Patent Description:
Structural support systems such as scaffolding and falsework are used in several applications, to support and provide safe access related to constructions and maintenance of these. It is a temporary structure, which is assembled at construction site and dismantled upon completion. It is a modular system of metal components, where the components are reusable - assembled and dismantled from site to site. In conventional scaffolding, the components within the system usually comprise poles for vertical and horizontal purposes, where the vertical and horizontal poles are connected together with couplings usually pre-assembled at the vertical poles, and where the components are of metal, usually galvanized steel.

Ringlock™, Allround™, Kwikstage™ and CUPLOK™ are well known scaffolding systems.

The CUPLOK™ system is described in <CIT> and is consisting of a bottom cup permanently and rigidly connected to a vertical pole at given intervals along the pole, with a loose and movable top cup above each bottom cup to engage a horizontal pole's end configuration for connecting the horizontal pole to the vertical pole by means of the bottom and top cups. Welding is used in order to lock components such as bottom cup, wedges and mechanical stoppers of the system permanently to the vertical pole and to make a permanent connection between the horizontal pole and the blade end configuration of the horizontal pole.

<CIT> discloses a bowl fastener connector for a bowl-holding scaffold. The bowl fastener connector comprises a vertical rod, an upper bowl fastener, a cross rod-limiting module, a lower bowl fastener and a cross rod connector, wherein the upper bowl fastener, a limiting pin, the cross rod-limiting module and the lower bowl fastener are installed on the outer wall of the vertical rod from top to bottom in sequence. According to the bowl fastener connector, a cross rod is fixed through the upper bowl fastener and the lower bowl fastener, installation and detachment are both possible, the cross rod is clamped and fixed to the upper bowl fastener and the lower bowl fastener through the upper end and lower end of the cross rod connector respectively, and scaffold installation stability can be effectively guaranteed through a saw tooth groove formed in the bottom of the cross rod connector and a cross rod-limiting stand column arranged on the inner wall of the cross rod connector. The upper end and the lower end of the bowl fastener connector are clamped and stressed, so that the stability of the scaffold is not to be affected i.e. if the bowl fastener connector rusts.

<CIT> relates to a detachable tightening connecting device comprising a connector equipped on a pillar of a scaffold or a ceiling rack, wherein the outer side wall is equipped with an equipping structure, and a wedge lining jacket is equipped between the connector and the pillar, and a locating locking device used to prevent the generating of comparative movement between the wedge lining and the pillar is equipped between the wedge lining jacket and the pillar. The utility model adopts a structure of adding the locating locking device between the pillar and the wedge lining, the connection between the wedge lining and the pillar can realize that the wedge lining and the pillar become a detachable structure through the detachable locating locking device structure, avoiding deficits brought by the glue sticking or welding to connect the wedge lining and the pillar, and also making the detaching and equipping of the connecting device and the maintenance possible.

<CIT> discloses a junction piece consisting of a metal cup drilled with a number of holes which are normal to the surface of the cup. The tubular struts are each fitted with a tapped plug insert. The outside of the cup may be reinforced by a ring which fits between the cup and the tubes. The tubes and cup are joined by means of screws or bolts. Horizontal tubes are fixed in any direction by the screw holes and a central vertical tube by the fixing hole. Angular tubes may also be fitted.

<CIT> discloses a fastener, which belongs to the technical field of machinery. The fastener comprises two butt-jointed half ring-shaped bodies, and is characterized in that a stud pin and a stud pin hole matched with the stud pin are respectively formed on the two end surfaces of the half ring-shaped bodies; the two half ring-shaped bodies are clamped and in butt joint with each other by the stud pin and the stud pin hole; and reinforcing ribs are arranged on the inner side walls of the half ring-shaped bodies. The fastener may be assembled and disassembled, and can be applied to connection of scaffolds or stud bodies.

<CIT> discloses a flexible scaffold capable of being assembled and detached. The scaffold is formed by a vertical rod, a cross rod, a plug pin and a locking plate and is characterized in that the vertical rod is provided with the locking plate which is provided with a lock hole; the plug pin is arranged in the lock hole; the cross rod is connected with the plug pin; a lock sleeve and a lock ring are connected into a whole to form into the locking plate; the lateral side of the locking plate is provided with a screw hole; one side of the upper end of the plug pin is provided with a connecting hole; the other side of the upper end of the plug pin is provided with a pushing block; the lower end of the plug pin is provided with a pin; the end portion of the pushing block is provided with an arc opening which is matched with the vertical rod; and an angle from <NUM> to <NUM> degrees is formed between an outer lateral edge of the pin and the horizontal direction of the lock hole.

<CIT> discloses a lower bowl-type coupler for a bowl-type coupler scaffolding, which includes a bowl-type coupler body, wherein a sleeve is arranged on the bowl-type coupler body; a recess is arranged on a vertical upright; both the bowl-type coupler body and the sleeve are arranged on the vertical upright; a protrusion is arranged on the inner wall of the sleeve, and extends to the inside of the recess to be tightly matched with the recess. The invention further includes a mounting method for the lower bowl-type coupler for the bowl-type coupler scaffolding, which includes the following steps: firstly, the bowl-type coupler body and the sleeve are arranged on the vertical upright; and secondly, the sleeve is clamped through a clamping device, and a radial clamping force is exerted to the protrusion through the clamping device, so that the protrusion extends into the vertical upright, and the recess is formed on the vertical upright, the protrusion extends to the inside of the recess to be tightly matched with the recess, as a result, the lower bowl-type coupler is installed on the vertical upright. The lower bowl-type coupler for the bowl-type coupler scaffolding can be connected with the vertical upright.

<CIT> discloses a cup connection type scaffold comprising a vertical rod and a cross rod wherein an upper cup and a lower cup are arranged on the vertical rod. The two ends of the cross rod are provided with inserting pieces. A plurality of screw holes are arranged at the outer circular surface of the vertical rod. The bottom of the lower cup is fixed to the vertical rod through a first bolt screwed with one of the screw holes providing a horizontal pressure as the lower cup is being clamped or pressed towards the vertical rod. A second bolt used for limiting is arranged at the top of the upper cup.

