AU2007201898A1 - A void platform and method of erecting same - Google Patents
A void platform and method of erecting same Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- AU2007201898A1 AU2007201898A1 AU2007201898A AU2007201898A AU2007201898A1 AU 2007201898 A1 AU2007201898 A1 AU 2007201898A1 AU 2007201898 A AU2007201898 A AU 2007201898A AU 2007201898 A AU2007201898 A AU 2007201898A AU 2007201898 A1 AU2007201898 A1 AU 2007201898A1
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- AU
- Australia
- Prior art keywords
- void
- elongate member
- support
- platform according
- supported
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Landscapes
- Conveying And Assembling Of Building Elements In Situ (AREA)
- Bridges Or Land Bridges (AREA)
Description
-1-
SAUSTRALIA
0 PATENTS ACT 1990 00 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION 00 SFOR A STANDARD PATENT
SORIGINAL
Name of Applicant/s: Kevin Liggins and Peter John Flaus and Peter MacKinnon Actual Inventor/s: Kevin Liggins and Peter John Flaus and Peter MacKinnon Address for Service is: SHELSTON IP Margaret Street Telephone No: (02) 9777 1111 SYDNEY NSW 2000 Facsimile No. (02) 9241 4666 CCN: 3710000352 Attorney Code: SW Invention Title: A VOID PLATFORM AND METHOD OF ERECTING SAME Details of Original Application No. 2004267122 dated 26 Aug 2004 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- File: 53654AUP01 501164637_1.DOC/5844 -la- SA VOID PLATFORM AND METHOD OF ERECTING SAME Technical Field Cc The present invention relates to void platforms and methods of erecting same.
00 Void platforms are erected in voids in multistorey dwellings during the 00 construction phases to provide safe access for tradespeople, to prevent falls and to facilitate work which needs to be completed within the void area.
Platform systems are preferable to other forms of access systems such as 10 scaffolds, ladders and the like.
One well known platform system in use throughout Australia is the system known as FlexiSafeTM by Oldfields Access.
Whilst the FlexiSafeTM system is capable of providing a safer working environment in void spaces, the system is based on the use of brackets which are secured to horizontal surfaces and as such in many instances an erected platform is an obstacle to vertical work surfaces particularly affecting plasterboard installers who are required to create expansion joints between sheets of plasterboard adjacent to floor height.
Another issue in relation to platform systems is erection times. It is desirable that a void platform system should be easily installed and dismantled.
It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative.
Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only.
Disclosure of Invention According to the present invention, there is provided a void platform including: a support configured for securing to a generally vertical surface defining part of a void; at least one elongate member having an end for supporting engagement with said support when the elongate member is disposed in a generally horizontal plane within the void; and a work platform adapted to be releasably supported at least in part by said supported elongate member.
Preferably, the support includes a land formation configured to support the end of the at 0 least one elongate member. More preferably, the support is in the form of a rail with the land formation desirably extending along the support rail such that in use it may be 00 \positioned to extend within a generally horizontal plane.
00 The work platform of the present invention may be supported, for ,example, between a pair of opposed walls or, in an alternative embodiment may be Osupported on one wall with leg supports extending upwards from a floor or other 10 horizontal base. In a stairwell, for example, the end of the working platform that extends over the void may be supported by an elongate tube that extends between support rails mounted on opposed walls whilst the other end of the tread may be supported on an elongate member that is mounted on legs that extend upwards from a landing or tread of the stairs.
In other environments, it may not be possible to utilise a pair of opposed walls to affix opposed support rails to and that a single support rail may be attached to a wall, having an elongate extendable member supported therefrom. The remote end of the elongate member may be supported on a leg that extends from a stable base.
In a preferred form, the work platform comprises a tread having attachment means at opposed ends for engagement with the elongate members. The tread may be of any convenient form and made from any suitable material. For example, the tread may be formed from plastics, metal or timber. Suitable tread may be formed from a checker plate metal product, a reinforced plastics material or a timber product such as a particle board or other suitable weight bearing sheet material. At opposed ends of the tread, attachment means are provided for engagement with the elongate members.
Preferably, the elongate members are in the form of tubes, rods of round, square, triangular or other regular cross-section and the attachment means are in the form of a hook which can engage the elongate members. The weight of the working platform may be sufficient to retain the working platform securely on the elongate members simply using an open hook, alternatively it may be desirable to have a fastening device that prevents the working platform being inadvertently raised from the elongate members such an attachment means may include a loop fastener that can be tightened around the (elongate member.
In a preferred embodiment, the support rail includes an attachment flange for fixing in a horizontal orientation to a substantially vertical wall. The attachment 0 flange preferably includes a series of spaced apart apertures that will allow the flange to be affixed to spaced structural members of the wall such as wall studs that may be 00 C, spaced apart at say 600mm or 900mm. By having a series of apertures in the attachment
OO
0flange it is possible to affix the attachment flange securely to the wall whilst providing a land at the desired position for supporting the support rail. For example, where the wall Ostuds are inconveniently positioned, it is possible to attach the attachment flange to the S 10 wall securely and with the land extending along the length of the attachment flange, the support rail may be positioned such that the tread of the work platform is in the desired location.
According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a void platform including: a support rail configured for securing to a surface adjacent a void; at least one elongate member having an end for supporting engagement with the rail when the elongate member is disposed in a generally horizontal plane over or within the void; and a work platform adapted to be releasably supported at least in part by said supported elongate member.
The support rail includes a land for supporting the elongate members.
The land may be of any convenient form, but preferably extends along the length of the support rail so that the elongate members can be positioned at any desired location therealong. In one form, the land may be in the form of a horizontal flange extending from the attachment flange. It is preferred that such a horizontal flange include a longitudinal detent for preventing the elongate member from being displaced from the land during set up. In an alternate embodiment, the land may be in the form of a flange extending parallel to the attachment flange and joined thereto by a common web. The use of a land that is disposed parallel to the attachment flange provides an increased level of security in that it is less likely that the elongate members will be displaced from the land during setup.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the elongate members are -4extendable.
Preferably, the elongate members have an end for resting on the land of the support rail. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the elongate members have
O
Sopposed ends such that the ends may be mounted either on the land of the support rail or affixed to a suitable leg that may extend from the floor or other suitable stable base. In 00 one form of the invention, the opposed ends of one of the elongate members engages the 00 at least one support rail. In another form of the invention the opposed ends of both of the elongate members engage the at least one support rail. In yet another form of the Sinvention, at least one of the elongate members is supported by an upstand.
S 10 In a preferred form of the invention, the elongate members are tubular members so that the weight of the members is reduced for convenience in assembly, transport and manufacture. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that it is not essential that the elongate members be tubular but that they may include solid sections.
The elongate members may include an extendable segment disposed anywhere along the length of the member, for example such as by a telescoping arrangement centrally disposed along the member. A suitable telescoping arrangement may include a threaded section which permits each end of the member to be counter rotated so as to lengthen or shorten the member. In an alternate form, each end of a tubular member may include a threaded section into which a threaded male member may be screwed. The threaded male member may include an end for engagement with the land of the support rail or may include a suitable end for engagement with a leg or other support for the work platform.
In another form the elongate member may not require a threaded portion but may merely be sized so as to closely receive a threaded shank of the extendable end of the elongate member. The extendable end of the elongate member may include a nut having a cross-section of sufficient diameter to urge the tubular member upon rotation of the nut on the male member. The use of an adjustment nut allows for axial adjustment of the end with respect to the tube.
Suitable ends may include an end having a flange for engagement with the support rail. In one form, the flange may be affixed to the end of the elongate member extending laterally therefrom so as to engage the support rail at 900. In certain applications the wall may not be oriented at 900 to the desired orientation of the working platform and in one embodiment the flange may be rotatably mounted on the end of the elongate member. In another form, the end of the elongate member may include a hook or other fastener for engagement with a separate type of support provided that at least 0 one of the supports for the working platform is in the form of a support rail as herein described.
00 0In the assembly of a large void platform it may be desirable to intersperse 00 support legs between the end supports of the elongate member. In one embodiment a T
C
N piece may be inserted at an intermediate position along the elongate member where the Sarms of the T piece are inserted into respective tubular members and the base of the T IN 10 piece extends downwards and engages a leg or other suitable support.
The support of a remote end of the elongate member where it is not possible to engage a wall or other fixture, may be by an L-shaped end piece that is inserted in the end of the elongate tube and extends downwards to a suitable support such as a leg. Optionally a lateral member may also extend from the L-shaped member to provide the connection to an additional elongate member such that a void platform of complex construction may be formed.
We have found that the engagement of the end of the elongate member with the support rail is facilitated by including a rubberised base on a flange mounted on the end of the elongate member such that the frictional engagement reduces the likelihood of lateral displacement of the end of the elongate member during assembly, once the elongate member is extended and the void platform assembled, the stressed extendable members are rigidly affixed to the support rail and other supporting members.
In another preferred configuration the ends of the support rails preferably include stops so as to prevent the ends of the elongate members from sliding out of the ends of the support rails during assembly.
Legs for providing end or intermediate support of the working platform may be provided with a floor mounting upright adapted to support at least one end of the extendable elongate member. The floor mounting upright may comprise a base plate and a tube or male member extending perpendicularly (vertically) from the base plate.
Where the floor mounting upright is adapted to have an extendable elongate member mounted directly thereupon the upright may include a tube having a slot in one wall thereof adapted to receive and secure one end of the extendable elongate member.
-6- The adjustable attachment can include a shank for insertion in the ends of the tubes and a footing at one end of the shank.
The shank of the attachment can be threaded and has an adjustment nut 0 O which provides for axial adjustment of the footing with respect to the tubes.
According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a 0void platform wherein the support includes one or more end stops configured to prevent 0the end of the elongate member from sliding out of the channel during assembly.
The elongate tubes can be extended and tensioned prior to the placement Sof the working platform elements.
S 10 According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of erecting a void platform including the steps of: securing a support to a generally vertical surface defining part of a void; positioning at least one supported elongate member in a generally horizontal plane within the void with an end of the elongate member in supporting engagement with said support; and securing a work platform such that it is supported at least in part by said supported elongate member.
In a preferred form the method includes the step of securing two supports to opposed vertical surfaces and positioning the at least one elongate member to extend between the two supports with each end of the elongate member being supported by a respective support.
Desirably the or each support is in the form of a rail having a longitudinally extending land formation to support the end of an elongate member and the rail is secured such that the land formation extends in a generally horizontal plane.
Brief Description of the Drawings Figures 1 to 4 are perspective drawings showing examples of platform systems according to the present invention in different situations and perspectives, and Figures 5 to 11 are illustrations of example components of the platform system.
With respect firstly to figure 1 of the drawings, in one aspect of the present invention provides a void platform including a working platform generally indicated by arrow I including a tread 2 and attachment means generally indicated by -7arrow 3 extending from opposed ends of the platform.
Support rails generally indicated by arrow 4 are secured to vertical wall surfaces 5 within a void area the support rails being adapted to receive elongate hollow Stubes generally indicated by arrow 6 which support the platform 1.
In the situation illustrated by figure 2, one end of the platform 1 is 00 \supported similarly to that shown in figure 1 and another end of the platform is 00 0supported by a tube 6 secured to upstands generally indicated by arrow 7 secured to a C1 stair tread 8 via footings 9.
Figure 3 is a close-up perspective view of a rail 4 and a tube 6.
10 Figure 4 of the drawings is an underside perspective view of the manner in which elements of the system can be set up to support a platform (not shown) in two directions.
The support rail 4 provides an attachment flange 10 and a support flange 11 joined by a common web 12.
The flange 10 is provided with clusters of apertures 13 which enable it to be fixed in a horizontal plane to a wall or framing members by screws, bolts or other types of fasteners (not shown).
The attachment flange 10 is deeper than the support flange 11 and in combination with the web 12 a shallow channel 14 is provided.
The ends of the tubes 6 receive an adjustable attachment generally indicated by arrow 15 which can be in a number of forms best exemplified by figures 8, 9 and In one form (figure the adjustable attachment 15 comprises a footing 18, a threaded shank 19 and an adjustment nut In another form (figure the adjustable attachment 15 comprises a footing 16 and a shank 17.
