AU2015201087B2

AU2015201087B2 - Improvements Relating to Access Through Void Platforms

Info

Publication number: AU2015201087B2
Application number: AU2015201087A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Peter Horton
Original assignee: Buildsafe Equipment Sales Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Buildsafe Equipment Sales Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2014-03-03
Filing date: 2015-03-03
Publication date: 2019-05-02
Anticipated expiration: 2035-03-03
Also published as: AU2015201087A1; NZ705564A

Abstract

Abstract A void platform covering a gap in the flooring of a building under construction or 5 renovation. The platform comprises: - a support rail spanning said gap close to an edge of said gap, - a first panel spanning at least substantially the full width or length of the gap and supported at one end by said support rail, and - a second panel spanning at least substantially the full width or length of 10 the gap and supported at said one end by said support rail. A first edge of said first panel is hingedly connected to a first edge of said second panel whereby said second panel may be hinged upwards along said hinged connection. N' cnN (K

Description

IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO

ACCESS THROUGH VOID PLATFORMS

Technical Field

This invention concerns void platforms used in building construction.

Background

It is well known to use void platforms in buildings under construction. They are used to cover gaps in flooring where stairways will eventually be located. They are commonly constructed from a flat solid plywood panel with supporting rails affixed on the underside which have hooks affixed at their ends for locating onto horizontal rails which are affixed to span the void being covered. The panels are generally available in lengths to suit common void lengths and are about 1.2 metres wide. Halfwidth (600 mm wide) panels are also used to fill in gaps.

Often void platforms do not exactly match the size of the voids they are used to cover. Void platforms can be a little undersize, and regulations permit a small gap at edges of 20 the void platform to allow for this. Void platforms can alternatively be oversize and in this regard it is common to have panels overlap the floor along some edges.

A problem arises when plasterers need to lift plaster sheets up through the void. Commonly the plasterers will completely remove one of the platform panels and this leaves a hole that can be dangerous as a potential fall site. Also it is common that plasterers fail to replace such panels or, if they do replace the panel it is incorrectly fitted.

It is also common for plasterboard sheets to have their edges damaged by bumping 30 against the edges of the floor or void platform when being lifted up through the void.

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The present invention in its various embodiments is directed to alleviating or minimizing the problems described above.

Summary of Invention

In one aspect the invention provides a void platform covering a gap in the flooring of a building under construction or renovation, said platform comprising:

a support rail spanning said gap and fastened close to an edge of said gap, a first panel spanning at least substantially the full width or length of the gap 10 and supported at one end by said support rail, a second panel spanning at least substantially the full width or length of the gap and supported at said one end by said support rail, and wherein a first edge of said first panel is hingedly connected to a first edge of said second panel whereby said second panel is pivotally moved around the hinged 15 connection from a first position in which the second panel covers the gap to an upwards standing position in which the second panel forms an obtuse angle with respect to the support rail and a hinge stop limits pivotal movement of the second panel to the upwards standing position.

Preferably said first and second panels are supported by a pair of support rails spanning said gap close to a respective each of a pair of opposing edges of said gap.

Preferably said second panel rests into an upwards standing position when hinged upwards.

Preferably one of said support rails carries a support member adapted for supporting objects being lifted through a gap exposed in the platform when said second panel is hinged upwards. Said support member may be rotationally moveable, preferably a roller whose axle is supported from said support rail. Alternatively said support 30 member may be a pivotally mounted member having a flat side parallel to the pivot axis.

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Said support member preferably extends across at least most of the width of said second panel when the second panel is lowered.

Preferably the upper surface of said support member is spaced at least 70mm below 5 the upper surface of said flooring and spaced at least 100mm from the closest of said opposing edges of said gap.

Preferably the underside of each of said panels has a side rail comprising an elongate member having a top hat cross-section. Preferably said panel is rectangular and said 10 side rails run lengthwise along the panel.

Preferably, the hinge stop may limit the pivotal movement of the second panel from the first position through an obtuse angle of between 95 to 140 degrees. Preferably, the position of the second panel when located in the upwards standing position may 15 allow a user to push over the second panel to allow the second panel to be pivoted from the upward standing position to the first position to close the gap in the flooring of the building under construction or renovation. Preferably, each support rail may comprise an apertured flange extending from opposing ends of the support rail and adapted for receiving a fastener to secure each support rail parallel to and close to an 20 edge of the gap.

In another aspect the invention provides a method of lifting plaster sheets through a void between floors of a building under construction or renovation, said method comprising:

providing a void platform covering said void, said void platform comprising:

a support rail spanning said gap and fastened close to an edge of said gap, a first panel spanning at least substantially the full width or length of the gap and supported at one end by said support rail, a second panel spanning at least substantially the full width or length of 30 the gap and supported at one end by said support rail, a hinge connecting a first edge of said first panel to a first edge of the second panel, and

2015201087 18 Mar 2019 a hinge stop limiting pivotal movement of the second panel;

tilting said second panel along said hinged connection to an upwards standing position in which the second panel forms an obtuse angle with respect to the support rail along said hinged connection, such that tilting the second panel 5 exposes a long narrow portion of the void beneath, and lifting said plaster sheets through said long narrow portion of the void.

