Scaffold Leg Hinge with Spring-Biased Latch Pin
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing scaffold designs with latch mechanisms at the axial end of the plank are not optimal for easy conversion between extended and collapsed positions, as they lack a reliable and user-friendly mechanism for maintaining the leg units in their extended position.
Innovation Solution
A scaffold with a hinge structure that includes a spring-biased latch pin mechanism and a user-operable push member, allowing the leg units to pivot between extended and collapsed positions, with the latch pin automatically engaging in a receiving opening to maintain the extended position, and a flexible lever for folding the leg unit back to the collapsed position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a latch mechanism is arranged at the axial end of the plank, then the leg unit can be retained in extended position, but the mechanism is not user-friendly and difficult to operate for folding back to collapsed position
Solution Approach 1:
A push member is introduced as an intermediary element between the user's hand and the latch pin. The push member translates the user's pressing motion into the lateral movement needed to disengage the latch pin from the receiving opening, making the operation intuitive and easy to perform without requiring complex manual manipulation of the latch mechanism itself
Solution Approach 2:
The latch mechanism is designed to automatically engage when the leg unit is folded to the extended position, without requiring user intervention. The spring bias automatically pushes the latch pin into the receiving opening, and the inclined pin guidance section guides the pin into proper alignment and engagement, making the system self-activating and eliminating the need for manual latching operations
2Ease of operation
If the latch mechanism is made automatic with spring-biased latch pin, then the leg unit automatically engages in extended position, but the mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism is merged with the hinge structure itself, with the latch pin, spring, and push member being integrated components of the hinge assembly. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate latch mechanisms and reduces the overall number of parts, making the automatic engagement feature achievable without proportionally increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge structure is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides the pivot axis for leg unit movement, contains the spring-biased latch mechanism for automatic engagement, and includes the push member for manual disengagement. By making the hinge multi-functional, the patent achieves automatic engagement without adding separate dedicated components, thereby controlling device complexity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a reliable and user-friendly mechanism for maintaining the leg units in their extended position while allowing easy conversion to the collapsed position, enhancing the usability and stability of the scaffold.
Implementation Method 1
Each latch mechanism includes a spring-biased latch pin 13, received with the plank end and extending laterally outwards from the first hinge part 5
Implementation Method 2
the push member 15 is a flexible lever, e.g. of suitable plastic material, attached to the second hinge part 10 at a position remote from the pin receiving opening and extending with a portion of the lever over the outside of the latch pin receiving opening 12
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A scaffold including a plank (1) to support a person thereon, the plank having opposite plank ends, the scaffold further including leg units (2), each leg unit being coupled to an associated plank end by a hinge structure at each lateral side of the plank end, so that each leg unit is pivotal between an extended position and a collapsed position, each hinge structure including a first hinge part (5) connected to the plank end and a second hinge part (10) connected to the leg unit, as well as a pivot axis between said hinge parts, each hinge structure further including a latch mechanism to retain the leg unit in at least its extended position.