Support for scaffolding bearing elements

Abstract

 A support (1) for bearing elements (2) of scaffoldings (3) showing a cylindrical body (5) having a first end (5a) which can be inserted in a cavity made in a lower end (2b) of a respective bearing element (2), and a second end (5b) opposite to the first one (5a). Adjusting means (9) are associated with the cylindrical body (5) and longitudinally sliding along the body (5) itself. The support also exhibits an element (6) associated with the cylindrical body (5) and adaptable upon an upper end (2a) of said bearing element (2) opposite to said lower end (2b).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a support for scaffolding bearing elements.

[0002] In particular, the present invention relates to a support arranged for being associated with bearing elements which, engaged together and combined to respective horizontal beams, define a building scaffolding usually known by the name of "staging" as well.

[0003] As it is known, the bearing elements generally consist of a pair of tubular posts, coupled together by means of a horizontal connecting bar for defining a frame having a substantially "bridged" configuration.

[0004] Each vertical post has a cylindrical projection extending from an upper end of the post itself and which can be inserted in a cavity made in a lower end of a post placed on the top. In this way, the bearing elements can be stacked on each other to define a plurality of vertical constructions which are connected together by means of the stated horizontal beams.

[0005] In detail, the horizontal beams generally consist of metal or wooden planks which connect the connecting bars of the bearing elements adjacent therebetween.

[0006] The bearing elements located in the lowest portion of the scaffolding have respective supports associated with the lower end of each post.

[0007] Such supports consist of a cylindrical body which can be inserted in the cavity executed in the lower end of each tubular post, and of a base downwards associated with the cylindrical body.

[0008] The base consists of a circular plate which can be abutted to the ground and be suitable for defining a support surface of the whole scaffolding.

[0009] Moreover, the support exhibits a bushing externally engaged to the cylindrical body and which can be adjusted vertically by means of a screw coupling with the cylindrical body itself. The bushing forms a clasp of the tubular post inserted on the cylindrical body and defines the length of the upper portion of the cylindrical body arranged for being inserted in the stated post.

[0010] Accordingly, by acting on the bushing rotation, the height of the scaffolding and the distance between the base and the respective bearing element is adjusted.

[0011] Advantageously, the scaffolding can also be mounted in correspondence with uneven pavements or steps. As a matter of fact, when the bearing element exhibits a respective post placed in correspondence with a sinking, the distance between the respective base and the post itself is increased in order to hold the bearing element horizontal in any case.

[0012] However the scaffoldings above described, although functional and easy to carry out, have an important drawback.

[0013] This drawback is connected to the restricted possibility of adjusting the bearing elements which are stacked on each other.

[0014] In particular, this drawback shows itself when the scaffolding has to be mounted adjacent to building structures exhibiting protruding planes, such as terraces or roofs which develop themselves between the two posts of each bearing element. In fact, in this case it is generally not possible to use the prefabricated or standard scaffoldings above described, but it is necessary to build custom scaffoldings by employing modular elements, with a consequent remarkable waste of time and prices rise.

[0015] Alternatively, it is sometimes possible to use the standard scaffoldings, however, by equipping the tubular post placed in correspondence with the protruding plane with a respective support which abuts on the protruding plane, while the tubular post placed outside the protruding plane is coupled to the underlying post by means of hooking elements custom-made. Such hooking elements are able to cover the excessive distance defined between the posts above mentioned placed externally to the protruding plane.

[0016] The hooking elements consist of provisional tubular extensions and made respecting the distance which the extension itself has to cover, namely the distance between the lower end and the upper end of the stated posts.

[0017] Therefore, such extensions need to be custom-made every time a similar condition occurs, with a consequent lengthen of production times of the scaffolding. Moreover, it is to be considered that the execution of the mentioned extensions must be remarkably accurate in order to ensure a firm coupling with the relative posts, under pain of the instability of the whole scaffolding. Consequently, the operations for carrying out the extensions result very complicated as well, and therefore economically expensive and time-consuming.

[0018] The aim of the present invention is to solve the problem found in the known art by suggesting a support for scaffolding bearing elements which is associable among two bearing elements stacked therebetween.

