Scaffolding Ledger Coupling Hook for Safe Temporary Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Erecting scaffolding poses safety risks for workers as they must work at height without a secure railing or fall protection during the construction process, as each successive layer of scaffolding is not yet equipped with a railing for securing.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a releasable coupling device on ledger elements that allows for a temporary secondary attachment to upright elements, providing initial safety before establishing a permanent connection, which includes a hook device with pivoting parts and locking mechanisms for secure engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If workers erect scaffolding layer by layer using traditional primary coupling methods, then the scaffolding structure can be assembled, but workers face safety risks as they must work at height without secure attachment during the construction process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by equipping ledger elements with a coupling device that includes a coupling member extending from the base part, enabling workers to temporarily attach themselves to the ledger element before the primary coupling is completed. This preliminary safety attachment is established in advance, allowing workers to secure themselves at height during the erection process before the permanent connection is made.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling device acts as an intermediary safety mechanism between the worker and the scaffolding structure. The coupling member extending from the base part of the ledger element serves as a mediator that provides temporary attachment capability, bridging the safety gap that exists during the erection process before primary coupling is established.
2Reliability
If a releasable coupling device with extending coupling member is added to ledger elements, then temporary secondary attachment is enabled for worker safety, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a structural component of the ledger element and as a safety attachment mechanism. The coupling member extending from the base part performs dual functions: maintaining the integrity of the ledger element while simultaneously providing a temporary attachment point for workers during erection, thereby reducing the need for separate safety devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling device is segmented into distinct functional parts: a base part connected to the ledger element body, and a coupling member that extends from the base part. This segmentation allows the coupling member to be positioned optimally for providing temporary attachment while keeping the base part integrated with the ledger structure, managing complexity through functional separation.
Data Source
AI summary
Scaffolding, coupling device and method for erecting a scaffolding During erection of a scaffolding use is made of a coupling device with a base part (20) which is connected temporarily, but reliably, to a distal section of a ledger element (10) and to a coupling part (30) extending from the base part (20). The coupling part (30) comprises at the outer end a hook (35) which is placed round a subsequent upright (5) of the scaffolding in order to thus make a secondary connection thereto, while a primary connection (9,11) between the ledger (10) and the upright (5) is only completed later.