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  Clamp for adjustable height scaffoldsUSPTO Application #: 20080048080Title: Clamp for adjustable height scaffolds Abstract: A lock for mounting an angle bracket on a dimpled upright comprising a first side member and a second side member, a load bearing inner jaw and a load bearing outer jaw coupled to the side members with at least one of the jaws comprising a roller jaw having a size and shape to matingly engage with at least one dimple on a dimpled upright surface without marking or galling the upright surface, and a mounting device adapted to couple the side members to the angle bracket with the side members rotatable about a pivot axis of the mounting device relative to the angle bracket. (end of abstract)
Agent: Carl Johnson Jacobson & Johnson - St. Paul, MN, US Inventor: Henry J. Riblet USPTO Applicaton #: 20080048080 - Class: 248235 (USPTO) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080048080. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001]None STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0002]None REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX [0003]None FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0004]This invention relates generally to adjustable height platform supports and more specifically, to an improved clamp for adjustable height scaffolds. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0005]Adjustable height platform supports are well known in the art and are generally used to perform elevated work in the construction and renovations of buildings. The adjustable height platform supports typically comprise four main elements, namely an upright, a bracket assembly for supporting a platform, a jack or "block and tackle" for raising and lowering the bracket assembly on the upright, and a means for holding the upper end of the upright in place. [0006]Two types of adjustable height platform supports with uprights constructed of wood or rubber-backed aluminum are well known and widely used in the art. An example of an adjustable height platform support with the upright constructed of wood is shown in Hoitsma U.S. Pat. No. 2,216,912. The Hoitsma patent discloses a bracket assembly in which a jack is used to raise and lower the bracket assembly. This type of bracket assembly is referred to as a pump jack, which typically includes a frame having an upper and a lower shackle member supported by the frame. [0007]Another example of an adjustable height platform support with a wooden upright is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,342,427 to Henry J. Riblet (herein after "Riblet '427 patent"). The Riblet '427 patent discloses a bracket assembly that is raised and lowered by a "block and tackle." This type of bracket assembly that is mounted on an upright has been commonly referred to in the art as the "Painter's Pole." In the Painter's Pole bracket assembly, an inner jaw of a shackle of the Painter's Pole bracket assembly is located below a plane containing both the fulcrum axis and an outer jaw of the shackle. A load on the angle bracket of the Painter's Pole bracket assembly provides a turning movement on the shackle, which activates the shackle by bringing both jaws, namely the outer jaw and an inner jaw of the shackle into contact with the upright when the width of the upright exceeds a "design width," thereby activating the lock. Accordingly, a load actuated lock which function in this manner is referred to as a load activated lock. [0008]Examples of adjustable height platform supports, which use an aluminum upright to include U.S. Pat. No. 4,597,471 to Anderson and U.S. Pat. No. 5,259,478 to Berish et al. It should be noted that the Anderson patent and the Berish patent both adapt aspects of the Hoitsma pump jack mechanism. [0009]Although the adjustable height platform supports of the prior art generally works for their intended purpose, one of the major problems associated with the use of adjustable height scaffolds is the propensity of the shackles to lose its grip on the upright, especially after the uprights have been worn down through prolonged or extensive use, thereby resulting in the uncontrolled sliding of the adjustable height platform supports down the upright which can lead to worksite accidents. [0010]In attempts to solve the above, U.S. Pat. No. 4,382,488 to Anderson teaches an adjustable platform supports that includes the use of an aluminum upright having a rubber strip containing rivets attached to a surface of the aluminum upright in order to help the shackles grip on the upright. However, backing an aluminum upright with a strip of rubber introduces notable drawbacks including but not limited to significantly increasing both the weight and the cost of the upright while making the safety of the scaffold dependent on the reliability of the rubber strip and the rivets and the adhesive that attaches the rubber strip to the upright. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0011]The present invention generally comprises an improved clamping system for adjustable height scaffolds that includes an upright having a dimpled upright surface with at least one dimple located thereon and a load bearing jaw of a shackle or lock having a size and shape for matingly engaging the at least one dimple of the upright to prevent uncontrolled sliding of the adjustable height platform supports down the upright without damaging the dimpled upright surface. [0012]In one embodiment of the present invention, the shackle or lock comprises a pair of side members having an inner roller jaw and an outer roller jaw coupled to the side members with at least one of the jaws comprising a load bearing jaw having a plurality of rollers each pivotally mounted on a pair of side plates. The plurality of rollers are each sized and shaped to engage the dimpled upright surface to help prevent uncontrolled sliding of the adjustable height platform supports down the upright without marking, galling, or damaging the dimpled upright surface thereby prolonging the life of the upright. The lock also includes a fulcrum bar adapted to couple the side members to an angle bracket with the side members rotatable about an axis of the fulcrum bar relative to the angle bracket. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART [0013]U.S. Pat. No. 2,216,912 teaches a bracket assembly in which a jack is used to raise and lower the bracket assembly. [0014]U.S. Pat. No. 2,342,427 teaches a bracket assembly, which is raised and lowered by the "block and tackle." [0015]U.S. Pat. No. 4,382,488 teaches a pump jack upright pole formed of an elongated metal pole having a rubberized surface formed on only one aide of the metal pole. [0016]U.S. Pat. No. 4,597,471 teaches a pump jack release mechanism actuated without the operator having to extend the operator's foot over an edge of the platform. [0017]U.S. Pat. No. 5,259,478 teaches a pump jack having a protective cover for a crank down portion of the pump jack to avoid hazards upon wear of the roller. Continue reading... Full patent description for Clamp for adjustable height scaffolds Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Clamp for adjustable height scaffolds patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Clamp for adjustable height scaffolds or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Concealed bracket mounting arrangement Next Patent Application: Device realizing removable brackets, variously adjustable and positionable in the sense of height Industry Class: Supports ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Clamp for adjustable height scaffolds patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 2.17653 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Software: Finance , AI , Databases , Development , Document , Navigation , Error |
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