SCAFFOLDING ASSEMBLY

Abstract

 An assembly (100) comprises a scaffold (103) for operable positioning at and/or against a portion of a construction and providing a work space (W) for a worker, and a cover (119) for protecting at least part of the work space (W), extending from a proximal end to a distal end (D), a roller (117) in use mounted on the scaffold (103) on a first position, and a fixing member (121) in use mounted on another position, the roller (117) supporting the proximal end of the cover (119) and configured to reversibly roll a portion of the cover (119) to/from a rolled-up configuration from/to an unrolled configuration to (un-)cover at least part of the work space (W), and one or more connectors (123) configured to reversibly fix the distal end (D) of the cover (119) to the fixing member (121) and reversibly disconnect the distal end (D) from the fixing member (121) at at least a predetermined tension on the distal end pulling the distal end from the fixing member.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the fields of scaffolds and elevated working. The present disclosure relates in particular to the field of protecting a worker's workspace on the scaffold.

BACKGROUND

[0002] It is well known that working on a structure such as a building such as a house may require use of a scaffold to provide worker's workspaces in elevated positions about at least part of the building. A typical example of a scaffold is a movable scaffold that may be moved by rolling on wheels from one working position to a next working position on the building.

[0003] Scaffolds are structures made of scaffolding, a temporary modular assembly of predominantly tubes and/or beams forming a framework used to support workers and material in construction, maintenance, and/or repair, etc., of buildings and other large structures. Scaffolding modules may comprise flooring members supported on uprights such as ladder-like modules and/or stackable posts provided with connectors. The scaffolding may also comprise horizontal and/or diagonal trusses between uprights. Erected scaffolds are usually anchored with anchors to the building or structure under construction, maintenance, and/or repaired, etc. by workers.

[0004] Workers' working conditions are very important for workers' safety and wellbeing and they a constant concern in the field. Also, for particular types of work such as bricklaying and/or painting operations, environmental conditions may be decisive for an outcome of the operation. E.g. working conditions may be hazardous (heat, sun, storm, hail, snow, sleet, etc.), and/or (application of) fresh paint may be affected and damaged by one or more of rain, hail, snow, sleet, dust, animals (e.g. insects, birds / bird droppings, etc.), etc.

[0005] In view of such concerns, it is well known to attach a cover for at least part of the workspace to the scaffold. Such covers generally are of a wind-breaking and/or at least partly watertight or water-repellent fabric, such as nets, sails, tarpaulins, etc.

[0006] However, a cover may hinder access to the work space, e.g. for transporting tools and/or supplies, so that it should be removable. Also, e.g. in view of wind strengths a cover on a scaffolding may have to be removed temporarily or permanently from the scaffold for protection of one or more of the construction, the scaffolding, the cover, and/or for prevention of noise due to flapping material.

[0007] Examples are disclosed in DE 2 217 826 A1, WO 86/03538 A1, DE 20 2004 016 546 U1, WO 2004/065721 A1, JP 6 899 156 B2.

[0008] Attachment to provide proper covering of the workspace, removal, and storage of such covers are still cumbersome and cost significant amounts of time and effort. The covers tend to be fragile, compared to other scaffolding members. Hence, improvements are desired.

SUMMARY

[0009] In view of the above, herewith is provided an assembly comprising a scaffold for operable positioning at and/or against a portion of a construction, such as a building, and providing a work space for a worker, in particular an elevated work space, and a cover for protecting at least part of the work space, extending from a proximal end to a distal end, a roller in use mounted on the scaffold on a first position, in particular on one side of the work space, and a fixing member in use mounted on another position, in particular on an opposite side of the work space, a roller supporting the proximal end of the cover and configured to reversibly roll a portion of the cover to/from a rolled-up configuration from/to an unrolled configuration to (un-)cover at least part of the work space, and one or more connectors configured to reversibly fix the distal end of the cover to the fixing member and reversibly disconnect the distal end from the fixing member at at least a predetermined tension on the distal end pulling the distal end from the fixing member.

[0010] Hence, in case of strong winds acting on the cover and/or precipitation amassing on the cover and/or other forces, which may in some cases occur unexpectedly, the one or more connectors may reversibly disconnect and may prevent damage to the cover. The predetermined tension may be a fraction of a rupturing strength of the cover material, e.g. ca 25%, or 30%, or 50%, of a minimum rupturing force. Also or alternatively, the predetermined tension may be associated with a predetermined wind force on the cover, in particular such that the cover remains connected up to a wind force of at least 5 Beaufort normal to the cover and releasably disconnects at a wind force of 6 Beaufort or higher normal to the cover. Afterwards, the connectors may be reused to fix again the distal end to the fixing member and reestablish the covering of the work space.

