DK3192942T3 - SCALE COVER comprising two ladder units kept at a distance from a pre-assembled collapsible base - Google Patents

Description

Description

The invention relates to a scaffolding system according to the preamble of claim 1 and a method for erecting the said scaffolding system according to the preamble of claim 5.

The document GB2479202 discloses such a scaffolding. The folding base comprises a joint around a vertical axis, so that when the ladder assemblies are brought together the base is folded into two parts in planes that are parallel to the planes of the ladder assemblies.

The Applicant markets under the name ILLICO scaffolds thus comprising two ladder assemblies kept apart by a pre-assembled folding base, arranged so that in the closed state the folding base is maintained in the vertical plane, perpendicular to the planes of the ladder assemblies. This makes it possible to free up a relative volume between the ladder assemblies in the closed state, thus making it possible for example to accommodate a deck folded in two. In addition, when the ladder assemblies are brought together the risk that these assemblies do not stay in mutually parallel planes is relatively low. US 3, 071, 206 A discloses a scaffolding system according to the preamble of claim 1 and a method for erecting the scaffolding system according to the preamble of claim 5.

There is a need for a scaffolding system that is able to move from a closed state to an open state and provides greater security without sacrificing compactness in the closed state. A scaffolding system is proposed according to claim 1.

Thus, the folding base is pre-assembled and when the ladder assemblies are moved apart from one another, the folding base is brought and locked in its open position in the open state. Unlike the ILLICO product, which involves manual locking operations on slanting bars, there is no need to make provision for specific operative procedures, which ensures greater security.

In addition, this sliding connection arrangement means that when the scaffold is open or closed, the element of the folding base integral with the first slide element is caused to move a certain distance relative to the second slide element. The locking can thus be engaged relatively accurately during the life of the system, which would not necessarily be the case if the lock were engaged only by a pivot linkage type mechanism.

In addition, the folding base can be arranged relatively high in the open state, thereby allowing the scaffolding system to be better stabilised without the folding base in the closed state occupying a space beyond the ladder assemblies. The folding base elements can be folded down toward the base of the system when the system is closed, without compromising the stability of the system in the open state.

The invention can thus enable security and compactness to be harmonised in the closed state.

Advantageously, the scaffolding system can be arranged so that when it is the locked state, the locking can be released following an unlocking command, for example a manual unlocking operation.

At least one, and preferably each, ladder assembly comprises several ladder portions sliding relative to one another, thereby enabling the scaffolding system to be deployed at a height. For a given maximum scaffold height, the scaffolding system can be relatively compact in the closed state if in addition each ladder assembly is retracted.

For example, the uprights may each define, in a plane normal to the longitudinal direction, a profile with: a side from which extend the steps, called "flank", and, on either side of the flank, two other sides, called "fields".

At least one upright of at least one ladder portion may define on one of its fields a male slide element, and at least one upright of at least one other ladder portion of the same ladder assembly may be profiled in the longitudinal direction so as to define on one of its fields, opposite the field defining the male slide element, a female slide element. The scaffolding system is arranged so that the male slide element cooperates with the female slide element in such a way that the ladder portions corresponding to these slide elements can slide relative to one another in the longitudinal direction of the uprights.

According to an arrangement that is not part of the invention, each ladder assembly can form a rigid whole. The second slide element is integral with an upright of a ladder assembly. Thus, the element of the base integral with the first slide element can form a slide, which can be caused to move relative to this ladder assembly.

The second slide element is in one piece with an upright. The slide connection can thus be relatively robust and the logistics are simplified.

According to the invention, a ladder assembly of several ladder portions sliding relative to one another is provided, wherein the uprights define male and female slide elements cooperating with one another by means of these male and female slide elements so as to ensure a deployment at height. One of these slide elements defined by an upright is used as second slide element.

At least one, and preferably each upright, may define a male slide element and a female slide element.

The second slide element is a slide element that is not used for the height deployment, since it belongs to a ladder portion intended to slide relative to a single other ladder portion, for example the lowest ladder portion or the highest ladder portion when the scaffold is deployed at height. In other words, the scaffolding system comprises at least one upright defining a male slide element and a female slide element, and cooperates with a single other upright by means of one of these male and female slide elements, the other of these elements being used as second slide element.

This other element used as second slide element may for example be a female slide element, for example a rail located in the upright.

In another embodiment, which is not part of the invention, the second slide element may for example be integral with an element of the folding base that is different from the element integral with the first slide element. In other words, a sliding connection may be provided between two elements of the folding base. This can enable a single locking point to be provided for the entire folding base, and can thus facilitate the unlocking.

Advantageously, the elements of the folding base are rotationally mounted relative to one another. The folding base can thus be relatively simple in design and robust in the long term.

Since the folding base remains in the same vertical plane, its elements can be rotationally mounted about an axis normal to this plane, for example an axis parallel to the longitudinal direction of steps of the ladder assemblies.

The invention is however not limited to articulated bases. For example, it can be envisaged that the folding base comprises multiple tubes that can be telescoped within one another, forming in the deployed state a spacer bar between the two ladder assemblies. The interlocking between these tubes can then be released and the base retracted until the distance between the ladder assemblies is substantially close to the length of the longest tube. In this case the so-called folding base is free of joints, but nevertheless comprises sliding connections that bring the tubes to the locked position when the ladder assemblies are moved apart.

Advantageously and in a non-limiting manner, the folding base may comprise at least one, advantageously at least two, generally rod-shaped bar-type elements.

Advantageously and in a non-limiting manner, the folding base can be arranged so that when the scaffolding system is in the open state, at least one bar-like element extends in a direction having a component in the longitudinal direction of the uprights of the ladder assemblies, that is to say a vertical component when the scaffolding system is placed without any level offset on a horizontal and flat surface. In other words, the folding base adopts a certain height in the open state, enabling the scaffolding to be better stabilised.

The scaffolding system may advantageously be arranged so that when the ladder assemblies are moved close together or away from one another, the first slide element is caused to move, relative to the second slider member, in a direction having a component in the longitudinal direction, for example in this longitudinal direction.

Advantageously and in a non-limiting manner, the folding base can be arranged so that when the scaffolding system is in the open state, at least one, advantageously at least two, bar-type elements are oblique in relation to the uprights of the ladder planes. This can allow the forces acting at a certain folding base height to be distributed, and can thus better stabilise the scaffolding.

Advantageously and in a non-limiting manner, the scaffolding system may comprise articulation elements between the ladder assemblies and respective elements of the folding base. In particular, the bar-type elements may be pivotally mounted on respective ladder assemblies.

Advantageously, the folding base may comprise two first bar-type elements pivotally mounted on the respective two scaffold assemblies, and two second bar-type elements pivotally mounted on the respective two scaffold assemblies.

Advantageously, the first bar-type elements, or rods, can be mounted at an upright height or heights that is different to the upright height or heights at which the second bar-type elements can be mounted. The difference between these two heights may correspond to the height of the folding base in the open state.

Advantageously, the first bar-type elements may be mounted hinged together, for example by their opposite ends to the pivotally mounted ends on the respective ladder assemblies.

Advantageously, the second bar-type elements may be mounted hinged to one another, for example by their opposite ends to the pivotally mounted ends on the respective ladder assemblies.

In one embodiment, each second bar-type element may be articulatedly mounted on a corresponding first bar-type element. In this case, the folding base can have a general pantograph shape.

The bar elements can then be identical or similar, so that the folding base is relatively simple in design.

Advantageously, and in a non-limiting manner, the slide elements may be disposed and arranged so as to allow the translational movements of one of the second bar-type elements relative to the corresponding ladder assembly. A slide connection may advantageously be provided between each second bar-type element and the corresponding ladder assembly. The scaffolding system may thus comprise two first slide elements, at the ends of two respective second bar-type elements, and cooperating with second slide elements integral with the two respective ladder planes.

In another embodiment, the folding base may comprise a spacer element, for example a vertical or oblique rod, mounted hinged at one end to a first bar-type element and at the other end to a second bar-type element. This spacer element can enable these first and second bar-type elements to be maintained parallel to one another.

Advantageously, the spacer element may be mounted hinged at one end on the two first bar-type elements, for example at their ends, and at the other end on the two second bar-type elements, for example at their ends.

According to an arrangement that is not part of the invention, the folding base may furthermore comprise at least one (and advantageously two) bar-type element(s) arranged obliquely with respect to the longitudinal direction of the uprights of the ladder assemblies when the scaffold is open, with which the first slide element is integral. The second slide element may be integral with the spacer member. This oblique element thus defines a slide connection with the spacer element.

The first slide element may be male, in which case the second slide element is female, or vice versa.

Advantageously and in a non-limiting manner, the locking device may comprise a spring-mounted pin, integral with one of the first and the second slide elements, and a locking plate defining an hole for receiving the pin, this plate being secured to (for example in one piece, or integral with) the other of the first and second slide elements. When the second position is reached, the hole is in front of the pin, so that the pin automatically engages in this hole, thereby ensuring the locking of the slide elements.

Advantageously and in a non-limiting manner, the locking device may comprise a gripping member, for example a ring for receiving a finger, integral with the pin, so as to allow a user to remove the pin from the hole.

Advantageously, the scaffolding system may also comprise a set of guard rails.

Advantageously, this set of guard rails may comprise guard rail uprights, at least one guard rail upright being assembled at a corresponding ladder upright by a partial link so that when only a single one of the ladder assemblies is being deployed, the guard rail upright is caused to move relative to the ladder upright, the said movement continuing at least until the difference in heights between the ladder assemblies reaches the locking step, so as to compensate for this height difference.

The invention is in no way limited by this arrangement consisting of integrating sets with the baes of the guard rail.

Advantageously, the guard rail assembly is able to pass from a lowered position to a raised position, and this by a rotation of at least one guard rail upright about an axis normal to the longitudinal direction and having a parallel in the plane of one of the sides of the guard rail.

The invention is in no way limited to this joint arrangement, even if it provides a relatively rigid and straight guard rail. A method for erecting a scaffolding system according to claim 5 is also proposed.

The invention will be better described with reference to the figures, which relate to embodiments given by way of example and are not limiting.

Fig. 1 shows an example of scaffolding according to a first embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 shows part of the scaffolding illustrated in Figure 1, in the closed state.

Fig. 3 shows part of the scaffolding illustrated in Figure 1, in the open state.

Fig. 4 shows part of an example of scaffolding according to a second embodiment, which is not part of the invention, in the closed state.

Fig. 5 shows the part of the scaffolding illustrated in Figure 4, in the open state.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a detail of the scaffold illustrated in Figures 2 and 3.

Fig. 7 shows an example of scaffolding similar to that of Figure 1, while being erected.

Fig. 8 is a profile view of three uprights of three respective ladder portions of the scaffolding of Fig. 1.

Fig. 9 shows an example of an assembly element between a guard rail and a ladder portion of the scaffolding of Fig. 1.

Fig. 10 shows a portion of the scaffolding example of Fig. 1, while being erected.

Fig. 11 shows the scaffolding of Fig. 7 in the compact state, seen from the front;

Fig. 12 shows the scaffolding of Fig. 7 in the compact state, seen in profile.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of an upper part of the scaffolding system of Fig 1.

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of an example of a folding base for a scaffolding system according to an embodiment that is not part of the invention, similar to that of Figs. 4 and 5.

Fig. 15 shows the assembly element of Figure 9, when installed between two uprights.

Identical reference numerals may be used from figure to figure to denote elements that are identical or similar in their form or in their function.

With reference to Fig. 1, which relates to a first embodiment, a scaffolding system 1 comprises a deck assembly support, comprising two ladder assemblies 10, 11 facing one another, and maintained spaced apart from one another by means of an articulated stringer 160 and a folding base 60.

In this first embodiment the folding base 60 defines a pantograph, and comprises bar-type elements, here rods 41, 41', 141, 141', which are articulated and are secured to the uprights 120, 130 of the ladder assemblies. 10, 11 by hinge elements 42, 43.

The scaffolding device also comprises stabilising elements 40 and offset wheels 50.

Each ladder assembly 10, 11 comprises a plurality of ladder portions 100,101, 102, and 110, 111, 112, here three ladder portions. Each ladder portion 100, 101, 102, 110, 111, 112 comprises two uprights 120, 121, 122, 130, 131, 132 and steps 3 forming a spacer between the uprights.

The invention is not limited to a number of steps sufficient to allow a user access to each ladder plane. A possible access to just one side of the scaffolding, or to no side, could be envisaged, in which the access is possible for example by an additional device, a type of stairway or otherwise. In other words, the expressions "ladder assembly", "ladder plane", "ladder part" etc. are to be interpreted as covering any rigid frame with two uprights and at least one spacer element, and typically at least two steps.

On the other hand, the ladder assemblies can support the deck assembly directly, that is to say the deck assembly is in contact with the ladder assemblies, or indirectly. In the latter case there may be intermediate parts between the deck assembly and the ladder assemblies, for example a lower part of the guard rail assembly.

In the same way, the ladder assemblies can support the guard rail assembly directly or indirectly.

The steps 3 can be fixed to the uprights 120, 121, 122, 130,131, 132 by welding.

In one embodiment, not shown, a fixing could be provided by riveting or other means.

The ladder portions 100, 101, 102, and 110, 111, 112 of the same ladder assembly 10, 11 are capable of sliding relative to one another in pairs.

Locking means, here hooks 150 pivotally mounted on the parts of the ladder intended to be lifted, and able to engage with two steps of two adjacent ladder parts (a step of the ladder portion on which the hook is mounted and a step of the ladder portion adjacent to the inner side of the scaffold) can prevent the deployed ladder portions from falling under the effect of gravity. These hooks can thus ensure a locking for multiple scaffold heights, the step between these heights being the distance between steps.

In an embodiment, not shown, a pin system and holes in the uprights could furthermore be provided, in order to block any movement between two adjacent ladder portions.

The scaffolding system 1 further comprises a deck assembly 30 with a hatch, not shown in Figure 1, formed in the floor of the deck.

