Work platform and method
A work scaffold having a platform and leg assemblies rotatably attached to each end of the platform. The platform may have a handle connected to free end that extends out the sides of the platform, which engage with links attached to the leg assemblies and the platform to lock the scaffold in an open or closed position. The platform may have hooks that extend out beyond the ends of the platform from under the platform so a second work scaffold can be situated on the hooks. The platform may be formed of boards with holes that receive cross members. A method for using a work scaffold. A method for forming a work scaffold.
1. An apparatus comprising:
a platform;
a first hook assembly having a hook bracket coupled to an interior surface of a sidewall of the platform and having a hook arm secured to the hook bracket through a first slot formed in the hook bracket and a second slot formed in the hook bracket, the hook arm configured to slide through the first slot and the second slot between an extended position and a retracted position, the hook arm of the first hook assembly having a first end that extends out through the first slot and beyond an edge of the platform when the hook arm of the first hook assembly is in the extended position, wherein the first end is configured to couple to a second platform when the hook arm is in the extended position; and
a hook spring attached to the platform spaced from and between the first slot and the second slot, and having a biasing force that presses the hook spring into engagement with the hook arm to impart a retention force that opposes movement of the hook arm,
wherein the biasing force is configured to automatically move the hook spring into a notch of the hook arm when the hook arm is disposed in the extended position,
wherein when the hook arm is in the extended position, the hook spring seats into the notch, thereby opposing movement of the hook arm from the extended position to the retracted position.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first end of the hook arm has a tip which flares outward.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first hook assembly further comprises a hook stop disposed on the hook arm, the hook stop located adjacent a second end of the hook arm, wherein the second end is disposed opposite the first end, and wherein the hook stop prevents the second end from sliding through the second slot to partially separate the first hook assembly from the first hook bracket.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the hook bracket further comprises a web attached to the interior surface of the sidewall of the platform and a first flat flange and a second flat flange, the first flat flange defining including the first slot extending in proximity to a first end of the web and the second flat flange defining having the second slot extending in proximity to a second end of the web, wherein the hook arm slides within the first slot and the second slot when moving between the extended position and the retracted position.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the web, the first flange, and the second flange are rectangular shaped.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a second hook assembly coupled to a second interior surface of the platform opposite of the first hook assembly, the second hook assembly including a second hook arm configured to slide between the extended position and the retracted position and a portion of the second hook arm extending out beyond the edge of the platform when the second hook arm is in the extended position, wherein a second end of the second hook arm is configured to couple to the second platform when the second hook arm is in the extended position.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising a second hook spring attached to the platform and having a second biasing force that presses the second hook spring into engagement with the second hook arm to impart another retention force that opposes movement of the second hook arm, wherein the second biasing force is configured to automatically move the second hook spring into a second notch of the second hook arm when the second hook arm moves into the extended position, wherein, when the second hook arm is in the extended position, second hook spring seats into the second notch, thereby opposing movement of the second hook arm from the retracted position.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the notch includes an interior cam surface so that manually pushing the hook arm in a longitudinal direction along the hook bracket towards the second slot to retract the hook arm causes the hook spring to disengage the notch.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein in the retracted position the hook spring engages an outer side surface of the hook arm outward of the notch.
10. An apparatus comprising:
a platform;
a first hook assembly coupled to a sidewall of the platform and having a hook arm configured to slide between an extended position and a retracted position, the hook arm of the first hook assembly having a first end that extends out beyond an edge of the platform when the hook arm of the first hook assembly is in the extended position, wherein the first end is configured to couple to a second platform when the hook arm is in the extended position; and
a hook spring attached to the platform and having a biasing force that presses the hook spring into engagement with the hook arm in the retracted position to impart a retention force that opposes movement of the hook arm,
wherein the biasing force is configured to automatically move the hook spring into a notch of the hook arm when the hook arm is disposed in the extended position, the hook spring seating in the notch in the extended position and thereby opposing movement of the hook arm from the extended position to the retracted position,
the notch having an interior cam surface so that manually pushing the hook arm in a longitudinal direction from the extended position to the retracted position to retract the hook arm causes the hook spring to disengage the notch; the first hook assembly having a hook bracket coupled to an interior surface of the sidewall, the hook arm being secured to the hook bracket through a first slot formed in the hook bracket and a second slot formed in the hook bracket and configured to slide through the first slot and the second slot between the extended position and the retracted position.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein in the retracted position the hook spring engages an outer side surface of the hook arm outward of the notch.
12. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the hook spring is spaced from and between the first slot and the second slot.
13. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the hook bracket further comprises a web attached to the interior surface of the sidewall of the platform and a first flat flange and a second flat flange, the first flat flange defining the first slot extending in proximity to a first end of the web and the second flat flange defining the second slot extending in proximity to a second end of the web, wherein the hook arm slides within the first slot and the second slot when moving between the extended position and the retracted position.