WO2007132148A2

WO2007132148A2 - Scaffolding

Info

Publication number: WO2007132148A2
Application number: PCT/GB2007/001532
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lewis Alberto Grijo Dos Santos
Original assignee: Access Products Limited
Priority date: 2006-05-04
Filing date: 2007-04-26
Publication date: 2007-11-22
Also published as: WO2007132148A3

Abstract

A folding deck scaffolding is provided which has a deck platform (11), folding legs (12) for supporting the deck in an elevated position, and a guard rail structure (13) which surrounds the deck to prevent a user falling from the deck platform and which folds flat into planes generally parallel to and vertically above the deck platform (11). The guard rail structure comprises two side frames (14a, 14b) which are each mounted on the deck platform for pivoting about respective first axes (19a, 19b) parallel to opposite sides of the deck platform, each side frame also folding in two (27, 28) about a second axis generally parallel to its respective first pivot axis for storage above the deck platform (11). The folding legs (12) and guard rail structure (13) are mounted on corner post (18a, 18b) supported from the deck platform (11). The folding legs (12) are also adjustable in length and can be held at pre-determined angles relative to the platform (11) by support stays (34) of variable effective length. A joint (27, 28) used to enable the side frames (14a, 14b) to fold in two can also be used to enable two general scaffolding tubes to fold relative to each other.

Description

SCAFFOLDING

This invention relates to scaffolding and in particular to folding deck scaffolding having :- a deck platform, folding legs for supporting the deck platform in an elevated position, and a guard rail structure which surrounds the deck platform to prevent a user from falling from the deck platform.

Such folding deck scaffolding is known but does not fold into a compact form for easy storage.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved form of folding deck scaffolding.

Thus according to the present invention there is provided a folding deck scaffolding comprising:- a deck platform, folding legs for supporting the deck platform in an elevated position, and a guard rail structure which surrounds the deck platform to prevent a user from falling from the deck platform; the scaffolding being characterised in that the guard rail structure folds flat into planes generally parallel to and vertically above the deck platform and the rail structure comprises two side frames which are each mounted on the deck platform for pivoting about respective first axes parallel to opposite sides of the deck platform, each side frame also folding in two about a second axis generally parallel to its respective first pivot axis for storage above the deck platform. Such a scaffolding provides a very compact arrangement when folded for storage.

The first pivot axis of one side frame is preferably at a higher level than the first pivot axis of the other side frame so that said one side frame folds into higher planes above the deck platform than said other side frame.

Each side frame also preferably carries an end gate which is pivoted on one end of the side frame and when in use extends to meet the other side frame to close a respective end of guard rail structure.

Each end gate is preferably foldable to a stowed position folded flat against an upper part of the supporting side rail prior to folding of the side rail about the second axis.

The deck platform is preferably generally rectangular with a generally vertically extending corner post at each corner, one side frame being pivoted about its respective first axis from one pair of corner posts and the other side frame being pivoted about its respective lower first axis from the other pair of corner posts.

Preferably each corner post supports a first pin means which constitutes the first axis about which the associated side frame is pivotally mounted on the post and includes a recess means into which a second pin means on the associated side frame can be engaged to support the side frame in a generally vertical operative position.

The first pin means is preferably slideable vertically relative to the corner post to allow engagement of the second pin means in the recess means.

Each side frame may comprises a pair of end posts which are pivoted about the respective first axis and two or more horizontal bars which extend between the end posts. Each end post preferably includes a pivoting joint which provides the folding second axis of the side frame.

Preferably each pivoting joint includes fastening means for fastening the end post in a straight non-folded condition during use of the scaffolding.

Each pivoting joint preferably has first and second joint sections pivotally interconnected, each section having a spigotted end portion for insertion into a respective part of the associated end post, the pivot axis being offset from the centre line of each respective spigotted end portion with one joint section having a male projection which enters a female socket in the other joint section when the joint is pivoted to an aligned position in which an abutment on one joint section contacts an abutment on the other joint section to locate the end portions in general longitudinal alignment, the fastening means comprising a locking sleeve which slides on one of the end post parts to encircle the male projection and female socket to lock the projection in the socket and thus lock the end post parts in their longitudinally aligned positions.

