Modular Scaffolds, Scaffold Kits and Methods of Use Therefor

Abstract

An exemplary embodiment of the invention includes a first end section comprising a ladder section couple to a leg section by a horizontal extension coupling member, wherein the horizontal extension coupling member is in varying lengths to allow control over the width of the completed scaffold 10. Alternatively, the scaffold first end section may be coupled without the use of a horizontal extension coupling member. A completed scaffold may be accomplished by completing a first end section and a second end section and coupling the two with a cross-brass member that has been completed with the use of two loose brace members. Further completed scaffolds may be stacked upon each other. Planks or platforms may be utilized with the exemplary embodiments. Various kits are provided that provide for a full scaffold of varying widths. Kits may also contain additional materials such as planks, platforms, or additional horizontal extension coupling members to allow for a variety of widths of the finished scaffold.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A scaffold, comprising:
 an end section comprising a ladder section and a leg section;   the ladder section comprising two vertical supports, each having a length and opposing ends;   a plurality of rungs extending between the two ladder section vertical supports;   the leg section comprising a vertical support having a length and two opposing ends;   two horizontal connectors extending from the leg section vertical support wherein the first horizontal connector is disposed proximate the first opposing end, and the second horizontal connector is disposed proximate the second opposing end;   two latching members couple to the first ladder section vertical support, the first latching member disposed proximate the bottom of the vertical support, and the second latching member disposed proximate the top of the vertical support; and   two latching members coupled to the leg section vertical support, the first latching member disposed proximate the bottom of the vertical support, and the second latching member disposed proximate the top of the vertical support.   
     
     
         2 . The scaffold of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 two horizontal extension coupling members, each having a length and opposing ends;   wherein the two horizontal extension coupling members are capable of coupling the ladder section and the leg section.   
     
     
         3 . The scaffold of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 Wherein the two horizontal extension coupling members are each lesser in length than the two horizontal connectors; and   a second end section;   a cross-brace member comprising two elongated brace members, each having a length and opposing ends, wherein the first opposing end of each is a cross-brace connecting end, and the second opposing end of each is an end section connecting end; and   the elongated brace members being movably connected to each other proximate each’s cross-brace connecting end.   
     
     
         4 . The scaffold of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 two loose brace members, each having a length and opposing ends, wherein the first opposing end of each is a cross-brace connecting end, and the second opposing end of each is an end section connecting end;   wherein each loose brace member is coupled to their respective elongated brace member of the cross-brace members proximate each members cross-brace connecting end; and   wherein each loose brace member and each respective elongated brace member of the cross-brace members is coupled to a latching member at each’s end section connecting end.   
     
     
         5 . The scaffold of  claim 4 , wherein each coupling is removable. 
     
     
         6 . A scaffold kit, comprising:
 a plurality of ladder sections, each ladder section comprising a plurality of vertical supports, and a plurality of rungs extending between at least two vertical supports;   a plurality of cross-brace members, each cross-brace member being composed of two elongated brace members, each elongated brace member having a length and opposing ends, one opposing end being a cross-brace connecting end and the other opposing end being an end section connecting end;   the two elongated brace members of each cross-brace member being coupled proximate each’s cross-brace connecting end; and   a plurality of loose brace members, each loose brace member having a length and opposing ends, one opposing end being a cross-brace connecting end and the other opposing end being an end section connecting end.   
     
     
         7 . The scaffold kit of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a plurality of horizontal extension coupling members;   a plurality of connecting pins; and   wherein one of the two vertical supports of the ladder section contains at least two latching members attached along its length.   
     
     
         8 . The scaffold kit of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a plurality of leg sections, each leg section comprising a vertical support, wherein the vertical support has a length and opposing ends, and a plurality of horizontal connectors; and   The leg section vertical supports having a plurality of latching members attached along its length.   
     
     
         9 . The scaffold kit of  claim 8 , wherein at least some of the plurality of horizontal extension coupling members are longer in length than some of the horizontal connectors. 
     
     
         10 . The scaffold kit of  claim 8 , wherein there are at least eight horizontal extension coupling members. 
     
     
         11 . A scaffold kit, comprising:
 a plurality of leg sections, each leg section comprising a vertical support, wherein the vertical support has a length and opposing ends, and a plurality of horizontal connectors; and   a plurality of cross-brace members, each cross-brace member being composed of two elongated brace members, each elongated brace member having a length and opposing ends, one opposing end being a cross-brace connecting end and the other opposing end being an end section connecting end;   the two elongated brace members of each cross-brace member being coupled proximate each’s cross-brace connecting end; and   a plurality of loose brace members, each loose brace member having a length and opposing ends, one opposing end being a cross-brace connecting end and the other opposing end being an end section connecting end.   
     
     
         12 . The scaffold kit of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a plurality of ladder sections, each ladder section comprising a plurality of vertical supports, and a plurality of rungs extending between at least two vertical supports;   The leg section vertical supports having two latching members attached along its length.   wherein one of the two vertical supports of the ladder section having two latching members attached along its length; and   a plurality of horizontal extension coupling members.   
     
     
         13 . The scaffold kit of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a hardware kit having at least some of the hardware needed to construct a scaffold from the scaffold kit, including a plurality of snap clips; and   a plurality of connecting pins.   
     
     
         14 . A method of building a scaffold, comprising:
 an unpacking step comprising unpacking the scaffold items from the kit container;   a building step comprising constructing the end sections of the scaffold, utilizing a plurality of horizontal extension coupling members to couple the sections together;   the building step further comprising opening two cross-brace members from a collapsed position to a non-collapsed position, and coupling the cross-brace members to corresponding loose brace members to form a full sized cross-brace; and   and installing step, installing the full size cross-brace onto the end sections by attaching the free ends to latching members that are installed on the end sections.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a preparing step wherein the scaffold kit is chosen based on the needs of the end user; and   an acquiring step comprising acquiring the chosen kit.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 the building step further comprising installing a platform on the scaffold.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 The building step further comprising choosing another plurality of horizontal extension coupling members that are a different length than the previous plurality of horizontal extension coupling members and replacing the original horizontal extension coupling members with the different length horizontal extension coupling members.   
     
     
         18 . A scaffold kit, comprising:
 a plurality of ladder sections, each ladder section comprising a plurality of vertical supports, and a plurality of rungs extending between at least two vertical supports;   wherein one of the two vertical supports of the ladder section having two latching members attached along its length;   a plurality of leg sections, each leg section comprising a vertical support, wherein the vertical support has a length and opposing ends, and a plurality of horizontal connectors;   The leg section vertical supports having two latching members attached along its length.   a plurality of cross-brace members, each cross-brace member being composed of two elongated brace members, each elongated brace member having a length and opposing ends, one opposing end being a cross-brace connecting end and the other opposing end being an end section connecting end;   the two elongated brace members of each cross-brace member being coupled proximate each’s cross-brace connecting end; and   a plurality of loose brace members, each loose brace member having a length and opposing ends, one opposing end being a cross-brace connecting end and the other opposing end being an end section connecting end.   
     
     
         19 . The scaffold kit of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 a first plurality of horizontal extension coupling members;   a plurality of connection pins; and   a plurality of fasteners.   
     
     
         20 . The scaffold kit of  claim 18 , further comprising a second plurality of additional horizontal extension coupling members that are of a different length then the first plurality of horizontal extension coupling members.