GB2559317A - A platform - Google Patents

A platform Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2559317A
GB2559317A GB1621429.8A GB201621429A GB2559317A GB 2559317 A GB2559317 A GB 2559317A GB 201621429 A GB201621429 A GB 201621429A GB 2559317 A GB2559317 A GB 2559317A
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United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
railing
platform
base
railing part
hinge
Prior art date
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Application number
GB1621429.8A
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GB201621429D0 (en
Inventor
David Brown Michael
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Individual
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Individual
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Priority to GB1621429.8A priority Critical patent/GB2559317A/en
Publication of GB201621429D0 publication Critical patent/GB201621429D0/en
Publication of GB2559317A publication Critical patent/GB2559317A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04G—SCAFFOLDING; FORMS; SHUTTERING; BUILDING IMPLEMENTS OR AIDS, OR THEIR USE; HANDLING BUILDING MATERIALS ON THE SITE; REPAIRING, BREAKING-UP OR OTHER WORK ON EXISTING BUILDINGS
    • E04G5/00—Component parts or accessories for scaffolds
    • E04G5/14—Railings
    • E04G5/142—Railings extensible or telescopic
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
    • B66F—HOISTING, LIFTING, HAULING OR PUSHING, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. DEVICES WHICH APPLY A LIFTING OR PUSHING FORCE DIRECTLY TO THE SURFACE OF A LOAD
    • B66F11/00—Lifting devices specially adapted for particular uses not otherwise provided for
    • B66F11/04—Lifting devices specially adapted for particular uses not otherwise provided for for movable platforms or cabins, e.g. on vehicles, permitting workmen to place themselves in any desired position for carrying out required operations
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04G—SCAFFOLDING; FORMS; SHUTTERING; BUILDING IMPLEMENTS OR AIDS, OR THEIR USE; HANDLING BUILDING MATERIALS ON THE SITE; REPAIRING, BREAKING-UP OR OTHER WORK ON EXISTING BUILDINGS
    • E04G1/00—Scaffolds primarily resting on the ground
    • E04G1/34—Scaffold constructions able to be folded in prismatic or flat parts or able to be turned down
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04G—SCAFFOLDING; FORMS; SHUTTERING; BUILDING IMPLEMENTS OR AIDS, OR THEIR USE; HANDLING BUILDING MATERIALS ON THE SITE; REPAIRING, BREAKING-UP OR OTHER WORK ON EXISTING BUILDINGS
    • E04G5/00—Component parts or accessories for scaffolds
    • E04G5/06—Consoles; Brackets
    • E04G5/061—Consoles; Brackets specially adapted for attachment to scaffolds
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04G—SCAFFOLDING; FORMS; SHUTTERING; BUILDING IMPLEMENTS OR AIDS, OR THEIR USE; HANDLING BUILDING MATERIALS ON THE SITE; REPAIRING, BREAKING-UP OR OTHER WORK ON EXISTING BUILDINGS
    • E04G5/00—Component parts or accessories for scaffolds
    • E04G5/14—Railings
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04G—SCAFFOLDING; FORMS; SHUTTERING; BUILDING IMPLEMENTS OR AIDS, OR THEIR USE; HANDLING BUILDING MATERIALS ON THE SITE; REPAIRING, BREAKING-UP OR OTHER WORK ON EXISTING BUILDINGS
    • E04G5/00—Component parts or accessories for scaffolds
    • E04G5/14—Railings
    • E04G5/141—Railings with an access door or the like therefor
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04G—SCAFFOLDING; FORMS; SHUTTERING; BUILDING IMPLEMENTS OR AIDS, OR THEIR USE; HANDLING BUILDING MATERIALS ON THE SITE; REPAIRING, BREAKING-UP OR OTHER WORK ON EXISTING BUILDINGS
    • E04G1/00—Scaffolds primarily resting on the ground
    • E04G1/18—Scaffolds primarily resting on the ground adjustable in height
    • E04G1/22—Scaffolds having a platform on an extensible substructure, e.g. of telescopic type or with lazy-tongs mechanism
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04G—SCAFFOLDING; FORMS; SHUTTERING; BUILDING IMPLEMENTS OR AIDS, OR THEIR USE; HANDLING BUILDING MATERIALS ON THE SITE; REPAIRING, BREAKING-UP OR OTHER WORK ON EXISTING BUILDINGS
    • E04G1/00—Scaffolds primarily resting on the ground
    • E04G1/24—Scaffolds primarily resting on the ground comprising essentially special base constructions; comprising essentially special ground-engaging parts, e.g. inclined struts, wheels
    • E04G2001/242—Scaffolds movable on wheels or tracks
    • E04G2001/244—Scaffolds movable on wheels or tracks mechanically operated

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geology (AREA)
  • Refuge Islands, Traffic Blockers, Or Guard Fence (AREA)

Abstract

A platform 101 suitable for supporting a person, the platform comprises a base 106, the base having a lower surface for abutment with a support surface 103 and an upper surface 107 on which a person may stand, the base features a front edge 112, a rear edge 113 and first and second side edges 114, 115. A railing extends upwardly from said base, said railing comprising a first railing part 117 coupled to said base 106 and extends upwardly therefrom. A second railing part 118 is coupled via a hinge joint 119 to a distal end of said first railing part 117 and extends therefrom. The hinge joint is configured to either permit or allow rotation of said second railing part relative to said first railing part between an extended condition and a collapsed position (Fig 2b). Access to the platform is therefore restricted when the railing is in the collapsed condition.

Description

(71) Applicant(s):
Michael David Brown
Vicarage Farm, Brington Road, Flore, Northampton, Northamptonshire, NN7 4NQ, United Kingdom (72) Inventor(s):
Michael David Brown (56) Documents Cited:
WO 2007/132148 A2 FR 002929304 A1 US 20070261917 A1 (58) Field of Search:
INTCLA62B, B66F, E04G Other: Online: WPI, EPODOC (74) Agent and/or Address for Service:
Franks & Co (South) Ltd
Carlton House, 26 Billing Road, NORTHAMPTON, NN1 5AT, United Kingdom (54) Title of the Invention: A platform
Abstract Title: Platform with collapsible safety barrier to prevent access to platform (57) A platform 101 suitable for supporting a person, the platform comprises a base 106, the base having a lower surface for abutment with a support surface 103 and an upper surface 107 on which a person may stand, the base features a front edge 112, a rear edge 113 and first and second side edges 114, 115. A railing extends upwardly from said base, said railing comprising a first railing part 117 coupled to said base 106 and extends upwardly therefrom. A second railing part 118 is coupled via a hinge joint 119 to a distal end of said first railing part 117 and extends therefrom. The hinge joint is configured to either permit or allow rotation of said second railing part relative to said first railing part between an extended condition and a collapsed position (Fig 2b). Access to the platform is therefore restricted when the railing is in the collapsed condition.
Figure GB2559317A_D0001
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Figure GB2559317A_D0002
Fig. 1
2/9 .101
115
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116 S'
I r
106
Figure GB2559317A_D0003
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Figure GB2559317A_D0004
Figure GB2559317A_D0005
115
Figure GB2559317A_D0006
Fig. 2b
4/9
Figure GB2559317A_D0007
Figure GB2559317A_D0008
116
115
Figure GB2559317A_D0009
Fig. 3a
5/9
Figure GB2559317A_D0010
116
Figure GB2559317A_D0011
115
Figure GB2559317A_D0012
Fig. 3b
6/9
Figure GB2559317A_D0013
Fig. 4
7/9
Figure GB2559317A_D0014
Fig. 5
8/9
118
Figure GB2559317A_D0015
Fig. 6a Fig. 6b
Figure GB2559317A_D0016
9/9
Figure GB2559317A_D0017
Fig. 7
Figure GB2559317A_D0018
co
A Platform
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a platform for supporting a person.
2. Description of the Related Art
Platforms are often used for supporting a person in a raised position relative to a ground surface. Such platforms are used particularly commonly by construction workers to allow the worker to work at height, as a safer alternative to a conventional stepped ladder. Platforms of this type typically comprise a tall base for positioning on the ground surface, the base having an upper level surface on which an operative may stand, and a railing fixed to the base and extending upwardly therefrom about the perimeter of the upper surface. The function of the railing is generally two-fold, firstly to prevent an operative from falling of the raised upper surface, and secondly to present a convenient ‘handle’ to be grasped by an operative standing on the upper surface to thereby steady himself when working.
A problem is experienced however in using such platforms of the prior art, and particularly when moving such platforms about a worksite, inasmuch that height restrictions on the worksite, (such restrictions either resulting from physical obstructions such as a doorway or merely from safety rules preventing movement of objects exceeding a certain height) may require that the upwardly extending railing of the platform is removed or otherwise lowered when moved. Such a problem may be encountered in particular when the platform is to be moved through a doorway, when the upwardly extending railing may foul the top of the doorframe.
An approach to solving this problem is to construct the platform such that the upwardly extending railing is separate to the base and removable therefrom, to allow the railing to be removed when the platform is moved through a height restricted site to thereby reduce the overall height of the platform.
However, the above approaches encounter significant problems, inasmuch that, in such platforms of the prior art, even with the railings removed or folded as described, the platform is still usable, inasmuch that an operative may still stand on the raised upper surface even without the railings in place. This is undesirable, inasmuch that such a use of the platform presents a danger to the operative who may fall from the raised upper surface if the railing is not in place. In order to avoid such danger to operatives, in many jurisdictions legislative restrictions may prohibit the use of platforms such as those described above which may be used by an operative in an incomplete state.
The above problems are exasperated in the case of a platform which is itself intended to be installed on an elevated surface of a lifting machine, for example, a powered scissor lift. As will be understood by the skilled person, it is often desirable to further increase the height of a lifting machine such as a scissor lift, in which case a secondary platform may be placed on the raised surface of the lifting machine. However, when the platform is immovably fixed to the elevated surface of the lifting machine, the overall height of the lifting machine, even in a retracted state, may be greater than permitted when moving.
It is therefore desirable to provide a platform which obviates the above mentioned problems with platforms of the prior art. In particular, it is desirable to provide a platform in which the railings may be ‘collapsed’ to allow the overall height of the platform to be reduced when required, but in which the platform is rendered un-usable when the railings are in the ‘collapsed’ condition to thereby prevent unsafe use of the platform by an operative.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a platform for supporting a person, the platform comprising:
