GB2311321A

GB2311321A - Access work platform

Info

Publication number: GB2311321A
Application number: GB9605754A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael John Freeman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-03-19
Filing date: 1996-03-19
Publication date: 1997-09-24
Anticipated expiration: 2016-03-19
Also published as: NO971208L; NO971208D0; GB2311321B; GB9605754D0

Abstract

An extendable modular rope access work platform is composed of decked modular units 1 and 2 together with accessories. To fulfil the requirements of rope access methods it is of light rating, compact design, very light construction and is easy to handle and assemble. It can thus be suspended from rope access equipment and assembled by rope access workers to enable them to walk on it and reach difficult access areas. It may be used in span lengths from two metres long up to thirteen metres or more. It can also be used in cantilever format, arranged around square or circular structures, passed through small openings or stacked two high for very long spans. Support points are provided at regular intervals and there are handrail, hanger, brace, skid and tie bar accessories all attached by simple pin systems.

Description

EXTENDABLE MODULAR ROPE ACCESS PLATFORM DESCRIPTION This invention relates to an extendable, modular work platform which can be arranged in long spans and various configurations yet is light enough to enable it to be used with and suspended from rope access equipment.

Rope access or industrial climbing techniques ("abseiling" in their simplest form) are relatively new and have been used commercially for approximately fifteen years now. They use lightweight sports climbing and caving ropes and equipment of limited strength (a typical safe working load is 200 kilograms) to enable men to reach difficult access areas without the need for scaffolding etc. Some areas of structures cannot be reached by these techniques however (or are very difficult to reach and work at) and this invention much improves that situation. The invention is designed to fulfil the varied requirements of these applications, which cannot be met by normal methods such as timber planking and staging.

According to the present invention there are provided decked modular platform units of small sections and very light construction (approximately eleven kilos per metre) which may be arranged in various configurations or joined together to form long spans that workmen may walk across. Load rating is for three men and tools (90kg /nan) and construction is in thin gauge aluminium to a concise and compact design. This enables it to be safely supported by rope access equipment even when used in long spans of thirteen metres or more. It can be easily handled and assembled by men whilst they are suspended from ropes, passed through restricted openings such as hatchways and frame structures, pinned together to form spans from two metres to over thirteen metres, cantilevered under projections, supported at virtually any point and arranged around sections such as squares and circles. Each module has "male" connections at one end and "female" at the other, thus enabling progressive linear assembly. For very long spans the modules may be stacked in two layers thus increasing their bending strength, as both top and bottom surfaces are smooth and free from projections.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, being on three sheets 1/3, 2/3 and 3/3.

Figure 1 shows a thirteen metre span assembled from two metre and three metre modules, in side elevation, and illustrates attachments.

Figure 2 shows a single module of two metres length. Other modules are normally three metres long.

Figure 3 shows the end view of the module and its suspension hanger.

Figure 4 shows part of a module in detail.

Figure 5 shows an end view of the module.

Figure 6 shows a sectional view of the module.

Figure 7 shows a plan view of the module base and deck.

Figure 8 shows the integral male-to-female eyes which connect the modules together.

Figure 9 shows the pin used for holding the connector eyes together.

Figure 10 shows a hanger unit used for supporting the modules from the rope access equipment.

Figure 11 shows handrails which may be clipped on to the modules when required.

Figure 12 shows a bracing which is used when the platform is used in cantilever format.

Figure 13 shows a skid bar which may be clipped to the side of the modules when required.

Figure 14 shows a tie bolt assembly which is used to clamp two layers of modules together to form very long spans.

Referring to the drawings, the extendable modular rope access platform consists of compact two metre long modules 1 and three metre long modules 2 each of which have connections 3 male at one end female at the other, secured by pins 4 Figure 9. By this means the modules can be used singly or joined together quickly and easily in any combination to form lengths of two metres, three metres, four metres and so on.

The assembled unit is normally suspended on rope access equipment from above using hanger supports 5 Figure 10, but may also be supported from below at any point by resting on suitable structures such as beams 6. The holes 7 which are provided at one metre spacings on each module, giving great flexibility in arranging support spacing.

For short spans the platform may be used as a single module as shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3. For reaching under projections the platform may be arranged in cantilever form by supporting it at an intermediate point with a bracing 8 Figure 12. For arranging around square or circular structures several single modules, Figure 2, may be arranged by suspending them on several ropes. Modular slip-on handrails 9 Figure 11, are provided secured by standard pins 4 Figure 9. To assist moving the platforms when sliding past rough areas skid bars 10 Figure 13, may be attached at any point. For stacking the modules two deep for very long spans the top and bottom surfaces 11 are smooth and clamping tie bars 12 Figure 14 are provided attached by pins 4.

In order to achieve the essential very low weight and high strength necessary to enable its use with rope access techniques the modular platform is of compact (approximately 500mm square) cross-section and constructed from welded, 1/16" gauge aluminium box 13, reinforced at points of strain 14. The decking 15 is supported by several cross bearers 16 enabling a thin light deck section to be used. Lateral stability of the upper longitudinal in compression is a critical requirement in achieving the strength and low weight required. This is achieved by using 50mm upper longitudinals 17, which are larger than the 38mm lower ones 18, with cross bracing 19 at the ends of each module and intermediate stiffener points with vertical frames 20.

Claims

1. The extendable, modular work platform is for use with rope access equipment and techniques. It is light enough to be suspended from rope access equipment and adaptable for use in the various configurations required for rope access work situations.

2. An extendable work platform as claimed in Claim 1 is of especially light design and rating enabling it to be suspended from rope access equipment within the safety factors applicable to that equipment.

3. An extendable work platform as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 is provided in modules with simple pin-joint connections, male one end and female the other, so that it can be easily handled and assembled by personnel who are themselves suspended from ropes.

4. An extendable modular work platform as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 may be assembled in various lengths from single modules of two metres length to over thirteen metres span.

5. An extendable modular work platform as claimed in Claim 4 has smooth top and bottom faces so that it may be stacked two high and clamped by tie bars for assembly in very long spans.

6. An extendable modular work platform as claimed in Claim 4 may be arranged around circular and square structures.

7. An extendable modular work platform as claimed in Claim 4 may be supported by hanger points on one metre spacings on its top face or on support points on its underside.

8. An extendable modular work platform as claimed in Claim 4 may be supported at an intermediate point and arranged to cantilever under projecting structures.

9. An extendable modular platform as claimed in Claim 4 is of small cross-section modules and provided with removable handrails and fittings so that it may be passed through small openings such as hatchways.

10. An extendable modular platform for use with rope access equipment is substantially described herein with reference to Figures 1 to 14 of the accompanying drawings 1/3, 2/3 and 3/3.