AU2011100824A4

AU2011100824A4 - Modular Platform

Info

Publication number: AU2011100824A4
Application number: AU2011100824A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Joe Mihic
Original assignee: NEPTUNE ACCESS IRM
Current assignee: NEPTUNE ACCESS IRM
Priority date: 2010-06-24
Filing date: 2011-06-24
Publication date: 2011-08-11
Anticipated expiration: 2019-06-24

Abstract

A modular platform including a plurality of planar web elements adjacently locatable with respect to one another to form a substantially flat load bearing 5 deck having an outer edge; and a plurality of suspension means engageable with the outer edge of the deck in spaced relationship with respect to one another, each suspension means tensionable between the deck and an anchor point. (~I

Description

AUSTRALIA ORIGINAL COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT Invention Title: MODULAR PLATFORM Name of Applicant: Neptune Access IRM Actual Inventor: Joe Mihic Address for service: WRAYS Ground Floor, 56 Ord Street West Perth WA 6005 Attorney code: WR The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- 2 MODULAR PLATFORM 5 FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a modular platform for use in maintenance work, and a method of assembly thereof. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION [0 Structured oilrigs and the like that are exposed to the elements are typically made from resilient but corrodible materials. It is necessary to maintain these structures by the removal and replacement of damaged materials, painting of surfaces and the like. However, access to areas of these structures requiring maintenance is difficult and is presently carried out using time consuming and sometimes relatively 15 dangerous methods. In order to access these areas, workers typically secure themselves to the construction by means of a harness and they rappel and/or climb to the required area, carrying and/or supporting any equipment required during the maintenance work. However, this approach has the obvious associated disadvantages of physical 20 risk to workers, loss of equipment, as well as increased labour costs as it is difficult to position workers in the required area in this manner to complete the work. The work generally required for maintenance of such structures often involves high pressure fluid cleaning. This work makes use of equipment that must be held in place relative to the surface to be cleaned by a worker. However, it is difficult for 25 workers to keep such equipment at a fixed distance from the surface to be cleaned, while in operation, when suspended in a harness.

3 Workers may also gain access to the area to be maintained by building scaffolding structures from commercially available scaffolding materials, and then climbing the scaffolding structure to stand on a supported platform in the area requiring maintenance. However, such scaffolding structures are typically rented at high cost, 5 made from heavy and bulky materials, and require manual labour to assemble and disassemble. Furthermore, should a storm hit the area, as is often the case with offshore structures; the scaffolding must be hastily dissembled, and then reassembled once the storm has passed. Accordingly, there exists a need for an alternative platform for use by workers 10 carrying out maintenance work. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with one aspect of the invention there is provided a modular platform including a plurality of planar web elements adjacently locatable with respect to one 15 another to form a substantially flat load bearing deck having an outer edge; and a plurality of suspension means engageable with the outer edge of the deck in spaced relationship with respect to one another, each suspension means tensionable between the deck and an anchor point. 20 Further features of the invention provide for the web elements to be generally frusto triangular having a first pair of opposing linearly convergent edges and a second pair of opposing concentrically arcuate edges. Alternatively, the web elements may be generally quadrilateral or circular. The web elements may further include one or more discrete securing points on their operatively upper surfaces, the securing 25 points engageable with the suspension means, wherein each point is formed from a high tensile ring to which the suspension means is securable. The web elements may be formed from a frame, onto which planar mesh is secured. The frame may include a scaffolding support assembly locatable on the operatively lower surface of the web elements.

