GB2047317A

GB2047317A - Metal scaffolding boards

Info

Publication number: GB2047317A
Application number: GB8004670A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: LAYER E
Current assignee: LAYER E
Priority date: 1979-04-26
Filing date: 1980-02-12
Publication date: 1980-11-26
Also published as: NL191740C; JPS55145274A; ES249134U; NL7909248A; DE2916826A1; GB2047317B; DE2916826C2; JPS611549U; FR2455150B2; FR2455150A2; JPS6217559Y2; NL191740B; MX151880A; ES249134Y

Abstract

A metal scaffolding board comprises a rectangular sheet 1 having, over substantially its entire area, holes 5 with upwardly (or downwardly) directed rims. Flanges 2, with turned in edges forming box sections 21 are provided along the sides of the sheet 1. To stiffen the panel, and minimise the possibility of it deforming, members 142 are provided at each end of the panel to form a frame with the flanges 2. Claws 14 for locating the panel on a supporting framework are fixed to the members 142. In the illustrated case, the members 142 are U-section with their flanges 142' directed inwardly of that panel, but they could, if desired, be of box section. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Metal decking This invention concerns a metal decking panel, for example for scaffolding, works-walkways, consoles, podia and similar structures comprising -a metal sheet which forms a walking-surface and is provided with round or other shaped holes distributed over the whole of the walking-surface with some of these holes having edges rimmed to project upwards (e.g. to minimise the possibility of slipping of persons walking on the decking) and others having edges rimmed to project downwards (e.g. to facilitate sweeping of foreign matter off the decking).

It has now been shown that such decking panels, under certain conditions of stress, do not have sufficient rigidity. As a result of the slight deformation which may then arise slight raising of one of the usual flat metal claws fixed to sideflanges of the panel may then occur, so that the panel can, in certain circumstances, be subject to see-saw movements.

The object of the present invention is further to develop the decking panel as aforesaid, so that distortion of the panel and/or raising of a claw is reliably avoided.

With this object in view, the present invention provides a metal decking panel, for example for scaffolding, works-walkways, consoles, podia and similar structures, comprising a metal sheet which forms a walking-surface and is provided with round or other shaped holes distributed over the whole of the walking-surface with some of these holes having edges rimmed to project upwards and others having edges rimmed to project downwards, characterised in that each of the two end edges of the panel is closed by a respective end-profile which is connected firmly with sideflanges extending along the opposite side edges of the panel and below the sheet which forms the walking-surface, over the whole width of the panel, each said end-profile being in the form of a four-sided pipe-like member or a U-profile provided with at least one suspension-device firmly attached to it.

With this construction, the panel has, under the sheet which forms the walking-surface, a firm edge, closed on itself, which comprises the side flanges connected in one piece with the sheet which forms the walking-surface and of the two end-profiles closing the end edges. In addition, there is the further advantage that the or each suspension-device can be formed more stably and with a broad bearing-surface area, and, thanks to the fact that it is firmly connected with the end profile, cannot rise at one side.

For the construction of such an end-profile, there are various possibilities. For example, in cases where the panel consists of a steel-sheet, it can be made of a U-profile of steel which points inwards of the panel with both its flanges, while broad drawn steel-sheet claws can be fitted to its web which forms the outer front-surface of the panel by, for example, welding. On the other hand, if aluminium-sheet is used for the walking-surface of the board, there is the possibility of using an extruded aluminium profile which extends over the whole width of the walking-board, as the suspension-device.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a fragmentary plan view illustrating one end of a practical embodiment of the decking panel of the invention: Fig. 2 is a fragmentary section taken as indicated by the line B-B of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a view taken as indicated by the arrow H of Fig. 1, but showing part in elevation and part in section; Fig. 4 is a detached section taken as indicated by the line C-C of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a section taken on the line D-D of Fig.

1; Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but illustrating a second embodiment of the decking panel, which in this instance is made of aluminium, and being partly in section as indicated at G-G in Fig. 6; and Fig. 7 is à section taken as indicated by the line F-F of Fig, 6.

