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(11) | EP 1 227 203 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Method and device for building up a scaffold, in particular for construction and maintenance |
| (57) The invention relates to a scaffolding, with at least two scaffolds extending approximately
parallel to each other and comprising a plurality of superimposed transes, with guide
rails being provided on or near each upper trans to support a supporting structure
movable on the scaffold, which supporting structure spans the space between the scaffolds. |
[0001] The invention relates to a scaffolding. The invention particularly relates to a scaffolding provided with a supporting structure supported thereon, which structure bridges a space between two opposite scaffolds. Such a scaffolding is known from practice.
[0002] The known scaffolding comprises two scaffolds, between which a space is left clear, for instance a building site. The two scaffolds support a series of roof parts spanning and covering the above space. This renders it possible to work while being sheltered from the surroundings, at least upwards. If relatively heavy parts are to be brought or displaced between the scaffolds, at least one roof part is lifted by means of a crane arranged outside the scaffolding and put aside, for instance beside the scaffolding or on another roof part, after which the space becomes at least partly clear for use of the above crane between the scaffolds. After the desired displacements have been carried out with the crane, the above roof part is put back again, and the work can continue.
[0003] This known scaffolding has the advantage that there can be obtained therewith, at least temporarily with relatively simple means, a protective structure can be obtained, under which construction and maintenance or the like can take place, while heavy manipulations can still be carried within the above space out by means of a relatively heavy crane. This, however, has the drawback that, to this end, always at least one part must be removed, put aside, and put back afterwards. Moreover, the crane required for this purpose is often relatively heavy, exactly because the complete roof parts must be liftable and displaceable. Moreover, particularly in a relatively strong or unfavorable wind, this is dangerous and therefore often not practicable.
[0004] The object of the invention is to provide a scaffolding of the type described in the opening paragraph, in which the above drawbacks are avoided, while retaining the advantages thereof. To this end, a scaffolding according to the invention is characterized by the features of claim 1.
[0005] With a scaffolding according to the invention, supporting structures capable of spanning the space between the scaffolds can be supported on the scaffolds, which supporting structures are movable over the scaffolds over guide rails provided thereon. Thus, the supporting structures can be displaced relatively easily, without requiring them to be lifted. This appreciably increases the ease of operation, while, moreover, the safety is improved.
[0006] In a scaffolding according to the invention the movable supporting structure may comprise at least one movable roof part, preferably a series of movable roof parts. Also, the supporting structure in a scaffolding according to the invention may comprise a hoisting device, such as a crane, with which products can be taken up and displaced between the scaffolds. Such a hoisting device is preferably of the portal crane type.
[0007] In a very advantageous embodiment a scaffolding according to the invention is characterized by the features of claim 5.
[0008] In such a scaffolding the at least one hoisting device may be supported and displaced on the inner guide rails, independently of the roof parts. Preferably, the hoisting device is movable under at least a plurality of the roof parts, such that the crane can be moved under a mainly closed roof. Thus, relatively light products can be easily displaced between the scaffolds, with closed roof, while one or more roof parts can be moved away when heavier objects are to be displaced between the scaffolds, brought therebetween from the outside or removed from between the scaffolds. Thus, for instance, prefab parts for structures to be built between the scaffolds, such as a house, can be easily taken up with a relatively heavy crane and be placed between the scaffolds, by moving one or more roof parts. After placing the above part, the roof parts can be closed, so that a closed building space is obtained again.
[0009] Preferably, the scaffolds are stabilized near the underside by means of ballast means, which, for instance, may be designed as bags filled with bulk material, such as sand, gravel or such material to be used for construction, attached to scaffold tubes of the scaffolds. To this end, there may be used, for instance, so-called bigbags.
[0010] The invention further relates to an assembly of a scaffolding and a building, which building is at least nearly completely enclosed by the scaffolding, during extension, alteration, maintenance, and the like.
[0011] Moreover, the invention relates to a method for building up a scaffolding, characterized by the features of claim 11.
