Scaffold Deck System With A Float Bar Support For Creating An Opening To Accommodate Obstacles

Abstract

A scaffold including a pair of scaffold frames has a scaffold platform supported by the frames, which is defined by a series of planks and includes an opening. The opening is formed by a pair of transverse support members that extend between the pair of planks at a location between the scaffold frames. Partial-length scaffold planks, having first and second ends and a length less than the space between the scaffold frames, are supported by the transverse support members and occupy the space between the planks other than at the opening. The transverse support member includes spaced-apart plank engagement sections that rest on upwardly facing surfaces of the planks, and a plank end support member that extends between the plank engagement sections. A scaffolding platform system and a method of forming a scaffolding platform are also disclosed.

1 . A scaffolding arrangement, comprising:
 a pair of spaced-apart scaffold frames; and   a scaffold platform supported by the scaffold frames, wherein the scaffold platform is defined by a plurality of side-by-side planks, wherein the scaffold platform defines at least one opening, and wherein the opening is formed by at least one transverse support member that extends between and is supported by a pair of planks at a location between the scaffold frames, and a partial-length scaffold plank having first and second ends and a length less than the space between the scaffold frames, wherein the first end of the partial-length plank is supported by the transverse support member.   
     
     
         2 . The scaffolding arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein the opening is defined between the first end of the partial-length plank and one of the scaffold frames. 
     
     
         3 . The scaffolding arrangement of claim I, wherein the partial-length plank is one of a pair of partial-length planks and the transverse support member is one of a pair of transverse support members, wherein the opening is formed by the first end of a first one of the partial-length planks that is supported by a first one of the transverse support members, in combination with a first end of a second one of the partial-length planks that is supported by a second one of the pair of transverse support members. 
     
     
         4 . The scaffolding arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein the transverse support member comprises a pair of spaced-apart plank engagement sections and a plank end support member that extends between and interconnects the plank engagement sections. 
     
     
         5 . The scaffolding arrangement of  claim 4 , wherein each plank engagement section includes an upper wall configured to engage and rest on an upwardly facing surface of one of the planks when the transverse support member is positioned between a pair of planks. 
     
     
         6 . The scaffolding arrangement of  claim 5 , wherein each plank engagement section further includes a side wall extending downwardly from the upper wall, wherein the plank end support member is secured to the side wall. 
     
     
         7 . The scaffolding arrangement of  claim 6 , wherein each plank engagement section further includes a bottom member configured to be positioned below a downwardly facing surface of one of the planks when the transverse support member is positioned between the pair of planks. 
     
     
         8 . A scaffolding platform system adapted to be positioned between a pair of spaced-apart scaffold frames, comprising:
 a plurality of full-length planks configured to span the entire distance between the pair of scaffold frames;   a plurality of partial-length planks, each of which has a length less than the distance between the pair of scaffold frames; and   a plurality of transverse support members;   wherein when it is desired to form a scaffolding platform without an opening, the full-length planks are employed to fully occupy the area between the scaffold frames to form the scaffolding platform, and wherein when it is desired to form a scaffolding platform with an opening, at least one transverse support member is engaged with a pair of spaced-apart planks such that the area adjacent the transverse support member is unoccupied, and at least one selected partial-length plank is engaged with at least one of the scaffold frames and the transverse support member to occupy the space between the pair of spaced-apart planks other than at the opening.   
     
     
         9 . The scaffolding platform system of  claim 8 , wherein a pair of transverse support members are engaged with the pair of spaced-apart planks such that an area adjacent between the pair of transverse support members is unoccupied, and a pair of selected partial-length planks are engaged with the scaffold frames and the transverse support members to occupy the space between the pair of spaced-apart planks other than at the opening. 
     
     
         10 . The scaffolding platform system of  claim 1 , wherein the partial-length planks have lengths in predetermined increments. 
     
     
         11 . The scaffolding platform system of  claim 8 , wherein each transverse support member comprises a pair of spaced-apart plank engagement sections and a plank end support member that extends between and interconnects the plank engagement sections. 
     
     
         12 . The scaffolding platform system of  claim 11 , wherein each plank engagement section includes an upper wall configured to engage and rest on an upwardly facing surface of one of the planks when the transverse support member is positioned between a pair of planks. 
     
     
         13 . A method of forming a scaffolding platform between a pair of spaced-apart scaffold frames, comprising the acts of
 supporting a plurality of full-length planks on the pair of scaffold frames, wherein each full-length plank spans the entire distance between the scaffold frames; and   in a location where it is desired to form an opening in the scaffolding platform, engaging at least one transverse support member with a pair of spaced-apart planks at a location spaced from the scaffold frames, wherein the area adjacent the transverse support member is unoccupied, and supporting at least one partial-length plank on at least one of the scaffold frames and on the transverse support member to occupy the space between the pair of spaced-apart planks other than at the opening.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the act of forming an opening in the scaffold platform is carried out by engaging a pair of transverse support members with the pair of spaced-apart planks such that an area adjacent between the pair of transverse support members is unoccupied, and supporting a pair of partial-length planks on the scaffold frames and the transverse support members to occupy the space between the pair of spaced-apart planks other than at the opening. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the pair of partial-length planks are selected from a plurality of partial-length planks of different lengths, each of which has a length less than the distance between the pair of scaffold frames. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the partial-length planks have lengths in predetermined increments. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein each transverse support member comprises a pair of spaced-apart plank engagement sections and a plank end support member that extends between and interconnects the plank engagement sections, wherein each plank engagement section includes an upper engagement wall, and wherein the act of engaging the transverse support member with the pair of planks is carried out by positioning the upper engagement wall of each plank engagement section on an upwardly facing surface defined by one of the pair of planks. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein each plank engagement section further includes a bottom member spaced below the upper engagement wall to define a plank-receiving space therebetween, and further including the act of positioning the bottom member below a downwardly facing defined by one of the pair of planks. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the act of positioning the upper engagement wall of each plank engagement section on an upwardly facing surface defined by one of the pair of planks and the act of positioning the bottom member below a downwardly facing defined by one of the pair of planks is carried out by initially positioning the transverse support member between the pair of planks such that the plank-receiving spaces of the plank engagement sections are aligned with the planks, and then rotating the transverse support member such that the planks are received within the plan-receiving spaces. 
     
     
         20 . A scaffolding deck system comprising:
 at least two full-length planks having a width and a longitudinal length that is sufficient such that opposite ends of the full-length planks can be supported by adjacent scaffold frame members;   at least one partial-length plank having a width and a longitudinal length that is less than the longitudinal length of the full-length planks; and   a first transverse support between the scaffold frame members, wherein the transverse support has a length that enables opposite ends of the first transverse support to overlap and be supported by spaced-apart full-length planks and to be oriented along the length of the full-length planks to support one end of the at least one partial-length plank.   
     
     
         21 . The scaffolding deck system of  claim 20  further comprising a second transverse support having opposite ends that are constructed to overlap and be supported by the spaced-apart full-length planks, wherein each transverse support is configured to support one end of the partial-length plank.