD HOC (NSW) Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2005-07-28
Filing date: 2006-04-24
Publication date: 2006-08-17
Anticipated expiration: 2026-01-18
Also published as: AU2006200200A1; US20080264725A1

Description

24.Apr. 2006 17:46 Wallinston-Dummer Sydney No.5098 P. 6 P/001009 Regulation 3

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Invention Title: HOOK-ON SCAFFOLD The invention is described in the following statement, including the best method of performing it known to us: Our Ref: 062011 COMS ID No: SBMI-03393643 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:56 Date 2006-04-24 24.Apr. 2006 17:46 Wall in ton-Dummer Sydney No.5098 P. 7 2 HOOK-ON

SCAFFOLD

Cl The present invention relates to safety devices for use in the construction of buildings and, more particularly CA to support structures for personnel working above ground level.

^c BACKGROUND 0 Safety of personnel involved in the building industry has increasingly become the subject of regulation.

A

o particularly dangerous aspect of work on construction sites is where personnel is required to work at some height above ground level, for example on two-storey buildings or where steeply sloping terrain is involved.

In at least some jurisdictions it is now a requirement that scaffolding be installed where personnel is required to work at a greater than a set height above ground level.

Scaffolding supported at ground level involves the erection of a large number of structural elements of frames with adjustable feet, cross bracing and fasteners etc, being expensive in both material and labour. Moreover, where sloping ground, projecting patios and other obstructions are encountered, the use of scaffolding becomes particularly awkward and time consuming.

It is an object of the present invention to address or ameliorate some of the above disadvantages.

NOTE:

COMS ID No: SBMI-03393643 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:56 Date 2006-04-24 24.Apr. 2006 17:47 Wall ington-Dummer Sydney No.5098 P. 8 3 The term "comprising" (and grarmatical variations thereof) is used in this specification in the inclusive sense of "having" or "including", and not in the exclusive 3ti sense of "consisting only of".

^C BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION Accordingly, in a first broad form of the invention, 0 there is provided a scaffold assembly comprising at least o one pair of hook-on scaffold elements; said scaffold elements adapted for support of at least one builder's plank; each of said elements comprising a vertical main shaft provided with a hook structure at an upper end of said main shaft and a securing bracket at a lower end of said main shaft; each of said hook-on scaffold elements further comprising a braced hook-on arm; said hook structure adapted for engagement with a horizontal top plate of a building frame, and said securing bracket adapted for engagement with a vertical stud or a horizontal element of said building frame.

Preferably, said assembly further comprises a safety rail assembly for attachment to said pair of hook-on scaffold elements.

Preferably, said vertical main shaft comprises a length of metal rectangular hollow section; said main shaft provided at intervals along its length with hooking eyes COMS ID No: SBMI-03393643 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:56 Date 2006-04-24 24.Apr. 2006 17:47 Wa i ngton-Dummer Sydney No.5098 P. 9 4 NO projecting from said main shaft in a first outward C] direction; said hooking eyes adapted for engagement with said braced hook-on arm.

C Preferably, said hook structure comprises a metal horizontal plate projecting from said upper end of said main shaft in a second inward direction; said hook o structure further including a metal vertical plate NO depending from an outer end of said horizontal plate.

Preferably, said metal horizontal plate is provided with a strengthening rib extending substantially the length of said plate.

Preferably, said securing bracket comprises a generally U-shaped fabrication comprising a spaced apart pair of arms extending from a back plate in said second inward direction; said arms adapted to accept between them a said vertical stud or a horizontal element of said frame.

Preferably, said pair of arms are of a length so as to project past an inner face of said vertical stud or horizontal element; outer ends of said arms provided with apertures adapted to accept therethrough a securing element so as to secure said securing bracket to said vertical stud or said horizontal element.

COMS ID No: SBMI-03393643 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:56 Date 2006-04-24 24.Apr. 2006 17:47 Wa inston-Dummer Sydney No.5098 P. 5 SD Preferably, said securing element is a first wing bolt C- passing through a first of said apertures in a first of said arms and threadably engaging with a threaded one of said apertures in a second of said arms.

Preferably, one of said arms is provided with a (C threaded aperture at a median position along said arm; said o threaded aperture adapted to accept a second wing bolt; V0 said second wing bolt adapted for engagement with said 0 vertical stud or said horizontal member so as to prevent any movement of said bracket relative said vertical stud or said horizontal element.

