WO2005085555A1

WO2005085555A1 - Reconfigurable scaffold frame assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2005085555A1
Application number: PCT/AU2005/000127
Authority: WO
Inventors: Don Christou
Original assignee: D & S Christou (Scaffolding) Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2004-03-02
Filing date: 2005-02-02
Publication date: 2005-09-15
Also published as: AU2004200907A1

Abstract

A scaffold support frame assembly is provided which can be reconfigured to provide different scaffolding systems appropriate for different applications. The frame utilises the majority of the same components for each configuration. The first configuration provides a scaffold system having a level working platform on an inclined surface, eg a roof. The second configuration provides an elevated working platform adjacent a building frame.

Description

RECONFIGURABLE SCAFFOLD FRAME ASSEMBLY

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to scaffold frames which can be assembled in different configurations.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION Scaffolding systems are well known and used in the building trade to provide elevated working platforms in the construction of buildings. Scaffolding systems are typically formed from a number of frames interconnected to form elevated level walkways and work surfaces. There are a variety of known scaffolding systems adapted for use in particular arrangements for use in particular working environments. In Australian Patent Application No. 53998/99, there is provided an example of a Roof Scaffolding System. This type of scaffolding system typically includes a number of interconnected frames. The frames include a horizontal support arm attached to an elongated vertical post. The vertical post is attached to a building frame or suspended from the top plate of a building frame. A Roof Scaffolding System has application for work at or below roof-level of a building in association with a long vertical wall or building frame. In Japanese Patent application Nos. 9-296600 and 11-50623, there are provided examples of Wall Scaffolding Systems. A Wall Scaffolding System, again, typically includes a number of interconnected frames. The frames include a horizontal support arm attached to an inclined arm. The inclined arm is secured to and follows the inclination of a sloped surface, eg a roof. The Wall Scaffolding system has application for providing a level work platform on a roof. This is particularly advantageous for construction of upper levels of buildings having split-level roofs, whereby a Roof Scaffolding System cannot be used due to its elongated vertical post. During construction of a building there is normally a need for each of these types of scaffolding systems. The problem with prior art scaffolding systems is that they are suitable only for their particular application. Therefore, during the construction of a building there is the need to have a number of different types of scaffolding systems. This adds considerably to construction costs with the need to hire a number of different types of scaffolding systems in order to complete the construction of a building. Accordingly, there exists a need for a scaffolding system which can be adapted for use in different applications. It is an object of the present invention to provide a reconfigurable scaffold frame assembly. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the invention there is provided a scaffold support frame assembly, including: a horizontal support arm; and an inclined arm, said inclined arm being attached, at a position generally adjacent to a first end of said inclined arm, to said horizontal support arm, at a position generally adjacent to a first end of said horizontal support arm; said scaffold support frame assembly being adapted to be selectively assembled in a Wall Scaffolding configuration or a Roof Scaffolding configuration; wherein, in said Wall Scaffolding configuration, said inclined arm includes mounting means for releasably securing said inclined arm to an inclined surface; said inclined arm being releasably mountable, at a position generally adjacent to a second end of said inclined arm, to a first vertical post member; and said horizontal support arm being releasably mountable, at a position generally adjacent to a second end of said horizontal support arm, to said first vertical post member; and wherein, in said Roof Scaffolding configuration, said inclined arm being releasably mountable, at a position generally adjacent to said second end of said inclined arm, to a second vertical post member; and said horizontal support arm being releasably mountable, at a position generally adjacent to said second end of said horizontal support arm, to said second vertical post member; said second vertical post member including mounting means, adjacent an upper end of said vertical post member, for mounting said second vertical post member to a building frame. The present invention advantageously provides a scaffold frame which can selectively be used in a Roof Scaffolding System or a Wall Scaffolding System. The provision of such a multi-purpose scaffolding system is envisaged to substantially reduce construction costs in building construction. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS An illustrative embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a preferred embodiment of the scaffold frame assembly according to the present invention in a Wall Scaffolding configuration; Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of a preferred embodiment of the scaffold frame assembly according to the present invention in a Roof Scaffolding configuration; Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the scaffold frame assembly of Fig. 2 adapted for a building frame having brickwork; Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of the scaffold frame assembly of Fig. 2 adapted to provide a roof perimeter safety barrier. DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT In Fig. 1 , there is shown a scaffold frame assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention in a Wall Scaffolding configuration. In this configuration, the scaffold frame 1 includes a vertical post member 2, a horizontal support arm 3, and an inclined arm 4. The inclined arm has bracing members 5, 6 for securing the inclined arm along an inclined surface 7, for example, a roof. The means for securing the bracing members 5, 6 to the inclined surface 7 is not shown; however, any suitable securing means may be employed, for example, bolts. Bracing member 6 is arranged on a carriage 8, which is slidably arranged on the inclined arm 4 and includes means for locking its position. This allows bracing member 6 to be selectively positioned along the length of inclined arm 4. Near a first end of the inclined arm 4, the horizontal support arm 3 is pivotally attached 9. Near the opposite end of the inclined arm 4, the vertical post member 2 is pivotally attached 10. The pivotal attachments 9, 10 can be by way of a pin extending through apertures arranged in the various members, although other suitable pivotal attachments may be effectively employed. In a pin and aperture arrangement, it is convenient to provide the pin on a chain, which in turn is attached near the aperture. The horizontal support arm 3 is shaped to engage and be attached to the vertical post member 2. The attachment 11 can be by way of a pin extending through apertures arranged in the horizontal support arm 3 and vertical post member 2, although other suitable means of attachment may be effectively employed. As before, it is convenient to provide a pin on a chain near the aperture. The horizontal support arm 3 and vertical post member 2 include additional apertures so that they can be attached, whilst maintaining their respective horizontal and vertical states, for differing inclinations of inclined arm 4. A guard rail support post 12 is arranged on the horizontal support arm 3. The guard rail support post 12 includes a carriage 13 which is slidably arranged on the horizontal support arm 3 and is lockable in a desired position. Planks 14 rest on horizontal support arm 3 and extend to other scaffold frames to provide a platform. Similarly, guard rails rest on the guard rail support post 12 and extend to other scaffold frames. In Fig. 2, there is shown the scaffold frame assembly in a Roof Scaffolding configuration. The frame 1 again includes the horizontal support arm 3, the inclined arm 4 and guard rail support post 12 arranged substantially as before. The inclined arm 4 acts as a bracing support arm for the horizontal support arm 3. However, in this configuration, the vertical support post 2 has been replaced by a vertical support post 15 having mounting means 17 arranged at its upper end for securing the vertical support post 15 to a building frame 16. The mounting means 17 is shown as a hook-like arrangement which attaches to an upper plate of the building frame 16. The mounting means 17 is adjustable so that the vertical support post 15 can be arranged further away from the building frame to accommodate the situation where brickwork 18 is present, see Fig. 3. Referring again to Fig. 2, the horizontal support arm 3 and the inclined arm 4 are attached to a carriage 20. The carriage 20 is in sliding engagement with the vertical support post 15 and includes locking means, not shown, for securing the height of the carriage along the vertical support post 15. This allows the height of the horizontal support arm 3 to be readily adjusted. Preferably, the locking means is a pin and aperture arrangement. The vertical support post 15 includes a number of apertures arranged along its height where the carriage 20 may be secured. The carriage may be conveniently provided with the pin on a chain. In Fig. 4, the height of the horizontal support arm 3 has been adjusted to substantially the lower edge of the roof. The guard rail support post 12 projects beyond the roof line and facilitates a roof perimeter safety barrier for work carried out on the roof. A Roof Scaffolding system can be made of a number of the scaffold frames in the Roof Scaffold configuration arranged along a side of a building structure, with planks and guard rails extending between them. One issue with a Roof Scaffolding system, in practice, is the corners of a building structure. A scaffold frame can be arranged on either side of the corner and planks can extend between them at an angle. This provides a working platform at the corner; however, due to the angular arrangement of the planks, this platform can prove to be limited in space. Preferably, it is convenient to provide a plank support arm which extends from and in line with the corner of the building structure. This can be accomplished by providing a vertical support post 15 on each side of the corner. An L-shaped bracket member connects between the vertical support posts 15 around the corner. A plank support arm can be arranged to extend from the corner of the L-shaped bracket. This plank support arm can also include a guard rail support post. Planks and guard rails can extend from scaffold frames on each side of the corner to this corner arrangement and provide a more spacious corner working platform. It will be appreciated that this corner arrangement is only applicable to the Roof Scaffold system, and therefore plays no part in reconfiguring to the Wall Scaffold system. The above has described a preferred embodiment of the present invention. However the invention may be embodied with various adaptations. For example, the various carriages described are preferred because they assist with adjusting the position of the various component members once the frame has been assembled in one configuration or the other. It is envisaged that the scaffold frame assembly component members could be attached directly to one another and that carriages are not provided. Similarly, the hook-like arrangement, in the Roof Scaffold configuration is a preferred simple mounting means; other suitable means for mounting the vertical support post 15 to the building frame 16 can be employed.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A scaffold support frame assembly, including: a horizontal support arm; and an inclined arm, said inclined arm being attached, at a position generally adjacent to a first end of said inclined arm, to said horizontal support arm, at a position generally adjacent to a first end of said horizontal support arm; said scaffold support frame assembly being adapted to be selectively assembled in a Wall Scaffolding or Roof Scaffolding configuration; wherein, in said Wall Scaffolding configuration, said inclined arm includes mounting means for releasably securing said inclined arm to an inclined surface; said inclined arm being releasably mountable, at a position generally adjacent to a second end of said inclined arm, to a first vertical post member; and said horizontal support arm being releasably mountable, at a position generally adjacent to a second end of said horizontal support arm, to said first vertical post member; and wherein, in said Roof Scaffolding configuration, said inclined arm being releasably mountable, at a position generally adjacent to said second end of said inclined arm, to a second vertical post member; and said horizontal support arm being releasably mountable, at a position generally adjacent to said second end of said horizontal support arm, to said second vertical post member; said second vertical post member including mounting means, adjacent an upper end of said vertical post member, for mounting said second vertical post member to a building frame.

2. The scaffold support frame assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said horizontal support arm includes means for mounting a guardrail support.

3. The scaffold support frame assembly according to claim 2, wherein said means for mounting said guardrail support post is adapted to allow said guard rail to be mounted at different positions along said horizontal support arm.

4. The scaffold support frame assembly according to claim 3, wherein said means for mounting said guardrail support post is a carriage slidably engaging said horizontal support arm and includes means for releasably securing said carriage at a selected position along said horizontal support arm.

5. The scaffold support frame assembly according to any one of claims 1 to

4, wherein said horizontal support arm and said inclined arm are pivotally attached.

6. The scaffold support frame assembly according to any one of claims 1 to

5, wherein both said horizontal support arm and said inclined arm are adapted to be releasably mountable to said second vertical post member at different heights along said second vertical post member.

7. The scaffold support frame assembly according to claim 6, wherein, in said Roof Scaffolding configuration, said horizontal support arm includes, at said second end of said horizontal support arm, a second carriage slidably engaging said second vertical post member, said second carriage including means for releasably securing said carriage at a selected height along said second vertical post member in order to releasably mount said horizontal support arm to said second vertical post member.

8. The scaffold support frame assembly according to claim 7, wherein, in said Roof Scaffolding configuration, said inclined arm, at said second end thereof, is releasably attached to said second carriage.

9. A reconfigurable scaffold support frame substantially as herein described with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.