RAILING ELEMENT, SCAFFOLDING WITH SUCH A RAILING ELEMENT AND METHOD FOR DISASSEMBLING SUCH A RAILING ELEMENT

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a railing element which can be mounted in advance for securing working or standing areas, in particular on a scaffold, a scaffold with such a railing element and a method for dismantling such a railing element.

[0002] Depending on legal regulations, the erection or assembly of scaffolding must be carried out in such a way that a level of scaffolding following a level of scaffolding erected below it is secured against falling by at least one railing before persons, such as scaffold erectors, enter the work or standing areas of the next higher level. For this purpose, the railing in question can be mounted in advance. A railing that has been mounted in advance is also referred to as a pre-mounted railing.

[0003] Railings or scaffoldings with railings that can be mounted in advance are known, for example, from WO 02 / 057569 A1 and WO 98 / 07934 A1 (EP 0 918 912 A1).

[0004] Pre-mounted railings or scaffolding with pre-mounted railings are also known from the applicant's German patent application No. 10 2021 101 768.8 and the parallel international application PCT / DE2021 / 100922, as well as from the applicant's German patent application DE 10 2021 133 941.3 and from the applicant's German patent application No. 10 2022 101 720.6, all of which had not yet been published as of the filing date of the present patent. These patent applications disclose differently designed railing rod ends for detachable and articulated attachment to differently designed railing fasteners or fastening elements of scaffolding posts. Each railing rod end can also be labeled or is labeled with a coupling element. Each railing fastener or fastening element can also be referred to as a connecting element. The railing fasteners or fastening elementsFastening elements are disclosed in the form of rosettes or perforated discs, as well as in the form of other support elements or suspension elements, particularly with rectangular or round cross-sections. The vertically positioned scaffolding posts can also be designated or referred to as scaffolding stands or vertical posts or vertical supports. Differently designed suspension hooks are disclosed as coupling elements for the detachable and articulated attachment of the railing elements to the railing fastening means or fastening elements of the scaffolding posts. The content of the applicant's four aforementioned patent applications is incorporated in full here.

[0005] The aforementioned railings cannot be removed from the completed scaffold unless the pre-erected vertical scaffolding posts are loosened or dismantled. Furthermore, these railings must be installed in advance during assembly. However, practice has shown that, if necessary, some railings must be removed again without loosening or dismantling the vertical posts or vertical scaffolding uprights or significantly changing their position.

[0006] Pre-mounted railings and pre-mounted railings are also known from EP 3 012 385 A1. This document discloses vertical posts provided with perforated discs at regular intervals for the releasable attachment of scaffolding components such as scaffolding ledgers. The scaffolding ledgers can also be used as railings. Each railing consists of an elongated, straight tube having two tube ends extending away from each other. A first connection head is articulated to the first tube end of the tube ends by means of a first shaft element in the form of a bolt or shaft of a standard hexagon screw. A second connection head is articulated to the second tube end of the tube ends by means of a second shaft element in the form of a bolt or shaft of a standard hexagon screw. Each connection head has an upper head section and a lower head section.between which a slot is formed, open to the front and sides, for attachment to an associated perforated disc of the associated scaffolding post. Each connecting head has an upper wedge opening on its upper head section and a lower wedge opening on its lower head section, through which a connecting wedge can be inserted to lock the connecting head to the perforated disc. The connecting wedge is captively connected to the connecting head. It can be moved upwards from a locking position, in which it extends through the upper wedge opening, through a hole in the perforated disc, and through the lower wedge opening, into an unlocking position, in which the connecting wedge still protrudes through the upper wedge opening, but in which its lower wedge end is moved upwards above the perforated disc into a release position.to be able to remove the connection head from the perforated disc or to attach the connection head to the associated perforated disc. The connection wedge has a holding part in the form of a notch or a protruding element. The holding part is designed to releasably suspend the connection wedge from the associated pipe end of the railing tube. The tube has two parallel elongated openings at each pipe end, each in the form of an elongated hole, which extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube and which, viewed in a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, are aligned with one another. Each connection head and each pipe end are articulated to one another by means of a hexagon screw which extends through the respective two elongated holes. The connection head connected to the hexagon screw can be moved along the respective elongated hole of the railing rod pipe from a first position in which the connection wedge,When hooked onto the end of the tube, it is held in a first wedge position, in which the mounting space between the upper and lower head sections is free to accommodate the perforated disc, and is transferred into a locking position. For this purpose, the connecting head is designed to move along the tube when the tube moves along the corresponding elongated holes, thereby releasing the connecting wedge from the end of the tube, allowing the connecting wedge to enter one of the holes in the perforated disc and through it into and through the lower wedge opening, thereby locking the connecting head by means of the connecting wedge to or with the perforated disc and the scaffold tube of the associated scaffolding standard. In simple terms, the elongated holes in the tube of the railing rod serve exclusively toFor the purpose of an advance assembly of the railing, to be able to move the tube together with the connecting wedge suspended at its upper tube end via the holding part of the connecting wedge so far upwards relative to the corresponding elongated holes that the connecting wedge is pulled upwards into a release position so that a collision-free plugging of the connecting head with its plug-out slot onto the associated perforated disc of the associated scaffolding post is possible, and that subsequently, i.e. after plugging the connecting head onto the perforated disc, in an intermediate assembly position in which the lower wedge end of the connecting wedge is in a position in which it is located over a desired hole of the holes of the associated perforated disc in order to be able to achieve a locking there,The railing rod tube can be moved back along the corresponding elongated holes relative to the hexagon screw and thus relative to the connecting head, to a position in which the upper tube end and the retaining part of the connecting wedge are disengaged, so that the connecting wedge can then, due to gravity, fall downwards with its lower wedge end through the associated hole in the perforated disc into a locking position in which the railing rod of the railing is locked via the connecting head and the connecting wedge to the associated perforated disc of the associated scaffolding post, although not yet firmly clamped. Subsequently, or even beforehand, the railing rod locked against lifting at this railing rod end with the associated perforated disc can be locked with another perforated disc of another scaffolding post.which can then be mounted on an already installed scaffold post by being raised upwards. This allows for a pre-mounted railing, in which the railing rod is in a horizontal installation position. In this position, the railing can be dismantled either by loosening at least one of the two horizontally adjacent scaffold posts, or by knocking out or pulling out the connecting wedge of a connection head of the connection heads until it reaches a release position, in which the connection head can be removed from the associated perforated disc of the scaffold post.This can be achieved exclusively by swiveling the affected connection head sideways. However, due to the design, removing the respective connection head by swiveling it downwards or upwards relative to the perforated disc is impossible. These examples apply exclusively to scaffolding standards with special perforated discs as connecting elements and special railing rods with special cast metal connection heads as coupling elements, which are equipped with special connection wedges. To attach these railing rods to the perforated discs, a separate tool in the form of a special connection wedge is required, with which the affected connection head must be attached to a perforated disc.

[0007] A railing element that can be mounted in advance according to the preamble of claim 1 is known from DE 101 11 976 A1 and from the parallel WO 02 / 072977 A1. At least one end of a railing tube of the respective railing element is provided with a suspension hook that can pivot about a transverse axis as a rosette engagement means for hooking into a hole rosette of a vertical support of two horizontally adjacent vertical supports. In the advanced-mounted use position of the respective railing element, in which the respective railing tube is in a horizontal installation position, said suspension hook is locked against pivoting about the transverse axis by means of a locking sleeve mounted in the railing tube on its inner wall and axially displaceable relative to the latter.The locking sleeve is held in a locked position by the spring force of a spring, in which position an axial fixing projection of the suspension hook engages into the interior of the sleeve, so that it engages behind the inner wall of the sleeve. For the purpose of dismantling the railing element without loosening at least one of the two horizontally adjacent vertical supports, the axial locking sleeve can be moved into the interior of the scaffolding tube into an unlocked position against the spring force of the spring, either with the aid of an actuating lever attached to it and referred to as a handle, or with the aid of a suitable actuating tool. In this unlocked position the fixing projection of the suspension hook is released from the front edge of the axial locking sleeve, so that the suspension hook is released for pivoting upwards relative to the railing tube.In the raised position of the suspension hook, a lower front edge of the locking sleeve presses against a sloping upper side of the fixing projection, thereby exerting a force on the suspension hook that maintains the open position of the suspension hook. The basic idea of ​​these embodiments is that at least one of the suspension hooks serving as rosette engagement means is pivotable from the use position of the pre-mounted orA railing element mounted in advance, in which the railing element extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the two associated, horizontally adjacent vertical supports, can be pivoted in such a way that the suspension hook can be removed upwards or downwards from the associated perforated rosette, whereupon, by pivoting the railing element downwards or upwards, the rosette engagement means at the other tube end of the railing tube can also be separated from the perforated rosette of the other vertical support located there, without any vertical support sections or vertical supports having to be dismantled. If pivotable rosette engagement means are provided at both ends of a railing element, it can be removed from the position of use without any significant pivoting from the horizontal from both perforated rosettes.These embodiments also relate exclusively to scaffolding posts with special perforated discs as connecting elements and special, complex and damage-prone designs of railing rods with integrated, spring-loaded, axially displaceable locking sleeves and with special suspension hooks.

[0008] From JP 2019 196657 A, a leading railing has become known in which a fastening means in the form of a rivet or a pressed-in pin is provided, which prevents a pivoting of a connecting means relative to a leading or leading railing by a certain pivoting angle only in a certain stop position.

[0009] From JP 2012 087595 A a strut for a temporary scaffold has become known, in which also a stopmeans in the form of a rivet is provided which prevents pivoting of a connecting means relative to a railing beyond a certain pivoting angle only in a certain stop position.

[0010] It is an object of the invention to provide a railing element which can be mounted in advance for securing work or standing areas, in particular on a scaffold, as well as a scaffold with such a railing element and a method for dismantling such a railing element, which can be produced simply and inexpensively, which has a comparatively simple structure and which can be used for a wide range of differently designed connecting elements of scaffolding stands and of differently designed coupling means, in particular suspension hooks, in order to be able to be mounted as a leading railing in a position of use in which the railing strut is arranged in a horizontal, in particular essentially horizontal, installation position, in particular perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the associated, horizontally adjacent scaffolding stands, starting from which the railing element can be removed without loosening orat least one of the scaffolding uprights can be dismantled without dismantling or without a relevant change in position.

[0011] This object is achieved by claims 1, 13 and 14. Accordingly, the object of the invention with regard to the railing element for securing work or standing areas, in particular on scaffolding, is achieved in that the railing element has a railing strut, in particular a railing rod or a railing bar or a railing tube, and coupling elements arranged at its ends for releasably fastening the railing element to and between two spaced, vertical scaffolding uprights, wherein the elongated railing strut extends along its longitudinal axis, and wherein a first coupling element of the coupling elements is arranged at a first end of the ends of the railing strut and a second coupling element of the coupling elements is arranged at a second end of the ends of the railing strut pointing away from the first end, and wherein the first coupling element is designed such that it,preferably without a separate or separately handled aid, to a first connecting element of a first scaffolding upright, the scaffolding upright is articulated, in particular pivotable, fastenable or attached relative to the first connecting element, and wherein the second coupling element is designed such that it is articulated, in particular pivotable, fastenable or attached relative to the second connecting element, preferably without a separate or separately handled aid, to a second connecting element of a second scaffolding upright, the scaffolding upright is articulated, in particular pivotable, fastenable or attached relative to the second connecting element, and wherein the railing element, starting from a, preferably first, assembly and disassembly position, is pivotable in advance, in particular in an (imaginary) pivot plane containing the, preferably parallel, longitudinal axes of the first and second scaffolding posts or is pivotable in an (imaginary) pivot plane that is arranged parallel to an (imaginary) plane that contains the,preferably parallel, longitudinal axes of the first and second scaffolding posts, is pivotable into a use position to form a leading railing, in which the railing strut is arranged in a horizontal, in particular substantially horizontal, installation position and in which the first coupling element is detachably and articulately attached to the first connecting element of the first scaffolding post and in which the second coupling element is detachably and articulately attached to the second connecting element of the second scaffolding post,and wherein the railing strut is pivotably connected at its first end to the first coupling element by means of a captively secured first connecting means, and / or pivotably connected at its second end to the respective second coupling element by means of a captively secured second connecting means. Each railing element is provided with at least one locking means, which is in a locking position in which the coupling element associated with it and the railing strut are locked relative to one another by means of the locking means, preventing pivoting about a connecting axis of the associated connecting means. The respective locking means can be transferred from the respective locking position into an unlocking position or removed from the respective railing element.so that the respectively assigned coupling element can be pivoted relative to the respective railing strut about the respective connection axis of the respectively assigned connecting means in order to enable dismantling of the respective railing element without loosening or dismantling and / or without changing the position of at least one scaffolding upright of the respective scaffolding uprights. According to the invention, the first coupling element assigned to the respective first end of the respective railing strut and / or the second coupling element assigned to the respective second end of the respective railing strut and / or the respective railing strut has / have at least one elongated guide for the respectively assigned connecting means, to which the respectively assigned connecting means is coupled and which is each designed and arranged such that in the respective unlocking position of the respectively assigned locking means,or when the respective locking means is removed from the respective railing element, the respectively associated coupling element and the respective railing strut are pivotable relative to one another about the respective connection axis of the respectively associated connecting means, so that a kink can be formed between the respectively associated coupling element and the respective railing strut, and are also, preferably simultaneously, displaceable relative to one another along the respective elongated guide, in each case into a disassembly position or in each case into a, preferably second, assembly and disassembly position, starting from which the respective railing element can be detached from the respective connecting elements of the respective scaffolding stands without loosening or disassembling or without a relevant change in the position of at least one scaffolding stand of the respective scaffolding stands,In particular, it can be dismantled first from the respective connecting element of the respective scaffolding upright and then from the respective other connecting element of the respective other scaffolding upright. This allows the respective railing element to be dismantled without loosening or dismantling, or without a relevant change in the position of at least one scaffolding upright.

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment, the at least one elongated guide can be a linear guide and / or an elongated opening, an elongated perforation, or an oblong hole. This enables a particularly simple and robust construction and advantageous displacement conditions.

[0013] According to a preferred development, it can be provided that the associated connecting means and / or the associated locking means is / are formed with a shaft, with a pin, with a bolt or with a screw.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment, the associated connecting means and the associated locking means can be designed identically. This allows the railing element to be manufactured and designed even more simply and economically.

[0015] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the associated locking means can be designed such that it can be released and / or transferred into the unlocked position or removed from the railing element exclusively with the aid of a special tool, preferably one that is not generally available commercially. This ensures that the locking means cannot be released or transferred into the unlocked position or removed from the railing element inadvertently or without authorization, or only by authorized persons, for the purpose of transferring it into the unlocked position.

[0016] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, it can be provided that the at least one elongate guide is provided on or in the associated coupling element, preferably and extends along a longitudinal axis of a connecting part of the coupling element which is articulatedly coupled to the railing strut by means of the connecting means, and that the railing strut is provided with at least two first openings, preferably through-holes, in particular bores, which, preferably viewed in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the railing strut, are arranged offset from one another at a first distance, wherein at least one first opening of the at least two first openings of the railing strut serves to at least partially receive the connecting means coupled to the associated coupling element,and wherein at least one second first opening of the at least two first openings serves to at least partially accommodate the associated locking means locked to the associated coupling element. This results in a particularly easy-to-manufacture, simple, and robust construction.

[0017] According to a further development, it can be provided that the associated coupling element has at least one second opening, preferably an opening, in particular a bore, which, in the locking position of the locking means locked with the associated coupling element, overlaps or is aligned with the at least one second first opening of the at least two first openings of the railing strut, so that the associated locking means engages both in the at least one second opening of the associated coupling element and in the at least one second first opening of the railing strut.

[0018] According to an alternative embodiment, it can be provided that the at least one elongate guide is provided on or in the railing strut, preferably and extends along the longitudinal axis of the railing strut, and that the associated coupling element is provided with at least two third openings, preferably through-holes, in particular bores, which are arranged offset from one another at a third distance, wherein at least a first third opening of the at least two third openings of the coupling element serves to at least partially receive the connecting means coupled to the railing strut, and wherein at least a second third opening of the at least two third openings of the coupling element serves to at least partially receive the associated locking means locked to the associated coupling element.

[0019] It can be provided that the railing strut has at least one fourth opening, preferably an opening, in particular a bore, which, in the locking position of the locking means locked with the associated coupling element, overlaps or is aligned with the at least one second third opening of the at least two third openings of the associated coupling element, so that the associated locking means engages both in the at least one fourth opening of the railing strut and in the at least one second third opening of the associated coupling element.