<CIT> discloses a cup type steel pipe scaffold, the scaffold being composed of an upper cup, a lower cup, a transfer rod, a cross rod joint and a fastening bolt. The fastening bolt is arranged in the middle of the lower cup providing a horizontal clamping force of the lower cup towards a vertical.

The current state of the art is reflected in use of tubes and fittings made in steel. This makes the components of the structural support system in many cases unnecessary heavy. There is also a health, environment and safety (HES) aspect due to weight of components and allowed lifting weight. Therefore, there is a need for reducing weight of components and increased system flexibility in order to obtain of a structural support system, which meets the HES requirements without reducing the capacity or integrity of the structural support system.

There is a need for a system wherein the vertical and the cups can be made of aluminium or where the cups may also be made of a tougher and more solid material, such as steel. It is also a need for a system that is simple to assemble and erect, and where the nodes are solid and strong, meeting the structural and HES criteria.

In the following throughout the specification, when referring to structural support system, this includes, but is not limited to, scaffolding, falsework, beams, bridges, staging, ski jumps and slopes and such, unless clearly specified otherwise. Moreover, in the following, the following terms mean:.

The noun term "vertical" refers to the elongated tube element intended to be arranged in vertical direction. Expressions like "standard upright", "standards, "posts", "poles" etc. are also known in the industry.

The present invention is in principle functioning as a CUPLOK™ system, but with improved solutions for attaching its couplers or cups to a pole with vertical standing purposes. The key point of the present invention is the ability to held and/or permanently fix the bottom cup to the vertical without using welding or components which compromises the pole's inside hollow section, hence being compatible and may be used interchangeably with the existing prior art CUPLOK™ system. The present invention opens for the possibility of using materials for the vertical and the node section, which are either undesirable to weld, or non-weldable altogether, but possesses other desirable features such as for instance being lightweight and/or environmentally friendly. A lightweight structural support system will ease both transport and handling, will provide working capacity and reduce the environmental impact of transportation, in addition to open up new areas where the structural support system may be utilized.

The main object of the present invention is to provide new methods for joining components of a structural support system together and being able to choose materials for reduced weight of the structural support systems.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a backward compatibility to existing CUPLOK™ systems.

Another object of the invention is to provide a bottom cup which may be rigidly fixed to the vertical in a removable and/or replaceable manner without influencing the integrity of the new joint or the vertical.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new system where the vertical, the elements forming the joint and possibly also the horizontals may be made of aluminium without being dependent on welding operations.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a cup assembly allowing removal of a bottom cup for substitution with a new or a modified bottom cup or a cup with a different shape, adapted to a differently shaped ends of the horizontals.

A still further object of the invention is to allow change of position of the node along the length of the vertical and/or the locking surface of the node, adapted to a differently shaped end of a horizontal.

Another object of the invention is to retain the full tensile strength of the vertical and/or full working capacity, i.e. for example the aluminium tubular sections, and/or the node.

Yet a further object of the invention is to enable provision of a node and a fixture to a vertical, for example being made up of two different material, that cannot easily be welded together and without being dependent on welding operations.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a solution where a lower and upper cup also may be used in connection with a traditional vertical made of steel.

Another object of the invention is to provide a system wherein the bottom cup may be made of aluminium and may being fixed to a vertical of steel or aluminium in a non-welded manner without reducing the bearing capacity.

Another object of the invention is to provide a solution where the fixing of the lower cup is not dependent on a rigid fixing to a vertical.

An object of the invention is to provide a new cup that is compatible to existing system.

The objects are achieved by a structural support system and method as further defined by the independent claims, while embodiments, options and variants are defined by the dependent claims.

In a first aspect, the present invention relates to a structural support system, according to claim <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the bottom cup may comprise a lower part preferably of cylindrical form, an intermediate part, preferably inclined upwardly and outwardly, an upper part preferably of cylindrical form.

The bottom cup further comprises at least one hole for fastening means preferably at the circumference of the lower part or the bottom cup, the diameter of the hole being larger than the diameter of a part of the fastening means, e.g. a bolt, intended to be in contact with the bottom cup. Moreover, the hole(s) in the bottom cup may optimally be without threads.

According to an option, the bottom cup further comprises at least one drainage recess in the lower part of the bottom cup.

Moreover, the system may further comprise a bottom cup guard in order to protect the bottom cup and the fastening means, e.g. the bolts, from mechanical impact and environmental elements causing material degradation.

According to another embodiment, the bottom cup guard comprises a lower part, preferably of cylindrical form, and an upper part, preferably inclined upwardly and outwardly.

In an embodiment, the bottom cup guard further comprises at least one drainage recess at least in the lower part of the bottom cup guard, and with same height as the drainage recess of the bottom cup.

In an embodiment, the bottom cup guard further comprises a flange at the free end of the lower part of the bottom cup guard, pointing inwards the bottom cup guard having a diameter with a tolerance in order to approximately face the vertical.

The parts of the structural support system, according to an embodiment that is not part of the present invention, may also be intended to be permanently fixed to the verticals by using fastening means, being one or more dowel pins, and corresponding hole(s) in the parts and the verticals, the dowel pin(s) being rigidly fixed using a bonding agent or by press fit.

Dowel pins are fixed on face to face permanently connections where dowel pins are put into pre-machined holes in the verticals and in the opposite face of connecting part in combination with a bonding agent, such as glue.

The face-to-face dowel pin surfaces may be provided with bonding agents, such as glue, in order to fully make a strong and firm connection.

The bottom cup may have machined recesses at the bottom end matching dowel pins projecting out from the vertical and bonded by a bonding agent or by press fit in holes pre-machined around the vertical's periphery at the same level as described above, where the bottom cup is to be lowered and simultaneously adjusted to mate the recesses with the dowel pins and being permanently connected to the dowel pins with a bonding agent and/or spot welds between dowel pins and bottom cup.

Alternatively, according to an embodiment not covered by the present invention, the bottom cups may be fixed using at least two wedges for the bottom cup and by pushing the bottom cup onto the wedges in a permanently connection is made and where the wedges are connected to the vertical using a bonding agent and/or welds.

The bottom cup may comprise two identical but mirrored halves with pre-machined holes for dowel pins in surfaces facing the two halves and in surfaces facing the verticals, where the bottom cup halves and the verticals are connected as described above.

The horizontal may comprise an elongated tube and a blade end with fins, which fits with an engaging tube, where the engaging tube and blade end are permanently connected to the elongated tube by applying glue to the connecting surfaces, where the connecting surfaces are the inner surface of the elongated tube and the outer surface of the engaging tube.

The elongated tube, preferably semi-cylindrically shaped may be thread onto the engaging tube, preferably semi-cylindrically shaped but might also be conical shaped, chamfered shaped or it might even be threaded for a threading connection between engaging tube and elongated tube.

The installed bottom cup may be covered with a bottom cup guard in order to protect the bottom cup, dowel pins and bonding agent from mechanical impacts and environmental elements causing material degradation.

Material used in the bottom cup guard may be of a polymer, such as plastic or rubber.

The horizontals may be supported with an extra support bracket in order to transfer forces between horizontals and the verticals, where the support bracket comprises two identical but mirrored shaped steel or aluminium plates. These plates are placed together in order to be able to grip around the horizontals and the verticals where the two plates are loosely connected with bolts, washers and nuts to be screwed together and tighten around the horizontals and verticals.

In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a method for mounting a node section on a vertical for use in a structural support system, according to claim <NUM>. A bottom cup guard threaded onto the vertical may be raised towards the bottom cup until the free end of the lower part of the bottom cup guard aligns a free end of the lower part of the bottom cup, or until a surface of the flange of the bottom cup guard pointing in direction of the bottom cup is mating against the free end of the lower part of the bottom cup.

The method further providing the bottom cup guard being adjusted in position, where drainage recesses in the bottom cup guard is being aligned with drainage recesses in the bottom cup.

Alternatively, according to an embodiment not covered by the present invention, the surface of each hole is being treated with a bonding agent and introducing a dowel pin of steel into each of the holes, lowering the bottom cup down onto the dowel pin(s) and welding the dowel pin(s) and the lower surface of the bottom cup together in a permanent fixture to the vertical using a bonding agent.

The method may further provide the lower surface of the bottom cup with downwardly open holes or recesses, positioned to be complimentary to the position of the dowel pin(s) and moving the bottom cup vertically downwards and possibly rotating the bottom cup so as to allow the dowel pin(s) to enter into corresponding hole(s) or recess(es) at the bottom surface of the bottom cup.

Structural support system, such as scaffolding or falsework, comprises verticals and horizontals connected together with coupling agents at the verticals placed with intervals along the verticals. The coupling agents comprises lower and upper coupling parts, where the lower coupling part is being permanently connected and rigidly fixed to the vertical, and the upper coupling part is in a loose and movable connection with the vertical. The horizontals comprise elongated tubes with flanged ends at each end of the elongated tube fitting into the coupling parts. The flanged end is lifted into the lower coupling parts, the upper coupling parts are being rotated and in order to lock the upper coupling, a helical surface at the upper coupling part is wedged against a lug permanently connected to the vertical. Stoppers are preferably installed on the vertical in order to prevent the last upper coupling part to fall off the vertical.

A structural support system is traditionally predominated by welded steel structures. Using light material, such as aluminium is of great interest in order to gain easier handling of elements without, or with reduced need for lifting equipment. As a result of being a non-welded structure, one can retain a full tensile strength of the aluminium tubular sections. The system of the present invention is a fully non-welded element, resulting in that the aluminium elements retains full working capacities.

In one embodiment, the bottom cup is fixed to an aluminium vertical by using bolts. The bolts do not fix the cup against the vertical tube in the traditional sense, but act as a support for the lower cup to rest on. The bolt is fixed horizontally to the vertical via the holes within the lower part of the bottom cup, providing compressive vertical load capacity of the lower cup via the bolt head as opposed to a tightening of the bolt between the lower cup and the vertical tube. Holes in the vertical is predrilled and preferably threaded. Since the bolt do not press or fix the bottom cup to the vertical, the bolt goes straight through the cup and the cup simply rests on the bolt head. Bolts are used as a vertical restraint as opposed to a clamping function. The bolts may come in varying sizes. Since the bottom cup rests on a head of the bolt, this is allowing a higher force to be applied through the head of the bolt and back into the vertical due to larger surface area between the bolt head and the surface of the vertical.

The bottom cup is designed to be compatible with current steel systems on the market. The system of the present invention will provide all the same connectivity features as current system with the only difference being the vertical capacity being reduced due to the working tensile capacity of the aluminium vs. steel. The system is bi-directionally compatible with other similar systems.

The bottom cup is preferably formed out of a forged aluminium billet. By forging the bottom cup, the material changes occurring through the forging process causing the tensile capacities of the cup to increase, providing an aluminium product with comparable tensile properties as steel.

Gluing is a well-known method for joining metal parts together and opens up the potential to use new materials or combination of different materials where use of traditionally joining methods is inconvenient. Using high strength material such as steel on load bearing or impact exposed parts and being able to choose lighter materials, such as aluminium or fibre reinforced plastics, on joining parts, may be of great interest in relation to, for example, easier handling of the elements without, or with reduced need for lifting equipment. Gluing in combination with dowel pins, or local welding of high strength material, such as steel, gives a structural reinforcement of the connection for load bearing components transferring and distributing loads to connecting components.

In an embodiment not covered by the invention, the bottom cup is rigidly fixed to the vertical by means of dowel pins of steel inserted and glued in pre-machined holes filled with glue in the vertical, preferably made of aluminium. A bottom cup of the coupling agent, threaded onto the vertical is provided with pre-machined recesses arranged on its lower circumferential edge, matching the size and position of the configuration of the dowel pins, the bottom cup is then lowered down onto the matching dowel pins in the vertical. Spot welding between the dowel pins and the recesses of the bottom cup, where both dowel pins and bottom cup are of the same weldable material, preferably steel, provide a firm, rigid and permanent connection of the bottom cup to the vertical. Gluing the matching surfaces of the dowel pins and recesses in the bottom cup may be an alternative or addition to the welding.

Another embodiment, not covered by the invention, of joining the bottom cup together with the pole is with the use of wedges. The bottom cup wedges being of a high strength material such as steel, are distributed around the circumference of the pole, where the bottom cup is being fastened to the pole by wedges. The wedges are fixed to the pole using dowel pins with glue in holes of both the pole, as indicated above, and the wedges. Additionally extra glue may be added in the interfacing mating surfaces of the pole and the wedge. Alternatively, or in addition, a welding seam between the lower end surface of the bottom cup and the wedge may be used. Other components, such as a wedge lug for the top cup and mechanical stoppers, preferably being of a high strength material such as steel, which might be dowel pins, are also connected through dowel pins and gluing, or alternatively or additionally by welding.

In yet another embodiment, not covered by the invention, of the bottom cup, the cup preferably being of a high strength material such as steel, the cup comprises two cup halves with holes for dowel pins. The halves are joined together, embracing a pole with dowel pins between the joining surfaces of the two halves and between the inner surfaces of the cups and the pole, and further fixed together either by welding or gluing of the joining surfaces. The inner surface of the bowl-shaped halves has curved faces complementary to the side of the vertical with holes for dowel pins and with corresponding holes for dowel pins on the vertical. When the halves are brought together around the vertical, dowel pins are also placed between the halves and the vertical before welding or gluing both the two halves together, but also the welded or glued cup formed by the two halves together with the vertical.

A structural support system of the present invention is a flexible system able to take all kind of shapes, from right angled to complex curves. In heavy constructions with scaffolding elements, extra support of the structure is required. The structural support system is able to also take poles arranged diagonally as a framework construction, alternatively or supplementary support brackets can be used in the corners or junction points between verticals and horizontals. Such support brackets easily grip and lock around the poles by loosening and fastening of bolts and nuts.

The present invention is backward compatible with the CUPLOK™ system, since the bottom cups of the present invention are designed to fit existing equipment utilizing the CUPLOK™ system. This is beneficial for the customer being able to easily adapt their existing equipment and save potentially high investment cost.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in further detail by way of example only, with reference to the following diagrams wherein:.

The following description of the exemplary embodiments refers to the accompanying drawings. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments configured to be integrated in a structural support system such as a scaffolding or a falsework system. The exemplary embodiments disclosed in the drawings should not be understood as a limitation to the scope of protection of the invention.

The same reference numbers in different drawings identify the same or similar elements. The following detailed description does not limit the invention. Instead, the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.

Reference throughout the specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the subject matter disclosed. Thus, the appearance of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout the specification is not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

In general, the verticals are made of aluminium, and the elements forming the node or the wedges or the lugs of the embodiments described below, i.e. top and bottom cup and the dowels may be made either of forged aluminium or steel, unless otherwise specifically defined. In this manner, if bottom cup is made of steel, steel dowel pins and bottom cup may be welded together, or the dowel pins used may be glued, or press fitted with corresponding elements. In addition, or as an alternative, interconnected surfaces may also be glued.

<FIG> shows schematically a perspective of a prior art node section <NUM> used for locking horizontals or the like in a prior art scaffolding system. The system is made of steel. Only a single node section <NUM> is shown. It should be noted, however that each vertical <NUM>, which is delivered in standard lengths, are provided with node sections <NUM> shown in <FIG>, preferably equally spaced apart in tube longitudinal direction. The system consists of a vertical <NUM> provided with a bottom cup <NUM>, welded to the vertical <NUM>. The bottom cup <NUM> defines an annular channel <NUM> (not shown in <FIG>) around it, such annular channel <NUM> being open at its upper end. The lower part <NUM> of the wall of the bottom cup <NUM> is inclined upwardly and outwardly from the vertical <NUM> and terminates in a short upper part <NUM> of cylindrical form.

The node section <NUM> also consist at its upper end of a top cup <NUM> which is slidably and rotatably mounted on the vertical <NUM> and also defines an annular channel (not shown in <FIG>) around it, the annular channel being open at its lower end, the wall of the top cup <NUM> having a cylindrical upper part which fits loosely around the vertical <NUM> and a downwardly inclined lower part. At one side, the top cup <NUM> has a bulge <NUM>, in which there is formed adjacent to the vertical <NUM>, a vertical slot <NUM>. The top face of the top cup <NUM> may be inclined upwardly from either side of the bulge <NUM> or continuously for a full <NUM>° from one side, thus forming a wedge-shaped surface.

The vertical <NUM> has on one side thereof a lug <NUM>, which is of such size that it can pass through the vertical slot <NUM> in the bulge <NUM> of the top cup <NUM>. Thus, if the top cup <NUM> is turned to bring the lug <NUM> into line with the vertical slot <NUM>, the top cup <NUM> can be moved up and down the vertical <NUM> past the lug <NUM>.

A horizontal <NUM> is at each end provided with a blade end <NUM> provided with two diametrically opposed fins <NUM> (not shown). The fins <NUM> on each end of the horizontal <NUM> are pointing in the same direction. The end surface of the blade end <NUM> is curved, i.e. given a shape that is complimentary to the corresponding shape of the vertical <NUM>.

