SCAFFOLDING SYSTEM FOR USE WITH CURVILINEAR WALLS AND METHOD

OF USE

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/450,375 for "Integrated Modular Scaffolding System," filed January 25, 2017, is hereby claimed and the specification thereof is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for scaffolding systems for use with curvilinear walls. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to scaffolding which fits about the curved wall of a holding tank and which can be readily moved to varying heights of the holding talk wall.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Scaffolding systems, or staging, are well known, originating in ancient times. It provides a temporary structure of sufficient strength to safely support workers at elevated heights in construction and repair. The use of horizontally-aligned lateral support members and longitudinal work surfaces arose during ancient times. At the beginning of the 20th century, changes included the use of mechanical means to maintain the scaffolding parts in position, particularly the development of the Universal Coupler, the use of tubular steel pipes instead of wooden poles, the standardization of scaffolding dimensions, and the use of diagonal bracings. Scaffolding today uses those couplers, in connection with tubes and boards, to provide a rectilinear structure which abuts a rectilinear wall.

[0004] Traditional scaffolding systems, however, are not well-suited for use in connection with curvilinear surfaces, such as buildings, whose surfaces are curved for architectural aesthetics, and storage tanks, whose surfaces are curved to address the internal pressures and avoid stress concentrations. While traditional scaffolding can be positioned adjacent the entirety of the work surface of a rectilinear wall, traditional scaffolding provides, at best, a point of tangency with a curvilinear surface, and increasing gaps along the scaffolding surface thereafter between the work surface and the boards.

[0005] Standard components to address a curvilinear wall are not commercially available. There are no "off the shelf reusable scaffolding systems, particularly for use with the erection of storage tanks and their curved planes. Instead, a custom fabricated plate scaffold must be constructed, which is job specific and which thereafter is scrapped or must be reconstructed with modifications for the next use. In such systems, the gap between the work surface and the boards is reduced by the use of shorter traditional boards and a shorter support structure, but such a system becomes cumbersome as the number of components increase and is limited to a particular radius. It is also known that the scaffolding may be somewhat fitted about a curvilinear surface by the use of planks which are pivotally attached to one another, which still provides a point of tangency and increasing gaps on each side thereof. Such gapping provides unsafe work conditions.

[0006] Traditional board and bracket tank building systems are antiquated, labor intensive, and unsafe in light of today's safety standards. The currently available scaffolding systems for concrete wall tank construction are heavy, burdensome, and cannot be replicated on the metal tank side of a double wall containment tank. The resulting gaps between board and wall permit dropped objects to fall below the work surface and potentially onto those below. The workspace is often further cluttered with the supporting hoses and power cables for tools used, as well as the tools themselves, all of which are positioned on the boards of the scaffolding systems. Moreover, repositioning of such scaffolding may require complete disassembly, repositioning, and reassembly, requiring substantial manpower and resulting in downtime.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The present disclosure is described below with references to the accompanying drawings in which like elements are referenced with like reference numerals, and in which:

[0008] FIG. 1 is an illustration of the bottom of a decking of the present disclosure.

[0009] FIG. 2 is an illustration of the top of a decking of the present disclosure.

[0010] FIG. 3. is an illustration of a top view of a first decking interlocked with a second decking of the present disclosure.

[0011] FIG. 4 is an illustration of a bottom view of an end decking of the present disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 5 is an illustration of a top view of an end decking of the present disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 6A is an illustration of a top view of an intermediate decking of the present disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 6B is an illustration of a bottom view of an intermediate decking of the present disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 7 is an illustration of an assembly of first deckings and an intermediate decking. [0016] FIG. 8 is an illustration of a base for a handrail for use in the present disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 9 is an illustration of a telescoping truss for the present disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 10 illustrates a plurality of independent trusses for use in the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 11 illustrates a telescoping lateral support member for use in the present disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 12 illustrates a lateral support constructed to hang from a wall-mounted drop-in connector according to the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 13 illustrates an assembled system including handrails and other equipment.

[0022] FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a method for implementing the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] The subject matter of the present disclosure is described with specificity, however, the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. The subject matter thus, might also be embodied in other ways, to include different structures, steps and/or combinations similar to and/or fewer than those described herein, in conjunction with other present or future technologies. Although the term "step" may be used herein to describe different elements of methods employed, the term should not be interpreted as implying any particular order among or between various steps herein disclosed unless otherwise expressly limited by the description to a particular order. Other features and advantages of the disclosed embodiments will be or will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art up examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional features and advantages be included within the scope of the disclosed embodiments. Further, the illustrated figures are only exemplary and are not intended to assert or imply any limitation with regard to the environment, architecture, design, or process in which different embodiments may be implemented.

[0024] The present disclosure overcomes one or more deficiencies in the prior art by providing systems and methods for scaffolding which fits about the curved wall of a holding tank and which can be readily moved to varying heights of the holding talk wall and may be used on any structure regardless of linear, curving, or recurving surfaces, or with combinations thereof, such as walls, storage tanks, buildings, and monuments.

[0025] In one embodiment, the present disclosure includes scaffolding system having a first decking with a first decking body having a first decking body first edge, a first decking body second edge, a first decking body third edge, and a first decking extension plate affixed to the first decking body at a first decking body top surface, a first decking extension plate capture member, and a a receiver, where the first decking extension plate capture member is found on the decking extension plate bottom surface where first decking extension plate extends beyond the first decking body third edge, and where the receiver, found on at the first decking body top surface, is sized to receive the first decking extension plate capture member.

[0026] In another embodiment, the present disclosure a scaffolding system having a first decking having a first decking body, a first decking first capture member and a first decking second capture member, a first decking central axis, a first decking body lateral axis, a first decking body first edge, a first decking body second edge, a first decking body third edge, a first decking body top surface, and a first decking body bottom surface, such that the first decking body lateral axis is perpendicular to the first decking body central axis. The first decking first capture member is affixed to the first decking body intermediate the first decking body first edge and the first decking body central axis at the first decking body bottom surface at the first decking body lateral axis. The first decking second capture member is affixed to the first decking body intermediate the first decking body second edge and the first decking body central axis at the first decking body bottom surface at the first decking body lateral axis, wherein the end decking second capture member is distant the first decking first capture member by a capture member distance. The first decking has a first decking extension plate affixed to the first decking body at the first decking body top surface, which has a first decking extension plate central axis and a first decking extension plate bottom surface, where the first decking extension plate central axis is coaxial with the first decking central axis, and which has a first decking extension plate width equal to a first decking body width of the first decking body, where the first decking extension plate extends beyond the first decking body third edge, and which has a first decking extension plate capture member affixed to the first decking extension plate on the first decking extension central axis at the first decking extension plate bottom surface, and where a receiver is found at the first decking body top surface on the first decking central axis, which receiver is sized to receive the first decking extension plate capture member and is aligned to the first decking body central axis.

[0027] In yet another embodiment, the present disclosure includes a method of constructing a scaffolding system, which includes attaching the longitudinal support members to one of a plurality of lateral support members, positioning an end decking atop the longitudinal support members, coupling the end decking to the longitudinal support member by the end decking first capture member and coupling the end decking to the second longitudinal support member by the end decking second capture member; positioning a first decking atop the longitudinal support members and positioning a first decking extension plate capture member in the end decking receiver; and coupling the first decking to the longitudinal support member by the first decking first capture member and coupling the first decking to the second longitudinal support member by the first decking second capture member.

System Description

[0028] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, illustrations of the bottom and top of a decking of the present disclosure are provided. The first decking 102 has a first decking body 104, a first decking first capture member 106 and a first decking second capture member 108, a first decking extension plate 124, a first decking extension plate capture member 130, and a receiver 204, sized to fit about a first decking extension plate capture member 130.

[0029] The first decking first capture member 106 and the first decking second capture member 108 may be comprised of an opening in the first decking body 104 to which truss retention clips may be affixed, or may be brackets which affix, such as by bolting, over an adjustable range of locations to accommodate any deflection. The first decking 102 has a first decking central axis 110 perpendicular to a first decking body lateral axis 112, a first decking body first edge 114, a first decking body second edge 116, a first decking body third edge 118, a first decking body fourth edge 210, a first decking body top surface 202, and a first decking body bottom surface 120. The first decking body 104 is generally rectangular and fashioned of durable material. Preferably the first decking body 104 is a box of welded metal of a thickness sufficient to support workers, such as 0.125 inch (3.175 mm) ASTM A36 steel. The first decking body 104 may include a first decking body reinforcement 132, extending from the first decking body third edge 118 to the first decking body fourth edge 210, to support the first decking body top surface 202 and provide reinforcement for the receiver 204.

[0030] The first decking 102 has a receiver 204 in the first decking body top surface 202 on the first decking central axis 110 sized to receive the first decking extension plate capture member 130 which is downwardly dependent and preferably does not extend above the first decking top surface 202. The receiver 204, which may be circular to permit varied alignment upon installation, is aligned to the first decking body central axis 110. The receiver 204 is positioned and sized to align with and retain the first decking extension plate capture member 130 from a second, adjacent first decking 102, while permitting the two first decking bodies to be unaligned on a first decking central axis 110, permitting the succession of first deckings 102 to provide a non-linear profile.

[0031] The first decking first capture member 106 is affixed to the first decking body 104 intermediate the first decking body first edge 114 and the first decking body central axis 110 at the first decking body bottom surface 120 at the first decking body lateral axis 112 while the second decking second capture member 108 is affixed to the first decking body 104 intermediate the first decking body second edge 116 and the first decking body central axis 110 at the first decking body bottom surface 120 at the first decking body lateral axis 112. The second decking second capture member 108 is distant the first decking first capture member 106 by a capture member distance 122. The first decking extension plate 124 extends beyond the first decking body third edge 118 and is affixed to the first decking body 104 at the first decking body top surface 202 and has a first decking extension plate central axis 126 and a first decking extension plate bottom surface 128. The first decking extension plate central axis 126 coaxial with the first decking central axis 110. Preferably, the first decking extension plate 124 has a first decking extension plate first edge 206 aligned with the first decking member first edge 114 and a first decking extension plate second edge 208 aligned with the second decking second edge 116, such that the first decking 102 is generally rectangular and such that the first decking extension plate 124 has a first decking extension plate width 142 equal to a first decking body width 140 of the first decking body 104. However, the first decking extension plate 124 may present other profiles, such as a trapezoid or rounded rectangular.

[0032] The first decking extension plate capture member 130 is affixed at the first decking extension plate bottom surface 128 to the first decking extension plate 124 on the first decking extension central axis 126.

[0033] A first decking first attachment member 190 and a first decking second attachment member 192 may be affixed to each first decking 102 at the first decking body bottom surface 120 and adjacent the first decking body first edge 114 and the first decking body second edge 116, respectively, and descend downwardly from the first decking body 104. Each of the first decking first attachment member 190 and the first decking second attachment member 192 may be constructed of 2 inch (50.8 mm) schedule 40 pipe, of A53 steel, with a capture member length 194 of 6 inches (152.4 mm).

[0034] Referring to FIG. 3, a top view of a first decking 102 interlocked with a second decking 302 of the present disclosure is provided. The first decking 102 is maintained in position and in connection with the adjacent second decking 302 by the receiver 204 fitted in the first decking extension plate capture member 130. The second decking 302 is generally identical to the first decking 102. A plurality of deckings 102, 302 may be positioned about a curvilinear surface and, by virtue of the first decking first capture member 106, the first decking second capture member 108, and the first decking extension plate capture member 130, maintained in position while providing a continuous work surface with reducing gapping. A first decking 102 may be interlocked to second decking 302, where the second decking 302 may be connected to the first decking 102 in axial alignment, to fit a straight line wall, or askew, to fit a wall which is not straight by virtue of architectural details, false columns, curved walls, or short walls, among other possibilities.