Preferably, each said first wing bolt and said second wing bolt are secured to said bracket by a length of chain.

Preferably, said securing bracket is rotatably attached to said main shaft; attachment of said securing bracket arranged so as to allow said bracket to rotate degrees between a first position for engagement with said vertical stud and a second position for engagement with said horizontal element.

Preferably, said hooking eyes comprise U-shaped elements projecting horizontally from said main shaft; arms of said U-shaped elements attached to opposing sides of said main shaft, and wherein separation between an outer face of said main shaft and inside faces of cross bars of COMS ID No: SBMI-03393643 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:56 Date 2006-04-24 24.APr. 2006 17:47 Wa l ngton-Dummer Sydney No.5098 P. 11 6 0D said U-shaped elements is adapted to accept hooking lugs of 0 0- said braced hook-on arm.

Preferably, said main shaft is provided with at least c-i one pair of said hooking eyes.

Preferably, said main shaft is provided with two pairs l^ of said hooking eyes; said two pairs providing two levels p0 of attachment of said hook-on arm.

CO

0 0 Preferably, one of each of said at least one pair of

C]

hooking eyes is provided with an aperture through said cross bar of said U-shaped element; said aperture adapted to receive a spring-loaded pin for securing one of said hooking lugs inserted in said hooking eye.

Preferably, said braced hook-on arm comprises a horizontal support member, an angled bracing member and at least one intermediate brace member extending between said horizontal supporting member and said angled bracing member.

Preferably, an inner end of each of said horizontal support member and said angled bracing member is provided with one of said hooking lugs; each respective one of said hooking lugs adapted for insertion into a corresponding one of said pair of hooking eyes.

COMS ID No: SBMI-03393643 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:56 Date 2006-04-24 24.Apr, 2006 17:47 Wallinston-Dummer Sydney No.5098 P. 12 7 O Preferably, one of said hooking lugs for said C] horizontal support member is provided with an aperture C adapted for passage therethrough of said spring-loaded pin; j- said spring-loaded pin passing through said aperture in a said hooking eye when said braced hook-on arm is assembled Sto said main shaft.

Preferably, said horizontal support member is of D length sufficient to support thereon two side-by-side said builder's planks.

Preferably, an inner end and an outer end of said horizontal support member are provided with retaining plank safety book elements; said safety hook elements adapted to retain respective outer edges of said side-by-side builder's planks.

Preferably, said horizontal support member is further provided at an outer end with a vertical safety rail support element.

Preferably, adjoining ones of said hook-on scaffold elements in use are adapted to each support a stanchion of said safety railing in a respective said safety rail support element; said safety railing extending between said adjoining hook-on scaffold elements; said safeLy rail comprising a pair of said stanchions and upper and lower horizontal rail elements.

COMS ID No: SBMI-03393643 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:56 Date 2006-04-24 24.Apr. 2006 17:48 WalI ngton-Dummer Sydney No.5098 P. 13 8 SD Preferably, said stanchions and said horizontal rail elements are interconnected by snap-lock hooks.

Preferably, said horizontal rail elements comprise telescoping inner and outer tube members; said inner and outer tube members allowing adjustment of length of said C]l safety railing between adjoining said. stanchions.

0 Preferably, said upper end of said vertical main shaft o is provided with at least one bracket for attachment of a cross bracing member of said safety railing.

Preferably, said cross bracing member comprises a tubular member provided at a first inner end with a locking structure adapted for engagement with said at leasL one bracket; said tubular member provided at a second outer end with a snap-lock hook for engagement with said upper rail element of said safety railing.

Preferably, said locking structure comprises a springloaded pin assembly; said spring-loaded pin engaging with an aperture provided in said at least one bracket so as to secure said cross bracing member from inadvertent disengagement with said at least one bracket.

In a further broad form of the invention, there is provided a builder' plank support system adapted for attachment to frame elements of a building; said system COMS ID No: SBMI-03393643 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:56 Date 2006-04-24 2006 17:53 Wal ngton-Dummer Sydney No.5959 P. 4 9 S including a scaffold assembly provided with a hook plate at an c- upper end of said scaffold assembly and a securing bracket at Sa lower end; said securing bracket adapted for fastening to a o vertical stud or a horizontal element of said frame; said scaffold assembly further including a braced hook-on arm.

