Connectable Multi-Function Scaffold

Abstract

A lightweight, multifunction scaffold comprises first and second ladder frames, and an adjustable height platform configured to be supported between the first and second ladder frames at a user selected height in an adjustment range. The multifunction scaffold can be linked together end to end with other similar scaffolds to provide a longer working surface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A scaffold comprising:
 an adjustable height platform;   a first ladder frame supporting a first end of the adjustable height platform, the first ladder comprising:
 a first pair of vertical supports; 
 a first set of fixed ladder rungs connecting the first pair of vertical supports and providing access to the adjustable height platform up to a first predetermined height; 
 a pass-through between the vertical supports of the first ladder frame above the first set of fixed ladder rungs allowing a user to step between the vertical supports onto or off of the adjustable height platform when the platform is adjusted to the first predetermined height below a maximum height. 
   a second ladder frame supporting a second end of the adjustable height platform, the second ladder frame comprising a second pair of vertical supports connected by a second set of fixed ladder rungs extending above the first predetermined height and providing access to the adjustable height platform above the first predetermined height.   
     
     
         2 . The scaffold of  claim 1 , wherein the second ladder frame has a different number of fixed ladder rungs than the first ladder frame. 
     
     
         3 . The scaffold of  claim 2 , wherein the first ladder frame comprises not more than two fixed ladder rungs and the second ladder frame comprises three or more fixed ladder rungs. 
     
     
         4 . The scaffold of  claim 1 , wherein the pass-through is vertically unobstructed above the top ladder rung of the first ladder frame. 
     
     
         5 . The scaffold of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable height platform comprises:
 a pair of reversible side rails configured to be supported between the first and second ladder frames in a first orientation and a second orientation, each side rail including first and second support surfaces disposed on opposite sides of an axial plane dividing the side rail into upper and lower portions;   a deck configured to mount between the side rails so as to be supported by the first support surfaces when the siderails are in the first orientation and by the second support surfaces when the siderails are in the second orientation; and   a pair of guide channels at opposing ends of each side rail for slidably mounting the side rails to the vertical supports of the first and second ladder frames respectively.   
     
     
         6 . A ladder frame for a scaffold having an adjustable height platform, the ladder frame comprising:
 a pair of vertical supports;   one or more ladder rungs connecting the vertical supports and providing access to the adjustable height platform up to a predetermined height below a maximum height of the adjustable height platform;   a pass-through between the vertical supports of the ladder frame above the top ladder rung allowing a user to step between the vertical supports onto or off of the adjustable height platform when the platform is adjusted to a first predetermined height below a maximum height.   
     
     
         7 . The scaffold of  claim 6 , wherein the pass-through is unobstructed in the vertical direction above the uppermost ladder rung. 
     
     
         8 . The scaffold of  claim 7 , wherein the first ladder frame comprises not more than two fixed ladder rungs. 
     
     
         9 . A scaffold assembly comprising:
 first, second and third ladder frames, each ladder frame comprising two vertical supports connected by one or more fixed ladder rungs;   a first adjustable height platform configured to be supported between the first and second ladder frames;   a second adjustable height platform configured to be supported between the second and third ladder frames while the first adjustable height platform is mounted between the first and second ladder frames;   wherein the second ladder frame comprises a pass-through between the vertical supports of the first ladder frame allowing a user to step between the vertical supports from a first one of the adjustable heights platforms to the other one of the adjustable height platforms.   
     
     
         10 . The scaffold assembly of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the first adjustable platform comprises:
 a first pair of side rails configured to be supported between the first and second ladder frames, each side rail of the first pair including a first support surface; 
 a first deck configured to mount between the first pair of side rails so as to be supported by the first support surfaces; 
 first guide channels at opposing ends of each side rail in the first pair of side rails for slidably mounting the first pair of side rails to respective the vertical supports of the first and second ladder frames; and 
   the second adjustable height platform comprises:
 a second pair of side rails configured to be supported between the second and third ladder frames, each side rail of the second pair including a second support surface; 
 a second deck configured to mount between the second pair of side rails so as to be supported by the second support surfaces; 
 second guide channels at opposing ends of each side rail in the second pair of side rails for slidably mounting the second pair of side rails to respective vertical supports of the second and third ladder frames with the second pair of side rails disposed in an opposite orientation to the first pair of side rails. 
   
     
     
         11 . The scaffold assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the guide channels of the first and second adjustable height platforms are configured to enable the adjustable height platforms to be adjusted to the same level when used at the same time. 
     
     
         12 . The scaffold assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the first and third ladder frames have a different number of fixed ladder rungs. 
     
     
         13 . The scaffold assembly of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the first ladder frame includes a first number of fixed ladder rungs providing access to the first adjustable height platform when the first adjustable height platform is adjusted to a first predetermined height; and   the third ladder frame includes a second number of fixed ladder rungs greater than the first number and providing access to the second adjustable height platform when the second adjustable height platform is adjusted to a second predetermined height greater than the first predetermined height.   
     
     
         14 . The scaffold assembly of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the first ladder frames includes a pass-through between the vertical supports of the first ladder frame above the fixed ladder rungs allowing a user to step between the vertical supports onto or off of the first adjustable height platform when the first adjustable height platform is adjusted to the first predetermined height below a maximum height.   The third ladder frames each includes a pass-through between the vertical supports of the first ladder frame above the fixed ladder rungs allowing a user to step between the vertical supports onto or off of the second adjustable height platform when the second adjustable height platform is adjusted to the first predetermined height below a maximum height.   
     
     
         15 . The scaffold of  claim 9 , wherein the pass-through is vertically unobstructed above the fixed ladder rungs of the first ladder frame.