For assembling a vertical <NUM> and a horizontal <NUM>, the top cup <NUM> is in a position above the lug <NUM> on the vertical <NUM>. A flanged coupling end (the horizontal's <NUM> blade end <NUM>) is brought into position with one fin <NUM> positioned inside the open ended annular channel <NUM> in the bottom cup <NUM>, also bringing the horizontal <NUM> into a position where it is perpendicular to the vertical <NUM>. The top cup <NUM> is then lowered by bringing the vertical slot <NUM> in the top cup <NUM> in aligned position with the lug <NUM>, whereupon the top cup <NUM> is lowered down past the lug <NUM> and around the upper fin <NUM>. In this position, the inclined upper surface of the top cup <NUM> is positioned below the lower end of the lug <NUM>. In order to lock the position of the horizontal <NUM>, the top cup <NUM> is rotated in a clockwise direction. Due to the inclining surface of the top cup <NUM>, when the top cup <NUM> is rotated in this position, the top cup <NUM> will act as a wedge against the lug <NUM>, forcing the top cup <NUM> in the downwards direction, thus providing a secure locking engagement between the top cup <NUM>, the blade end <NUM> and the vertical <NUM>. In order to achieve rotational movement of the top cup <NUM>, the top cup <NUM> is fitted with top cup lugs <NUM>, spaced apart around the top cup <NUM>, said top cup lugs <NUM> being intended to be hit by a hammer or a sledge in order to force the top cup <NUM> into a locking engagement. It should be noted that the blade ends <NUM>, which are made of steel, are welded to the end of the horizontal <NUM>.

<FIG> shows schematically and in perspective a view of a typical scaffold built up with embodiments according to the present invention. The scaffold may comprise of a number of verticals <NUM> arranged in spaced relation and interconnected by a number of horizontals <NUM>. As indicated in the <FIG>, the verticals <NUM> and the horizontals <NUM> are locked together by means of node sections <NUM>. The node sections <NUM> disclosed are of a type that shall be described in more detail below. It should be noted that the scaffold may also be provided with accessories, such as bracings with brace ledge ends, brackets, base jacks, all adapted to form an integrated part of the node system described below. As indicated in <FIG>, the horizontals <NUM> are assembled in a node section <NUM>, i.e. two horizontals <NUM> being aligned arranged with an angle of <NUM>° there between, while the third horizontal <NUM> is arranged orthogonally with the two aligned horizontals <NUM>. It should be noted that other angles and another number of horizontals <NUM> adjoining in a node section <NUM> on a vertical <NUM> is also possible.

<FIG> shows schematically, principally and in perspective a view of a heavy-duty falsework support structure, for example usable for supporting heavy duty steel girders or beams for formwork, for example for supporting formwork for construction of bridges, or the like. As shown in <FIG>, the falsework is made up of nine verticals <NUM> and a large number of horizontals <NUM>, adjoined to the respective verticals <NUM>. Dependent on type and size of falsework and the structure to be supported, the falsework may be made up of numerous verticals <NUM> and horizontals <NUM>. In this respect, a typical joint may be made up of four adjoining horizontals <NUM>, forming an angle of <NUM>° between each. Again, the built-up of each node section <NUM>, the method for fabricating the verticals and the method for assembling the system shall be described in further details below.

<FIG> shows schematically and in perspective a view of a bottom cup <NUM> of one embodiment of the present invention. The bottom cup is made of metal material, preferably of aluminium, but may also be made of steel. A lower part <NUM> of the wall of the bottom cup <NUM> preferably forms a lower part <NUM> of a cylindrical form. An intermediate part <NUM> of the bottom cup <NUM> is preferably inclined upwardly and outwardly, while an upper part <NUM> of the bottom cup <NUM> preferably forms an upper part <NUM> of cylindrical form. Cut-outs in lower end of the bottom cup <NUM> are drainage recesses <NUM> for draining purposes, preventing accumulation of water, ice, etc. in the bottom cup <NUM>. In order to fix the bottom cup <NUM> to a vertical <NUM> (not shown), at least one hole <NUM> for fastening means <NUM> (not shown), preferably at the lower part <NUM> of the bottom cup <NUM>, are furnished at the bottom cup <NUM>. Corresponding hole(s) <NUM> is furnished at the vertical <NUM>. The holes <NUM> at the vertical are preferably susceptible to receive threaded fastening means <NUM>.

<FIG> shows schematically and in perspective a view of a bottom cup guard <NUM> used to protect the bottom cup <NUM> (not shown) and fastening means <NUM> (not shown) from mechanical impacts and environmental elements causing material degradation. A lower part <NUM> of the bottom cup guard <NUM> forms a lower part <NUM> of preferably a cylindrical form. An upper part <NUM> of the bottom cup guard <NUM> forms an upper part <NUM> preferably inclined upwardly and outwardly. A free end of the lower part <NUM> of the bottom cup guard <NUM> preferably has a flange <NUM> orthogonal to the cylindrical form of the lower part <NUM> directed towards an axial axes of the bottom cup guard <NUM>, having a diameter with a tolerance in order to approximately face the outer surface of the vertical <NUM> (not shown). Further the bottom cup guard <NUM> may be furnished with cut-outs in the lower end of the bottom cup guard <NUM> being drainage recesses <NUM> corresponding the recesses <NUM> of the bottom cup <NUM> (not shown). The recesses <NUM> of the bottom cup guard <NUM>, also serving as draining purposes as those recesses <NUM> of the bottom cup <NUM> (not shown), preventing accumulation of water, ice etc. in the bottom cup <NUM> (not shown). The bottom cup guard <NUM> can be of for example a polymer, such as plastic or rubber. The bottom cup guard <NUM> can also serve as a marketing object, sporting for instance company logo or product name, and/or being in bright colour. The bottom cup guard <NUM> is made up of a single unit and may be applied an adhesive and attached to the bottom cup <NUM>, thus providing permanent joining of the bottom cup guard <NUM> and the bottom cup <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a vertical <NUM> with preinstalled pairs of bottom cups <NUM> and a top cups <NUM> arranged at different levels and spaced along the vertical <NUM>, ready to be installed in a falsework, scaffold or the like and ready to receive bladed ends of horizontals <NUM> comprising in a falsework, scaffold or the like. The top cup <NUM> is made of metal material, preferably aluminium. The vertical <NUM> shows six pairs of bottom cups <NUM> and top cups <NUM>, there may be fewer and there may be more, but each vertical <NUM> shall preferably comprise at least one pair of one bottom cup <NUM> and one top cup <NUM>. At each end of the vertical <NUM> there are bolts going straight through the vertical with an accompanying nuts. These bolts and nuts are for connection to internal spigots used when stacking one vertical <NUM> on top of another when the structural support system moves vertically/grows upwards. <FIG> shows a detail A from <FIG> of the lower part of the vertical <NUM>, showing one pair of a bottom cup <NUM> and a top cup <NUM>. A bottom cup guard <NUM> (not shown) may also be preinstalled below each pair of bottom cups <NUM> and top cups <NUM> arranged at the vertical <NUM>. A lug <NUM> is shown on the vertical <NUM> arranged above a pair of bottom cups <NUM> and top cups <NUM>. An inclined helical surface <NUM> at the upper part of the top cup <NUM>. In order to lock the horizontal <NUM> (not shown), the top cup <NUM> is rotated in order for top cup <NUM> to slide it's helical surface <NUM> towards the lug <NUM> forcing the top cup <NUM> in an downward direction. The lug <NUM> and the helical surface <NUM> acting as a wedge, providing a secure locking engagement.

