IMPROVEMENTS IN SCAFFOLDING FOR BUILDING AND SIMILAR PURPOSES
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lako, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN SCAFFOLDING FOR BUILDING AND SIMILAR PURPOSES." A
communication from abroad by Doctor Guiseppe Marzari, of Imola, Italy.
Booled the 0th
TORO
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 2nd July 1879.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN SCAFFOLDING FOR BUILDING
AND SIMILAR PURPOSES." [A communication from abroad by Doctor Guiseppo
Marzari, of Imola, Italy.]
The present Invention relates to improved movable scaffolding, which si very
simple in construction, moderate in cost, and capable of being readily removed from
place to place.
This scaffolding will be of great utility in the construction or repairing of
buildings and roofings, and for any purposes in which scaffolding is required.
In carrying the said Invention into practice I prefer to construct the said
improved scaffolding as follows, that is to
say :-
I provide a number of separate compartments or cages of triangular section
decreasing in an upward direction. Each of these compartments is intended to
enter upon the lowering of the scaffolding into the compartment below by which it
is encompassed. When the scaffolding is not in use and it has to be transported
from one place to another, its height hardly exceeds that of the lowest compartment.
In this condition in fact the next or second compartment is drawn into the interior
of the lowest compartment, the third compartment is drawn into the interior of the
second compartment, and so on. Each compartment has the form of a triangular
prism, the angles of which are formed by vertical uprights of any convenient shape,
and by horizontal cross pieces; the faces of the said prism are composed of a lattice
or trellis, binding together the above named uprights. The number of compart-
inents as well as their height may be varied. A platform should be fixed above the
highest compartment in order that the workmen may ascend to the same with the

page_text: materials and the tools which they require for their work. This platform may be
of any convenient form.
The raising of the various compartments or sections of the scaffolding from each
other is effected by the following means, that is to say :-
Three small shafts are arranged parallel to the uprights of the lowest com-
partment at a little distance from each. These shafts are pivotted in sockets fixed
upon the lower base of the scaffolding; the upper ends are placed in holes drilled in
the thickness of the upper cross pieces of the compartment.
The said shafts all receive a rotary movement in the same direction and with the
same velocity. This movement may be obtained in any suitable manner whatever,
for example, by means of a large cylindrical wheel gearing at the same time with
three pinions keyed upon the three shafts near their lower end; the said cylin-
drical wheel receiving motion by means of a couple of bevel wheels, one of which is
keyed upon the same horizontal axis upon which is an actuating crank. An
exactly similar arrangement is applied to all the upper compartments. All the said
small shafts with the exception of those belonging to the first or lowest compart-
ment are screw-threaded along their entire length. They are provided with
grooved pivots at their upper and lower end turning in corresponding holes cut in
the cross pieces of the compartments to which they belong. Each of the said
screwed shafts traverses also a screw-nut or female screw cut in the upper cross
pieces of the compartment immediately below that to which it belongs, the thread
corresponding to those cut on the said small shafts. Each of the shafts receives a
rotary movement from the shaft belonging to the compartment below it. This
movement is communicated to it by means of pairs of pinions, one of the pair being
keyed upon the upper extremity of the shaft beneath, and the other being fixed upon
the lower extremity of the shaft above, the latter transmitting the rotary move-
ment which it receives from the first pinion by means of one or several longitudinal
tongues extending the whole length of the screwed shaft. These shafts con-
sequently rotate with the second of the pairs of pinions, but they may be moved
longitudinally with regard to these pinions along their common axes.
It will be understood that the movement given to the third compartment
relatively to the second compartment is entirely identical to the movement of the
latter in relation to the fixed or lower compartment, and so for all the compart-
menta. At the instant when the second compartment shall have attained the
upper end of its course, all the other compartments will have done the same,
and the scaffolding will have reached its greatest height.
I also in some cases adopt a somewhat modified construction when the height
required does not exceed about ten metres.
This construction is as follows, that is to say :—
The compartments are circular and are formed with horizontal circles of iron of a
convenient section and with vertical uprights. Each compartment can enter into
the compartment immediately below, as in the first described construction. At the
upper part of all the compartments except the top one there are fixed upon the said
vertical uprights spiral pieces formed by suitable curved pieces of iron. These
form as it were two large female screws, the diameter of which differs but little
from that of the compartments to which they are applied. Grooves are provided
at equal distances along the vertical uprights of all the compartments except the
lowest, these grooves having a convenient form in order that the said spiral pieces
may engage therein.
This con-
It follows from this that the lowest compartment acts as a female screw with
relation to the second compartment, and that the latter while it performs the office
of a male screw in relation to the lowest compartment, acts also as a female screw
in relation to the third compartment which it encloses, and so on.
struction consists of mechanism practically the same in its action to that described
in the first part of this Specification, only in this case the dimensions of two of the
principal parts, namely, the male and female screws, are of greatly increased
dimensions.

page_text: A stop is provided which limits the course of each compartment in relation to
the compartment below, and prevents it from becoming completely disengaged
therefrom. A catch or pawl is pivotted to a post and is maintained by its weight
in contact with the scaffolding; it adapts itself alternately to an upright of the
second compartment, or to an upright of the third compartment. When the
scaffolding is lowered, the upper end of the third or top compartment only passing
very little beyond the upper edge of the lowest compartment, the upright of that
compartment which is held by the said catch or pawl is evidently not free to turn;
it can only have a vertical movement. The lowest compartment in its turn is fixed
upon the general base of the scaffolding in such a manner, as not to be able to
move up or down; it is only free to turn round the vertical axis of the whole
apparatus. This movement of rotation is communicated to it by means of handles.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Robert Lako in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 2nd
January 1880.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN SCAFFOLDING FOR BUILDING
AND SIMILAR PURPOSES." A communication from abroad by Doctor Guiseppe
Marzari, of Imola, Italy.
The present Invention relates to improved movable scaffolding, which is very
simple in construction, moderate in cost, and capable of ready removal from place
to place.
This scaffolding will be of great utility in the construction and repairing of walls
and roofs of buildings, and for any purposes in which scaffolding is required.
The construction which is preferable in most cases is represented in Figures 1
and 2. Figures 3 and 4 relate to a system of construction slightly different, but
based upon the same principle. This latter is only applicable in cases where it is
only necessary to attain a height of about ten metres.
I will first describe the scaffolding represented in Figures 1 and 2. This is
composed of a number of separate compartments or cages of triangular section
decreasing upwardly. Each of these compartments above the bottom one is
intended to enter upon the lowering of the scaffolding into the compartment below,
by which it is encompassed. When the scaffolding is not in use, and has to be
transported from one place to another, its height barely exceeds that of the com-
partment A, B, C, D. In this condition the compartment A, B, E, F, is drawn into
the interior of the compartment A, B, C, D, the compartment E, F, G, H, is drawn
into the interior of the compartment A, B, E, F, and so on. Each compartment
has the form of a triangular prism, the angles of which are formed by uprights
a, a¹, a³, of any convenient shape, and by horizontal cross pieces b, b1, b2; the faces of
the said prism are composed of a lattice or trellis work, binding together the
uprights. The number of compartments shewn is five, but this number, as well as
the height of the said compartments, may be varied.
Figure 1 represents the scaffolding when it has attained its maximum height.
A platform should be fixed above the compartment K, L, I, J, in order that the
workmen may ascend to the same with the materials and the tools which they
require for their work. This platform may be of any convenient form whatever.
Suppose the scaffolding is lowered and that its total height barely exceeds that of
the compartment A, B, C, D, the different compartments receive in the following
manner the motion which has to be transmitted to them in order that they may
emerge the one from the other, so as to attain the required height.
Three small shafts c are arranged parallel to the uprights a, a, a, of the compart-
ment A, B, C, D, at a slight distance from each of them. These shafts have their
lower bearing in sockets fixed upon the lower base of the scaffolding, and their
upper bearings in holes drilled in the upper cross pieces b of the compartment.
8
The three shafts c all receive a rotary movement in the same direction and with
the same velocity. This movement may be obtained in any manner, for example,
by means of a large cylindrical wheel x, Figures 1 and 2, gearing at the same time
with three pinions y, y, y, keyed upon the shafts e near their lower ends; the said
cylindrical wheel receiving motion by means of a couple of bevel wheels, one of
which a is keyed upon the same horizontal axis upon which is fixed the actuating
crank. An exactly similar arrangement exists in all of the upper compartments.
