NZ787197A - A void platform and a method for providing a platform support across a building void - Google Patents

Abstract

A void platform for providing a working deck for construction workers across a void of a building having a floor adjacent the void is disclosed. The void platform includes first and second support struts (20) extending across the void of the building. Each support strut includes first and second elongate sections (22) and a connector (not shown) intermediate the elongate sections operatively coupling the first and second elongate sections to each other. Each strut includes a first mounting bracket (10) mounted on a free end of the first elongate section and a second mounting bracket mounted on a free end of the second elongate section. The axial position of each of the first and second mounting brackets on the respective elongate members is adjustable. At one decking panel (not shown) has a first end and an opposed second end each having strut engaging formations thereon configured to retainingly engage the first and second support struts. The proposed invention provides a safe working platform, giving workers access to the walls and ceilings of the structure adjacent the void

Description

A VOID PLATFORM AND A METHOD FOR PROVIDING A PLATFORM SUPPORT ACROSS A BUILDING VOID FIELD This sure relates to a void platform for covering a void in a building. It also extends to a method of providing a platform across a void in a building.

This disclosure relates particularly but not exclusively to a void platform for providing a temporary floor across a void for a ase, a lift shaft or an atrium in a building, e.g., a high set house during a construction process. The disclosure also relates particularly to a method of providing a platform that extends across a void in a building during a construction process. It will therefore be ient to hereinafter describe the disclosure with reference to this example application.

However, at the same time, it must be recognized that the disclosure is capable of broader application. For e, the teaching in the disclosure could also be used in ations other than buildings under construction.

DEFINITIONS In this specification, the term ‘comprising’ is intended to denote the inclusion of a stated integer or integers, but not necessarily the exclusion of any other integer, depending on the context in which that term is used. This applies also to variants of that term such as ‘comprise’ or ‘comprises’ In the specification, the term ‘floor mounting bracket’ is to be interpreted broadly and shall be understood to mean a bracket that can be mounted on the floor. r, the t is not limited to being mounted on the floor and for example can also be mounted on a plate of a wall frame.

In the specification, the term ‘angle section’ of a bracket’ means a right angle section that ses two planar sections joined at their ends that extend orthogonally to each other.

In the specification, the term ‘tube’ is to be very broadly interpreted and is not d to hollow members. For example, it includes within its scope s that are solid and not . It also includes members that are not circular in cross sectional shape.

In the specification, the term ‘swivel’ shall be reted broadly and shall include within its scope a pivoting action where a member undergoes an angular movement in a plane relative to a stationary member.

BACKGROUND A void in a building is a space that is created in a building which occupies more than one level of the building. Voids are created in buildings to odate stair wells, atriums and elevators. Very often there is a considerable vertical drop in a void space and safety measures are required to resist construction workers from falling into the void and suffering harm. In fact, there are strict workplace health and safety measures to protect workers by making voids safe during building construction.

Some safety systems that are used in voids are scaffolds, hand rails and the like.

However, these systems do not fill the void in and thus do not prevent a tradesman or builder from g into the void. Further, they do not e workers with access to the building structure in the region of the void including wall and ceiling structures. This is a significant limitation e often work has to be done in these areas. For example, plasterboard is often applied to the full height of wall surfaces in the void. Further, once rboard is applied to the full height of a wall, it needs to be plastered and painted. Yet further, services, e.g. electrical and mechanical services, need to be installed on walls and ceilings around the void.

One approach to these challenges has been to e a temporary void platform extending across the void. This provides a temporary floor broadly at the same level as an upper level floor that extends across the void which prevents workers from falling through the void. The void platform also provides a working deck to provide s with access to the walls and ceilings of the structure adjacent the void, e.g., to apply plasterboard, paint walls and provide electrical and mechanical services. The additional benefit of providing a useful work platform across the void when compared to other prior art solutions has caused the void platform to become recognized as a suitable solution by men and construction workers and this has led to an increased use uptake of void platforms by builders.

One prior art void platform is the FLEXISAFE SYSTEM™ by lds. Another prior art system was developed by Liggins, Flaus and Mackinnon. r, these prior art void platforms have significant limitations. In particular, they are difficult to install, and many are not failsafe. Further, these platforms are not very versatile, and they cannot easily be d to the many different shapes and sizes of voids that are encountered in buildings.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE Voids in modern buildings come in different sizes and shapes and Applicant has recognized that void platforms need to be able to adapt to different sized void spaces and also different shaped void spaces. Applicant recognizes the benefits that would accrue if a void platform can be installed quickly and efficiently to provide a ntally extending working deck. Further, Applicant has also recognized the need for void platforms to be fe so that if there is a failure of the platform it is not catastrophic.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a void platform for providing a working deck for construction workers across a void of a building having a floor, e.g., adjacent the void, the void rm including: a first and a second support strut extending across the void of the building, at least one support strut including: first and second elongate sections and a connector positioned between the elongate sections for operatively coupling the first and second elongate ns to each other, wherein the length of each of the first and second elongate sections is selected to match the distance to be spanned across the void; and a first ng bracket mounted on a free end of the first elongate section remote from the tor, and a second mounting bracket mounted on a free end of the second elongate section remote from the connector, wherein the axial position of each of the first and second mounting brackets on the respective elongate members is adjustable; and at least one g panel mounted on the first and second support struts forming the working deck, wherein each decking panel has a first end and an opposed second end each having strut engaging formations thereon configured to retainingly engage the first and second support struts, e.g., with retention, while permitting the decking panel to be lifted off the support struts.

Each of the first and second elongate ns may be tubular and may have open ends, and the connector may have two coupling ions, each of which are sized and configured to be received within an open end of an elongate section, e.g., an open end of the associated first or second elongate section.

The connector may include a radial d projecting stop formation positioned n the two coupling formations for positioning the elongate sections on the connector by limiting their travel into the open ends of the elongate sections.

Each of the first and second ng brackets may include a support formation which is received within an open end of the first or second elongate section, e.g., its associated first or second elongate section, to operatively connect the mounting bracket to the elongate n.

Each of the first and second elongate sections may include a locking element or locking nut for locking the mounting bracket on the support member, and the extent to which the support formation is ed within the open end of the te section can be selected to provide the desired overall length.

The distance which the support formation is received within the open end of the elongate section may be selected to match the void.

Further, each of the first and second elongate sections may include a g element for locking the mounting bracket on the support member in the selected position.

The locking element may comprise a fastener that is passed through the elongate section, e.g., through an aperture in the elongate section, and into engagement with the support formation received within the elongate section.

The locking element may be mounted on the elongate section by means of screw thread formations and may engage the support formation by means of a friction grip.

Each mounting bracket may further comprise an angle section projecting from the support formation for mounting directly or indirectly to the floor nt to the void.

Further, the angle section may include at least one fastening aperture formed therein through which a fastening element, e.g., a fastener such as a screw fastener, can be passed for fixing the mounting bracket to the building.

The angle n may include at least one fastening aperture formed n through which a fastening element can be passed.

The first and second said t struts may comprise first and second elongate sections and a connector, and the first and second support struts may extend parallel to each other across the void while being spaced apart from each other.

The at least one g panel may extend between the first and second support struts.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of building a void platform for construction s across a void in a building having a floor nt to the void, the method including: forming first and second elongate support struts, at least one of which is formed by: selecting first and second elongate sections that match the length to be spanned across the void when arranged end to end, providing a connector including first and second coupling formations for connecting the first and second elongate ns to each other, mounting the first elongate section on the first coupling ion of the connector and mounting the second elongate section on the second coupling formation, mounting a first mounting bracket on a free end of the first elongate section that is remote from the tor, and mounting a second mounting bracket on a free end of the second te section that is remote from the connector, adjusting the axial position of the first and/or second mounting brackets on the first and second elongate sections respectively to match the void and locking them in position, and mounting the first and second elongate support struts on the building such that they extend across the void; and mounting at least one decking panel on the first and second te support struts, wherein each decking panel has first and second ends having strut engaging formations configured to retainingly engage the first and second support struts respectively while also permitting the decking panel to be lifted off the support struts. ably, both the first and second elongate support struts are formed in this manner.

The first and second elongate ns may be tubular and have open ends, and the mounting the first and second elongate sections on the first and second coupling formations of the connector may include receiving each coupling formation within an open end of the elongate section.

The adjusting the axial position of the first and/or second mounting brackets and g them in position may se, selecting the distance which the support formation is received within an open end of the elongate section, and then locking the elongate section to the ng bracket by passing a fastener through the elongate section into engagement with the support formation.

The fastener may include any one or more of the features of a er defined in a preceding aspect of the invention.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a building including a wall and floor ng a building void, and a void platform as d in any other aspect of the invention or disclosure, mounted on the wall and/or floor of the building extending across the building void to provide a working deck for construction workers.

Conveniently the void platform may be directly or indirectly mounted on the floor of the building.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a void platform for providing a g deck across a void in a building adjacent to a floor of the building, the void platform comprising two spaced first support struts mounted directly or indirectly on the floor around the void, n: each of the two spaced first support struts comprise an elongate support member comprising a first end and an opposed second end; and at least one of the elongate support members comprises a transverse strut mounting bracket on one end thereof, the erse strut mounting bracket comprising a saddle formation for mounting over an elongate support member of a second support strut extending transversely to the first t strut.

The transverse strut mounting bracket may be removably d on the elongate support member.

Both the elongate support members of the two spaced first support struts may have a transverse strut mounting bracket on said one end thereof.

The void platform may further se at least one second support strut mounted directly or indirectly on the floor around the void extending transverse to the spaced first support struts, and the second support strut may include an elongate t member, and the transverse strut mounting bracket/s on the elongate support members of the spaced first support struts may be mounted on the elongate support member of the second support strut.

The transverse strut mounting bracket may e a support formation which is received within an open end of the elongate support member to mount, e.g., removably, the transverse strut mounting bracket on the elongate support member.

The distance which the support formation is received within the open end of the te support member may selected to match the distance to be spanned by the elongate support member.

The elongate support member may include a locking member for releasably locking the transverse strut mounting bracket on the elongate support member in the selected position.

The te support member of at least one of the spaced first support struts may comprise a floor mounting bracket on the other end f.

The te support member of at least one of the spaced first support struts may comprise a further transverse strut mounting bracket on the other end thereof, i.e., to have transverse strut mounting brackets on both the first end and the opposed second end thereof.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a t strut for supporting a void platform extending across a void in a building, the support strut comprising: an elongate support member having a first end and an opposed second end; and a swivel mounting bracket mounted on at least one of the first end and the second end of the elongate support member, each swivel mounting bracket comprising: a t formation operatively engaging the elongate support member, an angle section for mounting on the building, and a swivel formation positioned intermediate the support formation and the angle section, the swivel formation permitting the support formation to swivel in a plane ve to the angle section to extend away from the angle section at different .

The swivel formation may comprise a swivel mounting formation projecting from the angle n and a complementary swivel mounting formation ting away from an adjacent end of the support formation.

The angle section may comprise a wall plate adjacent to and extending indirectly from the support ion and a flange extending orthogonally away from an end of the wall plate.

The swivel formation may be mounted on the wall plate of the angle section. The one and complementary swivel mounting formations may have aligned apertures through which a swivel pin is passed for permitting the support formation to pivot relative to the angle section.

The support strut may comprise one swivel mounting bracket mounted on the first end and another swivel mounting bracket on the second end of the elongate support member.

According to another aspect of the disclosure there is provided a t strut for supporting a void platform in a void of a building, the support strut including: at least one elongate support member having a first open end and an opposed second open end; one floor mounting bracket mounted on the first end, and a further floor ng bracket d on the second end, each floor mounting bracket including an angle section and a t formation, each angle section ing a wall plate from which the support formation projects, and a flange extending transversely away from one end of the wall plate, wherein the support formation of each floor mounting bracket is received within the associated end of the te support member, and the flange of the floor mounting bracket can be positioned above the wall plate for extending across an upper surface of a bottom plate of a frame, or the flange of the floor mounting bracket can be inverted so it is positioned below the wall plate for ing across a floor.

One or more of the support formations may be in the form of tubes having a central axis. Optionally, the tubes may be cylindrical having a ar cross section with a central axis. Further, optionally the tubes may conveniently be hollow to save , but they are not required to be hollow to implement the disclosure.

