GB2137274A

GB2137274A - Safety device for scaffolding

Info

Publication number: GB2137274A
Application number: GB08400417A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Eberhard Layher
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1983-03-26
Filing date: 1984-01-09
Publication date: 1984-10-03
Also published as: FR2543200A1; DE3311139A1; GB8400417D0; GB2137274B

Abstract

The safety device 1 consists of a frame formed by upright limbs 11, 11', 12, 12' and a horizontal double railing 13, 14. During construction of a further scaffolding tier, the device 1 is temporarily secured to the previously uppermost tier by fastening means such as hooks 16, 17. The double railing 13, 14 thus forms a provisional railing for the newly to be erected tier and a scaffolder can work upon the newly formed walk surface 22' with a minimum of danger. A permanent railing is subsequently constructed and the safety device is then removed and may be used on the adjacent scaffolding bay. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Safety device for scaffolding This invention relates to a safety device for metal scaffolding which is erected by means of adjusting frames.

In one well known method of scaffolding construction, vertical scaffolding elements designed as so-called adjusting frames are fitted onto one another by means of pipe connectors as the structure is built upwards. In each tier the adjusting frames are erected first and these are subsequently connected together by flooring or planking elements which at the same time have a general stiffening effect.

Each time such a scaffolding is built upwards, a scaffolder has to step onto the flooring or planking element which has just been laid as the uppermost walk surface. He therefore stands freely on the walk surface without any back protection. In strong wind, and particularly in cases where the scaffolding is of considerable height, this work is especially dangerous.

The object of the invention is to provide means whereby this danger may be largely obviated.

This object is achieved in accordance with the invention, in that a safety device is provided which comprises a frame which can be attached by fastening means to a handrail and a knee ledge of a previously uppermost tier in such a way that it extends vertically upwards, in that the overall height (e) of the frame is equal to the overall height (d) of one tier plus the distance (b) between the knee ledge and the handrail, and in that a double railing consisting of a further handrail and a further knee ledge is fastened to this frame and extends the entire length (f) of a scaffolding bay or compartment, the handrail being connected to the upper end of the frame whilst the knee ledge is connected to upright limbs of the frame.

Preferably the fastening means consist of hooks attached to the upright limbs of the frame.

In practice, after a walk surface has been produced by suspending an appropriate horizontal scaffolding element, for example a frame panel, from the previously uppermost tier the safety device is brought upwards in such a way that the fastening means engage the handrail and the knee ledge of the double railing. The safety device provides a provisional double railing for the new tier which railing affords the necessary protection and above all imparts the necessary feeling of security for workmen on the new tier. The adjusting frames for the new tier can be inserted at the ends of the bay or compartment and be connected by having a permanent double railing finally secured to them.

The safety device can then be removed and, for example, be used for the assembly of a new scaffolding tier in the next scaffolding bay or compartment.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front view of a preferred embodiment of the safety device of the invention; Figure 2 is a side view of the same safety device considered in the direction of the arrow II in Fig. 1; Figure 3 illustrates, on a reduced scale, the use of the safety device of Figs. 1 and 2 (considered in the direction of the arrow Ill in Fig. 2) in the construction of scaffolding; and Figure 4 is a side view, considered in the direction of the arrow IV in Fig. 3 of a modified embodiment of the safety device of the invention.

Fig. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the safety device 1 of the invention which consists of vertically extending lower frame limbs 11 and 12, as well as vertically extending upper frame limbs 11' and 12'. Fastened at right angles to these frame limbs are horizontally extending parts of a provisional double railing consisting of a handrail 1 3 and a knee ledge 1 4. The length f of both the handrail 1 3 and the knee ledge 14corresponds to the overall length of a scaffolding bay or compartment and the respective ends of these parts are connected together by vertically extending pipes 1 5. Fastening means 16, 1 7 in the form of hooks are provided on the lower frame limbs 11, 1 2. The lower ends of the frame limbs 11, 1 2 are connected together by a horizontally extending pipe 1 8. Respective diagonally extending struts 1 9 are mounted adjacent the connection points of the knee ledge 14 to the frame limbs 11, 11'and 12, 12' so as to stiffen the entire safety device 1.

