SCAFFOLD MODULE

Abstract

A scaffold module has a floor and two upright side sections, which are hinged to lengthwise edges of the floor. Each hinge is formed by two extrusion pieces that can be pushed into each other, and is made so that the side sections can only be folded towards the floor in a direction towards each other. Each side section is made of one extrusion piece, in which a section of the extrusion piece forms a section of the hinges. The edges of the floor are formed by girders, between which there is a plastic plate. The girders are each formed of one extrusion piece, which forms the other section of the hinges.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application for a utility patent is a continuation of a previously filed utility patent, now abandoned, having the application Ser. No. 12/500,309, filed Jul. 9, 2009. This application is also a continuation of previously filed utility patent application, now abandoned, having application number PCT/NL2008/050021, filed Jan. 10, 2007 (Pub No.: WO 2008/085051).

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the invention

The invention relates to a scaffold module, comprising an elongated floor and two upright side sections, which are connected to the lengthwise edges of the floor.

2. Prior art

A scaffold is generally known. The known scaffold module is composed of separate sections, such as girders, floor, side sections and rests, which can be disconnected from each other. In constructing the known scaffold module all these sections must be connected together, a process that needs time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention teaches certain benefits in construction and use which give rise to the objectives described below.

The present invention provides a scaffold comprising an elongated floor having edges; and two side sections, each attached to one of the edges, each of the side sections comprising two extruded pieces joined together via a hinge for enabling the side section to pivot from an upright position to a collapsed position adjacent the elongated floor.

A primary objective of the present invention is to provide a scaffold module having advantages not taught by the prior art.

An objective of the invention is to provide a scaffold module which can be set up more quickly. For this purpose, the scaffold module according to the invention is characterised in that the side sections are hinged to the floor. In the scaffold module according to the invention, the side sections can be folded against the floor, so that the scaffold module can be easily transported and occupies little space when folded up. In order to make the scaffold module according to the invention ready for use, only the side sections have to be folded up, so that hardly any time is needed.

An embodiment of the scaffold module according to the invention is characterised in that the hinges are made so that the side sections can only be folded towards the floor in a direction towards each other.

A further embodiment of the scaffold module according to the invention is characterised in that the hinges preferably comprise two extrusion pieces that can be pushed into each other, and which can be turned at least 90 degrees with respect to each.

Each side section may be made from one extrusion piece with cut-out openings, which extrusion piece is one of the extrusion pieces of one of the hinges.

The floor also preferably comprises two girders with a plastic plate between them, which girders are each formed from one extrusion piece and one of the extrusion pieces is one of the hinges.

A still further embodiment of the scaffold module according to the invention is characterised in that the scaffold module also comprises rests, which are present at a distance above the side sections and are connected to the side sections by elastic bands.

The invention also relates to a suspension bridge installation comprising a scaffold module according to the invention. Concerning the suspension bridge installation, the invention is characterised in that the suspension bridge installation also comprises a work cage, which can be connected to an end of the scaffold module or can be installed between two scaffold modules, which work cage comprises a floor, which when connected to the scaffold module is connected to the floor of the scaffold module, and which work cage comprises a box on one side and is provided on the other sides with connecting devices for connection to a scaffold module and for the connection of an end rest to the work cage. Preferably the suspension bridge installation has at least two work cages, between which there are one or more scaffold modules. The suspension bridge installation can be suspended on a tackling device with these work cages. The sides of the work cage to which no scaffold module is connected can be closed off with an end rest.

Note that this work cage can also be used with scaffold modules other than the one according to the invention, and that this work cage can therefore also be protected independently of the design of the scaffold module.

Another embodiment of the suspension bridge installation according to the invention is characterised in that the suspension bridge installation also comprises a tackling unit, which is provided with a box with a tackling mechanism therein, which tackling unit is also provided with connecting devices for connecting the tackling unit to an end or a side of the scaffold module.

Note here as well that this tackling unit can also be used with scaffold modules other than the one according to the invention, and that this tackling unit can therefore also be protected independently of the design of the scaffold module.

The tackling unit here forms a composite whole of tackling mechanism and connecting devices so that the tackling mechanism can be easily connected to the scaffold module. Providing the tackling unit with wheels allows it to be used as a trolley, which can be easily moved.

The connecting devices comprise preferably bottom and top connecting elements, and two prongs that extend at right angles to the box and are connected to the bottom connecting elements.

Still another embodiment of the suspension bridge installation according to the invention is characterised in that the suspension bridge installation also comprises a tackling unit, which is provided with a cage frame with a tackling mechanism therein, which is fastened to the cage frame, which cage frame is provided with connecting devices for connection to the scaffold module. The cage frame protects the tackling unit from damage if it inadvertently falls.