In yet another form (figure 10), the adjustable attachment 15 comprises a shank 21 and a bifurcated member 22 and a security bolt 22a.
Individual elements of the system are illustrated by figures 5 to 10 and elements of the system are used in the various system applications illustrated.
With respect to figure 11 of the drawings, the platform 1 and tread 2 can be reinforced by rails 22 to which the attachment means 3 in the form of tube hooks are -8- Ssecured.
The system and methodologies illustrated provide an unobtrusive void platform which can be speedily dismantled and erected in accordance with the objectives Cc of the invention.
Erection of the platform which may be carried out by specialist installers 00 C, or tradespeople on site involves erecting and securing the support rails 4 and/or upstands 00 7. The attachments 15 are then inserted in the ends of the tubes 6 and the tubes located on the support rails 4 or upstands 7 in the manner indicated. The nuts 20 of the figure 8 type attachment are wound on the threads 19 towards the tubes 6 so that the combination N, 10 of the attachments 15 and tubes 6 is rigid. Where the platform is laid in two directions (figure the attachment 15 illustrated by figure 10 can be used to secure one end of a tube in the manner illustrated.
The platforms can then be laid on the tubes 6 to provide a secure and safe horizontal working and support surface.
Dismantling of the platform is merely a reverse of the erection procedure.
Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and modifications and additions thereto may be made without departing from the spirit or scope thereof.
Claims (23)
1. A void platform including: a support configured for securing to a generally vertical surface defining part of a void; at least one elongate member having an end for supporting engagement with said 00 C, support when the elongate member is disposed in a generally horizontal plane within the 00 0void; and Sa work platform adapted to be releasably supported at least in part by said supported elongate member. C1 10
2. A void platform according to claim 1 wherein the support includes a land formation configured to support the end of the at least one elongate member.
3. A void platform according to claim 2 wherein the support is in the form of a rail.
4. A void platform according to claim 3 wherein the land formation extends along the support rail such that in use it may be positioned to extend within a generally horizontal plane.
A void platform according to any one of the previous claims wherein the support is configured to limit the movement of the end of the elongate member when supported by the support.
6. A void platform according to any of the previous claims wherein the support is configured for securing to a generally vertical surface by means of an attachment flange.
7. A void platform according to claim 6 wherein the attachment flange has a plurality of spaced apart apertures for fixing to spaced structural members on or adjacent a wall.
8. A void platform according to claim 6 or claim 7 wherein the support is in the form of a rail and includes a generally horizontally extending flange formation that extends from the attachment flange to define the land surface.
9. A void platform according to any of the preceding claims wherein the work platform is supported by two elongate members disposed in a generally horizontal plane.
A void platform according to any one of the preceding claims wherein at least one end of an elongate member is supported by an upstand.
11. A void platform according to any one of the previous claims wherein the or each elongate member is extendable.
12. A void platform according to claim 9 wherein opposed ends of each of the two elongate members engage a respective support.
13. A void platform according to any one of the preceding claims wherein an O O elongate member is a tubular member.
14. A void platform according to claim 13 wherein at least one elongate member 00 \includes an extendable segment in the form of a telescoping section including a threaded OO 0section which permits each end of the member to be counter rotated so as to lengthen or shorten the member.
A void platform according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the IN 10 support includes a land formation in the form of a channel that in use extends parallel to the generally vertical surface and the support engaging end of the at least one elongate member comprises an end plate having at least one edge configured to supported by the channel.
16. A void platform according to claim 15 wherein the support includes one or more end stops configured to prevent the end of the elongate member from sliding out of the channel during assembly.
17. A void platform including: a support rail configured for securing to a surface adjacent a void; at least one elongate member having an end for supporting engagement with the rail when the elongate member is disposed in a generally horizontal plane over or within the void; and a work platform adapted to be releasably supported at least in part by said supported elongate member.
18 A void platform according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the work platform comprises a tread having attachment means at or adjacent opposed ends for engagement with said one or more elongate members.
19. A method of erecting a void platform including the steps of: securing a support to a generally vertical surface defining part of a void; positioning at least one supported elongate member in a generally horizontal plane within the void with an end of the elongate member in supporting engagement with said support; and securing a work platform such that it is supported at least in part by said -11- Ssupported elongate member.
A method of erecting a void platform according to claim 19 including the step of securing two supports to opposed vertical surfaces and positioning the at least one Cc elongate member to extend between the two supports with each end of the elongate member being supported by a respective support. 00
21. A method of erecting a void platform according to claim 19 or claim 20 wherein 00 0the supports are in the form of a rail having a longitudinally extending land formation to support the end of an elongate member and the rail is secured such that the land formation extends in a generally horizontal plane. 10
22. A method of erecting a void platform according to any one of claims 19 to 21 including the step of positioning a further supported elongate member in a generally horizontal plane within the void wherein the work platform is then supported by two or more elongate members.
23. A method of erecting a void platform according to any one of claims 19 to 22 including the step of positioning one or more upstands such that at least one elongate member is at least partially supported by one or more upstands.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2007201898A AU2007201898B2 (en) | 2003-08-26 | 2007-04-30 | A void platform and method of erecting same |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2003236467 | 2003-08-26 | ||
| AU2004267122A AU2004267122B2 (en) | 2003-08-26 | 2004-08-26 | A void platform and method of erecting same |
| AU2007201898A AU2007201898B2 (en) | 2003-08-26 | 2007-04-30 | A void platform and method of erecting same |
Related Parent Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2004267122A Division AU2004267122B2 (en) | 2003-08-26 | 2004-08-26 | A void platform and method of erecting same |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| AU2007201898A1 true AU2007201898A1 (en) | 2007-05-17 |
| AU2007201898B2 AU2007201898B2 (en) | 2010-01-21 |
Family
ID=38055073
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2007201898A Withdrawn - After Issue AU2007201898B2 (en) | 2003-08-26 | 2007-04-30 | A void platform and method of erecting same |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AU (1) | AU2007201898B2 (en) |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN109441082A (en) * | 2018-12-24 | 2019-03-08 | 蒿振侠 | A kind of spiral shell supports composite truss platform |
| CN109441083A (en) * | 2018-12-24 | 2019-03-08 | 蒿振侠 | A kind of wedge knot composite truss platform |
| CN113293975A (en) * | 2021-06-17 | 2021-08-24 | 浙江兆鼎建设有限公司 | Construction platform for prefabricated building |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CA191214S (en) | 2019-05-22 | 2022-08-02 | Voideck Ipco Ltd | Platform safety panel |
-
2007
- 2007-04-30 AU AU2007201898A patent/AU2007201898B2/en not_active Withdrawn - After Issue
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN109441082A (en) * | 2018-12-24 | 2019-03-08 | 蒿振侠 | A kind of spiral shell supports composite truss platform |
| CN109441083A (en) * | 2018-12-24 | 2019-03-08 | 蒿振侠 | A kind of wedge knot composite truss platform |
| CN109441083B (en) * | 2018-12-24 | 2022-03-08 | 福州鼓楼纹英建筑工程有限责任公司 | Wedge-junction truss type combined platform |
| CN113293975A (en) * | 2021-06-17 | 2021-08-24 | 浙江兆鼎建设有限公司 | Construction platform for prefabricated building |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU2007201898B2 (en) | 2010-01-21 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| PC1 | Assignment before grant (sect. 113) |
Owner name: ATF HIRE GROUP PTY LIMITED Free format text: FORMER APPLICANT(S): LIGGINS, KEVIN; FLAUS, PETER JOHN; MACKINNON, PETER |
|
| NBA | Allowances - extensions of time- section 223(1) |
Free format text: THE TIME IN WHICH TO GAIN ACCEPTANCE HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO 21 DEC 2009 |
|
| CB | Opposition lodged by |
Opponent name: BUILDSAFE QUEENSLAND PTY LTD |
|
| MK12 | Application lapsed section 141(1)/reg 8.3(2) - applicant filed a written notice of withdrawal |