Scaffold elevator

Abstract

An elevator for use by masons with a scaffold structure. A group of lifts are arranged in horizontally spaced relation. Each lift includes a rail secured to the scaffold structure, a shuttle movable along the rail, a winch mounted to the shuttle, and a cable running from the scaffold top to the winch. Decks are supported by the shuttles to provide intermediate working platforms. Benches are supported by the shuttles for storing materials.

1 . An elevator system for use by a mason with a scaffold structure, said elevator system comprising:
 lifts which, in use, are disposed in a group and secured to said scaffold structure in horizontally-spaced relation to one another to define therebetween one or more intermediate locations alongside said scaffold structure, each lift including:   a rail secured in use to said scaffold structure to stand upright;   a shuttle mounted for constrained movement along the rail;   a winch rigidly mounted to the shuttle for movement therewith; and   a cable extending from a location proximal to the top of the rail to the winch such that actuation of the winch to coil the cable thereon draws the shuttle upward;   decks which, in use, are provided one for each intermediate location and supported by the shuttles flanking said each intermediate location to provide a platform upon which said mason can stand while building; and   benches which, in use, are provided one for each intermediate location and supported by the shuttles flanking said each intermediate location to provide a surface, elevated in relation to the deck provided for said each intermediate location, from which said mason can retrieve materials for building.   
   
   
       2 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the winches are electric and, in use, the winches of the group are switched for movement in concert. 
   
   
       3 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein, in each lift, the shuttle is mounted to the rail by rollers carried by the shuttle and captured by the rail. 
   
   
       4 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein, in each lift, the rail includes a plurality of holes spaced apart along its length and the shuttle carries a safety device which is spring-biased for movement in a manner such that the safety device rides over the holes during upward movement of the shuttle but, upon commencement of downward movement of the shuttle, engages the first of the holes that it meets, unless externally restrained against said spring-biased movement, to arrest further downward movement of the shuttle. 
   
   
       5 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the group can be a group of three or more lifts arranged such that the platforms collectively define a walkway alongside said scaffold structure. 
   
   
       6 . A system according to  claim 5 , wherein the walkway has two straight lengths arranged in perpendicular to one another, for laying a building inside corner. 
   
   
       7 . A system according to  claim 6 , further comprising elements adapted for mounting to the shuttles to serve as safety railings at the ends of the walkway. 
   
   
       8 . An elevator system for use by a mason with a scaffold structure, the scaffold structure being of the type formed of: standard frame structures, each including a pair of parallel standards rigidly connected to one another; and standard cross-braces arranged in pairs, each pair rigidly connecting and supporting a pair of adjacent frame structures such that the standards are upright, said system including:
 lifts which, in use, are provided one for each of a group of two or more adjacent frame structures in said scaffold structure, each lift including: a rail secured in use in sistered relationship to a standard of the frame structure for which it is provided, the rails defining therebetween one or more intermediate locations alongside the scaffold structure; a shuttle mounted for constrained movement along the rail; a winch mounted to the shuttle for movement therewith; and a cable extending from a location proximal to the top of the rail to the winch such that actuation of the winch to coil the cable thereon draws the shuttle upward;   standard deck elements which, in use, are provided one for each intermediate location and supported by the shuttles flanking said each intermediate location to provide a platform upon which said mason can stand while building; and   standard bench elements which, in use, are provided one for each intermediate location and supported by the shuttles flanking said each intermediate location to provide a surface, elevated in relation to the deck provided for said each intermediate location, from which said mason can retrieve materials for building.   
   
   
       9 . A system according to  claim 8 ,
 wherein the lifts, in use, can be provided one for each of a grouping of three adjacent standards in said scaffold structure to flank adjacent,   perpendicular sides of said scaffold structure, with two of the lifts disposed on one of the perpendicular sides and the third lift disposed on the other of the perpendicular sides;   wherein a standard bench element, in use, is provided one for each grouping, said standard bench element being secured, in use, to the shuttles of the parallel lifts of said each grouping;   and further comprising:   extended-length deck elements which, in use, are provided one for each grouping, each extended-length deck element being secured, in use, to the shuttles of the parallel lifts of said each grouping to provide a platform along the one perpendicular side flanked by said each grouping which cantilevers beyond the other of the perpendicular sides flanked by said each grouping; and   filler elements which, in use, are provided one for each grouping, each filler element being secured, in use, to the shuttle of the third lift of said each grouping and supported by the extended-length deck element provided for said each grouping to provide a platform alongside the other of the perpendicular sides flanked by said each grouping;   corner brackets which are provided one for each grouping, each corner bracket, in use, being rigidly secured to the shuttle of the lift adjacent to the third lift of said each grouping; and   filler shelves which are provided one for each grouping, each filler shelf, in use, being rigidly secured to the shuttle of the third lift of said each grouping and supported by the corner bracket provided for said each grouping, to provide a surface alongside the other of the perpendicular sides flanked by said each grouping from which said mason can retrieve materials for building.   
   
   
       10 . A scaffold system for use by a mason, said system comprising:
 frame assemblies, each including a pair of rigidly-connected parallel rails;   cross-braces which, in use, are arranged in pairs, each pair rigidly connecting and supporting a pair of adjacent frame assemblies such that the rails thereof stand upright in horizontally-spaced relation to one another;   shuttles which, in use, are provided one for each rail in a group of two or more adjacent rails and mounted for constrained movement therealong, the group of two or more adjacent rails defining therebetween one or more intermediate locations;   winches which, in use, are provided one for each rail in the group and mounted for movement with the shuttle mounted to said each rail;   cables which, in use, are provided one for each rail in the group, each extending from a location proximal to the top of the rail for which it is provided to the winch mounted to said each rail such that actuation of the winch to coil the cable thereon draws the shuttle upward;   standard deck elements which, in use, are provided one for each intermediate location and supported by the shuttles flanking said each intermediate location to provide a platform upon which said mason can stand while building; and   standard bench elements which, in use, are provided one for each intermediate location and supported by the shuttles flanking said each intermediate location to provide a surface, elevated in relation to the deck provided for said each intermediate location, from which said mason can retrieve materials for building.   
   
   
       11 . An elevator system for use by a mason with a scaffold structure, said elevator system comprising:
 lifts which, in use, are disposed in a group and secured to said scaffold structure in horizontally-spaced relation to one another to define therebetween one or more intermediate locations alongside said scaffold structure, each lift including:   a rail secured in use to said scaffold structure to stand upright;   a shuttle mounted for constrained movement along the rail;   a winch rigidly mounted to one of the rail and the shuttle; and   a cable extending from the winch to the other of the rail and the shuttle such that actuation of the winch to coil the cable thereon draws the shuttle upward;   decks which, in use, are provided one for each intermediate location and supported by the shuttles flanking said each intermediate location to provide a platform upon which said mason can stand while building; and   benches which, in use, are provided one for each intermediate location and supported by the shuttles flanking said each intermediate location to provide a surface, elevated in relation to the deck provided for said each intermediate location, from which said mason can retrieve materials for building.