Multipurpose frame assembly

Abstract

A multipurpose frame assembly ( 10 ) for interconnection with existing conventional scaffolding modules (M) is disclosed. The frame assembly ( 10 ) includes a plurality of end frames ( 12,14 ). The end frames ( 12,14 ) each include four, generally coextensive, coplanar legs ( 22,24,34,36 ), with at least two of the legs being spaced apart an industry standard dimension (D IS ). Paired sets of the legs ( 16,18 ) are coupled together by horizontal rungs ( 38,40 ) that cooperate with a cross member assembly ( 20 ) to provide one of the paired sets ( 16,18 ) the industry standard spacing. In other embodiments, end frames ( 100,200 ) include a knock-down cross member assembly ( 106 ) and a box cross member assembly ( 206 ), respectively. Further disclosed embodiments show a multipurpose frame assembly ( 300 ) configured for vertically shoring a high capacity load and a tower assembly ( 400 ) configured for elevating a work surface.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A multipurpose frame assembly for interconnection with existing conventional modular scaffolding frames each of which include load-bearing connection legs spaced apart an industry standard distance, the multipurpose frame assembly including a plurality of end frames each comprising: 
 a first set of paired legs spaced apart a first distance;    a second set of paired legs coupled to the first set of paired legs and being spaced apart a second distance that is different from the first distance; and    a cross member assembly operable to couple the first set of paired legs together, 
 said first and second sets of paired legs being coextensive and generally coplanar,  
 said first and second sets of paired legs being adapted to couple to legs of another end frame of the multipurpose frame assembly,  
 one of said first or second distances being at least substantially equal to the industry standard distance so that the corresponding first or second set of paired legs is adapted to couple to an existing conventional modular scaffolding frame.  
   
     
     
         2 . The multipurpose frame assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , 
 the second set of paired legs being fixed relative to the first set of paired legs by at least two horizontally extending rungs.    
     
     
         3 . The multipurpose frame assembly as claimed in  claim 2 , 
 each leg of the first and second sets of paired legs including axially opposite open ends adapted to receive connection means for vertically coupling the leg to other end frames of the multipurpose frame assembly and to existing conventional modular scaffolding frames.    
     
     
         4 . The multipurpose frame assembly as claimed in  claim 3 , 
 each set of paired legs including at least one frame lock adapted to receive a brace for removably horizontally coupling the set of paired legs to another end frame of the multipurpose frame assembly.    
     
     
         5 . The multipurpose frame assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , 
 said cross member assembly including at least one horizontally extending bar rigidly fixed between the first set of paired legs.    
     
     
         6 . The multipurpose frame assembly as claimed in  claim 5 , 
 said cross member assembly including at least one additional horizontally extending bar rigidly fixed between the first set of paired legs,    said at least one additional bar being substantially vertically spaced from said at least one bar.    
     
     
         7 . The multipurpose frame assembly as claimed in  claim 5 , 
 said one of the first or second distances being the first distance so that the first set of paired legs is adapted to couple to an existing conventional modular scaffolding frame.    
     
     
         8 . The multipurpose frame assembly as claimed in  claim 5 , 
 said one of the first or second distances being the second distance so that the second set of paired legs is adapted to couple to an existing conventional modular scaffolding frame.    
     
     
         9 . The multipurpose frame assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , 
 said cross member assembly including at least one horizontally extending spacer removably coupled between the first set of paired legs and being operable to removably couple the first set of paired legs together.    
     
     
         10 . A tower assembly comprising: 
 a base assembly including spaced apart, removably coupled first and second base frames,    said first and second base frames each including two inner base legs and two outer base legs,    said inner and outer legs being generally coextensive,    said two inner base legs of each base frame being horizontally spaced a first dimension,    said two outer base legs of each base frame being horizontally spaced a second dimension that is different from the first dimension; and    a scaffold assembly vertically supported on the base assembly and including spaced apart, removably coupled first and second scaffold frames,    said first and second scaffold frames each including a pair of scaffold legs,    said scaffold legs of each pair being horizontally spaced one of said first or second dimensions.    
     
     
         11 . The tower assembly as claimed in  claim 10 , 
 all of said legs having a substantially similar inner diameter.    
     
     
         12 . The tower assembly as claimed in  claim 11 , 
 said scaffold legs of each pair being horizontally spaced the first dimension,    each of said inner base legs being vertically coupled to one of the scaffold legs.    
     
     
         13 . The tower assembly as claimed in  claim 11 , 
 said scaffold legs of each pair being horizontally spaced the second dimension,    each of said outer base legs being vertically coupled to one of the scaffold legs.    
     