In yet a further broad form of the invention, there is o provided a method for supporting at least one builder's plank c0 o and safety railing at the side of a building; said method CA including the steps of: hooking a hook plate of at least one pair of hookon scaffold assemblies over a horizontal top plate of a frame of said building, securing a bracket of each of said scaffold assemblies to a vertical stud or a horizontal element of said frame, positioning said at least one builder's plank over horizontal members of hook-on arms of said at least one pair of said scaffold assemblies.

Preferably, said method further includes the steps of; inserting stanchions of said safety railing into stanchion support elements of said scaffold assemblies, COMS ID No: SBMI-04115029 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:00 Date 2006-07-10 2006 17:53 Wall inston-Dummer Sydney No.5959 P. MD attaching horizontal railing elements to said 0- stanchions, bracing said railings by cross bracing members extending between said railings and brackets on S 5 vertical shafts of said at least one pair of scaffold assemblies.

in still a further broad form of the invention, there is 0 provided a safety system for personnel engaged in construction of a building; said system including a scaffold assembly comprising a vertical main shaft and a braced hook-on arm; said assembly adapted for attachment to elements of a frame of said building; adjoining ones of said scaffold assembly adapted for support of at least one builder's plank and a safety railing, and wherein a lower end of said scaffold assembly is secured by a bracket to a vertical stud or a horizontal element of said frame; an upper end of said scaffold assembly provided with a hook structure for engagement with a top plate of said frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a side elevation view of a hook-on scaffold assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, COMS ID No: SBMI-04115029 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:00 Date 2006-07-10 24.Apr. 2006 17:48 Wall in ton-Dummer Sydney No.5098 P. 16 11 M0 Figure 2 is a perspective view of a main vertical 0 0 shaft and associated components of the scaffold assembly of Figure 1, Figure 2A is a perspective view of the upper end of the main vertical shaft of Figure 2, Figure 3 is a perspective view of a hook-on arm of the scaffold assembly of Figure 1, C] Figure 3A is an enlarged side view of a spring-loaded Spin mechanism of the hook-on arm of Figure 3, Figure 4 is a perspective detailed view of a securing bracket of the scaffold assembly of Figures 1 and 2, Figure 5 are representations of bolts for use with the scaffold assembly of Figures 1 to 4, Figure 6 is a perspective view of a safety railing for attachment to the scaffold assembly of Figure 1, Figure 7 is a detail view of the inner end of a cross bracing member of the safety railing attachment of Figure 6, Figure 8 is a perspective view of a pair of scaffold assemblies of Figure 1 attached to the frame of a building and supporting a pair of builder's planks and a safety railing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With reference to Figure 1, a scaffold assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, COMS ID No: SBMI-03393643 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:56 Date 2006-04-24 24.Apr. 2006 17:48 Wallinston-Dummer Sydney No.5098 P. 17 12 ND comprises a vertical main shaft 12 and a braced hook-on arm 0 14. Main shaft 12 includes a vertical length of rectangular section tubing 16 Loe which is affixed at an upper end 18 a hook strucLure 20. Hook structure 20 may be formed of a piece of steel angle, strengthened with a rib 21 as shown in Figure 2A.

A securing bracket 22 is rotatably attached at a lower 0 C] end 24 of tubing 16. Also attached at intervals along the

ID

lower portion of the length of tubing 16, are two pairs of first hooking eyes 23 and 23A, and 26 and 26A in the form of U-shaped brackets as best seen in Figure 2. Attached at upper end 18 of main shaft 12 are a further pair of hooking eyes 25 and 25A, shown in more detail in Figure 2A.

Braced hook-on arm 14 comprises a horizontal support member 28, and an angled bracing member 30 formed of flat bars (or rectangular section tubing) affixed one to the other towards their respective outer ends and provided with intermediate bracing elements 32. Both the inner end of horizontal support member 28 and angled bracing member are provided with vertical hooking lugs 34 and 36 respectively (as best seen in Figure adapted for insertion into either the upper pair 23 and 23A, or the lower pair of hooking eyes 26 and 26A.

Sides of the U-shaped pairs of brackets 23 and 23A, and 26 and 26A, are affixed to opposite sides of tubing 16 such that a sufficient gap is left between the inside faces COMS ID No: SBMI-03393643 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:56 Date 2006-04-24 24.Apr. 2006 17:49 Wallington-Dummer Sydney N o 5 0 9 8 P 18 13 NO of the base of the brackets and the outside face of tubing 16 for insertion of vertical hooking lugs 34 and 36. The upper brackets 25 and 25A are similarly constructed and arranged; in this case to accept a cross brace 110 of the safety railing system to be further described below.

