Scaffolding structure comprising beam elements for the realization of apertures

Abstract

Scaffolding structure comprising a plurality of metal frames (30) removably constrained to each other, each metal frame (30) consisting of at least two mutually spaced uprights (300) and of at least one crosspiece (301) for connection of the two uprights (300), which uprights (300) have lower clamps (302) at their lower ends and top plugs (303) at their upper ends. The structure comprises one or more beam elements (1) for the realization of one or more apertures (2), the beam element (1) having an upper surface (10) and a lower surface (11) and being provided with through holes (12) between the upper surface (10) and the lower surface (11), which holes (12) are sized in such a way that they constitute below seats of engagement for the said top plugs (303) of metal frames (30) and constitute above seats of engagement for dual plug connecting bases (4) with the said lower clamps (302) of further metal frames (30), the structure being formed by metal frames (30) having their own top plugs (303) inserted in the lower mouth of the holes (12) and by further metal frames connected with their own lower clamps to said dual plug bases (4) inserted in the upper mouth of the holes (12).

Description

[0001] “Scaffolding structure comprising beam elements for the realization of apertures”

[0002] Antonio Guidara

[0003] The present invention relates to a scaffolding structure comprising a plurality of metal frames removably constrained to each other. Each metal frame consists of at least two mutually spaced apart uprights and of at least one crosspiece for connection of the two uprights. The uprights have lower clamps at their lower ends and top plugs at their upper ends.

[0004] Beam elements are currently known for the creation of apertures in a scaffolding, for example to allow access to a driveway. Typically these beam elements are trussed and are fixed by means of a clamp to the other components of the scaffolding or have coupling bushings for connecting tubes to the other components of the scaffolding.

[0005] These elements must be constrained to the rest of the scaffolding structure with classic, laborious and time-consuming methodologies, and cannot guarantee sufficient load-bearing capacities such that it can built above them a scaffolding structure of high heights and / or with bearing characteristics such as, for example, to support slabs being built.

[0006] Document WO2021026015A1 describes a beam with an upper plate and a lower plate provided with engagement through holes with plugs. Taken individually, the beam does not have the capacity to support large loads. In addition, in order to be able to create a walking surface with platforms for the people in charge of the works, it is necessary to create a system composed of more elements than the aforementioned beams in a completely suspended reticular system not suitable for the construction of multi-storey work scaffolding with the creation of even large apertures. This does not allow this system to be integrated into multi-storey work scaffolding.

[0007] Document KR20150128576A describes a beam with an upper and a lower surface provided with through holes. In this case the beam individually does not have the capacity to support large loads and to do so it must necessarily be connected together with other beams and joists to be able to realize iron slabs. Also in this case, therefore, the structure cannot be inserted in multi-storey work scaffolds with apertures, since the through holes are not seats of use for plugs and, therefore, not suitable for a vertical development of the structure but rather for an assembly with further beams with a horizontal development.

[0008] Document EP1947259A1 describes a beam composed of holes that are not made for housing the metal frames to form the scaffolding, but are holes useful for lightening the overall weight of the beam.

[0009] Document US10968644B2 describes a lattice beam composed of an upper and a lower surface provided at the ends thereof with two holes forming engagement seats necessary for assembly with the other beams. The aim of the beam is the realization of light covers, for example, in corrugated sheets, but not for the realization of suspended passages by means scaffolding platforms. This does not allow this system to be integrated into multi-storey work scaffolding.

[0010] Document GB525032A describes a beam composed of an upper and a lower surface mounted on metal frames not suitable for multi-storey work scaffolding. The beam in question does not have useful load-bearing capacity characteristics since it is formed by two tubes joined by a single lattice. The assembly with the underlying supports does not take place in perfect overlap but takes place by flanking the joined tubes by means of a double band fixed with a through screw; therefore, the weight discharge does not coincide vertically at the underlying support, but takes place in a staggered manner. Therefore, this type of structure cannot be used for multi-storey facade scaffolding both due to its shape that does not allow the fitting on the lower and upper part of the metal frames for the realization of multi-storey frames, but above all for the load-bearing capacity that does not allow to create apertures with above the weight of several scaffolding floors. The gap of the beam and especially its load- bearing capacity do not allow to have satisfactory sized apertures. Also in this case, the characteristics described do not allow to integrate this system in multi-storey work scaffolding.

