SCAFFOLDING SUPPORT ARRANGEMENT

Abstract: A support arrangement (20) is provided for a scaffolding assembly having spaced uprights (12, 14) and platform supporting carriages adjustable positionable along the uprights. The support arrangement has a support frame (21) for each upright, and adjacent support frames are interconnected. Each support frame has two or more spaced legs (22, 24) interconnected by a structure member (28) which includes an upright support member for an upright. The structure member and the means connecting the adjacent support frames are adjustable in length. The legs can also be made individually adjustable for allowing the support arrangement to be substantially horizontal in different terrains. Each leg has a pivotally connected foot (23) for ground contact so that the support arrangement is substantially vertical in different terrains. A guard rail arrangement is also provided for the scaffolding assembly. The rail arrangement has spaced L-shaped rail supports and fixing means for fixing the rail supports to respective uprights. The fixing means can be adjusted for fixing to different positions on the uprights and for connecting to different positions on the rail supports for allowing the rail arrangement suitable for use by people working at buildings of any roof pitch.

Description: SCAFFOLDING SUPPORT ARRANGEMENT TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION THIS INVENTION relates to a support arrangement and a guard rail arrangement for a scaffolding assembly and in particular but not limited thereto, to an adjustable support arrangement for a portable scaffolding assembly for use adjacent to a low-rise building including any of domestic and light industrial or commercial buildings. BACKGROUND ART The applicant has previously proposed a scaffolding assembly in the International Patent Application No. WO 96/00336. The full disclosure of WO 96/00336 is incorporated in the present description and should be considered parts of the present description. The scaffolding assembly has spaced uprights along wall structures. Each upright has its low end on the ground and its upper end coupled to the building using building engagement means. Whilst this scaffolding assembly provides substantial improvement over its immediate prior art the applicant has found that building engagement means may not be appropriate in certain situations. Stability and adaptability for different terrain are desirable factors in a scaffolding design. The prior art scaffolding assembly has a roof fence which is fixed in position. This roof fence is not suitable for certain building roof pitch and soffits. An object of the present invention is to provide a support arrangement for alleviating at least to some degree one or more of the above prior art disadvantages. Another object of the present invention is to provide a roof fence arrangement for a scaffolding assembly which alleviates or reduces to some degree one or more of the prior art disadvantages. OUTLINE OF THE INVENTION In one aspect therefore the present invention resides in a support arrangement for a scaffolding assembly having at least one upright. The support arrangement comprises at least one support frame having two or more spaced leg members which are interconnected by a structural member adapted to support the at least one upright. Preferably the structural member includes a retaining means for retaining the at least one upright in position. The retaining means may be configured so that the at least one upright is frictionally retained thereby. In one form the retaining means includes spaced plate members defining a gap therebetween. The gap is conveniently predetermined so that the at least one upright can be frictionally retained therein. Alternatively the at last one upright can be removably or fixedly secured in the gap by, for example, pin and hole arrangement, bolt or screw type fasteners or welding. Typically each of the plate means is a L-shaped angled iron plate and the iron plates are arranged back-to- back to define the gap. In another preferred form the structural member includes a hollow support member to which the at leat one upright is supported. More preferably the support member is disposed vertically and between the spaced leg members. Advantageously the support member is provided with an adjustment means for adjustably supporting the at least one upright. The adjustment means may be in the form of a telescopic arrangement wherein the vertical position of the at least one upright is adjustably supported. In a typical form the adjustment means includes a plurality of spaced holes along the support member and a plurality of corresponding spaced holes along the at least one upright. If desired, the retaining means may adopt the adjustment means for adjusting the position of the upright. In use, the at least one upright is located within the hollow of the support member or within the retaining means and is then adjusted to a desired position where certain holes in the upright are aligned with respective holes in the support member or the retaining means. One or more pins are then inserted into the aligned holes for positioning the at least one upright at the desired position. It is also preferred that the or each support frame is provided with space adjustable means for adjusting the space between adjacent leg members. In a typical form the space adjustment means is provided by a telescopic arrangement on at least one lateral section of the structural member. Each lateral section may include a first hollow section having spaced holes along its length, and a second hollow section having spaced holes along its length. The first section is adjustably positionable within the second hollow section. Whereby a desired space between the leg members can be selected by adjusting the relative positions of the first and second sections. As for the upright, one or more pins are inserted through aligned holes for maintaining the positions of the sections. Advantageously each leg member is provided with a foot part adapted for ground contact. The leg member may also include a first leg section and a second leg section which is adjustably connectable to the first leg section. The foot part is preferably pivotal ly connected to the second leg section whereby the support arrangement can be adapted for different terrains. More preferably the first and second leg sections are telescopic for height adjustment. A screw jack member may also be fixedly or removably connected to each leg member for height adjustment or to maintain the support arrangement substantially horizontal in different terrains. The support arrangement may include one or more wheel assemblies so that the support arrangement can be wheeled from one position to another position. The one or more wheel assemblies can be fixed to the structured member or to respective leg members. One or more cross braces are advantageously employed for improving the structural strength of each support frame. Preferably one or more braces are also arranged on adjacent support frames. Each upright may also be braced. Preferably a bracing piece is secured between the top of the upright and the support frame. In another form of the present invention there is provided a scaffolding assembly having a support arrangement as described hereinbefore, at least one upright retained or supported on the structural member, a carriage means movable along the upright and selectively positionable at a selected position on the upright, a fence means supported on the carriage means and a bracing member connected between the upright and the support arrangement. The fence means may comprise a vertical member extending from the free end of the carriage, and one or more rail members extending from the vertical member. Typically the fence means has at least one first rail members extending from the vertical member towards an adjacent upright and at least one second rail member extending from the vertical member towards the upright. Advantageously the fence means has at least one third rail member extending from the upright. The third rail member(s) may be supported on the carriage or on a second vertical member extending from the carriage. Conveniently a bridging piece is provided for connection between the top ends of adjacent uprights. In a further form of the present invention, there is provided a guard rail arrangement for a scaffolding assembly. The guard rail arrangement comprises a substantially L-shaped support member, fixing means for adjustably fixing one arm of the support member to an upright of the scaffolding assembly, and one or more guard rail members fixedly or removably connected to the other arm of the support member. The guard rail arrangement may be adapted for guarding people working on a platform of the scaffolding assembly, or people working on a roof adjacent to the scaffolding assembly. Preferably the fixing means is slidable or movable along the upright for adjusting the height of the rail arrangement. More preferably the fixing means is configured for adjustable fixing to the one arm of the L-shaped member so that the spacing between the one or more rail members and the upright/roof is adjustable. The fixing means may have a first part adapted for slidable or movable fixing to the upright, and a second part with an opening for receiving said one arm of the L-shaped support member. The first part is preferably substantially channel-shaped having spaced leg portions and a web portion joining the leg portions. In use the upright is received in the spaced between the leg portions. Conveniently, the fixing means includes one or more fixing members for fixing the fixing means to the upright. Said first part may have one or more holes in each leg portion for receiving a bolt for fixing the fixing means to the upright. Other known forms of fixing means include clamps and the like are contemplated by the applicant. The second part conveniently has one or more tensioning means for adjustably positioning the L-shaped support member in the opening. The one or more rail members are preferably fixed to the other arm of the L-shaped support member by respective connection members. Conveniently each connection member is configured for removably clamping a rail member to the said other arm. Each connection member can be in the form of a J-shape bolt for positioning in an aperture in the said other arm. Preferably the guard rail assembly has a plurality of guard rail members arranged on one or more sides of the other arm. Desirably the plurality of rail members are arranged on opposite sides of the other arm. More desirably the rail members on one side of the other arm are offset in relation to the rail members on the other side. The adjustability of the guard rail arrangement in terms of height and distance form the roof results in a very adaptable system. In particular the assembly can be used for buildings with varying roof pitches, different soffit sizes and different gutter sizes, etc. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order that the present invention can be more readily understood and be put into practical effect, reference will now be made the accompanying drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and wherein:- Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a support frame assembly according to one form of the present invention; Figure 2 illustrates a side view of the support frame of Figure 1 ; Figure 3 illustrates a top view of a support frame of Figure 1 where the space between two leg members is adjustable; Figure 4 illustrates a side view of the support frame of Figure 3; Figure 5 illustrates a partial view of an upright of a scaffolding assembly; Figure 6 illustrates a height adjustable leg members of the support frame according to the one form of the present invention; Figure 7 illustrates a side view of a foot part of the leg member shown in Figure 6; and Figure 8 illustrates a front view of the foot part shown in Figure 7; Figure 9 is a perspective view illustrating a support frame assembly according to a second form of the present invention; Figure 10 is a perspective view illustrating a platform support assembly according to a third form of the present invention; Figure 1 1 is a perspective of a upright for the scaffolding assembly according to the present invention; Figure 12 is a perspective view of a scaffolding assembly embodying forms of the present invention shown respectively in Figures 9 and 10; Figure 13 is a side view showing various components of the scaffolding assembly according to the present invention. Figure 14 is a side view of a roof guard rail assembly according to the present invention; and Figures 1 5 to 1 7 are different views of a fixing means for the assembly shown in Figure 14. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring initially to Figure 1 , there is shown a scaffolding assembly 10 employing a support frame arrangement 20 according to the present invention. The scaffolding assembly 10 comprises spaced uprights 12 and 14 and an adjustable platform 16 secured between the uprights 1 2 and 14. Hand winches 18 and 1 9 are provided for independently raising or lowering respective carriages 18A and 1 9A incrementally in turn in order to raise or lower the platform 1 6 which is pivotally supported to the carriages 18A and 1 9A. The assembly 10 can be the same or similar to that described in the applicant's International Patent Application No. WO 96/00336. The support frame arrangement 20 has a number of spaced support frames 21 . Each support frame 21 is adapted to support one of the uprights 12, 14 and includes two spaced leg members 22 and 24, and a structure member 26 connected between the leg members 22, 24. The support structure has a hollow support member 28 provided with a plurality of holes 29 along its length. The lower part of each upright 12, 14 has a number of corresponding spaced holes 1 3 and is telescopically supported in the support member 28. Pins (not shown) inserted through aligned holes 29 and 1 3 for maintaining the upright 12, 14 in the selected position. Each leg member 22, 24 has a first hollow section 22A, 24A and a second hollow section 22B, 24B. Each second hollow section 22B, 24B is pivotally connected to a foot 23 for ground contact. The foot 23 allows the support frame 21 to be in an upright position irrespective of the slope of the terrain. Each of the second leg sections 22B, 24B has a number of spaced holes 25, by which the height of the support frame 12 can be adjusted by aligning one of the holes 25 with a hole 27 in the first leg section 22A, 24A. The height is maintained by a pin 31 through the aligned holes 25 and 27. A brace 30 is secured between leg members 22 of adjacent support frames 21 . For clarity only one brace 30 is shown in the drawings. In practice, a second brace (not shown) is also secured between leg members 24. A cross brace 32 is secured between spaced lateral members 34 and 36 of the structure 26 for reinforcing the structural strength of the support frame 20. Each of the lateral members 34 and 36 has two telescopic parts 34A, 34B, 36A and 36B for providing space adjustability between the leg members 22 and 24. Referring to the support frame assembly shown in Figure 9, the assembly employs a support frame arrangement 120 according to one form of the present