Patent Publication Number: US-2015075911-A1

Title: Supporting element for scaffolds

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present patent concerns the sector of accessories for building construction applications and in particular it concerns a new supporting element for scaffolds. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Scaffolds are known, meaning assemblies of tubes and linear elements connected to one another and joined in such a way as to constitute an assembly of vertical bearing elements, horizontal elements supporting the walk-on structures and diagonal stiffening elements. 
     The lower vertical bearing elements are provided at their lower end with a base resting on the ground. 
     Said base resting on the ground comprises a quadrangular or circular plane element, suited to rest on the ground on a sufficiently large surface, provided generically at its center with a tubular element or another linear element, suited to be inserted in and constrained to the lower end of each vertical bearing element. 
     The weight of the scaffold is discharged onto the ground through said bearing bases. 
     When said scaffolds are prepared, it is necessary for the surface on which the bearing bases rest to be homogeneous, stable and horizontal. 
     When the ground on which the bearing bases of the scaffold must rest is not sufficiently homogeneous and/or stable, for example in the case of sand, wooden boards are presently positioned between the scaffold&#39;s bearing base and the ground. 
     Each wooden board is larger than the bearing base and thus the weight transmitted by the scaffold&#39;s bearing base is distributed on a larger surface on the ground. 
     Said wooden boards are used also in the case where an area of the surface on which one of the scaffold&#39;s bearing bases must rest is at a lower level with respect to the other areas of the same surface. One or more wooden boards are superimposed in such a way as to obtain a supporting surface at the same height as the supporting surface of the other similar bearing bases of the scaffold. 
     The use of wooden boards however causes various problems and drawbacks. Wooden boards are not safe, since they are subject to wear and deterioration, even if this is not visible. 
     Wooden boards can break into pieces due to the weight of the scaffold. 
     The scaffold&#39;s bearing bases can slip on the surface of wooden boards. 
     The various wooden boards that are superimposed in order to bring a bearing base to level with the others can slip on each other. 
     In order to prevent them from slipping, the bearing bases are fixed to the wooden boards with nails, or alternatively the various superimposed wooden boards are nailed to one another. This requires a nailing operation that does not eliminate the risk of slipping and in any case requires a successive operation to remove the nails. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In order to overcome all the above mentioned drawbacks, a new supporting element for scaffolds has been designed and constructed. 
     It is one object of the invention to provide a new supporting element for scaffolds that can distribute the weight of the scaffold on surfaces that are not sufficiently homogeneous and/or stable. 
     It is another object of the invention to construct a new supporting element for scaffolds that provides a firm surface, not subject to deterioration, on which the bearing bases of the scaffolds can rest. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a new supporting element for scaffolds that prevents any slipping of the bearing bases under which it is positioned. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a new supporting element for scaffolds that allows two or more supporting elements to be stacked with no risk of slipping. 
     These and other direct and complementary objects are achieved by the new supporting element for scaffolds comprising a lower supporting plane or plate, an upper perimeter wall that is orthogonal to said lower plane or plate, ribs distributed on the upper side of said lower plane or plate, a projection or wall in the shape of a quadrilateral above said ribs. 
     The lower plane or plate, preferably rectangular in shape, constitutes the underside of the new supporting element that rests on the ground. 
     Along the edge of said lower plane or plate there is a perimeter wall, orthogonal to said lower plane or plate and facing upwards. 
     Said perimeter wall constitutes a contact and abutting edge for identical supporting elements placed side by side. 
     Vertical ribs are provided on said lower plane or plate, in the area included in and delimited by said perimeter wall. 
     Said vertical ribs are distributed on the entire upper side of the lower plane or plate and can be organized in different manners, for example: 
     in two parallel series at the sides of the lower plane or plate; 
     in two or more non-orthogonal series at the sides of the lower plane or plate; 
     radially from the center of the lower plane or plate. 
     Said vertical ribs constitute supporting elements for the scaffold&#39;s bearing base. Furthermore, said vertical ribs, in cooperation with said perimeter wall, constitute a bearing stiffening structure of the new supporting element and distribute the weight transmitted by the scaffold&#39;s bearing base onto the entire lower plane or plate. 