[0011] The present invention overcomes these drawbacks of the scaffolding structures currently known with a scaffolding structure as described at the beginning, which comprises one or more beam elements for the realization of one or more apertures, the beam element having an upper surface and a lower surface and being provided with through holes between the upper surface and the lower surface, which holes are sized in such a way that they constitute below seats of engagement for the said top plugs of metal frames and constitute above seats of engagement for double connecting plug bases with the said lower clamps of further metal frames, the structure being formed by metal frames having their own top plugs inserted in the lower mouth of the holes and by further metal frames connected with their own lower clamps to said double plug bases inserted in the upper mouth of the holes.

[0012] In this way it is possible to connect to the beam element two or more lower support and spaced frames so as to form the said aperture. Above, the frames can be connected to the beam element even over the aperture, to continue the scaffolding structure in height.

[0013] In an embodiment example the beam element comprises a lower plate and an upper plate connected to each other by spacer means.

[0014] According to an improvement, the holes consist of bushings connected to the lower plate and to the upper plate. Preferably the edges of the bushings are flush with the outer surfaces of the two plates and the bushings therefore constitute housing seats of the top plugs of the metal frames, which can be inserted from below, and of the dual plug connecting bases, which can be inserted from above.

[0015] In an embodiment variant the spacer means comprise a lattice.

[0016] Such a lattice may be a single lattice, consisting of a linear sequence of elements which is arranged to form a broken line, or a double lattice, in which two linear sequences of elements arranged to form a broken line are placed side by side one another.

[0017] In a further embodiment variant, the spacer means consist of an intermediate plate placed perpendicularly to the lower and upper plates and fixed thereto to form a girder with an l-section.

[0018] In a further variant embodiment, the spacer means consist of at least two joining walls placed perpendicular to the lower and upper plates and fixed thereto to form a box-like element.

[0019] According to an embodiment, the dual plug bases for connecting with the lower clamps of further metal frames have a lower portion and an upper portion. An intermediate flange is interposed between these portions to form a base. There are provided underbases of polymeric material adapted to be interposed between the flange and the upper plate in the inserted condition of the lower portion of the dual plug connecting base in the hole.

[0020] Preferably, such underbases are made of neoprene or an equivalent material.

[0021] This makes it possible to avoid collisions and increase the adhesion between the beam element and the dual plug connecting bases, in particular between the upper plate of the beam element and the flange of the dual plug connecting base, helping to increase the stability of the scaffolding structure.

[0022] In a further embodiment the underbases are provided with a through hole configured to be crossed by the lower portion of the dual plug connecting base. The underbases are thus arranged 360° around the dual plug connecting base, increasing their action as stabiliser.

[0023] In one embodiment, the beam element has an elongated shape along a longitudinal axis and has two opposite ends, an intermediate portion of the beam element between the two ends being provided below with a strengthening lattice.

[0024] This allows to increase the width of the aperture without losing the bearing capacity according to the calculations, using a small upper portion of the space of the aperture itself to accommodate the strengthening lattice.

[0025] In an embodiment example, the beam element has an elongated shape along a longitudinal axis and has two opposite ends and is subdivided at an intermediate zone between the opposite ends into two or more parts separated from each other and connectable to each other by fixing means. This makes it possible to easily create beam elements of great length for very wide apertures and at the same time to easily disassemble, transport and store the beam element in its reduced size components.

[0026] In one embodiment, for each beam element the frames are placed side by side one another and arranged on a single plane passing through the longitudinal axis of the beam element.

[0027] This configuration is particularly advantageous for the construction of slabs, even large ones, or for viaducts.

[0028] In a further embodiment example, there are provided at least two beam elements parallel to each other, the frames being placed side by side one another and arranged on planes perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the beam elements, for each frame there being a first upright connected to a first beam element and a second upright connected to a second beam element.

[0029] This configuration is particularly advantageous for scaffolding of commercial buildings, wherein the apertures can be used so as not to obstruct the shop windows.

[0030] According to an improvement, each beam element is provided with a plurality of engagement seats for the ends of transverse tubes supporting platforms or scaffolding boards, such that each transverse tube is engaged at the opposite ends thereof with two beam elements placed side by side one another.

[0031] In this way walking platforms are easily formed in the scaffolding structure for operators.

