Patent Application
20250129620
The invention relates to a scaffold post, in particular for the vertically oriented installation in a scaffold section, comprising a base post which extends along a longitudinal axis, at least one connecting disc which is attached to the base post, the connecting disc enclosing the base post and projecting in a radial direction to the longitudinal axis and in a circumferential direction around the entire base post, at least two connection hooks which are attached an a outer circumferential surface of the base post and, when viewed from above, extend, in a direction of extension, radially away from the longitudinal axis from a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and at least two partial connecting discs which are attached to the base post, the partial connecting discs projecting beyond the base post to different extents in a radial direction to the longitudinal axis as viewed in a circumferential direction around the base post. The invention further relates to a scaffold section comprising a base post, and to a method for constructing such a scaffold section.
Scaffolds are used for various functions in the construction sector. Facade scaffolds serve to shape, for example, to paint the outer surfaces of buildings. Facade scaffolds are typically assembled from facade scaffold frames as the main components, in recent times they are also assembled from modular scaffolds. In civil engineering, support scaffolds are used to get a wide variety of building parts into position and to keep them there. Such building parts may be, for example, precast concrete elements, steel beams or steel structures. Moreover, elements required for the erection of buildings such as temporary structures or formwork can be positioned with the aid of support scaffolds. Finally, scaffolds are also made use of in the service or revision sector, for example, to safely get personnel to the plant sections to be revised in large process plants such as refineries. Principally, for scaffolds, the basic requirements prevail that they have to be readily transportable and easy to assemble.
Numerous scaffolds have a modular structure which means that various shapes and sizes of scaffolds can be assembled from standard components based on a modular concept. Commonly, there are standard components which are mainly deployed in a vertical orientation when a scaffold is assembled, and other standard components which are mainly used in a horizontal orientation. Vertically oriented standard components are usually referred to as vertical posts or scaffold posts. The horizontally oriented components connectable to these are often referred to as horizontal transoms or scaffold transoms. When a scaffold or a scaffold section is assembled a plurality of scaffold posts are oriented parallel to each other and then connected to a plurality of horizontal transoms oriented perpendicular thereto. The connection of the scaffold elements is established through interfaces. In this way, scaffolds or scaffold sections comprising a plurality of levels can be assembled in an easy way. In higher levels of such scaffold sections, it has to be ensured that railings are installed so that persons present on these higher levels do not fall off the scaffold section and might get injured in the process. Scaffold posts are known which, on the one hand, have at least one interface for the connection to horizontal transoms and are, on the other hand, provided with so-called railing hooks rendering the installation of railings on higher levels possible. A drawback of this known scaffold post is that the load capacity and loadability of a scaffold section assembled from these scaffold posts do not meet some requirements. Particularly in higher scaffolds, higher loads which cannot be safely absorbed and deflected by the known scaffold posts act on the lower and intermediate levels. However, these increased requirements on the load capacity usually only prevail in the lower and intermediate levels of a scaffold or scaffold section; in the upper levels, on the other hand, smaller loads occur, and the known scaffold posts have a sufficient load-bearing capacity. In order to address this problem, other variants of scaffold posts may be used in the lower and intermediate levels than in the upper levels. However, this will then require the provision of different variants of scaffold posts which involuntarily increases the logistic effort on the construction site.
The object of the invention is therefore the proposal of solutions by means of which scaffold levels having different load capacities can be provided in a simple manner using a single variant of a scaffold post.
This object of the invention is solved by a scaffold post, particularly for the vertically oriented installation in a scaffold section, comprising:
A scaffold post according to the invention is preferably provided for the vertically oriented installation in a scaffold section. However, such a scaffold post may of course also be installed in a scaffold section in other orientations. The scaffold post comprises a base post which extends along a longitudinal axis. Preferably, the length along the longitudinal axis is larger than the diameter of the base post perpendicular to the longitudinal axis by at least a factor of five. At least one connecting disc provided for connecting scaffold elements to the base post is attached to the base post. The connecting disc has a connecting surface oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis in which a plurality of accommodation openings is incorporated. These accommodation openings constitute interfaces for the connection to other scaffold elements. The connecting disc is attached to an outer circumferential surface of the base post and encloses the same, preferably completely, in the circumferential direction. Here, the connecting disc projects beyond the outer circumferential surface of the base post in the radial direction around its entire circumference. It is possible that the distance by which the connecting disc projects beyond the outer circumferential surface of the base post varies in circumferential direction. The scaffold post according to the invention further comprises at least two connection hooks which are also provided for the connection to other scaffold elements. The connection hooks are arranged at a distance to each other along the longitudinal axis. Each connection hook is attached to the outer circumferential surface of the base post. In a plan view, each of the connection hooks extends from a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis radially away from base post in a direction of extension. The direction of extension is a direction illustrating the definition of the position of the connection hooks and the partial connecting discs described later. The direction of extension extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the base post. A scaffold post according to the invention further comprises at least two partial connecting discs which may, in sections, be designed like or similar to the connecting disc. Each partial connecting disc is attached to the base post and has a connecting surface extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. In this connecting surface, a plurality of accommodation openings is incorporated which, like the accommodation openings in the connecting disc, serve as interfaces for the connection to other scaffold elements. The partial