The embodiment of the decking panel illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5 has, at each end, an endprofile designated as a whole by the numeral 14.

Each said end-profile 14 comprises a U-sectioned member 142, whose flanges 142' (see Fig. 2) point into the interior of the panel, while two claws 1 44 are secured to its web 142.

A holed sheet, which forms a walking-surface of the panel is designated by the numeral 1. One of the holes in the first row, with its edge rimmed to project upwards, is indicated in Fig. 2 by the numeral 5. Because of the location of the section B-B, the remaining rows of holes are not visible in Fig. 2.

The end profiles 14 at each end edge of the panel, together with the side-flanges 2 formed by bending over the sheet 1 which forms the walking-surface, which by a further bending-over form a reinforcing-profile 21, make a rigid frame by which possible distortion of the panel is prevented.

On the surface of the web 142 of the U-profile 14 which faces outwards are fixed claws 144.

These each consist of deep-drawn and correspondingly-formed steel-sheet 148 (see Fig.

5) and are formed in such a way that both their side-surfaces 144' (see Fig. 3) each have a recess 147 bounded by shanks 145 and 146. These claws 144 are connected firmly to the U-profile 14 by welding.

Each claw 144 is so formed that its shank 146 is drawn further downwards than the shank 145 which lies against the web of the U-profile 14.

Lower edge 146' of the front end-surface of the claw 144 thus projects to a certain extent below the lower edge 145' of the outer wall of the shank 145.

Figs. 3 and 4 show the end profile 14 as seen respectively in the direction of the arrow H in Fig.

1 and from the interior of the panel.

With the panel shown in Fig. 1 to 5 it is proposed that the walking-surface should consist of steel-sheet, and a steel-profile is accordingly used as the end-profile 14. If, on the other hand, the panel is made of aluminium sheet, the possibility arises of making the claws which serve for the suspension of the walking-board of aluminium by extrusion, and to weld the claws thus produced to the aluminium panel. In a further development of the invention the panel of this kind may be provided at both its end edges with respective end-profiles of aluminium produced by extruding. Such an end-profile can extend over the whole width of the panel, in which case the suspension-device can be so made that it serves simultaneously to bridge the gap which would otherwise occur between two of the panels when connected together.

For fastening at the front-side of the panel, there can be provided, for example, in place of a Uprofile, a lengthwise-running chamber provided by a rectangularly-profiled pipe-like member. Above the usual hook-shaped, downwardly-opening Uprofile intended for suspension of the panel in a supporting structure, there will then be a further lengthwise-running member having an upwardfacing wall whose outer surface lengthens the walking-surface of the panel, approximately as far as the middle of the gap which would otherwise occur between the panel and a subsequent panel connected to it.

In Fig. 6 the end of such a panel is shown in plan, the sheet 1 which forms the walking-surface is cut away at one corner. It is proposed that the end-profile 24 should extend as a transverse track across the whole width of the panel. The part of this end-profile 24 which extends to the sectioned corner in Fig. 6 is also shown in section.

Fig. 7 shows a vertical section along the dotted line F-F in Fig. 6. One of the holes of the front row of holes which is rimmed upwardly is designated with the numeral 5. The remaining rows of holes are not shown because of the manner in which the section is taken.

The end-profile 24 is formed as a hollow extrusion and, as has already been said, has a box like hollow portion 242 which runs along the whole profile and which has the form of a rectangular pipe, whose upper and lower surfaces have a clearance which corresponds to the clearance between the underside of the sheet 1 which serves as the walking-surface and the reinforcement-profile 21 created by the bending down of the side-flanges 2. The box-like hollow portion 242 projects from the end edge into the interior of the panel and is firmly connected thereto by welding.

In an outwardly-projecting part integral with the hollow portion 242 at the upper part of the end profile 24, which serves to permit fastening of the panel, is a longitudinal groove 247 which is bounded by two shanks 245 and 246, which groove 247 opens downwards and has a hookshaped profile 244. This enables the panel to be suspended, for example, on a bearing-edge of a Ushaped profile transverse-bar (not shown). The shank 245 simultaneously forms the outer walling of the hollow portion 242.

