Locking Pin for Multifunction Scaffold

Abstract

A side rail assembly useful for securing a deck of a scaffold comprises a side rail configured to be supported between two ladder frames in first and second orientations. The side rail includes first and second support surfaces for supporting the deck in the first and second orientations, respectively. First and second vertically aligned and closed slots are formed in respective opposing surfaces of the side rail. The side rail assembly further comprises a locking pin assembly to secure the deck against one of the support surfaces of the side rail depending on the orientation. The locking pin assembly is configured to be removably engaged with the first and second slots of the side rail in both the first and second orientations.

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, the adjustable height platform comprising:
 a pair of spaced apart side rail assemblies extending between the ladder frames;
 each side rail assembly configured to be supported between the first and second ladder frames in first and second orientations; and 
 
 a deck supported on opposing sides by the side rail assemblies; 
 wherein each side rail assembly comprises:
 a respective side rail that comprises:
 first and second support surfaces for supporting the deck in the first and second orientations respectively; 
 first and second vertically aligned and closed slots formed in the respective opposing surfaces of the side rail; and 
 
 a locking pin assembly configured to be removably engaged with the first and second slots of the corresponding side rail when the corresponding side rail assembly is in both the first and second orientations to secure the deck to that side rail assembly. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The scaffold of  claim 1 , wherein each locking pin assembly comprises a shaft, a locking tab, and a biasing member to bias the locking tab into engagement with the deck and secure the deck against one of the support surfaces of the corresponding side rail depending on the orientation of the corresponding side rail assembly. 
     
     
         3 . The scaffold of  claim 2 , wherein the biasing member comprises a coil spring disposed around the shaft of the locking pin and is arranged to bias the locking pin in a downward direction to secure the deck against the corresponding support surface. 
     
     
         4 . The scaffold of  claim 1 , where each side rail assembly comprises a plurality of the locking pin assemblies. 
     
     
         5 . The scaffold of  claim 1 , wherein the opposing surfaces are separated from each other by a gap, the slot of each opposing surface extending vertically through the opposing surface from an exterior of the side rail to the gap. 
     
     
         6 . The scaffold of  claim 1 , 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.   
     
     
         7 . The scaffold of  claim 6 , 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. 
     
     
         8 . The scaffold of  claim 7 :
 wherein each locking pin assembly comprises a shaft, a locking tab, and a biasing member to bias the locking tab into engagement with the deck and secure the deck against one of the support surfaces of the corresponding side rail depending on the orientation of the corresponding side rail assembly;   wherein the second hole is configured to allow insertion of the shaft and coil spring through the second hole in the upper slot during installation of the locking pin assembly into the corresponding side rail.   
     
     
         9 . The scaffold of  claim 8 , wherein the shaft includes a reduced diameter section spaced from the locking tab, the reduced diameter section being configured to slide within the channel during installation of the locking pin assembly into the side rail. 
     
     
         10 . The scaffold of  claim 9 , 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. 
     
     
         11 . 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, the adjustable height platform comprising:
 a pair of spaced apart side rail assemblies extending between the ladder frames;
 each side rail assembly configured to be supported between the first and second ladder frames in first and second orientations; 
 
 a deck supported on opposing sides by the side rail assemblies; 
 wherein each side rail assembly comprises:
 a respective side rail that comprises:
 first and second support surfaces for supporting the deck in the first and second orientations respectively; 
 first and second vertically aligned and closed slots formed in the respective opposing surfaces of the side rail; 
 
 a locking pin assembly configured to be removably engaged with the first and second slots of the corresponding side rail when the corresponding side rail assembly is in both the first and second orientations to secure the deck to that side rail assembly; and 
 a first guide channel and a second guide channel attached at respective opposing ends of the side rail; 
 
   wherein, in the first orientation, the guide channels extend downward away from the side rail; and   wherein, in the second orientation, the guide channels extend upward away from the side rail.   
     
     
         12 . The scaffold of  claim 11 , wherein each locking pin assembly comprises a shaft, a locking tab, and a biasing member to bias the locking tab into engagement with the deck and secure the deck against one of the support surfaces of the corresponding side rail depending on the orientation of the corresponding side rail assembly. 
     
     
         13 . The scaffold of  claim 12 , wherein the biasing member comprises a coil spring disposed around the shaft of the locking pin and is arranged to bias the locking pin in a downward direction to secure the deck against the corresponding support surface. 
     
     
         14 . The scaffold of  claim 11 , where each side rail assembly comprises a plurality of the locking pin assemblies. 
     
     
         15 . The scaffold of  claim 11 , wherein the opposing surfaces are separated from each other by a gap, the slot of each opposing surface extending vertically through the opposing surface from an exterior of the side rail to the gap. 
     
     
         16 . The scaffold of  claim 11 , 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.   
     
     
         17 . The scaffold of  claim 16 , 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. 
     
     
         18 . The scaffold of  claim 17 :
 wherein each locking pin assembly comprises a shaft, a locking tab, and a biasing member to bias the locking tab into engagement with the deck and secure the deck against one of the support surfaces of the corresponding side rail depending on the orientation of the corresponding side rail assembly;   wherein the second hole is configured to allow insertion of the shaft and coil spring through the second hole in the upper slot during installation of the locking pin assembly into the corresponding side rail.   
     
     
         19 . The scaffold of  claim 18 , wherein the shaft includes a reduced diameter section spaced from the locking tab, the reduced diameter section being configured to slide within the channel during installation of the locking pin assembly into the side rail. 
     
     
         20 . The scaffold of  claim 19 , 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.