BR102021016358A2 - Modular platform system components and tools - Google Patents

Abstract

A support member and bracket for a modular platform forming system, wherein the support member includes at least one gripping location in which the bracket may be secured to the support member, and the bracket includes: one or more configured hooks to be received by one or more hook openings of the gripping location; and a pair of side walls and an additional wall defining a tapered slot for receiving a fin from a platform forming member or beam.

Description

MODULAR PLATFORM SYSTEM COMPONENTS AND TOOLS Description of the Invention

[0001] Embodiments of this invention pertain to clamps, cross support members, tools and platform forming members for modular platform systems (eg, as used on construction sites).

[0002] There have been significant recent developments regarding the design of modular platform systems (or platform formation). Such systems provide a surface on which users can walk and work safely during the construction of buildings, for example.

[0003] For example, WO2013/054143 teaches the provision of a modular platform system, in which the upright columns have slots arranged around each column which are each configured to receive a downwardly projecting fin from a platform training member. A platform forming member may therefore be supported by four such columns with a fin at each corner of the platform forming member received in a slot in a respective column.

[0004] Such modular platform systems allow fast, simple and secure platforms to be readily built and configured. The modular form of the systems allows many different platform configurations to be built with just a small number of different parts.

[0005] As described in WO2013/054143, cross supports can be provided between the erected columns to improve the rigidity of the resulting platform. Providing cross supports that securely attach to the erected columns can, however, be problematic. Similarly, a cross-support is another part of the system that serves only one function (ie, a cross-support function).

[0006] There is also a desire to provide more versatile and secure mechanisms to allow slots (or slot-defining members) to be provided at multiple different locations along a length of an erected column.

[0007] The modalities seek to alleviate one or more problems associated with the prior art.

[0008] Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention provides a support member and bracket for a modular platform forming system, wherein the support member includes at least one gripping location where the bracket can be secured to the support member. , and the clamp includes: one or more hooks configured to be received by one or more hook openings of the gripping location; and a pair of side walls and an additional wall defining a tapered slot for receiving a fin from a platform forming member or beam.

[0009] The support member may include a plurality of gripping locations where the clamp may be secured to the support member, each gripping location including one or more hook openings configured to receive the one or more bracket hooks .

[0010] The tapered slit may be an open end slit at either a first or second end of the clamp.

[0011] The clamp may further include a handle mechanism that includes a handle member configured to move between a retracted position and an extended position with respect to the side walls of the clamp, so that with the clamp secured to the support member and to the handle member in the extended position, at least part of the handle member is received by a grip opening of the support member at the gripping location.

[0012] The one or more hooks may include a pair of hooks.

[0013] The hook pair can be configured to be received between two outer edges of the one or more hook openings.

[0014] The two outer edges may define a wide and narrow portion with a thickness of a clamp portion configured to be received by or for each hook opening that is greater than a width of the narrow portion and the wide portion being wider. than the narrow portion.

[0015] The portion of the clamp configured to be received by or each hook opening may be at least part of the hook pair.

[0016] The two outer edges can be outer edges of a single hook opening.

[0017] The two outer edges can be outer edges of respective hook openings.

[0018] The support member and clamp may further include a connecting member with a cross-section and cross shape configured to be at least partially received by the support member to enable the support member to be connected to an additional support member .

[0019] The one or more hooks may include two pairs of hooks.

[0020] The hook, or each hook, may include a hook head that at least partially defines a hook span that includes a wide mouth portion and a narrow inner portion.

[0021] Another aspect provides a cross support member which includes a support member and bracket according to any preceding claim and an additional bracket, the bracket and additional bracket being coupled to opposite ends of a beam.

[0022] Another aspect provides a modular platform system for use on a construction site, wherein the system includes at least one support member and bracket in accordance with the above.

[0023] Another aspect provides a platform forming member for a modular platform system, wherein the platform forming member includes: a frame having at least two frame members; an end plate secured to both of the at least two frame members and including a fin extending substantially perpendicular to a principal plane of the end plate, the fin being for receipt by a slot of a support member.

[0024] The end plate may be located at an intersection of at least two frame members.

[0025] The end plate may be substantially triangular in shape.

[0026] Fin and end plate can be integrally formed.

[0027] Another aspect provides a platform forming member for a modular platform system, wherein the platform forming member includes: a frame member; and a beam, wherein the frame member defines a recess with a flange, and the beam has a hook portion configured to be at least partially received by the recess and to engage the flange.

[0028] The recess may be an open end recess, so that the hook portion can be slid into and along the recess at an open end of the recess.

[0029] Another aspect provides a tool that includes: two arms; and a pivotable coupling between the two arms to define a pair of lugs on one side of the pivotable coupling and a pair of gripping members on the other side of the pivoting coupling, each gripping member may include, at its distal ends, a respective L-shaped member to apply a locking force to a clamp.

[0030] Another aspect provides a tool and clamp, where the tool is a tool as above and the tool is configured to apply the clamping force to the clamp.

[0031] Another aspect provides a clamp.

[0032] One aspect provides a support member and bracket for a modular platform forming system, wherein the support member includes at least one gripping location in which the bracket may be secured to the support member, and the bracket includes : one or more hooks configured to be received by one or more hook openings of the gripping location; and a pair of side walls and an additional wall defining a tapered slot for receiving a fin from a platform forming member or beam.

[0033] The support member may include a plurality of gripping locations where the clamp may be secured to the support member, each gripping location including one or more hook openings configured to receive the one or more bracket hooks .

[0034] The tapered slit may be an open end slit at either a first or second end of the clamp.

[0035] The clamp may further include a handle mechanism that includes a handle member configured to move between a retracted position and an extended position with respect to the side walls of the clamp, so that with the clamp secured to the support member and to the handle member in the extended position, at least part of the handle member is received by a grip opening of the support member at the gripping location.[0035] The bracket may further include a grip mechanism that includes a grip member configured to move between a retracted position and an extended position with respect to the side walls of the bracket, such that with the bracket secured to the support member and to the member handle in the extended position, at least part of the handle member is received by a grip opening of the support member at the gripping location.

[0036] The one or more hooks may include a pair of hooks.

[0037] The hook pair can be configured to be received between two outer edges of the one or more hook openings.

[0038] The two outer edges may define a wide and narrow portion with a thickness of a clamp portion configured to be received by or for each hook opening that is greater than a width of the narrow portion and the wide portion being wider. than the narrow portion.

[0039] The portion of the clamp configured to be received by or each hook opening may be at least part of the pair of hooks.

[0040] The two outer edges can be outer edges of a single hook opening.

[0041] The two outer edges can be outer edges of respective hook openings.

[0042] The support member and bracket may further include a connecting member with a cross-section and cross shape configured to be at least partially received by the support member to enable the support member to be connected to an additional support member .

[0043] The one or more hooks may include two pairs of hooks.

[0044] The hook, or each hook, may include a hook head that at least partially defines a hook span that includes a wide mouth portion and a narrow inner portion.

[0045] The clamp can be configured to be flexed so that the distance between the pair of side walls is resiliently changed.

[0046] The pair of sidewalls may be configured to be flexed towards each other to receive the or each hook through or through each hook opening.

[0047] The clamp may define a threaded opening for receiving a male threaded member from the clamp such that extending the male threaded member through the threaded opening presses the male threaded member against one of the pair of side walls to flex the side walls to move away from each other.

[0048] Another aspect provides a modular platform forming system cross support member that includes: a beam; and two brackets, the bracket being coupled to an opposite end of the beam, wherein each bracket is configured to be secured to a respective gripping location of a support member, and wherein each bracket includes: one or more hooks configured to be received by one or more hook openings of the gripping location; and a pair of side walls and an additional wall defining a tapered slot for receiving a fin from a platform forming member or beam and an additional clamp.

[0049] Another aspect provides a modular platform system for use at a construction site, wherein the system includes a support member and bracket, wherein the support member includes at least one grip location where the bracket may be secured to the support member, and the bracket includes: one or more hooks configured to be received by one or more hook openings of the gripping location; and a pair of side walls and an additional wall defining a tapered slot for receiving a fin from a platform forming member or beam.

[0050] Another aspect provides a platform forming member for a modular platform system, wherein the platform forming member includes: a frame having at least two frame members; and an end plate secured to both of the at least two frame members and including a fin extending substantially perpendicular to a principal plane of the end plate, the fin being for receipt by a slot of a support member.

[0051] The end plate may be located at an intersection of at least two frame members.

[0052] The end plate may be substantially triangular in shape.

[0053] Fin and end plate can be integrally formed.

