Scaffold Elevator

Abstract

An elevator for use by masons with a scaffold structure. A group of lifts are arranged in horizontally spaced relation. Each lift includes a rail secured to the scaffold structure, a shuttle movable along the rail, a winch mounted to the shuttle, and a cable running from the scaffold top to the winch. Decks are supported by the shuttles to provide intermediate working platforms. Benches are supported by the shuttles for storing materials.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims benefit of the filing date of and right to priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/115,158 filed Nov. 17, 2008.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to the field of masonry.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In the field of construction, scaffolds are regularly utilized to enable workers to work at height. Each stage of the scaffold typically makes provision for the suspension of planks or other decking elements, to provide large, stable platforms within the scaffold at spaced-apart elevations. As well, a plurality of mounting holes are provided on the scaffold frames, to permit brackets for suspending planks or other decking elements to be installed on the scaffold exterior at periodic heights intermediate the platform intervals. In masonry use, brackets are typically installed on the scaffold exterior to support work platforms at an elevation which renders it relatively convenient for the mason to practice his or her trade. The exterior work platforms are removed and reinstalled from time to time, as work progresses, to maintain a convenient working height for the masons. Typically, laborers load stores of building materials, i.e. bricks, blocks or stones, onto the interior platform nearest the exterior platform on which the mason is situated, and transfer building material therefrom as needed to the platform of the mason, to keep the mason productively engaged.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] An elevator system, for use by a mason with a scaffold structure, forms one aspect of the invention. This elevator system comprises lifts, decks and benches.

[0005] The lifts, in use, are disposed in a group and secured to said scaffold structure in horizontally-spaced relation to one another to define therebetween one or more intermediate locations alongside said scaffold structure. Each lift includes: a rail secured in use to said scaffold structure to stand upright; a shuttle mounted for constrained movement along the rail; a winch rigidly mounted to the shuttle for movement therewith; and a cable extending from a location proximal to the top of the rail to the winch such that actuation of the winch to coil the cable thereon draws the shuttle upward.

[0006] The decks, in use, are provided one for each intermediate location and supported by the shuttles flanking said each intermediate location to provide a platform upon which said mason can stand while building.

[0007] The benches, in use, are provided one for each intermediate location and supported by the shuttles flanking said each intermediate location to provide a surface, elevated in relation to the deck provided for said each intermediate location, from which said mason can retrieve materials for building.

[0008] According to another aspect of the invention, the winches can be electric and, in use, the winches of the group can be switched for movement in concert.

[0009] According to another aspect of the invention, in each lift, the shuttle can be mounted to the rail by rollers carried by the shuttle and captured by the rail.

[0010] According to another aspect of the invention, in each lift, the rail can include a plurality of holes spaced apart along its length and the shuttle can carry a safety device which is spring-biased for movement in a manner such that, in use, the safety device rides over the holes during upward movement of the shuttle but, upon commencement of downward movement of the shuttle, engages the first of the holes that it meets, unless externally restrained against said spring-biased movement, to arrest further downward movement of the shuttle.

[0011] According to another aspect of the invention, the group can be a group of three or more lifts arranged such that the platforms collectively define a walkway alongside said scaffold structure.

[0012] According to another aspect of the invention, the walkway can have two straight lengths arranged in perpendicular to one another, for laying a building inside corner.

[0013] According to another aspect of the invention, the system can further comprise elements adapted for mounting to the shuttles to serve as safety railings at the ends of the walkway.

[0014] Forming another aspect of the invention is an elevator system for use by a mason with a scaffold structure. This scaffold structure is of the type formed of: standard frame structures, each including a pair of parallel standards rigidly connected to one another; and standard cross-braces, each brace rigidly connecting and supporting a pair of adjacent frame structures such that the standards are upright.

[0015] This system includes lifts, standard deck elements and standard bench elements.

