Latchable scaffold planks

Abstract

An improved latchable scaffold board having a board like member with fixed clips or brackets fixedly attached at each end of the board. The brackets are shaped to engage and capture a horizontal scaffold member. The board also has a movable latch at least one end that moves to a latched position, and in the latched position, the movable latch has a portion that is positioned below the horizontal scaffold member, thereby trapping the scaffold board to the horizontal scaffold member.

1 . A first scaffold plank board comprising a board like member having a top surface, a bottom surface, first and second opposing end edges and a first and second opposing side edges;
 a first and second opposing side rails, said first side rail attached to the board like member near the first side edge, and the second side rail attached near said second side edge, each respective side rail extending downwardly from the top surface,   a plurality of clips attached to the scaffold board near the first end edge, each clip having a terminating downwardly projecting lip having a distal end, and a channel section located between the lip and the respective end edge, the channel section having a bottom portion configured to engage a horizontal scaffold member;   a movable clip mounted on the scaffold plank and having a lower finger portion having a terminating end and a finger portion top edge, where the vertical distance from the finger portion's top edge (when mounted) and the channel section's uppermost bottom portion is at least the diameter of a horizontal scaffold member, said movable clip is movable from a first latched position to a second released position, where in the latched position, said movable clip's lower finger portion extends outwardly from said first end edge of the scaffold so that, when the plurality of clips are resting on a horizontal scaffold member, said locked movable clip is positioned below said joined horizontal scaffold member to resist upward movement of the first end of the scaffold plank, and in said released position, said projecting finger is distant from the joined horizontal member.   
     
     
         2 . The scaffold plank of  claim 1  where said movable clip is slidable. 
     
     
         3 . The scaffold plank of  claim 1  where said movable clip is rotatable. 
     
     
         4 . The scaffold board of  claim 1  or  2  wherein said movable clip further comprises distal and proximal ends, and an upwardly projecting tab positioned near said proximal end. 
     
     
         5 . The scaffold board of  claim 4  where said top portion of said tab is substantially even with or positioned above the top surface of the scaffold board. 
     
     
         6 . The scaffold board of  claim 5  where said top surface of the scaffold board has an opening through which said projecting tab penetrates and is movable therein. 
     
     
         7 . The scaffold board of  claim 6  wherein said opening is a slot. 
     
     
         8 . The scaffold board of  claim 6  where said slot is orientated 90 degrees with respect to the top edges of the scaffold board. 
     
     
         9 . The scaffold board of  claim 6  wherein said opening is a circular opening. 
     
     
         10 . The scaffold plank of  claim 2  when said movable clip is biased to the locked position. 
     
     
         11 . The scaffold plank of  claim 10  when said movable clip is biased by a spring biasing member. 
     
     
         12 . A method of coupling and locking a first scaffold plank with a horizontal scaffold member, where said first scaffold plank comprises a board like member having a top surface, a bottom surface, first and second opposing end edges and a first and second opposing side edges;
 a first and second opposing side rails, said first side rail attached to the board like member near the first side edge, and the second side rail attached near said second side edge, each respective side rail extending downwardly from the top surface;   a plurality of clips attached to the first scaffold board near the first end edge and the second end edge, each clip having a terminating downwardly projecting lip having a distal end, and a channel section located between the lip and the respective end edge, the channel section having a bottom portion configured to engage a horizontal scaffold member;   a movable clip mounted on the first scaffold plank near the first end edge and having a lower finger portion having a terminating end and a finger portion top edge, where the vertical distance from the finger portion's top edge and the channel section's uppermost bottom portion is at least the diameter of a horizontal scaffold member, said movable clip is movable from a first latched position to a second released position, where in the latched position, said movable clip's lower finger portion extends outwardly from said first end edge of the scaffold so that, when the plurality of clips are resting on a horizontal scaffold member, said locked movable clip is positioned below said joined horizontal scaffold member to resist upward movement of the first scaffold plank near the first end edge, and in said released position, said projecting finger is distant from the joined horizontal member;   the method comprising the steps of:   positioning said first scaffold plank at about 90 degrees to said horizontal scaffold member and at an angle of about 5-30 degrees to the horizontal;   directing the first scaffold board forward so that a portion of the first clips on the first scaffold board pass over the horizontal scaffold member; lowering and moving the first scaffold board forward so that the projecting finger of the movable clip passes under the horizontal scaffold member supported by the horizontal scaffold member, continue lowering the first scaffold board until and the first scaffold board is supported on the horizontal scaffold member.