GB2446445A

GB2446445A - Stepped podium access tower

Info

Publication number: GB2446445A
Application number: GB0702264A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Timothy Stevens
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-02-06
Filing date: 2007-02-06
Publication date: 2008-08-13
Anticipated expiration: 2027-02-06
Also published as: GB0702264D0; GB2446445B

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus 100 comprising a work platform and a support structure. The apparatus comprises a vertical series of cells 110,120,130, wherein each cell 110,120,130 is defined by substantially horizontal and vertical members. The support structure is collapsible in the vertical direction over at least a part of its height and at least one cell 110,120,130 includes a collapsible portion 112,122, 132 and a non-collapsible portion 114,124,134. At least one cell may have a flexible tension element (151, 152 figure 16) extending obliquely across the cell. The non-collapsible portions 114, 124, 134 may provide a step. One or more storage trays may be provided underneath at least one of the cells.

Description

STEPPED PODIUM TOWER

This invention relates to a podium tower, which provides a work platform above ground level.

The invention preferably provides apparatus comprising a work platform and a support structure preferably comprising a vertical series of cells. Each cell is preferably defined by substantially horizontal and substantially vertical members. The support structure is collapsible in the vertical direction (at least over part of its height).

Preferably the support structure includes at least one tension element (preferably flexible or telescopic) extending obliquely across at least one cell. Preferably a tension element extends from one corner of a cell to another corner of the same cell. Each cell preferably has at least two tension elements and self powered joints with restricted angular movement.

The invention preferably provides a plurality of cells mounted on top of one another. Preferably, at least one cell includes a collapsible portion, and a non-collapsible portion or step'. The collapsible portion of the uppermost cell is preferably movable between a collapsed configuration in which the top of the collapsible portion is in substantially the same horizontal plane as the top of the step, and an erected configuration in which the top of the collapsible portion is above the top of the step.

The step then provides an intermediate height portion to use in climbing up to the Preferably, the collapsible portion of each cell is movable from a collapsed configuration in which the top of the step of that cell is in substantially the same horizontal plane as the top of the step of the cell directly above, to an erected configuration in which the top of the step of that cell is below the top of the step portion of the cell directly above.

Preferably, the bottom substantially horizontal member of one cell is also the top substantially horizontal member of the cell immediately below. This may be repeated, with a number of cells having collapsible portions and steps.

The cells preferably include climbing rungs on at least one vertical side, the spacing of the rungs when the cells are erected being the same as the height of the cells when collapsed.

The apparatus may include one or more collapsible hand rails which, when erected, extend above at least the uppermost cell to provide a hand hold for a worker standing on the top of the cells. One or more storage trays may be provided underneath at least one of the cells. The work platform may be constructed of glass filled nylon material.

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a podium tower; Figure 2 is an end view of the podium tower; Figure 3 is a side view of the podium tower in a partly collapsed state, with two modules (cells) closed; Figure 4 is a side view of the podium tower in a further partly collapsed state, with three modules (cells) closed; and Figure 5 is a side view of the podium tower in a fully collapsed (closed) state; Figure 6 is a side view of a possible modification of one module (cell) of the podium tower; Figure 7 is a side view of another possible modification; and Figure 8 is a side view of a possible variant of the modification shown in Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a side view of an alternative podium tower according to an embodiment of the present invention in a fully erected state.

Figures 10 to 13 are side views of the podium tower of Figure 9 in various stages of collapse.

Figure 14 is an end view of the podium tower in the configuration shown in Figure 13.

Figure 15 shows an alternate cell for the podium tower of Figures 9 to 14.

Figure 16 shows tension elements that can be used with the podium tower of Figures9to 15.

Figure 17 shows a hand rail mounted on a podium tower according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 18 shows a locking mechanism for use with a podium tower according to an embodiment of the invention.

The tower apparatus of a first embodiment of the invention provides a work platform 1 above ground level, on a support structure 2. A series of modules are stacked one above the other and are connected together with joining plates 3. Module components 4 fold from a horizontal plane (Fig. 5) and lock in a vertical plane (Fig. 1) to erect the tower. With the tower erect flexible diagonal ties 6 becomes taught to form a rigid variable height column supporting the work platform 1. The number of modules or cells within the apparatus may vary. The modules (cells) rely on diagonal ties 6 for stability. In small towers one or more modules (cells) may rely for stability on locking joint 12 and limited movement joints 7, 8 without diagonal ties.

The tower footprint is the same whether the tower is erected or closed down (collapsed).

Each module (cell) has two horizontal planes 9 spaced apart one above the other.

The upper horizontal plane 9 is supported and spaced from the lower horizontal plane 9 by various members 11 in the vertical plane. The vertical-plane members 11 are hinge jointed at the mid-point 12 and pin joined at 7 or 8 at the ends. The end pin joint joins the vertical plane to the horizontal plane. The vertical members fold by folding the mid point joint 12 (or by unpinning one end at 7 or 8) thus allowing them to fold from a vertical to a horizontal plane and reduce the space between the horizontal planes 9.

Conversely the structure unfolds to space the horizontal planes 9 apart. The folding members 11 fold out from the horizontal to form vertical members, which lock at the mid-point 12 (or are joined again at 7 or 8) to form rigid members. The unfolding action pulls the flexible diagonals 6 taught.

Vertical-plane members 11 are each connected to each other in one plane by horizontal members 13 to form ladder rungs and also in a second plane set at right angles to the first. In the second plane the vertical members 11 are connected each to the other by the flexible diagonal ties 6.

The folding joint at 12 may be provided with an index arrangement to lock it, if required, at any set angle. When the joint is used in positions 7 and 8 the right angle formed between the horizontal plane and the member in the vertical plane can eliminate the need for flexible diagonal braces on small versions of the apparatus.

The flexible diagonal tie 6 may be formed from materials such as chain or wire.

On some modules the tie may be formed from a sliding telescopic tube, which extends to a fixed length, and which may or may not lock when extended.

The work platform 1 is provided with personnel protection handrails 14-16. The handrails are raised, lowered and constructed similarly to the column support modules with the exception of an additional horizontal plane mid-way between upper and lower horizontal planes to form safety rails 15, 16. The safety rail 15 in the mid horizontal plane is flexible when in a first plane and the safety rail 16 is a rigid member in the second plane set at right angles to the first plane. The member 16 is constructed and fixed to allow access to the work platform 1 by lifting or swinging.

A torsion force is incorporated in the pin joints at 7 and 8 between vertical members and the horizontal plane to provide buoyancy when folding the vertical column to raise or lower the tower. A tension force incorporated in the mid point folding joint 12 joining the two halves of the folding vertical member 11 provides additional buoyancy.

Apart from the modifications mentioned above, various other modifications may be made within the scope of the invention. For example, the ties may extend obliquely (with respect to the horizontal and vertical) between different points of each module (cell), e.g. between corners which lie on opposite sides of the centre of the module (cell). The drawings show modules (cells) which are rectangular in plan view, but it may be possible to use cells which are triangular, square, pentagonal, hexagonal, etc. in plan view.

The action of springs providing the above-mentioned tension forces in various joints imparts buoyancy to the structure while it is being extended vertically with the modules remaining parallel to each other. A degree of control may be required to compensate for variation in spring effectiveness. This may be achieved with a lightweight spring loaded scissor 17 (Fig. 6) to ensure the structure extends perpendicular to the base. The scissor members balance out the spring force variation with might otherwise cause the structure to lean first one way and then the other way as the structure is extended in an upward direction.

The benefit of flexible diagonals (members 6) can also he achievel by flexible corner braces 18 connecting adjacent members, one in the vertical plane and one in the horizontal plane, as shown in Figure 7. The corner brace could instead be a folding rigid member 19, as shown in Figure 8.

An alternative podium tower will now be described with reference to Figures 9 to 18. Figure 9 shows the podium tower 100 in a fully erected configuration. The tower includes three cells 110, 120, 130. Each cell includes a collapsible portion 112, 122, 132 and a non-collapsible portion or step' 114, 124, 134. Each collapsible portion 112, 122, 132 has vertical plane members or support members 115, 125, 135, which include a pivot at substantially their midpoint. When the collapsible portion collapses, the pivots allow the support members to collapse inwards towards each other, in a plane defined by the horizontal members to which they are attached, similarly to or in the same way as described above. In the present embodiment, in all but the lowest cell 130, the bottom substantially horizontal member of a cell is also the top substantially horizontal member of the cell below. The collapsible portions may function in the same or similar way to those described in the first embodiment.

In an embodiment, the uppermost collapsible member 112 is provided with a plurality of portions which extend across the upper horizontal plane to define the working platform. One or more of these portions may be slideable on the horizontal plane substantially perpendicularly to their elongate length. In this way they can provide a vice between adjacent portions, by at least one of the portions being releasably lockable at varying separations from an adjacent portion.

Figures 10 to 13 show the apparatus of Figure 9 in various different configurations. Collapsible portions 122, 132 are configured to collapse so that the upper surface of the step of the cell above 114, 124 is level with the step 124, 134 of that cell 120, 130. In the case of the top cell 110, where there is no cell above, the collapsible portion 112 collapses until the top of the collapsible portion 112 is substantially level with the top of the step 114 of the top-most cell 110, as shown in Figure 10. Each cell below that is then collapsed in turn, as shown in Figures 11 to 13, until a fully collapsed apparatus is obtained, shown in Figure 13, and, from an end view, in Figure 14. In this way, a variety of levels of the working platform can be provided, and steps are also provided to provide easy access to the working platform. In this way, when the collapsible portion of a cell is collapsed, and any collapsible portions of cells above are also collapsed, the level of the top-most collapsible portion is level with the step of that cell. This provides a flat working platform, which when cells are collapsed from the top down, extends to include the steps of the collapsed cells at the same level.

In an alternative embodiment, not shown, the steps may be mounted to alter the height of each step relative to the bottom of the cell of which they are a part, for example on telescopic rods, or by other means.

l'he manner of collapsing and erecting the cells may be the same as that used in the first embodiment. Alternatively, one or more of the cells may employ a scissor action as shown in Figure 15. Support members 142 pivot at an upper end and have rollers 144 mounted at the lower end. These are then pivotably joined midway along their length by a further member 146, which is also pivotably mounted at its lower end to the cell. In this way, horizontal movement of the rollers 144 causes the collapsible portion 140 to rise and fall. There may be biasing means (not shown) in the form of a spring or other such means (not shown) to bias the support members 142 towards the upright position, or to reduce the force required to lift the collapsible portion from the collapsed configuration to the erected configuration. This scissor action may also be employed in one or more of the cells of the first embodiment described above.

As shown in Figure 16, flexible diagonals (or tension elements) 150,152 may also be provided in the cells of the alternative embodiment. These function in a similar manner to those described above. Further, as shown in Figure 17, one or more flexible diagonals 160 may be provided in conjunction with a handrail 170, which can be erected from a position flush with the upper surface of the topmost collapsible portion.

The handrail 170 shown in Figure 17 is formed of an upper horizontal member 172, and a second horizontal member (additional horizontal plane) 174 positioned halfway up the erected handrail. A pair of support members 176 is pivotably coupled, at either end, to each of the horizontal members 172, 174. One end of each of two further support members 178 is pivotably coupled to each end second horizontal member 174, respectively, and extend to the collapsible portion of the top cell, where the other end of each further support 178 is pivotably attached. When erected, the support members 176, 178 are substantially vertical. When they are collapsed they pivot, with the second horizontal member 174 moving laterally and downwardly, until the handrail is flush with the working platform. Doffed lines 180 show the path of the diagonal element 160 as the handrail is collapsed and erected. A locking element 182 is provided to maintain the handrail in the erected position when desired.

