DRILL DRIVE SCAFFOLD SYSTEM

Abstract

An illustrated view of an exemplary scaffolding for providing access to high areas is presented. The scaffolding is useful for positioning the scaffolding at a desired height dependent on the need of the user. Also, the scaffolding provides a quick and easy way to erect, reduce the size of and reposition or re-height the scaffolding. The scaffolding is cost effective and re-uses a commonly owned tool to create a more efficient working with the scaffolding. The scaffolding is useful for framing, hanging and finishing drywall, painting, plumbing, electrical, etc.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to scaffolds. More particularly, it relates to a system to change/adjust a scaffold.

BACKGROUND

Scaffolding, also called scaffold or staging, is a temporary structure used to support a work crew and materials to aid in the construction, maintenance and repair of buildings, bridges and all other man-made structures. Scaffolds are widely used on site to get access to heights and areas that would be otherwise hard to get to. Unsafe scaffolding has the potential to result in death or serious injury. Scaffolding is also used in adapted forms for formwork and shoring, grandstand seating, concert stages, access/viewing towers, exhibition stands, ski ramps, half pipes and art projects.

The purpose of a working scaffold is to provide a safe working platform and access suitable for work crews to carry out their work. These are substantially independent of the materials of which the scaffold is made.

The key elements of the scaffolding are the standard, ledger and transoms. The standards, also called uprights, are the vertical tubes that transfer the entire weight of the structure to the ground where they rest on a square base plate to spread the load. The base plate has a shank in its center to hold the tube and is sometimes pinned to a sole board. Ledgers are horizontal tubes which connect between the standards. Transoms rest upon the ledgers at right angles. Main transoms are placed next to the standards, they hold the standards in place and provide support for boards; intermediate transoms are those placed between the main transoms to provide extra support for boards.

Scaffolding is often a necessary part of building and home maintenance. Set up scaffolding properly to make sure you and anyone else using the equipment stay safe. An oversight in erecting scaffolding could lead to a serious accident. Setting up scaffolding is an alternative to using ladders. A benefit of using scaffolding is the larger work area and mobility it offers over that of a ladder. It provides a platform for walking and for setting all your tools. These cuts work time drastically.

As shown, the building, moving and removal of the scaffolding can be cost inefficient and time consuming. Furthermore, the building, moving and removal of the scaffolding requires manual labor and may have to be adjusted multiple times to acquire a positioning, height, etc. of the scaffolding for use in a particular instance.

Accordingly, and in light of the foregoing, it would be desirable to devise an improved scaffolding that can be built, adjusted in height and removed in an efficient manner by a mechanical means. It would be further advantageous if the device was reusable for other scaffolding or other activities.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustrated view of an exemplary scaffolding.

FIG. 2 is an illustrated detailed view of sections of the scaffolding shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an illustrated detailed view of a drive system of the scaffolding shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an illustrated view of an external steering drive for the scaffolding shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The phrases “in one embodiment,” “in various embodiments,” “in some embodiments,” and the like are used repeatedly. Such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. The terms “comprising,” “having,” and “including” are synonymous, unless the context dictates otherwise. Such terms do not generally signify a closed list.

“Above,” “adhesive,” “affixing,” “any,” “around,” “both,” “bottom,” “by,” “comprising,” “consistent,” “customized,” “enclosing,” “friction,” “in,” “labeled,” “lower,” “magnetic,” “marked,” “new,” “nominal,” “not,” “of,” “other,” “outside,” “outwardly,” “particular,” “permanently,” “preventing,” “raised,” “respectively,” “reversibly,” “round,” “square,” “substantial,” “supporting,” “surrounded,” “surrounding,” “threaded,” “to,” “top,” “using,” “wherein,” “with,” or other such descriptors herein are used in their normal yes-or-no sense, not as terms of degree, unless context dictates otherwise.

Reference is now made in detail to the description of the embodiments as illustrated in the drawings. While embodiments are described in connection with the drawings and related descriptions, there is no intent to limit the scope to the embodiments disclosed herein. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents. In alternate embodiments, additional devices, or combinations of illustrated devices, may be added to, or combined, without limiting the scope to the embodiments disclosed herein.

Referring to FIG. 1, an illustrated view of an exemplary scaffolding 100 for providing access to high areas is presented. The scaffolding 100 is useful for positioning the scaffolding 100 at a desired height dependent on the need of the user. Also, the scaffolding 100 provides a quick and easy way to erect, reduce the size of and reposition or re-height the scaffolding 100. The scaffolding 100 is cost effective and re-uses a commonly owned tool to create a more efficient working with the scaffolding 100. The scaffolding 100 is useful for framing, hanging and finishing drywall, painting, plumbing, electrical, etc.

The scaffolding is preferably made of a metal material, such as steel, aluminum, etc., however other materials are hereby contemplated, including, but not limited to, poly-vinyl chloride (PVC), high-density poly-ethylene (HDPE), etc.

The scaffolding 100 has a plurality of sections 200, 220, 240, 260, a plurality of wheels 300, 310, a platform 400 and a drill 500. The drill 500 is preferably a rechargeable drill, however the drill 500 may be an electric plug-in drill.

Each of the sections 200, 220, 240, 260 has first vertical poles 201, 221, 241, 261, a second vertical pole 202, 222, 242, 262 and a four support bars 202, 222, 242, 262. The support bars 210, 230, 250, 270 are formed in an “X” shape.

For each of the sections 200, 220, 240, 260, a first of the poles 201, 221, 241, 261 is coupled to a second of the poles 202, 222, 242, 262 by a first of the support bars 210, 230, 250, 270. The first of the poles 201, 221, 241, 261 is coupled to a fourth of the poles (not shown) by a fourth of the support bars (not shown). The second of the poles 202, 222, 242, 262 is coupled to a third of the poles (not shown) by a fourth of the support bars (not shown). The third of the poles (not shown) is coupled to the fourth of the poles (not shown) in the same manner as described for the first of the poles 201, 221, 241, 261 being coupled to the second of the poles 202, 222, 242, 262.

Each of the poles 201, 202, 221, 222, 241, 242, 261, 262 has a top 203, 204, 223, 224, 243, 244, 263, 264 and a bottom 205, 206, 225, 226, 245, 246, 265, 266. The bottom 205 of a first of the poles 201 of the first section 200 is coupled to a top 223 of the first of the poles 221 of the second section 220. The bottom 205 of a second of the poles 202 of the first section 200 is coupled to a top 223 of the first of the poles 221 of the second section 220.

Shown is the second pole 202 of the first section 200, however each of the poles is identical in construction and has an inside 208.

As shown for the second pole 202 of the first of the sections 200, of the inside 208 of the second pole 202 of the first section 200 has a gear system 600. The gear system has a first gear 601, a second 602 and a drive shaft 603. When the drill 500 is coupled to the second pole 202 of the first section 200 is actuated in a forward direction, the drive shaft 603 is reduced in length and thus the second pole 202 of the first section 200 is shortened. One of skill would understand that the other poles 201, 221, 222, 241, 242, 261, 262 would function in the same manner. When the drill 500 is coupled to the second pole 202 of the first section 200 and is actuated in a reverse direction, the drive shaft 603 is increased in length and thus the second pole 202 of the first section 200 is lengthened.

The bottom 225 of a first of the poles 221 of the second section 220 is coupled to a top 243 of the first of the poles 241 of the third section 240. The bottom 226 of a second of the poles 222 of the second section 220 is coupled to a top 244 of the second of the poles 242 of the third section 240.

The bottom 245 of a first of the poles 241 of the third section 240 is coupled to a top 263 of the first of the poles 261 of the fourth section 260. The bottom 246 of a second of the poles 242 of the third section 240 is coupled to a top 264 of the second of the poles 262 of the fourth section 260.

The platform 400 is removably coupled to an upper level 211 of the first section 200 of the scaffolding 100. The platform 300 is preferably flat in shape, however other shapes as determined by one of skill in the art are hereby contemplated. The platform 300 is preferably made of a plywood material, however other materials are hereby contemplated, including, but not limited to, poly-vinyl chloride (PVC), particle board, medium density fiberboard (MDF), etc.

The first of the wheels 300 are coupled to bottom 265 of first pole 261 the fourth section 260. The second of the wheels 310 is coupled to the bottom 266 of the second pole 262 of the fourth section 260. As one of skill in the art would understand, a third wheel (not shown) and a fourth wheel (not shown) are coupled to the third pole (not shown) and the fourth pole (not shown) in an identical manner.

The wheels 300, 310 each have a braking mechanism 301. The braking mechanism 301 is shown only for the first of the wheels 300, however one of ordinary skill in the art would easily understand that the braking mechanism 301 would be identical in the second of the wheels 310. The braking mechanism 301 allows for the first of the wheels 300 to be locked to prevent the scaffolding 100 from moving when in use and unlocked to allow movement of the scaffolding 100.

The drill 500 is coupled the first pole 201 of the first section 200 of the scaffolding 100. However, the drill 500 may be coupled to the second pole 202 of the first section 200 or any of the other poles 221, 222, 241, 242, 262, 262. The drill 500 may further be coupled to the third pole (not shown) and/or the fourth pole (not shown) of any of the sections 200, 220, 240, 260.

Moving now to FIG. 2, an illustrated detailed view of sections of the scaffolding 100 as shown in FIG. 1 is presented. Shown is the first section 200 and the first pole 201 and the second pole 202, however one of ordinary skill would understand that each of the poles and sections are identical in construction. Each of the first poles 201 and the second pole 202 of the first section 200 has a railing 700. The railing 700 provides for a storage of the scaffolding 100 when not in use. The railing 700 is preferably like a bicycle holding device, where the railing 700 has a plurality of holes 701. The scaffolding 100 can then be stored off a ground-level when not in use.

Now referring to FIG. 3, an illustrated detailed view of a drive shaft 800 for the gear drive 600 of the scaffolding 100 shown in FIG. 1 is presented.

The drive shaft 800 couples to the gear drive 600 shown in FIG. 1. The drive shaft 800 has a top 801, a shaft 802 and a sprocket 803. The sprocket 803 is coupled to a top 605 of the gear drive 600. The sprocket 803 is coupled to the shaft 802 of the drive shaft 800. The top 801 of the drive shaft 800 has a coupling port 804. The coupling port 804 provides for the drill 500, of FIG. 1, to couple to the shaft 802 of the drive shaft 800. When the drill 500, shown in FIG. 1, is set to a forward direction and coupled to the coupling port 804 of the drive shaft 800, the shaft 802 is turned in a clockwise direction. The clockwise direction provides for a reduction in length of the gear drive 600, shown in FIG. 1. When the drill 600, shown in FIG. 1, is set in a reverse direction and coupled to the coupling port 804 of the drive shaft 800, the shaft 802 is turned in a counterclockwise direction. The counterclockwise direction allows for the gear drive 600, shown in FIG. 1, to increase in length.

Referring now to FIG. 4, an illustrated view of an external steering drive 900 for the scaffolding 100 shown in FIG. 1 is presented. The scaffolding 100 is presented in FIG. 1 and only those relevant aspects related to the steering drive 900 will be referenced.

Optionally, and/or additionally, the external steering drive 900 is useful for providing a mechanism to move the scaffolding 100 in a direction without the user dismounting the scaffolding 100 to move the scaffolding 100 to another desired location.

The external steering drive 900 has a coupling device 901, a steering cable 930 and a movement cable 950. The coupling device 901 has an opening 902 and an outer edge 903. The opening 902 is preferably hollow. The coupling device 902 is coupled to a coupling box 904. The coupling box 904 is further coupled to the to the first post 201 of the first section 200 of the scaffolding 100.

A first end 931 of the steering cable 930 is coupled to the coupling box 904. A second end 932 of the steering cable 930 is coupled to one or more of the wheels 300, 320 at a forty-five-degree (45°) angle.

A first end 951 of the movement cable 950 is coupled to the coupling box 904. A second end 952 of the movement cable 950 is coupled to the one or more wheels 300, 320.

