EP1117872B1

EP1117872B1 - Platform structure

Info

Publication number: EP1117872B1
Application number: EP99932988A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Derek William Rea
Original assignee: Corus UK Ltd
Current assignee: Corus UK Ltd
Priority date: 1998-07-15
Filing date: 1999-07-14
Publication date: 2006-08-30
Anticipated expiration: 2019-07-14
Also published as: ATE338168T1; GB0105947D0; HK1042329A1; GB9916491D0; GB2365885A; GB2365885B; EP1117872A1; WO2000004236A1; AU4917899A; DE69933039D1; GB2336611A

Abstract

The invention relates to a platform comprising at least one selectively sized and shaped standing part having at least one support means whereby said support means provides a variable height adjustment to said standing part and further whereby said standing part is at least partially slideably engaged to provide a standing surface which is adapted to be at least partially continuous. The invention has use in providing temporary, permanent, or at least semipermanent platforms for use particularly but not exclusively in the repair of existing platforms.

Description

The invention herein described relates to a temporary or permanent platform for use, preferably but not exclusively, at or between public transport stations to provide platform access.
A platform with a flexible configuration is disclosed in DE-A-4110 572.
An efficient public transport system is desirable since it is a cost effective means to move people and/or freight within and between cities and countries. Additionally, from an environmental aspect, it is also desirable to encourage road users to utilise public transport rather than use automobiles. This effectively decreases pollution and thereby increases air quality.
Railway systems are an excellent example of integrated transport systems that connect major cities to each other, to airports and seaports.
Integrated Rail Systems have an extensive infrastructure i.e. the lines that the trains run on, the signals that control train movement and the stations that provide locations for passengers and freight to embark and disembark. It is essential to ensure that the rail lines and stations are maintained to provide safe transport for its customers, and freight. In the time in which Railway Systems have been in existence, the growth in terms of passengers and freight has required significant expansion and modernisation.
What will be evident from the foregoing description is that considerable physical stress is placed on the rail infrastructure requiring constant monitoring of both the rail lines and stations to ensure that they are safely maintained. The stations withstand considerable physical stress due to the passage of trains through the stations, freight along platforms and, in some examples, the passage of 60-80,000 people daily along concourses and platforms. There is therefore a requirement to continually maintain these areas without inhibiting the functioning of the station by impeding passenger movement.
Safety requirements and convenience dictate standards for passenger platforms, in terms of the height in relation to and distance from trains. This further complicates any attempts at ongoing maintenance.
Expansion requires construction of permanent or semi-permanent rail stations between major main-line stations for more efficient public transport providing more stops.
According to a first aspect of the Invention there is provided a platform comprising a plurality of standing parts which together define a standing surface and support means for the standing parts, wherein the support means comprises a base part and a support member whose height can selectively be varied, the platform being characterised in that each support means comprises a bracket, and each standing part is slidably connected to a bracket.
According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a kit for assembling a platform according to the invention comprising; a plurality of standing parts; a plurality of support means; a plurality of base parts; a plurality of brackets; and optionally all fixings required to assemble the platform.
The platform may be free standing or may provide an extension to an existing structure, having a dedicated access from said existing structure.
The platform may be a temporary platform adapted for use in association with an existing platform to be repaired.
The standing surface may therefore be adapted to project or protrude a desired amount from an existing platform to be repaired, preferably to the extent to which the existing platform has been dismantled for reconstruction, and more preferably to provide safe access to a public transport means.
The platform may be adapted to provide temporary, permanent or at least a semi-permanent standing surface.
The platform may provide means to secure it in place in association with an existing platform or as a free-standing platform structure, in the form of any temporary or permanent fixing. For example, the standing part may comprise a fixing means (adapted to be welded, screwed, glued or otherwise fixed to the existing platform or foundation, at a position remote from at least one support means, thereby providing two points of fixture).
Standing parts may be of similar or different sizes. The standing parts may be manufactured from any robust, durable, rigid material of sufficient strength to provide a secure standing surface to those members of the public or freight using the platform. For example, and not by way of limitation, wood, steel, aluminium, composites such as reinforced plastics and the like.
Alternatively, the support member may be provided in a variety of fixed lengths. It will be apparent that alteration to support member length may be desirable due to differences between the height of a given platform and the height of a carriage. This reflects the differences in platform construction for different public transport means or locations. In addition, the adjustable nature of the support means facilitates the construction of free-standing platforms as herein described.
The support member may be slidably mounted within an open-ended support member, means being provided for securing the two support members together at selected locations to vary the height of the support member. Thus a telescopic support member may be provided with locking means to secure said length adjustment to said support member. Ideally this may be provided by a series of spaced apertures aligned in each part of the said telescopic support member through which a securing pin or similar may be at least partially placed therethrough to secure said length adjustment. Additionally, said support member may be located and securely positioned in said base part by similar securing pins.
In use, the temporary platform may be constructed during the night when the number of passengers using a rail station is less than during peak hours of travelling and/or commuter times of the early morning and evening. Work on the platform beneath the temporary surface can be undertaken by the construction works and/or engineers during these periods by simply sliding the standing parts from the support means thereby allowing access to the platform. During busier times the standing parts are replaced to form a semi-continuous surface on which rail travellers may walk. The plurality of the standing parts to form the continuous surface is advantageous Insofar as there is no requirement to close entire platforms to restrict passenger movement. The multi-component nature of the temporary platform facilitates its rapid construction in situ. The provision of standing parts of selected dimensions also means that the temporary platform may be customised to an individual platform since not all station platforms are identical in their construction. Furthermore, even during busy periods it may still be possible to build/repair the surface beneath the temporary platform in selected areas without the necessity to close the entire platform.
An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by example only and with reference to the following Figures:

