DEVICE FOR DETACHABLY SUPPORTING A WORK STAND ON A WALL SURFACE OR THE LIKE

Abstract: A device for detachably supporting a work stand to a wall surface (2) for example. This includes a supporting member (4) which originates from the securing surface and which can be hooked up, by means of a coupling device (3) fitted to the supporting member, in a holder element (1) fixed to the wall surface. This is formed like a plate-shaped body which comprises at least one supporting surface adapted to be fixed to the wall surface (2) and two hooking-up portions which are directed away from one another and each of which has its own bearing surface facing the wall surface (2). The coupling device (3) comprises two portions (11) which are provided with guide surfaces facing one another. Between them these form a gap adapted to receive the holder element. Situated in the gap are locking members (16, 22) which are each hooked up by their own hooking-up portions. A device (21) is able to be changed over between a locking position and a releasing position. In the locking position assurance is provided that the coupling device is held in the firmly hooked state and in the releasing position, the coupling device can be unhooked from the holder element (1).

Description: / Title: Device for detachably supporting a work stand on a wall surface or the like. Technical field: The present invention relates to a device for detachably supporting a work stand or the like to a wall surface or the like, which includes a supporting, member originating from the securing surface which supporting member is adapted to be hooked, by means of a coupling device fitted to the supporting member, in a holder element fixed to the securing surface and to be supported against the wall surface by means of a lower supportinr surface below the coupling device. The present invention relates to those scaffolds which are adapted to be hooked to holder elements which are fixed to a wall surface, the hull of a vessel or the like. The holder element is usually welded to the wall surface at a plurality of points- at pre¬ determined distances apart and levels, after which brackets are suspended and used to carry working platforms and the like. This type of scaffolding occurs inter alia in the shipbuilding industry where the hull of a vessel forms firm surfaces of weldable material. This type of work stand thus does not require any support at the base which is an advantage as a result of the fact that the work εt=nd thus does not need to be built up over the whole height up to the actual work places. Bac ground art: A. work stand of the kind indicated aboλ'e is known through t'-e Swedish speci ication 351 85- as laid o-πen. In the known device, the holder element has the form of a T-secti^n. ith t'-is device, the web of the BAD ORIGINAL T-section is exposed, in practice, to very.heavy flexural stresses as a result of unforeseen breaks and displacement in the work stand. These stresses have proved so great that in several cases the holder member has given way with serious accidents as a result. As a result of the demand for high bending strength and toughness in combination with a complicated shape in this connectio the holder element becomes very expensive to manufacture. Since these holder elements are usually intended for use once only, there is a strong requirement to produce the elements at relatively low costs. The technical problem: The object of t"e present invention is to develop - device accor ing to the present invention with --hich a stable and secure holding of the brackets is obtained while at the sa~e time the holder elements can be produced at a low cost. The solution: Said object is achieved by means of a device according to the present invention which is characterised in that the holder element is 'made like a plate-shaped body which comprises at least one supporting surface adapted to be secured to the securing surface, and at least two hooking-up portions which are dire'cted away from one another and each of which has its bearing surface at least partially turned -■wards the securing surface, and that the coupling device co m prises, on the one hand two portions which are provided with guide surfaces facing one another which betv r een them form a gap adapted to receive the holder element, and on the other hand two locking members which are situated in the gap and which are adapted to be hooked "~ - each by its own hooking portion and on the other BAD ORIGINAL §B ( ■ ° MPI . hand a device which can be changed over between a locking position and a releasing position and which, in the locking position, ensures that the coupling device is held in the firmly hooked state and which, in the releasing position, enables the coupling device to be unhooked from the holder element, and that the coupling device comprises at least one upper supporting surface by means of which the coupling device is adapted to bear against said wall surface in the connecte state of the device. Description of the figures: The invention will be descri b ed in more detail below with an example of embodiment with reference to the εcco ranying drawings in which Figure 1 shows a side view of a device accord ng to the i nvention, counted on a wall surface, Figure 