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 erecting the uprights, their joints should be staggered. For the first layer of uprights, rods measuring 1.8m and 3.0m in length 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.

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

Characteristics of bowl-lock scaffolding

Key features:

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

• The bowl-lock joint features a rational structure: the load-transmitting rods transfer forces axially, giving the scaffolding an overall high structural strength and excellent three-dimensional spatial stability, thereby meeting construction safety requirements.

• Flexible scaffolding assembly templates. This includes 0.6m single-row scaffolds, double-row scaffolds, support frames, and various assembled materials designed for lifting and load-bearing applications—combining to form versatile construction equipment. These systems can also be arranged in curved shapes and used on surfaces with differing 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, reducing labor intensity. Assembly and disassembly speeds are 3 to 5 times faster than those of hook-type scaffolding.

• It eliminates bolt operations, making it less likely for scattered parts to get lost. The components are lightweight yet robust, ensuring safe and reliable use. Generally speaking, rust does not affect assembly and disassembly processes; moreover, they are 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) Solid rods: These are fabricated by attaching a 0.6-meter-long curved rod to a sleeve-shaped piece with a diameter of 48 mm x 3.5 mm, and then welding a vertical connecting tube to the top end. They serve as the vertical load-bearing members of the scaffolding system.
(b) Top rod (vertical top rod): Equipped with a vertical rod connection pipe 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 both ends of a ceramic-length steel pipe, serving as a horizontal connecting tube between upright posts or functioning as a horizontal load-bearing bar for the frame.
(d) Single horizontal bar: Horizontal bar connection ends equipped with 48mm x 3.5mm steel tubes. These are used as horizontal crossbars for 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, thereby improving its load-bearing capacity. Diagonal braces should be positioned as close as possible to the frame nodes.
(f) Base: Manufactured 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 of the post and to distribute/transfer the upper loads to the foundation.

Key Points for Construction Control of Cuplock Scaffolding

Main dimensions and general specifications of cup-lock scaffolding

Construction preparations before scaffolding erection:
① Level the site ground. To ensure the scaffolding is safe, stable, and neatly arranged after erection, it is essential to compact and flatten the ground thoroughly. According to the installation requirements, place full-length base plates with a thickness of 50 mm. Make sure the base plates are firmly in contact with the ground. Next, position the upright posts according to the specified spacing guidelines—mark their exact locations clearly with a pen—and carefully set the post bases precisely at these marked spots, ensuring that each base is centered squarely on its corresponding plate.
② Place the sweeping pole and then erect the upright pole. Before starting to raise the upright pole, first prepare the horizontal bar, position it in place, and join multiple sections together to extend its length, before finally standing the upright pole upright.