WO2020198103A1

WO2020198103A1 - Inflatable scaffolding

Info

Publication number: WO2020198103A1
Application number: PCT/US2020/024133
Authority: WO
Inventors: Colin S. MCINTYRE; Thomas P. DONOGHUE; Peter Toth
Original assignee: Bechtel Global Corporation
Priority date: 2019-03-28
Filing date: 2020-03-23
Publication date: 2020-10-01

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for provision of a scaffolding system. A scaffolding system includes inflatable components, which may be coupled together to provide desired construction. The scaffolding system may be composed of inflatable enclosures each with a securing member to aid in attachment of the inflatable enclosures and connectors, which can couple two securing members and thus, the associated inflatable enclosures, to provide the desired construction.

Description

INFLATABLE SCAFFOLDING

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/825,317, filed March 28, 2019, is hereby claimed and the specification thereof is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] The following disclosure generally relates to a scaffolding system. More particularly, the disclosure provides a scaffolding system including inflatable components which may be coupled together to provide desired construction.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Currently, scaffolding is made of fixed components, both metal and wood and needs to be assembled and inspected before use by a competent scaffold builder. This results in high costs for storage and lost time in assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are referenced with like reference numbers, and in which:

[0005] FIG. 1 is an isometric view illustrating the inflatable scaffold system.

[0006] FIG. 2 is an isometric view illustrating the inflatable scaffold system having ribs.

[0007] FIG. 3 is an isometric view illustrating the inflatable scaffold system having two enclosures.

[0008] FIG. 4 is an isometric view illustrating the inflatable scaffold system having two enclosures of FIG. 3 with a platform.

[0009] FIG. 5 is an isometric view illustrating two inflatable scaffold systems coupled together. [0010] FIG. 6 is an isometric view illustrating an alternative embodiment of the inflatable scaffold system.

[0011] FIG. 7 is a rear view of alternative embodiment inflatable scaffold system of FIG.

6.

[0012] FIG. 8 is an end view illustrating two alternative embodiments of the inflatable scaffold system of FIG. 6 coupled together laterally.

[0013] FIG. 9 is an end view illustrating two alternative embodiments of the inflatable scaffold system of FIG. 6 coupled together vertically.

[0014] FIG. 10 is an isometric view illustrating the top of the alternative embodiment of the inflatable scaffold system of FIG. 6.

[0015] FIG. 11 is an isometric view illustrating the coupling of four of the alternative embodiments of the inflatable scaffold system of FIG. 6 prior to being coupled.

[0016] FIG. 12 is an isometric view illustrating the coupling of four of the alternative embodiments of the inflatable scaffold system of FIG. 6.

[0017] FIG. 13 is an isometric view illustrating the top of the coupling of two of the alternative embodiments of the inflatable scaffold system of FIG. 6.

[0018] FIG. 14 is an isometric view illustrating a further alternative embodiment of the inflatable scaffold system as a fall arrest system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[0019] The subject matter disclosed herein is described with specificity, however, the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. The subject matter thus, might also be embodied in other ways, to include different structures, steps and/or combinations similar to and/or fewer than those described herein, in conjunction with other present or future technologies. Although the term“step” may be used herein to describe different elements of methods employed, the term should not be interpreted as implying any particular order among or between various steps herein disclosed unless otherwise expressly limited by the description to a particular order. Other features and advantages of the disclosed embodiments will thus, be or become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such features and advantages be included within the scope of the disclosed embodiments. Further, the illustrated figures are only exemplary and are not intended to assert or imply any limitation with regard to the environment, architecture, design, or process in which different embodiments may be implemented.

[0020] It would be advantageous to provide a scaffolding system that includes inflatable components to provide an interlocking, semi-rigid structure capable of accommodating conventional external forces acting while providing an inflatable/deflatable, modular polyhedron permitting transverse and longitudinal assembly using lightweight materials.

[0021] The apparatus and methods disclosed herein overcome one or more of the prior art disadvantages by providing inflatable components, which may be coupled together to provide desired construction. The disclosure provides a quickly-deployable scaffolding solution that can be inflated and deflated, made of modular/connectable components, out of a highly durable material.

