GB2546783A

GB2546783A - A support arrangement for a platform, a cross-member, a platform and a method

Info

Publication number: GB2546783A
Application number: GB1601631.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Singh Bains Gurdip
Original assignee: Three G Metal Fabrications Ltd
Current assignee: Three G Metal Fabrications Ltd
Priority date: 2016-01-28
Filing date: 2016-01-28
Publication date: 2017-08-02
Anticipated expiration: 2036-01-28
Also published as: GB201601631D0; GB2546783B

Abstract

The support arrangement has an upright support member (11,Fig.1) for retaining a horizontal beam or cross member (121,Fig.2), and a locking mechanism 2 is held by the beam. The locking mechanism is axially movable in parallel with the beam from a first protruding position to a second retracted position. The beam can have a cavity within which the lock 211 may be fully housed when in the retracted position. The lock may have first 212 and second 214 biasing arrangements that bias it towards respective extended or withdrawn positions. Blocking arrangements may be formed by the abutment of a guide recess 1211 and a protrusion 213 on either of the lock or beam to inhibit movement of the lock towards a particular position. The second biasing arrangement may urge the protrusion into abutment with the recess. Also disclosed is the cross-member, a platform, and a method of assembling the platform.

Description

Title: A support arrangement for a platform, a cross-member, a platform and a method

Description of Invention

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a support arrangement for a platform, a cross-member, a platform, and a method.

Raised platforms are used in the construction industry to provide a secure temporary floor from which building activities can be undertaken above ground level. These raised platforms may be modular in design, comprising a plurality of parts which are arranged to provide the platform.

These parts include upright supports (which may be generally vertical support members) and cross-members (which may be generally horizontal members) which interconnect the upright supports. The cross-members may support a platform floor in the form of a mesh or grill, for example.

In some raised platform systems, such as described in WO2013/054143, the cross-members may be part of a modular platform section which includes a plurality of tongues which are received in corresponding slots of the upright supports.

There is a need to lock the modular platform sections to the upright supports to improve safety - i.e. to inhibit the accidental removal of the tongues of the modular platform section from the slots of the upright supports. This might occur, for example, if there is uneven loading of a modular platform section which results in the modular platform section rotating with respect to the upright supports to lift one or more of the tongues from their respective slots. A lock is proposed in WO2013/054143. However, this lock involves the use of a separate member which may be lost and which must be stored separately when not in use. The lock is also only useable with a specific configuration of slots - i.e. two adjacent parallel slots.

Accordingly embodiments of the present invention seek to alleviate one or more problems associated with the prior art.

An aspect of the present invention provides a support arrangement for a platform comprising: a beam, a substantially upright support member for supporting the beam, and a locking member supported by the beam, wherein the locking member is moveable between a first position and a second position along an axis of movement, such that in the first position at least a portion of the locking member protrudes past an end of the beam to engage the support member, and in the second position the locking member is retracted such that it is disengaged from the support member, and wherein the axis of movement is substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis of the beam.

The beam may define a cavity.

The locking member may be at least partially housed within the cavity.

When the locking member is in the second position it may be substantially fully housed within the cavity.

The locking member may be biased towards the first position by a biasing arrangement.

The locking member may be biased towards the second position by a second biasing arrangement.

The beam further may include a blocking arrangement to inhibit movement of the locking member towards the first position.

The blocking arrangement may be formed by a recess or aperture defined by one of the beam and locking member and a protrusion formed on the other of the beam and locking member, such that movement of the locking member towards the first position may be inhibited when the protrusion abuts a surface at least partially defining the recess or aperture.

The second biasing arrangement may urge the protrusion into abutment with the surface of the recess or aperture.

The beam may further include a blocking arrangement to inhibit movement of the locking member towards the first position.

The blocking arrangement may be formed by a recess or aperture defined by one of the beam and locking member and a protrusion may be formed on the other of the beam and locking member, such that movement of the locking member towards the first position may be inhibited when the protrusion abuts a surface at least partially defining the recess or aperture.

Another aspect provides a cross-member for use in a support arrangement for a platform including at least one substantially upright support member for supporting the cross-member, the cross-member comprising: a beam; a locking member supported by the beam, wherein the locking member is moveable between a first position and a second position along an axis of movement, such that in the first position at least a portion of the locking member protrudes past an end of the beam for engagement with a support member, and in the second position the locking member is retracted for disengagement from the support member, and wherein the axis of movement is substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis of the beam.

The beam may define a cavity.

The locking member may be at least partially housed within the cavity.

The cross-member may further include a blocking arrangement to inhibit movement of the locking member towards the first position.

The blocking arrangement may be formed by a recess or aperture in one of the beam and locking member, and a protrusion may be formed on the other of the beam and locking member, such that movement of the locking member towards the first position may be inhibited when the protrusion abuts a surface of the recess or aperture.

The cross-member further may include a blocking arrangement to inhibit movement of the locking member towards the first position.

The blocking arrangement may be formed by a recess or aperture in one of the beam and locking member and a protrusion may be formed on the other of the beam and locking member, such that movement of the locking member towards the first position may be inhibited when the protrusion abuts a surface of the recess or aperture.

Another aspect provides a platform comprising a support arrangement, or a cross-member.

Another aspect provides a method of assembling a platform, including moving the locking member from the second position to the first position or from the first position to the second position.

Embodiments of the invention are described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a platform in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a side view of a platform in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 3 is a plan view of a platform in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a support member and a beam in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a beam in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a support member and a beam in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 7 is a side view of a support member and a beam in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

With reference to figure 1, some embodiments may include and/or may be used in relation to a platform 1. The platform 1 may include a plurality of upright support members 11 which support one or more platform sections 12 above a ground surface (on which the upright support members 11 may rest).

The one or more platform sections 12 may include a number of beams 121 which support a mesh or grill which forms the platform floor 122. The platform sections 12 may include, for example, four beams 21 which support a square or rectangular platform floor 122. The four beams 21 may be arranged around a perimeter of the platform floor 122.

The platform section 12 may include one or more downwardly projecting tongues 123. For example, each beam 121 may carry one or more such tongues 123. In some embodiments, each beam 21 carries one such tongue 123. The or each tongue 123 may be located towards a respective end of the beam 21 which carries that or those tongues 123.

The or each tongue 123 may taper as it extends from the beam 121 which carries that or those tongues 123 (i.e. away from the rest of the platform section 12). The or each tongue 123 may be generally planar and may be generally parallel with a longitudinal axis of the beam 121. A first edge of the or each tongue 123 which is closest to an end of the beam 121 may be generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the beam 121. Accordingly, in embodiments in which the tongue 123 is tapered, the opposing edge (i.e. the second edge) may be inclined with respect first edge.

The upright support members 11 may be in the form of upstanding beams which are configured to be supported by the ground at one end thereof - and may, accordingly, include a foot portion 111 which may be configured to spread a force applied through that upright support member 11 over a larger surface area (compared to the cross-section of the upright support member 11). The foot portion 111 may be configured to assist in maintaining the correct orientation of the associated upright support member 11 with respect to the ground. Typically, that orientation will be generally vertical.

The upright support members 11 each include, in some embodiments, at least one slot defined by a slot member 112. The slot members 112 are configured to receive a respective tongue 123 - as described above. The slot members 112 may, therefore, each define an open topped slot. Each slot may be generally of a similar shape to the tongues 123 - i.e. tapered towards a lower end thereof - and the slot member 112 may be configured to define such a slot accordingly.

In some embodiments, the upright support member 11 includes a plurality of slot members 112 arranged around a perimeter thereof at a predetermined distance from an end of the upright support member 11 - an end which may include the foot portion 111. In some embodiments, the upright support member 11 has a square cross-section and there is a slot member 112 located on each of the four sides thereof at the predetermined distance from the end of the upright support member 11. In some embodiments, a further set of slot members 111 may be provided at a second predetermined distance from the end of the upright support member 11.

