FR2770553A1 - ROLLING SCAFFOLD - Google Patents

Abstract

The scaffolding comprises a base (1) provided with wheels (3), two opposite vertical frames (4, 5) forming ladders, and a work floor (11) attached to the two frames. To allow easy access to the floors (11) from the outside of the scaffolding, the two frames (4, 5) are of unequal heights, the frame (4) of smaller height (h) being located on the intended side. for access. The upper part (15) of the taller frame (5) (H) has the function of a front railing element. The working floor (11) is associated with two lateral railing elements (16, 17), preferably asymmetrical, provided with hooking means (22) adapted to the two frames (4, 5). Application: scaffolding for works at low or medium height, inside or outside buildings.

Description

The present invention relates generally to the field of

  scaffolding, and it relates more particularly to a rolling scaffolding therefore mobile, suitable for work at low or medium height, inside or outside buildings. Rolling scaffolding generally consists of a modular steel or aluminum structure, comprising: - a lower part or "base", comprising stabilizers to immobilize the scaffolding in its working position, and wheels to ensure movement scaffolding on the ground, from one work station to another; - a vertical structure, adjustable in height, composed of vertical frames forming ladders, arranged on two sides (generally the short sides) of the scaffolding and connected together by diagonals or crossbars; - At least one work floor, supported by the aforementioned frames, the or each work plate being hooked by its ends respectively to the opposite frames, and being

  supplemented by protective railings.

  These rolling scaffolds are mainly classified according to the maximum height of their working floor, compared to the ground. Several classes of scaffolding, subject to corresponding requirements, are thus defined: - Class "PIRL": floor height from 0 to 1 m - Class "PIR": floor height from 0 to 2.5 m - Class "HD 1004" : floor height from 2.5 to 12 m

  - Others: floor height greater than 12 m.

  Once the scaffolding is installed on the chosen workplace, one of the major problems for the user concerns access to the work floor. In this regard, it is necessary to consider not only access for the operator, but also access for the transfer of

  various materials on the work floor.

  In the case of scaffolding belonging to one of the classes with a working floor height above the ground greater than 1.7 m, access to the working floor is usually through the interior of the scaffolding . The operator climbs through the vertical frames forming ladders, and accesses the work floor through a hatch provided towards one end of this floor. If the scaffolding has several superimposed floors, arranged for example every 3 meters, and each provided with such a hatch, the operator can access the work floor located higher, by

  "crossing" the intermediate floor or floors.

  On the other hand, in the case of scaffolding whose working floor is located at a height less than 1.7 m, access from the inside of the scaffolding is practically impossible because it is not acceptable that the operator "folds" to get inside the scaffolding under the work floor, especially if the user is carrying materials with him. Others

solutions are then to be sought.

  A commonly proposed alternative for work at relatively low height is a stepladder with access from the outside. In order to approach a scaffolding, such a stepladder can be

  fitted with railings in its upper part.

  This solution has a certain number of drawbacks: - The surface of its working floor, which is nothing but an enlarged "stair step", is very small and does not allow the operator to turn around and to move, in order to carry out work such as painting or

  other, over a greater or lesser extent.

  - The movements of the operator who, if he cannot move on an extended floor, must bend over, are the cause of instability and

  may cause the stepladder to overturn.

  - The mechanical resistance of the railings remains difficult to ensure, given the limited possibilities of fixing these railings to the top

of the stepladder.

  So the stepladder is an unsuitable solution

  and dangerous, which should be outlawed.

  The present invention aims to eliminate all the drawbacks mentioned above, by providing a device of the rolling scaffold type, therefore stable and offering a large work surface, which also offers a simple, convenient and safe solution for accessing the work floor. , even in the case of a work floor located at a low height and preventing access

from the inside.

