Scaffold connection with concave engagement and gravity lock

An improved scaffold connection for engagement of scaffold members to support members. The connection employs a ring member engaged to the vertical scaffold member. A rotatable latch member engages a lower surface of the ring member to maintain a hook or support portion of a latch body on the upper surface of the ring member. A locking member rotationally engaged to the latch member, is gravity activated to rotate and engage the latch body to hold the latch member engaged to the ring member.

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Description

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/932861 filed Jun. 1, 2007 and incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. This invention relates generally to connections for scaffolding. More particularly the disclosed device relates to an improved scaffolding connection employed between horizontal and vertical scaffold members, which is highly resistant to disconnection from impacts and from lateral forces that can impact the horizontal scaffold members.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

2. Prior Art

Scaffold connection designs for engaging the horizontal members of scaffolding to the vertical members providing support have been employed for hundreds of years in different forms. Modernly, the concern for worker safety has been a driving force for the creation of locking connectors for the horizontal members to the vertical members. Different designs have been taught from annular embers on the vertical posts engaging connectors to a wedge assembly which holds a connection between a horizontal and a vertical member held in place with a wedge driven into place. However, the wedge form of connection is hard to install and remove as it requires the wedge to be driven in and out with tools.

A great advance was provided in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,078,532 and 5,028,164 which taught the employment of ring members surrounding the vertical upright members and a triggered connection and the drawings and specification of which are incorporated herein by reference. While these devices have been more successful in shortening installation times since tools are not required, recently a concern has arisen due to the dislodgement of horizontal members occurring if the triggered ring connection is struck with a lateral force such as a worker hitting a horizontal member with their body too hard.

Consequently, while ease of installation is still a primary concern due to the high cost of labor and downtime on job sites, the ever increasing need to improve worker safety, even in extreme or unlikely occurrences, is always paramount in design concerns. Thus, an improved triggered connection of the horizontal members to the vertical scaffold members which allows for fast installations, but resists disconnection from impacts, is highly desirable.

It is another object of this invention to provide a scaffold connector, which is easily engaged, better resists lateral forces, and provides a locking mechanism that engages by default using gravity activation to maintain the connector locked until it is intentionally disengaged.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of the scaffold connector device as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed and described herein is an improved scaffold connector for the engagement of horizontal scaffold members to the vertical members supporting them. The connection employs a first ring surrounding the circumference of the upright member and spaced from a second, similarly configured, ring member. The first ring member has an upper side and a lower side extending to a distal edge from a fixed engagement to the vertical scaffold members employed to support horizontal members. The second ring member also has an upper side and a lower side and extends to a distal edge from a fixed engagement to the vertical scaffold members.

Each horizontal member has a triggered connector on each end, adapted to engage with the ring members on the vertical members. A connector body having a first end, a second end, a top, a bottom and sides, is fixedly attachable at its second end to one end of a horizontal scaffold member having an upper surface. Extending from the connector body is a section for attachment of the connector body to the upper side of the first ring member extending from the vertical scaffold members. A latch member positioned in a cavity of the connector body has a first end extending through the first opening and the latch member pivots within the cavity so as to bear a support surface on the first end against a lower side of the first ring member when the support surface is positioned below the lower side of the first ring member.

In a marked improvement to this system the lower side of the first ring member is concave in shape and the support surface of the latch member has a complimentary shape so as to settle into the concave lower side when positioned below it. This engagement of the concave lower surface of the ring member and curved support surface of the latch, provides an especially good engagement that has shown to be highly resistant to any accidental disconnect when the horizontal member or the connector body is struck with force from the side, such as by a worker walking on the scaffold falling against it and producing lateral force to the connection.

Further, a gravity lock, also in the preferred embodiment engaged rotationally with the latch member, will naturally lock the latch member by rotating to a locked engagement with an aperture formed in the connector body. Thus, once the latch is allowed to engage the bottom surface of the ring member the user releases the handle on the latch and the lock handle, and by default, the gravity activated lock will rotate to a locked position engaged with the connector body. This prevents the handle of the latch from being pressed downward to release the engagement with the ring member until the gravity lock is intentionally rotated out of engagement with the connector body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of the invention showing the annular ring member on the vertical scaffold member having a concave bottom surface engaged with the latch member having a complimentary surface to that of the concave surface of the ring member.

FIG. 2 depicts the device of FIG. 1 having a gravity actuated locking mechanism to assure engagement in a locked and unlocked position by default when assembling the device.

FIG. 3 depicts the device of FIG. 2 showing the locking mechanism disengaged to allow disconnection of the components.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1-3 depict various modes of the disclosed device 10 for engagement of scaffold members in construction of scaffolds and similar structures. The Figures depict various embodiments of the improved scaffold connection device 10, all of which incorporate the unique concave engagement of components which yield the increased resistance to disengagement of the components.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3 all modes of the connection device 10 include a first ring member 12, which is fixedly attached to a vertical scaffold member 15, preferably by welding. The first ring member 12 has an upper side 13 surface and a lower side 14 surface surrounding the member 15 in the curved shape of the ring member 12.

