US3851729A

US3851729A - Scaffold structure

Info

Publication number: US3851729A
Application number: US403560A
Authority: US
Inventors: Gordon Arnold
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1973-10-04
Filing date: 1973-10-04
Publication date: 1974-12-03
Anticipated expiration: 1991-12-03

Abstract

A scaffold structure including a pair of telescopically extendible axles having rollers on opposite ends thereof adapted for rolling engagement with the bottom flanges of a pair of Ibeams. A boxlike frame is suspended from the axles and includes a floor structure adjustably connected to four vertical suspension members which are individually connected to the axles adjacent the opposite ends thereof. The floor structure, which can be vertically adjusted relative to the suspension members, enables a workman and equipment to freely stand thereon while working on or in the vicinity of the I-beams, such as for painting same. The pair of vertical suspension members associated with each axle is connected by a telescopic cross-beam which supports the floor structure and, in association with the telescopic axle, permits the width of the boxlike frame to be selectively adjusted to accommodate the width between adjacent I-beams.

Description

United States Patent 1191 Gordon 1 1- Dec. 3, 1974 1 1 SCAFFOLI) STRUCTURE 157] AI1S'IRA("1 [76] Inventor: Arnold Gordon, PO. Box 81. RFD

Bangor q A scaffold structure including a pair of telescopically Buren County 49013 extendible axles having rollers on opposite ends [22] Fil d; O 4, 1973 thereof adapted for rolling engagement with the bottom flan es of a air of l-beams. A boxlike frame is [21] Appl' T 403560 suspende d from the axles and includes a floor structure adjustably connected to four vertical suspension 52 US. c1 182/36, 182/150, 182/152 members which are individually Connected to the 51 Int. Cl. E04g 3/10, E04g 3/14 axles adjacent the pp ends thereof- The floor [58] Field f S h M 182/36 33 40 150 178 structure, which can be vertically adjusted relative to 182/179 128 152 the suspension members, enables a workman and equipment to freely stand thereon while working on or [56] References Cit d in the vicinity of the I-beams, such as for painting UNITED STATES PATENTS same. The pair of vertical suspension members associ- I 2 O57 O92 10/1936 Geib 182/150 ated with each axle is connected by a telescopic cross- 2070334 2/1937 Gamer :I: IIIIIIIIIi 182/150 l supports structure in 3:052:315 9/1962 Jones 4 H 182/150 c1at1on w1th the telescopic axle, permits the width of 3,076,522 2/1963 06611611 182/150 the boxlike frame to be Selectively adjusted to accom- 3,159,97s 12/1964 De Lillo 182/36 modate the Width between adjacent Ibeams- 3,394,776 7/1968 Abrams. 182/150 3550723 12/1970 Gentryl d 182/36 Primary Examiner Reinaldo P. Machado Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Woodhams, Blanchardand Flynn 10 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures N w N l e/ o 3 Z 4 49 g; 7 52 59 67 (0 33157 52 49 O 410 33 Z 68) Z 1 3 o 47 I 0 b 0 1 C o O 0 o c] 33 43 44 42 1 o 5 4/ EH 1 Y SCAFFOLI) STRUCTURE FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a suspended scaffold structure and, in particular, to an improved scaffold structure which is adapted to be rollingly suspended between the flanges of a pair of spaced beams to provide a workman with a safe and stable support platform while enabling the workman to readily move along the beams and have free access to the beams and the space therebetween.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION While numerous suspended scaffolds have been devised for coaction with overhead beams to enable workmen to work on overhead surfaces, such as on bridges, buildings and the like, nevertheless all of these known scaffold structures have possessed various structural and operational features which have made their use inefficient and undesirable. However, in the absence of more desirable structures, these known scaffold structures have been utilized inasmuch as they have been the onlymeans available for performing the desired function.

One of the commonly utilized types of suspended scaffolds involves the use of an elongated platform which is positioned below overhead I-beams and is suspended from the beams by a pair of scissor-type hangers. The hanger grippingly engages around both sides of the lower flange of an I-beam, whereupon a pair of similar hangers are suspended from a pair of spaced I- beams and are used for holding a narrow plank or other boardlike device which extends transversely of the beams and is utilized as a'support for the workmen. Needless to say, scaffolds of this type are relatively unstable and do not provide adequate safety for the workmen. Not only is the workman in a rather exposed and dangerous position, particularly when the scaffold is suspended at a substantial elevation above the ground, such as on a bridge or the like, but also the plank is rather narrow so that the workman thus has access to onlya limited longitudinal extent of the beams. Thus, suspended scaffolds of the above-mentioned type do not provide adequate and convenient access to the overhead beams.

A further disadvantage associated with the scissortype suspended scaffold is that they do not always roll freely along the beams due to the manner in which the scissors are tightly wedged into engagement with the bottom flange of the I-beam when the weight of the workmen is imposed on the scaffold. Movement of a scaffold of this type longitudinally along the beam, which movementoccurs due to the rolling engagement between the hangers and'the beam, and is caused by a manual pushing of the scaffold by the workmen, is thus often difficult and dangerous since extreme care must be exercised during the rolling movement.

Another disadvantage associated with the prior scaffold structures is the difficulty encountered in attempting to adjust same to accommodate different sizes and dimensional variations which exist in different structures. Further, when a suspended scaffold is being utilized on a bridge or the like, such as for painting the undersurface of the bridge, it is often necessary to move the scaffold longitudinally along an overhead beam from one end of the bridge to the other, which movement of the scaffold is interrupted by the main support piers. The known scaffold structures generally require that the complete scaffold be totally disassembled on one side of the pier, and then reassembled on the other side of the pier, to enable continued movement of same along the beam. This is, needless to say, an inefficient and often dangerous procedure.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved suspended scaffold structure which overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages associated with the known scaffold-structures. Particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide;

1. A suspended scaffold structure which is designed to extend between the flanges of a pair of adjacent support beams to provide a stable and secure working platform for the workmen while at the same time providing the workmen with free access to the beams and the space between the beams to permit servicing thereof.

2. A scaffold structure, as aforesaid, which can be supported on the pair of spaced beams and easily rollingly moved therealong by the workmen.

3. A scaffold structure, as aforesaid, having telescopically extendible axles which extend between the flanges of adjacent beams to enable the scaffold to be readily adjusted to accommodate beams which are spaced different distances apart.

4. A scaffold structure, as aforesaid, which utilizes a boxlike frame suspended from a pair of telescopic support axles, which boxlike frame supports thereon a large and stable support platform which is at least partially surrounded by side rails to provide the workmen with a safe support platform while permitting the workmen maximum mobility and access to the work area.

5. A scaffold structure, as aforesaid, which can be readily adjusted to not only vary the width thereof to accommodate the spacing between adjacent beams, but which can also have the support platform vertically adjusted as desired.

6. A scaffold structure, as aforesaid, which can be readily assembled and disassembled directly on the job site, which is of relatively light weight to facilitate assembly and disassembly thereof, and which can be readily transported about.

7. A scaffold structure, as aforesaid, which can constructed from conventional structural elements, such as structural tubular members, to facilitate both the manufacture, assembly and maintenance of the structure.

8. A scaffold structure, as aforesaid, which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture, simple and efficient to assemble and disassemble, and is extremely durable.

9. A scaffold structure, as aforesaid, which can be rollingly moved along a pair of beams and can be moved upwardly so as to pass over a pier without requiring complete disassembly of the scaffold structure.

Other objects and purposes of the present invention will be apparent to persons acquainted with structures of this type upon reading the following specification and inspecting the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an end elevational view of a scaffold structure constructed according to the present invention, same being illustrated as suspended from a pair of I- beams.

- downwardly,

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view, taken partially in cross-section, of the scaffold structure illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a view taken substantially along the line III- III in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line IVIV in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line V-V in FIG. ll.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line VI--VI in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line VIIVII in FIG. 3.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line VIIVIIIVIII in FIG. 3.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary view, taken partially in crosssection, and illustrating one type of releasable connecting pin.

FIG. 10 is an elevational, partial cross-sectional view illustrating the scaffold structure partially disassembled to enable it to be raised adjacent the lower flanges of an l-beam for permitting it to be moved across a pier.

FIGS. 11 and 12 are sectional views of modifications according to the present invention.

In the following description, certain terminology will be used for convenience in description only and will not be limiting. For example, the words upwardly, rightwardly and leftwardly will refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words inwardly and outwardly will refer to directions toward and away, respectively, the geometric center of the scaffold structure and designated parts thereof. Said terminology will include the words above specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The objects and purposes of the invention are met by providing a portable scaffold structure comprising a boxlike frame suspended from a pair of telescopically elongatable axles having rollers on opposite ends thereof positioned for rolling engagement with the flanges of a pair of spaced overhead beams. The. frame includes a pair of vertical comer members or posts fixed to the respective ends 'of each axle and joined together adjacent their lower ends by a telescopic crossbeam which can be extended and contracted in conjunction with the axles to accommodate the spacing between the overhead beams. A removable support floor is supported on and extends between the telescopic cross-beams for defining an enlarged support platform. The telescopic axles, the telescopic cross-beams, the vertical corner posts, and connecting side rails which extend between the corner posts, are all preferably constructed from standard structural tubular members of high strength and light weight, and all of the associated members are fixedly connected by removable connecting pins to facilitate assembly and disassembly of the structure. The removable connecting pins alsopermit the axles and cross-beams to have the length thereof readily adjusted as desired, and at the same time permit elevation of the cross-beams to be varied relative to the corner posts to adjust the elevation of the support platform.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to FIGS. 13, there is also illustrated therein a scaffold structure 11 constructed according to the present invention. The scaffold 11 is designed so as to be suspended from a pair of overhead beams and to be rollingly supported for movement therealong. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the scaffold structure 11 is rollingly supported on and suspended from the bottom flanges 12 of a pair of overhead I-beams 13 which extend parallel to one another and comprise a portion of a structure, such as a bridge, building or the like. The scaffold structure 11 includes a pair of identical end frames 16 and 17 which are fixedly but releasably connected by pairs of upper and lower rails 18 and I9, respectively. The pair of lower rails 19, in conjunction with portions of the end frames I6 and 17, mount thereon a support platform 21.

