GB2234004A - Scaffold platforms - Google Patents

Abstract

A portable platform which supports a person in an elevated position is provided with a base (10) pivoted to a pair of frames (3). The frames (3) have legs (11) which slidably engage support legs (12) supported by wheels (16). The frames (3) 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 manually releasable catches (30) lock the frames (3) upright. 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 the aid of spring loaded pins (61) which snap into bores (66) in the support (12). The pins (61) are manually withdrawn and released to permit adjustment by knobs or plungers (68). Upper cross-pieces (8) of the frames (3) combine with detachable rails (15) to form a safety rail. The detachable rails (15) and a framework (90) of the bore (10) can be adjusted to vary the length of the assembly. <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 or exterior decorating: or similar structural work.

Apparatus of this type is described in GB 2 189 536A and GB 2 218 725A.

In common with the apparatlzR described in the aforementioned publications, the present invention provides apparatus as aforesaid which has a rectanaular 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 piotal movement relative to the base to enable the apparatus to adopt a col 3 apsed folded disposition for transport or storage, a plurality of support legs for supporting the frames and the base in an elevated position, means connecting the legs and the frames to permit the base to be adjusted in height and components forming a safety rail surrounding the upper region of the erected apparatus.

In one aspect of the present invention the base is composed of a framework and the framework and at least some of the safety rai 1. components are adjustable bv extension and retraction to vary the length of the apparatus. Preferably, the longitudinal safetv rai components and longitudinal beams of the base framework have inter-engaging portions some of which are also provided with spring-loaded pins acting as locking devices.

Each frame mag be composed of a pair of 1eas 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 slidabln engage inside the frame legs.

In another aspect of the invention the means for connecting the legs and the frames comprises springloaded pins which snap into one of a series of spaced apart bores. Conveniently. the bores are provided in the support legs while the sprino loaded oins project through holes in the frame legs. By releasing the pins the support legs can be displaced individually to a desired height. Preferably, the pins are biased with compression springs into the support leg bores and the Pins can be withdrawn manually b a plunder or knob to release the relevant frame and support legs. Conveniently, the springs and pins are held in housings fitted to the frame legs.

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

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of examples 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 perspective view of another apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention; Figure 3 is a plan view of the base framework of the apparatus shown in Figure 2; Figure 4 is a Plan view of the base framework of the apparatus shown in Figure 2; Figure 5 is an enlarged part sectional view of one of the locking devices usable in the apparatus of figures 1 and 2:: Figure 6 is n front view of one of the locking catches usable in the apparatus of Figure 1 and 2; Figure 7 is a front view of one of the levers of the catch shown in Figure 6; Figure 8 is a front view of the other of the levers of the catch shown in Figure 6; and Figure 9 is a front view of an alternative form of one of the locking catches usable in the apparatus of Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 1 depicts apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention in its erected state. As shown ill 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 or castors 16 mounted at the lower ends of the legs 12.

The wheels 16 are supported by bearings permitting the wheels to swivel or rotate on the legs 12 as indicated b arrow D. The wheels 16 and/or their bearings are preferably provided with lever means 16'.

conveniently operated by a foot to lock the wheels 16 selectively to prevent their rotation and/or swivellitle.

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 sli@ably mounted on the associated pair of legs 12 and upper cross pieces 8, rigidly fixed between the legs 11. The legs 13 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 the underside with a framework 9 (Figure 4) composed of beams 6 extending longitudinally and beams 7 extend in transversely. A handle 60 is provided on the side of one of the beams 6 for carrying purposes.

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 33 permit pivotal movement of the base 10 relative to the end frames 3 in the direction of arrows C. The board 5 can be removable from the framework 9.

The base 10 is selectively locked in a position perpendicular to the legs 11 with the aid of catches in the forns of toggle levers 30. As shown in Figures 6 to 8, 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 with a pivot pin 81, while the component 32 is similarly pivotable 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 lue 36 of the component 32 to lock the components 31,33 rectilinearly. An alternative form of catch usable to lock the frames 2 upright is shown in Figure 9. This takes the form of a one-part lever provided with a slot 32, which has a major portion 32' longitudinal of the lever 30 and a minor Portion 32'' transverse of the lever 30. The lever 30 is pivotably connected to a bracket 38 on one of the frame legs 13 with a pivot pin 81. .R locking pin 33 with a shank and an enlarged head fits on one of the beams 6. The shanl; of the pin 33 fits into the slot 32 with the head on the outside overlapping the slot 32. W2th the pins 33 in the portions 32'' of the slots 32 the levers 30 lock the frames 3 as shown in Figure 1.By pushing the levers 30 to bring the shanks of the pins 33 in registry with the portions 32 of the slots 32 the levers 30 release the frames 3 which can swing about the pivot joints 13 in the direction of arrow C with the pins 33 sliding along the portions 3S' of the slots 32.