Each tube may be positioned on the wall plate such that the elongate support member extends horizontally when one floor mounting bracket is mounted on a bottom plate of a wall frame on a floor support, with the flange positioned uppermost extending across an upper e of the plate, and the other floor mounting bracket is inverted ve to said one floor mounting bracket, with the flange positioned lowermost and mounted ly on the floor support. This ensures that the support strut extends horizontally when led by virtue of the design without any skill being required of the installer.

The central axis of the tube on the wall plate may be positioned halfway up a combined height of the wall plate and the thickness of the flange so that when the floor mounting bracket is inverted and mounted directly on the floor support the tubes of the two brackets will be positioned at substantially the same vertical height. This causes the elongate t member extending between the two brackets, and the support strut as a whole, to be substantially horizontally ing, without any intervention by the installer.

The support formation that is a tube has a central axis that may be positioned a distance of 35-40mm from the end of the wall plate adjacent to the flange to correctly position the tube, e.g., 37-39mm. This tly positions the tube when stud timber having a height of 70mm is being used for the bottom plate for the frame and the flange has a thickness of 1 to 8mm, e.g., 6mm.

The support formation on each floor support bracket may have a length of 100mm-300mm, and the extent to which the tubes on the floor mounting brackets ends of the elongate support member are received within the ends of the elongate support member is selected to match the width of the void, e.g., so that the support strut spans the void. That is, the t formation may be axially displaced into the open end of the support member to an extent appropriate to span the void being covered.

The support strut may include a locking element towards each end thereof for locking the support formation of each floor ng bracket in a selected position on the support member.

The locking t may include a screw threaded bore formed in the elongate support member and a screw threaded element which is screwed through the screw threaded bore to frictionally engage the support ion received in the end of the support member and lock it, e.g., a terminal end of the threaded element engages the support formation of the floor mounting t and frictionally locks it in position.

The floor mounting bracket may further include a swivel formation positioned intermediate the support formation and the angle section that permits the t ion to be pivoted relative to the angle section and thereby extend away from the angle n at a range of different angles. This enables the support formation to extend at different angles to the angle section and is useful in void spaces having sides that are not rectilinear.

The support formation may pivot in a horizontal plane about a vertical axis whereby to maintain the horizontal orientation of the support strut.

The swivel formation may e a swivel mounting formation projecting from the wall plate of the angle section and a complementary swivel mounting formation projecting away from an adjacent end of the support formation, wherein said one and complementary formations ct in a way that enables them to pivot relative to each other.

The one and complementary swivel mounting formations may have aligned apertures through which a swivel pin is passed which permits the support formation of the floor mounting bracket to be pivoted in a horizontal plane while the angle section thereof remains stationary, e.g., mounted on an adjacent bottom plate or floor support.

Each angle section may e at least one aperture formed therein for passing a fastening element therethrough for fixing the floor mounting bracket to an external support, e.g., a horizontal floor or a surface of a bottom plate of a timber frame.

In particular, each angle section may include at least one aperture on the wall plate of the angle section, e.g., for receiving a fastener mounting the floor mounting bracket to a side surface of the bottom plate.

Further, each angle section may include at least one re on the flange for mounting the floor mounting bracket directly to a horizontally extending surface of a floor support, e.g., for receiving fasteners therein for fastening the angle section to the floor support.

The elongate t member may comprise two elongate sections arranged end to end, and a connector operatively coupling the two elongate sections to each other, to increase the length of the elongate support member, e.g., to span a ng void of greater distance than standard elongate support members.

The connector may have an external configuration that is sized and configured to be received in the open end of the elongate t member with some clearance.

The connector may further include a radial outward projecting stop formation for ng travel of the connector within the end of the te support member. ing to another aspect of this disclosure there is provided a floor mounting bracket including, an angle section and a support formation, each angle section including a wall plate from which the support formation projects, and a flange ing transversely away from one end of the wall plate.

The floor mounting brackets may e any one or more of the es of the floor mounting bracket defined in the preceding aspect of the disclosure.

According to yet r aspect of this disclosure there is provided a void platform for providing a working deck across a void in a building adjacent to a floor support, the void platform including: at least one pair of support struts as d in any one of the preceding aspects of the disclosure, mounted directly or indirectly on the adjacent floor support spaced from each other; and at least one decking panel having strut engaging formations mounted on the spaced support struts to form the working deck.

The support struts may include any one or more of the optional or red features of the support strut d in the ing aspect of the disclosure.

Each end of the support strut may have a floor mounting bracket thereon and the floor mounting ts may be mounted on a bottom plate of a wall frame on the floor support adjacent to the void and/or directly on the adjacent floor support.

Each decking panel may have a first end and an opposed second end, and strut engaging formations may be oned at each of the first and second ends which engage the spaced support struts to support the decking panel.

The strut engaging formations may be configured to retainingly engage the elongate members on the support struts while also permitting the decking panels to be manually released from the support struts, e.g., by a movement in a certain direction.

The void platform may include a hatch panel defining a hatch opening which is mounted on a pair of further support struts alongside the decking , and the hatch panel may include a hatch door pivotable between an open position providing access to the working deck and a closed position closing off the hatch opening.

The hatch panel may have releasable attachment formations along opposite sides of the hatch opening, and the hatch door may have complementary releasable attachment formations, so the hatch door can be selectively and ably mounted on either side of the hatch g to suit a given application, e.g., so that the hatch door does not interfere with use of the hatch when pivoted to an open position.

According to another aspect of the disclosure there is provided a t strut for supporting a void platform in a void of a building, the support strut including: an elongate support member having a first end and a second opposed a transverse strut mounting bracket engaged with the first end and a further bracket engaged with the opposed second end of the t , the transverse strut ng t includes a support formation for engaging one end of the support member and a saddle formation extending away from the tube that can be removably d over an elongate support member of another support strut extending transverse to said one strut.

The saddle formation may be configured to complement the elongate support member over which it is mounted, e.g., to fit over and around the support member with a small clearance so as to securely retain the support member therein.

Optionally, the saddle formation may have a U-shaped configuration. Instead , the saddle formation may have a plurality of facets or straight edges much like half a hexagon or half an octagon.

The further bracket may be a floor mounting bracket, a masonry mounting bracket or a deck joiner bracket. The floor ng bracket, masonry ng bracket or a deck joiner bracket may include any one or more of the features of these brackets defined in the other aspects of the disclosure. Conceivably, the further bracket mounted over the opposed end of the support member may be a further erse strut mounting bracket but this is less typical.

