Platform retention mechanism for scaffold and scaffold including same

Abstract

A scaffold, a side rail assembly for a scaffold frame, a platform retention mechanism for a scaffold, a kit for a scaffold and a method of manufacturing a side rail assembly. The scaffold may include a platform, a frame and a platform retention mechanism. The frame may include end frames and side rails. The mechanism may be configured to selectively restrict motion of the platform relative to a side rail. The mechanism may include a housing and a body at least partly disposed within the housing. The body may include an actuatable member and a pivotable member positioned at an end of the actuatable member, the actuatable member being slidingly displaceable within the housing and the pivotable member being pivotable about a pivot joint relative to the actuatable member between a deployed position and a retracted position to selectively restrict motion of the platform relative to the side rail.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] The present application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 based on U.S. provisional application No.: 63 / 762,525 filed on Feb. 24, 2025. The contents of the aforementioned application are incorporated herein by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The subject matter disclosed generally relates to scaffolds. More particularly, the subject matter disclosed relates to systems, devices and methods for securing a platform to a scaffold frame, for example to a Baker type scaffold.BACKGROUND

[0003] Mobile scaffolds have been used in the construction industry for many years. Such scaffolds may be used in interior and exterior situations to provide users with access to locations to perform tasks that do not justify the use of fixed scaffolds. Typically, known scaffolds include a platform for supporting a worker and a frame for supporting the platform, the frame including end frames and side braces. The platform is typically supported by the side braces of the scaffold frame, for instance by resting against a ledge of each of the side braces.

[0004] In many conventional scaffold systems, the platform may be mechanically secured to a side brace of the scaffold to reduce risks of injury due to instability of the platform. In some specific systems, the platform may be secured to the scaffold frame by a security latch, which typically includes a pin and a biasing element such as a spring to bias the pin into position against the platform to prevent the platform from undesirably moving (e.g., shifting, sliding, upwardly displacing) relative to the side brace of the scaffold frame, for example while a worker is on the platform.

[0005] In scaffold systems with conventional security latches, such as those shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C, a portion of the pin of the security latch (e.g., a stem of the pin) extends below the side brace 1005 of the scaffold 1000 so as to protrude beyond the frame of the scaffold. Such a configuration presents a number of drawbacks. For example, the protruding pin creates a risk of injury to workers who may accidentally collide with the protruding portion of the pin. Additionally, conventional security latches may be cumbersome and may be difficult to manipulate which makes latching and unlatching of the platform to the scaffold frame using the security latch unwieldy. Additionally, still, when the scaffold in a disassembled form, for example when it is packaged to be shipping or when it is being transported, the protruding portion of the pin may make it make difficult to stack the platform on a flat surface or with other components / pieces of equipment without causing some damage to the pin and / or to the flat surface and / or other components / pieces of equipment.

[0006] In view of the above, it is clear that there is need for an improved system for securing a platform to a scaffold frame that alleviates at least in part some of the above identified deficiencies.SUMMARY

[0007] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify all key aspects and / or essential aspects of the invention.

[0008] In accordance with various aspects of this disclosure, there is provided a scaffold, a side rail assembly for a scaffold frame, a platform retention mechanism for a scaffold, a kit for a scaffold and a method of manufacturing a side rail assembly.

[0009] For instance, in accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a scaffold comprising a platform configured for supporting a user of the scaffold. The platform comprises a first end and a second end spaced from the first end along a longitudinal direction of the platform and a first edge and a second edge spaced from the first edge along a transverse direction of the platform. The scaffold also comprises a frame supporting the platform. The frame comprises a first end frame and a second end frame arranged at respective ends of the platform and a first side rail and a second side rail each extending between the first end frame and the second end frame and spaced from another along the transverse direction of the platform. The scaffold further comprises a platform retention mechanism on the first side rail. The platform retention mechanism is configured to selectively restrict motion of the platform relative to the first side rail of the frame. The platform retention mechanism comprises a housing and a body at least partly disposed within the housing. The body comprises an actuatable member and a pivotable member positioned at an end of the actuatable member. The actuatable member is configured to be slidingly displaceable within the housing and the pivotable member is pivotable about a pivot joint relative to the actuatable member between a deployed position and a retracted position to selectively restrict motion of the platform relative to the first side rail.

[0010] In some specific implementations, in the deployed position, at least a portion of the pivotable member of the body of said platform retention mechanism may extend outside said housing and may engage at least a portion of the platform to restrict motion of the platform relative to the first side rail and in the retracted position, at least a portion of the pivotable member of the body of said platform retention mechanism may be held within the housing.

[0011] In some specific implementations, in the retracted position, a majority of the pivotable member of the body of said platform retention mechanism may be held within the housing.

[0012] In some specific implementations, the housing may be mechanically coupled to the first side rail.

[0013] In some specific implementations, the housing may be constructed integrally with the first side rail.

[0014] In some specific implementations, each of the first side rail and the second side rail may include an upper edge configured for engaging a corresponding one of the first edge and the second edge of the platform and a lower edge spaced from the upper edge.

[0015] In some specific implementations, the housing may comprise a first end and a second end spaced from the first end and wherein the first end and second end of the housing may be disposed between the upper edge and the lower edge of the first side rail.

[0016] In some specific implementations, a majority of an extent of the actuatable member of the body of said platform retention mechanism may be disposed within the housing when the platform retention mechanism is arranged to restrict motion of the platform relative to the first side rail of the frame.

[0017] In some specific implementations, the housing may be a tubular housing having an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface defining a hollow interior cavity extending along an extent of the housing.

[0018] In some specific implementations, the hollow interior cavity may have a rectangular cross-section or a square cross-section.

[0019] In some specific implementations, the actuatable member of the body of said platform retention mechanism may have an elongated tubular shape shaped to engage the hollow interior cavity of the housing.

[0020] In some specific implementations, the actuatable member of the body of said platform retention mechanism may comprises a first end and a second end spaced from the first end, wherein the pivotable member may be positioned at the first end of the actuatable member, wherein the first end of the actuatable member may lie about the upper edge of the first side rail.

[0021] In some specific implementations, when the platform retention mechanism is arranged to restrict motion of the platform relative to the first side rail of the frame and when the pivotable member is in the retracted position, the second end of the actuatable member may lie about the lower edge of the first side rail so that the actuatable member may be disposed between the upper edge and the lower edge of the first side rail.

[0022] In some specific implementations, the actuatable member may comprise a first end and a second end spaced from the first end, wherein the pivotable member may be positioned at the first end of the actuatable member and wherein the actuatable member may comprise a guide mechanism to guide sliding displacement of the actuatable member within the housing.

[0023] In some specific implementations, the guide mechanism may comprise a guiding pin and a guiding track.

[0024] In some specific implementations, the guiding track may be configured to move relative to the guiding pin when the actuatable member is slidingly displaced within the housing.

[0025] In some specific implementations, the guiding pin may extend through the housing and through the actuatable member.

[0026] In some specific implementations, the guiding track may be a first guiding track of the actuatable member and the actuatable member may comprise a second guiding track opposite the first guiding track.

[0027] In some specific implementations, the actuatable member may comprise a first end and a second end spaced from the first end, wherein the pivotable member may be positioned at the first end of the actuatable member and wherein the actuatable member may comprise a user-engageable portion positioned at the second end of the actuatable member, the user-engageable portion may include a user-engageable surface configured to be engaged by a hand of a user operating the platform retention mechanism.

[0028] In some specific implementations, the user-engageable surface may be at least partially curved to form a concave area for engaging the hand of the user operating the platform retention mechanism.

[0029] In some specific implementations, the actuatable member of the body may include a recess shaped to receive the pivotable member when the pivotable member is in the retracted position.

[0030] In some specific implementations, the pivotable member may include a user-engageable surface configured to be engaged by a user operating the platform retention mechanism.

[0031] In some specific implementations, at least a portion of the user-engageable surface of the pivotable member may be disposed outside the housing when the pivotable member is in the retracted position.

[0032] In some specific implementations, the user-engageable surface of the pivotable member may include a plurality of ridges.

[0033] In some specific implementations, the actuatable member may comprise a biasing member configured to urge the body of the platform retention mechanism towards a lower edge of the first side rail.

[0034] In some specific implementations, the biasing member may include a spring.

[0035] In some specific implementations, the biasing member may include a coil spring.

[0036] In some specific implementations, the actuatable member may comprise a biasing member configured to urge the body of the platform retention mechanism towards a lower edge of the first side rail and the guide mechanism may be configured to engage with the biasing member.

[0037] In some specific implementations, the guiding pin of the guide mechanism may extend through the housing, the actuatable member and may engage a top portion of the biasing member.

[0038] In some specific implementations, the platform retention mechanism may be a first platform retention mechanism, the scaffold may further comprise a second platform retention mechanism on the second side rail of the frame, the second platform retention mechanism may be configured to selectively restrict motion of the platform relative to the second side rail.

[0039] In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a side rail assembly for a scaffold frame, the scaffold frame being configured for supporting a scaffold platform having a first end and a second end spaced from the first end along a longitudinal direction of the platform and a first edge and a second edge spaced from the first edge along a transverse direction of the platform. The side rail assembly comprises a first side rail and a second side rail configured to extend between two end frame of the scaffold frame and being configured to support the platform. The side rail assembly also comprises a platform retention mechanism on the first side rail, the platform retention mechanism being configured to selectively restrict motion of the platform relative to the first side rail of the side rail assembly. The platform retention mechanism comprises a housing and a body at least partly disposed within the housing. The body comprises an actuatable member and a pivotable member positioned at an end of the actuatable member. The actuatable member is configured to be slidingly displaced within the housing. The pivotable member is pivotable about a pivot joint relative to the actuatable member between a deployed position and a retracted position to selectively restrict motion of the platform relative to the side rail.