[0012] With such a method, there can be easily built up a scaffolding having provided therein at least one supporting structure movable over the scaffolds. This supporting structure may be built up at least partly from a plurality of roof parts, which, viewed in the longitudinal direction of the scaffolds, have a total length smaller than the above length of the scaffolds, such that roof parts can be moved apart to clear therebetween the space between the scaffolds. Furthermore, the supporting structure may comprise a hoisting device placed on the guide rails, which hoisting device is moved in the longitudinal direction of the scaffolds during use.
[0013] In a very advantageous embodiment, a method according to the invention is characterized by the features of claim 18.
[0014] Building up the guide rails from mirror-symmetric elements has the advantage that a scaffolding according to the invention can be built up in a very simple manner from a relatively small number of different parts, which is especially favorable from a viewpoint of logistics, stockpiling and construction.
[0015] The invention further relates to a method for construction or maintenance of a building, characterized by the features of claim 19.
[0016] With such a method, a building can be constructed or maintained in a very advantageous and ergonomically sound manner. In fact, the whole building, at least the part thereof to be constructed or maintained, can be completely enclosed in the scaffolding, so that the construction or maintenance becomes nearly completely weather-independent. Relatively heavy parts can be easily placed between the scaffolds, removed or displaced therebetween, without requiring complete removal of roof parts. In fact, they can be easily moved away. On the other hand, displacement of relatively small loads within the space is possible by means of the hoisting device, with closed roof.
[0017] Further advantageous embodiments of a device and method according to the invention are described in the subclaims.
[0018] In explanation of the invention, embodiments of a scaffolding and method according to the invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawing, in which:
Fig. 1 is a front view of a device according to the invention;
Fig. 2 is a side view of a device of Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a top view of a device of Figs. 1 and 2;
Fig. 4 is a top view of a base of a device of Fig. 3;
Fig. 5 is a section, taken on the line V-V in Fig. 3, through a device according to the invention;
Fig. 6 is a detail of a section of Fig. 5, with a hoisting device according to the invention; and
Fig. 7 is a top view of a corner of a device of Fig. 3, with removed roof.
[0019] In this description, similar or corresponding parts have similar or corresponding reference numerals. In this description, the starting parts are known per se parts for the construction of scaffolds, such as scaffold tubes, girders and struts, which may be selected to be of any suitable type. In this description of the figures, a scaffolding and method, described for use in the construction of a house, are diagrammatically shown by way of illustration. It will be clear, however, that such a scaffolding can be built up in any desired position, for instance as temporary covering in, for instance, boat building, groundworks, and the like. All the employed parts are, where possible, built up from modular parts, such as uprights, girders, and struts.
[0020] Figs. 1-3 show respectively a front view, a side view, and a top view of a scaffolding 1 according to the invention, comprising two scaffolds 2, which extend parallel to each other. The scaffolds 2 are each built up from three series of scaffold tubes 4A-C, interconnected by girders 6, at least substantially horizontal coupling tubes 6, secured to the scaffold tubes 4 with known per se couplings. Struts 8 are provided to interconnect series of scaffold tubes 4, to obtain the desired stability. On the girders 6, at least substantially horizontal coupling tubes 6, scaffolding planks (not shown) are supported and secured in a known per se manner. Near each end of the scaffolds 2 an end wall 10 is built up, again from scaffold tubes 4, girders 6, and struts 8, which interconnect the scaffolds 2. Against the outside of the scaffolds 2 and the end walls 10 a wind- and waterproof coating 12 is provided, so that the space 14 between the scaffolds 2 is sheltered to the outside. Ladders may be provided for climbing the scaffolds 2. Stabilizing sections 16 may be provided to prevent buckling.
[0021] At the top of each scaffold 2 two pairs of rails 18, 20 are provided to support respectively movable roof parts 22, as shown in Fig. 1, and a hoisting device 24 in the form of a portal crane, crab or the like, movable on the rails 20 under the roof parts 22. This is shown in more detail in Fig. 6. Over the roof parts 22 there is also provided a wind- and waterproof coating 12, which overhang the longitudinal edges and extend to against the outside of the coating 12 on the scaffolds 2, so that the space 14 is also closed upwards in a wind- and waterproof fashion. The coating 12 is preferably arranged such that movements of the roof parts 22 in the longitudinal direction L of the scaffolds 2 are not hindered. To this end, a separate strip of coating 12 is preferably arranged on each roof part 22.
[0022] As clearly shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, the length L of the scaffolds 2 is slightly greater than the length L1 of the roof parts 22 when fully pushed against each other, as shown in Fig. 3. Thus, for instance, each roof part 22 may have a length L2, measured in the longitudinal direction L of the scaffold 2, which is approximately equal to the length of the girders 6 extending in the longitudinal direction L of the scaffold 2, at least the distance between two juxtaposed girders 6. The scaffolds 2 then project, for instance, over a length of two girders 6 beyond the roof parts 22 pushed against each other, so that two roof parts 22 can be moved side by side onto these projecting parts of the scaffolds 2. This provides the possibility that between each randomly selected pair of juxtaposed roof parts 22 there can be cleared a space having a width of twice a roof part width L2, through which the subjacent space 14 can be easily approached. Through an opening formed between the roof parts 22 heavy loads may then be brought into, removed from or displaced within the space 14, for instance with a crane (not shown) arranged outside the device 1. Such heavy loads may, for instance, be prefab building parts, such as walls or roofs, molds for manufacturing such building parts, machines, building materials or the like. After a specific heavy load has been subjected to the desired treatment, the roof 21, formed from the roof parts 22, can be closed again by moving the roof parts 22 against each other again, covering the space 14.
[0023] Each roof part 22 is, for instance, built up from a plurality of girders 6A, uprights 4A, and struts 8A, composed to form two or more, for instance four, frames 23, which relative to each other slope from a ridge-forming center 26 down outwards, providing a proper drainage. Near the free end 28 of each frame 23 a supporting element 30 is secured on the underside against each roof part 22, which supporting element is provided with wheels 32 with which the relevant roof part 22 is supported on the outer pair of guide rails 18. The roof part 22 can therefore be moved over the guide rails 18, in the longitudinal direction of the scaffolds 2.
[0024] On the inner pair of rails 20 the hoisting device 24 is supported by means of wheel sets 34, as shown in Fig. 6. The hoisting device 24 is designed as a known per se lattice structure, provided on the underside with a running rail 36 along which a crab 38 can move, in a direction P at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the scaffolds 2, which crab 38 is provided, in a manner known per se, with hoisting means 40, diagrammatically shown in the form of a hook. The hoisting device 24, in particular the wheel sets 34, have such a height that the hoisting device 24 can be moved over the inner guide rails 20 by means of the wheel sets 34, along the bottom of the roof parts 22. This means that the hoisting device 24 moved along the top of the space 14 when the roof 21 is closed, to displace loads within the space 14.
[0025] Near the underside of the scaffolds 2 and the end walls 10 ballast means 42 are provided to stabilize and keep aground the scaffolding 1. These ballast means 42 may, for instance, be formed by bigbags, secured to the scaffold tubes 4 with loops and filled with bulk material. This bulk material may, for instance, be material conventionally used on a building site, such as sand, gravel or the like. Optionally, this bulk material may be used up during the construction, in which during the building up of a building 44 in the space 14, the scaffolds 2 can optionally be secured to the building 44, for sufficient stabilization.
[0026] Fig. 6A diagrammatically shows a front view of a part of a guide rail module 46 having thereon a wheel set 31 for a roof part 22. The guide rail module 46 comprises two I-sections 48, arranged parallel to each other at a distance suited for the wheels 30. Girders 6C are put through the vertical bodies 49 of the I-sections 48 and secured thereto, for instance by welding, such that a mirror-symmetric guide rail module 46 is obtained, symmetrically in a plane V through the longitudinal axis of the girders 6C, at right angles to the plane of the drawing. At a first end each girder 6C is provided with a body 50, near the opposite end of a hole 52. By means of the body 50, provided with bolt holes 51 and the openings 52, the girders 6C and thus the guide rail module 46 can be easily secured to uprights 4A-C. The guide rails 20 for the hoisting device 24 are built up in the same manner, the girders 6C having a greater length.
