Scaffold locking mechanism with tension indicator

Abstract

A wheeled scaffold assembly includes a locking mechanism to immobilize a scaffold after the scaffold has been positioned to be used as a work platform. The scaffold assembly may include multiple locking mechanisms. Further, the locking mechanism may include an indication to provide visual confirmation that the locking mechanism is appropriately engaged.

1 . A locking mechanism for a scaffold comprising: 
 a mounting bracket configured to be mounted to a scaffold,    a first plunger coupled to the mounting bracket, and    a second plunger coupled to the first plunger;    wherein the first plunger is moveable relative to the second plunger between an unlocked position wherein a first end of the second plunger is engaged with a second end of the first plunger and a locked position wherein the first end of the second plunger is spaced-apart from the second end of the first plunger.    
   
   
       2 . The locking mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism further comprises a bias member interposed between a portion of the first plunger and a portion of the second plunger to urge the first and second plungers apart.  
   
   
       3 . The locking mechanism of  claim 1 , further comprising a floor-engaging member configured to engage with a floor supporting the scaffold.  
   
   
       4 . The locking mechanism of  claim 3 , wherein the floor-engaging member is spaced-apart from the floor in the unlocked position and is engaged with the floor in the locked position.  
   
   
       5 . The locking mechanism of  claim 1 , further comprising an actuator coupled to the first plunger, the actuator configured to move the first plunger between the locked and unlocked positions.  
   
   
       6 . The locking mechanism of  claim 5 , wherein the actuator comprises a toggle lock handle.  
   
   
       7 . The locking mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the first plunger further comprises a first indicator and the second plunger further comprises a second indicator, the spacing between the first indicator and second indicator indicative of the relative position of the first plunger to the second plunger.  
   
   
       8 . The locking mechanism of  claim 7 , wherein the first indicator comprises a tube and the second indicator comprises a line.  
   
   
       9 . The locking mechanism of  claim 8 , wherein the first indicator is spaced-apart from the second indicator when the second plunger is in the unlocked position and the first indicator is aligned with the second indicator when the second plunger is in the locked position.  
   
   
       10 . A locking mechanism for a scaffold comprising: 
 a mounting bracket configured to be mounted to a scaffold,    a first plunger coupled to the mounting bracket,    a second plunger coupled to the first plunger and moveable relative to the plunger,    a spring coupled to and positioned between a drive end of the first plunger and a first end of the second plunger, and    wherein the locking mechanism is moveable between an unlocked position where the first end of the second plunger is spaced-apart a first distance from the drive end of the first plunger and a locked position where the first end of the second plunger is spaced-apart a second distance less than the first distance from the drive end of the second plunger.    
   
   
       11 . The locking mechanism of  claim 10 , wherein the first plunger further comprises a first indicator and the second plunger further comprises a second indicator, the spacing between the first indicator and second indicator indicative of the relative position of the first plunger to the second plunger.  
   
   
       12 . The locking mechanism of  claim 11 , wherein the first indicator is spaced-apart from the second indicator when the second plunger is in the unlocked position and the first indicator is aligned with the second indicator when the second plunger is in the locked position.  
   
   
       13 . The locking mechanism of  claim 12 , wherein the distance between the first plunger and second plunger when the locking mechanism is in the unlocked position is adjustable.  
   
   
       14 . A scaffold comprising: 
 a frame,    a platform supported by the frame,    a plurality of wheels coupled to the frame, and    a locking mechanism coupled to the frame, the locking mechanism moveable between a first position wherein the locking mechanism is configured to engage with a floor supporting the scaffold and a second position wherein the locking mechanism is configured to be spaced-apart from the floor.    
   
   
       15 . The scaffold of  claim 14 , wherein the locking mechanism is spring-loaded.  
   
   
       16 . The scaffold of  claim 14 , wherein the locking mechanism further comprises an actuator moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position, a first plunger coupled to the locking handle, the first plunger including a guide portion engaging a second plunger, an extension spring engaging a portion of the first plunger and a portion of the second plunger, the extension spring urging the first plunger and second plunger apart, wherein the second plunger is configured to engage the floor in the locked position and be spaced-apart from the floor in the unlocked position.  
   
   
       17 . The scaffold of  claim 16 , wherein the first plunger further comprises a first indicator and the second plunger further comprises a second indicator, the spacing between the first indicator and second indicator indicative of the relative position of the first plunger to the second plunger.  
   
   
       18 . The scaffold of  claim 17 , wherein the first indicator is spaced-apart from the second indicator when the second plunger is in the unlocked position and the first indicator is aligned with the second indicator when the second plunger is in the locked position.  
   
   
       19 . The scaffold of  claim 18 , wherein the distance between the first plunger and second plunger when the locking mechanism is in the unlocked position is adjustable.  
   
   
       20 . A method of operating a locking mechanism coupled to a scaffold having a plurality of wheels and moveable relative to a floor supporting the scaffold, the method comprising the steps of: 
 positioning the scaffold in a work position,    adjusting the locking mechanism so that an first indicator on a first portion of the locking mechanism is aligned with an second indicator on a second portion of the locking mechanism when the locking mechanism is in a locked position, and    actuating the locking mechanism such that the floor-engaging member engages the floor to immobilize the scaffold from rolling with respect to a floor supporting the scaffold.