WO2005116369A1

WO2005116369A1 - Modular platform assembly and system

Info

Publication number: WO2005116369A1
Application number: PCT/AU2005/000736
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael Gerald Rooney
Original assignee: Ideal Plastic Concepts (Aust.) Pty Ltd As Trustee For The Ideal Plastic Concepts Unit Trust
Priority date: 2004-05-27
Filing date: 2005-05-24
Publication date: 2005-12-08
Also published as: AU2004202341B2; AU2004202341A1

Abstract

A modular disassembleable platform or stage unit (1) and system (Fig. 3), and means for connecting together components thereof (Fig. 7). The unit includes a plurality of side panels (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) of moulded plastics material, releasable connection means eg (4b, 5b) for releasably connecting said side panels together, at least part of said connection means being integrally moulded with each said side panel, and a support panel (3) having a top surface to receive a load to be supported. The releasable connection means connect together to form an upstanding self supporting frame. At least one of the connected side panels provides support for the support panel to thereby form the modular platform assembly.

Description

MODULAR PLATFORM ASSEMBLY & SYSTEM TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a modular platform assembly and system thereof, and in particular the present invention relates to a deconstructable modular platform assembly and system. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A temporary stage or platform is particularly useful where space is limited, or where space is needed for multiple uses. For example, a school or public hall may require the use of a temporary stage or platform for a raised display or performance, but may require the temporary stage or platform to be removed to provide sufficient space for other activities. Other places, such as shopping centres, exhibitions, sports events etc. often require a temporary stage or platform to be erected for a particular event such as a display, exhibition of artistic works or products, or a public performance. Such venues generally require the stage or platform to be erected quickly and safely within a limited time period to reduce the likelihood of disruption or delay to other events. At the end of an event, exhibition or performance etc. the temporary stage or platform equally needs to be removable quickly and easily over a short a practical time period as possible. One previous temporary stage or platform known to the Applicant is a solid open box comprising four solid panel sides of plywood arranged and connected to form a rigid square of upright panels. A solid plywood top panel spans between the top edge of all four side panels to close off the box and thereby forming a rigid stage unit with the solid ply top panel acting as the platform. Such stage units are often adopted for use in schools and clubs since they provide a very simple, yet rigid, means for constructing a temporary stage or platform. However, their rigid permanent construction, commonly from plywood and solid timber, results in a relatively heavy and awkward unit to transport and/or store, often requiring two or more people to carry and position. Furthermore, such temporary stage or platform units, due to their system of rigid construction, consume a relatively large amount of space being effectively a wooden box of solid panel construction having an empty interior. Often it has been found that such units consume a relatively large amount of space when space is at a premium. For example, schools, clubs, exhibition centres, and suppliers of temporary staging or platforms have limited storage space. Such permanently constructed stage or platform units are effectively empty boxes taking up a large amount of storage space when not in use, which could otherwise be used for other purposes. For a supplier of temporary staging or platforms, having permanently constructed platform units can increase their overall costs for storage and transport due to the wasted space. An alternative temporary stage or platform assembly is constructed from sections of scaffold tubing clamped together in a manner similar to scaffold assemblies used on building or construction sites. The top level of the scaffold staging subsequently has a support platform added to it in the form of sheets of plywood or waferboard to form the temporary stage. However, such systems for constructing a temporary stage generally require skilled operators to safely and efficiently erect the scaffolding framework and to apply the plywood or waferboard flooring panels. Furthermore, such systems are relatively complicated requiring skilled knowledge of the correct and safe method of assembly, and each scaffold tube is unwieldy and relatively heavy. Although such staging assemblies take up less storage space than the aforementioned permanently constructed box arrangement, they are generally limited to heavy duty, high cost applications of a semi-permanent nature e.g. where a temporary stage is required for a period of months or years. Such staging or platforms are not readily deconstructable and require specific skills and training to erect and disassemble. An alternative form of temporary staging or platform is provided by steel or aluminium framework panels that are arranged to be bolted together to form a supporting framework for receiving sheet flooring panels. Such assemblies provide an advantage over the aforementioned permanent box system in that the temporary stage can be deconstructed into separate flooring and side framework panels, thus taking up less storage and transport space. This system also has an advantage over the aforementioned scaffold assembly staging in that the steel or aluminium framework panels forming the sides of the stage can be bolted together without requiring the skills and knowledge for erecting scaffolding. However, such an assembly remains relatively heavy and awkward to construct and deconstruct, and requires skills and tools to safely connect one framework panel to the next to form, what is often, a heavy duty framework. Such systems are often employed for outdoor theatre or concert productions, public displays and events where staging is required that is also capable of supporting other equipment such as lighting assemblies, backdrop displays, and stairs. However, it has been noticed that the system employed for connecting one of the steel or aluminium frameworks to its adjacent framework requires nuts and bolts, and these require tools to effect a safe and solid connection. Also, the need for additional connecting means and tools therefore adds to the time required to assemble and disassemble the temporary stage, and also increases the complexity and number of parts required. Also, the relatively heavy weight and cumbersome construction make assembly and disassembly difficult for young and small people. With the aforementioned in mind, it is an object of the present invention to provide a modular platform assembly for forming a temporary stage or platform which is readily assemblable without the need for additional tools and disassemblable, and which alleviates one or more of the problems associated with the aforementioned prior art assemblies. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION With the aforementioned in view, in one aspect the present invention provides a modular platform assembly for forming a deconstructable platform or stage including a plurality of side panels of moulded plastics material; releasable connection means for releasably connecting said side panels together, at least part of said connection means being integrally moulded with each said side panel; and a support panel having a top surface to receive a load to be supported; wherein said side panels are arranged to be connected together by said releasable connection means to form an upstanding self supporting frame, and wherein at least one of the connected side panels provides support for the support panel to thereby form the modular platform assembly. Thus, at least one form of the present invention advantageously provides a modular platform assembly that is of relatively straight forward construction including moulded plastic components and which can be readily assembled in situ and readily disassembled for storage and/or transport. Preferably each of said side panels has a periphery including an upper portion, a lower portion, and at least first and second side portions connecting said upper and lower portions, wherein said at least first and second side portions integrally include at least part of the releasable connection means for connecting the side panels when arranged adjacent to one another to form the frame. Thus, at least one embodiment of the modular platform assembly according to the present invention advantageously provides an arrangement of side panels for forming the sides of the platform assembly which have releasable connection means integrally formed in the side portions of each panel, and preferably towards or at the peripheral edge of each of the at least first and second side portions, such that the side panels can be readily connected to together to form the peripheral framework or body of the modular platform assembly for receiving the support panel. Preferably the releasable engageable connection means for connecting adjacent side panels is integrally moulded in part in each of the side panels to be connected adjacent one another such that side panels are brought together and releasably connected without the need for further connection means. Preferably, the releasable connection means includes first and second inter-cooperating interconnection portions formed in each of said side panels, whereby the side panels arranged to be connected adjacent one another can be releasably connected one to the other without the need for further connection means. Thus, advantageously, the arrangement of side panels is such that one side panel can be readily connected to an adjacent side panel through inter-engagement of cooperating parts from one side panel to another without the need for further components to complete the engagement. Preferably, the releasable connection means is in the form of one or more hook-like portions formed in one side panel, and at least one knuckle or eye portion formed in a further side panel