EP0140984B1 - Scaffolding - Google Patents

Abstract

1. A lightweight lattice support structure (1) for assembly and servicing scaffolding or platforms or the like which may or may not be mobile, the structure comprising tubular vertical support elements and horizontal support elements (2, 3) and possibly diagonal struts (4) connected by assemblable couplings (6) at the lattice junctions (5), the couplings (6) being divided into two half-shells (8, 9) along a plane (7) coinciding with the longitudinal axes of the horizontal support elements and of the vertical support elements, each half-shell having inner pressure surfaces, which engage non-positively around the outside of the support elements (2), and outside pressure surfaces around which another support element (3) engages non-positively, a projection (15) near the inside pressure surfaces of each half-shell (8, 9) co-operating with a companion aperture (16) in the associated support element (2) to form an additional positive connection, characterised in that inwardly projecting collars (17) are provided as inner pressure surfaces (22) on the coupling and extend all the way around the periphery of the vertical support elements ; and the outer pressure surfaces (21) are formed with recesses (13) and the horizontal support elements (3) have companion projection (14) which engage positively in the recesses (13).

Description

The invention relates to a lightweight lattice structure for possibly mobile work assembly maintenance scaffolding or platforms and the like, consisting of tubular vertical and horizontal support elements and optionally diagonal struts, which are connected to the lattice nodes by means of mountable node connectors, which along one with the horizontal and Vertical support element longitudinal axes coinciding plane are divided into two half-shells, each of which has inner pressure surfaces which non-positively enclose the support elements from the outside, and outer pressure surfaces which are non-positively enclosed by another support element, with a projection in the area of the inner pressure surfaces per half-shell and form a suitable hole in the associated support element an additional positive connection.

As already mentioned in the introduction, lattice light-weight structures are used very versatile. They are used in industry, shipyards or the like, just as they can also be elements of storage, shelf or parts of railings.

Lattice light-weight structures are generally oriented vertically and can be designed either as a single-level structure or as a spatial structure, especially if they are used as work, assembly, maintenance scaffolding or platforms or shelves. Common to all these designs of lattice light-weight structures is that they have vertical support elements and horizontal support elements that are connected to each other at junctions and that may be stiffened by diagnostic struts.

As lightweight structures, the known designs are made from pipes, which preferably consist of light metal, but can also be designed as steel pipes.

In previous versions, in particular if the structure with its supporting elements was to be able to withstand high loads, but at the same time a play and rattle-free fit had to be achieved, releasable connections at the nodes had to be used. H. pipe clamp or sleeve-like connecting elements were used and welded to the adjacent vertical or horizontal support elements.

In the case of thin-walled tubular support elements which are to be statically loaded to the limit, welding, regardless of whether steel or light metal is used, represents a strength-reducing connection type, because the welding heat causes structural changes which affect the load-bearing capacity, i.e. H. thus resilience of the tubular support elements is reduced. In addition, welding has the considerable disadvantage that the knot connections made become unsolvable. H. it is no longer possible to convert or repair scaffolding. In addition, welding brings thermal stresses into the lattice light-weight structure as a result of the thermal stress. The consequence is that the structures have to be straightened after welding, and moreover the welding points have to be plastered and surface-treated.

The lattice lightweight structure mentioned at the outset is based on an embodiment known from FR-A-1118050. Although it is a lattice support structure consisting of tubular horizontal and vertical support elements, it is an embodiment which has such strong knot connections that do not guarantee driveability without loosening. In this known embodiment, the strength is reduced in favor of the ability to be assembled by inserting half-shell-type node connectors with outer pressure surfaces into the open ends of the vertical support elements from above, while transverse half-shell parts enclose the horizontal support elements with an angle of maximum 240 °, with inner pressure surfaces abut these horizontal support elements and additionally have projections which engage in a form-fitting manner in holes in the horizontal support elements. Although the half-shells of such a known knot connector are held together like a pair of pliers by the enclosing of the vertical support element and thereby lie in the non-positive connection with the inside of the transverse parts on the horizontal support elements, the only partially effective non-positive connection cannot create a reliable, high-strength connection. Rather, projections and holes must help to absorb horizontal shear forces by positive locking. It is obvious that such a lattice structure cannot withstand the high torsional stresses of the lattice nodes during a movement or movement, but that one has to reckon with play in the lattice nodes and thus instability of the overall structure that jeopardizes the overall load-bearing strength.

How low the strength achieved on frictional engagement by means of the inner pressure surfaces is also apparent from a further development of the aforementioned embodiment, in which one of the two half-shells is the part that encloses the support element by means of inner pressure surfaces, is designed to be pivotable, and at both Holes for clamping screws are provided on both sides of the half-shells, which ensure the necessary friction.

Other designs of known lattice support structures, which consist of tubular support elements and which have mountable node connections, are considerably more cumbersome to handle than the aforementioned design and do not guarantee any better strength than the known design already described.

So show z. B. the designs according to FR-A-1394785, US-A-3314699 and BE-A-652058 configurations in which, by combining shell-like clamping elements which have internal pressure surfaces, but must be pressed together by means of clamping screws, with parts of these node connectors, which have outer pressure surfaces and are inserted from the inside into tubular support elements, with corresponding projections and recesses in node connectors and support elements in addition to a possible frictional connection still ensuring positive locking. In some versions, bolts are guided centrally through the knot to enable the connection of transverse or angled support elements. The very versatile use of screws and nuts hampers quick assembly and requires additional measures to prevent loosening even under the highest loads. One of the main disadvantages is that the vertical struts have to be interrupted at every junction, so they cannot run in one piece over greater heights. This necessity means that a high degree of stability of a lattice structure is lost.

In another group of known node connectors for lattice structures, the assembly is based on the one hand on the divisibility of the node connectors and on the other hand on plug-in parts of the same, which have external pressure surfaces and which, in addition to the frictional connection, are intended to ensure a positive fit by means of projections and corresponding recesses between the supporting element and the connector. In the version according to FR-A-1241933, these node connectors are provided with inner pressure surfaces in one area, but are closed in a tubular or annular manner and are longitudinally divided in the area where they have the outer pressure areas and are inserted into other supporting elements. To such node connector z. B. to slide on horizontal or vertical support elements, it requires a very high degree of flexibility, because the insertable part must be spread so far apart that the tubular part can be pushed over the other support element. Some of these elements are therefore made of plastic or relatively thin metal. The strength is obviously limited in this way.

In the version according to DE-A-1802638, cube-shaped middle pieces serve as node connectors, from which plug-in parts extend in the direction of the respective supporting elements to be connected. These hold together partly by spring action and frictional engagement, that is to say non-positively, that is to say in principle they represent plug-in connections, even if an embodiment is provided in which depressions on the projections and projections on the support elements ensure a positive connection. The disadvantage of this design is that continuous, z. B. vertically oriented support elements, can not be used and that connectors do not give a high hold in the node.

GB-A-785477 also discloses a knot connector in which one part of the support element is enclosed by division and another or more support element is created by pressure, i.e. by creating external pressure surfaces. H. Adhesion, can be determined. This embodiment avoids the disadvantage that e.g. the vertical support elements have to be divided at each node, however, the parts of the node connectors to accommodate the horizontal support elements lack additional securing by positive locking. In addition, there is no effective frictional connection in the area in which the node connectors would have to enclose a supporting element in a force-fitting manner with inner pressure surfaces; Because the partially three- or four-part node connectors have Allen screws that have to be screwed from the outside inwards against the support element in this area, in which they should be in contact with the inner pressure surfaces, in this way pushing apart the shell-like components of the node connectors and thus a high frictional connection bring with the horizontal support elements. However, the frictional connection or frictional connection between the respective quarter or half-shell or the section of the node connector and the vertical support element is eliminated as a flat frictional connection and is reduced to a punctiform frictional connection that the Allen screws that are rotated against the support element cause. The fact that such half-shells, e.g. in the case of a T-shaped design of the knot, in relation to the connection point of a horizontal support element, intermesh by means of an S-shaped design of the butt joint and additionally hold it together in a form-fitting manner, d. H. can absorb a high ring tension, only allows an increase in the clamping effect that can be achieved by turning the Allen screws counter-clockwise, but does not lead to an increase in the frictional connection between the vertical support element and the node connector, the limitation of the contact area to the ends of the Allen screws remains.

In summary, it can be said that there are lattice structures that have node connectors, which can be installed through the more or less intensive use of frictional locking and positive locking and by dividing the node connectors, but either due to the very complex use of screw connections, a lengthy installation is available to take, due to the necessity of the knot connector, a division of the support elements into wefts of limited length is essential, or to avoid very low strength of the knot connection due to the required flexibility of the knot connector when avoiding screw connections.

Under no circumstances is the strength of the nodes achieved with the known designs, which nevertheless guarantees, with the existing mountability, a strength that would be equivalent to that of welded nodes.

Based on this known prior art, the invention is based on the object of designing a lattice light-weight structure of the type mentioned at the outset in such a way that it can be dismantled has bonds, so it can be dismantled, at the same time has a high load-bearing capacity and avoids the disadvantages of the previous welded connections.

To achieve this object, the lattice light-weight structure mentioned at the outset is characterized according to the invention in that the inner pressure surfaces have inwardly projecting collars on the node connector which completely surround the circumference of the vertical elements, and in addition that the outer pressure surfaces also have depressions and the horizontal support elements have corresponding projections that interlock in a positive fit.

The lightweight lattice structure designed according to the invention can be created by means of node connectors which can be easily assembled because they consist of two half-shells. For this reason, the connection can also be released if necessary. The high strength of the node connectors is ensured by the fact that they are connected to the vertical and horizontal support elements on the one hand by positive locking and on the other hand by frictional connection. The node connectors are designed so that they surround them from the outside in the area of the vertical support elements, while they can be pressed into the horizontal support elements. The connection areas for the vertical support elements have projections which engage in a form-fitting manner in corresponding holes in the vertical support elements, the connection areas for the horizontal support elements have recesses which engage in corresponding corresponding, inwardly projecting projections or elevations of the horizontal support elements. The new node connectors with the correspondingly adapted vertical and horizontal support elements can be installed by first placing the two half-shells around the vertical support element, snapping them into the hole in the corresponding vertical support element and then pressing on the horizontal support element. The forceps-like gripping of the node connector by the horizontal support element has the result that the two half-shells are pressed together with the appropriate force. This force is transmitted to the connection area for the vertical support element, which in turn is now additionally non-positively connected to the vertical support element with the pressure surfaces. If the Horiontal support element is slightly twisted after being pressed on, its inwardly projecting elevation enters the recess of the node connector and also leads to a positive connection in this area. The node connector is now connected to both the vertical support element and the horizontal support element both positively and non-positively; due to the positive connection, it cannot slip or migrate, even under the heaviest loads, unless the projections, which engage in corresponding holes or recesses sheared, that is, the strength of the material is overcome, and a reliable rattle-free fit is achieved because the frictional connection eliminates play. It is obvious that a lattice lightweight structure that is created in this way can be subjected to a higher static load than a welded construction due to the avoidance of welding stress. In addition, there is the advantage that the lattice lightweight structure can be dismantled and converted as required.

The further development according to claim 2 leads to assembly advantages; Because in the connection area for the vertical struts, each half-shell can have a certain amount of play compared to the outer diameter, which makes it easier to assemble, and the frictional connection is created by the inwardly projecting collars at the axial ends. This also has the advantage that the penetration of moisture and contamination under the influence of the weather or due to work carried out is safely avoided. The reduction of the pressure contact in the connection area for the horizontal support elements on the narrow longitudinal ribs has the advantage that the pressing of the horizontal support elements onto the node connectors is facilitated.

According to claim 3, the vertical support elements have at least one hole per knot and the knot connector on at least one half-shell has at least one locking bolt engaging in the hole. The vertical support elements can already be provided with suitable rows of holes in the factory to enable the different lattice constructions.

The positive connection between horizontal support elements and node connectors lead to node connectors of the development according to claim 4 in a particularly advantageous manner, because the stop defines the pressing depth of the horizontal support elements, and the pre-pressed, transverse, inwardly projecting lugs of the horizontal support elements can then be conveniently turned of the horizontal support elements snap into the transverse recesses in the longitudinal ribs.

The node connectors can be configured very versatile. In the embodiment according to claim 5, a right-angled cross is chosen as the basic concept, a node having two coaxial horizontal support elements being formed on a vertical support element.

In the embodiment according to claim 6, the basic concept of the node connector is T-shaped, it being possible to connect a single, right-angled horizontal support element to a vertical support element. In order to absorb the circumferential forces in this version at the outer end of the connection area for the vertical support element, which are caused by pressing the half-shells onto the vertical support element and which can lead to the half-shells widening, hook-shaped projections and recesses behind them are provided on each half-shell in the area of the butt joint Projection and one depression each, which are arranged corresponding to each other and interlock when the node connector is installed. To this In this way, a ring closure is achieved which can withstand high stresses on circumferential stresses.

Although the usual, ie. H. Known clamp-like connecting elements for diagonal struts can be used, there is also the possibility to design node connectors for diagonal struts according to claim 7, with a few standardized diagonal angles, e.g. 30 and 45 ° can be limited. The diagonal struts are then pressed on and engaged in a similar way to the horizontal support elements.

The further development according to claim 8 is intended for lattice light-weight structures that are particularly heavily stressed by vibrations and other dynamic influences. An outwardly projecting welding lug can be formed on the stop already provided for the defined position of the front end of the horizontal support element, which enables the respective node connectors to be welded to the adjacent horizontal support elements in a punctiform manner. Spot welding at this point is important because it reliably prevents the horizontal support elements from twisting under dynamic influences and thus prevents the positive connection between the horizontal support element and the node connector from opening. Despite this measure, the lattice lightweight structure remains mountable, can be dismantled and is not thermally endangered, because a spot weld connection can be carried out without impairing the load-bearing capacity. For disassembly, a point weld connection can be released either with a hammer and chisel or mechanical hammer or with a cutting disc, and the parts of the lattice light-weight structure can be used again. _

In this way, a lattice light-weight structure is created in a version that can withstand the highest loads in both static and dynamic terms and that is freely variable, i.e. can be disassembled and reassembled in a different form, which guarantees a long service life of the parts and which also ensures quick and clean assembly and disassembly.

• Fig. 1 eine Ansicht eines Tragwerkmoduls in Gestalt eines ebenen Gitterelementes in Form einer Sprossenwand, welche zur symbolhaften Darstellung der Verwendung einer weiteren Ausgestaltung des erfindungsgemäss ausgebildeten Knotenverbinders über eine einzige Horizontalstrebe mit einer teilweise wiedergegebenen weiteren Sprossenwand verbunden ist;
• Fig. 2 zeigt in perspektivischer schematischer Zeichnung ein Fahrgerüst mit Vertikal-, Horizontal- und Diagonalstreben, welche erfindungsgemäss mittels des besonderen Knotenverbinders zusammengeschlossen sind;
• Fig. 3 zeigt eine Seitenansicht eines erfindungsgemäss ausgebildeten Knotens;
• Fig. 4 zeigt den Knoten gemäss Fig. 3 in einer Schnittansicht gemäss der Schnittlinie IV-IV in Fig. 3;
• Fig. 5 zeigt eine Seitenansicht des erfindungsgemäss ausgebildeten Knotenverbinders ohne angeschlossene Tragelemente;
• Fig. 6 zeigt eine Stirnansicht des Knotenverbinders gemäss Fig. 5, wobei eine Halbschale in vollen Linien, die zweite Halbschale strichpunktiert in Umrisslinien wiedergegeben ist;
• Fig. 7 zeigt eine Halbschale des Knotenverbinders in Schnittansicht bei Betrachtung längs der Schnittlinie VII-VII in Fig. 5.

Exemplary embodiments of lattice light-weight structures designed according to the invention and their components are shown in the drawings. It shows: _ __

• 1 shows a view of a supporting structure module in the form of a planar lattice element in the form of a rung wall, which is connected via a single horizontal strut to a partially reproduced further rung wall for the symbolic representation of the use of a further embodiment of the node connector designed according to the invention;
• Fig. 2 shows a perspective schematic drawing of a mobile scaffold with vertical, horizontal and diagonal struts, which are connected according to the invention by means of the special node connector;
• 3 shows a side view of a knot designed according to the invention;
• FIG. 4 shows the knot according to FIG. 3 in a sectional view according to the section line IV-IV in FIG. 3;
• 5 shows a side view of the node connector designed according to the invention without connected support elements;
• FIG. 6 shows an end view of the knot connector according to FIG. 5, one half shell being shown in full lines, the second half shell being shown in dash-dotted lines in outline lines;
• FIG. 7 shows a half-shell of the node connector in a sectional view when viewed along the section line VII-VII in FIG. 5.

Grid lightweight structures 1 designed according to the invention, which are shown schematically in FIGS. 1 and 2, consist of vertical support elements 2 and horizontal support elements 3. In the case of spatial structures, as shown in FIG. 2, diagonal struts 4 are additionally provided. The horizontal and vertical support elements 3 and 2 as well as the diagonal struts 4 are made of metal tubes in lattice light-weight structures, steel, but preferably light metal, being used as the material.

The structures must be connected mechanically, statically resilient, etc. at grid nodes 5. For this purpose, node connectors 6 are used according to the invention, which are only shown schematically in FIGS. 1 and 2, so that the basic configuration thereof can be seen. Details of the node connector 6 are shown in FIGS. 3 to 7.

FIG. 3 shows a node connector 6 in the installed state, it being possible to see that the vertical support element 2 is encased in the manner of a sleeve from the outside in the region of the node 5, while the horizontal support element 3 encloses the node connector 6 from the outside. 4 shows further details. It shows that the node connector 6 is separated into two half-shells 8 and 9 along a parting plane or joint 7, which coincides with the longitudinal center lines or longitudinal axes of the vertical and horizontal support elements 2 and 3, respectively. It can also be seen that in the basic configuration of the T-shaped node connector 6 in FIG. 3, a connection area 10 for the vertical support element and a connection area 11 for the horizontal support element are formed, which have system axes crossing at right angles.

The connection area 11 of the node connector 6 is designed such that the horizontal support element can be pressed onto the two half-shells 8 and 9 from the outside up to a defined stop 12. It can be seen that in the outer surface, ie the pressure surface with which the horizontal support element 3 rests on the node connector 6, at least one recess 13 is provided close to the stop 12, into which, according to FIG. 3, a position-adapted, inwardly projecting, molded lug is provided 14 engages. In this way there is both non-positive connection between the horizontal support element 3 and the node connector 6 by pressing also positive locking, because the lugs or lugs 14, which are preferably diametrically opposed to each other, snap into the recess 13.

The same positive and non-positive connection is also brought about in the connection area 10 for the vertical support element 2. The frictional connection is created by pressing on the horizontal support element 3, because the two half-shells 8 and 9 are pressed together like a pair of pliers by pressing and are thus placed around the vertical support element 2 from the outside like a sleeve. The positive connection is created by two axes running diametrically and at right angles to the system axis of the connection of the horizontal support element 3 by means of so-called latching bolts 15, which are integrally formed on the respective half-shells 8 and 9 and engage in corresponding holes 16 in the wall of the vertical support element 2.

The side view of the node connector 6 shows this without horizontal and vertical support elements 3, 2. It can be seen that in the connection area 11 for the horizontal support elements 3, the contact with the surrounding horizontal support element 3 is limited to four longitudinal ribs 21 which are diametrically opposed to one another and circumferentially at equal intervals and that the recess 13 is formed by a transverse groove in two diametrically opposed longitudinal ribs and possibly also extends laterally somewhat beyond the area of the longitudinal ribs 21. Also in the area of the node connector 6, which surrounds the vertical support element 2 and whose system axis extends at right angles to the connection area 11, the pressure contact between the vertical support element and the node connector 6 is reduced to narrow pressure areas 22, which according to FIG. 7 are caused by collars 17 projecting slightly inwards be created. The collars 17 lie at the axial ends of the connection area 10 and enable the area lying within these collars 17 to have a certain excess or play with respect to the vertical support element 2, which on the one hand increases the tolerances and on the other hand facilitates assembly.

3 to 7 in the T-shaped configuration according to FIGS. 3 to 7 absorb the high circumferential stresses in the area of the butt joint 7 after the horizontal support element 3 has been pressed on, the two half-shells 8 and 9 each have on the butt joint 7 on the side facing away from the connection area a hook-shaped projection 18 and behind it a recess 19, the orientation of which is chosen parallel to the butt joint and also symmetrical to the butt joint. 6 shows, hook-shaped projection 18 and recess 19 engage in one another and close the two half-shells 8 and 9 together in a ring, so that high circumferential stresses can be absorbed under pressure without the risk of the half-shells 8, 9 widening.

In the case of cross-shaped node connectors 6, which are not shown in the details, the hook-shaped connection 18, 19 is unnecessary because the second connection area 11 for a further horizontal strut ensures the ring closure for the connection area 10, which encloses the vertical strut.

Also not shown is the alternative embodiment of a node connector 6 that can be seen in FIG. 2, in which the connection area 11 does not run at a right angle, but at an oblique angle to the longitudinal axis of the connection area 10, in such a way that a diagonal strut 4 is pressed on like a horizontal support element 3 can. Such diagonal node connectors 6 can be manufactured in a few preferred angular designs, but conventional clamp-like diagonal strut connections can also be used, in which two half-shells are pressed together by screw and nut and secure the connection. However, such connections are in particular in the case of dynamic loading of a lattice lightweight structure 1 in need of inspection and maintenance.

According to FIG. 5, the node connector 6 additionally has a welding nose 20 in the area of the stop 12, which makes it possible to additionally secure the pushed-on horizontal support element 3, possibly the diagonal strut 4, by spot welding. This welded connection is irrelevant to the mechanical load-bearing capacity, because it is initially far away from the highly loaded vertical support element 2, emits only a little heat into the environment when it is created and cannot cause extensive structural changes. In addition, such a point-like welded connection can easily be released again by means of a cutting disc or in another way, so that the lattice light-weight structures 1 designed according to the invention can be assembled and varied even when secured by welded point connections. The additional welding point connection in the area of the connection of the horizontal struts 3 or diagonal struts 4 has the advantage that it allows high dynamic loads to be absorbed, because only twisting the horizontal support element 3 or the diagonal strut 4 would be the possibility of loosening the knot connection, because only by twisting these elements, the locking lug 14 can emerge from the recess 13 and only when this positive connection would be canceled does the possibility arise that the non-positive connection between the node connector 6 and the respective horizontal support element 3 or the diagonal strut 4 is released.

Compared to known corner or node connectors used in scaffolding, the described design of the lattice light-weight structure is considerably superior because these known designs are either designed as clamp connections that have to be held together by screw and nut, or are designed as a hole and plug connection , which either require high precision or only ensure a clattering fit and still do not absorb high knot forces because the com Combination of positive and frictional connection, as it is achieved in the lattice lightweight structure 1 described, can not be realized.

Claims (8)

1. A lightweight lattice support structure (1) for assembly and servicing scaffolding or platforms or the like which may or may not be mobile, the structure comprising tubular vertical support elements and horizontal support elements (2, 3) and possibly diagonal struts (4) connected by as- semblable couplings (6) at the lattice junctions (5), the couplings (6) being divided into two half-shells (8, 9) along a plane (7) coinciding with the longitudinal axes of the horizontal support elements and of the vertical support elements, each half-shell having inner pressure surfaces, which engage non-positively around the outside of the support elements (2), and outside pressure surfaces around which another support element (3) engages non-positively, a projection (15) near the inside pressure surfaces of each half-shell (8, 9) co-operating with a companion aperture (16) in the associated support element (2) to form an additional positive connection, characterised in that inwardly projecting collars (17) are provided as inner pressure surfaces (22) on the coupling and extend all the way around the periphery of the vertical support elements; and the outer pressure surfaces (21) are formed with recesses (13) and the horizontal support elements (3) have companion projection (14) which engage positively in the recesses (13).

2. A support structure according to claim 1, characterised in that the inner pressure surfaces (22) of the couplings (6) are disposed on inwardly projecting collars (17) at the axial ends of the half-shells (8, 9) whereas the outer pressure surfaces of the couplings (6) are disposed on a number of longitudinal ribs (21) of the connection ends (11) around which the horizontal struts (3) extend, the ribs (21) being distributed over the periphery.

3. A support structure according to claim 1 and/ or 2, characterised in that the vertical support elements (2) are formed per junction (5) with at least one aperture (16) and the couplings (6) are formed, in the zones (10) extending around the vertical support elements (2), in at least one half-shell (8, 9) with at least one inwardly projecting catch pin (15) which engages in the aperture (16) and which is preferably disposed at the height of the longitudinal axis of the horizontal support element (3) coaxially on an axis intersecting the latter longitudinal axis and the longitudinal axis of the vertical support element (2) at right-angles.

4. A support structure according to one or more of claims 1-3, characterised in that near the zone (10) extending around the vertical support elements (2) the half-shells (8, 9) of the couplings (6) have an abutment (12) which projects radially beyond the longitudinal ribs (21) of the zone (11) enclosed by the horizontal support element (3) and which co-operates with the end faces of the pushed-on horizontal support element (3); one longitudinal rib, preferably two diametrically opposite longitudinal ribs (21), are formed at a defined short distance from the abutment (12) with transverse recesses (13) in which inwardly projecting transversely extending lugs (14) are received at a defined short distance from the end face of the horizontal support elements (3).

5. A support structure according to one or more of claims 1-4, characterised in that the couplings (6) are cruciform and have two connection zones which are disposed on either side of the zone (10) extending around the vertical support elements (2) and which are arranged coaxially and which are pressable into horizontal support elements (3).

6. A support structure according to one or more of claims 1-4, characterised in that the couplings (6) have a coupling zone (11) which extends perpendicularly to the connection zone (10) extending around the vertical support elements and which is pressable into a horizontal support element (3), the couplings (6) being T-shaped, each half-shell (8, 9) being formed, on the side remote from the press-in connection zone (11) and at the junction (7) with the connection zone (10) extending around the vertical support elements, with a recess (19) parallel to the joint (7) and with a hooked nose (18); and the noses (18) and recesses (19) in the half-shells (8, 9) engage loadably with one another with peripheral stressing.

7. A support structure according to one or more of claims 1-4, characterised in that instead of the or each connection zone (11) for horizontal support elements (3) the couplings (6) have one or two connection zones which extend diagonally to the longitudinal axis of the vertical support elements (2) and which can be pressed into diagonal struts (4) like the horizontal support elements (3).

8. A support structure according to one or more of claims 1-7, characterised in that the abutment (12) for the end faces of the horizontal support elements (3) has weldable noses (20) for extreme loadings.

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