AU756703B2

AU756703B2 - Hanging scaffold assembly

Info

Publication number: AU756703B2
Application number: AU10855/00A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Lewis Roy Cleveland
Original assignee: Intaks Nz Ltd
Current assignee: Intaks Nz Ltd
Priority date: 1998-11-11
Filing date: 1999-11-11
Publication date: 2003-01-23
Anticipated expiration: 2019-11-11
Also published as: AU1085500A; WO2000028173B1; WO2000028173A1

Description

WO 00/28173 PCT/NZ99/001-87 Hanging Scaffold Assembly TECHNICAL

FIELD

The present invention relates to improvements in and relating to working platforms such as hanging scaffolding assemblies.

BACKGROUND

ART

At present working platforms such as scaffolding assemblies suffer from a number of drawbacks. In particular, scaffolding assemblies that are erected adjacent a wall of a building, as stand alone structures, suffer from the following drawbacks: The scaffolding assembly once erected cannot easily be adjusted if the height of the support platform(s) are not at the correct level.

SThe cost of erecting a scaffolding assembly is expensive so scaffolding tends to stay in place until it is no longer required.

SOther trades people working on a building can often be delayed from undertaking work on the building, due to the impediment presented by the scaffolding assembly access to the exterior walls of the building is restricted) as the inner stanchions are too close to the walls.

In order to overcome the above drawbacks, a number of hanging scaffolding systems have been devised.

One such scaffold is disclosed in NZ 245172. This specification discloses a scaffolding assembly which includes hangar bars (stanchions) which are removably connected at their upper ends to support brackets which are affixed to the upper extremity of the wall of a building. The hangar bars WO 00/28173 PCT/NZ99/00187 are removably connected to the brackets via "keyhole" slotted apertures at the top of the hangar bar which engage lug members on the support brackets.

However, this hanging scaffolding system also suffers from a number of drawbacks which include: The support bracket can not practically be fitted to the top of a wall of a building, due to normal residential wall and top plate construction.

The hangar bars being too close to the wall so as to not provide enough room for trades people to apply cladding or coatings thereto.

The lug and keyslot interaction not providing a positive fail safe locating system, such that if a hangar bar is jolted it could potentially disconnect from the lugs on the bracket.

The bracket not being able to remain in place for future use due to normal construction methods and for aesthetic reasons. Furthermore, even if it could remain in place it would not be able to be concealed after use, due to its position on the wall.

The support bracket cannot be easily fitted to an existing dwelling to allow a hanging scaffolding system to be constructed to allow for maintenance or other work to be undertaken on the building.

A hanging scaffold assembly which overcomes some of the disadvantages with the scaffolding system disclosed in NZ 245172 is described in PCT/SE90/0 0 6 9 3 This scaffold assembly has the hangar bars attached to brackets located on roof trusses. The hanger bars are connected to the brackets via a connecting piece and bolts.

3 The drawback with this scaffolding assembly is that the hangar bars cannot be connected to or disconnected from the bracket quickly and easily by a person standing on the ground; due to the bolts needing to be fastened/unfastened to achieve connection/disconnection with the bracket.

It is an object of the present invention to address the foregoing problems or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.

Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is Igiven by way of example only.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a working platform assembly which includes: 20 at least two hangar bars capable of being used to support a horizontal platform; and at least two support brackets capable of supporting hangar bars when the brackets are attached to a building; the platform assembly characterised in that the brackets and top end of the hangar bars are adapted so as to inter-engage with one another via a twist lock type connection so that the hangar bars can downwardly depend from the bracket when in use.

The invention also provides a kit of parts for a working platform assembly wherein the kit includes: at least two hangar bars capable of being used to support horizontal platforms; and at least two support brackets for supporting hangar bars; characterised in that the brackets and top end of H:\Luisa\Keep\Speci\10855-OO.doc 15/02/02 x r 4 the hangar bars are adapted so as to inter-engage with one another via a twist lock type connection so that the hangar can downwardly depend from the bracket when in use.

The invention still further provides a method of erecting a working platform assembly for a building characterised by the steps of: attaching at least two support brackets to a roof truss and/or other roof or lateral supporting member so that the brackets have at least a portion thereof outwardly located from the wall of a building; and connecting at least two hangar bars to the brackets via a twist lock type connection so that the hangar can downwardly depend from the bracket when in use.

The hangar bars may have a variety of different configurations.