[0016] The lifts, in use, are provided one for each of a group of two or more adjacent frame structures in said scaffold structure. Each lift includes a rail secured in use in sistered relationship to a standard of the frame structure for which it is provided. The rails define therebetween one or more intermediate locations alongside the scaffold structure. Each lift further includes: a shuttle mounted for constrained movement along the rail; a winch mounted to the shuttle for movement therewith; and a cable extending from a location proximal to the top of the rail to the winch such that actuation of the winch to coil the cable thereon draws the shuttle upward.

[0017] The standard deck elements, in use, are provided one for each intermediate location and supported by the shuttles flanking said each intermediate location to provide a platform upon which said mason can stand while building.

[0018] The standard bench elements, in use, are provided one for each intermediate location and supported by the shuttles flanking said each intermediate location to provide a surface, elevated in relation to the deck provided for said each intermediate location, from which said mason can retrieve materials for building.

[0019] According to another aspect of the invention, the lifts, in use, can be provided one for each of a grouping of three adjacent standards in said scaffold structure to flank adjacent, perpendicular sides of said scaffold structure, with two of the lifts disposed on one of the perpendicular sides and the third lift disposed on the other of the perpendicular sides. As well, the system can further comprise extended-length deck elements, standard bench elements, filler elements, corner brackets and filler shelves.

[0020] The extended-length deck elements, in use, are provided one for each grouping, each extended-length deck element being secured, in use, to the shuttles of the parallel lifts of said each grouping to provide a platform along the one perpendicular side flanked by said each grouping which cantilevers beyond the other of the perpendicular sides flanked by said each grouping.

[0021] The standard bench elements, in use, are provided one for each grouping, each standard bench element being secured, in use, to the shuttles of the parallel lifts of said each grouping to provide a surface, elevated in relation to the platform along the one particular side, from which said mason can retrieve materials for building.

[0022] The filler elements, in use, are provided one for each grouping, each filler element being secured, in use, to the shuttle of the third lift of said each grouping and supported by the extended-length deck element provided for said each grouping to provide a platform alongside the other of the perpendicular sides flanked by said each grouping.

[0023] The corner brackets are provided one for each grouping, each corner bracket, in use, being rigidly secured to the shuttle of the lift adjacent to the third lift of said each grouping.

[0024] The filler shelves are provided one for each grouping, each filler shelf, in use, being rigidly secured to the shuttle of the third lift of said each grouping and supported by the corner bracket provided for said each grouping, to provide a surface alongside the other of the perpendicular sides flanked by said each grouping from which said mason can retrieve materials for building.

[0025] Forming yet another aspect of the invention is a scaffold system for use by a mason. This system comprises frame assemblies, cross-braces, shuttles, winches, cables, standard deck elements and standard bench elements.

[0026] The frame assemblies each include a pair of rigidly-connected parallel rails.

[0027] In use, each cross-brace rigidly connects and supports a pair of adjacent frame assemblies such that the rails thereof stand upright in horizontally-spaced relation to one another.

[0028] The shuttles, in use, are provided one for each rail in a group of two or more adjacent rails and mounted for constrained movement therealong, the group of two or more adjacent rails defining therebetween one or more intermediate locations.

[0029] The winches, in use, are provided one for each rail in the group and mounted for movement with the shuttle mounted to said each rail.

[0030] The cables, in use, are provided one for each rail in the group, each extending from a location proximal to the top of the rail for which it is provided to the winch mounted to said each rail such that actuation of the winch to coil the cable thereon draws the shuttle upward.

[0031] The standard deck elements, in use, are provided one for each intermediate location and supported by the shuttles flanking said each intermediate location to provide a platform upon which said mason can stand while building.

[0032] The standard bench elements, in use, are provided one for each intermediate location and supported by the shuttles flanking said each intermediate location to provide a surface, elevated in relation to the deck provided for said each intermediate location, from which said mason can retrieve materials for building.

[0033] As yet another aspect of the invention, in the lifts, the winches can be rigidly mounted to one of the rail and the shuttle and the cable can extending from the winch to the other of the rail and the shuttle such that actuation of the winch to coil the cable thereon draws the shuttle upward.