The ladder system 1 furthermore comprises a set of handrails 21, comprising guard rail uprights 270, rails 21, 22, middle rails 24, 25 and reinforcing bars 23.

Figures 11 and 12 show a scaffolding similar to the scaffolding system shown in Figure 1, in the compact state. These scaffolding systems are one-piece units, with the exception of the deck assembly 30, which is detachable, that is to say with the exception of the deck assembly 30, each of the elements of these scaffolding systems is secured by a linkage that cannot easily be dismantled from the rest of the scaffolding system. In other words, the scaffolding of Fig. 1 does not include elements that are liable to be lost, with the exception of the deck assembly 30, which is detachable.

The one-piece scaffold 1 of Figs 11 and 12 is thus, in the folded state, in the form of a cube in the form of a block of dimension 0.98 x 0.92 x 1.38 metres for example and equipped with four height-adjustable swivel wheels 50.

To erect this scaffolding, starting from the closed and folded state corresponding to the representation of Figs 11 and 12, first of the ladder assemblies 10, 11 are moved away from one another in the length direction (direction z on the benchmark of Fig. 1), thereby moving from the closed state to the open state.

Figs. 2 and 3, in which the scaffolding system is only partially shown, enable this first step of the erection to be visualised more easily.

When the ladder assemblies 10, 11 are thus spaced apart from one another along the length direction, the folding bases 60 unfold in this direction z.

The scaffolding system is arranged so that the rods 41, 41', 141, 141' of the folding base 60 are able to pivot relative to the ladder portions 110, 130 to which they are attached.

The rods 41, 41 'are pivotally mounted at a first height, in the proximity of the highest step of each ladder portion 100, 110.

The scaffolding 1 comprises the fixed hinge elements 42, secured to the uprights 120, 130, and simply allowing a pivoting around the x direction. In other words, these hinge elements 42 maintain their position during the step involving moving the ladder portions 120,130 away from one another.

The rods 141, 141' are pivotally mounted on the uprights 120, 130, respectively, by means of movable hinge elements 43, a detailed view of one of which is illustrated in Fig. 6.

These movable hinge elements 43 are arranged to support a pivotal movement of the adjoining rod 141 about the x direction, and also to support a translational movement in the y direction relative to the corresponding upright 120, 130.

With reference to Fig. 6, the upright 130 thus defines, on one side of its profile, a female slide element, here a flanged groove 62. This flanged groove receives a male slide element, here a T-shaped element 142, formed in one piece with the movable hinge member 43.

The movable hinge element 43 can be obtained by producing a profile defining the T-shaped element 142 and two surfaces 242 facing one another, then installing between these surfaces 242 a rod accommodated in addition in a bore of the articulated rod 141, so as to allow rotation about the x-axis of this rod 141.

Returning to Fig. 3, the folding base 60 is thus fixed to two uprights 120, 130 by means, for each upright 120,130, of a fixed hinge element 42 and a movable hinge element 43.

In this example the fixed hinge element 42 is secured for example by welding to the corresponding upright 120, 130 substantially at the level of the highest step 3 of the corresponding ladder portion, 100, 110, while the movable joint member 43 can move upwards in the y direction when the ladder portions 100, 110 are spaced apart from one another.

With reference to Fig. 6, it is also possible to provide a locking device 300 that engages automatically at the end of the movement.

The locking device may for example comprise a pin 301 mounted on a spring, not shown, and a plate 302 defining a hole (not visible in Figure 6) dimensioned to receive the pin 301. The plate 302 is fixed on the slide element 43. When this element 43 reaches an end position, the non-visible hole is opposite the pin 301. On account of the forces exerted by the spring, the pin 301 is trapped in this hole, thereby ensuring the locking of the element 43, and therefore of the rod 141.

The plate comprises a projecting portion 303, abutting against an edge of the element 43, so as to prevent the plate 302 pivoting with respect to this element 43.

To unlock the element 43, an operator can insert a finger through the ring 304 and lift the pin 301 out of the hole. The operator will have to move the rod 141 while keeping the pin 301 out of the hole so as to prevent a re-locking in the open position.

Such a system involving a sliding connection and an automatic locking in the end position may prove to be more reliable than the prior art in which human intervention was necessary, and where the operator has to fix rods by means of pins. In addition, the time saving during assembly can be significant. However, a manual unlocking is provided for safety reasons.

When the articulated stringer 160 is deployed horizontally, a locking can be implemented at its articulation point to prevent folding and thus ensure a spacer function between the ladder portions 100,110.

In a second step, when the ladder assemblies 10, 11 are thus separated from one another by a distance corresponding to the length of the deck assembly 30, a platform of the deck assembly 30 can be placed on the highest steps 3 of the ladder portions 102, 112.

In particular, the deck assembly 30 comprises two parts and a hinge enabling these two parts to be folded together by a rotational movement about the x-axis when the deck assembly is arranged in what will be its position of use. The deck assembly can thus be stowed when in the folded state in the compact arrangement as illustrated in Fig. 12.

The platform can be placed by means of hooks 71 on the highest steps 3 of the ladder portions 102, 112.

Once the deck is installed, the guard rail assembly 20 can be lifted into position.

In the folded state, this assembly 20 comprises two subassemblies 220, 221, each corresponding to a respective ladder plane 11, 10 (see Figs. 10, 11 and 13). The subassembly 220 comprises two uprights 270, 273 as the continuation of the two uprights 122, 122' of the ladder portion 112, and the uprights 271, 272 of the subassembly 221 are the continuation of the uprights 132,132' of the ladder portion 102.

Each subassembly 220, 221 comprises a rail 21, 22, a corresponding middle rail 25, 24, as well as reinforcing bars 23 forming a spacer between these rails and middle rails.

In particular, as illustrated in Figs 7, 10 and 13, the rail 22 and the middle rail 24 each define a joint 26 enabling a guard rail portion 201 of the subassembly 221 comprising this rail 22 and this middle rail 24 to be folded on itself.

In the same way, a guard rail part 202 comprising the rail 21, the middle rail 25 and the corresponding reinforcing bars 23 can be folded on itself by means of similar joints 26.

The upright 271 forms with rod-like elements 272, 274, 275, here another upright 272 and spacer elements 274, 275, a guard rail frame in the continuation of the ladder plane 10.

The upright 273 forms with rod-like elements 270, 276, 277, here another upright 270 and spacer elements 276, 277, another guard rail frame, this time in the continuation of the ladder plane 11.

In the compact state, these guard rail portions 201, 202 are thus folded back on themselves. Each guard rail portion 201, 202 is secured by a non-removable link 223, 224 to a corresponding upright 271, 273, this non-removable link 223, 224 defining a joint about a direction close to and parallel to the longitudinal direction of this upright 271, 273, so that in the compact state, the guard rail portion 201, 202 folded on itself by the joint elements 26 can be folded back against the corresponding guard rail frame.

In addition, each guard rail subassembly 221, 220 is attached to the corresponding ladder assembly 10, 11 by an x-joint at the member 28, allowing the rigid guard rail frames and rail assemblies folded over these guard rail frames to pivot about axes (Dl), (D2), respectively, passing through the outside of the scaffolding system 1.

These axes (Dl), (D2) are each parallel to a straight line lying in a plane defined by the deck (horizontal plane, or normal plane to the longitudinal direction of the uprights if they are vertical) and also in a plane defined by the corresponding guard rail frame.

Thus, in the compact state, the guard rail subassemblies 220, 221 are folded against the different ladder portions 120, 121, 122 and 100, 101, 102, thus enabling a relatively compact scaffolding system to be obtained as illustrated in Figs. 11 and 12.

Once the ladder planes 10, 11 are spaced apart from one another (open state) and once the deck is installed, each guard rail subassembly is rotated around the x direction, so that the guard rail uprights 270, 271, 272, 273 extend in the extension of the uprights 122, 132 as illustrated in Fig. 7.

It is then possible to rotate about the corresponding upright 271, 273 each guard rail portion 201, 202 folded on itself, and then unfold these guard rail portions 201, 202 by means of the joints 26, so that they occupy the whole length of the scaffolding system 1.

The guard rail portions 201, 202 are then fixed by their end 204, 205 opposite the end secured to the corresponding upright 271, 273, the upright 270, TIT. of the other respective ladder plane, by fastening means 208, for example thread locks.

The guard can be installed by a technician remaining on the ground, which corresponds to a level 3 safety.

Once the guard rail is installed, the scaffolding system 1 can be deployed at a height.

The ladder portions 100, 101,102, and 110, 111, 112 are able to slide relative to one another. In particular, each upright 120, 121, 122, 122', 130, 131,132, 132' comprises a metal section, such as the sections shown in Fig. 8. This figure shows the sections of three uprights 120, 121, 122 when the respective ladder portions 110, 111, 112 are against one another.

Each upright section 120, 121, 122 comprises sides 63 or fields, and sides 64 or flanks, the fields 63 being of smaller size than the flanks 64.

The uprights 120,121,122,122' and 130,131,132, 132' are oriented so that the planes of the respective fields 63 are substantially normal to the z direction.

The section of each upright 120, 121, 122 has a recess, or groove, 62 located in a field with edges 66 that partially close the recess 62, and a slide element 65 located in the field 63 opposite the field defining the recess 62 of this upright.

As illustrated in Fig. 8, the slide element 65 of an upright 121, 122 is inserted into the flanged groove 62 of the respective adjacent upright 120,121, so that the upright 121 can slide relative to the upright 120 and the upright 122 can slide relative to the upright 121.

