Scaffold Ledger Cover Flap Eliminates Wedge Trip Hazard

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing scaffolding systems with movable wedges for securing ledger heads to rosettes present a trip hazard due to the wedge projecting above the work platform, disrupting the continuity of the work surface and increasing safety risks.

Innovation Solution

The scaffold ledger design features an elongate structural member offset relative to the ledger heads, with a movable cover flap that covers the wedge in a locked position, ensuring the wedge is below the work surface, thus eliminating the trip hazard and providing a continuous work platform.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the wedge is positioned in a locked position to secure the ledger head, then the ledger head is firmly fastened to the rosette, but the wedge projects above the work platform surface creating a trip hazard

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveledger head fastening securityVSAvoidtrip hazard

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent repositions the wedge from a vertical projection above the work platform surface to a horizontal arrangement within a recess in the ledger head. This dimensional change moves the wedge from the harmful three-dimensional space above the platform to a contained two-dimensional plane within the ledger structure, eliminating the trip hazard while preserving fastening function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The wedge is nested within a recess formed by the upper and lower portions of the ledger head. The upper portion and lower portion act as containing walls that enclose the wedge, similar to nested dolls. This nesting arrangement hides the wedge within the ledger head structure itself, preventing it from projecting above the work platform surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Stability of the object's composition

If intermediate scaffold posts are used for support, then structural stability is improved, but the work platform continuity is interrupted creating gaps and trip hazards

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescaffold structure stabilityVSAvoidwork platform continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary covering member that bridges the gap created by intermediate scaffold posts. This covering member acts as a mediator between the interrupted ledger sections, providing a continuous surface over the intermediate post area. The covering member is supported by the ledger heads on either side of the intermediate post, creating a bridge that maintains work platform continuity without requiring the intermediate post to be removed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3622131B1Modified ledger and modular scaffold system with continuous work surface

Publication Date: 2023.08.16 AT PAC CHINA BUSINESS TRUST

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AI summary

A scaffold ledger provides a raised support surface of the elongate structural member with the opposed ledger heads being downwardly and outwardly offset. In a preferred embodiment, each ledger head includes cover flaps that in a cover position extend the raised support surface above the ledger heads. The scaffold ledger advantageously cooperates with scaffold posts and scaffold planks to allow for a continuous work platform above an intermediate scaffold support post and/or across supporting ledgers.