CONNECTION DISC FOR A SCAFFOLD

Abstract

A connecting disc for connecting at least two scaffold elements comprising a basic body having a first main surface and a second main surface which is disposed opposite of the first main surface, and having an edge surface which runs round the basic body and connects the first main surface and the second main surface to one another; at least one longitudinal connecting opening which passes completely through the basic body; and at least two transverse connecting openings each of which passes completely through the basic body, each transverse connecting opening being delimited by a peripheral contour in a plan view of the first main surface, said peripheral contour having a receiving region and at least one blocking region which interrupts the receiving region and is disposed outside of the receiving region.

Claims

1. A connecting disc for connecting at least two scaffold elements, comprising: a basic body having a first main surface and a second main surface which is disposed opposite of the first main surface, and having an edge surface which runs round the basic body and connects the first main surface and the second main surface to each other, at least one longitudinal connecting opening which extends from the first main surface to the second main surface and passes completely through the basic body, and which extends substantially at the right angle to the first main surface or to the second main surface, at least two transverse connecting openings each of which extends from the first main surface to the second main surface and passes completely through the basic body, and each of which extends substantially at the right angle to the first main surface or to the second main surface, and each of which is disposed adjacent or at a distance to the longitudinal connecting opening, wherein each transverse connecting opening is delimited by a peripheral contour in a plan view of the first main surface, wherein the peripheral contour has a receiving region which is provided for receiving a connection of a scaffold element, and wherein the peripheral contour has at least one blocking region which interrupts the receiving region, wherein the two ends of the receiving region adjoining the blocking region converge, and/or imaginary, continuous extensions of the two ends of the receiving region adjoining the blocking region intersect, and the blocking region is provided for the locking accommodation of a locking element of a scaffold element, wherein the blocking region is disposed outside of a continuous connection of the two ends of the contour of the receiving region adjoining the blocking region outside of the receiving region, and at least a section of the contour of the blocking region extends at an angle other than 0 to the continuous connection, wherein the at least two transverse connecting openings are disposed on mutually opposing sides of the longitudinal connecting opening, wherein the blocking regions the at least two transverse connecting openings are directed away from one another, and an imaginary line between the two blocking regions defines a first connecting direction, and the basic body has at least two additional connecting openings each of which extends from the first main surface to the second main surface and passes completely through the basic body, and each of which extends substantially at the right angle to the first main surface or to the second main surface, wherein each additional connecting opening has a peripheral contour which is provided for receiving a connection and a locking element of a scaffold element, wherein the peripheral contour of each additional connecting opening comprises a curved contact area, and the at least two additional connecting openings are disposed on mutually opposing sides of the longitudinal connecting opening, wherein the contact areas of the two additional connecting openings are directed away from one another, and an imaginary line between the two contact areas defines a second connecting direction, wherein the first connecting direction is oriented perpendicular to the second connecting direction.

2. The connecting disc according to claim 1, wherein the blocking region is implemented in a U-shape in a plan view of the first main surface, wherein the two arms of the U are disposed at an angle other than 0 to the continuous connection, and/or the two arms of the U are disposed at an angle other than 0 to the section of the receiving region adjoining the blocking region.

3. (canceled)

4. (canceled)

5. The connecting disc according to claim 1, wherein the longitudinal connecting opening and the receiving region are disposed at a distance to each other, and the blocking region is disposed on the side of the receiving region disposed opposite of the longitudinal connecting opening.

6. (canceled)

7. The connecting disc according to claim 1, wherein the longitudinal connecting opening comprises a transition to the receiving region.

8. The connecting disc according to claim 1, wherein the longitudinal connecting opening and the additional connecting opening are disposed at a distance to each other, and the contact area is disposed on the side of the additional connecting opening disposed opposite of the longitudinal connecting opening.

9. (canceled)

10. (canceled)

11. The connecting disc according to claim 1, wherein the basic body is made of an iron-based material, and the longitudinal connecting opening and the transverse connecting opening are cutouts in the basic body which are connected to each other, and which are incorporated in the basic body by punching or laser cutting.

12. A standard comprising at least one connecting disc according to claim 1, further comprising at least one connection sleeve which is inserted into and fixedly connected to the longitudinal connecting opening, wherein the connection sleeve has a central axis which extends in its longitudinal direction, wherein the central axis is oriented substantially perpendicular to the first main surface and/or to the second main surface, wherein the connection sleeve comprises a connection interface provided for the connection to a scaffold element in or on at least one of its end faces.

13. The standard according to claim 12, wherein the connection sleeve is formed by a pipe section, and the connection interface is formed by a receptacle, which, starting from an end face, extends into the interior of the connection sleeve.

14. The standard according to claim 12, wherein the connection sleeve comprises at least one connecting hook which, starting from the outer circumferential surface of the connection sleeve, extends in a direction radially away from the central axis, wherein the connecting hook is disposed at a distance to the connecting disc in the direction of the central axis, and, in a plan view of the first main surface and/or the second main surface, the connecting hook extends parallel to a direction extending from the centre point of the longitudinal connecting opening to the blocking region of a transverse connecting opening.

15. The standard according to claim 14, wherein, in a plan view of the first main surface and/or the second main surface, the connecting hook extends in the first connecting direction.

16. A scaffold section comprising at least one standard according to claim 12, further comprising: at least one scaffold element which comprises an interface including a connection and a locking element, wherein the locking element is designed so that it is movable relative to the connection, and, in a locked state, the locking element projects beyond the connection, wherein the connection is introduced into the receiving region of a transverse connecting opening of the connecting disc, and the locking element is introduced into the blocking region of the same transverse connecting opening, wherein, between the blocking region and the locking element, at least in sections, a positive connection is given which prevents a rotational movement of the scaffold element relative to the standard in a rotational axis parallel to the central axis.

17. The scaffold section according to claim 16, wherein the locking element projects beyond the continuous connection of the receiving region.

18. (canceled)

19. (canceled)

20. The scaffold section according to claim 16, wherein the scaffold section comprises at least one additional scaffold element having a locking element and a connection, wherein the additional scaffold element is connected to an additional connecting opening, wherein the locking element and the connection are introduced into the additional connecting opening, and the locking element abuts on the curved contact area, wherein the additional scaffold element is rotatable relative to the standard about a rotational axis parallel to the central axis by an angle of up to 60.

21. (canceled)

22. The scaffold section according to claim 16, wherein the standard is oriented in the scaffold section so that the first connecting direction extends between two transverse connecting openings in the transverse direction of the scaffold, and the second connecting direction extends between two additional connecting openings in the longitudinal direction of the scaffold, wherein the longitudinal direction of the scaffold is the direction in which the scaffold section has its longest dimension, and wherein the transverse direction of the scaffold is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the scaffold.

23. The scaffold section according to claim 16, wherein at least three scaffold elements are provided, wherein the locking element and the connection of the first scaffold element are inserted into a transverse connecting opening, and the locking elements and connections of the two other scaffold elements are respectively inserted into an additional connecting opening.

24. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0047] In the Figures, embodiments the invention are schematically illustrated. Here,

[0048] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a connecting disc according to the invention,

[0049] FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the lower side of an embodiment of a connecting disc according to the invention with a scaffold element connected thereto, and

[0050] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a scaffold section according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0051] In the Figures, identical elements are designated by the same reference numerals. Generally, the described properties of an element described with reference to one Figure also apply to the other Figures. Directional information such as above or below relate to the described Figure and are to be applied to other Figures accordingly.

[0052] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a connecting disc 1 according to the invention. The connecting disc 1 is based on a basic body 2 which is formed by a disc or plate made of an iron- based material in the illustrated embodiment. In the illustrated embodiment, the basic body 2 has a square basic shape having rounded corners is in a plan view from above. The basic body 2 comprises a main surface 21 facing upwards in the illustration and having a planar design. On the lower side of the basic body 2, opposite of the first main surface 21, there is a second, also planar main surface 22. The first main surface 21 and the second main surface 22 are arranged parallel to each other and delimit the basic body 2 in the direction of the thickness. The second main surface 22, at least in sections, may also have a curved design. Furthermore, it is possible that the first main surface 21 and the second main surface 22 are not oriented parallel to each other. The edge surface 23 of the basic body 2 extends around the basic body and connects the first main surface 21 to the second main surface 22. The edge surface 23 has an irregular shape and comprises both planar and curved sections. In the centre of the illustrated embodiment of a connecting disc 1, a longitudinal connecting opening 3 is incorporated which extends perpendicular to the first main surface 21 and to the second main surface 22 and which extends completely through the basic body 2. The longitudinal connecting opening 3 has a centre point M. The longitudinal connecting opening 3 delimits a circular area provided for receiving another element, for example, a connection sleeve 30. Part of the delimiting surfaces of the longitudinal connecting opening 3 has the shape of a cylindrical shell.