invention. The support arrangement 120 has a pair of support frames 121 for supporting adjacent uprights 1 12, 1 14 (see Figure 12). Each support frame 121 is adapted for supporting one of the adjacent uprights 1 12, 1 14 and includes two spaced leg members 122 and 124, and a structural member 126 connected between the leg members 122, 124. The structure member 126 has two spaced L-shaped members 127a and 127b defining a gap 128 therebetween. The width of the gap 128 is predetermined so that members 127a and 127b can accommodate an upright 1 12 or 1 14 in position. The uprights 1 12, 1 14 as shown more clearly in Figure 13 is connected to a lateral frame member 1 34 by a pin and hole arrangement. Each upright 1 12, 1 14 may also be secured in that position by a pin and hole type arrangement provided on members 127a and 127b as described with reference to Figures 1 to 8. Alternatively a support plate (not shown) can be secured to the bottom ends of members 127a and 127b for supporting the upright. Each leg member 122, 124 has a first hollow section 122a, 124a and a second hollow sections 122b, 124b. Each second hollow section 122b, 124b is connected to a foot member 123 for ground contact. While the foot members 123 as shown in Figures 9 and 12 are fixedly connected to the section 124b, other connection arrangement is contemplated by the applicant, includes the pivotal connection described with reference to Figures 1 to 8. While not shown in Figures 9 and 12, it is understood that the sections 122a, 124a and corresponding sections 122b and 124b can be configured for telescopic adjustment as described with Figures 1 to 8. Each structure member 126 further includes vertically spaced lateral frame members 1 34, 1 36 connected to the leg members 122 and 124. Pin members 1 35a are inserted in holes 1 35b on the leg members 124, 122. The pins 1 35a are dimensioned so that they protrudes from opposing sides of the leg members 124, 122. Each frame member 1 34, 136 has through holes 135b at their ends, and the holes 1 35b are adapted for accepting the pins 1 35a. Bracing means 132 are connected as shown for strengthening the structure member 126. Adjacent structure members 126 are spaced by a pair of longitudinal structure members 1 30. Each member 1 30 includes horizontal tubular sections 140 and 142 having a hollow which is dimensioned for accepting pin members 1 35a. Vertical sections 144 and cross brace sections 146 are connected as shown. Figure 10 shows a platform support 1 50 for supporting platforms as described in the applicant's prior application. The support 1 50 includes a pair of carriages 1 18a and 1 19a arranged for slidable movement on respective uprights 1 12 and 1 14 as shown in Figure 12, and safety guard means or fence for minimising chances of falling off the platform. The guard means comprises spaced longitudinal rail members 1 52 and spaced lateral rail members 1 54 connected as shown. The uprights 1 12 and 1 14 are braced at their tops with a bracing member 160. Stability of the scaffold assembly is further enhanced by an outrigger type bracing member 162 connected between each upright 1 12, 1 14 and each leg member 122. A cap member 164 is provided on the top end of each upright 1 12, 1 14 and the cap member 164 also serves as connection point to the member 162. Figure 1 3 shows the connection arrangement between the structure member 126 with other components of the scaffolding assembly. Referring to Figure 14, the uprights 1 12, 1 14 of the scaffolding system 120 is adapted to support a roof guard rail assembly 200. The assembly 200 has a L- shaped rail support member 202 having one arm 204 adjustably fixed to the upright 1 12, 1 14 by a column clamp 208. The other arm 206 of the member 202 supports two arrays of railings 210. The arm 206 has apertures 212 through which J-bolts 214 are fixed thereby clamping the railings 210 to the arm 206. Tensioning bolts 216 on the clamp 208 are provided for adjustably positioning the arm 204 on the upright 1 12, 1 14 so that the distance between a roof (not shown) and the railings 210 can be adjusted. Figure 1 5 shows a side view of the clamp 208 and Figures 16 and 1 7 are respective top and front views of the clamp 208. As shown the clamp 208 has a channel-shaped first part 216 and a second part 218 with an opening 220 for receiving arm 204. In use the clamp 208 is positioned along the upright 1 12, 1 14 for adjusting the height of the guard assembly 202. Fixing bolts 1 1 1 through apertures 224 are then tightened for clamping the fixing means 208 in that position. The position of the arm 204 is then adjusted by sliding in the opening 220 until the desired distance between the roof and the railing 210 is reached. The tensioning bolts 216 are screwed in for fixing the arm 204 position. In Figures 16 and 1 7 one of the bolts 216 is removed for showing a threaded hole 226. Whilst the above has been given by way of illustrative example of the present invention many variations and modifications thereto will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the broad ambit and scope of the invention as herein set forth.

