US2897013A

US2897013A - Knockdown scaffold

Info

Publication number: US2897013A
Application number: US452769A
Authority: US
Inventors: Preston P Delp
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1954-08-30
Filing date: 1954-08-30
Publication date: 1959-07-28
Anticipated expiration: 1976-07-28

Description

July 28, 1959 P. DELP KNOCKDOWN SCAFFOLD 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 30, 1954 fire P955 ra/v I? DELP,

IN V EN TOR.

BY US'MIMG July 28, 1959 P. P. DELP KNOCKDOWN SCAF'FOLD 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 50, 1954 PQESra/V 1. DELP,

IN V EN TOR.

irra/aws July 28, 1959 P. P. DELP 2,897,013

7 KNOCKDOWN SCAFFOLD I Filed Aug. 50, 1954 s SheetsSheet s Par-$710 J? 051.3 INVENTOR.

Ji GAM "W United States Patent G KNOCKDOWN SCAFFOLD Preston 1. Delp, El Cajon, Calif. Application August 30, 1954, Serial No. 452,769

4 Claims. (Cl. 3042) The present invention relates generally to the field of supporting devices, and more particularly to a scaffold that may be easily erected within a minimum of time to the desired height in a selected location, and the method of assembling same.

The primary purpose in devising the present invention is to provide a scaffold that may be readily assembled on a job site from a plurality of relatively light, easily handled component parts, which scaffold assembly after completion of the work for which it was erected, may be taken apart, and the component parts thereof compactly stacked for convenient return to a central storage area therefor until needed again.

A primary object of the invention is to supply a number of component parts particularly well adapted to cooperatively and removably engage one another, which parts when so engaged in accordance with a predetermined pattern provide a stable scaffold or supporting framework of the required length and height, and one that is unlimited as to use in construction work of all types.

Another object of the invention is to provide a supporting scaffolding that may be easily assembled on the job from a plurality of components which are fabricated from standard commercially available materials, and may be easily arranged in the desired configuration to provide the required support without the necessity of employing skilled construction labor for its erection or without the necessity of leveling the area surrounding the job site.

Yet another object of the invention is to furnish a scaffold which is unusually stable after removable connection of the component parts thereof in accordance with detailed instructions for connecting same.

A further object of the invention is to supply a scaffold that may be erected on rough, uneven terrain, in a variety of arrangements, by means of which work platforms may be supported thereon at convenient elevations, which scaffolding is adapted to support work platforms on the exterior structure thereof whereby workmen may operate with a maximum of freedom without interference from the structural members forming the scaffold.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a scalfold which is not easily overturned after erection, and one in which the component parts are interlocked in the desired relationship by novel clamping means.

A still further object of'the invention is to provide a scaffold in which various component parts forming same are provided with novel clamps that may be readily placed in gripping position without the use of hand tools, with the clamps being maintained in securely locked gripping position by means of ordinary nails such as employed on the average construction job.

Yet another object of the invention is to supply scaffolding on which platform-supporting brackets are mounted by a simple downward movement, base plates are attached by a simple upward movement, and with which reinforcing members are provided that may be removably connected to .the uprights thereof at any desired elevation.

I 2,897,013 Patented July 28, 1959 These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred form thereof, and from the drawings illustrating that form in which:

Figure l is a fragmentary perspective view of an end portion of a scalfold illustrating part of a vertically disposed frame from which horizontally disposed planks or boarding may be supported either within or outside the confines thereof showing the reinforcing members, as Well as base members that maintain the frame in a stable position;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view of the lower portion of a base member that may be removably affixed to the frame as shown in Figure 1, taken on the line 2-2 thereof;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view of the end portions of two vertically disposed side pieces forming a part of the frame shown in Figure l, and illustrating the manner in which a rigid rod affixed to one frame section serves to removably lock the lower portion of one frame section to the upper portion of another frame section situated therebelow;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a clamp pivotally supported on one end of an elongate rigid reinforcing member, showing the manner in which the latch bar formed on the clamp is removably locked in a clampengaging position by use of a conventional nail;

Figure 5 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the device shown in Figure 4, taken on line 55 thereof;

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view of the portion of the clamp that removably engages the latch bar, showing the manner in which the bar is guided into a vertical slot formed therein;

Figure 7 is a plan view of the clamp and reinforcing member pivotally mounted thereon as shown in Figure 4;

Figure 8 is a side elevational view of a clamp removably mounted on a vertical support, showing the manner in which a reinforcing member can be pivotally mounted on the clamp to move through an angle of sub stantially and taken on line 8-8 of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a combined plan and horizontal cross-sectional View of a first clamp mounted in gripping position on an upright, with said first clamp pivotally supporting a second clamp that grips a reinforcing member which may be positioned inany desired angle as shown in Figure 1;

Figure 10 is a fragmentary view of the upper end portion of the footing shown in Figure 1, illustrating the manner by which it may be removably locked to a vertical flattened portion of a horizontalcross bar;

Figure 11 is a fragmentary perspective view of one end portion of a reinforcing member which forms a part of a plank-supporting bracket that may be removably mounted as shown in Figure 1; and

Figure 12 is a perspective view of the component parts comprising the invention, with the components so arranged as to illustrate the flexibility ofassociation thereof by which a frame-work may be assembled of the desired length and height and support work platforms at selected elevations thereon.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 12 of the drawings for the general arrangement of the invention, it will be seen to include a number .of upright frames F, which for clarity of description are identified herein by the notations F1, F-Z, and F-3.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 12 of the drawings for the general arrangement of the invention, it will be seen to include a number of upright frames F, for clarity herein identified by the notations 'F-1, F-2 and F-3. The frames are disposed in parallel, aligned spaced relationship, and serve to support horizontally disposed platforms P on the upper portions thereof, as Well as outwardly Frames F are maintained idthe desired spaced relationship by rigid side members S that extend therebetween (Figure 12), together with angulafly disposed reinforcing members R.- "the detailed structure of frame F-2 which is shown in Figure 1 is described herein as it is typical of the construction of frames F, irrespective of 1 the height to which the scaffolding is extended.

The frame F-2 aswell as the frames F-l and F3, are each formed from a number or name segme ts generally denoted by the letter B, but specifieally in Figure l are identified by designations E-I and E.-2. Segment E-1 comprises two laterally spaced tubular uprights 10' and 12 that are open at the top and bottom, and have annular restrictions 10a and 12a formed in the upper portions thereof, as shown in Figure 3. These uprights 10' and 12 are held in laterally spaced parallel relationship by a number of vertically spaced horizontal cross pieces 14. Each cross piece 14 has two flattened end portions 14a, 14b, the outer ends of which are welded or otherwise affixed to

uprights

10 and 12.

Frame segment 13-2 is identical to 13-1. Each of the segments of

uprights

10 and 12 have connecting rods 10b and 12b respectively, that project upwardly from the upper ends thereof, which rods are welded or otherwise connected to the uprights. In Figures 1 and 3 it will be seen that the rods 1% and 12b of segment E-l are adapted to be slidablyins'erted within the lower portions of the uprights of segment E-2 to removably join the segments with one another. In order that workmen may operate on the job free and clear of interfering structural elements of the scaffolding such as

uprights

10 and 12 and yet be sufliciently close to the wall or structure being Worked, a platform P is provided, which when desired, may be employed as an extension of platform P within the confines of frames F.

Each bracket B includes a horizontally disposable supporting member 20 on the outer end of which a vertical rigid member 22 projects upwardly. An angularly disposed reinforcing member 24 is provided that depends downwardly from support 20.

Clamps

26 and 28, project from the ends of member 20 and reinforcing member 24 respectively. The detailed structure of clamp 28 is best shown in Figure 11, wherein it will be'sieen to comprise a square U-shaped member having two

legs

30 and 32 that are joined by a web 34. The interior spacing of

legs

30 and 32 as well as the depth thereof is such as to permit them to slidably engage the exterior surface of

tubular members

10 or 12. Leg 30 has a vertical slot 36 formed therein which is adapted to slide over the flattened end portion 14a or 14b of one of the cross pieces 14.

Clamp 26 is similar in construction to clamp 28, with the exception that it slidably engages

tubular member

10 or 12 from the side opposite to that engaged by clamp 28. In addition, clamp 26 is so aifixed to support 20 that extends outwardly from the exterior of one of the clamp legs and normal relative thereto. Portions of clamp 28 corresponding to those of clamp 26 are identified by the same numerals to which a prime has been added.

Base member T, as may best be seen in Figure 1, has a base plate 40 of angular cross section. The base T also includes one leg 42 adapted to rest horizontally on the ground or other supporting surface and a second leg 44 that extends upwardly from leg 42 in substantially a vertical plane. A pin 46 projects upwardly from base plate 40, which pin is adapted to be slidably inserted within the confines of the lower end portion of tubular member 12. A rigid member 48lextends upwardly and inwardly from the outer end of base plate 40 and termihates on its upper end in a clamp 50, the detailed structure of which is clearly shown in Figure 10. Clamp 50 is of U-shaped configuration, and is defined by two laterally separated

parallel legs

52 and 52 that are joined at one end thereof by a web 56. A slot 58 extends downwardly from the upper edge of leg 54, which slot concurrently engages one of the flattened end portions 14a or 14b of a cross piece when pin 46 is inserted in the lower end portion of tubular member 12. Thus, the brackets B and the base member T may be easily mounted on the frame F-2 without the necessity of hand tools, and with a minimum of time and inconvenience.

The two reinforcing members R and R shown in Figure l are removably attached to tubular members 12 by a U-shaped clamp 60 mounted on the end thereof adjacent frame F-2. Clamp 60 has two parallel, laterally spaced

straight sides

62 and 64 which are connected by a web 66. A short flange 68 extends away from the edge portion of side 64 as may be seen in Figure 4. It will also be noted in this figure that reinforcing member R is formed with a flattened extremity 71. A latch bar 70 is provided that has a transverse bore formed in one end portion 70a thereof,- and this end portion is positioned on the face 68a of flange 68. A bolt 74 is inserted into the transverse bore in bar portion 70a, as well as through bores formed in flange 68 and the fiattened extremity 71 of reinforcing member R, and is secured therein by a nut 74a. Latch bar 70 and reinforcing member R are adapted to pivotrelative to flange 68. A slot cuts downwardly from the upper edge of side wall 62 and has an inner edge 82 that is disposed outwardly a slight distance from the plane in which the vertical surface 68a of flange 68 is situated. The clamp 60 is of such internal dimension that it snugly engages tubular member 10' or 12 when placed thereon (Figure 4), with the latch bar 70 likewise snugly engaging the tubular member as the bar is moved downwardly into slot 80. Bar 70 has a notch 84 formed in the lower edge portion thereof, which slidably engages that portion of side wall 62 situated below slot 80. When notch 84 so engages this lower portion of wall 62, the wall is drawn inwardly causing the U'-s'haped clamp 60 to grip the exterior of

tubular member

10 or 12 between the interior faces of

walls

62 and 64 thereof with suiiicient force that movement of the clamp assembly 60 on the tubular member is prevented.

When notch 84 in the latch bar 70 overl'appingly engages that portion of wall 62 situated below slot 80, the

walls

62 and 64 may be deformed inwardly to securely grip

tubular member

10 or 12 when the outermost portion 70b of the latch bar is struck with a hammer or other forceful means. It will be noted in Figure 6 that the upper portion of slot 80 has an inwardly and downwardly tapered inner side wall portion 802; which first engages the latch bar 70 to guide the bar into the slot with an inwardly directed movement. Such inward movement causes the

side walls

62 and 64 to deform inwardly to grip the exterior surface of

tubular member

10 or 12. A transverse bore 86 is formed in latch bar 70, the inner wall of which bore is substantially in the same vertical plane defining the face 62a of side wall 62, as may be seen in Figure 4.

When it is desired to lock the latch bar in the position shown in Figure 4, a common nail 90 is inserted through bore 86, and upon application of a sharp hammer blow on the nail head 92, whereby the nail is driven into the bore to a position where the nail head acts as a tight wedge against the exterior face 62a of the side wall.

The latch bar 70when so engaged by nail 90 cannot move upwardly as the center of. rotation of the bar about the axis of bolt 72. Therefore, when the bar is in the substantially horizontal position (Figure 4), it is impossible to displace ormove it as long as the nail is positioned in bore 86 due to the wedging action exerted against the exterior surface of the side wall by the nail head. Thus, a common nail admirably serves to securely maintain the latch bar 70 in closed position. A clamp 60', identical to clamp 60 above described, is affixed to the lower end of the reinforcing member R, and serves to removably affix same to the tubular member 12.

In Figure 1 it will be seen that the two reinforcing members R and R pass one another and sustain an angle therebetween which varies, depending upon the vertical position occupied by clamps 60 and 60' on the tubular members or 12'. To permit such angular adjustment, clamps 60 and 60 are pivotally united by a bolt, pin or rivet 96 as shown in Figure 9, which rivet projects through bores formed in

webs

66 and 66 in the back-to-back position shown in Figure 9. A single reinforcing member R (Figure 12) may be so disposed as to extend between the frames F4 and F-2 should such a construction be desirable. In order that the frame segment E-2 will not be inadvertently separated from segment E-l (Figure 1), a locking member 100 is provided that includes a rigid elongate member 102 in the end portions of which bores (not shown) are formed that are engaged by bolts or pins 72 to pivotally support clamps 60 and removably engage cross pieces 14.

