AU5339300A - Scaffolding system - Google Patents

Description

SCAFFOLDING SYSTEM This invention relates to an improved scaffolding system.

In the building environment, scaffolding can often be time consuming and expensive to erect. Existing scaffolding systems can often protrude from the roof making it impossible for roofing contractors to carry out their work until the scaffolding has been removed. A number of existing scaffolding systems are also limited by the type of roofing of the structure. For example, some scaffolding systems cannot be used where the roof is constructed from tin.

Many existing scaffolding systems are complex to erect and consist of many component pieces. They are often restricted by non-linear areas such as gables and alcoves, and require disassembling and reassembling for these areas. The complexity of these scaffolding systems also means transportation and portability are difficult.

In view of the foregoing, the primary objectives of the present invention are to S•greatly reduce the time taken to erect scaffolding for building purposes, to increase portability and the ease of transportability of scaffolding from site to site, and to S allow erection of the scaffolding early in the construction phase. These objectives are accomplished in the following manner: The improved scaffolding system comprises of a set of apparatus which when assembled allows construction workers access to a structure under construction, or access to an existing structure where renovation work is being undertaken respectively. The apparatus include a set of two attachment brackets which enable the scaffolding to be erected even when the roof has not yet been complete. These brackets attach to the top plate of a wall. This means that the scaffolding system is independent of the style or covering of the roof The bracket, either directly or by using a connector piece, is inserted into an Lshaped support structure, and locked into place with a safety clip which ensures it is impossible to accidentally release the support structure. This support structure is made up of two pieces of apparatus, which are telescoped together allowing adjustable height for the scaffolding. This allows the scaffolding to be used in single or multi-storied structures. There is a base plate at the bottom of the lower section of the support structure to ensure stability of the scaffolding.

There is a set of two support structures, which allow the scaffolding to operate from 45 degrees to 90 degrees to the wall. This ensures easy access to straight run walls, corners, gables, alcoves, bay windows and the like.

Once the support structure is in place, plank support brackets can then be attached and planks placed from one unit to the next unit. These plank support brackets have safety lips to ensure the plank cannot slip out of place. In addition, the plank support brackets can be placed either at the front or back of the support structure so that the plank can be situated closer or further from the wall. Each plank support brackets is supported by a telescopic support leg which provides additional stability when in operation.

Safety hand rails can be attached to the top of the support structure to ensure the safety of construction workers working on the roof area.

With the above and additional objects and advantages in view, as will hereinafter appear, this invention comprises the devices, combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described by way of example and illustrated in the accompanying drawings of a preferred embodiment. However it is to be understood that the 20 features illustrated in and described with reference to the drawings are not to be construed as limiting on the scope of the invention. In the drawings: Figure 1 illustrates a side view of the building frame attachment bracket used on the scaffolding system in straight run walls; Figure 2 illustrates a bottom view of the building frame attachment bracket used on the scaffolding system in straight run walls; Figure 3 illustrates a top view of the building frame attachment bracket used on straight run walls; Figure 4 illustrates a front view of the building frame attachment bracket used on straight run walls; Figure 5 illustrates a back view of the building frame attachment bracket used on straight run walls; Figure 6 illustrates a side view of the building frame attachment bracket used on corners, alcoves or protruding areas; Figure 7 illustrates a front view of the building frame attachment bracket used on corners, alcoves or protruding areas; Figure 8 illustrates a back view of the building frame attachment bracket used on corners, alcoves or protruding areas; Figure 9 illustrates a side view of the building frame attachment bracket connector; Figure 10 illustrates a back view of the building frame attachment bracket connector; .0..Figure 11 illustrates a front view of the building frame attachment bracket connector; Figure 12 illustrates a side view of the upper scaffolding support structure; Figure 13 illustrates a back view of the upper scaffolding support structure; Figure 14 illustrates a side view of the bracket attachment for planks; Figure 15 illustrates a front view of the bracket attachment for planks; Figure 16 illustrates a back view of the bracket attachment for planks; Figure 17 illustrates a top view of the bracket attachment for planks; Figure 18 illustrates a side view of the lower scaffolding support structure; Figure 19 illustrates a front view of the lower scaffolding support structure; Figure 20 illustrates a side view of the scaffolding system erected and attached to a building frame; Figure 21 illustrates a side view of the pivoting upper scaffolding support structure; Figure 22 illustrates a top view of the upper rotating arm of the pivoting upper scaffolding support structure; Figure 23 illustrates a top view of the pivoting upper scaffolding support.structure when it is in a partial rotated position to the lower scaffolding support structure; Figure 24 illustrates a side view of the outer section of the plank support leg; Figure 25 illustrates a side view of the inner section the plank support leg.

In the various figures of the drawings, like reference characters designate like parts.

The improved scaffolding system comprises of two building frame attachment brackets 1 and 14. The building frame attachment bracket 1 is used to attach scaffolding to a structure under construction, while building frame attachment o C bracket 14 is used to attach scaffolding to an existing structure where renovation work is being undertaken.

The building frame attachment bracket 1 consists primarily of a rectangular channel S* 15 housing unit 12, which houses a locking rod 3. The locking rod 3 is used to secure the building frame attachment bracket connector 21 to the building frame attachment bracket 1. The building frame attachment bracket 1 can be adjusted in length by sliding the adjustable attachment lock 2 into place and securing it by means of securing the locking bolt 8 into the locking nut 13. The building frame attachment 20 bracket I has an attachment bracket plate 7 which is used to butt the building frame *"*attachment bracket 1 against the wall top plate 43 at the top of the wall stud 44. The attachment bracket plate 7 has an attachment hole 9 which allows the attachment bracket plate 7 to be fastened to the building frame 44 by means of screws, nails or the like.

The building frame attachment bracket connector 21 is used to connect the upper section of scaffolding support structure 25 to the building frame attachment bracket 1. To secure the building frame attachment bracket connector 21 to the building frame attachment bracket 1, the safety locking pin 4 is removed from the locking rod guide bars 5 and 6. The locking rod 3 is then pulled back and the building frame attachment bracket connector 21 is placed inside the locking rod bracket 11 so that the attachment bracket connector locking rod hole 24 is aligned with the attachment bracket locking rod hole 10. The locking rod 3 is then pushed back into place through the attachment bracket connector locking rod hole 24 and attachment bracket locking rod hole 10, and the safety locking pin 4 is refastened to the locking rod guide bars 5 and 6.

The building frame attachment bracket 14 is primarily L-shaped in appearance. It is attached to the top plate of an existing structure by cutting a square out of the eave lining and installing over the top plate. The building frame attachment bracket 14 is secured in place by tightening the clamping bolt 15 through fixed nut 17 until the clamp pad 18 rests securely against the side of the top plate. Lock nut 16 is tightened against building frame attachment bracket 14.

The improved scaffolding system has two upper scaffolding support structures 15 and 62. The upper scaffolding support structures 25 is used to attach scaffolding to a straight run wall, while upper scaffolding support structures 62 is used to attach scaffolding to a non-linear area such as a corner, bay window or alcove or the like.

The upper scaffolding support structure 25, being primarily L-shaped, can be attached to the building frame attachment bracket connector 21 by inserting the arm 20 connector 22 into the top arm of the upper scaffolding support structure 25 and inserting and securing a bolt 50 through the upper scaffolding support structure hole 66, and through the arm connector hole 23. Or the upper scaffolding support structure 25 can be attached to the building frame attachment bracket 14 by inserting the arm connector 19 into the top arm of the upper scaffolding support structure and inserting and securing a bolt through the upper scaffolding support structure hole 66, and through the arm connector hole There is a safety hand rail connector 27 positioned on the top of the upper scaffolding support structure 25 which allows a roof safety hand rail to be attached to the scaffolding system. The safety hand rail connector 27 has an adjustable hand rail guide 26 which allows the hand rail to be positioned at the appropriate width from the building structure. The adjustable hand rail guide 26 is locked into place by tightening the locking bolt 28 into the locking nut The upper scaffolding support structure 62, being primarily L-shaped, has an upper rotating arm 52. This upper rotating arm 52 has two pivot pin holes 53 and 64. The upper rotating arm 52 is attached to the upright leg by placing the pivot pin hole 53 or 64 over the upright leg pivot pin 65. Placing the pivot pin hole 53 over the upright leg pivot pin 65 allows the scaffolding system to operate at 46 to 90 degrees to the building structure, while placing the pivot pin hole 64 over the upright leg pivot pin sets the scaffolding system to operate at 45 degrees to the building structure.

An upper arm attachment unit 57 is used to attach the upper scaffolding support structure 62 to the building frame attachment bracket connector 21 by inserting the arm connector 22 into the upper arm attachment unit 57, and inserting and securing a bolt through the attachment hole 58 and through the arm connector hole 23. The upper arm attachment unit 57 can, alternatively, be attached to the building frame 15 attachment bracket 14 by inserting the arm connector 19 into the upper arm attachment unit 57, and inserting and securing a bolt through the attachment hole 58 and through the arm connector hole S The upper arm attachment unit 57 is connected to the upper rotating arm 52 by a top and bottom hinge bracket 54 and 59. These hinge brackets 54 and 59 are attached to **20 the upper arm attachment unit 57 and the upper rotating arm 52 by inserting bolts and 61 and securing locking nuts 55 and 56.

There are a series of attachment holes 29 and 63 towards the bottom of the upper scaffolding support structures 25 and 62, which allow the upper scaffolding support structure 25 or 62 to be attached to the lower scaffolding support structure 35, and to allow for the attachment of a plank support bracket 31. The plank support bracket 31 can be attached to either the back or front of the upper scaffolding support structure 25 or 62 to allow the plank to be closer or further from the building structure.

The plank support bracket 31 has an attachment bracket 32 which allows the plank support bracket 31 to be secured to the upper scaffolding support structure 25 or 62 by sliding the channel 70 of the attachment bracket 32 over the upright leg of the upper support structure 25 or 62 and inserting and securing bolts 51 through the bolt holes 29 and 33. There is an upright safety lip 34 at the outer edge of the plank support bracket 31 which ensures the plank 47 does not slide off the plank support bracket 31. A support flange 68 is located on the lower, inner edge of the plank support bracket 31. This support flange 68 provides additional strength to the plank support bracket 31.

The plank support leg outer tube 72 is inserted over the plank support leg inner tube 74 which has a base plate 76 to stabilise the plank support leg. The plank support leg outer tube 72 and the plank support leg inner tube 74 have a series of attachment holes 77 and 75v respectively which allow the plank support leg inner tube 74 to be secured to the plank support leg outer tube 72 by inserting and securing bolts or pins 15 73 through the attachment holes 72 and 75 at the appropriate height.

The plank support leg outer tube 72 is then inserted into the plank leg housing unit 69, which is located on the lower, outer edge of the plank support bracket 31.

The upright leg of the upper scaffolding support structure 25 or 62 is inserted over the lower scaffolding support structure 35 which has a base plate 37 to stabilise the *20 scaffolding system. The lower scaffolding support structure 35 has a series of attachment holes 36, which allows the lower scaffolding support structure 35 to be secured to the upper scaffolding support structure 25 or 62 by inserting and securing bolts or pins through the attachment holes 36 at the appropriate height.

Numerous alterations of the structures herein discussed will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. The embodiment description provided above is for the purposes of illustration only. The various aspects and features of the present invention can be applied in a variety of other embodiments. Such embodiments are intended to be within the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims which follow.

Claims (6)

1. An adjustable building frame attachment bracket for a partially constructed structure comprising: a rectangular channel housing unit; said rectangular channel housing unit having an adjustable locking system; said rectangular channel housing unit having an attachment bracket plate; said rectangular channel housing unit containing a locking rod; said locking rod passing through the said rectangular channel housing unit and the said adjustable locking system; e 10 said locking rod is held in place by a safety locking mechanism.

2. An adjustable building frame attachment bracket for an existing structure comprising: an L-shaped bracket; said L-shaped bracket having an attachment bracket plate; said L-shaped bracket having a clamping bolt; said clamping bolt having a clamping pad which rests against the outside wall; said clamping bolt being secured by a set of lock nuts.

3. A rotating scaffold support structure comprising: an L-shaped supporting member; said L-shaped supporting member having an attachment bracket plate; said L-shaped supporting member having a rotating upper arm; said rotating upper arm having a locking mechanism.

4. A fixed scaffold support structure comprising: an L-shaped supporting member; said L-shaped supporting member having an attachment bracket plate.

5. A scaffold brace comprising: an adjustable building frame attachment bracket locatable on the top plate of a wall stud; a building frame attachment bracket connector connected to the said adjustable building frame attachment bracket; 10 an upper scaffolding support structure connected to the said building frame attachment bracket connector; 9* 99o 9 a lower scaffolding support structure connected to the said upper scaffolding support *structure.

6. A scaffold system comprising: *9 at least two scaffold braces; S each said scaffold brace comprising an adjustable building frame attachment bracket locatable on the top plate of a wall stud, a building frame attachment bracket *°9o.o connector connected to the said adjustable building frame attachment bracket, an upper scaffolding support structure connected to the said building frame attachment bracket connector, a lower scaffolding support structure connected to the said upper scaffolding support structure, and a number of planks and roof hand rails supported by the scaffold brace.