CA1294258C

CA1294258C - Scaffolding bracket

Info

Publication number: CA1294258C
Application number: CA000554761A
Authority: CA
Inventors: James F. Creighton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-12-18
Filing date: 1987-12-18
Publication date: 1992-01-14
Anticipated expiration: 2009-01-14

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
Scaffolds are usually bulky structures including a skeletal frame and a platform. A simple scaffold support for use with parallel, spaced-apart ladders includes a generally V-shaped body the arms of which are adapted to be connected to adjacent rungs of a ladder, so that one of the arms is horizontal for supporting one end of a plank; and a stop for preventing transverse movement of the plank.

Description

This invention relates to a scaffold support, and in particular to a scaffold support for use on a ladder.
In general, scaffolds include some form of frame structure for supporting a platform. Of necessity, the frame structure is usually bulky and expensive. Accordingly, a need exists for a simple, inexpensive scaffold support which can be purchased by the ordinary consumer, and which is easy to store.
The object of the present invention is to meet the above-defined need by providing a relatively simple scaffold support for use on a ladder.
Accordingly, the present invention relates to a scaffold support for use on a ladder comprising first arm means; first bracket means on one end of said first arm means for engaging one rung of a ladder; second arm means connected at one end to the other end of said first arm means; second bracket means on the other end of said second arm means for engaging another rung of the ladder spaced apart from said one rung, whereby two such supports can be mounted on spaced apart ladders and a plank extended between the supports to rest on one said arm means of both supports to define the floor of the scaffold.
The invention will be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention, and wherein:
Figure 1 is an end view of a scaffold support in accordance with the present invention;
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~Z~2S8 Figure 2 is an end view of a second embodiment of the scaffold support of the present invention;
Figure 3 is a schematic, perspective view of a pair of scaffold supports of the type shown in Fig. 1 in use; and Figure 4 is a schematic, perspective view of a pair of scaffold supports of the type shown in Fig. 2 in use.
With reference to Fig. 1, one embodiment of the support of the present invention which is generally indicated at 1 includes a generally V-shaped body 2. The body 2 is defined by a pair of elongated arms 3 and 4, which are connected to the rungs 5 of a ladder 6 (Figs. 3 and 4). For such purpose, brackets 8 and 9 are provided on the outer free ends of the arms 3 and 4, respectively.
The bracket 8 is formed by bending the free end of the arm 3 to form a partial loop, which is designed to extend around one ladder rung 5. The other bracket 9 is generally U~shaped, and defines the outer free end of an extension 10 on the free end of the arm 4.
The extension 10 is connected to the a~m 4 by bolts 12 and nuts 13 extending through aligned holes 14 in the arm 4 and the extension 10. Additional appropriately spaced apart holes 14 are provided in the arm 4 and the extension 10 so that the effective length of the arm 4 can be changed to suit the rung spacing of a particular ladder and/or the inclination at which the ladder is to be used. Of course, additional openings 14 need be provided in either the arm 4 or the extension 10.

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The upper arm 3 is intended to hold one end of a scaffold plank 15. The plank 15 is retained on the arm 3 by a stop 16, which is defined by a lug or post extending upwardly from such arm 3. The stop 16 prevents transverse movement of the plank 15 in one direction and the sides of the ladder 6 (Fig. 3) prevent transverse movement of the plank in the other direction. As shown in Fig. 3, the plank 15 forms the base or platform of a scaffold.
Referring to Fig. 2, a second embodiment of the support, which is generally indicated at 20 includes a body 21 defined by a pair of arms 22 and 23 interconnected and integral with a stop 25. A bracket 27 is provided on the top arm 22, and a bracket 28 is provided on an extension 30 on the bottom arm 23 for mounting the support 20 on a ladder 6. The bracket 28 is defined by a trapezoidal locp or bend in the free end of the arm 23 which is held on the ladder rung 5 by a bolt 31 and a nut 32.
In this case, the bottom arm 23 of the support 20 carries the plank 15 and is provided with the extension 30. The extension 30 is connected to the arm 23 by bolts 34 extending through spaced apart holes 35 and nuts 36. As in the case of the first embodiment of the invention, the extension 30 is used to adjust the length of the arm 23 to adapt the holder to ladders having different rung spacings, and to different ladder inclinations.
Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, the use of the supports 1 and 20 is readily apparent. In each case, the plank 15 extends ~94~8 between a pair of supportsl or 20 mounted on ladders 6. The plank 15 is on the inside of the ladders. It wiil be appreciated that the supportscould be reversed, i.e. placed on the outside of the ladders 6. However, such an arrangement would make it difficult for the user to climb onto the plank 15 from one of the ladders 6. It will also be appreciated that Figures 3 and 4 are in~ended for illustration only, and that the ladders 6 would normally be spaced apart by a greater distance, and that the plank 15 would be somewhat longer.
With the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 1, the plank 15 and any load on such plank push the ~racket 9 against the lower rung 5 while pulling on the upper bracket 8. In the case of the second embodiment of the invention, any load on the support iscarried by both of the brackets 27 and 28. Obviously, with both embodiments of the invention, the arm supporting the plank 15 should be horizontal or as close to horizontal as possible when in use.

Claims

1. A scaffold support for use on a ladder comprising first arm means; first bracket means on one end of said first arm means for engaging one rung of a ladder; second arm means connected at one end to the other end of said fist arm means; second bracket means on the other end of said second arm means for engaging another rung of the ladder spaced apart from said one rung, whereby two such supports can be mounted on spaced apart ladders and a plank extended between the supports to rest on one said arm means of both supports to define the floor of the scaffold; and stop means on the plank receiving arm means for retaining the plank on the support.

2. A scaffold support according to claim 1, including extension means for adjusting the length of at least one said arm means, whereby the support can be adjusted for use on ladders having a variety of rung spacings and different angles of inclination during use.

3. A scaffold support according to claim 1, wherein said first arm means is uppermost and horizontal for supporting said plank in the use position; and said stop means includes lug means extending upwardly from said other end of said first arm means.

4. A scaffold support according to claim 1, wherein said second arm means is lowermost and horizontal for is a vertical arm interconnecting said first and second arm means in the use position.

5. A scaffold support according to claim 4, wherein said vertical arm is integral with said first and second arm means.