US2882099A - Scaffold - Google Patents

Description

. p 1 A H. SYMONS 2,882,099

SCAFFOLD Filed Dec. 11, 1952 I I I s Shets-Sheet 1 .A. H. fsYMoNs I SCAFFOLD April 14, 1959 Filed Dec. 11, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 United States Patent SCAFFOLD Arthur H. Symons, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Symons Clamp & Mfg. Co., Chicago, 10., a corporation of Delaware Application December 11, 1952, Serial No. 325,353

3 Claims. (Cl. 304-2) The present invention relates generally to scaffolds for use in connection with building construction and other work. More particularly the invention relates to that type of scaffold which is adapted to be assembled and dismantled at the place of use, is formed for the most part of metallic tubes, comprises a pair of upstanding, spaced apart unitary end frames in the form of vertically extending side members and cross members between the side members, an inner pair of crossed diagonally extending braces between the ends of the inner side members of the end frames, an outer pair of crossed diagonally extending braces between the ends of the outer side members of the end frames, an upper horizontally extending brace between the upper end of the outer side member of one of the end frames and the upper end of the inner side member of the other end frame, and a lower horizontally extending brace between the lower end of the inner side member of the one end frame and the lower end of the outer side member of said other end frame, has detachable connections between the ends of the diagonally and horizontally extending braces and the side members of the end frames in order that it may be readily assembled at the place of use and then dismantled, and is adapted with adjoining similar end frames and diagonally and horizontally extending braces to form a complete scaffolding.

One object of the invention is to provide a scaffold of the aforementioned type which is an improvement upon, and has certain advantages over, previously designed scaffolds and is characterized by simplicity of construction or design and facility of assembly and dismantlement.

Another object of the invention is to provide a scaffold of the type under consideration and in which the detachable connections between the diagonally extending braces and the side members of the end frames consist of: (l) lugs which are connected to, and project laterally from, the ends of the side members of the end frames and embody upstanding tubular elements in laterally spaced relation with the ends of the side members; and (2) vertically extending sleeves which are welded to the ends of the diagonally extendingbraces and are adapted to fit around the upstanding tubular elements on the laterally projecting lugs.

Another object of the invention is to provide a scaffold of the type heretofore mentioned and in which the detachable connections between the ends of the horizontally extending braces and the ends of the side members of the end frames consist of vertically extending pins which are welded to, and depend from, the ends of the horizontally extending braces and are adapted to fit within the upstanding tubular elements on the aforementione laterally extending lugs.

. Another object of the invention is to provide a scaffold of the type and character under consideration and in which the detachable connections between the diagonally and horizontally extending braces and the ends of the side members of the end frames have simple and novel releasable locking means associated therewith.

Another object of the invention is to provide a scaffold of the last mentioned character .and in which the releas able locking means for the detachable connections consists of ring-shaped elements which are mounted for close vertical sliding movement on the portions of the ends of the side. members of the end frames that are directly above the laterally projecting lugs, are adapted when slid downwards after connection of the sleeves and pins to the upstanding tubular elements to assume operative positions wherein they overlie the sleeves and pins and operate, if tilted or canted as the result of unintentional limited upward movement of the sleeves and pins relatively to the tubular elements, frictionally to grip the adjacent portions of the ends of the side members of the end frames in such manner that they are precluded from sliding upwards and thus prevent disconnection of the sleeves and pins from the tubular elements, and are further adapted when manually manipulated into truly horizontal planes for releasing purposes and then slid upwards to assume inoperative positions wherein they permit the sleeves and pins to be readily disconnected from the upstanding tubular elements on the laterally projecting lugs.

A further object of the invention is to provide a scaffold of the aforementioned type and character and in which certain of the cross members of the end frames are so arranged that the ends thereof form stops for limiting upward sliding movement of the ring-shaped elements into their inoperative positions.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a scaifold which is generally of new and improved con struction and is capable of being fabricated or produced at a comparatively low cost.

Other objects of the invention and the various advantages and characteristics of the present scaffold will be apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description.

The invention consists in the several novel features which are hereinafter set forth and are more particularly defined by claims at the conclusion hereof.

