US3851858A

US3851858A - Toeboard

Info

Publication number: US3851858A
Application number: US00410372A
Authority: US
Inventors: F Komiske
Original assignee: Sybron Corp
Current assignee: Xylem Water Solutions Zelienople LLC
Priority date: 1973-10-29
Filing date: 1973-10-29
Publication date: 1974-12-03
Anticipated expiration: 1991-12-03

Abstract

A toeboard for mounting adjacent an edge of an elevated platform, and the like, for inhibiting items from sliding off the end thereof. The toeboard includes a planar elongated base member that extends along the passageway and provides a barrier. Attached to one side of the base member is a ''''T'''' shape guideway for slidably receiving a fastening device such as a nut or bolt and preventing the rotation thereof. The guideway can extend from the base member in a direction for connection to the vertical posts of a railing, or in a direction for connection to the base or floor of the platform, or a combination of a plurality of such guideways. The fastening device can be moved along the guideway so that the toeboard can be retrofitted to existing passageways, or readily installed with new passageways, without drilling holes in the toeboard or without requiring welding.

Description

Unit Sttes Patent [191 Koiske Dec. 3, 1974 I TOEBOARD [73] Assignee: Sybron Corporation, Rochester,

22 Filed: om. 29, 1973 21 App]. No.: 410,372

52 us. c|.....; .Q 256/59, 52/288 [51] Int. Cl E041) 17/20 [58] Field of Search 256/1, 59, 65; 248/228,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,416,586 5/1922 Stalder 256/47 2,332,477 10/1943 Thornley... 248/241 3,256,663 6/1966 Bishop 52/288 X 3,273,296 9/1966 Soulon 52/288 3,589,682 6/1971 Dickey l 1 256/59 3,747,898 7/1973 Warren 1 256/59 3,785,602 1/1974 .Iuculano .1 248/214 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS France 52/287 Primary ExaminerDennis L. Taylor Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Theodore B. Roessel [5 7] ABSTRACT A toeboard for mounting adjacent an edge of an elevated platform, and the like, for inhibiting items from I sliding off the end thereof. The toeboard includes a direction for connection to the base or floor of the platform, or a combination of a plurality of such guideways. The fastening device can be moved along the guideway so that the toeboard can be retrofitted to existing passageways, or readily installed with new passageways, without drilling holes in the toeboard or without requiring welding. I

15 Claims, 16 Drawing Figures PATENIEL nu: 31924 SHEU 2 BF 6 PATENIED BEE SHEET 4 [IF 6 PATENTEL mi 31914 sum s 0F 6 TOEBOARD BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention pertains to a toeboard arrangement that can be easily retrofitted to existing open ended platforms or easily installed with new platforms.

With every open sided floor, platform, passageway or the like, that extends above the ground floor or another level, there is a constant danger that items placed on the platform can be inadvertently pushed off the end onto the level below. Hence, there is a safety hazard to persons that may be working or passing below the platform. In the case of operating machinery below the platform, a falling object can jam such machinery thereby requiring an expensive repairs. In any event, such falling materials could easily create undesirable hazards. In the case of chemical processing such as for example pickling or galvanizing tanks, and degreasing units, and the like, regardless of the height of the walkway or platform, it would be highly desirable to have some sort of barricade or toeboard to prevent items from being inadvertently dropped into the chemical processes thereby introducing impurities and creating hazards. In order to be effective, a toeboard should have a dimension, normal or vertical to the platform, in the order of 4 inches. The toeboard arrangement should be securely fastened in place so that it provides a rigid barrier with no more than one quarter of an inch of clearance above the floor level and no more than one inch separation between sections of the toeboards.

The presently available toeboards are of the type that require welding or drilling to facilitate installation. Such an arrangement is rather expensive since. it requires skilled personnel and expensive welding and/or drilling tools. This is particularly troublesome in areas in which welding may be hazardous and/or electrical power is not readily available for drilling. It would be highly desirable if a toeboard arrangement could be provided that can be easily and readily installed without the use of special tools and highly trained workmen.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a new and improved toeboard that can be simply and inexpensively installed on new and existing platforms.

