GB609428A - Improvements in or relating to scaffolds and gantries - Google Patents

Abstract

609,428. Cranes. MALTHOUSE, E. G., and MALTHOUSE, D. O. March 14, 1946, No. 7945. [Class 78 (iv)] [Also in Group X] A dismountable loading gantry is built up of towers 20, each comprising two or more superposed separate rigid frames of square section adapted to be located positively with respect to each other, the lowermost frame resting on the ground and a platform 21 or beam supported by and extending between the towers. Each frame (Fig. 2) comprises tubular uprights 23 welded to upper and lower horizontal tubes 24, 25. The uprights 23 of the units are joined end to end by jointing members 26 (Fig. 3) having spigots 27, 28 entering the ends of the tubes and locked therein by locking pins 30 which pass through registering holes in the spigots and the tubes. The uprights 23 of the lowermost unit rest ou base members 41 which each comprise a base-plate' welded to a short tube to which the tube 23 may be joined by a joining member 26. These base members may be of various heights to allow for unevenness of the ground. Alternatively, short extension tubes may be inserted between the base member and the upright 23 for the same purpose. To increase the stability of a tower, outriggers 48 (Figs. 1, 7) attached to the lowermost unit by a split sleeve clamp 49 may be used. The stem 59 of a base supporting member is adjustably secured to the outrigger by pins 57 passing through registering holes in the stem and in a tube 56 welded to the struts of the outrigger. Alternatively, the stem may have a screwthread engaging an internal thread on the tube 56. Each tower unit may have additional tubes 64 at one side which in conjunction with the horizontals 24, 25 form a ladder up the side of the tower. A light auxiliary gantry (Fig. 10) comprising an upright 65 and a beam 71 supporting lifting tackle 74 (Fig. 11) may be secured to a tower unit by brackets 67 bolted by bolts 68 to split sleeve clamps 70 which engage the horizontals 24, 25. The gantry may pivot about the bolts 68 and may be used to hoist units into position during assembly of a tower. In a modification, the type of split sleeve shown in Fig. 7 is used to attach the gantry to an upright 23 of the tower unit. Each platform unit (Fig. 13) consists of braced side frames 83 and braced end frames 82, additional top and bottom bracing members 85, planks 87 and toe bands 87a being secured to this framework by bolts. Sockets 91 are welded to the framework for the reception of spigots 104 connected to hand-rail stanchions 92 by plates 105. The platform units which may be of different lengths are joined together by means of plates 97 having bolt holes which register with corresponding bolt-holes 100 in an adjacent unit. The platform unit may extend completely across the top of a tower or may rest with its edge on one of the uppermost horizontals 24 to which it may be locked by curved bolts 112a (Fig. 17) engaging behind the horizontal 24 and secured to brackets 111 welded to the platform unit.