[0001] The present invention relates to a scaffolding, comprising upright elements which
are placed at regular distances from each other and which extend in a height direction
for receiving successive scaffold sections one above another there between which are
separated from each other by at least a floor part, wherein a scaffold section is
provided with a guard rail having at least one guard rail element extending between
successive upright elements and bounding said scaffold section on an exposed side,
and wherein said guard rail is provided with locking means which can be operated by
a single person
simultaneously with manipulation of the guard rail, while manipulating said guard rail.
[0002] Such a scaffolding is usually applied during building and maintenance operations
on buildings and industrial installations. A scaffolding is here sometimes designed
to size and normally erected from the bottom between uprights arranged for this purpose
and anchored to a wall. Series of scaffold sections are thus created at successive
levels one above another and are separated from each other by floor parts. The floor
parts provide at each level a work floor on which the building or maintenance operations
can be safely carried out.
[0003] For safety reasons the work floor in each scaffold section must provide a fall protection
on an exposed side remote from the wall. Workers can for this purpose secure themselves
to a scaffolding with a personal fall restraint means, although this limits their
freedom of movement within the scaffolding, this being perceived as impractical. Partly
for this reason there is a real danger of workers becoming careless to greater or
lesser extent during work, and not always being properly secured.
[0004] An extremely practical solution for a fall protection incorporated in the scaffolding
is provided by a guard rail which bounds a scaffold section on the exposed side in
order to safeguard a worker against an undesirable fall. A problem which however presents
itself here during the erection of a scaffolding is that such a guard rail must preferably
be arranged from an underlying scaffolding to a level lying there above since, due
to the absence of this rail in the upper-lying scaffold section, it is not yet possible
to work safely therein without a line.
[0005] It is in itself known from German patent application
DE 103 05 158 and from Japanese patent application
JP 2005-68652 to provide a guard rail in a scaffolding which may be provided to an upper section
from within a lower section by a single person. These known guard rails, however,
are secured to the scaffolding by means of hook-and-loop engagements at the extreme
ends of the guard rail, which requires relative delicate and precise manoeuvring by
the person involved and renders these known guard rails far from easy during operation.
[0006] The present invention has for its object, among others, to provide a scaffolding
with such a guard rail which, owing to its special construction, allows rapid and
simple arrangement from a first scaffold level to a level lying there above by one
person in one operation in an exceptionally practical and ergonomic manner.
[0007] To that end a scaffolding of the type described in the preamble, according to the
invention, is characterized in that said guard rail element extends diagonally between
said successive upright elements with a proximal outer end at least close to a first
scaffold section and a distal outer end at a height above the floor part of a scaffold
section lying above said first scaffold section, in that coupling means are provided
at the proximal outer end for a releasable connection to a first of said successive
upright elements, and in that said locking means comprise a hook that is provided
at the distal outer end of said guard rail element, which, in a first diagonal position
of the guard rail element relative to a second of said successive upright elements,
can be placed laterally round the second upright element and, in a second diagonal
position of the guard rail element relative to the second upright element, engages
in locking manner round the second upright element, wherein the guard rail is locked
in the second diagonal position of the guard rail element.
[0008] It is thus possible to hook the rail element in the first diagonal position diagonally
round an upright from an underlying level to a higher-lying level of the scaffolding.
[0009] By then moving the rail element to the second diagonal position, it locks itself
with the hook round the second upright. The rail element is then coupled with the
coupling means to the first upright, whereby a fall protection is realized up to the
level lying above. Once the level lying above has thus been wholly provided with guard
rails in the scaffold sections, floor parts can be arranged and it is possible to
walk on the higher-lying level. The scaffolding can then be erected further from this
level. The scaffolders work in continuous safety here because a guard rail preventing
an undesirable fall is present at all times on the exposed side.
[0010] In a preferred embodiment the scaffolding according to the second aspect of the invention
is characterized in that the rail element in the first diagonal position forms a first
acute angle with the second upright element, and in the second diagonal position forms
a second acute angle therewith, wherein the first acute angle is smaller than the
second. The rail element can thus be carried upward from below from the first to the
second diagonal position by pivoting the rail element away from the second upright
away about a coupling position and coupling the element to the first upright. The
manoeuvre with the rail element required for this purpose can be performed by a single
person with little difficulty and in complete safety.