<FIG> shows schematically an exploded view, while <FIG> shows an assembled view of an assembly of the bottom cup <NUM> and the top cup <NUM> of the present invention. At its upper end, the bottom cup <NUM> is configured to form an annular channel <NUM> around the vertical <NUM> when assembled and fixed to the vertical <NUM>. The annular channel <NUM> is formed by the room between the vertical <NUM> and surface facing inwards and towards the vertical <NUM> of the intermediate part <NUM> and the upper part <NUM> of the bottom cup <NUM> as described above in the description of <FIG>. In <FIG> is shown holes <NUM> in the vertical <NUM>, there should be at least one hole <NUM>, preferably two holes <NUM>, and more preferably three holes <NUM>. These holes <NUM> in the vertical <NUM> corresponds to the at least one hole <NUM> of the bottom cup <NUM>. When the bottom cup <NUM> is lowered or raised in order for the at least one hole <NUM> in the bottom cup <NUM> to be at the level of the at least one hole <NUM> in the vertical <NUM>, the bottom cup <NUM> should be adjusted to align the axis of the at least one hole <NUM> in the bottom cup <NUM> with the axis of the at least one hole in the vertical <NUM>. Thus, when at least two holes <NUM> in the bottom cup <NUM>, those holes should be distributed around it's circumferences with the same distribution/angle as the at least two holes <NUM> in the vertical <NUM> distributed around it's circumferences, the at least two holes <NUM> being in a common plane approximately orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the vertical <NUM>. When the holes <NUM>, <NUM> in the vertical <NUM> and the bottom cup <NUM> respectively, are aligned, at least one fastening means <NUM> may be threaded through the at least one hole <NUM>, <NUM> of the vertical <NUM> and the bottom cup <NUM>. The fastening means <NUM> may preferably be a cap-head socket bolt, but may also be any other suitable threaded or unthreaded bolts, with or without heads, or even pins or wedges. The fasting means <NUM> not fixing the bottom cup <NUM> to the vertical <NUM>, rather serving as support for the bottom cup <NUM> to rest on. The fixing of the at least one bolt <NUM> to the vertical <NUM> via the holes <NUM> in the bottom cup <NUM> provides a compressive vertical load capacity of the lower cup via the fastening means as opposed to a tightening of the fastening means between the bottom cup <NUM> and the vertical <NUM>.

A bottom cup guard <NUM> position on the vertical below the bottom cup <NUM> will be raised towards the bottom cup <NUM> until the free end of the lower part <NUM> of the bottom cup guard <NUM> aligns a free end of the lower part <NUM> of the bottom cup <NUM>, or until an surface of the flange <NUM> of the bottom cup guard <NUM> pointing in direction of the bottom cup <NUM> is mating against the free end of the lower part <NUM> of the bottom cup <NUM>. The recesses drainage <NUM> of the bottom cup guard <NUM> being positioned to align with the drainage recesses <NUM> of the bottom cup <NUM> and thereby the draining purposes, preventing accumulation of water, ice, etc. in the bottom cup <NUM> being fulfilled and protecting the bottom cup <NUM> and fastening means <NUM> from mechanical impacts and environmental elements causing material degradation.

The top cup <NUM> is arranged above the bottom cup <NUM>, the vertical <NUM> being in an upraised vertical position. A lug <NUM>, preferably a cap-head socket bolt, but may also be any other suitable threaded or unthreaded bolts, with or without head, or even pins or wedges being arranged in a hole <NUM>, threaded or unthreaded, in the vertical <NUM> preventing the top cup <NUM> for further movement upwards the vertical <NUM>. When the bottom cup <NUM> is installed and the top cup <NUM> is installed and at it's uppermost position, preventing any further movement by means of the lug <NUM>, the bottom cup <NUM> and top cup <NUM> is now ready to receive the bladed ends <NUM> of the horizontals <NUM> (not shown) comprising in the falsework, scaffold or the like. When the lower part of the bladed ends <NUM> of the horizontals <NUM> (not shown) is received by the bottom cup <NUM>, the top cup <NUM> will thereafter be lowered towards the bottom cup <NUM> and rotated onto the upper part of the blade end <NUM>, by rotating the top cup <NUM> comprising a helical surface <NUM> at its upper part against the lug <NUM>, and thereby locking the horizontals <NUM> to the vertical <NUM> in a firm locking, but releasable, engagement. In order to achieve the rotational movement of the top cup <NUM>, the top cup <NUM> is fitted with top cup lugs <NUM>, spaced apart around the top cup <NUM>, said top cup lugs <NUM> being intended to be hit by a hammer or a sledge in order to force the top cup <NUM> into the locking engagement.