It is also an object of this invention to provide an new and improved toeboard that can be installed on new or existing platforms without the need of drilling or weldmg.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a new and improved toeboard for installation on new and existing platforms that does not require the accurate installation of railing posts, and can fit to any variation in spacings of rail posts.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a new and improved toeboard that can be readily installed on the railings of the platform, the floor of the platform, or the combination of both.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a new and improved toeboard for platforms and the like including means for securing the floor of the platform thereto.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a new and improved toeboard for platforms and the like wherein the toeboard also functions as a structural element for providing support means for the platform floor and railing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The toeboard of the invention includes an elongated base member to be mounted adjacent the edge of the platform and transverse to the floor of the platform to provide a vertical barrier to inhibit items from sliding off the end of the platform. Attachment means, extending from one side of the base member, is formed with a tubular type aperature extending along the length of the base member and an elongated slot parallel to the tubular aperture providing an opening thereto. The combination of the tubular aperture and the slot provide a guideway for slidably receiving an attachment device, such as for example, a nut or a bolt. In the case of a nut, or a standard type bolt, the tubular aperture is shaped, for example with a rectangular cross-section, to prevent the rotation of the nut or bolt received therein. In the case of a carriage bolt, the slot can have a rectangular cross-section mate with the square shank Of the carriage bolt to prevent the rotation thereof. The arrangement is such, that the fastening device can be installed into the guideway, slid to the desired location, and fastened to the railing or floor board by a'matching nut or bolt. Such an arrangement avoids the need for accurate installation of railing posts wherein the toeboard of the invention can be made to fit any variations in spacing requiring only a wrench to make the installation.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a single attachment means is provided for connection of the toeboard to the railing posts.

In accordance with a second embodiment of the invention, a pair of parallel attachment means are provided for connection to the rail posts.

A third embodiment of the invention includes flange means extending from the base member with the attachment means formed therein, so that the toeboard can be connected to the floor of the platform rather than the railing post. In this arrangement, means can also be provided for securing the floor of the platform to the toeboard.

A further embodiment of the invention includes a combination of flange means and a plurality of attachment means so that the toeboard can be secured to both the floor and the railing post, as desired, or to serve as a structural memberfor the platform and its railing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES FIG. l is the isometric view of a platform having a railing and a toeboard attached to an end thereof.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the toeboard of the invention secured to a railing post and illustrating the attachment means of the toeboard and carriage bolts positioned therein in phantom.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the toeboard of FIG2 with carriage bolts inserted in the attachment means.

FIG. 4 is top view of the toeboard of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a cutaway view of the toeboard of FIG. 2 taken along lines AA including carriage bolts illustrating a connection to a round railing post.

FIG. 6 is a top view of a portion of the toeboard of FIG. 2 attached to a round railing post.

FIG. 7 is a top view of a portion of the toeboard of FIG. 2 secured to a square railing post.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the toeboard of FIG. 2 secured to angle type railing post.

FIG. 9 is a cutaway view of the attachment means of the toeboard of FIG. 2 including a not located therein as the fastening device received therein.

FIG. 10 is a cutaway view of the attachment means of the toeboard of FIG. 2 with a bolt positioned therein.

FIG. 11 is a top view of a grating type crosswalk for extending over clarifiers, and the like, including a railing and a toeboard.

FIG. 12 is a front view of a second embodiment of the toeboard of the invention secured to a railing post and illustrating the attachment means the toeboard carriage bolts and the grating floor in phantom.

FIG. 13 is a rear view of the toeboard of FIG. 12 with carriage bolts inserted in the attachment means.

FIG. 14 is a top view of the toeboard of FIG. 12.

FIG. 15 is the bottom view of the toeboard of FIG. 12.