[0020] According to a preferred development, the first coupling element and the second coupling element can be designed identically. This can increase the installation reliability of the railing element.

[0021] In addition, the railing element can be manufactured more economically and is designed in a simpler and more cost-effective manner.

[0022] In this case, the railing strut can be designed symmetrically to a central plane of symmetry extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the railing strut in the longitudinal center of the railing strut. This further enhances the aforementioned advantages.

[0023] The object of the invention is achieved with regard to the scaffolding in that it has a plurality of scaffolding uprights, a plurality of connecting elements and at least one railing element according to the invention, preferably mounted in advance in one or the use position, or in that it is constructed from a plurality of scaffolding uprights, a plurality of connecting elements and at least one railing element according to the invention, wherein a first scaffolding upright of the scaffolding uprights has a first connecting element of the connecting elements, to which the first coupling element of the railing element is articulated and detachably fastened, preferably without a separate aid or without a separately handled aid, and in that a second scaffolding upright of the scaffolding uprights has a second connecting element, to which the second coupling element of the railing element is articulated and detachably fastened, preferably without a separate aid or without a separately handled aid,and wherein the railing element is mounted in a use position, preferably in advance, in which the railing strut is arranged in a horizontal installation position, and wherein the coupling elements of the railing element and the connecting elements of the scaffolding uprights are each designed to be coordinated with one another in such a way that the railing element cannot be dismantled from the connecting elements of the scaffolding uprights without loosening or changing the position of at least one scaffolding upright, or without transferring the associated locking means from its locking position to its unlocking position, or without removing the locking means from the railing element, in particular first from the associated connecting element of the associated scaffolding upright and subsequently from the other connecting element of the other scaffolding upright.

[0024] The object of the invention is achieved with regard to the method for dismantling a railing element according to the invention, preferably mounted in advance in a use position, of a scaffolding according to the invention in that the railing element is fastened to the first connecting element of the first scaffolding upright by means of the first coupling element of the coupling elements of the railing strut arranged in the horizontal installation position in a detachable and articulated manner, in particular in the unlocking position of the locking means, relative to the first connecting element, in particular in an (imaginary) pivoting plane containing the preferably parallel longitudinal axes of the first and second scaffolding uprights, or is fastened in an (imaginary) pivoting plane which is arranged parallel to an (imaginary) plane containing the preferably parallel longitudinal axes of the first and second scaffolding uprights,and that the railing element is releasably and articulately attached to the second connecting element of the second scaffolding upright by means of the second coupling element of the coupling elements of the railing strut, in particular in the unlocking position of the locking means, relative to the second connecting element, in particular in an (imaginary) pivoting plane containing the preferably parallel longitudinal axes of the first and second scaffolding uprights, or is pivotably attached in an (imaginary) pivoting plane arranged parallel to an (imaginary) plane containing the preferably parallel longitudinal axes of the first and second scaffolding uprights, wherein the locking means is in its locking position, in which pivoting of the coupling element of the coupling elements associated with it about the connecting axis of the associated connecting means relative to the railing strut is prevented,so that the railing element cannot be dismantled without loosening or changing the position of at least one scaffolding upright or without transferring the locking means from its locking position to its unlocking position or without removing the locking means from the railing element, wherein the locking means is either transferred from the locking position to the unlocking position or is removed from the railing element, whereupon the coupling element associated with the locking means and the railing strut are pivoted relative to one another, preferably downwards, about the connecting axis of the associated connecting means and are displaced relative to one another, preferably simultaneously, along the elongated guide, so that a kink is formed between the associated coupling element and the railing strut,whereupon the associated coupling element is removed from the associated connecting element of the associated scaffolding upright, whereupon the other coupling element is also removed from the associated connecting element of the associated other scaffolding upright. As a result, the railing element is then dismantled without loosening or dismantling, or without changing the position of at least one scaffolding upright.

[0025] Further aspects, features and advantages of the invention can be found in the following description, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the drawings.

[0026] They show: Figs. 1.1 to 1.3 show a section of a scaffold with a first railing element mounted in advance according to a first exemplary embodiment, wherein Fig. 1.1 shows the first railing element in its first position of use, in which its first railing strut is in a horizontal first installation position, and wherein Fig. 1.2 shows the first railing element after removal of the first locking means in a first disassembly intermediate position, and wherein Fig. 1.3 shows the first railing element in a first disassembly position. Figs. 2.1 to 2.3 show a section of a scaffold with a second railing element mounted in advance according to a second exemplary embodiment, wherein Fig. 2.1 shows the second railing element in its second position of use, in which its second railing strut is in a horizontal second installation position, and wherein Fig. 2.2 shows the second railing element after removal of the first locking means in a second intermediate disassembly position, and Fig. 2.3 shows the second railing element in a second disassembly position. Figs. 3.1 to 3.3 show a section of a scaffolding with a pre-installed third railing element according to a third exemplary embodiment, wherein Fig. 3.1 shows the third railing element in its third use position, in which its third railing strut is in a horizontal third installation position, and wherein Fig. 3.2 shows the third railing element after removal of the first third locking means in a third intermediate disassembly position, and wherein Fig. 3.3 shows the third railing element in a third disassembly position. Figs. 4.1 to 4.3 show a section of a scaffolding with a pre-installed fourth railing element according to a fourth exemplary embodiment, wherein Fig. 4.1 shows the fourth railing element in its fourth position of use, in which its fourth railing strut is in a horizontal fourth installation position, and wherein Fig. 4.2 shows the fourth railing element after removal of the first fourth locking means in a fourth disassembly intermediate position, and wherein Fig. 4.3 shows the fourth railing element in a fourth disassembly position. .

[0027] In the Figures 1.1 to 1.3 and 2.1 to 2.3 and 3.1 to 3.3 as well as 4.1 to 4.3 Four different embodiments of railing elements 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4 according to the invention and scaffolding 11.1, 11.2, 11.3, 11.4 containing these railing elements 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4 are shown. For clarity, hidden edges are predominantly drawn with solid lines.

[0028] Each railing element 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4 serves to secure work or standing areas not shown on one or the scaffolding 11.1, 11.2, 11.3, 11.4. Each railing element 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4 comprises an elongated railing strut 12.1, 12.2 extending linearly along its longitudinal axis 13.1, 13.2, preferably in the form of a railing tube. At the ends of each railing strut 12.1, 12.2, coupling elements 14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4 are provided for releasably attaching the respective railing element 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4 to and between two horizontally spaced, vertical scaffolding uprights 15.1, 15.2. For each railing element 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4, a coupling element 16.1.1, 16.2.1 is provided at a first end 16.1.1, 16.2.1 of the ends 16.1.1, 16.1.2; 16.2.1, 16.2.2 of the respective railing strut 12.1, 12.2 a first coupling element 14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4 of the coupling elements 14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4 and at a second end 16.2.1, 16.2 pointing away from the first end 16.1.1, 16.2.1.2 of the ends 16.1.1, 16.1.2; 16.2.1, 16.2.2 of the respective railing strut 12.1, 12.2 a second coupling element 14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4 of the coupling elements 14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4 is arranged. The respective first coupling element 14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4 of the respective two coupling elements 14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4 is designed in such a way that it can be articulated and detachably fastened to a first connecting element 17.1, 17.2 of a first scaffolding stand 15.1, 15.2 of the scaffolding stands 15.1, 15.2 without a separate or separately handled aid. The respective second coupling element 14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4 of the respective two coupling elements 14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4 is designed such that it can be articulated and detachably attached to a second connecting element 17.1, 17.2 of a second scaffolding upright 15.1, 15.2 of the scaffolding uprights 15.1, 15.2 without a separate or separately handled aid. Each railing element 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4 is pivotable, starting from a not shown, preferably first, in particular oblique, assembly and disassembly position, in particular in a pivot plane containing the, preferably parallel, longitudinal axes of the first and second scaffolding posts or is pivotable in a pivot plane arranged parallel to a plane containing the, preferably parallel, longitudinal axes of the first and second scaffolding uprights, in order to form a leading railing, in which the respective railing strut 12.1, 12.2 is arranged in a horizontal, in particular substantially horizontal, installation position 19.1, 19.2 and in which the respective first coupling element 14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4 on the respective first connecting element 17.1, 17.2 of the respective first scaffolding upright 15.1, 15.2 is detachably and articulately attached and in which the respective second coupling element 14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4 is detachably and articulately attached to the respective second connecting element 17.1, 17.2 of the respective second scaffolding stand 15.1, 15.2. Each railing strut 12.1, 12.2 is connected at its respective first end 16.1.1, 16.2.1 by means of a captively fastened first connecting means 20.1 to the respective first coupling element 14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4 and / or is connected at its respective second end 16.1.2, 16.2.2 by means of a captively fastened second connecting means 20.1 to the second coupling element 14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4. At least one locking means 20.2 is provided in each case, which is located in a locking position 21, in which the associated coupling element 14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4 and the associated railing strut 12.1, 12.2 are locked by means of the respective locking means 20.2 are locked relative to each other against pivoting about the respective connecting axis 22 of the respectively associated connecting means 20.1. Each locking means 20.2 can be transferred from the respective locking position 21 into an unlocking position or can be removed from the respective railing element 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4, so that the associated coupling element 14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4 can be pivoted relative to the respective railing strut 12.1, 12.2 about the respective connection axis 22 of the associated connecting means 20.1 in order to enable disassembly of the respective railing element 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4 without loosening or disassembling or without a relevant change in the position of at least one scaffolding post 15.1, 15.2 of the respective scaffolding posts 15.1, 15.2. According to the invention, the first coupling element 14.1, 14.2, 14.1 assigned to the first end 16.1.1, 16.2.1 of the respective railing strut 12.1 has3 and / or the second coupling element 14.1, 14.2, 14.3 assigned to the second end 16.1.2, 16.2.2 of the respective railing strut 12.1, 12.2 and / or the railing strut 12.2 has at least one elongated guide 23.1, 23.2, 23.3 for the associated connecting means 20.1, with which the associated connecting means 20.1 is coupled. The elongated guide 23.1, 23.2, 23.3 is each designed and arranged such that in the unlocking position of the associated locking means or when the locking means 20.2 is removed from the railing element 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4, the associated coupling element 14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4 and the railing strut 12.1, 12.2 are both pivotable relative to one another about the connecting axis 22 of the associated connecting means 20.2, so that a kink 24.1, 24.2, 24.3, 24.4 is formed between the associated coupling element 14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.3 and the railing strut 12.1, 12.2.4 can be formed, and are also, preferably simultaneously, displaceable relative to one another along the elongated guide 23.1, 23.2, 23.3, namely into a disassembly position 41.1, 41.2, 41.3, 41.4 or into a preferably second assembly and disassembly position 25.1, 25.2, 25.3, 25.4, starting from which the railing element 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4 can be detached from the connecting elements 17.1, 17.2 of the scaffolding uprights 15.1, 15.2, in particular initially from the associated connecting element 17.1, 17.2 of the associated scaffolding stand 15.1, 15.2 and then from the other connecting element 17.1, 17.2 of the other scaffolding stand 15.1, 15.2.

[0029] In the illustrated embodiments, the at least one elongated guide 23.1, 23.2, 23.3, 24.4 is a linear guide in the form of at least one elongated hole formed as an opening. Preferably, each railing strut 12.1, 12.2 is an elongated tube. Preferably, the tube has a substantially circular ring cross-section over its entire length.

[0030] Each connecting means 20.1 is preferably formed with a special screw not shown in the figures. Each locking means 20.2 is preferably formed with a special screw not shown in the figures. Each connecting means 20.1 is formed with a physical axis, in particular with a shaft, which extends along its longitudinal axis 26.1. Each locking means 20.2 is formed with a physical axis, in particular with a shaft, which extends along its longitudinal axis 26.2. Preferably, all connecting means 20.1 and all locking means 20.2 are designed identically. Even if the respective special screw is shown in the figures as a hexagon screw, which can be designed as a threaded screw and which can be secured against loss with a hexagon nut (not shown), at least each locking means 20.2 or each connecting means 20.1 and each locking means 20.2, designed in such a way that it or they can be released or removed exclusively with the aid of a special tool, preferably not generally available on the market, not shown in the figures.

[0031] Each coupling element 14.1, 14.2, 14.3 has a suspension hook 27.1, 27.2 for detachable and articulated fastening to a connecting element 17.1, 17.2 of a scaffolding stand 15.1, 15.2 of the respective scaffolding stands 15.1, 15.2 and has a connecting part 28.1, 28.2, 28.2, 28.4 for connecting the respective scaffolding strut 12.1, 12.2. Each connecting part 28.1, 28.2, 28.3, 28.4 is elongated and extends along its longitudinal axis 29.1, 29.2, 29.3, 29.4 from the respective suspension hook 27.1, 27.2 to its respective connecting part end 30.1, 30.2, 30.3, 30.4, to which the respective railing strut 12.1, 12.2 is connected.

[0032] In the embodiments according to the Figures 1.1 to 1.3 , 3.1 to 3.3 and 4.1 to 4.3 the respective hook 27.1 is designed in the same way as the hook used in particular in the Figures 3.1, 3.2 and 4 German patent application No. 102021 133 941.3 and described in the figure description therein. The content of this patent application is incorporated in its entirety here, particularly with regard to the suspension hooks disclosed therein.

[0033] In the embodiment according to the Figures 2.1 to 2.3 The respective suspension hook 27.2 is designed identically to the suspension hook shown in particular in Figures 6 and 7 of German patent application No. 10 2021 101 768.8 and described in the figure description therein. The content of this patent application is incorporated in its entirety here, particularly with regard to the suspension hooks disclosed therein.

[0034] According to the Figures 1.1 to 1.3 shown embodiment and according to the Figures 2.1 to 2.3shown embodiment and also according to the Figures 3.1 to 3.3 In the embodiment shown, it is provided that the at least one elongated guide in the form of the at least one elongated hole 23.1, 23.2 is provided in the associated coupling element 14.1, 14.2, 14.3 and extends along the longitudinal axis 29.1, 29.2, 29.3 of a connecting part 28.1, 28.2, 28.3 of the respective coupling element 14.1, 14.2, 14.3, which connecting part is articulated to the respective railing strut 12.1 by means of the respective connecting means 20.1. Figures 3.1 to 3.3 In the embodiment shown, the slot 23.2 of the connecting part 29.3 of the coupling element 14.3 is shorter than the respective slot 23.1, 23.2 of the respective connecting part 29.1, 29.2 of the respective coupling element 14.1, 14.2 according to the Figures 1.1 to 2.3 shown in the two examples. In the case of the Figures 3.1 to 3.3In the embodiment shown, the connecting part 29.3 is additionally provided with an opening in the form of a bore 43, which is arranged at the connecting part end 30.3 of the connecting part 29.3 pointing away from the suspension hook 27.1. This bore 43 of the connecting part 29.3 of the coupling element 14.3, also referred to as the second opening, is aligned in the locking position 21 of the locking means 20.2 locked with the associated coupling element 14.3 with the rear bore 31.2 of the at least two bores 31.1, 31.2 of the railing strut 12.1, so that the associated locking means 20.2 engages both in said bore 43 of the connecting part of the associated coupling element 14.3 and in the rear bore 31.2 of the two bores 31.1, 31.2 of the railing strut 12.1. The at least one elongated hole 23.1, 23.2 according to these three embodiments extends along its longitudinal axis 33.1, 33.2 parallel to the respective longitudinal axis 29.1, 29.2 of the respective connecting part 28.1, 28.2 of the respective coupling element 14.1, 14.2, 14.3.

[0035] In the examples shown in the Figures 1.1 to 1.3 as well as 2.1 to 2.3 and 3.1 to 3.3As shown, the respective railing strut 12.1 is provided at each end 16.1.1, 16.1.2 of its ends 16.1.1, 16.1.2 with two openings in the form of bores 31.1, 31.2, which, viewed in the direction of the respective longitudinal axis 38.1 of the respective railing strut 12.1, are offset from one another at a first distance 32. The front bore 31.1 of the at least two bores 31.1, 31.2 of the respective railing strut 12.1 serves to pass through the shaft of the connecting means 20.1, which is preferably designed as a special screw and is coupled to the associated coupling element 14.1, 14.2, 14.3. The rear bore 31.2 of the at least two bores 31.1, 31.2 of the respective railing strut 12.1 serves to pass through the associated locking means 20.2, which is locked with the associated coupling element 14.1, 14.2, 14.3. This is also the shaft, preferably of the special screw.

