Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for constructing a building. A foundation is provided, upon which is disposed one or more first-floor columns, each having a lower end, an upper end and an upper surface. One or more second-floor columns, each having a lower end, an upper end, a lower surface and an upper surface on one or more of the first-floor columns, are disposed on the top of the first-floor columns so that the lower surface of one or more of the second-floor columns abuts, and is supported by, the upper surface of one or more of the first-floor columns.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vertical frame made of metal, particularly a scaffolding frame, having at least one first vertical shaft (21) and a bar-shaped, horizontal transversal arm (23) extending away from the same, the shaft and arm being permanently connected to each other, having the following characteristics: a first perforated disk having a plurality of openings is permanently mounted to the shaft (21), wherein the perforated disk is disposed concentrically to the shaft (21) and surrounds the shaft (21) in a flange manner; at least one first mounting device is provided on the shaft (21) at a distance to the perforated disk for mounting a fall-protection means; the transversal arm (23) on one end thereof has a first connecting head, and on the second end thereof facing away from the first end has a second connecting head by which the transversal arm (23) can be secured, or is secured, on a second vertical shaft (21) via a second perforated disk equipped with a plurality of openings by forming a vertical

Abstract: A vertical member of a modular scaffolding system includes a securing rosette provided in an upper section having a reduced diameter to provide a pre-determined modular connection. The vertical member includes an elongate intermediate section forming the majority of the vertical member of a first diameter greater than the reduced diameter. The intermediate section at a lower edge includes an integral spigot of the reduced diameter. A reinforcing sleeve is fixedly secured to the upper section above the rosette and forms a spigot receiving socket. The vertical member has higher capacity due to the larger diameter intermediate section while maintaining modularity of the scaffolding system.

Abstract: A dual-use ladder and bridge modular system preferably includes tubes, gussets, flanges, and/or joints. In a preferred embodiment, the tubes, gussets, flanges, and/or joints are made of carbon fiber. A method connects and disconnects modular carbon fiber ladder segments. Another method creates a lightweight carbon-fiber beam with exceptionally high stiffness and strength using a combination of carbon-fiber braid material, uni-directional cloth, and pultruded carbon-fiber strips. A carbon fiber ladder segment and tube connectors are also disclosed.

Abstract: A bracket (60) for securing a first kickboard (62) transversely of a second kickboard (54) comprises a socket (64) for receiving an end of the first kickboard and a clip (70) for securing the bracket to the second kickboard, the clip comprising a lateral extension (76) aligned with the longitudinal axis of the second kickboard for stabilizing the bracket thereon. Also disclosed are (1) a telescopic rail (46) for use in forming a guard or safety barrier for builders' trestles, staging, scaffolding or the like, comprising inner and outer telescopic parts (80, 82), in which the inner part is prevented from sliding free of the outer part in use; (2) a brace for stabilizing adjacent trestles; (3) a ladder support bracket; (4) removable safety rail components and (5) a longitudinal kickboard bracket attached to a trestle crossmember.

Abstract: An adaptor for attaching a first scaffold having a stack pin to a second scaffold having an opening includes a sleeve having an orifice adapted for receiving the stack pin. An exterior surface of the sleeve includes a tapered section to facilitate insertion of the sleeve into the opening so that the second scaffold can be stacked on top of the first scaffold.

Abstract: A collapsible safety rail system for providing a portable or permanent protective barrier to provide for fall prevention from elevated or other work areas. Lockable pivot assemblies are located between heavy bases and the end posts of collapsible safety rail assemblies. Removable detent pins are utilized to lock the pivot assemblies to maintain the erected position of the collapsible safety rail assemblies in protective vertical orientation or are removed to allow maneuvering of the collapsible safety rail assemblies to a minimum viewable profile position when not required for personnel protection.

Abstract: A tray is adapted to be attached to a scaffold, which may be achieved either through a clamp or by inserting an element into the end of a scaffold vertical member. A support structure of the tray may be affixed to a support structure, wherein the support structure is configured to provide a surface on which the user may position certain items. The tray has at least two axes of rotation with respect to the structure to which it is mounted, and the tray may be configured to be height adjustable. In one embodiment, the tray is configured specifically to support a paint container, and in another embodiment the tray is configured so that the support structure is formed as a tub.

Abstract: A modular step stool system according to various embodiments can include a plurality of stepping blocks comprising a first stepping block and a second stepping block configured to support a user's body weight. A plurality of interlocking elements is interposed between the first stepping block and the second stepping block for horizontally and vertically interconnecting and interlocking at least the first and second stepping blocks to form a raised step platform. Some of the plurality of interlocking elements include sub-couplings which are configured to provide simultaneous horizontal and vertical interconnections. Some embodiments of the device include raised walls configured within the side walls and corner tabs inserted within the corners of the stepping blocks and configured having a profiled selected based upon the shape of the sub-couplings to facilitate stacking and interconnections in at least one of a horizontal, a vertical, a perpendicular, and an offset configuration.

Abstract: A combination tree stand and hand truck are herein disclosed, comprising a seat mounted on the bottom of a conventional wheeled hand truck. The rear of the hand truck comprises a plurality of cross members and is attached via a pair of hinges to an additional section of a ladder like structure that is capable of being foldable extended to form a ladder. In use, the wheeled hand truck may be used to transport items to and from a hunting location. Once at a hunting location, the hand truck may be converted into a tree stand by deploying the folding ladder section and placing the deployed stand upside down against a tree or other structure therewith a securing means. The apparatus is particularly useful in game lands and other restricted hunting areas where an all-terrain vehicle or other motorized vehicle is not permitted.

Abstract: A vertical member of a modular scaffolding system includes a securing rosette provided in an upper section having a reduced diameter to provide a pre-determined modular connection. The vertical member includes an elongate intermediate section forming the majority of the vertical member of a first diameter greater than the reduced diameter. The intermediate section at a lower edge includes an integral spigot of the reduced diameter. A reinforcing sleeve is fixedly secured to the upper section above the rosette and forms a spigot receiving socket. The vertical member has higher capacity due to the larger diameter intermediate section while maintaining modularity of the scaffolding system.

Abstract: An adaptor for attaching a first scaffold having a stack pin to a second scaffold having an opening includes a sleeve having an orifice adapted for receiving the stack pin. An exterior surface of the sleeve includes a tapered section to facilitate insertion of the sleeve into the opening so that the second scaffold can be stacked on top of the first scaffold.

Abstract: A portable ladder stand for supporting a hunter or naturalist above the ground includes a ladder portion, an upper assembly portion and a seat portion. The ladder portion includes a plurality of components including an intermediate ladder segment, ladder extension segment and lower ladder segment. The ladder segments are include vertical rails and horizontal rungs extending between the rails, and the segments are nestingly connected together. The vertical rails include male peg connectors and female socket connectors that are configured in such a way as to limit the number of ladder extension segments that can be included in the ladder portion of the ladder stand.

Abstract: A scaffolding frame comprises a pair of spaced apart elongated vertical members having respective top and bottom ends thereof and at least one elongated horizontal member mounted at each longitudinal end thereof to a respective one of the vertical members. Each vertical member defines a respective opposite lateral side of the frame. The horizontal member comprises a depressed portion near each longitudinal end thereof. When a first such frame is stacked onto a second such frame, one depressed portion and one vertical member of the first frame respectively engage one vertical member and one depressed portion of the second frame.

Abstract: A connecting construction for components of a system frame, having frameworks which have frame struts (12) and cross brackets (14) connecting the frame struts (12), a sheet steel corner plate (20) which is arranged in each case in the region in which the cross bracket (14) is connected to the frame strut (12) and which has a corner recess (22) in the corner region of the region in which the cross bracket (14) is connected to the frame strut (12), by means of which a coupling unit can be connected to the frame strut (12), is distinguished in that a further recess (24) is provided approximately level with the corner recess (22) and offset inward, and a further coupling unit having a first coupling element and a second coupling element is provided, it being possible for a frame tube to be connected to the first coupling element, and the second coupling element being designed in such a manner that it can be fastened in the further recess (24) of the sheet steel corner plate (20) with a positive and/or non-positiv

Abstract: A replaceable locking and securing device for securing a first member to a second member includes a replaceable bracket, a lock and a fastener. The bracket defines one opening when the bracket is operatively connected to the first member.

