Patent Publication Number: US-2020299976-A1

Title: Scaffolding arrangement

Description:
This nonprovisional application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) to German Patent Application No. 10 2019 107 026.0, which was filed in Germany on Mar. 19, 2019, and which is herein incorporated by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a scaffolding arrangement, which is built onto a building wall, in particular onto a building outer wall. 
     Description of the Background Art 
     To fix a scaffolding to a building wall, eye bolts today are usually fixed in the building wall via an anchor. The scaffolding is then connected using the eye bolts. However, since the distance of the scaffolding from the building wall and thus also a shaft length of the eye bolt tend to increase, for example due to increasing insulation layer thicknesses or the thickness of the wall structures, the classic method for fixing the scaffolding to the building wall is reaching its limits. In particular, transverse forces may be insufficiently withstood in the case of long eye bolts, or the facade may become damaged immediately after its construction during the removal or unscrewing of the eye bolts deformed as a result of the force application. Facade anchor bolts are thus being increasingly used today, which are better suited to withstanding transverse forces, due to their load-tolerant shape, structural design and their material. These anchor bolts consequently remain on the building as permanent anchor bolts after the facade is built. They can therefore also be used and reused in the future, for example if another scaffolding must be constructed during a facade renovation. However, it is problematic that the scaffolding must be aligned relative to the permanent anchor bolt in order to ensure a secure fixing of the scaffolding to the building wall. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to improve the fixing of a scaffolding to a building wall. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the scaffolding arrangement comprises a plurality of anchor bolts arranged at a distance from each other at least in a horizontal direction, tube clamps connected to the anchor bolts as well as a rail extending at least essentially horizontally, which is fixed to the tube clamps. The scaffolding arrangement according to the invention furthermore comprises a scaffolding with a plurality of system frames arranged distributed at least laterally and optionally vertically, including decks and/or planks provided between the system frames and including rail elements as well as a connecting device for fixing the scaffolding to the rail. The connecting device provides a first coupling encompassing the rail, a second coupling encompassing a tube element of the scaffolding and a coupling connector for connecting the first coupling to the second coupling. 
     The special advantage of the invention is that the relative positioning of the scaffolding with respect to the anchor bolts fixed to the building wall may be provided less precisely. The rail thus acts as a compensating element. On the one hand, it is fixed to the building wall with the aid of the anchor bolts. On the other hand, the scaffolding may be fixed to any arbitrary location of the rail. An exact spatial assignment of the anchor bolts to an element of the scaffolding is therefore no longer needed during the use of the scaffolding arrangement according to the invention. 
     The core idea of the invention is thus to move away from the large number of individual fastening points, which are defined today by the eye or ring bolts, and toward a fastening rail, which offers a variety of attachment or fastening possibilities. If multiple rail posts are provided on the building wall, vertically spaced a distance apart, they define a fastening plane, on which the scaffolding may be very flexibly and simultaneously securely fixed. 
     In addition to the system frames, the decks or planks as well as the rail elements, the scaffolding may, of course, also comprise other components, such as cross-braces, threaded feet and longitudinally or transversely oriented toe boards. Rail posts, end rails or self-bearing longitudinal rails, which are oriented in the direction of the decks or planks and are suspended in the system frames, may be provided as rail elements. Moreover, elevator systems and/or stairs may be provided as part of the scaffolding. The specific geometry or dimensions and/or design of the scaffolding, however, plays a secondary role. In particular, the scaffolding arrangement according to the invention may be used for scaffoldings from different providers. 
     The anchor bolts may have an optimal or maximum distance regardless of the design of the scaffolding, so that preferably little work must be carried out when setting the anchor bolts, and the optical impairment of the facade is minimal. Two adjacent rails in the horizontal direction, which are preferably fixed in parallel to each other on the building wall, may preferably be spaced approximately four meters or two standard scaffolding heights apart. 
     The first coupling and/or the second coupling can be removably fixed to the coupling connector or may be displaced in a connector longitudinal direction. For example, a tube may be used as the coupling connector. Due to the displaceable or removable fixing of the couplings to the coupling connector, an improved tolerance compensation may advantageously be implemented with respect to the length of the coupling connector, and thus the distance of the scaffolding from the building wall, as well as with respect to the angle or inclination of the coupling connector. Tolerances which always occur when building the scaffolding may thus be optimally compensated for. 
     The second coupling of the connecting device can be fixed to a vertical brace of the system frame of the scaffolding. Due to the fixing to the vertically extended brace of the system frame, a vertical positioning of the coupling may advantageously take place as needed. A tolerance compensation in the height direction is very easily possible hereby. 
     The first coupling and/or the second coupling can have a double clamp-like design. Due to the double clamp-like design of the couplings, standardized components or those commonly used in scaffolding construction may be used. It may thus preferably also be provided that an outer diameter of the rail and/or an outer diameter of the tube of the connecting device may correspond to the outer diameter of the vertical brace of the system frame or the outer diameter of the tube profiles customarily used in scaffolding construction. 
     The rail may have, for example, a tubular design with a circular outer cross-sectional geometry. For example, a tube having a constant outer diameter and/or one customary in scaffolding construction may be used as the rail. In particular, a scaffolding tube may be used as the rail. 
     A length compensating adapter can be provided between the anchor bolt and the tube clamp, which is connected to the anchor bolt, on the one hand, and to the tube clamp, on the other hand. The length compensating adapter has a setter for setting the distance of the tube clamp from the anchor bolt. For example, locking devices may be provided as the setter on the length compensating adapter. The positioning and orientation of the rail with respect to its distance from the building wall may be advantageously very precisely set by providing the length compensating adapter. In particular, it is possible to compensate for tolerances during the installation of the rail, which are attributable to unevennesses in the building wall. A distance of the rail from the building wall may thus be selected or set as needed. 
     A screw connection may be provided as the setter of the length compensating adapter. The screw connection is designed in such a way that the distance between the tube clamp and the anchor bolt is settable by rotating an actuating body of the screw connection. An approach which is robust and long lasting even under the harsh conditions on a construction site, and which simultaneously permits a sufficiently exact definition of the distance, may advantageously be established by providing the screw connection. The distance may thus be continuously set, and it is possible to mount the rail in a straight or aligned manner, regardless of possible unevennesses or voids in the building wall. 
     Alternatively a clamping connector, for example, which permits a continuous setting of the distance, may be provided as the adjuster of the length compensating adapter. 
     The anchor bolt can be designed as a multi-part anchor bolt, comprising a metallic load distribution plate and comprising a supporting body, which tapers from a first end face facing the building wall in the mounted state and placed against the load distribution plate in the direction of an opposite end face facing the scaffolding in the mounted state. For example, the supporting body is manufactured from plastic. The supporting body is preferably manufactured from a fiber-reinforced plastic. Due to the multi-part design of the anchor bolt, the application of force into the building wall may be advantageously optimized. The metallic load distribution plate ensures that a stable contact of the anchor bolt over a wide area on the building wall may be implemented. For this purpose, a hardenable compensating compound, in particular, may be provided between the building wall and the load distribution plate, which is used to level out unevennesses in the building wall and to ensure a contact of the load distribution plant over a wide area on the building wall. Due to its geometry, the supporting body is specially designed to absorb transverse forces. For example, radially oriented ribs may be provided on the anchor bolt to absorb or withstand the transverse forces. The manufacture of the supporting body from plastic takes into account the fact that no thermal bridge is formed, in particular in the case of permanent anchor bolts, which would be the case, for example, with metallic materials. 
     A tubular neck can be formed on the second end face of the supporting body. The tubular neck may encompass, for example, a threaded shaft of the tube clamp or a threaded stem of the length compensating adapter. By providing the neck, it is advantageously ensured that, when constructing the facade and, in particular, when applying the plaster, the latter does not adhere to the components of the length compensating adapter or the tube clamp. After the construction of the facade, the components may consequently be removed without running the risk of damaging the plaster as a result of removing the length compensating adapter or the tube clamp. At the same time, the neck of the supporting body may be shortened flush with the facade after the construction of the facade and the removal of the tube clamp or the length compensating adapter. This is easily possible, in particular, if the supporting body is made from plastic. 
     The rail can have a reinforced design. It provides a tube jacket and an inner tube reinforcement. The tube reinforcement is supported on the tube jacket on the inner tube jacket side or is connected to the tube jacket on the inner tube jacket side. The reinforced rail may be manufactured, for example, as a single piece. For example, the tube reinforcement may have been introduced into the tube jacket later on, at least in sections, and fixed thereto. A welding method, for example, many be used for fixing purposes. By providing the reinforced rail, the resistance thereof, and in particular its ability to absorb transverse forces, may advantageously be improved. In particular, a bending of the rail may be prevented in this manner. The rail may be manufactured, for example, from a metallic material or from plastic. 
     The rail can be formed by rail elements connected by inserting them into each other. For example, the rail elements are inserted into each other and/or engaged with each other. For this purpose, the rail elements may have correspondingly shaped connecting sections on their opposite ends. For example, adapters are provided between adjacent rail elements to connect them to each other. The rail elements may be connected in a force-fitting and/or form-fitting manner. By providing the rail elements, the length of the rail may advantageously be individually selected and adapted to the particular size of the facade. In addition, the handling and transport of the rail are simplified by the provision of the rail elements. For example, the rail elements may have a standardized length or different standardized lengths. 
     Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus, are not limitive of the present invention, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective front view of a scaffolding arrangement according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  shows an enlargement of detail X of the scaffolding arrangement according to  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of an anchor bolt, a length compensating adapters, a tube clamp and a rail of the installation arrangement; and 
         FIG. 4  shows a longitudinal sectional view of the anchor bolt, the length compensating adapter as well as the tube clamp, including the rail fixed thereto. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A scaffolding arrangement according to the invention comprises, as essential components, an anchor bolt  1  designed for fixing to a building wall  36 , a length compensating adapter  6 , a tube clamp  4 , a rail  3  fixed to tube clamp  4 , as well as a scaffolding  2  and a connecting device  5  for connecting scaffolding  2  to rail  3 . Scaffolding  2 , which is illustrated in a grid-like manner by way of example in  FIG. 1 , and which is four standard breadths wide and five standard heights high, comprises a plurality of system frames  16  spaced a distance apart horizontally and arranged one above the other vertically, decks  17  arranged between system frames  16 , rail posts  18 , which are provided between system frames  16 , height-adjustable threaded feet  22  as well as longitudinally extended toe boards  20  and transversely extended toe boards  21 . Cross-braces  19  are also provided to reinforce scaffolding  2 . Of course, the scaffolding may also have two additional elements, which are not illustrated, for example, stairs, ladders or end rails. 
     Rail  3  is used to indirectly fix scaffolding  2  to building wall  36 , which is not illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Rail  3  extends horizontally. Each rail  3  is provided at a distance of two standard scaffolding heights apart. The distance between the horizontally extending rails is thus approximately 4 meters. Rail  3  is formed by multiple rail elements  3 . 1 ,  3 . 2  inserted into each other. Rail elements  3 . 1 ,  3 . 2  inserted into each other are interconnected and fixed to each other via a ball catch. 
     Connecting device  5  is used to fix scaffolding  2  to rail  3 . Connecting device  5  comprises a first coupling  30  as well as a second coupling  32 . First coupling  30  and second coupling  32  are each designed in the manner of double clamps. Couplings  30 ,  32  are connected via a tube  29  of connecting device  5  acting as a coupling connector. Couplings  30 ,  32  are detachably and displaceably held on tube  29 . Due to the detachable and displaceable fixing of couplings  30 ,  32  to tube  29 , a distance between scaffolding  2  and rail  3  may be set variably or as needed, and tolerances may be compensated for. 
     Rail  3  is fixed to building wall  36  via anchor bolt  1 , tube clamp  4  as well as length compensating adapter  6 ; cf.  FIGS. 3 and 4 . Anchor bolt  1  is designed as a multi-part anchor bolt  1 , including a load distribution plate  7 , a supporting body  8  and a threaded element  13  encompassed by supporting body  8 . Load distribution plate  7  is preferably formed from a metallic material. It is supported on building wall  36  via a hardening compensating compound. The compensating compound is used to level unevennesses in building wall  36  and ensures a contact of load distribution plate  7  over a wide area. Supporting body  8  has a first end face  9  facing load distribution plate  7  as well as a second end face  10 , which faces tube clamps  4  or scaffolding  2  in the mounted state. Supporting body  8  of anchor bolt  1  tapers from first end face  9  in the direction of second end face  10 . It provides a radially oriented rib  11 , which is used to preferably effectively absorb transverse forces transferred from the scaffolding to the anchor bolt via the rail. In addition, supporting body  8  provides a tubular neck  12  in the area of second end face  10 . In the present exemplary embodiment of the invention, tubular neck  12  encompasses a threaded stem  34  of length compensating adapter  6 . Threaded stem  34  is provided with a male thread. It engages with threaded element  13  of anchor bolt  1 , which has a female thread. 
     In addition to threaded stem  34 , length compensating adapter  6  provides a shaft  33 , including a threaded element  35 , which receives the threaded stem and is rotatably held thereon. A threaded shaft  25  of tube clamp  4  engages with threaded element  35  of length compensating adapter  6 . A distance between anchor bolt  1  and tube clamp  4  or rail  3  may thus be set by rotating shaft  33 . Shaft  33  of length compensating adapter  6  thus acts as an actuating body of the screw connection, which includes shaft  33  with threaded element  35  as well as threaded stem  34  and threaded shaft  25 . 
     Tube clamp  4  provides a receptacle  26 . Rail  3  is inserted into receptacle  26  in a mounted state of the scaffolding arrangement according to the invention. Threaded shaft  25  is provided at receptacle  26 . Threaded shaft  25  and receptacle  26  are rotatably fixedly or integrally connected to each other. Clip  27  is also pivotably held on receptacle  26 . Clip  27  encompasses rail  3  in the mounted state. A screw closure  28  is used to fix rail  3  to tube clamp  4 . It detachably connects a free end of clip  27  to receptacle  26 . 
     In the present exemplary embodiment of the invention, rail  3  is provided with a reinforced design. It thus provides a tube jacket  23  as well as an inner tube reinforcement  24 . Tube reinforcement  24  is supported on tube jacket  23  on the inside of the tube jacket. In the present case, tube reinforcement  24  is formed with a regular cross shape. 
     Like the tube clamp, double clamp-like couplings  30 ,  32  have a receptacle as well as two clips pivotably held on sides opposite the receptacle. The clips have an orientation rotated 90 degrees. 
     In particular, double clamp-like couplings  30 ,  32  are thus used to connect two tubes to each other in a crossed orientation. 
     The concrete specific embodiment of the scaffolding is selected as an example in the present exemplary embodiment of the invention. Of course, the scaffolding may be configured according to the requirements and adapted locally to the particular spatial and site conditions. In particular, as illustrated in the present case, the scaffolding arrangement according to the invention may comprise a modularly constructed system scaffolding, a tube/coupling scaffolding, a module scaffolding or the like. 
     Identical components and component functions are marked by the same reference numerals. 
     The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are to be included within the scope of the following claims.