The male projection may have a cam portion which raises the sleeve up said one end post part to allow the male projection to enter the female socket as the end post parts are brought into longitudinal alignment.

Said other joint action may include a flange to limit the sliding movement of the locking sleeve towards the pivot axis of the joint. ^■'

Each end gate is preferably pivotally mounted on an end post by collars connected with the end gate which surround portions of the end post above the pivoting joint so that the end gate can fold flat against the upper part of the side frame prior to the folding of the side frame about the second axis.

Preferably each end gate includes vertical posts which are curved to overlie the horizontal bars of the associated side frame when the end gate is folded flat against the side frame. Each end gate preferably has latch means to engage the non-supporting side frame to hold the end gate in its closed position extending between the side frames.

The folding legs are preferably pivotally mounted on the corner post. The folding legs may also be extendable in length.

Conveniently the extendable legs may be telescopic with an inner portion which slides within an outer portion and removable pin means which extend through alternative cooperating holes in the inner and outer portions to hold the portions in a plurality of different relative positions to vary the length of the leg.

Preferably each folding leg has a support stay which extends between the leg and the deck platform to hold the leg at a pre-determined angle relative to the deck platform when the scaffolding is in use.

Conveniently the support stays have a variable effective length so that the angle of the legs relative to the deck platform is variable.

Preferably the legs are pivotally mounted on the deck platform for folding to a stowed position alongside the sides of the deck platform.

The deck platform preferably has an outer generally rectangular metal frame covered in plywood or other decking material, the guard rail structure and folding legs being secured to the outer metal frame.

The corner posts are preferably secured to the outer metal frame adjacent the corners thereof.

The invention also provides a folding deck scaffolding as described above having support surfaces for supporting a similar scaffolding thereabove in a stacked configuration. The present invention also provides a folding deck scaffolding comprising:- a deck platform, folding legs for supporting the deck platform in an elevated position, and a guard rail structure which surrounds the deck platform to prevent a user from falling from the deck platform; the scaffolding being characterised in that the deck platform has generally vertically extending corner posts fastened thereto from which the guard rail structure and the folding legs are supported.

The present invention further provides a folding deck scaffolding comprising:- a deck platform , folding legs for supporting the deck platform in an elevated position, and a guard rail structure which surrounds the deck platform to prevent a user from falling from the deck platform; the scaffolding being characterised in that the angle of the folding legs relative to the deck platform can be varied when the scaffolding is in use using a support stay which extends between each leg and the deck platform to hold the leg at a plurality of different angles relative to the deck platform.

The present invention still further provides a scaffolding tube joint for pivotally interconnecting first and second scaffolding tube members, the joint being characterised by comprising first and second joint sections which are pivotally interconnected, each section having a spigotted end portion for insertion into a respective scaffolding tube member, the pivot axis being offset from the centre line of each respective spigoted end portion with one join section having a male projection which enters a female socket in the other joint section when the joint is pivoted to an aligned position in which an abutment on one joint section contacts an abutment on the other joint section to locate the end portions in general longitudinal alignment and a locking sleeve which slides on one of the tube members to encircle the male projection and female socket to lock the projection in the socket and thus lock the tube members in their longitudinally aligned positions.

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

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a folding deck scaffolding in accordance with the present invention in an erected condition;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the scaffolding of Figure 1 in a folded condition;

Figure 3 is an end view in the direction of arrow A of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a side view in the direction of arrow B of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a side view in the direction of arrow C of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a plan view of the scaffolding of Figure 2;

Figure 7 is a view from below of the scaffolding of Figure 2;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the deck platform of the scaffolding;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a corner post used in the scaffolding of Figures 1 to 7;

Figure 10 is a plan view of the corner post of Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a perspective view of the scaffolding of Figure 1 with the legs extended and opened at a larger angle for greater stability; Figure 12 is a perspective view of one comer of the scaffolding;

Figure 13 is a perspective view of an opposite comer of the scaffolding;

Figure 14 and 15 show part of the guard rail of the scaffolding with the end gate in its closed and open positions respectively;

Figure 16 shows the guard rail of Figures 14 and 15 folded ready to fold down above the deck platform;

Figure 17 shows the guard rail of Figure 16 folded down flat;

Figure 18 shows a spring clip used to secure the end gate in its closed position;

Figure 19 shows a leg support stay for use in the scaffolding of the present invention;

Figure 20 shows a perspective exploded view of a pivoting joint for use in the guard rail of the folding deck scaffolding of figure 1 ;

Figures 21 , 22 and 23 show the joint being progressively moved from a partially folded condition to a fully engaged condition;

Figure 24 shows a perspective view of one of the spigoted joint sections of the pivoting joint;

Figure 25 shows a perspective view of the other spigoted joint section of the pivoting joint;

Figure 26 shows a perspective view of the joint of figure 20 in a partially folded condition, and Figures 27 and 28 show perspective views of the pivoting joint of figure 20 used to pivotally connect two scaffolding tubes with the tubes being shown in the aligned and fully folded conditions respectively.

Referring to the drawings, the folding deck scaffolding 10 has a deck platform 11 which is supported from folding legs 12 and which has a guard rail structure 13 to prevent a user of the scaffolding from falling from the deck platform.

As can be seen in figure 1 , the scaffolding guard rails structure 13 consists of a pair of side frames 14a and 14b and a pair of end gates 15a and 15b which complete the guard rail structure. The end gates are each pivotally mounted on a respective side frame.

Each side frame consists of a pair of generally vertical end posts 16a, 16b and a pair of horizontal bars 17a, 17b which extend between the end posts.

The side frames 14a and 14b are pivoted on the deck platform 11 via sheet metal corner posts 18a and 18b best seen in figures 2, 8 and 9 which are riveted or otherwise secured to an outer frame 11a of the platform deck which is clad in decking material 11b. Alternatively the corner posts can be cast in aluminium.

The end posts 16a of side frame 14a are pivoted on their associated corner posts 18a about a first pivot axis 19a provided by pins 20a which extend through the end posts 16a. In a similar manner the end posts 16b of the side frame 14b are pivoted on the associated corner posts 18b about a first axis 19b provided by pins 20b. First pivot axis 19b of side frame 14b is at a higher level than first axis 19a of the side frame 14a so that side frame 14b can fold above the deck of platform 11 at a higher level than the side frame 14a as will be described below.

Each corner post 18a (see figures 8,9 and 12) is provided with a slot 22 which receives the pin 20a and an upper recess 21 which receives a second pin 23 provided on the end post 16a when the side frame is in its vertical operating position.

In a similar fashion the comer posts 18b have slots 24 to receive pins 20b and recesses 25 to receive second pins 26 in end posts 16b as shown in Figure 13.

As will be appreciated, in order to engage the second pins 23 in the recesses 21 or the second pins 26 in the recesses 25 the end posts 16a or 16b must be moved vertically thus sliding their pivot pins 20a and 20b in their respective slots 22 and 24 and allowing the second pins 23 and 26 to engage their respective recesses 21 and 25. The end posts 16a and 16b are then allowed to fall vertically so that the second pins 23 and 26 are fully seated in their co-operating recesses 21 and 25. The end posts 16a and 16b are folded relative to corner posts 18a and 18b by reversing the above process.

The side frame 14b includes pivoting joints 28 in a central portion of the respective end posts 16b so that each side frame can be folded substantially in half as shown for example in figures 16 and 17. Each pivoting joint 28 includes a latch arrangement (not visible in the drawings) for securing each corner post 16b in a generally vertically extending straight configuration as shown in figure 1 ,14 and 15.

Similarly the side frame 14a includes pivoting joints 27 which allow the side frame 14a to be folded in half as described above.

The end gate 15b is pivoted on the upper portion of side frame 14b by collars 29 which encircle the end post 16b. This allows the end gate 15b to be pivoted from the operative position shown, for example, in figures 1 and 14 to the open position shown in figure 15. The end gate 15b is provided with curved portions 30 which overlie the upper horizontal bar 17b when the gate 15b is in its open position. Thus the majority of gate 15b lies in the same plane as the side rails 17b when the gate is in the open position. This allows a particularly compact arrangement of the side frame 14b and gate 15b to be achieved when the gate 15b is in its open position and the side frame 14b has been folded about its pivoting joints 28 as best seen in figures 16 and 17.

The side gate 15b is provided with a latch or clip 31 which is shown in detail in figure 18 and which engages around the end post 16a of the opposite side frame 14a to secure the side gate 15b in its closed working position.

As will be appreciated, the end gate 15a is similarly constructed to the end gate 15b and can again be folded into a very compact configuration when the scaffolding is to be stowed away.

As can be seen from figure 1 , the folding legs 12 are pivotally mounted on the corner posts 18a and 18b by pins 32. The pair of legs 12 at each end of the rectangular deck platform 11 are interconnected by one or more bars 33 which act as ladder rungs to allow a scaffolding user to climb on to the deck platform 11. The legs 12 each have a support stay 34 (best seen in figures 1 , 4 and 19) fixed to the leg 12 through a pin 39. Each support stay has a slot 35 within which a pin 36 mounted on the side of the frame 11a of the deck platform 11 can slide. This slot 35 has an end extension 35a which allows the support stay to be rotated down to a substantially horizontal position when the scaffolding is in its fully stowed position and further side extensions 35b, 35c and 35d which, when housing the pin 36, correspond to progressively more inclined operating positions of the folding legs 12 when the scaffolding is in use.

The stay 34 has a handle 40 to assist in pivoting the stay about the pin 39. Also the slot side extension 35b has a retaining nose 41 which retains the pin 36 in the extension 35b to prevent accidental disengagement. To disengage pin 36 from side extension 35b the stay is rotated about pin 39 using handle 40 to bring the pin 36 to dotted position 36a (see figure 19) outside the nose 41. Nose 41 then prevents this pin re-entering the side extension 35b whilst the user rotates the stay 34 associated with the other connected leg 12 to the same dotted position 36a so that the angle of the legs can be adjusted or the legs folded. As can be clearly seen from the drawings, when the legs are in their fully stowed position they occupy positions substantially alongside the deck platform 11 to give a compact configuration.

Each folding leg 12 is also adjustable in length as shown in figure 11. Each leg can be held in a number of extended positions by a pin 37 mounted on a clip 38 which can be clipped around an upper outer portion 12a of each leg. The pin 37 extends through one of two holes 12b or 12c in the side of outer portion 12a and one of a number of holes 12d in the side of an inner portion 12e of each leg which slides inside the outer portion 12a.

Alternatively the clip 38 and pin 37 can be replaced by a spring-loaded pin (not shown) housed within inner portion 12e which projects through one of the holes 12d and through a number of spaced holes such as 12b or 12c in the outer leg portion 12a. This spring-loaded pin is depressed to disengage the hole 12b or 12c in the outer portion 12a to allow the two leg portions to slide relative to each other to adjust the length of the leg. The pin is released by depressing it through one of a number of holes 12b or 12c. As the leg is adjusted to the required length the pin protrudes through and automatically re-engages with another one of the number of holes 12b or 12c in the outer leg portion 12a.

The holes 12b, 12c and 12d may alternatively be formed in the top of the inner and outer leg portions 12e and 12a to facilitate depression of the spring-loaded pin.

Thus as will be appreciated, the stability and height of the platform 11 can be adjusted by varying the length of the legs 12 as described above and their angle of inclination using the engagement of the pin 36 in the various slot side extensions 35b, 35c and 35d provided in the support stays 34.

As will be appreciated from the above, the present invention thus provides a folding deck scaffolding which is not only extremely safe when erected but also has a significant degree of adjustability in the height of the platform and which also can be folded to a very compact configuration shown in figures 2 to 7, when it is desired to stow away the scaffolding.

Further, it is an important feature of the present invention that the scaffolding is designed to stack on top of a similar scaffolding unit so that a significant number of scaffolding units can be stored by a scaffolding supplier or rental company in a relatively small space.

This vertical stacking ability is provided by arranging the lower portion of the corner posts 18a, 18b of one scaffolding unit to be supported on the upper portions of the corner posts 18a, 18b of the scaffolding unit below.

Figures 20 to 26 show an example of a suitable form of pivoting joint 27, 28 which allows side frames 14a and 14b to fold in half for storage.

The joint 27, as best seen in figure 20, comprises a first joint section 45 having a male projection 46 thereon and a second joint section 47 having a female socket 48 formed therein. These two joint sections are pivotally interconnected by a pin 49. Each joint section includes a spigot portion 45a and 47a respectively which is of cruciform cross section. These spigot portions are inserted into the open ends of the halves of end posts 16a and are secured therein by any convenient means such as welding, friction, rivets or pins etc.

The socket 48 in second joint section 47 opens through the side of the joint section via a slot 50 which corresponds with a slot 51 cut in the upper half of end post 16a.

A locking sleeve 44 slides on the upper half of the outer surface of upper end post 16a and when the two end post halves are longitudinally aligned the sleeve 44 encircles the slots 50 and 51 to lock the male projection 46 on joint section 45 in the socket 48 of joint section 47 thus ensuring that the end tube halves 16a remain in longitudinal alignment. As shown in figure 26, joint section 47 has an internal abutment 55 formed inside socket 48 which contacts the surface 56 on projection 46 of joint section 45 to ensure the longitudinal alignment of the joint sections and the end tube halves 16a.

Figures 21 , 22 and 23 show the position of the locking sleeve 44 as the two end post halves 16a are pivoted in the direction of the arrow P to bring the end post halves into longitudinal alignment. As can be seen from figure 21 , during initial pivoting movement of the upper end tube half the sleeve 44 rests on a flange 52 formed on the upper joint section 47. As the upper tube half 16a moves into alignment with the lower tube half 16a (see figure 22) the sleeve 44 contacts a cam surface 53 provided on the end of the male projection 46 of joint section 45 to tend to move the sleeve 44 upwardly (see arrow X) so that the male projection 46 can enter the socket 48 through the slots 51 and 50. As previously indicated when the two end post halves 16a are in longitudinal alignment, determined by contact between abutments 55 and 56, the sleeve 44 will fall to close off the slots 50 and 51 and thus hold the two end post halves 16a in alignment.

As will be appreciated the above joint is of a simple robust and safe construction which is relatively easy to manufacture with each joint section 45 and 47 being a one piece aluminium casting with the depth of insertion of the spigots 45a and 47a into the associated end posts 16a being controlled by integral flange 54 on joint section 45 and flange 52 on joint section 47.

Although the pivoting joint 27 has been described above for use in the folding side frames 14a and 14b, this joint is also suitable for use with simple scaffolding tubes to allow two tubes 60 and 61 to be folded from an aligned position shown in figure 27 to a fully folded position shown in figure 28.

Also, although in the arrangements described above the locking sleeve 44 is held in the locking position by gravity, it is also possible for the sleeve to be positively locked in the locking position by a locking means such as, for example, a suitable catch or by interengaging locking formations on the sleeve and the tube encircled by the sleeve or by friction between the sleeve and tube.

Claims

1) A folding deck (10) scaffolding comprising:-

a deck platform (11), folding legs (12) for supporting the deck platform in an elevated position, and a guard rail structure (13) which surrounds the deck platform to prevent a user from falling from the deck platform; the scaffolding being characterised in that the guard rail structure (13) folds flat into planes generally parallel to and vertically above the deck platform (11) and the guard rail structure comprises two side frames

(14a,14b) which are each mounted on the deck platform for pivoting about respective first axes (19a, 19b) parallel to opposite sides of the deck platform, each side frame also folding in two (27,28) about a second axis generally parallel to its respective first pivot axis for storage above the deck platform (11).

2) A scaffolding according to claim 1 characterised in that the first pivot axis (19b) of one side frame (14b) is at a higher level than the first pivot axis (19a) of the other side frame (14a) so that said one side frame (14b) folds into higher planes above the deck platform (11) than said other side frame (14a).

3) A scaffolding according to claim 1 or 2 characterised in that each side frame also carries an end gate (15a, 15b) which is pivoted (29) on one end of the side frame (14a, 14b) and when in use extends to meet (31) the other side frame to close a respective end of guard rail structure (13).

4) A scaffolding according to claim 3 characterised in that each end gate (15a, 15b) is foldable to a stowed position folded flat against an upper part of the supporting side frame (14a, 14b) prior to folding of the side frame about the second axis (27,28).

5) A scaffolding according to any one of claims 1 to 4 characterised in that the deck platform (11) is generally rectangular with a generally vertically extending corner post (18a, 18b) at each corner, one side frame (14b) being pivoted about its respective first axis (19b) from one pair of corner posts (18b) and the other side frame (14a) being pivoted about its respective lower first axis (19a) from the other pair of corner posts (18a).

6) A scaffolding according to claim 5 characterised in that each corner post (18a) supports a first pin means (20a) which constitutes the first axis (19a) about which the associated side frame (14a) is pivotally mounted on the post (18a) and includes a recess means (21) into which a second pin means (23) on the associated side frame (14a) can be engaged to support the side frame in a generally vertical operative position.

7) A scaffolding according to claim 6 characterised in that the first pin means (20a) is slideable vertically (22) relative to the corner post (18a) to allow engagement of the second pin means (23) in the recess means (21).

8) A scaffolding according to any one of claims 1 to 7 characterised in that each side frame (14a, 14b) comprises a pair of end posts (16a, 16b) which are pivoted about the respective first axis (19a, 19b) and two or more horizontal bars (17a, 17b) which extend between the end posts.

9) A scaffolding according to claim 8 characterised in that each end post (16a, 16b) includes a pivoting joint (27,28) which provides the folding second axis of the side frame (14a, 14b).

10) A scaffolding according to claim 9 characterised in that each pivoting joint (27,28) includes fastening means for fastening the end post (16a, 16b) in a straight non-folded condition during use of the scaffolding. 11) A scaffolding according to claim 10 characterised in that each pivoting joint (27,28) has first and second joint sections (45,47) pivotally interconnected (49), each section having a spigotted end portion (45a,47a) for insertion into a respective part of the associated end post (16a), the pivot axis being off set from the centre line of each respective spigoted end portion with one joint section having a male projection (46) which enters a female socket (48) in the other joint section when the joint is pivoted to an aligned position in which an abutment on one joint section contacts an abutment on the other joint section to locate the end portions in general longitudinal alignment, the fastening means comprising a locking sleeve (44) which slides on one of the end post parts to encircle the male projection and female socket to lock the projection in the socket and thus lock the end post parts in their longitudinally aligned positions.

12) A joint according to claim 11 characterised in that the male projection (46) has a cam portion (53) which raises the sleeve (44) up said one end post part (16a) to allow the male projection to enter the female socket (48) as the end post parts are brought into longitudinal alignment.

13) A joint according to claim 11 or 12 characterised in that said other joint section (47) includes a flange (52) to limit the sliding movement of the locking sleeve(44) towards the pivot axis (49) of the joint.

14) A joint according to any one of claims 11 to 13 characterised in that the male projection (46) enters the socket (48) via a slot (50) in the side of said other joint section (47), the locking sleeve (44) sliding over the slot (50) to lock the male projection in the socket.

15) A joint according to any one of claims 11 to 14 characterised in that a locking means is provided to lock the locking sleeve (44) in the locking position encircling the male projection (46) and socket. 16) A joint according to any one of claims 11 to 15 characterised in that each joint section (45,47) is an aluminium casting with an integral spigot portion (45a,47a).

17) A joint according to claim 16 characterised in that the spigot portion (45a,47a) is of cruciform cross-section.

18) A scaffolding according to any one of claims 8 to 10 when dependent on claim 3 characterised in that each end gate (15a, 15b) is pivotally mounted on an end post (16a, 16b) by collars (29) connected with the end gate which surround portions of the end post above the pivoting joint (27,28) so that the end gate can fold flat against the upper part of the side frame (14a, 14b) prior to the folding of the side frame about the second axis (27,28).

19) A scaffolding according to claim 18 in that each end gate (15a, 15b) includes vertical posts which are curved (30) to overlie the horizontal bars of the associated side frame (14a, 14b) when the end gate is folded flat against the side frame.

20) A scaffolding according to any one of claims 3, 4, 18 or 19 characterised in that each end gate (15a, 15b) has latch means (31) to engage the non- supporting side frame (14a, 14b) to hold the end gate in its operational position extending between the side frames.

21) A scaffolding according to any one of claims 1 to 20 when dependent on claim 5 characterised in that the folding legs (12) are pivotally mounted on the corner post (18a, 18b).

22) A scaffolding according to any one of claims 1 to 21 characterised in that the folding legs (12) are also extendable in length. 23) A scaffolding according to claim 22 characterised in that the extendable legs (12) are telescopic with an inner portion (12e) which slides within an outer portion (12a) and pin means (37) which extend through alternative cooperating holes (12b,12c,12d) in the inner and outer portions to hold the potions in a plurality of different relative positions to vary the length of the leg (12).

