The invention has particular but not exclusive application to scaffolding and frame assemblies for use in scaffolding for assisting in the construction of dwelling houses and small buildings and for illustrative purposes reference will be made to such application. However, it is to be understood that the invention could be used to assist with the construction or erection of other buildings or structures as will be apparent to persons skilled in the art.

BACKGROUND ART Scaffolding, particularly"hanging scaffolding"has been commonly used for a considerable period to support workers at a suitable height for carrying out various tasks such as the fixing of fascias, gutters and soffits. Such scaffolding is subject to certain safety standards directed to ensuring that scaffolding is constructed and/or erected to a standard suitably safe for workers relying on the scaffolding for support and for pedestrians and vehicles in the vicinity of the scaffolding.

One example of a frame assembly intended for use in hanging scaffolding is shown in Australian patent application No.

65961/94 by De Battista. The scaffolding unit or frame of De Battista includes a plank support member which is pivotally connected to a vertical support member for easy stowage and portability of the unit. A post extends upwardly from the plank support member for the attachment of safety rails for the protection of workers standing on the planks extending between adjacent plank support members. The unit is limited in use to a predetermined height and the plank support member has only one operating position. Thus the unit has limited application to the erection of facias, gutters and wall components.

Another example of a frame assembly for use in hanging scaffolding is shown in Australian patent application No.

74337/94 by McKay. The scaffolding unit or frame of Mckay is similar to that of De Battista but the plank support member is

slidably mounted to the vertical support member for location at any one of a selected number of predetermined positions. The unit of Mckay is not readily collapsible and as easily stowable as that of De Battista, but like De Battista, it is limited in application to the erection of facias, gutters and wall components.

Whilst scaffolding units such as those of Mckay and De Battista are effective for their intended purpose and provide adequate protection for workers utilising such units, safety standards in some areas now require the erection of anti-fall barriers about the perimeter of roofs under construction to prevent workers on the roof from falling off, particularly workers laying roofing tiles. One such anti-fall barrier includes rails affixed to brackets or posts temporarily secured to the ends of the roof rafters, as shown in Australian patent No.

652609 to DGS Property Pty Ltd. Another similar anti-fall barrier is shown in United States patent No. 4666131 to Kettelkamp.

However, in order to safely and efficiently erect such anti-fall barriers, it is often necessary to erect ladders or hanging scaffolding as aforementioned to gain sufficient height, and again when the anti-fall barriers are no longer required it is often necessary to re-erect the hanging scaffolding in order to have sufficient height to remove the anti-fall barriers. In many cases the main tasks requiring the hanging scaffolding such as erection of facias and gutters are completed well before the anti-fall barrier is required or at least before the roof has been completed and thus such scaffolding is no longer on site for re-use. Moreover, the building contractor must maintain a set of hanging scaffolding units and components and a set of anti-fall barrier units and components and arrange for delivery and erection of both sets on any relevant project.

It is an object of the present invention to provide apparatus for use in scaffolding for assisting workers in fixing facias etc and which can also be used for the provision of an anti-fall barrier for the protection of workers on the roof of a building. It is another object to provide scaffolding which is easily adjustable for different tasks. It is yet another object to provide apparatus for use in scaffolding which can be quickly and easily erected and is relatively rigid and stable.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION With the foregoing in view the present invention resides broadly in apparatus for use in scaffolding including: elongate support means adapted to be disposed in a generally vertical attitude and to be secured to the top plate of a wall frame or the upper end portion of a wall panel; a frame assembly having a first support member and a second support member connected to said first support member substantially at right angles, said first support member being connected to said elongate support means for movement about a pivot axis when said elongate support means is disposed in said generally vertical attitude, between a first position in which said second support member is substantially horizontal for supporting thereon one or more planks and a second position in which said first member is substantially horizontal and said second support member is substantially vertical and wherein said second support member may act as a post to which rails may be secured for erection of a safety fence spaced from said elongate support means. In use, two or more such apparatuses may be utilised in spaced apart relation so that planks may be placed on said first support members when in the first position and extend between adjacent apparatuses.

