Stabilizing element

Abstract

 The present application relates to a stabilizing element (1) for a scaffold platform, wherein the stabilizing element (1) has a longitudinal direction y and a transverse direction x, a top portion (2) and a bottom portion (3) separated in the transverse direction x, and a first end wall (4) and a second end wall (4') connecting the top portion (2) and the bottom portion (3). The stabilizing element (1) further comprises a guide channel (5) extending in the longitudinal direction y of the stabilizing element (1) between the end walls (4, 4') and terminating in an receiving aperture (30) in the second end wall (4'). The guide channel (5) comprises an elongated opening (6), extending parallel with the guide channel (5) from the first end wall (4) a distance towards the second end wall (4') in the longitudinal direction y of the stabilizing element (1). The stabilizing element (1) also comprises an elongated locking member (8) arranged inside the guide channel (5) and being movable inside the guide channel (5) between a first position (29) and a second position (29') being defined by the elongated opening (6), such that the elongated locking member (8) protrudes out through the receiving aperture (25) in the second end wall (4') when the elongated locking member (8) is in the second position (29').

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a stabilizing element for a scaffold platform, the stabilizing element having a longitudinal direction y and a transverse direction x, a top portion and a bottom portion separated in the transverse direction x, a first end wall and a second end wall connecting the top portion and the bottom portion. The invention also relates to a scaffold board comprising the stabilizing element and a scaffold platform comprising at least two scaffold boards being interlocked by the stabilizing element.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Connectable scaffold boards are frequently used for building temporary constructions such as scaffolding, staircases, podia, stages, or similar support constructions. The scaffold boards are usually laid onto horizontal carriers, particularly cross-bars, preferably transverse cross-bars, for example scaffold pipes, conventionally being round pipes or U-shaped profiles. The scaffold boards comprise hook elements arranged over the bars or positioned inside the U-shaped profile, as described for instance in EP 0 736 647 and US 2010/0326771. The platform units must be secured against vertical as well as horizontal displacement, since unintentional displacement of the platform, can lead to severe accidents and injuries.

[0003] One problem with scaffolding systems is to provide sufficient horizontal stabilization in order to avoid that neighboring scaffold boards flex and bend under load, such as when people walk on the scaffold boards. Bending and flexing of the scaffold boards under load may cause the edges of neighboring boards to be located at different levels such that there is a risk of tripping on uneven edges between the scaffold boards. Further, objects such as tools may fall down through the gaps formed between the neighboring scaffold boards, risking injuring someone who may be positioned underneath the platform. Finally, there is a risk of crush injuries of individuals working on the platform. In order to overcome this problem, it has been known to thread crossbars through the scaffold boards, perpendicular to the direction of extension of the scaffold boards. Although a certain amount of stabilization may be achieved in this way, the stabilization method is cumbersome and requires careful alignment of all the scaffold board within a section to be stabilized.

[0004] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved stabilizing element for a scaffolding system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention described herein greatly reduces the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0006] The stabilizing element for a scaffold platform according to the invention has a longitudinal direction y and a transverse direction x, a top portion and a bottom portion separated in the transverse direction x, a first end wall and a second end wall connecting the top portion and the bottom portion. The stabilizing element comprises a guide channel extending in the longitudinal direction y of the stabilizing element between the end walls and terminating in a receiving aperture in the second end wall, the guide channel comprising an elongated opening, extending parallel with the guide channel from the first end wall a distance towards the second end wall in the longitudinal direction y of the stabilizing element. The stabilizing element further comprises an elongated locking member arranged inside the guide channel and being movable inside the guide channel between a first position and a second position which are defined by the elongated opening. When the elongated locking member is in the second position, or locking position, the elongated locking member protrudes out through the receiving aperture in the second end wall.

[0007] The stabilizing element is sized in the longitudinal direction to fit between the longitudinal side edges of a scaffold board. i.e. transversely between the side edges of a scaffold board. When placed across a scaffold board, the stabilizing element may be used to lock the scaffold board to a neighboring scaffold board by moving the locking member in the guide channel from the first position to the second position, causing the locking member to protrude out through the receiving opening and though corresponding receiving openings in the scaffold boards.

[0008] The stabilizing elements of the invention are small and handy and can easily be handled and applied in a locking position on the underside of a scaffold board in an assembled platform structure by a single person. The stabilizing elements may be applied wherever there is a need to stabilize smaller or larger sections of the platform structure. As each stabilizing element forms one connection between two neighboring scaffold boards, the invention makes it possible to adapt the stabilization to differently sized and shaped platform structures. Accordingly, several stabilizing elements may be placed at different locations beneath the platform structure e.g. in a staggered pattern or in any desired pattern in order to optimize stabilization of the platform structure. The stabilizing elements of the invention are ideal for use in irregularly shaped platform structures and can even be combined with the prior art stabilizing cross bars.

[0009] The elongated opening in the guide channel defines the end positions of the elongated locking member. The elongated opening may extend along only part of the guide channel or may be coextensive with the guide channel. When in the first position in the stabilizing element, the elongated locking member is preferably fully retracted into the guide channel with no portion of the elongated locking member protruding out through the receiving aperture in the second end wall of the stabilizing element. When in the second position, the elongated locking member protrudes out through the receiving aperture in the second end wall and may be introduced through a corresponding receiving aperture in contiguous side walls of two neighboring scaffold boards to lock the scaffold boards together and prevent horizontal movement between the scaffold boards. The second position may be considered to be a locking position, while the first position is a transport position which is suitable for storing and transporting of the stabilizing element.

[0010] The elongated locking member in the stabilizing element may comprise a maneuvering means for facilitating manual movement of the locking member in the guide channel between the first and second positions. The elongated locking member may be in the form of a rod or a beam and the maneuvering means may be a knob or any other type of grippable element such as a hook portion at the end of the elongated locking member which is positioned remote from the second end wall in the stabilizing element. A grippable hook portion at the end of the locking member, may be provided by bending the end of the elongated locking member e.g. by 90° in relation to the longitudinal direction of the stabilizing element and the elongated locking member.

[0011] The stabilizing element may comprise at least one locking groove extending from an edge of the elongated opening. Accordingly, the locking groove may be arranged at the bottom portion of the stabilizing element and be adapted to engage the maneuvering means on the elongated locking member to lock the locking member in a predetermined position in the guide channel. A predetermined position may be a transport position, in which the locking member is fully retracted into the guide channel such that no portion of the locking member protrudes out through the receiving aperture in the second end wall of the stabilizing element. A locking groove may additionally or alternatively be arranged at a position where the locking member is moved in the guide channel with a portion of the locking member protruding out through the receiving aperture.

[0012] The guide channel may comprise a longitudinally compressible spring member extending in the longitudinal direction y of the stabilizing element inside the guide channel. The spring member may be a helical spring and the elongated locking member may be arranged inside the spring member.

[0013] The first side wall of the stabilizing element may comprise a receiving aperture. The receiving aperture in the first side wall is preferably aligned with the receiving aperture in the second side wall in the longitudinal direction of the stabilizing element. The receiving aperture in the first side wall may be used for receiving an elongated locking member from another stabilizing element. Accordingly, when the stabilizing element is applied on the underside of a first scaffold board and optionally connects the first scaffold board with a second scaffold board at a first side edge of the first scaffold board, an elongated locking member from another stabilizing element applied on the underside of a third scaffold board which is arranged along the second side edge of the first scaffold board may be introduced into the receiving aperture in the first side wall. Such arrangement allows two or more stabilizing elements to be aligned along a common axis on the underside of a platform structure.

[0014] The stabilizing element of the invention is preferably provided with a lifting handle arranged at the bottom portion of the stabilizing element. The lifting handle allows the stabilizing element to be easily lifted, moved and applied in position on a scaffold board. The lifting handle may also be used to facilitate holding the scaffold board when it is being attached to or removed from a construction beam.

[0015] The stabilizing element may be sized and configured to fit perfectly between the side edges of a scaffold board and to be held in place between the side edges of the scaffold board merely by frictional forces. Such frictional forces may be enhanced by making the stabilizing element or at least the outer surfaces of the end walls from a resiliently compressible material such as a compressible polymeric material. However, in addition to pure mechanical anchoring, the stabilizing element may be provided with at least one anchoring aperture being arranged at one or both of the side walls for receiving a fastening means such as a bolt, a screw or similar.

[0016] The stabilizing element described above is arranged to be attached to a scaffold board. The scaffold board may be of any conventional type known to the person skilled in the art, and may be made of plywood, aluminum, carbon fibers, wood or any other suitable material. The scaffold board has a longitudinal direction x and a transverse direction y, a top portion, a bottom portion, and two side walls. At least one of the side walls of the scaffold board comprises a receiving aperture for receiving the elongated locking member described above. When the stabilizing element according to the present invention is attached to the scaffold board, the stabilizing element extends with its longitudinal direction y in the transverse direction y of the scaffold board. The stabilizing element is arranged at the bottom portion of the scaffold board such that the top portion of the stabilizing element is adjacent to the bottom portion of the scaffold board, and such that the end walls of the stabilizing element are adjacent to the side walls of the scaffold board. The stabilizing element must be positioned such that the receiving aperture in the second end wall of the stabilizing element coincides with the receiving aperture in the side wall of the scaffold board. It is conceivable that each of the side walls of the scaffold board comprises a receiving aperture.

