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 connectors are engagable 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 a series of bracing members, each horizontal member having a first and second end respectively, said first end of each of said lower and upper horizontal members having one of a first connectors attached thereon, said first connector configured to removably connect to a scaffold vertical member at an annular member positioned on a scaffold vertical member, and said second end of at least one of said upper or said lower horizontal members further including a second connector pivotally attached thereon and configured to removably connect to a scaffold vertical member at an annular member positioned on a scaffold vertical member. 
     
     
         2 . The scaffold horizontal truss system of  claim 1  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  wherein each second end of each of said upper and lower horizontal members have pivotally attached thereon one of said second connectors. 
     
     
         4 . The scaffold horizontal truss member of  claim 1  where said second connector pivots either horizontally (in a plane substantially perpendicular to that of the respective vertical scaffold member), or vertically (in a plane substantially parallel to that of the respective vertical scaffold member), when said scaffold horizontal truss is coupled thereto. 
     
     
         5 . The scaffold horizontal truss of  claim 4  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. 
     
     
         6 . The scaffold horizontal truss of  claim 1  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. 
     
     
         7 . A method of erecting a suspended scaffold platform to an existing scaffold structure comprising vertical scaffold members, the method 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;   pivoting 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 engagable with another vertical scaffold member;   pivoting 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 pivoted first and second horizontal scaffold members. supporting said first horizontal scaffold member near its second end from an overhead structure;   and supporting said second horizontal scaffold member near its second end from an overhead structure.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein said first and second horizontal scaffold members are pivoted either horizontally or vertically with respect to said existing scaffold structure. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7  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 ends 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. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  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. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  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. 
     
     
         12 . 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 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 7  wherein said first and second vertical scaffold members of said existing scaffold frame are suspended from an overhead structure.