[0011] In a particular embodiment the scaffolding according to the second aspect of the
invention has the feature that the hook provided at the distal outer end of the rail
element extends from a hook body with a body cavity which is bounded by a wall and
which opens on a side facing toward the second upright element for the purpose of
receiving the second upright element therein, and that the wall of the cavity has
a first and a subsequent second transition whereby in the first diagonal position,
at least in cross-section of the upright element, the wall fits in at least substantially
a U-shape round the upright element and in the second diagonal position encloses the
upright element close-fittingly over a greater part of a periphery thereof. Such a
hook body can for instance be provided on a hollow tube which here otherwise forms
the rail element.
[0012] The first transition allows that in the first diagonal position the hook can be removed
laterally from the second upright just as easily as it can be arranged. With a rotation
to the second diagonal position the second transition engages further round the upright
and can then only be released therefrom by means of an opposite rotation back to the
first diagonal position. In the second diagonal position the guard rail can be pivoted
substantially sideways into position in order to be coupled at an opposite outer end
to the first upright.
[0013] A particularly practical embodiment of the scaffolding according to the second aspect
of the invention has in the above respect the feature that the wall with the first
transition encloses an at least substantially cylindrical first part of the cavity
with a first centre line, and with the second transition encloses an at least substantially
cylindrical second part with a second centre line, wherein the first and second centre
line intersect at an angle in the cavity. The mutual angle between the two central
axes at least substantially corresponds here to an angle between the two said diagonal
positions.
[0014] The uprights of a scaffolding are normally provided at regular distances with coupling
positions for girders in the scaffolding. The guard rail of the scaffolding according
to the invention then advantageously rests with the distal outer end at such a coupling
position. In a particular embodiment of the scaffolding according to the invention
these are cup-like holders in which a coupling hook of a girder can be received. With
a view thereto, a further preferred embodiment of the scaffolding according to the
invention has the feature that the hook body comprises on a base a flanged edge which
protrudes on an outer wall thereof and on a closed side of the hook rises gradually
with the outer wall. The hook can here support with the flanged edge on the coupling
position while the rising profile on a closed side thereof guides and enhances a rotation
from the first diagonal position to the second.
[0015] A further particular embodiment of the scaffolding according to the second aspect
of the invention is characterized in that the guard rail comprises an assembly of
the rail element with at least a first and a second further rail element which extend
between respectively the proximal and distal outer end and a shared corner point located
above the proximal outer end, wherein at least close to the corner point a further
hook is provided which in the second diagonal position receives the first upright
releasably therein. Not only does the guide rail thus comprise more material, the
further hook moreover allows a more comprehensive assembly and securing to the first
upright. The guard rail moreover serves here to absorb horizontal forces in the plane
in which it is mounted, so that no additional diagonals are necessary for the scaffolding
in this plane.
[0016] For the purpose of a smooth alignment of successive guard rails, as desired in a
straight line or at right angles to each other, a further particular embodiment of
the scaffolding according to the second aspect of the invention has the feature that
at least two recesses are provided in the flanged edge which are placed at about an
angle of 90 and 180 degrees relative to a centre line of the rail element. The recesses
in the flanged edge are intended and adapted to co-act with a protrusion which is
provided for this purpose at an opposite outer end on the following guard rail and
which will fit therein during assembly, whereby both guard rails are fixed relative
to each other. Owing to the placing of the recesses at an angle of about 90 and 180
degrees the successive guard rails can readily be fixed at right angles to each other
or, conversely, in a straight line during erection of a scaffolding. A further particular
embodiment of the scaffolding according to the second aspect of the invention is characterized
for this purpose in that the further hook extends from a further hook body on which
is formed a protrusion to be received in a recess in a flanged edge of the first hook.
[0017] For the purpose of economic serial production a further particular embodiment of
the scaffolding according to the second aspect of the invention has the feature that
at least one hook extends from a hook body, in particular a casting from a metal such
as aluminium or iron. Both the hook at the distal outer end and the optional further
hook can thus be separately cast in the form of a cast tipped part, for instance of
lightweight aluminium or iron, and be later assembled with the at least one rail element
to form the final guard rail. Preferably applied for the rail elements are hollow
tube parts into which the hook body can be inserted at least substantially close-fittingly
with a hookless outer end and secured. This latter can take place for instance by
pop-riveting, deformation, adhesion or welding, but optionally also by means of a
screw thread connection or the like.
[0018] A further embodiment of the scaffolding according to the second aspect of the invention
has the feature that the upright elements are provided at regular intervals in the
height direction with cup-like holders in which at least one hook of the guard rail
is received. Owing to the regular placing of such cups the size of the guard rail
applied in accordance with the second aspect of the invention can advantageously be
adapted thereto so that the cups can serve as stop and mounting base of the distal
outer end, and the guard rail is always mounted at the correct height.
