Patent Publication Number: US-8973711-B2

Title: Intermediate scaffold joint

Description:
I. BACKGROUND 
     Scaffolds are temporary structures composed of vertical and horizontal members joined together to create a frame, which usually has an elevated working surface or decking. Generally, a scaffold frame comprises a series of joined vertical members that extend in an unbroken string until a desired work surface elevation is reached, generally positioned well above the ground. Horizontal members are used to not only stabilize the structure, but also to form work surfaces at desired elevations. 
     There are instances where it is desirable to attach intermediate scaffold members to the scaffold structure. An intermediate scaffold member is one which is not directly attached to the primary vertical members (i.e., the vertical members which extend to ground level). For instance, an access safety railing located at the working surface may need intermediate vertical members to properly define the railing. Additionally, there may be instances where it is desirable to attach an intermediate horizontal member to an existing horizontal member. These intermediate scaffold members are attached to the scaffold structure with an intermediate scaffold joint. Intermediate scaffold joints are typically attached to a primary horizontal scaffold member (i.e., an existing horizontal member). An intermediate horizontal member and an intermediate vertical member can then be attached to the joint. 
     The addition of intermediate vertical scaffold members to the scaffold structure can present problems due to the intermediate scaffold joint&#39;s ability to rotate about its attachment point with the existing horizontal member. A previous attempt to address this problem is shown in  FIG. 1 . This prior art joint  40  features two protrusions  43  which are engaged by a latch mechanism  44  attached to the end of the intermediate horizontal member  52 . To install an intermediate vertical member  45  to the joint shown in  FIG. 1 , the intermediate horizontal member  52  must first be attached to the joint  40  to prevent the joint  40  from rotating. The device described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,932,195 functions in a similar manner, except that the latch mechanism has been replaced with a clamp, thereby providing an intermediate scaffold joint with universal applicability. 
     Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved intermediate scaffold joint which does not require the attachment of an intermediate horizontal member to prevent undesired rotation. 
     II. SUMMARY 
     An improved intermediate scaffold joint having features of the present invention comprises a frame, a first mounting member, a second mounting member, and a vertical stub. The frame has an interior side, an exterior side, and a top side. Both the first mounting member and the second mounting member are attached to the frame&#39;s exterior side for securing the frame to the existing scaffold structure. A vertical stub is attached to the frame&#39;s top side for attaching an intermediate vertical scaffold member to the frame. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, the intermediate scaffold joint can also feature a means for attaching an intermediate horizontal scaffold member to the frame&#39;s interior side. The means for attaching an intermediate horizontal scaffold member can be one or more projections, a clamp, or any other means for attaching an intermediate horizontal scaffold member to the frame. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, the first mounting member can be a latch, and the second mounting member can be a channel bracket. The latch is attached to the frame and functions to attach and secure the intermediate scaffold joint to a first primary horizontal scaffold member. The channel bracket is adapted to receive a second horizontal scaffold member. In an alternative embodiment, both the first and second mounting members can be latches. In a further alternative embodiment, both the first and second mounting members can be channel brackets. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, an improved intermediate scaffold joint having features of the present invention comprises a frame, a latch, and a means for attaching an intermediate scaffold member to the frame. The attachment means can be for attaching either an intermediate horizontal member or an intermediate vertical member. In a preferred embodiment, the intermediate scaffold joint features an attachment means for both an intermediate horizontal member and an intermediate vertical member. 
     The above summary is not intended to describe each illustrated embodiment or every possible implementation. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       III. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  depicts a prior art scaffold member joint. 
         FIG. 2  is a right-side view of the preferred embodiment of the new intermediate scaffold joint. 
         FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of the preferred embodiment showing the features on the exterior side of the new intermediate scaffold joint. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the intermediate scaffold joint&#39;s latch in the closed position. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the intermediate scaffold joint&#39;s latch in the open position. 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded view of the intermediate scaffold joint&#39;s latch. 
         FIG. 7  is a front perspective view of the preferred embodiment showing the features on the interior side of the new intermediate scaffold joint. 
         FIG. 8  is a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment showing the features on the interior side of the new intermediate scaffold joint. 
         FIG. 9  is a rear perspective view of an alternative embodiment showing the features on the exterior side of the new intermediate scaffold joint. 
         FIG. 10  is a rear perspective view of an alternative embodiment showing the features on the exterior side of the new intermediate scaffold joint. 