The drill 500 is coupled thru the coupling device 901 to the coupling box 904. The drill 500 is actuated in a forward direction to rotate the steering cable 930, thereby directing the movement of the wheels 300, 320 in a desired direction, reversing the drill 500 causes the steering cable 930 to rotate in a counterclockwise direction and directing the wheels 300, 320 to change positioning such that the direction of movement of the scaffolding 100 is altered.

The movement cable 930 and the steering cable 950 are coupled to various areas along the first of the posts 201, 221, 241, 261 of the sections 200, 220, 240, 260.

The drill 500 is coupled thru the coupling device 901 to the coupling box 930. The drill 500 is actuated in a forward direction to rotate the movement cable 930, thereby directing the movement of the wheels 300, 320 in a desired direction, reversing the drill 500 causes the movement cable 930 to rotate in a counterclockwise direction and effecting the wheels 300, 320 to rotate such that the direction of movement of the scaffolding 100 is altered.

In the numbered clauses below, specific combinations of aspects and embodiments are articulated in a shorthand form such that (1) according to respective embodiments, for each instance in which a “component” or other such identifiers appear to be introduced (with “a” or “an,” e.g.) more than once in a given chain of clauses, such designations may either identify the same entity or distinct entities; and (2) what might be called “dependent” clauses below may or may not incorporate, in respective embodiments, the features of “independent” clauses to which they refer or other features described above.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the foregoing specific exemplary processes and/or devices and/or technologies are representative of more general processes and/or devices and/or technologies taught elsewhere herein, such as in the claims filed herewith and/or elsewhere in the present application.

The features described with respect to one embodiment may be applied to other embodiments or combined with or interchanged with the features of other embodiments, as appropriate, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.

Claims

1. A scaffolding for providing access to high areas, the scaffolding comprising:

a plurality of sections, each of the sections comprising: a plurality of poles, each of the poles having a top, an inside and a bottom; a plurality of support bars, each of the support bars being coupled to two (2) of the poles in one of the sections; the bottom of the poles of a first of the sections being coupled to top of the poles of a second of sections; a platform, the platform removably coupled to a top level of the first section; a plurality of wheels, a first of the plurality of wheels is coupled to the bottom of the first of the poles of a last of the sections, a second of the plurality of wheels is coupled to the bottom of the first of the poles of a last of the sections, a third of the plurality of wheels is coupled to the bottom of the first of the poles of a last of the sections, a fourth of the plurality of wheels is coupled to the bottom of the first of the poles of a last of the sections, and a gear shaft, the gear shaft having a top, a bottom and a shaft, the gear shaft being coupled on the inside of each of the poles, wherein the gear shaft is configured to be powered by a drill.

2. The scaffolding of claim 1, wherein the drill is a rechargeable drill.

3. The scaffolding of claim 1, wherein the scaffolding being made of a metal material.

4. The scaffolding of claim 3, wherein the metal material is aluminum.

5. The scaffolding of claim 1, further comprising a steering device, the steering device comprising:

a coupling device, the coupling device having opening and an outer edge;

a coupling box, the coupling box being coupled to the coupling device, the coupling box being coupled to one of the posts of a first section of the scaffolding;

a steering cable, the steering cable has a first end and a second end, the first end of the steering cable is coupled to the coupling box, the second end of the steering cable being coupled to one of the wheels, the steering cable being coupled to the scaffolding;

a movement cable, the movement cable has a first end and a second end, the first end of the movement cable is coupled to the coupling box, the second end of the movement cable being coupled to one of the wheels, the steering cable being coupled to the scaffolding, wherein when the drill is in a forward condition, the movement cable being rotated and the wheels rotate in a clockwise direction, and wherein when the drill is in a reverse setting, the movement cable rotates in a counter-clockwise direction thereby causing the wheels to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction; and

a steering cable, the steering cable has a first end and a second end, the first end of the steering cable is coupled to the coupling box, the second end of the steering cable being coupled to one of the wheels, the steering cable being coupled to the scaffolding, wherein when the drill is in a forward condition, the steering cable is rotated in a clockwise direction and the wheels are moved into a direction, and wherein when the drill is in a reverse setting, the steering cable rotates in a counter-clockwise direction thereby causing the wheels to move in a different direction.