GB2143884A

GB2143884A - Scaffolding towers

Info

Publication number: GB2143884A
Application number: GB08320457A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Eric John Abbey; Roger Douglas Wiggins
Original assignee: STEPHENS and CARTER Ltd
Current assignee: STEPHENS and CARTER Ltd
Priority date: 1983-07-29
Filing date: 1983-07-29
Publication date: 1985-02-20
Also published as: GB8320457D0

Abstract

A scaffolding tower system in the form of a kit of parts including frame members and bracing members, wherein at least two frame members (11), intended to form part of the base of the tower, are each provided with outwardly extending stabilizers (14) hinged by a method which enables the frame members (11) and stabilizers (14) to fold flat for storage and which may be locked in a number of different positions relative to the frame members (11, 12). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Scaffolding towers This invention relates to scaffolding towers of the type consisting of a kit of parts, usually composed of lightweight alloy material, in the form of frame members and bracing members which may be fitted together by the user to form a self-supporting tower to permit him to gain access to a higher level for inspection or working puposes.

When the kit is to be stored in the home it is highly desirable that the components individually should not be too large, and it is thought that the largest components, such as the frame members used in a spaced pair to form the base of the tower, should not exceed 4 feet in length. This thus determines the base area of the tower which in turn limits the maximum height of the tower to about 14 feet if the required stability is to be maintaind.

For household use, a height of 1 6 to 20 feet is often needed, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved scaffolding tower system in which this height may be achieved without sacrifice of stability.

The present invention consists in a scaffolding tower system in the form of a kit of parts including frame members and bracing members, wherein at least two frame members, intended to form part of the base of the tower, are each provided with outwardly extending stabilizers hinged by a method which enables the frame member and stabilizers to fold flat for storage and which may be locked in a number of different positions relative to the frame member.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a front view of one form of frame member for use in a scaffolding tower system according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of the frame member of Fig. 1; Figures 3 to 7 show details of the frame member of Figs. 1 and 2; and Figure 8 is a diagrammatic plan view showing the frame members in use.

In carrying the invention into effect according to one convenient mode by way of example, Figs. 1 and 2 show a frame member, for use in a scaffolding tower system, which includes two vertical tubular members 11 welded to the ends of the two horizontal members 12, a central vertical stiffening member 1 3 being welded to the centres of the horizontal members 12.

Each vertical member 11 has pivotably connected to it a stabilizer 14 consisting of an inclined leg 1 5 secured at its upper end to a collar 16 on the vertical member 11 and a brace 1 7 secured at one end to the leg 1 5 intermediate its ends and at the other end to another collar 18 on the member 11.

The collars 16 and 18 are adjacent and between the horizontal members 12 so that the stabilizer 14 is captive upon the vertical member 11 but may be rotated about its vertical axis.

The vertical member 11 and the collars 1 6 and 1 8 are provided with horizontally aligned holes to permit the stabilizer 14 to be locked in two different positions relative the frame member with the aid of a pin 1 9.

One position, as shown in Figs. 1 to 6, and as position A in Fig. 8, is where the stabilizer 14 extends at an angle of 0" with respect to the frame member, and the other position, as shown in Fig. 7 and as position B in Fig. 8, is where the stabilizer 14 extends at an angle of 45 with respect to the frame member. When not in use, storage is facilitated by rotation of the stabilizers 14 through 90 from the position shown in Fig. 2 so that both stabilizers overlie the frame member.

In use, when the tower is to be erected in an unobstructed position, all four stabilizers will be locked in a position at 45 with respect to their associated frame members.

However, as illustrated in Fig. 8, where the tower is to be erected against a wall 20, the stabilizers 14 of one frame member 21 will be locked in position A to permit the tower to be located closely adjacent the wall, whereas the stabilizer 14 of the other frame member 22 will be locked in position B.

It will be understood that frame members 21 and 22 will be interconnected in the usual way to form the base of the tower.

1. A scaffolding tower system in the form of a kit of parts including frame members and bracing members, wherein at least two frame members, intended to form part of the base of the tower, are each provided with outwardly extending stabilizers hinged by a method which enables the frame member and stabilizers to fold flat for storage and which may be locked in a number of different positions relative to the frame member.