such that each said at least one hook arrangement is adapted to releasably engage in a corresponding at least one knuckle or eye portion of the other side panel to which it is to be connected. Thus the hook and knuckle arrangement forms an efficient and easy to use male/female releasable connection. Preferably, each of said plurality of side panels includes the first portion of said releasable connection means at a first side edge thereof, and the second portion of said releasable connection means at a second side edge thereof such that said first portion of said releasable connection means is adapted to interconnect with the second portion of the releasable connection means of the second side panel. This arrangement can be continued from one panel to the next where one panel interconnects with the next side panel through the releasable connection means to form a continuous periphery of side walls of said modular platform assembly. Thus, advantageously, the modular platform assembly according to one or more forms of the present invention incorporates discrete moulded side panels having one portion of a connection means on one edge thereof, and a second corresponding portion of a connection means on the second edge thereof such that adjacent side panels interconnect to form the complete sides of the modular platform assembly without the need for further connection means or assembly tools. Furthermore, through the releasably engageable connection arrangement, the side panels can be efficiently and effectively disassembled to separate the connected side panels into individual panels for storage or transport. Preferably, the support panel is moulded from a plastics material and may include a planar portion providing a surface for supporting a load, and a skirt proximate the periphery of the support panel and depending therefrom, whereby said skirt is arranged to overlap the upper edge of at least two of said side panels and to extend toward said lower edge of said two or more side panels. Thus, said support panel may include a skirt arrangement to assist in retaining the support panel in engagement with said side panels. Preferably, said skirt forms an interference or friction fit where it comes into contact with the corresponding portion of each of said side panels to thereby assist in retaining said support panel in engagement with the arrangement of side panels forming the peripheral sides of said modular platform assembly. Preferably, one or more forms of the modular platform assembly according to the present invention includes four side panels of rigid moulded plastics material each having one part of the releasable connection means moulded into the first side portion thereof and the remaining part of the connection means integrally moulded into the second side portion thereof, wherein the side panels are connected one to the other by connecting the first portion of the releasable connection means of one panel to the second portion of the releasable connection means of the next panel such that the four side panels are connected consecutively to form the frame having four interconnected side panels. The support panel can subsequently be added to the four sided frame to form the modular platform assembly. Although at least one particular form of the present invention includes four side panels, the skilled addressee will appreciate that more or less than four side panels may be utilised to form the modular platform assembly. For example, two curved side panels eg half cylinders, may be releasably connected to form a cylindrical frame with a circular support panel be positioned thereon. Other alternative arrangements are envisaged, such as, three sided (triangular) arrangements, six sided (hexagonal) arrangements, and eight sided (octagonal) modular platform assemblies. A particularly preferred form of the present invention incorporates four side panels to form an open box structure with the support panel arranged to cover one open end thereof to form a modular platform assembly having four sides and one closed end. This particular arrangement will be discussed further with reference to the particular embodiment below. Preferably, a support panel has an interference fit with one or more side panels. However, a positive engagement means for releasably connecting the support panel to one or more of the side panels is envisaged. The positive engagement means may be in the form of a hook or clip integral with or in addition to the support panel for engagement with a portion of one or more of the side panels. Preferably, the support panel is formed of a moulded plastics material and the positive engagement means is integrally moulded into the plastics material, which positive engagement means may be in the form of one or more resilient hook portions integrally moulded with the support panel such that the at least one resilient hook portions arranged to engage corresponding portion of the side panel. The at least one resilient hook portion may be manually released for removal of the support panel of the frame by applying a direct manual force to each said hook portion. Alternatively, the at least one resilient hook portion may be released indirectly eg via an additional mechanism or tool such as a release key. In such an arrangement, the release mechanism or key may take the form of a tool adapted to assist in releasing said at least one positive engagement means. The tool may be a moulded plastic key constructed to transfer a force to be at least one positive engagement means to release each engaged positive engagement means from engagement with the corresponding portion of the side panel. The releasing force may be applied to lever the resilient positive engagement means away from the corresponding portion of a side panel or a pulling or pushing force. For example where the resilient positive engagement means is an integrally moulded hook portion of the support panel which depends from the support panel to engage under a portion of the corresponding side panel to hold the support panel on the corresponding side panel, the tool may be key inserted into an aperture or groove in the support panel to extend there through to make contact with the resilient positive engagement means. Thereby, a levering force applied one side of the key can be applied to the resilient positive engagement means through a pivot point acting at the rim of the aperture or groove of the support panel to thereby force the resilient positive engagement means away from engagement with a corresponding side panel to release the positive engagement means and allow the support panel to be removed from contact with the corresponding side panel. Where resilient positive engagement means are provided for engagement with more than one side panel, release of each of these resilient positive engagement means will allow the support panel to be removed from the complete frame. Subsequently, the arrangement of side panels forming the frame can be disconnected to deconstruct the modular platform assembly. This allows the side panels and support panel to be effectively "flat packed" to reduce storage and transport space otherwise required of an assembled platform assembly. Preferably, the support panel is a planar member having a top surface and a bottom surface wherein at least one of said top surface or bottom surface includes one or more recesses for receiving a portion of one or more of the side panels forming the frame such that the modular platform assembly according to one or more forms of the present invention are stackable one on top of the other and the at least one recess on the top surface of one modular platform assembly provides a region for engaging and holding the lower edge portion of at least one of the side panels of the modular platform assembly to be stacked thereon. Thus, the at least one recess in contact with a portion of the side panels of modular platform assembly stacked thereon helps to prevent sideways or lateral movement of the supported modular platform assembly which therefore helps stability of stacked assemblies. Preferably the support panel is reversible having one arrangement of at least one recess on a top surface and a different arrangement of at least one recess on the bottom surface to allow for different stacking patterns of modular platform assemblies. It will be understood that the top or bottom surface of the support panel will receive a portion of one or more side panels of a modular platform assembly to be stacked thereon when the top or bottom surface is uppermost ie facing upwards when the modular platform assembly is assembled the support panel in place and further modular platform assembly is to be stacked thereon. Preferably one or more embodiments of the present invention may include an arrangement for connecting the modular platform assembly to a further modular assembly positioned adjacent thereto. Thus, advantageously the plurality of modular platforms assemblies according to the present invention can be connected one to the other to form a stable platform or stage of increased platform area. Preferably, the assembly connection means is in the form of a discrete clip or bracket for attaching one modular platform assembly to an adjacent platform assembly. It will be appreciated that the clip or bracket can be integrally moulded with a corresponding side panel or may be a discreet additional item for connection to the side panel. Preferably the assembly connection means is a moulded plastic clip which is arranged to connect through a corresponding portion of one side panel and a corresponding portion of side panel of a second modular platform assembly thereby physically connect one modular platform to another modular platform assembly. The clip or bracket is envisaged to be manually releasable to allow separation of adjacent connected modular platform assemblies. The clip or bracket may be pivotally connected to a side panel by a hinge or similar mechanism such that the clip or bracket pivots to a non-use position where it does not extend from the side panel and not required for use and pivots to an extended position for connection to a side panel of a second assembly when required to connect two assemblies together. Alternatively, the clip or bracket may be a discrete item separate from a side panel or assembly and which is connected to two side panels