[0022] In one embodiment, the present disclosure includes a scaffolding system, comprising: i) an enclosure having six enclosure walls and being non-rigid and airtight; ii) a sealable opening through the enclosure to an enclosure interior, the enclosure being inflatable by the sealable opening; and iii) an enclosure securing member positioned on at least one of the six enclosure walls. [0023] In another embodiment, the present disclosure includes a scaffolding system comprising: i) an enclosure having enclosure walls, six rectangular faces, the enclosure being airtight and inflatable by a sealable opening through the enclosure to an enclosure interior; and ii) an enclosure securing member tube horizontally positioned at each comer of each of the six rectangular faces.

[0024] In yet another embodiment, a process for providing a scaffolding comprising: i) inflating a first enclosure by a sealable opening; ii) inflating a second enclosure by a second enclosure sealable opening; iii) positioning the first enclosure adjacent the second enclosure; and iv) coupling a first securing member of the first enclosure to a second securing member of the second enclosure.

[0025] The present disclosure provides an inflatable/deflatable, multi-member, modular cube or polyhedron permitting transverse and longitudinal assembly with a configurable working platform, similar to traditional scaffolding, without comprising the structural integrity of the scaffolding system. The disclosure is manufactured from a lightweight, air retentive composite material providing an interlocking, semi-rigid structure capable of accommodating conventional external forces and providing redundancy, minimizing failure scenarios. The coupling mechanism may be selected to avoid detracting from the characteristics of the inflatable material.

[0026] Referring to FIG. 1, an isometric view of the inflatable scaffold system 100 is illustrated. The rear of the inflatable scaffold system 100 is illustrated in FIG. 7. The scaffolding system 100 includes an enclosure 102 having six enclosure walls 104, 106, 108, 714, 716, 718, where the enclosure 102 has an enclosure interior which enclosure 102 is airtight, i.e. which sufficiently retards the gas or liquid used for inflation from penetrating outward to permit such a loss in volume as to affect performance. While the enclosure 102 may be inflated with any liquid or gas, air is preferred. The enclosure 102 includes a sealable opening 110 through the enclosure 102 to the enclosure interior and is inflatable by the sealable opening 110. The enclosure 102 is non-rigid and may therefore be readily stored when not inflated.

[0027] The sealable opening 110 is bi-directional and may be used to inflate and deflate the enclosure 102 and may include a valve to control flow therethrough. The sealable opening 110 may include a one-way inflow valve with a manual release, so that the enclosure 102 may be filled and then the sealable opening 110 closed when positive pressure is eliminated and wherein the enclosure 102 may be deflated when the manual release is engaged. Alternatively, the sealable opening 110 may be a two-position valve and the enclosure securing member 112 is adapted for a connection between one enclosure 102 and an adjacent sealable opening 110. When desired the sealable opening 110 may be coupled to the sealable opening 110 on additional enclosures 102 where the construction of the sealable openings 110 facilitates concurrent operation of multiple sealable openings 110 for inflation and deflation.

[0028] An enclosure securing member 112 is positioned on at least one of the six enclosure walls. The enclosure securing member 112 may be a hook-and-loop system. The enclosure walls 104, 106, 108, 714, 716, 718 are provided of a lightweight, air retentive composite material and define the airtight enclosure interior. Once inflated via the sealable opening 110 through the enclosure 102, the scaffolding system 100 provides a semi-rigid structure which may be used by itself or in connection with additional scaffolding systems 100 to provide desirable constructions. While a polyhedron, the scaffolding system 100 may be constructed as a rectangular prism and even as a cuboid. Because the scaffolding system 100 includes the sealable opening 110, when air, or any other material, is introduced to the enclosure interior, the scaffolding system 100 is filled until the sealable opening 110 is closed. Afterwards, the air or other material used for inflation may be permitted to exit the enclosure interior, so the scaffolding system 100 may be deflated until the sealable opening 110 is again closed. Moreover, the securing member 112 may be on a face of the enclosure 102 at the sealable opening 110, so the enclosure securing member 112 may provide a connection between one enclosure 102 and an adjacent sealable opening 110 so multiple enclosures 102 may be coupled together at each sealable opening 100 while deflated and simultaneously inflated.

