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US-12618247-B2 - Scaffold storage structure

US12618247B2US 12618247 B2US12618247 B2US 12618247B2US-12618247-B2

Abstract

A storage structure for a scaffold is disclosed. In one embodiment, the storage structure includes at least one back panel, at least two side panels, and at least one door. The at least one back panel and the two side panels are configured to be affixed to the frame of a scaffold, and the at least one door is rotatably affixed to one of the two side panels. When the panels and the door are secured to the frame of the scaffold, an interior is defined having sides formed by the panels and door, and a top and a bottom each formed by horizontal decks of the scaffold. The panels and door hook and clamp into place on existing scaffold structures, and do not require that the scaffold be modified.

Inventors

  • Sang Oh
  • Michael Gong
  • Robert A. Bergum

Assignees

  • WERNER CO.

Dates

Publication Date
20260505
Application Date
20221111

Claims (20)

  1. 1 . A storage structure configured for use with a scaffold, the scaffold comprising a frame, an upper horizontal deck coupled to the frame, and a lower horizontal deck coupled to the frame, wherein each of the upper horizontal deck and lower horizontal deck create a shelf, the storage structure comprising: a back panel; a first side panel; a second side panel; and a door rotatably coupled to one of the first side panel and the second side panel; wherein the back panel is configured to be affixed to at least one of the upper horizontal deck and the lower horizontal deck, and each of the first side panel and the second side panel is configured to be affixed to at least one of the frame, the upper horizontal deck, and the lower horizontal deck; wherein, when the back panel, the first side panel, the second side panel, and the door are secured to the scaffold, an interior is defined having sides formed by the back panel, the first side panel, the second side panel, and the door, a top formed by the upper horizontal deck, and a bottom formed by the lower horizontal deck; and wherein a hinge panel is affixed between the door and the one of the first side panel and the second side panel, wherein the hinge panel is configured to partially surround a portion of each of the frame, the upper horizontal deck, and the lower horizontal deck, and wherein the door is rotatably affixed to the hinge panel.
  2. 2 . The storage structure of claim 1 , wherein the door is a first door rotatably coupled to the first side panel via the hinge panel, and further comprising a second door that is rotatably coupled to the second side panel to partially define the interior.
  3. 3 . The storage structure of claim 2 , wherein the first door and the second door are configured to couple with each other when the back panel, the first side panel, the second side panel, the first door, and the second door are assembled.
  4. 4 . The storage structure of claim 3 , wherein the first door and the second door are configured to couple with each other by a locking mechanism, such that the locking mechanism secures the interior.
  5. 5 . The storage structure of claim 2 , wherein the hinge panel is a first hinge panel, wherein the first door is rotatably affixed to the first hinge panel via a first hinge, wherein a second hinge panel is affixed between the second door and the second side panel, and wherein the second door is rotatably affixed to the second hinge panel via a second hinge.
  6. 6 . The storage structure of claim 5 , wherein the first hinge and the second hinge each comprise a piano hinge.
  7. 7 . The storage structure of claim 1 , wherein each of the back panel, the first side panel, and the second side panel is configured to extend between the lower horizontal deck and the upper horizontal deck.
  8. 8 . The storage structure of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of attachment brackets secured to the frame of the scaffold.
  9. 9 . The storage structure of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of attachment brackets includes a first attachment bracket configured to attach the back panel to one of the upper horizontal deck and the lower horizontal deck, a second attachment bracket configured to attach the first side panel to the frame, and a third attachment bracket configured to attach the second side panel to the frame.
  10. 10 . The storage structure of claim 9 , wherein each of the plurality of attachment brackets is attached to one of the back panel, the first side panel and the second side panel by a fastener.
  11. 11 . The storage structure of claim 10 , wherein the fastener of each of the plurality of attachment brackets includes a nut and a bolt.
  12. 12 . The storage structure of claim 1 , further comprising a first floor panel configured to be coupled between the lower horizontal deck and the first side panel and a second floor panel configured to be coupled between the lower horizontal deck and the second side panel.
  13. 13 . The storage structure of claim 1 , wherein the back panel is one of a plurality of back panels that are coupled to one another.
  14. 14 . A scaffold comprising: a frame; an upper horizontal deck mounted onto the frame; a lower horizontal deck mounted onto the frame, each of the upper horizontal deck and the lower horizontal deck creating a shelf; a back panel removably affixed to at least one of the upper horizontal deck and the lower horizontal deck; a first side panel removably affixed to at least one of the frame, the upper horizontal deck, and the lower horizontal deck; a second side panel removably affixed to at least one of the frame, the upper horizontal deck, and the lower horizontal deck; and a door rotatably coupled to one of the first side panel and the second side panel; wherein the upper horizontal deck, the lower horizontal deck, the back panel, the first side panel, the second side panel, and the door define an interior of a storage structure, and wherein each of the upper horizontal deck and the lower horizontal deck are configured to be mounted at different heights along a height of the frame.
  15. 15 . The scaffold of claim 14 , wherein the frame includes vertical posts, and further comprising a plurality of wheels, one wheel of the plurality of wheels being connected each of the vertical posts of the frame.
  16. 16 . The scaffold of claim 14 , wherein the door is a first door that is rotatably coupled to the first side panel, and further comprising a second door rotatably coupled to the second side panel.
  17. 17 . The scaffold of claim 16 , wherein the first door and the second door are configured to couple with each other by a locking mechanism, such that the locking mechanism secures the interior.
  18. 18 . The scaffold of claim 14 , further comprising a hinge panel affixed between the door and the one of the first side panel and the second side panel, wherein the hinge panel partially surrounds a portion of each of the frame, the upper horizontal deck, and the lower horizontal deck, and wherein the door is rotatably affixed to the hinge panel.
  19. 19 . A scaffold comprising: a frame; an upper horizontal deck mounted onto the frame; a lower horizontal deck mounted onto the frame, each of the upper horizontal deck and the lower horizontal deck creating a shelf; a back panel removably affixed to at least one of the upper horizontal deck and the lower horizontal deck; a first side panel removably affixed to at least one of the frame, the upper horizontal deck, and the lower horizontal deck; a second side panel removably affixed to at least one of the frame, the upper horizontal deck, and the lower horizontal deck; and a door rotatably coupled to one of the first side panel and the second side panel; wherein the upper horizontal deck, the lower horizontal deck, the back panel, the first side panel, the second side panel, and the door define an interior of a storage structure, and wherein a hinge panel is affixed between the door and the one of the first side panel and the second side panel, wherein the hinge panel partially surrounds a portion of each of the frame, the upper horizontal deck, and the lower horizontal deck, and wherein the door is rotatably affixed to the hinge panel.
  20. 20 . The scaffold of claim 19 , wherein the frame includes vertical posts, and further comprising a plurality of wheels, one wheel of the plurality of wheels being connected each of the vertical posts of the frame.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS The claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/278,808 filed Nov. 12, 2021. The entire disclosure contents of this application are herewith incorporated by reference into the present application. BACKGROUND A. Field This disclosure relates generally to storage structures and scaffolding, and more particularly to a secure storage attachment structure for a scaffold. B. Description of Related Art Scaffolds, such as rolling scaffolds, are frequently used throughout construction and restoration projects, and generally comprise a modular metal structure having a base having wheels to move the scaffold along the ground, stabilizers to immobilize the scaffold while in a working position, and vertical posts and multiple decks positioned along the height of the posts. Any tools, equipment, construction-related plans, or personal items that may be used on a scaffold at a worksite are exposed to the environment, and it is generally unadvisable to leave such items on an unattended deck for an extended period of time, where they may be subjected to rain, wind, and snow, or may be stolen. Thus, items used on a scaffold deck are removed on a daily basis to protect and guard the items. The regular removal and bringing back of the items to a scaffold can become a cumbersome process. SUMMARY The following embodiments and aspects thereof are described and illustrated in conjunction with systems, tools and methods which are meant to be exemplary and illustrative, not limiting in scope. In one aspect, a storage structure for a scaffold is disclosed. The storage structure comprises at least one back panel, at least two side panels, and at least one door. The at least one back panel and the at least two side panels are configured to be affixed to a frame of a scaffold, and the at least one door is rotatably affixed to one side panel of the at least two side panels. When the at least one back panel, the at least two side panels, and the at least one door are secured to the frame of the scaffold, an interior is defined having sides formed by the at least one back panel, the at least two side panels, and the at least one door and a top and a bottom each formed by horizontal decks of the scaffold. In an additional aspect, a method of securing a storage structure on a scaffold is disclosed. The method includes securing at least one back panel, at least two side panels, and at least one door to a frame of the scaffold by affixing the at least one back panel and the at least two side panels to the frame of the scaffold. The at least one door is rotatably affixed to one side panel of the at least two side panels. When the at least one back panel, the at least two side panels, and the at least one door are secured to the frame of the scaffold, an interior is defined having sides formed by the at least one back panel, the at least two side panels, and the at least one door, and a top and a bottom each formed by horizontal decks of the scaffold. In addition to the exemplary aspects and embodiments described above, further aspects and embodiments will become apparent by reference to the drawings and by study of the following detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in the drawings. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative rather than restrictive. FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an example scaffold, in accordance with an embodiment; FIG. 1B is an exploded view of an example storage structure to be assembled on the scaffold of FIG. 1A, in accordance with an embodiment; FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the assembled storage structure and scaffold of FIG. 1B, with the storage structure doors in an open position, in accordance with an embodiment; FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the assembled storage structure of FIG. 2A with the storage structure doors in a closed and locked position, in accordance with an embodiment; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the rear of the scaffold of FIG. 1A, showing attachment brackets to affix panels to the scaffold, in accordance with an embodiment; FIGS. 4A-C are top, side, and front views of the assembled storage structure of FIG. 2B, in accordance with an embodiment; FIG. 4D is a cross-sectional view taken from A-A in FIG. 4C, in accordance with an embodiment; FIG. 4E is a detailed view taken from detail B in FIG. 3D, in accordance with an example embodiment; FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a side panel of the assembled storage structure and scaffold of FIG. 2A, in accordance with an embodiment; FIG. 5B is a detailed view taken from detail D in FIG. 5A, in accordance with an embodiment; FIG. 5C is a view of the interior of the side panel and assembled storage structure of FIG. 5A, in accordance with an embodiment; and FIG. 5D is a detailed view taken from detail C in FIG. 5C, in accordance with an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION A storage stru