<FIG> shows schematically an exploded view while <FIG> shows an assembled view of another embodiment of the bottom cup <NUM> made of steel, fixed to the vertical <NUM>. At its upper end, the bottom cup <NUM> is configured to form an annular channel <NUM> around the vertical <NUM> when assembled and fixed to the vertical <NUM> in aluminium. The annular channel <NUM> is open at its upper end. The lower part <NUM> of the wall of the bottom cup <NUM> is inclined upwardly and outwardly, while the upper part <NUM> of the bottom cup <NUM> forms an upper part <NUM> of steel with a cylindrical form.

In order to fix the bottom cup <NUM> to the vertical <NUM>, holes <NUM> for fastening means <NUM>, are pre-machined in the vertical <NUM> around its periphery at the same level, into which fastening means <NUM>, preferably dowel pins of steel are fixed, protruding radially out of the vertical <NUM>. The holes <NUM> in the verticals <NUM> are preferably pre-glued in order to permanently fix the dowel pins <NUM> to the vertical <NUM>. The dowel pins <NUM> are evenly positioned around the entire circumference of the vertical <NUM>, positioned at the same level. At its lower end surface, the bottom cup <NUM> is provided with a corresponding number of machined recesses <NUM> in bottom cup <NUM> to match the number of dowel pins <NUM> arranged around the circumference of the vertical <NUM>.

It should be noted that the bottom cup <NUM> may be machined as a single, integrated unit, thread on to the vertical <NUM> for appropriate fixing, or the bottom cup <NUM> may be machined or formed as separate units and subsequently assembled around the vertical. The latter way of assembling will be described below.

When lowering bottom cup <NUM> down onto the dowel pins <NUM>, the orientation of the bottom cup <NUM> is adjusted so as to enable recesses <NUM> in bottom cup <NUM> on the lower surface of the bottom cup <NUM> to rest on the corresponding dowel pins <NUM>. If the vertical <NUM> is in an upright position, the bottom cup <NUM> is now resting on the dowel pins <NUM>. The bottom cup <NUM> is permanently connected to the dowel pins <NUM>, and thereby to the vertical <NUM>, preferably through spot welds between bottom cup <NUM> and each dowel pin <NUM> and/or by applying glue to either dowel pins <NUM> and/or the machined recesses <NUM> in bottom cup <NUM>, thus gluing the bottom cup <NUM> to the dowel pins <NUM>. Cutouts in lower end of bottom cup <NUM> are drainage recesses <NUM> for draining purposes, preventing accumulation of water or ice in the bottom cup <NUM>.

<FIG> shows yet another embodiment of the bottom cup <NUM> of the view shown in <FIG>, the only major difference being the height of the cylindrical part <NUM> of the bottom cup <NUM>.

<FIG> shows schematically an exploded view of yet another embodiment, while <FIG> shows an assembled view of the same embodiment of a bottom cup <NUM>. Apart for the differences described below, the shape, configuration, and function of the bottom cup <NUM> disclosed correspond to the shape, configuration and functions disclosed above in relation to <FIG> and <FIG>. According to this embodiment, upwards and inwards inclined wedges <NUM> are used for locking the bottom cup <NUM> to the vertical <NUM>. Holes <NUM> for dowel pins <NUM> are pre-machined in the vertical <NUM> around its periphery, in which dowel pins <NUM> are placed and fixed, protruding out from the outer surface of the vertical <NUM>. The holes <NUM> in the vertical <NUM> are preferably pre-glued, in order to permanently fix the dowel pins <NUM> to the vertical <NUM>. Glue is applied to the dowel pins <NUM> protruding out of the outer surface of the vertical <NUM> and the wedges <NUM> provided with corresponding machined holes (not shown) to match the dowel pins <NUM>, fixing the wedges <NUM> to the dowel pins <NUM> for a permanent fixture on the vertical <NUM>. Correspondingly, the inner surface at the lower end of the bottom cup <NUM> is provided with complementary shaped recesses (not shown), configured to receive the wedges <NUM> and securing the correct position of the bottom cup <NUM> on the vertical <NUM>. Alternatively, or supplementary, the mating surfaces of the wedges <NUM> against the vertical <NUM> might be applied with glue. The bottom cup <NUM> thereafter slides down onto to the wedges <NUM> for a stiff and firm connection. After the bottom cup <NUM> is placed onto the wedges <NUM>, welding may be applied between the bottom cup <NUM> and the wedges <NUM> in order to insure a fixed connection.

<FIG> shows schematically an exploded view of a yet another embodiment of the bottom cup, while <FIG> shows an assembled view of the same embodiment of the bottom cup <NUM>. The bottom cup <NUM> comprises two identical, but mirrored, bottom cup halves <NUM>, <NUM>'. Dowel pins <NUM> are used to connect both the two bottom cup halves <NUM>, <NUM>' together, and dowel pins <NUM> are at the same time connecting the two bottom cup halves <NUM>, <NUM>' together with the vertical <NUM>. Pre-machined holes <NUM> in the mating surfaces of the two bottom cup halves <NUM>, <NUM>'and pre-machined holes <NUM> in the mating surfaces of the two bottom cup halves <NUM>, <NUM>' and the vertical <NUM> is applied with glue before dowel pins <NUM>, <NUM> are inserted protruding out of the vertical <NUM> and one half <NUM>, <NUM>' of the bottom cup <NUM>. Glue is filled in the remaining holes <NUM>, <NUM>. The bottom cup halves <NUM>, <NUM>' are then joined together with each other and at the same time with the vertical <NUM> for a permanent connection.

<FIG> shows cups in one piece, it is not restricted to be manufactured in one piece; it might in all embodiments as shown in <FIG> be manufactured in two pieces, joined together as described in <FIG>, with or without dowel pins in combination with gluing and/or welding on joining surfaces, prior to being thread onto the vertical.

