Scaffold step

Abstract

Detachable steps to be spaced upwardly on the vertical legs of a scaffold, and at a plurality of convenient heights to permit a workman to safely reach the elevated platform of the scaffold. The steps are intended to be spaced vertically and alternately on adjoining faces of the legs of the scaffold for convenience in stepping with the Right and Left foot. A saddle means is included in the step to support a bar that supports spools of wire when the scaffold is used by an electrician while doing wiring.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention concerns detachable steps for scaffolds that permit a workman to conveniently reach the elevated platform.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The prior art comprises steps to be removably mounted upon power poles or the like and which can be removed when not used, to discourage unauthorized climbing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention comprises steps to permit a workman to safely reach an elevated platform of a scaffold without danger of injury. These steps discourage temporary use of available boxes or other convenient means of reaching a platform, which use frequently results in injury to a workman by falling. The steps of this invention also include a convenient means of supporting a rod which carries spools of wire for use in electrical wiring.

An object of this invention is to provide portable steps to permit a workman to safely reach a scaffold platform. Another object is to provide portable scaffold steps which can be conveniently removed when not in use to discourage unauthorized climbing. Another object is to provide steps that have the means to support a plurality of wire spools therebetween.

Further objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description. It is, however, to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the details disclosed, but includes all such variations as fall within the spirit of the invention.

Referring to the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a view of a vertical leg of a scaffold with parts broken away, and showing a plurality of the steps of this invention, nounted thereon.

FIG. 2 is a projectional view of FIG. 1, and showing (in dotted lines) a plurality of wire spools supported by the steps.

FIG. 3 is a section taken at 3--3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 1 with parts broken away to show details more clearly.

FIG. 5 is a projection of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a section taken at 6--6 of FIG. 4.

A conventional scaffold comprises in this instance four vertical legs 10 of angle iron and of a suitable length. Each leg is provided with a caster 12 to permit moving the scaffold conveniently about the work area. A platform 14 is supported on the four legs and is adjustable to various heights. Both walls of the angle-iron legs 10 are provided with vertically-spaced slots 16 as the means of supporting the platform 14 and the steps 18.

The steps 18 comprise a wall 20. A step panel 22 is positioned perpendicular to wall 20 and is welded or otherwise made integral therewith. A web 24 provides the support for the step panel 22 relative to wall 20, and which web is welded or otherwise secured to the step panel 22 and the wall 20.

Saddle members 26 extend normal to the web 24 and on both faces thereof, and are welded or otherwise secured to the web. Saddle members 26 are of an angle-iron shape in this instance, and their purpose will be explained.

A pair of hooks 28 and 30 are welded or otherwise secured integrally to the rear face of the wall 20. Hooks 28 and 30 have downwardly-directed points 32, defining a space adjacent to the wall 20 to receive the wall of the angle-iron leg 10. When placing a step 18 at a desired position on a leg 10, hooks 28 and 30 are simultaneously inserted into the slots 16 and the step 18 is permitted to shift vertically to the position shown in FIG. 4: Thus points 32 secure the steps 18 against disengagement from the leg 10.

As shown in FIG. 1, the steps 18 can be positioned 90 degrees apart in horizontal planes; one step on each flange of the angle-iron leg 10, to accomodate a Right or left foot of the workman as he ascends to the platform 14.

FIG. 2 shows, in dotted lines a plurality of wire spools 34 on a bar 36, which bar is supported in the saddle members 26 of a pair of steps 18; the latter being placed on flanges of legs 10 and lying in a common plane, and conveniently within reach of a workman standing on the platform 14. It is obvious that steps 18 can be placed at various heights on legs 10 so that spools 34 can be placed at any height desired.

A corrugated rubber or non-slip pad 38 is secured to the upper surface of step plate 22 in order to prevent the shoe of the workman from slipping when ascending to the platform. The exposed surface of pad 38 is provided with corrugations as a further means of preventing slipping.

Claims

The above being a complete description of an illustrative embodiment of the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of The United States is:

1. A portable step, for a scaffold having upright legs, each of said legs defining a surface having upwardly-spaced apertures, said step comprising a wall portion, one face of which is positionable in contact with the surface of said leg, a plurality of hook members integral with said face of said wall portion and spaced to engage said apertures, a substantially-horizontal step panel secured to the opposed face of said wall portion and extending substantially normal thereto, a web having opposed surfaces and positioned uprightly and normal to said wall portion and said step panel and secured integrally thereto, a plurality of saddle members, each of said saddle members being integral with, and extending substantially normal to each of the opposed surfaces of said web.

2. A portable step, for a scaffold as set forth in claim 1, in which said saddle members are defined by integrally-adjoining upright and horizontal walls extending normal to said web, said horizontal walls directed toward said opposed surface of said wall portion.

3. A portable step, for a scaffold as set forth in claim 1, on which a non-slipping material is secured integrally on the upper surface of said step panel.