Braced hook-on arm 14 is provided with a spring loaded

CA

pin mechanism 33 (shown in enlarged detail in Figure 3A) CA located on the underside and at the inner end of horizontal o support member 28. Mechanism 33 comprises a U-shaped bracket 41 with apertures in the legs of the bracket for slidingly retaining pin 38. Pin 38 is provided with a washer 39, welded to pin 38, and a coaxial compression spring 43 retained between washer 39 and the inside of bracket 41. Pin 38 is further provided with an aperture 47 at an outer end of pin 38 for attachment of a split ring by which means pin 38 may be pulled into a retracted position relative to vertical hooking lug 34. Vertical hooking lug 34 is provided with a hole 37 (as shown in Figure 3) coaxial with pin 38 of mechanism 33.

Each of the upper ones 23 or 26 of the pairs of brackets 23 and 23A, and 26 and 26A, is provided with a hole 27, the arrangement being such that when lug 36 is inserted into a bracket 23 or 26, initially with pin 38 of spring-loaded mechanism 33 retracted, the pin 38 is driven by spring 43 through holes 37 and 27 in vertical hooking lug 34 and bracket 23 or 26 respectively (as best seen in COMS ID No: SBMI-03393643 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:56 Date 2006-04-24 24.Apr. 2006 17:49 Wallinston-Dummer Sydney No.5098 P. 19 14 INO Figure 1) to secure braced hook-on arm 14 to main shaft 12.

0- Main shaft 12 may also be provided with apertures 29 0 axially aligned with apertures 27 of brackets 23 and 26 such that with a sufficiently long pin 38, the end of the pin passes through the wall of tubing 16.

The vertical hooking lug 34 of horizontal support member 28 is extended upwards to incorporate an inner end C] safety hook element 40. An outer end safety hook element 42 o is provided near the outer end of horizontal support member

C]

28. Half way between these safety hook elements 40 and 42 is a divider lug 46. The length of horizontal support member 28 and the distances between the divider lug 46 and insides of safety hook elements 40 and 42 is such as to provide support for two side by side standard builder's planks 44.

The outermost end of horizontal support member 28 is provided with a vertical safety rail support element 48, which is adapted to receive an upright 102 of a safety rail assembly 100, more fully described below.

With reference now to Figures 1, 2 and 4, the securing bracket 22 rotatably attached to the lower end 24 of main shaft 12, comprises a back plate 50 and first and second side plates 52A and 52B to form a generally U-shaped structure. Back plate 50 is provided with an aperture 51 to allow bracket 22 to be attached by a bolt 53 to the lower end 24 of main shaft 12. For this purpose, main shaft 12 is COMS ID No: SBMI-03393643 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:56 Date 2006-04-24 24.Apr. 2006 17:49 Wall in ton-Dummer Sydney No.5098 P. 15 SD provided with an aperture 54 and a threaded nut 55 welded to the inside wall of tubing 16 as can be seon in the section A-A of Figure 2.

First and second side plates 52A and 52B are respectively provided with an aperture 56 and an aperture Sand threaded nut 58 adapted to accept therethrough the wing bolt 60 shown in Figure 5A. The length of first and second C|q side plates 52A and 52B is such that a vertical stud, or a horizontal element of a building frame can be retained between the side plates 52A and 52B and back plate 50 and wing bolt Side plate 52A is further provided with a second aperture and threaded nut 62 at an intermediate position along the length of side plate 52A, adapted to accept Lhe shorter wing bolt 64 shown in Figure 5B. Wing bolt 64 may be driven through the aperture and threaded nut 62 to engage with the side of a vertical stud or horizontal member of a building frame to firmly secure the securing bracket 22 to the frame member. Preferably, wing bolts and 64 are attached to bracket 22 by short lengths of chain and 66.

With reference to Figure 8, a pair of scaffold assemblies 10 and 10A are shown attached to the side of a building .frame 70. Scaffold assemblies 10 and 10A are spaced apart to suit the length of two side by side builder's planks 44.

