GB2445562A

GB2445562A - A step-on platform with adjustable legs, steps, and a hand rail

Info

Publication number: GB2445562A
Application number: GB0704404A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Steven Mark Willis; Harrison Goddard Foote
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-01-03
Filing date: 2007-01-03
Publication date: 2008-07-16
Also published as: GB0704404D0

Abstract

A miniature light weight platform with adjustable legs C fitted with wheels, drop down steps B and a hand rail A. The legs are screwed into place and may be screwed down to increase the height of the platform. Each leg is fitted with a lockable castor type wheel. There is a set of drop down steps on each of the four sides of the platform, each of the steps having adjustable lockable legs. The hand rail, which is fitted on up to three sides of the device, may either be of a fold down type or telescopically adjusted. A chain may be used to close the fourth side. The device is constructed of light weight alloy or a plastic material. Its compact size, allows the device to be used indoors and will easily fit through standard door openings.

Description

The Miniature Light Weight Adjustable Hop Up Scaffold The scaffold is

11gm weight made of alloy or plastic, 700mm x 700mm with a platform. When the legs are screwed in place the minimum height is 350mm, when the legs are extended they give an extra 300mm in height. Also there are 4 no. 225mm drop down steps on each side with adjustable lockable legs to allow a comfortable step on and off the platform.

This will allow all different trades people to work at height to ceilings to carry out various tasks in the construction industry to average ceiling height of 7-8 feet.

The hop up is ideal on new construction sites, but really comes into its own arena on refurbishment work in properties which are still inhabited and full of furniture. The scaffold will pass through an average size doorway will get the trades person access to all maimer of tight corners to carry out their work, where podiums or similar access equipment can not gain access. The beauty of the hop up is that the height is adjustable which will give tall and small operatives the same access to work areas, which other systems don't give as they are fixed at set heights. The drop down 225mm adjustable height step is the standard tread off most standard stairs, which give comfortable access onto the scaffold. The drop down sides will widen the base area as required and give extra stability when required when set to maximum height.

The two different types of handrail offer flexibility and safety which is a directive required by health and safety legislation on site. The 700mm x 700mm platform offers a comfortable step back for the operative with out fear of falling off when they have got used to using the scaffold and is 100 mm wider than the platform size specificity by the health and safety executive.

Claims

Claims I The miniature light weight ai.ijustable hop up scaffold tower

is a 700mm x 700mm wide platform made of either light weight alloy or plastic.

2 It has 4 no. lockable castors on 4 no. screw out adjustable legs. The minimum height is 350mm high when the legs are in the closed position.

3 The legs when adjusted will give the platform up to 300mm more in height it makes it an ideal platform to suit different operatives at different heights to gain access to the same work area. Other similar scaffolds on the market i.e. podium are a fixed height or adjust in height at set centre i.e. 150mm or 200mm. Which dependent on your own size and the work task you are either too high or to low and the task is more awkward to carry out. The hop up gives you access at a height that is comfortable to you.

4 The 4 no. 225mm wide drop down steps give access to the platform all round.

The 4 no. steps also widen the base to give extra stability when the scaffold is set to its maximum height. The adjustable legs to the steps also adjust to full height to give a nice solid step up with out tipping up the platform. The flexibility of the steps aid access to tight corners as 1,2,3 or all 4 steps can be used as required.

The system B telescopic hand rail will provide a hand rail to 1, 2 or 3 sides with a safety chain to close off the front. Other similar apparatus the handrails are fixed and don't give flexibility when stepping on or off the scaffold. The scaffold can be used with or without the hand rail in position, plus the telescopic hand rail when closed sits flush with the top of the platform and are fixed so there are no parts to loose. When adjusted fully they give a hand rail of 900mm high which is a current requirement of the health and safety executive.

6 System A hinged hand rail is a fixed 3 sided hand rail system with a safety chain to close of the front as required. This system will also fold flat into the recess to finish flush with the top of the platform so the scaffold can be used with or without the hand rail in position. This hand rail is fixed to the platform with no parts to loose as other apparatus on the market.

7 The 700mm wide platform will fit nicely through a standard doorway opening.

It is ideally suited to the refurbishment market of work where people's furniture is still in situation as work is carried out. The 700mm platform is 100mm wider than the specificity of the health and safety executive as a minimum size. This gives an operative a nice comfy step back or forward without fear of falling of the platform while working on it.

8 The design can be constructed out of either light weight alloy or heavy duty plastic.

9 The scaffold is light in weight and very flexible in its use, will suit operatives of different heights to access the same work area.

The scaffold will help prevent current accidents that occur in the construction industry. Where most falls occur at low level from steps of make shift platforms or other apparatus that are not erected correctly where parts have been lost or misplaced.

11 Its one piece construction means there are no components to get lost as other apparatus on the market today.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A hop up scaffold comprising: a platform; adjustable legs for adjusting the height of the hop up scaffold, each comprising a lockable castor; at least one drop down step on a respective side of the scaffold; and at least one hand rail on a respective side of the scaffold, the hand rail being slidable or foldable such that the hand rail can be in or out of position.

2. A scaffold as claimed in claim I, wherein the scaffold is made of light weight alloy or plastic.

3. A scaffold as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the platform is 700mm x 700mm.

4. A scaffold as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one hand rail sits flush with the platform when out of position.

5. A scaffold as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one hand rail comprises three hand rails, each on a respective side of the scaffold, and wherein one, two or three of the hand rails can be in position.

6. A scaffold as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one drop down step comprises four drop down steps, each on a respective side of the scaffold.

7. A scaffold as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one step comprises adjustable legs for adjusting the height of the at least one step.