Abstract:
An equipment support leg providing a multiplicity of functions. Static applications are addressed through a threaded shaft and foot. The improved foot is bolted into support legs in such a way as to allow swiveling desirable for conforming to grounds. Mobile applications are addressed through a modified castor. The castor may be lowered to the ground or retracted into a safe position by use of a handle attached to a bearing. Jacking or leveling needs are met by use of the leveler handle which is attached to a bearing, located near the top of threaded shaft. Therefore, one support leg converts from stationary capabilities to mobile capacities, and converts back again into the original stationary position.

Description:
REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX  
         [0001]    Not applicable  
         BACKGROUND—FIELD OF INVENTION  
         [0002]    This invention relates to an equipment support leg, more specifically an equipment leg which converts from a stationary position to a mobile capacity.  
         BACKGROUND—PRIOR ART  
         [0003]    Equipment support legs employed over the years for use with scaffold systems, carts, or staging and the like have only provided singular functions. A multiplicity of needs dealing with variations of grounds or flooring, plus the necessity for temporary mobility to move the supported structure should all be met all in one simple to use leg device. Although this has long been desired, the need has yet to be met. Legs for use with a scaffold frame will be the primary example given.  
           [0004]    An equipment leg will usually consist of a small metal square plate, or foot. The center contains one shaft, shortened or lengthened and may be threaded, which inserts up into a scaffold frame leg. The frame then rests upon the upon the metal plate. This foot protects the frame from sinking into the ground and provides stability.  
           [0005]    Another leg consisting of the same components adds on a leveling jack. This is a long threaded shaft with a handle on top that can rotate up or down the shaft. The scaffold frame comes to rest upon this leveling handle, rather than the foot. The handle jacks up the frame or lowers it to level the scaffold platform. The weight of the frame makes it difficult to turn the leveling handle. Often, the worker cannot adjust the leveling jack without applying use of a maul to force the handle into position. Handles crack, chip, snap off and impair safety standards.  
           [0006]    While a scaffold system is being used, the foot has a great amount of weight upon it. This means that an assembled scaffold cannot be lifted in order to remove even a small shafted foot and replace it with another type.  
           [0007]    Frequently, uneven grounds, sloped flooring, or erosion necessitates a swivel foot. Instead of a fixed foot as discussed before, this foot has ability to swivel somewhat to conform to inconsistent conditions varying from day to day. A fixed foot must be resting upon level grounds, which can be dug out and graded up. However, many floorings that scaffold is upon are made with concrete. The concrete may be sloping and rough, as it is not the final finished product. Concrete cannot be dug up, and so a swivel foot is the best option.  
           [0008]    Another problem is the need to move the scaffold system. There simply has not been available for use a support leg which simplistically converts from stationary usage into full mobility. If a flat, fixed foot, or swivel foot has been used, then the whole system must be taken down piece by piece and resurrected in the new location. Often, this is just a few feet away.  
           [0009]    To answer this problem, a leg consisting solely of a castor wheel and a short shaft can be inserted into the frame for mobility. However, this also gives the effect of a castor always in contact with the grounds while work is being done on the scaffold. The unit can roll away, shake, and rock due to gravitational forces, sloping, erosions, high winds and accidental bumping. Although a castor with a long shaft is available to be used, it is considered unsafe by construction workers, and is never to be used on job site.  
           [0010]    Many castors do entail braking mechanisms. There is always a potential for disengagement of the brake. Brakes working by friction do tend to wear out. Toothed brakes sometimes fail to lack registration. Debris can interfere with the brake engagement. Brakes can be forgotten to be utilized due to human error. Heavy loads can cause braked wheels to slide. A castored scaffold leg has an inherent potentiality to roll and subsequently injure a fellow human.  
           [0011]    In order to overcome these dangerous situations, a rolling scaffold is often additionally shored up with cinder blocks, sandbags or other heavy materials. An expensive safety option is the practice of digging a track, or channel, and possibly paving it. The castored frame is somewhat contained within the channel. One very elaborate structure that does contain stationary and mobile use is found in U.S. Pat. No. 3,576,233 given to Thatcher in April 27, 1971. A scaffold structure is attached to a side of a vehicle with legs sitting upon the ground for stability. This is a usable invention, although not practical for the construction industry.  
