GB2062076A - Staging - Google Patents

Abstract

Staging comprises a platform 1 having an elongate metal deck 2 having a toeboard 3 secured thereto at each side thereof. A guardrail 4 is supported by posts 5, each of the posts 5 being attached to the platform 1 by means of a bracket 6 removably secured to the platform 1. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Staging This invention relates to staging for use, for example, between scaffold towers, for decking roof trusses in order to carry out work on the roof, and between trestles.

One form of staging at present in use comprises a plurality of wooden planks forming a deck and two further wooden planks, one at each side of the deck and secured perpendicularly to the deck to act as toeboards. The timber is reinforced by wires recessed into the planks. Such staging is, however, very vulnerable to damage and cracking of the planks. The staging thus requires comparatively frequent repair or replacement which renders the usage cost high.

A similar form of staging is also available in which the wooden planks are replaced by aluminium alloy members. Although this results in a more durable structure, the disadvantage remains that it is left to the user to fit the toeboards, which may be done in an unsafe fashion, or the toeboards may be omitted altogether in contravention of safety regulations.

According to the invention, there is provided staging comprising a platform having an elongate, metal deck having a toeboard secured thereto at each side thereof and a guardrail supported by a plurality of posts, each of said posts being attached to the platform by means of a bracket removably secured to the platform.

The toeboard thus has the secondary function of reinforcing the platform. In addition, there exists the possiblity of providing a large area of staging by securing a plurality of platforms together by means of their toeboards.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of staging according to the invention, comprising a platform having a guardrail along each side thereof: Figure 2 is a perspective view of staging comprising a plurality of platforms as shown in Figure 1 secured together; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a bracket securing a guardrail post to a platform (cut away); Figure 4 is an elevation of a bracket as shown in Figure 3 and a guardrail post; Figure 5 is a plan view of a platform as shown in Figures 1 and 2; and Figure 6 is an end view of the platform of Figure 5.

As shown in Figure 1, a staging comprises a platform 1 having an elongate metal deck 2 having a toeboard 3 secured thereto at each side thereof. A guardrail 4 is provided on each side of the platform 1, supported by three guardrail posts 5. Each post 5 is attached to the platform 1 by means of a bracket 6 (as shown in Figure 3). As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the bracket 6 comprises a G-shaped member 7 and a pin 8. In order to secure the posts 5 to the platform 1, the post 5 is bolted to the member 7 by means of a nut and bolt 9, the post passing through apertures 10, 11 in the top and bottom respectively of the G-shaped member 7. The member 7 is then fitted over the toeboard 3 as shown in Figure 3, and the pin 8, which is slidable axially of the post 5, is inserted through apertures in the member 7, the upper surface 12 of the toeboard and the deck 2.

The post 5 may thus be rapidly secured to the platform 1 at any point provided with apertures for the pin 8 in the surface 12 and the deck 2.

Once the posts 5 are in position, a guardrail 4 is placed in the clamps 1 3 which are then clamped around the guardrail.

Figure 2 shows three platforms 1 secured together in an inverted position to provide a large area of staging. In this position, the brackets 6 again function to secure the posts 5 to the platforms 1, the brackets being inverted with the platforms. The posts 5 are telescopic, an inner member 14 being provided to increase the height of the posts in the inverted position of the platforms 1, so as to comply with safety regulations.

Figures 5 and 6 show a single platform 1 in greater detail. The deck 2 is corrugated and is secured to the toeboards 3 by means of a plurality of rivets 1 5. In addition, U-shaped reinforcing bars 1 6 are provided which are bolted to the toeboards and rivetted to the deck.

Claims

1. Staging comprising a platform having an elongate, metal deck with a toeboard at each side thereof and a plurality of posts for supporting a guardrail, each of said posts being attached to the platform by means of a bracket removably secured to the platform.

2. Staging as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said bracket comprises a member having a first portion arranged to extend over the toeboard and a second portion arranged to extend beneath the deck, and a securing pin which in use extends through apertures in said first and second portions and in the toeboard and the deck.

3. Staging as claimed in Claim 2, wherein said member is secured to the corresponding post and said pin is slidable axially of the post.

4. Staging as claimed in Claim 2 or 3, wherein said member has a flange connected to said first portion and arranged to hook over the top of the toeboard.

5. Staging as claimed in any of Claims 2 and 4, wherein said post extends through apertures in said first and second portions.

6. Staging as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said toeboards are metal and are rivetted to said deck.

7. Staging as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 5, wherein said deck and said toeboards are integrally formed.

8. Staging comprising a plurality of platforms, each platform having an elongate metal deck with a toeboard at each side thereof, the platforms being secured together side-by-side by means of the toeboards, and a plurality of posts for supporting a guardrail, each of said posts being attached to an end one of said platforms by

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (10)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Staging This invention relates to staging for use, for example, between scaffold towers, for decking roof trusses in order to carry out work on the roof, and between trestles. One form of staging at present in use comprises a plurality of wooden planks forming a deck and two further wooden planks, one at each side of the deck and secured perpendicularly to the deck to act as toeboards. The timber is reinforced by wires recessed into the planks. Such staging is, however, very vulnerable to damage and cracking of the planks. The staging thus requires comparatively frequent repair or replacement which renders the usage cost high. A similar form of staging is also available in which the wooden planks are replaced by aluminium alloy members. Although this results in a more durable structure, the disadvantage remains that it is left to the user to fit the toeboards, which may be done in an unsafe fashion, or the toeboards may be omitted altogether in contravention of safety regulations. According to the invention, there is provided staging comprising a platform having an elongate, metal deck having a toeboard secured thereto at each side thereof and a guardrail supported by a plurality of posts, each of said posts being attached to the platform by means of a bracket removably secured to the platform. The toeboard thus has the secondary function of reinforcing the platform. In addition, there exists the possiblity of providing a large area of staging by securing a plurality of platforms together by means of their toeboards. In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of staging according to the invention, comprising a platform having a guardrail along each side thereof: Figure 2 is a perspective view of staging comprising a plurality of platforms as shown in Figure 1 secured together; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a bracket securing a guardrail post to a platform (cut away); Figure 4 is an elevation of a bracket as shown in Figure 3 and a guardrail post; Figure 5 is a plan view of a platform as shown in Figures 1 and 2; and Figure 6 is an end view of the platform of Figure 5. As shown in Figure 1, a staging comprises a platform 1 having an elongate metal deck 2 having a toeboard 3 secured thereto at each side thereof. A guardrail 4 is provided on each side of the platform 1, supported by three guardrail posts 5. Each post 5 is attached to the platform 1 by means of a bracket 6 (as shown in Figure 3). As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the bracket 6 comprises a G-shaped member 7 and a pin 8. In order to secure the posts 5 to the platform 1, the post 5 is bolted to the member 7 by means of a nut and bolt 9, the post passing through apertures 10, 11 in the top and bottom respectively of the G-shaped member 7. The member 7 is then fitted over the toeboard 3 as shown in Figure 3, and the pin 8, which is slidable axially of the post 5, is inserted through apertures in the member 7, the upper surface 12 of the toeboard and the deck 2. The post 5 may thus be rapidly secured to the platform 1 at any point provided with apertures for the pin 8 in the surface 12 and the deck 2. Once the posts 5 are in position, a guardrail 4 is placed in the clamps 1 3 which are then clamped around the guardrail. Figure 2 shows three platforms 1 secured together in an inverted position to provide a large area of staging. In this position, the brackets 6 again function to secure the posts 5 to the platforms 1, the brackets being inverted with the platforms. The posts 5 are telescopic, an inner member 14 being provided to increase the height of the posts in the inverted position of the platforms 1, so as to comply with safety regulations. Figures 5 and 6 show a single platform 1 in greater detail. The deck 2 is corrugated and is secured to the toeboards 3 by means of a plurality of rivets 1 5. In addition, U-shaped reinforcing bars 1 6 are provided which are bolted to the toeboards and rivetted to the deck. Claims

1. Staging comprising a platform having an elongate, metal deck with a toeboard at each side thereof and a plurality of posts for supporting a guardrail, each of said posts being attached to the platform by means of a bracket removably secured to the platform.

2. Staging as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said bracket comprises a member having a first portion arranged to extend over the toeboard and a second portion arranged to extend beneath the deck, and a securing pin which in use extends through apertures in said first and second portions and in the toeboard and the deck.

3. Staging as claimed in Claim 2, wherein said member is secured to the corresponding post and said pin is slidable axially of the post.

4. Staging as claimed in Claim 2 or 3, wherein said member has a flange connected to said first portion and arranged to hook over the top of the toeboard.

5. Staging as claimed in any of Claims 2 and 4, wherein said post extends through apertures in said first and second portions.

6. Staging as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said toeboards are metal and are rivetted to said deck.

7. Staging as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 5, wherein said deck and said toeboards are integrally formed.

8. Staging comprising a plurality of platforms, each platform having an elongate metal deck with a toeboard at each side thereof, the platforms being secured together side-by-side by means of the toeboards, and a plurality of posts for supporting a guardrail, each of said posts being attached to an end one of said platforms by means of a bracket removably secured to the end platform.

9. Staging as claimed in Claim 8, including the features of any of Claims 2 to 7.

10. Staging substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.