The upper cross pieces 8 constitute part of a safetv rail and the apparatus employs further longitudinal safety rail components 15 at the same level as the cross pieces 8. These rails 15 have end pieces 18 which fit over the legs 11. The rails 15 have cl amuing screws D9 for locking the rails 15 in place.

As shown in Figure 4, spring clips 42 on the underside of the base framework 90. conveniently on mounting plates 39 on a central beam 6A can serve to hold the rails 15 when these are not used or the apparatus is collapsed or stowed. Alternatively the spring clips 42 can be moulded on the cross beams 7. By removing the rails 15 and by releasing the catches 30 the end frames 3 can be swung inwardly alongside the base 30 (arrows C Figure 1). 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 locates in the open ends of the legs 11.

The legs 11,12 form telescopic structures and each leg 11 can be moved along its associated leg 12 to a desired height and locked with the aid of a locking device 20. As shown in Figure 5 each device 30 takes the form of a pin 61 carried by a housing 62 fitted outside the associated leg 11. The pin 61 projects through a hole 65 in the leg 11. The inner leg 12 is provided with a series of spaced-apart bores 66 in the wall 12' adjacent the projecting pin 61. The pin 61 is engaged through one of the bores 66 to lock the legs 11,12 together. A groove 63 in the pin 61 provides a seating for the periphery of the bore 66 is registry therewith.

The pin 61 is pressed inwardly by the force of a spring 69 in the housing 62. The spring 69 engages on an end wall of the housing 62 and on an abutment pirate 67 fised on the pin 61. A knob 68 on the exterior of the pin 61 enables an operator to pull the pin 69 outwards to free the leg 12 and permit adjustment to another bore 66. The devices 20 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 11.2 can be adjusted independently and this allows the apparatus to be erected on stairs or where the around 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 but it is possible for one or both legs 11,12 to be made of circular cross-section.

The overall apparatus is particularly versatile in that the frame 2 can be readily adjusted in the height direction (arrow A and B) b releasing the devices 20 and sliding the legs 11 up and down on the stationary legs 12. The frame 2 can be brought up to a heioht of sav 1500mm. The apparatus can be moved around the wheels 16.

The apparatus can be easily dismantled by removing the rail components 15 and releasing the catches 30 and bv 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.

Additional safety rails or eauivalent st ructre can be provided 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.

In the version of the apparatus shown in Figures 2 and 3 in which the reference numerals denote like parts to the other Figures the base framework 90 and the separate longitudinal safety rails 15 are constructed to permit the length of the apparatus to be adjusted in the direction of arrows E-F in Figure 2. To achieve this each of the rails 15 and each of the beams 6 of the framework 90 is made from two parts 15'15'', 6'6'' which inter-engage. Preferably, the adjacent end regions of the component parts 15'15''. 6'6'' engage one within the other. Locking devices (not shown), similar to the devices 20, can be provided to lock the respective component parts 1 5' 1 5' ' and the respective components parts 6'6'' of at least one of the beams 6 together in one of a plurality of positions defined by the engagement of a pin in one of the spaced apart bores. The adjustment of the length of the base 10 necessitates the use of various numbers of boards 5 which are placed on the framework 90. In general the adjustment can vary the length of the apparatus between around 1200mm-1800mm.

Claims (10)

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 with legs 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, components forming a safety rail surrounding the upper region of the erected apparatus and means connecting the support legs and the frame legs to permit the base to be adjusted in height: wherein the means connecting the legs comprises spring loaded pins which snap into one of a series of spaced-apart bores.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the bores are provided in the support legs and the spring loaded pins project through holes in the frame legs.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for connecting the support legs and the frame legs takes the form of housings containing the srins fitted to the frame legs and mounting the pins which pro.iect through holes in the frame legs to engage irl one of said series of bores in the support legs.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3q wherein the springs are compression springs which engage between end walls of the housings and abutments fixed to the pins.

Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the pins have manually graspable accessible knobs which can be used to withdraw the pins from their engagement in the bores.

6. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the base has a framework adjustable by extension and retraction, the components forming the safety rail take the form of cross pieces on the frames and detachable rail components with end pieces which fit over the frame legs and the rail components are also adjustable by extension and retractions.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the adjustable base framework and the adjustable rail components have inter-engageable portions and spring loaded pins which engage in one of a series of spaced apart bores are used to lock the rail components and the base framework portions in one of a series of pre-set locations.

8. 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 with legs 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 components forming a safety rai] surrounding the upper region of the erected apparatus and means connecting the support legs and the frame legs to permit the base to be adjusted in height; wherein the base has a framework adjustable by extension and retraction1 the components forming the safety rail take the form of cross pieces on the frames and detachable rail components with end pieces which fit over the frame legs and the rail components are also adjustable by extension and retraction.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the adjustable base framework and the adjustable r i @ 1 components have inter-engageable portions and springloaded pins which engage in one of a series of spaced apart base are used to lock the rail components and the bore framework portions in one of a series of pre-set locations.

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