     Above said vertical ribs there is a projection or wall in the shape of a quadrilateral, substantially at the center of the lower plane or plate, with the sides parallel to the sides of said lower plane or plate. 
     Said projection or wall in the shape of a quadrilateral delimits the position where the scaffold&#39;s bearing base rests on the ribs of the new element and prevents said bearing base from slipping on the upper edges of the ribs themselves. 
     According to the invention, the new supporting element can be provided at its top, in addition to or instead of said projection or wall in the shape of a quadrilateral, a linear element orthogonal to the lower supporting plane or plate and positioned above said upper vertical ribs, suited to be accommodated in the lower hole of a vertical bearing element of the scaffold. 
     The underside of the lower plane or plate is provided with grooves, parallel to the perimeter walls of the new supporting element, suited to house and be coupled with the quadrilateral projection or wall of an identical lower supporting element or with the quadrilateral projections or walls of two identical adjacent lower supporting elements that are orthogonal to the new superimposed supporting element. 
     The invention includes indicators, marks or references on the perimeter wall, in suitable positions, in such a way as to make it easier to position two identical new supporting elements side by side and to couple a new supporting element with two new lower supporting elements positioned side by side and orthogonal to the new upper supporting element. 
     According to the invention, the underside of said lower plane or plate can be provided with recesses and/or projections that are such as to prevent the new supporting element from slipping. 
     Said lower plane or plate is provided with holes or through openings suited to allow the passage of screws, screw anchors or other anchoring elements suited to fix and lock the new supporting element onto firm surfaces, like for example concrete surfaces or slabs. 
     Connection seats for connection elements between new supporting elements are provided on at least two perimeter walls, and if necessary in corresponding positions on the lower plane or plate. 
     Each connection element is generically linear in shape and has at its ends a coupling portion suited to fit and be coupled in the connection seats provided in each connection element. 
     Each connection element comprises at least two substantially linear elements, suited to be accommodated partially inside each other, and suited to be coupled in different positions, coaxially aligned so as to adapt the length of said connection element to the distance between two new supporting elements. According to the invention, the new supporting element may be provided with at least one level positioned so as to be centered when the upper edge of the upper vertical ribs is horizontal. 
     According to a second embodiment of the new supporting element, the underside of said lower plane or plate, or said projections present on the underside of said lower plane or plate, may even be not parallel to the plane passing through the upper edge of the upper ribs but forms/form a predetermined angle with the plane passing through the upper edge of the upper vertical ribs. 
     In this second embodiment of the new supporting element there are different supporting elements, wherein the angles between the lower supporting plane or plate and the plane passing through the edges of the upper ribs have different predetermined amplitudes, for example 2.5°-5°-7°-10°-15°, if necessary identified by different colors, so that they can be used in the cases where the existing supporting plane is not horizontal. 
     Making reference to the angles indicated above by way of example, it is possible to compensate for a 12.5° gradient by superimposing a supporting element with 10° inclination and a supporting element with 2.5° inclination. Furthermore, it is possible to use two superimposed inclined supporting elements having the same inclination but rotated by 180° with respect to each other in order to obtain a plane supporting element. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The characteristics of the new supporting element for scaffolds will be illustrated in greater detail in the following description, making reference to the drawings that are enclosed by way of non-limiting example. 
         FIGS. 1 and 2  show an axonometric top view and an axonometric bottom view of a supporting element for scaffolds according to the invention. 
         FIG. 3  shows a supporting element positioned on the ground to accommodate the bearing base of a scaffold on its top. 
         FIG. 4  shows two supporting elements positioned side by side and a third supporting element is positioned on them. 
         FIG. 5  shows the two linear elements that provide a connection element. 
         FIGS. 6   a ,  6   b  and  6   c  show possible connection configurations of the two linear elements of a connection element according to the invention. 
         FIG. 7  shows the use of a connection element suited to connect and make integral with each other two adjacent supporting elements. 
         FIGS. 8 and 9  show how two or more superimposed supporting elements can be used to compensate for differences in height between various supporting areas of a scaffold. 