Figure 1a represents a plan view of a platform according to the invention;
Figure 1b represents a side view of an installed platform;
Figure 2a represents a side view of a support means;
Figure 2b represents a plan view of the base part of said support means;
Figure 2c represents a side view of the uppermost part of said support means with a partial view of an installed standing part;
Figure 2d represents a side view of the rear end of a standing part adapted by the provision of a fixing to secure said standing part to the rear of the platform to be repaired;
Figure 3a represents a side view of a free-standing platform of the invention;
Figure 3b is a plan view of a platform sectioned to show the attachment part of the support means with installed standing parts;
Figures 4(i) and 4(ii) are respectively plan and side elevational views of a complete platform;
Figure 5 is a detailed side view of a free standing platform; and
Figure 6 is a detailed side view of a narrow free standing platform.

Figure 1a represents a plan view of a platform having a plurality of standing parts 1 representing a semi-continuous standing surface 2 of the platform. Five complete standing parts of equal width and length are shown. Support means (not seen in Figure 1a) are selectively positioned below the standing parts 1 to provide stable support for the standing surface. The standing surface 2 is constructed by sliding standing parts 1 relative to the support means. Notably the standing surface may readily be dismantled to facilitate access to the surface covered by the platform by construction workers/engineers to effect building/repairs to that surface. In addition, it will be evident that if the standing surface is for use in a permanent or semi-permanent platform, the construction of the platform may be rapidly assembled to provide a functional platform in a minimum of time.
Referring to Figure 1b, the illustrated platform comprises a support member 6, a bracket 8 and slidably connected thereto a standing part 1. Standing part 1 is fixed to the rearmost part of the platform by a bolt 9 or other conventional means.
The standing part 1 includes a slidably mounted inner member (shown in full and broken line in Figure 1b) for varying the platform width and therefore the distance of the platform surface from trains.
The support means is shown in more detail in Figures 2a to 2d. The support means 3 includes a base part 4 releasably attached to an open-ended support member 5 into which the lower end of the support member extends. The open-ended support member 5 slidably engages a centrally located recess 9 of the base part 4. The height of the support means 3 is adjustable by movement of the support member 6 telescopically within the open-ended support member 5. The support member 6 can be secured at any selected height within open-ended support member 5 by any conventional means. For example, regularly spaced apertures may be provided in the open-ended support member 5 and the support member 6 which, when aligned, cooperate to enable the members to be joined through a securing pin. The spacing of the apertures allows the overall length of the support means 3 to be adjusted. In use, as a permanent or at least semi-permanent platform the support member is provided with a secure foundation to provide a stable support to the platform.
The uppermost part of support member 6 includes a bracket 8 which is provided with means to engage a standing part 1 of the standing surface 2. The standing part 1 is secured to the bracket 8 by pinch bolts 7, or the like. This is best illustrated in Figure 2c which shows pinch bolts 7 extending through the bracket 8 to connect with the standing part 1. The positioning of a selected number of support means about an area to be built and/or repaired provides a frame into which the standing part may be assembled to provide a standing surface. The rearmost standing parts are secured to the platform surface by the provision of the conventional fixing bolts 9 as shown in Figure 2d. This provides additional stability to the temporary standing surface thereby increasing safety for users.
In use, the area to be built/repaired is marked. Once the support means 3 is positioned the standing parts are assembled into the brackets 8 at the uppermost part of the support means 3. Standing part 1 is fixed to the bracket 8 via the pinch bolts 7. Selected standing parts can be disconnected from the bracket 8 to allow construction works/engineers access to conduct necessary work. During busy periods at stations (i.e. commuter periods) the standing surface is maintained to reduce disruption to passenger movement.
Figures 4(i) and 4(ii) are plan and side elevation views of an assembled platform. The length and width of the platform may be varied by incorporating or removing component parts of the platform.
Figures 5 and 6 are side views of alternative embodiments of platforms in accordance with the invention. Figure 5 shows a narrow construction using pairs of spaced support means. Figure 6 shows a broader platform showing its relative positioning with respect to the rail track 12. If the platform is to be used on a permanent or at least semi-permanent basis then those facilities typically associated with public transport stations are added to the platform structure. For example, and not by way of limitation, drainage, lighting, handrails, steps, toilets, shelters.
It will be apparent from the foregoing description that the platform may have applications other than its use at railway stations. For example, and not by way of limitation, temporary harbour walkways for use by the Merchant/Royal Navy, temporary stages for performing arts, temporary walkways for pedestrians during repair to pavements and/or roads.
It will be evident that the platform provides a rapid means to construct a standing surface. Alternatively, if the platform is to be used in the repair of existing platforms it is evident that the platform can be advantageously dismantled either wholly or partially to allow access to the surface beneath to effect building and/or repair work.

Claims

A platform comprising a plurality of standing parts (1) which together define a standing surface (2) and support means (3) for the standing parts, wherein the support means comprises a base part (4) and a support member (6) whose height can selectively be varied, the platform being characterised in that each support means (3) comprises a bracket (8), and each standing part (1) is slidably connected to a said bracket (8).
A platform as claimed in claim 1 wherein the support member (6) is slidably mounted within a further open-ended support member (5), means being provided for securing the two support members together at selected locations to vary the height of the support member.
A kit for assembling a platform according to claim 1 or claim 2 comprising; a plurality of standing parts (1); a plurality of support means (3); a plurality of base parts (4); a plurality of brackets (8); and optionally all fixings required to assemble the platform.