The concept of bowl-lock scaffolding

• The cup-lock system consists of components such as steel pipe uprights, crossbars, and cup-lock joints. Its basic structure and installation requirements are similar to those of hook-type steel tube scaffolding, with the main difference lying in the cup-lock joint itself.

• The bowl-type connector consists of components such as the upper bowl buckle, lower bowl buckle, crossbar joint, and upper bowl buckle positioning pin. The positioning pins of the lower and upper bowl buckles are welded onto the upright post, with the upper bowl buckle fitted over the post. The plugs are welded onto the crossbars and diagonal braces. During assembly, insert the crossbars and diagonal braces into the lower bowl buckle, press down and rotate the upper bowl buckle, then secure it in place using the positioning pin.

• Cup-lock steel tube scaffolding features a horizontal distance of 1.2m between uprights, while the longitudinal spacing can be adjusted based on the scaffold’s load capacity to 1.2m, 1.5m, 1.8m, or 2.4m. The step distance is either 1.8m or 2.4m. When assembling the uprights, their joints must be staggered. For the first layer of uprights, rods measuring 1.8m and 3.0m should be arranged alternately; for upper layers, uniformly use 3.0m-long rods. Once reaching the top level, recombine two shorter rods (1.8m and 3.0m) to achieve proper leveling.

• For scaffolds with a height of less than 30m, the verticality deviation should be kept within 1/200. For supports taller than 30m, the verticality deviation must be controlled between 1/400 and 1/600. Additionally, the overall verticality deviation of the entire scaffold should not exceed 100mm.

Features of Cuplock Scaffolding

Key features:

• The joint structure of the bowl-lock multifunctional scaffolding is well-designed, features a simple manufacturing process, offers convenient operation, and boasts a wide range of applications. Compared to traditional folding systems, the bow-lock type multifunctional fold has the following outstanding features:

• The bowl-lock joint features a rational design: the load-transferring rods transfer forces axially, giving the scaffolding high structural strength and excellent three-dimensional spatial stability, ensuring it meets safety requirements for construction work.

• Flexible scaffolding assembly templates. This includes 0.6m single-row scaffolds, double-row scaffolds, support frames, and various modular construction equipment designed for material lifting and load-bearing applications. These components can also be arranged in curved configurations, making them suitable for use on terrains with varying heights. Additionally, the spacing of the scaffolding can be adjusted according to

• Different load requirements call for flexible adjustments. All components of the cup-lock scaffolding system share uniform dimensions, ensuring that the erected scaffolds are standardized and highly organized.

• It boasts high assembly and disassembly efficiency, significantly reducing labor intensity. Assembly and disassembly speeds are 3 to 5 times faster than those of hook-type scaffolding.

• It eliminates the need for bolt operations, making it less likely that scattered parts will get lost. The components are lightweight yet robust, ensuring safe and reliable use. Generally, rust does not affect assembly or disassembly—plus, they’re easy to maintain and convenient for transportation.

• It can be retrofitted using existing coupler-type steel pipe scaffolding, significantly reducing the costs of upgrading and replacement.

Bowl-type scaffolding pole accessories and their applications

(a) Upright Posts: These are fabricated by attaching a 0.6-meter curved rod to a sleeve-shaped section with a diameter of 48 mm x 3.25/3.0 mm, extending over a specified length, and then welding a vertical post connection tube at the top. They serve as the vertical load-bearing elements of the scaffolding system.
(b) Top Rods (Vertical Top Rods): Equipped with vertical rod connecting tubes at the top, these rods are used to support the low insertion of the supporting posts. They serve as vertical load-bearing members at the tops of supporting frames (columns), material-lifting frames, and similar structures.
(c) Crossbar: Made by welding a 48mm x 3.5mm sawn steel bar to the waist of ceramic-length steel pipes at both ends, this crossbar serves as a horizontal connecting pipe between upright posts or as a horizontal load-bearing rod for the frame.
(d) Single horizontal bar: Bars equipped with connecting ends made of 48mm x 3.5mm steel tubing. These are used as horizontal crossbars in single-row scaffolding.
(e) Diagonal braces: Manufactured by riveting diagonal brace connectors to both ends of a 48mm diameter x 3.5mm thick sleeve. These are used to enhance the stability and strength of the scaffolding, significantly improving its load-bearing capacity. Diagonal braces should be positioned as close as possible to the frame nodes.
(f) Base: Constructed by welding a connecting rod through the center of a 150mm x 150mm x 8mm sleeve plate. These are positioned at the base of the upright post, serving to prevent swaying and to distribute/transfer the upper loads down to the foundation.

Key Points for Construction Control of Cuplock Scaffolding

Pedal

Main dimensions and general specifications of cup-lock scaffolding

Construction preparation before scaffolding erection:
① Level the site ground. To ensure the scaffolding is safe, stable, and neatly arranged once erected, it’s essential to compact and flatten the ground thoroughly. According to installation specifications, place full-length base plates that are 50mm thick. Make sure the base plates make solid contact with the ground. Next, position the upright posts according to the required spacing—mark their exact locations with a pen—and carefully set the post bases precisely at these marked spots, ensuring each base sits squarely in the center of its corresponding plate.
② Place the sweeping pole and then erect the vertical pole. Before starting to raise the vertical pole, first prepare the horizontal bar, position it in place, and join multiple sections together to extend its length. Once ready, carefully stand the vertical pole upright.