FIG. 16 is a cutaway end view of the toeboard of FIG. 12 including carriage bolts illustrating a connection to a round post and with the grating floor in phantom.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The toeboard 10 of the invention is adapted to be connected or attached to the end of a platform of the type illustrated in FIG. I, or the crosswalk of the type illustrated in FIG. 11. For the purpose of this patent application platform shall mean any open sided floor, passageway, balconey, crosswalk, walkways, etc., wherein the floor of the platform is above the adjacent floor, above machinery, or chemical processes, and the like. The toeboard 10 can be secured to a vertical post 12 of a railing 14, or can be secured to the floor 16 of the platform, or any combination both.

The embodiment of the toeboard 10 of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 2-10 is the type that includes a single attachment means 20 extending from the toeboard 10 toward the vertical railing posts 12. The toeboard includes a planar elongated base member 22 which has a first. or vertical dimension, on the order of four inches, and a second, or horizontal dimension, extending in the'general direction of the edge of the platform,

that is substantially longer than the vertical dimension,

such as for example, can be any convenient length such as l0, 12, or 25 feet, etc. Since the toeboard 10 of FIGS. 2-10 is to be mounted to the railings, 12, it is only necessary that the toeboard 10 has a length (second dimension) that is equal to or greater than the spacing between the vertical railing posts 12. The base member 22 has a pitched top 11 and a tear drop bottom 13 to prevent the accumulation of ice, snow and dirt.

As can be seen by FIGS. 3 and 5, the attachment.

means 20 for the toeboard 10 is formed with a tubular type aperature 24.that extends the length of the toeboard 10. The attachment means 20 is also formed with an elongated slot 26 which provides an opening to the tubular aperture 24 in a direction transverse the plane of the base member 22. The combination of the tubular aperture 24 and the elongated slot 26 provides a T" shaped guideway for slidably receiving fastening devices such as for example nuts, bolts, or carriage bolts, and for preventing the fastening devices from rotating. For example, when using a carriage bolt 30 as illustrated in FIG. 5, the slot 26 has a rectangular shape to provide a close fit with the square portion of the shank 28 of the carriage bolt 30. As illustrated in FIG. 9, a nut 32 can be inserted into the tubular aperture 24 wherein the tubular aperature prevents the rotation thereof, and the elongated slot 26 provides an access to the nut 37. In a similar manner, a bolt 34 can be inserted into the attachment means 20 with the head located within the tubular aperture 24 to prevent the rotation thereof and with threaded shank 34 extending through the elongated slot 26.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5, 6, '7 and 8, the toeboard of the invention is adapted to be connected to any shape or type of railing post by using the appropriate fastening bracket 38 along with screw type fastening devices. In, FIGS. 5 and 6, the heads of pair of carriage bolts 30 are inserted into the attachment means 20 with the square portion of the shank extending through the elongated slot 26. The carriage bolts 30 are slid into position adjacent opposite sides of the vertical posts 12. The bracket 38, having a rounded portion, is placed behind the post 12 so that the bolts extend through the bracket hole and the nuts 40 are screwed into place. The square shank 28 of the carriage bolt 30 is kept from rotating by the elongated slot 26. If the nut 32 was to be the fastening device to be inserted into the tubular aperture 24 (as illustrated in FIG. 9) a bolt would then extend through the bracket hole and through the elongated slot 26 to engage the nut 32. In this case, the tubular aperature 24 will be of the shape and size to keep the nut 32 from rotating.

As can be seen, the attachment means 20 provides a slidable guideway for receiving the fastening devices, such as nuts and bolts, to allow such fastening devices to be slid into position, and then prevents the fastening devices from being rotated so they can be secured into position. Hence, the only tools necessary for securing the toeboard of the invention to a platform is a wrench. The toeboard of the invention can be readily secured to any spacings of platform railing posts since the fastening device can be secured at any location throughout its length. Furthermore, the toeboard of the invention can attach to any form of railing post by merely using the appropriate mounting bracket.

