GB2087965A

GB2087965A - Attaching ladder to scaffold tower

Info

Publication number: GB2087965A
Application number: GB8035340A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: STEPHENS and CARTER Ltd
Current assignee: STEPHENS and CARTER Ltd
Priority date: 1980-11-04
Filing date: 1980-11-04
Publication date: 1982-06-03
Also published as: GB2087965B

Abstract

A ladder arrangement for a scaffolding tower (11) includes an extendible (sliding) ladder (17), means for attaching the upper end of the ladder to framework of the tower and means for forming an abutment for the foot of the ladder, the abutment being positionally adjustable and securable to the framework of the tower, or an attachment thereto. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Scaffolding tower systems This invention relates to scaffolding tower systems which consist of a number of frames, prefabricated from metal such as tubular aluminium, which may be readily interconnected on site to form a scaffolding tower to permit workmen to gain access to otherwise inaccessible places.

Usually such systems include additional components such as horizontal or diagonal braces, working platforms and so forth.

Usually ascent of such towers is achieved either by climbing the frames themselves from inside the tower or by providing a ladder of fixed length arranged vertically or at an inclined angle inside the tower.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved ladder arrangement for use in a scaffolding tower system which may be readily applied to a number of scaffolding towers of different heights.

The present invention consists in a ladder arrangement for a scaffolding tower which includes an extendible (sliding) ladder, means for attaching the upper end of the ladder to framework of the tower and means for forming an abutment for the foot of the ladder, the abutment being positionally adjustable and securable to the framework of the tower, or an attachment thereto.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a side view of a scaffolding tower incorporating one form of ladder arrangement according to the present invention, Figure 2 is a front view of the tower of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a side view of the fixing at the upper end of the ladder arrangement, Figures 4 and 5 are side and end views respectively of the fixing at the lower end of the ladder arrangement, and Figures 6 and 7 are side and end views respectively of an alternative form of fixing at the upper end of the ladder arrangement.

In carrying the invention into effect according to one convenient mode by way of example, Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings show a scaffolding tower constructed by interconnecting a number of pre-fabricated tubular aluminium frames.

The front and rear of the tower consist of interconnected frames 11 and for standardization each frame has six horizontal rungs, although other sizes such as three rung half height frames may be used to achieve height adjustment. The lower frame at the front is in the form of a portal frame 1 2 to permit easy access to the interior of the tower.

The front and rear of the tower are interconnected by horizontal 1 3 and diagonai 14 braces having self-locking hooks at their ends to engage the tubular members of the frames.

Platforms with locating hooks and having half the width of the tower but the full length from front to rear are provided at the bottom and top of the tower as at 1 5 and 1 6 respectively.

To permit access to the upper platform a ladder arrangement is provided in the form of an extendible ladder 1 7 having means for attaching the upper end of the ladder to the framework and means forming an abutment for the foot of the ladder.

As shown in Figure 3, the means for attaching the upper end of the ladder has a link 18 pivotaly attached at its low end as at 1 9 to the upper end of the ladder 17 and carrying at its upper end a self-locking hook 20 for engaging a horizontal tubular member 21 of the tower. An abutment 22 is provided on the ladder to maintain the angular position of the link when in use.

As shown in Figure 4, the abutment for the foot of the ladder consists of a transverse bar 23 of box section having at each end a clamp 24 having an eccentrically pivoted cam 25 to permit the bar 23 to be clamped in position on the bottom platform 1 5 with the clamps 24 and cams 25 gripping the edge portions of the platform 1 5. Lugs 31 on the bar 23 serve to prevent side ways movement of the foot of the ladder.

It will be appreciated that this arrangement has the advantage that a number of different heights of the upper platform 16 may be accommodated by using an extensible (sliding) ladder which is already available without the need to manufacture a special ladder. First the length of the ladder is adjusted to give the nearest suitable length and then the position of the bar 23 front to back of the tower is adjusted to provide a secure abutment for the foot of the ladder, with the ladder inclined at an appropriate angle.

Figures 6 and 7 show a modification to the means for attaching the upper end of the ladder in which a link 26 has a hook 27 at its lower end for receiving a shaft 28 at the upper end of the ladder 17, the upper end of the link 26 being pivotaly connected to the tower framework 29 by a spring loaded connection 30 so that when not in use the links are pivoted out of the way to a horizontal position.

In an alternative arrangement (not shown) the bar 23 may be modified to permit it to be clamped to parts of the tower other than the edges of the lower platform.

Although the invention has been described by way of example with reference to a scaffolding tower built from tubular aluminium members, it will be appreciated that the invention may be applied equally well to other forms of towers.

1. A ladder arrangement for scaffolding tower which includes an extendible (sliding) ladder, means for attaching the upper end of the ladder to framework of the tower and means for forming an

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Scaffolding tower systems This invention relates to scaffolding tower systems which consist of a number of frames, prefabricated from metal such as tubular aluminium, which may be readily interconnected on site to form a scaffolding tower to permit workmen to gain access to otherwise inaccessible places. Usually such systems include additional components such as horizontal or diagonal braces, working platforms and so forth. Usually ascent of such towers is achieved either by climbing the frames themselves from inside the tower or by providing a ladder of fixed length arranged vertically or at an inclined angle inside the tower. It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved ladder arrangement for use in a scaffolding tower system which may be readily applied to a number of scaffolding towers of different heights. The present invention consists in a ladder arrangement for a scaffolding tower which includes an extendible (sliding) ladder, means for attaching the upper end of the ladder to framework of the tower and means for forming an abutment for the foot of the ladder, the abutment being positionally adjustable and securable to the framework of the tower, or an attachment thereto. In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a side view of a scaffolding tower incorporating one form of ladder arrangement according to the present invention, Figure 2 is a front view of the tower of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a side view of the fixing at the upper end of the ladder arrangement, Figures 4 and 5 are side and end views respectively of the fixing at the lower end of the ladder arrangement, and Figures 6 and 7 are side and end views respectively of an alternative form of fixing at the upper end of the ladder arrangement. In carrying the invention into effect according to one convenient mode by way of example, Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings show a scaffolding tower constructed by interconnecting a number of pre-fabricated tubular aluminium frames. The front and rear of the tower consist of interconnected frames 11 and for standardization each frame has six horizontal rungs, although other sizes such as three rung half height frames may be used to achieve height adjustment. The lower frame at the front is in the form of a portal frame 1 2 to permit easy access to the interior of the tower. The front and rear of the tower are interconnected by horizontal 1 3 and diagonai 14 braces having self-locking hooks at their ends to engage the tubular members of the frames. Platforms with locating hooks and having half the width of the tower but the full length from front to rear are provided at the bottom and top of the tower as at 1 5 and 1 6 respectively. To permit access to the upper platform a ladder arrangement is provided in the form of an extendible ladder 1 7 having means for attaching the upper end of the ladder to the framework and means forming an abutment for the foot of the ladder. As shown in Figure 3, the means for attaching the upper end of the ladder has a link 18 pivotaly attached at its low end as at 1 9 to the upper end of the ladder 17 and carrying at its upper end a self-locking hook 20 for engaging a horizontal tubular member 21 of the tower. An abutment 22 is provided on the ladder to maintain the angular position of the link when in use. As shown in Figure 4, the abutment for the foot of the ladder consists of a transverse bar 23 of box section having at each end a clamp 24 having an eccentrically pivoted cam 25 to permit the bar 23 to be clamped in position on the bottom platform 1 5 with the clamps 24 and cams 25 gripping the edge portions of the platform 1 5. Lugs 31 on the bar 23 serve to prevent side ways movement of the foot of the ladder. It will be appreciated that this arrangement has the advantage that a number of different heights of the upper platform 16 may be accommodated by using an extensible (sliding) ladder which is already available without the need to manufacture a special ladder. First the length of the ladder is adjusted to give the nearest suitable length and then the position of the bar 23 front to back of the tower is adjusted to provide a secure abutment for the foot of the ladder, with the ladder inclined at an appropriate angle. Figures 6 and 7 show a modification to the means for attaching the upper end of the ladder in which a link 26 has a hook 27 at its lower end for receiving a shaft 28 at the upper end of the ladder 17, the upper end of the link 26 being pivotaly connected to the tower framework 29 by a spring loaded connection 30 so that when not in use the links are pivoted out of the way to a horizontal position. In an alternative arrangement (not shown) the bar 23 may be modified to permit it to be clamped to parts of the tower other than the edges of the lower platform. Although the invention has been described by way of example with reference to a scaffolding tower built from tubular aluminium members, it will be appreciated that the invention may be applied equally well to other forms of towers. CLAIMS

1. A ladder arrangement for scaffolding tower which includes an extendible (sliding) ladder, means for attaching the upper end of the ladder to framework of the tower and means for forming an abutment for the foot of the ladder, the abutment being positionally adjustable and securable to the framework of the tower, or an attachment thereto.

2. A ladder arrangement for a scaffolding tower, substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.