Abstract:
The collapsible hanging scaffold bracket is a bracket for supporting scaffold boards and is designed to be engaged with the top horizontal stud of a wall structure and can be used to adequately and safely support workers for work on all of the various types of walls that may be encountered. The bracket includes a series of pivoting and telescoping elongated bracket members, a series of locking pins, and a wall engaging tee-bar member and allows the user to be spaced away from the wall for ease in applying external wall coverings, as well as soffits, rafters, and ceiling joists. The bracket can be easily handled by one person is collapsible into a unitary, relatively slender, flat unit readily that is readily transportable.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to support brackets, and more specifically, to a collapsible hanging scaffold bracket for engagement with the top horizontal stud of a wall structure.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0004]     As generally well known, in the building industry, it is often necessary during construction of a wall, either freestanding or as part of a building to support workers above the ground on a scaffold so they can conveniently reach and work on parts of the wall higher than they can reach from the ground. These walls range in type from hard masonry or concrete to walls supported by spaced wood studs and sheathed with relatively fragile and/or soft materials; such as, insulating board and/or aluminum siding.  
         [0005]     These scaffold brackets, the scaffold boards they support and ladders as well as other equipment are normally carried from one job to another on trucks to which they are often attached by roof brackets or the like designed to carry slender, relatively light objects.  
         [0006]     It is believed desirable to provide a scaffold bracket that can be engaged with the top horizontal stud of a wall structure and can be used to adequately and safely support workers for work on all of the various types of walls which may be encountered, without damage to the wall. It is desirable that the bracket allow the user to be spaced away from the wall for ease in applying external wall coverings as well as soffits, rafters, and ceiling joists. It is also desirable that it can be easily handled by one person and that it be collapsible into a unitary, relatively slender, flat unit readily transportable in the bed or on a roof bracket disposed on a truck or other similar carrier.  
         [0007]     Thus, a collapsible hanging scaffold bracket solving the aforementioned problems is desired.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     The collapsible hanging scaffold bracket of the present invention includes a first elongated bracket member, a second elongated bracket member, a third elongated bracket member, a fourth elongated bracket member, a fifth elongated bracket member, and a tee-bar member.  
         [0009]     The first elongated bracket member has a hook portion for engaging the top horizontal stud of a wall structure and is disposed in a substantially vertical position when the collapsible hanging scaffold bracket is engaged with the top horizontal stud of a wall structure. The second elongated bracket member is designed to telescopically receive the first elongated bracket member through the first end and is disposed in a substantially vertical position when the collapsible hanging scaffold bracket is engaged with the top horizontal stud of a wall structure. A locking means is provided for locking the first and second elongated bracket members together at a selected length.  
         [0010]     The third elongated bracket member is pivotally engaged with the second elongated bracket member and is disposed in a substantially horizontal position when the collapsible hanging scaffold bracket is engaged with the top horizontal stud of a wall structure. The fourth elongated bracket member is pivotally engaged with the third elongated bracket member. The fifth elongated bracket member is pivotally engaged with the second elongated bracket member at a point substantially near the second end of the second elongated bracket member. The fifth elongated bracket member telescopically receives the fourth elongated bracket member. A second locking means is provided for locking the fourth and fifth elongated bracket members together at a selected length.  
         [0011]     The tee-bar member includes a leg that is telescopically disposed within the second end of the second elongated bracket member and is in a substantially horizontal position when the collapsible hanging scaffold bracket is engaged with the top horizontal stud of a wall structure, with the arm of the tee-bar member supporting the collapsible hanging scaffold bracket against the wall structure.  
         [0012]     In an additional embodiment, a sixth and seventh elongated bracket member are included. These two additional members can be used to lengthen the overall size of the bracket and provided and easier way to support the bracket near the ground when the bracket is being used on a horizontal beam without a supporting wall.  
         [0013]     These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]      FIG. 1  is an environmental, perspective view of a pair of collapsible hanging scaffold brackets according to the present invention.  
         [0015]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of a collapsible hanging scaffold bracket according to the present invention.  
         [0016]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged, partial perspective view of a collapsible hanging scaffold bracket according to the present invention.  
