US 6,148,957 A · Ladder supported scaffolding

Abstract

The ladder scaffold assembly of the present invention for releasable mounting on two spaced apart ladders placed side by side comprises a scaffold platform having opposing first and second lateral ends and a ladder attachment bracket disposed on the opposing ends of the platform for supporting the platform in an elevated horizontal position intermediate two spaced apart ladders. Step engagement means are disposed on each ladder attachment bracket, wherein the step engagement means comprise an upward sloping surface to releasably engage and securely hook onto a step from underneath the step. The step engagement means is rigidly attached to the ladder attachment bracket and is incapable of independent movement in relation to the platform. The upward sloping surface permits releasable engagement to a step that may comprise a step of a step ladder or adjacent side by side rungs of an extension ladder. The ladder scaffold assembly may additionally comprise step contact means disposed on the ladder attachment bracket to permit temporary contact to a second step of a ladder located above the first step. The step contact means permits temporary contact with a second step that may comprise a step of a step ladder or rung of an extension ladder. The inclusion of the step contact means in the ladder attachment bracket allows for releasable mounting of the ladder scaffold on two spaced apart ladders placed side by side in an additional situation wherein the step engagement means releasably engage a single rung of an extension ladder. The step contact means are also rigidly attached to the ladder attachment brackets and are incapable of independent movement in relation to the platform. The ladder attachment brackets may be independent and separable from the scaffold platform. Or, the ladder attachment brackets may be integrally formed with the scaffold platform.

In combination, first and second step ladders and a scaffolding assembly for releasable attachment to the step ladders comprising:

first and second step ladders;
wherein each step ladder includes opposing side rails, a ladder top panel disposed between the opposing side rails, and a plurality of steps disposed between the opposing side rails at positions beneath the ladder top panel;
wherein each step includes a flat top surface having a front and back edge, a front side comprising a surface attached to the flat top front edge and extending downwardly therefrom, a back side comprising a surface attached to the flat top back edge and extending downwardly therefrom, and wherein the front side and the back side each include a bottom edge;
and wherein each step includes a width defined by the distance from the front side to the back side;
and, wherein the area between the front side and the back side of each step is disposed in front of the back side of the step;
a scaffold assembly attached to the step ladder, the scaffold assembly comprising:
a scaffold platform having opposing first and second lateral ends;
first and second ladder attachment brackets;
wherein the first ladder attachment bracket is disposed on the first end of the platform;
and wherein the second ladder attachment bracket is disposed on the second end of the platform;
and, wherein the first ladder attachment bracket is temporarily secured to the first ladder, and wherein the second ladder attachment bracket is temporarily secured to the second ladder;
and wherein the ladder attachment brackets support the platform in an elevated horizontal position between the first and second step ladders;
and
wherein each ladder attachment bracket includes at least one step engagement means disposed on the ladder attachment bracket to permit secure temporary attachment of the ladder attachment bracket to the ladder through secure temporary engagement to a single selected step of the step ladder;
wherein the step engagement means comprises a first section disposed substantially in front of the front side of the selected step;
a second section attached to the first section and extending rearwardly from the first section above the top surface of the selected step;
the second section including a distal free end;
the second section further having a length such that the second section at least partially extends above the top surface of the selected step;
and
a third section attached to the first section and extending rearwardly from the first section underneath the selected step;
the third section including a distal free end;
the third section further having a length longer than the width of the selected step, such that the distal free end of the third section is disposed at a position behind the back side of the selected step;
wherein the third section further includes an upward sloping surface;
wherein the upward sloping surface begins at a location in front of the bottom edge of the back side of the selected step and wherein the upward sloping surface engages the bottom of the back side of the selected step;
wherein the distal free end of the third section does not contact the top of the selected step;
and, wherein the distal free end of the third section does not contact the distal free end of the second section;
and, wherein the upward sloping surface slopes upwardly in relation to the flat top of the selected step.

24 more elements

Ladder supported scaffolding

Life of this patent

Ladder supported scaffolding

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims8