Modular Platform System Components and Tools

DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

Embodiments of this invention relate to brackets, cross-brace members, tools, and decking members for modular platform systems (e.g. as used on construction sites).

There have been significant recent developments in relation to the design of modular platform (or decking) systems. Such systems provide a surface on which users can safely walk and work during the construction of buildings, for example.

For example, WO2013/054143 teaches the provision of a modular platform system, wherein upright posts have slots arranged around each post which are each configured to receive a downwardly projecting fin of a decking member. A decking member may, therefore, be supported by four such posts with a fin at each corner of the decking member received in a slot on a respective post.

Such modular platform systems allow for quick, simple, and safe platforms to be readily build and re-configured. The modular form of the systems allows many different platform configurations to be built with only a small number of different parts.

As described in WO2013/054143 cross-braces may be provided between the upright posts to improve the rigidity of the resulting platform. Providing cross-braces which attach securely to the upright posts can, however, be problematic. Similarly, a cross-brace is another part of the system which serves only one function (i.e. a cross-bracing function).

There is also a desire to provide more versatile and secure mechanisms for allowing slots (or members defining the slots) to be provided at multiple different locations along a length of an upright post.

Embodiments seek to alleviate one or more problems associated with the prior art.

Accordingly, an aspect of the present invention provides a support member and bracket for a modular decking system, wherein the support member includes at least one securing location at which the bracket is securable to the support member, and the bracket includes: one or more hooks configured to be received by one or more hook apertures of the securing location; and a pair of side walls and a further wall defining a tapering slot for receipt of a fin of a decking member or beam.

The support member may include a plurality of securing locations at which the bracket is securable to the support member, each securing location including one or more hook apertures configured to receive the one or more hooks of the bracket.

The tapering slot may be an open ended slot at both a first and second end of the bracket.

The bracket may further include a catch mechanism including a catch member configured to move between a retracted and an extended position with respect to the side walls of the bracket, such that with the bracket secured to the support member and the catch member in the extended position, at least part of the catch member is received by a securing aperture of the support member at the securing location.

The one or more hooks may include a pair of hooks.

The pair of hooks may be configured to be received between two outer edges of the one or more hook apertures.

The two outer edges may define a wide and narrow portion with a thickness of a portion of the bracket configured to be received by the or each hook aperture being greater than a width of the narrow portion and the wide portion being wider than the narrow portion.

The portion of the bracket configured to be received by the or each hook aperture may be at least part of the pair of hooks.

The two outer edges may be outer edges of a single hook aperture.

The two outer edges may be outer edges of respective hook apertures.

The support member and bracket may further include a connection member with a cross-shaped cross-section configured to be at least partially received by the support member to enable the support member to be connected to a further support member.

The one or more hooks may include two pairs of hooks.

The or each hook may include a hook head at least partially defining a hook gap including a wide mouth portion and a narrow inner portion.

Another aspect provides a cross-brace member including a support member and bracket according to any preceding claim and a further bracket, the bracket and further bracket being coupled to opposing ends of a beam.

Another aspect provides a modular platform system for use on a construction site, the system including at least one support member and bracket according to the above.

Another aspect provides a decking member for a modular platform system, the decking member including: a frame having at least two frame members; an end plate secured to both of the at least two frame members and including a fin extending substantially perpendicular to a main plane of the end plate, the fin being for receipt by a slot of a support member.

The end plate may be located at an intersection of the at least two frame members.

The end plate may be substantially triangular in shape.

The fin and end plate may be integrally formed.

Another aspect provides a decking member for a modular platform system, the decking member including: a frame member; and a beam, wherein the frame member defines a recess with a lip, and the beam has a hook portion configured to be at least partially received by the recess and to engage the lip.

The recess may be an open ended recess such that the hook portion may be slid into and along the recess from an open end of the recess.

Another aspect provides a tool including: two arms; and a pivotable coupling between the two arms to define a pair of handles to one side of the pivotable coupling and a pair of grip members to the other side of the pivotable coupling, wherein the grip members may each include, at their distal ends, a respective L-shaped member for applying a clamping force to a bracket.

Another aspect provides a tool and bracket, wherein the tool is a tool as above and the tool is configured to apply the clamping force to the bracket.

Another aspect provides a bracket.

An aspect provides a support member and bracket for a modular decking system, wherein the support member includes at least one securing location at which the bracket is securable to the support member, and the bracket includes: one or more hooks configured to be received by one or more hook apertures of the securing location; and a pair of side walls and a further wall defining a tapering slot for receipt of a fin of a decking member or beam.

The tapering slot may be an open ended slot at both a first and second end of the bracket.

The one or more hooks may include a pair of hooks.

The pair of hooks may be configured to be received between two outer edges of the one or more hook apertures.

The portion of the bracket configured to be received by the or each hook aperture may be at least part of the pair of hooks.

The two outer edges may be outer edges of a single hook aperture.

The two outer edges may be outer edges of respective hook apertures.

The one or more hooks may include two pairs of hooks.

The or each hook may include a hook head at least partially defining a hook gap including a wide mouth portion and a narrow inner portion.

The bracket may be configured to be flexed such that the distance between the pair of side walls is changed resiliently.

The pair of side walls may be configured to be flexed towards each other for receipt of the or each hook by the or each hook aperture.

The bracket may define a threaded aperture for receipt of a male threaded member of the bracket, such that extension of the male threaded member through the threaded aperture presses the male threaded member against one of the pair of side walls to flex the side walls apart from each other.

Another aspect provides a modular decking system cross-brace member including: a beam; and two brackets, each bracket coupled to an opposing end of the beam, wherein each bracket is configured to be secured to a respective securing location of a support member, and wherein each bracket includes: one or more hooks configured to be received by one or more hook apertures of the securing location; and a pair of side walls and a further wall defining a tapering slot for receipt of a fin of a decking member or beam and a further bracket.

Another aspect provides a modular platform system for use on a construction site, the system including a support member and bracket, wherein the support member includes at least one securing location at which the bracket is securable to the support member, and the bracket includes: one or more hooks configured to be received by one or more hook apertures of the securing location; and a pair of side walls and a further wall defining a tapering slot for receipt of a fin of a decking member or beam.

Another aspect provides a decking member for a modular platform system, the decking member including: a frame having at least two frame members; and an end plate secured to both of the at least two frame members and including a fin extending substantially perpendicular to a main plane of the end plate, the fin being for receipt by a slot of a support member.

The end plate may be located at an intersection of the at least two frame members.

The end plate may be substantially triangular in shape.

The fin and end plate may be integrally formed.

The recess may be an open ended recess such that the hook portion may be slid into and along the recess from an open end of the recess.

Another aspect provides a tool including: two arms; and a pivotable coupling between the two arms to define a pair of handles to one side of the pivotable coupling and a pair of grip members to the other side of the pivotable coupling, wherein the grip members each include, at their distal ends, a respective L-shaped member for applying a clamping force to a bracket.

Another aspect provides a tool and bracket combination, wherein the tool is a tool as above and the tool may be configured to apply the clamping force to the bracket.

Another aspect provides a modular decking system bracket including: one or more hooks configured to be received by one or more hook apertures of a securing location of a support member of the modular decking system; and a pair of side walls and a further wall defining a tapering slot for receipt of a fin of a decking member or beam.

The one or more hooks may extend from the pair of side walls, and the side walls may be configured to flex resiliently inwardly with respect to each other.

The one or more hooks may extend from the pair of side walls, and the side walls may be configured to flex resiliently outwardly with respect to each other.

One of the pair of side walls may include a threaded aperture configured to receive a male threaded member such that extension of the male threaded member through the threaded aperture causes abutment of the male threaded member against the other of the pair of side walls to flex the side walls outwardly with respect to each other.