Abstract: A mounting method for a handrail capable of mounting and removal. The method uses frame with fittings and a lateral member. The frames are spaced laterally with a scaffolding plate erected between the lateral frames. A handrail is erected between the fittings adjacent to each other laterally to constitute a scaffolding frame. A plurality of the scaffolding frames are assembled vertically. The handrail includes a pair of longitudinal struts opposed laterally, and a lateral handrail frame erected between the struts, the struts including a first mounting member mounted on the lateral member or the fittings, a second mounting member mounted on the fittings, and a third mounting member for receiving an end of the handrail frame. The method includes mounting one strut on the upper end of one of the fittings via the first and second mounting members on the scaffolding plate of the lower stage.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for construction of scaffold structures having improved safety characteristics. In various embodiments, the apparatuses comprise a set of structures, including connecting rails, fencing, gates, and ladders. The structures are adapted to be used with locking-cup type scaffold designs. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a scaffold joint comprising a vertical post comprising first and second joint sections. At least one structural brace is disposed within the joint sections having a mounting flange disposed at an angle to the principal axis of the structural brace.

Abstract: Platform assemblies may be built up using a substantial number of inverted U-shaped vertical supports with platform hold down members that hold the platforms in place, thus avoiding slippage or pilferage. The hold down members form a unitary structure with the supports and platform assemblies to hold the platforms securely in place. The unitary structure of the scaffolding assembly with hold down members acts as a deterrent against pilferage of the platforms because the unitary structure does not allow the planks to be removed unless the platform assembly is substantially disassembled. It also reduces the steps required to assemble a secure platform assembly with hold down members thus saving time while still preventing slippage and pilferage. The hold down members may have holes at one end, and these holes have a diameter slightly greater than the outer diameter (OD) of the guide pipes at the junctions between vertically extending pipes.

Abstract: A modular hoarding includes vertical posts secured to the ground. The vertical posts are spaced apart. Detachable, horizontally oriented cross-members are secured to the vertical posts. Detachable wall panels are secured to the horizontally oriented cross-members. The wall panels are secured in abutting positions to form a modular wall structure. The cross-members and wall panels are secured to the posts and cross-members respectively so that the cross-members and panels may be detached after use. The cross-members may be secured at various selected positions along the vertical posts. Similarly, the wall panels may be secured to the cross-members at various selected positions relative to the cross-members.

Abstract: A dismantlable, multi-story facade scaffold is formed of at least four vertical support elements and floor plates and railing elements which are mounted thereto. An additional scaffold story is erected by coupling an additional vertical support element to an already existing one and pivotally attaching one end of a railing element thereto at a location above where the floor plate for the next story will be placed. The other end of that railing element is pivotally attached to another vertical support element. This other vertical support element is then raised, thereby pivotally moving the rail element relative to the respective vertical support element until the rail element is in a horizontal position and the vertical support element is in the vertical position. The other vertical support element is now attached to the upper end of a corresponding vertical support of the lower scaffold story.

Abstract: A dismantlable, multi-story facade scaffold is formed of at least four vertical support elements and floor plates and railing elements which are mounted thereto. An additional scaffold story is erected by coupling an additional vertical support element to an already existing one and pivotally attaching one end of a railing element thereto at a location above where the floor plate for the next story will be placed. The other end of that railing element is pivotally attached to another vertical support element. This other vertical support element is then raised, thereby pivotally moving the rail element relative to the respective vertical support element until the rail element is in a horizontal position and the vertical support element is in the vertical position. The other vertical support element is now attached to the upper end of a corresponding vertical support of the lower scaffold story.

Abstract: A scaffolding structure is configured to provide dual walk-through areas with each walk-through area being at different elevations of a scaffolding section. Each section of the scaffolding structure includes two end frames with each end frame having a forward column, a center column, and a rearward column. The forward and center columns are connected by a walk board support and the center and rearward columns are connected by a work board support. The end frames are interconnected by a walk board joined at one end with the walk board support of one end frame and joined at the other end with the walk board support of the other end frame. A work board also interconnects the end frames in similar fashion with one end of the work board joined with the work board support of one end frame and the other end of the work board joined with the work board support of the other end frame.