Patent Application
20250067066
The present application claims the priority of German patent application no. 10 2022 200 448.5, filed on Jan. 17, 2022, which is incorporated in its entirety by reference into the present document.
The invention relates to a beam for scaffold platforms for forming a scaffold platform plane. Furthermore, the invention relates to a scaffold platform plane and a method for building a scaffold platform plane. In addition, a use for a beam according to the present invention is defined.
Scaffold platforms are usually prefabricated standardized components that are available in different lengths and often also—to meet different load requirements—in different cross-sections. When forming a scaffold platform plane, several scaffold platforms are inserted in parallel between two transverse scaffold beams, in particular by hanging them in. Scaffold platforms must therefore be able to bridge the distance between the two scaffold crossbars. The greater this distance, the higher the requirements with respect to the load-bearing capacity of the scaffold platforms.
Scaffold platforms become relatively soft after a certain length. This means that they bend more and tend to vibrate. This is particularly noticeable when there is a high point load on just one scaffold platform and/or when the scaffold platforms are subjected to a high load for a short time, for example due to the transportation of sack trucks, pallet trucks and the like. This behavior of scaffold platforms can lead to a feeling of insecurity when walking on them. Furthermore, there is a risk that the load is too great and the respective scaffold platform gives way under the load.
The present invention is concerned with the object of increasing the load-bearing capacity of scaffold platforms so that the aforementioned disadvantages are less likely to occur. In particular, the aim is to provide a safe feeling when walking on a scaffold platform plane.
The beam, the scaffold platform plane and the method are proposed as a solution of the object. Advantageous further developments of the invention can be found in the respective dependent claims. In addition, a use for a beam according to the present invention is indicated.
The beam proposed for scaffold platforms for forming a scaffold platform plane comprises at least two profiles that are guided in one another in a longitudinally displaceable manner and have recesses that can be brought into overlap at least in some areas, wherein the form and/or size of the openings is variable by longitudinal displacement of the profiles relative to one another.
By longitudinally displacing the profiles relative to one another, they can be transferred from an assembly position, in which preferably the size of the free cross-section of the openings for the reception of the scaffold platforms is at a maximum, into an end position, in which the size of the free cross-section of the openings is reduced, so that a connection of the scaffold platforms to one another is achieved via the beam. The connection between the scaffold platforms created by the beam means that if a load is applied to a single scaffold platform, the load is distributed to all the other scaffold platforms connected to it, so that the individual scaffold platform is subjected to a lower load. The load-bearing capacity of the scaffold platforms is increased accordingly.
The load distribution achieved by the beam also counteracts strong deflections and vibrations of the scaffold platforms, so that a safer walking experience is achieved when walking on them. Furthermore, the beam prevents strong deflection of individual scaffold platforms relative to neighboring scaffold platforms, so that no height differences or gaps form between them. The beam thus helps to reduce the risk of crushing and injury.
Furthermore, the beam can be used to position and fix the scaffold platforms in relation to each other. In this respect, the connection between the scaffold platforms via the beam is designed as a force-fit connection, for example as a clamping connection. The clamping connection is created by a longitudinal displacement of the profiles of the beam relative to each other with the scaffold platforms accommodated in the openings. The individual scaffold platforms are thereby clamped between two profiles and fixed in their position. In order to ensure equal distances between the scaffold platforms, the recesses formed in the profiles for the openings are preferably arranged at equal distances from each other. The beam can thus also be used to specify the gap widths between the scaffold platforms. At the same time, the scaffold platforms are secured against slipping over the beam.
