Improvements in or appertaining to Builders' Scaffolding.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Feb., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 19th Sept., 1896-Accepted, 24th Oct., 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or appertaining to Builders' Scaffolding.
A communication from abroad by FRANK B. GILBRETH, of 99 Marion Street,
Brookline, in the County of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts, one of the
United States of America, Contractor.
I ALFRED GEORGE BROOKES of 55 and 56 Chancery Lane in the County of
London Chartered Patent Agent do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
This invention relates to building scaffolds, wherein a simple line of standards
are employed for supporting a series of vertically adjustable platform-carrying
frames provided with masons and stock platform supports, each standard supporting
a frame.
Each of the platform carrying frames is provided at one side with a "wheeler's"
platform support, and a removable platform-carrying bracket arranged above the
wheeler's "platform support at the same side of the frame.
The frames are hung from suspending jacks or their equivalents, so that the
latter are in a convenient position to be operated by the workman standing upon
one of the platforms of the scaffold, whether the platforms are close down to the
floor level or are elevated to a considerable height on the standards.
It is the prevailing custom in some localities for tenders or labourers to carry
the stock to the stock platform in wheel-barrows, and the tenders or labourers
platform must then be substantially on a level with the stock platform.
One part of the present invention therefore comprehends the use in a scaffold of
suspending jacks from which the platforms are hung.
Another part of the invention comprehends a bracket adapted to be secured
to each of the platform carrying frames, constituting supports for a platform,
upon which the barrow carrying the stock or materials may be wheeled.
These brackets are preferably removable, to enable the elevated platform
carried by them to be dropped to and upon the hod-carrier platform supports,
when the staging has been raised to such a height that a tender or labourer
cannot conveniently wheel the barrow upon the elevated platform provided
for it.
A single series of suitably braced and stiffened standards, each comprising
two members, support vertically adjustable frames, said frames having three cross
members in different horizontal planes, the upper one constituting a stock-plat-
form support, the middle member projecting laterally from the opposite side of
the frame to form a support for the mason's platform, while the lowest
member projects oppositely to provide a support for the hod-carriers on wheeler's
platform.
Each frame is guided by vertical guide strips co-operating with one of the
standards, the strips being in length equal to the height of the frame.
The standards are perforated at intervals to receive pins or parts from which
lifting jacks are suspended to engage and hold the platform carrying frames.
One part of the invention consists in the use in a scaffold, of a series of
supporting standards, a series of adjustable platform-carrying frames provided
with masons and stock platform supports, one frame for each standard, each frame

page_text: having at one side a wheeler's platform support, and a removable platform-
carrying bracket arranged above the wheeler's platform support and at the same
side of the frame.
Also in the use, in a scaffold, of a standard comprising two parallel members
perforated to receive a pin crossing the opening between, a platform carrying
frame adjustable on said standard, a supporting pin, to be inserted through said
perforations to support the frame independently of the first pin, a suspending
and lifting jack sustained above the frame by said first pin, and a bail like hanger
on. the frame to be engaged by the jack to support the frame.
And also in the use, with a standard provided with a series of perforations
adapted to receive a pin, and a vertically adjustable platform-carrying frame, of a
jack consisting of a body, a rack, and means to move the same relatively to the
body, the rack and body provided with hooks for engagement with the pin and
frame.
Dated the 3rd day of February 1896.
WM. BROOKES & SON,
55 and 56 Chancery Lane, Loudon, Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in or appertaining to Builders' Scaffolding.
A communication from abroad by FRANK B. GILBRETH, of 99 Marion Street,
Brookline, in the County of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts, one of the
United States of America, Contractor.
'I ALFRED GEORGE BROOKES of 55 and 56 Chancery Lane in the County of
London, Chartered Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to building scaffolds, wherein a single line of standards
are employed for supporting a series of vertically adjustable platform-carrying
frames provided with mason's and stock platform supports, each standard supporting
a frame.
Each of the platform-carrying frames is provided at one side with a wheeler's
platform support, and a removable platform-carrying bracket arranged above, the
wheelers' platform support at the same side of the frame.
The frames are hung from suspending jacks, so that the latter are in a con-
venient position to be operated by the workman standing upon one of the platforms
of the scaffold, whether the platforms are close down to the floor level or are elevated
to a considerable height on the standards.
