AU2015101880A4

AU2015101880A4 - Working platform

Info

Publication number: AU2015101880A4
Application number: AU2015101880A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Laurentius Borsboom; Van Hao Huynh; Bradley Scott Mcdonald
Original assignee: Residential Building Wa Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Residential Building Wa Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2014-12-10
Filing date: 2015-10-30
Publication date: 2017-01-19
Anticipated expiration: 2023-10-30
Also published as: AU2015101880B4; AU2015249195A2; AU2015249195A1

Abstract

A working platform to be placed at height on residential building framework including: a first bracket arranged to be fixed to a first rafter of the building framework; and a second bracket arranged to be fixed to a second rafter; wherein a working floor is arranged to be supported between the first and second brackets; and wherein the first and second brackets are identical. "23 12-26 I22 15 4/ 14 19 13 14 13 19 1 4 9- ,>'19 Figure 12

Description

2015101880 11 Nov 2016 1

WORKING PLATFORM

Technical Field [0001] The present invention generally relates to a working platform used in the construction of multistorey buildings.

Background Art [0002] When a multistorey residence is built, typically the frame (either timber, steel or otherwise) for the first story is erected, followed by the floor of the second story. After this the wall frames of the second story are raised followed by the roof frame components. To work on the frame of the second story and above, scaffolding is used to access areas at height and workers are typically required to be harnessed when over 2.4 meters above the ground. Scaffold is typically erected where work is being undertaken. This stops other work than that being done on the scaffold being done underneath the scaffold due to risks from falling material and from those working under the scaffold bumping the scaffolding and affecting those working at height.

[0003] Alternatively, it is known for a first story to be partially completed before raising the second story so that the second story can be worked on without the need of high scaffolding. This is common where the lower floor is constructed using a high mass wall system such as double brick or reverse brick veneer and the second story is completed using a low mass wall system such as timber, insulated panel or cladding.

[0004] These conventional methods of raising a house do not allow multiple tasks carried out by different tradespeople to be performed at the same time. The scaffolding extends to the ground and gets in the way of others working at ground level. Commonly other trades people must stop work whilst the framework of upper levels is constructed.

[0005] 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. 2 2015101880 11 Nov 2016

Summary of Invention [0006] It is an object of this invention to provide to ameliorate, mitigate or overcome, at least one disadvantage of the prior art, or which will at least provide the public with a practical choice.

[0007] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a working platform to receive workers and to be supported only by rafters on residential building framework including: a first bracket to be fixed to a first rafter of the building framework; and a second bracket to be fixed to a second rafter; wherein a working floor is arranged to be supported between the first and second brackets; wherein the first and second brackets are identical; and wherein the first and second brackets include a rear support fixed to a rafter, the rear support being adjustable to ensure that the working floor is horizontally level.

[0008] By having a raised working platform fixed to the rafters of the roof, space is not occupied under the roof and others can pass below. By making the working platform out of a plurality of brackets, the working platform can be disassemble and transported in a compact form.

[0009] Preferably, a plurality of working platforms can be placed adjacent each other along the building to form an extended working platform.

[0010] Preferably, the first and second brackets include a front support and cross support extending between the rear and front supports.

[0011] Preferably, the working floor is arranged to be supported on the first and second brackets and the cross support.

[0012] Preferably, the cross support extends generally perpendicularly to the front and rear supports.

[0013] Preferably, the cross support is permanently fixed to the rear and front supports.

[0014] Preferably, the cross support is removably fixed to the rear and front supports.

[0015] Preferably, a reinforcing bar extends between each of the front and rear supports and the cross support. 3 2015101880 11 Nov 2016 [0016] Preferably, the front support includes an engagement means arranged to fix the second end to an upper region of the rafter.

[0017] Preferably, the rear support includes a receiving portion arranged to receive an extension post, wherein the extension post includes an engagement means arranged to be fixed to a lower region of the rafter.

[0018] Preferably the extension post includes an engagement means arranged to fix the second end to an upper region of the rafter.

[0019] Preferably, the receiving portion is arranged to move with respect to the extension post so that a first end of the rear support is raised and lowered.

[0020] Preferably the receiving portion and the extension post include apertures arranged to be aligned with each other to receive a locking means that locks the first end in position.

[0021] Preferably, the extension post and receiving portion telescope with respect to each other so that the first end is raised and lowered.

[0022] Preferably, the rear support extends above the cross support.

[0023] Preferably, the portion of the rear support above the cross support includes a safety rail receiving means.

[0024] Preferably, the safety rail is in the form of at least one of a kick board or a hand rail.

[0025] Preferably, a front support extension is arranged to be engaged with the front support to extend the front support.

[0026] Preferably, a rear support extension is arranged to be engaged with the rear support to extend the rear support away from the engagement means.

[0027] Preferably, a second cross support is arranged to extend between a front support extension and a rear support extension.

[0028] Preferably, the working platform is arranged to be supported between second cross supports on the first and second brackets. 4 2015101880 11 Nov 2016 [0029] Preferably a portion of the working platform extends past the front support extension.

[0030] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a method of constructing the working platform, including the steps of: a front support of a first and second bracket being engaged to upper rafter sections and the extension post of the first and second bracket being engaged with lower rafter sections; the rear supports moving over the extension posts until the cross support is level and locking the rear supports and extension posts in position with respect to each other; and placing a floor section between the cross supports of the first and second brackets.

Brief Description of the Drawings [0031] Further features of the present invention are more fully described in the following description of several non-limiting embodiments thereof. This description is included solely for the purposes of exemplifying the present invention. It should not be understood as a restriction on the broad summary, disclosure or description of the invention as set out above. The description will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a working platform according to a first embodiment of the present in position;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the working platform of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a working platform according to a second embodiment the present invention in position;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the working platform of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a bracket used in the working platforms of Figures 1 and 3;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of an extension post used in the working platforms of Figures 1 and 3; 2015101880 11 Nov 2016 5

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a hand rail post used in the working platforms of Figures 1 and 3;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of an extended hand rail post used in the working platforms of Figures 1 and 3;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a cross support used in the working platform of Figures 1 and 3;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of a support extension for use in the working platform of Figures 1 and 3;

Figure 11 is a perspective view of a working platform according to a third embodiment the present invention in position;

Figure 12 is a perspective view of a working platform according to a third embodiment the present invention in position;

Figure 13 is a perspective view of a cross support used in the working platform of Figures 11 and 12; and

Figure 14 is a perspective view of an extension post used in the working platforms of Figures 11 and 12.

[0032] In the drawings like structures are referred to by like numerals throughout the several views. The drawings shown are not necessarily to scale, with emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the present invention.

Description of Embodiments [0033] Broadly, the present invention relates to a working platform that can be used to construct an upper story of a residential building, where the working platform is supported by a lower story roof frame component and can be assembled and disassembled from component parts. In being supported by a roof frame component, the working platform occupies no space below the roof support on which it is supported. This allows work to be performed underneath the working platform. 6 2015101880 11 Nov 2016 [0034] Referring to Figures 1,2,5,6,7 and 8, the invention according to a first embodiment is in the form of a working platform 11 that is attached to and supported by rafters 13 of a roof structure 10.

[0035] The working platform comprises a first and second bracket 17 that form the sides of the working platform 11. The first and second brackets 17 comprise rear support 37 and front support 47 that, when in position on a roof structure 10, extend upwardly from the roof structure 10. A cross support 30 extends between the rear support 37 and the front support 47 generally perpendicular to the rear support 37 and front support 47.

[0036] In one embodiment a reinforcement bar 31 extends between the rear support 37 and the cross support 30 and between the front support 47 and the cross support 30.

[0037] In one embodiment, the rear support 37, front support 47 and cross support 30 are fixed together through welding. In an alternative embodiment the rear support 37, front support 47 and cross support 30 are fixed together through bolting, screwing, riveting or otherwise as would be understood by the skilled addressee.

[0038] The base of front support 47 includes engagement means in the form of fixing bracket 14. Fixing bracket 14 is arranged to straddle a rafter 13 of a roof structure 10 with the fixing bracket in a channel type arrangement. Apertures 19 in fixing bracket 14 allow a hole to be drilled through the rafter 13 straddled by the fixing bracket. With a hole placed in the rafter 13 a bolt, pin rivet or other retaining means can be placed through both the fixing bracket and rafter fixing the two together. Where only the fixing bracket of the front support 47 is engaged to the rafter 13, the bracket 17 can pivot around the aperture 19.