In the drawings which accompany and form a part of this specification or disclosure and in which like numerals of reference denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a plan view showing in assembled form a scaffold embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a front view of the assembled scaffold;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectcion on the line 33 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a perspective showing in detail the construction and design of the detachable connections that are illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, inclusive, and normally extend between the ends of the diagonally and horizontally extending braces and the ends of the side members of the end frames, and also showing the construction and design of the slidably mounted ring-shaped elements which serve as releasable locking means for the connections; e

Figure 5 is a vertical section of the parts that are shown or illustrated in Figure 4;

Figures 6 and 7 are'vertical sections of a different or modified form of detachable connection and a different or modified form of ring-shaped locking element;

Figure 8 is a horizontal section on the line 88 of Figure 6; and

Figure 9 is a perspective of theslidably mounted ringdrawings constitutes one form or embodiment of the in- ,vention. It is adapted for use in connection with'building construction and other work and comprises a pair of uni my end frames 6, two pairs of crossed diagonally extending braces 7, an upper horizontally extending brace 8, and a lower horizontally extending brace 9. The end frames and the braces are preferably in the form of steel tubes in order that the scaffold as a whole is comparatively light in weight. It is contemplated that the scaffold will be assembled and dismantled at the site or place of use and that when the scaffold is not in use, it will be stored in knocked down form.

The end frames 6 extend vertically and are spaced apart an appreciable distance. They are normally maintained in rigid spaced apart relation by the diagonally and horizontally extending braces as hereinafter described and consist of vertically extending side members 10, upper cross members 11, lower cross members 12 and intermediate cross members 13. The side members 10 of the end frames have open ends and are held in fixed or rigid spaced apart relation by the cross members 11, 12 and 13. The upper ends of the side members are provided with vertically extending rods 14. The lower ends of these rods fit snugly within the upper ends of the side members 10 and are secured in place by horizontally extending bolts 15, and the upper ends of the rods are adapted, as shown in Figure 3, to fit within the lower ends of the side members of superjacent end frames. The upper cross members 11 extend horizontally and have the ends thereof welded to the upper extremities of the side members. The lower cross members 12 are disposed beneath, and in parallel relation with, the upper cross members and have their ends welded to the lower ends of the side members 10 at points that-are comparatively small distances above the lower end extremities of the side members. The inter mediate cross members 13 are disposed between, and in parallel relation with, the upper and lower cross members and have their ends welded to the central portions of the side members 10. When the scaffold is in its assembled position, as shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, the cross members of the end frarnes 6 may be utilized to support horizontal planks or boards (not shown) as well understood in the art. The ends of the side members of the end frames 6 are provided with laterally projecting lugs 16. The inner sides of these lugs are provided with arcuate recesses 17 which are shaped conformably to, and receive, the adjacent portions of the ends of the side members of the end frames. Preferably the lugs are fixedly secured in place by welding them to the ends of the side members 10. The upper portions of the lugs 16 are provided with integral upstanding tubular elements 18 and these form parts of the hereinafter described detachable connections between the diagonally and horizontally extending braces and the ends of the side members of the end frames. As best shown in Figures 4 and of the drawings, the tubular elements 18 are circular in cross section and are spaced a small distance away from the adjacent portions of the side members of the end frames. The upper end surfaces of the lugs 16 define upwardly facing shoulders 19 at the lower ends of the tubular elements 18. The lugs 16 on the upper ends of the side members of the end frames 6 are located a small distance beneath the upper cross members 11 and the lugs on the lower ends of the side members are located a small distance beneath the lower cross members 12. The lugs 16 are disposed at right angles to the various cross members of the end frames and are arranged so that the lugs on the side members of one of the end frames face or extend in the direction of those on the side members of the other end frame when the two end frames are in proper operative position. I

When the scafiold is in its normally assembled position one pair of crossed diagonally extending braces 7 extends between the inner side members of the two end frames and the other pair of crossed diagonally extending braces extends between the outer side members. The ends of the diagonally extending braces 7 are provided with vertically extending sleeves 20 which are adapted to fit substantially snugly around the upstanding tubular elements 18. These sleeves are preferably welded to the ends of the diagonally extending braces 7 and are the same in height as the tubular elements 18 (see Figures 4 and 5). In assembling the scaffold the sleeves are positioned above the tubular elements 18 and then shifted downwards into encircling and laterally interlocked relation with the elements. The sleeves 20 together with the tubular elements 18 constitute simple and readily detachable connections between the ends of the crossed diagonally extending braces 7 and the ends of the side members 10 of the end frames 6. When the sleeves are in their operative or connected position the lower ends thereof rest directly on the shoulders 19 at the upper ends of the lugs 16.

