GB2032504A - Scaffold Frames - Google Patents

Abstract

Scaffold frames which when used in pairs of multiples spaced horizontally, and in multiples stacked vertically, will provide support for platforms extending between the scaffold frames at desired heights. The scaffold frames 10a each have an integral ladder with uniformly-spaced non-slip rungs, 26a, 27a, 28a and access openings for movement of workmen and material from one side of the frame to the other. Keyed spigot and ratchet joining means 41a, 42a and 55a, 56a allow frames to be connected together only in a manner such that the ladder of one frame is aligned with that of the adjacent frame. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Scaffold Frame with Integral Ladder This invention relates to scaffold frames which are used in the erection of scaffolds.

Metal scaffold frames are well known, which when spaced horizontally and parallel to one another and braced horizontally and diagonally between frames provide a rigid structure for the support of work platforms extending between the frames. These frames are generally of tubular construction, and can stack one upon another to provide a scaffold of a desired total height.

Likewise, ladders with vertical side rails and suitably spaced rungs (typically 10 to 1 3 inches) are well known and are often attached to frame type scaffolds to provide access to the platform levels. Present scaffold frames also have sufficiently large openings in them to permit workmen to step or walk through them from a platform on one side to a platform on the other side of the frame. Further, some present scaffold frames have been designed with sufficient horizontal members so spaced as to make the frame climable by a worker.

However, no scaffold frames have existed, prior to the present invention, which comprise a combination scaffold frame and integral ladder, which when used in pairs or multiples spaced horizontally, and extended as required in multiples vertically will provide support for platforms singly or in pairs, or in multiples at any desired height, with an integral ladder having an assured vertical continuity from one frame mounted on another, with uniform rung spacing and non-skid rungs, with horizontal access openings through the frames for movement from'one side to the other at any platform level and which will provide for vertical support of guard rails at a proper spacing above any platform level.

It is the main object of the invention to provide scaffold frames as just described.

Accordingly the invention provides scaffold frames for use in a vertically stacked arrangement in a scaffold, comprising: first and second scaffold frames each having first and second vertical loadsupporting column tubes, an upper horizontal frame tube extending between and connected at its ends to the frist and second column tubes, a lower horizontal frame tube extending between and connected at its ends to the first and second column tubes, a vertical, side-rail tube member between the first and second column tubes and spaced substantially from the second column tube, the side-rail tube member having an upper portion connected to the upper horizontal frame tube and extending downwardly therefrom and a lower portion connected to the lower horizontal frame tube and extending upwardly therefrom at least one horizontal rung tube between the upper and lower horizontal frame tubes and connected at its ends to the first column tube and the side rail tube member, the vertical spacings between adjacent of the horizontal frame and rung tubes all being equal, and such spacing of the first scaffold frame being the same as such spacings of the second scaffold frame, first joining means for telescopically joining the lower end of one of the first and second column tubes of the first scaffold frame with, and only with, the upper end of the corresponding one of the first and second column tubes of the second scaffold frame, second joining means for telescopically joining the lower end of the other of the first and second column tubes of the first scaffold frame with the upper end of the corresponding other of the first and second column tubes of the second scaffold frame, the lower horizontal frame tube of the frist scaffold frame and the upper horizontal frame tube of the second scaffold frame being vertically spaced part by an amount equal to the spacing between adjacent of the horizontal frame and rung tubes of the scaffold frames when the first and second scaffold frames are telescopically joined together.

Other aspects of the invention will be described hereinafter with reference to preferred embodiments shown by way of example in the drawings in which like parts are designated by like reference numerals throughout the same, Fig. 1 is a simplified and perspective view of a scaffold made up of three horizontally spaced sets of vertically stacked scaffold frames, the scaffold frames being constructed in accordance with the present invention, Fig. 2 is an elevational view of one form of a scaffold frame constructed in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 3 is an enlarged view, seen from line 3-3 of Fig. 2, with portions broken away, illustrating the spigot member used to join scaffold frames together;; Fig. 4 is an enlarged view, seen from line 4-4 of Fig. 2, partly in section and partly broken away, illustrating the socket member used to join scaffold frames together; Figs. 5 and 6 are elevational views of second and third forms of a scaffold frame constructed in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 7 illustrates one of the tubes used in the scaffold of Fig. 1 for guard rail or bracing purposes.

Fig. 1 illustrates generally a complete scaffold which is made up utilizing the three forms of scaffold frames 1 Oa, 1 or, and 1 Oc of the present invention, such scaffold having various platforms 11 a--l i supported on the scaffold frames at desired locations, and having guard rails 1 2a- 1 2d and diagonal bracing 1 3a and 1 3b at desired locations.

The details of one of the scaffold frames 1 Oa are shown in Fig. 2. As may be seen therein, scaffold frame 1 Oa includes first and second vertical load-supporting tubes 1 spa and 1 6a, tube 1 5a serving also as a side-rail for the hereinafter described integral ladder portion 1 7a of the scaffold frame. Upper, lower, third and fourth horizontal frame tubes 1 8a, 1 spa, 20a and 21 a all extend between and are rigidly connected at their ends to the first and second column tubes 1 spa and 1 6a. A vertical side-rail tube member 22a is provided, such member having upper and lower portions 23a and 24b, which in this particular form of the invention are vertically separated from each other.The upper portion 23a of the side-rail tube member is rigidly connected at its upper end to the upper horizontal frame tube 1 8a and extends downwardly therefrom the lower end of portion 23a being rigidly connected to frame tube 20a between the ends thereof. In like manner, the lower portion 24a of side-rail tube member 22a is rigidly connected to frame tube 1 9a and extends upwardly therefrom, being then connected to frame tube 21 a between the ends thereof. As is seen, the upper portion 23a of side-rail tube member 22a connects to the undersurface of frame tube 1 8a so that the upper surface of frame tube 1 8a has no upward protrusion thereon which could interfere with placement of scaffold platforms thereon. Likewise, the upper surface of frame tube 21 a is unobstructed.

The horizontal frame tubes 18a, 19a, 20a and 21a and the rung tubes 26a, 27a and 28a all have a non-skid surface formed thereon, as for example by the knurling indicated at 29a on such tubes, between the column tube 15a and side-rail tube member 22a. The vertical spacings between adjacent of the frame and rung tubes are all equal so that the ladder rungs of ladder 1 7a formed by the frame and rung tubes are equidistantly spaced. In the disclosed embodiments, this spacing is approximately 10-1/2 inches.

The second column tube 1 6a has a plurality of support members, such as collars 31 a, 32a and 33a, fixed thereon, which extend horizontally from column tube 1 6a in line each each of rung tubes 26a, 27a and 28a respectively, for the vertical support of guard rails at any of these rung levels of ladder 17a. In like manner the joint members 34a, 35a, 36a and 37a used to connect the horizontal frame tubes to column tube 1 Oa will provide vertical support of guard rails at any of the other rung levels of ladder 17a.

The upper portion 23a of side-rail tube member 22a is spaced substantially from the second column tube 1 6a and the horizontal frame tubes 1 8a and 20a are substantially spaced from each other so that a large access opening is provided to enable a workman to pass through the frame from one side to another. In like manner, vertical tubes 1 6a and 24a and horizontal tubes 19a and 21a are substantially spaced apart to provide an access opening for passage of large objects therethrough. The unobstructed access opening bounded by column tubes 15a and 1 6a and horizontal frame tubes 20a and 21a enables wide objects to be passed therethrough, providing that such objects are no higher than the rung spacing.

Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate the joining means for telescopically joining the column tubes 1 5a of two scaffold frames 1 Oa together. As specifically illustrated herein, the joining means comprises a spigot member 41 a (Fig. 3) mounted on the lower end of the first column tube 1 5a and a socket member 42a at the upper end of tube 1 5a. Spigot member 41 a is preferably formed as a stepped bushing having a radially enlarged mid-section 43a abutting the lower end of column tube 1 an upwardly extending shank 44a fitting into tube 1 5a and fixed thereto in a conventional manner, and a downwardly extending tubular spigot 45a having an external diameter enabling it to slide into the column tube 1 5a of another scaffold frame.A vertically elongated key protusion 46a is formed on the surface of spigot 45a, extending outwardly therefrom. An interlock hole 48a is formed through the lower end of spigot 45a.

Socket member 42a is formed by the Tconnection 51 a used to connect horizontal frame member 1 8a and column tube 1 5a together and by the upper end of tube 1 5a. As is seen, the upper end of column tube 1 5 is slotted to provide a vertically elongated slot 52a which is complementary in shape to the key protusion 46a on spigot 45a. As a consequence, when spigot 45a is inserted into tube 15a, the key protusion 46a will enter slot 52a so that spigot 45a can be fully telescoped into tube 15a, i.e. until the mid section 43a comes into abutment with the upper surface of T-connection 51 a.The T-connection 51a has a hole 53a therethrough (as does tube 1 5a therein) which will register with spigot hole 48a when fully telescoped together so that an interlock pin may be inserted through such holes to prevent accidental disengagement of the joined spigot and socket members.

The joining means for joining the second column tubes 1 6a of two scaffold frames likewise comprise a spigot member 55a and a socket member 56a, the latter being comprised of Tconnection 34a and the upper end of column tube 1 6a therewithin. Spigot member 55a differs from spigot member 41 a in that the spigot 57a has no key protusion thereon, and socket member 55a differs from socket member 42a in that tube 1 6a is unslotted. Because of this, spigot 57a can slide fully into the unslotted tube 16a, but spigot 45a cannot. As a consequence, two scaffold frames can only be assembled so that the tubes 1 5a are joined together and the tubes 1 6a are joined together.Since the scaffold frames cannot be joined with the column tube 1 5a of one joined to the column tube 1 6a of the other, the scaffold frames cannot be joined so that the ladder portions 1 7a thereof are offset from one frame to the next.

wThe length of the lower portions of column tubes 15a and 1 6a below the lower horizontal frame tube 19b is such that when two scaffold frames are joined together, the vertical spacing between the upper horizontal frame tube 1 8a of the lower scaffold frame and the lower horizontal frame tube 1 9a of the upper scaffold frame is the same as the rung spacing in either frame so that the two ladder sections 1 7a of the stacked frames will form a continuous ladder with constant rung spacing. Additionally, another full width access opening will be provided, bounded by the column tubes 1 5a and 1 6a and lower frame tube 1 9a of the upper scaffold frame and the frame tube 1 8a of the lower scaffold frame.

Fig. 5 illustrates the scaffold frame 1 or, which differs from scaffold frame 1 Oa in that the column tubes 1 sub and 1 6b are of less height than tubes 1 5a and 1 6a and the upper and lower portions 23b and 24b of the side-rail tube member 22b which extend between the upper and lower horizontal frame members 1 8b and 1 9b are integral with each other. The support members 31 b and 32b are shown herein as pins, rather than the collars 31a and 32a previously described, but they provide the same function.

Otherwise, the parts designated by reference numerals in Fig. 4 have the same structures and function as the corresponding elements of the scaffold frame of Fig. 3.

Scaffold frame 1 Oc, Fig. 6, is substantially the same as scaffold frame 1 Ob, except that it only provides three ladder rungs, instead of the four provided by scaffold frame 1 or. Again, corresponding reference numerals are used to designate corresponding parts. In both scaffold frames 1 Ob and 1 Oc, the width, i.e. the spacing between the column tubes, is the same as that of scaffold frame 1 Oa, and the rung spacing is also the same. The same joining means are used for all three scaffold frames, so that any one frame may be used with any other and with a continuous and non-offset ladder of constant rung spacing being provided when the frames are joined together.