[0040] In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a platform retention mechanism for a scaffold, the scaffold comprising a platform for supporting a user of the platform and a frame for supporting the platform, the frame including a first end frame and a second end frame arranged at respective ends of the platform and first and second side rails extending between transverse edges of the platform. The platform retention mechanism is configured to be coupled to the first side rail of the frame and being configured to selectively restrict motion of the platform relative to the first side rail. The platform retention mechanism comprises a housing and body at least partly disposed within the housing. The body comprises an actuatable member configured to be slidingly displaced within the housing. The platform retention mechanism also comprises a pivotable member positioned at an end of the actuatable member. The pivotable member is pivotable about a pivot joint relative to the actuatable member between a deployed position and a retracted position to selectively restrict motion of the platform relative to the first side rail.

[0041] In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a kit for a scaffold comprising a platform for supporting a user of the scaffold. The platform comprises a first end and a second end spaced from the first end along a longitudinal direction of the platform and a first edge and a second edge spaced from the first edge along a transverse direction of the platform. The kit also comprises a frame for supporting the platform, the frame comprising a first end frame and a second end frame configured to be arranged at respective ends of the platform and a first side rail and a second side rail each configured to extend between the first end frame and the second end frame. The kit also comprises a platform retention mechanism mounted to, or configured to be mounted to, the first side rail, the platform retention mechanism configured to selectively restrict motion of the platform relative to the first side rail, the platform retention mechanism comprising a housing and a body at least partly disposed within the housing. The body comprises an actuatable member and a pivotable member positioned at an end of the actuatable member. The actuatable member is configured to be slidingly displaced within the housing. The pivotable member is pivotable about a pivot joint relative to the actuatable member between a deployed position and a retracted position to selectively restrict motion of the platform relative to the first side rail.

[0042] In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a method of manufacturing a side rail assembly for a scaffold frame for a scaffold. The method comprises the steps of providing a first side rail and a second side rail configured for supporting a platform of the scaffold and providing a platform retention mechanism on the first side rail, the platform retention mechanism being configured to selectively restrict motion of the platform relative to the first side rail of the frame, the platform retention mechanism comprising a housing and a body at least partly disposed within the housing, the body comprising an actuatable member and a pivotable member positioned at an end of the actuatable member, said actuatable member configured to be slidingly displaced within the housing and said pivotable member being pivotable about a pivot joint relative to the actuatable member between a deployed position and a retracted position to selectively restrict motion of the platform relative to the first side rail.

[0043] All features of specific embodiments which are described in this disclosure and are not mutually exclusive can be combined with one another. Elements of one embodiment or aspect can be utilized in the other embodiments / aspects without further mention.

[0044] These and other aspects of this disclosure will now become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon review of a description of embodiments that follows in conjunction with accompanying drawings.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0045] The above-mentioned features and objects of the present disclosure will become more apparent with reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and in which:

[0046] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a scaffold including a platform and a scaffold frame, wherein the platform is secured to the scaffold frame using a prior art platform security latch;

[0047] FIG. 1B is an enlarged perspective view of the security latch of the scaffold of FIG. 1A, the security latch being shown in a latched position;

[0048] FIG. 1C is an enlarged perspective view of the security latch of the scaffold of FIG. 1A, the security latch being shown in an unlatched position;

[0049] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a scaffold including a platform and a scaffold frame, wherein the platform is secured to a side rail of the scaffold using a platform retention mechanism in accordance with a specific embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0050] FIG. 2B is an enlarged perspective view of the platform retention mechanism of the scaffold of FIG. 2A, in accordance with a specific embodiment, the platform retention mechanism being shown in a latched position in which a pivotable member of the platform retention mechanism shown in a deployed position;

[0051] FIG. 3 is a front view of the scaffold of FIG. 2A;

[0052] FIG. 4 is a right side elevation view of the scaffold of FIG. 2A;

[0053] FIG. 5 is a kit for a scaffold of the type shown in FIG. 2A in accordance with a specific embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0054] FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a side rail assembly of the scaffold of FIG. 2A, in accordance with a specific embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0055] FIG. 6B is a front view of the side rail assembly of FIG. 6A;

[0056] FIG. 6C is a rear view of the side rail assembly of FIG. 6A;

[0057] FIG. 6D is an enlarged elevation view of the side rail assembly of FIG. 6A;

[0058] FIG. 7 is an enlarged elevation view of a side rail locking mechanism of the scaffold of FIG. 2A;

[0059] FIG. 8 is another enlarged perspective view of the platform retention mechanism of the scaffold of FIG. 2A;

[0060] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a platform retention mechanism suitable for use in the scaffold shown in FIG. 2A, the platform retention mechanism being shown separately from the scaffold, a pivotable member of the platform retention mechanism being shown in a deployed position;

[0061] FIG. 10 is a right elevation view of the platform retention mechanism of FIG. 9;

[0062] FIG. 11 is front view of the platform retention mechanism of FIG. 9;

[0063] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the platform retention mechanism of FIG. 9 with the pivotable member of the platform retention mechanism shown in a retracted position;

[0064] FIG. 13A is a perspective view of the platform retention mechanism of FIG. 9 with the pivotable member of the platform retention mechanism shown in the retracted position, wherein a portion of the platform retention mechanism is shown in phantom lines to show the pivotable member in the retracted position;

[0065] FIG. 13B is a perspective view of the platform retention mechanism of FIG. 9 with the pivotable member of the platform retention mechanism shown in the retracted position, wherein a portion of the platform retention mechanism shown in phantom lines to show the pivotable member pivoting about a pivot axis P;

[0066] FIG. 14 is a left elevation view of the platform retention mechanism of FIG. 9 with the pivotable member of the platform retention mechanism shown in a retracted position;

[0067] FIG. 15 is front view of the platform retention mechanism of FIG. 9 with the pivotable member of the platform retention mechanism shown in a retracted position;

[0068] FIG. 16 is an exploded view of the platform retention mechanism of FIG. 9;

[0069] FIGS. 17A to 17G depict a sequence of actions executing a process for operating the platform retention mechanism of the scaffold of FIG. 2A to unlatch the platform of the scaffold;

[0070] FIG. 18A shows a perspective view of a side rail assembly of a scaffold frame, the side rail assembly including a housing for a platform retention mechanism in accordance with a specific embodiment;

[0071] FIG. 18B is an enlarged perspective view of the side rail assembly shown in FIG. 18A showing the housing for the platform retention mechanism;

[0072] FIG. 19 is a right elevation view of a platform retention mechanism, in accordance with a specific embodiment, the platform retention mechanism including a pivotable member;

[0073] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a scaffold including a platform, a scaffold frame and a guard rail, in accordance with an alternative embodiment; and

[0074] FIG. 21 shows a method for manufacturing a side rail assembly for a scaffold, in accordance with a specific embodiment.

[0075] In the drawings, embodiments are illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood that the description and drawings are only for purposes of illustrating certain embodiments and are an aid for understanding. They are not intended to be a definition of the limits of the invention.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0076] A detailed description of one or more specific embodiments of the invention is provided below along with accompanying Figures that illustrate principles of the invention. The invention is described in connection with such embodiments, but the invention is not limited to any specific embodiment. It is to be appreciated that the embodiments described are being provided only for the purpose of illustrating the inventive principles and should not be considered as limiting. The scope of the invention is limited only by the claims. Numerous specific details are set forth in the following description in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. These details are provided for the purpose of describing non-limiting examples and the invention may be practiced according to the claims without some or all of these specific details. For the purpose of clarity, technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the invention has not been described in great detail so that the invention is not unnecessarily obscured.

[0077] FIGS. 2A to 5 show a scaffold assembly 2 comprising a mobile scaffold 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The scaffold 10 comprises a platform 88 and a frame 11 for supporting the one or more platforms 88. The frame 11 includes a set of end frame assemblies 12 (also referred to as “end frames”) and a set of side rail assemblies 46. The scaffold 10 includes a longitudinal direction, a vertical direction and a transverse direction transverse to the longitudinal and the vertical directions. The longitudinal, vertical and transverse directions are respectively denoted X, Y and Z, as shown in FIG. 2A.

[0078] In some embodiments, the scaffold assembly 2 includes a single mobile scaffold 10. In other embodiments (not shown in the figures), the scaffold assembly 2 may include a plurality of mobile scaffolds 10 stackable in the vertical direction (Y).

[0079] The platform 88 is configured for supporting a user of the scaffold 10. The platform 88 extends along a longitudinal direction, a vertical direction and a transverse direction which generally coincide with the longitudinal direction (X), the vertical direction (Y) and the transverse direction (Z) of the scaffold 10 when the side rail 48 is mounted to the scaffold 10 The platform 88 includes a body 91 comprising an upper surface 90 and a lower surface 92 and a thickness 102 defined between the upper and lower surfaces 90, 92. The body 91 includes a first end 87 and a second end 89 opposite the first end 87. The body 91 includes a first lateral edge 83 and a second lateral edge 85 opposite the first lateral edge 83 in the transverse direction (Z). The body 91 of the platform 88 includes a periphery 94. The platform 88 may be configured in any suitable fashion. In some embodiments, the platform 88 may include a frame 98 disposed about at least a portion (e.g., a portion or an entirety) of the periphery 94 of the platform 88. A height of the platform 88 is adjustable in the vertical direction (Y) of the scaffold 10. For instance, the platform 88 may be adjustable between a minimum height and a maximum height. The platform 88 may have any suitable shape and dimensions. The platform 88 (e.g., the body 91 and / or the frame 98) may be comprised of any suitable material or combination of materials, including but not limited to, for example, metals (steel, iron, aluminum), wood, plastic composite, plastic. In some embodiments, the platform 88 may include a trap door 104 operable to provide access to the platform 88 and / or the end frame assemblies 12 (e.g., an end frame assembly 12 of a scaffold 10 stacked above or below a given scaffold 10). In some embodiments, the platform 88 may include one or more apertures 106 to facilitate handling (e.g., including but not limited to, grabbing, moving, installing, transporting) of the platform 88.

[0080] With further reference to FIGS. 2A to 5, the frame 11 of the scaffold 10 includes two end frame assemblies 12 configured for coupling with the side rail assemblies 46 and for supporting the platform 88. With reference to FIG. 5, each end frame assembly 12 includes a ladder 14 including a pair of legs 16 (e.g., left and right legs) and one or more rungs 26 extending between the pair of legs 16. The rungs 26 extend transversely between the pair of legs 16 so as to be substantially horizontal when the pair of legs 16 are positioned upright when in an “in-use” configuration. The ladder 14 is configured for allowing the user to climb the scaffold 10 (e.g., to reach a given one of the platforms 88).

[0081] With reference to FIG. 3, each leg 16 includes a first end 20 and a second end 22 opposite the first end 20 along a longitudinal direction L16 of the leg 16. Each leg 16 comprises a body 18. The body 18 extends along the longitudinal direction L16 of the leg 16.

[0082] The elongated body 18 may be configured in any suitable fashion and may have any suitable shape, material and dimensions. For instance, the elongated body 18 be comprised of a material 29 which may include but is not limited to, for example, metals (steel, iron, aluminum), plastics, composite materials (reinforced plastics, such as fiber reinforced polymer matrix composites, e.g., fiberglass composites, carbon-fiber reinforced composites, aramid reinforced-composites, etc.). In some embodiments, the elongated body 18 may be comprised of a substantially (e.g., including but not limited to majoritarily) solid member. In other embodiments, the elongated body 18 may be tubular so that an inner portion may be at least partially hollow.

[0083] The elongated body 18 may include any suitable cross-sectional shape (e.g., including but not limited to, rectangular, square, circular) and any exterior suitable exterior cross-sectional dimensions. For example, in some embodiments, the elongated body 18 may have an exterior cross-sectional shape forming a square which may have sides with dimensions between 1 inches and 2 inches.

[0084] With reference to FIG. 7, In some embodiments, the elongated body 18 may include one or more openings 24 along at least a portion of the extent of the body 18 which are engageable by a releasable locking mechanism 74 to couple the side rail assemblies 46 to the ladders 14 so that the platform 88 may be set at a desired height along the elongated body 18 of the legs 16 of the ladders 14. In specific embodiments, the one or more openings 24 may include a plurality of openings arranged along the extent of the body. The openings in the plurality of openings may be arranged in an equidistant manner relative to one another along the extent of the body or may be arranged in a non-equidistant manner depending on the desired heights along the elongated body 18 that the platform 88 may be set. The spacing between openings 24 may vary between implementations. In specific implementations, the distance tends to range between 1 inches and 2 inches.

[0085] With further reference to FIG. 4, each rung 26 includes a first end 30 and a second end 32 opposite the first end 30. The rungs 26 may be configured in any suitable fashion and may have any suitable shape and dimensions and may be made in any suitable material or combination of materials. In some embodiments, one or more of the rungs 26 may be formed as a substantially (e.g., including but not limited to partially, majoritarily) solid body. In other embodiments, one or more of the rungs 26 may be formed as a tubular body 28 so that an inner portion of the body may be at least partially hollow. The rungs 26 may include any suitable exterior or interior cross-sectional shape (e.g., including but not limited to, rectangular, square, circular, polygonal, elliptic) and any suitable exterior or interior cross-sectional dimensions. The rungs 26 may be formed using materials including but not limited to, for example, metals (steel, iron, aluminum), plastics and / or plastic composites.

[0086] The end frame assembly 12 may further include ground-engaging members 35 configured to be coupled to the one or more legs 16 at the second end 22 of the one or more legs 16. For instance, at least some of the legs 16 may be mounted on ground-engaging members 35. For example, each leg 16 may be mounted on ground-engaging members 35. Different types of engaging members 35 may be contemplated in practical implementations. In specific examples, the ground-engaging members 35 may include base plates. In another example, the ground-engaging members 35 may include casters 36 to provide added mobility to the scaffold. For instance, at least some of the legs 16 may be mounted on a caster 36. For example, in this case, each leg 16 is mounted on a caster 36. The casters 36 may be configured in any suitable fashion and may have any suitable shape, material and dimensions. Some or all of the casters 36 may be configured with wheel locking mechanisms to prevent motion of the caster wheels, and thereby prevent motion of the scaffold 10, while the scaffold 10 is installed for use.

[0087] With further reference to FIG. 5, the casters 36 include a wheel 42 and a stem 38 for mounting the casters 36 to the legs 16. The stem 38 is configured to matingly engage a portion of the hollow interior cavity defined by the elongated body 18 of the leg 16 at the second end 22 of the leg 16. In this example, the end frame assembly 12 further includes locking pins 44 to lock the casters 36 with respect to the legs 16. For instance, the stem 38 includes an opening 40 to receive the locking pin 44 which is configured to extend through the opening 40 in the stem 38 of the caster 36 and through a given opening 24 in the leg 16 to fasten the caster 36 to the leg 16.

[0088] With further reference to FIG. 3, in some specific embodiments, each leg 16 includes a scaffold connector 59 disposed at the first end 20 of the leg 16. The scaffold connector 59 is configured for facilitating stacking of multiple scaffolds 10 atop one another in the vertical direction Y. The scaffold connector 59 may be configured in any suitable fashion and may have any suitable shape, material and dimensions. In specific examples, the scaffold connector 59 is a pin connector 61. The pin connector 61 at the first end 20 of a given leg 16 of a first scaffold 10 is configured to engage, and be at least partially disposed within the second end 22 of a corresponding leg 16 of a second scaffold 10 stacked atop the first scaffold 10 in the vertical direction Y. For example, the pin connector 61 at the first end 20 of a given leg 16 of a first scaffold 10 is configured to engage, and be at least partially disposed within the cavity 37 of the body 18 of a corresponding leg 16 of a second scaffold 10 stacked atop the first scaffold 10 in the vertical direction Y. In specific examples, the pin connector 61 is a cylindrical pin connector 61. In another example, the pin connector 61 may comprise any suitable exterior or interior cross-sectional shape (e.g., including but not limited to, rectangular, square, circular) and may have any suitable exterior or interior cross-sectional dimensions. The scaffold connector 59 may be made of a material including but not limited to, for example, metals (steel, iron, aluminum), plastics, plastic composites. The scaffold connector 59 may be coupled to the leg 16 in any suitable fashion, including but not limited to through the use of mechanical fasteners, by metal joining, by adhesives.

[0089] In some alternative embodiments, the scaffold assembly 2 may include a guard rail 108 as shown in FIG. 20. The guard rail 108 may be configured in any suitable fashion and may have any suitable shape and dimensions and may be made of any suitable material or combination of materials. For instance, in some embodiments, the guard rail 18 may have a substantially cylindrical cross section with a diameter between 1 inch or 1.5 inches. In alternative specific examples, not shown in the Figures, the guardrail 18 may have a substantially elliptic or polygonal cross section and the cross section may be of any suitable dimension.

[0090] The scaffold 10 includes two side rail assemblies 46 including side rails 48 that extend longitudinally between elevated end frame assemblies 12 along the lateral edges 85, 83 of the platform 88 to support the platform 88. A given side rail assembly 46 may include a platform retention mechanism 200 to be described further below.

[0091] With reference to FIGS. 6A to 6D, each side rail 48 includes a first end 51, a second end 53 opposite the first end 51, an upper edge 56, a lower edge 58 opposite the upper edge 56, an outer surface 50 and an inner surface 52 opposite the outer surface 50. The upper edge 56 is configured for engaging a corresponding one of the lateral edges 83, 85 of the platform 88. The lower edge 58 is spaced from the upper edge 56. The side rail 48 extends along a longitudinal direction, a vertical direction and a transverse direction which generally coincide with the longitudinal direction (X), the vertical direction (Y) and the transverse direction (Z) of the scaffold 10 when the side rail 48 is mounted to the scaffold 10. A height H48 of the side rail 48 is defined between the upper edge 56 and the lower edge 58 of the side rail 48. The side rail 48 may be configured in any suitable fashion and may have any suitable shape, and dimensions and made be made with any suitable material or combination of materials. For instance, the side rail 48 may include but not be limited to for example, of a metallic material (steel, iron, aluminum), or of a composite material (a reinforced plastic, such as a fiber reinforced polymer matrix composite, e.g., a fiberglass composite, a carbon-fiber reinforced composite, an aramid reinforced-composite, etc.), or any other suitable material.

[0092] In some embodiments, the inner surface 52 of the side rail 48 includes a platform support 54. In specific examples, the platform support 54 is configured as a platform supporting surface 55 upon which the platform 88 is configured to be disposed and sit. In this embodiment, the platform supporting surface 55 comprises a ledge upon which a lateral edge 83, 85 of the platform 88 may be supported. In some cases, at least a portion of the lower surface 92 of the platform 88 may be disposed on the platform supporting surface 55 when the side rail 48 supports the platform 88. To assist in locating the platform 88 onto the side rails 48, one or more of the side rails 48 may include a locking projection 60 configured to be inserted into a corresponding locating recess 96 on the platform 88. In specific examples of implementation, the locating projection 60 of the side rail 48 includes a pin 64 and the locating recess 96 on the platform 88 includes a hole. In specific non-limiting examples, the pin 64 may be configured to be mechanically attached or coupled to the side rail 48. In other non-limiting examples, the pin 64 and the side rail 48 may be a unitary construction (e.g., the pin 64 and the side rail 48 may be integral with one another). In specific non-limiting examples, the locating recess 96 of the platform 88 may be adjacent to or at the periphery 94 of the platform 88. In some implementations, the locating recess 96 may extend at least partly, or fully, through the frame 98 of the platform 88.

[0093] The side rail assemblies 46 are configured to be fastened to the end frame assemblies 12. The side rail assemblies 46 may be fastened to the end frame assemblies 12 in any suitable fashion. In some embodiments, each side rail assembly 46 includes a connector 65 for connecting the side rail 48 to the ladder 14. In specific examples of implementation, the connector 65 comprises a channel 66 disposed at an end 51, 53 of the side rail 48 for coupling the side rail assembly 46 to the end frame assemblies 12. In this embodiment, the channel 66 is configured to be disposed about at least a portion of the legs 16 of the ladders 14. In the specific example depicted, the channels 66 are configured as C-shaped channels configured to slidingly engage the exterior surface 33 of the legs 16 of the ladders 14 of the end frame assemblies 12 to adjust the height of the platform 88. Each channel 66 may be releasably locked relative to the ladder 14 for locking the platform 88 at a desired height. While the specific embodiment depicted in the drawings shows channels 66 configured as C-shaped channels, it will be appreciated that other suitable configurations are possible. In specific practical examples, the configuration of the channels may be complementary to the configuration of the exterior surface 33 of the legs 16 of the ladders 14 to permits the channels to slidingly engage the exterior surface 33.

[0094] In specific embodiments, as shown in FIG. 7, one or more side rail locking mechanisms 74 may be provided to releasably lock the side rails 48 into place a a specific desired height along the extent of the elongated body 18 of the legs 16. In a specific example of implementation, the side rail locking mechanism 74 includes a locking pin 78 that engages with openings 24 along the extent of the body 18 of the legs 16 and openings 70 in the channel member 66 respectively to lock the side rail 48 at a desired height. When the platform 88 is adjusted to the desired height, ends 86 of the locking pin 78 can be inserted through the openings 70 in the channel 66 and the openings 24 in the legs 16 that align with the openings 70 in the channel 66. In specific examples of implementation, the locking pin 78 is a U-shaped locking pin and comprises a handle 76. In this example, the locking pin 78 is biased in an engaged position by springs 82. In operation, to adjust the height of the platform, the locking pin 78 is pulled back by the handle 76 against a L-shaped frame 84 to disengage the locking pin 78 from the holes 24 in the legs 16. Once disengaged, the platform 88 can be adjusted in height to a desired position by sliding the connector 65 along the longitudinal extent of the ladder 14.

[0095] With reference to FIGS. 9 to 16, in some embodiments, the side rail assembly 46 may include a platform retention mechanism 200 configured to selectively restrict motion of the platform 88 relative to the given side rail assembly 46 (e.g., reduce or prevent sliding, shifting or upward displacement of the platform 88 relative to the side rail assembly 46) and configured for improved ergonomics, maneuverability and safety.

[0096] In some embodiments, only one of the side rail assemblies 46 may include a platform retention mechanism 200. In some embodiments, each side rail assembly 46 includes a platform retention mechanism 200. For instance, a first platform retention mechanism 200 may be on a first side rail 48 of a first side rail assembly 46 and a second platform retention mechanism 200 may be on a second side rail 48 of a second side rail assembly 46. It is to be understood that the second platform retention mechanism 200 may be configured similarly or identically as the first platform retention mechanism 200.

[0097] With reference to FIG. 8, in some embodiments, the platform retention mechanism 200 includes a housing 232 and a body 299. The body 299 may be configured to be at least partly disposed within the housing 232. The body 299 may include a pivotable member 258 and an actuatable member 202.

[0098] In some embodiments, the pivotable member 258 may be configured to be deployable (e.g., including but not limited to, movable, translatable, pivotable, retractable, pressable, pushable, rotatable, pullable, or any combination of actions) to selectively engage at least a portion of the platform 88 to selectively restrict motion of at least a portion of the platform 88 relative to the side rail 48. In this regard, the pivotable member 258 is deployable between a deployed position, for example as shown in FIG. 17A, in which at least a portion of the pivotable member 258 engages the platform 88 and a retracted position, for example as shown in FIG. 17G, in which the pivotable member 258 does not engage the platform 88.

[0099] The actuatable member 202 is configured to be actuatable (e.g., including but not limited to, movable, slideable, translatable, pivotable, retractable, pressable, pushable, rotatable, pullable, or any combination of actions) to selectively restrict motion of at least a portion of the platform 88 relative to the side rail 48. The actuatable member 202 is actuatable to provide for deployability of the pivotable member 258 between its deployed position and its retracted position (or to provide for deployability between its retracted position and its deployed position).

[0100] In some embodiments, the actuatable member 202 is configured to be at least partly disposed within the housing 232 and to be slidingly displaceable within the housing 232 to provide for deployability of the pivotable member 258 between its deployed position and its retracted position (or to provide for deployability between its retracted position and its deployed position). For instance, the actuatable member 202 may be configured to be slidingly displaceable along at least the vertical direction (Y) of the scaffold 10 or of the side rail 48.

[0101] With reference to FIG. 8, the housing 232 is shown on the side rail 48. The housing 232 includes a first end 234 and a second end 236 opposite the first end 234. When the housing 232 is on the side rail 48, the first end 234 and the second end 236 of the housing 232 are spaced from one another in the vertical direction (Y) of the scaffold 10. In some specific examples of implementation, the housing 232 may be tubular and may include a hollow portion 241 extending along an extent of the housing 232. The housing 232 includes an outer surface 238 and an inner surface 240 spaced from the outer surface 238 and a thickness 242 of the housing 232 is defined between the outer and inner surfaces 238, 240. The hollow portion 241 is defined by the inner lateral surface 240. The hollow portion 241 of the housing 232 is configured for receiving the actuatable member 202 of the platform retention mechanism 200 such that the actuatable member 202 is at least partly disposed within the housing 232.

[0102] The housing 232 may be configured in any suitable fashion and may have any suitable shape, material and dimensions. In some embodiments, the housing 232 may have a rectangular exterior cross-section. In some embodiments, the housing 232 may have a square exterior cross-section. In other embodiments, the housing 232 may have a cross-section of any suitable shape. In some embodiments, the hollow interior cavity 241 may have a rectangular cross-section. In some embodiments, the hollow interior cavity 241 may have a square cross-section. In other embodiments, the hollow interior cavity 241 may have a cross-section of any suitable shape. The housing 232 of the platform retention mechanism 200 may comprise any suitable dimension(s) (e.g., including but not limited to, exterior cross-sectional, interior cross-sectional, thickness, length) and any suitable material or combination of materials including but not limited to, for example, metals (steel, iron, aluminum), wood, polymeric materials.

[0103] The first and second ends 234, 236 of the housing 232 of the platform retention mechanism 200 define a length L232 of the housing 232 of the platform retention mechanism 200. In some embodiments, the ends 234, 236 of the housing 232 may be disposed between the upper edge 56 and the lower edge 58 of the side rail 48 when the housing 232 is on the side rail 48. In some embodiments, the first end 234 may lie about the upper edge 56 of the side rail 48. With reference to FIG. 8, in some embodiments, the second end 236 of the housing 232 may be disposed at a distance D236 relative to the lower edge 58 of the side rail 48. The distance D236 may comprise any suitable value. In some examples, the distance D236 may be configured as any suitable proportion of the height H48 of the side rail 48 (e.g., in some cases at least 10% of the height H48 of the side rail 48, in some cases at least 25% of the height H48 of the side rail 48, in some cases at least 50% of the height H48 of the side rail 48, and in some cases even greater). The distance D236 may be configured to facilitate actuation of the actuatable member 202 when it is partly disposed within the housing 232.

[0104] In some embodiments, the housing 232 may be configured such that the length L232 of the housing 232 is at most equal to the height H48 of the side rail 48. In some embodiments, the second end 236 of the housing 232 of the platform retention mechanism 200 may lie about the lower edge 58 of the side rail 48 when the housing 232 is on the side rail 48.

[0105] The housing 232 may be disposed on the side rail 48 in any suitable fashion. In some embodiments, the housing 232 may be mechanically coupled to the side rail 48. The housing 232 may be mechanically coupled to the side rail 48 in accordance with any suitable mechanical coupling, including through the use of mechanical fasteners, by metal joining (e.g., including but not limited to, welding, brazing, soldering), by adhesives, or by any other suitable mechanical coupling. With reference to FIGS. 18A and 18B, in some embodiments, the housing 232 may be constructed integrally with the side rail 48. The housing 232 may be constructed integrally with the side rail 48 by any suitable fashion, including but not limited to, by metal forming (e.g., casting, molding, bending, extrusion, forging, machining), plastic forming (molding (e.g., injection molding, compression molding, overmolding), thermoforming, extrusion, 3D printing), or any other suitable fashion.

[0106] With continued reference to FIG. 8, the actuatable member 202 of the platform retention mechanism 200 includes a first end 201 and a second end 203 opposite the first end 201. When disposed on the side rail 48, the first end 201 and the second end 203 are spaced from one another in the vertical direction (Y) of the scaffold 10. In some examples of implementation, the actuatable member 202 of the platform retention mechanism 200 may be tubular and may include a hollow portion 219 extending along an extent of the actuatable member 202. The actuatable member 202 includes an outer surface 212 and an inner surface 214 spaced from the outer surface 212 and a thickness 216 of the actuatable member 202 is defined between the outer and inner surfaces 212, 214. The hollow portion 219 is defined by the inner lateral surface 214.

[0107] The actuatable member 202 may be configured in any suitable fashion and may have any suitable shape, material and dimensions. In some embodiments, the actuatable member 202 may have a rectangular exterior cross-section. In some cases, the actuatable member 202 may have a square exterior cross-section. In other embodiments, the actuatable member 202 may have a cross-section of any suitable shape. In some embodiments, the hollow interior cavity 219 may have a rectangular cross-section. In some specific implementations, the hollow interior cavity 219 may have a square cross-section. In some embodiments, the hollow interior cavity 219 may have a cross-section of any suitable shape. The actuatable member 202 of the platform retention mechanism 200 may comprise any suitable dimension(s) (e.g., exterior cross-sectional, interior cross-sectional, thickness, length, etc.) and any suitable material or combination of materials including but not limited to, for example, metals (steel, iron, aluminum), wood, polymeric materials.

