GB2551699A

GB2551699A - A platform system

Info

Publication number: GB2551699A
Application number: GB1610741.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Singh Bains Gurdip
Original assignee: Three G Metal Fabrications Ltd
Current assignee: Three G Metal Fabrications Ltd
Priority date: 2016-06-20
Filing date: 2016-06-20
Publication date: 2018-01-03
Also published as: GB2551699A8; GB201610741D0

Abstract

A platform system 10 comprises a deck 12 with a surface 18 to support workmen and/or building equipment and/or materials. The platform system also includes a plurality of deck support members 30, each being configured to engage a portion of the deck 12, the deck support members 30 extending between the deck 12 and a surface below the deck 12 so as to support the deck 12 at a level raised above the surface. One or more of the deck support members 30 comprises a load-bearing support leg 40 which is formed of a plastics material. Preferably the support leg has an internal surface which defines an aperture 44 (Fig 5B) which extends through the support leg longitudinally. The support leg may include an insert part (50, Fig 5B) which is received substantially within the aperture (44 Fig 5B) defined by the support leg.

Description

(71) Applicant(s):

Three G Metal Fabrication Ltd (56) Documents Cited:

GB 2456817 A EP 1584772 A2 WO 2000/050708 A1

GB 2430461 A WO 2013/054143 A2 CN 203669320 U (Incorporated in the United Kingdom)

2, Selbury Drive, Oadby, Leicester, Leicestershire, LE2 5NG, United Kingdom (58) Field of Search:

INT CL E04G

Other: Online: WPI, EPODOC (72) Inventor(s):

Gurdip Singh Bains (74) Agent and/or Address for Service:

Forresters IP LLP

Rutland House, 148 Edmund Street, BIRMINGHAM, B3 2JA, United Kingdom (54) Title of the Invention: A platform system Abstract Title: A platform system (57) A platform system 10 comprises a deck 12 with a surface 18 to support workmen and/or building equipment and/or materials. The platform system also includes a plurality of deck support members 30, each being configured to engage a portion of the deck 12, the deck support members 30 extending between the deck 12 and a surface below the deck 12 so as to support the deck 12 at a level raised above the surface. One or more of the deck support members 30 comprises a load-bearing support leg 40 which is formed of a plastics material. Preferably the support leg has an internal surface which defines an aperture 44 (Fig 5B) which extends through the support leg longitudinally. The support leg may include an insert part (50, Fig 5B) which is received substantially within the aperture (44 Fig 5B) defined by the support leg.

Figure 1

At least one drawing originally filed was informal and the print reproduced here is taken from a later filed formal copy.

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Title: A platform system

Description of Invention

This invention relates to a platform system, and a method of manufacturing a platform system. The invention relates in particular, but not exclusively, to a platform system suitable for use as scaffolding on a construction site.

It is well known for scaffolding to be deployed on building construction sites, where it is necessary for workmen to work at a level raised from the ground. Scaffolding systems are typically slow to deploy and to take down, due to the number of support poles required to construct a suitably secure frame. In order to connect scaffolding poles securely to one another, a large number of securing parts (such as pins, braces, bolts, and the like) are required. In order to ensure the structural integrity of the scaffolding, it is essential that each scaffolding component is securely connected to the other parts. This means that each connection must be checked carefully for the scaffolding to be deemed suitable for supporting the weight of workmen, and building components.

Modular platform systems are commonly used on building sites, to provide a simplified structure for supporting workmen and building components. Modular platform systems may comprise a standard set of support frame components and platforms, which may be erected more easily than traditional scaffolding. The platforms and support frames may include standardised connectors to connect the components to one another, allowing workmen to erect the frame and platforms more quickly.

Typically, the support frame components and platforms are made from metal in order to provide a strong enough structure for workmen to safely work from.

However, manufacturing components from metal is expensive. Metal is also heavy to transport which results in higher transporting costs. Additionally, metal components are heavy for workmen to carry and can be difficult to assemble on a construction site. Heavy components are also more likely to cause injury or death if dropped.

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

According to a first aspect of the invention, we provide a platform system comprising: a deck providing a surface to support workmen and/or building equipment and/or materials; and a plurality of deck support members, each being configured to engage a portion of the deck, the deck support members extending between the deck and a surface below the deck so as to support the deck at a level raised above the surface; wherein one or more of the deck support members comprises a load-bearing support leg which is formed of a plastics material.

The support leg may have an internal surface which defines an aperture which extends through the support leg longitudinally.

The aperture may extend through substantially an entire length of the support leg. The support leg may have a substantially square internal cross-section.

