US3032148A - Collapsible work platform - Google Patents

Description

May 1, 1962 M. L. BANK 3,032,148

COLLAPSIBLE WORK PLATFORM Filed Jan. 29, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. MORTON L BANK gezzfi wl May 1, 1962 M. 1 BANK COLLAPSIBLE WORK PLATFORM Filed Jan. 29, 1958 2 l8 1 g ID .5

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MORTON L BANK May 1, 1962 M. L. BANK 3,032,148

COLLAPSIBLE WORK PLATFORM Filed Jan. 29, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 5 7 s2 46 3; [26 IH F19. 4 INVENTOR. MORTON L. BANK United States Patent Filed Jan. 29, 1958, Ser. No. 711,855 1 Claim. (Cl. 18915.5)

This invention relates generally to scaffolds, elevating devices and the like, and more particularly has reference to a generally improved device of this nature, that will be particularly designed for use in any of a large variety of work situations.

One important object of the invention is to provide an improved scaffold that will have a high degree of versatility, in respect to the types of articles that can be lifted therewith, the elevations to which the articles can be lifted, and the relative elevations at which the worker, and the object or equipment supported by the device, may be disposed.

Another object is to provide a device of the character described that will have particularly effective, adjustable means that will constitute a safety rail for a worker, and which can also be used as a support for objects beinglifted.

Another object is to provide a device of the character stated that will be particularly designed for elevating equipment intoposition in a very "short time and with minimum elfort Another object is to so form the scaffold as to permit it to collapse to a size such that it can roll through a doorway, even one of very narrow width.

Still another object is to provide an elevating scaffold of the character stated that will be characterized by its high mobility, its adaptability for elevating both light and heavy fixtures, its adaptability to support a worker with minimum strain and maximum safety, and its adaptability for use as a mobile, folding work bench.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claim in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth. In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a scaffold according to the present invention.

7 FIG. 2 is a perspective view, slightly enlarged above that of FIG. 1, showing the scaffold collapsed for passage thereof through a doorway.

. FIG. 3 is a still further enlarged. fragmentary perspective view showing one corner po tion of the scaffold.

FIG. 4 is a reduced, fragmentary perspective view showing the scaffold equipped with protective side rails.

Referring to the drawing in detail, designated generally at 12 are identical end frames, disposed in vertical positions and positioned transversely of the structure at opposite ends thereof. Each end frame includes vertical, tubular legs 10, and extending in closely spaced parallel relation'to thelegs. at the inner sides of the legs, are elongated tubular members 14, shown to best advantage in FIG. 2. Members 14 at their upper ends are fixedly secured to upper cross braces 16, which at their ends are fixedly secured to the upper end portions of the respectivelegs 10. Fixedly connected between the intermediate portions of the members 14 are spaced cross memhe's 18, while fixedly connected between the lower extremities of the members 14 is a lower cross brace 20, the lower cross brace 20 also being fixedly secured to the lower end portion of the right end. The members 14 have spaced holes thereal ng. Swiveled wheels or casters 22 a e provided at the lower ends of legs 10. r

A pair of longitudinal or side frames 24 are also pro- 3,032,148 Patented May 1, 1962 vided, and these are slidably adjustable vertically of the respective end frames. Each side frame is extended between and is connected to corresponding sides of the end frames, and the side frames are pivotally connected at their ends to the end frames, so that the entire structure can be collapsed or folded as in FIG. 2, with the respective side and end frames being relatively pivotable about vertical axes defined by the legs 10.

Each side frame includes an elongated upper longitudinal member 26 of angle iron material, and at opposite ends of the member 26 there are provided gusset plates 30, fixedly secured to the member 26, and also fixedly secured to sleeves 32 that have a fixed connection to the extremities of the member 26. Lower sleeves 34 are aligned vertically with the sleeves 32, each pair of aligned sleeves 32, 34 being slidable upon the associated leg 10 between the lower cross brace and upper cross brace 16 of the end frame. Thus, the side frames are shown in their lowermost positions in FIG. 2, and in their uppermost positions in FIG. 1.

Plates 30 are also rigid with connector bars 28 extending in closely spaced, parallel relation to legs 10, and connecting bars 36 are also provided. These are also connected between the sleeves 32, 34. As a result, there is provided a particularly strong connection of the side frames to the end frames, while still permitting the free relative pivotal movement of the end and side frames.

Each side frame further includes lower longitudinal members 38, extending between and fixedly secured at their ends to the lower sleeves 34. Chained pins are carried by the sleeve members 34 for engaging the holes in members 14 as shown in FIGURE 3.

The structure also includes extension side frames generally designated 40. Each of these is of inverted U shape, including a horizontally disposed side rail 42 fixedly secured at its ends to sleeves 44, said sleeves being rigidly connected to the upper ends of vertically disposed extension legs 46. Legs 46 are secured in selected positions to which they are telescopically adjusted relative to and within the legs 10, through the provision of drop pins 48, carried by chains 50, said chains being conneoted to the upper corners of the respective end frames 12.

Legs 46 may be fully telescoped within legs 10 in the manner'shown in FIG. 2, in the lowermost positions of the extension side frames 40.

The extension side frames can be adjusted upwardly to any extent desired, as shown in FIG. 1, and in each position to which they are so adjusted. pins 48 are insertable through openings 54 spaced longitudinally of the extension legs 46.

By reason of this arrangement, the scaffold can be extended in a vertical direction to a substantial height, as shown in FIG. 1, providin advantages in the construction which will be described in full detail hereafter.

Designated generally at 56 are jack devices. The jack devices need not be described in detail hereinafter. since thev are conventional per se. It is sufiicient to note that each jack de ice includes, at its upper end, a U-shaped, work-supporting head 57, and as shown in FIG. 3, the jack devices can be mounted wherever desired upon the scaffold to permit vertical adjustment of the heads 57 relative to the portion of the scaffold that is supporting the jack devices.

Thus. each iack device includes a support bar 58, extendable slidably through an opening of a support bracket 60. mounted at a selected location upon the horizontal rails 38. or format matter upon any other horizontal rail portion of the scaffold. Brackets may be provided with clamping means, to permit the same to be securely clamped in position. Bars 58 have a fixed connection,--through the provision of connecting bars 62, to the housing 63 of'each jack device; At its upper end, each bar 58 is secured to an upper clamp 64 connectable to any suitablehorizontal member, as for example the member 42 in FIG. 3, orthe member 16 in FIG.,2.

' Wherever the jack device is mounted, its movable bar 65 can be shifted vertically within the housing 63, to locate head 57 at a selected elevation.

Y The device also includes transverse extension frames, of which there can be any number, to permit transverse support or guard frames to be erected to any desired height. Each transverse frame includes a crossbar 66, rigid adjacent its ends with depending portions 68. The depending legs or portions 68 of the lowermost transverse frames 66 may be seated in associated sleeves 44 of side frames 40. Each frame 66 further includes an upwardly opening socket or opening 70, adapted to receive the legs 68 of the next higher frame 66. This is clearly shown in FIG. 3 and obviously, the transverse frames can be built up at the respective ends of the device, to extend the end frames in a vertical direction, to any extent desired. The transverse frames66 serve the further function of providing cross bracing for the extension side frames 40, as will be clearly seen from FIG. 1.

A platform 72 is hingedly connected, along one side, to one of the side rails 42 in any suitable mannerso that the platform can swing downwardly when not in use, to permit collapsing of the structure. When the platform is swung upwardly as in FIG. 3, its respective longitudinal edges seat in the angle iron members 26 as shown in FIG. 3. The hinge connection of the platform to the rail 42 is completely separable, so that the platform can be operatively positioned as in FIG. 3, supported upon the side frames 24. The platform is thus vertically adjustable with the side frames, and serves to rigidifythe structure so that it will not accidentally collapse to the FIG. 2 position thereof.