[0019] In particular, the aim of the invention is to provide a support for scaffolding bearing elements which is associable in correspondence with the lower end of each bearing element and capable of adjusting the height of the bearing element itself.

[0020] These and other objects, which better result during the following description, are substantially attained by a support for scaffolding bearing elements, including the features stated in the claim 1.

[0021] Further features and advantages will result to a greater extent from the detailed description of a preferred embodiment, but not limited, of a support for scaffolding bearing elements according to the present invention.

[0022] Such description will be explained hereinafter with reference to the enclosed figures, which are given by way of example only but without any limitation, wherein:

• fig. 1 shows a top front and partially sectional view of a support for scaffolding bearing elements according to the present invention;
• fig. 2 shows a side front view of a scaffolding associated with a respective building structure and exhibiting the relative supports according to the present invention;
• fig. 3 shows a perspective view of an upper portion of a scaffolding.

[0023] With reference to the mentioned figures, the support for scaffolding bearing elements is generally shown with the number 1.

[0024] In particular, the support element 1 is advantageously employed for bearing elements 2 of scaffoldings 3.

[0025] In more detail, referring to figures 2 and 3, the scaffoldings 3 are usually arranged next to building structures under construction or generally in correspondence with any building structure of different sizes which requires the manual intervention for working/restoration.

[0026] The scaffoldings 3 consist of a plurality of bearing elements 2, which present a substantially tubular conformation and develop vertically stacked on each other.

[0027] More particularly, each pair of parallel bearing elements 2 therebetween shows a horizontal connecting bar 4 which joins respective upper ends 2a of the bearing elements 2 themselves. In this way, each pair of bearing elements 2 defines a substantially "bridged" frame (see figure 2).

[0028] As it is better shown in figure 3, the scaffolding 3 also presents connecting planks 4a, of a known type and therefore not further described, placed on the mentioned horizontal bars 4 to define some passageways for the operators.

[0029] Advantageously, each bearing element 2 has a respective support 1 arranged in correspondence with a lower end 2b of the element 2 itself. In detail, as it is better shown in figure 1, the support 1 has a cylindrical body 5 which develops along a respective longitudinal axis X and has a first end 5a which can be inserted in a cavity made in the lower end 2b of a respective bearing element 2.

[0030] The support 1 also has a preferably hollow element 6, associated with the cylindrical body 5 in correspondence with a second end 5b of the cylindrical body 5 opposite to the first end 5a above-mentioned.

[0031] The hollow element 6 can be advantageously adaptable on the upper end 2a of a respective bearing element 2, as it is better shown in figures 2 and 3.

[0032] In particular, the hollow element 6 has a substantially tubular conformation and develops coaxially to the aforesaid cylindrical body 5. Still more particularly, as it is advantageously shown in figure 1, the hollow element 6 presents a first end 6a associated with the second end 5b of the cylindrical body 5 and a second end 6a opposite to the first one 6a.

[0033] On the second end 6b of the hollow element 6 an opening 7, counter-shaped to a projection 2c of a known type and therefore not further detailed, is obtained, exiting from the upper end 2a of the bearing element 2.

[0034] In this way the support 1, besides being insertable at the bottom to a first bearing element 2, it results associable at the top to a second element 2 since it is adaptable on the aforesaid projection 2c, although preferably abutting, because of stability reasons, directly on the upper end of the second end 5b.

[0035] Alternatively, the element 6 may be of a solid or tubular type but having a section lower than the projection 2c, for being inserted in an opening obtained in said projection 2c of the second end 5b of the cylindrical body 5.

[0036] Moreover, the hollow element 6 may exhibit a support base 8 associated with the respective second end 6b for defining a support surface of the whole scaffolding 3. Advantageously, the support base 8 consists of a plate 8a having a substantially circular conformation and coaxial to said longitudinal X axis. The support base it is not necessary when the support only serves as a connection between different scaffoldings, while it is necessary when the support also serves as a lower bearing foot for a scaffolding.

[0037] Further, the support 1 has adjusting means 9 associated with the cylindrical body 5 for longitudinally sliding along the cylindrical body 5 itself.

[0038] As it is better shown in figure 1, the adjusting means 9 consist of a slider 10 associated with the outer surface of the cylindrical body 5 and arranged for dividing the stated first end 5a of the second end 5b of the body 5 itself.