Fig. 7 illustrates a typical guard rail, 1 2a, which may be used in connection with the previously described scaffold frames. Such guard rail comprises an elongated tube 61, having hook members 62 secured to each end thereof. Each hook member 62 is dimensioned to fit upon any of the columns, frame or rung tubes of the scaffold frames (all of which tubes are of the same diameter) and has a conventional springpressed retainer member 63 which will retract to allow the hook to be placed upon a tube, the retainer member then moving outwardly to provide a releasably locking engagement of the hook with the tube. The cross-bracing tubes 1 3a and 1 3b are the same, except longer.

The scaffold frames may be used in a manner as illustrated in Fig.1, wherein is shown a scaffold structure having three sets of scaffold frames stacked upon each other.

The lowermost scaffold frame in each set is as shown in Fig. 2, except that the spigot members 41 a and 55a are not used at the lower ends of the column tubes. Instead, casters 64 or other conventional ground engaging legs are mounted on the lower ends of such tubes. Preferably, such casters or legs are individually adjustable as to height so that the scaffold can be erected vertically even if on uneven ground.

As shown in Fig. 1, the left set of scaffold frames comprises three scaffold frames 1 Oa stacked on each other and a scaffold frame 1 Oh stacked on the uppermost frame 1 Oa. The central set of scaffold frames can be made up with two scaffold frames 1 Oa, one scaffold frame 1 Oc and two scaffold frames 1 or. As is seen, when a scaffold frame 1 Ob is stacked on a scaffold frame 1 Oc, the combination of the two will produce a frame identical to a single scaffold frame 1 Oa.

Thus, even though different forms of the scaffold frames may have been used in the left and central sets of Fig. 1 , for every horizontal frame tube, extending between the column tubes, of the left set, there will be a corresponding horizontal frame tube, at the same height, in the central set. The right set of frames is illustrated in Fig. 1 as being made up of three scaffold frames 1 Oa.

The completed scaffold will include platforms, as illustrated at 1 1 all 1 i, extending horizontally between the vertical sets of scaffold frames and at desired locations thereon. Typically, each platform comprises a rectangular board mounted on horizontal metal tubes (not shown), which tubes have downfacing hooks, i.e. as shown at 66 on platform 1 Oa, which engage selected horizontal frame or rung tubes of the scaffold frames. The particular placement of these platforms in Fig. 1 is intended only to illustrate the flexibility of placement allowed by the various scaffold frames.

For example, single full width platforms can mounted on either the horizontal frame tubes 1 8a or 21 a of a scaffold frame 1 Oa, such as is indicated by platforms 1 a, 1 1 b and 1 lug. In like manner, two or more narrow platforms, all having a total width of the scaffold can be mounted on one of the frame tubes 1 8a or 21 a to form a continuous full width platform, as indicated by platforms 11 h and 11 i. A single narrow platform can be mounted on the unknurled portion of a frame tube 20a, as indicated by platform 11 d. A single narrow platform can be mounted on any rung tube, as shown by platform 11 C mounted on rung tube 26c.

Horizontal guard rails can also be mounted at a variety of locations. As illustrated by the placement of guard rails 1 2a and 1 2b (used in conjunction with platform 11 a), guard rails can be mounted on any of the horizontal frame or rung tubes. Also, as indicated by guard rails 1 2c and 1 2d, guard rails can be connected to the vertical column tubes of the scaffolds. Also as indicated by guard rails 1 2c and 1 2d, the collar 31 a (Fig. 2) will vertically support guard rail 1 2d at the same height on column tube 1 6a as that guard rail 1 2c is vertically supported by rung tube 26a.

As the scaffold is erected, suitable crossbracing will be added, exemplified by brace tubes 1 3a and 1 3b, at desired locations to provide structural rigidity to the scaffold.

As is apparent, the scaffold frames of the present invention provide a number of advantages. Vertical continuity of the ladder, from one frame to another, and with uniform rung spacing from top to bottom is assured. Foot slip is prevented, both by the non-skid surfaces on the rungs and by the side-rails of the ladder, the siderail provided by column tubes 1 spa, 1 sub and 1 sic being continuous from top to bottom of the scaffold. The side-rail tube members 22a, 22b and 22c provide good grip points for handling of the scaffold frames. A variety of access openings, some for personnel and others for wide objects, enable easy movement from one side of a scaffold frame to the other. Existing platforms and guard rails can be used with the scaffold frames, and at a wide variety of locations thereon. If a portion of a full sized scaffold frame 1 Oa is damaged, such frame can be cut to a half frame, such as scaffold frame 1 Ob or 10c, so that it may still have a useful life.

