GB2399589A

GB2399589A - A trestle to support a working platform

Info

Publication number: GB2399589A
Application number: GB0306438A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Thomas Patrick Hardy
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-03-20
Filing date: 2003-03-20
Publication date: 2004-09-22
Anticipated expiration: 2023-03-20
Also published as: GB0306438D0; GB2399589B

Abstract

A trestle (1) includes is formed by a platform support component (2) and a pair of base support components (3, 4). Each of the leg components (3, 4) is substantially planar of a roughly triangular shape with a pair of feet portions (5, 6) provided at the base and an aperture (7) to provide a handle whereby the component can be carried easily. The platform support component (2) is also generally planar and has a plurality, in this case three, of pairs of slots (13, 14) extending from a downwardly facing edge (12) towards a platform support portion (11) of the component. The downwardly facing edge (12) is stepped so that the pairs of slots (13, 14) are staggered, with their closed ends at different distances from the platform support portion (11) of the component. The base support components (3, 4) fit into a pair of the slots (13, 14) to hold the platform support component (2) at a particular height above the floor. A platform (10) is positioned on the platform support portion (11) of a pair of such trestles (1).

Description

A Trestle

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a trestle, particularly, though not exclusively, to a builder's or decorator's trestle that can be used to support a plafform for standing on.

Background of the Invention

Builder's or decorator's trestles, sometimes called bandstands, are generally designed to be able to support a plafform, for example made of one or more planks of wood (such as a so-called "Youngmans") on which the builder or decorator can stand so as to reach higher than if standing on the floor. The advantage of such a plafform at a height as compared to a ladder, apart from the safety aspects, is that the plafform extends laterally so that it is easy to move across to obtain access to a horizontal extent of, for example, a wall for decorating, without the need to keep getting down off a ladder, moving it across and climbing back up the ladder.

Most known trestles of the type suitable for supporting a plafform, however are relatively bulky and can only support the plafform at one particular height: if a different height is required, a different size of trestle must be used.

Brief Summary of the Invention

The present invention therefore seeks to provide a trestle, which overcomes, or at least reduces the above-mentioned problems of the prior art.

Accordingly, in a first aspect, the invention provides a trestle comprising at least first and second support components, the support components being substantially planar and interfittable into a planar orthogonal configuration so as to provide a substantially stable support for a plafform.

In a first embodiment, the first support component comprises a plafform support component and said second support component comprises a base support component, said plafform support component including at least one slot extending from a first edge of the plafform support component, whereby the plafform support component and the base support component can fit together in a planar orthogonal configuration.

The trestle preferably comprises a pair of base support components, and wherein the plafform support component includes at least one pair of generally - 2 parallel slots extending from the first edge of the plafform support component into which the pair of base support components can be fitted.

The plafform support component may include a plurality of generally parallel pairs of slots, each pair of slots extending to within different distances from a second edge of the plafform support component.

Preferably, the plafform support component includes a plurality of slots arranged in a staggered configuration of corresponding slots to provide a plurality of pairs of slots, one at each lateral side of the plafform support component, extending inwardly to different extents.

The plafform support component is preferably adapted to be located, in use, in a substantially vertical orientation with said first edge facing downwardly and said slot(s) extending generally vertically, and the or each base support component is adapted to be located, in use, in a substantially vertical orientation extending generally vertically into a slot in the plafform support component so that the or each base support component is located generally orthogonally to the plafform support component, said plafform support component including a plafform support portion which, in use, is substantially horizontal.

The slots may be arranged so that the base support components, when fitted to the plafform support component, are tilted from vertical, preferably an angle of approximately 15 to 20 to vertical.

The components may include strengthening ribs arranged in a generally cries-cross pattern across the component. The components may preferably include strengthening ribs arranged to follow stress contours around each of the components.

Each of the components includes, in one embodiment, a central aperture extending therethrough to provide a handle for carrying the component.

A first edge of each of the base support components may have a rounded configuration for slotting into a cooperating slot in the support component. The first edge of each of the base support components may include means to constrain the base support component from sliding out of a slot laterally, once it has been inserted in position.

Each of the slots of the plafform support component may include means to constrain the base support portion from sliding out of a slot laterally, once it has been inserted in position. - 3

Preferably, the or each of the base support components includes a pair of foot portions for contacting a surface on which the trestle stands, in use, each of the foot portions preferably being provided with a rubber foot.

The trestle may also include a tensioning device for fitting to each of the leg components after they are in position, for providing tension between them.

The tensioning device may comprise a flexible strap or a rigid rod for connection between the two leg components when they are in position.

In a further embodiment, the base support component may include at least one slot extending from a first edge for interfitting with the at least one slot of the platform support component.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Several embodiments of the invention will now be more fully described, by way of example, with reference to the drawings, of which: FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a trestle according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 shows a side view of a first version of a base support component of the trestle of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 shows a side view of a first version of a platform support component for use with the base support component of FIG. 2; FIG. 4 shows a side view of a second version of a base support component of the trestle of FIG. 1; FIG. 5 shows a side perspective view of the base support component of FIG. 4; FIG. 6 shows a side view of a third version of a base support component of the trestle of FIG. 1; and FIG. 7 shows a side view of a further embodiment of a base support component of the trestle of FIG. 1.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

Thus, as shown in FIG. 1, a trestle 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes three separate components, which can be flat packed for easy transportation and can be easily set up by slotting together.

The components are a platform support component 2 and a pair of base support components (leg components) 3, 4. Each of the leg components 3, 4 is - 4 substantially planar of a roughly triangular shape with a pair of feet portions 5, 6 provided at the base of the triangle, one foot portion 5, 6 at each lateral side of the component. An aperture 7 is provided in each of the leg components 3, 4 to provide a handle whereby the component can be carried easily. The apex of the triangle of each of the leg components is configured to interfit with the plafform support component, as will be more fully described below.

The plafform support component 2 is also planar and is provided with an aperture 8 to provide a handle whereby the component can be carried easily.

The plafform support component 2 is arranged so as to interfit with the pair of leg components 3, 4 to extend between the leg components in a generally orthogonal orientation to the leg components, all the components being generally vertical when interfitted to each other. As shown in FIG. 1, when the components are interfitted with each other, a top edge 9 of the plafform support component 2 provides a plafform support portion 11 onto which a plafform 10, such as plank, for example a Youngmans, can be rested. With two such trestles, of course, the plafform can be fully supported to provide a builder or decorator with an appropriate working plafform.

The plafform support component 2 further has a plurality, in this case three, of pairs of slots 13, 14 extending from a downwardly facing edge 12 (as illustrated) towards the plafform support portion 11 of the component. The downwardly facing edge 12 is stepped so that the pairs of slots 13, 14 are staggered, with their closed ends at different distances from the plafform support portion 11 of the component. As shown, the leg components 3, 4 fit into a pair of slots 13, 14 (the middle one of the three pairs in this case), to hold the platform support component 2 at a particular height above the floor. Because of the staggered configuration of the slots, if the leg components are fitted into a different pair of slots 13, 14, then the plafform support component will be held at a different height.

FlGs. 2 and 3 show a first version of the plafform support component 2 and the base support component (leg components) 3 in more detail. The same elements as shown in FIG. 1 have the same reference number and will not be described again in detail. The components 2 and 3, which are generally planar, are formed of a plastics material and have a supporting structure of framing and cries-crossing ribs 15 for strengthening of the components. Although the - 5 spaces between the ribs 15 are filled with webs 16 of the plastics material, if the ribs provide sufficient strength, then the spaces can be kept empty, i.e. so that the component is formed only by the network of ribs, thereby reducing the amount of plastics material used, thus reducing costs and weight. As can be seen, the framing ribs generally frame the main features thereof, such as the periphery of the component, and the handle aperture 8. A slot receiving portion 17 of the base support component 3 that interfits with a slot 13 on the plafform support component 2 is also framed by extra strengthening ribs.

The plafform support component 2 is provided with a pair of plafform retaining shoulders 18, 19 extending in a coplanar configuration orthogonally to the plafform support portion 11 so as to prevent the plafform from slipping off the edge of the plafform support portion 11. As can be seen, the pairs of slots 13, 14 extending from the downwardly facing edge 12 towards the plafform support portion 11 of the component are arranged at a slight angle to the vertical, when the towards plafform support component 2 is in position, so that the leg portions are not precisely vertical, but are slightly tilted thereto, to provide greater stability. The angle of the slots to the vertical may be anything from about 0 to 25 , but is preferably between about 15 to 20 .

FlGs. 4 and 5 show a side view and a side perspective view of a second version of a base support component 3 of the trestle of FIG. 1. In this version, again, the main features which are the same as in FIG. 1 are shown with the same reference numerals. The main differences between this version, and that of FIG. 2, is that the strengthening ribs are arranged to follow substantially the lines of stress in the component, when it is loaded. Thus, the stress-following ribs 18 generally follow the outline of the external periphery of the component and of the handle aperture forming an internal periphery of the component.

Other ribs 19 extend orthogonally to the stress-following ribs. Furthermore, the foot portions 5, 6 have been strengthened by the addition of extra ribs and the handle aperture 7 has been enlarged. It will be appreciated that similar changes are envisioned to the plafform support component 2 of FIG. 3.

The top 20 of the base support component 3 has been made more rounded than in the version of FIG. 2, and the slot receiving portion 17 has been substantially strengthened by the addition of a network 21 of extra strengthening ribs. - 6

The third version of the base support component 3 shown in FIG. 6 is generally the same as that of FlGs. 4 and 5, except that the slot receiving portion 17 does not have the network 21 of strengthening ribs, but does have some extra strengthening ribs 23, as compared to the version of FIG. 2. It will be appreciated that the extent to which the component requires strengthening will depend on the load to which it is to be subjected. So, for example, for relatively light load trestles, the leg component of FIG. 2 may be sufficient; for medium load the leg component of FIG. 6 may be adequate, whereas for relatively heavy loads, the leg component of FIG. 4 maybe necessary.