[0027] The wheel set 31 is provided with axles 54 having at both ends a wheel, which can roll along the upper side of the I-sections 48. The wheels 30 may be provided with end flanges 33, thereby preventing the wheels 30 from moving sidewards off the rails 18. In the embodiment shown, the support 32, connected with the roof part 22, is provided on the underside with a gantry 56, which accommodates the axle 54, while on the outer side there is provided a substantially L-shaped body 58, which, with the free leg 60, contacts the underside of the upper horizontal body 62 of the outer I-section 48. This prevents the wheels 30 from running off the guide rails 18. In this manner, the roof parts 22 are easily prevented from loosening, for instance through wind under the roof parts 22. It will be clear, for that matter, that the wheel sets 34 of the hoisting device 24 may also be designed in the same or comparable manner, while, moreover, other suitable wheel sets 31, 34 and guide rail modules 40 may be used as well.
[0028] Fig. 7 shows a corner of a device 1 according to the invention, with removed roof 21. This drawing clearly shows that, in the embodiment shown, the first pairs of guide rails 18 and second pairs of guide rails 20 are equal to each other, apart from the length of the girders 6C. The guide rail modules 40 are interconnected by securing the flanges 50 against each other and attaching them to the upper ends of the central uprights 4B, while the openings 52 are secured to respectively the inner and outer uprights 4A, C. At the top of the end wall 10 there are also used guide rail modules 40, in particular those of the type for the outer guide rails 18, although these rails have no guide rail function in the end walls 40. It is thus ensured, however, that with relatively few different types of parts a device 1 according to the invention can be built up.
[0029] With a scaffolding according to the present invention there can be obtained, for instance, a space having a working area of 25 to 45 meters and a height of approximately 13 meters. Preferably, modular dimensions are used for uprights, girders and struts, and other scaffold parts, so that the space can be easily enlarged or reduced. Surprisingly, it has been found that with substantially existing scaffold material there can be built up scaffolds according to the invention that can support, for instance, hoisting devices having a capacity of some tons, for instance three tons, in relatively large spans, for instance more than 22 meters. These dimensions and loads, however, are mentioned by way of example only and should in no way be interpreted in a limitative sense.
[0030] The invention is by no means limited to the exemplary embodiments given in the specification. Many variations thereof are possible within the scope of the invention defined by the claims.
[0031] Thus, as the occasion arises, the roof parts are omitted and only one crane is positioned on running rails on the scaffolds. In such a case, only one pair of running rails is necessary on each scaffold. In a comparable manner, too, the hoisting device may be omitted, and it suffices to use roof parts. The roof parts may also be of such design that they can be partly folded and are movable, for instance, in folded form, while, moreover, roof parts may be of such design that at all times a first roof part is slidable over a second roof part, which, if necessary, are then movable together over the above guide rails. This has the advantage that there need not always be moved away a relatively large number of roof parts. Also, on both sides of the roof the scaffolds may extend slightly farther, so that roof parts can be moved away towards both sides. The roof parts and the hoisting device may be manually movable as well as provided with driving means, for instance an electric motor for displacement thereof. It will be clear that protective devices may be provided to prevent roof parts and/or the hoisting device from running off the guide rails. Also, there may be provided on each scaffold, for instance, three pairs of guide rails, of which two pairs of guide rails are used for roof parts that can move alternately on an outward pair of guide rails and an inward pair of guide rails, such that these roof parts can be moved over each other. In the exemplary embodiment shown, there is arranged one pair of guide rails for the roof parts on each scaffold. Of course, as the occasion arises, it suffices to use, for instance, one guide rail for the roof parts on each scaffold. The roof parts may be supported on the guide rails as well as be suspended therefrom. The scaffolds may be placed loose on a bottom, but may also be anchored thereto, for instance by means of suitable foundation means.
