NL2021847B1 - Scaffolding tube coupling, as well as scaffolding system - Google Patents

Abstract

Scaffold tube coupling, arranged for releasably coupling to a scaffold tube (T), the coupling being provided with a first receiving part (3) for engagement with the scaffolding tube (T), which tube receiving part (3) is in particular formed by steel in substantially U-shaped profiles (3a, 3b), the coupling also being provided with a second receiving part (5) arranged for engagement on an elongated support part (D) with rectangular cross section, the second receiving part (5) being arranged around the elongated support part clamping a first position as well as in a second position, wherein the support part is rotated about a longitudinal axis relative to said first position.

Description

P120118NL00 title: Scaffolding tube coupling, as well as scaffolding system

The invention relates to a scaffold tube coupling.

A scaffolding coupling is known, inter alia, from the Dutch patents NL75.356, NL7117188 and NL7811721 and is particularly suitable for simply connecting scaffolding tubes, in particular standardized scaffolding tubes according to the NEN-EN 39: 2001 standard (such tubes have a outer diameter of 48.3 mm). As is well known, a scaffolding is generally provided with a number of tubes (metal or steel, cylindrical tubes) which are secured to each other by a number of scaffolding tube coupling, in particular with uprights and riggers and usually with one or more diagonals.

In the known systems tube clamping is effected by capturing a key (i.e. an elongated wedge-shaped clamping part), which may be part of a said coupling, or a loose part. In this way, the scaffolding coupling can be quickly assembled and disassembled.

In certain cases it is desirable to provide the scaffolding system with profiles or beams other than (in cross-section) round scaffolding tubes, for example angular cross beams. GB 1,171,126 shows an example of a scaffold tube system, provided with a coupling which is arranged to couple a rectangular element to a smooth scaffold tube. The use of such support beams offers additional possibilities to the jetty. Such a beam can for instance comprise a steel or iron profile, or for instance comprise a solid, in particular wooden beam, or the like.

In the mentioned systems smooth scaffolding tubes are used (i.e. tubes without integral modular points of engagement). In addition, modular systems are known, such as PERI's Up Up system, with tubular uprights arranged at specific positions to connect beam-shaped beams.

The present invention contemplates an improved scaffolding system as well as respective coupling. In particular, the invention contemplates a system and coupling with which non-round elements (for instance rectangular box profiles) can be coupled in a stable, sturdy and efficient manner.

According to an aspect of the invention, the scaffolding system is for this purpose characterized by the features of claim 1.

The present scaffold tube coupling is arranged for detachably coupling to a scaffold tube of a scaffold, the coupling being provided with a first receiving part for engagement with the scaffolding tube, which tube receiving part is in particular formed by steel substantially U-shaped profiles, the coupling also being provided of a second receiving part adapted for engagement on an elongated support part with rectangular cross-section, the second receiving part being adapted to clamp the elongated support part in two mutually different positions, the two positions being mutually rotated about a longitudinal axis (of the support part), in particular a first position and a second position rotated through an angle of 90 degrees.

With the present scaffolding tube coupling, said support beam can be efficiently and vigorously processed in a scaffold, whereby the coupling can cause the beam to be coupled in two different positions. This offers the possibility of applying a most favorable support beam position on site, during assembly, for example with a view to beam load and / or a support surface supplied by the beam. For example, a first support beam position may include a position in which a wide longitudinal side of the beam extends along a substantially vertical plane, while said second support beam position may be a position in which said wide longitudinal side of the beam extends substantially horizontally. The desired position of the support beam can of course comprise various other orientations, depending for instance on the intended scaffolding configuration.

Furthermore, an aspect of the invention provides a scaffolding system, provided with at least one scaffold tube coupling according to the invention, wherein the coupling with the first receiving part engages on a scaffold tube, and with the second receiving part on a rectangular support part, the support part in particular in a said position of the different positions is held.

In this way, the above advantages can be achieved.

The invention will now be further elucidated with reference to the drawing, which shows non-limitative exemplary embodiments. In particular, it shows:

Figure 1 shows a perspective side view of an exemplary embodiment of the invention, with the clamping parts closed;

Figure 2 shows a perspective front view of the exemplary embodiment;

Figure 3 is a side view of the structure shown in FIG. 1 shown from a first direction;

Figure 4 is a second side view of the output image viewed from a direction opposite to the first direction;

Figure 5 is a bottom view of the exemplary embodiment;

Figure 6 shows a top view of the exemplary embodiment;

Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the exemplary embodiment, wherein a support part is clamped in a first support part position;

Figure 8 shows such a view as Fig. 7, wherein the support part is clamped in a second support part position;

Figure 9 schematically shows a front view of a scaffold Q; and

Figure 10 shows a cross section of a support part, along line X-X of Figure 9.