COMS ID No: SBMI-03393643 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:56 Date 2006-04-24 24.Apr. 2006 17:49 Wallinston-Dummer Sydney No.5098 P. 21 16 NO The portion of building frame 70 shown in Figure 8 0- includes vertical 'uprights or studs 72, a top plato 74 and an intermediate noggin or horizontal frame member 76. The hook structures 20 and 20A are hooked over top plate 74, with the securing bracket 22 of scaffold assembly secured to one of the sLuds 72 while the securing bracket of scaffold assembly 10A is rotated at 90 degrees and C] secured to horizontal frame member 76.

o In the arrangement shown in Figure 8, the braced hookon arms 14 and 14A have been attached to the upper pair of brackets.. AL this higher level, in some jurisdictions at least, it may be a requirement that the scaffolding arrangement of scaffold assemblys 10, 10A and planks 44 be provided with a safety railing.

Figure 6 shows a safety railing system 100 for use with scaffolding elemenLs 10 and 10A. Safety railing 100 is comprised of stanchions 102 and horizontal top rail 104 and horizontal intermediate rail 106. Each of top rail 104 and 106 is made up of telescoping sections so that the length of the railings between adjoining stanchions may be readily adjusted.

Preferably, stanchions 102 and rails 104 and 106 are interconnected by snap-locks 108. The vertical safety rail support elements 48 and 48A of braced hook-on arms 14 and 14A are adapted to accept as inserts stanchions 102 and 102A of safety railing 100.

COMS ID No: SBMI-03393643 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:56 Date 2006-04-24 24.Apr. 2006 17:50 Wal I inston-Dummer Sydney No.5098 P. 22 17 0D For added security, safety railing 100 is provided o with a number of cross braces 110 connected at an outer end by a snap-lock fitting 112 either to top rail 104 as shown in Figures 1, 6 and 7, or to stanchion 102. Cross brace 110 is provided at an inner end with a locking structure 114 Sadapted for attachment to main shaft 12 by hooking into the 0> upper brackets 25, when attached to top rail 104, or to 0- when attached to a stanchion 102.

Locking structure 114 is shown in more detail in Figure 7 and is of similar construction to the springloaded mechanism of hook-on arm 14 previously described. As for that mechanism, the spring-loaded pin 120 of locking structure 114 passes through a hole 31 provided in brackets and 25A when a cross brace 110 is connected to main shaft 12, thus preventing inadvertent disengagement of the cross brace and endangering the integrity of the railing system.

It will be understood that the scaffold assemblies of the present invention may be used equally effectively on timber, steel or aluminium framing members. As well, the components making up the scaffolding elements and safety railing may be fabricated out of steel, aluminium or a combination of these materials, and that the specific design details may be modified without departing from the principles of the invention.

COMS ID No: SBMI-03393643 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:56 Date 2006-04-24 24.Apr. 2006 17:50 Wallington-Dummer Sydney No.5098 P. 23 18 0D SUMMARY 0 The hook-on scaffold 180 is an adjustable apparatus which can be used by carpenters/builders who are installing truss roofs and also floor bearers on two storey buildings. The scaffold is used in a set of at least two.

It does not require tools when setting up. The scaffold, C1 which can accommodate two side-by-side builder's planks, gives workers a bigger safety area to walk on. The work area width is enlarged from 95mm to 460mm. When set at correct working height, safety harnesses are not required. Provision is made for a detachable safety rail.

o The components making up the hook-on scaffold are: (N 1. MAIN SHAFT WITH SIX HOOKING EYES.

o 2. HOOK PLATE.

o 3. HOOK ON ARM.

4. SAFETY BRACKET.

5. LOCKING WING BOLT.

6. SPRING-LOADED MECHANISM 7. SAFETY RAIL 8. SAFETY RAIL CROSS BRACE 1. MAIN SHAFT WITH FOUR HOOKING EYES.

The Main Shaft (12) is preferably a square tubing 50mm by by 1.6mm and the average length is 1.3 metres. Hooking eyes (26) and (26A) are welded to the main shaft (12) at the required safety height with a 6mm gap from the main shaft Hooking eyes (23) and (26) are different to hooking eyes (23A) and (26A) in that they have a-hole to enable a spring-loaded pin to lock the hook-on arm (14) to the main shaft There is a nut (55) welded inside the bottom of the main shaft (12) to which the safety bracket (22) is attached. Main Shaft (12) also has further hooking eyes (25) and (25A) for attachment of a safety rail cross brace (110).

2. HOOK PLATE.

The Hook Plate (20) is welded to the main shaft (12) which hangs over the top plates of timber/metal frame. The hook plate (20) is 100mm wide to suit 95mm to 100mm top plates.