[0034] Other advantages, features and characteristics of the present invention, will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, the latter being briefly described hereinafter.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] The description herein makes reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views and wherein:

[0036] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art scaffold structure;

[0037] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the structure of FIG. 1 in use with an exemplary embodiment of the elevator system of the invention;

[0038] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the structure of FIG. 1 in use with another exemplary embodiment of the elevator system of the invention;

[0039] FIG. 4 is a side detail view of the structure of FIG. 2, disposed against a masonry wall;

[0040] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a portion of the structure of FIG. 4;

[0041] FIG. 6 is a front detail view of the structure of FIG. 2, with the guardrail components removed, for clarity;

[0042] FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a portion of the structure of FIG. 3;

[0043] FIG. 8 is a enlarged, partial view of encircled structure 8 of FIG. 6, with the guardrail elements shown;

[0044] FIG. 9 is a view, similar to FIG. 7, showing another application of the invention;

[0045] FIG. 10 is a side view of a portion of the structure of FIG. 9;

[0046] FIG. 11 is a partial front view of the structure of FIG. 9; and

[0047] FIG. 12 is a view of the various components of the system in isolation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENT

[0048] An elevator system 20 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown in attached FIGS. 2-12, in use with a scaffold structure 22 of the general type that is shown in isolation in FIG. 1.

[0049] With initial reference to FIG. 1, the scaffold structure 22 shown therein is of conventional construction and forms no part of the invention, but for clarity in the following description should be understood to be of the type foimed of standard frame structures 24, standard cross-braces 26 and planks 27.

[0050] The standard frame structures 24 each include a pair of parallel standards 28 rigidly connected to one another. As shown, the frame structures 24 are of the "arch" type, with spaced-apart welded steel ladders 30 defining the sides of the frame structures 24, a truss arrangement 32 defining the top of the frame structure 24, and an open central area 34 beneath the arch defined by the top and sides. The planks 27 are set upon the truss arrangements 32 to define interior platforms 40. For greater certainty, it is herein clarified that in FIG. 1, four "stages" of scaffolding are shown [2 in height, 2 in length].

[0051] Each cross-brace 26 is formed of a pair of tubular steel elements pivotally connected to one another. In use, the cross-braces 26 are arranged to rigidly connect and support a pair of adjacent frame structures 24 such that the standards 28 thereof are upright.

[0052] With general reference to FIGS. 2, 3, the elevator system 20 itself will be understood to comprise lifts 44, decks 46 and benches 48.

[0053] The lifts 44 indicated generally in FIGS. 2, 3 will, with reference to FIG. 5, each be seen to include a rail 50, a shuttle 52, a winch 54 and a cable 56.

[0054] In the exemplary embodiment, the rail 50 is a length of Unistrut P1000 T channel. The shuttle 52 has a pair of spaced-apart parallel arms 58 and is mounted to and for constrained movement along the rail 50 by rollers 60 carried by the shuttle 52 and captured by the rail 50. The winch 54 is electric and is rigidly mounted to the shuttle 52 for movement therewith. The cable 56 extends from a location proximal to the top of the rail 50 to the winch 54 such that actuation of winch 54 to coil the cable 56 thereon draws the shuttle 52 towards the top of the rail 50.

[0055] The decks 46 are of a depth sufficient to permit a person to stand thereon.

[0056] The benches 48 are of a depth sufficient to stack building materials such as brick, block or stone, thereon.

[0057] In one application of the invention, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4-6, a group of the lifts 44 are secured to the scaffold structure 22 in horizontally-spaced relation to one another to define therebetween one or more intermediate locations 58 alongside said scaffold structure 22. To provide this, the rails 50 are secured in use via wedge clamps 61 in sistered relationship to standards 28 of the frame structures 24 to form frame assemblies, wherein the rails 50 are upright.

