Triple latching horizontal scaffold member with three triggers

Abstract

A horizontal scaffold member having a primary end connector and a secondary end connector. Each end connector is configured to couple to a cup or rosette on a vertical scaffold member. Each end connector includes a wedge assembly having a handle and a wedge, movable with respect to the connector to a latched and unlatched position. The primary wedge assembly has a primary and tertiary handles, with the tertiary handles connected to the secondary wedge assembly by a cable, and configured so that moving the primary and tertiary handles simultaneously to an unlatched position also moves the secondary wedge assembly to an unlatched position.

Claims

1. A horizontal scaffold member comprising: a member and a primary wedge head attached to one end of the member and a secondary wedge head attached to an opposite end of the member, said primary and secondary wedge heads each having a downwardly projecting tooth or hook portion configured to couple to an annular member on a vertical scaffold member, said primary and secondary wedge heads further comprising a respective primary wedge assembly and secondary wedge assembly, said wedge assemblies comprising a respective primary and secondary wedge and a respective primary and secondary handle partially positioned within each respective wedge head, each said wedge assembly movable in said respective wedge head from a latched to an unlatched position by an operator moving the respective handle from the latched to the unlatched position, whereby in said respective latched position, said respective wedge is positioned adjacent said tooth or hook portion of said respective wedge head, and in said unlatched position, said respective wedge is positioned distal from said respective tooth or hook portion of said respective wedge head; a tertiary handle located on said primary wedge head, said tertiary handle configured to move from a latched to an unlatched position by the operator, a cable connecting said tertiary handle to said secondary wedge assembly; wherein when said tertiary handle is in the latched position, said secondary wedge assembly may be in the latched or unlatched position, and when said tertiary handle is in the unlatched position, said secondary wedge assembly is in said unlatched position; said tertiary handle positioned on said primary wedge head so the operator can simultaneously move both tertiary and primary handles form a latched to an unlatched position.

2. The horizontal scaffold member of claim 1 wherein each of said wedge assemblies are separately biased to said respective latched positions.

3. The horizontal scaffold member according to claim 2 wherein each of said wedge assemblies further comprises a spring member that biases each respective said wedge assembly to their latched position.

4. The horizontal scaffold member according to claim 1 wherein each of said wedge assemblies are pivotable in said respective wedge head.

5. The horizontal member of claim 1 wherein said hook portion is configured to couple with the annular member wherein the annular member further comprises an upstanding annular cup.

6. The horizontal member of claim 1 wherein said tooth is configured to couple with openings on the annular member wherein the annular member further comprises a rosette annular member.

7. The horizontal scaffold member according to claim 1 further comprising a rotatable member mounted in said primary wedge head and said cable sliding on said rotatable member when said tertiary handle is moved from the latched to unlatched position.

8. The horizontal scaffold member according to claim 1 wherein each of said wedge heads further comprises a second tooth or second hook portion coupleable with a second annular member on said associated vertical scaffold member.

9. The horizontal scaffold member according to claim 8, wherein said tertiary handle is a contrasting color from said primary handle, to allow an operator to visually distinguish between the primary and tertiary handles.

10. The horizontal scaffold member of claim 8 wherein said cable is a wire rope.

11. The horizontal scaffold member according to claim 1 wherein said cable is attached to said secondary wedge assembly at said wedge of said secondary wedge assembly, and wherein said cable is attached to said tertiary handle.

12. A horizontal scaffold member comprising: a) a horizontal pipe; b) a primary end connector attached to a first end of the horizontal pipe, the primary end connector comprising: (i) a primary connector frame; (ii) an engagement portion proj ecting downwardly from a top portion of the primary connector frame, the engagement portion being configured to engage a top portion of an annular member of a first vertical scaffold member; (iii) a primary wedge assembly pivotally attached to the primary connector frame, the primary wedge assembly comprising a primary wedge and a primary trigger, the primary trigger being movable between an actuated position and an unactuated position, the primary wedge being configured to releasably engage a bottom portion of the annular memberof the first vertical scaffold member when the primary trigger is unactuated, and to disengage from the bottom portion when the primary trigger is actuated; and; (iv) a tertiary trigger positioned adjacent to the primary wedge assembly, said tertiary trigger movable between an actuated position and an unactuated position; c) a secondary end connector attached to a second end of the horizontal pipe, the secondary end connector comprising: (i) a secondary connector frame; (ii) an engagement portion projecting downwardly from a top portion of the secondary connector frame, the engagement portion being configured to engage a top portion of an annular member of a second vertical scaffold member; (iii) a secondary wedge assembly pivotally attached to the secondary connector frame, the secondary wedge assembly comprising a secondary wedge and a secondary trigger, and the secondary trigger being movable between an actuated position and an unactuated position, and in the unactuated position the secondary wedge being configured to releasably engage a bottom portion of the annular member of the second vertical scaffold member, and in the actuated position the secondary wedge being configured to disengage the bottom portion of the annular member of the second vertical scaffold member; and wherein when said tertiary trigger is in the actuated position, said secondary wedge assembly may be in the actuated or unactuated position, and when said tertiary trigger is in the unactuated position, said secondary wedge assembly is in said unactuated position of the secondary wedge assembly; said tertiary trigger positioned on said primary wedge head so the operator can simultaneously move both tertiary and primary handles form respective actuated to an unactuated position d) a cable connecting the tertiary trigger to the secondary wedge assembly.

13. The horizontal scaffold member of claim 12, wherein the actuated position of the secondary, and tertiary triggers defines the disengaged position of the secondary wedge, and wherein the unactuated position of the secondary trigger defines the engaged position of the secondary wedge and when the tertiary trigger is in the unactuated position, the secondary wedge may be in either the engaged or disengaged position.

14. The horizontal scaffold member of claim 13, wherein the primary, secondary, and tertiary triggers are biased into the respective unactuated position by springs.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) A more complete understanding of the invention may be obtained by reference to the following Detailed Description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates a scaffold structure;

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates a prior art vertical standard or vertical member utilized in the construction of a scaffold system;

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates a conventional ledger or horizontal member utilized in the construction of a scaffold system;

(5) FIG. 4 illustrates the installation of an unsecured wedge into a conventional ledger head;

(6) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a prior art Safway-type end connector.

(7) FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a prior art Excel-type end connector.

(8) FIG. 7 is a side partial cutaway view of one embodiment of the prior art dual latch invention in a Safway-type end connector.

(9) FIG. 8 is a side, partial cutaway view of the prior art embodiment of the dual latching horizontal scaffold member in a latched or lock condition that is a modified pinlock system horizontal scaffold member.

(10) FIG. 9A is a side, partial cutaway view of one embodiment of the triple handled triple latching horizontal scaffold member depicting the primary ends primary and tertiary handles.

(11) FIG. 9B is a cutaway view of the primary end connector end.

(12) FIG. 10A is a side view of one embodiment of a tertiary trigger.

(13) FIG. 10B is a top view of one embodiment of a tertiary trigger.

(14) FIG. 10C is an end view of one embodiment of a tertiary trigger.

(15) FIG. 11A is a side cutaway view of one embodiment of the invention with all handles unactuated, leaving the wedges in both wedge assemblies in a locked position, with the wedges rotated forwardly.

(16) FIG. 11B is a side cutaway view of one embodiment of the invention, with only the primary handle actuated (rotated downwardly), rotating only the primary wedge inwardly, unlocking the primary wedge assembly only.

(17) FIG. 11C is a side cutaway view of one embodiment of the invention, with both the primary and tertiary handles actuated (rotated downwardly), thereby rotating both the primary and secondary wedge inwardly, thereby unlocking both the primary and secondary sedge assembly.

(18) FIG. 11D is a side cutaway view of one embodiment of the invention with the secondary handle actuated (rotated downwardly), thereby rotating only the second wedge inwardly, thereby unlocking only the secondary wedge assembly.

(19) FIG. 12 is a side partial cutaway view of another embodiment of the prior art dual latch invention in a rosette -type end connector

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(20) Detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. However, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from the spirit or the scope of the invention. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting, but rather, to provide an understandable description of the invention. While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward.

(21) As used herein, the terms “a” or “an” are defined as one or more than one. The term “plurality,” as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises . . . a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element. The terms “including,” “having,” or “featuring,” as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled,” as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. As used herein, the term “about” or “approximately” applies to all numeric values, whether or not explicitly indicated. These terms generally refer to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited values (i.e., having the same function or result). In many instances these terms may include numbers that are rounded to the nearest significant figure. Relational terms such as first and second, upper and lower, top and bottom, right and left, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions.

(22) Referring to FIGS. 9-11, an embodiment of a horizontal scaffold member of the present invention featuring primary, secondary, and tertiary release triggers is shown. The primary end is labeled P and the secondary end is labeled S in the drawings. A modified pinlock-type of latching end connector is shown, with upper tooth 3800 and lower tooth 3800B, similar to the connectors depicted and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,303,417 and 8,881,869 in that the horizontal scaffold member comprises a primary trigger 1104 mounted to the primary (P) end connector and a secondary (S) trigger 1103 mounted to the secondary end connector. However, the present invention advantageously features a third, or tertiary, trigger 3000.

