Temporary work surface for construction site

• US 6,098,552 A
• Filed: 07/08/1998
• Issued: 08/08/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Douglas C. Gunderson
• Original Assignee: Douglas C. Gunderson
• Inventors: Gunderson, Douglas C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuomo, Peter M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRAN, HANH VAN
• Application Number:
  US09/112,110
• Time in Patent Office: 762 Days
• Field of Search: 108/108, 108/42, 108/152, 211/90.01, 211/90.02, 211/187, 211/193, 248/243, 248/245, 248/295.11, 52/736.2, 52/36.4
• US Class Current: 108/108
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 57/567 using wedges or a wedging effect without screw means
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 96/061 Cantilever brackets

Abstract

A support system for a temporary work surface is provided which is adapted for attachment to a plurality of wall studs at a construction site. A support assembly includes a plurality, usually two, elongated arms adapted for removable cantilevered attachment to exposed vertical wall studs. A generally C-shaped mounting bracket for each elongated arm is adapted for frictional engagement with a wall stud. If desired the bracket may be mounted at a selected vertical location on a stud using common mechanical fasteners. The free ends of the supporting arms have protrusions adapted to retain a work surface, such as a plywood sheet on the support arms. Preferably a notch on the lower surface of each arm engages the clamp in order to fix the position of the arm relative to the supporting wall stud. The notch also provides for an incline of the supporting arm downwardly away from the supporting stud, thus providing a corresponding incline to the supported work surface.

Claims

1. A support system for a temporary work surface adapted for attachment to a plurality of wall studs at a construction site comprising:

a plurality of elongated linear arms adapted for removable cantilevered attachment to exposed vertical wall studs, with said arms extending outwardly from first sides of said studs,

an associated mounting bracket for each such elongated linear arm, each bracket being adapted for engagement with a wall stud, each said bracket having a generally C-shaped configuration adapted to contain said stud on at least three sides, each said C-shaped configuration including a first side and a second side adapted to engage, respectively, said first side and an opposed second side of a selected wall stud, said first and second sides each having a number of aligned openings therein, said arms each extending outwardly from said first side of its associated bracket whereby, due to the force of gravity, twisting of said brackets against said studs releasably fixes said brackets at a selected vertical location on said stud.

2. A support system according to claim 1 wherein said arms each have a free end and a second end engaging said bracket, said free ends having protrusions adapted to retain a sheet of rigid material which provides said temporary work surface on said arms.

3. A support system according to claim 1 wherein a first pair of said aligned openings each sized to receive one of said elongated arms, said openings being spaced away from an opposite closed side of said C-shaped bracket a distance adapted to enable said arm and said bracket to enclose one of said vertical wall studs.

4. A support system according to claim 2 wherein said second end is slidably received in an opening in said bracket.

5. A support system according to claim 1 wherein a notch is provided on a lower surface of each arm for engaging the first side of its associated bracket in order to fix the position of the arm relative to a supporting wall stud, and providing an incline of the supporting arm downwardly away from the supporting stud, thus providing a corresponding incline to a supported work surface.

6. In combination, a sheet of rigid flat material having a flat planar surface adapted for use as a temporary work surface for temporary attachment to a plurality of wall studs at a construction site,

a pair of elongated arms each adapted for removable cantilevered attachment to a mounting bracket on an exposed vertical wall stud, a free end of each of said arms each being provided with an upwardly extending protrusion adapted for retaining said sheet on said arms,

a pair of mounting brackets for said elongated arms, each bracket being adapted for engagement with a wall stud, each said bracket having a generally C-shaped configuration adapted to confine said stud on at least three sides, said C-shaped configuration including first and second sides adapted to engage first and second opposite sides of a wall stud, whereby twisting of said brackets against said studs releasably fixes said brackets at a selected vertical location on said stud.

7. A combination according to claim 6 wherein a first pair of said aligned openings sized to slidably receive a second end of one of said elongated arms, and being spaced away from an opposite closed side of said C-shaped bracket a distance adapted to enable said arm and said bracket to encircle one of said vertical wall studs.

8. A support system according to claim 7 wherein a notch is provided on a lower surface of each arm for engaging the bracket in order to fix the position of the arm relative to the supporting wall stud, and for providing an incline of the supporting arm downwardly away from a supporting stud, thus providing a corresponding incline to said supported work surface.