[0032] These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become clearer from the following disclosure of some exemplary embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which: fig. 1 illustrates a scaffolding structure with apertures in front of the shop windows of a building for commercial purposes; fig. 2 illustrates a beam element; fig. 3 illustrates a detail view of a beam element; fig. 4 illustrates a beam element with dual plug connecting bases in inserted condition; fig. 5 illustrates a scaffolding structure with a pair of beam elements connected to a plurality of frames by using dual plug bases and aligned on planes perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the beam elements; fig. 6 illustrates the scaffolding structure of fig. 5 with walkable platforms in a condition coupled to the structure itself; fig. 7 illustrates a scaffolding structure with a pair of beam elements connected to a plurality of frames aligned on planes parallel to the longitudinal axes of the beam elements, with walkable platforms in a condition coupled to the structure itself; fig. 8 illustrates a scaffolding structure with frames aligned on planes parallel to the longitudinal axes of the beam elements for supporting the slab of a viaduct; fig. 9 illustrates a detail view of the connection of a frame positioned above the beam elements by means of dual plug connecting bases; figs. 10, 1 1 and 12 illustrate different steps of connecting a frame to the beam elements; fig. 13 illustrates a scaffolding structure with a beam element provided with a strengthening lattice near the aperture; fig. 14 illustrates a beam element provided at the bottom with a strengthening lattice; fig. 15 illustrates a scaffolding structure with a beam element subdivided into two parts; figs. 16 and 17 illustrate respectively overall and detail views of a beam element subdivided into two parts coupled together by means of fixing means.

[0033] The figures illustrate some embodiments of the beam element 1 and of the scaffolding structure with apertures obtained by means of said beam element 1 , according to the present invention.

[0034] As can be seen for example in Figure 1 , wherein it has apertures in front of the shop windows of a building for commercial purposes, the scaffolding structure comprises a plurality of metal frames 30 removably constrained to each other by known constraining means, such as joints and clamps. Each metal frame 30, as visible for example in detail in figure 8, consists of two spaced-apart uprights 300, of a crosspiece 301 for connection of the two uprights 300, and of diagonal strengthening brackets connecting the uprights 300 to the crosspiece 301 . The uprights 300 have lower clamps 302 at their lower ends and top plugs 303 at their upper ends. This scaffolding frame 30 configuration is known and widely used in construction sites.

[0035] In figure 1 there are provided at least two beam elements 1 parallel to each other, although only one is visible in the figure. The frames 30 are placed side by side one another and arranged on planes perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the beam elements 1 . The apertures 2 created by this scaffolding structure can be for example 5-6 metres wide.

[0036] If the beam element 1 has a length less than the total extension of the scaffolding structure, it is possible to provide in the metal frames not involved by the beam element for extensions interposed between two metal frames overlapping each other fitted to the underlying frames and equipped with plugs on the upper part for the fitting of the overlying frames, if necessary stiffened with clamps according to the design calculations. The extensions will have a height corresponding to the height of the beam element. In this way the frames above the beam element will be correctly positioned all at the same level.

[0037] Figures 2 and 3 illustrate respectively an overall view and a detail view of a preferred embodiment example of beam element 1 . The beam element 1 has an elongated shape along a longitudinal axis and has two opposite ends. The beam element 1 consists of an upper plate 100 and a lower plate 110 connected to each other by spacer means. The upper plate 100 has an upper surface 10 and the lower plate has a lower surface 11. The beam element 1 is provided with through holes 12 between the upper surface 10 and the lower surface 11 . The through holes 12 consist of bushings 120 connected to the lower plate 110 and to the upper plate 100, visible in figure 3. The holes 12 are sized in such a way that they constitute below seats of engagement for the top plugs 303 of metal frames 30 placed below the beam element 1 , while they constitute above seats of engagement for dual plug connecting bases 4 with the lower clamps 302 of further metal frames 30 placed above the beam element 1 .

[0038] The edges of the bushings 120 are flush with the outer surfaces of the two plates 100 and 110, i.e. with the upper 10 and lower 11 surfaces. The bushings 120 therefore constitute housing seats of the top plugs 303 of the metal frames 30, which can be inserted from below, and of the dual plug connecting bases 4, which can be inserted from above.

[0039] In the embodiments illustrated in the figures, the spacer means comprise a lattice 13, in particular a double lattice, wherein two linear sequences of elements arranged to form a broken line are placed side by side one another.