Figure 18 shows a suitable locking mechanism for the collapsible portions of the cells and the handrail. Two parts of a support vertical plane member 11 are hinge jointed at their midpoint 12 by a fulcrum pin, about an axis of which the two parts of the support member 11 can rotate to move from a bent configuration (in the collapsed configuration of the cell) and a straight configuration (in the erected configuration of the cell).

The hinge joint 12 is locked into the straight configuration by sliding a castellated key 200 through the joint 12 in its axial direction until opposing surfaces of the key abut radially extending surfaces of the support member parts 11 respectively, preventing relative rotation of the two parts. Alternatively, the key 200 may slide radially, relative to the axis of the joint, from a disengaged position in which the joint 12 is free to move to an engaged position in which opposing surfaces of the key abut radially extending surfaces of the support member in the joint to prevent relative rotation of the two parts of the support members. Further, contact faces 210 of the parts of the support members 11 prevent over rotation beyond the straight configuration, and beyond the bent configuration, in which the relative rotation of the two parts is 180 .

Similarly, contact faces between the parts of the support members 11, and the joints 7, 8 restrict movement to 90 to prevent over-rotation of the support members 11. This locking arrangement is equally applicable to the embodiment of Figs. 9 to 14.

The present invention has been described above purely by way of example and various modifications, omissions and additions may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit arid scope of the invention; the invention also extends to any such modifications, additions and omissions.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. Apparatus comprising a work platform and a support

structure, the apparatus comprising a vertical series of cells, each cell defined by substantially horizontal and substantially vertical members, wherein: the support structure is collapsible in the vertical direction over at least a part of its height; and at least one cell includes a collapsible portion and a non-collapsible portion.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising at least one tension element extending obliquely across at least one cell.
3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the or each tension element is flexible. * *1.
4. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the non-collapsible *: * portion provides a step. * **I.*

*
5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the step comprises a substantially * : horizontal upper surface.
6. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein an uppermost cell has a collapsible portion and a non-collapsible portion, the collapsible portion of the uppermost cell being movable between a collapsed configuration, in which the top of the collapsible portion is in substantially the same horizontal plane as the top of the non-collapsible portion of the uppermost cell, and an erected configuration in which the top of collapsible portion is above the top of the non-collapsible portion.
7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the collapsible portion of a cell is mounted on the collapsible portion of a cell below.
8. Apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the non-collapsible portion of a cell is mounted on the collapsible portion of a cell below.
9. Apparatus according to claim 6, 7 or 8, wherein the collapsible portion of each further cell is movable from a collapsed configuration in which the top of the non-collapsible portion of that cell is in substantially the same horizontal plane as the top of the non-collapsible portion of the cell directly above, to an erected configuration in which the top of the non-collapsible portion of that cell is below the top of the non-collapsible portion of the cell directly above.
10. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein a bottom substantially horizontal member of one cell is also the top substantially horizontal member of the cell immediately below.
11. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the cells include climbing rungs on at least one vertical side, the spacing of the rungs when the cells are erected : .. being substantially the same as the height of the cells when collapsed. S... * S S...

* : *
12. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising one or more collapsible hand rails which, when erected, extend above at least the uppermost cell to S. * provide a hand hold for a worker standing on the top of the cells. * *. * S

S
13. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising one or more storage trays provided underneath at least one of the cells.
14. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising torsion means between substantially vertical members of adjacent cells to provide buoyancy wherein the cells are collapsed or erected.
15. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein an uppermost cell comprises a plurality of portions defining a working platform, one or more of the portions being slideable to provide a vice between adjacent portions.
16. Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein at least one of the portions is releasably lockable at varying separations from an adjacent portion
17. Apparatus, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any of Figures 9 to 18 of the accompanying drawings. S. * S * .55 *5*s * I *. I ** I * I I * II

I I....

I S * II * I I

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