According to yet another aspect of the disclosure there is provided a transverse strut ng t including, a support formation for engaging an end of an elongate support member, and a saddle formation extending away from the support formation that can be removably d over an elongate support member of an adjacent support strut extending transverse to the support strut associated with the transverse strut mounting bracket, whereby to vertically support the support strut. This enables the support member to be supported by a transverse extending elongate support member instead of the adjacent floor support around a void. This assists an installer to design a void platform to fit a particular void configuration.

The transverse strut mounting t may include any one or more of the features of the transverse strut mounting bracket d in the preceding aspect of the disclosure.

According to r aspect of the disclosure there is provided a hatch panel for mounting on two spaced support struts, the hatch panel defining a hatch opening and including a hatch door mounted n extending across the hatch opening, wherein the hatch door can be moved between open and closed positions.

The hatch door may be capable of being bly mounted on both sides of the hatch g so it is able to be removed from one side and placed on the other side.

This enables the door to be ively mounted on the door hatch on a side of the hatch opening that best suits a particular application.

The hatch door may include hinge formations ing down each side of the hatch opening and a complementary hinge formation extending down one side of the hatch door, and said one and complementary hinge formations on the hatch panel and hatch door respectively can be releasably engaged with each other.

According to yet another aspect of the disclosure there is provided a support strut for supporting a void platform in a void of a building including: at least one elongate support member having one end and an opposed end; and a floor mounting bracket mounted on at least one end of the support member, each floor mounting bracket including an angle section and a support formation extending away from the angle section, and each angle section including a wall plate on which the tube is located and a flange extending transversely away from the wall plate.

The strut may include a further bracket mounted on the other end of the support , and the further bracket may be selected from: a floor mounting bracket; a masonry wall mounting bracket, the bracket including a vertically extending plate for mounting ly on a masonry wall; a deck joiner mounting bracket for mounting the end of the support member on an adjacent deck panel; and a transverse strut mounting bracket for ng the end of the support member on an a transverse extending elongate support member.

The y mounting bracket may include a flange for mounting on a vertically extending wall surface and a support formation ing transversely to the support formation.

The transverse strut mounting bracket may include any of the features of the transverse strut mounting bracket defined in any preceding aspect of the disclosure.

The deck joiner ng bracket may include any of the features of the deck joiner mounting bracket defined in any preceding aspect of the disclosure.

The floor mounting bracket and the elongate support member may also include any one or more of the features of floor mounting bracket defined in any one of the preceding aspects of the disclosure.

According to yet another aspect of the disclosure there is provided a void rm for providing temporary floor support across a void during a building s, comprising: at least one support strut in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects of the disclosure; and at least one decking panel mounted on the support strut forming a working deck for building s.

The support struts may include any of the es of the support struts in the preceding aspects of the disclosures. In particular, the mounting brackets on the support struts may include any of the features of the mounting brackets defined in the preceding aspects of the disclosure.

The g panels may include any of the features of the decking panels in the preceding aspects of the disclosures.

The void rm may further include any of the features of the decking panels in the preceding aspects of the disclosures. In particular, the void platform may include a hatch panel as d in any one of the preceding aspects of the disclosure.

According to yet another aspect of the disclosure there is ed a system for providing a void platform across a void in a ng, the system including: at least one floor mounting bracket; at least one elongate support member for being operatively coupled to a bracket at each end thereof; and at least one decking panel for mounting on the support member to form a deck.

The system may further include at least one transverse strut mounting bracket.

The system may further include at least one deck joiner bracket.

Yet further, the system may include a plurality of masonry wall mounting brackets.

The erse strut mounting bracket, y wall mounting bracket and the deck joiner t may include any one or more of the features described above in the preceding aspect of the disclosure.

The system may yet further include at least one ACCRO™ post mounting bracket. Optionally, the system may include at least one ACCRO™ post for supporting a ng structure.

The system may further include at least one hatch panel for providing building workers with access up onto the void platform.

Yet further, the system may include at least one connector tube for operatively coupling two elongate support elements together to form a lengthened elongate support member.

Preferably, the system es a ity of each of the mounting brackets described above, a plurality of elongate support members, and also a plurality of decking members.

According to yet another aspect of the disclosure there is provided a method of providing a void platform across a void in a building adjacent to a floor support, the method including: selecting two mounting brackets and ng them on first and second ends of a t member; and ing two further mounting brackets and mounting them one and opposed ends of a further support member; and mounting a deck panel on the one and further support members.

The method may include ing the method steps above to cover a ng void.

The step of selecting may include spacing the brackets a suitable distance apart from each other so that the support member spans the void and then fixing the brackets in on using a locking arrangement.

The disclosure also extends to a building including a void platform as defined in any of the preceding aspects of the disclosure.

The building may include a wall and a floor defining a building void and the void platform may be mounted on the wall and/or the floor.

The building may be a high set house and the building void may be a staircase void.

The void platform may include any one or more of the features of the support struts defined in any of the preceding aspects of the disclosure. In particular, the void platform may include any of the support brackets or support struts described above in any other aspect of the sure including the optional features thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A support strut and a void platform in accordance with this disclosure may manifest itself in a variety of forms. It will be convenient to hereinafter describe several embodiments of the support strut and void platform in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Additionally, a method of constructing a void platform will also be discussed. The purpose of providing this detailed description is to instruct s having an interest in the t matter of the disclosure how to carry it into practical effect. However, it is to be clearly understood that the specific nature of this ed description does not supersede the generality of the ing broad description. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a prior art work platform extending across a building void; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a floor mounting bracket and elongate member for a t strut for a void platform in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure; Figure 3 is an upper perspective view of a connector tube having elongate t members mounted on each end thereof to form a support strut of a suitable length to span the void; Figure 4 is an upper perspective view of two support struts mounted in position extending across a void of a building ure; Figure 5 is a schematic front view of a support strut shown in Figure 3 showing its horizontal ation when extending between a plate member and a floor; Figure 6 is an upper perspective view of the support struts of Figure 4 with two decking panels d thereon extending across a building void; Figure 7 is a perspective view of a horizontal swivel bracket that is a variation on the floor or horizontal mounting bracket in Figure 2; Figure 8 is a plan view of a support strut including the ntal swivel bracket of Figure 7 mounted on one end thereof and extending across the void; Figure 9 is a perspective view of a deck joiner t for joining an te strut to an adjacent deck panel; Figure 10 is an upper perspective view of a void platform g the deck joiner brackets of Figure 9 joining an elongate strut to the adjacent deck panels; Figure 11 is an upper perspective view of a transverse strut mounting bracket which is used for mounting a deck panel transversely to an adjacent deck panel; Figure 12 is an upper perspective view of a void platform including two support struts having transverse strut mounting brackets at the ends thereof for mounting the struts on a further perpendicularly extending strut instead of on a support surrounding the void; Figure 13 is a perspective view of a load support bracket for mounting on a building prop; Figure 14 is a perspective view of a masonry mounting bracket; Figure 15 is an upper perspective view of a void platform extending across a void including a ng prop having a load support bracket and also a te y ng bracket; Figure 16 is an upper perspective view of a void platform in accordance with the disclosure showing different brackets being used to perform different functions; Figure 17 is an upper perspective view of an example platform assembly in accordance with the disclosure being used to cover a void in a building; Figure 18 is an upper perspective view of a hatch panel with a hatch door in a closed position; Figure 19 is an upper perspective view of the hatch panel of Figure 18 with the hatch door in an open position opening from the right side; and Figure 20 is an upper perspective view of the hatch panel of Figure 18 with the hatch door opening from the left side.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Figure 1 illustrates a prior art void platform extending across a building void to provide a safe working platform for building workers. This prior art void platform has been discussed in the background section above and will not be discussed further in the detailed description below.

Figure 2 illustrates a floor (or horizontal) ng bracket 10 and an elongate member 22 for a support strut 20 in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure.

The floor or horizontal mounting bracket 10 comprises an angle section 12 and a tube 14 with an open end extending away from the angle section 12. The tube 14 is sized to be received within an elongate t member 22 with a working clearance so that the support member can be displaced within the tube 14.

The angle section 12 is right angle bracket section having a wall plate 16 on which the tube 14 is located and an orthogonal flange 18 extending away from one end of the wall plate 16. The angle section 12 further has holes or apertures 19 formed n on each of the wall plate 16 and flange 18 for receiving fasteners therein in use. The fasteners are used to fix the bracket to an external support structure such as stud timber or a floor as will be described in more detail below.

The floor or horizontal mounting bracket 10 has left and right hand versions to provide flexibility when installing a void platform to adapt it to suit the configuration of the surrounding building structure. If the clearance on an adjacent wall frame member 25 is r on one side of a support strut than another, then the left or right version of the bracket 10 that suits this can be .

The elongate t member 22 has two ends and the floor or horizontal mounting brackets 10 are mounted on each end f. The tubes 14 of the ts 10 are received within the open ends of the support member 22 with a working clearance that permits displacement relative thereto. This enables the overall length of the support strut 20 to be adjusted or adapted by sliding the brackets 10 out until they match the width of the void being covered. The brackets are then fastened on the elongate member 22 in these positions by fastening a locking nut 24 at each end thereof to lock the floor brackets 10 in a fixed position at each end.

Figure 3 also illustrates a connector tube 30 for connecting the two te support s 22 together wherein the length of each of the support members 22 has been ed to span a void. In practice , this is done to extend the effective length of the support member in a t strut 20 to enable it to span a void that is longer than the length of one support member 22 and the associated floor or horizontal mounting brackets 10 at its ends.

The connector tube 30 comprises a tube section 32 having two open ends that are sized to receive a said elongate support member 22 n, e.g., with a tight fit. Each end of the tube section 32 extends over and around an end of an adjacent support member 22 as shown in the drawings. This connector tube 30 enables the l or effective length of the support member to be extended while still providing the appropriate vertical load support. The tube n 32 has an external ring 34 mounted thereon that is centrally positioned that acts as a stop formation. This limits the extent to which each support member 22 can be received over the tube section 32.

Figure 4 shows two t struts mounted in position extending across a void of a building ure.

The flange 18 of the horizontal mounting t on the left is positioned uppermost and extends across an upper surface of a stud timber plate member of a wall frame. The other horizontal mounting b racket on the right side is inverted with its flange 18 positioned lowermost extending across a floor 26 adjacent to the void.

The horizontal mounting brackets 10 are configured and dimensioned so that the elongate support member 22 extends horizontally from said one end to the other end when the bracket 10A is mounted on the plate member 25 and the bracket 10B is inverted and d on the floor 26. This is effectively achieved by the specific location of the tube 14 on the wall plate 16 of the angle section 12 when the bracket 10 is fabricated. That is, a central axis of the tube 14 is positioned midway up the height of the wall plate 16 when the bracket 10 is mounted on the plate member 25. That way, when it is inverted, the central axis is at the same height. This is very convenient because it ensures that the support strut 20 is horizontally extending without any effort or skill being required of the installer. It s that if both the support struts 20 are at the same height and are ntally extending, a deck mounted on the support struts 20 will automatically be horizontally extending. Importantly, the horizontal orientation does not rely on the skill of the installer to mount the ts 10 so that the strut 20 is horizontally extending. It uses the standard dimensions of stud timber used for building timber frames for houses to provide a bracket 10 that positions the tube 14 at the same height whether it is upright or whether it is inverted.

Figure 5 schematically rates a piece of stud timber forming a plate member mounted on a slab with the floor or horizontal t bracket 10 at one end mounted on the plate 25. The other floor or horizontal bracket 11 is inverted and mounted on the floor 26 on the other side of the void. As shown in the gs, the support strut 20 extends horizontally without any levelling action being required by an installer. This is due to the design and positioning of the tube on the wall plate of the angle section.

Figure 6 illustrates a part of a void platform which is indicated generally by the reference numeral 40 for providing a temporary floor support across a void 42 during construction. The void platform 40 es two parallel extending support struts 20 as described above and illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. The support struts 20 extend el to each other across a width of the void 42 and are spaced apart along the length of the void 42. Each strut 20 comprises an elongate support member 22 having horizontal mounting brackets 10 at each end thereof as described above and illustrated in Figures 2 and 3.

The void platform 40 further includes a plurality of decking panels 44 mounted on the support struts 20. The decking panels 44 collectively form a deck surface for builders, tradesmen, certifiers, and engineers (hereinafter referred to as building workers) working on the construction. It provides a continuous working surface that extends across the void and prevents building workers from falling h the void. It also provides a useful work platform for ng building workers to reach work surfaces above the rm that they otherwise could not reach without a ladder or ld.