As will be appreciated, therefore, a modular platform 1 may be constructed from the plurality of upright support members 11. Each of the slot members 112 may receive a respective tongue 123 of the platform section 12, such that the platform section 12 is supported by the upright support members 11, with the tongues 123 of the platform section 12 held by gravity within the slots of the slot members 112.

In some embodiments, a lock mechanism 2 is provided. The lock mechanism 2 is configured to secure the platform section 12 to at least one upright support member 11 such that movement (e.g. upward movement) of the tongue 123 (or tongues 123) out of the slot member 112 (or slot members 112) is inhibited or substantially prevented with the lock mechanism 2 in a locked configuration. In some embodiments, with the lock mechanism 2 in an unlocked configuration, the or each tongue 123 may be withdrawn from the or each respective slot member 112.

The lock mechanism 2 may include a lock member 21 which is associated with the platform section 12 and, in particular, may be associated with one of the beams 121 thereof.

The lock member 21 may include an elongate portion 211 which may be at least partially housed within a portion of the platform section 12 and, in particular, within one of the beams 121 thereof. In some embodiments, the or each beam 121 comprises a box-section beam 121 and the elongate portion 211 of the lock member 21 may be housed within the cavity defined by the box-section beam 121.

The elongate portion 211 may be located towards an end of the beam 121. With the lock mechanism 2 in the locked configuration, a distal end of the elongate portion 211 may extend from the end of the beam 121 (to engage a part of one of the upright support members 11, when in use, as described herein) - the elongate portion 211 being in an extended position. With the lock mechanism 2 in the unlocked configuration, the distal end of the elongate portion 211 is retracted (so that it no longer engages the part of the upright support member 11 when in use) - the elongate portion 211 being in a retracted position. In some embodiments, the retraction of the elongate portion 211 is such that it is substantially located within the confines of the platform section 12 (e.g. the beam 121).

The elongate portion 211 may be biased by a first biasing arrangement 212 towards the extended position (i.e. the lock mechanism 2 is biased towards the locked configuration).

The elongate portion 211 includes a protrusion 213 which extends from the elongate portion 211, and which may extend in a direction generally perpendicular to the elongate portion 211.

The protrusion 213 may be configured to be received by a guide section 1211 of the platform section 12 and, in particular, the guide section 1211 may be a part of the beam 121 with which the lock mechanism 2 is associated.

The protrusion 213 may be configured to move along a length of the guide section 1211 as the elongate portion 211 moves between the extended and retracted positions.

The guide section 1211 may be an elongate aperture defined by a wall of the beam 121, for example - e.g. an outer wall of the beam 121.

In some embodiments, the protrusion 213 includes a stepped portion 2131. Accordingly, a first part of the protrusion 213 adjacent the elongate portion 211 may have a first depth and a second part of the protrusion 213 relatively remote from the elongate portion 211 may have a second depth, which is less than the first depth (the first and second depths may be generally in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the elongate portion 211).

The first part of the protrusion 213 may define a first abutment surface and the second part of the protrusion 213 may define a second abutment surface. The first abutment surface may, therefore, be more forwardly located than the second abutment surface with respect to the elongate portion 211 - the forward direction being towards the end thereof from which the lock member 21 (i.e. the elongate portion thereof) may protrude.

The protrusion 213 may be configured to engage the guide section 1211 such that the first abutment surface abuts a first portion of the guide section 1211 when the lock mechanism 2 (and lock member 21) is in the unlocked configuration (i.e. with the elongate portion 211 in the retracted position). This may be referred to as a first latch position of the protrusion 213 and guide section 1211.

The protrusion 213 may be configured or further configured to engage the guide section 1211 such that the second abutment surface abuts the first portion of the guide section 1211 when the lock mechanism 2 (and lock member 21) is in the locked configuration (i.e. with the elongate portion 211 in the extended position). This may be referred to as a second latch position of the protrusion 213 and guide section 1211.

