DEVICE FOR ATTACHING FALL PROTECTION TO SCAFFOLDING

Description

[0001] Construction scaffolding comes in a wide variety of designs. It is used to allow work to be carried out on the facades of buildings. Depending on the height of the building or the scaffolding itself, it typically has several levels stacked on top of each other.

[0002] The scaffolding can be formed from so-called vertical frames, which have a substantially rectangular shape (see, for example, DE 35 46 046 A1). Each frame consists of two uprights connected by at least one welded crossbeam. Two adjacent vertical frames are connected by decking planks that can be attached to the crossbeams. Alternatively, the scaffolding can be constructed from individual uprights, each equipped with at least one holding and / or fastening device to which both crossbeams for the decking planks and fall protection systems can be attached (see, for example, US 6 976 557 B2). Fall protection systems are known, for example, from KR 2015 0134137 A and KR 101 670 646 B1. The uprights connected by the crossbeams then form the aforementioned vertical frames.

[0003] The fastening devices are used to hook and secure the connecting heads of scaffolding elements. This is generally achieved by hammering the connecting heads themselves into place or by hammering in clamping wedges integrated into the connecting heads or the connecting elements of the ledgers. The fastening devices are shaped like discs with openings (see, for example, DE 197 26 950 A1).

[0004] When erecting scaffolding, planks are first attached to the crossbeams between two adjacent vertical frames. By connecting several vertical frames with planks in between, the scaffolding can be made to varying lengths. To construct each level above, a vertical frame is placed on top of the one below. Planks are then attached from the lower level to the crossbeams of the vertical frame above, making the level accessible. However, at this stage, there is still no fall protection on the level above. The fall protection – the guardrail – is provided by rails that are suspended between adjacent vertical frames using the mounting points provided on the frame tubes.

[0005] Constructing the upper level without fall protection increases the risk of accidents with conventional scaffolding. Therefore, the employers' liability insurance associations require that access to the platform planks is only permitted if a guardrail is already installed. To meet this requirement, a scaffold is disclosed in DE 196 33 092 A1, which allows assembly from a secure position.

[0006] To enable this kind of advance assembly, brackets are used that are attached to the supports, and posts are then placed onto these brackets. The posts are equipped with devices for attaching fall protection systems, allowing the next higher level of the scaffolding to be erected even with existing guardrails. These devices can, for example, be so-called toggle levers, onto which an opening in the fall protection system must then be threaded. The fall protection systems must therefore be attached to the devices from the secured lower level, which is difficult for the scaffolder due to the length and weight of the fall protection systems and the small size of the opening in the fall protection system.

[0007] To facilitate the installation of fall protection systems, a device for attaching fall protection systems to scaffolding is known from DE 20 2020 103 146 U1, in which a receptacle with a pendulum plate is provided on a post. When a fall protection system is attached from the secured lower level, the pendulum plate comes into contact with the right-angled end of a pole forming the fall protection system. The pendulum plate is moved aside so that the end of the pole can be lowered into the receptacle. The pendulum plate then swings back to its starting position, thus securing the pole against being lifted off.

[0008] The described device fulfills the requirements placed upon it. However, the known device only provides a so-called non-definitive solution. This means that, after completion of the respective floor level of the scaffolding, a user can move the pendulum plate to the side and lift the pole out of the device while the fall protection poles are suspended and horizontally positioned. This allows the fall protection to be removed from its horizontal installation position, potentially creating an unsecured situation at that floor level. This increases the risk of accidents. Locking the pendulum plate to prevent such removal, i.e., creating a so-called definitive solution, is not possible.

[0009] A comparable solution is known from WO 2021 / 194336 A1. In this design, a mounting plate is attached to a support. The mounting plate has two connecting elements that extend perpendicularly from the mounting plate, and at the end of each connecting element facing away from the mounting plate, a retaining plate is arranged that connects the two connecting elements to each other. A receiving space for the flat section of a rod is formed between the mounting plate and the retaining plate. The mounting plate also has two fastening devices that extend perpendicularly from the mounting plate, each with a pivoting rocker arm. For assembly and disassembly, the right-angled end of a rod forming the fall protection comes into contact with the rocker arm and is thus moved aside. The rocker arm then swings back to its initial position.

[0010] This device also meets the requirements. However, it too only provides a so-called non-definitive solution, which has the aforementioned disadvantages.

[0011] A device that allows fall protection devices to be attached and detached from the secured position of the floor below, while simultaneously providing a definitive solution, is known from DE 20 2020 104 197 U1. This patent discloses a fastening device for a fall protection rod, provided on a support, which consists of a pin with a head at its end facing away from the support. The head has an elliptical contour, the longitudinal centerline of which is oriented at an angle of approximately 45° to the vertical. This prevents the fall protection device from being disassembled in its horizontal orientation.

[0012] For higher floor levels, a permanent solution is desirable for safety reasons. However, near ground level, a temporary solution is often preferable, where the fall protection system can be removed from its horizontal mounting position, for example, to quickly provide an additional exit from the scaffolding. To enable this, however, it is necessary to use temporary supports near ground level during scaffolding construction, while permanent supports are used on the higher floor levels. This is logistically complex.

[0013] Against this background, the present invention aims to provide a device for attaching fall protection systems to scaffolding, which offers both a definitive and a non-definitive solution for attaching the poles forming the fall protection system. According to the invention, this objective is achieved by the features of claim 1.

[0014] The invention provides a device for attaching fall protection systems to scaffolding, offering both a permanent and a temporary solution for attaching the fall protection poles. This is achieved by inserting a tension pin into the holes in the wall elements, which then passes through the opening in the toggle lever, preventing it from pivoting. This provides the permanent solution. If no tension pin is installed, the toggle lever can pivot, creating a temporary solution.

[0015] Other embodiments and configurations of the invention are specified in the remaining dependent claims. Exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are described in detail below. The drawings show: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device according to the invention with a definitive solution; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the device with a pivoted rocker arm; Figure 3 is a right-hand side view of the device. Figure 2 device shown; Figure 4 the right-hand side view of the device shown in Figure 1 The device shown; Figure 5, the view of a rod; Figure 6, the enlarged view of detail "Z" in Figure 5Figure 7: a section view of a support of scaffolding with devices according to the invention with a non-definitive solution and a suspended fall protection device; Figure 8: a section view of a support of scaffolding with devices according to the invention with a definitive solution and a suspended fall protection device; Figure 9: a view of scaffolding during erection with a suspended pole from the secured position; Figure 10: a view of the scaffolding in a further phase of erection with a suspended pole and a second support from the secured position; Figure 11: a section perspective view of a support with a suspended pole from the secured position with a non-definitive solution; Figure 12: the side view from the left of the Figure 11 shown support; Figure 13 the view of the in Figure 11The support shown; Figure 14, the section-by-section perspective view of a support with a suspended rod in a horizontal position with a non-definitive solution; Figure 15, the left side view of the support shown in Figure 14 The support shown; Figure 16, the section-by-section perspective view of a support with a rod suspended from the secured position with a definitive solution; Figure 17, the left side view of the support in Figure 16 The support shown; Figure 18, the section-by-section perspective view of a support with a suspended rod in a horizontal position with definitive solution; Figure 19, the left side view of the support shown in Figure 18 Figure 20 shows the support shown; Figure 20 shows the perspective view of a device according to the invention with a definitive solution in another embodiment; Figure 21 shows the right-hand side view of the support shown in Figure 21. Figure 20 illustrated device.

[0016] The scaffold chosen as an exemplary embodiment comprises a plurality of vertical frames 1. Each vertical frame 1 has supports 2, which are formed in the form of tubes. The supports 2 of each scaffold level are connected to each other by means of a crossbeam (not shown). Two supports 2, each with a crossbeam, form the vertical frame 1. The supports 2 have fastening devices 5. The fastening devices 5 serve to attach bars 6, which serve as fall protection or railings, or to fasten diagonal braces 4, which can be installed to increase the stability of the scaffold.

