Scaffold frame section with integral guard rail post

Abstract

An enhanced safety scaffold assembly (10) is provided including end frames (12,14) interconnected by means of cross-tie structure (18,20). The end frames (12,14) include ledgers (36) located a safety distance (38) of at least about thirty inches below the upper ends (26b,28b) of the standards (26,28), and are free of additional ledgers within the safety distance. A platform (16) is supported by the ledgers (36), and guardrail assemblies (22,24) extend between opposed standards (26,28). In this way, the platform (16) is located well below the upper ends (26b,28b) of the standards (26,28) in accordance with existing safety regulations, and placement of a platform (16) in an unsafe, elevated position is precluded. The assemblies of the invention may be constructed in a variety of ways to include optional leveling units (58), ladders (44), outriggers (134) and supplemental work platforms (144).

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application is being filed contemporaneously with application for U.S. Design patent Ser. No. ______, entitled SCAFFOLD FRAME SECTION WITH INTEGRAL GUARD RAIL POST, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention is broadly concerned with improved scaffold assemblies and components thereof which are designed for enhanced user safety. More particularly, the invention is concerned with scaffold assemblies and the end frames forming a part thereof, wherein personnel platform-supporting ledgers are provided at a significant safety distance below the upper ends of the platform end frames so that a user is precluded from positioning a personnel platform at an elevated, unsafe position. [0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art [0005] Scaffolding of various types has been provided in myriad forms over the years. To be effective, construction site scaff...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009] The present invention overcomes the problems outlined above, and provides a scaffold assembly including a pair of end frames, each comprising a pair of laterally spaced apart, upright standards having opposed upper and lower ends, with a primary platform ledger extending between and interconnected with the standards. Each primary ledger is located a safety distance of at least about thirty (30) inches (more preferably from about thirty-six (36) to forty-two (42) inches) below the upper end of the corresponding standard. One or more personnel platforms span and are operatively supported by the end frame ledgers. Additionally, the end frames are free of platform ledgers within the safety distance above the primary ledger, so that no platform may be installed above the primary ledgers. In order to erect a free-standing scaffold, cross-tie structure is employed to interconnect the end frames. Finally, the overall scaffold assembly has a guardrail assembly extending between the end frames in the safety distance above the personnel platform.

[0010] The scaffold assemblies of the invention may be provided in stacked relati...

Problems solved by technology

As can be appreciated, if a personnel platform is located near the very top of a scaffolding unit, workers standing on the platforms may be subjected to significant falling hazard owing to the fact that inadequate guardrails are present.

While these safety standards have been in place for several years, it is still possible with existing scaffold designs to inadvertently or intentionally construct a scaffold assembly with improperly and unsafely positioned personnel platforms.

In such a case, those constructing the scaffolding, either from expediency or lack of understanding of the safety rules, can place the platforms in unsafe elevated positions.

Furthermore, during assembly of conventional scaffolding, workers are often required to stand on unguarded platforms while the next (upper) frame section and other scaffolding components are attached to the frame upon which the worker is supported.

There is accordingly a need in the art for improved scaffolding which makes it essentially impossible to place personnel platforms in elevated, unsafe positions in violation of existing safety standards.

Images