It will be understood that near each of the uprights a', and parallel to them, are
arranged as many small shafts c'; that near each of the shafts a' are situated in a
parallel position as many small shafts o, and so on. All these small shafts, with
the exception of the shafts c belonging to the first or lowest compartment are screw
threaded throughout their entire length. They are provided with grooved journals

page_text: or centres at their upper and lower ends, turning in corresponding holes cut in the
cross pieces of the compartments to which they belong. The said screw shafts c¹
turn for example in the interior of collars with which the cross pieces 6¹ are pro-
vided; the shafts e³ turn in grooved collars existing in the cross pieces b³, and so
son. Each of the screwed shafts c³, o², c², c, traverses also a screw nut or female
screw o, o, Figure 5, formed in the upper cross pieces of the compartment imme-
diately below that to which it belongs. The impressions below and above refer to
the apparatus as represented in the Drawing, that is to say, when each compartment
has attained the upper limit of its movement. The holes o are tapped to correspond
with the thread cut on the small shafts c³, c, c³, c'. Each of the shafts c³, c³, c, c
receives a rotary movement from the shaft belonging to the compartment below and
next adjacent to it. This movement is communicated to the said shaft by means
of pairs of pinions p, p², Figure 5.
The pinions p are keyed upon the shafts c, o³, c³, near their upper extremities.
The pinions p', that is to say, those which are fixed upon the shafts c², c³, c³, c², near
their lower extremities, transmit the rotary movement which they receive from the
pinions p by means of one or more longitudinal tongues or feathers q, q, Figure 5,
extending the whole length of the screwed shafts o, o³, c³, c. These shafts conse-
quently rotate with the pinions p', but they are free to slide longitudinally with
regard to these pinions along their common axes.
The above description will render it easy to understand the manner of effecting
the transmission of motion to each of the compartments composing the said scaffold-
ing. First let it be supposed that each of these compartments is drawn back into
the interior of the compartment immediately below it, and also that the three shafts
c, c, c, are put in motion in the same direction and with the same speed. The three
shafts c', c, c', will also turn, while at the same time moving in the direction of their
axes by reason of the tapped holes in the cross pieces b. The pinions p' mounted
on the said shafts c, c, c, near their lower ends participate in their rotary move-
ment without changing their positions vertically; the compartment A, F, E, B, on
the contrary, not being able to turn, will participate in the vertical movement of
the shafts c, c, c², and, rising higher and higher, will finish by attaining the upper
limits of its course:
It will also be obvious from the preceding description that the movement of the
compartment G, H, E, F, relatively to the compartment A, B, E, F, is identical with
the movement of the same in relation to the fixed compartment A, B, C, D. The
same is true with regard to the movement of the compartment I, J, G, H, in relation
to the compartment G, H, E, F, as well as for all the following compartments
relatively to those which precede them, and by which they are enclosed. At the
instant when the compartment A, B, E, F, shall have attained the upper limit of its
course all of the other compartments will have done the same, and the scaffolding
will have attained its greatest height.
The arrangement represented in Figures 3 and 4, of which the constructive details
differ from those of the arrangement above described and represented in Figures 1
and 2, embodies, however, all of the characteristic principles of the same.
The compartments represented in Figures 3 and 4 are only three in number, but
this number may be varied to any extent, while preserving unchanged the arrange-
ment and the constructive details of the scaffolding; this number is always limited
by the height to which this arrangement is applicable. These compartments are
circular, and they are constructed of horizontal metal hoops a, a, a, of a convenient
sectional form, and of vertical pieces b, b, b. Each compartment can enter into the
compartment immediately below it, as in the first described construction of my
apparatus. At the upper part of the compartments A, B, C, D, and A, B, E, F, are
fixed upon the said vertical pieces helical or spiral pieces c, d, e, f, g, c², d', e³, f¹, g³,
formed of suitably curved metal pieces. These helical pieces form, as it were, two
large nuts or female screws, the diameter of which differs but little from that of the
compartments to which they are applied. Grooves are provided at equal distances
along the vertical pieces of all the compartments A, B, E, F, E, F, G, H; these grooves

page_text: have such a form that the helical pieces or screws c, d, e, f, g, c', d', e', f², g¹, may
engage therein, and they are distributed along the vertical pieces or uprights in
spirals whose pitch is equal to that of the helices c, d, e, f, g, c, d, e¹‚ ƒ³‚`g`.`
It follows from this arrangement that the compartment A, B, C, D, acts as a female
screw with relation to the compartment A, B, F, E, and that the latter, while it
performs the office of a male screw in relation to the compartment A, B, C, D, acts
also as a female screw in relation to the compartment E, F, G, H, which it encloses.
