GB2618975A

GB2618975A - A scaffolding platform

Info

Publication number: GB2618975A
Application number: GB2105378.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Montgomery Richard
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2021-04-15
Filing date: 2021-04-15
Publication date: 2023-11-29
Also published as: GB202105378D0

Abstract

A platform assembly comprises first and second brackets 2, each with two arms 6 connected at 90 degrees, where a first arm is connected at both ends to a vertically orientated scaffold upright 4 so the second arm 10 extends perpendicularly. At least one support tube 14 is connected along its length to each bracket. The bracket may be triangular or L-shaped and may have a metal brace extending between each arm. The assembly may have two support tubes 14 or an additional bracket. The second arm of the bracket may have a recess for a slidable extension piece 38.

Description

A SCAFFOLDING PLATFORM

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a scaffolding platform. The invention relates, in particular, to a portable platform lift that can easily be installed and used on to scaffolding in confined areas.

Background to the invention

Finding a platform to work from within scaffolding can be challenging, particularly where the working surface is fragile, such is as an asbestos roof for example, and/or when space is limited to perhaps only allowing one row of scaffolding legs.

Scaffolding lifts are known but these are large, often separate structures that require large space and several rows of scaffolding poles. The elevation cannot be adjusted without raising or lowering the entire lift scaffolding.

The present invention seeks to provide a platform for scaffolding that can easily be coupled or uncoupled to the scaffolding at a selected height by a labourer with little training to save time and reduce costs. A working platform, variable in size, which can be simply fixed to the inside of scaffold legs is far more efficient than raising or dropping an entire lift of scaffold.

Moreover, the invention seeks to provide a platform for scaffolding that may only require two components and can be used on a single row of scaffolding legs.

Statements of invention

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a platform assembly for connection to scaffolding in use, the apparatus comprising: first and second load bearing brackets having at least two arms connected at 90 degrees, each bracket secured at opposing ends of a first arm to a respective vertically orientated scaffolding upright such that a second arm of each bracket extends perpendicular to its respective upright; at least one support tube connected along its length to each bracket so to extend therebetween; wherein said second arms of each bracket provide a support surface on to which at least one platform member may be located to be supported by the two brackets.

Preferably, each bracket has a generally triangular frame structure.

Alternatively, each support bracket is L-shaped and each bracket has a metal brace plate secured to and extending between each arm.

Preferably, the apparatus further includes two support tubes one tube being connected to the first arm of each bracket and the second tube connected to the second arm of each bracket.

Preferably, the apparatus further comprises at least one additional bracket connectable to both support tubes.

Preferably, the second arm of each bracket includes a longitudinally extending recess in which an extension piece is slidable to extend the length of each bracket thereby to selectively allow at least one additional platform member to be supported on the apparatus.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates the platform assembly components constructed in accordance with the invention and connected to scaffolding uprights; Figure 2 illustrates an intermediary bracket that may be used as part of the assembly; Figure 3 is a side view of a bracket component of the assembly; and Figure 4 is a side view of an alternative bracket component.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

Referring first to figure 1, the invention relates to a platform assembly, or hop-up bracket assembly, for scaffolding and includes first and second load-bearing support brackets 2 which are connected, during use, to two adjacent scaffolding uprights 4 (vertical poles).

Each bracket 2 has a generally triangular frame and is connected along one edge length 6 (which is orientated vertically in use) to the respective upright 4 so to provide two vertically displaced points of connection along the upright 4. The connectors are typically standard load bearing couplers 8 (best seen in figures 3 and 4).

When connected, the brackets 2 extend outwardly from the scaffolding uprights 4 with the top arm 10 of each bracket 2 orientated substantially horizontally and perpendicular to the upright 2. The hypotenuse 12 of each triangular bracket 2 provides strength to the bracket 2.

To provide additional strength to the assembly, two scaffolding support tubes 14 are also provided that extend generally parallel to the scaffolding between the brackets 2.

As can be seen in figures 3 and 4, the vertical and horizontal arms 6, 10 of each bracket 2 have inwardly facing load bearing couplers 16 which clip on to and around the support tubes14.

The brackets 2 are preferably made of a metal, for example steel, although any suitable load-bearing material could be used.

If a longer span of platform is required one or more intermediary brackets 18 may be secured within the assembly between two load bearing brackets 2.

An example of one such bracket is shown in figure 2. The bracket 18 is generally L-shaped and has load bearing couplers 20 to connect the bracket 18 to each support tubel 4 in the same way as previously described. The bracket 18 includes a steel brace plate 22 secured to and extending between the arms for added strength.

The length of each horizontally orientated arm 10 is such to allow two standard scaffolding boards (not shown) to sit side by side, extending parallel to the scaffolding. The boards are supported along a desired length along the scaffolding, by the brackets 2 (including any intermediary brackets) and the support tubes14.

Typical scaffolding boards 24 suitable for the assembly are shown in the scaffolding of figure 1.

The brackets 2 may be secured at any height along the scaffolding uprights 4. In figure 1, for example, they will provide an elevated, hop-up, platform for the benefit bricklayers and plasterer roughcasters, for example. The height may be easily adjusted by unfixing the couplers 8, 16, to re-position, and then once again securing the apparatus at the new height.

In an alternative load-bearing bracket embodiment is shown figure 4. This bracket 26 is similar to the intermediary bracket 18 in that it is L-shaped and has steel brace plate 28 secured to and extending between the arms.

As can be seen best in figures 3 and 4, part of the length of the horizontally orientated arms of each bracket 2, 26, and any intermediary bracket 18 includes a longitudinal recess 30 to receive an elongate extension member 32 which is slidable within the recess during use to telescopically extend the horizontally orientated arm 10, and thus the platform supporting surface, to allow one or more additional boards thereby increasing the platform width.

Typically, the extension would allow a third board.

Each extension member 32 has a locking groove 34 along one edge that engages with the recess of the bracket 2. When extended, the extension member 32 is locked in such a position using standard means such as, for example sliding bar and locking nut 36. When not required, the extension member 32 can be pushed fully into the recess 28, as shown in figures 1 and 2.

Each extension member 32 has a hooked end 38 for ease of grip to pull it from the recess 28 when required.

The embodiment described is one example of the invention. In another embodiment (not shown) the brackets 2 could be generally V-shaped with both distal ends secured to the scaffolding uprights in a similar way to that shown in figure 1. One support tube is then connected to the horizontally orientated arm of each bracket and the other to the angled arm of each bracket.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A platform assembly for connection to scaffolding in use, the apparatus comprising: first and second load bearing brackets having at least two arms connected at 90 degrees, each bracket secured at opposing ends of a first arm to a respective vertically orientated scaffolding upright such that a second arm of each bracket extends perpendicular to its respective upright; at least one support tube connected along its length to each bracket so to extend therebetween; wherein said second arms of each bracket provide a support surface on to which at least one platform member may be located to be supported by the two brackets.
2. A platform assembly according to claim 1, wherein each bracket has a generally triangular frame structure.
3. A platform assembly according to claim 1, wherein each support bracket is L-shaped.
4. A platform assemble according to claim 3, wherein the or each bracket has a metal brace plate secured to and extending between each arm.
5. A platform assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the apparatus further includes two support beams, one beam being connected to the first arm of each bracket and the second tube connected to the second arm of each bracket.
6. A platform assembly according to claim 5, further comprising at least one additional bracket connectable to both support tubes.
7. A platform assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the second arm of each bracket includes a longitudinally extending recess in which an extension piece is slidable to extend the length of each bracket thereby to selectively allow at least one additional platform member to be supported by the apparatus.