  To this end, the subject of the invention is a rolling scaffold, of the type comprising a base provided with stabilizers and wheels, two opposite vertical frames forming ladders, and at least one work floor attached by its two ends respectively to the opposite frames, protective railings being associated with or with each floor, characterized in that, to allow access to this floor from the outside of the scaffolding, the latter comprises two opposite frames forming scales of unequal heights, with a frame of smaller height located on the side provided for access, and a frame of greater height located on the opposite side, the upper part of the frame of greater height having a function of front element of railing, while are provided with two other lateral railing elements, each equipped, at their two opposite ends, with hooking means adapted respectively to the frame

  smaller height and larger frame.

  Thus, the inventive idea consists in making an asymmetrical rolling scaffolding, in particular with regard to the two frames forming ladders, which are presented as two ladders, one of which is higher than the other, and has a greater number of bars. important. When the work floor is positioned at the top of the scaffolding, being hooked to the last bar of the smaller frame and the corresponding intermediate bar of the taller frame, access to the floor becomes extremely easy, since the user climbs on the bars of the ladder formed by the smaller height frame, this from the outside, and accesses directly on the floor, when he reaches the top of this ladder. It will be noted that this advantage of easy access remains, even if the work floor is positioned lower (for example at the level of the penultimate bar of the frame of smaller height); in fact, it is enough for the operator, who has reached the top of the ladder formed by this frame, to step over the last bar thereof to access the

work floor.

  It will also be noted that the invention, by allowing height access from the outside and no longer from the inside, removes the hatches in the floors and makes it possible to produce these in a simpler and more economical manner, while improving security (removal of

  risk of falling through a hatch that remains open).

  Furthermore, the scaffolding which is the subject of the invention ensures the safety of the operator working on the floor, by providing the two lateral railing elements, supplemented by the front railing element constituted by the upper part of the taller frame, which necessarily protrudes above the floor

  of work, at one end of the latter.

  In a preferred embodiment of

  the invention, each of the two lateral guard elements

  body also has an asymmetrical configuration, with at least two horizontal rails connected to each other, at one end, by a vertical upright of lower height, intended to be hung on the frame of greater height, in particular at the upper part of this frame, and at the opposite end, by a vertical upright of greater height, extended downwards below the bottom rail and thus adapted to be hung on the

smaller height frame.

  Advantageously, the end uprights of the two lateral railing elements, thus shaped, are positioned laterally and outward, relative to

  to the uprights of the two frames forming ladders.

  These provisions have a triple advantage: - When the side railing elements are in place, their vertical uprights extended downward are located in the extension of the corresponding uprights of the frame of smaller height, and thus form "ramps" to which can stand the user while climbing

  the ladder to access the work floor.

  - The design of the lateral guard elements

  body allows the vertical adjustment of these elements, by making them "slide" along the uprights of the frames forming ladders and by hanging them on the latter at the desired height, in particular to adapt to the height at which the floor of

work is placed.

  - This design also ensures the mechanical resistance of the uprights of the side railing elements. For example, in the event of horizontal lateral force exerted in the middle of the top rail, the vertical uprights of the railing element concerned will bear by their lower end against the adjacent uprights of the frames forming ladders, while their parts intermediate or superior are retained by hanging, in particular on the

bars of said frames.

  As for the overall stability of the scaffolding, during access from the outside, this is ensured by the dimensions and the weight of the base of the scaffolding. It is impossible here that the tilting torque, exerted by the weight of the operator going up the ladder constituted by one of the frames, is greater than that exerted by the weight of the scaffolding, compared to the same wheels representing the point of

theoretical tilting.

  Insofar as it is a question here of two opposite frames forming scales, of unequal heights, it goes without saying that we consider each frame as a whole, whether it is a frame formed by a single element or of several superimposed and nested elements. Thus, given the modular nature of these frames, various configurations are possible: - A very simple design, but applicable especially to scaffolding of limited height, consists in providing a first frame in one piece of smaller height, and a second frame also in one piece, but larger

height, opposite the first.

  Another embodiment, better suited to scaffolding of greater height, consists in providing a first frame in one piece of smaller height, and a second frame of greater height, formed of two superimposed and nested elements, opposite the first. In the latter case, one of the two elements of the frame of greater height may advantageously be identical in particular by its height to the frame of smaller

height.

  The invention will in any case be better understood at

  using the following description, with reference to the drawing

  attached schematic showing, by way of example, two embodiments of this rolling scaffolding: FIG. 1 is an overall view, in perspective, of a rolling scaffolding of relatively low height, in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view similar to Figure 1, but showing a scaffolding according to

the invention of greater height.

  The rolling scaffolding, shown in Figure 1, includes a base 1 called "cross", comprising four telescopic stabilizers 2 (shown here in

  retracted position) and four wheels 3.

  On the base 1 are fixed two opposite vertical frames 4 and 5, shaped into ladders, that is to say each made with two vertical uprights 6 or 7 connected together by horizontal bars 8 or 9. The two opposite frames 4 and 5 are interconnected by at least one diagonal 10, located on a longitudinal side of the scaffolding. According to the invention, the two opposite frames 4 and 5 are of unequal heights. There is thus a first frame 4 of smaller height h, having for example three bars 8, and a second frame 5 of greater height H, having for example six bars 9, therefore clearly protruding above the first frame 4. L scaffolding also has a work floor 11, of rectangular shape, which is surrounded by a plinth 12 and is provided, at its two ends, with hooks 13 and 14 respectively with locking members. The working floor 11 can thus be hung, at the desired height, between the two opposite frames 4 and 5, the hooks 13 and 14 cooperating respectively with a bar 8 of the

  frame 4 and a bar 9 of frame 5 located at the same height.

  In particular, as shown in FIG. 1, the work floor 11 can be hooked, on the one hand, to the upper bar 8 of the frame 4 of smaller height h, and on the other hand, to the corresponding bar 9 (for example the third bar 9 from the bottom) of the frame 5 of greater height 5 h. In this configuration, the upper part of the taller frame 5 protrudes above the work floor 11, at one end of the latter, and

  thus constitutes a front railing element.

  The scaffolding also comprises two lateral railing elements 16 and 17, of asymmetrical configuration. Each side railing element 16 or 17 has an upper horizontal rail 18 and a lower horizontal rail 19, connected to one end by a short vertical post 20, and connected to each other, at the opposite end, by a post vertical long 21, which is extended downward, below the bottom rail 19. The short upright 20 is provided with hooks 22 for its attachment to the upper part of the frame 5 of greater height H. The long upright 21 is provided, on its lower extension 21a, hooks for its attachment to the frame 4 of smaller height h. Thus, the two side railing elements 16 and 17 can each be mounted, between the two opposite vertical frames 4 and 5, above the work floor 11, the end uprights 20 and 21 of each railing element body 16 or 17 taking place laterally and outward, relative to the adjacent uprights 6 and 7 belonging to the two frames 4 and 5. In particular, the long uprights 21 of the railing elements 16 and 17 extend upwards , the uprights 6 of the frame 4 of smaller height h. A rolling scaffold is thus obtained, in which access to the work floor 11 is achievable from the outside, using the ladder formed by the frame 4 of smallest height h to access directly, without obstacle, onto this floor 11. By climbing this ladder, the user can stand on long uprights 21

  side railing elements 16 and 17.

  The operator having thus taken place on the work floor 11 is secured by the two lateral railing elements 16 and 17, supplemented by the upper part 15 of the frame 5 of great height H which constitutes a guard element frontal body. On the "open" side allowing access to the floor 11, that is to say on the side of the frame 4 of smallest height h, the protection can be provided by movable straps (not shown),

  attached between the two uprights 21.

  Starting from the configuration shown in FIG. 1, it is possible to place the work floor 11 at a lower level, by hanging it for example on the second bars 8 and 9 of the frames 4 and 5 (instead of the third bars), and by correspondingly lowering the two side railing elements 16 and 17. Here the principle of access to the floor 11 from the outside is retained, using the ladder formed by the frame 4 more small height h, the user having to step over the upper bar 8 of this frame 4 but

  this does not pose any particular difficulty.