Preferably, said first support member is pivotally connected to said elongate support means at a predetermined position such that said first support member when in its respective horizontal position is higher than said second support member when in its respective horizontal position. In a preferred form said first support member is pivotally connected at or near one end to said elongate support means in such manner that said first support means hangs beside said elongate support means when in said first position and said second support member extends substantially perpendicularly from said first support member. It is also preferred that the length of said first support member between said second support member and said pivot axis be selected so that a user may stand on a plank supported by the second support members of adjacent apparatuses and be suitably positioned for fixing the fascias and gutters during construction of a typical dwelling house when said frame assembly is in the first position and wherein said first support member is positioned below the height of the facia when said frame assembly is in the second

position and said second support members may be upstanding adjacent the gutter whereby safety rails may be affixed thereto to provide an anti-fall barrier for workers fixing the roof tiles or performing other work on the roof. In one such form of the invention having particular application in the construction of dwelling houses the length of said first support member between said second support member and said pivot axis is about one metre which suitably allows a user to stand on a plank supported by the second support members of adjacent apparatuses and fix the fascias and gutters and also being suitable for positioning the second support member upstanding adjacent the gutter when said frame assembly is moved to said second position for a typical width of siffit of 500mm to 700mm.

Preferably, said first support member is releasably connected to said elongate support means so that the frame assembly may be pivotally connected thereto in any one of a number of predetermined positions. Suitably, one of said predetermined positions is selected to allow a user to stand on a plank supported by the second support members of adjacent apparatuses and be suitably positioned for fixing the soffit during construction of a typical dwelling house.

Preferably, the apparatus also includes frame securing means for securing said first support member in the first position whereby pivoting movement of said first support member may be selectively prevented.

Preferably, the apparatus includes bracing means for bracing said first support member when in said second position. In a preferred form said bracing means includes an elongate bracing member adapted for securement to said elongate support means in a position below and spaced from said pivot axis and to said first support member at a position spaced from said pivot axis when said frame assembly is in said second position.

Preferably, said elongate support means is adapted to be secured to the bottom plate or bottom portion of a wall frame as well as the top plate or upper end portion respectively thus providing a fairly rigid and stable support for the frame assembly. For this purpose it is preferred that the elongate support means be length adjustable to accommodate wall frames of different height. It will be appreciated that the apparatus may be utilised with concrete tilt up slabs and in such case the lower end of the elongate support means may be pinned or bolted

to the lower end portion of the wall slab. In a preferred form the elongate support means includes complementary telescopic members arranged so that the outer member is uppermost when in the generally upright disposition and wherein the first support member is pivotally connected to said outer member. Suitably, in such form of the invention the inner member may be moved relative to the outer member without affecting the relationship of the frame assembly with the fascias and gutters. It is also preferred that said elongate support means include upper wall securement means for securement of the elongate support means to the top plate or upper end portion. Additionally it is preferred that the apparatus include lower wall securement means for securement of the elongate support means to the bottom plate or loer end portion of the wall. In a preferred form in which the elongate support means includes telescopic inner and outer members the respective connecting means are downwardly open U- shaped members or portions adapted to engage about the side faces of the top plate and the bottom plate. Typically the top and bottom plates are 75x50 or 100x50 timber and the U-shaped member is adapted to engage about such timber.

In another aspect the invention resides broadly in a method of erecting scaffolding including: providing a plurality of scaffolding apparatuses as previously described; securing the elongate support means of said apparatuses to the top plate or upper end portion of a wall frame of a building under construction in spaced apart relation; pivotally connecting the first support member of each said apparatus to its respective said elongate support means such that the respective second support members are substantially horizontal, and resting one or more planks on said second support members so as to extend between two of said spaced apart apparatuses.

In yet another aspect the invention resides broadly in scaffolding including a plurality of apparatuses as previously described and a plurality of planks resting on the second support member of adjacent said apparatuses.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order that this invention may be more readily understood

and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein: Fig. 1 is a side elevation of apparatus according to the invention shown ready for use in construction of a dwelling house; Fig. 2 is a pictorial representation of the apparatus of Fig. 1 separated into its various components; Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the frame assembly of the apparatus of Figs. 1 and 2 for use in constructing dwelling houses showing preferred dimensions for various members particularly suited; Fig. 4 is a side elevation of an additional hand rail assembly adapted to be connected to the frame assembly of Fig.

3 and showing preferred dimensions; Fig. 5 is a pictorial representation of the apparatus of Fig. 1 in position for use in supporting a worker for securing the facia and gutter to the roof rafters of a dwelling house; Fig. 6 is a pictorial representation of the apparatus of Fig. 1 shown in position ready for use as an anti-fall barrier for workers erecting the roof of the dwelling house shown in Fig.