connecting disc projects, to different extents, beyond the outer circumferential surface of the base post in the circumferential direction around the base post. This means that the partial connecting disc radially projects further beyond the outer surface of the base post in one portion than in another portion. However, the partial connecting disc always radially projects beyond the base post to a lesser extent in a direction parallel to the direction of extension than in the opposite direction and in directions perpendicular to the direction of extension here. In other words, the partial connecting disc projects to a lesser extent in the direction in which the connection hooks are oriented than in other directions radial to the longitudinal axis. In the direction of extension, the connection hooks radially project further beyond the base post than the partial connecting disc. With this varying projection of the connecting disc beyond the base post in the circumferential direction, it is achieved that the area around the connection hooks is well accessible to render the connection of various scaffold elements to the connection hooks possible. At the same time, the partial connecting discs have sufficient space for interfaces for connecting scaffold elements to the scaffold post. The provision of two connection hooks as well as two partial connecting discs in the described arrangement to the base post has the effect that the scaffold post according to the invention can be installed in a scaffold section in two different rotational positions about its longitudinal axis. These two different rotational positions render an optional connection to a first type of scaffold element or to a second type of scaffold element possible. The first type of scaffold element comprises interfaces provided for the connection to the partial connecting disc, particularly to its accommodation openings. The second type of scaffold elements comprises interfaces provided for the connection to the connection hooks. Depending on the orientation of the direction of extension relative to other scaffold elements in the scaffold section, the connection to the first type of scaffold element or to the second type of scaffold element may be selected. The first type of scaffold element provided for the connection to the partial connecting disc can also be connected to the connecting disc. This first type can usually absorb and transfer higher loads in the form of forces and momentums. The installation of elements of the first type therefore allows for the configuration of a scaffold section having a higher load capacity than the installation of elements of the second type provided for the connection to the connection hooks. With the rotational position of the scaffold post around its longitudinal axis, it can therefore be selected whether the scaffold post is to be used for assembling a scaffold section having a normal load capacity or for assembling a scaffold section having an increased load capacity. If a scaffold section having an increased load capacity is to be assembled the scaffold post is oriented so that a connection of scaffold elements of the first type to the partial connecting discs is possible. Scaffold elements of the first type are, for example, horizontal transoms. Scaffold elements of the second type are, for example, railing beams. The scaffold post according to the invention is provided for rendering the connection of at least two scaffold elements serving as a railing or fall protection for working persons on the scaffold section to it possible in each rotational position about the longitudinal axis. In order to ensure a safe fall protection, always two scaffold elements extending substantially parallel to each other have to be provided as a railing. In case of a scaffold post according to the invention, such a safe fall protection can be attached both to the two connection hooks and to the two partial connecting discs. A scaffold post according to the invention therefore renders the assembly of scaffold sections having different load capacities possible in a flexible manner. A single type of scaffold post can therefore be used for assembling scaffold sections having different properties. This brings about significant advantages for the logistics on the construction site since no different types of scaffold posts have to be kept in store for scaffold sections having different load capacities. The number of the different components for a scaffold or a scaffold section is therefore reduced. Moreover, a scaffold post according to the invention renders an increase of the load capacity involving little effort and in a short time possible even during or even after the assembly of a scaffold section. To this end, for example, a scaffold post which was mounted in a rotational position to be connected to scaffold elements of the second type can be rotated about its longitudinal axis in a simple manner and then connected to the more stable scaffold elements of the first type. Various embodiments of the scaffold will be described in the following.
In one embodiment, it is contemplated that, along the longitudinal axis, starting from a first end of the base post, the connecting disc is disposed in the first third of the length of the base post, the first partial connecting disc in the second third of the length of the base post, and the second partial connecting disc in the third third of the length of the base post. In this embodiment, starting from a first end, first the connecting disc is arranged which is positioned in the first third of the length of the base post. In the two other thirds of the base post, respectively one of the two partial connecting discs is arranged. It is also possible to attach more than two partial connecting discs to the base post at regular or irregular intervals to each other. An arrangement in which a connecting disc or a partial connecting disc is disposed in each third along the length of the base post accomplishes a symmetric introduction of forces into the scaffold post and a symmetric transfer of forces from the scaffold post to the other scaffold elements. Owing to this regular arrangement, the load capacity of a scaffold section can be significantly increased by the installation of a scaffold post according to the invention in combination with associated other scaffold elements.
Preferably, it is contemplated that, along the longitudinal axis, starting from a first end of the base post, first the connecting disc, at a distance to it, a first partial connecting disc, and on the side of the first partial connecting disc opposite of the connecting disc, at a distance, a second partial connecting disc is disposed, the distance between the connecting disc and the first partial connecting disc and the distance between the first partial connecting disc and the second partial connecting disc being equally large or differing from each other by a maximum of 30% in relation to the distance between the connecting disc and the first partial connecting disc. In this embodiment as well, the connecting disc and the partial connecting discs are positioned so that they are distributed along the length of the base post. This is particularly advantageous when scaffold elements intended to serve as a fall protection are mounted. By arranging the connecting disc and the partial connecting discs in equal or at least similar distances to each other, a particularly safe fall protection is rendered possible.