In the preferred embodiments, the hangar bars may include 20 a number of apertures positioned along the length thereof for receiving platform support(s) the same or similar to those already known in the art. The base portion of the hangar bar may also be adapted as is known in the art to allow for its length to be extended.

It is envisaged that the support bracket may have a number of different configurations.

In preferred embodiments the support bracket may be adapted so that it THE NEXT PAGE IS PAGE 6 H:\Luisa\Keep\Speci\10855-OO.doc 15/02/02

T-

WO 00/28173 PCT/NZ99/0018 7 can be attached to a roof truss and/or other roof or lateral supporting member so that the brackets have at least a portion thereof outwardly located from the wall of a building. In addition this location has been found by the applicant to be a suitable place for positioning the bracket so that it can remain in place, once the remainder of the working platform assembly has been removed.

It is envisaged that the bracket and top end of the hangar bar can be configured to provide a twist lock type connection therebetween in a variety of different manners.

In some embodiments, the top end of the hangar bar and the bracket may be threaded so as to be capable of being threadably connected to one another.

In preferred embodiments, the top end of the hangar bar may include a substantially T-shaped spigot, which the bracket is adapted to receive so that a twist-lock type connection between the hangar bar and the bracket may be achieved.

The bracket may be adapted to receive the T-shaped spigot in a variety of different ways.

In some embodiments the bracket may include a substantially oblong shaped hole through which the T-shaped spigot may pass when aligned with the hole. Thus, once the T-shaped spigot has passed through the hole, the hangar bar may be rotated so that the top of the T-shaped spigot is brought out of alignment so that it can no longer pass through the oblong hole in the bracket.

In preferred embodiments the bracket may include two parallel plates WO 00/28173 PCT/NZ99/00187 spaced apart a distance smaller than the maximum width of the T-shaped spigot. The parallel plates including aligned apertures of a substantially larger size than the cross sectional size of the top part of the T-shaped spigot. The larger size of the apertures thus allows for rotation of the Tshaped spigot between the plates so that the outer ends of the spigot can span through the apertures of the parallel plates such that the bottom edge of the apertures is capable of supporting the T-shaped spigot.

In general, the part of the building structure which substantially conceals the bracket may be the soffit (eave) assembly.

The plug may have a variety of different configurations provided it is capable of covering the hole in the soffit liner (panel) for the hangar bar, once the hangar bar has been removed from the bracket.

In preferred embodiments the plug may include a couple of opposed lugs on its base which can retain the plug within a square hole in the liner. The lugs extending from the base a distance: a) which is greater than that separating the sides of the square hole in the liner; and b) that still enables them to pass diagonally through the square hole in the liner.

In other embodiments where the aperture in the liner is circular the plug may threadably engage a base plate which may be attached to the soffit liner via screws.

Thus, the present invention may have a number of advantages over the prior art.

WO 00/28173 PCT/NZ99/00187 One advantage of the present invention is that it can be quickly and easily set and dismantled via a person standing on the ground.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the hangar bars are not positioned so close to the wall that people can not work thereon.

A further advantage of the present invention is that it provides for a twist lock connection between the hangar bar and support bracket thereby providing a positive fail-safe locating system, which will not be compromised if the scaffolding is jolted.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it can be fitted to existing buildings.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the bracket can be left in place for future use thereof, yet can remain substantially concealed by the structure of the building.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic side view illustrating one embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 2 is a perspective view illustrating the bracket shown in Figure 1, and Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the hangar bar shown in Figure 1, and WO 00/28173 PCT/NZ99/00187 Figure 4 is a diagrammatic side view illustrating an alternative embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 5 is a plan view of Figure 4, and Figure 6 is a diagrammatic side view of one preferred embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 7 is a perspective view of the bracket shown in Figure 6, and Figure 8 is a front view of a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 9 is a plan view of the bracket shown in Figure 8, and Figure 10 is a top plan view of one embodiment of the plug in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, and Figure 11 is a cross-sectional side view of the plug shown in Figure 9, and Figure 12 is a bottom plan view of a plug as shown in Figures 9 and being inserted into an aperture in a soffit liner.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION With respect to Figure 1 there is provided a working platform assembly 1 attached to a building 2 having a wall 60. The working platform 1 has a bracket 3 which is bolted to the horizontal rafter 4 of a roof truss 5 via bolts 6. The bracket 3 is also supported by the roof truss 5 via a cross-bar 7. Attached to the bracket 3 is a hangar bar 8 which has T-shaped spigot 9 at the top end thereof.