The manner of use of the safety device is shown clearly in Fig. 3, in which a scaffolding bay is illustrated in a direction from the interior of the scaffolding, e.g. from the wall of a building outwards, in accordance with the arrow Ill in Fig. 2. The scaffolding bay shown in Fig. 3 consists of adjusting frames 21 which are arranged one above the other by means of plug-in connections and between which, in each tier, horizontal scaffolding elements 22 are arranged so as to connect adjacent adjusting frames 21 and form walk surfaces. The adjusting frames 21 are also connected together by double railings each consisting of a handrail 23 and a knee ledge 24.

When a new tier is to be constructed, a horizontal scaffolding element 22', intended for the walk surface of the newly to be erected tier, is firstly suspended between the adjusting frames 21 which already project upwards from the currently uppermost walk surface 22. Then the safety device 1 is brought upwards on the outside of the scaffolding so that the hooks 16, 1 7 respectively engage the handrail 23 and the knee ledge 24 of the double railing of the previously uppermost tier.In this way the tier which is to be constructed is provided with a provisional double railing consisting of the handrail 1 3 and the knee ledge 1 4. The scaffolder responsible for completing the construction of the new tier can now walk unendangered on the walk surface 22' and insert the adjusting frames (not shown in Fig. 3) for the next tier into the tube connectors 25 of the adjusting frames 21 and then connect these together by a final double railing. As soon as this has taken place, the safety device 1 can be removed and be used, for example, for the assembly of the new scaffolding tier of the adjoining scaffolding bay.

In Fig. 3 the height of a tier, in other words the distance between two walk surfaces is designated as d. The height of the knee ledge above the walk surface is designated as a, the distance between the knee ledge and the handrail is designated b, and the distance from the handrail as far as the next-following walk surface is designated c, so that d= a+ b+ c. Accordingly, the overall height of the safety device 1 e= d+ b.

For increased safety it is possible, if this appears necessary, to provide an additional retaining means on the two frame limbs 11 and 12, as is indicated in Fig. 4. This consists of safety ledges 31 which are hinged by respective hinges 33 to the frame limbs 11, 1 2. The length of each ledge 31 corresponds to the width of the respective walk surface 22, 22' and they are each curved at their free end to form a book 32. The hinges 33 are in each case mounted at the distance h= b+ c from the lower end of the safety device, so that after engagement of the hook-shaped fastening means 1 6 and 1 7 onto the handrail 23 and the knee ledge 24 of the double railing the safety ledges 31 can be swung in the direction of the arrow m so as to anchor the safety device at the other edge (on the building side) of the scaffolding element forming the walk surface. The safety ledges 31 advantageously consist of flat metal bands.

Their lateral longitudinal edges can be chamfered in such a way as to minimise stumbling of persons on the walk surface.

For the sake of clarity, in Fig. 4 the front upright 21 is broken away and the double railing 23-24 is sectioned.

Claims

1. A safety device for the assembly of scaffolding which is erected by means of adjusting frames, characterised in that the device comprises a frame which can be attached by fastening means to a handrail and a knee ledge of a previously uppermost tier in such a way that it extends vertically upwards, in that the overall height (e) of the frame is equal to the overall height (d) of one tier plus the distance (b) between the knee ledge and the handrail, and in that a double railing consisting of a further handrail and a further knee ledge is fastened to this frame and extends the entire length (f) of a scaffolding bay or compartment, the handrail being connected to the upper end of the frame whilst the knee ledge is connected to upright limbs of the frame.

2. A safety device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the fastening means consists of hooks attached to the upright limbs of the frame.

3. A safety device as claimed in claim 1 or 2 characterised in that a safety ledge is hinged to at least one of the frame limbs on a level with the walk surface of the new scaffolding tier and so as to be swingable towards the interior of the scaffolding, the length of the safety ledge corresponding to the width of the walk surface and the free end of the safety ledge having means to engage the far edge of the scaffolding element forming the walk surface.

4. A safety device for the assembly of scaffolding substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3 or Fig. 4 of the accompanying drawings.