[0040] However, it is possible to provide alternatively or in combination a single lattice, consisting of a linear sequence of elements which is arranged to form a broken line, or an intermediate plate placed perpendicularly to the lower 1 10 and upper 100 plates and fixed thereto to form a girder with an l-section, or at least two joining walls placed perpendicularly to the lower 1 10 and upper 100 plates and fixed thereto to form a box-like element.

[0041] Figure 3 also shows an engagement seat 7 for the ends of transverse tubes 70 supporting platforms 8 or scaffolding boards, described in detail below.

[0042] Figure 4 illustrates a beam element 1 with dual plug connecting bases 4 in inserted condition, ready to engage with the lower clamps 302 of metal frames 30 to be placed above the beam element 1 .

[0043] Figure 5 illustrates a scaffolding structure with a pair of beam elements 1 connected to a plurality of frames 30 placed side by side one another and aligned on planes perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the beam elements 1 . For each frame 30 a first upright 301 is connected to a first beam element 30 and a second upright 301 is connected to a second beam element 1. It is possible to provide more than two beam elements 1 placed side by side one another.

[0044] Each beam element 1 is provided with a plurality of engagement seats 7 for ends of transverse tubes 70 supporting walkable platforms 8 or scaffolding boards, such that each transverse tube 70 is engaged at the opposite ends thereof with the two beam elements 1 placed side by side one another.

[0045] Figure 6 illustrates the platforms 8 interposed between the two beam elements 1. The platforms 8 preferably have standard shape but may have out-of-standard dimensions to suit this application. Alternatively, scaffolding boards, such as wooden boards, may be used.

[0046] Advantageously, as illustrated in the figure, in the vicinity of the aperture 2 the platforms are rested on the transverse tubes 70 that connect the two beam elements 1 together, while in the other areas they rest on the crosspieces 301 of the lower frames 30. It is possible, however, to provide for platforms 8 all at the same height, resting only on transverse tubes 70.

[0047] Figure 7 illustrates a different configuration, wherein, for each beam element 1 , the frames 30 are placed side by side one another and arranged on a single plane passing through the longitudinal axis of the beam element 1. Two beam elements 1 are placed side by side one another and support a series of walkable platforms 8, which platforms have two opposite constraining ends that are coupled respectively to the two beam elements 1 . Preferably joints are provided on the upper surface 10 of the beam elements 1 for coupling with the platforms 8.

[0048] Figure 8 illustrates a scaffolding structure with the same configuration as Figure 7, wherein for each beam element 1 the frames 30 are placed side by side one another and arranged on a single plane passing through the longitudinal axis of the beam element 1 .

[0049] The beam element 1 defines the aperture 2 on the ground, while at the upper end of the scaffolding structure a plurality of trusses 14 are provided on which support beams 13 for a load placed above rest, in the example in the figure the slab 9 of a viaduct.

[0050] Figure 9 illustrates an exploded detail view of the connection of a frame 30 placed above the beam elements 1 by means of dual plug connecting bases 4. The dual plug connecting bases 4 are adapted to couple the beam element 1 with the lower clamps 302 of a metal frame 30.

[0051] The dual plug connecting bases 4 have an upper portion 40 and a lower portion 41 , between which portions 40 and 41 an intermediate flange 42, preferably circular in shape, is interposed to form a base.

[0052] There are provided underbases 5 of polymeric material adapted to be interposed between the flange 42 and the upper plate 100 in the inserted condition of the lower portion 41 of the dual plug connecting base 4 in the hole 12.

[0053] Preferably, said underbases 5 are made of neoprene, but they can also be made of other materials suitable for increasing the adhesion between the dual plug connecting base 4 and the beam element 1 .

[0054] The underbases 5 are provided with a through hole 50 configured to be crossed by the lower portion 41 of the dual plug base 4, preferably they are of centrally perforated discoidal shape.

[0055] Figures 10, 11 and 12 illustrate different steps of connecting a frame 30 to the beam elements 1 .

[0056] The underbases 5 are positioned around the hole 12, i.e. with their own hole 50 at the hole 12 on the beam element 1 (figure 9); the dual plug base is placed in the inserted position, i.e. with the lower portion 41 that penetrates the hole 50 of the underbase 5 and the hole 12 of the beam element 1 constituted by the bushing 120 (figure 10); the frame 30 placed above the beam element 1 is coupled thereto by inserting the upper portions 40 of the dual plug base 4 in the lower clamps 302 of the frame 30.

