GB2437735A

GB2437735A - Collapsible, portable, free-standing scaffold

Info

Publication number: GB2437735A
Application number: GB0608909A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Lewis Alberto Grijo Dos Santos
Original assignee: ACCESS PRODUCTS Ltd
Current assignee: ACCESS PRODUCTS Ltd
Priority date: 2006-05-04
Filing date: 2006-05-04
Publication date: 2007-11-07
Anticipated expiration: 2026-05-04
Also published as: GB2437735B; GB0608909D0

Abstract

A collapsible scaffold has a platform 11, folding legs 12 and a guardrail 13, characterised by vertically extending corner posts onto which the guardrail and legs are mounted. The platform preferably comprises a generally rectangular frame covered with decking material. The guardrail preferably comprises two side frames 14 pivotally mounted on the platform and foldable about a second axis parallel to the first pivot axis. The first pivot axes of the two side frames may be at slightly different heights to allow compact folding. Each side frame may also carry an end gate 15 pivoted by a collar 29 on one end thereof and latchable onto the other side frame. Preferably each end gate is stowed flat against an upper part of the side frame. The deck platform 11 may have vertically extending corner posts 18 from which the guardrails pivot. Each corner post preferably houses a pin which comprises the first pivot axis and a recess for a second pin which may hold the gate vertical, the gate being vertically slidable to release the second pin. Vertical gate bars are preferably curved to accommodate the horizontal bars of the side frame when collapsed. The folding legs 12 are preferably pivotally mounted on the corner posts and are preferably telescopically extensible, being pinned at a desired length. The pin may comprise a spring-loaded internal pin or alternatively an external spring clip held pin. A support stay 34 may be provided to hold each leg at a predetermined angle. The stay preferably has a number of slots to provide different leg angles. The legs, preferably mounted in pairs by a horizontal bar which acts as ladder rung, may be pivotally mounted on the platform for folding flat. The folded scaffold is preferably adapted for compact stacking.

Description

SCAFFOLDING

This invention relates to scaffolding and in particular to folding deck scaffolding having -a deck platform, -folding legs for supporting the deck platform in an elevated position, and -a guard rail structure which surrounds the deck platform to prevent a user from falling from the deck platform.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved form of folding deck scaffolding.

Thus according to the present invention there is provided a folding deck scaffolding comprising:- -a deck platform, -folding legs for supporting the deck platform in an elevated position, and -a guard rail structure which surrounds the deck platform to prevent a user from falling from the deck platform; -the scaffolding being characterised in that the deck platform has generally vertically extending corner posts fastened thereto on which the guard rail structure and folding legs are supported.

Preferably the deck platform has an outer generally rectangular metal frame covered in decking material the corner posts being secured to the outer metal frame adjacent the corners thereof.

The corner posts may be made from folded sheet metal (e.g. steel) and riveted or otherwise secured to the metal frame of the deck. Alternatively, the corner posts may be cast from aluminium or other suitable material The guard rail structure may fold flat into planes generally parallel to and vertically above the deck platform as claimed in the Applicant's co-pending UK patent application No. (Applicant's reference P2749).

The guard rail structure may comprise two side frames which are each mounted on the corner posts for pivoting about respective first axes parallel to opposite sides of the deck platform, each side frame also folding in two about a second axis generally parallel to its respective first pivot axis for storage above the deck platform.

Preferably the first pivot axis of one side frame is at a higher level than the first pivot axis of the other side frame so that said one side frame folds into higher planes above the deck platform than said other side frame.

Each side frame also preferably carries an end gate which is pivoted on one end of the side frame and when in use extends to meet the other side frame to close a respective end of guard rail structure Preferably each end gate is foldable to a stowed position folded flat against an upper part of the supporting side frame prior to folding of the side frame about the second axis.

In an alternative construction the guard rail structure is demountably supported on the corner posts.

The upper ends of the corner posts are preferably formed as sockets to receive the demountable guard rail structure.

Preferably the demountable guard rail structure comprises a pair of side rails and end gates which fold for more compact storage when demounted from the deck platform.

The folding legs are also preferably pivotally mounted on the corner posts.

The folding legs are also preferably extendable in length.

The extendable legs may be telescopic with an inner portion which slides within an outer portion and pin means which extend through alternative cooperating holes in the inner and outer portions to hold the portions in a plurality of different relative positions to vary the length of the leg.