FIG. 11 is a top view of a crosswalk 41 having open gratings 42 (partially illustrated) serving as the floor. In such case, the crosswalk 41 generally includes two parallel angle iron supports 44 upon which the gratings 42 are placed and secured to. The walkway can also have railing including the vertical posts 46. The embodiment of the toeboard 49 of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 12-16 is adapted to be connected to the angle iron support 44, or the posts 46 or a combination of both the angle iron supports 44 and the posts 46. In addition, the arrangement of FIGS. 12-16 provides means for securing the grating to the toeboard 49 rather than angle iron supports 44. Alternatively, the toeboard 49 can also serve as a support member eliminating the need for the support 44.

As illustrated in FIGS. 12-16, the toeboard 49 includes an elongated base member 50 and a pair of railing post type attachment means 52 and 54 exteding from one planar side of the base member 50 and adjacent opposite ends thereof. Each of the attachment means 52 and 54 include a

tubular aperture

56 and 58, respectively, and an

elongated slot

60 and 62, respectively, of the type described in greater detail above with regards to FIGS. 2l0. A pair of carriage bolts 61 are inserted in each of the attachment means 52 and 54, that extend through the railing post brackets 63 and are secured in place by the nuts 65.

In addition to the foregoing, a flange 64 extends from the lower end of the base member 50 defining substantially a ninety degree angle between the base member 50 and the flange 64. An attachment means66 is provided in the flange 64 on the side of the flange exterior to the angle. The attachment means 66 includes a tubular aperature 68 and a slot 70 extending therefrom of the type previously described in greater detail with regard to FIGS. 2-10. The attachment means 66 in the flange 64 provides a means for securing the toeboard 49 of the invention to the angle iron supports 44 via a carriage bolt 71. In addition to the foregoing, the flange is also formed with an additional elongated slot 72 and aperture means including a plurality of holes 71 extending through the flange member 64 to the slot 72 to receive fastening devices such the nut 73 and the bolt 75 for. securing the grating 42 to the toeboard 49. It should be understood, that the holes 71 can be eliminated and can be drilled on location when being assembled.

Although the toeboard of the invention has been illustrated in FIGS. 11-16 as having a plurality of attachment means for attachment to the railing post along with attachment means for attachment to the platform floor or supports, it is to be understood that the toeboard of the invention can have any combination of such attachment means. For example, the toeboard of the invention can be formed to include only the attachment means 66 for securing the toeboard to the platform floor orangle iron supports 44, or only one or more of the attachment means 52 and 54 for securing toeboard to the railing posts, or any combination thereof. In addition to the foregoing, the flange 64 need not be a continuous unit but can comprise a plurality of separate or individual flanges extending to various Sections of the base member 50.

The toeboard of the invention has the advantage of being able to be made as a continous unit and cut to various sizes. For example, the toeboard can be made of aluminum or plastic and can be supplied in various lengths up to 25 feet. When installing, the toeboard merely be placed adjacent the edge of the platform to which it is to be secured. If the toeboard is too long, it can be cut to size. An appropriate number of fasten devices are thereafter inserted into the attachment means. For example, if the toeboard is to be connected or secured to railing posts, two bolts or two nuts are inserted into the attachment means for each post. The two fastening devices for each post are slid along the guideway to a position adjacent to their associated railing post and located on opposite sides thereof. The toeboard is thereafter secured by selecting the appropriate bracket and threading the other portion of the fastening device to that received in the attachment means with-the use of a wrench. Hence, as can be seen, the only tool (other than possibly a saw) need for installation is a wrench. The toeboard does not require any additional supports and can be secured to the railings posts already present. Furthermore, because of the ease of installation, the toeboard can be installed by the owners maintenance personnel therefore not requiring any skilled contractors. In addition to the foregoing, during the installation of new railings, there is no need to require the accurate installation of railing posts, the

toeboard of the invention can fit any variations of spacings between railing posts.