  It will be noted that the rolling scaffolding mounted in FIG. 1 is a scaffolding of relatively small height, the two vertical frames 4 and 5 of which, relatively short, are both made in one piece. In the case of a taller scaffolding, as shown in FIG. 2, an at least partially modular structure of the two vertical frames 4 and 5 is advantageous. In the example shown, the frame 4 of smaller height remains in one piece, and has for example six bars 8. The other frame 5, of greater height, on the other hand is formed of two elements

  23 and 24 in the form of scales, superimposed and nested.

  The lower element 23 has for example six bars 8, while the upper element 24 has for example three bars. Thus, the lower element 23 of the frame 5 of greater height may be identical to the frame 4 of 5 of smaller height, opposite which it is located. Of course, this configuration is not modified for the rest, and it retains in particular the principle of access to the work floor ll from the outside of the scaffolding, using the ladder formed by the frame10 4 more small height. As before, the working floor 11 can, here again, be hung at the level of the upper bar 8 of the frame 4 of smaller height, or at a lower level, the side railing elements 16 and 17 being adjusted in height by way

corresponding.

  It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the sole embodiments of this rolling scaffolding which have been described above, by way of examples; on the contrary, it embraces all variants of

  realization and application respecting the same principle.

  In particular, one would not depart from the spirit of the invention: - by modifying the configuration of the base of the scaffolding; - by making this scaffolding with a greater or lesser height, even with one or more intermediate floors in the case of a tall scaffolding; - by modifying the details of the attachment means

  work floor and guard elements

  lateral bodies on the vertical frames.

Claims (4)

  1 - Rolling scaffolding, of the type comprising a base (1) provided with stabilizers (2) and wheels (3), two opposite vertical frames (4,5) forming ladders, and at least one work floor (11) hung by its two ends respectively to the opposite frames (4,5), protective railings (16,17) being associated with or each floor (11), characterized in that, to allow access to this floor (11) from the outside of the scaffolding, the latter comprises two opposite frames (4,5) forming scales of unequal heights, with a frame (4) of smaller height (h) situated on the side provided for access, and a frame (5) of greater height (H) situated on the opposite side, the upper part (15) of the frame (5) of greater height (H) having the function of a front railing element, while provided with two other lateral railing elements (16,17), each equipped, at their opposite ends, with suitable hooking means (22) s respectively to the smaller frame (4)   (h) and to the frame (5) of greater height (H).   2 - Rolling scaffolding according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the two side railing elements (16,17) has an asymmetrical configuration, with at least two horizontal rails (18,19) connected together, at one end , by a vertical upright (20) of lower height, intended to be hung on the frame (5) of greater height (H), in particular on the upper part (15) of this frame (5), and   at the opposite end, by a vertical upright (21) of greater height, extended by the bottom (in 21a) above   below the bottom rail (19) and thus adapted to be hooked to the frame (4) of smaller height (h).   3 - Rolling scaffolding according to claim 2, characterized in that the end uprights (20,21) of the two lateral railing elements (16,17) are positioned laterally and outwards, relative   to the adjacent uprights (6,7) of the two frames (4,5) forming scales.   4 - Rolling scaffolding according to any one of   Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises a first frame (4) in one piece of smaller height   (h), and a second frame (5) also in one piece, but of greater height (H), opposite the first.   - Rolling scaffolding according to any one of   Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises a first frame (4) in one piece of smaller height   (h), and a second frame (5) of greater height (H), formed of two elements (23,24) superimposed and fitted, opposite the first. 15 6 Rolling scaffolding according to claim 5, characterized in that l '' (23) of two elements (23,24) of the frame (5) of greater height (H) is identical, in particular by its height, to the frame (4) of smaller height (h).