US3809183A

US3809183A - Platform support

Info

Publication number: US3809183A
Application number: US00386967A
Authority: US
Inventors: G Lowd; R Lowd
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1973-08-09
Filing date: 1973-08-09
Publication date: 1974-05-07
Anticipated expiration: 1991-05-07

Abstract

A support for a horse to support planks defining a platform comprising a generally A-shaped member wherein the cross bar of the A-shaped member defines orienting means for the support and socket means are provided to receive the end zones of a board spanning a pair of supports according to this invention to define a horse.

Description

United States Patent 1191 [111 3,809,183 Lowd et al. May 7, 1974 PLATFORM SUPPORT 2,634,172 4/1953 Hollidgi. 182/181 [76] Inventors: George L. Lowd; Robert T. Lowd, IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII u both of R0 Box 650695, Miami I Fla. 33165 Primary Examiner-Remaldo P. Machado [22] Filed: Aug. 9, 1973 [21] App]. No.: 386,967 [57] ABSTRACT {52] U s C! 182/186 A support for a horse to support. planks defining a [51] In. .0 11/00 platform comprising a generally Ashamed member 58] Fieid 5 226 181 wherein the cross bar of the A-shaped member defines l8'2/224 orienting means for the support and socket means are provided to receive the end zones of a board spanning [56] References Cited 21 pair of supports according to this invention to define UNITED STATES PATENTS 3 1,101,610 6/1914 Allard 182/181 7 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures 1 PLATFORM SUPPORT FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a support adapted to be spanned by conventional size boards, for use in making a temporary platform, such as are used by tradesmen in the construction field.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION As is perhaps well known, tradesmen in the construction industry are often required to construct horses to support a plank platform, such as when plastering a ceiling or high walls. Ordinarily, such horses have in the part been constructed at the job site by fashioning supports in the form of an A-shaped member which is spanned by a board and two such horses are then utilized for supporting a plank-like temporary floor or platform. The making of such supports diverts time and material from the main task at hand.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a prefabricated, sturdy horse stantion or support which is adapted to be reused and, when not in use, be stored conventionally. The support is rigid, strong and sturdy; and the same may be carried from job to job on the back of a truck, and the truck unloaded without fear of damaging the supports, which can, therefore, be repeatedly utilized setting them up at a different job site.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a A- shaped support which, in pairs, may be utilized with a standard size board spanning the pair to provide a horse for a platform, each support including a generally A-shaped member with a cross bar and apex zone of the A-shaped member having orienting surfaces oppositely facing and together with a vertical strap means define a socket for receiving the end zone of a board spanning similar supports, and with orienting surfaces being at an angle such that the outwardly diverging legs of the support provide a sturdy horse to support a temporary floor. I i

In accordance with these and other objects which will become apparent hereinafter, the instant invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a support constructed in accordance with the instant invention; and

FIG. 4 is a view in cross section takenalong the plane indicated by the line 4--4 of FIG. 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate like or corresponding. parts 6 throughout the several views, and referringparticularly to FIG. I, there is shown a horse generally designated by the numeral 14 which includes a first anda second support 16 and 18 which are spanned by a standard size board 20.

Each of the supports, it is seen, comprise a generally A-shaped member defining spaced, outwardly and symmetrically diverging

leg portions

22 and 24, each having an

apex end

26 and 28, a

terminal end zone

30 and 32, and an

intermediate zone

34 and 36, said legs diverging at an angle A of between 20 and 60. The apex end of the legs, defining a zone which is generally designated by the numeral 40, is joined by a spacer portion designated by the numeral 42 which defines an upper generally flat surface 43 and a lower surface 44, the lower surface facing toward the terminal end of the legs. The surface 44 between the legs is of a span substantially equal to the thickness T of the board. This surface diverges with respect to the main plane of the A-shaped member, see FIG. 4, at an included angle B which is greater than and is between and The cross bar defining the A of the support, which is generally designated by the numeral 48, connects opposite locations on the

intermediate zone

34 and 36 of the legs and defines a surface 50 which is in a plane parallel to the plane 44 of the spacer portion. The surface 50 is spaced from the surface of the spacer portion a distance substantially equal to the width W of the board, and the parallel surface comprises orienting means for the support legs, as seen in FIG. 2.

Extending upwardly from the cross bar 48, a pair of straps 52 and 54 are provided which connect the bar, legs and spacer portion together in. a structurally rigid member; and there is defined a space between the confronting surfaces of the straps of a dimension substantially equal to the thickness T of theboard, the space having a vertical centerline colinear with the bisector of the angle of divergence of the legs.

It is thus seen that the confronting surfaces of the straps, bar and spacer portion define a socket in each support, 16 and 18, through which the

end zones

70 and 72 of the board 20 are adapted to be supported by the surface 50, which together with the surface 44 orients the legs of one support to diverge with respect to the legs of a companion support, as shown in FIG. 2. In a preferred embodiment,

end caps

80 and 82 may be provided on the distal ends of the legs of each support so that the same do not mar the surface of a building.

What is claimed is:

1. A support for a standard size board of a character, istic width and thickness, said support comprising:

A. a generally A-shaped member including a. spaced, outwardly symmetrically diverging leg portions defining a main plane, each leg portion having an apex zone and a terminal end zone and said legs diverging from the apex zone at an included angle of between 20 and 45,

b. a spacer portion spanning the apex zone of the legs andhaving a first surface facing the terminal end of the legs and of a span between the apex zone of the legs greater than the thickness of the board, and a support surface facing away from the terminal end of the legs defininga top surface of the support; and

c. a bar joining opposite intermediate locations of the legs and havinga secondsurface spaced from said first surface a distance substantially equal to the width of said board, andconfrontingsaid first surface,

B. a first strap and a second strap, each of said straps extending between said spacer portion and said bar in equispaced relation of the bisectrix of said included angle and each having a surface confronting the opposite strap and spaced therefrom a distance substantially equal to the thickness of said board,

C. said first and second surfaces and the confronting surfaces of said straps defining a socket sized to receive the end zone of a standard sized board,

D. the first and second surfaces being generally parallel to one another and each defining planes diverging with respect to the main plane at an included angle opening toward the terminal end of said legs which is greater than 90 and in the range of between 95 and 120,

E. the terminal end of said legs each defining a surface parallel to said first and second surfaces.

2. The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said bar comprises a length ofmetal including a leg flange in the main plane, defining a rigidifying member, said flange being welded to the intermediate portion of said legs.

3. The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said strap is welded to said bar and said spacer portion.

4. The device as set forth in claim 3 wherein the confronting surfaces of said straps include a flange in a plane perpendicular to said first and second surfaces defining a partial wall extending away from said main plane and defining a well for said socket.

5. The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said A- shaped member and said spacer portion comprise a generally V-shaped integral length of metal and said legs having a rigidifying flange extending generally from said main plane in a common direction.

6. The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein a plastic cup-shaped member is provided on the terminal ends of said legs.

7. A support as set forth in claim 1 in combination with a second support as set forth in claim 1, said supports being in spaced relation and a board of a length greater than the distance between the supports spanning said supports and of a size such that the end zones of said board are adapted to nest in the sockets to define a support horse.

Claims

1. A support for a standard size board of a characteristic width and thickness, said support comprising: A. a generally A-shaped member including a. spaced, outwardly symmetrically diverging leg portions defining a main plane, each leg portion having an apex zone and a terminal end zone and said legs diverging from the apex zone at an included angle of between 20* and 45*, b. a spacer portion spanning the apex zone of the legs and having a first surface facing the terminal end of the legs and of a span between the apex zone of the legs greater than the thickness of the board, and a support surface facing away from the terminal end of the legs defining a top surface of the support; and c. a bar joining opposite intermediate locations of the legs and having a second surface spaced from said first surface a distance substantially equal to the width of said board, and confronting said first surface, B. a first strap and a second strap, each of said straps extending between said spacer portion and said bar in equispaced relation of the bisectrix of said included angle and each having a surface confronting the opposite strap and spaced therefrom a distance substantially equal to the thickness of said board, C. said first and second surfaces and the confronting surfaces of said straps defining a socket sized to receive the end zone of a standard sized board, D. the first and second surfaces being generally parallel to one another and each defining planes diverging with respect to the main plane at an included angle opening toward the terminal end of said legs which is greater than 90* and in the range of between 95* and 120*, E. the terminal end of said legs each defining a surface parallel to said first and second surfaces.

2. The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said bar comprises a length of metal including a leg flange in the main plane, defining a rigidifying member, said flange being welded to the intermediate portion of said legs.

5. The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said A-shaped member and said spacer portion comprise a generally V-shaped integral length of metal and said legs having a rigidifying flange extending generally from said main plane in a common direction.