Patent Application
20140325925
The present disclosure generally relates to structures for supporting physical objects, persons and activities. More specifically, to a versatile platform that is assembled from construction materials mechanically coupled by way of special hardware.
Platform structures are employed to support activities of persons in various endeavors such as construction, manufacturing, art creation, stage performance and others. Generally, a platform structure includes a platform floor, which comprises horizontal planar, rigid surface on which objects, workers and materials are placed. A platform structure may further include walls or extensions for supporting or hanging things and allowing activities beyond just placing them on the horizontal surface of the platform floor.
One group of persons and activities that sometimes employ platform structures is that of artists, including performing artists (e.g., actors, dancers) as well as artists in the act of creating or displaying a physical work product. Artists use platform structures because they provide a solid flat support surface (floor) for conducting their activities, and also to protect the underlying floors of the premises in which the activities are being carried out. For example, an artist who owns or rents an office or apartment space may wish to protect the original floors of the space from damage from the acts used in creating some kinds of artwork. Painting, welding, sawing, grinding, hammering and other acts to create artwork can damage traditional floors.
Merely placing a protective covering (e.g., sheet materials) over the floors of a space may not be adequate for the purpose of protecting the floors in all cases. Also, such simple coverings do not adequately isolate spaces and floors beneath the artist's work space from noise and disturbance associated with the artist's work. In addition, simple sheet coverings lack the versatile multipurpose nature of the structures described below.
The present disclosure is generally directed to a multipurpose support platform system including a variety of configurable components. In some aspects a frame is made from readily available standard materials such as construction lumber and sheet material connected by hardware support units that include metal plates securely joined in a configuration supporting the frame and sheet materials of the platform. Horizontal and vertical wall configurations are permitted, and the overall structure then allows for a secure and protective work surface for a variety of activities.
Some embodiments are directed to a type of multipurpose platform structure including a frame base including a plurality of rigid elongated frame members arranged along at least one substantially horizontal dimension; a plurality of hardware support units mechanically supporting and interconnecting said plurality of elongated frame members in said frame base; where said hardware support units constructed of metal plates rigidly connected to one another in each hardware support units so as to form facets thereof, including respective slots or tabs extending from said facets for supporting respective ones of the elongated frame members; and a horizontal platform floor comprising at least one sheet of material, supported by and secured to said frame base.
Other embodiments are directed to a kit including various components as described above that are modular and permit relatively easy assembly and design of horizontally and/or vertically arranged platforms.
For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention, reference is be made to the following detailed description of preferred embodiments and in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
As mentioned before, the present disclosure is directed to systems for supporting loads, either horizontally or vertically or both. Additionally, the present systems are intended to provide a convenient, clean and protective work surface on which artists, artisans, performers or other workers can conduct their activities without damaging an underlying flooring upon which the multipurpose platform structure is resting. Functional hardware brackets and supports are provided in some instances to permit convenient access to electrical power in the units or to permit storage of tools and implements in the units. In some aspects, commonly found commercially standard materials may be used to form the majority of the frame and work surfaces of the present platforms, including framing lumber and construction sheets such as plywood or similar sheet materials. The hardware support units described can be manufactured by a manufacturer and sold ready for use, or may be created by end users according to a kit of parts and instructions.
A preferred embodiment, the frame base 100 includes a plurality of structural timbers or construction support members such as standard 2 by 8 or 2 by 10 lumber frame members 110. The elongated frame members 110 are coupled to one another by the hardware support units 120, which include machined features adapted for receiving and supporting the elongated frame members 110, as shown. The elongated frame members 110 are generally configured along at least one substantially horizontal dimension, usually parallel to the surface on which the multipurpose platform structure 10 rests.
Extensions of the multipurpose platform structure 10 may be added on to the simple example of
As discussed earlier, vertical walls 200 may be secured to one or more locations on the platform structure 30. In
Note that in some embodiments a storage space is provided for storing equipment or other items within hardware support units 120. And in other embodiments, an opening 121 or access slot 121 is provided so that electrical cables or other access may be achieved to the interior of a hardware support unit 120. In yet other aspects, alternating current or direct current power for electrical needs is provided within hardware support units 120, which may be accessed by persons or machines working on the multipurpose platform structure 30 through access ports or slots 121.
In the embodiment shown, the endplate 430 includes one or more holes 432 drilled or machined or otherwise formed therein to permit attachment of the elongated frame members to the hardware support unit 430. In this embodiment, the elongated frame members described previously are placed into supporting tabs or slots 434 and are held in these tabs by the force of gravity acting on the weight of the elongated frame members. Once the elongated frame members are placed into the tabs 434 along the side of endplate 430, the elongated frame members may be secured to the mechanical support unit 30 by screws applied through openings 432. In this way the elongated frame member remain securely attached to the hardware support unit 430.
Endplate 440 also serves a similar function as endplate 430 and is shown from the interior view of hardware support unit 40 where a screw hole 442 and a slot from which a tab 444 has been formed are shown. Those skilled in the art would appreciate methods of machining, cutting, manufacturing and making the components of the hardware support unit 40. In one aspect, the main facets or faces of the metal plates of hardware support unit 40, including plates 400, 430, 440 and 420, may be cut from a sheet stock of iron or stainless steel or aluminum or similar metal material. The tabs 434 and 444 may be formed by cutting a suitable rectangular aperture into endplates 430 and 440 then bending these outward from the face of the endplates so as to form a tab dimensioned correctly to hold standard elongated frame members such as 2× construction lumber. Specifically, in an example, the tabs 434 and 444 are created to support a 2-by-10 (standard reference lumber) size elongated frame member or a 2-by-6, 2-by-8, 4-by-4, 4-by-6 or other standard construction material, wooden, aluminum, steel or otherwise.
In addition, a wheel or caster 410 may be attached to the bottom side of plate 420 or to another location on hardware support unit 40 to allow the multipurpose platform structure to be rolled or moved along the surface on which it rests. In an aspect, the inclusion of a wheel or caster 410 reduces or eliminates the damage to a floor on which the structure resides.
In some embodiments, an opening aperture or slot 1020 is cut out of the top facet 1010 to allow electrical cords or other utilities to reach into the inside of hardware support unit 1000. In this embodiment, and electrical cord with a plug 1072 provides alternating current power to an outlet strip 1070 inside the hardware support unit. Tabs 1030 permit the placement of elongated frame members such as wood and lumber onto the unit but are not shown in this drawing. Rolling casters or wheels 1040 permit moving of the hardware support unit or rolling of the entire multipurpose platform structure in which it is used if desired. Also, one or more holes 1050 may be drilled into the appropriate facets 1012 to allow bolting or screwing or nailing a elongated frame member to the hardware support unit 1000.
In some aspects, such a kit can be assembled locally by its end user. Specifically, the end user may purchase from an ordinary hardware store all of the framing and related hardware such as bolts 1112, elongated wooden timbers 1114, and plywood sheets 1116. The end user may purchase from a specialized manufacturer the hardware support units 1118 and 1120. Instructions describing a method for assembly of the components of multipurpose platform structure kit 1100 may also be provided by the manufacturer.
The present invention should not be considered limited to the particular embodiments described above, but rather should be understood to cover all aspects of the invention as fairly set out in the attached claims. Various modifications, equivalent processes, as well as numerous structures to which the present invention may be applicable, will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention is directed upon review of the present disclosure. The claims are intended to cover such modifications.
