GB2167335A - Support platforms - Google Patents

Abstract

A support platform or duck board (1) for extending between two building surfaces, such as roof, which are inclined relative to one another comprises a plurality of substantially rectangular cross- section support members (2) connected together by means of connection members (3) extending perpendicularly thereof. Each support member (2) is formed by extrusion moulding to have a plurality of ribs (17) extending longitudinally of one surface thereof, selected sections (17a) of which ribs (17) are at least partially destroyed, removed or deformed so as to roughen the surface. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to support platforms THIS INVENTION relates to improvements in or relating to support platforms, in particular support platforms, or duck boards.

Up to the present time duck boards have usually been made from wood, wooden battens of appropriate length being screwed or nailed together.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of forming a roughened surface, which method comprises taking a ribbed surface and at least partially destroying, deforming or removing selected sections of the ribs. Preferably, the ribbed surface is a surface of a member formed by extrusion from an extrudable material, which member has ribs running parallel to the direction of extrusion.

The selected sections of each rib may be at least partially formed, destroyed or removed by heat or by mechanical means. In particular, the selective sections may be at least partially removed by a cutting device or may be at least partially deformed, destroyed or removed by impact forces, for example by hitting the ribbed surface with a heavy weight.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a first member for connection to a second member, the first member having a recess for receiving an enlarged head of a connection element, a groove being provided in one of the recess and the head and a projection being provided in the other of the recess and the head so that when the connection element is received in the recess, the projection engages in the groove to prevent rotation of the connection element and when a screw-threaded shank of the connection element is passed through an aperture in the second member a nut can be threaded onto the shank to connect the first member to the second member.

The present invention also provides a support platform comprising a plurality of substantially parallel first members in accordance with the second aspect, each first member being elongate and the recess provided therein comprising a channel extending along the length of the first member, each first member having a rib surface which is roughened by a method in accordance with the first aspect, a plurality of elongate second members extending substantially parallel to one another and transversely of the first member so that the second members cross the first members, and a plurality of connection elements, each connection element having a respective enlarged head received in a respective channel of an associated first member so that a projection provided in the channel engages a groove in the enlarged head of the connection element to prevent rotation thereof and a respective screw-threaded shank which extends from the channel through an aperture in an associated second member crossing the associated first member, the second member being secured to the first member by means of a respective nut screwed on to the shank of the connection element, the arrangement being such that the first members are connected to form a support platform.

The present invention also provides a support platform for extending between two building surfaces, such as roofs, which are inclined relative to one another, the support platform having a respective support surface extending obliquely from each of two opposed sides thereof, each support surface carrying resilient sealing means so that when the support platform extends between two relatively inclined building surfaces, each support surface contacts a respective one of the said building surfaces and the resilient sealing means carried thereby seals the support surface to the respective one of the said building surfaces during use of the platform.

Preferably, each support surface extends along the length of the respective one of the two opposed sides of the support platform.

Usually, each resilient sealing means comprises an elongate resilient sealing element extending along the respective support surface substantially parallel to the said opposed sides of the support platform. Each resilient seal ing element may comprise a substantially planar elongate base member substantially parallel to the respective support surface and a plurality of substantially planar sealing members extending obliquely away from one surface of the first member. Generally, each resilient sealing element has a respective sealing member extending obliquely of the substantially planar elongate base member alang each elongate side of the substantially planar elongate base member.Usually, each resilient sealing element has a further sealing member extending along the length of the substantially planar elongate base member intermediate the other sealing members, the further sealing member and one of the other sealing members extending obliquely of the substantially planar elongate base member toward one another. In the preferred arrangement, each resilient sealing element has a projection extending away from the elongate base member from the other surface thereof which projection engages in a recess formed in the respective support surface.

Generally, each support surface recess is a keyhole cross-section channel and the corresponding projection is of complementary cross-section and extends along the length of the resilient sealing element.

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show how the same may be put into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of a support platform embodying the invention; FIGURE 2 is a view from beneath of the support platform of Figure 1; and FIGURE 3 is a cross-section taken along line 1-1 in Figure 1 of the support platform; Referring now to the drawings, there is shown a support platform or duck board 1 in accordance with the invention.

As shown most clearly in Figures 1 and 2, the support platform is substantially rectangu lar and comprises a plurality of substantially rectangular cross-section elongate first or support members 2. The support members 2 are arranged spaced-apart and parallel to one another by means of a plurality of elongate second or connection members which extend transversely (perpendicularly in the arrangement shown) of the support members 2 and are connected thereto by means of a plurality of connection elements 4 as will be described in detail hereinafter.

In the arrangement shown, three support members 2 are provided and these are connected by respective connection elements 4 to two spaced-apart connection members 3 extending beneath and perpendicularly of the support members 2. It should, however, be appreciated that the number of support members 2 used will depend on the required dimensions of the support platform 1 or duck board while the number of connection members 3 will depend mainly on the required strength properties of the support platform.

The support members 2 and the connection members 3 are formed of a plastics material, preferably polyvinyl chloride stabilised by ultraviolet radiation (UPVC), although any other plastics material having suitable strength and durability characteristics appropriate for the use to which the support platform is to be put can be used.

Each support member 2 is formed by extrusion moulding from plastics material so as to comprise a substantially hollow rectangular cross-section tube having a longitudinal slit 5 running along the longitudinal axis of one of the major elongate surfaces 6 thereof. The rectangular cross-section tube is strengthened by means of an H-cross-section internal support 7 which is formed integrally the support member and extends along the entire length thereof. The H cross-section support 7 and the slit 5 of each support member define a respective recess or channel 8. As shown in Figure 2, the cross-bar 7a of each H- section internal support 7 is formed with a projection 10 running axially along the length thereof.

The projection 10 extends into the channel.

Each channel 8 is arranged to receive the enlarged head 9 of each of two connection elements 4. The enlarged head 9 of each connection element 4 is formed with a groove 11 which, when the connection element 4 is slid into a respective channel 8 prior to connection of the support member 2 to the connection members 3, receives the projection 10 which therefore prevents rotation of the connection element.

Each connection member 3 is formed to have a T-shaped cross-section. The cross-bar 3a of each T-shaped cross-section connection member 3 is formed with a plurality of apertures 12. As shown in the drawings, three support members 2 are connected to two connection members 3 and therefore the cross-bar 3a of each connection member 3 is formed with three apertures 12. The respective apertures 12 are offset alternately on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the cross-bar 3a of each connection member 3 so as to provide greater stability. Each connection member element 4 has a screw-threaded shank 13 which extends from the respective channel 8 and through an associated aperture 12 in the associated connection member 3.

Each first member 2 is secured to the two connection members 3 by placing a respective washer 14 over the screw-threaded shank 13 of each of the two associated connection elements 4 and then tightening a nut 15 onto each screw-threaded shank 14. The engagement between each projection 10 and the corresponding connection elements 4 ensures that the connection elements 4 are prevented from rotating as the nuts 15 are threaded onto the screw-threaded shanks 13.

The surface 16 of each support member 2 which is opposed to the channel 5 in the support member is formed during extrusion of the support member 2 with a plurality ribs 17 extending longitudinally of surface 16 in the direction of extrusion of the support member 2.

In order to provide a roughened or non-slip surface, selected sections 1 7a of the ribs 17 are at least partially destroyed, deformed or removed before assembly of the support members 2 with the connection members 3.

In a preferred arrangement, selected sections of the ribs 17 are at least partially removed using a gouging or other cutting tool. Alternatively, the selected sections 1 7a of the ribs 17 may be destroyed or removed by subjecting the selected sections 1 7a of the ribs to high impact forces so as to crush or deform the selected sections 17a of the ribs 17.

Another alternative would be to deform remove or destroy at least parts of the selected sections by using a heated tool, heated electrical wire or the like.

As shown most clearly in Figure 3, the connection members 3 are of such a length that the outer most support members 2 extend beyond the end faces 3 of the cross-bars 3a of the connection members 3. A substantially rectangular cross-section portion of each of the two outermost support members 2' is received in a respective rectangular cross-section channel 18 of a plastics material side member 19 which extends along the length of the respective support member 2'. Each channel 18 is integrally formed with a support surface 20 which extends obliquely therefrom at an angle of preferably 30 to a surface defined by the support members 2, although the angle of inclination of each support surface 20 will, of course, depend upon the use to which the support platform 1 is to be put.Each support surface 20 is arranged to extend along the entire length of the respective support member 2' and, as shown most clearly in Figure 2, each support surface 20 is provided with a keyhole cross-section channel 21 extending along the length thereof parallel to the surface farmed by the support members 2. Each keyhole cross-section channel 21 receives a correspondingly shaped projection 22 of a resilient sealing element 23 which is preferably formed of rubber or a suitable plastics material. As shown in Figure 2, each resilient sealing element 23 comprises a substantially parallel planar elongate base member 24 extending substantially parallel to and abutting the respective support surface 20. A respective sealing member 25 extends obliquely of and along each elongate side of each elongate base member 24.A further sealing member 26 extends along the length of each base member 24 intermediate and parallel to the sealing members 25. Each further sealing member 26 extends obliquely from the respective substantially planar base member 24 toward one of the other sealing members 25.

