EP1770231B1 - Scaffold plank consisting of a single piece - Google Patents

Abstract

The platform section (1) is made from a sheet metal panel (2) with a non-slip upper surface, bent to form vertical ribs (3) that project from its under-surface and extend beyond the ends of the panel. The ends of the ribs have semi-circular cut-outs (7) in their lower edges to fit over horizontal scaffolding bars, and can have optional gravity catches. The platform section can also have carrying handles on the underside made from N-shaped rivetted strips.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a single-piece scaffolding floor, that is to say that no separate end piece or additional hook is added by the user to allow the establishment and attachment of such a monoblock floor on scaffolding or similar structures.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

During the construction or maintenance of buildings, scaffolding is usually carried out so that workers can work at height safely.

A very common type of scaffold is formed by an assembly of metal tubes, vertical and horizontal, forming a lattice structure. Floors on which workers work and circulate rest on the horizontal tubes.

Traditionally, these floors were made of planks, but these had risks of sliding, and their solidity was not always certain.

For safety reasons, wooden floors have been reinforced with metal elements.

The scaffolding floor described in the patent British GB 1.417.841 published December 17, 1975, in the name of E. PARRY , comprises a plywood panel bordered longitudinally for this purpose by two metal profiles.

Hooks for securing the floor to the scaffold tubes are generally welded to these profiles. In a particular embodiment, the profiles protrude at each end of the panel, and their ends have recesses for fitting on the tubes.

The integration of the hooks in the side profiles simplifies the manufacture of the floor, but it remains composite, and the majority is made of a particularly heavy material.

In order to overcome these drawbacks, the floor described in the patent application EP 1.148.182, published on 24 October 2001 on behalf of EMMESSE , is entirely formed of a thin metal plate. The metal plate is stiffened by several longitudinal ribs formed by folding the sheet. The ends of the floor include inserts.

The floor described in the latter patent application appears to have the advantage of being lighter and stronger than non-all-metal floors, but it is possible that the non-integrated end caps lead to manufacturing difficulties.

The documents cited above thus show that solutions tending to replace the traditional scaffolding boards with monobloc floors which are lighter, more robust and easy to manufacture, are known from the state of the art.

But none of the known solutions seems totally optimal.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention therefore aims to optimize the design of a one-piece scaffolding floor consisting of a metal sheet, of the type comprising a horizontal plate and reinforcement ribs formed by double-ply folds of the sheet itself .

According to the invention, this floor is remarkable in that at least one end of at least one of the ribs has a cut forming a hook.

Preferably, the tray is of substantially rectangular shape and the ribs are formed longitudinally below it.

In addition, the folds forming the ribs are advantageously flat and extend vertically.

According to an additional feature of the invention, the cutting of the end of a rib preferably comprises a semicircle whose concavity is turned downwards.

Advantageously, the one-piece scaffolding floor according to the invention is also remarkable in that each of the ribs has at least one extension extending outside the plate.

Preferably, the edge of the plate then comprises at least one rectangular notch whose width is equal to the thickness of this extension increased by a predetermined play, and whose depth is equal to or greater than the length of this same extension minus a predetermined mounting interval.

It benefits from the fact that the platform of the scaffolding floor according to the invention has a longitudinal axis of symmetry, and that the ribs are arranged parallel to this asymmetric axis of symmetry.

An additional feature of this one-piece scaffold floor is that it comprises at least one locking cam arranged in the vicinity of the cut of a rib.

It also advantageously comprises at least one handle consisting of an N-shaped plate whose one and the other ends are riveted respectively in the vicinity of the wing of one of the ribs and in the vicinity of the base of another of the ribs.

In addition, the upper face of the plate preferably comprises a non-slip coating.

These few essential specifications make it obvious to the skilled person the benefits of this one-piece scaffold floor compared to the state of the prior art.

The detailed specifications of the invention are given in the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that these drawings have no other purpose than to illustrate the text of the description and that they do not constitute in any way a limitation of the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

• The Figure 1 is a general perspective view of the plate and the ribs of the one-piece scaffold floor according to the invention.
• The Figure 2 is a profile view of the plate and the ribs of the one-piece scaffold floor according to the invention.
• The Figure 3 is a top view of an assembly on a horizontal tube of two single-piece scaffold floors according to the invention.
• The Figure 4 is a profile view of a self-locking cam arranged at the end of a rib of the one-piece scaffold floor according to the invention.
• The Figures 5a to 5d schematically represent the stages of implementation on a scaffold of the locking cams of the floor according to the invention.
• The Figure 5e schematically shows the opening of the cams for disassembly.
• The Figure 6 is a profile view of the platform of the one-piece scaffolding floor according to the invention showing a handling handle.
• The Figure 7 is a profile view of the head-to-tail assembly of two plates of the one-piece scaffold floor according to the invention in packaging.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

The preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a scaffold floor 1 for use with the most common metal tube structures.

The Figure 1 shows the tray 2 of substantially rectangular shape which is the main element of this floor.

Two longitudinal ribs 3, whose core is arranged perpendicular to the plate 2, provide the rigidity of the floor 1.

The plate 2 also has lateral wings 4 formed by folding the edge of the sheet, which also contribute to stiffen it.

As the profile view of the Figure 2 , the ribs 3 are formed by flat folds, extending vertically in normal use, the sheet constituting the floor 1.

Preferably, the floor 1 is made of sheet 15/10, which is a good compromise between rigidity and weight. The plateau 2 has a standard width of 350 mm, and the lateral wings 4 have a height of the order of 20 mm.

The upper part of the plate 2 advantageously comprises a non-slip coating which improves the safety of the workers who are driven and parked on the floor 1.

The ribs 3 have at each end extensions 5.6 extending beyond the transverse edges of the plate 2.

These extensions 5, 6 each have a half-circle shaped cutout 7,8 so as to form a recess whose downward opening makes it possible to hook the corresponding end of the rib 3 onto the tubular structure. scaffolding.

The ribs 3 are parallel to the axis of symmetry XX 'of the plate 2, but arranged asymmetrically with respect to this axis XX'. In this way, one of the two ribs 3 is closer to the edge 4 of the plate 2 than the other.

In the preferred embodiment corresponding to standard dimensions of the floor 1, a first rib 3 is located about 52 mm from an edge 4 of the plate 2, while the second rib 3 extends about 72 mm from the other edge 4.

Notches 9,10 being provided at each end of the plate 2 for the passage of the extensions 5, 6, this arrangement, as shown by the Figure 3 , allows to assemble end to end (leaving a mounting interval 11 of the order of 10 mm) two identical floors 1 on the same tube 12 by a simple horizontal reversal of one of them, without that there is a conflict between the ends 5,6 of the ribs 3 which are therefore shifted two by two.

Preferably, the ribs 3 of the plate 2 are about 65 mm high, and their extensions 5.6 are about 45 mm long. Therefore, taking into account the mounting interval 11 of 10 mm, it is sufficient that the notches 9,10 have a depth of about 40 mm to achieve the assembly. The width of the notches 9, 10 is of the order of 12 mm, that is to say that the clearance is largely sufficient to allow the smooth passage of the extensions 5, 6 whose thickness is of the order of a double thickness of sheet 15/10.

In order to ensure the blocking of the floor 1 on the uprights of the scaffolding, the ends 5, 6 of the ribs 3 comprise locking means constituted by self-locking cams 13.

The Figure 4 shows the particular shape of these cams 13.

Each of them has a median portion 14, of the general shape of a hook, and is articulated at one end about an axis 15 located above the corresponding cut 7,8 of the rib 3.

The other end of the cam 13 comprises a solid element 16 forming both, on the one hand, a plane inclined in contact with the tube 12 so as to move the middle portion 14 of the cam 13 and to release the entrance the recess 8 of the rib 3 and, secondly, a counterweight so as to return by gravity the middle portion 14 of the cam 13 to its initial position after engagement of the tube 12 and thus automatically block the end 6 rib 3 on this tube 12.

• diamètre de la découpe 7,8 : 52 mm ;
• largeur de la partie médiane 14 de la came 13 : 10 mm ;
• rayon de courbure intérieur de la partie médiane 14 de la came 13 : 27 mm ;
• rayon de courbure extérieur de la partie médiane 14 de la came 13 : 30 mm ;
• largeur de l'extrémité inférieure 16 de la came 13: 12 mm ;
• longueur de l'extrémité inférieure 16 de la came 13: 42,65 mm ;
• distance de l'axe d'articulation 15 de la came 13 par rapport à l'extrémité 6 de la nervure 3 : 35 mm ;
• distance de l'axe d'articulation 15 de la came 13 par rapport au plan du plateau 2 : 6 mm.

The tubes 12 constituting the most common scaffolds have a standard diameter of 50 mm. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the dimensions of the cutout 7,8 and those of the cam 13 are adapted to this standard:

• diameter of the cutout 7.8: 52 mm;
• width of the middle portion 14 of the cam 13: 10 mm;
• inner radius of curvature of the middle portion 14 of the cam 13: 27 mm;
• outer radius of curvature of the middle portion 14 of the cam 13: 30 mm;
• width of the lower end 16 of the cam 13: 12 mm;
• length of the lower end 16 of the cam 13: 42.65 mm;
• distance from the axis of articulation 15 of the cam 13 relative to the end 6 of the rib 3: 35 mm;
• distance from the axis of articulation 15 of the cam 13 relative to the plane of the plate 2: 6 mm.

The cam 13 is said to be "self-locking" insofar as its shape is such that the vertical forces exerted by the tube 12 on its lower end 16 after engagement produce a pair tending to further close the recess 7, 8.

1. a) présentation du plancher 1 au dessus de l'échafaudage ( Figure 5a )
   Le contrepoids 16 maintient par gravité l'extrémité inférieure de la came 13 sous son axe de rotation 15 ; de la sorte, le crochet formé par la came 13 est maintenu entrouvert ;
2. b) descente du plancher pour mise en place ( Figure 5b ).
   Le plan incliné du contrepoids 16 en contact avec le tube 12 déplace graduellement la partie médiane 14 de la came 13, qui alors s'efface et permet l'engagement du tube 12 dans l'évidement 7,8 de l'extrémité 5,6 de la nervure 3 ;
3. c) mise en place du plancher sur le tube ( Figure 5c )
   La came 13 est complètement effacée ; le tube 12 est presque complètement engagé dans l'évidement 7,8 de l'extrémité 5,6 de la nervure 3 ;
4. d) blocage du plancher sur le tube ( Figure 5d )
   La came 13 étant complètement effacée, après franchissement du plan diamétral du tube 12, le contrepoids 16 ramène ladite came vers sa position initiale, c'est-à-dire en position d'auto-blocage.

The successive stages of the self-locking process of the cams 13 are represented in detail on the Figures 5a to 5d :

1. a) presentation of the floor 1 above the scaffolding ( Figure 5a )
   The counterweight 16 maintains by gravity the lower end of the cam 13 under its axis of rotation 15; in this way, the hook formed by the cam 13 is kept ajar;
2. b) lowering the floor for placement ( Figure 5b ).
   The inclined plane of the counterweight 16 in contact with the tube 12 gradually displaces the middle portion 14 of the cam 13, which then disappears and allows the engagement of the tube 12 in the recess 7,8 of the end 5,6 rib 3;
3. c) placing the floor on the tube ( Figure 5c )
   Cam 13 is completely erased; the tube 12 is almost completely engaged in the recess 7,8 of the end 5,6 of the rib 3;
4. d) blocking the floor on the tube ( Figure 5d )
   The cam 13 being completely erased, after crossing the diametral plane of the tube 12, the counterweight 16 returns said cam to its initial position, that is to say in the self-locking position.

The cam 13 can not be opened for the dismantling of the floor 1, as shown in FIG. Figure 5e , By a manual and voluntary action on the lower end 16 of the cam 13, which also advantageously has the form of a lever.

Before, during or after mounting, the floor 1 is more easily handled thanks to the handling handles 17 fixed to the ribs 3 as shown in FIG. Figure 6 .

This handle 17 consists of an N-shaped plate whose end 18 is riveted in the vicinity of the outermost wing of a rib 3 and whose other end 19 is riveted near the innermost base of the other rib 3.

The Figure 7 shows well the advantage of handles 17 of this form, fixed on ribs 3 having the particularity of not being at the same distance from the axis of symmetry XX 'of the plate 2, when it comes to storing or transporting the floors.

Indeed, it is possible to fit two floors 1 identical one in the other after a vertical reversal of one of them, the ribs 3 and the handles 17 of each of them juxtaposed parallel to those the other. In this way, the packaging is more compact: the packing of the floors 1 according to the invention is twice as bulky as that of the floors known from the state of the art.

It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the single preferred embodiment described above.

Without any modification other than the shapes of the cutout 7,8 and the cam 13, the same description applies to floors 1 adapted to scaffoldings whose structure is constituted by uprights other than tubes, for example by profiles square section or other.

The dimensions in metric units of the various elements of the scaffold floor 1 specified above are also not limiting.

It goes without saying also that the number and the lateral disposition of the ribs 3 and the notches 9, 10, their general shapes and their sections, are also given by way of example only.

The invention therefore embraces all possible variants of embodiment subject of the claims below.

Claims (10)

1. One-piece scaffolding plank (1) consisting of a metal sheet of the type comprising a horizontal plate (2) and reinforcing ribs (3) formed by double-thickness folds in said sheet, characterised in that at least one end (5, 6) of at least one of said ribs (3) has a cut-out (7, 8) forming a hook.
2. One-piece scaffolding plank (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the said plate (2) is substantially rectangular in shape and in that the said ribs (3) are formed longitudinally underneath said plate (2).
3. One-piece scaffolding plank (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the said folds are flat and extend vertically.
4. One-piece scaffolding plank (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the said cut-out (7, 8) comprises a semi-circle the opening of which faces downwards.
5. One-piece scaffolding plank (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 4, characterised in that each of said ribs (3) has at least one extension (5, 6) extending beyond said plate (2).
6. One-piece scaffolding plank (1) according to claim 5, characterised in that the edge of said plate comprises at least one rectangular notch (9, 10) the width of which is equal to the thickness of said extension (5, 6) plus a predetermined amount of play, and the depth of which is greater than or equal to the length of said extension (5, 6) minus a predetermined assembly gap (11).
7. One-piece scaffolding plank (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the said plate (2) has a longitudinal axis of symmetry (XX') and in that said ribs (3) are arranged asymmetrically, parallel to said axis of symmetry (XX').
8. One-piece scaffolding plank (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 7, characterised in that it comprises at least one locking cam (13) arranged in the vicinity of said cut-out (7, 8).
9. One-piece scaffolding plank (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 8, characterised in that it comprises at least one gripping handle (17) consisting of an N-shaped flat, the two ends (18, 19) of which are riveted, respectively, to an area close to the panel of one of the ribs and to an area close to the base of another of said ribs (3).
10. One-piece scaffolding plank (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the upper surface of said plate (2) comprises a non-slip cladding.

Images