Connecting device for scaffolding

Abstract

A connecting head for connecting a first scaffold post to a second post has opposed upper and lower wedge sections that are integrally formed with a post retaining section for coaxially receiving one end of the first post within the post retaining section.

1 . A connecting head for connecting a first scaffold post to a second post, the second post having a perforated disk annually disposed thereon, the connecting head comprising a opposed upper and lower wedge sections, 
 the upper and lower wedge sections being integrally formed with a post retaining section ( 43 ) for coaxially receiving one end ( 15 ) of the first post ( 14 ) within the post retaining section ( 43 ),    the upper and lower wedge sections defining a wedge receiving opening, and    the upper and lower wedge sections defining a horizontally extending slot for receiving a perforated disk;    wherein the end ( 15 ) of the post ( 14 ) is positioned within the post retaining section ( 43 ).    
   
   
       2 - 20 . (canceled)  
   
   
       21 . The connecting head of  claim 1  wherein the post retaining section ( 43 ) includes a ledge ( 44 ) and wherein the ledge ( 44 ) has an outer diameter greater than an outer diameter of the post ( 14 ).  
   
   
       22 . The connecting head of  claim 1 , wherein the post retaining section ( 43 ) includes a ledge ( 44 ) provided on a back surface ( 42 ) of the connecting head, the ledge ( 44 ) providing a welding area ( 120 ) extending around at least a portion of an outer surface of the back surface ( 42 ) of the connecting head.  
   
   
       23 . The connecting head of  claim 22 , wherein the ledge ( 44 ) has a terminating face ( 45 ) which defines a portion of the welding area ( 120 ) for welding the connecting head to the post ( 14 ).  
   
   
       24 . The connecting head of  claim 23 , wherein the ledge ( 44 ) has an outer diameter greater than an outer diameter of the post ( 14 ).  
   
   
       25 . The connecting head of  claim 22 , wherein the ledge ( 44 ) defines a terminating surface ( 45 ) and an inner side ( 46 ) which is generally perpendicular to a back surface ( 42 ) of the connecting head.  
   
   
       26 . The connecting head of  claim 1 , wherein the upper wedge section defining an upper face which extends from the post retaining section at an acute angle from an axis extending through the connecting head, the upper face terminating at an upper surface, the upper surface extending in a plane that is parallel to the axis extending through the connecting head.  
   
   
       27 . The connecting head of  claim 1 , wherein the upper and lower wedge sections define first and second front end faces, respectively, each front end face being in the same longitudinally extending plane, and wherein the ratio of the first front end face of the upper wedge section to the second front end face of the lower wedge section ranges from approximately 1.15:1 to approximately 1:1.  
   
   
       28 . The connecting head of  claim 1 , wherein the wedge opening has a first end at a predetermined distance from an upper front end face on the upper wedge section, the wedge opening extending along an upper face of the upper wedge section, and the wedge opening terminating at a preferred distance from the post retaining area; the wedge opening extending a sufficient distance from the first end to the second end such that a wedge disposed in the wedge opening can be pivoted into a generally parallel relationship with the post to allow an assembled post/connecting head/wedge assembly to be efficiently stored and/or shipped.  
   
   
       29 . The connecting head of  claim 22 , wherein the lower wedge section ( 54 ) generally extends in an outward direction from the ledge such that the lower wedge section defines an lower face ( 82 ) which extends at an acute angle from an axis extending through the connecting head ( 40 ), the lower face ( 82 ) terminating at a lower edge ( 84 ), the lower wedge section ( 54 ) further includes a lower planar surface ( 88 ) adjacent the lower edge ( 84 ) and terminating at a lower front end face ( 92 ).  
   
   
       30 . The connecting head of  claim 29 , wherein a lower wedge receiving opening extends through the lower face, the lower wedge receiving opening having a first, or front, edge and a second, or back, edge, the first edge of the lower wedge receiving opening being adjacent the lower edge of the lower planar face while the second edge is in an opposed relationship to the first edge whereby the lower wedge receiving opening is sufficiently large to accept at least a first end of the wedge but is also sufficiently small such that the lower face defines a substantially large load bearing surface.  
   