[0011] The roller may be adjustable and preferably fixable in one or more predetermined rotary positions of the roller relative to a scaffold mount and/or the scaffold. The adjustability may preferably be substantially continuously so that desired fractions of the cover may be provided as amount of unrolled cover. The proximal end of the cover may be fixed or be releasably attached to the roller.

[0012] Thus, a length of unrolled cover may be determined and/or maintained. This may assist determining a tension on the distal end pulling the distal end from the fixing member.

[0013] Also or alternatively, the roller may be configured to urge the rollable portion to the rolled-up configuration, e.g. the roller being provided with a controller and a motor, and/or comprising a spring. Thus, when disconnected, an amount of unrolled cover may be reduced "automatically", reducing or preventing one or more of noise, damage to, and damage by the cover.

[0014] The predetermined tension may be determined in a direction parallel to the unrolled portion, such as in a rolling direction, in particular determined along and/or in a plane of the rollable portion.

[0015] A wind force acting on a cover covering a work place on a scaffold may act toward (or: into) the working place or away from the working place (also referred to as blowing/sucking the cover in or out. Both effects may amount to a tension on the distal end pulling the distal end from the fixing member. Similarly, a force of precipitation and/or an object against the cover may cause such tension. Hence, the assembly and its operation may be largely insensitive to a direction of a force onto the cover.

[0016] At least some of the one or more connectors may be fixed to the distal end, reducing or preventing loss of the connectors and/or facilitating arranging the cover.

[0017] The one or more connectors may comprise a pair of mated connectors, in particular one or more first connectors fixed to the distal end mated to one or more second connectors fixed to the fixing member. Also or alternatively, the one or more connectors comprise one or more of snapping connectors, one or more resilient clamps configured to urge the one or more connectors in an operably fixed configuration, and one or more magnets to provide the reversible fixing and disconnection, e.g. in case of the scaffolding assembly according to claim 6 one or more magnets configured to magnetically connect the mated pair of connectors.

[0018] Such connectors, in particular pairs of mated connectors may facilitate determining a fixing strength and/or a release strength. Also or alternatively arranging the cover may be facilitated since intended connections may be readily defined.

[0019] Thus, ease of use and/or reliability of the assembly may be improved.

[0020] At least part of the distal end may be provided with a beam, the beam possibly being formed as and/or provided with at least some of the one or more connectors.

[0021] A beam may fortify at least part of the distal end. A beam may prevent crumpling, folding, etc. of the distal end. Also or alternatively, a beam may facilitate manipulation of at least part of the cover, in particular the distal end thereof. Also or alternatively, it may facilitate provision and/or mounting of connectors. The beam may be formed at least partly in different shapes, which may be mated to at least part of a shape of the fixing member. The cover may be provided with multiple adjacent beams along the distal end.

[0022] One or more guides may be provided on laterally opposite sides of the cover configured to guide reversibly at least part of the cover, preferably at least the distal end, to/from the rolled-up configuration from/to the unrolled configuration.

[0023] The guides may facilitate arranging and/or removing the cover at least partly. Also or alternatively, the guides may assist controlling position and/or motion of the distal end when disconnected. This may assist or cause preventing one or more of noise, damage to, and damage by the cover.

[0024] One or more guides and/or the cover, e.g. a beam thereof, if present, may comprise one or more reversibly connectable connectors for operable connection together.

[0025] Such guides may comprise flexible elongate members for being repeatedly deformed and/or extended to/from a compact configuration from/to a guiding configuration, such as by (un-)winding, (un-)folding, (un-)bundling, telescoping, etc., e.g. the guide members comprising one or more of wires, chains, telescopic rods, scissoring rods, etc.

[0026] This facilitates compact storage and/or transport and may allow use in different configurations. It is however noted that most scaffolds adhere to standardised sizes, hence a guide may be configured to span a predetermined length in the guiding configuration. The compact configuration may be a collapsed configuration of a telescopic and/or scissoring member. A wire and/or chain may be folded, bundled and/or or wound up. Here, "wire" may refer to any type of wire, i.e. from monofilament to multifilament twisted or braided wire. Chains may have suitable link shapes. A guide may be provided with a relatively smooth surface which may facilitating travel of the cover along the guide. A guide may be provided with a, possibly polymer, sheath which may provide the guide with a relatively smooth surface and/or which may protect the wire from environmental influences. A guide may be connected with the roller and/or the fixing member, possibly removably connected at one end or at opposite ends.

[0027] The assembly may comprise one or more storage spaces for storing at least part of the guides therein, in particular in the compact configuration. In particular, the fixing member may comprise the one or more storage spaces.

[0028] The storage space facilitates storage and/or transport, and/or may protect at least part of the guides accommodated in the storage space. The storage space may be substantially closable or closed, e.g. enveloping at least part of guide when in the compact configuration. A storage space may be provided for one or more guides or plural storage spaces may be provided associated with one or more separate guides.

[0029] At least one resilient member urging one or more of the guides into the storage space may be provided.

[0030] This may further facilitate storage and/or transport. A resilient member may also provide tension on a guide.

[0031] A guide may be provided with one or more stops defining a predetermined use length of a guide. Such predetermined use length may be a predetermined fraction or all of a total length of the guide.

[0032] The assembly may comprise a housing accommodating at least part of the cover assembly's roller and cover in a rolled-up configuration. This may protect the cover and/or roller. The housing may be mountable to the scaffold suitable for when mounted supporting a worker standing on the housing. The assembly may comprise a locking assembly for selectively locking the roller and/or the fixing member to the scaffold.

[0033] This may prevent removal of the roller assembly from the scaffold.

[0034] The locking assembly may have an open and a closed configuration, wherein the locking assembly in an open configuration may allow removal of the roller assembly and/ or the fixing member from the scaffold, and wherein the locking assembly in a closed configuration may prevent and/or hinder removal of the roller assembly from the scaffold. The locking assembly may comprise a lock that requires one or more of a code, a key, and a suitable alternative to open the lock. The lock may prevent the locking assembly from changing from a closed configuration to an open configuration and/or prevent the assembly to change from an open to a closed configurations. Such lock may be integrated in the locking assembly and/or be provided as a separate device, e.g. a padlock.

[0035] The locking assembly may one or more of limit, hinder and prevent relative displacement and/or movement of the roller assembly with respect to a scaffolding member e.g. in one or more of the following types: translation in a radial direction of the scaffolding member, translation in a longitudinal direction of the scaffolding member and rotation with respect to the scaffolding member.

[0036] The locking assembly may be used e.g. in the following manner: a scaffold is provided, the roller assembly with a locking assembly in an open configuration is attached to the scaffold, the locking assembly is changed from the open configuration to a closed configuration e.g. to secure the attachment and/or to prevent loss of the roller assembly, e.g. for one or more of securing operation, prevent loss.

[0037] Any embodiment provided herein may comprise plural covers, in particular plural cover assemblies each comprising a cover, a roller, and one or more connectors as discussed herein elsewhere in relation to any embodiment, possibly also comprising a fixing member and/or a housing.

[0038] At least part of one such cover assembly may provide a fixing member for an adjacent second cover as discussed herein elsewhere. E.g. a housing of a first cover assembly may form a fixing member for an adjacent second cover and/or may server for fixing the fixing member of an adjacent second cover assembly.

[0039] Also or alternatively, at least part of a first cover assembly may be provided with one or more connectors configured to reversibly fix the distal end of an adjacent second cover and reversibly disconnect the distal end of the adjacent second cover from the housing at at least a predetermined tension on the distal end pulling the distal end from the fixing member.

[0040] This facilitates covering a large work space and/or multiple work spaces, e.g. by concatenating adjacent covers and/or assemblies.

[0041] Associated with the preceding, herein further is provided a cover assembly for use in an assembly as provided herein elsewhere, for attachment to a scaffold for operable positioning at and/or against a portion of a construction, such as a building, and providing a work space. The cover assembly comprises a cover extending from a proximal end to a distal end and a roller for in use being mounted on the scaffold on one side of the work space, and a fixing member for in use being mounted on an opposite side of the work space, the roller supporting the proximal end of the cover and configured to reversibly roll a portion of the cover to/from a rolled-up configuration from/to an unrolled configuration to (un-)cover at least part of the work space. The cover assembly also comprises one or more connectors configured to reversibly fix the distal end of the cover to the fixing member, and reversibly disconnect the distal end from the fixing member at at least a predetermined tension on the distal end pulling the distal end from the fixing member.