Embodiments are described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a deck member;

FIG. 2 shows a partial cross-section through a frame member and beam;

FIG. 3 shows a partial side view of a beam;

FIG. 4 shows a bottom view of a deck member;

FIG. 5 shows a close view of a corner of the deck member of FIG. 4, for example;

FIGS. 6 & 7 show a support member;

FIGS. 8-12 show a bracket;

FIGS. 13 and 14 show a diagonal cross-brace member with brackets;

FIG. 15 shows a modular platform system;

FIG. 16 shows part of a decking member;

FIG. 17 shows a bracket;

FIG. 18 shows a bracket (which may be the bracket of FIG. 17);

FIG. 19 shows another view of the bracket of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 shows a support member;

FIG. 21 shows detail A from FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 shows detail B from FIG. 20;

FIG. 23 shows a support member (which may be a handrail support member);

FIG. 24 shows detail B from FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 shows detail A from FIG. 23;

FIG. 26 shows a connection member;

FIG. 27 shows a tool;

FIG. 28 shows a handrail;

FIG. 29 shows a connection member;

FIG. 30 shows a connection member and support member end;

FIG. 31 shows a legacy bracket;

FIG. 32 shows a connection member;

FIG. 33 shows a side view of the connection member of FIG. 32;

FIG. 34 shows view through the connection member of FIG. 32;

FIG. 35 shows another view of the connection member of FIG. 32;

FIG. 36 shows a bracket;

FIG. 37 shows another view of a bracket such as the bracket of FIG. 36;

FIG. 38a shows another view of a bracket such as the bracket of FIG. 36;

FIG. 38b shows a male threaded member for use with the bracket(s) of FIGS. 36-38a;

FIG. 39 shows a support member;

FIG. 40 shows detail A from FIG. 39;

FIG. 41 shows detail B from FIG. 39;

FIG. 42 shows a support member (which may be a handrail support member);

FIG. 43 shows a support member (which may be a handrail support member and which may be the support member of FIG. 42);

FIG. 44 shows a support member (which may be a handrail support member and which may be the support member of FIG. 42);

FIG. 45 shows detail A of FIG. 44;

FIG. 46 shows part of a support member in use; and

FIG. 47 shows a part of a support member into which a connection member has been inserted.

Embodiments may include a modular platform system 1 (see FIG. 15), a bracket for use in a modular platform system 1 (such as those systems described herein) (e.g. see FIGS. 8-14, 17-19, 36-38, and 46), a support member for use with the bracket (e.g. see FIGS. 6 & 7, 20-25, and 39-46), a cross-brace including the bracket (e.g. see FIGS. 13 & 14), a tool 4 (e.g. see FIG. 27, a connection member 6 (e.g. see FIGS. 26, 29, 30, 32-35, 44, and 45), and/or a decking member 11 (e.g. see FIGS. 1-5 and 16).

The modular platform system 1 could take a number of different forms and some of these forms are described briefly herein, by way of example. The module platform system 1 could equally be a system generally as described in WO2013/054143 in some embodiments.

The modular platform system 1 may include one or more decking members 11. The or each decking member 11 may be formed from a rectangular or square frame 111 (see FIG. 1, for example) supporting a decking surface member 112.

The decking surface member 112 may be in the form of a grid structure, for example, and the decking surface member 112 may extend over a central space framed by the frame 111. In some embodiments, one or more peripheral edges of the decking surface member 112 are supported by the frame 111 and may be secured thereto (e.g. welded, soldered, clipped, adhered, bolted, or riveted). In some embodiments, the decking surface member 112 may be formed from multiple parts which collectively form the decking surface member 112 (the parts may or may not be interconnected to each other).

In some embodiments, one or more beams 113 (see FIGS. 1-5, for example) are provided as part of the decking member 11. The or each beam 113 may be configured to provide further support to the decking surface member 112. In some embodiments, the or each beam 113 extends across at least part of the space framed by the frame 111. In some embodiments, the or each beam 113 extends from one frame member 111a of the frame 111 to an opposing frame member 111a of the frame 111 (and the or each beam 113 may be attached to those two opposing frame members 111a). The decking surface member 112 may rest on the or each beam 113 and may be secured thereto (e.g. by welding, soldering, clipping, adhering, bolting, or riveting). In some embodiments, however, the decking surface member 112 is not secured to the or each beam 113 (or any of the beams 113) but, in normal use, may rest on at least part of the or each beam 113.

Accordingly, the or each decking member 11 may be a modular decking member 11 which may be provided as a single element of the modular platform system 1. The parts of the or each decking member 11 may be secured to each other to allow the decking member 11 to be used as a single item.

In some embodiments, the frame 111 includes a plurality of frame members 111a which may frame a space (i.e. may circumscribe a space) as described herein. In some embodiments, there are four frame members 111a arranged in two opposing pairs (with a longitudinal axis of each frame member 111a of one pair being substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of each frame member 111a of another pair).

In some embodiments, the or each frame member 111a may define a recess 111b (see FIG. 2, for example) which is configured to receive at least part of at least one of the one or more beams 113. In some embodiments, the recess 111b is defined in each frame member 111a of one opposing pair of the frame members 111a. The or each recess 111b may be positioned so as to face inwardly with respect to the framed space (i.e. such that two recesses 111b, if provided, defined by opposing frame members 111a will oppose each other across part of the framed space).

The or each recess 111b may be configured to receive at least part of a beam 113 (see FIGS. 2 and 3, for example). In some embodiments, with two opposing recesses 111b, each recess 111b may be configured to receive at least part of an opposing end of a beam 113—e.g. such that each end of the beam 113 is received in a respective recess 111b. The beam 113 may, therefore, be supported (at least in part) by the frame members 111a in whose recesses 111b the beam 113 is received. In some embodiments including multiple such beams 113, this may be true for more than one of the beams 113 or, indeed, for all of the beams 113.

In some embodiments, the or each recess 111b includes a lip 111c and this lip 111c may be located at an entrance of the recess 111b (which inwardly faces the framed space in some embodiments). The lip 111c may, therefore, at least partially define an entrance of the recess 111b.

The or each recess 111b may extend along substantially an entire length of the frame member 111a and may be open at one or both ends of the frame member 111a. The lip 111c may be a longitudinal lip 111c and may extend along substantially an entire length of the recess 111b and so, in some embodiments, of the frame member 111a. In normal use (i.e. in the usual operational orientation of the decking member 11) the lip 111c may project upwardly.

The or each beam 113 may include a hook portion 113a (see FIGS. 2 & 3, for example) at an end (or at ends) which is configured to be received by the recess 111b. The hook portion 113a may be shaped and/or sized so as to correspond with the lip 111c. As such, the hook portion 113a may include an opening which is configured to receive the lip 111c. The hook portion 113a may include a head which is located towards an end of the beam 113 relative to the opening, and the head may be configured to be received by the recess 111b. The opening may be defined between a part of the beam 113 and the head, for example. The same or a similar configuration may be used at one or both ends of the or each beam 113.

The head of the hook portion 113a may be sized and/or shaped such that it cannot pass into the recess 111b of a frame member 111a past the lip 111c. As such, in some embodiments, the frame member 111a has at least one open end to the recess 111b and end (or ends) of the beam 113 (or beams 113) may be slid into the frame member 111a by aligning the opening of the hook portion 113a with the lip 113c at the open end of the recess and moving that end of the beam 113 along a length of the frame member 111a. Engagement of the hook portion 113a (e.g. of the opening thereof) and the lip 111c may prevent or substantially inhibit movement of the beam 113 out of frame member 111a (e.g. by movement of the beam 113 in a direction parallel with its longitudinal axis). The engagement may also keep the beam 113 generally perpendicular to the frame member 111a.

As mentioned, the same engagement configuration may be used at both ends of each beam 113 (in relation to respective ones of an opposing pair of frame members 111a) and multiple beams 113 may be attached to the same frame member(s) 111a in this manner. The position of the or each beam 113 along a length of the frame member(s) 111a may be secured by welding, soldering, adhering, clipping, or by bolting or riveting, for example).

The or each frame member 111a (or at least the frame member(s) 111a defining a recess 111b) may be formed from box section material.

With one or more beams 113 fitted to a first pair of opposing frame members 111a, for example, the frame 11 may be formed by securing a second pair of opposing frame members 111a to the first pair. In doing so, one or more open ends of the first pair may be at least partially covered or otherwise blocked (e.g. to inhibit removal of a beam 113 therefrom if such a beam 113 is not secured in position along the length of the relevant frame member(s) 111a).

In some embodiments, one or more diagonal beams 114 may be provided as part of the decking member 11. The or each diagonal beam 114 may extend between two respective diagonally opposing corners of the frame 111.

The or each diagonal beam 114 may be secured to the frame 111 (e.g. by welding, soldering, adhering, clipping, riveting, or bolting, for example). In some embodiments, the or each diagonal beam 114 is secured at its ends to respective end plates 115 (see FIGS. 4 and 5, the end plate 115 is shown at one corner but respective end plates 115 may be used in more than one corner, and may be used in relation to all corners). The or each end plate 115 may be attached at or towards a respective corner of the frame 111 (e.g. to two adjacent frame members 111a).

In some embodiments, the or each end plate 115 may provide the mechanism by which the frame members 111a are attached to each other (i.e. the attachment may be via one or more end plates 115). The or each end plate 115 may be a corner plate, therefore, and may be generally triangular in shape. The or each end plate 115 may be generally in the form of a right-angled triangular plate (although, as depicted, for example, the right-angled corner may have a cut-out, which may be a square cut-out). The or each end plate 115 may include two sides generally perpendicular with respect to each other and a diagonal side. The or each end plate 115 may be positioned such that a plane of the end plate 115 is generally parallel with the decking surface member 112. In some embodiments, the decking surface member 112 is provided on a first (upper) side of the decking member 11 and the end plate 115 is provided on a second (lower) side of the decking member 11. The two perpendicular sides of the or each end plate 115 may be attached to frame members 111a and the diagonal side may generally face (and extend across part of) the framed space. An end of one of the or each diagonal beams 114 may be attached to the diagonal side of the end plate 115.

There may be an end plate 115 provided at each corner of the decking member 11. The or each end plate 115 may be referred to, therefore, as a corner plate, for example (the terms are synonymous herein).

There may be two diagonal beams 114 in some embodiments and these may be joined in the middles thereof to form a cross, for example.

Therefore, in some embodiments, the diagonal beams 114 may be attached to the frame members 111a by the end plates 115 and the end plates 115 may be used to attach (or help to attach) the frame members 111a together.

The resulting structure has been found to be simple to manufacture and yet rigid and strong.

The corners of the decking member 11 may include cut-outs (e.g. between two ends of adjacent frame members 111a and/or in the end plates 115) and this may enable a closer fit, for example, with a support member 12 of the modular platform system 1.

The decking member 11 may include one or more fins 116 (or tine, or blade) and may include a fin 116 (i.e. at least one) at or towards each corner thereof.

The decking member 11 may, therefore, include at least four fins 116.

The or each fin 116 may extend generally perpendicular to a plane of the decking surface member 112 and may taper as it extends away from the decking surface member 112. The or each fin 116 may be located on an opposing side of the frame 111 to the decking surface member 112. The or each fin 116 may be attached to a respective one of the one or more end plates 115. In some embodiments, the or each fin 116 is integrally formed with a respective end plate 115. In some embodiments, the or each fin 116 extends from one of the two perpendicular sides of a respective end plate 115. In some embodiments, a plane of the fin 116 is generally parallel with a longitudinal axis of an adjacent frame member 111a. Therefore, it may be said that, in some embodiments, each frame member 111a is associated with at least one fin 116 and, in some embodiments, with a single fin 116. Around the perimeter of the decking member 11, there may be a single fin 116 at each corner of the decking member 11 and that fin 116 may be perpendicular to the two adjacent fins 116 around the decking member (and parallel to a fin 116 diagonally opposite). The or each fin 116 may equally be said to be associated with each end plate 115.

The or each fin 116 may extend generally perpendicular to a main plane of the end plate 115 with which it is associated, for example. In some embodiments, the fin 116 is integrally formed with its associated end plate 115 and may be a part which is bent into position. In other embodiments, the fin 116 may be welded, soldered, riveted, bolted, adhered, or otherwise secured to the end plate 115.

The integration of the fin 116 with the end plate 115 (rather than a frame member 111a), again, provides for simpler construction.

In some embodiments one or more (or all) corners of the decking member 11 (i.e. at the intersections of the frame members 111a) may be supported by a corner piece 117—see FIG. 16, for example. The corner piece 117 may be configured to be secured to two adjacent frame members 111a within the framed space. The corner piece 117 may be in the form of a triangular prism shaped piece and a surface of the corner piece 117 may include a cut-out configured to receive at least part of a diagonal beam 114. The corner piece 117 may aid rigidity of the decking member 11. An end of the corner piece 117 may be adjacent (and may be secured to) the end plate 115 at the same corner. In some embodiments, an opposing end of the corner piece 117 at least partially supports the decking surface member 112. In some embodiments, the corner piece 117 includes a rectangular section with a triangular section at an end adjacent the decking surface member 112 (rather than a triangular prism).

Some embodiments may include a bracket 2 (see FIGS. 8-14, 17-19, 36-38, and 46 for example). The bracket 2 may be configured to provide a slot 23 for receipt of a fin 116 (e.g. of a decking member 11 such as described herein). The bracket 2 may be configured to be secured at any of a plurality of locations along a length of a support member 12 of the modular platform system 1 (of which the bracket 2 may also be a part).

The bracket 2 may, therefore, be configured to mate with the support member 12.

The support member 12 may be an elongate member (e.g. of square or rectangular box section) which is configured, in normal use in the modular platform system 1, to be upright (i.e. substantially vertical).

In some embodiments, the support member 12 may have a ground engaging end at which a foot plate is located. In some embodiments, the support member 12 may be configured to be fitted to another support member 12 (e.g. as an extension of the other support member 12, which may be in the form of a handrail support member, for example).

The support member 12 may be formed from box section material and may have a square or rectangular cross-section, for example. The support member 12 may be formed from a wall defining an internal space (i.e. may be tubular). The support member 12 may be elongate.

As mentioned, one end (a lower end in normal use) of the support member 12 may be configured to be secured to a foot plate (of the system 1) which may include a ground engaging plate 13 with a collar extending therefrom which is configured to receive or be received by the aforementioned end (i.e. a first end) of the support member 12.

The support member 12 (see FIGS. 6 & 7, 20-25, and 39-46, for example) may include a configuration at the first end which is configured to be received by or to receive the collar of the foot plate. The configuration may also or alternatively be configured to be received by or to receive an end of another support member 12 (which may be a second end of an identical or substantially identical support member 12, for example).

The first end configuration of the support member 12 may include a part 12a with a smaller external cross-section than another part (e.g. a main part) of the support member 12. The first end configuration 12a may be configured so as to be received within, for example, an internal space defined by the second end of another such support member 12—such that support members 12 may be coupled end-on-end (i.e. stacked). In some versions, a connection member 6 may be used for this purpose—see herein.

In some embodiments, the support member 12 may carry (i.e. support) one or more slot members 121, each of which is configured to receive a fin (which may be a fin 116 of a decking member 11 as described herein). In some embodiments, a plurality of such slot members 121 is provided around the support member 12 at substantially the same point along the length thereof. In some embodiments, one such slot member 121 is provided on each of a plurality of sides of the support member 12 (of which there may be four). The or each slot member 121 may be provided at or towards the second end of the support member 12.

The support member 12 may define one or more securing locations for the bracket 2. There may be a plurality of such securing locations provided along a length of the support member 12 and there may be one or more securing locations provided on more than one side (e.g. all sides) of the support member 12.

The or each securing location may include a plurality of apertures 122 defined through the wall of the support member 12. In some embodiments, each aperture 122 is defined through an entire thickness of the wall of the support member 12.

The apertures 122 may include one or more hook apertures 122a and may include one or more catch apertures 122b. The or each hook aperture 122a may be configured to receive a hook of the bracket 2 and the or each catch aperture 122b (if provided) is configured to receive a catch pin of the bracket 2 (if provided)—as described herein.

The securing locations are described in more detail with reference to the configuration of the bracket 2.

The bracket 2 may include one or more hooks (i.e. attachment hooks) 21 each of which is configured to engage the support member 12. The or each hook 21 is configured to be received by a hook aperture 122a of the support member 12. In some embodiments, more than one hook 21 of the same bracket 2 is received by the same hook aperture 122a of the support member 12. In this respect, we refer—for example—to FIGS. 20, 21, 23, 25, 39, 40, 42, 43, 44, and 46. In these and some other versions, the bracket 2 may include one or more pairs of adjacent hooks 21. For example, two pairs of adjacent hooks 21 may be provided, with a first pair of adjacent hooks 21 located towards one end of the bracket 2 (e.g. the top) and a second pair of adjacent hooks 21 located towards another end of the bracket 2 (e.g. the bottom). In each pair of adjacent hooks 21, the two hooks 21 may be aligned and each hook 21 of the pair may be aligned with a corresponding hook 21 of the other pair (in a version with two pairs of adjacent hooks 21). In some such versions, each hook aperture 122a may be configured to receive both hooks 21 of a pair of adjacent hooks 21 and there may be two hook apertures 122a provided (each of which receives both adjacent hooks 21 of a respective pair of adjacent hooks 21). The two hook apertures 122a may be provided on one (i.e. the same) side of the support member 12. So, for example, there may be an upper or first hook aperture 122a and a lower or second hook aperture 122a. The lower or second hook aperture 122a may be configured to receive both hooks 21 of a first (e.g. lower) pair of adjacent hooks 21. The upper or first hook aperture 122a may be configured to receive both hooks 21 of a second (e.g. upper) pair of adjacent hooks 21.

