US3881571A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Building unit for scaffolding or a trestle
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1973-10-19
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Granted: 1975-05-06
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Expires: 1993-10-19
Abstract
Abstract A building unit for scaffolding or a trestle is formed as a hollow rectangular box of plastics material which is twice as long as it is wide. The unit has a closed horizontal top in which apertures are formed at the corners of the unit and midway along its length at the sides of the unit. The top is sufficiently strong to provide a support platform for personnel. Pegs aligned with the apertures project below the bottom of the unit for engagement in the apertures in one or more other such units to provide proper horizontal orientation and interconnection between the units. By suitably superimposing two or more of the units in this way, scaffolding or a support for a trestle may be readily assembled.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael Maldwyn Moulton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 14:04
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04G; E04G1/00; E04G1/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
A building unit, for scaffolding or a trestle, comprising a hollow rectangular body having a length-to-width ratio which is an integer, and including a top forming a support platform and defining corner apertures at its corners and intermediate apertures at intervals of unit width along its length towards its edges with said intermediate apertures having a length in the longitudinal direction of said hollow rectangular body at least twice the corresponding length of said corner apertures, and a bottom having projections extending vertically downwardly therefrom, each projection in alignment with a respective aperture for engagement in the apertures of at least one other unit to locate said units in horizontal arrangement, the projections aligned with said intermediate apertures being offset from one another longitudinally of said hollow rectangular body so as to be disposed on either side of a transverse plane through said hollow rectangular body centrally of said intermediate apertures with which they are aligned.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
156 words
A building unit, for scaffolding or a trestle, comprising a hollow rectangular body having a length-to-width ratio which is an integer, and including a top forming a support platform and defining corner apertures at its corners and intermediate apertures at intervals of unit width along its length towards its edges with said intermediate apertures having a length in the longitudinal direction of said hollow rectangular body at least twice the corresponding length of said corner apertures, and a bottom having projections extending vertically downwardly therefrom, each projection in alignment with a respective aperture for engagement in the apertures of at least one other unit to locate said units in horizontal arrangement, the projections aligned with said intermediate apertures being offset from one another longitudinally of said hollow rectangular body so as to be disposed on either side of a transverse plane through said hollow rectangular body centrally of said intermediate apertures with which they are aligned.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
160 words
A building unit, for scaffolding or a trestle, comprising a hollow rectangular body including a top portion and a bottom portion, one said portion defining four corner apertures and a plurality of intermediate apertures at intervals along the length of said hollow rectangular body at the edges thereof, with said intermediate apertures having a length in the longitudinal direction of said hollow rectangular body at least twice the corresponding length of said corner apertures, and the other said portion having projections extending vertically therefrom, each in alignment with a respective aperture defined by said one portion and with said projections aligned with said intermediate apertures defined by said one portion, and in corresponding positions towards opposite edges of said hollow rectangular body, being offset from one another longitudinally of said hollow rectangular body so as to be disposed on either side of a transverse plane through said hollow rectangular body centrally of said intermediate apertures with which they are aligned.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
160 words
A building unit, for scaffolding or a trestle, comprising a hollow rectangular body including a top portion and a bottom portion, one said portion defining four corner apertures and a plurality of intermediate apertures at intervals along the length of said hollow rectangular body at the edges thereof, with said intermediate apertures having a length in the longitudinal direction of said hollow rectangular body at least twice the corresponding length of said corner apertures, and the other said portion having projections extending vertically therefrom, each in alignment with a respective aperture defined by said one portion and with said projections aligned with said intermediate apertures defined by said one portion, and in corresponding positions towards opposite edges of said hollow rectangular body, being offset from one another longitudinally of said hollow rectangular body so as to be disposed on either side of a transverse plane through said hollow rectangular body centrally of said intermediate apertures with which they are aligned.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
A unit as claimed in claim 2, wherein said apertures are defined by said top portion of said hollow rectangular body and said projections project from said bottom portion of said hollow rectangular body.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A unit as claimed in claim 3, wherein said hollow rectangular body has a length to width ratio which is an integer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
A unit as claimed in claim 4, wherein said intermediate apertures defined by said top portion are disposed at intervals of unit width along the length of said rectangular hollow body.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
A unit as claimed in claim 5, wherein said top portion defines further apertures located midway across the width of said top portion and in transverse alignment with said corner apertures and said intermediate aperturEs.
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) | 1978-05-05 | 1978-11-04 | 1979-05-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-05 | 1982-11-04 | 1983-05-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-05 | 1986-11-04 | 1987-05-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |