BACKGROUND
1. Technical Field
This disclosure relates generally to scaffolding and in particular to a method and system for forming modular scaffolding which is secured to the building.
2. Description of Related Art
Scaffolding is temporary structures erected or otherwise formed around or within an existing building to provide access during construction or the like. Many forms of scaffolding are constructed of a plurality of frame members which are secured to each other to form a space frame structure extending from a ground or floor surface. Boards or planks are then commonly placed spanning the frame members so as to provide locations for a worker or the like to stand on.
Conventional scaffolding systems are commonly required to be built from a starting surface on the ground or floor and extended in an upward direction to the desired height. Thus it will be appreciated that for work locations that are relatively high, this construction process for the scaffolding itself can be time consuming and costly. Additionally, in some locations it will be appreciated that locating such extensive groundworks as are required for the construction of such scaffolding is not practical or possible.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
According to a first embodiment, there is disclosed a system for forming a scaffolding comprising at least one bracket securable to a vertical surface of a building, a horizontal support member supported by the at least one bracket, the support member adapted to support a worker support platform on a horizontal support surface thereof and a flexible retaining member adapted to pass over a worker support platform supported on the horizontal support member so as to retain the worker support platform on the horizontal support surface.
The at least one bracket includes first and second end plates with the horizontal support member extending therebetween. The horizontal support member may have an adjustable length. The horizontal support member may be formed of a first support member telescopingly received within a second support member.
The at least one bracket may include an end plate at each end of the horizontal support member. One end plate may be adapted to be secured to the vertical surface of the building wherein horizontal support surface extends orthogonally therefrom. One of the cantilever wall plate may include bores therethrough for securing to the vertical surface of the building. The cantilever wall plate may extend below the horizontal support member. The system may further comprise a support brace extending angularly between the horizontal support member and the cantilever wall plate.
The system may further comprise a bracket at each end of the horizontal support member. Each bracket may include a wall plate adapted to be secured to the vertical surface of the building, each wall plate extending substantially parallel to the horizontal support member. Each wall plate may include bores therethrough for passing a fastener therethrough.
The flexible retaining member may be secured to the ends plates. The flexible retaining member may comprise straps extending from each of the end plates secureable to each other with a connector. The flexible retaining member may have an adjustable length.
According to a further embodiment, there is disclosed a method for forming a scaffolding comprising securing at least one bracket to a horizontal surface of a building, supporting a worker support platform on a horizontal support member supported by the at least one bracket and retaining the worker support platform on the horizontal support member with a flexible retaining member.
Other aspects and features of the present disclosure will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings constitute part of the disclosure. Each drawing illustrates exemplary aspects wherein similar characters of reference denote corresponding parts in each view,
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure applied to a wall of a building.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an end bracket of the apparatus of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an end bracket for use in the apparatus of FIG. 1 according to a further embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an end bracket for use in the apparatus of FIG. 1 according to a further embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Aspects of the present disclosure are now described with reference to exemplary apparatuses, methods and systems. Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary apparatus for forming a scaffolding according to a first embodiment is shown generally at 10. The apparatus comprises at least one bracket 12 securable to a wall 8 or other vertical surface. The bracket 12 includes a horizontal support member 50 thereon which supports a plank 6 or other working surface member and a flexible retention member 70 adapted to retain the plank on the horizontal support member.
Turning now to FIG. 2, one of the brackets 12 is illustrated. The bracket 12 comprises first and second end plates 14 and 16, respectively. The end plates extend between top and bottom edges, 18 and 20, respectively and front and rear edges, 22 and 24, respectively and has inside and outside surfaces, 26 and 28, respectively. Each rear edge 24 abuts against or is otherwise connected to a rear mounting plate 30. The rear mounting plate extends between top and bottom edges, 32 and 34, respectively and inside and outside edges 36 and 38, respectively and has front and rear surfaces, 37 and 39, respectively. The rear plates may include a plurality of mounting bores 40 therethrough adapted to pass a fastener for securing the rear plate 30 to a wall or other horizontal surface of a building. As illustrated the end plates and rear plates are shown as substantially rectangular, although it will be appreciated that that any other shape may be utilized as well, such as by way of non-limiting example, oval, square, triangular or irregular. The rear plates 30 may be co-formed with the end plates or may optionally be secured thereto by any suitable means including welding, fasteners, adhesives or the like. In particular the end plates and rear plates may be co-formed and bent into a perpendicular configuration as illustrated by commonly known means..