5; Fig. 7 is a list of components required to construct the apparatus of Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a pictorial representation of another apparatus according to the invention separated into its various components, and Fig. 9 shows side elevations of the various components of the apparatus of Fig. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The hanging scaffolding apparatus 10 illustrated in the drawings is constructed in accordance with the present invention and is particularly adapted for use in the erection or construction of a dwelling house shown generally as 11. Part of the dwelling house 11 is shown in sectional end view and has a wall frame 12 with top plate 13, bottom plate 14 and spaced apart wall studs 15 extending between and being fixed to the top and bottom plates. The wall frame 12 rests on a concrete slab floor 16 and the bottom plate 14 is affixed thereto by bolts or the

like in known manner. Spaced apart roof trusses 17 rest on the top plate 13 and include rafters 18 and bottom chords 19, the rafters overhanging the wall frame by about 600mm.

The apparatus 10 includes an upstanding elongate support assembly 20 which, in use, is secured to the wall frame 12 as will be described and a frame assembly 30 which is pivotally connected to the support assembly and adapted to support planks or other work platforms.

The support assembly 20 includes an upper elongate tubular member 22 constructed of 50 mm x 50 mm x 4 mm SHS steel tube and a lower member 23 constructed of 40 mm x 40 mm x 2.5 mm SHS steel tube which is telescopically slidable within the upper member.

The overall effective length of the support assembly 20 can be adjusted by simply telescoping the inner member within the outer member to the desired length and securing them in a selected position by passing locating pin 24 through aligned apertures in the inner and outer members or in the case where a locking bolt is provided by engaging it in the desired position. A number of apertures may be provided in the inner member to allow adjustment to suit different height wall frames.

At its upper end, the upper member has a short piece of steel channel 26 welded thereto and adapted to locate about the top plate with the inner face of the web engaging the top face of the top plate and the two flanges engaging the respective sides whilst the lower member 23 has a similar channel 27 welded to its lower end for locating about the bottom plate 14. It will be appreciated from the drawings that the support assembly 20 can be secured to the wall frame 12 by simply setting it to the required length by positioning locating pin 24 in the appropriate apertures and lowering the support assembly 21 into position such that channels 26 and 27 locate about the respective top and bottom plates. The elongate support assembly of the embodiment shown stands on the interior of the house and beside the wall frame 12 with the frame assembly 30 being connected to the upper member and extending through the wall frame between adjacent studs. Advantageously the elongate support assembly as shown in this arrangement can be fitted into position and removed as desired even after the roof tiles have been fitted. However, if desired, a slightly modified form of elongate support assembly could be fitted in a similar manner externally of the wall frame by simply providing the steel channels on the opposite side of

the upper and lower members 22 and 23 respectively.

A first pair of aligned and spaced apart lugs 31 extend from the upper member 22 approximately 400 mm below its upper end through the wall frame and the frame assembly 30 is pivotally connected thereto by a pivot pin 37 so that the frame assembly can pivot through an angle of about 90 degrees or more as will be explained later. It will be seen that whilst the upper and lower members are internally of the wall frame, the frame assembly is external. A second pair of aligned and spaced apart lugs 32 extend outwardly from the upper member about 900mm below the first pair for securing the frame assembly in a selected position as also will be explained later.

The frame assembly 30 includes a first support member 36 which fits neatly between the first pair of lugs 31 and is pivotally connected thereto by the pivot pin 37 which passes through aligned apertures 39 provided in the respective lugs and aperture 41 provided in the first support member 36 near to its upper end (as shown). It will be seen that the first support member in one position hangs from the pin 37 in a vertical attitude substantially parallel to and beside the support assembly 20 and between the lugs 32. Aligned apertures 32a similar to those in the lugs 31 are provided in lugs 32 and the first support member can be secured in the first or down position as illustrated in Fig. 1 by passing a locating pin 51 through the aligned apertures 32a and a corresponding aperture 36a provided in the first support member. A spacer lug 53 extends towards the support assembly 20 from the first support member coacting with its lower end to maintain the first support member at a set distance from the upper member 22 so that the first support member can be easily positioned with the apertures aligned.

