U.S. patent number 3,805,816 [Application Number 05/206,653] was granted by the patent office on 1974-04-23 for protective covering.
Invention is credited to Roland B. K. Nolte.
United States Patent |
3,805,816 |
Nolte |
April 23, 1974 |
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.
Inventors: |
Nolte; Roland B. K. (Haus
Soest, DT) |
Family
ID: |
22767345 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/206,653 |
Filed: |
December 10, 1971 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
135/115;
52/DIG.12; 135/900; 160/354; 135/119; 160/327; 182/138 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04G
21/242 (20130101); B66C 1/10 (20130101); E04G
21/28 (20130101); Y10S 135/90 (20130101); Y10S
52/12 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
E04G
21/24 (20060101); E04G 21/28 (20060101); B66C
1/10 (20060101); E04b 001/347 () |
Field of
Search: |
;160/354,327
;135/1R,3R,15CF,15PE ;52/11,13,90,222,3,5 ;182/129
;161/19UX,19,53 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Caun; Peter M.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Fitch, Even, Tabin &
Luedeka
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.
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.
* * * * *