Protective Covering

Abstract

A protective covering for surrounding all sides of and sheltering a scaffold, such as is used in the construction of buildings, is provided.

Description

This invention relates generally to a protective covering for surrounding all sides of a scaffold used in the construction of buildings which shelters the scaffold from the elements.

Coverings for scaffold and frame structures consisting of plastic films or fabric cover webs are known which have elongated, rectangular or square configurations. In such coverings the edges of the covering which are disposed horizontally are provided with hook-shaped profiled bars of U-shaped cross-section adapted to be urged or slid one into the other. By means of such drawn profiles, a number of coverings may be arranged one above the other or side-by-side and can be connected with each other. However, such coverings are not universally applicable to all shapes of scaffolds and are not adapted to completely and properly cover scaffolds in such manner that there is provided an interior space completely shielded against environmental influences.

Accordingly there is a need for a scaffold covering of the above-described type for winter and bad weather construction which is suitable for providing a modular system and the individual cloths or webs of which are adapted to be rapidly and readily attached to one another and to any shape scaffold for forming a completely closed, rain and wind tight space and an object of the invention is to provide the same.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a covered scaffold of ridged roof construction showing various features of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a detailed elevational view of the rain gutter mount shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the rain gutter mount shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 4 shows a modified embodiment of the rain gutter mount shown in FIGS. 8 and 9;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a covered flat roof construction showing various features of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the structure shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 shows a modified flat roof covering;

FIG. 8 shows a separate rectangular cover element;

FIG. 9 is an elevational view of the side covering of a scaffold;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along lines 10--10 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is an alternative form of the structure shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along lines 12--12 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 13 shows an alternative form of the structure shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 shows a separate ridged roof cover web including connecting, attaching and tensioning or rigging devices;

FIG. 15 shows a scaffold hall formed by means of the described covering and having a ridged roof; and

FIG. 16 shows a scaffold hall formed by means of the described covering comprising a plurality of prism-shaped ridged roofs arranged in parallel.

Very generally, as shown in the drawings, the protective covering is formed of rectangularly or trapezoidally cut cover web elements 9 which are secured to a scaffold 8 and connected with each other. The separate cover web elements 9 are provided with connecting, attaching and tensioning or rigging devices for continuously connecting said cover web elements laterally and longitudinally with adjacent cover webs, and for attaching and tensioning or rigging the separate cover web elements into a continuous water-tight, closed covering on the scaffold. It will be appreciated that in order to form such a closed covering the web elements must have the connecting devices on at least three edges thereof.

More specifically, FIG. 1 illustrates a scaffold 8 with at least two ridged roof sections adjacent to one another with their ridge poles parallel. The roof sections are covered by protective covering elements 9 which generally extend downwardly on each side of the ridge poles over longitudinally extending roof struts 11. As illustrated on the left side of each roof section in FIG. 1 each covering element 9 is securely attached to the shorter leg of a U-shaped strap or tensioning belt 10, which may be of plastic material. The attachment of the strap 10 is slightly within the edge of the covering element 9 so that the edge of the cover hangs down vertically over the strut, thus facilitating the conducting of precipitation away from the scaffold and preventing it from following the curve of the strap 10.

The illustrated covering is attached to the scaffold by positioning the free, non-secured end of the strap outwardly of the strut 11. The other end of the strap is secured to the scaffold by means of a resilient strip 12, which may be of rubber, and a hook 13 which engages a pin or other locking device on the scaffold 8. The covering is similarly attached at the right side of each roof section. although this attachment is not shown so that other features may be shown, as discussed below. It may be seen that the resilient strips function to tension the covering as well as to attach or rig the covering on the scaffold.

Where adjacent ridged roof sections are present in a scaffold it is necessary to provide for sealing between the covers of adjacent sections and drainage of the condensation therebetween. Arrangements to meet these objects are also shown in FIG. 1 and, in greater detail in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. As there illustrated a gutter 15 is mounted along the eaves side of a roof section by support yokes 16.