[0053] In the illustrated embodiment, two transverse connecting openings 4 are provided which are respectively disposed at a distance to the longitudinal connecting opening 3. Each of the transverse connecting openings 4 extends perpendicularly from the first main surface 21 to the second main surface 22 and extends completely through the basic body 2. Between each of the two transverse connecting openings 4 and the longitudinal connecting opening 3, an open transition is disposed. Therefore, the longitudinal connecting opening 3 and the transverse connecting openings 4 transition into each other. Each transverse connecting opening 4 is delimited by a peripheral contour 41. This peripheral contour 41 is formed by the edge of the transverse connection opening 4 in a plan view of the first main surface 21 or the second main surface 22. The peripheral contour 41 can be seen particularly well in FIG. 2 and the plan view illustrated there. The peripheral contour 41 comprises a receiving region 411 which is a section of the peripheral contour 41. The remaining portion of the peripheral contour 41 is formed by a blocking region 412. In the illustration, the blocking region 412 is indicated by a dashed line extending parallel thereto. In the illustrated embodiment, the receiving region 411 is implemented in a bell shape and provided for receiving a connection 201 of a scaffold element 20, particularly an interface S of the scaffold element 20. The receiving region 411 extends from a first side of the transition of the transverse connecting opening 4 to the longitudinal connecting opening 3 to a second side of this transition. The receiving region 411 is interrupted by the blocking region 412 disposed opposite of the transition of the longitudinal connecting opening 3 to the longitudinal connecting opening 3. In a plan view of the first main surface 21 or the second main surface 22, the blocking region 412 has a U-shaped design, the two arms of the U being connected to the adjacent portion of the receiving region 411 in a rounded manner. In the illustrated embodiment, the blocking region is implemented so that it is axially symmetrical to an axis extending through the centre point M of the longitudinal connecting opening 3 here. For example, the illustrated first connecting direction VR1 is such an axis. The described axis extending through the centre point M as well as the first connecting direction VR1 are imaginary axes and constitute geometrical auxiliary elements facilitating the description of the embodiment. In the illustrated embodiment, the blocking region 412, in sections, extends in a straight line which means that there are planar contact surfaces inside the transverse connecting opening 4 which benefit the transfer of momentums from or to another scaffold element 20. Such planar contact surfaces result in that, in a positive connection to another scaffold element 20, a uniform surface pressure is given which renders the transfer of high momentums possible without damage to the connection partner. In the illustrated embodiment, the rectilinearly extending sections of the blocking regions 412 are connected to each other by curved sections. With these curved sections, sharp edges are avoided which are obstructive during the connection to a scaffold element 20. The blocking region 412 is provided to positively receive a locking element 202 during a connection of the connecting disc 1 to a scaffold element 20. The blocking region 412 is disposed outside of the surface area enclosed by the receiving region 411. In the illustrated embodiment, two transverse connecting openings 4 are provided which are disposed opposite of each other and at a distance to the longitudinal connecting opening 3. Here, the blocking regions 412 of the two transverse connecting openings 4 face away from each other and from the longitudinal connecting opening 3, respectively. An imaginary direction or line between the two blocking regions 412 of the opposing transverse connecting openings 4 defines the first connecting direction VR1 which also extends through the centre point M of the longitudinal connecting opening 3. The first connecting direction VR1 bisects the blocking region 412 in a plan view of the first main surface 21. In the illustrated embodiment, the receiving region 411 is also designed so that it is axially symmetrical to the first connecting direction VR1. In an alternative embodiment, also a plurality of blocking regions 412 may be provided which respectively interrupt the receiving region 411. The provision of a plurality of blocking regions 412 may be used, for example, to render the connection of the locking element 202 of a scaffold element 20 in different positions or rotational directions relative to the connecting disc 1 possible. In this case, the plurality of blocking regions 412 is disposed at a distance to each other. Moreover, the blocking region 412 may also have a shape which is different from the illustrated embodiment. For example, the blocking region 412 may have a semicircular, triangular, rectangular, or other shape in a plan view of the first main surface 21. Furthermore, the shape of the receiving region 411 may also differ from the illustrated bell shape. For example, the receiving region 411 may have a circular, rectangular, polygonal, trapezoid, or other shape. Furthermore, the receiving region 411 may also have other interruptions to the blocking region 412 which are disposed outside of the shape or surface area continuously enclosed by the receiving region 411. Such interruptions may be provided, for example, as depressions for components of the scaffold element 20. Moreover, such interruptions may be provided for reducing the weight of the connecting disc. Depending on the embodiment of the interface S of the scaffold element 20, the transverse connecting opening 4 may also be implemented so that it is separate from the longitudinal connecting opening 3, a portion of the basic body 2 being disposed between the longitudinal connecting opening 3 and the transverse connecting opening 4 so that there is no transition between the two openings. Finally, it is also possible to provide more than the two illustrated transverse connecting openings 4 in the basic body 2. For example, also three, four, five, or six transverse connecting openings 4 may be uniformly or irregularly incorporated in the basic body 2.