that connect assemblies together when required. A further aspect of the present invention provides a modular platform system including a plurality of interconnectable discrete modular platform assemblies, each said assembly being deconstructable and including: a plurality of releasably connectable side panels formed of a moulded plastics material; at least one support panel arranged to be supported by said side panels; and wherein said plurality of modular platform assemblies include an interconnection mechanism for releasably connecting one said assembly to at least one other said assembly to form the modular platform system. Preferably at least a portion of the interconnection mechanism is integrally formed in each of the interconnectable connectable modular platform assemblies. Alternatively, the interconnection mechanism may be a discrete device arranged to engage portion of at least two adjacent interconnectable modular platform assemblies. Preferably, each interconnectable modular platform assembly is a modular platform assembly according to one or more embodiments previously described above under the heading summary of the invention. Preferably the modular platform system according to one or more embodiments of the present invention may include modular platform assemblies where at least one such modular platform assembly is stacked upon and engaged with at least one other such modular platform assembly. Thus at least one embodiment of the present invention may include a series of interconnected discrete modular platform assemblies releasably connected side by side to provide a platform surface or stage surface extending over an area substantially greater than the surface area of the top surface of one modular assembly alone. The modular platform system is thus a multiple of individual modular platform assemblies interconnected for stability and safety but releasable or independent use. The modular platform system may also provide stackability such that multistage or multilevel platforms stages are realised, with each individual unit of the platform system including a modular platform assembly, wherein, each modular platform assembly is readily deconstructable or storage or transport. Thus, the skilled addressee will appreciate, that the modular platform system according one aspect of the present invention and provide small platform or stage consisting of two or more interconnected modular platform assemblies, or may provide an extensive stage area of one or multiple levels by continuing to interconnect a large number of modular platform assemblies and also stacking additional modular platform assemblies on top of base level assemblies to provide multiple level staging or platforms. Preferably the support panel of each modular platform assembly has a recessed upper top surface receiving a portion of at least one side panel of at least one modular platform assembly to be stacked thereon to form a modular platform system. Another aspect of the present invention provides a connection system for releasably retaining together a plurality of panels wherein the connection system includes a first panel having at least one male hook portion, and a second panel having at least one female eye portion, such that each at least one male hook porion of the first panel is arranged to releasably engage with a corresponding female eye portion of the second panel during relative rotation of the first and second panels with respect to each other, and such that each at least one male hook portion of the first panel is arranged to release from engagement with its female eye portion of the second panel by reversing the relative rotation of the first and second panels with respect to each other. Thus, advantageously, the panels can easily and effectively be connected together by relative rotation of the panels with respect to each other such that the hook or hooks or one panel inter-engage with the female eye portion or portions of the second panel, and the panels are released from engagement with each other by reversing the rotation procedure so that the male hook portion or portions disengage from the female eye portion or portions. Preferably, the first panel includes a plurality of male hook portions, and the second panel includes a corresponding plurality of female eye portions such that each male hook portion is arranged to engage with one of the corresponding female eye portions of the second panel. However, it will be appreciated that each panel may have one or more of the male hook portions, and/or one or more of the female eye portions. Thus, each panel may include a combination of male hook portions and female eye portions for engagement with corresponding alternate male hook portions and female eye portions of a further panel. It will further be appreciated that one of the panels may include only one female eye portion for releasable inter-engagement with one or more of the male hook portions, thereby, a female eye portion may retain more than one male hook portion. Preferably, said first and second panels are planar panels, each having the at least one male hook portion at a first end thereof, and the at least one female eye portion at a second end thereof distal from the first end and the first planar panel and second planar panel releasably inter-engage by rotation relative to one another by cooperative engagement of the at least one male hook portion at the first end of the first planar panel with the at least one female eye portion provided at the second end of the second planar panel, and wherein the second end of the first planar panel and the first end of the second planar panel can be connected together via at least one further planar panel having the corresponding at least one male hook portion and the at least one female eye portion at ends thereof. Thus, the arrangement of inter-connected panels may form a framework of panels which can be releasably connected and disconnected from one another as required. Preferably, the plurality of panels includes four, six, or eight planar panels each having at least one male hook portion at a first end thereof and at least one female eye portion at a second end thereof distal from the first end such that the four, six, or eight planar panels can be releasably connected together to form a corresponding square, hexagonal, or octagonal frame of panelling. It will be appreciated that whilst the terms square, hexagonal and octagonal have been used, these arrangements need not be regular polygons, but may have irregular side lengths, such as, rectangle, trapezium, irregular hexagon or octagon. Preferably, the inter-connection system includes pairs of first and second planar panels, each pair of planar panels having at least one male hook portion at a first free end thereof, and at least one female eye portion at a second free end thereof, such that each pair of said first and second planar panels can be releasably inter-engaged with another of said pairs of first and second planar panels by releasably connecting the at least one male hook portion of the first free end of one pair with the at least one female eye portion at the second free end of another pair by relative rotation of irrespective pairs of planar panels with respect to each other. Likewise, the respective pairs of planar panels can be releasably disengaged by reversing the relative rotation action to disengage the corresponding male hook and female, eye portions between the pairs. Preferably, the present invention provides a modular platform assembly including one or more forms of the abovementioned connection system wherein each side panel is releasably connected to at least two adjacent side panels via the connection system and wherein the side panels form a contiguous closed fence of upstanding side panels when connected for receiving the support panel of the modular platform system. A further aspect of the present invention provides a method of assembling a deconstructable modular platform assembly, including the steps of; providing a plurality of substantially rigid side panels of moulded plastics material; releasably connecting together the side panels such that each panel is directly or indirectly connected to at least one adjacent other panel of said side panels to form a self supporting frame; mounting a support panel onto an upper part of said frame to provide a raised platform of said modular platform assembly. Preferably, the means for connecting said side panels together includes a first connecting and release position and a second locking, non-release, position whereby said method further includes the steps of; initially connecting adjacent ones of said side panels together at said initial connecting and release position; and subsequently moving said adjacent connected side panels relative to one another such that said connection means moves to said locking non-release position whereby said side panels are non-releasable until said connection means is returned to the first position. Preferably, adjacent connected side panels move relative to one another by hinging together. Preferably, the method includes: a) initially connecting together at least two pairs of said side panels at an initial connection angle subtending between each pair; b) connecting each pair of initially connected side panels to at least one other initially connected pair of side panels by i) reducing the initial connection angle by hinging together the side panels of each pair past the locking position to a secondary connection position at a secondary connection angle until each side panel of one pair forms the initial connection angle with another side panel of another pair; ii) initially connecting together each side panel of one pair with another side panel of another pair at the initial connection angle; c) increasing the secondary connection angle and reducing the initial connection angle by hinging adjacently connected panels relative to one another until each side panel subtends a locking angle at a releasable locking position with an adjacent side panel d) releasably locking together the side panels to form the self supporting frame. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an erected modular platform assembly according to one particular embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 shows a perspective partial exploded view of the embodiment of