[0042] Fixing the distal end of the cover to the fixing member may serve to maintain the web at least partly unrolled configuration, to cover the at least part of the work space.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043] The above-described aspects will hereafter be more explained with further details and benefits with reference to the drawings showing a number of embodiments by way of example.

Fig. 1 shows an assembly of a scaffold and a cover as provided herein;

Fig. 2 shows another assembly of a scaffold and a cover as provided herein;

Fig 2A is a side view of the assembly of Fig. 2;

Figs 2B and 2C show details associated with Fig. 2;

Fig. 3 is partial side view of another assembly of a cover assembly;

Fig. 4 is partial cross section view of another assembly of a cover assembly;

Figs. 5 and 6 show yet another assembly of a scaffold and a cover as provided herein, with Fig 6A being a detail of Fig. 6;

Figs. 7 and 8 are partial cross section views in mutually perpendicular directions showing storage of guides;

Fig. 9 is a partial cross section view showing another option for storage of guides;

Figs. 10 and 10A indicate a locking assembly for locking the roller assembly to a scaffold.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0044] It is noted that the drawings are schematic, not necessarily to scale and that details that are not required for understanding the present invention may have been omitted. The terms "upward", "downward", "below", "above", and the like relate to the embodiments as oriented in the drawings, unless otherwise specified. Further, elements that are at least substantially identical or that perform an at least substantially identical function are denoted by the same numeral raised by hundreds (1, 101, 201, etc.), and where helpful individualised with alphabetic suffixes.

[0045] Further, unless otherwise specified, terms like "detachable" and "removably connected" are intended to mean that respective parts may be disconnected essentially without damage or destruction of either part, e.g. excluding structures in which the parts are integral (e.g. welded or moulded as one piece), but including structures in which parts are attached by or as mated connectors, fasteners, releasable self-fastening features, etc. The verb "to facilitate" is intended to mean "to make easier and/or less complicated", rather than "to enable".

[0046] Fig. 1 shows an assembly 100 of a scaffold 103 and plural cover assemblies 105.

[0047] The shown scaffold 103 is of a generally known type and is configured for operable positioning at and/or against a portion of a construction such as a building (not shown). The scaffold 103 is erected using scaffolding modules comprising a flooring member 107 (more may be provided, not shown) supported on uprights 109 such as the shown ladder-like modules and/or stackable posts provided with connectors (not shown). The scaffolding also comprises trusses 111, 112 and/or a barrier 113 between uprights 109. The scaffold 101 provides work spaces W for a worker (not shown). A work space W may be defined in part by a flooring member 107 and may be elevated above a level on which the scaffold 103 as such rests. A scaffold 103 may provide plural work spaces, in different elevations, possibly safeguarded by a barrier 113. The scaffold 103 may be provided with wheels 115 which may be provided with brakes, possibly self-locking brakes.

[0048] The cover assembly 105 comprises a roller 117, a cover 119 and a fixing member 121. The cover 119 is shown transparent but may have any suitable structure. Different embodiments of cover assemblies are shown and discussed hereafter.

[0049] As shown in Fig. 1, in exemplary use, the cover 119 is mounted on the scaffold 103 on one side of a work space W and the fixing member 121 is mounted on an opposite side of the work space W.

[0050] The cover 119 extends from a proximal end (not shown) to a distal end D. The proximal end is attached to the roller 117. The roller 117 supports the proximal end of the cover and is configured to reversibly roll a portion of the cover 119 to/from a rolled-up configuration from/to an unrolled configuration to (un-)cover at least part of the work space W, see double arrow R.

[0051] Further, one or more connectors 123 are provided configured to reversibly fix the distal end D of the cover 119 to the fixing member 121 and to reversibly disconnect the distal end D from the fixing member 121 at at least a predetermined tension on the distal end D pulling the distal end D from the fixing member 121. By the fixing, the connectors 123 may assist maintaining the cover in an at least partly unrolled configuration.

[0052] Further, cover guides 129 are provided on laterally opposite sides of the cover 119 (here: laterally adjacent outside of opposite outer ends of each cover 119) configured to guide reversibly at least a distal part of the cover 119 bordering the distal end D, to/from the rolled-up configuration from/to the unrolled configuration (see arrow R).