[0019] For a rapid and reliable mounting a further embodiment of the scaffolding according
to the second aspect of the invention has the feature that the coupling means comprise
a tightenable rapid-action coupling. A rapid-action coupling usual for scaffolding
is advantageously applied as such a rapid-action coupling.
[0020] In a further particular embodiment the scaffolding according to the first aspect
of the invention is characterized in that a width of the guard rail is adjustable,
and more particularly in that for this purpose at least one distal outer end of the
guard rail is mounted adjustably, in particular slidably and more in particular telescopically,
in the width direction relative to the standing rail elements. The width can thus
be easily modified to an actual width dimension of a scaffold section so as to thus
provide optimum protection over substantially this whole width, while the upright
elements nevertheless remain within the reach of a person.
[0021] The invention also relates to a guard rail of the type as applied in the above specified
scaffolding as well as to a hook body of the type as described hereinbefore, and will
now be further elucidated on the basis of an exemplary embodiment and accompanying
figures. In the figures:
- figure 1
- shows an exemplary embodiment of a guard rail for application in a scaffolding, not employing the present invention;
- figure 2
- shows an exemplary embodiment of a suspending bracket with locking of the guard rail
of figure 1;
- figures 3A-H
- show an exemplary embodiment of a scaffolding at successive stages of its erection,
using the guard rail of figure 1;
- figure 4
- is a top view of the guard rail of figure 1 during use;
- figure 5
- shows an alternative embodiment of the guard rail of figure 1, not employing the present invention;
- figures 5A-B
- show the guard rail of figure 5 in respectively locked and unlocked position;
- figure 6
- shows an embodiment of a guard rail according to the invention;
- figures 7A-C
- show respectively a top view, a perspective view and a side view of a hook body as
applied at a distal outer end of the guard rail of figure 6;
[0022] The figures are otherwise purely schematic and not drawn to scale. For the sake of
clarity some dimensions in particular may be exaggerated to a greater or lesser extent.
Corresponding parts are designated as far as possible in the figures with the same
reference numeral.
[0023] The exemplary embodiment of a guard rail shown in figure 1 comprises a push-up frame
comprising a pair of standing rail elements 1,2 coupled to horizontal parts 3,4 and
to horizontal part 5 which couples the uprights. Horizontal parts 3 and 4 together
form a lying rail element and are in turn also mutually connected by standing parts
6 and 7. The standing rail elements 1,2 are provided with coupling means in the form
of four hooks or suspension brackets 8 with locks 9 on the upper pair thereof.
[0024] A horizontal distance A between the two standing rail elements 1,2 is such that it
falls within the reach of an average scaffolder, so that he/she can independently
handle and arrange the guard rail in ergonomic manner. Because horizontal parts 3,4
extend laterally outside the standing rail elements 1,2 for handling, this is independent
of the overall width of the rail so that there are various possibilities, irrespective
of an actual scaffold section width.
[0025] The bracket 8 with lock 9 applied in the guard rail of figure 1 is shown in more
detail in figure 2. The bracket comprises a bent strip which functions as hook and
fits over a girder of the scaffold. A further bent plate 10 is mounted pivotally about
a pivot axis at a base thereof and functions as lock. Plate 10 lies under bias or
as a result of the force of gravity in the position shown in figure 2 and in this
position bounds the cavity which is enclosed by bracket 8 and in which a scaffold
element is received. During placing of the guard rail the standing rail parts 1,2
are manipulated downward over a horizontal scaffold element in a lower section, wherein
strips 10 are temporarily forced counter to the bias or gravity out of their starting
position as shown in figure 2 and then snap into place under the relevant scaffold
element. This locking can later be released with a foot using the foot-plate 11 connected
to strip 10.
[0026] The application of the described guard rail in a scaffolding is described at successive
stages in figures 3A to 3H. From the lowest shown floor level a worker has to be safeguarded
against an undesired fall from the scaffolding. For this purpose guard rails are mounted
in the scaffold sections in the manner shown in figures 3A to 3H. This method roughly
comprises the following steps, corresponding to the figures, of:
- (1) Assembling the scaffold to a height of 2 m. (Fig. 3A)
- (2) Assembling the push-up frames so that they extend 1 m above the floor at 2 m.
(Fig. 3B)
- (3) Mounting the scaffold ladder and moving onto the safe work floor at 2 m. (Fig.