Preferably said plaster sheets rest upon a support member supported from said support rail. The support member may be a roller whose central shaft is supported from said 10 support rail such that during said lifting, a lower edge of said plaster sheet rests upon said roller. Alternatively said support member may have a flat side and be pivotably supported from said support rail such that during said lifting a lower edge of said plaster sheet rests upon and slides across said flat side and said flat side tilts to remain flat against said lower edge as the angle of inclination of said lower edge changes 15 during the course of said lifting.

Brief Description of Drawings

In order that the invention may be more fully understood there will now be described, 20 by way of example only, preferred embodiments and other elements of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings where:

Figure 1 is a perspective view looking downwards from a first viewing point towards a void platform according to a first embodiment of the invention installed over a void in a building;

Figure 2 is a view of portion of the void platform shown in Figure 1 shown looking downwards from a second viewing point.

Description of Embodiments

The void platform 10 shown in Figures 1 and 2 comprises a first panel 12 and a second panel 14 which each span almost the entire length of a void 16 formed by a gap in the sheet flooring 18. Together the panels 12 and 14 span almost the whole

2015201087 18 Mar 2019 width of the void. The void is an area where the flooring is omitted because a stairway will be positioned there.

In the foreground of the drawings a support rail 20 spans the full width of the gap forming the void 16 and is fastened by screws 22 to the sheet flooring. The support rail 20 is formed from a length of square hollow section steel with apertured flanges extending from the opposing ends of its lower faces through which the screws 22 are located. The support rail 20 is fastened parallel to and close to the end edge 24 of the void.

As viewed in the drawings, the far ends of the panels 12 and 14 are supported by a support rail 32 similar to the support rail 20. The panels 12 and 14 are securely located onto the support rails 20 and 32 by means of C-section brackets 34 which are securely fastened to the underside of the panels and which the square section support 15 rails slide neatly into. The second panel 14 is formed from a single sheet 30 of 12 mm thick structural grade plywood which is 2.7 metres long and 600 mm wide. The first panel 12 is the same overall size but is formed using two sheets 28 of 300 mm wide 16 mm structural grade plywood to form two narrow panels 36 and 38 which are hinged together along their adjacent respective long edges.

In Figure 1 the external narrow panel 38 is shown raised and tilted on its hinge into a raised position which thereby exposes an elongated gap or slot 40 which is part of the void beneath the platform. The width of the slot 40 is about 300 mm and thus it would be difficult for a worker to accidentally fall through that slot 40. The narrow 25 panel 38 when raised rests in the upwards standing position shown in Figure 1. In this position the narrow panel 38 forms an obtuse angle of between 95° to 140° with respect to the support rails. This is a little over the vertical and is accomplished by stops on the hinges (not illustrated) which prevent the panel opening through a full 180°. This is advantageous over the alternative of having the panel 38 hinge to lie 30 generally horizontal. This is because an upstanding narrow panel 38 is more likely than a horizontally laying panel to be pushed over and down into its main intended position, and thus cover the slot 40, after the slot is used for access.

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Mounted on the inner wall of the support rail 20 are stand-off brackets 42 (only one of which can be seen in the Figures). Those brackets 42 carry bearings 43 which support respective ends of an axle of a roller 44. In use the roller acts as a support member for a plasterboard sheet being lifted through the slot 40.

Figure 2 shows a plasterboard sheet 46 with its leading corner being tilted upwards ready for raising through the slot 40. The plaster is shown having not yet engaged the roller 44.

To raise a of plasterboard sheet 46 through the slot 40, it is first tilted so that its long, horizontal edges are tilted upwards and it is then lifted until the top of the plasterboard sheet 46 can be grasped by a worker located on the higher floor. The lower edge (which has been tilted from the horizontal) of the plasterboard is then rested onto (ie engaged with) the roller 44. The plasterboard sheet is then pulled up through the slot 15 40 with its long lower edge resting on and rolling upon the roller which rotates as the sheet moves upwards and lengthwise of the sheet.

Instead of a roller, an alternative support member (not shown in the drawings) could be a flat plate (or shoe) welded to an axle both ends of which are carried within the 20 bearings 43. Protruding stops from the bearings 43 or brackets 42 would prevent the plate from tilting beyond the normal range required for making flat contact with the lower edge of the plasterboard. An advantage of the pivoting plate version over the roller version is that a larger surface is put into contact with the edge of the plasterboard at any time and is thus less likely to damage the edge of the plasterboard.

The roller 44, or its alternative pivoting plate, extends for at least most of the width of the slot. In other words they are about as long as the slot is wide. There is however some length lost by the need to have the bearing positioned next to the side of the slot.