The first portion of the guide section 1211 may be a forward-most edge of the elongate aperture forming the guide section 1211 according to some embodiments.

The lock mechanism 2 may further include a second biasing arrangement 214 which is configured to bias the protrusion 213 into engagement with the guide section 1211. Thus, for example, the second biasing arrangement 214 may be configured to bias the protrusion 213 towards a position in which it extends further through the aperture forming the guide section 1211 in some embodiments. The elongate portion 211 and guide section 1211 may, accordingly, be biased towards the second latch position. The elongate portion 211 may, however, be held from entering the second latch position under the biasing force of the second biasing arrangement 214 by virtue of engagement of the step between the first and second abutment surfaces of the protrusion (i.e. by the stepped portion 2131) and a part of the guide section 1211 and/or the beam 121 (e.g. an inner surface thereof which may be adjacent the guide section 1211).

As will be appreciated, therefore, in some embodiments the second biasing arrangement 214 may bias the lock member 21 (e.g. the elongate portion 211) towards an inner surface of the box-section forming the beam 121 in which the lock mechanism 2 is located.

In some embodiments, the protrusion 213 extends from the beam 121 in the same direction as the or each tongue 123. Accordingly, when the platform section 12, of which the beam 121 is a part, is supported by the upright support members 11 to form a platform 1, the protrusion 213 may extend downwardly (i.e. towards the ground).

At least one of the upright support members 11 configured to support the platform section 12 which includes at least one lock mechanism 2 defines a lock aperture 113 which is configured to receive at least part of the distal end of the elongate portion 211 - i.e. at least part of the lock member 21 of the lock mechanism 2. In some embodiments, this lock aperture 113 may be viewed as part of the lock mechanism 2 - in the light of the intended use of the lock aperture 113.

The lock aperture 113 is located with respect to the or each slot member 112 in order to receive the at least part of the elongate portion 211 (i.e. the at least part lock member 21). In some embodiments, therefore, the lock aperture 113 is located generally adjacent at least one slot member 112. In some embodiments, the lock aperture 113 is located generally above one of the slot members 112.

With the platform section 12 supported by the upright support members 11 (and any tongues 123 of the platform section 12 received by respective slot members 112 of the upright support members 11), the lock member 21 may be actuated from the unlocked configuration to the locked configuration such that the elongate portion 211 moves from the retracted to the extended position and the part of the elongate portion 211 extends through the lock aperture 113 (e.g. into the upright support member 11).

Actuation of the lock member 21 (and, therefore, the lock mechanism 2) to the locked configuration from the unlocked configuration may be achieved by movement of the lock member 21 against the biasing force of the second biasing arrangement 214. As the elongate portion 211 and protrusion 213 move accordingly, the first abutment surface of the protrusion 213 moves out of engagement with the guide section 1211 and the second abutment surface of the protrusion 213 moves into engagement with the guide section 1211 as the elongate portion 211 moves to the extended position (under the biasing force of the first biasing arrangement 212).

With part of the lock member 21 (i.e. part of the elongate portion 211) received by the lock aperture 113, the platform section 12 is locked to the upright support member 11 which defines the lock aperture 113. Accordingly, the platform section 12 is inhibited from removal from the upright support member 11.

To remove the platform section 12 from the upright support member 11, the lock mechanism 2 (and lock member 21) must be actuated to the unlocked configuration (with the elongate portion 211 in the retracted position).

The lock mechanism 2 may be actuated to the unlocked configuration by movement of the lock member 21 (e.g. of the elongate portion 211) against the biasing force of the first biasing arrangement 212. The second biasing arrangement 214 acts to move the second abutment surface of the protrusion 213 out of engagement with the guide section 1211 and the first abutment surface of the protrusion 213 moves into engagement with the guide section 1211 as the elongate portion 211 moves to the retracted position.

The protrusion 213 may be shaped and sized to allow for manual grasping and movement of the elongate portion 211 - the first and second biasing arrangements 212, 214 may also be configured to allow such manual movement.

As will be appreciated, the guide section 1211 and protrusion 213 may form a blocking arrangement of some embodiments, which interact (e.g. abut or engage) each other during operation of the invention. In some embodiments, the guide section 1211 may be an aperture or recess. In some embodiments, the protrusion 213 is, in fact, provided as an aperture or recess and the guide section 1211 is provided as a protrusion (i.e. the configuration of protrusion and aperture/recess is reversed) but the operation remains otherwise the same.

As the lock mechanism 2 is biased into the locked configuration, the risk of inadvertent unlocking of the lock mechanism 2 is reduced - merely knocking the protrusion 213 will not move the lock mechanism 2 to the unlocked configuration. Nevertheless, movement of the lock mechanism 2 into the locked configuration is relatively straightforward. In some embodiments, movement of the protrusion 213 from the first to the second latch position will allow the first biasing arrangement 212 to move the lock member 21 into the locked configuration (this may be achieved in some embodiments without manual force being applied by the user parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongate portion 211). Actuation of the lock mechanism 2 to the unlocked configuration may, however, require the user to apply a force (e.g. a manual force) parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongate portion 211 (i.e. against the biasing force of the first biasing arrangement 212).

The lock mechanism 2 is substantially contained within the beam 121 (with the potential exception of the lock aperture 113 in embodiments in which it is considered to be part of the lock mechanism 2). Therefore, in some embodiments, there are no separate parts to be lost or damaged - which may influence the likelihood of the use of this safety feature. The lock mechanism 2 can, however, be actuated from outside of the beam 121 - due to the protrusion 213 extending through a wall of the beam 121 in some embodiments.

The platform section 12 may include a plurality of beams 121. In some embodiments, one or more of those beams 121 includes at least one lock mechanism 2 (i.e. at least one lock member 21). In some embodiments, each and every beam 121 includes a lock mechanism 2 (i.e. a lock member 21). In some embodiments, one or more of the beams 121 has two lock mechanisms 2 (i.e. lock members 21)- one at either end of the or each beam 121. In some embodiments, each and every beam 121 includes two lock mechanisms 2 (i.e. lock members 21).

As will also be appreciated, upright support members 11 may define a lock aperture 113 in association with each slot member 112 - irrespective of whether or not it is intended to use that slot member 112 in relation to a beam 121 which includes a lock mechanism 2 (i.e. lock member 21).

As discussed above, the lock aperture 113 may be viewed as part of the lock mechanism 2 in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the lock aperture 113 is not part of the lock mechanism 2 (which is confined to parts of the platform section 12) but the lock mechanism 2 and lock aperture 113 collectively form a lock system. The lock system may be configured to inhibit or substantially prevent the removal of a platform section 12 from at least one upright support member 11 when the lock system is in a locked configuration (corresponding with the lock mechanism 2 being in the locked configuration) and may allow removal of the platform section 12 from the at least one upright section 11 when the lock system is in an unlocked configuration (corresponding with the lock mechanism 2 being in the unlocked configuration). As will be appreciated, the lock system is an example of a safety system for use with a platform 1.

The part of the upright support member 11 defining at least one lock aperture 113 may be viewed as part of the lock system.

Although embodiments have been described in relation to a beam 121 of a platform section 12, it will be appreciated embodiments of the invention may concern a beam 121 of another part of the platform 1 - which may not be part of a platform section 12.

In some embodiments, the beam 121 and lock mechanism 2 may comprise a cross-member. When constructed, the beam 121 and/or cross-member may be substantially horizontal.

When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

1. A support arrangement for a platform comprising: a beam, a substantially upright support member for supporting the beam, and a locking member supported by the beam, wherein the locking member is moveable between a first position and a second position along an axis of movement, such that in the first position at least a portion of the locking member protrudes past an end of the beam to engage the support member, and in the second position the locking member is retracted such that it is disengaged from the support member, and wherein the axis of movement is substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis of the beam.