<FIG> shows schematically an exploded view of an embodiment of a lug <NUM> for locking of the top cup <NUM>, while <FIG> shows the unit in an assembled state. Holes <NUM> are pre-machined in the vertical <NUM> in which dowel pins <NUM> are placed protruding out of the vertical <NUM>, the holes <NUM> are preferably pre-glued, in order to permanently fix the dowel pins <NUM> to the vertical <NUM>. Glue is applied to the dowel pins <NUM> and the face of lug <NUM>, which shall be mated with the vertical <NUM>, before the lug <NUM>, with pre-machined holes to match the dowel pins <NUM> in the vertical <NUM>, is placed onto the dowel pins <NUM> for a permanent connection. Stoppers <NUM>, which might be dowel pins, shown at the top of the vertical <NUM> are mechanical stoppers preventing loose objects, such as the top cup <NUM>, from falling off. The stoppers <NUM> are placed in pre-machined holes in the vertical <NUM> filled with glue.

<FIG> shows an exploded and assembled view of an embodiment of the end piece of a horizontal <NUM> with an end piece on each end of an elongated tube <NUM> of the horizontal <NUM>. The long elongated tube <NUM> of the horizontal <NUM> being of a light material, such as aluminium, is to be permanently connected to a connecting end piece comprising a blade end <NUM> with an engaging tube <NUM>, being of a stronger material such as steel.

The blade end <NUM> of the end piece fits the shape of the vertical <NUM>, the bottom cup <NUM> and top cup <NUM>. The end piece's engaging tube <NUM> has a shape to fit within the elongated tube <NUM> of the horizontal <NUM>. The outer surface of the engaging tube <NUM> of the connecting end piece being applied with glue before being treaded into the elongated tube <NUM> of the horizontal <NUM> for a permanent connection. The engaging tube <NUM> is preferably of a semi-cylindrical shape, but it might also take a conical shape, chamfered shape or it might be threaded for a threaded connection between engaging tube <NUM> and elongated tube <NUM>.

<FIG> shows schematically an embodiment of an assembly of the coupling system of the present invention. Showing two horizontals <NUM>, only end part shown, to be connected to the vertical <NUM> through first lowering one side of the blade end <NUM> into the preinstalled, permanent bottom cup <NUM> as described in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>. A top cup <NUM> is thereafter lowered and rotated onto the other side of the blade end <NUM>, by rotating the top cup <NUM> comprising a helical upper part against the lug <NUM> described in <FIG>, and thereby locking the horizontals <NUM> to the vertical <NUM> in a firm but releasable connection. A support bracket <NUM> may be assembled between the vertical <NUM> and horizontal <NUM> in order to aid the transfer of loads between the horizontal <NUM> and the vertical <NUM> creating a stronger and more rigid connection between the horizontal <NUM> and the vertical <NUM>. The support bracket <NUM> is configured to be securely fixed to the vertical <NUM> below the node section <NUM> and the horizontal <NUM> at a distance from the node section <NUM>, thereby forming a strut or a brace. The support bracket <NUM> will be described in further details below, referring to <FIG>.

<FIG> shows an exploded and assembled view of an embodiment of the support bracket <NUM> mentioned in <FIG> comprising two identical but mirrored support bracket plates <NUM>, <NUM>', being shaped steel or aluminium plates, able to grip around both the horizontal <NUM> and the vertical <NUM>. The two support bracket plates <NUM>, <NUM>' are loosely connected with bolts <NUM>, washers <NUM> and nuts <NUM> before assembled in order to be fastened together and tightened around the horizontal <NUM> and the vertical <NUM>. The bolts <NUM>, which may be carriage bolts used with corresponding squared holes <NUM> in the support bracket plates <NUM>, <NUM>' in order to keep the bolts <NUM> in place while screwing the nuts <NUM> and tightening the parts together or loosening the parts, thereby eliminating the need of an extra holding-on tool while tightening of loosening of the parts.

<FIG> shows an exploded and assembled view of an embodiment of a bottom cup guard <NUM> used to protect the bottom cup <NUM>, dowel pins <NUM> and joining adhesive from mechanical impacts and environmental elements causing material degradation. The bottom cup guard <NUM> can be for instance of a polymer material such as plastic or rubber. The bottom cup guard <NUM> can also serve as a marketing object, sporting for instance company logo or product name, and/or being in bright colour. The bottom cup guard <NUM> is made up of a single unit and is applied an adhesive and attached to the bottom cup <NUM>, thus providing permanent joining of the bottom cup guard <NUM> and the bottom cup <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A structural support system, such as, but not limited to, a scaffolding or a falsework comprising verticals (<NUM>), horizontals (<NUM>) and/or diagonals connected at node sections (<NUM>) at the verticals (<NUM>), where each node section (<NUM>) comprises a locking device for joining horizontals (<NUM>) and/or diagonals with bladed ends arranged at ends of the horizontals (<NUM>) and/or diagonals and the vertical (<NUM>), where the locking device is a cup pair comprising a bottom cup (<NUM>) held at a position on the verticals (<NUM>) and a top cup (<NUM>) moveably arranged on the verticals (<NUM>), where bladed ends of the horizontals (<NUM>) and/or diagonals are configured to be locked by bottom cup (<NUM>) part and top cup (<NUM>) part, providing a rigid connection,
the bottom cup (<NUM>) comprises at least one hole (<NUM>), preferably at the circumference of a lower part (<NUM>) of the bottom cup (<NUM>),
the bottom cups (<NUM>) to be held at a position on the verticals (<NUM>) are held by using at least one fastening means (<NUM>) and corresponding hole(s) (<NUM>, <NUM>) in the bottom cups (<NUM>) and the verticals (<NUM>), the fastening means (<NUM>) being a headed bolt rigidly fixed by screwing the headed bolt into the vertical (<NUM>),
characterized in that the diameter of the hole (<NUM>)
of said bottom cup (<NUM>) being larger than the diameter of the head of the headed bolt, such that the hole (<NUM>) of the bottom cup (<NUM>) rests on the head of the headed bolt, providing a compressive
load capacity in
vertical and/or horizontal direction of the bottom cup (<NUM>) via the bolt.