Cantilevered supplementary support platform for modular scaffold

Abstract

A supplementary support assembly for a modular scaffold system formed from a matrix of interconnecting scaffold bays. The assembly including a pair of spaced apart transoms ( 88 ) adapted to be cantilevered outwardly from the scaffold bays and one or more decking boards ( 90 ) extending between the pair of transoms, thereby providing a supplementary support platform ( 85 ).

1 . A scaffold connection assembly for use with modular scaffolding of the type formed from a matrix of interconnected scaffold bays supported on a base, the connection assembly being adapted to connect a first scaffold bay to a second scaffold bay, and including:
 a first connecting element including a first pair of connecting formations laterally spaced apart by a predetermined first distance and adapted for connection to adjacent inner standards of the respective first and second scaffold bays;   a second connecting element including a second pair of connecting formations respectively defining terminal ends of an intermediate bridge section and being laterally spaced apart by a predetermined second distance, the second pair of connecting formations being adapted for connection to adjacent outer standards of the respective first and second scaffold bays;   the first distance being different from the second distance, such that upon engagement of the connection assembly between the first and second scaffold bays, the first scaffold bay is oriented obliquely with respect to the second scaffold bay;   wherein the outer standards of the corresponding first and second scaffold bays include respective lugs of a V-press fitting, each of the lugs defining a generally V-shaped aperture adapted for releasable engagement by a corresponding generally wedged shaped locking pin, whereby upon engagement each of the locking pins extends downwardly through the aperture of the respective lug so as releaseably to lock the corresponding connecting formation to the respective outer standard;   the lugs being aligned with the respective first and second scaffold bays and the connecting formations of the second pair being fixedly secured to the bridge section at a predetermined oblique angle relative to one another, such that upon engagement of the second connecting element the connecting formations of the second pair are substantially aligned with the respective lugs while accommodating the oblique orientation between the adjoining first and second scaffold bays.   
     
     
         2 . A scaffold connection assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the connecting formations of the second pair includes a downwardly depending spigot adapted for releasable engagement with a corresponding one of the apertures defined by the respective lug on the adjacent outer standard of the corresponding first or second scaffold bay, each of the spigots being securely locked in place upon engagement of the corresponding locking pin. 
     
     
         3 . A scaffold connection assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the bridge section of the second connecting element supports the spigots at the oblique angle relative to one another, whereby in use the spigots are substantially aligned with the respective lugs formed on the adjacent outer standards, so as to accommodate the oblique orientation between the adjoining first and second scaffold bays. 
     
     
         4 . A scaffold connection assembly according to  claim 1 , further including; a pair of transom elements, each adapted to extend between the adjacent inner standard and the adjacent outer standard of a respective one of the first and second scaffold bays, the transom elements in use thereby defining a generally wedge-shaped gap formation between adjacent sides of the adjoining first and second scaffold bays; and a wedge plate adapted to extend generally between the transom elements thereby substantially to cover the gap formation. 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . A scaffold connection assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein one or more cantilevered supplementary support assembly are adapted for connection to the inner or outer sides of the first or second scaffold bays, and/or to the inner or outer sides of the connecting assembly, and wherein a lap plate is adapted to cover a lateral clearance space defined between adjacent supplementary support assemblies. 
     
     
         7 - 45 . (canceled) 
     
     
         46 . A first supplementary support assembly for a modular scaffold system formed from a matrix of interconnecting scaffold bays defining a main working platform, the assembly including:
 an extension module including a pair of cantilevered trusses incorporating a respective pair of transoms, the extension module being adapted for connection to the scaffold system;   the transoms being adapted for use with one or more decking boards positioned to extend between the transoms, thereby in use to provide a first supplementary support platform cantilevered from the scaffold system at substantially the same height as the main working platform;   wherein the extension module is adapted to support a second support assembly cantilevered from the extension module, the second support assembly having a second supplementary support platform and including at least one inclined supplementary support strut adapted for engagement with the extension module such that in use the second supplementary support platform is supported in a horizontal position at substantially the same height as the first supplementary support platform.   
     