         FIG. 11  is a front view of the preferred embodiment of the new intermediate scaffold joint attached to an existing scaffold structure. 
     
    
    
     IV. DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  depicts a prior art intermediate scaffold joint  40  designed to work in scaffold systems where the horizontal scaffold members  52  terminate with a latch mechanism  44 , such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,028,164, 5,078,532, and 6,932,195, each of which are incorporated herein by reference (the “Williams Latch Mechanism”). The intermediate scaffold joint  40  features a bracket  41  attached to a frame  42 . The bracket  41  and frame  42  form a three-sided channel structure which is adapted to receive a horizontal scaffold member  49 . In operation, the joint&#39;s bracket  41  is placed over the horizontal scaffold member  49 . In this arrangement, the horizontal scaffold member  49  will be positioned within the channel structure. An intermediate horizontal scaffold member  52  is then latched onto the joint&#39;s two protruding ½ cup members  43  via the latch mechanism  44 . The latching of the intermediate horizontal scaffold member  52  to the joint  40  helps prevent the joint  40  from rotating about the horizontal scaffold member  49 . An intermediate vertical scaffold member can then be mounted to the vertical stub  45 . A pin  46  can be used to secure the intermediate vertical scaffold member to the joint  40 . 
     A preferred embodiment of the new intermediate scaffold joint  100  is depicted in  FIGS. 2-7 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the frame  110  has an interior side  113 , an exterior side  114 , and a top side  115 . A first mounting member  200  is attached to the frame&#39;s exterior side  114  at a first position for securing the frame to a first primary horizontal scaffold member  900 . A second mounting member  201  is attached the frame&#39;s exterior side  114  at a second position spaced apart vertically from the first position for securing the frame to a second primary horizontal scaffold member  901 . 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2-7 , the first mounting member  200  is a latch  220 . The latch  220  functions to secure the intermediate scaffold joint  100  to the first primary horizontal scaffold member  900 . As shown in  FIGS. 4-6 , the latch  220  can comprise a movable member  221  and a fixed member  225 . The fixed member  225  is fixedly attached to the frame  110 . The fixed member  225  can be fixedly attached by welding, fasteners, or any other means known in the art. Alternatively, the fixed member  225  can be fixedly attached to the frame  110  by being formed as an integral component of the frame  110 . The movable member&#39;s first end  222  is pivotally attached to the frame  110 , and the movable member&#39;s second end  223  is releasably attached or coupled to the fixed member  225 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2-6 , the movable member&#39;s first end  222  is indirectly attached to the frame  110  via a pivot bracket  228  and a bolt  229 . In other embodiments, the movable member&#39;s first end  222  can be pivotally attached directly to one or more protrusions integral to the frame  110 . The latch  220  is shown in the open position in  FIG. 5 . When in the open position, the fixed member  225  and the movable member  221  form an opening or mouth capable of receiving a primary horizontal scaffold member. The latch  220  is shown in the locked position in  FIG. 4 . When in the locked position, the fixed member  225  and the movable member  221  form an enclosed chamber which, in a preferred embodiment, is sized and shaped to snuggly engage the primary horizontal scaffold member. The latch  220  is secured in the locked position with a locking means, such as the pin  227 . Both the movable member  221  and the fixed member  225  can have apertures. When these apertures are aligned, the pin  227  can protrude successively through these apertures, thereby securing the movable member  221  to the fixed member  225 . The latch  220  can subsequently be opened by depressing the pin  227 . 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2-7 , the second mounting member  201  is a channel bracket  240 . The channel bracket  240  functions to secure the intermediate scaffold joint  100  to a second primary horizontal scaffold member  901 . In the preferred embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 2-7 , the channel bracket  240  is attached to the lower end of the frame&#39;s exterior side  114 . The channel bracket  240  and frame  110  form a three-sided structure defining a channel or slot. The channel is adapted to receive a horizontal scaffold member. Although the channel&#39;s profile is depicted in  FIG. 2  as a square-shaped channel, the channel can be formed in a variety of shapes (i.e., rounded) so long as it is capable of receiving a horizontal scaffold member. 
