Multi-Function Scaffold with Reversible Platform

Abstract

A lightweight, multi-function scaffold includes an adjustable height platform that slidably mounts between two ladder frames. The side rails of the platform are reversible so that they can be mounted between the ladder frames in either a first orientation or in a second orientation. In the first orientation, the adjustable height platform is vertically movable between a first threshold and a maximum height. In the second orientation, the adjustable height platform is vertically movable between a second threshold and a minimum height. The ranges of movement in the first and second orientations may overlap.

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; and   an adjustable height platform with reversible side rails configured to be supported between the first and second ladder frames at a user selected height, wherein the side rails are configurable in a first orientation to obtain a maximum height and in a second orientation to obtain a minimum height.   
     
     
         2 . The scaffold of  claim 1  wherein the adjustable height platform comprises a deck configured to mount between the side rails in either the first orientation or the second orientation. 
     
     
         3 . The scaffold of  claim 2  wherein each side rail comprises a first support surface configured to support the deck in the first orientation and a second support surface configured to support the deck in the second orientation. 
     
     
         4 . The scaffold of  claim 2  further comprising a first set of latches for holding the deck in place against the first support surface in the first orientation and a second set of latches for holding the deck in place against the second support surface in the second orientation. 
     
     
         5 . The scaffold of  claim 4  wherein:
 the first set of latches and second of latches are mounted internally in the side rails; 
 the first set of latches extend vertically through the first support surface of the side rails when the side rails are in the first orientation; and 
 the second set of latches extend vertically through the second support surfaces of the side rails when the side rails are in the second orientation: 
 
     
     
         6 . The scaffold of claim of  claim 5  wherein:
 the deck includes a plurality of elongated slots adjacent lateral edges of the deck; 
 the first set of latches extend through the elongated slots in the deck to engage an upper surface of the deck when the side rails are in the first orientation; and 
 the second set of latches extend through the elongated slots in the deck to engage the upper surface of the deck when the side rails are in the first orientation. 
 
     
     
         7 . The scaffold of  claim 6  wherein the latches in the first and second sets of latches are spring-biased to press the deck downward against the first or second support surface, respectively. 
     
     
         8 . The scaffold of  claim 1  wherein the platform further comprises:
 a pair of guide channels at opposing ends of each side rail configured to slide along respective ones of the vertical supports to adjust a height of the platform; and 
 a releasable locking mechanism on each guide channel to releasably lock the guide channel at a desired position along vertical support. 
 
     
     
         9 . The scaffold of  claim 8  wherein the guide rails are configured to extend downwardly from the side rails when the platform is in the first orientation and to extend upwardly from the side rails when the platform is in the second orientation. 
     
     
         10 . The scaffold of  claim 9  wherein:
 the platform is adjustable between a first threshold and a maximum height in the first orientation; 
 the platform is adjustable between a second threshold and a minimum height in the second orientation; and 
 the first and second thresholds are a function of a length of the guide channels. 
 
     
     
         11 . A method of adjusting a height of a scaffold, the method comprising:
 determining a height requirement for a task;   when the height requirement is greater than a first threshold, movably mounting side rails of an adjustable height platform between first and second ladder frames in a first orientation to enable adjustment of the platform between the first threshold and a maximum height; and   when the height requirement is less than a second threshold, movably mounting the side rails of the adjustable height platform between first and second ladder frames in a second orientation to enable adjustment of the platform between the second threshold and a minimum height.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising:
 supporting a deck of the platform on first support surfaces of the side rails when the side rails are in the first orientation; and 
 supporting the deck of the platform on second support surfaces of the side rails when the side rails are in the first orientation. 
 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising:
 securing the deck to the side rails with a first set of latches when the side rails of the adjustable height platform are in the first orientation; and 
 securing the deck with a second set of latches when the side rails of the adjustable height platform are in the second orientation. 
 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein:
 securing the deck to the side rails with a first set of latches when the side rails of the adjustable height platform are in the first orientation comprises extending the first set of latches through elongated slots in the deck of the platform and engaging the first set of latches with the upper surface of the deck; and 
 securing the deck with a second set of latches when the side rails of the adjustable height platform are in the second orientation comprises extending the second set of latches through the elongated slots in the deck of the platform and engaging the second set of latches with the upper surface of the deck. 
 
     
     
         15 . 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; 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, wherein a maximum height of the adjustment range is above an upper end of the ladder frame.   
     
     
         16 . The scaffold of  claim 15  wherein the adjustable height platform comprises a pair of reversible side rails and a deck, wherein the side rails are configurable in a first orientation to obtain a maximum height and in a second orientation to obtain a minimum height. 
     