As will be seen, this modification comprises mechanism practically the same in its
action as that shewn in Figures 1 and 2, but the dimensions of two of its principal
members, namely, the male and female screws, are so arranged that they encompass
the other parts of the apparatus.
A stop (not represented in the Drawing) limits the movement of each compart
ment in relation to the compartment below, and prevents it from becoming com-
pletely disengaged therefrom. A catch or pawl is pivoted at o to the post x, y, a¹³, y¹;
it is maintained by its weight in contact with the scaffolding, and it adapts itself
alternately to an upright of the compartment A, B, E, F, as represented in the
Drawing, or to an upright of the compartment G, H, E, F. When the scaffolding is
lowered the upper end of the compartment G, H, E, F, only passes then slightly
beyond the upper rim of the compartment A, B, C, D. The compartment of which
one of the uprights is held by the catch pivotted at o is evidently not free to turn;
it can only have a vertical movement. The compartment A, B, C, D, is fixed upon
the base of the scaffolding in such a manner that it cannot move vertically, but is
only free to turn around the vertical axis of the whole apparatus; this movement of
rotation is communicated to it by means of handles e, e.
Let it be supposed, first, that the scaffolding is reduced to its minimum height,
the click or pawl being engaged in an upright of the compartment E, F, G, H, barely
extending beyond the height of the compartment A, B, C, D. And then let it be
supposed that the latter is caused to turn on its axis; the intermediate compartment
A, B, E, F, will be moved by friction due to the movement of the compartment
A, B, C, D, whilst the compartment E, F, G, H, whose turning is prevented, will
rise vertically until it issues from the compartment A, B, E, F, as far as allowed by
the aforesaid stop which limits its movement. When this stop acts the compart-
ment A, B, E, F, ceases to be influenced by the movement of the compartment
A, B, C, D, and begins to rise in its turn. The click or pawl turning slightly leaves
the upright nearest to the compartment E, F, G, H, and engages with the upright
nearest to the compartment A, B, E, F.
The compartment A, B, E, F, continues to move in issuing from the compartment
A, B, C, D, and at the same time the compartment E, F, G, H, is at rest in relation
to the compartment A, B, E, F, and only shares the movement of the latter until
the scaffolding has attained its maximum height.
The movements resulting from this arrangement of the scaffolding are essentially
identical with those obtained by the preceding arrangement.
In order to avoid the expense of the screwed shafts C, C, which are tongued or
grooved longitudinally, the shafts can be made of triangular iron, but in the latter
case the toothed part of the shaft or rod will consist of distinct unconnected collars
or belts by which the pinions p' will be caused to participate in the rotary motion
of the said shafts.
When a very cheap and simple scaffold is required I do not try to raise the
several compartments or sections simultaneously, and I erect a triangular scaffolding
the sections of which are elevated successively; Figure 6 shows the arrangement
adopt in such a case. The number of compartments shewn is the smallest
practicable, viz., three, but this number may vary according to circumstances.
In this arrangement only a single screw a is used whose axis coincides with the
axes of the triangular prisms which are supposed to be limited to the compartments
or cages A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, L, M, composing the scaffold.
When the scaffold has to be moved the compartments or sections E, F, G, H, and
I,∙J, L, M, are adjusted into their lowest position as in Figure 6 (which is a front

page_text: view) as shewn by the dotted lines. The wheels b facilitate the moving of the
scaffold from place to place. When the latter is in the place in which it is to be
used it may be desirable, especially if the scaffold is composed of several compart-
ments, that its stability should be augmented by securing it with three or four
stakes or pegs fixed in the ground in convenient positions. Each of these stakes
should be so arranged that one of its faces protruding from the ground may coincide
with the face of the lower compartment or section of the scaffolding when once the
latter is in the position it is to occupy while being used. The cages or sections
being completely lowered the screwed or grooved sleeve or collar c enclosing the
screw a and carrying the arms & which are T-shaped in cross section, and are
arranged as shewn in plan in Figure 7, and jointed to the said sleeve or collar will
be at the lower extremity of its movement in the position shown by the dotted lines
in Figure 6. The arms & bear against the interior of the inner compartment I, J, L, M,
just beneath the projections e with which the three uprights of the said section are
provided. If by means of the handle fthrough the medium of the toothed wheels g, g',
connected by a chain to the shaft i, and bevel wheels h, h³, rotary motion is trans-
.mitted in the desired direction to the screw a, the sleeve c which cannot participate
in this movement (because of the jointed arms & which are not free to move out of the
vertical planes d, d, determined by the axis of the screw, and by the vertical exterior
parts of the frames) rises the length of the screw and moves with it the compart
ment I, J, L, M. The latter in rising leaves the central compartment in which it is
enclosed and which remains during this time in its position in the lower section, as
indicated by dotted lines. There will be a moment when the horizontal bar I, J, (which
is guided in its course by the upright G, E, of the intermediate cage) comes in contact
with stops or projections j. At this moment the ascending movement of the com-
partments I, J, L, M, relatively to the compartments E, F, G, H, will be finished.
