Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
ROOF SCAFFOLDING SYSTEM
BACKGROUND
1. Technical Field
The present disclosure is directed to an advantageous scaffolding system and,
more
particularly, to a roof scaffolding system that is adapted for efficient
assembly and
adjustment. In addition, the disclosed roof scaffolding system facilitates
roofing activities,
e.g., shingling, below the scaffolding support rails, thereby enhancing the
speed and
efficiency of roofing jobs.
2. Background Art
Various scaffolding systems are disclosed in the literature. For example, U.S.
Patent No.
6,666,298 to Vo&man discloses a scaffolding support that is designed to hang
from the top of a
wall. The hanging scaffolding support includes a wall securing assembly, a
vertical support, a
horizontal support, and a vertical safety rail support.
U.S. Patent No. 4,971,169 to Fruth discloses a scaffolding system that
includes a folding
hanger and work frames, storable bumpers on the work frame for propping the
scaffold off of a
wall, and a hanger structure in the hanger frame for suspending the scaffold
from the cap or
upper header of a building wall. The scaffolding of the Fruth '169 patent may
be mounted by
hanging the scaffold from the header or cap and propping the scaffold off with
storable bumpers.
The scaffold may also be folded flat for storage and transportation.
U.S. Patent No. 5,524,727 to Yennie, Jr., discloses a construction wall
bracket that
includes a vertical member having a pair of laterally and outwardly-extending
stud
engagement members which are adapted to rest against a vertical wall. A
horizontal
member having an angle bracket extends horizontally outward from the vertical
member to
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support a plank or platform for use by a workman during construction efforts.
A support
brace is affixed to the vertical member for engagement to the top horizontal
stud of a wall.
A swing arm having a depending end tab and a pair of longitudinally-extending
hinge
members is pivotally attached to the support brace about a hinge pin. Upward
pivotal
rotation of the swing arm with respect to the support brace facilitates
removal of the
construction wall bracket during periods of non-use. A safety pin is engaged
to the hinge
members and against the support brace to prevent pivotal rotation of the swing
arm with
respect to the support brace during operational positioning and use of the
Yennie
construction wall bracket.
U.S. Patent No. 5,638,917 to Vennen discloses a work platform system for use
while working off the ground in new construction, particularly for
installation of roof
structures and upper floors where fall protection systems are required and for
which no
effective work platform systems are available. The Vennen system includes of
frame
members with brackets, clips and straps. The components are welded and/or
bolted
together. The Vennen brackets are attached to a partially-completed structure
to establish a
work platform for subsequent construction activities. Conventional scaffold
planks and
railings are used and the separate use of fall protection devices is
unnecessary.
U.S. Patent No. 5,664,391 to Bartholomew discloses a J-hook roof anchoring and
securement assembly which includes a rope tie-off attachment point. The
assembly also
includes a hanging scaffold attachment apparatus to provide an attachment
point for a
hanging scaffold system which includes a vertical support post attached to a
platform base
and walk boards provided thereon. A vertical safety rail post contains angled
brackets that
mate with top and bottom portions of the walk boards. A securing rod is
attached at one
end to the safety rail post, is threaded through the walk boards, and is
secured at a second
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end. The walk boards are held in clamping contact with the vertical support
post by the use
of the securing rod.
U.S. Patent No. 5,829,549 to Flynn discloses a walkway system for roof, truss
or
elevated workers utilizing first and second longitudinally spaced-apart
support assemblies
for releasable attachment to a top of a building wall. Each assembly presents
a depending
support bar that extends along an exterior surface of the building wall. A
horizontal
support brace is attached to each depending support bar at a selected
position. The
horizontal support brace provides support for overlying boards of a walkway. A
vertical
post is attached to the free end of the horizontal support brace, the vertical
post including a
plurality of vertically spaced brackets for receiving spaced-apart hand rails.
A series of
hook-like brackets are releasably placed along the rails for positioning a
reinforcing strut
adjacent each hand rail. The Flynn walkway can be vertically offset from the
top of the
building wall as well as laterally extended therefrom.
U.S. Patent No. 5,865,410 to Horen discloses a universal staging bracket that
is
supported on the sloping side of a steel ship by means of a base plate having
key hole
apertures which engage headed studs welded to the side of the ship. A support
arm is
pivotally mounted on the base plate for disposition in a horizontal position
when the base
plate is not vertically disposed. A support leg is pivotally mounted on the
base plate for
pivotal movement to accommodate complex curvatures in the side of the ship and
a
telescopic knee brace is pivotally connected at opposite ends between the
support leg and
the support arm. The pivotal connection between the support arm and knee brace
includes
a traveling nut on a threaded bolt that is rotatably supported by the support
arm.
U.S. Patent No. 6,003,630 discloses a scaffold system for removable attachment
to
a wall that includes a vertical support member, a horizontal support member,
and an
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attaching bracket. The first end of the vertical support member is attached to
the horizontal
support member so that the vertical support member is substantially
perpendicular to the
horizontal support member. The attaching bracket extends from the horizontal
support
member substantially aligned with and parallel to the horizontal support
member. The
attaching bracket removably attaches the vertical support member and the
horizontal
support member to the wall,
U.S. Patent No. 6,003,631 to Knauth discloses a wall supported scaffolding
device
for suspension and attachment to the upper portion of a wall panel, wherein
the scaffolding
device includes an inverted T-shaped vertical support member provided with a
plurality of
.. generally C-shaped brackets. The C-shaped brackets are dimensioned to
pivotally receive
the inboard ends of a cross piece member and an angled brace member. The
outboard ends
of the cross piece member and the brace member support a railing support unit.
The
intermediate portion of the cross piece member is provided with a locking bolt
for
preventing lateral displacement of a scaffold plank along the longitudinal
axis and/or
transverse to the longitudinal axis of the cross piece member.
U.S. Patent No. 6,053,280 to Smith et al. discloses a deck support for hanging
from
a top plate of a wall in residential or other construction. An upright or leg
provides support
of the weight of the deck which is supported on a foot extending laterally
from the leg.
The foot may be provided with a climber attachment that secures the foot
extending
horizontally from the leg, and yet is readily adjustable without alignment,
line-of-sight
adjustment, removal or repositioning of pins. Adjustment may be done safely by
a single
user employing a single hand. Alignment and engagement are simple and
automatic by the
climber securing the foot to the leg. A hanger bracket may extend adjustably
across the top
plate of a wall to support the leg extending vertically therebelow. The hanger
may be
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opened to release from a wall after construction has been finished around the
hanger
rendering it otherwise non-removable. The entire assembly may be collapsed,
without
separation of parts, for transportation and storage.
U.S. Patent No. 8,186,479 to Vieira discloses a roof scaffolding system that
utilizes
elongated members/rails that facilitate assembly and adjustment. The Vieira
system
discloses an L-shaped rail-mounting bracket for connection to the roof apex.
The
"floating" system enables roof teardowns and roof installations without
requiring removal
of the scaffolding system.
U.S. Patent Publication No. 2002/0027043 to Wisler discloses a wall jack unit
for
erecting scaffolding that includes a series of brackets for placement at the
top of a wall and
connects with a wall surface-engaging pole and truss support structure with a
combination
user platform for supporting a wood plank between at least two of the units.
Each part has
adjustable features which utilize hole-engaging connections so that a series
of units can be
joined or formulated on a variety of building or wall structures. The Wisler
unit is made of
a durable steel which is resistant to weather-related effects.
Despite efforts to date, a need remains for scaffolding systems that are
durable,
easily installed and adjusted, and useful for various roof projects. A need
also remains for
scaffolding systems that do not obscure or otherwise prevent access to roofing
surfaces
with the scaffolding system mounted with respect to a roof surface. These and
other needs
are satisfied by the roof scaffolding systems disclosed herein.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure is directed to an advantageous scaffolding system that
facilitates assembly and adjustment. The disclosed scaffolding system utilizes
elongated
members/rails that define a rectangular, e.g., square, cross-section and are
adapted to be
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joined relative to each other using a nesting sleeve or union. The elongated
members/rails
are thus routinely joined to each other in the field using pre-defined
apertures and
cooperative hitch pins. L-shaped rail-mounting brackets are typically mounted
at "top"
ends of the elongated members/rails, i.e., the ends of the elongated
members/rails to be
positioned at/adjacent the roof apex. The L-shaped rail-mounting brackets
include a sleeve
portion of rectangular/square cross-section that is adapted to cooperate with
the elongated
member/rail through a telescoping action, and appropriate pins/aperture
alignment may be
used for securement purposes.
