GB2192661A

GB2192661A - Scaffolding or tower

Info

Publication number: GB2192661A
Application number: GB08713895A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Norman Arthur Pryor
Original assignee: CONDER GROUP PLC
Current assignee: CONDER GROUP PLC
Priority date: 1986-07-16
Filing date: 1987-06-15
Publication date: 1988-01-20
Anticipated expiration: 2007-06-15
Also published as: GB8617304D0; GB2192661B; GB8713895D0

Abstract

In order to reduce cost, a scaffold tower 1 is mobile, and all its running wheels 3 run along the same track 4 to reduce problems of levelling etc. In order to keep the scaffold tower 1 stable both when stationary and when being moved, there is a stabilising arrangement which locates the higher part of the tower 1 with respect to a stabilising track 7 fixed to the roof of the building, the tracks 4 and 7 being parallel as seen in plan. Wheels 21 run along the track 7 and are connected to the tower 1 by means of a restraint arm 8 whose end adjacent the tower 1 is rigidly fixed to a vertical member 9 which has vertically-spaced wheels running in a vertical guideway 15 fixed to the tower 1. The guideway 15 guides the restraint arm 8 so that it moves up and down when the height of the stabilising track alters relative to the tower 1 as the tower 1 is moved along the building. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Scaffolding or tower The present invention provides mobile scaffolding or a mobile tower as set forth in Claims 1 or 15, and methods of working on a building, as set forth in Claims 21 or 22. The remaining Claims set forth optional features of the invention.

The mobile scaffolding or tower is easily moved along the eaves walls and gable ends of a building-no basic change in the system is required when the system is used on a gable end instead of along an eaves wall. The scaffolding or tower enables for instance cladding or sheeting to be applied to vertical faces of the building and gutters and flashings to be erected, without the need for full length scaffolding. The scaffolding cost is significantly reduced compared to full length scaffolding.

The scaffolding or tower of the invention does not give significant levelling problems, and in general need not be so accurate and the track along the ground can go up and down; slight misalignments can be accommodated, and slight tilting from the vertical is acceptable. The high position of the stabilising rail ensures good stability of the scaffolding when it is moving. One or more of the running wheels can be provided with brakes, for holding the scaffolding or tower stationary when work is being done, or short jacks can be provided.

The stabilising arrangement keeps the scaffolding or tower upright both when stationary and when being moved. The use of the stabilising member, the guide member and the vertically-spaced guide means ensure that there is no substantial pivoting movement (about a horizontal axis parallel to the stabilising track) at the engagement of the stabilising member with the stabilising track so that when relative changes in height occur, the distance between the car and the stabilising track remains substantially the same. All the vertical guidance of the movement of the stabilising arrangement is on the scaffolding or tower itself. This enables a safe guidance system to be incorporated in the scaffolding or tower, and does not depend upon operator skills on site.

The arrangement also enables one to use just a single track for the stabilising arrangement, which greatly facilitates erection. Furthermore, the use of a single track makes the arrangement far less prone to jamming.

In theory at least, the stabilising track could be close to the scaffolding or tower or even pass through the scaffolding or tower, and in such circumstances it may be possible to dispense with the guide member and a plurality of vertically-spaced guide means, having a single guide means which moves in the guideway, e.g. using a single wheel on the end of each stabilising member for engagement in the guideway; however it is believed that the performance would be less smooth.

In practice, the stabilising member(s) will project substantially from the scaffolding or tower towards the position of the building, and the vertically-spaced guide means enable the distance of projection to be changed without risk of jamming in the vertical guideway and thus minimising the moment applied to the stabilising member. Furthermore, if any substantial vertical load is applied to the stabilising member, e.g. by an erector, the vertically-spaced guide means minimise the risk of damage.

Although it is stated, and preferred, that the substantially vertical guideway should be on the scaffolding or tower and the verticallyspaced guide means on the guide member, this could be reversed, i.e. having the guideway fixed with respect to the stabilising member, but the arrangement would be much more inconvenient. Likewise, it is in theory possible to have the stabilising track fixed with respect to the stabilising member and engaged by a member fixed to the building, though this again would be much less convenient.

It is most convenient only to have two running wheels, as then changes in inclination of the track give little problem. However, if the scaffolding or tower is relatively long along the building, intermediate running wheels can be included, again travelling along substantially the same line.

The scaffolding or tower will normally include a working platform, and its height can be adjustable to provide suitable working conditions for operatives. The scaffolding or tower can be extendible upwards so as to be suitable for higher buildings.

The invention will be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an isometric sketch of a mobile scaffold tower in accordance with the invention (shown in association with part of the eaves edge of a building, exploded); Figure 2 is an elevation of the top part of the mobile scaffold tower, on a gable end of a building; and Figure 3 is a side-view of the top part of the mobile scaffold tower, shown working under an overhang.

