US3697032A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Scaffolding
Assignee: Access Equipment Ltd
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Filing: 1969-12-15
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Granted: 1972-10-10
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Expires: 1989-12-15
Abstract
Abstract A leg of adjustable length, for scaffolding, has an externally screw threaded leg member slidably received in an upright tubular scaffolding member the lower end of which abuts a nut on the leg member rotatable to provide fine adjustment of the leg length. The nut has a lever arm and is tiltable to disengage its screw threads from the screw threads of the leg member to provide for coarse adjustment of the leg length. The tubular scaffold member normally seats in a recess in the nut to prevent tilting of the nut.
Inventors
- 👤 Douglas Henry Pearce
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 20:43
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04G; E04G5/00; E04G5/02; E04G1/00; E04G1/24; E04G2001/242
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
215 words
In adjustable leg scaffolding or the like, a generally vertical tubular scaffold member, a leg member projecting freely upwardly into said scaffold member and having a threaded section, and a one piece nut member on said threaded section normally having relatively rotatable load bearing support engagement with said tubular member, said nut member having an internal bore formed with screw threads engaging the threaded section of the leg for relative rotational adjustment between the nut member and the leg member when the axis of the bore is coincident with the axis of said leg member, and said bore being further formed to permit tilting of the axis of said nut member relative to the axis of the leg member to disengage the threads of the nut member from said threaded section of the leg member and provide substantially free relative longitudinal sliding movement between said nut and leg members and means including cooperating formations within said bore permitting tilting of said nut in only a predetermined direction about an axis transverse to said leg member for effecting said thread disengagement, said direction being opposite to the direction of force applied by the load at said load bearing surface, said screw threads on the nut being vertically spaced threaded sectors at opposite sides of said bore.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
215 words
In adjustable leg scaffolding or the like, a generally vertical tubular scaffold member, a leg member projecting freely upwardly into said scaffold member and having a threaded section, and a one piece nut member on said threaded section normally having relatively rotatable load bearing support engagement with said tubular member, said nut member having an internal bore formed with screw threads engaging the threaded section of the leg for relative rotational adjustment between the nut member and the leg member when the axis of the bore is coincident with the axis of said leg member, and said bore being further formed to permit tilting of the axis of said nut member relative to the axis of the leg member to disengage the threads of the nut member from said threaded section of the leg member and provide substantially free relative longitudinal sliding movement between said nut and leg members and means including cooperating formations within said bore permitting tilting of said nut in only a predetermined direction about an axis transverse to said leg member for effecting said thread disengagement, said direction being opposite to the direction of force applied by the load at said load bearing surface, said screw threads on the nut being vertically spaced threaded sectors at opposite sides of said bore.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
In adjustable leg scaffolding as claimed in claim 1 wherein said screw thread sectors each extend over an angle of about 90*.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
171 words
In adjustable leg scaffolding as claimed in claim 1 wherein said screw thread sectors upstand in the bore of the nut member and the bore of the nut member is enlarged assymetrically opposite each of said screw thread sectors so as to present a tapering wall portion having an inclination with respect to the longitudinal axis of the nut member which is a maximum in a first plane containing said longitudinal axis and bisecting said screw thread sectors and which progressively decreases in axial planes, on each side of said first plane so as to become zero in a second plane containing said longitudinal axis and extending at right angles to said first plane, said tapering wall portions lying in a common cylindrical surface of a diameter greater than the leg member threaded section, which surface is centered on the longitudinal axis of the leg member when the nut member is in the tilted position in which the screw threads on the leg member and the nut member respectively are disengaged.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
88 words
In adjustable leg scaffolding as claimed in claim 3 wherein each of said tapering wall portions conjoins with a straight wall portion of the bore of the nut member which is disposed between one of said screw thread sectors and one of said tapering wall portions, the straight wall portions extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the nut member and being spaced a maximum distance from said longitudinal axis in said first plane and a minimum distance from said longitudinal axis in said second plane.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
In adjustable leg scaffolding as claimed in claim 3 wherein the nut member has a radially outwardly projecting lever arm for tilting and rotating same, the lever arm extending generally in said first plane.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
In adjustable leg scaffolding as claimed in claim 5 wherein the lever arm is on the opposite side of the nut member to that one of said screw thread sectors nearer the upper end of said leg member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
An adjustable leg scaffolding as claimed in claim 1 further characterized in that said tubular member is arranged to seat in an upwardly open recess in the nut member and the tubular member co-operates with the recess to prevent tilting of the nut member while entered therein.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
100 words
Adjustable leg scaffolding as defined in claim 1, wherein said nut member has a projecting operating arm and said nut bore is enlarged opposite said threaded sectors so that said threaded sectors may be disengaged from the threaded section of said leg only when said nut member is tilted by upward movement of said arm. 9. An adjustable leg scaffolding or the like as defined in claim 1 wherein a rigid lever arm projects laterally from the upper portion of said nut and the upper of said vertically spaced threaded sectors in disposed on the opposite side from said arm.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-10-10 | 1976-04-10 | 1976-10-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-10 | 1980-04-10 | 1980-10-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-10 | 1984-04-10 | 1984-10-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |