WO2013181734A1

WO2013181734A1 - Scaffold post sleeve

Info

Publication number: WO2013181734A1
Application number: PCT/CA2012/000559
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter J. Rogers
Original assignee: Athos Construction Products Inc.
Priority date: 2012-06-07
Filing date: 2012-06-07
Publication date: 2013-12-12

Abstract

A scaffolding system includes a coupling sleeve to connect two scaffolding posts vertically. In particular the coupling sleeve is adapted to cooperate with projections on the upper post. These projections can be inserted into receiving slots within the coupling sleeve and then the upper post is twisted to move the projections into locking slots. Coupling sleeve or twist lock assembly is adapted to receive spigot type posts that require locking with a pigtail pin, bolt, rivet or other known fastening device.

Description

TITLE: SCAFFOLD POST SLEEVE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present application relates to a scaffold post having a twist lock coupling sleeve.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Most scaffolding systems include scaffold posts connectable in an end to end manner to form an upright support column.

Typically, a spigot-type arrangement is inserted in and forms the mechanical connection between the lower scaffold post and the upper scaffold post. In some scaffolding systems, the spigot is an integral part of the top portion of the scaffold post often formed by seeming to provide the diameter. The bottom portion of the scaffold post is formed to be slightly enlarged or bell mouthed to closely receive the spigot.

Other scaffolding systems use a separate spigot member that is inserted in a lower end of an upper scaffold post, and a lower portion of the spigot is inserted in the upper end of the lower scaffold post. Typically, the spigot is attached by a removable gravity lock pin, such as a pigtail pin, to the lower portion of the upper scaffold post. A clevis pin may be used to secure the spigot to the upper portion of the lower scaffold post such that the scaffold posts abut end to end.

With independent spigot arrangements as well as the integral spigot, there is often a requirement to provide a positive lock of the scaffold posts to each other. In case of the integral spigot arrangement, this is typically a gravity lock pin, such as a pigtail pin, inserted through a port in the upper scaffold post, and through an aligned port in the spigot portion such that the pin passes from one side of the scaffold post to the other side. This gravity lock pin forms a positive lock of the scaffold posts one to the other. In the case of an independent spigot, a clevis pin may be used to mechanically secure a bottom portion of the spigot to the lower scaffold post, and a gravity lock pin typically secures the upper scaffold post to the upper portion of the spigot. My earlier patent CA 2,638,365 discloses a spigot configured with a twist lock collar. This arrangement is desirable but is generally not compatible with existing scaffold post systems.

Although scaffolding systems are designed to allow mechanical securement of the scaffold posts one to the other (by bolts for example) , this procedure is not always completed, creating a significant safety risk. Safety inspectors often shut down a job site until such safety procedures are complied with.

While having vertical members that lock together easily would be a much sought-after improvement, compatibility with

existing scaffold products is advantageous. The present invention provides a system compatible with many existing scaffold products while simplifying the securement of stacked scaffold posts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A scaffold assembly according to the present invention

comprises a top post having, adjacent a bottom edge, at least one projection directed outwardly from a surface thereof, a bottom post and a coupling sleeve connected to the bottom post and having at least one receiving slot for receiving the projection and at least one locking slot. The projection is movable between a receiving position that allows the at least one projection to be received within the receiving slot and a locking position where the projection is positioned and maintained within the locking slot.

In an aspect of the invention, the projection is moved between said receiving position and said locking position by rotating said top post about its longitudinal axis.

In a further aspect of the invention, the coupling sleeve includes a port to receive a locking pin.

In yet a further aspect of the invention the coupling sleeve is at least 6 inches long.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 depicts a scaffold post assembly;

Figure 2 depict the twist lock arrangement receiving a regular upper post without projections;

Figure 3 depicts and unassembled scaffold post assembly including a upper post with locking projections;

Figure 4 depicts an assembled scaffold post assembly;

Figure 5 depicts a series of cross sections through the square top portion of the twist lock assembly wherein 5 a depicts the receipt of the projects in the receiving slots, 5b depicts the projections entering the locking slot and 5c depicts the projections in the locked position;

Figure 6 depicts an upper post without projections inserted into a lower post with a twist lock assembly;

Figure 7 depicts an upper post without projections inserted into a lower post with a twist lock assembly with a pigtail pin inserted through both the upper and lower posts; Figure 8 depicts an alternative embodiment of the invention wherein the twist lock assembly includes and

Ι shaped slot.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Figure 1 depicts a scaffold post assembly 2 having an upper post 4 and a lower post 6. The upper post 4 and lower post 6 can be identical. Both the upper and lower posts are adapted to receive screw jacks, bases, top plates etc. either end thereof or connect with like scaffold posts. The scaffold posts 4 and 6 each include a connecting sleeve 10 fixed to the upper end thereof. The connecting sleeve 10 of the lower post receives a lower end of the upper post. The upper end of each post includes a twist lock arrangement 8. The connecting sleeve 10 includes a locking collar 12. The locking collar 12 includes at least one receiving slot 14 for receiving a locking projection 16 on the upper scaffold post 4 as shown in Figure 3. The connecting sleeve 10 extends substantially below the square locking collar 12 in order to provide a length of sleeve that closely fits the outside diameter of the lower portion of the upper scaffold post 4 and forms a strong mechanical connection therebetween. The length of the

connecting sleeve provides structural support to the joint of the upper scaffold post 4 to the lower scaffold post 6.

Although a variety of lengths are known to a person skilled in the art, the preferred length is about 6 inches.

The top of the post 6 is fitted with the connecting sleeve 10 and the twist lock arrangement 8. Various methods of securing the connecting sleeve and twist lock arrangement to the post can be used however it is preferable to weld the twist lock arrangement 8 to the connecting sleeve 10 that is welded the top of the scaffold post 6.

The bottom end of the post includes at least one projection 16 that will engage with the at least one slot 14 in the square top portion of the twist lock arrangement. The projection 16 is shown of the upper post 4 in figure 1. The square

configuration of the locking collar 10 includes four corners and each corner can receive a projection 16. Other shapes can be used to allow the projections to enter and then be rotated to a trapped or locked position.

As shown in Figure 3, the upper post 4 is inserted into the twist lock arrangement 8 such that the projection 16 is aligned with a corner of the locking collar 12 of the twist lock arrangement 8. A cross sectional view of this

arrangement is shown in Figure 5a. The corner 24 of the locking collar 12 can be considered a receiving slot as it allows the receipt of the projection 16 within the twist lock arrangement 8. Inserting the upper scaffold post 4 into the twist lock arrangement 8 in this manner aligns the projection 16 with the locking slot 14. As shown in Figure 4 a rotation through approximately 45 degrees restricts the locking

projection within the locking slot. A cross section of this locking collar is shown in Figure 5b and a cross section of the projections restricted within the locking slot is shown in Figure 5c. This provides a simple locking connection of the upper scaffold post 4 to the lower scaffold post 6. It also provides a simple visual indication to safety inspectors that the scaffold posts are locked together safely.

In addition to this locking mechanism the twist lock

arrangement 8 is adapted to receive the traditional spigot type connection. The twist lock arrangement 8 contains holes 18 in the connecting sleeve 10. Corresponding holes 20 are also made through the bottom portion of the post (shown in upper post 4 in figure 2) for securement when in the locked position, holes 20 align with holes 18 such that the upper post 4 can be securely fixed to the lower post 6 using a pigtail pin 26, rivet, bolt or other known method of fixation. This fixation acts as an additional fixation to strengthen the joint in the vertical member over and above that provided by the projections 16 and maintains projections as in the locking slot 14.

This design allows a vertical scaffold member fitted with the twist-lock sleeve to be interchangeable with scaffold vertical members that do not have a twist-lock projection and have male spigots at the top of the vertical members. When a vertical without a twist-lock projection is inserted into the twist lock arrangement, the upper post is securely attached through the connecting sleeve 10 to the lower twist lock post with a pigtail pin, rivet, bolt or other known method of fixation.