     
         17 . The scaffold of  claim 16  wherein each side rail comprises a first support surface configured to support the deck in the first orientation and a second support surface configured to support the deck in the second orientation. 
     
     
         18 . The scaffold of  claim 17  further comprising a first set of latches for holding the deck in place against the first support surface in the first orientation and a second set of latches for holding the deck in place against the second support surface in the second orientation. 
     
     
         19 . The scaffold of  claim 18  wherein:
 the first set of latches and second of latches are mounted internally in the side rails; 
 the first set of latches extend vertically through the first support surface of the side rails when the side rails are in the first orientation; and 
 the second set of latches extend vertically through the second support surfaces of the side rails when the side rails are in the second orientation: 
 
     
     
         20 . The scaffold of claim of  claim 19  wherein:
 the deck includes a plurality of elongated slots adjacent lateral edges of the deck; 
 the first set of latches extend through the elongated slots in the deck to engage an upper surface of the deck when the side rails are in the first orientation; and 
 the second set of latches extend through the elongated slots in the deck to engage the upper surface of the deck when the side rails are in the first orientation. 
 
     
     
         21 . The scaffold of  claim 20  wherein the latches in the first and second sets of latches are spring-biased to press the deck downward against the first or second support surface, respectively. 
     
     
         22 . The scaffold of  claim 15  wherein the platform further comprises:
 a pair of guide channels at opposing ends of each side rail configured to slide along respective ones of the vertical supports to adjust a height of the platform; and 
 a releasable locking mechanism on each guide channel to releasably lock the guide channel at a desired position along vertical support. 
 
     
     
         23 . The scaffold of  claim 22  wherein the guide rails are configured to extend above the top end of the ladder frame to obtain the maximum height. 
     
     
         24 . The scaffold of  claim 3  wherein:
 the platform is adjustable between a first threshold and a maximum height in the first orientation; 
 the platform is adjustable between a second threshold and a minimum height in the second orientation; and 
 the first and second thresholds are a function of a length of the guide channels. 
 
     
     
         25 . 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; and   an adjustable platform comprising:
 first and second side rails extending between respective pairs of the vertical supports on the first and second ladder frames; 
 a pair of guide channels at opposing ends of each side rail configured to slide along respective ones of the vertical supports to adjust a height of the platform; and 
 a releasable locking mechanism on each guide channel to releasably lock the guide channel at a desired position along vertical support; 
   a ground-engaging member removably secured to a lower end of each vertical support, the ground-engaging member comprising a stem that extends into the lower end of a respective tubular vertical support;   a span pin insertable through aligned openings in the ground-engaging member and the vertical support to secure the ground engaging member to the vertical support; and   wherein the guide channel includes an opening configured to align with the openings in the ground-engaging member and vertical supports through which the span pin can pass when the adjustable height platform is adjusted to a predetermined height.   
     
     
         26 . A scaffold of  claim 25  wherein the side rails are configurable in a first orientation to obtain a maximum height and in a second orientation to obtain a minimum height. 
     
     
         27 . The scaffold of  claim 25  wherein the opening in the guide channel aligns with the openings in the ground-engaging member and vertical supports when the side rials are configured in the second orientation. 
     
     
         28 . 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, each vertical support including first and second openings passing through the vertical support adjacent a lower end thereof, wherein the axes of the first and second opening are perpendicular to one another;   a platform configured to be supported between the first and second ladder frames;   a ground-engaging member removably secured to a lower end of each vertical support, the ground-engaging member comprising a stem that extends into the lower end of a respective vertical support, wherein the stem of each ground-engaging member includes an opening passing through the stem that aligns with the first opening in the vertical support in a first orientation and a second opening in the vertical support in a second orientation; and   a span pin configured to pass through one of the first and second openings in the vertical support and the opening in the ground-engaging member to secure the ground-engaging member to the vertical support.   
     
     
         29 . 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, each vertical support including first and second openings passing through the vertical support adjacent a lower end thereof, wherein the axes of the first and second opening are perpendicular to one another;   a platform configured to be supported between the first and second ladder frames;   a ground-engaging member removably secured to a lower end of each vertical support, the ground-engaging member comprising a stem that extends into the lower end of a respective vertical support, wherein the stem of each ground-engaging member includes a first opening passing through the stem that aligns with the first opening in the vertical support and a second opening passing through the stem that aligns with the second opening in the vertical support; and   a span pin configured to pass through one of the first and second openings in the vertical support and a corresponding one of the first and second openings in the vertical support the opening in the ground-engaging member to secure the ground-engaging member to secure the ground-engaging member to the vertical support.