Twist Lock Coupling Spigot for Scaffold Leg Securement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing scaffolding systems face challenges in ensuring a secure and straightforward connection between scaffold legs, leading to safety risks due to incomplete mechanical securement, which complicates inspections and can result in job site shutdowns.
Innovation Solution
A coupling spigot with a twist lock arrangement featuring a locking collar and receiving slots allows for a simple and strong mechanical connection between scaffold legs, utilizing a locking projection that aligns with a locking slot upon rotation, providing a positive lock and easy visual verification of securement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a gravity lock pin or clevis pin is used to secure scaffold legs, then mechanical securement is achieved, but the securing procedure is complex and not always completed, creating safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is segmented into distinct functional elements: a locking collar with receiving slots, locking projections on the scaffold leg, and locking slots in the collar. This segmentation allows the locking action to be broken down into simple insertion and rotation steps, making the procedure easier to complete correctly while maintaining reliable mechanical securement.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking collar is designed to be rotatable relative to the scaffold leg, transforming the static pin insertion process into a dynamic twist-lock mechanism. The collar rotates approximately 45 degrees to engage the locking projection in the locking slot, creating a positive lock that is both simple to operate and reliably secure.
2Reliability
If traditional pin-based locking is used, then scaffold legs can be secured, but visual inspection is difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The locking collar incorporates visual indicators through its slot configuration. When properly locked, the receiving slots and locking slots align in a specific pattern that is easily visible during inspection. This visual feedback mechanism makes it simple for safety inspectors to quickly verify proper locking without complex inspection procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking collar design provides self-verifying visual indicators that automatically show whether the locking projection is properly engaged in the locking slot. The aligned slots create an obvious visual signature of correct installation, eliminating the need for complex inspection tools or procedures.
3Reliability
If multiple locking points are provided, then connection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking collar features asymmetric slot positioning with receiving slots arranged to match the locking projections on the scaffold leg. This asymmetric configuration provides multiple locking points through the slot-array geometry rather than adding multiple separate locking components, maintaining simplicity while improving connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking collar serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical locking through the slot-projection engagement, allows for rotational locking action, and provides visual inspection indicators. This multi-functionality achieves reliable connection without increasing device complexity through additional components.
Data Source
AI summary
A coupling spigot for connecting two scaffold legs one atop the other is designed to use a twist lock for securing the upper scaffold leg to the coupling spigot. A locking collar is fixed to a stop collar of the spigot. The locking collar includes receiving slots for receiving locking projections provided adjacent a bottom edge of the scaffold leg. Locking slots are connected to the receiving slots whereby an upper scaffold leg may be inserted on a coupling spigot of a lower scaffold leg and retained thereon by a twist lock.