The present invention relates to a support frame and particularly, but not exclusively to a support frame for a platform for a scaffolding arrangement.

It is known to provide a scaffolding arrangement alongside a building for example, to provide an elevated platform for working at a height on the building. Typical scaffolding arrangements comprise a plurality of upright poles or so-called standards that are held in spaced relationship by a series of horizontal poles which extend across the width and depth of the arrangement, and which are known as ledgers and pudlocks, respectively. The ledgers and pudlocks provide a support frame upon which is placed a plurality of planks of wood to provide a deck to the platform.

When erecting the scaffolding arrangement, care must be taken to ensure that the standards are measured a fixed distance apart to ensure a uniform scaffolding arrangement. Moreover, each ledger and pudlock must be suitably levelled before being separately coupled to the standards with scaffolding coupler brackets. It is evident therefore that erecting the arrangement takes considerable time and skill and as such, is only carried out by professional workers.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a support frame for a platform for a scaffolding arrangement, the frame comprising first and second coupling means disposed at a first and second end of the frame respectively, wherein the first coupling means is disposed at a first distance from a plane of the frame and the second coupling means is disposed at a second distance from the plane of the frame.

The offset in distance between the first and second coupling means from the plane of the frame enables two frames to be coupled to a common upright member of the scaffolding arrangement, and abutted against each other, so that the two frames extend in substantially the same plane with only a minimal separation.

Preferably, the support frame comprises a deck disposed upon the frame to provide a platform for a scaffolding arrangement. The first coupling means is preferably disposed upon the frame. The second coupling means is preferably disposed upon a support member which is arranged to displace the second coupling means out of the plane of the platform.

The frame is preferably substantially rectangular in shape. Preferably, the first and second coupling means comprise a first and second pair of brackets.

One bracket of the first pair of brackets is preferably disposed proximate to each corner of the frame at a first end thereof. One bracket of the second pair of brackets is preferably disposed upon a support member disposed upon the frame proximate to each corner of the frame at a second end thereof.

Preferably, the first and second brackets comprise scaffolding brackets, and more particularly, scaffolding couplers.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a platform for a scaffolding arrangement, the platform comprising first and second coupling means disposed at a first and second end of the platform respectively, wherein the first coupling means is disposed at a first distance from a plane of the platform and the second coupling means is disposed at a second distance from the plane of the platform.

In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a scaffolding arrangement, the arrangement comprising at least one frame according to the first aspect.

In accordance with a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a scaffolding arrangement, the arrangement comprising at least one frame according to the second aspect.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1a is a perspective view of a frame according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 1 b is a perspective view from the underside of the frame of figure 1 ;

Figure 2 is an illustration of the frame of figure 1 a or 1 b comprising a deck, coupled to a scaffolding arrangement.

Referring to figure 1 of the drawings, there is illustrated a support frame 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention for a scaffolding arrangement. The frame 10 is substantially rectangular in shape and is arranged to support a substantially planar deck 11 , which is rigidly mounted thereon, to provide a platform for a scaffolding arrangement 12. The frame 10 comprises a pair of longitudinal frame members 13a, 13b which extend between a first and second longitudinal end thereof, and a pair of lateral frame members 14a, 14b which separately extend between the longitudinal frame members 13a, 13b at the first and second longitudinal end, respectively. The frame 10 further comprises a pair of cross-members 15a, 15b which extend between the pair of longitudinal frame members 13a, 13b intermediate opposite ends thereof.

The frame 10 further comprises a scaffolding bracket, such as a coupler 16, disposed upon the longitudinal frame members 13a, 13b, proximal to each external corner of the frame 10 at the first end thereof. Each corner of the frame at the second end thereof comprises a support member, such as a plate 17. The plates 17 are separately secured to one of the longitudinal frame members 13a, 13b and extend in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of the frame 10, within the plane comprising the respective longitudinal frame member 13a, 13b. The plates 17 extend away from the frame 10 over the lateral frame member 14b disposed at the second end of the frame 10. A distal end of each plate 17 comprises scaffolding bracket, such as a coupler 16. The couplers 16 disposed upon the frame 10 are arranged to couple with a substantially upright or so-called "standard" pole 12a of a scaffolding arrangement 12.

Referring to figure 2 of the drawings, the vertical offset of the couplers 16 disposed at the first end of the frame 10 with respect to the couplers 16 disposed at the second end of the frame 10 enable the first end of one frame 10a to be butted up against the second end of an adjacent frame 10b. Moreover, the couplers 16 disposed at the corners of the first end of the one frame 10a can be separately coupled to the same pair of standards 12a as the couplers 16 disposed at the corners of the second end of the other frame 10b. Accordingly, the frames 10a, 10b can be butted up against each other so that there is a minimal separation between the frames 10a, 10b and so that the frames 10a, 10b extend in substantially the same plane.

The length and width of the frame 10 is fixed so there is no requirement to measure the distance between the standard poles 12a to ensure a uniform scaffolding arrangement

12. In addition, since no horizontal poles (namely, so-called pudlocks and ledgers which are not shown) are required to form the frame 10 for the working platform, the time taken to erect the scaffolding arrangement 12 is greatly reduced. Moreover, since is no requirement for scaffolding planks (not shown) which would otherwise be required to form the deck of the platform, there is less material required to be transported upon lorries (not shown) and the like.

The frame 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention can be secured to the standard poles 12a at any position along their length. Accordingly, the support frame 10 can be utilised on uneven ground surfaces and sloping surfaces. Once a first frame 10a has been suitably secured upon a series of standard poles 12a and levelled, using a level for example, adjacent frames 10b can be secured to the scaffolding arrangement 12 without the requirement for levelling. This is because the support plates 17 on the first frame 10a are arranged to extend over the adjacent frame 10b such that when a lower edge 17a of each plate 17 is seen to contact the deck 1 1 of the adjacent frame 10b at all positions along the length of the edge 17a plate 17, the adjacent frame 10b is suitable level.

From the foregoing therefore, it is evident that the frame of the present invention provides a simple yet efficient means of providing a working platform upon a scaffolding arrangement.