Roof brackets are also provided for supporting platforms and the like.
Positioning
of the roof brackets is achieved through a telescoping action of a
rectangular/square sleeve
relative to the elongated members/rails. Pre-defined apertures may be used to
facilitate
positioning of roof bracket pairs in alignment on adjacent elongated
members/rails.
Multiple roof brackets may travel on each elongated member/rail, thereby
permitting
positioning of working materials.
In exemplary embodiments of the disclosed roof scaffolding system, roof
mounting
may be achieved without the use of nails. In addition, height adjustments are
quickly and
easily achieved. Indeed, once deployed, height adjustments may generally be
effected in
less than a minute. A space is generally defined between the rails and the
roof surface/roof
deck, based on the clearance established through interaction at the roof apex
and upward
spacing established by the nesting sleeves and/or mounting brackets. In
addition, one or
more wedge-shaped shims may be introduced between the roof surface and the
rails, e.g.,
where the roof surface is warped, rotten and/or uneven, due to increase the
clearance
therebetween. For roof removal projects, i.e., "tear-offs", it is generally
unnecessary to
remove the scaffolding system prior to commencing the re-roofing process.
Roofing
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activities may be effectively undertaken with the disclosed scaffolding system
in place,
including in regions below the disclosed rails.
In another embodiment, double rail-mounting brackets are typically mounted at
"top" ends of the elongated members/rails, i.e., the ends of the elongated
members/rails to
be positioned at/adjacent the roof apex. The double rail-mounting brackets
include a sleeve
portion of rectangular/square cross-section that is adapted to cooperate with
the elongated
member/rail through a telescoping action, and appropriate pins/aperture
alignment may be
used for securement purposes. The double rail-mounting brackets offer two
different
sleeve angles for use depending on the roof pitch. Furthermore, a T-shaped
bracket
provides more stability when the double rail-mounting brackets are stationed
on the roof
apex. A roller, positioned at the top edge of the T-shaped bracket enables the
user to fully
assemble the rails on the ground and roll the rails up the roof.
The disclosed scaffolding system provides a modular design that facilitates
various
activities, including tear-offs and roof repairs. The disclosed scaffolding
system may be
employed with a host of roofing materials and various roof pitches. Exemplary
embodiments of the disclosed roof scaffolding system are of light-weight
construction, e.g.,
aluminum, and offer substantial strength/durability for scaffolding
applications. Additional
features, functions and advantages associated with the disclosed scaffolding
system will be
apparent from the description which follows, particularly when read in
conjunction with
the appended figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
To assist those of ordinary skill in the art in making and using the disclosed
scaffolding systems, reference is made to the appended figures, wherein:
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Figure 1 is a photographic view of an exemplary scaffolding system according
to
the present disclosure mounted with respect to a roof structure;
Figure 2 is a photographic view of an exemplary scaffolding system according
to
the present disclosure mounted with respect to a roof structure;
Figure 3 is a photographic view of an exemplary scaffolding system according
to
the present disclosure mounted with respect to a roof structure;
Figure 4 is a photographic view of an exemplary scaffolding system according
to
the present disclosure mounted with respect to a roof structure;
Figure 5 is a photographic view of an exemplary scaffolding system according
to
the present disclosure mounted with respect to a roof structure;
Figure 6 is a photographic view of an exemplary scaffolding system according
to
the present disclosure mounted with respect to a roof structure;
Figure 7 are schematic drawings of exemplary rail members according to the
present disclosure;
Figure 8 is a schematic drawing of an exemplary rail joiner according to the
present
disclosure;
Figure 9 is a schematic drawing of an exemplary kicker slide according to the
present disclosure;
Figure 10 are schematic views of an exemplary rail mounting bracket according
to
the present disclosure;
Figure 11 is a schematic view of an exemplary assembly pin according to the
present disclosure;
Figures 12A-12C are schematic views of an exemplary double rail-mounting
bracket according to the present disclosure; and
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Figure 13 is a schematic view of an exemplary single rail-mounting bracket
according to the present disclosure.
DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EIVIBODIMENT(S1
As shown in the accompanying figures, the disclosed scaffolding system
generally
includes at least two elongated members/rails that define a rectangular, e.g.,
square, cross-
section. Two or more elongated members/rails are adapted to be joined relative
to each
other using nesting sleeve(s) or union(s), thereby extending the effective
length of the
elongated members/rails. In the field, two elongated members/rails are joined
to each other
with a nesting sleeve/union using pre-defined apertures and cooperative hitch
pins.
L-shaped rail-mounting brackets are typically mounted at "top" ends of the
elongated members/rails, i.e., the ends of the elongated members/rails to be
positioned
at/adjacent the roof apex. The L-shaped rail-mounting brackets include a
sleeve portion of
rectangular/square cross-section that is adapted to cooperate with the
elongated
member/rail through a telescoping action, and appropriate pins/aperture
alignment may be
used for securement purposes.
Roof brackets cooperate with the elongated members/rails to support work
platforms and the like. Pre-defined apertures formed in the sleeve portion of
each roof
bracket may be used to facilitate positioning of roof bracket pairs in
alignment on adjacent
elongated members/rails. Multiple roof brackets may travel on each elongated
member/rail, thereby permitting positioning of working materials in close
proximity to
workers.
With initial reference to Figure 1, a pair of rail assemblies 10 are depicted
in spaced
relation with respect to a pitched roof "R". Each rail assembly 10 includes an
elongated
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member/rail 14 and an L-shaped rail-mounting bracket 12 at an end thereof.
Each L-
shaped rail-mounting bracket 12 includes a hollow sleeve portion 16 and a
bracket 18 that
is substantially perpendicular thereto. The bracket 18 may be advantageously
nailed to the
roof surface so as to stabilize the rail assembly 10 with respect to roof "R".
In nailing the
bracket 18 to the roof surface, the hollow sleeve portion 16 may be space
upward with
respect to the apex of the roof. Downward with respect to the roof surface, a
platform 22 is
supported by a platform support member 20. Although not shown in Figure 1,
multiple
platforms 22 may be positioned with respect to the roof "R", e.g., at
approximately four
foot spacings to facilitate roofing activities.
With particular reference to Figure 10, additional details concerning an
exemplary
L-shaped rail-mounting bracket are shown. The bracket is typically fabricated
from an
material exhibiting appropriate strength and durability, e.g., a steel. The
bracket portion
advantageously defines a C-shaped cross-section for greater strength.
Exemplary
dimensions are shown in association with the schematic views of Figure 10,
although the
present disclosure is not limited to such exemplary dimensions. The "25/64
hole thru"
shown in the hollow sleeve portion of the L-shaped bracket is adapted to
interact with a
properly sized pin/bolt for securing the L-shaped bracket with respect to an
elongated
member/rail, as shown, for example, in Figure 1.
Turning to Figure 2, a further exemplary implementation of the disclosed
scaffolding system is depicted. A plurality (three) rail assemblies 10 are
mounted with
respect to a roof surface "R". The rail assemblies 10 are supported with
respect to the roof
surface by L-shaped brackets 12 that cooperate with the roof apex. Bracket 18
is nailed to
the roof surface, such nails being removable from the bracket/roof when the
roofing job is
complete. As shown in Figure 2, the rail assemblies 14 are advantageously
suspended
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above/away from the roof surface "R", such that roof shingles may be removed
despite the
presence of the rail assembly. Platforms 22 provide an extended work area for
roofing
personnel.
Turning to Figures 3 and 4, additional views of exemplary scaffolding systems
according to the present disclosure are provided. With particular reference to
Figure 4,
sleeves/unions 24 join first and second elongated members/rails 14, thereby
extending the
effective length of elongated members/rails 14. Of note and as shown in
Figures 3 and 4,
the spaced positioning of rails 14 relative to the roof surface permit felt
paper (Fig. 3) and
shingle (Fig. 4) installation across the entire roof surface, including
specifically the roof
region positioned below and adjacent each of the rails 14. Indeed, spacing
between the
rails and the roof surface/roof deck is generally established through (i)
interaction between
brackets 12 and the roof apex, (ii) nesting sleeve(s)/union(s) 24 that bear
against the roof
surface/deck and create a clearance (e.g., 3/16") between the rail 14 and the
roof deck,
and/or (iii) one or more optional wood shaped wedges.
As shown in Figure 7, the elongated members/rails generally include a
plurality of
spaced apertures to facilitate interaction with associated componentry, i.e.,
L-shaped
brackets and nesting sleeves/unions. Thus, the "top rail" is particularly
adapted to
cooperate with an L-shaped bracket (based on aperture positioning). In the
exemplary
dimensioning depicted in Figure 7, the "top rail" includes an aperture that is
positioned 2
7/8 inches from the left end thereof, whereas the "bottom rail" includes an
aperture that is
positioned 2 7/8 inches from the right end thereof. When the top and bottom
rails are
placed in an aligned orientation, the foregoing apertures are spaced by no
less than 5 3/4
inches. With reference to Figure 8, an exemplary "railjoiner" or nesting
sleeve/union is
depicted that includes first and second apertures that are spaced by 6 inches.
This spacing
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accommodates/facilitates the joining of top and bottom rails with the nesting
sleeve/union
(railjoiner) in a telescoping position with respect thereto. An exemplary
attachment pin is
depicted in Figure 11. In exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the
rails and
nesting sleeves/unions are fabricated from aluminum, thereby minimizing the
weight while
providing appropriate strength and durability. Alternative materials may be
employed, as
will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art, e.g., steel or the
like. The present
disclosure is not limited to the dimensional values set forth in Figures 7, 8
and 1 1 ; rather,
such dimensions are merely exemplary of potential implementations of the
disclosed
scaffolding system.
With reference to Figures 6 and 7, a further view of the disclosed scaffolding
system mounted with respect to a roof surface "R" is provided. Exemplary
platform
support members/kicker slides 20 are visible in Figure 6. As shown therein,
multiple
support members/kicker slides 20 may be slidingly mounted with respect to
rails 14,
thereby facilitating the support of multiple platforms 22a, 22b. Slides 20
space the rail
assemblies away from the roof surface, thereby facilitating roofing
activities. A T-shaped
support bracket (not pictured) will provide additional tipping support further
down the rails
14. In addition, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the shingling job is complete
with the
scaffolding system in place. Thus, roofing personnel are facilitated in
completing the
shingling job, both under and adjacent rails 14, due in part to the
advantageous spacing
away from the roof surface. An exemplary kicker slide member is depicted in
Figure 9 (the
dimensions depicted therein are merely illustrative, and non-limiting).
With reference to Figures 12A-12C, an exemplary embodiment of a double rail-
mounting bracket 30 is schematically depicted with two hollow angled sleeve
portions 32,
34 of rectangular/square cross-section, attached to the T-shaped bracket 36,
that are
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adapted to cooperate with the elongated member/rail through a telescoping
action, and
appropriate pins/aperture alignment may be used for securement purposes. The
first
hollow sleeve portion 32 extends from the T-shaped bracket 36 at a 105 degree
angle and
the second hollow sleeve portion 34, opposite the first hollow sleeve portion
32, extends
perpendicularly from the T-shaped bracket 36. The roof pitch angle generally
dictates
which hollow sleeve portion is used; specifically, the 105 degree hollow
sleeve portion 32
is generally used for 8 and 10 pitch roofs and the 90 degree hollow sleeve
portion 34 is
generally used for 12 and 14 pitch roofs. However, the provided angles are
merely
illustrative of one embodiment and the present disclosure is not limited to
such dimensions
and/or geometries. Either hollow sleeve portion 32, 34 can have an angle
between
90 degrees and 180 degrees. T-shaped bracket 36 is nailed to the roof surface,
such nails
being removable from the bracket/roof when the roofing job is complete.
The double rail-mounting bracket 30 is typically fabricated from a material
exhibiting appropriate strength and durability, e.g., steel. The T-shaped
bracket portion
advantageously defines a C-shaped cross-section for greater strength. The
double rail-
mounting bracket 30 is coated with a sprayed on and heated rubber coating to
protect roof
components, e.g., metal roofs, during use. However, such coating is not
limited to a
sprayed on and heated rubber coating, alternative coatings will be apparent to
one skilled in
the art.
The T-shape design of the T-shaped bracket 36 provides more stability over the
prior art designs because the additional contact with the roof prevents
tipping when the
double rail-mounting bracket 30 is engaged on the roof apex. Located on the
wider portion
of the T-shape bracket 36 are bumpers 38 that further protect the roof when in
contact with
the double rail-mounting bracket 30. The bumpers 38 can be rubber, plastic,
foam, or any
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other material that will not cause damage to the roof, as will be apparent to
one skilled in
the art. Furthermore, the bumpers raise the rail components off the roof to
allow for easy
access to the roof materials beneath the rail system 10. A roller 40 is
positioned at the edge
of the T-shaped bracket 36, opposite the two hollow sleeve portions 32,34, to
enable a user
to fully assemble the rail system 10 on the ground and effortlessly roll the
rail system 10 up
the roof. Doing so protects the user from a requirement to assemble the rail
system 10
while positioned on a roof or attempting to carry a fully assembled rail
system 10 up a
ladder.
With reference to Figure 13, an exemplary embodiment of a single rail-mounting
bracket 50 is schematically depicted with a hollow sleeve portion 52 that
extends
105 degrees off a face of a bracket 54. As mentioned above, the 105 degree
angle works
best with 8 or 10 pitch roofs. Exemplary dimensions are shown in association
with the
schematic views of Figure 13, although the present disclosure is not limited
to such
exemplary dimensions. The bracket is typically fabricated from a material
exhibiting
appropriate strength and durability, e.g., steel. The bracket portion
advantageously defines
a C-shaped cross-section for greater strength. The single rail-mounting
bracket 50 is
coated with a sprayed on and heated rubber coating to protect roof components,
e.g., metal
roofs, during use. However, such coating is not limited to a sprayed on and
heated rubber
coating, alternative coatings will be apparent to one skilled in the art.
Furthermore, as
discussed above, bumper 56 further protects the roof from the rail-mounting
bracket 50.
The single rail-mounting bracket 50 can further include a T-shaped bracket
(not pictured)
for additional support when engaged on the apex of the roof.
In exemplary embodiments of the disclosed roof scaffolding system, roof
mounting
may be achieved without the use of nails, e.g., beyond the nails used in
conjunction with
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bracket 18, 36, 54. In addition, height adjustments are quickly and easily
achieved.
Indeed, once deployed, height adjustments may generally be effected in less
than a minute.
For roof removal projects, i.e., "tear-offs", it is generally unnecessary to
remove the
scaffolding system prior to commencing the re-roofing process.
The disclosed scaffolding system provides a modular design that facilitates
various
activities, including tear-offs and roof repairs. The disclosed scaffolding
system may be
employed with a host of roofing materials and various roof pitches. Exemplary
embodiments of the disclosed roof scaffolding system are of light-weight
construction, e.g.,
aluminum, and offer substantial strength/durability for scaffolding
applications. The
disclosed scaffolding system may be coated with a sprayed on and heated rubber
coating to
protect the roof components, e.g., metal roofs, during use. However, such
coating is not
limited to a sprayed on and heated rubber coating, alternative coatings will
be apparent to
one skilled in the art.
Thus, the disclosed scaffolding system offers many advantageous features and
functionalities. Although the disclosed scaffolding system has been described
with
reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, the present disclosure is not
limited by or to
such exemplary embodiments. Rather, the disclosed scaffolding system is
susceptible to
variations, modifications and/or enhancements without departing from the
spirit or scope of
the present disclosure. Accordingly, the present disclosure expressly
encompasses such
variations, modifications and/or enhancements as would be apparent to persons
skilled in
the art from the description provided herein.
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