[0054] Another aspect provides a platform forming member for a modular platform system, wherein the platform forming member includes: a frame member; and a beam, wherein the frame member defines a recess with a flange, and the beam has a hook portion configured to be at least partially received by the recess and to engage the flange.

[0055] The recess may be an open end recess so that the hook portion can be slid into and along the recess at an open end of the recess.

[0056] Another aspect provides a tool that includes: two arms; and a pivotable coupling between the two arms to define a pair of lugs on one side of the pivotable coupling and a pair of gripping members on the other side of the pivoting coupling, wherein each gripping member includes, at its distal ends, a respective L-shaped member to apply a locking force on a clamp.

[0057] Another aspect provides a tool and clamp combination, where the tool is a tool as above and the tool can be configured to apply the clamping force to the clamp.

[0058] Another aspect provides a modular platform forming system clamp that includes: one or more hooks configured to be received by one or more hook openings from a gripping location of a support member of the modular platform forming system ; and a pair of side walls and an additional wall defining a tapered slot for receiving a fin from a platform forming member or beam.

[0059] The one or more hooks may extend from the pair of side walls, and the side walls may be configured to resiliently flex inwardly relative to each other.

[0060] The one or more hooks may extend from the pair of side walls, and the side walls may be configured to resiliently flex outwardly relative to each other.

[0061] One of the pair of side walls may include a threaded opening configured to receive a male threaded member, such that the extension of the male threaded member through the threaded opening causes the contiguity of the male threaded member against the other of the pair of sidewalls flex the sidewalls outward relative to each other.

[0062] Modalities are described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached drawings, in which:
figure 1 shows a platform member;
Figure 2 shows a partial cross-section through a frame and beam member;
figure 3 shows a partial side view of a beam;
figure 4 shows a bottom view of a platform member;
figure 5 shows a close-up view of a corner of the platform member of figure 4, for example;
figures 6 & 7 show a support member;
figures 8-12 show a clamp;
figures 13 and 14 show a diagonally crossed support member with clamps;
Figure 15 shows a modular platform system;
Figure 16 shows part of a platform forming member;
figure 17 shows a clamp;
figure 18 shows a clamp (which may be the clamp of figure 17);
figure 19 shows another view of the clamp of figure 18;
figure 20 shows a support member;
figure 21 shows detail A of figure 20;
figure 22 shows detail B of figure 20;
Fig. 23 shows a support member (which may be a handrail support member);
figure 24 shows detail B of figure 23;
figure 25 shows detail A of figure 23;
figure 26 shows a connecting member;
figure 27 shows a tool;
figure 28 shows a handrail;
figure 29 shows a connecting member;
Fig. 30 shows a connecting member and supporting member end;
Figure 31 shows an inherited clamp;
Fig. 32 shows a connecting member;
figure 33 shows a side view of the connecting member of figure 32;
figure 34 shows the view through the connecting member of figure 32;
figure 35 shows another view of the connecting member of figure 32;
figure 36 shows a clamp;
figure 37 shows another view of a clamp like the clamp of figure 36;
Figure 38a shows another view of a clamp like the clamp of Figure 36;
Figure 38b shows a male threaded member for use with the clamp(s) of Figures 36-38a;
figure 39 shows a support member;
figure 40 shows detail A of figure 39;
figure 41 shows detail B of figure 39;
Fig. 42 shows a support member (which may be a handrail support member);
figure 43 shows a support member (which may be a handrail support member and which may be the support member of figure 42);
Fig. 44 shows a support member (which may be a handrail support member and which may be the support member of Fig. 42);
figure 45 shows detail A of figure 44;
Fig. 46 shows part of a support member in use; and
Fig. 47 shows a part of a support member into which a connecting member has been inserted.

[0063] Embodiments may include a modular platform 1 system (see figure 15), a clamp for use in a modular platform system 1 (such as those systems described in this document) (for example, see figures 8-14, 17-19, 36-38 and 46), a support member for use with the clamp (e.g. see figures 6 & 7, 20-25 and 39-46), a cross support that includes the clamp (e.g. see figures 13 & 14), a tool 4 (e.g. see figure 27, a connecting member 6 (e.g. see figures 26, 29, 30, 32-35, 44 and 45), and/or a platform formation 11 (eg see figures 1-5 and 16).

[0064] Modular Platform System 1 could take many different forms and some of these forms are briefly described in this document by way of example. The module 1 platform system could also be a system generally as described in WO2013/054143 in some embodiments.

[0065] The modular platform system 1 may include one or more platform forming members 11. The or each platform forming member 11 may be formed from a rectangular or square frame 111 (see figure 1, for example ) which supports a platform-forming surface member 112.

[0066] The platform forming surface member 112 may be in the form of a grid structure, for example, and the platform forming surface member 112 may extend along a central space framed by the frame 111. In In some embodiments, one or more peripheral edges of the deck-forming surface member 112 are supported by the frame 111 and may be secured thereto (e.g., by welding, soldering, stapling, tacking, bolting, or riveting). In some embodiments, the platform-forming surface member 112 may be formed from multiple parts, which collectively form the platform-forming surface member 112 (the portions may or may not be interconnected with each other).

[0067] In some embodiments, one or more beams 113 (see Figures 1-5, for example) are provided as part of the platform forming member 11.A, or each beam 113 may be configured to provide additional support to the platform forming member 11.A. platform forming surface 112. In some embodiments, the or each beam 113 extends through at least part of the space framed by frame 111. In some embodiments, the or each beam 113 extends from a frame member 111a frame 111 to an opposite frame member 111a of frame 111 (and the or each beam 113 may be attached to such two opposing frame members 111a). The platform forming surface member 112 may rest on or on each beam 113 and may be secured thereto (e.g., by welding, soldering, stapling, tacking, bolting, or riveting). In some embodiments, however, the platform-forming surface member 112 is not attached to or to each beam 113 (or any of the beams 113) but, in normal use, may rest on at least part of, or each of the beams. beam 113.

[0068] Accordingly, the or each platform forming member 11 may be a modular platform forming member 11 which may be provided as a single element of the modular platform forming member 1. platform 11 can be secured together to allow the platform forming member 11 to be used as a single item.

[0069] In some embodiments, frame 111 includes a plurality of frame members 111a that can frame a space (i.e., can enclose a space) as described herein. In some embodiments, there are four frame members 111a arranged in two opposing pairs (a longitudinal axis of each frame member 111a of one pair being substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of each frame member 111a of another pair).

[0070] In some embodiments, the or each frame member 111a may define a recess 111b (see Figure 2, for example) that is configured to receive at least part of at least one of one or more beams 113. In some embodiments , recess 111b is defined in each frame member 111a of an opposite pair of frame members 111a. The or each recess 111b may be positioned so that it faces inward with respect to the framed space (i.e., so that two recesses 111b, if provided, defined by opposing frame members 111a oppose each other across part of the space framed).

[0071] The or each recess 111b can be configured to receive at least part of a beam 113 (see figures 2 and 3 for example). In some embodiments, with two opposing recesses 111b, each recess 111b may be configured to receive at least part of an opposite end of a beam 113 - for example, so that each end of the beam 113 is received in a respective recess 111b. The beam 113, therefore, can be supported (at least in part) by the frame members 111a in whose recesses 111b the beam 113 is received. In some embodiments that include multiples of such beams 113, this may be true for more than one of the beams 113 or, in fact, for all beams 113.

[0072] In some embodiments, the or each recess 111b includes a lip 111c and that lip 111c may be located at an entrance of the recess 111b (which faces inwardly into the framed space in some embodiments). The lip 111c, therefore, may at least partially define an inlet of the recess 111b.

[0073] The or each recess 111b may extend substantially along the entire length of the frame member 111a and may be open at one or both ends of the frame member 111a. The lip 111c can be a longitudinal lip 111c and can extend substantially along the entire length of the recess 111b and therefore, in some embodiments, the entire length of the frame member 111a. In normal use (i.e., in the normal operational orientation of the platform forming member 11) the lip 111c may project upwards.

[0074] The or each beam 113 may include a hook portion 113a (see Figures 2 & 3, for example) at one end (or ends) which is configured to be received by the recess 111b. Hook portion 113a may be shaped and/or sized so that it matches lip 111c. As such, hook portion 113a may include an opening that is configured to receive lip 111c. Hook portion 113a may include a head which is located toward an end of beam 113 with respect to the opening, and the head may be configured to be received by recess 111b. The opening may be defined between a part of the beam 113 and the head, for example. The same or a similar configuration may be used at one or both ends of or each beam 113.

[0075] The head of the hook portion 113a may be sized and/or shaped so that it cannot pass into the recess 111b of a frame member 111a beyond the lip 111c. As such, in some embodiments, the frame member 111a has at least one end open to the recess 111b and the end (or ends) of the beam 113 (or beams 113) can be slid into the frame member 111a through alignment. opening the hook portion 113a with the lip 113c at the open end of the recess and moving that end of the beam 113 along a length of the frame member 111a. Engagement of hook portion 113a (e.g., opening thereof) and lip 111c can prevent or substantially inhibit movement of beam 113 away from frame member 111a (e.g., through movement of beam 113 in a direction parallel to its longitudinal axis). The latch may also hold the beam 113 generally perpendicular to the frame member 111a.

[0076] As mentioned, the same hook configuration can be used at both ends of each beam 113 (relative to the respective ends of an opposing pair of frame members 111a) and multiple beams 113 can be attached to the same(s). s) frame member(s) 111a in this manner. The position of the or each beam 113 along a length of frame member(s) 111a may be secured by welding, soldering, tacking, stapling or by bolting or riveting, for example).

[0077] The or each frame member 111a (or at least the frame member(s) 111a defining a recess 111b) may be formed from box section material.

[0078] With one or more beams 113 fitted to a first pair of opposing frame members 111a, for example, the frame 11 may be formed by gripping a second pair of opposing frame members 111a to the first pair. In doing so, one or more open ends of the first pair may be at least partially covered or otherwise blocked (e.g., to inhibit removal of a beam 113 therefrom if such beam 113 is not secured in position along the length of the relevant frame member(s) 111a).

[0079] In some embodiments, one or more diagonal beams 114 may be provided as part of the platform forming member 11. The or each diagonal beam 114 may extend between two respective diagonally opposite corners of the frame 111.

[0080] The or each diagonal beam 114 may be secured to the frame 111 (e.g. by soldering, soldering, tacking, stapling, riveting or bolting, for example). In some embodiments, the or each diagonal beam 114 is secured at its ends to respective end plates 115 (see Figures 4 and 5, end plate 115 is shown in a corner, however, respective end plates 115 may be used in a corner). more than one corner, and can be used in relation to all corners). The or each end plate 115 may be attached at or towards a respective corner of the frame 111 (e.g., to two adjacent frame members 111a).

[0081] In some embodiments, the or each end plate 115 may provide the mechanism by which the frame members 111a are secured together (i.e., attachment may be via one or more end plates 115). The or each end plate 115 may be a corner plate, therefore, and may be generally triangular in shape. The or each end plate 115 may generally be in the form of a right-angled triangular plate (although, as shown, for example, the right-angle corner may have a cutout, which can be a square cutout). The or each end plate 115 may include two generally perpendicular sides with respect to each other and a diagonal side. The or each end plate 115 may be positioned so that a plane of the end plate 115 is generally parallel to the platform forming surface member 112. In some embodiments, the platform forming surface member 112 is provided in a first (upper) side of the platform forming member 11 and the end plate 115 is provided on a second (lower) side of the platform forming member 11. The two perpendicular sides of or each end plate 115 may be attached to frame members 111a and the diagonal side may face generally into (and extend through part of) the framed space. One end of one or each of the diagonal beams 114 may be attached to the diagonal side of the end plate 115.

[0082] There may be an end plate 115 provided at each corner of the platform forming member 11. The or each end plate 115 may therefore be called a corner plate, for example (the terms are synonymous in the present document).

[0083] There may be two diagonal beams 114 in some embodiments and these may be joined at the middle thereof to form a cross, for example.

[0084] Therefore, in some embodiments, diagonal beams 114 may be secured to frame members 111a by end plates 115 and end plates 115 may be used to secure (or help secure) frame members 111a together .

[0085] It was found that the resulting structure is simple to manufacture and, however, rigid and resistant.

[0086] The corners of the platform forming member 11 may include indentations (e.g. between two ends of adjacent frame members 111a and/or in the end plates 115) and this may allow for a closer fit, e.g. with a support member 12 of the modular platform system 1.

[0087] The platform forming member 11 may include one or more fins 116 (or tip, or blade) and may include a fin 116 (i.e., at least one) at or towards each corner thereof.

[0088] The platform forming member 11, therefore, may include at least four fins 116.

[0089] The or each fin 116 may extend generally perpendicular to a plane of the platform-forming surface member 112 and may taper as it extends in the opposite direction to the platform-forming surface member 112. The or each fin 116 may be located on an opposite side of frame 111 to platform forming surface member 112. The or each fin 116 may be attached to a respective one of one or more end plates 115. In some embodiments, the or each fin 116 is formed integrally with a respective end plate 115. In some embodiments, the or each fin 116 extends from one of the two perpendicular sides of a respective end plate 115. In some embodiments, a plane of fin 116 is generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of an adjacent frame member 111a. Therefore, it can be said that in some embodiments, each frame member 111a is associated with at least one fin 116 and, in some embodiments, with a single fin 116. Around the perimeter of the platform forming member 11, there can be a single fin 116 at each corner of the platform forming member 11 and such fin 116 may be perpendicular to two adjacent fins 116 around the platform forming member (and parallel to a diagonally opposite fin 116). It can also be said that the or each fin 116 is associated with each end plate 115.

[0090] The or each fin 116 may extend generally perpendicular to a main plane of the end plate 115 with which it is associated, for example. In some embodiments, the fin 116 is formed integrally with its associated end plate 115 and may be a part that is curved into position. In other embodiments, fin 116 may be welded, welded, riveted, bolted, adhered, or otherwise secured to end plate 115.

[0091] The integration of the fin 116 with the end plate 115 (instead of a frame member 111a), again, provides a simpler construction.

[0092] In some embodiments, one or more (or all) corners of the platform forming member 11 (i.e. at the intersections of the frame members 111a) may be supported by a corner piece 117 - see figure 16, for example . Corner piece 117 may be configured to be attached to two adjacent frame members 111a within the framed space. Corner piece 117 may be in the form of a triangular prism-shaped piece, and a surface of corner piece 117 may include a cutout configured to receive at least part of a diagonal beam 114. Corner piece 117 may aid rigidity. of the platform forming member 11. One end of the corner piece 117 may be adjacent (and may be secured to) the end plate 115 at the same corner. In some embodiments, an opposite end of the corner piece 117 at least partially supports the platform-forming surface member 112. In some embodiments, the corner piece 117 includes a rectangular section with a triangular section at one end adjacent to the edge member. platform forming surface 112 (instead of a triangular prism).

[0093] Some modalities may include a 2 clamp (see figures 8-14, 17-19, 36-38 and 46 for example). The clamp 2 may be configured to provide a slot 23 for receiving a fin 116 (e.g., a platform forming member 11 as described herein). The bracket 2 may be configured to be secured at any one of a plurality of locations along a length of a support member 12 of the modular platform system 1 (of which the bracket 2 may also be a part).

[0094] Clamp 2 can therefore be configured to match support member 12.

[0095] Support member 12 may be an elongate member (e.g. square or rectangular box section) which is configured, in normal use in the modular platform system 1, to be erect (i.e. substantially vertical).

[0096] In some embodiments, the support member 12 may have a ground engaging end on which a foot plate is located. In some embodiments, the support member 12 may be configured to be fitted to another support member 12 (e.g. as an extension of the other support member 12, which may be in the form of a handrail support member, for example ).

[0097] Support member 12 may be formed from box section material and may have a square or rectangular cross section, for example. Support member 12 may be formed from a wall defining an internal space (i.e. may be tubular). Support member 12 can be elongated.

[0098] As mentioned, one end (a lower end in normal use) of support member 12 may be configured to be secured to a foot plate (of system 1), which may include a ground engagement plate 13 with a collar extending therefrom which is configured to receive or be received by the aforementioned end (i.e. a first end) of support member 12.

[0099] Support member 12 (see Figures 6 & 7, 20-25 and 39-46 for example) may include a configuration at the first end which is configured to be received by or to receive the footplate collar. The configuration may also, or may alternatively be configured to be received by or to receive one end of another support member 12 (which may be a second end of an identical or substantially identical support member 12, for example).

[0100] The first end configuration of the support member 12 may include a portion 12a with a smaller outer cross-section than another part (e.g. a main part) of the support member 12. The first end configuration 12a may be configured so that it is received within, for example, an internal space defined by the second end of another such support member 12 - so that support members 12 can be coupled end to end (i.e. stacked). In some versions, a connection member 6 can be used for this purpose – see this document.

[0101] In some embodiments, the support member 12 may carry (i.e. support) one or more slot members 121, each of which is configured to receive a fin (which can be a fin 116 of a forming member). platform 11 as described in this document). In some embodiments, a plurality of such slot members 121 are provided around support member 12 at substantially the same point along the length thereof. In some embodiments, one such slot member 121 is provided on each of a plurality of sides of the support member 12 (of which there may be four). The or each slot member 121 may be provided at or towards the second end of the support member 12.

