Abstract:
A light-weight, cost-effective walk-through frame that facilitates movement from one scaffold section to another by a scaffolding worker is disclosed. The frame includes a plurality of substantially vertical support members, each having a bottom end and a top end; a truss structure connected to the support members; and a plurality of angled support members, each of the angled support members having a bottom end and a top end, the angled support members diverging from their top ends to their bottom ends such that each of the angled support member top ends are connected near a central region of the truss structure and each of the angled support member bottom ends are connected near the bottom ends of the plurality of substantially vertical support member bottom ends. The frame can be used in a scaffold, ensuring that the scaffold is suitable for use on projects of significant height. “Walk-through” can be facilitated through the use of a chevron-type configuration. From a project management standpoint, the system results in increased labor savings due, at least in part, to relative ease of set-up.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. application Ser. No. 60/617,983 filed on Oct. 12, 2004. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to scaffolding and/or shoring systems, and more particularly, to a frame assembly for use with scaffolding and/or shoring systems.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     The heavier and more complex a scaffold, the more cumbersome assembly becomes. This is particularly true in applications (e.g., exteriors of tall buildings) in which scaffolds are utilized at great heights (e.g., about 250-500 feet, or more), but it is also true in applications (e.g., interiors of buildings, shorter buildings, etc.) having heights that are lower (e.g., less than 100 feet). This is also the case in shoring applications. Accordingly, scaffolds are typically designed to be transported, adjusted and assembled easily, quickly and safely. Moreover, scaffolds have greater commercial value when they can have multiple uses, or be used in a variety of environments. Still, it would be desirable to provide a scaffold system that is easily assembled and dismantled, particularly when used in tall scaffold projects (e.g., projects typically involving several levels of decking).  
         [0004]     Further, it would be desirable for the scaffold to be efficient, for example having relatively high strength-to-weight and relatively high height-to-weight ratios. It would also be desirable and cost effective to provide a rugged and durable scaffold or scaffold system that has multiple uses and/or applications. For example, it would be desirable for the scaffold to permit assembly in tall applications using standard equipment. It would be desirable if the scaffold allowed for the installation of tall hoist structures in populated urban city centers that typically require that the component structures be of a relatively light weight and high strength, and thus, the equipment would allow for handling and assembly by individual workers (i.e., “man-handling”). Moreover, it would be desirable for the scaffold to be useful in shoring, bracing and enclosed structure applications. Further still, it would be desirable of the scaffold to permit “walk-through” capability by a worker, thereby allowing a worker to move freely about a level of scaffolding, as well as from one level to the next.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     The present inventors have recognized the importance of providing a scaffold that will address the aforementioned problems and incorporate the desirable characteristics described above. Accordingly, disclosed herein is a scaffold comprising: a deck and a walk-through frame assembly connected to and for supporting the deck. The frame assembly comprises: a plurality of substantially upright support members each having a bottom end and a top end; a truss structure connected to the plurality of substantially upright support members; and a plurality of angled support members, each of the angled support members having a bottom end and a top end. The angled support members diverge from their top ends to their bottom ends such that each of the angled support member top ends are connected near a central region of the truss structure and each of the angled support member bottom ends are connected near the bottom ends of the plurality of substantially upright support member bottom ends.  
         [0006]     In another embodiment, a walk-through frame that facilitates movement from one scaffold section to another by a scaffolding worker is disclosed. The frame includes a plurality of substantially vertical support members, each having a bottom end and a top end; a truss structure connected to the support members; and a plurality of angled support members, each of the angled support members having a bottom end and a top end, the angled support members diverging from their top ends to their bottom ends such that each of the angled support member top ends are connected near a central region of the truss structure and each of the angled support member bottom ends are connected near the bottom ends of the plurality of substantially vertical support member bottom ends.  
         [0007]     Other embodiments are disclosed and contemplated, and such embodiments are considered within the scope of the present invention. More over, various features, objects and advantages will become apparent to one of skill in the art through thoughtful consideration of the detailed description, including the claims, which follows. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]     The following drawings are provided for illustrative purposes only. The drawings illustrate a best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the invention. Like numerals are used to designate like parts throughout the drawings. Various items of equipment, such as connections, fittings, bolts, screws, and various support members etc., have been omitted from the drawings so as to simplify the description of the invention. However, those skilled in the art will realize that such conventional equipment can be, and are, employed as desired.  