           [0012]    All the above related factors raise labor and construction costs, lack time efficiency, nor have the working persons best benefits in mind. A better improved equipment support leg is needed to meet the ever changing demands of construction.  
         SUMMARY  
         [0013]    This present invention accordingly provides an equipment support leg which presents a retractable castor to be raised or lowered for movability through operating a handle-bearing; a heavy duty swivel foot for static applications; and a leveler also fit with a handle-bearing for ease of manipulation, all designed into one durable unit.  
           [0014]    Several objects and advantages of the present invention are:  
           [0015]    (a) to provide a reliable support leg for use with scaffolding frames, carts, staging and the like, which entails stationary and mobile features;  
           [0016]    (b) to provide a support leg with a foot substantially larger than a standard foot which will enable greater spread of load and has at least twice the bearing capacity of the customary foot.  
           [0017]    (c) to provide a large foot capable of swiveling to measure up to the variety of demands happened upon in the diversity of work sites;  
           [0018]    (d) to provide a modified castor resulting in a castor affording greater swiveling capabilities than standard castors, incorporated into the same device as the foot, yielding full mobility of the structure it is joined to;  
           [0019]    (e) to provide an improved wheel which can be interchanged for anticipated weight load, variety of job site, and preferred wheel materials, while it is still attached to the structure it is supporting;  
           [0020]    (f) to provide a wheel which retracts off the grounds, out of harms way, when a fixed, stable position is desired;  
           [0021]    (g) to eliminate the need of hand brake mechanisms upon the castor that may not engage properly or be operated incorrectly;  
           [0022]    (h) to provide an unique adjusting leveler handle that is easier to maneuver than customary handles being used with which to level the supported scaffold frame;  
           [0023]    (i) to provide a unique support leg that meets all usual standard uses in the construction field all in one device, with safety prevalent in mind;  
           [0024]    (j) to reduce the cost of labor and increase time efficiency by dismissing the need for dismantling a scaffold in order to move the system to another location and rebuild it; rather, this leg allows a stationary foot to convert a scaffold into a rolling unit, then converts again into a fixed position, thus saving much time and effort. 
       
    
    
       [0025]    Further objects and advantages can be construed and discerned through observation of drawings and specifications.  
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0026]    For a most comprehensive understanding of the equipment support leg, reference should be made to the following figures, accompanying drawings, and the supporting detailed description.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 1A and 1B show a front and side view of the equipment support leg in a stationary stance;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 2 displays a side view of the support leg in a mobile position;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 3A to  3 C show front, side, and top views respectively of the foot of the leg;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 4 is a top view of the support leg plate;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 5 gives a top view of the bearing  48 ;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 6 shows a top view of the castor plate;  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 7 is a top view of bearing  34 ;  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 8 shows a sectional view of the handle bearing;  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 9 is a side view of the castor. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0036]    Referring now to FIGS. 1A and 1B, there is shown the illustrative embodiment of this invention. While FIG. 1B shows a right side view of the leg in a fixed, stable position, FIG. 2 displays a left side view of the same leg in position for mobile use.  
         [0037]    This leg device includes a large base plate, or swivel foot  10 , that can be made of steel or aluminum, or cast, to be suitable for a particular use. Swivel foot  10  can be made larger or smaller depending upon expected job loads, preferred rolling devices and industry used for.  
         [0038]    Shown in FIG. 3A, the front view of swivel foot  10  is composed with a set of triangular flanges  112 ,  114 ,  116 , and  118 . These four triangular flanges  112 ,  114 ,  116 , and  118  are vertical, fastened to swivel foot  10  in symmetrical fashion with a beaded weld  120 ,  122 ,  124 ,  126 ,  128 ,  130 ,  132 , and  134 , for the entire length of each flange. FIG. 3B shows a side view of triangle flanges  112 ,  114 ,  116 , and  118 . A foot bolt aperture  86  is shown to accommodate a bolt  12 , a bolt  14 , a nut  16 , and a nut  18 , to be used for fastening a left support leg  23  and a right support leg  25  to swivel foot  10 . This can also be seen in the front view of FIG. 1A. FIG. 3B also details the front and back edges of swivel foot  10 . Edges are machine bent or rolled, to turn slightly upward at an angle or sloping to keep swivel foot  10  from catching on debris, work materials, etc., and thereby wedging in and becoming caught.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 3C entails a rectangular notch  98  within the center front portion of swivel foot  10 , to allow a castor wheel  22  to pass through swivel foot  10  and so contact ground or flooring.  
