Scaffolding system

Abstract

A scaffolding system comprising a plurality of elongate structural tubes and a plurality of node members. Each node member has three or more mating portions that each extend along one of three mutually perpendicular axes that pass through the respective node member. End portions of the structural tubes can be releasably secured to the mating portions to provide a framework of vertical columns that extend between pairs of node members and horizontal beams that extend between pairs of node members. The scaffolding system further comprises a plurality of tie members that can each be releasably secured at opposing ends to a node member such that the respective tie member is inclined relative to the vertical columns or the horizontal beams, such that the scaffolding system, when assembled, is capable of supporting structural loads.

1 . A scaffolding system comprising:
 a plurality of elongate structural tubes;   a plurality of node members, each node member having three or more mating portions that each extend along one of three mutually perpendicular axes that pass through the respective node member, end portions of the structural tubes can be releasably secured to the mating portions to provide a framework of vertical columns that extend between pairs of node members and horizontal beams that extend between pairs of node members; and   a plurality of tie members that can each be releasably secured at opposing ends to a node member such that the respective tie member is inclined relative to the vertical columns or the horizontal beams, such that the scaffolding system, when assembled, is capable of supporting structural loads.   
   
   
       2 . A scaffolding system according to  claim 1 , wherein the mating portions are sleeves that each define a cavity for receiving an end portion of the structural tubes. 
   
   
       3 . A scaffolding system according to  claim 1 , wherein the structural tubes have a square cross-section and the sleeves of the node members comprise four walls that define a square cavity for receiving the end of a structural tube. 
   
   
       4 . A scaffolding system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of fasteners for releasably securing the structural tubes within the sleeves. 
   
   
       5 . A scaffolding system according to  claim 4 , wherein the sleeves are provided with holes such that one of the fasteners can extend transversely through the sleeve to secure a structural tube within the respective sleeve. 
   
   
       6 . A scaffolding system according to  claim 5 , wherein the structural tube also comprises one or more holes adjacent each end such that a respective one of the fasteners can extend transversely through both the sleeve and a structural tube. 
   
   
       7 . A scaffolding system according to  claim 6 , wherein each fastener can extend through opposing sides of a respective sleeve and structural tube such that the respective fastener is in double shear when employed in a structure constructed using the scaffolding system. 
   
   
       8 . A scaffolding system according to  claim 1 , wherein the tie members are in the form of tie rods that are each tensioned to provide a tensile force between the node members to which the respective tie rod is secured. 
   
   
       9 . A scaffolding system according to  claims 4 , wherein the tie members are in the form of tie rods that are each tensioned to provide a tensile force between the node members to which the respective tie rod is secured, and the plurality of fasteners can each releasably secure one or more of the tie rods to a respective node member. 
   
   
       10 . A scaffolding system according to  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of fasteners include pins having transverse holes through which ends of the tie rods can pass. 
   
   
       11 . A scaffolding system according to  claim 8 , further comprising a plurality of clevis units that can be releasably secured to the node members, wherein one of the plurality of tie rods can be releasably secured to each clevis unit. 
   
   
       12 . A scaffolding system according to  claim 8 , wherein the end portions of each tie rod are provided with an external thread such that an internally threaded nut can be threaded onto the external thread to tension the tie rod. 
   
   
       13 . A scaffolding system according to  claim 1 , wherein the tie members are in the form of a rigid braces. 
   
   
       14 . A scaffolding system according to  claim 13 , further comprising a plurality of brace plates that can be releasably secured to the node members, wherein one or more of the plurality of braces can be releasably secured to each brace plate. 
   
   
       15 . A scaffolding system according to either  claim 14 , wherein each brace plate comprises brace attachment holes that facilitate attachment of one or more of the plurality of braces to the respective brace plate. 
   
   
       16 . A scaffolding system according to  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of brace plates include:
 a first set of brace plates that have brace attachment holes to facilitate attachment of one brace to the respective brace plate;   a second set of brace plates that have brace attachment holes to facilitate attachment of two braces to the respective brace plate; and   a third set of brace plates that have brace attachment holes to facilitate attachment of four braces to the respective brace plate.   
   
   
       17 . A scaffolding system according to  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of node members comprise:
 a plurality of first node members that each have three sleeves;   a plurality of second node members that each have four sleeves;   a plurality of third node members that each have five sleeves; and   a plurality of fourth node members that each have six sleeves   
   
   
       18 . A scaffolding system according to  claim 1 , wherein each structural tube is provided with mounting holes intermediate of the ends of the structural tube for mounting attachments to the structural tubes. 
   
   
       19 . A scaffolding system according to  claim 18 , wherein the attachments are selected from the list comprising: cleats for attaching joists to the structural tubes, transom units for supporting the scaffold boards on structural tubes, brackets for attaching scaffold tube to structural tubes, mounting brackets for mounting rails to structural tubes. 
   
   
       20 . A scaffolding system according to  claim 1 , further comprising components that can be releasably secured to the end of a structural tube, the components being selected from the list comprising: sole plates, end caps, and jacking devices.