[0102] Support member 12 may define one or more gripping locations for clamp 2. There may be a plurality of such gripping locations provided along a length of support member 12 and there may be one or more gripping locations provided on more than one side (e.g. all sides) of the support member 12.

[0103] The or each gripping location may include a plurality of openings 122 defined through the wall of the support member 12. In some embodiments, each opening 122 is defined through an entire thickness of the wall of the support member 12.

[0104] The openings 122 may include one or more hook openings 122a and may include one or more handle openings 122b. The or each hook opening 122a may be configured to receive a clamp hook 2 and the or each handle opening 122b (if provided) is configured to receive a clamp handle pin 2 (if provided) - as described herein .

[0105] Grip locations are described in more detail with reference to the Clamp 2 configuration.

[0106] Clamp 2 may include one or more hooks (i.e., securing hooks) 21, each of which is configured to engage support member 12. The or each hook 21 is configured to be received by an opening of hook 122a of support member 12. In some embodiments, more than one hook 21 of the same bracket 2 is received by the same hook opening 122a of support member 12. In this regard, reference is made - for example - to Figures 20, 21 , 23, 25, 39, 40, 42, 43, 44 and 46. In these and certain other versions, the clamp 2 may include one or more pairs of adjacent hooks 21. For example, two pairs of adjacent hooks 21 may be provided, with a first pair of adjacent hooks 21 located towards one end of the clamp 2 (e.g. the top) and a second pair of adjacent hooks 21 located towards the other end of the clamp 2 (e.g. the bottom). On each pair of adjacent hooks 21, the two hooks 21 can be aligned and each hook 21 of the pair can be aligned with a corresponding hook 21 of the other pair (in a version with two pairs of adjacent hooks 21). In some such versions, each hook opening 122a may be configured to receive both hooks 21 from a pair of adjacent hooks 21 and there may be two hook openings 122a provided (each of which receives both adjacent hooks 21 from a respective pair of adjacent hooks 21). The two hook openings 122a may be provided on one (i.e. the same) side of the support member 12. Therefore, for example, there may be an upper opening or first hook opening 122a and a lower opening or second hook opening. 122a. Bottom opening or second hook opening 122a can be configured to receive both hooks 21 of a first (e.g., lower) pair of adjacent hooks 21. Top opening or first hook opening 122a can be configured to receive both hooks 21 of a second (e.g. upper) pair of adjacent hooks 21.

[0107] In some versions, there may be more than two hook openings 122a provided (each of which is configured to receive both adjacent hooks 21 of a respective pair of adjacent hooks 21). The two or more hook openings 122a may be provided on one (i.e. the same) side of the support member 12. The two or more hook openings 122a may therefore provide an arrangement of hook openings 122a. In the illustrated examples of Figures 39-41, and a few others, for example, at least one gripping location includes three (or more) hook openings 122a provided in a linear arrangement spaced along a length of the support member 12. be other gripping locations that include, for example, two hook openings 122a instead of three. Accordingly, gripping locations along the length of support member 12 may include different numbers of hook openings 122a. In the illustrated examples of Figures 39-41, and a few others, for example, it is the uppermost gripping location (uppermost gripping locations) which includes three (or more) hook openings 122a.

[0108] In instances where a gripping location has more than two hook openings 122a, different hook openings 122a may be used to grip the clamp 2 at different locations.

[0109] So, for example, there may be a top opening or first hook opening 122a and an intermediate hook opening or second hook opening 122a and a lower hook opening or third hook opening 122a. The lower hook opening or third hook opening 122a may be configured to receive both hooks 21 of a first (e.g., lower) pair of adjacent hooks 21 of a clamp 2. The intermediate hook opening or second hook opening 122a can be configured to receive both hooks 21 of a second (e.g. upper) pair of adjacent hooks 21 of bracket 2.

[0110] Similarly, however, the clamp 2 can be secured so that the intermediate hook opening or second hook opening 122a can be configured to receive both hooks 21 from the first (e.g. lower) of adjacent hooks 21 of the clamp 2. The top hook opening or first hook opening 122a may be configured to receive both hooks 21 of the second (e.g. upper) pair of adjacent hooks 21 of the clamp 2.

[0111] Consequently, the clamp 2 may be clamped in a plurality of different locations along the length of the support member 12 in some versions, and in some versions this may be achieved using the same gripping location (which may be one of several gripping locations along the length of the support member 12).

[0112] This can be useful, for example, for fine-tuning the height of a particular clamp 2. This can also be useful for enabling the use of different configurations of platform forming member 11 and/or handrail 5. For example, Figure 46 shows, at gripping locations on top of a support member 12, two brackets 2 at different heights (i.e. different positions along the length of the support member 12) and two different handrail configurations 5 secured with the use of clamps 2. This may make it possible, for example, to reuse handrails 5 or platform forming members 11 from different systems (eg from earlier versions).

[0113] In some examples (see Figures 6 and 7, for example), each hook 21 is configured to be received by a respective one of the hook openings 122a (and vice versa), so that a single hook 21 is received by a single hook opening 122a.

[0114] The bracket 2 may define a slot 23 for receiving, for example, a fin (which may be a fin 116 of a platform forming member 11 or it may be a fin (similarly) of a beam). Slot 23 may be defined by a plurality of walls of bracket 2 and bracket 2 may be formed from a sheet of material curved to furnish the walls. The or each hook 21 can also be formed from the sheet of material. The sheet of material can be around 2mm thick and can be a metal (such as steel).

[0115] The walls of the bracket 2, therefore, may include two opposing side walls that can define a depth (i.e. height) of the bracket 2 and a width of the bracket 2. The two opposing side walls can provide the bracket 2 with a generally u-shaped cross section and this can be seen, for example, in figure 19 (and also in figure 12) which provides a top-down view of a clamp 2 (which is the same clamp 2 as shown in figure 18, for example (or as shown in figure 8 in the case of figure 12, for example)).

[0116] The side walls can also define a gap depth and gap width. The width of the slit may taper towards a first end of the clamp 2 (which is a lower end with the clamp 2 in its normal orientation in use, the second end being the upper end in the same orientation).

[0117] The first and second ends of the clamp 2 can be open ends (allowing access to the slit). The depth of clamp 2 can be greater than the width of clamp 2 (at its widest point). The depth of clamp 2 can be greater than the thickness of clamp 2.

[0118] The or each hook 21 can be provided on a rear part of the clamp 2 and an additional wall can be provided on a front part of the clamp 2. The additional wall can connect the two side walls and can define a thickness of the clamp 2 (i.e. a distance between the two side walls) and therefore a thickness of the slit 23. The additional wall, due to the taper of the slit, may be angled to an opposite edge of the bracket 2. The additional wall may be usually perpendicular to the side walls (eg see figure 8) or can be rounded (eg see figure 17).

[0119] The walls of the clamp 2 can form a u-shaped cross section (with the slit within the u-shape). Therefore, the back of the slit can be opened.

[0120] The or each hook 21 may extend rearwardly from the side walls and may be flat with the side walls.

[0121] The or each hook 21 may include a hook head 21a and a hook span 21b (defined, at least in part, by the hook head 21a). In some embodiments, the hook gap 21b is defined between the hook head 21a and one of the side walls (e.g., between the hook head 21a and a trailing edge of such a side wall). A hook neck may connect the hook head 21a to the side wall or, in some versions, the hook neck may be considered to be part of the side wall or hook head 21a.

[0122] The hook span 21b may include a wide mouth portion and a narrow inner portion (as in figure 17, for example) or it may be of a uniform size (as in figure 8, for example). The wide mouth portion may assist in attaching the clamp 2 to the support member 12. The narrow inner portion may be sized to receive (e.g., tightly or generally snugly) a wall of the support member 12. wide mouth, therefore, can provide a wider hook span 21b than the hook span 21b in the narrow inner portion. The hook span 21b may taper between the wide mouth portion and the narrow inner portion. While this form of hook span 21b is described with reference to Figures 17-19, for example, this form of hook span 21b can also be provided with respect to other versions, such as those of Figures 8-14.

[0123] The hook head 21a is configured to be received by a hook opening 122a of the support member 12 and the hook span 21b is then configured to receive part of the wall of the support member 12 to retain the bracket 2 on support member 12.

