GB2218725A - Scaffold platforms - Google Patents

Abstract

A portable scaffold platform which supports a person in an elevated position has a base (10) pivoted to a pair of frames (3) which can be swung down onto the base (10) to collapse the platform for storage or transport When in use the frames (3) are swung into an upstanding disposition and catches (30) in the form of toggle levers between the base (10) and the frames (3) lock the frames (3). Removable safety rails 15 may be provided. The height and orientation of the base (10) is adjusted by raising and lowering the frame legs (11) on the support legs (12) and by clamping the legs (11, 12) with screw-threaded clamps (20). <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN PLATFORMS The present invention relates to apparatus for providing a portable platform for supporting a person in an elevated position, usually for use in interior decorating or the like. Apparatus of this type is described in GB-2189536A.

In common with the apparatus described in the aforementioned publication, the present invention provides apparatus as foresaid which has a base providing a supportive surface for a person during use1 a pair of frames pivotably connected to the base, catches for locking the frames selectively in an erected position substantially upstanding relative to the base, the catches being manually operable to release the frames and permit pivotal movement relative to the base to enable the apparatus to adopt a collapsed folded disposition for transport or storage, a plurality of support legs for supporting the frames and the base in an elevated position and clamping means connecting the legs and the frames to permit the base to be adjusted in height.

In one aspect of the present invention the catches are in the form of two-part toggle levers with parts which lock together in a rectilinear disposition thereby to lock the frames in the erected position. Each toggle lever adopts an inclined disposition relative to the respective frame and base with its component parts pivotably linked to the frame and the base. The component parts are also pivotably linked intermediate their ends. In one design, one part has cut-out and the other part has a projection such as a lug which snaps into the cut-out to lock the lever parts in a rectilinear disposition. This may occur automatically or under gentle pressure imposed by hand.

Each frame may be composed of a pair of legs and one or more cross pieces extending therebetween, the base being connected with pivot joints to the lower regions of the frames. The support legs may then slidably engage inside the frame legs.

In a further aspect of the present invention, the clamping means takes the form of screw-threaded bosses fixed to the lower ends of the frame legs and screwthreaded members engaging in the bosses with gripping means or handles permitting the members to be moved in and out of the legs. Pressure pads on the inner ends of the screw-threaded members may be provided to bear on the support legs. Preferably, however, the inner legs have apertures into which the screw-threaded members positively engage. By releasing the members, the support legs can be displaced individually to a desired height.

In a further aspect of the invention, a pair of safety rail components are provided and these components are provided with end pieces which fit onto the upper ends of the opposite frame legs. Conveniently, the rail components abut against upper cross pieces of the frames or other retention means. Preferably, at least one of the rail components has screw-threaded clamps for fixing the rail firmly to the frame legs.

The inner legs may rest on wheels which can be locked and/or swivelled to immobilise the apparatus. In another aspect, the base takes the form of a board made of stout plywood fitted to a framework which is provided with a handle for carrying the apparatus when collapsed.

The frame legs have projections which form pivot joints with the base framework.

In another aspect the invention provides apparatus for providing a portable platform for supporting a person in an elevated position; said apparatus comprising a rectangular base providing a supportive surface for a person during use, a pair of end frames pivotably connected to the base, catches for locking the frames selectively in an erected position substantially upstanding relative to the base, and for releasing the frames to permit pivotal movement relative to the base to enable the apparatus to adopt a collapsed folded disposition for transport or storage, a plurality of support legs for supporting the frames and the base in an elevated position manually operable clamping means connecting the legs and the frames to permit the base to be adjusted in height and a pair of detachable safety rails which locate on the upper parts of the frame to extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the base when the apparatus is erected.

The invention may be understood more readily and various other aspects and features of the invention may become apparent from consideration of the following description.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of the base framework; Figure 3 is a front view of one of, the locking catches; Figure 4 is a front view of one of the levers of the catch shown in Figure 3; Figure 5 is a front view of the other of the levers of the catch shown in Figure 3; Figure 6 is an enlarged view of one of the clamping devices; and Figure 7 is an enlarged view of a modified form of one of the clamping devices.