2 shows a view from the back of onlr one couplii device included in the device according to the i nvention, ig re 3 s ows a section through the device of Fi-ure 1 on the line Ill-Ill, igu e is a perspective view of a holder elerent included in the device, Figure 5 shows, on a smaller scale, a complete device-according to the invention in a first example of embodiment, f igure 6 shows the device according to the invention in a second example of embodiment and -° ' igure 7 shows an advantageous alternative embodiment of the holder element. Preferred forms of embodiment: As can be seen from Figures 1-4, the device according to the invention comprises a holder element 1 which is fixed to a wall surface 2, for example, the hull of a vessel, and a coupling device 3 which is adapted to be hooked up to the holder element . As indicated in Figure 1 and as can best be seen from igure 5, BAD ORIGINAL W GlΛH the coupling device , in the example shown, is fixed to the inner end of a bracket to carry a work stand, not shown. The work stand may consist of working platforms which extend between a plurality of brackets situated at the same level. The brackets may be situated at a plurality of levels in connection with the work places which are to made accessible to personnel, who stand on the working platforms. Again with reference to Figures 1-4, it can be seen that the holder element 1 in the example shown is symmetrical about a horizontal centre line and comprises both at the top and at the bottom a hook-shaped portion 5 5. Furthermore, the holder element 1 is made in the form of a single plate-shaped body with a heed portion 7 formed by one of the hook-shaped portions 5, 6 and a neck portion 8 which becomes narrower froπ the head portion, -he neck portion 8 is terminated by a preferably plane securin g surface 9« As can be seen from Firures 1 and , the holder member 1 is adapted to be secured, its securinε: surface ?, to the w=ll surface 2, for example by means of welding if the wall surface is made of a weldable material such as steel. The holder element 1 further comprises two bearing or stop surfaces 10, 3 w ' -ich 3re at least partially turned inwards towards the wall surface 2 in the mounted state of the element. In the example shown, the coupling device 3 is constructed in the form of two elongated elements 11, 12 which extend along one another and which are made in the form of U-sections facing away from one another. These are situated spaced apart so that a slot-shaped gap 3 is formed between them, the width of which is of the same order of magnitude and in practice somewhat exceeds the thickness of the plate-shaped holder element. At the sides, the gap 13 BAD ORIGINAL is bounded by two opposite guide surfaces 14, 5 each of which is situated at its own side of the elements 11, 12. Extending transversely through the gap 13 between the elongated elements 11, 12 are two locking members 16, 22 which, in the example shown, are con¬ structed in the form of bars extending through bores in the two elements 11, 13- A supporting plate 17 is fixed by means of welding or the like to the upper ends of the two elements 11, 12. The shape of the supporting plate, which forms a protective covering member, can best be seen from the section in Figure 3* From this it can be seen that the ' supporting plate 17 comprises, at one edge, two supporting surfaces 18, 19 which are situated spaced apart and which comprise be-ween them an inwardly curved portion 20. These two supporting surfaces 18, 19 are adapted to bear against the actual wall surface 2 in the connected state of the device. This bearing is ensured by the oblique bearing surface 10 of the holder element 1, or. which the hcokable member 15 rests. The ' coupling device 3 is pressed against the wall surface 2 by the weight of the device. The lower locking member 22 is included in a releasable locking device 21. In the example shown, "t e lower lockin~ member 22 consists of a pin which is rrovided with a handle 25 * The pin extends^ through the bores &, 25 in each of the two elongated elements 12, 13 s^ through a third bore 25 in a guide plate 29 extending between the two webs , 28 of the element 12. As c=.n be seen from Figures 2 and 3, the pin 22 comprises, in its one end 30, two projections 3 while the two bores 24, 25 in the elements 11, 12 comprise corresponding recesses 32, 35 which are adapted to permit withdrawal of the pin 22 in a certain angular position, but to prevent withdrawal in a locking position. In the BAD ORIGINAL Figures, the locking device 21 is shown in the locking position with the handle 23 directed downwards. As a result of the asymmetrical positioning of the handle 23 on the pin, the handle tends to assume this position by its weight. In order to release the locking device 2 , the handle is thus turned through about a quarter of a turn, whereupon the projections 31 are brought into position opposite the recesses 32, 33i after which the pin 22 can be withdrawn. In its locking position, the locking device 21 is in such a position opposite the lower hook-shaped portion 5 of . the holder member 1 that the locking is brought about by the cooperation of the pin 22 with the oblique stop surface 34-. As indicated above with reference to Figure 5. the coupling device 3 i the example shown is fixed to one end of a bracket 4. In the example shown, this is constructed in the form of a substantially horizontal arm 35 which is adapted to support the working platforms 36 one of which is indicated in Figures 5 s d 6 in chain line. The bracket 4 further comprises, et its outer end, a stop element 40 in the form of a section standing upright. It is adapted to form a stop for the workinr: platforms against displacement sideways outside the sunport: : ng arm 35- In rractice, the working platforms 35, which fotm elongated elements, are fixed in a suitable manner to the associated brackets 4. The bracket - further comprises an oblique strut 3 which is fixed to the arm 35 at a distance from the coupling device 3 and is connected to the coupling device and the arm 35 at its inner end by means of a vertical stay 38. The strut 37 comprises, at its lower end a supporting element 39 which forms a lower supporting surface for the device which is situated spaced apart from the BADORIGINAL %&- . coupling device 3 and the above-mentioned upper supportin surfaces 18, 19 of the device. The device is adapted - to be supported against the wall surface 2 by means of the lower supporting surface 39 and, together with the hooking of the coupling device 3 to the holder element 1, to form a stable suspension for the bracket 4. Thus a complete work stand usually consists of at least two br-ckets 4, which are situated at the same level and spaced apart from one another and are mounted on the same wall surface 2 as a result of the fact that holder elements 1 are mounted on the wall surface at the same level and a predetermined distance apart. The working platforms 36 may appropriately rest on the supporting arms 35 of the brackets as a result of the fact that the ends of the platforms are each fixed to its own supporting arm 35 of the bracket 4. Vith mere than two platforms one after the other at the same level, the platforms meet one another lengthwise with the ends adjacent to one anotherresting on the same bracket. The working platforms may consist of elongated floor gratings in which case, with longer units, apart from a bracket at each end, intermediate brackets are -also required. The platforms may also consist of conventional scaffold planks which, for safety reasons preferably require some form of device for holding the ends of the planks to the associated brackets 4. The bracket 4 of standard type shown in Figure 5 is intended for the type of wall surface 2 which occurs most commonly and which is vertical or substantially vertical. The bracket is shown in another form of embodiment in Figure 6 and is here designated by 41. The bracket 41 is adjustable to different inclinations of the wall surface 2 which is an advantage, for example with the hull of a vessel. This is oossible as a BAD ORIGINAL result of the fact that the supporting arm, here designated by 42, is pivotally mounted on the vertical stay 43 in an upper articulation 44 while the oblique strut is pivotally mounted, at its upper end, in the supporting arm 42 in an outer articulation 46 and is pivotally mounted, at its lower end, in the lower end of the stay 43 in a lower articulation 47. Furthermore, the strut 45 is adjustable to different lengths as a result of the fact that it is divided into two elements 48, 49 which can be locked to one another in different positions of adjustment by means of a locking device 50. This consists, for example, of a pin 51 which extends through two bores situated opposite one another in one end of the element 49 and can be taken through two of a plurality of pairs of bores situated opposite one another in the element -° and so render possible an adjustment of the εuprortin~ arm '-2 of the bracket 41 and hence of the working platforms 36 in a substantially horizontal position regardless of the inclination of t " ' ~ e wall surfaces 2 within certain limits. The construction of the holder element 1 and of the coupling device 3 can nevertheless be the same as in the embodiment shown in igu e 5. The whole device according to the invention with holding elements, 1, coupling devices 3 and brackets 4 is made of a strong material, for example steeT, while the working platforms 36 can be made of a lighter material for example light metal or wood. As a result of the plate-like shape of the holder element 1 , this can be produced by cutting out or stamping out of standard material and so be given great strength in combination with a low production cost. The erection of a complete scaffold is thus prepared by securing a plurality of holder elements 1 to predetermined points on the wall surface 2 by appropriate welding. In the course of this, the holder element 1 is laid with its plane O PI BAD ORIGINAg V /,. " ~V IFO~ supporting surface 9 against the wall surface, after which a welding seam 52, 53 is applied to each side of the supporting surface 9, preferably over its whole height or in the form of two or more shorter strands. In the course of this, the holder element 1 must be positioned with its main plane vertical. So e degrees of deviation from this are tolerated without unfavourable loading occurring. The fact that the supporting surface 9 does not bear entirely against the wall surface 2 at the top or bottom does not detract in any way from the strength of the device. As a result of the symmetry of the holder element 1, it is immaterial which end of the holder element faces upwards. After the holder elements 1 have been secured, the brackets *■ are suspended, the locking device 21 being held in the releasing position, that is to say the pin 22 is withdrawn through the bores 2~- . 25- As a result of the fac ~ that the bore 26 lacks a recess for the projection 31 1 complete withdrawal of the P in 22 is prevented which thus comes ^nto a stop position with the projection 31 inside the plate 29- The portion shown behind the pi- n 22 in Figure J> . outside the element 12, constitutes a portion of the bar 15 which is fixed to the element 12 by a welding seam 54. Thus, in the releasing position of the locking device 21, the brackets 4 can be suspended on the holαTer element by means of the coupling device 3 which is conveyed with the locking member 16 over the hook-shaped porrion 5, the holder element being introduced with its plate-shaped body into the gap 13 between the elongated elements 11, 12. V/hen the locking member 16 is laid against the oblique bearing surface 10, the coupling device 3 is caused to bear, by the weight of the bracket, against the wall surface 2 with its two supporting surfaces 18, 19. The supporting element 39 is also applied against the wall surface 2 by the weight of the brackets. BAD ORIGINAL (ft _____ VIPO After that the lower locking member 22 is brought into position as a result of the fact that the pin 22 is introduced into the locking position with the handle 23 turned angularly so that the projections 3 can pass through the bores 24, 25, after which the locking device is changed over, by turning the pin through about a quarter of a turn, into the locking position with the handle directed substantially downwards. The bores 24-26 are so placed that there is a little clearance between the pin 22 and the stop surface 34-, on the one hand to facilitate the introduction and withdrawal of the pin and on the other hand in view of reasonable manufacturing tolerances. As a result of the construction of the device according to the invention, the brackets 4 have a stable and firm suspension wherein the brackets 4 and the loading act ' ng on these from the working plat¬ forms and their load is transmitted to the wall surface 2 via the two elements 11, 1.2 of the coupling device 3, the two locking members 15, .22 to the holder element 1 via the bearing or stop surfaces 10, 34. These extend substantially transversely to the main plane of the hf-lder element and as a result of their comparatively great width form a satisfactory guide for the brackets together ith the two supporting surfaces 18, 19 situated spaced apart and the two guide surfaces 14, 1 - In the example shown, the bearing surfaces 10, 34 ere divided into two portions 55, 56 which are at an angle to one another with an intervening rounded surface 57, as a result of which a satisfactory bearing surface is obtained for the locking members 15, 22. As a result of this taking up of the load, the holder element 1 is exposed, in its material, mainly to tensile stresses which involve little risk of breakage for the majority of steel qualities which occur. BAD As a result of suitably selected toughness in the material of the holder element 1 , a certain bending and other deformation is permitted without risk of breakage under relatively heavy loads. With low or normal loading, the loading is transmitted to the holder element 1 primarily via the upper locking member 16 which transmits to its bearing surface 10 both a downwardly directed and an outwardly directed component of force from the wall surface 2. An increased loading is successively transmitted to the lower locking member 22 as a result of the fact that the upper locking member 16 tends to move ever more outwards, leading either to deformation in the stop surface 10 or to the locking member 16 sliding upwards somewhat as a result of the inclination of the stop surface. This thus Isads to a successively increasing pressure from the lower locking member 22 against the stop surface 3 . This distribution of the load leads to an every more symmetrical loading both of the holder element 1 and of the coupling member and so results in an exceptional loading tolerance in the device according to the invention. Dismantling of the work stand takes place in a very reliable manner as a result of the fact that the brackets 3re held without help in their hooked up state during the time when the locking device 21 is released by angular turning of the pins 22 and withdrawal, after which the brackets can __ lifted off after they h^ e been freed from their working platforms 36. The lifting off takes place very simply by lifting upwards and outwards from the wall surface 2. The reversibility obtained by the symmetrical shape of the holder element 1 is particularly advantageous for these applications, for example in the shipbuilding industry, where large sections of vessels are prefabricate elsewhere using work stands and are moved for a final mounting when the section in question is turned through BAD ORIGINAL 180°. In this