Pivoting Horizontal and Vertical Scaffold Members and a Method of Erecting an Offset Scaffold Platform

Abstract

One embodiment of the invention is a horizontal scaffold truss that has upper and lower horizontal scaffold members offset but fixedly joined with braces. Each upper and lower members have a connector positioned on each end of the respective lower and upper members, where at least one of the connectors is pivotally mounted on the respective lower or upper connector, and the connecters are engageable with an annular member positioned on a vertical scaffold member.

1 . A scaffold horizontal truss comprising an upper horizontal member and a lower horizontal member, each separated from the other but fixedly joined with at least one bracing member, each horizontal member having a first and second end respectively, first connectors, each configured to removably connect to a scaffold vertical member at an annular member positioned on a scaffold vertical member, said first end of each of said lower and upper horizontal members having one of said first connectors attached thereon, a second connector configured to removably connect to a scaffold vertical member at an annular member positioned on a scaffold vertical member and pivotally attached on said second end of at least one of said upper or said lower horizontal members. 
     
     
         2 . The scaffold horizontal truss system of  claim 1  or  19  wherein said second connector is pivotally attached to said second end of said upper horizontal member. 
     
     
         3 . The scaffold horizontal truss system of  claim 1  or  19  wherein each second ends of each of said upper and lower horizontal members have pivotally attached thereon one of said second connectors. 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . The scaffold horizontal truss member of  claim 1  or  19  where said second connector pivots either horizontally or in a plane substantially perpendicular to that of the respective vertical scaffold member, or vertically or in a plane substantially parallel to that of the respective vertical scaffold member, when said scaffold horizontal truss is coupled thereto. 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . The scaffold horizontal truss of  claim 1  or  19  further comprising a couple member positioned on said second end of said lower horizontal member, said couple member shaped to engage a vertical scaffold member. 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . The scaffold horizontal truss of  claim 1  or  19  wherein said first and second connectors further comprise a latch member comprising a slidable or a pivotable latch engagable with an annular member on a vertical scaffold member. 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . The scaffold horizontal truss member of  claim 9  wherein said annular member on said vertical scaffold member comprises a rosette having an opening and said latch member is vertically slidable through said rosette openings. 
     
     
         13 . A method of erecting a suspended scaffold platform to an existing scaffold structure having vertical scaffold members, comprising the steps of:
 coupling a first horizontal scaffold member to an annular member on a first vertical scaffold member of said existing scaffold structure with a first connector, said first horizontal scaffold member having first and second ends, said first connector pivotally mounted on said first end of said first horizontal scaffold member; said first horizontal scaffold member further comprising a second connector positioned on said second end of said first horizontal scaffold member and configured to be engageable with another vertical scaffold member;   rotating said coupled first horizontal scaffold member about said first connector to position said second end of said first horizontal scaffold member from a location proximal the existing scaffold structure into a desired orientation distal from the existing scaffold structure;   coupling a second horizontal scaffold member to an annular member on a second vertical scaffold member of said existing scaffold structure with a third connector, said second horizontal scaffold member having first and second ends, said first connector pivotally mounted on said first end of said second horizontal scaffold member; said second horizontal scaffold member further comprising a fourth connector positioned on said second end of said second horizontal scaffold member and configured to be engageable with another vertical scaffold member;   rotating said coupled second horizontal scaffold member about said third connector to position said second end of said second horizontal scaffold member from a location proximal the existing scaffold structure into a desired orientation distal the existing scaffold structure;   placing scaffold planking boards over said rotated first and second horizontal scaffold members;   coupling a third vertical scaffold member to said second connector of said first horizontal scaffold member;   coupling a fourth vertical scaffold member to said fourth connector of said second horizontal scaffold member;   supporting said third vertical scaffold member from an overhead structure;   and supporting said fourth vertical scaffold member from an overhead structure.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein said first and second horizontal scaffold members are rotated either horizontally or vertically with respect to said existing scaffold structure. 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13  or  14  wherein said first and second horizontal scaffold members each further comprise a first and second truss, each truss having upper and lower members spaced apart but fixedly joined together by bracing members, where said first connector is-positioned on said first end of said upper member of said first truss, and said third connector is-positioned on said first end of said upper member of said second truss. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said lower members each have a connector positioned on the second end and configured to connect to an annular member on a vertical scaffold member. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said second and fourth connector are fixedly attached on said second end of said first horizontal scaffold member and said second horizontal scaffold member respectively, and configured to connect to an annular member positioned on a scaffold vertical member. 
     
     
         19 . A scaffold horizontal truss of  claim 1  wherein said first connectors are pivotally attached on each of said first ends of said upper and lower horizontal members. 
     
     
         20 . The scaffold horizontal truss of  claim 19 , wherein said first connectors are configured to pivot said scaffold horizontal truss in a horizontal plane when said scaffold horizontal truss is coupled to a vertical scaffold member at said first connectors, and said second connector is configured to pivot said scaffold horizontal truss in a vertical plane when said scaffold horizontal truss is coupled to a vertical scaffold member at said second connector. 
     
     
         21 . The scaffold horizontal truss of  claim 1  wherein said first connectors are fixedly non-pivotally attached on said first ends of said upper and lower horizontal members. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 13  where said step of rotating said first horizontal scaffold member is independent from the step of rotating said second horizontal scaffold member.