[0108] In some embodiments, the actuatable member 202 may have an elongated tubular shape shaped to engage the hollow interior cavity 241 of the housing 232. In some embodiments, a majority of an extent of the actuatable member 202 of the body 299 of the platform retention mechanism 200 may be disposed within the housing 232 when the platform retention mechanism 200 is disposed on the side rail 48 (e.g., including but not limited to when the platform retention mechanism 200 is arranged to restrict motion of the platform 88 relative to the side rail 48 of the frame 11). In some specific implementations, the majority of the extent of the actuatable member 202 may be an entire extent of the actuatable member 202.

[0109] In some embodiments, the ends 201, 203 of the actuatable member 202 actuatable member 202 may be disposed between the upper edge 56 and the lower edge 58 of the side rail 48 when the platform retention mechanism 200 is on the side rail 48. In some embodiments, the first end 201 of the actuatable member 202 may lie about the upper edge 56 of the side rail 48. With continued reference to FIG. 8, in some embodiments, the second end 203 of the actuatable member 202 may lie about the lower edge 58 of the side rail 48.

[0110] In some embodiments, the actuatable member 202 may be configured such that the length L202 of the actuatable member 202 is at most equal to the height H48 of the side rail 48. In some embodiments, the platform retention mechanism 200 may not have any component (i.e., may be free of any component) disposed below the lower edge58 of the side rail 48 when the platform retention mechanism 200 is on the side rail 48.

[0111] The length L202 of the actuatable member 202 may be configured so as to reduce the risk of injury to workers who may inadvertently collide with the platform retention mechanism 200 when it is on the side rail 48. By having the length L202 of the actuatable member 202 being no greater than (i.e., at most) the height H48 of the side rail 48 and by coupling the platform retention mechanism 200 to the side rail 48 such that the ends 201, 203 of the actuatable member 202 are disposed between the upper edge 56 and the lower edge 58 of the side rail 48, no portion of the platform retention mechanism 200 extends below the lower edge 58 of the side rail 48 which may reduce the risk of collision between the worker and the platform retention mechanism 200. This may enhance the overall safety of the scaffold 10.

[0112] It will be appreciated that the length L202 of the actuatable member 202 may be slightly greater than the height H48 of the side rail 48 while still reducing overall collision risk. For instance, the length L202 of the actuatable member 202 may be in some cases 1 / 16 inches greater, in some cases ⅛ inches greater, in some cases ¼ inches greater, in some cases ½ inches greater, or in some cases more, while still reducing overall collision risk.

[0113] With reference to FIG. 16, in some embodiments, the platform retention mechanism 200 may include a biasing member 266 configured to urge the body 202 of the platform retention mechanism 200 towards the lower edge 58 of the side rail 48. The biasing member 266 may be disposed within the hollow cavity 219 of the actuatable member 202 of the platform retention mechanism 200.

[0114] Any suitable biasing member 266 may be used. In some embodiments, the biasing member 266 may be a spring 268. In some non-limiting examples of implementation, the spring 268 may be a coil spring, though other springs may be suitable. The biasing member 266 may comprise any suitable shape or dimension(s) (e.g., length, diameter, etc.). For instance, in some embodiments, the biasing member 266 may have a substantially cylindrical shape. In some embodiments, the biasing member may have a tapered shape. In some embodiments, the biasing member 266 may have a diameter between ¼ inches and ⅝ inches and a length between 2 inches and 3 inches. The biasing member 266 may comprise any suitable material or combination of materials including but not limited to, for example, metals (e.g., high carbon, alloy steel, stainless steel wires), plastics, plastic composites.

[0115] In an uncompressed state, the biasing member 266 disposed within the hollow cavity 219 may occupy any suitable extent of the hollow cavity 219 of the actuatable member 202. In some embodiments, in an uncompressed state, the biasing member 266 may occupy less than a majority of an extent of the hollow cavity 219 of the actuatable member 202. In some embodiments, in an uncompressed state, the biasing member 266 may occupy more than a majority of an extent of the hollow cavity 219 of the actuatable member 202. In some specific implementations, more than a majority of an extent of the hollow cavity 219 of the actuatable member 202 may comprise an entirety of an extent of the hollow cavity 219 of the actuatable member 202.

[0116] With continued reference to FIG. 8, the pivotable member 258 may be positioned at the first end 201 of the actuatable member 202. The pivotable member 258 may be pivotably coupled to the first end 201 of the actuatable member 202. The pivotable member 258 may be pivotable relative to the actuatable member 202 between a deployed position, for example as shown in FIG. 17A, in which at least a portion of the pivotable member 258 engages the platform 88 and a retracted position, for example as shown in FIG. 17G, in which the pivotable member 258 does not engage the platform 88. The pivotable member 258 may be configured to be pivotable about a pivot joint P relative to the actuatable member 202 between a deployed position and a retracted position to selectively restrict motion of the platform 88 relative to the side rail 48. When the platform retention mechanism 200 is on the side rail 48, the pivot joint P may be parallel to the longitudinal direction (X) of the scaffold 10.

[0117] The pivotable member 258 of the platform retention mechanism 200 may be comprised of any suitable material or combination of materials, including but not limited to, for example, metals (steel, iron, aluminum), wood, plastic. The pivotable member 258 may have any suitable shape and dimensions.

[0118] With reference to FIG. 16, in some embodiments, the pivotable member 258 may include a base portion 262 and a lip portion 260. In some specific examples, the base portion 262 of the pivotable member 258 may be configured to be at least partly disposed within the hollow cavity 219 of the actuatable member 202.

[0119] The pivotable member 258 may be coupled to the actuatable member 202 in accordance with any suitable method (e.g., any fashion allowing the pivotable member 258 to pivot relative to the actuatable member 202). In some examples of implementation, the pivotable member 258 may be coupled to the actuatable member 202 with one or more fasteners 270. In some examples, the one or more fasteners 270 may engage a portion of the pivotable member 258 and engage a portion of the actuatable member 202. In specific examples, the fastener 270 may be a pin. The one or more fasteners 270 may comprise any suitable fastener. With reference to FIG. 13B, the pivotable member 258 is pivotable relative to the actuatable member 202 about the pivot joint P which extends along a longitudinal axis L270 of the fastener 270.

[0120] In some embodiments, the one or more fasteners 270 may be configured to extend through one or more openings 264 of the pivotable member 258 and one or more openings 222 of the actuatable member 202. In some specific examples, the base portion 262 of the pivotable member 258 and the actuatable member 202 may each include one or more openings to receive the one or more fasteners 270 to couple the pivotable member 258 to the actuatable member 202. In some specific implementations, the base portion 262 may include the one or more openings 264 and the actuatable member 202 may include the one or more openings 222. In some specific non-limiting examples, the opening 264 may be a channel extending transversally through the base portion 262 of the pivotable member 258 and the openings 222 may be a pair of concentric holes disposed at the first end 201 of the actuatable member 202. In other embodiments, the openings 264, 222 may comprise any other suitable openings.

[0121] With reference to FIG. 17A, in the deployed position, at least a portion of the pivotable member 258 of the body 299 of the platform retention mechanism 200 may extend outside the housing 232 and may engage at least a portion of the platform 88 to restrict motion of the platform 88 relative to the side rail 48. Accordingly, in the deployed position, at least a portion of the pivotable member 258 of the body 299 of the platform retention mechanism 200 may extend outside the actuatable member 202 and may engage at least a portion of the platform 88 to restrict motion of the platform 88 relative to the side rail 48.

[0122] For instance, in some embodiments, at least a portion of the lip portion 260 of the pivotable member 258 may extend outside the housing 232 and may engage at least a portion of the platform 88 to restrict motion of the platform 88 relative to the side rail 48. Accordingly, at least a portion of the lip portion 260 of the platform retention mechanism 200 may extend outside the actuatable member 202 and may engage at least a portion of the platform 88 to restrict motion of the platform 88 relative to the side rail 48.

[0123] The lip portion 260 of the pivotable member 258 may be configured for engaging the platform 88 to restrict motion of the platform 88 relative to the side rail 48 (e.g., including but not limited to, for reducing or preventing sliding, shifting or upward displacement of the platform 88 relative to the side rail 48). In the deployed position, the lip portion 260 of the pivotable member 258 may be configured to engage (e.g., including but not limited to, overlap, restrain, press against) at least a portion of the upper surface 90 of the platform 88 and at least a portion of the upper edge 56 of the side rail 48 when the pivotable member 258. The lip portion 260 may include a platform engaging surface 261 which my be configured to engage (e.g., including but not limited to, overlap, restrain, press against) at least a portion of the upper surface 90 of the platform 88 and at least a portion of the upper edge 56 of the side rail 48 when the pivotable member 258 is in the deployed position so as to restrict motion of the platform 88 relative to the side rail 48. In this embodiment, the platform engaging surface 261 is a substantially planar surface. In other embodiments, the platform-engaging surface 261 may have any suitable shape. The lip portion 260 of the pivotable member 258 may have any suitable dimension(s) (e.g., length, width or thickness).

[0124] In the retracted position, the pivotable member 258 is configured to be at least partially disposed within the hollow portion 219 of the actuatable member 202. For instance, in some cases less than a majority of the pivotable member 258 may be disposed within the hollow portion 219 of the actuatable member 202 of the platform retention mechanism 200 when the pivotable member 258 is in the retracted position. In some cases, a majority of the pivotable member 258 may be disposed within the hollow portion 219 of the actuatable member 202 of the platform retention mechanism 200 when the pivotable member 258 is in the retracted position. In some cases, an entirety of the pivotable member 258 may be disposed within the hollow portion 219 of the actuatable member 202 of the platform retention mechanism 200 when the pivotable member 258. Accordingly, in the retracted position, at least a portion of the pivotable member 258 of the body 299 of the platform retention mechanism 200 may be disposed within the housing 232. Thus, it can be appreciated that in the retracted position, at least a portion of the pivotable member 258 of the body 299 of the platform retention mechanism 200 may be held within the housing 232. In some specific examples of implementation, a majority of the pivotable member 258 of the body 299 of the platform retention mechanism 200 may be held within the housing 232.

[0125] Accordingly, in the retracted position, at least a portion of the pivotable member 258 of the body 299 of the platform retention mechanism 200 does not engage the platform 88. In some cases, the portion of the pivotable member 258 may be an entirety of the pivotable member 258.

[0126] The lip portion 260 of the pivotable member 258 may be configured to be at least partially disposed within the actuatable member 202 of the platform retention mechanism 200 (e.g., within the hollow portion 219 of the actuatable member 202) when the pivotable member 258 is in the retracted position. For instance, in some cases less than a majority of the lip portion 260 of the pivotable member 258 may be disposed within the actuatable member 202 of the platform retention mechanism 200 when the pivotable member 258 is in the retracted position. In some cases, a majority of the lip portion 260 of the pivotable member 258 may be disposed within the actuatable member 202 of the platform retention mechanism 200 when the pivotable member 258 is in the retracted position. In some cases, an entirety of the lip portion 260 of the pivotable member 258 may be disposed within the actuatable member 202 of the platform retention mechanism200 when the pivotable member 258 is in the retracted position.

[0127] Thus, it can be appreciated that in the retracted position, in some embodiments, at least a portion of the lip portion 260 of the pivotable member 258 of the platform retention mechanism 200 may be held within the housing 232. In some embodiments, a majority of the lip portion 260 of the pivotable member 258 may be held within the housing 232. Accordingly, in the retracted position, at least a portion of the lip portion 260 of the pivotable member 258 does not engage the platform 88. In some cases, the portion of the lip portion 260 of the pivotable member 258 may be an entirety of the lip portion 260 of the pivotable member 258.

[0128] The platform retention mechanism 200 may include user-engageable portions to unlatch the platform 88 of the scaffold 10. A process for operating the platform retention mechanism 200 of the scaffold 10 to unlatch the platform 88 of the scaffold 10 will be described further below.

[0129] In some embodiments, the actuatable member 202 of the platform retention mechanism 200 may include a user-engageable portion 245 configured to be engaged by a user (e.g., including but not limited to, pushed, pulled, tapped, rotated, or any combination of actions) to provide for deployability of the pivotable member 258 between its deployed position and its retracted position (or to provide for deployability between its retracted position and its deployed position) so as to provide for operating the platform retention mechanism 200 to selectively restrict motion of the platform 88 relative to the side rail 48. The user-engageable portion 245 may be configured to facilitate actuation of the actuatable member 202 by the user (e.g., including but not limited to, allowing the user to more easily, effectively, ergonomically, optimally, actuate the actuatable member 202). In some embodiments, the user-engageable portion 245 may be positioned at the second end 203 of the actuatable member 202 of the platform retention mechanism 200. In other embodiments, the user-engageable portion 245 may be positioned at any suitable location of the body 299 of the platform retention mechanism 200.

[0130] In some embodiments, the user-engageable portion 245 may include a user-engageable surface 256 configured to be engaged by a hand of a user (e.g., including but not limited to, pushed, pulled, tapped, rotated, or any combination of actions) so as to facilitate operating the platform retention mechanism 200 to selectively restrict motion of the platform 88 relative to the side rail 48. The user-engageable surface 256 may have any suitable shape. In specific examples, the user-engageable surface 256 may be at least partially curved to form a concave area 243 for engaging the hand of the user operating the platform retention mechanism 200.

[0131] In some embodiments, the user-engageable portion 245 may comprise a positioning member 250 configured for positioning of the biasing member 266 within the tubular actuatable member 202 of the platform retention mechanism 200. In one non-limiting example, the positioning member 250 is a projection 247 at least partly disposed within the hollow cavity 219 of the actuatable member 202.

[0132] In some embodiments, the user-engageable portion 245 may be constructed integrally with the actuatable member 202 by any suitable fashion, including but not limited to, by metal forming (e.g., casting, molding, bending, extrusion, forging, machining), plastic forming (molding (e.g., injection molding, compression molding, overmolding), thermoforming, extrusion, 3D printing), or any other suitable fashion. In some embodiments, the user-engageable portion 245 may be coupled to the actuatable member 202. The user-engageable portion 245 may be coupled in any suitable fashion. The user-engageable portion 245 may be mechanically coupled to the actuatable member 202 in accordance with any suitable mechanical coupling, including through the use of mechanical fasteners, by metal joining (e.g., including but not limited to, welding, brazing, soldering), by adhesives, by engineering fit (interference fit, transition fit, clearance fit) or by any other suitable mechanical coupling.

[0133] With reference to FIG. 11, in specific examples of implementation, the user-engageable portion 245 may be a user-engageable cap 248 positioned at the second end 203 of the actuatable member 202. The cap 248 may be coupled to the actuatable member 202. The cap 248 may be coupled by any suitable mean as described in the preceding section. In specific examples implementation, a portion of the user-engageable cap 248 is configured to be disposed within the actuatable member 202 of the platform retention mechanism 200 to couple the cap 248 to the actuatable member 202. In some specific examples, the cap 248 may include clips 252 configured to clip the cap 248 to the actuatable member 202. The actuatable member 202 may include recesses 230 to engage the clips 252 to couple the cap 248 to the actuatable member 202. In some cases, the clips 252 may include an angled portion 254 configured to facilitate clipping of the cap 248 to the actuatable member 202.

[0134] In some embodiments, the actuatable member 202 may include a guide mechanism 239 configured to guide displacement of the actuatable member 202 within the housing 232. In some non-limiting examples, the guide mechanism 239 may comprise a guiding track 226 and a guiding pin 224. The guiding pin 224 may be configured to engage the guiding track 226. The guiding track 226 may be configured to move relative to the guiding pin 224 when the actuatable member 202 is slidingly displaced within the housing 232.

[0135] The guiding track 226 may be configured in any suitable fashion and may have any suitable shape and dimensions. In some non-limiting examples, the guiding track 226 may comprise a recess 228 extending at least through the outer surface 212 of the actuatable member 202. In some non-limiting examples, the recess 228 may extend through the outer surface 212 and the inner surface 214 of the actuatable member 202. The recess 228 may have any suitable shape (e.g., including but not limited to, rectangular, square, circular, polygonal, elliptic). In some embodiments, the guiding track 226 is a first guiding track 226 of the actuatable member 202 and the actuatable member 202 may comprise a second guiding track 226 opposite the first guiding track 226. It is to be understood that the second guiding track 226 may be configured similarly or identically as the first second guiding track 226.

[0136] In some embodiments, the guiding pin 224 may extend through at least a portion of the platform retention mechanism 200. In some non-limiting examples, the guiding pin 224 may extend through the housing 232 and through the actuatable member 202. In specific examples, the housing 232 may include one or more openings 246 to receive the guiding pin 224. In specific examples, the guiding pin 224 may extend through the openings 246 of the housing 232 and through the guiding track 226.

[0137] In some embodiments, the guide mechanism 239 may be configured to engage the biasing member 266. For example, the guiding mechanism 239 may be configured to engage a top portion 272 of the biasing member 266. In some cases, the guiding pin 224 of the guide mechanism 239 may extend through the housing 232, the actuatable member 202 and may engage the top portion 272 of the biasing member 266. In specific examples, the guiding pin 224 of the guide mechanism 239 may extend through the openings 246 of the housing 232, the actuatable member 202 and may engage the top portion 272 of the biasing member 266.

[0138] In some embodiments, the actuatable member 202 may include a recess 223 configured to provide for deployability of the pivotable member 258 as it changes between the deployed and the retracted position. For instance, the recess 223 may be configured to provide for the pivotable member 258 to pivot into and out of the hollow portion 219 of the actuatable member 202. The recess 223 may be shaped to receive the pivotable member 258 when the pivotable member 258 is in the retracted position. The recess 223 may comprise any suitable shape (e.g., including but not limited to, rectangular, square, circular, polygonal, elliptic) and dimension(s) (e.g., length, width, radius, etc.). The recess 223 may occupy any suitable extent of the length L202 of the actuatable member 202. In some embodiments, the recess 223 may occupy less than a majority of an extent of the length L202 of the actuatable member 202. In some embodiments, the recess 223 may occupy less than a majority of an extent of the length L202 of the actuatable member 202. In some embodiments, the recess 223 may occupy a majority of an extent of the length L202 of the actuatable member 202. In some embodiments, the recess 223 may occupy more than a majority of an extent of the length L202 of the actuatable member 202.

[0139] The pivotable member 258 may include a user-engageable portion 265 configured to be engaged by a user (e.g., including but not limited to, pressed by, pushed by, pull by) to provide for deployability of the pivotable member 258 between its deployed position and its retracted position (or to provide for deployability between its retracted position and its deployed position) so as to provide for operating the platform retention mechanism 200 to selectively restrict motion of the platform 88 relative to the side rail 48. For example, the user-engageable portion 265 may be configured to facilitate selective deployment of the pivotable member 258 (e.g., including but not limited to pivoting of the pivotable member 258 relative to the actuatable member 202) such that a user may more easily cause the platform retention mechanism 200 to engage (e.g., including but not limited to, overlap, restrain, press against) the platform 88.

[0140] In some embodiments, at least a portion of the user-engageable portion 265 may be disposed outside of the housing 232 when the pivotable member is in the retracted position. Thus, at least a portion of the user-engageable portion 265 may be disposed outside the actuatable member 202 when the pivotable member 258 is in the retracted position. In specific examples, a majority of the user-engageable portion 265 may be disposed outside of the housing 232 when the pivotable member is in the retracted position. Thus, in specific examples, a majority of the user-engageable portion 265 may be disposed outside the actuatable member 202 when the pivotable member 258 is in the retracted position.

[0141] In some embodiments, the user-engageable portion 265 of the pivotable member 258 may include a user-engageable surface 267 configured to be engaged by a user operating the platform retention mechanism 200. In some specific examples, at least a portion of the user-engageable surface 267 of the pivotable member 258 may disposed outside the housing 232 when the pivotable member 258 is in the retracted position. Thus, in some specific examples, at least a portion of the user-engageable surface 267 of the pivotable member 258 may disposed outside the actuatable member 202 when the pivotable member 258 is in the retracted position.

[0142] In some embodiments, the user-engageable surface 267 may be an at least partially curved surface. In other embodiments, the user-engageable surface 267 may have any suitable shape. In some embodiments, the user-engageable surface 267 may include one or more operation-enhancing elements 269 configured to facilitate operation of the platform retention mechanism 200 by the user. For example, the one or more operation-enhancing elements 269 may provide for facilitation of selective deployment of the pivotable member 258 (e.g., including but not limited to pivoting of the pivotable member 258 relative to the actuatable member 202). For instance, the operation-enhancing elements 269 may include a plurality of ridges configured to for facilitation of selective deployment of the pivotable member 258 (e.g., including but not limited, facilitating handling, gripping, by increasing friction between a hand of a user and the user-engageable portion 265). In yet other embodiments, the user-engageable surface 267 may include a friction-enhancing material configured to facilitate handling of the pivotable member 258 by the user, such as a polymeric material (e.g., including but not limited to, synthetic rubber, natural rubber, elastomer) or any other suitable material.

[0143] In some embodiments, the user-engageable portion 265 may be constructed integrally with the pivotable member 258, including but not limited to, by metal forming (e.g., casting, molding, bending, extrusion, forging, machining), plastic forming (molding (e.g., injection molding, compression molding, overmolding), thermoforming, extrusion, 3D printing), or any other suitable fashion. In some embodiments, the user-engageable portion 265 may be coupled to the pivotable member 258. The user-engageable portion 245 may be coupled in any suitable fashion. The user-engageable portion 265 may be mechanically coupled to the pivotable member 258 in accordance with any suitable mechanical coupling, including through the use of mechanical fasteners, by metal joining (e.g., including but not limited to, welding, brazing, soldering), by adhesives, by engineering fit (interference fit, transition fit, clearance fit) or by any other suitable mechanical coupling.

[0144] FIGS. 17A to 17G depict a sequence of actions executing a non-limiting example process for operating the platform retention mechanism 200 of the scaffold 10 to unlatch the platform 88 of the scaffold 10. The person skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more sequence of steps shown in FIGS. 17A to 17G may occur concurrently.

[0145] With reference to FIG. 17A, the platform retention mechanism 200 is arranged to restrict motion of the platform 88 relative to the given side rail 48 of the frame 11. As can be appreciated from FIG. 17A, at least a portion of the body 299 of the platform retention mechanism 200 is disposed within the housing 232. In this position, the actuatable member 202 is at least partly disposed within the housing 232. In this arrangement, at least a portion of the pivotable member 258 is disposed outside the housing 232 and outside the actuatable member 202. The pivotable member 258 is deployed and engages a portion of the upper edge 56 of the side rail 48 and at least a portion of the upper surface 90 of the platform 88. In this configuration, the lip portion 260 of the pivotable member 258 is disposed outside the housing 232 and outside the actuatable member 202. In this position, at least a portion of the platform-engaging surface 261 of the lip portion 260 of the pivotable member 258 engages the platform 88. Also, in this example, a portion of the user-engageable portion 265 of the pivotable member 258 is disposed outside the housing 232 of the platform retention mechanism 200.

[0146] At this step of the non-limiting example process, the biasing member 266 biases body 299 into a biased position. In the biased position, the second end 203 of the actuatable member 202 lies about the lower edge 58 of the side rail 48. Additionally, in the biased position, the biasing member 266 biases the pivotable member 258 into engagement with the platform 88 as the pivotable member 258 is in the deployed position. At this stage, the biasing member 266 is uncompressed. The guiding pin 224 extends through openings 246 of the housing 232, namely through a first opening 246 of the housing 232 and through a second opening 246 (not shown) of the housing opposite the first opening 246 of the housing 232. The guiding pin 224 also extends through guiding tracks 226 of the platform retention mechanism 200, namely through a first guiding track 226 of the platform retention mechanism 200 and a second guiding track 226 (not shown) of the platform retention mechanism 200 opposite the first guiding track 226.

[0147] With reference to FIGS. 17B and 17C, the user engages the user-engageable portion 245 of the actuatable member 202, as represented by an arrow Fy in these Figures thus exerting a force in a direction generally parallel to the Y direction of the scaffold 10. In specific examples, the user engages the user-engageable surface 256 of the user-engageable portion 245 of the actuatable member 202 so as cause sliding displacement of the actuatable member 202 upwards generally along the Y direction of the scaffold 10. The force applied to the user-engageable portion 245 causes the actuatable member 202 to slidingly displace relative to the housing 232. The guiding mechanism 239 guides the sliding displacement of the actuatable member 202. In this example, the guiding tracks 226 move relative to the guiding pin 224. The top portion 272 of the biasing member 266 engages the guiding mechanism 239 by at least engaging the guiding pin 224 so as to at least partly compress the biasing member 266. The actuatable member 202 is slidingly displaced relative to the housing 232 so as to expose at least a portion of the recess 223. In this position, the pivotable member 258 remains deployed position however, the pivotable member 258 no longer engages the platform 88. At this stage, the lip portion of the pivotable member 258 no longer engages the platform 88 (e.g., the platform engaging surface 261 no longer engages the platform 88). The pivotable member 258 remains outside the housing 232 and the actuatable member 202.

[0148] With reference to FIGS. 17D to 17F, the pivotable member 258 is pivoted relative to the actuatable member 202 about the pivot joint P so as to ultimately be positioned in the retracted position shown in FIG. 17F. The user engages the user-engageable portion 265 of the pivotable member 258 to cause pivoting of the pivotable member 258 about the pivot joint P (as represented by the moment Mx). The user continues to engage the user-engageable portion 245 of the actuatable member 202 and the biasing member 266 may continue to be at least partially compressed. As shown in FIG. 17F, the pivotable member 258 is disposed within the hollow cavity 219 of the actuatable member 202 by way of the recess 223.

[0149] With reference to FIG. 17G, once the pivotable member 258 has pivoted relative to the actuatable member 202 so as to be disposed inside the actuatable member 202, the user may disengage from the user-engageable portion 245 of the actuatable member 245 causing the biasing member 266 to at least partially uncompress. The guiding tracks 226 move relative to the guiding pin 224 as the actuatable member 202 is slidingly displaced downward along the Y direction of the scaffold 10. The biasing member 266 can thus bias the actuatable member 202 back into the biased position. At least a portion of the pivotable member 258 no longer engages the upper edge 56 of the side rail 48 and the upper surface 90 of the platform 88. At least a portion of the lip portion 260 no longer engages the upper edge of the side rail 48 and the upper surface 90 of the platform 88. The platform retention mechanism 200 no longer restricts motion of the platform 88. When the pivotable member 258 is in the retracted position, the second end 203 of the actuatable member 202 lies about the lower edge 58 of the first side rail 48 so that the actuatable member 202 is disposed between the upper edge 56 and the lower edge 58 of the first side rail 48. In this position, the platform 88 is unlatched.

[0150] The actuatable member 202 (e.g., including but not limited to, the user-engageable portion 245, the user-engageable surface 256) may provide an ergonomic benefit to the platform retention mechanism 200, for instance as compared to traditional security latches which may not be configured ergonomically. For example, with reference to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, a prior art scaffold 1000 is shown, the scaffold 1000 including a platform 1001, a frame 1003 including a side rail 1005 and a security latch 1009 coupled to the side rail 1005. The prior art security latch 1009 includes a pin 1013 including a stem 1017 and a tab 1011 and a biasing member 1019 to bias the pin 1013 into engagement with the platform 1001, as shown in FIG. 1B. In FIG. 1B, the locking tab 1011 overlaps at least a portion of the platform 1001 and at least a portion of a top edge 1007 of the side rail 1005. With reference to FIG. 1C, the pin 1013 may also be positioned so as to not engage the platform 1001. In FIG. 1C, the pin 1013 is positioned such that the tab 1011 no longer overlaps any portion of the platform 1001. In order to change the position of the pin 1013 from the engaged position shown in FIG. 1B to the disengaged position shown in FIG. 1C, a user may displace the security latch 1009 upwards by pushing on the stem 1017 and rotating the pin 1013 so as to adopt the disengaged position. Additionally, or alternatively, a user may displace the security latch 1009 upwards by pulling on the security latch 1009, for instance, by pulling upward on the locking tab 1011 and rotating the pin 1013 so as to adopt the disengaged position. However, it is noted that the tab 1011 is not ergonomically configured, for instance, given that the tab 1011 does not include a user-engageable portion.

[0151] Thus, the pivotable member 258 and the actuatable member 202 of the platform retention mechanism 200 are configured to enhance operability and functionality of the platform retention mechanism 200, for instance, as compared to the security latch 1009.

[0152] The platform retention mechanism 200 may be configured in other suitable ways.

[0153] In some embodiments, with reference to FIG. 19, the platform engaging surface 261 may include friction-enhancing material 263 to increase fictional engagement between the platform engaging surface 261 and the platform 88. The friction-enhancing material 263 may be any suitable material or combination of materials such as a polymeric material (e.g., including but not limited to, synthetic rubber, natural rubber, elastomer) or any other suitable material.

[0154] In some embodiments, the pivotable member 258 may be configured to be biased in the deployed position. In specific examples, in transitioning from the retracted position to the deployed position, the pivotable member 258 may be configured to automatically pivot about the pivot joint P without the user engaging the user-engageable portion 265 of the pivotable member 258. For instance, the pivotable member 258 may include a biasing member. In specific examples, the biasing member may be a self-opening hinge (e.g., a self-opening spring hinge).

[0155] It should be appreciated that any or all of the components of the scaffold 10 may be provided as a kit. With reference to FIG. 5, in some embodiments, a kit 1000 for a scaffold 10 may be provided. The kit 1000 may include one or more platforms 88, a frame 11 including one or more end frames 12 and one or more side rails 48, the kit 1000 may further include one or more platform retention mechanism 200 mounted to (or configured to be mounted to) one of the side rails 48. It is to be understood that the platforms 88, frame 11, end frames 12, side rails 48 and platform retention mechanism(s) 200 may be configured as described above.