[0039] The base of the rear support 37 includes a receiving means 77 that receives extension post 15. The rear support 37 is in the form of a Rectangular Flollow Section (RFIS) and the receiving means 77 is the aperture at the lower end of the RFIS. The extension post 15 is received within the RFIS of rear support 37 and can move within the RFIS, with the RFIS acting as a sleeve to the rear support. The extension post 15 and the rear support 37 include apertures 12 along their length. The apertures 12 in the extension post 15 are arranged to align with the apertures 12 in the base of the rear support 37 at a variety of positions as the extension post 15 slides within the rear support 37. 7 2015101880 11 Nov 2016 [0040] The base of extension post 15 includes engagement means in the form of fixing bracket 14. Fixing bracket 14 is arranged to straddle a rafter 13 of a roof structure 10 with the fixing bracket 14 in a channel type arrangement. Apertures 19 in fixing bracket 14 allow a hole to be drilled through the rafter 13 straddled by the fixing bracket. With a hole placed in the rafter 13 a bolt, pin rivet or other retaining means can be placed through both the fixing bracket 14 and rafter fixing the two together and locking the extension post 15 in place.

[0041] A removable locking means in the form of a pin, bolt, clamp is arranged to be placed through the apertures in the extension post 15 and rear support 37 to lock the two together.

[0042] The extension post 15 can be slid within the rear support 37 to align upper or lower apertures 12 in the extension post 15. If upper apertures 12 are used to lock the extension post in place the cross support 30 is located further from the fixing bracket 14 in the extension post 15 than if lower apertures 12 are used. Upper apertures 12 in the extension post 15 are used to lock the extension post 15 and rear support together to leave a level cross support 30 when the rafter 13 is of a sharp angle. Lower apertures 12 in the extension post 15 are used to lock the extension post 15 and rear support together to leave a level cross support 30 when the rafter 13 is of a shallow angle.

[0043] With both the front support 47 fixing bracket 14 and the extension post 15 fixing bracket 14 locked to the rafter 13 with the cross support 30 level the flooring 20 of the working platform 11 can be added. The flooring is placed to lie on and across the cross supports 30 of both the first and second brackets 17. A restraining cap 88 is placed on the front support 47 that extends above the flooring to restrain it in place.

[0044] Lower clips 25 are fixed to the rear support 37 above the floor 20. Lower clips 25 on first and second brackets 17 receive between them and lock in place a kick board 22. The kick board 22 stops loose articles from passing beyond the kick board 22.

[0045] Clips 21 are located above the lower clips 25. A plurality of clips 21 are placed along the length of the rear support 37 in a spaced apart relationship. A hand rail 23 is passed through clips 21 at parallel height on first and second brackets 17 to hold the hand rail 23 up. 8 2015101880 11 Nov 2016 [0046] To extend the height of first and second brackets 17, a hand rail post 26 is placed within the upper opening 27 of the rear support 37. The hand rail posts 26 is of a profile to slide within the RHS of rear support 37. The hand rail post 26 includes apertures 12 that align with upper apertures 12 in rear support 37 to receive a locking means as described above. Hand rail posts 26 also include clips 21 to receive hand rails 23 as described above.

[0047] The skilled addressee would understand that having the rear support 37, front support 47, extension post 15, hand rail post 26 and upper hand rail post 29 of an alternative profile to RHS would still fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0048] In one embodiment, the lower clips 25 and clips 21 are in the form of captive U bolts.

[0049] The skilled addressee would understand that the rafter 13 could be replaced with a top chord of a truss or alternative roof frame portion and fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0050] A second embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. For convenience features of the second embodiment that are similar or correspond to features of the first embodiment have been referenced with the same reference numerals.

[0051] Referring to Figures 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10, the working platform 121 includes the first and second brackets 17, the extension post 15, hand rail post 26 and upper hand rail post 29 of the first embodiment.

[0052] Working platform 121 includes a floor extension post 41 that is inserted into and slides within the upper opening of the front support 47. Collar 33 is located towards the bottom of the floor extension post 41 and restricts the floor extension post 41 from sliding into the front support 47 beyond the collar 33. In one embodiment the region of the floor extension post 41 below the collar is the same length as the front support 47 and rests against the rafter 13. The floor extension post 41 includes apertures 12.

[0053] A floor extension cross support 35 is placed between the rear support 37 and the floor extension post 41. A cross fixing bracket 34 is located at the ends of the cross support 35. Apertures 39 located in the cross fixing brackets 34 are arranged to align 9 2015101880 11 Nov 2016 with apertures 12 in the floor extension post 41 and the rear support 37 or hand rail post 26. A bolt, pin rivet or other retaining means can be placed through the cross fixing brackets 34 and apertures 12 in the rear support 37 or hand rail post 26 on one side and the floor extension post 41 on the other side to fix the floor extension cross support 35 in place. The floor extension cross support 35 is fixed in place when it is level.

[0054] The floor 20 is placed on the floor extension cross supports 35 in the same manner as discussed above for the cross supports 30.

[0055] In one embodiment of the present invention, additional stabilisation beams (not shown) can be connected to the floor extension posts 41 at apertures 12. The additional stabilisation beams extend to and are fixed to the rafter 13.

[0056] In one embodiment of the present invention safety rails (not shown) are placed between floor extension posts 41 above the floor 20 to provide a barrier for a worker on the floor 20.

[0057] A further upper hand rail post can be inserted into the upper opening 28 of the hand rail post 26 in the same manner as hand rail post 26 is inserted and locked into rear support 37 for the raised height of working platform 121.

[0058] Referring to Figures 11, 12, 13 and 14 a third embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. For convenience features of the third embodiment that are similar or correspond to features of the first and second embodiments have been referenced with the same reference numerals.

[0059] The working platform 221 includes the first and second brackets 17, the extension post 15, hand rail post 26 and upper hand rail post 29 of the first and second embodiments.

[0060] Working platform 221 includes a floor extension post 41 that is inserted into and slides within the upper opening of the front support 47. Collar 33 is located towards the bottom of the floor extension post 41 and restricts the floor extension post 41 from sliding into the front support 47 beyond the collar 33. In one embodiment the region of the floor extension post 41 below the collar is the same length as the front support 47 and rests against the rafter 13. The floor extension post 41 includes apertures 12. 10 2015101880 11 Nov 2016 [0061] Floor extension cross support 135 extends between the rear support 37 and the floor extension post 41, extending beyond the floor extension post 41. A cross fixing bracket 34 is located at the end of the cross support 135 that connects to the rear support 37. Front extension bracket 140 connects to the floor extension post 41 at apertures 139. Apertures 139 are arranged to align with apertures 12 in the floor extension post 41 with the bracket 140 extending beyond the floor extension post 41. The end of the bracket 140 arranged to extend beyond the floor extension post ends with extension 142. The extension of the bracket 140 beyond the floor extension post 41 sufficiently to receive additional flooring 172, extending the floor 20 beyond the floor extension post 41. The extension 142 acts to restrain any flooring 20 placed on the bracket 140.

[0062] In one embodiment the bracket 140 is arranged to receive additional stabilisation beams (not shown). The additional stabilisation beams can be connected to the floor extension posts 41 at apertures 12 or to the bracket 140 through aperture 139. The additional stabilisation beams extend to and are fixed to the rafter 13 to further reinforce the floor 20 in an outrigger type arrangement.

[0063] The floor 20 is placed on the floor extension cross supports 135 in the same manner as discussed above for the cross supports 30 with the additional flooring 20 beyond the floor extension post.

[0064] A further upper hand rail post can be inserted into the upper opening 28 of the hand rail post 26 in the same manner as hand rail post 26 is inserted and locked into rear support 37 for the raised height of working platform 221.

[0065] Referring to Figure 14, an extension post 15 is illustrated with plate 114 that is used where a rafter 13 that fits within fixing bracket 14 is too thin to abut the interior faces of the fixing bracket 14. Plate 114 sits between the rafter 13 and the fixing bracket 14 so that hole 119 aligns with a hole 19. Fixing apertures 115 can be used to fix the plate to the rafter with screw, bolts or otherwise.

Method of Constructing Working Platform [0066] The skilled addressee will understand that the following description for constructing the working platform 11, 121. 221 applies to both the first, second and third embodiments of the present invention. 11 2015101880 11 Nov 2016 [0067] Once a roofing frame portion such as a rafter has been fixed to a lower floor a first bracket 17 is placed on a rafter 13 so that the rafter 13 sits within the fixing brackets of at least the front support 47. The fixing bracket 14 of the front support 47 is then fixed to the rafter 13 at an upper portion of the rafter by putting a bolt, pin rivet or other retaining means through the aperture 19 of the fixing bracket and the rafter 13.

[0068] The fixing bracket of the extension post 15 is also placed so that a lower section of the rafter 13 sits within it. The rear support 37 is raised or lowered as a sleeve over the extension post 15 until the cross support 30, 35, 135 is level. A pin or other locking means is placed through apertures 12 in the rear support 37 and extension post to lock the rear support in place.

[0069] A second bracket is placed parallel to the first bracket on one of the adjacent rafters 13 and fixed in place in the same manner so that the cross supports 30 in the first and second brackets 17 are level with each other.

[0070] Flooring 20 is placed between the cross supports 30, 35, 135 in the first and second brackets 17 to create a level working surface. Kick board 22 is placed in lower clip 22 and hand rails 23 are placed in clips 21 creating working platform 11. If further hand rail height is required, hand rail post 26 is inserted into rear support 37 and locked in place.

[0071] The skilled addressee will understand that additional first and second brackets 17 can be placed on the rafters 13 along the length of the roof to allow a longer floor 20 to be laid.

[0072] If a higher floor 20 is required the same method is employed but the floor 20 is not placed on the cross supports 30. Instead floor extension post 41 is entered into the front support 47. Floor extension cross supports 35 are placed parallel to each other and level in the first and second brackets 17 and locked in place using apertures 12.

[0073] If hand rail extension 29 is needed above hand rail 26, hand rail extension 29 is slid into rand rail 26 and locked in place.

[0074] Modifications and variations such as would be apparent to the skilled addressee are considered to fall within the scope of the present invention. The present invention is not to be limited in scope by any of the specific embodiments described herein. These 2015101880 11 Nov 2016 12 embodiments are intended for the purpose of exemplification only. Functionally equivalent products, formulations and methods are clearly within the scope of the invention as described herein.

[0075] Reference to positional descriptions, such as lower and upper, are to be taken in context of the embodiments depicted in the figures, and are not to be taken as limiting the invention to the literal interpretation of the term but rather as would be understood by the skilled addressee.

[0076] Throughout this 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.

[0077] Also, future patent applications maybe filed in Australia or overseas on the basis of, or claiming priority from, the present application. It is to be understood that the following provisional claims are provided by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of what may be claimed in any such future application. Features may be added to or omitted from the provisional claims at a later date so as to further define or re-define the invention or inventions.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A working platform to receive workers and to be supported only by rafters on residential building framework including: a first bracket to be fixed to a first rafter of the building framework; and a second bracket to be fixed to a second rafter; wherein a working floor is arranged to be supported between the first and second brackets; wherein the first and second brackets are identical; wherein the first and second brackets include a rear support fixed to a rafter, the rear support being adjustable to ensure that the working floor is horizontally level; and wherein the first and second brackets include a front support and cross support extending between and permanently fixed to the rear and front supports.
2. A working platform to receive workers and to be supported only by rafters on residential building framework including: a first bracket to be fixed to a first rafter of the building framework; and a second bracket to be fixed to a second rafter; wherein a working floor is arranged to be supported between the first and second brackets; wherein the first and second brackets are identical; wherein the first and second brackets include a rear support fixed to a rafter, the rear support being adjustable to ensure that the working floor is horizontally level; and wherein the rear support incudes a receiving portion arranged to receive an extension post, wherein the extension post includes an engagement means arranged to be fixed to a lower region of the rafter.
3. The working platform as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the extension post and receiving portion telescope with respect to each other so that the rear support is raised and lowered.
4. The working platform as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, including a front support extension that raises the front support above the cross support and wherein a rear support extension extends above the cross support.
5. The working platform as claimed in Claim 4, wherein a second cross support arranged to receive a second working platform is arranged to extend between the front support extension and rear support extension.