The uprights 120, 121, 122, 130,131,132 define, in addition to a flanged groove 62 in a field, two recesses 61 in the respective two opposite flanks. These recesses 61 enable the steps 3 to be received.

Thus, the uprights 120,121,122,130,131,132 define two-by-two cooperation means, directly in their sides perpendicular to the length of the scaffold, here flanged grooves 62 and slide elements 65.

These uprights 120, 121, 122, 130, 131, 132 can thus be of the same width, so that it is not necessary to provide several sizes of steps 3.

Furthermore, as seen in Fig. 8, each of the uprights defines both a flanged groove 62 and a slide element 65, so that the uprights 120, 121, 122, 130, 131,132 may be identical.

This can enable a single model for the ladder portion 100, 101, 102, 110, 122, 112 to be provided, so that the logistics and procurement in terms of the production can be relatively simple.

The fields of the intermediate upright 121 undergo a surface treatment to facilitate the sliding of the uprights relative to one another. This surface treatment is not applied to the flanks of this upright 121, nor to the uprights 120,122.

In another embodiment, the uprights 120, 121, 122 all receive an identical surface treatment on only one of their fields, for example on the fields corresponding to the T-shaped parts 65.

To deploy the scaffolding system at a height, it is envisaged that an external upright 102 or 112 will be slid relative to respectively the adjacent upright 101 or 111, by a height corresponding to the height between two adjacent steps 3, as shown in Fig. 10.

In order to prevent such an offset from introducing tensions into the guard rail assembly 20, joining elements 28 are provided connected to the respective uprights 130, 132 and defining partial linkages allowing relative movements between the guard rail uprights 270-273 and the ladder uprights 122, 122', 132,132' on which these guard rail uprights are installed. Thus, the guard rail assembly 20 can be designed relatively rigidly, because the tensions caused by the height offsets during the vertical deployment will be absorbed by movements of the guard rail uprights relative to the ladder uprights.

With reference to Figs. 9 and 15, the joining element 28 comprises a part 435 intended to be secured to the upright 271 without any particular clearance, for example by means of a rod riveted 440 to the upright 271, or the like, and a part 433 intended to cooperate with the upright 132.

When a latch 434 is raised, these parts 433, 435 are rigidly secured to one another, and the element 28 forms a rigid whole.

The part 433 defines with the upright 132 a partial connection, so as to absorb the movements caused during the deployment of the ladder planes.

The element 28 comprises a central flanged portion 438, intended to be interposed between the uprights 271 and 132.

The part 433 defines a recess 436 to receive a rod (not shown) that is riveted 432 or welded to the upright 132.

This recess 436 is arranged sufficiently high so that when this part 433 is (partially) received in the upright 132, and the rod is received in the recess 436, the lower edge of the part 438 remains distant from the upper end of the upright 132, as illustrated in Fig. 15.

However, the upper edge of this central portion 438 may be in contact with the lower end of the upright 271.

The element 28 is thus capable of moving relative to the upright 132.

To provide a joint with such evident degrees of play can thus enable a relatively rigid guard rail assembly to be designed. This therefore avoids degrees pf play having to be distributed on the rails and the middle rails. This can be more comfortable and more reassuring for users.

Thus, an operator can climb up a ladder portion of one of the ladder planes by a height corresponding to the height between two respective steps, then move to the other side of the scaffolding system and climb up the opposite part of the ladder, this time by twice the height between two respective steps. The scaffolding can thus be deployed in height by just one person.

The element 28 further defines a pivoting connection for the rotation of the guard rail frame, enabling it to move from the lowered position to the raised position, and vice versa.

In particular, the piece 28 is in two parts 433, 435, mounted articulated on a rod 437.

The latch 434 comprises a non-visible hook, which in the locked position blocks a rod 439, thus ensuring a mutual locking of the parts 433, 435.

When the handle of this latch 434 is lowered, the part 435 can pivot about the axis (DI).

Since this piece is integral with the guard rail frame including the upright, this rotation can be used to tilt the guard rail frame.

When the scaffolding system is deployed at a height, the stabilisers 40 can be installed, in a manner known per se.

During the deployment at height, one starts by deploying the outermost ladder portions 102, 112 and then the intermediate ladder portions 101, 102.

As can be seen in Fig. 1, the lowest ladder portions 101, 102 are the ladder portions least spaced apart from one another. This allows a user of a scaffolding device accessing a deck assembly 30 via the hatch provided in the floor, to access this hatch fairly comfortably and especially to descend from the scaffold in a relatively secure manner. This stair arrangement may be found to be fairly useful for a user accessing the deck from the inside of the scaffolding. This can therefore enable a relatively simple hatch-type access area to be provided that is simpler and less restrictive to implement than a gate-type access area on guard rails.

