FIELD

The invention relates to a floor part for a scaffold, as well as to a scaffolding system.

BACKGROUND

Floor parts for scaffolds are known in various forms, for instance from a German utility model having number DE202004021196U1. The floor part disclosed therein comprises two spaced apart sidewalls which extend in a length direction of the floor part, and a floor section which mutually connects the sidewalls, while on each of the sidewalls at a distance from the floor section a respective tubular structure is provided having a tube axis which extends in the length direction. The tubular structures mainly serve for stiffening of the floor part, to thereby counteract unwanted deformations during loading of the floor part.

There is an ongoing need for further improvement of such floor parts, in particular to be able to provide sufficient stiffness with as little material as possible, so that the floor part can be transported more easily.

SUMMARY

An object of the current invention is to provide a floor part for a scaffold where with less material a comparable stiffness can be provided, or with just as much material a greater stiffness. An object is to provide at least an alternative floor part.

To this end, according to an aspect of the invention, a floor part according to claim 1 for a scaffold is provided, characterized in that at least one of the tubular structures in at least one position along the length direction has a profile which is connected continuously in the circumferential direction. Thus, torsional stiffness of that tubular structure around the tube axis can be promoted. The invention is based on a new insight that thus augmenting the torsional stiffness of the tubular structure can augment not only the torsional stiffness but also the bending stiffness of the floor part as a whole, in particular without the total amount of material of the floor part thereby needing to increase essentially.

In known floor parts, for instance as disclosed in DE202004021196U1, the profile of the tubular structure is not connected continuously in the circumferential direction, so that the tubular structure is relatively sensitive to torsional deformation around the tube axis. It has been found that such torsional deformations can adversely affect the bending stiffness of the floor part concerned.

A floor part according to the invention can for instance be part of a scaffolding system. Thus, a further aspect of the invention provides a scaffolding system comprising a plurality of scaffolding parts, among which at least one floor part as herein described. In particular, a floor part can, during use, extend between, and for instance be coupled to, standards and/or ledgers of a scaffolding system, so as to provide, with the above- mentioned advantages, a scaffolding floor at a desired working position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following, the invention is further explained on the basis of drawings and examples of embodiments. The drawings are schematic and show only examples. In the drawings, corresponding elements are denoted with corresponding reference numerals. In some cases, from the viewpoint of simplicity of the drawing, only some examples of multiple like or corresponding elements are provided with a respective reference sign. In the drawings:

Fig. 1A shows a cross-sectional view of a floor part;

Fig. IB shows an enlarged representation of detail I in Fig. 1A;

Fig. 2 A shows a perspective view of a floor part; Fig. 2B shows an enlarged representation of detail II in Fig. 2A;

Fig. 3A shows a further perspective view of the floor part of Fig. 2A;

Fig. 3B shows an enlarged representation of detail III in Fig. 3A;

Fig. 4A shows a further perspective view of the floor part of Figs. 2A and 3A;

Fig. 4B shows an enlarged representation of detail IV in Fig. 4A;

Fig. 5 shows a partial perspective view of a floor part;

Fig. 6 shows a partial perspective view of a floor part; and

Fig. 7 shows a front view of a scaffolding system comprising three floor parts.

The figures show examples of embodiments of a floor part 2 for a scaffold, comprising two spaced apart sidewalls 4 which extend in a length direction L of the floor part 2, and a floor section 6 which mutually connects the sidewalls 4.

Such a floor part 2 can for instance be used as part of a scaffolding system, in particular in a scaffolding construction which has been formed therefrom. Fig. 7 shows a corresponding example of an embodiment of a scaffolding system 18 comprising a plurality of scaffolding parts, among which at least one floor part 2, here three floor parts 2. One or more of the floor parts 2 shown in Fig. 7 can for instance be configured according to one or more examples shown in other figures. The scaffolding parts of the scaffolding system 18 can further comprise, for instance, standards 20 and/or ledgers (not shown).

In an embodiment, the floor section 6 is profiled.

Thus, the floor part 2 can advantageously promote friction between the floor section 6 and a load present on the floor part 2, for example a user and/or an object.

In an embodiment, the floor section 6 is perforated. Thus, the floor part 2 can advantageously promote the drainage of liquid such as rainwater, so that slip between the floor section 6 and load can be counteracted. Moreover, material and weight can thus be saved.

In Fig. 1A an example of combined profiling and perforations can be seen, where the floor section 6 is provided with perforations having edges alternately bent up and down, where the bent-down edges enable drainage of rainwater and the bent-up edges, as profiling, provide roughness.

In an embodiment, as can be seen in Fig. 1A, the sidewalls 4, the floor section 6 and the tubular structures 8 are formed substantially from a same continuous piece of steel plate.

Thus, the floor part 2 can be manufactured relatively efficiently.

On each of the sidewalls 4 of the floor part 2, at a distance from the floor section 6, a respective tubular structure 8 is provided having a tube axis K extending in the length direction L. In Figs. 1A-B, the length direction L, as well as the two tube axes K, extend perpendicularly to the plane of the paper. In the remaining figures, the length direction L is indicated with a double arrow L.