Like or corresponding measures are indicated in this application with like or corresponding reference signs.

The drawing shows an example of a scaffold tube coupling 1, which is arranged for detachable coupling to a scaffold tube T of a scaffold. Part of such a tube T is visible in Figures 7 and 8. The tube T, to which the coupling 1 is clamped, can for instance comprise a vertical upright or horizontal beam, or for instance a tube extending in a different direction. In particular, the tube T may be a standardized scaffolding tube, with an outside diameter BD of 48.3mm, and a smooth outside, but that is not essential.

Figure 9 shows a part of a scaffold Q, in front view, comprising such couplings 1 and respective scaffold tubes T (for example uprights, beams, and optional diagonals), mutually coupled by standard tube couplings 50. Furthermore, a support beam D is coupled to the scaffold, for example a support beam D extending substantially in a horizontal direction, which beam has a substantially rectangular cross-section (see Figure 10). The

The beam D has two (mutually facing) wide longitudinal sides Si and two (mutually facing) narrow longitudinal sides S2, such that a width x1 of said broad longitudinal side Si is greater than a width x2 of said narrow longitudinal side S2. More in particular, the width x1 of said wide longitudinal side Si is greater than the outer diameter BD (xl> BD) of said scaffolding tube T. Furthermore, in this example, a width x2 of said narrow longitudinal side S2 is smaller than an outer diameter BD (x2 <BD). According to a further elaboration, x1 / x2 is approximately equal to 2. More in particular, x1 = 6 cm and x2 = 3 cm. It is thus possible to use a cross beam D, the cross-section dimensions of which correspond somewhat to those of scaffolding tubes T to be used in the system. Other cross dimensions of the beam D are also possible, which will be clear to the skilled person. Furthermore, the beam D may, for example, be hollow (as in the example), but this is not essential; the beam can for instance comprise a solid wooden beam. According to an alternative embodiment, the beam D can for instance comprise a beam of a said Peri Up system.

Couplings 1 are provided to fix the support beam D releasably to the tubes T of the scaffold tube system Q. The beam D can for instance serve to support a horizontal walking floor V or the like. According to a further elaboration, the scaffold Q can comprise at least two spaced apart support beams D to support a walking floor V or the like, the support beams D being coupled to respective couplings 1.

Figures 1-8 show said scaffolding tube (support beam) coupling 1 in more detail. The support beam coupling 1 is provided with a first receiving part 3 for engagement with said scaffolding tube T. The first receiving part 3 can for instance comprise a conventional, at least per se known pipe clamp coupling. The pipe receiving part 3 is in particular formed by steel substantially U-shaped profiles 3a, 3b. In particular, the first receiving part comprises at least two U-shaped bracket parts 3a, 3b hingedly coupled together (in particular a central first-outer-bracket part 3a and two-inner-second bracket parts 3b), as follows from the drawing. The bracket parts (profiles) 3a, 3b are pivotally coupled to each other by means of a pivot axis, i.e. pivotable between the clamping position shown and a folded-out (not shown) release position. In the example, the first receiving part 3 is a clamping position locking hair by means of a wedge lock, i.e. via a translatable (wedge-shaped) wedge 3c which can be moved from a shown locked position to a released position.

The coupling 1 is also provided with a second receiving part 5 adapted for engagement on an elongated support part / beam D (see Figures 7-10) with a rectangular cross section. The second receiving part 5 can, for instance, be fixed to the first receiving part 3 immovably (for instance via one or more suitable welded connections), or can be fixed thereon via a rotary coupling, so that rotation between the receiving parts 3, 5 is possible. When using said rotary coupling, a respective rotary axis extends, for example, perpendicular to a said pivot axis 3d of the bracket parts 3a, 3b, which will be clear to the skilled person.

The second receiving part 5 preferably comprises at least two U-shaped bracket parts 5a, 5b hingedly coupled to each other, in particular a central first outer bracket part 5a and two inner second bracket parts 5b), as follows from the drawing. The inner bracket parts 5b can, for example, be fixed directly or indirectly, with undersides facing sides of the inner tube receiving bracket parts 3b, or to a said (not shown rotary coupling), for example via suitable welded connections.

