Patent Publication Number: US-2004040786-A1

Title: Components for assembling scaffolding system

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0001] The invention relates to scaffolding systems, and more particularly to scaffolding systems which can be constructed using standard lumber.  
       BACKGROUND ART  
       [0002] Scaffolding has long been used to support workers who are working above the ground on the wall of a building, for example carpenters, painters, brick layers, sandblasters etc. It is of course important that scaffolding systems be secure, easily assembled, and break down into easily transportable sections. Typically scaffolding systems consist of a framework of metal pipes, but some scaffolding systems use metal brackets to secure standard lumber to form the vertical and/or horizontal members. This permits the scaffolding to be more economically constructed on a construction site utilizing lumber already available on the site. See for example Ingerman U.S. Pat. No. 2,321,916 issued Jun. 15, 1943, and Adams, Sr. U.S. Pat. No. 6,004,063 issued Dec. 21, 1999. Such systems have required that the brackets be fastened to the lumber using screws or bolts. This makes assembly and disassembly of the systems difficult and time-consuming, and may result in connections becoming loose.  
       [0003] There is therefore a need for a scaffolding system which can be constructed using standard lumber and which can easily be knocked down and re-assembled.  
       DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION  
       [0004] The present invention therefore provides a kit for constructing scaffolding using standard lumber sizes, comprising: a) a plurality of right angle brackets, each comprising a first hollow sleeve for slidably receiving a first piece of lumber and a second hollow sleeve secured at right angles to the first hollow sleeve for slidably receiving a second piece of lumber, a pin associated with each of the first and second hollow sleeves, the first and second hollow sleeves being each provided with a hole for receiving the pin; b) a plurality of base elements each comprising a third hollow sleeve for slidably receiving an end of a piece of lumber, a ground-engaging element connected to the third hollow sleeve, and a pin, wherein the third hollow sleeve is provided with a hole for receiving the pin; and c) a plurality of bracing elements for bracing against a vertical surface, each comprising a fourth hollow sleeve for slidably receiving an end of a piece of lumber, a surface-engaging element connected to the fourth hollow sleeve, and a pin, wherein the fourth hollow sleeve is provided with a hole for receiving the pin.  
       [0005] The invention further provides a right angle bracket for use in erection of scaffolding, wherein the scaffolding is erected using a plurality of lumber pieces of pre-determined standard cross-sectional dimensions, the bracket comprising a first hollow sleeve sized to slidably receive a first of the pieces of lumber, a second hollow sleeve secured at right angles to the first hollow sleeve for slidably receiving a second of the pieces of lumber, and a pin associated with each of the first and second hollow sleeves, the first and second hollow sleeves being each provided with a hole for receiving the pins. The invention further provides a scaffold structure comprising at least two such right angle brackets, at least two vertical support elements each comprising a standard sized piece of lumber slidably received in each of the first hollow sleeves of the right angle brackets, and at least two horizontal support elements each comprising a standard sized piece of lumber slidably received in each of the second hollow sleeves of the right angle brackets; wherein each of the vertical and horizontal support elements is provided with a hole for receiving one of the pins. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
     [0006]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an assembled scaffolding system in a first configuration according to the invention;  
     [0007]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an assembled scaffolding system in a second configuration according to the invention;  
     [0008]FIG. 3 is a detailed perspective view of a 90 degree angle bracket according to the invention;  
     [0009]FIG. 4 is a detailed perspective view of a base plate according to the invention;  
     [0010]FIG. 5 is a detailed perspective view of a wall plate according to the invention;  
     [0011]FIG. 6 is a detailed perspective view of a fascia plate according to the invention; and  
     [0012]FIG. 7 is a detailed perspective view of a platform support bracket according to the invention. 
    