In some versions, there may be more than two hook apertures 122a provided (each of which is configured to receive both adjacent hooks 21 of a respective pair of adjacent hooks 21). The two or more hook apertures 122a may be provided on one (i.e. the same) side of the support member 12. The two or more hook apertures 122a may provide, therefore, an array of hook apertures 122a. In the depicted examples of FIGS. 39-41, and some others, for example, at least one securing location includes three (or more) hook apertures 122a provided in a linear array spaced along a length of the support member 12. There may be other securing locations which include, for example, two hook apertures 122a instead of three. Accordingly, securing locations along the length of the support member 12 may include different numbers of hook apertures 122a. In the depicted examples of FIGS. 39-41, and some others, for example, it is the uppermost securing location(s) which includes three (or more) hook apertures 122a.

In instances in which a securing location has more than two hook apertures 122a, different ones of the hook apertures 122a may be used to secure the bracket 2 at different locations.

So, for example, there may be an upper or first hook aperture 122a and a middle or second hook aperture 122a and a lower or third hook aperture 122a. The lower or third hook aperture 122a may be configured to receive both hooks 21 of a first (e.g. lower) pair of adjacent hooks 21 of a bracket 2. The middle or second hook aperture 122a may be configured to receive both hooks 21 of a second (e.g. upper) pair of adjacent hooks 21 of the bracket 2.

Likewise, however, the bracket 2 may be secured such that the middle or second hook aperture 122a may be configured to receive both hooks 21 of the first (e.g. lower) pair of adjacent hooks 21 of the bracket 2. The top or first hook aperture 122a may be configured to receive both hooks 21 of the second (e.g. upper) pair of adjacent hooks 21 of the bracket 2.

Accordingly, the bracket 2 may be secured in a plurality of different locations along the length of the support member 12 in some versions and, in some versions, this may be achieved with using the same securing location (which may be one of several securing locations along the length of the support member 12).

This may be useful, for example, for fine-tuning of the height of a particular bracket 2. This may also be useful to enable the use of different configurations of decking member 11 and/or handrail 5. For example, FIG. 46 shows, at the securing locations at the top of a support member 12, two brackets 2 at different heights (i.e. different positions along the length of the support member 12) and two different configurations of handrail 5 secured using the brackets 2. This may enable, for example, the re-use of handrails 5 or decking members 11 from different systems (e.g. from earlier versions).

In some examples (see FIGS. 6 and 7, for example), each hook 21 is configured to be received by a respective one of the hook apertures 122a (and vice versa), such that a single hook 21 is received by a single hook aperture 122a.

The bracket 2 may define a slot 23 for receipt of, for example, a fin (which may be a fin 116 of a decking member 11 or may be a fin (of similar form) of a beam). The slot 23 may be defined by a plurality of walls of the bracket 2 and the bracket 2 may be formed from a sheet of material bent to provide the walls. The or each hook 21 may also be formed from the sheet of material. The sheet of material may be around 2 mm thick and may be a metal (such as steel).

The walls of the bracket 2 may, therefore, include two opposing side walls which may define a depth (i.e. height) of the bracket 2 and a width of the bracket 2. The two opposing side walls may provide the bracket 2 with a generally u-shaped cross-section and this can be seen, for example, in FIG. 19 (and also in FIG. 12) which provides a top-down view of a bracket 2 (which is the same bracket 2 as depicted in FIG. 18, for example (or as depicted in FIG. 8 in the case of FIG. 12, for example)).

The side walls may likewise define a depth of the slot and a width of the slot. The width of the slot may taper towards a first end of the bracket 2 (which is a lower end with the bracket 2 in its normal orientation in use, the second end being the upper end in the same orientation).

The first and second ends of the bracket 2 may be open ends (allowing access to the slot). The depth of the bracket 2 may be larger than the width of the bracket 2 (at its widest point). The depth of the bracket 2 may be larger than the thickness of the bracket 2.

The or each hook 21 may be provided at a rear of the bracket 2 and a further wall may be provided at a front of the bracket 2. The further wall may connect the two side walls and may define a thickness of the bracket 2 (i.e. a distance between the two side walls) and so a thickness of the slot 23. The further wall may, due to the tapering of the slot, be angled with respect to an opposing edge of the bracket 2. The further wall may be generally perpendicular to the side walls (e.g. see FIG. 8) or may be rounded (e.g. see FIG. 17).

The walls of the bracket 2 may form a u-shaped cross-section (with the slot being within the u-shape). Therefore, the rear of the slot may be open.

The or each hook 21 may extend rearward from the side walls and may be planar with the side walls.

The or each hook 21 may include a hook head 21a and a hook gap 21b (defined at least in part by the hook head 21a). In some embodiments, the hook gap 21b is defined between the hook head 21a and one of the side walls (e.g. between the hook head 21a and a rear edge of that side wall). A hook neck may connect the hook head 21a to the side wall or, in some versions, the hook neck may be considered to be part of the side wall or hook head 21a.

The hook gap 21b may include a wide mouth portion and a narrow inner portion (as in FIG. 17, for example) or may be of a uniform size (as in FIG. 8, for example). The wide mouth portion may aid in attachment of the bracket 2 to the support member 12. The narrow inner portion may be sized to receive (e.g. tightly or in a generally snug manner) a wall of the support member 12. The wide mouth may, therefore, provide a wider hook gap 21b than the hook gap 21b at the narrow inner portion. The hook gap 21b may taper between the wide mouth portion and the narrow inner portion. Whilst this form of hook gap 21b is described with reference to FIGS. 17-19, for example, this form of hook gap 21b may also be provided in relation to other versions, such as those of FIGS. 8-14.

The hook head 21a is configured to be received by a hook aperture 122a of the support member 12 and the hook gap 21b is then configured to receive part of the wall of the support member 12 to retain the bracket 2 on the support member 12.

In some embodiments there may be multiple hooks 21 provided in one or more pairs of hooks 21. These may be an upper pair and may also include a lower pair of hooks 21. The upper pair may be located towards the second end of the bracket 2 and the lower pair may be located towards the first end of the bracket 2, for example. Each hook 21 of a pair of hooks 21 may extend rearward from a different side wall of the bracket 2 and each hook 21 of a pair of hooks 21 may be at substantially the same height with respect to the side wall.

Accordingly, the hook apertures 122a of the apertures 122 of the support member 12 may be arranged (i.e. provided) in pairs—corresponding with the hooks 21 of the bracket 2. In other words, the hook apertures 122a in two-by-two grouping. However, this need not be the case and, indeed, two adjacent hooks 21 may be received by one hook aperture 122a in some versions (and so hook apertures 122a may be provided in a one-by-two (or more) array).

In some versions, whilst hook apertures 122a have been described as individual apertures, it may be that a single aperture is provided which defines two (or more) hook apertures 122a. In other words, the support member 12 may define an aperture which includes a plurality of hook aperture parts, each of which acts as a hook aperture 122a as described herein. In other words, two or more hook apertures 122a (which may be hook apertures 122a of the same securing location) may be interconnected apertures (e.g. joined together to form one multi-part aperture). This need not, however, be the case and each hook aperture 122a described herein may be a separate (e.g. distinct) aperture 122a.

