Adjustable Base for a Multi-Purpose Scaffold

Abstract

A stabilization component is described for a lightweight scaffold having a pair of ladder frames supporting an adjustable platform. Each ladder frame has two vertical supports connected by cross members. An outrigger, which is formed as a triangular frame, is releasably connected to each vertical support via a channel that fits around the vertical support and one or more mechanical fasteners. One or more ground-engaging members are removably secured to the outrigger. When installed, the outriggers increase the footprint size of the lightweight scaffold thereby reducing shaking and swaying of the lightweight scaffold.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A scaffold comprising:
 first and second ladder frames, each ladder frame comprising two vertical supports made of a tubular material connected by two or more cross members;   a platform configured to be supported between the first and second ladder frames; and   an outrigger releasably connected to each vertical support, the outrigger comprising:
 a triangular frame; 
 a channel fixedly attached to the triangular frame and configured to fit around the vertical support; 
 one or more mechanical fasteners configured to releasably connect the channel to the vertical support; and 
 a first ground-engaging member removably secured to the triangular frame. 
   
     
     
         2 . The scaffold of  claim 1  wherein the channel comprises a pair of opposing flanges connected by a central web, with each flange comprising one or more openings that align with corresponding openings formed in the vertical support when the channel fits around the vertical support. 
     
     
         3 . The scaffold of  claim 2  further comprising one or more locking pins configured to pass through corresponding aligned openings in the flanges and the vertical support to releasably connect the outrigger to the vertical support. 
     
     
         4 . The scaffold of  claim 1  wherein the triangular frame comprises:
 an elongated vertical member; 
 a base member fixedly secured to a lower end of the elongated vertical member, and comprising a telescoping member configured to adjust a length of the base member; 
 a brace fixedly secured to, and extending diagonally between, a top end of the elongated vertical member and the base member; and 
 a sleeve fixedly attached to the telescoping member. 
 
     
     
         5 . The scaffold of  claim 4  wherein the first ground-engaging member has a stem configured to extend into the sleeve, and wherein the scaffold further comprises:
 an opening in the stem of the first ground-engaging member that aligns with a first opening formed in the sleeve; and 
 a locking pin configured to pass through the first opening and the opening in the stem of the first ground-engaging member to lock the first ground engaging member to the sleeve. 
 
     
     
         6 . The scaffold of  claim 5  wherein the first opening is formed as an elongated slot. 
     
     
         7 . The scaffold of  claim 5  further comprising a bolt threadably engaged with the sleeve that, when tightened, extends through the sleeve and presses the stem of the first ground-engaging member against an interior wall of the sleeve. 
     
     
         8 . The scaffold of  claim 5  further comprising a leveling member threadably engaged with the sleeve that, when tightened, extends through the sleeve and presses on an upper surface of the stem of the first ground-engaging member to raise the base member. 
     
     
         9 . The scaffold of  claim 4  further comprising:
 a second ground-engaging member having a stem configured to extend into the lower part of the elongated vertical member; 
 an opening in the stem of the second ground-engaging member that aligns with an opening in the elongated vertical member; and 
 a locking pin configured to pass through the opening in the elongated vertical member and the opening in the stem of the second ground-engaging member to lock the second ground engaging member to the elongated vertical member. 
 
     
     
         10 . A scaffold comprising:
 first and second ladder frames, each ladder frame comprising two vertical supports made of a tubular material connected by two or more cross members;   an adjustable platform configured to be supported between the first and second ladder frames; and   a triangular frame releasably connected to each vertical support, the triangular frame comprising:
 an elongated vertical member; 
 a base member fixedly secured to a lower end of the elongated vertical member; 
 a brace fixedly secured to, and extending diagonally between, a top end of the elongated vertical member and the base member; and 
 a sleeve fixedly attached to the base member. 
   
     
     
         11 . The scaffold of  claim 10  further comprising first and second ground-engaging members, wherein the first ground-engaging member is configured to be removably secured to the triangular frame. 
     
     
         12 . The scaffold of  claim 11  wherein the first ground-engaging member comprises a stem configured to extend into a sleeve fixedly attached to the base member, and wherein when the stem extends into the sleeve, an opening in the stem aligns with a corresponding opening formed in the sleeve. 
     
     
         13 . The scaffold of  claim 12  further comprising a locking pin configured to pass through the corresponding slot formed in the sleeve and the opening in the stem to lock the first ground engaging member to the sleeve. 
     
     
         14 . The scaffold of  claim 12  further comprising a bolt threadably engaged with the sleeve that, when tightened, extends through the sleeve and presses the stem of the first ground-engaging member against an interior wall of the sleeve. 
     
     
         15 . The scaffold of  claim 11  wherein the second ground-engaging member is configured to be removably secured to a lower end of a respective vertical support. 
     
     
         16 . The scaffold of  claim 11  wherein the second ground-engaging member is configured to be removably secured to the elongated vertical member. 
     
     
         17 . The scaffold of  claim 10  further comprising an elongated C-channel fixedly attached to the vertical member, and wherein the C-channel is configured to fit around the vertical member and to releasably connect the triangular frame to the vertical member. 
     
     
         18 . The scaffold of  claim 17  wherein the C-channel comprises first and second opposing flanges connected by a central web, and wherein each flange comprises an opening that aligns with a corresponding opening formed in the vertical member when the channel fits around the vertical member. 
     
     
         19 . The scaffold of  claim 18  further comprising a locking pin that passes through the aligned openings in the flanges and the vertical member to releasably connect the triangular frame to the vertical member. 
     
     
         20 . An outrigger for a scaffold having first and second ladder frames, each ladder frame comprising two vertical supports made of a tubular material connected by two or more cross members, and an adjustable platform configured to be supported between the first and second ladder frames, the outrigger comprising:
 a triangular frame comprising:
 an elongated vertical member made of a tubular material; 
 a channel fixedly attached to the elongated vertical member and configured to fit around the vertical support; 
 a telescoping base member fixedly secured to a lower end of the elongated vertical member; 
 a brace extending between the telescoping base member and a top end of the elongated vertical member; and 
 a sleeve fixedly attached to the base member; and 
   first and second ground-engaging members, wherein at least one of the first and second removably is secured to the sleeve.