SCAFFOLD AND CONNECTOR

Abstract

A scaffold having a structure assembly. The scaffold has a frame attached to the assembly. The frame having a deck upon which a user can stand that is disposed inside the rectangle. The deck has a plans table. The plans table has a closed position in which the plans table is flat and can support a weight of a user standing on the plans table, and has an open position in which the plans table is at an angle on which plans, drawings or documents can be placed on the plans table for viewing by a user standing on ground. A scaffold having connectors. A method of using a scaffold. A method for connecting a first scaffold to a second scaffold. A method for making a scaffold with connectors. A method for making a scaffold having a plans table.

Claims

1. A scaffold comprising: a structure assembly having a first vertical leg at a first corner of the structure assembly, a second vertical leg at a second corner of the structure assembly, a third vertical leg at a third corner of the structure assembly and a fourth vertical leg at a fourth corner of the structure assembly, the first, second, third and fourth corners defining an area; and a frame attached to the structure assembly, the frame including a deck disposed inside the area upon which a user can stand; a first connector attached to the first vertical leg, the first connector adapted to connect to a first leg of a second scaffold; and a second connector attached to the third vertical leg, the second connector adapted to connect to a third leg of the second scaffold to lock the second scaffold to the first scaffold.

2. The scaffold of claim 1, wherein the first connector comprises a base, a first moveable arm coupled to the base, and a second moveable arm coupled to the base and opposing the first moveable arm, the first moveable arm and the second moveable arm being moveable to define an opening therebetween to receive the first leg of the second scaffold.

3. The scaffold of claim 2, wherein the first moveable arm and the second moveable arm are angled to define the opening therebetween.

4. The scaffold of claim 2, wherein the first moveable arm is pivotably coupled to the base via a first pivot pin and the second moveable arm is pivotably coupled to the base via a second pivot pin.

5. The scaffold of claim 4, wherein the first moveable arm is slidable along a longitudinal axis of the first pivot pin and is biased towards a lowest position on the pivot pin via a spring.

6. The scaffold of claim 2, wherein the first moveable arm defines a pin socket and the second moveable arm includes a lock pin to engage the pin socket.

7. The scaffold of claim 6, wherein the first connector is moveable between an open position with the lock pin not engaging the pin socket and a closed position with the lock pin engaging the pin socket, wherein the closed position defines the opening between the base, the first moveable arm, and the second moveable arm to receive the first leg of the second scaffold.

8. The scaffold of claim 6, wherein the first moveable arm is pivotably coupled to the base via a first pivot pin and the second moveable arm is pivotably coupled to the base via a second pivot pin, and the first moveable arm is slidable along a longitudinal axis of the first pivot pin and is biased towards a lowest position on the pivot pin via a spring.

9. The scaffold of claim 8, wherein the first connector is moveable into a closed position by moving the first moveable arm upwards against the bias, pivoting the first moveable arm until the pin socket is aligned with the lock pin, and allowing the bias to force the pin socket downward to engage the lock pin, wherein the closed position defines the opening between the base, the first moveable arm, and the second moveable arm to receive the first leg of the second scaffold.

10. The scaffold of claim 8, wherein a closed position of the first connector is provided when the lock pin engages the pin socket, wherein the first connector is moveable into an open position by moving the first moveable arm upwards against the bias to lift the pin socket off the lock pin.

11. A connector adapted to secure a first scaffold to a second scaffold, the connector comprising: a base attachable to a first leg of the first scaffold; a first moveable arm pivotably coupled to a first end of the base; and a second moveable arm pivotably coupled to a second end of the base, wherein the connector is moveable between an open position with the first moveable arm not engaging the second moveable arm and a closed position with the first moveable arm engaging the second moveable arm.

12. The connector of claim 11, wherein in the closed position, the base, the first moveable arm, and the second moveable arm define a slot sized to securely receive a first leg of the second scaffold.

13. The connector of claim 11, wherein the first moveable arm and the second moveable arm are opposing arms to form an opening in the closed position to receive the first leg of the second scaffold.

