TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to lightweight scaffolding and, more particularly, to outriggers for lightweight, multi-function scaffolds to increase stability of the scaffold.

BACKGROUND

Lightweight scaffolds made from metal tubing are commercially available for use when working close to the ground. One such scaffold comprises an adjustable height platform supported between two ladder frames. The platform includes two side rails with guide channels at each end that slide up and down along the vertical supports of the ladder frames. Casters insert into the lower ends of the vertical supports so that the scaffold can roll on the floor or other support surface.

A potential hazard when using a free-standing scaffold is tipping. Tipping can occur, for example, when a user leans over the edge of the scaffold while performing some task. It is known to use outriggers to increase the minimum base width of the scaffold and reduce or prevent sideways tipping. Generally, the outriggers attach to the ladder frame and extend laterally out perpendicular the longitudinal axis of the scaffold to increase the minimum base width of the scaffold. The wider base provided by the outrigger reduces the tipping hazard when a worker leans over the edge of the scaffold.

Tipping can also occur when a user is climbing the ladder frame at one end of the scaffold. If the user's body weight is too far from the frame when the user is climbing, the scaffold may tip over end-to-end. This hazard is particularly dangerous because the scaffold will tip towards the user and could crash down on top of the user. The risk of tipping is highest when used in single-height mode, i.e., a single unit. The risk is reduced when the scaffolds are stacked. In this case, the weigh to of the scaffolds stacked together counterbalances the user's weight. Current OSHA regulations do not address this issue and there is no outrigger on the market available to increase the maximum base width of the scaffold.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides an outrigger for a lightweight, multi-purpose scaffold that improves stability of the scaffold. The scaffold includes a pair of ladder frames and an adjustable height platform mounted between the ladder frames. The outriggers can attach to the ladder frames in either a first or a second orientation to provide a wider base for the scaffold and thereby increase stability in two dimensions. The outrigger provides increased stability in the longitudinal dimension and reduces the risk of tipping the scaffold end over end when a user climbs the ladder frame to access the platform.

In one embodiment, the outrigger comprises a riser configured to attach to a vertical support of the ladder frame in both a first orientation and a second orientation, an outrigger arm extending outwardly from the riser, and a sleeve for mounting a ground-engaging member mounted at an outer end of the outrigger arm. When connected in a first orientation, the outrigger arm extends at an angle greater than 0 degrees and less than 45 degrees relative to the transverse plane of the scaffold. When mounted in a second orientation, the outrigger arm extends at an angle greater than 45 degrees relative to the transverse plane of the scaffold.

In another embodiment, the outrigger comprises a riser configured to attach to a vertical support of the ladder frame, an outrigger arm extending outwardly from the riser at an angle relative to a transverse plane such that, when the outrigger is mounted to one of the vertical supports, an outer end of the outrigger extends outward beyond an end of the scaffold in the longitudinal direction, and a sleeve connected to the outer end of the outrigger arm configured for mounting a ground-engaging member.

Other embodiments comprise a multi-function scaffold with an outrigger. The scaffold comprises 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. The outriggers are configured for attachment to respective vertical supports of the ladder frames. Each outrigger comprises a riser configured to attach to a vertical support of the ladder frame, an outrigger arm extending outwardly from the riser at an angle relative to a transverse plane such that, when the outrigger is mounted to one of the vertical supports, an outer end of the outrigger extends outward beyond an end of the scaffold in the longitudinal direction, and a sleeve connected to the outer end of the outrigger arm configured for mounting a ground-engaging member.