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a scaffold in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of another scaffold in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention, and in which a decking material is removed so as to illustrate various structural components of the system;  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the scaffold assembly of  FIG. 2  in which a decking material is included;  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  is a partially schematic front view of a scaffold assembly in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of  FIG. 3  showing a beam hanging assembly for use with a scaffold, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0014]      FIG. 6  is a side elevational view of a scaffold assembly in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention, with the scaffold assembly implemented in one exemplary industrial application; and  
         [0015]      FIG. 6   a  is a sectional view taken along line sk- 1  of  FIG. 6 .  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0016]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a scaffold  10  (also referred to as a “scaffold system or assembly”) in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention. The scaffold  10  generally comprises a plurality of walk-through frame assemblies  12  connected to and for supporting a plurality of decks  14  (also referred to as “decking” or “deck members”).  
         [0017]     Each of the frame assemblies  12  includes a plurality of substantially upright support members  16 , with each of the substantially upright support members having a bottom end  18  and a top end  20 . Each of the frame assemblies further comprises a truss structure, generally referred to by the number  22 , which is connected to the plurality of substantially upright support members  16 . Each of the truss structures  22  further comprise a plurality of substantially lateral support members  38 ,  40 , a plurality of substantially upright support members  42  and a plurality of angled support members  43 ,  45 . As shown, the plurality of substantially upright support members  42  and the plurality of angled support members,  43 , 45 , are connected to the substantially lateral support members  38 ,  40 . In one embodiment, angled support members  43 ,  45  are joined to lateral support members  38 ,  40  via welding.  
         [0018]     Still referring to  FIG. 1 , each of the frame assemblies further comprises a plurality of angled support members  24 ,  26 . Each angled support member  24  has a bottom end  28  and a top end  30 , and similarly, each angled support member  26  has a bottom end  32  and a top end  34 . The angled brace or support members  24 ,  26  diverge from their top ends  30 ,  34  to their bottom ends  28 ,  32  such that each of the angled brace member top ends  30 ,  34  are connected near a central region of the truss structure  22  and each of the angled brace member bottom ends  28 ,  32  are connected near the bottom ends  18  of the plurality of substantially upright support members  16 . As shown, the frame assemblies  12  can further comprise a plurality of ladder-like lateral support members  44  that can be connected to the plurality of substantially upright support members  16  and the plurality of angled brace members  24 ,  26 .  
         [0019]     In at least one embodiment, the frame assembly lateral support members can be positioned in a substantially horizontal fashion, and the upright support members can be positioned in a substantially vertical fashion. Also, in at least one embodiment, angled brace members can be positioned in a substantially diagonal in configuration. Moreover, as depicted, the truss or truss-like structure  22  and the plurality of angled support members  24 ,  26  can be positioned and connected so to create a chevron-type bracing configuration. As shown, each of the frame assemblies  12 , when viewed on its side, can comprise a “k-shaped” or “substantially k-shaped” configuration.  
         [0020]     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the scaffold assembly  10  is preferably of a width that can accommodate a desired size or amount of deck or decking  14 , which itself can take a number of forms. The decking can include conventional hooks or claws  15  that can be used to capture, so as to connect, the decking  14  to respective truss  22  of respective frame assembly  12 . In one preferred embodiment, the decking is of a metallic material, such as aluminum or steel. The decking material can also, by way of example (and as shown and described in the description below), include wood, or a combination of wood and metallic material. In general, the decking material is preferably rugged, and rigid (or substantially rigid), and the case of aluminum, typically relatively light-weight. Other decking materials of desirable construction are contemplated and considered within the scope of the present invention.  
         [0021]     As a practical matter, certain of the walk-through frame members or assemblies can be replaced with standard scaffold members. Moreover, it is notable that, as shown, the plurality of walk-through frame assemblies  12  are positioned one on top of the other (as in a typical application), illustrating the stackable nature of the frame assemblies. Connection means  48  (e.g., a spigot) are illustrated to show one exemplary way in which additional frame assemblies can be included, and it should be understood that the total number of such assemblies can vary to convenience depending upon various factors associated with the application at hand.  
         [0022]     The various support or brace members making up the frame assemblies  12  described above are typically connected via welding or other joining process known to those of skill in the art. For example, various of the support or brace members, including upright support members  16 , include holes  49  so as to permit various component members to be bolted into position as needed.  
         [0023]     Moreover, the support and brace members making up the frame assemblies  12  are typically of a tubular design or configuration. According to one aspect of such an embodiment, dimensions for the structure can be measured from respective centerlines of the various tubular members. In addition, according to one design convention, the intersection of the centerlines of respective tubular members can constitute “convergent work points”, and from such convergent work points, measurements can be taken and/or determined. For example, in one embodiment, each of the frame assemblies  12  can have a width “w” about 7 feet, with the width measured from a centerline of one of the upright support members  16  to the centerline of another upright support member. It is also of note that the frame assemblies can have a height, as measured from one end of the upright support member to another, of 7 feet. Moreover, in one embodiment, the tubular support and brace members can have an outer diameter of 3.5 inches. In another embodiment, the tubular supports and other brace and/or support members can have an outer diameter of 2 inches. Still, it should be appreciated that the size(s) of the overall structure, as well as the size of any individual or component members, can vary to convenience depending on the end use or application at hand. As an additional note, single lines  21  (in the present embodiment and with respect to  FIGS. 2, 3  and  5 ) are used to represent or indicate the presence of secondary tubular bracing.  
         [0024]      FIGS. 2 and 3  are perspective views of another scaffold  50  in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the scaffold  50  again includes similar scaffold members depicted in  FIG. 1 . For example, the scaffold  50  comprises frame assemblies  52 , with each of the frame assemblies (also called “frames”) having a plurality of upright support members  54 , truss assemblies, generally referred to by numeral  56  and which connect the respective upright support members  54 , and angled supports or braces  58 , which are connected to the respective truss assemblies and the respective upright support members  54 . Here again, single lines  55  (as previously noted) are used to represent or indicate the presence of secondary tubular bracing.  
         [0025]     Still referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , a plurality of beams  60  (also called “spandrel beams”), are illustrated. The beams  60  are connected to the upright support members  54  via a beam hanging assembly, generally referred to by number  61  (also called a “spandrel beam hanging assembly”). The beam hanging assembly  61  includes hangers  62  (also called “spandrel beam hangers”), bracing nodes  64 , and support members  66 . The bracing nodes  64  serve to prevent or substantially prevent lateral or horizontal movement of the respective beam  60  to which the respective node is connected, and as such, the bracing nodes can be referred to (e.g., in the present embodiment) as “horizontal bracing nodes”.  
         [0026]     Referring specifically to  FIG. 3 , a plurality of beams, generally referred to by the number  68 , are positioned in overlay relationship with respect to the beams  60 . A shown, the beams  68  can be “I” beams (although, as a practical matter, the type can vary), and they can be oriented substantially perpendicular with respect to the beams  60 . The number of beams  68  too can vary to convenience, although in present embodiment, the plurality can comprise eight (8) beams oriented as described. Decking  70  is supported by and secured into position, via the plurality of beams  68 , in conjunction with the hanging assemblies  61 .  
         [0027]      FIG. 4  is a partial schematic front view of a scaffold  72  in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention. The scaffold  72  again generally comprises a plurality of walk-through frame assemblies  74 , which are shown here in stacked relation, one over another. With reference in particular to the centrally disposed assembly  74 , the frame assembly includes a plurality of substantially upright support members  76 , with each of the substantially upright support members having a bottom end  78  and a top end  80 . The frame assembly further comprises a truss structure, generally referred to by the number  82 , which is connected to the plurality of substantially upright support members  76 . The truss structure  82  further comprises a plurality of substantially lateral support members  84 ,  85 , a plurality of substantially upright support members  86 , and a plurality of angled support members  88 ,  89 . The plurality of substantially upright truss support members and the plurality of angled truss support members, as shown, are connected to the substantially lateral support members  84 ,  85 , respectively.  
         [0028]     The frame assembly further comprises a plurality of angled support members  90 ,  92 . Each of the angled support members  90 ,  92  has a bottom end  94 ,  96 , respectively, and a top end  98 ,  100 , respectively. The angled brace or support members  90 ,  92  diverge from their top ends  98 ,  100  to their bottom ends  94 ,  96  such that each of the angled brace member top ends are connected near a central region of the truss structure  82  and each of the angled brace member bottom ends are connected near the bottom ends  78  of the plurality of substantially upright support members  76 . In one embodiment, respective centerlines of the angled support members and the upright support members intersect at a convergent work point, and in a preferred embodiment, the distance between the convergent work point and the bottom end of a respective upright support member can be 6″. However, it should be understood that this distance can be varied (and will vary depending on tolerances) as necessary without departing from the spirit of the present invention.  
         [0029]     As shown, the frame assembly  74  can further comprise a plurality of ladder-like lateral support members  102  that can be connected to the plurality of substantially upright support members  76  and the plurality of angled brace members  90 ,  92 . Also, in one embodiment, the distance between the substantially upright support members and the angled support members, and more particularly, the distance between their respective centerlines, with these distances corresponding to lengths of the ladder-like support members, can be one of 22 5/16″ and 9 21/32″, respectively. However, it should be understood that these distances can be varied (and will vary depending on tolerances) without departing from the spirit of the present invention.  