More specifically, as illustrated gutter members 15 are provided each with an upwardly facing channel and inwardly bent longitudinal edges to provide downwardly opening rims along each side, which as may be seen assures a sealing joinder of individual gutter sections. The gutter 15 is engaged by the support yokes 16 which are in the form of a semicircularly bent section for receiving the lower side of the gutter and a flat mounting strap 16a. A semicircular tension hook or bracket 22 which embraces or straddles the adjacent strut 11 is provided with a tongue or strip 21 engaging a suitable hole in the yoke 16 between its semicircularly bent portion and its straight portion 16a. The tongue 21 and yoke 16 are welded together at this point to secure the yoke and its gutter immovably to the roof so that they cannot fall off.

The illustrated mounting strap 16a is releasably mounted to another strap 23 through suitable slots and a wing nut 16b. This strap 23 includes a curved portion 23a which embraces another longitudinal strut 11. The straps 23 and 16a are slidable relative to one another for hooking the strut to the yoke. Thus the assembly engages two longitudinal struts for greater stability. The free ends of the covering 9 extend downwardly into the gutter so that condensation draining from the tension covering is conducted directly into the gutter.

FIG. 4 shows a modification of the gutter mounting in which one end of the semicircular portion of the yoke 16 is curved inwardly to engage one rim of the gutter. At the other end of the semicircular portion a reversely bent portion is provided which embraces the adjacent longitudinal strut 11 and assures the positioning of the rim of the gutter below the adjacent strut. As in the embodiment of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 the strap 16a is connected through a wing nut 16b to strap 23 with a curved portion 23a embracing a second longitudinal strut 11.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 1-4, because the sides of the roof segments bear alternately no rain gutter or one gutter, each of the roof segments can be lifted off directly and individually without gutters. The roof segments with gutters can easily be lifted likewise, individually, after the gutters directly adjacent thereto have been lifted.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a flat roof scaffold and covering in which the same reference numerals are used for structures analogous to those in the prior Figures. The covering elements 9 are attached on their undersides to flexible straps 10 which embrace upper struts 11. The straps are anchored to the scaffold through resilient strips 12 and hooks 13. In this case however, the hooks 13 engage around lower struts 11a of the roof construction 8 and hence have a correspondingly greater diameter than the hooks 13 of the prior figures.

As seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, one of two adjacent covering elements 9 is provided with an extended edge or strip supported by an integrally connected rigid or semi-rigid supporting element 9b. This strip or cover extends horizontally and overlaps the adjacent covering element to provide full protection from the elements. A similar arrangement could of course be provided between adjacent ridged roof constructions.

Alternatively, as seen in FIG. 7, condensation from adjacent flat roof sections may be conducted through gutters positioned therebetween in a manner similar to that shown in FIGS. 1-4. As illustrated in FIG. 7 gutters 15 are supported by yokes 16. The yokes in this case however are arranged adjacent the lower pair of parallel struts 11a of adjacent roof structures and the strap 23 embraces the upper pair of struts 11. Also, as illustrated both adjacent roof coverings 9 have downwardly extending edges spaced from the struts by a strap 10a and a hook 10b which also embraces the lower strut 11a.

As it is evident from FIG. 8 a rectangular covering element 9 has on two sides thereof hook-shaped telescoping profile bars 17 and clamping lugs 18, while the other two, opposite sides have slots 9a spaced from the edges for connection cables 19, to be described below, to be inserted therethrough. Of course, the various sides of the covering 9 may be provided also with other connecting, attaching and tensioning or rigging devices in different arrangements.

FIGS. 9-12 show the attachment of four covering elements 9 at the outer sides of the scaffold. Vertically adjacent cover webs are pushed or slipped into each other by means of hook-shaped profiled bars 17 which are secured to the edge of each covering web element and telescope into one another. The bars 18 are held in this relation by clamping lugs 18 on their ends which may be continuous along the length of the bars or separate. The shape of the plug-in profiles is shown in side elevational view or in section, respectively, in FIG. 10. In order to provide for an improved connection, the clamping lugs 18 also may be of hook-shaped design, according to FIG. 11.