Considering the end frame 16, same includes a telescopic axle structure 22 which is adapted to extend di- ,rectly between the I-beams 13 for support on the flanges 12. The axle structure 22 (FIGS. 1 and 4) includes a center rod 23 and a pair of identical end rods 24 slidably supported thereon, which end rods can each be slidably extended outwardly beyond the respective ends of the center rod 23 for permitting the length of the axle 22 to be extended. Each end rod 24 is provided with a plug 26 fixedly secured in the outer end thereof, as by welding. Plug 26 has an outwardly projecting stub shaft 27 mounting thereon an intermediate roller bearing 28 and a roller 29 which is preferably of steel and is adapted to rollingly engage the inner upper surface of the flange l2.'The center rod 23 is provided with a plurality of openings 31 formed in the opposite sidewalls thereof, and each end rod 24 is also provided with identical openings 32 formed in the opposite sidewalls thereof, which openings 32 are adapted to align with the openings 31. Each end rod 24 is fixedly connected to the center rod 23 in a selected position by means of a removable connecting pin 33 which is adapted to extend through the aligned

openings

31 and 32 as illustrated in FIG. 4.

The frame 16 further includes a pair of

vertical corner members

36 and 37 adapted to be suspended from the axle structure 22 adjacent the opposite ends thereof. The

comer members

36 and 37 are identical and each comprises an elongated tubular member having a pair of plates or ears 38 fixedly secured, as by welding, adjacent the opposite ends thereof. The plates 38 project outwardly beyond the ends of the tubular member and define a forklike structure. The outwardly projecting plates 38 are also provided with aligned openings 39 therethrough. The upper end of each

corner member

36 and 37 is positioned so that the forklike end structure formed by the plates 38 straddles a respective one of the end rods 24 directly adjacent the outer ends thereof. The

corner members

36 and 37 are then connected to the axle structure 22 by means of releasable connecting pins 33, which pins 33 extend through the aligned openings 39 in the plates 38 and also through aligned openings 32 formed inthe end rods 24 as illustrated in FIG. 4. The plug 26 is also provided with an opening therethrough for receiving therein the releasable connecting pin 33. g

The

comer members

36 and 37 are also fixedly interconnected by means of a telescopic support or crossbeam 41 which is spaced downwardly from the axle structure 22 in substantially parallel relationshiptherewith. The support beam 41 (FIGS. 1 and 5) is of a construction similar to the axle 22 in that it includes a center rod 42 having a pair of end rods 43 slidably supported thereon and extendible outwardly from the opposite ends thereof so that the length of the cross-beam 41 can be adjusted so as to correspond to the length of the axle 22 to maintain the

corner members

36 and 37 in parallel relationship. The center rod 42 is again provided with a plurality of aligned openings 44 in the opposite sidewalls thereof, and similar aligned openings 46 are provided in the opposite sidewalls of the end rods 43, which aligned

openings

44 and 46 accommodate therein removably connecting pins 33 for permitting each end rod 43 to be fixed with respect to the center rod 42 in a desired position.

Each end rod43 is provided with a pair of plates or ears 47 fixedly secured to the outer ends thereof, as by welding, which plates extend outwardly beyond the free end of the end rod 43 and form a forklike structure. The plates 47 have aligned openings 48 formed therethrough, which openings are adapted to be aligned with similar openings 49 which are formed in the opposed sidewalls of the

corner members

36 and 37. Each end rod 43 is positioned so that the plates 47 slideably straddle one of the

corner members

36 or 37, whereupon a removable connecting pin 33 is then inserted through the aligned

openings

48 and 49 for fixedly connecting each end rod 43 to a respective one of the

comer members

36 and 37..

