Scaffold Assembly And Method Of Use

Abstract

A scaffold assembly for safely finishing web walls includes a framework, which comprises a pair of posts that is attached to which extends substantially perpendicularly between bottom and top beams. The bottom beam can be positioned between adjacent columns of a structure under construction, with opposed ends of the bottom beam reversibly engaging the adjacent columns. Extensions of the top beam are positioned atop the adjacent columns so that the framework is supported by the adjacent columns and is spaced apart from a workpiece that extends between the adjacent columns, such as a web wall. A plate, which is attached to the bottom beam and which extends substantially perpendicularly from the framework toward the workpiece, provides a platform for a user to sit or stand upon to manipulate the workpiece. The top beam prevents the user from falling from the platform.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A scaffold assembly comprising:
 a framework comprising:
 a bottom beam being configured to be positioned between adjacent columns of a pair of adjacent columns of a structure under construction, the bottom beam having opposed ends configured to reversibly engage the adjacent columns; 
 a pair of posts, each post of the pair of posts being attached to and extending substantially perpendicularly from the bottom beam proximate to a respective opposed end of the bottom beam; and 
 a top beam being attached to and extending between the posts distal from the bottom beam, the top beam being dimensionally longer than the bottom beam defining a pair of extensions, wherein each extension of the pair of extensions is configured to be positioned atop a respective adjacent column of the pair of adjacent columns, such that the framework is supported by the pair of adjacent columns and is spaced apart from a workpiece extending between the adjacent columns; and 
   a plate attached to the bottom beam and extending substantially perpendicularly from the framework toward the workpiece, wherein the plate provides a platform for a user to sit or stand upon to manipulate the workpiece and wherein the top beam is configured to prevent the user from falling from the platform.   
     
     
         2 . The scaffold assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the opposed ends of the bottom beam are tapered to complement tapers of bases of the adjacent columns of the pair of adjacent columns of the structure under construction. 
     
     
         3 . The scaffold assembly of  claim 1 , further including a barrier attached to the framework and extending across a space defined by the pair of posts, the top beam, and the bottom beam, wherein the barrier is configured to prevent the user from falling through the space. 
     
     
         4 . The scaffold assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the barrier comprises a pair of crossbeams, each crossbeam of the pair of crossbeams being attached to and extending between the posts of the pair of posts. 
     
     
         5 . The scaffold assembly of  claim 1 , further including a pair of bars, each bar being attached to and extending between the plate and a respective post of the pair of posts, such that the pair of bars supports the plate relative to the framework. 
     
     
         6 . The scaffold assembly of  claim 1 , further including a front beam being attached to the plate and extending in parallel with the bottom beam, the front beam having opposite ends configured to reversibly engage the adjacent columns of the pair of adjacent columns. 
     
     
         7 . The scaffold assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the opposite ends of the front beam are tapered to complement the tapers of bases of the adjacent columns of the pair of adjacent columns. 
     
     
         8 . The scaffold assembly of  claim 1 , further including a set of handles attached to the top beam and being configured for grasping in hands of one or more users to lift and to position the framework. 
     
     
         9 . The scaffold assembly of  claim 8 , wherein each handle comprises a C-ring having opposing ends, the opposing ends being attached to the top beam. 
     
     
         10 . A scaffold assembly comprising:
 a framework comprising:
 a bottom beam being configured to be positioned between the adjacent columns of a pair of adjacent columns of a structure under construction, the bottom beam having opposed ends configured to reversibly engage the adjacent columns, the opposed ends of the bottom beam being tapered to complement tapers of bases of the adjacent columns of the pair of adjacent columns of the structure under construction; 
 a pair of posts, each post of the pair of posts being attached to and extending substantially perpendicularly from the bottom beam proximate to a respective opposed end of the bottom beam; and 
 a top beam being attached to and extending between the posts distal from the bottom beam, the top beam being dimensionally longer than the bottom beam defining a pair of extensions, wherein each extension of the pair of extensions is configured to be positioned atop a respective adjacent column of the pair of adjacent columns, such that the framework is supported by the pair of adjacent columns and is spaced apart from a workpiece extending between the adjacent columns; 
   a plate attached to the bottom beam and extending substantially perpendicularly from the framework toward the workpiece, wherein the plate provides a platform for a user to sit or stand upon to manipulate the workpiece and wherein the top beam is configured to prevent the user from falling from the platform;   a barrier attached to the framework and extending across a space defined by the pair of posts, the top beam, and the bottom beam, wherein the barrier is configured to prevent the user from falling through the space, the barrier comprising a pair of crossbeams, each crossbeam of the pair of crossbeams being attached to and extending between the posts of the pair of posts;   a pair of bars, each bar being attached to and extending between the plate and a respective post of the pair of posts, such that the pair of bars supports the plate relative to the framework;   a front beam being attached to the plate and extending in parallel with the bottom beam, the front beam having opposite ends configured to reversibly engage the adjacent columns of the pair of adjacent columns, the opposite ends of the front beam being tapered to complement the tapers of the bases of the adjacent columns of the pair of adjacent columns; and   a set of handles attached to the top beam and being configured for grasping in hands of one or more users to lift and to position the framework, each handle comprising a C-ring having opposing ends, the opposing ends being attached to the top beam.   
     
     
         11 . A method of increasing safety while finishing a web wall, the method comprising providing the scaffold assembly of  claim 1 , and:
 lowering the framework between adjacent columns of a pair of adjacent columns of a bridge under construction, such that the opposed ends of the bottom beam are reversibly engaged to the adjacent columns, such that the pair of extensions are positioned atop the adjacent column of the pair of adjacent columns, and such that the framework is supported by the pair of adjacent columns and is spaced apart from a web wall extending between the adjacent columns; and   sitting or standing upon the platform to finish a concrete surface of the web wall, such that the top beam prevents the user from falling from the platform.