The mobile scaffolding or scaffold tower 1 has conventional working platforms 2 (see Figure 1). The tower 1 is shown with conventional diagonal bracing on the back and front, but this may be removed both from the front and rear immediately by a working platform, to allow access to a work surface at both front and rear. Alternatively, the diagonal bracing can be retained at the rear and removed from the whole of the front, a hoop-braced structure being provided. The tower I has its weight carried by running wheels 3 which are aligned so as to travel along the same, single support track 4. Either the support track 4 will be flanged (as shown in Figure 1) or the wheels 3 will be flanged.Both wheels 3 are height adjustable for making the tower 1 vertical if the ground is sloping although not shown in detail, this is achieved using a jacking arrangement with a screw jack and a vertical slot in which a horizontal pin engages to stop the wheels 3 rotating about a vertical axis. The support track 4 preferably runs un der the centre of gravity of the tower I in order to take stress off the stabilising arrange ment described below. The track 4 is rectili near, but can have undulations, up to say 5 , and the track 4 can be inclined as a whole.

The track 4 is staked to the ground by small pegs (not shown) passing through small sleep ers 6; upwardly projecting pins 5 are used to join adjacent lengths of track 4. Cross-pins (lorry tailgate pins) can be used at the ends of the track 4 to stop the wheels 3 running off the track 4.

In order to keep the tower 1 stable both when stationary and when being moved, there is a stabilising arrangement on a higher part of the tower 1 which locates the higher part of the tower 1 with respect to a stabilising track 7 fixed to the building, the stabilising track 7 being parallel to the support track 4 as seen in plan, though it may be inclined as seen in elevation (see Figure 2).

In detail, the stabilising arrangement has two lateral triangular frames each formed by a sta bilising member or restraint arm 8 which is fixed to a vertical guide member 9 in an L configuration with an inclined brace 10 to make the structure rigid. There is a diagonal brace 11 between the triangular frames, and first and second connecting members 12,13.

The brace 11 and connecting members 12,13 are secured to the respective triangular frames at securing points whose distance apart can be altered so that the effective lengths of the brace 11 and connecting members 12,13 can be altered to suit the inclination, if any, of the track 4 and hence the difference in heights of the two restraint arms 8, fixing the heights in their proper relationship.

Each guide member 9 has vertically-spaced, short, projecting arms 14 each carrying a guide means (described below) which is guided by a vertical guideway or track 15 (de scribed below) fixed to the tower 1. The tracks 15 guide the projecting restraint arms 8 for strictly vertical movement with respect to the tower 1 when the height of the stabilising track 7 alters relative to the tower 1 as the tower 1 is moved along the building. The tracks 15 can be provided with loose-fitting pins (not shown), e.g. spring-loaded plungers, to ensure that the guide means are retained within the tracks 15 whilst also enabling fur ther lengths of track 15 to be added if extra height adjustability is required (a similar arrangement could be used for the support track 4).

The relative heights of the restraint arms 8 need only be reset for a new slope (of the ground or of the roof)-the arrangement can take up slight undulations of the ground or roof without resetting.

The advantage of having two restraint arms 8 is that they stop the tower 1 twisting about a vertical axis; in addition, by suitably lengthening the connecting member 13, the tower 1 can be positioned slightly beyond the edge of the roof at each end.

The short arms 14 are connected to the guide members 9 using standard scaffold clips, which can enable the triangular frames to be swung inwards for partial dismantling.

To provide an alternative, the tracks 15 are secured to the stiles of the tower 1 by weiding to standard scaffold clips, likewise enabling the tracks 15 to be swung inwards on partial dismantling.

The stabilising track 7 can be fixed to the building when the roof is fitted. Unistruts 16 are fixed to part of the building structure (not shown), e.g. a roof purlin, using e.g. cleats (not shown) which keep the unistruts 16 above the profile of the roof cladding. Brackets 17 mounted on the unistruts 16 mount a scaffold tube 18 which in turn carries scaffold clips 19 weided to the stabilising track 7. This enables the stabilising track 7 to be swung about the axis of the scaffold tube 18 for appropriate positioning, e.g. with its mouth upwards or inclined or sideways. Figure 1 shows the mouth upwards, but it would be possible to have the mouth facing the tower 1, i.e. sideways. This will be especially so if the stabilising track 7 is mounted on the outer face of a building (see below).

The stabilising arrangement has guide means which engage the stabilising track 7. As these guide means are the same as those which guide the short arms 14 in the vertical tracks 15, they are described together. The guide means are small carriages 20 having guide wheels 21 received within the track 7,15, which has inturned lips at its open side for retaining the wheels 21. The wheels 21 are in coaxial pairs within the channel of the track 7,15, one of each pair being on either side of a mounting member 22 which projects out through the open side of the channel, and each carriage 20 has two pairs of wheels 21.

In the particular case of the track 7, there could be a side wheel or a sliding nylon bearing, for taking lateral thrust.

The ends of the tracks 7 can be closed off to stop the stabilising arrangement coming out of the ends.

In use, the scaffold tower 1 may be erected with the aid of a temporary angle support or stay (not shown) until the stabilising arrangement is in position.

If the scaffold tower 1 is to be used along the gable end of the building (see Figure 2), the connecting members 12,13 are canted so as to follow the inclination of the roof line, and the brace 11 is suitably adjusted.

In general, the stabilising track 7 can be fixed on top of the roof cladding along the eaves edge or along the gable edge, or on top of a parapet along the eaves edge or gable edge, or can be fixed to the outer face of a vertical wall or could be fixed to the underside of a soffit as shown in Figure 3 the tower 1 could be used inside the building, with the stabilising track 7 fixed to a wall or to the ceiling. If desired, outriggers can be mounted on the tower 1 for carrying a working platform out under an overhang. There may be two stabilising arrangements at different heights, one stabilising the centre part of the tower I, normally half-way up-this would be useful when erecting a tall tower 1 and adjusting the top work.

The arrangement of Figure 3 is similar to that of Figure 1, except that the lateral supports are inverted and the connecting member 13 is omitted, the short supporting members 22 being carried directly on the restraint arms 8 by means of a scaffold clip 23.

Though not shown, the tower 1 can also be used as a hoist or lifting device for materials from low level to the workface, the hoist being appropriately fixed to the tower 1 or incorporated in the tower 1; if the tower 1 is being used exclusively as a hoist, the working platforms 2 would not be included. The hoist could be used to lift long cladding sheets, or, with suitable strengthening of the tower, for lifting e.g. bricks, blocks, wall assemblies or wall panels.

The present invention has been described above purely by way of example, and modifications can be made within the spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. Mobile scaffolding or mobile tower for a building, having running wheels on a bottom part thereof for carrying the weight of the scaffolding at least while the scaffolding is being moved; and a stabilising arrangement for retaining a higher part of the scaffolding and keeping the scaffolding upright, the stabilising arrangement comprising a stabilising member for engaging a stabilising track fixed to the building, which stabilising track will as seen in plan be substantially parallel to the direction of travel of the scaffolding, a substantially vertical guide member fixed to the stabilising member, substantially vertically-spaced guide means mounted on the guide member, and a substantially vertical guideway on the scaffolding and guiding the guide means and hence the guide member and the stabilising member for substantially vertical movement with respect to the scaffolding when the height of the stabilising track alters relative to the scaffolding as the scaffolding is moved along the building.

2. The scaffolding or tower of Claim 1, wherein said running wheels are for rolling along a track.

3. The scaffolding or tower of Claim 1 or 2, wherein all the running wheels are aligned so as to travel along substantially the same, single line.

4. The scaffolding or tower of Claim 3, wherein said line runs generally under the centre of gravity of the scaffolding.

5. The scaffolding or tower of any of the preceding Claims, wherein the stabilising member comprises a wheel for rolling along the stabilising track.

6. The scaffolding or tower of any of the preceding Claims, wherein said guide means are wheels and said guide-way is a substantially vertical track along which the wheels roll.

7. The scaffolding or tower of Claim 6, wherein each said guide means comprises a pair of adjacent, vertically-spaced wheels.

8. The scaffolding or tower of any of Claims 5, 6 or 7, wherein the stabilising track and/or the guideway is a channel with inturned lips at its open side, and the respective wheels are in coaxial pairs within the channel, on either side of a mounting member which projects out through the open side of the channel.

9. The scaffolding or tower of any of the preceding Claims, wherein the stabilising arrangement comprises two said stabilising members at substantially the same height and spaced apart with respect to the direction of movement of the scaffolding.

10. The scaffolding or tower of Claim 9, wherein each stabilising member is fixed to a respective said guide member.

11. The scaffolding or tower of Claim 9 or 10, wherein the stabilising members are connected by a connecting member extending substantially parallel to the direction of movement of the scaffolding, which connecting member is secured to each stabilising member at securing points whose distance apart can be altered so that the effective length of the connecting member can be altered to suit the inclination, if any, of the stabilising track.

12. The scaffolding or tower of Claim 11, wherein the connecting member is fixable to each stabilising member to prevent relative movement between the connecting member and the stabilising member about a horizontal axis normal to the stabilising track.

13. The scaffolding or tower of any of the preceding Claims, wherein the stabilising member(s) projects substantially from the scaffolding towards the position of the building.

14. The scaffolding or tower of any of the preceding Claims, wherein the relative height of at least one running wheel can be altered to enable the scaffolding to remain vertical if the base on which the wheels run is inclined.

15. Mobile scaffolding or mobile tower, substantially as herein described with reference to, and as shown in, Figures 1, 2 or 3 of the accompanying drawings.

16. The scaffolding or tower of any of the preceding Claims, mounted in or adjacent a building with the stabilising track fixed to the building.

17. The scaffolding or tower of Claim 16, wherein the stabilising track is fixed to an upwards-facing surface.

18. The scaffolding or tower of Claim 16, wherein the stabilising track is fixed to a vertical surface.

19. The scaffolding or tower of Claim 16, wherein the stabilising track is fixed to a downwards-facing surface.

20. The scaffolding or tower of any of Claims 16 to 19, wherein the stabilising track is inclined.

21. A method of working on a building, comprising using the scaffolding or tower of any of Claims 16 to 20, keeping the scaffolding stationary while carrying out building works, moving the scaffolding while supported by the running wheels, and keeping the scaffolding stationary for carrying out further building works.

22. A method of working on a building, substantiaily as herein described with reference to Figures 1, 2 or 3 of the accompanying drawings.