Figure 1 depicts apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention in its erected state. As shown in Figure 1, the apparatus can be considered as a main frame 2 which can be generally raised and lowered (in the directions of arrows A and B) in relation to four upstanding support legs 12. The apparatus is rendered mobile with the aid of wheels 16 mounted at the lower ends of the legs 12. The wheels 16 are preferably provided with means to lock the wheels 16 selectively to prevent their rotation. As shown the wheels 16 can have spindles provided with wing nuts 16' which can be tightened to lock the wheels 16. The wheels 16 can also be supported by bearings which are located for swivelling or rotating on the legs 12.Thus the wheels 16 can be selectively swivelled in the direction of arrows D or between pre-selected locations to prevent the erected platform from moving longitudinally or transversally or from moving in both those directions. Thus, with the apparatus in a desired location, the wheels 16 can be immobilised.

The main frame 2 is itself composed of end frames 3 each of which take the form of a pair of legs 11 slideably mounted on the associated pair of legs 12 and upper cross pieces 8, rigidly fixed between the legs 11. The legs 11 have supports 9 fixed to their lower end regions which define pivot joints 13 for a base 10. The base 10 takes the form of a stout rectangular wooden board 5 reinforced on its underside with a framework 90 (Figure 2) composed of beams 6 extending longitudinally and beams 7 extending transversely of the board 5. A handle 60 is provided on the side of one of the beams 6 for carrying purposes. The base 10 can be around 1200-1500mm in length and 600mm in width. As illustrated, the pivot joints 13 take the form of pins engaging through the supports 9 and the outermost longitudinal beams 6 of the base 10. The pivot joints 13 permit pivotal movement of the base 10 relative to the end frames 3 in the direction of arrows C.

The base 10 is selectively locked in a position perpendicular to the legs 11 with the aid of catches in the form of toggle levers 30.

As shown in Figures 3 to 5, each toggle lever 30 is composed of two components 31,32. The component 31 is pivotably connected to a bracket 38 on one of the frame legs 11, while the component 32 is pivotably connected to one of the outermost longitudinal beams 6 of the base 10.

A pivot pin 34 connects the components 31,32. The component 32 has a relief or cut-out portion 35 which receives a bent lug 36 of the component 32 to lock the components 31,33 rectilinearly.

The upper cross pieces 8 constitute end safety rails and the apparatus employs further longitudinal safety rails 15 at the same level as the cross pieces 8. These rails 15 have end pieces 18 which fit over the legs 11.

One or both rails 15 have clamping screws 59 for locking the rail 15 in place. Spring clips 42 on the underside of base 10, conveniently on the cross beams 7 can hold the rails 15 when these are not used or the apparatus is collapsed and stowed. Additional safety rails or equivalent structure can be proided between the rails 15 and the cross-pieces 8 and the base 10. Such additional structure is best detachable but the rails 15 could have additional structure such as depending pieces perpendicular or inclined to the rails or chains or netting. By removing the rails 15 and any other detachable safety structure and by releasing the toggle levers 30 which act as catches the end frames 3 can be swung inwardly alongside the base 10. By folding the apparatus up in this fashion the apparatus can be more easily transported or stored.Elastic straps or the like can be provided to hold the frames 3 to the base 10 to permit the collapsed apparatus to be carried around.

Protective caps are preferably located in the open ends of the legs 11. The legs 11, 12 form telescopic structures and each leg can be moved along its associated leg 12 to a desired height and locked with the aid of a pair of clamping devices 20 operated with handles 29. As shown in Figure 6, each device 20 has a screw-threaded bolt 61 engaging in a screw-threaded boss 80 fixed as by welding to the associated leg 11. The inner end of the bolt 61 has a pad 63 which bears on the inner leg 12 when the bolt is tightened. Figure 7 shows an alternative form of clamping device 20. In this modified arrangement one such device 20 is provided for each pair of legs 11,12. The device 20 again has a screw-threaded bolt 61 engaging in a screw-threaded boss 80 fixed by welding to the associated leg 11 preferably near the lower end thereof.A cross-piece 68 on the bolt 61 permits the bolt 61 to be rotated to withdraw from the leg 12 or extend towards the leg 12. The inner leg 12 is provided with a series of spaced-apart bores 66 in the wall 12' adjacent the boss 80. The bolt 61 is engaged through one of the bores 66 and presses against an inner surface 67 of the wall 12" remote from the boss 80. The devices 20 of Figure 6 or 7 enable the base 10 to be brought into a desired elevated position, say to enable an operator to.

reach a ceiling. The pairs of telescopic legs 11,12 can be adjusted independently and this allows the apparatus to be erected on stairs or where the ground or floor is not level. The legs 11,12 are conveniently of square or rectangular hollow cross-section made from metal such as aluminium or steel.

The overall apparatus is particularly versatile in that the frame 2 can be readily adjusted in the height direction (arrows A and B) by releasing the clamps 20 and sliding the legs 11 up and down on the stationary legs 12 and the apparatus can be moved around on the wheels 16.

The frame 2 can be brought up to a height of say 1500mm.

The apparatus can be easily dismantled by removing the rail components 15 and releasing the catches 30 and by swinging the frames 3 about the pivots 13 the apparatus can be brought into a non-operative stowed position with the frames 3 collapsed and folded against the base 10.

When collapsed, the apparatus can then be carried from place to place and stored for use.

Claims (11)

1. Apparatus for providing a portable platform for supporting a person in an elevated position; said apparatus comprising a base providing a 'supportive surface for a person during use, a pair of frames pivotably connected to the base, catches for locking the frames selectively in an erected position substantially upstanding relative to the base, the catches being manually operable to release the frames and permit pivotal movement relative to the base to enable the apparatus to adopt a collapsed folded disposition for transport or storage, a plurality of support legs for supporting the frames and the base in an elevated position and clamping means connecting the legs and the frames to permit the base to be adjusted in height; wherein the catches take the form of two-part toggle levers which extend rectilinearly and at an angle relative to the associated frame and the base when the frames are erected.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each frame is composed of a pair of legs and upper cross pieces extending therebetween, the base being connected with pivot joints to supports on the lower regions of the legs.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the support legs are slideably mounted wherein the frame legs.

4. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the frames locate with safety rail components which are disposed above the base, the rail components having end pieces which fit over the frame legs.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein at least one of the rail components has means for detachable fixing the component to the frame legs.

6. Apparatus according to claim 4 or 5 wherein the rail components of the respective frames and the upper cross pieces combine at the same level to form a continuous safety rail.

7. Apparatus according to claims 4, 5 or 6 and further comprising spring clips on the base for releasably retaining the rail components when not in use.

8. Apparatus for providing a portable platform for supporting a person in an elevated position; said apparatus comprising a rectangular base structure providing a supportive surface for a person during use, means pivotably connecting the base to four hollow frame legs disposed generally at the corners of said base, four support legs for resting on a ground or floor surface, the support legs being slidably received within the frame legs and one or more screw-threaded clamping devices provided at the lower region of each frame leg for selectively and independently clamping each of the support legs to its associated frame leg to bring the base into an adjustable elevation and orientation and releasable toggle lever means for holding the frame legs in a generally upstanding erected disposition relative to the base or for permitting the frame legs to be pivoted onto the base to enable the apparatus to adopt a collapsed folded disposition for transport or storage.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the respective pairs of frame legs are interconnected by upper cross pieces to form end frames and rail components are provided which have end pieces which fit on the frame legs to provide safety rails disposed above the base.

10. Apparatus for providing a portable platform for supporting a person in an elevated position; said apparatus comprising a rectangular base providing a supportive surface for a person during use, a pair of end frames pivotably connected to the base, catches for locking the frames selectively in an erected position substantially upstanding relative to the base, and for releasing the frames to permit pivotal movement relative to the base to enable the apparatus to adopt a collapsed folded disposition for transport or storage, a plurality of support legs for supporting the frames and the base in an elevated position manually operable clamping means connecting the legs and the frames to permit the base to be adjusted in height and a pair of detachable safety rails which locate on the upper parts of the frame to extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the base when the apparatus is erected.

11. Apparatus substantially as described with reference to, and as illustrated in any one or more of the Figures of the accompanying drawings.