14. The connector of claim 13, wherein the first moveable arm and the second moveable arm are angled to form an opening in the closed position to receive the first leg of the second scaffold.

15. The connector of claim 11, wherein the first moveable arm is pivotably coupled to the base via a first pivot pin and the second moveable arm is pivotably coupled to the base via a second pivot pin.

16. The connector of claim 15, wherein the first moveable arm is slidable along a longitudinal axis of the first pivot pin and is biased towards a lowest position on the first pivot pin via a spring.

17. The connector of claim 16, wherein the first moveable arm defines a pin socket and the second moveable arm includes a lock pin to engage the pin socket, wherein in the closed position the lock pin engages the pin socket.

18. The connector of claim 17, wherein the connector is moveable into the closed position by moving the first moveable arm upwards along the longitudinal axis of the first pivot pin against the bias, pivoting the first moveable arm until the pin socket is aligned with the lock pin, and allowing the bias to force the pin socket downward along the longitudinal axis of the first pivot pin to receive the lock pin.

19. The connector of claim 17, wherein the closed position of the connector is provided when the lock pin engages the pin socket, wherein the connector is moveable into an open position by moving the first moveable arm upwards against the bias to lift the pin socket off the lock pin.

20. The connector of claim 11, wherein the first moveable arm engages the second moveable arm in the closed position via engagement between a lock pin and a pin socket.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0013] In the accompanying drawings, the preferred embodiment of the invention and preferred methods of practicing the invention are illustrated in which:

[0014] FIG. 1 shows a scaffold on casters.

[0015] FIGS. 2 and 3 show the plans table in the open position.

[0016] FIG. 4 is a detailed view showing the underside of the open plans table.

[0017] FIG. 5 shows two connectors attached to two legs of the scaffold.

[0018] FIG. 6 is a detail view of one of the connectors mounted on one of the scaffold legs.

[0019] FIGS. 7A-7D show the components and operation of the connector.

[0020] FIG. 8 shows how the connectors are used to link two scaffolds securely together when they are placed side by side.

[0021] FIG. 9 is a detailed view showing how a connector attached to the leg of the first scaffold locks around the leg of the second scaffold.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to similar or identical parts throughout the several views, and more specifically to FIGS. 4 and 5 thereof, there is shown a scaffold 10. The scaffold 10 comprises a structure assembly 12 having a first vertical leg 14 at a first corner 16 of the assembly 12, a second vertical leg 18 at a second corner 20 of the assembly 12, a third vertical leg 22 at a third corner 24 of the assembly 12 and a fourth vertical leg 26 at a fourth corner 28 of the assembly 12. The first and second vertical legs 14, 18 have a first set of horizontal crossbars 30 between them, and the third and fourth vertical legs 22, 26 have a second set of horizontal crossbars 32 between them. The first, second, third and fourth corners 16, 20, 24, 28 defining a rectangle. The scaffold 10 comprises a frame 34 attached to the assembly 12. The frame 34 having a deck 36 upon which a user can stand that is disposed inside the rectangle. The deck 36 has a plans table 38. The plans table 38 has a closed position in which the plans table 38 is flat and can support a weight of a user standing on the plans table 38, and has an open position, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, in which the plans table 38 is at an angle on which plans, drawings or documents can be placed on the plans table 38 for viewing by a user standing on ground. A standard, prior art scaffold is described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,551,160, incorporated by reference herein. The scaffold 10 may support at least 300 pounds of load, and even as much as 500 pounds of load.

[0023] The plans table 38 may be connected to the frame 34 by a hinge 40. The plans table 38 may be maintained in the open position by a brace 42, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. The deck 36 may have a door 44 that has an open position in which the door 44 is at an angle and the user can climb onto the deck 36 through the door 44 in the open position, and that has a closed position in which the door 44 is flat and forms a plane 46 with the plans table 38 in the closed position and can support the weight of a user standing on the door 44. The scaffold 10 may include a wheel 48 attached to a bottom 50 of each of the first, second, third and fourth legs of the assembly 12 on which the assembly 12 is capable of rolling, as shown in FIG. 5.