   
       31 . A connecting device for connecting a first scaffold post to a second post, the second post having a perforated disk annually disposed thereon, the connecting device comprising a connecting head and a wedge movably disposed therein, 
 the connecting head comprising opposed upper and lower wedge sections,    the upper and lower wedge sections being integrally formed with a post retaining section ( 43 ) for coaxially receiving one end ( 15 ) of a first post ( 14 ) within the post retaining section ( 43 ),    the upper and lower wedge sections defining a wedge receiving opening, and    the upper and lower wedge sections defining a horizontally extending slot for receiving a perforated disk,    wherein the end ( 15 ) of the post ( 14 ) is positioned within the post retaining section ( 43 ).    
   
   
       32 . The connecting device of  claim 31  wherein the post retaining section ( 43 ) includes a ledge ( 44 ) and wherein the ledge ( 44 ) has an outer diameter greater than an outer diameter of the post ( 14 ).  
   
   
       33 . The connecting device of  claim 31 , wherein the post retaining section ( 43 ) includes a ledge ( 44 ) provided on a back surface of the connecting head, the ledge ( 44 ) providing a welding area ( 120 ) extending around at least a portion of an outer surface of the back surface ( 42 ) of the connecting head.  
   
   
       34 . The connecting device of  claim 33 , wherein the ledge ( 44 ) has a terminating face ( 45 ) which defines a portion of the welding area ( 120 ) for welding the connecting head to the post ( 14 ).  
   
   
       35 . The connecting device of  claim 34 , wherein the ledge ( 44 ) has an outer diameter greater than an outer diameter of the post ( 14 ).  
   
   
       36 . The connecting device of  claim 33 , wherein the ledge ( 44 ) defines a terminating surface ( 45 ) and an inner side ( 46 ) which is generally perpendicular to a back surface ( 42 ) of the connecting head.  
   
   
       37 . The connecting device of  claim 31 , wherein the upper wedge section ( 52 ) defining an upper face ( 56 ) which extends from the post retaining section ( 43 ) at an acute angle from an axis A extending through the connecting head ( 40 ), the upper face ( 56 ) terminating at an upper surface ( 60 ), the upper surface ( 60 ) extending in a plane that is parallel to the axis A extending through the connecting head ( 40 ).  
   
   
       38 . The connecting device of  claim 31 , wherein the upper ( 52 ) and lower wedge ( 54 ) sections define first ( 72 ) and second ( 92 ) front end faces, respectively, each front end face ( 72 ), ( 92 ) being in the same longitudinally extending plane, and wherein the ratio of the first front end face ( 72 ) of the upper wedge section ( 52 ) to the second front end face ( 92 ) of the lower wedge section ( 54 ) ranges from approximately 1.15:1 to approximately 1:1.  
   
   
       39 . The connecting device of  claim 31 , wherein the wedge opening has a first end at a predetermined distance from an upper front end face on the upper wedge section, the wedge opening extending along a radially extending upper face of the upper wedge section, and the wedge opening terminating at a preferred distance from the post retaining area; the wedge opening extending a sufficient distance from the first end to the second end such that a wedge disposed in the wedge opening can be pivoted into a generally parallel relationship with the post to allow an assembled post/connecting head/wedge assembly to be efficiently stored and/or shipped.  
   
   
       40 . The connecting device of  claim 33 , wherein the lower wedge section ( 54 ) generally extends in an direction from the ledge ( 44 ) such that the lower wedge section ( 54 ) defines a lower face ( 82 ) which extends at an acute angle from an axis A extending through the connecting head ( 40 ), the lower face ( 82 ) terminating at a lower edge ( 84 ), the lower wedge section ( 54 ) further includes a lower planar surface ( 88 ) adjacent the lower edge ( 84 ) and terminating at a lower front end face ( 92 ).  
   
   
       41 . The connecting device of  claim 40 , wherein a lower wedge receiving opening extends through the lower face, the lower wedge receiving opening having a first, or front, edge and a second, or back, edge, the first edge of the lower wedge receiving opening being adjacent the lower edge of the lower planar face while the second edge is in an opposed relationship to the first edge whereby the lower wedge receiving opening is sufficiently large to accept at least a first end of the wedge but is also sufficiently small such that the lower face defines a substantially large load bearing surface.