         [0040]    As seen in FIG. 1, left support leg  23  and right support leg  25  has a cross brace  20  that goes in between left support leg  23  and right support leg  25 . Cross brace  20  is connected with a left beaded weld  136  and a right beaded weld  138  to act as the brace to keep the legs  23  and  25  from spreading apart. Cross brace  20  also acts as a locking mechanism for castor wheel  22  in that cross brace  20  prevents castor wheel  22  from swiveling and pivoting when retracted.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 1 illustrates a support leg plate  45  in position on top of left support leg  23  and right support leg  25 , welded around all top edges of support legs  23  and  25  with a beaded weld  43 . A top view of support leg plate  45  is seen in FIG. 4.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 4 shows support leg plate  45  having a bolt aperture set  100 ,  102 ,  104 , and  106 , and a shaft hole  108  to accommodate a threaded shaft  58 . Shaft hole  108  is bore out to allow threaded shaft  58  to pass through and connect to a coupler, threaded pipe  42 , seen in FIG. 1B, by simply screwing them together.  
         [0043]    Shown in FIG. 5, a bearing  48  which has a set of bolt apertures  70 ,  72 ,  74 , and  76 , is then bolted to support leg plate  45  with a bolt set  40 ,  46 ,  96 , and  110 , and a nut set  38 ,  44 ,  94 , and  111 . Bolt  110  and nut  111  are apparent in FIG. 2. A retractable castor handle  56  is welded to bearing  48  with a beaded weld  54  giving the effect of a handle-bearing.  
         [0044]    Shaft  58  threads into threaded pipe  42  after it passes thru bearing  48  by way of shaft hole  108  and support leg plate  45 . Threaded pipe  42  is welded to a bearing  34  with a beaded weld  35  as seen in FIG. 1A, 1B, and  2 .  
         [0045]    The top view of bearing  34  is shown in FIG. 7. Bearing  34  sitting on its plate which comes manufactured together, has a set of bolt apertures  78 ,  80 ,  82 , and  84 . A castor plate  32  shown in FIG. 6 also has a set of bolt apertures  140 ,  142 ,  144  and  146 . Castor plate  32  is attached to bearing  34  with a set of bolts  31 ,  36 ,  92  and  148 , and a set of nuts  150 ,  33 ,  30  and  90 .  
         [0046]    A castor fork  28  is welded to castor plate  32  with a castor fork weld  152 , as shown in FIG. 9. This castor fork  28  contains a different angle than normal standard use castors. A standard castor will not work properly in this support leg. Castor fork  28  is cut and customized to obtain approximately a 38° castor angle in relation to the castor plate  32 , which will allow castor  22  to move up and down without hitting cross brace  20 . This 38° castor angle shown in FIG. 9, seems to help overcome a problem inherent to swivel castors. A castor carrying a load will tend to align itself in the direction it is presently moving, so that when quickly turning in another direction, the castor resists the directional change. A 38° castor angle has resulted in eliminating much of this resistance problem. This modification allows castor  22  to be even more freely mobile, when positioned down as shown in FIG. 2. Castor wheel  22  is fastened on castor fork  28  with an axle bolt  26  and an axle nut  24 .  
         [0047]    A leveling scaffold handle  60  is attached to a bearing  68  with a beaded weld  62 . This also results in a bearinged-handle which has ease of movement. Threaded shaft  58  will go through Kingpinless bearing, which is manufactured as bored, down through leveling scaffold handle  60 , downward thru retractable handle  56 , bearing  48 , support plate  45  and continues on to threaded pipe  52 , which screw into each other.  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 8 is given to show how shaft  58  passes through handle  56 , and bearing  48 . Bearing  48  may be Kingpinless which already has a hole, or can be bored out either individually, or by manufacturer.  