[0053] The guides 129 may be, as an option, formed as wires. This may facilitate mounting and/or may provide little wind force resistance.

[0054] In Fig. 1, (the covers 119 of) the plural cover assemblies 105, are concatenated; one cover 119 and an adjacent cover 119 are arranged in respective (un-)rolling direction (cf. arrow R) such that together they form a substantially continuous cover for covering at least part of one or more work spaces W.

[0055] Suitable scaffold cover materials for covering scaffolds are known; the material preferably is a mesh or an open pore fabric like a net and has about 5% or more open fraction, e.g. about 10% or more open fraction such as 15% to 20% open fraction so as to reduce but not to stop wind. One or more parts of the cover may be opaque.

[0056] Fig. 2 shows as an exemplary embodiment a cover assembly 205, comprising a roller 217 (not visible), a cover 219 and a fixing member 221. Fig. 2A is a side view of Fig. 2.

[0057] The cover assembly 203 comprises a roller assembly 224 comprising a housing 225, accommodating at least part of the cover assembly's roller 217 and cover 219 in a rolled-up configuration on the roller, the roller being rotary about an axis of rotation A. The cover assembly 205 is provided with scaffold mounts 226 (or: "mounts" for short) for attaching the cover assembly 205 to a scaffold. Any suitable type of mounts 226 may be provided, possibly conforming to a particular standard and/or a mounting type of scaffolding for a scaffold with which the cover assembly is to be used. E.g. Figs. 10 and 10A show an exemplary locking mount 1026 for locking the roller assembly 224 to a scaffolding member.

[0058] The fixing member 221 is mounted to a scaffolding member, here a truss 211 arranged parallel to (the axis of rotation A of) the roller 217, using fixing member mounts 218.

[0059] The distal end D of cover 219 is provided with an optional rigid beam 227. The shown beam 227 extends along the distal end D of the cover 219 and extends as an option laterally beyond the lateral ends of the cover 219 proper.

[0060] An optional handle to the cover is provided, here in the form of a hole H in the cover 219.

[0061] Further, the cover assembly 205 is provided with guides 229 on laterally opposite sides of the cover 219 outside of the cover 219 and being configured to guide reversibly the cover 219 to/from the rolled-up configuration from/to the unrolled configuration (arrow R). Again, the guides 229 may be, as an option, formed as wires. At the distal end D, (the beam 227 of) the cover 219 is provided with guide connectors 231 for connecting with the guides 229. Guide connectors 231 may be reversibly connectable to an associated guide 229. Also or alternatively, guide connectors may be formed as one or more of a hook, hole and ring in or on the cover 219; this may provide a straightforward and secure connection at relatively little cost.

[0062] Note that in another embodiment also or alternatively one or more guides may be arranged laterally "inside" a cover side.

[0063] Fig. 2A indicates exemplary connection of the beam 227 and the fixing member 221. The fixing member 221 and beam 227 may have, as shown, at least partly complementary shapes and provide connectors for fixing the distal end D of the cover 219 to the fixing member 221. This may facilitate fixing and/or may assist determining relative position and/or orientation of the fixing member 221 and beam 227, which may be associated with a disconnection direction parallel to the cover 219 subject to tension.

[0064] Further, as mated connectors the fixing member 221 and beam 227 may be provided with cooperating magnetic and/or magnetisable portions for establishing magnetic connection; e.g. one or more appropriately oriented magnets (preferably permanent magnetic) and/or magnetisable material (not shown). The magnetic connection force may be determined by selecting appropriate amounts of magnetic and/or magnetisable material and determining a relative position (and possibly a relative orientation) thereof in a predetermined connected configuration of the connectors. Hence a predetermined threshold force for disconnecting the cover from the fixing member may be determined. E.g., the fixing member 221 and/or the beam 227 may be provided with one or more magnets and/or may be formed at least in part of iron and/or steel. Magnets may be provided as magnetic pieces such a blocks and/or strips fixed to (e.g. glued on) and/or integrated in (e.g. encapsulated by) a non-magnetic material (e.g. a polymer beam).

[0065] Here, the fixing member 221 provides an upward protrusion and the beam 227 has an associated recess accommodating at least part of the upward protrusion. Thus accumulation of precipitation, dirt, etc. affecting the connection may be prevented.

[0066] Also or alternatively (not shown) at least part of the beam and/or fixing member may have a recess with a relatively narrow opening and wider cavity inward from the opening so that it may at least partly grip and/or clamp onto an accordingly shaped (e.g. bulbous or T-shaped) portion of the other one of the fixing member and the beam. Other connectors may also or alternatively be provided.

[0067] Figs. 2 and 2B indicate that, e.g. for concatenating plural cover assemblies, the housing 225 of a first cover assembly may be provided with a fixing member 221A for a similar adjacent cover assembly. Here, the fixing member 221A is mounted using optional plural connectors such as clamps and/or latches 233 (see double arrow).

[0068] Fig. 2C shows exemplary mounting a fixing member 221A onto a standard scaffolding truss 212 using a clamp 218 and an optional adaptor 228. One or more of the fixing member 221A, an adaptor and a clamp may be suitably shaped differently, possibly depending also on various scaffolding members shapes and/or -types, which could also obviate an adaptor.

[0069] Fig. 3 shows part of another embodiment of a cover assembly 305 indicating a connection between a cover 319 and a fixing member 321 having at last partly complementary shapes; the fixing member 321 accommodates a connector 328. The connector 328 and/or the fixing member comprise magnetisable material, e.g. the connector being formed as an at least partly steel body attached to the cover 319. The fixing member 321 comprises magnets (not shown) attracting the magnetisable material. The fixing member 321 may be provided with one or more drains, e.g. for draining rain water.

[0070] The fixing member 321 is provided with an optional adapter 333 for mounting to a scaffolding member (not shown); a roller and/or housing of a cover assembly may likewise be provided with a suitable adapter.

[0071] Fig. 4 shows part of two cover assemblies 405A, 405B. Here, a cover 419A is as an option provided with a beam 427A provided with one or more magnetic portions (not shown), cooperating with one or more magnetisable portions (not shown) of a housing 425B of adjacent cover assembly 405B, e.g. an at least partly iron or steel wall. The one or more magnetic portions may be provided as plural magnetic bodies and/or an elongated magnetic strip. One or more guides 429, here attached to optional associated guide connectors 430, may guide the cover 419A. The guides 429 may be integrated into cover assembly 405A, 405B or provided as separate members.

[0072] Also visible in Fig. 4 is that roller 417B comprises a rotary core 435B onto which a portion of the cover 419B is rolled, from the proximal end towards the distal end. The roller 417B is provided with an optional spring 437B to urge the roller and the cover 419B to a rolled-up configuration, as indicated.

[0073] Fig. 5 indicates, like Fig. 4, two cover assemblies 505A, 505B arranged to have their respective covers 519A, 519B adjacent each other for providing generally continuous cover to (at least part of one or more work spaces of) a scaffold (not shown).

[0074] Mated first connectors 523A1, 523A2 and second connectors 523A2, 523B are provided to reversibly fix the distal end D of the covers 519A, 519B to the associated fixing member 521A, 521B, and reversibly disconnect the distal end from the fixing member at at least a predetermined tension on the distal end pulling the distal end from the fixing member.

[0075] In Fig. 5 the exemplary mated first connectors 523A1, 523A2 and second connectors 523A2, 523B connectors are formed as local magnetic connectors appropriately mounted on (beams 527 on) the covers 519A, 519B and fixing members 521A, 521B.

[0076] Fig. 6 indicates, like Figs. 4 and 5, two further cover assemblies 605A, 605B arranged to have their respective covers 619A, 619B adjacent each other providing generally continuous cover to (at least part of one or more work spaces of) a scaffold (not shown). Fig 6A is a detail of Fig. 6.

[0077] The first and second connectors 623A1, 623A2; 623A2, 623B of Figs. 6, 6A are provided as snapping connectors. In particular, in Figs. 6, 6A may be seen that the exemplary first connectors 623A1, 623B1 comprise spring loaded objects (here: balls) for being urged against appropriately shaped portions (here: urged into recesses) of the second connectors 623A2, 623B2.

[0078] A fixing member 621B is provided here as a scaffolding truss 613 provided with the second connectors 623B2. Note that first and second connectors 623A1, 623A2; 623A2, 623B could be mounted in opposite direction (623A1, 623B1 to the cover and 623A2, 623B20) and/or more connectors (possibly of different types) could be provided; plural connectors could increase a fixation force and/or determination of relative position and/or relative orientation of part of the cover (619A, 619B) and the fixing member 621A, 621B.