Each decking panel 44 has a first end and a second end, and mounting formations 46 on these ends for engaging the support struts 20. The mounting formations 46 are configured with a curved engagement surface which fits over and around the t member 22. This engages the elongate members 22 in a ing fashion on the support struts 20 by having a curved engagement surface which fits over and around the support member 22.

In use, the void platform 40 is used to extend across a void 42 formed in a building and provide a working platform. In a typical application on a high set or double story home, the void platform 40 is mounted at the same height as the upper level floor. A hatch door can be used to facilitate access to the void platform from the ground level by means of a ladder or the like.

The mounting brackets 10 are used to mount spaced pairs of support struts 20 on the building structure around the void and then decking panels 44 are mounted on these support struts 20. The struts 20 and panels 44 are formed and arranged so as to substantially cover the space defined by the void. Once the void platform 40 is constructed, it can be used by building workers to access wall and ceiling surfaces above the platform t risk of falling through the void onto a lower level. Once building work on the void is complete, the void rm can be quickly and easily d. A staircase or elevator can then be installed in the void, or it can remain an open space.

Figure 7 illustrates a swivel mounting bracket which is indicated lly by reference numeral 50 for a support strut in ance with another embodiment of the disclosure. The mounting bracket 50 has some similarities with the mounting bracket in Figure 2 above and accordingly, the following description will focus on the difference between this bracket and that in Figure 2. Further, unless otherwise ted, the same reference numerals will be used to refer to the same components.

The swivel mounting bracket 50 has a swivel mounting formation 52 projecting out from the wall of the angle section 12 and a similar ng formation 54 which is a tube received in an adjacent end of the t member 22. These formations 52, 54 have aligned apertures through which a swivel pin 56 is passed.

This enables the support member 22 to be pivoted or swiveled relative to the angle section 12 in a ntal plane while still ing vertical load support.

The swivel mounting formation 52 does not permit the height of the tube 22 to be altered and only the angle at which the tube 14 extends horizontally away from the edge or side of the void 42 can be adjusted. This bracket 50 enables the angle at which the elongate t member 22 extends away from the side of the void 42 to be selected to suit a given ation.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the swivel mounting bracket 50 in use mounted on a wall plate 25 of a stud timber wall. For example, as shown in Figure 8, the corner of the void has a diagonal edge, and the swivel bracket is able to accommodate this feature. In the illustrated embodiment, the support member 22 extends at thirty to sixty degrees, e.g., at about five degrees, to the side of the void 42 on which the associated swivel mounting bracket 50 is mounted.

The void platform 40 needs to be able to adapt to the architectural es in place on a building and often a void 42 might have a side that extends at an acute angle to its other sides. The swivel mounting bracket 50 enables the attached t member 22 to extend at any angle between about five degrees and ninety degrees to the adjacent side of the void. This bracket 50 therefore confers significant ility in enabling a void platform to be provided for different configurations of building voids. The mounting bracket (not shown) used at the other end of the support member 22 to the bracket 50 will typically be a conventional horizontal mounting bracket like that shown in Figure 2. However, if required by the particular void configuration, another or second swivel ng t 50 can also be used.

Figure 9 is an upper perspective view of a deck joiner bracket 60 in accordance with the disclosure.

The deck joiner bracket 60 is used to receive and support a decking panel therein to ally hold and support the decking panel in position on the void platform 40. That is, it enables an end of a support strut to be supported by a deck panel instead of an al support surrounding the void. The deck joiner bracket 60 includes a hollow tube 62 for being received in an end of a support member 22 like the other brackets 10 described above and a wall plate 64 extending perpendicularly to the tube 62. r , it also includes a pair of spaced parallel extending plates 66, 68 extending perpendicularly away from the wall plate 64 for ing an edge region of a deck panel there between. The parallel plates 66, 68 are configured and spaced to receive an edge region of a deck panel therein with a tight fit.

The deck joiner bracket 60 can be useful because it enables a support strut 20 to be supported at one or both ends by an nt deck panel 44. Thus, instead of being mounted on the building structure around the void, the strut 20 can be supported by an nt panel 44 using this bracket 60. Basically, the parallel plates 66 and 68 e an edge region of the adjacent deck panel 44 therebetween. Thus, the support strut 20 and its associated deck panel mounted thereon are vertically supported on their adjacent deck panels 44. Sometimes space limitations within the void make it difficult to have a support strut 20 extending across the full extent of the void from one side to another and in this scenario the deck joiner bracket 60 is most useful.

Figure 10 is an upper perspective view of a void platform showing two deck panels 44 that are mounted in position on the void platform using the deck joiner bracket 60. A short stub support member 22 has a deck joiner bracket mounted on each end thereof. An edge region of each adjacent deck panel 44 is inserted between the pair of outward facing engaging plates 66, 68 and is sandwiched there between with a tight fit. It will be appreciated that the pair of engaging plates 66, 68 are designed with sufficient depth and width to receive enough width of the deck panel 44 to provide appropriate and safe support for the void rm 40. In the drawing, the deck joiner bracket 60 is used to support one smaller deck panel 44 in position in between two longer deck panels 44. In this application, the deck joiner bracket 60 is used to help in filling in smaller areas of the void platform. For example, as shown in Figure 10 the smaller area may be d by a point corresponding to an intermediate landing on a stair case where the stairs change direction as shown in Figure 10.

Figure 11 is an upper perspective view of a transverse strut mounting bracket 70 used for mounting or hooking one support strut 20 onto a transverse extending t strut 21. This ability can be useful when designing a void platform to cover certain shapes of voids in a building. The erse strut mounting bracket 70 includes a tube 72 for engaging an end of a support member 22, e.g., being received within the end of the support member, like the other brackets 10 described above. It also includes a saddle 74 which has a U-shaped configuration, that is complementary to the configuration of the support member which it engages, which in use is mounted over an adjacent support member 22 of a transverse t strut 21.

Figure 12 is an upper perspective view of a void platform showing two pairs of onally extending deck panels 44 mounted in on on the void platform using the transverse saddle mounting bracket 70. This bracket enables an end of a support strut 22 to be supported by a transverse extending support strut 21 instead of an external structure outside the void. The bracket 70 enhances the versatility of the system because it enables a designer e groups of deck panels 44 orthogonally to each other to cover the building void.