In the case of grating type walkways, the toeboard of the invention can be fastened to railing posts as previously described. Since the toeboard of the invention of FIGS. 11-16 includes the flange extending therefrom, the toeboard can provide the integral support for the grating walkways thereby eliminating need for angle type supports 44 wherein in the toeboard will serve as the support itself. In such an arrangement, the combined toeboard and support member can include a lip 80 (as illustrated in FIG. 6) that extends from the base member in the direction of the railing post '46 to act as a bottom support for the post 46. The grating floor 42 can be installed to the toeboard at the factory or at the job site with simple flat head screws and standard nuts.

What is claimed:

1. A toeboard for mounting adjacent an edge'of an platform, and the like, the toeboard providing a barrier for inhibiting items from sliding off the end of the platform, said toeboard comprising:

a generally planar elongated base member for mounting to the platform along the edge thereof and to extend from said platform in a direction transverse. I

the plane of the platform, said base member having a first dimension for extending in the transverse direction and a second dimension, substantially greater than the first dimension, for extending in the general direction of the edge of the platform, and

attachment means extending from one planar side of the base member for receiving a fastening device for securing the toeboard to the platform, said attachment means extends along the base member in the direction of said second dimension and is formed with an elongated tubular aperture extending in the direction of said second dimension and with an elongated slot extending parallel to said tubular aperture providing an elongated opening thereto, the dimension of said elongated slot being substantially smaller than the corresponding dimension of said tubular aperture, the arrangement being such that the combination .of said tubular aperatureand said elongated slot provides a guideway for slidably receiving a fastening device for movement thereof on the direction of the second dimension, for preventing the rotation of the fastening so received, and providing an access for the fastening device. I 2. A toeboard as defined in claim 1 wherein: said attachment means is attached to said base member adjacent one'end thereof.

3. A toeboard, for the platform that has a railing, withvertical members attached thereto, as defined'in claim 2 wherein:

said attachment means is adapted to be secured to the vertical members of said railing. 1 4. A toeboard as defined in claim 2 wherein: said attachment means is adapted to be secured to floor of the platform. 5. 'A toeboard as defined in claim 3 wherein: the end of said base member opposite the end adjacent said attachment means includes a curved portion therein extending in a direction opposite to the planar side to which said attachment is attached. 6. A toeboard as defined in claim 3 wherein:

a second attachment means is attached to the same planar side of said base member is said other attachment means, substantially parallel thereto, and attached adjacent the other end of said base member.

7. A toeboard as defined in claim 2 wherein:

a crossection of said tubular aperature, transverse the plane of said base member, has a generally rectangular shape, and

a crossection of the combination of said tubular aperature and elongated slot, transverse the plane of said base member, has the form of a T."

8. A toeboard as defined in claim 7 wherein said fastening device is a nut,

9. A toeboard as defined in claim 7 wherein:

said fastening device is a bolt, wherein the head thereof is adapted to extend into the tubular aperature and the threaded body is adapted to extend beyond said elongated slot.

10. A toeboard as defined in claim 1 including:

flange means attached to a planar side of said base member opposite that from which the attachment means extends, and adjacent an end of said base member, defining an angle therebetween,

second attachment means attached to a side of said flange means exterior said angle for receiving a fastening device for attaching the flange means to the platform, said flange means being formed an elongated tubular aperature extending in a direction generally parallel to the elongated tubular member of said other attachment means and with an elongated slot extending substantially parallel to the tubular aperature proving an opening thereto, the dimension of said slot being substantially smaller than the corresponding dimension of said tubular aperature, the arrangement being such that the combination of said aperature and said elongated slot provides a guideway for slidably receiving a fastening device for movement thereof along said tubular aperature, for preventing the rotation of the fastening device so received, and providing an access for the fastening device.

11. A toeboard as defined in claim 1 wherein:

said attachment means include flange means attached to a planar side of said base member in a transverse relation thereto and adjacent an end of said base member defining an angle therebetween, said flange means being formed with said tubular aperature and elongated slot wherein said elongated slot provides access to said tubular aperature on the side of said flange means exterior to said angle.

