Technical Field

The present invention relates to a manually-moved scaffolding.

Background Art

In the building industry, the use of scaffolding to perform work at height, such as e.g. along a wall, is well known.

The scaffolding is a mobile scaffold that allows reaching heights ranging from two meters up to even twenty meters.

The known type of scaffolding comprises a supporting surface for an operator, associated with a basic frame and a transfer assembly adapted to move the scaffolding onto the ground.

The scaffolding of known type may also comprise steps or similar components which enable the operator to reach the supporting surface.

Specifically, the transfer assembly comprises moving parts of the type, e.g., of wheels.

The transfer assembly allows the scaffolding to be moved to a workstation.

In more detail, to make the displacement, the operator must get off the scaffolding and push it to the workstation.

Known scaffoldings doe, however, have some drawbacks.

In fact, in the known type of scaffoldings, the supporting surface is arranged at a predefined height with respect to the basic frame, and in order to carry out work at different heights, it is necessary to use two or more scaffoldings of different type.

As a result, in addition to necessarily having a large number of scaffoldings, they must be moved in turn to the workstation and later displaced to make room for the next scaffolding.

It is easy to appreciate how such operations result in longer work schedules and consequently in related costs.

In addition to this, it should not be underestimated that the need to continuously climb on and off the scaffoldings can cause the operator to fall, resulting in a high safety risk for the operator. It is clear, then, that the known type of scaffoldings is susceptible to refinements.

Description of the Invention

The main aim of the present invention is to devise manually-moved scaffolding which allows an operator to easily stand at different heights.

Another object of the present invention is to devise manually-moved scaffolding which is of practical placement in the workstation.

A further object of the present invention is to devise manually-moved scaffolding which allows reducing the risks for the operator’s safety.

Still one object of the present invention is to devise manually-moved scaffolding which is easy to make and space-saving.

Another object of the present invention is to devise manually-moved scaffolding which can overcome the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art within the framework of a simple, rational, easy and effective solution that is also easy to use and inexpensive.

The aforementioned objects are achieved by this manually-moved scaffolding having the characteristics of claim 1.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of manually-moved scaffolding, illustrated by way of an indicative, yet nonlimiting example, in the attached tables of drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of the scaffolding according to the invention, in accordance with a first embodiment;

Figure 2 is an axonometric view of the scaffolding in Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is an axonometric view of the scaffolding transfer assembly according to the invention;

Figure 4 is a further axonometric view of the scaffolding in Figure 1 ;

Figures 5 and 6 are axonometric views of the scaffolding according to the invention in accordance with a second embodiment.

Embodiments of the Invention With particular reference to these figures, reference numeral 1 globally indicates the manually-moved scaffolding.

The scaffolding 1 comprises: at least one basic frame 2, 3; at least one transfer assembly 4 associated with the basic frame 2, 3 and adapted to move the scaffolding 1 on the ground along at least one direction of transfer T ; at least one supporting surface 5 associated with the basic frame 2, 3 and adapted to support at least one operator.

The direction of transfer T is substantially horizontal.

The transfer assembly 4 comprises at least one movement member 6 responsible for the actual movement of the scaffolding 1 along the direction of transfer T.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, the transfer assembly 4 comprises a plurality of movement members 6 of the wheel type.

It cannot however be ruled out that the transfer assembly 4 comprise movement members of different type.

The transfer assembly 4 will be described in more detail later on in this disclosure.

According to the invention, the scaffolding 1 comprises movement means 7 adapted to move the supporting surface 5 with respect to the basic frame 2, 3, along at least one substantially vertical direction of movement M so as to arrange the supporting surface 5 at different heights.

Therefore, the movement means 7 allow the operator to stand at different heights, avoiding the use of two or more different types of scaffolding.

The basic frame 2, 3 comprises at least one guiding framework 2 of the movement means 7 and at least one supporting structure 3 of the transfer assembly 4.

The guiding framework 2 extends parallel to the direction of movement M and is configured to guide the sliding of the supporting surface 5 between different heights.

Advantageously, the movement means 7 comprise at least one worm gear drive shaft 8 extending parallel to the direction of movement M.

In other words, the worm gear drive shaft 8 is arranged substantially vertically. The worm gear drive shaft 8 is associated with the guiding framework 2.

The movement means 7 also comprise at least one first threaded wheel 9 associated with the supporting surface 5 and meshing on the worm gear drive shaft 8.

The rotation of the worm gear drive shaft 8 causes the shift of the first threaded wheel 9 and, consequently, of the supporting surface 5 along the direction of movement M.

In more detail, the rotation of the worm gear drive shaft 8 in one sense of rotation causes the shift of the supporting surface 5 in a relevant way of the direction of movement M, while the rotation of the worm gear drive shaft 8 in the opposite sense of rotation causes the shift of the supporting surface 5 in the opposite way of the direction of movement M.

In other words, the movement means 7 allow the shift of the supporting surface 5 both upwards and downwards with respect to the ground.

Conveniently, the movement means 7 comprise at least one worm gear driven shaft 10 and at least a second threaded wheel 11 meshing on the worm gear driven shaft 10.

The worm gear driven shaft 10 in turn extends substantially parallel to the direction of movement M and is also associated with the guiding framework 2. Similarly, the second threaded wheel 11 is also associated with the supporting surface 5.

The rotation of the worm gear driven shaft 10, due to the rotation of the worm gear drive shaft 8, causes the shift of the second threaded wheel 11 and, consequently, of the supporting surface 5 along the direction of movement M.

In more detail, the worm gear driven shaft 10 and the second threaded wheel 11 allow the even movement of the supporting surface 5 along the direction of movement M while maintaining it in a substantially horizontal plane during the shift of the same.

Conveniently, the movement means 7 comprise motion transmission members 12 from the worm gear drive shaft 8 to the worm gear driven shaft 10.

The motion transmission members 12 comprise at least two crown gears 13 associated with the lower end of the worm gear drive shaft 8 and with the lower end of the worm gear driven shaft 10 respectively, and at least one chain element 14 wrapped at least party on the crown gears 13 and meshing thereon.

Therefore, the rotation of the worm gear drive shaft 8 also causes the rotation of the relevant crown gear 13 which, by means of the chain element 14, transfers the rotational motion to the worm gear driven shaft 10.

Conveniently, the movement means 7 comprise a plurality of worm gear driven shafts 10 and of relevant second threaded wheels 11.

Appropriately, the motion transmission members 12 comprise a crown gear 13 for each worm gear shaft 8, 10, and the chain element 14 is wrapped at least partly around each of them.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, the supporting surface 5 is substantially rectangular in shape and the worm gear shafts 8, 10 are arranged at the vertices of the supporting surface 5.

Such a construction solution allows for extremely even movement of the supporting surface 5.

The movement means 7 comprise an actuating system of the worm gear drive shaft 8.

Advantageously, the movement means 7 comprise at least one manual actuating system 15 associated with the worm gear drive shaft 8.

Conveniently, the manual actuating system 15 comprises: at least one actuating lever 16 manually movable by the operator; and kinematic linking members 17 of the actuating lever 16 to the worm gear drive shaft 8 and adapted to set the latter in rotation.

The operator, therefore, by manually operating the actuating lever 16 causes the rotation of the worm gear drive shaft 8 and the shift of the supporting surface 5 at different heights.

Advantageously, the actuating lever 16 is arranged at least partly at the supporting surface 5. The operator is substantially able to operate the actuating lever 16 to move the supporting surface 5 when located on top of the latter.

The kinematic linking members 17 comprise at least a first gear wheel 18 associated with the worm gear drive shaft 8 and rotatable around a relevant axis substantially parallel to the direction of movement M.

In more detail, the first gear wheel 18 is arranged at one end of the worm gear drive shaft 8.

The axis of rotation of the first gear wheel 18 coincides with the axis of rotation of the worm gear shaft 8, 10.

Advantageously, the kinematic linking members 17 also comprise at least a second gear wheel 19 kinematically connected to the actuating lever 16 and meshing on the first gear wheel 18.

In accordance with a first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4, the actuating lever 16 is movable in rotation around an axis of rotation R due to a rotational action exerted by the operator.

The actuating lever 16 is configured to transfer the rotational action around the axis of rotation R to the second gear wheel 19.

Preferably, the axis of rotation R is substantially parallel to the direction of movement M.

In accordance with the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4, the first gear wheel

18 and the second gear wheel 19 are substantially coplanar.

Alternative embodiments cannot be ruled out wherein the axis of rotation R be transverse to the direction of movement M. In this case, the second gear wheel

19 is rotatable in a plane transverse to the first gear wheel 18.

In accordance with a second embodiment, shown in Figures 5 and 6, on the other hand, the actuating lever 16 is movable by oscillation due to a thrust action exerted by the operator.

More specifically, the operator imparts alternating motion to the actuating lever 16 in a surface substantially parallel to the worm gear drive shaft 8.

In accordance with this embodiment, the kinematic linking members 17 are configured to convert the alternating motion of the actuating lever 16 into a circular motion.

Conveniently, the kinematic linking members 17 comprise at least a first rod mechanism 20 and at least a first crank 21 connected in a kinematic manner to the second gear wheel 19, which are adapted to convert the oscillatory motion of the actuating lever 16 into a rotation of the worm gear drive shaft 8.

The first rod mechanism 20 and the first crank 21 define a connecting rod-crank mechanism known to the technician in the industry.

In more detail, the first rod mechanism 20 transfers the motion of the actuating lever 16 to the first crank 21 which is set in rotation around an axis A substantially orthogonal to the worm gear drive shaft 8.

Specifically, the axis A is substantially perpendicular to the plane of oscillation of the actuating lever 16.

The rotation of the first crank 21 causes, therefore, the second gear wheel 19 and, consequently, the worm gear drive shaft 8 to rotate.

In more detail, the first crank 21 is, therefore, configured to set the second gear wheel 19 in rotation around the axis A.

The kinematic linking members 17 also comprise a linking shaft positioned between the first crank 21 and the second gear wheel 19.

The linking shaft extends along the axis A.

The kinematic linking members 17 also comprise a gear system 22 positioned between the first crank 21 and the linking shaft.

As stated above, the scaffolding 1 also comprises a transfer assembly 4 adapted to move the scaffolding 1 on the ground along the direction of transfer T.

In more detail, the transfer assembly 4 is adapted to move the scaffolding 1 along both ways of the direction of transfer T.

The transfer assembly 4 comprises propelling means 23 operable by an operator and adapted to move the scaffolding 1 along the direction of transfer T.

The propelling means 23 are connected to the movement members 6 in a kinematic manner.

Advantageously, the transfer assembly 4 comprises manually- operated propelling means 23. The propelling means 23 comprise at least one propulsion command member 24 associated with the supporting structure 3 and movable by oscillation with respect to the supporting structure 3.

The command member 24 is movable by oscillation due to a thrust action exerted by the operator so that the scaffolding 1 is manually propelled.

More specifically, the operator gives an alternating motion to the command member 24.

The propelling means 23 also comprise: at least one conversion assembly 25, driven by the command member 24 and adapted to convert the alternating motion imparted by the command member 24 into a circular motion; and at least one motion transmission assembly 26 from a driving axle 27, associated with the conversion assembly 25, to a driven axle 28, associated with at least one movement member 6.

The operator, therefore, by manually operating the command member 24 causes the driving axle 27 and, consequently, the movement member 6 to rotate.

In more detail, the rotation of the driving axle 27 in one sense of rotation causes the movement of the scaffolding 1 in a relevant way of the direction of transfer T, while the rotation of the driving axle 27 in the opposite sense of rotation causes the movement of the scaffolding 1 in the opposite way of the direction of transfer T.

It is worth noting that the preparation of a manual actuating system 15 and of manually- operated propelling means 23 makes it possible to make the scaffolding 1 extremely simple from a constructional point of view and, above all, extremely small in size. The scaffolding 1 is, therefore, easily positionable even in confined and/or difficult-to-travel working areas.

Conveniently, the command member 24 is arranged at least partly at the supporting surface 5.

Thus, the transfer assembly 4 allows the operator to displace the scaffolding 1 along the direction of transfer T from the supporting surface 5 and freeing oneself from the need to get off it. In more detail, the command member 24 comprises an actuating bar 29 provided with a first end 30a associated with the supporting structure 3 and with a second end 30b arranged at the supporting surface 5.

Conveniently, the second end 30b comprises a handle 31 made as a handlebar.

The actuating bar 29 is connected to a movement member 6 and by means of the handle 31 allows the direction of transfer T to be varied.

The scaffolding 1 according to the invention can substantially also be properly moved along a non-straight path.

The first end 30a is associated with the supporting structure 3 by means of a support 32 mounted pivoting on the supporting structure itself so as to oscillate in a plane substantially orthogonal to the driving axle 27.

Conveniently, the transmission assembly 26 comprises at least one transmission shaft 33 perpendicular to the driving axle 27 and to the driven axle 28 and connected to the driving axle 27 and to the driven axle 28 in a kinematic manner by means of respective gears 34.

The driven axle 28 is, therefore, set in rotation by means of the transmission shaft 33.

Each of the gears 34 comprises a respective wheel 35, mounted on the driving axle 27 and on the driven axle 28, respectively, and a respective pinion 36, mounted on the transmission shaft 33, which meshes on the respective wheel 35.

Advantageously, the conversion assembly 25 comprises at least one second rod mechanism 37 and at least one second crank 38 adapted to convert the alternating motion of the command member 24 into a rotation of the driving axle 27.

The second rod mechanism 37 and the second crank 38 in turn define a connecting rod-crank mechanism known to the technician in the industry.

In more detail, the second crank 38 is associated with the driving axle 27, and the second rod mechanism 37 is adapted to transfer the motion of the command member 24 to the second crank itself, which sets the driving axle 27 in rotation. The conversion assembly 25 may also comprise a flywheel, not shown in detail in the figures, adapted to make the motion of the scaffolding 1 along the direction of transfer T extremely smooth and even.

In accordance with the invention, and as shown in detail in Figure 4, the guiding framework 2 is associated in a removable manner with the supporting structure 3.

The supporting surface 5 and the movement means 7 can, therefore, be separated from the supporting structure 3 and from the transfer assembly 4 and be arranged resting on the ground.

In this way, the transfer assembly 4 can be used only when necessary.

Conveniently, the scaffolding 1 comprises one or more castors 39 associated with the guiding framework 2 and adapted to allow the movement thereof on the ground.

It has in practice been ascertained that the described invention achieves the intended objects, and in particular, the fact is emphasized that the manually- moved scaffolding according to the invention allows an operator to easily stand at different heights freeing himself from the need to have a large number of different scaffoldings and to continually climb on and off them to carry out work.

In addition, thanks to the transfer assembly, this manually-moved scaffolding can be positioned extremely conveniently in the workstation, again without the need to get off it.

For these reasons, this scaffolding further enables the risks for the operator’s safety to be reduced.

Finally, the scaffolding according to the invention is easy to build, structurally simple and space- saving.