Abstract:
A portable scaffold supporting system which is removably secured to a construction wall. The portable scaffold supporting system comprises a frame having an upper end connected by an extension bar to the lower end. The upper end is comprised of a bracket which removably secures the system to any construction wall prior to, as well as after installation of the roof.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates generally to a unique and novel scaffold supporting system and more particularly to a portable and attachable scaffold device which is designed to substantially increase productivity, while reducing the risk of on the job accidents.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art  
           [0004]    Scaffold devices are essential in the construction industry. Many of the present scaffold devices fail to provide user friendly and safely constructed devices that can be assembled and disassembled quickly on the job site.  
           [0005]    Numerous attempts have been made to solve the problems associated with many of the present scaffold devices. The prior art does not support a scaffold support system of the present invention.  
           [0006]    Once such example is seen in U.S. Pat. No. 6,003,631 issued to Knauth. This patent discloses a wall supported scaffolding device for suspension and attachment to the upper portion of a wall panel and includes an inverted T-shaped vertical support member provided with a plurality of c-shaped brackets dimensioned to pivotally receive the inboard ends of a cross piece member and an angled brace member. However, the wall supported scaffold device disclosed in this patent would be virtually impossible to remove after installation of a roof on a house, provides inadequate work space for installation of trim and siding, is comprised of many pieces for break down and reassembly, and does not address many safety issues.  
           [0007]    Another example is seen in U.S. Pat. No. 5,503,358 issued to Lapp. This patent discloses a scaffold structure which may be suspended from the top of a wall to support wooden planks or the like in an elevated horizontal position. The structure includes a main support member having a hanging bracket for engaging the top of the wall to support the main support member vertically along the wall. A platform member orthogonally projects from the main support member and receives the planks thereon. A brace member is connected and extends between the main support member and the platform member to rigidify the structure of the invention.  
           [0008]    Yet another example is seen in U.S. Pat. No. 6,003,630 issued to Whalen. In this patent is disclosed a scaffold system for removeably attachment to a wall that includes a vertical support member, a horizontal support member and an attaching bracket. The vertical support member has a first end and a second end. The horizontal support member has a first end and a second end. The first end of the vertical support member is attached to the horizontal support member so that the vertical support member is substantially perpendicular to the horizontal support member.  
           [0009]    A final example can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 3,510,097 issued to McCaleb. This patent discloses a scaffold comprised of a two part metal framework including a bracket and bracket support. The bracket support includes a long t-bar with welded flanges at the top arranged to form a rectangular hook which engages over the top of a building wall. The bracket is a triangular structure which is detachably bolted to the t-bar and extends outwardly of the building wall.  
           [0010]    Accordingly, it is seen that there is a need for a scaffolding device system that is user friendly, can be assembled and disassembled quickly and provides for the safety concerns of the user. This device should also meet the needs of being simple in design, relatively inexpensive to manufacture so as to enable any homeowner, contractor or the like, to be able to afford to own and utilize such a scaffolding support system.  
           [0011]    As will be seen, the present invention achieves its intended purposes, objectives and advantages by accomplishing the needs as identified above by, through a new, useful and unobvious combination of component elements, which are simple to use, with the utilization of a minimum number of functioning parts, at a reasonable cost to manufacture, assemble, test and by employing only readily available materials.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0012]    The present invention is an easily portable and adjustable scaffold supporting system structured so as to be removeably secured prior to and after installation of the roof, by means of a bracket directly to the head or top plate of an exterior construction wall. This will provide for a portable and adjustable scaffold supporting system which provides for ease of use due to its quick and simple attachment to and removal from the head or top plate of an exterior construction wall thereby enhancing productivity. The novel and unique scaffolding support system of the present invention allows for the device to be easily attached and easily removed from the top plate of the wall even after a roof has been installed on the construction unit. In addition, due to the unique structure of the scaffold supporting system, the present invention provides for easy access to the construction wall allowing for completion of trim and siding work, sofit work, painting, as well as the eve work on the construction, due to the base portion of the device holding the scaffold support system at least four inches or the like away from the construction wall.  
