Joints and connections – Laterally related members connected by latch means – e.g.,...
Patent
1998-04-22
2000-02-22
Browne, Lynne H.
Joints and connections
Laterally related members connected by latch means, e.g.,...
403246, 1821868, 1821791, E04G 114
Patent
active
060272767
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention concerns an assembly for the formation of a scaffold joint with transverse braces and posts having at least one protrusion extending radially with respect to the post axis from its outer surface, the protrusion having an opening into which a hook disposed on the end of the brace can be introduced from an upward direction, and a displaceable wedge is disposed on the end of the brace at an acute angle with respect to the post axis, wherein the wedge, following introduction of the hook into the opening, has a separation below the opening from the contour of the hook which is sufficient to block a motion of the end of the brace through the opening in an upward direction (spread position).
In a scaffold joint of this kind known in the art by means of FIG. 1 of the French patent publication 2 483 994, no abutment surface is present in the path of the front end of the wedge transcribed by the end during penetration of the hook through the opening onto which this end engages to facilitate motion relative to the hook. The hook can only depart from its introduced position when the lower end of the wedge has gained entrance to below the opening of the protrusion. However, it is often the case that the wedge neither leaves its introductory position at this location nor during subsequent further introduction of the hook into the opening, since the resistance within the guiding which guides the wedge in the hook is, in consequence of soiling, so large, that the wedge can no longer automatically protrude beyond the contours of the hook. In this case, this motion of the wedge in its spread position must be initiated or effected by means of a blow on the upper end of the wedge. The separation between the surface facing away from the post of that portion of the hook which is to penetrate into the opening and a surface of the hook designated to abut at the post corresponds approximately to a separation between a front surface of the opening in the protrusion facing the post and the post so that the lower end of the wedge fails to address an abutment surface or a seating surface when introducing the hook into the opening which would hold back the wedge during introduction of the hook into the opening. In addition, this separation from the surface of the post is only slightly larger than the width of the hook including the wedge in its introductory position so that the hook must already seat on the surface of the post when introduced into the opening. This, however, requires that the hook be rather precisely positioned above the opening prior to introduction into the opening which makes its introduction into the opening from the end of the brace lying away from the scaffold joint extremely difficult.
It is therefore the purpose of the invention to improve the conventional scaffold joint to such an extent that its introduction into the opening and thereby the attachment of a brace to a post is substantially simplified compared to the conventional scaffold joint.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This purpose is achieved in accordance with the invention in that the lower end of the wedge projects beyond the contours of the hook in a sideward direction prior to complete introduction of the hook into the opening so that this end, when introducing the hook into the opening, seats on an edge of the opening and can be displaced in an upward direction during further introduction of the hook.
The invention has the advantage that it is relatively insensitive to soiling. The wedge can already assume its spread position prior to introduction of the brace end into the opening and it is possible for a worker to push same into this position so that the sliding properties of the wedge can be checked and, if necessary, improved. When introducing the hook into the opening, the wedge is then displaced into its uppermost position by a force corresponding to the weight of the brace end. The wedge can move down into its lower position (spread position) after the lower end of the wedge has passed by the front sur
REFERENCES:
patent: 4273463 (1981-06-01), Dobersch
patent: 4405254 (1983-09-01), Tooley
patent: 4595077 (1986-06-01), Buttgereit
patent: 5411113 (1995-05-01), Lubinski
patent: 5605204 (1997-02-01), Ausejo
'Peri GmbH
Browne Lynne H.
Cottingham John R.
Vincent Paul
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