In one embodiment, it is contemplated that the shape and the size of the accommodation openings of the partial connecting disc are implemented so that they are identical to the shape and the size of the accommodation openings of the connecting disc, the number of accommodation openings of the connecting disc being larger than the number of the accommodation openings of the partial connecting disc. In this embodiment, the accommodation openings in the partial connecting disc are implemented so that they are identical and therefore compatible to the accommodation openings in the connecting disc. In this way, scaffold elements provided for the connection to a known connecting disc can also be connected to a partial connecting disc in the familiar way. Here, the connecting disc which extends around the base post has a larger number of accommodation openings than the partial connecting disc. Therefore, the partial connecting disc has only part of the connecting options of the connecting disc.
Furthermore, it is contemplated that the partial connecting disc and the connection hook are arranged at a distance to each other in the direction of the longitudinal axis. In this embodiment, there is a distance between respectively one connection hook and a partial connecting disc. In this way, it is rendered possible that fall protections can be connected to the scaffold post in roughly the same position relative to the longitudinal axis. Horizontal transoms which are connectable to the partial connecting disc typically project beyond the connecting surface in the longitudinal direction so that the upper edge of a horizontal transom facing away from the connecting disc is positioned at a distance from the partial connecting disc. However, a railing beam which is attached to a connection hook does not or only to a very small extent project beyond the connection hook in the longitudinal direction. The spaced-apart arrangement of the partial connecting disc and the connection hook results in that a horizontal transom used as a fall protection and a railing beam used as an alternative fall protection occupy a similar or the same position relative to the scaffold post in the direction of the longitudinal axis. In this way, an effective protection against falling is given in both cases.
Advantageously, it is contemplated that the base post is designed so that it is, at least in sections, hollow inside, and that an interface for the connection to another scaffold post is provided on at least one of its ends. In this embodiment, the scaffold post is stable and nevertheless has a low weight. Here, the two interfaces on the ends of the base post are preferably implemented so that they are compatible with associated interfaces on a known, already existing scaffold post. In this way, a scaffold post according to the invention can be flexibly combined with existing scaffold posts.
In one embodiment, it is contemplated that the partial connecting disc is implemented so that it is identical to a portion of the connecting disc, this portion being defined by a circumferential angle around the longitudinal axis inside which the partial connecting disc and the connecting disc have an identical design in a plan view from a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the circumferential angle which is comprised of two half circumferential angles and the half circumferential angle being defined from a direction opposite to the direction of extension to an imaginary straight line through the longitudinal axis, the circumferential angle being at least 180°, preferably at least 220°. In this embodiment, the partial connecting disc corresponds to a portion of the connecting disc of the scaffold post. This means that the partial connecting disc constitutes a part of the connecting disc. However, the partial connecting disc does not have a portion provided on the connecting disc here. This portion is a portion which is disposed in the direction of extension to the longitudinal axis. The portion which is identical in the partial connecting disc and the connecting disc may be defined by the circumferential angle described above. Inside this circumferential angle, the connecting disc and the partial connecting disc have an identical design. Outside of this circumferential angle, the connecting disc has a design different from the partial connecting disc. The circumferential angle in which the design of the partial connecting disc and the connecting disc is identical is preferably at least 220°.
In an alternative embodiment, it is contemplated that the partial connecting disc has a design identical to a portion of the connecting disc, this portion being defined by a straight edge which is oriented in a direction perpendicular to the direction of extension, and the edge being disposed at a distance corresponding to the distance from the longitudinal axis to the outer circumferential surface of the base post in the direction of extension +/−20% in the direction of extension from the longitudinal axis. In this embodiment, the partial connecting disc also corresponds to a portion of the connecting disc. However, for defining this identical portion, an edge is used here which constitutes an alternative definition to the circumferential angle described before. This edge is preferably implemented so that it is straight; however, it may, at least in sections, also have a curved shape. The edge is, at least partly, oriented perpendicular to the direction of extension and defines the partial connecting disc in the direction of extension. The edge is disposed at a distance to the longitudinal axis. This distance may vary; for example, this distance may be equal to the distance of the outer circumferential surface of the base post to the longitudinal axis. In this case, the edge is flush with the outer circumferential surface of the base post. Alternatively, however, the distance may also be larger and smaller so that the edge is either set back with respect to the outer circumferential surface of the base post or projects beyond it.
Furthermore, it is contemplated that the connecting disc has four accommodation openings which are respectively arranged around the longitudinal axis at an angle of 90° to each other, and the partial connecting disc has three accommodation openings two adjacent accommodation openings of which are arranged at an angle of 90° to an interposed accommodation opening around the longitudinal axis, one of the accommodation openings of the connecting disc being oriented in the direction of extension, and the three accommodation openings of the partial connecting disc being flush with the three accommodation openings of the connecting disc which are not oriented in the direction of extension. In this embodiment, the partial connecting disc has altogether three accommodation openings which are respectively flush with three accommodation openings in the connecting disc. The connecting disc has an additional accommodation opening which is not flush with any of the accommodation openings of the partial connecting disc. In the direction of extension, therefore, an accommodation opening is only provided in the connecting disc; the partial connecting disc has no accommodation opening in the direction of extension.