The scaffold herein described is extremely simple to use. After the length of scaffolding required for a particular job has been estimated or measured, as well as the height to which it must be extended, a sufficient number of frames F are assembled from segments E, and then longitudinally aligned in spaced relationship and joined by the horizontal rigid supporting members S, together with reinforcing members R and R either in combination or singly, depending upon the job and job site.

In the event the scaffold assembly is to be used for plastering or painting it can be so erected for the convenience of the workmen whereby they can stand on the platform P which extends outwardly from frames F and thus avoid any interference offered by the upwardly extending

tubular members

10 and 12. For assurance that the scatfolding will remain in a stable upright position when workmen are supported on platform P thereby, a number of bases T are provided which outwardly extend from frames F. It will be apparent from the manner in which the pairs of frames F are connected that the base plates 40 do not need to be positioned on level terrain, but that each base plate may be dropped down to the supporting surface, irrespective of the elevation thereof. The supporting members S are then continued across to join the next adjoining frame F, with the supports being horizontally maintained in order that platforms P may be disposed thereon.

Another advantageous feature of the present invention is the ease with which the brackets utilized therewith for supporting platforms P may 'be changed to provide an extension of the assembly to the desired elevation. The only limitation on the positioning of platform P is that in any elevational change, the change must be made in vertical increments which are determined by the vertical spacing between the cross pieces 14, which cross pieces the clamps must engage in order to maintain the brackets in a fixed vertical position.

Although the scaffolding herein described is fully 5 2,635,717

.6 capable of achieving the objects and providing the advantages a-bove outlined, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiments theerof, and there is no intention to limit same to the details of construction hereinbefore described and shown other than defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A knock-down scaffolding comprising: multiple platform supporting elements adapted to be superimposed in a releasable connected relationship, said elements including vertical tubes and horizontally disposed braces flattened vertically adjacent their connecting ends; lateral extension platform supports including horizontal and diagonal braces having U-shaped tube engaging members slotted for releasable attachment with the flattened ends of said horizontal braces; ground engaging lateral supports having horizontal braces removably connected to said tubes and diagonal braces having U-shaped tube engaging members slotted for releasable attachment with the flattened ends of said horizontal braces; and means for supporting said platforms in aligned position including horizontal and diagonal bars having manually releasable clamping connections with the vertical tubes of said platform supporting elements.

2. A knock-down scaffolding comprising: multiple platform supporting elements adapted to be vertically superimposed in a detachable relationship, said elements including vertical tubes and horizontal braces therebetween flattened vertically adjacent their tube attachment ends; lateral extension platform supports including horizontal and diagonal braces having oppositely disposed U-shaped tube engaging members vertically slotted for releasable attachment with said flattened ends of said horizontal braces; and diagonal connecting means between the vertical tubes of said spaced platform supporting elements, said connecting means including tube engaging manual quick release clamping members.

3. A device as set forth in claim 2 in which the quick release clamping members are pivotally mounted on said diagonal connecting means.

4. A device as set forth in claim 3 in which the pivotally mounted quick release clamping members include tube engaging portions and manual actuated latches.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS D. 176,976 Orook Feb. 28, 1956 296,037 Moll et al. Apr. 1, 1884 656,298 OBrien Aug. 21, 1900 1,846,011 Adams Feb. 23, 1932 1,859,894 Schiller May 24, 1932 1,879,244 Hoffman Sept. 27, 1932 2,064,232 Tepper Dec. 15, 1936 2,125,830 Uecker et a1. Aug. 2, 1938 2,178,667 Littlefield Nov. 7, 1939 2,191,051 Uecker et a1 Feb. 20, 1940 2,2A9,658 Kemner July 15, 1941 2,311,988 Lavin Feb. 23, 1941 2,359,583 Reiner Oct. 3, 1944 2,392,932 MacBeth Jan. 15, 1946 2,481,885 Simpson Sept. 13, 1949 2,485,685 Armstrong Oct. 25, 1949 2,613,114 Hagan Oct. 7, 1952 Albrecht et a1. Apr. 21, 1953