The upper horizontally extending brace 8 and the lower horizontally extending brace 9 assist the crossed diagonally extending braces 7 in holding the end frames 6 in fixed spaced apart relation. As shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings the upper brace 8 extends between the upper end of the outer side member of one of the end frames and the upper end of the inner side member of the other end frame, and the lower brace 9 extends between the lower end of the inner side member of the one end frame and the lower end of the outer side member of the other end frame. The ends of the braces 8 and 9 are provided with vertically extending depending pins 21. The upper ends of these pins are welded to the ends of the horizontally extending braces and the lower ends of the pins are adapted when the horizontally extending braces are in their operative position, to fit within the subjacent tubular elements 18, as best shown in Figures 4 and 5. The pins 21, together with their respective tubular elements 18, constitute readily detachable connections for connecting the horizontally extending braces to the side members 10 of the end frames 6. In assembling the scaffold the pins 21 are positioned above the proper tubular elements and are then shifted downwards so as to interlock them with such elements. When the horizontally extending braces 8 and 9 are in their operative position the ends thereof overlie the upper ends of the subjacent sleeves 20 and serve to hold the sleeves in place with respect to the tubular elements 18.

In addition to the parts heretofore mentioned the scaffold comprises ring-shaped elements 22 for releasably locking in place the detachable connections between the ends of the diagonally and horizontally extending braces and the ends of the side members 10 of the end frames 6. These elements are mounted for close vertical sliding movement on the portions of the ends of the side members that are directly above the laterally projecting lugs 16 and are adapted when slid downwards, after connection of the sleeves 18 and the pins 21 to the tubular elements 18, to assume operative positions wherein they overlie the sleeves and pins and, when slid upwards, to assume inoperative positions wherein they permit the sleeves and pins to be readily disconnected from the upstanding tubular elements on the laterally projecting lugs 16. When the ring-shaped elements 22 are in their operative positions portions of them rest directly either on the upper ends of the pins 21 or the upper ends of the sleeves 20, depending upon whether there are pins under the elements. If, when the sleeves and pins are in connected relation with the tubular elements 18 and the ring-shaped elements are in their aforesaid operative positions, the sleeves and pins are subjected to unintentional limited upward movement relatively to the tubular elements they tilt or cant the ring-shaped elements 22 as shown in Figure 5 and thus cause the ring-shaped elements so frictionally to grip the adjacent portions of the ends of the side members of the end frames as to preclude upward sliding movement and thus prevent disconnection of the sleeves and pins from the tubular elements 18. In connection with upward sliding movement of the ring-shaped elements 22 it is eontemplated. that such elements will first be manually manipulated into truly horizontal planes so as to release themfrom gripping relation with the ends of the side members of the end frames. After the locking elements are manipulated into such planes they are free and hence may be readily slid upwards into their aforesaid inoperative positions without binding. The ends of the upper cross members 11 of the ends frames 6, due to their location with respect to the upper ends of the side members 10, form stops for limiting upward sliding movement of the uppermost ring shaped elements 22 into their inoperative positions and the ends of the lower cross members 12 of the end frames, due to their particular location with respect to the lower ends of the side members, form stops for limiting upward sliding movement of the lowermost ring-shaped elements into their inoperative positions.

It is contemplated that the ends of the side members of the end frames 6 will have additional lugs and tubular elements in diametrically opposite relation with the lugs 16 and the tubular elements 18 in order that they may be connected to adjoining diagonally andhorizontally extending braces when the scaffold is used to form a complete scaffolding.

