Detachable cross-piece for supporting platforms in scaffolds

Abstract

 The cross-piece has a length corresponding to the interval between the facade and front uprights, which determine the depth of facade scaffolding, and the cross-piece comprising, at the ends, means for guidance on the scaffolding uprights and for support on the connecting pins of the railing elements and allowing the positioning of new walkway platform elements which mate with the connecting points of the railings in the scaffolding.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a detachable cross-piece for supporting platforms in scaffolding, preferably facade scaffolding, in which a relatively light structure is attached to the facade of a building to be repaired and/or refurbished. Said scaffolding has, in addition to its strong structure, a large number of platforms for the passage of operators, who are protected by the necessary railings.

[0002] The height between platforms is substantially standardised, as it is the height of the upright sections or uprights used, of approximately 2 metres, which is why, once the facade scaffolding has been formed, the access platforms for operators are separated in height by approximately 2 metres. However, it has frequently been found in practice, especially when it is necessary to carry out work in specific regions of the facade, that the operators find their work easier if they have platforms situated at a height different from that indicated. In practice, however, this gives rise to a significant constructional problem since the elements currently used for the construction of facade scaffolding do not allow easy provision of said additional platforms.

[0003] The object of the present invention is to disclose means for mounting additional platforms at an intermediate height, every half metre above the conventional platforms, so as to allow the provision of additional platforms which will facilitate the work of operators on certain occasions.

[0004] For this purpose, the present invention provides the use of pins for connecting the railings to the uprights or vertical sides of the facade scaffolding framework for positioning a few special cross-pieces which are centred in said scaffolding uprights and rest on the transverse pins for connecting the scaffolding uprights or framework, the pins also comprising security means for preventing the detachment thereof. Said cross-pieces therefore allow easy connection of new platform elements thereon, thus producing the auxiliary platforms according to the invention.

[0005] Specifically, the cross-pieces according to the present invention comprise a tubular element, of which the length substantially corresponds to the interval between the front and back upright elements of facade scaffolding, and have at each end elements for centring and support on the assembly rods of the railing elements, which is why said tubular elements comprise substantially U-shaped ends, the arm interval of which allows the connection thereof to the vertical elements of the facade scaffolding for the centring thereof therein and the intermediate web or bridge of which comprises a recess which allows them to be supported on the connecting pins of the aforementioned uprights or framework. The ends of the cross-pieces also comprise rocking hoops which embrace the aforementioned pins of the uprights at the bottom, preventing the accidental disconnection of the cross-pieces. Once the cross-pieces are in position, it is very easy to dispose on the cross-pieces new platform elements which are supported thereon and form the desired auxiliary platforms.

[0006] The accompanying drawings of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, given as a non-limiting example, will assist the understanding thereof.

[0007] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of facade scaffolding in which elements according to the present invention have been connected.

[0008] Fig. 2 is a perspective view on a larger scale of a detail of the elements according to the invention.

[0009] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a cross-piece according to the invention.

[0010] Fig. 4 is an elevation showing the method of positioning a cross-piece, according to the invention, in facade scaffolding.

[0011] Referring to the figures, facade scaffolding is conventionally formed by two rows of uprights, of which one, adjacent to the building facade, is indicated by reference numerals 1, 1', 1", etc. and the other, parallel to the first, is indicated by reference numerals 2, 2', 2", etc., both rows resting on the ground 3 which is the street pavement. The scaffolding assembly is fixed to the facade and receives horizontal platforms, one element 4 of which is shown, for the passage of personnel. Railings, such as those designated by reference numerals 5 and 6, protect the platforms so that operators can work safely thereon.

[0012] The railing elements are connected to the uprights by pins which are welded thereto and which pass through orifices in said railing elements, the pins comprising mechanisms which prevent the accidental disconnection thereof. Fig. 2 shows a detail of a railing element 7 which is connected to an upright 8 by a pin 10 integral therewith, which passes through the planar head end 9 of said element 7. The pin 10 comprises anti-retraction means for preventing the accidental disconnection of the railing element.

[0013] According to the present invention, a cross-piece 11 of tubular shape is fitted between the front uprights 8 and the back uprights 12 of the scaffolding, and is centred between said elements and supported on the corresponding pins of said uprights. For this purpose, the cross-piece 11, Fig. 3, comprises at its ends respective centring terminals, each of which comprises a pair of wings, only those corresponding to one end being shown for the sake of simplicity, it being understood that identical wings, only one of which is designated by reference numeral 14, are provided at the other end. Said cross-piece terminals have, in particular, a general U-shaped structure, of which the arms are separated by a width which allows the connection thereof to the uprights and of which the intermediate bridge or web 15 comprises a recess 16 at the bottom intended to mate with a connecting pin of the upright. At each end of the cross-piece 11 there are respective hoops 17 and 18 of the rocking type, intended to engage below the pins for connecting the uprights, to prevent the accidental disconnection of said cross-pieces 11. Fig. 1 also shows a plurality of cross-pieces according to the invention, such as 11', 11", 11'''.

[0014] Once the cross-pieces 11 have been connected, they can receive platform elements such as those designated by reference numeral 19 in Fig. 2. Auxiliary walkway platforms of any height corresponding to the railings 7 can be formed in this way.

[0015] The positioning of the cross-pieces according to the invention is shown in Fig. 4, which illustrates a cross-piece 20 introduced at an inclination between the uprights 21 and 22 of the facade scaffolding, the connecting pins such as those designated by reference numerals 23, 24 and 23', 24' being welded to the uprights. The descent of the cross-piece 20 will end at the position shown in Fig. 2, in other words with the cross-piece 20 resting on the pins 23 and 24 and with the hoops 25 and 26 pivoted down to secure the cross-piece against accidental disconnection thereof and allow the assembly of new platforms for the passage of operators.

[0016] The possibility of mounting auxiliary walkway platforms in the facade scaffolding will substantially increase the usefulness of said scaffolding for the operators who, according to the type of work to be done, can better adapt the working position.

Claims

1. Detachable cross-piece for supporting platforms in scaffolds, characterised in that it comprises a cross-piece of a length corresponding to the interval between the front and back uprights, which determine the depth of facade scaffolding, the detachable cross-piece comprising at the ends means for guidance on the scaffolding uprights and for support on the fastening pins of said uprights and allowing the positioning of new walkway platform elements which mate with the connecting points of the railings in the scaffolding.

2. Detachable cross-piece for supporting platforms in scaffolds according to claim 1, characterised in that the elements for centring and supporting the ends of the cross-piece comprise U-shaped parts of which the arms are separated by a width which allows the connection thereof to the upright elements of the scaffolding, while the intermediate bridge or web comprises a recess which is capable of resting on the corresponding pin for a railing element.

3. Detachable cross-piece for supporting platforms in scaffolds according to the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises at each ends a rocking hoop which is capable of being pivoted below the corresponding pin of a scaffolding upright, in order to prevent the possible accidental detachment of the cross-piece.

Drawing