GB2441767A

GB2441767A - Scaffolding ladder

Info

Publication number: GB2441767A
Application number: GB0618106A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Lewis Alberto Grijo Dos Santos
Original assignee: ACCESS PRODUCTS Ltd; Product Solutions Catalysis Ltd
Current assignee: Product Solutions Catalysis Ltd
Priority date: 2006-09-14
Filing date: 2006-09-14
Publication date: 2008-03-19
Anticipated expiration: 2026-09-14
Also published as: GB0618106D0; GB2441767B

Abstract

A scaffolding frame 10 has a pair of end posts 11 with a plurality of horizontal bars 12 extending therebetween, and a ladder section 20 comprising a pair of ladder stiles 21 with horizontally extending rungs 22 extending therebetween. The ladder stiles 21 are secured to the horizontal frame bars 12 so that the ladder section rungs 22 and frame bars 12 form alternate rungs of the frame ladder. The ladder stiles 21 are preferably of hollow section and a single strip 24 of material extends along the inside of each respective stile to close off cut outs 23 in the stile which receive the frame bars 12 and holds the ladder section 20 on the frame bars.

Description

2441767

SCAFFOLDING

This invention relates to scaffolding and in particular to scaffolding frames comprising a pair of end posts connected by horizontal bars extending therebetween which are used to construct scaffolding towers or other scaffolding structures.

It is a requirement for such scaffolding towers or other structures to have ladder access for the scaffolding users and it is an object of the present invention to provide a scaffolding frame which includes such ladder access.

Thus in accordance with the present invention there is provided a scaffolding frame having a pair of end posts with a plurality of horizontal bars extending therebetween, and a ladder section comprising a pair of ladder stiles with horizontally extending rungs extending therebetween, the ladder stiles being secured to the horizontal frame bars so that the ladder section rungs and frame bars form alternate rungs of the frame ladder.

The ladder section stiles preferably have cut outs to receive the frame bars, reinforcing means being provided which close off the cut outs and hold the ladder section on the frame bars.

In a preferred construction the ladder section stiles are of hollow section and the reinforcing means comprises a single strip of material which extends along the inside of each respective stile to close off the cut outs in the stile.

The strip of reinforcing material is preferably secured to the stile either side of each cut out opening and the reinforcing strip is secured to each frame bar.

The reinforcing strip is preferably riveted to each frame bar.

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A protective cap of plastics material is preferably also riveted over the reinforcing strip and each respective cut out opening.

The invention also provides a method of constructing a scaffolding frame which has an integral ladder section comprising taking a basic frame having a pair of end posts with a plurality of general horizontal bars extending therebetween, providing a ladder section having a pair of stiles with horizontally extending rungs extending therebetween, the spacing of the rungs being such that when the basic frame and ladder section are secured together alternative rungs of the ladder are provided by the rungs and frame bars, and securing the ladder section on the basic frame.

Again, preferably the ladder stiles are provided with open cut outs to receive the bars of the basic frame section.

The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a basic scaffolding frame which does not include a ladder section;

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the frame of figure 1 to which a ladder section has been fitted in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 3 shows an exploded perspective view of the frame shown in figure 2;

Figure 4 shows in closer detail and exploded form the attachment of the ladder section to the frame;

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a plastic protective cap used to cover the ladder section sockets;

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Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a reinforcing strip used to secure the ladder section to the frame, and

Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a ladder section stile with alternative rivet fixing holes, and

Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the attachment of the ladder section partially completed.

Referring to the drawings, figure 1 shows a scaffolding tower frame section 10 which has a pair of aluminium end posts 11 joined together by horizontal aluminium tubes 12. The horizontal tubes 12 are directly welded to the end posts 11 at 13 and the frame is further strengthened by bracing tubes 14. The frame has spigots 15 which project from the upper end of end posts 11 and are designed to enter the lower end 16 of a similar frame 10 so the frames with the addition of connecting tubes and bracing tubes (not shown) can be assembled into an access scaffold or scaffolding tower in the known manner. Reinforcing cast aluminium collars 17 are provided adjacent the upper and lower ends of the end posts 11. These collars are welded in position.

A scaffolding frame section of the above form is further described in the Applicant's co-pending UK patent application number 06 04070.3.