In addition, the scaffolding device 1 comprises two pre-assembled diagonals 170.

Each diagonal comprises a large diameter tube 171 and a small diameter tube 172 installed in the large diameter tube. The small diameter tube of the diagonal may have a diameter for example of 40 mm, and the large diameter tube of the diagonal may have a diameter for example of 50 mm.

The large diameter tube 171 is pre-assembled on a lower ladder portion, 100 or 110, while the small diameter tube 172 is pre-assembled on the higher ladder portion 102 or 112.

In the folded state, the tubes of small diameter and large diameter are separated from one another, each tube being simply secured to the corresponding ladder portion.

When the ladder portions are deployed at height, the free end of the smaller diameter tube is inserted into the free end of the larger diameter tube. It will be possible to leave the tubes free to move relative to one another until the deployment at height is completed. A pin system enables the length of the diagonal thus formed by these two tubes to be defined by blocking the relative movements. This locking can be performed when the scaffold 1 has reached the desired height.

Several holes are provided in the larger diameter tube, thereby allowing the length of the diagonal to be adjusted before locking.

This fixing of the diagonals to the ladder portion may be found to be advantageous compared to a fixing with respect to a pre-assembly only on the deck. In fact, this telescopic diagonal can be pre-assembled and when the deck is moved, the fixing between the diagonals and the rest of the scaffolding does not need to be cancelled. The installation of the diagonals is also independent of the deck assembly, which may prove to be more secure.

Also, it may be noted that, during the vertical deployment, it is not necessary to uncouple the same tubes of the same diagonal, but simply to leave the tubes unlocked or to unlock them so as to allow these tubes to slide one relative to one another.

The scaffolding system can thus be installed relatively simply, quickly and in a fairly obvious manner, all the while meeting a high required safety level.

Thanks to the folding of each subassembly of guard rails 220, 221 against the ladder parts, by a rotation around the x-axis, it is possible to provide a one-piece guard rail. In other words, the guard rail is independent of the slide system between the ladder parts of the ladder planes of the scaffolding. This can help to achieve a compromise between compactness and height. Thus, the scaffolding system according to the first embodiment of the invention can reach a height of the order of 3 metres, and this while remaining relatively compact in the folded state.

It will be noted that since the element 28 is attached both to a guard rail subassembly and to a ladder plane, the guard rail assembly 20 is also pre-assembled, that is to say it is not possible for the user to misplace it, thereby offering greater security.

Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate an alternative embodiment, which is not part of the invention, in which the folding base of the pantograph (or accordion) type 60 has been replaced by a folding base 60' with a spacer element, here a vertical rod 39. Fig. 14 relates to an embodiment similar to that of Figs. 4 and 5 and will be discussed at the same time. In Fig. 14, the folding base shown corresponds to the open state.

Like the folding bases 60, the folding bases 60 'remain in the vertical plane (yz) when the ladder planes 10, 11 are spaced from one another along the length z.

More particularly, the folding base 60 'comprises first bar-type elements, here rods 45, 45', articulated at x about a joint 36, and second bar-type elements, here rods 38, 38', articulated at x around a joint 37. The joints 36 and 37 are located at the ends of the vertical rod 39.

The folding base 60' further comprises two diagonal rods 44 fixed by a joint 46 to the rods 45 (or, in embodiments not shown, to the uprights 120, 130).

The other end of these rods 44 is secured to a slide element 53, this element 53 defining a recess in which the rod 39 is received so that this element 53 is able to slide along the vertical rod 39.

As illustrated in Fig. 4, in the folded state the rods 44 are folded against the rods 45.

When the ladder planes are spaced apart from one another, the vertical rod 39 slides relative to this element 53, and as far as a locking position.

More particularly, the element 53 comprises a slide element, here a bushing 153, cooperating with another slide element, here the vertical rod 39. More particularly, the bushing 153 defines a recess opening, and the vertical rod 39 is received in this recess so as to be able to slide relative to this bushing 153. A support piece 154, on which the rods 44 are pivotally mounted, is rigidly fixed on the bushing 153.

The rod 39 defines an aperture, not visible in the figures, and the bushing defines an aperture 403. A pin 401 mounted on a spring 402 can be received in these apertures when they face one another, thereby providing a lock that is triggered simply because the bushing 153 has reached a predetermined position with respect to the rod 39. A doorknob-type component 404, against which the spring 402 abuts, can be urged manually towards the bushing 153 so as to ensure an unlocking.

The diagonal bars 44 enable the ladder planes to be spaced apart.

The ladder planes are furthermore separated by two bar elements 48, 48', also articulated and also able to be folded against one another by means of a joint 49, as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5.