[0017] Threaded base plates 7, which are height-adjustable and serve to compensate for uneven ground, can be attached to the bottom ends of the supports 2. At their top ends, each support 2 has a pin 21, which serves to attach another vertical frame 1 in order to construct multi-level scaffolds. Each support 2 is provided with a retaining device 22, which is shaped as a disc with openings.

[0018] The crossbeam is detachably connected to the supports 2 at the retaining devices 22, as is typical for system scaffolding. The crossbeam is equipped with fittings for attaching decking boards 8. Adjacent to the decking boards 8 are toe boards 9. These provide side protection or a toe board and prevent tools or objects from falling from the respective decking board.

[0019] The crossbeam can have various designs, for example as a rectangular tube or a U-profile. The decking boards 8 are attached to the crossbeam using corresponding support or suspension devices. The use of more or fewer boards 8 in a single plane is also possible, depending on the width of the vertical frames 1 and the width of the boards 8. The crossbeam is positioned in the middle third of the length of the columns 2. As a result, when the vertical frames are installed, the columns 2 project beyond the respective decking board 8 such that the projecting portions of the columns 2 correspond to approximately half the story height.

[0020] The fastening devices 5 are designed as attachment points for fall protection systems. They serve to mount the poles 6, which form the guardrail and thus a fall protection system. The poles 6 also increase the stability of the scaffolding. Each pole 6 has a guardrail fin at its end, formed by a flat piece 61. The flat pieces 61 are bent essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline of the pole 6. Each flat piece 61 has a hole 62. The flat pieces 61 are each provided with a right-angled recess 63.

[0021] The fastening devices or fixtures 5 are arranged on the (inner) side of the supports 2 facing the decking boards 8. The fixtures have a housing-like design. Each has L-shaped wall elements 51 on its longitudinal sides, the distance between which essentially corresponds to the diameter of the supports 2. The vertical legs 511 of the wall elements 51, which are aligned parallel to the longitudinal centerline of the supports 2, have a greater length than the horizontal legs 512, which are aligned perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline of the supports 2.

[0022] Between the two vertical legs 511, a cover 52, which has a recess 53, is attached to the inside of the supports 2 on the device 5. The vertical legs 511 of the wall elements 51 are each provided with two holes, the first of which, 54, has a larger opening.

[0023] The second hole 55 has a diameter of . A bolt 3 is arranged in the first holes 54, on which a rocker arm 56 is attached. The rocker arm 56 consists of a plate 57, the contour of which essentially corresponds to the contour of the recess 53. An arc extends from the plate 57, enclosing the bolt 3 by approximately 180°. The bolt 3 is therefore located within the arc. The rocker arm 56 is held on the bolt 3 by means of a locking pin 561. At the free end of the arc, a support element 58 is attached, oriented essentially perpendicular to the plate 57, and is provided with a semicircular recess on its side facing the support 2. The diameter of the recess essentially corresponds to the diameter of the support 2. On the side facing the support 2, a vertically oriented web 59 is arranged on the plate 57, which is provided with an opening 591.The opening 591 aligns with the second holes 55 in the wall elements 51 when the plate 57 is vertically aligned.

[0024] The second holes 55 are for receiving a spring pin 10, such as from Figure 1 As can be seen, the tension pin 10, when assembled, passes through the second holes 55 and the opening 591 in the web 59 of the plate 57. In this arrangement, the rocker arm 56 is secured against pivoting. In this configuration, the device provides a definitive solution.

[0025] The device according to the invention is in the Figures 20 and 21The legs 512 are each provided with a taper. In this embodiment, the taper is formed by two wings 513. The wings 513 are welded to the legs 512 in this embodiment. Other designs, e.g., by partially bending the legs 512, are also possible. The wings 513 project towards each other into the space between the legs 512, thus reducing the clear opening. This prevents the flat pieces 61 from unintentionally slipping if they have a smaller area or width than the space provided in the Figures 5 and 6The free end of each flat piece 61 is held between the wall elements 51 by the reduced width between the mutually oriented wings 513, which is reduced in relation to the distance between the horizontal legs 512; the free end of the flat piece 61 abuts the (underside) of a wing 513 facing the floor and is thus trapped in the device despite its small width.