[0029] The inflatable scaffolding system 100 thus includes an enclosure 102 having six enclosure walls 104, 106, 108, 714, 716, 718 and being non-rigid and airtight, a sealable opening 110 through the enclosure 102 to an enclosure interior with the enclosure 102 being inflatable by the sealable opening 110 and an enclosure securing member 112 positioned on at least one of the six enclosure walls 104, 106, 108, 714, 716, 718.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 2, an isometric view of the inflatable scaffold system 100 having ribs 202 is illustrated. For additional rigidity, each of the six enclosure walls 104, 106, 108, 714, 716, 718 may have a plurality of ribs 202 extending therein from a first edge 204 to a second edge 206 of each of the six enclosure walls. The ribs 202 may be straight or may be provided in other shapes, such as sinusoidal, and be formed in the material which defines the enclosure interior to provide rigidity or may be applied to the airtight material of the one or more of the enclosure walls 104, 106, 108, 714, 716, 718 which define the airtight enclosure interior. The ribs 202 may therefore be composed of a material different from the enclosure walls. This development may be accomplished in numerous orientations. The plurality of ribs 202 may be provided which are not perpendicular to the first edge 204 of the respective enclosure wall and are not parallel to the respective first edge 204 of the respective enclosure wall. Alternatively, the plurality of ribs 202 may be parallel to the respective first edge 204 of the respective enclosure wall 104, 106, 108, 714, 716, 718. Likewise, the plurality of ribs 202 may be perpendicular to the first edge 204 of the respective enclosure wall. Moreover, to increase rigidity, the plurality of ribs 202 may include a rib sealable opening 208 where each of the plurality of ribs 202 has a rib interior, which is airtight. Filling the ribs 202 may therefore provide rigidity when inflated but become pliant when deflated.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 3, an isometric view of the inflatable scaffold system 100 having two enclosures 102, 302 is illustrated. A second enclosure 302 may be provided having the six non-rigid additional enclosure walls 104, 106, 108, 714, 716, 718, the second enclosure 302 having a second enclosure interior, the second enclosure 302 being airtight. Like the first enclosure 102, the second enclosure sealable opening 310 is provided through the second enclosure 302 to the second enclosure interior and a second enclosure securing member 312 positioned on at least one of the six non-rigid additional enclosure walls. The enclosure 102 and the second enclosure 302 may be used in different configurations dependent on need.

[0032] Referring to FIG. 4, an isometric view of the inflatable scaffold system 100 having two enclosures of FIG. 3 with a platform is illustrated. With the enclosure 102 and the second enclosure 302, a working platform 402 contacting one of the six enclosure walls 104, 106, 108, 714, 716, 718 and the first additional enclosure wall 304 of the second enclosure 302.

[0033] Referring to FIG. 5, an isometric view of two inflatable scaffold systems coupled together is illustrated. With the enclosure 102 and the second enclosure 302 of FIG. 3, the two may be brought together, with a connector 502 coupled to the enclosure securing member 112 and coupled to the second enclosure securing member 312, thus joining the two and providing a more substantial stable surface.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 6, an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of the inflatable scaffold system 100 is illustrated. Referring to FIG. 7, a rear view of the inflatable scaffold system 100 of Fig. 2 is illustrated in connection with the alternative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6.

[0035] The securing members 112 may be positioned at the junction of two planes of the enclosure 102 to make them accessible during assembly and to increase the number of points of attachment. The six enclosure walls 104, 106, 108, 714, 716, 718 may include an enclosure first wall 104 opposite an enclosure fourth wall 714, an enclosure second wall 106 opposite an enclosure fifth wall 716, and an enclosure third wall 108 opposite an enclosure sixth wall 718. Likewise, the enclosure securing member 112 may include an enclosure securing member tube 606. When desired, a plurality enclosure securing member tube 606 may be used. An enclosure first wall upper panel 602 may be provided intermediate the enclosure first wall 104 and the enclosure second wall 106 and an enclosure first wall lower panel 604 may be provided intermediate the enclosure first wall 104 and the enclosure fifth wall 716. One of the enclosure securing member tubes 606, a securing member tube 616, may be horizontally affixed to the enclosure 102 on the enclosure first wall upper panel 602 adjacent the enclosure first wall 104.

[0036] Referring to FIG. 3, the enclosure securing member 112 may include a first horizontally-aligned enclosure securing member tube 606 affixed to the one of the six enclosure walls 104, 106, 108, 714, 716, 718 at its top 314 and includes a second horizontally-aligned enclosure securing member tube 606 affixed at its bottom 316. While the enclosure securing member tube 314 may be provided across the width of the second enclosure 302, it may be preferably be provided as a pair of horizontally-aligned enclosure securing member tubes 606 distributed to be adjacent the two edges of the associated enclosure wall 104, 106, 108, 714, 716, 718

[0037] Referring again to FIG. 6, when desired, the enclosure first wall upper panel 602 may be a curved panel or may be a flat panel positioned at a forty-five degree angle to the enclosure first wall 104 and at a forty-five degree angle to the enclosure second wall 106 and the enclosure first wall lower panel 604 positioned at a forty-five degree angle to the enclosure first wall 104 and at a forty-five degree angle to the enclosure fifth wall 716, to provide a maximum amount of space with multiple enclosures 102 are positioned in abutment laterally and vertically.

[0038] Thus, the inflatable scaffolding system 100 may include an enclosure 102 having enclosure walls 104, 106, 108, 714, 716, 718 which include six rectangular faces, where the enclosure 102 is airtight and inflatable by a sealable opening 110 through the enclosure 102 to an enclosure interior, and an enclosure securing member tube 112 horizontally positioned at each corner of each of the six rectangular faces.

[0039] Referring to FIG. 8, an end view of two alternative embodiments of the inflatable scaffold system 100 of FIG. 6 coupled together laterally is illustrated. The position of the securing members 112 provides a readily-accessible point of access. In this inflatable scaffold system 100, a second enclosure 302 is provided which has a second enclosure first wall 304 opposite a second enclosure fourth wall 734, a second enclosure second wall 306 opposite a second enclosure fifth wall 736, and a second enclosure third wall 308 opposite a second enclosure sixth wall 738 illustrated in FIG. 7, where the second enclosure 302 has a second enclosure interior which is airtight. As illustrated in FIG. 3, a second enclosure sealable opening 310 is provided through the second enclosure 302 to the second enclosure interior. As with the enclosure 102, a second enclosure first wall upper panel 802 is positioned intermediate the second enclosure first wall 304 and the enclosure second wall 306 and a second enclosure first wall lower panel 804 is positioned intermediate the second enclosure first wall 304 and the second enclosure fifth wall 736. For coupling, a second enclosure securing member 312 includes a second enclosure securing member tube 806 which is horizontally affixed to the second enclosure 302 on the second enclosure first wall upper panel 802 adjacent the second enclosure first wall 304. Referring to FIGS. 6 and 8, to facilitate the coupling, the u-shaped connector 610 may be a laterally-positioning u-shaped connector 630 having a u-shaped connector first leg 612 sized to fit within the enclosure securing member tube 616 and has a u-shaped connector second leg 614 sized to fit within the second enclosure securing member tube 806. The laterally-positioning u-shaped connector 630 can thus be positioned so the u-shaped connector first leg 612 is positioned in the enclosure securing member tube 616 and the u-shaped connector second leg 614 is positioned in the second enclosure securing member tube 806 so the enclosure 102 and the second enclosure 302 are retained in lateral position relative to one another. When desired, the enclosure securing member 112 may have an enclosure second securing member tube 808 affixed to the enclosure 102 on the first enclosure wall upper wall 602 adjacent the additional enclosure wall 106.

[0040] Referring to FIG. 9, an end view of two alternative embodiments of the inflatable scaffold system 100 of FIG. 6 coupled together vertically is illustrated. Again, the position of the securing members 112 provides a readily-accessible location for access. The scaffold system 100 further includes an additional enclosure 902 which is inflatable by the additional enclosure sealable opening and has an additional enclosure first wall 904 opposite an additional enclosure fourth wall 954, an additional enclosure second wall 906 opposite an additional enclosure fifth wall 956 and an additional enclosure third wall opposite an additional enclosure sixth wall. The additional enclosure 902 has an additional enclosure interior which is airtight and which is inflated and deflated by an additional enclosure sealable opening 910 through the additional enclosure 902 to the additional enclosure interior. An enclosure first wall lower panel 914 is provided intermediate the additional enclosure first wall 904 and the enclosure fifth wall 956 and an additional enclosure securing member tube 916 is horizontally affixed to the additional enclosure 902 on the additional enclosure first wall lower panel 914 adjacent the enclosure fifth wall 956. A vertically-positioning u-shaped connector 922 is then also provided which has an additional u-shaped connector first leg 918 sized to fit within the additional enclosure securing member tube 808 and having an additional u-shaped connector second leg 920 sized to fit within the additional enclosure securing member tube 916. The vertically-positioning u-shaped connector 922 can thus be positioned so the additional u-shaped connector first leg 918 is positioned within the additional enclosure securing member tube 808 and the additional u-shaped connector second leg 920 is positioned within the additional enclosure securing member tube 916 so the enclosure 102 and the second enclosure 302 are retained in vertical position relative to one another.

[0041] The capability to laterally and vertically couple multiple enclosures 102 may be combined to combine three or more non-rigid disclosures 102 into any number of shapes and levels as needed.

[0042] Referring again to FIGS. 1, 2, 6, 8 and 9, the scaffolding system 100 may therefore be construed in this alternative embodiment to include an enclosure 102 which has enclosure walls, and which has six rectangular faces, where the enclosure 102 has an enclosure interior and where the enclosure 102 is airtight. A sealable opening 110 is provided through the enclosure 102 to the enclosure interior and an enclosure securing member tube 112 horizontally positioned at each corner of each of the six rectangular faces. When needed, the scaffolding system 100, may then also include a second enclosure 102 and four u-shaped connectors 610, where each u-shaped connector 610 has a u-shaped connector first leg 612 sized to fit within one of the enclosure securing member tubes 112 and a u-shaped connector second leg 614 sized to fit within one of the enclosure securing member tubes 112. [0043] Referring to FIG. 10, an isometric view illustrating the top of the alternative embodiment of the inflatable scaffold system 100 of FIG. 6 is illustrated as described, with two securing member tubes for at the top and bottom of each of the vertical and horizontal faces, providing thirty -two (32) securing member tubes for connection to laterally or vertically adjacent enclosures 102, providing four (4) points of connection between each adjacent enclosures 102 and therefore resisting any potential rotation of one enclosures 102 relative to another.

[0044] Referring to FIG. 11, an isometric view illustrating the coupling of four of the alternative embodiments of the inflatable scaffold system 100 of FIG. 6 prior to being coupled is illustrated. When four laterally and vertically adjacent enclosures 102 are provided, with the use of u-shaped connectors 610 and vertically-positioning u-shaped connectors 922, the four laterally and vertically adjacent enclosures 102 can be coupled together laterally and vertically. Referring to FIG. 12, an isometric view illustrating the coupling of four of the alternative embodiments of the inflatable scaffold system is illustrated as discussed in reference to FIG. 11.

[0045] Referring to FIG. 13, an isometric view illustrating the top of the coupling of two of the alternative embodiments of the inflatable scaffold system 100 of FIG. 6 is illustrated. FIG. 13 provides a top-down view of two laterally-adjacent enclosures 102 joined by two u-shaped connectors 610, as illustrated by a side view in FIG. 8. When desired, u-shaped connectors 610 may be inserted in the securing members 112 from the external and internal ends, particularly at the top enclosure second wall 106. Referring to FIG. 13, each enclosures 102 may include a tether 1302, such as on its top wall 106 at one or more of its corners. The tether 1302 may alternatively attached elsewhere. Each tether 1302 may be used to secure a safety line from the enclosure 102 to the ground, to secure a safety line to a worker, or for other connection.

[0046] Referring to FIG. 14, an isometric view illustrating a further alternative embodiment of the inflatable scaffold system 100 having walls and an elevated surface is illustrated to disclose a work structure 1400. When desired, various forms of the enclosures 102 may be used and may include one or more enclosures 102 having ribs 202 on one or more walls 104, 106, 108, 714, 716, 718. Rather than cubic-shaped polyhedrons, the enclosures 102 may be provided as rectangular prisms 1402. A plurality of rectangular prism enclosures 1402 formed as inflatable, elongated, flat rectangular prisms may be used to construct a two-tiered structure. Each rectangular prism enclosures 1402 may have securing members 112 at its ends and midpoints, permitting connection at its ends and providing a second worksurface 1404. The enclosure 102 may therefore be an elongated rectangular prism 1402 having a second enclosure securing member 112 positioned at a first end 1408 of the enclosure 102, a third enclosure securing member 112 positioned at a midpoint 1412 of the enclosure 102, where the enclosure securing member 112 is positioned at a second end 1410 of the enclosure 102. When provided, a fencing or mesh screen 1406 may be included and connect to one or more of the enclosures 102, such as half-height or full height, such as for safety, particularly to serve as a fall arrest system, and/or for service as an elemental screening device and/or for service to enhance structural performance as cross-bracing.

[0047] In operation, the scaffolding system 100 may be provided by the steps of inflating a first enclosure 102, inflating a second enclosure, and then by coupling together the first enclosure 102 and the second enclosure. The first enclosure 102 may have non-rigid walls, the enclosure 102 having six first non-rigid rectangular faces, and where the first enclosure 102 having a first enclosure interior so the first enclosure 102 is airtight. The first enclosure 102 has a first sealable opening 110 through the first enclosure 102 to the first enclosure interior to facilitate the inflating step, and has a first connector positioned on each of the six first non-rigid rectangular faces to a facilitate the coupling to an additional inflatable enclosure 102. Likewise, the second enclosure 102 may have non-rigid walls, the enclosure 102 having six second non-rigid rectangular faces, and where the second enclosure 102 having a second enclosure interior so the second enclosure 102 is airtight. The second enclosure 102 has a second enclosure sealable opening 110 through the second enclosure 102 to the second enclosure interior to facilitate the inflating step, and has a second connector positioned on each of the six second non-rigid rectangular faces to a facilitate the coupling to the first enclosure 102. One of the six first enclosure rectangular faces of the first enclosure 102 is positioned adjacent one of the six second enclosure rectangular faces of the second enclosure 102, so the associated first connector 112 is brought into proximity of the associated second connector 112. The first connector 112 positioned can then be coupled to the second connector 112.

[0048] As the enclosure 102 provides a uniform sized body which can be coupled to further enclosures, any shape may be constructed by positioning and coupling of additional enclosures 102. A plurality of the secondary enclosures 102 may be provided and coupled together to form a lateral enclosed space, such as a working deck and/or to form a vertical enclosed space to provide a series of working levels, thus providing a work structure 1400. Ensuring workplace safety may be increased by providing a mesh screen 1406 across the enclosed space from one of the second enclosures 102 to another of the second enclosures 102. When provided, a fencing or mesh screen 1406 may be included and connect to one or more of the enclosures 102, such as half-height or full height, such as for safety, particularly to serve as a fall arrest system, and/or for service as an elemental screening device and/or for service to enhance structural performance as cross-bracing. Further, securing members 112 may be positioned at a midpoint 1412 of a second enclosure 102, as well as at a first end 1408 and at a second end 1410 of the enclosure 102. A second enclosure

102 may be provided as a rectangular prism and connected to securing members 112 at those midpoints, creating a ladder-like structure.

[0049] When desired, the process may include providing four u-shaped connectors 610 for coupling. When provided, each u-shaped connector 610 has a u-shaped connector first leg 612 sized to fit within an enclosure securing member tube and having a u-shaped connector second leg 614 sized to fit within the enclosure securing member tube and to fit within the second enclosure securing member tube. To aid in access to the enclosure securing member tube, the first enclosure and the second enclosure may each be a regular polyhedron having six rectangular faces with none of the six rectangular faces in contact with another, with an enclosure securing member tube 112 horizontally positioned at each corner of each of the six rectangular faces. Coupling may be accomplished by inserting each of the four u-shaped connectors into one of the enclosure securing member tubes 112 and an adjacent one of the second enclosure securing member tubes.

