Outrigger for multi-function scaffold
AssigneeGrady F. Smith & Co., Inc.
InventorGrady F. Smith
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A lightweight, multi-function scaffold includes an adjustable height platform that slidably mounts between two ladder frames and a plurality of outriggers to increase stability. The outriggers attach to the ladder frames of the scaffold and extend beyond an end of the scaffold in the longitudinal direction to increase the maximum base width. Increasing the maximum base width increases stability in the longitudinal dimension and reduces the risk of tipping the scaffold end over end when a user climbs the ladder frame to access the platform.
Claims15
An outrigger for a scaffold including a pair of ladder frames and an adjustable height platform mounted between the ladder frames, the outrigger comprising:
- a generally triangular bracket configured to attach to first and second vertical supports of the ladder frame in first and second orientations respectively, each of the vertical supports having a generally rectangular configuration including a first pair of opposing sides and a second pair of opposing sides, the triangular bracket comprising:
- a vertical riser;
- an outrigger arm extending outwardly from the vertical support at an angle such that in the first orientation, the outrigger arm extends at an angle greater than 0 degrees and less than 45 degrees relative to a transverse plane of the scaffold;
- and in the second orientation, the outrigger arm extends at an angle greater than 45 degrees relative to the transverse plane;
- a diagonal brace extending from an upper end of the riser to the outrigger arm;
- wherein the outrigger arm and the diagonal brace terminate at the vertical riser;
- a sleeve configured for mounting a ground-engaging member mounted at an outer end of the outrigger arm;
- and
- a pair of clamps disposed adjacent upper and lower ends respectively of the vertical riser of the bracket, each clamp being configured to engage the first pair of opposing sides of the first vertical support in the first orientation and the second pair of opposing sides of the second vertical support in the second orientation.
A scaffold comprising:
- first and second ladder frames, each ladder frame comprising two vertical supports made of a tubular material connected by two or more cross members, each of the vertical supports having a generally rectangular configuration including a first pair of opposing sides and a second pair of opposing sides;
- an adjustable height platform configured to be supported between the first and second ladder frames at a user selected height;
- one or more outriggers configured for attachment to respective vertical supports of the ladder frames, each outrigger comprising:
- a generally triangular bracket configured to attach to first and second vertical supports of the ladder frame in first and second orientations respectively, the triangular bracket comprising:
- a vertical riser;
- an outrigger arm extending outwardly from the vertical support at an angle such that in the first orientation, the outrigger arm extends at an angle greater than 0 degrees and less than 45 degrees relative to a transverse plane of the scaffold;
- and in the second orientation, the outrigger arm extends at an angle greater than 45 degrees relative to the transverse plane;
- a diagonal brace extending from an upper end of the riser to the outrigger arm;
- wherein the outrigger arm and the diagonal brace terminate at the vertical riser;
- a sleeve configured for mounting a ground-engaging member mounted at an outer end of the outrigger arm;
- and
- a pair of clamps disposed adjacent upper and lower ends respectively of the vertical riser of the bracket, each clamp being configured to engage the first pair of opposing sides of the first vertical support in the first orientation and the second pair of opposing sides of the second vertical support in the second orientation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.