[0039] More particularly, the slider 10 consists of a bushing 10a having a substantially annular conformation and coaxial to the aforesaid longitudinal X axis. The bushing 10a advantageously has an inner threaded surface (not shown in the enclosed figures as it is of a known type) operably engaged to a thread 11 made on the outer surface of the cylindrical body 5.

[0040] By means of this coupling, the bushing 10a is rotatable around the aforesaid longitudinal X axis and longitudinally sliding along the cylindrical body 5 in order to change the length of the first end 5a.

[0041] Always referring to figure 1, the first end 5a of the cylindrical body 5 shows a final portion 12 which has not said thread 11. Such final portion 12 determines an end stop of the rotation of the bushing 10a. Further, the bushing 10a shows an annular housing portion 13 faced towards the first end 5a of the cylindrical body 5 and towards the lower end 2b of the bearing element 2. In detail, the housing portion 13 is defined between the aforesaid inner surface of the bushing 10a and the thread 11 made on the outer surface of the cylindrical body 5, and it is arranged for containing the lower end 2b of the element 2 in the respective insertion condition of the first end 5a of the cylindrical body 5. Preferably, the bushing 10a shows at least a hooking element 14 extending from an outer surface of the bushing 10a opposite to the stated annular inner surface.

[0042] In particular, as it is shown in the enclosed figures, the bushing 10a has two hooking elements 14 placed opposite to the bushing 10a itself.

[0043] Each hooking element 14 substantially consists of a ring 15 developing around a respective axis transversal to the longitudinal development of the bushing 10a.

[0044] The hooking elements 14 are suitable for being associated with and supporting retaining elements of the scaffolding, such as horizontal bars and the like, as it is shown in figure 3.

[0045] Moreover, the support 1 has a blocking element 16 which can be associated with the hollow element 6 and the bearing element 2 for restraining the support 1 to the bearing element 2 itself.

[0046] In particular, the blocking element 16 is depicted by a pin 17 of a known type having a longitudinal development transversal to the longitudinal development of the cylindrical body 5. The pin 17 can be inserted in respective through holes 18 obtained on the hollow body 6 and the projection 2c on the upper end 2a of the bearing element 2.

[0047] During the use, the scaffolding 3 is mounted close to a building structure (see figure 2) by associating the bearing elements 2 together through the mentioned support 1.

[0048] In particular, the bearing elements 2 placed in the lowest portion of the scaffolding 3 are equipped, in correspondence with the respective lower end 2b, with the respective supports 1, which define a steady support on the ground. Always referring to the bearing elements 2 placed in the lowest part, it has to be pointed out that the supports 1 are also associated with the respective upper end 2a by inserting the projection 2c in the hollow element 6.

[0049] In this way, the support 1 may be inserted between each bearing element 2 by inserting the first end 5a of the cylindrical body 5 within the lower end of the bearing element 2 arranged on the top, and inserting the stated projection 2c of the bearing element, placed at the bottom, in the hollow element 6.

[0050] Advantageously, the insertion of the pin 17 in the respective holes 18 ensures a steady coupling between the support 1 and the projection 2c of the element 2.

[0051] As it is shown in figure 2, when the building structure is equipped with protruding planes, such as for example terraces or sills which develop themselves between two bearing elements 2, a support 1 is arranged at the base of the bearing element placed in correspondence of the plane, in order to define a support of the element 2 on the plane itself. In this case, also the bearing element 2 placed outside the plane is equipped with the support 1 which connects the lower end 2b of the mentioned element 2 with the upper end 2a of the bearing element 2 placed at the bottom. Advantageously, thanks to the possibility of adjusting the height of the bushing 10a, the bearing elements are aligned in spite of the presence of said protruding plane.

[0052] Further, as it is shown in figure 3 by way of example, the support 1 can be associated to the top of the scaffolding 3 in correspondence with the bearing elements 2 placed at the top. In this case, the hooking elements 14 of each support 1 can be used for the engagement of any restraining bars or parapets of a known type, and therefore not further described.

[0053] The invention attains important advantages and reaches the proposed aims.