[0054] In the basic body 2 of the illustrated embodiment of a connecting disc 1, further, two additional connecting openings 5 are incorporated which extend completely through the basic body 2 and, starting from the first main surface 21, extend perpendicular to the second main surface 22. The two additional connecting openings 5 are disposed opposite of each other and spaced-apart from each other and from the longitudinal connecting opening 3. In the illustrated embodiment, the two additional connecting openings 5 are positioned so that they are axially symmetrical to the first connecting direction VR1. The additional connecting openings 5 are also provided for the accommodation of an interface S of a scaffold element 20. In contrast to the transverse connecting openings 4, the additional connecting openings 5 have no blocking region 412. Each additional connecting opening 5 is delimited by a peripheral contour 51. This peripheral contour 51 is formed by the edge of the additional connecting opening 51 in a plan view of the first main surface 21 or the second main surface 22. On its side facing the centre point M, there is a transition between each additional connecting opening 5 and the longitudinal connecting opening 3. In its side facing away from the centre point M, each peripheral contour 51 of each additional connecting opening 5 comprises a curved contact area 511 which is a section of the peripheral contour 51. The peripheral contour 51 is provided for the accommodation of a connection 201 and a locking element 202 of a scaffold element 20. Here, the entire peripheral contour 51 positively receives the connection 201 and the locking element 202. However, in the receptacle of an interface S of a scaffold element 20 in an additional connecting opening 5a rotational degree of freedom of the scaffold element 20 about an axis perpendicular to the first main surface 21 or to the second main surface 22 will, at least partly, remain. This rotational degree of freedom is provided for by the locking element 202 abutting on and being capable of sliding along the curved contact area 511 during a connection. Therefore, no positive connection of the locking element 202 to the contact area is given tangential to the contact area 511. In case of a connection of an interface S of a scaffold element 20, particularly of its locking element 202, to the blocking region 412 of a transverse connecting opening 4, by contrast, a positive connection is established in a direction tangential to the section of the blocking region 412 located at the largest distance from centre point M. Therefore, a scaffold element 20 connected to a transverse connecting opening 4 has no rotational degree of freedom about an axis perpendicular to the first main surface 21 or to the second main surface 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the section of the peripheral contour 51 which is not formed by the contact area 511 is implemented in a bell shape. Here, the contact area 511 has the shape of a circular arc transitioning into the remaining portion of the peripheral contour 51 in a rounded fashion. The arrangement of the two additional connecting openings 5 around the longitudinal connecting opening 3 defines a second connecting direction VR2. This second connecting direction VR2 extends through the centre point M and through the two points of the contact areas 511 remotest from the centre point M. The second connecting direction VR2 extends perpendicular to the first connecting direction VR1 and parallel to the first main surface 21 or to the second main surface 22. In the illustrated embodiment of a connecting disc 1, the intersection points of the first connecting direction VR1 and the two blocking regions 412 and the two intersection points of the second connecting direction VR2 and the contact areas 511 are located on a common circular track around the centre point M of the longitudinal connecting opening 3. The, with respect to the centre point M, outermost points of the additional connecting openings 5 and the transverse connecting openings 4 are therefore equidistant from the centre point M and therefore also equidistant from the outer edge of the circular longitudinal connecting opening 3. In this way, interfaces S of scaffold elements 20 having the same shape and dimensions can be connected to both a transverse connecting opening 4 and an additional connecting opening 5. Therefore, a connecting disc 1 according to the illustrated embodiment, on the one hand, renders a connection of a scaffold element 20 to the transverse connecting opening 4 possible in which no rotational degree of freedom about an axis perpendicular to the first main surface 21 or to the second main surface 22 remains, and, on the other hand, a connection to the additional connecting opening 5 in which a rotational degree of freedom about an axis perpendicular to the first main surface 21 or to the second main surface 22 remains. The distances of the points of the transverse connecting opening 4 and the additional connecting opening 5 remotest from the centre point M may also differ from each other. In order to render a connection to identical interfaces S of a scaffold element 20 possible, the intersection points of the blocking region 412 and the first connecting direction 1 and of the contact area 511 and the second connecting direction are preferably located on concentric circles the diameters of which differ from each other by up to 10%. In the illustrated embodiment, two transverse connecting openings 4 and two additional connecting openings 5 are disposed around the centrally disposed longitudinal connecting opening 3 in a cross shape. Alternatively, it is also possible to provide a larger number of additional connecting openings 5. It is further possible to implement the distribution of transverse connecting openings 4 and additional connecting openings 5 in a different way. For example, two transverse connecting openings 4 may be disposed adjacent to each other, offset by 90 relative to each other around the centre point, and, opposingly, two additional connecting openings 5 offset by 90 relative to each other around the centre point may be disposed.