Like the pantograph-type folding base, the base 60 'is held in the vertical plane and defines a slide connection to automatically bring the folding base to a locking position. The locking takes place automatically at the end of the movement, thereby allowing a compromise to be reached between a time savings and safety.

More generally, it may furthermore be noted that the folding base 60 (or in the embodiment of Fig. 7 folding bases 60) remains/remain in the vertical plane (yz). Each folding base is completely pre-assembled thanks to the slide connections 43. Thanks to these slide connections, each of the rods of the folding base is brought to its position in the automatically deployed state, without special intervention by the operator.

To return to Fig. 1, the wheels 50 are offset by means of adjustable rods, thereby allowing the level offsets of the scaffolding system 20. The wheels 50 are can pivot and are height-adjustable.

Since the wheels 50 are offset towards the outside, the forces can be better absorbed and the risk of tilting is reduced.

The scaffolding system 1 and also the system according to the other embodiments shown can thus be relatively compact in the folded state, while having a certain height here of the order of 3 metres in the deployed state, and this in compliance with the standard EN 1004.

Claims (5)

A scaffold system (1) comprising two facing ladder units (10, 11) intended to carry a plate unit (30), wherein the scaffold system is arranged in such a manner as to be capable of exiting a closed state , in which the two ladder units are close to each other, to an open state in which the two ladder units are away from each other, at least one ladder unit comprises a plurality of ladder members capable of sliding relative to each other to utilize said unit at high altitude, between the ladder units, a collapsible base (60) comprising a plurality of base elements (41, 41 ', 141, 141') capable of moving relative to each other, wherein the scaffolding system is arranged in such a way that, regardless of the state of said system, the collapsible base remains attached to the ladder units and remains in the plane (yz) occupied by the collapsible base in the open state, a first slider (43) attached to a base member, and a second slider (62), so m cooperates with the first sliding element where the scaffolding system is arranged in such a way that when the scaffolding system goes from the closed state to the open state, the first sliding element goes from a first position relative to the second sliding element to a second position, and a locking device (300) arranged to trigger the immobilization of the first sliding element when said element reaches the second position, in which the second sliding element is secured to a stand of a ladder unit, characterized in that a ladder portion of said plurality of ladder members comprises at least one stands defining a male sliding element and a female sliding element and cooperating with a single other stand by means of one of said male and female sliding elements, so as to utilize said unit at high altitude and the other of said male and female sliding elements are used as another sliding element. The scaffold system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the collapsible base comprises two first rod type elements (41, 41 '; 45, 45') rotatably mounted on the respective ladder units (10, 11), two second rod type elements (141, 141 '; 38, 38') are pivotally mounted in the respective ladder units and in which the first bar type elements are mounted at one or the different stand heights from the stand heights at which the second bar type elements are mounted, the first bar type elements (41, 41 '). ; 45, 45 ') are mounted articulated to each other via their opposite ends to the ends pivotally mounted to the respective ladder units (10, 11) and the other rod type elements (141, 141'; 38, 38 ') mounted connected to each other via their opposite ends to the ends pivotally mounted to the respective ladder units. The scaffold system (1) according to claim 2, in which every other rod type element (141, 141 ') is mounted articulated on a corresponding first rod type element (41, 41'), so that the collapsible base (60) forms a hard general form of a pantograph wherein the scaffolding system comprises two first sliding elements, at the ends of two respective second rod type elements, and cooperating with two first sliding elements attached to the two respective ladder units. A scaffold system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the locking device comprises a pin (301) mounted on a spring, attached to one of either the first and second (62) sliding elements, and a locking plate (302) which the definer opening for receiving the pin where this plate is attached to the second of either the first (42) or second sliding member. A method of mounting a scaffold system (1) comprising two facing (10, 11) ladder units intended to carry a plate unit (30) between the ladder units, wherein at least one ladder unit comprises a plurality of ladder members capable of sliding relative to each other to utilize said unit at height, a collapsible base (60) comprising several base elements (41, 41 ', 141, 141') capable of moving relative to each other, where the collapsible base remains attached to the ladder units, a first slide element (43) is attached to a base element and a second slide element (62) is attached to a stand of the ladder unit and cooperates with the first slide element, which comprises moving the two ladder planes apart so as to be capable of to move from a closed state in which the two ladder units are close to one another, to an open state in which the two ladder units are away from each other where the scaffolding system is arranged in such a way that the collapsible base remains in the plane (yz) occupied by the collapsible base in the open state, and that the first sliding element goes from a first position relative to the second sliding element, to a second position, and comprises a locking device (300) adapted to trigger the immobilization of the first sliding element when said element reaches the second position, characterized in that a ladder portion of said plurality of ladder members comprises at least one stand defining a male sliding element and a female sliding element. and cooperating with a single other stand by means of one of said male and female sliding elements, so as to utilize said unit at height, the second of said male and female sliding elements being used as another sliding element.