3C)
- (4) Assembling the following tier. (Fig. 3D)
- (5) Assembling the final rails (Fig. 3E)
- (6) Releasing the locking with the feet and assembling the push-up frames about 1
metre above the work floor lying above. (Fig. 3F)
- (7) Mounting the diagonal in the first tier. (Fig. 3G)
- (8) Placing a scaffold ladder so that it is possible to move onto the safe work floor
(Fig. 3H)
[0027] A scaffolding can thus be wholly erected from the bottom upward without the scaffolder
having to work at height unsecured, i.e. without guard rail, for this purpose. This
also applies for the dismantling of the scaffold, wherein the method is performed
in reverse sequence, wherein the release can optionally also be operated manually.
[0028] Figure 4 shows a top view of the displacement of the guard rail of figure 1. The
user has his hands on the standing rail elements of the framework which, irrespective
of a width of the rail, are arranged at a distance from each other such that during
displacement of the guard rail the arms of the user can be moved up and downward ergonomically,
i.e. as straight as possible in forward direction.
[0029] Figure 5 shows an alternative embodiment of the guard rail of figure 1 which can
likewise be applied in the scaffolding of figures 3A-H. The guard rail of this example
largely corresponds to that of figure 1, and corresponding parts are therefore provided
with the same reference numerals. As in the guard rail of figure 1, locking means
9 extend in this guard rail from both standing rail elements 1,2.
[0030] Also as in the guard rail of figure 1, the locking means can be foot-operated, so
that the same person keeps his/her hands free for the desired manipulation of the
guard rail, i.e. placing or disassembly thereof. Other than in the guard rail of figure
1, both the locks 9 are in this case mutually coupled by means of a bracket 12 which
extends therebetween and which can, if desired, be hand or foot-operated. The lock
is tiltable by means of bracket 12 and can be moved out of the locking position of
equilibrium shown in figure 5A and thereby released, see figure 5B. The movement of
bracket 12 is bounded by means of stops 12A.
[0031] Figure 6 also shows a guard rail which can be applied in a scaffolding for the purpose
of safeguarding an end user of the scaffolding as well as a scaffolder against an
undesirable fall from height. The guard rail comprises a lying rail element 1 with
a proximal outer end 14 and a distal outer end 15. Arranged at the proximal outer
end 14 is a standard tightenable rapid-action coupling 21 which is assumed sufficiently
well known to a skilled person and therefore not further elucidated here. Situated
at the distal outer end 15 is a hook body 22 with a hook 23, see also figures 7A-7C.
The rail element also comprises a first further rail element 2 and a second further
rail element 3 which form substantially a right angle relative to each other at a
shared corner point 13. Provided at the shared corner point 13 is a further hook body
32 bearing a further hook 33, see also figures 8A-8D.
[0032] The further hook 33 and rapid-action coupling 21 serve for fixing to a first upright
of a scaffolding, while first hook 23 couples to a following upright in the scaffolding.
Round hollow tube profiles of aluminium are applied in this example for rail elements
1,2,3, although it is also possible to have recourse instead to another material,
in particular steel. The hook bodies comprise in this example castings of cast steel,
although another material can also be applied for this purpose, such as cast-iron
or aluminium, and another manufacturing technique can optionally be chosen, such as
for instance forging or milling.
[0033] The guard rail also comprises a railing part 4 firmly connected to the other rail
elements 1-3 in order to reduce the opening between these latter and impart more stability
to the whole. Hook bodies 22,32 protrude into the above stated hollow tube profiles
with their outer end 24,34 remote from the associated hook 23,33, see also figures
7A and 8A and are firmly connected thereto. Use can be made for this connection of
welding, adhesion or deformation, or pop rivets or camping bushes can be applied for
this purpose. A screw thread can optionally be provided on the outer end and in the
tube outer end so that the parts can be screwed together.
[0034] Hook 23 extends from the hook body shown in figures 7A-7B. Present herein is a body
cavity 26 which is bounded by a wall 25 and which opens on one side to receive therein
a scaffold element of a scaffolding. The wall has here a first transition 25A and
a second transition 25B, whereby in a first diagonal position as shown in figure 9A
the hook fits in a U-shape round such a scaffold element 100 and can be laterally
released again therefrom. In the transition to the second diagonal position shown
in figure 9B the hook on the other hand engages round scaffold element 100 in the
second transition 25B over a greater part of the periphery of cavity 26 and can therefore
no longer be released therefrom. The hook eventually takes up an at least substantially
horizontal position, see figure 10B. In a top view this situation corresponds to that
as shown in figure 7A, wherein the scaffold element lies substantially close-fittingly
against wall 25 of cavity 26. By adjusting rail element 1 with the hook body thereon
between these two diagonal positions it is thus possible to switch easily between
a releasing and a locking mode between the two components. The angle between the two
diagonal positions corresponds to the angle between a centre line A of an almost cylindrical
first passage through the body in the first transition 25A and a centre line B of
an almost cylindrical second passage in the second transition 25B, see figure 7C.
This angle is chosen such that the guard rail can be fully adjusted between the two
diagonal positions from one scaffold section in order to be locked into or released
from a scaffold section lying above with hook 23. The hook body is flattened on both
sides to provide space for this adjustment.
[0035] As can be seen in figures 9A-10B, hook 23 is positioned on a cup-like holder 110.
Such holders are provided at a regular pitch on scaffold element 100 and can be closed
with a so called cuplok upper cup 115 which is freely axially movable and rotatable
over the scaffold element but which, owing to a helical wall progression, clamps itself
fixedly here to hook 23, see figures 10A and 10B. Hook body 22 comprises a flat flanged
edge 27 which protrudes from wall 25 so as to thereby be able to support on such a
holder 110. Provided in the flanged edge are two openings 28 lying respectively at
90 and 180 degrees relative to an axial longitudinal axis through body 22. In order
to guide the adjustment of rail element 1 with hook 23 thereon, wall 25 of hook 23
rises gradually on the closed side together with flanged edge 27 over a rounded portion
29 therein.
[0036] The further hook 33 at corner point 13 of the guard rail extends in a similar manner
from a hook body and is connected in similar manner. This hook body is shown in greater
detail in figures 8A-C and comprises on a side remote from a free outer end 34 a round,
half-open hook 33 which fits round a scaffold element and can be released therefrom
again only at a right angle. A body cavity 36 inside the hook opens in a U-shape for
this purpose and has a width a little larger than an external dimension of the scaffold
element. The hook body comprises on an underside a protrusion 38 which engages either
in one of the openings 28 in flanged edge 27 of the first hook element or, in the
absence of a preceding guard rail in the scaffolding, in the cup-like holder 110 close
to a scaffold junction, see figure 10A. The round hook 33 is provided on the upper
side with an upright edge 37 which is enclosed in both cases by the cuplok upper cup
115 of the scaffold junction. This enclosing of hook 33 provides for a reliable absorption
of force which influences a static behaviour of a scaffolding. Owing to the registration
of protrusion 38 with openings 28 at 180 and 90 degrees in flanged edge 27 both hooks
23,33 will fit either straight or at a right angle into each other.
[0037] The application of the described guard rail in a scaffolding is shown at successive
stages in figures 11A-11F. The scaffolding comprises a series of successive scaffold
elements in the form of uprights extending in a height direction. Successive levels
in the scaffolding are separated from each other by floor parts 120 so that a matrix
of separate scaffold sections is created. The floor parts rest here on girders in
the scaffolding which are arranged transversely of the plane of the drawing and couple
to the same system of uprights 100 anchored to an outside wall or the like.
[0038] From the lowest shown floor level a worker must be safeguarded against an undesirable
fall from the scaffolding. Guard rails are mounted for this purpose in the scaffold
sections in the manner indicated in the figure. This method roughly comprises the
following steps, corresponding to the figures, of:
- 11A
- Hooking the guard rail at an angle ϕ into the second upright;
- 11B
- Rotating the frame into horizontal position. The frame cannot come loose from the
upright during this operation;
- 11C
- Laying the further hook on the holder and subsequently fixing the rapid-action coupling
on the underside to the first upright;
- 11D
- Repeating the previous steps as often as necessary to complete a series;
- 11E
- Arranging the floor parts for a higher-lying work floor;
- 11F
- Scaffolder moving onto the higher-lying work floor and knocking the upper cups of
the holders into place.
[0039] The whole scaffolding can thus be fully erected single-handedly from the bottom upward
without the scaffolder having to work at height unsecured, i.e. without guard rail.
This is likewise the case for dismantling of the scaffolding.
[0040] Although the invention has been further elucidated above with reference to only a
single exemplary embodiment, it will be apparent that the invention is by no means
limited thereto. On the contrary, many more variations and embodiments are possible
within the scope of the invention for a person with ordinary skill in the art. Instead
of a fixed push-up frame, a push-up frame can particularly be applied with two axially
adjustable end parts, in particular slidable or telescopic end parts. A width of the
guard rail is then adjustable and can be modified to a width to be spanned in the
scaffold section. A further possible embodiment is that the rail is collapsible or
can be disassembled into parts, for instance for the purpose of a small storage volume
or transport volume.
1. Scaffolding, comprising upright elements (100) which are placed at regular distances
from each other and which extend in a height direction for receiving successive scaffold
sections one above another there between which are separated from each other by at
least a floor part (120), wherein a scaffold section is provided with a guard rail
having at least one guard rail element extending between successive upright elements
and bounding said scaffold section on an exposed side, and wherein said guard rail
is provided with locking means which can be operated by a single person simultaneously with manipulation of the guard rail, while manipulating said guard rail, characterized in that said guard rail element extends diagonally between said successive upright elements
with a proximal outer end (14) at least close to a first scaffold section and a distal
outer end (15) at a height above the floor part of a scaffold section lying above
said first scaffold section, in that coupling means are provided at the proximal outer end for a releasable connection
to a first of said successive upright elements, and in that said locking means comprise a hook (23) that is provided at the distal outer end
of said guard rail element, which, in a first diagonal position of the guard rail
element relative to a second of said successive upright elements, can be placed laterally
round the second upright element and, in a second diagonal position of the guard rail
element relative to the second upright element, engages in locking manner round the
second upright element, wherein the guard rail is locked in the second diagonal position
of the guard rail element.
2. Scaffolding as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the rail element in the first diagonal position forms a first acute angle with the
second upright element, and in the second diagonal position forms a second acute angle
therewith, wherein the first acute angle is smaller than the second.
3. Scaffolding as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the hook provided at the distal outer end of the rail element extends from a hook
body (22) with a body cavity (26) which is bounded by a wall and which opens on a
side facing toward the second upright element for the purpose of receiving the second
upright element therein, and that the wall of the cavity has a first and a subsequent
second transition whereby in the first diagonal position, at least in cross-section
of the upright element, the wall fits in at least substantially a U-shape round the
upright element and in the second diagonal position encloses the upright element close-fittingly
over a greater part of a periphery thereof.
4. Scaffolding as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the wall with the first transition encloses an at least substantially cylindrical
first part of the cavity with a first centre line, and with the second transition
encloses an at least substantially cylindrical second part with a second centre line,
wherein the first and second centre line intersect at an angle in the cavity.
5. Scaffolding as claimed in claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the hook body comprises on a base a flanged edge which protrudes on an outer wall
thereof and on a closed side of the hook rises gradually with the outer wall.
6. Scaffolding as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that at least two recesses are provided in the flanged edge which are placed at about
an angle of 90 and 180 degrees relative to a centre line of the rail element.
7. Scaffolding as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guard rail comprises an assembly of the rail element with at least a first and
a second further rail element (23) which extend between respectively the proximal
and distal outer end and a shared corner point (13) located above the proximal outer
end, wherein at least close to the corner point a further hook (33) is provided which
in the second diagonal position receives the first upright releasably therein.
8. Scaffolding as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the further hook (33) extends from a further hook body (32) on which is formed a
protrusion to be received in a recess in a flanged edge of the first hook.
9. Scaffolding as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one hook extends from a hook body, in particular a casting from a metal
such as aluminium or iron, and that the rail element comprises a tube body, in particular
of a metal such as aluminum or steel, wherein the hook body is inserted and fixed
with an outer end remote from the hook into the tube body.
10. Scaffolding as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that a width of the guard rail is adjustable.
1. Gerüst, umfassend stehende Elemente (100), die in regelmäßigen gegenseitigen Abständen
platziert sind und die sich in die Höhe erstrecken, um aufeinanderfolgende Gerüstteile
eines nach dem anderen zwischen sich aufzunehmen, die durch wenigstens ein Bodenteil
(120) voneinander getrennt sind; ein Gerüstteil ist versehen mit einem Geländer, von
dem sich wenigstens ein Geländerelement zwischen aufeinanderfolgenden stehenden Elementen
erstreckt und das Gerüstteil auf einer ausgesetzten Seite begrenzt; das Gerüstteil
ist versehen mit Verriegelungsmitteln, die von einer einzigen Person betätigt werden
können, gleichzeitig mit dem Halten des Geländers während dessen Handhabung, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sich das Geländerelement diagonal zwischen aufeinanderfolgenden stehenden Elementen
erstreckt mit einem proximalen Außenende (14) wenigstens nahe bei einem ersten Gerüstteil
und einem distalen Außenende (15) in einer Höhe oberhalb des Bodenteiles eines Gerüstteiles,
das oberhalb des ersten Gerüstteiles liegt, dass Kupplungsmittel am proximalen Außenende
zur lösbaren Verbindung an ein erstes der aufeinanderfolgenden stehenden Elemente
angeschlossen sind, und dass die Verriegelungsmittel einen Haken (23) umfassen, der
am distalen Außenende des Geländerelementes vorgesehen ist, und der in einer ersten
diagonalen Position des Geländerelementes relativ zu einem zweiten von aufeinanderfolgenden
stehenden Elementen seitlich rund um das zweite stehende Element herum angeordnet
werden kann und, in einer zweiten diagonalen Position des Geländerelementes relativ
zu dem zweiten stehenden Element rund um das zweite stehende Element verriegelnd eingreift,
wobei das Geländer in der zweiten diagonalen Position des Geländerelementes verriegelt
ist.
2. Gerüst nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Geländerelement in der ersten diagonalen Position einen ersten spitzen Winkel
mit dem zweiten stehenden Element bildet, und in der zweiten diagonalen Position einen
zweiten spitzen Winkel hiermit bildet, wobei der erste spitze Winkel kleiner als der
zweite ist.
3. Gerüst nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der am distalen Außenende des Geländerelementes vorgesehene Haken sich von einem
Hakenkörper (22) mit einer Körperausnehmung (26) erstreckt von einer Wand begrenzt
ist und die sich auf einer Seite öffnet, zugewandt dem zweiten stehenden Element,
um das zweite stehende Element aufzunehmen, und dass die Wand der Ausnehmung einen
ersten und einen nachfolgenden zweiten Übergang aufweist, wobei die Wand in der ersten
diagonalen Position wenigstens in einem Querschnitt des stehenden Elementes in eine
wenigstens im Wesentlichen U-förmige Rundung des stehenden Elementes passt, und in
der zweiten diagonalen Position das stehende Element stramm sitzend über einen größeren
Teil von dessen Umfang umschließt.
4. Gerüst nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Wand mit dem ersten Übergang einen wenigstens im Wesentlichen zylindrischen ersten
Teil der Ausnehmung mit einer ersten Mittellinie einschließt, und mit dem zweiten
Übergang ein wenigstens im Wesentlichen zylindrisches zweites Teil mit einer zweiten
Mittellinie einschließt, wobei die erste und die zweite Mittellinie sich unter einem
Winkel in der Ausnehmung schneiden.
5. Gerüst nach Anspruch 3 oder 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Hakenkörper auf einer Basis eine Flanschkante umfasst, die über eine Außenwand
hiervon hinausragt und auf einer geschlossenen Seite des Hakens allmählich mit der
Außenwand ansteigt.
6. Gerüst nach Anspruch 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass wenigstens zwei Rücksprünge in der Flanschkante vorgesehen sind, angeordnet unter
einem Winkel von etwa 90 bis 180 Grad relativ zu einer Mittellinie des Geländerelementes.
7. Gerüst nach einem oder mehreren der vorausgegangenen Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Geländer eine Einheit des Geländerelementes mit wenigstens einem ersten und einem
zweiten Geländerelement (2, 3) umfasst, die sich zwischen dem proximalen und distalen
Außenende jeweils erstrecken und einer geteilten Ecke (13) erstrecken, angeordnet
oberhalb des proximalen Außenendes, wobei wenigstens nah bei der Ecke ein weiterer
Haken (33) vorgesehen ist, der in der zweiten diagonalen Position das erste stehende
Element lösbar aufnimmt.
8. Gerüst nach Anspruch 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sich der weitere Haken (33) von einem weiteren Hakenkörper (32) aus erstreckt, mit
einem angeformten Vorsprung, der in einem Rücksprung in der Flanschkante des ersten
Hakens aufgenommen wird.
9. Gerüst nach einem oder mehreren der vorausgegangenen Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sich wenigstens ein Haken von einem Hakenkörper aus erstreckt, insbesondere ein Gussteil
aus einem Metall wie Aluminium oder Eisen, und dass das Geländerelement einen Hülsenkörper
umfasst, insbesondere aus Metall wie Aluminium oder Stahl, wobei der Hakenkörper in
einem Außenende entfernt vom Haken in den Hülsenkörper eingeführt und an diesem fixiert
ist.
10. Gerüst nach einem oder mehreren der vorausgegangenen Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Breite des Geländers justierbar ist.