[0124] In some embodiments, there may be multiple hooks 21 provided on one or more pairs of hooks 21. These may be an upper pair and may also include a lower pair of hooks 21. The upper pair may be located toward the second end. of the clamp 2 and the lower pair may be located towards the first end of the clamp 2, for example. Each hook 21 of a pair of hooks 21 can extend rearwardly from a different side wall of the bracket 2, and each hook 21 of a pair of hooks 21 can be at substantially the same height with respect to the side wall.

[0125] Accordingly, the hook openings 122a of the openings 122 of the support member 12 can be arranged (i.e. supplied) in pairs - corresponding to the hooks 21 of the clamp 2. In other words, the hook openings 122a in grouping of two in two. However, this need not be the case, in reality two adjacent hooks 21 may be received by a hook opening 122a in some versions (and therefore hook openings 122a may be provided in a one-by-two (or more) arrangement. )).

[0126] In some versions, although hook openings 122a have been described as individual openings, it may be that a single opening is provided which defines two (or more) hook openings 122a. In other words, the support member 12 may define an opening that includes a plurality of hook opening parts, each of which acts as a hook opening 122a as described herein. In other words, two or more hook openings 122a (which may be hook openings 122a of the same gripping location) may be interconnected openings (e.g., joined to form a multipart opening). However, this need not be the case, and each hook opening 122a described herein may be a separate (e.g. distinct) opening 122a.

[0127] Hook openings 122a, therefore, in some examples, may include upper and lower pairs of openings, for example. In some embodiments, the hook openings 122a are provided in groups of four, with each group of four including a first pair and a second pair located at different points along the length of the support member 12 (but closer to each other). other than any other hook opening 122a). It may be an upper group of four hook openings 122a and a lower group of four openings 122a, for example. In some such embodiments, the upper pair of hooks 21 of the clamp 2 may be received by the first (i.e. uppermost) pair of the upper group of four hook openings 122a and the lower pair of hooks 21 of the clamp 2 may be received. by the second (i.e., lowermost) pair of the lower group of four hook openings 122a or, in some versions, by the first (i.e., uppermost) pair of the lower group of four hook openings 122a. Other configurations of hook openings 122a may be provided. For example, hook openings 122a may be provided as a generally equally spaced arrangement of hook openings 122a along a length of support member 12.

[0128] The clamp 2 may further include a gripping mechanism 22 (this may be provided in versions with each single hook 21 received by a single hook opening 122a, or with respect to versions where more than one hook 21 is received by the same hook opening 122a). Handle mechanism 22 may include handle member 22a and drum 22b. Drum 22b can be mounted to one of the side walls of bracket 2, for example. Drum 22b may be mounted in a fixed position with respect to the side wall of bracket 2. Drum 22b may be configured to receive handle member 22a and to guide movement of handle member 22a between a retracted and extended position. with respect to drum 22b. Handle mechanism 22 may include a resilient tilt arrangement (not shown) such as a spring (which may be a coil spring) configured to bias handle member 22a into the extended position relative to drum 22b.

[0129] The handle member 22a may have a first end which is located towards the rear of the clamp 2 and a second end which is located towards a front part of the clamp 2.

[0130] The extended position of the handle member 22a may be such that it projects further back than when it is in the retracted position.

[0131] The second end of the handle member 22a, therefore, may include a handle or handle section to enable the handle member 22a to be pulled (e.g., manually) into or towards the retracted position (i.e., to forward in relation to the clamp 2).

[0132] The handle mechanism 22 may be configured so that, with the handle member 22a in the extended position and the or each hook 21 that engages the support member, the handle member 22a is received, in part, by a handle opening 122b of support member 12. Handle opening 122b is therefore positioned to enable receiving handle member 22a in this manner. With handle member 22a in the retracted position, however, handle member 22b can be removed from handle opening 122b.

[0133] In some embodiments, the handle mechanism 22 and therefore the handle member 22a is located between the two pairs of hooks 21 (in embodiments where two pairs of hooks 21 are provided) and may be closer to the pair higher than the lower pair, for example.

[0134] The grip drum 22b can be, for example, welded or otherwise secured to the side wall of the clamp 2

[0135] Accordingly, the clamp 2 may be secured to the support member 12 in a releasable manner, wherein the handle mechanism 22 prevents or substantially prevents the accidental removal of the clamp 2 from the support member 12. The clamp 2 may be, therefore, secured, in some embodiments, at a plurality of different locations along a length of support member 12.

[0136] In some versions, there may be no grip mechanism 22.

[0137] In some versions, the or each hook opening 122a includes a narrow part (which may be an upper part) and a wide part (which may be a lower part) – being upper and lower in relation to the position with the limb support 12 in its normal usage configuration.

[0138] A distance between external surfaces of or each bracket 2 is a thickness of bracket 2. In figure 19, for example, a thickness of bracket 2 is indicated to be 11 mm.

[0139] The wide part of or each hook opening 122a may be wider than, or substantially equal to, the thickness of the clamp 2. This wide part, for example, is indicated in Figure 21 to be about 13 mm (eg about 12.5 mm). The narrow part of or each hook opening 122a may be narrower than the thickness of the clamp 2. The narrow part, for example, is indicated in Figure 21 to be about 10 mm (for example, about 9 .5 mm).

[0140] The or each hook opening 122a may be sized to receive the hook head 21a of a clamp 2 therethrough and, in some versions, two such hook heads 21a from an adjacent pair of hook heads 21st The or each hook opening 122a may have a height which is therefore greater than a height of the head 21a or hook heads 21a to be received therethrough. The height of the wide portion of or each hook opening 122a, however, may be less than the height of the hook head 21a or hook heads 21a, so that at least part of the hook head 21a or hook heads 21a can be received through of the narrow part of such hook opening 122a. Consequently, in some versions, in order to fit the bracket 2 to the support member 12, the thickness of the bracket 2 needs to be reduced to the width of the narrow part of or each hook opening 122a. This can be achieved, for example, by resiliently flexing the side walls of the clamp 2 towards each other (i.e., by pressing the side walls of the clamp 2 towards each other). This can be achieved, for example, by applying a locking force to the clamp 2. In such a way, the clamp 2 can be adapted to the support member 12 with hook heads 21a of a pair of adjacent hooks 21 passing through. of a hook opening 122a. The locking force on clamp 2 can then be released. This can cause the side walls of the bracket 2 to resiliently return substantially to their original position (or to a position dictated by the hook opening 122a which has received them).

[0141] If this locking force is removed with a wall of the support member 12 received by the hook span 21b and an edge of such wall that engages the bracket 2 (e.g. where the edge of the wall of the support member 12 engages the hook neck), then the height of the wide part of the hook opening 122a and the thickness of the clamp 2 (i.e. the distance between the outer surfaces of the side walls) which is greater than the width of the narrow part of the opening of hook 122a, are such that the clamp 2 is substantially prevented from being removed from the support member 12 without reapplying the aforementioned locking force to resiliently reduce such thickness so that the hook heads 21a can pass through at least partially from the narrow part of the hook opening 122a.

[0142] The neck portion of or each hook 21 may have a size substantially equal to or less than the height of the wide portion of the hook opening 122a, for example.

[0143] This may therefore enable the clamp 2 to be securely fitted to the support member 12 without the need for a gripping mechanism 22 (although one can also be provided).

[0144] Clamp 2 of Figures 17-19 is an example of a clamp 2 that can be used in such a way.

[0145] Removal of the clamp 2 from the support member 12 can be achieved by the reverse process (e.g. applying the locking force to resiliently reduce the thickness of the clamp 2 to enable its removal at least partially through the narrow part of the hook opening 122a).

[0146] Although some versions use a hook opening 122a to receive two hooks 21 from a pair of adjacent hooks 21, and to be held in place by virtue of the narrow part of the hook opening 122a, so as to substantially prevent removal of the hooks 21, it is also possible that the same effect can be achieved by using two hook openings 122a - each configured to receive a respective one of the pair of hooks 21. In such versions, the wide and narrow parts of the hook opening 122a are effectively defined. by the distance between the respective outer side edges of the two hook openings 122a.

[0147] Accordingly, in some versions, there may be at least one hook opening 122a configured to receive a pair of adjacent hooks 21. The at least one hook opening 122a may include a first outer side edge and a second outer side edge ( which may consist of edges of the same opening 122a or different but adjacent openings 122a). The first and second outer side edges may define a wide part and a narrow part as described above and may be opposite edges.