The pin means may comprises a spring-loaded pin housed within the inner leg portion which is depressed to disengage the cooperating hole in the outer portion to allow the two leg portions to slide relative to each other to adjust the length of the leg, the pin being released by depressing it through one of a number of holes in the outer leg portion. As the leg is adjusted to the required length the pin protrudes through and automatically re-engages with the required hole in the outer portion.

Alternative!y the pin means may comprises a spring clip which extends around the outer leg portion and which carries an inwardly pointing pin which extends through aligned holes in the outer and inner leg portions when the leg has been adjusted to the required length.

Each folding leg preferably has a support stay which extends between the leg and the deck platform to hold the leg at a pre-determined angle relative to the deck platform when the scaffolding is in use Preferably the support stays have a variable effective length so that the angle of the legs relative to the deck platform is variable.

Each support may have a generally longitudinally extending slot with a plurality of slot side extensions corresponding to predetermined angles of inclination of the folding leg, a formation on the deck platform sliding longitudinally in the slot and positioning the leg in a given one of said predetermined positions when the formation is in the corresponding slot side extension This ability to vary the angle of the legs relative to the deck platform and also to adjust the length of the leghs is the subject of the Applicant's co-pending Uk Patent Application No. (Applicant's reference P2750).

The folding legs may be rigidly connected in pairs.

The legs are preferably connected by one or more horizontal bars which act as ladder rungs to allow a scaffolding user to climb on to the deck platform The invention also provides a folding deck scaffolding as described above having support surfaces for supporting a similar scaffolding thereabove in a stacked configuration.

The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-Figure 1 is a perspective view of a folding deck scaffolding in accordance with the present invention in an erected condition; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the scaffolding of Figure 1 in a folded condition; Figure 3 is an end view in the direction of arrow A of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a side view in the direction of arrow B of Figure 2; Figure 5 is a side view in the direction of arrow C of Figure 2; Figure 6 is a plan view of the scaffolding of Figure 2; Figure 7 is a view from below of the scaffolding of Figure 2; Figure 8 is a perspective view of the deck platform of the scaffolding; Figure 9 is a perspective view of a corner post used in the scaffolding of Figures 1 to 7; Figure 10 is a plan view of the corner post of Figure 9; Figure 11 is a perspective view of the scaffolding of Figure 1 with the legs extended and opened at a larger angle for greater stability; Figure 12 is a perspective view of one corner of the scaffolding; Figure 13 is a perspective view of an opposite corner of the scaffolding; Figure 14 and 15 shows part of the guard rail of the scaffolding with the end gate in its closed and open positions respectively; Figure 16 shows the guard rail of Figures 14 and 15 folded ready to fold down above the deck platform; Figure 17 shows the guard rail of Figure 16 folded down flat; Figure 18 shows a spring clip used to secure the end gate in its closed position; Figure 19 shows a leg support stay for use in the scaffolding of the present invention; Figure 20 shows a perspective view of an alternative form of folding deck scaffolding in accordance with the invention in which the guard rail structure is demountable from the deck platform, and Figure 21 shows a perspective view of a corner post used in the scaffolding of Figure 20 Referring to the drawings, the folding deck scaffolding 10 has a deck platform 11 which is supported from folding legs 12 and which has a guard rail structure 13 to prevent a user of the scaffolding from falling from the deck platform.

As can be seen in figure 1, the scaffolding guard rails structure 13 consists of a pair of side frames 14a and 14b and a pair of end gates 15a and 15b which complete the guard rail structure The end gates are each pivotally mounted on a respective side frame.

Each side frame consists of a pair of generally vertical end posts 16a,16b and a pair of horizontal bars 17a,17b which extend between the end posts.

The side frames 14a and 14b are pivoted on the deck platform 11 via sheet metal corner posts 18a and 18b best seen in figures 2, 8 and 9 which are riveted or otherwise secured to an outer frame 11 a of the platform deck which is clad in decking material 1 lb. Alternatively the corner posts can be cast in aluminium.

The end posts 16a of side frame 14a are pivoted on their associated corner posts 18a about a first pivot axis 19a provided by pins 20a which extend through the end posts 16a In a similar manner the end posts 16b of the side frame 14b are pivoted on the associated corner posts 18b about a first axis 19b provided by pins 20b. First pivot axis 19b of side frame 14b is at a higher level than first axis 19a of the side frame l4a so that side frame 14b can fold above the deck of platform 11 at a higher level than the side frame l4a as will be described below.

Each corner post 18a (see figures 8,9 and 12) is provided with a slot 22 which receives the pin 20a and an upper recess 21 which receives a second pin 23 provided on the end post 16a when the side frame is in its vertical operating position In a similar fashion the corner posts 18b have slots 24 to receive pins 20b and recesses 25 to receive second pins 26 in end posts 16b as shown in Figure 13.

As will be appreciated, in order to engage the second pins 23 in the recesses 21 or the second pins 26 in the recesses 25 the end posts 16a or 16b must be moved vertically thus sliding their pivot pins 20a and 2Db in their respective slots 22 and 24 and allowing the second pins 23 and 26 to engage their respective recesses 21 and 25. The end posts 16a and 16b are then allowed to fall vertically so that the second pins 23 and 26 are fully seated in their co-operating recesses 21 and 25. The end posts 16a and 16b are folded relative to corner posts 18a and 18b by reversing the above process.

The side frame 14b includes pivoting joints 28 in a central portion of the respective end posts 16b so that each side frame can be folded substantially in half as shown for example in figures 16 and 17. Each pivoting joint 28 includes a latch arrangement (not visible in the drawings) for securing each corner post 16b in a generally vertically extending straight configuration as shown in figure 1,14 and 15.

Similarly the side frame 14a includes pivoting joints 27 which allow the side frame 14a to be folded in half as described above.

The end gate 15b is pivoted on the upper portion of side frame 14b by collars 29 which encircle the end post 16b. This allows the end gate 15b to be pivoted from the operative position shown, for example, in figures 1 and 14 to the open position shown in figure 15 The end gate 15b is provided with curved portions 30 which overlie the upper horizontal bar 1 7b when the gate 1 5b is in its open position Thus the majority of gate 15b lies in the same plane as the side rails 17b when the gate is in the open position. This allows a particularly compact arrangement of the side frame 14b and gate 15b to be achieved when the gate 15b is in its open position and the side frame 14b has been folded about its pivoting joints 28 as best seen in figures 16 and 17 The side gate 15b is provided with a latch or clip 31 which is shown in detail in figure 18 and which engages around the end post 16a of the opposite side frame 14a to secure the side gate 15b in its closed working position.

As will be appreciated, the end gate 15a is similarly constructed to the end gate 15b and can again be folded into a very compact configuration when the scaffolding is to be stowed away As can be seen from figure 1, the folding legs 12 are pivotally mounted on the corner posts 18a and 18b by pins 32. The pair of legs 12 at each end of the rectangular deck platform 11 are interconnected by one or more bars 33 which act as ladder rungs to allow a scaffolding user to climb on to the deck platform 11. The legs 12 each have a support stay 34 (best seen in figures 2, 4 and 19) fixed to the leg 12 through a pin 39. Each support stay has a slot 35 within which a pin 36 mounted on the side of the frame 11 a of the deck platform 11 can slide. This slot 35 has an end extension 35a which allows the support stay to be rotated down to a substantially horizontal position when the scaffolding is in its fully stowed position and further side extensions 35b, 35c and 35d which, when housing the pin 36, correspond to progressively more inclined operating positions of the folding legs 12 when the scaffolding is in use.

The stay 34 has a handle 40 to assist in pivoting the stay about the pin 39. Also the slot side extension 35b has a retaining nose 41 which retains the pin 36 in the extension 35b to prevent accidental disengagement. To disengage pin 36 from side extension 35b the stay is rotated about pin 39 using handle 40 to bring the pin 36 to dotted position 36a (see figure 19) outside the nose 41. Nose 41 then prevents this pin re-entering the side extension 35b whilst the user rotates the stay 34 associated with the other connected leg 12 to the same dotted position 36a so that the angle of the legs can be adjusted or the legs folded. As can be clearly seen from the drawings, when the legs are in their fully stowed position they occupy positions substantially alongside the deck platform 11 to give a compact configuration.

Each folding leg 12 is also adjustable in length as shown in figure 11. Each leg can be held in a number of extended positions by a pin 37 mounted on a clip 38 which can be clipped around an upper outer portion 12a of each leg. The pin 37 extends through one of two holes 12b or 12c in the side of outer portion 1 2a and one of a number of holes 12d in the side of an inner portion 12e of each leg which slides inside the outer portion 12a.