[0035] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, a bottom view and a top view of an end decking 402 are provided. The end decking 402 may be provided at the end of a succession of first deckings 102 to provide a termination. The end decking 402 has an end decking body 404, an end decking first capture member and 406 an end decking second capture member 408. The end decking body 404 has an end decking body central axis 410 perpendicular to an end decking body lateral axis 412, an end decking body first edge 414, an end decking body second edge 416, an end decking body top surface 502, and an end decking body bottom surface 420. The end decking body 404 is generally rectangular and fashioned of durable material. Preferably the end decking body 404 is a box of welded metal of a thickness sufficient to support workers, such as 0.125 inch (3.175 mm) ASTM A36 steel. The end decking 402 may include and decking body internal reinforcement 432, extending from the end decking body third edge 418 to the end decking body fourth edge 430, to support the end decking body top surface 502 and provide reinforcement for the end decking receiver 428. Because the end decking 402 does not include an extension plate, the end decking 402 need only be long enough to provide the end decking receiver 428.

[0036] The end decking 402 has an end decking receiver 428 in the end decking body top surface 502 on the end decking body central axis 410 sized to receive the first decking extension plate capture member 130. The end decking receiver 428, which may be circular, square or any shape to retain, is aligned to the end decking body central axis 410. The end decking receiver 428 is positioned and sized to align with and retain the first decking extension plate capture member 130 from an adjacent first decking 102, while permitting the first decking 102 to be unaligned on the first decking central axis 110 with the end decking 402, permitting the succession of first deckings 102 terminating in the end decking 402 to provide a non-linear profile.

[0037] The end decking first capture member 406 is affixed to the end decking body 404 intermediate the end decking body first edge 414 and the end decking body central axis 410 at the end decking body bottom surface 420 at the end decking body lateral axis 412 while the end decking second capture member 408 is affixed to the end decking body 404 intermediate the end decking body second edge 416 and the end decking body central axis 410 at the end decking body bottom surface 420 at the end decking body lateral axis 412. The end decking second capture member 408 is distant the end decking first capture member 406 by the capture member distance 122. An end decking first attachment member 490 and an end decking second attachment member 492 may be affixed to end decking body 402. Each of the end decking first attachment member 490 and the end decking second attachment member 492 may be constructed of 2 inch (50.8 mm) schedule 40 pipe, of A53 steel, with a capture member length 194 of 6 inches (152.4 mm).

[0038] Referring to FIG. 6A and 6B, an intermediate decking 602 of the present disclosure is provided. The intermediate decking 602 may be provided between two first deckings 102 to provide a joinder. The intermediate decking 602 may be produced by providing two end deckings 402 in mirrored relation within an intermediate decking body 604, such that the intermediate decking body 604 contains two end decking receivers 428, an end decking first capture member 406, and an end decking second capture member 408, the later two preferably aligned on the end decking body lateral axis 412. The intermediate decking 602 may likewise have two intermediate decking second attachment members 690 and two intermediate decking second attachment members 692.

[0039] Referring to FIG. 7, an illustration of an assembly of first deckings 102 and an intermediate decking 602, an intermediate decking 602 permits first deckings 102 to be provided from each side of the intermediate decking 602. For safety, additional components may be provided in connection with the first decking 102, such as handrails.

[0040] Referring to FIG. 8, the base 802 for a handrail for use in the present disclosure is provided. A base 802 includes an attachment member receiver 804, sized to fit about, or to, the first decking first attachment member 190, the first decking second attachment member 192, the end decking first attachment member 490, the end decking second attachment member 492, the intermediate decking first attachment member 690, and the intermediate decking second attachment member 692. The attachment member receiver 804 may include a capture member retention pin 806, which passes through the attachment member 190, 192, 490, 492, 690, 692, and is maintained in position by a nut, lock or pin 808. Adjacent the attachment member receiver 804 in the base 802 may be a handrail support 810, over which, or into which, the handrail stanchion may fit.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 9, a double truss 902, a telescoping longitudinal support member, for the present disclosure is provided. The double truss 902 may be of an initial width 904 at a first end in a box and may be extendable at its first and second ends 906, 908 with telescoping members 910, 912, as well as extendable laterally with lateral telescoping member 916

[0042] Each double truss 902 may further include a friction clamp 950 or other mechanism to fix the telescoping member 910, 912 in relation to the balance of the double trusses 902 to prevent further telescoping after installation, such as by constricting the outer body of the double truss 902 about the telescoping member 910, 912. Other systems, such as pins, may also be used. When engaged, the friction clamp 950 prevents a change in the position of any lateral support member attached to the double truss 902 and any change in position of any first decking 102

[0043] Referring to FIG 1, so that the first decking 102 and second decking 302 may be maintained in positioned on the double truss 902, the first decking first capture member 106 and the first decking second capture member 108 may be comprised of an opening in the first decking body 104 to which truss retention clips may be affixed, or may be brackets which affix, such as by bolting, about the double truss 902 and to the first decking body 104, or may be a U- bolt. The first decking first capture member 106 and second decking second capture member 108 may thus tie the first decking body 104 to the underlying double truss 902, preferably so the components form and integral whole resisting lateral movement of the first decking body 104 and permitting the first decking body 104 and underlying double truss 902 to be moved upward as a whole. The capture member distance 122 may be sized to ensure attachment to the underlying double truss truss 902. The capture member distance 122 is adjustable, to permit the first decking first capture member 106 and the second decking second capture member 108 to tie the first decking body 104 to the double truss 902, while accommodating the variance in the capture distance 122 resulting from increasing deviations on a curvilinear profile.

[0044] Referring to FIG. 10, to accommodate the varying radii, the resultant rotation of the first decking 102, and the associated differences in length on the inside and outside of any wall, two independent longitudinal support members, two single trusses 1002, rather than the double truss 902 may be used. The single trusses 1002 may be extendable at each of their first and second ends 1006, 1008 with telescoping members 1010, 1012.

[0045] Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, further improvements may be provided by providing the longitudinal support members, trusses 902, 1002, may be sized to the appropriate length to obtain the desired arc length. Each truss 902, 1002 may further include a friction clamp 950 or other mechanism to fix the telescoping member 910, 912 in relation to the balance of the trusses 902, 1002 to prevent further telescoping after installation, such as by constricting the outer body of the trusses 902, 1002 about the telescoping member 910, 912. Other systems, such as pins, may also be used.

[0046] Referring to FIG. 11, a further improvement may be provided by provision of a telescoping lateral support member 1102. While each lateral support member 1102 may be constructed as a box it may be constructed to include a horizontal support 1154 and a knee brace 1156. Construction of each lateral support member 1102 to include a knee brace 1156 permits each lateral support member 1102 to be attached to the adjacent wall, such that the knee brace 1156 contacts a lower portion of the adjacent wall and thus maintains the telescoping lateral support member 1102 in position.

