FR2762342A1 - DEVICE FOR SECURELY ASSEMBLING SCAFFOLDING - Google Patents

Abstract

The device concerns fixed or rolling scaffolding, the structure of which comprises opposing vertical ladders (2), between which are mounted work or access platforms hooked by their ends to the bars (6) of the ladders. ) is composed of a floor (8), two pairs of arms (10) directed upwards, pivotally mounted at the ends of the floor, and rails (15, 16) hingedly connecting the arms (10) on each side of the tray, leaving a game, the arms (10) carrying hooks (14). A mounting shelf (22), provided with hooks (26), is provided to sit above one end of the floor (8), and serves as an auxiliary platform for an operator manipulating the swivel arms (10) to move them. and hang them on an upper or lower ladder rung (6).

Description

The present invention relates generally to fixed scaffolding

  or rolling, made in particular of steel or aluminum, the structure of which comprises opposite vertical ladders, between which are mounted work or access platforms, hooked by their ends to the bars of the ladders. This invention relates more particularly to a device designed

  for the safe mounting of such scaffolding.

  More particularly, rolling scaffolds of steel or aluminum are known, which comprise a movable basic structure, provided with wheels, on which is fixed a vertical structure, of rectangular horizontal section, which comprises two opposite ladders connected together by braces or diagonals. The scales correspond to the short sides of the rectangular horizontal section, while the crossbars or diagonals correspond to the long sides

of this section.

  The tubular ladders are essentially

  made up of vertical uprights and horizontal bars regularly arranged along the uprights.

  These scales fulfill the following functions: - they participate in the mechanical resistance of the vertical structure; - they allow access to work or access floors; - they allow positioning and adjustment

in height of the trays.

  The work or access platforms are arranged horizontally between the two ladders; they include provisions allowing their attachment to the bars of these scales. The construction of the plates remains simple: a metal frame ensures the mechanical resistance of the plate and the plinth function, and a plywood panel inserted in the frame ensures the

floor function.

  One of the major difficulties encountered during the assembly of rolling scaffolding lies in the establishment of work or access platforms. A commonly used procedure consists in using two ropes which are attached to each end of the plate, then placing this plate outside the vertical structure, parallel to the long side of the rectangle formed by the horizontal section of this vertical structure. After climbing to the top of the ladders, two operators can, thanks to the ropes, hoist the platform on the outside of the vertical structure to the desired level. The tray is temporarily held at this level by the ropes fixed to the structure, then in a more or less awkward manner, the tray is manually slid by the operators inside the structure to be hung there in position; finally, railings are put in place on the

longitudinal sides of the tray.

  This operation remains long and dangerous since the operators are placed outside the vertical structure, held on ladders only by the legs,

  to have their arms to pull the tray.

  A second difficulty lies in adjusting the level of the tray. Indeed, for height positioning needs to work in the ceiling, it is often necessary to vertically move the tray of a bar or two. This operation requires two people, because it is necessary to lift the tray to release its hooks from the bars, tilt the tray so that the hooks escape from these bars during the vertical adjustment movement, and reposition it horizontally often by engaging the tray between bars. This operation is not only dangerous but also difficult to carry out, because the operators must stand outside the ladders, while

  holding the tray inside the vertical structure.

  A third difficulty lies in the installation of scales and diagonals. These, according to a known operating mode, are hoisted to the top of the structure by ropes or manually, the embedding operation of the ladder being possible only if the operator releases his body outside of the structure, while being attached to the structure with its legs. It is a dangerous operation. Another method consists in placing the trays approximately every two meters and in constructing the scaffolding from said trays. This operation remains long and

  requires a large number of trays, which is not always advantageous, especially for great heights where only the last tray is needed to work.

  As can therefore be seen, a large part of the difficulties currently encountered results from the fact that

  the trays can practically not be introduced and moved between the two opposite scales, while being kept horizontal or slightly inclined.

  The previous French patent N 9302356 of February 24, 1993 in the name of the Applicant, published under N 2701981, already provides a partial solution to the installation of the trays and their height adjustment, by providing a scaffolding platform provided with its ends of pivoting hooks, capable of being erased by the passage of a ladder bar, these pivoting hooks being in particular moored to traction cables or ropes, used for hoisting or lowering the platform inside the

  vertical structure of the scaffolding.