The hook apertures 122a may, therefore, in some examples, include upper and lower pairs of apertures, for example. In some embodiments, the hook apertures 122a are provided in groups of four, with each group of four including a first pair and a second pair located at different points along the length of the support member 12 (but closer to each other than to any other hook apertures 122a). There may be an upper group of four hook apertures 122a and a lower group of four apertures 122a, for example. In some such embodiments, the upper pair of hooks 21 of the bracket 2 may be received by the first (i.e. uppermost) pair of the upper group of four hook apertures 122a and the lower pair of hooks 21 of the bracket 2 may be received by the second (i.e. lowermost) pair of the lower group of four hook apertures 122a or, in some versions, by the first (i.e. uppermost) pair of the lower group of four hook apertures 122a. Other configurations of hook apertures 122a may be provided. For example, hook apertures 122a may be provided as a generally equally spaced array of hook apertures 122a along a length of the support member 12.

The bracket 2 may further include a catch mechanism 22 (this may be provided in versions with each single hook 21 received by a single hook aperture 122a, or in relation to versions in which more than one hook 21 is received by the same hook aperture 122a). The catch mechanism 22 may include a catch member 22a and a barrel 22b. The barrel 22b may be mounted to one of the side walls of the bracket 2, for example. The barrel 22b may be mounted in a fixed position with respect to the side wall of the bracket 2. The barrel 22b may be configured to receive the catch member 22a and to guide movement of the catch member 22a between a retracted and an extended position relative to the barrel 22b. The catch mechanism 22 may include a resilient biasing arrangement (not shown) such as a spring (which may be a helical spring) configured to bias the catch member 22a into the extended position with respect to the barrel 22b.

The catch member 22a may have a first end which is located towards the rear of the bracket 2 and a second end which is located towards a front of the bracket 2.

The extended position of the catch member 22a may be such that it projects more rearward than it does when in the retracted position.

The second end of the catch member 22a may, therefore, include a handle or handle section to enable the catch member 22a to be pulled (e.g. manually) into or towards the retracted position (i.e. forward with respect to the bracket 2).

The catch mechanism 22 may be configured such that, with the catch member 22a in the extended position and the or each hook 21 engaging the support member, the catch member 22a is received, in part, by a catch aperture 122b of the support member 12. The catch aperture 122b is, therefore, positioned to enable the receipt of the catch member 22a in this manner. With the catch member 22a in the retracted position, however, the catch member 22b may be drawn clear of the catch aperture 122b.

In some embodiments, the catch mechanism 22 and so the catch member 22a is located between the two pairs of hooks 21 (in embodiments in which two pairs of hooks 21 are provided) and may be closer to the upper pair than the lower pair, for example.

The catch barrel 22b may be, for example, welded or otherwise secured to the side wall of the bracket 2.

Accordingly, the bracket 2 may be secured to the support member 12 in a releasable manner, with the catch mechanism 22 hindering or substantially preventing accidental removal of the bracket 2 from the support member 12. The bracket 2 may be so secured, in some embodiments, at a plurality of different locations along a length of the support member 12.

In some versions there may be no catch mechanism 22.

In some versions, the or each hook aperture 122a includes a narrow part (which may be an upper part) and a wide part (which may be a lower part)—upper and lower being in relation to the position with the support member 12 in its normal in use configuration.

A distance between outer surfaces of the or each bracket 2 is a thickness of the bracket 2. In FIG. 19, for example, a thickness of the bracket 2 is indicated as being 11 mm.

The wide part of the or each hook aperture 122a may be wider than or substantially the same as the thickness of the bracket 2. This wide part is, for example, indicated in FIG. 21 as being about 13 mm (e.g. about 12.5 mm). The narrow part of the or each hook aperture 122a may be narrower than the thickness of the bracket 2. The narrow part is, for example, indicated in FIG. 21 as being about 10 mm (e.g. about 9.5 mm).

The or each hook aperture 122a may be sized to receive the hook head 21a of a bracket 2 therethrough and, in some versions, two such hook heads 21a from an adjacent pair of hook heads 21a. The or each hook aperture 122a may have a height which is, therefore, larger than a height of the hook head 21a or heads 21a to be received therethrough. The height of the wide part of the or each hook aperture 122a may, however, be smaller than the height of the hook head 21a or heads 21a, such that at least part of the hook head 21a or heads 21a must be received through the narrow part of that hook aperture 122a. Accordingly, in some versions, in order to fit the bracket 2 to the support member 12 the thickness of the bracket 2 needs to be reduced to the width of the narrow part of the or each hook aperture 122a. This may be achieved, for example, by resiliently flexing the side walls of the bracket 2 towards each other (i.e. by pressing the side walls of the bracket 2 towards each other). This may be achieved, for example, by applying a clamping force to the bracket 2. In such a manner the bracket 2 may be fitted to the support member 12 with hook heads 21a of a pair of adjacent hooks 21 passing through a hook aperture 122a. The clamping force on the bracket 2 may then be released. This may cause the side walls of the bracket 2 to return, resiliently, to substantially their original position (or to a position dictated by the hook aperture 122a which received them).

If this clamping force is removed with a wall of the support member 12 received by the hook gap 21b and an edge of that wall engaging the bracket 2 (e.g. with the edge of the wall of the support member 12 engaging the hook neck), then the height of the wide part of the hook aperture 122a and the thickness of the bracket 2 (i.e. the distance between the outer surfaces of the side walls) being greater than the width of the narrow part of the hook aperture 122a, is such that the bracket 2 is substantially prevented from being removed from the support member 12 without re-applying the aforementioned clamping force to reduce that thickness resiliently such that the hook heads 21a can pass through, at least partially, the narrow part of the hook aperture 122a.

The neck portion of the or each hook 21 may have a size substantially equal to or less than the height of the wide part of the hook aperture 122a, for example.

This may, therefore, enable the bracket 2 to be securely fitted to the support member 12 without the need for a catch mechanism 22 (although one may also be provided).

The bracket 2 of FIGS. 17-19 is one example of a bracket 2 which may be used in such a m

Removal of the bracket 2 from the support member 12 can be achieved by the reverse process (e.g. the application of the clamping force to reduce the thickness of the bracket 2, resiliently, to enable its removal at least partially through the narrow part of the hook aperture 122a).

Whilst some versions use one hook aperture 122a to receive two hooks 21 of a pair of adjacent hooks 21, and to be secured in place by virtue of the narrow part of the hook aperture 122a substantially preventing removal of the hooks 21, it is also possible for the same effect to be achieved using two hook apertures 122a—each configured to receive a respective one of the pair of hooks 21. In such versions, the wide and narrow parts of the hook aperture 122a are effectively defined by the distance between the respective outer side edges of the two hook apertures 122a.

Accordingly, in some versions, there may be at least one hook aperture 122a configured to receive a pair of adjacent hooks 21. The at least one hook aperture 122a may include a first outer side edge and a second outer side edge (which may be edges of the same aperture 122a or different but adjacent apertures 122a). The first and second outer side edges may define a wide part and a narrow part, as described above and may be opposing edges.

The clamping force required to reduce the thickness of the bracket 2 sufficiently to enable its secure fitting to the support member 12 as described may be applied using a tool 4 (a version of which is depicted in FIG. 27 for example). The tool 4 may include two arms with a pivotable coupling 41 therebetween to form a pair of pliers. A pair of handles 42 may be defined to one side of the pivotable coupling 41 and a pair of grip members 43 may be defined to the other side of the pivotable coupling 41. The grip members 43 may each include, at their distal ends, a respective L-shaped member. The two L-shaped members may be orientated such that with the tool 4 in a closed configuration the L-shaped members generally form a rectangular hole therebetween. The L-shaped members are shaped and sized to as to receive at least part of a bracket 2 therebetween, such that the bracket 2 is gripped and supported by the L-shaped members when the tool 4 is in the closed configuration. The application of a force to the pair of handles 42 (to move the handles 42 of the pair towards each other) may, therefore, apply the clamping force to the bracket 2 which may then be fitted to the support member 12. The tool 4 can then be moved to an open configuration (e.g. by moving the handles 42 away from each other) to release the bracket 2. The same process may be adopted to remove the bracket 2 (with the bracket 2 being gripped and the clamping force being applied before the bracket 2 is moved out of engagement with the support member 12, and then released).

In some versions, with reference to the bracket 2 in FIGS. 36-38 for example, the narrow part of the or each hook aperture 122a may be wider than or substantially the same as the thickness of the bracket 2. The wide part of the or each hook aperture 122a may be wider than the thickness of the bracket 2 and wider than the narrow part.

