Scaffolding stairway system

Abstract

 A scaffolding stairway assembly comprises stairway (2) and landing (30) units provided with attachment (6, 8) and locking (16, 28) devices to enable the stairways (2) to be erected and dismantled without the use of tools and of such dimension and mass to permit erection by a minimum number of operatives. The stairway assembly comprises a minimum number of components (2, 30) and the stairway assembly can be mounted to most conventional scaffolding systems (100, 120) including tube and fitting scaffolds.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to arrangements for worker access to scaffolding and the like. More particularly but not exclusively, it relates to stairway arrangements mountable to a range of different forms of scaffolding.

[0002] Scaffolding has long been used in industry for gaining access to high and awkward locations. Recent changes in European legislation have had the result that conventional ladders are no longer a satisfactory solution for gaining access to scaffolding, especially where personnel are required to carry tools and equipment up such ladders to the site of work.

[0003] Stairways are now being specified on most large building scaffolding contracts. However, on most sites there will be multiple contractors, each using scaffolds of their own preference. It is therefore difficult for site management to identify suitable equipment to fit each of the various designs and dimensions of scaffolding likely to be in use on such sites.

[0004] Another safety requirement in industry is that the 'Maximum Permitted Single Man Lift' for manual handling in most situations is now 25kg. As a result, much existing equipment is too heavy for erection by one person. Therefore, on tall structures, a team of several persons would be required to erect the scaffolding stairway systems while complying with manual handling requirements. Of course, the larger the team, the more persons there are whose safety must be assured during erection of the safety systems.

[0005] It is hence an object of the present invention to provide an improved stairway system for mounting to scaffolding that obviates the above disadvantages and is easier and safer to assemble and.use than existing arrangements.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an access structure mountable to scaffolding means, comprising first and second platform means mountable to the scaffolding means and stairway means mountable to extend between said platform means, wherein the stairway means is provided adjacent a first end with first connector means and adjacent a second end remote from the first with second connector means, said first and second connector means being fasteningly engageable with cooperable connecting means of the first and second platform means respectively.

[0007] Preferably, each said cooperable connecting means comprises socket means adapted to receive respective first or second connector means of the stairway means.

[0008] Advantageously, at least one, optionally each, of the first and second connector means is lockingly engageable with cooperable connecting means of a respective platform means.

[0009] Said locking engagement may be selectably unlockable, optionally manually.

[0010] Said locking engagement may occur automatically as the respective connector means engage with cooperable connecting means of the platform means.

[0011] Preferably, the first platform means is mountable to the scaffolding means to extend substantially horizontally at a first height, the second platform means is mountable to the scaffolding means to extend substantially horizontally at a second height above the first, and the stairway means is so mountable as to extend diagonally upwardly from the first platform means to the second.

[0012] The stairway means may be pivotably connectable to the first platform means.

[0013] The stairway means may be so pivotably connectable to the first platform means that it may be brought pivotingly into engagement with the second platform means.

[0014] Each platform means may be provided with tread surface means adapted to obviate slipping thereon.

[0015] Each platform means may be lockably mountable to the scaffolding means, optionally being selectably unlockably mounted thereto.

[0016] Each platform means may be mountable to substantially horizontal members of the scaffolding means.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the access structure is adapted to be partially assembled at a ground level and lifted into position on the scaffolding means, optionally by lifting with crane means.

[0018] Each of the platform means and the stairway means may extend generally horizontally when partially assembled at a ground level.

[0019] Advantageously, the connector means may then each engage fasteningly with a corresponding connecting means while the structure is so lifted.

[0020] The platform means and the stairway means may each comprise a rigid low-density material.

[0021] Said low density material may comprise a metal, optionally aluminium or titanium.

[0022] Said low density material may comprise a plastics material, optionally a fibre-reinforced thermoset plastics material.

[0023] Each of the platform means and the stairway means may have a mass of less than 25kg, optionally less than 20kg.

[0024] Preferably, the platform means are each provided with detachably mountable guardrail means.

[0025] Advantageously, the stairway means is provided with detachably mountable guardrail means.

[0026] The access structure may optionally comprise three or more platform means and two or more stairway means, each extending between two said platform means.

[0027] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a scaffolding structure comprising an access structure as described in the first aspect above.

[0028] The scaffolding structure may comprise a main working structure and a linked staircase structure to which the access structure is mounted.

[0029] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a kit of components assemblable into an access structure as described in the first aspect above.

[0030] This invention relates to a simplified scaffolding stairway system comprising only two principal structural units. When used in conjunction with appropriate guardrails, this system provides a safe working environment, and may be mounted to most scaffolds without specific adaptation or needing to comply with specific dimensions of the scaffold. Depending upon a manufacturer's preference, both metric and imperial dimensioned scaffold modules are in use. In each case, a choice of bay length and lift height for the scaffold may also vary according to the type of work being performed.

[0031] The present invention comprises stairway and landing units manufactured from lightweight materials incorporating unique attachment and locking details, which enable the stairways to be erected and dismantled without the use of tools. The units are of such dimension and mass to permit their erection by the minimum number of operatives. The system is so designed that using a minimum number of different components, it can be mounted to most conventional scaffolding systems, including tube and fitting scaffolds.

[0032] Examples of the present invention will now be more particularly described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a scaffolding stairway stringer assembly of the present invention;

Figures 1a and 1b are scrap side elevations of an upper and a lower, in use, end respectively of the assembly shown in Figure 1;

Figures 2, 2a to 2c are a side elevation, an end elevation and a plan view respectively of a stairway landing platform of the present invention;

Figure 3 is a side elevation of a stairway banister rail of the present invention;

Figure 4 is a frontal elevation of a landing guardrail of the present invention;

Figures 5a and 5b are a side elevation and end elevation respectively of scaffolding provided with a stairway system of the present invention, incorporating two lifts of the stairway and appropriate barriers and handrails;

Figure 6a and 6b are scrap side elevations illustrating a locking mechanism used to locate and secure the lower end of the stairway stringer shown in Figures 1 and 1b into a lower landing platform unit of the scaffolding shown in Figures 5a and 5b; and

Figs 7a to 7c are scrap side elevations illustrating a locking mechanism and the progressive location and locking of the upper end of the stairway stringer shown in Figures 1 and 1a into an upper landing platform unit of the scaffolding shown in Figures 5a and 5b.

[0033] Referring now to the Figures, and to Figures 1 in particular, a stairway stringer assembly 2 of the present invention comprises a pair of parallel stile members 4 provided with upper attachment hook devices 6 and lower attachment hook devices 8. The stile members 4 are spaced apart by stair-treads 10 supported by and attached to cleat members 12, which are in turn attached to the pair of stile members 4. The upper attachment hook devices 6 are provided with an extended locating portion 14, the function of which is described below. A slotted and barbed upper locking device 16 is pivotably and slideably connected to each upper attachment hook device 6, such that the locking devices 16 are free to rotate and slide along an upper attachment pivot 18. The lower attachment hook devices 8 are each provided with a spigot member 20 pivotally connected to the lower attachment hook device 8 by means of a pivot pin 22 and are each provided with an elongate arcuate slot 24 such that the spigot member 20 may swivel about the pivot pin 22 while being restrained within a predetermined range of angular rotation by a sliding pin 26 held within the slot 24. A lower in use, end of the spigot member 20 comprises a hooked portion 28 to retain the lower end of the spigot member 20 within sockets on a lower landing assembly 30 (see Figures 6a and 6b).

[0034] Referring now to Figures 2a to 2c, a landing assembly 30 comprises two anti-slip platform deck members 32, 34 provided with pairs of supporting hook members 36, 38, and also provided with a pair of intermediate hook members 40. The intermediate hook members 40 are each provided with locking members 42 pivotably connected to the hook member 40 at a pivot point 44, such that when rotated in a downwardly direction, the locking member 42 inhibits upwardly movement of the intermediate hook members 40. To release the hook member 40 from a tubular scaffolding component, the locking member 42 may be raised manually. The landing assembly 30 incorporates locating pockets 46, 48 to receive the upper 6 and lower 8 attachment hook devices of the stairway assemblies 2 shown in Figure 1, and for location of stairway banisters and landing guard rails, as described below.

[0035] Referring now to Figure 3, a banister assembly 60 comprises two upright post members 62, 64 connected together by upper handrail 66 and intermediate knee-rail members 68. A lower end of each post member 62, 64 incorporates a connecting spigot member 70 provided with a through aperture 72 to receive a safety locking pin.

[0036] Referring now to Figure 4, a landing guard rail assembly 80 comprises two upright post members 82 connected together by upper handrail 84 and intermediate knee-rail members, 86. A lower end of each post member 82 incorporates a connecting spigot member 88 provided with a through aperture 90 to receive a safety-locking pin.

