AU6542899A - Scaffolding method and apparatus - Google Patents

Description

P/00/011 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

TO BE COMPLETED BY APPLICANT u r r Name of Applicant Actual Inventor Address for Service Invention title RIVERFERN PTY LTD A.C.N. 060 135 499 DAVID KENNETH DART JOHN R.G. GARDNER SUITE 398 ALBERT AVENUE BROADBEACH QLD 4218 S SCAFFOLDING METHOD AND APPARATUS Details of Associated Provisional Application Nos PP7956 filed 24 December 1998 PP8554 filed 8 February 1999 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it know to me:- Technical Field This invention relates to scaffolding method and apparatus particularly designed for use during the erection of domestic dwellings or similar buildings.

Background Art There are now in force regulations designed to prevent injury to persons engaged in working on roofs of buildings. For this purpose, so called 'edge protection" is required around the periphery of a roof so that roof tilers, roof fixers or other workers can work in safety and be prevented from falling. Edge protection in one form requires the erection of upstanding posts on the roof frame and connecting wires or rails extending between the posts. Such an arrangement is not suitable for many situations. Whilst a conventional scaffolding structure can be used around the periphery of a building, such structures are expensive and time consuming to erect. Some systems have been proposed for attachment to the walls of a building to form a walkway and handrail system around oooo the roof of the building to protect tradesman installing fascia and gutter to the building or 15 for working on walls. Such systems however are suitable only for application to existing walls and are not suitable for use during erection of a building or have other disadvantages. For example Australian patent application No. 74337/94 discloses a scaffolding frame for mounting between top and bottom plates of a wall frame the scaffolding frame including a post which is provided with channels for location over the 20 plates. Where however plates of different sizes are encountered, different sets of scaffolding frames are required to be provided necessitating the carrying of excess stock.

:Further the scaffolding arm which extends from the scaffolding post is captured to the post. The post and arm are thus required to be manipulated as one into engagement with the frame. This proves difficult and awkward in use. Further the scaffolding arm carries a fixed guard post which also makes manipulation of the frame difficult.

Summary of the Invention The present invention aims to provide a scaffolding method apparatus which may be simply and effectively used during building construction for example for fascia and gutter installation, roof installation, soffit or cladding installation. Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description.

The present invention thus provides in one aspect scaffolding apparatus for mounting to a building frame comprising elongated post means, means at opposite ends of said post means for releasably securing said post means to said frame of said building on the inner side thereof, and scaffolding arm means detachably securable to said post means at a selected one of a set of positions along said post means so as to extend substantially horizontally outwardly of said post means and said building frame.

The securing means suitably comprises L-shaped members having first and second legs, the first legs being adapted to pass through openings in opposite ends of the post means and the second legs being adapted to locate on the side of upper and lower building frame members of the building frame opposite the post means. Means are provided for urging the second legs towards the post means to clamp the building frame members to the post means. The first leg is suitably threaded and the urging means comprises a nut in threaded engaged with the threaded first leg and located on the side of the post means opposite the second leg. The building frame members suitably comprise top and bottom plates and the securing means are adapted to clamp the post means to the ooo.

:top and bottom plates.

15 Preferably, the elongated post means is of telescopic form to enable adjustment of the length thereof to suit different applications. Preferably for this purpose, the post means includes a main post member and a extension member telescopically extendable from the main post member. Preferably, the extension member may be set at one of a series of set extension positions relative to the main post member to set the require length of the post means. For this purpose, the extension member may be provided with a series of spaced apertures one of which may be aligned with an aperture in the main post member to receive a pin therethrough to positively position the extension member relative to the main post member.

The scaffolding arm means suitably includes spaced end brackets which may cooperate with the post means suitably the main post member. The end brackets may be of channel sectioned form to locate neatly about the main post member. Suitably, the brackets are provided with apertures for alignment with spaced apertures on the post member to receive securing pins therethrough to set the scaffolding arm at a required elevation or position along the post member.

Suitably the scaffolding arm means defines in use a horizontal support for scaffolding planks or the like to permit a user to move about the building. Suitably, an upright guardrail post is supported on the scaffolding arm means. The guard post suitably include a channel at its lower end for location over the scaffolding arm means. The scaffolding arm may include spaced apertures and the channel may include apertures for alignment with an aperture in the arm means to receive a retaining pin therethrough.

Alternatively, the scaffolding arm means includes upright socket means located at spaced positions to receive and support a guardrail post.

The post means may also include a lug adjacent it upper end through which a fastening member such as a nail or screw may be passed into the top plate to hold the post means against lateral movement. Whilst the securing means suitably include Lshaped clamping members, the securing means may be of many different forms.

In a further aspect, the present invention provides a method of applying scaffolding apparatus of the above described type to a building frame of the type including top and bottom plates and studs extending therebetween, said method including the steps of locating said post means on the inside of said frame, securing said post means o:o to said top and bottom plates, and securing said scaffolding arm means to said post means .o at a desired position along said post means such that the scaffolding arm means extends 15 outwardly from the building frame.

The present invention in yet a further aspect provides scaffolding apparatus for S.mounting to a building frame assemby adjacent a corner thereof defined by a pair of meeting wall frames, said apparatus comprising elongated post means, means at opposite ends of said post means for releasably securing said post means to at least one of said wall frames adjacent oogoo 20 said building corner, and scaffolding arm means detachably securable to said post means at a selected one of a set of positions along said post means so as to extend substantially .i :horizontally outwardly of said post means and said corner. Preferably, the post means is adapted to be secured to both of the wall frames adjacent the corner.

Preferably, the elongated post means is of telescopic form to enable adjustment of the length thereof to suit different applications. Preferably for this purpose, the post means includes a main post member and an extension member telescopically extendable from the main post member. Preferably, the extension member may be set at one of a series of set extension positions relative to the main post member to set the require length of the post means. For this purpose, the extension member may be provided with a series of spaced apertures which may be aligned with one of more apertures in the main post member to receive a pin therethrough to positively position the extension member relative to the main post member.

Detachable bracing means are also suitably provide between the scaffolding arm means and post means to support the scaffolding arm means. The bracing means suitably comprises a member provided with channel members at opposite end for cooperating with the main post member and scaffolding arm means. The channel members are suitably apertured to receive pins for passing through aligned apertures in the scaffolding arm means and main post member.

The post means suitably includes upper and lower pairs of arms set at right angles to each other and to the post means, the arms being adapted to be secured to upper and lower frame members of the wall frames. The extension member suitably includes one pair of arms which lie in use adjacent the respective wall frames and means are provided for securing the arms to respective frame members of the wall frames, suitably bottom plates of the respective wall frames. The securing means in one form comprise L-shaped members of the above described type which have a threaded leg at one end to pass through openings in the :.:":outer ends of the arms to engage nuts to enable the arms and thus the post means to be 15 clamped to the respective plates, the other legs of the L-shaped members locating on the side of the bottom plates opposite the arms. The securing means however may be of many different forms.

The other pair of arms are suitably provided at the upper end of the main post member for securing the main post member to the respective wall frames, preferably to the S• 20 upper plates of the respective wall frames. Preferably sockets are provided at the ends of the arms the sockets lying at right angles to the respective arms. Clamping brackets suitably of a L-shaped configuration forming respective top plate clamping brackets are suitably supported by the respective sockets. For this purpose, one member of the L-shaped bracket is received and pinned to a socket. The one member of the brackets may be provided with spaced apertures for alignment with an aperture in the sockets to receive a pin therethrough to locate the brackets in desired positions according to the width of the top plates. The other member of the L-shaped bracket extends upwardly at right angles to the one member. Similar Lshaped clamping members to that referred to above are adapted to extend over the top plates and clamp the clamping brackets to the respective plates. The L-shaped clamping member have their threaded ends passing through the other members of the L-shaped brackets for engagement with a nut so that the top plates can be clamped to the other member and thus the L-shaped bracket.