[0058] In this application, standard deck elements 62 are provided one for each intermediate location 58 and supported by the shuttles 52 flanking said each intermediate location 58 such that the deck 46 defined by the deck element(s) 62 provides (i) a platform upon which a mason can stand while building and (ii) an elongate walkway along the length of the wall. Similarly, standard bench elements 64 are provided one for each intermediate location 58 and supported by the shuttles 52 flanking said each intermediate location 58 such that the bench 48 provides a surface, elevated in relation to the deck 46, from which a mason standing on the platform can retrieve materials for building.

[0059] Pins 104 are used to secure the elements together.

[0060] The winches 54 of the group are, in use, gang-switched for movement in concert, such that the shuttles 52, winches 54, standard deck elements 62 and standard bench elements 64 move in unison, to define an elevator arrangement for transporting the platform to any desired height, without the need for laborious removal and replacement of the building materials, planks and brackets with each move, as demanded in the prior art.

[0061] For safety, in each lift 44, rail 50 includes a plurality of holes 66 [best seen in FIG. 6] spaced apart along its length and shuttle 52 carries a safety device 68 [best seen in FIG. 5] biased by a spring 70 for movement in a manner such that the safety device 68 rides over the holes 66 during upward movement of the shuttle 52 but, upon commencement of downward movement of the shuttle 52, engages the first of the holes 66 that it meets, unless externally restrained [i.e. tied back] against said spring-biased movement, to arrest further downward movement of the shuttle 52. When the elevator is intended to be lowered, the building materials and mason are vacated therefrom, the safety devices withdrawn and physically restrained against said spring-biased movement [i.e., tied back] and the winches are actuated in unison to lower the assembly.

[0062] Also shown in the Figures are elements 72 which are mounted to the shuttles 52 in use, to serve as safety railings at the ends of the walkway/platform. Yet further adding safety are outrigger assemblies 100 and lateral support arms 102 that stabilize the scaffold 22.

[0063] Another application is shown in FIGS. 3 and 7. In this application, the lifts 44 are provided one for each of a grouping of three [or more] adjacent standards in said scaffold structure to flank adjacent, perpendicular sides of the scaffold structure, with two of the lifts disposed on one of the perpendicular sides 74 and the third lift disposed on the other 76 of the perpendicular sides. Also provided, for the group, is an extended-length deck element 78, a filler element 80, a corner bracket 82, a standard bench element 64 and a filler shelf 84.

[0064] The extended-length deck element 78 is secured, in use, to the shuttles of the parallel lifts to provide a platform on the one perpendicular side 74 which cantilevers beyond the other 76 of the perpendicular sides. The filler element 80 is secured to the shuttle of the third lift and is supported by the extended-length deck element 78 to provide a platform alongside the other 76 of the perpendicular sides. Together, the extended-length deck element 78 and the filler element 80 define a walkway having two straight lengths arranged perpendicular to one another, for use by the mason when laying a building inside corner. The standard bench element 64 is secured, in use, to the shuttles of the parallel lifts to provide a bench on the one perpendicular side 74. The corner bracket 82 is rigidly secured to the shuttle of the lift adjacent to the third lift. The filler shelf 84 is rigidly secured to the shuttle of the third lift of said each grouping and supported by the corner bracket 82 to provide a surface alongside the other of the perpendicular sides 76 from which said mason can retrieve materials for building.

[0065] Yet another exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 9-11. In this application, the lifts 44 are provided one for each of a grouping of two adjacent standards 44 in said scaffold structure. Also provided, for the group, is an extended-length deck element 78, a standard bench element 64, a safety rail adapter 88, a safety rail bracket 90 and a pair of chains 92. The extended-length deck element 78 is secured, in use, to the shuttles of the parallel lifts to provide a platform which cantilevers beyond one of the shuttles to a desired extent [the deck element 78 is telescopic, in the manner of a sliding door or the like, such that the cantilever is adjustable]. The standard bench element 64 is secured, in use, to the shuttles of the parallel lifts to provide a bench. The safety rail adapter 88 is secured to the end of the deck element 78, to provide a safety railing at the end of the deck element 78. The safety rail bracket 90 is secured to the lift beyond which the deck element is cantilevered, and the chains 92 are suspended between adapter 88 and bracket 90, to provide railing elements. This embodiment of the invention is useful for cladding structures with underhangs or the like.