It may be reinforced with a strengthening rib (21) 3. HOOK ON ARM.

The hook on arm (14) is made from steel which consists of two bars, the first being a horizontal bar and the other bar is at an angle. It has a non adjustable hooking lug (34) and (36) at the end of the horizontal bar (28) and the COMS ID No: SBMI-03393643 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:56 Date 2006-04-24 24.Apr. 2006 17:50 24.Arr 200611:50 Wall initon-Duumer SydneyNo0g P.2 No-5098 P. 24 19 V.0 end of the angle bar Hooking lug (34) has a hole in o it to enable a spring-loaded pin (38) to lock the hook on 0 arm (14) to the main shaft For extra strength braces (32) are welded between the horizontal bar (28) and the 5 angle bar The hook on arm (14) hooks into the hooking eyes on the main shaft which are set at the appropriate working height conditions. At each end of the c-i arm is a plank safety hook(40) (42) to hold the two planks in place and between each plank there is a divider lug on the outside of the hook on aria (14) a cylinder (48) is welded to hold the safety rail (100).

4. SAFETY BRACKET.

The safety bracket (22) is bolted to the main shaft (12) INO and locks around the stud of timber/metal. The safety o bracket (22) is a shaped frame of flat steel. It is o held in place around the stud by a wing bolt The safety bracket (22) can be rotated 90 degrees to suit noggins on a frame. The safety bracket (22) consists of a back plate (50) which can be rotated and has a hole (51) Lo insert a bolt (53) to attach the safety bracket (22) to the mai.n shaft Two side plates (52A) (52B) arc attached to the back plate Side plate (52A) has two nuts welded to accommodate wing bolts (60) (64) and safety chain (65) is also welded to i~t. Side plate (52B) has a hole to accommodate wing bolt and the safety chain (66) is also welded to it.

5. LOCKING WING BOLT.

A wing bolt (60) is at the end of the safety bracket (22) and a locking wing bolt whic;h bites into the stud, is half way along the safety bracket The two wing bolts are on opposite sides of the safety bracket Attached to each wing bolt (60) (64) are safety chains,(66)& on each wing bolt (60) (64) there is a spacer washer to control penetration of the wing bolts.

6. SPRING-LOADED MECHANISM The spring-loaded mechanism (33) is a safety feature that secures the hook-on arm (14) to the main shaft The spring-loaded mechanism (33) consists of a U-shaped bracket spring-loaded pin (38) and spring Pin (38) extends through holes in bracket (41) and is provided with a hole (47) for attachment of a split ring Pin (38) is further provided with a washer (39) welded to the shaft of the pin.

COMS ID No: S6MI03393643 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:56 Date 2006-04-24 24.Apr. 2006 17:50 Wallinston-Dummer Sydney No.509B P. 20 k0 7. SAFETY RAIL- 0 The safety rail (100) consists of two horizontal rails (104) (106) utilising telescopic aluminium tubing. There are two upright posts (102), each having two snap lock hooks (108), one hook being at the top of the post and the other at the centre of the post. The bottom end of the C] upright post (102) is inserted into the cylinder (48) welded to the hook-on arm The Safety rail (100) is held in place by the snap lock hooks (108) to upright posts (102). A locking arm (110) locks the safety rail (104) to OC the frame with a snap lock on one end and a hook (114) on the other end. The hook has a hole so it can be fixed to o the shaft.

C] The above describes only some embodiments of the present invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art, can be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

COMS ID No: SBMI-03393643 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:56 Date 2006-04-24

Claims

24.Apr. 2006 17:51 Wall in ton-Dummer Sydney No.5098 P. 26 21 CLAIMS 0 0 1. A scaffold assembly comprising at least one pair of hook-on scaffold elements; said scaffold elements C- adapted for support of at least one builder's plank; each of said elements comprising a vertical main shaft provided with a hook structure at an upper end of said Smain shaft and a securing bracket at a lower end of 0D said main shaft; each of said hook-on scaffold 0 elements further comprising a braced hook-on arm; said hook structure adapted for engagement with a horizontal top plate of a building frame, and said securing bracket adapted for engagement with a vertical stud or a horizontal clement of said building frame. 2. The scaffold assembly of claim 1 wherein said assembly further comprises a safety rail assembly for attachment to said pair of hook-on scaffold elements. 3. The scaffold assembly of claim 1 or 2 wherein said vertical main shaft comprises a length of metal rectangular hollow section; said main shaft provided at intervals along its length with hooking eyes projecting from said main shaft in a first outward direction; said hooking eyes adapted for engagement with said braced hook-on arm. COMS ID No: SBMI-03393643 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:56 Date 2006-04-24 24.Apr. 2006 17:51 Wall inston-Dummer Sydney No.5098 P. 27 22 NO 4. The scaffold assembly of any one of claims 1 to 3 0 o wherein said hook structure comprises a metal CA horizontal plate projecting from said upper end of said main shaft in a second inward direction; said hook structure further including a metal vertical plate depending from an outer end of said horizontal plate. 0 The scaffold assembly of claim 4 wherein said metal o horizontal plate is provided with a strengthening rib extending substantially the length of said plate. 6. The scaffold assembly of claim 4 wherein said securing bracket comprises a generally U-shaped fabrication comprising a spaced apart pair of arms extending from a back plate in said second inward direction; said arms adapted to accept between them a said vertical stud or a horizontal element of said frame. 7. The scaffold assembly of claim 6 wherein said pair of arms are of a length so as to project past an inner face of said vertical stud or horizontal element; outer ends of said arms provided with apertures adapted to accept therethrough a securing element so as to secure said securing bracket to said vertical stud or said horizontal element. COMS ID No: SBMI-03393643 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:56 Date 2006-04-24 24.Apr. 2006 17:51 Wallington-Dummer Sydney No.5098- P. 28 23 0O 8. The scaffold assembly of claim 7 wherein said securing 0 o element is a first wing bolt passing through a first of said apertures in a first of said arms and threadably engaging with a threaded one of said C] apertures in a second of said arms. C] 9. The scaffold assembly of any one of claims 6 to 8 o wherein one of said arms is provided with a threaded aperture at a median position along said arm; said Sthreaded aperture adapted to accept a second wing bolt; said second wing bolt adapted for engagement with said vertical stud or said horizontal member so as to prevent any movement of said bracket relative said vertical stud or said horizontal element. The scaffold assembly of claim 9 wherein each said first wing bolt and said second wing bolt are secured to said bracket by a length of chain. 11. The scaffold assembly of any one of claims 1 to wherein said securing bracket is rotatably attached to said main shaft; attachment of said securing bracket arranged so as to allow said bracket to rotate degrees between a first position for engagement with said vertical stud and a second position for engagement with said horizontal element- COMS ID No: SBMI-03393643 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:56 Date 2006-04-24 24.Apr. 2006 17:51 Wallinston-Dummer Sydney No.5099 P. 29 24 VD 12. The scaffold assembly of any one of claims 3 to 11 0 wherein said hooking eyes comprise U-shaped elements projecting horizontally from said main shaft; arms of said U-shaped elements attached to opposing sides of said main shaft, and wherein separation between an outer face of said main shaft and inside faces of cross bars of said U-shaped elements is adapted to 0 eCq accept hooking lugs of said braced hook-on arm. V.O S13. The scaffold assembly of any one of claims 3 to 12 wherein said main shaft is provided with at least one pair of said hooking eyes. 14. The scaffold assembly of any one of claims 3 to 13 wherein said main shaft is provided with two pairs of said hooking eyes; said two pairs providing two levels of attachment of said hook-on arm. The scaffold assembly of claim 13 or 14 wherein one of each of said at least one pair of hooking eyes is provided with an aperture through said cross bar of said U-shaped element; said aperture adapted to receive a spring-loaded pin for securing one of said hooking lugs inserted in said hooking eye. 16. The scaffold assembly of any one of claims 1 to wherein said braced hook-on arm comprises a horizontal support member, an angled bracing member and at least COMS ID No: SBMI-03393643 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:56 Date 2006-04-24 24.Apr. 2006 17:51 Wallinston-Dummer Sydney No.509B P. 25 M0 one intermediate brace member extending between said 0- horizontal supporting member and said angled bracing C member. C 17. The scaffold assembly of claim 16 wherein an inner end of each of said horizontal support member and said angled bracing member is provided with one of said o hooking lugs; each respective one of said hooking lugs MN adapted for insertion into a corresponding one of said C] pair of hooking eyes. 18. The scaffold assembly of claim 16 or 17 wherein one of said hooking lugs for said horizontal support member is provided with an aperture adapted for passage therethrough of said spring-loaded pin; said spring- loaded pin passing through said aperture in a said hooking eye when said braced hook-on arm is assembled to said main shaft. 