     
         14 . A multipurpose frame assembly for interconnection with existing conventional modular scaffolding frames each of which include load-bearing connection legs spaced apart an industry standard distance, the multipurpose frame assembly including a plurality of end frames each comprising: 
 a first set of paired legs spaced apart a first distance;    a second set of paired legs coupled to the first set of paired legs and being spaced apart a second distance that is different from the first distance; and    a cross member assembly operable to removably couple the first set of paired legs together, 
 said first and second sets of paired legs being coextensive and generally coplanar,  
 said first and second sets of paired legs being adapted to couple to another end frame of the multipurpose frame assembly,  
 one of said first or second distances being at least substantially equivalent to the industry standard distance so that the corresponding first or second set of paired legs is adapted to couple to an existing conventional modular scaffolding frame.  
   
     
     
         15 . The multipurpose frame assembly as claimed in  claim 14 , 
 the second set of paired legs being fixed relative to the first set of paired legs by at least two horizontally extending rungs.    
     
     
         16 . The multipurpose frame assembly as claimed in  claim 15 , 
 each leg of the first and second sets of paired legs including axially opposite open ends adapted to receive connection means for vertically coupling the leg to other end frames of the multipurpose frame assembly and to existing conventional modular scaffolding frames.    
     
     
         17 . The multipurpose frame assembly as claimed in  claim 16 , 
 each set of paired legs including at least one frame lock adapted to receive a brace for removably horizontally coupling the set of paired legs to another end frame of the multipurpose frame assembly.    
     
     
         18 . The multipurpose frame assembly as claimed in  claim 17 , 
 said one of the first or second distances being the first distance so that the first set of paired legs is adapted to couple to an existing conventional modular scaffolding frame.    
     
     
         19 . The multipurpose frame assembly as claimed in  claim 17 , 
 said one of the first or second distances being the second distance so that the second set of paired legs is adapted to couple to an existing conventional modular scaffolding frame.    
     
     
         20 . The multipurpose frame assembly as claimed in  claim 14 , 
 said cross member assembly including at least one horizontally extending spacer removably coupled between the first set of paired legs and being operable to removably couple the first set of paired legs together.    
     
     
         21 . A multipurpose frame assembly for interconnection with existing conventional modular scaffolding frames each of which include load-bearing connection legs spaced apart an industry standard distance, the multipurpose frame assembly including a plurality of end frames each comprising: 
 a first set of paired legs spaced apart a first distance;    a second set of paired legs coupled to the first set of paired legs and being spaced apart a second distance that is different from the first distance; and    a cross member assembly operable to couple the first set of paired legs together, 
 said first and second sets of paired legs being coextensive and generally coplanar,  
 said first and second sets of paired legs being adapted to couple to another end frame of the multipurpose frame assembly,  
 one of said first or second distances being an industry standard distance so that the corresponding first or second set of paired legs is adapted to couple to an existing conventional modular scaffolding frame,  
 said cross member assembly including first and second horizontally extending bars rigidly fixed between the first set of paired legs,  
 said first set of paired legs defining a vertical center,  
 said first and second bars being located on opposing sides of said vertical center and vertically spaced therefrom.  
   
     
     
         22 . The multipurpose frame assembly as claimed in  claim 21 , 
 the second set of paired legs being fixed relative to the first set of paired legs by at least two horizontally extending rungs.    
     
     
         23 . The multipurpose frame assembly as claimed in  claim 22 , 
 each leg of the first and second sets of paired legs including axially opposite open ends adapted to receive connection means for vertically coupling the leg to other end frames of the multipurpose frame assembly and to existing conventional modular scaffolding frames.    
     
     
         24 . The multipurpose frame assembly as claimed in  claim 23 , 
 each set of paired legs including at least one frame lock adapted to receive a brace for removably horizontally coupling the set of paired legs to another end frame of the multipurpose frame assembly.    
     
     
         25 . The multipurpose frame assembly as claimed in  claim 21 , 
 said one of the first or second distances being the first distance so that the first set of paired legs is adapted to couple to an existing conventional modular scaffolding frame.    
     
     
         26 . The multipurpose frame assembly as claimed in  claim 21 , 
 said one of the first or second distances being the second distance so that the second set of paired legs is adapted to couple to an existing conventional modular scaffolding frame.    
     
     
         27 . A method of constructing a tower comprising the steps of: 
 (a) assembling a base having eight coextensive legs; and    (b) vertically supporting a scaffold having four coextensive legs on the base so that the four legs of the scaffold are coupled to four of the eight legs of the base.    
     
     
         28 . The method as claimed in  claim 27 , 
 step (a) including the steps of assembling two four-legged end frames and removably and horizontally coupling the end frames together.    
     
     
         29 . The method as claimed in  claim 28 , 
 step (b) including the steps of supporting a two-legged scaffold frame on the inner-most legs of one of the four-legged end frames and supporting another two-legged scaffold frame on the inner-most legs of the other four-legged end frame.    
     
     
         30 . The method as claimed in  claim 28 , 
 step (b) including the steps of supporting a two-legged scaffold frame on the outer-most legs of one of the four-legged end frames and supporting another two-legged scaffold frame on the outer-most legs of the other four-legged end frame.