Also note here that this tackling unit can also be used with scaffold modules other than the one according to the invention, and that this tackling unit can therefore also be protected independently of the design of the scaffold module.

This tackling unit also here forms a composite whole of tackling mechanism and connecting devices so that the tackling mechanism can be easily connected to the scaffold module. Also providing this tackling unit with wheels allows it to be used as a trolley, which can be easily moved.

An embodiment of the suspension bridge installations according to the invention as described above is characterised in that the suspension bridge installation also comprises at least one connecting module, which can connect the scaffold module to a further scaffold module or a work cage belonging to the suspension bridge installation, which connecting module comprises a bottom section with four upright connecting pins for engaging holes in the floor of the scaffold module and the further scaffold module and/or work cage, and two legs, to which the side sections and the rests can be connected.

A further embodiment of the suspension bridge installation according to the invention is characterised in that each leg comprises two sections that are hinged together, and which can be locked together with a locking pin, which locking pin can be moved to clamp in a hole in one of the sections. This means separate pins are not needed to lock the sections together.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be elucidated more fully below on the basis of drawings in which embodiments of the scaffold module and suspension bridge installation according to the invention are shown. In these drawings:

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the scaffold module according to the invention in cross-section when folded out;

FIG. 2 shows scaffold modules folded up and stacked on top of each other;

FIG. 3 shows a hinge of the scaffold module;

FIG. 4 shows a side section with a girder of the scaffold module;

FIG. 5 shows the connection between a rest and the side section;

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of a connecting module of the suspension bridge installation according to the invention;

FIG. 7 shows a leg of the connecting module in side elevation;

FIG. 8 shows the leg in perspective, seen from above;

FIG. 9 shows a work cage of a first embodiment of the suspension bridge installation according to the invention;

FIGS. 10 and 11 show a second embodiment of the suspension bridge installation according to the invention in various elevations;

FIGS. 12, 13 and 14 show the tackling unit of the suspension bridge installation shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 in various elevations;

FIGS. 15 and 16 show a third embodiment of the suspension bridge installation according to the invention in front and side elevation respectively; and

FIGS. 17, 18 and 19 show the tackling unit of the suspension bridge installation shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 in various elevations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 and 2 show an embodiment of the scaffold module according to the invention in cross-section, when folded out and folded up respectively. The scaffold module 1 has an elongated floor plate 25 and two upright side sections 5, which are hinged to opposed longitudinal edges 26 to the floor plate 25.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, each of the side sections 5 is formed by two extrusion pieces, a girder extrusion piece 13 and a wall extrusion piece 11, that can be slidably engaged with each other to form a hinge 9. The hinge 9 enables the side sections 5 to be folded towards the floor plate 25 in a direction towards each other.

The girder extrusion piece 13 includes an attachment flange 16 for mounting the girder extrusion piece 13 onto one of the opposed longitudinal edges 26 of floor plate 25. The wall extrusion piece 11 is attached to the girder extrusion piece 13 via the hinge 9. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the girder extrusion piece 13 includes an inner cylindrical portion 15 surrounded in part by a concentric semi-circular wall 17 spaced a distance from it. The wall extrusion piece 11 has a middle semi-circular wall 19, which is concentric to the inner cylindrical portion 15 and may be positioned between the inner cylindrical portion 15 and the concentric semi-circular wall 17. This hinge 9 enables the wall extrusion piece 11 to be pivoted 90 degrees with respect to the girder extrusion piece 13.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, each wall extrusion piece 11 is made of a single extruded piece and includes cut-out openings 23, and a section 11 of the extrusion piece that forms part of one of the hinges 9, as discussed above.

The invention further includes a method of manufacturing the scaffold module described above by extruding the components described above and assembling them as described above.

The scaffold module 1 also has rests 27, which are connected to the side sections 5 with elastic bands 29, see FIG. 5. In the folded-up position shown in FIG. 2, the rests 27 are on the side sections 5. In the folded-out position shown in FIG. 1, the rests are at a distance from the side sections 5 and are not shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 shows a connecting module 31 of the suspension bridge installation according to the invention in perspective. This connecting module can connect two scaffold modules to each other or can connect a scaffold module to a work cage (see FIG. 9). The connecting module 31 has a bottom section 33 with four upright connecting pins 35 for engaging holes in the floor of the scaffold module and the work cage. The connecting module also has two legs 37, which are fastened on the bottom section 33 and to which the side sections and the rests can be connected.

