Patent Publication Number: US-2022235562-A1

Title: Scaffolding stair system

Description:
FIELD OF USE 
     This present invention relates generally to scaffolding systems in the construction industry. Specifically, the invention relates to a novel combined stairway and platform for use with scaffolding systems, and a scaffolding system comprising the same. 
     BACKGROUND 
     It is common to use scaffolding in the construction of buildings in order to provide access to the building for the construction workers and materials and to perform the construction tasks. However, many scaffolding systems and designs require many components and as a result lots of time is needed to set up and break down. Setting up, maintaining and breaking down scaffolding accounts for a significant portion of the construction time and costs. Providing stair access to scaffolds is not a common installation element for many scaffold systems because the time and cost required to assemble the stair access, as compared to standard ladder access for scaffolds. Further, the improper assembly of scaffolding and scaffolding access can cause accidents that can further increase the cost. 
     SUMMARY 
     A stairway and platform system comprising a stairway having steps, a top landing platform and a bottom landing platform, wherein the top and bottom landing platforms are integrally formed with the stairway and are attachable to a scaffolding frame. A handrail is attached to the stairway. An upper and lower end panel, to which the handrail is attached, are configured to attach to the scaffolding frame. 
     These and other features and advantages will be apparent from a reading of the following detailed description and a review of the associated drawings. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are explanatory only and are not restrictive of aspects as claimed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will be more fully understood by reference to the detailed description, in conjunction with the following figures, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  shows a stairway and platform system installed in a scaffolding frame. 
         FIG. 2  shows a stairway of a stairway and platform system. 
         FIG. 3  shows a handrail of a stairway and platform system. 
         FIG. 4  shows a top portion of a stairway mounted to a scaffolding frame. 
         FIG. 5  shows a bottom portion of a stairway mounted to a scaffolding frame. 
         FIG. 6  shows a lower end panel attached to a lower section of a handrail. 
         FIG. 7  shows an upper end panel attached to an upper section of a handrail. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The subject innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerals specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It may be evident, however, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. 
     An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 1 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the stairway and platform system  1  comprises a stairway  10  that is attachable to the scaffolding frame  20 . The scaffolding frame  20  can comprise vertical supports  30  and horizontal web bracings  40  that spans between the vertical supports  30 . A handrail  50  is attached to the stairway  10  to provide safety handrails for the user and to provide a way to attach the stairway  10  to the scaffolding frame  20 . The scaffolding frame shown in  FIG. 1  is just one example of a scaffolding frame. The present invention can be applied to any common/typical scaffolding frame. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the stairway  10  includes a stairway portion  200 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the stairway portion  200  is integrally formed with top landing platform  205  at the top of the stairway portion  200  and a bottom landing platform  210  at the bottom of the stairway portion  200 . The top and bottom landing platforms  205 ,  210  can be attached to the stairway portion  200  by welding, fasteners, or other means. By making the top and bottom landing platforms integral with the stairway portion, the system becomes much simpler and easier to set up and take down. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , a reinforcing brace  215  can be used to further connect the stairway portion  200  to the bottom landing platform  210 . A cross brace  225  can be used to further connect the stairway portion  200  to the top landing platform  205 . This cross brace  225  and reinforcing brace  215  can be fixed to the stairway portion  200  and the top and bottom landing platforms  205 ,  210  by welding, bolting other similar means. The top and bottom landing platforms  205 ,  210  can include U-shaped brackets  230 ,  240  for fastening the top and bottom landing platforms  205 ,  210  to the scaffolding frame  20 . Specifically, the U-shaped brackets  230 ,  240  can be fixed to the scaffolding frame  20  by hooking them over the horizontal web bracing  40  of the scaffolding frame  20  and fastening a bolt  250  through the U-shaped bracket, as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . These U-shaped brackets make it possible to easily connect the stairway  10  to the scaffolding frame  20 . Also, because the stairway portion  200  is integrally formed with top and bottom landing platforms  205 ,  210 , the stairway  10  performs not only a stair function, but also acts as structure to absorb the scaffolding loads. 
     The stairway portion  200  also comprises steps  220  that form the steps of the stairway portion  200 . The steps  220  can be integrally attached to the stairway portion  200  by welding or other similar means. This eliminates the necessity of attaching the steps  220  to the stairway at the job site. The steps  220  can be spaced approximately 8 inches apart and can have a depth of approximately 5 inches. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the handrail  50  is attached to the stairway  10  to provide safety handrails for the user and to provide a way to attach the stairway  10  to the scaffolding system. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the handrail  50  includes inclined sections  310  that are approximately parallel to the stairway portion  200  of the stairway  10 , an upper section  320  that extends above the top landing platform  205  and a lower section  350  that extends above the bottom landing platform  210 . Two (2) vertical sections  330  intersect the inclined sections  310  and attach to the stairway  10 . Although two (2) vertical sections  330  and two (2) inclined sections  310  are shown in  FIG. 3 , any number of vertical sections and inclined sections can be used. The bottom ends of the vertical sections  330  of the handrail  50  can include a U-shaped bracket  340  that can be fixed to the stairway  10  using fasteners such as a bolt that extends through the stairway portion  200 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . Any other suitable arrangements could be used to attach the handrail  50  to the stairway  10 . 
     The stairway and platform system  1  further comprises a lower end panel  610  to which the lower section  350  of the handrail  50  is mounted, as shown in  FIG. 6 . The lower end panel  610  can be attached to the lower section  350  of the handrail  50  with bolts or a quick drop pin.  FIG. 6  shows a ½″×3″ galvanized bolt  660  that is used to connect the lower end panel  610  to the lower section  350  of the handrail  50 . Other types of bolts can be used. The lower end panel  610  is mounted to a vertical support  30  in the scaffolding frame  20 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the lower end panel  610  can comprise horizontal sections  620  and vertical sections  630 . The end panel  610  can have any design that allows it to have a rigid structure, such as a truss configuration. The ends of the horizontal sections  620  can comprise U-shaped hooks  640  that fit into protrusions  650  formed on the vertical supports  30  of the scaffolding frame  20 . The end panel  610  can be attached to the scaffolding frame  20  in any way that creates a rigid connection between the lower end panel  610  and the scaffolding frame  20 . For example, the lower end panel  610  could-be attached to the vertical supports  30  of the scaffolding frame  20  using mounting brackets. Fixing the handrail  50  to the stairway  10  and fixing the handrail  50  to the end panels  610 ,  710 , which are both fixed to the scaffolding frame  20 , create a rigid connection between the scaffolding frame  20  and the stairway and platform system  1  such that the stairway and platform system  1  becomes structurally part of the scaffolding, thereby strengthening the scaffolding frame  20 . 
     The upper section  320  of the handrail  50  can be attached to the scaffolding frame  20  in a similar manner. As shown in  FIG. 7 , an upper end panel  710  is attached to the upper section  320  of the handrail  50 . The upper end panel  710  can be attached to the upper section  320  of the handrail  50  with bolts or a quick drop pin (not shown), as shown in  FIG. 6  for the lower end panel  610 . The upper end panel  710  is mounted to a vertical support  30  in the scaffolding frame  20 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the upper end panel  710  can comprise horizontal sections  720  and vertical sections  730 . The end panel  710  can have any design that allows it to have a rigid structure, such as a truss configuration. The ends of the horizontal sections  720  can comprise U-shaped hooks  740  (not shown) that fit into protrusions  650  (not shown) formed on the vertical supports  30  of the scaffolding frame  20 , as shown in  FIG. 6  for the lower end panel  610 . The end panel  710  also can be attached to the scaffolding frame  20  in any way that creates a rigid connection between the upper end panel  710  and the scaffolding frame  20 , as presented above. 
     The above-described stairway and platform system comprising a stairway  10  integrally formed with top and bottom landing platforms  205 ,  210 , which are fixed to the scaffolding frame  20 , can provide diagonal support between the vertical supports  30  of the scaffolding frame  20 . Also, having the handrail  50  attached to the stairway  10  and attached to the scaffolding frame  20  through the end panels  610 ,  710  (see  FIGS. 6 and 7 ) further absorbs the diagonal scaffolding loads. This design allows the stairway and platform system to become a structural part of the scaffolding system that provides strength and stability to the scaffolding system. Therefore, the normal diagonal cross braces between the vertical supports of the scaffolding frame  20  may not be necessary, and the same strength can be maintained. Since these diagonal cross-braces generally are used on each side of the scaffolding throughout the height of the scaffolding, eliminating the cross-bracing substantially reduces the materials required for the scaffolding, which saves a lot of money. Also, the construction and deconstruction of the scaffolding at the construction site becomes easier and faster, which also saves time and money Eliminating these diagonal cross-braces saves a lot of time and money when constructing the scaffolding at a site and taking it down. 
     So, the integrated stairs and top and bottom platforms perform not only the stair function, but also act as structure to absorb the diagonal scaffolding loads. By making the stair platforms integral with the stairs, the scaffolding design becomes much simpler and easier to set up and take down. Also, the steps are welded to the stairway. In many prior systems, the steps have to be attached to the stairway at the job site. Also, the combined stairway and platform can be easily fastened to standard scaffolding using U-shaped connections, as presented above. 
     The stairway and platform system described herein can be implemented in any scaffolding system and using any dimensions. For example, the stairway and platform system can be used in 3′×10′ or 5′×10′ scaffolding bay, or any other size. Also, the scaffold and platform system described herein can be used with other fabricated frames, system style or tube and clamp scaffolds. Further, the system can be used as a system to access scaffold work levels or as a stand-alone unit to provide access to buildings or structures under renovation, independent from any conventional scaffold system. 
     It should be understood that the invention is not limited by the specific embodiments described herein, which are offered by way of example and not by way of limitation. Variations and modifications of the above-described embodiments and its various aspects will be apparent to one skilled in the art and fall within the scope of the invention, as set forth in the following claims. For example, various materials, dimensions, fasteners, and connections could be used in the stairway and platform system without departing from the scope of the invention.