Fire escape – ladder – or scaffold – Platform
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-28
2001-05-01
Chin-Shue, Alvin (Department: 3634)
Fire escape, ladder, or scaffold
Platform
C182S119000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06223857
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to elevated support surfaces and, more particularly, to portable scaffolding platforms forming an elevated work platform.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
When workers must be elevated above a floor or ground surface to complete a task, portable scaffolding is frequently assembled to provide an elevated work platform. An exemplary scaffolding platform is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,825,976 issued to Wyse which is hereby fully incorporated herein by reference. While the scaffolding platform of the '976 patent provides a stable work surface and is generally resistant to damage by virtue of interchangeable hooks. If a hook is damaged, the end section of the platform must be disassembled, so that the damaged hook can be replaced. The end sections of these platforms include over 25 separate pieces, and thus, their complexity makes the end sections undesirably expensive and time consuming to manufacture and assemble.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
There is, therefore, provided in the practice of the invention a novel scaffolding platform, which is easily assembled to provide readily portable scaffolding. The scaffolding platform broadly includes substantially parallel front and rear side rails. Opposed, one piece end cross members, with hooks, are attached to opposite ends of the rails, and a panel which provides a work surface, is supported by the side rails.
In a preferred embodiment, the steel end cross members define a pair of hand hold openings in a transverse and substantially vertical end plate. A plurality of weight reducing apertures are defined in substantially horizontal cross plates. The corner joints between the end cross members and the side rails include a generally triangular side plate having a margin integrally joined with the end plate of the end cross member. An intermediate cross member is provided with an upper support member having a generally flat upper surface engaging the panel. The intermediate cross member also includes front and rear legs extending downward from the upper surface with a cylindrical lower support extending between the front and rear legs.
In an alternate embodiment the hooks are joined to the unitary end cross members with fasteners to form hook joints. The hook joints allow the hooks to be removed and replaced without separating the corner joints.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved scaffolding platform allowing easy replacement of damaged hooks while minimizing complexity.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3093221 (1963-06-01), Purdy
patent: 5141078 (1992-08-01), Wood
patent: 5282519 (1994-02-01), Wenturo
patent: 5882136 (1999-03-01), Pyritz
patent: 5915497 (1999-06-01), Krause
patent: 5967262 (1999-10-01), Krause
patent: 3740910 (1988-07-01), None
patent: 332061 (1989-09-01), None
patent: 1112160 (1956-03-01), None
patent: 7708839 (1979-02-01), None
Chin-Shue Alvin
Hovey Williams Timmons & Collins
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