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EP-4736719-A1 - URINAL FOR BUILDING SCAFFOLDS

EP4736719A1EP 4736719 A1EP4736719 A1EP 4736719A1EP-4736719-A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a urinal for building scaffolds. The urinal comprises a swing arm adapted for being mounted to a part of a building scaffold and/or integrated into a building scaffold and connected to the urinal basin and/or urinal storage tank via a flexible tension-bearing element.

Inventors

  • Petersen, Jonas Suhr

Assignees

  • Suhrs service

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20241029

Claims (15)

  1. A urinal adapted for being mounted to and/or integrated into a part of a building scaffold, the urinal comprising: - a storage tank (120); - a basin (110) adapted for collecting and funneling urine towards the storage tank (120); and - a swing arm (130) adapted for being mounted to a part of a building scaffold and/or integrated into a building scaffold and connected to the basin (110) and/or storage tank (120) via a flexible tension-bearing element, such as a wire (132).
  2. The urinal according to claim 1, wherein the basin (110) further comprises one or more clamps (112) or brackets adapted for being mounted to a part of a building scaffold, preferably to a rail and/or ledger (150) of the building scaffold.
  3. The urinal according to claim 2, wherein said one or more clamps (112) or brackets are vertically and/or horizontally displaceable, thereby allowing the basin (110) to be mounted to different types of building scaffold.
  4. The urinal according to claim 1, wherein the basin (110) further comprises a pair of clamps (112) or brackets adapted for being mounted to a part of a building scaffold, preferably to a rail and/or ledger (150) of the building scaffold.
  5. The urinal according to claim 4, wherein said pair of clamps (112) or brackets are vertically and/or horizontally displaceable relative to one another, thereby allowing the basin (110) to be mounted to different types of building scaffold.
  6. The urinal according to any one of the claims 1-5, wherein the basin (110) further comprises a urinal curtain (116) held by one or more pivoting rods (114) or arms.
  7. The urinal according to claim 6, wherein the urinal curtain (116) is configured to cover the basin (110) in a closed configuration and serve as a cover for a user in an open configuration.
  8. The urinal according to any one of the claims 1-7, wherein the storage tank (120) is releasably fastened to the basin (110).
  9. The urinal according to any one of the claims 1-8, wherein the swing arm (130) is provided with an integrated guide that allows the flexible tension-bearing element to move along the length of the arm.
  10. The urinal according to any one of the claims 1-9, wherein the basin (110) comprises a mounting plate (170) which serves as the front of the urinal, with a mouth (111) of the basin (110) extending through a hole in the plate (170).
  11. The urinal according to claim 10, wherein the storage tank (120) is mounted to the mounting plate (170).
  12. The urinal according to any one of the claims 1-11, wherein the flexible tension-bearing element is releasably fastened to the basin (110) and/or storage tank (120).
  13. The urinal according to any one of the claims 1-12, wherein the basin (110) further comprises two pairs of clamps (112), and wherein each pair of clamps (112) are vertically displaceable along a guide rail (113).
  14. The urinal according to any one of the claims 1-13, wherein the swing arm (130) is configured to be mounted to a building scaffold's vertical standard (140) using one or more clamps (134); each clamp fitted with a hinge pin component, allowing it to rotate and support the swing arm's movement; and wherein the swing arm (130) comprises one or more hinge knuckles that are configured to align with the hinge pins on the clamps (134).
  15. A building scaffold comprising a urinal according to any one of the claims 1-14.

Description

Technical field of the invention The present invention relates to urinals. Background of the invention The issue of workers having to continuously ascend and descend building scaffold is a significant concern in construction and other related industries. This physically demanding task can place a great deal of strain on the body, particularly the joints, over an extended period of time. Workers who spend their days climbing a building scaffold face a range of musculoskeletal stresses, especially on the knees, hips, and lower back. The repetitive action of climbing up and down ladders or scaffolding, often while carrying tools or materials, adds further stress to these joints. One of the most serious long-term health risks associated with this repetitive physical exertion is the development of osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease that commonly affects the knees and hips. Osteoarthritis is caused by the wear and tear on joint cartilage, and frequent climbing exacerbates this by constantly loading and unloading weight onto the joints. The building scaffold, often narrow and unstable, requires workers to engage their leg muscles and joints more intensively than walking on even ground, creating abnormal stress patterns on the body. Over time, the cartilage that cushions the bones can break down, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility, which are hallmarks of osteoarthritis. Additionally, workers who are already fatigued from repeated climbing are more likely to experience slips, trips, or falls, which not only pose immediate injury risks but can also accelerate joint wear through sudden impacts or trauma. Constantly battling fatigue also reduces overall productivity, as tired workers are less focused and less efficient. The exhaustion from the continuous need to scale the building scaffold impacts not only their physical health but their mental well-being, leading to potential stress and burnout. Addressing this issue requires e.g., a focus on reducing unnecessary movement to minimize physical strain. Summary of the invention The inventor of the present invention has developed a urinal for integration into, or coupling to, the building scaffold that thereby significantly reduces the need for workers to repeatedly ascend and descend throughout the workday, particularly for routine tasks like using the restroom. By integrating a urinal into the building scaffold itself, or at least coupling the urinal thereto, workers can relieve themselves without having to leave their work platform, thereby greatly minimizing the number of trips up and down the structure. This design would not only save time, increasing productivity, but would also significantly reduce the physical toll on workers. Instead of multiple trips, they can remain on the scaffold, focus on their tasks, and limit the physical strain associated with constant movement between different heights. The reduction in these unnecessary ascents and descents offers other indirect benefits as well. With fewer workers constantly moving up and down the scaffold, there is less congestion on ladders, reducing the risk of accidents. Safety is further improved by minimizing the potential distractions or rushed descents that occur when workers are pressed for time. Additionally, from an ergonomic perspective, by lowering the overall physical demands on workers, job satisfaction and morale are likely to increase, as workers will feel less physically exhausted and more able to focus on their work without the constant interruption of having to leave the building scaffold. A first aspect related to a urinal adapted for being mounted to and/or integrated into a part of a building scaffold, the urinal comprising: a storage tank;a basin adapted for collecting and funneling urine towards the storage tank; anda swing arm adapted for being mounted to a part of a building scaffold and/or integrated into a building scaffold and connected to the basin and/or storage tank via a flexible tension-bearing element, such as a wire. A second aspect relates to a building scaffold comprising a urinal according to the first aspect. Brief description of the figures The following figures are to be seen as schematic drawings. Figure 1 shows a front (from a user perspective) view of a urinal in accordance with various embodiments of the invention, after being securely mounted to a building scaffold.Figure 2 shows a front (from a user perspective) perspective view of a urinal in accordance with various embodiments of the invention, prior to being securely mounted to a building scaffold.Figure 3 shows a side (from a user perspective) perspective view of a urinal in accordance with various embodiments of the invention, after being securely mounted to a building scaffold.Figure 4 shows a rear (from a user perspective) view of a urinal in accordance with various embodiments of the invention, after being securely mounted to a building scaffold.Figure 5 shows a front (from a user perspect