It is the prevailing custom in some localities for tenders or laborers to carry
the stock to the stock platform in wheel-barrows, aud. the tenders platform must
then be substantially on a level with the stock platform.
One part of my invention accordingly consists in the use, in a scaffold, of a
series of supporting standards, a series of adjustable platform-carrying frames
provided with masons' and stock platform, supports, one frame for each standard,
each frame being provided at one side with a wheelers' platform-support, and a
removable platform-carrying bracket arranged above said wheelers' platform-
support and at the same side of said frame, whereby the wheelers' platform may
be carried at a high altitude upon the brackets or at a lower altitude on the said
supports beneath without readjustment of said frame, to thereby meet different
stages of the work, the said brackets being removed when the said supports beneath
are utilized.
Also in the use, with a standard provided with a series of perforations adapted

page_text: o receive a pin, and a vertically-adjustable platform-carrying frame, of a jack
consisting of a body, a rack, and means to move the same in and with relation to
aid body, said rack and body being provided with hooks for engagement with said
in and frame.
And also in the use, in a scaffold, of a standard comprising two parallel
members perforated to receive a pin crossing the opening between; a platform-
carrying frame adjustable on said standard; a supporting-pin also to be inserted
through said perforations to support the frame independently of the first named
pin; a suspending and lifting jack arranged above said frame and sustained from
and by the first named pin, and a bail-like hanger on the frame to be engaged by
said jack to support the frame, the said bail-like hanger permitting the supporting-
pin to be inserted in the perforations, within the limits of the said hanger, to
support the frame centrally.
In the drawing
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a section of a scaffold embodying my present
invention.
Fig. 2, a vertical sectional detail taken on the dotted line -, Fig. 1, and on
an enlarged scale, the jack being shown in elevation.
Fig. 3, a horizontal sectional detail on the dotted line -1, Fig. 1.
Fig. 4 a detail looking down upon the top of scaffold showing the preferred
means for supporting the middle plank of the stock platform, and a peculiar
construction of mason's platform to adapt it for working around chimneys,
etcetera.
Fig. 5, a sectional detail on enlarged scale shewing the preferred construction of
jack, and
Fig. 6. a perspective view of the preferred form of end stay or brace.
Referring to the drawings in the particular construction there shewn to illustrate
my invention, the standards A, A, each preferably consists of two like members a, a,
arranged upon suitable bases a¹ stiffened by suitable angular braces a'.
The standards are preferably provided at opposite sides with eyes r, r, with
which co-operate the lateral stays 7, herein shewn as metallic rods hooked at their
upper ends at to engage the said eyes and to enable the said stays to be
readily detached therefrom, the said stays at their opposite ends being suitably
formed, herein shewn as by flattening their ends as at 3, and perforated to
receive one or more nails or spikes driven into the floor to secure the said stays
to the floor.
It will be noticed that the eyer and the hook constitute in effect a substantially
universal connection, i.e., one which enables the stay to be swung in different
be
directions to be secured to the floor and at different angles or levels, as may
most convenient under the particular circumstances of each case.
Each eye is preferably arranged in a vertical plane, as shewn, for my corre
spondent has found that if the said eye be in horizontal plane the angularity of
the stay. permits a. considerable play of a hook therein, but that with a vertical
eye there is no such play except when the stay is swung into a horizontal plane
for unhooking or detachment.
This type of connection also enables the stay to be folded or turned back against
any part of the standards when the latter are to be moved, a most important
feature from a practical standpoint.
By providing the hook and eye connection as described the stay may be readily
detached for application to the opposite side of the standard, or for detachment.
The vertically adjustable frames B, see Fig. 2, each consists of outside upright
members b, b, connected by the cross-members or supports b1, b2 and 6, the cross
member b' constituting a support for the stock platform c, the cross member
projecting laterally beyond the said upright members at one side the frame to form
5 a support for the mason's platform e, while the cross member projects beyond
said members at the side of the frame opposite the platform c³, to constitute a
support for the hod-carrier's or wheelers platform c¹, said platforms, as a rule,

page_text: being simply laid upon their respective supports and not nailed or otherwise
Becurely attached thereto.