FIG. 7 shows a further embodiment of a base support component 3, in which the slot receiving portion 17 is replaced by a slot 22. The slot 22 is of substantially the same width as the thickness of the platform support component 2, so that the slot 22 and the slot 13 of the platform support component fit into each other and the components fit into the respective slots to interlock therewith. Although such an interfitting design will mean that the sizes of the components will need to be increased to provide for the same height support for the platform, it does provide for a greater degree of interlocking.

Of course, if the base support component 3 is not provided with such a slot 22, the slots 13, 14 of the platform support component 2 can be provided with lugs to prevent or reduce twisting or sliding of the leg support component 3 therewithin. Although not shown, rubber feet can be provided on the leg portions 5, 6 to reduce sliding on the surface on which they stand.

As described above, the components are preferably, although not necessarily, made of a plastics material, such as a fibre reinforced plastics material, for example a glass fibre reinforced thermoplastics material. One suitable material is a long fibre reinforced thermoplastic material known as Celstran manufactured by Ticona GmbH of Frankfurt, Germany, although other materials could alternatively be used. The components are preferably made by injection moulding.

It will be appreciated that although only a few particular embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, various modifications and improvements can be made by a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

Claims 1. A trestle comprising at least first and second support

components, the support components being substantially planar and interfittable into a planar orthogonal configuration so as to provide a substantially stable support for a plafform.
2. A trestle according to claim 1, wherein the first support component comprises a plafform support component and said second support component comprises a base support component, said plafform support component including at least one slot extending from a first edge of the plafform support component, whereby the plafform support component and the base support component can fit together in a planar orthogonal configuration.
3. A trestle according to claim 2, comprising a pair of base support components, and wherein the plafform support component includes at least one pair of generally parallel slots extending from the first edge of the plafform support component into which the pair of base support components can be fitted.
4. A trestle according to claim 3, wherein the plafform support component includes a plurality of generally parallel pairs of slots, each pair of slots extending to within different distances from a second edge of the plafform support component.
5. A trestle according to any one of claims 2, 3 or 4, wherein the plafform support component includes a plurality of slots arranged in a staggered configuration of corresponding slots to provide a plurality of pairs of slots, one at each lateral side of the plafform support component, extending inwardly to different extents.
6. A trestle according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the platform support component is adapted to be located, in use, in a substantially vertical orientation with said first edge facing downwardly and said slot(s) extending - 8 generally vertically, and the or each base support component is adapted to be located, in use, in a substantially vertical orientation extending generally vertically into a slot in the platform support component so that the or each base support component is located generally orthogonally to the platform support component, said platform support component including a platform support portion which, in use, is substantially horizontal.
7. A trestle according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the slots are arranged so that the base support components, when fitted to the platform support component, are tilted from vertical.
8. A trestle according to claim 7, wherein the slots are arranged so that the base support components, when fitted to the platform support component, are at an angle of approximately 15 to 20 to vertical.
9. A trestle according to any preceding claim, wherein the components include strengthening ribs arranged in a generally cries-cross pattern across the component.
10. A trestle according to any preceding claim, wherein the components include strengthening ribs arranged to follow stress contours around each of the components.
11. A trestle according to any preceding claim, wherein each of the components includes a central aperture extending therethrough to provide a handle for carrying the component.
12. A trestle according to any one of claims 3 to 11, wherein a first edge of each of the base support components has a rounded configuration for slotting into a cooperating slot in the support component.
13. A trestle according to claim 12, wherein the first edge of each of the base support components includes means to constrain the base support - 9 component from sliding out of a slot laterally, once it has been inserted in position.
14. A trestle according to any one of claims 3 to 13, wherein each of the slots of the platform support component includes means to constrain the base support portion from sliding out of a slot laterally, once it has been inserted in position.
15. A trestle according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each of the base support components includes a pair of foot portions for contacting a surface on which the trestle stands, in use.
16. A trestle according to claim 15, wherein each of the foot portions is provided with a rubber foot.
17. A trestle according to any one of claims 3 to 16, further comprising a tensioning device for fitting to each of the leg components after they are in position, for providing tension between them.
18. A trestle according to claim 17, wherein said tensioning device comprises a flexible strap for connection between the two leg components when they are in position.
19. A trestle according to claim 17, wherein said tensioning device comprises a rigid rod for connection between the two leg components when they are in position.
20. A trestle according to any one of claims 2 to 19, wherein said base support component includes at least one slot extending from a first edge for interfitting with the at least one slot of the platform support component.