24) A scaffolding according to claim 23 characterised in that the pin means comprises a spring-loaded pin housed within the inner leg portion (12e) which is depressed to disengage the cooperating hole in the outer portion (12a) to allow the two leg portions to slide relative to each other to adjust the length of the leg, the pin automatically protrudes and re-engages through the required hole in the outer portion when the leg has been adjusted to the required length.

25) A scaffolding according to claim 23 characterised in that the pin means comprises a spring clip (38) which extends around the outer leg portion (12a) and which carries an inwardly pointing pin (37) which extends through aligned holes (12b, 12c, 12a) in the outer and inner portions when the leg has been adjusted to the required length.

26) A scaffolding according to any one of claims 1 to 25 characterised in that each folding leg (12) has a support stay (34) which extends between the leg and the deck platform (11) to hold the leg at a pre-determined angle relative to the deck platform when the scaffolding is in use.

27) A scaffolding according to claim 26 characterised in that the support stays (34) have a variable effective length so that the angle of the legs (12) relative to the deck platform (11) is variable.

28) A scaffolding according to claim 27 characterised in that each support stay (34) has a generally longitudinally extending slot (35) with a plurality of slot side extensions (35b,35c,35d) corresponding to predetermined angles of inclination of the folding leg (12), a formation (36) on the deck platform (11) sliding longitudinally in the slot (35) and positioning the leg in a given one of said predetermined positions when the formation is in the corresponding slot side extension (35b,35c,35d).

29) A scaffolding according to any one of claims 1 to 28 characterised in that the legs (12) are pivotally mounted on the deck platform (11) for folding to a stowed position alongside the sides (11a) of the deck platform.

30) A scaffolding according to any one of claims 21 to 29 characterised in that the folding legs (12) are rigidly connected (33) in pairs.

31) A scaffolding according to claim 29 characterised in that the legs (12) are connected by one or more horizontal bars (33) which act as ladder rungs to allow a scaffolding user to climb onto the deck platform (11).

32) A scaffolding according to any one of claims 1 to 31 characterised in that the deck platform (11) has an outer generally rectangular metal frame (11a) covered in decking material (11b), the guard rail structure (13) and folding legs (12) being secured to the outer metal frame (11).

33) A scaffolding according to claims 5 and 32 characterised in that the corner posts (18a, 18b) are secured to the outer metal frame (11a) adjacent the corners thereof.

34) A scaffolding according to any one of claims 1 to 33 having support surfaces for supporting a similar scaffolding thereabove is a stacked configuration.

35) A folding deck scaffolding comprising:- a deck platform (11), folding legs (12)for supporting the deck platform in an elevated position, and a guard rail structure (13) which surrounds the deck platform to prevent a user from falling from the deck platform; the scaffolding being characterised in that the deck platform (11) has generally vertically extending comer posts (18a, 18b) fastened thereto from which the guard rail structure (13) and the folding legs (12) are supported.

36) A folding deck scaffolding comprising:- a deck platform (11), folding legs (12) for supporting the deck platform in an elevated position, and a guard rail structure (13) which surrounds the deck platform to prevent a user from falling from the deck platform; the scaffolding being characterised in that the angle of the folding legs (12) relative to the deck platform (11) can be varied when the scaffolding is in use using a support stay (34) which extends between each leg (12) and the deck platform (11) to hold the leg at a plurality of different angles relative to the deck platform.

37) A scaffolding tube joint for pivotally interconnecting first and second scaffolding tube members, the joint being characterised by comprising first and second joint sections pivotally interconnected, each section having a spigotted end portion for insertion into a respective scaffolding tube member, the pivot axis being off-set from the centre line of each respective spigoted end portion with one section having a male projection which enters a female socket in the other joint section when the joint is pivoted to an aligned position in which an abutment on one joint section contacts an abutment on the other joint section to locate the end portions in general longitudinal alignment, and a locking sleeve which slides on one of the tube members to encircle the male projection and female socket to lock the projection in the socket and thus lock the tube members in their longitudinally aligned positions.

38) A folding deck scaffolding constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.