The end frame 16, when assembled, thus constitutes a rectangular frame which includes structural elements formed by the axle structure 22 and the cross-beam structure 41, which structures are both of telescopic construction. The

structures

22 and 41 have their opposite endsconnected to the identical comer members 36 and'37 which are parallel to one another and, by being provided with identical plates 38 on the opposite ends thereof, can be readily interchanged inasmuch as either end can be used as the upper end for connection to the axle structure 22. Since the corner members 36 and '37 are also preferably provided withaligned openings 49 formed in the sidewalls thereof throughout substantially the complete length thereof, the cross-beam structure 41 can be suitably releasably connected by the pins 33 to the

comer members

36 and 37 at any desired location along-the length thereof so as to permit the vertical spacing between the axle structure 22 and the cross-beam structure 41 to be selectively varied. Further, when the width of the end frame 16 is to be. adjusted, then the pin 33which connects each end rod43 to the center rod 42 is removed, and likewise each pin 33 which holds each end. rod 24 to the center rod 23 is likewise removed, whereupon each

end rod

24 and 43 can be slidably moved outwardly with respect to its

center rod

23 and 42 and then again fixedly connected in the new location by means of the pins 33. In this manner, the length of the

telescopic structures

22 and 41 can be selectivelyand easily adjusted.

The end frame 17, which is identical to the end frame 16 and will thus not be described in detail, is fixedly interconnected to the end frame 16 by the pairs of upper and lower rails 18 and 19, respectively. For this purpose, each upperrail 18, which comprises an elongated tubular member, has a pair of plates or ears 51 fixed,

like structure. The forklike structures formed on the ends of the upper rail 18 are then positioned so that they straddle the pair of aligned

corner members

36 or 37, with the platelike ears 51 being positioned so that the opening therein are aligned with similar openings 49 formed in the comer members for receiving therethrough releasable connecting pins 33 which thus fixedly connect each rail 18 between the spaced comer Rails 18 can thus be positioned near the upper ends of as by welding, to each end thereof, which ears project beyond the end of the tubular member and form a forkthe comer members in the vicinity of the axle structures 22 or, alternately, the rails can be positioned downwardly so as to act as side protective rails as illustrated in FIG. 2.

The bottom rails 19 are also elongated tubular members and have plates or ears 52 fixed to the opposite ends thereof to form forklike connections. The opposite forklike ends of each bottom rail 19 are positioned to straddle the end rods 43, with a suitable releasable connecting pin 33 then being inserted through openings formed in the plates 52 and through openings 46 formed in the end rods 43 for releasably connecting the rails 19 thereto.

Considering now the support platform 21 (FIG. 3), 1

same includes a pair of identical, substantially

rectangular grid sections

53 and 54 which are removably supported on the bottom rails 19 and the telescopic beam structures 41 for forminga floor suitable for supporting workmen thereon. Each

grid section

53 and 54 includes a pair of side angle members 56 extending longitudinally along the opposite sides thereof and a pair of end angle members 57 extending along the end edges thereof. The side and end

angle members

56 and 57 are fixedly interconnected, as by being welded, to suitable L-shaped plates or strips 58. The side angle members 56, the end angle members 57, and the connecting plates or strips 58 thus form a substantially rectangular frame to which is secured, as by being welded, an extruded metal mesh or grid 59 which forms the actual floor of the support platform. 1

Each

grid section

53 or 54 is positioned so that the opposite ends thereof bear upon the telescopic crossbeam structures 41, with the grid sections being positioned so that the end angle members 57 overlap the end rods 43 as illustrated in FIG. 7 for maintaining the grid sections properly and securely positioned with respect to the beam structures 41. Further, the forward edge of each

grid section

53 and 54 is positioned to overlap the lower rail 19 so that the side angle member 56, which extends along the front side of the grid section, projects downwardly below the uppermost edge of the rail 19 for preventing the grid section from moving out of engagement with the rail. Each grid section is thus supported and maintained on the rail 19 and crossbeam structures 41 solely by its own weight to facilitate assembly and disassembly of the overall scaffold structure. However, suitable releasable connecting devices, such as chains or the like, could be provided for securely connecting the grid sections to the framing of the scaffold structure if desired.

Each

end frame

16 and 17 is also provided with an intermediate connecting rod structure 61 '(FIGS. 1 and 6) associated therewith, which connecting rod structure is of a telescopic construction and includes inner and

outer rods

62 and 63, respectively, slideably received one within the other. The inner rod 62 is of tubular construction and has aligned openings 64 formed in the opposite sidewalls thereof, and the outer rod 63 is of similar tubular constructions and has a plurality of aligned openings 66 formed in the opposite sidewalls thereof. The rod structure 61 is fixedly connected between the axle structure 22 and the cross-beam structure 41, with the

rods

62 and 63 being fixedly connected at the selected length by means of a releasable connecting pin 33 which is inserted through the aligned

openings

64 and 66.