    
     BEST MODE(s) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION  
     [0013] With reference to FIG. 1 and  2 , the present system forms a scaffolding framework  10 , supported against wall  8  of house  6  having roof  4 , gable  3  and fascia  5 , using standard sizes of wooden lumber for uprights  12 , horizontal members  14 , and walkways  16 . The standard sizes are preferably 2×6, 2×8, 2×10 or 2×12. The lumber pieces can be joined to form any size or configuration of scaffolding using five primary metal elements: 90 degree angle brackets  17 , base plates  18 , wall plates  20 , fascia plates  24  and platform support brackets  22 . In FIG. 1, wall plates  20  are used to brace the scaffolding  10  directly to wall  8  whereas in FIG. 2 fascia plates  21  are used to brace the scaffolding  10  to fascia  5 .  
     [0014] With reference to FIG. 3, 90 degree angle bracket  17  is used to secure two pieces of wooden lumber  12 ,  14  at right angles. It consists of hollow horizontal sleeve  21  welded to hollow vertical sleeve  23 . Sleeves  21 ,  23  are sized to snugly receive the lumber  12 ,  14  which are of standard lumber sizes. The lumber pieces  12 ,  14  are drilled to receive pins  26  which extend through holes  15  in sleeves  21 , 23  and are prevented from slipping out by cotter pins  27  (see FIG. 6) and which secure the lumber in place.  
     [0015] With reference to FIG. 4, base plate  18  is secured to the foot of vertical member  12 . It consists of hollow vertical sleeve  25  welded to circular plate  29 . Sleeve  25  is sized to snugly receive the lumber  12  which is of standard lumber size. Vertical member  12  can be of variable height to adapt to different ground conditions. The vertical member  12  is drilled to receive pin  26  which extends through hole  15  in sleeve  25  and is prevented from slipping out by cotter pin  27 , thereby securing the lumber  12  in place.  
     [0016] With reference to FIG. 5, wall plate  20  is secured to the end of horizontal member  14 . It consists of hollow sleeve  31  welded to circular plate  33 , which can be attached by screws or the like through holes  35  directly to the wall  8 . Sleeve  31  is sized to snugly receive the lumber  14  which is of standard lumber size. The lumber piece  14  is drilled to receive pin  26  which extends through hole  45  in sleeve  31  and is prevented from slipping out by cotter pin  27 , thereby securing the lumber  14  in place to the plate  33 . The plate  33  may be pivotable on sleeve  31  to adapt to different angles, or fixed by welding or the like.  
     [0017] With reference to FIG. 6, fascia plate  24  is secured to the end of horizontal member  14 . It consists of hollow sleeve  37  secured to rectangular plate  39 , which can be attached by screws or the like through holes  40  directly to the fascia  5  or gable  3 . Sleeve  37  is sized to snugly receive the lumber  14  which is of standard lumber size. The lumber piece  14  is drilled to receive pin  26  which extends through hole  55  in sleeve  37  and is prevented from slipping out by cotter pin  27 , thereby securing the lumber  14  in place to the plate  39 . The plate  39  may be a separate piece from sleeve  37  secured thereto by a bolt or other fastener through holes  44  in plate  39  and the face of sleeve  37 , shown in dotted outline in FIG. 6, so that the angle of plate  39  on sleeve  37  can be adapted for different angles of gables etc. Alternatively, plate  39  can be fixed to sleeve  37  by welding or the like. Use of such bracing to fascia  5  or gable  3  allows unrestricted access to the wall for brickwork, stucco, siding etc.  
     [0018] Platform support bracket  22  is shown in FIG. 7. It has a plate  52  and a channel  54  which sits on horizontal member  14 , and holes  56  to receive screws to extend into the underside of walkway members  16  so that members  16  are stable and secure on horizontal members  14 .  
     [0019] Preferably the bracket elements are constructed from ⅜-inch thick aluminum plate, and the pins are ½-inch diameter aluminum pins.  
     [0020] Thus, using a combination of the bracket elements described above and standard lumber, the contractor can quickly construct sturdy, safe scaffolding by drilling the lumber in the appropriate locations and pinning the brackets in place. When the job is completed, the pins are simply removed and the brackets transported to the next site.  
     [0021] As will be apparent to those skilled in the art in the light of the foregoing disclosure, many alterations and modifications are possible in the practice of this invention without departing from the spirit or scope thereof. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is to be construed in accordance with the substance defined by the following claims.