case, the holding element 1 can remain in place and serve as a securing means for the scaffold even in its reversed state with the former downward facing portion 6 turned upwards, forming a hooking member while the portion 5 . previously facing upwards, is turned downwards for cooperation with the locking device 21. In Figure 7, a side view is shown of an advantageous alternative form of embodiment of the holder element, the reference numerals in this figure being increased by a hundred in relation to corresponding parts in ccnnection with earlier figures. In this case, too, the holder element 101 is a plate-shaped element which is cut out of a plate or the like for example. Like the holder element described above, this holder element 101 is symmetrical and can be turned about a central imaginary horizontal axis of symmetry and in addition is symmetrical and can be .urned about a vertical central axis of symmetry. Thus the holder element 101 is made with two plane side edges which form the securing surface 109 of the holder element. It is thus immaterial which of the two securing surfaces 109 is used, and as a result, on the one hand the advantage is obtained that a large securing surface and hence maximum anchoring in the wall surface is obtained in relation to the size of the holder element and on the other hand simplicity in handling as a result of the fact that there is the minimum risk of the holder element bein~ mounted wrongly. Thus the holder element 101 comprises four corner portions 105, 106 which thus correspond to the hooking up portions previously mentioned and two bearing or stop surfaces 110, 134 vrhich are formed by two recesses 58 facing away from one another. In order to obt-.in extra security against accidental unhooking, the two recesses 158 are made somewhat narrower in the outward direction as a result of the fact that each corner portion 105, 106 comprises a small rounded projection 159- Furtheι more, the bearing surfaces 110, 134 have such a shape that the upper supporting surfaces 18, 19 of the coupling device can be held pressed ag3inst the associated wall surface 2 without clearance. This is brought about as a result of the fact that the bearing surfaces 110, 13- have a certain inclination, which faces the wall surface 2 so that the locking member 16 is held in the recess without sliding in the recess to the maximum in the direction towards the right in the figure, that is to say in the direction away from the wall surface 2. The invention is not restricted to the examples of embodiment described above and shown in the drawings but may be varied within the scope of the following Patent Claims. The locking device 21 can be locked otherwise than by the combination of projections and recesses and may instead be made with a spring mechanism which can be moved downwards. Instead of a pin, a spring-loaded detent may be brought into cooperation with a portion of the holder element. The two upper supporting surfaces 13, 19 may be omitted or be replaced by a single broad coherent supporting surface. The bookable member 15 may be replaced by another member which connects the two elements 11, 12. For example, the two elements may be made in a .-.ingle unit bent into ϋ-shape which is suspended in reversed state, in w ich case no separate bar element is required. The release of the locking position can also be taken care of in a completely different manner then by withdrawing the one locking member 3 -. For example, this can be done as a result of the fact that the gap 13 in the coupling device is so designed that the locking members 16, 22 can be brought out of engagement with the bearing surfaces 10,34 of the holder element 1 by angular turning of the coupling device about an A ~ RIGINAL , axis parallel to the line of symmetry of the holder element. Alternatively, the one element 11 or 12 of the coupling device 3 can be made detachable in which case the release is brought about by lateral displacement of the coupling device 3 in relation to the holder member. In certain cases, no lower supporting surface is needed, for example with a scaffold between two opposite walls, where each bracket comprises a coupling device at each end and extends between two holder elements, one on each wall. The invention may also be applied to work stands which are suspended in a roof where the holder element is turned upwards with its supporting surface 9 and the bracket is replaced, for example, by a dcwnw-rdly directed arm. For the sake of clarity, it should be explained that the hooking-up portions ? 6 and the bearing surfaces 10, 3 have been given the same names both at the top and at the bottom because of the reversibility of the holder element 1. ore specificallj * -, the downward facing hookiήg-up portion 6 and the associated bearing surface 5^- form a stop member and a stop surface respectively, which are included in the locking device 21. BAD ORIGINAL

