GB2229757A - Scaffold frame for window opening - Google Patents

Abstract

A frame 12 to be engaged in a window opening to support a worker outside the building comprises a plurality of individual frame members (13, 14, 15, 16) adapted to be telescopically inter-engaged with one another, the frame being adapted to be supported in cantilevered manner from a window opening. The frame members have arms (30) with end engagement surfaces (31) such that the assembled frame has two co-planar first end engagement surfaces spaced from one another in the direction of the width of the frame and two co-planar second end engagement surfaces spaced from one another in the direction of the width of the frame and facing in the opposite direction from the first end surfaces so that with the frame extending through a window opening the end surfaces can be engaged with opposite sides of the wall (51) defining the window opening (50). A platform is then supported on the frame, and posts 25 may support a safety barrier. <IMAGE>

Description

FRAME SUPPORT This invention relates to a frame support intended for mounting in a window opening.

In order to work on the outside of a window or window frame, a workman or window cleaner has to support himself in a dangerous position on the window ledge or on a ladder or to erect expensive scaffolding.

An object of this invention is to provide an easily erectable, collapsible and transportable frame assembly which can be mounted in a window opening of a building from the inside and which is then accessible from the inside but which can be used to support a workman on the outside of the building while he works on the window or window frame.

In one aspect, the invention provides a plurality of frame members adapted to be interengaged to form a frame, which is preferably expansible and contractable, the frame so formed being adapted to be supported in cantilevered manner from a window opening. Preferably the frame has parts adapted to engage the inside and outside surfaces of the wall defining the window opening.

In one form a plurality of frame members are telescopically interengageable so that the length of the frame is adjustable, the frame members having arms with end engagement surfaces, such that the assembled frame has two co-planar first end engagement surfaces spaced from one another in the direction of the width of the frame and two co-planar second end engagement surfaces spaced from one another in the direction of the width of the frame and facing in the opposite direction from the first end surfaces so that with the frame extending through the window opening the end surfaces can be engaged with opposite sides of the wall defining the window opening, and including releasable fastening means for securing the frame members against relative movement.

In use, the loosely assembled frame is manoevred through the window opening from the inside and adjusted so that the first end surfaces engage the inside surface of the wall adjacent the window opening and the second end surfaces engage the outside surface of the wall adjacent and below the window opening, and the releasable fastening means is then operated to fix the frame members in these relative positions so that the frame is supported in cantilever manner from the wall and rests on the window base or ledge.

The frame can then be used to support platform means, posts and guard rails, tools, and/or ladders, as well as a workman.

Preferably, the frame members are also telescopically interengageable such that the width of the frame is adjustable and releaseable fastening means are provided for fixing the frame at a required selected width.

The releaseable fastening means may be pins engageable in aligned holes in the telescoping parts or other clamping means.

Preferably, there are four frame members each having two limbs substantially at right angles to one another, each limb of one member being telescopically engageable with the limb of another member so that the frame can be expanded and contracted parallel to any of the limbs.

The angled arms carrying the end engagement surfaces extend from the limbs either in the plane of the limbs or out of the plane of the limbs. Preferably two such arms which are intended to engage with the inside surface of the wall defining the window opening are in the plane of the limbs and two such arms which are intended to engage the outside surface of the wall extend out of the plane of the limbs so that when the frame is mounted in the window opening the outside end surfaces contact the wall below the window opening to resist rotational forces caused by a weight on the part of the frame outside the window.

One embodiment of frame support, in accordance with the invention, will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagramatic drawings of which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a frame formed from four frame members seen from one side and above and including one fastening member, Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 but showing the four frame members separated from one another, Figure 3 is a perspective view of the assembled frame from a different angle and including parts of optional posts for carrying a guard rail, Figure 4 is a perspective view from the inside of a building of the frame mounted in a window opening, and Figure 5 is a perspective view from the outside of a building of the frame mounted in a window opening.

A closed, substantially rectangular, frame 12 is formed from four frame members 13, 14, 15, 16 telescopically interengaged with one another so that the frame can be expanded and contracted both in the direction of its length and its width. Each frame member has two tubular limbs at right angles to another. Frame member 13 has a back limb 17 and a forwardly projecting side limb 18. Frame member 14 has a back limb 20 telescopically slidable in the limb 17 and a forwardly projecting side limb 21. Frame member 15 has a front limb 22 and a rearwardly projecting limb 23 receiving telescopically the limb 21. Frame member 16 has a front limb 23 received telescopically in limb 22 and a rearwardly projecting side limb 24 receiving telescopically the limb 18.

The frame can be expanded and contracted both in the direction of its length and its width by sliding the limbs relative to one another but can be fastened in any selected configuration by releaseable fastening means in the form of pins, one of which is shown at 25, insertable in aligned ones of the series of holes 26 which are formed in all the limbs.

The frame additionally has angled arms 30 extending from the sides of the frame, one from each frame member, and each ending in an engagement surface 31 which is preferably formed of non-slip and resilient material so that it will not slip against or damage the surface which it engages. The four arms 30 are designated arms 30A, 30B, 30C and 30D.

Arms 30A and 30B extend respectively from the corners of the frame members 13 and 14 first outwardly of the side and then forwardly so that they lie in the plane of the frame. Arms 30C and 30D extend respectively from near the rear ends of the frame members 15 and 16 and each has a first portion 32 extending outwardly from the frame member, a second portion 33 extending downwardly from the end of the portion 32 and a third portion 34 extending rearwardly from the lower end of the portion 33 and ending in an end face 31. On each side a strut 35 connects the lower end of portion 33 with the corner of the frame member.

The side surfaces of the portions 33 and the corners of the frame members 15 and 16 support sockets 36 in which can be located the lower ends of posts 37 carrying a guard rail 38. The frame is also shown provided with hook members 40 which may be used for example for carrying a pot of paint.

These or other fastening means may be used to connect a safety line to a harness worn by a workman using the frame support.

Figures 4 and 5 show the support assembled in the window opening 50 defined by a wall 51 of a building with the window open. The wall 51 has an inside surface 52 and an outside surface 53 and the window opening has a base or ledge 54.

In order the mount the frame in the window opening, the frame parts are assembled together loosely and contracted to the minimum frame width, the front end of the frame is inserted out of the window from the inside, if necessary with the frame tipped at an angle, the frame is then expanded and/or contracted to the required position in which the stop members 31 on the arms 30A and 30B contact the inside surface of the wall and the stop members 31 on the arms 30C, 30D engage the outside surface of the wall at a level below the window. Pins such as 25 are then inserted in aligned holes in the interengaging frame parts to fix them in these relative positions. The frame is thus firmly mounted in the window opening and supported on the window ledge and against the walls in a cantilever manner.The posts 37 and guard rail 38 can then be erected and planks or other platform means 55 supported on and fixed to the part of the frame outside the window stop means 56 prevent the platform moving outwardly. Any known means of fixing the platform to the frame may be used.

In its mounted position the frame provides a safe platform for a workman to work on the window or window frame or to clean the window. If two such frames are mounted in adjacent windows platform means could be stretched between them allowing a workman to work on the wall between two adjacent windows. Access to the support may be by a ladder resting against the outer frame 15 which has stops 57 for restricting the end of a ladder from sliding along the frame.

It will be seen that the frame is easily assembled and dis-assembled, is adjustable to suit different sized window openings and wall thicknesses, and can be collapsed into four separate frame parts for easy transport.

Claims (15)

1. A frame support comprising a plurality of individual frame members adapted to be inter-engaged with one another to form a frame, the frame so formed being adapted to be supported in cantilevered manner from a window opening.

2. A frame support according to Claim 1 which is expansible and contractible.

3. A frame support according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 in which the frame has engagement surfaces adapted to engage the inside and the outside surface of a wall defining a window opening.

4. A frame support according to any of Claims 1 to 3 in which the frame members are telescopically inter-engageable so that the length of the frame is adjustable.

5. A frame support according to Claim 4 in which the frame members are telescopically inter-engageable so that the width of the frame is also adjustable.

6. A frame support according to Claim 4 or Claim 5 including releasable fastening means for securing the frame members against relative movement.

7. A frame support according to Claim 6 in which the fastening means comprise pins engageable in aligned holes in the frame members.

8. A frame support according to any of Claims 1 to 7 in which the frame members have arms with end engagement surfaces such that the assembled frame has two co-planar first end engagement surfaces spaced from one another in the direction of the width of the frame and two co-planar second end engagement surfaces spaced from one another in the direction of the width of the frame and facing in the opposite direction from the first end surfaces so that with the frame extending through a window opening the end surfaces can be engaged with opposite sides of the wall defining the window opening.

9. A frame support according to Claim 8 in which there are four frame members each having two limbs substantially at right angles to one another, each limb of one member being telescopically engageable with the limb of the another member so that the frame can be expanded and contracted parallel to any of t the limbs.

10. A frame according to Claim 8 or Claim 9 in which the end engagement surfaces are located on arms which extend from the limbs either in the plane of the limbs or out of the plane of the limbs.

11. A frame support according to Claim 10 in which two angled arms which are intended to engage with the inside surface of the wall defining a window opening are in the plane of the limbs and two angled arms which are intended to engage the outside surface of the wall extend out of the plane of the limbs so that when the frame is mounted in the window opening the outside end surfaces contact the wall below the window opening to resist rotational forces caused by a weight on the part of the frame outside the window.

12. A frame support including a platform means designed to be supported on the assembled frame.

13. A frame support including posts and guard rails designed to be supported on the assembled frame.

14. A frame support including means for attaching tools and/or ladders.

15. A frame support substantially as described herein with reference to or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.