[0055] In the illustrated embodiment, altogether four circular connecting openings 6 extending perpendicular to the second main surface 22 starting from the first main surface 21 are incorporated in the basic body 2. These connecting openings 6 are provided for the connection of additional scaffold elements 20 to the connecting disc 1. Furthermore, starting from the first main connecting surface 21, a plurality of depressions 7 not extending through the entire basic body 2 is incorporated in the basic body 2. In the illustrated embodiment, the depressions 7 correspond to part of a sphere and are also provided for attaching or securing additional scaffold elements 20. On the edges of the basic body 2, altogether four set-back sections 231 having the form of part of a circular cylinder here are incorporated as part of the edge surface 23. These set-back sections 231 are provided for the accommodation or abutment of a portion of a scaffold element 20.

[0056] FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the lower side of an embodiment of a connecting disc 1 according to the invention together with a scaffold element 20 connected thereto. In FIG. 2, the connecting disc of FIG. 1 is illustrated from below from a direction perpendicular to the second main surface 22. The connecting disc 1 is connected to a scaffold element 20 illustrated on the lower right. Here, the scaffold element 20 is formed by a horizontal transom. The scaffold element 20 was introduced into and positively connected to a transverse connecting opening 4 from the first main surface 21 disposed opposite of the illustrated second main surface 22. The locking element 202 of the scaffold element 20 facing downwards to the right in the illustration was positively introduced into the blocking region 412. The connection 201 of the scaffold element 20 was introduced into the receiving region 411. Here, a section of the connection 201 is introduced into the transition between the transverse connection opening 4 and the longitudinal connecting opening 3. Here, a positive connection is established between the transition between the transverse connection opening 4 and the longitudinal connecting opening 3 and the section of the connection 201 introduced into this transition. Alternatively, it is also possible that no such transition is present between the transverse connecting opening 4 and the longitudinal connecting opening 3, or that no portion of the connection 201 is introduced into this transition. In the illustrated embodiment, two opposing transverse connecting openings 4 are provided which are arranged so that they are axially symmetrical to the second connecting direction VR2 and which are formed so that they are respectively axially symmetrical to the first connecting direction VR1. Therefore, the transverse connecting opening 4 shown on the top left corresponds to a mirror image of the transverse connecting opening 4 shown on the bottom right around the second connecting direction VR2. In the following, the peripheral contour 41 of the transverse connecting opening 4 shown on the top left is described. Correspondingly, the description also applies to the peripheral contour 41 of the transverse connecting opening 4 shown on the bottom right. Here, the peripheral contour 41 is formed by the edge extending between the second main surface 22 and the side wall of the transverse connecting opening 4 in the interior of the basic body 2. The peripheral contour 41 comprises a receiving region 411 having a bell shape here which, starting from a first side of the transition between the longitudinal connecting opening 3 and the transverse connecting opening 4, extends to the second side of this transition. In the illustrated embodiment, the entire receiving region 411 is implemented so that it is continuous and has no sharp edges or fissures. The blocking region 412 interrupts the receiving region 411 on its side facing away from the centre point M. In the illustration, the blocking region 412 is also indicated by a dashed line in FIG. 2. For describing the arrangement of the blocking region 412, an imaginary auxiliary geometry is introduced in the following. In the illustrated embodiment, the two ends of the receiving region 411 adjoining the blocking region 412 converge in their extension. These extensions are continuous with respect to the ends of the receiving region 411 adjoining the blocking region 412. The continuous extensions of the ends of the receiving region 411 