[0017] The stabilizing element may be attached to a scaffold board in different ways. For instance, the stabilizing element may be pushed in position and held in place by pressing against the side walls of the scaffold board. Another option is securing the stabilizing element to the scaffold board by gluing, welding, or by fastening means protruding through the anchoring apertures in the end walls of the stabilizing element and the side walls of the scaffold board. The fastening means may be of any suitable kind, such as bolt and nut, rivet or the like. The number and the shape of the anchoring apertures may be varied.

[0018] A scaffold platform may comprise more than one stabilizing element, which may be desirable when stabilization at several positions along the longitudinal direction of the scaffold board is required, for instance when the scaffold board is long.

[0019] The scaffold boards comprising the stabilizing elements according to the present invention may be used for forming a scaffold platform. The scaffold platform comprises at least a first and a second scaffold board. The scaffold boards are arranged such that the longitudinal directions of the at least first and second scaffold boards extend parallel to each other. Further, at least one of the side walls of each of the first and second scaffold boards comprises at least one receiving aperture. The first and second scaffold boards are arranged such that the side wall of the first scaffold board comprising the receiving aperture is positioned adjacent to the side wall of the second scaffold board comprising the receiving aperture. In other words, the receiving apertures are aligned in facing relationship. The elongated locking member of the stabilizing element arranged at the first scaffold board protrudes through the receiving aperture in the side wall of the first scaffold board and through the side wall of the adjacent second scaffold board when the elongated locking member is in a locked position.

[0020] When the scaffold platform is assembled, the scaffold boards comprising the stabilization elements are positioned on the construction beam. During assembling, the elongated locking member is in the first position, wherein the elongated locking member is accommodated in its entirety inside the guide channel. If the elongated locking member comprises a maneuvering means, for instance in the form of a bent portion of the elongated locking means, the maneuvering means may be engaged by the locking groove in the first position. When the scaffold boards are to be secured to each other according to the present invention, the elongated locking member is moved in the guide channel along the elongated opening until the elongated locking member is in the second position, wherein the elongated locking member is protruding through the receiving apertures of the first and second scaffold boards. The elongated locking member thus connects the two adjacent scaffold boards together, providing additional stability to the scaffold platform, and preventing vertical movement of the scaffold boards in relation to each other under load such that gaps are formed between the longitudinal sides of the adjacent scaffold boards.

[0021] Depending on the size and the application of the platform, it is conceivable that only some of the scaffold boards of a scaffold platform are provided with a stabilizing element according to the present invention, or that each of the scaffold boards comprises at least one stabilizing element. The stabilizing elements of the present invention provide great flexibility to a scaffold system and are ideal for use in irregularly shaped platform structures.

[0022] The function of the stabilizing element according to the present invention may be improved if the stabilizing element is provided with a spring member, as mentioned above. When the elongated locking member is in the first position, the spring member is compressed. When the elongated locking member is moved to the second position, the spring gradually relaxes. In other words, a force is needed in order to transfer the elongated locking member back to the first position when the elongated locking member is accommodated in its entirety inside the guide channel. This means that unintentional transfer of the elongated locking member from the second to the first position, thus unlocking the scaffold boards, is eliminated.

[0023] When the scaffold boards are to be removed, the scaffold boards are unlocked by moving the elongated locking member back to the first position. The scaffold boards may then be lifted from the beam and removed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] 

Figs. 1A and 1B illustrate a front view and a side view of the stabilizing element, respectively (the elongated locking member not shown);

Fig. 2 shows the stabilizing element of the present invention attached to a scaffold board;

Figs. 3A-C show a scaffold platform comprising two scaffold boards connected using the stabilizing element according to the present invention;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] Figs. 1A and 1B depict a stabilizing element 1 according to the present invention. The stabilizing element 1 has a longitudinal direction y and a transverse direction x, a top portion 2 and a bottom portion 3. The top portion 2 and the bottom portion 3 are separated in the transverse direction x. A first end wall 4 and a second end wall 4' extend in the transverse direction x and connect the top portion 2 and the bottom portion 3. The stabilizing element 1 comprises a guide channel 5 extending in the longitudinal direction y of the stabilizing element 1 between the end walls 4, 4'. The guide channel 5 terminates in a receiving aperture 30 in the second end wall 4'. The guide channel 5 further comprises an elongated opening 6, extending in the longitudinal direction y of the stabilizing element 1 parallel with the guide channel 5 from said first end wall 4 approximately half a length of the stabilizing element 1 in the longitudinal direction y towards the second end wall 4'. The elongated opening 6 defines a first position 29 and a second position 29', which may also be referred to as a transport position and a locking position, respectively.