Alternatively the clip 38 and pin 37 can be replaced by a spring-loaded pin (not shown) housed within inner portion 12e which projects through one of holes 12d and through a number of spaced holes such as 12b or 12c in the outer leg portion 12a.

This spring-loaded pin is depressed to disengage the hole 12b or 12c in the outer portion 1 2a to allow the two leg portions to slide relative to each other to adjust the length of the leg. The pin is released by depressing it through one of a number of holes 12b o 12c. As the leg is adjusted to the required length the pin protrudes and automatically re-engages with another one of the number of holes 12b or 12c in the outer leg portion 12a.

The holes 1 2b, I 2c and I 2d may alternatively be formed in the top of the inner and outer leg portions 1 2e and 1 2a to facilitate depression of the spring-loaded pin Thus as will be appreciated, the stability and height of the platform 11 can be adjusted by varying the length of the legs 12 as described above and their angle of inclination using the engagement of the pin 36 in the various slot side extensions 35b, 35c and 35d provided in the support stays 34 As will be appreciated from the above, the present invention thus provides a folding deck scaffolding which is not only extremely safe when erected but also has a significant degree of adjustability in the height of the platform and which also can be folded to a very compact configuration shown in figures 2 to 7, when it is desired to stow away the scaffolding.

The corner posts 1 8a and 1 8b which are directly secured to the outer frame 11 a and on which the guard rail structure and folding legs are supported provide a simple, efficient and robust arrangement for reacting the forces applied to the guard rail structure and legs during use of the scaffolding.

Further, it is an important feature of the present invention that the scaffolding is designed to stack on top of a similar scaffolding unit so that a significant number of scaffolding units can be stored by a scaffolding supplier or rental company in a relatively small space.

This vertical stacking ability is provided by arranging the lower portion of the corner posts 1 Ba, 1 8b of one scaffolding unit to be supported on the upper portions of the corner posts 1 8a, 1 8b of the scaffolding unit below.

Figures 20 and 21 show details of an alternative form of scaffolding in accordance with the present invention in which components of similar function to those described above in relation to Figures ito 19 have been similarly numbered.

In Figure 20 the corner posts 18a and 18b have sockets 18c and 18d provided at their upper ends which receive the demountable end posts 1 6a and 1 6b of the side frames i4a and 14b. The end posts 16a and 16b can be secured in the sockets 18c and 18d by pins (not shown) which extend through holes 18e and 18f in the corner posts 18a and 18b and corresponding holes 18g and 18h in the end posts.

The remaining details of the guard rail structure 13 are the same as the guard rail structure previously described so that the guard rail structure can be folded for easier storage when demounted from the deck platform. It will be appreciated that the demountable guard rail structure could be rigid or foldable in a different manner if desired.

Claims

CLAIMS

1) A folding deck scaffolding comprising.- -a deck platform, -folding legs for supporting the deck platform in an elevated position, and -a guard rail structure which surrounds the deck platform to prevent a user from falling from the deck platform; -the scaffolding being characterised in that the deck platform has generally vertically extending corner posts fastened thereto on which the guard rail structure and folding legs are supported.

2) A scaffolding according to claim 1 characterised in that the deck platform has an outer generally rectangular metal frameicovered in decking material the corner posts being secured to the outer metal frame adjacent the corners thereof.

3) A scaffolding according to claim 1 or 2 characterised in that the guard rail structure folds flat into planes generally parallel to and vertically above the deck platform.

4) A scaffolding according to claim 3 characterised in that the guard rail structure comprises two side frames which are each mounted on the corner posts for pivoting about respective first axes parallel to opposite sides of the deck platform, each side frame also folding in two about a second axis generally parallel to its respective first pivot axis for storage above the deck platform.

5) A scaffolding according to claim 4 characterised in that the first pivot axis of one side frame is at a higher level than the first pivot axis of the other side frame so that said one side frame folds into higher planes above the deck platform than said other side frame.

6) A scaffolding according to claim 4 or 5 characterised in that each side frame also carries an end gate which is pivoted on one end of the side frame and when in use extends to meet the other side frame to close a respective end of guard rail structure.

7) A scaffolding according to claim 6 characterised in that each end gate is foldable to a stowed position folded flat against an upper part of the supporting side frame prior to folding of the side frame about the second axis.

8) A scaffolding according to any one of claims 4 to 7 characterised in that one side frame is pivoted about its respective first axis from one pair of corner posts and the other side frame being pivoted about its respective lower first axis from the other pair of corner posts.