[0054] Firstly, it has to be pointed out that the support 1 can also be used as an adjustable connecting means placed between the bearing elements 2. In this way, as above-described, when the scaffolding 3 is mounted to building structures exhibiting protruding planes, the bearing elements 2 can be associated together, however, by means of the aforesaid support 1 and the distance between each element 2 can be adjusted through the rotation of the bushing 10a.

[0055] Advantageously, no provisional element, suitable for compensating the excessive distance between the bearing elements 2, is used.

[0056] Consequently, the mounting of the scaffolding results very fast and the adjustment of the distance between each bearing element 2 is easily adjustable by means of the rotation of the bushing 10a on the threaded surface.

[0057] The support 1 is also very versatile because it can be used both as a support for the whole structure and as a connecting and adjusting element between the bearing elements 2.

[0058] Further, the possibility of combining the support 1 even only at the top of the bearing elements 2 offers a further advantage of using the hooking elements 14 for any restraining element, such as protection bars or parapets.

[0059] Finally, a further advantage is given from the construction of the support 1 which results to be very simple, easy to carry out and inexpensive, due to the building-easiness and the versatility of the support itself.

Claims

1. Support for bearing elements (2) of scaffoldings (3) including:

- a cylindrical body (5) having a first end (5a) which can be inserted in a cavity made in a lower end (2b) of a respective bearing element (2), and a second end (5b) opposite to the first one (5a); and

- adjusting means (9) associated with said cylindrical body (5) and longitudinally sliding along the body (5) itself;

characterized in that it further includes an element (6) associated with said cylindrical body (5) in correspondence with the second end (5b) of the cylindrical body (5) itself; said element (6) being associable to an upper end (2a) of said bearing element (2) opposite to said lower end (2b).

2. Support according to claim 1, characterized in that said element (6) is hollow with a substantially tubular conformation and includes a first end (6a) associated with the second end (5b) of the cylindrical body (5) and a second end (6b) opposite to the first one (6a) wherein an opening (7), counter-shaped to a projection (2c) arranged in the upper end (2a) of the bearing element (2), is obtained.

3. Support according to claim 2, characterized in that said element (6) is suitable for being inserted in an opening obtained in said second end (5b) of the cylindrical body (5).

4. Support according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said element (6) also includes a support base (8) associated with the second end (6b) of the element (6) itself; said support base (8) defining a support surface of said scaffolding (3).

5. Support according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said adjusting means (9) include a slider (10) associated with the outer surface of the cylindrical body for dividing the first end (5a) from the second end (5b) of the cylindrical body (5) itself.

6. Support according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said cylindrical body (5) has a thread (11) extending on the outer surface of the cylindrical body (5) itself; said slider (10) including a bushing (10a) having an inner, annular threaded surface and operably engaged to the thread (11) of the cylindrical body (5) for rotating around the longitudinal development of the cylindrical body (5).

7. Support according to claim 6, characterized in that said bushing (10a) has an annular housing portion (13) of said lower end (2b) of the bearing element (2) for containing the lower end (2b) itself in the insertion condition of the first end (5a) of the cylindrical body (5) in the bearing element (2).

8. Support according to claims 6 or 7, characterized in that said bushing (10a) further has a hooking element (14) extending from an outer surface of the bushing (10a) opposite to said inner annular surface.

9. Support according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said bushing (10a) has two hooking elements (14) arranged opposite to the bushing (10a), each hooking element (14) having a substantially annular conformation and developing around a respective axis transversal to the longitudinal development of the bushing, said hooking elements (14) being suitable for supporting retaining elements of the scaffolding.

10. Support according to any one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that said cylindrical body (5) includes an end portion (12) without said thread (11) and suitable for acting as an end stop for said slider (10).

11. Support according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further includes a blocking element (16) associable to said element (6) and said bearing element (2) in order to associate the support to the bearing element (2) itself.

12. Support according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said blocking element (16) includes a pin (17) having a longitudinal development transversal to the longitudinal development of said cylindrical body (5); said pin (17) being insertable in respective through holes (18) obtained on the hollow body (6) and on the projection (2c) of the upper end (2a) of the bearing element (2).

13. Scaffolding including a plurality of bearing elements (2), having a substantially vertical development and which can be stacked on each other for carrying out said scaffolding (3); characterized in that it comprises a plurality of supports (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

Drawing