GB2455890A

GB2455890A - A scaffolding stand assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2455890A
Application number: GB0819595A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anthony Lewis Jenkins
Original assignee: Advanced Scaffold Products Ltd
Current assignee: Advanced Scaffold Products Ltd
Priority date: 2008-10-24
Filing date: 2008-10-24
Publication date: 2009-07-01
Also published as: GB0819595D0; WO2010046670A1

Abstract

A stand assembly for attachment, in use, to a scaffold structure, in which the assembly comprises a platform 1 configured to support a worker, the platform comprises at least one clamp arranged to removably engage with the scaffold structure. The stand assembly also comprises a support member 3 pivotally connected to the platform and which can be configured to be at a position supporting the platform. The support member comprises a stopping member configured, in use, to retain that position. Preferably the support member 3 is a ladder. The support member may be pivoted relative to the platform 1 in a folded fashion. Preferably, the length of the support member is adjustable. The support member 3 may comprise a rest member 7 pivotally connected to the support member.

Description

STAND ASSEMBLY

The present invention relates generally to a stand assembly for attaching to a scaffolding structure.

Scaffolding systems are generally well known, comprising a framework usually provided with a series of horizontal platforms from which work can be carried out at a raised level. Such scaffolding systems are inherently temporary and are subject to strict health and safety regulations at all stages: when constructing the scaffold itself, while work is being carried out at a raised level, and when dismounting the scaffold.

Traditional ladders are commonly used in such environments for elevating workers to the scaffold platforms. While traditional ladders are generally safe for climbing between the scaffold platforms, they are not well suited for supporting workers when they are required to be at positions intermediate to the scaffold platforms in order to allow work at intermediate positions between the scaffold platforms. Such situations often arise in construction work, for example when building the scaffold by adding the next level platform.

In the past, there have been several various attachments to ladders proposed for supporting standing workers carrying out construction at intermediate heights between the scaffold platforms. A key disadvantage of such devices is their instability. In particular, the ladder is positioned at an angle to the ground or the supporting scaffolding platform. At the same time, the ladder is required to support a vertical weight. While various straps or chains may be manually wrapped around the scaffold to secure the ladder, these devices do not comply with health and safety regulations associated with scaffolding.

Furthermore such conventional devices are restricted by the relatively small size of the standing platform, since the standing platform is solely attached to the ladder. The need for stability is even more pressing due to the worker shifting weight when carrying out the work in elevation for prolonged periods of time.

Accordingly, there is a need for a stand assembly which may be safely used by people standing on it at intermediate heights between the scaffold platforms. In particular, there is required a stand assembly which is stable, yet easy to install in a removable fashion. Furthermore, the stand assembly should be relatively compact and lightweight in order to be easy to store and transport.

According to the present invention, there is provided a stand assembly for attachment, in use, to a scaffold structure, the assembly comprising: a platform configured, in use, for supporting a worker, and having one side provided with at least one clamp arranged to removably engage with the scaffold structure in use; and a support member pivotally connected to the platform and which can be configured, in use, to be at a position supporting the platform, the support member comprising a stopping member configured, in use, to retain that position.

The support member may be a traditional ladder. For the purpose of storage or transport, the support member may be pivoted relative to the platform such that it is folded against the platform. The length of the support member may be adjusted such that the platform may be supported, in use, at adjustable height. The support memember may comprise a rest member pivotally connected to the support member at the end of the support member distal to the platform, and which can be configured, in use, to engage with the scaffold structure by frictional force. The or each clamp may comprise at least one semicircular member arranged to removably engage with a cylindrical scaffold structure such as a ledger.

One example of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is schematic side view of the stand assembly arranged in use position; Figure 2 is a schematic side view of a support member of the stand assembly having a foot for adjustable length; Figure 3 is a schematic top view of the stand assembly; Figure 4 illustrates and example of how the stand assembly may be used by a worker.

Referring to figure 1, a stand assembly according to the present invention has a platform 1 which can be configured in use to support a worker. In this example, the platform I has side support members la arranged in parallel la within the platform plane, each of the side support members Ia being provided with a clamp 2 at one of its ends.

Each of the clamps 2 comprise a semicircular member 2a for gripping a cylindrical scaffold member such as a ledger positioned next to the platform 1, within the plane of the platform 1, and perpendicular to the support members la. The semicircular member 2a can grip a scaffold ledger by encircling the top side of the ledger.

The stand assembly of figure 1 further comprises a support member 3 which may be a ladder. The upper end of the support member 3 is pivotally connected to the platform I at a predetermined distance from the end of support members 1 a which is distal of the clamps 2, the support member 3 extending downwardly from the bottom of the stand frame I in a position supporting the platform 1.

The support member 3 comprises a stopping member 4 positioned next to the upper end of the support member 3 such that, when the support member 3 pivots towards the end of the support members la distal to the clamps 2, the stopping member 4 comes between the support member 3 and the bottom of the platform 1, thus preventing the support member 3 to pivot further relative to the platform 1, thus retaining the position of the support member 3.

The support member 3 also comprises an adjustable foot 5 for changing the length of the support member 3 so that the platform 1 can be supported at different support heights, for example when fixing the stand assembly on the handrail ledger of different scaffold systems. The foot 5 is pivotaily connected to a rest member 7 placed horizontally on the ground or scaffold structure. The rest member 7 maintains the position in use of the support member 3, by frictional force acting on the ground or scaffold structure.

The stand assembly may be folded for storage or transport, by rotating the ladder 3 relative to the plafform 1, in the direction towards the clamps 2, such that it is aligned with the platform 1.

Figure 2 shows a side view of the foot 5 for adjusting the length of the support member 3. Two 11 dia holes 5a,b may be drilled into the foot 5, with the holes accepting M1O bolts 6. A similar hole 6a may also be drilled close to the end of the support member 3. The foot 5 may be fitted by bolting through the support member hole 6a and the foot lower hole 5b; or, if a longer length of the support member 3 is required (i.e. the platform I is required at a higher position relative to the scaffold platform or ground), the foot 5 may be fitted by bolting through the support member hole 6a and the foot upper hole 5a. The foot 5 is pivotally connected to a rest member 7 placed horizontally on the ground or scaffold structure.

Figure 3 is a schematic top view of the stand assembly showing the platform I comprising two parallel support members la, each having two clamps at the ends distal to the support member 3.

Figure 4 illustrates and example of how the stand assembly may be used by a worker standing on the platform I.

Claims

1. A stand assembly for attachment, in use, to a scaffold structure, the assembly comprising: a platform configured, in use, for supporting a worker, and having one side provided with at least one clamp arranged to removably engage with the scaffold structure in use; and a support member pivotally connected to the platform and which can be configured, in use, to be at a position supporting the platform, the support member comprising a stopping member configured, in use, to retain that position.

2. A stand assembly according to claim 1, wherein said support member is a ladder.

3. A stand assembly according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the support member may be pivoted relative to the platform such that it is folded against the platform.

4. A stand assembly according to claims 1, 2, or 3 wherein the length of the support member is adjustable such that the platform may be supported, in use, at adjustable height.

5. A stand assembly according to any of the above claims, wherein at least one receptacle is a semicircular member arranged to removably engage with a cylindrical scaffold structure.

5. A stand assembly according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4 wherein the support member further comprises a rest member pivotally connected to the support member at the end of the support member distal to the platform, and which can be configured, in use, to engage with the scaffold structure by frictional force.

6. A stand assembly according to any of the above claims wherein the or each clamp comprises at least one semicircular member arranged to removably engage with a cylindrical scaffold structure.

Amended claims have been filed as follows:-cLAIMS 1. A stand assembly for attaching to a scaffold structure, the assembly comprising: a platform for supporting a worker and comprising a clamping means arranged on a side of the platform, the clamping means comprising at least one receptacle having an opening for receiving a member of the scaffold structure, and at least one locking means for retaining the member within the or each receptacle; and a ladder pivotally connected to the platform and extendable to a desired length to support the platform, the ladder comprising a stopping member configurable to retain the desired length.

2 A stand assembly according to claim 1, wherein the ladder may be pivoted relative to the platform such that it is folded against the platform.

3. A stand assembly according to claim I or 2, wherein the length of the ladder is adjustable such that the platform is supportable at different heights.

4. A stand assembly according to any one of claims 1, 2 or 3, further comprising a rest member pivotally connected to the ladder at the end distal to the platform, the rest member being con flgurable to engage with the scaffold structure by frictional force.