Claims (8)

Claims

1. Scaffold frames for use in a vertically stacked arrangement in a scaffold, comprising: first and second scaffold frames each having first and second vertical load-supporting column tubes, an upper-horizontal frame tube extending between and connected at its ends to the first and second column tubes, a lower horizontal frame tube extending between and connected at its end to the first and second column tubes, a vertical, side-rail tube member between the first and second column tubes and spaced substantially from the second column tube, the side-rail tube member having an upper portion connected to the upper horizontal frame tube and extending downwardly therefrom and a lower portion connected to the lower horizontal frame tube and extending upwardly therefrom, at least one horizontal rung tube between the upper and lower horizontal frame tubes and connected at its ends to the first column tube and the side rail tube member, the vertical spacings between adjacent of the horizontal frame and rung tubes all being equal, and such spacing of the first scaffold frame being the same as such spacings of the second scaffold frame, first joining means for telescopically joining the lower end of one of the first and second column tubes of the first scaffold frame with, and only with, the upper end of the corresponding one of the first and second column tubes of the second scaffold frame, second joining means for telescopically joining the lower end of the other of the first and second column tubes of the first scaffold frame with the upper end of the corresponding other of the first and second column tubes of the second scaffold frame, the lower horizontal frame tube of the first scaffold frame and the upper horizontal frame tube of the second scaffold frame being vertically spaced apart by an amount equal to the spacing between adjacent of the horizontal frame and rung tubes of the scaffold frames when the first and second scaffold frames are telescopically joined together.

2. Scaffold frames as set forth in claim 1 wherein in at least one of the first and second scaffold frames the upper and lower portions of the side-rail tube member are separate and vertically spaced from each other, wherein at least one horizontal rung tube extends between and is connected at its ends to the first frame tube and one of the upper and lower portions of the side-rail tube member and further including a third horizontal frame tube extending between and connected at its ends to the first and second column tubes and connected between its ends to the lower end of the upper portion of the side-rail tube member and a fourth horizontal frame tube extending between and connected at its ends to the first and second column tubes and connected between its ends to the upper end of the lower portion of the side-rail tube member, the vertical spacings between adjacent of the horizontal frame and rung tubes all being equal.

3. Scaffold frames as set forth in claim 2 wherein in at least one of the first and second scaffold frames there is more than one horizontal rung tube extending between and connected at its ends to the first column tube and the one of the upper and lower portions of the side-rail tube member.

4. Scaffold frames as set forth in claim 3 wherein the one of the first and second scaffold frames includes another horizontal rung tube extending between and connected at its ends to the first column tube and the other of the upper and lower portions of the side-rail tube member.

5. Scaffold frames as set forth in any one of the preceding claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 and further including a support member on and extending horizontally from the second column tube of each scaffold frame in line with each rung tube of such scaffold frame.

6. Scaffold frames as set forth in any one of the preceding claims 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 wherein all of the horizontal frames and rung tubes of the first and second scaffold frames have a non-skid surface formed thereon between the first column tube and the side-rail tube member.

7. Scaffold frames as set forth in any one of the preceding claims 1,2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 wherein said first and second joining means each comprises a telescoping spigot member and a socket member, one of which is on the first scaffold frame and the other of which is on the second scaffold frame, the spigot member of the first joining means having a key protrusion thereon, the socket member of the first joining means having being slotted to allow entry of the key protrusion thereinto upon telescoping of the spigot and socket members of the first joining means, the socket member of the second joining means being unslotted to prevent telescoping of the spigot member of the first joining means into the socket member of the second joining means.

8. Scaffold frames substantially as shown and described with reference to the accompanying drawings.