In an advantageous implementation, it is contemplated that a connection receptacle is provided which is attached to the outer circumferential surface of the base post, the connection receptacle projecting beyond the base post in a direction opposite to the direction of extension, and the connection receptacle comprising at least one connecting surface which is oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis and parallel to the direction of extension, a connecting opening extending through a portion of the connection receptacle being incorporated in the connecting surface. Optionally, a connection receptacle may be disposed on the outer side of the base post. Such a connection receptacle may be used, for example, for attaching a diagonal strut to the scaffold post. Alternatively, other scaffold elements may be connected to the scaffold post via the connection receptacle. This connection receptacle is fixedly attached to the base post in a direction opposite to the direction of extension. The connection receptacle comprises at least one connecting surface which serves the attachment of a scaffold element. To this end, at least one connecting opening by means of which a positive connection of the scaffold post to another scaffold element can be established is incorporated in the connecting surface. On principle, the connection receptacle may have various shapes and be formed by, for example, a plate extending radially away from base post and comprising a preferably planar connecting surface and a connecting opening extending through the plate in a simple embodiment.
In one embodiment, it is contemplated that the connection receptacle has a U-shaped design and comprises two connecting surfaces oriented parallel to each other which form the arms of the U, and that a connecting portion connecting the two connecting surfaces to each other is provided, respectively one connecting opening being incorporated in each of the two connecting surfaces, and the two connecting openings being flush with each other. The connection receptacle may have the shape of a U in a plan view. Here, the two arms respectively provide for a connecting surface in which a connecting opening is incorporated. Between the two arms, a centre piece respectively extending at right angles to each arm is disposed. In this way, two parallel connecting surfaces arranged at a distance to each other are provided which are advantageous in the transfer of momentums between a connected scaffold element and the scaffold post.
It is contemplated that the connection receptacle is positioned between the connecting disc and the partial connecting disc in the direction of the longitudinal axis. This position is particularly favourable for attaching or securing diagonal struts to the connection receptacle. However, the connection receptacle may also be attached to the base post in another position in the longitudinal direction.
In one embodiment, it is contemplated that at least two connecting discs are provided which are, in particular, disposed on opposite sides of the partial connecting disc in the direction of the longitudinal axis. It is also possible to attach two or more connecting discs to the scaffold post. For example, starting from a first end of the base post, a first connecting disc may be disposed in the first quarter of the length, and, starting from the opposite end of the base post, a second connecting disc may also be disposed in the first quarter of its length. By providing a plurality of connecting discs, the number of the connecting positions to the other scaffold elements can be increased which renders an additional improvement of the load capacity of a scaffold section including such a scaffold post possible.
It is contemplated that the connection hook comprises a retaining portion which extends along the direction of extension, and that the connection hook further comprises a securing portion which is oriented at an angle, particularly at a right angle to the retaining portion, and that the securing portion faces away from the adjacent partial connecting disc. The connection hook comprises a retaining portion which extends away from base post along the direction of extension. If the base post is installed in a scaffold section in a vertical orientation the retaining portion has a substantially horizontal orientation and retains a scaffold element, particularly a railing beam attached to it. Perpendicular to the retaining portion, a securing portion is provided which extends perpendicular to the retaining portion and is provided for preventing a scaffold element mounted on the retaining portion from accidentally sliding from the retaining portion and for thereby securing it. Here, the securing portion may have a cylindrical design or additionally comprise protrusions which ensure that a mounted scaffold element is not coincidentally pulled off the retaining portion and the securing portion.
The object the invention is further solved by a scaffold section including at least one scaffold post according to one of the previously described embodiments, the scaffold post having a substantially vertical orientation, further comprising at least one scaffold element which is formed by a horizontal transom or a railing beam and which has a substantially horizontal orientation, either a railing beam being positively connected to a connection hook of the scaffold post, or a horizontal transom being positively connected to a partial connecting disc.
A scaffold section according to the invention comprises at least one scaffold post and a scaffold element connected to it. The scaffold element may either be a horizontal transom, or a railing beam. If the scaffold element is a horizontal transom it is positively connected to a partial connecting disc.
In such a scaffold section, the horizontal transom is, on the one hand, used a as fall protection or railing, and, on the other hand, as a reinforcement which increases the load capacity of the scaffold section. Alternatively, the scaffold section comprises a railing beam connected to a connection hook as a scaffold element. In such a scaffold section, the railing beam serves as a fall protection or railing. A scaffold section according to the invention is advantageous in that a single type of scaffold post can be both part of a scaffold section comprising a horizontal transom and part of a scaffold section including a railing beam. Depending on which embodiment of the scaffold section is to be selected a scaffold element is either connected to a connection hook or to a partial connecting disc. Preferably, a scaffold section according to the invention comprises other scaffold elements and/or scaffold posts.