[0148] The locking force required to reduce the thickness of the clamp 2 enough to enable it to fit securely to the support member 12 as described can be applied using a tool 4 (a version of which is shown in figure 27, for example). Tool 4 may include two arms with pivotable coupling 41 therebetween to form a pair of pliers. A pair of lugs 42 can be defined for one side of the pivotable coupling 41 and a pair of gripping members 43 can be defined for the other side of the pivotable coupling 41. The gripping members 43 can each include at their distal ends , a respective L-shaped member. The two L-shaped members can be oriented so that, with tool 4 in a closed configuration, the L-shaped members generally form a rectangular hole between them. The L-shaped members are shaped and sized to receive at least part of a clamp 2 therebetween so that the clamp 2 is clamped and supported by the L-shaped members when the tool 4 is in the closed configuration. Applying a force to the pair of lugs 42 (to move the lugs 42 of the pair towards each other), therefore, can apply the locking force to the clamp 2, which can then be fitted to the support member 12. Tool 4 can then be moved to an open configuration (e.g. by moving handles 42 away from each other) to release clamp 2. The same process can be followed to remove clamp 2 (the clamp 2 tightened and the locking force being applied before clamp 2 is moved out of engagement with support member 12 and then released).

[0149] In some versions, with reference to clamp 2 in Figures 36-38, for example, the narrow part of or each hook opening 122a may be wider than, or substantially equal to, the thickness of clamp 2. A The wide part of or each hook opening 122a may be wider than the thickness of the clamp 2 and wider than the narrow part.

[0150] The or each hook opening 122a may therefore be sized to receive the hook head 21a of a clamp 2 therethrough and, in some versions, two such hook heads 21a from an adjacent pair of hook heads 21a. The or each hook opening 122a may have a height which is therefore greater than a height of the head 21a or hook heads 21a to be received therethrough.

[0151] The clamp 2, in some such versions, may include a threaded opening 24. The threaded opening 24 may be provided in one of the side walls of the clamp 2 and may be located towards one end (e.g. the first end (which can be the bottom end in normal use)). The threaded opening 24 can be provided, for example, by attaching (e.g., by welding) a nut to a first tab that extends from the clamp 2 (e.g., from one of the side walls of the clamp 2). ). The threaded opening 24, therefore, can be defined by a first of the side walls of the clamp 2 and/or by a female threaded member (such as the nut) attached thereto. The threaded opening 24 is configured to receive a male threaded member 25 (like a dowel) therethrough (which is correspondingly threaded with respect to the threaded opening 24), with rotation of the male threaded member 25 within the threaded opening which controls the degree of extension of the male threaded member 25 with respect to the first of the side walls. A part of an opposite side wall (e.g. a second side wall) of the clamp 2 may face the threaded opening 24. That part may be a flap thereof (e.g. a second flap), which may extend from one end of the clamp (e.g. the first end (which may be the lower end in normal use)). Consequently, when the male threaded member 25 is extended sufficiently (e.g., by rotation with respect to the clamp 2) it will flush with the opposite side wall portion. Continued extension of the male threaded member 25 (e.g., by rotation with respect to the clamp 2) will cause the first and second side walls to move apart. So this will increase the thickness of the clamp 2.

[0152] Consequently, in some versions, in order to fit the bracket 2 to the support member 12, the bracket 2 can be fitted to the support member 12 with hook heads 21a of a pair of adjacent hooks 21 passing through a hook opening 122a. The clamp 2 can be maneuvered so that adjacent hooks 21 are located at the widest part of the hook opening 122a. The thickness of the clamp 2, then, can be increased (using the threaded opening 24 and the male threaded member 25) so that the thickness exceeds the width of the narrow part. The height of the hook head 21a may be greater, in some such versions, than a height of the wide part of the hook opening 122a and therefore the clamp 2 can then be captured and thus prevented from being removed. In some versions, the thickness of the clamp 2 can be increased so that the side walls are flush with the edges of the support member 12 defining the hook opening 122a and this can help to prepare the clamp 2 (e.g. in order to inhibit the rotational movement of the clamp 2 in relation to the support member 12).

[0153] Removing the clamp 2 from the support member 12 may involve rotating the male threaded member 25 to retract it from the threaded opening 24 and therefore reduce the thickness of the clamp 2 to enable removal through the narrow parts (and wide) of the hook opening 122a. As will be seen, the clamp 2 can be configured to resiliently return to its narrowest thickness.

[0154] This may therefore again make it possible for the clamp 2 to be securely fitted to the support member 12 without the need for a gripping mechanism 22 (although one may also be provided).

[0155] As will be understood, in some versions, therefore, the bracket 2 (and, in particular, the side walls thereof) can be flexed (resiliently) outwardly to secure the bracket 2 to the support member 12, so that so as to substantially inhibit or prevent its removal. As described, some other examples may require inward bending (resiliently) of the bracket 2 (and in particular the side walls thereof) to engage the bracket 2 on the support member 12. This bending may be flexed around of the additional wall of bracket 2 to move the side walls towards (in case of inward bending) or in the opposite direction (in case of outward bending) relative to each other. This bending is resilient in the sense that the side walls are inclined to a neutral state (the position from which the side walls are moved relative to each other). As will be understood, this movement can be a pivoting movement around the additional wall and each side wall can rotate around a respective geometric axis defined by the junction between such side wall and the additional wall. Accordingly, the movement of one side wall relative to the other may be a movement of distal ends of the side walls relative to each other (the distal ends being remote from the additional wall). In other words, the movement may be movement of the hooks 21 in each pair, if provided, in the opposite direction and towards each other (i.e., relative to each other).

[0156] In some versions, the side walls of the clamp 2 may include openings 26 through them (see figure 17, for example). In some versions, each of the side walls of the bracket 2 includes a respective opening 26 and these openings 26 are aligned. The or each fin 116 may include a corresponding opening so that a pin, peg, cable, rope or other member can be fitted into the openings to prevent or substantially prevent removal of the fin 116 from the bracket 2. The openings 26 could be of any shape or form. suitable size or shape and can be square, for example.

[0157] In some versions, therefore, one or more support members 12 may be provided with each support member 12 which includes one or more gripping locations along a length thereof. In some versions, there are a plurality of support members 12 that are substantially identical. The or each support member 12 may be provided in a kit with one or more other components, in any combination, described herein.

[0158] The or each gripping location may include, for example, a plurality of hook openings 122a, with each hook opening 122a configured to receive one or more hooks 21 of the clamp 2. In some versions, each hook opening 122a is configured to receive two hooks 21 (although this need not be the case). There may be gripping locations provided on multiple sides of the support member 12 at the same distance along the length thereof. In the case of a support member 12 having a square cross-section, for example, there may be one such gripping location on each of the four sides thereof at the same distance along the length (i.e., distance from one end).

[0159] Figure 20, therefore, for example, represents (one side of) a support member 12 that includes only such a plurality of gripping locations (eg, six), wherein each gripping location includes two grip openings. hook 122a (one located above the other). Each grip location is shown in more detail in Figure 21, for example. In some versions, one or more of the gripping locations may include an additional opening 123. The additional opening 123 may be configured to receive a pin, for example, for use in gripping a legacy clamp 7 on the support member 12. Only one legacy clamp 7 is shown, for example, in figure 31. This legacy clamp 7 can be configured to slide along the support member 12 and be secured thereto by using the pin through an opening in the legacy clamp 7 and the additional opening 123, for example. The legacy clamp 7 can take any number of different forms, but can include a receiver through which the support member 12 can pass and one or more slot members mounted on the receiver, each configured to receive a respective fin 116, for example. The opening in the legacy clamp 7 can be defined by the receiver - which can be configured to slide along a support member 12 to the desired location to be secured by the pin. This can be seen in figure 46, for example.

[0160] The support member 12, for example of figure 20, can be a leg member and a foot plate can be attached to the lower end of the support member 12. The lower end of the support member of figure 20 is shown in Figure 22, for example. In this example (and a few others), the lower end support member 12 may define one or more slots 124 (e.g. three) and/or one or more holes 125 (e.g. one) for use in gripping the baseplate. foot into support member 12. This can be achieved by inserting a portion of the footplate (e.g. an extension thereof) into support member 12 and then passing a pin or other member through at least one between the slot(s) 124 and/or hole(s) 125 and into the portion of the footplate received by the support member 12. In some versions, the end of the support member 12 is received by an extension of the foot plate instead (or in addition). Consequently, the foot plate and support member 12 can be telescopically engaged. In some versions, the or each slot 124 is used to solder the footplate in place (e.g., to solder the portion received by support member 12 to support member 12). However, this need not be the case. In fact, the or each slot 124 may be used to allow visual confirmation of correct engagement of the footplate with the support member 12 (e.g., with the portion of the footplate received by the support member 12 as described). In some versions, the or each slot 124 is used in gripping a foot plate on the support member 12 (e.g. with the use of a dowel or the like).