WO 00/28173 PCT/NZ99/0187 The hangar bar 8 is attached to the bracket 3 by passing the top end of the spigot 9 through aperture 10 in the bracket 3 and then rotating the hangar bar substantially 90 degrees so that the spigot 9 has the orientation shown in Figure 1 with respect to the bracket 3. To remove the hangar bar 8 from the bracket 3 simply requires rotating the hangar bar 8 through 90 degrees and then withdrawing the top end of the spigot 9 through aperture 10 in the bracket 3.

As can be seen, the bracket 3 is concealed within the soffit assembly 12 of the building 2. The hangar bar 1 passes through an aperture 18 in the soffit liner 19. When the hangar bar 1 is removed from the bracket, a plug (not shown) which may include apertures to create a vent may be used to cover the aperture 18.

Figure 2 illustrates apertures 20 in the bracket 3 through which the bolts 6 pass.

Figure 3 illustrates the spigot 9 in more detail.

With respect to Figure 4 there is shown an alternative form of bracket Apart from that, this working platform assembly is substantially the same as illustrated in Figure 1, so the same reference numerals as used for Figure 1 refer to like elements in Figure 4.

Figure 5 is a plan view of the bracket 50 shown in Figure 4 illustrating the aperture 51 through which the top end of spigot 9 passes.

With respect to Figure 6 there is provided a working platform assembly 100 attached to a building 101 having a wall 102. The working platform 100 has a bracket 103 which is bolted to the side of sloping rafter 104 of a WO 00/28173 PCT/NZ99/0187 roof truss 105 via bolts 106. The bracket 103 is also attached to the sloping rafter 104 via a plate 107 which includes an aperture through which a bolt may pass. The plate 107 extends from both sides of the bracket 103 so the bracket can be attached to the left or right side of a rafter via the plate 107. Attached to the bracket 103 is a hangar bar 108 which has a T-shaped spigot 109 at the top end thereof.

The hangar 108 is attached to the bracket 103 by aligning the top end of the spigot 109 so that it may pass between two parallel plates 110 (of which only one is shown) and then the hangar bar is then rotated substantially 90 degrees so that the spigot 109 can pass through apertures 111 to have the orientation shown in Figure 1. As the parallel plates 110 are spaced apart a distance smaller than the maximum width of the Tshaped spigot 109, the size of the apertures are such to allow for rotation of the T-shaped spigot between the plates, so that the outer ends of the spigot can span through the apertures 111.

The bracket 103 is concealed within the soffit assembly 112 of the building 101. The hangar bar 108 passes through an aperture 118 in the soffit liner 119. When the hangar barl08 is removed from the bracket 103, a plug (as shown in Figures 9 and 10) may be used to cover aperture 118.

Figure 7 illustrates the bracket 103 and in particular shows the plate 107 and the parallel plates 110.

With respect to Figure 8 there is provided a working platform assembly 200 attached to a building (not shown) via a bracket 201 which is screwed via screws 207 to the horizontal rafters 204. Attached to the bracket 201 is a hangar bar 205 which has a T-shaped spigot 206 at the top end thereof.

WO 00/28173 PCT/NZ99/00 t87 The hangar bar 205 is attached to the bracket by passing the top end of the spigot 206 through an oblong aperture 207 in the base of the bracket 201.

The hangar bar 205 is then rotated substantially 90 degrees so that the spigot 206 has the orientation shown in Figure 8. To remove the hangar bar from the bracket 201 simply requires rotating the hangar bar 205 degrees and then withdrawing the top end of the spigot 206 through the aperture in the bracket 201.

Again, the hangar bar 205 is able to access the bracket via an aperture 210 in the soffit liner 211.

To prevent undue lateral movement of the hangar bar when connected to the bracket 201, the bracket includes two spaced apart bolts 212 in between which the spigot 206 is placed.

The spigot 206 is held in the bracket 201 via a lip 215 upon which the outer ends of the spigot rest. This is shown more clearly in Figure 9 which shows the spigot 206 being placed in the bracket as occurs in Figure 8.

The bracket 201 may also have strengthening plates 219 (shown in Figure 8) which can also be positioned so as to help guide the spigot between the restraining bolts 212.

With respect to Figures 10 and 11 there is provided a plug 300 which includes a top 301 and a base 302. Extending from the base 302 are two opposed lugs 303. The top of the plug includes a groove 304.

In use, the plug 300 is placed within an aperture 400 in the soffit liner 401 as is shown in Figure 12. The plug is then rotated substantially 45 degrees so that the lugs 303 may secure the plug 300 within the aperture 400.