The scaffolding arm suitably includes spaced end brackets which may cooperate with the main post member. The end brackets may be of channel sectioned form to locate neatly about the main post member. Suitably, the brackets are provided with apertures for alignment with spaced apertures in the post member to receive securing pins therethrough to set the scaffolding arm at a required elevation or position along the post member.

Suitably the scaffolding arm defines in use a horizontal support for scaffolding planks, walkway or the like to permit a user to move about the building. Suitably, an upright guardrail post is supported on the scaffolding arm means. The scaffolding arm suitably includes apertures for locating the guard post at spaced positions along the scaffolding arm. The guard posts for this purpose suitably have channel sectioned members at their lower end to locate over the scaffolding arm, the channel sectione members having apertures therein for alignment with apertures in the support arms for receipt of a retainning pin. The guard posts are suitably mounted for rotation about their longitudinal to the channel sectioned members to allow them to be rotated for alignment with 15 other guard posts.

The post means may also include an auxiliary extension member which is cooperable with the extension member of the main post member to comprise an extension thereof. For this purpose, the extension member includes an extending spigot which locates within a leg of the auxiliary extension member and is securable thereto by a pin passed through aligned apertures in the respective members. The lower end of the auxiliary extension member includes arms set at right angles to each other and to the leg to be positioned in use adjacent the sides of respective wall frames at the corner of the building.

The auxiliary extension member provides a support for the bracing member when the scaffolding arm is placed in a lowered attitude.

In a further aspect, the present invention provides a scaffolding assembly for a pair of building frame assemblies forming the corner of a building, said scaffolding assembly including scaffolding apparatus of the above described type provided to extend outwardly from the respective pairs of building frame assemblies and outwardly from the corner thereof and decking members supported on the respective support arms of said scaffolding apparatus defining a walkway extending along said building frame assemblies and around said corner.

Brief Description of the Drawings In order that the invention may be more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein:- Figs. and illustrate the main components of the scaffolding apparatus of one embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 illustrates a clamping bolt used in the apparatus; Fig. 3 is a view in the direction A of Fig. l(a); Fig. 4 is a view in the direction B of Fig. l(b) Fig. 5 illustrates a pin as used in the scaffolding apparatus; Fig. 6 illustrates the scaffolding apparatus of Fig. 1 applied to a building frame; Fig. 7 is a sectional view along line C-C of Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is a sectional view along line D-D of Fig. 6; 15 Fig. 9 illustrates the scaffolding apparatus adjusted to fit a smaller frame; Fig. 10 illustrates in perspective view, the corner scaffolding apparatus of the present invention; Figs. 11 and illustrate in elevation and plan view the main post member of the apparatus of Fig. 20 Fig. 12 illustrates the clamping bracket of the apparatus of Fig. Fig. 13 illustrates the clamping member of the apparatus of Fig. Figs. 14 and illustrate in elevation and plan view the extension member of the apparatus of Fig. Fig. 15 illustrates the support frame of the apparatus of Fig. Fig. 16 illustrates the guardrail post of the apparatus of Fig. Fig. 17 illustrates the bracing member of the apparatus of Fig. Figs. 18 and illustrate in elevation and plan view the auxiliary extension member for the apparatus of Fig. Fig. 19 illustrates the corner scaffolding apparatus of the invention applied to a building frame; Fig. 20 is a sectional view along line E-E of Fig. 19; Fig. 21 is a view in the direction F-F of Fig. 19; Fig. 22 is a sectional view along line G-G of Fig. 12; and Fig. 23 illustrates in plan view the scaffolding apparatus of the invention applied to portion of a building.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments Referring to the drawings and firstly to Figs. 1 and there is illustrated the components of scaffolding apparatus 10 according to the present invention including an elongated post 11 comprising a main post member 12 and an extension member 13 telescopically engaged with the main post member 12. The main post member 12 and extension member 13 have spaced apertures 14 and 15 respectively therethrough such that the extension member 13 can be set at a required position relative to the post member 12 and set in that position by means of a locking pin passed through aligned apertures 14 and 15 in the post member 12 and extension member 13. Both the post member 12 and extension member 13 are preferably of rectangular hollow cross section with the dimensions of the extension member 13 being less than the post member 12 so as to be telescopically receivable in the post membr 12. The post 11 also includes 15 at its opposite ends L-shaped clamping members 16 (shown also in Fig. one arm 17 of which has a threaded end 18 and the other arm 19 of which is set at right angles to the arm 17. The arm 17 is passed through an opening 20 or 21 in the main post member 12 and extension members 13 respectively for engagement with nuts 22 to enable the post 11 S: to be secured to a building frame as described further below. The main post member 12 additionally includes an apertured lug 23 adjacent its upper end (see Fig. 3) again for a purpose which will hereinafter become apparent.

S. The scaffolding apparatus 10 also includes a scaffolding arm 24 (see Fig.

which includes upper and lower substantially parallel joined arm members 25 and 26 each of which is provided with U-or channel shaped brackets 27 (see Fig. 4) which are aligned with each other and which are substantially complementary to the main post member 12. The side flanges 28 of the respective brackets 27 are apertured at 29 to enable pins to be passed therethrough. The apertures 29 of the respective brackets 27 may be aligned with sets of apertures 14 in the main post member 12 which are of the same spacing as the apertures 29 of respective brackets 27 for receipt of retaining pins to support and set the position of the scaffolding arm 24 along the main post member 12.

The scaffolding arm 24 is adapted to support an upright guardrail post (see Fig. which is provided with a channel 31 at is lower end extending at right angles to the post 30 and which is sized to located neatly over and seat on the arm member 25. The channel 31 is apertured at 32 and the arm 25 is also provided with spaced apertures 33 with which the apertures 32 may be aligned for receiving a retaining pin to position the guardrail post 30 along the arm member 25 and retain the guardrail post 30 in position. The posts 30 include suitably spaced brackets 34 to clamp guardrails or wires 35 to the post The pins for retaining the components of the scaffolding apparatus together may be of any form such as bolts however suitably the pins 36 are of the form shown in Fig. 5. The pins 36 include enlarged heads 37 and shanks 38 of slightly smaller diameter than the openings or apertures in the components and are apertured as at 39 to receive a retaining clip or ring.

In use and as shown in Fig. 6, the scaffolding apparatus 10 is mounted to a frame 40 of a building comprising upright studs 41 extending between top and bottom plates 42 and 43. To erect the scaffolding apparatus 10, the posts 11 are located on the inside of the frame 40 usually by being passed from the outside of the frame 40 to a 15 workman positioned within the frame 40. The length of the post 11 is set according to the distance between the top and bottom plates 42 and 43 of the frame 40 by extending or

C°

retracting the extension member 13 as desired and locking it in the required position by a pin 36 passed through aligned apertures 14 and 15. The post 11 is then positioned substantially vertically and the respective L-shaped clamping members 16 positioned over 20 the top and bottom plates 42 and 43 so that the right angled arms 19 thereof extend downwardly on the outside of the respective plates 42 or 43. The nuts 22 may then be

C..

tightened to urge the arms 19 into engagement with the outer faces of the plates 42 and 43 to clamp the post 11 to the plates 42 and 43 and thus the frame 40. If necessary, a securing nail or screw 44 may be passed through the aperture in the lug 23 into the upper plate 42 (see Fig. 8) to prevent lateral movement of the post 11.

The scaffolding arm 24 may then be positioned at the required location along the post 12 with the respective channels 27 neatly locating about the post 12 as shown in Fig. 7. The channels 27 are positioned so that the apertures 29 therein are aligned with apertures 14 in the post 12 at the required position to receive respective locking pins 36 to positively locate and lock the scaffolding arm 24 to the post 12.