Each leg 37 has two sections 37A and 37B that are hinged together, and which can be locked together by a locking pin 39, see FIG. 7. The locking pin 39 can be pushed to clamp in a hole in the section 37B and is thereby integrated with the leg, so that no separate locking pin is needed. FIG. 8 shows the leg 37 from the top. The pins 41 are for connection to the side sections of the scaffold module and the pins 43 are for connection to the rests.

FIG. 9 shows a work cage of a first embodiment of the suspension bridge installation according to the invention. This work cage 45 can be connected to an end of the scaffold module or can be installed between two scaffold modules, in which the scaffold modules are in line with or at an angle of 90 degrees to each other, in which latter case the work cage forms a corner piece.

The work cage 45 has a floor 48, which when connected to the scaffold module is connected to the floor of the scaffold module, and a box 47 that is present on a side of the floor, in which there are connecting devices (upright pins on the floor, as with the connecting module) on the other sides for connection to a scaffold module and to connect an end rest to the work cage. The suspension bridge installation preferably has two work cages between which there are one or more scaffold modules. The suspension bridge installation can be suspended on a roof beam by these work cages, which are also tackling devices. The sides of the work cage, to which no scaffold module is connected, can be closed off by an end rest 49.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show a second embodiment of the suspension bridge installation according to the invention in various elevations. This suspension bridge installation 51 has a scaffold module 53 and two tackling units 55. Each tackling unit is provided with a box 57 with a tackling mechanism therein (not visible). Two wheels 59 are fastened to the bottom of the box.

The tackling units 55 are also provided with devices for connection to an end or a side of the scaffold module 53. These connecting devices are formed by bottom and top connecting elements 61 and 63, see FIGS. 12 and 13. Prongs 65 can be connected to the bottom connecting elements 63, see FIG. 14, so that the connection to the scaffold module 53 can be stronger, particularly if the tackling unit 55 is connected to a side of the scaffold module. These prongs 65, which are here hollow, protrude at right angles to the box 57. The tackling unit 55 is used as a trolley, which is easy to move.

FIGS. 15 and 16 show a third embodiment of the suspension bridge installation according to the invention in front and side elevation respectively. This suspension bridge installation 71 also has a scaffold module 73 and two tackling units 75. Each tackling unit is provided with a cage frame 77 with a tackling mechanism 79 therein, which is fastened to the cage frame, see FIG. 16. Two wheels 81 are fastened to the bottom of the cage frame 77. The cage frame 77 is provided with connecting devices 83 for connection to an auxiliary frame 85, which is connected to the scaffold module 73.

FIGS. 17 and 18 show the tackling unit 75 in various elevations and FIG. 19 shows the tackling unit 75 with a scaffold pipe 87 connected to it. The tackling unit 75 can be easily wheeled by grasping this scaffold pipe 87.

Although in the above the invention is explained on the basis of the drawings, it should be noted that the invention is on no way limited to the embodiments shown in the drawings. The invention also extends to all embodiments deviating from the embodiments shown in the drawings within the context defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A scaffold module comprising:

a floor plate having opposed longitudinal edges; and

two side sections, each attached to one of the opposed longitudinal edges, each of the side sections comprising: a girder extrusion piece having an attachment flange for attaching the girder extrusion piece to the opposed longitudinal edges of the floor plate, the girder extrusion piece further including an inner cylindrical portion surrounded in part by a concentric semi-circular wall, the concentric semi-circular wall being spaced a distance from the inner cylindrical portion; and a wall extrusion piece that includes a middle semi-circular wall that can be slidably engaged with the girder extrusion piece, such that the middle semi-circular wall is positioned between the concentric semi-circular wall and the inner cylindrical portion, to form a hinge that enables the wall extrusion piece to be pivoted with respect to the girder extrusion piece towards the floor plate.

2. The scaffold module of claim 1, wherein the wall extrusion piece includes cut-out openings.

3. A method of manufacturing a scaffold module, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a floor plate having opposed longitudinal edges;

extruding two girder extrusion pieces, each of the girder extrusion pieces having an inner cylindrical portion surrounded in part by a concentric semi-circular wall, the concentric semi-circular wall being spaced a distance from the inner cylindrical portion;

attaching each of the girder extrusion pieces to one of the opposed longitudinal edges of the floor plate;

extruding two wall extrusion pieces that each include a middle semi-circular wall; and

slidably engaging each of the wall extrusion pieces with one of the girder extrusion pieces, such that the middle semi-circular wall is positioned between the concentric semi-circular wall and the inner cylindrical portion, to form a hinge that enables the wall extrusion piece to be pivoted with respect to the girder extrusion piece towards the floor plate.