9) A scaffolding according to claim 8 characterised in that each corner post supports a first pin means which constitutes the first axis about which the associated side frame is pivotally mounted on the post and includes a recess means into which a second pin means on the associated side frame can be engaged to support the side frame in a generally vertical operative position.

10) A scaffolding according to claim 9 characterised in that the first pin means is slideable vertically relative to the corner post to allow engagement of the second pin means in the recess means.

11) A scaffolding according to any one of claims 4 to 10 characterised in that each side frame comprises a pair of end posts which are pivoted about the respective first axis and two or more horizontal bars which extend between the end posts.

12) A scaffolding according to claim 11 characterised in that each end post includes a pivoting joint which provides the folding second axis of the side frame.

13) A scaffolding according to claim 12 characterised in that each pivoting joint includes a latch means for latching the end post in a straight non-folded condition during use of the scaffolding.

14) A scaffolding according to any one of claims 11 to 13 when dependent on claim 6 characterised in that each end gate is pivotally mounted on an end post by collars connected with the end gate which surround portions of the end post above the pivoting joint so that the end gate can fold flat against the upper part of the side frame prior to the folding of the side frame about the second axis.

15) A scaffolding according to claim 14 in that each end gate includes vertical posts which are curved to overlie the horizontal bars of the associated side frame when the end gate is folded flat against the side frame.

16) A scaffolding according to any one of claims 6, 7, 14 or 15 characterised in that each end gate has latch means to engage the non-supporting side frame to hold the end gate in a closed position extending between the side frames.

17) A scaffolding according to claim 1 or 2 characterised in that the guard rail structure is demountably supported on the corner posts.

18) A scaffolding according to claim 17 characterised in that upper ends of the corner posts are formed as sockets to receive the demountable guard rail structure.

19) A scaffolding according to claim 17 or 18 characterised in that the demountable guard rail structure comprises a pair of side rails and end gates which fold for more compact storage when demounted from the deck platform.

20) A scaffolding according to any one of claims ito 19 characterised in that the folding legs are pivotally mounted on the corner posts.

21) A scaffolding according to any one of claims ito 20 characterised in that the folding legs are also extendable in length.

22) A scaffolding according to claim 21 characterised in that the extendable legs are telescopic with an inner portion which slides within an outer portion and pin means which extend through alternative cooperating holes in the inner and outer portions to hold the potions in a plurality of different relative positions to vary the length of the leg.

23) A scaffolding according to claim 22 characterised in that the pin means comprises a spring-loaded pin housed within the inner leg portion which is depressed to disengage the cooperating hole in the outer portion to allow the two leg portions to slide relative to each other to adjust the length of the leg, the pin automatically protrudes and re-engages through the required hole in the outer portion when the leg has been adjusted to the required length.

24) A scaffolding according to claim 22 characterised in that the pin means comprises a spring clip which extends around the outer leg portion and which carries an inwardly pointing pin which extends through aligned holes in the outer and inner leg portions when the leg has been adjusted to the required length.

25) A scaffolding according to any one of claims 1 to 24 characterised in that each folding leg has a support stay which extends between the leg and the deck platform to hold the leg at a pre-determined angle relative to the deck platform when the scaffolding is in use.

26) A scaffolding according to claim 25 characterised in that the support stays have a variable effective length so that the angle of the legs relative to the deck platform is variable.

27) A scaffolding according to claim 26 characterised in that each support has a generally longitudinally extending slot with a plurality of slot side extensions corresponding to predetermined angles of inclination of the folding leg, a formation on the deck platform sliding longitudinally in the slot and positioning the leg in a given one of said predetermined positions when the formation is in the corresponding slot side extension.

28) A scaffolding according to any one of claims 1 to 27 characterised in that the legs are pivotally mounted on the deck platform for folding to a stowed position alongside the sides of the deck platform.

29) A scaffolding according to any one of claims 20 to 28 characterised in that the folding legs are rigidly connected in pairs.

30) A scaffolding according to claim 29 characterised in that the legs are connected by one or more horizontal bars which act as ladder rungs to allow a scaffolding user to climb on to the deck platform.

31) A scaffolding according to any one of claims ito 30 having support surfaces for supporting a similar scaffolding thereabove in a stacked configuration.

32) A folding deck scaffolding according to claim i constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.