[0066] Although only three embodiments of the present invention are herein shown and described, it will be evident that numerous variations may be made.

[0067] For example, whereas the embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 3 each include three lifts, arranged, respectively, in linear and perpendicular fashion, greater or lesser numbers of lifts may be deployed.

[0068] As well, whereas the invention is illustrated as an aftermarket item, for use with conventional scaffolds, custom frame assemblies could be created, wherein rails could take the place in the scaffold frame structures of the standards; but for this change, the system would be substantially identical in form and function to the embodiments disclosed, and thus, neither illustrations nor detailed description are provided nor viewed as necessary for the purpose of enablement.

[0069] Additionally, whereas in the exemplary embodiments, the shuttles carry the winches, and the cables are secured to the rails, persons of ordinary skill would readily appreciate that the winches could be carried by, for example, the rails, with the cables secured to the shuttles.

[0070] Yet further modifications are also possible. Accordingly, the present invention should be understood to be limited only by the accompanying claims, purposively construed.

Claims

1. An elevator system for use by a mason with a scaffold structure, said elevator system comprising: lifts which, in use, are disposed in a group and secured to said scaffold structure in horizontally-spaced relation to one another to define therebetween one or more intermediate locations alongside said scaffold structure, each lift including: a rail secured in use to said scaffold structure to stand upright; a shuttle mounted for constrained movement along the rail; a winch rigidly mounted to the shuttle for movement therewith; and a cable extending from a location proximal to the top of the rail to the winch such that actuation of the winch to coil the cable thereon draws the shuttle upward; decks which, in use, are provided one for each intermediate location and supported by the shuttles flanking said each intermediate location to provide a platform upon which said mason can stand while building; and benches which, in use, are provided one for each intermediate location and supported by the shuttles flanking said each intermediate location to provide a surface, elevated in relation to the deck provided for said each intermediate location, from which said mason can retrieve materials for building.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the winches are electric and, in use, the winches of the group are switched for movement in concert.

3. A system according to claim 1, wherein, in each lift, the shuttle is mounted to the rail by rollers carried by the shuttle and captured by the rail.

4. A system according to claim 1, wherein, in each lift, the rail includes a plurality of holes spaced apart along its length and the shuttle carries a safety device which is spring-biased for movement in a manner such that the safety device rides over the holes during upward movement of the shuttle but, upon commencement of downward movement of the shuttle, engages the first of the holes that it meets, unless externally restrained against said spring-biased movement, to arrest further downward movement of the shuttle.

5. A system according to claim 1, wherein the group can be a group of three or more lifts arranged such that the platforms collectively define a walkway alongside said scaffold structure.

6. A system according to claim 5, wherein the walkway has two straight lengths arranged in perpendicular to one another, for laying a building inside corner.

7. A system according to claim 6, further comprising elements adapted for mounting to the shuttles to serve as safety railings at the ends of the walkway.

8. An elevator system for use by a mason with a scaffold structure, the scaffold structure being of the type formed of: standard frame structures, each including a pair of parallel standards rigidly connected to one another; and standard cross-braces arranged in pairs, each pair rigidly connecting and supporting a pair of adjacent frame structures such that the standards are upright, said system including: lifts which, in use, are provided one for each of a group of two or more adjacent frame structures in said scaffold structure, each lift including: a rail secured in use in sistered relationship to a standard of the frame structure for which it is provided, the rails defining therebetween one or more intermediate locations alongside the scaffold structure; a shuttle mounted for constrained movement along the rail; a winch mounted to the shuttle for movement therewith; and a cable extending from a location proximal to the top of the rail to the winch such that actuation of the winch to coil the cable thereon draws the shuttle upward; standard deck elements which, in use, are provided one for each intermediate location and supported by the shuttles flanking said each intermediate location to provide a platform upon which said mason can stand while building; and standard bench elements which, in use, are provided one for each intermediate location and supported by the shuttles flanking said each intermediate location to provide a surface, elevated in relation to the deck provided for said each intermediate location, from which said mason can retrieve materials for building.

