Portable scaffolding device

Abstract

A portable scaffolding device which may be suspended from a windowsill or other support structure. Such devices may comprise a basket and one or more suspension supports such that the basket portion may be suspended above the ground by way of the suspension supports. In some embodiments, portions of the suspension supports may engage portions of the windowsill and one or more bumpers may be included which can both provide additional lateral stability as well as to prevent damage to the structure or windowsill.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to devices which can be used by an individual to provide portable scaffolding which may provide a user with a platform on which to perform various tasks. Such devices may also be used for purposes such as to paint, clean, repair, or modify exterior walls and windows of buildings. Such a platform may be used on a variety of structures such as homes, apartment buildings, and commercial buildings.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various devices have been designed and constructed to assist persons in gaining access to the exterior of buildings in order to clean windows and perform other tasks. Such devices include scaffolding which may be comprised of a multitude of interlocking tubular steel member constructed piece by piece and extending from the ground upward such that a person would climb the structure in order to gain access to a working area. Disadvantages of such scaffolding configurations are that they comprise an enormous amount of pieces which must be assembled and, once assembled, are not easily moved and, further, if one desires to gain access to an area that is several stories above the ground, one must assemble a structure that extends from the ground to the work area. Other scaffolding devices are available which are supported from a multitude of ropes or cables such that a working platform is suspended from the roof of a building by such ropes or cables. Disadvantages of such scaffolding systems are that they are complex and time consuming to deploy and are often subject to movements due to wind and other forces and they are difficult and/or dangerous to access. Another potential disadvantage of these two types of scaffolding devices is that they can be very expensive due to their complex nature and construction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to novel portable scaffolding. In some embodiments, portable scaffolding according to the present invention may require a minimum number of components which may be permanently connected such that assembly time at a job site is minimal. The devices may be constructed to various dimensions and configurations to fit into a multitude of locations and applications.

According to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the device comprises a basket having a plurality of vertical members and a plurality of horizontal members, and a floor, and at least one suspension support having a horizontal portion and a downwardly extending portion, wherein the at least one support is connected to the basket at one end of the horizontal portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1-2; and

FIG. 4 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

To promote an understanding of the principles of the present invention, descriptions of specific embodiments of the invention follow and specific language is used to describe the specific embodiments. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is intended by the use of specific language. Alterations, further modifications, and such further applications of the principles of the present invention discussed are contemplated as would normally occur to one ordinarily skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.

The present invention is directed to portable scaffolding and portable scaffolding devices that have a basket and one or more suspension supports which extend from the basket such that the basket may be suspended above the ground via the suspension supports on a windowsill or similar support structure. The devices of the present invention may be utilized in numerous configurations and may be installed in an infinite number of locations such as on windowsills, ledges walls, etc. due to their variable configuration. One exemplary device of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 illustrates top view of the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1-2.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment scaffolding device 10 having a generally cubic shaped basket 12 with a cavity 14 therein (cavity 14 may extend partly or entirely through basket 12) as well as suspension supports 16, 18. In this embodiment, basket 12 has a first side 19 bounded by first vertical member 20, second vertical member 22, first horizontal member 30, and second horizontal member 32. Basket 12 also has a second side 21 bounded by third vertical member 24, fourth vertical member 26, third horizontal member 34, fourth horizontal member 36. In the illustrated embodiment, first side 19 is separated by second side 21 by horizontal spacers 40, 42, 44. Note that the quantity and placement of the various vertical and horizontal members may be varied as desired. Illustrated in FIG. 1 is one such possible additional horizontal member 46 which extends from second horizontal member 32 to fourth horizontal member 36. Horizontal member 46 could similarly extend from first vertical member 20 to third vertical member 24.

In some embodiments, suspension supports 16, 18, may be connected to a vertical or horizontal member other than shown. For example, suspension supports 16, 18 may be attached to additional horizontal member 46. The connection of suspension supports 16, 18 to basket 12 may either be permanent such that the location of suspension supports 16, 18 are fixed in relation to basket 12, or they may be variable such that suspension supports 16, 18 may slide along a member, such as horizontal member 46. One possible advantage of allowing suspension supports 16, 18 to slide along horizontal member 46 is that a width W1 between suspension supports 16, 18 (see FIG. 3) may be varied for the conditions in which the device is going to be used while width W2 of scaffolding 10 can be of a width other than width W1. In practice and as discussed further below, allowing width W1 to vary may allow outside portions of horizontal portions 70, 74 to engage with vertical portions of a windowsill or a vertical portion of other suitable structures. Such engagement can provide additional lateral stability to scaffolding 10.

In some embodiments suspension supports 16, 18 may be removably connected to basket 12 such that they may be removed for more convenient storage. Similarly, other members of scaffolding 10 may be removably connected to the other various members such that scaffolding 10 may be broken down to its smallest components.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 in place on a windowsill, wall or other support structure 90. In this embodiment, sides 19, 23 include optional side guards 80. Guards 80 may be of any suitable configuration including, but not limited to, a solid surface, a surface with one or more holes, or a surface with cross beams such as that illustrated.

FIG. 2 also illustrates a configuration for suspension supports 16, 18 in which each suspension support 16, 18 includes a horizontal portion 70, 74, respectively, and a downward projection portion 72, 76. In an exemplary installation, for example if the device is to be used on a windowsill or wall such as support structure 90 in FIG. 2, downward portions 72, 76 of suspension supports 16, 18 may be positioned on the interior of a structure whereas basket 12 of scaffolding device 10 is located exterior to the building. In the embodiment illustrated, horizontal portions 70, 74 rest and engage a top surface of wall 90 (such as surface 92 as illustrated in FIG. 4). In addition, side portions of horizontal members 70, 74 may engage with vertical portions of a windowsill, wall or other support structure 90 (not shown). Supports 16, 18 may be of varying configuration and though illustrated with two supports, any number of supports may be used.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-2. Floor 50 may be of any suitable configuration including, but not limited to, a wire mesh as illustrated, solid, or otherwise. One aspect of a wire mesh or other floor with one or more holes is that small particles or liquids could fall from scaffolding 10. In some embodiments this may be an advantage (i.e., if the scaffolding is being used in an unoccupied are where falling debris cannot do harm) while it may be a disadvantage in other instances (such as if persons are working below scaffolding 10).

In one embodiment, a scaffolding device may have the following dimensions: depth D1 is approximately eleven (11) inches, depth D2 is approximately seventeen (17) inches, width W1 is approximately seventeen (17) inches, width W2 is approximately seventeen (17) inches, length L1 is approximately ten (10) inches and length L2 is approximately twenty-two (22) inches. In other embodiments, dimensions may be of any desired value. In still other embodiments, width W1 may be adjustable to fit the width of a windowsill or other installation.

FIG. 4 illustrates another exemplary embodiment further illustrating various bumpers or guards 100 which may be positioned in various places on scaffolding 10. In the illustrated embodiment, bumpers 100 are positioned on downward projecting portions 72, 76, horizontal portions 70, 74 and vertical members 20, 24. In this embodiment, bumpers 100 are connected to their various members by way of bolts 102 although any variety of means may be used to attach such bumpers. In other embodiments, other means such as wraps may be used to cover one or more of the members. Bumpers, guards or wraps may provide a variety of benefits such as to provide additional lateral stability and to prevent the windowsill, wall, support structure from being marred or damaged by scaffolding 10. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, guards/bumpers 100 may engage with surfaces 92, 94, 96 of wall 90.

In still other embodiments, one or more wheels may be attached to scaffolding 10. In some embodiments, wheels may be attached at the lower end of vertical members 22, 26 such that scaffolding 10 may be transported by lifting suspension supports 16, 18 and then wheeling the scaffolding. In still other embodiments, more or less wheel may be placed at other locations on scaffolding 10 to make the scaffolding easier to transport.

In still other embodiments, various members such as those illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 may be permanently and rigidly connected. One advantage of such a device is that it is more structurally sound and durable than devices which may include components or members that may be disconnected or adjustable.

The various members and devices of the present invention may be of any suitable configuration and orientation. Such devices may be used in a multitude of applications such as on windowsill, over ledges, over walls, etc. The various components and members of the present invention may be comprised wholly or in part of any suitable materials including, but not limited to, steel, titanium, aluminum, ceramic, wood, alloys, plastic, rubber, carbon fiber, fiberglass, and stainless steel.

While the specification has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of the foregoing, may readily conceive of alterations to, variations of, and equivalents to these embodiments. Also note that the housing and other components may be of any suitable shape depending on the desired application for the device. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be assessed as that of the appended claims and any equivalents thereto.

Claims

1. A portable scaffolding device for supporting one or person(s), said device comprising:

a basket having: a plurality of vertical members and a plurality of horizontal members, and a floor,

and at least one suspension support having a horizontal portion and a downwardly extending portion,

wherein said at least one support is connected to said basket at one end of said horizontal portion.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said at least one support comprises a first support and a second support wherein said first support is spaced from said second support.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein a distance between said first support and said second support is variable.

4. The device of claim 1, further comprising two or more wheels attached to said basket.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein said device is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of steel, aluminum, wood, carbon fiber, ceramic, and metal alloy.

6. The device of claim wherein said at least one support is slidably connected to said basket.

7. The device of claim 1, further comprising at least one bumper connected to said device wherein said bumper is comprised of a non-marring material.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein a portion of said basket may be positioned adjacent a wall.