1 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 G.T.S. FREIGHT MANAGEMENT PTY LTD COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: Adjustable pit flooring The following statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it known to us:- 2 Technical Field The present invention relates to adjustable flooring of a pit for mechanics' access to the underside of a vehicle, and in particular to flooring which can be adjusted in a safe manner to suit the preferences of more than one mechanic working simultaneously 5 within the pit. Background of the Invention Mechanics generally service the undercarriage of vehicles by either hoisting the vehicle above a workshop floor, or driving the vehicle over a sub-floor pit. Hoisting vehicles 10 runs the risk of the hoist failing and the vehicle falling unexpectedly, and is impractical for vehicles larger than cars. Sub-floor pits are of fixed dimension and the elevation of the vehicle above the mechanic is a fixed distance, such that mechanics of differing personal characteristics such as height or reach may find it difficult to access the vehicle or may be injured by repetitively working in non-ideal overhead positions. 15 Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the 20 field relevant to the present invention as it existed before the priority date of each claim of this application. Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or 25 step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps. Summary of the Invention According to a first aspect the present invention provides an adjustable pit flooring 30 apparatus comprising a plurality of floor sections in articulating connection, and comprising height control means to move at least a first floor section to a first height different to a second height of at least a second floor section. By providing for an adjustable elevation of at least the first floor section, the present 35 invention thus provides for a working pit environment which can be adapted to the 3 physical characteristics of the mechanic using the pit, such as height, flexibility, reach and the like. The apparatus and articulated connections are preferably configured such that the floor 5 surfaces extend along a pit in which the apparatus is positioned, and occupy substantially an entire width of the pit. More preferably, the floor sections preferably alternate along the pit between a working floor section and a joining floor section, whereby each working floor section is held substantially level for sure footing of a mechanic working on the working floor section, and whereby each joining floor section 10 is of variable angle or slope so as to provide a continuous angled floor section between working sections of differing heights. In such embodiments mechanics within the pit can walk from a first level working surface at a first height to a second level working surface at a second height by walking up or down the interposed angled joining floor section. Such embodiments are particularly advantageous in avoiding discontinuities or 15 steps between floor sections which can present a stumbling hazard when stationary, and/or can present a pinching or crushing hazard when the adjacent floor sections are in relative motion. Each working floor section is preferably movably mounted upon guide rails such that 20 the floor section remains level during and after height alterations. The or each height control means may comprise any suitable device or apparatus for elevating the or each floor section to the desired height. For example, a hydraulic piston, electric motor, or other means may be utilised to control the height of the or 25 each adjustable floor section. The joining floor sections are preferably provided with a textured surface to provide sure footing and good grip for mechanics walking up or down the slope at which it may be disposed. Further, a maximum height differential is preferably imposed between 30 adjacent working floor sections to ensure that an angle of the interposed joining floor section does not exceed a predetermined safe angle. Brief Description of the Drawings An example of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying 35 drawings, in which: 4 Figure 1 is a cut away perspective view of an adjustable pit flooring apparatus in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention; and Figure 2 is a side view of the adjustable pit flooring apparatus of Figure 1. 5 Description of the Preferred Embodiments Figure 1 is a cut away perspective view, and Figure 2 is a side view, of an adjustable pit flooring apparatus 10 in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention. The apparatus 10 is disposed within a workshop pit below a height of a suspended workshop floor 14 supported by struts 12. A vehicle requiring work to the 10 undercarriage can be driven over the pit with wheels either side of the pit on workshop floor 14. The adjustable pit flooring 10 comprises a plurality of working floor sections 16 which are held level at all times, and between which are interposed respective joining floor 15 sections 18. The working floor sections 16 are each provided with respective height control means in the form of hydraulic pistons and articulated arms 20. As is illustrated, the adjustable pit flooring 10 of the present invention is generally envisaged for use in lengthy workshop pits, such as may be provided in a truck 20 workshop. However it is to be appreciated that alternative embodiments of the invention may be implemented in any pit where there is room for more than one mechanic to work side by side within the pit. Such embodiments may be advantageous in increasing throughput of vehicles serviced from the pit by providing for more than one mechanic to be working simultaneously on the undercarriage of the vehicle. 25 Generally, one working floor section 16 is provided in each region in which it is anticipated that a mechanic may need to work. For example, one working floor section for the engine region, one working floor section for a rear axle region, and the like. 30 The adjustable pit flooring apparatus 10 is, moreover, adapted for a suspended workshop floor working environment, in which the adjustable pit flooring apparatus 10 is accessed from a room beneath the suspended workshop floor. For this purpose, stairs 22 are provided allowing mechanic access to the adjustable pit flooring from below. 35 It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments 5 without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.