The profiles of the beam, which are longitudinally displaceably guided in one another, can basically have any cross-section. This can be both an open and a closed profile cross-section. In particular, the cross-sectional shape can be rectangular, square or round.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one profile, preferably an outer profile, in which at least one further profile is guided in a longitudinally displaceable manner, is a tubular profile. By using a tubular profile as the outer profile, the at least one further inner profile is held in a captive manner in the outer profile. The tubular profile can in particular be a rectangular tube that forms a kind of rail for the at least one further inner profile. In addition, the load-bearing capacity of the beam can be specified via the cross-section of the rectangular tube. The at least one further inner profile can also be a tubular profile, in particular a rectangular tube, which has a smaller cross-section than the outer rectangular tube.
Alternatively or additionally, it is proposed that at least one profile, preferably an inner profile, is U-shaped in cross-section. This saves material and thus weight. This applies in particular to the at least one inner profile.
According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the beam comprises an outer profile, in particular a rectangular tube, and a single inner profile that is guided in the outer profile in a longitudinally displaceable manner. The inner profile can in particular have a U-shaped cross-section. The inner profile is preferably oriented in such a way that the opening of the U-shaped cross-section points upwards in the final installed position of the beam.
The recesses for the formation of the openings for the reception of scaffold platforms are preferably formed in at least two parallel side walls of the profiles and extend in each case up to an upper side of the profiles, so that the recesses are open towards the upper sides of the profiles. The same applies to the openings formed in the overlap area of the recesses for the reception of the scaffold platforms. These enable the beam to be connected to already mounted scaffold platforms that are arranged parallel to each other in one plane and form a scaffold platform plane. In this respect, the beam is aligned transversely to the scaffold platforms and—with the openings facing upwards—placed against the scaffold platforms from below, so that the scaffold platforms engage in the openings. The profiles of the beam can then be moved relative to each other from the assembly position to the final position by longitudinal displacement, in which the scaffold platforms are held clamped between the profiles of the beam.
In further development of the invention, it is proposed that the recesses for forming the openings for the reception of scaffold platforms are undercut in some areas. This measure not only allows a force-locking connection to be made between the beam and the scaffold platforms, but also a form-locking connection. The beam is held to the platforms by the form-fitting connection, so that a further connection of the beam to a scaffolding component, for example a horizontal ledger, is unnecessary. In this case, the beam can hang exclusively on the scaffold platforms.
The undercut areas of the recesses are preferably adapted to at least one outer contour of a scaffold platform. This means that the undercut areas are designed to correspond to the outer contour of a scaffold platform. If the beam is to be combined with different scaffold platforms, the undercut area can also be adapted to different outer contours of several scaffold platforms.
The beam is preferably combined with scaffold platforms that have an essentially C-shaped cross-section. This means that the scaffold platforms have lateral webs with an inwardly projecting geometry. The inwardly projecting geometry then forms an outer contour that can be brought into engagement with an undercut area of a recess in a profile.
Furthermore, the recesses formed in the profiles for the reception of scaffold platforms are preferably only undercut on one side. Depending on the profile, this is either the right or left side of the respective recess. This means that the first profile has recesses that—in the side view of the profile—are only undercut on the left side, while another profile has recesses that—also in the side view of the profile—are only undercut on the right side. The other side of the recesses in the profiles is preferably straight. Depending on the position of the profiles relative to each other, openings are then formed in the overlap area of the recesses for the reception of scaffold platforms, which are each bounded on both sides by straight profile edges (assembly position) or by profile edges with undercut areas (end position).
In the assembly position, the beam is preferably attached from below to the scaffold platforms of a scaffold platform plane, wherein the lateral webs of the scaffold platforms are preferably inserted into the openings formed in the overlap area of the recesses of the profiles. The openings bounded by straight profile edges in the assembly position facilitate the insertion of the webs. The profiles can then be moved from the assembly position to the final position by sliding them longitudinally relative to one another, wherein the openings are reduced in size and the webs of the scaffold platforms are brought into engagement with the undercut areas of the recesses. The two webs of a scaffold platform engage in the undercut areas of the profiles that are guided into one another, each web with a different profile. For example, if the right-hand web of the scaffold platform engages in an undercut area of a recess formed in the outer profile, the left-hand web of the same scaffold platform is brought into engagement with an undercut area of a recess formed in the inner profile.
