Scaffold deck and self-locking hook

Abstract

A type of deck for use in a scaffold assembly, wherein the frame for the deck has at least two hooks at each end for hooking on to a bar section of the scaffold. The top of the deck extends over one end of the frame and over the hooks at that end when decks are placed side by side, hooked on to the same bar, this top section on one deck prevents the adjacent deck from flying off the bar.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to scaffolding systems, in particular a scaffold deck, and the hooks that are attached to the end of the decks.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known in typical scaffold assemblies to connect adjacent scaffold decks in an end to end manner by having the adjacent decks hook on to the same scaffold bar. This allows the worker to walk from one scaffold deck to another.

However, such an arrangement has certain disadvantages. When typical scaffold decks are arranged in an end to end manner, there is usually a significant gap between them. This creates a dangerous work environment should someone trip in the gap, especially since they would most likely be several stories high. Another disadvantage is that sometimes if all the weight is shifted in a certain area part of the scaffold deck could raise off the bar, creating another hazard.

There currently exists several different variations for decks and hooking devices for use in a scaffold assembly which are designed to increase safety. However, each of these designs has its own various drawbacks.

In U.S. Pat. No. 6,530,456 by Wallther, a type of locking hook for a scaffold device is disclosed. This device does prevent the scaffold deck from raising up from its stable position on the bar, however, the hook involves moving parts which would increase the difficulty of removing the decks in a quick and easy manner. As well, there would still be a gap between adjacent decks, which could create a problem.

There are several designs to cover the open space between adjacent decks, such as U.S. Pat. No. 4,802,553 by Waters et al and U.S. Pat. No. 5,279,193 by Huffine. These patents disclose the top portion of the deck extending beyond the frame of the deck and between the hooks to cover the open space. As well, the hooks are offset, so that when placed on a bar adjacent to another similar deck, they will be aligned.

A slightly different design is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,745,871 by Armstrong, where there is at least 3 hooks at each end, with tabs extending over each hook, forming notches where the tabs from an adjacent deck fit in. However, although these designs adequately fill the open gap between adjacent decks, there is nothing in the design to prevent the deck from becoming unhooked from the bar, creating a possibly dangerous situation.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,704,449 by Ono is similar to the Armstrong device, in that there is a plurality of notches and tabs, which, when fitted together, cover the gap between scaffold decks. As well, there is a stopper, which engages the underside of the bar, to secure the deck in place. However, this design is extremely complex, with several small, moving parts. There would be difficulty in removing the deck quickly and easily.

There does exist U.S. Pat. No. 4,445,590 by Ihrman, which discloses a deck with a connector at each end instead of hooks. Each connector has a horizontal flat portion with a transverse slit in it, and a folded-down tongue portion. When the connectors from adjacent decks are places in an overlapping configuration, the tongue from the bottom connector engages one side of the bar, while the tongue from the upper connector protrudes through the slit in the bottom connects and engages the opposite side of the bar. However′, having to maneuver a tongue portion into a narrow slit while standing underneath would be extremely difficult, especially if standing on another scaffold deck, a few stories high. Another disadvantage is that the overlapping of the connectors would create a dangerous trip hazard for a worker.

There remains a need for a safe and secure scaffold deck, which does not have a gap between adjacent decks and will not accidentally become unhooked from the scaffold bar, yet is also simple in design and easy to use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the preferred embodiment there is a deck to be removably secured to a scaffold assembly, comprising a plurality of rails forming a rectangular frame with a first end and a second end, at least two first hooks attached to and extending from a rail at the first end of the frame, at least two second hooks attached to and extending from a rail at the second end of the frame, and a flat top with a first end and a second end attached to the frame, dimensioned so that the top has a width approximately the same as the frame width and a length such that the second end of the top is approximately flush with the second end of the frame and the first end of the top extends beyond the first end of the frame so that the first end of the top extends over the first hooks. An additional feature of the embodiment is that the first hooks include a bottom ridge for securing the underside of a bar. Additionally, the first and second hooks are generally located at the comers of the rectangular frame and are offset laterally from the hooks at the other end, to permit multiple decks to be aligned with one another. As well, in the preferred embodiment, the top may be made of plywood, aluminum, or steel.

Another feature of the present invention is a hook to be attached to a scaffold deck, comprising a body, means to secure the body to the scaffold deck, an upper tongue member for resting on a bar, and a bottom ridge for securing the underside of the bar dimensioned so that the bar can pass between the upper tongue member and the bottom ridge. In the preferred embodiment of this device the securing means are a plurality of spaced apertures.

Other aspects and advantages of the device will become apparent from the following Detailed Description and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the deck;

FIG. 2 is a side view of two adjacent decks hooked on to the same bar;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a deck;

FIG. 4 is a top view of a deck;

FIG. 5 is an end view of a deck;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the first hook; and

FIG. 7 is a side view of the second hook.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to FIG. 1, a deck 10 to be removably secured to a scaffold assembly comprises a pair of side rails 12 and end rails 14, a pair of first hooks 16 and second hooks 18, and a top 20. The top 20 is dimensioned so that at the end with the second hooks 18 the edge of top 20 is approximately even with the end rails 14, so that the second hooks 18 extend beyond the edge of the top 20. At the opposite end, the top 20 extends beyond the end rail 14, so that the top 20 is over top of the first hooks 16. This can be seen in FIGS. 1-4.