[0079] Any embodiment may comprise one or more storage spaces or storing at least part of the respective guides 129, 229, ..., therein, in particular in a compact configuration. Resilient members urging one or more of the guides into the storage space may be provided. E.g. a guides could be provided at least partly as a wire on a spring-loaded reel, which could be mounted rotary about an axis of rotation coaxially with the axis A of the roller. Such reel could be mounted in an optional housing, which could be conforming to and/or be part of a housing 225, 325,..., for a cover and its roller.

[0080] Also or alternatively one or more guides could be accommodated otherwise. E.g. Figs. 7, 8 show partial cross section views in mutually perpendicular directions as indicated in the respective figures of a fixing member 721.

[0081] Figs. 7 and 8 show a fixing member 721 provided with two flexible guides 719 (e.g. steel wires) in associated storage spaces 739 and each provided with an elastic 741 as a resilient member to urge the guide 719 into the storage space 739. Here, the storage spaces 739 are formed as interspersed U-shaped channels but any other shape (in particular a serpentine shape) could be provided. For use (Fig. 8) guide 719 may protrude from (the storage space channel 739 of) the fixing member 721, tensioning the elastic 741. An optional structure such as a guide wheel 743 may be provided for robustness and/or for securing a suitable bending radius of the guide 729.

[0082] A guide 729 may be provided with a stop 745, e.g. a knot and/or a cuff, for limiting a length of the guide 729 provided by (here protruding from / pulled from) the storage space 739, which may help preventing exposure and/or damage to one or more of the resilient member, the guide, a connection between them, etc. Also, a guide length could be determined in association with a length of the cover and/or a standard size of scaffolding to be used.

[0083] Fig. 8 also shows use of the guides with a cover 719 and a beam 727 with a guide connector 731 (see also Fig. 2). In another embodiment, guides and storage spaces could be integrated in (a housing of) a roller; see schematically indicated in Fig. 9.

[0084] Fig. 10 and 10A (partly) show an exemplary locking assembly for mounting and locking at least part of a cover assembly 1005, here a roller assembly 1024, to a scaffolding member 1013 (only shown in Fig. 10) in different views and in an open configuration (Fig. 10) and in a locked configuration (Fig. 10A). The shown locking assembly comprises a locking mount 1026 and is provided with an optional padlock 1049 (only shown in Fig. 10A). The shown locking mount 1026 comprises a base mount 1046 provided with an arm 1047 rotatable around a pivot 1048. The base mount 1046 and the arm 1047 can accommodate the scaffolding member 1013.

[0085] In the open configuration of the locking assembly, the arm 1047 can rotate with respect to the base mount 1046 (see double arrow in Fig. 10) such that the scaffolding member 1013 can pass a thus provided opening between the base mount 1046 and the arm 1047. This allows mounting and dismounting of the roller assembly 1024.

[0086] In a closed configuration of the locking assembly, the arm 1047 may be oriented such that the opening between the arm 1047 and the mount 1046 is reduced or absent and thus does not allow passage of the scaffolding member 1013.

[0087] For locking the locking assembly in the closed configuration, part of the lock 1049 may be inserted through holes 1050H in the base mount 1050 and blocking movement of the arm 1047 to a configuration which would allow the scaffolding member 1013 to pass.

[0088] In the shown locking mount 1026, the arm 1047 is provided with an optional hole 1051 for receiving the lock 1049. In an open configuration, the openings 1050H, 1047H may align with each other (see Fig. 10). This allows insertion of part pf the lock 1049 through the holes of the base mount and the arm and lock relative movement of the arm 1047 and the base mount 1046. Such locking of the mount in an open configuration may assist mounting and/or adjusting (at least part of) the cover assembly to the scaffold.

Claims

1. Assembly (100) comprising

a scaffold (103) for operable positioning at and/or against a portion of a construction, such as a building, and providing a work space (W) for a worker, in particular an elevated work space, and

a cover (119) for protecting at least part of the work space (W), extending from a proximal end to a distal end (D), a roller (117) in use mounted on the scaffold (103) on a first position, in particular on one side of the work space (W), and a fixing member (121) in use mounted on another position, in particular on an opposite side of the work space (W), the roller (117) supporting the proximal end of the cover (119) and configured to reversibly roll a portion of the cover (119) to/from a rolled-up configuration from/to an unrolled configuration to (un-)cover at least part of the work space (W), and

one or more connectors (123) configured to

reversibly fix the distal end (D) of the cover (119) to the fixing member (121) and

reversibly disconnect the distal end (D) from the fixing member (121) at at least a predetermined tension on the distal end pulling the distal end from the fixing member.

