GB2267885A

GB2267885A - Improved access platform.

Info

Publication number: GB2267885A
Application number: GB9311915A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan Clive Broadbridge; Neil David Broadbridge; Brian Phillips; Clive Beardmore
Original assignee: AMINGTON ENGINEERING Co L
Current assignee: AMINGTON ENGINEERING Co L
Priority date: 1992-06-16
Filing date: 1993-06-09
Publication date: 1993-12-22
Anticipated expiration: 2013-06-09
Also published as: GB2267885B; GB9311915D0; GB9212705D0

Abstract

A foldable access platform has a square or rectangular base tray (10) to which are pivotally connected front and rear sides of an upper structure of the platform, the upper structure also comprising lateral sides (13, 14) pivotally connected to the front side for folding over it. The rear side is in two parts, an upper one of which is fold able down over the lower part thereof, and, in use, the rear side with the upper part folded down can be folded down as an assembly onto the base part (10) with the assembly of front side and inwardly folded lateral sides then being folded down onto the rear side (Figure 5 not shown), so that the whole of the folded upper structure is received in the base tray. Accordingly the folded platform can conveniently be stored and transported. <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVED ACCESS PLATFORM This invention relates to an access platform of the form commonly used for high level maintenance jobs and the like where steps and ladders are unsatisfactory or unusable. Access platforms of this form are often carried by a fork lift truck.

The known type of access platform is a fully welded, substantially one-piece metallic construction comprising a square or rectangular base around the sides of which is an upstanding kick plate thus forming, with the base, a bottom tray. The front and sides of the platform have spaced upper and lower safety rails. The rear is formed as a high back with a mesh infill to provide maximum visibility for the fork lift truck driver, whilst preventing access to the truck mast from the platform. The underneath of the base tray has spaced tunnel guides secured thereto to receive the truck forks. A gate can be provided in one or both of the sides.

This known type of access platform is quite satisfactory where it is in regular use at one site or factory. However the main use of the platform is for maintenance at height or for stocktaking purpose, its use for order picking not being approved by the Factory Inspectorate.

Accordingly a platform is often unused for long periods, during which time it occupies a large amount of space and is liable to be damaged by fork lift trucks and other traffic operating in its stored area. The platform is of course of a size and construction which makes it relatively difficult to transport from one factory or site to another, it being too large to fit into a small van or estate car.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved access platform which overcomes at least some of the disadvantages of said abovementioned prior art platform.

According to the invention there is provided an access platform comprising an at least four-sided base tray, respective sides upstanding from the sides of the base tray and forming an upper structure of the platform, and at least one of the sides being pivotally connected to the base tray, so that, in use, by folding, said upper structure can be received within or substantially within the base tray.

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures 1A and 1B are respectively a side and a front view of a prior art access platform; Figures 2A and 2B are schematic side and front views respectively of an access platform of the invention, in its erected state; Figures 3A and 3B are views equivalent to Figures 2A and 2B respectively, but with the platform in its folded state; and Figures 4 to 6 are respective perspective views showing the platform in its fully erected, partly folded and fully folded states respectively.

Figures 1A and 1B show a prior art access platform in the form of a generally one piece construction with the metal bars forming the assembly welded together at their junctions. The platform comprises a square base tray 10 formed by a square floor (not shown) with respective kick plates 11 upstanding normally therefrom at its peripheral sides. To the underside of the floor are secured two parallel, spaced tunnel guides 12 to receive forks of a fork lift truck, the guides lying parallel to sides 13, 14 respectively of the platform.

Each side has an upright bar 15 secured to the tray 10 at a front corner thereof, the two bars 15 being rigidly connected together by a pair of parallel, spaced safety rails 16 defining a front side of the platform. At the two rear corners of the tray 10 are upstanding bars 17, 18 respectively, each being higher than the bars 15. The bars 17, 18 are joined rigidly together by an upper crosspiece 19 and one or more lower ones (not shown). One bar 15 is rigidly connected to the bar 17, whilst the other bar 15 is rigidly connected to the bar 18, in both cases by means of double safety rails 19, equivalent to the rails 16. The rear side of the platform defined by the bars 17, 18 and the crosspieces which interconnect them is provided with a mesh infill 20. One of the sides 13 or 14 can be provided with a conventional gate to allow entrance to the platform.

All the interconnections of the bars and rails are by welding or equivalent permanent connection, these being indicated at 21.

Accordingly, the platform of the prior art is effectively a one-piece, rigid construction.

An embodiment of an access platform of the present invention is shown in Figures 2A and 2B in the equivalent erected state as the prior art platform. However as will be described, the platform of the invention is foldable so that the upper structural sides thereof can be wholly received in the space defined within the base tray.

Thus Figures 2A and 2B show an access platform of similar form to the prior art platform, but differing therefrom in replacing the majority of the welded, permanent connections with specially designed hinges to permit suitable folding of all four sides into the base tray. Equivalent structural elements are thus given the same reference numerals as in Figures 1A and 1B. Clearly the base tray is sized so as to be able to receive the sides.

With the platform of Figures 2A and 2B there is a 1800 hinge 22 between a lower part of the rear side, up to the level of bars 15, and an upper part thereof extending for the remainder of the height of bars 17, 18. The hinge 22 is formed on each of the bars 17, 18 and in one form provides an inverted L-shaped slot in a bracket 23 on a lower part of bar 1 7 or 18, with a recess in the top of the bracket. A first pin on the upper part of the bar 1 7 or 18 is received by gravity in the recess whilst a second pin on said upper part is received in said slot. By lifting the upper part of the rear side the first pins clear their recesses and the second pins travel up the vertical limb of the slot in the bracket.The upper part can then be pivoted or folded forwardly as the second pins now travel horizontally along the other limb of the slots. This moves the upper part forwardly of the remainder of the rear side so that it can then be fully folded through 1800 to lie against the inside of the lower part of the rear side. It can be locked in this position if required.