adjoining the blocking region 412 are symbolised by dotted lines in the illustration. These imaginary continuous extensions close the enclosed surface area defined by the receiving region 411. Here, the continuous extensions intersect the first connecting direction VR1 in the intersection point. The intersecting continuous extensions form a continuous connection SV of the two ends the contour of the receiving region 411 adjoining the blocking region 412. This imaginary auxiliary geometry serves to define a boundary of the surface area enclosed by the connecting region 411 together with the contour of the receiving region 411. Therefore, the continuous connection SV constitutes an imaginary extension of the connecting region 411 and delimits part of the surface area enclosed by the receiving region 411. According to the invention, the blocking region 412 extends outside of this surface area enclosed by the connecting region 411. In this way, it is achieved that a locking element 202 projecting beyond the connection 201 of a scaffold element 20 can be positively inserted into the blocking region 412 disposed outside of the connecting region 411. In the connected state of the connecting disc 1 and the scaffold element 20, then, a positive connection is established which is configured so that a rotation of the scaffold element 20 about an axis perpendicular to the second main surface 22 is not possible. In other words, the positive connection of the blocking region 412 to the introduced locking element 202 blocks any rotational degree of freedom about such an axis perpendicular to the main surface 22. Owing to this positive connection, a connection of the transverse connection opening 4 to a scaffold element 20 can transfer considerably larger torques than a connection of such a scaffold element 20 to an additional connecting opening 5. At the same time, the orientation of the scaffold element 20 with respect to the connecting disc 1 is positively defined by the insertion or engagement of the locking element 202 into/in the blocking region 412. In the case illustrated in FIG. 2, the longitudinal axis of the scaffold element 20 which extends to the lower right here is oriented parallel to the first connecting direction VR1 and perpendicular to the second connecting direction VR2 due to the engagement of the locking element 202 in the blocking region 412. Owing to the positive connection, this orientation is maintained with high precision which improves the stable and precise assembly of a scaffold section from a plurality of scaffold elements. Both the receiving region 411 and the blocking region 412 may have different shapes. Preferably, neither the receiving region 411 nor the blocking region 412 have sharp edges. At least a section of the contour of the blocking region 412 is arranged at an angle W other than 0 to the continuous connection SV. This is to be understood to mean that at least a section of the contour of the blocking region 412 is arranged at an angle absorbing the transfer of a momentum acting in the circumferential direction of the receiving region 411 to the continuous extension SV. In the illustrated embodiment, the blocking region 412 is implemented in a U shape, and the two arms of the U, or tangents T to the arms, are substantially arranged at the angle of 90 to the continuous connection SV of the receiving region 411. With such an angle of 90 of the adjoining sections, a particularly excellent transfer of a momentum is possible. However, it is also possible to arrange sections of the blocking region 412 at a smaller angle, for example, at an angle of 60 to the continuous extension SV. Moreover, it is possible that the blocking region 412 extends in a plurality of different angles to the continuous extension SV. This is the case, for example, if the blocking region 412 is formed by a circular arc, which, starting from the continuous extension SV, extends outside of the surface area enclosed by the receiving region 411. What is essential in the blocking region 412 is that it is disposed outside of the surface area enclosed by the receiving region 411, and that the blocking region 412, at least in sections, is oriented so that an effective transfer of a momentum from the locking element 202 to the blocking region 412 is possible. For the interrelations and the function of the other elements of the connecting disc such as, for example, the connecting openings 6, the description relating to FIG. 1 is made reference to.