  While representing a significant advance in terms of safety, the solution given by the aforementioned patent does not yet solve all the difficulties and, in particular, the problem of assembling or dismantling safely the structure of the scaffolding. was not solved. The present invention aims to remedy this difficulty by proposing a device composed of a

  specific platform and at least one mounting accessory, for scaffolding of the type concerned here, which allows the mounting of the entire scaffolding in complete safety for the operator.

  To this end, the subject of the invention is a device for the secure mounting of scaffolding belonging to the genus indicated in the introduction, which essentially comprises, in combination: - at least one specific platform, composed of a floor, of two pairs of side arms directed upwards, pivotally mounted at their base, around transverse horizontal axes, respectively at the two ends of the floor, and at least one heald connecting in an articulated manner the two pivoting arms on each side of the table top, allowing one of the pairs of pivoting arms to follow a direction slightly different from that of the other pair of arms, each pair of pivoting arms carrying at least one pair of hooks facing outwards and intended to hang on the bars of one of the ladders, and - at least one mounting shelf, having a width less than that of the aforementioned tray, and comprising a horizontal plate forming a small platform, integral with a structure provided with at least one pair of hooks facing outwards and designed to hang on the bars of one of the ladders, the shelf

  of assembly being provided to take place

  above an end of the floor of the aforementioned tray, and thus being usable as an auxiliary platform to allow the manipulation of the pair of pivoting arms situated at the corresponding end, with a view to their movement and their attachment to a bar

  higher or lower scale.

  Thus, the invention provides an assembly comprising a specific platform constituting a main mounting platform, equipped with railings, and capable of being moved vertically between the scales, by one or two operators standing temporarily on at least one shelf mounting, hung like the tray itself on a ladder and constituting a small auxiliary platform. By placing himself on this small platform, which constitutes a fixed fulcrum independent of the tray, the operator can easily grasp the pair of pivoting arms located at the corresponding end of the tray, and lift it by separating it from the bar. ladder on which it was hung, to hang it on the bar immediately above. The same operation being carried out alternately at one end and at the other of the tray, it is understood that this tray can thus "follow" the erection of the vertical structure of the scaffolding, to allow safe mounting of this structure. When the scaffolding has been erected, the same platform can also be positioned at various levels, to serve as a working platform, and can be moved quickly, always with the help of the mounting shelf, in order to traverse a facade or work in the ceiling. Of course, the same device

  can also be used when dismantling the scaffolding.

  According to the simplest embodiment, the device which is the subject of the invention comprises a single mounting shelf intended to be alternately hung on one or the other of the ladders, and thus to be used alternately for handling one or

  the other of the two pairs of swivel arms of the tray.

  As a light mounting accessory, this shelf can be easily removed from a ladder and brought to the opposite ladder. According to another possibility, avoiding moving a shelf from one scale to another, the device comprises two mounting shelves provided to be hung respectively on the two scales, and to be used, each, for handling one of the of them

  pairs of swivel arms of the tray.

  The beams, which can have on each side

  of the plate a beam proper and at least a sub-

  smooth, form with the pivoting arms complete railings of the tray, between which the or each mounting shelf takes place. In an advantageous embodiment, each stringer of the plate is linked to one of its ends by a simple articulation with the corresponding pivoting arm, while the other end of each stringer comprises a light ensuring a pivoting and sliding connection with the corresponding swivel arm. The light allows a limited rotation of each pair of pivoting arms, allowing the hooks of these arms to be disengaged from the ladders, and the deformation of the plate, necessary for the passage from one level to another, with positions slightly inclined intermediaries (one end of the tray being temporarily hooked to a ladder bar located higher than the hanging bar of the same tray on

  opposite scale). In an equivalent variant, each stringer is made up of two telescopic tubes, simply articulated by one end to the corresponding pivoting arm.

  According to an additional arrangement, the pivoting arms carry, in their upper part, protective handles turned opposite the hooks and located substantially in the vertical plane of the heddles, said 35 handles ensuring in particular lateral protection against the mounting shelf, which in use is located higher than the floor of the tray. These handles thus complete the side railings of the platform and protect the operator standing on the mounting shelf against falls to the outside, a real "cage" for protecting the operator.

done this way.