2. A scaffolding tower system as claimed in claim 1, wherein each stabilizer consists of an inclined leg secured at its upper end to a collar mounted for rotation upon a vertical tubular member of the frame member.

3. A scaffolding tower system as claimed in claim 2, wherein a brace is secured at one end to the inclined leg intermediate its ends and at the other end to another collar on the vertical tubular member.

4. A scaffolding tower system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the collars are located adjacent and between horizontal members fixed to the vertical tubular member so that the stabilizer is captive upon the vertical tubular member.

5. A scaffolding tower system as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the vertical member and the or each collar are

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Scaffolding towers This invention relates to scaffolding towers of the type consisting of a kit of parts, usually composed of lightweight alloy material, in the form of frame members and bracing members which may be fitted together by the user to form a self-supporting tower to permit him to gain access to a higher level for inspection or working puposes. When the kit is to be stored in the home it is highly desirable that the components individually should not be too large, and it is thought that the largest components, such as the frame members used in a spaced pair to form the base of the tower, should not exceed 4 feet in length. This thus determines the base area of the tower which in turn limits the maximum height of the tower to about 14 feet if the required stability is to be maintaind. For household use, a height of 1 6 to 20 feet is often needed, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved scaffolding tower system in which this height may be achieved without sacrifice of stability. The present invention consists in a scaffolding tower system in the form of a kit of parts including frame members and bracing members, wherein at least two frame members, intended to form part of the base of the tower, are each provided with outwardly extending stabilizers hinged by a method which enables the frame member and stabilizers to fold flat for storage and which may be locked in a number of different positions relative to the frame member. In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a front view of one form of frame member for use in a scaffolding tower system according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of the frame member of Fig. 1; Figures 3 to 7 show details of the frame member of Figs. 1 and 2; and Figure 8 is a diagrammatic plan view showing the frame members in use. In carrying the invention into effect according to one convenient mode by way of example, Figs. 1 and 2 show a frame member, for use in a scaffolding tower system, which includes two vertical tubular members 11 welded to the ends of the two horizontal members 12, a central vertical stiffening member 1 3 being welded to the centres of the horizontal members 12. Each vertical member 11 has pivotably connected to it a stabilizer 14 consisting of an inclined leg 1 5 secured at its upper end to a collar 16 on the vertical member 11 and a brace 1 7 secured at one end to the leg 1 5 intermediate its ends and at the other end to another collar 18 on the member 11. The collars 16 and 18 are adjacent and between the horizontal members 12 so that the stabilizer 14 is captive upon the vertical member 11 but may be rotated about its vertical axis. The vertical member 11 and the collars 1 6 and 1 8 are provided with horizontally aligned holes to permit the stabilizer 14 to be locked in two different positions relative the frame member with the aid of a pin 1 9. One position, as shown in Figs. 1 to 6, and as position A in Fig. 8, is where the stabilizer 14 extends at an angle of 0" with respect to the frame member, and the other position, as shown in Fig. 7 and as position B in Fig. 8, is where the stabilizer 14 extends at an angle of 45 with respect to the frame member. When not in use, storage is facilitated by rotation of the stabilizers 14 through 90 from the position shown in Fig. 2 so that both stabilizers overlie the frame member. In use, when the tower is to be erected in an unobstructed position, all four stabilizers will be locked in a position at 45 with respect to their associated frame members. However, as illustrated in Fig. 8, where the tower is to be erected against a wall 20, the stabilizers 14 of one frame member 21 will be locked in position A to permit the tower to be located closely adjacent the wall, whereas the stabilizer 14 of the other frame member 22 will be locked in position B. It will be understood that frame members 21 and 22 will be interconnected in the usual way to form the base of the tower. CLAIMS

5. A scaffolding tower system as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the vertical member and the or each collar are provided with horizontally aligned holes to permit the stabilizer to be locked in different positions relative to the frame member with the aid of a pin.

6. A scaffolding tower system substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.