The or each hook aperture 122a may, therefore, be sized to receive the hook head 21a of a bracket 2 therethrough and, in some versions, two such hook heads 21a from an adjacent pair of hook heads 21a. The or each hook aperture 122a may have a height which is, therefore, larger than a height of the hook head 21a or heads 21a to be received therethrough.

The bracket 2 in some such versions may include a threaded aperture 24. The threaded aperture 24 may be provided in one of the side walls of the bracket 2 and may be located towards one end (e.g. the first end (which may be the lower end in normal use)). The threaded aperture 24 may be provided, for example, by the attachment (e.g. through welding) of a nut to a first tab which extends from the bracket 2 (e.g. from one of the side walls of the bracket 2). The threaded aperture 24 may, therefore, be defined by a first of the side walls of the bracket 2 and/or by a female threaded member (such as the nut) attached thereto. The threaded aperture 24 is configured to receive a male threaded member 25 (such as a bolt) therethrough (which is correspondingly threaded with respect to the threaded aperture 24), with rotation of the male threaded member 25 within the threaded aperture controlling the degree of extension of the male threaded member 25 with respect to the first of the side walls. A part of an opposing side wall (e.g. a second side wall) of the bracket 2 may face the threaded aperture 24. This part may be a tab thereof (e.g. a second tab), which may extend from one end of the bracket (e.g. the first end (which may be the lower end in normal use)). Accordingly, when the male threaded member 25 is extended sufficiently (e.g. by rotation with respect to the bracket 2) it will abut the part of the opposing side wall. Continued extension of the male threaded member 25 (e.g. by rotation with respect to the bracket 2) will cause the first and second side walls to move apart. This will, therefore, increase the thickness of the bracket 2.

Accordingly, in some versions, in order to fit the bracket 2 to the support member 12, the bracket 2 may be fitted to the support member 12 with hook heads 21a of a pair of adjacent hooks 21 passing through a hook aperture 122a. The bracket 2 may be manoeuvred such that the adjacent hooks 21 are located in the wider part of the hook aperture 122a. The thickness of the bracket 2 may then be increased (using the threaded aperture 24 and male threaded member 25) such that the thickness exceeds the width of the narrow part. The height of the hook head 21a may be larger, in some such versions, than a height of the wide part of the hook aperture 122a and so the bracket 2 may then be trapped and so inhibited from removal. In some versions, the thickness of the bracket 2 may be increased such that the side walls about the edges of support member 12 defining the hook aperture 122a and this may help to brace the bracket 2 (e.g. inhibiting rotational movement of the bracket 2 with respect to the support member 12).

Removal of the bracket 2 from the support member 12 may entail the rotation of the male threaded member 25 to retract it with respect to the threaded aperture 24 and so reduce the thickness of the bracket 2 to enable removal through the narrow (and wide) parts of the hook aperture 122a. As will be appreciated, the bracket 2 may be configured to return, resiliently, to it narrower thickness.

This may, therefore, again enable the bracket 2 to be securely fitted to the support member 12 without the need for a catch mechanism 22 (although one may also be provided).

As will be understood, in some versions, therefore, the bracket 2 (and, in particular, the side walls thereof) may be flexed (resiliently) outwardly to secure the bracket 2 to the support member 12, inhibiting or substantially preventing its removal. As described, some other examples may require the inward flexing (resiliently) of the bracket 2 (and, in particular, the side walls thereof) to fit the bracket 2 to the support member 12. This flexing may be flexing about the further wall of the bracket 2 to move the side walls towards (in the case of inward flexing) or away (in the case of outward flexing) from each other. This flexing is resilient in that the side walls are biased towards a neutral state (from which position the side walls are moved with respect to each other). As will be understood, this movement may be rotational movement about the further wall and each side wall may rotate about a respective axis defined by the juncture between that side wall and the further wall. Accordingly, the movement of one side wall with respect to the may be movement of distal ends of the side walls with respect to each other (the distal ends being remote from the further wall). In other words, the movement may be movement of the hooks 21 in each pair, if provided, away and towards each other (i.e. with respect to each other).

In some versions, the side walls of the bracket 2 may include apertures 26 therethrough (see FIG. 17, for example). In some versions, each of the side walls of the bracket 2 includes a respective aperture 26 and these apertures 26 are aligned. The or each fin 116 may include a corresponding aperture such that a pin, bolt, cable, rope, or other member may be fitted to the apertures to inhibit or substantially prevent the removal of the fin 116 from the bracket 2. The apertures 26 could be of any suitable size or shape and may be square, for example.

In some versions, therefore, one or more support members 12 may be provided with each support member 12 including one or more securing locations along a length thereof. In some versions there are a plurality of support members 12 which are substantially identical. The or each support member 12 may be provided in a kit with one or more other components, in any combination, described herein.

The or each securing location may include, for example, a plurality of hook apertures 122a, with each hook aperture 122a configured to receive one or more hooks 21 of the bracket 2. In some versions, each hook aperture 122a is configured to receive two hooks 21 (although this need not be the case). There may be securing locations provided on multiple sides of the support member 12 at the same distance along the length thereof. In the case of a support member 12 with a square cross-section, for example, there may be one such securing location on each of the four sides thereof at the same distance along the length (i.e. distance from an end).

FIG. 20, therefore, for example, depicts (one side of) a support member 12 which includes just such a plurality of securing locations (e.g. six), with each securing location including two hook apertures 122a (one located above the other). Each securing location is shown in more detail in FIG. 21, for example. In some versions, one or more of the securing locations may include a further aperture 123. The further aperture 123 may be configured to receive a pin, for example, for use in securing a legacy bracket 7 to the support member 12. Just such a legacy bracket 7 is shown, for example in FIG. 31. This legacy bracket 7 may be configured to slide along the support member 12 and be secured thereto by use of the pin through an aperture in the legacy bracket 7 and the further aperture 123, for example. The legacy bracket 7 could take a number of different forms but may include a receiver through which the support member 12 may pass and one or more slot members mounted to the receiver each configured to receive a respective fin 116, for example. The aperture in the legacy bracket 7 may be defined by the receiver—which may be configured to slide along a support member 12 to the desired location to be secured by the pin. This can be seen in FIG. 46, for example.

The support member 12, for example of FIG. 20, may be a leg member and a foot plate may be secured to a lower end of the support member 12. The lower end of the support member of FIG. 20 is depicted in FIG. 22, for example. In this example (and some others), the support member 12 at the lower end may define one or more slots 124 (e.g. three) and/or one or more holes 125 (e.g. one) for use in securing the foot plate to the support member 12. This may be achieved by inserting a part of the foot plate (e.g. an extension thereof) into the support member 12 and then passing a pin or other member through at least one of the slot(s) 124 and/or hole(s) 125 and into the part of the foot plate received by the support member 12. In some versions, the end of the support member 12 is received by an extension of the foot plate instead (or in addition). Accordingly, the foot plate and support member 12 may be telescopically engaged. In some versions, the or each slot 124 is used to weld the foot plate in place (e.g. to weld the part received by the support member 12 to the support member 12). This need not, however, be the case. Indeed, the or each slot 124 may be used to allow visual confirmation of the correct fitting of the foot plate to the support member 12 (e.g. with a part of the foot plate received by the support member 12 as described). In some versions, the or each slot 124 is used in securing a kick plate to the support member 12 (e.g. using a bolt or the like).

FIG. 39 shows a similar support member 12 to that depicted in FIG. 20 and the description in relation to versions such as depicted in FIG. 20 applies equally to versions such as depicted in FIG. 39. It should be noted, however, that the securing locations at the top of the support member 12 of FIG. 39 (and some others) each include three hook apertures 122a. This is shown in more detail in FIG. 40, for example, and such a configuration may be used in other versions too. In addition, or in some versions alternatively, the one or more slots 124 described above are provided as one or more apertures 124a. These apertures 124a may serve the same purpose as the slots 124 described herein. There may be an array of such apertures 124a provided, which may be a linear array. There may be four apertures provided and these may be provided in two groups of two (and each group may be a one-by-two array of apertures). There may be a larger distance between the closest apertures 124a of the two groups than there is between the apertures 124a of the same group. FIG. 41 shows one of the aforementioned groups of apertures 124a in more detail (which is the lowermost group in this instance). This same or a similar arrangement can be seen also in FIGS. 42-45, with FIG. 45 showing more detail. The one or more apertures 124a (rather than slots 124) may be used in other versions, including—for example—the version of FIG. 39.