2. The assembly (100) according to any preceding claim, wherein the roller (117) is adjustable, and preferably fixable, in one or more predetermined rotary positions of the roller (117) relative to a scaffold mount (126) and/or the scaffold (103) .

3. The assembly (100) according to any preceding claim, wherein the roller (117) is configured to urge the cover (119) to the rolled-up configuration, e.g. comprising a spring (437B).

4. The assembly (100) according to any preceding claim, wherein the predetermined tension is determined in a direction parallel to the unrolled portion, such as in a rolling direction (R), in particular determined along and/or in a plane of the rollable portion.

5. The assembly (100) according to any preceding claim, wherein at least some of the one or more connectors (123) are fixed at the distal end (D).

6. The assembly (100) according to any preceding claim, wherein the one or more connectors (123) comprise a pair of mated connectors, in particular one or more first connectors (123) fixed at the distal end (D) mated to one or more second connectors (123) fixed to the fixing member (121).

7. The assembly (100) according to any preceding claim, wherein the one or more connectors (123) comprise one or more of

snapping connectors;

one or more resilient clamps configured to urge the one or more connectors in an operably fixed configuration; and

one or more magnets to provide the reversible fixing and disconnection, e.g. in case of the scaffolding assembly according to claim 6 one or more magnets configured to magnetically connect the mated pair of connectors.

8. The assembly (100) according to any preceding claim, wherein at least part of the distal end (D) is provided with a beam (127), the beam possibly being formed as and/or provided with at least some of the one or more connectors (123).

9. The assembly (100) according to any preceding claim, comprising one or more guides (129) on laterally opposite sides of the cover (119) configured to guide reversibly at least part of the cover (119), preferably at least the distal end (D), to/from the rolled-up configuration from/to the unrolled configuration.

10. The assembly (100) according to claim 9, wherein the guides (129) comprise flexible elongate members for being repeatedly deformed and/or extended to/from a compact configuration from/to a guiding configuration, such as by (un-)winding, (un-)folding, (un-)bundling, telescoping, etc., e.g. the guide members comprising one or more of wires, chains, telescopic rods, scissoring rods, etc.

11. The assembly (100) according to any one of claims 9-10, comprising one or more storage spaces (739) for storing at least part of the guides therein, in particular in the compact configuration, in particular the fixing member (121) comprising the one or more storage spaces (739).

12. The assembly (100) according to claim 11, comprising at least one resilient member (741) urging one or more of the guides (129) into the storage space (739).

13. The assembly (100) according to any of the preceding claims, and/or comprising a locking assembly for selectively locking the roller and/or the fixing member to the scaffold.

14. The assembly (100) according to any preceding claim, comprising a housing (224) accommodating at least part of the roller (117) and cover (119) in a rolled-up configuration,
wherein possibly at least part of the housing (124) forms a fixing member (121) for an adjacent second cover (119), and/or is provided with one or more connectors (123) configured to reversibly fix the distal end (D) of an adjacent second cover (123) to the housing (124) and reversibly disconnect the distal end (D) of the adjacent second cover (119) from the housing (100) at at least a predetermined tension on the distal end (D) pulling the distal end (D) from the fixing member (121).

15. A cover assembly (105) for use in the assembly (100) according to any preceding claim, for attachment to a scaffold (103) for operable positioning at and/or against a portion of a construction, such as a building, and providing a work space (W),

the cover assembly (105) comprising a cover (119) extending from a proximal end to a distal end (D) and a roller (117) for in use being mounted on the scaffold (103) on one side of the work space (W), and a fixing member (121) for in use being mounted on another position, in particular on an opposite side of the work space (W), the roller (117) supporting the proximal end of the cover (119) and being configured to reversibly roll a portion of the cover (119) to/from a rolled-up configuration from/to an unrolled configuration to (un-)cover at least part of the work space (W), and

one or more connectors (123) configured to
reversibly fix the distal end (D) of the cover (119) to the fixing member (121) and

reversibly disconnect the distal end (D) from the fixing member (121) at at least a predetermined tension on the distal end (D) pulling the distal end from the fixing member (121) .

Drawing