     The intermediate scaffold joint  100  of the present invention also features a means for attaching an intermediate scaffold member to the frame. The attachment means can be for attaching either an intermediate horizontal member or an intermediate vertical member. In the preferred embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 2-7 , the intermediate scaffold joint  100  features an attachment means for both an intermediate horizontal member and an intermediate vertical member. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2-7 , a means for attaching an intermediate vertical member to the frame&#39;s top side includes the vertical stub  400 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the vertical stub  400  is attached to the frame&#39;s top side  115 . The vertical stub  400  can be sized to be insertable into an intermediate vertical scaffold member (not shown), or alternatively, the vertical stub  400  can be sized such that an intermediate vertical scaffold member (not shown) is insertable into the vertical stub  400 . The vertical stub  400  can also have a locking means for securing the intermediate vertical scaffold member to the vertical stub  400 . The locking means can comprise a spring-loaded latch button or pin (not shown). When assembled, the spring-loaded latch button would protrude through aligned apertures in both the intermediate vertical scaffold member and the vertical stub  400  to secure both components to one another. The latch button could be depressed to disengage the components. 
     A means for attaching an intermediate horizontal scaffold member to the frame&#39;s interior side includes one or more projections  500  extending from the frame&#39;s interior side  113 . In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 7 , the projections  500  are the ½ cup members or rings described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,028,164, 5,078,532, and 6,932,195. These ½ cup members are engaged by the Williams Latch Mechanism described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,028,164, 5,078,532, and 6,932,195, thereby securing the intermediate horizontal scaffold member to the joint  100 . In an alternative embodiment shown in  FIG. 8 , the attachment means can comprise a clamp  550  similar to the one described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,932,195, thereby allowing the intermediate scaffold joint  100  to be used with intermediate horizontal members that lack the Williams Latch Mechanism. In a further alternative embodiment, the attachment means for an intermediate horizontal scaffold member can comprise a downwardly projecting plate with an opening therein adapted to accommodate an intermediate horizontal member, as shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,932,195. 
     In operation, the preferred embodiment of the intermediate scaffold joint  100  can be utilized to attach both intermediate horizontal scaffold members and intermediate vertical scaffold members as follows. The joint  100  first must be mounted to an existing scaffold structure. In order to mount the joint  100 , the latch  220  is brought to the open position by disengaging the movable member  221  from the fixed member  225 . Once the latch  220  is in the open position, the channel bracket  130  is placed over the second horizontal scaffold member  901 , and the first primary horizontal scaffold member  900  is placed within the mouth of the latch  220 . The first horizontal scaffold member  900  can then be secured within the latch  220  by bringing the latch&#39;s movable member  221  to the closed position. The latch  220  is locked into the closed position by aligning the apertures in both the movable member  221  and the fixed member  225  and allowing the pin  227  to protrude successively through the apertures. 
       FIG. 11  depicts the joint  100  mounted to an existing scaffold structure. Once the joint  100  is mounted to the scaffold structure, the joint  100  will not rotate about either horizontal scaffold member due to the dual attachments points. A user can now add either an intermediate vertical member or an intermediate horizontal member, or both. An intermediate vertical member can be attached to the joint  100  by sliding the intermediate vertical member over the vertical stub  400  (or in an alternative configuration, by sliding the intermediate vertical member into the vertical stub  400 ). The intermediate vertical member can be secured to the vertical stub  400  via the latch button. Alternatively or in conjunction with the intermediate vertical member, an intermediate horizontal member can be attached to the joint  100 . In the preferred embodiment, an intermediate horizontal member having a Williams Latch Mechanism engages the frame&#39;s projections  500 , thereby securing the intermediate horizontal member to the joint  100 . An alternative embodiment of the joint  100  featuring a clamp in lieu of the projections  500  can be used where the intermediate horizontal member does not possess the Williams Latch Mechanism. In this alternative embodiment (See  FIG. 8 ), the end of the intermediate horizontal member is placed within the clamp&#39;s opening. The clamp is then tightened, thereby securing the intermediate horizontal member to the joint  100 . 
     Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art after having the benefit of the teaching presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. For instance, in an alternative embodiment, the latch  220  can be attached to the frame&#39;s lower end, with the channel bracket  240  being attached to the frame&#39;s upper end. Additionally, as shown in  FIG. 9 , two latches  220  could be used in lieu of the channel bracket  240 , or as shown in  FIG. 10 , two channel brackets  240  could be used in lieu of the latch  220 . Furthermore, although the locking means for the latch  220  is a pin in the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 2-7 , other known mechanisms useful for releasably attaching two components, such as a bolt and nut, may be employed. In summary, it should be understood that the invention disclosed herein is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms may be employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.