Claims: Patent Claims: 1. A device for supporting a work stand or the like detachably to a wall surface (2) or the like, which includes a supporting member (4) which originates from the securing surface and which is adapted to be hooked up, by means of a coupling device (3) fitted to the supporting member, in a holder element (1) fixed to the securing surface, and to be supported against the wall surface, below the coupling device (3) 0 by means of a lower supporting surface (39), characterise in that the holder element (1) is constructed in the form of a plate-shaped body which comprises at least one supporting surface (9) adapted to be fixed to the securing surface (2) and at least two hooking-up 5 portions (5, 6) which are directed away from one another and each of which h3S its own bearing surface (10,3-) partially turned towards the securing surface (2) and that the coupling device (3) comprises, on the one hand, two portions (11, 12) which are provided 0 with guide surfaces (l , 15) facing one another and which between them form a gap (13) adapted to receive the holder element, on the other hand two locking members (15) which are situated in the gap and which are adapted to be hooked up each by its own hooking- C up portion ( c , 5) and on the other h=nd a deviqe (21) which can be changed over between ? locking position and a releasing position snd which, in the locking position, ensures that the coupling device is held in the firmly hooked state and whic , in the releasing position, allows the coupling device to be unhooked from the holder element (1), and that the coupling device (3) comprises at least one upper supporting surface (18,19) by means of which the coupling device is adapted to bear against said wall surface (2) in the coupled state of the device. BAD ORIGINAL CM f _ ____ ~~ V/IPO ' 2. A device as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the bearing surface (10) for the hooking-up portion, which is effective in the up-turned position of use, is adapted, by inclination or bent shape, to ensure the bearing of the coupling device (3) against the wall surface (2) by its upper supporting surface (18, 19). 3. A device as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the coupling device (3) comprises two upper supporting surfaces (18, 19) which are situated at the same distance away from the member (16) which can be hooked up. 4. A device as claimed in Claim ~ , characterised in that said two upper supporting surfaces (13, 19) are formed by the edges of a plate (17) which is fixed to said two portions (11, 12) of the coupling device. 5. A device as claimed in one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that said device (21) which can be changed over is formed as a result of the fact that the one locking member (22) is construct2d as a pin which can be pushed through bores (24, 25) in said portions (11, 12) of the coupling device (3) and can be moved down out of the gap (13) into the releasing position. 6. A device as claimed in Claims 1 r 2, characterise in that each of the locking members (15, 22) is formed by a member, such as a bar or the like, which connects said two portions (11, 12) of the coupling device (3) and that said upper supporting surface (19) is situated at such a distance from the nearest locking member that the coupling device (3) is pressed with said unrer supnortins- surface against the wall surface (2) by the cooperation of the associated bearing surface (10) with said locking member. 7. A device as claimed in one -of the preceding Claims, characterised in that said two portions (11, 12) of the coupling device (3) consist of two U-sections, the arms ( ^, 28) of which are directed away from one another and which are mutually connected at the top by means of at least the one locking member (16). 8. A device as claimed in Claim 7, characterised in that the pin (22) comprises at least one laterally directed locking member (31) and at its outer end a handle (23) by means of which the pin can be changed over between two angular positions, namely one angular position which is assumed in the locking position of the pin in which said locking member (31) prevents withdrawal of the pin, and a second angular position in which said locking member (51) is able to pass through at least one corresponding recess (32, 33) in said bores (2^-, 25). 9. A device as claimed in one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that the bearing surface (10) is divided into two component surfaces (55, 55) which are set at an angle to one another and which between • them comprise a rounded transition (57) in which the member (15) w^ich can be hooked up is adapted to rest in the hooked-up state of the coupling device (3)- 10. A device as claimed in iai^ - _ characterised in that the holder element (1) is made symmetrical in mirror ima~e in relation to two central axes of symmetry crossing one another, as a result of which the holder element comprises four corner portions which form said hookinπ-up portions (10 c , 105) and two recesses facing away from one another, comprising said bearing surfaces (110, 13'O and two securing surfaces (109) facing away from one another as a result of which the holder element BAD ORIGINAL OMPI can be turned as desired with either of the two recesses (158) facing upwards and with either of the two securing surfaces (109) fixed to the wall surface (2).

Inventors: WALLTHER H
Applicants: STAELLNINGSGRUPPEN GOETEBORG A, WALLTHER H, STAELLNINGSGRUPPEN GOETEBORG AB
Application year: 1981
Main classification: E04G5
IPC codes: A47G29, B63C5, E04G5