Figure 1 with the support panel removed. Figure 3 shows a two-tier staging or platform system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 shows a partial cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention showing a preferred arrangement for engaging a support panel with a side panel. Figure 5 shows an embodiment of a modular platform assembly of the present invention mounted in position on top of a support panel for a further modular assembly. Figure 6a & Figure 6b show partial cross-sectional views through adjacent side panels of modular platform assemblies according to an embodiment of the present invention, and with a preferred arrangement for linking adjacent modular platform assemblies together. Figure 7 shows a preferred arrangement of a connection system according to an embodiment of the present invention for releasably connecting consecutive side panels together. Figure 8 shows a partial sectional view of the connection system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 9 shows a further view of the embodiment shown in Figure 7. Figure 10 shows a further view of the embodiment shown in Figures 8 and 9. Figure 11 shows a sectional view of panels according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 12 shows a further sectional view of the embodiment shown in Figure 11. Figure 13 shows a further alternate view of a cross-section of panels according to the embodiment shown in Figure 11 and 12. Figure 14 shows a further cross-sectional view of an arrangement of panels connected according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in Figures 11 , 12 and 13. Figure 15 shows a cross-sectional view of a further stage in connecting panels according to the embodiment shown in Figures 11 , 12, 13 and 14. Figure 16 shows a cross-sectional view of a still further stage in connecting panels according to the embodiment shown in Figures 11 to 15. Figure 17 shows a cross-sectional view of an arrangement of side panels connected according to the embodiment shown in Figures 11 to 16 with each panel connected to its next adjacent panel. Figure 18 shows a further stage of the embodiment shown in Figure 17, though with the panels locked together to form a supporting structure for a modular platform unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 19a shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a tool "key" for releasing a support panel of a modular platform unit from connection with one or more side panels according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 19b shows a cross-sectional view through the tool according to the embodiment shown in Figure 19a. Figure 20a to 20f show partial sectional views of an embodiment of the present invention for releasably connecting a support panel to a side panel, and subsequently releasing the support panel from engagement with the side panel utilizing the tool according to the embodiment shown in Figures 19a and 19b. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Figure 1 shows a modular platform assembly according to one particular form of the present invention. The modular platform assembly 1 includes four interconnected side panels 2a, 2b 2c and 2d. In the embodiment shown it will be appreciate that side panels 2c and 2d are partially hidden in the view. The side panels shown are formed as plastic panels of rigid lattice work construction. This provides a strong panel whilst the lattice arrangement helps to reduce overall weight of the panel. The particular arrangement of webs forming the lattice work helps to transfer load from the support panel 3 down through the upright sections of each side panel to the ground or base upon which the assembly is standing. Taking a side panel 2a for reference, the side portion 3a includes knuckle or eye portions 3b for receivably retaining inter-engaging hook like portions of the next connecting adjacent panel 2c. The opposite side portion 4a of side panel 2a includes corresponding hook like portions 4b extending there from and which engage with the corresponding knuckle or eye portions 5b of panel 2b for releasable connection at side portion 4a. Corresponding hook portions 5a extend, for example, from the opposite end portion of the same panel 2b for engagement with knuckle eye portions of panel 2d. A similar connection arrangement exists between panel 2c and panel 2d (not shown). The arrangement of releasably interconnected panels 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d forms an upright self supporting frame on which the support panel 3 is positioned. The support panel 3 includes a skirt 6 depending from the periphery thereof and which overlaps the top edge of each of the panels 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d and extends a short distance down towards the base of each side panel. The top surface 7 of the support panel 3 includes a regular pattern of grooves or channels arranged in a crosswise pattern 8, 9 forming a tessellated pattern of raised portions on the top surface 7 of the support panel 3. The grooves or channels 8, 9 are arranged to receive a corresponding protrusion 10a, 10b, (10c and 10d not shown) of each of the corresponding side panels of one or more further modular platform assemblies. This permits stacking of assemblies one on top of the other without risk of sideways or lateral movement of the topmost stacked assembly. It will be appreciated that the arrangement of grooves or channels need not be in the grid pattern shown in Figure 1 , and other arrangements are considered to fall in the scope of the present invention. For example, hexagonal, octagonal or other irregular or regular arrangement of grooves or channels, provided they receive a responding portion on the base of one or more side panels from another modular platform assembly. The support panel 3 includes, towards each of the four discrete edges at the periphery thereof, an arrangement of paired apertures 12a, 12b, 12c and 12d. These apertures are arranged to receive a key for releasing a resilient retaining mechanism to permit the support panel 3 be removed from connection with each of the side panels. However, it will be appreciated that the support panel 3 may not have such an engagement means, rather the skirt 6 may simply provide an interference or friction fit with the side panels or the support panel may merely rest on top of the frame and while the support panels. Alternatively or in addition, the support panel 3 may include one or more ridges or webs extending from the underside thereof towards the base of the assembly when in position. The ridge(s) or web(s) are inset from the peripheral edge(s) of the support panel such that they sit within the boundary formed by the frame and prevent the support panel from sliding sideways due to their engagement with the inner face of the side panels. The modular platform assembly may have one of or a combination of these features. The side panels 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d include a mechanism for interconnecting the modular platform assembly shown with one or more other similar modular platform assemblies. An interconnection mechanism 11a or 11b (11c or 11d not shown) are in the form of discreet moulded plastic clips at 11c and 11d. These clips are detachable from the corresponding side panel when that side panel is not going too connected to the corresponding side panel of another modular platform assembly. Alternatively, the discreet clip may be more permanently connected to its side panel by, for example, a hinge mechanism, which may be a thin web of plastics material integrally formed with a side panel and clip or a constructed hinge joining the lip to its side panel. Figure 3 shows a modular platform system formed of a series of discreet interconnectable modular platform assemblies. The base level 1 is arranged in the form of a cross of 5 by 5 assemblies. The second level 2 is formed of a cross arrangement 3 by 3 similar modular platform assemblies stacked immediately on top of corresponding assemblies of the lower row 1. Thus, the modular platform system provides simple yet efficient arrangement for multilevel staging or platforms wherein the unitary assemblies are readily deconstructable for storage or transport whilst using a minimum of space. The modular platform assemblies of the second level 2 engage with recesses in the top surfaces of the modular platform assemblies of the first level 1via portions extending from the bottom rail of the side panels forming the frames of the assemblies of the second level. Thus the second level arrangement of platforms is stabilised with regard to natural forces, thereby, requiring each assembly to be lifted from the corresponding assembly underneath in order to permit removal. It will be appreciated that the second tier of assemblies can be connected through an additional connection arrangement through the lower tier 1 of assemblies. Furthermore, adjacent assemblies of the second tier and also adjacent assemblies of the first tier are interconnected via interconnection mechanism, such as plastic clip shown in Figure 1 to prevent separation between assemblies 20 and the same tier several of the individual modular platform assemblies shown in Figure 3 exhibit an aperture 23. Each aperture is formed in a side panel of an assembly, in the instance, by integrally moulding the aperture into the plastics material when forming the side panel. A connecting mechanism, such as plastic clip 11b of Figure 1 , engages with the lower edge 24 of one aperture and with a second lower edge 24 of a further aperture of an assembly to be connected. Thus, one modular platform assembly can be connected side by side with a second modular platform assembly. This arrangement allows multiple modular platform assemblies be connected to form various arrangements such as the cross arrangement shown in Figure 3 although grid and solid block arrangements are envisaged. Thereby, each tier of the system becomes very stable by locking each assembly to one or more adjacent assemblies, and the arrangement of engaging side panels into recesses in the support panel assist in making second and third tiers etc very stable. Figure 4 shows cross sectional view through one particular arrangement 30 of a support panel 31 engaging over and with top section of a side panel 32 the support panel forms a lid having an upper surface 33 and a skirt 34 running around the periphery thereof. The support panel also includes a resilient positive engaging means in form of a resilient hook 35 moulded into plastic material of the support panel. The resilient hook 35 as shown in Figure 4 in disengaged position with moulded portion 36 of the side panel 32. If will be appreciated that one or more of such resilient hooks 35 may be provided engagement with a side panel 32, and there may be more than one side panel engaged by such resilient hook 35 around the panel 33. The resilient hook 35 can be released from engagement with the side panel by insertion of a notably shaped tool which may be in the form of a knee adapted to release the hook 35. The tool is inserted into aperture 37 in the support panel 33 and acts to lever the resilient hook 35 away from engagement with the portion 36 of the side panel 32. The support panel 33 can then be removed from engagement with the side panel 32. Once each of the relative engaging means eg resilient hook 35 are released from engagement with more respective side panels of an assembly, the support panel can be removed and subsequently the side panels disconnected one from the other. Figure 4 further shows a protrusion 38 extending from a base rail section

39 of the side panel 32. The protrusion 38 is shaped so as to fit into a recess 40 in the top surface 33 of a support panel 31 onto which the assembly 30 is to be stacked. Figure 5 shows a cross sectional view through a modular platform assembly 40 when stacked on top and in engagement the top surface 41 of support panel 42 to form a second tier level. The lower edge 43 of the side panel 44a and 44b is shown with a protrusion 45a and 45b engaging into a corresponding recess provided on the top surface 41 of the support panel 42. The uppermost support panel 46 shows number of corresponding recesses 47a 47b and additional recesses 47c, 47d, 47e etc. Similar multiple recesses can be seen in the top surface 41 of the lower support panel 42 also. These multiple recesses allow for offset stacking of the modular platform assemblies on second and additional tiers so that the modular platform assemblies can be in staggered arrangement one on top of the other to provide for a variety of additional arrangements depending on the situation and pattern stacking required. This demonstrates the adaptability of the present system and the ease of providing for different arrangements whilst also providing rigidity, safety and explicitly of construction. Figure 6a shows a cross sectional view through two adjacent side panels 50a and 50b. The base portions 51a and 51b of the panels are shown adjacent one another and in abutment, clip 52 for connecting the side panels 50a and 50b together is shown in disengagement from the lower edge 53a and 53b of the corresponding side panels. Thus, the clip 52 is shown positioned within the aperture of each of the side panel 50a and 50b but not an engagement with the lower portion of the panels forming each respective aperture. Figure 6b shows the same side panels 50a and 50Bb though with the clip 52 in engagement with the lower edges 53a and 53b of each side panel. The clip 52 thus connects and holds adjacent side panels 50a and 50b together to retain adjacent assemblies one next to the other to prevent their separation. It will be appreciate that multiple assemblies connected in such a manner will permit a large form or stage area to be created in one or multiple tiers through stacking, and in the assemblies of each tier can be connected together by the same method. Figure 7 shows a preferred arrangement of the means for releasably connecting one side panel 61 to a second side panel 62 of the same assembly. The first side panel 61 includes a number of hook like connecting means 63a to 63e. The second side panel 62 includes the corresponding number of knuckle portions 64a to 64e. Each knuckled portion 64a to 64e includes an aperture formed through the integrally moulded knuckle portion 64a to 64e. Each aperture is arranged to receive there through corresponding 1 of the hook like portions 63a to 63e of the first panel 61. It will be appreciated that, although the hook like proportions 63a and corresponding knuckle portions 64a to 64e are integrally moulded in the panel 61 and 62 shown either the hook like portions 63a to 63e and/or the knuckle portion 64a to 64e need not be integrally moulded, rather, they may be additional to the side panel via additional connection means. Example, as panels may have series of overlapping projections dovetail into each other and which have an aperture which aligns once the portions are dovetailed so that a rod may pass through each portion in turn to act like a hinge pin and retain both side panels together. An alternative connection means would be one or more ring clips, such as a U or C clip, which resiliently engages an edge of a first panel and extends to resiliently engage and edge of a second panel with the new panels touching each other, somewhat like a spring or bulldog clip retaining sheets of paper, though the rigidity of the panels permits them to remain at right angles to the other. Figure 7 shows, in particular, the latticework arrangement of the moulding of each side panel. This arrangement permits the side panels to reduce overall weight compared with a solid panel, whilst the web arrangement of each lattice provides rigidity and strength to support a load driving use. Figure 8 shows a partial sectional view of two side panels, 101 and 102, the side panel 101 shows a male hook like portion 103 engaged in a female eye portion 104 of side panel 102. The side panels 101 and 102 are shown in an initial engaging position where relative rotation of the side panels about a common pivot axis 105 occurs. It will be appreciated that whilst a single cooperating hook and eye arrangement are shown, Figure 8 is a partial sectional view of the side panels 101 and 102 and thus, additional inter-cooperating hook and eye portions may be provided along, for example, the common pivot axis 105. Thus, the side panel 101 includes more than one male hook portions 103 and side panel 102 includes more than one corresponding female eye portions 104. Once the hook portion 103 and eye portion 104 are initially inter-engaged, the side panels 101 and 102 can be hingedly brought together about the common pivot axis 105, the tang portion 106 of the hook portion 103 has a radiused outer curvature 107, and an angled inner face 108. The angled inner face 108 includes a notch 109 in the form of a channel extending transversely across the width of the male hook portion 103. The notch 109 provides a groove or channel into which the apex of a ridge 110 extends. The ridge 110 forms part of the eye portion 104 of the side panel 102. The notch 109 and ridge 110 arrangement forms the pivot axis or fulcrum point about which the male hook portion 103 and female eye portion 4 rotate relative to one another, and thus, about which the side panels 101 and 102 rotate relative to one another. The notch 109 and ridge 110 arrangement thus form a hinge point such that the side panels 101 and 102 hingedly come together or come apart about the common axis 105. The radiused outer curve 107 of the male hook portion 103 is given sufficient clearance to rotate past a portion of the body of the female eye portion 104 closest to the radiused outer curve 107 at that juncture 111. In Figure 8, the side panels 101 and 102 subtend an angle of approximately 120 degrees when the hook portion 103 and eye portion 104 earnestly begin to interconnect. Figure 9 shows the same partial sectional views of the side panels 101 and