The upper edge of the roller 44 is horizontal and positioned approximately 100mm below the upper surface of the flooring. Preferably that distance in other embodiments is at least 75mm. The edge of the roller 44 closest to the end 24 of the

2015201087 18 Mar 2019 void is 150mm from the end 24 and in other embodiments is preferably at least 100mm. The 100 mm spacing of the roller from the end edge 24 of the void provides a sufficient distance to allow the plasterboard to clear the edge of the end 24 without the plasterboard being tilted too much.

Whether using an embodiment of the invention having either a roller or a tilting plate, a 2.7 m long void allows plasterboard up to 6 metres long to be raised through such a slot in most houses.

Each panel 14, 36 and 38 comprises a flat panel of the plywood with a pair of side rails 54 and 56 fastened along corresponding sides of the panel. The panel is rectangular with the side rails 54 and 56 running lengthwise along the panel. The side rails terminate at the respective brackets 34.

Whilst the above description includes the preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that many variations, alterations, modifications and/or additions may be introduced into the constructions and arrangements of parts previously described without departing from the essential features or the spirit or ambit of the invention.

It will be also understood that where the word comprise, and variations such as comprises and comprising, are used in this specification, unless the context requires otherwise such use is intended to imply the inclusion of a stated feature or features but is not to be taken as excluding the presence of other feature or features.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that such prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

Claims

Claims

1. A void platform covering a gap in the flooring of a building under construction or renovation, said platform comprising:

5 a support rail spanning said gap and fastened close to an edge of said gap, a first panel spanning at least substantially the full width or length of the gap and supported at one end by said support rail, a second panel spanning at least substantially the full width or length of the gap and supported at said one end by said support rail, and

10 wherein a first edge of said first panel is hingedly connected to a first edge of said second panel whereby said second panel is pivotally moved around the hinged connection from a first position in which the second panel covers the gap to an upwards standing position in which the second panel forms an obtuse angle with respect to the support rail and a hinge stop limits pivotal movement of the second

15 panel to the upwards standing position.
2. A void platform according to claim 1 wherein said first and second panels are supported by a pair of support rails spanning said gap close to a respective each of a pair of opposing edges of said gap.
3. A void platform according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said second panel rests into an upwards standing position when hinged upwards.
4. A void platform according to any one of the preceding claims wherein one of

25 said support rails carries a support member adapted for supporting objects being lifted through a gap exposed in the platform when said second panel is hinged upwards.
5. A void platform according to claim 4 wherein said support member is rotationally moveable.
6. A void platform according to claim 5 wherein said support member is a roller whose axle is supported from said support rail.

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7. A void platform according to claim 4 wherein said support member is a pivotally mounted member having a flat side parallel to the pivot axis.
8. A void platform according to any one of claims 4 to 7 wherein said support

5 member extends across at least most of the width of said second panel when the second panel is lowered.
9. A void platform according to any one of claims 4 to 8 wherein the upper surface of said support member is spaced at least 70mm below the upper surface of
10 said flooring and spaced at least 100mm from the closest of said opposing edges of said gap.

10. A void platform according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the underside of each of said panels has a side rail comprising an elongate member having

15 a top hat cross-section.
11. A void platform according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said panel is rectangular and said side rails run lengthwise along the panel.

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12. A method of lifting plaster sheets through a void between floors of a building under construction or renovation, said method comprising:

providing a void platform covering said void, said void platform comprising: a support rail spanning said gap and fastened close to an edge of said gap,

25 a first panel spanning at least substantially the full width or length of the gap and supported at one end by said support rail, a second panel spanning at least substantially the full width or length of the gap and supported at one end by said support rail, a hinge connecting a first edge of said first panel to a first edge of the 30 second panel, and a hinge stop limiting pivotal movement of the second panel;

2015201087 18 Mar 2019 tilting said second panel along said hinged connection to an upwards standing position in which the second panel forms an obtuse angle with respect to the support rail along said hinged connection, such that tilting the second panel exposes a long narrow portion of the void beneath, and

5 lifting said plaster sheets through said long narrow portion of the void.
13. A method according to claim 12 wherein said plaster sheets rest upon a support member supported from said support rail.

10
14. A method according to claim 13 wherein said support member is a roller whose central shaft is supported from said support rail such that during said lifting a lower edge of said plaster sheet rests upon said roller.
15. A method according to claim 13 wherein said support member has a flat side 15 and is pivotably supported from said support rail such that during said lifting a lower edge of said plaster sheet rests upon and slides across said flat side and said flat side tilts to remain flat against said lower edge as the angle of inclination of said lower edge changes during the course of said lifting.

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16. A void platform as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hinge stop limits the pivotal movement of the second panel from the first position through an obtuse angle of between 95 to 140 degrees.
17. A void platform as claimed in claim 16, wherein the position of the second 25 panel when located in the upwards standing position allows a user to push over the second panel to allow the second panel to be pivoted from the upward standing position to the first position to close the gap in the flooring of the building under construction or renovation.

30 18. A void platform as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein each support rail comprises an apertured flange extending from opposing ends of the support rail and

2015201087 18 Mar 2019 adapted for receiving a fastener to secure each support rail parallel to and close to an edge of the gap.