CA2456619A1

CA2456619A1 - Bracket

Info

Publication number: CA2456619A1
Application number: CA002456619A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Raffy Panossian; Helmut Ziffle
Original assignee: 1379426 ONTARIO LIMITED
Priority date: 2004-02-02
Filing date: 2004-02-02
Publication date: 2005-08-02

Abstract

A bracket for supporting a platform. The bracket is adapted for mounting on a stud. The bracket has a body with an upper surface for receiving the platform, and a mounting portion rigidly attached to a side part of the body extending substantially orthogonally from the upper surface. The mounting portion is adapted for rigid connection to the stud. The body and the mounting portion form a cantilever support for the platform when the bracket is mounted on the stud.

Description

BRACKET
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention is related to a bracket for supporting a platform, and in particular, a bracket for supporting a platform whicl-i is adapted to be mounted on a stud.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Typically, during the framing stage of construction of residences and other buildings, stud walls are created which form the framework for exterior walls of the buildings. In the course of framing the building, soffits - i.e., substantially horizontal undersides of eaves - are built. The soffits extend outwardly from the stud wall, along the top of the stud wall.

[0003] In order to construct the soffits during framing, workers typically are positioned on step ladders which are based on the floor of the topmost level of the building, e.g., a second or third floor level. The workers positioned on the step ladders must reach beyond the stud wall in order to construct the soffits.
However, there is a risk that a worker who is reaching, or extending himself, beyond the stud wall might lose his balance and consequently fall off the ladder, possibly resulting in injury.

[0004] There is therefore a need for an alternative means for supporting a worker engaged in constructing soffits.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In its broad aspect, the invention provides a bracket for supporting a platform. The bracket is adapted for mounting on a stud, and the bracket has a body having an upper surface for receiving the platform and a mounting portion rigidly attached to a side part of the body extending substantially orthogonally from the upper surface. The mounting portion is adapted for rigid connection to the stud. Also, the body and the mounting portion form a cantilever support for the platform when the bracket is mounted on the stud.

[0006] In another of its aspects, the upper surface of the body is provided by a flange positioned along a top side of the body, the flange being adapted to receive the platform.

[0007] In yet another of its aspects, the bracket additionally includes a receptacle attached to the body, for receiving and retaining a railing support element.

[0008] The invention additionally provides, in another aspect, a number of brackets for supporting a platform. The brackets are adapted for mounting on a stud wall. The brackets, once mounted on the stud wall, support the platform at a predetermined position relative to the stud wall.

[0009] In yet another aspect, each of the brackets additionally includes a receptacle attached to the body, for receiving and iretaining a railing support element forming part of a railing assembly. The result is that the railing assembly is supported by the brackets in position beside the platform.

[0010] In yet another of its aspects, the invention provides a platform assembly for attachment to a stud wall in a preselected position. The platform assembly includes a platform including one or more substantially planar platform elements, and a number of brackets for supporting the platform. The brackets are adapted for mounting on a stud wall. The brackets support the platform at a predetermined position relative to the stud wall.

[0011] In another aspect, the platform assembly additionally includes a railing assembly for providing a railing at a predetermined height above the platform. Each bracket also additionally includes a receptacle attached to the body, for receiving and retaining a railing support element forming part of the railing assembly. The railing assembly is supported by the brackets in position beside the platform.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The invention will be better understood with reference to the drawings, in which:

(0013] Fig. 1 is an isometric view of a preferrecl embadiment of a plurality of brackets in the preferred embodiment, mounted on a stud wall;

[0014] Fig. 2 is an elevation view of a stud wall with the brackets of Fig. 1 secured in position on the stud wall;

[0015] Fig. 3 is a side view of the stud wall and a bracket of Fig. 2;

[0016] Fig. 4 is an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the bracket of the invention;

[0017] Fig. 5 is a side view of the bracket of Fig. 4; and [0018] Fig. 6 is another isometric view of the bracket of Fig. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EN9BODIMENT(S) [0019] Reference is first made to Figs. 1 - 6 to describe a preferred embodiment of a bracket indicated generally by the numeral 20 in accordance with the invention. The bracket 20 is for supporting a platform 22, and is also adapted for mounting on a stud 24. Preferably, the bracket 20 has a body 26 with an upper surface 28 for receiving the platform 22, and a mounting portion rigidly attached to a side part 32 which extends substantially orthogonally from the upper surface 28. In the preferred embodiment, the mounting portion 30 is adapted for rigid attachment to the stud 24, as will be described. When the bracket 20 is mounted on the stud 24, the body 26 and the mounting portion 30 form a cantilever to support the platform 22.

[0020] Fig. 1 shows a portion of a typical plaaform 22. Preferably, the platform 22 consists of at least two wooden planks 37, 38, but the platform 22 can be made of any suitable materials.

[0021] As can be seen in Figs. 1 - 6, the upper surface 28 is preferably provided by a flange 34. 1n the preferred embodiment, the flange 34 has a plurality of holes 36 in it, so that the platform 22 can easily be secured to the bracket 20. Nails (not shown) or any suitable fasteners, inserted through the holes 36 (Fig. 4) into the platform 22, are used to secure the platform 22 to the bracket 20.