Each end plate 16 or 18 includes a horizontal support member 50 extending therefrom. The horizontal support members 50 extend in a substantially horizontal direction towards each other so as to form a surface on which a plank may be secured. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the horizontal support member 50 may be formed of first and second members, 52 and 54 such that the second member 54 is sized smaller than a passage through the first member 52 such that one is telescopingly received within the other. Optionally, the horizontal support member 50 may be formed as a common member between the two end plates 14 and 16 so as to have a fixed length. The horizontal support members are illustrated as square in FIG. 2, although it will be appreciated that any other cross-sectional shape may be utilized as well. The horizontal support members 50 may be co-formed with the end plates or may optionally be secured thereto by any suitable means including, without limitation, welding, adhesives, fasteners or the like. The horizontal support member 50 includes a horizontal support surface 56 oriented substantially horizontally upwards so as to be positioned to support the plank 8 thereon. The remainder of the cross sectional profile of the horizontal support surface may be of any desired shape including, without limitation, square, rectangular, round oval or triangular.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, each end plate includes a slot 58 extending therethrough. Each strap is sized to pass a retention strap 70 therethrough. In particular a first end portion 72 of the retention strap is passed through a second end plate 16 whereas the second end portion may be passed through the first end plate 14 to extend towards each other. Other means of securing the strap 70 to the end plates 14 and 16 may also be utilized, including without limitation securing to the inside surfaces 26, passing over an edge 18, 20 or 22 or passing through a different shaped opening 58. Each strap may be secured to the outside surface 28 of the end plates by a rivet 82 or other suitable fastener or securing means. The ends of the strap portions include first and second buckle portions 76 and 78 so as to permit the two portions to be secured together. One of the strap portions may also include a tightening buckle adapted to permit the strap to be shortened or lengthened as desired by a user. The slot 58 may be positioned above the horizontal support member 50 by a distance corresponding to or less than the intended thickness of the plank 8 to be utilized therewith. In such a manner, the strap 70 will secure or hold the plank 8 down to the horizontal support member in a tight or secure manner.
In operation, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the rear plates 30 may be secured to opposed walls 6 at a common height to each other. Thereafter, the plank or other worker platform 8 may be placed on the horizontal support members and the strap 70 extended thereover and tightened into place so as to retain the plank on the horizontal support members. It will be appreciated that the slots 58 may be at a suitable height (such as approximately 1.25 inches) above the horizontal support members so as to pull the plank tightly down onto the horizontal support members. Thereafter, a worker may utilize the plank to stand upon to access the location required without having to build scaffolding from the ground to that height.
Turning now to FIG. 3, an alternative embodiment is illustrated. As shown in FIG. 3, the bracket 100 may comprise an elongate rear mounting plate 102 adapted to support the apparatus in a cantilevered manner from the wall surface. As illustrated, the rear or cantilever mounting plate 102 is substantially longer than the rear plates in FIG. 2 and extends between top and bottom edges, 104 and 106, respectively and first and second side edges, 108 and 110, respectively and has front and rear surfaces, 112 and 114, respectively. The apparatus of FIG. 3 includes a horizontal support member 120 secured to the front surface 112 and extending substantially orthogonally away therefrom. The horizontal support member 120 extends between proximate and distal ends, 122 and 124, respectively and includes an open passage 126 extending into the distal end.
The horizontal support member 120 may also include a telescoping extension 130 slidably received therein with an end plate 132 at a distal end thereof so as to allow adjustment of the distance between the end plate 132 and the rear mounting plate 102. Strap ends 72 and 74 as set out above are connected over the plank as set out above. A pin 134 or other suitable fastener may secure the telescoping extension 130 at the desired position relative to the horizontal support member 120. Optionally, a lateral brace 140 may extend from the brace 140 to a position offset from the apparatus, such as, by way of non-limiting example, to an adjacent wall stud 4.
The rear mounting plate 102 may include a plurality of mounting bores 116 for securing to the wall 6 as set out above and in particular to wall studs 4. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the plank 8 is secured on the horizontal support member 120 and telescoping member 130. It will be appreciated that the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 will facilitate supporting a plank or other work location where there is no wall that the plank 8 abuts against but rather extends along.
Turning now to FIG. 4, according to an alternative embodiment, the strap 70 may be formed of a single strap 150 extending from one end plate (in the case of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, end the first end plate 14). The second end plate 16 may include a ratchet operable to receive the single strap 150 therein and thereafter draw the single strap therethrough so as to tighten it upon the plank 8. The single strap 150 may be passed over the top edge 18 or through a slot 58 as set out above. Alternatively, the ratchet 152 may be secured to the end plate 132 wherein the single strap 150 extends from the cantilever mounting plate 102.
While specific embodiments have been described and illustrated, such embodiments should be considered illustrative only and not as limiting the disclosure as construed in accordance with the accompanying claims.
Patent Application
20230042742
