Scaffold connection with concave engagement and gravity lock

Abstract

An improved scaffold connection for engagement of scaffold members to support members. The connection employs a ring member engaged to the vertical scaffold member. A rotatable latch member engages a lower surface of the ring member to maintain a hook or support portion of a latch body on the upper surface of the ring member. A locking member rotationally engaged to the latch member, is gravity activated to rotate and engage the latch body to hold the latch member engaged to the ring member.

1 . A scaffold connector comprising:
 a first ring member having an upper side and a lower side surface meeting at a circumferential edge, said first ring member fixedly attachable to a vertical scaffold member;   said first ring member having a recess formed in said lower side surface;   a connector body having a first end, a second end, a top side and a bottom side, said connector body fixedly attachable at said second end to one end of a horizontal scaffold member having an upper surface;   means for attachment of said connector body to said first ring member with a support surface of said connector body in a supported position contacting said upper side of said first ring member;   a latch member, rotationally engaged to said connector body, said latch member having a first end having a contact surface adapted so as to be positionable below said lower side of said first ring member;   said contact surface dimensioned to engage within said recess descending into said lower side surface of said first ring member;   said latch member rotatable to a rotated position with said contact surface disengaged from said lower side of said first ring member; and   said latch member rotatable to a connected position with said contact surface engaged within said recess of said lower side surface upon said connector body reaching said supported position.   
   
   
       2 . The scaffold connector of  claim 1  additionally comprising:
 a locking member, said locking member rotationally engaged to said latch member;   said locking member having a connecting surface dimensioned to engage an aperture in said connector body; and   said locking member biased to rotate and engage said connecting surface with said aperture when said latch member is rotated to said connected position with said contact surface.   
   
   
       3 . The scaffold connector of  claim 2  additionally comprising:
 said locking member having a handle portion extending from a pin providing a rotational engagement to said latch member;   said handle portion extending away from said ring member; and   said handle portion having a mass whereby gravity provides a means to bias said locking member to rotate and engage said connecting surface.   
   
   
       4 . The scaffold connector of  claim 1  additionally comprising:
 a second ring member having an upper side and a lower side, fixedly attachable to said vertical scaffold member at a point spaced below said first ring member; and   means for attachment of said connector body to said upper side of said second ring member, extending from said first end of said connector body.   
   
   
       5 . The scaffold connector of  claim 2  additionally comprising:
 a second ring member having an upper side and a lower side, fixedly attachable to said vertical scaffold member at a point spaced below said first ring member; and   means for attachment of said connector body to said upper side of said second ring member, extending from said first end of said connector body.   
   
   
       6 . The scaffold connector of  claim 3  additionally comprising:
 a second ring member having an upper side and a lower side, fixedly attachable to said vertical scaffold member at a point spaced below said first ring member; and   means for attachment of said connector body to said upper side of said second ring member, extending from said first end of said connector body.   
   
   
       7 . An improved scaffold connection, comprising:
 a. a first ring member having an upper side and a lower side, fixedly attachable to a vertical scaffold member;   b. a connector body having a first end, a second end, a top, a bottom and sides, fixedly attachable at said second end to one end of a horizontal scaffold member having an upper surface, said connector body including:
 i. a means for attachment of said connector body to said upper side of said first ring member, extending from said first end of said connector body; 
 ii. a cavity, extending through said body and opening exterior of said body at a first opening in said first end; and 
 iii. a support element fixedly positioned in said cavity said support element having a curved support surface; and 
   c. a latch member, positioned in said cavity and having a first end extending through said first opening and adapted so as to be positionable below said lower side of said first ring member in a connected position, said latch member being pivotal within said cavity and having a curved base section, matingly slidable on and supported by said support surface;   d. a locking member, said locking member rotationally engaged to said latch member;   said locking member having a connecting surface dimensioned to engage an aperture in said connector body; and   said locking member biased to rotate and engage said connecting surface with said aperture when said latch member is rotated to said connected position with said contact surface.   
   
   
       8 . The scaffold connector of  claim 7  additionally comprising:
 said locking member having a handle portion extending from a pin providing a rotational engagement to said latch member;   said handle portion extending away from said ring member; and   said handle portion having a mass whereby gravity provides a means to bias said locking member to rotate and engage said connecting surface.   
   
   
       9 . The scaffold connector of  claim 1  additionally comprising:
 means to bias said latch member towards said ring member whereby said latch member is rotated to a connected position, with said contact surface engaged within said recess of said lower side surface, upon said connector body reaching said supported position.   
   
   
       10 . The scaffold connector of  claim 2  additionally comprising:
 means to bias said latch member towards said ring member whereby said latch member is rotated to a connected position, with said contact surface engaged within said recess of said lower side surface, upon said connector body reaching said supported position.   
   
   
       11 . The scaffold connector of  claim 3  additionally comprising:
 means to bias said latch member towards said ring member whereby said latch member is rotated to a connected position, with said contact surface engaged within said recess of said lower side surface, upon said connector body reaching said supported position.   
   
   
       12 . The scaffold connector of  claim 4  additionally comprising:
 means to bias said latch member towards said ring member whereby said latch member is rotated to a connected position, with said contact surface engaged within said recess of said lower side surface, upon said connector body reaching said supported position.