The platform system may further comprise an insert part which may be received substantially within the aperture defined by support leg.

The insert part may engage the internal surface of the support leg. The insert part may have a plurality of arm portions which may extend from a central portion.

At least one arm portion may engage the internal surface of the support leg. All of the arm portions may engage the internal surface of the support leg.

The arm portions may engage one or more internal corners of the support leg. The arm portions may engage all of the internal corners of the support leg.

The insert part may be formed of a metal material.

The insert part may have a substantially X-shaped cross section. The support leg may have substantially the same shaped external cross-section as a crosssection of the internal surface. The support leg may have a substantially square external cross-section.

The plastics material may comprise at least one of polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polypropylene and nylon.

The platform system may further comprise a stabilising foot which may engage the deck support member and may provide additional stability to the deck support member.

The stabilising foot may comprise a sleeve configured to receive a first end of the support leg, and may include a stabilising base portion which may extend outwardly from the sleeve.

The platform system may further comprise a connection point which may be for attaching the deck support member to a handrail or other platform system components.

According to another aspect of the invention, we provide a method of manufacturing a platform system including the steps of: providing a deck to provide a surface to support workmen and/or building equipment and/or materials; and extruding one or more load-bearing support legs from a plastics material; providing a plurality of deck support members, each being configured to engage a portion of the deck, the deck support members extending between the deck and a surface below the deck so as to support the deck at a level raised above the surface; wherein one or more of the deck support members each comprises the one or more load-bearing support legs.

The method may further include extruding an insert part from a metal material which may be receivable by the load-bearing support leg.

The method may further include spot welding an insert part from a metal material which may be receivable by the load-bearing support leg.

According to another aspect of the invention, we provide a deck support member for a platform system of the type having: a deck providing a surface to support workmen and/or building equipment and/or materials; a plurality of deck support members, each being configured to engage a portion of the deck, the deck support members extending between the deck and a surface below the deck so as to support the deck at a level raised above the surface; and wherein one or more of the deck support members comprises a loadbearing support leg in accordance with any of the features related to the first aspect of the invention.

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

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a platform system according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a side view of the platform system;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the platform system;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a deck in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 5A is a perspective view of an insert part in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 5B is a perspective view of a support leg in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 5C is a perspective view of a deck support member in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a partially assembled deck support member in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the figures, a platform system 10 is shown, comprising a deck 12 which provides a surface 18 for supporting workmen, building equipment, materials and the like, to allow the workmen to work safely at a level raised from the ground, or other surface.

In some embodiments, the surface 18 of the deck 12 may comprise a plurality of deck elements 14, each having a load-bearing surface element (shown generally at 18a) and at least one support beam 16. In the example shown, the deck elements 14 and load-bearing surface elements 18a have a generally square top-down profile, and are each supported by four support beams 16, one disposed along each edge of the load-bearing surface element 18. In some embodiments, one or more of the load-bearing surface elements 18a may have a generally rectangular top-down profile, or that of any regular shape, shapes, or combination of shapes, suitable to fit alongside one another in a platform system 10.

In some embodiments, the load-bearing surface element 18a may provide a surface in the form of a grid. However, the load-bearing surface element 18a may also be formed of rows of bars or a solid surface. In some embodiments (for example, figure 4), each load-bearing surface element 18a comprises a grid of support bars. The load-bearing surface elements 18a may be formed of steel, a reinforced plastics material, or any other suitable rigid material.

The platform system 10 further includes a plurality of deck support members 30. Each deck support member 30 is configured to engage a portion of the deck 12 and extend between the deck 12 and a surface below the deck 12 (which may be, for example, the ground or other stable structure or surface which is suitable to support the platform system 10), so as to support the deck 12 at a level above the surface. In some embodiments, each deck element 14 is configured to be supported at each corner by a respective deck support member 30.

One or more deck support members 30 comprise a respective load-bearing support leg 40 (also called support leg 40) which is formed of a plastics material. In some embodiments, all the deck support members 30 comprise the support leg 40 formed of a plastics material. In some embodiments, the plastics material may be polyvinyl chloride (i.e. PVC) (for example, the material may be orange PVC, so that the support leg 40 may be seen more easily from a distance). In some embodiments, the plastics material may comprise at least one of polyethylene, polypropylene, and nylon. In some embodiments, the support leg 40 may be formed of an orange material or may be coated in an orange material.

In some embodiments, the support leg 40 has an internal surface 42 which defines an aperture 44 which extends through the support leg 40 longitudinally. The aperture 44 may extend through substantially an entire length of the support leg 40. In other words, the support leg 40 may form an elongate tube that is configured to provide support to the deck 12.

In some embodiments, the support leg 40 may have a substantially square internal cross-section (i.e. the internal surface 42 may have a substantially square cross-section). However, it should be appreciated that the internal cross-section may be any of a variety of shapes, for example, rectangular, triangular or hexagonal, or other desired shape. In particular, in some embodiments, the internal cross-section of the support leg 40 may include at least one internal line of intersection between two surfaces of the internal surface 42. Each line of intersection forms an internal corner within the support leg 40 which may extend through substantially an entire length of the support leg 40.

In some embodiments, the deck support member 30 may further comprise an insert part 50. The insert part 50 may be configured to be received substantially within the aperture 44 defined by the internal surface 42 of the support leg 30. In some embodiments, the insert part 50 may be formed of a metal material. In some embodiments, the insert part 50 may be formed from steel, or stainless steel, or aluminium.

In some embodiments, the length of the insert part 50 is substantially equal to the length of the support leg 40 which is configured to receive the insert part 50. In some embodiments, however, the insert part 50 is longer than the support leg 40 such that a length of the insert part 50 extends above a top of the support leg 40 in which it is received. In some embodiments, the insert part 50 is shorter than the support leg 40 such that substantially no part of the insert part 50 protrudes from the support leg 40 when the insert part 50 is received by the support leg 40 (in such embodiments, the insert part 50 may extend through a substantial part of the length of the support leg 40).

In some embodiments, the insert part 50 may comprise a central portion 52, from which a plurality arm portions 54 outwardly extend. In some embodiments (for example, as illustrated in figure 5A), there may be four arm portions 54 which extend outwards at substantially equal distances apart from one another. In other words, the insert part 50 may have an X-shaped crosssection. Each arm portion 54 has a first end which is connected to the other arm portions 54 and a second, free, end which defines an outer edge of the insert part 50. Thus, the second end of the arm portions 54 may be spaced substantially equidistant from one another.

The insert part 50 may have a different number of arm portions 54 (for example, the insert part 50 may have three arm portions 54 or five arm portions 54 or any number that is desired). It should be appreciated that the second ends of the arm portions 54 may not be spaced equidistant from one another, and may be spaced as appropriate to be received by the aperture 44 in the support leg 40. In some embodiments, the number of arm portions 54 may be equal to the number of internal corners (i.e. lines of intersection) within the support leg 40.

In some embodiments, the second end of one or more arm portions 54 may be configured to engage the internal surface 42 of the support leg 40, when inserted in the aperture 44. In some embodiments, the second end of one or more arm portions 54 are configured to engage one or more internal corners of the internal surface 42 of the support leg 40. The insert part 50 may be configured to engage all of the corners of the internal surface 42 of the support leg 30. In other words, each second end of an X-shaped insert part 50 may engage one of the four corners of a support leg 40 with a square internal surface cross-section. Such arrangements may provide additional bracing against deformation of the support leg 40 than a support leg 40 which does not have an insert part 50 (for example, by increasing the support leg’s 40 rigidity).

In some embodiments, the internal cross-section of the support leg 40 may be arranged to coordinate with the shape of the insert part 50. For example, if the support leg 40 has a substantially square internal cross-section (i.e. the internal surface 42 has four corners), then the insert part 50 may have four arm portions 54 (each extending from the central portion 52 - i.e. substantially X-shaped), and hence four second ends, so that each second end engages a corner of the internal surface 42. However, it may be desirable to use a support leg 40 which has a triangular internal cross-section (i.e. the internal surface having three corners). In such an embodiment, the corresponding insert part may have three arm portions, extending from a central portion. Thus, there are three second ends, each of which engages one of the three corners of the internal surface 42 of the support leg 40. A similar arrangement may be used for many different internally shaped support legs 40.

In some embodiments, an external cross-section of the support leg 40 may be substantially the same shape as the internal cross-section (for example, if the internal cross-section is substantially square, the external cross-section may also be substantially square). However, it should be appreciated that the external cross-section of the support leg 40 may be a different shape to the internal cross-section (e.g. the external cross-section may be circular). In some embodiments, a wall 46 may be defined between an external surface of the support leg 40 and the internal surface 42. In some embodiments, a middle portion (i.e. substantially midway between two adjacent internal corners) of the wall 46 may be concave towards a central longitudinal axis of the support leg 40.