         [0017]      FIG. 4  is a top view of a collapsible hanging scaffold bracket in a collapsed position according to the present invention.  
         [0018]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged, partial perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a collapsible hanging scaffold bracket according to the present invention. 
     
    
       [0019]     Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0020]     The present invention is a collapsible hanging scaffold bracket, designated generally as  10  in the drawings.  
         [0021]     Referring to  FIGS. 1-3  of the drawings, the collapsible hanging scaffold bracket  10  is made up of first elongated bracket member  20 , second elongated bracket member  30 , third elongated bracket member  40 , fourth elongated bracket member  50 , fifth elongated bracket member  60 , and tee-bar member  70 . One or more collapsible hanging scaffold brackets  10  can be aligned in order to support scaffold boards that can be used to perform work on the supporting wall and surrounding structures.  
         [0022]     First elongated bracket member  20  has a hook portion  22  for engaging the top horizontal stud of a wall structure. If necessary, hook portion  22  can be used in conjunction with a standard two-by-four (2″×4″) that can be nailed along the top horizontal stud of a wall structure to provide added thickness in order for the hook portion to tightly grab the wall. First elongated bracket member  20  is provided with a plurality of spaced apertures  24  therethrough and is disposed in a substantially vertical position when the collapsible hanging scaffold bracket  10  is engaged with the top horizontal stud of a wall structure.  
         [0023]     Second elongated bracket member  30  is adapted for telescopically receiving the first elongated bracket member  20 . Second elongated bracket member  30  is provided with one or more apertures  34  therethrough, each of the one or more apertures  34  being located substantially near a first end and a second end of the second elongated bracket member  30 . The one or more apertures  34  located substantially near the first end of second elongated bracket member  30  are brought into alignment with one or more of the plurality of apertures  24  in the first elongated bracket member in order to selectively lock first elongated bracket member  20  and second elongated bracket member  30  at a selected length. A locking pin  14  is used for selectively locking first elongated bracket member  20  and second elongated bracket member  30  together at a selected length. Second elongated bracket member  30  is disposed in a substantially vertical position when the collapsible hanging scaffold bracket  10  is engaged with the top horizontal stud of a wall structure.  
         [0024]     Third elongated bracket member  40  is pivotally engaged at a pivot  12  with second elongated bracket member  30  at a first end of third elongated bracket member  40 . In the preferred embodiment, the pivot  12  is secured with a bolt and lock nut combination. Third elongated bracket member  40  has a end tab  42  extending from a second end. Third elongated bracket member  40  disposed in a substantially horizontal position when the collapsible hanging scaffold bracket  10  is engaged with the top horizontal stud of a wall structure and is used to support the scaffold boards used by those working on the wall structure. End tab  42  prevents scaffold boards that are being supported by collapsible hanging scaffold bracket  10  from sliding off of elongated bracket member  40  while in use.  
         [0025]     Fourth elongated bracket member  50  is pivotally engaged at a pivot  12  third elongated bracket member  40 . In the preferred embodiment, the pivot  12  is secured with a bolt and lock nut combination. Fourth elongated bracket member  50  is provided with a plurality of spaced apertures  54  therethrough. A first end of fifth elongated bracket member  60  is pivotally engaged at a pivot  12  with second elongated bracket member  30  substantially near the second end of second elongated bracket member  30 . In the preferred embodiment, the pivot  12  is secured with a bolt and lock nut combination.  
         [0026]     Fifth elongated bracket member  60  is designed to telescopically receive fourth elongated bracket member  50 . Fifth elongated bracket member  60  is provided with one or more apertures therethrough along a second end for aligning with one or more of the plurality of apertures  54  in fourth elongated bracket member  50  in order to selectively lock the fourth elongated bracket member  50  and fifth elongated bracket member  60  together at a selected length. A locking pin  14  is used for selectively locking fourth elongated bracket member  50  and fifth elongated bracket member  60  together at a selected length. Fourth elongated bracket member  50  and fifth elongated bracket member  60  combine to provide extra support for elongated bracket member  40  as it supports scaffold boards and the weight of any one who may be working from on top of the scaffold boards.  