In some versions, the support member 12 may be a handrail support member 12 and an example is depicted in FIG. 23. Such a support member 12 may also include one or more securing locations as described above. In some versions of the handrail support member 12 there may be one or more securing locations at a first (upper) end and one or more securing locations generally in a middle position along the length of the support member 12. This may enable a handrail 5 (see FIG. 28) to be provided at two different locations. The handrail 5 may include a beam 51 with respective fins 116 located at either end to enable attachment of the handrail 5 to the brackets 2 as described herein. FIGS. 42 to 45 show an example of another support member 12 which may be a handrail support member 12, for example (although this need not be the case). FIG. 46 shows two different handrails 5 secured to two securing locations at one end (e.g. the top end) of the depicted support member 12. The two different handrails 5 may have different heights, for example. As described herein this may be achieved by enabling the brackets 2 to be fitted at different positions along the length of the support member 12 (through, in this instance, the provision of an array of more than two hook apertures 122a). It should be noted that, in FIG. 46, the arrangement of hook apertures 122a of the securing location which is visible may be the same as the arrangement of hook apertures 122a of the securing locations to which the brackets 2 are fitted. Therefore, it can be seen that one bracket 2 may be using the two lowermost hook apertures 122a at its securing location and the other bracket 2 may be using the two uppermost hook apertures 122a at its securing location.

The support member 12 in the form of a handrail support member 12 may be fitted to the end of a support member 12 which is in the form of a leg member. To achieve this a connection member 6 (or spigot) may be provided. Examples of the connection member 6 are shown in FIGS. 23, 26, 29, 30, and 32-35.

The connection member 6 may include a first elongate plate 61 to which may be mounted second and third elongate plates 62,63. The first, second and third elongate plates 61,62,63 may be mounted such that their longitudinal axes are all generally parallel with each other but with the second and third elongate plates 62,63 perpendicular to the first elongate plate 61. The first, second, and third 61,62,63 elongate plates may, therefore, form a connection member 6 with a cross-shaped cross-section (and the second and third elongate plates 62,63 may be located generally halfway across a width of the first elongate plate 61). The first elongate plate 61 may be longer than the second and third elongate plates 62,63. At one or both ends, the first elongate plate 61 may, therefore, extend beyond the second and third elongate plates 62,63 (which may be generally aligned with each other and may be of substantially the same length). The second and third elongate plates 62,62 may be welded to the first elongate plate 61.

The connection member 6 may be inserted into an upper end of the support member 12 which is in the form of a leg member and into the lower end of the support member 12 which is in the form of a handrail support member—see FIGS. 23 and 30, for example. This may connect the two support members 12 (which could also be other types of support member 12 and need not be those described herein).

The connection member 6 may define at least one aperture 611 which may be defined by an end of the first elongate member 61 (e.g. the end which extends beyond the second and third elongate members 62,63). A pin, bolt, or other member, may be passed through, for example, an aperture (such as the further aperture 123) in the support member 12 (which may be the support member 12 in the form of a leg member) and through one of the at least one aperture 611 of the connection member 6 to secure the two pieces together. In some versions, see FIGS. 32-35 as an example but this applies to some other versions too, there may be two such apertures 611 provided. These apertures 611 may be provided as a linear array of apertures 611, for example.

The cross-shape of the connection member 6 may help to reduce the risk of interference with any brackets 2 connected (or to be connected) with the support member 12. The upper support member 12 (e.g. the handrail support member 12) may be slotted on to the end of the connection member 6 and may be held in place by gravity or one or more pins, bolts or other members. In some versions, there may be a slot 124 or aperture 124a defined in the support member 12 (e.g. the handrail support member 12) towards one end thereof (e.g. the lower end) which enables welding and/or visual inspection of the connection member 6 within the support member 12 (e.g. within the handrail support member 12). In some versions the slot 124 or aperture 124a is used to secure a kick plate to the support member 12 (using a bolt or the like).

A thickness of the first and/or second and/or third elongate plate 61,62,63 may be less than the distance between two adjacent hooks 21 of the bracket 2 (such that the elongate plate 61,62,63 can pass therebetween when the bracket 2 is connected to the support member 12). This can be seen in FIG. 47, for example, which shows a detailed view of a support member 12 and two hook apertures 122a with an elongate plate 61,62,63 of a connection member 6 visible therethrough.

In some versions, the connection member 6 may include a collar 64 which may be located around at least part of the first elongate member 61, and/or the second elongate member 62, and/or the third elongate member 63. The collar 64 may be of the same external cross-sectional shape as an internal cross-sectional shape of the support member 12—e.g. a square cross-section. The collar 64 may be configured, in some versions, to slide into the support member 12 but in some versions may be configured to abut the end of the support member 12. In the former case, the collar 64 may aid the alignment of the connection member 6 within the support member 12 and in the latter case the collar 64 may allow the connection member 6 to sit atop a support member 12 without necessarily requiring the use of a pin or the like through the aperture 611.

In some versions, with FIGS. 32-35 being one example, the connection member 6 may include a tubular insert section 65 which may be located one end of the connection member 6. The first, second, and/or third elongate members 61,62,63 may be at least partially received by the tubular insert section 65. In some versions, the tubular insert section 65 has an external cross-section which matches that of the support member 12 (e.g. the internal cross-section thereof) and so which may be square or rectangular, for example. In some versions, the tubular insert section 65 forms about half the height of the connection member 6. The tubular insert section 65, therefore, has one end which is also an end of the connection member 6 (e.g. an upper end of both the connection member 6 and the tubular insert section 65) and another end which is located along the length of the connection member 6 (e.g. at about the middle of the connection member 6 and which may be the lower end of the tubular insert section 65).

In some such versions, the lower end of the tubular insert section 65 (i.e. the end which is located along the length of the connection member 6) may include one or more cut-outs (which may be generally rectangular in shape). The or each cut-out may provide access to the space around at least part of the first, second, and/or third elongate member 61,62,63. As described, the hooks 21 may pass either side of the first, second, and/or third elongate members 61,62,63 when the connection member 6 is fitted to a support member 12 and one or more brackets 2 are also fitted to the support member 12. Therefore, the or each cut-out may permit an uppermost of the hook apertures 122a (or more than one uppermost hook aperture 122a) to be used to fit a bracket 2 when a connection member 6 is fitted to the support member 12 (as the tubular insert section 65 may otherwise block this in some versions).

The collar 64 may be provided around at least part of the tubular insert section 65, for example. The collar 64 may be provided between the or each cut-out and an end of the tubular insert section 65 (which may be the end of which is also the end of the connection member 6).

The tubular insert section 65 may define one or more pin apertures 651. In some versions, each side of the tubular insert section 65 defines at least one pin aperture 651. The or each pin aperture 651 may be located towards the end of the tubular insert section 65 which may be the end of which is also the end of the connection member 6. In some instances, therefore, this is a position above the collar 64 (with the connection member 6 in its normal in use orientation).

The tubular insert section 65 may be at least partially received by an end of a support member 12, which may then about the collar 64. As described, the other end of the connection member 6 may be at least partially received by another support member 12, which may abut the collar 64. The receipt of the tubular insert section 65 and other end of the connection member 6 by support members 12 may be telescopic receipt, for example. The collar 64 may, therefore, be sandwiched between the two support members 12 on the ends of the connection member 6. The tubular insert section 65 may provide a relatively close fit with the support member 12 to restrict unwanted lateral movement between the two. One or more pins may be used to secure the connection member 6 to either or both support member 12—e.g. using the aperture(s) 611, pin aperture(s) 651, slot(s) 124 or aperture(s) 124a, and/or further aperture(s) 123.

In some versions, the connection member 6 may be secured to the support member 12 in an irremovable manner (e.g. to form the first end configuration 12a). The connection member 6 may be secured to the support member 12 by welding, for example. FIGS. 42-45 show an example version with a connection member 6 secured, e.g. by welding, to an end (e.g. a lowermost end) of the support member 12 (which may be a handrail support member 12). Welding may be achieved through the aperture(s) 124a or slots 124, for example. In some such versions, the collar 64 may not be provided. Therefore, the end of one support member 12 may abut the end of another support member 12, with the connection member 6 partially received by each of those two support members 12. In other versions, the collar 64 may be provided. Likewise, the depicted version in these figures includes the tubular insert section 65 but, again, this need not be the case in some versions. Accordingly, the connection member 6 may be viewed as part of a support member 12 rather than as a separate element.