  Regarding the structure of the or each

  mounting shelf, this preferably includes,

  above its plate or platform, two uprights which carry the hooks and which have oblique bent parts, intended to retain a transverse safety bar rigidly connecting together the two arms of each pair of pivoting arms, in the event of a fall initiation of the plateau. In case of improper handling of the arms, if they are released, their limited rotation (in particular by

  the aforementioned lights) allows their almost interception

  immediately by the oblique parts of the tablet

  mounting, preventing the tray from falling.

  Overall, the combination of a specific tray and one or two mounting shelves, object of the invention, constitutes a complete device for safely mounting and dismounting scaffolding of the type concerned. Note also the simplicity of structure and use of the device, which does not require any means such as cable or rope to move the tray vertically. In any case, the invention will be better understood at

  using the following description, with reference to the drawing

  attached schematic showing, by way of example, an embodiment of this device for the secure mounting of scaffolding: Figure 1 is a partial view, in exploded perspective, of a scaffolding provided with the mounting device object of this invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the plate alone of this device; Figure 3 is a partial perspective view of the scaffolding during assembly; Figure 4 is a front view, with sections, of this scaffolding during assembly with the plate horizontally;

  Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4, but with indication of the tray in the inclined position.

  The invention relates to a scaffolding which, as shown in the drawing, comprises a basic structure 1, rolling or fixed, and a vertical structure composed of two opposite vertical ladders 2 and 3, interconnected by diagonals 4. Each Ladder 2 or 3 is made up of several superimposed sections, comprising two vertical uprights 5 linked together by horizontal bars 15, separated from each other by regular vertical intervals. Between the two ladders 2 and 3 are set up scaffolding plates, serving as working, access and mounting platforms, and notably comprising a specific plate 7, shown

  alone and completely in Figure 2.

  The plate 7 comprises, at its lower part, a floor 8 for example made of plywood, surrounded by a

  rectangular metal frame 9, for example made of aluminum, consisting of profiles whose vertical wing, turned upwards, forms a plinth.

  At each end of the plate 7 are provided two parallel lateral arms 10, directed upwards, which are rigidly connected together by an upper transverse bar 11 and by an intermediate transverse bar 30. The two arms 10 are pivotally mounted by their base, around a transverse horizontal axis 13, under the corresponding end of the floor 8. On these two arms 10 are still fixed hooks 14 facing outwards, and more particularly, in the example 35 illustrated in the drawing, a single pair of hooks 14 located

  at the same intermediate height on the arms 10.

  On each longitudinal side of the plate 7, the two lateral arms 10 are connected to each other by a heald 15 and by a sub-heald 16. One end of the heald 15 is linked by a simple articulation 17 to the one of the arms 10; the other end of the heald 15 is pivotally and slidingly linked to the corresponding arm 10, by virtue of a slot 18 formed at this end of said heald 15. In an identical manner, one end of the sub-heald 16 is linked by a simple articulation 19 has one of the arms 10, while its other end is pivotally and slidingly connected, thanks to a light 20, to the corresponding arm 10. The set of heddles 15 and sub-healds 16 forms two lateral railings, equipping

permanently the plate 7.

  The four pivoting arms 10 also carry, in their upper part, protective handles 21 which are located, on each side, in the vertical plane of the heddles

  and sub-rails 16, above said rails 15.

  In addition to the specific plate 7 previously described, the device comprises at least one mounting shelf 22, clearly visible in FIG. 1. The shelf 22 comprises a horizontal plate 23 substantially square or rectangular, carried by a lower chassis 24 from which s' extend two parallel bent uprights 25, rising from two consecutive angles of the plate 23. Two hooks 26, turned outwards, are fixed respectively on the vertical parts of the two uprights 25. The oblique bent parts of these two uprights 25 are rigidly connected to each other by a cross member 27, and carry or form at their respective free ends grip handles 28. Reinforcement oblique bars 29 still rigidly connect each upright 25 to the corresponding side of the lower chassis 24. The overall width of the mounting shelf 22 is less than the interior width of the

scaffolding platform 7.