[0047] Referring to FIGS. 9, 10 and 11, preferably two lateral support members 1102, each with a particularly knee brace 1156, may be provided at each end 914, 1014 of a truss 902, 1002 where each lateral support member 1102 is telescoped to fit about the first decking 102 when positioned on the truss 902, 1002. Each lateral support member 1102 may provide a locking surface 1104 to which the truss 902, 1002 may lock, and therefore become attached to the lateral support member 1102, rendering the two components an integral whole and thus preventing any independent movement in the vertical plane between the two components. This may be dual- flanged surface 1106 which provides an upper flange 1109 at its top 1108 and the lower surface 1111 at its bottom 1110 to mate to a locking mechanism 1050 at the end 914, 1014 of each truss 902, 1002, or may be other systems known in the art, such as a pin and connector, which capture the lateral support member and make it integral. Such a locking mechanism 1050 may include an upper jaw 1052 sized to engage the upper flange 1109 when lowered into position and include an adjustable lower jaw 1054 to engage the lower surface 1111, thereby tying the truss 902, 1002 and the lateral support member 1102 together. The lateral support member 1102 may include two connecting points 1112 at the first end 1114 and the second end 1116 positioned above the top surface of the first decking 102 when installed. The lateral support member 1102 therefore has a lateral support member width 1118 greater than the first decking body width 140. The lateral support member 1102 may be constructed to provide a telescoping support rail 1120 and a receiver 1122, which may be retained in relation to one another by systems known in the art, such as a pin 1126. The telescoping support rail 1120 is fitted telescopically to a receiver 1122. The relative positions of the telescoping support rail 1120 and a receiver 1122 may be adjusted to accommodate the effective width of the first decking 102. The truss 902, 1002 may be deployed from one lateral support member 1102 to another and telescoped to address the distance between each of the lateral support member 1102.

[0048] Referring to FIG. 12, each lateral support member 1102 may be constructed to hang from a wall-mounted drop-in connector 1202. Such a connector 1202 may be affixed to the wall surface and may be directional, such that the lateral support member 1102 may be lowered onto the connector 1202 and, by virtue of the knee brace 1156, fully engages the wall surface and transfer all loads to the wall. As a result, the lateral support member 1102 is attached to the adjacent wall, such that the knee brace 1156 contacts a lower portion of the adjacent wall and thus maintains the telescoping lateral support member 1102 in position.

[0049] Referring to FIG. 13, an assemblage of components in the scaffolding system is illustrated with handrails and other equipment. The lateral support members 1102 are provided and serve as the point of attachment for the trusses 902, 1002. The trusses 902, 1002 may be sized to the appropriate length to obtain the desired arc length and by providing lateral support members 1102 which may be telescoped to the appropriate distance to accommodate the deflection of the first decking 102 necessary to fit the radius of the adjacent structure. The relative positions of the telescoping support rail 1120 and a receiver 1122 may be adjusted to accommodate the effective width of the first decking 102 as the system 1350 abuts a surface which may be non-linear. The handrail stanchion 1302 may be affixed to each attachment member receiver 804 and may provide a support for further component for safety or ease of operation. To each handrail stanchion 1302 may be mounted a top rail 1304, which preferably includes a telescoping end 1306 to accommodate the varying distance of the system 1350 at its outer edges. A mid rail 1316 may be likewise provided which also provides an adjustable length. Similarly, an integrated toe board 1308 may be provided with incorporates the rigidity of a mid rail 1316, such as by an angled in metal worksurface. Further, a bottom rail with a toe board may be provided. Gates, netting, and other safety equipment known in the art may likewise be attached to the handrail stanchions 1302 and/or to the top rail 1304 or other hand rails, or to the trusses 902, 1002, so as to be fixedly attached to the system 1350 without interfering with the workspace and while permitting the entire system 1350 to be moved as an integral whole. Similarly, other equipment, such as air hose reels 1310, electrical conduit, water jugs 1314, and toolboxes 1312, may be mounted external with work area above the first decking 102 for ease of access and elimination of workspace clutter. Such mounting may be accomplished by clips mounts sized to the rails, stanchions or trusses or by other mounting systems known in the art.

[0050] As the wall-mounted drop-in connector is directional, the system 1350 may be lifted an an integral unit at the two connecting points 1112. Beneficially, when trusses 902, 1002 are locked to at each end to a lateral support member 1102, and each of lateral support member 1102 are constructed to hang from and contact a wall-mounted drop-in connector 1202 as a temporary, directional attachment or hanger, such as by a lateral support hanger 1124, then the system 1350, including the first deckings 102, any intermediate deckings 602 and the end deckings 402 positioned between a first lateral support member 1102 and a second lateral support member 1102 (which may include one or more lateral support members 1102 intermediate), may be lifted as a unit by connection of lifting cables to the connecting points 1112 to a higher elevation where a further set of connecting points 1112 may be positioned. When engaged, the friction clamp 950 prevents a change in the position of any lateral support member attached to the truss 902 during relocation of the system 1350 and any change in position of any first decking 102. The system 1350 thus may serve as the main methodology for erection of walled constructions having curvilinear surfaces, particular storage tanks, may be attached to steel surfaces and may be integrated into formwork systems to provide work platforms on curved surfaces.