         FIGS. 10 and 11  show an axonometric top view and an axonometric bottom view of a supporting element according to the invention that includes a lower supporting plane or plate and ribs distributed on the lower plane or plate. 
         FIG. 12  shows an example of use of several supporting elements that are inclined in to compensate for the gradient of a bearing surface of a supporting element. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  respectively show an axonometric top view and an axonometric bottom view of the new supporting element (A) for scaffolds. The new supporting element for scaffolds comprises a lower supporting plane or plate (A 1 ), an upper perimeter wall (A 2 ) orthogonal to said lower plane or plate (A 1 ), ribs (A 3 . 1 , A 3 . 2 ) distributed on top of said lower plane or plate (A 1 ), a projection or wall in the shape of a quadrilateral (A 4 ) positioned on top of said ribs. 
     The lower plane or plate (A 1 ) is rectangular in shape and constitutes the underside, suited to be rested on the ground, of the new supporting element (A). 
     The underside (A 1 . 1 ) of said lower plane or plate can be provided with grooves (A 1 . 2 ) and projections (A 1 . 3 ) that are such as to prevent the new supporting element (A) from slipping. 
     Along the edge of said lower plane or plate (A 1 ) there is a perimeter wall (A 2 ), orthogonal to said lower plane or plate (A 1 ) and facing upwards. 
     Said perimeter wall (A 2 ) constitutes a contact and abutting edge for identical supporting elements (A) placed side by side. 
     On top of said lower plane or plate (A 1 ), in the area included in and delimited by said perimeter wall (A 2 ), there are vertical ribs (A 3 . 1 , A 3 . 2 ). 
     Said vertical ribs (A 3 . 1 , A 3 . 2 ) are distributed on the entire upper side of the lower plane or plate (A 1 ) and are organized in two series, of which a first series 
     (A 3 . 1 ) is organized according to a radial pattern from the center of the lower plane or plate (A 1 ) and a second series (A 3 . 2 ) is organized in concentric circles located in the central area of said lower plane or plate (A 1 ). 
     Said vertical ribs (A 3 . 1 , A 3 . 2 ) constitute supporting elements for the bearing base (B) of the scaffold. 
     Said vertical ribs (A 3 . 1 , A 3 . 2 ), in cooperation with said perimeter wall (A 2 ), constitute a stiffening bearing structure for the new supporting element (A) and distribute the weight transmitted by the bearing base (B) of the scaffold onto the entire lower plane or plate (A 1 ). 
     There is a projection or wall in the shape of a quadrilateral (A 4 ), positioned on top and at the center of the lower plane or plate (A 1 ) and having the sides parallel to the sides of said lower plane or plate (A 1 ). 
     Said projection or wall in the shape of a quadrilateral (A 4 ) is higher than said ribs (A 3 . 1 , A 3 . 2 ), delimits the position where the bearing base (B) of the scaffold rests on the ribs (A 3 . 1 , A 3 . 2 ) of the new element (A) and prevents said bearing base (B) from slipping on the upper edges of the ribs (A 3 . 1 , A 3 . 2 ). On at least two perimeter walls (A 2 ) and in the corresponding positions of the lower plane or plate (A 1 ) there are seats (A 5 ) and coupling walls or ribs (A 6 ) for connection of connecting elements (C) between new supporting elements (A). 
     The underside (A 1 . 1 ) of the lower plane or plate (A 1 ) is provided with grooves (A 1 . 4 ), parallel to the perimeter walls (A 2 ) of the new supporting element (A), suited to house and be coupled with the quadrilateral projection or wall (A 4 ) of an identical lower supporting element (A) or with the quadrilateral projections or walls (A 4 ) of two identical lower supporting elements (A) positioned side by side. 
     Said lower plane or plate (A 1 ) is provided with through holes or openings (A 1 . 5 ) suited to allow the passage of screws, screw anchors or other anchoring elements suited to fix and block the new supporting element (A) on firm surfaces, like for example concrete surfaces or slabs. 
     According to the invention, the new supporting element (A) is provided with a level (A 7 ) positioned so as to be centered when the upper edge of the upper vertical ribs (A 3 . 1 , A 3 . 2 ) is horizontal. 
     On the perimeter wall (A 2 ) there are indicators, marks or references (A 8 . 1 , A 8 . 2 , A 8 . 3 ) that are such as to make it easier to position two identical new supporting elements (A) side by side and to combine a new supporting element (A) with two new lower supporting elements (A) positioned side by side and orthogonal to the new upper supporting element (A). 
     The new supporting element (A) is positioned on the ground and accommodates the bearing base (B) of the scaffold on its top, as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     If the ground or surface is particularly non-homogeneous and/or unstable, two new supporting elements (A) are positioned side by side and a third supporting element (A) is positioned on them, said third supporting element (A) being orthogonal to the two lower supporting elements (A) and accommodating the bearing base (B) of the scaffold, as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 5  shows the two linear elements (C 1 , C 2 ) that constitute each connection element (C). 
     Each linear element (C 1 , C 2 ) has at one end a coupling portion (C 1   a,  C 2   a ) suited to be inserted in and coupled with the seats (A 5 ) and the connection ribs (A 6 ) of each supporting element (A). 
     Said two linear elements (C 1 , C 2 ) that constitute the connection element (C) are such that one of them (C 1   b ) is at least partially housed inside the other (C 2 ) and are provided with seats (C 1   b ) and couplings (C 2   b ) suited to prevent any mutual translation or movement. 
     In this example, a first linear element (C 1 ) comprises a body, with substantially square or rectangular cross section, having several seats (C 1   b ) for connection with and constraint to said second linear element (C 2 ) and having at one end a coupling portion (C 1   a ) suited to be inserted in and coupled with the seats (A 5 ) and the connection ribs (A 6 ) of each supporting element (A). The second linear element (C 2 ) comprises two parallel walls, between which the body of said first linear element (C 1 ) is housed, and several couplings (C 2   b ) suited to be housed in said seats (C 1   b ) in said first linear element (C 1 ). At each one of the two ends of said second linear element (C 2 ) there is a coupling portion (C 2   a ) suited to be inserted in and coupled with the seats (A 5 ) and the connection ribs (A 6 ) of each supporting element (A). 
       FIGS. 6   a ,  6   b  and  6   c  show some possible connection configurations of the two linear elements (CI, C 2 ) of the connection element (C). 
       FIG. 7  shows the use of a connection element (C) suited to connect and make integral with each other two adjacent new supporting elements (A). 
       FIGS. 8 and 9  show how two or more superimposed new supporting elements (A) can be used to compensate for differences in height between various supporting areas of the scaffold. Also in this case it is useful to connect adjacent supporting elements (A) by means of said connection elements (C). 
       FIGS. 10 and 11  respectively show an axonometric top view and an axonometric bottom view of a second embodiment of the new supporting element (A′) comprising a lower supporting plane or plate (A′ 1 ) and ribs (A′ 3 . 1 , A′ 3 . 2 ) distributed on said lower plane or plate (A′ 1 ). 
     The upper edges of said upper ribs (A′ 3 . 1 , A′ 3 . 2 ) lie on a plane that is not parallel to the lower supporting plane or plate (A′ 1 ). 
     Also in this second embodiment the inclined new supporting element (A′) comprises an upper rib in the shape of a quadrilateral (A′ 4 ) and lower grooves (A′ 1 . 4 ) suited to be respectively coupled with the lower grooves (A 1 . 4 , A′ 1 . 4 ) of an overlying supporting element (A, A′) and with the quadrilateral projection or wall (A 4 , A′ 4 ) of an underlying supporting element (A, A′). 
       FIG. 12  shows an example of use of several supporting elements (A′) that are inclined in such a way as to compensate for the gradient of the bearing surface of a supporting element (A), for example the ramp of a garage, with respect to a second adjacent supporting element (A). Both the supporting element (A), which rests directly on the bearing surface, and the inclined supporting elements (A′), which rest on the inclined bearing surface, are fixed to the respective bearing surface in such a way as to prevent them from moving or slipping. Also in this case the connection elements (C) are used to connect adjacent supporting elements (A, A′). 
     Therefore, with reference to the above description and the attached drawings, the following claims are expressed.