[0161] Figure 39 shows a support member similar 12 to that represented in Figure 20 and the description regarding versions as represented in Figure 20 applies equally to versions as represented in Figure 39. It should be noted, however, that the locations grips on top of the support member 12 of Figure 39 (and a few others) each include three hook openings 122a. This is shown in more detail in figure 40, for example, and such a configuration can be used in other versions as well. In addition or, in some versions, alternatively, the one or more slots 124 described above are provided as one or more openings 124a. These openings 124a can serve the same purpose as the slots 124 described herein. It may be an array of such openings 124a provided, which may be a linear array. There can be four openings provided and they can be provided in two groups of two (and each group can be a one by two arrangement of openings). There may be a greater distance between the closest openings 124a of the two groups than there is between the openings 124a of the same group. Fig. 41 shows one of the aforementioned groups of openings 124a in more detail (which is the lowest group in this instance). This same or similar arrangement can also be seen in figures 42-45, where figure 45 shows more details. The one or more openings 124a (instead of slots 124) can be used in other versions, which include - for example - the version of figure 39.

[0162] In some versions, the support member 12 may be a handrail support member 12 and an example is shown in Figure 23. Such support member 12 may also include one or more gripping locations as described above. In some versions of the handrail support member 12, there may be one or more grip locations at a first (top) end and one or more grip locations generally at an intermediate position along the length of the support member 12. This can enable a handrail 5 (see figure 28) to be provided in two different locations. The handrail 5 may include a beam 51 with respective fins 116 located at one end to enable the handrail 5 to be attached to the brackets 2 as described herein. Figures 42 to 45 show an example of another support member 12 which could be a handrail support member 12, for example (although this need not be the case). Fig. 46 shows two different handrails 5 attached to two gripping locations at one end (eg the top end) of the illustrated support member 12. The two different handrails 5 can be of different heights, for example. As described herein, this can be achieved by enabling the clamps 2 to be fitted at different positions along the length of the support member 12 (in that case, by providing an arrangement of more than two hook openings 122a ). It should be noted that, in Fig. 46, the arrangement of hook openings 122a of the gripping location which is visible may be the same as the arrangement of hook openings 122a of the gripping locations to which the clamps 2 are fitted. Therefore, it can be seen that one clamp 2 may be using the two lowermost hook openings 122a in its gripping location and the other bracket 2 may be using the two uppermost hook openings 122a in its gripping location.

[0163] Support member 12 in the form of a handrail support member 12 can be fitted to the end of a support member 12 which is in the form of a leg member. To achieve this, a 6 connection member (or spike) can be provided. Examples of connecting member 6 are shown in figures 23, 26, 29, 30 and 32-35.

[0164] The connecting member 6 may include a first elongate plate 61 to which second and third elongate plates 62,63 may be mounted. The first, second and third elongate plates 61,62,63 may be mounted so that their axes are generally parallel to each other, however, with the second and third elongate plates 62,63 perpendicular to the first elongate plate 61. The first , second and third elongate plates 61,62,63 may therefore form a connecting member 6 with a cross-shaped cross section (and the second and third elongate plates 62,63 may be located generally halfway across a width of the first elongated plate 61). The first elongate plate 61 may be longer than the second and third elongate plates 62,63. At one or both ends, the first elongate plate 61 may therefore extend beyond the second and third elongate plates 62,63 (which may be generally aligned with each other and may be of substantially the same length). The second and third elongate plates 62,62 can be welded to the first elongate plate 61.

[0165] The connecting member 6 can be inserted into an upper end of the support member 12 which is in the form of a leg member and at the lower end of the support member 12 which is in the form of a handrail support member – see figures 23 and 30, for example. This can connect the two support members 12 (which can also be other types of support members 12 and need not be those described in this document).

[0166] The connecting member 6 may define at least one opening 611 which may be defined by an end of the first elongate member 61 (e.g. the end which extends beyond the second and third elongate members 62,63). A pin, peg or other member can be passed through, for example, an opening (such as additional opening 123) in support member 12 (which can be support member 12 in the form of a leg member) and through one of at least one opening 611 of the connecting member 6 to secure the two pieces together. In some versions, refer to figures 32-35 as an example, but this applies to some other versions as well, there may be two such openings 611 provided. These openings 611 may be provided as a linear array of openings 611, for example.

[0167] The cross shape of the connection member 6 can help reduce the risk of interference with any clamps 2 connected (or to be connected) to the support member 12. The upper support member 12 (e.g. the support member handrail 12) can be fitted to the end of the connecting member 6 and can be held in place by gravity or one or more pins, pegs or other members. In some versions, there may be a slot 124 or opening 124a defined in the support member 12 (e.g. the handrail support member 12) towards one end thereof (e.g. the lower end) which makes welding possible. and/or visual inspection of connecting member 6 within support member 12 (e.g. within handrail support member 12). In some versions, slot 124 or opening 124a is used to secure a foot plate to support member 12 (using a dowel or the like).

[0168] A thickness of the first and/or second and/or third elongated plate 61,62,63 can be less than the distance between two adjacent hooks 21 of the clamp 2 (so that the elongated plate 61,62,63 can pass between them when the clamp 2 is connected to the support member 12). This can be seen in Fig. 47, for example, which shows a detailed view of a support member 12 and two hook openings 122a, with an elongated plate 61,62,63 of a connecting member 6 visible therethrough.

[0169] In some versions, the connecting member 6 may include a collar 64 which may be located around at least part of the first elongate member 61 and/or the second elongate member 62 and/or the third elongate member 63. collar 64 may be of the same shape in external cross-section as the shape in internal cross-section of support member 12 - for example, a square cross-section. Collar 64 may be configured, in some versions, to slide into support member 12, however, in some versions, it may be configured to flush with the end of support member 12. In the former case, collar 64 may assist the alignment of the connecting member 6 within the supporting member 12 and, in the latter case, the collar 64 may allow the connecting member 6 to rest on a supporting member 12 without necessarily requiring the use of a pin or the like through the opening 611.

[0170] In some versions, figures 32-35 being an example, the connection member 6 may include a tubular insert section 65, which may be located at one end of the connection member 6. The first, second and/or third elongate members 61,62,63 may be at least partially received by the tube insert section 65. In some versions, the tube insert section 65 has an outer cross-section that corresponds to that of the support member 12 (e.g. internal cross section of the same) and which, therefore, can be square or rectangular, for example. In some versions, the tube insert section 65 forms about half the height of the connecting member 6. The tube insert section 65 therefore has an end that is also an end of the connecting member 6 (e.g., an end top of both the connecting member 6 and the tubular insert section 65) and another end which is located along the length of the connecting member 6 (e.g. approximately halfway through the connecting member 6 and which may be the lower end of the connecting member 6). tubular insert section 65).

[0171] In some such versions, the lower end of the tubular insert section 65 (i.e., the end that is located along the length of the connecting member 6) may include one or more cutouts (which may be generally rectangular in shape). Format). The or each cutout may provide access to space around at least part of the first, second and/or third elongate members 61,62,63. As described, the hooks 21 can pass on either side of the first, second and/or third elongate members 61,62,63 when the connecting member 6 is fitted to a support member 12 and one or more brackets 2 are also fitted to the support member 12. Therefore, the or each cutout may allow an uppermost hook opening of the hook openings 122a (or more than one uppermost hook opening 122a) to be used to engage a clamp 2 when a connecting member 6 is fitted to the support member 12 (since the tubular insert section 65 may otherwise block this in some versions).

[0172] Collar 64 may be provided around at least part of tubular insert section 65, for example. Collar 64 may be provided between the or each cutout and an end of tubular insert section 65 (which may be the end which is also the end of connecting member 6).

[0173] Tube insert section 65 may define one or more pin openings 651. In some versions, each side of tube insert section 65 defines at least one pin opening 651. The or each pin opening 651 may be located towards the end of the tubular insert section 65 which may be the end which is also the end of the connecting member 6. In some cases, therefore, this is a position above the collar 64 (with the connecting member 6 in its orientation normal in use).

[0174] Tubular insert section 65 may be at least partially received by one end of a support member 12, which then may flush with collar 64. As described, the other end of connecting member 6 may be at least less partially received by another support member 12, which can be flush with collar 64. Receiving of tubular insert section 65 and other end of connecting member 6 by support members 12 can be telescopic receiving, for example. Collar 64, therefore, can be interposed between the two support members 12 at the ends of the connecting member 6. The tubular insert section 65 can provide a relatively flush fit with the support member 12 to restrict unwanted lateral movement between the two. . One or more pins may be used to secure connecting member 6 to one or both of support member 12 - for example, with the use of opening(s) 611, pin opening(s) 651, slot(s) 124 or opening(s) 124a, and/or additional opening(s) 123.