         [0049]    In order to yield optimum performance of this support leg unit, operation should be done in the following manner:  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0050]    This support leg is designed for use with a structure such as a scaffolding system which has a tubular frame, hole, or sleeve that will allow threaded shaft  58  to be inserted. A set of support legs will be needed to accommodate each corner or area of the structure being supported. As shaft  58  is inserted into the frame, the frame will come to rest upon bearing  68 , not upon the handle, as is generally done in the field. In this model, the bearing&#39;s plate has been cut and rounded. Bearing  68  is to be welded or forged into the leveling scaffold handle  60 , creating a bearinged-handle. This sort of handle is much easier to manipulate than the basic standard handle that scaffolders usually use. The handle  60  can level a scaffold frame leg by rotating the handle clockwise or counter-clockwise around shaft  58 . Counter-clockwise rotations will result in the raising of the handle up the shaft, and therefore also raising the scaffold that is resting upon the bearing  68 . By rotating the same handle clockwise, it spins down the threaded shaft, also lowering the structure. Each leg frame of scaffolding must be raised or lowered and checked for levelness through the entire platform and to secure the work area.  
         [0051]    Another handle is utilized in this leg device. This will operate castor  22 . The retractable handle  56  is to be welded or forged into bearing  48  as one unit, much like the leveling handle and bearing  68 . Retractable handle  56  sits atop of bearing  48  which is bolted by its plate to support leg plate  45 . As the handle is spun clockwise, the threaded shaft  58  is taken up, thereby raising the castor to which it is ultimately connected to.  
         [0052]    Castor  22  has modified forks  28 , which in turn are welded to castor plate  32 . The plate  32  is bolted together with bearing  34 . The bearing is welded to threaded pipe  42  which has the threaded shaft  58  screwed into it. The castor handle will raise up or lower down the castor by way of the threaded shaft raising and lowering.  
         [0053]    Conversion from a stationary unit to a rolling apparatus begins as the castor comes in contact with the ground. As the retractable handle is turned counter-clockwise, the castor is lowered to the floor, creating now a rolling support leg. The lowering of the castor also causes the swivel foot to ascend off the floor, clearing the path for movability. Clockwise rotations of the castor handle castor handle cause the castor to retract safely to its original position, after the rolling capabilities have been used. A scaffold system needs mobility only temporarily; rather, the workman prefers to undertake his/her labors on a firm, secure, stabilized platform.  
         [0054]    As the wheel is raised high enough, castor fork  28  is engaged by cross brace  20 . This locks the castor to prevent its swiveling and shaking while retracted.  
         [0055]    Foot  10  gains swiveling action from the bolts which attach the flanges to the support legs. Swiveling is appreciated in uneven grounds. Operation of this device should always be in accordance with standard safety practices, and OSHA regulations.  
       CONCLUSIONS, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE  
       [0056]    Therefore, one can see that the equipment support leg with leveler and retractable castor is a definitive fulfillment of needs particularly desired by the scaffolding industry. Furnishing a support leg which produces a new result in that an improved stationary leg can convert into a mobile capacity as needed, then return to a firm, steadfast placement answers a cry long voiced by construction workmen and the industry&#39;s executives as well. The addition of am improved leveling jack handle is indisputably an advantageous factor.  
         [0057]    While this present invention described above and shown throughout the drawings has been individually pieced together, a manufacturer or other producer of this product, whether in total or with specific elements, could readily determine elements to be forged, made integral or use other processes with which to make the leg quicker, more easily and more economically.  
         [0058]    Manufacturers would be able to distinguish the best materials suited for consumers particular needs since a variety of industries can benefit from the use of this support leg. To satisfy customer&#39;s needs, this leg could be produced for light, medium, heavy duty or furthered into a gigantic industrial leg support system, with materials selected accordingly. Methods for modular or integrally made elements, their connections, sizes, and shapes of elements can be changed to conform to needs and desires of consumers without changing the true spirit and scope of this invention.  
         [0059]    If so desired, the foot may be made without swiveling action. Likewise, the leveling jack handle can be made without benefit of the bearing, in any type of configuration for rotation or use as a platform to bear weight.  
         [0060]    Finishings can be applied for effective durability and protective qualities as so desired by specific industries.  