The tubular structures 8 can have one or more of various possible tubular shapes, in particular tubular profile shapes, for example a shape as shown in Figs. 1A-4B, a shape as shown in Fig. 5 and/or a shape as shown in Fig. 6. It will be clear that the tubular shapes shown are merely examples and that alternative or additional tubular shapes are possible.

The two tubular structures 8 can be substantially mutually correspondingly configured and/or shaped, in particular mutually mirrored relative to a plane of symmetry which extends along the length direction L, perpendicularly to the floor section 6, and intersects the floor section 6 halfway between the sidewalls 4. As an alternative, the two tubular structures 8 may be configured and/or shaped differently. For instance, a combination could be made of a tubular structure 8 as shown in Figs. 2A-4B on one sidewall and a tubular structure 8 as shown in Fig. 5 or Fig. 6 on another sidewall, etc.

At least one, preferably each, of the tubular structures 8 has, at least in one or more positions P along the length direction L, a profile which is connected continuously in the circumferential direction C, so as to promote torsional stiffness of that tubular structure 8 around the tube axis K.

It will be clear that a tubular form having a tube axis generally has a circumferential direction. In Fig. IB and Fig. 5 a circumferential direction C concerned is schematically indicated with a double circular arrow. When a tubular structure has such a continuously connected profile, the tubular form concerned is, along its circumference C at the respective position P, free of interruptions, such as openings or parts where, for example upon loading, a coming loose could arise. In other words, at the respective position P, the tubular profile forms along the circumferential direction C a closed path of material, which, moreover, endures during normal use. It will be clear that the tubular profile at the position P concerned could nonetheless deform slightly, for instance under loading. Such a deformation may then be related to a deformation of the closed path of material mentioned, while that path then remains closed nonetheless, to thus retain in circumferential direction C a continuously connected profile.

Such a continuously connected profile can advantageously promote the torsional stiffness of the respective tubular structure 8, as a result of which the bending stiffness of the floor part 2 can be promoted without essential weight increase. Such a continuously connected profile can be realized in various ways, as is set out in more detail below with reference to various examples shown in the figures.

In an embodiment, the tubular structure 8, as can be seen, for instance, in Fig. IB, is substantially formed as a circularly running part which extends continuously from a lower end of the respective sidewall 4 along a circumferential shape up to an end 10 which approaches that same sidewall 4, in particular so as to be able to be connected to that sidewall 4.

The floor section 6, the si de walls 4, and the tubular structures 8 can thus, for instance together, be relatively efficiently formed substantially from a single piece of steel plate or other suitable material. The piece of steel plate or other basic material can for instance be bent from a previous flat shape to thereby form the floor section 6, sidewalls 4 and tubular structures 8 with ends 10.

In the examples of Figs. 1A-4B, the end 10 extends substantially parallel to the sidewall 4, but this is not requisite. With reference to Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, the end can alternatively extend at an angle, for instance a substantially right angle, to the sidewall.

The end 10 which approaches the sidewall 4 can advantageously be connectable there to that sidewall 4 so as to be able to form therewith a tubular profile continuously connected along the circumferential direction C, at least, in one or more positions P where such a connection 12 is arranged.

Thus, in an embodiment, in the at least one position P, a connection 12 is arranged between the sidewall 4 and the end 10 of the circularly running part, so as to form a continuous profile in circumferential direction C. The connection 12 at a position P can for instance involve a respective connection 12 associated with that specific position or a common connection which extends along multiple positions P. Combinations of such options are also possible. In Fig. IB, a dotted line 12 schematically indicates an area where such a connection 12, in one form or another, can be arranged.

To make a particularly firm connection possible, the end 10 of the circularly running part preferably touches the sidewall 4, for instance by abutting against that sidewall. Alternatively, between the end 10 and the sidewall 4 some intermediate space could be left, which could then for instance be bridged by some connecting part or connecting means that is used in a connection 12 mentioned. Such a connecting part can for instance involve a lip 16, which is explained in more detail elsewhere in this description.

In an embodiment, the connection 12 between the sidewall 4 and the end 10 comprises at least one of: a welded connection, a clamped connection, and a form closure. The connection 12 can for instance be or comprise a riveted connection. The connection 12 may, if desired, be detachable by a user, for instance when, as a connection, a screwed connection would be used. Preferably, the connection 12 is so durably implemented that unwanted coming loose thereof, for instance through loading, vibration and/or weather influence, is counteracted relatively robustly. With that consideration, a connection may be chosen that is substantially not detachable, at least, not without special equipment.

It will be clear that a single floor part 2, in particular a tubular structure 8, can comprise multiple such connections 12, for instance of a same type and/or of different types.

In an embodiment, the, in particular each, tubular structure 8 has a profile continuously connected in the circumferential direction C in a plurality of positions P along the length direction L. In the positions P concerned, for instance a respective connection 12 is then arranged. Alternatively or additionally, for instance a common connection may be arranged which extends over two or more of the positions P.