  The hooks 14 of the pivoting arms 10 of the plate 7 are provided to hang on the horizontal bars 6 of the two scales 2 and 3 of the vertical structure. Similarly, the hooks 26 of the mounting shelf 22 are provided to hang on the bars 6 of one or the other of the ladders 2 and 3, the width of the shelf 22 also allowing it to take place at the above one end of the floor 8 of the plate 7, between the two lateral railings of this plate 7. The device can thus be used as follows, for the mounting of the scaffolding (see in particular Figures 3 to 5 ): From the ground, the operator installs the basic structure 1 of the scaffolding, and the first sections of ladders 2 and 3, directly mounted on the basic structure 1. Then, always from the ground the operator sets up the plate 7 between the two scales 2 and 3, by positioning the hooks 14 of the pivoting arms 10 on bars 6 of the first sections of the scales 2 and 3. The healds 15 and sub-healds 16, forming the railings du20 plate 7, can then be mounted between the arms 10, using thick bolts strips materializing the axes of

  linkage and articulation such as 17.

  The mounting shelf 22 is then also hung on a bar 6 of one of the ladder sections 2 in place, on the inside of this ladder 2, so that said shelf 22 overcomes an end region of the floor 8 of the plate 7, while taking place between the two side railings of this plate 7. As a variant, the mounting shelf 22 can also

  be hung on ladder 2 before installing guardrails.

  From the platform 7 or from the ground, the operator can still install accessories such as the diagonals 4, completing the first level of the structure

vertical of the scaffolding.

  The operator then positions himself, as shown in FIG. 3, on the horizontal plate 23 of the mounting shelf 22, and using his hands he lifts the two pivoting arms 10 from the plate 7, while pulling them towards him, using the crossbar 11 or the handles 21 as grips. This movement is made possible by the pivoting mounting of the arms 10 at their base under the floor 8, by the articulated connection of the rails 15 and sub-rails 16 with these arms 10, and by the respective slots 18 and 20 of the rails 15 and under -strikes 16. During this manipulation, the handles 21 of the arms 10 complete the railings upwards and allow the operator, standing on the tablet

22, to stay safe.

  The two arms 10, thus raised, are brought to a position in which they are hung, still by their hooks 14, on the bar 6 of the ladder 2 located immediately above the bar 6 to which they were initially hooked . The plate 7 then temporarily occupies a stable position but slightly inclined to the horizontal (see FIG. 5), one end of the plate 7 being attached to the scale 2 a little higher than is its other

  end, opposite the ladder 3.

  The operator, then returning to the floor 8 of the platform 7, can unhook the mounting shelf 22 from the ladder 2, and hang this shelf 22 on

  the ladder 3, above the other end of the floor 8.

  The same manipulation is then carried out at this other end, by the operator resuming place on the shelf 22, and grasping the other pair of arms 10, which restores the horizontality of the plate 7 (see FIG. 4), and

and so on...

  Thus, the device is raised, bar by bar to the necessary height, by moving

  alternately the plate 7 and the mounting shelf 22.

  Once the plate 7 brought high enough, the operator assembles the elements of the second level of the vertical structure of the scaffolding, using a rope to hoist these elements. 5 By repeating the same operations, as often as necessary, the scaffolding can be assembled in

  completely safe, up to the desired level.

  When the plate 7 has reached the top of the scaffolding or at least in its upper position, it can be maintained at this level to serve as a working platform, or be lowered by the same process, in which case intermediate plates are hoisted and positioned between the ladders 2 and 3 when lowering the platform 7. These operations are also done in complete safety, the operator remaining posted on the

  plate 7 always provided with its side railings.

  The dismantling of the scaffolding is, of course, carried out by the reverse process to that previously described. It will be noted that the openings 18 and 20 formed in the healds 15 and the sub-healds 16 allow only a slight rotation of the pivoting arms 10. In addition, these arms can only be manipulated by the operator if he is located on the mounting shelf 22. This guarantees that the pivoting arms 10 and the assembly are held in place

of the plate 7.

