Modular Work Platform

Technical Field

A modular work platform (also known as a loading platform or construction platform) for use in multi-storey construction is disclosed. The platform configuration may be applied with so-called rolling or moving platforms and with static or fixed platforms.

Background Moving and fixed work platforms are used in multi-storey construction applications (eg. in high-rise buildings) for the safe and secure loading and unloading of materials and goods to/from a given working level. The platforms are mounted to protrude out from the given level and materials and goods may then be safely and securely loaded and unloaded using a crane associated with the construction, and then moved into/out of the given level.

AUl 99476058 discloses a construction platform having a stationary support structure including spaced parallel guide beams, and a movable landing deck that is slidingly supported by and between the beams for extension out and retraction into a given working level, to enhance the safe and secure use of the platform. AUl 99063026 discloses a foldable loading platform having collapsible side panels to facilitate its ease of transportation and installation/demounting. AUl 99063026 also discloses a fixed loading platform having an enlarged protruding loading region located in use beyond the perimeter of the multi-storey construction.

It is to be understood that any prior art information referred to herein does not represent an admission that the information forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Summary According to one aspect, there is provided a work platform comprising a deck adapted for location with respect to a given level of a construction, the deck being further adapted such that one or more deck inserts can be appended thereto or removed therefrom whereby the dimension of the deck can be varied for use.

Such a platform can thus be adjusted prior to use (or even in situ) to suit a given construction application, thus providing the platform with modularity. For example, where the platform is to be used in a construction application having a wide opening at a given working level, a wide platform configuration can be selected and then employed by inserting one or more deck inserts into the platform. Thus, platform width and/or length can selectively be increased or decreased to suit a given application.

In one form the platform is configured such that the one or more deck inserts can be appended to or removed from the deck to vary the deck width for use. However, it should be appreciated that a platform configuration may be employed whereby the deck length can alternatively or additionally be varied. hi one embodiment the one or more deck inserts can be appended to or removed from between two remaining components of the deck. For example, the one or more deck inserts can be adapted for bolting (or other fixing mechanism) to the remaining components of the deck. Adjacent deck inserts may also be employed and fastened to each other in use.

Also, each of the deck inserts and remaining components can be defined by a plurality of smaller modular components that can be combined to then define a given deck insert or a given remaining component. In this way, the dimension of the deck and thus platform can be progressively and more specifically varied.

In one embodiment each of the one or more deck inserts and remaining components of the deck comprise a wall section that is positionable with respect to a corresponding wall section of an adjacent deck insert or remaining component such that apertures through the walls may align and fixing bolts may be introduced therethrough to securely define the deck. hi one form the deck can be adapted for location with respect to a given working level of a construction by being mountable to a supporting structure. The supporting structure can then be fixably mounted with respect to the given level of the construction. The supporting structure can employ a series of adjustable props that extend between a floor and roof of a given level and cooperate with a fϊxable supporting frame comprising supporting beams etc as described below.

In the supporting structure, a spacing between deck supporting elements can be varied in accordance with the variation of the deck dimension in use. Again, this variation may be enacted prior to mounting of the platform to the construction or in situ. hi one embodiment the deck supporting elements can each be defined by a respective beam that is fixable to the given working level of the construction by a remainder of the supporting structure.

The deck may be of a fixed or moveable configuration to be fixed or to move with respect to the deck supporting elements. Thus, the platform may have a moving (eg. rolling) configuration or a fixed configuration. Also, in use, the deck supporting elements can be positionable with respect to the given working level of the construction such that at least part of the deck can protrude beyond a perimeter of the given level.

A usual (though not exclusive) construction in which the platform is employed is a multi-storey building.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the work platform as defined in the Summary, specific embodiments of the platform will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of part of a first platform embodiment;

Figure 2 shows a schematic perspective detail of the platform embodiment of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a schematic plan view of the first platform embodiment of

Figure 1 with a deck insert removed;

Figures 4A and 4 B respectively show schematic end and end detail views of a second platform embodiment;

Figures 5 A - 5D respectively show four different end sectional views of a third platform embodiment, with Figures 5E and 5F showing side and end views, Figures 5 G and 5H showing deck detail views, and Figure 51 showing an enlarged view of Figure 5H;

Figures 6A — 6C respectively show side, end and plan views of a landing deck of the third platform embodiment of Figure 5;

Figures IA- 1C respectively show end sectional, side and plan views of a deck supporting beam construction of the third platform embodiment of Figure 5; Figure 8 shows a front view of a landing deck gate for an end of the landing deck of the third platform embodiment of Figures 5 and 6;

Figure 9 shows a schematic end view of a loading deck for a fourth platform embodiment;

Figures 10 and 11 show schematic plan views of the loading deck of Figure 9; Figure 12 shows a detail view of the loading deck of Figure 9; and

Figure 13 shows a schematic plan view of various other platform embodiment configurations.

Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments Referring firstly to Figures 1 to 3, a first work platform 10 is shown. The platform 10 comprises a loading deck 12 which may be either fixed or moveable with respect to a supporting structure of the platform.

The supporting structure comprises opposing parallel main support beams 14 (eg. elongate I-beams can be employed) which are mounted to a construction via a mounting framework (not shown in Figure 1 but described hereafter). Typically the supporting structure is mounted within an opening at a given working level of a multistorey building.

The platform 10 also comprises side panels 16, with each panel in this embodiment extending up from and being mounted to a respective support beam 14, to provide for safe and secure loading and unloading of goods and materials onto and from the platform. As described below, front gates may be employed at an outer end of the platform.

It will be seen in Figure 1 that the loading deck 12 comprises main deck outer portions 18 and a deck insert portion 20. Typically (though not exclusively) the deck outer portions 18 form a permanent part of the deck, whereas the employment of the deck insert portion 20 is a selected option.

Prior to using the platform 10, or even when in situ, to widen the platform, the support beams (and the supporting structure) are moved apart. Where the deck is

already mounted to the supporting structure, the outer portions 18 may also need to be first separated. In this regard, and referring to Figures 2 and 3, the previously joined outer portions 18 can be separated by undoing and removing the securing bolts 22 and nuts 23. When widening the platform, the outer portions 18 are sufficiently spaced so that at least one deck insert portion 20 can be positioned therebetween,. Thereafter, the insert portion 20 is bolted along its respective sides to the outer portions 18, to then define a wider loading deck configuration, and thus a wider platform.

Deck insert portion 20 can be provided in standard or variable widths, and also multiple deck insert portions may be positioned between the outer portions 18.

Referring in particular to Figure 2, it will be seen that each portion 18, 20 has a configuration that is box-like (which in use is inverted), with each portion having side walls 24, and with each side wall having a plurality of apertures 26 therethrough. When an insert portion 20 is appropriately positioned between the outer portions 18, the respective apertures align and then the securing bolts and nuts 22, 23 can be inserted and secured to fasten the portions together. Removal of one or more insert portions is simply the reverse of this.

Referring in particular to Figure 3, it will be seen that each portion 18, 20 also has a number of bracing elements 28 that extend across each portion which, when the platform is formed, extend in effect from one main support beam 14 to the other. The bracing elements contribute to both stability and flex-resistance of the resultant platform, and especially lateral flex-resistance.

Referring now to Figure 4, a second work platform 30 will be described. Figure 4 A shows a schematic end view of the platform 30 which comprises a loading deck 32 that is mounted (eg. fixed) to the underside of support beams 34 (eg. elongate I- beams can be employed). As with the embodiment of Figures 1 to 3, the support beams 34 form part of a supporting structure (not shown) with the supporting structure enabling mounting of the platform at a given level of eg. a multi-storey building. An example of the supporting structure will be described hereafter. The loading deck 32 comprises main deck outer portions 36, with each outer portion 36 being mounted (eg. fixed) along its outer edge to the underside of a respective support beam 34 as shown. One or more deck insert portions 38 can be

positioned between the outer portions 36 as shown in Figure 4A to expand the in-use width of the platform 30.

Again, as with the embodiment of Figures 1-3, the insert portion 38 can be removed so that the main deck outer portions 36 can be joined together to then define a narrower platform configuration, m addition, a number of insert portions 38 can be positioned side-by-side between the outer portions 36 to provide a very wide platform (if required). Again, any suitable width insert portion 38 can be selected.

Figure 4B shows a cross sectional detail of the left hand outer portion 36. It will be seen from this detail that the outer portions 36 (as also with the insert portion 38) have a box-like configuration to provide rigidity and dimensional stability, especially when these portions are elongate.

Further, a side wall 40 of the outer portion 36 has apertures 42 defined therethrough for the receipt of securing bolts and nuts (as described above with the embodiment of Figures 1-3). In addition, an upper wall 44 of the portion defines an upper surface of the deck in use, and a lower bracing element 46 provides each portion with increased strength and dimensional stability throughout its length. As with the bracing elements 28, the use of discrete bracing elements enables access to the securing bolts and nuts. Again, the insert portion 38 may have a similar construction. The configuration of the platform 30, whilst being depicted as a fixed-type platform, may readily be adapted so that the platform can assume a moving-type configuration (eg. where the deck rolls into and out of the supporting structure, and is supported within upper and lower flanges of I-beams 34).

Referring now to Figures 5 to 8, a third work platform 50 will be described. The platform depicted is a moving (rolling) platform although its configuration may be altered to make it of a fixed-type.

Referring firstly to Figure 5, various views of an assembled, ready-to-use work platform are depicted. Figures 5 A to 5D show sectional end elevations through the platform of Figure 5E (ie. along the respective lines A-A, B-B, C-C and D-D) and Figures 5G, 5H and 51 illustrate construction detail of platform loading deck 52.

The work platform 50 comprises the loading deck 52, main support beams 54 and a platform mounting support structure 56. The mounting support structure provides for releasable mounting of the platform within a construction such as at a working level

of a multi-storey building. In this regard, typically the mounting support structure 56 is positioned within an opening to a given working level of the building, and the structure is adjusted (as described hereafter) to extend and secure from a floor to a ceiling at that level. The loading deck 52 comprises openable end gates 58, the gates being mounted along a distal end edge of the deck 52, and inwardly openable to enable the loading/unloading of materials (eg. the swinging-in of a crane line). The end gates are described hereafter with reference to Figure 8. The loading deck 52 also comprises a series of side panels 60, the panels being located along either side edge of the deck and extending for the length thereof. The gates and side panels provide for safe and secure loading/unloading of materials and goods.

Again, the loading deck has main deck outer portions 62 from which the side panels 60 respectively extend upwardly therefrom and are mounted thereto, and further comprises one or more deck insert portions 64. Referring now to Figures 5G, 5H, 51 and Figure 6, it will be seen that the outer portions 62 and insert portion 64 are each strengthened/reinforced through the employment of a series of I-beams 66, with the beams 66 being spaced and extending transversely through each portion. Optionally square hollow section (SHS), rectangular hollow section (RHS) and/or C-section beams can be employed. Figures 5H and 51 show how each outer portion 62 and insert portion 64 can be constructed as a stand-alone module. In this respect, an end of each of the beams 66 is first positioned in a respective elongate C-section channel 68 and is welded thereto. An upper deck portion 70 is then fastened (eg. welded or bolted) to the underlying beams 66, and may also be fastened (eg. butt-welded) to the adjacent C-sections 68 extending along opposing sides of the deck portion 70. SHS or RHS can alternatively be used in place of the C-sections 68.

When a given outer portion 62 is connected to a deck insert portion 64, a beam structure 69 is effectively defined that extends along the resultant join (Figure 5H). As shown in Figure 51, the beam structure 69 is in this respect defined by connecting back- to-back C-sections 68.

To assemble the deck (and thus create beam structure 69) securing bolts and nuts 71 are extended through aligned apertures in a web 72 of each of the back-to-back C-sections. The configuring of the outer and insert portions in this manner provides

strength and rigidity to the resulting loading deck 52, and provides resistance against flex through the length of the deck.

In a further variation, and referring to Figure 6C, the outer and insert portions may each be defined by a plurality of smaller deck modules 73. Where this configuration is adopted, it can allow for greater variation of both the length and width of the loading deck (and thus the in-use length and width of the platform) to suit given applications.

As best shown in Figures 5E, 6A and 6C, loading deck 52 also comprises a ramp 74 defined at its proximal end and extending rearwardly from the loading deck in use. The ramp may also be built up be respective ramp portions (i), (ii) an (iii) (Figure 6C). Regardless of the location of the deck 52 (in-board, out-board or between), a free edge of ramp 74 always aligns with an adjacent floor of the building in which the platform is employed.