19. The scaffold assembly of any one of claims 16 to 18 wherein said horizontal support member is of length sufficient to support thereon two side-by-side said builder's planks. The scaffold assembly of claim 19 wherein an inner end and an outer end of said horizontal support member are provided with retaining plank safety hook elements; COMS ID No: SBMI-03393643 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:56 Date 2006-04-24 24.Apr. 2006 17:52 Wallinston-Dummer Sydney No.5098 P. 31 26 IN said safety hook elements adapted to retain respective o outer edges of said side-by-side builder's planks. 21. The scaffold assembly of any one of claims 16 to wherein said horizontal support member is further provided at an outer end with a vertical safety rail support element. S22. The scaffold assembly of claim 21 wherein adjoining o ones of said hook-on scaffold elements in use are CA adapted to each support a stanchion of said safety railing in a respective said safety rail support elemenL; said safety railing extending between said adjoining hook-on scaffold elements; said safety rail comprising a pair of said stanchions and upper and lower horizontal rail elements. 23. The scaffold assembly of claim 22 wherein said stanchions and said horizontal rail. elements are interconnected by snap-lock hooks. 24. The scaffold assembly of claim 22 or 23 wherein said horizontal rail elements comprise telescoping inner and outer tube members; said inner and outer tube members allowing adjustment of length of said safety railing between adjoining said stanchions. COMS ID No: SBMI-03393643 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:56 Date 2006-04-24 2006 17:53 Wa l ington-Dummer Sydney No.5959 P. 6 27 M0 25. The scaffold assembly of any one of claims 1 to 24 0 wherein said upper end of said vertical main shaft 3 is provided with at least one bracket for attachment Sof a cross bracing member of said safety railing.
26. The scaffold assembly of claim 25 wherein said cross bracing member comprises a tubular member provided o at a first inner end with a locking structure o adapted for engagement with said at least one 0 C] bracket; said tubular member provided at a second outer end with a snap-lock hook for engagement with said upper rail element of said safety railing.
27. The scaffold assembly of claim 26 wherein said locking structure comprises a spring-loaded pin assembly; said spring-loaded pin engaging with an aperture provided in said at least one bracket so as to secure said cross bracing member from inadvertent disengagement with said at least one bracket.
28. A builder' plank support system adapted for attachment to frame elements of a building; said system including a scaffold assembly provided with a hook plate at an upper end of said scaffold assembly and a securing bracket at a lower end; said securing bracket adapted for fastening to a vertical stud or COMS ID No: SBMI-04115029 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:00 Date 2006-07-10 2006 17:53 Wal linston-Dummer Sydney No.5959 P. 7 28 VO a horizontal element of said frame; said scaffold 0 0^ assembly further including a braced hook-on arm.
29. A method for supporting at least one builder's plank 0 and safety railing at the side of a building; said method including the steps of: hooking a hook plate of at least one pair of 0 CA hook-on scaffold assemblies over a horizontal VO o top plate of a frame of said building, securing a bracket of each of said scaffold assemblies to a vertical stud or a horizontal element of said frame, positioning said at least one builder's plank over horizontal members of hook-on arms of said at least one pair of said scaffold assemblies. The method of claim 29 wherein said method further includes the steps of; inserting stanchions of said safety railing into stanchion support elements of said scaffold assemblies, attaching horizontal railing elements to said stanchions, COMS ID No: SBMI-04115029 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:00 Date 2006-07-10 2006 17:53 Wa i ngton-Dummer Sydney No.5959 P. 8 29 IND bracing said railings by cross bracing p- members extending between said railings and Z brackets on vertical shafts of said at least o one pair of scaffold assemblies.
31. A safety system for personnel engaged in construction of a building; said system including a Sscaffold assembly comprising a vertical main shaft o and a braced hook-on arm; said assembly adapted for C< attachment to elements of a frame of said building; adjoining ones of said scaffold assembly adapted for support of at least one builder's plank and a safety railing, and wherein a lower end of said scaffold assembly is secured by a bracket to a vertical stud or a horizontal element of said frame; an upper end of said scaffold assembly provided with a hook structure for engagement with a top plate of said frame.
32. A scaffold assembly as herein described and with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED: 10 July 2006 AD HOC (NSW) PTY LTD by their Patent Attorneys: WALLINGTON-DUMMER COMS ID No: SBMI-04115029 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:00 Date 2006-07-10