[0156] The scaffold 10 may be manufactured in any suitable fashion.

[0157] FIG. 21 is a flow diagram illustrating an example method 2100 of manufacturing a side rail assembly for a scaffold. At step 2105, the method includes providing a first side rail and a second side rail configured for supporting a platform of the scaffold. At step 2110, the method includes providing a platform retention mechanism on the first side rail, the platform retention mechanism being configured to selectively restrict motion of the platform relative to the first side rail of the frame, the platform retention mechanism comprising a housing and a body at least partly disposed within the housing, the body comprising an actuatable member and a pivotable member positioned at an end of the actuatable member, said actuatable member configured to be slidingly displaced within the housing and said pivotable member being pivotable about a pivot joint relative to the actuatable member between a deployed position and a retracted position to selectively restrict motion of the platform relative to the first side rail.

[0158] In some embodiments, any feature of any embodiment described herein may be used in combination with any feature of any other embodiment described herein.

[0159] Certain additional elements that may be needed for operation of certain embodiments have not been described or illustrated as they are assumed to be within the purview of those of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, certain embodiments may be free of, may lack and / or may function without any element that is not specifically disclosed herein.

[0160] It will be understood by those of skill in the art that throughout the present specification, the term “a” used before a term encompasses embodiments containing one or more to what the term refers. It will also be understood by those of skill in the art that throughout the present specification, the term “comprising”, which is synonymous with “including,”“containing,” or “characterized by,” is inclusive or open-ended and does not exclude additional, un-recited elements or method steps. As used in the present disclosure, the terms “around”, “about” or “approximately” shall generally mean within the error margin generally accepted in the art. Hence, numerical quantities given herein generally include such error margin such that the terms “around”, “about” or “approximately” can be inferred if not expressly stated.

[0161] In describing embodiments, specific terminology has been resorted to for the sake of description, but this is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is understood that each specific term comprises all equivalents. In case of any discrepancy, inconsistency, or other difference between terms used herein and terms used in any document incorporated by reference herein, meanings of the terms used herein are to prevail and be used.

[0162] References cited in the specification, if any, are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

[0163] Although various embodiments of the disclosure have been described and illustrated, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the present description that numerous modifications and variations can be made. The scope of the invention is defined more particularly in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A scaffold comprising:a. a platform for supporting a user of the scaffold, the platform comprising:a first end and a second end spaced from the first end along a longitudinal direction of the platform; anda first edge and a second edge spaced from the first edge along a transverse direction of the platform; andb. a frame supporting the platform, the frame comprising:a first end frame and a second end frame arranged at respective ends of the platform;a first side rail and a second side rail each extending between the first end frame and the second end frame and spaced from another along the transverse direction of the platform;c. a platform retention mechanism on the first side rail, the platform retention mechanism being configured to selectively restrict motion of the platform relative to the first side rail of the frame, the platform retention mechanism comprising a housing and a body at least partly disposed within the housing, the body comprising an actuatable member and a pivotable member positioned at an end of the actuatable member, said actuatable member configured to be slidingly displaceable within the housing and said pivotable member being pivotable about a pivot joint relative to the actuatable member between a deployed position and a retracted position to selectively restrict motion of the platform relative to the first side rail.

2. The scaffold of claim 1, wherein:in the deployed position, at least a portion of the pivotable member of the body of said platform retention mechanism extends outside said housing and engages at least a portion of the platform to restrict motion of the platform relative to the first side rail; andin the retracted position, at least a portion of the pivotable member of the body of said platform retention mechanism is held within the housing.

3. The scaffold of claim 2, wherein in the retracted position, a majority of the pivotable member of the body of said platform retention mechanism is held within the housing.

4. The scaffold of claim 1, wherein the housing is mechanically coupled to the first side rail.

5. The scaffold of claim 1, wherein the housing is constructed integrally with the first side rail.

6. The scaffold of claim 1, wherein each of the first side rail and the second side rail includes:i. an upper edge configured for engaging a corresponding one of the first edge and the second edge of the platform; andii. a lower edge spaced from the upper edge.

7. The scaffold of claim 6, wherein the housing comprises a first end and a second end spaced from the first end and wherein the first end and second end of the housing are disposed between the upper edge and the lower edge of the first side rail.

8. The scaffold of claim 1, wherein a majority of an extent of the actuatable member of the body of said platform retention mechanism is disposed within the housing when the platform retention mechanism is arranged to restrict motion of the platform relative to the first side rail of the frame.

9. The scaffold of claim 1, wherein the housing is a tubular housing having an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface defining a hollow interior cavity extending along an extent of the housing.

10. The scaffold of claim 9, wherein the hollow interior cavity has a rectangular cross-section or a square cross-section.

11. The scaffold of claim 9, wherein the actuatable member of the body of said platform retention mechanism has an elongated tubular shape shaped to engage the hollow interior cavity of the housing.

12. The scaffold of claim 6, wherein the actuatable member of the body of said platform retention mechanism comprises a first end and a second end spaced from the first end, wherein the pivotable member is positioned at the first end of the actuatable member, wherein the first end of the actuatable member lies about the upper edge of the first side rail.

13. The scaffold of claim 12, wherein, when the platform retention mechanism is arranged to restrict motion of the platform relative to the first side rail of the frame and when the pivotable member is in the retracted position, the second end of the actuatable member lies about the lower edge of the first side rail so that the actuatable member is disposed between the upper edge and the lower edge of the first side rail.

14. The scaffold of claim wherein the actuatable member comprises a first end and a second end spaced from the first end, wherein the pivotable member is positioned at the first end of the actuatable member and wherein the actuatable member comprises a guide mechanism to guide sliding displacement of the actuatable member within the housing.

15. The scaffold of claim 14, wherein the guide mechanism comprises a guiding pin and a guiding track.

16. The scaffold of claim 15, wherein the guiding track is configured to move relative to the guiding pin when the actuatable member is slidingly displaced within the housing.

17. The scaffold of claim 15, wherein the guiding pin extends through the housing and through the actuatable member.

18. The scaffold of claim 15, wherein the guiding track is a first guiding track of the actuatable member and the actuatable member comprises a second guiding track opposite the first guiding track.

19. The scaffold of claim 1, wherein the actuatable member comprises a first end and a second end spaced from the first end, wherein the pivotable member is positioned at the first end of the actuatable member and wherein the actuatable member comprises a user-engageable portion positioned at the second end of the actuatable member, the user-engageable portion including a user-engageable surface configured to be engaged by a hand of a user operating the platform retention mechanism.

20. The scaffold of claim 19, wherein the user-engageable surface is at least partially curved to form a concave area for engaging the hand of the user operating the platform retention mechanism.

21. The scaffold of claim 1, wherein the actuatable member of the body includes a recess shaped to receive the pivotable member when the pivotable member is in the retracted position.

22. The scaffold of claim 1, wherein the pivotable member includes a user-engageable surface configured to be engaged by a user operating the platform retention mechanism.

23. The scaffold of claim 22, wherein at least a portion of the user-engageable surface of the pivotable member is disposed outside the housing when the pivotable member is in the retracted position.

24. The scaffold of claim 22, wherein the user-engageable surface of the pivotable member includes a plurality of ridges.

25. The scaffold of claim 1, wherein the actuatable member comprises a biasing member configured to urge the body of the platform retention mechanism towards a lower edge of the first side rail.

26. The scaffold of claim 25, wherein the biasing member includes a spring.

27. The scaffold of claim 26, wherein the biasing member includes a coil spring.

28. The scaffold of claim 14, wherein the actuatable member comprises a biasing member configured to urge the body of the platform retention mechanism towards a lower edge of the first side rail and the guide mechanism is configured to engage with the biasing member.

29. The scaffold of claim 28, wherein the guiding pin of the guide mechanism extends through the housing, the actuatable member and engages a top portion of the biasing member.

30. The scaffold of claim 1, wherein the platform retention mechanism is a first platform retention mechanism, the scaffold further comprising a second platform retention mechanism on the second side rail of the frame, the second platform retention mechanism configured to selectively restrict motion of the platform relative to the second side rail.

31. A side rail assembly for a scaffold frame, the scaffold frame being configured for supporting a scaffold platform having a first end and a second end spaced from the first end along a longitudinal direction of the platform and a first edge and a second edge spaced from the first edge along a transverse direction of the platform, the side rail assembly comprising:a. a first side rail and a second side rail configured to extend between two end frame of the scaffold frame and being configured to support the platform; andb. a platform retention mechanism on the first side rail, the platform retention mechanism being configured to selectively restrict motion of the platform relative to the first side rail of the side rail assembly, the platform retention mechanism comprising a housing and a body at least partly disposed within the housing, the body comprising an actuatable member and a pivotable member positioned at an end of the actuatable member, said actuatable member configured to be slidingly displaced within the housing and said pivotable member being pivotable about a pivot joint relative to the actuatable member between a deployed position and a retracted position to selectively restrict motion of the platform relative to the side rail.

32. (canceled)33. A kit for a scaffold comprising:a. a platform for supporting a user of the scaffold, the platform comprising:i. a first end and a second end spaced from the first end along a longitudinal direction of the platform; andii. a first edge and a second edge spaced from the first edge along a transverse direction of the platform; andb. a frame for supporting the platform, the frame comprising:i. a first end frame and a second end frame configured to be arranged at respective ends of the platform; andii. a first side rail and a second side rail each configured to extend between the first end frame and the second end frame; andc. platform retention mechanism mounted or configured to be mounted to the first side rail, the platform retention mechanism configured to selectively restrict motion of the platform relative to the first side rail, the platform retention mechanism comprising a housing and a body at least partly disposed within the housing, the body comprising an actuatable member and a pivotable member positioned at an end of the actuatable member, said actuatable member configured to be slidingly displaced within the housing and said pivotable member being pivotable about a pivot joint relative to the actuatable member between a deployed position and a retracted position to selectively restrict motion of the platform relative to the first side rail.

34. (canceled)

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