US2859066A

US2859066A - Adjustable foldable scaffold

Info

Publication number: US2859066A
Application number: US475092A
Authority: US
Inventors: Milo S Franklin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1954-12-14
Filing date: 1954-12-14
Publication date: 1958-11-04
Anticipated expiration: 1975-11-04

Description

Nov. 4, 1958 M. s. FRANKLIN 2,859,056

ADJUSTABLE FOLDABLE SCAF'FOLD 7 Filed Dec. 14, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 [IV 1/ fig 11/ "um I "I,"

GP 4 Milo 5. Franklin 4, J8 26 INVENTOR. By Mm MWWEMW Nov.'4, 1958 X Y M. s. FRANKLIN ADJUSTABLE FOLDABLE scm ow Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. '14. 1954 Fig] .4

Milo 5. Franklin INVENTOR.

h /mg United States Patent ADJUSTABLE FOLDABLE SCAFFOLD Milo S. Franklin, Marshalltown, Iowa Application December 14, 1954, Serial No. 475,092

1 Claim. (Cl. 304-) The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in scaffolds adapted for use by paper hangers, carpenters and other workmen, and more particularly to a vertically adjustable and foldable scaffold of this character.

An important object of the invention is to provide a foldable leg structure on top of which a clamping member is supported for a plank which forms a platform on which the workman stands.

Another object of the invention is to provide a laterally extensible plank clamping member for securing planks of various widths thereto.

A still further object is to provide a vertically adjustable inverted U-shaped leg structure at the top of which the plank clamping member is swingably mounted for folding downwardly in a position parallel to the legs for conveniently handling and storing the same.

A still further object is to provide a device of this character of simple and practical construction, which is strong and durable, relatively inexpensive to manufacture and otherwise well adapted for the purpose for which the same is intended.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which: v

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing theplank clamping member raised for supporting a plank thereon;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on a line 22 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary and elevational view;

Figure 4 is a bottom plan view showing the legs folded against the bottom of the plank; and

Figure 5 is a side elevational view showing the scaffold in folded position.

Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein for the purposes of illustration, I have disclosed a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 5 designates an inverted U-shaped leg structure of tubular metal and having a plurality of telescoping sections 6 at its lower end and formed with aligned openings 7 to receive bolts and wing nuts 3 for securing the leg structure in vertically adjusted position.

The top of the leg structure includes a cross-bar 9 which unites the upper portion of the pair of legs 11 and 12 to each other and on which a clamping member designated generally at 13 is swingably supported. The clamping member 13 includes a pair of sheet metal plates 14 and '15 positioned in overlapping relation with respect to each other, and the lowermost plate 14 is formed with a pair of transversely extending slots 16 to adjustably receive bolts and wing nuts 17 extending downwardly from plate to secure the plate in laterally extensibly adjusted position with respect to each other.

' 2,859,066 Patented Nov. 4,

ice a.

A pair of strap metal bearing brackets 18 have their end portions welded or otherwise suitably secured to the underside of p1ate14',and the, central portions of the' bearing brackets 18 are formedwith bearing eyes 19 in which the cross-member 9 of the leg structure is positioned for swingably mounting the clamping member 13 thereon.

The side edges of the

plates

14 and 15 are formed with

opposed channels

20 and 21, respectively, positioned above the plate to receive the opposite side edges of a plank 22. The lateral adjustment of the

plates

14 and 15 enables planks of various widths to be clamped in the channels of the clamping member.

Sleeves

23 and 24 are slidably mounted, respectively, on the legs 11 and 12 and a pivoted brace 25 is connected at its lower end to the sleeve 23 and is connected at its upper end to the underside of plate 14 adjacent one end portion of the latter. A similar pivoted brace 26 connects sleeve 24 to the underside of plate 15.

A U-shaped brace 27 is pivoted at its end portion to the sleeves .23 and 24 and is formed with a transversely extending slot 28 at its bight portion to receive one of the bolts and wing nuts 17 at the'end portion of plate 14 opposite to the pivotal connection of the

braces

25 and 26. The braces are sufliciently resilient to permit adjustment of the plates.

In' the operation of the device, when the scaffold is to be erected, the clamping member 13 is swung into a horizontal position at the top of the leg structure 5 and the swinging of the clamping member into a horizontal position slides the

sleeves

23 and 24 upwardly on the legs 11 and 12 so that one of the bolts and wing nuts 17 may be engaged in the slot 28 of the brace 27 to secure the clamping member in its erected position. The plank 22 may then be placed in the

channels

20 and 21 of the clamping member and two or more of the leg structures 5 and clamping members 13 may be provided to adequately support and brace the plank from sagging movement. The extensible adjustment of the lower leg sections 6 enables the plank to be supported at a desired elevated position.

By releasing the brace 27 from the clamping member, the legs may be swung upwardly against the underside of the plank, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, and with the clamping members 13 positioned parallel to the legs, so that the scafiold may be conveniently carried with the plank remaining attached thereto, or the plank may be removed from the clamping member and the legs and clamping member folded against each other.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the device will be readily understood and further explanation is believed to be unnecessary. However, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the appended claim.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

A scaffold comprising a plank, a pair of overlapping upper and lower plates engaging each other and supporting the plank and having confronting channel flanges clampingly engaging opposite side edges of the plank, said plates being slidably adjustable relatively transversely of the plank to adjust said flanges into and from clamping engagement with said side edges of the plank, an inverted U-shaped pair of legs having a bight portion beneath said plates, hearings on the lower plate in which said bight portion is journaled for swinging of said legs into and from supporting relation to the lower plate, and slot and bolt means in said plates for 3 4 retaining the plates in adjusted position'and-connecting 1,660,043 Nemeth et a]. Feb. 21, 1928 said plates together for guided sliding adjustment. 1,672,502 Roth June 5, 1928 1,725,168 Willis Aug. 20, 1929 References Cited in the file of this patent 2,136,420 Edwatds Nov. 15, 1938 I 5 M chn ock Aug- 24, 205,722 Brodie et a1. July '9, 18782 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,377,425 Milnes May 10, 921 33,172 France Aug. 18, 1928