In some embodiments, brackets 2 may be connected to opposing ends of a diagonal cross-brace member 3. The diagonal cross-brace member 3 may be elongate and may be formed from box section material, for example. The diagonal cross-brace member 3 may be welded, for example, to two brackets 2 (one at either end thereof). The connection may be a diagonal connection such that, with one of the two brackets 2 connected to a first support member 12 and the other of the two brackets 2 connected to a second support member 12 (the two support members having offset longitudinal axes—i.e. being horizontally spaced apart), the diagonal cross-brace member 3 extends diagonally between the two support members 12.

The hooks 21 of the brackets 2 have been found to be particularly good as forces applied to the bracket 2 are normally downward (e.g. gravity) and this keeps the hooks 21 engaged. The receipt of the fin 116 in the slot of the bracket 2, particularly a tapering fin 116 and slot, also drive (under gravity) parts into engagement. The open ended slot of some embodiments means that the bracket 2 can be used with different lengths of fin 116 and/or that the bracket 2 (excluding the catch mechanism 22) can be readily manufactured from sheet material.

Various of the figures include dimensions and these are given in mm. The dimensions given are by way of example only and should be viewed as just one version of what is depicted in those figures—i.e. the figures should also be viewed as being representative of versions with different dimensions but the same features.

In some embodiments, the provision of the hooks 21 as extensions of the side wall material makes for simpler and cheaper manufacturing.

Similarly, the use of end plates 115 and/or hook portions 113a in the construction of the decking members 11 simplifies the construction without compromising the strength of the decking member 11.

Some versions provide multiple different options of the securing of brackets 2, legacy brackets 7 and handrails 5 to the support members 12. This provides a number of options and allows existing or old stock of equipment to be used (e.g. from earlier system versions).

The components of the modular platform system 1 may each be formed from metal and that metal may be steel.

References hereinto upper, lower, uppermost, lowermost, top and bottom, and other orientation dependent descriptions, are in terms of the normal in use orientation of the element concerned.

In some versions, there is a method provided of using the above described versions of the technology in the manners described (e.g. to fit or remove a bracket 2 from a support member 12 and/or to fit a decking member 11 and/or handrail 5).

When used in this specification and claims, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Although certain example embodiments of the invention have been described, the scope of the appended claims is not intended to be limited solely to these embodiments. The claims are to be construed literally, purposively, and/or to encompass equivalents.

Aspects

1. A support member and bracket for a modular decking system, wherein the support member includes at least one securing location at which the bracket is securable to the support member, and the bracket includes:
- one or more hooks configured to be received by one or more hook apertures of the securing location; and
- a pair of side walls and a further wall defining a tapering slot for receipt of a fin of a decking member or beam.

2. A support member and bracket according to aspect 1, wherein the support member includes a plurality of securing locations at which the bracket is securable to the support member, each securing location including one or more hook apertures configured to receive the one or more hooks of the bracket.

3. A support member and bracket according to aspect 1 or 2, wherein the tapering slot is an open ended slot at both a first and second end of the bracket.

4. A support member and bracket according to any preceding aspect, wherein the bracket further includes a catch mechanism including a catch member configured to move between a retracted and an extended position with respect to the side walls of the bracket, such that with the bracket secured to the support member and the catch member in the extended position, at least part of the catch member is received by a securing aperture of the support member at the securing location.

5. A support member and bracket according to any preceding aspect, wherein the one or more hooks include a pair of hooks.

6. A support member and bracket according to aspect 5, wherein the pair of hooks are configured to be received between two outer edges of the one or more hook apertures.

7. A support member and bracket according to aspect 6, wherein the two outer edges define a wide and narrow portion with a thickness of a portion of the bracket configured to be received by the or each hook aperture being greater than a width of the narrow portion and the wide portion being wider than the narrow portion.

8. A support member and bracket according to aspect 7, wherein the portion of the bracket configured to be received by the or each hook aperture is at least part of the pair of hooks.

9. A support member and bracket according to any of aspects 6 to 8, wherein the two outer edges are outer edges of a single hook aperture.

10. A support member and bracket according to any of aspects 6 to 8, wherein the two outer edges are outer edges of respective hook apertures.

11. A support member and bracket according to any preceding aspect, further including a connection member with a cross-shaped cross-section configured to be at least partially received by the support member to enable the support member to be connected to a further support member.

12. A support member and bracket according to any of aspects 5 to 11, wherein the one or more hooks include two pairs of hooks.

13. A support member and bracket according to any preceding aspect, wherein the or each hook includes a hook head at least partially defining a hook gap including a wide mouth portion and a narrow inner portion.

14. A support member and bracket according to any preceding aspect, wherein the bracket is configured to be flexed such that the distance between the pair of side walls is changed resiliently.

15. A support member and bracket according to aspect 14, wherein the pair of side walls are configured to be flexed towards each other for receipt of the or each hook by the or each hook aperture.

16. A support member and bracket according to aspect 14, wherein the bracket defines a threaded aperture for receipt of a male threaded member of the bracket, such that extension of the male threaded member through the threaded aperture presses the male threaded member against one of the pair of side walls to flex the side walls apart from each other.

17. A modular decking system cross-brace member including:
- a beam; and
- two brackets, each bracket coupled to an opposing end of the beam, wherein each bracket is configured to be secured to a respective securing location of a support member, and wherein each bracket includes:
- one or more hooks configured to be received by one or more hook apertures of the securing location; and
- a pair of side walls and a further wall defining a tapering slot for receipt of a fin of a decking member or beam and a further bracket.

18. A modular platform system for use on a construction site, the system including a support member and bracket, wherein the support member includes at least one securing location at which the bracket is securable to the support member, and the bracket includes:
- one or more hooks configured to be received by one or more hook apertures of the securing location; and
- a pair of side walls and a further wall defining a tapering slot for receipt of a fin of a decking member or beam.

19. A decking member for a modular platform system, the decking member including:
- a frame having at least two frame members;
- an end plate secured to both of the at least two frame members and including a fin extending substantially perpendicular to a main plane of the end plate, the fin being for receipt by a slot of a support member.

20. A decking member according to aspect 19, wherein the end plate is located at an intersection of the at least two frame members.

21. A decking member according to aspect 19 or 20, wherein the end plate is substantially triangular in shape.

22. A decking member according to any of aspects 19 to 21, wherein the fin and end plate are integrally formed.

23. A decking member for a modular platform system, the decking member including:
- a frame member; and
- a beam, wherein the frame member defines a recess with a lip, and the beam has a hook portion configured to be at least partially received by the recess and to engage the lip.

24. A decking member according to aspect 23, wherein the recess is an open ended recess such that the hook portion may be slid into and along the recess from an open end of the recess.

25. A tool including:
- two arms; and
  
  a pivotable coupling between the two arms to define a pair of handles to one side of the pivotable coupling and a pair of grip members to the other side of the pivotable coupling,
  
  wherein the grip members each include, at their distal ends, a respective L-shaped member for applying a clamping force to a bracket.

26. A tool and bracket combination, wherein the tool is a tool according to aspect 25 and the tool is configured to apply the clamping force to the bracket.

27. A modular decking system bracket including:
- one or more hooks configured to be received by one or more hook apertures of a securing location of a support member of the modular decking system; and
- a pair of side walls and a further wall defining a tapering slot for receipt of a fin of a decking member or beam.

28. A module decking system bracket according to aspect 27, wherein the one or more hooks extend from the pair of side walls, and the side walls are configured to flex resiliently inwardly with respect to each other.

29. A module decking system bracket according to aspect 27, wherein the one or more hooks extend from the pair of side walls, and the side walls are configured to flex resiliently outwardly with respect to each other.

30. A module decking system bracket according to aspect 29, wherein one of the pair of side walls includes a threaded aperture configured to receive a male threaded member such that extension of the male threaded member through the threaded aperture causes abutment of the male threaded member against the other of the pair of side walls to flex the side walls outwardly with respect to each other.

Number	Date	Country	Kind
2012913.6	Aug 2020	GB	national
2108837.2	Jun 2021	GB	national
2111705.6	Aug 2021	GB	national

Modular Platform System Components and Tools

Information

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Abstract

Description

Claims

Priority Claims (3)