[0024] The frame 34 may have a first elongate member 52 extending between and attached to the first vertical leg 14 and the third vertical leg 22, and a second elongate member 54 extending between and attached to the second vertical leg 18 and the fourth vertical leg 26 and in spaced relation and in parallel with the first elongate member 52. The scaffold 10 may include a first connector 56 attached to the first vertical leg 14 which is adapted to connect to a first leg 58 of a second scaffold 60 and a second connector 62 attached to the third vertical leg 22 which is adapted to connect to a third leg 63 of the second scaffold 60 to lock the second scaffold 60 to the first scaffold 10, as shown in FIG. 8.

[0025] The present invention pertains to a first scaffold 10, as shown in FIGS. 5-8. The first scaffold 10 comprises a structure assembly 12 having a first vertical leg 14 at a first corner 16 of the assembly 12, a second vertical leg 18 at a second corner 20 of the assembly 12, a third vertical leg 22 at a third corner 24 of the assembly 12 and a fourth vertical leg 26 at a fourth corner 28 of the assembly 12. The first and second vertical legs 14, 18 have a first set of horizontal crossbars 30 between them and the third and fourth vertical legs 22, 26 have a second set of horizontal crossbars 32 between them. The first, second, third and fourth corners 16, 20, 24, 28 defining a rectangle. The scaffold 10 comprises a frame 34 attached to the assembly 12. The frame 34 having a deck 36 that is disposed inside the rectangle upon which a user can stand. The scaffold 10 comprises a first connector 56 attached to the first vertical leg 14 which is adapted to connect to a first leg 58 of a second scaffold 60. The first scaffold 10 comprises a second connector 62 attached to the third vertical leg 22 which is adapted to connect to a third leg 63 of the second scaffold 60 to lock the second scaffold 60 to the first scaffold 10.

[0026] The first connector 56 may have a spring arm 64 with a spring 66 and a pin arm 68 connected to a base 70 by pivot pins 72 which allow these arms to swing, as shown in FIGS. 7A-7D. The first connector 56 may have a pin socket 74 formed in the spring arm 64 and a lock pin 76 fixed to the pin arm 68. In addition to swinging, the spring arm 64 is able to slide up and down its pivot pin. The force of the spring 66 moves the spring arm 64 to its lowest position. The deck 36 may have a plans table 38, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The plans table 38 has a closed position, as shown in FIG. 5, in which the plans table 38 is flat and can support a weight of a user standing on the plans table 38, and has an open position, as shown in FIG. 4, in which the plans table 38 is at an angle on which plans, drawings or documents can be placed on the plans table 38 for viewing by a user standing on ground.

[0027] The present invention pertains to a method of using a scaffold 10. The method comprises the steps of placing a plans table 38 of a deck 36 of a frame 34 in an open position in which the plans table 38 is at an angle on which plans, drawings or documents can be placed on the plans table 38 for viewing by a user standing on ground. The frame 34 attached to a structure assembly 12. The structure assembly 12 having a first vertical leg 14 at a first corner 16 of the assembly 12, a second vertical leg 18 at a second corner 20 of the assembly 12, a third vertical leg 22 at a third corner 24 of the assembly 12 and a fourth vertical leg 26 at a fourth corner 28 of the assembly 12. The first and second vertical legs 14, 18 have a first set of horizontal crossbars 30 between them and the third and fourth vertical legs 22, 26 have a second set of horizontal crossbars 32 between them. The first, second, third and fourth corners 16, 20, 24, 28 defining a rectangle. There is the step of placing plans, drawings or documents onto the plans table 38.