Method Description

[0051] Referring now to FIG. 14, a flow diagram illustrates one embodiment of a method 1400 for implementing the present disclosure. The method 1400 is performed during construction operations. [0052] In step 1402, a plurality of wall-mounted drop-in connectors 1202 are affixed to a wall.

[0053] In step 1404, each of a plurality of lateral support members 1102, each having a horizontal support 1154 and two locking surfaces 1104, is each lowered to engage, and be maintained in position, by one of the wall-mounted drop-in connectors 1202 at a lateral support hanger 1124. The lateral support member 1102 also includes a connecting point 1112 at each of the first end 1114 and the second end 1116 positioned above the top surface of the first decking 102 when installed.

[0054] In step 1406, a longitudinal support member 1002 is attached at each end 906, 908 to one of the plurality of lateral support members 1102. The longitudinal support member 1002 may have telescoping members 910, 912 at one or both of its first end 906 and second end 908 and a locking mechanism to engage the locking surfaces 1104 of the lateral support member 1102

[0055] In step 1408, a second longitudinal support member 1002 is attached at each end 906, 908 to one of the plurality of lateral support members 1102. The second longitudinal support member 1002 may have telescoping members 910, 912 at one or both of its first and second ends 906, 908 and a locking mechanism to engage the locking surfaces 1104 of the lateral support member 1102.

[0056] In step 1410, an end decking 402, is positioned atop the longitudinal support member 1002 and the second longitudinal support member 1002. The end decking 402 has an end decking first capture member 406 and an end decking second capture member 408. The end decking 402 has an end decking receiver 428 sized to receive a first decking extension plate capture member 130.

[0057] In step 1412, the end decking 402 is coupled to the longitudinal support member 1002 by the end decking first capture member 406 and to the second longitudinal support member 1002 by the end decking second capture member 408.

[0058] In step 1414, a first decking 102, is positioned atop the longitudinal support member 1002 and the second longitudinal support member 1002 such that the first decking extension plate capture member 130 is retained by the end decking receiver 428. The first decking body 104 has a first decking first capture member 106 and a first decking second capture member 108, and a receiver 204.

[0059] In step 1416, the first decking 102 is coupled to the longitudinal support member 1002 by the first decking first capture member 106 and to the second longitudinal support member 1002 by the first decking second capture member 108.

[0060] In step 1418, each of a plurality of support lines is attached to each of the connecting points 1112 of the each of a plurality of lateral support members 1102.

[0061] In step 1420, a second plurality of wall-mounted drop-in connectors 1202 are affixed to the wall. The second plurality of wall-mounted drop-in connectors 1202 may be laterally adjacent the plurality of wall-mounted drop-in connectors 1202 or may be above or below the plurality of wall-mounted drop-in connectors 1202.

[0062] In step 1422, each of the plurality of lateral support members 1102 is lifted vertically by the plurality of support lines attached at each of the connecting points 1112 of the each of a plurality of lateral support members 1102 to disengage from the wall-mounted drop-in connectors 1202.

[0063] In step 1424, each of the plurality of lateral support members 1102 are relocated to a position above the second plurality of wall-mounted drop-in connectors 1202.

[0064] In step 1426, each of the plurality of lateral support members 1102 is lowered vertically by the plurality of support lines attached at each of the connecting points 1112 of the each of a plurality of lateral support members 1102 to engage from the second wall-mounted drop-in connectors 1202.

[0065] While the present disclosure has been described in connection with presently preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to those embodiments. It is therefore, contemplated that various alternative embodiments and modifications may be made to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.