To connect the lower end of the connecting rod 62 to the cross-beam structure 41, the center rod 42 thereof is provided with a pair of flanges or ears 67 fixed thereto and projecting upwardly from the upper surface thereof. The flanges 67, which are disposed adjacent the midpoint of the rod 42, have aligned openings therein and straddle the lower end of the inner rod 62. A bolt 68 or other conventional hinge pin is inserted through the openings in the flanges 67 and through openings '64 formed in the inner rod 62 for fixedly but hingedly connecting the lower free end of the rod 62 to the center rod 42. This hinged connection thus permits the rod structure 61 to pivot relative to the cross-beam structure 41 about an axis which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cross-beam.

The upper end of the rod structure 61 is suitably fixedly connected to the axle structure 22 and, for this purpose, the upper free end of the outer rod 63 is formed with a pair of projecting ears or flanges 69 which form a fork or yokelike structure which straddles the center rod 23 as illustrated in FIG. 6. The flanges 69 have aligned openings therein which are alignable with the openings 31 formed in the center rod 23,

whereupon the outer rod 63 and center rod 23 are then fixedly interconnected by a bolt 71 or any other conventional fastening element.

Considering now the releasable connecting pin 33, same is illustrated in FIG. 9 and includes an elongated cylindrical body portion 76 having an enlarged head'77 on one end thereof and a slot 78 projecting inwardly from the other end thereof. An elongated locking tab 79 is positioned within the slot and is pivotally supported on the body portion 76 by means of a pivot pin 81. The slot 78, as illustrated in FIG. 9, is of a slightly tapered configuration so as to be narrower adjacent the inner end thereof. Thus, the elongated tab 79 will normally remainin a position wherein it extends substantially transversely to the axis of the pin 33, substantially as illustrated in FIG. 4, whereupon the tab 79 thus effectively acts as a locking -device for preventing inadvertent withdrawal of of thepin from the membersconnected thereby. However, when it is decided to insert or withdraw the connecting pinfrom association with a pair of frame members, then the tab can be manually swung into a position where it is substantially aligned with the axis of the'pin 33 (as shown by dotted lines in FIG. 9), in which position the tab becomes slightly wedged within the slot 78, the side surfaces of the tab being wedged into engagement with the tapered walls formed adjacent the inner end of the slot. The tab can be swung into this wedged engagement by means of finger pressure, and the tab will stay in this aligned position until manually moved out of wedging engagement theless numerous other variations of quick release devices can be utilized for connecting the frame elements.-

. Further, conventional bolts can also be utilized, if desired, although usage of same is not preferred since this substantially increases the time involved in assembling or disassembling the scaffold structure. The use of bolts also increases the number of separate parts being utilized, and increases the possibility that some of these parts will be lost. I

With respect to the structure from which the elements of the scaffold structure 11 are constructed, the elements are preferably constructed from thin walled tubular structural elements, such as conventional tubular structural elements of steel. In the illustrated embodiment, the

members

18, 19, 23, 24, 36, 37, 42, 43, 62 and 63 are all constructed from conventional tubular steel of square cross-section andprovided with a plurality of aligned openings or apertures formed in each of the sidewalls thereof. Such members constitute conventional and readily available structural steel members, which thus greatly facilitates and minimizes the assembly and cost, respectively, of the overall structure. In the illustrated embodiment, the

rod members

23, 42 and 62 comprise one inch square tubular structural members, whereas the remaining

members

18, 19, 24, 36, 37, 43 and 63 comprise conventional one and one-quarter inch square tubular structural members. However, the size of the individual members can be selected as desired to provide the required strength and rigidity.

When it is desired to utilize the scaffold structure of the present invention, same can be readily assembled directly on the job site without special tools or equipment. For example, assuming that the scaffold is to be used in association with a bridge wherein the I-beams at one end of the bridge extend downwardly to a position adjacent the ground, a workman can then stand on the ground in the vicinity of the I-beams and assemble the scaffold directly on the I-beams. For this purpose, the workman can position the axle structure '22 be tween the'I-beams and then telescopically, extend the opposite end rods 24 until the rollers 29 rollingly engage the bottom flanges 12. The connecting pins 33 are then inserted through the

rods

23 and 24 to fixedly lock same together. One end of each

corner member

36 and 37 is then positioned so as to straddle an end rod 24, with same being connected together by a releasable connecting pin 33. The cross-beam structure 41 is then positioned at the desired elevation between the

corner members

36 and 37, whereupon the end rods 43 are slideably moved outwardly'to straddle the respective corner member. The corner member and the respective end rod 43 is then connected by means of a releasable connecting pin 33. The end rods 43 are in turn fixedly connected to the center rod 42 by further connecting pins 33. In this manner, the end frame 16 can be easily completely assembled, and the other end frame 17 can likewise be easily assembled in a similar manner.