In one embodiment of the scaffold section, it is contemplated that at least two scaffold posts are provided which are oriented vertically and substantially parallel to each other, either a railing beam being positively connected to a connection hook of respectively one scaffold post, or a horizontal transom being positively connected to a partial connecting disc of respectively one scaffold post. In this embodiment, two scaffold posts are provided which are connected to each other by either a railing beam or a horizontal transom. In both alternatives, the scaffold posts are, in the rotational direction about their longitudinal axis, oriented so that the direction of extension of both scaffold posts is oriented in parallel. Depending on the rotational direction or the orientation of the direction of extension, the connection of the two scaffold posts is established either by means of respectively one connection hook on each scaffold post or by means of respectively one partial connecting disc on each scaffold post.
In another embodiment, it is contemplated that at least one diagonal strut is provided which is positively connected to a connection receptacle of a scaffold post. In this embodiment, the scaffold section further comprises a diagonal strut which is connected to the connection receptacle of a scaffold post. Here, a first end of the diagonal strut is connected to the connection receptacle, and the opposite second end of the diagonal strut is connected to another element outside of the scaffold section. If the scaffold section comprises a plurality of scaffold posts, particularly scaffold posts arranged one above the other, the diagonal strut may also be connected to a scaffold element inside the scaffold section on its second end.
Optionally, it is possible that at least four scaffold posts are provided, respectively two scaffold posts being connected to each other in the direction of the longitudinal axis and disposed one above the other in a vertical orientation, respectively one such combination of two scaffold posts being oriented parallel to another such combination of two scaffold posts, respectively one of the lower scaffold posts being connected to a horizontal transom, and respectively one end of the horizontal transom being positively connected to a partial connecting disc, and respectively one of the upper scaffold posts being connected to a railing beam, and respectively one end of the railing beam being positively connected to a connection hook, and the connection hook and the direction of extension of the two upper scaffold posts being oriented in the direction opposite to the connection hook and the direction of extension of the two lower railing posts. In this embodiment, the scaffold section forms a two-dimensional object or a two-dimensional frame which extends across two scaffold levels disposed one above the other. Such a scaffold section is preferably installed on the side of a scaffold facing away from a building or a facade. The scaffold section comprises four scaffold posts, the direction of extension of the two lower scaffold posts being oriented in the direction opposite to the direction of extension of the two upper scaffold posts. Scaffold posts connected to each other in the direction of the longitudinal axis therefore have opposite directions of extension. The two lower scaffold posts are connected to a horizontal transom by means of respectively one partial connecting disc so that a fall protection and a reinforcement of this part of the scaffold section are achieved. The two upper scaffold posts are connected to a railing beam by means of a connection hook, respectively. This upper part of the scaffold section has a lower load capacity but is, due to the use or installation of the railing beam, more lightweight and cost-effective. In this scaffold section, it becomes particularly evident how flexibly the scaffold post can be used to customise different scaffold sections. Four identical scaffold posts can be used for customising scaffold sections or scaffold levels having different load capacities by only changing their mounting position with respect to the other scaffold elements. It is particularly advantageous that the rotational setting or the rotational position of individual scaffold posts around the longitudinal axis can still be changed even during the assembly of the scaffold section to subsequently increase the load capacity or rigidity of this part of the scaffold section. Owing to the compatibility of the scaffold post with known scaffold posts in the connection along the longitudinal axis, the two upper scaffold post can also be replaced by conventional or known scaffold posts without partial connecting discs in the described embodiment.
Furthermore, it is contemplated that at least one diagonal strut is positively connected to a connection receptacle of one of the two lower scaffold posts on a first end, and to a connection receptacle of one of the two upper scaffold posts on a second end. In this embodiment, additionally, at least one diagonal strut is installed in a scaffold section according to the previously described embodiment. This diagonal strut is connected to a connection receptacle of one of the lower scaffold posts having a first direction of orientation on a first end. The second end of the diagonal strut is connected to one of the upper scaffold posts the direction of extension of which is opposite to that of the lower scaffold posts. Owing to the design of the scaffold posts, a diagonal strut can be connected to scaffold posts having opposite directions of extension. With one or a plurality of such diagonal struts, the load capacity of the scaffold section can be further increased.