Usually, the scaffolding arm 24 is located by a worker within the frame 40 passing the arm 24 outwardly through the frame 40 for engagement with the post 12.

A guardrail post 30 is then engaged with the arm member 25 at a selected position at which it may be secured again by a securing pin 36. The above procedure is repeated at selected intervals around the building frame 40 after which scaffolding planks forming a walkway may be supported on the respective scaffolding arms 24 and connecting rails 35 joined between the respective guardrail posts If the apparatus 10 is be used where there is a smaller distance between the top and bottom plates 42 and 43,the extension foot 13 is retracted into the post 12 as shown in Fig. 9 and locked in position by a pin 36 and the apparatus 10 used as before.

At the corners of the building, the corner scaffolding apparatus illustrated in Figs. 10 to 22 is employed, the corner scaffolding apparatus 46 including an elongated post 47 comprising a main post member 48 and a foot or main extension member 49 telescopically engageable with the main post member 48. The main post member 48 and extension member 49 have openings 50 and 51 respectively therethrough such that the extension member 49 can set at a required position relative to the post member 48 and set in that position by means 15 of a locking pin 36 passed through aligned openings 50 and 51 in the post member 48 and extension member 49.

The post 48 as shown also in Fig. 11 includes at its upper end a pair of arms 52 and 53 which extend substantially at 90 degrees to each other and the post 48 and support *at the lower side of their free ends, respective hollow sockets 54 and 55 which extend at right angles to the respective arms 52 and 53. The sockets 54 and 55 are arranged to support respective clamp brackets 56 (see Fig. 12), each of which includes a pair of arms 57 and 58 secured at rights angles to each other, one arm 58 being receivable in a respective socket 54 or and including spaced apertures 59 through which a securing pin may be inserted and into an aligned aperture 60 or 61 in a socket 54 or 55 to lock the bracket 56 in position. This position can be varied by selection of one of the apertures 59 for alignment with the aperture in the socket 54 or 55 according to the width of the top plate of the building frame. The other arm 57 which is upright supports an L-shaped clamping member 62 (see Fig. 13) similar to the clamping member 16 of Fig. 2 which has a threaded end 63 which is passed through an opening in the arm 58 for engagement with a nut 64 to enable the upper end of the post 47 to be secured to respective building frames at a building corner as described further below.

As shown in Figs. 11 the post member 48 is oriented relative to the arms 52 and 53 such that in use the outer planar face 48' thereof is at approximately 45 degrees to the respective arms 52 and 53 and to the building frames at the corner of a building.

The extension member 49 as shown also in Figs. 14 and includes a pair of arms 65 which are substantially at right angles to each other. L-shaped clamping members 62 of the type described are passed through apertures 66 in the arms 65 for clamping to the bottom plates of respective building frames as described further below.

The scaffolding apparatus 46 also includes a scaffolding arm 67 (see also Fig.

which includes upper and lower joined arm members 68 and 69 each of which is provided with U-or channel shaped brackets 70 which are aligned with each other and which are substantially complementary to the main post member 48. The side flanges 71 of the respective brackets 70 are apertured at 72 to enable pins to be passed therethrough into sets of apertures 50 in the main post member 48 with which the apertures 72 of the respective brackets 70 may be aligned to set the position of the scaffolding arm 67 along the main post member 48 in a similar manner described with reference to Figs 1 and 6.

The scaffolding arm 67 is adapted to support a guardrail post 73 (see Fig. 16), guardrail posts 73 as shown in Fig. 15 being rotatably mounted for movement about its 15 longitudinal axis to a channel member 74 extending at right angles to the post 73, the channel member 74 being adapted to locate neatly over the arm member 68. The channel member 74 is located along the arm member 68 by a pin 36 passed through apertures 75 in the side flanges of the channel member 74 into one of a set of apertures 76 whereby the post 73 is .i supported in an upright attitude and is also rotatable about a substantially vertical axis. The posts 73 may include suitably spaced apertures 77 for the securing of suitable guardrails or wires For providing support for the scaffolding arm 67, a brace 78 is provided (see also Fig. 17), the brace 78 including a bracing arm 79 and channel or U-shaped members and 81 arranged at right angles to each other which may receive the lower member 69 of the support arm 67 and the main post member 48 respectively. The channels 80 and 81 are apertured at 82 and 83 respectively to receive pins for passing through respective apertures 84 and 50 in the arm 69 and main post member 50 respectively to lock the brace 78 in position.