In accordance with the present invention a basic scaffolding frame of the form shown in figure 1 is provided with a ladder section 20 which basically comprises two ladder stiles 21 and a series of spaced ladder rungs 22. As can be seen from figure 2, the spacing between the ladder rungs 22 is equal to the spacing between the horizontal frame bars 12 so that the rungs of the ladder section 20 are constituted alternately by the bars 12 and the rungs 22.

Each ladder section stile 21 is provided with a series of cut outs 23 which receive the frame bars 12. To convert a standard frame 10, as shown in figure 1, into a

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frame with a ladder section 20, the cut outs 23 of the ladder section are hooked over the bars 12 of the frame and a reinforcing strip 24 is inserted inside each hollow ladder stile 21 to close off the cut outs 23 and holds the ladder section captive on the frame bars 12.

As shown in figure 8, each reinforcing strip 24 is welded to the stile 21 at 25. The reinforcing strip 24 is also riveted to the frame bar 12 held captive in each cut out 23 by a rivet 26 which passes through a plastics protective cap 27 and holes 28 and 29 in the reinforcing strip and bar 12 respectively (see figure 4).

The details of the plastics protective cap 27 are best seen in figures 4 and 5. This cap not only helps to reinforce the connection of the ladder to the bars 12 but also protects the user of the scaffolding against any sharp edges etc. associated with the mouth of the cut out 23 and the welding of the reinforcing strip 24 etc.

As an alternative (or possibly additional measure) the reinforcing strip 24 may be secured to the stile 21 using rivets (not shown) which extend through holes 30 provided either side of the cut out 23. This alternative stile arrangement is illustrated in figure 7. It is to be understood that riveting through holes 30 could be additional to the welding 25 or replace this welding.

As will be appreciated the present invention provides a simple cheap and robust method of modifying a standard scaffolding frame 10, as shown in figure 1, to provide a scaffolding frame, as shown in figure 2, which includes an integral ladder section.

This has considerable benefits for the scaffolding frame manufacturer since the frame manufacturer can simply manufacture standard frames as shown in figure 1 and then convert the appropriate number of these standard frames into frames which include a ladder section as is required by the customers who purchase or hire the frames. There is therefore no need to hold any significant stock of frames with

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ladder sections as these can be simply and efficiently provided by converting the standard frame, as described above, as and when required.

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Claims

1. A scaffolding frame having a pair of end posts with a plurality of horizontal bars extending therebetween, and a ladder section comprising a pair of ladder stiles with horizontally extending rungs extending therebetween, the ladder stiles being secured to the horizontal frame bars so that the ladder section rungs and frame bars form alternate rungs of the frame ladder.

2. A frame according to claim 1 in which the ladder section stiles have cut outs to receive the frame bars, reinforcing means being provided which close off the cut out openings and hold the ladder section on the frame bars.

3. A frame according to claim 2 in which the ladder section stiles are of hollow section and the reinforcing means comprises a single strip of material which extends along the inside of each respective stile to close off the cut out openings in the stile.

4. A frame according to claim 3 in which the strip of reinforcing material is secured to the stile either side of each cut out opening and the reinforcing strip is secured to each frame bar.

5. A frame according to claim 4 in which the reinforcing strip is welded to the stile either side of each cut out opening.

6. A frame according to claim 4 in which the reinforcing strip is riveted to the stile either side of each cut out opening.

7.

A frame according to claims 4, 5 or 6 in which the reinforcing strip is riveted to each frame bar.

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8. A frame according to claim 7 in which a protective cap of plastics material is also riveted over the reinforcing strip and each respective cut out opening.

9. A scaffolding tower including one or more scaffolding frames according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A method of constructing a scaffolding frame which has an integral ladder section comprising taking a basic frame section having a pair of end posts with a plurality of general horizontal bars extending therebetween, providing a ladder section having a pair of stiles with horizontally extending rungs extending therebetween, the spacing of the rungs being such that when the frame section and ladder section are secured together alternative rungs of the ladder are provided by the rungs and frame bars, and securing the ladder section on the frame.

11. A method according to claim 10 in which the ladder stiles are provided with open cut outs to receive the bars of the basic frame section.

12. A scaffolding frame constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.