[0050] The disclosure may be accomplished with a polyhedron such as a perfect cube or a stacked panel. A perfect cube, or cubic-based polyhedron, provides superior setup, breakdown, shape, load capability and arrangement versatility. Other polyhedron shapes, such as a stacked panel may have superior stowage, weight, and load capability.

[0051] While the present disclosure has been described in connection with presently preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to those embodiments. It is therefore, contemplated that various alternative embodiments and modifications may be made to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A scaffolding system, comprising:

an enclosure having six enclosure walls and being non-rigid and airtight;

a sealable opening through the enclosure to an enclosure interior, the enclosure being inflatable by the sealable opening; and

an enclosure securing member positioned on at least one of the six enclosure walls.

2. The scaffolding system of claim 1, further comprising one of the six enclosure walls having a plurality of ribs extending therein from a first edge to a second edge of the one of the six enclosure walls.

3. The scaffolding system of claim 2, wherein the plurality of ribs is not perpendicular to the first edge of the respective enclosure wall and is not parallel to the respective first edge of the respective enclosure wall.

4. The scaffolding system of claim 2, wherein the plurality of ribs is parallel to the respective first edge of the respective enclosure wall or is perpendicular to the first edge of the respective enclosure wall.

5. The scaffolding system of claim 2, wherein the plurality of ribs include a rib sealable opening, each of the plurality of ribs having a rib interior, each of the plurality of ribs being airtight.

6. The scaffolding system of claim 2, wherein the sealable opening is a two-position valve and the enclosure securing member is adapted for a connection between one enclosure and an adjacent sealable opening.

7. The scaffolding system of claim 1, further comprising,

a second enclosure having six non-rigid additional enclosure walls, the second enclosure having a second enclosure interior, the second enclosure being airtight;

a second enclosure sealable opening through the second enclosure to the second enclosure interior; and

a second enclosure securing member positioned on at least one of the six non-rigid additional enclosure walls.

8. The scaffolding system of claim 7, further comprising:

a working platform contacting one of the six enclosure walls and the first additional enclosure wall of the second enclosure.

9. The scaffolding system of claim 7, further comprising:

a connector coupled to the enclosure securing member and coupled to the second enclosure securing member.

10. The scaffolding system of claim 1, wherein: the six enclosure walls include an enclosure first wall opposite an enclosure fourth wall, an enclosure second wall opposite an enclosure fifth wall, and an enclosure third wall opposite an enclosure sixth wall,

wherein the enclosure securing member includes an enclosure securing member tube; and further comprising:

an enclosure first wall upper panel intermediate the enclosure first wall and the enclosure second wall; and

an enclosure first wall lower panel intermediate the enclosure first wall and the enclosure fifth wall,

the enclosure securing member tube horizontally affixed to the enclosure on the enclosure first wall upper panel adjacent the enclosure first wall.

11. The scaffolding system of claim 10, further comprising:

a second enclosure having a second enclosure first wall opposite a second enclosure fourth wall, a second enclosure second wall opposite a second enclosure fifth wall, and a second enclosure third wall opposite a second enclosure sixth wall, the second enclosure having a second enclosure interior, the second enclosure being airtight;

a second enclosure sealable opening through the second enclosure to the second enclosure interior;

a second enclosure first wall upper panel intermediate the second enclosure first wall and the enclosure second wall;

a second enclosure first wall lower panel intermediate the second enclosure first wall and the second enclosure fifth wall; a second enclosure securing member including a second enclosure securing member tube, the second enclosure securing member tube horizontally affixed to the second enclosure on the second enclosure first wall upper panel adjacent the second enclosure first wall; and

a laterally-positioning u-shaped connector having a u-shaped connector first leg sized to fit within the enclosure securing member tube and having a u-shaped connector second leg sized to fit within the second enclosure securing member tube.

12. The scaffolding system of claim 11, wherein:

the enclosure securing member includes an enclosure second securing member tube affixed to the enclosure on the first enclosure wall upper wall adjacent the additional enclosure second wall;

further comprising:

an additional enclosure having an additional enclosure first wall opposite an additional enclosure fourth wall, an additional enclosure second wall opposite an additional enclosure fifth wall and an additional enclosure third wall opposite an additional enclosure sixth wall,

the additional enclosure having an additional enclosure interior, the enclosure being airtight; an additional enclosure sealable opening through the additional enclosure to the additional enclosure interior, the additional enclosure being inflatable by the additional enclosure sealable opening;

an enclosure first wall lower panel intermediate the additional enclosure first wall and the enclosure fifth wall;

an additional enclosure securing member tube horizontally affixed to the additional enclosure on the additional enclosure first wall lower panel adjacent the enclosure fifth wall; and a vertically-positioning u-shaped connector having an additional u-shaped connector first leg sized to fit within the additional enclosure securing member tube and having an additional u- shaped connector second leg sized to fit within the additional enclosure securing member tube.

13. The scaffolding system of claim 10, wherein:

the enclosure securing member includes an enclosure second securing member tube affixed to the enclosure on the first enclosure wall upper wall adjacent the enclosure second wall;

further comprising:

an additional enclosure securing member tube horizontally affixed to the additional enclosure on the additional enclosure first wall lower panel adjacent the enclosure fifth wall; and

a vertically positioning u-shaped connector having an additional u-shaped connector first leg sized to fit within the additional enclosure securing member tube and having an additional u- shaped connector second leg sized to fit within the additional enclosure securing member tube.

14. A scaffolding system comprising:

an enclosure having enclosure walls, six rectangular faces, the enclosure being airtight and inflatable by a sealable opening through the enclosure to an enclosure interior; and

an enclosure securing member tube horizontally positioned at each corner of each of the six rectangular faces.

15. The scaffolding system of claim 14, further comprising:

a second enclosure; and

four u-shaped connectors, each u-shaped connector having a u-shaped connector first leg sized to fit within one of the enclosure securing member tubes and having a u-shaped connector second leg sized to fit within one of the enclosure securing member tubes.

16. The scaffolding system of claim 1, wherein the enclosure is an elongated rectangular prism having a second enclosure securing member positioned at a first end of the enclosure, a third enclosure securing member positioned at a midpoint of the enclosure, and

the enclosure securing member is positioned at a second end of the enclosure.

17. The scaffolding system of claim 1, wherein the enclosure securing member includes a first horizontally-aligned enclosure securing member tube affixed to the one of the six enclosure walls at a top of the one of the six enclosure walls and includes a second horizontally-aligned enclosure securing member tube affixed to the one of the six enclosure walls at a bottom of the one of the six enclosure walls.

18. The scaffolding system of claim 10, wherein the enclosure first wall upper panel is at a forty-five degree angle to the enclosure first wall and is at a forty-five degree angle to the enclosure second wall and wherein the enclosure first wall lower panel is at a forty-five degree angle to the enclosure first wall and is at a forty-five degree angle to the enclosure fifth wall.

19. A process for providing a scaffolding, comprising:

inflating a first enclosure by a sealable opening;

inflating a second enclosure by a second enclosure sealable opening;

positioning the first enclosure adjacent the second enclosure; and

coupling a first securing member of the first enclosure to a second securing member of the second enclosure.

20. The process for providing a scaffolding of claim 19, wherein the coupling is

accomplished by inserting a u-shaped connector into the first securing member and the second securing member.

21. The process for providing a scaffolding of claim 20, further comprising:

providing a mesh screen across the enclosed space from one of the plurality of second enclosures to another of the plurality of second enclosures adapted to arrest any motion therethrough.

22. The process for providing a scaffolding of claim 21, further comprising:

providing a second plurality of second enclosures; and coupling the second plurality of second enclosures to one another to define a vertically enclosed space.

23. The process for providing a scaffolding of claim 22, further comprising:

providing a tether at top corner of one of second enclosure;

attaching a safety line to the tether; and

securing the safety line to one of a ground and a worker.