1. A scaffolding, with at least two scaffolds extending approximately parallel to each
other and comprising a plurality of superimposed transes, with guide rails being provided
on or near each upper trans to support a supporting structure movable on the scaffold,
which supporting structure spans the space between the scaffolds.
2. A scaffolding according to claim 1, in which the supporting structure comprises at
least one movable roof part.
3. A scaffolding according to claim 2, in which the scaffolds, at least the guide rails
supported thereon, both have a length greater than the common length of the roof parts
supported on the scaffolds, such that at all times a desired part of the space between
the scaffolds can be covered upwards or be cleared.
4. A scaffolding according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the supporting
structure comprises a hoisting device, such as a crane, in particular of the portal
crane type.
5. A scaffolding according to any one of claims 1-3 and claim 4, in which on or near
each upper trans two, at least two pairs of, guide rails are provided, with the or
each roof part being supported on the outer guide rail and the hoisting device being
supported on the inner guide rail.
6. A scaffolding according to claim 5, in which the or each roof part is movable over
the hoisting device.
7. A scaffolding according to any one of the preceding claims, in which near the underside
of each of the scaffolds ballast means are provided.
8. A scaffolding according to claim 7, in which the ballast means comprise bags filled
with bulk material, preferably attached to scaffold tubes of the scaffolds.
9. A scaffolding according to any one of the preceding claims, in which substantially
wind- and waterproof end walls are provided, which connect the scaffolds on two opposite
sides and bound the space enclosed therebetween, while the scaffolds are coated on
or near the outer side with a substantially wind- and waterproof coating.
10. An assembly of a scaffolding and a building, at least a building under construction,
which building is at least nearly completely enclosed by the scaffolding.
11. A method for building up a scaffolding, in which at least two scaffolds are built
up diametrically opposite each other, with guide rails being provided on or near the
top of each scaffold and at least one supporting structure being placed on the guide
rails, which supporting structure bridges the space between the scaffolds and is movable
on the guide rails.
12. A method according to claim 11, in which at least one supporting structure is built
up from a plurality of roof parts, the total length of which roof parts, viewed in
the longitudinal direction of the scaffolds, is smaller than the above length of the
scaffolds, while during use at least two roof parts are moved apart to clear therebetween
the space between the scaffolds.
13. A method according to claim 11 or 12, in which at least a plurality of roof parts
is designed so as to be movable over each other, while during use a first roof part
is moved under or above an adjacent second roof part to clear the space between the
scaffolds.
14. A method according to claim 11, in which as supporting structure at least one hoisting
device is used, which hoisting device is moved over the guide rails, in the longitudinal
direction of the scaffolds.
15. A method according to any one of claims 11 - 13 and 14, in which the at least one
hoisting device and the roof parts pass each other.
16. A method according to any one of claims 11 - 15, in which a crane arranged outside
the scaffolding is used, with which goods are brought between the scaffolds and/or
removed from between the scaffolds, while passing the supporting structures, in particular
along or between roof parts.
17. A method according to any one of claims 11 - 16, in which each scaffold is built up
from at least three series of scaffold tubes with at least two rows of scaffold planks.
18. A method according to any one of claims 11 - 17, in which the guide rails are substantially
built up from elements that are mirror-symmetric, which elements are put down on a
first scaffold in a first position, while on the opposite second scaffold the elements
are put down in a, relative to the first position, second position tilted through
180° about an axis located approximately parallel to the longitudinal direction of
the guide rails.
19. A method for construction or maintenance of a building, in which a scaffolding according
to any one of claims 1 - 9 is built up, within which a building is built up, at least
maintenance of a building takes place, while by means of a crane arranged outside
the scaffolding goods for construction or maintenance of the building are brought
between the scaffolds or removed from between the scaffolds.