4 Still further features of the invention provide for the suspension means to be made from high-tensile material such as wire rope, chain, or low stretch braided rope; and for the plurality of suspension means to be engageable with the outer edge of the deck; for the suspension means to be securable to the one or more discrete securing 5 points of the web elements. Yet further features of the invention provide for the plurality of planar web elements to be adjacently locatable with respect to one another by way of a plurality of clamping assemblies, and for each clamping assembly to include suitable means for rigging attachment. 10 Further features of the invention provide for the modular platform to include operatively upwardly extending posts that are engageable with the outer edge of the deck. The posts may be engageable with a series of generally parallel extending rails, the rails generally normally disposed relative to the posts, the series of rails collectively defining a balustrade around the outer edge of the deck. 15 In one embodiment, the planar web elements are generally frusto-triangular having a first pair of opposing linearly convergent edges and a second pair of opposing concentrically arcuate edges. In this embodiment, the planar web elements are adjacently locatable with respect to one another along their respective linearly convergent edges to form a substantially flat deck, the opposing concentrically 20 arcuate edges collectively defining an outer edge and a generally radial inner edge, wherein the inner edge defines a central aperture in the deck in which an extending pylon is receivable. The plurality of suspension means is engageable with the outer edge of the deck in spaced relationship with respect to one another, and connectable to an anchor point above the deck for tensionable connection of the deck to the 25 anchor point. In another embodiment, the planar web elements are generally frusto-triangular as described above and are adjacently locatable with respect to one another along their respective linearly convergent edges to form a substantially flat deck having a generally arcuate segmental configuration, the opposing concentrically arcuate 30 edges collectively defining a generally arcuate outer edge and a generally arcuate inner edge, wherein the arcuate inner edge is braceable against an upwardly 5 extending pylon. The plurality of suspension means is engageable with the arcuate outer edge of the deck in spaced relationship with respect to one another, and connectable to an anchor point above the deck for tensionable connection of the deck to the anchor point. 5 In a further embodiment, the plurality of suspension means is engageable with the outer edge of the deck in spaced relationship with respect to one another, and connectable to an anchor point above the deck for tensionable connection of the deck to the anchor point. The deck may have an upwardly extending cradle engageable with a transversely extending pylon, to locate the deck beneath the 10 pylon. In accordance with another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of assembling a modular platform including locating a plurality of planar web elements adjacent to one another to form a deck having an outer edge; 15 engaging a plurality of suspension means with the outer edge of the deck and an anchor point above the deck, the plurality of suspension means in spaced relationship with respect to one another, and tensioning each suspension means between the deck and an anchor point to form a substantially flat load bearing deck. 20 In yet another embodiment of the invention, the method of assembling a modular platform includes locating a plurality of planar web elements that are generally frusto triangular having a first pair of opposing linearly convergent edges and a second pair of opposing concentrically arcuate edges adjacent to one another along their respective linearly convergent edges around an upwardly extending pylon to form a 25 substantially flat deck around the pylon, the opposing concentrically arcuate edges collectively defining a generally radial inner edge through which the pylon extends. In this embodiment, the method includes engaging the plurality of suspension means with the outer edge of the deck and an anchor point above the deck, the plurality of suspension means in spaced relationship with respect to one another, and 30 tensioning each suspension means between the deck and an anchor point to form a 6 substantially flat load bearing deck in assembled condition extending around the upwardly extending pylon. In a further embodiment of the invention, the method of assembling a modular platform includes locating a plurality of planar web elements to form a substantially 5 flat deck beneath a transversely extending pylon. In this embodiment, the method includes engaging the plurality of suspension means with the outer edge of the deck and an anchor point above the deck, on either side of the transversely extending pylon, the plurality of suspension means in spaced relationship with respect to one another, and tensioning each suspension means between the deck and an anchor 10 point to form a substantially flat load bearing deck in assembled condition disposed beneath the transversely extending pylon. It will be appreciated that the engagement of the suspension means to the outer edge of the deck may be spaced in such a manner so as not to encroach on the load bearing deck, or obstruct access to it. 15 Further features of the invention will now become apparent from the following description, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings and figures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 20 The invention will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective representation of one embodiment of the modular platform having a generally circular deck in assembled condition ("360 degree platform) extending around an upwardly extending pylon; 25 Figure 2 shows another perspective representation of the embodiment of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a perspective representation of another embodiment of the modular platform with a substantially flat deck having a generally 7 arcuate segmental configuration in assembled condition ("90 degree platform"), wherein the arcuate inner edge is braced against an upwardly extending pylon; Figure 4 shows a perspective representation of a further embodiment of the 5 modular platform in assembled condition disposed between a transversely extending pylon; Figure 5 shows another perspective representation of the embodiment of Figure 4; Figure 6 shows photographs of various stages of the method of assembling of a 10 modular platform of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE DRAWINGS The invention provides a modular platform (1) including a plurality of planar web elements (2) adjacently locatable with respect to one another to form a substantially 15 flat load bearing deck (4) having an outer edge (6). In one embodiment of the invention, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the web elements (2.1 and 2.2) are generally frusto-triangular having a first pair of opposing linearly convergent edges (8 and 10) and a second pair of opposing concentrically arcuate edges (12 and 14). The planar web elements (2.1 and 2.2) are adjacently locatable 20 with respect to one another along their respective linearly convergent edges (8 and 10) to form a substantially flat deck (4), the opposing concentrically arcuate edges (12 and 14) collectively defining a generally circular outer edge (6) and a generally circular inner edge (16), wherein the circular inner edge defines a generally circular substantially central aperture (18) in the deck (4) in which an upwardly extending 25 pylon is receivable (20). The web elements (2.1 and 2.2) are clamped together by way of clamping assemblies (22) such as those known in the art. The web elements (2.1 and 2.2) are made from wire mesh secured to a metal frame (24), and include a scaffolding support assembly (5) located on the operatively lower 26surface of the web elements (2.1 and 2.2).