As best shown in Figure 6, the loading deck 52 further comprises elongate beams 76 (each defined by a respective I-beam) extending along each lateral side thereof and into which the deck outer portions 62 are affixed (at a back of a respective C-section). Each deck beam 76 is provided with a pair of stiffening webs 76A at its inboard end, and further comprises a pair of externally facing rollers 78 at its inboard end. The rollers help to support and guide the in-use extension and retraction of the loading deck on the support structure 56 by rolling inside respective upper and lower flanges of the main support beams 54.

Each deck beam 76 also comprises an elongate flange 77 that projects laterally out from a web of the beam and terminates at a stop 77 A. The flange 77 travels between and is supported by rollers (the rollers 90 described hereafter) located in the main support beam 54 until the stop 77 A engages the rollers (see Figure 5E).

Figure 6C also shows in dotted outline that the entire central section (as bounded by the dotted line R) can be removed/inserted to respectively reduce/increase the width of the loading deck 52 and thus of the construction platform 50.

Referring in particular to Figure 7, it will be seen that the main support beams 54 (which are typically I-beams) are connected together at an in-use inboard end via an elongate and removable transverse plate member 80, and at an outboard end via a transverse elongate beam structure 82. The plate member 80 can be provided in various widths suited to the ultimate platform width selected.

Each I-beam 54 is also provided with a series of spaced-apart transverse webs 83 which function to stiffen the I-beam along its length and provide it with structural integrity and flexure resistance, both in terms of deflection downwardly and outwardly.

The beam structure 82 comprises three modules (a), (b) and (c), with each module comprising three beams 84 that extend between and are fastened (eg. welded) into respective C-sections 85. The C-sections are again joined (eg. bolted) back-to-back to define a transverse beam structure 84 along each join. In Figure 7C these beam structures are shown surrounded by the dotted lines R to indicate removability of the centre module (b). The transverse beam structures 84 are also located at positions that correspond to the join of the main deck outer portions 62 with the insert portion 64. hi other words, when module (b) and elongate plate member 80 are removed, the support beams 54 can be moved closer together, to a distance that corresponds to the reduced width of loading deck 52.

The elongate plate member 80 is connected to the inboard end of the support beams 54 via L-brackets 88 that are attached (eg. welded) to plate member 80 at opposite ends thereof. The L-brackets 88 can each then be bolted to a respective beam end as shown.

The outboard (distal) end of each beam 54 has two guides/support rollers 90 and which receive therebetween a respective elongate flange 77. The support rollers 90 thus co-operate with the respective roller pairs 78 of the loading deck 52 to support movement of the loading deck between extended and retracted configurations (see eg. Figure 5E).

A spring biasing mechanism 92 can optionally be provided to act between the loading deck 52 and the mounting support structure to maintain a tensioning force on the loading deck (ie. tending to urge the deck out-board). A manual winching mechanism 94 can optionally be provided to overcome the spring force and move the deck progressively in-board. Of course, the tensioning directions can be reversed.

Referring again to Figure 5, the mounting support structure 56 extends upwardly from and is mounted to the support beams 54. Support structure 56 comprises four length-adjustable props 100, with opposing prop pairs being connected by a respective length-adjustable and/or removable connecting rod 102. Thus, when adjusting the width of the loading deck and platform, the connecting rod 102 can either

be replaced with an appropriate length rod, or it may itself be length adjustable (eg. by a telescopic or screw mechanism).

The upper end of each prop 100 is provided with a roof engagement element 104 that is forced flat against the roof surface when locating the mounting support structure 56 at a given level of a building. In this regard, each prop 100 comprises two sections telescoped together and length adjustable via pin locking mechanisms inserted through respective aligned apertures, as shown in Figure 5.

The mounting support structure 56 is typically located wholly within the floor space of a given working level of a construction such as a building. Further, the structure 56 is typically positioned so that a distal portion of the support beams 54 may align with or slightly protrude beyond a perimeter of the building to provide for a cantilever support function. Virtually the entire loading deck 52 can then be moved beyond the mounting support structure and floor perimeter (as shown in Figure 5E) to cantilever from the support beams. A full extent of deck cantilever (ie. outermost position) is shown in Figure 5E, but the spring and retractor mechanisms 92, 94 enable a number of intermediate positions to also be selected.

Thus, when a series of work platforms 50 are positioned at respective levels of a building, one above the other, varying extents of deck cantilever can be selected so that loads can be selectively placed on or removed from a given platform. Alternatively (or additionally), and when viewed in plan, the platforms on adjacent levels can be offset from each other (eg. and are able to be adjusted and then located within level openings of different sizes).

Figure 8 shows a platform end view of the gates 58. It will be seen that each gate section A, B and C has a respective L-shaped locking pin 110 associated therewith for extending into the deck and locking the gate against opening. The outer gate portions A and C are each provided with a reinforcing brace 112, whereas the central removable gate B typically does not require such a brace. The central gate portion B may be removed along a hinge line (as indicated by the dotted boundary R), or it may pivot around that hinge and back onto either gate A or gate C. It can also be secured closed along its top edge via a catch configuration 114.

Referring now to Figures 9 to 12, a loading deck 200 for a fourth work platform will now be described. The loading deck 200 may be employed in either a moving (rolling) work platform or a fixed-type work platform.

The loading deck 200 can comprise openable end gates, side panels and side beams as described above, although these are not depicted for ease of description.

Again, the loading deck 200 comprises main deck left and right outer portions 201, 202 and one or more deck insert portions 204. The outer portions 201, 202 and insert portion 204 are each formed by mounting (eg. welding or bolting) a respective upper deck portion 206, 207, 208 to the upper flange of each of a series of C-section beams 210 that are spaced and extend transversely through each portion. Ih Figures 10 and 11 the deck portions 206, 207, 208 are shown in cut-away for ease of description. The C-section beams 210 also function to strengthen and reinforce the portions 201, 202 and 204. Optionally square hollow section (SHS), rectangular hollow section (RHS) can be employed in place of the C- section beams 210.

Again, the outer portions 201, 202 and insert portion 204 can each be constructed as a stand-alone module. When connecting the left or right outer portion 201 , 202 to the insert portion

204, the C-section beams 210 are joined back-to-back (eg. bolted) at 212. When connecting the left outer portion 201 to the right outer portion 202 to reduce the width of loading deck 200, a C-section connector 214 is employed.

Again, as best shown in Figure 12, securing bolts and nuts 216 are extended through aligned apertures 218 in a web 220 of each of the back-to-back C-section beams 210.

Again, the configuring of the outer and insert portions in this manner provides strength and rigidity to the resulting loading deck 200, and provides resistance against flex through the length of the deck. Referring now to Figure 13, a schematic plan view is shown of various other platform embodiment configurations that project out from a given working level WL of a construction. A similar platform construction methodology and components can be employed for each of the platforms of Figure 13 to that described for Figures 9 to 12.

Figure 13 A shows a loading deck 200A that comprises main deck left and right outer portions 201 A, 202A and a deck insert portion 204A that is located between and to protrude beyond the outer portions 20 IA, 202 A.

Figure 13B shows a loading deck 200B that comprises main deck left and right outer portions 20 IB, 202B and a deck insert portion 204B that is appended to the end of the outer portions 201B, 202B.

Figure 13C shows a loading deck 200C that comprises main deck left and right outer portions 201 C, 202C and a T-shaped deck insert portion 204C that is located between and that also protrudes beyond the outer portions 201C, 202C.

Figure 13D shows a loading deck 200D that comprises main deck left and right outer portions 20 ID, 202D and a deck insert portion 204D that is wider than and is appended to the end of the outer portions 201D, 202D. The work platform embodiments described above enable the dimensions of a construction platform to be varied to suit the particular application in which the platform is employed. This can therefore take into account the wide variations that can occur in multi-storey buildings. It also means that only one platform type needs to be developed. Whilst typically platform dimension variations are made prior to mounting the platform into its in use position, it is conceivable that the platform can also be varied in situ (eg. by first withdrawing the platform into the floor space for safety reasons, adjusting it, and then remounting it).

The variation of platform dimensions can apply to both moving and fixed platform configurations. Also, the configurations as described enable a modularity to be imparted to work platforms, something not previously possible.

While the platform has been described with reference to a number of specific embodiments it should be appreciated that it can be embodied in many other forms.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication,

"comprise" and variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" are used in an inclusive sense (ie. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments).