WO2015033278A1

WO2015033278A1 - Method for mounting a scaffold

Info

Publication number: WO2015033278A1
Application number: PCT/IB2014/064227
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jean-Pierre DEBUCKE; J.H.J. Ackermans
Original assignee: Afix Group N.V.
Priority date: 2013-09-05
Filing date: 2014-09-03
Publication date: 2015-03-12
Also published as: EP3042007A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for mounting a scaffold comprising two or more levels, each level comprising uprights, ledgers, floor panels and rails, comprising, in any order, the steps of (i) positioning a first upright, (II), (III) connecting rails to said first and second uprights, and (iv) positioning said second upright on an upright of an existing level, wherein, during the positioning of said second upright, the longitudinal axis of said second upright is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said first upright and wherein their mutual spacing is changed.

Description

METHOD FOR MOUNTING A SCAFFOLD

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a method for mounting a scaffold and to a specific scaffold. In particular, the invention relates to the provision of rails or guard rails on a section or level situated above for insuring the safety of operators who are carrying out activities on the level above. BACKGROUND

Scaffolds are generally known as an assembly of tubes consisting or horizontal elements or ledgers, upright elements or uprights, rails and floor panels which are Interconnected with the necessary connecting means. Scaffolds are used to enable work to be carried out at height In a relatively simple and safe manner.

An Important aspect of mounting or assembling a scaffold, however, la ensuring the safety of the operators who are mounting a new, higher level. This Is generally realized by providing a temporary, detachable rail or guard rail. As soon as a temporary rail has bean provided on a section situated above, It Is possible to provide one or more ledgers and floor panels for said section. The operators then provide one or more permanent rails on the taction situated above in order to finally detach the temporary rail from the scaffold and move It to the level situated above In order to thus serve as a rail for a new level to be constructed.

This is illustrated, for example, In EP 2 527 563. EP 2 527 563 describes a scaffold comprising uprights which are placed at regular distances from each other and which extend In the height direction for receiving successive levers of the scaffold. The levels are separated from each other by at least a floor panel. The scaffold is provided with a barrier having at least a rail mounted on an exposed side between successive uprights, wherein said barrier delimits the part of the scaffold on the exposed side. During assembly, the rail Is temporarily suspended from horizontal ledgers which are already present The rail can be detached by an operator by means of a simple operation. The rail further consists of a locking dement which secures the rail against unintentional collisions during assembly or disassembly. This is also illustrated in Figure 1A. EP 1 571 275 describes a scaffold for buildings which Is constructed In several levels. In this case, each level is supported by the previous level. The technique from EP 1 571 ?75 Is Illustrated In Figure IB. This figure shows that a rail is attached arranged parallel to (he frame of the scaffold. Said rail is detachably connected to the scaffold at the attachment points. The parallel rail can therefore be detached and moved on to a section situated above as soon as a permanent rail, horizontal ledgers and floor panels have been provided on the new section.

It should be noted here that in both cases, a temporary rail is provided which Is mounted parallel to the plane of the scaffold. In this case, the temporary rail is mounted by means of clamps and optionally locking systems In a transitory manner, that is to say detachably. Although such systems provide a temporary rail, there are a number of significant shortcomings. Although, for example, the temporary rail Is connected to the scaffold, It Is still subject to excessively severe collisions. This is usually remedied by mounting additional locking elements. However, such relatively complex locking elements are difficult to use, Increase the cost price and moreover are often subject to mechanical defects, which in turn leads to process Interruptions during the construction of the scaffold. The time required to assemble the scaffold has a strong Influence on the labour costs and any loss of time is therefore preferably avoided.

At least as important as the abovementioned shortcomings is the fact that such transitory measures give rise to additional process steps related to positioning and moving said temporary rail.

The object of the present invention is to address one or more of the abovementioned shortcomings.

SUMMARY

For this purpose, a first aspect of the invention provides a method for mounting a scaffold comprising two or more levels, each level comprising uprights, ledgers, floor panels and rails, comprising, In any order, the steps of:

- -positioning a first upright on an upright of an existing level,

- connecting one or more rails via a first end to said first upright, - connecting one or more rails via a second end, which faces away from the first end, to a second upright which is yet to be positioned,

- positioning said second upright on an upright of an existing level. In particular, the present invention provides a method as described In the preceding paragraph, wherein, during the positioning of said second upright on an upright of an already existing level by an operator, the longitudinal axis of said second upright Is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said first upright, and that their mutual spacing is changed, and wherein said operator is located on the existing level, which level has already been provided with one or more floor panels and at least a safety rail.

This has the advantage that the rails for the level situated above which Is yet to be constructed are provided in advance, before floor panels for the section situated above are mounted. Since the rails For the section situated above are mounted In advance, an operator working on said section situated above will already be protected by these rails. As a result, the operator does not need to provide any additional protective measures, such as, for example_/ providing a temporary rail or guard rail or wearing a safety belt which fastens the operator to the scaffold and thus protects him from falling from the scaffold under construction.

As the rail Is connected to the uprights or the scalTold in advance and Tor the whole duration of use of the scaffold, there is no need to mount a temporary rail and detach it during the further construction of a new level situated above. Said mounting and dismounting of a temporary guard rail or rail is a time-intensive process. The present invention provides a method which avoids this process.

A second aspect of the present invention provides a scaffold comprising two or more levels comprising upri ghts, ledgers, floor panels and rails.

In particular, the present invention provides a scaffold as described in the preceding paragraph, wherein said rails are connected at a first end to a first upright and at a second end, which faces away from the first end, are connected to a second upright, and wherein each rail comprises at least two concentric cylinders which are arranged extendably with respect to one another. This has the advantage that the length of the rails Is variable during the mounting of the scaffold. This allows said second upright to be positioned on an upright of an already existing level, so that the longitudinal axis of said second upright is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said first upright.

A third aspect of the present invention provides a rail comprising a longitudinal body having a first end and a second end.

In particular, the present invention relates to a rail as described in the preceding paragraph, wherein said ends are suitable for connection to an upright and wherein said longitudinal body comprises at least two concentric tubes which are arranged extendably with respect to one another.

As the two or more concentric tubes are arranged extendably with respect to one another, the distance between the two uprights to which said rail is fixed Is variable.

A fourth aspect of the present invention provides a fixing element for temporarily fixing an upright which is yet to be positioned, comprising a support element having a first and a second side, wherein said first side is provided with a first and a second hook at a distance H from one another, and wherein said second side is provided with a first and a second upright pin at a distance S from one another.

Such a fixing element has the advantage that the upright which is yet to be positioned can be fixed during the connection of one or more rails, so as to partly or entirely unburden the operator. Said operator can therefore connect said rails In a simpler way.

A fifth aspect of the present invention provides a kit for mounting a scaffold, comprising:

A. uprights,

B. ledgers,

C. floor panels,

D. rails.

In particular, the present invention provides a kit as described in the preceding paragraph, wherein said rails comprise a longitudinal body having a first end and a second end, wherein said ends are suitable for connection to an upright and wherein said longitudinal body comprises at least two concentric tubes which are arranged extendably with respect tp one another. Such a kit has the advantage that the different parts of the scaffold can be provided on site together and In the appropriate proportions for building a scaffold.

A sixth aspect of the present invention provides the use of a scaffold according to the second aspect of the invention In construction, renovation, podium buHdlng, for providing an even surface n an uneven substrate, for supporting an object, for temporary roofs, bridges, buildings, for reinforcing riverbanks, inclines and/or as Storage racks .

The explicit features, advantages and aims of the present invention will further become, dear to the person skilled In the technical field of the invention upon reading the following detailed description of the embodiment of the invention and of the attached figures. The figures serve to further explain the invention, without thereby limiting the scope of the invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figure 1 diagrammatlcally shows characteristic sub-steps of methods according to the prior art for mounting a scaffold, wherein a rail Is provided on the level situated above.

Figure 2 shows the different parts of a scaffold according to the present invention during the different phases of the construction of the scaffold. In this case, the final rails are provided for the level situated above.

Figure 2A shows a perspective view f a detail f an upright (2) which is used in a preferred embodiment of the present invention with an Indication of four discshaped connection points (6) for connecting a rail (4, 5, 7, 8) and/or a ledger (1). Figure 2B shows a detail of a rail (4, 5, 7, 8) according to the present invention, wherein the rail consists of two concentric tubes which are arranged extendably. Figure 2C diagrammatlcally shows a fixing element (9).

Figure 3 diagrammatlcally shows the different method steps (A, B, C, D) for mounting a scaffold according to the present invention. Figure 3A diagrammatically shows a scaffold under construction with an Indication or the following parts: ledger (1), upright (2), floor panel (3), knee rail (4, 7), hip rail (5, 8), connection points tor ledgers and/or rails (6), fixing element (9).

Figure 3B shows the method step B wherein a knee (7) and hip rail (8) are connected to an upright (2) which Is yet to be mounted for a section situated above, which upright is fixed in a fixing element (9). Method step c shows the connection points (6) of the upright which Is yet to be mounted with the pins of the respective knee and hip rails (7 and 8) arranged therein.

Figure 3C diagrammatically shows method step D, wherein the second upright is positioned on an already mounted upright of an existing level.

Figure 4 diagrammatically shows the final method step of the present invention, wherein a floor panel (3) Is also provided tor the constructed section situated above.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Unless otherwise defined, all terms which are used In the description of the invention, including technical and scientific terms, have the meaning as generally understood by the person skilled In the technical field of the invention. The following terms are explicitly defined for a better assessment of the description of the invention.

In this document, "a", "an" and "the" refer to both the singular and the plural, unless the context clearly Indicates otherwise. For example, "a segment" means one or more than one segment.

When "approximately" "around" or "about" are used In this document in connection with a measurable quantity, a parameter, a length of time or point In time, or the like, variations are meant of +/-20% or less, preferably +/- 10% or less, more preferably +/-5% or less, still more preferably or less, and even more preferably +/-0.1% or less than and of the cited value, In so far as such variations apply to the invention described. However, It is to be understood that the value of the quantity to which the term "approximately" "around", or "about" applies is itself mentioned explicitly. The terms "comprise", "comprising", "consist of", "consisting of, "provided with", "contain", "containing", "Involve", "Involving", "include", "including" are synonyms and are inclusive or open terms which indicate the presence of what follows, and which do npt exclude or prevent the presence of other components, features, elements, members, steps, known from or described In the prior art.

Citing numerical Intervals by means of the end points comprises all integers, fractions and/or real numbers between the end points, Including these end points. The term "section" is synonymous with the term "level" and "floor". The height of the section corresponds to the height of the uprights, the width of the section corresponds to the length of the transverse ledgers. The term "existing section" Is synonymous with the term "already assembled section" and Indicates the cells of the section which have already been assembled. The term "section situated above" is synonymous with the term "section yet to be mounted" and Indicates the section Immediately above the existing section.

The term "upright" Indicates a longitudinal pole, rod or bar, preferably in the form of a cylindrical, preferably hollow, tube having provisions or facilities on the bottom which are complementary to elements on the upper side of a second upright which Is Identical to the upright. Said upright is therefore suitable for being positioned on a second, Identical upright. At two or more heights, the upright Is provided with elements for connecting ledgers to the uprights. The term "ledger" Indicates a longitudinal pole, rod or bar, preferably In the form of a cylindrical, preferably hollow, tube with elements at both ends for connecting the ledger to the uprights.

The term "cell" Indicates the space of a section which Is enclosed between two pairs of successive uprights. The length of a cell Is determined by the length or the ledgers in the longitudinal direction of the scaffold.

The term "rail" Is synonymous with "guard rail" and Indicates one or more tubes which are provided in the longitudinal direction of the cells so that an operator working on the section is prevented from moving outside the cell of the scaffold. A first aspect of the invention provides a method for mounting a scaffold comprising two or more le els each level comprising uprights, ledgers, floor panels and rails, comprising, In any order, the steps of:

- positioning a first upright on an upright of an existing level,

- connecting one or more rails via a first end to said first upright,

- connecting one or more rails via a second end, which faces away from the first end, to a second upright which Is yet to be positioned,

The fact that the mutual spacing of both uprights, when they are connected via rails, is dfsplaceable is made possible by the fact that said rails are extendable. This refers to the fact that the length of the rails, and as a consequence thereof also the mutual spacing between the two connected uprights, is variable.

After placing said second upright, the one or more rails come to lie substantially horizontally, In other words perpendicular to the direction of the longitudinal axis of (he uprights.

This has the advantage that the rails for the level situated above which is yet to be constructed are provided In advance, before floor panels for the section situated above are mounted. Since the rails for the section situated above are mounted In advance, an operator working on said section situated above will already be protected by these rails. As a result, the operator does not need to provide any additional protective measures, such as providing a temporary rail or guard rail, for example, pr wearing a safety belt which fastens the operator to the scaffold and thus protects him from falling from the scaffold under construction.

As the rail is connected to the uprights of the scaffold In advance and for the whole duration of use of the scaffold, there is no need to mount a temporary rail and detach it during the further construction of a new level situated above. Said mounting and dismounting of a temporary guard rail or rail Is a time-Intensive process. The present invention provides a method wherein this process is avoided. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a method according to the first aspect of the invention, further comprising the step of providing one or more ledgers and/or floor panels for said level situated above.

This has the advantage that a walking and work surface Is provided for the operators during the mounting of the scaffold and, once said scaffold has been completely assembled, in order for operators to carry out activities for which purpose the scaffold was provided, for example, Including, but not limited to, construction or renovation of facades. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a method according to the first aspect of the invention, comprising the step' of temporarily fixing an upright which is yet to be positioned during a time period necessary for connecting one or more rails to said upright which is yet to be positioned. This has the advantage that the scaffold, which Is relatively heavy, can be fixed temporarily in a simple manner, as a result of which the operator Is partly relieved of the burden during the connection of one or more rails to the fixed upright. This allows the rails to be connected In a faster and more accurate manner, which ultimately increases the speed of mounting the scaffold and lowers the total assembly time.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a method according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein a floor panel is provided at a height of between 45 cm and 60 cm below a first rail and/or at a height of between 75 cm and 120 cm below a second rail of the level.

Preferably, said floor panel Is provided at a height of between 48 cm and 58 cm below a first rail. This has the advantage that said rail Is provided at knee height with respect to the floor panel. This therefore meets a first requirement for the safety of an operator on the section situated above. It Is also preferable for said floor panel to be provided at a height of between 80 cm and 105 cm below a second rail, more preferably at a height of between 90 cm and 100 cm with respect to the floor panel. This has the advantage that said rail is provided at hip height with respect to the floor panel. This therefore meets a second requirement for the safety of an operator on the section situated above.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a method according to the first aspect or the invention, wherein said uprights have a length which corresponds to the height of a level, and wherein said uprights rest on an underlying upright at the level of a point situated between the highest safety rail of the underlying level and the floor panel of the level situated above.

This has the. advantage that, during the mounting of the level situated above by an operator, It is already possible to provide a safety rail on the level on which the working operator is located.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a scaffold, obtainable by means of a method according to the first aspect of the invention. In a second aspect, the present invention provides a scaffold comprising two or more levels comprising uprights, ledgers, floor panels and rails.

In particular, the present invention provides a scaffold as described In the preceding paragraph, wherein said rails are connected at a first end to a first upright and at a second end, which faces away from the first end, are connected to a second upright and wherein each rail comprises at least two concentric cylinders which are beared extendably with respect to one another.

This has the advantage that the length of the rails Is variable during assembly of the scaffold. This allows said second upright to be positioned on an upright of an already existing level, so that the longitudinal axis of said second upright is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said first upright during the positioning of said second upright. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a scaffold according to the second aspect of the invention, wherein said concentric cylinders are made of a plastic material, preferably a composite material. This has the advantage that said scaffolds are relatively lightweight with respect to a scaffold having a rail with concentric cylinders made of a metal. A lighter scaffold has the advantage that the energy costs of transporting the scaffold to a location for carrying out activities for which the scaffold is Intended are greatly reduced. Moreover, less energy Is required by the operators for mounting the scaffolds In order to raise the concentric tubes to the height of a level to be mounted. This has, on the one hand, an energy advantage for the operators and, on the other hand, a time advantage for mounting the entire scaffold or one or more levels thereof.

Preferably, said composite material is made of polyamlde, polycarbonate, polyoxymethylene, polypropylene, polybutylene terephthalate. More preferably, said composite material is a fibre-reinforced composite material, with the fibre being selected from a group comprising: carbon fibre, flbreglass, aramld fibre and metal fibre, or a combination of two or more of the abovementioned fibres.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a scaffold according to the second aspect of the invention, wherein said rails are provided at both ends with connections for fixing said rails to corresponding connections provided on an upright.

A third aspect of the present invention provides a rail comprising a longitudinal body having a first end and a second end. In particular, the present invention provides a rail as described In the preceding paragraph, wherein said ends are suitable for connection to an upright and wherein said longitudinal body comprises at least two concentric tubes which are arranged extendably with respect to one another. As the two or more concentric tubes are arranged extendably with respect to one another, the distance between the two uprights to which said rail Is fixed Is variable.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a rail according to the third aspect of the invention, wherein said concentric tubes have a non-round cross section. This has the advantage that the concentrically arranged tubes are still extendable, but are not rotatable about the longitudinal axis or the tubes. This facilitates the connection of the connection points, since the connection points are already provided in the appropriate orientation.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a rail according to the third aspect of the invention, wherein said concentric tubes are made of a plastic material, preferably of a composite material. As already stated above, this has the following advantages: lower energy costs for transporting the scaffold; less energy required by the operators in order to raise the concentric tubes to the height of a level to be mounted; time advantage for mounting the entire scaffold or one or more levels thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a rail according to the third aspect of the invention, wherein said concentric tubes are provided, at the ends which are not concentrically arranged In one another, with connections for connecting said rail to corresponding connections provided on an upright. This has the advantage that said ends can be connected. Such ends and connection points are known from the prior art, as used, among others, In EP 2,527,563 and EP 1,571,275 and are hereby included by way of reference.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a rail according to the third aspect of the invention, wherein said concentric tubes are provided with a magnetic click-fit system for fixing said concentric tubes with respect to one another.

This has the advantage that the concentric tubes can be fixed in the retracted position. This Is particularly desirable during transport, whereby such concentric tubes tend to extend out from one another and therefore take up more space.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a rail according to the third aspect of the invention, wherein said rail comprises a longitudinal body having a first end and a second end, wherein:

- said longitudinal body comprises two or more tubes which are arranged telescoplcally, and - said ends are suitable for connection to an upright via connecting devices.

In particular, the present invention provides a rail as described in the preceding paragraph, wherein at least one tube is at least partially made of a composite material. In this case, said rail Is Intended for use as a safety rail.

As said one or more tubes are at least partially made of composite material, said tubes have a relatively low specific weight. As a result, the total weight of the safety rails is lower. This offers a significant advantage during the mounting of the scaffold since the process of lifting one or more tubes according to the invention to the height of the level to be mounted is considerably less energy- and labour- intensive. For this purpose, the present invention offers an ergonomlc solution as a result of which it is possible to significantly reduce interruptions to the work process of the operator. Since the weight is lighter, it is also easier for the operator to manipulate the safety rails, which ultimately results In a significant time saving. A relatively light weight of the safety rails results In a lighter weight of the scaffold. This has advantages In terms of the mechanical and structural stability of the scaffold, which Is particularly advantageous for construction at height. An additional advantage of the relatively light weight of a safety rail, and accordingly of the scaffold as a whole, according to the invention Is the reduced energy consumption during transport of the scaffold to the location of use.

Said rail preferably is comprised of 2 to 5 telescoplcally arranged tubes. This has the advantage that the total length of the safety rail In the shortest, retracted position Is relatively shorter than a safety rail comprising one tube. This has an advantage, Inter alia, In terms of the smaller volume of the safety rails during the transport of the safety rails to the location pf use. A higher number of telescoplcally arranged tubes is possible, but this leads to additional complexity during construction, and consequently also a higher cost price. More preferably, said device is comprised of 2 or 3 telescoplcally arranged tubes, most preferably of 2 telescoplcally arranged tubes.

Preferably, said safety rails are comprised of telescoplcally arranged tubes which are comprised of more than 40% by weight of composite material, more preferably more than 70% by weight, still more preferably more than 90% by weight, most preferably 95% by weight, 96% by weight, 97% by weight, 98% by weight, 99% by weight or 100% by weight or any value therebetween. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a rail according to the third aspect of the invention, wherein said rail is at least partially made of a composite material comprising a polymer and a fibre, and wherein said polymer is selected from the group comprising: polyester, vinyl ester, epoxy resin, formaldehyde resin and polyurethane.

Said polymers are preferably suitable owing to the fe et that they can be processed in order to produce a safety rail according to known procedures and using known industrial installations. The polymer provides the fibre material with cohesion, as a result of which the safety rail retains Its structure and strength.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a rail according to the third aspect of the invention, wherein said fibre material Is selected from the group comprising: artificial fibres including, for example, but not limited to, flbreglass, carbon fibre, basalt fibre, aramid fibre, and natural fibres including, for example, but not limited to, bamboo fibre, jute fibre, kenaf fibre, hemp fibre, flax fibre.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a rail according to the third aspect of the invention, wherein said composite material is reinforced In a multl-dlrectlonal manner. Preferably, said composite material is reinforced with fibres, wherein the fibre Is substantially oriented In the longitudinal direction of the tubes. This has the advantage that said tubes have a high tensile strength In the longitudinal direction. Preferably, said composite material Is reinforced with fibres, wherein the fibre Is oriented in the transverse direction of the tubes. This has the advantage that said tubes have a high tensile strength In the direction transverse or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tubes. Preferably, said composite material is reinforced substantially in the longitudinal and transverse direction. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a rail according to the third aspect of the invention, wherein said fibre material Is selected from the group comprising: flbreglass, carbon fibre and flax fibre.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a rail according to the third aspect of the invention, wherein said two or more tubes are beared in such a way that they are not rotatable around the longitudinal axis of the tubes. This has the advantage that the connecting devices which are provided at the both ends of the device are always provided In the appropriate orientation, which increases the operational ease of use and consequently also the speed of assembly. This can be achieved by means of a positive or, respectively_/ negative recess in the longitudinal direction of the device on the Inside of an outer tube having a corresponding negative or, respectively, positive recess In the longitudinal direction of the device on the outside of an inner tube, wherein the abovementioned recesses are beared In one another. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a rail according to the third aspect of the invention, wherein said two or more tubes have a non-round cross section, preferably an elliptical cross section, and more preferably a trigonal cross section. This has the advantage that said two or more tubes are beared In such a way that they are not rotatable around the longitudinal axis of the tubes, so that the connecting devices which are provided at the both ends of the device are always provided in the appropriate orientation, which Increases the operational ease of use and consequently also the speed of assembly. Providing the tubes with a non-round cross section is a more simple realisable alternative to the embodiment with a positive and corresponding negative recess. Moreover, providing a recess on the tubes reduces the strength and Increases the risk of failure resulting from microscopic defects.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a rail according to the third aspect of the invention, wherein said two or more tubes have a tensile strength of at least 240 MPa, measured in accordance with ISO 527. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a rail according to the third aspect of the invention, wherein said two or more tubes have a tensile strength of between 240 MPa and 2000 MPa, measured in accordance with ISO 527. Preferably, said tensile strength Is between 300 MPa and 1000 MPa, more preferably between 350 MPa and 800 MPa, still more preferably between 400 MPa and 600 MPa, most preferably said tensile strength is 400 MPa, 450 MPa, 500 MPa, 550 MPa, 600 MPa or any value therebetween.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a rail according to the third aspect of the invention, wherein said connecting devices are made of a corrosion resistant metal, such as aluminium or stainless steel, for example. This has the advantage that the conn ng devices have a high degree of hardness and durability, which Increases the service life or the device.

A fourth aspect of the present invention provides a fixing element for temporarily fixing an upright which Is yet to be positioned, comprising a support element having a first and a second side, wherein said first side is provided with a first and a second hook at a distance H from one another, and wherein said second side is provided with a first and a second upright pin at a distance S from one another. Such a fixing element has the advantage that the upright which Is yet to be positioned can be fixed during the connection of one or more rails, so as to partly or entirely unburden the operator. Said operator can therefore connect said rails in a simpler way. This allows the connection points to be mounted on the upright in a quicker and simpler manner.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a fixing element according to the fourth aspect of the invention, wherein said support element is a longitudinal elongate support element and/or wherein at least one hook of said first and second hook Is suitable for preventing a downwards and/or lateral movement of said fixing element.

This has the advantage that said upright, when fixed in the fixing element, remains positioned In a fixed position without the further intervention of the operator or without the need for further support from the operator. The operator Is therefore partly or entirely relieved of the burden of supporting the upright, as a result of which said operator can attach the rails to the connection points of the upright.

A. uprights,

B. ledgers,

C. floor panels,

D. rails. In particular, the present invention provides a kit as described In the preceding paragraph, wherein said rails comprise a longitudinal body having a first end and a second end, wherein said ends are suitable for connection to an upright and wherein said longitudinal body comprises at least two concentric tubes which are beared extendably with respect to one another.

Such a kit has the advantage that the different parts of the scaffold can be provided on site together and in the appropriate proportions for building a scaffold.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a kit according to the fifth aspect of the invention, wherein said rails are made of a plastic material, preferably of a composite material.

As already stated above, this has the following advantages: lower energy costs for transporting the scaffold; less energy required by the operators in order to raise the concentric tubes to the height or a level to be mounted; time advantage for mounting the entire scaffold or one or more levels thereof.

A sixth aspect of the present invention relates to the use of a scaffold according to the second aspect of the invention In construction, renovation, podium building, for providing an even surface on an uneven substrate, for supporting an object, for temporary roofs, bridges, buildings, for reinforcing riverbanks, Inclines and/or as storage racks .

EXAMPLE

The invention will now further be explained with reference to the following example, Incidentally without being limited thereto. The example will be explained with reference to Figures 2 to 4.

Figure 2 shows the different, selected parts of a scaffold according to the present invention. Other parts of the scaffold are not discussed In detail, but It Is assumed that they are analogous to that which is known to the person skilled in the technical field of scaffold construction, unless this Is not the case for obvious and/or stated reasons.

Figure 2A shows a perspective view of a detail of an upright which Is used In a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The upright (2) comprises a longitudinal element having four disc-shaped connection points (6) for connecting a rail and/or a ledger. Said disc-shaped connection points are provided with several openings in the disc for the bearing of p n provided at the end of a rail (7, 8). At the top, said upright (2) Is provided with a positive recess for positioning an upright for a level situated above and at the bottom, said upright (2) Is provided with a negative recess for positioning said upright (2) on an upright of an already existing level.

Figure 2B shows a detail of a rail according to the present invention, wherein the rail consists of two concentric tubes which are beared extendably. The ends of said rails are provided with a connecting element which Is beared rotatably with respect to the end of the rail and comprises a pin which can be beared Into said openings of the connection points of the corresponding upright.

Figure 2C shows a fixing element (9) according to the present invention, wherein said fixing element is an elongate beam-shaped body, provided with two hooks which are Inseperably welded to said beam-shaped body and wherein the hooks are provided at a distance which corresponds to the distance between the two rails. Two upright pins are provided on the other side of the beam-shaped body for placing the disc-shaped connection points (6) of an upright (2). Figure 3A diagrammatlcally shows a scaffold under construction, wherein the level situated above has already been assembled on the right-hand side of the figure and wherein the level situated above Is yet to be assembled on the left-hand side of the figure. Figure 3A further shows the following parts: ledger (1), upright (2), floor panel (3), knee rail (4, 7), hip rail (5, B), connection points (6) for ledgers and/or rails, fixing element (9). The rails on the left-hand side of the figure are ready to be connected to the upright In the fixing element.

Method step A of Figure 3A shows how the pin provided at the first end or rail (8) Is beared Into the connection point (6) of an already mounted upright (2). As a result, the knee (7) and hip rail (8) are connected to a first upright. This may be realized by an operator who is located on the floor panel (3) of the already assembled level - on the ri ght In the figure. Said operator is optionally connected to the upright by means of a safety belt. Method step B of Figure 3A shows how an upright (2) is fixed with respect to the rail (4, 5), with the connection points (6) of the upright (2) being pushed over the hooks of the fixing element (9). This allows said second upright to be fixed with respect to the already mounted rails. The operator can therefore connect the ends of the knee (7) and hip rail (8), which are not connected to the first upright, to the fixed second upright. Figure 3B shows the method step C wherein the abovementloned knee (7) and hip rail (8) are connected to an upright (2) which is yet to be mounted for a section situated above, which upright (2) Is fixed In a fixing element (9). Said second upright, which is now connected to said first upright via the extendable rails (7, 8), Is then lifted out of the fixing element and positioned on an upright of the already existing level In a, substantially, translatlonal movement.

Figure 3C dlagrammatically shows method step D, wherein the second upright has been positioned on an already mounted upright of an existing level. Arrow D shows the vertical direction In which the second upright (2) Is mounted onto the already mounted upright.

Figure 4 dlagrammatically shows the final method step of the present invention, wherein a floor panel (3) Is also provided for the constructed section situated above.

In an alternative method according to the invention, in method step C, the rails for the next cell of the level situated above can also already be attached before the second upright Is mounted on the already positioned upright of the existing level.