In another embodiment of the scaffold section, it is contemplated that at least eight scaffold posts are provided, respectively two scaffold posts being connected to each other in the direction of the longitudinal axis and arranged one above the other in a vertical orientation, respectively one such combination of two scaffold posts being oriented parallel to another such combination of two scaffold posts, the two lower scaffold posts being connected to a horizontal transom, and respectively one end of this horizontal transom being positively connected to a partial connecting disc of a scaffold post, and the two upper scaffold posts being connected to a railing beam, and respectively one end of the railing beam being positively connected to a connection hook of a scaffold post, and the connection hook and the direction of extension of the two upper scaffold posts being oriented in the direction opposite to the connection hook and the direction of extension of the two lower railing posts so that a two-dimensional frame is formed, and further, respectively two scaffold posts being connected to each other in the direction of the longitudinal axis and arranged one above the other in a vertical orientation so that two additional combinations of two scaffold posts oriented one above the other are formed and these additional combinations are respectively positioned so that they are oriented parallel to one of the combinations of the two-dimensional frame and spaced-apart from the two-dimensional frame, the two additional combinations being respectively arranged in the two-dimensional frame in the direction of extension of a scaffold post or in a direction opposite to it, and the two additional combinations being respectively connected to the two-dimensional frame by at least two horizontally oriented horizontal transoms, these horizontal transoms being positively connected to a partial connecting disc or a connecting disc of a scaffold post in the two-dimensional frame and to a partial connecting disc or a connecting disc of a scaffold post in an additional combination, respectively. This embodiment is based on the previously described embodiment comprising altogether four two-dimensionally arranged scaffold posts. Additionally, four additional scaffold posts respectively two of which form a combination of two scaffold posts connected to each other in the longitudinal direction are provided in the embodiment described here. With respect to the two-dimensional frame, these combinations are arranged so that a three-dimensional scaffold section is formed. The two combinations are connected to the two-dimensional frame by means of horizontal transoms. The connection of the combinations to the two-dimensional frame may be established by the horizontal transoms being connected to each other by partial connecting discs, respectively, by connecting discs, respectively, or by both partial connecting discs and connecting discs. Preferably, the combinations are respectively connected to the two-dimensional frame by one connecting disc per scaffold post here. Additionally, a connection to a horizontal transom is preferably established at least in the lower level, said connection of a combination to the two-dimensional frame being established by respectively one partial connecting disc. In this way, the partial connecting disc contributes to the installation of an additional horizontal transom which increases the rigidity or load capacity of the lower scaffold level. However, it is also possible to connect the two combinations to the two-dimensional frame only by means of horizontal transoms which are connected to the connecting discs. In this way, the tread planes of the lower and the upper level will remain passable without hindrance which facilitates work on the scaffold section.
In a preferred embodiment, it is contemplated that four of the scaffold posts define a lower level of the scaffold section, adjacent scaffold posts in the lower level being respectively connected by at least one horizontal transom, these horizontal transoms being positively connected to a partial connecting disc of the adjacent scaffold posts, respectively, and that four additional scaffold posts define an upper level of the scaffold section, at least two adjacent scaffold posts in the upper level being connected to each other by means of a horizontally oriented railing beam, this railing beam being positively connected to a connection hook of the adjacent scaffold posts, respectively. In this embodiment, eight scaffold posts are provided, four of which form a lower level, and the other four form an upper level of the scaffold section. On each level, at least two adjacent scaffold posts are connected so that a fall protection is provided. Preferably, these are scaffold posts which are arranged adjacent to each other along the longitudinal direction of the scaffold. Of course, additional scaffold elements may be provided, for example, in the transverse direction of the scaffold which extends perpendicular to a facade or a building on which the scaffold or the scaffold section is disposed.
In another embodiment, it is contemplated that, in the lower level of the scaffold section, at least two adjacent scaffold posts are connected by means of two parallelly oriented horizontal transoms which are positively connected to a partial connecting disc of a scaffold post, respectively, and that, in the upper level of the scaffold section, at least two adjacent scaffold posts are connected by means of two parallelly oriented railing beams which are positively connected to a connection hook of a scaffold post, respectively. This embodiment also comprises at least eight scaffold posts, four of which are disposed in a lower level, and four of which are disposed in an upper level of a scaffold section. In this embodiment, at least two adjacent scaffold posts in each level are connected to each other either by means of two horizontal transoms or by means of two railing beams. In this way, a particularly safe fall protection is provided. At the same time, the lower level which comprises two parallelly arranged horizontal transoms between at least two scaffold positions has a particularly high load capacity.
The object the invention is also solved by a method for constructing a scaffold section according to one of the previously described embodiments comprising the steps of
The method according to the invention serves the assembly of a scaffold section using at least one scaffold post, a variable layout of the load capacity of this scaffold section being possible. Preferably, the method is carried out in the indicated order of the process steps A) to D).
In a first process step A), at least one scaffold post is provided. Preferably, however, a plurality of scaffold posts is provided to assemble a scaffold section.
In a second process step B), it is decided whether a scaffold section having a normal, known load capacity or rigidity is to be produced, or whether a scaffold section having an increased load capacity or rigidity is to be assembled. This decision influences the further details of the method. If a scaffold section having an increased load capacity is to be assembled the at least one scaffold post is oriented so that the direction of extension is directed towards the inside of the scaffold section, the connection hooks also facing said inside of the scaffold section. If a scaffold section having a normal load capacity is to be produced the opposite rotational position of the scaffold post in the scaffold section is selected so that the direction of extension is directed outward with respect to the scaffold section. Accordingly, the method is continued with process step C) when a scaffold section having an increased load capacity is to be assembled, and the method is continued with process step D) when a scaffold section having a normal or low rigidity is to be assembled. The respectively other process step of the two process steps C) and D) is omitted based on the decision in process step B).