a base for placing on a support surface, the base having a lower surface for abutment with said a support surface and an upper surface on which a person may stand, and the base having a front edge, a rear edge and first and second side edges; and a railing extending upwardly from said base adjacent said first side edge, said railing comprising a first railing part coupled at a first end to said base adjacent said first side edge and extending upwardly therefrom to a second end, and a second railing part coupled at a first end to said second end of said first railing part and extending therefrom; in which said second railing part is coupled to said first railing part by way of a hinge joint, and in which said hinge joint is configured to allow rotation of said second railing part relative to said first railing part between a first condition in which said second railing part extends generally upwardly from said first railing part and a second condition in which said second railing part extends generally orthogonally relative to said first railing part in a direction generally towards a plane aligned with said second side edge of said base part, and in which said hinge joint is configured to prevent rotation of said second railing part relative to said first railing part in a direction generally away from a plane aligned with said second side edge of said base part. Preferably, said hinge joint comprises a first hinge part rigidly coupled to said first railing part and a second hinge part rigidly coupled to said second railing part, said first and second hinge parts being mutually pivotally coupled, and said first and second hinge parts being shaped so as to permit relative rotation of the first and second hinge parts only in a first direction of rotation through a maximum of 180 degrees.
Preferably, said first and second hinge parts are shaped so as to permit relative rotation of the first and second hinge parts only in a first direction of rotation through a maximum of 90 degrees.
Preferably, said releasable locking member comprises a hollow tubular 10 member arranged slidably about said second railing member and configured to be movable so as to simultaneously engage said first railing member and said second railing member to thereby prevent relative rotation therebetween.
Preferably, said releasable locking member comprises a hollow tubular 15 member arranged slidably about said second railing member and configured to be movable so as to simultaneously engage said first railing member and said second railing member to thereby· prevent relative rotation therebetween.
Preferably, the platform is configured for use with a powered lifting 20 machine suitable for lifting a person in which said platform is configured to be placed on a surface of an elevating plate of said lifting machine with the lower surface of said base of said platform abutted against a support surface of said elevating plate.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are purely schematic and not to scale, of which:
Figure 1 shows; the platform for supporting a person according to the present invention in perspective view;
Figure 2a shows; the platform of figure 1 in a front elevation view in which the railings are in an extended state;
Figure 2b shows; the platform of figure 1 in a front elevation view in which the railings are in a collapsed state;
Figure 3a shows; the platform of figure 1 in a rear elevation view in which the railings are in an extended state;
Figure 3b shows; the platform of figure 1 in a rear elevation view in which the railings are in a collapsed state;
Figure 4 shows; the platform of figure 1 in a right side elevation view in which the railings are in an extended state;
Figure 5 shows the platform of figure 1 in a left side elevation view in which the railings are in an extended state;
Figures 6a and 6b shows close up views of the hinge joint; and Figure 7 shows a close up view of the hinge joint in unlocked and locked conditions respectively.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS
Figure 1
An example of a platform for supporting a person according to the present invention is shown in a perspective view in figure 1.
In the specific embodiment, the platform 101 is configured for use with a powered lifting machine suitable for lifting a person. An example of such a powered lifting machine is a platform scissor lift, which typically comprises a ground engaging base, a basket, and a scissor-operation mechanism for raising the basket relative to the base. In the figure a typical basket of such a scissor lift is depicted by the broken line 102. As will be understood, such a basket of a powered lifting machine will typically comprise a floor (indicated generally at 103 and upwardly extending tubular rails indicated at 104 and
105). Thus, referring to the figure, in the embodiment the platform 101 is installed inside the basket 102 of a powered lifting machine and is attached to the rails 104 and 105 of said basket 102 to thereby fix the platform 101 to the basket 102.
As noted above, in the specific embodiment of the invention described herein, the platform 101 is configured for use with a power lifting machine, and is intended to be positioned on the floor surface of a basket of such a lifting machine so as to support a person above the level of the floor surface of the basket. It will of course be appreciated however that the present invention is not strictly limited in its utility to a platform for use in conjunction with a powered lifting machine, rather in alternative embodiments, a platform according to the present invention may be a standalone unit configured for use in isolation by positioning the platform on a ground surface thereby allowing a person to be supported by the platform above the ground surface.
Referring to the figure, in the specific embodiment, the platform 101 comprises a base (indicated generally at 106). In the embodiment, said base 106 comprises of a generally planar member 107 having a short side wall 108 upwardly extending from adjacent the periphery thereof, the generally planar member 107 having an upper surface 109 on which a person may stand. Further, in the embodiment, said base 106 comprises stilt members
110, 111 extending downwardly from the underside of said generally planar member 107, the stilts 110, 11 having undersides defining a lower surface 114 of the base 106 for abutment with a support surface on which the platform 101 is position, in this case, floor surface 103 of basket 102, but alternatively the support surface could be a ground surface. As shown in the figure, said base 106 defines a front edge 112, a rear edge 113, and first and second side edges 114, 115.
Referring again to the figure, said platform 101 further comprises first and second railings 115, 116 respectively extending upwardly from said base 106. As shown in the figure, said first railing 115 extends upwardly from said base adjacent said first side edge 114, and said second railing 116 extends upwardly from said base adjacent said second side edge 115. Each of said first and second railings 115, 116 are substantially identical in construction and operation, and so for brevity only said first railing 115 will be described herein in detail.
As shown in the figure, said first railing 115 comprises a first railing part 117, said first railing part 117 being coupled at a first end thereof to said base 106 adjacent said first side edge 114 and extending upwardly therefrom generally orthogonal to the plane of said planar member 107, towards a second end. Said railing 115 further comprises a second railing part 118 coupled at a first end to the second end of said first railing part 117 and extending upwardly therefrom.
It will thus be appreciated th at the height of said platform 101 is generally equal to the height of said first railing part 117 and said railing part 118 combined. It will further be appreciated that it is desirable in certain circumstances for the height of said platform 101 to be reduced. Thus, it is desirable for said second railing part 118 to be collapsible relative to said first railing part 117. Thus, said second railing part 118 is coupled to said first railing part 117 by way of a hinge joint (indicated generally at 119). As will be described with reference to later figures, said hinge joint 119 is configured to allow rotation of said second railing part 118 relative to said first railing part
117 between a first extended condition in which said second railing part 118 extends generally upwardly from the second end of said first railing part 117, and a second collapsed condition in which said second railing part 118 extends generally orthogonally relative to said first railing part 117, in a direction generally towards a plane vertically aligned with said second side edge 115 of said base part 106. Further, as will be described, it is desirable that said second railing part 118 is not allowed to rotate outwardly of said platform 101, rather said second railing part 118 is permitted only to rotate relative to said first railing part 117 generally inwardly of said platform. Thus, said hinge joint 119 is configured to permit rotation of said second railing part
118 relative to said first railing part 117 in the direction generally inwardly of the platform 101 generally towards a plane aligned with the second side edge 115 of said base part 106 whilst preventing rotation of said second railing part 118 relative to said first railing part 117 in the direction generally outwardly of the platform 101 away from a plain vertically aligned with second side edge 115 of said base part 106.
As shown in the drawings, in the specific embodiment said platform 101 further comprises doors 120, 121 hingedly connected to said first and second railings 115, 116 respectively. As will be understood, said doors 120, 121 may be opened to allow an operative to stand on the upper surface 109 of the generally planar member 107. In the specific embodiment, said doors 120, 121 open inwardly of said platform, and the hinged connection prevents the doors opening outwardly of the platform, such that the doors would not open by, for example, an operative standing on the surface 109 and leaning against the doors 120, 121 in a direction outwardly of the platform.
In the embodiment, said platform 101 comprises clamps 122 configured to engage the barriers 104, 105 of said basket 102 to thereby secure the platform 101 to the basket 102.
Figure 2a and 2b
Referring to the figures, the platform 101 is shown in front elevation views in figures 2a and 2b.
In figure 2a the first and second railings 115, 116 are shown in the extended condition in which the second railing parts extend upwardly from respective first railing parts and are locked in said extended condition in the manner which will be described further with reference to figure 7.
In figure 2b the first and second railings are shown in the collapsed condition in which the second railing part of each said railing extends generally orthogonally relative to said first railing part of each railing, such that said second railing parts of each railing is folded generally inwardly of the platform orthogonal to the first railing part and extending generally across said base 106.
Thus, as illustrated, referring to said first railing 115, said second railing part 118 of said first railing 115 extends generally orthogonally relative to said first railing part 117 towards a plane 201 vertically aligned with said second side edge 115 of said base part 106. As will be appreciated, the second railing part of said second railing 116 extends generally orthogonally relative to said first railing part of said second railing 116, such that the second railing part of the second railing 116 extends inwardly of the platform generally towards a plane aligned vertically with said first side edge 114 of said base 106.
Figure 3a and 3b
The platform 101 is shown in rear elevation views in figures 3a and 3b.
Similarly to figures 2a and 2b, in figure 3a the first and second railings 115, 116 are shown in the extended condition in which the second railing part of each said railing extends generally upwardly from the first railing part of each said railing. In figure 3b, the second railing part of each said railing is shown in the collapsed condition in which the second railing part of each said railing extends generally orthogonally relative to the first railing part of each said railing, such that the second railing part of each said railing is folded generally inwardly of the platform.
As will be described, in the specific embodiment at least one of said.
hinge joints 119 of each said railing is provided with a locking member 301 for releasably locking the hinge joint in a configuration such that said second railing part of each said railing is rotatably locked relative to first railing part of each said railing in said extended condition. In the specific embodiment, said releasable locking member 301 comprises a hollow tubular member arranged slidably about the second railing part of each said railing and configured to be slideable along the second railing part so as to overlie the hinge joint and simultaneously engage the first and second railing parts of each said railing to thereby prevent relative rotation therebetween and allow the second railing part to be locked in the extended conditions shown in figures 2a and 3a.
For clarity, in the drawings said locking member 301 is shown in the unlocked position in which the locking member does not overlie the hinge joint and does not simultaneously engage the first and second railing parts and so would not lock the second railing part in the extended condition. It will of course be appreciated however that in normal use the locking member 301 would be moved down said second railing part when the second railing part is in the extended condition shown in figure 3a so as to lock the hinge joint in the required extended configuration.
Referring to the drawings, and in particular to figures 3a and 3b, it would be appreciated that when said second railing part of each said railing is in the collapsed condition shown in figures 2b and 3b in which the second railing part of each said railing extends generally orthogonally relative to the first railing part of each said railing, an operative is prevented from standing on the surface 109 of the base 106 by the second railing part of each said railing which in the collapsed condition obstruct the platform. Thus, the collapsing of the second railing part of each said railing in this way (inwardly of the platform) allows the overall height of the platform to be reduced, given that the second railing part of each said railing now extends generally orthogonally relative to the first railing part of each said railing rather than extending upwardly therefrom, but that in the collapsed condition the platform is unusable by an operative as the second railing parts would obstruct an operative standing on the surface 109.
Further, as previously described, said hinge joints 119 which hingedly connect the second railing part of each said railing to the first railing part of each said railing are configured to prevent rotation of the second railing part of each said railing relative to the first railing part of each said railing in the opposite direction shown to figures 2b and 3b, i.e. in a direction such that the second railing part of each said railing would extend outwardly of the platform. Thus, referring particularly to said first railing 115, the hinge joints 119 prevent rotation of said second railing part 118 relative to said first railing part 117 in a direction generally away from said plane 201. It will be appreciated that the hinge joints preventing rotation of the second railing parts of each said railing outwardly of the platform have the result that the second railing parts of each said railing may not be folded outwardly of the platform to reduce the height of the platform which would result in the platform remaining useable by an operative even with the railings in the collapsed condition, thus presenting a danger to the operative. Thus, the second railing parts may only be folded inwardly, rendering the platform unusable in the collapsed state.
Figures 4 & 5
Figure 4 shows the platform 101 in a right side elevation view in which the railings are in the extended condition in which the second railing part of each said railing extends generally upwardly from the first railing part of each said railing. Figure 5 shows the platform 101 in the same condition but in a left side elevation view.
Referring to the figures, it will be seen that the collapsing of said second railing part with said first railing part of the railing may be prevented by the positioning of said doors 120, 121. Thus, in actuality, it is intended that in the case of a platform comprising both railings and doors, as with platform 101, an upper portion of each said door 120, 121 will fold inwardly of the platform in a similar way to the folding of the second railing part of each said railing relative to the first railing part of each said railing. Thus, in the embodiment of the invention, an upper portion of each said door 120, 121 will be hingedly connected to a lower portion of each said door 120, 121 by way of a hinge joint substantially similar to hinge joint 119. In this way, an upper portion of each said door 120, 121 may be rotated relative to a lower portion of each said door such that the upper portion extends generally orthogonally relative to the lower portion generally inwardly of the platform in a similar way to the second railing part of each said railing 115 116.
Figure 6a and 6b
Figures 6a and 6b show close up views of the hinge joint 119 in the extended condition in which the second railing part of each said railing extends generally upwardly from a second end of the first railing part of each said railing. Referring to the drawings, said hinge joint 119 comprises a first hinge part 601 rigidly coupled to said first railing part of each said railing, and a second hinge part 602 rigidly coupled to said second railing part of each said railing. As shown, said first and second hinge part 601, 602 are coupled by way of pivot 603 for relative rotation thereabout.
As has been described, said hinge joint is configured to permit rotation of the second railing part relative to the first railing part of each said railing in only one direction, i.e. to only allow the second railing part of each said railing to be rotated inwardly of the platform, and to prevent a second railing part from being rotated outwardly of the platform. Thus, in the embodiment, said first and second hinge parts 601, 602 are shaped so as to permit rotation therebetween only in a first direction of rotation: As illustrated, in the embodiment each of first and second hinge parts define a single chamfered edge 604, 605, which chamfered edge allows the hinge parts to be rotated in one direction, whilst a second non-chamfered edge of said each hinge parts prevents relative rotation in a second direction. In a preferred embodiment, the first and second hinge parts are shaped so as to permit relative rotation in the first direction through a maximum of 90 degrees. An advantage of permitting a maximum rotation of 90 degrees is that the second railing part of each said railing extends near-exactly orthogonally relative to said first railing part providing a maximum obstruction to use of the platform when the second railing part of each said railing is in the collapsed condition.
Figure 7
Figure 7 shows close up views of the hinge joint 119. In the first view the releasable locking member 301 is in the unlocked position in which it does not overlie the hinge joint, and so does not prevent relative rotation of the first hinge part 601 and second hinge part 602. Thus, in the unlocked condition shown in the first view, the first and second hinge parts are free to rotate allowing rotation of the second railing part relative to the first railing part of each said railing.
Referring to the second view, the locking member 301 is shown in the locked position, in which it has been moved that downwardly ofthe second railing part so as to overlie the hinge joint 119 simultaneously engaging the first railing member and the second railing member to thereby prevent relative rotation there between.

Claims (7)

Claims What we claim is:
1. A platform for supporting a person, the platform comprising:
a base for placing on a support surface, the base having a lower
5 surface for abutment with said a support surface and an upper surface on which a person may stand, and the base having a front edge, a rear edge and first and second side edges; and a railing extending upwardly from said base adjacent said first side edge, said railing comprising a first railing part coupled at a first end to said
10 base adjacent said first side edge and extending upwardly therefrom to a second end, and a second railing part coupled at a first end to said second end of said first railing part and extending therefrom; in which said second railing part is coupled to said first railing part by way of a hinge joint, and in which said hinge joint is configured to allow rotation of said
15 second railing part relative to said first railing part between a first condition in which said second railing part extends generally upwardly from said first railing part and a second condition in which said second railing part extends generally orthogonally relative to said first railing, part in a direction generally towards a plane aligned with said second side edge of said base part, and in
20 which said hinge joint is configured to prevent rotation of said second railing part relative to said first railing part in a direction generally away from a plane aligned with said second side edge of said base part.
2. The platform of claim 1, in which said hinge joint comprises a
25 first hinge part rigidly coupled to said first railing part and a second hinge part rigidly coupled to said second railing part; said first and second hinge parts being mutually pivotally coupled, and said first and second hinge parts being shaped so as to permit relative rotation of the first and second hinge parts only in a first direction of rotation through a maximum of 180 degrees.
3. The platform of claim 1 or claim 2, in which said first and
5 second hinge parts are shaped so as to permit relative rotation of the first and second hinge parts only in a first direction of rotation through a maximum of 90 degrees.
4. The platform of claims 1 to 3, in which said hinge joint
10 comprises a releasable locking member for releasably locking said second railing part relative to said first railing part in said first condition.
5. The platform of claim 4, in which said releasable locking member comprises a hollow tubular member arranged slidably about said
15 second railing member and configured to be movable so as to simultaneously engage said first railing member and said second railing member to thereby prevent relative rotation therebetween.
6. The platform of claims 1 to 5, configured for use with a powered
20 lifting machine suitable for lifting a person in which said platform is configured to be placed on a surface of an elevating plate of said lifting machine with the lower surface of said base of said platform abutted against a support surface of said elevating plate.
25
7. A platform substantially as described herein and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
Intellectual
Property
Office
Application No: GB 1621429.8 Examiner: Mrs Judith Peake
GB1621429.8A 2016-12-16 2016-12-16 A platform Withdrawn GB2559317A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1621429.8A GB2559317A (en) 2016-12-16 2016-12-16 A platform

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1621429.8A GB2559317A (en) 2016-12-16 2016-12-16 A platform

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB201621429D0 GB201621429D0 (en) 2017-02-01
GB2559317A true GB2559317A (en) 2018-08-08

Family

ID=58284321

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB1621429.8A Withdrawn GB2559317A (en) 2016-12-16 2016-12-16 A platform

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2559317A (en)

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20070261917A1 (en) * 2006-05-15 2007-11-15 Vestil Manufacturing Corporation Foldable work platform
WO2007132148A2 (en) * 2006-05-04 2007-11-22 Access Products Limited Scaffolding
FR2929304A1 (en) * 2008-03-26 2009-10-02 Echelles Fortal Soc Par Action Foldable and working height adjustable scaffold device for e.g. edifice, has floor element provided on top of partially foldable guard rail, and fastening post integrating access ladder in plane of post adapted to working height

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2007132148A2 (en) * 2006-05-04 2007-11-22 Access Products Limited Scaffolding
US20070261917A1 (en) * 2006-05-15 2007-11-15 Vestil Manufacturing Corporation Foldable work platform
FR2929304A1 (en) * 2008-03-26 2009-10-02 Echelles Fortal Soc Par Action Foldable and working height adjustable scaffold device for e.g. edifice, has floor element provided on top of partially foldable guard rail, and fastening post integrating access ladder in plane of post adapted to working height

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB201621429D0 (en) 2017-02-01

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