102 of Figure 8. With the side panels 101 and 102 subtending an angle of approximately 90 degrees there between, the radiused outer curvature 107 of the hook portion 103 has rotated past the body portion 111 of the eye portion 104, which allows the planar surface 112 of the hook portion 103 to slide along the body portion 111 of the eye portionlO 4. It will be appreciated that this action occurs due to the specific construction of the hook portion 3 and eye portion 4, and that the hook portion 3 slotting into the eye portion 4 occurs at approximately this 90 degree angle. Thus, at this point, the side panels 101 and 102 require a reversal of the relative rotation towards each other in order to separate the panels one from the other due to the interlocking arrangement between the hook portion

103 and eye portion 104, and in particular, between the inner angled surface 108 and its transverse groove or channel 109 with the ridge portion of the part 110 extending towards the hook portion 103. The hook portion 103 is further prevented from becoming disengaged with the body portion 110 by contact between the planar surface 112 of the hook portion 103 and the body portion 111 of the eye portion 104. In order to release the side panels 101 and 102 from one another it is therefore necessary to de-rotate the side panels relative to one another to approximately 120 degrees to allow the hook portion 103 to release from its corresponding eye portion 104. Figure 10 shows the inter-engaged side panels 101 and 102 subtending an angle of approximately 60 degrees there between. The angled inner face 108 of the hook portion 103 is shown contacting the face of the body portion 110 of the eye portion 104 which extends to form the ridge. The apex 105 of the ridge is shown in position in the groove or channel 109 of the angled face 108 of the hook portion 103. The planar face 112 of the hook portion 103 is shown contacting the corresponding angled face 113 of the body portion 1 11 of the eye portion 104, Figure 11 shows a complete cross-sectional view through to interconnected side panels 201 and 202. The side panel 201 includes the male hook portions 203 at one end thereof, and the female eye portions 204 at the opposite end of the side panel 201 distal from the end having the hook portions 203. A corresponding arrangement is shown for the side panel 202, although, the female eye portions 205 of side panel 202 releasably engage with the hook portions 203 of side panel 201 , and thus, the free end of side panel 202 distal from the female eye portion 205 end incorporates the male hook portions 206 of side panel 202. The side panels 201 and 202 are shown in initial engagement position subtending an angle of approximately 120 degrees. At this point, the side panels 201 and 202 must rotate towards each other about their common pivot axis in a hinge-like manner in order for the planar face 212 of the male hook portions 203 to be able to slide into position. Thus, corresponding to Figure 9, Figure 12 shows side panels 201 and 202 subtending an angle of 90 degrees there between such that the male hook portions 203 of side panel 201 and the female eye portions 204 of side panel 202 slide relative to one another such that the male hook portions 203 slot into the female eye portions 204 at around the 90 degree angular separation point. At this stage, the side panels 201 and 202 require a reversal of the pivoting action, that is, an unhinging action, to permit separation of the side panels one from the other. In Figures 11 and 12, the top edge of each of the side panels 101 , 102, 201 and 202, i.e., facing out of the page, shows at an intermediate portion of each of the side panels, two apertures or recesses corresponding to the apertures in the upper face 7 of the support panel 3 as shown in Figures 1 and 2. These apertures or recesses 207 and 208, provide engagement for a retaining means of the support panel 203. Thus, a tool in the form of a key can be inserted down through the apertures, for example, apertures 12c shown in Figure 2, and then levered to disengage hook like appendages extending from the underside of the support panel 3 (similar to the arrangement 35 and 36 shown in Figure 4) such that the support panel 203 is free to be disengaged from those respective portions formed by the apertures 207 and 208 of the side panels 1 and 2. It will be appreciated that further corresponding arrangements may be provided on more side panels connected to the side panels 201 and 202 when forming a modular platform assembly. Figure 13 shows a similar arrangement to that shown in Figure 10, with the side panels 201 and 202 subtending an angle of approximately 60 degrees there between. Figure 14 shows side panels 201 and 202 according to Figures 12 and 13, though with a simply inter-connected at an angle of approximately 60 degrees as shown in Figure 13. A further additional side panel 210 releasably inter-connects at an angle of approximately 120 degrees to the plane of side panel 201. Thus, side panel 210 and side panel 201 form the initial inter-engagement position consistent with the initial position shown in Figure 11 for side panels 1 and 2. The male hook portions 213 of side panel 210 is shown commencing engagement with female eye portions 204 of side panel 201. Thus, the opposite end of side panel 210 distal from the end having the male hook portions 213 has the female eye portions 214 of side panel 210. It will be appreciated that, with side panels 201 and 202 subtending an angle of approximately 60 degrees there between, and side panels 201 and 210 subtending an angle of approximately 120 degrees there between, and with all of the side panels being of equal length, the side panels 201 , 202 and 210 form three sides of a rhombus. Figure 15 shows a further side panel 211 in its initial attachment position releasably inter-engaging with side panel 210 and subtending therewith an angle of approximately 120 degrees. The male hook portions 209 of additional side panel 211 are shown engaging the female eye portions 214 of side panel 210. The opposite end of side panel 211 distal from the end having the male hook portions 209 includes the female eye portions 212 arranged to releasably inter- engage with corresponding male hook portions 206 of side panel 202. Figure 16 shows addition side panel 211 rotated relative to side panel 210 such that the side panels subtend there between an angle of approximately 90 degrees. This puts side panels 211 and 210 in the locking position at which point the male hook portions 209 of side panel 211 can slide into locking position relative to the female eye portions 214 of side panel 210. At this point, it will be noticed that the angle subtended between side panels 211 and 210 and between side panels 201 and 202 need not change. In particular, in order for the female eye portions 212 of side panel 211 to align and releasably engage with the corresponding hook portions 206 of side panel 202, the angle subtended between side panels 201 and 202 and between side panels 201 and 210 need necessarily to be at approximately 60 degrees, and approximately 120 degrees respectively. At this point, the angle subtended between side panels 211 and 210 can be reduced to approximately 60 degrees such that the initial approximately 120 degree angle required between side panels 201 and 211 can be achieved to permit releasable engagement, at least the initial positioning, between the female eye portions 212 of side panel 211 and the male hook portions 206 of side panel 202. Figure 17 shows the arrangement panels of Figure 16 wherein side panels 201 and 210 are in the initial engagement position, side panels 201 and 2022 and panels 210 and 211 are also reduced to approximately a 60 degree angle, and the inter-connection between side panels 210 and 201 and between 211 and 202, are at the initial 120 degree stage. Thus, all four of the side panels are consecutively inter-connected with two other of the side panels form a rhombus arrangement. It will be appreciated that Figures 11 to 17 in particular show cross- sectional views through the side panels, and. that the arrangement of side panels would extend in depth either into the page away from the viewer or out of the page towards the viewer to form three-dimensional side panels. Thus, the arrangement shown in Figure 17 is the initial positioning stage for connecting four side panels to form a complete frame of four inter-connected side panels forming the sides of a modular platform assembly. Figure 18 shows the same arrangement of side panels 201 , 210, 202 and 211 as shown in Figure 17, though with all four of the interior corner angles now subtending 90 degrees such that the four corresponding arrangements of male hook portions and female eye portions are in their locked positions with the corresponding planar faces of the male hook portions sliding relative to the body portions of the eye portions such that adjacent panels are locked together. It will be appreciated that from Figure 17, reducing the 120 degree angles by relative rotation of adjacent side panels i.e., a hinging arrangement, acts to increase the remaining 60 degree angles between the corresponding opposite pairs of side panels (201 , 202 and 210, 211) until the 60 degree angles become approximately 90 degree angles, and correspondingly the 120 degree angles reduce to become approximately 90 degree angles to form the structure of Figure 18. Once each of the corner angles become approximately 90 degrees, the adjacent releasably inter-connected side panels become locked together and each angle locks to prevent increase of the angle size i.e., to prevent opening of the angle between two adjacent side panels above 90 degrees. It will further be appreciated that a four sided arrangement as shown in Figure 18 requires 360 degrees total internal angle, and cannot reduce all of the angles below approximately 90 degrees, and that decreasing any opposite pair of angles to below approximately 90 degrees will cause the alternate opposite pair of angles to attempt to increase above approximately 90 degrees, which increase in angular size is prevented by the locking arrangement between the male hook portions and female eye portions at a corresponding juncture between two side panels. It can be seen from Figure 18 that the four side panels 201 , 210, 202 and 211 form the four sides of a modular platform assembly ready for receiving the support panel as shown in Figures 1 and 2. It will further be appreciated that, whilst Figures 11 to 18 . depict an arrangement of side panels for forming a modular platform assembly having four sides, other arrangements of multiple side panels are envisaged, provided the requisite angular separation between side panels to permit inter-connection of the male hook portions with their corresponding female eye portions between adjacent side panels is allowed for. For example, eight side panels forming an octagonal arrangement when inter-connected could initially be connected one to the other at an angle of approximately 60 degrees, with a locking position at approximately 45 degrees. A reduced angular separation between two adjacent side panels corresponding to the approximately 60 degree angle shown in the four sided form of the invention in the present figures could be provided for by having a 30 degree, or thereabouts, reduced angle which would allow two adjacent inter-connecting side panels to come together to an angle of approximately 30 degrees whilst committing completion of the eight sided arrangement with the final panels coming together at 60 degrees, and then the entire arrangement locking together with internal angles of approximately 45 degrees. It will further be appreciated that whilst the form of the invention shown in Figures 11 to 18 adds side panels in a series, one connecting to the next, the side panels could be first connected in pairs, for example, subtending an angle between each pair or approximately 60 degrees, and then bringing the pairs of side panels together such that the pairs connect together with panels at the 120 degree angles, and then inter-connecting and locking the pairs of panels together by relative rotation or hinging at each of the inter-connecting corners to form the final arrangement. Figure 19a shows a perspective view of the key 301 tool used to assist in releasing the support panel 303 from engagement with respective side panels. The key 301 includes release prongs 302a, 302b which are inserted through the corresponding apertures, e.g., 12a, 12b, 12c and 12d of the support panel 303. The release prongs 302a and 302b are arranged to engage with resilient retaining portions formed on the underside of the support panel, and which resilient retaining portions engage with corresponding portions of respective side panels. Thus, the release prongs 302a and 302b act to disengage the resilient retaining portion from engagement with a respective side panel. The key 301 includes a grip portion 303 including two finger holes 304a, 304b for receiving one or more fingers of the user. The key 301 also includes the stop plate 305 for preventing over-insertion of the key 301 into the apertures of the support panel 303. It will be appreciated that the key 301 need not have two release prongs 302a and 302b, rather, one or more than two release prongs may be provided so long as they assist in releasing the corresponding release portion of the support panel. Figure 19b shows a side cross-sectional view through the key 301 of Figure 19a. Figure 20 shows a consecutive series of partial cross-sectional views beginning with the support panel 3 being brought into releasable engagement with the top of a support panel 1 , and ending with release of the support panel 3 from the side panel 1 by use of the key tool. In this regard, Figure 20a shows the portion of the support panel 3 with a resilient retaining portion depending from the underside of the support panel 3. The resilient retaining portion 4 includes a notched portion 5 arranged to cooperate with a portion 6 extending from part of the upper end of the side panel 1. The resilient retaining portion 4 also includes angled leading 7a and trailing 7b faces. The leading face 7a initially contacts part of the retaining portion 6 of the side panel 1 whilst the support panel 3 is being brought into engagement with the side panel 1. Contact between the leading face and the engaging portion 6 causes the resilient retaining means 4 to resiliently bend until the retaining notch 5 engages with the retaining portion 6 as shown in Figures 20b and 20c. Figure 20d shows the support panel 3 fully retained in engagement with the side panel 1 , with the retaining notch 5 fully receiving the retaining portion 6. Figure 20e shows the release key 8 inserted into the provided apertures in the support panel 3. The release prongs 9 of the release key 8 bear upon the portion of the side panel 1 and also contact the trailing face 7b of the resilient retaining portion 4. This contact causes the resilient retaining portion 4 to bend and subsequently release from engagement with the retaining portion 6. Thus, with the retaining key still in the release position, as shown in Figure 20f, the support panel 3 can be separated from engagement with the side panel 1. The release key 8 can subsequently be removed from the apertures in the support panel 3. This process can be repeated for each of the resilient retaining means around the periphery of the support panel where they are in engagement with further side panels, or additional portions of the same side panel 1 until each of the resilient retaining means is released and the support panel 3 can be removed from the modular platform assembly. It will be appreciated that more than one release key can be used to simultaneously release the number of resilient retaining means.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A modular platform assembly for forming a deconstructable platform or stage including a plurality of side panels of moulded plastics material, releasable connection means for releasably connecting said side panels together, at least part of said connection means being integrally moulded with each said side panel, and a support panel having a top surface to receive a load to be supported; wherein said side panels are arranged to be connected together by said releasable connection means to form an upstanding self supporting frame, and wherein at least one of the connected side panels provides support for the support panel to thereby form the modular platform assembly.

2. A modular platform assembly according to claim 1 , wherein each of said side panels has a periphery including an upper portion, a lower portion, and at least first and second side portions connecting said upper and lower portions, wherein said at least first and second side portions integrally include at least part of the releasable connection means for connecting the side panels when arranged adjacent to one another to form the frame.

3. A modular platform assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the releasable engageable connection means for connecting adjacent side panels is integrally moulded in part in each of the side panels to be connected adjacent one another such that side panels are brought together and releasably connected without the need for further connection means.

4. A modular platform assembly according to claim 1 , 2 or 3, wherein the releasable connection means includes first and second inter-cooperating interconnection portions formed in each of said side panels, whereby the side panels arranged to be connected adjacent one another can be releasably connected one to the other without the need for further connection means.

5. A modular platform assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the releasable connection means is in the form of one or more hook-like portions formed in one side panel, and at least one knuckle or eye portion formed in a further side panel such that each said at least one hook arrangement is adapted to releasably engage in a corresponding at least one knuckle or eye portion of the other side panel to which it is to be connected.

6. A modular platform assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of said plurality of side panels includes a first portion of said releasable connection means at a first side edge thereof, and a second portion of said releasable connection means at a second side edge thereof such that said first portion of said releasable connection means is adapted to interconnect with the second portion of the releasable connection means of the second side panel.

7. A modular platform assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support panel is moulded from a plastics material.

8. A modular platform assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said support panel includes a planar portion providing a surface for supporting a load, and a skirt proximate the periphery of the support panel and depending therefrom, whereby said skirt is arranged to overlap the upper edge of at least two of said side panels and to extend toward said lower edge of said two or more side panels.

9. A modular platform assembly according to claim 8, wherein said skirt forms an interference or friction fit where it comes into contact with the corresponding portion of each of said side panels to thereby assist in retaining said support panel in engagement with the arrangement of side panels forming the peripheral sides of said modular platform assembly.

10. A modular platform assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, including four side panels of rigid moulded plastics material each having one part of the releasable connection means moulded into the first side portion thereof and the remaining part of the connection means integrally moulded into the second side portion thereof, wherein the side panels are connected one to the other by connecting the first portion of the releasable connection means of one panel to the second portion of the releasable connection means of the next panel such that the four side panels are connected consecutively to form the frame having four interconnected side panels.

11. A modular platform assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support panel has an interference fit with one or more side panels.