12. A toeboard as defined in claim 11 wherein:

said flange means extends along the length of said base member, and

said angle is in the order of ninety degrees.

13. A combined toeboard-structural member for platforms, and the like, for supporting the floor and railing of the platform, and providing a barrier for inhibiting items from sliding off the end of the platform, comprising:

a generally planar elongated base member, the length thereof being substantially longer than the height, said elongated base member being formed, on one planar side thereof, with an elongated tubular aperature extending along th length thereof and with an elongated slot extending parallel to said tubular ap erature providing an elongated opening thereto. the height of said elongated slot being substantially smaller than the height of said tubular aperature. the arrangement being such that the combination of said aperature and said elongated slot provides a guideway for slidably receiving a fastening device for movement along the length thereof, for preventing the rotation of the fastening device so received, and providing an access to the fastening device;

flange means extending from an end of said base member on the side opposite that having the guideway and at an angle generally normal to the plane of the base member and extending along the length thereof, said flange means being formed on the side exterior to said angle, with a groove partially extending through the flange means and extending along the length thereof and aperature means extending through the flange to the groove, the arrangement being such that the aperatures means and the groove provides means for receiving fastening devices in the groove and extending through the aperature means and for preventing the rotation of the fastening device so received, thereby providing means for attaching the platform floor thereto.

14. A combined toeboard-structural member as defined in claim 13 wherein:

said elongated base member is formed with a second guideway extending out the same planar side of the base member as said other guideway, and substantially parallel thereto,

a lip extending from the same planar side of said base member as said guideways at the same end of the base member as the flange means is attached thereto, for providing a base for vertical railing posts attached theretov 45 15. A combined toeboard-structural member as delined in claim 14 wherein:

said flange member is formed, on the side exterior to said angle, with an elongated tubular aperture extending along the length thereof and with an el0ngated slot extending parallel to said tubular aperture providing an elongated opening thereto, said elongated slot being substantially smaller than the tubular aperature, the arrangement being such that the combination of said aperature and said elongated slot provies a guideway for slidably receiving a fastening device for movement along the length thereof, for preventing the rotation of the fastening device so received, and for providing an access for the fastening devices so received for securing the toeboard-structural member to the platform floor.

Claims

1. A toeboard for mounting adjacent an edge of an platform, and the like, the toeboard providing a barrier for inhibiting items from sliding off the end of the platform, said toeboard comprising: a generally planar elongated base member for mounting to the platform along the edge thereof and to extend from said platform in a direction transverse the plane of the platform, said base member having a first dimension for extending in the transverse direction and a second dimension, substantially greater than the first dimension, for extending in the general direction of the edge of the platform, and attachment means extending from one planar side of the base member foR receiving a fastening device for securing the toeboard to the platform, said attachment means extends along the base member in the direction of said second dimension and is formed with an elongated tubular aperture extending in the direction of said second dimension and with an elongated slot extending parallel to said tubular aperture providing an elongated opening thereto, the dimension of said elongated slot being substantially smaller than the corresponding dimension of said tubular aperture, the arrangement being such that the combination of said tubular aperature and said elongated slot provides a guideway for slidably receiving a fastening device for movement thereof on the direction of the second dimension, for preventing the rotation of the fastening so received, and providing an access for the fastening device.

2. A toeboard as defined in claim 1 wherein: said attachment means is attached to said base member adjacent one end thereof.

3. A toeboard, for the platform that has a railing, with vertical members attached thereto, as defined in claim 2 wherein: said attachment means is adapted to be secured to the vertical members of said railing.

4. A toeboard as defined in claim 2 wherein: said attachment means is adapted to be secured to floor of the platform.

5. A toeboard as defined in claim 3 wherein: the end of said base member opposite the end adjacent said attachment means includes a curved portion therein extending in a direction opposite to the planar side to which said attachment is attached.