The heretofore described scatfold is essentially simple in construction and, due to the particular design of the detachable connections between the diagonally and horizontally extending braces and the ends of the side members of the end frames, may be readily and quickly assembled and dismantled. Due to the particular construction and arrangement of the ring-shaped elements 22 locking and release of the detachable connections may be effected with facility.

Figures 6 to 9, inclusive, of the drawings illustrate a detachable connection and ring-shaped locking element which are slightly different from the detachable connections and ring shaped elements of the scaffold of Figures 1 to 5, inclusive. The parts that are illustrated in Figures dto 9, inclusive, comprise an end frame with a side member a diagonal brace 7 with a vertically extending sleeve 20 at one end thereof, a horizontally extending brace 8 with a depending pin 21 at one end thereof, a laterally projecting lug 16 on the upper end of the side member 10 and with an integral upstanding tubular element 18, and a ring-shaped locking element 22". The laterally extending lug 16 is the same as the lug 16 of the scaffold of Figures 1 to 5, inclusive and is welded to the upper end of the side member 10 The tubular element 18*- functions in the same manner as the tubular elements 18 of the scaifold of Figures 1 to 5, inclusive, but is appreciably longer. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the tubular element 1t; is substantially half again as long as the element 18 and hence when the sleeve is in connected relation with the tubular element the upper end of the element projects an appreciable distance above the upper end of the sleeve. By having the tubular element 18 longer than the sleeve 20 there is less likelihood of the sleeve becoming unintentionally detached from the element after it is connected to the latter. The depending pin 21 on the horizontal brace 8 functions in the same manner as the pins 20 on the horizontal braces of the scaifold of Figures 1 to 5, inclusive but is slightly longer in order to cope with the fact that the tubular element 18 is of increased length. The ring shaped element 22 functions in the same manner as the locking elements 22 of the scaffold of Figures 1 to 5, inclusive and ditfers therefrom in that it includes an annular depending skirt 22 The skirt 22 has its upper end welded to the outer periphery of the ring shaped element 22 and is of slightly greater length than the upper exposed end of the tubular element 18 on the laterally projecting lug 16*. When the ring-shaped element 22 is in its operative position while there is no pin 21 in the tubular element 18 as shown in Figure 6, the lower end of the annular depending skirt 22 extends around the upper end of the tubular element and rests directly on the upper end of the sleeve 20. In the event that there is any tendency for the sleeve 20 to slide upwards the sleeve operates through the medium of the annular de pending skirt 2* to tilt or cant the ring-shaped element 22 so that it grips frictionally the adjacent portion of the side member 10 and thus precludes upward displacement of the ring shaped element. In order to release the ring-shaped element 22 such element is manipulated into a truly horizontal position and then slid upwards so as to permit the sleeve 20 to be removed from the tubular element 18. In the event that the depending pin 21 is disposed in the upstanding tubular element 18 as shown in Figure 7, the lower end of the annular depending skirt 22 rests on the subjacent portion of the horizontal brace 8 when the ring-shaped element 22 is in its operative or looking position. In such position the ring-shaped element is normally canted. When it is desired to release the pin 21* it is only necessary to manipulate the ring-shaped element 22 into a horizontal position and then slide it upwards into its inoperative position wherein it is disposed an appreciable distance above the pin and permits the pin to be removed from the tubular element 18 by sliding it upwards relatively thereto.