In this my present invention, however, each frame B is guided by two guide
strips, extending from the top to the bottom cross members of the frame, and at
opposite sides respectively of one of the members of the standard, as herein shown,
or two of the said strips may be provided at each side of the said frame B to
thereby act upon both members of the standard if desired.
By this means a continuous guide of a length equal to the height of the frame is
provided at each side of the standard.
As previously referred to, however, it is sometimes desirable to deposit the stock
upon the stock platform e directly from a wheelbarrow, and in such case the
platform upon which the wheelbarrow runs must be at substantially the level of
the stock platform.
The present invention, therefore, comprehends providing each of the vertically
adjustable frames B with a side bracket S, see Fig. 2, upon which the planks s for
the wheelers' platform may be laid to provide a wheelers' platform at a high level,
substantially that of the stock platform.
These brackets S, in the preferred construction, are made removable from the
main frame B, in order that they may be removed when the frames B have reached
, such a height as to give insufficient head room to the tenders on said platform, the
tenders at such time transferring the planks s to or laying other planks upon the
supports 63 at a lower level, corresponding to the hod-carrier's platform c¹.
.
Each bracket S in the present construction, comprises the horizontal member s¹
and the angular braces connected by the parallel vertical members ³ onc at each
side of the said members s², s².
The inner end of the horizontal member is shewn extended between the
parallel vertical members of the frame B and is perforated to receive a retaining
pin 5, shown as passing at the back or inner side of the said vertical meinbers b to
prevent the bracket S being withdrawn from the said frame B, said bracket at its
lower end being supported upon the projecting end 6 of the intermediate cross
member of the main frame.
If desired bracket S, or a similar bracket, may be applied at the opposite side of
the frame B to raise the masons' platform.
When the bracket S is removed and the platform c is in use, the projecting
end of the intermediate cross member forms a convenient step to enable the
tender to step from the lowest to the stock platform.
In the drawing Fig. 2 the upright member b at the left of the frame B is shewn
as inclined inwardly towards the bottom to thereby give greater width of platform
for the masons without lengthening the projecting end of the intermediate cross-
member b
Referring now particularly to Figs: 2 and 3, the standards A are perforated at
intervals, as at ff.
'In this present invention, instead of arranging the lifting jacks below the
frame B, I suspend the same from pins inserted in one or another of the
perforations f,, above 'the said frame B, as best illustrated in Fig. 2.
In said figure, m is the body of the jack, the same containing the sliding rack-
bar m', the teeth of which are acted upon in usual manner by the lifting lever m
the said rack-bar being held in adjusted position by the dog m³.
This body
m has, in accordance with this present invention, a lateral ear or
hook m adapted to be hooked upon a pin 6 inserted in one of the perforations f¹
in the standard, and the rack-bar at its lower end is provided with a hook m³
adapted to engage a bail or hanger n on the topmost cross member of the adjustable
frame.
When the scaffold is to be raised, a workman, standing upon any of the platforms
on the frame B, may conveniently operate the handle m² to raise the frame and its
platforms to the required level.
While it is preferred to employ a jack constructed substantially as herein shown,

page_text: yet my invention is not restricted in this respect, for any jacks of whatever
construction which may be hung above the adjustable frame B, and at its lower
end hooked or connected to the said adjustable frame or platform support either
directly or by means of a bail or hanger, as herein shown, and which when operated
vill raise the said frame or support, is within the scope of my invention.
A great advantage of suspending the platform support in this manner, instead
of supporting it from below, is that it is not necessary to raise the frame or support
above the floor in order to get the jack between it and the floor, for the jack is
always in operative position above the frame or support, and it matters not what
may be the height of the frames on the standards, the jacks are always in
convenient position to be operated by workmen while upon the platforms.
Referring to Fig. 4, the stock platform as shewn, consists of three planks, two-
of which are outside the central line of standards, the third being interposed
between the standards and the outside planks and sustained by two or more cross
bars c, which overlie and rest upon the outside planks, as shown.
By this construction the three planks composing the stock platform are always
at the same level.