     
         47 . A support assembly according to  claim 46 , wherein the second support assembly includes a second pair of spaced apart transoms adapted to be cantilevered outwardly from the extension module; and
 one or more decking boards extending between the second pair of transoms, thereby defining the second supplementary support platform.   
     
     
         48 . A support assembly according to  claim 47 , wherein each transom of the second support assembly has a respective connecting formation adapted for connection with an adjacent member of the extension module to which the transom is to be connected. 
     
     
         49 . A support assembly according to  claim 48 , wherein the proximal ends of the cantilevered transoms of the second support assembly are adapted respectively for engagement with V-press fittings on the extension module. 
     
     
         50 . A support assembly according to  claim 49 , wherein each transom has a main support bar, the proximal end of which includes a downwardly depending spigot formation adapted for engagement with the V-press fittings. 
     
     
         51 . A support assembly according to  claim 47 , including a pair of supplementary support struts associated with each transom of the second support assembly, each supplementary support strut extending from the respective transom at one end and positively engaging a vertical member of the extension module. 
     
     
         52 . A support assembly according to  claim 51 , wherein the supplementary support strut includes an inclined support element positioned to extend downwardly at an angle, for engagement with the vertical member of the extension module below the connecting formation, such that the cantilevered transom bar is supported in the horizontal position. 
     
     
         53 . A support assembly according to  claim 51 , wherein the supplementary support struts include one or more intermediate bracing elements extending between the supplementary support strut and the respective cantilevered transom. 
     
     
         54 . A support assembly according to  claim 47 , wherein each cantilevered truss includes at least one supplementary support strut associated with each cantilevered transom. 
     
     
         55 . A support assembly according to  claim 54 , wherein the supplementary support struts of each cantilevered truss include one or more inclined support elements. 
     
     
         56 . A support assembly according to  claim 54 , wherein the supplementary support struts of each cantilevered truss include one or more bracing elements. 
     
     
         57 . A support assembly according to  claim 54 , wherein the connecting formations formed on the proximal side facilitate engagement of the trusses with standards of the scaffold system, and wherein the connecting formations on the distal side are adapted to support the second support assembly, to thereby provide a composite truss/hop-up configuration. 
     
     
         58 . A support assembly according to  claim 47 , wherein the distal end of one or both transoms of the extension module is trimmed or otherwise shaped to avoid fouling and to ensure a close fitting alignment between the two adjacent distal ends and/or wherein the distal end of one or both transoms of the second support assembly is trimmed or otherwise shaped to avoid fouling and to ensure a close fitting alignment between the two adjacent distal ends. 
     
     
         59 . A lap plate for a modular scaffold system formed from a matrix of interconnecting scaffold bays, the lap plate including:
 a body mountable to the scaffold system, the body being of a predetermined size to substantially cover a lateral space defined between a pair of adjacent hop-ups mounted to adjacent bays of the scaffold system; and   engaging means for releasably engaging the body with the scaffold system, wherein the engaging means is configured so as to facilitate locating, and captively retaining, the body in a desired position relative to the lateral space, in use.   
     
     
         60 . A lap plate according to  claim 59 , wherein cut-outs are mutually opposed and arranged toward one end of the body to extend laterally, to define a generally T-shaped formation adapted upon engagement with the respective standards to prevent axial and rotational sliding movement of the body to an extent sufficient to expose the lateral space. 
     
     
         61 . A lap plate according to  claim 60 , wherein the engaging formation defines a twist-lock engagement mechanism, whereby the lap plate must be inclined toward the vertical orientation, by rotation about a generally longitudinal axis of the plate, in order to be installed or removed and, once engaged with the adjacent standards in a substantially horizontal orientation, the plate cannot be inadvertently removed or dislodged from the intended position. 
     
     
         62 . A lap plate according to  claim 60 , wherein the body and the engaging means of the lap plate are integrally formed as a one-piece unit. 
     
     
         63 . A lap plate according to  claim 60  which is configured to extend between adjacent scaffold bays that are spaced apart, and thereby to cover the respective clearance space defined between the adjacent bays, whether oriented orthogonally or obliquely. 
     
     
         64 . A lap plate according to  claim 60 , wherein an engagement means is formed at opposite ends of the lap plate, for engagement with the adjacent inner standards and outer standards respectively.