         [0027]     Tee-bar member  70  has a leg that is provided with a plurality of apertures  74  therethrough and is designed to be telescopically disposed within the second end second elongated bracket member  30  such that one or more of the plurality of apertures  74  in the leg align with one or more of the apertures  34  located substantially near the second end of second elongated bracket member  30  in order to selectively lock tee-bar member  70  at a selected length. A locking pin  14  is used for selectively locking tee-bar member  70  at a selected length. Tee-bar member  70  is disposed in a substantially horizontal position when collapsible hanging scaffold bracket  10  is engaged with the top horizontal stud of a wall structure, the arm of tee-bar member  70  supporting the collapsible hanging scaffold bracket  10  against the wall structure. Tee-bar member  70  is adjustable horizontally in order to provide the user with a means for spacing himself out from the wall when applying external wall coverings.  
         [0028]     In the preferred embodiment, first elongated bracket member  20 , second elongated bracket member  30 , third elongated bracket member  40 , fourth elongated bracket member  50 , fifth elongated bracket member  60 , and tee-bar  70  are made from 14 GA steel square tubing ranging from one inch in width to one-and-a-half inches in width.  
         [0029]      FIG. 4  shows a collapsible hanging scaffold bracket  10  in a collapsed state. In order to collapse collapsible hanging scaffold bracket  10 , tee-bar member  70  must be completely released from its telescoping engagement with second elongated bracket member  30 . Also, fourth elongate bracket member  50  and fifth elongated bracket member  60  must be disengaged from one another. At this point, third elongated bracket member  40  may be pivoted upward such that it substantially rests against second elongated bracket member  30 . Fifth elongated bracket member  60  may also be pivoted upward to a position resting against second elongated bracket member  30 . Finally, tee-bar  70  can be pinned to fourth elongated bracket member  50 , creating a single, collapsed piece that can be easily transported.  
         [0030]      FIG. 5  shows an alternate embodiment of collapsible hanging scaffold bracket  10  that can be used when work is being done in an area where there is not a supporting wall under collapsible hanging scaffold bracket  10  as it hangs from a horizontal stud or other horizontal support member. The alternate embodiment provides added length to collapsible hanging scaffold bracket  10  such that it may rest against a concrete foundation or other support on the ground while still providing the needed height for the user.  
         [0031]     In this embodiment, tee-bar member  70  is not directly engaged with second elongated bracket member  30 . Instead, sixth elongated bracket member  80  has a first end that is telescopically engaged within the second end of second elongated bracket member  30 . Sixth elongated bracket member  80  is provided with a plurality of apertures  84  therethrough. One or more of the plurality of apertures  84  sixth elongated bracket member  80  is aligned with one or more of the apertures located substantially near the second end of second elongated bracket member  30  in order to selectively lock sixth elongated bracket member  80  normal to second elongated bracket member  30  at a selected position. A locking pin  14  is used for selectively locking sixth elongated bracket member  80  to second elongated bracket member  30 . Sixth elongated bracket member  80  is disposed in a substantially horizontal position when collapsible hanging scaffold bracket  10  is engaged with the top horizontal stud of a wall structure.  
         [0032]     Seventh elongated bracket member  90  has a first end that is telescopically disposed within the first end of sixth elongated bracket member  80 . Seventh elongated bracket member  90  is provided with a plurality of apertures  94  therethrough such that one or more of the plurality of apertures  94  in seventh elongated bracket member  90  are aligned with one or more of the apertures  84  in sixth elongated bracket member  80  in order to selectively lock seventh elongated bracket member  90  normal to sixth elongated bracket member  80  at a selected position. A locking pin  14  is used for selectively locking sixth elongated bracket member  80  to seventh elongated bracket member  90 . Seventh elongated bracket member  90  is disposed in a substantially vertical position when collapsible hanging scaffold bracket  10  is engaged with the top horizontal stud of a wall structure.  
         [0033]     Tee-bar member  70  is now telescopically disposed within the second end of seventh elongated bracket member  90 .  
         [0034]     It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.