The second receiving part 5 is the clamping position shown for bristle hair by means of a wedge lock, i.e. via a translatable (wedge-shaped) wedge 5c, for clamping first ends of the bracket parts 5a, 5b together. The second receiving part 5 can be moved from a (shown) locking / clamping position to a (not shown) release position (analogous to the key locking of the first receiving part 3), for releasing the beam receiving space M determined by that receiving part (for the purpose of inserting or removing a support beam from that space M). For this purpose, the bracket parts (profiles) 5a, 5b are pivotally coupled to each other by means of a respective pivot axis 5d, i.e. pivotable between the shown clamping position and the folded-out (not shown) release position. The latter pivot axis 5d is located at a second end of the bracket parts 5a, 5b opposite the key clamping means.

The second receiving part 5 is very advantageously arranged to clamp the elongated support part D in a first position, and in a second position in which the support part is rotated along a longitudinal axis relative to said first position, to clamp the support part in two mutually different positions. the two positions comprising positions rotated mutually along a longitudinal axis (of the support part), in particular a first position and a second position, which is turned 90 degrees. The two clamping positions are shown in Figures 7 and 8.

For this purpose, the U-shaped bracket parts 5a, 5b of the second receiving part are preferably provided with flat supporting surfaces 9a, 9b (see Fig. 3) which extend parallel to each other in a closed clamping position of the second receiving part 5, in particular to clamp between the two front (mutually parallel) outer sides S2 of a said rectangular support part (beam) D. In the example, a first of the two aforementioned flat support surfaces is provided by an inner side 9a of a flat clamping plate 8 facing the beam receiving space M, which is centrally fixed (for instance by a weld or heat bond) on the outer bracket part 5a of the second recording part. The clamping plate 8 can for instance be made of steel. The outer bracket part 5a as such is in this example curved (with a convex curved outside facing away from the beam receiving space M, with a closed clamping position of the second receiving part 5). Alternatively, the outer bracket part 5a can be provided per se with a flat clamping side 9a facing the beam receiving space M (instead of a separate clamping plate).

In the example, a second of the two aforementioned flat support surfaces is provided by a second inner side of the second receiving part facing the beam receiving space M. The second inner side is defined by two central straight inner edges 9b of the two inner bracket parts 5b.

Note here that each inner stirrup portion 5b of the second receiving portion 5 as such extends substantially along a virtual square VS, with a center leg 5b 1 lying there and two substantially extending side legs 5b2 therein (see Fig. 4). Thus, it follows that the supine center legs 5b 1 in this example define the planar beam support surface 9b. In FIG. 4, a distance between these support surfaces 9a, 9b is indicated by y2. This distance is in particular equal to a width x1 of the rectangular beam D, at least at the shown beam clamping position of the coupling, in order to be able to clamp the beam in a stable and firm manner (as shown in Figure 8).

Also, the mutually facing edges of the side legs 5b2 of the inner bracket parts 5b preferably extend substantially along said virtual square VS. Preferably, those edges can define respective planar beam positioning surfaces, in an alternative beam positioning (as shown in Figure 7). In FIG. 4, a distance between the facing sides of the side legs 5b2 is indicated by y2 ". This distance y2 is in particular substantially equal to or slightly (marginally) larger than a width x1 of the rectangular beam D, in order to be able to place the beam D stably between them. According to a further elaboration, the following applies: y2 "= y2 or y2" = y2 + Ay, for example with a clearance Ay of approximately 1 mm or less.

The present second receiving part 5 furthermore comprises four substantially symmetrically arranged parallel clamping elements 7, which are fixed on the inner sides of the bracket parts 5a, 5b, for example by means of respective welded joints and / or glue joints. With these additional, parallel clamping elements 7, an improved stable engagement on the four outer sides Si, S2 of the support beam D can be achieved, as already follows from the drawing. In the present embodiment, the clamping elements 7 comprise cylindrical clamping parts, for instance elements made of (steel) wire. . Two outer clamping elements 7a are arranged at right angles to the outer bracket profile 5a of the second receiving part 5 (see Fig. 4). Two parallel inner clamping elements 7b are fixed at right angles to the two middle legs 5b 1 of the second receiving part 5. These two inner clamping elements 7b can provide additional stiffness and strength to the second receiving part 5, in addition to a beam positioning achieved therewith, but this is not essential.

As follows from, and has already been mentioned, the second receiving part 5 can be brought to the beam clamping position, in which clamping position the second receiving part encloses a clamping cavity M with four opposite clamping surfaces, which clamping surfaces, viewed in cross section, along a said virtual square VS. (the said square is drawn by dashed lines VS in Fig. 4). Said parallel clamping elements 7 can fill the clamping cavity VK at respective corners of the square VS, in particular for engagement on mutually opposite longitudinal sides Si of the support part D.

For example, the distance y2, y2 'between opposite sides of the virtual square VK may be equal to or slightly greater than a width x1 of the rectangular support part D. It should be noted here that the virtual square VK does not have to be 100% perfect square but can also be, for example, a virtual rectangle, in particular if it holds that the distance y2 'differs slightly from (for instance with a clearance Δν and is thus slightly greater than) the distance y2.

A distance yl, yl 'between opposite sides of a pair of clamping elements 7 is in particular equal to or slightly greater than a thickness x2 of the rectangular support part D, in order to achieve stable positioning and firm beam clamping.

According to a further elaboration, the distance y1 is between the two inner clamping elements 7a on the one hand and the two outer clamping elements

7b on the other hand, in the case of those shown in FIG. 7 shown beam clamping position of the coupling (wherein said clamping elements 7a clamp the beam D between them), equal to the thickness x2 of the beam D.

According to a further elaboration, the distance y1 between the two inner clamping elements 7a mutually is substantially equal to or slightly (marginally) greater than the thickness x2 of the rectangular beam D, in order to be able to place the beam D between them in a stable manner. According to a further elaboration the following applies: y l "= y 1 or y l" = yl + Ay, for example with a clearance Ay of approximately 1 mm or less. Likewise, it is advantageous if the distance y1 'between the two outer clamping elements 7a mutually is substantially angled or slightly (marginally) greater than the thickness x2 of the rectangular beam D. According to a further elaboration, also applies for this: yl' = yl or yl '= yl + Ay, for example with a clearance Ay of about 1 mm or less.

Figures 7 and 8 show the coupling 1 in two beam clamping positions, the coupling also being clamped on a tube T of a said scaffold via the respective first receiving part 3. The beam D can in both cases be held firmly and stably by the coupling. In this case, the second receiving part 5, in both beam positions (both in Figure 7 and in Figure 8), can assume the position shown in Figures 3-4, or virtually exactly that position (with some margin relative to the position shown), so that the outer sides of the beam D can be held between substantially parallel positioning planes (at each of the two beam positions - seen in cross section). Decoupling of the beam D can easily be done by driving the key of the second receiving part 5 to a release position, so that the second receiving part 5 can be brought to the unfolded position (not shown).

It will be clear to the skilled person that the invention is not limited to the described exemplary embodiments. Various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention as set out in the following claims.

For example, the inner (second) bracket parts 5b of the second receiving part can each be made of bent wire, for example of steel. The same applies to the profiles 3b to form the tube receiving part 3.

Claims (10)

Scaffold tube coupling, arranged for detachably coupling to a scaffold tube (T), the coupling being provided with a first receiving part (3) for engagement on the scaffolding tube (T), which tube receiving part (3) is in particular formed by steel substantially U-shaped profiles (3a, 3b), the coupling also comprising a second receiving part (5) arranged for engagement on an elongated support part (D) with rectangular cross section, characterized in that the second receiving part (5) arranged to clamp the elongate support part in a first position as well as in a second position, wherein the support part is rotated about a longitudinal axis with respect to said first position. Scaffolding tube coupling according to claim 1, wherein the second receiving part (5) can be brought to a support part clamping position, in which clamping position the second receiving part encloses a clamping cavity with four opposite clamping surfaces, which clamping surfaces, viewed in cross section, extend along a first virtual square . Scaffolding tube coupling according to claim 2, wherein the second receiving part (5) is provided with one or more clamping elements (7) for filling the clamping cavity at respective corners of the square, in particular for engagement on mutually opposite sides of the supporting part (D). Scaffolding tube coupling according to claim 2 or 3, wherein a distance between opposite sides of the clamping elements (7) is at or slightly greater than a thickness (x2) of the rectangular support part (D), in particular with a closed clamping position of the second recording part. Scaffolding tube coupling according to any one of claims 2-4, wherein the distance between opposite sides of the virtual square is angled or slightly greater than a width (x1) of the rectangular support part (D), in particular with a closed clamping position of the second recording part. Scaffolding tube coupling according to claim 1, wherein the second receiving part comprises four symmetrically arranged parallel clamping elements (7). Scaffolding tube coupling according to claim 6, wherein the clamping elements (7) comprise cylindrical clamping parts. Scaffolding tube coupling according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second receiving part is a clamping position of bristles by means of a wedge lock. Scaffold tube coupling according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second receiving part comprises two U-shaped bracket parts hingedly coupled together, the U-shaped bracket parts comprising two flat support surfaces which extend parallel to each other at a closed clamping position of the second receiving part, in particular for clamping end faces of a said rectangular support part (D) therebetween. Scaffolding system, provided with at least one scaffold tube coupling according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling with the first receiving part engages on a scaffolding tube, and with the second receiving part on a rectangular support part (D).