[0022] Preferably, the bracket 20 includes a receptacle 40 attached to the body 26, for receiving a railing support element 42. As can be seen in Figs. 1 -3, a railing assembly 44 is preferably positioned beside and above the platform 22, and the railing assembly 44 includes a plurality of railing support elements 42. The railing assembly 44 preferably also includes one or more railings 46 which are supported by the railing support elements 42. As can be seen in Figs.
1 and 6, the receptacle 40 preferably includes holes 48 through which pins (not shown) or any suitable fasteners can be inserted, to hold the railing support elements 42 in position in the receptacles 40.

[0023] As shown in Figs. 1 and 3 - 6, the mounting portion 30 preferably consists of two plates 50, 52 extending from a connecting piece 53 attached to the side part 32 of the body 26, substantially parallel to each other.
Preferably, the plates 50, 52 are spaced apart so that the stud 24 can be received therebetween, in a relatively close fit. The plates 50, 52 preferably include a plurality of holes 54 through which nails or screws (not shown) or any suitable fasteners can be inserted, to secure the mounting portion 30 rigidly to the stud 24. Preferably, two-headed nails (not shown) are used, to facilitate relatively easy and quick removal of the nails.
[0024] As can be seen in Figs. 2 and 4 - 6, in the preferred embodiment, the plate 50 is formed as an integral part of a unitary main segment 56 of the body 26, to provide strength.

[0025] A platform assembly 60 for attachment to a stud wall 62 (Figs. 1, 2) in a preselected position includes a plurality of brackets 20 mounted on the stud wall 62 and the platform 22. In the preferred embodiment, the platform assembly 60 additionally includes the railing assembly 44, as shown in Figs. 1 - 3.

[0026] In use, a number of brackets 20 are mounted on the stud wall 62 at substantially the same height, by driving nails, screws, or any suitable fasteners through the holes 54 in the mounting portion plates 50, 52. Once the brackets are secured, the platform elements 37, 38 are positioned on the upper surfaces 28 of the body 26 of each bracket 20. Preferably, the platform elements 37, 38 are secured to the upper surfaces 28. Subsequently, the railing assembly 44 is installed on the brackets 20.

[0027] As can be seen in Figs. 1 - 3, the brackets 20 are secured to the studs 24 so that the platform 22 (and, in particular, thE: planks 37, 38) is located in a predetermined position below a soffit 66 which is positioned generally along the top of the stud wall 62. The predetermined position is at a distance below the soffit 66 which enables the workers to reach the sofft 66 when standing on the planks 37, 38, i.e., without using ladders. Upon the mounting portion 30 being secured to the stud 24, the body 26 and the mounting portion 30 form a cantilever to support the platform 22.

[0028] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention can take many forms, and that such forms are within the scope of the invention as claimed. For example, the bracket 20 could bE: formed with a side part extending above the upper surface when the bracket 20 is mounted on the stud 24. Alternatively, the bracket 20 could have two side parts, i.e., one extending above the upper surface, and one extending below the upper surface. In addition, other means (such as clamps, for gripping ridges on the mounting portions) could be used to secure the mounting portion to the stud. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein.

Claims

1. A bracket for supporting a platform, the bracket being adapted for mounting on a stud, the bracket having:
a body having an upper surface for receiving the platform;
a mounting portion rigidly attached to a side part of the body extending substantially orthogonally from the upper surface;
the mounting portion being adapted for rigid connection to the stud;
the body and the mounting portion forming a cantilever support for the platform when the bracket is mounted on the stud.

2. A bracket according to claim 1 in which the upper surface is provided by a flange positioned along a top side of the body, the flange being adapted to receive the platform.

3. A bracket according to claim 1 additionally including a receptacle attached to the body, for receiving and retaining a railing support element.

4. A plurality of brackets for supporting a platform, the brackets being adapted for mounting on a stud wall, each bracket having:
a body having an upper surface for receiving the platform;
a mounting portion rigidly attached to a side part of the body extending substantially orthogonally from the upper surface;
the mounting portion being adapted for rigid connection to the stud;
and the body and the mounting portion forming a cantilever support for the platform when the bracket is mounted on the stud, whereby the plurality of brackets supports the platform at a predetermined position relative to the stud wall.

5. A plurality of brackets according to claim 4 in which each said bracket additionally includes a receptacle attached to the body, for receiving and retaining a railing support element forming part of a railing assembly, such that the railing assembly is supportable by the plurality of brackets.

6. A platform assembly for attachment to a stud wall in a preselected position, the platform assembly including:
a platform comprising at least one substantially planar platform element;
a plurality of brackets for supporting the platform, the brackets being adapted for mounting on a stud wall, each said bracket having:
a body having an upper surface for receiving the platform;
a mounting portion rigidly attached to a side part of the body extending substantially orthogonally from the upper surface;
the mounting portion being adapted for rigid connection to the stud; and the body and the mounting portion forming a cantilever support for the platform when the bracket is mounted on the stud, whereby the plurality of brackets supports the platform at a predetermined position relative to the stud wall.

7. A platform assembly according to claim 6 additionally including a railing assembly for providing a railing at a predetermined height above the platform, and in which each said bracket additionally includes a receptacle attached to the body, for receiving and retaining a railing support element forming part of the railing assembly, such that the railing assembly is supportable by the plurality of brackets.

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