In general, this process may be achieved via the use of an elongate pole WO 00/28173 PCT/NZ99/00187 (not shown) which includes a tip capable of locating in the groove 304 so as to allow for insertion and rotation of the plug 300.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, that in use, the brackets of the present invention are spaced apart from one another on a building: such that the hangar bars are capable of supporting platforms (such as planks or guard rails) via platform supports the same or similar to those already known in the art.

Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A working platform assembly which includes: at least two hanger bars capable of being used to support a horizontal platform; and S- at least two support brackets capable of supporting hanger bars when the brackets are attached to a building; the platform assembly characterised in that the brackets and top end of the hanger bars are adapted so as to interengage with one another via a twist lock type connection so that the hanger bars can S. 10 downwardly depend from the bracket when in use.

2. A working platform assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the brackets are positioned on a building so as to be capable of being left in place once the remainder of the working platform assembly has been removed. 15 3. A working platform assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein the position of the brackets is such the brackets can be concealed by the structure of the building.

4. A kit of parts for a working platform assembly wherein the kit includes: a) at least two hanger bars capable of being used to support horizontal platforms; and b) at least two support brackets for supporting hanger bars; characterised in that the brackets and top end of the hanger bars are adapted so as to interengage with one another via a twist lock type connection so that the hanger can downwardly depend from the bracket when in use A working platform assembly as claimed in either claiml or claim 4 wherein the hanger bars include a number of apertures positioned along the length thereof for receiving platform supports.

6. A working platform as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 4 wherein the base portion of the hanger bar is adapted to allow for its length to be extended.

7. A working platform as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the support bracket is adapted so that it can be attached to a roof 10 truss and/or other roof or lateral supporting member so that the brackets have at least a portion thereof outwardly located from the 0 wall of a building. 00

8. A working platform assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the bracket and top end of the hanger bar are capable of being threadably connected to one another.

9. A working platform assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the top end of the hanger bar includes a substantially T- shaped spigot which the bracket is adapted to receive such that a twist-lock connection between the spigot and the bracket may be achieved. A working platform assembly as claimed in the preceding claim wherein the bracket includes an oblong shaped hole through which the top part of the T-shaped spigot may pass when aligned with the holes, such that a 90 degree rotation of the hanger bar results in the T-shaped spigot having an orientation which prevents it from passing through the oblong hole in the bracket. II,

11. A working platform assembly as claimed in claim 9 wherein the bracket includes two parallel plates spaced apart a distance smaller than the maximum width of the T-bar, the parallel plates including aligned apertures of a substantially larger size than the cross- sectional size of the top part of the T-shaped spigot; so that the larger size of the aperture can thereby allow for rotation of the T- shaped spigot so that the outer ends of the T-shaped spigot can span through the apertures to thereby allow the bottom edge of the apertures to be capable of supporting the T-shaped spigot and hence the hanger bar.

12. A kit of parts for a working platform as claimed in claim 4 wherein the kit includes a plug capable of covering holes made in the soffit assembly of a building.

13. A method of erecting a working platform assembly for a building characterised by the steps of: a) attaching at least two support brackets to a roof truss and/or other roof or lateral supporting member so that the brackets have at least a portion thereof outwardly located from the wall of a building; and 20 b) connecting at least two hanger bars to the brackets via a twist lock type connection so that the hanger can downwardly depend from the bracket when in use.

14. A method of erecting a working platform assembly as claimed in the preceding claim wherein the method is characterised by the further step of: c) either before, or after, the hanger bars have been connected to 16 7L C,, 1 the brackets, substantially concealing the brackets via the soffit assembly of a building. A method of erecting a working platform assembly as claimed in the preceding claim characterised by the additional step of. d) fitting plugs to cover the holes in the soffit assembly for the hanger bars, once the bars have been disconnected from the brackets.

16. A method of erecting a working a platform assembly as claimed in claim 13 wherein the portion of the bracket adapted to interengage 10 with the hanger bar via a twist lock type connection is outwardly located from the wall of a building.

17. A working platform assembly substantially as described herein with reference to any example and/or drawing thereof. 0

18. A method of erecting a working platform assembly substantially as described herein with reference to any example and/or drawing thereof. Dated this 15th day of February 2002 LEWIS ROY CLEVELAND By their Patent Attorneys GRIFFITH HACK Fellows Institute of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys of Australia 17 4 'A