In some embodiments, the support leg 40 may have a substantially square external cross-section and have external dimensions of around 50mm by 50mm (e.g. about 42mm by about 42mm). In some embodiments, the support leg 40 may have a substantially square internal cross-section and have internal dimensions of around 40mm by 40mm (e.g. about 36mm by about 36mm). In some embodiments, the wall 46 between the external surface and internal surface 42 may be around 5mm (e.g. about 3mm) thick. The thickness of the wall 46, external dimensions and internal dimensions may have a tolerance of up to around 0.5mm (and in some embodiments, the tolerance may be around 0.25mm).

In some embodiments, each deck element 14 may further comprise four first connection arrangements 20, one disposed adjacent each corner of the loadbearing surface element 18a, extending in a first direction (which may be downward) from the deck element 14. Each first connection arrangement 20, in some embodiments, may comprise an engaging member 21 having a ‘male’ part formed as a flat elongate strip that extends outwardly from the lower surface of the deck element 14. The engaging member 21 may be configured to engage with a corresponding second connection arrangement 22, disposed adjacent an upper end of a respective deck support member 30 (or at any location along the length thereof) and coupled thereto.

In some embodiments, the or each second connection arrangement 22 may be connected to the support leg 40 of the deck support member 30. The second connection arrangement 22 may include a sheath within an internal shape corresponding with the external cross-section of the support leg 40 such that the sheath may slide along the support leg 40 and may be coupled thereto by a coupling arrangement. The coupling arrangement may include one or more bolts, screws, pins, or the like, for example.

In some embodiments, each second connection arrangement 22 may comprise a receiving formation 24 that extends from a side of the deck support member 30. The receiving formation 24, in some embodiments, may include a pair of generally parallel side walls extending from a surface of the deck support member 30, and may further include an outer wall generally perpendicular to the plane of the side walls and extending between the side walls along at least a portion of their respective edges, forming a recess extending downward between the two side walls providing a ‘female’ slot arrangement.

In some embodiments, movement of a respective engaging member 21 towards the receiving formation 24, in a first ‘engaging’ direction (preferably, downwards), causes the engaging member 21 to engage the recess, and thereby to engage the receiving formation 24, such that movement of the deck element 14 relative to the respective deck support leg 30 is restricted in at least one plane. In the example shown, the deck element 14 may only move in a second direction, opposite to the first engaging direction, relative to the deck support leg 30, once the engaging member 21 and receiving formation 24 are engaged, so as to cause disengagement of the two parts.

While in the example shown, the first connection arrangements 20 are engaging members 21, and the second connection arrangements 22 are receiving formations 24, it should be understood that the first 20 and second 22 connection arrangements could be arranged the opposite way around, such that the second connection arrangements 22 are engaging members configured to engage with receiving formations of the first connection arrangements 20. Embodiments may use other forms of connection arrangement 20, 22 to couple the deck element 14 to the deck support leg 30.

In some embodiments, a first end 32 of each deck support member 30 (and, in some embodiments in particular, the support leg 40) may be configured to be received by a stabilising foot 34. The stabilising foot 34 may provide additional support to the deck support member 30. In some embodiments, each stabilising foot 34 may comprise a sleeve 34a, with an opening at an upper end. The sleeve 34a may be configured to receive the first end 32 of the deck support member 30 (e.g. the support leg 40). The stabilising foot 34 may also include a stabilising base portion 34b, which extends outwardly from the sleeve 34a.

The stabilising base portion 34b may extend generally perpendicular to the sleeve 34a, so as to form a base to support and stabilise the deck support member 30.

In some embodiments, the sleeve 34a may include a plurality of pairs of apertures, provided on opposite sides of the sleeve 34a. At least one aperture may be provided adjacent the first end 32 of each deck support member 30, and may extend through the width of the deck support member 30 (e.g. the support leg 40) and which may be aligned with a pair of the apertures in the sleeve 34a. A retaining member (not shown) such as a bolt or pin, for example, may be inserted through the aligned apertures in the deck support member 30 (e.g. the support leg 40) and stabilising foot 34, so as to hold the first end 34 of the deck support member 30 relative to the stabilising foot 34.

In some embodiments, the deck support member 30 may also include a connection point 36 for attaching the deck support member 30 to a handrail 38 or other platform system components.

The platform system may be manufactured in a number of different ways. In some embodiments, the method of manufacturing the platform system includes providing the deck 12 to provide a surface 18 to support workmen and/or building equipment and/or materials. One or more support leg 40 may be manufactured by extrusion from a plastics material. A plurality of deck support members 30 are provided, each of which is configured to extend from the deck 12 and the surface below the deck, so as to support the deck at a raised level above the surface. One or more of the deck support members 30 each comprises one or more support leg 40.

In some embodiments, the insert part 50 of the deck support member 40 may be manufactured by extrusion. The insert part 50 may be manufactured by extrusion from a metal material. Alternatively, the insert part 50 may be manufactured by welding (e.g. spot welding) respective arm portions 52 together to form the desired shape.

Embodiments of the invention seek to provide advantages over known platform systems in that the support leg 40 of the deck support member 30 is formed of a plastics material, which reduces material costs and the use of valuable and limited metal resources. The deck support member 30, therefore, uses less metal material than prior known support members, and as such is more economical to manufacture. Using less metal material results in a deck support member 30 with lower weight, which makes the deck support member 30, and the platform system 10, cheaper to transport. The decreased weight also means that smaller and more fuel efficient vehicles can be used for its transportation - providing an environmental benefit.

Additionally, there is lower risk of injury to workmen carrying and assembling platform systems 10 including a deck support member 30, since they are less likely to drop a lighter weight deck support member 30 and a deck support member 30 is less likely to cause as much damage as known heavier support members if it is dropped.

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 platform system comprising:

a deck providing a surface to support workmen and/or building equipment and/or materials; and a plurality of deck support members, each being configured to engage a portion of the deck, the deck support members extending between the deck and a surface below the deck so as to support the deck at a level raised above the surface;

wherein one or more of the deck support members comprises a loadbearing support leg which is formed of a plastics material.

2. A platform system according to claim 1, wherein the support leg has an internal surface which defines an aperture which extends through the support leg longitudinally.

3. A platform system according to claim 2, wherein the aperture extends through substantially an entire length of the support leg.

4. A platform system according to claims 2 or 3, wherein the support leg has a substantially square internal cross-section.

5. A platform system according to any of claims 2 to 4, further comprising an insert part which is received substantially within the aperture defined by support leg.

6. A platform system according to claim 5 wherein the insert part engages the internal surface of the support leg.

7. A platform system according to claim 5 or 6 wherein the insert part has a plurality of arm portions which extend from a central portion.

8. A platform system according to claim 7 wherein at least one arm portion engages the internal surface of the support leg.

9. A platform system according to claim 8 wherein all of the arm portions engage the internal surface of the support leg.

10. A platform system according to claim 8 or 9 wherein the arm portions engage one or more internal corners of the support leg.

11. A platform system according to claim 10 wherein the arm portions engage all of the internal corners of the support leg.

12. A platform system according to claim 5 to 11 wherein the insert part is formed of a metal material.

13. A platform system according to claims 5 to 12 wherein the insert part has a substantially X-shaped cross section.

14. A platform system according to any of claims 2 to 13 wherein the support leg has substantially the same shaped external cross-section as a cross-section of the internal surface.

15. A platform system according to any of the preceding claims wherein the support leg has a substantially square external cross-section.

16. A platform system according to any of the preceding claims wherein the plastics material comprises at least one of polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polypropylene and nylon.

17. A platform system according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a stabilising foot which engages the deck support member and provides additional stability to the deck support member.

18. A platform system according to claim 17 wherein the stabilising foot comprises a sleeve configured to receive a first end of the support leg, and a stabilising base portion extending outwardly from the sleeve.

19. A platform system according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a connection point for attaching the deck support member to a handrail or other platform system components.

20. A method of manufacturing a platform system including the steps of:

providing a deck to provide a surface to support workmen and/or building equipment and/or materials; and extruding one or more load-bearing support legs from a plastics material;

providing a plurality of deck support members, each being configured to engage a portion of the deck, the deck support members extending between the deck and a surface below the deck so as to support the deck at a level raised above the surface; wherein one or more of the deck support members each comprises the one or more load-bearing support legs.

21. A method of manufacturing a platform system according to claim 20, wherein the method further includes extruding an insert part from a metal material which is receivable by the load-bearing support leg.

22. A method of manufacturing a platform system according to claim 20, wherein the method further includes spot welding an insert part from a metal material which is receivable by the load-bearing support leg.

23. A deck support member for a platform system of the type having:

a deck providing a surface to support workmen and/or building equipment and/or materials;

a plurality of deck support members, each being configured to engage a portion of the deck, the deck support members extending between the deck and a surface below the deck so as to support the deck at a level raised above the surface; and

5 wherein one or more of the deck support members comprises a load-bearing support leg in accordance with any of the preceding claims.

24. A platform system or a method of manufacturing a platform system

10 substantially as described herein and/or with reference to the accompanying drawings.

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

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

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: Claims searched:

GB1610741.9

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