In the most preferred mode of the device 10 shown in FIGS. 2-3, while not required for the engagement of the scaffold components, additional redundancy and stability of the assembled device 10 to the member 15 can be obtained by the addition of second ring member 21 below the first ring member and having upper side 22 surface and lower side 23 surface. The second ring member 21 is distanced below the first ring member when the vertical member 15 is in an as-used position during assembly of a scaffold. As can be seen, it yields a second connection to the vertical member 15 thereby increasing load bearing capability and also adding stability from lateral force.

A connector body 16 having a descending housing portion is fixedly attached to horizontal scaffold member 11, also preferably by welding. A portion of the connector body 16 is adapted to operatively engage the first ring member 12. To this end a means for attachment of connector body 16 to upper side 13 of the first ring member 12 extends from first end 17 of body 16. Preferably, such means should take the form of first hook portion 25, which is dimensioned to descend into and matingly engage and hook onto upper side 13 of the first ring member 12.

If second ring member 21 is utilized, a second hook portion 41 is provided as means for attachment of connector body 16 at the bottom of the housing forming the cavity 29. When the second hook portion 41 is so engaged it is supported by the upper side 22 of second ring member 21. While other means of support as would occur to those skilled in the art may be employed, currently the second hook portion 41, which is cooperatively dimensioned to matingly hook onto the curved shape of the upper side 22 of second ring member 21.

As noted a cavity 29 is provided within a housing extending from the body 16. A latch member 18 is operatively engaged to rotate as shown on pin 31 within cavity 29, and is provided with a first end 19 extending through an aperture communicating with the cavity 29. Latch member 18 is pivotal within cavity 29 so as to have an curved engagement surface 27 bear against the cooperatively curved surface of the lower side 14 of the first ring member 12. When the latch member 18 is thus rotated counter clockwise, to a position below lower side 14 of first ring member 12 a locking of the horizontal scaffold member 11 in place as shown in FIGS. 1-2 is achieved that is especially resistant to unlocking from lateral forces communicated to the body 16 or scaffold member 11. During engagement, the latch member 18 will rotate out of the way of the ring member 12 when the first hook portion 25 is positioned on the upper surface 13. The latch member 18 will rotate back to an engaged position of FIG. 1 and 2, by the action of a biasing means such as spring 33 engaged around the pin 31 to the latch member 18. Pressure on the first end 19 of the latch member 18 will release the engagement by rotating out of the way allowing the body 16 to be lifted off the first ring member 12.

This engagement is vastly improved by the concave relief 26 in the lower surface 14, engaging mating complimentary engagement surface 27 having a projecting curve adapted to mate with and engage the concave relief 26. This projecting curved engagement surface 27 when engaged in the concave relief 26 provides highly increase resistance to lateral forces from disengaging the body 16 from the ring 12.

In the particularly preferred mode of the device in FIG. 2, a gravity lock member 35 is rotationally engaged on a pin 31 with the latch member 18 and weighted by the extending handle portion 39 such that it will naturally rotate with gravity to engage and lock the latch member 18 against the first ring member 12. This locking is achieved by gravity rotating to the lock member 35 such that a locking surface 43 engages with a ledge 37 of an aperture 48 formed in the connector body 16.

Thus, once the latch 18 engages the bottom surface 14 of the first ring member 12, the user releases the handle portion 19 on the latch member 18 and the gravity activated lock member 35 rotates to a locked position engaged with the ledge 37 in the aperture 48 formed in the connector body 16. This engagement prevents the latch member 18 from rotating should it intentionally or unintentionally have the handle portion being pressed downward which would normally release the engagement with the ring member 12. Thus, no accidental release may occur until the gravity actuated lock member 35 is intentionally rotated out of engagement with the aperture 48 in connector body 16.

As can be seen, an improved scaffold connection with a concave surface engagement and gravity activated lock is provided which securely locks a horizontal scaffold member to a vertical scaffold member, eliminating the need for driven wedges to provide such a connection. The improved connection is versatile in its application, and allows more efficient use of scaffold members. Other embodiments of the invention will occur to those skilled in the art, and are intended to be included within the scope and spirit of the following claims.

While all of the fundamental characteristics and features of the improved disclosed and described scaffold connector have been described, a latitude of modification, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure and it will be apparent that in some instance, some features of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth. It should be understood that such substitutions, modifications, and variations may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Consequently, all such modifications and variations are included within the scope of the invention as defined herein.

Claims

1. A scaffold connector comprising:

a first ring member having an upper side and a lower side surface meeting at a circumferential edge, said first ring member fixedly attachable to a vertical scaffold member;
said first ring member having a recess formed in said lower side surface;
a connector body having a first end, a second end, a top side and a bottom side, said connector body fixedly attachable at said second end to one end of a horizontal scaffold member having an upper surface;
means for attachment of said connector body to said first ring member with a support surface of said connector body in a supported position contacting said upper side of said first ring member;
a latch member, rotationally engaged to said connector body, said latch member having a first end having a contact surface adapted so as to be positionable below said lower side of said first ring member;
said contact surface dimensioned to engage within said recess descending into said lower side surface of said first ring member;
said latch member rotatable to a rotated position with said contact surface disengaged from said lower side of said first ring member; and
said latch member rotatable to a connected position with said contact surface engaged within said recess of said lower side surface upon said connector body reaching said supported position.

2. The scaffold connector of claim 1 additionally comprising:

a locking member, said locking member rotationally engaged to said latch member;
said locking member having a connecting surface dimensioned to engage an aperture in said connector body; and
said locking member biased to rotate and engage said connecting surface with said aperture when said latch member is rotated to said connected position with said contact surface.

3. The scaffold connector of claim 2 additionally comprising:

said locking member having a handle portion extending from a pin providing a rotational engagement to said latch member;
said handle portion extending away from said ring member; and
said handle portion having a mass whereby gravity provides a means to bias said locking member to rotate and engage said connecting surface.

4. The scaffold connector of claim 1 additionally comprising:

a second ring member having an upper side and a lower side, fixedly attachable to said vertical scaffold member at a point spaced below said first ring member; and
means for attachment of said connector body to said upper side of said second ring member, extending from said first end of said connector body.

5. The scaffold connector of claim 2 additionally comprising:

a second ring member having an upper side and a lower side, fixedly attachable to said vertical scaffold member at a point spaced below said first ring member; and
means for attachment of said connector body to said upper side of said second ring member, extending from said first end of said connector body.

6. The scaffold connector of claim 3 additionally comprising:

a second ring member having an upper side and a lower side, fixedly attachable to said vertical scaffold member at a point spaced below said first ring member; and
means for attachment of said connector body to said upper side of said second ring member, extending from said first end of said connector body.

7. An improved scaffold connection, comprising:

a. a first ring member having an upper side and a lower side, fixedly attachable to a vertical scaffold member;
b. a connector body having a first end, a second end, a top, a bottom and sides, fixedly attachable at said second end to one end of a horizontal scaffold member having an upper surface, said connector body including: i. a means for attachment of said connector body to said upper side of said first ring member, extending from said first end of said connector body; ii. a cavity, extending through said body and opening exterior of said body at a first opening in said first end; and iii. a support element fixedly positioned in said cavity said support element having a curved support surface; and
c. a latch member, positioned in said cavity and having a first end extending through said first opening and adapted so as to be positionable below said lower side of said first ring member in a connected position, said latch member being pivotal within said cavity and having a curved base section, matingly slidable on and supported by said support surface;
d. a locking member, said locking member rotationally engaged to said latch member;
said locking member having a connecting surface dimensioned to engage an aperture in said connector body; and
said locking member biased to rotate and engage said connecting surface with said aperture when said latch member is rotated to said connected position with said contact surface.

8. The scaffold connector of claim 7 additionally comprising:

said locking member having a handle portion extending from a pin providing a rotational engagement to said latch member;
said handle portion extending away from said ring member; and
said handle portion having a mass whereby gravity provides a means to bias said locking member to rotate and engage said connecting surface.

9. The scaffold connector of claim 1 additionally comprising:

means to bias said latch member towards said ring member whereby said latch member is rotated to a connected position, with said contact surface engaged within said recess of said lower side surface, upon said connector body reaching said supported position.

10. The scaffold connector of claim 2 additionally comprising:

means to bias said latch member towards said ring member whereby said latch member is rotated to a connected position, with said contact surface engaged within said recess of said lower side surface, upon said connector body reaching said supported position.

11. The scaffold connector of claim 3 additionally comprising:

means to bias said latch member towards said ring member whereby said latch member is rotated to a connected position, with said contact surface engaged within said recess of said lower side surface, upon said connector body reaching said supported position.

12. The scaffold connector of claim 4 additionally comprising:

means to bias said latch member towards said ring member whereby said latch member is rotated to a connected position, with said contact surface engaged within said recess of said lower side surface, upon said connector body reaching said supported position.
Patent History
Publication number: 20090052980
Type: Application
Filed: May 30, 2008
Publication Date: Feb 26, 2009
Inventor: Joe W. Williams (Walker, LA)
Application Number: 12/156,315
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: With Independent Handle Or Operator (403/33); Laterally Related Members Connected By Latch Means, E.g., Scaffold Connectors (403/49)
International Classification: E04G 7/00 (20060101);