The pins for retaining the components of the scaffolding apparatus together may be of any form such as bolts however suitably the pins include enlarge heads and shanks of slightly smaller diameter than the openings in the components and are apertured at their free end to receive a retaining clips or pins as shown in Fig. The apparatus 67 may additionally include a further or auxiliary leg extension 86 (see Fig. 18(a) and including a member 87 which is adapted to locate over a spigot 49' at or comprising the lower end of the extension member 49 and which may be secured thereto by a pin/aperture connection as before. The lower end of the leg extension 86 includes a pair of members 88 and 89 at right angles to each other and the member 87.

In use and as shown in Figs. 19 to 22, the corner scaffolding apparatus 46 is arranged to be mounted to the corner 90 of a building where respective building frames 91 meet at right angles, the frames 91 being of conventional form and including upright studs 92 extending between top and bottom plates 93 and 94. To erect the scaffolding apparatus 46, the extension member 49 is set at a desired extension from the main post member 48 depending upon the distance between top and bottom plates 93 and 94. The post 48 with attached leg extension 49 is located on the outside of the building frames 91. The brackets 56 may be attached and pinned to the sockets 54 and 55 and the upper end of the post 47 manipulated so that the L-shaped members 62 locate over the respective right angled top plates 93 with the depending legs of the members 62 located on the outside of the plates 93.

Alternatively, the brackets 56 may be detached and the post 47 positioned so that the arms 52 15 and 53 extend to opposite sides of the corner 90 to lie adjacent and substantially parallel to respective frames 91. The L-shaped members 61 may then be positioned over the respective top plates 93 and the brackets 56 engaged with and locked to the sockets 54 and 55 by pins in the manner described above. If bracing ply or similar material is attached to one or both of the frames 91, portion thereof may be cut out with a hole saw or the like to permit the 20 members 58 of the brackets 56 to be inserted into the sockets 54 and 55. The L-shaped members 62 may then be tightened to secure the upper end of the post 47 to the top plates 93, :.:the plates 93 being sandwiched and clamped between the depending legs of the members 61 and the members 57 of the brackets 56. At the lower end, the respective L-shaped members 62 are positioned over the respective bottom plates 94 as shown in Fig. 22 and tightened to clamp the arms 65 and thus the lower end of the post 47 to the plates 93.

The scaffolding arm 67 may then be positioned at the required location along the post 48 with the respective channels 70 neatly locating about the post member 48 as shown in Figs. 19 and 20. The channels 70 are positioned so that the apertures 72 therein are aligned with apertures 50 in the post 48 at the required position to receive respective locking pins to positively locate and lock the scaffolding arm 67 to the post member 48. The scaffolding arm 67 may be located by a worker within the building by passing the arm 67 outwardly through a frame 91 for engagement with the post member 48. Alternatively, the scaffolding arm 67 may be positioned and engaged with the post member 48 externally. As shown in Fig. 22, the post 47 is oriented such that when the arm 67 is engaged with the post member 48, it extends outwardly of the corner as shown in dotted outline at approximately 135 degrees to each frame 91, the outer face of the post member 48 being at approximately 45 degrees to the frames 91.

The brace 78 may then be positioned and engaged with the arm 67 and post member 48 by passing pins through aligned apertures in the channels 80 and 81 and arm 67 and post member 48 respectively.

A guardrail post 73 may then be engaged with the support arm 67 by locating the channel member 74 over the frame member 68 and locating it in alignment with one of the apertures 76 so as to be lockable to the member 68 by a locking pin. The guardrail post 73 may be positioned along the support frame 67 in a number of positions as illustrated in dotted outline in Fig. 19. Scaffolding planks 45 may be supported on the frame 67 and guardrails secured to the guardrail posts 43.

If the apparatus 46 is be used where the scaffolding arm 67 is desired to be 15 located at a lower position as shown in dotted outline in Fig. 19, the further leg extension 86 is engaged with the spigot 89 and secured thereto by a pin-aperture connection as before. The S S° brace 78 is then connected between the scaffolding arm 67 and further auxiliary leg extension 86 with the lower channel 81 engaged with and connected to the leg 87 of the auxiliary leg extension 86.

20 At the corner of a building as shown in Fig. 23, a series of scaffolding apparati of the type described with reference to Figs. 1 to 9 are erected along adjacent wall frames

S..

91 whilst the apparatus 46 shown in Fig. 10 is erected at the corner 90. Scaffolding planks may be then supported on the scaffolding arms 24 and 67 whilst at the corner 90, the planks may simply overlap each other. The guardrail posts 30 and 73 of the respective scaffolding assemblies are positioned so that they are in alignment and connecting rails 35 or secured to the guardrail posts 30 and 73 Workers can then walk along the supported scaffolding planks 45 to work on the roof of the building or alternatively on soffit or guttering placement. At the cessation of the work, the apparatus may simply and effectively be disassembled in the reverse manner.

The components of the scaffolding apparatus are suitably formed of metal with the scaffolding arms of aluminium and the posts of galvanized steel however all components may be galvanized steel, aluminium or other material. The components of the scaffolding apparatus may also be of square cross section or of any other cross section. As the apparatus 14 is in modular form, it may be easily stored, transported and erected for use and simply disassembled.

If desired, the scaffolding arms 24 and 67of the apparatus 10 and 36 may include spaced upright sockets for receipt of the guardrail posts or alternatively the support arms may include spaced apertures for receipt of pins at the ends of the guardrail posts so that the guardrail posts may be supported from the scaffolding arms in an upright attitude.

Whilst the above has been given by way of illustrative embodiment of the invention, all such variations and modifications thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as herein defined in the appended claims.

Claims (21)

1. Scaffolding apparatus for mounting to a building frame comprising: elongated post means, means at opposite ends of said post means for releasably securing said post means to said frame of said building on the inner side thereof, and scaffolding arm means detachably securable to said post means at a selected one of a set of positions along said post means so as to extend substantially horizontally outwardly of said post means and said building frame. S"2. Scaffolding apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said securing means comprise L-shaped members having first and second legs, said first legs being adapted to oo ~pass through openings in opposite ends of said post means and said second legs being adapted to locate on the side of a building frame member of said building frame opposite said post means and means for urging said second leg towards said post means to clamp "said building frame member to said post means. Scaffolding apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said first leg is threaded and wherein said urging means includes a nut in threaded engaged with said 20 threaded first leg and located on the side of said post means opposite said second leg. o:oo•

4. Scaffolding apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said building frame includes top and bottom plates and wherein said securing means are adapted to clamp said post means to said top and bottom plates. Scaffolding apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein an upright guardrail post is supported on said scaffolding arm means.

6. Scaffolding apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said post means includes a main post member and an extension member telescopically extendable from the main post member, and including means for positioning said extension member at one of a series of set extension positions relative to the main post member.

7. Scaffolding apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said positioning means comprises an aperture in said extension member adapted for alignment with one of a set of apertures in said main post member to receive a pin therethrough.

8. Scaffolding apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said scaffolding arm means includes spaced channel-sectioned end brackets for neat receipt of said post means.

9. Scaffolding apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said brackets are provided with apertures for alignment with spaced apertures in the post means to receive securing pins therethrough to set the scaffolding arm means at a required elevation along the post means.

10. Scaffolding apparatus according to any one of the precding claims wherein said post means includes a lug adjacent it upper end through which a fastening member may be passed into said building frame to hold the post means against lateral movement. o•

11. A method of applying scaffolding apparatus according to claim 1 to a 20 building frame of the type including top and bottom plates and studs extending oooo• •..:therebetween, said method including the steps of locating said post means on the inside of said frame, securing said post means to said top and bottom plates, and securing said scaffolding arm means to said post means at a desired position along said post means such that said scaffolding arm means extends outwardly from said building frame.

12. Scaffolding apparatus for mounting to a building frame assembly adjacent a corner thereof defined by a pair of meeting wall frames, said apparatus comprising elongated post means, means at opposite ends of said post means for releasably securing said post means to at least one of said wall frames adjacent said building corner, and scaffolding arm means detachably securable to said post means at a selected one of a set of positions along said post means so as to extend substantially horizontally outwardly of said post means and said corner.

13. Scaffolding apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said post means is adapted to be secured to both of said wall frames adjacent said corner.

14. Scaffolding apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said elongated post means includes upper and lower pairs of arms set substantially at right angles to each other and said post means, said arms being adapted to be secured to upper and lower frame members of respective said wall frames.

15. Scaffolding apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said upper pair of arms includes sockets set at right angles to the respective arms, and clamping brackets received and secured in said sockets. oo

16. Scaffolding apparatus according to claim 15 and including clamping means cooperable with said clamping brackets for clamping upper frame members of said wall a• frames to said clamping brackets.

17. Scaffolding apparatus according to claim 16 wherein said clamping means comprise L-shaped members having first and second legs, said first legs being adapted to 20 pass through openings in said clamping brackets and said second legs being adapted to o oi locate on the side of said upper frame members of said wall frames opposite said clamping brackets and means for urging said second legs towards said clamping brackets to clamp said upper frame members to said clamping brackets.

18. Scaffolding apparatus according to claim 14 and including clamping means for clamping said lower pairs of arms to lower frame members of respective said wall frames, said clamping means comprise L-shaped members having first and second legs, said first legs being adapted to pass through openings in said lower pairs of arms and said second legs being adapted to be located on the side of said lower frame members opposite said lower arms and means for urging said second leg towards said lower arms to clamp said lower frame members to said lower arms.

19. Scaffolding apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 18 and including an upright guard post supported on said scaffolding arm means, said upright guard post being adjustable along said scaffolding arm means and being rotatably adjustable about its longitudinal axis. Scaffolding apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 19 and including detachable bracing means between said scaffolding arm means and post means to support the scaffolding arm means.

21. Scaffolding apparatus according to any one of claims 14 to 16 wherein said elongated post means includes a main post member and an extension member telescopically extendable from said main post member, said extension member being adapted to be set at **one of a series of set extension positions relative to the main post member, and wherein said upper and lower pairs of arms are provided on said main post member and said extension member respectively.

22. Scaffolding apparatus according to claim 20 and including an auxiliary o. extension member extending from the lower end of said post means, said auxiliary extension member including arms set at right angles to each other and adapted to be located adjacent the 20 sides of respective wall frames adjacent said corner, said auxiliary extension member being °°0°o adapted to support said bracing means when said scaffolding arm means is placed in a lowered attitude.

23. A scaffolding assembly for a pair of building frame assemblies forming the corner of a building, said scaffolding assembly including scaffolding apparatus as defined in claim 1 mounted to respective building frame assemblies, scaffolding apparatus as defined in claim 12 mounted to said respective building frame assemblies adjacent said corner thereof and decking members supported on the respective scaffolding arm means of said scaffolding apparatus defining a walkway extending along said building frame assemblies and around said corner.

24. Scaffolding apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 to 9. 19 Scaffolding apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. to 22.

26. A method of applying scaffolding apparatus to a building frame assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated this 21 st day of December 1999 RIVERFERN PTY LTD By Their Patent Atttorney JohnR dner o e S* oo oeoo o oo