         [0061]    The bearing for castoring has been placed atop the castor plate for ease in changing castor wheel. However, this can be alternately placed under the castor plate, with modified forks attached to the bearing.  
         [0062]    This does necessitate a complete castor unit change when preferred, rather than simply removing the wheel and inserting the new one.  
         [0063]    In accordance to patent statutes, further construing and formulations could be made of this support leg and yet not depart from the true spirit and scope of this invention.  
       REFERENCE NUMBERS LIST  
       [0064]    [0064] 10  swivel  
         [0065]    [0065] 12  bolt  
         [0066]    [0066] 14  bolt  
         [0067]    [0067] 16  nut  
         [0068]    [0068] 18  nut  
         [0069]    [0069] 20  cross brace  
         [0070]    [0070] 22  castor wheel  
         [0071]    [0071] 23  support leg left  
         [0072]    [0072] 24  axle nut  
         [0073]    [0073] 25  support leg right  
         [0074]    [0074] 26  axle bolt  
         [0075]    [0075] 28  castor fork  
         [0076]    [0076] 30  castor plate nut  
         [0077]    [0077] 31  castor plate bolt  
         [0078]    [0078] 32  castor plate  
         [0079]    [0079] 33  castor plate nut  
         [0080]    [0080] 34  bearing  
         [0081]    [0081] 35  beaded weld  
         [0082]    [0082] 36  castor plate bolt  
         [0083]    [0083] 38  nut  
         [0084]    [0084] 40  bolt  
         [0085]    [0085] 42  threaded pipe  
         [0086]    [0086] 43  beaded weld  
         [0087]    [0087] 44  nut  
         [0088]    [0088] 45  support leg plate  
         [0089]    [0089] 46  bolt  
         [0090]    [0090] 48  bearing  
         [0091]    [0091] 54  beaded weld  
         [0092]    [0092] 56  retractable castor handle  
         [0093]    [0093] 58  threaded shaft  
         [0094]    [0094] 60  leveling scaffold handle  
         [0095]    [0095] 62  beaded weld  
         [0096]    [0096] 68  bearing  
         [0097]    [0097] 70  bolt aperture  
         [0098]    [0098] 72  bolt aperture  
         [0099]    [0099] 74  bolt aperture  
         [0100]    [0100] 76  bolt aperture  
         [0101]    [0101] 78  bolt aperture  
         [0102]    [0102] 80  bolt aperture  
         [0103]    [0103] 82  bolt aperture  
         [0104]    [0104] 84  bolt aperture  
         [0105]    [0105] 86  foot bolt aperture  
         [0106]    [0106] 88  castor hole  
         [0107]    [0107] 90  castor plate nut  
         [0108]    [0108] 92  castor plate bolt  
         [0109]    [0109] 94  nut  
         [0110]    [0110] 96  bolt  
         [0111]    [0111] 98  rectangular notch  
         [0112]    [0112] 100  bolt aperture  
         [0113]    [0113] 102  bolt aperture  
         [0114]    [0114] 104  bolt aperture  
         [0115]    [0115] 106  bolt aperture  
         [0116]    [0116] 108  shaft hole  
         [0117]    [0117] 110  bolt  
         [0118]    [0118] 111  nut  
         [0119]    [0119] 112  triangle flange  
         [0120]    [0120] 114  triangle flange  
         [0121]    [0121] 116  triangle flange  
         [0122]    [0122] 118  triangle flange  
         [0123]    [0123] 120  beaded weld  
         [0124]    [0124] 122  beaded weld  
         [0125]    [0125] 124  beaded weld  
         [0126]    [0126] 126  beaded weld  
         [0127]    [0127] 128  beaded weld  
         [0128]    [0128] 130  beaded weld  
         [0129]    [0129] 132  beaded weld  
         [0130]    [0130] 134  beaded weld  
         [0131]    [0131] 136  beaded weld left  
         [0132]    [0132] 138  beaded weld right  
         [0133]    [0133] 140  bolt aperture  
         [0134]    [0134] 142  bolt aperture  
         [0135]    [0135] 144  bolt aperture  
         [0136]    [0136] 146  bolt aperture  
         [0137]    [0137] 148  castor plate bolt  
         [0138]    [0138] 150  castor plate nut  
         [0139]    [0139] 152  castor fork weld