(23) Still referring to FIGS. 9-11, the cable 1001 is rerouted from the secondary trigger 1103 through the horizontal member body, to the third or tertiary trigger 3000. The tertiary trigger 3000 is pivotally connected to the sidewall of the primary end connector 1106 at a pivot point 3001, preferably adjacent to the primary trigger 1104, as best shown in the cutaway view of FIG. 9A. As shown, the pivot point 3001 for the tertiary trigger 3000 is identical with the pivot point of the primary trigger 1104. Preferably, the primary trigger 1104 is positioned below the tertiary trigger and extends in front of—or away from—the tertiary trigger 3000, allowing an operator to grasp and actuate the primary trigger 1104 and leave the tertiary trigger 3000 in place and unactuated in one motion as shown in FIG. 11B. Alternatively, an operator, in a second motion, may grasp and rotate both triggers (i.e., handles) simultaneously as shown in FIG. 11C.

(24) In one embodiment, the cable 1101 is pivotally attached to the tertiary trigger 3000 above the top of the trigger 3000 at a pivoting point 3003 (FIG. 9A). As shown in FIGS. 9A, 9B and 10, the tertiary trigger 3000 has a top portion 3010 and two sidewalls 3020. The top portion of the tertiary trigger preferably is positioned above the primary trigger 1104, while the two sidewalls 3020 of the tertiary trigger 3000 preferably extend around each side of the primary trigger 1104 such that a first sidewall 3020 is positioned adjacent to a first side of the primary trigger 1104 and a second sidewall 3020 is positioned adjacent to a second side of the primary trigger 1104 when the primary trigger is not actuated, that is, when the associated primary wedge 1104B is in the latched or locked position. The function of the primary trigger 1104 is to actuate only the primary wedge 1104B from a locked to an unlocked configuration, as shown in FIG. 11B. The combined trigger and wedge are referred to as the primary wedge assembly 3800 or secondary wedge assembly 3801 as shown. This is different from the prior dual action devices described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,303,417, or 8,881,869 where the primary handle or trigger also acted on the secondary wedge of the secondary end connector. Preferably, the primary trigger 1104 of the present invention is biased to the closed or unactuated position (locked) position as shown in FIG. 11A. When the horizontal scaffold member is connected to a vertical scaffold member and the primary trigger 1104 is unactuated or in the locked position, the primary wedge 1104B will be positioned below the rosette (or cup), thereby locking the primary end of the horizontal scaffold member to the vertical scaffold member. When the primary trigger 1104 is actuated (e.g. rotated downwardly) but the tertiary trigger 300 is not actuated, only the primary wedge 1104B will be brought to the unlatched position, thereby leaving the secondary wedge's position latched (see FIG. 11B). This is because the primary trigger 1104 is not connected to the cable. The actuation of the primary trigger alone has no impact on the secondary wedge assembly, and the secondary wedge 1103B will thus remain in the locked position. However, when both the primary and tertiary triggers are actuated (e.g., by being rotated downwardly as shown in FIG. 11C), both the primary wedge 1104B and secondary wedge 1103B will be brought to the unlatched position.

(25) In operation, to release the primary end of the horizontal end connector from a vertical scaffold member, the primary trigger 1104 alone is grasped and rotated downwardly, thereby moving only the coupled wedge head assembly and wedge 1104B away for the rosette or cup, allowing removal of the primary end connector 1106 from the vertical scaffold member by exerting an upward force. In this instance, the secondary end of the horizontal scaffold member (containing the secondary trigger 1103) remains connected to an adjacent vertical scaffold member. However, if both the primary trigger 1104 and tertiary triggers 3000 are actuated together (pivoted downwardly), both the primary and secondary triggers, and the associated primary wedge 1104B and secondary wedge 1103B, are moved to an unlatched or unlocked configuration, allowing for complete removal of the horizontal scaffold member from the two adjacent vertical scaffold members, by application of an upward force.

(26) Preferably, the tertiary trigger 3000 is colored differently (e.g., red) from the primary trigger to help an operator visually distinguish the tertiary trigger from the primary trigger. Additionally, the tertiary trigger may have a lock to keep the trigger from actuation. For instance, a flexible spring button may to located on the sidewall of the join to interact with an opening on the tertiary trigger, such as opening 3030 shown in FIG. 9, to keep the tertiary trigger locked unless thee button is depressed.

(27) Other embodiments of the tertiary trigger are possible. For instance, the tertiary trigger 3000 may have be a single flat plate-like member connected to the cable, with the plate mounted above the primary trigger. Alternatively, a single plate tertiary trigger may be mounted adjacent to one side of the primary trigger, allowing the primary trigger to be actuated alone, the primary and tertiary triggers to be actuated simultaneously, or the tertiary trigger to be operated alone. To assist in a tertiary trigger alone operation, the single bar may have a hand or finger grip or ring attached thereto (not shown). Alternatively, the cable may end in a connector, such as a loop, or a spring snap link can be connected, or disconnected to a connector attached to the primary connector (like an eyebolt). In this embodiment, a tertiary trigger is not needed; to activate just the primary wedge assembly with the primary trigger, the cable is disconnected to the primary trigger before activation; to activate both wedge assemblies with the primary trigger, the cable is connected to the primary trigger before activation of the primary trigger.

(28) In an embodiment of the invention, the design of the end connector at each end of each horizontal member keeps scaffold components square and rigid at all times utilizing predetermined angles via the grid design. The scaffold design of the invention reduces leading edge fall hazards associated with conventional scaffold systems. The scaffold design of the invention also reduces the need for hand tools during the installation and dismantling of horizontal members. Advantageously, the scaffold design of the invention reduces the amount of labor and time needed to install and dismantle a scaffold system.

(29) The components of the invention can be fabricated from a variety of materials, including galvanized or powder coated steel, iron or other resilient material. The rosette preferably has a seven inch (7″) diameter, and the internal first and second rods can comprise two square, or cylindrical rods, made of e.g., steel or iron, each having a wedge portion added or integrated at an end, the opposite ends being coupled to the crank/cam assembly. Using the grid pattern of apertures on the rosette and head having prongs dimensioned to fit therein, various angles between the horizontal members can be obtained (e.g., 45, 90, 180 degrees) for the elevated working platform.

(30) Advantageously, the invention allows the erector to engage and disengage both wedge portions of a single horizontal member from a single point reducing installation time and creating a safer work environment. This is because the primary and tertiary triggers, may be simultaneously activated by a single operator, to engage and disengage each wedge substantially simultaneously. In this manner, up to eight (8) horizontal members can be attached to a single vertical member by a single installer without changing his position.

(31) The invention further comprises a grid of components that mesh together creating rigid angled connection among a plurality of horizontal members at a vertical member. Both of the wedges which are part of a wedge assembly, are locked into position at the rosette on a vertical member from a single position. The internal wedge portions are locked into place by an external handle eliminating the use of any hand tools. The external handle can also be locked into place creating a secondary locking device.

(32) The embodiments shown and described above are only exemplary. Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of embodiments of the invention have been set forth in the foregoing description together with details of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only and changes may be made within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms used herein. For example, the concepts described herein for coupling horizontal members to vertical members can be used to couple bracing members to vertical members or to horizontal members. Coupling includes, but is not limited to attaching, engaging, mounting, clamping, welding, bolting and components used for coupling include bolts and nuts, rivets, clevis, latches, clamps, welds, screws, rivets and the like. Further, a rosette having eight (8) radially arranged cut-outs is described herein for illustrative purposes and a rosette having more or less radially arranged cut-outs is considered to be within the scope of this invention. Also, the invention describes a rosette having a standard diameter of about seven (7) inches, however, any suitable diameter can be used. The use of a wedge head with a pair, or a wedge head with two pair, of vertical prongs is described herein for illustrative purposes and a wedge head having one or more prongs is considered within the scope of this invention. The rosette can include any suitable cut-out shape that is dimensioned to receive a corresponding prong or set of prongs of a wedge head. The vertical member can have any number of coaxially aligned rosettes attached thereto, the vertical spacing of such rosettes being any such distance as is suitable for the intended use. More generally, the invention is a scaffold system with a horizontal member, a vertical member with at least one rosette affixed in coaxial alignment to the vertical member and a wedge assembly within the horizontal member, portions of the wedge assembly for locking the horizontal member to the rosette. The vertical member has a plurality of evenly spaced rosettes affixed in coaxial alignment along the vertical member and at least one rosette has a pattern or grid of apertures designed to receive the end of the horizontal member.

(33) To those skilled in the art to which this invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined herein and in the appended claims. The disclosures and the descriptions herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting. The embodiments shown and described above are only exemplary. Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of embodiments of the invention have been set forth in the foregoing description together with details of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only and changes may be made within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms used herein. For example, the concepts described herein for coupling horizontal members to vertical members can be used to couple bracing members to vertical members or to horizontal members. Coupling includes, but is not limited to attaching, engaging, mounting, clamping, welding, bolting and components used for coupling include bolts and nuts, rivets, clevis, latches, clamps, welds, screws, rivets and the like. The vertical member can have any number of coaxially cups attached thereto, the vertical spacing of such cups being any such distance as is suitable for the intended use. The method includes a method of disconnecting both ends of a horizontal scaffold member from a vertical scaffold member.