8 A plurality of suspension means (28) is engageable with the outer edge (6) of the deck (4) in spaced relationship with respect to one another, and connectable to an anchor point (not shown) above the deck (4) for tensionable connection of the deck (4) to the anchor point. The suspension means (28) is made from high-tensile 5 material such as wire rope, chain, or low stretch braided rope and is secured to the outer edge (6) of the deck (4) via several discrete securing points (30) of the web elements (2.1 and 2.2). The suspension means (28) are secured to the deck at suitable assemblies included in the clamping assemblies (22). Each securing assembly (22) is formed from a high tensile ring to which the suspension means (28) 10 is securable. Each suspension means (28) is tensionable between the deck (4) and the anchor point (not shown). Operatively upwardly extending posts (32) engage the outer edge (6) of the deck (4). The posts (32) support a series of generally parallel extending rails (34), the rails (34) generally normally disposed relative to the posts (32). The series of rails (34) 15 collectively defines a balustrade around the outer edge (6) of the deck (4). In another embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, the planar web elements (2.1 and 2.2) are also generally frusto-triangular as described above and are similarly adjacently locatable with respect to one another. When assembled, they form a substantially flat deck (44) having a generally arcuate segmental configuration, the opposing !0 concentrically arcuate edges (12 and 14) collectively defining a generally arcuate outer edge (66) and a generally arcuate inner edge (161), wherein the arcuate inner edge is braceable against the upwardly extending pylon (20). The plurality of suspension means (28) is similarly engageable with the arcuate outer edge (66) of the deck (44) in spaced relationship with respect to one another, and connectable to 25 an anchor point (not shown) above the deck (44) for tensionable connection of the deck to the anchor point (not shown). In a further embodiment, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the planar web elements (2.3 and 2.4) are adjacently locatable with respect to one another along their edges to form a substantially flat deck (444). The plurality of suspension means (28) is 30 engageable with the outer edge of the deck (444) in spaced relationship with respect to one another, and connectable to an anchor point (36) above the deck (444) for tensionable connection of the deck (444) to the anchor point (36). The deck may 9 have an upwardly extending cradle (shown in Figure 6) engageable with a transversely extending pylon (38), to locate the deck (444) beneath the pylon (38). In use, as shown generally in Figure 6, the modular platform (1) is assembled by locating the plurality of planar web elements (2) adjacent to one another to form a 5 deck (4; 44; 444) having an outer edge (6; 66; 666). A plurality of suspension means (28) are then engaged, in spaced relationship with respect to one another, to the outer edge of the deck (6; 66; 666) and an anchor point (36) above the deck (4; 44; 444), without encroaching on the operatively upper surface of the load bearing deck (4; 44; 444) or obstructing access to it. Each suspension means (36) is then 10 individually tensioned by way of winching apparatus (40) to form a substantially flat load bearing deck (4; 44; 444). The deck (4) of the invention may be configured to extend around an upwardly extending pylon (20), as does the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2. It (44) may also be configured to extend transversely from an upwardly extending pylon (20) and 15 be braced against it, where there are structures obstructing the assembly of the circular deck (4) around the pylon (20). Alternatively, it (444) may be assembled beneath a transversely extending pylon (38) as shown in Figures 4 and 5. The modular platform of the invention facilitates rapid and easy access to areas of structures requiring manual maintenance. Not only is the modular platform of the 20 invention of lightweight construction and easily and rapidly assembled and disassembled, but it is capable of supporting more than one worker, as well as their equipment, in the area to be maintained. It is adaptable to a variety of locations on a structure such that a worker may position the platform around an upwardly extending stand alone pylon, adjacent to a cluster of pylons, or beneath a transversely 25 extending pylon. The modular platform of the invention is compact, inexpensive and its assembly requires relatively less labour. Furthermore, the use of the modular platform of the invention increases safety in the dangerous working environments associated with working at height. The modular platform of the invention also facilitates traction for use in high pressure water cleaning procedures such that 30 workers may brace themselves against the platform and better hold the equipment required at a substantially fixed distance from the surface to be cleaned.

10 Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers. 5 Reference to cited material or information contained in the text should not be understood as a concession that the material or information was part of the common general knowledge or was known in Australia or any other country.

Claims

1. A modular platform including a plurality of planar web elements adjacently locatable with respect to one another to form a substantially flat load bearing deck having an 5 outer edge; and a plurality of suspension means engageable with the outer edge of the deck in spaced relationship with respect to one another, each suspension means tensionable between the deck and an anchor point.