The twist lock arrangement including the projections 16 are to avoid conflict with the normal function of the scaffold post. The twist lock collar is above the connecting sleeve and above the lower edge of the upper post. The projections are on the outside of the scaffold post and the lower portion remains clear to allow traditional connections to be used. The twist lock arrangement can include multiple locking slots 14 and receiving slots 24. In most cases only two projections 16 are provided on the post.

In a preferred aspect of the invention, four receiving slots 24 and two locking slots 14 are used. This allows for a series of orientations in which the upper post may be inserted into the twist lock arrangement 8. In this embodiment, the sleeve has one or more holes 18 in the lower part of the sleeve. These holes accommodate the use of a locking pin, or pigtail pin 26 which passes through the twist-lock coupling sleeve and corresponding holes 20 at the bottom of the upper post 4. This forms a positive lock of the upper post 4 to the lower post 6 in cases where the upper post is not fitted with a locking projection, or where the connection between the vertical members is required, for example to meet specific safety regulations.

The twist lock arrangement can include multiple locking slots 14 and receiving slots 24 although only two projections are preferred. For example, four receiving slots 24 and four locking slots 14 are provided. This allows for a series of orientations in which the upper post may be inserted into the twist lock arrangement 8. In this embodiment, the sleeve has one or more holes 18 in the lower part of the sleeve. These holes accommodate the use of a rivet, or pigtail pin 26 which passes through the twist-lock coupling sleeve and

corresponding holes 20 at the bottom of the upper post 4. This forms a positive lock of the upper post 4 to the lower post 6 in cases where the upper post is not fitted with a locking projection, or where the connection between the vertical members is required to resist an axial tensile force that is beyond the capacity of the locking projections.

In an alternative embodiment, as seen in figure 8, the top part of the locking sleeve is circular in profile and includes one or more ^ΛΙ shaped slots 30. The vertical leg 32 of the slot is open at its upper end. In this embodiment, when the upper post is inserted into the sleeve 34, the locking

projection (similar to that shown in figures 1 to 4) on the upper post passes down the vertical leg 32 of the '1 -shaped slot 30. When the upper post reaches the top of the lower post 36, the upper post (not shown) can then be rotated

approximately 45 degrees to restrict the locking projection within the horizontal leg 38 of the 'L' shaped locking slot.

The use of the sleeve to provide the necessary strength for scaffold leg end to end connection in combination with the twist lock collar allows new twist lock legs to receive new or old scaffold legs. The projections 16 are sufficiently spaced from the bottom of the leg to be completely independent of an end to end connection with an old style upper or lower leg. Old style legs can easily have projections and/or twist lock collars added if desired. This design is thus compatible as a new improvement to existing sleeve type scaffold leg

connections .

Although various preferred embodiments of the present

invention have been described herein in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, that variations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. A scaffold assembly comprising

a top post having adjacent a bottom edge at least one projection directed outwardly from a surface thereof;

a bottom post; and

a coupling sleeve connected to said bottom post and having at least one receiving slot for receiving said at least one projection and at least one locking slot;

wherein said at least one projection is movable between a receiving position that allows the said at least one projection to be received within said at least one receiving slot and a locking position where said at least one projection is positioned and maintained within said at least one locking slot.

2. A scaffold assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said projection is moved between said receiving position and said locking position by rotating said top post about its longitudinal axis.

3. A scaffold assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said coupling sleeve includes a port to receive a locking pin .

4. A scaffold assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein said coupling sleeve is at least 6 inches long.

5. A scaffold post comprising

an elongate tubular member having a top end and a bottom end; a twist lock arrangement having an inside diameter greater than an outside diameter of said elongate member;

said twist lock arrangement comprising a connecting sleeve connected to and extending from said top end of said elongate tubular member and a locking collar integrally connected to an upper portion of said connecting sleeve ;

said locking collar including at least one

receiving slot and a perpendicularly extending locking slot; and

a projection directed radially outwardly from said elongate tubular member and spaced a distance from the bottom end of said elongate tubular member corresponding to a length from the top end of said elongate tubular member to said locking slot;

said at least one receiving slot extending in the length of said scaffold post and with both said receiving slot and said locking slot being sized to receive said at least one projection;

said receiving slot at an end thereof adjacent said connecting sleeve merging with said locking slot.