         [0030]     Still referring to  FIG. 4 , in the present embodiment that, angled support members  90 ,  92  are joined (e.g., welded) to lower truss lateral beam or member  84  of truss  82 . Angled truss members  88 ,  89  are joined (e.g., welded) to lower truss lateral beam or member  84  and converge at, and are joined to, upper truss lateral member  85 . As previously described, in a preferred embodiment, center lines of various of the scaffold members define convergent work points. For example, in one preferred embodiment, the centerlines of angled truss members  88 ,  89  and upper lateral truss support member  85  intersect at a convergent work point. Also, in one embodiment, the distance between the truss lateral members, and more particularly, the distance between their respective centerlines, can be twelve (12) inches. However, it should be understood that this distance is exemplary, and if necessary can be varied (and will vary depending on tolerances) without departing from the spirit of the present invention.  
         [0031]     Deck  104  is supported by frame assembly  74  such that a worker  107  can walk on the deck. Advantageously, the worker can pass from one scaffold to another (e.g., as shown, in a direction corresponding into or out of the page) without being impeded by scaffold or frame elements (e.g., support beams and the like). In this fashion, the present embodiment illustrates a “walk-through” type scaffold assembly having uses in a variety of environments, including shoring applications and applications in which a hoist can be used.  
         [0032]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of  FIG. 3  showing the beam hanging assembly  61  for use with the scaffold, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention. As described above, the beam hanging assembly  61  includes hangers  62  (also called “spandrel beam hangers”), bracing nodes  64 , and support members  66 . The bracing nodes  64  serve to prevent or substantially prevent lateral or horizontal movement of the respective beam  60  to which the node is connected. Accordingly, and as noted above, the bracing nodes can be referred to as “horizontal bracing nodes”. The assembly further comprises an upright connection member  109  (which in the present embodiment has a rectangular profile). In addition, as shown, the bracing node includes a plurality of disc-shaped portions  106 ,  108 , positioned in spaced relation, one over the other. The spandrel beam  60  is connected to the upright connection member  109 , and the upright connection member  106  is connected to the upright frame member  54 . More specifically, upright connection member  106  is connected, via beam hangers  62  and disc-shaped portions  106 ,  108  of the bracing node  64  to the upright frame member  54 . In this manner, and in the present embodiment, the beam hanging assembly  61  is connected to the frame assembly  52 . Here again, single lines  111  (as previously noted) are used to represent or indicate the presence of secondary tubular bracing.  
         [0033]     Advantageously, holes in the various components provide for added adjustability in set-up and positioning of walk-through frames. Hangers  62  can be extruded as well to facilitate proper installation of the spandrel beam (which can weigh, in one embodiment, about 140 lbs) quickly and easily—and at virtually any height. Bracing or attachment nodes can be termed “universal” in that the spandrel beam can be placed and/or braced at almost any height, and with a minimum of hardware.  
         [0034]      FIGS. 6 and 6   a  illustrate side elevational and cross-sectional views, respectively, of a scaffold assembly  200  in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention. More specifically, the scaffold assembly  200  is implemented in one exemplary industrial application, namely, a construction project for the erection and/or repair of a tall building. As can be seen in  FIG. 6 , the scaffold assembly  200  includes a plurality of scaffold sub-assemblies  202 , with the subassemblies comprising walk-through frame assemblies  204  in accordance with at least one aspect of the present invention. A hoist  206  is also shown, and access is provided between the hoist and the scaffold, as generally indicated by arrow  208 . Here again, the walk-though frames  204  can be sized to convenience, and in the application as shown, the frames are typically 7 feet in width, by 7 feet in height. Ties  210  can be utilized to secure the structure  202 . Sheathing  212  can also be included to fully contain the structure. Advantageously, the present invention provides for walk-through accessibility by scaffold users in tall applications, including the application depicted.  
         [0035]     Exemplary applications for the assembly and/or subassemblies shown in the figures can include, for example, scaffold, shoring and hoist-type applications. Accordingly, where a particular descriptive term is used (e.g., “scaffold” or “scaffolding”) herein, such reference should not inappropriately be construed in any limiting sense. Moreover, it will be understood that the assemblies and subassemblies (as well as discrete elements making up the assemblies and subassemblies) shown and described herein can be constructed from a variety of materials, some of which are disclosed herein. Accordingly, it should be understood that such disclosure is exemplary, but should not be inappropriately construed in any limiting way.  
         [0036]     The detail provided herein is for the purpose of illustration only. It is specifically intended that the present invention not be limited to the embodiments and illustrations contained herein, but include modified forms of those embodiments including portions of the embodiments and combinations of elements of different embodiments as come within the scope of the following claims.