2. The modular platform according to claim 1, wherein the web elements are 10 generally frusto-triangular having a first pair of opposing linearly convergent edges and a second pair of opposing concentrically arcuate edges.

3. The modular platform according to claim 1, wherein the web elements are either generally quadrilateral or circular.

4. The modular platform according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein 15 the web elements are formed from a frame, onto which planar mesh is secured.

5. The modular platform according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the web elements further include one or more discrete securing points on their operatively upper surfaces, the securing points engageable with the 20 suspension means, wherein each point is formed from a high tensile ring to which the suspension means is securable.

6. The modular platform according to claim 5, wherein the suspension means is securable to the one or more discrete securing points of the web elements.

7. The modular platform according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein 25 the suspension means is made from high-tensile material.

8. The modular platform according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of planar web elements are adjacently locatable with respect to one another by way of a plurality of clamping assemblies. 12

9. The modular platform according to any one of the preceding claims, further including operatively upwardly extending posts that are engageable with the outer edge of the deck.

10. A modular platform including 5 a plurality of planar web elements that are generally frusto-triangular having a first pair of opposing linearly convergent edges and a second pair of opposing concentrically arcuate edges, the planar web elements adjacently locatable with respect to one another along their respective linearly convergent edges to form a substantially flat deck, the 10 opposing concentrically arcuate edges collectively defining an outer edge and a generally radial inner edge, wherein the inner edge defines a central aperture in the deck in which an extending pylon is receivable, and a plurality of suspension means engageable with the outer edge of the 15 deck in spaced relationship with respect to one another, and connectable to an anchor point above the deck for tensionable connection of the deck to the anchor point.

11. A modular platform including a plurality of planar web elements that are generally frusto-triangular 20 having a first pair of opposing linearly convergent edges and a second pair of opposing concentrically arcuate edges, the planar web elements adjacently locatable with respect to one another along their respective linearly convergent edges to form a substantially flat deck having a generally arcuate segmental configuration, the opposing concentrically 25 arcuate edges collectively defining a generally arcuate outer edge and a generally arcuate inner edge, wherein the arcuate inner edge is braceable against an upwardly extending pylon, and a plurality of suspension means engageable with the arcuate outer edge of the deck in spaced relationship with respect to one another, 13 and connectable to an anchor point above the deck for tensionable connection of the deck to the anchor point.

12. A modular platform including a plurality of planar web elements adjacently locatable with respect to 5 one another to form a substantially flat load bearing deck having an outer edge; and a plurality of suspension means engageable with the outer edge of the deck in spaced relationship with respect to one another, and connectable to an anchor point above the deck for tensionable 10 connection of the deck to the anchor point, the deck having an upwardly extending cradle engageable with a transversely extending pylon, to locate the deck beneath the pylon.

13. A method of assembling a modular platform including locating a plurality of planar web elements adjacent to one another to 15 form a deck having an outer edge; engaging a plurality of suspension means with the outer edge of the deck and an anchor point above the deck, the plurality of suspension means in spaced relationship with respect to one another, and tensioning each suspension means between the deck and an anchor 20 point to form a substantially flat load bearing deck.

14. A method of assembling a modular platform including locating a plurality of planar web elements that are generally frusto triangular having a first pair of opposing linearly convergent edges and a second pair of opposing concentrically arcuate edges adjacent to one 25 another along their respective linearly convergent edges around an upwardly extending pylon to form a substantially flat deck around the pylon, the opposing concentrically arcuate edges collectively defining a generally radial inner edge through which the pylon extends, 14 engaging a plurality of suspension means with the outer edge of the deck and an anchor point above the deck, the plurality of suspension means in spaced relationship with respect to one another, and tensioning each suspension means between the deck and an anchor 5 point to form a substantially flat load bearing deck in assembled condition extending around the upwardly extending pylon.

15. A method of assembling a modular platform including locating a plurality of planar web elements to form a substantially flat deck beneath a transversely extending pylon, 10 engaging a plurality of suspension means with the outer edge of the deck and an anchor point above the deck, on either side of the transversely extending pylon, the plurality of suspension means in spaced relationship with respect to one another, and tensioning each suspension means between the deck and an anchor 15 point to form a substantially flat load bearing deck in assembled condition disposed beneath the transversely extending pylon.

16. A modular platform substantially as herein described and illustrated with reference to the accompanying Examples and Figures.

17. A method of assembling a modular platform substantially as herein described 20 and illustrated with reference to the accompanying Examples and Figures.