The device also includes extension side frames shown in FIG. 4. These have been generally designated at 73 and are identical in structural and functional characteristics to the transverse frames 66, with the exception, of course, that they are substantially, longer than the frames '66. Thus, each side frame 73 includes depending legs 74- rigidly secured to the end portions of an elongated member 75. Members 75 have upwardly opening sockets 76, adapted to receive the legs 74 of the next higher side frame 73.

Considering the various uses to whichthe devices may be put, it willbe noted, firstly, from FIG. Z that the device can be collapsed to a substantially flat condition having a relatively small transverse dimension and a low height, sufficient to permit theentire scaffold to be rolled through a narrow doorway. In an actual working em bodiment, the scaffold has been easily movable through "18-inch doorways of ordinary height.

Once inside the room in which it is to be used, the scaffold isradjnsted to its rectangular, working position shown in FIG. 1. The platform is positioned uponthe respective side frames 24, and the side frames 24,are adjusted vertically to ,whatever extent is desired. The worker may thus be supported at a high elevation, or at any selected lower elevation.

When the platform is a low elevation, the worker may even use the same as a Work bench, while standing on the floor. The jack devices may be located wherever desired, and might, for example, be located where shown in FIG. 1. In these circumstances, one may position a large object, such as a fluorescent lighting fixture, upon the head 57. Then, by operation of the jack devices, said fixture may be raised so as to be held directly against the ceiling at a desired location, While} b g fi edly attached to the ceiling. The worker operating the jack devices, and making'the final connection to the ceiling, canbe supported upon the platform at any height found des1rable, and found to be most suited to carrying out of the particular work operation. The platform, in other words, is vertically adjustable independently 0f the worksupporting heads 57 of the jacks.

While the worker is performing the necessary Work operations, he may be fully protected by a guard frame, which guard frame can comprise any combination of extension transverse frames 66 or extension side frames 73. Still further, the worker'can mount the jack device even upon the extension,'side, or end frames, to'obtain even further elevation of the work.

The extension frames 66 or 73, in fact, are themselves supported upon extension side frames 40, so that it will be apparent that a wide range of adjustments, a wide range of protective railings, and an equally wide range of locations and ways in which work pieces can be supported and lifted, are possible through use of the device.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise construction'herein disclosed and that various changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as defined, in the appended claim. t

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure 'by United States -,"Letters Patent is:

A scaffold, comprising a-pair of-vertical end frames, each of said end frames including spaced, hollow,'-verti* cal tubular legs, tubular members disposed vertically and parallel to the respective legs, said members having spaccd holes therein, cross braces disposed horizontally joiningsaid legs and members, a pair of rectangular side frames, each of said side frames including vertically disposed sleeve members disposed at ends thereof and slidably engaged on said legs, chained pins carried by said sleeve membersand engageable in the holes'in said tubular members for supporting said side frames in selected positions on and between the end frames, said sideframes having upper angle bars providing horizontally extending flanges for supporting a rectangular platform therebetween, end rail assemblies detachably mounted upon the respective end frames, said end rail assemblies including a plurality of like horizontal end rail members and depending leg elements, each horizontal rail member having openings receiving the leg elements of the rail member immediately above the same, the leg elements of the lowermost rail rnember being telescopically and adjustably engaged in the legs of the endframes, and side rail assemblies detachably mounted on the respective end rail assemblies, each side rail assembly including'an elongated horizontal rail member and depending leg members, each rail member of theside rail assemblies having openings receiving the leg members of the rail member immediately thereabove.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,943,871 Landberg Jan. 16, 1934 2,062,473 Norton Dec. 1, 1936 2,203,113 Uecker et al. June 4, 1940 2,285,901 Chenowith June 9, 1942 2,290,450 'Renschin July 31, 1942 2,311,988 Lavin Feb. 23, 1943 2,335,046 Droeger Nov. 23, 1943 2,468,186 Du Perret Apr. 26, 1949 2,593,122 Droeger et al. Apr. 15, 1952 2,599,670 Thomas June 10, 1952 2,882,100 Bank June14, 1959

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