Mobile platform with power operated platform elevation

Abstract

A portable scaffold includes a base or chassis mounted on wheels for site-to-site towing or "man-handled" positioning at a job site. Rising rigidly from the chassis are two masts, spaced apart lengthwise of the chassis. A platform is vertically slidably carried by the mast for selective elevation and descent via power devices. Each mast may be increased in height by the addition thereto of a mast extension that functions as a prolongation of the basic mast. One of the power devices is alternately positionable to function as a temporary source of power for moving the scaffold through short distances. Strap elements are provided for temporarily bracing the masts from a structure being worked on by workmen on the platform.

I claim: 
     
       1. A scaffold structure, comprising an elongated horizontal base having opposite ends, ground-engaging means supporting the base above the ground, a pair of masts spaced apart lengthwise of and rigidly affixed to the base, a platform superimposed over the base, a pair of guide means fixed to the platform and spaced apart according to the masts and cooperating respectively with the masts for guiding the platform for vertical movement relative to the masts, and power-operated means carried by the platform and including driven elements respectively cooperative with the mast for effecting vertical movement of the platform relative to the base and masts; in which the driven element of each power-operated means is rotary and a flexible member engages the rotary element and is collectible to a part of the respective mast at an elevation above the platform and actuation of the power means causes each rotary element to selectively ascent and descend its flexible member for changing the elevation of the platform; including a pair of power-operated means, each having a rotary element cooperating with a flexible element as aforesaid; and, in which at least one of the power-operated means is selectively positionable on the platform between two modes, in one of which its flexible element extends vertically for connection to its mast and in the other of which its flexible element extends horizontally for connection to an object relatively remote from the base. 
     
     
       2. The scaffold structure according to claim 1, including means for selectively locking the one power-operated means in either mode. 
     
     
       3. The scaffold structure according to claim 1, in which the platform has a floor provided with spaced apart openings through which the masts extend. 
     
     
       4. The scaffold structure according to claim 1, including releasable means for locking the platform to the masts at selected heights. 
     
     
       5. The scaffold structure according to claim 1, including a pair of supplemental mast extensions selectively and respectively attachable to the masts as upward prolongations of the masts. 
     
     
       6. The scaffold structure according to claim 5, including means on the platform for storing the mast extensions when detached from the masts. 
     
     
       7. The scaffold structure according to claim 1, in which the ground-engaging means includes a pair of parallel wheeled axles transverse to the length of the base and closely spaced apart substantially midway between the ends of the base. 
     
     
       8. The scaffold structure according to claim 7, in which the axles are selectively adjustable to vary the tread of the wheels. 
     
     
       9. The scaffold structure according to claim 7, including a hitch at one end of the base for effecting towing of the base. 
     
     
       10. The scaffold structure according to claim 7, including ground-engaging outriggers vertically extendibly and retractably carried by the base adjacent to the ends of the base. 
     
     
       11. The scaffold structure according to claim 10, in which the outriggers are selectively adjustable crosswise of the base to vary their stance relative to the base. 
     
     
       12. The scaffold structure according to claim 1, including brace means selectively connectible to and disconnectible from at least one mast and an adjoining structure separate from the scaffold structure for bracing the masts. 
     
     
       13. The scaffold structure according to claim 1, including a pair of supplemental mast extensions selectively and respectively attachable to the masts as upward prolongations thereof, and a pair of telescopic means, one for each mast and its extension, each telescopic means including cooperative parts respectively on the upper end of a mast and the lower end of its extension. 
     
     
       14. The scaffold structure according to claim 13, in which each mast includes a head attached to the upper end of the mast and removable from said upper end and attachable to the upper end of the associated mast extension. .Iadd. 
     
     
       15.  A scaffold structure having wheels for mobility and with a platform adapted to be raised to a predetermined height above the ground, comprising an elongated, horizontal base having opposite ends, ground-engaging means supporting the base above the ground including a pair of wheeled axles disposed transversely of the base and vertically extendable and retractable outriggers carried by the base adjacent to the ends thereof, a pair of masts spaced apart longitudinally of and rigidly affixed to the base, said wheeled axles disposed medially of the length of said base a substantial longitudinal distance inwardly of said masts, said outriggers being disposed longitudinally outward of the wheeled axles a substantial distance, each of said masts being of tubular cross-section, the platform being superimposed over the base, a pair of guide means fixed to the platform and each being of tubular cross-section slidably fitted onto said masts and cooperating respectively with the masts to guide the platform for vertical movement relative to the masts and at least one supplemental mast extension of tubular cross-section attachable to the upper end of each mast as a prolongation of the mast for selectively increasing the overall mast height to said predetermined height above ground level. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 
     
     
       16.  A scaffold structure, as set forth in claim 15, in which said axles are selectively adjustable in length to vary the tread of wheels supported thereon. .Iaddend. .Iadd.17. A scaffold structure, as set forth in claim 15, in which said outriggers are also selectively adjustable laterally of the base to vary their stance relative to said base. .Iaddend. .Iadd.18. A scaffold structure, as set forth in claim 15, in which power operated means is carried by the platform and includes a flexible driven element, a coupling member and a head member cooperative with each of the masts for effecting vertical movement of the platform relative to the base and masts, each head member being removably attachable to and from each mast and onto each of the mast extensions and each coupling member being removably engageable with each head member whereby the flexible driven element is connectable to the upper end of the mast extensions so that the 
     
     
        platform can be raised said predetermined height. .Iaddend. .Iadd.19.  A scaffold structure, comprising an elongated horizontal base having opposite ends, ground-engaging means supporting the base above the ground, a pair of masts spaced apart lengthwise of and rigidly affixed to the base, a platform superimposed over the base, a pair of guide means fixed to the platform and spaced apart according to the masts and cooperating respectively with the masts for guiding the platform for vertical movement relative to the masts, and power-operated means carried by the platform and including driven elements respectively cooperative with the masts for effecting vertical movement of the platform relative to the base and masts, and further including a pair of supplemental mast extensions selectively and respectively attachable to the masts as upward prolongations of the masts; and means on the platform for storing the mast extensions when detached from the masts. .Iaddend.