  If the arms 10 are accidentally released during improper handling, the beginning of the fall of the plate 7 occurs but the oblique bent portions of the two uprights 25 of the mounting shelf 22 very quickly ensure the retention of the pivoting arms 10, in intercepting the intermediate transverse bar 12 which then plays the role of a safety bar. So the

  fall of the plateau is almost immediately stopped.

  Of course, the invention is not limited to the only embodiment of this device for the safe mounting of scaffolding which has been described above, by way of example; on the contrary, it embraces all the variants and the application respecting the same principle. In particular, it would not depart from the scope of the invention: - by replacing the single pair of hooks 14, carried by the pivoting arms 10 at each end of the plate 7, by two or more superimposed pairs of hooks, allowing simultaneous attachment to two or more consecutive bars 6 of the scale 2 or 3; - Similarly, by replacing the single pair of hooks 26 of the mounting shelf 22 by two or more superimposed pairs of hooks; - By removing the lights 18 and 20 of the healds and sub-healds 16, to replace them with healds and sub-healds each consisting of two telescopic tubes, each simply articulated by one end to one of the pivoting arms 10; - by replacing the single mounting shelf 22 with two mounting shelves, one remaining on the side of the ladder 2 and the other remaining on the side of the ladder 3, which avoids large displacements of a single shelf and allows, if necessary, to work with two operators posted respectively towards the two ends of the plate 7, for faster assembly of the scaffolding; - using the specific plate 7 side by side with another similar plate, in the case of a

very wide scaffolding.

Claims (5)

  1 - Device for the secure mounting of scaffolding, fixed or rolling, the structure of which comprises opposite vertical ladders (2,3), between which are mounted work or access platforms, hooked by their ends to the bars (6 ) ladders, characterized in that it comprises, in combination: - at least one specific plate (7), composed of a floor (8), of two pairs of lateral arms (10) directed upwards, pivotally mounted by their base, around transverse horizontal axes (13), respectively at the two ends of the floor (8), and at least one heald (15,16) connecting in an articulated manner the two pivoting arms (10) on each side of the plate (7), allowing one of the pairs of pivoting arms (10) to follow a direction slightly different from that of the other pair of arms, each pair of pivoting arms (10) carrying at least one pair of hooks (14) facing outwards and designed to hang on the s bars (6) of one of the ladders (2,3), and - at least one mounting shelf (22), having a width less than that of the above-mentioned plate (7), and comprising a horizontal plate (23) forming a small platform, integral with a structure (24 to 29) provided with at least one pair of hooks (26) turned towards the outside and intended to hang on the bars (6) of one of the ladders (2,3), the tablet of   mounting (22) being provided to take place   above one end of the floor (8) of the above-mentioned plate (7), and thus being usable as an auxiliary platform to allow the manipulation of the pair of pivoting arms (10) situated at the corresponding end, with a view to their movement and of their hanging on a   ladder rung (6) upper or lower.   2 - Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a single mounting shelf (22), intended to be alternately hung on one or the other of the scales (2,3), and thus be used alternately for handling one or the other of the two pairs of pivoting arms (10) of the plate (7). 3 - Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises two mounting shelves (22), intended to be hung respectively on the two scales (2,3) and to be used, each, for handling one two pairs of swivel arms (10) of the plate (7).   4 - Device according to any one of   Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each stringer   (15,16) of the plate (7) is linked to one of its ends by a simple articulation (17,19) to the corresponding pivoting arm (10), while the other end of each stringer (15,16) includes a light (18,20) ensuring a pivoting and sliding connection with the pivoting arm (10) corresponding.   - Device according to any one of   Claims i to 3, characterized in that each stringer   (15,16) consists of two telescopic tubes, simply articulated each by one end to the arm pivoting (10) corresponding.   6 - Device according to any one of   Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the arms   pivoting (10) carry, in their upper part, protective handles (21) turned opposite the hooks (14) and located substantially in the vertical plane of the heddles (15,16), said handles (21) ensuring in particular lateral protection vis-à-vis the mounting shelf (22).   7 - Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the or each   mounting shelf (22) comprises, above its plate or platform (23), two uprights (25) which carry the hooks (26) and which have oblique bent parts, intended to retain a transverse safety bar (12 ) rigidly connecting the two arms together   (10) of each pair of pivoting arms (10), in the event of a start of the fall of the plate (7).