An efficient public transport system is desirable since it is a cost effective means to move people and/or freight within and between cities and countries. Additionally, from an environmental aspect, it is also desirable to encourage road users to utilise public transport rather than use automobiles.

This effectively decreases pollution and thereby increases air quality.

Railway systems are an excellent example of integrated transport systems that connect major cities to each other, to airports and seaports.

Integrated Rail Systems have an extensive infrastructure (i. e. the lines that the trains run on, the signals that control train movement and the stations that provide locations for passengers and freight to embark and disembark. It is essential to ensure that the rail lines and stations are maintained to provide safe transport for its customers, and freight. In the time in which Railway Systems have been in existence, the growth in terms of passengers and freight has required significant expansion and modernisation.

What will be evident from the foregoing description is that considerable physical stress is placed on the rail infrastructure requiring constant monitoring of both the rail lines and stations to ensure that they are safely maintained. The stations withstand considerable physical stress due to the passage of trains through the stations, freight along platforms and, in some examples, the passage of 60-80,000 people daily along concourses and

platforms. There is therefore a requirement to continually maintain these areas without inhibiting the functioning of the station by impeding passenger movement.

Safety requirements and convenience dictate standards for passenger platforms, in terms of the height in relation to and distance from trains. This further complicates any attempts at ongoing maintenance.

Expansion requires construction of permanent or semi-permanent rail stations between major main-line stations for more efficient public transport providing more stops.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide platform to enable the mass movement of passengers, staff and freight, satisfying safety and convenience needs.

It is a further object of the invention to provide temporary platform for passengers which does not impede passenger movement but allows maintenance workers and/or engineers access to, for example, a platform to build/repair said platform.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a platform adapted to be constructed at a selected site, comprising at least one selectively sized and shaped standing part having at least one support means whereby said support means provides a variable height adjustment to said standing part and further whereby said standing part is at least partially slideably engaged to provide a standing surface which is adapted to be at least partially continuous.

The present invention provides of a permanent/semi-permanent or temporary platforms which can be constructed speedily, cost effectively and at a selected site, without the need to build a dedicated station or foundation to provide means by which the public wishing to use a transport system may connect with major public transport systems. For example, and not by way of limitation, the provision of satellite stations between main-line stations in developing urban regions and/or the construction of permanent or at least semi permanent platforms in remote areas. In addition the freestanding platform would be provided with items that one would be associate with main-line stations, for example and not by way of limitation, drainage, lighting, handrails, steps, toiles, shelters.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention there is provided a platform for use in the construction of satellite stations.

The platform may be free standing or continuous with an exisiting structure, having a dedicated access from said existing structure The platform may be a temporary platform adapted for use in association with an existing platform to be repaired, comprising at least one selectively sized and shaped standing part having at least one support means whereby said support means provides a variable height adjustment to said standing part and further whereby said standing part is at least partially slideably engaged to provide a standing surface which is adapted to be least partially continuous.

The standing surface may therefore be adapted to project or protrude a desired amount from an existing platform to be repaired, preferably to the extent to which the existing platform has been dismantled for reconstruction, and more preferably to provide safe access to a public transport means.

The platform may be adapted to provide temporary, permanent or at least a semi permanent standing surface.

The platform may provide means to secure it in place in association with the existing platform or as a free standing platform structure, in the form of any temporary or permanent fixing. For example the standing part may comprise a fixing means (adapted to be welded, screwed, glued or otherwise fixed to the existing platform or foundation, at a position remote from at least one support means, thereby providing two points of fixture).

In a preferred embodiment of the invention said platform comprises a plurality of standing parts, selectively sized and shaped, and adapted to slideably engage said support means such that said standing parts are adapted to provide a standing surface that is at least partially continuous, with the existing platform., or can form an at least partially continous standing surface for a free standing platform as hereindescribed.

Standing parts may be of similar or different sizes.

Said standing parts may be manufactured from any robust, durable, rigid material of sufficient strength to provide a secure standing surface to those members of the public or freight using said platform. For example, and not by way of limitation, wood, steel, aluminium, composites such as reinforced plastics and the like.

It is a particular advantage that said standing surface provides a platform that in one respect provides a continuous standing surface for the members of the public, but additionally and advantageously, the slideable engagement of

said standing parts with said support means allows for construction workers and/or engineers to access the surface beneath said platform to complete necessary building and/or repair to said surface. Alternatively or preferably the slidable engagement of said standing surface provides a speedy and cost effective means to construct at least a semi-permanent platform as hereindescribed.

In use the temporary platform may be constructed during the night when the number of passengers using a rail station is less than during peak hours of travelling and/or commuter times of the early morning and evening. Work on the platform beneath the temporary surface can be undertaken by the construction workers and/or engineers during these periods by simply sliding the standing parts from the support means thereby allowing access to the platform. During busier times the standing parts are replaced to form a semi- continuous surface on which rail travellers may walk. The plurality of the standing parts to form the continuous standing surface is advantageous insofar as there is no requirement to close entire platforms to restrict passenger movement. The multi-component nature of the temporary platform facilitates its rapid construction in situ. The provision of standing parts of selected dimensions also means that the temporary platform may be customised to an individual platform since not all station platforms are identical in their construction. Furthermore even during busy periods it may still be possible to build/repair the surface beneath the temporary platform in selected areas without the necessity to close the entire platform.

In yet a further preferred embodiment of the invention said support means comprises a base part and releasably connected thereto an extendable support member characterised by an upper portion adapted so as to be slideably engaged with said standing parts.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention said base part is provided with a recess, indentation, cavity or throughbore or the like, into which said extendable support member may be securely located via frictional engagement.

In yet still a further preferred embodiment of the invention said support member may be adapted to be selectively adjustable in length. Means to selectively alter the length of said support member are well known in the art and include, for example and not by way of limitation, the provision of telescopic parts which can be adjusted to alter the length of said support member. Alternatively, said support member may be provided in a variety of fixed lengths. It will be apparent that alteration to support member length may be desirable due to differences between the height of a given platform and the height of a carriage. This reflects the differences in platform construction for different public transport means or locations. In addition the adjustable nature of the support means facilitates the construction of free standing platforms as hereindescribed.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention said telescopic support member is provided with locking means to secure said length adjustment to said support member. Ideally this may be provided by a series of spaced apertures aligned in each part of the said telescopic support member through which a securing pin or similar may be at least partially placed therethrough to secure said length adjustment. Additionally said support member may be located and securely positioned in said base part by similar securing pins.

In yet still a further preferred embodiment of the invention said support member is adapted at or near the upper most portion of the said support

member by a bracket selectively sized and shaped to engage at least partially said standing parts.

In yet a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method to construct a platform comprising; i) positioning support means according to the invention about a selected area to be built/repaired ; ii) sliding standing part (s) according to the invention into brackets provided in said support means; and iii) installing additional standing part (s) to provide a semi- continuous standing surface.

In a preferred method of the invention there is provided a method to build and/or repair a platform comprising; i) disconnecting selected standing parts from support means according to any aspect or embodiment of the invention; ii) sliding disconnected standing parts from said support means to reveal, at least partially, the surface beneath said standing part; and iii) commencing and/or completing necessary repairs to said surface.

In a further aspect there is provided a platform as hereinbefore described for use for passengers or freight embarking or disembarking from public transport such as trains, trams, buses, underground trains, ferries, ships, barges, shuttles and the like.

According to yet a further aspect of the invention there is provided a temporary platform as substantially herein described and/or with reference to the corresponding figures.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by example only and with reference to the following figures; Figure la represents a plan view of a platform according to the invention; Figure lb represents a side view of an installed platform; Figure 2a represents a side view of a support means; Figure 2b represents a plan view of the base part of said support means; Figure 2c represents a side view of the upper most part of said support means with a partial view of an installed standing part; Figure 2 d represents a side view of the rear end of a standing part adapted by the provision of a fixing to secure said standing part to the rear of the platform to be repaired; and Figure 3a represents a side view of a free standing platform of the invention; Figure 3b is a plan view of a platform sectioned to show the attachment part of the support means with installed standing parts; Figure 4 is a plan view of a complete platform;

Figure 5 is a detailed side view of a free standing platform; and Figure 6 is a detailed side view of narrow free standing platform.