The advantage of this is that the profiles that are guided into one another are connected or can be connected by a screw. The screw prevents the at least one inner profile from slipping out of the outer profile. The profiles are therefore additionally held in place by the screw. Furthermore, the screw can be used to secure the position of the profiles in relation to one another, which is particularly advantageous when the profiles are in their respective end positions. In this respect, the screw is preferably passed through at least two side walls of the profiles so that the profiles are firmly connected to each other by tightening the screw. In order to allow longitudinal displacement of the profiles relative to each other when the screw is inserted but not tightened, at least one opening in a side wall of a profile that receives the screw is preferably designed as a slot.
As a further development, it is proposed that the screw is held in at least one slot-like recess in at least one side wall of a profile. The slot-like recess can be used to limit the longitudinal displacement of the profiles relative to each other, as two end positions are predetermined. These can be the assembly position and the end position in particular. Furthermore, the slot-like recess can be used to achieve a self-locking of the screw in at least one end position, so that tightening the screw to fix the position of the profiles relative to each other is unnecessary. In this respect, the slot-like recess preferably has at least one end-side depression into which the screw falls by itself when the profiles are in the appropriate position relative to each other. To release the self-locking mechanism, the screw must then be actively lifted out of the recess in the link-like recess.
Furthermore, the profiles preferably have at least one opening on the underside for the insertion of a tool, wherein the openings can be brought into overlap at least in certain areas. This ensures that a tool can be inserted through the outer profile into the at least one inner profile via the openings. The inserted tool in turn facilitates a longitudinal displacement of the profiles relative to one another. In this respect, the opening in the outer profile is preferably designed as a slot. The arrangement of the openings on the underside of the profiles allows the longitudinal displacement of the profiles relative to one another to be effected when the beam is suspended, for example from a scaffolding level below.
Since the beam is preferably used in a scaffold platform plane in combination with scaffold platforms, a scaffold platform plane is also proposed, which comprises several scaffold platforms arranged in a plane and running parallel to each other, which are connected, preferably positioned and fixed relative to each other, by a beam running transversely to the scaffold platforms according to the present invention. The beam distributes the load over all the connected scaffold platforms, so that the scaffold platform plane has an increased load-bearing capacity. In addition, the walking comfort when walking on the scaffold platform plane is improved, since the scaffold platforms bend and/or vibrate less. Furthermore, deflections of individual scaffold platforms are prevented in the case of point loads, so that the risk of crushing or injury is reduced.
Since the beam of the proposed scaffold platform plane is designed according to the present invention, it comprises at least two profiles that are guided into each other in a longitudinally displaceable manner and have recesses that can be brought into overlap at least in some areas to form openings in which the scaffold platforms are accommodated. The scaffold platforms are aligned perpendicular to the beam.
The scaffold platforms accommodated in the openings are preferably at least non-positively connected to the beam, so that at the same time a positioning and fixing of the scaffold platforms to each other is achieved. The non-positive connection can be produced, for example, by a clamping connection. This can be achieved by sliding the profiles of the beam in the longitudinal direction relative to each other so that the scaffold platforms are clamped between the profiles of the beam.
The scaffold platforms of the proposed scaffold platform plane are preferably designed to be essentially C-shaped in cross-section and/or have lateral webs with an inwardly projecting geometry. In this design, the scaffold platforms can be connected to the beam not only in a force-fitting manner, but also in a form-fitting manner. The form fit is also created by the longitudinal displacement of the beam profiles relative to each other. The form fit means that the beam can simply be attached to the scaffold platforms that have already been installed, so that it is held in position by the scaffold platforms. No further connection/fastening of the beam is required.
