Enclosure system for scaffolding

Abstract

An enclosure system is provided for weatherproofing the work area on a standard scaffold structure adjacent a vertical wall surface and attachment thereto, comprising a framework consisting of a plurality of spaced apart base bars joined to an equal plurality of extension bars, and an overlying weatherproofing layer.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An enclosure system for weatherproofing a work area on a scaffold structure adjacent a vertical wall surface and attachment thereto, comprising a framework consisting of a plurality of spaced apart base bars joined to an equal plurality of extension bars, and an overlying weatherproofing layer, wherein:
 the scaffold structure comprises a plurality of vertical tubes;   each base bar has a length, hollow structural section, and opposing ends, one end being connected to a vertical tube on the scaffold structure by means of a coupler, and the other end being vertically offset from the first end toward the vertical wall surface and connected to the extension bar by means of a first joining structure;   each extension bar has a length, hollow structural section, opposing ends, and two or more pivot joints along the length, one end having a second joining structure complementary to the first joining structure on the base bar and connected thereto, and the other end having a head structure for engaging the vertical wall surface; and   the overlying weatherproofing layer comprises a sheet material overlying and attached to the framework.   
     
     
         2 . The enclosure system of  claim 1 , wherein
 the first joining structure is an end portion of the base bar having one or more longitudinally spaced apart apertures therethrough;   the second joining structure is an end portion of the extension bar having one or more longitudinally spaced apart apertures therethrough; and   the second joining structure is insertable into the hollow structural section of the first joining structure and connected thereto by a pin passing through aligned apertures on the base bar and extension bar.   
     
     
         3 . The enclosure system of  claim 2 , wherein the two or more pivot joints consist of two knuckle joints, and wherein one knuckle joint is located between the head structure and the end of the extension bar and the other knuckle joint is located near the opposing end of the extension bar. 
     
     
         4 . The enclosure system of  claim 3 , further comprising two end bars, each having a length, hollow structural section, and opposing ends, one end being connected to a vertical tube on the scaffold structure by means of a coupler. 
     
     
         5 . The enclosure system of  claim 4 , wherein the base bars and end bars further comprise guardrail hooks and toeboard brackets for attachment of guardrails and toeboards. 
     
     
         6 . The enclosure system of  claim 5 , wherein the two base bars on the ends of the scaffolding structure each comprise guardrail hooks and toeboard brackets for attachment of guardrails and toeboards along two edges of the scaffold structure and the remaining base bars and the two end bars comprise guardrail hooks and toeboard brackets for attachment of guardrails and toeboards along one edge of the scaffold structure. 
     
     
         7 . The enclosure system of  claim 6 , wherein the hollow structural section of the base bar, extension bar, and end bar is circular, rectangular, or square. 
     
     
         8 . The enclosure system of  claim 2 , wherein the first joining structure on each base bar and the complementary second joining structure on each extension bar may be structurally attached at any one of a plurality of positions to permit telescoping adjustment of the length of the extension bar that extends beyond the end of the base bar. 
     
     
         9 . The enclosure system of  claim 8 , wherein each extension bar structurally attached to a base bar may be locked in position relative to said base bar. 
     
     
         10 . The enclosure system of  claim 9 , wherein the first joining structure on each base bar comprises four pairs of apertures across the hollow structural section of each base bar, the complementary second joining structure on each extension bar comprises one pair of apertures across the hollow structural section of each extension bar, and each extension bar structurally attached to a base bar is locked in position by a locking pin inserted through one of the four pairs of apertures in the base bar and the pair of apertures in the extension bar. 
     
     
         11 . The enclosure system of  claim 1 , wherein the extension bar further comprises a hook near the head structure by which the overlying weatherproofing layer is attached to the framework. 
     
     
         12 . The enclosure system of  claim 1 , wherein the head structure comprises a flat surface, which is parallel to the vertical wall surface. 
     
     
         13 . The enclosure system of  claim 12 , wherein the head structure further comprises one or more apertures in the flat surface through which the head structure may be attached to the vertical wall surface. 
     
     
         14 . The enclosure system of  claim 2 , wherein each base bar comprises a separate top section and bottom section each having opposing ends, and wherein:
 a third joining structure is an end portion of the bottom section having one or more longitudinally spaced apart apertures therethrough;   a fourth joining structure is an end portion of the top section having one or more longitudinally spaced apart apertures therethrough; and   the fourth joining structure is insertable into the hollow structural section of the third joining structure and connected thereto by a pin passing through aligned apertures on the bottom section and top section.