[0175] In some versions, the connecting member 6 may be attached to the support member 12 in an irremovable manner (eg to form the first end configuration 12a). The connecting member 6 can be attached to the supporting member 12 by welding, for example. Figures 42-45 show an exemplary version with a connecting member 6 attached, for example by welding, to one end (e.g. a lower end) of the support member 12 (which may be a handrail support member). 12). Welding can be achieved through opening(s) 124a or slots 124, for example. In some such versions, collar 64 may not be provided. Therefore, the end of one support member 12 may flush with the end of another support member 12, with the connecting member 6 partially received by each of these two support members 12. In other versions, collar 64 may be provided. . Similarly, the version depicted in these figures includes the tubular insert section 65, but again, this need not be the case for some versions. Consequently, the connecting member 6 can be seen as part of a supporting member 12 rather than a separate element.

[0176] In some embodiments, clamps 2 can be connected to opposite ends of a diagonal cross support member 3. The diagonal cross support member 3 can be elongated and can be formed from box section material, for example . The diagonal cross support member 3 can be welded, for example, to two clamps 2 (one at each end thereof). The connection may be a diagonal connection, so that with one of the two clamps 2 connected to a first support member 12, and the other of the two clamps 2 connected to a second support member 12 (wherein the two support members have offset axes – i.e. are horizontally apart), the diagonal cross support member 3 extends diagonally between the two support members 12.

[0177] It has been found that the hooks 21 of the clamps 2 are particularly good as the forces applied to the clamp 2 are normally downwards (eg gravity) and this keeps the hooks 21 engaged. Receiving the fin 116 in the slot of the clamp 2, particularly a tapered fin 116 and slot, also brings (under gravity) the parts into engagement. The open end slot of some embodiments means that clamp 2 can be used with different lengths of fin 116 and/or that clamp 2 (excluding handle mechanism 22) can be readily fabricated from sheet material.

[0178] Several of the figures include dimensions and these are given in mm. The dimensions provided are by way of example only and should be viewed as just one version of what is represented in such figures – that is, the figures should also be viewed as being representative of versions with different dimensions but the same features.

[0179] In some embodiments, providing the hooks 21 as extensions of the sidewall material provides for simpler and less expensive fabrication.

[0180] Similarly, the use of end plates 115 and/or hook portions 113a in the construction of the platform forming members 11 simplifies the construction without compromising the strength of the platform forming member 11.

[0181] Some versions provide multiple different options of gripping 2 clamps, legacy clamps 7 and handrails 5 for support members 12. This provides numerous options and allows existing or old stock of equipment to be used (e.g. from previous system).

[0182] The components of the modular platform system 1 may each be formed from metal, and such metal may be steel.

[0183] References in this document to top, bottom, topmost, bottommost, top and bottom, and other orientation-dependent descriptions are in terms of the orientation in normal use of the element in question.

[0184] In some versions, there is a method provided for using the above-described versions of the technology in the ways described (e.g. to attach or remove a clamp 2 from a support member 12 and/or to attach a forming member of platform 11 and/or handrail 5).

[0185] When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms should not be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

[0186] The features disclosed in the aforesaid description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for obtaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may be, separately, or in any combination of such resources, used to carry out the invention in its various forms.

[0187] While certain exemplary embodiments of the invention have been described, the scope of the appended claims is not intended to be limited to these embodiments alone. Claims are to be taken literally, purposefully and/or as encompassing equivalents.

Claims (30)

Support member and bracket, characterized in that they are for a modular platform forming system, wherein the support member includes at least one gripping location in which the bracket may be secured to the support member, and the bracket includes: one or more hooks configured to be received by one or more hook openings of the gripping location; and a pair of side walls and an additional wall defining a tapered slot for receiving a fin from a platform forming member or beam. Support member and bracket according to claim 1, characterized in that the support member includes a plurality of gripping locations in which the bracket can be attached to the supporting member, each gripping location including one or more more hook openings configured to receive the one or more clamp hooks. Support member and bracket according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the tapered slot is an open-ended slot at both a first and a second end of the bracket. Support member and bracket according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the bracket further includes a grip mechanism that includes a grip member configured to move between a retracted position and an extended position with respect to the side walls of the bracket. clamp, so that, with the clamp secured to the support member and the handle member in the extended position, at least part of the handle member is received by a gripping aperture of the support member at the gripping location. Support member and clamp according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the one or more hooks include a pair of hooks. Support member and clamp, according to claim 5, characterized in that the pair of hooks is configured to be received between two outer edges of the one or more hook openings. Support member and bracket according to claim 6, characterized in that the two outer edges define a wide and narrow portion with a thickness of a portion of the bracket configured to be received by or for each hook opening that is greater than a width of the narrow portion and the wide portion being wider than the narrow portion. Support member and bracket according to claim 7, characterized in that the portion of the bracket configured to be received by or by each hook opening is at least part of the pair of hooks. Support member and clamp according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the two outer edges are outer edges of a single hook opening. Support member and clamp according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the two outer edges are outer edges of respective hook openings. Support member and clamp, according to any preceding claim, further including a connecting member having a cross-section and cross shape configured to be at least partially received by the support member to enable the support member to be connected to an additional support member. Support member and clamp according to any one of claims 5 to 11, characterized in that the one or more hooks include two pairs of hooks. Support member and bracket according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each hook includes a hook head that at least partially defines a hook span that includes a wide mouth portion and a narrow inner portion. Support member and bracket according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the bracket is configured to be flexed so that the distance between the pair of side walls is resiliently changed. Support member and bracket according to claim 14, characterized in that the pair of side walls are configured to be flexed towards each other to receive the or each hook by or for each hook opening. Support member and clamp according to claim 14, characterized in that the clamp defines a threaded opening for receiving a male threaded member from the clamp, so that the extension of the male threaded member through the threaded opening presses the male threaded member against one of the pair of side walls to flex the side walls away from each other. Cross support member of modular platform forming system characterized by including: a beam; and two brackets, the bracket being coupled to an opposite end of the beam, wherein each bracket is configured to be secured to a respective gripping location of a support member, and wherein each bracket includes: one or more hooks configured to be received by one or more hook openings of the gripping location; and a pair of side walls and an additional wall defining a tapered slot for receiving a fin from a platform forming member or beam and an additional clamp. Modular platform system for use on a construction site, the system being characterized by including a support member and bracket, wherein the support member includes at least one grip location in which the bracket can be secured to the support member, and the clamp includes: one or more hooks configured to be received by one or more hook openings of the gripping location; and a pair of side walls and an additional wall defining a tapered slot for receiving a fin from a platform forming member or beam. Platform forming member for a modular platform system, the platform forming member being characterized in that it includes: a frame having at least two frame members; an end plate secured to both of the at least two frame members and including a fin extending substantially perpendicular to a principal plane of the end plate, the fin being for receipt by a slot of a support member. Platform forming member according to claim 19, characterized in that the end plate is located at an intersection of the at least two frame members. Platform forming member according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that the end plate is substantially triangular in shape. Platform forming member according to any one of claims 19 to 21, characterized in that the fin and end plate are integrally formed. Platform forming member for a modular platform system, the platform forming member being characterized by including: a frame member; and a beam, wherein the frame member defines a recess with a flange, and the beam has a hook portion configured to be at least partially received by the recess and to engage the flange. Platform forming member according to claim 23, characterized in that the recess is an open end recess, such that the hook portion can be slid into and along the recess from an open end. of the recess. Tool characterized by including: two arms; and a pivotable coupling between the two arms to define a pair of lugs on one side of the pivotable coupling and a pair of gripping members on the other side of the pivoting coupling, wherein each gripping member includes, at its distal ends, a respective L-shaped member to apply a locking force on a clamp. Tool and clamp combination characterized in that the tool is a tool as defined in claim 25 and the tool is configured to apply the locking force on the clamp. Modular platform forming system clamp characterized by including: one or more hooks configured to be received by one or more hook openings from a gripping location of a support member of the modular platform forming system; and a pair of side walls and an additional wall defining a tapered slot for receiving a fin from a platform forming member or beam. Module platform forming system clamp according to claim 27, characterized in that the one or more hooks extend from the pair of side walls, and the side walls are configured to resiliently flex inwardly, one in relation to the other. Module platform forming system clamp according to claim 27, characterized in that the one or more hooks extend from the pair of side walls, and the side walls are configured to resiliently flex outwardly, one in relation to the other. Module platform forming system clamp according to claim 29, characterized in that one of the pair of side walls includes a threaded opening configured to receive a male threaded member such that the extension of the male threaded member through the threaded opening cause the contiguity of the male threaded member against the other of the pair of side walls to flex the side walls outwardly relative to each other.

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