Removable scaffold hold down

Abstract

Platform assemblies may be built up using a substantial number of inverted U-shaped vertical supports with platform hold down members that hold the platforms in place, thus avoiding slippage or pilferage. The hold down members form a unitary structure with the supports and platform assemblies to hold the platforms securely in place. The unitary structure of the scaffolding assembly with hold down members acts as a deterrent against pilferage of the platforms because the unitary structure does not allow the planks to be removed unless the platform assembly is substantially disassembled. It also reduces the steps required to assemble a secure platform assembly with hold down members thus saving time while still preventing slippage and pilferage. The hold down members may have holes at one end, and these holes have a diameter slightly greater than the outer diameter (OD) of the guide pipes at the junctions between vertically extending pipes. The other end of the hold down member is substantially U-shaped and at least partially wraps around the platforms. As the scaffolding is erected, once the first, lower set of U-shaped supports and overlying planks are set in place, then the hold down members are mounted on the upwardly-extending guide pipes and across the planks. Then, when the next higher set of U-shaped supports is mounted onto the lower set, the hold down members are held in place between the two sets of pipes, and the planks are held in place. Alternatively, the ends of the hold down members may be clamped to the horizontal or vertical supports by hooks, clamps and/or latching members whereby disassembly of the scaffold is not necessary for removing or shifting the position of the hold down members.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A scaffold assembly comprising: 
 a set of front vertical supports;    a set of rear vertical supports;    a set of horizontal supports extending between said front and rear vertical supports;    a plurality of planks mounted on said set of horizontal supports;    hold down members extending across said planks, wherein at least a portion of said hold down members engage said planks, each of said hold down members having a first end and a second end, each of said hold down members being principally formed of a single strip of metal; and    the ends of said hold down members being releasably secured to said supports at each ends of said hold down members by a clamping arrangement for engaging said supports.    
     
     
         2 . An assembly as defined in  claim 1  wherein at least one of said clamping arrangements includes a downwardly extending hook for underlying one of said horizontal supports, and a pivoted latch member for engaging said hook to retain said hold down member onto said horizontal support.  
     
     
         3 . An assembly as defined in  claim 1  wherein said clamping arrangements include mating parts extending around one of said supports at each end of each hold down member.  
     
     
         4 . An assembly as defined in  claim 3  wherein said clamping arrangements extend around horizontal supports at each end of said hold down member.  
     
     
         5 . An assembly as defined in  claim 3  wherein said clamping arrangements extend around vertical supports at each end of said hold down member.  
     
     
         6 . An assembly as defined in  claim 3  wherein said mating parts are secured together by wedges.  
     
     
         7 . An assembly as defined in  claim 3  wherein said mating parts include one part of reduced width for extending through an opening in the other part.  
     
     
         8 . An assembly as defined in  claim 3  wherein said mating parts include surfaces which are adapted to be impacted by a hammer to secure said mating parts together and to release said mating parts.  
     
     
         9 . An assembly as defined in  claim 1  wherein a portion of said hold down member extending across said planks is a single strip of metal of substantially constant thickness and width.  
     
     
         10 . An assembly as defined in  claim 1  wherein each said strip of metal is bent to form at least a part of one of said clamping arrangements.  
     
     
         11 . A scaffold assembly comprising: 
 a set of front vertical supports;    a set of rear vertical supports;    a set of horizontal supports extending between said front and rear vertical supports;    a plurality of planks mounted on said set of horizontal supports;    hold down members extending across said planks, wherein at least a portion of said hold down members engage said planks, each of said hold down members having a first end and a second end, each of said hold down members being principally formed of a single strip of metal of substantially constant thickness and width;    the ends of said hold down members being releasably secured to said supports at each ends of said hold down members by a clamping arrangement for engaging said supports;    at least one of said clamping arrangements includes a downwardly extending portion of said strip of metal partially cut away to form a hook for underlying one of said horizontal supports; and    a pivoted latch member for engaging said hook to retain said hold down member onto said horizontal support.    
     
     
         12 . An assembly as defined in  claim 11  wherein said latch member includes surfaces adapted to be impacted by a hammer for closing said latch and for opening said latch.  
     
     
         13 . A scaffold assembly comprising: 
 a set of front vertical supports;    a set of rear vertical supports;    a set of horizontal supports extending between said front and rear vertical supports;    a plurality of planks mounted on said set of horizontal supports;    hold down members extending across said planks, each of said hold down members having a first end and a second end and each of said hold down members extending over and engaging the upper surface of said planks;    the ends of said hold down members being releasably secured to said supports at each ends of said hold down members by a clamping arrangement for engaging said supports; and    wherein said clamping arrangements engage the outer surfaces of said supports, whereby said planks and said hold down members may be moved without disassembling the scaffold supports.    
     
     
         14 . An assembly as defined in  claim 1  wherein at least one of said clamping arrangements includes a downwardly extending hook for underlying one of said horizontal supports, and a pivoted latch member for engaging said hook to retain said hold down member onto said horizontal support.  
     
     
         15 . An assembly as defined in  claim 13  wherein said clamping arrangements include mating parts extending around one of said supports at each end of each hold down member.  
     
     
         16 . An assembly as defined in  claim 15  wherein said mating parts are secured together by wedges.  
     
     
         17 . An assembly as defined in  claim 15  wherein said mating parts include one part of reduced width for extending through an opening in the other part.  
     
     
         18 . An assembly as defined in  claim 15  wherein said mating parts include surfaces which are adapted to be impacted by a hammer to secure said mating parts together to release said mating parts.  
     
     
         19 . An assembly as defined in  claim 13  wherein a portion of said hold down member extending across said planks is a single strip of metal of substantially constant thickness and width.  
     
     
         20 . An assembly as defined in  claim 13  wherein each said strip of metal is bent to form at least a part of one of said clamping arrangements.