[0028] The present invention pertains to a method for connecting a first scaffold 10 to a second scaffold 60. The method comprises the steps of connecting a first connector 56 attached to a first vertical leg 14 of a structure assembly 12 of the first scaffold 10 to a first vertical leg 58 of the second scaffold 60 by positioning a spring arm 64 and a pin arm 68 of the first connector 56 about the first vertical leg 58 of the second scaffold 60. The structure assembly 12 having the first vertical leg 14 at a first corner 16 of the assembly 12, a second vertical leg 18 at a second corner 20 of the assembly 12, a third vertical leg 22 at a third corner 24 of the assembly 12 and a fourth vertical leg 26 at a fourth corner 28 of the assembly 12. The first and second vertical legs 14, 18 have a first set of horizontal crossbars 30 between them and the third and fourth vertical legs 22, 26 have a second set of horizontal crossbars 32 between them. The first, second, third and fourth corners 16, 20, 24, 28 defining a rectangle. The first scaffold 10 having a frame 34 attached to the assembly 12. The frame 34 having a deck 36 that is disposed inside the rectangle upon which a user can stand. There is the step of connecting a second connector 62 attached to the third vertical leg 22 to a third vertical leg 63 of the second scaffold 60 by positioning a spring arm 64 and a pin arm 68 of the second connector 62 about the third vertical leg 63 of the second scaffold 60 to lock the second scaffold 60 to the first scaffold 10.

[0029] The present invention pertains to a method for making a scaffold 10. The method comprises the steps of attaching a first connector 56 to a first vertical leg 14 of a structure assembly 12. The first connector 56 having a spring arm 64 and a pin arm 68. The structure assembly 12 having the first vertical leg 14 at a first corner 16 of the assembly 12, a second vertical leg 18 at a second corner 20 of the assembly 12, a third vertical leg 22 at a third corner 24 of the assembly 12 and a fourth vertical leg 26 at a fourth corner 28 of the assembly 12. The first and second vertical legs 14, 18 have a first set of horizontal crossbars 30 between them and the third and fourth vertical legs 22, 26 have a second set of horizontal crossbars 32 between them. The first, second, third and fourth corners 16, 20, 24, 28 defining a rectangle. The first scaffold having a frame 34 attached to the assembly 12. The frame 34 having a deck 36 that is disposed inside the rectangle upon which a user can stand. There is the step of attaching a second connector 62 to the third vertical leg 22, the second connector 62 having a spring arm 64 and a pin arm 68.

[0030] The present invention pertains to a method for making a scaffold 10. The method comprises the steps of attaching a bracket 78 to an underside of a plans table 38 of a deck 36 of a frame 34. There is the step of attaching a hinge 40 of the frame 34 to the plans table 38 so the plans table 38 can be lifted and maintained in an open position in which the plans table 38 is at an angle supported by the brace 42 through the bracket 78 on which plans, drawings or documents can be placed on the plans table 38 for viewing by a user standing on ground. The frame 34 attached to a structure assembly 12 having a first vertical leg 14 at a first corner 16 of the assembly 12, a second vertical leg 18 at a second corner 20 of the assembly 12, a third vertical leg 22 at a third corner 24 of the assembly 12 and a fourth vertical leg 26 at a fourth corner 28 of the assembly 12. The first and second vertical legs 14, 18 have a first set of horizontal crossbars 30 between them and the third and fourth vertical legs 22, 26 have a second set of horizontal crossbars 32 between them. The first, second, third and fourth corners 16, 20, 24, 28 defining a rectangle. The deck 36 is disposed inside the rectangle upon which a user can stand.

[0031] This invention is a scaffold 10 that has a plans table 38 that can be folded up from the standing platform surface and either separately or in addition, has a unique linking and latching mechanism which permits two or more scaffolds to be linked together side by side into a stable structure. Linking two or more scaffolds together enables the user to perform work over a larger area without having to move the scaffold 10. The folding plans table 38 enables the user to easily review documents.

[0032] FIG. 1 shows a scaffold 10 on casters four wheels 48. The deck 36 has a door 44 which is typical for these scaffolds. In addition to the door 44, there is a plans table 38 shown in the closed position. In this position, the plans table 38 can support the weight of a user standing on it. The door 44 has a grip 82 that may be used to lift it. The door 44 is also attached to the first elongate member 52 by a hinge 40. By lifting the door 44, the user can climb up onto the plans table 38 when it is in a closed position, or climb down off the plans table 38.

[0033] FIGS. 2 and 3 show the plans table 38 in the open position. In this position plans, drawings, documents can be placed on the plans table 38 for convenient viewing by a user standing on the ground.

[0034] FIG. 4 is a detailed view showing the underside of the open plans table 38. The plans table 38 is connected to the scaffold 10 by hinges 40. A U-shaped one-piece metal brace 42 engages slots 84 in brackets 78 to hold the plans table 38 in the open position. The brackets 78 are directly attached to the underside of the plans table 38. The slots 84 extend partially along the length of the brackets 78. The ends of the brace 42 are rotatably attached to the first elongate member 52, for instance with flanges not shown. The brace 42 extends from the first elongate member 52 and through the slots 84 of the brackets 78. When the plans table 38 is lifted by grabbing the handle 80 near the top of the plans table 38, the brackets 78 which are attached to the plans table 38, lift with the plans table 38, causing the brace 42 in the slots 84 to also lift and rotate about the end of the brace 42. The brace 42 in the slots 84, slides up the slots 84 as the plans table 38 is lifted, to the top of the slots 84, where the brace 42 fits into a groove at the top of each slot 84, where the brace 42 is held in place. By being held in place, brace 42 forms an angle relative to the plane 46 and supports the plans table 38 in an upright position for the user to better be able to read and review and write documentation on the plans table 38. Buttresses 65 extend between the first elongate member 52 and the second elongate member 54 to provide additional support to the structure assembly 12 and specifically to the deck 36.

[0035] FIG. 5 shows two connectors 56, 62 attached to two legs 14, 22 of the scaffold 10. FIG. 6 is a detailed view of one of the connectors (62) mounted on one of the scaffold legs (22). Each connector 56, 62 may be mounted to the legs 14, 22, respectively, by the base 70 being braised or welded to the leg to which the base 70 is being mounted so there is a sturdy, stable fixed connection. Removeable planks 59 may be used and supported by opposing cross bars at a desired level. In FIG. 5 two planks 59 are positioned on the top crossbars. When a user stands on the plans table 38, one or both of the planks 59 may be removed so the planks 59 do not interfere with the user.

[0036] FIGS. 7A-7D show the components and operation of the connector 56. A spring arm 64 and a pin arm 68 are connected to the base 70 by pivot pins 72 which allow these arms to swing. A pin socket 74 is formed in the spring arm 64. The lock pin 76 is fixed to the pin arm 68. In addition to swinging, the spring arm 64 is able to slide up and down its pivot pin 72. The force of a spring 66 tends to move the spring arm 64 to its lowest position.

[0037] FIG. 7a shows the connector 56 in its fully open position.

[0038] To close the connector 56, FIG. 7B shows that the pin arm 68 has been swung to its closed position, and the spring arm 64 has been moved upward against the spring 66 force. Then the spring arm 64 is swung until its pin socket 74 is aligned with the lock pin 76 on the pin arm 68 as seen in FIG. 7C.

[0039] In FIG. 7D, the spring arm 64 has been forced downward by the spring 66 so that the pin socket 74 has completely engaged the lock pin 76. The connector 56 is now closed. The connector 56 can only be opened by deliberately lifting the spring arm 64 against the spring 66 force. The connector 62 operates the same way as the connector 56.

[0040] FIG. 8 shows how the connectors 56, 62 are used to link two scaffolds 10, 60 securely together when they are placed side by side.

[0041] FIG. 9 is a detailed view showing how a connector 62 attached to the leg 22 of the first scaffold locks around the leg 63 of the second scaffold 60.

[0042] Although the invention has been described in detail in the foregoing embodiments for the purpose of illustration, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that variations can be made therein by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention except as it may be described by the following claims.