Scaffolding plank

Abstract

A scaffolding plank includes a frame, a plank secured atop the frame, and hook members secured to the frame at a respective corner thereof. The frame includes a first longitudinal support, a second longitudinal support, and a third longitudinal support disposed between the first longitudinal support and the second longitudinal support. The frame further includes a first end support secured at first ends of the first, second, and third longitudinal supports and a second end support secured at second ends of the first, second, and third longitudinal supports. The frame still further includes a first center support secured between the first and third longitudinal supports offset from the midpoint of the frame and a second center support secured between the second and third longitudinal supports offset from the midpoint of the frame. The first, second, and third, longitudinal supports; the first and second center supports; and the first and second end supports may be steel manufactured in a c-channel configuration.

1 . A scaffolding plank, comprising:
 a frame, comprising:
 a first c-channel longitudinal support, 
 a second c-channel longitudinal support, 
 a third c-channel longitudinal support disposed between the first c-channel longitudinal support and the second c-channel longitudinal support, 
 a first c-channel end support secured at first ends of the first, second, and third c-channel longitudinal supports, 
 a second c-channel end support secured at second ends of the first, second, and third c-channel longitudinal supports, 
 a first c-channel center support secured between the first and third c-channel longitudinal supports, and 
 a second c-channel center support secured between the second and third c-channel longitudinal supports; 
   a plank secured atop the frame; and   hook members secured to the frame at a respective corner thereof.   
   
   
       2 . The scaffolding plank according to  claim 1 , wherein the frame further comprises:
 a first protective flange secured atop the first c-channel longitudinal support; and   a second protective flange secured atop the second c-channel longitudinal support.   
   
   
       3 . The scaffolding plank according to  claim 2 , wherein the plank resides between the first and second protective flanges, and the first and second protective flanges shield the edges of the plank. 
   
   
       4 . The scaffolding plank according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second c-channel center supports are offset from the midpoint of the frame. 
   
   
       5 . The scaffolding plank according to  claim 4 , wherein offsetting the first and second c-channel center supports from the midpoint of the frame provides a balancing counterweight for the frame. 
   
   
       6 . The scaffolding plank according to  claim 4 , wherein:
 the first c-channel center support is offset from the midpoint of the frame toward a first end of the frame; and   the second c-channel center support is offset from the midpoint of the frame toward a second end of the frame.   
   
   
       7 . The scaffolding plank according to  claim 1 , wherein each hook member comprises a mounting bracket with an attachment hook secured thereto. 
   
   
       8 . The scaffolding plank according to  claim 1 , wherein the first, second, and third c-channel longitudinal supports are manufactured from steel. 
   
   
       9 . The scaffolding plank according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second c-channel end supports are manufactured from steel. 
   
   
       10 . The scaffolding plank according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second c-channel center supports are manufactured from steel. 
   
   
       11 . A scaffolding plank, comprising:
 a frame, comprising:
 a first longitudinal support, 
 a second longitudinal support, 
 a third longitudinal support disposed between the first longitudinal support and the second longitudinal support, 
 a first end support secured at first ends of the first, second, and third longitudinal supports, 
 a second end support secured at second ends of the first, second, and third longitudinal supports, 
 a first center support secured between the first and third longitudinal supports, whereby the first center support is offset from the midpoint of the frame, and 
 a second center support secured between the second and third longitudinal supports, whereby the second center support is offset from the midpoint of the frame; 
   a plank secured atop the frame; and   hook members secured to the frame at a respective corner thereof.   
   
   
       12 . The scaffolding plank according to  claim 11 , wherein offsetting the first and second center supports from the midpoint of the frame provides a balancing counterweight for the frame. 
   
   
       13 . The scaffolding plank according to  claim 11 , wherein:
 the first center support is offset from the midpoint of the frame toward a first end of the frame; and   the second center support is offset from the midpoint of the frame toward a second end of the frame.   
   
   
       14 . The scaffolding plank according to  claim 11 , wherein the frame further comprises:
 a first protective flange secured atop the first longitudinal support; and   a second protective flange secured atop the second longitudinal support.   
   
   
       15 . The scaffolding plank according to  claim 11 , wherein each hook member comprises a mounting bracket with an attachment hook secured thereto. 
   
   
       16 . A method of manufacturing a scaffolding plank, comprising:
 placing first, second, and third c-channel longitudinal supports comprised of steel side by side at substantially equidistant intervals;   securing a first c-channel end support comprised of steel to first ends of the first, second, and third c-channel longitudinal supports;   securing a second c-channel end support comprised of steel to second ends of the first, second, and third c-channel longitudinal supports;   securing a first c-channel center support comprised of steel between the first and third c-channel longitudinal supports;   securing a second c-channel center support comprised of steel between the second and third c-channel longitudinal supports;   securing a plank atop the frame; and   securing hook members to the frame at a respective corner thereof.   
   
   
       17 . The method of manufacturing a scaffolding plank according to  claim 16 , further comprising:
 securing a first protective flange atop the first c-channel longitudinal support; and   securing a second protective flange atop the second c-channel longitudinal support.   
   
   
       18 . The method of manufacturing a scaffolding plank according to  claim 16 , wherein:
 the first c-channel center support is secured between the first and third c-channel longitudinal supports offset from the midpoint of the frame; and   the second c-channel center support is secured between the second and third c-channel longitudinal supports offset from the midpoint of the frame.   
   
   
       19 . The method of manufacturing a scaffolding plank according to  claim 16 , wherein:
 the first c-channel center support is secured between the first and third c-channel longitudinal supports offset from the midpoint of the frame toward a first end of the frame; and   the second c-channel center support is secured between the second and third c-channel longitudinal supports offset from the midpoint of the frame toward a second end of the frame.   
   
   
       20 . A method of manufacturing a scaffolding plank, comprising:
 placing first, second, and third longitudinal supports side by side at substantially equidistant intervals;   securing a first end support to first ends of the first, second, and third longitudinal supports;   securing a second end support to second ends of the first, second, and third longitudinal supports;   securing a first center support between the first and third c-channel longitudinal supports offset from the midpoint of the frame;   securing a second center support between the second and third c-channel longitudinal supports offset from the midpoint of the frame;   securing a plank atop the frame; and   securing hook members to the frame at a respective corner thereof.   
   
   
       21 . The method of manufacturing a scaffolding plank according to  claim 20 , further comprising:
 securing a first protective flange atop the first longitudinal support; and   securing a second protective flange atop the second longitudinal support.   
   
   
       22 . The method of manufacturing a scaffolding plank according to  claim 20 , wherein:
 the first center support is secured between the first and third longitudinal supports offset from the midpoint of the frame toward a first end of the frame; and   the second center support is secured between the second and third longitudinal supports offset from the midpoint of the frame toward a second end of the frame.