[0026] In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1A and 1B, a locking groove 7 is arranged at the bottom portion 3 of the stabilizing element 1 for engaging a maneuvering means of the locking member (not shown).

[0027] At the bottom portion 3 of the stabilizing element 1, a lifting handle 11 is arranged for holding the stabilizing element 1 when it is being attached to or removed from a scaffold board. The lifting handle 11 may also be used to facilitate holding the scaffold board when it is being attached to or removed from a construction beam.

[0028] As depicted in Fig. 1B, the stabilizing element 1 comprises two anchoring apertures 12, arranged for receiving a fastening means, such as bolt and nut, when the stabilizing element is attached to a scaffold board.

[0029] In Fig. 2 a scaffold board 21 is shown with a stabilizing element 1 according to the present invention. The scaffold board 21 has a longitudinal direction x and a transverse direction y, a top portion 22, a bottom portion 23 and two side walls 24. In the embodiment depicted in Fig. 2, both side walls 24 of the scaffold board 21 comprise a receiving aperture 25 and anchoring apertures (not shown). The stabilizing element 1 is attached to the scaffold board 21 using fastening means, particularly a bolt and a nut, fastened through the anchoring apertures in the stabilizing element and in the scaffold board. The stabilizing element 1 extends with its longitudinal direction y in the transverse direction y of the scaffold board 21 and is arranged at the bottom portion 23 of the scaffold board 21 such that the top portion 2 of the stabilizing element 1 is adjacent to the bottom portion 23 of the scaffold board 21. Further, the side walls 4, 4' of the stabilizing element 1 are adjacent to the side walls 24 of the scaffold board 21. A lifting handle 11 is arranged at the bottom portion 3 of the stabilizing element 1 in for gripping by the user's hand when the scaffold board 21 is handled by the user.

[0030] In order to secure the scaffold board 21 to the adjacent scaffold boards when a scaffold platform is assembled, and prevent the scaffold board from altering its position in vertical plane in relation to the adjacent scaffold boards, such that a level difference in horizontal plane of the scaffold platform arise between the adjacent scaffold boards, an elongated locking member 8 is arranged inside the guide channel 5. The elongated locking member 8 shown in Fig. 2 is a locking pin in the form of a straight thin rod having a maneuvering means 9 in the form of a bent portion. The function of the elongated locking member 8 will be described in further detail below.

[0031] As illustrated in Fig. 2, the elongated locking member is in a first position 29 in proximity of the first end wall 4, as defined by the elongated opening 6. The maneuvering means 9 is engaged by the locking groove 7. In the first position 29, the elongated locking member 8 is accommodated in its entirety inside the guide channel 5.

[0032] Figs. 3A-C illustrate a scaffold platform 31 comprising two scaffold boards 21, 21' each of which comprise a stabilizing element 1, 1'. The scaffold boards 21, 21' are arranged side-by-side, i.e. such that the longitudinal directions of the scaffold boards 21, 21' extend parallel to each other. As seen in Fig. 3A, each of the side walls 24 of each of the scaffold boards 21, 21' comprises a receiving aperture 25. The receiving apertures 25 of the scaffold boards 21, 21' are arranged such they coincide with the receiving apertures 30 of the stabilizing elements 1, 1'.

[0033] When the scaffold platform 31 is assembled, the scaffold boards 21, 21' are positioned adjacent to each other on a construction beam (not shown). According to the present invention, the stabilizing elements 1, 1' is used in order to prevent vertical movement of the scaffold boards in relation to each other such that gaps are formed between the longitudinal sides of the adjacent scaffold boards when an individual walks across the scaffold platform, or any other load are applied to the surface of the scaffold platform.

[0034] When the scaffold boards 21, 21' are positioned on the construction beam, the elongated locking member 8 is in the first position 29, wherein the maneuvering means 9 in the form of a bent portion is engaged by the locking groove 7, the elongated locking member 8 is accommodated in its entirety inside the guide channel 5, and the spring member 10 is compressed (Fig. 3A, left part). When the scaffolds boards are to be secured to each other according to the present invention, the maneuvering means 9 is released from the locking groove 7 by gripping the maneuvering means 9 and turning the elongated locking member 8 around its longitudinal axis until the maneuvering means is aligned with the elongated opening 6. The elongated locking member 8 is then moved inside the guide channel 5 along the elongated opening 6 until the elongated locking member 8 is in the second position 29', wherein the spring member 10 is relaxed and the elongated locking member is protruding through the receiving apertures 30 and 25 of the second stabilizing element 1' and scaffold board 21' and the receiving apertures 30 and 25 of the first stabilizing element 1 and scaffold board 21, as shown in the right part of Fig. 3A and in Fig. 3B. The elongated locking member 8 thus connects the two adjacent scaffold boards together, providing additional stability to the scaffold platform, and preventing vertical movement of the scaffold boards in relation to each other under load such that gaps are formed between the longitudinal sides of the adjacent scaffold boards.

[0035] Although the present invention has been described with reference to various embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. It is intended that the detailed description be regarded as illustrative and that the appended claims including all the equivalents are intended to define the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A stabilizing element (1) for a scaffold platform, said stabilizing element (1) having a longitudinal direction y and a transverse direction x, a top portion (2) and a bottom portion (3) separated in said transverse direction x, a first end wall (4) and a second end wall (4') connecting said top portion (2) and said bottom portion (3), characterized in that said stabilizing element (1) comprises a guide channel (5) extending in said longitudinal direction y of said stabilizing element (1) between said end walls (4, 4') and terminating in an receiving aperture (30) in said second end wall (4'), said guide channel (5) comprising an elongated opening (6), extending parallel with said guide channel (5) between said first end wall (4) and said second end wall (4') in said longitudinal direction y of said stabilizing element (1), and in that said stabilizing element (1) comprises an elongated locking member (8) arranged inside said guide channel (5) and being movable inside said guide channel (5) between a first position (29) and a second position (29') being defined by said elongated opening (6), said elongated locking member (8) protruding out through said receiving aperture (25) in said second end wall (4') when said elongated locking member (8) is in said second position (29').

2. The stabilizing element (1) according to claim 1, wherein said elongated locking member (8) comprises a maneuvering means (9).

3. The stabilizing element (1) according to claim 2, wherein said stabilizing element (1) comprises at least one locking groove (7) arranged at said bottom portion (3) of said stabilizing element (1), and wherein said locking groove (7) is adapted to engage said maneuvering means (9) of said elongated locking member (1).

4. The stabilizing element (1) according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein said channel (5) comprises a spring member (10) extending in said longitudinal direction y of said stabilizing element (1) inside said channel (5), and wherein said elongated locking member (8) is arranged inside said spring member (10).

5. The stabilizing element (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first end wall (4) comprises a receiving aperture.

6. The stabilizing element (1) according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein a lifting handle (11) is arranged at said bottom portion (3) of said stabilizing element (1).

7. The stabilizing element (1) according to any one of claims 1-6, wherein at least one anchoring aperture (12) is arranged at each of said end walls (4) for receiving a fastening means.

8. A scaffold board (21) having a longitudinal direction x and a transverse direction y, a top portion (22), a bottom portion (23) and two side walls (24), wherein at least one of said side walls (24) of said scaffold board (21) comprises a receiving aperture (25), characterized in that said scaffold board further comprises at least one stabilizing element (1) according to claims 1-7, said stabilizing element (1) extending with said longitudinal direction y of said stabilizing element (1) in said transverse direction y of said scaffold board (21) and being arranged at said bottom portion (23) of said scaffold board (21) such that said top portion (2) of said stabilizing element (1) is adjacent to said bottom portion (23) of said scaffold board (21), and such that said end walls (4, 4') of said stabilizing element (1) are adjacent to said side walls (24) of said scaffold board (21), wherein said receiving aperture in said end walls (4, 4') of said stabilizing element (1) coincide with said receiving aperture (25) in said side wall of said scaffold board (21).

9. A scaffold platform (31) comprising at least a first and a second scaffold board (21, 21') according to claim 8, wherein said at least first and second scaffold boards (21, 21') are arranged such that said longitudinal directions of said at least first and second scaffold boards (21, 21') extend parallel to each other, and wherein at least one of said side walls (24) of each of said first and second scaffold boards (21, 21') comprises at least one receiving aperture (25), being arranged such that the side wall of said first scaffold board (21) comprising said receiving aperture is positioned adjacent to the side wall of said second scaffold board (21') comprising said receiving aperture (25), characterized in that said elongated locking member (8) of said stabilizing element (1) arranged at said first scaffold board (21) protrudes through one of said side walls of said first scaffold board (21) and through the adjacent side wall of said second scaffold board (21') when said elongated locking member (8) is in a locked position.

Drawing