12. A modular platform assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, further including a positive engagement means for releasably connecting the support panel to one or more of the side panels.

13. A modular platform assembly according to claim 12, wherein the positive engagement means is a hook or clip integral with or in addition to the support panel for engagement with a portion of one or more of the side panels.

14. A modular platform assembly according to claim 7, wherein the positive engagement means is integrally moulded into the plastics material of the support panel.

15. A modular platform assembly according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the positive engagement means is in the form of one or more resilient hook portions integrally moulded with the support panel such that the at least one resilient hook portions arranged to engage corresponding portion of the side panel.

16. A modular platform assembly according to claim 15, wherein the at least one resilient hook portion is released indirectly via an additional mechanism or tool.

17. A modular platform assembly according to claim 16, wherein the tool is a moulded plastic key constructed to transfer a force to be at least one positive engagement means to release each engaged positive engagement means from engagement with the corresponding portion of the side panel.

18. A modular platform assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the support panel is a planar member having a top surface and a bottom surface wherein at least one of said top surface or bottom surface includes one or more recesses for receiving a portion of one or more of the side panels forming the frame to permit stacking of multiple said platform assemblies one on top of the other and the at least one recess on the top surface of one modular platform assembly provides a region for engaging and holding the lower edge portion of at least one of the side panels of the modular platform assembly to be stacked thereon.

19. A modular platform assembly according to claim 18, wherein the support panel is reversible having one arrangement of at least one recess on a top surface and a different arrangement of at least one recess on the bottom surface to allow for different stacking patterns of modular platform assemblies.

20. A modular platform assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, including an arrangement for positively connecting the modular platform assembly to a further modular assembly positioned adjacent thereto.

21. A modular platform assembly according to claim 20, wherein the assembly connection means is in the form of a discrete clip or bracket for attaching one modular platform assembly to an adjacent platform assembly.

22. A modular platform assembly according to claim 21 , wherein the clip or bracket is integrally moulded with a corresponding side panel.

23. A modular platform assembly according to claim 20, 21 or 22, wherein the assembly connection means is a moulded plastic clip which is arranged to connect through a corresponding portion of one side panel and a corresponding portion of side panel of a second modular platform assembly thereby physically connect one modular platform to another modular platform assembly.

24. A modular platform assembly according to claim 22, wherein the clip or bracket is pivotally connected to a side panel by a hinge or similar mechanism such that the clip or bracket pivots to a non-use position where it does not extend from the side panel and not required for use and pivots to an extended position for connection to a side panel of a second assembly when required to connect two assemblies together.

25. A modular platform system including a plurality of interconnectable discrete modular platform assemblies, each said assembly being deconstructable and including: a plurality of releasably connectable side panels formed of a moulded plastics material; at least one support panel arranged to be supported by said side panels; and wherein said plurality of modular platform assemblies include an interconnection mechanism for releasably connecting one said assembly to at least one other said assembly to form the modular platform system.

26. A system according to claim 25, wherein at least a portion of the interconnection mechanism is integrally formed in each of the interconnectable connectable modular platform assemblies.

27. A system according to claim 25, wherein the interconnection mechanism is a discrete device arranged to engage portion of at least two adjacent interconnectable modular platform assemblies.

28. A system according to claim 25, 26 or 27, wherein at least one such modular platform assembly is stackable upon and engagable with at least one other such modular platform assembly to provide a series of interconnected discrete modular platform assemblies releasably connected to provide a platform surface or stage surface extending over an area substantially greater than the surface area of the top surface of one modular assembly alone.

29. A connection system for releasably retaining together a plurality of panels of a modular platform assembly wherein the connection system includes a first panel having at least one male hook portion, and a second panel having at least one female eye portion, such that each at least one male hook porion of the first panel is arranged to releasably engage with a corresponding female eye portion of the second panel during relative rotation of the first and second panels with respect to each other, and such that each at least one male hook portion of the first panel is arranged to release from engagement with its female eye portion of the second panel by reversing the relative rotation of the first and second panels with respect to each other.

30. A connection system according to claim 29, wherein the first panel includes a plurality of male hook portions, and the second panel includes a corresponding plurality of female eye portions such that each male hook portion is arranged to engage with one of the corresponding female eye portions of the second panel.

31. A connection system according to claim 30, wherein each panel includes a combination of male hook portions and female eye portions for engagement with corresponding alternate male hook portions and female eye portions of a further panel.

32. A connection system according to any one of claims 29 to 31 , wherein the first and second panels are planar panels, each having the at least one male hook portion at a first end thereof, and the at least one female eye portion at a second end thereof distal from the first end and the first planar panel and second planar panel releasably inter-engage by rotation relative to one another by cooperative engagement of the at least one male hook portion at the first end of the first planar panel with the at least one female eye portion provided at the second end of the second planar panel, and wherein the second end of the first planar panel and the first end of the second planar panel can be connected together via at least one further planar panel having the corresponding at least one male hook portion and the at least one female eye portion at ends thereof.

33. A connection system according to any one of claims 29 to 32, including pairs of first and second planar panels, each pair of planar panels having at least one male hook portion at a first free end thereof, and at least one female eye portion at a second free end thereof, such that each pair of said first and second planar panels is releasably inter-engagable with another of said pairs of first and second planar panels by releasably connecting the at least one male hook portion of the first free end of one pair with the at least one female eye portion at the second free end of another pair by relative rotation of irrespective pairs of planar panels with respect to each other.

34. A modular platform assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 24, or a system according to any one of claims 25 to 28, including the connection system according to any one of claims 29 to 33, wherein each side panel is releasably connected to at least two adjacent side panels via the connection system and wherein the side panels form a contiguous closed fence of upstanding side panels when connected for receiving the support panel of the modular platform system.

35. A method of assembling a deconstructable modular platform assembly, including the steps of; providing a plurality of substantially rigid side panels of moulded plastics material; releasably connecting together the side panels such that each panel is directly or indirectly connected to at least one adjacent other panel of said side panels to form a self supporting frame; mounting a support panel onto an upper part of said frame to provide a raised platform of said modular platform assembly.

36. A method according to claim 35, wherein means for connecting said side panels together includes a first connecting and release position and a second locking, non-release, position whereby said method further includes the steps of; initially connecting adjacent ones of said side panels together at said initial connecting and release position; and subsequently moving said adjacent connected side panels relative to one another such that said connection means moves to said locking non-release position whereby said side panels are non-releasable until said connection means is returned to the first position.

37. A method according to claim 36 wherein said adjacent connected side panels move relative to one another by hinging together.

38. A method according to claim 35, 36 or 37 further including the steps of; a) initially connecting together at least two pairs of said side panels at an initial connection angle subtending between each pair; b) connecting each pair of initially connected side panels to at least one other initially connected pair of side panels by ^■ i) reducing the initial connection angle by hinging together the side panels of each pair past the locking position to a secondary connection position at a secondary connection angle until each side panel of one pair forms the initial connection angle with another side panel of another pair; ii) initially connecting together each side panel of one pair with another side panel of another pair at the initial connection angle; c) increasing the secondary connection angle and reducing the initial connection angle by hinging adjacently connected panels relative to one another until each side panel subtends a locking angle at a releasable locking position with an adjacent side panel d) releasably locking together the side panels to form the self supporting frame.