EP0318373B1 - Foldable console for scaffoldings - Google Patents

Abstract

This relates to a bracket comprising a crosspiece (10) and, for the support of the latter, two legs (11A, 11B) which, at a distance from each other, are each articulated with respect to this crosspiece (10). According to the invention, securing means provided at the opposite end of the legs (11A, 11B) for joining them together comprise a compasses-type component (20) whose two arms (21A, 21B) articulated to each other are each individually capable of being slidably engaged and positionally adjusted in these legs (11A, 11B). Application to scaffolding brackets. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates generally to scaffolding brackets suitable for establishing scaffolding on any construction.

It relates more particularly to those of these scaffolding consoles which, to minimize the space requirement during their transport or during their storage, are foldable.

Such a scaffolding console has in particular been described in the French patent which, filed on September 4, 1970 under No 7032181, was published under No FR-A-2.105.393.

Overall, such a scaffolding console comprises a cross member, which is suitable for supporting any kind of decking, and with which are associated, in addition to a guardrail, means suitable for allowing it to be tied to the construction to be fitted, and, articulated with respect to said crossmember, at a distance from each other, two legs, which are intended to form a support base for this crossmember, and with which are associated, for this purpose, means of attachment specific to connect them to each other at their opposite end to it.

In the French patent mentioned above, these securing means consist of a simple pin acting at the relevant end of these legs.

Although, by its simplicity, this arrangement has given and still gives satisfaction, it has the disadvantage of leading once and for all to a triangulated structure of clearly defined outline between the cross-member and the legs.

The present invention generally relates to a provision which, on the contrary, allows the contour of this triangulated structure to be adjusted on demand, and which also leads to other advantages.

More specifically, it relates to a scaffolding console, of the type comprising a cross member, suitable for supporting any decking, and, articulated with respect to said crossmember, at a distance from each other, two legs, which are intended to form a support base for said crossmember, and with which are associated, for do this, securing means suitable for connecting them to each other at their opposite end thereof, this scaffolding console being generally characterized in that, its legs being hollow, the means of attachment to which they are associated comprise a compass, the two arms of which, articulated with respect to one another, are each individually capable of being engaged in sliding, and adjusted in position, in said legs.

Thanks to such a compass, it is possible to vary, on either side of the vertical, the angle made with respect to such a vertical, one and the other of the legs, which advantageously increases the scope of the whole.

For example, the scaffolding console according to the invention can as well be implemented by being hooked, in the usual manner, to a vertical wall, as by being placed on the ramp of any roof.

Likewise, when it must be used for the treatment of a vertical wall, it can just as well be placed on a ladder itself in abutment against this wall as it can be hung vertically on it.

Finally, in the case where, in a traditional manner, the console according to the invention is hung on such a wall, the compass with which it is equipped advantageously makes it possible to offset, horizontally, the support of its legs against this wall with respect to the point of attachment of its cross, which can in particular facilitate its establishment, in particular at the right of an opening.

Furthermore, when the scaffolding console according to the invention is folded, the compass which it comprises advantageously secures to one another its two legs, which is sufficient to maintain it in the folded configuration, without it being able to inadvertently open between said legs.

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'une console d'échafaudage suivant l'invention, représentée en configuration déployée d'utilisation;
• la figure 2 en est, à échelle supérieure, et avec un arrachement local, une vue partielle en élévation, suivant la flèche II de la figure 1;
• la figure 3 en est une vue partielle en coupe transversale, suivant la ligne brisée III-III de la figure 2;
• la figure 4 est une vue en perspective illustrant une phase de son repliement;
• la figure 5 est une vue en perspective de la console d'échafaudage suivant l'invention, représentée en configuration repliée de rangement ou de transport.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description which follows, by way of example, with reference to the appended schematic drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is a perspective view of a scaffolding console according to the invention, shown in the deployed configuration of use;
• Figure 2 is a larger scale, with a local cutaway, a partial elevational view, along arrow II of Figure 1;
• Figure 3 is a partial view in cross section along the broken line III-III of Figure 2;
• Figure 4 is a perspective view illustrating a phase of its folding;
• Figure 5 is a perspective view of the scaffolding console according to the invention, shown in the folded configuration for storage or transport.

As illustrated in these figures, and in a manner known per se, the scaffolding console according to the invention comprises, on the whole, on the one hand, a cross-member 10, which is suitable for supporting any platform, not shown, and, on the other hand, articulated with respect to this cross member 10, at a distance from each other, two legs 11A, 11B, which are intended to jointly form a support base 12 for this cross member 10, and to which are associated, to do this, and according to the methods described in more detail later, means of securing capable of connecting them to each other at their end opposite to it.

In a manner known per se, the cross member 10 is constituted, in the embodiment shown, by a tube section, of polygonal cross section, and in practice square.

This cross member 10 is therefore hollow, and, as shown diagrammatically in broken lines in FIG. 1, it is thus possible to engage therein slidingly, at one of its ends, or hooking end 13A, to which it has, transversely, from place to place, holes 14, any support member 15 or any attachment member 16, suitable for securing to the construction to be fitted.

Each of these support or attachment members 15 has a tip 17, the cross section of which, in practice in lobes, fits into the internal cross section of the cross member 10, and which, from place to place, has , also, transversely, of the holes 14.

As is easy to understand, it suffices, after the engagement of such a nozzle 17 in the cross-member 10, to bring one of its holes 14 into correspondence with one of the holes 14 of this cross-member 10, and to engage, in the holes 14 thus superimposed, any pin 19.

These arrangements are well known in themselves, and not being in themselves the subject of the present invention, they will not be described in more detail here.

In a manner also known per se, the legs 11A, 11B are also formed of tube sections, of polygonal cross section, and in practice square, and, at their end opposite to the cross member 10, they also have, transversely, place in place, holes 14 suitable for the passage of any pin 19.

According to the invention, these legs 11A, 11B being thus hollow, the securing means associated with them comprise a compass 20 whose two arms 21A, 21B, articulated with respect to each other, are each individually capable of be slidably engaged, and adjusted in position, in said legs 11A, 11B.

In the embodiment shown, the compass 20 thus associated with these legs 11A, 11B comprises, perpendicular to the plane of its arms 21A, 21B, a support bar 23, one of said arms, in this case the arm 21A, is rigidly secured.

For example, this arm 21A is attached by welding, at one of its ends, to the support bar 23, on one of the lateral flanks thereof, in the middle zone of this flank, the assembly coplanarly forming a T.

On the other hand, the other of the arms of the compass 20, in this case the arm 21B, is articulated, in the embodiment shown, to the support bar 23.

To do this, it has, in the embodiment shown, on its upper side, two brackets 25, which are established, back to back, at a distance from each other, and between which is articulated, by one of its ends, the arm 21B concerned.

Like the end piece 17 of a support member 15 or of a hooking member 16, the arms 21A, 21B of the compass 20 have a cross-section in lobes which fits into the internal cross-section of the legs 11A, 11B.

And, like such a nozzle 17, they both have, transversely, and from place to place, holes 14 specific to the passage of a pin 19.

As a corollary, the support bar 23 with which they are associated has, transversely, from place to place, on either side of the brackets 25 to which the arm 21B is articulated, holes 26 each suitable for the passage of any means fixing not shown.

In the embodiment shown, it is by means of flanges that at least one of the legs 11A, 11B is articulated relative to the cross-member 10.

In practice, this is the case for both of the legs 11A, 11B.

The jamb 11A is therefore articulated with respect to the cross member 10 by means of flanges 27A, which are rigidly attached to this cross member 10, being each respectively arranged on either side thereof, and between which the jamb 11A is pivotally mounted.

Likewise, the jamb 11B is articulated relative to the cross-member 10 by means of flanges 27B, which are rigidly attached to this cross-member 10, being each respectively arranged on either side thereof, and between which this leg 11B is pivotally mounted.

In practice, the flanges 27A, 27B are constituted by simple flat bars, suitably attached, for example by welding, on the two lateral flanks of the cross-member 10.

For the jamb 11B, they extend level with the upper flank thereof and protrude downward on its lower flank.

However, for the jamb 11A, which is the one disposed on the side of the hooking end 13A of the cross-member 10, they both extend upwards beyond this cross-member 10, forming therein , projecting on its upper side, means, in practice of the ears 28, suitable for securing any sling.

Furthermore, if, for the jamb 11A, the articulation is made in full thickness, the corresponding axis 30A crossing the median zone of the lateral flanks of this jamb 11A, it is not the same for the jamb 11B.

On the contrary, and for reasons which will appear later, the joint, for this jamb 11B, is offset laterally, so that the corresponding axis 30B leaves free access to its interior volume.

Finally, from one of the legs 11A, 11B to the other, the flanges 27A, 27B have different heights, so that, as will appear below, these legs 11A, 11B can be folded up. one on the other on the cross member 10, substantially parallel to the latter.

In practice, the flanges 27A associated with the jamb 11A thus have a height greater than that of the flanges 27B associated with the jamb 11B.

Finally, at least one of the legs 11A, 11B itself carries transversely, in the vicinity of one of its ends, a support bar 32.

In the embodiment shown, this is the case for the only jamb 11A, that is to say for that of the jambs 11A, 11B which is arranged on the side of the hooking end 13A of the cross-member 10, and this jamb 11A carries this support bar 32 projecting from that of its flanks which is opposite to the crosspiece 10, near the flanges 27A to which it is articulated.

Like the support bar 23 of the compass 20, the support bar 32 thus carried by the flange 11A has, transversely, from place to place, on either side of this leg 11A, holes 26 each suitable for passing any fixing means not shown.

In the embodiment shown, it is at the end of the hooking end 13A of the cross member 10 that the leg 11A thus carrying a support bar 32 is articulated relative to this cross member 10, however, on the contrary , the jamb 11B, which is the one furthest from this hooking end 13A, is articulated with respect to the cross-member 10 at a distance from the corresponding free end 13B thereof.

At this free end 13B, that is to say at its end opposite to its hooking end 13A, the cross-member 10 carries, on the side opposite to the base 12 which is associated with it, a railing 33.

Like the cross-member 10 and the legs 11A, 11B of this base 12, this railing 33 consists, in the embodiment shown, of a tube section, of polygonal section, and in practice square.

From place to place, it carries, on its side facing the cross-member 10, hooks 34, each suitable for the installation of any railing or, for the lower part, which is turned in the opposite direction to the previous ones, d 'any plinth.

According to the invention, this railing 33 is linked to the cross member 10 by a buttonhole arrangement intervening between it and two flanges 35, which, rigidly attached to the cross member 10, for example by welding, extend the latter to its free end 13B, being each respectively disposed on either side of this cross member 10, projecting from its lateral flanks, and, on their edge opposite to the cross member 10, these flanges 35 are connected to one other by a support bar 36, which delimits with the crosses 10 a space 37 specific to the engagement of the railing 33, and which is itself adapted to buttress the latter.

In the embodiment shown, the buttonhole arrangement provided between the railing 33 and these flanges 35 comprises, for each of the flanges 35, and in correspondence with one another, a buttonhole 38, which is elongated substantially perpendicular to the crosspiece 10, having a length sufficient to allow the railing 33 to escape from the retaining bar 36 and, for the railing an axis 39, which, linked to this guard body 33, freely crosses one and the other of the buttonholes 38 which the flanges 35 thus each have respectively.

Beyond this axis 39, the lower end of the railing 33 forms a heel 40 by which this railing 33 is adapted to engage in the space 37 provided for this purpose at the end of the crosspiece 10, while being there then buttressed, on the one hand, by this cross-member 10, and, on the other hand, by the support bar 36, and, therefore, thus, suitably maintained in vertical position, when the together is in the deployed service configuration.

In this deployed service configuration, and as shown in FIG. 1, it suffices, with the pins 19 concerned being removed, to pull on the compass 20, or to push it back, to give different inclinations to the legs 11A, 11B in engagement with the arms 21A, 21B of this compass 20.

The inclination of these legs 11A, 11B can thus vary widely on either side of the vertical, as shown, in solid lines, for a first side of such a vertical, and in broken lines, for the other side of it.

Once the configuration sought for the triangulated structure that the legs 11A, 11B constitute together with the cross-member 10 has been obtained, it is sufficient, to stop this configuration, and thus make this triangular structure undeformable, to lock in position, using pins 19, in the legs 11A, 11B, the arms 21A, 21B of the compass 20.

To fold the scaffolding console according to the invention, it suffices, as shown diagrammatically in FIG. 4, to remove the compass 20, and to fold down successively, in the direction of the cross-member 10, first the jamb 11B, following a rotation in one direction, then the jamb 11A, following a rotation of opposite direction to the previous one, and, after pulling on the railing 33 to allow it to escape from the support bar 36, to fold down, also, on the crosspiece 10, but on the other side of it, this railing 33.

Finally, it suffices, following the arrows F in FIG. 4, to engage again, in the legs 11A, 11B, the arms 21A, 21B of the compass 20, FIG. 5.

As will be noted, the engagement of the arm 21B of the compass 20 in the jamb 11B is then made on the side of the latter opposite to that of the side on which it is engaged in the deployed service configuration.

To maintain the compass 20, the jamb 11B also has a bore 14 at this end, for the installation of a pin 19 suitable for such a maintenance, FIG. 5.

The leg 11A is therefore retained by the compass 20, itself retained by the leg 11B, so that these legs 11A, 11B are thus both prevented from deploying, however, on the opposite side of the cross member 10, the railing 33 is itself prevented, by a pin 19, from deploying, the upper hook 34 of this railing 33 being placed between the ears 28 formed by the flanges 27A associated with the jamb 11A, below a pin 19 then established from one to the other of these ears 28.

The overall cohesion of the scaffolding console according to the invention is thus very simply ensured when it is in the folded configuration for storage or transport.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described and shown, but encompasses any variant embodiment provided by the claims.

Claims (10)

1. A scaffolding support, of the kind comprising a crosspiece (10) adapted to support any kind of platform, and, articulated relative to the said crosspiece (10) and separated from one another, two support legs (11A, 11B) which are adapted to form a supporting underframe (12) for the said crosspiece (10) and with which are associated, for this purpose, fixing means adapted to connect them to one another at their other ends, characterized in that its support legs (11A, 11B) being hollow, the fixing means which are associated with them comprise a compass type element (20) the two arms (21A, 21B) of which, articulated relative to one another, are each individually adapted to be slidingly engaged, and controlled in position, in the said support legs (11A, 11B).

2. A scaffolding support according to claim 1, characterized in that the compass type element (20) associated with its support legs (11A, 11B) comprises, perpendicularly to the plane of its arms (21A, 21B), a support rail (23) to which one of the said arms (21A, 21B) is rigidly fixed.

3. A scaffolding support according to claim 2, characterized in that the other of the said arms (21A, 21B) is articulated to the said support rail (23).

4. A scaffolding support according to any one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the said support rail (23) comprises through holes (26), spaced apart, each adapted to allow a fixing means of any kind to pass through.

5. A scaffolding support according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that at least one of its support legs (11A, 11B) is articulated to its crosspiece (10) through the intermediary of plates (27A, 27B) which are rigidly fixed to this crosspiece (10) and between which the said support leg (11A, 11B) is pivotably mounted.

6. A scaffolding support according to claim 5, characterized in that the said plates (27A) both extend beyond the crosspiece (10) and form there means (28) suitable for securing a hoisting element.

7. A scaffolding support according to any one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that both its support legs (11A, 11B) are articulated to its crosspiece (10) through the intermediary of two plates (27A, 27B) and the said plates (27A or 27B) for the two different support legs (11A, 11B) have different lengths so that the said support legs (11A, 11B) can be folded on one another on the said crosspiece (10).

8. A scaffolding support according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that that one (11B) of the support legs (11A, 11B) which is furthest from the hooking-on end (13A) of the crosspiece (10) is articulated relative to the said crosspiece (10) at a distance from the corresponding free end (13B) of the latter.

9. A scaffolding support according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that that one (11A) of its support legs (11A, 11B) which is closest to the hooking-on end (13A) of the crosspiece (10) itself carries, transversely, a support rail (32), the said support rail (32) comprising through holes (26), spaced apart, each adapted to allow a fixing means of any kind to pass through.

10. A scaffolding support according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that its crosspiece (10) carries a guard rail (33) at one of its ends, the said guard rail (33) being connected to the said crosspiece (10) by an oblong opening type mounting by which it is fixed to two plates (35) which are rigidly fixed to the said crosspiece (10), prolonging the latter at this said end, and, the edges of the said plates (35) furthest from the said crosspiece (10) are joined to one another by a bearing rail (36) which delimits with the said crosspiece a space (37) adapted for the engagement of the said guard rail (33) and which is itself adapted to prop up the latter.

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