Should it for any reason become desirable to raise the frame B, from below, a.
jack constructed substantially like that herein shewn may be used equally as well
for the lateral ear or hook m, may be supported upon a pin passed through ope
of the perforations f¹ below the frame, and the frame supported upon the upper
end of the rack-bar, the jack being operated precisely as when used above the
frame, as previously described.
My correspondent prefers to employ a hanger n substantially as herein shown,
and consisting of two arms or members resembling a bail or handle, the said arms
or members being passed through the upper cross-member b' of the adjustable
frame B, and through a washer plate n', as shewn best in Fig. 2, and secured by
retaining nuts at the underside thereof in order that the supporting pin f upon
which the frame rests, when in use, may be passed through a perforation in the
standard directly below the said top member b' and the plate n', which latter
receives the wear.
In ordinary practice in building straight walls, the standards are so positioned
that the outer edge of the masons' platform is parallel with and usually separated
from the inner face of the wall by a space of three or four inches.
When, however, the wall projects inwardly beyond the straight face, as for
instance, in the case of an inwardly projecting chimney, it is impossible to position
the standards so that the outer edge of the mason's platform will come nearer the
face of the straight wall than the projection of the chimney, leaving an undue space
between the platform and the wall, over which the mason must reach in laying the
brick.
Referring to Fig. 4 the mason's platform is provided with an extension plank c
adapted to reach across this space between the edge of the usual platform and the
face of the straight wall, which extension piece is secured in suitable manner to the
masons' platform plank c resting upon the extended ends of the cross member
5 the adjustable frame.
of
This extension piece enables the workman to stand close to the wall as usual,
but said extension piece projects beyond the end of the said intermediate cross
member and with its connected mason's platform would be liable to tip up
when the mason steps upon its outer edge beyond the ends of the extended cross
0 members of the frames.
To obviate this tipping I provide the arms c, preferably pivoted to the inner
edge of the masons' platform and adapted to be turned into a vertical position, and
at their upper ends secured, as by nails, to the edge of the stock platform above
or to the frames B to keep the said masons' platform and its extension piece from
5 tipping up, for it cannot then tip without also raising the stock platform with its
weight of stock, etcetera.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what !
claim is:-
1. The construction or arrangement of parts of a builder's scaffold, wherein are
used a series of supporting standards, a series of adjustable platform-carrying frames
provided with mason's and stock platform, supports, one frame for each standard,
cach frame being provided at one side with a wheelers' platform-support, and a
removable platform-carrying bracket arranged above said wheelers platform-support
and at the same side of said frame, whereby the wheelers' platform may be carried
at a high altitude upon the brackets or at a lower altitude on the said supports
beneath without readjustment of said frame, to thereby meet different stages of
the work, the said brackets being removed when the said supports beneath are
utilized, all substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
2. In a builders' scaffold the construction, or arrangement in combination and
use with a standard provided with a series of perforations adapted to receive a
pin, and a vertically adjustable platform-carrying frame, of a jack consisting of a
body, a rack, and means to move the same in and with relation to said body, said
rack and body being provided with hooks for engagement with said pin and frame,
substantially as shewn and described.
3. The construction or arrangement in combination and use in a builders'
scaffold of a standard comprising two parallel members perforated to receive a pin
crossing the opening between; a platform-carrying frame adjustable on said
standard; a supporting-pin also to be inserted through said perforations to support
the frame independently of the first named pin; a suspending and lifting jack
arranged above said frame and sustained from and by the first-named pin, and a
bail-like hanger on the frame to be engaged by said jack to support the frame, the
said bail-like banger permitting the supporting-pin to be inserted in the per-
forations, within the limits of the said hanger, to support the frame centrally,
substantially as set forth.
4. The construction or arrangement in combination of parts of building scaffolds,
wherein a single line of standards are employed for supporting a series of vertically
adjustable platform carrying frames provided with masons and stock platform
supports, each standard supporting a frame, all substantially as and for the purpose
described and shewn by the drawings.
5. The combination and use in a building scaffold of platform carrying frames
provided at one side with a wheeler's platform support and a removable platform
carrying bracket arranged above the wheelers platform support at the same side of
the frame and suspending jacks for said frames substantially as set forth and shewn
by the drawings.
Deted the 15th day of
1000
WM. BROOKES & SON,
55 and 56 Chancery Lane, London, Agents for the Applicant.