Safety Latch for a Multifunction Scaffold

Abstract

A lightweight, multifunction scaffold comprises first and second ladder frames, and an adjustable height platform configured to be supported between the first and second ladder frames at a user selected height in an adjustment range. The adjustable height platform comprises a pair of spaced-apart side rails extending between the ladder frames and a deck supported on opposing sides by the side rails. The deck includes at least one recess in a top surface of the deck adjacent each of the opposing sides of the deck. The scaffold further includes at least one latch rotatably mounted to each side rail and including a catch element for engagement with the recess in the top surface of the deck to secure the deck on the side rails. The latch is movable between a disengaged position allowing the deck to be installed or removed from the side rials and an engaged position in which the catch element extends over a top surface of the deck and engages with a respective one of the recesses in the deck so that the catch element is flush with or below the surface of the deck.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A scaffold comprising:
 first and second ladder frames;   an adjustable height platform configured to be supported between the first and second ladder frames at a user selected height in an adjustment range, the adjustable height platform comprising:
 a pair of spaced-apart side rails extending between the ladder frames; 
 a deck supported on opposing sides by the side rails, the deck including at least one recess in a top surface of the deck adjacent one of the sides of the deck; and 
 at least one latch rotatably mounted to each side rail and including a catch element for engagement with the recess in the top surface of the deck to secure the deck on the side rails; and 
 wherein the latch is movable between a disengaged position allowing the deck to be installed or removed from the side rials and an engaged position in which the catch element extends over a top surface of the deck and engages with a respective one of the recesses in the deck so that the catch element is flush with or below the surface of the deck. 
   
     
     
         2 . The scaffold of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable height platform comprises a pair of latches mounted to each side rail, and a pair or corresponding recesses adjacent each of the opposing sides of the deck for engagement with respective latches. 
     
     
         3 . The scaffold of  claim 1 , wherein each side rail is configured to be supported between the ladder frames in first and second orientations, and wherein the side rail comprises first and second support surfaces for supporting a deck of the scaffold in the first and second orientations respectively 
     
     
         4 . The scaffold of  claim 3 , further comprising a first set of latches for holding the deck in place against the first support surfaces of the side rails in the first orientation and a second set of latches for holding the deck in place against the second support surfaces of the side rails in the second orientation. 
     
     
         5 . The scaffold of  claim 4 , wherein:
 the first set of latches and second of latches are mounted internally in the side rails;   the first set of latches extend vertically through the first support surface of the side rails when the side rails are in the first orientation; and   the second set of latches extend vertically through the second support surfaces of the side rails when the side rails are in the second orientation:   
     
     
         6 . The scaffold of claim of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the deck includes a plurality of elongated slots adjacent the opposing edges of the deck;   the first set of latches extend through the elongated slots in the deck to engage an upper surface of the deck when the side rails are in the first orientation; and   the second set of latches extend through the elongated slots in the deck to engage the upper surface of the deck when the side rails are in the first orientation.   
     
     
         7 . The scaffold of  claim 6 , wherein the latches in the first and second sets of latches are spring-biased to press the deck downward against the first or second support surface respectively. 
     
     
         8 . The scaffold of  claim 3 , wherein each side rail further includes first and second vertically aligned slots formed in respective opposing surfaces of the side rails. 
     
     
         9 . The scaffold of  claim 8 , wherein each latch further comprises a shaft connected to the catch element, and a biasing member to bias the catch element into engagement with the deck and secure the deck against one of the support surfaces of a respective one of the side rails depending on the orientation, wherein each latch is configured to be removably engaged with the first and second slots of a respective one of the side rails in both the first and second orientations. 
     
     
         10 . The side rail assembly of  claim 9 , wherein each slot comprises:
 a channel extending along a longitudinal axis of the side rail;   a first hole that is wider than the channel; and   a second hole that is spaced away from, and wider than, the first hole;   wherein both the first hole and the second hole intersect the channel.   
     
     
         11 . The side rail assembly of  claim 10 , wherein, a lower end of the shaft is configured to engage with the first hole in a lower one of the slots, and wherein an upper end of the shaft is configured to engage with the first hole in an upper one of the slots. 
     
     
         12 . The side rail assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the latch further comprises, toward the lower end of the shaft, a protrusion that is wider than the first hole of each of the slots. 
     
     
         13 . The side rail assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the biasing member comprises a coil spring disposed around the shaft of the latch and is arranged to bias the latch in a downward direction when the latch is installed in the side rail. 
     
     
         14 . The side rail assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the latch further comprises, between the lower and upper ends of the shaft, a protrusion to which the coil spring is attached. 
     
     
         15 . The side rail assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the coil spring coils around the shaft in a diameter wider than the first hole of each of the slots. 
     
     
         16 . The side rail assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the second hole is configured to allow insertion of the latch and coil spring through the second hole in the upper slot during installation of the latch into the side rail. 
     
     
         17 . The side rail assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the latch includes a reduced diameter section spaced from the catch element, the reduced diameter section being configured to slide within the channel during installation of the latch into the side rail. 
     
     
         18 . The side rail assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the shaft comprises sections above and below the reduced diameter section that are wider than the channel of each slot and narrower than the first and second holes of each slot. 
     
     
         19 . The side rail assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the catch element includes at least one detent configured to engage within the channel of an upper one or the slots when the latch is installed in the side rail. 
     
     
         20 . The side rail assembly of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the catch element includes a flat section; and   the detent is configured to engage the channel with the flat of the catch element in a first position facing towards the deck and a second position facing away from the deck.