Claims

1. Method for mounting a scaffold comprising two or more levels, each level comprising uprights (2, 2', 2"), ledgers (1), floor panels (3) and rails (4, 5, 7, 8), comprising, In any order, the steps of:

- positioning a first upright (2') on an upright (2) of an existing level,

- connecting one or more rails (7, 8) via a first end to said first upright (20,

- connecting one or more rails (7, 8) via a second end, which faces away from the first end, to a second upright (2") which is yet to be positioned,

- positioning said second upright (2") on an upright (2) of an existing level,

characterized In that, during the positioning of said second upright (2") by an operator, the longitudinal axis of said second upright (2") is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said first upright (20, and In that their mutual spacing Is changed, and wherein said operator Is located on the existing level, which level has already been provided with one or more floor panels (3) and. at least a safety rail (4, 5).

2. Method according to Claim l , further comprising the step of subsequently providing one or more ledgers (1) and/or floor panels (3) for said level situated above.

3. Method according to Claim 1 or 2, comprising the step of temporarily fixing an upright (2") which is yet to be positioned during a time period necessary for connecting one or more rails (7, 8) to said upright (2") which is yet to be positioned.

4. Method according to at least one of the preceding Claims 1 to 3, wherein a floor panel (3) Is provided at a height of between 45 and 60 cm below a first rail (7) and/or at a height of between 75 and 120 cm below a second rail (8) or the level.

5. Scaffold comprising two or more levels comprising uprights (2, 2', 2"), ledgers (1), floor panels (3) and rails (4, 5, 7, 8), characterized in that said rails (4, 5, 7, 8) are connected at a first end to a first upright (20 and at a second end, which faces away from the first end, are connected to a second upright (2'0 and wherein each rait comprises at least two concentric cylinders (10) which are beared extendably with respect to one another.

6. Scaffold according to Claim 5, wherein said uprights (2, 2', 2'0 have a length which corresponds to the height of a level, and wherein said uprights (2, 2', 2") rest on an underlying upright (2, 2', 2") at the level or a point situated between the highest safety rail (5) of the underlying level and the floor panel (3) of the level situated above.

7. Scaffold according to Claim 5 or 6, wherein said cylinders (10) are made of a plastic material, preferably a composite material.

8. Scaffold according to at least one of the preceding Claims 5 to 7, wherein said rails (4, 5, 7, 8) are provided at both ends with connections for fixing said rails (4, 5, 7, 8) to corresponding connections provided on an upright (2, 2', 2").

9. Rail (4, 5, 7, 8) comprising a longitudinal body having a first end and a second end, characterized in that said ends are suitable for connection to an upright (2, 2', 2"), wherein said longitudinal body comprises at least two concentric tubes (10) which are beared extendably with respect to one another, and wherein said concentric tubes (10) have a non-round cross section.

10. Rail (4, 5, 7, 8) according to Claim 9, wherein said concentric tubes (10) are made of a plastic material, preferably of a composite material.

11. Rail (4, 5_/ 7, 8) according to Claim 9 or 10, wherein said concentric tubes (10) are provided, at the ends which are not concentrically arranged in one another, with connections for connecting said rail to corresponding connections (6) provided on an upright (2, 2', 2").

12. Rail (4, 5, 7, 8) according to at least one of laims 9 to 11, wherein said concentric tubes (10) are provided with a magnetic dick-fit system for fixing said concentric tubes with respect to one another.

13. Fixing element (9) for temporarily fixing an upright which Is yet to be positioned, comprising a support element having a first and a second side, wherein said first side Is provided with a first and a second hook at a distance H from one another, and wherein said second side Is provided with a first and a second upright pin at a distance S from one another.

14. Fixing element (9) according to Claim 13, wherein said support element Is a longitudinal elongate support element and/or wherein at least one hook of said first and second hook is suitable for preventing a downward and/or lateral movement of said fixing element.

15. Kit for mounting a scaffold, comprising:

A. uprights (2, 2', 2"),

B. ledgers (1),

C. floor panels (3), D. rails (4, 5, 7, 8),

characterized in that said rails (4, 5, 7, 8) comprise a longitudinal body having a first end and a second end, wherein said ends are suitable for connection to an upright (2, 2', 2") and wherein said longitudinal body comprises at least two concentric tubes (10) which are beared extendably with respect to one another.

Kit according to Claim 15, wherein said rails (4, 5, 7, 8) are comprised of a plastic material, preferably of a composite material.

Use of a scaffold according to one of Claims 5 to 8 in construction, renovation, podium building, for providing an even surface on an uneven substrate, for supporting an object, for temporary roofs, bridges, buildings, for reinforcing riverbanks, Inclines and/or as storage racks .