This connecting means is of particular advantage for the continuous and tight connection of the cover webs in horizontal direction, i.e. at their horizontal edges. The profiles engaging into each other in hook-shaped manner are favorably adapted to transmit the tension forces resulting from the weight of the plastic film or fabric covers. The longitudinal edges horizontally adjacent cover elements 9 overlap one another to provide a weatherproof seal and are attached to vertical struts 20 of the scaffold construction 8 by means of connection cables 19 as it is shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. Apertures or slots 9a are provided in spaced relation at the overlapping longitudinal edges of the elements 9 and are exactly aligned with each other. Through the apertures or slots there are passed the attachment cables 19 adapted to be secured around the strut. The cables may be simply tied together as shown in FIG. 11 or may include a locking means as shown in FIG. 13.

As there illustrated one end of the cable 19 has an inherently stable or rigid extension 25 with apertures or holes while the other end of the cable 19 has an inherently stable or rigid tapered end 27 which facilitates plugging in or threading the second end through the apertures of the other end. The second end is also provided with hooks 26 to engage the first end. Thus a secure fastening which may be both quickly engaged and locked and quickly released is provided.

FIG. 14 shows in detail a covering element 28 adapted for use to shelter a ridged or saddle roof. In this construction, the strap-shaped, flexible tensioning belts or tightening straps 10 including resilient strips 12 and hooks 13 are disposed on both longitudinal sides 28a in spaced relation with respect to the edge, whereas the two gable sides 28b are provided with devices in form of binding clamps or straps 29 for the continuous connection with the gable covering or with an adjacent, additional ridged roof covering. It is advantageous to construct the covering for a ridged roof in such way that this cover web extends on either side of the gable beam to the eaves side of the roof construction and the cover web, at the longitudinal sides forming the eaves sides, is provided with devices for attaching and tensioning or rigging at points spaced from the edges. At the sides forming the gable, the cover is provided with attachment straps for attachment to the gable cover webs. The last mentioned attachment straps may be used also for connection with another cover web serving as covering in case the roof covering is composed of two or more cover webs.

FIG. 15 illustrates the application of the disclosed covering to a scaffold in the configuration of a single ridged roof construction. If scaffolds of very great dimensions for constructing large buildings are involved, it may be expedient to have parallel ridged roofs as illustrated in FIG. 16. The latter are formed in prism-shaped manner in the illustrated embodiment. Each of the roof coverings is shaped in correspondence with the covering 28 and the abutting or adjacent areas 31 of the roof coverings are cut at their contacting sides in the shape of obtuse-angled triangles.

The disclosed scaffold covering exhibits a number of substantial advantages. The covering is particularly adaptable because it is possible, owing to the advantageous connecting, attaching and tensioning or rigging devices, to enclose different configurations of scaffolds in rapid and ready manner within a completely closed covering in accordance with a modular system. This feature is provided particularly by employment of the disclosed connecting elements which elements allow the construction of a universally tight or sealed scaffold covering being greatly independent from the configuration of the scaffold. These connections being disposed under the individual cover webs, provide maximum degree of tightness against wind so that substantial savings in heating cost within the winter construction hall formed thereby can be realized. This applies both to the covering of the side of the scaffold and of the roof of the scaffold.

Also, it is of particular advantage that the covering may be opened and closed again in simple manner at any desired position for material transporting purposes. The cover web for a flat roof covering has on all sides thereof and spaced from the edges, devices for attaching and tensioning or rigging. In this way, a secure attachment and tensioning or rigging of the roof covering can be obtained in the same manner as in the ridged roof configuration.

The covering may also be used where the scaffold comprises a prism-shaped configuration of the ridged roof construction, in which the cover webs forming the roof covering are cut in the shape of an obtuse-angled triangle at their contacting sides and are provided with the devices for the continuous connection thereof. If two or more cover webs are used for a roof covering, these webs are interconnected in water-tight manner at their contacting sides by means of overlapping edges.

The cover webs of the roof construction are releasably interconnected with each other so that they may be lifted off separately without releasing or raising the other cover webs relative to each other.

On principle, the covering renders possible the enclosure of all scaffold configurations so as to be rain-tight and largely air-tight from the ground to the roof. Irregularities of the ground surface may be compensated for by particularly stable, absolutely decay-safe, so-called ground seals. Furthermore, corners and cantilever portions as well as the transitions between the side scaffolds and the roof scaffolds can be properly sealed by means of the cover webs. The roof gables are also enclosed by cover webs cut to corresponding configuration. A special advantage resides in the fact that the assembly of the whole covering may be effected without tools and within a minimum period of time. No specially qualified personnel are required for such assembly.

The connection between the cover webs and to the scaffold is effected by utilizing readily mountable elements, such as hooks, bars and quick connections.

The attaching and tensioning or rigging devices provided for the roof coverings avoid piercing of the cover webs; this being of special importance since perforations in the roof skin or cover would allow moisture and rain to enter the interior of the hall formed by the covering in very short period of time. Also, a particularly noteworthy feature consists in that the covering may be applied independently of the shape of the roof. For example, it is of no significance whether the scaffold construction has a ridged roof or flat roof configuration. Assembly is very easy because the employment of the attaching and disassembly of the scaffold covering can be performed without the danger of accidents. A constantly smooth fit of the webs, and thus good draining of water, is always guaranteed. The construction of the rain gutter mounting renders possible a compensation in height or in vertical direction so that the rain gutters may be mounted with slope whereby the draining water is properly collected and led away.

Various features of the invention are set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A protective covering for lining a vertical scaffold for winter and bad weather construction work, said covering comprising a plurality of interconnected, flexible cover webs having horizontally extending edges and vertically extending edges, interconnectible bars each having hook-shaped portions thereon attached to said cover webs along the length of said horizontally extending edges, said hook-shaped portions of vertically adjacent bars being slidably telescoped one within the other and being interlocked with each other and placed in tension by the weight of cover webs therebelow and supporting cover webs therebelow, reinforced areas on said vertical edges of horizontally adjacent webs having spaced apertures being aligned with each other when the webs are overlapped for securing about a strut of the scaffold, and cable devices having a central portion extending through said aligned apertures and having a hole in one end to lockingly receive the other end thereof.

2. A protective covering for lining a roof of a scaffold for winter and bad weather construction work comprising a plurality of cover webs each having adjacent edges for connection to another web, first connection devices for continuously connecting said cover webs in lateral and longitudinal directions, second connection devices for exerting tension forces on said webs and for connecting said cover webs to the scaffold, said second connecting devices comprising resilient strips fastened beneath and along longitudinally extending outer edges of said interconnected webs to pull the latter tautly against longitudinally extending roof struts of said scaffold, said connecting devices being attached to the bottom side of said cover webs at locations spaced inwardly from the longitudinal edges of the webs thereby allowing said edges to overhang the longitudinally extending roof struts, and fastening means connected to said strips for connection to struts of the scaffold, said resilient strips tensioning the interconnected webs and holding the same taut.

3. A protective covering in accordance with claim 2 in which a gutter support means is connected along one longitudinally extending edge of said covering, said gutter support means comprising a portion for connection to a roof strut and another portion for supporting the gutter.

4. A protective covering in accordance with claim 3 in which said gutter support means comprises two slidable plates adapted to slide and shift relative to each other to an adjusted position and fastening means for securing said plates in an adjusted position for supporting a gutter.

5. A protective cover in accordance with claim 4 in which a tension hook is secured to one of said plates for clamping to a strut of the roof construction.

6. A protective covering in accordance with claim 3 in which gutters formed at the intersection between adjacent protective coverings.

7. A protective covering in accordance with claim 6 in which rigid supporting members are attached to said cover webs and to roof struts support said gutter in a cantilever manner at a position extending horizontally outward and beneath a longitudinally extending edge of said covering to receive liquid therefrom.