Figure la represents a plan view of a plurality of standing parts (1) representing a semi-continous standing surface (2) of the platform. This embodiment shows five full standing parts of equal width and length. The support means (not seen in Figure 1) are selectively positioned to provide stable support for the standing surface. The standing surface (2) is constructed by sliding standing parts (1) into the support means. Notably the standing surface may be easily dismantled to facilitate access to the surface covered by the temporary platform by construction workers/engineers to effect building/repairs to the covered surface. In addition it will be evident that if the standing surface is for use in a permanent or semi-permanent platform, the construction of the platform may be rapidly assembled to provide a functional platform in a minimum of time.

Referring to Figure lb, a side view of an installed temporary platform showing part of the support member (6), a bracket (8) and slideaby connected thereto a standing part (1). Standing part (1) is fixed to the rear most part of the platform via conventional means, in this example, using a bolt (9).

Figure 2a represents the support means (3) of the platform. The base part (4) provides for releasable attachment of a support member (5). Support member (5) is selectively sized to slideably engage the base part (4) via a centrally located recess in the base means (4). Figure 2b is a plan view of the base part showing the centrally located recess (9). The support means (3) is adjustable by provision of an insert member (6) of similar dimensions to

support member (5) but with a cross sectional area less than that of support member (5). This allows the insert member (6) to locate in the body of support member (5) to provide telescopic adjustment to the length of the support means (3). The engagement of insert member (6) within support member (5) is secured by conventional means. For example, the provision of regularly spaced apertures in support member (5) and insert member (6) which align and are secured to each other via a securing pin. The spacing of the apertures allow the overall length of the support means (3) to be adjusted to requirements. In use as a permanent or at least semi-permanent platform the support member would be provided with a secure foundation to provide stable support to the platform.

The uppermost part of insert member (6) is further adjusted by the provision of a bracket (8) which is provided with means to engage the standing part (1) of the standing surface (2). The standing part (1) is secured to the bracket (8) via pinch bolts (7), or similar means, to ensure stable attachment of the standing part (1) to the support means (3). This is explicitly shown in figure 2c showing the attachment of the pinch bolts (7) through the bracket (8) to connect with the standing part (1). The positioning of a selected number of support means about an area to be built and/or repaired provides a frame into which the standing parts may be assembled to provide a standing surface.

The rearmost standing parts are secured to the platform surface by the provision of conventional fixing means (9), see Figure 2d. This provides additional stability to the temporary standing surface thereby increasing safety for users.

In use, the area to be built/repaired is marked. Once the support means (3) are positioned the standing parts are assembled into the provided brackets (8) at the uppermost part of the support means (3). Standing part (1) is fixed to

the bracket (8) via pinch bolts (7). Selected standing parts are disconnected from the bracket (8) to allow construction workers/engineers access to conduct necessary work. During busy periods at stations (i. e. commuter periods) the standing surface is maintained to reduce disruption to passenger movement Figure 4 is a plan view and side elevation of an assembled platform. The length and width of the platform may be varied by incorporating or removing component parts of the platform.

Figures 5 and 6 show sideviews of alternative embodiments of the platform.

Figure 5 represents a narrow construction using pairs of spaced support means. Figure 6 represents a broader platform showing its relative positioning with respect to the rail track (12). If the platform is to be used on a permanent or at least semi-permanent basis then those facilities typically associated with public transport stations are added to the platform structure.

For example, and not by way of limitation, drainage, lighting, handrails, steps, toilets, shelters.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description that the platform may have applications other than its use at railway stations. For example and not by way of limitation, temporary harbour walkways for use by the Merchant/Royal Navy; temporary stages for the performing arts; temporary walkways for pedestrians during repair to pavements and/or roads.

It will be evident that the platform provides a rapid means to construct a standing surface. Alternatively if the platform is to be used in the repair of existing platforms it is evident that the platform can be advantageously dismantled either wholly or partially to allow access to the surface beneath to effect building and/or repair work.