After the two end frames have been assembled as described above, then the upper rails 18 are positioned so as to extend between the corner members and are suitably connected thereto by connecting pins 33. With respect to the upper rails 18, they can be positioned at as side rails for protecting the workmen. In a similar manner, the bottom or lower rails 19 are suitably positioned so as to extend between the cross-beam structures 41, and are then suitably connected thereto by further connecting pins 33. In this manner, the complete frame structure can be quickly and efficiently assembled.

If use of the intermediate connecting rod 61 is desired, then same can also be assembled merely by bolting the upper end of the outer rod 63 to the center rod 23 and by bolting the lower end of the inner rod 62 between the flanges 67. The

rods

62 and 63 are then fixedly interconnected by means of a connecting pin 33.

With the frame structure completely assembled, the two

grid sections

53 and 54 are then manually positioned on the cross-beams 41 and on the lower rails 19 to provide a work support platform. The scaffold structure is then ready to use.

When in use, the workman will position himself on the floor of the

grid sections

53 and 54 as defined by the mesh or grid 59, the workman then being positioned so as to have free access to the l-beams 13 and to the space therebetween to permit servicing thereof, such as painting of same. With the upper rails 18 positioned as illustrated in FIG. 2, they will function as side guide rails to prevent the workmen from falling sidewardly off of the scaffold structure. v

While FIGS. l-3 illustrate the scaffold structure 11 with the axles structure 22 and cross-beam structures 41 telescoped together at their shortest lengths, in which position the two

grid sections

53 and 54 form a flush and continuous floor, it will be appreciated that these axles and cross-beam structures can be lengthened to accommodate a greater space between the beams 13. However, when the

structures

22 and 41 are extended, then this results in the

grid sections

53 and 54 being slightly spaced from one another depending upon the amount of extension of

the'structures

22 and 41. While this space between the

grid section

53 and 54 does not normallycreate any problem, due to the width of the individual grid sections, nevertheless the workmen may provide still a further auxiliary grid section for spanning the gap between the

sections

53 and 54 if desired.

In situations where the scaffold structure '11 is being moved along apair of I-beams and further movement is prevented by means of a support, such as a pier, the scaffold structure 11 of the present invention can be partially disassembled to facilitate the movement of the scaffold over the pier so as to permit continued use of same along the I-beams. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the I- beams 13, such as the I-beams of a bridge, are supported on a pier or other similar abutment 86. Since the pier 86 prevents further movement of the scaffold structure along the I-beams, the present invention permits the scaffold structure to be lifted'upwardly between the I-beams and moved over the pier without requiring complete disassembly of the scaffold structure. For example, when'the workmen reach one side of the pier, then the upper rails 18 and the four

comer members

36 and 37 are disconnected by removing the connecting pins 33. This thus leaves the support platform 21, 'namely the

grid sections

53 and 54, supported on the cross-beam structures 41, which in turn are connected to the axles 22 through the intermediate connecting rods 61. This remaining structure can remain assembled since the hinged connection provided between the lower end of the inner rod 62 and the center rod 43 permits the complete support platform to be swingably moved upwardly, as by means of a portable removable pulley arrangement, into the space between the l-beams substantially as illustrated in FIG. 9. In this manner the axles structures 22, the connecting rods 61, the cross-beam structures 41 and the

grid sections

53 and 54 can thus be rollingly moved over the pier, as by sociated pair of comer members. Further, the lower ends of each comer member will be disconnected from the cross-beams structures 41 by removal of the connecting pins 33. The comer members will thus continue to be suspended at their upper ends thereof from the axle structures. The corner members will then have sufficient play at their connection to the axles to enable the corner members to be swung slightly outwardly away from the cross-beam structures 41, thereby enabling the corner members to hang freely. The support platform can then be swung upwardly substantially as illustrated in FIG. 9, whereupon the

comer members

36 and 37 will rotate with the axle structure and swinging upwardly so as to be substantially aligned with the connecting rod 61. After passing over the pier, the complete structure will again be swung downwardly, whereupon the lower ends of the comer members will again be connected to the opposite ends of the crossbeam structures, and the upper rails 18 will again be connected between the cornermembers.

FIG. 11 illustrates therein one possible modification of the present invention, particularly dealing with the connection between the ends of the telescopic cross beams 41 and the

comer members

36 and 37. Particularly, rather than providing a rigid connection as illustrated in FIG. 5, same could be replaced by a pivotal connection as illustrated in FIG. 11. In this modification, the ears 47 are eliminated and the outer end of the end member 43 is provided with a plug 71 fixedly secured thereto, which plug has an outwardly projecting pin or pivot portion 72. This pivot portion 72 can be inserted through a pair of aligned openings 49 formed in the opposite sidewalls of the

comer member

36 or 37. A suitable locking device, such as a cotter pin 73 or any other equivalent locking structure can then be positioned through the end of the pivot shaft 72 to thus fixedly but pivotally connect the cross-beam to the respective comer member.