[0036] According to the Figures 4.1 to 4.3In the alternative embodiment shown, the at least one elongated guide is provided in the form of at least one elongated hole 23.3 in the railing strut 12.2. The at least one elongated hole 23.3 extends along the longitudinal axis 38.2 of the railing strut 12.2. The at least one elongated hole 23.3 extends along its elongated hole longitudinal axis 33.3 parallel to the longitudinal axis 38.2 of the railing strut 12.2. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the associated coupling element 14.4 is provided with two openings in the form of bores 34.1, 34.2, which are arranged offset from one another at a second distance 35. The rear bore 34.2 of these two bores 34.1, 34.2 of this coupling element serves for inserting the connecting means coupled to the railing strut in the form of the shaft of the special screw. The front hole 34.1 of the two holes 34.1, 34.2 of this coupling element 14.4 is used to insert the associated coupling element 14.4 locked, associated locking means 20.2 in the form of the shaft, preferably the further special screw.

[0037] In all embodiments shown in the figures, the respective first coupling element 14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4 and the respective second coupling element 14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4 of the respective two coupling elements 14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4 of the respective railing element 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4 are designed identically. Each railing strut 12.1, 12.2 is designed symmetrically to a central plane of symmetry (not shown), which extends in the respective longitudinal center of the respective railing strut 12.1, 12.2 perpendicular to the respective longitudinal axis 38.1, 38.2 of the respective railing strut 12.1, 12.2. It is understood that the respective railing element can also be provided with differently designed coupling elements. It is also understood that each railing strut can also be provided with a coupling means at only one of its two ends, as is shown, for example, in the Figures 1.1 to 4.3is shown on the left, while the railing strut can be provided at the other end of its two ends with an identical or different coupling element, which can be connected to the railing strut in a rotationally fixed manner or by welding.

[0038] In the Figures 1.1 , 2.1 , 3.1 and 4.1Four exemplary embodiments of scaffolding 11.1, 11.2, 11.3, 11.4 according to the invention are shown. Each scaffold 11.1, 11.2, 11.3, 11.4 comprises a plurality of scaffolding uprights 15.1, 15.2, a plurality of connecting elements 20.1, and at least one railing element 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4 according to the invention. Each railing element 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4 thus comprises an elongated railing strut 12.1, 12.2, at each of whose ends 16.1.1, 16.1.2; 16.2.1, 16.2.2 a coupling element 14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4 is arranged. Each railing element 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4 is detachably and articulately attached to an associated connecting element 20.1 of the respective vertical scaffolding upright 15.1, 15.2 using the respective coupling element 14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4 in the form of a suspension hook 27.2, 27.2. For each scaffold 11.1, 11.2, 11.3, 11.4, a first scaffolding upright 15.1, 15.2 of the scaffolding uprights 15.1, 15.2 has a first connecting element 20.1 of the connecting elements 20.1, to which the first coupling element 14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4 of the coupling elements 14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4 of the respective railing element 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4 is articulated and detachably attached, in each case without a separate aid and also without an aid to be handled separately. For each scaffold 11.1, 11.2, 11.3, 11.4, a second scaffold stand 15.1, 15.2 of the scaffold stands 15.1, 15.2 has a second connecting element 20.1, to which the second coupling element 14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4 of the coupling elements 14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4 of the respective railing element 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4 is attached in an articulated and detachable manner, in each case without a separate aid and also without an aid that has to be handled separately. For each scaffold 11.1, 11.2, 11.3, 11.4, the respective railing element 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4 is mounted in advance in one or the use position 18.1, 18.2, 18.3, 18.4, in which the respective railing strut 12.1, 12.2 is arranged in one or the horizontal, preferably substantially horizontal, installation position 19.1, 19.2. Preferably, the respective railing strut 12.1, 12.2 is arranged in its installation position 19.1, 19.2 such that its respective longitudinal axis 38.1, 38.2 is perpendicular to the two respectively associated vertical scaffolding uprights 15.1, 15.2 or to their longitudinal axes 38.1, 38.2. For each scaffold 11.1, 11.2, 11.3, 11.4, the respective coupling elements 14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4 of the respective railing element 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4 and the respective connecting elements 17.1, 17.2 of the respective scaffolding standards 15.1, 15.2 are each designed in such a way that the respective railing element 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4 cannot be removed without loosening or dismantling or without a relevant change in the position of at least one scaffolding standard 15.1, 15.2 of the respective scaffolding standards 15.1, 15.2 or cannot be dismantled without transferring the respective associated locking means 20.2 from its respective locking position 21 into its respective unlocking position or without removing the respective locking means 20.2 from the respective terrain element 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4.

[0039] In the Figures 1.1 , 3.1 and 4.1In the embodiments of scaffolding 11.1, 11.3, 11.4 shown, identically designed scaffolding stands 15.1 are used according to a first embodiment. These scaffolding stands 15.1 each have at least one first connecting element 20.1, which can also be referred to as a first railing fastening element, for the detachable and articulated fastening of the respective railing element 10.1, 10.3, 10.4. In these three embodiments of scaffolding 11.1, 11.3, 11.4 and the scaffolding stands 15.1 installed therein, all connecting elements 20.1 are of the same design and arrangement. These connecting elements 20.1 can each be a bracket in the form of a U-bracket, as is shown, for example, in particular in the Figures 2.1 and 2.2the applicant's German patent application 10 2021 133 941.3 and in the description of the figures therein. It can also be a holder, in particular in the form of a U-shaped bracket or a U-bracket, according to EP 1 983 129 A2 and the parallel WO 2008 / 128500 A2 of the applicant, which are shown there in particular in Figures 4, 10, 15 and 19 and described in the descriptions of the figures therein. These holders can, as partially shown therein, each be provided with a locking lever pivotable about a pivot axis, as shown in particular in the respective Figures 5, 7a-7d and 8a to 8e or in Figures 11, 12a to 12d and 13a to 13e and described in the descriptions of the figures therein. It can also be a holder in the form of a U-shaped bracket or a U-bracket according to DE 10 2018 114 244 A1 and the parallel WO 2019 / 238154 A1 of the applicant, which are described there in particular in the Figures 4and 5 and are described in the description of the figures therein. This holder can also be provided with a locking lever pivotable about a pivot axis, as is shown in particular in the respective Figure 4 and described in the figure descriptions therein. The content of these intellectual property rights is also included in full here, particularly with regard to the brackets and locking levers disclosed therein.

[0040] In the Figure 2.1In the embodiment of a scaffold 11.2 shown, other scaffolding stands 15.2 are used. These other scaffolding stands 15.2 are also each designed identically. They each have at least one other connecting element in the form of a perforated disc 17.2, to which a respective other coupling means 14.2 of another railing element 10.2 is detachably and articulately fastened or attached. Each perforated disc 17.2 can be provided in a manner known per se with several through holes, of which Figures 2.1 to 2.3 in each case a through-hole 36 is illustrated. Preferably, in a likewise known manner, for example, eight through-holes can be provided, of which four large through-holes and four small through-holes can be arranged alternately in the circumferential direction and offset from one another at a circumferential angle of approximately 45 degrees.

[0041] In all of the exemplary embodiments shown, each scaffolding stand 15.1, 15.2 has a pipe connector 37 at its upper end for attaching another, preferably identical, scaffolding stand. The pipe connectors 37 are preferably each designed identically. Each scaffolding stand 15.1, 15.2 has a plug-in pipe at its lower end (not shown), by means of which it is attached to a pipe connector (also not shown) of a scaffolding component used to assemble the respective scaffold 11.1, 11.2, 11.3, 11.4, for example, an identical scaffolding stand or a scaffolding stand of a different length or a starting piece. Each of the scaffolding uprights 15.1, 15.2 is mounted or attached to the scaffolding component (not shown) located directly below in the vertical assembly position 39.1, 39.2 shown, releasably but secured against lateral pivoting. The longitudinal axes 38.1, 38.2 of the two horizontally adjacent scaffolding uprights 15.1, 15.2 of each scaffold 11.1, 11.2, 11.3, 11.4 are arranged essentially parallel to each other. To secure the two horizontally adjacent scaffolding uprights 15.1, 15.2 against lateral pivoting relative to each other, they can be connected with horizontal and diagonal scaffold struts or scaffolding ledges, such as longitudinal ledges and transverse ledges, and diagonal braces, which are not shown in the figures.

[0042] In all embodiments according to the Figures 1.1 to 1.3 and according to the Figures 2.1 to 2.3 and according to the Figures 3.1 to 3.3 and according to the Figures 4.1 to 4.3the respective first locking means 20.2 and the respective second locking means 20.2 are designed identically and the respective first connecting means 20.1 and the respective second connecting means 20.1 are also designed identically. In these exemplary embodiments, all locking means 20.2 and all connecting means 20.1 are designed identically. Therefore, for reasons of simplification, regardless of the respective embodiment of the different railing elements 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4, the term locking means is always used for all locking means 20.2 and the same main reference numerals 20 are always used for them. Furthermore, for the same reasons, the term connecting means is always used for all connecting means 20.1 and the same main reference numerals 20 are always used for them.

[0043] The Figures 1.1 to 1.3show a section of a scaffold 11.1 with a first railing element 10.1 mounted in advance according to a first exemplary embodiment, with a first railing strut 12.1 according to a first exemplary embodiment. In this first railing strut 12.1, each end 16.1.1, 16.2.1 of its two ends 16.1.1, 16.2.1 is provided with two through holes or bores 31.1, 31.2 arranged offset from one another at an axial distance 32. The first railing element 10.1 has two coupling elements 14.1, 14.1, each according to a first exemplary embodiment, wherein each coupling element 14.1 is provided with at least one elongated hole 23.1. The first coupling element 14.1 shown on the left is hingedly and releasably attached to the associated first connecting element 17.1 of the associated first scaffolding stand 15.1 according to a first exemplary embodiment. The second coupling element 14 shown on the right.1 is articulated and detachably attached to the associated second first connecting element 17.1 of the associated second first scaffolding stand 15.1, also according to the first embodiment.

[0044] The Fig. 1.1 shows the first railing element 10.1 in its first use position 18.1, in which its first railing strut 12.1 is in a horizontal or horizontal first installation position 19.1 and in which the first coupling element 14.1 shown there on the left and the first railing strut 12.1 are locked by means of a first locking means 20.2 located in its first locking position 21 against pivoting about the first pivot axis 22 of the first connecting means 20.1, also referred to as the connecting axis, by means of which the first coupling element 14.1 and the first railing strut 12.1 are pivotably coupled relative to one another.

[0045] The Fig. 1.2shows the first railing element 10.1 after removal of the first locking means 20.2 in a first disassembly intermediate position 40.1, in which the first coupling element 14.1 shown there on the left is pivoted downwards relative to the associated first connecting element 17.1 of the associated first scaffolding stand 15.1 and at the same time the associated first end 16.1.1 of the first railing strut 12.1 is pivoted downwards relative to the first coupling element 14.1 about the first pivot axis 22 of the first connecting means 20.1 and moved backwards or downwards along the elongated hole 23.1 of the first coupling element 14.1 into a first intermediate position 42.1.

[0046] The Fig. 1.3shows the first railing element in a first disassembly position 41.1, in which the first coupling element 14.1 can be disassembled from the first connecting element 17.1 of the first scaffolding stand 15.1.

[0047] The Figures 2.1 to 2.3show a section of a scaffold 11.2 with a second railing element 10.2 mounted in advance according to a second embodiment, with a second railing strut 12.1. The second railing strut 12.1 is designed identically to the first railing strut 12.1 according to the first embodiment. The second railing element 10.2 comprises two coupling elements 14.2, 14.2, each according to a second exemplary embodiment, wherein each coupling element 14.2 is also provided with at least one elongated hole 23.1, of which the first second coupling element 14.2 shown there on the left is articulated and detachably fastened to the associated first second connecting element 17.1 of the associated first second scaffolding stand 15.2 according to a second exemplary embodiment, and of which the second second coupling element 14.2 shown there on the right is fastened to the associated second second connecting element 17.2 of the associated second second scaffolding stand 15.2 is also attached in an articulated and detachable manner according to the second embodiment.

[0048] In the Fig. 2.1 the second railing element 10.2 is shown in its second use position 18.2, in which its second railing strut 12.1 is in a horizontal or horizontal second installation position 12.2 and in which the first second coupling element 14.2 and the second railing strut 12.1 shown there on the left are locked against pivoting about the first pivot axis 22 of the first second connecting means 20.1 by means of the first second locking means 20.2, which is in its locking position 21 and is designed in the same way as the first first locking means 20.2 according to the first exemplary embodiment, by means of which the first second coupling element 14.2 and the second railing strut 12.1 are pivotably coupled relative to one another.

[0049] In the Fig. 2.2the second railing element 10.2 is shown in a second disassembly intermediate position 40.2 after the removal of the first second locking means 20.2, in which the first second coupling element 14.2 shown there on the left is pivoted downwards relative to the associated first second connecting element 17.2 of the associated first second scaffolding stand 15.2 and at the same time the associated first second end 16.1.1 of the second railing strut 12.1 is pivoted downwards relative to the first second coupling element 14.2 about the first pivot axis 22 of the first second connecting means 20.1 and moved backwards or downwards along the first second elongated hole 23.1 of the first second coupling element 14.2 into a first second intermediate position 42.2, in which the first second coupling element 14.2 is detached from the first second connecting element 17.1 of the first second scaffolding stand 15.2 can be dismantled.

[0050] In the Fig. 2.3the second railing element 10.2 is shown in a second disassembly position 41.2, in which the first second coupling element 14.2 and accordingly the second railing element 10.2 can be removed from the first second connecting element 17.2 of the first second scaffolding stand 15.2.

[0051] The Figures 3.1 to 3.3show a section of a scaffold 11.3 with a third railing element 10.3 mounted in advance according to a third exemplary embodiment, with a third railing strut 12.1, which is designed identically to the first railing strut 12.1 according to the first exemplary embodiment. The third railing element 10.3 comprises two coupling elements 14.3, 14.3, wherein each coupling element 14.3 is provided with at least one elongated hole 23.2 and additionally with a through hole or bore 43 at its rear end. The first third coupling element 14.3 shown there on the left is articulated and detachably attached to the associated first connecting element 17.1 of the associated first scaffolding stand 15.1 according to the first exemplary embodiment. The second third coupling element 14.3 shown there on the right is on the associated second first connecting element 17.1 of the associated second first scaffolding stand 15.1 is also attached in an articulated and detachable manner according to the first embodiment.

[0052] The Fig. 3.1 shows the third railing element 10.3 in its third use position 18.3, in which its third railing strut 12.1 is in a horizontal third installation position 19.3 and in which the first third coupling element 14.3 and the third railing strut 12.1 shown there on the left are locked by means of a first locking means 20.2 located in its first locking position 21 against pivoting about the first pivot axis 22 of the first connecting means 20.1, by means of which the first third coupling element 14.3 and the third railing strut 12.1 are pivotably coupled relative to one another.

[0053] The Fig. 3.2shows the third railing element 10.3 after removal of the first locking means 20.2 in a third disassembly intermediate position 40.3, in which the first third coupling element 14.3 shown there on the left is pivoted downwards relative to the associated first connecting element 17.1 of the associated first scaffolding stand 15.1 and at the same time the associated first third end 16.1.1 of the third railing strut 12.1 is pivoted downwards relative to the first third coupling element 14.3 about the first pivot axis 22 of the first connecting means 20.1 and moved backwards or downwards along the third elongated hole 23.2 of the first third coupling element 14.3 into a third intermediate position 42.3.

[0054] The Fig. 3.3shows the third railing element 10.3 in a third disassembly position 41.3, in which the first coupling element 14.3 can be disassembled from the first connecting element 17.1 of the first scaffolding stand 15.1.

[0055] The Figures 4.1 to 4.3show a section of a scaffold 11.4 with a leading-mounted fourth railing element 10.4 according to a fourth exemplary embodiment, with a fourth railing strut 15.1 formed with at least one first fourth elongated hole 23.3. The fourth railing element 10.4 comprises two coupling elements 14.1, 14.4, each according to a fourth exemplary embodiment, in which each coupling element 14.4 is provided with two through-bores 34.1, 34.2 arranged at a distance 35 from one another. The first fourth coupling element 14.4 shown there on the left is articulated and detachably fastened to the associated first connecting element 17.1 of the associated first scaffolding stand 15.1 according to the first exemplary embodiment. The second fourth coupling element 14.4 shown there on the right is attached to the associated second first connecting element 17.1 of the associated second first scaffolding stand 15.1 is also attached in an articulated and detachable manner according to the first embodiment.

[0056] In the Fig. 4.1 the fourth railing element 10.4 is shown in its fourth use position 18.4, in which its fourth railing strut 12.4 is in a horizontal fourth installation position 19.4 and in which the first fourth coupling element 14.4 and the fourth railing strut 12.4 shown there on the left are locked by means of a first fourth locking means 20.2 located in its first locking position 21 against pivoting about the first pivot axis 22 of the first fourth connecting means 20.1, by means of which the first fourth coupling element 14.4 and the fourth railing strut 12.4 are pivotably coupled relative to one another.

[0057] In the Fig. 4.2the fourth railing element 10.4 is shown in a fourth disassembly intermediate position 40.4 after the removal of the first fourth locking means 20.2, in which the first fourth coupling element 14.4 shown there on the left has been pivoted downwards relative to the associated first connecting element 17.1 of the associated first scaffolding stand 15.1 according to the first exemplary embodiment and at the same time has been moved forwards or downwards along the first fourth elongated hole 23.3 of the fourth railing strut 12.2 into a fourth intermediate position 42.4 and at the same time the associated first fourth end 16.2.1 of the fourth railing strut 12.2 has been pivoted downwards relative to the first fourth coupling element 14.4 about the first pivot axis 22 of the first fourth connecting means 20.1.

[0058] In the Fig. 4.3the fourth railing element 10.4 is shown in a fourth disassembly position 41.4, in which the first fourth coupling element 14.4 can be disassembled from the first connecting element 17.1 of the first scaffolding stand 15.1. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0059] 10.1Railing element ( Fig.1 ) 10.2Railing element ( Fig. 2 ) 10.3Railing element ( Fig. 3 ) 10.4Railing element ( Fig. 4 ) 11.1Scaffolding ( Fig. 1 ) 11.2Scaffolding ( Fig. 2 ) 11.3Scaffolding ( Fig. 3 ) 11.4Scaffolding ( Fig. 4 ) 12.1 Railing brace ( Fig. 1 , 2 , 3 ) 12.2Railing brace ( Fig. 4 ) 13.1Longitudinal axis of 12.1 ( Fig. 1 , 2 , 3 ) 13.2Longitudinal axis of 12.2 ( Fig. 4 ) 14.1 Coupling element ( Fig. 1 ) 14.2Coupling element ( Fig. 2 ) 14.3Coupling element ( Fig. 3 ) 14.4Coupling element ( Fig. 4 ) 15.1Scaffolding stand / vertical post ( Fig. 1 , 3 , 4) 15.2Scaffolding stand / vertical post ( Fig. 2 ) 16.1.1First end (left) of 12.1 16.1.2Second end (right) of 12.1 16.2.1First end (left) of 12.2 16.2.2Second end (right) of 12.2 17.1Connecting element (U-bolt) ( Fig. 1 , 3 , 4 17.2Connecting element / perforated disc ( Fig. 2 ) 18.1 Position of use of 10.1 18.2 Position of use of 10.2 18.3 Position of use of 10.3 18.4 Position of use of 10.4 19.1 (horizontal) installation position of 12.1 19.2 (horizontal) installation position of 12.2 20.1 Fastening means (special screw) 20.2 Locking means (special screw) 21 Locking position of 20.2 22 Connecting axis / pivoting axis of 20.1 23.1 (long) guide / linear guide / slot ( Fig. 1 , 2 ) 23.2(long) guide / linear guide / long hole ( Fig. 3 ) 23.3(long) guide / linear guide / long hole ( Fig. 4 ) 24.1Kink point ( Fig. 1 ) 24.2Kink point ( Fig. 2 ) 24.3Kink point ( Fig. 3 ) 24.4Kink point ( Fig. 4 ) 25.1(second) assembly and disassembly position ( Fig. 1.3 ) 25.2(second) assembly and disassembly position ( Fig. 2.3 ) 25.3(second) assembly and disassembly position ( Fig. 3.3 ) 25.4(second) assembly and disassembly position ( Fig. 4.3 ) 26.1Longitudinal axis of 20.1 26.2Longitudinal axis of 20.2 27.1Hooks of 14.1, 14.3, 14.4 ( Fig. 1 , 3 , 4 ) 27.2Hanging hooks from 14.2 ( Fig. 2 ) 28.1Connecting part of 14.1 ( Fig. 1 ) 28.2Connecting part of 14.2 ( Fig. 2 ) 28.3Connecting part of 14.3 ( Fig. 3 ) 28.4Connecting part of 14.4 ( Fig. 4 ) 29.1Longitudinal axis of 28.1 ( Fig. 1 ) 29.2Longitudinal axis of 28.2 ( Fig. 2 ) 29.3Longitudinal axis of 28.3 ( Fig. 3 ) 29.4Longitudinal axis of 28.4 ( Fig. 4 ) 30.1Connector end of 28.1 ( Fig. 1 ) 30.2Connector end of 28.2 ( Fig. 2 ) 30.3Connector end of 28.3 ( Fig. 3 ) 30.4Connector end of 28.4 ( Fig. 4) 31.1(front) opening / bore in 12.1 ( Fig. 1 , 2 , 3 ) 31.2(rear) opening / bore in 12.1 ( Fig. 1 , 2 , 3 ) 32(first) distance between 31.1 and 31.2 33.1Long hole longitudinal axis of 23.1 ( Fig. 1 , 2 ) 33.2Long hole longitudinal axis of 23.2 ( Fig. 3 ) 33.1Long hole longitudinal axis of 23.3 ( Fig. 4 ) 34.1(front) opening / bore in 14.4 ( Fig. 4 ) 34.2(rear) opening / bore in 14.4 ( Fig. 4 ) 35(second) distance between 34.1 and 34.2 36Through hole of 17.2 (hole disc) ( Fig. 2) 37Pipe connector 38.1Longitudinal axis of 15.1 38.2Longitudinal axis of 15.2 39.1Assembly position of 15.1 39.2Assembly position of 15.2 40.1(first) intermediate disassembly position 40.2(second) intermediate disassembly position 40.3(third) intermediate disassembly position 40.4(fourth) intermediate disassembly position 41.1(first) disassembly position 41.2(second) disassembly position 41.3(third) disassembly position 41.4(fourth) disassembly position 42.1(first) intermediate position 42.2(second) intermediate position 42.3(third) intermediate position 42.4(fourth) intermediate position 43Perforation / bore in 28.3