The safety rails 19 of each of the sides 13, 14 are provided with suitable quick release latches 24 for disengagement from the rear side.

At their opposite ends, each rail 19 is connected to bar 15 by a 90" pivot hinge 25 and by this means each rail 19, once disengaged from the rear side, can be swung inwardly to lie substantially against the inside of the front side, the rails being suitably staggered if necessary to avoid overlapping of one onto another.

The lower ends of the bars 17, 18 respectively are pivotally connected to the base tray 10 as shown at 26 in Figure 2A, and thus once the upper part of the rear side has been folded down onto the lower part of the rear side as described, the rear side can be folded through 90" about pivots 26 down onto the floor of the base tray as a close fit.

The bars 15 are similarly pivotally connected to the base tray adjacent their respective lower ends, but here the pivot is a lateral cylindrical projection 27 received in an elongated slot 28 in the inside surface of the base tray along the side 13 or 14. Thus normally the projection is at the bottom of the slot (projection shown in full), but for folding, the front side is lifted, with the rails 19 folded onto it, until the projections reach the ends of their respective slots (projection shown in phantom), whereupon the front side assembly can be pivoted rearwardly through 90" to lie on top of the already folded down rear side assembly, with its upper surface below, flush with or substantially flush with, the top plane of the base tray, Figures 3A and 3B.

Figures 2A and 2B show that the base tray has a lifting handle 29 and wheels 30 at opposite sides.

From the above description, it is believed that the folding of the access platform in one embodiment will be clear. However Figures 4 to 6 are further views of the platform, in perspective, showing the stages from fully erect to partly folded to fully folded, where the upper structure of the platform, i.e. the whole article excluding the base tray, is folded so as to be wholly received within the base tray. Of course the invention is considered also to cover arrangements where the majority, but not all, of the upper structure is received in the depth of base tray, so that transport of the folded platform is still facilitated.

Despite the existence of access platforms as shown in Figures 1A and 1B for many years, it is believed that no attempt has previously been made to overcome the abovementioned disadvantages associated therewith and thus to increase the potential market for the device. The present invention identifies the particular problem and provides a solution in a particularly effective manner. When folded the size of the platform is, for example, 215 x 1000 x 1000 mm, representing a saving in space of approximately 800%. The folding structure is designed in such a way that there are no loose parts and which allows quick and easy erection or folding down without the use of tools. The folded and stowed structure can be moved by use of the handle 29 and wheels 30 (Figure 6), the wheels only touching the ground when the folded assembly is tilted.The folded assembly can thus be conveniently stored when not in use, due to its small size, and it can easily be transported in a small van or estate car. It can therefore now be used easily on sites that were previously impractical due to the transporting difficulties, e.g.

building sites. The market for the platform is thus greatly increased.

Although a four-sided base tray and associated upper sides are described, the number of sides could be greater. Moreover although the embodiment has two sides pivoting on the base tray, this could instead be one side or more than two. Instead of pivot hinges, lazy tongs or folding lever type hinges, or any other suitable hinges could be used, and not all the upright bars need be secured to the base frame, these being held in position, when assembled, by an over-centre or other force in the associated hinge. All parts when folded could be releasably locked in position.

Claims

1. An access platform comprising an at least four-sided base tray, respective sides upstanding from the sides of the base tray and forming an upper structure of the platform, and at least one of the sides being pivotally connected to the base tray, so that, in use, by folding, said upper structure can be received within or substantially within the base tray.

2. An access platform as claimed in Claim 1, wherein one side of the upper structure is foldable through 90" or less about another side of the upper structure to form an assembly which is then pivotable downwardly into the base tray.

3. An access platform as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein two of said sides of the upper structure are pivotable about the base tray, one of said pivotable sides having its pivot means spaced above the pivot means of the other pivotable sides to allow folding of said one side onto the other side.

4. An access platform as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, comprising a side of the upper structure formed of a lower part to which an upper part thereof is hinged so that the upper part can, in use, be folded down to lie over the lower part.

5. An access platform as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the assembly of lower part with said upper part folded thereover is pivotable down into the base tray.

6. An access platform as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base tray is four-sided, and in the erect state of the platform there are respective sides upstanding from the sides thereof to form said upper structure, the platform being a right-angled quadrilateral.

7. An access platform as claimed in Claim 6, wherein in its erect state said upper structure comprises opposed front and rear sides connected by spaced lateral sides respectively, the lateral sides being pivotal through 90" to lie over the front side, the assembly of front side and folded lateral sides being pivotable down into said base tray.

8. An access platform as claimed in Claim 7 wherein the rear side is pivotally connected to the base tray so as to be foldable into it, the pivot means of the rear side being lower than pivot means of the front side, or vice versa so that the sides can be folded one onto the other within the base tray.

9. An access platform as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base tray has means on its underside for receiving forks of a fork lift truck, in use.

10. An access platform as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base tray has on its underside wheei means for moving the platform in its folded state.

11. An access platform as claimed in Claim 11, comprising a lifting handle at a side of the base tray opposite to a side thereof where said wheel means are provided.

12. An access platform substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to, and as shown in Figures 2 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.