The invention is not to be understood as restricted to the details set forth since these may be modified within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. As a new article of manufacture, a scaffold comprising a pair of upstanding spaced apart unitary end frames consisting of vertically extending side members and horizontally extending cross members between the side members and having on the ends of the side members thereof fixedly mounted laterally projecting lugs provided with rigidly connected upstanding tubular elements of less width than the lugs and in spaced relation with the adjacent portions of said side members and also provided with upwardly facing shoulders around the lower ends of the elements, diagonal braces extending between the ends of the side members of the end frames and having at the ends thereof fixedly connected vertically extending sleeves shaped snugly to fit around the elements, adapted to be connected to the elements by positioning them thereabove and then shifting them downwards into encircling relation with the elements and until their lower ends rest on, and are supported by, said shoulders, and further adapted to be disconnected from said elements by shifting them upwards out of encircling relation therewith, horizontal braces extending between the ends of the side members of the end frames and having at the ends thereof fixedly connected depending pins shaped snugly to fit within the elements, adapted to be connected to the elements by positioning thereabove and then shifting them downwards into said elements, and further adapted to be disconnected from said elements by shifting them upwards out of engagement therewith, and single ring-shaped elements mounted for close vertical sliding movement on the portions of the ends of said side members that are directly above the lugs, adapted when slid downwards after connection of the sleeves and pins to the upstanding tubular elements to assume an operative position wherein they overlie the sleeves and pins and operate if tilted or canted as the result of unintentional limited upward movement of the sleeves and pins relatively to said upstanding tubular elements frictionally to grip the adjacent portions of the ends of said side members in such manner that they are precluded from sliding upwards and thus prevent disconnection of the sleeves and pins from said upstanding tubular elements, and further adapted when manually manipulated into horizontal planes for releasing purposes and then slid upwards to assume inoperative positions wherein they permit the sleeves and pins to be disconnected from said upstanding tubular elements by shifting them upwards relatively thereto.

2. As a new article of manufacture, a scaffold comprising a pair of upstanding spaced apart unitary end frames consisting of vertically extending side members and cross members between the side members and having on the ends of the side members fixed laterally projecting lugs with upstanding elements in spaced relation with the adjacent, portions of said side members, braces extending between the ends of the side members of the end frames and having at the ends thereof fixed vertically extending sleeves of less height than the upstanding elements, extending around said elements, resting on the lugs, and forming therewith detachable connections between the ends of the braces and the ends of said side members, ring-shaped elements mounted for close vertical sliding movement on the portions of the ends of said side members that are directly above the lugs, provided on the outer peripheries thereof with annular depending skirts, adapted when slid downwards after connection of the sleeves to said upstanding elements to assume operative positions wherein the skirts thereof extend around the exposed upper end portions of the upstanding elements and overlie and rest on the upper ends of the sleeves and they operate if tilted or canted as the result of unintentional limited upward movement of the sleeves relatively to said upstanding elements frictionally to grip the adjacent portions of the ends of the side members of the end frames in such manner that they are precluded from sliding upwards and thus prevent disconnection of the sleeves from said upstanding elements, and further adapted when manually manipulated into horizontal planes for releasing purposes and then slid upwards to assume inoperative positions wherein they permit the sleeves to be disconnected from said upstanding elements by shifting them upwards relatively thereto.

3. As a new article of manufacture, a scaffold comprising a pair of upstanding spaced apart unitary end frames consisting of side members and cross members between the side members and having on the ends of the side members fixed laterally projecting lugs with upstanding tubular elements in spaced relation with the adjacent portions of said side members, braces extending between the side members of the end frames and having at the ends thereof fixed vertically extending depending pins extend ing into certain of said upstanding tubular elements and forming therewith detachable connections between the ends of the braces and the ends of said side members, and ring-shaped elements mounted for close vertical sliding movement on the portions of the ends of said side members that are directly above the lugs, provided on the outer peripheries thereof with annular depending skirts, adapted when slid downwards after connection of the pins to said upstanding elements to assume operative positions wherein the skirts thereof overlie the upper ends of the pins and they operate if tilted or canted as the result of unintentional limited upward movement of the pins relatively to said upstanding elements frictionally to grip the adjacent portions of the ends of the side members of the end frames in such manner that they are precluded from sliding upwards and thus prevent disconnection of the pins from said upstanding elements, and further adapted when manually manipulated into horizontal planes for releasing purposes and then slid upwards to assume inoperative positions wherein they permit the pins to be disconnected from said upstanding elements by shifting them upwards relatively thereto.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 861,816 Dawson July 30, 1907 1,828,487 Booser Oct. 20, 1931 1,918,116 Mansfield July 11, 1933 2,181,784 Dugan et a1 Nov. 28, 1939 2,435,171 Weisz Jan. 27, 1948 2,613,114 Hagan Oct. 7, 1952

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