Claims

1. A railing element (10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4) for securing working and / or standing areas, in particular on a scaffold (11.1, 11.2, 11.3, 11.4), said railing element having a railing brace (12.1, 12.2) and having coupling elements (14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4) arranged at ends (16.1.1, 16.1.2; 16.2.1, 16.2.2) of the railing brace (12.1, 12.2) for detachably fastening the railing element (10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4) to and between two spaced scaffold standards (15.1, 15.2), wherein the elongate railing brace (12.1, 12.2) extends along its longitudinal axis (13.1, 13.2), and wherein a first coupling element (14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4) of the coupling elements (14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4) is arranged on a first end (16.1.1, 16.2.1) of the ends (16.1.1, 16.1.2; 16.2.1, 16.2.2) of the railing brace (12.1, 12.2), and a second coupling element (14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4) of the coupling elements (14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4) is arranged on a second end (16.2.1, 16.2.2), pointing away from the first end (16.1.1, 16.2.1), of the ends (16.1.1, 16.1.2; 16.2.1, 16.2.2) of the railing brace (12.1, 12.2), and wherein the first coupling element (14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4) is designed such that it can be articulated to a first connecting element (17.1, 17.2) of a first scaffold standard (15.1, 15.2) of the scaffold standards (15.1, 15.2), and wherein the second coupling element (14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4) is designed such that it can be articulated to a second connecting element (17.1, 17.2) of a second scaffold standard (15.1, 15.2) of the scaffold standards (15.1, 15.2), and wherein the railing element (10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4) can be pivoted in an advanced manner from an assembly and disassembly position into a use position (18.1, 18.2, 18.3, 18.4) in order to form an advanced railing in which the railing brace (12.1, 12.2) is arranged in a horizontal installation position (19.1, 19.2) and in which the first coupling element (14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4) is articulated detachably to the first connecting element (17.1, 17.2) of the first scaffold standard (15.1, 15.2) and in which the second coupling element (14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4) is articulated detachably to the second connecting element (17.1, 17.2) of the second scaffold standard (15.1, 15.2), and wherein the railing brace (12.1, 12.2) is connected at its first end (16.1.1, 16.2.1) to the first coupling element (14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4) such that they can pivot relative to one another by means of a captively fastened first connecting means (20.1) and / or is connected at its second end (16.1.2, 16.2.2) to the second coupling element (14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4) such that they can pivot relative to one another by means of a captively fastened second connecting means (20.1), and wherein a locking means (20.2) is provided, which is in a locking position (21) in which the coupling element (14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4) associated with it and the railing brace (12.1, 12.2) are locked by means of the locking means (20.2) to prevent them from pivoting relative to one another about a connection axis (22) of the associated connecting means (20.1), and wherein the locking means (20.2) can be transferred from the locking position (21) into an unlocking position or can be removed from the railing element (12.1, 12.2) so that the associated coupling element (14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4) can be pivoted relative to the railing brace (12.1, 12.2) about the connection axis (22) of the associated connecting means (20.1) in order to allow disassembly of the railing element (10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4) without detaching or changing the position of at least one scaffold standard (15.1, 15.2) of the scaffold standards (15.1, 15.2), wherein the first coupling element (14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4) associated with the first end (16.1.1, 16.2.1) of the railing brace (12.1, 12.2) and / or the second coupling element (14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4) associated with the second end (16.1.2, 16.2.2) of the railing brace (12.1, 12.2) and / or the railing brace (12.1, 12.2) has / have at least one elongate guide (23.1, 23.2, 23.3) for the associated connecting means (20.1), to which guide the associated connecting means (20.1) is coupled and which is designed and arranged such that, when the associated locking means is in the unlocking position, or when the locking means is removed from the railing element (10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4), the associated coupling element (14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4) and the railing brace (12.1, 12.2) both can be pivoted relative to one another about the connection axis (22) of the associated connecting means (20.1) so that a bend point (24.1, 24.2, 24.3, 24.4) can be formed between the associated coupling element (14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4) and the railing brace (12.1, 12.2), and can be displaced relative to one another along the elongate guide (23.1, 23.2, 23.3), into a disassembly position (41.1, 41.2, 41.3, 41.4) from which the railing element (10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4) can be disassembled without detaching or changing the position of at least one scaffold standard (15.1, 15.2) of the scaffold standards (15.1, 15.2).

2. The railing element according to Claim 1, characterised in that the at least one elongate guide (23.1, 23.2, 23.3) is a linear guide.

3. The railing element according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the at least one elongate guide (23.1, 23.2, 23.3) is an elongate opening or an elongate hole or a slot.

4. The railing element according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the associated connecting means (20.1) is designed with a shaft, pin, bolt or screw.

5. The railing element according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the associated locking means (20.2) is designed with a shaft, pin, bolt or screw.

6. The railing element according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the associated connecting means (20.1) and the associated locking means (20.2) are identical.

7. The railing element according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the associated locking means (20.2) is designed such that it can be detached for the purpose of transferring it into its unlocking position and / or can be transferred into the unlocking position or can be removed from the railing element (10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4) only with the aid of a special tool.

8. The railing element according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the at least one elongate guide is provided on or in the associated coupling element (14.1, 14.2, 14.3) and in that the railing brace (12.1) is provided with at least two first openings (31.1, 31.2) which are offset from one another at a first distance (32), wherein at least one first first opening (31.1) of the at least two first openings (31.1, 31.2) of the railing brace (12.1) is used for the at least partial accommodation of the connecting means (20.1) coupled to the associated coupling element (14.1, 14.2, 14.3), and wherein at least one second first opening (31.2) of the at least two first openings (31.1, 31.2) is used for the at least partial accommodation of the associated locking means (20.2) locked with the associated coupling element (14.1, 14.2, 14.3).

9. The railing element according to Claim 8, characterised in that the associated coupling element (14.3) has at least one second opening (34.2), which, when the locking means (20.2) locked with the associated coupling element (14.3) is in the locking position (21), overlaps or aligns with the at least one second first opening (31.2) of the at least two first openings (31.1, 31.2) of the railing brace (12.1) so that the associated locking means (20.2) engages both in the at least one second opening (34.2) of the associated coupling element (14.3) and in the at least one second first opening (31.2) of the railing brace (12.1).

10. The railing element according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the at least one elongate guide (23.3) is provided on or in the railing brace (12.2) and in that the associated coupling element (14.4) is provided with at least two third openings (34.1, 34.2) which are offset from one another at a third distance (35), wherein at least one first third opening (34.2) of the at least two third openings (34.1, 34.2) of the coupling element (14.4) is used for the at least partial accommodation of the connecting means (20.1) coupled to the railing brace (12.2), and wherein at least one second third opening (34.1) of the at least two third openings (34.1, 34.2) of the coupling element (14.4) is used for the at least partial accommodation of the associated locking means (20.2) locked with the associated coupling element (14.4).

11. The railing element according to Claim 10, characterised in that the railing brace has at least one fourth opening, which, when the locking means locked with the associated coupling element is in the locking position, overlaps or aligns with the at least one second third opening of the at least two third openings of the associated coupling element so that the associated locking means engages both in the at least one fourth opening of the railing brace and in the at least one second third opening of the associated coupling element.

12. The railing element according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first coupling element (14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4) and the second coupling element (14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4) are identical.

13. A scaffold (11.1, 11.2, 11.3, 11.4) having multiple scaffold standards (15.1, 15.2), multiple connecting elements (17.1, 17.2) and a railing element (10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a first scaffold standard (15.1, 15.2) of the scaffold standards (15.1, 15.2) has a first connecting element (17.1, 17.2) of the connecting elements (17.1, 17.2), to which the first coupling element (14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4) of the railing element (10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4) is detachably articulated, and in that a second scaffold standard (15.1, 15.2) of the scaffold standards (15.1, 15.2) has a second connecting element (17.1, 17.2), to which the second coupling element (14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4) of the railing element (10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4) is detachably articulated, and wherein the railing element (10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4) is assembled in a use position (18.1, 18.2, 18.3, 18.4) in which the railing brace (12.1, 12.2) is arranged in a horizontal installation position (19.1, 19.2), and wherein the coupling elements (14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4) of the railing element (10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4) and the connecting elements (17.1, 17.2) of the scaffold standards (15.1, 15.2) are adapted to one another such that the railing element (10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4) cannot be disassembled without detaching or changing the position of at least one scaffold standard (15.1, 15.2) of the scaffold standards (15.1, 15.2) or without transferring the locking means (20.2) from its locking position (21) into its unlocking position or without removing the locking means (20.2) from the railing element (10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4).

14. A method for disassembling a railing element (10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4) of a scaffold (11.1, 11.2, 11.3, 11.4) according to Claim 13, in which the railing element (10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4) is articulated detachably to the first connecting element (17.1, 17.2) of the first scaffold standard (15.1, 15.2) by the first coupling element (14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4) of the coupling elements (14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4) of the railing brace (12.1, 12.2), which is arranged in the horizontal installation position (19.1, 19.2), and is articulated detachably to the second connecting element (17.1, 17.2) of the second scaffold standard (15.1, 15.2) by the second coupling element (14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4) of the coupling elements (14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4) of the railing brace (12.1, 12.2), wherein the locking means (20.2) is in its locking position (21), in which the associated coupling element (14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4) of the coupling elements (14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4) is prevented from pivoting relative to the railing brace (12.1, 12.2) about the connection axis (22) of the associated connecting means (20.1) so that the railing element (10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4) cannot be disassembled without detaching or changing the position of at least one scaffold standard (15.1, 15.2) of the scaffold standards (15.1, 15.2) or without transferring the locking means (20.2) from its locking position (21) into its unlocking position or without removing the locking means (20.2) from the railing element (10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4), wherein the associated locking means (20.2) is transferred from the locking position (21) into the unlocking position or removed from the railing element (10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4) whereupon the coupling element (14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4) associated with the locking means (20.2) and the railing brace (12.1, 12.2) are pivoted relative to one another about the connection axis (22) of the associated connecting means (20.1) and are displaced relative to one another along the elongate guide (23.1, 23.2, 23.3) so that a bend point (24.1, 24.2, 24.3, 24.4) is formed between the associated coupling element (14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.3, 14.4) and the railing brace (12.1, 12.2), whereupon the associated coupling element (14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4) is removed from the associated connecting element (17.1, 17.2) of the associated scaffold standard (15.1, 15.2), whereupon the other coupling element (14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4) is also removed from the associated other connecting element of the associated other scaffold standard (15.1, 15.2).