[0057] Figure 13 illustrates a scaffolding structure with a beam element 1 provided with a strengthening lattice 8 in the vicinity of the aperture 2.

[0058] A detail of this embodiment example is illustrated in figure 14, in which it is visible that an intermediate part of the beam element 1 between its two ends is provided at the bottom with a strengthening lattice 8.

[0059] Figure 15 illustrates a scaffolding structure with a beam element 1 subdivided into two parts connectable to each other by fixing means 6.

[0060] Figures 16 and 17 illustrate respectively overall and detail views of a beam element 1 subdivided into two parts coupled together by fixing means 6. It is possible to provide for a subdivision into three or more parts. The apertures created by this type of beam element can be 10-12 m wide.

[0061] The fixing means 6 can be of any type known to the person skilled in the art. Preferably, the fixing means 6 comprise perforated fixing plates 60 and bolts 61.

[0062] From the foregoing it is therefore clear that the invention is not limited to the embodiments just described and illustrated by way of nonlimiting examples, but may be varied and modified, as a whole and in the individual details, above all constructively, according to the specific needs and conveniences of manufacture and use, within the scope of the technical and functional equivalents, without abandoning the informing principle set forth above and subsequently claimed.

Claims

CLAIMS1 .Scaffolding structure comprising a plurality of metal frames (30) removably constrained to each other, each metal frame (30) consisting of at least two mutually spaced uprights (300) and of at least one crosspiece (301 ) for connection of the two uprights (300), which uprights (300) have lower clamps (302) at their lower ends and top plugs (303) at their upper ends characterised in that it comprises one or more beam elements (1 ) for the realization of one or more apertures (2), the beam element (1 ) having an upper surface (10) and a lower surface (11 ) and being provided with through holes (12) between the upper surface (10) and the lower surface (11 ), which holes (12) are sized in such a way that they constitute below seats of engagement for the said top plugs (303) of metal frames (30) and constitute above seats of engagement for dual plug connecting bases (4) with the said lower clamps (302) of further metal frames (30), the structure being formed by metal frames (30) having their own top plugs (303) inserted in the lower mouth of the holes (12) and by further metal frames connected with their own lower clamps to said dual plug bases (4) inserted in the upper mouth of the holes (12).

2. Scaffolding structure according to claim 1 , wherein the beam element comprises an upper plate (100) and a lower plate (110) connected together by spacer means.

3. Scaffolding structure according to claim 2, wherein the holes (12) consist of bushings (120) connected to the lower plate (110) and to the upper plate (100).

4. Scaffolding structure according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the dual plug connecting bases (4) with the lower clamps (302) of further metal frames (30) have an upper portion (40) and a lower portion (41 ), between which portions (40, 41 ) an intermediate flange (42) is interposed, there being provided underbases (5) of polymeric material adapted to be interposed between the flange (42) and the upper plate (100) in theinserted condition of the lower portion (41 ) of the dual plug connecting base (4) in the hole (12).

5. Scaffolding structure according to claim 4, wherein the underbases (5) are provided with a through hole (50) configured to be crossed by the lower portion (41 ) of the dual plug connecting base (4).

6. Scaffolding structure according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the beam element (1 ) has an elongated shape along a longitudinal axis and has two opposite ends and is subdivided at an intermediate zone between the opposite ends into two or more parts separated from each other and connectable to each other by fixing means (6).

7. Scaffolding structure according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein for each beam element (1 ) the frames (30) are placed side by side one another and arranged on a single plane passing through the longitudinal axis of the beam element (1 ).

8. Scaffolding structure according to one or more of claims 1 to 6, wherein there are provided at least two beam elements (1 ) parallel to each other, the frames (30) being placed side by side one another and arranged on planes perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the beam elements (1 ), for each frame (30) there being a first upright (301 ) connected to a first beam element (30) and a second upright (301 ) connected to a second beam element (1 ).

9. Scaffolding structure according to claim 8, wherein each beam element (1 ) is provided with a plurality of engagement seats (7) for ends of transverse tubes (70) supporting platforms (8) or scaffolding boards, such that each transverse tube (70) is engaged at the opposite ends thereof with two beam elements (1 ) placed side by side one another.

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