To form the proposed scaffold platform plane, the scaffold platforms are preferably mounted first so that they are arranged in one plane and run parallel to each other. The beam can then be mounted. The profiles of the beam take up an assembly position. In this position, the overlap of the recesses formed in the profiles and thus the openings for the reception of the scaffold platforms is at a maximum. The beam can then be placed on the scaffold platforms from below with the openings facing upwards, so that at least the webs of the scaffold platforms come to rest in the openings. If the profiles are then moved in the longitudinal direction relative to each other, so that they are transferred from the assembly position to a final position, a form fit can be created between the scaffold platforms and the beam, which positions and fixes the scaffold platforms relative to each other.
The side webs of a scaffold platform preferably engage in an undercut area of another profile of the beam. In this way, the scaffold platform can be clamped between the profiles.
In the proposed scaffold platform plane, the two outer scaffold platforms preferably engage in a recess in the front face of a beam profile. This ensures that the two outer scaffold platforms are also secured in position over the beam.
Furthermore, a method for building a scaffold platform plane is proposed. In this method, several scaffold platforms arranged in a plane and running parallel to each other are connected using a beam according to the present invention, preferably positioned and fixed relative to each other. The method thus leads to the formation of a scaffold platform plane according to the present invention, so that the same advantages are achieved with the help of the method. In particular, a scaffold platform plane can be formed that has an increased load-bearing capacity. For example, if a single scaffold platform is subjected to a point load, the load can be distributed to all connected scaffold platforms. If the scaffold platforms are simultaneously positioned and fixed with the aid of the beam, the scaffold platforms can be secured against slipping, which ensures that the gaps between the scaffold platforms are of equal size.
In this method, the beam is preferably aligned transversely to the scaffold platforms after the scaffold platforms have been assembled and is placed on the scaffold platforms from below with the recesses facing upwards, so that the scaffold platforms engage in the recesses of the profiles of the beam. The profiles of the beam are then moved longitudinally relative to each other so that they are transferred from an assembly position to a final position in which the scaffold platforms engage over external contours in undercut areas of the recesses of the profiles. In this way, a form fit is created between the scaffold platforms and the beam, which holds the beam in position even without further fastening.
The profiles of the beam are preferably fixed in their final position by means of a screw. The fixing prevents unintentional longitudinal displacement of the profiles relative to each other, so that the form closure between the scaffold platforms and the beam is maintained. The screw is preferably accommodated in link-like recesses of the profiles. Furthermore, the screw preferably falls automatically into a locking position via the link-like recesses when the profiles are longitudinally displaced relative to one another. In this case, the profiles can be fixed to one another by a locking function of the screw, so that it is not necessary to tighten the screw.
Furthermore, the use of a beam according to the present invention is proposed for connecting several scaffold platforms arranged in one plane and running parallel to each other, wherein the scaffold platforms are positioned and fixed relative to each other by means of the beam. The beam therefore not only has a static function, but also facilitates the assembly of the scaffold platforms arranged in a plane and running parallel to each other, so that a scaffold platform plane is formed in which the scaffold platforms are arranged at equal distances from each other and secured against slipping.
The invention and its advantages are described in more detail in the following, based on the attached figures. These show:
The scaffold platform plane 1 according to the present invention, which is shown in
As can be seen in
As
As can be seen in particular from
The fact that the profiles 100, 200 of the beam are inserted into each other in a longitudinally displaceable manner means that they can assume different positions, namely an end position, which is shown in
In the figures, the undercut areas 111, 211 are each stepped to adapt to different outer contours 21, 21′. This allows different types of scaffold platforms 21, 21′ to be connected to the beam 10 in a form-fitting manner.
In order to secure the position of the external scaffold platforms 20 of a scaffold platform plane 1, the profiles 100, 200—at each end—have front-side recesses 140, 240 in the side walls 101, 102, 201, 202 (see
Further openings 130, 230 are provided in the profiles 100, 200 on their underside 104, 204 (see
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 2022 200 448.5 | Jan 2022 | DE | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2022/084098 | 12/1/2022 | WO |