[0057] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a scaffold section 100 according to the invention. The scaffold section 100 comprises a standard 10 the central axis MA of which is vertically oriented in the illustration. A connecting disc 1 according to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 is attached to the standard 10. By means of this connecting disc 1, altogether three scaffold elements 20 are connected to the standard 10. Here, the scaffold elements 20 are all implemented as horizontal transoms and extend in different directions in a common horizontal plane.

[0058] The standard 10 is based on a connection sleeve 30 formed by a pipe section having a circular cross- section here. The connection sleeve 30 may also be longer or shorter than illustrated. Moreover, the connection sleeve 30 may also have another cross-sectional shape, for example, a rectangular or square cross-section. The connection sleeve 30 has two end faces 301 only the upper end face 301 of which is illustrated in FIG. 3. Onto or into the upper end face 301, a connection interface 302 serving the connection of the standard 10 to other scaffold elements is introduced. For example, two identically designed standards 10 can be connected to each other in the direction of the central axis MA by means of the connection interface 302. For this purpose, the lower, not illustrated connection interface 302 may be designed complementary in shape with the upper interface 302. In this case, the lower connection interface 302 of a first standard 10 can be inserted into and thereby connected to the upper connection interface 302 of a second standard 10. A connecting disc 1 is attached to the outer circumferential surface of the connection sleeve 30. The connection sleeve 30 is guided through the longitudinal connecting opening 3 of the connecting disc and introduced into it. A connection of the connection sleeve 30 to the connecting disc 1 may be established, for example, by welding. Alternatively, other connecting techniques such as, for example, press fitting, or a screw connection are possible. The connecting disc 1 is oriented perpendicular to the central axis MA of the connection sleeve 30 with its first main surface 21 facing upwards and its second main surface 22 facing downwards. The direction of extension of the two transverse connecting openings 4 and the two additional connecting openings 5 extends parallel to the central axis MA. The transition of each transverse connecting opening 4 and each additional connecting opening 5 to the centrally arranged longitudinal connecting opening 3 is delimited by the outer surface of the connection sleeve 30. With respect to details on the connecting disc 1, FIGS. 1 and 2 are made reference to. The standard 10 further comprises a connecting hook 303 attached to the outer circumferential surface of the connection sleeve 30 and extending radially away from the central axis MA. Between the connecting disc 1 and the connecting hook 303, there is a distance in the direction of the central axis MA. The connecting hook 303 is provided for the connection of the standard 10 to another scaffold element. This other scaffold element may be constituted, for example, by a railing mounted on the connecting hook 303. The connecting hook 303 extends radially away from the central axis MA and the outer circumferential surface of the connection sleeve 30 in the direction of the first connecting direction VR1. Therefore, the connecting hook 303 is oriented in the same direction in which one of the two transverse connecting openings 4 is oriented. The connecting hook 303 therefore extends in a direction which, starting from the centre point M of the longitudinal connecting opening 3 of the connecting disc 1, extends towards the blocking region 412 of the respective transverse connecting opening 4 facing the rear right in the illustration. In the scaffold section 100, the connecting hook 303 is preferably oriented so that it faces the portion of the scaffold section 100 in which a treading layer is installed which is walked on by working persons. In this way, a railing protecting the working persons from falling from the scaffold section and the treading layer can be mounted on the connecting hook 303. In the illustrated embodiment, the connecting hook 303 is oriented in the direction in which the treading layer is to be mounted. The direction which, starting from the central axis MA, extends in a horizontal plane in direction of the treading layer is defined as the transverse direction GQ of the scaffold. A direction perpendicular to the transverse direction of the scaffold is defined as the longitudinal direction GL of the scaffold. Preferably, the scaffold section 100 is considerably longer in the longitudinal direction GL of the scaffold than in the transverse direction GQ of the scaffold. In the transverse direction GQ of the scaffold, usually, only two standards 10 are provided parallel to each other in a row in the scaffold section 100. In the longitudinal direction GL of the scaffold, on the other hand, preferably a plurality of standards 10 is arranged in parallel in a row. Typically, the longitudinal direction GL of the scaffold extends parallel to a facade or another surface of a building on which work is to be carried out from the scaffold section 10. Usually, the transverse direction GQ of the scaffold extends perpendicular to such a facade or other surface of a building. In the illustrated embodiment of a scaffold section 100, the standard 10 is oriented about its central axis MA so that the first connecting direction VR1 of the connecting disc 1 extends parallel to the transverse direction GQ of the scaffold, and that the second connecting direction VR2 of the connecting disc 1 extends parallel to the longitudinal direction GL of the scaffold.

[0059] The three scaffold elements 20 embodied by horizontal transoms are only partly shown in FIG. 3. Respectively one end of a scaffold element 20 comprising an interface S disposed on its end face can be seen. The interface S serves the connection to the standard 10, particularly to the connecting disc 1. The illustrated scaffold elements and their interfaces S are designed so that they can also be connected to known standards or connecting discs. Each interface S comprises a connection 201 which is implemented so that it is immobile relative to the remaining scaffold element 20 and which is inserted into a transverse connecting opening 4 or an additional connecting opening 5 during the connection to the connecting disc and extends completely through it in the connected state. Each interface S further comprises a locking element 202 which is implemented so that it is movable relative to the connection 201. Owing to this movability, the locking element 202, at least in sections, can be inserted into the connection 201. This state is referred to as the unlocked state. For establishing the connection of the interface S to the connecting disc 1, then, the locking element 202 is moved relative to the connection 201 so that it projects further beyond the connection 201. In this way, a positive connection stably connecting the standard 10 and the scaffold element 20 to each other is established between the interface S and the connecting disc 1. With the movement of the locking element 202 relative to the connection 201, on the one hand, a positive connection is established in a plane perpendicular to the central axis MA, at least when the interface S is connected to a transverse connecting opening 4. In this case, the locking element 202 enters the blocking region 412 and thereby establishes a positive connection preventing a rotational movement of the scaffold element 20 relative to the standard 10 about an axis parallel to the central axis MA. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the locking element 202 projects further beyond the connection 201 below the connecting disc 1 than above the connecting disc 1. In this way, a positive connection is also established in an, in the illustration, vertically oriented direction. This positive connection in a direction parallel to the central axis MA is also established when the interface S is connected to an additional connecting opening 5.