In a process step C) which is performed when a scaffold section having an increased load capacity is to be produced, then, a horizontal transom is positively connected to a partial connecting disc of the scaffold post. A connection of a scaffold element to the connection hook disposed adjacent to the partial connecting disc will not take place in this case.
In a process step D) which is performed when a scaffold section having a normal load capacity is to be produced, a railing beam is connected to a connection hook of the scaffold post. Accordingly, a connection of a scaffold element to the partial connecting disc disposed adjacent to the connection hook will not take place in this case.
When a larger scaffold section comprising a plurality of scaffold elements is assembled the described method according to the invention is carried out anew in the described order for each scaffold post or for each level of the scaffold section. In this way, it is possible to assemble different, individually adapted scaffold sections in an easy manner using a single type of scaffold post. Since the decision of whether or not an increased load capacity is required is made anew for each scaffold post also scaffold sections which, in parts, have an increased load capacity and, in parts, a normal load capacity can be assembled in this way. This is particularly advantageous when a scaffold section comprises a plurality of levels arranged one above the other. The method according to the invention can be readily performed since the connection of the scaffold post to other scaffold elements is carried out in a familiar way, and working staff will therefore master the handling of the scaffold post in a short time.
In one embodiment of the method, it is contemplated that, in the case in which process step C) was carried out, at least one additional scaffold post is provided and positively connected to the other end of the horizontal transom by means of one of its partial connecting discs, and that at least two additional scaffold posts are provided which are, in a vertical orientation, connected to one of the already connected scaffold posts by at least respectively one additional horizontal transom, this connection being established by means of respectively one connecting disc or partial connecting disc on each scaffold post. In this embodiment, a scaffold section is assembled with altogether four scaffold posts arranged in a plane, this scaffold section having an increased load capacity. Here, the direction of extension of each scaffold post is oriented towards the inside of the scaffold section.
In an alternative embodiment of the method, it is contemplated that, in the case in which process step D) was performed, at least one additional scaffold post is provided and positively connected to the other end of the railing beam by means of one of its connection hooks, and that at least two additional scaffold posts are provided, which are, in a vertical orientation, connected to one of the already connected scaffold posts by at least respectively one horizontal transom, this connection being established by means of respectively one connecting disc on each scaffold post. In this embodiment of the method, a scaffold section having a normal load capacity is assembled with altogether four scaffold posts in a plane. Here, the direction of extension of each scaffold post is oriented towards the inside of the scaffold section.
In another embodiment of the method, it is contemplated that, first, a scaffold section having an increased load capacity according to the second last of the previously described embodiments is assembled which forms a lower level of the scaffold section, and that, then, a scaffold section having a normal load capacity according to the last one of the previously described embodiments is installed on the lower level, the direction of extension of the scaffold posts of the upper level being oriented in the direction opposite to the direction of extension of the scaffold posts of the lower level so that a scaffold section comprising two levels arranged one above the other is obtained the lower level of which has a higher rigidity or load capacity than its upper level. In this embodiment, the method results in a scaffold section comprising two levels having different load capacities. This embodiment of the method requires a plurality of repetitions of the decision of whether or not a connection having an increased load capacity is required for a scaffold post. However, this method is always performed in the same way so that even the assembly of such a scaffold section comprising levels having different configurations can be carried out in an extremely easy manner and within a short time.
The described embodiments of a method for assembling a scaffold section may of course be used for deinstalling such a scaffold section in the reverse order of the process steps, the decision of whether or not an increased load capacity is required according to process step B) not having to be made during the deinstallation.
Features, effects, and advantages disclosed in connection with the scaffold post and the scaffold section are also deemed disclosed in connection with the method. The same applies in the reverse; features, effects, and advantages disclosed in connection with the method are also deemed disclosed in connection with the scaffold post and the scaffold section.
In the Figures, embodiments of the invention are schematically illustrated. Here,
In the Figures, identical elements are designated by the same reference numerals. Generally, the described properties of an element described with reference to one Figure also apply to the other Figures. Directional information such as above or below refer to the described Figure and are to be applied to other Figures accordingly.
