Guard Rail for Multifunction Scaffold

Abstract

A guard rail system for a scaffold can be configured in multiple configurations. In one configuration, two gates are pivotally mounted to opposing ends of a first side rail assembly, and are latched to a second side rail assembly. In another configuration, the gates are also pivotally mounted to opposing ends of a first side rail assembly, but the second side rail assembly is removed, and the gates are latched to support posts that replace the second side rail assembly. Removal of the second side rail assembly allows better access to a nearby worksite. Related methods are also disclosed.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A guard rail system for a scaffold; the scaffold having first, second, third, and fourth guard rail mounting points located proximate corresponding corners of the scaffold; the guard rail system comprising:
 a first side rail assembly configured to mount to the first and second mounting points;
 the first side rail assembly having longitudinally opposing first and second end portions; 
   a second side rail assembly configured to mount to the third and fourth mounting points;   a first gate;   a second gate;   a first support post configured to mount to the third mounting point;   a second support post configured to mount to the fourth mounting point;   wherein the first gate is configured to be pivotally mounted to the first end portion of the first side rail assembly and:
 latch to second side rail assembly when the second side rail assembly is mounted to the third and fourth mounting points; and 
 latch to the first support post when the first support post is mounted to the third mounting point; and 
   wherein the second gate is configured to be pivotally mounted to the second end portion of the first side rail assembly and:
 latch to second side rail assembly when the second side rail assembly is mounted to the third and fourth mounting points; and 
 latch to the second support post when the second support post is mounted to the fourth mounting point. 
   
     
     
         22 . The guard rail system of  claim 21 :
 wherein the first side rail assembly includes a first hinge portion in the first end portion, and another first hinge portion in the second end portion;   wherein the first gate includes a second hinge portion configured to mate with the first hinge portion in the first end portion to pivotally mount the first gate to the first side rail;   wherein the second gate includes a second hinge portion configured to mate with the first hinge portion in the second end portion to pivotally mount the second gate to the first side rail.   
     
     
         23 . The guard rail system of  claim 22 :
 wherein the first hinge portions are hinge pins;   wherein the second hinge portions are sleeves.   
     
     
         24 . The guard rail system of  claim 21 , wherein the first side rail assembly is formed of multiple sections, releasably joined together. 
     
     
         25 . The guard rail system of  claim 21 , wherein the second side rail assembly is formed of multiple sections releasably joined together. 
     
     
         26 . The guard rail system of  claim 21 , wherein the first and second side rail assemblies include respective top rails, center rails, and bottom rails. 
     
     
         27 . The guard rail system of  claim 21 , wherein the second side rail, the first support post, and the second support post each include respective latch posts. 
     
     
         28 . The guard rail system of  claim 27 , wherein the latch posts each include a locking member ( 138 ) rotatable about a pivot pin. 
     
     
         29 . The guard rail system of  claim 21 :
 wherein the first side rail assembly is formed of multiple sections releasably joined together;   wherein the second side rail assembly is formed of multiple sections releasably joined together;   wherein the first gate is formed as a single unit; and   wherein the second gate is formed as a single unit.   
     
     
         30 . The guard rail system of  claim 29 , wherein the first and second side rail assemblies include respective top rails, center rails, and bottom rails. 
     
     
         31 . A guard rail system for a scaffold; the scaffold having first, second, third, and fourth guard rail mounting points located proximate corresponding corners of the scaffold; the guard rail system comprising:
 a first side rail assembly configured to mount to the first and second mounting points;
 the first side rail assembly having longitudinally opposing first and second end portions; 
   a second side rail assembly configured to mount to the third and fourth mounting points;   a first gate configured to be pivotally mounted to the first end portion of the first side rail assembly;   a second gate configured to be pivotally mounted to the second end portion of the first side rail assembly;   a first support post configured to mount to the third mounting point;   a second support post configured to mount to the fourth mounting point;   wherein the guard rail system is changeable between a four-sided configuration and an three-sided configuration;   wherein, in the four-sided configuration, the guard rail system forms a closed perimeter fence and:
 the first gate is pivotally mounted to the first end portion of the first side rail assembly and extends to, and is latched to, the second side rail assembly; and 
 the second gate is pivotally mounted to the second end portion of the first side rail assembly, and extends to, and is latched to, the second side rail assembly; and; 
   wherein, in the three-sided configuration, the guard rail system forms a perimeter fence open on one side and:
 the first gate is pivotally mounted to the first side rail assembly and extends to, and is latched to, the first support post; 
 the second gate is pivotally mounted to the first side rail assembly, and extends to, and is latched to, the second support post; and 
 the second side rail assembly is detached from all of the first side rail assembly, the first gate, and the second gate. 
   
     
     
         32 . The guard rail system of  claim 31 :
 wherein the first side rail assembly includes a first hinge portion in the first end portion, and another first hinge portion in the second end portion;   wherein the first gate includes a second hinge portion configured to mate with the first hinge portion in the first end portion to pivotally mount the first gate to the first side rail;   wherein the second gate includes a second hinge portion configured to mate with the first hinge portion in the second end portion to pivotally mount the second gate to the first side rail.   
     
     
         33 . The guard rail system of  claim 32 :
 wherein the first hinge portions are hinge pins;   wherein the second hinge portions are sleeves.   
     
     
         34 . The guard rail system of  claim 31 , wherein the first side rail assembly is formed of multiple sections releasably joined together. 
     
     
         35 . The guard rail system of  claim 31 , wherein the second side rail assembly is formed of multiple sections releasably joined together. 
     
     
         36 . The guard rail system of  claim 31 , wherein the first and second side rail assemblies include respective top rails, center rails, and bottom rails. 
     
     
         37 . The guard rail system of  claim 31 , wherein the second side rail, the first support post, and the second support post each include respective latch posts. 
     
     
         38 . The guard rail system of  claim 37 , wherein the latch posts each include a locking member rotatable about a pivot pin. 
     
     
         39 . The guard rail system of  claim 31 :
 wherein the first side rail assembly is formed of multiple sections releasably joined together;   wherein the second side rail assembly is formed of multiple sections releasably joined together;   wherein the first gate is formed as a single unit; and   wherein the second gate is formed as a single unit.   
     
     
         40 . The guard rail system of  claim 39 , wherein the first and second side rail assemblies include respective top rails, center rails, and bottom rails.