Platform

Abstract

 A platform apparatus (100) comprising supports (30,40) that can be simply adjusted in order to alter the height of the platform. The supports (30,40) are movably connected to platform arms (22,24) by connectors (60), the platform arms (22,24) comprising projections (26,28). The connectors (60) can be engaged with the platform arm projections (26,28), the position of the connectors (60) along the arms determining the height of the platform.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a platform, and in particular to a platform the height of which can be changed easily.

[0002] There are numerous professions, for example, electricians, decorators, plumbers, etc., for whom it is essential that they can access elevated equipment or areas, particularly for interior work, for example painting walls & ceilings, accessing wires, pipes or fixtures in ceilings, etc. Conventionally, ladders have been used to provide the required access but this is not preferred as there is limited horizontal reach. Furthermore, changing health and safety attitudes means that the use of ladders is not encouraged as there is a risk of falling, leading to potential injury. Whilst it is possible to utilise some form of scaffolding equipment to provide access, this approach has significant disadvantages as the equipment tends to be heavy and time- consuming to assemble and disassemble. Accordingly, there is a need for a platform that is easy to carry, assemble and disassemble and provides some form of platform access.

[0003] According to a first aspect of the present application there is comprised a platform apparatus comprising a platform; first and second platform arms, the first and second platform arms being coupled to the platform; first and second supports and a plurality of connectors, the first and second supports being movably coupled to the first and second platform arms by respective connectors, characterised in that: i) the platform arms comprise a plurality of projections; and ii) each of the plurality of connectors comprise an indent for engaging with a platform arm projection, in use, the position of each of the plurality of connectors relative to the platform arms determining the position of the platform.

[0004] The platform arms may comprise a plurality of first projections and a plurality of second projections, wherein the plurality of first projections are perpendicular to the plurality of second projections and the plurality of first projections and the plurality of second projections project through both sides of the platform arms. Each of the plurality of connectors may comprise two opposed indents, in use the opposed indents engaging with one of the plurality of first projections or one of the plurality of second projections.

[0005] Preferably, the platform arms are rotatably coupled to the platform; each of the plurality of connectors further comprise two opposed passages, the opposed passages being perpendicular to the opposed indents; such that, in use, the platform arms are rotated such that the plurality of first projections are aligned with the two opposed indents and the plurality of second projections are aligned with the two opposed passages. Furthermore, in use, the platform arms are preferably further rotated such that the plurality of first projections are aligned with the two opposed passages and the plurality of second projections are aligned with the two opposed indents.

[0006] The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following Figures in which:

Figure 1 shows a schematic depiction of a platform apparatus according to the present invention from above in an open position;

Figure 2 shows a schematic depiction of a platform apparatus according to the present invention from below in an open position;

Figure 3 shows a schematic depiction of a platform apparatus according to the present invention in a closed position; and

Figures 4 & 5 show a schematic depiction of a connector for use in a platform apparatus according to the present invention.

[0007] Figures 1 and 2 show a schematic depiction of an apparatus 100 according to the present invention in an open position. Figure 3 shows a schematic depiction of an apparatus 100 according to the present invention in a closed position. The apparatus comprises a platform 20 which is supported by first and second supports 30, 40. The platform comprises two arms 22, 24, which are received on the underside of the platform and are rotatably coupled to the platform. The platform arms 22, 24 comprise a plurality of limiters 25. The platform arms are moveably connected to a first end of the supports 30, 40 by connectors 60, with the limiters defining the maximum extent of movement of the connectors along the platform arms. The platform arms further comprise a plurality of first projections 28 and a plurality of second projections 26, the plurality of first projections being angularly displaced by 90° relative to the plurality of second projections. Rotating handles 27 are provided such that the platform arms 22, 24 can be rotated relative to the platform.

[0008] In the views shown In Figures 1 & 2, the plurality of first projections 28 are perpendicular to the plane of the platform and the plurality of second projections 26 are parallel with the plane of the platform. Each of the plurality of first projections and the plurality of second projections projects through both sides of the first and second platform arms.

[0009] The supports comprise cross-members 34, 44 which are located substantially at each end of the supports 30, 34. The supports may further comprise additional cross-members 32, 42 to improve the rigidity of the supports. The other end of the supports are connected to feet 50 and cross-members 52 may also be provided to connect the second end of the supports to each other.

[0010] Figures 4 & 5 show a schematic depiction of connector 60: Figure 4 shows a perspective view from below and Figure 5 shows a perspective view from above. The connector 60 comprises a first through passage 61 with first and second opposed side passages 62, 63. One end of the first through passage 61 comprises opposed notches 64, 65. The opposed notches are substantially perpendicular to the first and second side passages 62, 63. The connector further comprises a second through passage 66, which is arranged to be substantially perpendicular to the first through passage.

[0011] In use, four connectors are used to connect both the first and second support to both of the platform arms. The first through passageway of each connector receives the respective platform arm and the second through passageway receives a cross member 34, 44 of the respective support 30, 40. The connectors may be moved along the platform arm such that the platform is at a desired height and that notches in each of the connectors engage with the platform arm projections. The engagement of the connectors and the projections prevent further downward movement of the platform when weight is placed on the platform.