9. A system according to claim 8, wherein the lifts, in use, can be provided one for each of a grouping of three adjacent standards in said scaffold structure to flank adjacent, perpendicular sides of said scaffold structure, with two of the lifts disposed on one of the perpendicular sides and the third lift disposed on the other of the perpendicular sides; wherein a standard bench element, in use, is provided one for each grouping, said standard bench element being secured, in use, to the shuttles of the parallel lifts of said each grouping; and further comprising: extended-length deck elements which, in use, are provided one for each grouping, each extended-length deck element being secured, in use, to the shuttles of the parallel lifts of said each grouping to provide a platform along the one perpendicular side flanked by said each grouping which cantilevers beyond the other of the perpendicular sides flanked by said each grouping; and filler elements which, in use, are provided one for each grouping, each filler element being secured, in use, to the shuttle of the third lift of said each grouping and supported by the extended-length deck element provided for said each grouping to provide a platform alongside the other of the perpendicular sides flanked by said each grouping; corner brackets which are provided one for each grouping, each corner bracket, in use, being rigidly secured to the shuttle of the lift adjacent to the third lift of said each grouping; and filler shelves which are provided one for each grouping, each filler shelf, in use, being rigidly secured to the shuttle of the third lift of said each grouping and supported by the corner bracket provided for said each grouping, to provide a surface alongside the other of the perpendicular sides flanked by said each grouping from which said mason can retrieve materials for building.

10. A scaffold system for use by a mason, said system comprising: frame assemblies, each including a pair of rigidly-connected parallel rails; cross-braces which, in use, are arranged in pairs, each pair rigidly connecting and supporting a pair of adjacent frame assemblies such that the rails thereof stand upright in horizontally-spaced relation to one another; shuttles which, in use, are provided one for each rail in a group of two or more adjacent rails and mounted for constrained movement therealong, the group of two or more adjacent rails defining therebetween one or more intermediate locations; winches which, in use, are provided one for each rail in the group and mounted for movement with the shuttle mounted to said each rail; cables which, in use, are provided one for each rail in the group, each extending from a location proximal to the top of the rail for which it is provided to the winch mounted to said each rail such that actuation of the winch to coil the cable thereon draws the shuttle upward; standard deck elements which, in use, are provided one for each intermediate location and supported by the shuttles flanking said each intermediate location to provide a platform upon which said mason can stand while building; and standard bench elements which, in use, are provided one for each intermediate location and supported by the shuttles flanking said each intermediate location to provide a surface, elevated in relation to the deck provided for said each intermediate location, from which said mason can retrieve materials for building.

11. An elevator system for use by a mason with a scaffold structure, said elevator system comprising: lifts which, in use, are disposed in a group and secured to said scaffold structure in horizontally-spaced relation to one another to define therebetween one or more intermediate locations alongside said scaffold structure, each lift including: a rail secured in use to said scaffold structure to stand upright; a shuttle mounted for constrained movement along the rail; a winch rigidly mounted to one of the rail and the shuttle; and a cable extending from the winch to the other of the rail and the shuttle such that actuation of the winch to coil the cable thereon draws the shuttle upward; decks which, in use, are provided one for each intermediate location and supported by the shuttles flanking said each intermediate location to provide a platform upon which said mason can stand while building; and benches which, in use, are provided one for each intermediate location and supported by the shuttles flanking said each intermediate location to provide a surface, elevated in relation to the deck provided for said each intermediate location, from which said mason can retrieve materials for building.