The preferred embodiment of the side rails 12 can be seen in FIG. 5. As can be seen, the side rail 12 folds around the side edge of the top 20, leaving the ends of the top 20 open. At one end, the end with the first hooks 16, the top 20 extends beyond the end of the side rails 12. Although this design is preferred, any type of side rail that functions in a similar manner may be used.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show the preferred embodiments of a first hook 16 and a second hook 18, respectively. As shown in FIG. 6, the first hooks 16 comprise a hook body 22, a plurality of spaced apertures 24, an upper tongue member 26, and a bottom ridge 28. As seen in FIG. 2, when in use with a scaffold system, the upper tongue member 26 rests on a scaffold bar 30, while the bottom ridge 28 engages the underside of the bar 3D, thus firmly securing the bar 30 within the hook 16. It should be noted that although these are the preferred embodiments of the hooks used, any type of hook may be used with the deck 10 that allows the deck 10 to be supported upon the scaffold bars 30.

As can be seen in FIG. 3, the hooks 16 and 18 are generally located at the corners of the deck 10, where the side rails 12 meet the end rails 14. In the preferred embodiment, the first hooks 16 and the second hooks 18 are offset laterally from the hooks at the opposite end, as shown in FIG. 3. This allows multiple decks 10 to be aligned with one another when placed in an end to end arrangement.

The preferred embodiment of the deck 10 can be seen in use in FIG. 2. When installing, the first deck 10a would be hooked on to the scaffold bar 30 first with the second hooks 18 on the left, hooked on to the bar 30 as shown in FIG. 2. Then, once the first deck 10a is secure, the second deck 10b is hooked on as shown, with the first hooks 16 hooked on to the bar 30 as shown, so that the top 20 which extends over the first hooks 16 on the second deck 10b also will be extending over the second hooks 18 on the first deck 10a. The top 20 extending over both sets of hooks prevents the first deck 10a from raising up from the bar 30. This is then continued as a third deck (not shown) would be attached on the left side of the second deck 10b, as seen from the perspective of FIG. 2.

Shown in the drawings is the preferred embodiment. Other changes or modifications may be made without departed from the spirit of the intended invention.

Claims

1. A deck configured to be removably secured to a scaffold assembly, comprising:

a) a plurality of rails forming a rectangular frame with a first end and a second end,

b) at least two first hooks attached to and extending from a rail at the first end of the frame;

c) at least two second hooks attached to and extending from a rail at the second end of the frame; and

d) a flat top with a first end and a second end attached to the frame, dimensioned so that the top has a width approximately the same as the frame width and a length such that the second end of the top is approximately flush with the second end of the frame and the first end of the top extends beyond the first end of the frame so that the first end of the top extends over the first hooks.

2. The deck as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first hooks include a bottom ridge for securing the underside of a bar.

3. The deck as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second hooks are generally located at the corners of the rectangular frame.

4. The deck as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first hooks and the second hooks are offset laterally from the hooks at the other end, to permit multiple decks to be aligned with one another.

5. The deck as claimed in claim 1, wherein the top is plywood.

6. The deck as claimed in claim 1, wherein the top is aluminum.

7. The deck as claimed in claim 1, wherein the top is steel.

8. A hook configured to be attached to a scaffold deck, comprising:

a) a body;

b) means to secure the body to the scaffold deck;

c) an upper tongue member for resting on a bar; and

d) a bottom ridge for securing the underside of the bar dimensioned so that the bar can pass between the upper tongue member and the bottom ridge.

9. The hook as claimed in claim 8, wherein the securing means are a plurality of spaced apertures.

10. A deck configured to be removably secured to a scaffold assembly, comprising:

a) a plurality of rails forming a rectangular frame with a first end and a second end;

b) at least two first hooks attached to and extending from a rail at the first end of the frame, wherein the first hooks include: i) a body; ii) means to secure the body to the rectangular frame; iii) an upper tongue member for resting on a bar, and iv) a bottom ridge for securing the underside of the bar, dimensioned so that the bar can pass between the upper tongue member and the bottom ridge;

c) at least two second hooks attached to and extending from a rail at the second end of the frame; and

d) a flat top with a first end and a second end attached to the frame, dimensioned so that the top has a width approximately the same as the frame width and a length such that the second end of the top is approximately flush with the second end of the frame and the first end of the top extends beyond the first end of the frame so that the first end of the top extends over the first hooks.

11. The deck as claimed in claim 10, wherein the first and second hooks are generally located at the corners of the rectangular frame.

12. The deck as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first hooks and the second hooks are offset laterally from the hooks at the other end, to permit multiple decks to be aligned with one another.