6. A toeboard as defined in claim 3 wherein: a second attachment means is attached to the same planar side of said base member is said other attachment means, substantially parallel thereto, and attached adjacent the other end of said base member.

7. A toeboard as defined in claim 2 wherein: a crossection of said tubular aperature, transverse the plane of said base member, has a generally rectangular shape, and a crossection of the combination of said tubular aperature and elongated slot, transverse the plane of said base member, has the form of a ''''T.''''

8. A toeboard as defined in claim 7 wherein said fastening device is a nut.

9. A toeboard as defined in claim 7 wherein: said fastening device is a bolt, wherein the head thereof is adapted to extend into the tubular aperature and the threaded body is adapted to extend beyond said elongated slot.

10. A toeboard as defined in claim 1 including: flange means attached to a planar side of said base member opposite that from which the attachment means extends, and adjacent an end of said base member, defining an angle therebetween, second attachment means attached to a side of said flange means exterior said angle for receiving a fastening device for attaching the flange means to the platform, said flange means being formed an elongated tubular aperature extending in a direction generally parallel to the elongated tubular member of said other attachment means and with an elongated slot extending substantially parallel to the tubular aperature proving an opening thereto, the dimension of said slot being substantially smaller than the corresponding dimension of said tubular aperature, the arrangement being such that the combination of said aperature and said elongated slot provides a guideway for slidably receiving a fastening device for movement thereof along said tubular aperature, for preventing the rotation of the fastening device so received, and providing an access for the fastening device.

11. A toeboard as defined in claim 1 wherein: said attachment means include flange means attached to a planar side of said base member in a transverse relation thereto and adjacent an end of said base member defining an angle therebetween, said flange means being formed with said tubular aperature and elongated slot wherein said elongated slot provides access to said tubular aperature on the side of said flange means exterior to said angle. 12. A toeboard as defined in claim 11 wherein: said flange means extends along the length of said base member, and said angle is in the order of ninety degrees.

13. A combined toeboard-structural member for platforms, and the like, for supporting the floor and railing of the platform, and providing a barrier for inhibiting items from sliding off the end of the platform, comprising: a generally planar elongated base member, the length thereof being substantially longer than the height, said elongated base member being formed, on one planar side thereof, with an elongated tubular aperature extending along th length thereof and with an elongated slot extending parallel to said tubular aperature providing an elongated opening thereto, the height of said elongated slot being substantially smaller than the height of said tubular aperature, the arrangement being such that the combination of said aperature and said elongated slot provides a guideway for slidably receiving a fastening device for movement along the length thereof, for preventing the rotation of the fastening device so received, and providing an access to the fastening device; flange means extending from an end of said base member on the side opposite that having the guideway and at an angle generally normal to the plane of the base member and extending along the length thereof, said flange means being formed on the side exterior to said angle, with a groove partially extending through the flange means and extending along the length thereof and aperature means extending through the flange to the groove, the arrangement being such that the aperatures means and the groove provides means for receiving fastening devices in the groove and extending through the aperature means and for preventing the rotation of the fastening device so received, thereby providing means for attaching the platform floor thereto.

14. A combined toeboard-structural member as defined in claim 13 wherein: said elongated base member is formed with a second guideway extending out the same planar side of the base member as said other guideway, and substantially parallel thereto, a lip extending from the same planar side of said base member as said guideways at the same end of the base member as the flange means is attached thereto, for providing a base for vertical railing posts attached thereto.

15. A combined toeboard-structural member as defined in claim 14 wherein: said flange member is formed, on the side exterior to said angle, with an elongated tubular aperture extending along the length thereof and with an elongated slot extending parallel to said tubular aperture providing an elongated opening thereto, said elongated slot being substantially smaller than the tubular aperature, the arrangement being such that the combination of said aperature and said elongated slot provies a guideway for slidably receiving a fastening device for movement along the length thereof, for preventing the rotation of the fastening device so received, and for providing an access for the fastening devices so received for securing the toeboard-structural member to the platform floor.