Seal Plate

Abstract

A seal plate assembly designed to quickly install and fully cover floor openings on a scaffold deck. The present invention includes at least one plate A and at least one bracket. The at least one plate A covers the floor opening, and the at least one bracket removably attaches the at least one plate A to the scaffold deck. Each plate A includes a slotted aperture designed to attach to the top of a bracket. This arrangement makes it easy to install, as the user simply slides the top of the bracket across the slotted aperture and connects the bottom of the bracket to a structural support, all without having to reach underneath and hold the bracket in place. In another embodiment, the present invention further includes a pair of plates B that are uniquely assembled to cover a remaining gap surrounding a fixed structure passing through the scaffold deck.

Claims

1. A plate assembly for covering floor openings on a scaffold deck, the plate assembly comprising: at least one plate A; at least one bracket; the at least one plate A comprising a slotted aperture; the slotted aperture being disposed on a top surface of the plate A; the at least one plate A being positioned on top of a scaffold deck; the at least one plate A covering a floor opening of the scaffold deck; the at least one plate A being detachably mounted to the scaffold deck, via the at least one bracket; the at least one bracket comprising a top end, a spanning portion, and a bottom end; the spanning portion extending from the top end to the bottom end; the top end being adapted to slidably engage with the slotted aperture of the at least one plate A; and the bottom end being adapted to detachably connect to the scaffold deck.

2. The plate assembly as claimed in claim 1 comprising: the top end further comprising an upright flange and at least one threaded mounting post; the at least one threaded mounting post extending outward, perpendicular to the upright flange; and a bolt being inserted through a washer, through the slotted aperture of the at least one plate A, and into the at least one threaded mounting post.

3. The plate assembly as claimed in claim 1 comprising: the bottom end further comprising a retainer hook; and the retainer hook being detachably connected to a structural support member of the scaffold deck.

4. The plate assembly as claimed in claim 3 comprising: the retainer hook being in the shape of an upward facing lip; and the structural support member being a floorboard structure.

5. The plate assembly as claimed in claim 3 comprising: the retainer hook being in the shape of a circular lip; and the structural support member being a tubular frame.

6. The plate assembly as claimed in claim 1 comprising: at least one adjustable closeout; the at least one adjustable closeout comprising a first plate B, a second plate B, at least one bolt, and at least one nut; the plate B comprising a cutout and at least one slotted aperture; the cutout being disposed on an upper surface of the plate B; the at least one slotted aperture being disposed on a lower surface of the plate B, traversing laterally; the first plate B being opposingly aligned with the second plate B; the first plate B being slidably connected to the second plate B; the at least one bolt being inserted through the at least one slotted aperture of the first plate B, through the at least one slotted aperture of the second plate B, and secured via the at least one nut; a pair of jaws being formed via the cutout of the first plate B and the cutout of the second plate B; the at least one adjustable closeout being disposed on the top surface of the at least one plate A; the pair of jaws slidably engaging with a protruding structure; and the at least one adjustable closeout being capable of covering the floor opening between the at least one plate A and the protruding structure.

7. The plate assembly as claimed in claim 6 comprising: the plate B being made out of a material that produces a magnetic field; and the at least one adjustable closeout being magnetically attached to the at least one plate A.

8. The plate assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plate A being rectilinear in shape.

9. A plate assembly for covering floor openings on a scaffold deck, the plate assembly comprising: at least one plate A; at least one bracket; the at least one plate A comprising a slotted aperture; the slotted aperture being disposed on a top surface of the plate A; the at least one plate A being positioned on top of a scaffold deck; the at least one plate A covering a floor opening of the scaffold deck; the at least one plate A being detachably mounted to the scaffold deck, via the at least one bracket; the at least one bracket comprising a top end, a spanning portion, and a bottom end; the spanning portion extending from the top end to the bottom end; the top end being adapted to slidably engage with the slotted aperture of the at least one plate A; the bottom end being adapted to detachably connect to the scaffold deck; the top end further comprising an upright flange and at least one threaded mounting post; the at least one threaded mounting post extending outward, perpendicular to the upright flange; and a bolt being inserted through a washer, through the slotted aperture of the at least one plate A, and into the at least one threaded mounting post.

10. The plate assembly as claimed in claim 9 comprising: the bottom end further comprising a retainer hook; and the retainer hook being detachably connected to a structural support member of the scaffold deck.

11. The plate assembly as claimed in claim 10 comprising: the retainer hook being in the shape of an upward facing lip; and the structural support member being a floorboard structure.

12. The plate assembly as claimed in claim 10 comprising: the retainer hook being in the shape of a circular lip; and the structural support member being a tubular frame.

13. The plate assembly as claimed in claim 9 comprising: at least one adjustable closeout; the at least one adjustable closeout comprising a first plate B, a second plate B, at least one bolt, and at least one nut; the plate B comprising a cutout and at least one slotted aperture; the cutout being disposed on an upper surface of the plate B; the at least one slotted aperture being disposed on a lower surface of the plate B, traversing laterally; the first plate B being opposingly aligned with the second plate B; the first plate B being slidably connected to the second plate B; the at least one bolt being inserted through the at least one slotted aperture of the first plate B, through the at least one slotted aperture of the second plate B, and secured via the at least one nut; a pair of jaws being formed via the cutout of the first plate B and the cutout of the second plate B; the at least one adjustable closeout being disposed on the top surface of the at least one plate A; the pair of jaws slidably engaging with a protruding structure; and the at least one adjustable closeout being capable of covering the floor opening between the at least one plate A and the protruding structure.

14. The plate assembly as claimed in claim 13 comprising: the plate B being made out of a material that produces a magnetic field; and the at least one adjustable closeout being magnetically attached to the at least one plate A.

15. The plate assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein the plate A being rectilinear in shape.

16. A plate assembly for covering floor openings on a scaffold deck, the plate assembly comprising: at least one plate A; at least one bracket; the plate A being rectilinear in shape; the at least one plate A comprising a slotted aperture; the slotted aperture being disposed on a top surface of the plate A; the at least one plate A being positioned on top of a scaffold deck; the at least one plate A covering a floor opening of the scaffold deck; the at least one plate A being detachably mounted to the scaffold deck, via the at least one bracket; the at least one bracket comprising a top end, a spanning portion, and a bottom end; the spanning portion extending from the top end to the bottom end; the top end being adapted to slidably engage with the slotted aperture of the at least one plate A; the bottom end being adapted to detachably connect to the scaffold deck; the top end further comprising an upright flange and at least one threaded mounting post; the at least one threaded mounting post extending outward, perpendicular to the upright flange; a bolt being inserted through a washer, through the slotted aperture of the at least one plate A, and into the at least one threaded mounting post; the bottom end further comprising a retainer hook; and the retainer hook being detachably connected to a structural support member of the scaffold deck.

17. The plate assembly as claimed in claim 16 comprising: the retainer hook being in the shape of an upward facing lip; and the structural support member being a floorboard structure.

18. The plate assembly as claimed in claim 16 comprising: the retainer hook being in the shape of a circular lip; and the structural support member being a tubular frame.

19. The plate assembly as claimed in claim 16 comprising: at least one adjustable closeout; the at least one adjustable closeout comprising a first plate B, a second plate B, at least one bolt, and at least one nut; the plate B comprising a cutout and at least one slotted aperture; the cutout being disposed on an upper surface of the plate B; the at least one slotted aperture being disposed on a lower surface of the plate B, traversing laterally; the first plate B being opposingly aligned with the second plate B; the first plate B being slidably connected to the second plate B; the at least one bolt being inserted through the at least one slotted aperture of the first plate B, through the at least one slotted aperture of the second plate B, and secured via the at least one nut; a pair of jaws being formed via the cutout of the first plate B and the cutout of the second plate B; the at least one adjustable closeout being disposed on the top surface of the at least one plate A; the pair of jaws slidably engaging with a protruding structure; and the at least one adjustable closeout being capable of covering the floor opening between the at least one plate A and the protruding structure.

20. The plate assembly as claimed in claim 19 comprising: the plate B being made out of a material that produces a magnetic field; and the at least one adjustable closeout being magnetically attached to the at least one plate A.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] FIG. 1 is a top-front perspective view of a scaffold deck.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a top-front perspective view of the present invention shown partially installed on the scaffold deck.

[0018] FIG. 3 is a top-front perspective view of the present invention shown fully installed on the scaffold deck.

[0019] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 6 is a bottom-front perspective view of the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 7 is a magnified view taken from FIG. 6, showing the bracket installation.

[0023] FIG. 8 is a bottom-front perspective view of the present invention, in accordance with another embodiment.

[0024] FIG. 9 is a magnified view taken from FIG. 8, showing the bracket installation.

[0025] FIG. 10 is a top-front perspective view of the present invention, in accordance with another embodiment.

[0026] FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the present invention, in accordance with another embodiment.

[0027] FIG. 12 is a bottom plan view of the present invention, in accordance with another embodiment.

[0028] FIG. 13 is a top plan view of the plate A of the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the plate B of the present invention.

[0030] FIG. 15 is a top-front perspective exploded view of the adjustable closeout of the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the bracket of the present invention.

[0032] FIG. 17 is a right-side elevational view of the bracket of the present invention.

[0033] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the bracket of the present invention, in accordance with another embodiment.

[0034] FIG. 19 is a right-side elevational view of the bracket of the present invention, in accordance with another embodiment.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

[0035] All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0036] In reference to FIGS. 1-19, the present invention is a seal plate assembly 1 for use on scaffold decks. When a scaffold builder encounters a pipe, metal structure, or any object that passes through a scaffold, it is necessary to install a walking platform (e.g., metal floorboards) around the protruding structure 91, which will allow contractors to continue their work. But even with the walking platform, it is common practice to cover all remaining floor openings to prevent an avoidable accident. Oftentimes, scaffold builders use plywood to cover these openings. However, this method is inefficient because it is labor intensive and, in many cases, the plywood must be destroyed and replaced after each use. Thus, it is an aim of the present invention to provide an improved scaffold seal cover that is reusable, cost effective, and easier to install.

[0037] Hereinafter, the term protruding structure refers to any fixed object (e.g., pipe, beam, air duct) that traverses through a floor opening of the scaffold deck. The term floor opening refers to any exposed open spaces or gaps (large or small) on the top surface of the scaffold deck that can be hazardous to worker safety.

[0038] Depending on the type of protruding structure 91, the present invention can have multiple configurations to cover any floor opening 92 on the scaffold deck 9. In reference to FIGS. 1-9, for a protruding structure 91 having linear sides, the present invention comprises at least one plate A and at least one bracket 4. In a preferred embodiment, as can be seen in FIG. 2, the present invention comprises a plurality of plates A and a plurality of brackets 4. In this embodiment, each plate A is disposed on a top surface 90 of the scaffold deck 9 and positioned over the floor opening 92, wherein a substantial portion of each plate A overlaps the floor opening 92 on both sides. Collectively, the plurality of plates A span the entire length of the floor opening 92, leaving a minimal gap around the protruding structure 91. Each of the plates A are abutted up against each other to avoid any significant gaps between two adjacent plates A.

[0039] Each of the plates A are detachably mounted to the scaffold deck 9, via the at least one bracket 4. Although there are multiple ways to perform this task, it is preferred to pre-install (i.e., loosely attach) the at least one bracket 4 to the at least one plate A, prior to positioning the at least one plate A over the floor opening 92. As best seen in FIG. 2, this arrangement allows the user to easily slide the top end of the bracket 4 across the slotted aperture 21 and connect the bottom end of the bracket 4 to a structural support member on the underside of the scaffold deck 9, all without having to reach underneath and hold the bracket 4 in place. Once firmly attached, the user can tighten down the hardware connecting the top end of the bracket 4 to the plate A, thereby securing the plate A to the scaffold deck 9.

[0040] To secure the at least one bracket 4 to the at least one plate A, the top end 41 of the at least one bracket 4 is secured to the slotted aperture 21 of the at least one plate A, via a bolt 71 and a washer 72. As best seen in FIG. 7 and FIG. 9, the bolt 71 is first inserted through the washer 72, then through the slotted aperture 21 on the plate A, and fastened to the top end 41 of the at least one bracket 4. To secure the at least one bracket 4 to the scaffold deck 9, the bottom end 44 of the at least one bracket 4 is secured to a structural support member 93 below the top surface 90 of the scaffold deck 9. More specifically, as seen in FIG. 7, the bottom end 44 of the at least one bracket 4 is latched on to a floorboard structure 93a nearest to the at least one plate A. In another embodiment, as seen in FIG. 9, the bottom end 44 of the at least one bracket 4 is latched on to a tubular frame 93b.

[0041] As can be seen in FIG. 13, each of the at least one plates A is rectilinear in shape. The at least one plate A further comprises a slotted aperture 21 disposed on a top surface 22 of the plate A. In particular, the slotted aperture 21 is centered with the plate A, and traverses longitudinally. The slotted aperture 21 has a first length L1 defined by the arrangement of the at least one bracket 4. More specifically, the first length L1 is sufficient to allow the at least one bracket 4 to reach and connect to a structural support member 93 of the scaffold deck 9. Furthermore, the slotted aperture 21 has a width W that is defined by the size of the bolt 71. When the at least one plate A is properly installed, the at least one bracket 4 helps prevent the plate A from shifting caused by lateral impacts (e.g., kicks or bumps) as the user walks around the scaffold deck 9. Preferably, the plate A is made out of high-strength aluminum. However, the material of Plate A is not limited, and can be made of any suitable material based on design, user, and/or manufacturing requirements. Moreover, the thickness of the plate A is not limited, and can be of any suitable thickness based on design, user, and/or manufacturing requirements. Each plate A can be manufactured to any size, ranging from 1 foot to 50 feet in length or diameter, depending on user requirements.

[0042] As can be seen in FIGS. 16-19, the at least one bracket 4 can take the form of any profile shape and size as required for attaching the plate A to the scaffold deck 9. The at least one bracket 4 further comprises a top end 41, a spanning portion 43, and a bottom end 44. The spanning portion 43 connects the top end 41 to the bottom end 44. The top end 41 further comprises an upright flange 45 and a pair of threaded mounting posts 42. The pair of threaded mounting posts 42 are terminally connected to the upright flange 45, extending outward and perpendicular to the upright flange 45. Each of the pair of threaded mounting posts 42 are axially aligned and offset from each other by a predefined spacing L5. This arrangement enables the bolt 71 to be inserted through the slotted aperture 21 of the plate A and secured to the pair of threaded mounting posts 42 on the top end 41 of the bracket 4. The spanning portion 43 is terminally connected to the top end 41, extending outward to the bottom end 44. The bottom end 44 comprises a retainer hook 46 adapted to removably attach to the desired structural support member 93 below the top surface 90 of the scaffold deck 9. In the preferred embodiment, as seen in FIGS. 16-17, the retainer hook 46 is in the form of an upward facing lip 46a. The upward facing lip 46a is contoured to latch onto the backside floorboard structure 93a, as illustrated in FIG. 7. In another embodiment, as seen in FIGS. 18-19, the retainer hook 46 is in the form of a circular lip 46b. The circular lip 46b is contoured to latch onto the tubular frame 93b of the scaffold deck 9, as illustrated in FIG. 9. Preferably, the at least one bracket 4 is constructed from a single unitary piece and made out of high-strength aluminum. However, the material of the at least one bracket 4 is not limited, and can be made of any suitable material based on design, user, and/or manufacturing requirements.

[0043] FIGS. 10-12 illustrate another embodiment for a protruding structure 91 having non-linear sides (e.g., pipe). In this embodiment, the present invention can be further configured to close out any remaining floor openings 92 around the protruding structure 91 on the scaffold deck 9. Specifically, in addition to the at least one plate A and the at least one bracket 4, the present invention further comprises at least one adjustable closeout 5. The at least one adjustable closeout 5 has a pair of jaws 51 capable of surrounding at least half the perimeter of the protruding structure 91, thereby covering the floor opening 92 formed between the protruding structure 91 and the at least one plate A. As best seen in FIGS. 10-11, two adjustable closeouts 5 can be positioned to surround the entire perimeter of the protruding structure 91. In this arrangement, each adjustable closeout 5 is positioned on the top surface 22 of the at least one plate A, wherein the pair of jaws 51 can be adjusted to slidably engage with the protruding structure 91. In other words, the pair of jaws 51 can be widened or narrowed to substantially match the exterior shape of the protruding structure 91. The user can then slide the adjustable closeout 5 inward until the pair of jaws 51 are abutted up against the protruding structure 91. Once installed, the adjustable closeout 5 has the added benefit of increasing worker safety, as it eliminates the possibility of a tool falling through a small floor opening 92 and causing injury to a worker directly below.

[0044] As can be seen in FIG. 15, the at least one adjustable closeout 5 further comprises a first plate B and a second plate B. Both of the plates B are opposingly aligned, wherein the first plate B is positioned directly below the second plate B. Both plates B are fastened to each other via hardware positioned over a pair of slotted apertures 36 and 37. In particular, a bolt 75 first extends through a first washer 76, then through a lower slotted aperture 36 of both the first plate B and the second plate B. The bolt 75 finally extends through a second washer 77 and is secured by a nut 78. Similarly, a bolt 75 first extends through a first washer 76, then through an upper slotted aperture 37 of both the first plate B and the second plate B. The bolt 75 finally extends through a second washer 77 and is secured by a nut 78. In this arrangement, the bolts 75 and 75 slidably engage with the lower slotted aperture 36 and the upper slotted aperture 37, respectively. This allows the first plate B to slide laterally, relative to the second plate B. In turn, this allows the pair of jaws 51 to widen and narrow.

[0045] As can be seen in FIG. 14, the plate B comprises a cutout 31, a lower slotted aperture 36, and an upper slotted aperture 37. The cutout 31 is disposed on an upper surface 32 of the plate B, extending transversely from a right side 35 towards a left side 34, at a predefined second length L2. A substantial portion of the left side 34 remains uncut to allow the plate B to overlap the plate A during installation. The shape of the cutout 31 is defined by the protruding structure 91. More specifically, the cutout 31 is shaped to match a quarter section of the exterior shape of the protruding structure 91. By way of example, as illustrated in in FIG. 14, the cutout 31 is in the shape of an arc. The arc shape corresponds with a tube-shaped protruding structure 91, such that the plate B covers roughly a quarter section of the floor opening 92 surrounding the protruding structure 91. When combined with a second plate B, as illustrated in FIG. 15, the arrangement of the cutouts 31 of both the first plate B and the second plate B forms the shape of the pair of jaws 51.

[0046] In order to adjust the size of the pair of jaws 51, both the lower slotted aperture 36 and the upper slotted aperture 37 are disposed on a lower surface 33 of the plate B (i.e., below the cutout 31). As seen in FIG. 14, the lower slotted aperture 36 is positioned parallel with the upper slotted aperture 37, spaced apart by a predefined gap L4. Both the lower slotted aperture 36 and the upper slotted aperture 37 traverse laterally at a predefined third length L3. Specifically, the third length L3 is defined by the size of the protruding structure 91, such that the pair of jaws 51 are capable of slidably engaging with the protruding structure 91. Preferably, the plate B is made out of high-strength aluminum. In another embodiment, the plate B is made out of a material that produces a magnetic field, capable of magnetically attaching to the at least one plate A. This arrangement prevents the adjustable closeout 5 from shifting caused by lateral impacts (e.g., kicks or bumps) as the user walks around the scaffold deck 9. The size and thickness of the plate B is not limited, and can be of any suitable size and thickness based on design, user, and/or manufacturing requirements.

[0047] Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.