[0012] As is shown in Figure 2, if the connectors are moved along the platform arms, for example moving the connectors outwards along the arms to lower the height of the platform, then the first projections 28 are aligned with the first and second opposed side passages of each connector and thus the connectors can pass over the first projections. The opposed notches of the connectors are thus aligned with the second projections 26 and thus the connector notches will engage with the connector and prevent further movement of the connector relative to the platform arms. The securing of the connector thus causes the height of the platform to be fixed. If a lower platform height is required then the platform arms 22, 24 can be rotated, using handles 27, through an angle of 90° such that the second projections are now aligned with the first and second opposed side passages of each connector such that the connectors can pass over the second projections. As the connector passes along the platform arms the opposed notches will engage with the first projections such that the platform is secured at a new, lower height.

[0013] The process of rotating the platform arms such that successive first or second projections pass are aligned with the first and second opposed side passages of the connectors such that the connectors can pass over the projections can be repeated as often as is required. The connectors can be positioned to engage with the first or second projections such that the platform is at a desired height. It will be readily understood that the height of the platform will not be continually adjustable but can by altered by discrete amounts. The separation of adjacent first and second projections along the length of the platform arms will determine the amount by which the platform can be raised (or lowered). It will be understood that the separation of adjacent first and second projections must be greater than the length of a connector such that the connectors can be received on the platform arms inbetween adjacent protrusions, such that the arm can be rotated.

[0014] The platform arms need only be rotatable through a range of 90° to enable the invention to be put into practice, but it will be readily understood that a greater range of rotation may be provided. Preferably the range of rotation is substantially an integral multiple of 90°. Alternatively the platform arms may be mounted to provide continuous rotation. Locking means may be provided to secure the platform arms in a required position and prevent further unwanted rotation.

[0015] Preferably the feet are rotatably linked to the first and second supports, such that the foot will always be parallel to the surface it is received on. The feet 50 preferably comprise apertures 54 such that the feet may be secured to the ground by passing pegs or similar through the apertures. In a further embodiment, each foot may be provided on an extension leg, each of the extension legs being independently extensible from the first or second support. This allows for adjustment of each of the feet such that the platform can be levelled once assembled. It will be noted that the feet 50 will always be underneath the area defined by the platform (see Figure 3) and this is preferred it is possible for two or more adjacent platforms to be connected together.

[0016] Figure 3 shows a schematic depiction of a platform apparatus according to the present invention in a closed position. This is achieved by rotating the platform arms and moving the connectors into their most extended position. Locking means can be provided such that the first and second supports are secured in the locked position for transit and/or storage.

[0017] The views in Figures 1 to 3 have simplified in order to demonstrate the operation of the present invention. It will be immediately apparent that the platform may be used with any application or device that is used with scaffolding, powered access platforms, etc. For example, the platform can comprise guard rails, or other safety barriers, and the fittings necessary to couple the guard rails to the platform. Linkages may be provided so that two or more platforms according to the invention can be coupled together, either in a line to form a long platform or to form a rectangular platform having a greater area (clearly, platforms having other shapes may be formed). Access to the ground level can be provided through clip-on ladders, or means for connecting a step-ladder or other access means to the platform. Tools and/or materials can be received on support means provided on the platform. One or more spirit levels, or alternative levelling means, may be provided in the platform apparatus such that an operator can determine whether the platform is horizontal or not.

[0018] The platform is preferably formed from aluminium, as this provides a strong, lightweight structure that does not require painting or further processing to prevent corrosion. It will be understood that other metals or alloys may be used to form the platform.

Claims

1. A platform apparatus (100) comprising a platform (20); first and second platform arms (22, 24), the first and second platform arms being coupled to the platform; first and second supports (30, 40) and a plurality of connectors (60), the first and second supports being movably coupled to the first and second platform arms by respective connectors,
characterised in that:

i) the platform arms comprise a plurality of projections (26, 28); and

ii) each of the plurality of connectors comprise an indent (64, 65) for engaging with a platform arm projection, in use, the position of each of the plurality of connectors relative to the platform arms determining the position of the platform.

2. A platform apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the platform arms comprise a plurality of first projections (28) and a plurality of second projections (26), wherein the plurality of first projections are perpendicular to the plurality of second projections and the plurality of first projections and the plurality of second projections project through both sides of the platform arms.

3. A platform apparatus according to claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of connectors (60) comprises two opposed indents (64, 65), in use the opposed indents engaging with one of the plurality of first projections or one of the plurality of second projections.

4. A platform apparatus according to claim 3, wherein: the platform arms are rotatably coupled to the platform; each of the plurality of connectors further comprise two opposed passages (62, 63), the opposed passages being perpendicular to the opposed indents; such that, in use, the platform arms are rotated such that the plurality of first projections are aligned with the two opposed indents and the plurality of second projections are aligned with the two opposed passages.

5. A platform apparatus according to claim 4, wherein, in use, the platform arms are further rotated such that the plurality of first projections are aligned with the two opposed passages and the plurality of second projections are aligned with the two opposed indents.

Drawing