Above the longitudinal groove 247 is a further longitudinally-extruding hollow part 243 which serves to bridge over the gap which would otherwise occur between two of the panels connected to one another, so that the walking surface has no significant interruption. The upper wall of this hollow part 243 is ribbed on its upper surface 248 to prevent a person moving about on the panel from slipping. The end corner of this upper surface 248 is slightly rounded off as at 248' and is likewise ribbed. The width b of this hollow 'part or, as the case may be, the walking surface formed by it, corresponds to approximately half the clearance between the ends of two adjacent panels connected together.

Along an edge at which the surface 248 adjoins the sheet 1 which forms the walking-surface of the panel, there is a shoulder 249 which stands proud of the walking-surface by a small extent, and is slightly cut back at its surface which faces the walking surface so that the sheet 1 is located in a kind of groove 249'.

As already mentioned, the end-profile 24 extends over the whole width of the panel. At its ends is the part which serves for the firm locating or positioning of the panel on a transverse stay of the framework, consisting of a hollow part 243 and the shanks 245, 246 which is machined away to dispense with the outer wall of the box-shaped hollow portion 242. In this way a recess 240 (Fig.

6) is created, which makes possible the adjacent suspension of adjacent panels on the supporting structure. Also, the corresponding part of the upper surface 248 can also be removed.

Of course there is also the possibility of dividing the extrusion 24 into short lengths and inserting some of the single hooks so obtained so as to be distributed along the end edge of the panel. A suitable number of such hooks would be four.

'Account must then be taken of the fact that then the walking surface is interrupted at the places between each adjacent pair of the hooks. It is also possible to leave out the walling 242' of the box shaped hollow part 242 which faces the interior of the panel, so that in place of the box, a U-profile Is created, which profile is connected with the sheet which forms the walking-board in the same way as described above.

Claims

1. A metal decking panel, for example for scaffolding, works-walkways, consoles, podia and similar structures, comprising a metal sheet which forms a walking-surface and is provided with round or other shaped holes distributed over the whole of the walking-surface with some of these holes having edges rimmed to project upwards and others having edges rimmed to project downwards characterised in that each of the two end edges of the panel is closed by a respective end-profile which is connected firmly with sideflanges extending along the opposite side edges of the panel and below the sheet which forms the walking-surface, over the whole width of the panel, each said end-profile being in the form of a four-sided pipe-like member or a U-profile provided with at least one suspension-device firmly attached to it.

2. A metal decking panel as claimed in Claim 1 characterised in that each end-profile is a U-profile whose flanges point inwards of the panel and which has at least two claws fitted on to the outer surface of its web.

3. A metal decking panel as claimed in Claim 2 characterised in that each claw is of deep-drawn sheet.

4. A metal decking panel as claimed in any preceding Claim characterised in that each endprofile is of extruded aluminium.

5. A metal decking panel as claimed in Claim 4 characterised in that each end-profile has a hookshaped profiled insertion-device extending over its whole length.

6. A metal decking panel as claimed in Claim 4 characterised in that the part of the end-profile which is directed inwards of the panel is a foursided pipe-like member.

7. A metal decking panel as claimed in Claim 4 characterised in that the part of the end-profile which is directed inwards of the panel is a Uprofile.

8. A metal decking panel as claimed in Claim 5 characterised in that a hollow space is present above the hook-shaped profiled suspensiondevice, which hollow space stretches along its entire length, which has an upward-facing wall which forms an extension of the walking surface of the board with its outer surface, and whose width corresponds approximately to half of the clearance between two of the decking panels when arranged side-by-side in a framework.

9. A metal decking panel as claimed in Claim 8 characterised in that an upper outer surface above the hollow space situated above the hook-shaped profiled suspension-device is ribbed.

10. A metal decking panel substantially as herein-before described with reference to and as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5, or in Figs. 6 and 7 of the accompanying drawings.