Similar to the known scaffold post G, the illustrated embodiment of a scaffold post 1 comprises two connection hooks 4 one of which is attached to an outer surface of the base post 2 in about the centre of the length of the base post 2, and the other one in the upper third of the base post 2. Each connection hook 4 extends away from base post 2 in a direction of extension ER. The direction of extension ER is defined in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis LA and extends radially away from the longitudinal axis LA in the direction in which the connection hook 4 projects beyond the outer circumferential surface of the base post 2 in the described plane. The direction of extension ER is illustrated in a plan view in
In the illustrated embodiment, the scaffold post 1 comprises two partial connecting discs 5 which are attached to the base post 2 and project beyond it. Each partial connecting disc 5 is, in sections, designed so that it is identical to the connecting disc 3 illustrated at the very bottom. The partial connecting disc 5 includes at least one planar connecting surface 51 facing upwards in the illustration which is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis LA. Moreover, the partial connecting disc 5 comprises a plurality of accommodation openings 52 which are, like the accommodation openings 32 of the connecting disc 3, provided for the connection to a scaffold element 20. In contrast to the connecting disc 3, the partial connecting disc 5 projects around the circumference of the base post 2 to different extents in the radial direction to the longitudinal axis LA. This means that the distance by which the partial connecting disc 5 projects beyond the outer circumferential surface of the base post 2 is different in magnitude in the circumferential direction around the base post 2. Here, the partial connecting disc 5 radially projects beyond the base post 2 in the direction of extension ER or in a direction parallel thereto to a lesser extent than, for example, in a direction extending opposite to the direction of extension ER. In the illustration, it can be clearly seen that, in the direction of extension ER in which also the connection hooks 4 are attached to the base post 2, the partial connecting disc 5 projects beyond the base post 2 to an obviously lesser extent than in other directions oriented radially away from the longitudinal axis LA. The partial connecting disc 5 also projects further beyond the base post 2 in directions perpendicular to the direction of extension ER than in the direction of the direction of extension ER. The connection hook 4 projects further beyond the base post 2 than the partial connecting disc 5 in the direction of extension ER. This can be seen particularly well in
The scaffold post 1 further comprises a connection receptacle 6 which is attached to the outer circumferential surface of the base post 2. The connection receptacle 6 projects beyond the base post 2 in a direction opposite to the direction of extension ER. The connection receptacle 6 is provided for connecting the scaffold post 1 to other scaffold elements 20. For example, the connection receptacle 6 can be positively connected to a diagonal strut 203. In the illustrated embodiment, the connection receptacle 6 has a U-shaped design and comprises two connecting surfaces 61 forming the arms of the U. The two arms of the U are connected by a connecting portion which is oriented perpendicular to the two connecting surfaces 61. In each of the two connecting surfaces 61 which are respectively oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis LA and parallel to the direction of extension ER, a connecting opening 62 is incorporated. The connecting opening 62 extends through a connecting surface 61, respectively. For connecting a scaffold element 20 to the connection receptacle 6, a portion of the scaffold element 20 can be introduced into one or both connecting openings 62 and positively connected to it/these. In the illustrated embodiment, the connection receptacle 6 is formed by a bracket curved in a U-shape and made of an iron-based material which is welded to the base post 2. However, the connection receptacle 6 may also comprise only one connecting surface 61 having a connecting opening 62. In this case, the connection receptacle 6 may be formed, for example, by a simple plate which extends from the base post 2 radially away from the longitudinal axis LA in a direction opposite to the direction of extension ER. The connection receptacle 6 is attached to the base post 2 between the connecting disc 3 and a partial connecting disc 5 in the direction of the longitudinal axis LA. Alternatively, the connection receptacle 6 may also be attached to the base post 2 in another position. It is also possible to arrange a plurality of connection receptacles 6 in different positions in the direction of the longitudinal axis LA.
In the illustrated embodiment, respectively one connection hook 4 is arranged so as to be spaced-apart from a partial connecting disc 5 in the direction of the longitudinal axis LA. Here, this distance is from 2 cm to 30 cm. It is also possible to attach the connection hook 4 and the partial connecting disc 5 in the same position in the direction of the longitudinal axis LA. In the illustrated embodiment, the shape and the size of an accommodation opening 52 of the partial connecting disc 5 are implemented so that they are identical to the shape and the size of an accommodation opening 32 of the connecting disc 3. In this way, a scaffold element 20 can be connected to both the partial connecting disc 5 and the connecting disc 3 in the same way. The number of the accommodation openings 32 in the connecting disc 3 is four here. The number of the accommodation openings 52 in the partial connecting disc 5 is three here. Therefore, the connecting disc 3 offers more connecting options for a scaffold element 20 than the partial connecting disc 5. In the illustrated embodiment, respectively one accommodation opening 51 of a partial connecting disc 5 and one accommodation opening 32 of the connecting disc 3 are arranged so that they are congruent or flush with each other in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis LA. This renders the attachment of scaffold elements 20 which are connected in the same position in circumferential direction around the base post 2 and which, accordingly, extend radially away from the longitudinal axis LA in the same direction to the connecting disc 3 and to a partial connecting disc 5 possible. In the illustrated embodiment, an accommodation opening 52 of the partial connecting disc 5 disposed on the upper side is arranged so that it is flush with an accommodation opening 52 of the partial connecting disc 5 disposed on the lower side in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis. In this way, scaffold elements 20 which are identically positioned in the circumferential direction around the longitudinal axis LA can also be attached to two partial connecting discs 5. This renders the connection of a plurality of scaffold elements 20 extending parallel to each other to the scaffold post 1 possible. Alternatively, additional partial connecting discs 5 and/or additional connecting discs 3 can be arranged on a scaffold post 1. Moreover, the ratio of the length to the diameter of the base post 2 may deviate from the illustrated embodiment. For example, the length of the base post 2 may also be twice as large or half as large relative to its diameter.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 2021 122 288.5 | Aug 2021 | DE | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2022/073181 | 8/19/2022 | WO |
