DE102024126616A1 - Scaffolding covering with anti-slip effect, method and device for manufacturing - Google Patents

Abstract

Scaffolding covering (1), the surface of which comprises surface ribs (2) extending in a longitudinal direction. According to the invention, the surface ribs (2) are at least partially interrupted by spaced-apart ridges (4) which protrude from the surface ribs (2) at least on one side. Method and device for producing a scaffolding covering (1), wherein following an extrusion process for producing the scaffolding covering (1), a pressing tool or at least one rotatable roller (6) acts on the scaffolding covering (1), the roller (6) comprising profile ribs (8) on the surface, which, during forming engagement with the surface ribs (2), break them, push them out of the longitudinal direction and form the ridges (4).

Description

The invention relates to a scaffold decking with an anti-slip effect, the surface of which comprises surface ribs extending in a longitudinal direction. The invention further relates to a method and a device for carrying out the method, comprising a rotatable run-out roller on which the scaffold decking rests following an extrusion process. The scaffold decking is also called a scaffold plank. Other common synonyms are decking, walkway, scaffold floor, work platform, platform decking, tread surface, and floor covering.

Scaffold decking made of extruded aluminum profiles, also referred to as extruded aluminum profiles, with a slip-resistant surface, according to the state of the art, features longitudinally oriented grooves, ribs, or ridges for slip resistance, which prevent slipping laterally, along the long sides, when walking on them. In the following, the term "surface rib" is generally used to describe narrow, elongated elevations. However, they do not prevent slipping along the length of the floor when walking on them.

An example of this is the publication DE 44 18 905 A1 which describes such a longitudinal corrugation on a scaffold decking produced during extrusion and additionally mentions a transverse corrugation, but without explaining how this could be applied.

Especially in wet conditions, longitudinal ribs tend to promote directional sliding in the longitudinal direction. To prevent this, various additional coverings are applied to the scaffold decking according to the state of the art. The publication describes DE 25 26 620 B2 a plank with a plastic cover.

The printed matter DE 26 00 144 C2 describes a process for plastic profiling. From the publication DE10 2007 052 773 B4 A scaffolding decking with rubber strips is known. The publication DE 10 2011 120 887 A1 reveals a scaffolding deck with a sheet metal support.

A disadvantage of the current technology is the additional effort required to install the additional decking. Furthermore, these decking systems pose a risk of premature wear and accidents if the additional decking becomes detached, rendering the scaffolding planks unusable or increasing the risk of accidents if they are continued to be used.

According to the publication DE 10 2021 124 673 A1 A method for producing optical fibers is proposed. Extruded molded parts are deformed by embossing on at least one side during or immediately after the extrusion process. This makes it possible to create, for example, decoupling structures on optical fibers cost-effectively. This is achieved by providing an embossing device, in particular an embossing wheel with, for example, tooth-like embossed structures on its circumference at a point where the extruded molded part emerging from the extrusion device does not yet have the strength it will have in use. The decoupling structure as the target of the method must, according to paragraph [0011], have a clear structure, for example, cylindrical lens-like, dome-like, or roughened, in any case in such a way that a desired lighting effect occurs. It is therefore implicitly clear that only one axis of rotation of the embossing wheel that is arranged perpendicular to the extrusion direction is suitable, since otherwise the lateral drift of the embossing wheel would cause undefined disruption to the decoupling structure.

The printed matter DE 26 00 144 C2 also describes a process for surface profiling following the extrusion of a plastic material. For profiling, the extruded plastic profile is passed between circulating, profiled belts, and the surface profile is molded from the belts and embossed onto the plastic profile. However, such a process is only suitable for relatively soft materials. A profile cannot be embossed onto an extruded metal profile using a belt. The necessary flexibility of a circulating belt also conflicts with the strength of the tool required for embossing metallic materials.

In order to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art, the object of the invention is to provide the slip resistance of a scaffolding decking without having to apply an additional element for this purpose, and to offer such a scaffolding decking.

This object is achieved by a scaffold decking whose surface comprises surface ribs extending in a longitudinal direction. According to the invention, the surface ribs are at least partially interrupted by spaced ridges that protrude from the surface ribs at least on one side, thus preventing or impeding sliding in the longitudinal direction. Advantageously, at least one extruded aluminum profile forms the scaffold decking, as the material is easily deformable and corrosion-resistant. Several extruded aluminum profiles arranged side by side can also form the scaffold decking.

The spacing between the ridges along a rib is between 1 mm and 10 cm. The spacing is preferably between 4 mm and 5 cm, and particularly preferably 1 cm. The spacing can also vary across the surface, resulting in differently designed areas on the surface of the scaffold deck. This also applies to the lateral orientation of the ridges. It has proven advantageous for the surface ribs to have protruding ridges on both sides.

The object is further achieved by a method for producing a scaffold decking as described above or according to one of claims 1 to 4. According to the invention, following an extrusion process for producing the scaffold decking, a pressing tool or at least one rotatable roller acts on the scaffold decking. The roller comprises profile ribs on the surface, which, upon forming engagement with the surface ribs, break them, push them out of the longitudinal direction, and form the burrs. This allows the burrs to be produced in a simple manner.

According to an alternative embodiment, the roller is divided into individual, particularly independently rotatable, profiled rollers. These can each be arranged in the area above a surface rib, so that less material is required for the tool, the roller. Furthermore, the individual roller as a tool can be flexibly replaced partially in case of wear or for a changed profile, without having to replace the entire set of rollers or a wide roller.

It has proven advantageous to use two rollers arranged one behind the other in the direction of production, with opposite angles of the profile ribs, to create burrs in both directions. Similar to rolling a ridge onto a cylindrical handle, burrs are created first in one direction, then in the other.

Preferably, aluminum is formed during the extrusion process, and the flashing is immediately formed while still warm. Aluminum profiles are widely used, including for scaffolding components.

According to the invention, it is proposed to selectively destroy or break the longitudinally oriented surface ribs after the extrusion process of the aluminum profile. The resulting "barbs," hereinafter referred to as burrs, provide slip resistance in the longitudinal direction, in addition to the slip resistance provided by the surface ribs in the transverse direction.

During the extrusion process of the aluminum profile for the scaffolding deck, a roller with corresponding profile ribs is subsequently installed in the extrusion tool, which subsequently breaks the longitudinal ribs, the surface ribs. It has proven advantageous if the surface ribs of the aluminum profile of the scaffolding deck and the profile ribs of the roller do not run at a 90° angle to each other. Instead, they should ideally run at an angle to each other, so that the still-soft aluminum is pushed out of the longitudinal direction, creating corresponding anti-slip barbs, the burrs. The processing is thus integrated into the process, and additional handling of the profile is unnecessary.

The object is further achieved by a device for carrying out a method as described above or according to one of claims 5 to 7. The device comprises a rotatable discharge roller on which the framework covering is supported following the extrusion process. According to the invention, the rotatable roller with the profile, which can be fed vertically perpendicular to the production direction, is arranged above the framework covering in such a way that the profile, the profile ribs, engage with the surface ribs in such a way that the burrs are formed.

According to an advantageous development, two rollers are arranged one behind the other, each with an opposite angular position of the profile ribs, so that ridges protruding from the surface rib are created in both directions. Both rollers are mechanically coupled or, alternatively, electronically synchronized via their separate drives. Alternatively, the profile ribs are arranged in two variants with opposite angular positions on one roller, resulting in a crosswise appearance and also allowing ridges to be created in both directions.

Another advantage is that the roller, designed, for example, as a toothed embossing wheel, is mounted on an axis that can be adjusted perpendicular to the direction of the extrusion process. This adjustment can be made either once during setup before the extrusion process begins, or during the extrusion process or the subsequent process in a variable manner. This adjustment allows the structural depth of the burrs to be varied along the longitudinal direction, even if the wheel does not have a changing contour. This adjustment can be achieved purely mechanically, electromechanically, hydraulically, or by other means.

The roller preferably has a positive drive that is adjusted to the extrusion speed speed is synchronized. Alternatively, if the roller rotates sufficiently smoothly and other parameters are also selected appropriately, the rotation of the roller can be driven solely by the feed of the aluminum profile during extrusion and the engagement with the aluminum profile.

At least one roller or roll is used, and depending on the profile width, a separate area is covered by individual rollers. However, a roller is not required for each surface rib. Regarding the profile width, it is not necessary for the surface ribs to be broken with only one roller.

Preferably, the axis of rotation of the roller or roll is perpendicular to the extrusion direction. To create a burr for the appropriate slip resistance, the roller or roll is provided with profile ribs that do not run parallel to the direction of rotation. Ideally, the roll has corresponding profile ribs in two directions (net pattern) so that the burr is formed alternately (to the left and right) on each surface rib. This can also be achieved with two rollers with oppositely oriented profile ribs. Alternatively, the axis of rotation of the roller or roll is <> 90° to the extrusion direction, with the profile ribs in the roller perpendicular or <> 90°.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the description of exemplary embodiments and their representation in the accompanying drawings.

1 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a scaffolding deck 1 according to the invention with surface ribs 2 and a detail A thereof. The scaffolding deck 1 has raised elevations, referred to as surface ribs 2, extending along the length of the surface of the scaffolding deck 1. This direction is referred to as the longitudinal direction. The surface ribs 2 protect against lateral slipping in the transverse direction when walking on the surface, since the profile of the shoe sole hooks into the surface ribs 2. To also prevent slipping in the longitudinal direction, each surface rib 2 has a ridge 4 at certain intervals. This ridge protrudes laterally from the surface rib 2 and then also hooks into the shoe sole, thus preventing slipping in this direction, the longitudinal direction.

The spacing of the ridges 4 is, for example, between 1 mm and 10 cm, preferably between 4 mm and 5 cm, particularly preferably 1 cm. In the preferred embodiment, the ridges 4 are machined alternately to the right and left with respect to the longitudinal direction of the surface ribs 2, so that they protrude on both sides of the surface rib 2, resulting in even better slip resistance.

2 shows a schematic, partially sectioned front view of an embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention for producing a scaffold covering 1 according to the invention, which comprises a roller 6 with a profile 8 and an outlet roller 10. The scaffold covering 1 emerges from the extrusion press (not shown) and runs on the outlet roller 10, which supports it from below. The roller 6, which has a profile 8, for example circumferential ribs, elevations or a toothing, runs above the scaffold covering 1. This profile 8 is brought into engagement with the surface ribs 2 of the scaffold covering 1 by a downward force in the direction of the outlet roller 10, and in the process forms or tears out the burrs 4 laterally. The outlet roller 10 absorbs the downward forces exerted on the scaffold covering 1 by the roller 6.

Instead of a continuous roller 6, several narrow rollers or rolls can be used, for example, one for each surface rib 2 or for a group of surface ribs 2. The roller 6 can also be arranged at an angle other than 90° to the discharge roller 10, in which case lateral rollers must also prevent the scaffold decking 1 from running off the discharge roller 10. In this case, the profile 8 can be adapted accordingly. It can run axially or radially, or at a different angle to the rotation axis of the roller 8.

List of reference symbols

1

Scaffolding decking

2

surface rib

4

ridge

6

roller

8

profile, profile rib

10

Exit roller

QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 44 18 905 A1 [0003]
• DE 25 26 620 B2 [0004]
• DE 26 00 144 C2 [0005, 0008]
• DE 10 2007 052 773 B4 [0005]
• DE 10 2011 120 887 A1 [0005]
• DE 10 2021 124 673 A1 [0007]

Claims (10)

Scaffolding covering (1) with anti-slip effect, the surface of which comprises surface ribs (2) extending in a longitudinal direction, characterized in that the surface ribs (2) are at least partially interrupted by ridges (4) spaced apart in the longitudinal direction, which protrude horizontally from the surface ribs (2) at least on one side. Scaffolding decking according to Claim 1 , wherein at least one extruded aluminum profile forms the scaffolding deck (1). Scaffolding decking according to Claim 1 or 2 , the distances between the ridges (4) being between 1 mm and 10 cm. Scaffolding decking according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the surface ribs (2) have ridges (4) projecting on both sides. Method for producing a scaffold covering (1) with anti-slip effect according to one of the Claims 1 until 4 , characterized in that following an extrusion process for producing the scaffold covering (1), a pressing tool or at least one rotatable roller (6) acts on the scaffold covering (1), the roller (6) comprising profile ribs (8) on its surface, wherein the profile ribs (8) break the surface ribs (2) during the forming engagement with the latter, push them out of the longitudinal direction and form the ridges (4). Procedure according to Claim 5 , wherein two rollers (6) arranged one behind the other in the direction of production with opposite angular positions of the profile ribs (8) produce burrs (4) in both directions. Procedure according to Claim 5 or 6 , whereby aluminium is formed during the extrusion process and the burrs (4) are formed immediately afterwards while still soft. Device for carrying out a method according to one of the Claims 5 until 7 , comprising a rotatable outlet roller (10) on which the scaffold covering (1) is supported following the extrusion process, characterized in that above the scaffold covering (1) there is at least one rotatable roller (8), which can be fed vertically and perpendicularly to the production direction and is arranged in such a way that the profile ribs (8) engage in the surface ribs (2) in such a way that the ridges (4) are formed. Device according to Claim 8 , wherein two rollers (6) are arranged one behind the other and each have an opposite angular position of their axes of rotation, so that ridges (4) projecting from the surface ribs (2) in both directions are produced. Device according to Claim 8 , wherein both rollers (6) are mechanically coupled or electronically synchronized.

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