AU2012205220A1 - A platform - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract A platform (10) that is intended to be suspended by a wire rope and/or chain. The platform (10) includes a plurality of nodes (13) and joists (14) that are connected to the nodes (13) at pair apertures (18, 19). Pins and/or fasteners are then located in the apertures (18, 19) to secure the platform assembly (10) together. ICY)

Description

S&F Ref: P041920 AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT Name and Address Instant Access Australia Pty Ltd, of Applicant: 32 Carter Street, Homebush Bay, New South Wales, 2127, Australia Actual Inventor(s): Drew Miller Andrew Vincer Address for Service: Spruson & Ferguson St Martins Tower Level 35 31 Market Street Sydney NSW 2000 (CCN 3710000177) Invention Title: A platform Associated Provisional Application Details: [33] Country: [31] Appl'n No(s): [32] Application Date: AU 2011902886 19 Jul 2011 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: 5845c(6519282_1) 1 A PLATFORM Technical Field The present invention relates to the construction of platforms and more particularly but not as exclusively to suspended platforms. Background of the Invention To provide access to elevated areas of a structure under maintenance or construction, platforms are provided. The platforms are suspended by way of wire rope and/or chains. Platforms consist of a series of nodes, each node includes an upper and lower plate to which joists are attached. The joists are secured to the nodes by pins and/or bolts. The joists extend radially from the nodes, with nodes being located at least at the corners of the platform. A disadvantage of the above described platforms is that they are frequently difficult to construct. Object of the Invention It is the object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate the above disadvantage. Summary of the Invention There is disclosed herein a platform assembly including: at least two nodes, each node including an upper plate and a lower plate, and a stem extending between the plates so as to be fixed thereto, each node having a central longitudinal upwardly extending axis, with each plate having a plurality of first apertures spaced angularly about said axis at a first radius, and a plurality of second apertures spaced angularly about said axis at a second radius, the second radius being greater than 2 the first radius, with the apertures being arranged in pairs with each pair including one of the first apertures and one of the second apertures, the apertures of each pair being radially lined relative to said axis; at least one joist extending between the nodes so as to be secured thereto, each joist including a longitudinally extending central portion, and end coupling portions at opposite ends of the central portion, each coupling portion having a pair of coupling apertures, the coupling apertures being spaced so as to be alignable with a pair of apertures of each of the plates; and securing means extending between at least one of the coupling apertures of the plates, and an aligned coupling aperture of the adjacent joist. Preferably, each plate has a periphery, with the second apertures being located at said periphery so as to be slots in the plate, and wherein adjacent slots are joined by an arcuate surface forming part of the periphery. Preferably, said periphery is generally circular in configuration so that the each arcuate portion extends along a part of the circle. Preferably, each node includes a suspension coupling fixed to the upper plate adjacent said axis and to which an elongated flexible element can be attached, with said coupling being angularly movable about said axis. Preferably, the joists are configured so as to not project above or below the plates. Brief Description of the Drawings A preferred form of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a schematic bottom isometric view of a platform to be suspended by wire rope and/or chain; 3 Figure 2 is a bottom schematic isometric view of a node employed in the platform of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a schematic side elevation of one of the nodes of the platform of Figure 1. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment In the accompanying drawings there is schematically depicted a platform 10. The platform 10 is intended to be suspended by wire rope and/or chain. In that respect it should be appreciated that the platform 10 as illustrated in Figure 1 is viewed from below. The platform 10 includes a plurality of sheets 11 which provide an upper surface 12 upon which workmen are supported. The sheets 11 are supported by a plurality of nodes 13 and joists 14. One of the nodes 13 is more fully depicted in Figures 2 and 3. In Figure 2, the node 13 is again viewed from below. In Figure 3, the node 13 is illustrated in its intended orientation. Each node 13 includes a top plate 15 secured to a bottom plate 16 by means of a stem 17. The stem 17 is a tubular metal construction and is securely fixed to the plates 15 and 16. Each node 13 has generally upright central longitudinal axis 20. The top plate 15 has a set of first apertures 18 arranged angularly about the axis 20 and at a desired radius from the axis 20. Preferably, the apertures 18 are equally spaced. The plate 15 includes a set of second apertures 19, the second apertures 19 are again angularly spaced about the axis 20 and are located at a greater radius than the apertures 18. Preferably, the apertures 19 form slots. The apertures 18 and 19 are arranged in pairs, with each pair being radially aligned relative to the axis 20. Preferably, the top plate 15 is of a circular configuration so as to have a periphery with angular portions 21 being of a circle with its centre at the axis 20. The bottom plate 16 is of a similar construction to the plate 15 and has first apertures 22 and second apertures 23 and arcuate portion 24.

4 The apertures 22 are vertically aligned with the apertures 18, while the apertures 23 are vertically aligned with the apertures 19. The plates 15 and 16 are generally normal to the axis 20 so as to be generally parallel and co-extensive. Each of the joists 14 includes a longitudinally extending central portion 25 with end portions 26 secured thereto. Each central portion 25 includes upper and lower elongated tubular members 27 joined by an inclined tubular members 28. Each end portion 26 is an assembly including a generally upright base 28 including an end flange 27 and top and bottom flanges 29. Webs 30 are secured to the flanges 27 and 29. The flanges 29 are each provided with a pair of apertures 31, with the apertures 31 of each flange 29 being alignable with a pair of apertures in each of the plates 15 and 16. Pins and/or fasteners are then located in the aligned apertures 18, 22 and 31, and if so required 19, 23 and 31. Preferably, the joists 14 do not project beyond the upper and lower limits of the nodes 13. Fixed to the upper plate 15 is a coupling 32. The coupling 32 includes a base 33 and a securing portion 34 having an eyelet 35. A bearing is provided between the base 33 and securing portion 34 to provide for angular movement of the eyelet 33 (and securing portion 34) about the axis 20.

Claims (5)

1. A platform assembly including: at least two nodes, each node including an upper plate and a lower plate, and a stem extending between the plates so as to be fixed thereto, each node having a central longitudinal upwardly extending axis, with each plate having a plurality of first apertures spaced angularly about said axis at a first radius, and a plurality of second apertures spaced angularly about said axis at a second radius, the second radius being greater than the first radius, with the apertures being arranged in pairs with each pair including one of the first apertures and one of the second apertures, the apertures of each pair being radially lined relative to said axis; at least one joist extending between the nodes so as to be secured thereto, each joist including a longitudinally extending central portion, and end coupling portions at opposite ends of the central portion, each coupling portion having a pair of coupling apertures, the coupling apertures being spaced so as to be alignable with a pair of apertures of each of the plates; and securing means extending between at least one of the coupling apertures of the plates, and an aligned coupling aperture of the adjacent joist.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein each plate has a periphery, with the second apertures being located at said periphery so as to be slots in the plate, and wherein adjacent slots are joined by an arcuate surface forming part of the periphery.

3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein said periphery is generally circular in configuration so that the each arcuate portion extends along a part of the circle.

4. The assembly of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein each node includes a suspension coupling fixed to the upper plate adjacent said axis and to which an elongated flexible element can be attached, with said coupling being angularly movable about said axis. 6

5. The assembly of any one of claims I to 4, wherein the joists are configured so as to not project above or below the plates. Dated 18 July, 2012 Instant Access Australia Pty Ltd Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON & FERGUSON