Tool Shelf for Multifunction Scaffold

Abstract

The claimed invention comprises a tool shelf for a multi-function scaffold comprising two spaced apart ladder frames supporting a platform and a guard rail mounted to the platform. The tool shelf is specially designed to mount to either the ladder frame, or to the guard rail system. When the platform is adjusted to the maximum height, the worker can mount the guard rail system so that the items placed on the tool shelf will be within reach without bending over. When the platform is lowered, the tool shelf can be mounted to the ladder frame.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tool shelf for a scaffold comprising two spaced apart ladder frames supporting a platform and a guard rail extending around the platform, the tool shelf comprising:
 a shelf comprising a top surface, front wall, back wall, and side walls;   a first horizontal channel extending parallel to the rear wall and configured to engage with a ladder rung of the ladder frame of the scaffold in a first mounting position and with a horizontal rail of the guard rail in a second mounting position such that the weight of the tool shelf is supported by the ladder rung on the ladder frame in a first mounting position and by the horizontal rail of the guard rail in a second mounting position;   a pair of tiered slots extending inward from respective side walls adjacent the rear wall, each tiered slot comprising:
 a perimeter wall extending around the tiered slot; 
 a first section configured to receive a vertical support of the ladder frame in the first mounting position with the perimeter wall engaging opposing sides of the vertical support of the ladder frame; and 
 a second section configured to receive a vertical post of the guard rail in the second mounting position with the perimeter wall engaging opposing sides of the vertical post of the guard rail. 
   
     
     
         2 . The tool shelf of  claim 1 , further comprising a pair of second horizontal channels extending parallel to the respective side walls on opposing sides of the tool shelf, the second horizontal channels being configured to engage with respective horizontal rails of the guard rail on opposing sides of the platform in a third mounting position such that the tool shelf is supported on two opposing sides by the horizontal members of the guard rail. 
     
     
         3 . The tool shelf of  claim 2 , wherein the first horizontal channel further engages with a third horizontal rail of the guard rail in the third mounting position such that the tool shelf is supported on three sides in the third mounting position. 
     
     
         4 . The tool shelf of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one detachable mounting arm configured to engage with a second horizontal member of the guard rail so as to hold the tool shelf in a horizontal orientation in the second mounting position or a third mounting position. 
     
     
         5 . The tool shelf of  claim 4 , wherein the detachable arm is configured to engage with a horizontal rail of the guard rail in the third mounting position. 
     
     
         6 . The tool shelf of  claim 4 , further comprising one or more openings in a rear wall of the tool shelf configured to receive the detachable mounting arms while in use. 
     
     
         7 . The tool shelf of  claim 4 , further comprising gripping features on an underside of the tool shelf for storing the detachable mounting arm when not in use. 
     
     
         8 . The tool shelf of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more tool holders formed in a top surface of the tool shelf. 
     
     
         9 . The tool shelf of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more cups or trays formed in a top surface of the tool shelf. 
     
     
         10 . The tool shelf of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more hooks formed in a front wall of the tool shelf. 
     
     
         11 . A tool shelf adapted to mount to a guard rail extending around a platform of a scaffold, the tool shelf comprising:
 a shelf comprising a top surface, front wall, back wall, and side walls;   a first horizontal channel extending parallel to the rear wall and configured to engage with a first horizontal rail of the guard rail in a first mounting position such that the tool shelf is supported on one side by the horizontal member and that the tool shelf extends outward from the guard rail; and   at least one detachable mounting arm configured to engage with a second horizontal member of the guard rail in the first mounting position so as to hold the tool shelf in a horizontal orientation.   
     
     
         12 . The tool shelf of  claim 10 , further comprising one or more openings in a rear wall of the tool shelf configured to receive the detachable mounting arms while in use. 
     
     
         13 . The tool shelf of  claim 10 , further comprising gripping features on an underside of the tool shelf for storing the detachable mounting arm when not in use. 
     
     
         14 . The tool shelf of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a pair of slots extending inward from respective side walls adjacent the rear wall, each slot comprising a perimeter wall extending around the slot and being configured to receive, in the first mounting position, a vertical post of the guard rail with the perimeter wall engaging opposing sides of the vertical post of the guard rail.   
     
     
         15 . The tool shelf of  claim 11 , wherein each slot is further configured to receive a vertical support of a ladder frame for the scaffold in a second mounting position. 
     
     
         16 . The tool shelf of  claim 15 , wherein the first horizontal channel is configured to engage a ladder rung of the ladder frame in the second mounting position. 
     
     
         17 . The tool shelf of  claim 15 , wherein each slot is tiered and includes a first section to receive the vertical support of the ladder frame in the second mounting position and a second section configured to receive the vertical post of the guard rail in the first mounting position. 
     
     
         18 . The tool shelf of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a pair of second horizontal channels extending parallel to the respective side walls on opposing sides of the tool shelf, the second horizontal channels being configured to engage with respective horizontal rails of the guard rail on opposing sides of the platform in a third mounting position such that the tool shelf is supported on two opposing sides by the horizontal members of the guard rail.   
     
     
         19 . The tool shelf of  claim 18 , wherein the first horizontal channel further engages with a first horizontal rail of the guard rail in the third mounting position such that the tool shelf is supported on three sides in the third mounting position. 
     
     
         20 . A tool shelf adapted to mount to a guard rail extending around a platform of a scaffold, the tool shelf comprising:
 a shelf comprising a top surface, front wall, back wall, and side walls;   a pair of first horizontal channels extending parallel to the respective side walls on opposing sides of the tool shelf, the horizontal channels being configured to engage with first horizontal rails of the guard rail on opposing sides of the platform in a first mounting position such that the tool shelf is supported on two sides by the horizontal rails of the guard rail.   
     
     
         21 . The tool shelf of  claim 20 , further comprising a second horizontal channel extending parallel to the rear wall and configured to engage with a second horizontal rail of the guard rail in the first mounting position such that the tool shelf is supported on three sides in the first mounting position. 
     
     
         22 . The tool shelf of  claim 21 , wherein the second horizontal channel is configured to engage with the third horizontal rail in a second mounting position. 
     
     
         23 . The tool shelf of  claim 22 , further comprising at least one detachable mounting arm configured to engage with one of the first horizontal rails of the guard rail in the second mounting position. 
     
     
         24 . The tool shelf of  claim 23 , further comprising one or more openings in a rear wall of the tool shelf configured to receive the detachable mounting arms while in use. 
     
     
         25 . The tool shelf of  claim 23 , further comprising gripping features on an underside of the tool shelf for storing the detachable mounting arm when not in use. 
     
     
         25 . The tool shelf of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 a pair of slots extending inward from respective side walls adjacent the rear wall, each slot comprising a perimeter wall extending around the slot and being configured to receive, in the second mounting position, a vertical post of the guard rail with the perimeter wall engaging opposing sides of the vertical post of the guard rail.   
     
     
         26 . The tool shelf of  claim 25 , wherein each slot is further configured to receive a vertical support of a ladder frame for the scaffold in a third mounting position. 
     
     
         27 . The tool shelf of  claim 26 , wherein each slot is tiered and includes a first section to receive the vertical support of the ladder frame in the third mounting position and a second section configured to receive the vertical post of the guard rail in the second mounting position. 
     
     
         28 . The tool shelf of  claim 26 , wherein the second horizontal channel is configured to engage the ladder rung in the third mounting position.