The two compartments or sections are then secured immovably in position by pins
or pegs inserted at just below the beam G, H. When these pins or pegs are
placed in such a manner that the compartment I, J, L, M, cannot fall, the collar or
sleeve is lowered again by turning the handle fin the opposite direction. The arms
d slide downwards along the interior edges of the uprights I, L, and when they
have passed over the entire length of these edges, turning around the centres of the
joints which unite them to the sleeve, and describing a slight angle they rest
against the inner edge of the uprights G, E, at a point just below the beams or
cross pieces I, J. When the arms d have assumed this position by their connection
with the two cages I, J, L, M, and E, F, G, H, (henceforth moving together in
the position represented in Figure 6) the handle f is turned in the first described
direction in such a manner as to impart an upward motion to the sleeve or collar c.
In this movement the said collar will raise with it the two compartments I, J, L, M,
and E, F, G, H, whose movement is limited by stops on the stationary compartment.
When the upper limit of the movement of the compartment is reached I couple or
unite by pegs 1, 2, the fixed compartment with the two raised compartments. It
is evident that this arrangement may be applied to a scaffolding of many more
sections than three.
When the scaffold is thus erected and ready for work the collar and screw may
be removed, and I take away the axe or shaft i and the wheels and supports con-
nected therewith by slipping the latter along the grooves or guides in the part
N, O, which acts as a foundation, and which is connected with the lower cross piece
of the scaffolding. The interior of the scaffolding is now quite free, so as to allow
the ascension of any building materials, tools, and the like that may be required.
The aforesaid grooves or guides must be furnished with a stop, so that the screw
may be replaced accurately in the axis of the scaffolding when it is desired to put
the mechanism again in action. The beam M supports the socket of the revolving
screw a.
It now remains only to describo a detail of construction which has for its object
the perfect working of the arms d, when by reason of their weight they turn on
their joints, and ceasing to be in contact with one section they drop to the next

page_text: section immediately below the same. This mode of working the arms would be
attended with difficulty if they were simply hinged to a part of the screwed collar,
because of the possibility of some defect either in the construction or otherwise of
the cross pieces I, J, E, F, and other pieces, which might cause some deviation from
their horizontal position, or by reason of the screw a leaving its perpendicular
position. To avoid these difficulties I adopt the following means, that is to say:
The hinges m of the arm d are not fastened directly to the collar c, but to short
levers ni, n, which are hinged to sleeves or collars at n. The hinges are so placed
as to maintain the levers m, n, as well as the arms d, d, in the nearly vertical
planes, as in Figure 7. A ring k plays loosely round the screw a and over the
collar c.
Should one of the arms d come in contact with the inner sides of one of
the uprights on which it slides, whilst the other two corresponding arms are inactivo,
the lever m, n, on which it revolves will at once press on the ring k, which will
push the other two levers m, n, thereby obliging the inactive arms to assume their
proper position.
Having thus fully described the said Invention, as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it under-
stood that I claim,—
First. The application of spiral or helicoidal gearing to adjustable or moveable
scaffolds composed of a series of compartments, sections, or cages, substantially as
set forth.
Second. The different forms or modifications of the apparatus, as above described,
and as shewn in the Drawings.
Third. The triangular formation of the above described apparatus, whereby I
cheapen and simplify the construction of the same, and diminish its weight, thereby
increasing the facility for its removal or transport, substantially as set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Second day of January, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty.
W. ROBT. LAKE (LS)