Patent Application
20250075451
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The disclosure relates to scaffolding and more particularly pertains to a new scaffolding allowing a user to safely finish a web wall from a platform positioned between adjacent columns of a structure under construction.
The prior art relates to scaffolding used finishing web walls but which do not engage adjacent columns between which a web wall extends.
An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a framework, which comprises a bottom beam, a pair of posts, and a top beam. Each post is attached to and extends substantially perpendicularly from the bottom beam proximate to a respective opposed end of the bottom beam. The top beam is attached to and extends between the posts distal from the bottom beam and is dimensionally longer than the bottom beam, thereby defining a pair of extensions. The bottom beam is configured to be positioned between adjacent columns of a pair of adjacent columns of a structure under construction, with opposed ends of the bottom beam being configured to reversibly engage the adjacent columns. Each extension is configured to be positioned atop a respective adjacent column so that the framework is supported by the pair of adjacent columns and is spaced apart from a workpiece that extends between the adjacent columns, such as a web wall. A plate is attached to the bottom beam and extends substantially perpendicularly from the framework toward the workpiece. The plate provides a platform for a user to sit or stand upon to manipulate the workpiece. The top beam is configured to prevent the user from falling from the platform.
Another embodiment of the disclosure includes a method of increasing safety while finishing a web wall, which comprises providing a scaffold assembly, per the disclosure above. Steps of the method include lowering the framework between adjacent columns of a pair of adjacent columns of a bridge under construction and sitting or standing upon the platform to finish a concrete surface of the web wall.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the disclosure in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the disclosure that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
The objects of the disclosure, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.
The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:
With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to
As best illustrated in
The bottom beam 14 is configured to be positioned between adjacent columns 24 of a pair of adjacent columns 24 of a structure 26 under construction, with the opposed ends 20 of the bottom beam 14 being configured to reversibly engage the adjacent columns 24. The opposed ends 20 of the bottom beam 14 may be tapered to complement tapers 28 of bases 30 of the adjacent columns 24, as is shown in
Each extension 22 is configured to be positioned atop a respective adjacent column 24 so that the framework 12 is supported by the pair of adjacent columns 24 and is spaced apart from a workpiece, such as a web wall 32, that extends between the adjacent columns 24. Typically, the framework 12 would be positioned such that the extensions 22 are positioned atop the pair of adjacent columns 24 proximate to a respective opposed outer face 34 of each adjacent column 24. The extensions 22 could comprise two or more nested sections (not shown) and thus be selectively extensible. In combination with the bottom beam 14 comprising a pair of extendible elements, this would enable the framework 12 to be fitted to pairs of adjacent columns 24 having a variety of spacings.
Web walls 32 are incorporated between adjacent columns 24 of bridges 64 to resist lateral wind forces. While the present invention is anticipated to be of particular use by users who are finishing such web walls 32, it also could be useful in other situations wherein a workpiece, such as concrete forms, rebar, or the like, is positioned proximate to a pair of adjacent columns 24.
A plate 36 is attached to the bottom beam 14 and extends substantially perpendicularly from the framework 12 toward the workpiece. A front beam 38 is attached to the plate 36 and extends in parallel with the bottom beam 14. Opposite ends 40 of the front beam 38 are configured to reversibly engage the adjacent columns 24. As per the bottom beam 14, the opposite ends 40 are tapered to complement the tapers 28 of the bases 30 of the adjacent columns 24.
Each bar 42 of a pair of bars 42 is attached to and extends between the plate 36 and a respective post 16. The bars 42 support the plate 36 relative to the framework 12. The plate 36 provides a platform 44 for a user to sit or stand upon to manipulate the workpiece. The top beam 18 is configured to prevent the user from falling from the platform 44. The top beam 18 also could include attachments allowing it to be secured to rebar that protrudes from upper ends 46 of the adjacent columns 24. The user also could be tethered to the framework 12 to further reduce a risk of falling.
A barrier 48 is attached to the framework 12 and extends across a space 50 that is defined by the pair of posts 16, the top beam 18, and the bottom beam 14. The barrier 48 is configured to prevent the user from falling through the space 50. As is shown in the
A set of handles 54 is attached to the top beam 18 and is configured to be grasped in hands of one or more users to lift and to position the framework 12. Each handle comprises a C-ring 56 having opposing ends 58, which are attached to the top beam 18. The handles 54 also could serve as attachment points for lifting and positioning of the scaffold assembly 10 using ropes, cranes, forklifts, or the like.
In use, the scaffold assembly 10 enables a method of increasing safety while finishing a web wall 60, which comprises providing the scaffold assembly 10. A first step 62 of the method 60 is lowering the framework 12 between adjacent columns 24 of a pair of adjacent columns 24 of a bridge 64 under construction so that the opposed ends 20 of the bottom beam 14 are reversibly engaged to the adjacent columns 24 and so that the pair of extensions 22 are positioned atop the adjacent column 24. The framework 12 thus is supported by the pair of adjacent columns 24 and is spaced apart from a web wall 32 that extends between the adjacent columns 24. A second step 66 of the method 60 is sitting or standing upon the platform 44 to finish a concrete surface of the web wall 32. The top beam 18 prevents the user from falling from the platform 44.
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodiment enabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by an embodiment of the disclosure.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure. In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be only one of the elements.
