GB2195388A

GB2195388A - Work platform assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2195388A
Application number: GB08721813A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Mcluckie
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-09-17
Filing date: 1987-09-16
Publication date: 1988-04-07
Anticipated expiration: 2007-09-16
Also published as: GB2195388B; GB8622319D0; GB8721813D0

Abstract

A work platform assembly for use in gaining access to an elevated portion of a structure, comprising a ladder 2; a platform 6 extending generally horizontally from the support, and engagement means 16 carried by the platform for engaging the structure, the platform extending between the engaging means and the support. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATiON Work platform assembly This invention relates to a work platform assembly.

When access is required to an area spaced above the ground, some form of support is required, the most common being a ladder or scaffolding. Ladders are available in various forms, either free-standing as step ladders or wall-engaging as fixed or extension ladders, but all suffer from the disadvantage that substantial heights cannot be reached and maintained both comfortably and safely. On conventional step ladders, for example, the available height is limited to being acceptable for storage of the ladder, while fixed and extension ladders have narrow rungs for receiving the user's feet.

Scaffolding allows much greater freedom of action by allowing platforms to be provided at a range of selected heights, but it is unwieldy and time-consuming to install.

According to the present invention there is provided a work platform assembly for use in gaining access to an elevated portion of a structure, comprising an upwardly-directed ground-engaging support, a platform extending generally horizontally from the support, and engagement means carried by the platform for engaging the structure, the platform extending between the engagement means and the support.

Further according to the invention there is provided a work platform for connection to a ladder, comprising a generally planar platform member having means for securing to the ladder so that the platform extends in use generally horizontally from one face of the ladder, the platform having engagement means for engaging in use the structure to which access is to be gained; Preferably, struts extend upwardly of the platform and are interconnected by a handrail which may be rigid or flexible. The handrail preferably extends along at least two opposed sides of the platform. The platform then provides a high degree of safety for the user.

The platform should preferably be large enough to accommodate both of the user's feet, and dimensioned so that the cantilever forces on it are sustained by the ladder, and fully utilise the strength of the ladder.

The support is preferably a ladder although it may alternatively be scaffolding poles on which the platform is mounted.

The platform may be in one or more pieces; in the latter case the pieces may be hinged together.

The cantilever forces resulting from use of the platform may be sustained by struts, ties or hinge mechanisms which lock the assembly in its working position but allow folding of the whole for transportation and storage.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a work platform assembly of this invention; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of an alternative embodiment of the assembly; Fig. 3 is a front elevation of a third embodiment of the assembly; Fig. 4 is a plan view of the assembly of Fig.

3; Fig. 5 is a side elevation of an upper part of a fourth embodiment of the assembly; and Fig. 6 is a side elevation of an upper part of a fifth embodiment of the assembly.

In Figs. 1 to 6 corresponding parts of the assembly are identified by the same reference numerals.

Referring first to Fig. 1, the assembly comprises an extending ladder 2 on which the rungs 4 terminate about a metre below the ladder's top end. A work platform arrangement 6 is secured to the ladder 2 at the level of the topmost rung 4 and has a platform which is in two mutually-hinged portions 8A and 8B. A pair of stanchions 10 (only one being visible) have handrails 12 extending between them, and also from each respective stanchion 10 to the top of the ladder 2. The platform 8A, 8B is supported by struts 14 from a lower rung 4 of the ladder 2. The platform portion 8B has along its free edge a beam 16 which contacts the roof of a building 18 on whose dormer window 20 work is being carried out. The entire assembly is therefore supported on the ground and by the building 18, and the user has a substantial degree of safe movement and comfort available on the platform 8A, 8B.

In Fig, 2, the platform is provided as a single unit 8; in other respects the assembly is similar to that of Fig. 1. The embodiment of Fig.2 is used in situations where the extended platform 8A, 8B is not required to give access over an obstruction such as the roof of the building in Fig. 1, and the beam 16 in Fig. 2 is of sufficient width to span across a window 22 of the building 18 so that the assembly leans against the wall 24 and not the window 22.

Figs. 3 and 4 shows a similar assembly to Fig. 2, but the beam 16 carries additional stop members 26 which may be screw-threaded or otherwise engaged on the beam 16. It can be seen that the lower portion of the ladder 2 has the side members splayed outwardly to provide extra stability, while the upper portion has the side members splayed outwardly for easy access to the platform 8.

In Figs. 5 and 6 a work platform comprises a kit of parts for the conversion of a standard ladder 2 into a work platform assembly. The kit in all respects functions as described in the foregoing, except that now the platform 8 with its struts 14, handrail .12 and stanchions 10 are assembled together with a pair of ladder side member extensions 28. The whole platform is hinged and/or releasably secured by bolting or clamping at 30 to the ladder 2.

This allows the work platform to be folded for transportation and storage, or removed for normal ladder usage.

In Fig. 6 the struts 14 are replaced by a locking hinge arrangement 32.

The work platform assembly of these embodiments may be used as supports for scaffolding boards or the like, wherein the boards span between adjacent spaced assemblies thereby providing a walkway along a length of structure on which work is being carried out.

The boards are supported in that case on the platform 8, and the appropriate handrail 12 may be omitted for easy access to the boards.

It should be noted that in each of the above embodiments the platform 8, 8A, 8B may be provided as a single piece, or as a plurality of pieces hinged or otherwise secured together.

Also the position and angle of the struts 14 may be selected as desired. Other modifications and improvements may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A work platform assembly for use in gaining access to an elevated portion of a structure, comprising an upwardly-directed ground-engaging support, a platform extending generally horizontally from the support, and engagement means carried by the platform for engaging the structure, the platform extending between the engagement means and the support.

2. An assembly as claimed in Claim 1, wherein upwardly-directed struts are provided terminating above the platform, the struts being interconnected by a handrail.

3. An assembly as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the struts are upward extensions of the support.

4. An assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the platform is lockably hinged to the support.

5. An assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the engagement means carries a stop member for limiting lateral movement of the assembly relative to the structure.

6. An assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the platform comprises first and second portions which are lockably hinged together.

7. An assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the support is a ladder.

8. An assembly as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the ladder has side supports which are splayed towards their lower end.

9. A work platform assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Fig. 1, or Fig. 2, or Figs. 3 and 4, or Fig. 5, or Fig. 6 of the accompanying drawings.

10. A work platform for connection to a ladder to form an assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, comprising a generally planar platform member having means for securing to the ladder so that the platform extends in use generally horizontally from one face of the ladder, the platform having engagement means for engaging in use the structure to which access is to be gained.

11. A work platform as claimed in Claim 10, wherein struts extend upwardly of the platform member, the struts being interconnected by a handrail.

12. A work platform as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the handrail extends along two opposed sides of the platform.

13. A work platform substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Fig. 1, or Fig. 2, or Figs. 3 and 4, or Fig. 5, or Fig. 6 of the accompanying drawings.