In Figs. 2A, 3A and 4A, for the purpose of simplicity of the drawing, by way of examples, in each case some of the respective connections 12 in positions P are explicitly indicated with reference signs, while it can be seen that along the length direction L further corresponding connections are arranged in further positions, in particular substantially at regular distances from each other, distributed along the length of the floor part 2.

In an embodiment, the plurality of positions P along the length direction L defines a range that is at least half as great, for example substantially equally great, as a length of the tubular structure 8 defined along that length direction L. In Figs. 2A, 3A and 4A, it can be seen by way of example that the range concerned is there nearly as great as the length of the tubular structure 8.

Thus, advantageously, along a relatively large portion of the floor part 2 the torsional stiffness and hence the bending stiffness can be promoted.

In an embodiment, the plurality of positions P defines a discontinuous series, so that between at least two successive positions P along the length direction L a finite distance is provided.

The tubular structure 8 hence need not necessarily have a profile connected continuously in a circumferential direction C throughout its length to be able to provide a desired stiffness. Thus, the floor part 2 can be produced in a relatively simple manner.

In an embodiment, at at least one position P of the at least one position P, an opening 14, for instance a respective opening 14 (see e.g. Figs. 2B, 3B, 5 and 6), is formed in the sidewall 4, in particular between the tubular structure 8 and the floor section 6.

With such an opening 14, material and weight can be saved, in particular without the stiffness thereby necessarily decreasing. Moreover, such an opening 14 can be utilized for forming a connection 12, as is explained in more detail below.

In an embodiment, at at least one position P of the at least one position P, in particular at the optional opening 14, a lip 16, for instance a respective lip 16 (see e.g. Figs. 2B, 3B, 4B, 5 and 6), is provided which is part of a circumferential connection 12 in the profile.

With such a lip 16, in a relatively simple manner a suitable connection 12 can be formed. The lip 16 is for instance formed from a same piece of steel plate as that from which the rest of the floor part 2 may be substantially formed. The lip 16 is for instance formed as a bent section of the end 10 of the circularly running part that substantially forms the tubular structure 8 (see Figs. 2B, 3B and 4B, which show substantially the same portion of the floor part 2 concerned). Alternatively, the lip 16 is for instance formed as a bent section of the sidewall 4 at the location of the optional opening 14 (see Figs. 5 and 6).

In an embodiment, the lip 16 extends from the sidewall 4 along the end 10 of the circularly running part, as can be seen, for instance, in Figs. 5 and 6. The lip 16 is then preferably fixedly connected with that end 10, for instance by welding, so as to form there a connection 12 as mentioned.

In an embodiment, as can be seen, for instance, in Figs. 2B, 3B, 4B, the lip 16 extends from the circularly running part mentioned from which the tubular structure 8 is substantially formed. The lip 16 can then extend, in particular, along the sidewall 4. In that case, the lip 16 can be fixedly connected with the sidewall 4, for instance by welding, to form a connection 12 as mentioned. Alternatively or additionally, the lip 16 can extend through the optional opening 14. The lip 16 and the opening 14 may then, alternatively or additionally, form a connection 12 by partial or full form-closure, as can be seen, for instance, in Fig. 2B.

During production of the floor part, the lip 16 can be bent from an initial position to a connecting position. In the initial position, the lip 16 extends, for instance, substantially in the same plane as an adjacent part (for instance the sidewall 4 in Figs. 5 and 6 or the end 10 in Figs. 2A-4B). In the connecting position, the lip 16 extends, for instance, at an angle to that adjacent part, for instance along a part (for instance the end 10 in Figs. 5 and 6 or the sidewall 4 in Figs. 2A-4B) with which the lip 16 can form a connection.

In the example of Figs. 2A-4B, further connections 12 are formed as riveted connections. It will be clear, however, that the various examples of connections 12 as shown can in principle be combined as desired, for instance in a same tubular structure 8 and/or in a same floor part 2. Thus, herein, various possibilities are disclosed for realizing a floor part 2 with tubular structures 8 which in one or more positions P have a profile continuously connected in circumferential direction C, as a result of which the floor part 2 can be relatively stiff and nonetheless relatively lightweight, which is particularly advantageous in the field of scaffolding.

While the invention has herein been explained in more detail on the basis of examples of embodiments, the invention is not limited to such examples. As the skilled person will understand on the basis of the current description and drawings, there are diverse variations, combinations and supplements possible. Thus, a floor part, instead of being formed substantially from one piece of steel plate, may for instance be formed wholly or partly from aluminium and/or, for instance, from an assembly of mutually connected parts, among which, possibly, tubular parts such as steel or aluminium profiles which could form the tubular structures. A floor part may at its ends be provided with end parts with which the floor part can for instance be coupled as a component of a scaffolding construction and/or with which the stiffness of the floor part can be additionally augmented. A scaffolding system according to the current invention can comprise various types of floor parts among which, possibly, one or more floor parts that are not configured according to the current invention. All such possible variants are understood to fall within the scope of the current invention as defined by the claims.