Scaffolding systems

Abstract

The present application provides an effective cooperation of scaffold planks and ledger members of a scaffold system to provide a work platform that is adaptable to different requirements and configurations. In one embodiment a rail portion of a scaffold plank is received in an upwardly opening U-shaped cavity of a ledger. In this way a portion of the work surface over laps with the ledger.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 
     
         1 . A modular scaffold system having a series of upright members connected by a series of ledger members to define a rectangular grid defined by rectangular cells between 4 cooperating upright members and a series of scaffold planks extending between two opposed parallel ledgers to define at least a portion of a work platform covering at least one of said rectangular cells with endcaps of said scaffold planks at the ends thereof including downwardly extending members received in or on one of said ledgers and at least two of said scaffold planks including downwardly extending rail portions received in opposed parallel ledger members. 
     
     
         2 . A modular scaffold system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said scaffold planks having said rail portions received in a ledger member to cover less than 50 percent of a width of said ledger members. 
     
     
         3 . A modular scaffold system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said ledger members are each capable of receiving two rail portions of adjacent scaffold planks on opposite sides of the respective ledger member. 
     
     
         4 . A modular scaffold system as claimed in  claim 3  wherein each scaffold plank at the ends thereof includes notched corners allowing side edges of scaffold planks to be placed near the centerline between connected vertical members where the notched corners accommodate part of the periphery of said upright members. 
     
     
         5 . A modular scaffold system as claimed in  claim 4  wherein said ledger members have an upwardly opening U shaped body extending between ledger heads adapted to connect with any of a series of connection points provided on each upright. 
     
     
         6 . A modular scaffold system as claimed in  claim 5  wherein each scaffold plank includes a rolled metal body portion extending between endcaps of said scaffold plank. 
     
     
         7 . A modular scaffold system as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the U shaped body of at least some of said ledgers include 3 pairs opposed notches with each pair of notches adapted to receive a saddle type bracket shaped to connect with ledgers at an intermediate point in the length of the ledger.