Thus, when the support platform is used to provide a working platform between two inclined building surfaces such as roofs, the resilient sealing elements 25 and 26 serve to seal the supporting surfaces 20 to the respective inclined building surfaces so that the support platform is held securely in position and does not tip or move if the support platform 1 is an evenly loaded or if, for example, a workman walks to one end or one side of the support platform 1. The roughened surface of the support platform 1 formed by at least partially destroying, removing or deforming selected sections of the ribs of the support members 3 says to ensure that a workman has a non-slip surface to walk upon when the support platform is in use, even if the support platform becomes wet or greasy.

In order to assemble the support platform or duck board 1 shown in the drawings, the selected sections of the ribs 1 of the support members 2 are first at least partially destroyed, removed or deformed as described above to provide the required the non-slip surface for the support platform. Two connection elements 4 are then slid into the channel 8 of each support member 2 so that the grooves 11 formed therein engage the projection 10 in the respective channel 8 and the shanks 13 of the connection elements 4 extend from the channels 8. The apertures 12 formed in the two connection elements 4 are then aligned with the shanks 14 of the connection elements so that the shanks pass through the apertures 12 and the support members 2 are then secured to the connection members 3 by means of the washer 14 and nut 15 arrangement described above.The channels 18 of the side members 19 may then be clipped over the protruding portions of the outermost support members 21, or, alternatively, slid therealong, so that the support surfaces 20 extend obliquely of the surface of the platform provided by the support members 2. A respective resilient sealing element 23 is then inserted into the corresponding keyhole crosssection channel 21 formed in each of the support surfaces 20.

It will, of course, be appreciated that the dimensions of the support platform will depend entirely upon the use to which the support platform is to be put. However, where the support platform is to be used, as described above, to extend between two inclined roof surfaces to allow work to be carried out on those roofs, then each support member 2 maybe approximately 2 metres in length and each connection member 3 approximately 560mm in length to provide an adequate working platform. Preferably, each support member 2 is approximately 75mm in width and approximately 23mm in depth, the general wall thickness of the plastics material being approximately 1.7mm.Although the size of the recess or channel 8 provided in each support member 2 will depend to a large extent on the particular type of connection element 4, for example a screw or bolt, to be used, it is preferred that the channel 8 has a maximum width approximately 18mm, the width of the opening slit 5 being approximately 8.5 mum and the depth of the channel being 4.5mm. Each connection member 3 is preferably approximately 560mm in length the cross-bar of each T shaped cross-section connection member 3 being substantially equal in length to the upright thereof, both being approximately 50mm. Preferably, each connection member 3 has a wall thickness of approximately 4mm. Generally, galvanised bolts are used to form the connection elements 4.

Each of the side members 19 comprising support surfaces 20 is also formed of a plastics material, the thickness of walls thereof defining the channel 18 being approximately 1.7mm and each channel 18 being approximately 23mm high so as to be capable of receiving the protruding portion of the respective support member 2. Preferably, each channel 18 is approximately 17mm deep to ensure that the support surfaces 20 are securely mounted to the respective support members 2.The support surfaces 20 which are at an angle of 30O to the surface defined by the support members 2 have a length which is, of course, substantially equal to the length of each support member 2 and a width of approximately 70mm. Also, each support surface 20 preferably tapers in thickness from approximately 2.8mm to approximately 2.5 mm at the free end thereof. Of course, the angle of inclination of the support surfaces 20 to the surface formed by the support members 2 can be varied to suit the slope of the roofs or other building surfaces with which the support platform is to be used.

It should, of course, be appreciated that the resilient sealing elements 23 described above could be used with other forms of support platform or duck boards for use to provide a support platform between inclined surfaces.

It should of course, be appreciated that the support platform 1 may also be used on flat surfaces, for example in chemical works, to replace conventional duck boards. In such circumstances, the side members 19 may be omitted and resilient sealing means could, if necessary, be provided on the underside of the support platform. Moreover, the assembly formed by the support members 2 connection members 3 and connection elements 4 can be used in other circumstances where a support platform or bearing surface is required. Such an assembly could be used in making furniture such as benches, tables, chairs and the like, although in this case it would be preferable to omit the step of roughening the ribs 17 formed on the support members 2.

Also, although in the arrangement described above the support members 2, connection members 3 and side members 19 are formed of plastics material any other suitable material, such as metal, could be used, provided that the material used to form the support members 2 is capable of being extruded.

Claims (21)

1. A method of forming a roughened surface, which method comprises taking a ribbed surface and at least partially destroying, deforming or removing selected sections of the ribs.

2. A method according to Claim 1, wherein the ribbed surface is a surface of a member formed by extrusion from an extrudable material, which member has ribs running parallel to the direction of extrusion.

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the selected sections of each rib are at least partially deformed, destroyed or removed by mechanical means.

4. A method according to Claim 3, wherein the selected sections are at least partially removed by a cutting device.

5. A method according to Claim 3, wherein the selected sections are at least partially deformed, destroyed or removed by impact forces.

6. A method according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the selected sections of each rib are at least partially deformed, destroyed or removed by heat.

7. A method of roughening a ribbed surface substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

8. A roughened surface whenever produced by a method in accordance with any one of the preceding claims.

9. A support platform whenever provided with a roughened surface in accordance with Claim 8.

10. A first member for connection to a second member, the first member having a recess for receiving an enlarged head of a connection element, a groove being provided in one of the recess and the head and a projection being provided in the other of the recess and the head so that when the connection element is received in the recess, the projection engages in the groove to prevent rotation of the connection element and when a screwthreaded shank of the connection element is passed through an aperture in the second member a nut can be threaded onto the shank to connect the first member to the second member.

11. A first member according to Claim 10, wherein the groove is provided in the head and the projection in the recess.

12. A first member according to claim 10 or 11 wherein the first member is elongate and the recess comprises a channel extending along the length thereof.

13. A first member substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

14. A first member in accordance with any one of claims 10 to 13 in combination with a second member and a connection element for connecting the first member to the second member.

15. A support platform comprising a plurality of substantially parallel first members in accordance with Claim 12, each first member having a ribbed surface which is roughened by a method in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 7, a plurality of elongate second members extending substantially parallel to one another and transversely of the first members, so that the second members cross the first members and a plurality of connection elements, each connection element having a respective enlarged head received in a respective channel of an associated first member so that a projection provided in the channel engages a groove in the head of the connection element to prevent rotation thereof and a respective screw-threaded shank which extends from the channel through anaperture in an associated second member crossing the associated first member, the second member being secured to the first member by means of a respective nut threaded onto the shank of the connection element, the arrangement being such that the first members, are connected to form a support platform.

16. A support platform according to Claim 9 or 15, wherein the support platform has a respective support surface extending obliquely from each of two opposed sides thereof, each support surface carrying resilient sealing means so that when the support platform extends between two relatively inclined building surfaces, each support surface contacts a respective one of the said building surfaces and the reslient sealing means carried thereby seals the support surface to the respective one of the said building surfaces during use of the platform.

17. A support platform for extending between two building surfaces, such as roofs, which are inclined relative to one another, the support platform having a respective support surface extending obliquely from each of two opposed sides thereof, each support surface carrying resilient sealing means so that when the support platform extends between two relatively inclined building surfaces, each support surface contacts a respective one of the said building surfaces and the reslient sealing means carried thereby seals the support surface to the respective one of the said building surfaces during use of the platform.

18. A support platform according to claim 16 or 17 wherein each support surface extends along the length of the respective one of the two opposed sides of the support platform.

19. A support platform according to Claim 18, wherein each resilient sealing means comprises an elongate resilient sealing element extending along the respective support surface substantially parallel to the said opposed sides of the support platform.

20. A support platform according to Claim 19 wherein each resilient sealing element comprises a substantially planar elongate base member extending substantially parallel to the respective support surface and a plurality of substantially planar sealing members extending obl iquely away from one surface of the elongate base member.

21. Any novel feature or combination of features described herein.

21. A support platform according to Claim 20, wherein each resilient sealing element has a respective sealing member extending obliquely of the substantially planar elongate base member along each elongate side of the elongate base member.

22. A support platform according to Claim 21, wherein each resilient sealing element has a further sealing member extending along length of the substantially planar elongate base member intermediate the other sealing members, the further sealing member and one of the other sealing members extending obliquely of the first elongate base member toward one another.

23. A support platform according to any one of claims 20 to 22, wherein each resilient sealing element has a projection extending away from from the other surface of the substantially planar elongate base member, which projection engages in a recess formed in the respective support surface.

24. A support platform according to Claim 23, wherein each support surface recess is a keyhole cross-section channel and the corresponding projection is of complementary cross-section and extends along the length of the resilient sealing element.

25. A support platform for extending between two building surfaces such as roofs substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.

26. Any novel feature or combination of features described herein.

CLAIMS Amendments to the claims have been filed, and have the following effect: Claims 10-17 and 25 above have been deleted or textually amended.

New or textually amended claims have been filed as follows: Claims 18-24 and 26 above have been renumbered as 13-19 and 21 and their appendancies corrected.

1. A method of forming a roughened surface, which method comprises taking a ribbed surface and at least partially destroying, deforming or removing selected sections of the ribs.

2. A method according to Claim 1, wherein the ribbed surface is a surface of a member formed by extrusion from an extrudable material, which member has ribs running parallel to the direction of extrusion.

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the selected sections of each rib are at least partially deformed, destroyed or removed by mechanical means.

4. A method according to Claim 3, wherein the selected sections are at least partially removed by a cutting device.

5. A method according to Claim 3, wherein the selected sections are at least partially deformed, destroyed or removed by impact forces.

6. A method according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the selected sections of each rib are at least partially deformed, destroyed or removed by heat.

7. A method of roughening a ribbed surface substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

8. A roughened surface whenever produced by a method in accordance with any one of the preceding claims.

9. A support platform whenever provided with a roughened surface in accordance with Claim 8.

10. A support platform according to Claim 9, said support platform comprising a plurality of substantially parallel first members, each first member having a ribbed surface which is roughened by a method in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 7, a plurality of elongate second members extending substantially parallel to one another and transversely of the first members, so that the second members cross the first members, and means for connecting the first members to the second members.

11. A support platform according to Claim 10, wherein said connecting means is in the form of a plurality of connection elements, each connection element having a respective enlarged head received in a respective channel of an associated first member so that a projection provided in the channel engages a groove in the head of the connection element to prevent rotation thereof and a respective screw-threaded shank which extends from the channel through an aperture in an associated second member crossing the associated first member, the second member being secured to the first member by means of a respective nut threaded onto the shank of the connection element, the connection being such that the first members are connected to form the support platform.

12. A support platform according to Claim 11, wherein the support platform has a respective support surface extending obliquely from each of two opposed sides thereof, each support surface carrying resilient sealing means so that when the support platform extends between two relatively inclined surfaces, each support surface contacts a respective one of said surfaces and the reslient sealing means carried thereby seals the support surface to the respective one of the said surfaces during use of the patform.

13. A support platform according to Claim 12 wherein each support surface extends along the length of the respective one of the two opposed sides of the support platform.

14. A support platform according to Claim 3, wherein each resilient sealing means comprises an elongate resilient sealing element extending along the respective support surface substantially parallel to the said opposed sides of the support platform.

15. A support platform according to Claim 4 wherein each resilient sealing element comprises a substantially planar elongate base member extending substantially parallel to the respective support surface and a plurality of substantially planar sealing members extending obliquely away from one surface of the elongate base member.

16. A support platform according to Claim 5, wherein each resilient sealing element has a respective sealing member extending obliquely of the substantially planar elongate base member along each elongate side of the elongate base member.

17. A support platform according to Claim 6, wherein each resilient sealing element has a further sealing member extending along the length of the substantially planar elongate base member intermediate the other sealing members, the further sealing member and one of the other sealing members extending obliquely of the first elongate base member toward one another.

18. A support platform according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein each resilient sealing element has a projection extending away from from the other surface of the substantially planar elongate base member, which projection engages in a recess formed in the respective support surface.

19. A support platform according to Claim 8, wherein each support surface recess is a keyhole cross-section channel and the corresponding projection is of complementary cross-section and extends along the length of the resilient sealing element.

20. A support platform for extending between two surfaces such as roofs, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.