Claims: CLAIMS 1 . A support arrangement for a scaffolding assembly having at least one upright, the arrangement comprises at least one support frame having two or more spaced leg members, a structure member interconnecting the spaced leg members and is adapted to support the at least one upright. 2. The support arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the scaffolding assembly have a plurality of spaced uprights and the arrangement comprising a plurality of said at least one support frame and said frames being adapted to support respective said uprights. 3. The support arrangement according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the or each said structural member includes a retaining means for retaining the or one of said uprights in position. 4. The support arrangement according to claim 3 wherein the retaining means having spaced plate members defining the gap therebetween, the gap being arranged for accommodating the retained upright. 5. The support arrangement according to claim 3 wherein the retaining means having a hollow support member for supporting the retained upright in the hollow thereof. 6. The support arrangement according to claim 4 or 5 wherein the arrangement having fixing means for removably fixing the or each said upright to the respective structure member. 7. The support arrangement according to claim 6 wherein the or each structural member having adjustment means for adjustably supporting one said upright so that its height is adjustable. 8. The support arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the or each structure member having means for adjusting the space between adjacent leg members. 9. The support arrangement according to claim 1 wherein each leg member having a foot part adapted for ground contact. 10. The support arrangement according to claim 9 wherein the foot part is pivotally connected so that the structural member remains substantially vertical in different terrain. 1 1 . The support arrangement according to claim 1 wherein each leg member includes means for adjusting its height. 12. The support arrangement according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the arrangement having one or more wheels so that it can be wheeled to different positions. 1 3. The support arrangement according to claim 1 or 2 wherein first bracing means are provided between adjacent leg members. 14. The support arrangement according to claim 1 or 2 wherein second bracing means are provided between adjacent support frames. 1 5. A guard rail arrangement for a scaffolding assembly having at least one upright, the rail arrangement comprises a substantially L-shaped support member for the or each upright, fixing means for adjustably fixing one arm of the or each support member to a respective upright and the or each other arm being fixedly or removably connected to one or more guard rail members. 16. The rail arrangement according to claim 1 5 wherein the arrangement being positioned at or adjacent to a platform of the scaffolding assembly for protecting people working on the platform. 1 7. The rail arrangement according to claim 1 5 wherein the arrangement being positioned at or adjacent to a roof for protecting people working or adjacent to the roof. 18. The rail arrangement according to claim 1 5 wherein the fixing means is slidable or movable along the or each upright for adjusting the height thereof. 19. The rail arrangement according to claim 15 wherein the fixing means is configured for adjustably fixing to the or each one arm so that the spacing between the one or more rail members and the or each upright or roof is adjustable. 20. The rail arrangement according to claim 1 5 wherein the arrangement includes connection means for connecting the one or more rail members to the or each other arm. 21 . The rail arrangement according to claim 1 5 wherein the connection means includes J-shaped connection members for removably clamping said one or more rail members to the or each other arm. 22. The rail arrangement according to claim 15 wherein the fixing means having a fixing member for the or each one arm, the fixing member including a clamping part for adjustably clamping the fixing means to the upright and a connection part for adjustably connecting the support member to the upright. 23. The rail arrangement according to claim 22 wherein the clamping part having a U-shaped channel for receiving the upright and being slidable there along, and a clamping integer for clamping the fixing means to upright at a selected position on the upright, and the connection part having a through hole opening in a direction substantially perpendicular to the channel and the one arm of the support member being adjustably positioned in the hole. 24. A scaffolding assembly comprising spaced uprights, a carriage on each upright and the carriage is slidably positionable along an associated upright, a platform supported by adjacent carriages and means for positioning the carriages along the uprights and thereby adjusting the height of the platform, the assembly further includes the support arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14 and/or the rail arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 23.

Inventors: REYLAND SHANE TREVOR, RYAN NICHOLAS PETER, WATSON SHAUN NICHOLAS, REYLAND, SHANE, TREVOR, RYAN, NICHOLAS, PETER, WATSON, SHAUN, NICHOLAS
Applicants: KOOKOALA IND PTY LTD, REYLAND SHANE TREVOR, RYAN NICHOLAS PETER, WATSON SHAUN NICHOLAS, KOOKOALA INDUSTRIES PTY. LTD., REYLAND, SHANE, TREVOR, RYAN, NICHOLAS, PETER, WATSON, SHAUN, NICHOLAS
Application year: 1997
Main classification: E04G1
IPC codes: E04G1