[0026] With the aid of the device according to the invention, a preliminary assembly of the scaffold is possible. This is carried out from the secured position of the lower floor level. The rod 6 can be assembled from this secured position. For this purpose, the rod 6 with a flat piece 61 is moved towards the device 5 on the support 2. When the flat piece 61 contacts the support element 58 on the rocker arm 56, the support element 58 is moved towards the ground as the flat piece 61 of the rod 6 is lowered, whereby the rocker arm 56 pivots about the bolt 3. This releases the space created between the support element 58 and the support 2, so that the bent flat piece 61 can be lowered further. After the flat piece 61 has been lowered into the space, it rests with the recess 63 on the horizontally oriented leg 512 of the wall element 51.At the same time, the rocker arm 56 swings back to its starting position and thus covers the suspended flat piece 61. This prevents the rod 6 from being accidentally lifted out of the device 5.

[0027] To release the connection in the horizontal installation position of the rod 6, it is necessary to pivot the rocker arm 56 with the support element 58 around the bolt 3 and lift the flat section 61 of the rod 6 out of the device. To release the connection from the secured position of the floor level below, in which the rod 6 is held at an angle of approximately 45°, it is necessary to lift the flat section 61 out through the space open on the side of the device between support 2, vertical leg 511, horizontal leg 512 and support element 58.

[0028] This also applies to the disassembly of the rod 6 if the device 5 provides a definitive solution, i.e., if the rocker arm 56 is secured against pivoting by means of the tension pin 10. In this case as well, it is necessary to lift the flat piece 61 out of the secured position of the floor level below through the space open on the side of the device between support 2, vertical leg 511, horizontal leg 512, and support element 58. Lifting the flat piece 61 of the rod 6 out of the device in its horizontal installation position is not possible.

[0029] The device according to the invention for attaching fall protection systems enables both a permanent and a temporary solution. Consequently, regardless of the desired type of fall protection, the same supports can be used throughout, all of which are equipped with the device according to the invention. The installation of the tension pin alone determines whether the device offers a permanent or a temporary solution.

[0030] The tension pin 10 can be driven in or out on site if necessary. The preload with which the tension pin 10 is held in the holes 55 makes tool-free assembly or disassembly of the tension pin impossible. This prevents accidental or unintentional disassembly.

Claims

1. Device for attaching fall protection devices to scaffoldings that has L-shaped wall elements (51) on each of its longitudinal sides, wherein the wall elements (51) are each provided with two holes (54, 55), wherein a bolt (3) is arranged in the first holes (54) and a toggle lever (56) that comprises a plate (57) is attached to the bolt, wherein a vertically aligned web (59) that is provided with an opening (591) that aligns with the second holes (55) in the wall elements (51) in the vertically aligned condition of the plate (57) is arranged on the plate (57), wherein a clamping pin (10) that penetrates the opening (591) in the web (59) in the installed condition can be received by the second holes (55), characterised in that a cover (52) is attached between the L-shaped wall elements (51), and the contour of the plate (57) essentially corresponds to the contour of the recess (53) and that the toggle lever (56) is provided with a support element (58) that is essentially aligned perpendicular to the plate.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the support element (58) is provided with a pitch-circle-shaped recess the diameter of which essentially corresponds to the diameter of a support (2).

3. Device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the bolt (3) to which the toggle lever (56) is attached is arranged in the first holes (54).

4. Device in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the bolt (3) is resting in a bend of the toggle lever (56) that encloses the bolt (3) to about 180°.

5. Device in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the legs (512) are each provided with a taper.

6. Support for scaffoldings, comprising a device according to one of claims 1 to 5.

7. Support according to claim 6, characterised in that the device is welded to the support.