Figure 13 is an upper perspective view of an ACCRO™ post mounting bracket 80 which is used for ing post support at an intermediate point along the length of a support strut. The ACCRO™ post ng bracket 80 includes a hollow tube 82 with an open end for receiving an upper end of a vertically extending support member 22. The tube 82 is sized and ured in a similar way to the tubes for the other brackets 10 described above. r, the bracket 80 includes a U-shaped l 84 mounted on a closed end of the tube 82. The U-shaped channel 84 is sized and configured for receiving a support member 22 of a strut 20 therein to vertically support the member 22 at that point.

Figure 14 is an upper perspective view of a masonry wall support bracket 90 which is used for mounting a support strut 20 directly on a vertically ing y wall. The masonry wall mounting bracket 90 comprises a flat wall plate 92 and a tube 94 extending perpendicularly away from the flat wall plate 92. The tube 94 is similar to the tubes described above for the other brackets and is configured to be received in an end of a support member therein with a working clearance. The flat wall plate 92 has two openings 19 formed therein through which ers, e.g., DYNABOLTS™, are passed to fix the bracket to the masonry wall.

Figure 15 is an upper perspective view of part of a void platform 40 showing the brackets 80 and 90 in use. A support bracket 84 with an ACCRO™ prop 80 is used for supporting an elongate support member 22 at an intermediate point along its length. The prop 80 extends up from a floor support, e.g., a concrete slab, on a level below the void platform 40 and a downward opening tube 82 is d on an upper end of a support prop or post. This arrangement is typically used where the length of the support strut 20 is longer than a certain ce, e.g., where the void platform is rated for 200kg, and the support strut spans a length that is greater than 4m. As the structure and functioning of ACCRO™ props is well known in the ng industry, it will not be described in further detail in this description.

Further, in Figure 15, one of the support struts 20 is mounted directly onto a vertically extending masonry surface using a masonry wall mounting bracket 90.

The bracket 90 is d directly on the wall with the wall plate 92 lying up against the wall surface and fasteners passed through the openings 19 in the wall plate and into the wall.

A y swivel mounting t (which has not been shown in the drawings) is very similar to the swivel mounting t in Figures 7 and 8 and is used to directly mount the bracket onto a vertically extending masonry wall. This masonry swivel mounting bracket has a vertically extending wall plate (like the mounting bracket shown in Figure 14) d of the wall plate 16 and flange 18 extending transverse to the wall plate 16 of the timber frame mounting bracket bed above with reference to Figures 7 and 8. This bracket functions in a similar way to that described above apart from the manner in which it is fixed to its al support.

Figures 18 to 20 illustrate a hatch panel indicated by numeral 100 in accordance with the disclosure. The hatch panel 100 is configured like the other decking panels 44 and has a hatch door 102 mounted on the hatch panel 100 that can be pivoted between open and closed positions to open and close a hatch opening.

The hatch door 102 is removably d on the hatch panel by means of a hinge formation 105 on the hatch door 102 and a complementary hinge formation 106A ing along a side of the hatch g. The hatch panel 100 has a further complementary hinge formation 106B extending along an opposing side of the hatch opening. The removable hatch door can then be mounted on either side of the hatch panel depending on what side is selected to suit any given application.

Further, in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 19, the hatch door 102 can be mounted in two different positions on each side of the hatch panel 100. One position is closely adjacent to the side of the hatch panel 100. Another position is spaced inward thereof closely adjacent to the hatch opening in the hatch panel 100.

Figure 16 shows an example void platform using many of the features of this disclosure as described above and shown in the preceding drawings. Figure 16 is an exploded upper perspective view of part of an example void platform in accordance with the disclosure. This drawing illustrates how the various mounting brackets described above can be used to form a platform extending across a void for workers.

Figure 17 is an exploded upper perspective view of a building void having a void platform in accordance with the disclosure mounted n. Figure 17 illustrates how the various brackets in the system are used to build a void platform that covers across a building void having a complex shape. Some of the elongate struts 20 may include a connector that connects two elongate t members having respective lengths selected so that they cumulatively span the distance across the void.

Significantly, the void rm 40 is able to substantially cover the full void using the brackets and deck panels described above and illustrated in the preceding drawings. As shown in the drawing, the deck panels form a continuous deck across the void on which tradesmen and construction workers can safely work.

In the illustrated embodiment, the void platform includes a hatch for providing access from a lower level up to the working deck. The hatch is formed by a hatch panel 100 forming part of the void platform 40 which has a hatch door 102 that is pivoted up into an open position. As shown, the hatch can be lifted up to permit a ladder to be passed there through to provide ladder access up to the working deck. Further, the hatch door 102 can be mounted on either side of the hatch panel 100. This feature enables the hatch door 102 to be positioned so that it opens to an edge of the void rm and does not obstruct the platform deck.

A working advantage of the void rm and method of ng a void platform described in the detailed description above with reference to the drawings is that the length of the support struts can be ed to match the dimensions of the void. The position of the brackets on the end of the elongate sections can be adjusted to match the void. Further, the use of the connector enables the length of the elongate sections used on either side of the tor to be selected to match the void.

A working age of the void platform and system for building a void platform in the detailed description described above with a reference to the drawings is that the horizontal and swivel mounting brackets provide t struts that extend horizontally across a building void without any skill or effort being required by the ler to make them horizontal.

The swivel mounting bracket also achieves this advantage while enabling the angle section to be mounted to a plate or floor support that does not extend orthogonally to the elongate support member of the support strut. The swivel mounting bracket accommodates a range of angles while still maintaining a strict horizontal orientation.

Another working advantage is that the system is very versatile and s a er and installer of a void rm to substantially cover a complex void with deck panels using the brackets described above and illustrated in the drawings.

This largely avoids the need to cut pieces of board and screw them onto the deck panels to fill in spaces between the deck panels to form a complete deck surface.

Many prior art systems of which the Applicant is aware require this.

It will of course be realized that the above has been given only by way of illustrative example of the invention and that all such modifications and ions thereto, as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art, are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as is herein set forth.

Claims (20)

CLAIMS :

1. A void platform for providing a working deck for uction workers across a void of a building having a floor, the void platform including: a first and second support strut extending across the void of the building, 5 at least one support strut including: first and second elongate sections and a connector positioned between the elongate sections for operatively coupling the first and second te sections to each other, wherein the length of each of the first and second te sections is selected to match the distance to be spanned across the void; and 10 a first mounting bracket mounted on a free end of the first elongate n remote from the connector, and a second ng bracket mounted on a free end of the second elongate section remote from the tor, wherein the axial position of each of the first and second ng ts on the respective te members is adjustable; and 15 at least one decking panel mounted on the first and second support struts forming the working deck, wherein each decking panel has a first end and an opposed second end each having strut engaging formations thereon configured to retainingly engage the first and second support struts.

2. A void platform according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second 20 elongate sections is tubular and has open ends, and the connector has two coupling ions each of which is sized and configured to be received within an open end of an elongate section.

3. A void platform according to claim 2, wherein the tor includes a radial outward projecting stop formation positioned between the two coupling 25 formations for positioning the elongate sections on the connector by limiting their travel into the open ends of the elongate sections.

4. A void platform according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each of the first and second mounting brackets includes a support formation which is received within an open end of the first or second elongate section to operatively 30 mount the mounting bracket on the elongate section.

5. A void platform according to claim 4, wherein the distance which the support formation is ed within the open end of the te section can be selected to match the void, and wherein each of the first and second elongate sections includes a locking element for locking the mounting bracket in the 5 selected position.

6. A void platform according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein each mounting bracket further comprises an angle section projecting from the support formation for mounting directly or indirectly to the floor adjacent to the void, and the angle section includes at least one ing re formed n h which a 10 fastening element can be passed.

7. A void rm according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein each of said first and second support struts comprise first and second elongate sections and a connector, and the first and second support struts extend parallel to each other across the void while being spaced apart from each other. 15

8. A method of building a void platform for construction workers across a void in a building having a floor, the method including: forming first and second elongate support struts, at least one of which is formed by: ing first and second elongate sections that match the length to 20 be spanned across the void when arranged end to end, providing a connector including first and second coupling formations for connecting the first and second elongate sections to each other, mounting the first elongate section on the first coupling formation of the connector and mounting the second elongate section on the second 25 ng formation, mounting a first mounting bracket on a free end of the first elongate n that is remote from the connector, and mounting a second mounting bracket on a free end of the second elongate section that is remote from the connector, adjusting the axial position of the first and/or second mounting brackets on the first and second elongate sections respectively to match the void, and then locking them in position, and mounting the first and second elongate support struts on the building 5 such that they extend across the void; and mounting at least one decking panel on the first and second elongate support struts, wherein each g panel has first and second ends having strut ng formations configured to ingly engage the first and second support struts respectively while also permitting the decking panel to be lifted off 10 the support struts.

9. A method of building a void rm according to claim 8, wherein the first and second elongate sections are tubular and have open ends, and the ng of the first and second elongate sections on the first and second coupling formations of the connector includes receiving each coupling formation within an 15 open end of the elongate section.

10. A method of building a void platform according to claim 9, wherein said adjusting the axial position of the first and/or second mounting brackets and locking them in position comprises, selecting the distance which the support formation is received within an open end of the te section, and then locking 20 the elongate section to the mounting bracket by passing a fastener through the elongate section into engagement with the support formation.

11. A ng including a wall and floor defining a building void, and a void platform as defined in any one of claims 1 to 7, mounted directly or indirectly on the wall and/or floor of the ng and extending across the building void to 25 provide a g deck for construction workers.

12. A void platform for providing a working deck across a void in a building adjacent to a floor of the building, the void platform comprising two spaced first support struts mounted directly or indirectly on the floor around the void, wherein: each of the two spaced first support struts comprises an te support 30 member comprising a first end and an opposed second end; and at least one of the elongate support members comprise a transverse strut mounting bracket on one end thereof, the transverse strut ng bracket comprising a saddle formation for mounting over an elongate support member of a second support strut extending transversely to the first support strut. 5

13. A void platform according to claim 12, wherein both the elongate support members of the two spaced first support struts have a transverse strut mounting bracket on said one end thereof.

14. A void platform according to claim 12 or claim 13, comprising at least one second support strut mounted directly or indirectly on the floor around the void 10 extending transverse to the spaced first support , and wherein the second support strut includes an elongate t member, and the transverse strut mounting bracket/s on the te support members of the spaced first support struts are d on the elongate support member of the second support strut.

15. A void platform ing to any one of claims 12 to 14, n the 15 elongate support member of at least one of the spaced first support struts comprises a floor mounting bracket on the other end thereof.

16. A void platform according to claim 15, wherein the elongate support member of at least one of the spaced first support struts, comprises a r transverse strut mounting bracket on the other end thereof. 20

17. A support strut for supporting a void rm ing across a void in a building, the support strut comprising: an elongate support member having a first end and an opposed second end; and a swivel mounting bracket d on at least one of the first end and the 25 second end of the elongate support member, each swivel mounting bracket sing: a support formation operatively engaging the elongate support member, an angle section for mounting on the building, and a swivel formation positioned intermediate the support formation and the angle 30 section, the swivel formation permitting the support formation to swivel in a plane relative to the angle section to extend away from the angle section at different .

18. A support strut according to claim 17, wherein the swivel formation comprises a swivel mounting formation projecting from the angle section and a 5 complementary swivel ng formation projecting away from an adjacent end of the support formation.

19. A support strut according to claim 18, wherein said one and complementary swivel mounting ions have aligned apertures through which a swivel pin is passed for permitting the support formation to pivot ve 10 to the angle section.

20. A support strut according to any one of claims 17 to 19, comprising one swivel mounting bracket mounted on the first end and another swivel mounting bracket on the second end of the elongate support member. ABSTRACT A void platform for providing a working deck for construction workers across a void of a building having a floor adjacent the void is disclosed. The void platform includes first and second support struts extending across the void of the ng. 5 Each support strut includes first and second te sections and a connector intermediate the elongate sections operatively coupling the first and second elongate sections to each other. Each strut includes a first mounting bracket mounted on a free end of the first te section and a second mounting bracket d on a free end of the second elongate section. The axial position 10 of each of the first and second mounting brackets on the respective elongate members is adjustable. A method of building a deck is also disclosed.