The present invention relates to a rolling platform used particularly, but not exclusively, in the building construction industry to provide access platforms extending past the edge of floors of buildings during their construction, the rolling platform being cantilevered from the end of the floor and also having the ability to fully retract from its extended position.

Conventional rolling platforms (see e.g. WO-98/53161) used for providing access platforms off the edge of floors of buildings during their construction, comprise a rolling platform in accordance with the preamble of claim 1.

However, the disadvantage of these conventional platforms is that the static frame extends outwardly from the floor and this extension means that the rolling frame (and the whole platform) can not be retracted flush with the edge of the floor, during use.

It is one object of the present invention to provide a platform wherein the rolling frame fully retracts to be flush with the edge of the floor, whilst still being supported by the static frame.

According to the present invention, there is provided a rolling platform in accordance with claim 1.

Preferably, when the second, movable frame is fully retracted, no part of the rolling platform extends outwardly (away from the building) from the edge of the floor.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

• Figs 1a and 1b show cross-sectional elevational and plan views respectively of the rolling platform of the present invention, the platform being in the extended position;
• Fig 2 is a cross-sectional side view of an inner frame of Fig 1, to an enlarged scale;
• Fig 3 is a plan view corresponding to Fig 2;
• Fig 4 is a cross-section on the line 4-4 of Fig 1;
• Fig 5 is a detail of Fig 4 to an enlarged scale;
• Fig 6 is a side view of parts of the inner frame in more detail;
• Fig 7 is a plan view corresponding to Fig 6;
• Fig 8 is a side view of parts of the outer frame in more detail;
• Fig 9 is a cross-section on the line B-B of Fig 8;
• Fig 10 is a cross-section on the line C-C of Fig 8;
• Fig 11 is a plan view corresponding to Fig 8; and
• Fig 11a is a cross-section on the line A-A of Fig 11 to an enlarged scale.

Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated a rolling platform 10. The rolling platform 10 comprises an outer static frame 11 and an inner movable frame 20. The outer static frame 11 is in the form of two I-sections 12a and 12b joined by a plate 14 to form a generally channel-shaped element. The inner movable frame 20 is in the form of two I-sections 21a and 21b joined by a plate 22 to form a generally channel-shaped element.

The inner movable frame 20 is telescopically slidable within the outer static frame 11 and can slide between an extended (see Fig. 1a) and a retracted position.

The rolling platform 10 is used in the building industry to provide an access platform which extends past the edge 15 of floors of a building during its construction.

The rolling platform 10 is clamped to the building by placing the platform 10 on the floor with a first end 16a flush with the edge 15 of the building. The platform 10 is then secured in the clamped position by way of a number of clamping pillars 17a and 17b (others not shown) which clamp between the outer static frame 11 and the ceiling (not shown).

The inner movable frame 20 slides within the outer static frame 11 by roller means in the form of a pair of first rollers 30 and pairs of second and third rollers 31a and 31b which are all positioned between the inner movable frame 20 and the outer static frame 11 and permit relative sliding movement between the respective frames 11, 20 thus allowing the inner movable frame 20 to telescopically move out of the outer static frame 11, thus providing an access platform which extends outwardly (away from the building) from the edge 15 of the floor.

A further roller means in the form of rollers 32 is fitted to the outer static frame 11 and is arranged to engage a track 40 provided on the inner movable frame 20 to provide support for the inner movable frame 20 when it is retracted and the rollers 31a and 31b no longer engage with the outer static frame 11 due to the outer static frame 11 being shorter in length than the inner movable frame 20.

Lateral guidance is provided by vertical rollers 33 located near the front of the outer static frame 11, and by axially spaced vertical rollers 34 and 35 located toward the rear of the inner movable frame 20. the rollers 35 being sufficiently inboard to remain in engagement when the inner movable frame 20 is fully retracted.

The rolling platform described above, provides a platform 10 which is positioned flush with the edge 15 of the floor and which permits the inner movable frame 20 to fully retract within the outer static frame 11 such that when fully retracted, no part of the rolling platform extends outwardly (away from the building) from the edge 15 of the floor.