The use of a pivotal connection between the ends of I the cross-beams and the comer members, as illustrated in FIG. 11, is highly desirable since this enables the complete assembly to be flattened out and moved across a pier (as shown in FIG. 10) with out requiring that any of the corner members be disassembled since the comer members will thus be pivotally swingable relative to the cross-beams so as to be movable into a substantially straight position wherein they are aligned 1 ll with the platform. This thus maintains the platform in a stable and nontilting position to greatly facilitate its movement over a pier or other support structure.

FIG. 12 illustrates therein a further variation of the present invention wherein the telescopic assemblies, namely the axles 22 and the cross-beams 41, can be constructed from open substantially L-shaped members, rather than closed tubular members as disclosed above. As illustrated in FIG. 12, each telescopic assembly could include an inner L-shaped member 81 supporting thereon a pair of outer end member 82 which are also of a substantially L-shaped configuration. This structure could thus be used for forming both the telescopic axle 22 and the telescopic cross-beam 41. Further, this type of telescopic structure enables the use of a totally different type of releasable fastening device, thereby enabling elimination of the pins 33.

The releasable fastening device 83 as illustrated in FIG. 12 comprises a first sleevelike hub 84 which is fixedly connected to one of the telescopic members, namely the inner member 81 in the illustrated embodiment. The hub 84 slidably supports thereon a shaft 86 which has an enlarged knob 87 on one end and an enlarged projecting portion 88 on the other end. A spring 89 is disposed within the hub 84 and normally urges the shaft 86 and the projection 88 outwardly (rightwardly in FIG. 12). The spring thus normally urges the projection 88 through a pair of aligned openings 91 as formed in the

telescopic members

81 and 82. By manually retracting the shaft 86 against the urging of spring, as by pulling leftwardly on the knob, the projection 88 will be removed from the aligned openings. The

telescopic members

81 and 82 can thus be slidably adjusted relative to one another into the selected position. Release of the knob then enables the spring to cause the projection 88 to again extend through a pair of aligned openings 91 for locking the two telescopic members together. This structure is highly desirable since the fastening means for locking the telescopic members together is thus pennenantly mounted on the telescopic members, and thus there is no danger of losing same. Further, any adjustment in the length of the telescopic structure can be performed in an easy and efficient manner.

While the invention as disclosed above illustrates the use-of safety rails 18 and 19 extending along both sides of the scaffold, it will be appreciated that similar safety rails (not shown) could alsobe provided so as to extend across each end of the scaffold. In fact, the use of these additional end safety rails is preferred, and such rails would be similar to the rail 18 and would extend transversely across the scaffold between a cooperating pair of

corner members

36 and 37.

While the

comer members

36 and 37 have been disclosed as being of one piece, these members could comprise several sections substantially identical to the corner members disclosed in the drawings, with said sections being coupled together so as to increase the overall length of the corner members. Several such corner members could thus be vertically coupled together so as to enable the scaffold to be suspended a substantial distance below the supporting beams, such as for enabling the scaffold to be 'moved downwardly along a vertical pier.

Although a particular preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed above for illustrative purposes, it will be understood that variations or modificaclaims are fully contemplated.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

l. A scaffold structure adapted to be supported on and suspended from a pair of spaced overhead beams, comprising:

a pair of substantially parallel, elongated, telescopic axle means each having rollers on the opposite ends thereof adapted for rolling engagement with said overhead beams;

platform means supported from and suspended Q below said axle means, said platform means including a substantially horizontal platform adapted to support a workman or equipment thereon; said platform means further including a pair of sub- W WW beam means, each of said cross-beam means being positioned substantially parallel to a respective one of said axle means and spaced downwardly therefrom by a substantial distance; and connecting means for fixedly interconnecting each said cross-beam means to a respective axle means, said connecting means including vertically elongated post means having its upper end connected to said axle means, said post means also being connected to the respective cross-beammeans at a location spaced downwardly a substantial distance from the upper end of said post means. 2. A scaffold structure according to claim 1, wherein each of said axle means includes an elongated center axle member and a pair of elongated end axle members slidably supported on said center axle members and projecting outwardly from opposite ends thereof, each of said end axle members having a roller mounted thereon adjacent the free end thereof, and removable locking means coacting between each said end axle member and said center axle member for fixedly interconnecting same at a selected position.

3. A scaffold structure according to claim 2, wherein said post means includes a pair of vertically elongated rodlike members connected between each axle means and its respective cross-beam means, each of said rodlike members having its upper end releasably connected to a respective one of said end axle members adjacent the free end thereof.

4. A scaffold structure according to claim 3, wherein said platform means includes a pair of elongated and substantially horizontal rails extending between and fixedly interconnecting said pair of cross-beam means, said rails extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of said cross-beam means and being connected between said cross-beam means adjacent the free ends thereof, whereby said pair of cross-beam means and said pairof rails form a substantially rectangular ringlike frame.

5. A scaffold structure according to claim 4, wherein said platform includes a substantially rectangular grid section removably supported on said rails and said cross-beam means.

6. A scaffold structure according to claim 5, further including a pair of elongated and substantially parallel upper rails extending between and fixedly connected to the rodlike members, one of said upper rails being disposed directly adjacent each side of the platform means and spaced upwardly therefrom a substantial distance above the first-mentioned rail.

7. A scaffold structure according to claim 1, wherein said post means'includes a pair of vertically elongated rodlike post members extending between and connected to each said axle means and its respective crossbeam means, each said vertical post member having the upper end thereof releasably connected to the axle means directly adjacent one of the ends thereof, and adjustable connecting means coacting between each said vertical post member and an adjacent end of the respective cross-beam means for releasably connecting same at a selected one of a plurality of vertical positions along said post member.

8. A scaffold structure according to claim 7, wherein said cross-beam means includes an elongated center beam member and a pair of end beam members slidably supported on said center beam member and extending outwardly from the opposite ends thereof, each of said end beam members being connected adjacent its free end to a respective one of said vertical post in a selected position.

10. A scaffoldstructure according to claim 1, further including auxiliary connecting rod means extending between and interconnecting each of said axle means to its respective cross-beam means, said auxiliary connecting rod means having one end thereof fixedly connected to one of said axle means and said cross-beam means, the other end of said auxiliary connecting rod means being hingedly connected to the other of said axle means and said cross-beam means.

l l l l

Claims

1. A scaffold structure adapted to be supported on and suspended from a pair of spaced overhead beams, comprising: a pair of substantially parallel, elongated, telescopic axle means each having rollers on the opposite ends thereof adapted for rolling engagement with said overhead beams; platform means supported from and suspended below said axle means, said platform means including a substantially horizontal platform adapted to support a workman or equipment thereon; said platform means further including a pair of substantially parallel, elongated, telescopic cross-beam means, each of said support beam means Being positioned substantially parallel to a respective one of said axle means and spaced downwardly therefrom by a substantial distance; and connecting means for fixedly interconnecting each said crossbeam means to a respective axle means, said connecting means including vertically elongated post means having its upper end connected to said axle means, said post means also being connected to the respective cross-beam means at a location spaced downwardly a substantial distance from the upper end of said post means.

2. A scaffold structure according to claim 1, wherein each of said axle means includes an elongated center axle member and a pair of elongated end axle members slidably supported on said center axle members and projecting outwardly from opposite ends thereof, each of said end axle members having a roller mounted thereon adjacent the free end thereof, and removable locking means coacting between each said end axle member and said center axle member for fixedly interconnecting same at a selected position.

4. A scaffold structure according to claim 3, wherein said platform means includes a pair of elongated and substantially horizontal rails extending between and fixedly interconnecting said pair of cross-beam means, said rails extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of said cross-beam means and being connected between said cross-beam means adjacent the free ends thereof, whereby said pair of cross-beam means and said pair of rails form a substantially rectangular ringlike frame.

7. A scaffold structure according to claim 1, wherein said post means includes a pair of vertically elongated rodlike post members extending between and connected to each said axle means and its respective cross-beam means, each said vertical post member having the upper end thereof releasably connected to the axle means directly adjacent one of the ends thereof, and adjustable connecting means coacting between each said vertical post member and an adjacent end of the respective cross-beam means for releasably connecting same at a selected one of a plurality of vertical positions along said post member.

8. A scaffold structure according to claim 7, wherein said cross-beam means includes an elongated center beam member and a pair of end beam members slidably supported on said center beam member and extending outwardly from the opposite ends thereof, each of said end beam members being connected adjacent its free end to a respective one of said vertical post members.

9. A scaffold structure according to claim 1, wherein said cross-beam means includes an elongated center beam member and a pair of elongated end beam members slidably supported on said center beam member and extending outwardly from the opposite ends thereof, and removable locking means coacting between said end beam members and said center beam member for removably but fixedly connecting each of said end beam members to said center beam member in a selected position.

10. A scaffold structure according to claim 1, further including auxiliary connecting rod means extending between and inteRconnecting each of said axle means to its respective cross-beam means, said auxiliary connecting rod means having one end thereof fixedly connected to one of said axle means and said cross-beam means, the other end of said auxiliary connecting rod means being hingedly connected to the other of said axle means and said cross-beam means.