Cuplock Scaffolding is a socket-locking steel tube scaffold system complying with Chinese standard JGJ 166-2016. It uses pre-welded cup joints on the uprights to achieve rapid insertion and locking of ledgers without the need for traditional couplers and bolts, offering high assembly and dismantling efficiency. It is widely used for formwork falsework, bridge supports, and similar applications. Cup joints are spaced at 600mm intervals along each upright, and each joint can connect up to four ledgers simultaneously, either perpendicularly or at an angle, adapting to various complex working conditions.
I. Main Components
Core Joint Parts
1. Lower Cup: A bowl-shaped socket welded to the upright, used to seat the ledger blade.
2. Upper Cup: Slides along the upright; when struck and rotated, it locks the ledger blades in place.
3. Locking Pin: Welded to the upright, it secures the upper cup to prevent loosening.
4. Ledger Blade: Welded to each end of the ledger, inserted into the lower cup to form the connection.
Main Tubes
1. Upright (Vertical Standard): The primary vertical load-bearing tube, with pre-welded lower cups and locking pins, and a connecting spigot for extending the upright length.
2. Ledger (Horizontal Tube): Horizontal load-bearing member with blades welded at both ends, connecting adjacent uprights.
3. Diagonal Brace: Diagonal reinforcing member forming triangular bracing to enhance overall frame stability.
Adjustment and Auxiliary Components
1. Adjustable Base Jack: Installed at the bottom of the upright for height adjustment and load distribution.
2. Adjustable U-Head Jack (Top Jack): Installed at the top of the upright to support formwork loads.
3. Upright Connecting Pin: Used for locating and connecting upper and lower upright sections via the spigot.
4. Scaffold Planks, Toe Boards, Tie-Tubes: Working platform and frame tying and protection accessories.
Applications
1. Falsework for cast-in-place concrete slabs and beams in building and industrial construction.
2. Temporary support systems for cast-in-situ box girders and capping beams on bridges and viaducts.
3. Exterior building facade scaffolds and interior decoration scaffolds.
4. Temporary working platforms for municipal works and stadium construction.
5. Curved, fan-shaped, or irregular-shaped support structures for non-standard construction surfaces.
II. Assembly Method
1. Ground Preparation: Level and compact the ground, lay sole plates, and mark upright positions according to the layout plan.
2. Place adjustable base jacks and level them to ensure vertical load transfer.
3. Install starter uprights using interleaved lengths to stagger joint positions.
4. Install base ledgers: insert the ledger blade into the lower cup, lower the upper cup, and strike it clockwise with a hammer until it is locked by the locking pin. All joints must be fully locked - no loose joints are allowed.
5. Erect subsequent layers of uprights and install ledgers simultaneously. Add diagonal braces and cross braces as required by the design to form a stable lattice structure.
6. As the frame rises, install tie-tubes promptly to securely connect the scaffold to the building structure.
7. At working levels, lay scaffold planks and secure them with board retaining couplers (BRCs). Install guardrails and toe boards.
8. Install adjustable U-head jacks at the top, adjust to the design elevation, and place formwork bearers.
9. After full erection, inspect all cup joints to confirm they are locked. The scaffold may only be used after passing inspection.
III. Key Usage Notes
1. Incoming component inspection: Uprights, cups, and blades must be free from cracks, deformation, and severe corrosion. Damaged components are prohibited.
2. Every ledger blade must be fully seated inside its corresponding lower cup, and the upper cup must be struck firmly into the locked position.
3. Diagonal braces, cross braces, and tie-tubes must not be omitted. High-clearance falsework projects must strictly follow the approved engineering plan.
4. Overloading is prohibited. Load-bearing members must not be cut or removed without authorization.