           [0013]    The portable and adjustable scaffold supporting system comprises a frame having an upper end connected by an extension bar to the lower end. The upper end is comprised of a large bracket hook which acts as a securing means for quick and easy attachment and removal of the scaffold supporting system to any exterior construction wall prior to, as well as after installation of the roof. The lower end serves to maintain the scaffold supporting system at a 90° angle against the construction wall. Secured to and extending outward from the lower portion of the extension bar is the scaffold supporting means. This supporting means will maintain a board or the like, thereby providing for the unit to act as a scaffold device. Additional strength is provided to the supporting means from a bar extending upward and outward from the lower end of the scaffold support system.  
           [0014]    In use, the configuration is such that the user will place two or more closely spaced scaffold supporting means over the top of construction wall, attaching them to the head or top plate. Once attached, the lower ends of the scaffold supporting means will rest against the construction wall, thus providing for the supporting means to maintain a board or the like, placed on both of the scaffold support systems.  
           [0015]    Consequently, the present invention provides a simple means for securing the portable and adjustable scaffold supporting system to an exterior construction wall. This configuration provides for quickly and easily removing the scaffold supporting system to an adjacent working position.  
           [0016]    Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide for a portable and adjustable scaffold supporting system which will overcome the deficiencies, shortcomings and drawbacks of prior ladder scaffolding devices and methods thereof.  
           [0017]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a scaffold supporting system with means of raising and lowering the scaffold without requiring releasing and reattachment from the exterior construction wall.  
           [0018]    Still another object of the present invention is to provide for a scaffold supporting system which provides for quick and easy attachment and detachment means for moving the scaffold system to an adjacent working position.  
           [0019]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide for multiple scaffold supporting systems to be used in conjunction with siding projects, therefore providing for ease of siding installation and an increased work area resulting in a substantial increase in productivity.  
           [0020]    Still another object of the present invention is to provide for a portable and adjustable scaffold supporting system which is quickly and easily removeably secured to the top plate of an exterior construction wall before or after installation of the roof, so as to provide a final product which is efficient in use, adequate to maneuver and manipulate, and which will provide the user a simplified non-burdensome scaffolding device.  
           [0021]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a scaffold support system which will reduce on the job accidents.  
           [0022]    A final object of the present invention to be specifically enumerated herein, is to provide a portable and adjustable scaffold supporting system in accordance with preceding objects and which will conform to conventional forms of manufacture, be of simple construction and easy to use so as to provide a device that would be economically feasible, long lasting and relatively trouble free in operation.  
           [0023]    Although there have been many inventions related to scaffolding devices, none of the inventions have become sufficiently compact, low cost, and reliable enough to become commonly used in the building trades. The present invention meets the requirements of the simplified design, compact size, low initial cost, low operating cost, ease of installation and maintainability, and minimal amount of training to successfully employ the invention.  
           [0024]    The foregoing has outlined some of the more pertinent objects of the invention. These objects should be construed features and application of the intended invention. Many other beneficial results can be obtained by applying the disclosed invention in a different manner or modifying the invention within the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, a fuller understanding of the invention may be had by referring to the detailed description of the preferred embodiments in addition to the scope of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING  
       [0025]    Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 1 is a side view of the attaching means of the present invention.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 2 is an alternative embodiment of the top portion of the device of the present invention.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 3 is a front view of the scaffolding device of the present invention.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the scaffolding device of the present invention.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 5 is a top view of an additional embodiment of the attaching means of the present invention.  
         [0031]    FIGS.  1 - 5  illustrate various preferred configurations of the present invention.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0032]    As seen in the drawings, in particular to FIGS.  1 - 5  there is shown a scaffold support system, denoted by reference numeral  10 , which is designed and configured to provide for a portable and easily adjustable removeably attachable scaffolding system.  
         [0033]    Referring to the figures, there is shown the top portion  12  of the scaffold support system, directly attached to the extension bar  14 . The unique top or head portion  12  of the scaffold support system comprises the attaching means for direct attachment to the exterior construction wall. The top portion  12  is designed to be slipped under the sheathing, but hooked over the top plate of an exterior construction wall. In order to provide for support and a secure attachment, the attaching means is comprised of a front portion  16  having a small hook  18  or the like. The middle portion  20  of the attaching means is flat, so as to securely receive the board of the top plate. The back portion  22  of the attaching means is a flat member directly secured to the extension bar  14 .  
         [0034]    In use, the unique top or head portion  12  of the scaffold supporting system slips under the sheathing, but is attached directly over the top plate of the exterior construction wall. This position, as shown in FIG. 2, when paired with at least one other scaffold support device is ideally suited for conventional scaffolding. Additionally, the scaffold support device  10  of the present invention may be attached at any point on the exterior construction wall, paired with a plurality other scaffold support devices  10 , thus providing the user with a continuous scaffold to accomplish work along the entire length of the exterior wall prior to readjusting the height. Used in configuration with other scaffold support devices  10  at the same height, the unique and novel device  10  is ideally suited as a shelf or holding means, and thus is ideal for holding and/or maintaining all necessary items needed for a particular job, such as painting, siding, roofing, masonry or the like. Thus, as the individual works the length of the exterior wall, he can easily access the desired items needed for a particular job, stored on the platform, thereby enhancing productivity.  
         [0035]    To enable such a versatile device, the present invention comprises, as seen in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, a top or head portion  12  comprised of the attaching means (not shown), an adjustable extension bar (vertical shaft)  14  with an arm (step)  24  extending horizontally away from the exterior construction wall to support the conventional plank, board or the like (not shown). This unique and novel feature of the wall configuration is spaced off the wall to enable access for the installation of trim, siding and the like behind the scaffolding. At the base of the adjustable vertical extension bar (vertical shaft)  14  is a flat bar  26  extending outward horizontally to both sides of the adjustable vertical extension bar (vertical shaft)  14 . Attached to the flat bar  26  is a support bar  28  extending upwardly and attaching directly to the horizontal arm (step)  24 .  
         [0036]    The device  10  of the present invention features a rigid embodiment and an adjustable embodiment which both substantially enhance productivity by providing rapid set up on the wall of the job site within seconds. For example, only two pins provide the ability to separate the top or head portion  12  and horizontal arm (step)  24  from the vertical extension bar (vertical shaft)  14 . Thus, the pin system  30  provides for adjustments to the horizontal arm (step)  24  to be made in increments. In addition, the top or head portion  12  is removeably secured to enhance certain tasks which can be performed over the device while providing for the ability to collapse the device from behind the completed work.  
         [0037]    The scaffolding support device  10  is designed with a plurality of safety features. For example, the “c” brackets on other scaffolding units are comprised of many pieces of sharp metal which might result in severe wounds. The vertical extension bar (vertical shaft)  14  of the device  10  provides for a smooth design that will not cut skin or catch on clothing or the like, thereby inherently reducing on the job injuries.  
         [0038]    Referring now to FIG. 5, another embodiment of the present invention provides for an attaching means which comprises a top hanging support  32  made of plate steel or the like and is directly attached to the extension bar  14 . This unique top hanging support of the scaffold supporting system  10  comprises the attaching means for direct attachment to the exterior construction wall. The top portion  32  is designed to be slipped over the wall frame for direct attachment to the exterior construction wall.  
         [0039]    In addition, in another embodiment as shown in FIG. 2, the present invention provides for the top portion  36  of the scaffold support system to be directly attached to the extension bar  14 . This unique top or head portion  36  of the scaffold support system comprises the attaching means for direct attachment to the exterior construction wall. This top portion  36  is designed with nail size holes in order for nails to be used to attach this top portion (not shown) to the exterior construction wall. The remainder of the present invention remains exactly the same for the above two embodiments.  
         [0040]    This device  10  is not only efficient, but is one that enables any individual to operate efficiently, regardless of dexterity, strength, physical physic or the like.  
         [0041]    While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to an embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.