1. Echafaudage, comprenant des éléments verticaux (100) régulièrement espacés les uns
des autres et qui se prolongent vers le haut pour recevoir l'une au-dessus de l'autre
des sections successives de l'échafaudage, lesquelles sont séparées les unes des autres
par au moins une partie de plancher (120), dans lequel une section de l'échafaudage
est équipée d'un garde-corps, au moins un élément du garde-corps se prolongeant entre
les éléments verticaux successifs et fermant ladite section de l'échafaudage sur un
côté exposé, et dans lequel ledit garde-corps est équipé de dispositifs de verrouillage
qui peuvent être actionnés par une seule personne manipulant simultanément le garde-corps, caractérisé en ce que ledit élément de garde-corps se prolonge en diagonale entre lesdits éléments verticaux
successifs avec une extrémité externe proximale (14) se situant au moins à proximité
d'une première section de l'échafaudage et une extrémité externe distale (15) à une
hauteur supérieure à la partie de plancher d'une section de l'échafaudage se situant
au-dessus de ladite première section d'échafaudage, en ce que des dispositifs de couplage équipent l'extrémité externe proximale afin d'assurer
un raccordement détachable à un premier desdits éléments verticaux successifs, et
en ce que lesdits dispositifs de verrouillage comprennent un crochet (23) équipant l'extrémité
externe distale dudit élément de garde-corps qui, dans une première position diagonale
de l'élément de garde-corps par rapport à un deuxième desdits élément verticaux successifs,
peut être placé latéralement autour du deuxième élément vertical et, dans une deuxième
position diagonale de l'élément du garde-corps par rapport au deuxième élément vertical,
s'engage par encliquetage autour du second élément vertical, le garde-corps étant
verrouillé dans la deuxième position diagonale de l'élément du garde-corps.
2. Echafaudage selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que dans la première position diagonale l'élément de rampe forme un premier angle aigu
avec le deuxième élément vertical, et dans la deuxième position diagonale forme un
deuxième angle aigu, le premier angle aigue étant plus petit que le second.
3. Echafaudage selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce que le crochet équipant l'extrémité externe distale de l'élément de rampe se prolonge
à partir d'un corps de crochet (22) pourvu d'une cavité (26) délimitée par une paroi
et qui s'ouvre sur un côté faisant face au deuxième élément vertical dans le but de
recevoir le deuxième élément vertical, et en ce que la paroi de la cavité est pourvue d'une première puis d'une deuxième démarcation
selon lesquelles lorsqu'elle est dans la première position diagonale, au moins positionnée
transversalement par rapport à l'élément vertical, la paroi se loge au moins substantiellement
en formant un U autour de l'élément vertical et dans la deuxième position diagonale
entoure fermement l'élément vertical sur une partie plus large de sa périphérie.
4. Echafaudage selon la revendication 3, caractérisé en ce que la paroi avec la première démarcation entoure une première partie au moins substantiellement
cylindrique de la cavité avec une première ligne centrale, et avec la deuxième démarcation
entoure une deuxième partie au moins substantiellement cylindrique avec une deuxième
ligne centrale, les première et deuxième lignes centrales se croisant en formant un
angle dans la cavité.
5. Echafaudage selon la revendication 3 ou 4, caractérisé en ce que le corps de crochet comporte à sa base un rebord à bride qui dépasse sur une paroi
externe de celui-ci et sur un côté fermé du crochet s'élève progressivement avec la
paroi externe.
6. Echafaudage selon la revendication 5, caractérisé en ce que au moins deux encoches sont pratiquées dans le rebord à bride, placées à un angle
d'environ 90 et 180 degrés par rapport à une ligne centrale de l'élément de rampe.
7. Echafaudage selon une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que le garde-corps comprend un assemblage de l'élément de rampe avec au moins un premier
et un deuxième élément de rampe (2, 3) supplémentaires qui se prolongent entre respectivement
l'extrémité externe proximale et distale et un angle commun (13) situé au-dessus de
l'extrémité externe proximale, qui est pourvu au moins à proximité de l'angle d'un
autre crochet (33) qui, dans la deuxième position diagonale, reçoit le premier élément
vertical de manière à ce qu'ils puissent être désolidarisés.
8. Echafaudage selon la revendication 7, caractérisé en ce que le crochet supplémentaire (33) se prolonge à partir d'un autre corps de crochet (32)
présentant une saillie devant être reçue dans une encoche d'un rebord à bride du premier
crochet.
9. Echafaudage selon une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que au moins un crochet se prolonge à partir d'un corps de crochet, en particulier un
moulage fait d'un métal tel que l'aluminium ou le fer, et en ce que l'élément de rampe comprend un corps tubulaire, fait en particulier d'un métal tel
que l'aluminium ou le fer, dans lequel le corps du crochet est inséré et fixé avec
une extrémité externe éloignée du crochet dans le corps tubulaire.
10. Echafaudage selon une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce qu'une largeur du garde-corps est ajustable.