| JP2000064602 | ASSEMBLING TYPE SCAFFOLD |
| JP2001123654 | PORTABLE WORKBENCH |
| WO/2001/066879 | METHOD FOR ERECTING A SCAFFOLD, SCAFFOLD AND PARTS THEREFOR |
JENKINS, Anthony, Lewis (Advanced Scaffold Products Ltd, Safety Drive, Northampton NN4 5FB, GB)
CLAIMS
1. A stand assembly for attaching to a scaffold structure, the assembly comprising: a platform for supporting a worker; a ladder pivotally connected to the platform and extendable to a desired length to support the platform, the ladder comprising a stopping member configurable to retain the desired length; and clamping means comprising at least one receptacle having an opening for receiving a member of the scaffold structure, the clamping means being directly attached to a side of the platform and arranged to fit over an upper surface of a member of the scaffold structure such that, in use, the platform is substantially at the same level as the member it is fitted to.
2 A stand assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the ladder may be pivoted relative to the platform such that it is folded against the platform.
3. A stand assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the length of the ladder is adjustable such that the platform is supportable at different heights.
4. A stand assembly according to any one of claims 1 , 2 or 3, further comprising a rest member pivotally connected to the ladder at the end distal to the platform, the rest member being configurable to engage with the scaffold structure by frictional force.
5. A stand assembly according to any of the above claims, wherein at least one receptacle is a semicircular member arranged to removably engage with a cylindrical scaffold structure. |
STAND ASSEMBLY
The present invention relates generally to a stand assembly for attaching to a scaffolding structure.
Scaffolding systems are generally well known, comprising a framework usually provided with a series of horizontal platforms from which work can be carried out at a raised level. Such scaffolding systems are inherently temporary and are subject to strict health and safety regulations at all stages: when constructing the scaffold itself, while work is being carried out at a raised level, and when dismounting the scaffold.
Traditional ladders are commonly used in such environments for elevating workers to the scaffold platforms. While traditional ladders are generally safe for climbing between the scaffold platforms, they are not well suited for supporting workers when they are required to be at positions intermediate to the scaffold platforms in order to allow work at intermediate positions between the scaffold platforms. Such situations often arise in construction work, for example when building the scaffold by adding the next level platform.
In the past, there have been several various attachments to ladders proposed for supporting standing workers carrying out construction at intermediate heights between the scaffold platforms. A key disadvantage of such devices is their instability. In particular, the ladder is positioned at an angle to the ground or the supporting scaffolding platform. At the same time, the ladder is required to support a vertical weight. While various straps or chains may be manually wrapped around the scaffold to secure the ladder, these devices do not comply with health and safety regulations associated with scaffolding.
Furthermore, such conventional devices are restricted by the relatively small size of the standing platform, since the standing platform is solely attached to the ladder. The need for stability is even more pressing due to the worker shifting weight when carrying out the work in elevation for prolonged periods of time.
Accordingly, there is a need for a stand assembly which may be safely used by people standing on it at intermediate heights between the scaffold platforms. In particular, there is required a stand assembly which is stable, yet easy to install in a removable fashion. Furthermore, the stand assembly should be relatively compact and lightweight in order to be easy to store and transport.
According to the present invention, there is provided a stand assembly for attaching to a scaffold structure, the assembly comprising: a platform for supporting a worker; a ladder pivotally connected to the platform and extendable to a desired length to support the platform, the ladder comprising a stopping member configurable to retain the desired length; and clamping means comprising at least one receptacle having an opening for receiving a member of the scaffold structure, the clamping means being directly attached to a side of the platform and arranged to fit over an upper surface of a member of the scaffold structure such that, in use, the platform is substantially at the same level as the member it is fitted to.
For the purpose of storage or transport, the ladder may be pivoted relative to the platform such that it is folded against the platform. The length of the ladder may be adjusted such that the platform may be supported at adjustable heights. A rest member may be pivotally connected to the end of the ladder distal to the platform and may be configurable to engage with the scaffold structure by frictional force. The clamping means may comprise at least one semicircular member arranged to removably engage with a cylindrical member of a scaffold structure, such as a ledger.
One example of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is schematic side view of the stand assembly arranged in use position;
Figure 2 is a schematic side view of a support member of the stand assembly having a foot for adjustable length;
Figure 3 is a schematic top view of the stand assembly;
Figure 4 illustrates and example of how the stand assembly may be used by a worker.
Referring to figure 1 , a stand assembly according to the present invention has a platform 1 which can be configured in use to support a worker. In this example, the platform 1 has side support members 1a arranged in parallel 1a within the platform plane, each of the side support members 1a being provided with a clamp 2 at one of its ends.
Each of the clamps 2 comprise a semicircular member 2a for gripping a cylindrical scaffold member such as a ledger positioned next to the platform 1 , within the plane of the platform 1 , and perpendicular to the support members 1a. The semicircular member 2a can grip a scaffold ledger by encircling the top side of the ledger. Locking means 8 is provided to retain the member in the clamp(s) 2.
The stand assembly of figure 1 further comprises a support member 3 which may be a ladder. The upper end of the support member 3 is pivotally connected to the platform 1 at a predetermined distance from the end of support members 1a which is distal of the clamps 2, the support member 3 extending downwardly from the bottom of the stand frame 1 in a position supporting the platform 1.
The support member 3 comprises a stopping member 4 positioned next to the upper end of the support member 3 such that, when the support member 3 pivots towards the end of the support members 1a distal to the clamps 2, the stopping member 4 comes between the support member 3 and the bottom of the platform 1 , thus preventing the support member 3 to pivot further relative to the platform 1 , thus retaining the position of the support member 3.
The support member 3 also comprises an adjustable foot 5 for changing the length of the support member 3 so that the platform 1 can be supported at different support heights, for example when fixing the stand assembly on the handrail ledger of different scaffold systems. The foot 5 is pivotally connected to a rest member 7 placed horizontally on the ground or scaffold structure. The rest member 7 maintains the position in use of the support member 3, by frictional force acting on the ground or scaffold structure.
The stand assembly may be folded for storage or transport, by rotating the ladder 3 relative to the platform 1 , in the direction towards the clamps 2, such that it is aligned with the platform 1.
Figure 2 shows a side view of the foot 5 for adjusting the length of the support member 3. Two 11 dia holes 5a, b may be drilled into the foot 5, with the holes accepting M10 bolts 6. A similar hole 6a may aiso be drilled close to the end of the support member 3. The foot 5 may be fitted by bolting through the support member hole 6a and the foot lower hole 5b; or, if a longer length of the support member 3 is required (i.e. the platform 1 is required at a higher position relative to the scaffold platform or ground), the foot 5 may be fitted by bolting through the support member hole 6a and the foot upper hole 5a. The foot 5 is pivotally connected to a rest member 7 placed horizontally on the ground or scaffold structure.
Figure 3 is a schematic top view of the stand assembly showing the platform 1 comprising two parallel support members 1a, each having two clamps at the ends distal to the support member 3.
Figure 4 illustrates and example of how the stand assembly may be used by a worker standing on the platform 1.