[0037] The construction of a scaffolding stairway embodying the present invention follows a procedure as represented in Figures 5a and 5b. A conventional access scaffold 100 comprises rows of scaffolding standards A & B, connected together using transom members C and ledger members D. An additional pair of scaffolding standards F are connected to the scaffold 100 using ledgers G, connected each to the other using further ledgers H to form a stairway bay 120, standing alongside the scaffold 100. A landing trimmer post J, together with a short ledger E is installed at a lowest level in the scaffold 100 and a first, lower landing assembly 30 is located in the gap between the scaffolding standard B and the trimmer post J, with its locating pockets 46, 48 facing towards the middle of the bay 120. A second, upper landing assembly 30 is installed at the opposite end of the stair-way bay 120 at a position corresponding to a desired upper end of the stairway, also with its locating pockets 46, 48 facing in an inwardly direction. A stairway stringer 2 is located such that the spigot members 20, 28 of its lower attachment hook devices 8 locate within corresponding locating pockets 46, 48 in the lower landing assembly 30, as shown in more detail in Fig. 6a. The stairway stringer assembly 2 is allowed to rotate away from the erector (see Fig 6b) until its upper end approaches the upper landing assembly 30 (see Fig. 7a) This causes a locking device 16 to rotate around its pivot 18, on contact with a rim of a pocket 46, 48 on the upper landing assembly 30. Further movement causes the locking device 16 to rotate further until the locating portion 14 of the upper hook attachment device 6 engages with a respective receiving pocket 46, 48 on the upper landing assembly 30. As the stairway stringer upper hook devices 6 engage with the pockets 46, 48, the locking devices 16 rotate further, finally sliding downwardly relative to the pivot 18 and dropping into the pocket 46, 48, causing the assembly to be locked securely in place. The stringer 2 cannot accidentally be raised to disengage this location, since the hooks 28 on the lower hook device 8 prevent uplift of the assembly.

[0038] Further landing assemblies, stairways, banisters, landing guardrails and landing trimmers may be installed in sequence until a required height is reached and a fully guarded stairway is produced for access to the scaffold 100.

[0039] To eliminate the need for operators to wear safety harnesses during erection of the stairway, temporary landing handrails may be placed into the banister pockets 46, 48 where there would otherwise be a risk of falling. After the stairways have been installed, these temporary handrails may be replaced with banisters by operators working from a safe position within the scaffold stairway prior to proceeding upwardly. Since all the components are capable of being installed and locked in position without the need for tools, erection of the stairway assembly is rapid, reliable and safe.

[0040] Due to these automatically-operating safety locking devices incorporated into the stairway components, it is possible to assemble the stairway system horizontally on a nearby ground surface, and then to lift the entire stairway structure by crane into an upright position. The locking devices will lock the structure together as it rises. The need for personnel to work at height may thus be eliminated.

Claims

1. An access structure adapted to be mounted to scaffolding means, (100) said access structure comprising first and second platform means (30) mountable to the scaffolding means (100, 120) and stairway means (2) mountable to extend between said platform means, (30) characterised in that the stairway means (2) is provided adjacent a first end with first connector means (8) and adjacent a second end remote from the first with second connector means (6), said first and second connector means (6, 8) being fasteningly engageable with cooperable connecting means (46, 48) of the first and second platform means (30) respectively.

2. An access structure as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that each platform means (30) is provided with socket means (46, 48) adapted to receive respective first or second connector means (8, 6) of the stairway means (2).

3. An access structure as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that at least one of said first and second connector means (6, 8) is lockingly engageable with the cooperable connecting means (46, 48) of a respective platform means (30).

4. An access structure as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that said locking engagement is selectably unlockable.

5. An access structure as claimed in either claim 3 or claim 4, characterised in that said locking engagement occurs automatically on engagement of the respective connector means (6, 8) with corresponding cooperable connecting means (46, 48).

6. An access structure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said first platform means (30) is mountable to said scaffolding means (100, 120) at a first height, said second platform means (30) is mountable thereto at a second height above the first, and said stairway means (2) is mountable to extend obliquely upwardly from the first platform means (30) to the second (30).

7. An access structure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the stairway means (2) is pivotably connectable to the first platform means (30).

8. An access structure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that each platform means (30) is provided with non-slip tread surface means (32, 34).

9. An access structure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that each platform means (30) is lockably mountable to the scaffolding means (100, 120), optionally being selectably unlockable therefrom.

10. An access structure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it is partially assemblable at a ground level and liftable as a unit into a desired location on the scaffolding means (100, 120).

11. An access structure as claimed in claim 10, characterised in that the connector means (6, 8) each engage fasteningly with a cooperable connecting means (46, 48) while the structure is lifted into its location on the scaffolding means. (110,120).

12. An access structure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the platform means (30) and the stairway means (2) each comprise a low-density rigid metallic material, such as aluminium.

13. An access structure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the platform means (30) and the stairway means (2) are each provided with detachably mountable guardrail means (60, 80).

14. A scaffolding structure comprising an access structure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

15. A kit of components, characterised in that said components are adapted to be assembled into an access structure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13.

Drawing