A second support member 42 is welded at its proximal end to the first support member at a position about 980 mm below the aperture 41 (when the first support member is in the hanging position) and extends through the wall frame between adjacent studs at about 90 degrees for supporting thereon a plurality of planks (not shown) and a socket type lug 45. The socket lug 45 is a piece of square hollow section (SHS) steel 56 which is adapted to receive therein a hand rail assembly 54 which has suitably mounted u-shaped rail supporting loops 55 attached thereto for supporting rails. Suitably the hand rail assembly may be easily removed by simply lifting it from the lug 45. A third

support member 44 is located below the second support member and is connected thereto in slightly spaced apart relation by spaced apart connecting lugs 43a, 43b and the socket lug 45. The second support member, the third support member and the connecting lugs define apertures 50a and 50b which are adapted to receive therethrough planks for use as safety rails when the frame assembly is pivoted upwardly through 90 degrees. A bracing member 46 extends between the first support member and the third support member below the second support member, one end being welded to the first support member about 650mm below the junction of the second support member and the first support member and the other end being welded to the underside of the third support member near its distal end. An additional support member 48 is provided below the second support member near its proximal end adjacent the first support member and defines with the first support member another aperture 50c adapted to receive and secure a third rail.

In the position shown in Fig. 1 the second support member 42 is adapted to support planks as illustrated in Fig. 5 whereby a worker may be suitably positioned for fixing the facias and gutters to the dwelling house 11. Upon completion of that task the locating pin 51 may be removed and the hand rail assembly 54 (if used) may be removed whereupon the frame assembly 30 may be pivoted upwardly through 90 degrees to a position wherein the second support member 42 is more or less vertical and the first support member is horizontal. A bracing member 58 may then be fitted to hold the frame assembly in the upper position, the bracing member extending between the support assembly 20 and the outer end portion of the first support member when in the upper position as illustrated in Fig. 6. A plate 59 is welded to the lower edges of the spaced apart lugs 32 to provide a support for the lower end of the bracing member whilst the upper end may be secured by a pin 60 or alternatively a bracing lug welded to the first support member so as to enclose an acute angle which maintains the bracing member captured. It will be seen that the second support member 42 when in the upper position as illustrated in Fig. 6 is suitably positioned adjacent and upstanding from the ends of the rafters (or adjacent the facia or gutter if earlier erected) and rails 61 may be located in the apertures 50a and 50b thereby providing a safety rail or anti- fall barrier for workers on the roof of the house. The additional

lug 48 (not shown in Fig. 6) can also be used to hold a lower safety rail for providing a foot barrier for any falling worker.

The apparatus of Figs. 8 and 9 is very similar to that previously described and accordingly corresponding components are referenced by corresponding numerals but prefaced by a"1"so that unnecessary description can be avoided. In this embodiment a short angle bracket 126 is welded to the upper end of the upper member 122, instead of the short piece of steel channel 26. The angle bracket is arranged so that it can abut the upper internal corner of the top plate and be secured thereto by two drill-in screws 126a which extend through spaced apart apertures 126b. It will be appreciated that the screws need only resist sideways movement of the upper member as the load applied to the frame assembly 130 by workers thereon has a tendency to maintain the angle bracket 126 in abutment with the top plate. The lower member 123 is the same as the lower member 23 except that the short piece of channel 27 has been replaced by an angle bracket 127 which is arranged to abut the upper face and the outer side face of the bottom plate. The angle bracket is maintained in position by a drill-in screw 123a which extends through an aperture 123b in the angle plate. Advantageously the elongate support assembly 120 of this embodiment can be fitted to and removed from the wall frame without needing to lift it initially above the wall frame as with the apparatus 10 which must be lifted to allow the channels 26 and 27 to engage with the top and bottom plates respectively. A second variation with this embodiment is that the frame assembly 130 can be more easily initially connected to the elongate support assembly. In this respect instead of having an aperture 41 through the upper end of the first support member 36, a hook-like bracket 141 is provided which extends towards the support assembly so that the frame assembly can be hung on the pivot pin 137. Once the frame assembly has been hung in this manner then it can be secured in position by the locating pin 151 intermediate the ends of the first support member and also by the additional locating pin 160 which is adjacent the lower end. A third variation in this embodiment is that the third support member 143 extends from the first support member 136 to the socket lug 145 and additional connecting lugs 143c and 143d are provided spaced from the lugs 143a and 143b so that five apertures 150a to 150e are defined.

It will be appreciated that this manner of construction allows

the second and third support members to be of a lighter material.

Another variation in this embodiment is that the post assembly 154 has an additional rail supporting link 155. The bracing member 158 is the same as bracing member 58 previously described.

It will be appreciated that the apparatus of this embodiment works in a manner very similar to that previously described.

It will of course be realised that while the foregoing description has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention all other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as defined in the appended claims.