2. A support arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the beam defines a cavity.

3. A support arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the locking member is at least partially housed within the cavity.

4. A support arrangement according to claim 3, wherein when the locking member is in the second position it is substantially fully housed within the cavity.

5. A support arrangement according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the locking member is biased towards the first position by a biasing arrangement.

6. A support arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the locking member is biased towards the second position by a second biasing arrangement.

7. A support arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the beam further includes a blocking arrangement to inhibit movement of the locking member towards the first position.

8. A support arrangement according to claim 7, wherein the blocking arrangement is formed by a recess or aperture defined by one of the beam and locking member and a protrusion is formed on the other of the beam and locking member, such that movement of the locking member towards the first position is inhibited when the protrusion abuts a surface at least partially defining the recess or aperture.

9. A support arrangement according to claim 8, wherein the second biasing arrangement urges the protrusion into abutment with the surface of the recess or aperture.

10. A support arrangement according to any of claim 1 to 5, wherein the beam further includes a blocking arrangement to inhibit movement of the locking member towards the first position.

11. A support arrangement according to claim 10, wherein the blocking arrangement is formed by a recess or aperture defined by one of the beam and locking member and a protrusion is formed on the other of the beam and locking member, such that movement of the locking member towards the first position is inhibited when the protrusion abuts a surface at least partially defining the recess or aperture.

12. A cross-member for use in a support arrangement for a platform including at least one substantially upright support member for supporting the cross-member, the cross-member comprising: a beam; a locking member supported by the beam, wherein the locking member is moveable between a first position and a second position along an axis of movement, such that in the first position at least a portion of the locking member protrudes past an end of the beam for engagement with a support member, and in the second position the locking member is retracted for disengagement from the support member, and wherein the axis of movement is substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis of the beam.

13. A cross-member according to claim 12, wherein the beam defines a cavity.

14. A cross-member according to claim 13, wherein the locking member is at least partially housed within the cavity.

15. A cross-member according to claim 14, wherein when the locking member is in the second position it is substantially fully housed within the cavity.

16. A cross-member according to any of claims 12 to 15, wherein the locking member is biased towards the first position by a biasing arrangement.

17. A cross-member according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the locking member is biased towards the second position by a second biasing arrangement.

18. A cross-member according to claim 17, wherein the cross-member further includes a blocking arrangement to inhibit movement of the locking member towards the first position.

19. A cross-member according to claim 18, wherein the blocking arrangement is formed by a recess or aperture in one of the beam and locking member, and a protrusion is formed on the other of the beam and locking member, such that movement of the locking member towards the first position is inhibited when the protrusion abuts a surface of the recess or aperture.

20. A cross-member according to claim 19, wherein the second biasing arrangement urges the protrusion into abutment with the surface of the recess or aperture.

21 .A cross-member according to any of claims 12 to 16, wherein the crossmember further includes a blocking arrangement to inhibit movement of the locking member towards the first position.

22. A cross-member according to claim 21, wherein the blocking arrangement is formed by a recess or aperture in one of the beam and locking member and a protrusion is formed on the other of the beam and locking member, such that movement of the locking member towards the first position is inhibited when the protrusion abuts a surface of the recess or aperture.

23. A platform comprising a support arrangement according to any of claims 1 to 11, or a cross-member according to any of claims 12 to 22.

24. A method of assembling a platform according to claim 23, including moving the locking member from the second position to the first position or from the first position to the second position.

25. A support arrangement as described herein and/or with reference to the accompanying drawings.

26. A cross-member as described herein and/or with reference to the accompanying drawings.

27. A method of assembling a support arrangement or a cross-member as described herein and/or with reference to the accompanying drawings.

28. Any novel feature or combination of novel features as described herein and/or with reference to the accompanying drawings.