The present disclosure relates to scaffolds.
Scaffolds are used by individuals for elevation. Elevation may be helpful when working in hard-to-reach areas.
According to the present disclosure, a scaffold includes a platform to support a person thereon, a leg unit, and a leg lock. The leg unit is coupled to the platform for pivotable movement between an extended position for use of the scaffold and a collapsed position for transport and storage of the scaffold. A leg lock is used to lock the leg unit in the extended position.
The platform includes a plank and a plank end cap. The plank is elongated so as to include opposite plank end portions. The plank end cap is coupled to one of the plank end portions.
In one embodiment, a latch of the leg lock is coupled to the leg unit for pivotable movement between a latch position and a release position. In the latch position, the latch is arranged to latch to the plank end cap to lock the leg unit in the extended position. In the release position, the latch is arranged to release the plank end cap to allow pivotable movement of the leg unit from the extended position to the collapsed position.
In another embodiment, the latch is coupled to the plank end cap for pivotable movement between latch and release positions. In the latch position, the latch is arranged to latch to the leg unit to lock the leg unit in the extended position. In the release position, the latch is arranged to release the leg unit to allow pivotable movement of the leg unit from the extended position to the collapsed position.
In both embodiments, the leg lock includes a latch pivoter. The latch pivoter is used to pivot the latch to its latch position after, for example, release of the leg unit.
Additional features of the apparatus will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description exemplifying the best mode of the disclosure as presently perceived.
The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which:
A scaffold 10 shown in
A leg lock 16 shown in
Leg lock 16 includes a push-to-release latch 18 and a latch pivoter 19. Latch 18 is coupled to leg unit 14 for pivotable movement relative thereto about a latch pivot axis 48 between a latch position shown in
Latch pivoter 19 shown in
Leg unit 14 includes a pair of legs 26, a step 28, and a leg connector 30, as shown in
Leg lock 16 is coupled to a leg lock mount 42 shown in FIG. 4 and formed in a middle portion of leg connector 30. Leg lock mount 42 includes a larger recessed portion 44 and a smaller recessed portion 46. Latch 18 is positioned within larger recessed portion 44 for pivotable movement about latch pivot axis 48 established by a latch pivot axle 50 extending through latch 18 and coupled to larger recessed portion 44. Smaller recessed portion 46 is recessed from an inclined wall 52 included in larger recessed portion 44. Leg connector 30 includes an upper wall 54 that mates with a lower wall 56 included in plank end cap 20 when leg unit 14 assumes the extended position, as shown in FIG. 7.
Plank end cap 20 is arranged to extend laterally along plank end portion 22 between side rails 58 that are included in platform 12 and extend longitudinally along sides of plank 24, as shown in
Top wall 66, an outer wall 70, and an intermediate wall 72 cooperate to provide a plank receiver 74 included in plank end cap 20, as shown in
Plank end cap 20 includes a latch receiver 80 in a middle portion thereof between side rail attachments 60 and below plank receiver 74, as shown best in
Latch receiver 80 is formed to include a latch-receiving cavity 88, a latch-receiving opening 90, and a latch access opening 92, as shown in
An edge between lower wall 56 and outer support 84 provides a latch pivoter 96, as shown best in FIG. 6. Latch pivoter 96 is arranged for engagement with latch 18 to pivot latch 18 inwardly away from the latch position for reception of latch 18 in latch receiver 80 upon pivotable movement of leg unit to the extended position. Latch pivoter 96 defines an outer portion of latch-receiving opening 90.
A pivot blocker 98 shown best in
A scaffold 110 shown in
A leg lock 116 is associated with each leg unit 114 to lock leg unit 114 in the extended position and to allow pivotable movement of leg unit 114 between the extended and collapsed positions. Leg lock 116 thus provides leg lock means for locking leg unit 114 in the extended position and for allowing pivotable movement of leg unit 114 between the extended position and the collapsed position.
Leg lock 116 includes a pull-to-release latch 118 and a latch pivoter 119. Latch 118 is coupled to plank end cap 120 for pivotable movement relative thereto about a latch pivot axis 148 between a latch position shown in
Latch pivoter 119 shown in
Leg unit 114 is similar to leg unit 14 so that like reference numbers refer to like components. Leg unit 114 is coupled to plank 124 by a leg pivot mount 32 for pivotable movement about a leg pivot axis 33 which is perpendicular to plank longitudinal axis 137 and parallel to latch pivot axis 148. A leg connector 130 extends between legs 26 and includes a leg attachment 135 coupled to a top portion 36 of each leg 26.
Leg connector 130 includes a latch receiver 180 shown in
Leg connector 130 includes a latch pivoter 196 shown in
An edge of outer wall 157 is arranged to provide a pivot blocker 198, as shown best in FIG. 11. Pivot blocker 198 is arranged to engage latch 118 to block pivotable movement of leg unit 114 from the extended position to the collapsed position when the leg unit 114 is in the extended position.
Plank end cap 120 is arranged to extend laterally along a plank end portion 122 of a plank 124, as shown in
With respect to the materials of scaffolds 10, 110, plank end caps 20, 120 and leg connectors 30, 130 are made of, for example, a suitable plastics material. Planks 24, 124, legs 26, and steps 28 are made of, for example, aluminum or other suitable material.
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/473,840, filed May 28, 2003, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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