[0060] The longitudinal axis of the scaffold element 20 disposed on the rear right in the illustration is oriented parallel to the transverse direction GQ of the scaffold. This scaffold element 20 is connected to one of the two transverse connecting openings 4 by means of its interface S, the locking element 202 of the interface S being introduced into the blocking region 412. In this way, the scaffold element 20 is positively secured against a rotation about an axis parallel to the central axis MA. Through this connection, therefore, also momentums acting on the scaffold element 20 about an axis parallel to the central axis MA can be transferred. The illustrated scaffold section is therefore particularly stable in the transverse direction GQ of the scaffold so that a movement, particularly an unsteadiness of the scaffold section is considerably reduced or completely prevented. The longitudinal axes of two other scaffold elements 20 are oriented parallel to the longitudinal direction GL of the scaffold, and their interfaces S are respectively connected to an additional connecting opening 5. In these two scaffold elements 20, the locking element 202 respectively abuts on and can slide along the curved contact area 511. In this way, a degree of freedom of the two scaffold elements 20 connected to an additional connecting opening 5 is given in a rotational direction about an axis parallel to the central axis MA. However, this degree of freedom is limited since the locking element 202 can only slide along the curved contact area 511. On the edge of this curved contact area 511, the locking element 202 will then abut on the remaining peripheral contour 51, and a further relative movement of the scaffold element 20 relative to the connecting disc 1 is prevented. Owing to this limited rotational degree of freedom which an interface S exhibits in case of a connection to an additional connecting opening 5, a scaffold section 100 can be adjusted to a non-linear extension of a facade or other building surface in the longitudinal direction GL of the scaffold. In practice, such an easy adjustability of the extension of the longitudinal direction GL of the scaffold is of major relevance since a scaffold section has to be actually erected rectilinearly in the rarest of cases. The illustrated embodiment of a standard 10 and of a scaffold section 100 is particularly advantageous since, along the longitudinal direction GL of the scaffold, a limited rotational degree of freedom is given in the connection of the scaffold element 20 to the standard 10, and, at the same time, perpendicular thereto, no rotational degree of freedom for a relative movement of the scaffold element 20 with respect to the standard 10 is given in the transverse direction GQ of the scaffold, so that an extremely stable connection is provided. An accordingly designed scaffold section 10 is therefore flexible and adjustable in its structure in the longitudinal direction GL of the scaffold and renders the transfer of larger momentums possible in the transverse direction GQ of the scaffold so that a high stability of the scaffold section 100 is given.

[0061] The interaction of a transverse connection opening 4 with a locking element 202 is further advantageous in a method for connecting a standard 10 to a scaffold element 20 in a scaffold section 100 since this interaction facilitates and ensures a correct alignment of a scaffold element 20 relative to the standard 10 in the transverse direction GQ of the scaffold. In such a method for establishing a connection, first, the connection 201 is inserted into the receiving region 411 of a transverse connecting opening 4. During this insertion, the interface S is in the unlocked state. Then, the scaffold element 20 is rotated about a a rotational axis parallel to the central axis MA until the locking element 202 is aligned relative to the blocking region 412. Only in this alignment, it is possible to move the locking element 202 relative to the connection 201 so that it enters the blocking region 412. This entry is optically clearly visible and also haptically tangible. If the scaffold element 20 and the standard 10 are not correctly aligned relative to each other, an insertion of the locking element 202 into the blocking region 412 is not possible which will be noticed by the person assembling the scaffold section 100. When such an incorrect alignment is noticed the person can change the orientation until the locking element 202 is insertable into the blocking region 412. In this way, it is ensured that a scaffold element 20 connected to a transverse connecting opening 4 is always correctly and stably connected in the correct alignment to the connecting disc 1.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0062] 1 Connecting disc [0063] 2 Basic body [0064] 21 First main surface [0065] 22 Second main surface [0066] 23 Edge surface [0067] 231 Set-back portion [0068] 3 Longitudinal connecting opening [0069] 4 Transverse connecting opening [0070] 41 Peripheral contour [0071] 411 Receiving region [0072] 412 Blocking region [0073] 5 Additional connecting opening [0074] 51 Peripheral contour [0075] 511 Contact area [0076] 6 Connecting opening [0077] 7 Depression [0078] 20 Scaffold element [0079] 201 Connection [0080] 202 Locking element [0081] 30 Connection sleeve [0082] 301 End face [0083] 302 Connection interface [0084] 303 Connecting hook [0085] MA Central axis [0086] VR1 First connecting direction [0087] VR2 Second connecting direction [0088] SV Continuous connection [0089] M Centre point [0090] S Interface [0091] T Tangent [0092] GL Longitudinal direction of the scaffold [0093] GQ Transverse direction of the scaffold