Scaffold system and method

Abstract

A scaffold system and method having a hollow horizontal member with an internal wedge head at each end thereof, and internal wedge assembly with an external handle, and a vertical member having affixed in coaxial alignment therewith at least one grid patterned rosette. Each internal wedge head at the end of the horizontal member is configured to couple to the grid patterned rosette coupled to the vertical member substantially simultaneously using the wedge assembly mechanism.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A system for coupling a horizontal member to a vertical member of a scaffold, comprising:
 a horizontal member and a wedge head attached to each end of the horizontal member, the horizontal member; and   an internal wedge assembly within the horizontal member and wedge head, the internal wedge assembly having a wedge portion, the end of which partially or wholly extends and retracts from the end of the horizontal member and wedge head.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a rosette having a set of radially arranged cut-outs, the vertical member affixed in coaxial alignment with the rosette;
 the internal wedge head having mating elements corresponding to the radially arranged cut-outs of the rosette, wherein, when the mating elements of the internal wedge head are received in the radially arranged cut-outs of the rosette, the internal wedge assembly, when actuated, causes the wedge portion to rigidly join the horizontal member to the rosette.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising the internal wedge assembly having at least one wedge portion at the first end of a rod, the second end of the rod rotatably coupled to a crank/cam assembly. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , further comprising a handle external to the horizontal member being rotatably coupled to the crank/cam assembly. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3 , further comprising the internal wedge head having a wedge bore through which the wedge portion wholly or partially extends or retracts when the crank/cam assembly is actuated. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the crank/cam assembly is positioned within hollow tubing of horizontal member and further comprises a rotatable crank axle, the ends of which rotatable crank axle are rotatably coupled to the interior sides of horizontal member, at least one end of which rotatable crank/cam axle extends out of horizontal member orthogonally to the length of the horizontal member so as to receive a handle. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , in combination with a handle responsively coupled to an external extension of the crank axle. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the rotatable crank axle and hence, the handle is positioned closer to one end of the horizontal member as opposed to the other end. 
     
     
         9 . A method of erecting a scaffold comprising the steps of:
 positioning a horizontal member having a wedge head attached to each end of the horizontal member; and   causing a wedge portion within an internal wedge assembly within the horizontal member and wedge head to extend therefrom so as to couple the horizontal member to a rosette affixed in a coaxial arrangement with a vertical member.   
     
     
         10 . A method of disassembling a scaffold comprising the steps of:
 holding a horizontal member having a wedge head attached to each end of the horizontal member; and   causing a wedge portion within an internal wedge assembly within the horizontal member and wedge head to retract therein so as to decouple the horizontal member from a rosette affixed in a coaxial arrangement with a vertical member.   
     
     
         11 . An apparatus for coupling a horizontal member to a vertical member of a scaffold, comprising:
 a horizontal member having an internal wedge assembly therein,   a wedge portion configured to be extendable from or retractable into an end of the horizontal member.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising a vertical member having a rosette affixed in coaxial alignment with the vertical member, the wedge portion configured to be locked or unlocked onto the rosette. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising a first wedge portion extendable and retractable through a first end of the horizontal member and a second wedge portion extendable and retractable through a second end of the horizontal member. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , further comprising the first wedge portion and second wedge portion being responsively coupled to a handle external to the horizontal member via a crank/cam assembly. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , further comprising a wedge head at each end of the horizontal member, the wedge head having a wedge bore through which each respective wedge portion wholly or partially extends or retracts when the crank/cam assembly is actuated. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the crank/cam assembly is positioned within hollow tubing of horizontal member and further comprises a rotatable crank axle, the ends of which rotatable crank axle are rotatably coupled to the interior sides of horizontal member, at least one end of which rotatable crank/cam axle extends out of horizontal member orthogonally to the length of the horizontal member so as to receive a handle.